Part 14 (2/2)

570 Thus sang the sage his song of old, Herald to G.o.d, with gladsome heart: How he was lifted to life eternal.

Then we may truly interpret the token clearly Which the glorious bird gave through its burning.

575 It gathers together the grim bone-remnants, The ashes and embers all into one place After the surge of the fire; the fowl then seizes it With its feet and flies to the Father's garden Towards the sun; for a time there he sojourns, 580 For many winters, made in new wise, All of him young; nor may any there yearn To do him menace with deeds of malice.

So may after death by the Redeemer's might Souls go with bodies, bound together, 585 Fas.h.i.+oned in loveliness, most like to that fowl, In rich array, with rare perfumes, Where the steadfast sun streams its light O'er the sacred hosts in the happy city.

IX

Then high over the roofs the holy Ruler 590 s.h.i.+nes on the souls of the saved and the loyal.

Radiant fowls follow around him Brightest of birds, in bliss exulting, The chosen and joyous ones join him at home, Forever and ever, where no evil is wrought 595 By the foulest fiend in his fickle deceit; But they shall live in lasting light and beauty, As the Phoenix fowl, in the faith of G.o.d.

Every one of men's works in that wondrous home, In that blissful abode, brightly s.h.i.+nes forth 600 In the peaceful presence of the Prince eternal, Who resembles the sun. A sacred crown Most richly wrought with radiant gems, High over the head of each holy soul Glitters refulgent; their foreheads gleam, 605 Covered with glory; the crown of G.o.d Embellishes beautifully the blessed host With light in that life, where lasting joy Is fresh and young and fades not away, But they dwell in bliss, adorned in beauty, 610 With fairest ornaments, with the Father's angels.

They see no sorrow in those sacred courts, No sin nor suffering nor sad work-days, No burning hunger, nor bitter thirst, No evil nor age: but ever their King 615 Granteth his grace to the glorious band That loves its Lord and everlasting King, That glorifies and praises the power of G.o.d.

That host round the holy high-set throne Makes then melody in mighty strains; 620 The blessed saints blithely sing In unison with angels, orisons to the Lord: ”Peace to thee, O G.o.d, thou proud Monarch, Thou Ruler reigning with righteousness and skill; Thanks for thy goodly gifts to us all; 625 Mighty and measureless is thy majesty and strength, High and holy! The heavens, O Lord, Are fairly filled, O Father Almighty, Glory of glories, in greatness ruling Among angels above and on earth beneath!

630 Guard us, O G.o.d of creation; thou governest all things!

Lord of the highest heavens above!”

So shall the saints sing his praises, Those free from sin, in that fairest of cities, Proclaim his power, the righteous people, 635 The host in heaven hail the Redeemer: Honor without end is only for him, Not ever at all had he any birth, Any beginning of bliss, though he was born in the world, On this earth in the image of an innocent child; 640 With unfailing justice and fairest judgments, High above the heavens in holiness he dwelt!

Though he must endure the death of the cross, Bear the bitter burden of men, When three days have pa.s.sed after the death of his body, 645 He regains new life through the love of G.o.d, Through the aid of the Father. So the Phoenix betokens In his youthful state, the strength of Christ, Who in a wondrous wise awakes from the ashes Unto the life of life, with limbs begirded; 650 So the Savior sought to aid us Through the loss of his body, life without end.

Likewise that fowl filleth his wings, Loads them with sweet and scented roots, With winsome flowers and flies away; 655 These are the words, wise men tell us, The songs of the holy ones whose souls go to heaven, With the loving Lord to live for aye, In bliss of bliss, where they bring to G.o.d Their words and their works, wondrous in savor, 660 As a precious gift, in that glorious place, In that life of light.

Lasting be the praise Through the world of worlds and wondrous honor, And royal power in the princely realm, The kingdom of heaven. He is King indeed 665 Of the lands below and of lordly majesty, Encircled with honor in that city of beauty.

He has given us leave _lucis auctor_, That here we may _merueri_ As reward for good _gaudia in celo_, 670 That all of us may _maxima regna_ Seek and sit on _sedibus altis_, Shall live a life _lucis et pacis_, Shall own a home _almae let.i.tiae_, Know blessings and bliss; _blandem and mitem_ 675 Lord they shall see _sine fine_, And lift up a song _lauda perenne_ Forever with the angels. _Alleluia!_

680. This and the following lines are imitated from the original in which the first half line, in Old English, alliterates with the second half line, in Latin. The Latin is here retained. The meaning of the lines is this: ”The Author of light has given us leave that we may here merit as a reward for good, joy in heaven, that all of us may seek the mighty kingdom and sit on the high seats, may live a life of light and peace, may own a home of tender joy; may see the merciful and mild Lord for time without end, and may lift up a song in eternal praise, forever with the angels. Alleluia!”

THE GRAVE

[Text used: Kluge, _Angelsachsisches Lesebuch_, reprinted from Arnold Schroeer, _Anglia_, v, 289.

Translation: Longfellow. Discussion of this translation in _Archiv fur das Studium der neueren Sprache_, xxix, 205.

It is probably the latest in date of any of the Anglo-Saxon poems.]

Before thou wast born, there was built thee a house; For thee was a mould meant ere thy mother bore thee; They have not made it ready nor reckoned its depth; No one has yet learned how long it shall be.

5 I point out thy path to the place thou shalt be; Now I shall measure thee, and the mould afterwards.

Thy house is not highly timbered.

It is unhigh and low; when thou lyest therein, The bottom and side boards shall bind thee near: 10 Close above thy breast is builded the roof.

Thou shalt dwell full cold in the clammy earth.

Full dim and dismal that den is to live in.

Doorless is that house, and is dark within; Down art thou held there and death hath the key.

15 Loathly is that house of earth and horrid to live in.

There thou shalt tarry and be torn by worms.

Thus thou art laid, and leavest thy friends; Thou hast never a comrade who will come to thee, Who will hasten to look how thou likest thy house.

20 Or ever will undo thy door for thee.

. . . . . . . . and after thee descend; For soon thou art loathsome and unlovely to see: From the crown of thy head shall the hair be lost; Thy locks shall fall and lose their freshness; 25 No longer is it fair for the fingers to stroke.

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