Letters to the Editor SpecGram Vol CLIII, No 3 Contents Language and Psilofotismology—Tel Monks

Beowulf ond Godsylla

[Below is an important, though often overlooked, primary source document in the study of the history of the English language. Not only does this snippet of Old English shed important light on the linguistic and social development of the language and its speakers, but also on the development of the OE literary canon. We are pleased to reprint it here for your study and contemplation. —Eds]

Meanehwæl, baccat meaddehæle,     monstær lurccen;
Fulle few too many drincce,     hie luccen for fyht.
Ðen Hreorfneorhtðhwr,     son of Hrwærowþheororthwl,
Æsccen æwful jeork     to steop outsyd.
Þhud! Bashe! Crasch! Beoom!     Ðe bigge gye
Eallum his bon brak,     byt his nose offe;
Wicced Godsylla     wæld on his asse.
Monstær moppe fleor wyþ     eallum men in hælle.
Beowulf in bacceroome     fonecall bemaccen wæs;
Hearen sond of ruccus     sæd, “Hwæt ðe helle?”
Graben sheold strang     ond swich-blæd scharp
Stond feorth to fyht     ðe grimlic foe.
“Me,” Godsylla sæd,     “mac ðe minsemete.”
Heoro cwyc geten heold     wiþ fæmed half-nelson
Ond flyng him lic frisbe     bac to fen.
Beowulf belly up     to meaddehæle bar,
Sæd, “Ne foe beaten     mie færsom cung-fu.”
Eorderen cocca-cohla     yce-coeld, ðe reol þyng.

by Tom Weller

Reprinted with permission from Cvltvre Made Stvpid

Letters to the Editor
Language and Psilofotismology—Tel Monks
SpecGram Vol CLIII, No 3 Contents