Widsith, the Minstrel

Widsith spoke, his word-hoard unlocked,
Who most had traveled of men on earth
Among many peoples, and prospered in hall
With splendid treasure. His forebears sprang
From the Myrging tribe. In his earliest travels
With Ealhild he went, fair weaver of peace,
From the East out of Angle to Eormanric's home,
Who was prince of the Goths, fierce breaker of pledges.
Many a tale he told of his travels:
“Much have I learned of the rulers of men!
A prince must live by custom and law,
Each after other ruling the realm,
Who wishes his power to prosper and thrive.
Of them was Hwala a while the best,
And Alexander greatest of all
Of the race of men; he prospered most
Of all I have heard of over the earth.
Attila ruled the Huns, Eormanric the Goths,
Becca the Banings, Gifica the Burgundians;
Caesar ruled the Greeks, Caelic the Finns,
Hagena the Holmrygir, Heoden the Glomman;
Witta ruled the Swabians, Wada the Hælsings,
Meaca the Myrgings, Mearchealf the Hundings;
Theodoric ruled the Franks, Thyle the Rondings,
Breca the Brondings, Billing the Wernas;
Oswine ruled the Eowas, Gefwulf the Jutes,
Finn, son of Folcwalda, the Frisian folk.
Sighere longest governed the Sea Danes;
Hnæf ruled the Hocings, Helm the Wulfings. . . .
“I have fared through many a foreign land
Over spacious earth, knowing weal and woe,
Bereft of my kinsmen, far from my folk,
Widely wandering over the world.
Many a song and many a story
I can tell in the mead-hall, recounting to men
How princes and nobles graced me with gifts.
I was with the Huns, and with the Hrethgoths,
With Swedes I was, and with Geats, and with South-Danes. . . .
“I was in Italy also with Ælfwine
Who of all mankind as ever I heard
Had the easiest hand in the earning of praise,
And the readiest heart in the giving of rings,
The shining jewels, Eadwine's son. . . .
“I was with Eormanric, and all the while
The king of the Goths was gracious and kind.
He gave me a ring, the ruler of cities,
Worth six hundred sceats counted in cost
Of shilling pieces of smelted gold.
To Eadgils I gave it, my gracious lord,
To requite his kindness when home I came.
For the lord of the Myrgings had granted me land,
The holding and home of my father before me.
“And Ealhild also gave me a ring,
The fair folk-queen, the daughter of Eadwine.
To many a people her praise I published
Whenever in song my task was to tell
Of a gold-decked queen most kind under heaven,
Best and most gracious in giving of gifts.
There Scilling and I in echoing strains
Before our dear lord lifted our songs.
Loud to the harp the lay resounded;
And many a noble who knew aright
Said he had never heard better song.” . . .
Widely they wander, as Fate may guide,
The strolling singers who roam the world
Telling their need, returning their thanks,
And always finding, or south or north,
Some great one skilled in knowledge of song
Who is open-handed in giving of gifts,
Who seeks for honor and strives for fame
Till all things vanish, light and life
Passing together. He who earns praise
Has under heaven the greatest glory.
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