It is sufficient to recall King Alfred's oft-quoted
lament, in the Preface to his translation of Pope Gregory's "Pastoral
Care," to realize the position held by Northumbria in respect to
culture, and when learning was restored in Wessex by the efforts of the
king himself, and poetry again revived, it shone but by a reflected
light. Still we should treasure all that remains, and the Old English
language should be at least as well known as Latin is now, and should
occupy as prominent a position in education and general culture. Until
that millennial period arrives, translations of Old English poems may
not be without service.
ABBREVIATIONS IN NOTES.
B. = Bouterwek;
C. = Cook;
Gm. = Grimm;
Gn. = Grein;
K. = Kemble;
Kl. = Kluge;
Kr. = Koerner;
S. = Sievers;
Sw. = Sweet;
Th. = Thorpe;
W. = Wuelker;
Z. = Zupitza;
Zl. = Zernial.
CYNEWULF'S ELENE.
I.
When had elapsed in course of years
Two hundred and three, reckoned by number,
And thirty also, in measure of time,
Of winters for th' world, since mighty God
Became incarnate, of kings the Glory, 5
Upon mid-earth in human form,
Light of the righteous; then sixth was the year
Of Constantine's imperial sway,
Since he o'er the realm of the Roman people,
The battle-prince, as ruler was raised.
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