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!