Plate XI
Runes incised on the Bewcastle Cross. To face p. 296.
Plate XII
Runes incised on the Ruthwell Cross. To face p. 297.
The earliest pieces of English verse in existence in their original form are found on the Cross at Ruthwell in Dumfriesshire, a monument of equal magnificence with the Bewcastle Cross, and probably about fourteen years later. King Ecgfrith was slain by the Picts in 685, and the Angles were never dominant in the south-west of Scotland after his death. [Plate XII] shows a portion of the many runes on this great monument, which is described at pages 235-254 of my little book on Theodore and Wilfrith. Reading across the top and down the right side the runes are as follows:—
Krist wæs on rodi hwethræ ther fusæ fearran kwomu æththilæ til anum ic thæt al bih[eald]. Christ was on the cross, and there hastening from far came they to the noble prince. I that all beh[eld].
Beginning at the top again and reading down the left side, we have:—
Mith strelum giwundad alegdun hiæ hinæ limwoerignæ gistoddun him (æt his licæs heafdum). With missiles wounded, they laid Him down limb-weary, they stood at His body’s head.