II. THE FIGHT AT FINNSBURH:
Reading edition
A FRAGMENT.
WITH TEXT AND GLOSSARY ON THE
BASIS OF M. HEYNE.
EDITED, CORRECTED, AND ENLARGED, BY
JAMES A. HARRISON, LL.D., LITT. D.,
PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH AND MODERN LANGUAGES,
WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY,
AND
ROBERT SHARP (PH.D. LIPS.),
PROFESSOR OF GREEK AND ENGLISH,
TULANE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA.
FOURTH EDITION. REVISED, WITH NOTES.
GINN & COMPANY
BOSTON—NEW YORK—CHICAGO—LONDON
Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1883, by
JAMES ALBERT HARRISON AND ROBERT SHARP
in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
DEDICATED
TO
PROFESSOR F. A. MARCH,
OF LAFAYETTE COLLEGE, PA.,
AND
FREDERICK J. FURNIVALL, ESQ.
FOUNDER OF THE "NEW SHAKSPERE SOCIETY,"
THE "CHAUCER SOCIETY," ETC., ETC.
PREFACE TO THE FOURTH EDITION.
The favor with which the successive editions of "Beówulf" have been received during the past thirteen years emboldens the editors to continue the work of revision in a fourth issue, the most noticeable feature of which is a considerable body of explanatory Notes, now for the first time added. These Notes mainly concern themselves with new textual readings, with here and there grammatical, geographical, and archæological points that seemed worthy of explanation. Parallelisms and parallel passages are constantly compared, with the view of making the poem illustrate and explain itself. A few emendations and textual changes are suggested by the editors with all possible diffidence; numerous corrections have been made in the Glossary and List of Names; and the valuable parts of former Appendices have been embodied in the Notes.
For the Notes, the editors are much indebted to the various German periodicals mentioned on page 116, to the recent publications of Professors Earle and J. L. Hall, to Mr. S. A. Brooke, and to the Heyne-Socin edition of "Beówulf." No change has been made in the system of accentuation, though a few errors in quantity have been corrected. The editors are looking forward to an eventual fifth edition, in which an entirely new text will be presented.
October, 1893.
NOTE TO THE THIRD EDITION.
This third edition of the American issue of Beówulf will, the editors hope, be found more accurate and useful than either of the preceding editions. Further corrections in text and glossary have been made, and some additional new readings and suggestions will be found in two brief appendices at the back of the book. Students of the metrical system of Beówulf will find ample material for their studies in Sievers' exhaustive essay on that subject (Beiträge, X. 209-314).
Socin's edition of Heyne's Beówulf (called the fifth edition) has been utilized to some extent in this edition, though it unfortunately came too late to be freely used. While it repeats many of the omissions and inaccuracies of Heyne's fourth edition, it contains much that is valuable to the student, particularly in the notes and commentary. Students of the poem, which has been subjected to much searching criticism during the last decade, will also derive especial help from the contributions of Sievers and Kluge on difficult questions appertaining to it. Wülker's new edition (in the Grein Bibliothek) is of the highest value, however one may dissent from particular textual views laid down in the 'Berichtigter Text.' Paul and Braune's Beiträge contain a varied miscellany of hints, corrections, and suggestions principally embodying the views of Kluge, Cosijn, Sievers, and Bugge, some of the more important of which are found in the appendices to the present and the preceding edition. Holder and Zupitza, Sarrazin and Hermann Möller (Kiel, 1883), Heinzel (Anzeiger f.d. Alterthum, X.), Gering (Zacher's Zeitschrift, XII.), Brenner (Eng. Studien, IX.), and the contributors to Anglia, have assisted materially in the textual and metrical interpretation of the poem.
The subject of Anglo-Saxon quantity has been discussed in several able essays by Sievers, Sweet, Ten Brink (Anzeiger, f.d. Alterthum, V.), Kluge (Beiträge, XI.), and others; but so much is uncertain in this field that the editors have left undisturbed the marking of vowels found in the text of their original edition, while indicating in the appendices the now accepted views of scholars on the quantity of the personal pronouns (mê, wê, þû, þê, gê, hê); the adverb nû, etc. Perhaps it would be best to banish absolutely all attempts at marking quantities except in cases where the Ms. has them marked.
An approximately complete Bibliography of Beówulf literature will be found in Wülker's Grundriss and in Garnett's translation of the poem.
JAMES A. HARRISON,
ROBERT SHARP.
WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY, LEXINGTON, VA., May, 1888.
NOTE TO THE SECOND REVISED EDITION.
The editors feel so encouraged at the kind reception accorded their edition of Beówulf (1883), that, in spite of its many shortcomings, they have determined to prepare a second revised edition of the book, and thus endeavor to extend its sphere of usefulness. About twenty errors had, notwithstanding a vigilant proof-reading, crept into the text,—errors in single letters, accents, and punctuation. These have been corrected, and it is hoped that the text has been rendered generally accurate and trustworthy. In the List of Names one or two corrections have been made, and in the Glossary numerous mistakes in gender, classification, and translation, apparently unavoidable in a first edition, have been rectified. Wherever these mistakes concern single letters, or occupy very small space, they have been corrected in the plates; where they are longer, and the expense of correcting them in the plates would have been very great, the editors have thought it best to include them in an Appendix of Corrections and Additions, which will be found at the back of the book. Students are accordingly referred to this Appendix for important longer corrections and additions. It is believed that the value of the book has been much enhanced by an Appendix of Recent Readings, based on late criticisms and essays from the pens of Sievers, Kluge, Cosijn, Holder, Wülker, and Sweet. A perplexed student, in turning to these suggested readings, will often find great help in unravelling obscure or corrupt passages.
The objectionable ä and æ, for the short and the long diphthong, have been retained in the revised edition, owing to the impossibility of removing them without entirely recasting the plates.
In conclusion, the editors would acknowledge their great indebtedness to the friends and critics whose remarks and criticisms have materially aided in the correction of the text,—particularly to Profs. C.P.G. Scott, Baskervill, Price, and J.M. Hart; to Prof. J.W. Bright; and to the authorities of Cornell University, for the loan of periodicals necessary to the completeness of the revision. While the second revised edition still contains much that might be improved, the editors cannot but hope that it is an advance on its predecessor, and that it will continue its work of extending the study of Old English throughout the land.
JUNE, 1885.
NOTE I.
The present work, carefully edited from Heyne's fourth edition, (Paderborn, 1879), is designed primarily for college classes in Anglo-Saxon, rather than for independent investigators or for seekers after a restored or ideal text. The need of an American edition of "Beówulf" has long been felt, as, hitherto, students have had either to send to Germany for a text, or secure, with great trouble, one of the scarce and expensive English editions. Heyne's first edition came out in 1863, and was followed in 1867 and 1873 by a second and a third edition, all three having essentially the same text.
So many important contributions to the "Beówulf" literature were, however, made between 1873 and 1879 that Heyne found it necessary to put forth a new edition (1879). In this new, last edition, the text was subjected to a careful revision, and was fortified by the views, contributions, and criticisms of other zealous scholars. In it the collation of the unique "Beówulf" Ms. (Vitellius A. 15: Cottonian Mss. of the British Museum), as made by E. Kölbing in Herrig's Archiv (Bd. 56; 1876), was followed wherever the present condition of the Ms. had to be discussed; and the researches of Bugge, Bieger, and others, on single passages, were made use of. The discussion of the metrical structure of the poem, as occurring in the second and third editions, was omitted in the fourth, owing to the many controversies in which the subject is still involved. The present editor has thought it best to do the same, though, happily, the subject of Old English Metrik is undergoing a steady illumination through the labors of Schipper and others.
Some errors and misplaced accents in Heyne's text have been corrected in the present edition, in which, as in the general revision of the text, the editor has been most kindly aided by Prof. J.M. Garnett, late Principal of St. John's College, Maryland.
In the preparation of the present school edition it has been thought best to omit Heyne's notes, as they concern themselves principally with conjectural emendations, substitutions of one reading for another, and discussions of the condition of the Ms. Until Wülker's text and the photographic fac-simile of the original Ms. are in the hands of all scholars, it will be better not to introduce such matters in the school room, where they would puzzle without instructing.
For convenience of reference, the editor has added a head-line to each "fit" of the poem, with a view to facilitate a knowledge of its episodes.
WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY, LEXINGTON, VA., June, 1882.
NOTE II.
The editors now have the pleasure of presenting to the public a complete text and a tolerably complete glossary of "Beówulf." The edition is the first published in America, and the first of its special kind presented to the English public, and it is the initial volume of a "Library of Anglo-Saxon Poetry," to be edited under the same auspices and with the coöperation of distinguished scholars in this country. Among these scholars may be mentioned Professors F.A. March of Lafayette College, T.K. Price of Columbia College, and W.M. Baskervill of Vanderbilt University.
In the preparation of the Glossary the editors found it necessary to abandon a literal and exact translation of Heyne for several reasons, and among others from the fact that Heyne seems to be wrong in the translation of some of his illustrative quotations, and even translates the same passage in two or three different ways under different headings. The orthography of his glossary differs considerably from the orthography of his text. He fails to discriminate with due nicety the meanings of many of the words in his vocabulary, while criticism more recent than his latest edition (1879) has illustrated or overthrown several of his renderings. The references were found to be incorrect in innumerable instances, and had to be verified in every individual case so far as this was possible, a few only, which resisted all efforts at verification, having to be indicated by an interrogation point (?). The references are exceedingly numerous, and the labor of verifying them was naturally great. To many passages in the Glossary, where Heyne's translation could not be trusted with entire certainty, the editors have added other translations of phrases and sentences or of special words; and in this they have been aided by a careful study of the text and a comparison and utilization of the views of Kemble and Professor J.M. Garnett (who takes Grein for his foundation). Many new references have been added; and the various passages in which Heyne fails to indicate whether a given verb is weak or strong, or fails to point out the number, etc., of the illustrative form, have been corrected and made to harmonize with the general plan of the work. Numerous misprints in the glossary have also been corrected, and a brief glossary to the Finnsburh-fragment, prepared by Dr. Wm. Hand Browne, and supplemented and adapted by the editor-in-chief, has been added.
The editors think that they may without immodesty put forth for themselves something more than the claim of being re-translators of a translation: the present edition is, so far as they were able to make it so, an adaptation, correction, and extension of the work of the great German scholar to whose loving appreciation of the Anglo-Saxon epic all students of Old English owe a debt of gratitude. While following his usually sure and cautious guidance, and in the main appropriating his results, they have thought it best to deviate from him in the manner above indicated, whenever it seemed that he was wrong. The careful reader will notice at once the marks of interrogation which point out these deviations, or which introduce a point of view illustrative of, or supplementary to, the one given by the German editor. No doubt the editors are wrong themselves in many places,—"Beówulf" is a most difficult poem,—but their view may at least be defended by a reference to the original text, which they have faithfully and constantly consulted.
A good many cognate Modern English words have been introduced here and there in the Glossary with a view to illustration, and other addenda will be found between brackets and parenthetical marks.
It is hoped that the present edition of the most famous of Old English poems will do something to promote a valuable and interesting study.
JAMES A. HARRISON, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va.
ROBERT SHARP, University of Louisiana, New Orleans.
April, 1883.
The responsibility of the editors is as follows: H. is responsible for the Text, and for the Glossary from hrînan on; S. for the List of Names, and for the Glossary as far as hrînan.
ARGUMENT.
The only national [Anglo-Saxon] epic which has been preserved entire is Beówulf. Its argument is briefly as follows:—The poem opens with a few verses in praise of the Danish Kings, especially Scild, the son of Sceaf. His death is related, and his descendants briefly traced down to Hroðgar. Hroðgar, elated with his prosperity and success in war, builds a magnificent hall, which he calls Heorot. In this hall Hroðgar and his retainers live in joy and festivity, until a malignant fiend, called Grendel, jealous of their happiness, carries off by night thirty of Hroðgar's men, and devours them in his moorland retreat. These ravages go on for twelve years. Beówulf, a thane of Hygelac, King of the Goths, hearing of Hroðgar's calamities, sails from Sweden with fourteen warriors—to help him. They reach the Danish coast in safety; and, after an animated parley with Hroðgar's coastguard, who at first takes them for pirates, they are allowed to proceed to the royal hall, where they are well received by Hroðgar. A banquet ensues, during which Beówulf is taunted by the envious Hunferhð about his swimming-match with Breca, King of the Brondings. Beówulf gives the true account of the contest, and silences Hunferhð. At night-fall the King departs, leaving Beówulf in charge of the hall. Grendel soon breaks in, seizes and devours one of Beówulf's companions; is attacked by Beówulf, and, after losing an arm, which is torn off by Beówulf, escapes to the fens. The joy of Hroðgar and the Danes, and their festivities, are described, various episodes are introduced, and Beówulf and his companions receive splendid gifts. The next night Grendel's mother revenges her son by carrying off Æschere, the friend and councillor of Hroðgar, during the absence of Beówulf. Hroðgar appeals to Beówulf for vengeance, and describes the haunts of Grendel and his mother. They all proceed thither; the scenery of the lake, and the monsters that dwell in it, are described. Beówulf plunges into the water, and attacks Grendel's mother in her dwelling at the bottom of the lake. He at length overcomes her, and cuts off her head, together with that of Grendel, and brings the heads to Hroðgar. He then takes leave of Hroðgar, sails back to Sweden, and relates his adventures to Hygelac. Here the first half of the poem ends. The second begins with the accession of Beówulf to the throne, after the fall of Hygelac and his son Heardred. He rules prosperously for fifty years, till a dragon, brooding over a hidden treasure, begins to ravage the country, and destroys Beówulf's palace with fire. Beówulf sets out in quest of its hiding-place, with twelve men. Having a presentiment of his approaching end, he pauses and recalls to mind his past life and exploits. He then takes leave of his followers, one by one, and advances alone to attack the dragon. Unable, from the heat, to enter the cavern, he shouts aloud, and the dragon comes forth. The dragon's scaly hide is proof against Beówulf's sword, and he is reduced to great straits. Then Wiglaf, one of his followers, advances to help him. Wiglaf's shield is consumed by the dragon's fiery breath, and he is compelled to seek shelter under Beówulf's shield of iron. Beówulf's sword snaps asunder, and he is seized by the dragon. Wiglaf stabs the dragon from underneath, and Beówulf cuts it in two with his dagger. Feeling that his end is near, he bids Wiglaf bring out the treasures from the cavern, that he may see them before he dies. Wiglaf enters the dragon's den, which is described, returns to Beówulf, and receives his last commands. Beówulf dies, and Wiglaf bitterly reproaches his companions for their cowardice. The disastrous consequences of Beówulf's death are then foretold, and the poem ends with his funeral.—H. Sweet, in Warton's History of English Poetry, Vol. II. (ed. 1871). Cf. also Ten Brink's History of English Literature.
BEÓWULF. I. THE PASSING OF SCYLD. †Hwät! we Gâr-Dena in geâr-dagum þeód-cyninga þrym gefrunon, hû þâ äðelingas ellen fremedon. †Oft Scyld Scêfing sceaðena þreátum, 5monegum mægðum meodo-setla ofteáh. †Egsode eorl, syððan ærest wearð feá-sceaft funden: he þäs frôfre gebâd, weôx under wolcnum, weorð-myndum ðâh, ôð þät him æghwylc þâra ymb-sittendra 10ofer hron-râde hýran scolde, gomban gyldan: þät wäs gôd cyning! þäm eafera wäs äfter cenned geong in geardum, þone god sende folce tô frôfre; fyren-þearfe ongeat, †15þät hie ær drugon aldor-leáse lange hwîle. Him þäs lîf-freá, wuldres wealdend, worold-âre forgeaf; †Beówulf wäs breme (blæd wîde sprang), †Scyldes eafera Scede-landum in. 20Swâ sceal geong guma, gôde gewyrcean, †fromum feoh-giftum on fäder wine, †þät hine on ylde eft gewunigen wil-gesîðas, þonne wîg cume, leóde gelæsten: lof-dædum sceal 25in mægða gehwære man geþeón. †Him þâ Scyld gewât tô gescäp-hwîle fela-hrôr fêran on freán wære; †hi hyne þâ ätbæron tô brimes faroðe. swæse gesîðas, swâ he selfa bäd, 30þenden wordum weóld wine Scyldinga, †leóf land-fruma lange âhte. †Þær ät hýðe stôd hringed-stefna, îsig and ûtfûs, äðelinges fär; †â-lêdon þâ leófne þeóden, †35beága bryttan on bearm scipes, mærne be mäste. Þær wäs mâdma fela, of feor-wegum frätwa gelæded: ne hýrde ic cymlîcor ceól gegyrwan hilde-wæpnum and heaðo-wædum, 40billum and byrnum; him on bearme läg mâdma mänigo, þâ him mid scoldon on flôdes æht feor gewîtan. Nalas hi hine lässan lâcum teódan, þeód-gestreónum, þonne þâ dydon, 45þe hine ät frumsceafte forð onsendon ænne ofer ýðe umbor wesende: þâ gyt hie him âsetton segen gyldenne heáh ofer heáfod, lêton holm beran, †geâfon on gâr-secg: him wäs geômor sefa, 50murnende môd. Men ne cunnon †secgan tô soðe sele-rædende, häleð under heofenum, hwâ þäm hläste onfêng. II. THE HALL HEOROT. †Þâ wäs on burgum Beówulf Scyldinga, leóf leód-cyning, longe þrage 55folcum gefræge (fäder ellor hwearf, aldor of earde), ôð þät him eft onwôc heáh Healfdene; heóld þenden lifde, †gamol and gûð-reów, gläde Scyldingas. Þäm feówer bearn forð-gerîmed †60in worold wôcun, weoroda ræswan, Heorogâr and Hrôðgâr and Hâlga til; †hýrde ic, þat Elan cwên Ongenþeówes wäs Heaðoscilfinges heals-gebedde. Þâ wäs Hrôðgâre here-spêd gyfen, 65wîges weorð-mynd, þät him his wine-mâgas georne hýrdon, ôð þät seó geogoð geweôx, mago-driht micel. Him on môd bearn, †þät heal-reced hâtan wolde, medo-ärn micel men gewyrcean, †70þone yldo bearn æfre gefrunon, and þær on innan eall gedælan geongum and ealdum, swylc him god sealde, †bûton folc-scare and feorum gumena. Þâ ic wîde gefrägn weorc gebannan 75manigre mægðe geond þisne middan-geard, folc-stede frätwan. Him on fyrste gelomp ädre mid yldum, þät hit wearð eal gearo, †heal-ärna mæst; scôp him Heort naman, se þe his wordes geweald wîde häfde. 80He beót ne âlêh, beágas dælde, sinc ät symle. Sele hlifade heáh and horn-geáp: heaðo-wylma bâd, lâðan lîges; ne wäs hit lenge þâ gen †þät se ecg-hete âðum-swerian 85äfter wäl-nîðe wäcnan scolde. Þâ se ellen-gæst earfoðlîce þrage geþolode, se þe in þýstrum bâd, †þät he dôgora gehwâm dreám gehýrde hlûdne in healle; þær wäs hearpan swêg, †90swutol sang scôpes. Sägde se þe cûðe frum-sceaft fira feorran reccan, †cwäð þät se älmihtiga eorðan worhte, wlite-beorhtne wang, swâ wäter bebûgeð, gesette sige-hrêðig sunnan and mônan 95leóman tô leóhte land-bûendum, and gefrätwade foldan sceátas leomum and leáfum; lîf eác gesceôp cynna gehwylcum, þâra þe cwice hwyrfað. Swâ þâ driht-guman dreámum lifdon †100eádiglîce, ôð þät ân ongan †fyrene fremman, feónd on helle: †wäs se grimma gäst Grendel hâten, †mære mearc-stapa, se þe môras heóld, fen and fästen; fîfel-cynnes eard 105won-sælig wer weardode hwîle, †siððan him scyppend forscrifen häfde. In Caines cynne þone cwealm gewräc, †êce drihten, þäs þe he Abel slôg; ne gefeah he þære fæhðe, ac he hine feor forwräc, 110metod for þý mâne man-cynne fram. Þanon untydras ealle onwôcon, eotenas and ylfe and orcnêas, swylce gigantas, þâ wið gode wunnon lange þrage; he him þäs leán forgeald. III. GRENDEL'S VISITS. 115Gewât þâ neósian, syððan niht becom, heán hûses, hû hit Hring-Dene äfter beór-þege gebûn häfdon. Fand þâ þær inne äðelinga gedriht †swefan äfter symble; sorge ne cûðon, †120won-sceaft wera. Wiht unhælo grim and grædig gearo sôna wäs, reóc and rêðe, and on räste genam þritig þegna: þanon eft gewât hûðe hrêmig tô hâm faran, 125mid þære wäl-fylle wîca neósan. Þâ wäs on uhtan mid ær-däge Grendles gûð-cräft gumum undyrne: þâ wäs äfter wiste wôp up âhafen, micel morgen-swêg. Mære þeóden, 130äðeling ær-gôd, unblîðe sät, †þolode þrýð-swýð, þegn-sorge dreáh, syððan hie þäs lâðan lâst sceáwedon, wergan gâstes; wäs þät gewin tô strang, lâð and longsum. Näs hit lengra fyrst, 135ac ymb âne niht eft gefremede morð-beala mâre and nô mearn fore fæhðe and fyrene; wäs tô fäst on þâm. Þâ wäs eáð-fynde, þe him elles hwær gerûmlîcor räste sôhte, 140bed äfter bûrum, þâ him gebeácnod wäs, gesägd sôðlîce sweotolan tâcne †heal-þegnes hete; heóld hine syððan fyr and fästor, se þäm feónde ätwand. †Swâ rîxode and wið rihte wan 145âna wið eallum, ôð þät îdel stôd †hûsa sêlest. Wäs seó hwîl micel: twelf wintra tîd torn geþolode wine Scyldinga, weána gehwelcne, †sîdra sorga; forþam syððan wearð 150ylda bearnum undyrne cûð, gyddum geômore, þätte Grendel wan, hwîle wið Hrôðgâr;— hete-nîðas wäg, fyrene and fæhðe fela missera, †singale säce, sibbe ne wolde 155wið manna hwone mägenes Deniga feorh-bealo feorran, feó þingian, ne þær nænig witena wênan þorfte beorhtre bôte tô banan folmum; †atol äglæca êhtende wäs, 160deorc deáð-scûa duguðe and geogoðe seomade and syrede. Sin-nihte heóld mistige môras; men ne cunnon, hwyder hel-rûnan hwyrftum scrîðað. Swâ fela fyrena feónd man-cynnes, 165atol ân-gengea, oft gefremede heardra hýnða; Heorot eardode, sinc-fâge sel sweartum nihtum †(nô he þone gif-stôl grêtan môste, †mâððum for metode, ne his myne wisse); 170þät wäs wræc micel wine Scyldinga, môdes brecða. Monig-oft gesät rîce tô rûne; ræd eahtedon, hwät swîð-ferhðum sêlest wære †wið fær-gryrum tô gefremmanne. †175Hwîlum hie gehêton ät härg-trafum wig-weorðunga, wordum bædon, †þät him gâst-bona geóce gefremede wið þeód-þreáum. Swylc wäs þeáw hyra, hæðenra hyht; helle gemundon 180in môd-sefan, metod hie ne cûðon, dæda dêmend, ne wiston hie drihten god, ne hie hûru heofena helm hêrian ne cûðon, wuldres waldend. Wâ bið þäm þe sceal þurh slîðne nîð sâwle bescûfan 185in fýres fäðm, frôfre ne wênan, wihte gewendan; wel bið þäm þe môt äfter deáð-däge drihten sêcean and tô fäder fäðmum freoðo wilnian. IV. HYGELAC'S THANE. †Swâ þâ mæl-ceare maga Healfdenes †190singala seáð; ne mihte snotor häleð weán onwendan: wäs þät gewin tô swýð, lâð and longsum, þe on þâ leóde becom, nýd-wracu nîð-grim, niht-bealwa mæst. †Þät fram hâm gefrägn Higelâces þegn, 195gôd mid Geátum, Grendles dæda: se wäs mon-cynnes mägenes strengest †on þäm däge þysses lîfes, äðele and eácen. Hêt him ýð-lidan gôdne gegyrwan; cwäð he gûð-cyning †200ofer swan-râde sêcean wolde, mærne þeóden, þâ him wäs manna þearf. Þone sîð-fät him snotere ceorlas †lyt-hwôn lôgon, þeáh he him leóf wære; †hwetton higerôfne, hæl sceáwedon. 205Häfde se gôda Geáta leóda cempan gecorone, þâra þe he cênoste †findan mihte; fîftena sum sund-wudu sôhte; secg wîsade, lagu-cräftig mon, land-gemyrcu. 210Fyrst forð gewât: flota wäs on ýðum, bât under beorge. Beornas gearwe on stefn stigon; streámas wundon sund wið sande; secgas bæron on bearm nacan beorhte frätwe, 215gûð-searo geatolîc; guman ût scufon, weras on wil-sîð wudu bundenne. †Gewât þâ ofer wæg-holm winde gefýsed †flota fâmig-heals fugle gelîcost, †ôð þät ymb ân-tîd ôðres dôgores 220wunden-stefna gewaden häfde, þät þâ lîðende land gesâwon, brim-clifu blîcan, beorgas steápe, sîde sæ-nässas: þâ wäs sund liden, †eoletes ät ende. Þanon up hraðe 225Wedera leóde on wang stigon, sæ-wudu sældon (syrcan hrysedon, gûð-gewædo); gode þancedon, þäs þe him ýð-lâde eáðe wurdon. †Þâ of wealle geseah weard Scildinga, 230se þe holm-clifu healdan scolde, beran ofer bolcan beorhte randas, fyrd-searu fûslîcu; hine fyrwyt bräc môd-gehygdum, hwät þâ men wæron. Gewât him þâ tô waroðe wicge rîdan 235þegn Hrôðgâres, þrymmum cwehte mägen-wudu mundum, meðel-wordum frägn: "Hwät syndon ge searo-häbbendra "byrnum werede, þe þus brontne ceól †"ofer lagu-stræte lædan cwômon, †240"hider ofer holmas helmas bæron? "Ic wäs ende-sæta, æg-wearde heóld, "þät on land Dena lâðra nænig "mid scip-herge sceððan ne meahte. "Nô her cûðlîcor cuman ongunnon †245"lind-häbbende; ne ge leáfnes-word "gûð-fremmendra gearwe ne wisson, "mâga gemêdu. Næfre ic mâran geseah "eorla ofer eorðan, þonne is eówer sum, †"secg on searwum; nis þät seld-guma †250"wæpnum geweorðad, näfne him his wlite leóge, "ænlîc an-sýn. Nu ic eówer sceal †"frum-cyn witan, ær ge fyr heonan †"leáse sceáweras on land Dena "furður fêran. Nu ge feor-bûend, 255"mere-lîðende, mînne gehýrað †"ân-fealdne geþôht: ôfost is sêlest "tô gecýðanne, hwanan eówre cyme syndon." V. THE ERRAND. †Him se yldesta andswarode, werodes wîsa, word-hord onleác: 260"We synt gum-cynnes Geáta leóde "and Higelâces heorð-geneátas. "Wäs mîn fäder folcum gecýðed, "äðele ord-fruma Ecgþeów hâten; "gebâd wintra worn, ær he on weg hwurfe, 265"gamol of geardum; hine gearwe geman "witena wel-hwylc wîde geond eorðan.— "We þurh holdne hige hlâford þinne, "sunu Healfdenes, sêcean cwômon, "leód-gebyrgean: wes þu ûs lârena gôd! 270"Habbað we tô þäm mæran micel ærende "Deniga freán; ne sceal þær dyrne sum "wesan, þäs ic wêne. Þu wâst, gif hit is, †"swâ we sôðlice secgan hýrdon, "þät mid Scyldingum sceaða ic nât hwylc, †275"deógol dæd-hata, deorcum nihtum "eáweð þurh egsan uncûðne nîð, "hýnðu and hrâ-fyl. Ic þäs Hrôðgâr mäg "þurh rûmne sefan ræd gelæran, "hû he frôd and gôd feónd oferswýðeð, †280"gyf him ed-wendan æfre scolde "bealuwa bisigu, bôt eft cuman "and þâ cear-wylmas côlran wurðað; "oððe â syððan earfoð-þrage, "þreá-nýd þolað, þenden þær wunað 285"on heáh-stede hûsa sêlest." Weard maðelode, þær on wicge sät †ombeht unforht: "Æghwäðres sceal "scearp scyld-wîga gescâd witan, "worda and worca, se þe wel þenceð. 290"Ic þät gehýre, þät þis is hold weorod "freán Scyldinga. Gewîtað forð beran †"wæpen and gewædu, ic eów wîsige: "swylce ic magu-þegnas mîne hâte "wið feónda gehwone flotan eówerne, 295"niw-tyrwedne nacan on sande "ârum healdan, ôð þät eft byreð "ofer lagu-streámas leófne mannan "wudu wunden-hals tô Weder-mearce. "Gûð-fremmendra swylcum gifeðe bið, 300"þät þone hilde-ræs hâl gedîgeð." Gewiton him þâ fêran (flota stille bâd, seomode on sâle sîd-fäðmed scyp, †on ancre fäst); eofor-lîc scionon †ofer hleór-beran gehroden golde †305fâh and fýr-heard, ferh wearde heóld. Gûðmôde grummon, guman onetton, sigon ätsomne, ôð þät hy säl timbred geatolîc and gold-fâh ongytan mihton; þät wäs fore-mærost fold-bûendum 310receda under roderum, on þäm se rîca bâd; †lixte se leóma ofer landa fela. Him þâ hilde-deór hof môdigra torht getæhte, þät hie him tô mihton gegnum gangan; gûð-beorna sum 315wicg gewende, word äfter cwäð: "Mæl is me tô fêran; fäder alwalda "mid âr-stafum eówic gehealde †"sîða gesunde! ic tô sæ wille, "wið wrâð werod wearde healdan." VI. BEÓWULF'S SPEECH. †320Stræt wäs stân-fâh, stîg wîsode gumum ätgädere. Gûð-byrne scân †heard hond-locen, hring-îren scîr song in searwum, þâ hie tô sele furðum in hyra gryre-geatwum gangan cwômon. †325Setton sæ-mêðe sîde scyldas, rondas regn-hearde wið þäs recedes weal, bugon þâ tô bence; byrnan hringdon, gûð-searo gumena; gâras stôdon, sæ-manna searo, samod ätgädere, 330äsc-holt ufan græg: wäs se îren-þreát wæpnum gewurðad. Þâ þær wlonc häleð oret-mecgas äfter äðelum frägn: †"Hwanon ferigeað ge fätte scyldas, "græge syrcan and grîm-helmas, 335"here-sceafta heáp?— Ic eom Hrôðgâres †"âr and ombiht. Ne seah ic el-þeódige "þus manige men môdiglîcran. †"Wên' ic þät ge for wlenco, nalles for wräc-sîðum, "ac for hige-þrymmum Hrôðgâr sôhton." 340Him þâ ellen-rôf andswarode, wlanc Wedera leód word äfter spräc, heard under helme: "We synt Higelâces †"beód-geneátas; Beówulf is mîn nama. †"Wille ic âsecgan suna Healfdenes, 345"mærum þeódne mîn ærende, "aldre þînum, gif he ûs geunnan wile, "þät we hine swâ gôdne grêtan môton." Wulfgâr maðelode (þät wäs Wendla leód, wäs his môd-sefa manegum gecýðed, 350wîg and wîs-dôm): "ic þäs wine Deniga, "freán Scildinga frinan wille, "beága bryttan, swâ þu bêna eart, †"þeóden mærne ymb þînne sîð ; "and þe þâ andsware ädre gecýðan, 355"þe me se gôda âgifan þenceð." Hwearf þâ hrädlîce, þær Hrôðgâr sät, †eald and unhâr mid his eorla gedriht; †eode ellen-rôf, þät he for eaxlum gestôd Deniga freán, cûðe he duguðe þeáw. 360Wulfgâr maðelode tô his wine-drihtne: "Her syndon geferede feorran cumene "ofer geofenes begang Geáta leóde: "þone yldestan oret-mecgas "Beówulf nemnað. Hy bênan synt, 365"þät hie, þeóden mîn, wið þe môton "wordum wrixlan; nô þu him wearne geteóh, †"þînra gegn-cwida glädnian, Hrôðgâr! "Hy on wîg-geatwum wyrðe þinceað †"eorla geæhtlan; hûru se aldor deáh, 370"se þæm heaðo-rincum hider wîsade." VII. HROTHGAR'S WELCOME. Hrôðgâr maðelode, helm Scyldinga: †"Ic hine cûðe cniht-wesende. †"Wäs his eald-fäder Ecgþeó hâten, "þäm tô hâm forgeaf Hrêðel Geáta 375"ângan dôhtor; is his eafora nu "heard her cumen, sôhte holdne wine. "þonne sägdon þät sæ-lîðende, †"þâ þe gif-sceattas Geáta fyredon "þyder tô þance, þät he þrittiges †380"manna mägen-cräft on his mund-grîpe "heaðo-rôf häbbe. Hine hâlig god "for âr-stafum us onsende, "tô West-Denum, þäs ic wên häbbe, "wið Grendles gryre: ic þäm gôdan sceal 385"for his môd-þräce mâdmas beódan. †"Beó þu on ôfeste, hât hig in gân, †"seón sibbe-gedriht samod ätgädere; "gesaga him eác wordum, þät hie sint wil-cuman "Deniga leódum." Þâ wið duru healle 390Wulfgâr eode, word inne âbeád: "Eów hêt secgan sige-drihten mîn, "aldor Eást-Dena, þät he eówer äðelu can "and ge him syndon ofer sæ-wylmas, "heard-hicgende, hider wil-cuman. 395"Nu ge môton gangan in eówrum guð-geatawum, "under here-grîman, Hrôðgâr geseón; "lætað hilde-bord her onbidian, "wudu wäl-sceaftas, worda geþinges." Ârâs þâ se rîca, ymb hine rinc manig, 400þryðlîc þegna heáp; sume þær bidon, heaðo-reáf heóldon, swâ him se hearda bebeád. Snyredon ätsomne, þâ secg wîsode under Heorotes hrôf; hyge-rôf eode, †heard under helme, þät he on heoðe gestôd. †405Beówulf maðelode (on him byrne scân, searo-net seówed smiðes or-þancum): †"Wes þu Hrôðgâr hâl! ic eom Higelâces "mæg and mago-þegn; häbbe ic mærða fela "ongunnen on geogoðe. Me wearð Grendles þing 410"on mînre êðel-tyrf undyrne cûð: "secgað sæ-lîðend, þät þes sele stande, "reced sêlesta, rinca gehwylcum "îdel and unnyt, siððan æfen-leóht †"under heofenes hâdor beholen weorðeð. 415"Þâ me þät gelærdon leóde mîne, "þâ sêlestan, snotere ceorlas, "þeóden Hrôðgâr, þät ic þe sôhte; "forþan hie mägenes cräft mînne cûðon: "selfe ofersâwon, þâ ic of searwum cwom, †420"fâh from feóndum, þær ic fîfe geband, "ýðde eotena cyn, and on ýðum slôg "niceras nihtes, nearo-þearfe dreáh, "wräc Wedera nîð (weán âhsodon) "forgrand gramum; and nu wið Grendel sceal, †425"wið þam aglæcan, âna gehegan "þing wið þyrse. Ic þe nu þâ, "brego Beorht-Dena, biddan wille, "eodor Scyldinga, ânre bêne; "þät þu me ne forwyrne, wîgendra hleó, 430"freó-wine folca, nu ic þus feorran com, "þät ic môte âna and mînra eorla gedryht, "þes hearda heáp, Heorot fælsian. "Häbbe ic eác geâhsod, þät se äglæca "for his won-hýdum wæpna ne rêceð; 435"ic þät þonne forhicge, swâ me Higelâc sîe, "mîn mon-drihten, môdes blîðe, "þät ic sweord bere oððe sîdne scyld "geolo-rand tô gûðe; ac ic mid grâpe sceal "fôn wið feónde and ymb feorh sacan, 440"lâð wið lâðum; þær gelýfan sceal †"dryhtnes dôme se þe hine deáð nimeð. "Wên' ic þät he wille, gif he wealdan môt, †"in þäm gûð-sele Geátena leóde †"etan unforhte, swâ he oft dyde 445"mägen Hrêðmanna. Nâ þu mînne þearft †"hafalan hýdan, ac he me habban wile †"dreóre fâhne, gif mec deáð nimeð; "byreð blôdig wäl, byrgean þenceð, "eteð ân-genga unmurnlîce, 450"mearcað môr-hopu: nô þu ymb mînes ne þearft †"lîces feorme leng sorgian. †"Onsend Higelâce, gif mec hild nime, "beadu-scrûda betst, þät mîne breóst wereð, "hrägla sêlest; þät is Hrêðlan lâf, †455"Wêlandes geweorc. Gæð â Wyrd swâ hió scel!" VIII. HROTHGAR TELLS OF GRENDEL. Hrôðgâr maðelode, helm Scyldinga: †"for were-fyhtum þu, wine mîn Beówulf, "and for âr-stafum ûsic sôhtest. "Geslôh þin fäder fæhðe mæste, 460"wearð he Heaðolâfe tô hand-bonan "mid Wilfingum; þâ hine Wedera cyn "for here-brôgan habban ne mihte. "Þanon he gesôhte Sûð-Dena folc "ofer ýða gewealc, Âr-Scyldinga; 465"þâ ic furðum weóld folce Deninga, "and on geogoðe heóld gimme-rîce "hord-burh häleða: þâ wäs Heregâr deád, "mîn yldra mæg unlifigende, "bearn Healfdenes. Se wäs betera þonne ic! 470"Siððan þâ fæhðe feó þingode; "sende ic Wylfingum ofer wäteres hrycg "ealde mâdmas: he me âðas swôr. "Sorh is me tô secganne on sefan mînum "gumena ængum, hwät me Grendel hafað 475"hýnðo on Heorote mid his hete-þancum, "fær-nîða gefremed. Is mîn flet-werod, "wîg-heáp gewanod; hie Wyrd forsweóp "on Grendles gryre. God eáðe mäg "þone dol-scaðan dæda getwæfan! †480"Ful oft gebeótedon beóre druncne "ofer ealo-wæge oret-mecgas, "þät hie in beór-sele bîdan woldon "Grendles gûðe mid gryrum ecga. "Þonne wäs þeós medo-heal on morgen-tîd, 485"driht-sele dreór-fâh, þonne däg lixte, "eal benc-þelu blôde bestýmed, "heall heoru-dreóre: âhte ic holdra þý läs, †"deórre duguðe, þe þâ deáð fornam. †"Site nu tô symle and onsæl meoto, 490"sige-hrêð secgum, swâ þîn sefa hwette!" Þâ wäs Geát-mäcgum geador ätsomne on beór-sele benc gerýmed; þær swîð-ferhðe sittan eodon †þryðum dealle. Þegn nytte beheóld, 495se þe on handa bär hroden ealo-wæge, scencte scîr wered. Scôp hwîlum sang hâdor on Heorote; þær wäs häleða dreám, duguð unlytel Dena and Wedera. IX. HUNFERTH OBJECTS TO BEÓWULF. †Ûnferð maðelode, Ecglâfes bearn, 500þe ät fôtum sät freán Scyldinga; †onband beadu-rûne (wäs him Beówulfes sîð, môdges mere-faran, micel äf-þunca, forþon þe he ne ûðe, þät ænig ôðer man †æfre mærða þon mâ middan-geardes 505gehêdde under heofenum þonne he sylfa): †"Eart þu se Beówulf, se þe wið Brecan wunne, "on sîdne sæ ymb sund flite, "þær git for wlence wada cunnedon †"and for dol-gilpe on deóp wäter 510"aldrum nêðdon? Ne inc ænig mon, "ne leóf ne lâð, beleán mihte "sorh-fullne sîð; þâ git on sund reón, †"þær git eágor-streám earmum þehton, "mæton mere-stræta, mundum brugdon, 515"glidon ofer gâr-secg; geofon ýðum weól, "wintres wylme. Git on wäteres æht "seofon niht swuncon; he þe ät sunde oferflât, "häfde mâre mägen. Þâ hine on morgen-tîd "on Heaðo-ræmas holm up ätbär, 520"þonon he gesôhte swæsne êðel "leóf his leódum lond Brondinga, "freoðo-burh fägere, þær he folc âhte, "burg and beágas. Beót eal wið þe †"sunu Beánstânes sôðe gelæste. †525"Þonne wêne ic tô þe wyrsan geþinges, "þeáh þu heaðo-ræsa gehwær dohte, "grimre gûðe, gif þu Grendles dearst "niht-longne fyrst neán bîdan!" Beówulf maðelode, bearn Ecgþeówes: 530"Hwät þu worn fela, wine mîn Ûnferð, "beóre druncen ymb Brecan spræce, "sägdest from his sîðe! Sôð ic talige, "þät ic mere-strengo mâran âhte, †"earfeðo on ýðum, þonne ænig ôðer man. 535"Wit þät gecwædon cniht-wesende "and gebeótedon (wæron begen þâ git "on geogoð-feore) þät wit on gâr-secg ût "aldrum nêðdon; and þät geäfndon swâ. "Häfdon swurd nacod, þâ wit on sund reón, 540"heard on handa, wit unc wið hron-fixas "werian þôhton. Nô he wiht fram me "flôd-ýðum feor fleótan meahte, "hraðor on holme, nô ic fram him wolde. "Þâ wit ätsomne on sæ wæron †545"fîf nihta fyrst, ôð þät unc flôd tôdrâf, "wado weallende, wedera cealdost, "nîpende niht and norðan wind "heaðo-grim andhwearf; hreó wæron ýða, "Wäs mere-fixa môd onhrêred: 550"þær me wið lâðum lîc-syrce mîn, "heard hond-locen, helpe gefremede; "beado-hrägl broden on breóstum läg, "golde gegyrwed. Me tô grunde teáh "fâh feónd-scaða, fäste häfde 555"grim on grâpe: hwäðre me gyfeðe wearð, "þät ic aglæcan orde geræhte, "hilde-bille; heaðo-ræs fornam "mihtig mere-deór þurh mîne hand. X. BEÓWULF'S CONTEST WITH BRECA.—THE FEAST. "Swâ mec gelôme lâð-geteónan 560"þreátedon þearle. Ic him þênode "deóran sweorde, swâ hit gedêfe wäs; "näs hie þære fylle gefeán häfdon, "mân-fordædlan, þät hie me þêgon, "symbel ymb-sæton sæ-grunde neáh, 565"ac on mergenne mêcum wunde "be ýð-lâfe uppe lægon, "sweordum âswefede, þät syððan nâ "ymb brontne ford brim-lîðende "lâde ne letton. Leóht eástan com, 570"beorht beácen godes; brimu swaðredon, "þät ic sæ-nässas geseón mihte, "windige weallas. Wyrd oft nereð "unfægne eorl, ðonne his ellen deáh! †"Hwäðere me gesælde, þät ic mid sweorde ofslôh 575"niceras nigene. Nô ic on niht gefrägn "under heofones hwealf heardran feohtan, "ne on êg-streámum earmran mannan; "hwäðere ic fâra feng feore gedîgde, "siðes wêrig. Þâ mec sæ ôðbär, 580"flôd äfter faroðe, on Finna land, "wadu weallendu. Nô ic wiht fram þe "swylcra searo-nîða secgan hýrde, "billa brôgan: Breca næfre git "ät heaðo-lâce, ne gehwäðer incer 585"swâ deórlîce dæd gefremede †"fâgum sweordum . . . . . . . ". . . . . . . nô ic þäs gylpe; "þeáh þu þînum brôðrum tô banan wurde, "heáfod-mægum; þäs þu in helle scealt 590"werhðo dreógan, þeáh þîn wit duge, "Secge ic þe tô sôðe, sunu Ecglâfes, "þät næfre Grendel swâ fela gryra gefremede, "atol äglæca ealdre þînum, "hýnðo on Heorote, gif þîn hige wære, 595"sefa swâ searo-grim, swâ þu self talast. "Ac he hafað onfunden, þät he þâ fæhðe ne þearf, "atole ecg-þräce eówer leóde "swîðe onsittan, Sige-Scyldinga; †"nymeð nýd-bâde, nænegum ârað 600"leóde Deniga, ac he on lust wîgeð, †"swefeð ond sendeð, secce ne wêneð "tô Gâr-Denum. Ac him Geáta sceal "eafoð and ellen ungeâra nu "gûðe gebeódan. Gæð eft se þe môt 605"tô medo môdig, siððan morgen-leóht "ofer ylda bearn ôðres dôgores, "sunne swegl-wered sûðan scîneð!" Þâ wäs on sâlum sinces brytta gamol-feax and gûð-rôf, geóce gelýfde 610brego Beorht-Dena; gehýrde on Beówulfe folces hyrde fäst-rædne geþôht. †Þær wäs häleða hleahtor; hlyn swynsode, word wæron wynsume. Eode Wealhþeów forð, cwên Hrôðgâres, cynna gemyndig, 615grêtte gold-hroden guman on healle, and þâ freólîc wîf ful gesealde ærest Eást-Dena êðel-wearde, bäd hine blîðne ät þære beór-þege, leódum leófne; he on lust geþeah †620symbel and sele-ful, sige-rôf kyning. Ymb-eode þâ ides Helminga †duguðe and geogoðe dæl æghwylcne; †sinc-fato sealde, ôð þät sæl âlamp, þät hió Beówulfe, beág-hroden cwên, 625môde geþungen, medo-ful ätbär; grêtte Geáta leód, gode þancode wîs-fäst wordum, þäs þe hire se willa gelamp, þät heó on ænigne eorl gelýfde fyrena frôfre. He þät ful geþeah, 630wäl-reów wîga ät Wealhþeón, †and þâ gyddode gûðe gefýsed, Beówulf maðelode, bearn Ecgþeówes: "Ic þät hogode, þâ ic on holm gestâh, "sæ-bât gesät mid mînra secga gedriht, 635"þät ic ânunga eówra leóda "willan geworhte, oððe on wäl crunge, "feónd-grâpum fäst. Ic gefremman sceal "eorlîc ellen, oððe ende-däg "on þisse meodu-healle mînne gebîdan." 640Þam wîfe þâ word wel lîcodon, gilp-cwide Geátes; eode gold-hroden freólîcu folc-cwên tô hire freán sittan. Þâ wäs eft swâ ær inne on healle þryð-word sprecen, þeód on sælum, 645sige-folca swêg, ôð þät semninga sunu Healfdenes sêcean wolde æfen-räste; wiste ät þäm ahlæcan †tô þäm heáh-sele hilde geþinged, siððan hie sunnan leóht geseón ne meahton, †650oððe nîpende niht ofer ealle, †scadu-helma gesceapu scrîðan cwôman, wan under wolcnum. Werod eall ârâs. Grêtte þâ giddum guma ôðerne, Hrôðgâr Beówulf, and him hæl âbeád, 655wîn-ärnes geweald and þät word âcwäð: "Næfre ic ænegum men ær âlýfde, "siððan ic hond and rond hebban mihte, "þryð-ärn Dena bûton þe nu þâ. †"Hafa nu and geheald hûsa sêlest; 660"gemyne mærðo, mägen-ellen cýð, "waca wið wrâðum! Ne bið þe wilna gâd, "gif þu þät ellen-weorc aldre gedîgest." XI. THE WATCH FOR GRENDEL. Þâ him Hrôðgâr gewât mid his häleða gedryht, eodur Scyldinga ût of healle; 665wolde wîg-fruma Wealhþeó sêcan, cwên tô gebeddan Häfde kyninga wuldor Grendle tô-geánes, swâ guman gefrungon, sele-weard âseted, sundor-nytte beheóld ymb aldor Dena, eoton weard âbeád; 670hûru Geáta leód georne trûwode môdgan mägnes, metodes hyldo. Þâ he him of dyde îsern-byrnan, helm of hafelan, sealde his hyrsted sweord, îrena cyst ombiht-þegne, 675and gehealdan hêt hilde-geatwe. Gespräc þâ se gôda gylp-worda sum Beówulf Geáta, ær he on bed stige: "Nô ic me an here-wæsmum hnâgran talige "gûð-geweorca, þonne Grendel hine; 680"forþan ic hine sweorde swebban nelle, †"aldre beneótan, þeáh ic eal mæge. †"Nât he þâra gôda, þät he me on-geán sleá, "rand geheáwe, þeáh þe he rôf sîe "nîð-geweorca; ac wit on niht sculon 685"secge ofersittan, gif he gesêcean dear "wîg ofer wæpen, and siððan witig god "on swâ hwäðere hond hâlig dryhten "mærðo dême, swâ him gemet þince." Hylde hine þâ heaðo-deór, hleór-bolster onfêng 690eorles andwlitan; and hine ymb monig snellîc sæ-rinc sele-reste gebeáh. Nænig heora þôhte þät he þanon scolde eft eard-lufan æfre gesêcean, folc oððe freó-burh, þær he âfêded wäs, †695ac hie häfdon gefrunen, þät hie ær tô fela micles in þäm wîn-sele wäl-deáð fornam, Denigea leóde. Ac him dryhten forgeaf †wîg-spêda gewiofu, Wedera leódum frôfor and fultum, þät hie feónd heora 700þurh ânes cräft ealle ofercômon, selfes mihtum: sôð is gecýðed, þät mihtig god manna cynnes weóld wîde-ferhð. Com on wanre niht scrîðan sceadu-genga. Sceótend swæfon, 705þâ þät horn-reced healdan scoldon, ealle bûton ânum. Þät wäs yldum cûð, þät hie ne môste, þâ metod nolde, se syn-scaða under sceadu bregdan; ac he wäccende wrâðum on andan 710bâd bolgen-môd beadwa geþinges. XII. GRENDEL'S RAID. †Þâ com of môre under mist-hleoðum Grendel gongan, godes yrre bär. Mynte se mân-scaða manna cynnes sumne besyrwan in sele þam heán; 715wôd under wolcnum, tô þäs þe he wîn-reced, gold-sele gumena, gearwost wisse †fättum fâhne. Ne wäs þät forma sîð, þät he Hrôðgâres hâm gesôhte: næfre he on aldor-dagum ær ne siððan †720heardran häle, heal-þegnas fand! Com þâ tô recede rinc sîðian dreámum bedæled. Duru sôna onarn †fýr-bendum fäst, syððan he hire folmum hrân; onbräd þâ bealo-hydig, þâ he âbolgen wäs, 725recedes mûðan. Raðe äfter þon on fâgne flôr feónd treddode, †eode yrre-môd; him of eágum stôd lîge gelîcost leóht unfäger. Geseah he in recede rinca manige, 730swefan sibbe-gedriht samod ätgädere, mago-rinca heáp: þâ his môd âhlôg, mynte þät he gedælde, ær þon däg cwôme, atol aglæca, ânra gehwylces lîf wið lîce, þâ him âlumpen wäs 735wist-fylle wên. Ne wäs þät wyrd þâ gen, þät he mâ môste manna cynnes þicgean ofer þâ niht. Þrýð-swýð beheóld mæg Higelâces, hû se mân-scaða under fær-gripum gefaran wolde. 740Ne þät se aglæca yldan þôhte, ac he gefêng hraðe forman siðe slæpendne rinc, slât unwearnum, bât bân-locan, blôd êdrum dranc, syn-snædum swealh: sôna häfde 745unlyfigendes eal gefeormod fêt and folma. Forð neár ätstôp, nam þâ mid handa hige-þihtigne rinc on räste; ræhte ongeán feónd mid folme, he onfêng hraðe 750inwit-þancum and wið earm gesät. Sôna þät onfunde fyrena hyrde, þät he ne mêtte middan-geardes eorðan sceáta on elran men mund-gripe mâran: he on môde wearð 755forht on ferhðe, nô þý ær fram meahte; hyge wäs him hin-fûs, wolde on heolster fleón, †sêcan deófla gedräg: ne wäs his drohtoð þær, swylce he on ealder-dagum ær gemêtte. †Gemunde þâ se gôda mæg Higelâces 760æfen-spræce, up-lang âstôd and him fäste wiðfêng. Fingras burston; †eoten wäs ût-weard, eorl furður stôp. Mynte se mæra, þær he meahte swâ, wîdre gewindan and on weg þanon 765fleón on fen-hopu; wiste his fingra geweald on grames grâpum. Þät wäs geócor sîð, þät se hearm-scaða tô Heorute âteáh: dryht-sele dynede, Denum eallum wearð, †ceaster-bûendum, cênra gehwylcum, †770eorlum ealu-scerwen. Yrre wæron begen, †rêðe rên-weardas. Reced hlynsode; þâ wäs wundor micel, þät se wîn-sele wiðhäfde heaðo-deórum, þät he on hrusan ne feól, fäger fold-bold; ac he þäs fäste wäs 775innan and ûtan îren-bendum searo-þoncum besmiðod. Þær fram sylle âbeág medu-benc monig mîne gefræge, golde geregnad, þær þâ graman wunnon; þäs ne wêndon ær witan Scyldinga, 780þät hit â mid gemete manna ænig betlîc and bân-fâg tôbrecan meahte, listum tôlûcan, nymðe lîges fäðm swulge on swaðule. Swêg up âstâg niwe geneahhe; Norð-Denum stôd 785atelîc egesa ânra gehwylcum þâra þe of wealle wôp gehýrdon, gryre-leóð galan godes andsacan, sige-leásne sang, sâr wânigean helle häftan. Heóld hine tô fäste 790se þe manna wäs mägene strengest on þäm däge þysses lîfes. XIII. BEÓWULF TEARS OFF GRENDEL'S ARM. †Nolde eorla hleó ænige þinga þone cwealm-cuman cwicne forlætan, ne his lîf-dagas leóda ænigum 795nytte tealde. Þær genehost brägd eorl Beówulfes ealde lâfe, wolde freá-drihtnes feorh ealgian mæres þeódnes, þær hie meahton swâ; hie þät ne wiston, þâ hie gewin drugon, 800heard-hicgende hilde-mecgas, and on healfa gehwone heáwan þôhton, sâwle sêcan, þät þone syn-scaðan ænig ofer eorðan îrenna cyst, gûð-billa nân grêtan nolde; 805ac he sige-wæpnum forsworen häfde, ecga gehwylcre. Scolde his aldor-gedâl on þäm däge þysses lîfes earmlîc wurðan and se ellor-gâst on feónda geweald feor sîðian. 810Þâ þät onfunde se þe fela æror †môdes myrðe manna cynne fyrene gefremede (he wäs fâg wið god) þät him se lîc-homa læstan nolde, ac hine se môdega mæg Hygelâces 815häfde be honda; wäs gehwäðer ôðrum lifigende lâð. Lîc-sâr gebâd atol äglæca, him on eaxle wearð syn-dolh sweotol, seonowe onsprungon burston bân-locan. Beówulfe wearð 820gûð-hrêð gyfeðe; scolde Grendel þonan feorh-seóc fleón under fen-hleoðu, sêcean wyn-leás wîc; wiste þê geornor, þät his aldres wäs ende gegongen, dôgera däg-rîm. Denum eallum wearð 825äfter þam wäl-ræse willa gelumpen. Häfde þâ gefælsod, se þe ær feorran com, snotor and swýð-ferhð sele Hrôðgâres, genered wið nîðe. Niht-weorce gefeh, ellen-mærðum; häfde Eást-Denum 830Geát-mecga leód gilp gelæsted, swylce oncýððe ealle gebêtte, inwid-sorge, þe hie ær drugon and for þreá-nýdum þolian scoldon, torn unlytel. Þät wäs tâcen sweotol, 835syððan hilde-deór hond âlegde, earm and eaxle (þær wäs eal geador Grendles grâpe) under geápne hrôf. XIV. THE JOY AT HEOROT. Þâ wäs on morgen mîne gefræge ymb þâ gif-healle gûð-rinc monig: 840fêrdon folc-togan feorran and neán geond wîd-wegas wundor sceáwian, lâðes lâstas. Nô his lîf-gedâl sârlîc þûhte secga ænegum, þâra þe tîr-leáses trode sceáwode, 845hû he wêrig-môd on weg þanon, nîða ofercumen, on nicera mere fæge and geflýmed feorh-lâstas bär. Þær wäs on blôde brim weallende, atol ýða geswing eal gemenged †850hâtan heolfre, heoro-dreóre weól; deáð-fæge deóg, siððan dreáma leás in fen-freoðo feorh âlegde hæðene sâwle, þær him hel onfêng. Þanon eft gewiton eald-gesîðas, 855swylce geong manig of gomen-wâðe, fram mere môdge, mearum rîdan, †beornas on blancum. Þær wäs Beówulfes mærðo mæned; monig oft gecwäð, †þätte sûð ne norð be sæm tweonum 860ofer eormen-grund ôðer nænig under swegles begong sêlra nære rond-häbbendra, rîces wyrðra. Ne hie hûru wine-drihten wiht ne lôgon, glädne Hrôðgâr, ac þät wäs gôd cyning. †865Hwîlum heaðo-rôfe hleápan lêton, on geflît faran fealwe mearas, þær him fold-wegas fägere þûhton, †cystum cûðe; hwîlum cyninges þegn, guma gilp-hläden gidda gemyndig, 870se þe eal-fela eald-gesegena †worn gemunde, word ôðer fand †sôðe gebunden: secg eft ongan sîð Beówulfes snyttrum styrian and on spêd wrecan spel gerâde, 875wordum wrixlan, wel-hwylc gecwäð, þät he fram Sigemunde secgan hýrde, ellen-dædum, uncûðes fela, †Wälsinges gewin, wîde sîðas, þâra þe gumena bearn gearwe ne wiston, 880fæhðe and fyrene, bûton Fitela mid hine, þonne he swylces hwät secgan wolde eám his nefan, swâ hie â wæron ät nîða gehwâm nýd-gesteallan: häfdon eal-fela eotena cynnes 885sweordum gesæged. Sigemunde gesprong äfter deáð-däge dôm unlýtel, syððan wîges heard wyrm âcwealde, hordes hyrde; he under hârne stân, äðelinges bearn, âna genêðde 890frêcne dæde; ne wäs him Fitela mid. Hwäðre him gesælde, þät þät swurd þurhwôd wrätlîcne wyrm, þät hit on wealle ätstôd, dryhtlîc îren; draca morðre swealt. †Häfde aglæca elne gegongen, †895þät he beáh-hordes brûcan môste selfes dôme: sæ-bât gehlôd, bär on bearm scipes beorhte frätwa, †Wälses eafera; wyrm hât gemealt. Se wäs wreccena wîde mærost 900ofer wer-þeóde, wîgendra hleó †ellen-dædum: he þäs âron þâh. †Siððan Heremôdes hild sweðrode eafoð and ellen. He mid eotenum wearð on feónda geweald forð forlâcen, 905snûde forsended. Hine sorh-wylmas †lemede tô lange, he his leódum wearð, eallum äðelingum tô aldor-ceare; swylce oft bemearn ærran mælum swîð-ferhðes sîð snotor ceorl monig, 910se þe him bealwa tô bôte gelýfde, þät þät þeódnes bearn geþeón scolde, fäder-äðelum onfôn, folc gehealdan, hord and hleó-burh, häleða rîce, êðel Scyldinga. He þær eallum wearð, 915mæg Higelâces manna cynne, freóndum gefägra; hine fyren onwôd. †Hwîlum flîtende fealwe stræte mearum mæton. Þâ wäs morgen-leóht scofen and scynded. Eode scealc monig 920swîð-hicgende tô sele þam heán, searo-wundor seón, swylce self cyning, of brýd-bûre beáh-horda weard, tryddode tîr-fäst getrume micle, cystum gecýðed, and his cwên mid him †925medo-stîg gemät mägða hôse. XV. HROTHGAR'S GRATULATION. Hrôðgâr maðelode (he tô healle geóng, †stôd on stapole, geseah steápne hrôf golde fâhne and Grendles hond): "þisse ansýne al-wealdan þanc 930"lungre gelimpe! Fela ic lâðes gebâd, †"grynna ät Grendle: â mäg god wyrcan "wunder äfter wundre, wuldres hyrde! "Þät wäs ungeâra, þät ic ænigra me "weána ne wênde tô wîdan feore 935"bôte gebîdan þonne blôde fâh "hûsa sêlest heoro-dreórig stôd; †"weá wîd-scofen witena gehwylcne "þâra þe ne wêndon, þät hie wîde-ferhð "leóda land-geweorc lâðum beweredon †940"scuccum and scinnum. Nu scealc hafað "þurh drihtnes miht dæd gefremede, "þe we ealle ær ne meahton "snyttrum besyrwan. Hwät! þät secgan mäg "efne swâ hwylc mägða, swâ þone magan cende 945"äfter gum-cynnum, gyf heó gyt lyfað, "þät hyre eald-metod êste wære "bearn-gebyrdo. Nu ic Beówulf "þec, secg betsta, me for sunu wylle "freógan on ferhðe; heald forð tela 950"niwe sibbe. Ne bið þe nænigra gâd "worolde wilna, þe ic geweald häbbe. "Ful-oft ic for lässan leán teohhode "hord-weorðunge hnâhran rince, "sæmran ät säcce. Þu þe self hafast 955"dædum gefremed, þät þîn dôm lyfað "âwâ tô aldre. Alwalda þec "gôde forgylde, swâ he nu gyt dyde!" Beówulf maðelode, bearn Ecgþeówes: †"We þät ellen-weorc êstum miclum, 960"feohtan fremedon, frêcne genêðdon "eafoð uncûðes; ûðe ic swîðor, "þät þu hinc selfne geseón môste, †"feónd on frätewum fyl-wêrigne! "Ic hine hrädlîce heardan clammum 965"on wäl-bedde wrîðan þôhte, "þät he for mund-gripe mînum scolde "licgean lîf-bysig, bûtan his lîc swice; "ic hine ne mihte, þâ metod nolde, "ganges getwæman, nô ic him þäs georne ätfealh, 970"feorh-genîðlan; wäs tô fore-mihtig "feónd on fêðe. Hwäðere he his folme forlêt "tô lîf-wraðe lâst weardian, "earm and eaxle; nô þær ænige swâ þeáh "feá-sceaft guma frôfre gebohte: 975"nô þý leng leofað lâð-geteóna †"synnum geswenced, ac hyne sâr hafað "in nýd-gripe nearwe befongen, "balwon bendum: þær âbîdan sceal "maga mâne fâh miclan dômes, 980"hû him scîr metod scrîfan wille." Þâ wäs swîgra secg, sunu Ecglâfes, on gylp-spræce gûð-geweorca, siððan äðelingas eorles cräfte ofer heáhne hrôf hand sceáwedon, 985feóndes fingras, foran æghwylc; †wäs stêde nägla gehwylc, stýle gelîcost, †hæðenes hand-sporu hilde-rinces †egle unheóru; æg-hwylc gecwäð, þät him heardra nân hrînan wolde 990îren ær-gôd, þät þäs ahlæcan blôdge beadu-folme onberan wolde. XVI. THE BANQUET AND THE GIFTS. †Þâ wäs hâten hreðe Heort innan-weard folmum gefrätwod: fela þæra wäs wera and wîfa, þe þät wîn-reced, †995gest-sele gyredon. Gold-fâg scinon web äfter wagum, wundor-sióna fela †secga gehwylcum þâra þe on swylc starað †Wäs þät beorhte bold tôbrocen swîðe eal inne-weard îren-bendum fäst, †1000heorras tôhlidene; hrôf âna genäs ealles ansund, þâ se aglæca fyren-dædum fâg on fleám gewand, aldres or-wêna. Nô þät ýðe byð tô befleónne (fremme se þe wille!) †1005ac gesacan sceal sâwl-berendra nýde genýdde niðða bearna grund-bûendra gearwe stôwe, þær his lîc-homa leger-bedde fäst †swefeð äfter symle. Þâ wäs sæl and mæl, 1010þät tô healle gang Healfdenes sunu; wolde self cyning symbel þicgan. †Ne gefrägen ic þâ mægðe mâran weorode ymb hyra sinc-gyfan sêl gebæran. †Bugon þâ tô bence blæd-âgende, †1015fylle gefægon. Fägere geþægon medo-ful manig mâgas † þâra swîð-hicgende on sele þam heán, Hrôðgâr and Hrôðulf. Heorot innan wäs freóndum âfylled; nalles fâcen-stafas 1020Þeód-Scyldingas þenden fremedon. Forgeaf þâ Beówulfe bearn Healfdenes segen gyldenne sigores tô leáne, hroden hilte-cumbor, helm and byrnan; †mære mâððum-sweord manige gesâwon 1025beforan beorn beran. Beówulf geþah ful on flette; nô he þære feoh-gyfte for sceótendum scamigan þorfte, ne gefrägn ic freóndlîcor feówer mâdmas golde gegyrede gum-manna fela 1030in ealo-bence ôðrum gesellan. Ymb þäs helmes hrôf heáfod-beorge wîrum bewunden walan ûtan heóld, þät him fêla lâfe frêcne ne meahton †scûr-heard sceððan, þonne scyld-freca 1035ongeán gramum gangan scolde. Hêht þâ eorla hleó eahta mearas, fäted-hleóre, on flet teón in under eoderas; þâra ânum stôd †sadol searwum fâh since gewurðad, 1040þät wäs hilde-setl heáh-cyninges, þonne sweorda gelâc sunu Healfdenes efnan wolde; næfre on ôre läg †wîd-cûðes wîg, þonne walu feóllon. †And þâ Beówulfe bega gehwäðres 1045eodor Ingwina onweald geteáh, wicga and wæpna; hêt hine wel brûcan. Swâ manlîce mære þeóden, hord-weard häleða heaðo-ræsas geald mearum and mâdmum, swâ hý næfre man lyhð, 1050se þe secgan wile sôð äfter rihte. XVII. SONG OF HROTHGAR'S POET—THE LAY OF HNAEF AND HENGEST. Þâ gyt æghwylcum eorla drihten þâra þe mid Beówulfe brim-lâde teáh, on þære medu-bence mâððum gesealde, yrfe-lâfe, and þone ænne hêht 1055golde forgyldan, þone þe Grendel ær mâne âcwealde, swâ he hyra mâ wolde, nefne him witig god wyrd forstôde and þäs mannes môd: metod eallum weóld gumena cynnes, swâ he nu git dêð; 1060forþan bið andgit æghwær sêlest, ferhðes fore-þanc! fela sceal gebîdan leófes and lâðes, se þe longe her on þyssum win-dagum worolde brûceð. Þær wäs sang and swêg samod ätgädere †1065fore Healfdenes hilde-wîsan, gomen-wudu grêted, gid oft wrecen, þonne heal-gamen Hrôðgâres scôp äfter medo-bence mænan scolde †Finnes eaferum, þâ hie se fær begeat: †1070"Häleð Healfdenes, Hnäf Scyldinga, "in Fr..es wäle feallan scolde. "Ne hûru Hildeburh hêrian þorfte †"Eotena treówe: unsynnum wearð "beloren leófum ät þam lind-plegan 1075"bearnum and brôðrum; hie on gebyrd hruron "gâre wunde; þät wäs geômuru ides. "Nalles hôlinga Hôces dôhtor "meotod-sceaft bemearn, syððan morgen com, "þâ heó under swegle geseón meahte 1080"morðor-bealo mâga, þær heó ær mæste heóld "worolde wynne: wîg ealle fornam "Finnes þegnas, nemne feáum ânum, "þät he ne mehte on þäm meðel-stede †"wîg Hengeste wiht gefeohtan, †1085"ne þâ weá-lâfe wîge forþringan "þeódnes þegne; ac hig him geþingo budon, "þät hie him ôðer flet eal gerýmdon, "healle and heáh-setl, þät hie healfre geweald "wið Eotena bearn âgan môston, 1090"and ät feoh-gyftum Folcwaldan sunu "dôgra gehwylce Dene weorðode, "Hengestes heáp hringum wenede, "efne swâ swîðe sinc-gestreónum "fättan goldes, swâ he Fresena cyn 1095"on beór-sele byldan wolde. "Þâ hie getrûwedon on twâ healfa "fäste frioðu-wære; Fin Hengeste †"elne unflitme âðum benemde, "þät he þâ weá-lâfe weotena dôme 1100"ârum heolde, þät þær ænig mon "wordum ne worcum wære ne bræce, "ne þurh inwit-searo æfre gemænden, "þeáh hie hira beág-gyfan banan folgedon "þeóden-leáse, þâ him swâ geþearfod wäs: 1105"gyf þonne Frysna hwylc frêcnan spræce †"þäs morðor-hetes myndgiend wære, "þonne hit sweordes ecg syððan scolde. †"Âð wäs geäfned and icge gold "âhäfen of horde. Here-Scyldinga 1110"betst beado-rinca wäs on bæl gearu; "ät þäm âde wäs êð-gesýne "swât-fâh syrce, swýn eal-gylden, "eofer îren-heard, äðeling manig "wundum âwyrded; sume on wäle crungon. †1115"Hêt þâ Hildeburh ät Hnäfes âde †"hire selfre sunu sweoloðe befästan, "bân-fatu bärnan and on bæl dôn. "Earme on eaxle ides gnornode, †"geômrode giddum; gûð-rinc âstâh. 1120"Wand tô wolcnum wäl-fýra mæst, "hlynode for hlâwe; hafelan multon, †"ben-geato burston, þonne blôd ätspranc "lâð-bite lîces. Lîg ealle forswealg, "gæsta gîfrost, þâra þe þær gûð fornam 1125"bega folces; wäs hira blæd scacen. XVIII. THE GLEEMAN'S TALE IS ENDED. "Gewiton him þâ wîgend wîca neósian, "freóndum befeallen Frysland geseón, "hâmas and heá-burh. Hengest þâ gyt "wäl-fâgne winter wunode mid Finne †1130"ealles unhlitme; eard gemunde, "þeáh þe he ne meahte on mere drîfan "hringed-stefnan; holm storme weól, "won wið winde; winter ýðe beleác "îs-gebinde ôð þät ôðer com 1135"geâr in geardas, swâ nu gyt dêð, "þâ þe syngales sêle bewitiað, †"wuldor-torhtan weder. Þâ wäs winter scacen, "fäger foldan bearm; fundode wrecca, "gist of geardum; he tô gyrn-wräce 1140"swîðor þôhte, þonne tô sæ-lâde, "gif he torn-gemôt þurhteón mihte, †"þät he Eotena bearn inne gemunde. †"Swâ he ne forwyrnde worold-rædenne, †"þonne him Hûnlâfing hilde-leóman, 1145"billa sêlest, on bearm dyde: "þäs wæron mid Eotenum ecge cûðe. "Swylce ferhð-frecan Fin eft begeat "sweord-bealo slîðen ät his selfes hâm, "siððan grimne gripe Gûðlaf ond Ôslâf 1150"äfter sæ-siðe sorge mændon, "ätwiton weána dæl; ne meahte wäfre môd †"forhabban in hreðre. Þâ wäs heal hroden "feónda feorum, swilce Fin slägen, "cyning on corðre, and seó cwên numen. 1155"Sceótend Scyldinga tô scypum feredon "eal in-gesteald eorð-cyninges, "swylce hie ät Finnes hâm findan meahton "sigla searo-gimma. Hie on sæ-lâde "drihtlîce wîf tô Denum feredon, †1160"læddon tô leódum." Leóð wäs âsungen, gleó-mannes gyd. Gamen eft âstâh, †beorhtode benc-swêg, byrelas sealdon †wîn of wunder-fatum. Þâ cwom Wealhþeó forð gân under gyldnum beáge, þær þâ gôdan twegen †1165sæton suhter-gefäderan; þâ gyt wäs hiera sib ätgädere æghwylc ôðrum trýwe. Swylce þær Ûnferð þyle †ät fôtum sät freán Scyldinga: gehwylc hiora his ferhðe treówde, þät he häfde môd micel, þeáh þe he his mâgum nære ârfäst ät ecga gelâcum. Spräc þâ ides Scyldinga: 1170"Onfôh þissum fulle, freó-drihten mîn, "sinces brytta; þu on sælum wes, "gold-wine gumena, and tô Geátum sprec "mildum wordum! Swâ sceal man dôn. "Beó wið Geátas gläd, geofena gemyndig; 1175"neán and feorran þu nu friðu hafast. "Me man sägde, þät þu þe for sunu wolde "here-rinc habban. Heorot is gefælsod, "beáh-sele beorhta; brûc þenden þu môte "manigra mêda and þînum mâgum læf 1180"folc and rîce, þonne þu forð scyle "metod-sceaft seón. Ic mînne can "glädne Hrôðulf, þät he þâ geogoðe wile "ârum healdan, gyf þu ær þonne he, "wine Scildinga, worold oflætest; 1185"wêne ic, þät he mid gôde gyldan wille "uncran eaferan, gif he þät eal gemon, "hwät wit tô willan and tô worð-myndum "umbor wesendum ær ârna gefremedon." Hwearf þâ bî bence, þær hyre byre wæron, 1190Hrêðrîc and Hrôðmund, and häleða bearn, †giogoð ätgädere; þær se gôda sät †Beówulf Geáta be þæm gebrôðrum twæm. XIX. BEÓWULF'S JEWELLED COLLAR. THE HEROES REST. Him wäs ful boren and freónd-laðu †wordum bewägned and wunden gold 1195êstum geeáwed, earm-hreáde twâ, †hrägl and hringas, heals-beága mæst þâra þe ic on foldan gefrägen häbbe. Nænigne ic under swegle sêlran hýrde †hord-mâððum häleða, syððan Hâma ätwäg †1200tô þære byrhtan byrig Brosinga mene, sigle and sinc-fät, searo-nîðas fealh †Eormenrîces, geceás êcne ræd. Þone hring häfde Higelâc Geáta, nefa Swertinges, nýhstan sîðe, 1205siððan he under segne sinc ealgode, wäl-reáf werede; hyne Wyrd fornam, syððan he for wlenco weán âhsode, fæhðe tô Frysum; he þâ frätwe wäg, eorclan-stânas ofer ýða ful, 1210rîce þeóden, he under rande gecranc; †gehwearf þâ in Francna fäðm feorh cyninges, breóst-gewædu and se beáh somod: †wyrsan wîg-frecan wäl reáfedon äfter gûð-sceare, Geáta leóde †1215hreâ-wîc heóldon. Heal swêge onfêng. Wealhþeó maðelode, heó fore þäm werede spräc: "Brûc þisses beáges, Beówulf, leófa "hyse, mid hæle, and þisses hrägles neót "þeód-gestreóna, and geþeóh tela, 1220"cen þec mid cräfte and þyssum cnyhtum wes "lâra lîðe! ic þe þäs leán geman. "Hafast þu gefêred, þät þe feor and neáh "ealne wîde-ferhð weras ehtigað, "efne swâ sîde swâ sæ bebûgeð 1225"windige weallas. Wes, þenden þu lifige, "äðeling eádig! ic þe an tela †"sinc-gestreóna. Beó þu suna mînum "dædum gedêfe dreám healdende! †"Her is æghwylc eorl ôðrum getrýwe, 1230"môdes milde, man-drihtne hold, "þegnas syndon geþwære, þeód eal gearo: †"druncne dryht-guman, dôð swâ ic bidde!" Eode þâ tô setle. Þær wäs symbla cyst, druncon wîn weras: wyrd ne cûðon, †1235geó-sceaft grimme, swâ hit âgangen wearð eorla manegum, syððan æfen cwom and him Hrôðgâr gewât tô hofe sînum, rîce tô räste. Reced weardode unrîm eorla, swâ hie oft ær dydon: 1240benc-þelu beredon, hit geond-bræded wearð beddum and bolstrum. Beór-scealca sum fûs and fæge flet-räste gebeág. Setton him tô heáfdum hilde-randas, bord-wudu beorhtan; þær on bence wäs 1245ofer äðelinge ýð-gesêne †heaðo-steápa helm, hringed byrne, þrec-wudu þrymlîc. Wäs þeáw hyra, †þät hie oft wæron an wîg gearwe, ge ät hâm ge on herge, ge gehwäðer þâra 1250efne swylce mæla, swylce hira man-dryhtne þearf gesælde; wäs seó þeód tilu. XX. GRENDEL'S MOTHER ATTACKS THE RING-DANES. †Sigon þâ tô slæpe. Sum sâre angeald æfen-räste, swâ him ful-oft gelamp, †siððan gold-sele Grendel warode, †1255unriht äfnde, ôð þät ende becwom, swylt äfter synnum. Þät gesýne wearð, wîd-cûð werum, þätte wrecend þâ gyt lifde äfter lâðum, lange þrage †äfter gûð-ceare; Grendles môdor, 1260ides aglæc-wîf yrmðe gemunde, †se þe wäter-egesan wunian scolde, cealde streámas, siððan Cain wearð tô ecg-banan ângan brêðer, fäderen-mæge; he þâ fâg gewât, 1265morðre gemearcod man-dreám fleón, wêsten warode. Þanon wôc fela geósceaft-gâsta; wäs þæra Grendel sum, heoro-wearh hetelîc, se ät Heorote fand wäccendne wer wîges bîdan, †1270þær him aglæca ät-græpe wearð; hwäðre he gemunde mägenes strenge, gim-fäste gife, þe him god sealde, †and him tô anwaldan âre gelýfde, frôfre and fultum: þý he þone feónd ofercwom, 1275gehnægde helle gâst: þâ he heán gewât, dreáme bedæled deáð-wîc seón, man-cynnes feónd. And his môdor þâ gyt gîfre and galg-môd gegân wolde †sorh-fulne sîð, suna deáð wrecan. 1280Com þâ tô Heorote, þær Hring-Dene †geond þät säld swæfun. Þâ þær sôna wearð ed-hwyrft eorlum, siððan inne fealh Grendles môdor; wäs se gryre lässa efne swâ micle, swâ bið mägða cräft, 1285wîg-gryre wîfes be wæpned-men, †þonne heoru bunden, hamere geþuren, sweord swâte fâh swîn ofer helme, ecgum dyhtig andweard scireð. Þâ wäs on healle heard-ecg togen, 1290sweord ofer setlum, sîd-rand manig hafen handa fäst; helm ne gemunde, †byrnan sîde, þe hine se brôga angeat. Heó wäs on ôfste, wolde ût þanon feore beorgan, þâ heó onfunden wäs; 1295hraðe heó äðelinga ânne häfde fäste befangen, þâ heó tô fenne gang; se wäs Hrôðgâre häleða leófost †on gesîðes hâd be sæm tweonum, rîce rand-wîga, þone þe heó on räste âbreát, 1300blæd-fästne beorn. Näs Beówulf þær, †ac wäs ôðer in ær geteohhod äfter mâððum-gife mærum Geáte. †Hreám wearð on Heorote. Heó under heolfre genam cûðe folme; cearu wäs geniwod 1305geworden in wîcum: ne wäs þät gewrixle til, þät hie on bâ healfa bicgan scoldon freónda feorum. Þâ wäs frôd cyning, hâr hilde-rinc, on hreón môde, syððan he aldor-þegn unlyfigendne, 1310þone deórestan deádne wisse. Hraðe wäs tô bûre Beówulf fetod, sigor-eádig secg. Samod ær-däge eode eorla sum, äðele cempa self mid gesîðum, þær se snottra bâd, 1315hwäðre him al-walda æfre wille äfter weá-spelle wyrpe gefremman. Gang þâ äfter flôre fyrd-wyrðe man mid his hand-scale (heal-wudu dynede) †þät he þone wîsan wordum hnægde 1320freán Ingwina; frägn gif him wære †äfter neód-laðu niht getæse. XXI. SORROW AT HEOROT: ÆSCHERE'S DEATH Hrôðgâr maðelode, helm Scildinga: "Ne frin þu äfter sælum! Sorh is geniwod "Denigea leódum. Deád is Äsc-here, 1325"Yrmenlâfes yldra brôðor, "mîn rûn-wita and mîn ræd-bora, "eaxl-gestealla, þonne we on orlege "hafelan weredon, þonne hniton fêðan, "eoferas cnysedan; swylc scolde eorl wesan 1330"äðeling ær-gôd, swylc Äsc-here wäs. "Wearð him on Heorote tô hand-banan "wäl-gæst wäfre; ic ne wât hwäder "atol æse wlanc eft-sîðas teáh, †"fylle gefrægnod. Heó þâ fæhðe wräc, 1335"þe þu gystran niht Grendel cwealdest "þurh hæstne hâd heardum clammum, "forþan he tô lange leóde mîne "wanode and wyrde. He ät wîge gecrang "ealdres scyldig, and nu ôðer cwom †1340"mihtig mân-scaða, wolde hyre mæg wrecan, "ge feor hafað fæhðe gestæled, "þäs þe þincean mäg þegne monegum, "se þe äfter sinc-gyfan on sefan greóteð, "hreðer-bealo hearde; nu seó hand ligeð, †1345"se þe eów wel-hwylcra wilna dohte. †"Ic þät lond-bûend leóde mîne †"sele-rædende secgan hýrde, "þät hie gesâwon swylce twegen "micle mearc-stapan môras healdan, 1350"ellor-gæstas: þæra ôðer wäs, †"þäs þe hie gewislîcost gewitan meahton, †"idese onlîcnes, ôðer earm-sceapen "on weres wästmum wräc-lâstas träd, "näfne he wäs mâra þonne ænig man ôðer, 1355"þone on geâr-dagum Grendel nemdon "fold-bûende: nô hie fäder cunnon, "hwäðer him ænig wäs ær âcenned "dyrnra gâsta. Hie dýgel lond "warigeað, wulf-hleoðu, windige nässas, †1360"frêcne fen-gelâd, þær fyrgen-streám "under nässa genipu niðer gewîteð, "flôd under foldan; nis þät feor heonon †"mîl-gemearces, þät se mere standeð, †"ofer þäm hongiað hrîmge bearwas, 1365"wudu wyrtum fäst, wäter oferhelmað. †"Þær mäg nihta gehwæm nîð-wundor seón, "fýr on flôde; nô þäs frôd leofað "gumena bearna, þät þone grund wite; "þeáh þe hæð-stapa hundum geswenced, †1370"heorot hornum trum holt-wudu sêce, †"feorran geflýmed, ær he feorh seleð, †"aldor on ôfre, ær he in wille, †"hafelan hýdan. Nis þät heóru stôw: "þonon ýð-geblond up âstîgeð 1375"won tô wolcnum, þonne wind styreð "lâð gewidru, ôð þät lyft drysmað, "roderas reótað. Nu is ræd gelang "eft ät þe ânum! Eard git ne const, "frêcne stôwe, þær þu findan miht 1380"sinnigne secg: sêc gif þu dyrre! "Ic þe þâ fæhðe feó leánige, "eald-gestreónum, swâ ic ær dyde, "wundnum golde, gyf þu on weg cymest." XXII. BEÓWULF SEEKS THE MONSTER IN THE HAUNTS OF THE NIXIES. Beówulf maðelode, bearn Ecgþeówes: 1385"Ne sorga, snotor guma! sêlre bið æghwæm, "þät he his freónd wrece, þonne he fela murne; "ûre æghwylc sceal ende gebîdan "worolde lîfes; wyrce se þe môte "dômes ær deáðe! þät bið driht-guman 1390"unlifgendum äfter sêlest. †"Ârîs, rîces weard; uton hraðe fêran, "Grendles mâgan gang sceáwigan! "Ic hit þe gehâte: nô he on helm losað, "ne on foldan fäðm, ne on fyrgen-holt, 1395"ne on gyfenes grund, gâ þær he wille. "Þys dôgor þu geþyld hafa "weána gehwylces, swâ ic þe wêne tô!" Âhleóp þâ se gomela, gode þancode, mihtigan drihtne, þäs se man gespräc. †1400Þâ wäs Hrôðgâre hors gebæted, wicg wunden-feax. Wîsa fengel †geatolîc gengde; gum-fêða stôp lind-häbbendra. Lâstas wæron äfter wald-swaðum wîde gesýne, †1405gang ofer grundas; gegnum fôr þâ ofer myrcan môr, mago-þegna bär þone sêlestan sâwol-leásne, þâra þe mid Hrôðgâre hâm eahtode. Ofer-eode þâ äðelinga bearn 1410steáp stân-hliðo, stîge nearwe, †enge ân-paðas, un-cûð gelâd, neowle nässas, nicor-hûsa fela; he feára sum beforan gengde wîsra monna, wong sceáwian, 1415ôð þät he færinga fyrgen-beámas ofer hârne stân hleonian funde, wyn-leásne wudu; wäter under stôd dreórig and gedrêfed. Denum eallum wäs, winum Scyldinga, weorce on môde, 1420tô geþolianne þegne monegum, †oncýð eorla gehwæm, syððan Äsc-heres on þam holm-clife hafelan mêtton. Flôd blôde weól (folc tô sægon) hâtan heolfre. Horn stundum song †1425fûslîc fyrd-leóð. Fêða eal gesät; gesâwon þâ äfter wätere wyrm-cynnes fela, sellîce sæ-dracan sund cunnian, †swylce on näs-hleoðum nicras licgean, þâ on undern-mæl oft bewitigað 1430sorh-fulne sîð on segl-râde, wyrmas and wil-deór; hie on weg hruron bitere and gebolgne, bearhtm ongeâton, gûð-horn galan. Sumne Geáta leód of flân-bogan feores getwæfde, 1435ýð-gewinnes, þät him on aldre stôd here-stræl hearda; he on holme wäs sundes þe sænra, þe hyne swylt fornam. Hräðe wearð on ýðum mid eofer-spreótum heoro-hôcyhtum hearde genearwod, †1440nîða genæged and on näs togen †wundorlîc wæg-bora; weras sceáwedon gryrelîcne gist. Gyrede hine Beówulf eorl-gewædum, nalles for ealdre mearn: scolde here-byrne hondum gebroden, 1445sîd and searo-fâh, sund cunnian, seó þe bân-côfan beorgan cûðe, †þät him hilde-grâp hreðre ne mihte, eorres inwit-feng, aldre gesceððan; ac se hwîta helm hafelan werede, 1450se þe mere-grundas mengan scolde, sêcan sund-gebland since geweorðad, befongen freá-wrâsnum, swâ hine fyrn-dagum worhte wæpna smið, wundrum teóde, besette swîn-lîcum, þät hine syððan nô †1455brond ne beado-mêcas bîtan ne meahton. Näs þät þonne mætost mägen-fultuma, †þät him on þearfe lâh þyle Hrôðgâres; †wäs þäm häft-mêce Hrunting nama, †þät wäs ân foran eald-gestreóna; †1460ecg wäs îren âter-teárum fâh, âhyrded heaðo-swâte; næfre hit ät hilde ne swâc manna ængum þâra þe hit mid mundum bewand, se þe gryre-sîðas gegân dorste, folc-stede fâra; näs þät forma sîð, 1465þät hit ellen-weorc äfnan scolde. Hûru ne gemunde mago Ecglâfes †eafoðes cräftig, þät he ær gespräc wîne druncen, þâ he þäs wæpnes onlâh sêlran sweord-frecan: selfa ne dorste 1470under ýða gewin aldre genêðan, driht-scype dreógan; þær he dôme forleás, ellen-mærðum. Ne wäs þäm ôðrum swâ, syððan he hine tô gûðe gegyred häfde. XXIII. THE BATTLE WITH THE WATER-DRAKE. Beówulf maðelode, bearn Ecgþeówes: 1475"geþenc nu, se mæra maga Healfdenes, "snottra fengel, nu ic eom sîðes fûs, "gold-wine gumena, hwät wit geó spræcon, "gif ic ät þearfe þînre scolde "aldre linnan, þät þu me â wære †1480"forð-gewitenum on fäder stäle; "wes þu mund-bora mînum mago-þegnum, †"hond-gesellum, gif mec hild nime: "swylce þu þâ mâdmas, þe þu me sealdest, "Hrôðgâr leófa, Higelâce onsend. 1485"Mäg þonne on þäm golde ongitan Geáta dryhten, "geseón sunu Hrêðles, þonne he on þät sinc starað, †"þät ic gum-cystum gôdne funde "beága bryttan, breác þonne môste. "And þu Ûnferð læt ealde lâfe, †1490"wrätlîc wæg-sweord wîd-cûðne man "heard-ecg habban; ic me mid Hruntinge "dôm gewyrce, oððe mec deáð nimeð." Äfter þæm wordum Weder-Geáta leód êfste mid elne, nalas andsware 1495bîdan wolde; brim-wylm onfêng hilde-rince. Þâ wäs hwîl däges, ær he þone grund-wong ongytan mehte. Sôna þät onfunde, se þe flôda begong heoro-gîfre beheóld hund missera, 1500grim and grædig, þät þær gumena sum äl-wihta eard ufan cunnode. Grâp þâ tôgeánes, gûð-rinc gefêng atolan clommum; nô þý ær in gescôd hâlan lîce: hring ûtan ymb-bearh, 1505þät heó þone fyrd-hom þurh-fôn ne mihte, locene leoðo-syrcan lâðan fingrum. †Bär þâ seó brim-wylf, þâ heó tô botme com, hringa þengel tô hofe sînum, swâ he ne mihte nô (he þäs môdig wäs) 1510wæpna gewealdan, ac hine wundra þäs fela swencte on sunde, sæ-deór monig hilde-tuxum here-syrcan bräc, êhton aglæcan. Þâ se eorl ongeat, †þät he in nið-sele nât-hwylcum wäs, 1515þær him nænig wäter wihte ne sceðede, ne him for hrôf-sele hrînan ne mehte fær-gripe flôdes: fýr-leóht geseah, blâcne leóman beorhte scînan. Ongeat þâ se gôda grund-wyrgenne, 1520mere-wîf mihtig; mägen-ræs forgeaf hilde-bille, hond swenge ne ofteáh, þät hire on hafelan hring-mæl âgôl grædig gûð-leóð. Þâ se gist onfand, þät se beado-leóma bîtan nolde, 1525aldre sceððan, ac seó ecg geswâc þeódne ät þearfe: þolode ær fela hond-gemôta, helm oft gescär, fæges fyrd-hrägl: þät wäs forma sîð deórum mâðme, þät his dôm âläg. 1530Eft wäs ân-ræd, nalas elnes lät, mærða gemyndig mæg Hygelâces; wearp þâ wunden-mæl wrättum gebunden yrre oretta, þät hit on eorðan läg, stîð and stýl-ecg; strenge getrûwode, 1535mund-gripe mägenes. Swâ sceal man dôn, þonne he ät gûðe gegân þenceð longsumne lof, nâ ymb his lîf cearað. †Gefêng þâ be eaxle (nalas for fæhðe mearn) Gûð-Geáta leód Grendles môdor; 1540brägd þâ beadwe heard, þâ he gebolgen wäs, feorh-genîðlan, þät heó on flet gebeáh. Heó him eft hraðe and-leán forgeald †grimman grâpum and him tôgeánes fêng; oferwearp þâ wêrig-môd wîgena strengest, 1545fêðe-cempa, þät he on fylle wearð. †Ofsät þâ þone sele-gyst and hyre seaxe geteáh, brâd and brûn-ecg wolde hire bearn wrecan, ângan eaferan. Him on eaxle läg breóst-net broden; þät gebearh feore, 1550wið ord and wið ecge ingang forstôd. Häfde þâ forsîðod sunu Ecgþeówes under gynne grund, Geáta cempa, nemne him heaðo-byrne helpe gefremede, here-net hearde, and hâlig god 1555geweóld wîg-sigor, witig drihten; rodera rædend hit on ryht gescêd, †ýðelîce syððan he eft âstôd. XXIV. BEÓWULF SLAYS THE SPRITE. Geseah þâ on searwum sige-eádig bil, eald sweord eotenisc ecgum þyhtig, 1560wîgena weorð-mynd: þät wäs wæpna cyst, bûton hit wäs mâre þonne ænig mon ôðer tô beadu-lâce ätberan meahte gôd and geatolîc giganta geweorc. He gefêng þâ fetel-hilt, freca Scildinga, 1565hreóh and heoro-grim hring-mæl gebrägd, aldres orwêna, yrringa slôh, þät hire wið halse heard grâpode, bân-hringas bräc, bil eal þurh-wôd fægne flæsc-homan, heó on flet gecrong; 1570sweord wäs swâtig, secg weorce gefeh. Lixte se leóma, leóht inne stôd, efne swâ of hefene hâdre scîneð rodores candel. He äfter recede wlât, hwearf þâ be wealle, wæpen hafenade 1575heard be hiltum Higelâces þegn, yrre and ân-ræd. Näs seó ecg fracod hilde-rince, ac he hraðe wolde Grendle forgyldan gûð-ræsa fela þâra þe he geworhte tô West-Denum 1580oftor micle þonne on ænne sîð, þonne he Hrôðgâres heorð-geneátas slôh on sweofote, slæpende frät folces Denigea fýf-tyne men †and ôðer swylc ût of-ferede, 1585lâðlîcu lâc. He him þäs leán forgeald, rêðe cempa, tô þäs þe he on räste geseah gûð-wêrigne Grendel licgan, aldor-leásne, swâ him ær gescôd hild ät Heorote; hrâ wîde sprong, 1590syððan he äfter deáðe drepe þrowade, heoro-sweng heardne, and hine þâ heáfde becearf, †Sôna þät gesâwon snottre ceorlas, þâ þe mid Hrôðgâre on holm wliton, þät wäs ýð-geblond eal gemenged, †1595brim blôde fâh: blonden-feaxe gomele ymb gôdne ongeador spræcon, þät hig þäs äðelinges eft ne wêndon, þät he sige-hrêðig sêcean côme †mærne þeóden; þâ þäs monige gewearð, 1600þät hine seó brim-wylf âbroten häfde. Þâ com nôn däges. Näs ofgeâfon hwate Scyldingas; gewât him hâm þonon gold-wine gumena. Gistas sêtan, môdes seóce, and on mere staredon, †1605wiston and ne wêndon, þät hie heora wine-drihten selfne gesâwon. Þâ þät sweord ongan †äfter heaðo-swâte hilde-gicelum wîg-bil wanian; þät wäs wundra sum, þät hit eal gemealt îse gelîcost, 1610þonne forstes bend fäder onlæteð, †onwindeð wäl-râpas, se þe geweald hafað sæla and mæla; þät is sôð metod. Ne nom he in þæm wîcum, Weder-Geáta leód, mâðm-æhta mâ, þêh he þær monige geseah, 1615bûton þone hafelan and þâ hilt somod, since fâge; sweord ær gemealt, forbarn broden mæl: wäs þät blôd tô þäs hât, ættren ellor-gæst, se þær inne swealt. Sôna wäs on sunde, se þe ær ät säcce gebâd 1620wîg-hryre wrâðra, wäter up þurh-deáf; wæron ýð-gebland eal gefælsod, †eácne eardas, þâ se ellor-gâst oflêt lîf-dagas and þâs lænan gesceaft. Com þâ tô lande lid-manna helm 1625swîð-môd swymman, sæ-lâce gefeah, mägen-byrðenne þâra þe he him mid häfde. Eodon him þâ tôgeánes, gode þancodon, þryðlîc þegna heáp, þeódnes gefêgon, þäs þe hi hyne gesundne geseón môston. 1630Þâ wäs of þäm hrôran helm and byrne lungre âlýsed: lagu drusade, wäter under wolcnum, wäl-dreóre fâg. Fêrdon forð þonon fêðe-lâstum ferhðum fägne, fold-weg mæton, †1635cûðe stræte; cyning-balde men from þäm holm-clife hafelan bæron earfoðlîce heora æghwäðrum fela-môdigra: feówer scoldon on ðäm wäl-stenge weorcum geferian 1640tô þäm gold-sele Grendles heáfod, ôð þät semninga tô sele cômon frome fyrd-hwate feówer-tyne Geáta gongan; gum-dryhten mid môdig on gemonge meodo-wongas träd. 1645Þâ com in gân ealdor þegna, dæd-cêne mon dôme gewurðad, häle hilde-deór. Hrôðgâr grêtan: Þâ wäs be feaxe on flet boren Grendles heáfod, þær guman druncon, †1650egeslîc for eorlum and þære idese mid: †wlite-seón wrätlîc weras onsâwon. XXV. HROTHGAR'S GRATITUDE: HE DISCOURSES. Beówulf maðelode, bearn Ecgþeówes: "Hwät! we þe þâs sæ-lâc, sunu Healfdenes, "leód Scyldinga, lustum brôhton, 1655"tîres tô tâcne, þe þu her tô lôcast. "Ic þät unsôfte ealdre gedîgde: †"wîge under wätere weorc genêðde "earfoðlîce, ät-rihte wäs "gûð getwæfed, nymðe mec god scylde. 1660"Ne meahte ic ät hilde mid Hruntinge "wiht gewyrcan, þeáh þät wæpen duge, "ac me geûðe ylda waldend, "þät ic on wage geseah wlitig hangian †"eald sweord eácen (oftost wîsode 1665"winigea leásum) þät ic þý wæpne gebräd. "Ofslôh þâ ät þære säcce (þâ me sæl âgeald) "hûses hyrdas. Þâ þät hilde-bil "forbarn, brogden mæl, swâ þät blôd gesprang, "hâtost heaðo-swâta: ic þät hilt þanan 1670"feóndum ätferede; fyren-dæda wräc, "deáð-cwealm Denigea, swâ hit gedêfe wäs. "Ic hit þe þonne gehâte, þät þu on Heorote môst "sorh-leás swefan mid þînra secga gedryht, "and þegna gehwylc þînra leóda, †1675"duguðe and iogoðe, þät þu him ondrædan ne þearft, "þeóden Scyldinga, on þâ healfe, "aldor-bealu eorlum, swâ þu ær dydest." Þâ wäs gylden hilt gamelum rince. hârum hild-fruman, on hand gyfen, †1680enta ær-geweorc, hit on æht gehwearf äfter deófla hryre Denigea freán, wundor-smiða geweorc, and þâ þâs worold ofgeaf grom-heort guma, godes andsaca, morðres scyldig, and his môdor eác; 1685on geweald gehwearf worold-cyninga þäm sêlestan be sæm tweónum †þâra þe on Sceden-igge sceattas dælde. Hrôðgâr maðelode, hylt sceáwode, ealde lâfe, on þäm wäs ôr writen 1690fyrn-gewinnes: syððan flôd ofslôh, gifen geótende, giganta cyn, frêcne gefêrdon: þät wäs fremde þeód êcean dryhtne, him þäs ende-leán þurh wäteres wylm waldend sealde. 1695Swâ wäs on þæm scennum scîran goldes þurh rûn-stafas rihte gemearcod, geseted and gesæd, hwâm þät sweord geworht, îrena cyst ærest wære, wreoðen-hilt and wyrm-fâh. þâ se wîsa spräc 1700sunu Healfdenes (swîgedon ealle): "Þät lâ mäg secgan, se þe sôð and riht "fremeð on folce, (feor eal gemon †"eald êðel-weard), þät þes eorl wære "geboren betera! Blæd is âræred 1705"geond wîd-wegas, wine mîn Beówulf, "þîn ofer þeóda gehwylce. Eal þu hit geþyldum healdest, "mägen mid môdes snyttrum. Ic þe sceal mîne gelæstan "freóde, swâ wit furðum spræcon; þu scealt tô frôfre weorðan "eal lang-twidig leódum þînum, 1710"häleðum tô helpe. Ne wearð Heremôd swâ "eaforum Ecgwelan, Âr-Scyldingum; "ne geweôx he him tô willan, ac tô wäl-fealle "and tô deáð-cwalum Deniga leódum; "breát bolgen-môd beód-geneátas, †1715"eaxl-gesteallan, ôð þät he âna hwearf, "mære þeóden. mon-dreámum from: "þeáh þe hine mihtig god mägenes wynnum, "eafeðum stêpte, ofer ealle men "forð gefremede, hwäðere him on ferhðe greów 1720"breóst-hord blôd-reów: nallas beágas geaf "Denum äfter dôme; dreám-leás gebâd, "þät he þäs gewinnes weorc þrowade, †"leód-bealo longsum. Þu þe lær be þon, "gum-cyste ongit! ic þis gid be þe 1725"âwräc wintrum frôd. Wundor is tô secganne, "hû mihtig god manna cynne "þurh sîdne sefan snyttru bryttað, "eard and eorl-scipe, he âh ealra geweald. †"Hwîlum he on lufan læteð hworfan †1730"monnes môd-geþonc mæran cynnes, "seleð him on êðle eorðan wynne, "tô healdanne hleó-burh wera, "gedêð him swâ gewealdene worolde dælas, "sîde rîce, þät he his selfa ne mäg 1735"for his un-snyttrum ende geþencean; "wunað he on wiste, nô hine wiht dweleð, "âdl ne yldo, ne him inwit-sorh "on sefan sweorceð, ne gesacu ôhwær, "ecg-hete eóweð, ac him eal worold 1740"wendeð on willan; he þät wyrse ne con, †"ôð þät him on innan ofer-hygda dæl "weaxeð and wridað, þonne se weard swefeð, "sâwele hyrde: bið se slæp tô fäst, "bisgum gebunden, bona swîðe neáh, †1745"se þe of flân-bogan fyrenum sceóteð. XXVI. THE DISCOURSE IS ENDED.—BEÓWULF PREPARES TO LEAVE. "Þonne bið on hreðre under helm drepen "biteran stræle: him bebeorgan ne con †"wom wundor-bebodum wergan gâstes; "þinceð him tô lytel, þät he tô lange heóld, †1750"gýtsað grom-hydig, nallas on gylp seleð "fätte beágas and he þâ forð-gesceaft "forgyteð and forgýmeð, þäs þe him ær god sealde "wuldres waldend, weorð-mynda dæl. "Hit on ende-stäf eft gelimpeð, 1755"þät se lîc-homa læne gedreóseð, "fæge gefealleð; fêhð ôðer tô, "se þe unmurnlîce mâdmas dæleð, "eorles ær-gestreón, egesan ne gýmeð. "Bebeorh þe þone bealo-nîð, Beówulf leófa, 1760"secg se betsta, and þe þät sêlre geceós, "êce rædas; oferhyda ne gým, "mære cempa! Nu is þînes mägnes blæd "âne hwîle; eft sôna bið, "þät þec âdl oððe ecg eafoðes getwæfeð, 1765"oððe fýres feng oððe flôdes wylm, "oððe gripe mêces oððe gâres fliht, †"oððe atol yldo, oððe eágena bearhtm "forsiteð and forsworceð; semninga bið, "þät þec, dryht-guma, deáð oferswýðeð. 1770"Swâ ic Hring-Dena hund missera "weóld under wolcnum, and hig wîge beleác "manigum mægða geond þysne middan-geard, "äscum and ecgum, þät ic me ænigne "under swegles begong gesacan ne tealde. 1775"Hwät! me þäs on êðle edwenden cwom, "gyrn äfter gomene, seoððan Grendel wearð, "eald-gewinna, in-genga mîn: "ic þære sôcne singales wäg "môd-ceare micle. Þäs sig metode þanc, 1780"êcean drihtne, þäs þe ic on aldre gebâd, "þät ic on þone hafelan heoro-dreórigne "ofer eald gewin eágum starige! "Gâ nu tô setle, symbel-wynne dreóh †"wîgge weorðad: unc sceal worn fela †1785"mâðma gemænra, siððan morgen bið." Geát wäs gläd-môd, geóng sôna tô, setles neósan, swâ se snottra hêht. Þâ wäs eft swâ ær ellen-rôfum, flet-sittendum fägere gereorded 1790niówan stefne. Niht-helm geswearc deorc ofer dryht-gumum. Duguð eal ârâs; wolde blonden-feax beddes neósan, gamela Scylding. Geát ungemetes wel, †rôfne rand-wîgan restan lyste: 1795sôna him sele-þegn sîðes wêrgum, feorran-cundum forð wîsade, se for andrysnum ealle beweotede þegnes þearfe, swylce þý dôgore heáðo-lîðende habban scoldon. 1800Reste hine þâ rûm-heort; reced hlifade geáp and gold-fâh, gäst inne swäf, †ôð þät hrefn blaca heofones wynne †blîð-heort bodode. Þâ com beorht sunne scacan ofer grundas; scaðan onetton, 1805wæron äðelingas eft tô leódum fûse tô farenne, wolde feor þanon cuma collen-ferhð ceóles neósan. †Hêht þâ se hearda Hrunting beran, sunu Ecglâfes, hêht his sweord niman, 1810leóflîc îren; sägde him þäs leánes þanc, cwäð he þone gûð-wine gôdne tealde, wîg-cräftigne, nales wordum lôg mêces ecge: þät wäs môdig secg. And þâ sîð-frome searwum gearwe 1815wîgend wæron, eode weorð Denum äðeling tô yppan, þær se ôðer wäs häle hilde-deór, Hrôðgâr grêtte. XXVII. THE PARTING WORDS. Beówulf maðelode, bearn Ecgþeówes: "Nu we sæ-lîðend secgan wyllað 1820"feorran cumene, þät we fundiað "Higelâc sêcan. Wæron her tela "willum bewenede; þu ûs wel dohtest. †"Gif ic þonne on eorðan ôwihte mäg "þînre môd-lufan mâran tilian, 1825"gumena dryhten, þonne ic gyt dyde, "gûð-geweorca ic beó gearo sôna. "Gif ic þät gefricge ofer flôda begang, "þät þec ymbe-sittend egesan þýwað, "swâ þec hetende hwîlum dydon, 1830"ic þe þûsenda þegna bringe, "häleða tô helpe. Ic on Higelâce wât, †"Geáta dryhten, þeáh þe he geong sý, "folces hyrde, þät he mec fremman wile "wordum and worcum, þät ic þe wel herige, †1835"and þe tô geóce gâr-holt bere "mägenes fultum, þær þe bið manna þearf; "gif him þonne Hrêðrîc tô hofum Geáta "geþingeð, þeódnes bearn, he mäg þær fela "freónda findan: feor-cýððe beóð 1840"sêlran gesôhte þäm þe him selfa deáh." Hrôðgâr maðelode him on andsware: "Þe þâ word-cwydas wittig drihten "on sefan sende! ne hýrde ic snotorlîcor "on swâ geongum feore guman þingian: 1845"þu eart mägenes strang and on môde frôd, "wîs word-cwida. Wên ic talige, "gif þät gegangeð, þät þe gâr nymeð, "hild heoru-grimme Hrêðles eaferan, "âdl oððe îren ealdor þînne, 1850"folces hyrde, and þu þîn feorh hafast, "þät þe Sæ-Geátas sêlran näbben "tô geceósenne cyning ænigne, "hord-weard häleða, gif þu healdan wylt "mâga rîce. Me þîn môd-sefa †1855"lîcað leng swâ wel, leófa Beówulf: "hafast þu gefêred, þät þâm folcum sceal, "Geáta leódum and Gâr-Denum †"sib gemænum and sacu restan, "inwit-nîðas, þe hie ær drugon; 1860"wesan, þenden ic wealde wîdan rîces, "mâðmas gemæne, manig ôðerne †"gôdum gegrêtan ofer ganotes bäð; †"sceal hring-naca ofer heáðu bringan "lâc and luf-tâcen. Ic þâ leóde wât †1865"ge wið feónd ge wið freónd fäste geworhte "æghwäs untæle ealde wîsan." Þâ git him eorla hleó inne gesealde, mago Healfdenes mâðmas twelfe, hêt hine mid þæm lâcum leóde swæse 1870sêcean on gesyntum, snûde eft cuman. Gecyste þâ cyning äðelum gôd, þeóden Scildinga, þegen betstan and be healse genam; hruron him teáras, blonden-feaxum: him wäs bega wên, 1875ealdum infrôdum, ôðres swîðor, †þät hî seoððan geseón môston môdige on meðle. Wäs him se man tô þon leóf, þät he þone breóst-wylm forberan ne mehte, ac him on hreðre hyge-bendum fäst 1880äfter deórum men dyrne langað †beorn wið blôde. Him Beówulf þanan, gûð-rinc gold-wlanc gräs-moldan träd, since hrêmig: sæ-genga bâd âgend-freán, se þe on ancre râd. 1885Þâ wäs on gange gifu Hrôðgâres oft geæhted: þät wäs ân cyning †æghwäs orleahtre, ôð þät hine yldo benam mägenes wynnum, se þe oft manegum scôd. XXVIII. BEÓWULF RETURNS TO GEATLAND.—THE QUEENS HYGD AND THRYTHO. Cwom þâ tô flôde fela-môdigra 1890häg-stealdra heáp; hring-net bæron, locene leoðo-syrcan. Land-weard onfand eft-sîð eorla, swâ he ær dyde; nô he mid hearme of hliðes nosan gästas grêtte, ac him tôgeánes râd; 1895cwäð þät wilcuman Wedera leódum †scawan scîr-hame tô scipe fôron. †Þâ wäs on sande sæ-geáp naca hladen here-wædum, hringed-stefna mearum and mâðmum: mäst hlifade 1900ofer Hrôðgâres hord-gestreónum. He þäm bât-wearde bunden golde swurd gesealde, þät he syððan wäs on meodu-bence mâðme þý weorðra, †yrfe-lâfe. Gewât him on ýð-nacan, 1905drêfan deóp wäter, Dena land ofgeaf. Þâ wäs be mäste mere-hrägla sum, segl sâle fäst. Sund-wudu þunede, nô þær wêg-flotan wind ofer ýðum sîðes getwæfde; sæ-genga fôr, 1910fleát fâmig-heals forð ofer ýðe, bunden-stefna ofer brim-streámas, þät hie Geáta clifu ongitan meahton, †cûðe nässas. Ceól up geþrang, †lyft-geswenced on lande stôd. 1915Hraðe wäs ät holme hýð-weard gearo, †se þe ær lange tîd, leófra manna fûs, ät faroðe feor wlâtode; sælde tô sande sîd-fäðme scip oncer-bendum fäst, þý läs hym ýða þrym 1920wudu wynsuman forwrecan meahte. Hêt þâ up beran äðelinga gestreón, frätwe and fät-gold; näs him feor þanon tô gesêcanne sinces bryttan: †Higelâc Hrêðling þær ät hâm wunað, 1925selfa mid gesîðum sæ-wealle neáh; bold wäs betlîc, brego-rôf cyning, †heá on healle, Hygd swîðe geong, wîs, wel-þungen, þeáh þe wintra lyt under burh-locan gebiden häbbe 1930Häreðes dôhtor: näs hió hnâh swâ þeáh, ne tô gneáð gifa Geáta leódum, †mâðm-gestreóna. Mod Þryðo wäg, †fremu folces cwên, firen ondrysne: nænig þät dorste deór genêðan 1935swæsra gesîða, nefne sin-freá, †þät hire an däges eágum starede; ac him wäl-bende weotode tealde, hand-gewriðene: hraðe seoððan wäs äfter mund-gripe mêce geþinged, 1940þät hit sceaðen-mæl scyran môste, cwealm-bealu cýðan. Ne bið swylc cwênlîc þeáw idese tô efnanne, þeáh þe hió ænlîcu sý, †þätte freoðu-webbe feores onsäce äfter lîge-torne leófne mannan. 1945Hûru þät onhôhsnode Heminges mæg; ealo drincende ôðer sædan, þät hió leód-bealewa läs gefremede, inwit-nîða, syððan ærest wearð gyfen gold-hroden geongum cempan, 1950äðelum dióre, syððan hió Offan flet ofer fealone flôd be fäder lâre sîðe gesôhte, þær hió syððan wel in gum-stôle, gôde mære, lîf-gesceafta lifigende breác, 1955hióld heáh-lufan wið häleða brego, ealles mon-cynnes mîne gefræge þone sêlestan bî sæm tweónum eormen-cynnes; forþam Offa wäs geofum and gûðum gâr-cêne man, 1960wîde geweorðod; wîsdôme heóld êðel sînne, þonon Eómær wôc häleðum tô helpe, Heminges mæg, nefa Gârmundes, nîða cräftig. XXIX. HIS ARRIVAL. HYGELAC'S RECEPTION. Gewât him þâ se hearda mid his hond-scole 1965sylf äfter sande sæ-wong tredan, †wîde waroðas. Woruld-candel scân, sigel sûðan fûs: hî sîð drugon, elne geeodon, tô þäs þe eorla hleó, †bonan Ongenþeówes burgum on innan, 1970geongne gûð-cyning gôdne gefrunon hringas dælan. Higelâce wäs sîð Beówulfes snûde gecýðed, þät þær on worðig wîgendra hleó, lind-gestealla lifigende cwom, 1975heaðo-lâces hâl tô hofe gongan. Hraðe wäs gerýmed, swâ se rîca bebeád, fêðe-gestum flet innan-weard. Gesät þâ wið sylfne, se þâ säcce genäs, mæg wið mæge, syððan man-dryhten 1980þurh hleóðor-cwyde holdne gegrêtte †meaglum wordum. Meodu-scencum †hwearf geond þät reced Häreðes dôhtor: lufode þâ leóde, lîð-wæge bär †hælum tô handa. Higelâc ongan †1985sînne geseldan in sele þam heán fägre fricgean, hyne fyrwet bräc, hwylce Sæ-Geáta sîðas wæron: "Hû lomp eów on lâde, leófa Biówulf, "þâ þu færinga feorr gehogodest, 1990"säcce sêcean ofer sealt wäter, "hilde tô Hiorote? Ac þu Hrôðgâre "wîd-cûðne weán wihte gebêttest, "mærum þeódne? Ic þäs môd-ceare †"sorh-wylmum seáð, sîðe ne trûwode 1995"leófes mannes; ic þe lange bäd, "þät þu þone wäl-gæst wihte ne grêtte, "lête Sûð-Dene sylfe geweorðan "gûðe wið Grendel. Gode ic þanc secge, "þäs þe ic þe gesundne geseón môste." 2000Biówulf maðelode, bearn Ecgþiówes: "Þät is undyrne, dryhten Higelâc, "mære gemêting monegum fira, "hwylc orleg-hwîl uncer Grendles "wearð on þam wange, þær he worna fela 2005"Sige-Scildingum sorge gefremede, "yrmðe tô aldre; ic þät eal gewräc, "swâ ne gylpan þearf Grendeles mâga "ænig ofer eorðan uht-hlem þone, "se þe lengest leofað lâðan cynnes, †2010"fenne bifongen. Ic þær furðum cwom, "tô þam hring-sele Hrôðgâr grêtan: "sôna me se mæra mago Healfdenes, "syððan he môd-sefan mînne cûðe, "wið his sylfes sunu setl getæhte. 2015"Weorod wäs on wynne; ne seah ic wîdan feorh "under heofenes hwealf heal-sittendra "medu-dreám mâran. Hwîlum mæru cwên, "friðu-sibb folca flet eall geond-hwearf, "bædde byre geonge; oft hió beáh-wriðan 2020"secge sealde, ær hió tô setle geóng. "Hwîlum for duguðe dôhtor Hrôðgâres †"eorlum on ende ealu-wæge bär, "þâ ic Freáware flet-sittende "nemnan hýrde, þær hió nägled sinc †2025"häleðum sealde: sió gehâten wäs, "geong gold-hroden, gladum suna Frôdan; †"hafað þäs geworden wine Scyldinga "rîces hyrde and þät ræd talað, "þät he mid þý wîfe wäl-fæhða dæl, †2030"säcca gesette. Oft nô seldan hwær "äfter leód-hryre lytle hwîle "bon-gâr bûgeð, þeáh seó brýd duge! XXX. BEÓWULF'S STORY OF THE SLAYINGS. "Mäg þäs þonne ofþyncan þeóden Heaðobeardna "and þegna gehwâm þâra leóda, 2035"þonne he mid fæmnan on flett gæð, †"dryht-bearn Dena duguða biwenede: "on him gladiað gomelra lâfe "heard and hring-mæl, Heaðobeardna gestreón, "þenden hie þâm wæpnum wealdan môston, 2040"ôð þät hie forlæddan tô þam lind-plegan "swæse gesîðas ond hyra sylfra feorh. †"Þonne cwið ät beóre, se þe beáh gesyhð, "eald äsc-wîga, se þe eall geman "gâr-cwealm gumena (him bið grim sefa), 2045"onginneð geômor-môd geongne cempan "þurh hreðra gehygd higes cunnian, "wîg-bealu weccean and þät word âcwyð: "'Meaht þu, mîn wine, mêce gecnâwan, "'þone þin fäder tô gefeohte bär 2050"'under here-grîman hindeman sîðe, "'dýre îren, þær hyne Dene slôgon, "'weóldon wäl-stôwe, syððan wiðer-gyld läg, "'äfter häleða hryre, hwate Scyldungas? "'Nu her þâra banena byre nât-hwylces, 2055"'frätwum hrêmig on flet gæð, "'morðres gylpeð and þone mâððum byreð, "'þone þe þu mid rihte rædan sceoldest!'" "Manað swâ and myndgað mæla gehwylce "sârum wordum, ôð þät sæl cymeð, 2060"þät se fæmnan þegn fore fäder dædum "äfter billes bite blôd-fâg swefeð, "ealdres scyldig; him se ôðer þonan †"losað lifigende, con him land geare. "Þonne bióð brocene on bâ healfe 2065"âð-sweord eorla; syððan Ingelde "weallað wäl-nîðas and him wîf-lufan "äfter cear-wälmum côlran weorðað. †"Þý ic Heaðobeardna hyldo ne telge, "dryht-sibbe dæl Denum unfæcne, 2070"freónd-scipe fästne. Ic sceal forð sprecan "gen ymbe Grendel, þät þu geare cunne, "sinces brytta, tô hwan syððan wearð "hond-ræs häleða. Syððan heofones gim "glâd ofer grundas, gäst yrre cwom, 2075"eatol æfen-grom, ûser neósan, "þær we gesunde säl weardodon; "þær wäs Hondsció hild onsæge, "feorh-bealu fægum, he fyrmest läg, "gyrded cempa; him Grendel wearð, 2080"mærum magu-þegne tô mûð-bonan, "leófes mannes lîc eall forswealg. "Nô þý ær ût þâ gen îdel-hende "bona blôdig-tôð bealewa gemyndig, "of þam gold-sele gongan wolde, 2085"ac he mägnes rôf mîn costode, "grâpode gearo-folm. Glôf hangode "sîd and syllîc searo-bendum fäst, "sió wäs orþoncum eall gegyrwed "deófles cräftum and dracan fellum: 2090"he mec þær on innan unsynnigne, "diór dæd-fruma, gedôn wolde, "manigra sumne: hyt ne mihte swâ, "syððan ic on yrre upp-riht âstôd. "Tô lang ys tô reccenne, hû ic þam leód-sceaðan †2095"yfla gehwylces ond-leán forgeald; "þær ic, þeóden mîn, þîne leóde "weorðode weorcum. He on weg losade, "lytle hwîle lîf-wynna breác; "hwäðre him sió swîðre swaðe weardade 2100"hand on Hiorte and he heán þonan, "môdes geômor mere-grund gefeóll. "Me þone wäl-ræs wine Scildunga "fättan golde fela leánode, "manegum mâðmum, syððan mergen com 2105"and we tô symble geseten häfdon. "Þær wäs gidd and gleó; gomela Scilding "fela fricgende feorran rehte; "hwîlum hilde-deór hearpan wynne, "gomen-wudu grêtte; hwîlum gyd âwräc 2110"sôð and sârlîc; hwîlum syllîc spell "rehte äfter rihte rûm-heort cyning. "Hwîlum eft ongan eldo gebunden, "gomel gûð-wîga gioguðe cwîðan "hilde-strengo; hreðer inne weóll, †2115"þonne he wintrum frôd worn gemunde. "Swâ we þær inne andlangne däg "nióde nâman, ôð þät niht becwom "ôðer tô yldum. Þâ wäs eft hraðe "gearo gyrn-wräce Grendeles môdor, 2120"sîðode sorh-full; sunu deáð fornam, "wîg-hete Wedra. Wîf unhýre "hyre bearn gewräc, beorn âcwealde "ellenlîce; þær wäs Äsc-here, "frôdan fyrn-witan, feorh ûðgenge; 2125"nôðer hy hine ne môston, syððan mergen cwom, "deáð-wêrigne Denia leóde "bronde forbärnan, ne on bæl hladan †"leófne mannan: hió þät lîc ätbär †"feóndes fäðmum under firgen-streám. 2130"Þät wäs Hrôðgâre hreówa tornost "þâra þe leód-fruman lange begeâte; †"þâ se þeóden mec þîne lîfe "healsode hreóh-môd, þät ic on holma geþring "eorl-scipe efnde, ealdre genêðde, 2135"mærðo fremede: he me mêde gehêt. "Ic þâ þäs wälmes, þe is wîde cûð, "grimne gryrelîcne grund-hyrde fond. "Þær unc hwîle wäs hand gemæne; "holm heolfre weóll and ic heáfde becearf 2140"in þam grund-sele Grendeles môdor "eácnum ecgum, unsôfte þonan "feorh ôðferede; näs ic fæge þâ gyt, "ac me eorla hleó eft gesealde "mâðma menigeo, maga Healfdenes. XXXI. HE GIVES PRESENTS TO HYGELAC. HYGELAC REWARDS HIM. HYGELAC'S DEATH. BEÓWULF REIGNS. 2145"Swâ se þeód-kyning þeáwum lyfde; "nealles ic þâm leánum forloren häfde, "mägnes mêde, ac he me mâðmas geaf, "sunu Healfdenes, on sînne sylfes dôm; "þâ ic þe, beorn-cyning, bringan wylle, †2150"êstum geýwan. Gen is eall ät þe †"lissa gelong: ic lyt hafo "heáfod-mâga, nefne Hygelâc þec!" †Hêt þâ in beran eafor, heáfod-segn, heaðo-steápne helm, hâre byrnan, 2155gûð-sweord geatolîc, gyd äfter wräc: "Me þis hilde-sceorp Hrôðgâr sealde, †"snotra fengel, sume worde hêt, †"þät ic his ærest þe eft gesägde, "cwäð þät hyt häfde Hiorogâr cyning, 2160"leód Scyldunga lange hwîle: "nô þý ær suna sînum syllan wolde, "hwatum Heorowearde, þeáh he him hold wære, "breóst-gewædu. Brûc ealles well!" Hýrde ic þät þâm frätwum feówer mearas 2165lungre gelîce lâst weardode, äppel-fealuwe; he him êst geteáh meara and mâðma. Swâ sceal mæg dôn, nealles inwit-net ôðrum bregdan, dyrnum cräfte deáð rênian 2170hond-gesteallan. Hygelâce wäs, nîða heardum, nefa swýðe hold and gehwäðer ôðrum hrôðra gemyndig. Hýrde ic þät he þone heals-beáh Hygde gesealde, wrätlîcne wundur-mâððum, þone þe him Wealhþeó geaf, 2175þeódnes dôhtor, þrió wicg somod swancor and sadol-beorht; hyre syððan wäs äfter beáh-þege breóst geweorðod. Swâ bealdode bearn Ecgþeówes, guma gûðum cûð, gôdum dædum, 2180dreáh äfter dôme, nealles druncne slôg heorð-geneátas; näs him hreóh sefa, ac he man-cynnes mæste cräfte gin-fästan gife, þe him god sealde, heóld hilde-deór. Heán wäs lange, 2185swâ hyne Geáta bearn gôdne ne tealdon, ne hyne on medo-bence micles wyrðne drihten wereda gedôn wolde; †swýðe oft sägdon, þät he sleac wære, äðeling unfrom: edwenden cwom 2190tîr-eádigum menn torna gehwylces. Hêt þâ eorla hleó in gefetian, heaðo-rôf cyning, Hrêðles lâfe, golde gegyrede; näs mid Geátum þâ sinc-mâððum sêlra on sweordes hâd; 2195þät he on Biówulfes bearm âlegde, †and him gesealde seofan þûsendo, bold and brego-stôl. Him wäs bâm samod on þam leód-scipe lond gecynde, eard êðel-riht, ôðrum swîðor 2200sîde rîce, þam þær sêlra wäs. Eft þät geiode ufaran dôgrum hilde-hlämmum, syððan Hygelâc läg and Heardrêde hilde-mêceas under bord-hreóðan tô bonan wurdon, 2205þâ hyne gesôhtan on sige-þeóde hearde hilde-frecan, Heaðo-Scilfingas, nîða genægdan nefan Hererîces. Syððan Beówulfe brâde rîce on hand gehwearf: he geheóld tela †2210fîftig wintru (wäs þâ frôd cyning, †eald êðel-weard), ôð þät ân ongan deorcum nihtum draca rîcsian, †se þe on heáre hæðe hord beweotode, stân-beorh steápne: stîg under läg, †2215eldum uncûð. Þær on innan gióng †niða nât-hwylces neóde gefêng hæðnum horde hond . d . . geþ . . hwylc since fâhne, he þät syððan . . . . . . . . þ . . . lð . þ . . l . g 2220slæpende be fýre, fyrena hyrde þeófes cräfte, þät sie . . . . ðioð . . . . . . idh . folc-beorn, þät he gebolgen wäs. XXXII. THE FIRE-DRAKE. THE HOARD. †Nealles mid geweoldum wyrm-horda . . . cräft †sôhte sylfes willum, se þe him sâre gesceôd, †2225ac for þreá-nêdlan þeów nât-hwylces häleða bearna hete-swengeas fleáh, †for ofer-þearfe and þær inne fealh secg syn-bysig. Sôna in þâ tîde †þät . . . . . þam gyste . . . . br . g . stôd, 2230hwäðre earm-sceapen . . . . . . . . . ð . . . sceapen o . . . . i r . . e se fæs begeat, †sinc-fät geseah: þær wäs swylcra fela †in þam eorð-scräfe ær-gestreóna, swâ hy on geâr-dagum gumena nât-hwylc 2235eormen-lâfe äðelan cynnes þanc-hycgende þær gehýdde, deóre mâðmas. Ealle hie deáð fornam ærran mælum, and se ân þâ gen leóda duguðe, se þær lengest hwearf, 2240weard wine-geômor wîscte þäs yldan, †þät he lytel fäc long-gestreóna brûcan môste. Beorh eal gearo wunode on wonge wäter-ýðum neáh, niwe be nässe nearo-cräftum fäst: 2245þær on innan bär eorl-gestreóna †hringa hyrde hard-fyrdne dæl †fättan goldes, feá worda cwäð: "Heald þu nu, hruse, nu häleð ne môston, "eorla æhte. Hwät! hit ær on þe 2250"gôde begeâton; gûð-deáð fornam, "feorh-bealo frêcne fyra gehwylcne, "leóda mînra, þâra þe þis lîf ofgeaf, "gesâwon sele-dreám. Nâh hwâ sweord wege †"oððe fetige fäted wæge, 2255"drync-fät deóre: duguð ellor scôc. "Sceal se hearda helm hyrsted golde "fätum befeallen: feormiend swefað, "þâ þe beado-grîman býwan sceoldon, "ge swylce seó here-pâd, sió ät hilde gebâd 2260"ofer borda gebräc bite îrena, †"brosnað äfter beorne. Ne mäg byrnan hring "äfter wîg-fruman wîde fêran †"häleðum be healfe; näs hearpan wyn, †"gomen gleó-beámes, ne gôd hafoc 2265"geond säl swingeð, ne se swifta mearh "burh-stede beáteð. Bealo-cwealm hafað "fela feorh-cynna feorr onsended!" Swâ giômor-môd giohðo mænde, ân äfter eallum unblîðe hweóp, 2270däges and nihtes, ôð þät deáðes wylm hrân ät heortan. Hord-wynne fond eald uht-sceaða opene standan, se þe byrnende biorgas sêceð nacod nîð-draca, nihtes fleógeð 2275fýre befangen; hyne fold-bûend †wîde gesâwon. He gewunian sceall †hlâw under hrusan, þær he hæðen gold warað wintrum frôd; ne byð him wihte þê sêl. Swâ se þeód-sceaða þreó hund wintra 2280heóld on hrusan hord-ärna sum eácen-cräftig, ôð þät hyne ân âbealh mon on môde: man-dryhtne bär fäted wæge, frioðo-wære bäd hlâford sînne. Þâ wäs hord râsod, †2285onboren beága hord, bêne getîðad feá-sceaftum men. Freá sceáwode fira fyrn-geweorc forman sîðe. Þâ se wyrm onwôc, wrôht wäs geniwad; stonc þâ äfter stâne, stearc-heort onfand 2290feóndes fôt-lâst; he tô forð gestôp, dyrnan cräfte, dracan heáfde neáh. Swâ mäg unfæge eáðe gedîgan weán and wräc-sîð, se þe waldendes hyldo gehealdeð. Hord-weard sôhte 2295georne äfter grunde, wolde guman findan, þone þe him on sweofote sâre geteóde: hât and hreóh-môd hlæw oft ymbe hwearf, ealne ûtan-weardne; ne þær ænig mon †wäs on þære wêstenne. Hwäðre hilde gefeh, 2300beado-weorces: hwîlum on beorh äthwearf, sinc-fät sôhte; he þät sôna onfand, þät häfde gumena sum goldes gefandod heáh-gestreóna. Hord-weard onbâd earfoðlîce, ôð þät æfen cwom; 2305wäs þâ gebolgen beorges hyrde, wolde se lâða lîge forgyldan drinc-fät dýre. Þâ wäs däg sceacen wyrme on willan, nô on wealle leng bîdan wolde, ac mid bæle fôr, 2310fýre gefýsed. Wäs se fruma egeslîc leódum on lande, swâ hyt lungre wearð on hyra sinc-gifan sâre geendod. XXXIII. BEOWULF RESOLVES TO KILL THE FIRE-DRAKE. Þâ se gäst ongan glêdum spîwan, beorht hofu bärnan; bryne-leóma stôd 2315eldum on andan; nô þær âht cwices lâð lyft-floga læfan wolde. Wäs þäs wyrmes wîg wîde gesýne, nearo-fâges nîð neán and feorran, hû se gûð-sceaða Geáta leóde 2320hatode and hýnde: hord eft gesceát, dryht-sele dyrnne ær däges hwîle. Häfde land-wara lîge befangen, bæle and bronde; beorges getrûwode, wîges and wealles: him seó wên geleáh. 2325Þâ wäs Biówulfe brôga gecýðed †snûde tô sôðe, þät his sylfes him bolda sêlest bryne-wylmum mealt, gif-stôl Geáta. Þät þam gôdan wäs hreów on hreðre, hyge-sorga mæst: 2330wênde se wîsa, þät he wealdende, ofer ealde riht, êcean dryhtne bitre gebulge: breóst innan weóll þeóstrum geþoncum, swâ him geþýwe ne wäs. Häfde lîg-draca leóda fästen, †2335eá-lond ûtan, eorð-weard þone glêdum forgrunden. Him þäs gûð-cyning, Wedera þióden, wräce leornode. Hêht him þâ gewyrcean wîgendra hleó eall-îrenne, eorla dryhten 2340wîg-bord wrätlîc; wisse he gearwe, þät him holt-wudu helpan ne meahte, lind wið lîge. Sceolde læn-daga äðeling ær-gôd ende gebîdan worulde lîfes and se wyrm somod; 2345þeáh þe hord-welan heólde lange. †Oferhogode þâ hringa fengel, þät he þone wîd-flogan weorode gesôhte, sîdan herge; nô he him þâ säcce ondrêd, ne him þäs wyrmes wîg for wiht dyde, 2350eafoð and ellen; forþon he ær fela nearo nêðende nîða gedîgde, hilde-hlemma, syððan he Hrôðgâres, sigor-eádig secg, sele fælsode and ät gûðe forgrâp Grendeles mægum, †2355lâðan cynnes. Nô þät läsest wäs hond-gemota, þær mon Hygelâc slôh, syððan Geáta cyning gûðe ræsum, freá-wine folces Freslondum on, Hrêðles eafora hioro-dryncum swealt, †2360bille gebeáten; þonan Biówulf com sylfes cräfte, sund-nytte dreáh; †† häfde him on earme ... XXX hilde-geatwa, þâ he tô holme stâg. †Nealles Hetware hrêmge þorfton 2365fêðe-wîges, þe him foran ongeán linde bæron: lyt eft becwom fram þam hild-frecan hâmes niósan. †Oferswam þâ sióleða bigong sunu Ecgþeówes, earm ân-haga eft tô leódum, 2370þær him Hygd gebeád hord and rîce, beágas and brego-stôl: bearne ne trûwode, þät he wið äl-fylcum êðel-stôlas healdan cûðe, þâ wäs Hygelâc deád. Nô þý ær feá-sceafte findan meahton 2375ät þam äðelinge ænige þinga, þät he Heardrêde hlâford wære, oððe þone cyne-dôm ciósan wolde; hwäðre he him on folce freónd-lârum heóld, êstum mid âre, ôð þät he yldra wearð, †2380Weder-Geátum weóld. Hyne wräc-mäcgas ofer sæ sôhtan, suna Ôhteres: häfdon hy forhealden helm Scylfinga, þone sêlestan sæ-cyninga, †þâra þe in Swió-rîce sinc brytnade, 2385mærne þeóden. Him þät tô mearce wearð; †he þær orfeorme feorh-wunde hleát sweordes swengum, sunu Hygelâces; and him eft gewât Ongenþiówes bearn hâmes niósan, syððan Heardrêd läg; 2390lêt þone brego-stôl Biówulf healdan, †Geátum wealdan: þät wäs gôd cyning. XXXIV. RETROSPECT OF BEÓWULF.—STRIFE BETWEEN SWEONAS AND GEATAS. Se þäs leód-hryres leán gemunde uferan dôgrum, Eádgilse wearð †feá-sceaftum feónd. Folce gestepte †2395ofer sæ sîde sunu Ôhteres wîgum and wæpnum: he gewräc syððan cealdum cear-sîðum, cyning ealdre bineát. Swâ he nîða gehwane genesen häfde, slîðra geslyhta, sunu Ecgþiówes, 2400ellen-weorca, ôð þone ânne däg, þe he wið þam wyrme gewegan sceolde. †Gewât þâ twelfa sum torne gebolgen dryhten Geáta dracan sceáwian; häfde þâ gefrunen, hwanan sió fæhð ârâs, 2405bealo-nîð biorna; him tô bearme cwom mâððum-fät mære þurh þäs meldan hond, Se wäs on þam þreáte þreotteoða secg, se þäs orleges ôr onstealde, häft hyge-giômor, sceolde heán þonon 2410wong wîsian: he ofer willan gióng tô þäs þe he eorð-sele ânne wisse, hlæw under hrusan holm-wylme nêh, ýð-gewinne, se wäs innan full wrätta and wîra: weard unhióre, 2415gearo gûð-freca, gold-mâðmas heóld, eald under eorðan; näs þät ýðe ceáp, tô gegangenne gumena ænigum. Gesät þâ on nässe nîð-heard cyning, þenden hælo âbeád heorð-geneátum 2420gold-wine Geáta: him wäs geômor sefa, wäfre and wäl-fûs, Wyrd ungemete neáh, se þone gomelan grêtan sceolde, sêcean sâwle hord, sundur gedælan lîf wið lîce: nô þon lange wäs 2425feorh äðelinges flæsce bewunden. Biówulf maðelade, bearn Ecgþeówes: "Fela ic on giogoðe guð-ræsa genäs, "orleg-hwîla: ic þät eall gemon. "Ic wäs syfan-wintre, þâ mec sinca baldor, 2430"freá-wine folca ät mînum fäder genam, "heóld mec and häfde Hrêðel cyning, "geaf me sinc and symbel, sibbe gemunde; "näs ic him tô lîfe lâðra ôwihte "beorn in burgum, þonne his bearna hwylc, 2435"Herebeald and Hæðcyn, oððe Hygelâc mîn. "Wäs þam yldestan ungedêfelîce †"mæges dædum morðor-bed strêd, "syððan hyne Hæðcyn of horn-bogan, †"his freá-wine flâne geswencte, 2440"miste mercelses and his mæg ofscêt, "brôðor ôðerne, blôdigan gâre: †"þät wäs feoh-leás gefeoht, fyrenum gesyngad "hreðre hyge-mêðe; sceolde hwäðre swâ þeáh "äðeling unwrecen ealdres linnan. †2445"Swâ bið geômorlîc gomelum ceorle "tô gebîdanne, þät his byre rîde †"giong on galgan, þonne he gyd wrece, "sârigne sang, þonne his sunu hangað †"hrefne tô hrôðre and he him helpe ne mäg, 2450"eald and in-frôd, ænige gefremman. "Symble bið gemyndgad morna gehwylce "eaforan ellor-sîð; ôðres ne gýmeð "tô gebîdanne burgum on innan †"yrfe-weardes, þonne se ân hafað 2455"þurh deáðes nýd dæda gefondad. "Gesyhð sorh-cearig on his suna bûre "wîn-sele wêstne, wind-gereste, †"reóte berofene; rîdend swefað "häleð in hoðman; nis þær hearpan swêg, 2460"gomen in geardum, swylce þær iú wæron. XXXV. MEMORIES OF PAST TIME.—THE FEUD WITH THE FIRE-DRAKE. "Gewîteð þonne on sealman, sorh-leóð gäleð "ân äfter ânum: þûhte him eall tô rûm, "wongas and wîc-stede. Swâ Wedra helm "äfter Herebealde heortan sorge 2465"weallende wäg, wihte ne meahte "on þam feorh-bonan fæhðe gebêtan: "nô þý ær he þone heaðo-rinc hatian ne meahte "lâðum dædum, þeáh him leóf ne wäs. "He þâ mid þære sorge, þe him sió sâr belamp, 2470"gum-dreám ofgeaf, godes leóht geceás; "eaferum læfde, swâ dêð eádig mon, "lond and leód-byrig, þâ he of lîfe gewât. "Þâ wäs synn and sacu Sweona and Geáta, †"ofer wîd wäter wrôht gemæne, 2475"here-nîð hearda, syððan Hrêðel swealt, "oððe him Ongenþeówes eaferan wæran †"frome fyrd-hwate, freóde ne woldon "ofer heafo healdan, ac ymb Hreosna-beorh "eatolne inwit-scear oft gefremedon. 2480"Þät mæg-wine mîne gewræcan, "fæhðe and fyrene, swâ hyt gefræge wäs, "þeáh þe ôðer hit ealdre gebohte, "heardan ceápe: Hæðcynne wearð, "Geáta dryhtne, gûð onsæge. 2485"Þâ ic on morgne gefrägn mæg ôðerne "billes ecgum on bonan stælan, "þær Ongenþeów Eofores niósade: "gûð-helm tôglâd, gomela Scylfing †"hreás heoro-blâc; hond gemunde 2490"fæhðo genôge, feorh-sweng ne ofteáh. "Ic him þâ mâðmas, þe he me sealde, "geald ät gûðe, swâ me gifeðe wäs, "leóhtan sweorde: he me lond forgeaf, †"eard êðel-wyn. Näs him ænig þearf, 2495"þät he tô Gifðum oððe tô Gâr-Denum "oððe in Swió-rîce sêcean þurfe "wyrsan wîg-frecan, weorðe gecýpan; "symle ic him on fêðan beforan wolde, "âna on orde, and swâ tô aldre sceall 2500"säcce fremman, þenden þis sweord þolað, "þät mec ær and sîð oft gelæste, †"syððan ic for dugeðum Däghrefne wearð "tô hand-bonan, Hûga cempan: "nalles he þâ frätwe Fres-cyninge, 2505"breóst-weorðunge bringan môste, "ac in campe gecrong cumbles hyrde, "äðeling on elne. Ne wäs ecg bona, "ac him hilde-grâp heortan wylmas, "bân-hûs gebräc. Nu sceall billes ecg, 2510"hond and heard sweord ymb hord wîgan." Beówulf maðelode, beót-wordum spräc niéhstan sîðe: "Ic genêðde fela "gûða on geogoðe; gyt ic wylle, "frôd folces weard, fæhðe sêcan, 2515"mærðum fremman, gif mec se mân-sceaða "of eorð-sele ût gesêceð!" Gegrêtte þâ gumena gehwylcne, hwate helm-berend hindeman sîðe, swæse gesîðas: "Nolde ic sweord beran, 2520"wæpen tô wyrme, gif ic wiste hû "wið þam aglæcean elles meahte "gylpe wiðgrîpan, swâ ic gió wið Grendle dyde; "ac ic þær heaðu-fýres hâtes wêne, †"rêðes and-hâttres: forþon ic me on hafu 2525"bord and byrnan. Nelle ic beorges weard †"oferfleón fôtes trem, feónd unhýre, "ac unc sceal weorðan ät wealle, swâ unc Wyrd geteóð, "metod manna gehwäs. Ic eom on môde from, "þät ic wið þone gûð-flogan gylp ofersitte. 2530"Gebîde ge on beorge byrnum werede, "secgas on searwum, hwäðer sêl mæge "äfter wäl-ræse wunde gedýgan "uncer twega. Nis þät eówer sîð, "ne gemet mannes, nefne mîn ânes, 2535"þät he wið aglæcean eofoðo dæle, "eorl-scype efne. Ic mid elne sceall "gold gegangan oððe gûð nimeð, "feorh-bealu frêcne, freán eówerne!" Ârâs þâ bî ronde rôf oretta, 2540heard under helm, hioro-sercean bär under stân-cleofu, strengo getrûwode ânes mannes: ne bið swylc earges sîð. Geseah þâ be wealle, se þe worna fela, gum-cystum gôd, gûða gedîgde, 2545hilde-hlemma, þonne hnitan fêðan, †(stôd on stân-bogan) streám ût þonan brecan of beorge; wäs þære burnan wälm heaðo-fýrum hât: ne meahte horde neáh unbyrnende ænige hwîle †2550deóp gedýgan for dracan lêge. Lêt þâ of breóstum, þâ he gebolgen wäs, Weder-Geáta leód word ût faran, stearc-heort styrmde; stefn in becom heaðo-torht hlynnan under hârne stân. 2555Hete wäs onhrêred, hord-weard oncniów mannes reorde; näs þær mâra fyrst, freóde tô friclan. From ærest cwom oruð aglæcean ût of stâne, hât hilde-swât; hruse dynede. 2560Biorn under beorge bord-rand onswâf wið þam gryre-gieste, Geáta dryhten: þâ wäs hring-bogan heorte gefýsed säcce tô sêceanne. Sweord ær gebräd gôd gûð-cyning gomele lâfe, †2565ecgum ungleáw, æghwäðrum wäs bealo-hycgendra brôga fram ôðrum. Stîð-môd gestôd wið steápne rond winia bealdor, þâ se wyrm gebeáh snûde tôsomne: he on searwum bâd. †2570Gewât þâ byrnende gebogen scrîðan tô, gescîfe scyndan. Scyld wel gebearg lîfe and lîce lässan hwîle mærum þeódne, þonne his myne sôhte, þær he þý fyrste forman dôgore 2575wealdan môste, swâ him Wyrd ne gescrâf hrêð ät hilde. Hond up âbräd Geáta dryhten, gryre-fâhne slôh incge lâfe, þät sió ecg gewâc brûn on bâne, bât unswîðor, 2580þonne his þiód-cyning þearfe häfde, bysigum gebæded. Þâ wäs beorges weard äfter heaðu-swenge on hreóum môde, wearp wäl-fýre, wîde sprungon hilde-leóman: hrêð-sigora ne gealp 2585gold-wine Geáta, gûð-bill geswâc nacod ät nîðe, swâ hyt nô sceolde, îren ær-gôd. Ne wäs þät êðe sîð, þät se mæra maga Ecgþeówes †grund-wong þone ofgyfan wolde; 2590sceolde wyrmes willan wîc eardian elles hwergen, swâ sceal æghwylc mon âlætan læn-dagas. Näs þâ long tô þon, þät þâ aglæcean hy eft gemêtton. Hyrte hyne hord-weard, hreðer æðme weóll, †2595niwan stefne: nearo þrowode fýre befongen se þe ær folce weóld. Nealles him on heápe hand-gesteallan, äðelinga bearn ymbe gestôdon hilde-cystum, ac hy on holt bugon, 2600ealdre burgan. Hiora in ânum weóll sefa wið sorgum: sibb æfre ne mäg wiht onwendan, þam þe wel þenceð. XXXVI. WIGLAF HELPS BEÓWULF IN THE FEUD Wîglâf wäs hâten Weoxstânes sunu, †leóflîc lind-wiga, leód Scylfinga, 2605mæg Älfheres: geseah his mon-dryhten under here-grîman hât þrowian. †Gemunde þâ þâ âre, þe he him ær forgeaf wîc-stede weligne Wægmundinga, †folc-rihta gehwylc, swâ his fäder âhte; 2610ne mihte þâ forhabban, hond rond gefêng, geolwe linde, gomel swyrd geteáh, þät wäs mid eldum Eánmundes lâf, suna Ôhteres, þam ät säcce wearð †wracu wine-leásum Weohstânes bana 2615mêces ecgum, and his mâgum ätbär brûn-fâgne helm, hringde byrnan, eald sweord eotonisc, þät him Onela forgeaf, his gädelinges gûð-gewædu, fyrd-searo fûslîc: nô ymbe þâ fæhðe spräc, 2620þeáh þe he his brôðor bearn âbredwade. He frätwe geheóld fela missera, bill and byrnan, ôð þät his byre mihte eorl-scipe efnan, swâ his ær-fäder; geaf him þâ mid Geátum gûð-gewæda 2625æghwäs unrîm; þâ he of ealdre gewât, frôd on forð-weg. Þâ wäs forma sîð geongan cempan, þät he gûðe ræs mid his freó-dryhtne fremman sceolde; ne gemealt him se môd-sefa, ne his mæges lâf 2630gewâc ät wîge: þät se wyrm onfand, syððan hie tôgädre gegân häfdon. Wîglâf maðelode word-rihta fela, sägde gesîðum, him wäs sefa geômor: "Ic þät mæl geman, þær we medu þêgun, †2635"þonne we gehêton ûssum hlâforde "in biór-sele, þe ûs þâs beágas geaf, "þät we him þâ gûð-geatwa gyldan woldon, "gif him þyslîcu þearf gelumpe, "helmas and heard sweord: þê he ûsic on herge geceás 2640"tô þyssum sîð-fate sylfes willum, "onmunde ûsic mærða and me þâs mâðmas geaf, "þê he ûsic gâr-wîgend gôde tealde, "hwate helm-berend, þeáh þe hlâford ûs "þis ellen-weorc âna âþôhte 2645"tô gefremmanne, folces hyrde, "forþam he manna mæst mærða gefremede, "dæda dollîcra. Nu is se däg cumen, "þät ûre man-dryhten mägenes behôfað †"gôdra gûð-rinca: wutun gangan tô, †2650"helpan hild-fruman, þenden hyt sý, "glêd-egesa grim! God wât on mec, "þät me is micle leófre, þät mînne lîc-haman "mid mînne gold-gyfan glêd fäðmie. "Ne þynceð me gerysne, þät we rondas beren 2655"eft tô earde, nemne we æror mægen †"fâne gefyllan, feorh ealgian "Wedra þiódnes. Ic wât geare, "þät næron eald-gewyrht, þät he âna scyle "Geáta duguðe gnorn þrowian, †2660"gesîgan ät säcce: sceal ûrum þät sweord and helm, "byrne and byrdu-scrûd bâm gemæne." Wôd þâ þurh þone wäl-rêc, wîg-heafolan bär freán on fultum, feá worda cwäð: "Leófa Biówulf, læst eall tela, 2665"swâ þu on geoguð-feore geâra gecwæde, †"þät þu ne âlæte be þe lifigendum "dôm gedreósan: scealt nu dædum rôf, "äðeling ân-hydig, ealle mägene "feorh ealgian; ic þe fullæstu!" 2670Äfter þâm wordum wyrm yrre cwom, atol inwit-gäst ôðre sîðe, fýr-wylmum fâh fiónda niósan, lâðra manna; lîg-ýðum forborn bord wið ronde: byrne ne meahte 2675geongum gâr-wigan geóce gefremman: ac se maga geonga under his mæges scyld elne geeode, þâ his âgen wäs glêdum forgrunden. Þâ gen gûð-cyning mærða gemunde, mägen-strengo, 2680slôh hilde-bille, þät hyt on heafolan stôd †nîðe genýded: Nägling forbärst, geswâc ät säcce sweord Biówulfes gomol and græg-mæl. Him þät gifeðe ne wäs, þät him îrenna ecge mihton 2685helpan ät hilde; wäs sió hond tô strong, se þe mêca gehwane mîne gefræge †swenge ofersôhte, þonne he tô säcce bär †wæpen wundrum heard, näs him wihte þê sêl. Þâ wäs þeód-sceaða þriddan sîðe, 2690frêcne fýr-draca fæhða gemyndig, ræsde on þone rôfan, þâ him rûm âgeald, hât and heaðo-grim, heals ealne ymbefêng biteran bânum; he geblôdegod wearð sâwul-drióre; swât ýðum weóll. XXXVII. BEÓWULF WOUNDED TO DEATH. 2695Þâ ic ät þearfe gefrägn þeód-cyninges and-longne eorl ellen cýðan, cräft and cênðu, swâ him gecynde wäs; †ne hêdde he þäs heafolan, ac sió hand gebarn môdiges mannes, þær he his mæges healp, †2700þät he þone nîð-gäst nioðor hwêne slôh, secg on searwum, þät þät sweord gedeáf †fâh and fäted, þät þät fýr ongon sweðrian syððan. Þâ gen sylf cyning †geweóld his gewitte, wäll-seaxe gebräd, 2705biter and beadu-scearp, þät he on byrnan wäg: forwrât Wedra helm wyrm on middan. †Feónd gefyldan (ferh ellen wräc), and hi hyne þâ begen âbroten häfdon, sib-äðelingas: swylc sceolde secg wesan, 2710þegn ät þearfe. Þät þam þeódne wäs sîðast sîge-hwîle sylfes dædum, worlde geweorces. Þâ sió wund ongon, þe him se eorð-draca ær geworhte, swêlan and swellan. He þät sôna onfand, 2715þät him on breóstum bealo-nîð weóll, âttor on innan. Þâ se äðeling gióng, þät he bî wealle, wîs-hycgende, gesät on sesse; seah on enta geweorc, hû þâ stân-bogan stapulum fäste 2720êce eorð-reced innan heóldon. Hyne þâ mid handa heoro-dreórigne þeóden mærne þegn ungemete till, wine-dryhten his wätere gelafede, hilde-sädne and his helm onspeón. 2725Biówulf maðelode, he ofer benne spräc, wunde wäl-bleáte (wisse he gearwe, †þät he däg-hwîla gedrogen häfde eorðan wynne; þâ wäs eall sceacen dôgor-gerîmes, deáð ungemete neáh): 2730"Nu ic suna mînum syllan wolde "gûð-gewædu, þær me gifeðe swâ "ænig yrfe-weard äfter wurde, "lîce gelenge. Ic þâs leóde heóld "fîftig wintra: näs se folc-cyning 2735"ymbe-sittendra ænig þâra, "þe mec gûð-winum grêtan dorste, "egesan þeón. Ic on earde bâd "mæl-gesceafta, heóld mîn tela, "ne sôhte searo-nîðas, ne me swôr fela 2740"âða on unriht. Ic þäs ealles mäg, "feorh-bennum seóc, gefeán habban: "forþam me wîtan ne þearf waldend fira "morðor-bealo mâga, þonne mîn sceaceð "lîf of lîce. Nu þu lungre †2745"geong, hord sceáwian under hârne stân, "Wîglâf leófa, nu se wyrm ligeð, "swefeð sâre wund, since bereáfod. "Bió nu on ôfoste, þät ic ær-welan, "gold-æht ongite, gearo sceáwige †2750"swegle searo-gimmas, þät ic þý sêft mæge "äfter mâððum-welan mîn âlætan "lîf and leód-scipe, þone ic longe heóld." XXXVIII. THE JEWEL-HOARD. THE PASSING OF BEOWULF. Þâ ic snûde gefrägn sunu Wihstânes äfter word-cwydum wundum dryhtne 2755hýran heaðo-siócum, hring-net beran, brogdne beadu-sercean under beorges hrôf. Geseah þâ sige-hrêðig, þâ he bî sesse geóng, mago-þegn môdig mâððum-sigla fela, gold glitinian grunde getenge, 2760wundur on wealle and þäs wyrmes denn, ealdes uht-flogan, orcas stondan, fyrn-manna fatu feormend-leáse, hyrstum behrorene: þær wäs helm monig, eald and ômig, earm-beága fela, 2765searwum gesæled. Sinc eáðe mäg, gold on grunde, gumena cynnes †gehwone ofer-higian, hýde se þe wylle! Swylce he siomian geseah segn eall-gylden heáh ofer horde, hond-wundra mæst, †2770gelocen leoðo-cräftum: of þam leóma stôd, þät he þone grund-wong ongitan meahte, wräte giond-wlîtan. Näs þäs wyrmes þær onsýn ænig, ac hyne ecg fornam. Þâ ic on hlæwe gefrägn hord reáfian, 2775eald enta geweorc ânne mannan, him on bearm hladan bunan and discas sylfes dôme, segn eác genom, †beácna beorhtost; bill ær-gescôd (ecg wäs îren) eald-hlâfordes 2780þam þâra mâðma mund-bora wäs longe hwîle, lîg-egesan wäg hâtne for horde, hioro-weallende, middel-nihtum, ôð þät he morðre swealt. Âr wäs on ôfoste eft-sîðes georn, 2785frätwum gefyrðred: hyne fyrwet bräc, hwäðer collen-ferð cwicne gemêtte in þam wong-stede Wedra þeóden, ellen-siócne, þær he hine ær forlêt. He þâ mid þâm mâðmum mærne þióden, 2790dryhten sînne driórigne fand †ealdres ät ende: he hine eft ongon †wäteres weorpan, ôð þät wordes ord breóst-hord þurhbräc. Beówulf maðelode, gomel on giohðe (gold sceáwode): 2795"Ic þâra frätwa freán ealles þanc "wuldur-cyninge wordum secge, "êcum dryhtne, þe ic her on starie, "þäs þe ic môste mînum leódum "ær swylt-däge swylc gestrýnan. 2800"Nu ic on mâðma hord mîne bebohte "frôde feorh-lege, fremmað ge nu "leóda þearfe; ne mäg ic her leng wesan. "Hâtað heaðo-mære hlæw gewyrcean, "beorhtne äfter bæle ät brimes nosan; 2805"sê scel tô gemyndum mînum leódum †"heáh hlifian on Hrones nässe, "þät hit sæ-lîðend syððan hâtan "Biówulfes biorh, þâ þe brentingas "ofer flôda genipu feorran drîfað." 2810Dyde him of healse hring gyldenne þióden þrîst-hydig, þegne gesealde, geongum gâr-wigan, gold-fâhne helm, beáh and byrnan, hêt hyne brûcan well: "Þu eart ende-lâf ûsses cynnes, †2815"Wægmundinga; ealle Wyrd forsweóf, "mîne mâgas tô metod-sceafte, "eorlas on elne: ic him äfter sceal." †Þät wäs þam gomelan gingeste word breóst-gehygdum, ær he bæl cure, 2820hâte heaðo-wylmas: him of hreðre gewât sâwol sêcean sôð-fästra dôm. XXXIX. THE COWARD-THANES. Þâ wäs gegongen guman unfrôdum earfoðlîce, þät he on eorðan geseah þone leófestan lîfes ät ende 2825bleáte gebæran. Bona swylce läg, egeslîc eorð-draca, ealdre bereáfod, bealwe gebæded: beáh-hordum leng wyrm woh-bogen wealdan ne môste, ac him îrenna ecga fornâmon, 2830hearde heaðo-scearpe homera lâfe, þät se wîd-floga wundum stille hreás on hrusan hord-ärne neáh, nalles äfter lyfte lâcende hwearf middel-nihtum, mâðm-æhta wlonc 2835ansýn ýwde: ac he eorðan gefeóll for þäs hild-fruman hond-geweorce. †Hûru þät on lande lyt manna þâh mägen-âgendra mîne gefræge, þeáh þe he dæda gehwäs dyrstig wære, †2840þät he wið âttor-sceaðan oreðe geræsde, oððe hring-sele hondum styrede, gif he wäccende weard onfunde bûan on beorge. Biówulfe wearð dryht-mâðma dæl deáðe forgolden; 2845häfde æghwäðer ende gefêred lænan lîfes. Näs þâ lang tô þon, þät þâ hild-latan holt ofgêfan, tydre treów-logan tyne ätsomne, þâ ne dorston ær dareðum lâcan 2850on hyra man-dryhtnes miclan þearfe; ac hy scamiende scyldas bæran, gûð-gewædu, þær se gomela läg: wlitan on Wîglâf. He gewêrgad sät, fêðe-cempa freán eaxlum neáh, 2855wehte hyne wätre; him wiht ne speów; ne meahte he on eorðan, þeáh he ûðe wel, on þam frum-gâre feorh gehealdan, ne þäs wealdendes willan wiht oncirran; †wolde dôm godes dædum rædan 2860gumena gehwylcum, swâ he nu gen dêð. †Þâ wäs ät þam geongan grim andswaru êð-begête þâm þe ær his elne forleás. Wîglâf maðelode, Weohstânes sunu, secg sârig-ferð seah on unleófe: 2865"Þät lâ mäg secgan, se þe wyle sôð sprecan, "þät se mon-dryhten, se eów þâ mâðmas geaf, "eóred-geatwe, þe ge þær on standað, "þonne he on ealu-bence oft gesealde "heal-sittendum helm and byrnan, 2870"þeóden his þegnum, swylce he þryðlîcost †"ôhwær feor oððe neáh findan meahte, "þät he genunga gûð-gewædu †"wrâðe forwurpe. Þâ hyne wîg beget, †"nealles folc-cyning fyrd-gesteallum 2875"gylpan þorfte; hwäðre him god ûðe, "sigora waldend, þät he hyne sylfne gewräc "âna mid ecge, þâ him wäs elnes þearf, "Ic him lîf-wraðe lytle meahte †"ätgifan ät gûðe and ongan swâ þeáh 2880"ofer mîn gemet mæges helpan: "symle wäs þý sæmra, þonne ic sweorde drep "ferhð-genîðlan, fýr unswîðor "weóll of gewitte. Wergendra tô lyt "þrong ymbe þeóden, þâ hyne sió þrag becwom. †2885"Nu sceal sinc-þego and swyrd-gifu †"eall êðel-wyn eówrum cynne, "lufen âlicgean: lond-rihtes môt "þære mæg-burge monna æghwylc "îdel hweorfan, syððan äðelingas 2890"feorran gefricgean fleám eówerne, "dôm-leásan dæd. Deáð bið sêlla †"eorla gehwylcum þonne edwît-lîf!" XL. THE SOLDIER'S DIRGE AND PROPHECY. Hêht þâ þät heaðo-weorc tô hagan biódan up ofer êg-clif, þær þät eorl-weorod 2895morgen-longne däg môd-giômor sät, bord-häbbende, bega on wênum ende-dôgores and eft-cymes leófes monnes. Lyt swîgode niwra spella, se þe näs gerâd, 2900ac he sôðlîce sägde ofer ealle; †"Nu is wil-geofa Wedra leóda, "dryhten Geáta deáð-bedde fäst, "wunað wäl-reste wyrmes dædum; "him on efn ligeð ealdor-gewinna, 2905"siex-bennum seóc: sweorde ne meahte "on þam aglæcean ænige þinga "wunde gewyrcean. Wîglâf siteð "ofer Biówulfe, byre Wihstânes, "eorl ofer ôðrum unlifigendum, †2910"healdeð hige-mêðum heáfod-wearde "leófes and lâðes. Nu ys leódum wên "orleg-hwîle, syððan underne "Froncum and Frysum fyll cyninges "wîde weorðeð. Wäs sió wrôht scepen 2915"heard wið Hûgas, syððan Higelâc cwom "faran flot-herge on Fresna land, "þær hyne Hetware hilde gehnægdon, "elne geeodon mid ofer-mägene, "þät se byrn-wîga bûgan sceolde, †2920"feóll on fêðan: nalles frätwe geaf "ealdor dugoðe; ûs wäs â syððan †"Merewioinga milts ungyfeðe. "Ne ic tô Sweó-þeóde sibbe oððe treówe "wihte ne wêne; ac wäs wîde cûð, 2925"þätte Ongenþió ealdre besnyðede "Hæðcyn Hrêðling wið Hrefna-wudu, "þâ for on-mêdlan ærest gesôhton "Geáta leóde Gûð-scilfingas. "Sôna him se frôda fäder Ôhtheres, 2930"eald and eges-full ond-slyht âgeaf, "âbreót brim-wîsan, brýd âheórde, "gomela ió-meowlan golde berofene, "Onelan môdor and Ôhtheres, "and þâ folgode feorh-genîðlan 2935"ôð þät hî ôðeodon earfoðlîce "in Hrefnes-holt hlâford-leáse. "Besät þâ sin-herge sweorda lâfe "wundum wêrge, weán oft gehêt "earmre teohhe andlonge niht: †2940"cwäð he on mergenne mêces ecgum "getan wolde, sume on galg-treówum "fuglum tô gamene. Frôfor eft gelamp "sârig-môdum somod ær-däge, "syððan hie Hygelâces horn and býman 2945"gealdor ongeâton. Þâ se gôda com "leóda dugoðe on lâst faran. XLI. HE TELLS OF THE SWEDES AND THE GEATAS "Wäs sió swât-swaðu Sweona and Geáta, "wäl-ræs wera wîde gesýne, "hû þâ folc mid him fæhðe tôwehton. †2950"Gewât him þâ se gôda mid his gädelingum, "frôd fela geômor fästen sêcean, "eorl Ongenþió ufor oncirde; "häfde Higelâces hilde gefrunen, "wlonces wîg-cräft, wiðres ne trûwode, 2955"þät he sæ-mannum onsacan mihte, "heáðo-lîðendum hord forstandan, "bearn and brýde; beáh eft þonan "eald under eorð-weall. Þâ wäs æht boden †"Sweona leódum, segn Higelâce. 2960"Freoðo-wong þone forð ofereodon, "syððan Hrêðlingas tô hagan þrungon. "Þær wearð Ongenþió ecgum sweorda, "blonden-fexa on bîd wrecen, "þät se þeód-cyning þafian sceolde 2965"Eofores ânne dôm: hyne yrringa "Wulf Wonrêding wæpne geræhte, "þät him for swenge swât ædrum sprong "forð under fexe. Näs he forht swâ þêh, "gomela Scilfing, ac forgeald hraðe 2970"wyrsan wrixle wäl-hlem þone, "syððan þeód-cyning þyder oncirde: "ne meahte se snella sunu Wonrêdes "ealdum ceorle ond-slyht giofan, "ac he him on heáfde helm ær gescer, 2975"þät he blôde fâh bûgan sceolde, "feóll on foldan; näs he fæge þâ git, †"ac he hyne gewyrpte, þeáh þe him wund hrîne, "Lêt se hearda Higelâces þegn "brâdne mêce, þâ his brôðor läg, 2980"eald sweord eotonisc, entiscne helm, "brecan ofer bord-weal: þâ gebeáh cyning, "folces hyrde, wäs in feorh dropen. "Þâ wæron monige, þe his mæg wriðon, "ricone ârærdon, þâ him gerýmed wearð, 2985"þät hie wäl-stôwe wealdan môston. "Þenden reáfode rinc ôðerne, "nam on Ongenþió îren-byrnan, "heard swyrd hilted and his helm somod; †"hâres hyrste Higelâce bär. 2990"He þâm frätwum fêng and him fägre gehêt "leána fore leódum and gelæste swâ: "geald þone gûð-ræs Geáta dryhten, "Hrêðles eafora, þâ he tô hâm becom, "Jofore and Wulfe mid ofer-mâðmum, †2995"sealde hiora gehwäðrum hund þûsenda "landes and locenra beága; ne þorfte him þâ leán ôðwîtan "mon on middan-gearde, syððan hie þâ mærða geslôgon; "and þâ Jofore forgeaf ângan dôhtor, "hâm-weorðunge, hyldo tô wedde. 3000"Þät ys sió fæhðo and se feónd-scipe, "wäl-nîð wera, þäs þe ic wên hafo, "þe ûs sêceað tô Sweona leóde, "syððan hie gefricgeað freán ûserne "ealdor-leásne, þone þe ær geheóld 3005"wið hettendum hord and rîce, †"äfter häleða hryre hwate Scylfingas, "folc-ræd fremede oððe furður gen †"eorl-scipe efnde. Nu is ôfost betost, "þät we þeód-cyning þær sceáwian 3010"and þone gebringan, þe ûs beágas geaf, "on âd-färe. Ne scel ânes hwät "meltan mid þam môdigan, ac þær is mâðma hord. "gold unrîme grimme geceápod "and nu ät sîðestan sylfes feore 3015"beágas gebohte; þâ sceal brond fretan, "äled þeccean, nalles eorl wegan "mâððum tô gemyndum, ne mägð scýne "habban on healse hring-weorðunge, "ac sceall geômor-môd golde bereáfod 3020"oft nalles æne el-land tredan, "nu se here-wîsa hleahtor âlegde, †"gamen and gleó-dreám. Forþon sceall gâr wesan "monig morgen-ceald mundum bewunden, "häfen on handa, nalles hearpan swêg †3025"wîgend weccean, ac se wonna hrefn "fûs ofer fægum, fela reordian, "earne secgan, hû him ät æte speów, "þenden he wið wulf wäl reáfode." Swâ se secg hwata secgende wäs 3030lâðra spella; he ne leág fela wyrda ne worda. Weorod eall ârâs, eodon unblîðe under Earna näs †wollen-teáre wundur sceáwian. Fundon þâ on sande sâwul-leásne 3035hlim-bed healdan, þone þe him hringas geaf ærran mælum: þâ wäs ende-däg gôdum gegongen, þät se gûð-cyning, Wedra þeóden, wundor-deáðe swealt. †Ær hî gesêgan syllîcran wiht, 3040wyrm on wonge wiðer-rähtes þær lâðne licgean: wäs se lêg-draca, †grimlîc gryre-gäst, glêdum beswæled, se wäs fîftiges fôt-gemearces. †lang on legere, lyft-wynne heóld 3045nihtes hwîlum, nyðer eft gewât dennes niósian; wäs þâ deáðe fäst, häfde eorð-scrafa ende genyttod. Him big stôdan bunan and orcas, discas lâgon and dýre swyrd, 3050ômige þurh-etone, swâ hie wið eorðan fäðm þûsend wintra þær eardodon: þonne wäs þät yrfe eácen-cräftig, †iú-monna gold galdre bewunden, þät þam hring-sele hrînan ne môste 3055gumena ænig, nefne god sylfa, sigora sôð-cyning, sealde þam þe he wolde †(he is manna gehyld) hord openian, efne swâ hwylcum manna, swâ him gemet þûhte. XLII. WÎGLAF SPEAKS. THE BUILDING OF THE BALE-FIRE. Þâ wäs gesýne, þät se sîð ne þâh †3060þam þe unrihte inne gehýdde wräte under wealle. Weard ær ofslôh feára sumne; þâ sió fæhð gewearð †gewrecen wrâðlîce. Wundur hwâr, þonne eorl ellen-rôf ende gefêre 3065lîf-gesceafta, þonne leng ne mäg mon mid his mâgum medu-seld bûan. Swâ wäs Biówulfe, þâ he biorges weard sôhte, searo-nîðas: seolfa ne cûðe, þurh hwät his worulde gedâl weorðan sceolde; †3070swâ hit ôð dômes däg diópe benemdon þeódnas mære, þâ þät þær dydon, þät se secg wære synnum scildig, †hergum geheaðerod, hell-bendum fäst, †wommum gewitnad, se þone wong strâde. †3075Näs he gold-hwät: gearwor häfde âgendes êst ær gesceáwod. Wîglâf maðelode, Wihstânes sunu: "Oft sceall eorl monig ânes willan "wræc âdreógan, swâ ûs geworden is. 3080"Ne meahton we gelæran leófne þeóden, "rîces hyrde ræd ænigne, "þät he ne grêtte gold-weard þone, "lête hyne licgean, þær he longe wäs, "wîcum wunian ôð woruld-ende. 3085"Heóldon heáh gesceap: hord ys gesceáwod, †"grimme gegongen; wäs þät gifeðe tô swîð, "þe þone þeóden þyder ontyhte. "Ic wäs þær inne and þät eall geond-seh, "recedes geatwa, þâ me gerýmed wäs, 3090"nealles swæslîce sîð âlýfed "inn under eorð-weall. Ic on ôfoste gefêng "micle mid mundum mägen-byrðenne "hord-gestreóna, hider ût ätbär "cyninge mînum: cwico wäs þâ gena, 3095"wîs and gewittig; worn eall gespräc "gomol on gehðo and eówic grêtan hêt, †"bäd þät ge geworhton äfter wines dædum "in bæl-stede beorh þone heán "micelne and mærne, swâ he manna wäs 3100"wîgend weorð-fullost wîde geond eorðan, "þenden he burh-welan brûcan môste. "Uton nu êfstan ôðre sîðe "seón and sêcean searo-geþräc, "wundur under wealle! ic eów wîsige, 3105"þät ge genôge neán sceáwiað †"beágas and brâd gold. Sîe sió bær gearo "ädre geäfned, þonne we ût cymen, "and þonne geferian freán ûserne, "leófne mannan, þær he longe sceal 3110"on þäs waldendes wære geþolian." Hêt þâ gebeódan byre Wihstânes, häle hilde-diór, häleða monegum bold-âgendra, þät hie bæl-wudu †feorran feredon, folc-âgende 3115gôdum tôgênes: "Nu sceal glêd fretan †"(weaxan wonna lêg) wîgena strengel, "þone þe oft gebâd îsern-scûre, "þonne stræla storm, strengum gebæded, "scôc ofer scild-weall, sceft nytte heóld, †3120"feðer-gearwum fûs flâne full-eode." Hûru se snotra sunu Wihstânes âcîgde of corðre cyninges þegnas syfone tôsomne þâ sêlestan, †eode eahta sum under inwit-hrôf; 3125hilde-rinc sum on handa bär äled-leóman, se þe on orde geóng. Näs þâ on hlytme, hwâ þät hord strude, syððan or-wearde ænigne dæl secgas gesêgon on sele wunian, 3130læne licgan: lyt ænig mearn, þät hi ôfostlice ût geferedon dýre mâðmas; dracan êc scufun, wyrm ofer weall-clif, lêton wæg niman, flôd fäðmian frätwa hyrde. 3135Þær wäs wunden gold on wæn hladen, †æghwäs unrîm, äðeling boren, hâr hilde-rinc tô Hrones nässe. XLIII. BEÓWULF'S FUNERAL PYRE. Him þâ gegiredan Geáta leóde âd on eorðan un-wâclîcne, 3140helmum behongen, hilde-bordum, beorhtum byrnum, swâ he bêna wäs; âlegdon þâ tô-middes mærne þeóden häleð hiófende, hlâford leófne. Ongunnon þâ on beorge bæl-fýra mæst †3145wîgend weccan: wudu-rêc âstâh †sweart ofer swioðole, swôgende lêg, †wôpe bewunden (wind-blond geläg) ôð þät he þâ bân-hûs gebrocen häfde, hât on hreðre. Higum unrôte 3150môd-ceare mændon mon-dryhtnes cwealm; †swylce giômor-gyd † lat . con meowle . . . . . wunden heorde . . . serg (?) cearig sælde geneahhe þät hio hyre . . . . gas hearde 3155. . . . . ede wälfylla wonn . . hildes egesan hyðo haf mid heofon rêce swealh (?) Geworhton þâ Wedra leóde hlæw on hliðe, se wäs heáh and brâd, 3160wæg-lîðendum wîde gesýne, and betimbredon on tyn dagum †beadu-rôfes bêcn: bronda betost wealle beworhton, swâ hyt weorðlîcost fore-snotre men findan mihton. 3165Hî on beorg dydon bêg and siglu, eall swylce hyrsta, swylce on horde ær nîð-hydige men genumen häfdon; forlêton eorla gestreón eorðan healdan, gold on greóte, þær hit nu gen lifað 3170eldum swâ unnyt, swâ hit æror wäs. †Þâ ymbe hlæw riodan hilde-deóre, äðelinga bearn ealra twelfa, †woldon ceare cwîðan, kyning mænan, word-gyd wrecan and ymb wer sprecan, 3175eahtodan eorl-scipe and his ellen-weorc duguðum dêmdon, swâ hit ge-dêfe bið, þät mon his wine-dryhten wordum hêrge, ferhðum freóge, þonne he forð scile of lîc-haman læne weorðan. 3180Swâ begnornodon Geáta leóde hlâfordes hryre, heorð-geneátas, cwædon þät he wære woruld-cyning †mannum mildust and mon-þwærust, †leódum lîðost and lof-geornost.