164. This passage is especially interesting in being one of the first appearances of the dialogue form in old English. Some scholars have gone so far as to think that we have here the germ from which English drama comes, but there does not seem reason to believe that the scene ever received any kind of dramatic representation. 4. Rune Passage Not ever on earth need any man 780 Have dread of the darts of the devil's race, Of the fighting of the fiends, whose defense is in God, The just Lord of Hosts. The judgment is nigh When each without fail shall find his reward, Of weal or of woe, for his work on the earth 785 During the time of his life. 'Tis told us in books, How from on high the humble one came, The Treasure-hoard of honor, to the earth below In the Virgin's womb, the valiant Son of God, Holy from on high. I hope in truth 790 And also dread the doom far sterner, When Christ and his angels shall come again, Since I kept not closely the counsels my Savior Bade in his books. I shall bear therefore To see the work of sin (it shall certainly be) 795 When many shall be led to meet their doom, To receive justice in the sight of their Judge. Then the _C_ourageous shall tremble, shall attend the King, The Righteous Ruler, when his wrath he speaks To the worldlings who weakly his warning have heeded 800 While their _Y_earning and _N_eed even yet could have easily Found a comfort. There, cowering in fear, Many wearily shall wait on the wide plain What doom shall be dealt them for the deeds of their life, Of angry penalties. Departed hath _W_insomeness, 805 The ornaments of earth. It _U_sed to be true That long our _L_ife-joys were locked in the sea-streams, Our _F_ortunes on earth; in the fire shall our treasure Burn in the blast; brightly shall mount, The red flame, raging and wrathfully striding 810 Over the wide world; wasted shall be the plains; The castles shall crumble; then shall climb the swift fire, The greediest of guests, grimly and ruthlessly Eat the ancient treasure that of old men possessed While still on the earth was their strength and their pride. 815 Hence I strive to instruct each steadfast man That he be cautious in the care of his soul, And not pour it forth in pride in that portion of days That the Lord allows him to live in the world, While the soul abideth safe in the body, 820 In that friendly home. It behooveth each man To bethink him deeply in the days of his life How meekly and mildly the mighty Lord Came of old to us by an angel's word;