Psalms 137

1 On the floodis of Babiloyne there we saten, and wepten; while we bithouyten on Syon.

By the rivers of Babylon, there, we sat down, yea we wept—when we remembered Zion:

2 In salewis in the myddil therof; we hangiden vp oure orguns.

Upon the willows—in the midst thereof, hanged we our lyres:

3 For thei that ledden vs prisoners; axiden vs there the wordis of songis. And thei that ledden awei vs seiden; Synge ye to vs an ympne of the songis of Syon.

For, there, our captors asked of us words of song, and our plunderers—gladness, —Sing us of the songs of Zion!

4 Hou schulen we singe a songe of the Lord; in an alien lond?

How shall we sing the song of Yahweh, on a foreign soil?

5 If Y foryete thee, Jerusalem; my riyt hond be youun to foryeting.

If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, Let my right-hand forget:

6 Mi tunge cleue to my chekis; if Y bithenke not on thee. If Y purposide not of thee, Jerusalem; in the bigynnyng of my gladnesse.

Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember thee! if I do not lift up Jerusalem above the head of mine own gladness.

7 Lord, haue thou mynde on the sones of Edom; for the dai of Jerusalem. Whiche seien, Anyntische ye, anyntische ye; `til to the foundement ther ynne.

Remember, O Yahweh, against the sons of Edom, the day of Jerusalem, —how they continued to say—Overthrow! Overthrow! unto the foundation within it.

8 Thou wretchid douyter of Babiloyne; he is blessid, that `schal yelde to thee thi yelding, which thou yeldidist to vs.

O ruined daughter of Babylon, —how happy the man who shall repay thee thy dealing, wherewith thou didst deal with us!

9 He is blessid, that schal holde; and hurtle doun hise litle children at a stoon.

How happy the man who shall snatch away and dash thy children against the crag.