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Title: Beowulf

Author: James A. Harrison and Robert Sharp, eds.

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** Preface to the Project Gutenberg Edition of Beowulf **

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altered, even where they appear wrong. (For example, some of the markings
of vowel length do not reflect current scholarly consensus.) Where an
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Explanation of the Vowel Accenting

In general, Harrison and Sharp use circumflex accents over vowels to mark
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ea, etc.) are indicated with an acute accent over the _second_ vowel (eó,
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** End of PG Preface **


I. BEÓWULF:

_AN ANGLO-SAXON POEM_.

II. THE FIGHT AT FINNSBURH:

_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,
5    monegum 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
10   ofer 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,
15   þät 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.
20   Swâ 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
25   in 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,
30   þenden 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,
35   beága 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,
40   billum 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,
45   þe 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,
50   murnende 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
55   folcum 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
60   in 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,
65   wîges 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,
70   þone 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
75   manigre 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.
80   He 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
85   äfter 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,
90   swutol 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
95   leóman 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
100  eádiglîce,      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
105  won-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,
110  metod 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.

115  Gewât 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,
120  won-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,
125  mid 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,
130  äðeling 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,
135  ac 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,
140  bed 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
145  âna 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
150  ylda bearnum      undyrne cûð,
     gyddum geômore,      þätte Grendel wan,
     hwîle wið Hrôðgâr;--      hete-nîðas wäg,
     fyrene and fæhðe      fela missera,
     singale säce,      sibbe ne wolde
155  wið manna hwone      mägenes Deniga
     feorh-bealo feorran,      feó þingian,
     ne þær nænig witena      wênan þorfte
     beorhtre bôte      tô banan folmum;
     atol äglæca      êhtende wäs,
160  deorc 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,
165  atol 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);
170  þät 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.
175  Hwîlum 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
180  in 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
185  in 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
190  singala 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,
195  gôd 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
200  ofer 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.
205  Häfde se gôda      Geáta leóda
     cempan gecorone,      þâra þe he cênoste
     findan mihte;      fîftena sum
     sund-wudu sôhte;      secg wîsade,
     lagu-cräftig mon,      land-gemyrcu.
210  Fyrst 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,
215  gûð-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
220  wunden-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
225  Wedera 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,
230  se 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
235  þegn 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
305  fâh 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
310  receda 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
315  wicg 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.

320  Stræt 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.
325  Setton 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,
330  äsc-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."
340  Him 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,
350  wîg 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.
360  Wulfgâr 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
390  Wulfgâr 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,
400  þryðlîc 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.
405  Beówulf 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,
495  se 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,
500  þe 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
505  gehêdde 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
610  brego 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,
615  grêtte 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
620  symbel 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,
625  môde 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,
630  wäl-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."
640  Þam 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,
645  sige-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,
650  oððe 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,
655  wîn-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;
665  wolde 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;
670  hûru 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,
675  and 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
690  eorles 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,
695  ac 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
700  þurh 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,
705  þâ 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
710  bâd 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;
715  wôd 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
720  heardran 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,
725  recedes 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,
730  swefan 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
735  wist-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.
740  Ne 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
745  unlyfigendes      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
750  inwit-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
755  forht 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
760  æfen-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
765  fleón 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,
770  eorlum 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
775  innan 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,
780  þät 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
785  atelîc 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
790  se 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
795  nytte 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,
800  heard-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;
805  ac 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.
810  Þâ 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
815  häfde 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
820  gûð-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
825  äfter 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
830  Geát-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,
835  syððan 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:
840  fêrdon 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,
845  hû 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
850  hâtan 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,
855  swylce 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
860  ofer 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.
865  Hwîlum 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,
870  se 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,
875  wordum 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,
880  fæhðe 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
885  sweordum gesæged.      Sigemunde gesprong
     äfter deáð-däge      dôm unlýtel,
     syððan wîges heard      wyrm âcwealde,
     hordes hyrde;      he under hârne stân,
     äðelinges bearn,      âna genêðde
890  frêcne 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,
895  þät 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
900  ofer 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,
905  snûde 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,
910  se 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,
915  mæg Higelâces      manna cynne,
     freóndum gefägra;      hine fyren onwôd.

     Hwîlum flîtende      fealwe stræte
     mearum mæton.      Þâ wäs morgen-leóht
     scofen and scynded.      Eode scealc monig
920  swîð-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
925  medo-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,
985  feóndes 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
990  îren 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,
995  gest-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,
1000 heorras 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!)
1005 ac 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,
1010 þät 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,
1015 fylle 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
1020 Þeód-Scyldingas      þenden fremedon.
     Forgeaf þâ Beówulfe      bearn Healfdenes
     segen gyldenne      sigores tô leáne,
     hroden hilte-cumbor,      helm and byrnan;
     mære mâððum-sweord      manige gesâwon
1025 beforan 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
1030 in 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
1035 ongeán 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,
1040 þät 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
1045 eodor 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,
1050 se 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
1055 golde 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;
1060 forþan 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
1065 fore 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
1165 sæton 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,
1190 Hrêðrîc 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
1195 êstum 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
1200 tô 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,
1205 siððan 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,
1210 rîce 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
1215 hreâ-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,
1235 geó-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:
1240 benc-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
1245 ofer 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
1250 efne 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,
1255 unriht 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,
1260 ides 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,
1265 morðre 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,
1270 þær 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,
1275 gehnægde 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.
1280 Com 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,
1285 wîg-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,
1290 sweord 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;
1295 hraðe 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,
1300 blæd-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
1305 geworden 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,
1310 þone 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,
1315 hwäðre 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
1320 freán 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.
1400 Þâ wäs Hrôðgâre      hors gebæted,
     wicg wunden-feax.      Wîsa fengel
     geatolîc gengde;      gum-fêða stôp
     lind-häbbendra.      Lâstas wæron
     äfter wald-swaðum      wîde gesýne,
1405 gang 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
1410 steáp stân-hliðo,      stîge nearwe,
     enge ân-paðas,      un-cûð gelâd,
     neowle nässas,      nicor-hûsa fela;
     he feára sum      beforan gengde
     wîsra monna,      wong sceáwian,
1415 ôð 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,
1420 tô 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
1425 fûslîc 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
1430 sorh-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,
1435 ýð-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,
1440 nîða 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,
1445 sîd 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,
1450 se 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
1455 brond 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;
1460 ecg 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,
1465 þät 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
1470 under 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
1495 bîdan 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,
1500 grim 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,
1505 þät 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)
1510 wæpna 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,
1515 þær 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,
1520 mere-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,
1525 aldre 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.
1530 Eft 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,
1535 mund-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;
1540 brägd 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,
1545 fêðe-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,
1550 wið 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
1555 geweóld 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,
1560 wîgena 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,
1565 hreóh 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;
1570 sweord 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
1575 heard 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
1580 oftor 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,
1585 lâðlîcu 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,
1590 syððan 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,
1595 brim 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,
1600 þät 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,
1605 wiston 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,
1610 þonne 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,
1615 bûton 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
1620 wîg-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
1625 swîð-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.
1630 Þâ 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,
1635 cûðe stræte;      cyning-balde men
     from þäm holm-clife      hafelan bæron
     earfoðlîce      heora æghwäðrum
     fela-môdigra:      feówer scoldon
     on ðäm wäl-stenge      weorcum geferian
1640 tô 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.
1645 Þâ 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,
1650 egeslîc 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,
1680 enta 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;
1685 on 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
1690 fyrn-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.
1695 Swâ 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
1700 sunu 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
1790 niówan 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:
1795 sôna him sele-þegn      sîðes wêrgum,
     feorran-cundum      forð wîsade,
     se for andrysnum      ealle beweotede
     þegnes þearfe,      swylce þý dôgore
     heáðo-lîðende      habban scoldon.
1800 Reste 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,
1805 wæron 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,
1810 leóflîc 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
1815 wîgend 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
1870 sêcean 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,
1875 ealdum 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
1880 äfter 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.
1885 Þâ 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
1890 häg-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;
1895 cwäð 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
1900 ofer 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,
1905 drêfan 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,
1910 fleát 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.
1915 Hraðe 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
1920 wudu 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,
1925 selfa 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
1930 Häreðes 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
1935 swæsra 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,
1940 þät 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.
1945 Hûru þät onhôhsnode      Heminges mæg;
     ealo drincende      ôðer sædan,
     þät hió leód-bealewa      läs gefremede,
     inwit-nîða,      syððan ærest wearð
     gyfen gold-hroden      geongum cempan,
1950 äðelum 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,
1955 hióld 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,
1960 wîde 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
1965 sylf 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,
1970 geongne gûð-cyning      gôdne gefrunon
     hringas dælan.      Higelâce wäs
     sîð Beówulfes      snûde gecýðed,
     þät þær on worðig      wîgendra hleó,
     lind-gestealla      lifigende cwom,
1975 heaðo-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
1980 þurh 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
1985 sînne 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."
2000 Biówulf 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,
2155 gûð-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
2165 lungre 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
2170 hond-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,
2175 þeódnes 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,
2180 dreáh 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,
2185 swâ 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
2190 tîr-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;
2195 þät 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
2200 sîde 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,
2205 þâ hyne gesôhtan      on sige-þeóde
     hearde hilde-frecan,      Heaðo-Scilfingas,
     nîða genægdan      nefan Hererîces.
     Syððan Beówulfe      brâde rîce
     on hand gehwearf:      he geheóld tela
2210 fîftig 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,
2215 eldum 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
2220 slæpende 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,
2225 ac 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,
2230 hwäðre 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
2235 eormen-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,
2240 weard 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:
2245 þær 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,
2270 däges 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
2275 fýre 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
2280 heóld 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,
2285 onboren 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
2290 feóndes 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
2295 georne 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,
2300 beado-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;
2305 wäs 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,
2310 fýre 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
2315 eldum 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
2320 hatode 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.
2325 Þâ 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:
2330 wênde 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,
2335 eá-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
2340 wîg-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;
2345 þeáh þe hord-welan      heólde lange.
     Oferhogode þâ      hri