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The Rhymed Poem aka The Rhyming Poem and The Riming Poem
Old English Poem (i.e., Anglo-Saxon Poem) from the Exeter Book, ca. 990 AD
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

He who granted me life created this sun
and graciously provided its radiant engine. 
I was gladdened with glees, bathed in bright hues, 
deluged with joy’s blossoms, sunshine-infused.

Men admired me, feted me with banquet-courses;
we rejoiced in the good life. Gaily bedecked horses 
carried me swiftly across plains on joyful rides, 
delighting me with their long limbs' thunderous strides.
That world was quickened by earth’s fruits and their flavors! 
I cantered under pleasant skies, attended by troops of advisers. 
Guests came and went, amusing me with their chatter
as I listened with delight to their witty palaver. 

Well-appointed ships glided by in the distance; 
when I sailed myself, I was never without guidance. 
I was of the highest rank; I lacked for nothing in the hall;
nor did I lack for brave companions; warriors, all, 
we strode through castle halls weighed down with gold
won from our service to thanes. We were proud men, and bold.
Wise men praised me; I was omnipotent in battle;
Fate smiled on and protected me; foes fled before me like cattle. 
Thus I lived with joy indwelling; faithful retainers surrounded me;
I possessed vast estates; I commanded all my eyes could see;
the earth lay subdued before me; I sat on a princely throne; 
the words I sang were charmed; old friendships did not wane.

Those were years rich in gifts and the sounds of happy harp-strings, 
when a lasting peace dammed shut the rivers’ sorrowings. 
My servants were keen, their harps resonant;
their songs pealed, the sound loud but pleasant;
the music they made melodious, a continual delight; 
the castle hall trembled and towered bright. 
Courage increased, wealth waxed with my talent; 
I gave wise counsel to great lords and enriched the valiant.

My spirit enlarged; my heart rejoiced;
good faith flourished; glory abounded; abundance increased. 
I was lavishly supplied with gold; bright gems were circulated.
Till treasure led to treachery and the bonds of friendship constricted. 

I was bold in my bright array, noble in my equipage, 
my joy princely, my home a happy hermitage. 
I protected and led my people;
for many years my life among them was regal;
I was devoted to them and they to me. 

But now my heart is troubled, fearful of the fates I see;
disaster seems unavoidable. Someone dear departs in flight by night 
who once before was bold. His soul has lost its light!

A secret disease in full growth blooms within his breast, 
spreads in different directions. Hostility blossoms in his chest, 
in his mind. Bottomless grief assaults the mind's nature 
and when penned in, erupts in rupture,
burns eagerly for calamity, runs bitterly about.  

The weary man suffers, begins a journey into doubt; 
his pain is ceaseless; pain increases his sorrows, destroys his bliss;
his glory ceases; he loses his happiness; 
he loses his craft; he no longer burns with desires.
Thus joys here perish, lordships expire; 
men lose faith and descend into vice; 
infirm faith degenerates into evil’s curse; 
faith feebly abandons its high seat and every hour grows worse. 

So now the world changes; Fate leaves men lame;
Death pursues hatred and brings men to shame. 
The happy clan perishes; the spear rends the marrow; 
the evildoer brawls and poisons the arrow;
sorrow devours the city; old age castrates courage;
misery flourishes; wrath desecrates the peerage; 
the abyss of sin widens; the treacherous path snakes; 
resentment burrows, digs in, wrinkles, engraves;
artificial beauty grows foul; the summer heat cools; 
earthly wealth fails; enmity rages, cruel, bold;
the might of the world ages, courage grows cold.
Fate wove itself for me and my sentence was given: 
that I should dig a grave and seek that grim cavern 
men cannot avoid when death comes, arrow-swift, 
to seize their lives in his inevitable grasp.
Now night comes at last, 
and the way stand clear
for Death to dispossesses me of my my abode here. 

When my corpse lies interred and the worms eat my limbs, 
whom will Death delight then, with his dark feast and hymns?
Let men’s bones become one, 
and then finally, none,
till there’s nothing left here of the evil ones. 
But men of good faith will not be destroyed; 
the good man will rise, far beyond the Void,
who chastened himself, more often than not, 
to avoid bitter sins and that final black Blot.
The good man has hope of a far better end
and remembers the promise of Heaven,
where he’ll experience the mercies of God for his saints,

freed from all sins, dark and depraved, 
defended from vices, gloriously saved, 
where, happy at last before their cheerful Lord,
men may rejoice in his love forevermore.

Keywords/Tags: Oldest English rhyming poem, rhyme, rhymes, rhymed, Old English, Anglo-Saxon, medieval England, Middle English
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