Monað módes lust mid mereflóde
forð tó féran, þæt ic feor heonan
ofer héan holmas, ofer hwæles eðel
elþéodigra eard geséce.
Nis me tó hearpan hyge ne tó hringþege
ne tó wífe wyn ne tó worulde hyht
ne ymb ówiht elles nefne ymb ýða gewealc.

The desire of my spirit urges me to journey forth over the flowing sea, that far hence across the hills of water and the whale's country I may seek the land of strangers. No mind have I for harp, nor gift of ring, nor delight in women, nor joy in the world, nor concern with aught else save the rolling of the waves.