Translation: Wulf and Eadwacer

Wulf and Eadwacer

ancient Anglo-Saxon poem, circa 960 AD

loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

My clan's curs pursue him like crippled game;

they'll rip him apart if he approaches their pack.

It is otherwise with us.

Wulf's on one island; we're on another.

His island's a fortress, fastened by fens.

Here, bloodthirsty curs howl for carnage.

They'll rip him apart if he approaches their pack.

It is otherwise with us.

My heart pursued Wulf like a panting hound,

but whenever it rained―how I wept!―

the boldest cur grasped me in its paws:

good feelings for him, but for me loathsome!

Wulf, O, my Wulf, my ache for you

has made me sick; your seldom-comings

have left me famished, deprived of real meat.

Have you heard, Eadwacer? Watchdog!

A wolf has borne our wretched whelp to the woods!

One can easily sever what never was one:

our song together.

Keywords/Tags: Anglo-Saxon, Old English, England, translation, scop, female, women, rape, raping, sex, sexual abuse, incest, lament, complaint, tribalism, tribe, clan, pack, chauvinism, war, wolf, wolves, dog, dogs, hound, hounds, cur, curs, whelp, baby, offspring, island, animal, longing, lust, passion, violence