The Gifts of Men

Many there are on earth,
ever visible,
early gifts,
which those possessing soul
bear in their understanding,
as here the God of hosts,
the Lord in powers strong,
dealeth them to men,
giveth each separate gift,
sendeth them widely,
by his own power,
of which each one may,
of dwellers among people,
a share receive.
There is not any so
unbless'd,
no man on earth,
nor so profuse,
little heedful,
nor so slow-minded,
that him the bounteous Giver
cut off entirely from
energies of mind,
or strenuous deeds,
wise in his understanding,
or in verbal utterances ;
lest he despondent be
of all things
which he may have wrought
in worldly life,
of every gift.
God never deemeth
that any again
shall be so abject ;
nor any again so greatly
(through power of wisdom,
in the mass of people
of this life)
shall advance,
that him the Guardian of people,
through his holy grace,
will hither send
wise thoughts,
and worldly crafts,
or under power of one
will leave all ;
lest he for pride,
of bright endowments full,
(a man prompt of spirit)
from moderation turn,
and then despise
the humbler ;
but He distributes,
who has power of doom,
diversely,
over this mid-earth : —
power of limbs to people
inhabiting the land.
One here on earth
is solicitous for possession
of worldly treasures.
One is indigent,
a luckless man,
yet is skilful
in the arts of mind.
One main strength
superior receives.
One is lively,
comely of stature.
One is a poet
qualified for song.
One is eloquent.
One is, in hunting,
of ferocious
beasts a chaser.
One is dear
to the worldly-potent man.
One is stout in battle,
a chief skilful in war,
where the shield dashes.
One may in council
of sagacious men,
on a nation's law
deliberate,
where sages are
many together.
One may curiously
the work devise
of any high structures ;
his hand is learned,
wise and powerful,
as to a wright is fitting,
in the fixing of a hall :
he can the spacious dwelling
firmly compact
'gainst sudden falls.
One with hands may
the harp salute,
he has in the ‘glee-beam’s’
prompt vibrations skill.
One is a runner :
one a sure archer :
one skill'd in songs :
one on land swift,
speedy of foot.
One the dusky wave
with the stem steers,
the stream-road cons,
the guider of a band
o'er the wide deep,
when bold seamen,
prompt of strength,
with oars draw
the vessel near.
One is discreet :
one skill'd cunningly
in gold and gems,
when him a prince of men
bids, for his grandeur,
a jewel prepare.
One may for weapons' clash,
for use in war,
a skilful smith,
many prepare ;
when he works,
for strife of men,
helmet or dagger,
or martial corselet,
faulchion bright,
or the shield's surface
firmly compacts,
against the arrow's flight.
One is pious,
and in alms diligent,
in manners social.
One is a thane familiar
in the mead-hall.
One in a horse is skill'd,
wise in equestrian arts.
One of mind subdued
allows with patience
what he then must.
One dooms understands,
where people
counsel devise.
One is expert at dice :
one is witty
at wine-bibbing,
a good beer-drinker.
One is a builder good
a house to raise.
One is a general,
a leader hold.
One is a senator :
one is, at need
of the daring,
a servant with his lord.
One has patience,
a constant soul.
One is a fowler,
skilful with the hawk.
One is bold on horseback :
one is very strenuous,
has a cunning
play of merry deeds,
a gift before men,
light and pliable of limb.
One is beloved,
has mind and words
agreeable to men.
One here diligently
his spirit's need
in his mind wraps,
and his Creator's favour,
above earth's riches
all, chooses.
One is fond
of the devil's warfare,
is ever against sins
ready in fight.
One has skill
in many church-duties,
can, in songs of praise,
the Lord of life
loudly glorify,
has in high degree
a brilliant voice.
One is skill'd in books,
in song-learning firm.
One is cunning
to write down
verbal mysteries.
Now there is not on earth
any man
with mind so cunning,
nor so powerful
that they ever for one
be all
prepar'd,
lest arrogance him injure,
or, for that greatness,
his pride should rise,
if he alone have,
over all men,
beauty and wisdom,
and fruit of works ;
but He variously
of the race of men
corrects the pride,
and his gifts dispenses :
to one in dignities,
to one in arts,
to one in aspect,
to one in war ;
to one man he gives
a tender heart,
a well-order'd mind ;
one to his lord is faithful.
Thus excellently
widely disseminates
the Lord his bounty ;
ever therefore may power have,
bright praise.
he who to us life giveth,
and his tender spirit
showeth to men.