Written in the 10th century, it contains poetry dealing with Biblical subjects in Old English, the vernacular language of Anglo-Saxon England. There was tempest within and a … The spear-waves raged, they drew themselves up, gliding on. Also near and far he commended the holy bands into his keeping, the wielding of human tribes. (462-76), The blue sky was blended with gore, the bursting sea menaced with blood-terror, the course of the sea-farers, until the True Measurer manifested his mind through Moses’ mindful hand. Yet they, your people, shall occupy between the two seas up to the dwellers of Egypt, the land of Canaan, the free children of the father, the best of people.” (432-46), [Section missing in the Junius Manuscript], The folk were affrighted, the flood-terror descended upon their sorrowful souls; the ocean threatened death. The surges pile high, working the waters with haste into a rampart. The terrors stood the deadly bands boiled. This is the Eternal God of Abraham, the Founder of First-Creation, who protects this host, mindful and eager for power, with his mighty hand!” (259-75), Then Moses lifted his loud voice for his army, the living people when he spoke to them: “Listen! For the fall of the first-born, wailing was renewed, their hall-joys snuffed out, bereaved of treasure. (98-107a), Heaven’s beacon climbed every evening, a second miracle, it held fast wondrous after the sun’s setting, shining with flames across that nation, a burning beam. The multitude in mirth shall praise the Lord, the Glory-King of Armies, for ever and ever. The sea-wall mounted overhead, it stood upright against the Israelites the space of one day. The Old English retelling of the Book of Exodus was commissioned by Alfred the Great. The author of the Old English Exodus is trapped in a cultural para- dox; on the one hand he must strive to maintain the sense and symbol- ism of the biblical text of Exodus, while on the other, he must make his poem resonate with his fellows. Exodus. The English name of the book derives from the Septuagint (Greek) use of “exodus” to designate the deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage and their safe passage through the Sea of Reeds (traditionally mislocated as the Red Sea). The earl wished to slay his own heir ungrown, his son with his sword’s red blade, if the Measurer allowed him. The rush of dawn arrived over the pointed waves, that certain beacon of God, the morning famous-bright. This page has been accessed 16,063 times. Of these, Exodus is remarkable for its intricate diction and bold imagery. Tolkien 's text and translation of the Old English poem that is known as Exodus. (331-39), Forwards after him there in a mighty band of the people came the son of Simeon, the third battalion pressed ahead among the battle-chosen, bedewed of spear-shafts, their standards moving across the spear-ranks. The wardens obeyed his war-cry quickly, the army was prepared, moving out over the hills, having heard the trumpets, the sailors from their tents: the army was in haste. The Hebrew title of … The Mighty Lord wishes to bestow upon all of them through my hand upon this day reward for their deeds, so that they while living will not be allowed to enslave with miseries the kindred of Israel for long! Then came a voice restraining him from heaven, a glorious sound, speaking these words after: (397-418), “Do not strike your own child, Abraham, your son with your sword! Exodus is one of the richest and most vivid works in the Old English canon as well as a fascinating confluence of Germanic and Christian traditions. No. (211-23), Afterwards they counted themselves against the hated in the vanguard, twelve bold companies of mindful men— their forces were aroused. About Pharaoh warriors unafraid moved, grey killing-wolves seeking warfare, thirsty for violence and the lord-faithful. King James Bible It hunted widely, rushing with its slaughtering embrace. The study of Anglo-Saxon thus allowed nineteenth-century women to engage in quasi-objective processes of grammatical description and translation, as opposed to more bel… (340-46), Next one army of the people followed after another, in iron-clad companies. There the Sovereign of Victories gave to the proud chief, the son of Abraham the lives of his kinsmen and the habitation of a homeland. Soon most of that multitude were swallowed up by death, with [seven] ancient torments. The Old English Exodus , Yale Studies in English 122 (New Haven, 1953). 1] Translation of the Old English Exodus 47 Moses' voice. He swiftly discovered, after the adversary of God reached the bottom, that the Warden of the Sea-Floods was more mighty; that he wished to decide the battle with gory embracings, angry and terror-filled.