What strength canst thou?

Hwelhne cræft canst De?
Ih eom munuc.
Hwæt cunnon Das Dcne iefbran?
Sume sind ierDlingas, sume scbaphierdas, sume oxanhierdas,
sume huntan, sume fisceras, sume fugleras, sume hcepemenn, sume
scdwyrhtan, sume sealteras, sume bæceras.

Hwæt seist De ierDling? He begust De Dcnne cræft?

La lbof, Dearle ih swince! Vlhe dæie ih sceal on dæirud etgan.
Conne sceal ihDaoxan td felda drcfan and tdDure sylh ieocian. Nis
nan winter swa stearc Dæt ih dyrre æt ham letian: ne dearr ih for
mcnes hlafordes eie. Ac Donne ihDaoxan ieieocod hæbbe, and
Dæt scear and Done culter on Dure sylh iefæstnod hæbbe, Donne
sceal ih fulne æcer erian oDDe mare.

What strength canst thou?
I am a monk.
What can this Dane achieve?
Some are farmers, some shepherds, some oxherds,
some hunters, some fishers, some fowlers, some
artisans, some sailors, some bakers.

What dost thou see, farmer? Doth he boast of the Dane's strength?

Alas dear friend, I toil! Each day must I work in the field.
I can steer towards fields and plough the soil. There is
no winter so harsh that I would fear to return home: nor would I dare for
my lord's estate. But when I have finished my ploughing,
and both seed and harvest are established on my land, then
shall I fully reap either more.