C.D. Warner, et al., comp.
The Library of the World’s Best Literature. An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.
Deor’s Lament
By Anglo-Saxon Literature
W
doughty earl, ills endur’d,
had for comrades care and longing,
winter-cold wandering; woe oft found
since Nithhad brought such need upon him,—
laming wound on a lordlier man.
That pass’d over,—and this may, too!
wrought no such ill as her own disgrace,
when she had openly understood
her maidhood vanished; she might no wise
think how the case could thrive at all.
That pass’d over,—and this may, too!
heroes of Geat were homeless made,
and sorrow stole their sleep away.
That pass’d over,—and this may, too!
Mæring’s burg, as many have known.
That pass’d over,—and this may, too!
wolfish mind; wide was his sway
o’er the Gothic race,—a ruler grim.
Sat many a man in misery bound,
waited but woe, and wish’d amain
that ruin might fall on the royal house.
That pass’d over,—and this may, too!
all’s dark within him; he deems forsooth
that his share of evils shall endless be.
Let such bethink him that thro’ this world
mighty God sends many changes:
to earls a plenty honor he shows,
ease and bliss; to others, sorrow.
I was singer once to the sons of Heoden,
dear to my master, and Deor was my name.
Long were the winters my lord was kind,
happy my lot,—till Heorrenda now
by grace of singing has gained the land
which the “haven of heroes” erewhile gave me.
That pass’d over,—and this may, too!