1300
For deeds of old, gang of the godless
In grip of the gledes.  To God never more
From that place of torment come they in mind,
To the King of glory, but they shall be cast
From that terrible fire to the bottom of hell, 1305
The workers of woe.  To the [other] two parts
It will be unlike.  They may angels’ Lord,
Victories’ God, see.  They shall be cleansed,
Sundered from sins, as smelted gold,
That is in the flame from every spot 1310
Through fire of the oven thoroughly cleansed,
Freed and refined.  So shall each of those men
Be freed and made pure from every sin,
From heavy crimes through fire of that doom. 
Then afterwards they may peace enjoy, 1315
Eternal bliss.  To them angels’ Warden
Shall be mild and gentle, for that they every evil
Despised, sins’ work, and to Son of their Maker
They called with words.  Hence in beauty they shine now
Like to the angels, the heritage have 1320
Of the King of glory for ever and ever.  Amen.

   [1] Gn.’s emendation.

   [2] Lit.,’appled gold.’

   [3] The words in italics are the names of the runes that make
       up the name CYNEWULF.  This artificial use of words makes
       the interpretation obscure, and scholars differ about it.

   [4] Or, ‘those who.’

   [5] Gn., Z.

JUDITH.

IX.

* * * * * * * * [The glorious Creator’s][1] gifts doubted she [not] Upon this wide earth; then found she there ready Help from the mighty Prince, when she most need did have Of grace from the highest Judge, that her ’gainst the greatest terror The Lord of Creation should shield.  That Father in heaven to her The Glorious-in-mind did grant, for that firm faith she had In the Almighty ever.  Then heard I that Holofernes Wine-summons eagerly wrought, and with all wonders a glorious Banquet had he prepared; to that bade the prince of men All his noblest thanes.  That with mickle haste 10 Did the warriors-with-shields perform; came to the mighty chief The people’s leaders going.  On the fourth day was that After that Judith, cunning in mind, The elf-sheen virgin, him first had sought.

   [1] Gn.’s emendation to fill lacuna of MS.

X.

They then at the feast proceeded to sit, 15
The proud to the wine-drinking, all his comrades-in-ill,
Bold mailed-warriors.  There were lofty beakers
Oft borne along the benches, also were cups and flagons
Full to the hall-sitters borne.  The fated partook of them,
Brave warriors-with-shields, though the mighty weened not of it, 20