For Loss or Theft of Cattle
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"For Loss or Theft of Cattle," or "For Loss of Cattle," is the name given to three Anglo-Saxon metrical charms that were intended for use in keeping cattle from being stolen and ensuring their return.[1]
Charm V and Charm X represent two versions of the same macaronic text in Old English and Latin. Felix Grendon pointed out that lines 6–19 of Charm IX are significantly more "heathen" than the prose introduction.[2]
Charm V (For Loss of Cattle 1)
[edit]This charm is found in the Lacnunga manuscript.[3]
þonne þe mon ærest secge þæt þin ceap sy losod, þonne |
When someone says to you that your property has been lost, then The town is called Bethlehem where Christ was born, |
Charm IX (For Loss of Cattle 2)
[edit]This charm, entirely in Old English, was found in the margins of CCCC 41, a manuscript believed to be from Southern England.[6]
Ne forstolen ne forholen nanuht, þæs ðe ic age, þe ma ðe Garmund, godes ðegen, þæt he næfre næbbe landes, þæt he hit oðlæde, Gif hyt hwa gedo, ne gedige hit him næfre! Eall he weornige, swa syre wudu weornie, Amen.[7] |
Nothing was stolen or concealed, after I owned it, any more than Garmund, the thane of God, So he may never keep his lands, who has led them away— If he who has done this, may it never avail him! May all of his wither away, as the woods waste away— Amen.[5] |
Charm X (For Loss of Cattle 3)
[edit]This charm is found in CCCC 41.[3]
ðis man sceal cweðan ðonne his ceapa hwilcne man for- Bethlem hattæ seo burh ðe Crist on geboren wes, And gebide þe ðonne þriwa east and cweð þriwa: Crux Christi ab oriente reducat. And III west and cweð: Crux Christi ab occidente reducat. And III suð and cweð: Crux Christi a meridie reducant. And III norð and cweð: Crux Christi abscondita sunt et inventa est. Iudeas Crist ahengon, gedidon him dæda þa wyrstan; hælon þæt hi forhelan ne mihton. Swa næfre ðeos dæd forholen ne wyrðeper crucem Christi.[8] |
This man must speak thus when any man has stolen his property. The town is called Bethlehem, where Christ was born, And then look towards the east three times and say three times: The cross of Christ is led forth from the east! And three times to the west and speak: The cross of Christ is led forth from the west! And three times to the south and speak: The cross of Christ is led forth from high noon! And three times to the north and speak: The cross of Christ was hidden and found again! Judas[b] hung up Christ, he did for himself the worst of deeds. He hid that but could not conceal him. As never this deed could become concealed. By the cross of Christ.[5] |
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Anglo-Saxon metrical charms - Profilbaru.Com". profilbaru.com.
- ^ The Anglo-Saxon Poetic Records: A Collective Edition. (1931:cxxxvi). United States: Columbia University Press.
- ^ a b c d Fraaije, Karel Felix; (2021) Magical Verse from Early Medieval England: The Metrical Charms in Context. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).
- ^ "Metrical Charm 5: For Loss of Cattle". www.sacred-texts.com.
- ^ a b c "The Metrical Charms | Old English Poetry Project | Rutgers University". oldenglishpoetry.camden.rutgers.edu.
- ^ "Manuscript: CCCC 41 | DigiPal". www.digipal.eu.
- ^ "Metrical Charm 9: For Loss of Cattle". www.sacred-texts.com.
- ^ "Metrical Charm 10: For Loss of Cattle". www.sacred-texts.com.