Mythology & Folklore
Metrical Charm 10: For Loss of Cattle
Translated by William O. Stevens, in Cook & Tinker, Select Translations from Old English Poetry (1902) · From Select Translations from Old English Poetry, ed. Albert S. Cook & Chauncey B. Tinker (1902)
Bethlehem was named the town where Christ was born;
It is renowned through all the world;
So may this deed become famed among men
Through the Holy Rood of Christ. Amen.
Then pray thrice toward the east, and say thrice: Crux Christi ab oriente reducat; then pray thrice toward the west, and say thrice: Crux Christi ab occidente reducat; then pray thrice toward the south, and say thrice: Crux Christi ab austro reducat; then pray thrice toward the north, and say thrice: Crux Christi ab aquilone reducat. Crux Christi abscondita est et inventa est. The Jews crucified Christ, they did the worst of deeds, they hid that which they could not hide, so may this deed in no wise be hidden, through the Holy Rood of Christ.
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Codex Note
A charm for recovering stolen or strayed cattle, invoking Bethlehem and the finding of the Cross. ASPR Metrical Charm 10.
Cite this poem
MLA
Anonymous (Old English). “Metrical Charm 10: For Loss of Cattle.” Translated by William O. Stevens, in Cook and Tinker, Select Translations from Old English Poetry. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-old-english/232/.
Chicago
Anonymous (Old English). “Metrical Charm 10: For Loss of Cattle.” Translated by William O. Stevens, in Cook and Tinker, Select Translations from Old English Poetry. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-old-english/232/.
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