Bede, 671-735, often referred to as The Venerable Bede, is highly regarded for his wide learning and writing. He was a monk in the monastery at Jarrow, Northumbria, which is considered the equal of those on the continent. In addition to his Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum, which provides a history of England from the date of Julius Caesar's invasion in 55 B.C. to 731 A.D., he wrote numerous other works in Latin on astronomy, mathematics, medicine, and philosophy.

Reading and Textual Analysis

In his History, Bede included accounts like that in this lesson on the poet Caedmon, for whom we have the dates 657-680 on the basis of the period when Hild was abbess at Streneshaelc, which he entered after his vision; otherwise, we know no more about him than what is stated in the few pages that include the Hymn. These inform us that Caedmon wrote many poems based on Biblical texts, on the Old Testament Genesis and also on the New Testament gospels. Earlier it was often assumed that he was the author of the Old English Genesis, Exodus, Daniel, Christ and others, but now it is generally agreed that his only surviving work is the short poem included in this lesson. In Bede's History, translated into the Anglo-Saxon [Old English] vernacular under the auspices of Alfred in the latter 9th century, the account of Caedmon concludes with a celebrated description of the poet's death.

Caedmon's Hymn, lines 41-49 in this transcription, is assumed to be the first Old English poetry composed in Germanic alliterative verse. As comparison with the strictly composed Beowulf shows, it observes the principles by which the principal alliteration is a nominal in the second half-line (except for the emphasized adverb in line 48). The Hymn is recorded in seventeen manuscripts; these vary in spelling, as the first line in a Cambridge University manuscript may illustrate: Nu scylun hergan hefaenricaes Uard. That manuscript identifies the author after the last line with the words: Primo cantauit Caedmon istud Carmen.

Our selection includes lines 20-49, found on pp. 42-43 in: Charles T. Onions, ed. (1959), Sweet's Anglo-Saxon Reader in Prose and Verse, 14th edition, Oxford: Clarendon. Caedmon's hymn alone, in its Northumbrian recension, appears on p. 166 (Onions, op cit).

Wæs hē se mon in weoruldhāde geseted oð ðā tīde þe hē wæs gelȳfedre yldo, and hē nǣfre ǣnig lēoð geleornade:

• wæs -- anomalous verb; 3rd person singular preterite indicative of <wesan> be, happen -- was

• hē -- 3rd person pronoun; nominative singular masculine of <hē, hēo, hit> he, she, it -- he

• se -- definite article; nominative singular masculine of <se, sēo, ðæt> the -- a

• mon -- strong noun, masculine; nominative singular of <monn> man, person -- man # appositive = 'he'

• in -- preposition <in> in, into -- to

• weoruldhāde -- noun, masculine; dative singular of <weorold hād> secular life -- secular life

• geseted -- weak verb, class I; past participle of <gesettan, gesette, geseted> set (out), appoint, establish -- appointed

• oð -- adverbial conjunction <oð> until -- up to

• ðā -- definite article; accusative singular feminine of <se, sēo, ðæt> the -- the

• tīde -- noun, feminine; accusative singular of <tīd> time -- time

• þe -- relative particle <þe> that, which, who -- that

• hē -- 3rd person pronoun; nominative singular masculine of <hē, hēo, hit> he, she, it -- he

• wæs -- anomalous verb; 3rd person singular preterite indicative of <wesan> be, happen -- was

• gelȳfedre -- adjective; genitive singular feminine of <gelyfed> advanced -- of advanced

• yldo -- noun, feminine; genitive singular of <yldu> (old) age -- age

• and -- conjunction <and> and -- and

• hē -- 3rd person pronoun; nominative singular masculine of <hē, hēo, hit> he, she, it -- he

• nǣfre -- contraction; adverb <ne> not + adverb <ǣfre> ever, always -- never

• ǣnig -- adjective; accusative singular neuter of <ǣnig> any -- any

• lēoð -- noun, neuter; accusative singular of <lēoð> song, poem -- poetry

• geleornade -- weak verb, class II; 3rd person singular preterite of <geleornian, geleornode, geleornod> learn, study -- learned

and hē for þon oft in gebēorscipe, þonne þǣr wæs blisse intinga gedēmed — þæt hīe ealle sceolden þurh endebyrdnesse be hearpan singan —

• and -- conjunction <and> and -- ...

• hē -- 3rd person pronoun; nominative singular masculine of <hē, hēo, hit> he, she, it -- ...

• for þon -- conjunction <for þon> because, therefore -- for that reason

• oft -- adverb <oft> often, frequently -- often

• in -- preposition <in> in, into -- at

• gebēorscipe -- noun, masculine; dative singular of <gebēorscipe> feast, beer party -- the feast

• þonne -- adverb <þonne> then, when -- when

• þǣr -- adverb <þǣr> there, where -- there

• wæs -- anomalous verb; 3rd person singular preterite indicative of <wesan> be, happen -- was

• blisse -- strong noun, feminine; genitive singular of <bliss> bliss, joy, happiness -- for merriment

• intinga -- noun, masculine; nominative singular of <intinga> cause, reason -- cause

• gedēmed -- weak verb, class I; past participle of <dēman, dēmde, dēmed> deem, judge; praise -- deemed (to be)

• þæt -- subordinating conjunction <þæt> that -- (so) that

• hīe -- 3rd person pronoun; nominative plural of <hē, hēo, hit> he, she, it -- they

• ealle -- adjective; nominative plural masculine of <eall> all -- all

• sceolden -- modal (preterit-present) verb, class IV; 3rd person plural preterite subjunctive of <sculan, sceal, sculon, scolde> shall, ought to -- should

• þurh -- preposition <þurh> through, by (means of) -- in

• endebyrdnesse -- noun, feminine; dative singular of <endebyrdnes> order, sequence -- succession

• be -- preposition <be> at, by, near -- to # accompanied by

• hearpan -- noun, feminine; accusative singular of <hearpe> harp -- the harp

• singan -- strong verb, class III; infinitive of <singan, sang, sungon, sungen> sing, compose -- sing

þonne hē geseah þā hearpan him nēalǣcan, þonne ārās hē for scome from þǣm symble, and hām ēode tō his hūse.

• þonne -- adverb <þonne> then, when -- when

• hē -- 3rd person pronoun; nominative singular masculine of <hē, hēo, hit> he, she, it -- he

• geseah -- strong verb, class V; 3rd person singular preterite of <gesēon, geseah, gesǣgon, gesegen> see, observe -- saw

• þā -- definite article; accusative singular feminine of <se, sēo, ðæt> the -- the

• hearpan -- noun, feminine; accusative singular of <hearpe> harp -- harp

• him -- 3rd person pronoun; dative singular masculine of <hē, hēo, hit> he, she, it -- to him

• nēalǣcan -- weak verb, class I; infinitive of <nēalǣcan, nēalǣcte, nēalǣced> approach, draw near -- draw near

• þonne -- adverb <þonne> then, when -- ...

• ārās -- strong verb, class I; 3rd person singular preterite of <ārīsan, ārās, ārison, ārisen> arise -- arose

• hē -- 3rd person pronoun; nominative singular masculine of <hē, hēo, hit> he, she, it -- he

• for -- preposition <for> for, because of -- out of

• scome -- noun, feminine; dative singular of <scomu> shame -- shame

• from -- preposition <fram> from -- from

• þǣm -- definite article; dative singular neuter of <se, sēo, ðæt> the -- the

• symble -- noun, neuter; dative singular of <symbel> feast -- feast

• and -- conjunction <and> and -- and

• hām -- adverb <hām> home, homewards -- home

• ēode -- anomalous verb; 3rd person singular preterite indicative of <gān> go, walk, move -- went

• tō -- preposition <tō> (in)to -- to

• his -- 3rd person pronoun; genitive singular masculine of <hē, hēo, hit> he, she, it -- his

• hūse -- noun, neuter; dative singular of <hūs> house -- abode

Þā hē þæt þā sumre tīde dyde, þæt hē forlēt þæt hūs þæs gebēorscipes, and ūt wæs gongende tō nēata scypene, þāra heord him wæs þǣre nihte beboden,

• þā -- adverb <þā> then, when -- then

• hē -- 3rd person pronoun; nominative singular masculine of <hē, hēo, hit> he, she, it -- he

• þæt -- demonstrative pronoun; accusative singular neuter of <sē, sēo, ðæt> that -- this

• þā -- adverb <þā> then, when -- ...

• sumre -- adjective; dative singular feminine of <sum> some, a certain -- one

• tīde -- noun, feminine; dative singular of <tīd> time -- time

• dyde -- anomalous verb; 3rd person singular preterite indicative of <dōn> do, make -- did

• þæt -- conjunction <þæt> so/in order that -- so that

• hē -- 3rd person pronoun; nominative singular masculine of <hē, hēo, hit> he, she, it -- he

• forlēt -- strong verb, class VII; 3rd person singular preterite of <forlǣtan, forlēt, forlēton, forlǣten> leave, abandon -- left

• þæt -- definite article; accusative singular neuter of <se, sēo, ðæt> the -- the

• hūs -- noun, neuter; accusative singular of <hūs> house -- house

• þæs -- definite article; genitive singular masculine of <se, sēo, ðæt> the -- of the

• gebēorscipes -- noun, masculine; genitive singular of <gebēorscipe> feast, beer party -- feast

• and -- conjunction <and> and -- and

• ūt -- adverb <ūt> out -- out

• wæs -- anomalous verb; 3rd person singular preterite indicative of <wesan> be, happen -- was

• gongende -- strong verb, class VII; present participle of <gongan, gēong, gēongon, gongen> go, walk -- going

• tō -- preposition <tō> (in)to -- to

• nēata -- noun, neuter; genitive plural of <nēat> ox, cow -- the cattle

• scypene -- noun, neuter; dative singular of <scypen> shed -- shed

• þāra -- definite article; genitive plural of <se, sēo, ðæt> the -- their

• heord -- noun, feminine; nominative singular of <heord> care, custody -- care

• him -- 3rd person pronoun; dative singular masculine of <hē, hēo, hit> he, she, it -- to him

• wæs -- anomalous verb; 3rd person singular preterite indicative of <wesan> be, happen -- was

• þǣre -- definite article; dative singular feminine of <se, sēo, ðæt> the -- for the

• nihte -- noun, feminine; dative singular of <niht> night -- night

• beboden -- strong verb, class II; past participle of <bebēodan, bebēad, bebudon, beboden> command, instruct -- entrusted

ðā hē þā þǣr in gelimplicre tīde his limo on reste gesette and onslǣpte, þā stōd him sum mon æt þurh swefn, and hine hālette and grētte, and hine be his naman nemde:

• ðā -- adverb <þā> then, when -- when

• hē -- 3rd person pronoun; nominative singular masculine of <hē, hēo, hit> he, she, it -- he

• þā -- adverb <þā> then, when -- ...

• þǣr -- adverb <þǣr> there, where -- there

• in -- preposition <in> in, into -- at

• gelimplicre -- adjective; dative singular feminine of <gelimplic> suitable -- (a) suitable

• tīde -- noun, feminine; dative singular of <tīd> time -- time

• his -- 3rd person pronoun; genitive singular neuter of <hē, hēo, hit> he, she, it -- his

• limo -- noun, neuter; accusative plural of <lim> limb -- arms and legs

• on -- preposition <on> on(to), upon -- on

• reste -- noun, feminine; dative singular of <rest> rest, resting place -- (a) resting place

• gesette -- weak verb, class I; 3rd person singular preterite of <gesettan, gesette, geseted> set (out), appoint, establish -- arranged

• and -- conjunction <and> and -- and

• onslǣpte -- strong verb, class VII; 3rd person singular preterite of <onslǣpan, onslēp, onslēpon, onslǣpen> fall asleep -- fell asleep

• þā -- adverb <þā> then, when -- ...

• stōd -- strong verb, class VI; 3rd person singular preterite of <standan, stōd, stōdon, standen> stand -- stood

• him -- 3rd person pronoun; dative singular masculine of <hē, hēo, hit> he, she, it -- him

• sum -- adjective; nominative singular masculine of <sum> some, a certain -- a

• mon -- strong noun, masculine; nominative singular of <monn> man, person -- man

• æt -- preposition <æt> at, against -- by

• þurh -- preposition <þurh> through, by (means of) -- in

• swefn -- noun, neuter; accusative singular of <swefn> dream -- a dream

• and -- conjunction <and> and -- and

• hine -- 3rd person pronoun; accusative singular masculine of <hē, hēo, hit> he, she, it -- him

• hālette -- weak verb, class I; 3rd person singular preterite of <hālettan, hālette, hāleted> hail, salute -- hailed

• and -- conjunction <and> and -- and

• grētte -- weak verb, class I; 3rd person singular preterite of <grētan, grētte, grēted> greet, approach -- greeted

• and -- conjunction <and> and -- and

• hine -- 3rd person pronoun; accusative singular masculine of <hē, hēo, hit> he, she, it -- him

• be -- preposition <be> at, by, near -- by

• his -- 3rd person pronoun; genitive singular masculine of <hē, hēo, hit> he, she, it -- ...

• naman -- weak noun, masculine; dative singular of <nama> name -- name

• nemde -- weak verb, class I; 3rd person singular preterite of <nemnan, nemde, nemed> name, call -- called

'Cædmon, sing mē hwæthwegu.'

• Cædmon -- proper noun, masculine; nominative singular of <Cædmon> Ca|edmon -- Caedmon

• sing -- strong verb, class III; 2nd person singular imperative of <singan, sang, sungon, sungen> sing, compose -- sing

• mē -- 1st person pronoun; dative singular of <ic> I -- for me

• hwæthwegu -- indefinite pronoun; accusative singular of <hwæt-hwegu> something -- something

Þā andswarode hē and cwæð: 'Ne con ic nōht singan, and ic for þon of þyssum gebēorscipe ūt ēode, and hider gewāt, for þon ic nōht cūðe.'

• þā -- adverb <þā> then, when -- then

• andswarode -- weak verb, class II; 3rd person singular preterite of <andswarian, andswarode, andswarod> answer, respond -- answered

• hē -- 3rd person pronoun; nominative singular masculine of <hē, hēo, hit> he, she, it -- he

• and -- conjunction <and> and -- and

• cwæð -- strong verb, class V; 3rd person singular preterite of <cweðan, cwæð, cwǣdon, cweden> say, speak -- said

• ne -- adverb <ne> not -- not

• con -- modal (preterit-present) verb, class III; 1st person singular present indicative of <cunnan, cann, cunnon, cūðe> can, know how to -- can

• ic -- 1st person pronoun; nominative singular of <ic> I -- I

• nōht -- adjective <nā> no, not + noun, neuter; accusative <wiht> whit, thing -- ... # double negative, for emphasis

• singan -- strong verb, class III; infinitive of <singan, sang, sungon, sungen> sing, compose -- sing

• and -- conjunction <and> and -- and

• ic -- 1st person pronoun; nominative singular of <ic> I -- I

• for þon -- conjunction <for þon> because, therefore -- because

• of -- preposition <of> from, of -- of

• þyssum -- demonstrative pronoun; dative singular neuter of <ðēs, ðēos, ðis> this -- this

• gebēorscipe -- noun, masculine; dative singular of <gebēorscipe> feast, beer party -- from the feast

• ūt -- adverb <ūt> out -- out

• ēode -- anomalous verb; 3rd person singular preterite indicative of <gān> go, walk, move -- went

• and -- conjunction <and> and -- and

• hider -- adverb <hider> here, hither -- here

• gewāt -- strong verb, class I; 1st person singular preterite of <gewītan, gewāt, gewiton, gewiten> depart, go -- went

• for þon -- conjunction <for þon> because, therefore -- because

• ic -- 1st person pronoun; nominative singular of <ic> I -- I

• nōht -- adjective <nā> no, not + noun, neuter; accusative <wiht> whit, thing -- naught # "not a whit"

• cūðe -- modal (preterit-present) verb, class III; 1st person singular preterite indicative of <cunnan, cann, cunnon, cūðe> can, know how to -- could (sing)

Eft hē cwæð sē þe mid him sprecende wæs: 'Hwæðere þū meaht mē singan.'

• eft -- adverb <eft> afterwards, thereupon -- again

• hē -- 3rd person pronoun; nominative singular masculine of <hē, hēo, hit> he, she, it -- he

• cwæð -- strong verb, class V; 3rd person singular preterite of <cweðan, cwæð, cwǣdon, cweden> say, speak -- said

• sē -- demonstrative used as 3rd person pronoun; nominative singular masculine of <sē, sēo, ðæt> he, she, it -- he

• þe -- relative particle <þe> that, which, who -- who

• mid -- preposition <mid> with -- with

• him -- 3rd person pronoun; dative singular masculine of <hē, hēo, hit> he, she, it -- him

• sprecende -- strong verb, class V; present participle of <sprecan, spræc, sprǣcon, sprecen> speak, say -- speaking

• wæs -- anomalous verb; 3rd person singular preterite indicative of <wesan> be, happen -- was

• hwæðere -- conjunction <hwæðere> but, yet, however -- but

• þū -- 2nd person pronoun; nominative singular of <ðū> you -- you

• meaht -- modal (preterit-present) verb, class V; 2nd person singular present indicative of <magan, mæg, magon, meahte> may, be able to -- can

• mē -- 1st person pronoun; dative singular of <ic> I -- to me

• singan -- strong verb, class III; infinitive of <singan, sang, sungon, sungen> sing, compose -- sing

Cwæð hē: 'Hwæt sceal ic singan?'

• cwæð -- strong verb, class V; 3rd person singular preterite of <cweðan, cwæð, cwǣdon, cweden> say, speak -- said

• hē -- 3rd person pronoun; nominative singular masculine of <hē, hēo, hit> he, she, it -- he

• hwæt -- interrogative pronoun; accusative singular neuter of <hwā, hwā, hwæt> who, what -- what

• sceal -- modal (preterit-present) verb, class IV; 1st person singular present indicative of <sculan, sceal, sculon, scolde> shall, ought to -- shall

• ic -- 1st person pronoun; nominative singular of <ic> I -- I

• singan -- strong verb, class III; infinitive of <singan, sang, sungon, sungen> sing, compose -- sing

Cwæð hē: 'Sing mē frumsceaft.'

• cwæð -- strong verb, class V; 3rd person singular preterite of <cweðan, cwæð, cwǣdon, cweden> say, speak -- said

• hē -- 3rd person pronoun; nominative singular masculine of <hē, hēo, hit> he, she, it -- he

• sing -- strong verb, class III; 2nd person singular imperative of <singan, sang, sungon, sungen> sing, compose -- sing

• mē -- 1st person pronoun; dative singular of <ic> I -- to me

• frumsceaft -- noun, feminine; accusative singular of <frumsceaft> creation -- (about) the creation # genesis

Þā hē þā þās andsware onfēng, ðā ongan hē sōna singan, in herenesse Godes Scyppendes, þā fers and þā word þe hē nǣfre ne gehȳrde, þāra endebyrdnes þis is:

• þā -- adverb <þā> then, when -- when

• hē -- 3rd person pronoun; nominative singular masculine of <hē, hēo, hit> he, she, it -- he

• þā -- adverb <þā> then, when -- ...

• þās -- demonstrative article; accusative singular feminine of <ðes, ðēos, ðis> this -- this

• andsware -- noun, feminine; accusative singular of <andswaru> answer, response -- answer

• onfēng -- strong verb, class VII; 3rd person singular preterite of <onfōn, onfēng, onfēngon, onfangen> accept, receive -- received # onfangen or onfongen

• ðā -- adverb <þā> then, when -- then

• ongan -- strong verb, class III; 3rd person singular preterite of <onginnan, ongonn, ongunnon, ongunnen> begin, attempt -- began

• hē -- 3rd person pronoun; nominative singular masculine of <hē, hēo, hit> he, she, it -- he

• sōna -- adverb <sōna> immediately -- immediately

• singan -- strong verb, class III; infinitive of <singan, sang, sungon, sungen> sing, compose -- to sing

• in -- preposition <in> in, into -- in

• herenesse -- noun, feminine; dative singular of <herenes> praise -- praise

• Godes -- proper noun, masculine; genitive singular of <God> God, Deity -- of God

• scyppendes -- noun, masculine; genitive singular of <scieppend> shaper, creator -- the Creator

• þā -- demonstrative article; accusative plural of <se, sēo, ðæt> that -- those

• fers -- noun, neuter; accusative plural of <fers> sentence, verse -- verses

• and -- conjunction <and> and -- and

• þā -- demonstrative article; accusative plural of <se, sēo, ðæt> that -- those

• word -- noun, neuter; accusative plural of <word> word, speech -- words

• þe -- relative particle <þe> that, which, who -- which

• hē -- 3rd person pronoun; nominative singular masculine of <hē, hēo, hit> he, she, it -- he

• nǣfre -- contraction; adverb <ne> not + adverb <ǣfre> ever, always -- never

• ne -- adverb <ne> not -- ever # double negative

• gehȳrde -- weak verb, class I; 3rd person singular preterite of <gehīeran, gehīerede, gehīered> hear (of) -- (had) heard

• þāra -- demonstrative pronoun; genitive plural of <sē, sēo, ðæt> that -- of them

• endebyrdnes -- noun, feminine; nominative singular of <endebyrdnes> order, sequence -- the arrangement

• þis -- demonstrative pronoun; nominative singular neuter of <ðēs, ðēos, ðis> this -- this

• is -- anomalous verb; 3rd person singular present indicative of <bēon> be, become, exist -- is

Nū wē sculan herian         heofonrīces Weard,          Metodes mihte         and his mōdgeþonc,          weorc Wuldorfæder;         swā hē wundra gehwæs,          ēce Dryhten,         ord onstealde.

• nū -- adverb <nū> now -- now

• wē -- 1st person pronoun; nominative plural of <ic> I -- we

• sculan -- modal (preterit-present) verb, class IV; 3rd person plural present indicative of <sculan, sceal, sculon, scolde> shall, ought to -- must

• herian -- weak verb, class I; infinitive of <herian, herede, hered> praise, extol -- praise

• heofonrīces -- noun, neuter; genitive singular of <heofon-rīce> kingdom of heaven -- of the kingdom of Heaven

• weard -- noun, masculine; accusative singular of <weard> ward, guard, keeper -- the Lord

• metodes -- noun, masculine; genitive singular of <metod> creator -- God's

• mihte -- noun, feminine; accusative singular of <miht> might, power -- power

• and -- conjunction <and> and -- and

• his -- 3rd person pronoun; genitive singular masculine of <hē, hēo, hit> he, she, it -- his

• mōdgeþonc -- noun, masculine; accusative singular of <mōdgeþonc> conception, purpose -- purpose

• weorc -- noun, neuter; accusative singular of <weorc> work, deed -- the work

• wuldorfæder -- noun, neuter <wuldor> glory, praise + noun, masculine; genitive singular <fæder> father -- of the Father of Glory

• swā -- adverbial conjunction <swā> so, thus -- thus

• hē -- 3rd person pronoun; nominative singular masculine of <hē, hēo, hit> he, she, it -- he

• wundra -- noun, neuter; genitive plural of <wundor> miracle, wonder -- wonder # singular in meaning

• gehwæs -- pronoun; genitive singular of <gehwā> each, everyone -- of every

• ēce -- adjective; nominative singular masculine of <ēce> eternal, everlasting -- eternal

• dryhten -- noun, masculine; nominative singular of <drihten> lord, prince, ruler -- Lord

• ord -- noun, masculine; accusative singular of <ord> source, beginning -- the beginning

• onstealde -- weak verb, class I; 3rd person singular preterite of <onstellan, onstealde, onsteled> establish, institute -- established

Hē ǣrest gesceōp         eorðan bearnum          heofon tō hrōfe,         hālig Scyppend;          ðā middangeard,         moncynnes Weard,          ēce Dryhten,         æfter tēode          fīrum foldan,         Frēa ælmihtig.

• hē -- 3rd person pronoun; nominative singular masculine of <hē, hēo, hit> he, she, it -- he

• ǣrest -- adverb; superlative of <ǣr> ere, before, formerly -- first

• gesceōp -- strong verb, class VI; 3rd person singular preterite of <gescieppan, gescōp, gescōpon, gesceapen> shape, create -- created

• eorðan -- noun, feminine; genitive singular of <eorð> earth -- of earth

• bearnum -- noun, neuter; dative plural of <bearn> child -- for the children

• heofon -- noun, masculine; accusative singular of <heofon> heaven, sky -- heaven

• tō -- preposition <tō> (in)to -- for

• hrōfe -- noun, masculine; dative singular of <hrōf> roof -- (a) roof

• hālig -- adjective; nominative singular masculine of <hālig> holy -- the holy

• scyppend -- noun, masculine; nominative singular of <scieppend> shaper, creator -- Creator

• ðā -- adverb <þā> then, when -- then

• middangeard -- noun, masculine; accusative singular of <middan-eard> middle-earth, world -- the earth

• moncynnes -- noun, neuter; genitive singular of <monn-cynn> mankind -- mankind's

• weard -- noun, masculine; nominative singular of <weard> ward, guard, keeper -- Guardian

• ēce -- adjective; nominative singular masculine of <ēce> eternal, everlasting -- the eternal

• dryhten -- noun, masculine; nominative singular of <drihten> lord, prince, ruler -- Lord

• æfter -- adverb <æfter> after(wards), then -- afterwards

• tēode -- weak verb, class II; 3rd person singular preterite of <tēon, tēode, tēodod> adorn, settle -- settled

• fīrum -- noun, masculine plural; dative of <firas> men, people -- with men

• foldan -- noun, feminine; accusative singular of <folde> earth, ground -- the earth

• frēa -- noun, masculine; nominative singular of <frēa> lord, master -- the Lord

• ælmihtig -- adjective; nominative singular masculine of <ælmihtig> almighty -- Almighty