| Manuscript | TypeSet | PoeticTS | Trans.1 | Trans.2 | Trans.3 | Glossary | Home |
Robert E. Diamond includes a clear and accurate translation of The Wanderer in his Old English Grammar and Reader. Maybe I like it because it was the book I learned Old English on. I find it easy to follow and Diamond translates the piece into prose making helpful comments in parentheses to clarify possible problem spots.
Below you will find Diamond's entire translation of the Wander, but you may also consult the translation in segments which correspond to the manuscript segments in this program. Because Diamond translates the Old English into a fluid prose form, I will use the nearest sensible break for the individual pages, hence there may be the beginning or conclusion of a sentence included on the individuals pages that would have appeared on the previous or subsequent manuscript image.
| Page 1a | Page 1b | Page 2a | Page 2b | Page 3a | Page 3b | Page 4a | Page 4b |
Often the solitary dweller awaits favor for himself, the mercy
of the Lord, although he, anxious in spirit, has long been
obliged to stir with his hands (i.e., row?) the ice-cold (lit.
frost-cold) sea over the path of the waters, to travel the paths
of exile. (5b) Fate is utterly inexorable (lit. resolute).
(6) So spoke the wanderer, mindful of hardships, of cruel
slaughters, of the death of beloved kinsmen: Often alone each
dawn I have had to bewail my sorrows; there is not now any
one living (lit. none of the living) to whom I dare speak my
mind openly. (11b) In truth I know that (it) is a very noble
custom in a man that he should bind fast his mind, guard the
treasury of his heart, let him think as he will. (15) (One)
weary in spirit cannot resist fate nor (can) the troubled
thought afford consolation ( lit. perform help ); therefore
(those) eager for glorious reputation often bind fast in their
hearts a gloomy (thought). (19) So I, often wretched, de-
prived of my native land, far from my noble kinsmen, have
had to bind my mind with fetters, since (the time) years ago
(when I) hid in the concealment of the earth (i.e., buried) my
gold-friend (i.e., generous lord), and I, abject, winter-griev-
ing (i.e., in a mood as dreary as winter? oppressed by ad-
vancing years?) went from there over the surface (lit. bind-
ing) of the waves, wretched, I sought the dwelling of a dis-
penser of treasure (i.e., generous lord), (sought) where I
might be able to find far or near some one who, in a mead-hall,
might know of my (people) or might be willing to console me,
friendless, comfort (me) with pleasures. (29b) He who ex-
periences (it) knows how cruel is sorrow as a companion to
him who has few friendly protectors for himself. (32) The
path of exile attends him, not twisted gold, a mournful spirit,
not earthly prosperity. He remembers the warriors in the hall
(lit. hall-warriors) and the receiving of treasure, (remem-
bers) how in his youth his gold-friend (i.e., generous lord)
entertained him at feasting. Joy has all disappeared !
(37) Therefore he who must knows (how to) do without
the instructive speeches of his beloved friendly lord for a long
time, when sorrow and sleep together often bind the wretched
solitary (one). (41) It seems to him in his mind that he is
embracing and kissing his lord and laying his hands and head
on his knee, as he sometimes formerly in the days of yore
enjoyed the gift-throne (i.e., the throne where his lord sat
dispensing gifts). (45) Then the friendless (lordless?) man
awakens again, sees before him the dark waves, (sees) sea-
birds bathe (and) spread their feathers, (sees) hoar-frost and
snow fall mingled with hail.
(49) Then the wounds of the heart are the more severe,
painful (with longing) for a loved one. Sorrow is renewed
when the memory of kinsmen passes through his mind; (he)
greets (them) joyfully, eagerly regards (his) comrades in
arms (lit. companions of warriors). (53b) They float away
again. The spirit of the floating ones (i.e., phantoms) does not
bring there many familiar songs. Care is renewed for him who
must very often send forth his weary spirit over the surface
(lit. binding) of the waves.
(58) Therefore I cannot imagine why throughout this
world my mind will not grow gloomy when I consider all the
life of men, how they suddenly left the hall (lit. floor of the
hall), the courageous young retainers. (62b) So this world
every day (lit. each of all days) is crumbling and falling;
therefore a man cannot become wise before he has his portion
of years in the world. (65b) A wise man must (be) patient,
nor must he (be) at all too irascible nor too hasty of speech
nor too weak a warrior nor too reckless nor too fearful nor
too elated nor too avaricious nor ever (lit. never) too eager
for glory before he really knows--a man must wait, when he
makes a vow, until, bold-spirited, (he) really knows whither
the thought of his heart will turn.
(73) A clever man ought to realize how terrible (it) will
be when all the wealth of this world stands waste, as now
variously (i.e., here and there) throughout this world walls
stand wind-blown, covered with hoar-frost, the dwellings
storm-beaten. (78) The wine-halls are crumbling, the rulers
lie dead, deprived of revelry, all the band of warriors has
fallen proud by the wall. (80b) War destroyed some, carried
(them) away; a bird carried one off over the high sea; the
gray wolf shared one with death; a sad-faced man hid (i.e.,
buried) one in a grave.
(85) Thus the Creator of men laid waste this dwelling-
place, until the old works of giants (i.e., buildings) stood
vacant, without the noise of the inhabitants. (88) He then
thoughtfully (lit. wisely) reflected upon this place of ruins
(lit. wall-place) and profoundly meditates upon this sad life,
wise in heart, (he) often remembers many slaughters in battle
far (back in time) and speaks these words: (92) Where has
the horse gone ? Where has the warrior gone ? Where has the
giver of treasure gone? Where have (lit. has) the banquet
seats gone? Where are the revelries in the hall? Alas, bright
cup ! Alas, armored warrior ! Alas, princely splendor (lit.
splendor of a prince) ! How that time has passed away, grown
dark under cover of night, as (if) it had never been! (97)
Now the wall, wondrously high, decorated with serpent de-
signs, outlasts the beloved band of warriors. (99) The force
(lit. forces) of ash-wood spears destroyed the warriors,
weapons greedy for slaughter, (and) fate, that famed (one),
and storms beat upon these stone slopes (walls?), a driving
(lit. falling) snowstorm binds the earth, the howling of
winter, when (it) comes, (all) dark, the shadow of night
grows dark, sends from the north a fierce hailstorm, to the
vexation of men. (106) All the kingdom of the earth is full of
hardships, the decree of the fates changes the world under
the heavens. (108) Here wealth is transitory, here friend is
transitory, here man is transitory, here kinsman is transitory,
this whole foundation of the earth is becoming empty.
(111) So spoke the (man) wise in spirit, sat apart in secret
meditation. Good is he who keeps his pledges, nor ought a
man ever (lit. never) make known the grief from out of his
breast too quickly, unless he, the man, should know beforehand
how to bring about a remedy with fortitude. (114b) It will be
well for him who seeks grace for himself, comfort from the
Father in heaven, where for us is (lit. stands) all security.