Dur Ælfred uɲ. eald-spell neahte. Lyning Pert-rexna. cræft meldode. leod-pyrhta list. Dim pær lurt micel. þær he piorrum leodum. leod spellode. monnum myngen. mirlice cpidar.

þý lær ælinge.

utadrife.

relflicne recz. þonne he rpelcer lýt. gym for hir gilpe.

Ic rceal giet spɲecan. fon on fitte. Folc-cuðne pæd. hæleþum reczean. hlirte re pe pille.

THUS Alfred to us

An ancient story related;
The King of the West-Saxons
Displayed his art,

5 His poetic skill.

To him was great desire,
That he to these nations
Should teach poetry,

The delight of men, 10 Various sayings ;

Lest weariness

Should reject

The self-same speech.

But he thereby little
15 Cares for his own glory.

I will nevertheless speak,
Begin a song,

A discourse known to nations,

To men will speak,

20 Attend who will.

Dit pær geana iu.
þætte Lotan eartan.
of Scrapia.
rceldar læddon.
Þreate gebrunzon.
þeod-lond moniz.
setton suðpeandes.
rize-þeoda tpa.

Lotene nice.
geaɲ-mælum peox.
hærdan him gecynde.

cyningas tpezen.
Rædgod and Aleɲic.
nice gebungon.

Da pær opeɲ muntziop. monig atÿhted. Lota gÿlper full. zude zelysted. Folc-gepinner. fana hpearfode.

Ir was long ago,

That the eastern Goths

From Scythia,

Led their armies,

5 Oppressed with troops, Many nations.

They established southward,

Two victorious nations;

The kingdoms of the Goths

10 Yearly increased;

They had of their own race
Two kings,

Rhadgast and Alaric,

Who obtained the supreme power.

15 Then was over the Alps

Many a Goth allured,

Full of arrogance,

Desirous of the conflict,

Of the battle-fray.

20 The banner waved