# The Metres of Boethius: Proem

ðus ælfred us || ealdspell reahte,
cyning Westsexna, || cræft meldode,
leoðwyrhta list. || Him wæs lust micel
ðæt he ðiossum leodum || leoð spellode,
monnum myrgen, || mislice cwidas,
þy læs ælinge || ut adrife
selflicne secg, || þonne he swelces lyt
gymð for his gilpe. || Ic sceal giet sprecan,
fon on fitte, || folccuðne ræd
hæleðum secgean. || Hliste se þe wille!