I've always liked memorizing poems, and since memorizing 10 is on my life list, I figured I'd bring us on a guided tour through the ones I've already memorized, and how they've treated me through the years.
Caedmon's Hymn
nu scylun hergan hefaenricaes uard
metudæs maecti end his modgidanc
uerc uuldurfadur swe he uundra gihwaes
eci dryctin or astelidæ
he aerist scop aelda barnum
heben til hrofe haleg scepen.
tha middungeard moncynnæs uard
eci dryctin æfter tiadæ
firum foldu frea allmectig
In other words, the coolest party trick I have - whipping out a memorized poem in Old English. That's all I have to say about that.
Man, I love this poem. I don't care a bit about the meaning, I just love how it sounds. I know I'm probably mispronouncing the hell out of it, but I love it. And, yes, I try to sneak it in at parties, too.
ReplyDeleteI know - but the wonderful thing about Old English is that so few people speak it, it's unlikely anyone will ever call you out on mispronunciation!
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