Shakespeare's Language

Old English 

Beowulf

Hwæt! We Gardena         in geardagum, 

þeodcyninga,         þrym gefrunon, 

hu ða æþelingas         ellen fremedon. Oft Scyld Scefing         sceaþena þreatum, 

monegum mægþum,         meodosetla ofteah, 

egsode eorlas.         Syððan ærest wearð 

feasceaft funden,         he þæs frofre gebad, 

weox under wolcnum,         weorðmyndum þah, 

oðþæt him æghwylc         þara ymbsittendra 

ofer hronrade         hyran scolde, 

gomban gyldan.         þæt wæs god cyning! 

ðæm eafera wæs         æfter cenned, 

geong in geardum,         þone god sende 

folce to frofre;         fyrenðearfe ongeat