「#1875. acrostic と折句」 ([2014-06-15-1]) の記事で，現代英語と日本語から acrostic なる言葉遊びの例をみたが，古英語にも acrostic の詩がある．The Rune Poem と呼ばれる6節からなる詩で，各節の開始文字を取り出すと，アングロサクソン系ルーン文字一式の呼称である "FUÞORC" という単語が浮かび上がる（「#1006. ルーン文字の変種」 ([2012-01-28-1]) を参照）．Crystal (13) より，The Rune Poem を味読しよう．各詩行の頭韻 (alliteration) も規則的である．
Feoh byþ frofur fira gehwylcum--- Wealth is a joy to every man--- sceal ðeah manna gehwylc miclun hyt dælan but every man must share it well gif he wile for Drihtne domes hleotan. if he wishes to gain glory in the sight of the Lord. Ur byþ anmod 7 oferhyrned, Aurochs is fierce, with gigantic horns, felafrecne deor, feohteþ mid hornum, a very savage animal, it fights with horns, mære morstapa: þæt is modig wuht! a well-known moor-stepper: it is a creature of courage! Þorn byþ ðearle scearp, ðegna gehwylcum Thorn is very sharp, harmful to every man anfeng ys yfyl, ungemetun reþe who seizes it, unsuitably severe manna gehwylcun ðe him mid resteð. to every man who rests on it. Os byþ ordfruma ælcre spræce, Mouth is the creator of all speech, wisdomes wraþu and witena frofur a supporter of wisdom and comfort of wise men, and eorla gehwam eadnys and tohiht. and a blessing and hope to every man. Rad byþ on recyde rinca gehwylcum Journey is to every warrior in the hall sefte, and swiþhwæt ðam ðe sitteþ onufan pleasant, and bitingly tough to him who sits meare mægenheardum ofer milpaþas. on a mighty steed over the mile-paths. Cen byþ cwicera gehwam cuþ on fyre, Torch is to every living thing known by its fire; blac and beorhtlic, byrneþ oftust bright and brilliant, it burns most often ðær hi æþelingas inne restaþ. where the princes take their rest within.
・ Crystal, David. The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language. 2nd ed. Cambridge: CUP, 2003.
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