I. PAGAN POETRY1. EPIC OR HEROIC GROUPWIDSITH[Critical edition: R. W. Chambers,Widsith: a Study in Old English Heroic Legend. Cambridge, 1912.Date: Probably late sixth or early seventh century.Alliterative translation: Gummere,Oldest English Epic(1910), p. 191.“Widsith—‘Farway’—the ideal wandering minstrel, tells of all the tribes among whom he has sojourned, of all the chieftains he has known. The first English students of the poem regarded it as autobiographical, as the actual record of his wanderings written by ascop; and were inclined to dismiss as interpolations passages mentioning princes whom it was chronologically impossible for a man who had met Ermanric to have known. This view was reduced to an absurdity by Haigh.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .“The more we study the growth of German heroic tradition, the more clear does it become thatWidsithandDeorreflect that tradition. They are not the actual outpourings of actual poets at the court of Ermanric or the Heodenings. What the poems sung in the court of Ermanric were like we shall never know: but we can safely say that they were unlikeWidsith.... The Traveller’s tale is a fantasy of some man, keenly interested in the old stories, who depicts an ideal wandering singer, and makes him move hither and thither among the tribes and the heroes whose stories he loves. In the names of its chiefs, in the names of its tribes, and above all in its spirit,Widsithreflects the heroic age of the migrations, an age which had hardly begun in the days of Ermanric.”—Chambers, p. 4.Lines 75, 82-84 are almost certainly interpolated. With these rejected “the poem leaves upon us,” says Chambers, “a very definite impression. It is a catalogue of the tribes and heroes of Germany, and many of these heroes, though they may have been half legendary already to the writer of the poem, are historic characters who can be dated with accuracy.”]Note.—In the footnotes, no attempt is made to discuss peoples or persons mentioned in this poem unless they are definitely known and are of importance for an understanding of the meaning of the lines.Widsith now spoke,his word-hoard unlocked,He who traveled the widestamong tribes of men,Farthest among folk:on the floor he receivedThe rarest of gifts.From the race of theMyrgings5His ancestors sprang.WithEalhhildthe gracious,The fair framer of peace,for the first timeHe sought the homeof theHræda king,From theAnglesin the East—ofEormanric,Fell and faithless.Freely he spoke forth:10“Many a royal rulerof a realm I have known;Every leader should livea life of virtue;One earl after the othershall order his land,He who wishes and worksfor the weal of his throne!Of these for a whilewasHwalathe best,15ButAlexanderof all of menWas most famous of lords,and he flourished the mostOf all the earlswhom on earth I have known.Attilaruled the Huns,Eormanric the Goths,Becca the Banings,the Burgundians Gifica.20Cæsarruled the Greeksand Cælic the Finns,Hagenathe Holm-RugiansandHeodenthe Glommas.Witta ruled the Swabians,Wadathe Hælsings,Meaca the Myrgings,Mearchealf theHundings,Theodoricruled the Franks,Thyle the Rondings,25Breocathe Brondings,Billing the Wernas.Oswine ruled the Eowasand the Ytas Gefwulf;Finn Folcwaldingruled the Frisian people.Sigehere ruled longestthe Sea-Dane’s kingdom.Hnæf ruled the Hocings,Helm the Wulfings,30Wald the Woings,Wod theThuringians,Sæferth theSecgans,the SwedesOngentheow.Sceafthere ruled the Ymbrians,Sceafa theLombards,Hun the Hætwerasand Holen the Wrosnas.Hringweald was calledthe king of the pirates.35Offaruled the Angles,Alewih the Danes:Among these menhe was mightiest of all,But he equalled not Offain earl-like deeds.For Offa by armswhile only a child,First among fighterswon the fairest of kingdoms;40Not any of his agein earlship surpassed him.In a single combatin the siege of battleHe fixed the frontierat FifeldoreAgainst the host of the Myrgings,which was held thenceforthBy Angles andSwabiansas Offa had marked it.45Hrothwulf and Hrothgarheld for a long timeA neighborly compact,the nephew and uncle,After they had vanquishedthe Viking racesAnd Ingeld’s arraywas overridden,Hewed down at Heorotthe Heathobard troop.50So forth I faredin foreign landsAll over the earth;of evil and goodThere I made trial,torn from my people;Far from my folkI have followed my travels.Therefore I singthe song of my wanderings,55Declare before the companyin the crowded mead-hall,How gifts have been given meby the great men of earth.I was with the Hunsand with theHræda-Goths,With the Swedes and with theGeatsand with the southern Danes,With the Wenlas I was and with the Vikingsand with the Wærna folk.60With theGepidæI was and with theWendsand with the Gefligas.With theAnglesI was and with the Swæfeand with the Ænenas.With theSaxonsI was and with the Secgansand with the Suardones.With the Hronas I was and with the Deanasand with theHeatho-Raemas.With the Thuringians I wasand with the Throwendas;65And with theBurgundians,where a bracelet was given me.Guthherethere gave mea goodly jewel,As reward for my song:not slothful that king!With theFranks I was and with the Frisiansand with the Frumtingas.With theRugians I was and with the Glommasand with the Roman strangers.70Likewise in ItalywithÆlfwineI was:He had, as I have heard,a hand the readiestFor praiseworthy deedsof prowess and daring;With liberal hearthe lavished his treasures,Shining armlets—the son ofEadwine.75I was with the Saracensand with theSerings;With the Greeks I was and with the Finnsand with far-famed Cæsar,Who sat in ruleover the cities of revelry—Over the riches and wealthof the realm of theWelsh.With the Scots I was and with the Pictsand with theScride-Finns.80With theLidwicingasI was and with the Leonasand with the Longobards,With the Hæthnas and with the Hærethasand with theHundings;With the Israelites I wasand with the Assyrians,And with the Hebrews and with the Egyptiansand with the Hindus I was,Withthe Medes I was and with the Persiansand with the Myrging folk,85And with the Mofdings I wasand against the Myrging band,And with the Amothingians.With theEast ThuringiansI wasAnd with the Eolas and with theIstiansand with the Idumingas.And I was withEormanricall of the time;There the king of the Gothsgave me in honor90The choicest of bracelets—the chief of the burghers—On which were six hundred piecesof precious gold,Of shining metalin shillings counted;I gave over this armlettoEadgilsthen,To my kind protectorwhen I came to my home,95To my beloved prince,the lord of the Myrgings,Who gave me the landthat was left by my father;AndEalhhildthen alsoanother ring gave me,Queen of the doughty ones,the daughter of Eadwine.Her praise has passedto all parts of the world,100Wherever in songI sought to tellWhere I knew under heavensthe noblest of queens,Golden-adorned,giving forth treasures.Then in company with Scilling,in clear ringing voice’Fore our beloved lordI uplifted my song;105Loudly the harpin harmony sounded;Then many menwith minds discerningSpoke of our layin unsparing praise,That they never had hearda nobler song.Then I roamed through allthe realm of the Goths;110Unceasing I soughtthe surest of friends,The crowd of comradesof the court of Eormanric.Hethca sought I and Beadecaand the Harlungs,Emercasought I and Fridlaand East-Gota,Sage and noble,the sire of Unwen.115Secca sought I andBecca,Seafola and Theodoric,Heathoric andSifeca,Hlithe and Incgentheow.Eadwine sought I and ElsaÆgelmund and HungarAnd the worthy troopof the With-Myrgings.Wulfhere sought I and Wyrmhere:there war was seldom lacking120When the host of theHrædaswith hardened swordsMust wage their warsby the woods of VistulaTo hold their homesfrom the hordes of Attila.Rædhere sought I and Rondhere,Rumstan and Gislhere,Withergield and Freotheric,Wudga and Hama:125These warriors were notthe worst of comrades,Though their names at the lastof my list are numbered.Full oft from that hostthe hissing spearFiercely flew on thefoemen’s troopers.There the wretches ruledwith royal treasure,130Wudga and Hama,over women and men.So I ever have foundas I fared among menThat in all the landmost beloved is heTo whom God givetha goodly kingdomTo hold as longas he liveth here.135Thus wandering widelythrough the world there goMinstrels of menthrough many lands,Express their needsand speak their thanks.Ever south and northsome one they meetSkillful in songwho scatters gifts,140To further his famebefore his chieftains,To do deeds of honor,till all shall depart,Light and life together:lasting praise he gains,And has under heaventhe highest of honor.4.Myrging.Nothing is known with any degree of certainty about this tribe. Chambers concludes that they dwelt south of the River Eider, which is the present boundary between Schleswig and Holstein, and that they belonged to the Suevic stock of peoples. Seevv. 84, 85, below.5.Ealhhild.See notes tovv. 8and97, below. Much discussion has taken place as to who Ealhhild was. Summing up his lengthy discussion, Chambers says (Widsith, p. 28): “For these reasons it seems best to regard Ealhhild as the murdered wife of Eormanric, the Anglian equivalent of the Gothic Sunilda and the Northern Swanhild.”7.Hræda king.That is, the Gothic king.8.Angles.One of the Low Germanic tribes that later settled in Britain, and from whom the name England is derived. Their original home was in the modern Schleswig-Holstein.Eormanric.Seev. 88, below, andDeor’s Lament, v. 21. He was a king of the Goths. After his death, about 375 A.D., he came to be known as the typical bad king, covetous, fierce, and cruel. According to the Scandinavian form of the story, the king sends his son and a treacherous councillor, Bikki (the Becca ofv. 19) to woo and bring to the court the maiden Swanhild. Bikki urges the son to woo her for himself and then betrays him to his father, who has him hanged and causes Swanhild to be trampled to death by horses. Her brothers revenge her death and wound the king. At this juncture the Huns attack him, and during the attack Eormanric dies.11.The proverb, or “gnomic verse,” is very common in Old English poetry.14.Hwalaappears in the West Saxon genealogies as son of Beowi, son of Sceaf (seeBeowulf, vv. 4, 18).15.Alexander[the Great]. The writer speaks of many celebrities who were obviously too early for him to know personally. This passage is usually considered to be an interpolation.18.Becca.Seenote to v. 8. TheBaningsare not definitely identified. TheBurgundianswere originally an East Germanic tribe. During the second and third centuries they were neighbors of the Goths and lived in the modern Posen. Later they moved west, and finally threatened Gaul, where in the middle of the fifth century they were defeated by the Roman general, Aetius. Shortly afterward they were defeated by the Huns. The remnant settled in Savoy, where they gradually recovered, and by the middle of the sixth century became an important nation.Gifica(or Gibica) was traditionally spoken of as an early king who ruled over the Burgundians while they were still in the east, living as neighbors of the Goths on the Vistula.20.Cæsar, was the name given to the Emperor of the East—the “Greek Emperor.” The Finns were at that time located in their present home in Finland.21, 22.Hagena, Heoden, Wada.These heroes all belong to one myth-cycle, which was told in Europe for many centuries. It is difficult to reconstruct the story as it was known at the timeWidsithwas written, for it has received many additions at the hands of subsequent writers. The essential parts of the tale seem to be these: Heoden asks his servant, the sweet-singing Heorrenda, for help in wooing Hild, the daughter of Hagena. Heorrenda, enlisting the services of Wada, the renowned sea-monster (or sea-god) goes to woo Hild. By means of Wada’s frightful appearance and skill in swordsmanship they attract Hild’s attention, and Heorrenda then sings so that the birds are shamed into silence. They then woo Hild and flee with her from her father’s court. Hagena pursues, and Heoden, after marrying Hild, engages him in battle. Each evening Hild goes to the battlefield and by magic awakens the warriors who have fallen, and they fight the same battle over day after day without ceasing.Heorrenda, the sweet singer of the Heodenings (i.e., of the court of Heoden) is mentioned inDeor’s Lament, vv.36 and 39.Wadais a widely-known legendary character. He had power over the sea. He was the father of Weland, the Vulcan of Norse myth (seeDeor’s Lament, andWaldhere, A, v. 2). TheHolm-Rugiansand theHælsingswere in the fourth century on the Baltic coast of Germany. TheGlommasare unknown.24.Theodoric, son of Chlodowech, king of the Franks, is meant, and not the famous Gothic king. Cf.v. 115, below.25.Breoca: the same as Breca, prince of the Brondings, the opponent of Beowulf in his famous swimming match (Beowulf, vv. 499-606).27, 28.Finn Folcwaldingwas the traditional hero of the Frisians. For fragments of the stories connected with him, seeBeowulf, vv. 1068-1159, and the fragmentary poem,The Fight at Finnsburg(p. 34, below).Hnæf, son of Hoc (hence ruler of theHocings) also figures in the Finn story. Hnæf’s sister marries Finn. For a summary of the story see the Introduction toThe Fight at Finnsburg.30.Thuringians.These people dwelt near the mouths of the Rhine and the Maas.31.Ongentheow, the king of Sweden, is frequently mentioned inBeowulf(e.g., vv. 2476 and 2783).The Secgansare unknown, but they are mentioned inv. 62, below, and inThe Fight at Finnsburg, v. 26.32.The ancient home of theLongobards(or Lombards) was between the Baltic and the Elbe.35.Offa: a legendary king of the Angles, while they still lived on the continent toward the end of the fourth century. Legends of him are found in Denmark and in England. Chambers concludes that the Danish form is perhaps very near that known to the author ofWidsith. Offa, the son of the king, though a giant in stature, is dumb from his youth, and when the German prince from the south challenges the aged king to send a champion to defend his realm in single combat, Offa’s speech is restored and he goes to the combat. The fight was held at Fifeldore, the River Eider, which was along the frontier between the Germans and the Danes. Here Offa fought against two champions and defeated them both, thus establishing the frontier for many years. Note that the author ofWidsith, who is of the Myrging race, is here celebrating the defeat of his own people.44.Swabiansprobably refers to the Myrgings, who were of the stock of the Suevi.45.Hrothwulf and Hrothgar.SeeBeowulf, vv. 1017 and 1181 ff. Hrothgar is Hrothwulf’s uncle, and they live on friendly terms at Heorot (Hrothgar’s hall). Later it seems that Hrothwulf fails to perform his duties as the guardian of Hrothgar’s son, thus bringing to an end his years of friendliness to Hrothgar and his sons. The fight referred to is against Ingeld, Hrothgar’s son-in-law who invaded the Danish kingdom. (SeeBeowulf, vv. 84, 2024 ff.)57.Seev. 18, above.58.TheGeatswere probably settled in southern Sweden. They were the tribe to which Beowulf belonged.60.TheGepidæwere closely related to the Goths and were originally located near them at the mouth of the Vistula River. TheWendswere a Slavonic tribe who finally pressed up into the lands vacated in the great migrations by the Germans between the Elbe and the Vistula.61.Angles.Seevv. 8and44, above.Swæfe.Seeline 44, above.62.TheSaxons, who with the Angles and Jutes settled Britain in the fifth and sixth centuries, lived originally near the mouth of the Elbe.63.TheHeatho-Raemasdwelt near the modern Christiania in Norway. SeeBeowulf, line 518, in which Breca in the swimming match reaches their land.65.Burgundians.Seev. 19.66.Guthherewas a ruler of the Burgundians (v. 19). He was probably at Worms when he gave the jewel to Widsith. Guthhere, because of his great battle with Attila and his tragic defeat, became a great legendary hero. (SeeWaldhere, B, v. 14.)67.TheFranksand theFrisiansare spoken of together inBeowulf(vv. 1207, 1210, 2917), where they together repulse an attack made by Hygelac. The Frisians probably dwelt west of the Zuider Zee.68.TheRugiansand theGlommas. Seenote to v. 21, above.70.Ælfwine:(otherwise known as Alboin), the Lombard conqueror of Italy. He was the son of Audoin (Eadwine).75-87.Most scholars agree that these lines are interpolated, since they do not fit in with the rest of the poem.75.Serings:possibly Syrians.78.Welsh:a term applied to the Romans by the Old English writers.79.TheScride-Finnswere settled in northern Norway—not in Finland, where the main body of Finns were found. They are perhaps to be identified with the modern Lapps.80.Lidwicingas:the inhabitants of Armorica.Longobards.Seev. 32.81.TheHundingsare also mentioned inline 23.84, 85.Myrging.Seeline 4.86.East Thuringians.Probably those Thuringians dwelling in the sixth century east of the Elbe.87.Istians.Probably the Esthonians mentioned in theVoyage of Wulfstan. (Seep. 194, line 151, below.) TheIdumingaswere neighbors of the Istians. Both were probably Lettish or Lithuanian tribes.88.Eormanric.Seenote to v. 8, above.93.Eadgilswas king of the Myrgings.97.Ealhhild.Seenote to v. 5, above. She was (v. 98) daughter of Eadwine, King of the Lombards (v. 74). The meaning here is not absolutely clear, but Chambers makes a good case for considering her the wife of Eormanric. He thinks that she followed her husband’s gift to Widsith by a gift of another ring, in return for which Widsith sings her praises.112, 113.EmercaandFridla, theHarlungs, were murdered by their uncle, Eormanric.East-Gota, or Ostrogotha, the king of the united Goths in the middle of the third century, was a direct ancestor of Eormanric.115.Becca.Seenote to v. 8.SeafolaandTheodoric: probably Theodoric of Verona and his retainer, Sabene of Ravenna. On the other hand, the references may be to Theoderic the Frank. (Seev. 24.)116.Sifeca:probably the evil councillor who brought about the murder by Eormanric of his nephews, the Harlungs. (Seevv. 112, 113, note.)117-119.These names are all very obscure.120.Hrædas:the Goths.121.The struggle between the Goths and the Huns did not actually occur in the Vistula wood, but after the Goths had left the Vistula.124, 130.WudgaandHama. The typical outlaws of German tradition. Hama appears inBeowulf(v. 1198) as a fugitive who has stolen the Brising necklace and fled from Eormanric. Wudga, the Widia ofWaldhere(B, vv. 4, 9) came finally to be known for his treachery. He was connected with the court of Theodoric and received gifts from him, but he is later represented as having betrayed the king. The traditions about both of these men are badly confused.135-143.One of the passages that give us a definite impression of the scop, or minstrel, and his life. It serves very well for the conclusion of a poem descriptive of the life of a minstrel.DEOR’S LAMENT[Critical text and translation: Dickins,Runic and Heroic Poems, Cambridge University Press, 1915, p. 70.Alliterative translation: Gummere,Oldest English Epic(1910), p. 186.The metrical arrangement of this poem into strophes with a constant refrain is very unusual in the poetry of the Anglo-Saxons, though it is common among their Scandinavian kinsmen. This fact has led some scholars to believe that we have here a translation from the Old Norse. Professor Gummere, however, makes a good case against this assumption.The first three strophes refer to the widely known story of Weland, or Wayland, the Vulcan of Norse myth. The crafty king, Nithhad, captures Weland, fetters him (according to some accounts, hamstrings him), and robs him of the magic ring that gives him power to fly. Beadohild, Nithhad’s daughter, accompanied by her brothers, goes to Weland and has him mend rings for her. In this way he recovers his own ring and his power to fly. Before leaving he kills the sons of Nithhad, and, stupefying Beadohild with liquor, puts her to shame.]ToWelandcame woesand wearisome trial,And cares oppressedthe constant earl;His lifelong companionswere pain and sorrow,And winter-cold weeping:his ways were oft hard,5After Nithhad had struckthe strong man low,Cut the supple sinew-bandsof the sorrowful earl.That has passed over:so this may depart!Beadohildboreher brothers’ deathLess sorely in soulthan herself and her plight10When she clearly discoveredher cursed condition,That unwed she should beara babe to the world.She never could thinkof the thing that must happen.That has passed over:so this may depart!Much have we learnedofMæthhild’s life:15How the courtship of Geatwas crowned with grief,How love and its sorrowsallowed him no sleep.That has passed over:so this may depart!Theodoricheldfor thirty wintersThe town of theMærings:that was told unto many.20That has passed over:so this may depart!We all have heardofEormanricOf the wolfish heart:a wide realm he hadOf the Gothic kingdom.Grim was the king.Many men satand bemoaned their sorrows,25Woefully watchingand wishing alwaysThat the cruel kingmight be conquered at last.That has passed over:so this may depart!Sad in his soulhe sitteth joyless,Mournful in mood.He many times thinks30That no end will e’er cometo the cares he endures.Then must he thinkhow throughout the worldThe gracious Godoften gives his helpAnd manifold honorsto many an earlAnd sends wide his fame;but to some he gives woes.35Of myself and my sorrowsI may say in truthThat I was happy onceas theHeodenings’ scop,Dear to my lord.Deor was my name.Many winters I founda worthy following,Held my lord’s heart,till Heorrenda came,40The skillful singer,and received the land-rightThat the proud helm of earlshad once promised to me!That has passed over:so this may depart!1.Weland, or Wayland; the blacksmith of the Norse gods. He is represented as being the son of Wada (seeWidsith, v. 22, note).8.Beadohildwas violated by Weland, and this stanza refers to the approaching birth of her son Widia (or Wudga). (SeeWidsith, vv. 124, 130, andWaldhere, B, vv. 4-10.)14.The exact meaning of the third strophe as here translated is not clear. To make it refer to the story of Nithhad and Weland, it is necessary to make certain changes suggested by Professor Tupper (Modern Philology, October, 1911;Anglia, xxxvii, 118). Thus amended, this stanza would read: “Of the violation of (Beadu)hild many of us have heard. The affections of the Geat (i.e., Nithhad) were boundless, so that sorrowing love deprived him of all sleep.” This grief of Nithhad would be that caused by the killing of his sons and the shame brought on his daughter. Thus the first three stanzas of the poem would refer to (1) Weland’s torture, (2) Beadohild’s shame, and (3) Nithhad’s grief.18.Strophe four refers to Theodoric the Goth (seeWidsith, v. 115, andWaldhere, B, v. 4, note). He was banished to Attila’s court for thirty years.19.Mærings:a name applied to the Ostrogoths.21.Eormanricwas king of the Goths and uncle to Theodoric. He died about 375 A.D. He put his only son to death, had his wife torn to pieces, and ruined the happiness of many people. For an account of his crimes see thenotes toWidsith, v. 8.36.See, for the connection of theHeodeningsand the sweet-singingHeorrenda, thenote toWidsith, v. 21.
WIDSITH[Critical edition: R. W. Chambers,Widsith: a Study in Old English Heroic Legend. Cambridge, 1912.Date: Probably late sixth or early seventh century.Alliterative translation: Gummere,Oldest English Epic(1910), p. 191.“Widsith—‘Farway’—the ideal wandering minstrel, tells of all the tribes among whom he has sojourned, of all the chieftains he has known. The first English students of the poem regarded it as autobiographical, as the actual record of his wanderings written by ascop; and were inclined to dismiss as interpolations passages mentioning princes whom it was chronologically impossible for a man who had met Ermanric to have known. This view was reduced to an absurdity by Haigh.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .“The more we study the growth of German heroic tradition, the more clear does it become thatWidsithandDeorreflect that tradition. They are not the actual outpourings of actual poets at the court of Ermanric or the Heodenings. What the poems sung in the court of Ermanric were like we shall never know: but we can safely say that they were unlikeWidsith.... The Traveller’s tale is a fantasy of some man, keenly interested in the old stories, who depicts an ideal wandering singer, and makes him move hither and thither among the tribes and the heroes whose stories he loves. In the names of its chiefs, in the names of its tribes, and above all in its spirit,Widsithreflects the heroic age of the migrations, an age which had hardly begun in the days of Ermanric.”—Chambers, p. 4.Lines 75, 82-84 are almost certainly interpolated. With these rejected “the poem leaves upon us,” says Chambers, “a very definite impression. It is a catalogue of the tribes and heroes of Germany, and many of these heroes, though they may have been half legendary already to the writer of the poem, are historic characters who can be dated with accuracy.”]Note.—In the footnotes, no attempt is made to discuss peoples or persons mentioned in this poem unless they are definitely known and are of importance for an understanding of the meaning of the lines.Widsith now spoke,his word-hoard unlocked,He who traveled the widestamong tribes of men,Farthest among folk:on the floor he receivedThe rarest of gifts.From the race of theMyrgings5His ancestors sprang.WithEalhhildthe gracious,The fair framer of peace,for the first timeHe sought the homeof theHræda king,From theAnglesin the East—ofEormanric,Fell and faithless.Freely he spoke forth:10“Many a royal rulerof a realm I have known;Every leader should livea life of virtue;One earl after the othershall order his land,He who wishes and worksfor the weal of his throne!Of these for a whilewasHwalathe best,15ButAlexanderof all of menWas most famous of lords,and he flourished the mostOf all the earlswhom on earth I have known.Attilaruled the Huns,Eormanric the Goths,Becca the Banings,the Burgundians Gifica.20Cæsarruled the Greeksand Cælic the Finns,Hagenathe Holm-RugiansandHeodenthe Glommas.Witta ruled the Swabians,Wadathe Hælsings,Meaca the Myrgings,Mearchealf theHundings,Theodoricruled the Franks,Thyle the Rondings,25Breocathe Brondings,Billing the Wernas.Oswine ruled the Eowasand the Ytas Gefwulf;Finn Folcwaldingruled the Frisian people.Sigehere ruled longestthe Sea-Dane’s kingdom.Hnæf ruled the Hocings,Helm the Wulfings,30Wald the Woings,Wod theThuringians,Sæferth theSecgans,the SwedesOngentheow.Sceafthere ruled the Ymbrians,Sceafa theLombards,Hun the Hætwerasand Holen the Wrosnas.Hringweald was calledthe king of the pirates.35Offaruled the Angles,Alewih the Danes:Among these menhe was mightiest of all,But he equalled not Offain earl-like deeds.For Offa by armswhile only a child,First among fighterswon the fairest of kingdoms;40Not any of his agein earlship surpassed him.In a single combatin the siege of battleHe fixed the frontierat FifeldoreAgainst the host of the Myrgings,which was held thenceforthBy Angles andSwabiansas Offa had marked it.45Hrothwulf and Hrothgarheld for a long timeA neighborly compact,the nephew and uncle,After they had vanquishedthe Viking racesAnd Ingeld’s arraywas overridden,Hewed down at Heorotthe Heathobard troop.50So forth I faredin foreign landsAll over the earth;of evil and goodThere I made trial,torn from my people;Far from my folkI have followed my travels.Therefore I singthe song of my wanderings,55Declare before the companyin the crowded mead-hall,How gifts have been given meby the great men of earth.I was with the Hunsand with theHræda-Goths,With the Swedes and with theGeatsand with the southern Danes,With the Wenlas I was and with the Vikingsand with the Wærna folk.60With theGepidæI was and with theWendsand with the Gefligas.With theAnglesI was and with the Swæfeand with the Ænenas.With theSaxonsI was and with the Secgansand with the Suardones.With the Hronas I was and with the Deanasand with theHeatho-Raemas.With the Thuringians I wasand with the Throwendas;65And with theBurgundians,where a bracelet was given me.Guthherethere gave mea goodly jewel,As reward for my song:not slothful that king!With theFranks I was and with the Frisiansand with the Frumtingas.With theRugians I was and with the Glommasand with the Roman strangers.70Likewise in ItalywithÆlfwineI was:He had, as I have heard,a hand the readiestFor praiseworthy deedsof prowess and daring;With liberal hearthe lavished his treasures,Shining armlets—the son ofEadwine.75I was with the Saracensand with theSerings;With the Greeks I was and with the Finnsand with far-famed Cæsar,Who sat in ruleover the cities of revelry—Over the riches and wealthof the realm of theWelsh.With the Scots I was and with the Pictsand with theScride-Finns.80With theLidwicingasI was and with the Leonasand with the Longobards,With the Hæthnas and with the Hærethasand with theHundings;With the Israelites I wasand with the Assyrians,And with the Hebrews and with the Egyptiansand with the Hindus I was,Withthe Medes I was and with the Persiansand with the Myrging folk,85And with the Mofdings I wasand against the Myrging band,And with the Amothingians.With theEast ThuringiansI wasAnd with the Eolas and with theIstiansand with the Idumingas.And I was withEormanricall of the time;There the king of the Gothsgave me in honor90The choicest of bracelets—the chief of the burghers—On which were six hundred piecesof precious gold,Of shining metalin shillings counted;I gave over this armlettoEadgilsthen,To my kind protectorwhen I came to my home,95To my beloved prince,the lord of the Myrgings,Who gave me the landthat was left by my father;AndEalhhildthen alsoanother ring gave me,Queen of the doughty ones,the daughter of Eadwine.Her praise has passedto all parts of the world,100Wherever in songI sought to tellWhere I knew under heavensthe noblest of queens,Golden-adorned,giving forth treasures.Then in company with Scilling,in clear ringing voice’Fore our beloved lordI uplifted my song;105Loudly the harpin harmony sounded;Then many menwith minds discerningSpoke of our layin unsparing praise,That they never had hearda nobler song.Then I roamed through allthe realm of the Goths;110Unceasing I soughtthe surest of friends,The crowd of comradesof the court of Eormanric.Hethca sought I and Beadecaand the Harlungs,Emercasought I and Fridlaand East-Gota,Sage and noble,the sire of Unwen.115Secca sought I andBecca,Seafola and Theodoric,Heathoric andSifeca,Hlithe and Incgentheow.Eadwine sought I and ElsaÆgelmund and HungarAnd the worthy troopof the With-Myrgings.Wulfhere sought I and Wyrmhere:there war was seldom lacking120When the host of theHrædaswith hardened swordsMust wage their warsby the woods of VistulaTo hold their homesfrom the hordes of Attila.Rædhere sought I and Rondhere,Rumstan and Gislhere,Withergield and Freotheric,Wudga and Hama:125These warriors were notthe worst of comrades,Though their names at the lastof my list are numbered.Full oft from that hostthe hissing spearFiercely flew on thefoemen’s troopers.There the wretches ruledwith royal treasure,130Wudga and Hama,over women and men.So I ever have foundas I fared among menThat in all the landmost beloved is heTo whom God givetha goodly kingdomTo hold as longas he liveth here.135Thus wandering widelythrough the world there goMinstrels of menthrough many lands,Express their needsand speak their thanks.Ever south and northsome one they meetSkillful in songwho scatters gifts,140To further his famebefore his chieftains,To do deeds of honor,till all shall depart,Light and life together:lasting praise he gains,And has under heaventhe highest of honor.4.Myrging.Nothing is known with any degree of certainty about this tribe. Chambers concludes that they dwelt south of the River Eider, which is the present boundary between Schleswig and Holstein, and that they belonged to the Suevic stock of peoples. Seevv. 84, 85, below.5.Ealhhild.See notes tovv. 8and97, below. Much discussion has taken place as to who Ealhhild was. Summing up his lengthy discussion, Chambers says (Widsith, p. 28): “For these reasons it seems best to regard Ealhhild as the murdered wife of Eormanric, the Anglian equivalent of the Gothic Sunilda and the Northern Swanhild.”7.Hræda king.That is, the Gothic king.8.Angles.One of the Low Germanic tribes that later settled in Britain, and from whom the name England is derived. Their original home was in the modern Schleswig-Holstein.Eormanric.Seev. 88, below, andDeor’s Lament, v. 21. He was a king of the Goths. After his death, about 375 A.D., he came to be known as the typical bad king, covetous, fierce, and cruel. According to the Scandinavian form of the story, the king sends his son and a treacherous councillor, Bikki (the Becca ofv. 19) to woo and bring to the court the maiden Swanhild. Bikki urges the son to woo her for himself and then betrays him to his father, who has him hanged and causes Swanhild to be trampled to death by horses. Her brothers revenge her death and wound the king. At this juncture the Huns attack him, and during the attack Eormanric dies.11.The proverb, or “gnomic verse,” is very common in Old English poetry.14.Hwalaappears in the West Saxon genealogies as son of Beowi, son of Sceaf (seeBeowulf, vv. 4, 18).15.Alexander[the Great]. The writer speaks of many celebrities who were obviously too early for him to know personally. This passage is usually considered to be an interpolation.18.Becca.Seenote to v. 8. TheBaningsare not definitely identified. TheBurgundianswere originally an East Germanic tribe. During the second and third centuries they were neighbors of the Goths and lived in the modern Posen. Later they moved west, and finally threatened Gaul, where in the middle of the fifth century they were defeated by the Roman general, Aetius. Shortly afterward they were defeated by the Huns. The remnant settled in Savoy, where they gradually recovered, and by the middle of the sixth century became an important nation.Gifica(or Gibica) was traditionally spoken of as an early king who ruled over the Burgundians while they were still in the east, living as neighbors of the Goths on the Vistula.20.Cæsar, was the name given to the Emperor of the East—the “Greek Emperor.” The Finns were at that time located in their present home in Finland.21, 22.Hagena, Heoden, Wada.These heroes all belong to one myth-cycle, which was told in Europe for many centuries. It is difficult to reconstruct the story as it was known at the timeWidsithwas written, for it has received many additions at the hands of subsequent writers. The essential parts of the tale seem to be these: Heoden asks his servant, the sweet-singing Heorrenda, for help in wooing Hild, the daughter of Hagena. Heorrenda, enlisting the services of Wada, the renowned sea-monster (or sea-god) goes to woo Hild. By means of Wada’s frightful appearance and skill in swordsmanship they attract Hild’s attention, and Heorrenda then sings so that the birds are shamed into silence. They then woo Hild and flee with her from her father’s court. Hagena pursues, and Heoden, after marrying Hild, engages him in battle. Each evening Hild goes to the battlefield and by magic awakens the warriors who have fallen, and they fight the same battle over day after day without ceasing.Heorrenda, the sweet singer of the Heodenings (i.e., of the court of Heoden) is mentioned inDeor’s Lament, vv.36 and 39.Wadais a widely-known legendary character. He had power over the sea. He was the father of Weland, the Vulcan of Norse myth (seeDeor’s Lament, andWaldhere, A, v. 2). TheHolm-Rugiansand theHælsingswere in the fourth century on the Baltic coast of Germany. TheGlommasare unknown.24.Theodoric, son of Chlodowech, king of the Franks, is meant, and not the famous Gothic king. Cf.v. 115, below.25.Breoca: the same as Breca, prince of the Brondings, the opponent of Beowulf in his famous swimming match (Beowulf, vv. 499-606).27, 28.Finn Folcwaldingwas the traditional hero of the Frisians. For fragments of the stories connected with him, seeBeowulf, vv. 1068-1159, and the fragmentary poem,The Fight at Finnsburg(p. 34, below).Hnæf, son of Hoc (hence ruler of theHocings) also figures in the Finn story. Hnæf’s sister marries Finn. For a summary of the story see the Introduction toThe Fight at Finnsburg.30.Thuringians.These people dwelt near the mouths of the Rhine and the Maas.31.Ongentheow, the king of Sweden, is frequently mentioned inBeowulf(e.g., vv. 2476 and 2783).The Secgansare unknown, but they are mentioned inv. 62, below, and inThe Fight at Finnsburg, v. 26.32.The ancient home of theLongobards(or Lombards) was between the Baltic and the Elbe.35.Offa: a legendary king of the Angles, while they still lived on the continent toward the end of the fourth century. Legends of him are found in Denmark and in England. Chambers concludes that the Danish form is perhaps very near that known to the author ofWidsith. Offa, the son of the king, though a giant in stature, is dumb from his youth, and when the German prince from the south challenges the aged king to send a champion to defend his realm in single combat, Offa’s speech is restored and he goes to the combat. The fight was held at Fifeldore, the River Eider, which was along the frontier between the Germans and the Danes. Here Offa fought against two champions and defeated them both, thus establishing the frontier for many years. Note that the author ofWidsith, who is of the Myrging race, is here celebrating the defeat of his own people.44.Swabiansprobably refers to the Myrgings, who were of the stock of the Suevi.45.Hrothwulf and Hrothgar.SeeBeowulf, vv. 1017 and 1181 ff. Hrothgar is Hrothwulf’s uncle, and they live on friendly terms at Heorot (Hrothgar’s hall). Later it seems that Hrothwulf fails to perform his duties as the guardian of Hrothgar’s son, thus bringing to an end his years of friendliness to Hrothgar and his sons. The fight referred to is against Ingeld, Hrothgar’s son-in-law who invaded the Danish kingdom. (SeeBeowulf, vv. 84, 2024 ff.)57.Seev. 18, above.58.TheGeatswere probably settled in southern Sweden. They were the tribe to which Beowulf belonged.60.TheGepidæwere closely related to the Goths and were originally located near them at the mouth of the Vistula River. TheWendswere a Slavonic tribe who finally pressed up into the lands vacated in the great migrations by the Germans between the Elbe and the Vistula.61.Angles.Seevv. 8and44, above.Swæfe.Seeline 44, above.62.TheSaxons, who with the Angles and Jutes settled Britain in the fifth and sixth centuries, lived originally near the mouth of the Elbe.63.TheHeatho-Raemasdwelt near the modern Christiania in Norway. SeeBeowulf, line 518, in which Breca in the swimming match reaches their land.65.Burgundians.Seev. 19.66.Guthherewas a ruler of the Burgundians (v. 19). He was probably at Worms when he gave the jewel to Widsith. Guthhere, because of his great battle with Attila and his tragic defeat, became a great legendary hero. (SeeWaldhere, B, v. 14.)67.TheFranksand theFrisiansare spoken of together inBeowulf(vv. 1207, 1210, 2917), where they together repulse an attack made by Hygelac. The Frisians probably dwelt west of the Zuider Zee.68.TheRugiansand theGlommas. Seenote to v. 21, above.70.Ælfwine:(otherwise known as Alboin), the Lombard conqueror of Italy. He was the son of Audoin (Eadwine).75-87.Most scholars agree that these lines are interpolated, since they do not fit in with the rest of the poem.75.Serings:possibly Syrians.78.Welsh:a term applied to the Romans by the Old English writers.79.TheScride-Finnswere settled in northern Norway—not in Finland, where the main body of Finns were found. They are perhaps to be identified with the modern Lapps.80.Lidwicingas:the inhabitants of Armorica.Longobards.Seev. 32.81.TheHundingsare also mentioned inline 23.84, 85.Myrging.Seeline 4.86.East Thuringians.Probably those Thuringians dwelling in the sixth century east of the Elbe.87.Istians.Probably the Esthonians mentioned in theVoyage of Wulfstan. (Seep. 194, line 151, below.) TheIdumingaswere neighbors of the Istians. Both were probably Lettish or Lithuanian tribes.88.Eormanric.Seenote to v. 8, above.93.Eadgilswas king of the Myrgings.97.Ealhhild.Seenote to v. 5, above. She was (v. 98) daughter of Eadwine, King of the Lombards (v. 74). The meaning here is not absolutely clear, but Chambers makes a good case for considering her the wife of Eormanric. He thinks that she followed her husband’s gift to Widsith by a gift of another ring, in return for which Widsith sings her praises.112, 113.EmercaandFridla, theHarlungs, were murdered by their uncle, Eormanric.East-Gota, or Ostrogotha, the king of the united Goths in the middle of the third century, was a direct ancestor of Eormanric.115.Becca.Seenote to v. 8.SeafolaandTheodoric: probably Theodoric of Verona and his retainer, Sabene of Ravenna. On the other hand, the references may be to Theoderic the Frank. (Seev. 24.)116.Sifeca:probably the evil councillor who brought about the murder by Eormanric of his nephews, the Harlungs. (Seevv. 112, 113, note.)117-119.These names are all very obscure.120.Hrædas:the Goths.121.The struggle between the Goths and the Huns did not actually occur in the Vistula wood, but after the Goths had left the Vistula.124, 130.WudgaandHama. The typical outlaws of German tradition. Hama appears inBeowulf(v. 1198) as a fugitive who has stolen the Brising necklace and fled from Eormanric. Wudga, the Widia ofWaldhere(B, vv. 4, 9) came finally to be known for his treachery. He was connected with the court of Theodoric and received gifts from him, but he is later represented as having betrayed the king. The traditions about both of these men are badly confused.135-143.One of the passages that give us a definite impression of the scop, or minstrel, and his life. It serves very well for the conclusion of a poem descriptive of the life of a minstrel.
[Critical edition: R. W. Chambers,Widsith: a Study in Old English Heroic Legend. Cambridge, 1912.Date: Probably late sixth or early seventh century.Alliterative translation: Gummere,Oldest English Epic(1910), p. 191.“Widsith—‘Farway’—the ideal wandering minstrel, tells of all the tribes among whom he has sojourned, of all the chieftains he has known. The first English students of the poem regarded it as autobiographical, as the actual record of his wanderings written by ascop; and were inclined to dismiss as interpolations passages mentioning princes whom it was chronologically impossible for a man who had met Ermanric to have known. This view was reduced to an absurdity by Haigh.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .“The more we study the growth of German heroic tradition, the more clear does it become thatWidsithandDeorreflect that tradition. They are not the actual outpourings of actual poets at the court of Ermanric or the Heodenings. What the poems sung in the court of Ermanric were like we shall never know: but we can safely say that they were unlikeWidsith.... The Traveller’s tale is a fantasy of some man, keenly interested in the old stories, who depicts an ideal wandering singer, and makes him move hither and thither among the tribes and the heroes whose stories he loves. In the names of its chiefs, in the names of its tribes, and above all in its spirit,Widsithreflects the heroic age of the migrations, an age which had hardly begun in the days of Ermanric.”—Chambers, p. 4.Lines 75, 82-84 are almost certainly interpolated. With these rejected “the poem leaves upon us,” says Chambers, “a very definite impression. It is a catalogue of the tribes and heroes of Germany, and many of these heroes, though they may have been half legendary already to the writer of the poem, are historic characters who can be dated with accuracy.”]Note.—In the footnotes, no attempt is made to discuss peoples or persons mentioned in this poem unless they are definitely known and are of importance for an understanding of the meaning of the lines.
[Critical edition: R. W. Chambers,Widsith: a Study in Old English Heroic Legend. Cambridge, 1912.
Date: Probably late sixth or early seventh century.
Alliterative translation: Gummere,Oldest English Epic(1910), p. 191.
“Widsith—‘Farway’—the ideal wandering minstrel, tells of all the tribes among whom he has sojourned, of all the chieftains he has known. The first English students of the poem regarded it as autobiographical, as the actual record of his wanderings written by ascop; and were inclined to dismiss as interpolations passages mentioning princes whom it was chronologically impossible for a man who had met Ermanric to have known. This view was reduced to an absurdity by Haigh.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
“The more we study the growth of German heroic tradition, the more clear does it become thatWidsithandDeorreflect that tradition. They are not the actual outpourings of actual poets at the court of Ermanric or the Heodenings. What the poems sung in the court of Ermanric were like we shall never know: but we can safely say that they were unlikeWidsith.... The Traveller’s tale is a fantasy of some man, keenly interested in the old stories, who depicts an ideal wandering singer, and makes him move hither and thither among the tribes and the heroes whose stories he loves. In the names of its chiefs, in the names of its tribes, and above all in its spirit,Widsithreflects the heroic age of the migrations, an age which had hardly begun in the days of Ermanric.”—Chambers, p. 4.
Lines 75, 82-84 are almost certainly interpolated. With these rejected “the poem leaves upon us,” says Chambers, “a very definite impression. It is a catalogue of the tribes and heroes of Germany, and many of these heroes, though they may have been half legendary already to the writer of the poem, are historic characters who can be dated with accuracy.”]
Note.—In the footnotes, no attempt is made to discuss peoples or persons mentioned in this poem unless they are definitely known and are of importance for an understanding of the meaning of the lines.
Widsith now spoke,his word-hoard unlocked,He who traveled the widestamong tribes of men,Farthest among folk:on the floor he receivedThe rarest of gifts.From the race of theMyrgings5His ancestors sprang.WithEalhhildthe gracious,The fair framer of peace,for the first timeHe sought the homeof theHræda king,From theAnglesin the East—ofEormanric,Fell and faithless.Freely he spoke forth:10“Many a royal rulerof a realm I have known;Every leader should livea life of virtue;One earl after the othershall order his land,He who wishes and worksfor the weal of his throne!Of these for a whilewasHwalathe best,15ButAlexanderof all of menWas most famous of lords,and he flourished the mostOf all the earlswhom on earth I have known.Attilaruled the Huns,Eormanric the Goths,Becca the Banings,the Burgundians Gifica.20Cæsarruled the Greeksand Cælic the Finns,Hagenathe Holm-RugiansandHeodenthe Glommas.Witta ruled the Swabians,Wadathe Hælsings,Meaca the Myrgings,Mearchealf theHundings,Theodoricruled the Franks,Thyle the Rondings,25Breocathe Brondings,Billing the Wernas.Oswine ruled the Eowasand the Ytas Gefwulf;Finn Folcwaldingruled the Frisian people.Sigehere ruled longestthe Sea-Dane’s kingdom.Hnæf ruled the Hocings,Helm the Wulfings,30Wald the Woings,Wod theThuringians,Sæferth theSecgans,the SwedesOngentheow.Sceafthere ruled the Ymbrians,Sceafa theLombards,Hun the Hætwerasand Holen the Wrosnas.Hringweald was calledthe king of the pirates.35Offaruled the Angles,Alewih the Danes:Among these menhe was mightiest of all,But he equalled not Offain earl-like deeds.For Offa by armswhile only a child,First among fighterswon the fairest of kingdoms;40Not any of his agein earlship surpassed him.In a single combatin the siege of battleHe fixed the frontierat FifeldoreAgainst the host of the Myrgings,which was held thenceforthBy Angles andSwabiansas Offa had marked it.45Hrothwulf and Hrothgarheld for a long timeA neighborly compact,the nephew and uncle,After they had vanquishedthe Viking racesAnd Ingeld’s arraywas overridden,Hewed down at Heorotthe Heathobard troop.50So forth I faredin foreign landsAll over the earth;of evil and goodThere I made trial,torn from my people;Far from my folkI have followed my travels.Therefore I singthe song of my wanderings,55Declare before the companyin the crowded mead-hall,How gifts have been given meby the great men of earth.I was with the Hunsand with theHræda-Goths,With the Swedes and with theGeatsand with the southern Danes,With the Wenlas I was and with the Vikingsand with the Wærna folk.60With theGepidæI was and with theWendsand with the Gefligas.With theAnglesI was and with the Swæfeand with the Ænenas.With theSaxonsI was and with the Secgansand with the Suardones.With the Hronas I was and with the Deanasand with theHeatho-Raemas.With the Thuringians I wasand with the Throwendas;65And with theBurgundians,where a bracelet was given me.Guthherethere gave mea goodly jewel,As reward for my song:not slothful that king!With theFranks I was and with the Frisiansand with the Frumtingas.With theRugians I was and with the Glommasand with the Roman strangers.70Likewise in ItalywithÆlfwineI was:He had, as I have heard,a hand the readiestFor praiseworthy deedsof prowess and daring;With liberal hearthe lavished his treasures,Shining armlets—the son ofEadwine.75I was with the Saracensand with theSerings;With the Greeks I was and with the Finnsand with far-famed Cæsar,Who sat in ruleover the cities of revelry—Over the riches and wealthof the realm of theWelsh.With the Scots I was and with the Pictsand with theScride-Finns.80With theLidwicingasI was and with the Leonasand with the Longobards,With the Hæthnas and with the Hærethasand with theHundings;With the Israelites I wasand with the Assyrians,And with the Hebrews and with the Egyptiansand with the Hindus I was,Withthe Medes I was and with the Persiansand with the Myrging folk,85And with the Mofdings I wasand against the Myrging band,And with the Amothingians.With theEast ThuringiansI wasAnd with the Eolas and with theIstiansand with the Idumingas.And I was withEormanricall of the time;There the king of the Gothsgave me in honor90The choicest of bracelets—the chief of the burghers—On which were six hundred piecesof precious gold,Of shining metalin shillings counted;I gave over this armlettoEadgilsthen,To my kind protectorwhen I came to my home,95To my beloved prince,the lord of the Myrgings,Who gave me the landthat was left by my father;AndEalhhildthen alsoanother ring gave me,Queen of the doughty ones,the daughter of Eadwine.Her praise has passedto all parts of the world,100Wherever in songI sought to tellWhere I knew under heavensthe noblest of queens,Golden-adorned,giving forth treasures.Then in company with Scilling,in clear ringing voice’Fore our beloved lordI uplifted my song;105Loudly the harpin harmony sounded;Then many menwith minds discerningSpoke of our layin unsparing praise,That they never had hearda nobler song.Then I roamed through allthe realm of the Goths;110Unceasing I soughtthe surest of friends,The crowd of comradesof the court of Eormanric.Hethca sought I and Beadecaand the Harlungs,Emercasought I and Fridlaand East-Gota,Sage and noble,the sire of Unwen.115Secca sought I andBecca,Seafola and Theodoric,Heathoric andSifeca,Hlithe and Incgentheow.Eadwine sought I and ElsaÆgelmund and HungarAnd the worthy troopof the With-Myrgings.Wulfhere sought I and Wyrmhere:there war was seldom lacking120When the host of theHrædaswith hardened swordsMust wage their warsby the woods of VistulaTo hold their homesfrom the hordes of Attila.Rædhere sought I and Rondhere,Rumstan and Gislhere,Withergield and Freotheric,Wudga and Hama:125These warriors were notthe worst of comrades,Though their names at the lastof my list are numbered.Full oft from that hostthe hissing spearFiercely flew on thefoemen’s troopers.There the wretches ruledwith royal treasure,130Wudga and Hama,over women and men.So I ever have foundas I fared among menThat in all the landmost beloved is heTo whom God givetha goodly kingdomTo hold as longas he liveth here.135Thus wandering widelythrough the world there goMinstrels of menthrough many lands,Express their needsand speak their thanks.Ever south and northsome one they meetSkillful in songwho scatters gifts,140To further his famebefore his chieftains,To do deeds of honor,till all shall depart,Light and life together:lasting praise he gains,And has under heaventhe highest of honor.
Widsith now spoke,his word-hoard unlocked,
He who traveled the widestamong tribes of men,
Farthest among folk:on the floor he received
The rarest of gifts.From the race of theMyrgings
5His ancestors sprang.WithEalhhildthe gracious,
The fair framer of peace,for the first time
He sought the homeof theHræda king,
From theAnglesin the East—ofEormanric,
Fell and faithless.Freely he spoke forth:
10“Many a royal rulerof a realm I have known;
Every leader should livea life of virtue;
One earl after the othershall order his land,
He who wishes and worksfor the weal of his throne!
Of these for a whilewasHwalathe best,
15ButAlexanderof all of men
Was most famous of lords,and he flourished the most
Of all the earlswhom on earth I have known.
Attilaruled the Huns,Eormanric the Goths,
Becca the Banings,the Burgundians Gifica.
20Cæsarruled the Greeksand Cælic the Finns,
Hagenathe Holm-RugiansandHeodenthe Glommas.
Witta ruled the Swabians,Wadathe Hælsings,
Meaca the Myrgings,Mearchealf theHundings,
Theodoricruled the Franks,Thyle the Rondings,
25Breocathe Brondings,Billing the Wernas.
Oswine ruled the Eowasand the Ytas Gefwulf;
Finn Folcwaldingruled the Frisian people.
Sigehere ruled longestthe Sea-Dane’s kingdom.
Hnæf ruled the Hocings,Helm the Wulfings,
30Wald the Woings,Wod theThuringians,
Sæferth theSecgans,the SwedesOngentheow.
Sceafthere ruled the Ymbrians,Sceafa theLombards,
Hun the Hætwerasand Holen the Wrosnas.
Hringweald was calledthe king of the pirates.
35Offaruled the Angles,Alewih the Danes:
Among these menhe was mightiest of all,
But he equalled not Offain earl-like deeds.
For Offa by armswhile only a child,
First among fighterswon the fairest of kingdoms;
40Not any of his agein earlship surpassed him.
In a single combatin the siege of battle
He fixed the frontierat Fifeldore
Against the host of the Myrgings,which was held thenceforth
By Angles andSwabiansas Offa had marked it.
45Hrothwulf and Hrothgarheld for a long time
A neighborly compact,the nephew and uncle,
After they had vanquishedthe Viking races
And Ingeld’s arraywas overridden,
Hewed down at Heorotthe Heathobard troop.
50So forth I faredin foreign lands
All over the earth;of evil and good
There I made trial,torn from my people;
Far from my folkI have followed my travels.
Therefore I singthe song of my wanderings,
55Declare before the companyin the crowded mead-hall,
How gifts have been given meby the great men of earth.
I was with the Hunsand with theHræda-Goths,
With the Swedes and with theGeatsand with the southern Danes,
With the Wenlas I was and with the Vikingsand with the Wærna folk.
60With theGepidæI was and with theWendsand with the Gefligas.
With theAnglesI was and with the Swæfeand with the Ænenas.
With theSaxonsI was and with the Secgansand with the Suardones.
With the Hronas I was and with the Deanasand with theHeatho-Raemas.
With the Thuringians I wasand with the Throwendas;
65And with theBurgundians,where a bracelet was given me.
Guthherethere gave mea goodly jewel,
As reward for my song:not slothful that king!
With theFranks I was and with the Frisiansand with the Frumtingas.
With theRugians I was and with the Glommasand with the Roman strangers.
70Likewise in ItalywithÆlfwineI was:
He had, as I have heard,a hand the readiest
For praiseworthy deedsof prowess and daring;
With liberal hearthe lavished his treasures,
Shining armlets—the son ofEadwine.
75I was with the Saracensand with theSerings;
With the Greeks I was and with the Finnsand with far-famed Cæsar,
Who sat in ruleover the cities of revelry—
Over the riches and wealthof the realm of theWelsh.
With the Scots I was and with the Pictsand with theScride-Finns.
80With theLidwicingasI was and with the Leonasand with the Longobards,
With the Hæthnas and with the Hærethasand with theHundings;
With the Israelites I wasand with the Assyrians,
And with the Hebrews and with the Egyptiansand with the Hindus I was,
Withthe Medes I was and with the Persiansand with the Myrging folk,
85And with the Mofdings I wasand against the Myrging band,
And with the Amothingians.With theEast ThuringiansI was
And with the Eolas and with theIstiansand with the Idumingas.
And I was withEormanricall of the time;
There the king of the Gothsgave me in honor
90The choicest of bracelets—the chief of the burghers—
On which were six hundred piecesof precious gold,
Of shining metalin shillings counted;
I gave over this armlettoEadgilsthen,
To my kind protectorwhen I came to my home,
95To my beloved prince,the lord of the Myrgings,
Who gave me the landthat was left by my father;
AndEalhhildthen alsoanother ring gave me,
Queen of the doughty ones,the daughter of Eadwine.
Her praise has passedto all parts of the world,
100Wherever in songI sought to tell
Where I knew under heavensthe noblest of queens,
Golden-adorned,giving forth treasures.
Then in company with Scilling,in clear ringing voice
’Fore our beloved lordI uplifted my song;
105Loudly the harpin harmony sounded;
Then many menwith minds discerning
Spoke of our layin unsparing praise,
That they never had hearda nobler song.
Then I roamed through allthe realm of the Goths;
110Unceasing I soughtthe surest of friends,
The crowd of comradesof the court of Eormanric.
Hethca sought I and Beadecaand the Harlungs,
Emercasought I and Fridlaand East-Gota,
Sage and noble,the sire of Unwen.
115Secca sought I andBecca,Seafola and Theodoric,
Heathoric andSifeca,Hlithe and Incgentheow.
Eadwine sought I and ElsaÆgelmund and Hungar
And the worthy troopof the With-Myrgings.
Wulfhere sought I and Wyrmhere:there war was seldom lacking
120When the host of theHrædaswith hardened swords
Must wage their warsby the woods of Vistula
To hold their homesfrom the hordes of Attila.
Rædhere sought I and Rondhere,Rumstan and Gislhere,
Withergield and Freotheric,Wudga and Hama:
125These warriors were notthe worst of comrades,
Though their names at the lastof my list are numbered.
Full oft from that hostthe hissing spear
Fiercely flew on thefoemen’s troopers.
There the wretches ruledwith royal treasure,
130Wudga and Hama,over women and men.
So I ever have foundas I fared among men
That in all the landmost beloved is he
To whom God givetha goodly kingdom
To hold as longas he liveth here.
135Thus wandering widelythrough the world there go
Minstrels of menthrough many lands,
Express their needsand speak their thanks.
Ever south and northsome one they meet
Skillful in songwho scatters gifts,
140To further his famebefore his chieftains,
To do deeds of honor,till all shall depart,
Light and life together:lasting praise he gains,
And has under heaventhe highest of honor.
4.Myrging.Nothing is known with any degree of certainty about this tribe. Chambers concludes that they dwelt south of the River Eider, which is the present boundary between Schleswig and Holstein, and that they belonged to the Suevic stock of peoples. Seevv. 84, 85, below.5.Ealhhild.See notes tovv. 8and97, below. Much discussion has taken place as to who Ealhhild was. Summing up his lengthy discussion, Chambers says (Widsith, p. 28): “For these reasons it seems best to regard Ealhhild as the murdered wife of Eormanric, the Anglian equivalent of the Gothic Sunilda and the Northern Swanhild.”7.Hræda king.That is, the Gothic king.8.Angles.One of the Low Germanic tribes that later settled in Britain, and from whom the name England is derived. Their original home was in the modern Schleswig-Holstein.Eormanric.Seev. 88, below, andDeor’s Lament, v. 21. He was a king of the Goths. After his death, about 375 A.D., he came to be known as the typical bad king, covetous, fierce, and cruel. According to the Scandinavian form of the story, the king sends his son and a treacherous councillor, Bikki (the Becca ofv. 19) to woo and bring to the court the maiden Swanhild. Bikki urges the son to woo her for himself and then betrays him to his father, who has him hanged and causes Swanhild to be trampled to death by horses. Her brothers revenge her death and wound the king. At this juncture the Huns attack him, and during the attack Eormanric dies.11.The proverb, or “gnomic verse,” is very common in Old English poetry.14.Hwalaappears in the West Saxon genealogies as son of Beowi, son of Sceaf (seeBeowulf, vv. 4, 18).15.Alexander[the Great]. The writer speaks of many celebrities who were obviously too early for him to know personally. This passage is usually considered to be an interpolation.18.Becca.Seenote to v. 8. TheBaningsare not definitely identified. TheBurgundianswere originally an East Germanic tribe. During the second and third centuries they were neighbors of the Goths and lived in the modern Posen. Later they moved west, and finally threatened Gaul, where in the middle of the fifth century they were defeated by the Roman general, Aetius. Shortly afterward they were defeated by the Huns. The remnant settled in Savoy, where they gradually recovered, and by the middle of the sixth century became an important nation.Gifica(or Gibica) was traditionally spoken of as an early king who ruled over the Burgundians while they were still in the east, living as neighbors of the Goths on the Vistula.20.Cæsar, was the name given to the Emperor of the East—the “Greek Emperor.” The Finns were at that time located in their present home in Finland.21, 22.Hagena, Heoden, Wada.These heroes all belong to one myth-cycle, which was told in Europe for many centuries. It is difficult to reconstruct the story as it was known at the timeWidsithwas written, for it has received many additions at the hands of subsequent writers. The essential parts of the tale seem to be these: Heoden asks his servant, the sweet-singing Heorrenda, for help in wooing Hild, the daughter of Hagena. Heorrenda, enlisting the services of Wada, the renowned sea-monster (or sea-god) goes to woo Hild. By means of Wada’s frightful appearance and skill in swordsmanship they attract Hild’s attention, and Heorrenda then sings so that the birds are shamed into silence. They then woo Hild and flee with her from her father’s court. Hagena pursues, and Heoden, after marrying Hild, engages him in battle. Each evening Hild goes to the battlefield and by magic awakens the warriors who have fallen, and they fight the same battle over day after day without ceasing.Heorrenda, the sweet singer of the Heodenings (i.e., of the court of Heoden) is mentioned inDeor’s Lament, vv.36 and 39.Wadais a widely-known legendary character. He had power over the sea. He was the father of Weland, the Vulcan of Norse myth (seeDeor’s Lament, andWaldhere, A, v. 2). TheHolm-Rugiansand theHælsingswere in the fourth century on the Baltic coast of Germany. TheGlommasare unknown.24.Theodoric, son of Chlodowech, king of the Franks, is meant, and not the famous Gothic king. Cf.v. 115, below.25.Breoca: the same as Breca, prince of the Brondings, the opponent of Beowulf in his famous swimming match (Beowulf, vv. 499-606).27, 28.Finn Folcwaldingwas the traditional hero of the Frisians. For fragments of the stories connected with him, seeBeowulf, vv. 1068-1159, and the fragmentary poem,The Fight at Finnsburg(p. 34, below).Hnæf, son of Hoc (hence ruler of theHocings) also figures in the Finn story. Hnæf’s sister marries Finn. For a summary of the story see the Introduction toThe Fight at Finnsburg.30.Thuringians.These people dwelt near the mouths of the Rhine and the Maas.31.Ongentheow, the king of Sweden, is frequently mentioned inBeowulf(e.g., vv. 2476 and 2783).The Secgansare unknown, but they are mentioned inv. 62, below, and inThe Fight at Finnsburg, v. 26.32.The ancient home of theLongobards(or Lombards) was between the Baltic and the Elbe.35.Offa: a legendary king of the Angles, while they still lived on the continent toward the end of the fourth century. Legends of him are found in Denmark and in England. Chambers concludes that the Danish form is perhaps very near that known to the author ofWidsith. Offa, the son of the king, though a giant in stature, is dumb from his youth, and when the German prince from the south challenges the aged king to send a champion to defend his realm in single combat, Offa’s speech is restored and he goes to the combat. The fight was held at Fifeldore, the River Eider, which was along the frontier between the Germans and the Danes. Here Offa fought against two champions and defeated them both, thus establishing the frontier for many years. Note that the author ofWidsith, who is of the Myrging race, is here celebrating the defeat of his own people.44.Swabiansprobably refers to the Myrgings, who were of the stock of the Suevi.45.Hrothwulf and Hrothgar.SeeBeowulf, vv. 1017 and 1181 ff. Hrothgar is Hrothwulf’s uncle, and they live on friendly terms at Heorot (Hrothgar’s hall). Later it seems that Hrothwulf fails to perform his duties as the guardian of Hrothgar’s son, thus bringing to an end his years of friendliness to Hrothgar and his sons. The fight referred to is against Ingeld, Hrothgar’s son-in-law who invaded the Danish kingdom. (SeeBeowulf, vv. 84, 2024 ff.)57.Seev. 18, above.58.TheGeatswere probably settled in southern Sweden. They were the tribe to which Beowulf belonged.60.TheGepidæwere closely related to the Goths and were originally located near them at the mouth of the Vistula River. TheWendswere a Slavonic tribe who finally pressed up into the lands vacated in the great migrations by the Germans between the Elbe and the Vistula.61.Angles.Seevv. 8and44, above.Swæfe.Seeline 44, above.62.TheSaxons, who with the Angles and Jutes settled Britain in the fifth and sixth centuries, lived originally near the mouth of the Elbe.63.TheHeatho-Raemasdwelt near the modern Christiania in Norway. SeeBeowulf, line 518, in which Breca in the swimming match reaches their land.65.Burgundians.Seev. 19.66.Guthherewas a ruler of the Burgundians (v. 19). He was probably at Worms when he gave the jewel to Widsith. Guthhere, because of his great battle with Attila and his tragic defeat, became a great legendary hero. (SeeWaldhere, B, v. 14.)67.TheFranksand theFrisiansare spoken of together inBeowulf(vv. 1207, 1210, 2917), where they together repulse an attack made by Hygelac. The Frisians probably dwelt west of the Zuider Zee.68.TheRugiansand theGlommas. Seenote to v. 21, above.70.Ælfwine:(otherwise known as Alboin), the Lombard conqueror of Italy. He was the son of Audoin (Eadwine).75-87.Most scholars agree that these lines are interpolated, since they do not fit in with the rest of the poem.75.Serings:possibly Syrians.78.Welsh:a term applied to the Romans by the Old English writers.79.TheScride-Finnswere settled in northern Norway—not in Finland, where the main body of Finns were found. They are perhaps to be identified with the modern Lapps.80.Lidwicingas:the inhabitants of Armorica.Longobards.Seev. 32.81.TheHundingsare also mentioned inline 23.84, 85.Myrging.Seeline 4.86.East Thuringians.Probably those Thuringians dwelling in the sixth century east of the Elbe.87.Istians.Probably the Esthonians mentioned in theVoyage of Wulfstan. (Seep. 194, line 151, below.) TheIdumingaswere neighbors of the Istians. Both were probably Lettish or Lithuanian tribes.88.Eormanric.Seenote to v. 8, above.93.Eadgilswas king of the Myrgings.97.Ealhhild.Seenote to v. 5, above. She was (v. 98) daughter of Eadwine, King of the Lombards (v. 74). The meaning here is not absolutely clear, but Chambers makes a good case for considering her the wife of Eormanric. He thinks that she followed her husband’s gift to Widsith by a gift of another ring, in return for which Widsith sings her praises.112, 113.EmercaandFridla, theHarlungs, were murdered by their uncle, Eormanric.East-Gota, or Ostrogotha, the king of the united Goths in the middle of the third century, was a direct ancestor of Eormanric.115.Becca.Seenote to v. 8.SeafolaandTheodoric: probably Theodoric of Verona and his retainer, Sabene of Ravenna. On the other hand, the references may be to Theoderic the Frank. (Seev. 24.)116.Sifeca:probably the evil councillor who brought about the murder by Eormanric of his nephews, the Harlungs. (Seevv. 112, 113, note.)117-119.These names are all very obscure.120.Hrædas:the Goths.121.The struggle between the Goths and the Huns did not actually occur in the Vistula wood, but after the Goths had left the Vistula.124, 130.WudgaandHama. The typical outlaws of German tradition. Hama appears inBeowulf(v. 1198) as a fugitive who has stolen the Brising necklace and fled from Eormanric. Wudga, the Widia ofWaldhere(B, vv. 4, 9) came finally to be known for his treachery. He was connected with the court of Theodoric and received gifts from him, but he is later represented as having betrayed the king. The traditions about both of these men are badly confused.135-143.One of the passages that give us a definite impression of the scop, or minstrel, and his life. It serves very well for the conclusion of a poem descriptive of the life of a minstrel.
4.Myrging.Nothing is known with any degree of certainty about this tribe. Chambers concludes that they dwelt south of the River Eider, which is the present boundary between Schleswig and Holstein, and that they belonged to the Suevic stock of peoples. Seevv. 84, 85, below.
5.Ealhhild.See notes tovv. 8and97, below. Much discussion has taken place as to who Ealhhild was. Summing up his lengthy discussion, Chambers says (Widsith, p. 28): “For these reasons it seems best to regard Ealhhild as the murdered wife of Eormanric, the Anglian equivalent of the Gothic Sunilda and the Northern Swanhild.”
7.Hræda king.That is, the Gothic king.
8.Angles.One of the Low Germanic tribes that later settled in Britain, and from whom the name England is derived. Their original home was in the modern Schleswig-Holstein.Eormanric.Seev. 88, below, andDeor’s Lament, v. 21. He was a king of the Goths. After his death, about 375 A.D., he came to be known as the typical bad king, covetous, fierce, and cruel. According to the Scandinavian form of the story, the king sends his son and a treacherous councillor, Bikki (the Becca ofv. 19) to woo and bring to the court the maiden Swanhild. Bikki urges the son to woo her for himself and then betrays him to his father, who has him hanged and causes Swanhild to be trampled to death by horses. Her brothers revenge her death and wound the king. At this juncture the Huns attack him, and during the attack Eormanric dies.
11.The proverb, or “gnomic verse,” is very common in Old English poetry.
14.Hwalaappears in the West Saxon genealogies as son of Beowi, son of Sceaf (seeBeowulf, vv. 4, 18).
15.Alexander[the Great]. The writer speaks of many celebrities who were obviously too early for him to know personally. This passage is usually considered to be an interpolation.
18.Becca.Seenote to v. 8. TheBaningsare not definitely identified. TheBurgundianswere originally an East Germanic tribe. During the second and third centuries they were neighbors of the Goths and lived in the modern Posen. Later they moved west, and finally threatened Gaul, where in the middle of the fifth century they were defeated by the Roman general, Aetius. Shortly afterward they were defeated by the Huns. The remnant settled in Savoy, where they gradually recovered, and by the middle of the sixth century became an important nation.Gifica(or Gibica) was traditionally spoken of as an early king who ruled over the Burgundians while they were still in the east, living as neighbors of the Goths on the Vistula.
20.Cæsar, was the name given to the Emperor of the East—the “Greek Emperor.” The Finns were at that time located in their present home in Finland.
21, 22.Hagena, Heoden, Wada.These heroes all belong to one myth-cycle, which was told in Europe for many centuries. It is difficult to reconstruct the story as it was known at the timeWidsithwas written, for it has received many additions at the hands of subsequent writers. The essential parts of the tale seem to be these: Heoden asks his servant, the sweet-singing Heorrenda, for help in wooing Hild, the daughter of Hagena. Heorrenda, enlisting the services of Wada, the renowned sea-monster (or sea-god) goes to woo Hild. By means of Wada’s frightful appearance and skill in swordsmanship they attract Hild’s attention, and Heorrenda then sings so that the birds are shamed into silence. They then woo Hild and flee with her from her father’s court. Hagena pursues, and Heoden, after marrying Hild, engages him in battle. Each evening Hild goes to the battlefield and by magic awakens the warriors who have fallen, and they fight the same battle over day after day without ceasing.Heorrenda, the sweet singer of the Heodenings (i.e., of the court of Heoden) is mentioned inDeor’s Lament, vv.36 and 39.Wadais a widely-known legendary character. He had power over the sea. He was the father of Weland, the Vulcan of Norse myth (seeDeor’s Lament, andWaldhere, A, v. 2). TheHolm-Rugiansand theHælsingswere in the fourth century on the Baltic coast of Germany. TheGlommasare unknown.
24.Theodoric, son of Chlodowech, king of the Franks, is meant, and not the famous Gothic king. Cf.v. 115, below.
25.Breoca: the same as Breca, prince of the Brondings, the opponent of Beowulf in his famous swimming match (Beowulf, vv. 499-606).
27, 28.Finn Folcwaldingwas the traditional hero of the Frisians. For fragments of the stories connected with him, seeBeowulf, vv. 1068-1159, and the fragmentary poem,The Fight at Finnsburg(p. 34, below).Hnæf, son of Hoc (hence ruler of theHocings) also figures in the Finn story. Hnæf’s sister marries Finn. For a summary of the story see the Introduction toThe Fight at Finnsburg.
30.Thuringians.These people dwelt near the mouths of the Rhine and the Maas.
31.Ongentheow, the king of Sweden, is frequently mentioned inBeowulf(e.g., vv. 2476 and 2783).The Secgansare unknown, but they are mentioned inv. 62, below, and inThe Fight at Finnsburg, v. 26.
32.The ancient home of theLongobards(or Lombards) was between the Baltic and the Elbe.
35.Offa: a legendary king of the Angles, while they still lived on the continent toward the end of the fourth century. Legends of him are found in Denmark and in England. Chambers concludes that the Danish form is perhaps very near that known to the author ofWidsith. Offa, the son of the king, though a giant in stature, is dumb from his youth, and when the German prince from the south challenges the aged king to send a champion to defend his realm in single combat, Offa’s speech is restored and he goes to the combat. The fight was held at Fifeldore, the River Eider, which was along the frontier between the Germans and the Danes. Here Offa fought against two champions and defeated them both, thus establishing the frontier for many years. Note that the author ofWidsith, who is of the Myrging race, is here celebrating the defeat of his own people.
44.Swabiansprobably refers to the Myrgings, who were of the stock of the Suevi.
45.Hrothwulf and Hrothgar.SeeBeowulf, vv. 1017 and 1181 ff. Hrothgar is Hrothwulf’s uncle, and they live on friendly terms at Heorot (Hrothgar’s hall). Later it seems that Hrothwulf fails to perform his duties as the guardian of Hrothgar’s son, thus bringing to an end his years of friendliness to Hrothgar and his sons. The fight referred to is against Ingeld, Hrothgar’s son-in-law who invaded the Danish kingdom. (SeeBeowulf, vv. 84, 2024 ff.)
57.Seev. 18, above.
58.TheGeatswere probably settled in southern Sweden. They were the tribe to which Beowulf belonged.
60.TheGepidæwere closely related to the Goths and were originally located near them at the mouth of the Vistula River. TheWendswere a Slavonic tribe who finally pressed up into the lands vacated in the great migrations by the Germans between the Elbe and the Vistula.
61.Angles.Seevv. 8and44, above.Swæfe.Seeline 44, above.
62.TheSaxons, who with the Angles and Jutes settled Britain in the fifth and sixth centuries, lived originally near the mouth of the Elbe.
63.TheHeatho-Raemasdwelt near the modern Christiania in Norway. SeeBeowulf, line 518, in which Breca in the swimming match reaches their land.
65.Burgundians.Seev. 19.
66.Guthherewas a ruler of the Burgundians (v. 19). He was probably at Worms when he gave the jewel to Widsith. Guthhere, because of his great battle with Attila and his tragic defeat, became a great legendary hero. (SeeWaldhere, B, v. 14.)
67.TheFranksand theFrisiansare spoken of together inBeowulf(vv. 1207, 1210, 2917), where they together repulse an attack made by Hygelac. The Frisians probably dwelt west of the Zuider Zee.
68.TheRugiansand theGlommas. Seenote to v. 21, above.
70.Ælfwine:(otherwise known as Alboin), the Lombard conqueror of Italy. He was the son of Audoin (Eadwine).
75-87.Most scholars agree that these lines are interpolated, since they do not fit in with the rest of the poem.
75.Serings:possibly Syrians.
78.Welsh:a term applied to the Romans by the Old English writers.
79.TheScride-Finnswere settled in northern Norway—not in Finland, where the main body of Finns were found. They are perhaps to be identified with the modern Lapps.
80.Lidwicingas:the inhabitants of Armorica.Longobards.Seev. 32.
81.TheHundingsare also mentioned inline 23.
84, 85.Myrging.Seeline 4.
86.East Thuringians.Probably those Thuringians dwelling in the sixth century east of the Elbe.
87.Istians.Probably the Esthonians mentioned in theVoyage of Wulfstan. (Seep. 194, line 151, below.) TheIdumingaswere neighbors of the Istians. Both were probably Lettish or Lithuanian tribes.
88.Eormanric.Seenote to v. 8, above.
93.Eadgilswas king of the Myrgings.
97.Ealhhild.Seenote to v. 5, above. She was (v. 98) daughter of Eadwine, King of the Lombards (v. 74). The meaning here is not absolutely clear, but Chambers makes a good case for considering her the wife of Eormanric. He thinks that she followed her husband’s gift to Widsith by a gift of another ring, in return for which Widsith sings her praises.
112, 113.EmercaandFridla, theHarlungs, were murdered by their uncle, Eormanric.East-Gota, or Ostrogotha, the king of the united Goths in the middle of the third century, was a direct ancestor of Eormanric.
115.Becca.Seenote to v. 8.SeafolaandTheodoric: probably Theodoric of Verona and his retainer, Sabene of Ravenna. On the other hand, the references may be to Theoderic the Frank. (Seev. 24.)
116.Sifeca:probably the evil councillor who brought about the murder by Eormanric of his nephews, the Harlungs. (Seevv. 112, 113, note.)
117-119.These names are all very obscure.
120.Hrædas:the Goths.
121.The struggle between the Goths and the Huns did not actually occur in the Vistula wood, but after the Goths had left the Vistula.
124, 130.WudgaandHama. The typical outlaws of German tradition. Hama appears inBeowulf(v. 1198) as a fugitive who has stolen the Brising necklace and fled from Eormanric. Wudga, the Widia ofWaldhere(B, vv. 4, 9) came finally to be known for his treachery. He was connected with the court of Theodoric and received gifts from him, but he is later represented as having betrayed the king. The traditions about both of these men are badly confused.
135-143.One of the passages that give us a definite impression of the scop, or minstrel, and his life. It serves very well for the conclusion of a poem descriptive of the life of a minstrel.
DEOR’S LAMENT[Critical text and translation: Dickins,Runic and Heroic Poems, Cambridge University Press, 1915, p. 70.Alliterative translation: Gummere,Oldest English Epic(1910), p. 186.The metrical arrangement of this poem into strophes with a constant refrain is very unusual in the poetry of the Anglo-Saxons, though it is common among their Scandinavian kinsmen. This fact has led some scholars to believe that we have here a translation from the Old Norse. Professor Gummere, however, makes a good case against this assumption.The first three strophes refer to the widely known story of Weland, or Wayland, the Vulcan of Norse myth. The crafty king, Nithhad, captures Weland, fetters him (according to some accounts, hamstrings him), and robs him of the magic ring that gives him power to fly. Beadohild, Nithhad’s daughter, accompanied by her brothers, goes to Weland and has him mend rings for her. In this way he recovers his own ring and his power to fly. Before leaving he kills the sons of Nithhad, and, stupefying Beadohild with liquor, puts her to shame.]ToWelandcame woesand wearisome trial,And cares oppressedthe constant earl;His lifelong companionswere pain and sorrow,And winter-cold weeping:his ways were oft hard,5After Nithhad had struckthe strong man low,Cut the supple sinew-bandsof the sorrowful earl.That has passed over:so this may depart!Beadohildboreher brothers’ deathLess sorely in soulthan herself and her plight10When she clearly discoveredher cursed condition,That unwed she should beara babe to the world.She never could thinkof the thing that must happen.That has passed over:so this may depart!Much have we learnedofMæthhild’s life:15How the courtship of Geatwas crowned with grief,How love and its sorrowsallowed him no sleep.That has passed over:so this may depart!Theodoricheldfor thirty wintersThe town of theMærings:that was told unto many.20That has passed over:so this may depart!We all have heardofEormanricOf the wolfish heart:a wide realm he hadOf the Gothic kingdom.Grim was the king.Many men satand bemoaned their sorrows,25Woefully watchingand wishing alwaysThat the cruel kingmight be conquered at last.That has passed over:so this may depart!Sad in his soulhe sitteth joyless,Mournful in mood.He many times thinks30That no end will e’er cometo the cares he endures.Then must he thinkhow throughout the worldThe gracious Godoften gives his helpAnd manifold honorsto many an earlAnd sends wide his fame;but to some he gives woes.35Of myself and my sorrowsI may say in truthThat I was happy onceas theHeodenings’ scop,Dear to my lord.Deor was my name.Many winters I founda worthy following,Held my lord’s heart,till Heorrenda came,40The skillful singer,and received the land-rightThat the proud helm of earlshad once promised to me!That has passed over:so this may depart!1.Weland, or Wayland; the blacksmith of the Norse gods. He is represented as being the son of Wada (seeWidsith, v. 22, note).8.Beadohildwas violated by Weland, and this stanza refers to the approaching birth of her son Widia (or Wudga). (SeeWidsith, vv. 124, 130, andWaldhere, B, vv. 4-10.)14.The exact meaning of the third strophe as here translated is not clear. To make it refer to the story of Nithhad and Weland, it is necessary to make certain changes suggested by Professor Tupper (Modern Philology, October, 1911;Anglia, xxxvii, 118). Thus amended, this stanza would read: “Of the violation of (Beadu)hild many of us have heard. The affections of the Geat (i.e., Nithhad) were boundless, so that sorrowing love deprived him of all sleep.” This grief of Nithhad would be that caused by the killing of his sons and the shame brought on his daughter. Thus the first three stanzas of the poem would refer to (1) Weland’s torture, (2) Beadohild’s shame, and (3) Nithhad’s grief.18.Strophe four refers to Theodoric the Goth (seeWidsith, v. 115, andWaldhere, B, v. 4, note). He was banished to Attila’s court for thirty years.19.Mærings:a name applied to the Ostrogoths.21.Eormanricwas king of the Goths and uncle to Theodoric. He died about 375 A.D. He put his only son to death, had his wife torn to pieces, and ruined the happiness of many people. For an account of his crimes see thenotes toWidsith, v. 8.36.See, for the connection of theHeodeningsand the sweet-singingHeorrenda, thenote toWidsith, v. 21.
[Critical text and translation: Dickins,Runic and Heroic Poems, Cambridge University Press, 1915, p. 70.Alliterative translation: Gummere,Oldest English Epic(1910), p. 186.The metrical arrangement of this poem into strophes with a constant refrain is very unusual in the poetry of the Anglo-Saxons, though it is common among their Scandinavian kinsmen. This fact has led some scholars to believe that we have here a translation from the Old Norse. Professor Gummere, however, makes a good case against this assumption.The first three strophes refer to the widely known story of Weland, or Wayland, the Vulcan of Norse myth. The crafty king, Nithhad, captures Weland, fetters him (according to some accounts, hamstrings him), and robs him of the magic ring that gives him power to fly. Beadohild, Nithhad’s daughter, accompanied by her brothers, goes to Weland and has him mend rings for her. In this way he recovers his own ring and his power to fly. Before leaving he kills the sons of Nithhad, and, stupefying Beadohild with liquor, puts her to shame.]
[Critical text and translation: Dickins,Runic and Heroic Poems, Cambridge University Press, 1915, p. 70.
Alliterative translation: Gummere,Oldest English Epic(1910), p. 186.
The metrical arrangement of this poem into strophes with a constant refrain is very unusual in the poetry of the Anglo-Saxons, though it is common among their Scandinavian kinsmen. This fact has led some scholars to believe that we have here a translation from the Old Norse. Professor Gummere, however, makes a good case against this assumption.
The first three strophes refer to the widely known story of Weland, or Wayland, the Vulcan of Norse myth. The crafty king, Nithhad, captures Weland, fetters him (according to some accounts, hamstrings him), and robs him of the magic ring that gives him power to fly. Beadohild, Nithhad’s daughter, accompanied by her brothers, goes to Weland and has him mend rings for her. In this way he recovers his own ring and his power to fly. Before leaving he kills the sons of Nithhad, and, stupefying Beadohild with liquor, puts her to shame.]
ToWelandcame woesand wearisome trial,And cares oppressedthe constant earl;His lifelong companionswere pain and sorrow,And winter-cold weeping:his ways were oft hard,5After Nithhad had struckthe strong man low,Cut the supple sinew-bandsof the sorrowful earl.That has passed over:so this may depart!
ToWelandcame woesand wearisome trial,
And cares oppressedthe constant earl;
His lifelong companionswere pain and sorrow,
And winter-cold weeping:his ways were oft hard,
5After Nithhad had struckthe strong man low,
Cut the supple sinew-bandsof the sorrowful earl.
That has passed over:so this may depart!
Beadohildboreher brothers’ deathLess sorely in soulthan herself and her plight10When she clearly discoveredher cursed condition,That unwed she should beara babe to the world.She never could thinkof the thing that must happen.That has passed over:so this may depart!
Beadohildboreher brothers’ death
Less sorely in soulthan herself and her plight
10When she clearly discoveredher cursed condition,
That unwed she should beara babe to the world.
She never could thinkof the thing that must happen.
That has passed over:so this may depart!
Much have we learnedofMæthhild’s life:15How the courtship of Geatwas crowned with grief,How love and its sorrowsallowed him no sleep.That has passed over:so this may depart!
Much have we learnedofMæthhild’s life:
15How the courtship of Geatwas crowned with grief,
How love and its sorrowsallowed him no sleep.
That has passed over:so this may depart!
Theodoricheldfor thirty wintersThe town of theMærings:that was told unto many.20That has passed over:so this may depart!
Theodoricheldfor thirty winters
The town of theMærings:that was told unto many.
20That has passed over:so this may depart!
We all have heardofEormanricOf the wolfish heart:a wide realm he hadOf the Gothic kingdom.Grim was the king.Many men satand bemoaned their sorrows,25Woefully watchingand wishing alwaysThat the cruel kingmight be conquered at last.That has passed over:so this may depart!
We all have heardofEormanric
Of the wolfish heart:a wide realm he had
Of the Gothic kingdom.Grim was the king.
Many men satand bemoaned their sorrows,
25Woefully watchingand wishing always
That the cruel kingmight be conquered at last.
That has passed over:so this may depart!
Sad in his soulhe sitteth joyless,Mournful in mood.He many times thinks30That no end will e’er cometo the cares he endures.Then must he thinkhow throughout the worldThe gracious Godoften gives his helpAnd manifold honorsto many an earlAnd sends wide his fame;but to some he gives woes.35Of myself and my sorrowsI may say in truthThat I was happy onceas theHeodenings’ scop,Dear to my lord.Deor was my name.Many winters I founda worthy following,Held my lord’s heart,till Heorrenda came,40The skillful singer,and received the land-rightThat the proud helm of earlshad once promised to me!That has passed over:so this may depart!
Sad in his soulhe sitteth joyless,
Mournful in mood.He many times thinks
30That no end will e’er cometo the cares he endures.
Then must he thinkhow throughout the world
The gracious Godoften gives his help
And manifold honorsto many an earl
And sends wide his fame;but to some he gives woes.
35Of myself and my sorrowsI may say in truth
That I was happy onceas theHeodenings’ scop,
Dear to my lord.Deor was my name.
Many winters I founda worthy following,
Held my lord’s heart,till Heorrenda came,
40The skillful singer,and received the land-right
That the proud helm of earlshad once promised to me!
That has passed over:so this may depart!
1.Weland, or Wayland; the blacksmith of the Norse gods. He is represented as being the son of Wada (seeWidsith, v. 22, note).8.Beadohildwas violated by Weland, and this stanza refers to the approaching birth of her son Widia (or Wudga). (SeeWidsith, vv. 124, 130, andWaldhere, B, vv. 4-10.)14.The exact meaning of the third strophe as here translated is not clear. To make it refer to the story of Nithhad and Weland, it is necessary to make certain changes suggested by Professor Tupper (Modern Philology, October, 1911;Anglia, xxxvii, 118). Thus amended, this stanza would read: “Of the violation of (Beadu)hild many of us have heard. The affections of the Geat (i.e., Nithhad) were boundless, so that sorrowing love deprived him of all sleep.” This grief of Nithhad would be that caused by the killing of his sons and the shame brought on his daughter. Thus the first three stanzas of the poem would refer to (1) Weland’s torture, (2) Beadohild’s shame, and (3) Nithhad’s grief.18.Strophe four refers to Theodoric the Goth (seeWidsith, v. 115, andWaldhere, B, v. 4, note). He was banished to Attila’s court for thirty years.19.Mærings:a name applied to the Ostrogoths.21.Eormanricwas king of the Goths and uncle to Theodoric. He died about 375 A.D. He put his only son to death, had his wife torn to pieces, and ruined the happiness of many people. For an account of his crimes see thenotes toWidsith, v. 8.36.See, for the connection of theHeodeningsand the sweet-singingHeorrenda, thenote toWidsith, v. 21.
1.Weland, or Wayland; the blacksmith of the Norse gods. He is represented as being the son of Wada (seeWidsith, v. 22, note).
8.Beadohildwas violated by Weland, and this stanza refers to the approaching birth of her son Widia (or Wudga). (SeeWidsith, vv. 124, 130, andWaldhere, B, vv. 4-10.)
14.The exact meaning of the third strophe as here translated is not clear. To make it refer to the story of Nithhad and Weland, it is necessary to make certain changes suggested by Professor Tupper (Modern Philology, October, 1911;Anglia, xxxvii, 118). Thus amended, this stanza would read: “Of the violation of (Beadu)hild many of us have heard. The affections of the Geat (i.e., Nithhad) were boundless, so that sorrowing love deprived him of all sleep.” This grief of Nithhad would be that caused by the killing of his sons and the shame brought on his daughter. Thus the first three stanzas of the poem would refer to (1) Weland’s torture, (2) Beadohild’s shame, and (3) Nithhad’s grief.
18.Strophe four refers to Theodoric the Goth (seeWidsith, v. 115, andWaldhere, B, v. 4, note). He was banished to Attila’s court for thirty years.
19.Mærings:a name applied to the Ostrogoths.
21.Eormanricwas king of the Goths and uncle to Theodoric. He died about 375 A.D. He put his only son to death, had his wife torn to pieces, and ruined the happiness of many people. For an account of his crimes see thenotes toWidsith, v. 8.
36.See, for the connection of theHeodeningsand the sweet-singingHeorrenda, thenote toWidsith, v. 21.