Deor’s Lament: Translation

Wayland knew well | wyrm’s wickedness

in hard-born harrows | hearty hero on-held

ceaseless and cruel | his cold companions,

grief and ungrith; | thus gained he

when Nidad laid | a net upon him

supple sinew-bands | the skillful man stropped.

Passed that away, | this so may!

To Beadohild was not | her brother’s burial

in heart as hurtful | as her own horror

which grimly grew: | gotten had she

a child of the captive; | she could never

doughtily defend | her doom thus laid.

Passed that away, | this so may!

Memory of mourning, | Matilda the maiden:

Boundless they became | to beloved of Geats

so sleepless slumber | stole away strength.

Passed that away, | this so may!

Held Theodoric | thirty winters long

the march of Maring, | so many knew.

Passed that away, | this so may!

Ermanaric, also, | we all have heard,

wolf-mind his might, | many tribes ruled

kingdom of Goths | cruel was that king.

Sat many a man | by sorrow surrounded,

woe he whispered, | wished he often

that overcome | the kingdom would be.

Passed that away, | this so may!

Sitting in sorrow, | stolen his happiness

in troubled heart | himself he thinks

that maybe endless | is his agony dealt.

May then think | that throughout this world

the wise lord | wends often,

grants heroes | much honor,

uncertain fame, | a few of woe full.

I wish to say | about myself this:

Heodenings’ scop was I | a while at work

to my lord dear | Deor was deemed:

Winters full-many | fared in his favor.

My lord was honorable | but has now Heorrenda,

man skilled in song, | stolen my land-right

that before was mine | weened the warriors’-wall.

Passed that away, | this so may!

(translated by Nic)