Anonymous

A fox jumped out one winter’s night, And begged the moon to give him light. For he’d many miles to trot that night Before he reached his den O! Den O! Den O! For he’d many miles to trot that night before he reached his den O! The first place he came to was a farmer’s yard, Where the ducks and the geese declared it hard That their nerves should be shaken and their rest so marred By a visit from Mr. Fox O! Fox O! Fox O! That their nerves should be shaken and their rest so marred By a visit from Mr. Fox O! He took the grey goose by the neck, And swung him right across his back; The grey goose cried out, Quack, quack, quack, With his legs hanging dangling down O! Down O! Down O! The grey goose cried out, Quack, quack, quack, With his legs hanging dangling down O! Old Mother Slipper Slopper jumped out of bed, And out of the window she popped her head: Oh, John, John, the grey goose is gone, And the fox is off to his den O! Den O! Den O! Oh, John, John, the grey goose is gone, And the fox is off to his den O! John ran up to the top of the hill. And blew his whistle loud and shrill; Said the fox, That is very pretty music still – I’d rather be in my den O! Den O! Den O! Said the fox, That is very pretty music still – I’d rather be in my den O! The fox went back to his hungry den, And his dear little foxes, eight, nine, ten; Quoth they, Good daddy, you must go there again, If you bring such god cheer from the farm O! Farm O! Farm O! Quoth they, Good daddy, you must go there again, If you bring such god cheer from the farm O! The fox and his wife, without any strife, Said they never ate a better goose in all their life: They did very well without fork or knife, And the little ones chewed on the bones O! Bones O! Bones O! They did very well without fork or knife, And the little ones chewed on the bones O!

Foweles in the frith, The fisses in the flod, And I mon waxe wod; Mulch sorwe I walke with For best of bon and blod.

Forty little polliwogs Swimming in a ditch, Each so near alike, They don't know which is which. Round and shiny bodies, Wiggly, waggly tails, Just like little fishes All except their scales!

For we are thy people, and thou art our God; We are thy children and thou our father. We are thy servants, and thou art our master; We are thy congregation and thou our portion. We are thine inheritance, thou our lot; We are thy flock, thou our shepherd. We are thy vineyard, and thou art our keeper; We are thy work, and thou our creator. We are thy faithful one: thou art our beloved; We are thy chosen: thou art the Lord our God. We are thy subjects, thou our King; We are thine acknowledged people, thou our acknowledged Lord.

(lines 71-99) Frost shall freeze fire eat wood earth shall breed ice shall bridge water a shield wear. One shall break frost’s fetters free the grain from wonder-lock —One who all can. Winter shall wane fair weather come again the sun-warmed summer! The sound unstill the deep dead wave is darkest longest. Holly shall to the pyre hoard be scattered when the body’s numb. Name is best. A king shall win a queen with goods beakers, bracelets. Both must first be kind with gifts. Courage must wax war-mood in the man, the woman grow up beloved among her people, be light of mood hold close a rune-word be roomy-hearted at hoard-share and horse-giving. When the hall drinks she shall always and everywhere before any company greet first the father of aethelings with the first draught —deft to his hand she holds the horn— and when they are at home together know the right way to run their household. The ship must be nailed the shield framed from the light linden. But how loving the welcome of the Frisian wife when floats offshore the keel come home again! She calls him within walls, her own husband —hull’s at anchor!— washes salt-stains from his stiff shirt brings out clothes clean and fresh for her lord on land again. Love’s need is met.

Let the relentless fist be kissed. The salt cannot be cooked; the past is overlooked. Full once they nibble, fleas quibble. Teeth in a hyena’s face always slide into place. No donkey can cart what weighs down your heart. Outside a man is respected; at home that man is neglected. The strangers weep and leave; family members grieve. Even half-blind men hope to see again. True words end; lies extend. Translated from the Oromo

Earth took of earth, earth with woe, Earth other earth to the earth added; Earth laid earth in an earthen grave. Then had earth of earth enough earth.

Each day as dawn approaches, the King sits in majesty and blesses the holy creatures: To you, my creatures, I speak, before you I declare— Creatures who bear the throne of my glory with all your heart, and willingly with your soul— Blessed is the hour of your creation, and exalted is the constellation beneath which I gave you form. May the light of that morning continue to shine when you came into my mind— for you are a vessel of my desire prepared and perfected on that day. Be silent, creatures of my making, so I might hear my children pray.

Benedicite! whate dreamed I this nyght? Methought the worlde was turnyd up so downe The sun, the moone had lost their force and lyght, The sea also drowned both toure and towne. Yet more marvel how that I heard the sounde Of onys voice saying: beare in thy mynd, Thi lady hath forgotten to be kynd.

Don't worry if your job is small, And your rewards are few. Remember that the mighty oak, Was once a nut like you.