A Digital Repository of Medieval Texts
Anonymous. "Muspilli." Global Medieval Sourcebook.Transcription based on Schlosser, Horst Dieter.Althochdeutsche Literatur. Mit altniederdeutschen Textbeispielen. Auswahl mit Übertragungen und Kommentar, Berlin: Erich Schmidt Verlag 2004, pp. 82–86. .
Muspilli | Muspilli
Source Information
Muspilli | Muspilli
by Anonymous
Text Source:
Responsibility Statement:
- Transcription based on Schlosser, Horst Dieter.Althochdeutsche Literatur. Mit altniederdeutschen Textbeispielen. Auswahl mit Übertragungen und Kommentar, Berlin: Erich Schmidt Verlag 2004, pp. 82–86.
- Translation by Hannah Frakes
- Introduction by Runqi Zhang
- Encoded in TEI P5 XML by Hannah Frakes
Editorial Principles:
Transcriptions and translations are encoded in XML conforming to TEI (P5) guidelines. The original-language text is contained within <lem> tags and translations within <rdg> tags.
Texts are translated into modern American English with maximum fidelity to the original text, except where it would impair comprehension or good style. Archaisms are preserved where they do not conflict with the aesthetic of the original text. Scribal errors and creative translation choices are marked and discussed in the critical notes.
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Published by The Global Medieval Sourcebook.
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Muspilli Muspilli
...sin tac piqueme, daz er touuan scal. ...his day comes, when he has to die.
uuanta sar so sih diu sela in den sind arhevit Immediately afterwards, when the soul starts its journey
enti si den lihhamun likkan lazzit, and leaves the body behind,
so quimit ein heri fona himilzungalon, then a host comes from the heaven’s firmament
5
daz andar fona pehhe: dar pagant siu umpi. And another from hell: then they will fight for her [i. e. the soul]. Sorgen mac diu sela, unzi diu suona arget, The soul has to worry until the judgement is made,
za uuederemo herie si gihalot uuerde. As to which host she is brought.
uuanta ipu sia daz Satanazses kisindi kiuuinnit, For if Satan’s retainers win her,
daz leitit sia sar dar iru leid uuirdit, They promptly lead her [the soul] to a place where pain awaits her,
10
in fuir enti in finstri: daz ist rehto uirinlih ding. Into fire and darkness: that is a truly horrible verdict. Upi sia auar kihalont die, die dar fona himile quemant, But if she is taken by those who come from heaven
enti si dero engilo eigan uuirdit, And is claimed by the angels,
die pringent sia sar uf in himilo rihi: They promptly bring her up into the heavenly kingdom
dar ist lip ano tod, lioht ano finstri, Where there is life without death, light without darkness,
15
selida ano sorgun: dar nist neoman siuh. A refuge without worry: there nobody suffers sickness. denne der man in pardisu pu kiuuinnit, For if a person wins a place in paradise,
hus in himile, dar quimit imo hilfa kinuok. A house in heaven, he will find a lot of support there.
Pidiu ist durft mihhil Thus the need is great
allero manno uuelihemo, daz in es sin muot kispane, for everybody, that his [spirit/heart]
n
is moved Note:
The correct translation of “muot” is controversial. A large camp of scholars translate it as “spirit” ( “der Geist” in modern German), although others translate it as "heart".
20
daz er kotes uuillun kerno tuo to gladly do God’s will enti hella fuir harto uuise, And firmly avoid hellfire,
pehhes pina. dar piutit Satanaz altist Hell’s pain: there, the ancient Satan waits
heizzan lauc. so mac huckan za diu, With hot fire. Therefore he, who knows himself
sorgen drato, der sih suntigen uueiz. to be sinful, shall think about this with great worry.
25
uue demo in uinstri scal sino uirina stuen, Woe to him who has to atone for his sins in darkness prinnan in pehhe: daz ist rehto paluuic dink, and burn in hell. It is a truly horrible judgement,
daz der man haret ze gote enti imo hilfa ni quimit. When somebody calls upon God and receives no help.
uuanit sih kinada diu uuenaga sela. The wretched soul hopes for mercy,
ni ist in kihuctin himiliskin gote, But she is not remembered by the heavenly God,
30
uuanta hiar in uuerolti aftar ni uuerkota. because she has not proven herself worthy here in the world. So denne der mahtigo khuninc daz mahal kipannit, And when the powerful King proclaims the day of judgement
dara scal queman queman chunno kilihaz. Every kin must come there.
denne ni kitar parno nohhein den pan furisizzan, No child of man can dare to reject this command,
nio allero manno uuelih ze demo mahale sculi. [assuming] that not everybody had to attend this judgement.
35
Dar scal er uora demo rihhe az rahhu stantan, There he shall give account to the Almighty n
Note:
“rahha stantan” is a legal technical term meaning “to give an account for something.”. The expression is still used in modern German as “Rechenschaft stehen”.
pi daz er in uuerolti kiuuerkot hapeta. for what he has done in this world.
daz hortih rahhon dia uueroltrehuuison, I have heard the wise men of the world tell
daz sculi der antichristo mil Eliase pagan. That the antichrist shall fight against Elijah.
der uuarch ist kiuuafanit, denne uuirdit untar in uuic arhapan. The fiend is armed, and then the fight between them will start.
40
khenfun sint so kreftic, diu kosa ist so mihhil: The fighters are so powerful, the cause is so crucial: Elias stritit pi den ewiigon lip, Elijah fights for eternal life,
uuili din rehtkernon daz rihhi kistarkan. He wants to secure the realm for the righteous
pidiu scal imo helfan der himiles kiuualtit. He who rules in heaven shall help him with this.
der antichristo stet pi demo altfiante, The antichrist stands with the ancient foe,
45
stet pi Satanase, der inan uarsenkan scal. Stands with Satan, who wants to destroy him [Elijah]: pidiu scal er in deru uuicsteti uuunt pivallan But he [the antichrist] will fall wounded on this battlefield,
enti in demo sinde sigalos uuerdan. And in this way be without victory.
Doh uuanit des uilo gotmanno, Yet many men of God believe
daz Elias in demo uuige aruuartit uuerde. That Elijah will be wounded in the battle.
50
so daz Eliases pluot in erda kitriufit, So when Elijah’s blood drips on the earth, so inprinnant die perga, poum ni kistentit The mountains catch fire and no single tree on earth
enihc in erdu, aha artruknent, remains standing, all waters dry up,
muor uarsuuilhit sih, suilizot lougiu der himil, The moor swallows itself, the heaven perishes in flames,
mano uallit, prinnit mittilagart, The moon falls, Middle Earth burns.
c
Critical note:
“mittilagart” could also be translated as “Midgard”, (although the phrase "middle earth" is now well known to readers of Tolkein) which was the name of the human realm in Norse and Germanic myth. It is an interesting example of the mixing of pagan cosmological models with Christian apocalyptic narrative.
55
sten ni kistentit eikin in erdu, uerit denne tuatago in lant, Stones do not stand fast by their owners on earth, and then judgement day comes upon the land, uerit mit diu uuiru uiriho uuison. Comes with fire to afflict the people:
Dar ni mac denne mak helfan uora demo muspille. No kinsman can help the other in the face of the Muspilli.
c
Critical note:
The exact translation and etymology of “muspille” is unclear. Later Nordic sources suggest that it roughly means “destruction of the world by fire”.
denne daz preita uuasal allaz uarprennit And when the whole circle of the world burns,
enti uuir enti luft iz allaz arfurpit, and a storm of fire and air annihilates everything,
60
uuar ist denne diu marha, dar man dar eo mit sinen magon piehc? Where is then the homeland, for which one before had fought together with one’s kinsmen? Diu marha ist farprunnan, diu sela stet piduungan, The homeland is burned, the soul stands defeated,
ni uueiz mit uuiu puaze: sar verit si za uuize. Not knowing how to atone: soon she will face punishment.
Pidiu ist demo manne so guot, denner ze demo mahale quimit, Therefore it is good for a man, when he comes to the tribunal,
daz er rahono uueliha rehto arteile. To have always delivered rightful judgements.
65
Denne ni darf er sorgen, denne er ze deru suonu quimit. Then he needs not to worry when he faces this trial. ni uueiz der uuenago man uuielihan uuartil er habet, A weak person does not know what sentence awaits him,
denner mit den miaton marrit daz rehta, when he breaks the law with bribery,
daz der tiuual dar pi kitarnit stentit. And that the devil hides close to him,
der hapet in ruouu rahono uueliha, and quietly takes into account every evil deed
70
daz der man er enti sid upiles kifrumita, that this person has done and will do, daz er iz allaz kisaget, denne er ze deru suono quimit. In order to report it all when he [the man] faces the trial.
Ni scolta manno nohhein miatun intfahan. Therefore, nobody should ever accept bribes.
So daz himilisca horn kilutit uuirdit When the heavenly horn is blown
enti sih der suanari ana den sind arheuit, And the judge, who shall judge the dead
75
der da suannan scal toten enti lepenten, and the living, will start his journey, denne heuit sih mit imo herio meista. the largest host will rise together with him.
daz ist allaz so pald, daz imo nioman kipagan ni mak. This [host] is so brave that no one can stand up against it.
Denne uerit er ze deru mahalsteti, deru dar kimarchot ist, Then he will go to the judgement place, which is staked out,
dar uuirdit diu suona, dia man dar io sageta. That is where the trial will take place as it has been proclaimed.
80
Denne uarant engila uper dio marha, Angels will then travel over the land, uuechant deota, uuissant ze dinge. wake the dead, call them to the judgement.
denne scal manno gilih fona deru moltu arsten, Then everybody will resurrect from the dust,
Lossan si ar dero leuuo vazzon, scal imo auar sin lip piqueman, Release himself from the burden of the grave: he shall regain his body,
daz er sin reht allaz kirahhn muozzi So that he can fairly answer for everything
85
enti imo after sinen tatin arteilit uuerde. And be judged for his deeds. Denne der gisizzit, der dâr suonnan scal Then he sits down, the one who shall try in court
enti arteillan scal toten enti quekkhen, And pass judgement over the dead and the living;
denne stet dar umpi engilo menigi, The host of angels surrounds him,
guotero gomono: gart ist so mihhil, and [many] good men: The place [of judgement] is large,
90
dara quimit ze deu rihtungu so uilo, dia dar ar resti arstent And so many who have arisen from their rest come to the trial. so dar manno nohhein uuiht pimidan ni mak, Nobody can hide anything there,
dar scal denne hant sprehhan, houpit sagen, Or else the hand will speak, the head will talk,
allero lido uuelihc unzi in den luzigun uinger, Every limb down to the smallest finger,
uuaz er untar mannun mordes kifrumita. What murder it has committed amongst men.
95
Dar ni ist eo so listic man, der dar iouuiht arliugan megi, Therefore nobody is cunning enough to be able to tell a lie there daz er kitarnan megi tato dehheina, Or to hide any deed:
niz al fora demo khuninge kichundit uuerde, It will still be revealed in front of the king
uzzan er iz mit alamusanu furimegi unless he can compensate for it with alms [he has given],
enti mit fastun dio uirina kipuazti. And has atoned for the crimes with fasting.
100
Denne der paldet, der gipuazzit hapet, denner ze deru suonu quimit. Therefore he, who has atoned, needs not to worry when he comes to this judgement. uuirdit denne furi kitragan daz frono chruci, Then the noble cross will be carried forward,
dar der heligo Christ ana arhangan uuard, Upon which the holy Christ was crucified,
denne augit er dio masun, dio er in deru menniski anfenc, And he will show the wounds that he received as a man,
duruh desse mancunnes minna f[ardoleta]... That he had obtained for his love of mankind.
Muspilli Muspilli
...sin tac piqueme, daz er touuan scal. ...his day comes, when he has to die.
uuanta sar so sih diu sela in den sind arhevit Immediately afterwards, when the soul starts its journey
enti si den lihhamun likkan lazzit, and leaves the body behind,
so quimit ein heri fona himilzungalon, then a host comes from the heaven’s firmament
5
daz andar fona pehhe: dar pagant siu umpi. And another from hell: then they will fight for her [i. e. the soul]. Sorgen mac diu sela, unzi diu suona arget, The soul has to worry until the judgement is made,
za uuederemo herie si gihalot uuerde. As to which host she is brought.
uuanta ipu sia daz Satanazses kisindi kiuuinnit, For if Satan’s retainers win her,
daz leitit sia sar dar iru leid uuirdit, They promptly lead her [the soul] to a place where pain awaits her,
10
in fuir enti in finstri: daz ist rehto uirinlih ding. Into fire and darkness: that is a truly horrible verdict. Upi sia auar kihalont die, die dar fona himile quemant, But if she is taken by those who come from heaven
enti si dero engilo eigan uuirdit, And is claimed by the angels,
die pringent sia sar uf in himilo rihi: They promptly bring her up into the heavenly kingdom
dar ist lip ano tod, lioht ano finstri, Where there is life without death, light without darkness,
15
selida ano sorgun: dar nist neoman siuh. A refuge without worry: there nobody suffers sickness. denne der man in pardisu pu kiuuinnit, For if a person wins a place in paradise,
hus in himile, dar quimit imo hilfa kinuok. A house in heaven, he will find a lot of support there.
Pidiu ist durft mihhil Thus the need is great
allero manno uuelihemo, daz in es sin muot kispane, for everybody, that his [spirit/heart]
n
is moved Note:
The correct translation of “muot” is controversial. A large camp of scholars translate it as “spirit” ( “der Geist” in modern German), although others translate it as "heart".
20
daz er kotes uuillun kerno tuo to gladly do God’s will enti hella fuir harto uuise, And firmly avoid hellfire,
pehhes pina. dar piutit Satanaz altist Hell’s pain: there, the ancient Satan waits
heizzan lauc. so mac huckan za diu, With hot fire. Therefore he, who knows himself
sorgen drato, der sih suntigen uueiz. to be sinful, shall think about this with great worry.
25
uue demo in uinstri scal sino uirina stuen, Woe to him who has to atone for his sins in darkness prinnan in pehhe: daz ist rehto paluuic dink, and burn in hell. It is a truly horrible judgement,
daz der man haret ze gote enti imo hilfa ni quimit. When somebody calls upon God and receives no help.
uuanit sih kinada diu uuenaga sela. The wretched soul hopes for mercy,
ni ist in kihuctin himiliskin gote, But she is not remembered by the heavenly God,
30
uuanta hiar in uuerolti aftar ni uuerkota. because she has not proven herself worthy here in the world. So denne der mahtigo khuninc daz mahal kipannit, And when the powerful King proclaims the day of judgement
dara scal queman queman chunno kilihaz. Every kin must come there.
denne ni kitar parno nohhein den pan furisizzan, No child of man can dare to reject this command,
nio allero manno uuelih ze demo mahale sculi. [assuming] that not everybody had to attend this judgement.
35
Dar scal er uora demo rihhe az rahhu stantan, There he shall give account to the Almighty n
Note:
“rahha stantan” is a legal technical term meaning “to give an account for something.”. The expression is still used in modern German as “Rechenschaft stehen”.
pi daz er in uuerolti kiuuerkot hapeta. for what he has done in this world.
daz hortih rahhon dia uueroltrehuuison, I have heard the wise men of the world tell
daz sculi der antichristo mil Eliase pagan. That the antichrist shall fight against Elijah.
der uuarch ist kiuuafanit, denne uuirdit untar in uuic arhapan. The fiend is armed, and then the fight between them will start.
40
khenfun sint so kreftic, diu kosa ist so mihhil: The fighters are so powerful, the cause is so crucial: Elias stritit pi den ewiigon lip, Elijah fights for eternal life,
uuili din rehtkernon daz rihhi kistarkan. He wants to secure the realm for the righteous
pidiu scal imo helfan der himiles kiuualtit. He who rules in heaven shall help him with this.
der antichristo stet pi demo altfiante, The antichrist stands with the ancient foe,
45
stet pi Satanase, der inan uarsenkan scal. Stands with Satan, who wants to destroy him [Elijah]: pidiu scal er in deru uuicsteti uuunt pivallan But he [the antichrist] will fall wounded on this battlefield,
enti in demo sinde sigalos uuerdan. And in this way be without victory.
Doh uuanit des uilo gotmanno, Yet many men of God believe
daz Elias in demo uuige aruuartit uuerde. That Elijah will be wounded in the battle.
50
so daz Eliases pluot in erda kitriufit, So when Elijah’s blood drips on the earth, so inprinnant die perga, poum ni kistentit The mountains catch fire and no single tree on earth
enihc in erdu, aha artruknent, remains standing, all waters dry up,
muor uarsuuilhit sih, suilizot lougiu der himil, The moor swallows itself, the heaven perishes in flames,
mano uallit, prinnit mittilagart, The moon falls, Middle Earth burns.
c
Critical note:
“mittilagart” could also be translated as “Midgard”, (although the phrase "middle earth" is now well known to readers of Tolkein) which was the name of the human realm in Norse and Germanic myth. It is an interesting example of the mixing of pagan cosmological models with Christian apocalyptic narrative.
55
sten ni kistentit eikin in erdu, uerit denne tuatago in lant, Stones do not stand fast by their owners on earth, and then judgement day comes upon the land, uerit mit diu uuiru uiriho uuison. Comes with fire to afflict the people:
Dar ni mac denne mak helfan uora demo muspille. No kinsman can help the other in the face of the Muspilli.
c
Critical note:
The exact translation and etymology of “muspille” is unclear. Later Nordic sources suggest that it roughly means “destruction of the world by fire”.
denne daz preita uuasal allaz uarprennit And when the whole circle of the world burns,
enti uuir enti luft iz allaz arfurpit, and a storm of fire and air annihilates everything,
60
uuar ist denne diu marha, dar man dar eo mit sinen magon piehc? Where is then the homeland, for which one before had fought together with one’s kinsmen? Diu marha ist farprunnan, diu sela stet piduungan, The homeland is burned, the soul stands defeated,
ni uueiz mit uuiu puaze: sar verit si za uuize. Not knowing how to atone: soon she will face punishment.
Pidiu ist demo manne so guot, denner ze demo mahale quimit, Therefore it is good for a man, when he comes to the tribunal,
daz er rahono uueliha rehto arteile. To have always delivered rightful judgements.
65
Denne ni darf er sorgen, denne er ze deru suonu quimit. Then he needs not to worry when he faces this trial. ni uueiz der uuenago man uuielihan uuartil er habet, A weak person does not know what sentence awaits him,
denner mit den miaton marrit daz rehta, when he breaks the law with bribery,
daz der tiuual dar pi kitarnit stentit. And that the devil hides close to him,
der hapet in ruouu rahono uueliha, and quietly takes into account every evil deed
70
daz der man er enti sid upiles kifrumita, that this person has done and will do, daz er iz allaz kisaget, denne er ze deru suono quimit. In order to report it all when he [the man] faces the trial.
Ni scolta manno nohhein miatun intfahan. Therefore, nobody should ever accept bribes.
So daz himilisca horn kilutit uuirdit When the heavenly horn is blown
enti sih der suanari ana den sind arheuit, And the judge, who shall judge the dead
75
der da suannan scal toten enti lepenten, and the living, will start his journey, denne heuit sih mit imo herio meista. the largest host will rise together with him.
daz ist allaz so pald, daz imo nioman kipagan ni mak. This [host] is so brave that no one can stand up against it.
Denne uerit er ze deru mahalsteti, deru dar kimarchot ist, Then he will go to the judgement place, which is staked out,
dar uuirdit diu suona, dia man dar io sageta. That is where the trial will take place as it has been proclaimed.
80
Denne uarant engila uper dio marha, Angels will then travel over the land, uuechant deota, uuissant ze dinge. wake the dead, call them to the judgement.
denne scal manno gilih fona deru moltu arsten, Then everybody will resurrect from the dust,
Lossan si ar dero leuuo vazzon, scal imo auar sin lip piqueman, Release himself from the burden of the grave: he shall regain his body,
daz er sin reht allaz kirahhn muozzi So that he can fairly answer for everything
85
enti imo after sinen tatin arteilit uuerde. And be judged for his deeds. Denne der gisizzit, der dâr suonnan scal Then he sits down, the one who shall try in court
enti arteillan scal toten enti quekkhen, And pass judgement over the dead and the living;
denne stet dar umpi engilo menigi, The host of angels surrounds him,
guotero gomono: gart ist so mihhil, and [many] good men: The place [of judgement] is large,
90
dara quimit ze deu rihtungu so uilo, dia dar ar resti arstent And so many who have arisen from their rest come to the trial. so dar manno nohhein uuiht pimidan ni mak, Nobody can hide anything there,
dar scal denne hant sprehhan, houpit sagen, Or else the hand will speak, the head will talk,
allero lido uuelihc unzi in den luzigun uinger, Every limb down to the smallest finger,
uuaz er untar mannun mordes kifrumita. What murder it has committed amongst men.
95
Dar ni ist eo so listic man, der dar iouuiht arliugan megi, Therefore nobody is cunning enough to be able to tell a lie there daz er kitarnan megi tato dehheina, Or to hide any deed:
niz al fora demo khuninge kichundit uuerde, It will still be revealed in front of the king
uzzan er iz mit alamusanu furimegi unless he can compensate for it with alms [he has given],
enti mit fastun dio uirina kipuazti. And has atoned for the crimes with fasting.
100
Denne der paldet, der gipuazzit hapet, denner ze deru suonu quimit. Therefore he, who has atoned, needs not to worry when he comes to this judgement. uuirdit denne furi kitragan daz frono chruci, Then the noble cross will be carried forward,
dar der heligo Christ ana arhangan uuard, Upon which the holy Christ was crucified,
denne augit er dio masun, dio er in deru menniski anfenc, And he will show the wounds that he received as a man,
duruh desse mancunnes minna f[ardoleta]... That he had obtained for his love of mankind.
Critical Notes
Translation
Line number 19
Note: The correct translation of “muot” is controversial. A large camp of scholars translate it as “spirit” ( “der Geist” in modern German), although others translate it as "heart".
Translation
Line number 35
Note: “rahha stantan” is a legal technical term meaning “to give an account for something.”. The expression is still used in modern German as “Rechenschaft stehen”.
Translation
Line number 54
Critical note: “mittilagart” could also be translated as “Midgard”, (although the phrase "middle earth" is now well known to readers of Tolkein) which was the name of the human realm in Norse and Germanic myth. It is an interesting example of the mixing of pagan cosmological models with Christian apocalyptic narrative.
Translation
Line number 57
Critical note: The exact translation and etymology of “muspille” is unclear. Later Nordic sources suggest that it roughly means “destruction of the world by fire”.
Sorry, but there are no notes associated with any currently displayed witness.