Metrical Charm in Old English

What is a Metrical Charm?

The Metrical Charms are the only remaining examples of what Heathen charms may have been like for the pagan Jutes, Angles, and Saxons. The spells are mostly of a type used for healing. Though a few also are for recovery of stolen cattle, or to calm swarms of bees. http://www.ealdriht.org/charms.html

Metrical Charm 5: For Loss of Cattle

Modern English
As soon as anyone tells you that your goods are lost, you must first of all, before you say anything else, say:

Bethlehem is the name of the town where Christ was born it is well known over the entire world, So this deed may be known among men.
Through the holy cross of Christ! Amen.


Then bow three times to the east and say three times: ‘Crux Christi ab oriente reducath.’


Then bow three times to the west and say three times: ‘Crux Christi ab occidente reducat.’


Then bow three times to the south and say three times: ‘Crux Christi ab aquilone reducath, crux abscondita est et inuenta est.’


The Jews hanged Christ, did the worst of deeds to him, and hid what they might not keep hidden. So this deed may not be concealed in any way, through holy cross of Christ. Amen.


Old English
þonne þe mon ærest secge þæt þin ceap sy losod, þonne cweð þu ærest, ær þu elles hwæt cweþe:
Bæðleem hatte seo buruh þe Crist on acænned wæs, seo is gemærsod geond ealne middangeard; swa þyos dæd for monnum mære gewurþe
þurh þa haligan Cristes rode! Amen. Gebide þe þonne þriwa east and cweþ þonne þriwa: Crux Christi ab oriente reducað. Gebide þe þonne þriwa west and cweð þonne þriwa: Crux Christi ab occidente reducat. Gebide þe þonne þriwa suð and cweþ þriwa: Crux Christi ab austro reducat. Gebide þonne þriwa norð and cweð þriwa: Crux Christi ab aquilone reducað, crux Christi abscondita est et inuenta est. Iudeas Crist ahengon, dydon dæda þa wyrrestan, hælon þæt hy forhelan ne mihtan. Swa þeos dæd nænige þinga forholen ne wurþe þurh þa haligan Cristes rode. Amen.