Preface to the Project Gutenberg Edition of Beowulf
This text is a corrected version of the fourth edition of Harrison and
Sharp in its entirety. It comes in two basic versions. The base version
(available in 8-bit (Latin-1) text and HTML) presents the original text as
printed. This file contains the original version. It preserves the
source-text's idiosyncratic use of accented vowels with the exception of
y-circumflex (ŷ), which is replaced by y-acute (ý) to fit
within the Latin-1 character set. Manifestly unintentional errors in the
text have been corrected. In general, this has only been done when the text
is internally inconsistent (e.g., a quotation in the glossary does not
match the main text). Forms that represent deliberate editorial choice have
not been altered, even where they appear wrong. (For example, some of the
markings of vowel length do not reflect current scholarly consensus.) Where
an uncorrected problem may confuse the reader, I have inserted a note
explaining the difficulty, signed KTH. A complete list of the changes made
is appended at the end of the file. In order to make the text more useful
to modern readers, I have also produced a revised edition, available in
Unicode (UTF-8) and HTML. Notes from the source text that indicate changes
adopted in later editions have been incorporated directly into the text and
apparatus. Further, long vowels are indicated with macrons, as is the
common practice of most modern editions. Finally, the quantity of some words
has been altered to the values currently accepted as correct. Quantities
have not been changed when the difference is a matter of editorial
interpretation (e.g., gäst vs. gæst in l. 102, etc.) A list of these
altered quantities appears at the end of the list of corrections. Your
browser must support the Unicode character set to use this file. To tell if
your browser supports the necessary characters, check the table of vowel
equivalents below. If you see any empty boxes or question marks in the
"revised" columns, you should use the basic version.
Explanation of the Vowel Accenting
In general, Harrison and Sharp use circumflex accents over vowels to mark
long vowels. For ash, however, the actual character 'æ' represents the long
vowel. Short ash is rendered with a-umlaut (ä). The long diphthongs (ēo,
ēa, etc.) are indicated with an acute accent over the
second vowel (eó, eá, etc.).
Vowel Equivalents in Different Versions:
| Orig. | Revised | Orig. | Revised |
| ä | æ | û | ū |
| Ä | Æ | Û | Ū |
| æ | ǣ | ý | ȳ |
| Æ | Ǣ | Ý | Ȳ |
| â | ā | eá | ēa |
| Â | Ā | Eá | Ēa |
| ê | ē | eó | ēo |
| Ê | Ē | Eó | Ēo |
| î | ī | iá | īa |
| Î | Ī | Iá | Īa |
| ô | ō | ió | īo |
| Ô | Ō | Ió | Īo |
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.
†Hwät! we Gâr-Dena in geâr-dagum
þeód-cyninga þrym gefrunon,
hû þâ äðelingas ellen fremedon.
Oft Scyld Scêfing sceaðena þreátum,
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
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,
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.
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
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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
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
in worold wôcun, weoroda ræswan,
Heorogâr and Hrôðgâr and Hâlga til;
hýrde ic, þat Elan cwên
Ongenþeówes wäsHeaðoscilfinges heals-gebedde.
Þâ wäs Hrôðgâre here-spêd gyfen,
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,
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
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.
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
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,
swutol sang scôpes. Sägde se þe cûðe
frum-sceaft fira feorran reccan,
cwäð þät se älmihtiga eorðan worh
te,
wlite-beorhtne wang, swâ wäter bebûgeð,
gesette sige-hrêðig sunnan and mônan
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
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
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,
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.
115Gewât þâ neósian, syððan niht becom,
heán hûses, hû hit Hring-Dene
äfter beór-þege gebûn häfdon.
Fand þâ þær inne äðelinga gedriht
swefan äfter symble; sorge ne cûðon,
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,
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,
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,
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
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
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
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
wið manna hwone mägenes Deniga
feorh-bealo feorran, feó þingian,
ne þær nænig witena wênan þorfte
beorhtre bôte tô banan folmum;
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,
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);
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.
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
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
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
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,
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
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.
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.
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,
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
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
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,
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
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,
"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
"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
"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,
"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:
"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,
"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!
"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,
"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,
"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
"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.
"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,
"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,
"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
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
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
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.
†320Stræt wäs stân-fâh, stîg wîsode
gumum ätgädere. Gûð-byrne scân
heard hond-locen, hring-îren scîr
song in searwum, þâ hie tô sele furðum
in hyra gryre-geatwum gangan cwômon.
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,
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,
"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."
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,
"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,
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,
"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.
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,
"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,
"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
"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
"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
"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 healleWulfgâr 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.
"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,
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.
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
"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.
"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,
"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,
"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,
"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;
"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,
"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
"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,
"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,
"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,
"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;
"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!
"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
"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!
"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,
"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,
"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,
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,
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
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
"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,
"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,
"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.
"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:
"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.
"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,
"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
"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:
"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
"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
"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,
"ac on mergenne mêcum wunde
"sweordum âswefede, þät syððan nâ
"ymb brontne ford brim-lîðende
"lâde ne letton. Leóht eástan com,
"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
"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,
"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
"swâ deórlîce dæd gefremede
†"fâgum sweordum . . . . . . .
". . . . . . . nô ic þäs gylpe;
"þeáh þu þînum brôðrum tô banan wurde,
"heáfod-mægum; þäs þu in helle scealt
"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,
"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
"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
"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
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,
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
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,
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,
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,
"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."
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,
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,
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,
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;
"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;
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;
hûru Geáta leód georne trûwode
môdgan mägnes, metodes hyldo.
Þâ he him of dyde îsern-byrnan,
helm of hafelan, sealde his hyrsted sweord,
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;
"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
"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
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,
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
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,
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
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;
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
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,
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,
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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,
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
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,
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
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
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
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,
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;
ac he sige-wæpnum forsworen häfde,
ecga gehwylcre. Scolde his aldor-gedâl
earmlîc wurðan and se ellor-gâst
on feónda geweald feor sîðian.
Þâ þät onfunde se þe fela æror
†
fyrene gefremede (he
wäs fâg wið god)
þät him se lîc-homa læstan nolde,
ac hine se môdega mæg Hygelâces
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
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
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
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,
syððan hilde-deór hond âlegde,
earm and eaxle (þær wäs eal geador
Grendles grâpe) under geápne hr
ôf.
XIV. THE JOY AT HEOROT.
Þâ wäs on morgen mîne gefræge
ymb þâ gif-healle gûð-rinc monig:
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,
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
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,
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
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.
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,
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,
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,
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
sweordum gesæged. Sigemunde gesprong
äfter deáð-däge dôm unlýtel,
syððan wîges heard wyrm âcwealde,
hordes hyrde; he under hârne stân,
äðelinges bearn, âna genêðde
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,
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
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,
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,
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,
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
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
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
"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
"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
"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
"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
"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
"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,
"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
"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,
"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:
"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,
"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,
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
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,
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,
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!)
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,
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,
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
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
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
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
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,
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
eodor Ingwina onweald geteáh,
wicga and wæpna; hêt hine wel brûcan.
hord-weard häleða heaðo-ræsas geald
mearum and mâdmum, swâ hý næfre man lyhð,
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
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;
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
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:
"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
"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
"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,
"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,
"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
"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
"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:
"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
"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.
"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.
"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
"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
"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
"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
"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,
"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
"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.
"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,
"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
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:
"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;
"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
"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;
"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,
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
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
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,
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,
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
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,
"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
"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,
"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,
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:
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
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
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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.
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,
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,
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;
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,
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
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,
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,
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
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,
"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
"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,
"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
"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,
"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,
"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,
"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,
"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,
"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,
"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
"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
"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:
"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
"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,
"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.
Þâ wäs Hrôðgâre hors gebæted,
wicg wunden-feax. Wîsa fengel
geatolîc gengde; gum-fêða stôp
lind-häbbendra. Lâstas wæron
äfter wald-swaðum wîde gesýne,
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
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,
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,
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
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
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,
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,
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,
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,
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
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;
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,
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
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:
"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
"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.
"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,
"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
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,
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,
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)
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,
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,
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,
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.
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,
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;
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,
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,
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
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,
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,
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;
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
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
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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
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
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.
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,
cûðe stræte; cyning-balde men
from þäm holm-clife hafelan bæron
earfoðlîce heora æghwäðrum
fela-môdigra: feówer scoldon
on ðäm wäl-stenge weorcum geferian
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.
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,
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,
"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.
"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
"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
"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,
"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,
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;
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
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.
Swâ wäs on þæm scennum scîran goldes
þurh rûn-stafas rihte gemearcod,
geseted and gesæd, hwâm þät sweord geworht,
wreoðen-hilt and wyrm-fâh. þâ se wîsa spräc
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
"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,
"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,
"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
"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
"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
"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
"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
"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,
"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,
"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,
"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,
"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,
"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.
"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.
"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,
"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
"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
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:
sôna him sele-þegn sîðes wêrgum,
feorran-cundum forð wîsade,
se for andrysnum ealle beweotede
þegnes þearfe, swylce þý dôgore
heáðo-lîðende habban scoldon.
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
sunnescacan
ofer grundas; scaðan onetton,
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,
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
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
"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,
"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,
"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,
"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
"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:
"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,
"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
"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;
"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
"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
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,
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
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.
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
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
gäs
tas grêtte, ac him tôgeánes râd;
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
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,
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,
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.
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
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,
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
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
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,
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.
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,
äðelum dióre, syððan hió Offan flet
ofer fealone flôd be fäder lâre
sîðe gesôhte, þær hió syððan wel
lîf-gesceafta lifigende breác,
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,
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
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,
geongne gûð-cyning gôdne gefrunon
hringas dælan. Higelâce wäs
sîð Beówulfes snûde gecýðed,
þät þær on worðig wîgendra hleó,
lind-gestealla lifigende cwom,
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
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
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,
"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
"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."
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
"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,
"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.
"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
"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
"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,
"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,
"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,
"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),
"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
"'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,
"'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,
"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
"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,
"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,
"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,
"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,
"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:
"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
"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
"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
"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
"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,
"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,
"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;
"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 fäð
mum under firgen-streám.
"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,
"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
"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,
"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,
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,
"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
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 rên
ianhond-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,
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,
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,
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
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;
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
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,
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
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,
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
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,
†2225ac for þreá-nêdlan þeów nât-hwylces
häleða bearna hete-swengeas fleáh,
for ofer-þear
fe and þær inne fealh
secg syn-bysig. Sôna in þâ tîde
þät . . . . . þam gyste . . . . br . g . stôd,
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
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,
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:
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
"gôde begeâton; gûð-deáð fornam,
"feorh-bealo frêcne fyra gehwylcne,
"leóda mînra, þâra þe þis
lîf ofgeaf,
"gesâwon sele-dreám. Nâh hwâ sweord wege
"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
"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
"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,
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
fýre befangen; hyne fold-bûend
†wîde gesâwon. He ge
wunian sceall
†hlâw
under hrusan, þær he hæðen gold
warað wintrum frôd; ne byð him wihte þê sêl.
Swâ se þeód-sceaða þreó hund wintra
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,
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
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
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,
2300beado-weorces: hwîlum on beorh äthwearf,
sinc-fät sôhte; he þät sôna onfand,
þät häfde gumena sum goldes gefandod
heáh-gestreóna. Hord-weard onbâd
earfoðlîce, ôð þät æfen cwom;
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,
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
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
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.
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:
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,
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
wîg-bord wrätlîc; wisse he gearwe,
þät him holt-wudu he
lpan ne meahte,
lind wið lîge. Sceolde læn-daga
äðeling ær-gôd ende gebîdan
worulde lîfes and se wyrm somod;
þeáh þe hord-welan heólde lange.
†Oferhogode þâ hringa fengel,
þät he þone wîd-flogan weorode gesôhte,
sîdan herge; nô he him þâ säcce ondrêd,
ne him þäs wyrmes wîg for wiht dyde,
eafoð and ellen; forþon he ær fela
nearo nêðende nîða gedîgde,
hilde-hlemma, syððan he Hrôðgâres,
sigor-eádig secg, sele fælsode
and ät gûðe forgrâp Grendeles mægum,
lâðan cynnes. Nô þät läsest wäs
hond-gemota, þær mon Hygelâc slôh,
syððan Geáta cyning gûðe ræsum,
freá-wine folces Freslondum on,
Hrêðles eafora hioro-dryncum swealt,
bille gebeáten; þonan Biówulf com
sylfes cräfte, sund-nytte dreáh;
† häfde him on earme ... XXX
hilde-geatwa, þâ he tô holme
stâg.
Nealles Hetware hrêmge þorfton
fêðe-wîges, þe him foran ongeán
linde bæron: lyt eft becwom
fram þam hild-frecan hâmes niósan.
Oferswam þâ sióleða bigong sunu Ecgþeówes,
earm ân-haga eft tô leódum,
þær him Hygd gebeád hord and rîce,
beágas and brego-stôl: bearne ne trûwode,
þät he wið äl-fylcum êðel-stôlas
healdan cûðe, þâ wäs Hygelâc deád.
Nô þý ær feá-sceafte findan meahton
ät þam äðelinge ænige þinga,
þät he Heardrêde hlâford wære,
oððe þone cyne-dôm ciósan wolde;
hwäðre he him on folce freónd-lârum heóld,
êstum mid âre, ôð þät he yldra wearð,
Weder-Geátum weóld. Hyne wräc-mäcgas
ofer sæ sôhtan, suna Ôhteres:
häfdon hy forhealden helm Scylfinga,
þone sêlestan sæ-cyninga,
þâra þe in Swió-rîce sinc brytnade,
mærne þeóden. Him þät tô mearce wearð;
†he þær orfeorme feorh-wunde hleát
sweordes swengum, sunu Hygelâces;
and him eft gewât Ongenþiówes bearn
hâmes niósan, syððan Heardrêd läg;
lêt þone brego-stôl Biówulf healdan,
†Geátum wealdan: þät wäs gôd cyning.
XXXIV. RETROSPECT OF BEÓWULF.—STRIFE BETWEEN SWEONAS AND GEATAS.
Se þäs leód-hryres leán gemunde
uferan dôgrum, Eádgilse wearð
feá-sceaftum feónd. Folce gestepte
ofer sæ sîde sunu Ôhteres
wîgum and wæpnum: he gewräc syððan
cealdum cear-sîðum, cyning ealdre bineát.
Swâ he nîða gehwane genesen häfde,
slîðra geslyhta, sunu Ecgþiówes,
ellen-weorca, ôð þone ânne däg,
þe he wið þam wyrme gewegan sceolde.
Gewât þâ twelfa sum torne gebolgen
dryhten Geáta dracan sceáwian;
häfde þâ gefrunen, hwanan sió fæhð ârâs,
bealo-nîð biorna; him tô bearme cwom
mâððum-fät mære þurh þäs meldan hond,
Se wäs on þam þreáte þreotteoða secg,
se þäs orleges ôr onstealde,
häft hyge-giômor, sceolde heán þonon
wong wîsian: he ofer willan gióng
tô þäs þe he eorð-sele ânne wisse,
hlæw under hrusan holm-wylme nêh,
ýð-gewinne, se wäs innan full
wrätta and wîra: weard unhióre,
gearo gûð-freca, gold-mâðmas heóld,
eald under eorðan; näs þät ýðe ceáp,
tô gegangenne gumena ænigum.
Gesät þâ on nässe nîð-heard cyning,
þenden hælo âbeád heorð-geneátum
gold-wine Geáta: him wäs geômor sefa,
wäfre and wäl-fûs, Wyrd ungemete neáh,
se þone gomelan grêtan sceolde,
sêcean sâwle hord, sundur gedælan
lîf wið lîce: nô þon lange wäs
feorh äðelinges flæsce bewunden.
Biówulf maðelade, bearn Ecgþeówes:
"Fela ic on giogoðe guð-ræsa genäs,
"orleg-hwîla: ic þät eall gemon.
"Ic wäs syfan-wintre, þâ mec sinca baldor,
"freá-wine folca ät mînum fäder genam,
"heóld mec and häfde Hrêðel cyning,
"geaf me sinc and symbel, sibbe gemunde;
"näs ic him tô lîfe lâðra ôwihte
"beorn in burgum, þonne his bearna hwylc,
"Herebeald and Hæðcyn, oððe Hygelâc mîn.
"Wäs þam yldestan ungedêfelîce
"mæges dædum morðor-bed strêd,
"syððan hyne Hæðcyn of horn-bogan,
"his freá-wine flâne geswencte,
"miste mercelses and his mæg ofscêt,
"brôðor ôðerne, blôdigan gâre:
"þät wäs feoh-leás gefeoht, fyrenum gesyngad
"hreðre hyge-mêðe; sceolde hwäðre swâ þeáh
"äðeling unwrecen ealdres linnan.
"Swâ bið geômorlîc gomelum ceorle
"tô gebîdanne, þät his byre rîde
"giong on galgan, þonne he gyd wrece,
"sârigne sang, þonne his sunu hangað
"hrefne tô hrôðre and he him helpe ne mäg,
"eald and in-frôd, ænige gefremman.
"Symble bið gemyndgad morna gehwylce
"eaforan ellor-sîð; ôðres ne gýmeð
"tô gebîdanne burgum on innan
"yrfe-weardes, þonne se ân hafað
"þurh deáðes nýd dæda gefondad.
"Gesyhð sorh-cearig on his suna bûre
"wîn-sele wêstne, wind-gereste,
"reóte berofene; rîdend swefað
"häleð in hoðman; nis þær hearpan swêg,
"gomen in geardum, swylce þær iú wæron.
XXXV. MEMORIES OF PAST TIME.—THE FEUD WITH THE FIRE-DRAKE.
"Gewîteð þonne on sealman, sorh-leóð gäleð
"ân äfter ânum: þûhte him eall tô rûm,
"wongas and wîc-stede. Swâ Wedra helm
"äfter Herebealde heortan sorge
"weallende wäg, wihte ne meahte
"on þam feorh-bonan fæhðe gebêtan:
"nô þý ær he þone heaðo-rinc hatian ne meahte
"lâðum dædum, þeáh him leóf ne wäs.
"He þâ mid þære sorge, þe him sió sâr belamp,
"gum-dreám ofgeaf, godes leóht geceás;
"eaferum læfde, swâ dêð eádig mon,
"lond and leód-byrig, þâ he of lîfe gewât.
"Þâ wäs synn and sacu Sweona and Geáta,
"ofer wîd wäter wrôht gemæne,
"here-nîð hearda, syððan Hrêðel swealt,
"oððe him Ongenþeówes eaferan wæran
"frome fyrd-hwate, freóde ne woldon
"ofer heafo healdan, ac ymb Hreosna-beorh
"eatolne inwit-scear oft gefremedon.
"Þät mæg-wine mîne gewræcan,
"fæhðe and fyrene, swâ hyt gefræge wäs,
"þeáh þe ôðer hit ealdre gebohte,
"heardan ceápe: Hæðcynne wearð,
"Geáta dryhtne, gûð onsæge.
"Þâ ic on morgne gefrägn mæg ôðerne
"billes ecgum on bonan stælan,
"þær Ongenþeów Eofores niósade:
"gûð-helm tôglâd, gomela Scylfing
"hreás
heoro-blâc; hond gemunde
"fæhðo genôge, feorh-sweng ne ofteáh.
"Ic him þâ mâðmas, þe he me sealde,
"geald ät gûðe, swâ me gifeðe wäs,
"leóhtan sweorde: he me lond forgeaf,
"eard êðel-wyn. Näs him ænig þearf,
"þät he tô Gifðum oððe tô Gâr-Denum
"oððe in Swió-rîce sêcean þurfe
"wyrsan wîg-frecan, weorðe gecýpan;
"symle ic him on fêðan beforan wolde,
"âna on orde, and swâ tô aldre sceall
"säcce fremman, þenden þis sweord þolað,
"þät mec ær and sîð oft gelæste,
"syððan ic for dugeðum Däghrefne wearð
"tô hand-bonan, Hûga cempan:
"nalles he þâ frätwe Fres-cyninge,
"breóst-weorðunge bringan môste,
"ac in campe gecrong cumbles hyrde,
"äðeling on elne. Ne wäs ecg bona,
"ac him hilde-grâp heortan wylmas,
"bân-hûs gebräc. Nu sceall billes ecg,
"hond and heard sweord ymb hord wîgan."
Beówulf maðelode, beót-wordum spräc
niéhstan sîðe: "Ic genêðde fela
"gûða on geogoðe; gyt ic wylle,
"frôd folces weard, fæhðe sêcan,
"mærðum fremman, gif mec se mân-sceaða
"of eorð-sele ût gesêceð!"
Gegrêtte þâ gumena gehwylcne,
hwate helm-berend hindeman sîðe,
swæse gesîðas: "Nolde ic sweord beran,
"wæpen tô wyrme, gif ic wiste hû
"wið þam aglæcean elles meahte
"gylpe wiðgrîpan, swâ ic gió wið Grendle dyde;
"ac ic þær heaðu-fýres hâtes wêne,
"rêðes and-hâttres: forþon ic me on hafu
"bord and byrnan. Nelle ic beorges weard
†"oferfleón fôtes trem,
feónd unhýre,
"ac unc sceal weorðan ät wealle, swâ unc Wyrd geteóð,
"metod manna gehwäs. Ic eom on môde from,
"þät ic wið þone gûð-flogan gylp ofersitte.
"Gebîde ge on beorge byrnum werede,
"secgas on searwum, hwäðer sêl mæge
"äfter wäl-ræse wunde gedýgan
"uncer twega. Nis þät eówer sîð,
"ne gemet mannes, nefne mîn ânes,
"þät he wið aglæcean eofoðo dæle,
"eorl-scype efne. Ic mid elne sceall
"gold gegangan oððe gûð nimeð,
"feorh-bealu frêcne, freán eówerne!"
Ârâs þâ bî ronde rôf oretta,
heard under helm, hioro-sercean bär
under stân-cleofu, strengo getrûwode
ânes mannes: ne bið swylc earges sîð.
Geseah þâ be wealle, se þe worna fela,
gum-cystum gôd, gûða gedîgde,
hilde-hlemma, þonne hnitan fêðan,
†(stôd on stân-bogan) streám ût þonan
brecan of beorge; wäs þære burnan wälm
heaðo-fýrum hât: ne meahte horde neáh
deóp gedýgan for dracan lêge.
Lêt þâ of breóstum, þâ he gebolgen wäs,
Weder-Geáta leód word ût faran,
stearc-heort styrmde; stefn in becom
heaðo-torht hlynnan under hârne stân.
Hete wäs onhrêred, hord-weard oncniów
mannes reorde; näs þær mâra fyrst,
freóde tô friclan. From ærest cwom
oruð aglæcean ût of stâne,
hât hilde-swât; hruse dynede.
Biorn under beorge bord-rand onswâf
wið þam gryre-gieste, Geáta dryhten:
þâ wäs hring-bogan heorte gefýsed
säcce tô sêceanne. Sweord ær gebräd
gôd gûð-cyning gomele lâfe,
ecgum ungleáw, æghwäðrum wäs
bealo-hycgendra brôga fram ôðrum.
Stîð-môd gestôd wið steápne rond
winia bealdor, þâ se wyrm gebeáh
snûde tôsomne: he on searwum bâd.
Gewât þâ byrnende gebogen scrîðan tô,
gescîfe scyndan. Scyld wel gebearg
lîfe and lîce lässan hwîle
mærum þeódne, þonne his myne sôhte,
þær he þý fyrste forman dôgore
wealdan môste, swâ him Wyrd ne gescrâf
hrêð ät hilde. Hond up âbräd
Geáta dryhten, gryre-fâhne slôh
incge lâfe, þät sió ecg gewâc
brûn on bâne, bât unswîðor,
þonne his þiód-cyning þearfe häfde,
bysigum gebæded. Þâ wäs beorges weard
äfter heaðu-swenge on hreóum môde,
wearp wäl-fýre, wîde sprungon
hilde-leóman: hrêð-sigora ne gealp
gold-wine Geáta, gûð-bill geswâc
nacod ät nîðe, swâ hyt nô sceolde,
îren ær-gôd. Ne wäs þät êðe sîð,
þät se mæra maga Ecgþeówes
grund-wong þone ofgyfan wolde;
sceolde wyrmes willan wîc eardian
elles hwergen, swâ sceal æghwylc mon
âlætan læn-dagas. Näs þâ long tô þon,
þät þâ aglæcean hy eft gemêtton.
Hyrte hyne hord-weard, hreðer æðme weóll,
niwan stefne: nearo þrowode
fýre befongen se þe ær folce weóld.
Nealles him on heápe hand-gesteallan,
äðelinga bearn ymbe gestôdon
hilde-cystum, ac hy on holt bugon,
ealdre burgan. Hiora in ânum weóll
sefa wið sorgum: sibb æfre ne mäg
wiht onwendan, þam þe wel þenceð.
XXXVI. WIGLAF HELPS BEÓWULF IN THE FEUD
Wîglâf wäs hâten Weoxstânes sunu,
leóflîc lind-wiga, leód Scylfinga,
mæg Älfheres: geseah his mon-dryhten
under here-grîman hât þrowian.
Gemunde þâ þâ âre, þe he him ær forgeaf
wîc-stede weligne Wægmundinga,
folc-rihta gehwylc, swâ his fäder âhte;
ne mihte þâ forhabban, hond rond gefêng,
geolwe linde, gomel swyrd geteáh,
þät wäs mid eldum Eánmundes lâf,
suna Ôhteres, þam ät säcce wearð
wracu wine-leásum Weohstânes bana
mêces ecgum, and his mâgum ätbär
brûn-fâgne helm, hringde byrnan,
eald sweord eotonisc, þät him Onela forgeaf,
his gädelinges gûð-gewædu,
fyrd-searo fûslîc: nô ymbe þâ fæhðe spräc,
þeáh þe he his brôðor bearn âbredwade.
He frätwe geheóld fela missera,
bill and byrnan, ôð þät his byre mihte
eorl-scipe efnan, swâ his ær-fäder;
geaf him þâ mid Geátum gûð-gewæda
æghwäs unrîm; þâ he of ealdre gewât,
frôd on forð-weg. Þâ wäs forma sîð
geongan cempan, þät he gûðe ræs
mid his freó-dryhtne fremman sceolde;
ne gemealt him se môd-sefa, ne his mæges lâf
gewâc ät wîge: þät se wyrm onfand,
syððan hie tôgädre gegân häfdon.
Wîglâf maðelode word-rihta fela,
sägde gesîðum, him wäs sefa geômor:
"Ic þät mæl geman, þær we medu þêgun,
"þonne we gehêton ûssum hlâforde
"in biór-sele, þe ûs þâs beágas geaf,
"þät we him þâ gûð-geatwa gyldan woldon,
"gif him þyslîcu þearf gelumpe,
"helmas and heard sweord: þê he ûsic on herge geceás
"tô þyssum sîð-fate sylfes willum,
"onmunde ûsic mærða and me þâs mâðmas geaf,
"þê he ûsic gâr-wîgend gôde tealde,
"hwate helm-berend, þeáh þe hlâford ûs
"þis ellen-weorc âna âþôhte
"tô gefremmanne, folces hyrde,
"forþam he manna mæst mærða gefremede,
"dæda dollîcra. Nu is se däg cumen,
"þät ûre man-dryhten mägenes behôfað
"gôdra gûð-rinca: wutun gangan tô,
"helpan hild-fruman, þenden hyt sý,
"glêd-egesa grim! God wât on mec,
"þät me is micle leófre, þät mînne lîc-haman
"mid mînne gold-gyfan glêd fäðmie.
"Ne þynceð me gerysne, þät we rondas beren
"eft tô earde, nemne we æror mægen
†"fâne gefyllan, feorh ealgian
"Wedra þiódnes. Ic wât geare,
"þät næron eald-gewyrht, þät he âna scyle
"Geáta duguðe gnorn þrowian,
"gesîgan ät säcce: sceal ûrum þät sweord and helm,
"byrne and byrdu-scrûd bâm gemæne."
Wôd þâ þurh þone wäl-rêc, wîg-heafolan bär
freán on fultum, feá worda cwäð:
"Leófa Biówulf, læst eall tela,
"swâ þu on geoguð-feore geâra gecwæde,
†"þät þu ne âlæte be þe lifigendum
"dôm gedreósan: scealt nu dædum rôf,
"äðeling ân-hydig, ealle mägene
"feorh ealgian; ic þe fullæstu!"
Äfter þâm wordum wyrm yrre cwom,
atol inwit-gäst ôðre sîðe,
fýr-wylmum fâh fiónda niósan,
lâðra manna; lîg-ýðum forborn
bord wið ronde: byrne ne meahte
geongum gâr-wigan geóce gefremman:
ac se maga geonga under his mæges scyld
elne geeode, þâ his âgen w
äsglêdum forgrunden. Þâ gen gûð-cyning
m
ærða gemunde, mägen-strengo,
slôh hilde-bille, þät hyt on heafolan stôd
†nîðe genýded: Nägling forbärst,
geswâc ät säcce sweord Biówulfes
gomol and græg-mæl. Him þät gifeðe ne wäs,
þät him îrenna ecge mihton
helpan ät hilde; wäs sió hond tô strong,
se þe mêca gehwane mîne gefræge
swenge ofersôhte, þonne he tô säcce bär
wæpen wundrum heard, näs him wihte þê sêl.
Þâ wäs þeód-sceaða þriddan sîðe,
frêcne fýr-draca fæhða gemyndig,
ræsde on þone rôfan, þâ him rûm âgeald,
hât and heaðo-grim, heals ealne ymbefêng
biteran bânum; he geblôdegod wearð
sâwul-drióre; swât ýðum weóll.
XXXVII. BEÓWULF WOUNDED TO DEATH.
2695Þâ ic ät þearfe gefrägn þeód-cyninges
and-longne eorl ellen cýðan,
cräft and cênðu, swâ him gecynde wäs;
ne hêdde he þäs heafolan, ac sió hand gebarn
môdiges mannes, þær he his mæges healp,
þät he þone nîð-gäst nioðor hwêne slôh,
secg on searwum, þät þät sweord gedeáf
fâh and fäted, þät þät fýr ongon
sweðrian syððan. Þâ gen sylf cyning
geweóld his gewitte, wäll-seaxe gebräd,
biter and beadu-scearp, þät he on byrnan wäg:
forwrât Wedra helm wyrm on middan.
Feónd gefyldan (ferh ellen wräc),
and hi hyne þâ begen âbroten häfdon,
sib-äðelingas: swylc sceolde secg wesan,
þegn ät þearfe. Þät þam þeódne wäs
sîðast sîge-hwîle sylfes dædum,
worlde geweorces. Þâ sió wund ongon,
þe him se eorð-draca ær geworhte,
swêlan and swellan. He þät sôna onfand,
þät him on breóstum bealo-nîð weóll,
âttor on innan. Þâ se äðeling gióng,
þät he bî wealle, wîs-hycgende,
gesät on sesse; seah on enta geweorc,
hû þâ stân-bogan stapulum fäste
êce eorð-reced innan heóldon.
Hyne þâ mid handa heoro-dreórigne
þeóden mærne þegn ungemete till,
wine-dryhten his wätere gelafede,
hilde-sädne and his helm onspeón.
Biówulf maðelode, he ofer benne spräc,
wunde wäl-bleáte (wisse he gearwe,
þät he däg-hwîla gedrogen häfde
eorðan wynne; þâ wäs eall sceacen
dôgor-gerîmes, deáð ungemete neáh):
"Nu ic suna mînum syllan wolde
"gûð-gewædu, þær me gifeðe swâ
"ænig yrfe-weard äfter wurde,
"lîce gelenge. Ic þâs leóde heóld
"fîftig wintra: näs se folc-cyning
"ymbe-sittendra ænig þâra,
"þe mec gûð-winum grêtan dorste,
"egesan þeón. Ic on earde bâd
"mæl-gesceafta, heóld mîn tela,
"ne sôhte searo-nîðas, ne me swôr fela
"âða on unriht. Ic þäs ealles mäg,
"feorh-bennum seóc, gefeán habban:
"forþam me wîtan ne þearf waldend fira
"morðor-bealo mâga, þonne mîn sceaceð
"lîf of lîce. Nu þu lungre
"geong, hord sceáwian under hârne stân,
"Wîglâf leófa, nu se wyrm ligeð,
"swefeð sâre wund, since bereáfod.
"Bió nu on ôfoste, þät ic ær-welan,
"gold-æht ongite, gearo sceáwige
"swegle searo-gimmas, þät ic þý sêft mæge
"äfter mâððum-welan mîn âlætan
"lîf and leód-scipe, þone ic longe heóld."
XXXVIII. THE JEWEL-HOARD. THE PASSING OF BEOWULF.
Þâ ic snûde gefrägn sunu Wihstânes
äfter word-cwydum wundum dryhtne
hýran heaðo-siócum, hring-net beran,
brogdne beadu-sercean under beorges hrôf.
Geseah þâ sige-hrêðig, þâ he bî sesse geóng,
mago-þegn môdig mâððum-sigla fela,
gold glitinian grunde getenge,
wundur on wealle and þäs wyrmes denn,
ealdes uht-flogan, orcas stondan,
fyrn-manna fatu feormend-leáse,
hyrstum behrorene: þær wäs helm monig,
eald and ômig, earm-beága fela,
searwum gesæled. Sinc eáðe mäg,
gold on grunde, gum
ena cynnes
gehwone ofer-higian, hýde se þe wylle!
Swylce he siomian geseah segn eall-gylden
heáh ofer horde, hond-wundra mæst,
gelocen leoðo-cräftum: of þam leóma stôd,
þät he þone grund-wong ongitan meahte,
wräte giond-wlîtan. Näs þäs wyrmes þær
onsýn ænig, ac hyne ecg fornam.
Þâ ic on hlæwe gefrägn hord reáfian,
eald enta geweorc ânne mannan,
him on bearm hladan bunan and discas
sylfes dôme, segn eác genom,
beácna beorhtost; bill ær-gescôd
(ecg wäs îren) eald-hlâfordes
þam þâra mâðma mund-bora wäs
longe hwîle, lîg-egesan wäg
hâtne for horde, hioro-weallende,
middel-nihtum, ôð þät he morðre swealt.
Âr wäs on ôfoste eft-sîðes georn,
frätwum gefyrðred: hyne fyrwet bräc,
hwäðer collen-ferð cwicne gemêtte
in þam wong-stede Wedra þeóden,
ellen-siócne, þær he hine ær forlêt.
He þâ mid þâm mâðmum mærne þióden,
dryhten sînne driórigne fand
†ealdres ät ende: he hine eft ongon
wäteres weorpan, ôð þät wordes ord
breóst-hord þurhbräc.
Beówulf maðelode,
gomel on giohðe (gold sceáwode):
"Ic þâra frätwa freán ealles þanc
"wuldur-cyninge wordum secge,
"êcum dryhtne, þe ic her on starie,
"þäs þe ic môste mînum leódum
"ær swylt-däge swylc gestrýnan.
"Nu ic on mâðma hord mîne bebohte
"frôde feorh-lege, fremmað ge nu
"leóda þearfe; ne mäg ic her leng wesan.
"Hâtað heaðo-mære hlæw gewyrcean,
"beorhtne äfter bæle ät brimes nosan;
"sê scel tô gemyndum mînum leódum
†"heáh hlifian on Hrones nässe,
"þät hit sæ-lîðend syððan hâtan
"Biówulfes biorh, þâ þe brentingas
"ofer flôda genipu feorran drîfað."
Dyde him of healse hring gyldenne
þióden þrîst-hydig, þegne gesealde,
geongum gâr-wigan, gold-fâhne helm,
beáh and byrnan, hêt hyne brûcan well:
"Þu eart ende-lâf ûsses cynnes,
"Wægmundinga; ealle Wyrd forsweóf,
"mîne mâgas tô metod-sceafte,
"eorlas on elne: ic him äfter sceal."
Þät wäs þam gomelan gingeste word
breóst-gehygdum, ær he bæl cure,
hâte heaðo-wylmas: him of hreðre gewât
sâwol sêcean sôð-fästra dôm.
XXXIX. THE COWARD-THANES.
Þâ wäs gegongen guman unfrôdum
earfoðlîce, þät he on eorðan geseah
þone leófestan lîfes ät ende
bleáte gebæran. Bona swylce läg,
egeslîc eorð-draca, ealdre bereáfod,
bealwe gebæded: beáh-hordum leng
wyrm woh-bogen wealdan ne môste,
ac him îrenna ecga fornâmon,
hearde heaðo-scearpe homera lâfe,
þät se wîd-floga wundum stille
hreás on hrusan hord-ärne neáh,
nalles äfter lyfte lâcende hwearf
middel-nihtum, mâðm-æhta wlonc
ansýn ýwde: ac he eorðan gefeóll
for þäs hild-fruman hond-geweorce.
Hûru þät on lande lyt manna þâh
mägen-âgendra mîne gefræge,
þeáh þe he dæda gehwäs dyrstig wære,
þät he wið âttor-sceaðan oreðe geræsde,
oððe hring-sele hondum styrede,
gif he wäccende weard onfunde
bûan on beorge. Biówulfe wearð
dryht-mâðma dæl deáðe forgolden;
häfde æghwäðer ende gefêred
lænan lîfes. Näs þâ lang tô þon,
þät þâ hild-latan holt ofgêfan,
tydre treów-logan tyne ätsomne,
þâ ne dorston ær dareðum lâcan
on hyra man-dryhtnes miclan þearfe;
ac hy scamiende scyldas bæran,
gûð-gewædu, þær se gomela läg:
wlitan on Wîglâf. He gewêrgad sät,
fêðe-cempa freán eaxlum neáh,
wehte hyne wätre; him wiht ne speów;
ne meahte he on eorðan, þeáh he ûðe wel,
on þam frum-gâre feorh gehealdan,
ne þäs wealdendes
willan wiht oncirran;
wolde dôm godes dædum rædan
gumena gehwylcum, swâ he nu gen dêð.
†Þâ wäs ät þam geongan grim andswaru
êð-begête þâm þe ær his elne forleás.
Wîglâf maðelode, Weohstânes sunu,
secg sârig-ferð seah on unleófe:
"Þät lâ mäg secgan, se þe wyle sôð sprecan,
"þät se mon-dryhten, se eów þâ mâðmas geaf,
"eóred-geatwe, þe ge þær on standað,
"þonne he on ealu-bence oft gesealde
"heal-sittendum helm and byrnan,
"þeóden his þegnum, swylce he þryðlîcost
†"ôhwær feor oððe neáh findan meahte,
"þät he genunga gûð-gewædu
"wrâðe forwurpe. Þâ hyne wîg beget,
"nealles folc-cyning fyrd-gesteallum
"gylpan þorfte; hwäðre him god ûðe,
"sigora waldend, þät he hyne sylfne gewräc
"âna mid ecge, þâ him wäs elnes þearf,
"Ic him lîf-wraðe lytle meahte
"ätgifan ät gûðe and ongan swâ þeáh
"ofer mîn gemet mæges helpan:
"symle wäs þý sæmra, þonne ic sweorde drep
"ferhð-genîðlan, fýr unswîðor
"weóll of gewitte. Wergendra tô lyt
"þrong ymbe þeóden, þâ hyne sió þrag becwom.
"Nu sceal sinc-þego and swyrd-gifu
†"eall êðel-wyn eówrum cynne,
"lufen âlicgean: lond-rihtes môt
"þære mæg-burge monna æghwylc
"îdel hweorfan, syððan äðelingas
"feorran gefricgean fleám eówerne,
"dôm-leásan dæd. Deáð bið sêlla
"eorla gehwylcum þonne edwît-lîf!"
XL. THE SOLDIER'S DIRGE AND PROPHECY.
Hêht þâ þät heaðo-weorc tô hagan biódan
up ofer êg-clif, þær þät eorl-weorod
morgen-longne däg môd-giômor sät,
bord-häbbende, bega on wênum
ende-dôgores and eft-cymes
leófes monnes. Lyt swîgode
niwra spella, se þe näs gerâd,
ac he sôðlîce sägde ofer ealle;
†"Nu is wil-geofa Wedra leóda,
"dryhten Geáta deáð-bedde fäst,
"wunað wäl-reste wyrmes dædum;
"him on efn ligeð ealdor-gewinna,
"siex-bennum seóc: sweorde ne meahte
"on þam aglæcean ænige þinga
"wunde gewyrcean. Wîglâf siteð
"ofer Biówulfe, byre Wihstânes,
"eorl ofer ôðrum unlifigendum,
"healdeð hige-mêðum heáfod-wearde
"leófes and lâðes. Nu ys leódum wên
"orleg-hwîle, syððan underne
"Froncum and Frysum fyll cyninges
"wîde weorðeð. Wäs sió wrôht scepen
"heard wið Hûgas, syððan Higelâc cwom
"faran flot-herge on Fresna land,
"þær hyne Hetware hilde gehnægdon,
"elne geeodon mid ofer-mägene,
"þät se byrn-wîga bûgan sceolde,
"feóll on fêðan: nalles frätwe geaf
"ealdor dugoðe; ûs wäs â syððan
"Merewioinga milts ungyfeðe.
"Ne ic tô Sweó-þeóde sibbe oððe treówe
"wihte ne wêne; ac wäs wîde cûð,
"þätte Ongenþió ealdre besnyðede
"Hæðcyn Hrêðling wið Hrefna-wudu,
"þâ for on-mêdlan ærest gesôhton
"Geáta leóde Gûð-scilfingas.
"Sôna him se frôda fäder Ôhtheres,
"eald and eges-full ond-slyht âgeaf,
"âbreót brim-wîsan, brýd âheórde,
"gomela ió-meowlan golde berofene,
"Onelan môdor and Ôhtheres,
"and þâ folgode feorh-genîðlan
"ôð þät hî ôðeodon earfoðlîce
"in Hrefnes-holt hlâford-leáse.
"Besät þâ sin-herge sweorda lâfe
"wundum wêrge, weán oft gehêt
"earmre teohhe andlonge niht:
"cwäð he on mergenne mêces ecgum
"getan wolde, sume on galg-treówum
"
fuglum tô gamene. Frôfor eft gelamp
"sârig-môdum somod ær-däge,
"syððan hie Hygelâces horn and býman
"gealdor ongeâton. Þâ se gôda com
"leóda dugoðe on lâst faran.
XLI. HE TELLS OF THE SWEDES AND THE GEATAS
"Wäs sió swât-swaðu Sweona and Geáta,
"wäl-ræs wera wîde gesýne,
"hû þâ folc mid him fæhðe tôwehton.
"Gewât him þâ se gôda mid his gädelingum,
"frôd fela geômor fästen sêcean,
"eorl Ongenþió ufor oncirde;
"häfde Higelâces hilde gefrunen,
"wlonces wîg-cräft, wiðres ne trûwode,
"þät he sæ-mannum onsacan mihte,
"heáðo-lîðendum hord forstandan,
"bearn and brýde; beáh eft þonan
"eald under eorð-weall. Þâ wäs æht boden
"Sweona leódum, segn Higelâce.
"Freoðo-wong þone forð ofereodon,
"syððan Hrêðlingas tô hagan þrungon.
"Þær wearð Ongenþió ecgum sweorda,
"blonden-fexa on bîd wrecen,
"þät se þeód-cyning þafian sceolde
"Eofores ânne dôm: hyne yrringa
"Wulf Wonrêding wæpne geræhte,
"þät him for swenge swât ædrum sprong
"forð under fexe. Näs he forht swâ þêh,
"gomela Scilfing, ac forgeald hraðe
"wyrsan wrixle wäl-hlem þone,
"syððan þeód-cyning þyder oncirde:
"ne meahte se snella sunu Wonrêdes
"ealdum ceorle ond-slyht giofan,
"ac he him on heáfde helm ær gescer,
"þät he blôde fâh bûgan sceolde,
"feóll on foldan; näs he fæge þâ git,
"ac he hyne gewyrpte, þeáh þe him wund hrîne,
"Lêt se hearda Higelâces þegn
"brâdne mêce, þâ his brôðor läg,
"eald sweord eotonisc, entiscne helm,
"brecan ofer bord-weal: þâ gebeáh cyning,
"folces hyrde, wäs in feorh dropen.
"Þâ wæron monige, þe his mæg wriðon,
"ricone ârærdon, þâ him gerýmed wearð,
"þät hie wäl-stôwe wealdan môston.
"Þenden reáfode rinc ôðerne,
"nam on Ongenþió îren-byrnan,
"heard swyrd hilted and his helm somod;
"hâres hyrste Higelâce bär.
"He þâm frätwum fêng and him fägre gehêt
"leána
fore leódum and gelæste swâ:
"geald þone gûð-ræs Geáta dryhten,
"Hrêðles eafora, þâ he tô hâm becom,
"Jofore and Wulfe mid ofer-mâðmum,
"sealde hiora gehwäðrum hund þûsenda
"landes and locenra beága; ne þorfte him þâ leán ôðwîtan
"mon on middan-gearde, syððan hie þâ mærða geslôgon;
"and þâ Jofore forgeaf ângan dôhtor,
"hâm-weorðunge, hyldo tô wedde.
"Þät ys sió fæhðo and se feónd-scipe,
"wäl-nîð wera, þäs þe ic
wên hafo,
"þe ûs sêceað tô Sweona leóde,
"syððan hie gefricgeað freán ûserne
"ealdor-leásne, þone þe ær geheóld
"wið hettendum hord and rîce,
†"äfter häleða hryre hwate Scylfingas,
"folc-ræd fremede oððe furður gen
"eorl-scipe efnde. Nu is ôfost betost,
"þät we þeód-cyning þær sceáwian
"and þone gebringan, þe ûs beágas geaf,
"on âd-färe. Ne scel ânes hwät
"meltan mid þam môdigan, ac þær is mâðma hord.
"gold unrîme grimme geceá
pod
"and nu ät sîðestan sylfes feore
"beágas gebohte; þâ sceal brond fretan,
"äled þeccean, nalles eorl wegan
"mâððum tô gemyndum, ne mägð scýne
"habban on healse hring-weorðunge,
"ac sceall geômor-môd golde bereáfod
"oft nalles æne el-land tredan,
"nu se here-wîsa hleahtor âlegde,
"gamen and gleó-dreám. Forþon sceall gâr wesan
"monig morgen-ceald mundum bewunden,
"häfen on handa, nalles hearpan swêg
"wîgend weccean, ac se wonna hrefn
"fûs ofer fægum, fela reordian,
"earne secgan, hû him ät æte speów,
"þenden he wið wulf wäl reáfode."
Swâ se secg hwata secgende wäs
lâðra spella; he ne leág fela
wyrda ne worda. Weorod eall ârâs,
eodon unblîðe under Earna näs
wollen-teáre wundur sceáwian.
Fundon þâ on sande sâwul-leásne
hlim-bed healdan, þone þe him hringas geaf
ærran mælum: þâ wäs ende-däg
gôdum gegongen, þät se gûð-cyning,
Wedra þeóden, wundor-deáðe swealt.
Ær hî gesêgan syllîcran wiht,
wyrm on wonge wiðer-rähtes þær
lâðne licgean: wäs se lêg-draca,
grimlîc gry
re-gäst, glêdum beswæled,
se wäs fîftiges fôt-gemearces.
lang on legere, lyft-wynne heóld
nihtes hwîlum, nyðer eft gewât
dennes niósian; wäs þâ deáðe fäst,
häfde eorð-scrafa ende genyttod.
Him big stôdan bunan and orcas,
discas lâgon and dýre swyrd,
ômige þurh-etone, swâ hie wið eorðan fäðm
þûsend wintra þær eardodon:
þonne wäs þät yrfe eácen-cräftig,
iú-monna gold galdre bewunden,
þät þam hring-sele hrînan ne môste
gumena ænig, nefne god sylfa,
sigora sôð-cyning, sealde þam þe he wolde
(he is manna gehyld) hord openian,
efne swâ hwylcum manna, swâ him gemet þûhte.
XLII. WÎGLAF SPEAKS. THE BUILDING OF THE BALE-FIRE.
Þâ wäs gesýne, þät se sîð ne þâh
þam þe unrihte inne gehýdde
wräte under wealle. Weard ær ofslôh
feára sumne; þâ sió fæhð gewearð
gewrecen wrâðlîce. Wundur hwâr, þonne
eorl ellen-rôf ende gefêre
lîf-gesceafta, þonne leng ne mäg
mon mid his
mâgum medu-seld bûan.
Swâ wäs Biówulfe, þâ he biorges weard
sôhte, searo-nîðas: seolfa ne cûðe,
þurh hwät his worulde gedâl weorðan sceolde;
swâ hit ôð dômes däg diópe benemdon
þeódnas mære, þâ þät þær dydon,
þät se secg wære synnum scildig,
hergum geheaðerod, hell-bendum fäst,
wommum gewitnad, se þone wong strâde.
Näs he gold-hwät: gearwor häfde
âgendes êst ær gesceáwod.
Wîglâf maðelode, Wihstânes sunu:
"Oft sceall eorl monig ânes willan
"wræc âdreógan, swâ ûs geworden is.
"Ne meahton we gelæran leófne þeóden,
"þät he ne grêtte gold-weard þone,
"lête hyne licgean, þær he longe wäs,
"wîcum wunian ôð woruld-ende.
"Heóldon heáh gesceap: hord ys gesceáwod,
†"grimme gegongen; wäs þät gifeðe tô swîð,
"þe þone
þeóden þyder ontyhte.
"Ic wäs þær inne and þät eall geond-seh,
"recedes geatwa, þâ me gerýmed wäs,
"nealles swæslîce sîð âlýfed
"inn under eorð-weall. Ic on ôfoste gefêng
"micle mid mundum mägen-byrðenne
"hord-gestreóna, hider ût ätbär
"cyninge mînum: cwico wäs þâ gena,
"wîs and gewittig; worn eall gespräc
"gomol on gehðo and eówic grêtan hêt,
"bäd þät ge geworhton äfter wines dædum
"in bæl-stede beorh þone heán
"micelne and mærne, swâ he manna wäs
"wîgend weorð-fullost wîde geond eorðan,
"þenden he burh-welan brûcan môste.
"Uton nu êfstan ôðre
sîðe"seón and sêcean searo-geþräc,
"wundur under wealle! ic eów wîsige,
"þät ge genôge neán sceáwiað
†"beágas and brâd gold. Sîe sió bær gearo
"ädre geäfned, þonne we ût cymen,
"and þonne geferian freán ûserne,
"leófne mannan, þær he longe sceal
"on þäs waldendes wære geþolian."
Hêt þâ gebeódan byre Wihstânes,
häle hilde-diór, häleða monegum
bold-âgendra, þät hie bæl-wudu
feorran feredon, folc-âgende
gôdum tôgênes: "Nu sceal glêd fretan
†"(weaxan wonna lêg) wîgena strengel,
"þone þe oft gebâd îsern-scûre,
"þonne stræla storm, strengum gebæded,
"scôc ofer scild-weall, sceft nytte heóld,
"feðer-gearwum fûs flâne full-eode."
Hûru se snotra sunu Wihstânes
âcîgde of corðre cyninges þegnas
syfone
tôsomne þâ sêlestan,
eode eahta sum under inwit-hrôf;
hilde-rinc sum on handa bär
äled-leóman, se þe on orde geóng.
Näs þâ on hlytme, hwâ þät hord strude,
syððan or-wearde ænigne dæl
secgas gesêgon on sele wunian,
læne licgan: lyt ænig mearn,
þät hi ôfostlice ût geferedon
dýre mâðmas; dracan êc scufun,
wyrm ofer weall-clif, lêton wæg niman,
flôd fäðmian frätwa hyrde.
Þær wäs wunden gold on wæn hladen,
†æghwäs unrîm, äðeling boren,
hâr hilde-
rinc tô Hrones nässe.
XLIII. BEÓWULF'S FUNERAL PYRE.
Him þâ gegiredan Geáta leóde
âd on eorðan un-wâclîcne,
helmum behongen, hilde-bordum,
beorhtum byrnum, swâ he bêna wäs;
âlegdon þâ tô-middes mærne þeóden
häleð hiófende, hlâford leófne.
Ongunnon þâ on beorge bæl-fýra mæst
wîgend weccan: wudu-rêc âstâh
†sweart ofer swioðole, swôgende lêg,
wôpe bewunden (wind-blond geläg)
ôð þät he þâ bân-hûs gebrocen häfde,
hât on hreðre. Higum unrôte
môd-ceare mændon mon-dryhtnes cwealm;
†swylce giômor-gyd † lat .
con meowle
. . . . . wunden heorde . . .
serg (?) cearig sælde geneahhe
þät hio hyre . . . . gas hearde
. . . . . ede wälfylla wonn . .
haf mid heofon rêce swealh (?)
hlæw on hliðe, se wäs heáh and brâd,
wæg-lîðendum wîde gesýne,
and betimbredon on tyn dagum
beadu-rôfes bêcn: bronda be
tostwealle beworhton, swâ hyt weorðlîcost
fore-snotre men findan mihton.
Hî on beorg dydon bêg and siglu,
eall swylce hyrsta, swylce on horde ær
nîð-hydige men genumen häfdon;
forlêton eorla gestreón eorðan healdan,
gold on greóte, þær hit nu gen lifað
eldum swâ unnyt, swâ hit æror wäs.
†Þâ ymbe hlæw riodan hilde-deóre,
äðelinga bearn ealra twelfa,
woldon
ceare cwîðan, kyning mænan,
word-gyd wrecan and ymb wer sprecan,
eahtodan eorl-scipe and his ellen-weorc
duguðum dêmdon, swâ hit ge-
dêfe bið,
þät mon his wine-dryhten wordum hêrge,
ferhðum freóge, þonne he forð scile
of lîc-haman
læne weorðan.
Swâ begnornodon Geáta leóde
hlâfordes
hryre, heorð-geneátas,
cwædon þät he wære woruld-cyning
mannum mildust and mon-þwærust,
leódum lîðost and lof-geornost.
APPENDIX
†THE ATTACK IN FINNSBURG.‡
†". . . . . . . . . . . näs byrnað næfre."
Hleoðrode þâ heaðo-geong cyning:
"Ne þis ne dagað eástan, ne her draca ne fleógeð,
"ne her þisse healle hornas ne byrnað,
"ac fêr forð berað fugelas singað,
"gylleð græg-hama, gûð-wudu hlynneð,
"scyld scefte oncwyð. Nu scýneð þes môna
"waðol under wolcnum; nu ârîsað weá-dæda,
"þe þisne folces nîð fremman willað.
"Ac onwacnigeað nu, wîgend mîne,
†"hebbað eówre handa, hicgeað on ellen,
"winnað on orde, wesað on môde!"
Þâ ârâs monig gold-hladen þegn, gyrde hine his swurde;
þâ tô dura eodon drihtlîce cempan,
Sigeferð and Eaha, hyra sweord getugon,
and ät ôðrum durum Ordlâf and Gûðlâf,
and Hengest sylf; hwearf him on lâste.
Þâ git Gârulf Gûðere styrode,
þät hie swâ freólîc feorh forman sîðe
tô þære healle durum hyrsta ne bæran,
nu hyt nîða heard ânyman wolde:
ac he frägn ofer eal undearninga,
deór-môd häleð, hwâ þâ duru heólde.
"Sigeferð is mîn nama (cwäð he), ic eom Secgena leód,
"wrecca wîde cûð. Fela ic weána gebâd,
"heardra hilda; þe is gyt her witod,
"swäðer þu sylf tô me sêcean wylle."
Þâ wäs on wealle wäl-slihta gehlyn,
sceolde cêlod bord cênum on handa
bân-helm berstan. Buruh-þelu dynede,
ôð þät ät þære gûðe Gârulf gecrang,
ealra ærest eorð-bûendra,
Gûðlâfes sunu; ymbe hine gôdra fela.
Hwearf flacra hræw hräfn, wandrode
sweart and sealo-brûn; swurd-leóma stôd
swylce eal Finns-buruh fýrenu wære.
Ne gefrägn ic næfre wurðlîcor ät wera hilde
sixtig sige-beorna sêl gebæran,
ne næfre swânas swêtne medo sêl forgyldan,
þonne Hnäfe guldon his häg-stealdas.
Hig fuhton fîf dagas, swâ hyra nân ne feól
driht-gesîða, ac hig þâ duru heóldon.
Þâ gewât him wund häleð on wäg gangan,
sæde þät his byrne âbrocen wære,
here-sceorpum hrôr, and eác wäs his helm þyrl.
Þâ hine sôna frägn folces hyrde,
hû þâ wîgend hyra wunda genæson
oððe hwäðer þæra hyssa . . . . . . .
LIST OF NAMES; NOTES; AND GLOSSARY.
ABBREVIATIONS
| m.: | masculine. |
| f.: | feminine. |
| n.: | neuter. |
| nom., gen.: | nominative, genitive, etc. |
| w.: | weak. |
| w. v.: | weak verb. |
| st.: | strong. |
| st. v.: | strong verb. |
| I., II., III.: | first, second, third person. |
| comp.: | compound. |
| imper.: | imperative. |
| w.: | with. |
| instr.: | instrumental. |
| G. and Goth.: | Gothic. |
| O.N.: | Old Norse. |
| O.S.: | Old Saxon. |
| O.H.G.: | Old High German. |
| M.H.G.: | Middle High German. |
| The vowel | ä = a in glad | } |
| The diphthong | æ = a in hair | } | approximately. |
The names Leo, Bugge, Rieger, etc., refer to authors of emendations.
Words beginning with ge- will be found under their root-word.
Obvious abbreviations, like subj., etc., are not included in this list.
LIST OF NAMES.
Abel, Cain's brother, 108.
Älf-here (gen. Älf-heres, 2605), a kinsman of Wîglâf's, 2605.
Äsc-here, confidential adviser of King Hrôðgâr (1326), older brother
of Yrmenlâf (1325), killed by Grendel's mother, 1295, 1324, 2123.
Bân-stân, father of Breca, 524.
Beó-wulf, son of Scyld, king of the Danes, 18, 19. After the death
of his father, he succeeds to the throne of the Scyldings, 53. His son is
Healfdene, 57.
Beó-wulf (Biówulf, 1988, 2390; gen. Beówulfes, 857, etc., Biówulfes,
2195, 2808, etc.; dat. Beówulfe, 610, etc., Biówulfe, 2325, 2843), of the
race of the Geátas. His father is the Wægmunding Ecgþeów (263, etc.); his
mother a daughter of Hrêðel, king of the Geátas (374), at whose court he is
brought up after his seventh year with Hrêðel's sons, Herebeald, Hæðcyn,
and Hygelâc, 2429 ff. In his youth lazy and unapt (2184 f., 2188 f.); as
man he attains in the gripe of his hand the strength of thirty men, 379.
Hence his victories in his combats with bare hands (711 ff., 2502 ff.),
while fate denies him the victory in the battle with swords, 2683 f. His
swimming-match with Breca in his youth, 506 ff. Goes with fourteen Geátas
to the assistance of the Danish king, Hrôðgâr, against Grendel, 198 ff. His
combat with Grendel, and his victory, 711 ff., 819 ff. He is, in
consequence, presented with rich gifts by Hrôðgâr, 1021 ff. His combat with
Grendel's mother, 1442 ff. Having again received gifts, he leaves Hrôðgâr
(1818-1888), and returns to Hygelâc, 1964 ff.—After Hygelâc's last battle
and death, he flees alone across the sea, 2360 f. In this battle he crushes
Däghrefn, one of the Hûgas, to death, 2502 f. He rejects at the same time
Hygelâc's kingdom and the hand of his widow (2370 ff.), but carries on the
government as guardian of the young Heardrêd, son of Hygelâc, 2378 ff.
After Heardrêd's death, the kingdom falls to Beówulf, 2208,
2390.—Afterwards, on an expedition to avenge the murdered Heardrêd, he
kills the Scylfing, Eádgils (2397), and probably conquers his country.
—His fight with the drake, 2539 ff. His death, 2818. His burial, 3135 ff.
Breca (acc. Brecan, 506, 531), son of Beánstân, 524. Chief of the
Brondings, 521. His swimming-match with Beówulf, 506 ff.
Brondingas (gen. Brondinga, 521), Breca, their chief, 521.
Brosinga mene, corrupted from, or according to Müllenhoff, written
by mistake for, Breosinga mene (O.N., Brisinga men, cf. Haupts Zeitschr.
XII. 304), collar, which the Brisingas once possessed.
Cain (gen. Caines, 107): descended from him are Grendel and his kin,
107, 1262 ff.
Däg-hrefn (dat. Däghrefne, 2502), a warrior of the Hûgas, who,
according to 2504-5, compared with 1203, and with 1208, seems to have been
the slayer of King Hygelâc, in his battle against the allied Franks,
Frisians, and Hûgas. Is crushed to death by Beówulf in a hand-to-hand
combat, 2502 ff.
Dene (gen. Dena, 242, etc., Denia, 2126, Deniga, 271, etc.; dat.
Denum, 768, etc.), as subjects of Scyld and his descendants, they are also
called Scyldings; and after the first king of the East Danes, Ing
(Runenlied, 22), Ing-wine, 1045, 1320. They are also once called Hrêðmen,
445. On account of their renowned warlike character, they bore the names
Gâr-Dene, 1, 1857, Hring-Dene (Armor-Danes), 116, 1280, Beorht-Dene, 427,
610. The great extent of this people is indicated by their names from the
four quarters of the heavens: Eást-Dene, 392, 617, etc., West-Dene, 383,
1579, Sûð-Dene, 463, Norð-Dene, 784.—Their dwelling-place "in
Scedelandum," 19, "on Scedenigge," 1687, "be sæm tweónum," 1686.
Ecg-lâf (gen. Ecglâfes, 499), Hûnferð's father, 499.
Ecg-þeów (nom. Ecgþeów, 263, Ecgþeó, 373; gen. Ecgþeówes, 529, etc.,
Ecgþiówes, 2000), a far-famed hero of the Geátas, of the house of the
Wægmundings. Beówulf is the son of Ecgþeów, by the only daughter of Hrêðel,
king of the Geátas, 262, etc. Among the Wylfings, he has slain Heaðolâf
(460), and in consequence he goes over the sea to the Danes (463), whose
king, Hrôðgâr, by means of gold, finishes the strife for him, 470.
Ecg-wela (gen. Ecg-welan, 1711). The Scyldings are called his
descendants, 1711. Grein considers him the founder of the older dynasty of
Danish kings, which closes with Heremôd. See Heremôd.
Elan, daughter of Healfdene, king of the Danes, (?) 62. According to
the restored text, she is the wife of Ongenþeów, the Scylfing, 62, 63.
Earna-näs, the Eagle Cape in the land of the Geátas, where occurred
Beówulf's fight with the drake, 3032.
Eádgils (dat. Eádgilse, 2393), son of Ôhthere, and grandson of
Ongenþeów, the Scylfing, 2393. His older brother is
Eánmund (gen. Eánmundes, 2612). What is said about both in our poem
(2201-2207, 2380-2397, 2612-2620) is obscure, but the following may be
conjectured:—
The sons of Ôhthere, Eánmund and Eádgils, have rebelled against their
father (2382), and must, in consequence, depart with their followers from
Swiórîce, 2205-6, 2380. They come into the country of the Geátas to
Heardrêd (2380), but whether with friendly or hostile intent is not stated;
but, according to 2203 f., we are to presume that they came against
Heardrêd with designs of conquest. At a banquet (on feorme; or feorme, MS.)
Heardrêd falls, probably through treachery, by the hand of one of the
brothers, 2386, 2207. The murderer must have been Eánmund, to whom,
according to 2613, "in battle the revenge of Weohstân brings death."
Weohstân takes revenge for his murdered king, and exercises upon Eánmund's
body the booty-right, and robs it of helm, breastplate, and sword
(2616-17), which the slain man had received as gifts from his uncle, Onela,
2617-18. But Weohstân does not speak willingly of this fight, although he
has slain Onela's brother's son, 2619-20.—After Heardrêd's and Eánmund's
death, the descendant of Ongenþeów, Eádgils, returns to his home, 2388. He
must give way before Beówulf, who has, since Heardrêd's death, ascended the
throne of the Geátas, 2390. But Beówulf remembers it against him in after
days, and the old feud breaks out anew, 2392-94. Eádgils makes an invasion
into the land of the Geátas (2394-95), during which he falls at the hands
of Beówulf, 2397. The latter must have then obtained the sovereignty over
the Sweonas (3005-6, where only the version, Scylfingas, can give a
satisfactory sense).
Eofor (gen. Eofores, 2487, 2965; dat. Jofore, 2994, 2998), one of
the Geátas, son of Wonrêd and brother of Wulf (2965, 2979), kills the
Swedish king, Ongenþeów (2487 ff., 2978-82), for which he receives from
King Hygelâc, along with other gifts, his only daughter in marriage,
2994-99.
Eormen-rîc (gen. Eormenrîces, 1202), king of the Goths (cf. about
him, W. Grimm, Deutsche Heldensage, p. 2, ff.). Hâma has wrested the
Brosinga mene from him, 1202.
Eomær, son of Offa and Þryðo (cf. Þryðo), 1961.
Finn (gen. Finnes, 1069, etc.; dat. Finne, 1129), son of Folcwalda
(1090), king of the North Frisians, i.e. of the Eotenas, husband of
Hildeburg, a daughter of Hôc, 1072, 1077. He is the hero of the inserted
poem on the Attack in Finnsburg, the obscure incidents of which are,
perhaps, as follows: In Finn's castle, Finnsburg, situated in Jutland
(1126-28), the Hôcing, Hnäf, a relative—perhaps a brother—of Hildeburg is
spending some time as guest. Hnäf, who is a liegeman of the Danish king,
Healfdene, has sixty men with him (Finnsburg, 38). These are treacherously
attacked one night by Finn's men, 1073. For five days they hold the doors
of their lodging-place without losing one of their number (Finnsburg, 41,
42). Then, however, Hnäf is slain (1071), and the Dane, Hengest, who was
among Hnäf's followers, assumes the command of the beleaguered band. But on
the attacking side the fight has brought terrible losses to Finn's men.
Their numbers are diminished (1081 f.), and Hildeburg bemoans a son and a
brother among the fallen (1074 f., cf. 1116, 1119). Therefore the Frisians
offer the Danes peace (1086) under the conditions mentioned (1087-1095),
and it is confirmed with oaths (1097), and money is given by Finn in
propitiation (1108). Now all who have survived the battle go together to
Friesland, the homo proper of Finn, and here Hengest remains during the
winter, prevented by ice and storms from returning home (Grein). But in
spring the feud breaks out anew. Gûðlâf and Oslâf avenge Hnäf's fall,
probably after they have brought help from home (1150). In the battle, the
hall is filled with the corpses of the enemy. Finn himself is killed, and
the queen is captured and carried away, along with the booty, to the land
of the Danes, 1147-1160.
Finna land. Beówulf reaches it in his swimming-race with Breca, 580.
Fitela, the son and nephew of the Wälsing, Sigemund, and his
companion in arms, 876-890. (Sigemund had begotten Fitela by his sister,
Signý. Cf. more at length Leo on Beówulf, p. 38 ff., where an extract from
the legend of the Walsungs is given.)
Folc-walda (gen. Folc-waldan, 1090), Finn's father, 1090.
Francan (gen. Francna, 1211; dat. Froncum, 2913). King Hygelâc fell
on an expedition against the allied Franks, Frisians, and Hûgas, 1211,
2917.
Fresan, Frisan, Frysan (gen. Fresena, 1094, Frysna, 1105, Fresna,
2916: dat. Frysum, 1208, 2913). To be distinguished, are: 1) North
Frisians, whose king is Finn, 1069 ff.; 2) West Frisians, in alliance with
the Franks and Hûgas, in the war against whom Hygelâc falls, 1208, 2916.
The country of the former is called Frysland, 1127; that of the latter,
Fresna land, 2916.
Fr..es wäl (in Fr..es wäle, 1071), mutilated proper name.
Freáwaru, daughter of the Danish king, Hrôðgâr; given in marriage to
Ingeld, the son of the Heaðobeard king, Frôda, in order to end a war
between the Danes and the Heaðobeardnas, 2023 ff., 2065.
Frôda (gen. Frôdan), father of Ingeld, the husband of Freáware,
2026.
Gârmund (gen. Gârmundes, 1963) father of Offa. His grandson is
Eómær, 1961-63.
Geátas (gen. Geáta, 205, etc.; dat. Geátum, 195, etc.), a tribe in
Southern Scandinavia, to which the hero of this poem belongs; also called
Wedergeátas, 1493, 2552; or, Wederas, 225, 423, etc.; Gûðgeátas, 1539;
Sægeátas, 1851, 1987. Their kings named in this poem are: Hrêðel; Hæðcyn,
second son of Hrêðel; Hygelâc, the brother of Hæðcyn; Heardrêd, son of
Hygelâc; then Beówulf.
Gifðas (dat. Gifðum, 2495), Gepidæ, mentioned in connection with
Danes and Swedes, 2495.
Grendel, a fen-spirit (102-3) of Cain's race, 107, 111, 1262, 1267.
He breaks every night into Hrôðgâr's hall and carries off thirty warriors,
115 ff., 1583ff. He continues this for twelve years, till Beówulf fights
with him (147, 711 ff.), and gives him a mortal wound, in that he tears out
one of his arms (817), which is hung up as a trophy in the roof of Heorot,
837. Grendel's mother wishes to avenge her son, and the following night
breaks into the hall and carries off Äschere, 1295. Beówulf seeks for and
finds her home in the fen-lake (1493 ff.), fights with her (1498 ff.), and
kills her (1567); and cuts off the head of Grendel, who lay there dead
(1589), and brings it to Hrôðgâr, 1648.
Gûð-lâf and Oslâf, Danish warriors under Hnäf, whose death they
avenge on Finn, 1149.
Hâlga, with the surname, til, the younger brother of the
Danish king, Hrôðgâr, 61. His son is Hrôðulf, 1018, 1165, 1182.
Hâma wrests the Brosinga mene from Eormenrîc, 1199.
Häreð (gen. Häreðes, 1982), father of Hygd, the wife of Hygelâc,
1930, 1982.
Hæðcyn (dat. Hæðcynne, 2483), second son of Hrêðel, king of the
Geátas, 2435. Kills his oldest brother, Herebeald, accidentally, with an
arrow, 2438 ff. After Hrêðel's death, he obtains the kingdom, 2475, 2483.
He falls at Ravenswood, in the battle against the Swedish king, Ongenþeów,
2925. His successor is his younger brother, Hygelâc, 2944 ff., 2992.
Helmingas (gen. Helminga, 621). From them comes Wealhþeów, Hrôðgâr's
wife, 621.
Heming (gen. Heminges, 1945, 1962). Offa is called Heminges mæg,
1945; Eómær, 1962. According to Bachlechner (Pfeiffer's Germania, I., p.
458), Heming is the son of the sister of Gârmund, Offa's father.
Hengest (gen. Hengestes, 1092; dat. Hengeste, 1084): about him and
his relations to Hnäf and Finn, see Finn.
Here-beald (dat. Herebealde, 2464), the oldest son of Hrêðel, king
of the Geátas (2435), accidentally killed with an arrow by his younger
brother, Hæðcyn, 2440.
Here-môd (gen. Heremôdes, 902), king of the Danes, not belonging to
the Scylding dynasty, but, according to Grein, immediately preceding it;
is, on account of his unprecedented cruelty, driven out, 902 ff., 1710.
Here-rîc (gen. Hererîces, 2207) Heardrêd is called Hererîces nefa,
2207. Nothing further is known of him.
Het-ware or Franks, in alliance with the Frisians and the Hûgas,
conquer Hygelâc, king of the Geátas, 2355, 2364 ff., 2917.
Healf-dene (gen. Healfdenes, 189, etc.), son of Beówulf, the
Scylding (57); rules the Danes long and gloriously (57 f.); has three sons,
Heorogâr, Hrôðgâr, and Hâlga (61), and a daughter, Elan, who, according to
the renewed text of the passage, wäs married to the Scylfing, Ongenþeów,
62, 63.
Heard-rêd (dat. Heardrêde, 2203, 2376), son of Hygelâc, king of the
Geátas, and Hygd. After his father's death, while still under age, he
obtains the throne (2371, 2376, 2379); wherefore Beówulf, as nephew of
Heardrêd's father, acts as guardian to the youth till he becomes older,
2378. He is slain by Ôhthere's sons, 2386. This murder Beówulf avenges on
Eádgils, 2396-97.
Heaðo-beardnas (gen. -beardna, 2033, 2038, 2068), the tribe of the
Lombards. Their king, Frôda, has fallen in a war with the Danes, 2029,
2051. In order to end the feud, King Hrôðgâr has given his daughter,
Freáwaru, as wife to the young Ingeld, the son of Frôda, a marriage that
does not result happily; for Ingeld, though he long defers it on account of
his love for his wife, nevertheless takes revenge for his father, 2021-2070
(Wîdsîð, 45-49).
Heaðo-lâf (dat. Heaðo-lâfe, 460), a Wylfingish warrior. Ecgþeów,
Beówulf's father, kills him, 460.
Heaðo-ræmas reached by B. in the swimming-race with Beówulf, 519.
Heoro-gâr (nom. 61; Heregâr, 467; Hiorogâr, 2159), son of Healfdene,
and older brother of Hrôðgâr, 61. His death is mentioned, 467. He has a
son, Heoroweard, 2162. His coat of mail Beówulf has received from Hrôðgâr
(2156), and presents it to Hygelâc, 2158.
Heoro-weard (dat. Heorowearde, 2162), Heorogâr's son, 2161-62.
Heort, 78. Heorot, 166 (gen. Heorotes, 403; dat. Heorote, 475,
Heorute, 767, Hiorte, 2100). Hrôðgâr's throne-room and banqueting hall and
assembly-room for his liegemen, built by him with unusual splendor, 69, 78.
In it occurs Beówulf's fight with Grendel, 720 ff. The hall receives its
name from the stag's antlers, of which the one-half crowns the eastern
gable, the other half the western.
Hildeburh, daughter of Hôc, relative of the Danish leader, Hnäf,
consort of the Frisian king, Finn. After the fall of the latter, she
becomes a captive of the Danes, 1072, 1077, 1159. See also under
Finn.
Hnäf (gen. Hnäfes, 1115), a Hôcing (Wîdsîð, 29), the Danish
King Healfdene's general, 1070 ff. For his fight with Finn, his death and
burial, see under Finn.
Hond-sció, warrior of the Geátas: dat. 2077.
Hôc (gen. Hôces, 1077), father of Hildeburh, 1077; probably also of
Hnäf (Wîdsîð, 29).
Hrêðel (gen. Hrêðles, 1486), son of Swerting, 1204. King of the
Geátas, 374. He has, besides, a daughter, who is married to Ecgþeów, and
has borne him Beówulf, (374), three sons, Herebeald, Hæðcyn, and Hygelâc,
2435. The eldest of these is accidentally killed by the second, 2440. On
account of this inexpiable deed, Hrêðel becomes melancholy (2443), and
dies, 2475.
Hrêðla (gen. Hrêðlan, MS. Hrædlan, 454), the same as Hrêðel (cf.
Müllenhoff in Haupts Zeitschrift, 12, 260), the former owner of Beówulf's
coat of mail, 454.
Hrêð-men (gen. Hrêð-manna, 445), the Danes are so called, 445.
Hrêð-rîc, son of Hrôðgâr, 1190, 1837.
Hrefna-wudu, 2926, or Hrefnes-holt, 2936, the thicket near which
the Swedish king, Ongenþeów, slew Hæðcyn, king of the Geátas, in battle.
Hreosna-beorh, promontory in the land of the Geátas, near
which Ongenþeów's sons, Ôhthere and Onela, had made repeated robbing
incursions into the country after Hrêðel's death. These were the immediate
cause of the war in which Hrêðel's son, King Hæðcyn, fell, 2478 ff.
Hrôð-gâr (gen. Hrôðgâres, 235, etc.; dat. Hrôðgâre, 64, etc.), of
the dynasty of the Scyldings; the second of the three sons of King
Healfdene, 61. After the death of his elder brother, Heorogâr, he assumes
the government of the Danes, 465, 467 (yet it is not certain whether
Heorogâr was king of the Danes before Hrôðgâr, or whether his death
occurred while his father, Healfdene, was still alive). His consort is
Wealhþeów (613), of the stock of the Helmings (621), who has borne him two
sons, Hrêðrîc and Hrôðmund (1190), and a daughter, Freáware (2023), who has
been given in marriage to the king of the Heaðobeardnas, Ingeld. His
throne-room (78 ff.), which has been built at great cost (74 ff.), is
visited every night by Grendel (102, 115), who, along with his mother, is
slain by Beówulf (711 ff., 1493 ff). Hrôðgâr's rich gifts to Beówulf, in
consequence, 1021, 1818; he is praised as being generous, 71 ff., 80, 1028
ff., 1868 ff.; as being brave, 1041 ff., 1771 ff.; and wise, 1699,
1725.—Other information about Hrôðgâr's reign for the most part only
suggested: his expiation of the murder which Ecgþeów, Beówulf's father,
committed upon Heaðolâf, 460, 470; his war with the Heaðobeardnas; his
adjustment of it by giving his daughter, Freáware, in marriage to their
king, Ingeld; evil results of this marriage, 2021-2070.—Treachery of his
brother's son, Hrôðulf, intimated, 1165-1166.
Hrôð-mund, Hrôðgâr's son, 1190.
Hrôð-ulf, probably a son of Hâlga, the younger brother of King
Hrôðgâr, 1018, 1182. Wealhþeów expresses the hope (1182) that, in case of
the early death of Hrôðgâr, Hrôð-ulf would prove a good guardian to
Hrôðgâr's young son, who would succeed to the government; a hope which
seems not to have been accomplished, since it appears from 1165, 1166 that
Hrôð-ulf has abused his trust towards Hrôðgâr.
Hrones-näs (dat. -nässe, 2806, 3137), a promontory on the coast of
the country of the Geátas, visible from afar. Here is Beówulf's
grave-mound, 2806, 3137.
Hrunting (dat. Hruntinge, 1660), Hûnferð's sword, is so called,
1458, 1660.
Hûgas (gen. Hûga, 2503), Hygelâc wars against them allied with the
Franks and Frisians, and falls, 2195 ff. One of their heroes is called
Däghrefn, whom Beówulf slays, 2503.
[H]ûn-ferð, the son of Ecglâf, þyle of King Hrôðgâr. As such, he has
his place near the throne of the king, 499, 500, 1167. He lends his sword,
Hrunting, to Beówulf for his battle with Grendel's mother, 1456 f.
According to 588, 1168, he slew his brothers. Since his name is always
alliterated with vowels, it is probable that the original form was, as
Rieger (Zachers Ztschr., 3, 414) conjectures, Unferð.
Hûn-lâfing, name of a costly sword, which Finn presents to Hengest,
1144. See Note.
Hygd (dat. Hygde, 2173), daughter of Häreð, 1930; consort of
Hygelâc, king of the Geátas, 1927; her son, Heardrêd, 2203, etc.—Her
noble, womanly character is emphasized, 1927 ff.
Hyge-lâc (gen. Hige-lâces, 194, etc., Hygelâces, 2387; dat.
Higelâce, 452, Hygelâce, 2170), king of the Geátas, 1203, etc. His
grandfather is Swerting, 1204; his father, Hrêðel, 1486, 1848; his older
brothers, Herebeald and Hæðcyn, 2435; his sister's son, Beówulf, 374, 375.
After his brother, Hæðcyn, is killed by Ongenþeów, he undertakes the
government (2992 in connection with the preceding from 2937 on). To Eofor
he gives, as reward for slaying Ongenþeów, his only daughter in marriage,
2998. But much later, at the time of the return of Beówulf from his
expedition to Hrôðgâr, we see him married to the very young Hygd, the
daughter of Häreð, 1930. The latter seems, then, to have been his second
wife. Their son is Heardrêd, 2203, 2376, 2387.—Hygelâc falls during an
expedition against the Franks, Frisians, and Hûgas, 1206, 1211, 2356-59,
2916-17.
Ingeld (dat. Ingelde, 2065), son of Frôda, the Heaðobeard chief, who
fell in a battle with the Danes, 2051 ff. in order to end the war, Ingeld
is married to Freáwaru, daughter of the Danish king, Hrôðgâr, 2025-30. Yet
his love for his young wife can make him forget only for a short while his
desire to avenge his father. He finally carries it out, excited thereto by
the repeated admonitions of an old warrior, 2042-70 (Wîdsîð, 45-59).
Ing-wine (gen. Ingwina, 1045, 1320), friends of Ing, the first king
of the East Danes. The Danes are so called, 1045, 1320.
Mere-wioingas (gen. Mere-wioinga,
2922), as name of the Franks,
2922.
Nägling, the name of Beówulf's sword, 2681.
Offa (gen. Offan, 1950), king of the Angles (Wîdsîð, 35), the son of
Gârmund, 1963; married (1950) to Þryðo (1932), a beautiful but cruel woman,
of unfeminine spirit (1932 ff.), by whom he has a son, Eómær, 1961.
Ôht-here (gen. Ôhtheres, 2929, 2933; Ôhteres, 2381, 2393, 2395,
2613), son of Ongenþeów, king of the Swedes, 2929. His sons are Eánmund
(2612) and Eádgils, 2393.
Onela (gen. Onelan, 2933), Ôhthere's brother, 2617, 2933.
Ongen-þeów (nom. -þeów, 2487, -þió, 2952; gen. -þeówes, 2476,
-þiówes, 2388; dat. -þió, 2987), of the dynasty of the Scylfings; king of
the Swedes, 2384. His wife is, perhaps, Elan, daughter of the Danish king,
Healfdene (62), and mother of two sons, Onela and Ôhthere, 2933. She is
taken prisoner by Hæðcyn, king of the Geátas, on an expedition into Sweden,
which he undertakes on account of her sons' plundering raids into his
country, 2480 ff. She is set free by Ongenþeów (2931), who kills Hæðcyn,
2925, and encloses the Geátas, now deprived of their leader, in the
Ravenswood (2937 ff.), till they are freed by Hygelâc, 2944. A battle then
follows, which is unfavorable to Ongenþeów's army. Ongenþeów himself,
attacked by the brothers, Wulf and Eofor, is slain by the latter, 2487 ff.,
2962 ff.
Ôs-lâf, a warrior of Hnäf's, who avenges on Finn his leader's death,
1149 f.
Scede-land, 19. Sceden-îg (dat. Sceden-îgge, 1687), O.N., Scân-ey,
the most southern portion of the Scandinavian peninsula, belonging to the
Danish kingdom, and, in the above-mentioned passages of our poem, a
designation of the whole Danish kingdom.
Scêf or Sceáf. See Note.
Scyld (gen. Scyldes, 19), a Scêfing. 4. His son is Beówulf, 18, 53:
his grandson, Healfdene, 57; his great-grandson, Hrôðgâr, who had two
brothers and a sister, 59 ff.—Scyld dies, 26; his body, upon a decorated
ship, is given over to the sea (32 ff.), just as he, when a child, drifted
alone, upon a ship, to the land of the Danes, 43 ff. After him his
descendants bear his name.
Scyldingas (Scyldungas, 2053; gen. Scyldinga, 53, etc., Scyldunga,
2102, 2160; dat. Scyldingum, 274, etc.), a name which is extended also to
the Danes, who are ruled by the Scyldings, 53, etc. They are also called
Âr-Scyldingas, 464; Sige-Scyldingas, 598, 2005; Þeód-Scyldingas, 1020;
Here-Scyldingas, 1109.
Scylfingas, a Swedish royal family, whose relationship seems to
extend to the Geátas, since Wîglâf, the son of Wihstân, who in another
place, as a kinsman of Beówulf, is called a Wægmunding (2815), is also
called leód Scylfinga, 2604. The family connections are perhaps as
follows:—
Scylf.
|
------------------------
Wægmund. .......
| |
------------------ ----------
Ecgþeów. Weohstân. Ongenþeów.
| | |
-------- -------- ---------------
Beówulf. Wîglâf. Onela. Ôhthere.
|
-----------------
Eáumund. Eádgils.
The Scylfings are also called Heaðo-Scilfingas, 63, Gûð-Scylfingas, 2928.
Sige-mund (dat. -munde, 876, 885), the son of Wäls, 878, 898. His
(son and ) nephew is Fitela, 880, 882. His fight with the drake, 887 ff.
Swerting (gen. Swertinges, 1204), Hygelâc's grandfather, and
Hrêðel's father, 1204.
Sweon (gen. Sweona, 2473, 2947, 3002), also Sweó-þeód, 2923. The
dynasty of the Scylfings rules over them, 2382, 2925. Their realm is called
Swiórice, 2384, 2496.
Þryðo, consort of the Angle king, Offa, 1932, 1950. Mother of Eómær,
1961, notorious on account of her cruel, unfeminine character, 1932 ff. She
is mentioned as the opposite to the mild, dignified Hygd, the queen of the
Geátas.
Wäls (gen. Wälses, 898), father of Sigemund, 878, 898.
Wæg-mundingas (gen. Wægmundinga, 2608, 2815). The Wægmundings are on
one side, Wihstân and his son Wîglâf; on the other side, Ecgþeów and his
son Beówulf (2608, 2815). See under Scylfingas.
Wederas (gen. Wedera, 225, 423, 498, etc.), or Weder-geátas. See
Geátas.
Wêland (gen. Wêlandes, 455), the maker of Beówulf's coat of mail,
455.
Wendlas (gen. Wendla, 348): their chief is Wulfgâr. See
Wulfgâr. The Wendlas are, according to Grundtvig and Bugge, the
inhabitants of Vendill, the most northern part of Jutland, between Limfjord
and the sea.
Wealh-þeów (613, Wealh-þeó, 665, 1163), the consort of King Hrôðgâr,
of the stock of the Helmings, 621. Her sons are Hrêðrîc and Hrôðmund, 1190;
her daughter, Freáwaru, 2023.
Weoh-stân (gen. Weox-stânes, 2603, Weoh-stânes, 2863, Wih-stânes,
2753, 2908, etc.), a Wægmunding (2608), father of Wîglâf, 2603. In what
relationship to him Älfhere, mentioned 2605, stands, is not
clear.—Weohstân is the slayer of Eánmund (2612), in that, as it seems, he
takes revenge for his murdered king, Heardrêd. See
Eánmund.
Wîg-lâf, Weohstân's son, 2603, etc., a Wægmunding, 2815, and so also
a Scylfing, 2604; a kinsman of Älfhere, 2605. For his relationship to
Beówulf, see the genealogical table under Scylfingas.—He supports
Beówulf in his fight with the drake, 2605 ff., 2662 ff. The hero gives him,
before his death, his ring, his helm, and his coat of mail, 2810 ff.
Won-rêd (gen. Wonrêdes, 2972), father of Wulf and Eofor, 2966,
2979.
Wulf (dat. Wulfe, 2994), one of the Geátas, Wonrêd's son. He fights
in the battle between the armies of Hygelâc and Ongenþeów with Ongenþeów
himself, and gives him a wound (2966), whereupon Ongenþeów, by a stroke of
his sword, disables him, 2975. Eofor avenges his brother's fall by dealing
Ongenþeów a mortal blow, 2978 ff.
Wulf-gâr, chief of the Wendlas, 348, lives at Hrôðgâr's court, and
is his "âr and ombiht," 335.
Wylfingas (dat. Wylfingum, 461). Ecgþeów has slain Heoðolâf, a
warrior of this tribe, 460.
Yrmen-lâf, younger brother of Äschere, 1325.
ADDITIONAL.
Eotenas (gen. pl. Eotena, 1073, 1089, 1142; dat. Eotenum, 1146), the
subjects of Finn, the North Frisians: distinguished from eoton,
giant. Vid eoton. Cf. Bugge, Beit., xii. 37; Earle, Beowulf
in Prose, pp. 146, 198.
Hrêðling, son of Hrêðel, Hygelâc: nom. sg. 1924; nom. pl., the
subjects of Hygelâc, the Geats, 2961.
Scêfing, the son (?) of Scêf, or Sceáf, reputed father of Scyld, 4.
See Note.
ABBREVIATIONS.
| B.: | Bugge. |
| Br.: | S.A. Brooke, Hist. of Early Eng. Lit. |
| C.: | Cosijn. |
| E.: | Earle, Deeds of Beowulf in Prose. |
| G.: | Garnett, Translation of Beowulf |
| Gr.: | Grein. |
| H.: | Heyne. |
| Ha.: | Hall, Translation of Beowulf. |
| H.-So.: | Heyne-Socin, 5th ed. |
| Ho.: | Holder. |
| K.: | Kemble. |
| Kl.: | Kluge. |
| Müllenh.: | Müllenhoff. |
| R.: | Rieger. |
| S.: | Sievers. |
| Sw.: | Sweet, Anglo-Saxon Reader, 6th ed. |
| Ten Br.: | Ten Brink. |
| Th.: | Thorpe. |
| Z.: | Zupitza. |
PERIODICALS.
| Ang.: | Anglia. |
| Beit.: | Paul und Branne's Beiträge. |
| Eng. Stud.: | Englische Studien. |
| Germ.: | Germania. |
| Haupts Zeitschr.: | Haupts Zeitschrift, etc. |
| Mod. Lang. Notes: | Modern Language Notes. |
| Tidskr.: | Tidskrift for Philologi. |
| Zachers Zeitschr.: | Zachers Zeitschrift, etc. |
NOTES.
l. 1. hwät: for this interjectional formula opening a poem, cf.
Andreas, Daniel, Juliana, Exodus, Fata Apost., Dream of the Rood,
and the "Listenith lordinges!" of mediaeval lays.—E. Cf. Chaucer,
Prologue, ed. Morris, l. 853:
"Sin I shal beginne the game,
What, welcome be the cut, a Goddes name!"
we ... gefrunon is a variant on the usual epic formulæ ic
gefrägn (l. 74) and mîne gefræge (l. 777). Exodus, Daniel,
Phoenix, etc., open with the same formula.
l. 1. "Gâr was the javelin, armed with two of which the warrior went
into battle, and which he threw over the 'shield-wall.' It was
barbed."—Br. 124. Cf. Maldon, l. 296; Judith, l. 224;
Gnom. Verses, l. 22; etc.
l. 4. "Scild of the Sheaf, not 'Scyld the son of Scaf'; for it is too
inconsistent, even in myth, to give a patronymic to a foundling. According
to the original form of the story, Sceáf was the foundling; he had come
ashore with a sheaf of corn, and from that was named. This form of the
story is preserved in Ethelwerd and in William of Malmesbury. But here the
foundling is Scyld, and we must suppose he was picked up with the sheaf,
and hence his cognomen."—E., p. 105. Cf. the accounts of Romulus and
Remus, of Moses, of Cyrus, etc.
l. 6. egsian is also used in an active sense (not in the Gloss.), =
to terrify.
l. 15. S. suggests þâ (which) for þät, as object of
dreógan; and for aldor-leáse, Gr. suggested
aldor-ceare.—Beit. ix. 136.
S. translates: "For God had seen the dire need which the rulerless ones
before endured."
l. 18. "Beowulf (that is, Beaw of the Anglo-Saxon genealogists, not our
Beowulf, who was a Geat, not a Dane), 'the son of Scyld in Scedeland.' This
is our ancestral myth,—the story of the first culture-hero of the North;
'the patriarch,' as Rydberg calls him, 'of the royal families of Sweden,
Denmark, Angeln, Saxland, and England.'"—Br., p. 78. Cf. A.-S.
Chron. an. 855.
H.-So. omits parenthetic marks, and reads (after S., Beit. ix. 135)
eaferan; cf. Fata Apost.: lof wîde sprang þeódnes þegna.
"The name Bēowulf means literally 'Bee-wolf,' wolf or
ravager of the bees, = bear. Cf. beorn, 'hero,' originally 'bear,'
and bēohata, 'warrior,' in Cædmon, literally 'bee-hater' or
'persecutor,' and hence identical in meaning with bēowulf."—Sw.
Cf.
"Arcite and Palamon,
That foughten breme, as it were bores two."
—Chaucer, Knightes Tale, l. 841, ed. Morris.
Cf. M. Müller, Science of Lang., Sec. Series, pp. 217, 218; and
Hunt's Daniel, 104.
l. 19. Cf. l. 1866, where Scedenig is used, = Scania, in
Sweden(?).
l. 21. wine is pl.; cf. its apposition wil-gesîðas below.
H.-So. compares Héliand, 1017, for language almost identical with
ll. 20, 21.
l. 22. on ylde: cf.
"In elde is bothe wisdom and usage."
—Chaucer, Knightes Tale, l. 1590, ed. Morris.
l. 26. Reflexive objects often pleonastically accompany verbs of motion;
cf. ll. 234, 301, 1964, etc.
l. 28. faroð = shore, strand, edge. Add these to the meanings
in the Gloss.
l. 31. The object of âhte is probably geweald, to be supplied
from wordum weóld of l. 30.—H.-So.
R., Kl., and B. all hold conflicting views of this passage: Beit.
xii. 80, ix. 188; Zachers Zeitschr. iii. 382, etc. Kl. suggests
lændagas for lange.
l. 32. "hringed-stefna is sometimes translated 'with curved prow,'
but it means, I think, that in the prow were fastened rings through which
the cables were passed that tied it to the shore."—Br., p. 26. Cf. ll.
1132, 1898. Hring-horni was the mythic ship of the Edda. See
Toller-Bosworth for three different views; and cf. wunden-stefna (l.
220), hring-naca (l. 1863).
ll. 34-52. Cf. the burial of Haki on a funeral-pyre ship, Inglinga
Saga; the burial of Balder, Sinfiötli, Arthur, etc.
l. 35. "And this [their joy in the sea] is all the plainer from the number
of names given to the ship-names which speak their pride and affection. It
is the Ætheling's vessel, the Floater, the Wave-swimmer, the Ring-sterned,
the Keel, the Well-bound wood, the Sea-wood, the Sea-ganger, the Sea-broad
ship, the Wide-bosomed, the Prow-curved, the Wood of the curved neck, the
Foam-throated floater that flew like a bird."—Br., p. 168.
l. 49. "We know from Scandinavian graves ... that the illustrious dead were
buried ... in ships, with their bows to sea-ward; that they were however
not sent to sea, but were either burnt in that position, or mounded over
with earth."—E. See Du Chaillu, The Viking Age, xix.
l. 51. (1) sele-rædende (K., S., C.); (2) sêle-rædenne (H.);
(3) sele-rædende (H.-So.). Cf. l. 1347; and see Ha.
l. 51. E. compares with this canto Tennyson's "Passing of Arthur" and the
legendary burial-journey of St. James of Campostella, an. 800.
l. 53. The poem proper begins with this, "There was once upon a time," the
first 52 lines being a prelude. Eleven of the "fitts," or cantos, begin
with the monosyllable þâ, four with the verb gewîtan, nine
with the