Caedmon’s Hymn- Oldest Poem in the English Language

Written between 650-680 A.D.

Nu sculon herigean     heofonrices WeardMeotodes meahte     and his modgepanc,weorc Wuldor-Fæder,     swa he wundra gehwæsece Drihten     or onstealdeHe ærest sceop     ielda bearnumHeofon to hrofe     halig Scyppendða middangeard     moncynnes Weard,ece Drihten     æfter teodefirum foldan     Frea ælmihtig

Now we must praise     the protector of the heavenly kingdom

the might of the measurer     and his mind’s purpose,

the work of the father of glory,     as he for each of his wonders,

the eternal Lord,     established a beginning.

He shaped first     for the sons of the earth

heaven as a roof,     the holy maker;

then the middle-world,     mankind’s guardian,

the eternal Lord,     made afterwards,

solid ground for men,     the almighty Lord.

Caedmon’s Hymn: The First English Poet