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Old English Poems - Poems about Old English

Medieval Poetry Translations VIII by Michael R Burch
These are English translations of Medieval poems written in Old English. The Battle of Maldon anonymous Old English/Anglo-Saxon poem, circa 991 AD or later translation by Michael R. Burch …would be broken. Then he bade each warrior unbridle his horse, set it free, drive it away and advance onward afoot, intent on deeds of arms and dauntless courage. It was then that...

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Categories: old english, conflict, confusion, courage, death,
Form: Free verse
Widsith the Far-Traveler, Part III, translation of the ancient Anglo-Saxon poem
Widsith the Far-Traveler, Part III ancient Anglo-Saxon poem loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch I was also with Eormanric for many years, as long as the Goth-King availed me well; he gave me six hundred shillings of pure gold beaten into a beautiful neck-ring! This I gave to Eadgils, overlord of the Myrgings and my protector when I returned home, a precious adornment for...

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Categories: old english, poems, poetry, poets, travel,
Form: Free verse



Widsith the Far-Traveler, Part I, translation of the ancient Anglo-Saxon poem
Widsith was a traveling minstrel who "sang for his supper" but may have been prone to exaggeration... Widsith, the Far-Traveler, Part I of III anonymous Old English/Anglo-Saxon poem, circa 680-950 AD loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Widsith the wide-wanderer began to speak, unlocked his word-hoard, manifested his memories, he who had travelled earth's roads furthest among the races of men—their tribes,...

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Categories: old english, adventure, music, poetry, poets,
Form: Free verse
The Wanderer, Part III, translation of the ancient Anglo-Saxon poem
The Wanderer, Part III The wise man contemplates these ruins, considers this dark life soberly, remembers the blood spilled here in multitudes of battles, then says: “Where is the horse now? Where, its riders? Where, the givers of gifts & treasure, the gold-friend? Where, the banquet-seats? Where, the mead-halls’ friendly uproars? Gone, the bright cup! Gone, the mailed warrior! Gone, the glory of princes!...

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Categories: old english, loss, sorrow, time, travel,
Form: Free verse
The Wanderer, Part II, translation of the ancient Anglo-Saxon poem
The Wanderer, Part II Awakening, the friendless man confronts the murky waves, the seabirds bathing, broadening out their feathers, the hoar-frost, harrowing hail & snow eternally falling… Then his heart’s wounds seem all the heavier for the loss of his beloved lord. Thus his sorrow is renewed, remembrance of his lost kinsmen troubles his mind, & he greets their ghosts with exclamations...

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Categories: old english, bird, dark, loss, sea,
Form: Free verse



Medieval Poetry Translations VI by Michael R Burch
These are English translations/modernizations of Medieval poems written in Old English and Middle English. Exeter Book Gnomic Verses or Maxims loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch The dragon dwells under the dolmen, wizened-wise, hoarding his treasure; the fishes bring forth their finned kind; the king in his halls distributes rings; the bear stalks the heath, shaggy and malevolent. Frost shall freeze, fire feast on...

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Categories: old english, fish, husband, love, ocean,
Form: Free verse
A Merrie Discourse Betwixt Two Ducks
Upon the pond, where lilies float, Two ducks did meet, each fine of coat. Their feathers gleamed ‘neath gilded light, And thus began their feath’ry fight. Quoth Drake to Dame, with pufféd chest, “Good wench, thy quacking lacks finesse! Thy tones do clatter, coarse and crude, Like pebbles cast in solitude.” The Dame, unruffled, gave a grin, “Thy jests, dear Drake, art weak and...

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Categories: old english, bird, cool, education, environment,
Form: Rhyme
The Wife's Lament
"The Wife's Lament" or "The Wife's Complaint" is an Old English/Anglo Saxon poem found in the Exeter Book, which has been dated to 960-990 AD, making it the oldest English poetry anthology. "The Wife's Lament" may be the oldest extant English poem written by a female poet. The Wife's Lament loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch I...

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Categories: old english, husband, lost love, love,
Form: Free verse
To What Shall I Liken Thee?
Shall I liken thee to a sunrise? Thou art the sunrise of a fall morning's glow. Thou art the oaken breeze that bids you "hello." Shall this describe to what I liken thee? No. Shall I liken thee to a sunset? Thou art a gold sunset, from the hills only seen, To orange ribbon atop the city's crystal beam, Reflecting heavenly diamonds,...

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Categories: old english, baby, beautiful, beauty, love,
Form: Rhyme
Premium Member Athelstan King of Albion
when Merlin knelte to Æthelstan he bid'th wealthe acrosse the lande an' lo thy King giveth his hande presidin' o'er all Albion from Alfred in whose shadowe ran emerg'd the court of Æthelstan an' on to rule the state-ly man for all the souls of Albion...

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Categories: old english, england, fun, history, language,
Form: Rhyme
Tale of Woe
Thy young maiden, Peck her Lily flower a shake. A brittle sound of break, Sobbing till tears make. Bare feet on wet grass. Alas, her life, soon ‘twill pass. ...

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Categories: old english, abuse, betrayal, dark, grief,
Form: Rhyme
The Rhyming Poem - Part I
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...

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Categories: old english, england, literature, poems, poetry,
Form: Rhyme
The Rhyming Poem - Part Ii
The Rhymed Poem aka The Rhyming Poem and The Riming Poem - Part II anonymous Old English Poem from the Exeter Book, circa 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...

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Categories: old english, england, literature, poems, poetry,
Form: Rhyme
Translations of the Oldest Rhyming Poems In the English Language
Translations of the Oldest English Rhyming Poems The Rhymed Poem aka The Rhyming Poem aka The Riming Poem Old English/Anglo-Saxon poem from the Exeter Book, circa 990 AD loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch (excerpt) 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...

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Categories: old english, england, poems, poetry, poets,
Form: Rhyme
The Ruin In a Modern English Translation
THE RUIN an Old English poem about fate & destiny modern English translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch well-hewn was this wall-stone, till Wyrdes wrecked it and the Colossus sagged inward... broad battlements broken; the Builders' work battered; the high ramparts toppled; tall towers collapsed; the great roof-beams shattered; gates groaning, agape... mortar mottled and marred by scarring hoar-frosts, the Giants’ dauntless strongholds decaying with age... shattered, the...

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Categories: old english, destiny, eulogy, fate, gothic,
Form: Free verse

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