A painfully literal rendering of the Old English in one version of “Cædmon’s Hymn,” designed to show how the Old English works.
| Nu sculon herigean heofonrices Weard, | Now should we praise heaven-kingdom’s Warden, |
| Meotodes meahte on his modgeðanc, | Creator’s might, and his mind-thought (purpose), |
| weorc Wuldorfæder, swa he wundra gehwæs, | the work of the Gloryfather, just as he of wonders, |
| ece Drihten, or onstealde. | eternal Lord, created the beginning (of each). |
| He ærest sceop eorþan bearnum | He first created for Earth’s children |
| heofon to hrofe, halig Scyppend; | Heaven as a roof, holy Shaper; |
| þa middangeard moncynnes Weard, | then Middle Earth mankind’s Warden, |
| ece Drihten, æfter teode | eternal Lord, after created |
| firum foldan, Frea ælmihtig. | for men the earth, Ruler almighty. |