The Metrical Preface to the Pastoral Care

Dobbie, 1942 110; Dobbie, E.V.K., The Anglo-Saxon Minor Poems, ASPR 6 (New York).
 
þis ærendgewrit      Agustinus
 
ofer sealtne sæ      suðan brohte
 
iegbuendum,      swa hit ær fore
 
adihtode      dryhtnes cempa,
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Rome papa.      Ryhtspell monig
 
Gregorius      gleawmod gindwod
 
ðurh sefan snyttro,      searoðonca hord.
 
Forðæm he monncynnes      mæst gestriende
 
rodra wearde,      Romwara betest,
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monna modwelegost,      mærðum gefrægost.
 
Siððan min on englisc      ælfred kyning
 
awende worda gehwelc,      and me his writerum
 
sende suð and norð,      heht him swelcra ma
 
brengan bi ðære bisene,      ðæt he his biscepum
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sendan meahte,      forðæm hi his sume ðorfton,
 
ða ðe lædenspræce      læste cuðon.