cräft and cênðu, swâ him gecynde wäs;

ne hêdde he þäs heafolan, ac sió hand gebarn

môdiges mannes, þær he his mæges healp,

þät he þone nîð-gäst nioðor hwêne slôh,

secg on searwum, þät þät sweord gedeáf

fâh and fäted, þät þät fýr ongon

sweðrian syððan. Þâ gen sylf cyning

geweóld his gewitte, wäll-seaxe gebräd,

biter and beadu-scearp, þät he on byrnan wäg:

forwrât Wedra helm wyrm on middan.