Ƿiþer Ferstic

This is an Anglish translation of the Old English galder (charm) known today as Wið Færstice. Note: the final line seems to be instructions, not part of the galder itself.

The Writ

Hy ƿere lude, lo, lude hƿen hy rode ofer þe loƿ.

Hy ƿere onemood hƿen hy rode ofer þe land.

Sceeld þyself nu, þat þu migt ness þis niþe.

Ute littel spear, if þere is one in here.

It stood under lime, under a ligt sceeld.

Þere migty ƿifes bade her main,

⁊ hy sent gelling gores.

I ƿisc to send anoþer eft.

A flying flone geen.

Ute littel spear, if it be herein.

A smiþ sat, sleƿ a sax.

Littel iron, sƿiþ ƿund.

Ute littel spear, if it be herein.

Six smiþs ƿrougt ƿalspears.

Ute, spear. Not in, spear.

If herein be a deal of iron,

þe ƿork of hags, it scall melt.

If þu ƿert scot in þe fell, or ƿert scot in þe flesc,

or ƿert scot in þe blood, or ƿert scot in þe bone,

or ƿert scot in þe liþ, may þy life nefer be teased.

If it ƿere eses scot, or if it ƿere elfs scot,

or if it ƿere hags scot, nu I ƿisc to help þee.

Þis for þee is þe boot for eses scot. Þis for þee is þe boot for elfs scot.

Þis for þee is þe boot for hags scot. I scot to help þee.

Fly þere into þe firgenhead.

Be hale. May þe drigten help þee.

(Þen nim þe sax, ado in ƿater.)