The Meters of Boethius: Proem
ðus ælfred us
ealdspell reahte,
cyning Westsexna,
cræft meldode,
leoðwyrhta list.
Him wæs lust micel
ðæt he ðiossum leodum
leoð spellode,
5
monnum myrgen,
mislice cwidas,
selflicne secg,
þonne he swelces lyt
gymð for his gilpe.
Ic sceal giet sprecan,
fon on fitte,
folccuðne ræd
10
hæleðum secgean.
Hliste se þe wille!