Mythology & Folklore

Metrical Charm 8: For a Swarm of Bees

by Anonymous (Old English) c. 7th–11th century

Translated by Albert S. Cook & Chauncey B. Tinker (eds), Select Translations from Old English Poetry (1902) · From Select Translations from Old English Poetry, ed. Albert S. Cook & Chauncey B. Tinker (1902)

Mythology & FolkloreNature

I take under foot, I have found it.
Verily earth avails against every creature,
And against mischief and mindlessness,
And against the great tongue of man.

Sit ye, victor-dames, sink to earth.
Never to fly wild to the wood!
Be as mindful of my good
As every man is of food and estate.

✦ ✦ ✦

A charm spoken to settle a swarming hive, with earth thrown over the bees. The translator is not named at the piece, so the editors are credited. ASPR Metrical Charm 8.

MLA

Anonymous (Old English). “Metrical Charm 8: For a Swarm of Bees.” Translated by Albert S. Cook and Chauncey B. Tinker (eds), Select Translations from Old English Poetry. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-old-english/230/.

Chicago

Anonymous (Old English). “Metrical Charm 8: For a Swarm of Bees.” Translated by Albert S. Cook and Chauncey B. Tinker (eds), Select Translations from Old English Poetry. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-old-english/230/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

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