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The Phoenix and Andy Tauer

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The Phoenix , an Anglo-Saxon poem, tells the story of the Phoenix’s migration across exotic lands to find its special island, where it builds a nest out of exotic spices with loving and tender care, only to immolate itself in this fragrant nest/bier. The poetry is very beautiful. You can hear it being read out loud in Old English here. Bið him neod micel þæt he þa yldu         ofestum mote þurh gewittes wylm         wendan to life, feorg geong onfon.         þonne feor ond neah þa swetestan         somnað ond gædrað wyrta wynsume         ond wudubleda to þam eardstede,         æþelstenca gehwone, wyrta wynsumra,         þe wuldorcyning, fæder frymða gehwæs,         ofer foldan gescop to indryhtum         ælda cynne, swetes under swegle.         þær he sylf biereð in þæt treow innan         torhte frætwe; þær se wilda fugel         in þam westenne ofer heanne beam