The Wanderer – A Journey Through Old English Poetry

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Often the lone-dweller waits for favor,
for mercy from God; though sad at heart,
he must row with his hands the frost-cold sea,
tread the paths of exile. Fate is fully fixed.

So spoke the earth-walker, mindful of hardships,
of cruel slaughters, and the fall of dear kin:
“Often I had to bind my heart in silence,
endure longings, never speak of sorrow,
firm in spirit — I knew how noble it was
to keep grief locked tight in a weary heart.

It’s a nobleman’s custom to bind thoughts,
to guard his heart’s hoard, however he may feel.
No man may know another’s heart,
unless he tells it — the wise man’s mind is still.

A wise man is patient, not too hot with anger,
nor hasty of speech, nor too weak in war,
nor too greedy, nor boastful before he’s wise.
A man must wait, when he speaks a vow,
until he knows for sure — wise words come with age.

A wise man understands how grim it is
when all the wealth of this world stands wasted —
as now, in many lands, walls stand wind-blown,
battered by frost, the halls snow-covered,
the wine-halls crumbled — lords lie slain,
their followers fallen — dreams of glory gone.

Once, long ago, many stood in joy,
gathered in the mead-hall — now silence dwells there.
Old warriors sleep in earth, and the hall is still.
He who longs for his lost lord — he remembers
the sharing of treasure, the shout of the feast.

But now, he sees the empty traces:
The joy is gone, the great hall crumbles.
Snow storms fall, the wind howls,
frost binds the earth, darkness comes…

All is fleeting beneath the sky:
Here wealth is fleeting, friends are fleeting,
man is fleeting, maiden is fleeting —
all the foundation of this world turns to waste.

This I know: that the wise man sits apart,
dark in thought, wise in spirit.
He sees how the world will fail —
kingdoms fall, men perish.

Good men die, and glory fades —
the strong walls crumble, the high towers tumble,
the fortress falls. Fate works ever onward.

Earth’s riches will fade away,
as now in this land: so many noblemen died,
their hosts in the grave — some war took,
some the sea swallowed, some wolves devoured,
some a spear took, some illness claimed —
so the Maker of men laid waste this world.

Until the voice of the wise man speaks:
“Here is the end of all things;
earthly glory is brief.
Good things pass away.”

Let him seek grace —
hope from the Father in heaven,
where all our strength resides.

1. Lone-dweller – A person who lives alone, possibly in exile or isolation.
2. Favor – Divine grace or kindness, often from God.
3. Row with his hands the frost-cold sea – A metaphor for struggling through life’s hardships, possibly referencing literal exile at sea.
4. Paths of exile – A life of wandering away from home or community, often filled with sorrow and hardship.
5. Fate is fully fixed – Destiny or the outcome of life is already determined and unchangeable.
6. Earth-walker – A poetic term for a human being, one who walks the earth.
7. Cruel slaughters – Violent killings, often in battle or war.
8. Bind my heart in silence – Keep one’s emotions and sorrows hidden or unspoken.
9. Hoard (heart’s hoard) – Treasured thoughts or emotions kept secretly in the heart.
10. Mead-hall – A communal hall in which warriors would gather to eat, drink (mead = a kind of alcoholic beverage), and celebrate.
11. Wind-blown – Exposed to the elements, ruined by weather and time.
12. Snow-covered – Symbol of abandonment, decay, and the passage of time.
13. Glory gone – Refers to the loss of pride, power, and achievements.
14. Sharing of treasure – Traditional reward system among warriors; a symbol of camaraderie and leadership.
15. Maiden is fleeting – Even beauty and youth pass quickly; nothing lasts forever.
16. Dark in thought – Deeply contemplative or possibly sorrowful in reflection.
17. Maker of men – A poetic reference to God or a divine creator.
18. Laid waste – Destroyed, reduced to ruin.
19. Voice of the wise man – Symbolizes truth, insight, or spiritual reflection.
20. Earthly glory is brief – Material success and human achievements are temporary.
21. Grace – Divine mercy or favor, often spiritual salvation.