英国史诗《贝奥武甫》 贝奥武甫中文翻译

Beowulf

1-21

HWÆT, WEGAR-DEna in geardagum,

þeodcyninga þrym gefrunon,

hu ðaæþelingas ellen fremedon!

oft ScyldScefing sceaþena þreatum,

monegummægþum meodosetla ofteah,

egsodeeorlas, syððanærest wearð

feasceaftfunden; he þæs frofre gebad,

weox underwolcnum weorðmyndum þah,

oð þæt himæghwylc ymbsittendra

oferhronrade hyran scolde,

gombangyldan; þæt wæs god cyning!

Ðæm eaferawæs æfter cenned

geong ingeardum, þone God sende

folce tofrofre; fyrenðearfe ongeat,

þe hie ærdrugon aldorlease

langehwile; him þæs Liffrea,

wuldresWealdend woroldare forgeaf,

Beowulfwæs breme --- blæd wide sprang---

Scyldeseafera Scedelandum in.

Swa scealgeong guma gode gewyrcean,

fromumfeohgiftumon fæder bearme,

22-46

þæt hineon ylde eft gewunigen

wilgesiþas, þonne wig cume,

leodegelæsten; lofdædum sceal

in mægþagehwære man geþeon.

Him ðaScyld gewat to gescæphwile

felahrorferan on Frean wære;

hi hyne þaætbæron to brimes faroðe,

swæsegesiþas, swa he selfa bæd,

þendenwordum weold wine Scyldinga---

leoflandfruma lange ahte.

Þær æthyðe stod hringedstefna

isig ondutfus, æþelingesfær;

aledon þaleofne þeoden,

beagabryttan on bearm scipes,

mærne bemæste. Þær wæs madma fela

offeorwegum frætwa gelæded;

ne hyrdeic cymlicor ceol gegyrwan

hildewæpnum ond heaðowædum,

billum ondbyrnum;him on bearme læg

madmamænigo, þa him mid scoldon

on flodesæht feor gewitan.

Nalæs hihine læssan lacum teodan,

þeodgestreonum, þon þa dydon,

þe hine ætfrumsceafte forð onsendon

ænne oferyðe umborwesende.

47-68

Þa gyt hiehim asetton segen gyldenne

heah oferheafod, leton holm beran,

geafon ongarsecg; him wæs geomor sefa,

murnendemod. Men ne cunnon

secgan tosoðe, selerædende,

hæleðunder heofenum, hwa þæm hlæste onfeng.

I Ða wæson burgum Beowulf Scyldinga,

leofleodcyning longe þrage

folcumgefræge --- fæder ellor hwearf,

aldor ofearde--- , oþ þæt him eft onwoc

heahHealfdene; heold þenden lifde

gamol ondguðreouw glæde Scyldingas.

Ðæm feowerbearn forðgerimed

in woroldwocun, weoroda ræswan,

Heorogarond Hroðgar ond Halga til,

hyrde icþæt . . . . . . wæs Onelan cwen,

Heaðo-Scilfingas healsgebedda.

Þa wæsHroðgare heresped gyfen,

wigesweorðmynd, þæt him his winemgas

geornehyrdon, oðð þæt seo geogoð geweox,

magodrihtmicel. Him on mod bearn,

þæthealreced hatan wolde,

69-91

medoærnmicel men gewyrcean

þonne yldobearn æfre gefrunon,

ond þær oninnan eall gedælan

geongumond ealdum, swylc him God sealde

butonfolcscare ond feorum gumena.

Ða ic widegefrægn weorc gebannan

manigremægþe geond þisne middangeard,

folcstedefrætwan. Him on fyrste gelomp,

ædre midyldum, þæt hit wearð ealgearo,

healærnamæst; scop him Heort naman

se þe hiswordes geweald wide hæfde.

He beot nealeh, beagas dælde,

sinc ætsymle. Sele hlifade,

heah ondhorngeap; heaðowylma bad,

laðanliges; ne wæs hit lenge þa gen,

þæt seecghete aþumsweorum,

æfterwælniðe wæcnan scolde.

Ða seellengæst earfoðlice

þragegeþolode, se þe in þystrum bad,

þæt hedogora gehwam dream gehyrde

hludne inhealle; þær wæs hearpan sweg,

swutolsang scopes. Sægde se þe cuþe

frumsceaftfira feorran reccan,

92-113

cwæð þætse Ælmihtiga eorðan worhte,

wlitebeorhtne wang, swa wæter bebugeð,

gesettesigehreþig sunnan ond monan

leoman toleohte landbuendum,

ondgefrætwade foldan sceatas

leomum ondleafum, lif eac gesceop

rynnagehwylcum þara ðe cwice hwyrfaþ.---

Swa þadrihtguman dreamum lifdon,

eadiglice,oð ðæt an ongan

fyrenefremman feond on helle;

wæs segrimma gæst Grendel haten,

mæremearcstapa, se þe moras heold,

fen ondfæsten; fifelcynnes eard

wonsæliwer weardode hwile,

siþðan himScyppend forscrifen hæfde

in Cainescynne--- þone cwealm gewræc

eceDrihten, þæs þe he Abel slog;

ne gefeahhe þære fæhðe, ac hehine feor forwræc,

Metod forþy mane mancynne fram.

Þanonuntydras ealle on wocon,

eotenasond ylfe ond orcneas,

swylcegigantas, þa wið Gode wunnon

114-134

langeþrage; he him ðæs lean forgeald.

II Gewatða neosian, syþðan niht becom,

heanhuses, hu hit Hring-Dene

æfterbeorþege gebun hæfdon.

Fand þaðær inne æþelinga gedriht

swefanæfter symble; sorge ne cuðon,

wonsceaftwera. Wiht unhælo,

grim ondgrædig, gearo sona wæs,

reoc ondreþe, ond on ræste genam

þritigþegna; þanon eft gewat

huðehremig to ham faran,

mid þærewælfylle wica neosan.

Ða wæs onuhtan mid ærdæge

Grendlesguðcræft gumum undyrne;

þa wæsæfter wiste wop up ahafen,

micelmorgensweg. Mære þeoden,

æþelingærgod, unbliðe sæt,

þolodeðryðswyð þegnsorge dreah,

syðþan hieþæs laðan last sceawedon,

wergangastes; wæs þæt gewin to strang,

lað ondlongsum! Næs hit lengra fyrst,

135-158

ac ymb aneniht eft gefremede

morðbealamare, ond no mearn fore,

fæhðe ondfyrene; wæs to fæst on þam.

Þa wæseaðfynde þe him elles hwær

gerumlicorræste sohte,

bed æfterburum, ða him gebeacnod wæs,

gesægdsoðlice sweotolan tacne

healðegneshete; heold hyne syðþan

fyr ondfæstor se þæm feonde ætwand.

Swa rixodeond wið rihte wan,

ana wiðeallum, oð þæt idel stod

husaselest. Wæs seo hwil micel;

twelfwintra tid torn geþolode

wineScyldinga, weana gehwelcne,

sidrasorga; forðam secgum wearð

yldabearnum, undyrne cuð

gyddumgeomore, þætte Grendel wan

hwile wiðHroþgar, heteniðas wæg,

fyrene ondfæhðefela missera,

singalesæce; sibbe ne wolde

wið mannahwone mægenes Deniga,

feorhbealofeorran, fea þingian,

ne þærnænig witena wenan þorfte

beorhtrebote to banan folmum;

159-181

ac seæglæca ehtende wæs,

deorcdeaþscua, duguþe ond geogoþe,

seomadeond syrede; sinnihte heold

mistigemoras; men ne cunnon,

hwyderhelrunan hwyrftum scriþað.

Swa felafyrena feond mancynnes,

atolangengea, oft gefremede,

herdrahynða; Heorot eardode,

sincfagesel sweartum nihtum;---

no he þonegifstol gretan moste,

maþðum forMetode, ne his myne wisse.---

Þæt wæswræc micel wine Scyldinga,

modesbrecða. Monig oft gesæt

rice torune; ræd eahtedon,

hwætswiðferhðum selest wære

wiðfærgyrum to gefremmanne.

Hwilum hiegeheton æt hærgtrafum

wigweorþunga, wordum bædon,

þæt himgastbona geoce gefremede

wiðþeodþreaum. Swylc wæs þeaw hyra,

hæþenrahyht; helle gemundon

inmodsefan, Metod hie ne cuþon,

dædaDemend, ne wiston hie Drihten God,

182-203

ne hiehuru heofena Helm herian ne cuþon,

WuldresWaldend. Wa bið þæm ðe sceal

þurhsliðne nið sawle bescufan

in fyresfæþm, frofre ne wenan,

wihtegewendan! Wel bið þæm þe mot

æfterdeaðdæge Drihten secean

ond toFæder fæþmum freoðo wilnian!

III Swa ðamælceare maga Healfdenes

singalaseað; ne mihte snotor hæleð

weanonwendan; wæs þæt gewin to swyð,

laþ ondlongsum, þe on ða leode becom,

nydwracuniþgrim, nihtbealwa mæst.

Þæt framham gefrægn Higelaces þegn,

god midGeatum, Grendles dæda;

se wæsmoncynnes mægenes strengest

on þæmdæge þysses lifes,

æþele ondeacen. Het him yðlidan

godnegegyrwan; cwæð, he guðcyning

oferswanrade secean wolde,

mærneþeoden, þa him wæs manna þearf.

Ðonesiðfæt him snotere ceorlas

lythwonlogon, þeah he him leof wære;

204-228

hwettonhigerofne, hæl sceawedon.

Hæfde segoda Geata leoda

cempangecorone þara þe he cenoste

findanmihte; fiftyna sum

sundwudusohte, secg wisade,

lagucræftig mon landgemyrcu.

Fyrst forðgewat; flota wæs on yðum,

bat underbeorge. Beornas gearwe

on stefnstigon,--- streamas wundon,

sund wiðsande; secgas bæron

on bearmnacanbeorhte frætwe,

guðsearogeatolic; guman ut scufon,

weras onwilsið, wudu bundenne.

Gewat þaofer wægholm winde gefysed

flotafamiheals fugle gelicost,

oð þæt ymbantid oþres dogores

wundenstefna gewaden hæfde,

þæt ðaliðende land ge sawon,

brimclifublican, beorgas steape,

sidesænæssas; þa wæssund liden,

eoletes ætende. Þanon up hraðe

Wederaleode on wang stigon,

sæwudusældon,--- syrcan hyrsedon,

guðgewædo;Gode þancedon

þæs þe himyþlade eaðe wurdon.

229-252

Ða ofwealle geseah weard Scildinga,

se þeholmclifu healdan scolde,

beran oferbolcan beorhte randas,

fyrdsearufuslicu; hine fyrwyt bræc

modgehygdum, hwæt þa men wæron.

Gewat himþa to waroðe wicge ridan

þegnHroðgares, þrymmum cwehte

mægenwudumundum, meþelwordum frægn:

'Hwætsyndon ge searohæbbendra,

byrnumwerede, þe þus brontne ceol

oferlagustræte lædan cwomon,

hider oferholmas? Hwæt, ic hwile wæs

endesæta,ægwearde heold,

þe on landDena laðra nænig

midscipherge sceðþan ne meahte.

No hercuðlicor cuman ongunnon

lindhæbbende, ne ge leafnesword

guðfremmendra gearwe ne wisson,

magagemedu. Næfre ic maran geseah

eorlaofer, eorþan ðonne is eower sum,

secg onsearwum; nis þæt seldguma,

wæpnumgeweorðad, næfne him his wlite leoge,

ænlicansyn. Nu ic eower sceal

frumcynwitan, ær ge fyr heonan,

253-257

leassceaweras, on land Dena

furþurferan. Nu ge feorbuend,

mereliðende, minne gehyrað

anfealdnegeþoht: ofost is selest

togecyðanne, hwanan eowre cyme syndon.'

258-273

IIII Himse yldesta andswarode,

werodeswisa, wordhord onleac:

`We syntgumcynnes Geata leode

ondHigelaces heorðgeneatas.

Wæs minfæder folcum gecyþed,

æþeleordfruma, Ecgþeow haten;

gebadwintra worn, ær he on weg hwurfe,

gamol ofgeardum; hine gearwe geman

witenawelhwylc wide geond eorþan.

We þurhholdne hige hlaford þinne,

sunuHealfdenes secean cwomon,

leodgebyrgean; wes þu us larena god!

Habbað weto þæm mæran micel ærende

Denigafrean; ne sceal þær dyrne sum

wesan, þæsic wene. Þu wast, gif hit is

swa wesoþlice secgan hyrdon,

274-297

þæt midScyldingum sceaðona ic nat hwylc,

deogoldædhata deorcum nihtum

eaweð þurhegsan uncuðne nið,

hynðu ondhrafyl . Ic þæs Hroðgar mæg

þurh rumnesefan ræd gelæran,

hu he frodond god feond oferswyðeþ---

gyf himedwenden æfre scolde

bealuwabisigu bot eft cuman---,

ond þacearwylmas colran wurðaþ;

oððe asyþðan earfoðþrage,

þreanydþolað, þenden þær wunað

onheahstede husa selest.'

Weardmaþelode, ðær on wicge sæt,

ombehtunforht: `Æghwæþres sceal

scearpscyldwiga gescad witan,

worda ondworca, se þe wel þenceð.

Ic þætgehyre, þæt þis is hold weorod

freanScyldinga. Gewitaþ forð beran

wæpen ondgewædu, iceow wisige;

swylce icmaguþegnas mine hate

wið feondagehwone flotan eowerne,

niwtyrwydne nacan on sande

arumhealdan, oþ ðæt eft byreð

oferlagustreamas leofne mannan

298-319

wuduwundenhals to Wedermearce,

godfremmendra swylcum gifeþe bið

þæt þonehilderæs hal gedigeð.'

Gewitonhim þa feran,--- flota stille bad,

seomode onsale sidfæþmed scip,

oa ancrefæst. Eoforlic scionon

oferhleorbergan gehroden golde,

fah ondfyrheard,--- ferhwearde heold

guþmodgrimmon. Guman onetton,

sigonætsomne, oþ þæt hy sæl timbred

geatolicond goldfah ongyton mihton;

þæt wæsforemærost foldbuendum

recedaunder roderum, on þæm se rica bad;

lixte seleoma ofer landa fela.

Him þahildedeor hof modigra

torhtgetæhte, þæt hie him to mihton

gegnumgangan; guðbeorna sum

wicggewende, word æfter cwæð:

`Mæl is meto feran; Fæder alwalda

midarstafum eowic gehealde

siðagesunde! Ic to sæ wille,

wið wraðwerod wearde healdan.'

320-338

V Strætwæs stanfah, stig wisode

gumumætgædere. Guðbyrnescan

heardhondlocen, hringiren scir

song insearwum, þa hie to sele furðum

in hyragryregeatwum gangan cwomon.

Settonsæme þe side scyldas,

rondasregnhearde wið þæs recedes weal;

bugon þato bence,--- byrnan hringdon,

guðsearogumena; garas stodon,

sæmannasearo, samod ætgædere,

æscholtufan græg; wæs se irenþreat

wæpnumgewurþad.

Þa ðærwlonc hæleð

oretmecgasæfter æþelum frægn:

`Hwanonferigeað ge fætte scyldas,

grægesyrcan ond grimhelmas,

heresceafta heap? Ic eom Hroðgares

ar ondombiht. Ne seah ic elþeodige

þus manigemen modiglicran.

Wen' icþæt ge for wlenco, nalles for wræcsiðum,

ac forhigeþrymmum Hroðgar sohton.'

340-360

Himþaellenrof andswarode,

wlancWedera leod, word æfter spræc

heardunder helme: `We synt Higelaces

beodgeneatas; Beowulf is min nama.

Wille icasecgan sunu Healfdenes,

mærumþeodne, min ærende,

aldreþinum, gif he us geunnan wile,

þæt wehine swa godne gretan moton.'

Wulfgarmaþelode --- þæt wæs Wendla leod,

wæs hismodsefa manegumgecyðed,

wig ondwisdom--- : `Ic þæs wineDeniga,

freanScildinga frinan wille,

beagabryttan, swa þu bena eart,

þeodenmærne, ymb þinne sið,

ond þe þaandsware ædre gecyðan,

ðe me segoda agifan þenceð.'

Hwearf þahrædlice þær Hroðgar sæt

eald ondanhar mid his eorla gedriht;

eodeellenrof, þæt he for eaxlum gestod

Denigafrean; cuþe he duguðe þeaw.

Wulfgarmaðelode to his winedrihtne:

361-379

`Hersyndon geferede, feorran cumene

ofergeofenes begang Geata leode;

þoneyldestan oretmecgas

Beowulfnemnað. Hy benan synt,

þæt hie,þeoden min,wið þe moton

wordumwrixlan; no ðu him wearne geteoh

ðinragegncwida, glædman Hroðar!

Hy onwiggetawum wyrðe þinceað

eorlageæhtlan; huru se aldor deah,

se þæmheaðorincum hider wisade.'

VI Hroðgarmaþelode, helm Scyldinga:

'Ic hinecuðe cnihtwesende;

wæs hisealdfæder Ecgþeo haten,

ðæm to hamforgeaf Hreþel Geata

angandohtor; is his eaforan nu

heard hercumen, sohte holdne wine.

Ðonnesægdon þæt sæliþende,

þa ðegifsceattas Geata fyredon

þyder toþance, þæt he þritiges

380-401

mannamægencræft on his mundgripe

heaþorofhæbbe. Hine halig God

forarstafum us onsende,

toWest-Denum, þæs ic wen hæbbe.

wiðGrendles gryre. Ic þæm godan sceal

for hismodþræce madmas beodan.

Beo ðu onofeste, hat in gan

seonsibbegedriht samod ætgædere,

gesaga himeac wordum. þæt hie sint wil cuman

Denigaleodum.' Þa to dura eode

widcuðhæleð, word inne abead;

`Eow hetsecgan sigedrihten min,

aldorEast-Dena, þæt he eoweræþelu can,

ond ge himsyndon ofer sæwylmas

heardhicgende hider wilcuman.

Nu gemoton gangan in eowrum guðgetawum

underheregriman Hroðgar geseon;

lætaðhildebord her onbidan,

wuduwælsceaftas worda geþinges.'

Aras þa serica, ymb hine rinc manig,

þryðlicþegna heap ; sume þær bidon,

heaðoreafheoldon, swa him se hearda bebead.

402-422

Snyredonætsomne, þa secg wisode,

underHeorotes hrof; heaþorinc eode,

heardunder helme, þæt he on heorðe gestod,

Beowulf ma---ode ðelon him byrne scan,

searonetseowed smiþes orþancum--- :

`Wæs þu,Hroðgar, hal! Ic eom Higelaces

mæg ondmagoðegn; hæbbe ic mærða fela

ongunnenon geogoþe. Me wearð Grendles þing

on minreeþeltyrf undyrne cuð;

secgaðsæliðend, þæt þæs sele stande,

recedselesta rinca gehwylcum

idel ondunnyt, siððan æfenleoht

underheofenes hador beholen weorþeð.

Þa me þætgelærdon leode mine,

þaselestan, snotere ceorlas,

þeodenHroðgar, þæt ic þe sohte,

forþan hiemægenes cræft minne cuþon;

selfeofersawon, ða ic of searwum cwom,

fah fromfeondum, þær ic fife geband,

yðdeeotena cyn, ond on yðum slog

nicerasnihtes, nearoþearfe dreah,

wræcWedera nið --- wean ahsodon---,

424-444

forgrandgramum; ond nu wið Grendel sceal,

wið þamaglæcan ana gehegan

ðing wiðþyrse. Ic þe nu ða,

bregoBeorht-Dena, biddan wille,

eodorScyldinga, anre bene,

þæt ðu mene forwyrne, wigendra hleo,

freowinefolca, nu ic þus feorran com,

þæt icmote ana ond minra eorla gedryht,

þes heardaheap, Heorot fæl sian.

Hæbbe iceac geahsod, þæt se æglæca

for hiswonhydum wæpna ne recceð;

ic þætþonne forhicge, swa me Higelac sie,

minmondrihten, modes bliðe,

þæt icsweord bere oþðe sidne scyld,

geolorandto guþe, ac ic mid grape sceal

fon wiðfeonde ond ymb feorh sacan,

lað wiðlaþum; ðær gelyfan sceal

Dryhtnesdome se þe hine deað nimeð.

Wen' icþæt he wille, gif he wealdan mot,

in þæmguðsele Geotena leode

etanunforhte, swa he oft dyde,

445-455

mægenHreðmanna. Na ðu minne þearft

hafalanhydan, ac he me habban wile

dreorefahne, gif mec deað nimeð;

byreðblodig wæl, byrgean þenceð,

eteðangenga unmurnlice,

mearcaðmorhopu; no ðu ymb mines ne þearft

licesfeorme leng sorgian.

OnsendHigelace, gif mec hild nime,

beaduscruda betst, þæt mine breost wereð,

hræglaselest; þæt is Hrædlan laf,

Welandesgeweorc. Gæð a wyrd swa hio scel!

456-464

VIIHroðgar maþelode, helm Scyldinga:

`Forgewyrhtum þu, wine min Beowulf,

ond forarstafum usic sohtest.

Gesloh þinfæder fæhðe mæste;

wearþ heHeaþolafe to handbonan

midWilfingum; ða hine Wedera cyn

forherebrogan habban ne mihte.

Þanon hegesohte Suð-Dena folc

ofer yðagewealc, Ar-Scyldinga;

465-485

ða icfurþum weold folce Deniga

ond ongeogoðe heold ginne rice,

hordburhhæleþa; ða wæs Heregar dead,

min yldramæg unlifigende,

bearnHealfdenes; se wæs betera ðonne ic!

Siððan þafæhðe feo þingode;

sende icWylfingum ofer wæteres hrycg

ealdemadmas; he me aþas swor.

Sorh is meto secganne on sefan minum

gumenaængum, hwæt me Grendel hafað

hynðo onHeorote mid his heteþancum,

færniðagefremed; is min fletwerod,

wigheapgewanod; hie wyrd forsweop

onGrendles gryre. God eaþe mæg

þonedolsceaðan dæda getwæfan!

Ful oftgebeotedon beore druncne

oferealowæge oretmecgas,

þæt hie inbeorsele bidan woldon

Grendlesguþe mid gryrum ecga.

Ðonne wæsþeos medoheal on morgentid,

drihtseledreorfah, þonne dæg lixte,

486-503

ealbencþelu blode bestymed,

heallheorudreore; ahte ic holdra þy læs,

deorreduguðe, þe þa deað fornam.

Site nu tosymle ond onsæl meoto,

sigehreðsecgum, Swa þin sefa hwette.'

Þa wæsGeatmæcgum geador ætsomne

onbeorsele benc gerymed;

þærswiðferhþe sittan eodon,

þryðumdealle. Þegn nytte beheold,

se þe onhanda bær hroden ealowæge,

scenctescir wered. Scop hwilum sang

hador onHeorote. Þær wæs hæleða dream,

duguðunlytel Dena ond Wedera.

VIIIUnferð maþelode, Ecglafes bearn,

þe ætfotum sæt frean Scyldinga,

onbandbeadurune--- wæs him Beowulfes sið,

modgesmerefaran, micel æfþunca,

forþon þehe ne uþe, þæt ænig oðer man

504-523

æfre mærðaþon ma middangeardes

gehedeunder heofenum þonne he sylfa--- :

`Eart þuse Beowulf, se þe wið Brecan wunne,

on sidnesæ ymb sund flite,

ðær gitfor wlence wada cunnedon

ond fordolgilpe on deop wæter

aldrumneþdon? Ne inc ænig mon,

ne leof nelað, belean mihte

sorhfullnesið, þa git on sund reon;

þær giteagorstream earmum þehton,

mætonmerestræta, mundum brugdon,

glidonofer garsecg; geofon yþum weol,

wintryswylmum. Git on wæteres æht,

seofonniht swuncon; he þe æt sunde oferflat,

hæfde maremægen. Þa hine on morgentid

onHeaðo-Ræmes holm up ætbær;

ðonon hegesohte swæsne eþel,

leof hisleodum, lond Brondinga,

freoðoburhfægere, þær he folc ahte,

burh ondbeagas. Beot eal wið þe

524-543

sunuBeanstanes soðe gelæste.

Ðonne weneic to þe wyrsan geþingea,

ðeah þuheaðoræsa gehwær dohte,

grimreguðe, gif þu Grendles dearst

nihtlongnefyrst nean bidan.'

Beowulfmaþelode, bearn Ecgþeowes:

`Hwæt, þuworn fela, wine min Unferð,

beoredruncen ymb Brecan spræce,

sædgestfrom his siðe! Soð ic talige,

þæt icmerestrengo maran ahte,

earfeþo onyþum, ðonne ænig oþer man.

Wit þætgecwædon cnihtwesende

ondgebeotedon --- wæron begen þa git

ongeogoðfeore--- þæt wit on garsecg ut

aldrumneðdon, ond þæt geæfndon swa.

Hæfdonswurd nacod, þa wit on sund reon,

heard onhanda; wit unc wið hronfixas

werianþohton. No he wiht fram me

flodyþumfeor fleotan meahte,

hraþor onholme; no ic fram him wolde.

544-558

Ða witætsomne on sæ wæron

fif nihtafyrst, oþ þæt unc flod todraf,

wadoweallende, wedera cealdost,

nipendeniht, ond norþanwind

heaðogrimondhwearf; hreo wæron yþa.

wæsmerefixa mod onhrered;

þær me wiðlaðum licsyrce min

heardhondlocen, helpe gefremede,

beadohræglbroden, on breostum læg

goldegegyrwed. Me to grunde teah

fahfeondscaða, fæste hæfde

grim ongrape; hwæþre me gyfeþe wearð,

þæt icaglæcan orde geræhte,

hildebille; heaþoræs fornam

mihtigmeredeor þurh mine hand.

VIIII Swamec gelome laðgeteonan

þreatedonþearle. Ic him þenode

deoransweorde, swa hit gedefe wæs.

Næs hieðære fylle gefean hæfdon,

manfordædlan, þæt hie me þegon,

symbelymbsæton sægrunde neah;

ac onmergenne mecum wunde

566-588

be yðlafeuppe lægon,

sweordumaswefede, þæt syðþan na

ymbbrontne ford brimliðende

lade neletton. Leoht eastan com,

beorhtbeacen Godes; brimu swaþredon,

þæt icsænæssas geseon mihte,

windigeweallas. Wyrd oft nereð

unfægneeorl, þonne his ellen deah!

Hwæþere megesælde, þæt ic mid sweorde ofsloh

nicerasnigene. No ic on niht gefrægn

underheofones hwealf heardran feohtan,

ne onegstreamum earmran mannon;

hwæþere icfara feng feore gedigde

siþeswerig. Ða mec sæ oþbær,

flod æfterfaroðe on Finna land,

waduweallendu. No ic wiht fram þe

swylcrasearoniða secgan hyrde,

billabrogan. Breca næfre git

ætheaðolace, ne gehwæþer incer,

swadeorlice, dæd gefremede

fagumsweordum --- no ic þæs fela gylpe--- ,

þeah ðuþinum broðrum to banan wurde,

heafodmægum; þæs þu in helle scealt

589-608

werhðodreogan, þeah þin wit duge.

Secge icþe to soðe, sunu Ecglafes,

þæt næfreGrendel swa fela gryra gefremede,

atolæglæca, ealdre þinum,

hynðo onHeorote, gif þin hige wære,

sefa swasearogrim, swa þu self talast;

ac hehafað onfunden, þæt he þa fæhðe ne þearf,

atoleecgþræce eower leode

swiðeonsittan, Sige-Scyldinga;

nymeðnydbade, nænegum arað

leodeDeniga, ac he lust wigeð,

swefeð ondsnedeþ, secce ne weneþ

toGar-Denum. Ac ic him Geata sceal

eafoð ondellen ungeara nu,

guþegebeodan. Gæþ eft se þe

mot tomedo modig, siþþan morgenleoht

ofer yldabearn oþres dogores,

sunnesweglwered suþan scineð!'

Þa wæs onsalum sinces brytta,

gamolfeaxond guðrof; geoce gelyfde

609-629

bregoBeorht-Dena, gehyrde on Beowulfe

folceshyrde fæstrædne geþoht.

Ðær wæshæleþa hleahtor, hlyn swynsode,

word wæronwynsume. Eode Wealhþeow forð,

cwenHroðgares, cynna gemyndig,

grettegoldhroden guman on healle,

ond þafreolic wif ful gesealde

ærestEast-Dena eþelwearde,

bæd hinebliðne æt þære beorþege,

leodumleofne; he on lust geþeah

symbel ondseleful, sigerof kyning.

Ymbeode þaides Helminga

duguþe ondgeogoþe dæl æghwylcne,

sincfatosealde, oþ þæt sæl alamp

þæt hioBeowulfe, beaghroden cwen

modegeþungen medoful ætbær;

gretteGeata leod, Gode þancode

wisfæstwordum þæs ðe hire se willa gelamp,

þæt heo onænigne eorl gelyfde

fyrenafrofre. He þæt ful geþeah,

wælreowwiga, æt Wealhþeon,

630-653

ond þagyddode guþe gefysed,

Beowulfmaþelode, bearn Ecgþeowes:

`Ic þæthogode, þa ic on holm gestah,

sæbatgesæt mid minra secga gedriht,

þæt icanunga eowra leoda

willangeworhte, oþðe on wæl crunge

feondgrapum fæst. Ic gefremman sceal

eorlicellen, oþðe endedæg

on þissemeoduhealle minne gebidan!'

Ðam wifeþa word wel licodon,

gilpcwideGeates; eode goldhroden,

freolicufolccwen to hire frean sittan.

Þa wæs eftswa ær inne on healle

þryðwordsprecen, ðeod on sælum,

sigefolcasweg, oþ þæt semninga

sunuHealfdenes secean wolde

æfenræste;wiste þæm ahlæcan

to þæmheahsele hilde geþinged,

siððan hiesunnan leoht geseon meahton,

oð þenipende niht ofer ealle,

scaduhelmagesceapu scriðan cwoman

wan underwolcnum. Werod eall aras.

Gegretteþa guma oþerne,

HroðgarBeowulf, ond him hæl abead,

654-661

winærnesgeweald, ond þæt word acwæð:

`Næfre icænegum men ær alyfde,

siþðan ichond ond rond hebban mihte,

ðryþærnDena buton þe nu ða.

Hafa nuond geheald husa selest,

gemynemærþo, mægenellen cyð,

waca wiþwraþum! Ne bið þe wilna gad,

gif þu þætellenweorc aldre gedigest.'

663-675

X Ða himHroþgar gewat mid his hæleþa gedryht,

eodurScyldinga ut of healle;

woldewigfruma Wealhþeo secan,

cwen togebeddan. Hæfde Kyningwuldor

Grendletogeanes, swa guman gefrungon,

seleweardaseted; sundornytte behold

ymb aldorDena, eotonweard' abead.

Huru Geataleod georne truwode

modganmægnes, Metodes hyldo.---

Ða he himof dyde iserbyrnan,

helm ofhafelan, sealde his hyrsted sweord,

irena cystombihtþegne,

ondgehealdan het hildegeatwe.

Gespræc þase goda gylpworda sum,

676-697

BeowulfGeata, ær he on bed stige:

`No ic mean herewæsmun hnagran talige

guþgeweorca, þonne Grendel hine;

forþan ichine sweorde swebban nelle,

aldrebeneotan, þeah ic eal mæge;

nat heþara goda, þæt he me ongean slea,

randgeheawe, þeah ðe he rof sie

niþgeweorca; ac wit on niht sculon

secgeofersittan, gif he gesecean dear

wig oferwæpen, ond siðan witig God

on swahwæere hond halig Dryhten

mærðodeme, swa him gemet þince.'

Hylde hineþa heaþodeor, hleorbolster onfeng

eorlesandwlitan, ond hine ymb monig

snellicsærinc selereste gebeah.

Nænigheora þohte, þæt he þanon scolde

efteardlufan æfre gesecan,

folc oþðefreoburh, þær he afeded wæs;

ac hiehæfdon gefrunen, þæt hie ær to fela micles

in þæmwinsele wældeað fornam,

Denigealeode. Ac him Dryhten forgeaf

wigspedagewiofu, Wedera leodum.

698-718

frofor ondfultum, þæt hie feond heora

ðurh anescræft ealle ofercomon,

selfesmihtum. Soð is gecyþed,

þæt mihtigGod manna cynnes

weoldwideferhð.

Com onwanre niht

scriðansceadugenga. Sceotend swæfon,

þa þæthornreced healdan scoldon,

eallebuton anum. Þæt wæs yldum cuþ,

þæt hie nemoste, þa Metod nolde,

sescynscaþa under sceadu bregdan;---

ac hewæccende wraþum on andan

badbolgenmod beadwa geþinges.

XI Ða comof more under misthleoþum

Grendelgongan, Godes yrre bær;

mynte semanscaða manna cynnes

sumnebesyrwan in sele þam hean.

Wod underwolcnum to þæs þe he winreced,

goldselegumena gearwost wisse

fættumfahne. Ne wæs þæt forma sið,

þæt heHroþgares ham gesohte;

næfre heon aldordagum ær ne siþðan

719-739

heardranhæle, healðegnas fand!

Com þa torecede rinc siðian

dreamumbedæled. Duru sona onarn

fyrbendumfæst, syþðan he hire folmum æthran;

onbræd þabealohydig, ða he gebolgen wæs,

recedesmuþan. Raþe æfter þon

on fagneflor feond treddode,

eodeyrremod; him of eagum stod

liggegelicost leoht unfæger.

Geseah hein recede rinca manige,

swefansibbegedriht samod ætgædere,

magorincaheap. Þa his mod ahlog;

mynte þæthe gedælde, ær þon dæg cwome,

atolaglæca, anra gehwylces

lif wiðlice, þa him alumpen wæs

wistfyllewen. Ne wæs þæt wyrd þa gen,

þæt he mamoste manna cynnes

ðicgeanofer þa niht. Þryðswyð beheold

mægHigelaces, hu se manscaða

underfærgripum gefaran wolde.

Ne þæt seaglæca yldan þohte,

740-761

ac hegefeng hraðe forman siðe

slæpendnerinc, slat unwearnum,

batbanlocan, blod edrum dranc,

synsnædumswealh; sona hæfde

unlyfigendes eal gefeormod,

fet ondfolma. Forð near ætstop,

nam þa midhanda higeþihtigne

rinc onræste, ræhte ongean

feond midfolme; he onfeng hraþe

inwitþancum ond wið earm gesæt.

Sona þætonfunde fyrena hyrde,

þæt he nemette middangeardes,

eorþansceata on elran men

mundgripemaran; he on mode wearð

forht onferhðe; no þy ær fram meahte.

Hyge wæshim hinfus, wolde on heolster fleon,

secandeofla gedræg; ne wæs his drohtoð þær

swylce heon ealderdagum ær gemette.

Gemunde þase goda, mæg Higelaces,

æfenspræce, uplang astod

ond himfæste wiðfeng; fingras burston;

eoten wæsutweard; eorl furþur stop.

762-782

Mynte semæra, þær he meahte swa,

widregewindan ond on weg þanon

fleon onfenhopu; wiste his fingra geweald

on gramesgrapum. Þæt wæs geocor sið,

þæt sehearmscaþa to Heorute ateah!

Dryhtseledynede; Denum eallum wearð,

ceasterbuendum, cenra gehwylcum,

eorlumealuscerwen. Yrre wæron begen,

reþerenweardas. Reced hlynsode.

Þa wæswundor micel, þæt se winsele

wiðhæfdeheaþodeorum, þæt he on hrusan ne feol,

fægerfoldbold; ac he þæs fæste wæs

innan ondutan irenbendum

searoþoncum besmiþod. Þær fram sylle abeag

medubencmonig mine gefræge

goldegeregnad, þær þa graman wunnon.

Þæs newendon ær witan Scyldinga,

þæt hit amid gemete manna ænig

betlic ondbanfag tobrecan meahte,

listumtolucan, nymþe liges fæþm

swulge onswaþule. Sweg up astag

783-803

niwegeneahhe: Norð-Denum stod

atelicegesa, anra gehwylcum

þara þe ofwealle wop gehyrdon,

gryreleoðgalan Godes andsacan,

sigeleasnesang, sar wanigean

hellehæfton. Heold hine fæste

se þemanna wæs mægene strengest

on þæmdæge þysses lifes.

XII Noldeeorla hleo ænige þinga

þonecwealmcuman cwicne forlætan,

ne hislifdagas leoda ænigum

nyttetealde. Þær genehost brægd

eorlBeowulfes ealde lafe,

woldefreadrihtnes feorh ealgian,

mæresþeodnes, ðær hie meahton swa.

Hie þæt newiston, þa hie gewin drugon,

heardhicgende hildemecgas,

ond onhealfa gehwone heawan þohton,

sawlesecan: þone synscaðan

ænig ofereorþan irenna cyst,

guðbillanan, gretan nolde;

804-826

ac hesigewæpnum forsworen hæfde,

ecgagehwylcre. Scolde his aldorgedal

on ðæmdæge þysses lifes

earmlicwurðan, ond se ellorgast

on feondageweald feor siðian.---

Ða þætonfunde se þe fela æror

modesmyrðe manna cynne,

fyrenegefremede --- he wæs fag wið God--- ,

þæt him selichoma læstan nolde,

ac hine semodega mæg Hygelaces

hæfde behonda; wæs gehwæþer oðrum

lifigendelað. Licsar gebad

atolæglæca; him on eaxle wearð

syndolhsweotol, seonowe onsprungon,

burstonbanlocan. Beowulfe wearð

guðhreðgyfeþe; scolde Grendel þonan

feorhseocfleon under fenhleoðu,

seceanwynleas wic; wiste þe geornor

þæt hisaldres wæs ende gegongen,

dogeradægrim. Denum eallum wearð

æfter þamwælræse willa gelumpen.

Hæfde þagefælsod se þe ær feorran com,

snotor ondswyðferhð, sele Hroðgares,

827-8367

generedwið niðe. Nihtweorce gefeh,

ellenmærþum. Hæfde East-Denum

Geatmecgaleod gilp gelæsted,

swylceoncyþðe ealle gebette,

inwidsorge, þe hie ær drugon

ond forþreanydum þolian scoldon,

tornunlytel. Þæt wæs tacen sweotol,

syþðanhildedeor hond alegde,

earm ondeaxle --- þær wæs eal geador

Grendlesgrape--- under geapne hrof.837-849

XIII Ðawæs on morgen mine gefræge

ymb þagifhealle guðrinc monig;

ferdonfolctogan feorran ond nean

geondwidwegas wundor sceawian,

laþeslastas. No his lifgedal

sarlicþuhte secga ænegum

þara þetirleases trode sceawode,

hu hewerigmod on weg þanon,

niðaofercumen, on nicera mere

fæge ondgeflymed feorhlastas bær.

Ðær wæs onblode brim weallende,

atol yðageswing eal gemenged

hatonheolfre, heorodreore weol;

850-872

deaðfægedeog, siððan dreama leas

infenfreoðo feorh alegde,

hæþenesawle; þær him hel onfeng.

Þanon eftgewiton ealdgesiðas

swylcegeong manig of gomenwaþe,

fram meremodge mearum ridan,

beornas onblancum. Ðær wæs Beowulfes

mærðomæned; monig oft gecwæð,

þætte suðne norð be sæm tweonum

ofereormengrund oþer nænig

underswegles begong selra nære

rondhæbbendra, rices wyrðra. ---

Ne hiehuru winedrihten wiht ne logon,

glædneHroðgar, ac þæt wæs god cyning. ---

Hwilumheaþorofe hleapan leton,

on geflitfaran fealwe mearas,

ðær himfoldwegas fægere þuhton,

cystumcuðe. Hwilum cyninges þegn,

gumagilphlæden, gidda gemyndig,

se ðeealfela ealdgesegena

worngemunde, word oþer fand

soðegebunden; secg eft ongan

siðBeowulfes snyttrum styrian,

873-894

ond onsped wrecan spel gerade,

wordumwrixlan; welhwylc gecwæð,

þæt hefram Sigemundes secgan hyrde

ellendædum, uncuþes fela,

Wælsingesgewin, wide siðas,

þara þegumena bearn gearwe ne wiston,

fæhðe ondfyrena, buton Fitela mid hine,

þonne heswulces hwæt secgan wolde,

eam hisnefan, swa hie a wæron

æt niðagehwam nydgesteallan;

hæfdonealfela eotena cynnes

sweordumgesæged. Sigemunde gesprong

æfterdeaðdæge dom unlytel,

syþðanwiges heard wyrm acwealde,

hordeshyrde; he under harne stan,

æþelingesbearn ana geneðde

frecnedæde, ne wæs him Fitela mid;

hwæþre himgesælde, ðæt þæt swurd þurhwod

wrætlicnewyrm, þæt hit on wealle ætstod,

dryhtliciren; draca morðre swealt.

Hæfdeaglæca elne gegongen,

þæt hebeahhordes brucan moste

895-917

selfesdome; sæbat gehleod,

bær onbearm scipes beorhte frætwa,

Wælseseafera; wyrm hat gemealt.

Se wæswreccena wide mærost

oferwerþeode, wigendra hleo,

ellendædum--- he þæs ær onðah--- ,

siððanHeremodes hild sweðrode,

eafoð ondellen. He mid Eotenum wearð,

on feondageweald forð forlacen,

snudeforsended. Hine sorhwylmas

lemede tolange; he his leodum wearð,

eallumæþellingum to aldorceare;

swylce oftbemearn ærran mælum

swiðferhþes sið snotor ceorl monig,

se þe himbealwa to bote gelyfde,

þæt þætðeodnes bearn geþeon scolde,

fæderæþelum onfon, folc gehealdan,

hord ondhleoburh, hæleþa rice,

eþelScyldinga. He þær eallum wearð,

mægHigelaces manna cynne,

freondumgefægra; hine fyren onwod.

Hwilumflitende fealwe stræte

mearummæton. Ða wæs morgenleoht

918-938

scofen ondscynded. Eode scealc monig

swiðhicgende to sele þam hean

searowundor seon; swylce self cyning

ofbrydbure, beahhorda weard,

tryddodetirfæst getrume micle,

cystumgecyþed, ond his cwen mid him

medostiggemæt mægþa hose.

XIIIIHroðgar maþelode --- he to healle geong,

stod onstapole, geseah steapne hrof

goldefahne ond Grendles hond --- :

`Ðisseansyne Alwealdan þanc

lungregelimpe! Fela ic laþes gebad,

grynna ætGrendle; a mæg God wyrcan

wunderæfter wundre, wuldres Hyrde.

Ðæt wæsungeara, þæt ic ænigra me

weana newende to widan feore

botegebidan, þonne blode fah

husaselest heorodreorig stod, ---

weawidscofen witena gehwylcum

ðara þe newendon, þæt hie wideferhð

leodalandgeweorc laþum beweredon

939-962

scuccumond scinnum. Nu scealc hafað

þurhDrihtnes miht dæd gefremede,

ðe weealle ær ne meahton

snyttrumbesyrwan. Hwæt, þæt secgan mæg

efne swahwylc mægþa swa ðone magan cende

æftergumcynnum, gyf heo gyt lyfað,

þæt hyreEaldmetod este wære

bearngebyrdo. Nu ic, Beowulf, þec,

secgbetsta, me for sunu wylle

freogan onferhþe; heald forð tela

niwesibbe. Ne bið þe nænigra gad

woroldewilna, þe ic geweald hæbbe.

Ful oft icfor læssan lean teohhode,

hordweorþunge hnahran rince,

sæmran ætsæcce. Þu þe self hafast

dædumgefremed, þæt þin dom lyfað

awa toaldre. Alwalda þec

godeforgylde, swa he nu gyt dyde!'

Beowulfmaþelode, bearn Ecgþeowes:

`We þætellenweorc estum miclum,

feohtanfremedon, frecne geneðdon

eafoðuncuþes. Uþe ic swiþor,

þæt ðuhine selfne geseon moste,

feond onfrætewum fylwerigne!

963-986

Ic hinehrædlice heardan clammum

onwælbedde wriþan þohte,

þæt he formundgripe minum scolde

licgeanlifbysig, butan his lic swice;

ic hine nemihte, þa Metod nolde,

gangesgetwæman, no ic him þæs georne ætfealh,

feorhgeniðlan; wæs to foremihtig

feond onfeþe. Hwæþere he his folme forlet

tolifwraþe last weardian,

earm ondeaxle; no þær ænige swa þeah

feasceaftguma frofre gebohte;

no þy lengleofað laðgeteona

synnumgeswenced, ac hyne sar hafað

innidgripe nearwe befongen,

balwonbendum; ðær abidan sceal

maga manefah miclan domes,

hu himscir Metod scrifan wille.'

Ða wæsswigra secg, sunu Ecglafes,

ongylpspræce guðgeweorca,

siþðanæþelingas eorles cræfte

oferheanne hrof hand sceawedon,

feondesfingras; foran æghwylc wæs,

stiðranægla gehwylc style gelicost,

hæþeneshandsporu hilderinces

987-1008

egluunheoru; æghwylc gecwæð,

þæt himheardra nan hrinan wolde

irenærgod, þæt ðæs ahlæcan

blodgebeadufolme onberan wolde.

XV Ða wæshaten hreþe Heort innanweard

folmumgefrætwod; fela þæra wæs,

wera ondwifa, þe þæt winreced,

gestselegyredon. Goldfag scinon

web æfterwagum, wundorsiona fela

secgagehwylcum þara þe on swylc starað.

Wæs þætbeorhte bold tobrocen swiðe

ealinneweard irenbendum fæst,

heorrastohlidene; hrof ana genæs

eallesansund, þe se aglæca

fyrendædumfag on fleam gewand,

aldresorwena. No þæt yðe byð

tobefleonne --- fremme se þe wille --- ,

ac gesacansceal sawlberendra,

nydegenydde, niþða bearna,

grundbuendra gearwe stowe,

þær hislichoma legerbedde fæst

swefeþæfter symle.

Þa wæs sælond mæl,

1009-1031

þæt tohealle gang Healfdenes sunu;

wolde selfcyning symbel þicgan,

Negefrægen ic þa mægþa maran weorode

ymb hyrasincgyfan sel gebæran.

Bugon þato bence blædagande,

fyllegefægon; fægere geþægon

medofulmanig magas þara

swiðhicgende on sele þam hean,

Hroðgarond Hroþulf. Heorot innan wæs

freondumafylled; nalles facenstafas

Þeod-Scyldingas þenden fremedon. ---

Forgeaf þaBeowulfe bearn Healfdenes

segengyldenne sigores to leane,

hrodenhildecumbor, helm ond byrnan;

mæremaðþumsweord manige gesawon

beforanbeorn beran. Beowulf geþah

ful onflette; no he þære feohgyfte

forsceotendum scamigan ðorfte, ---

ne gefrægnic freondlicor feower madmas

goldegegyrede gummanna fela

inealobence oðrum gesellan.

Ymb þæshelmes hrof heafodbeorge

wirumbewunden walu utan heold,

1032-1049

þæt himfela laf frecne ne meahte

scurheardsceþðan, þonne scyldfreca

ongeangramum gangan scolde.

Heht ðaeorla hleo eahta mearas

fætedhleore on flet teon,

in undereoderas; þara anum stod

sadolsearwum fah, since gewurþad;

þæt wæshildesetl heahcyninges,

ðonnesweorda gelac sunu Healfdenes

efnanwolde, --- næfre on ore læg

widcuþeswig, ðonne walu feollon.

Ond ðaBeowulfe bega gehwæþres

eodorIngwina onweald geteah,

wicga ondwæpna; het hine wel brucan.

Swamanlice mære þeoden,

hordweardhæleþa heaþoræsas geald

mearum ondmadmum, swa hy næfre man lyhð,

se þesecgan wile soð æfter rihte.1050-1052

XVI ÐA gytæghwylcum eorla drihten

þara þemid Beowulfe brimlade teah,

on þæremedubence maþðum gesealde,

1053-1074

yrfelafe,ond þone ænne heht

goldeforgyldan, þone ðe Grendel ær

maneacwealde,--- swa he hyra ma wolde,

nefne himwitig God wyrd forstode

ond ðæsmannes mod. Metod eallum weold

gumenacynnes, swa he nu git deð.

Forþan biðandgit æghwær selest,

ferhðesforeþanc. Fela sceal gebidan

leofes ondlaþes se þe longe her

on ðyssumwindagum worolde bruceð!

Þær wæssang ond sweg samod ætgædere

foreHealfdenes hildewisan,

gomenwudugreted, gid oft wrecen,

ðonnehealgamen Hroþgares scop

æftermedobence mænan scolde,

be Finneseaferum, ða hie se fær begeat,

hæleðHealf-Dena, Hnæf Scyldinga

inFreswæle feallan scolde.

Ne huruHildeburh herian þorfte

Eotenatreowe; unsynnum wearð

belorenleofum æt þam lindplegan

bearnumond broðrum; hie on gebyrd hruron

1075-1097

garewunde; þæt wæs geomuru ides!

Nallesholinga Hoces dohtor

meotodsceaft bemearn, syþðan morgen com,

ða heounder swegle geseon meahte

morþorbealo maga, þær heo ær mæste heold

woroldewynne. Wig ealle fornam

Finnesþegnas nemne feaum anum,

þæt he nemehte on þæm meðelstede

wigHengeste wiht gefeohtan,

ne þawealafe wige forþringan

þeodnesðegna; ac hig him geþingo budon,

þæt hiehim oðer flet eal gerymdon,

healle ondheahsetl, þæt hie healfre geweald

wið Eotenabearn agan moston,

ond ætfeohgyftum Folcwaldan sunu

dogragehwylce Dene weorþode,

Hengestesheap hringum wenede

efne swaswiðe sincgestreonum

fættangoldes, swa he Fresena cyn

onbeorsele byldan wolde.

Ða hiegetruwedon on twa healfa

fæstefrioðuwære. Fin Hengeste

elneunflitme aðum benemde,

1098-1118

þæt he þawealafe weotena dome

arumheolde, þæt ðær ænig mon

wordum neworcum wære ne bræce,

ne þurhinwitsearo æfre gemænden,

ðeah hiehira beaggyfan banan folgedon

ðeodenlease, þa him swa geþearfod wæs;

gyf þonneFrysna hwylc frecnan spræce

ðæsmorþorhetes myndgiend wære,

þonne hitsweordes ecg seðan scolde. ---

Ad wæsgeæfned, ond icge gold

ahæfen ofhorde. Here-Scyldinga

betstbeadorinca wæs on bæl gearu.

Æt þæm adewæs eþgesyne

swatfahsyrce, swyn ealgylden,

eoferirenheard, æþeling manig

wundumawyrded; sume on wæle crungon!

Het ðaHildeburh æt Hnæfes ade

hireselfre sunu sweoloðe befæstan,

banfatubærnan, ond on bæl don

eame oneaxle. Ides gnornode,

geomrodegiddum. Guðrinc astah.

1119-1138

Wand towolcnum wælfyra mæst,

hlynodefor hlawe; hafelan multon,

bengeatoburston, ðonne blod ætspranc,

laðbitelices. Lig ealle forswealg,

gæstagifrost, þara ðe þær guð fornam

begafolces; wæs hira blæd scacen.

XVIIGewiton him ða wigend wica neosian

freondumbefeallen, Frysland geseon,

hamas ondheaburh. Hengest ða gyt

wælfagnewinter wunode mid Finne

ealunhlitme; eard gemunde,

þeah þe nemeahte on mere drifan

hringedstefnan,--- holm storme weol,

won wiðwinde, winter yþe beleac

isgebinde,oþðæt oþer com

gear ingeardas,--- swa nu gyt deð,

þa ðesyngales sele bewitiað,

wuldortorhtan weder. Ða wæs winter scacen,

fægerfoldan bearm; fundode wrecca,

gist ofgeardum; he to gyrnwræce

1139-1158

swiðorþohte þonne to sælade,

gif hetorngemot þurhteon mihte,

þæt heEotena bearn inne gemunde.

Swa he neforwyrnde weorodrædende,

þonne himHunlafing hildeleoman,

billaselest on bearm dyde;

þæs wæronmid Eotenum ecge cuðe.

Swylceferðfrecan Fin eft begeat

sweordbealo sliðen æt his selfes ham,

siþðangrimne gripe Guðlaf ond Oslaf

æftersæsiðe, sorge mændon,

ætwitonweana dæl; ne meahte wæfre mod

forhabbanin hreþre. Ða wæs heal roden

feondafeorum, swilce Fin slægen,

cyning oncorþre, ond seo cwen numen.

SceotendScyldinga to scypon feredon

ealingesteald eorðcyninges,

swylce hieæt Finnes ham findan meahton

siglasearogimma. Hie on sælade

drihtlicewif to Denum feredon,

1159-1174

læddon toleodum.

Leoð wæsasungen,

gleomannesgyd. Gamen eft astah,

beorhtodebencsweg, byrelas sealdon

win ofwunderfatum. Þa cwom Wealhþeo forð

gan undergyldnum beage þær þa godan twegen

sætonsuhtergefæderan; þa gyt wæs hiera sib ætgædere,

æghwylcoðrum trywe. Swylce þær Unferþ þyle

æt fotumsæt frean Scyldinga; gehwylc hiora his ferhþe treowde,

þæt hehæfde mod micel, þeah þe he his magum nære

arfæst ætecga gelacum. Spræc ða ides Scyldinga:

`Onfohþissum fulle, freodrihten min,

sincesbrytta! þu on sælum wes,

goldwinegumena, ond to Geatum spræc

mildumwordum, swa sceal man don!

Beo wiðGeatas glæd, geofena gemyndig,

nean ondfeorran þu nu hafast.

1175-1194

Me mansægde, þæt þu ðe for sunu wolde

hererinchabban. Heorot is gefælsod,

beahselebeorhta; bruc þenden þu mote

manigramedo, ond þinum magum læf

folc ondrice, þonne ðu forð scyle,

metodsceaft seon. Ic minne can

glædneHroþulf, þæt he þa geogoðe wile

arumhealdan, gyf þu ær þonne he,

wineScildinga, worold oflætest;

wene icþæt he mid Gode gyldan wille

uncraneaferan, gif he þæt eal gemon,

hwæt witto willan ond to worðmyndum

umborwesendum ær arna gefremedon.'

Hwearf þabi bence, þær hyre byre wæron,

Hreðricond Hroðmund, ond hæleþa bearn,

giogoðætgædere; þær se goda sæt,

BeowulfGeata, be þæm gebroðrum twæm.

XVIII Himwæs ful boren, ond freondlaþu

wordumbewægned, ond wunden gold

estumgeeawed, earmreade twa,

1195-1216

hrægl ondhringas, healsbeaga mæst

þara þe icon foldan gefrægen hæbbe.

Nænigne icunder swegle selran hyrde

hordmaðumhæleþa, syþðan Hama ætwæg

to þærebyrhtan byrig Brosinga mene,

sigle ondsincfæt,--- searoniðas fleah

Eormenrices, geceas ecne ræd. ---

þone hringhæfde Higelac Geata,

nefaSwertinges, nyhstan siðe,

siðþan heunder segne sinc ealgode,

wælreafwerede; hyne wyrd fornam,

syþðan hefor wlenco wean ahsode,

fæhðe toFrysum. He þa frætwe wæg,

eorclanstanas ofer yða ful,

riceþeoden; he under rande gecranc.

Gehwearfþa in Francna fæþm feorh cyninges,

breostgewædu, ond se beah somod;

wyrsanwigfrecan wæl reafedon

æfterguðsceare, Geata leode,

hreawicheoldon.--- Heal swege onfeng.

Wealhðeomaþelode, heo fore þæm werede spræc:

`Brucðisses beages, Beowulf leofa,

1217-1241

hyse, midhæle, ond þisses hrægles neot,

þeodgestreona, ond geþeoh tela,

cen þecmid cræfte, ond þyssum cnyhtum wes

lara liðe!Ic þe þæs lean geman.

Hafast þugefered, þæt ðe feor ond neah

ealnewideferhþ weras ehtigað,

efne swaside swa sæ bebugeð,

windgeard,weallas. Wes þenden þu lifige,

æþeling,eadig! Ic þe an tela

sincgestreona. Beo þu suna minum

dædumgedefe, dreamhealdende!

Her isæghwylc eorl oþrum getrywe,

modesmilde, mandrihtne hold,

þegnassyndon geþwære, þeod ealgearo,

druncnedryhtguman doð swa ic bidde'

Eode þa tosetle. Þær wæs symbla cyst,

drunconwin weras. Wyrd ne cuþon,

geosceaftgrimme, swa hit agangen wearð

eorlamanegum, syþðan æfen cwom,

ond himHroþgar gewat to hofe sinum,

rice toræste. Reced weardode

unrimeorla, swa hie oft ær dydon.

Bencþeluberedon; hit geondbræded wearð

beddum ondbolstrum. Beorscealca sum

fus ondfæge fletræste gebeag.

1242-1250

Setton himto heafdon hilderandas,

bordwudubeorhtan; þær on bence wæs

oferæþelinge yþgesene

heaþosteapa helm, hringed byrne,

þrecwuduþrymlic. Wæs þeaw hyra,

þæt hieoft wæron an wig gearwe,

ge æt hamge on herge, ge gehwæþer þara,

efneswylce mæla, swylce hira mandryhtne

þearfgesælde; wæs seo þeod tilu.1251-1264

XVIIIISigon þa to slæpe. Sum sare angeald

æfenræste,swa him ful oft gelamp,

siþðangoldsele Grendel warode,

unrihtæfnde, oþ þæt ende becwom,

swyltæfter synnum. Þæt gesyne wearþ,

widcuðwerum, þætte wrecend þa gyt

lifdeæfter laþum, lange þrage,

æfterguðceare; Grendles modor,

idesaglæcwif yrmþe gemunde,

se þewæteregesan wunian scoldeld ,cea

estreamas, siþðan Cain wearð

toecgbanan angan breþer,

fæderenmæge; he þa fag gewat,

morþregemearcod mandream fleon,

1265-1286

westenwarode. Þanon woc fela

geosceaftgasta; wæs þæra Grendel sum,

heorowearhhetelic, se æt Heorote fand

wæccendnewer wiges bidan;

þær himaglæca ætgræpe wearð;

hwæþre hegemunde mægenes strenge,

gimfæstegife, ðe him God sealde,

ond him toAnwaldan are gelyfde,

frofre ondfultum; ðy he þone feond ofercwom,

gehnægdehelle gast. Þa he hean gewat,

dreamebedæled deaþwic seon,

mancynnesfeond. Ond his modor þa gyt

gifre ondgalgmod gegan wolde

sorhfulnesið, sunu deoð wrecan.

Com þa toHeorote, ðær Hring-Dene

geond þætsæld swæfun. Þa ðær sona wearð

edhwyrfteorlum, siþðan inne fealh

Grendlesmodor. Wæs se gryre læssa

efne swamicle, swa bið mægþa cræft,

wiggryrewifes be wæpnedmen,

þonneheoru bunden, hamere geþruen,

sweordswate fah swin ofer helme

1287-1306

ecgumdyhtig andweard scireð.

Ða wæs onhealle heardecg togen

sweordofer setlum, sidrand manig

hafenhanda fæst; helm ne gemunde,

byrnanside, þa hine se broga angeat.

Heo wæs onofste, wolde ut þanon,

feorebeorgan, þa heo onfunden wæs;

hraðe heoæþelinga anne hæfde

fæstebefangen, þa heo to fenne gang.

Se wæsHroþgare hæleþa leofost

on gesiðeshad be sæm tweonum,

ricerandwiga, þone ðe heo on ræste abreat,

blædfæstnebeorn. Næs Beowulf ðær,

ac wæsoþer in ær geteohhod

æftermaþðumgife mærum Geate.

Hreamwearð in Heorote; heo under heolfre genam

cuþefolme; cearu wæs geniwod,

gewordenin wicun. Ne wæs þæt gewrixle til,

þæt hie onba healfa bicgan scoldon

freondafeorum!

Þa wæsfrod cyning,

1307-1327

harhilderinc on hreon mode,

syðþan healdorþegn unlyfigendne,

þonedeorestan deadne wisse.

Hraþe wæsto bure Beowulf fetod,

sigoreadigsecg. Samod ærdæge

eode eorlasum, æþele cempa

self midgesiðum þær se snotera bad,

hwæþer himAlwalda æfre wille

æfterweaspelle wyrpe gefremman.

Gang ðaæfter flore fyrdwyrðe man

mid hishandscale --- healwudu dynede ---

þæt heþone wisan wordum nægde

freanIngwina, frægn gif him wære

æfterneodlaðum niht getæse.

XX Hroðgarmaþelode, helm Scyldinga:

`Ne frinþu æfter sælum! Sorh is geniwod

Denigealeodum. Dead is Æschere,

Yrmenlafesyldra broþor,

minrunwita ond min rædbora,

eaxlgestealla, ðonne we on orlege

hafelanweredon, þonne hniton feþan,

1328-1352

eoferascnysedan. Swylc scolde eorl wesan.

æþelingærgod, swylc Æschere wæs!

Wearð himon Heorote to handbanan

wælgæstwæfre; ic ne wat hwæder

atol æsewlanc eftsiðas teah,

fyllegefægnod. Heo þa fæhðe wræc,

þe þugystran niht Grendel cwealdest

þurhhæstne had heardum clammum,

forþan heto lange leode mine

wanode ondwyrde. He æt wige gecrang

ealdresscyldig, ond nu oþer cwom

mihtigmanscaða, wolde hyre mæg wrecan,

ge feorhafað fæhðe gestæled,

þæs þeþincean mæg þegne monegum,

se þeæfter sincgyfan on sefan greoteþ, ---

hreþerbealo hearde; nu seo hand ligeð,

se þe eowwelhwylcra wilna dohte.

Ic þætlondbuend, leode mine,

selerædende secgan hyrde,

þæt hiegesawon swylce twegen

miclemearcstapan moras healdan,

ellorgæstas. Ðæra oðer wæs,

þæs þe hiegewislicost gewitan meahton,

ideseonlicnes; oðer earmsceapen

on wereswæstmum wræclastas træd,

1353-1377

næfne hewæs mara þonne ænig man oðer;

þone ongeardagum Grendel nemdon

foldbuende; no hie fæder cunnon,

hwæþer himænig wæs ær acenned

dyrnragasta. Hie dygel lond

warigeaðwulfhleoþu, windige næssas,

frecnefengelad, ðær fyrgenstream

undernæssa genipu niþer gewiteð,

flod underfoldan. Nis þæt feor heonon

milgemearces, þæt se mere standeð;

ofer þæmhongiað hrinde bearwas,

wuduwyrtum fæst wæter oferhelmað.

Þær mægnihta gehwæm niðwundor seon,

fyr onflode. No þæs frod leofað

gumenabearna, þæt þone grund wite.

Ðeah þehæðstapa hundum geswenced,

heorothornum trum holtwudu sece,

feorrangeflymed, ær he feorh seleð,

aldor onofre, ær he in wille,

hafelanbeorgan; nis þæt heoru stow!

Þononyðgeblond up astigeð

won towolcnum, þonne wind styreþ,

laðgewidru, oð þæt lyft drysmaþ,

roderasreotað. Nu is se ræd gelang

eft æt þeanum. Eard git ne const,

1378-1398

frecnestowe, þær þu findan miht

sinnignesecg; sec gif þu dyrre!

Ic þe þafæhðe feo leanige,

ealdgestreonum, swa ic ær dyde,

windnumgolde, gyf þu on weg cymest.'

XXIBeowulf maþelode, bearn Ecgþeowes:

`Ne sorga,snotor guma! Selre bið æghwæm,

þæt he hisfreond wrece, þonne he fela murne.

Ureæghwylc sceal ende gebidan

woroldelifes; wyrce se þe mote

domes ærdeaþe; þæt bið drihtguman

unlifgendum æfter selest.

Aris,rices weard, uton hraþe feran.

Grendlesmagan gang sceawigan.

Ic hit þegehate: no he on helm losaþ,

ne onfoldan fæþm, ne on fyrgenholt,

ne ongyfenes grund, ga þær he wille!

Ðys dogorþu geþyld hafa

weanagehwylces, swa ic þe wene to.'

Ahleop ðase gomela, Gode þancode,

mihtiganDrihtne, þæs se man gespræc.

1399-1422

Þa wæsHroðgare hors gebæted,

wicgwundenfeax. Wisa fengel

geatolicgende; gumfeþa stop

lindhæbbendra. Lastas wæron

æfterwaldswaþum wide gesyne,

gang ofergrundas, swa gegnum for

ofermyrcan mor, magoþegna bær

þoneselestan sawolleasne

þara þemid Hroðgare ham eahtode.

Ofereodeþa æþelinga bearn

steapstanhliðo, stige nearwe,

engeanpaðas, uncuð gelad,

neowlenæssas, nicorhusa fela;

he fearasum beforan gengde

wisramonna wong sceawian,

oþ þæt hefæringa fyrgenbeamas

ofer harnestan hleonian funde,

wynleasnewudu; wæter under stod

dreorigond gedrefed. Denum eallum wæs,

winumScyldinga weorce on mode

togeþolianne, ðegne monegum,

oncyðeorla gehwæm, syðþan Æscheres

on þamholmclife hafelan metton.

Flod blodeweol --- folc to sægon --- ,

1423-1448

hatanheolfre. Horn stundum song

fuslicfyrdleoð. Feþa eal gesæt.

Gesawon ðaæfter wætere wyrmcynnes fela,

sellicesædracan sund cunnian,

swylce onnæshleoðum nicras licgean,

ða onundernmæl oft bewitigað

sorhfulnesið on seglrade,

wyrmas ondwildeor. Hie on weg hruron

bitere ondgebolgne; bearhtm ongeaton,

guðhorngalan. Sumne Geata leod

offlanbogan feores getwæfde,

yðgewinnes, þæt him on aldre stod

herestrælhearda; he on holme wæs

sundes þesænra, ðe hyne swylt fornam.

Hræþewearð on yðum mid eoferspreotum

heorohocyhtum hearde genearwod,

niðagenæged, ond on næs togen,

wundorlicwægbora; weras sceawedon

gryrelicnegist.

Gyredehine Beowulf

eorlgewædum, nalles for ealdre mearn;

scoldeherebyrne hondum gebroden,

sid ondsearofah, sund cunnian,

seo ðebancofan beorgan cuþe,

þæt himhildegrap hreþre ne mihte,

eorresinwitfeng aldre gesceþðan;

ac sehwita helm hafelan werede,

1449-1470

se þemeregrundas mengan scolde,

secansundgebland since geweorðad,

befongenfreawrasnum, swa hine fyrndagum

worhtewæpna smið, wundrum teode,

besetteswinlicum, þæt hine syðþan no

brond nebeadomecas bitan ne meahton.

Næs þætþonne mætost mægenfultuma,

þæt him onðearfe lah ðyle Hroðgares;

wæs þæmhæftmece Hrunting nama;

þæt wæs anforan ealdgestreona;

ecg wæsiren, atertanum fah,

ahyrdedheaþoswate; næfre hit æt hilde ne swac

mannaængum þara þe hit mid mundum bewand,

se ðegryresiðas gegan dorste,

folcstedefara; næs þæt forma sið,

þæt hitellenweorc æfnan scolde.

Huru negemunde mago Ecglafes

eafoþescræftig, þæt he ær gespræc

winedruncen, þa he þæs wæpnes onlah

selransweordfrecan; selfa ne dorste

under yðagewin aldre geneþan,

drihtscypedreogan; þær he dome forleas,

1471-1472

ellenmærðum. Ne wæs þæm oðrum swa,

syðþan hehine to guðe gegyred hæfde.

1473-1490

XXIIBeowulf maðelode, bearn Ecgþeowes:

`Geþencnu, se mæra maga Healfdenes,

snottrafengel, nu ic eom siðes fus,

goldwinegumena, hwæt wit geo spræcon,

gif ic ætþearfe þinre scolde

aldrelinnan, þæt ðu me a wære

forðgewitenum on fæder stæle.

Wes þumundbora minum magoþegnum

hondgesellum, gif mec hild nime;

swylce þuða madmas, þe þu me sealdest,

Hroðgarleofa, Higelace onsend.

Mæg þonneon þæm golde ongitan Geata dryhten,

geseonsunu Hrædles, þonne he on þæt sinc starað.

þæt icgumcystum godne funde

beagabryttan, breac þonne moste.

Ond þuUnferð læt ealde lafe,

wrætlicwægsweord widcuðne man

heardecghabban; ic me mid Hruntinge

1491-1515

domgewyrce, oþðe mec deað nimeð!'

Æfter þæmwordum Weder-Geata leod

efste midelne,--- nalas andsware

bidanwolde; brimwylm onfeng

hilderince. Ða wæs hwil dæges,

ær he þonegrundwong ongytan mehte.

Sona þætonfunde se ðe floda begong

heorogifrebeheold hund missera,

grim ondgrædig, þæt þær gumena sum

ælwihtaeard ufan cunnode.

Grap þatogeanes, guðrinc gefeng

atolanclommum; no þy ær in gescod

halanlice; hring utan ymbbearh,

þæt heoþone fyrdhom ðurhfon ne mihte,

loceneleoðosyrcan laþan fingrum.

Bær þa seobrimwylf, þa heo to botme com,

hringaþengel to hofe sinum,

swa he nemihte --- no he þæs modig wæs ---

wæpnagewealdan, ac hine wundra þæs fela

swencte onsunde, sædeor monig

hildetuxumheresyrcan bræc,

ehtonaglæcan. Ða se eorl ongeat,

þæt he inniðsele nathwylcum wæs,

þær himnænig wæter wihte ne sceþede,

ne him forhrofsele hrinan ne mehte

1516-1541

færgripeflodes; fyrleoht geseah,

blacneleoman beorhte scinan.

Ongeat þase goda grundwyrgenne,

merewifmihtig; mægenræs forgeaf

hildebille, hond sweng ne ofteah,

þæt hireon hafelan hringmæl agol

grædigguðleoð. Ða se gist onfand,

þæt sebeadoleoma bitan nolde,

aldresceþðan, ac seo ecg geswac

ðeodne ætþearfe; ðolode ær fela

hondgemota, helm oft gescær,

fægesfyrdhrægl; ða wæs forma sið

deorummadme, þæt his dom alæg.

Eft wæsanræd, nalas elnes læt,

mærðagemyndig mæg Hylaces:

wearp ðawundenmæl wrættum gebunden

yrreoretta, þæt hit on eorðan læg,

stið ondstylecg; strenge getruwode,

mundgripemægenes. Swa sceal man don,

þonne heæt guðe gegan þenceð

longsumnelof; na ymb his lif cearað.

Gefeng þabe eaxle --- nalas for fæhðe mearn ---

Guð-Geataleod Grendles modor;

brægd þabeadwe heard, þa he gebolgen wæs,

feorhgeniðlan, þæt heo on flet gebeah.

Heo himeft hraþe andlean forgeald

1542-1565

grimmangrapum ond him togeanes feng;

oferwearpþa werigmod wigena strengest,

feþecempa,þæt he on fylle wearð.

Ofsæt þaþone selegyst, ond hyre seax geteah

brad ondbrunecg; wolde hire bearn wrecan,

anganeaferan. Him on eaxle læg

breostnetbroden; þæt gebearh feore,

wið ordond wið ecge ingang forstod.

Hæfde ðaforsiðod sunu Ecgþeowes

undergynne grund, Geata cempa,

nemne himheaðobyrne helpe gefremede,

herenethearde, --- ond halig God

geweoldwigsigor; witig Drihten,

roderaRædend hit on ryht gesced

yðelice,syþðan he eft astod.

XXIIIGeseah ða on searwum sigeeadig bil,

ealdsweord eotenisc ecgum þyhtig,

wigenaweorðmynd; þæt wæs wæpna cyst, ---

buton hitwæs mare ðonne ænig mon oðer

tobeadulace ætberan meahte,

God ondgeatolic, giganta geweorc.

He gefengþa fetelhilt, freca Scyldinga

hreoh ondheorogrim, hringmæl gebrægd

aldresorwena, yrringa sloh,

1566-1591

þæt hirewið halse heard grapode,

banhringasbræc; bil eal ðurhwod

fægneflæschoman; heo on flet gecrong,

sweord wæsswatig, secg weorce gefeh.

Lixte seleoma, leoht inne stod,

efne swaof hefene hadre scineð

rodorescandel. He æfter recede wlat;

hwearf þabe wealle, wæpen hafenade

heard behiltum Higelaces ðegn

yrre ondanræd, --- næs seo ecg fracod

hilderince, ac he hraþe wolde

Grendleforgyldan guðræsa fela

ðara þe hegeworhte to West-Denum

oftormicle ðonne on ænne sið,

þonne heHroðgares heorðgeneatas

sloh onsweofote, slæpende fræt

folcesDenigea fyftyne men,

ond oðerswylc ut offerede,

laðliculac. He him þæs lean forgeald,

reþecempa, to ðæs þe he on ræste geseah

guðwerigneGrendel licgan,

aldorleasne, swa him ær gescod

hild ætHeorote. Hra wide sprong,

syþðan heæfter deaðe drepe þrowade,

heoroswengheardne, ond hine þa heafde becearf.

Sona þætgesawon snottre ceorlas,

1592-1616

þa ðe midHroðgare on holm wliton,

þæt wæsyðgeblond eal gemenged,

brim blodefah. Blondenfeaxe,

gomele ymbgodne ongeador spræcon,

þæt higþæs æðelinges eft ne wendon,

þæt hesigehreðig secean come

mærneþeoden; þa ðæs monige gewearð,

þæt hineseo brimwylf abroten hæfde.

Ða com nondæges. Næs ofgeafon

hwateScyldingas; gewat him ham þonon

goldwinegumena. Gistas setan

modesseoce ond on mere staredon;

wiston ondne wendon, þæt hie heora winedrihten

selfnegesawon. --- Þa þæt sweord ongan

æfterheaþoswate hildegicelum,

wigbilwanian; þæt wæs wundra sum,

þæt hiteal gemealt ise gelicost,

ðonneforstes bend Fæder onlæteð,

onwindeðwælrapas, se geweald hafað

sæla ondmæla; þæt is soð Metod.

Ne nom hein þæm wicum, Weder-Geata leod,

maðmæhtama, þeh he þær monige geseah,

buton þonehafelan ond þa hilt somod

sincefage; sweord ær gemealt,

forbarnbrodenmæl; wæs þæt blod to þæs hat,

1617-1639

ættrenellorgæst, se þær inne swealt.

Sona wæson sunde se þe ær æt sæcce gebad

wighryrewraðra, wæter up þurhdeaf;

wæronyðgebland eal gefælsod,

eacneeardas, þa se ellorgast

ofletlifdagas ond þas lænan gesceaft.

Com þa tolande lidmanna helm

swiðmodswymman; sælace gefeah,

mægenbyrþenne þara þe he him mid hæfde.

Eoden himþa togeanes, Gode þancodon,

ðryðlicþegna heap, þeodnes gefegon,

þæs þe hihyne gesundne geseon moston.

Ða wæs ofþæm hroran helm ond byrne

lungrealysed. Lagu drusade,

wæterunder wolcnum, wældreore fag.

Ferdonforð þonon feþelastum

ferhþumfægne, foldweg mæton,

cuþestræte; cyningbalde men

from þæmholmclife hafelan bæron

earfoðliceheora æghwæþrum

felamodigra; feower scoldon

on þæmwælstenge weorcum geferian

to þæmgoldsele Grendles heafod, ---

1640-1650

oþ ðætsemninga to sele comon

fromefyrdhwate feowertyne

Geatagongan; gumdryhten mid

modig ongemonge meodowongas træd.

Ða com ingan ealdor ðegna,

dædcenemon dome gewurþad,

hælehildedeor, Hroðgar gretan.

Þa wæs befeaxe on flet boren

Grendlesheafod, þær guman druncon,

egeslicfor eorlum ond þære idese mid,

wliteseonwrætlic; weras on sawon.1651-1662

XXIIIIBeowulf maþelode, bearn Ecgþeowes:

`Hwæt, weþe þas sælac, sunu Healfdenes,

leodScyldinga, lustum brohton

tires totacne, þe þu her to locast.

Ic þætunsofte ealdre gedigde,

wiggeunder wætere, weorc geneþde

earfoðlice; ætrihte wæs

guðgetwæfed, nymðe mec God scylde.

Ne meahteic æt hilde mid Hruntinge

wihtgewyrcan, þeah þæt wæpen duge;

ac megeuðe ylda Waldend,

þæt ic onwage geseah wlitig hangian

1663-1684

ealdsweordeacen --- oftost wisode

winigealeasum ---, þæt ic ðy wæpne gebræd.

Ofsloh ðaæt þære sæcce, þa me sæl ageald,

huseshyrdas. Þa þæt hildebil

forbarnbrogdenmæl, swa þæt blod gesprang,

hatostheaþoswata. Ic þæt hilt þanan

feondumætferede; fyrendæda wræc,

deaðcwealmDenigea, swa hit gedefe wæs.

Ic hit þeþonne gehate, þæt þu on Heorote most

sorhleasswefan mid þinra secga gedryht,

ond þegnagehwylc þinra leoda,

duguðe ondiogoþe, þæt þu him ondrædan ne þearft,

þeodenScyldinga, on þa healfe,

aldorbealueorlum, swa þu ær dydest.'

Ða wæsgylden hilt gamelum rince,

harumhildfruman, on hand gyfen,

entaærgeweorc; hit on æht gehwearf

æfterdeofla hryre Denigea frean,

wundorsmiþa geweorc; ond þa þas worold ofgeaf

gromheortguma, Godes andsaca,

morðresscyldig, ond his modor eac;

on gewealdgehwearf woroldcyninga

1685-1708

ðæmselestan be sæm tweonum

ðara þe onScedenigge sceattas dælde.

Hroðgarmaðelode --- hylt sceawode,

ealdelafe, on ðæm wæs or writen

fyrngewinnes, syðþan flod ofsloh,

gifengeotende giganta cyn,

frecnegeferdon; þæt wæs fremde þeod

eceanDryhtne; him þæs endelean

þurhwæteres wylm Waldend sealde.

Swa wæs onðæm scennum sciran goldes

þurhrunstafas rihte gemearcod,

gesetedond gesæd, hwam þæt sweord geworht,

irena cystærest wære,

wreoþenhilt ond wyrmfah. Ða se wisa spræc

sunuHealfdenes --- swigedon ealle --- :

`Þæt. la,mæg secgan se þe soð ond riht

fremeð onfolce, feor eal gemon,

ealdeðelweard, þæt ðes eorl wære

geborenbetera! Blæd is aræred

geondwidwegas, wine min Beowulf,

ðin oferþeoda gehwylce. Eal þu hit geþyldum healdest,

mægen midmodes snyttrum. Ic þe sceal mine gelæstan

freode,swa wit furðum spræcon. Ðu scealt to frofre weorþan

eallangtwidig leodum þinum,

1708-1731

hæleðum tohelpe.

Ne wearðHeremod swa

eaforumEcgwelan, Ar-Scyldingum;

ne geweoxhe him to willan, ac to wælfealle

ond todeaðcwalum Deniga leodum;

breatbolgenmod beodgeneatas,

eaxlgesteallan, oþ þæt he ana hwearf,

mæreþeoden, mondreamum from,

ðeah þehine mihtig God mægenes wynnum,

eafeþumstepte, ofer ealle men

forðgefremede. Hwæþere him on ferhþe greow

breosthordblodreow; nallas beagas geaf

Denumæfter dome; dreamleas gebad,

þæt he þæsgewinnes weorc þrowade,

leodbealolongsum. Ðu þe lær be þon,

gumcysteongit! Ic þis gid be þe

awræcwintrum frod.

Wundor isto secganne,

hu mihtigGod manna cynne

þurh sidnesefan snyttru bryttað,

eard ondeorlscipe; he ah ealra geweald.

Hwilum heon lufan læteð hworfan

monnesmodgeþonc mæran cynnes,

seleð himon eþle eorþan wynne

tohealdanne hleoburh wera,

1732-1751

gedeð himswa gewealdene worolde dælas,

side rice,þæt he his selfa ne mæg

hisunsnyttrum ende geþencean.

Wunað heon wiste; no hine wiht dweleð

adl neyldo, ne him inwitsorh

on sefansweorceð, ne gesacu ohwær

ecgheteeoweð, ac him eal worold

wendeð onwillan; he þæt wyrse ne con --- ,

XXV oð þæthim on innan oferhygda dæl

weaxeð ondwridað; þonne se weard swefeð,

sawelehyrde; bið se slæp to fæst,

bisgumgebunden, bona swiðe neah,

se þe offlanbogan fyrenum sceoteð.

Þonne biðon hreþre under helm drepen

biteranstræle --- him bebeorgan ne con --- ,

womwundorbebodum wergan gastes;

þinceð himto lytel, þæt he lange heold,

gytsaðgromhydig, nallas on gylp seleð

fættebeagas, ond he þa forðgesceaft

forgyteðond forgymeð, þæs þe him ær God sealde,

1752-1776

wuldresWaldend, weorðmynda dæl.

Hit onende stæf eft gelimpeð,

þæt selichoma læne gedreoseð,

fægegefealleð; fehð oþer to,

se þeunmurnlice madmas dæleþ,

eorlesærgestreon, egesan ne gymeð.

Bebeorh þeðone bealonið, Beowulf leofa,

secgbetsta, ond þe þæt selre geceos,

ece rædas;oferhyda ne gym,

mærecempa! Nu is þines mægnes blæd

ane hwile;eft sona bið,

þæt þecadl oððe ecg eafoþes getwæfeð,

oððe fyresfeng, oððe flodes wylm,

oððe gripemeces, oððe gares fliht,

oððe atolyldo; oððe eagena bearhtm

forsiteðond forsworceð; semninga bið,

þæt ðec,dryhtguma, deað oferswyðeð.

Swa icHring-Dena hund missera

weoldunder wolcnum ond hig wigge beleac

manigummægþa geond þysne middangeard,

æscum ondecgum, þæt ic me ænigne

underswegles begong gesacan ne tealde.

Hwæt, meþæs on eþle edwenden cwom,

gyrn æftergomene, seoþðan Grendel wearð,

ealdgewinna, ingenga min;

1777-1802

ic þæresocne singales wæg

modcearemicle. Þæs sig Metode þanc,

eceanDryhtne, þæs ðe ic on aldre gebad,

þæt ic onþone hafelan heorodreorigne

ofer ealdgewin eagum starige!

Ga nu tosetle, symbelwynne dreoh

wiggeweorþad; unc sceal worn fela

maþmagemænra, siþðan morgen bið.'

Geat wæsglædmod, geong sona to,

setlesneosan, swa se snottra heht.

Þa wæs eftswa ær ellenrofum,

fletsittendum fægere gereorded

niowanstefne.--- Nihthelm geswearc

deorc oferdryhtgumum. Duguð eal aras;

woldeblondenfeax beddes neosan,

gamelaScylding. Geat unigmetes wel,

rofnerandwigan restan lyste;

sona himseleþegn siðes wergum,

feorrancundum, forð wisade,

se forandrysnum ealle beweotede

þegnesþearfe, swylce þy dogore

heaþoliðende habban scoldon.

Reste hineþa rumheort; reced hliuade

geap ondgoldfah; gæst inne swæf,

oþ þæthrefn blaca heofones wynne

bliðheortbodode. Ða com beorht scacan

1803-1816

scima ofersceadwa; scaþan onetton,

wæronæþelingas eft to leodum

fuse tofarenne; wolde feor þanon

cumacollenferhð ceoles neosan.

Heht þa sehearda Hrunting beran

sunuEcglafes, heht his sweord niman,

leofliciren; sægde him þæs leanes þanc,

cwæð, heþone guðwine godne tealde,

wigcræftigne, nales wordum log

mecesecge; þæt wæs modig secg. ---

Ond þasiðfrome, searwum gearwe

wigendwæron; eode weorð Denum

æþeling toyppan, þær se oþer wæs,

hælehildedeor Hroðgar grette.1817-1825

XXVIBeowulf maþelode, bearn Ecgþeowes:

`Nu wesæliðend secgan willað

feorrancumene, þæt we fundiaþ

Higelacsecan. Wæron her tela,

willumbewenede; þu us wel dohtest.

Gif icþonne on eorþan owihte mæg

þinremodlufan maran tilian,

gumenadryhten, ðonne ic gyt dyde,

guðgeweorca, ic beo gearo sona.

1826-1849

Gif ic þætgefricge ofer floda begang,

þæt þecymbsittend egesan þywað,

swa þechetende hwilum dydon,

ic ðeþusenda þegna bringe,

hæleþa tohelpe. Ic on Higelace wat,

Geatadryhten, þeah ðe he geong sy,

folceshyrde, þæt he mec fremman wile

wordum ondweorcum, þæt ic þe wel herige

ond þe togeoce garholt bere,

mægenesfultum, þær ðe bið manna þearf.

Gif himþonne Hreþric to hofum Geata

geþingeðþeodnes bearn, he mæg þær fela

freondafindan; feorcyþðe beoð

selrangesohte þæm þe him selfa deah.'

Hroðgarmaþelode him on andsware:

`Þe þawordcwydas wigtig Drihten

on sefansende; ne hyrde ic snotorlicor

on swageongum feore guman þingian.

Þu eartmægenes strang, ond on mode frod,

wiswordcwida! Wen ic talige,

gif þætgegangeð, þæt ðe gar nymeð,

hildheorugrimme, Hreþles eaferan,

adl oþðeiren ealdor ðinne,

folceshyrde, ond þu þin feorh hafast,

1850-1873

þæt þeSæ-Geatas selran næbben

togeceosenne cyning ænigne,

hordweardhæleþa, gyf þu healdan wylt

maga rice.Me þin modsefa

licað lengswa wel, leofa Beowulf.

Hafast þugefered, þæt þam folcum sceal,

Geataleodum ond Gar-Denum

sibgemæne, ond sacu restan,

inwitniþas, þe hie ær drugon,

wesan,þenden ic wealde widan rices,

maþmasgemæne, manig oþerne

godumgegrettan ofer ganotes bæð;

scealhringnaca ofer heafu bringan

lac ondluftacen. Ic þa leode wat

ge wiðfeond ge wið freond fæste geworhte,

æghwæsuntæle ealde wisan.'

Ða git himeorla hleo inne gesealde,

magoHealfdenes, maþmas twelfe;

het hinemid þæm lacum leode swæse

secean ongesyntum, snude eft cuman.

Gecyste þacyning æþelum god,

þeodenScyldinga ðegn betstan

ond behealse genam; hruron him tearas

blondenfeaxum. Him wæs bega wen

1874-1892

ealduminfrodum, oþres swiðor,

þæt hieseoððan no geseon moston,

modige onmeþle. Wæs him se man to þon leof,

þæt heþone breostwylm forberan ne mehte;

ac him onhreþre hygebendum fæst

æfterdeorum men dyrne langað

beorn wiðblode. Him Beowulf þanan,

guðrincgoldwlanc græsmoldan træd

sincehremig; sægenga bad

agendfrean, se þe on ancre rad.

Þa wæs ongang gifu Hroðgares

oftgeæhted; þæt wæs an cyning

æghwæsorleahtre, oþ þæt hine yldo benam

mægeneswynnum, se þe oft manegum scod.

XXVII Cwomþa to flode felamodigra,

hægstealdra heap; hringnet bæron,

loceneleoðosyrcan. Landweard onfand

eftsiðeorla, swa he ær dyde;

no he midhearme of hliðes nosan

1893-1913

gæstasgrette, ac him togeanes rad,

cwæð þætwilcuman Wedera leodum

scaþanscirhame to scipe foron.

Þa wæs onsande sægeap naca

hladenherewædum hringedstefna,

mearum ondmaðmum; mæst hlifade

oferHroðgares hordgestreonum.

He þæmbatwearde bunden golde

swurdgesealde, þæt he syðþan wæs

onmeodubence maþme þy weorþra,

yrfelafe.Gewat him on naca

drefandeop wæter, Dena land ofgeaf.

Þa wæs bemæste merehrægla sum,

segl salefæst; sundwudu þunede;

no þærwegflotan wind ofer yðum

siðesgetwæfde; sægenga for,

fleatfamigheals forð ofer yðe,

bundenstefna ofer brimstreamas,

þæt hieGeata clifu ongitan meahton,

cuþenæssas; ceol up geþrang

lyftgeswenced, on lande stod.

1914-1935

Hraþe wæsæt holme hyðweard geara,

se þe ærlange tid leofra manna

fus ætfaroðe feor wlatode;

sælde tosande sidfæþme scip

oncerbendum fæst, þy læs hym yþa ðrym

wuduwynsuman forwrecan meahte.

Het þa upberan æþelinga gestreon,

frætwe ondfætgold; næs him feor þanon

togesecanne sinces bryttan,

HigelacHreþling, þær æt ham wunað

selfa midgesiðum sæwealle neah.

Bold wæsbetlic, bregorof cyning,

heah onhealle, Hygd swiðe geong,

wis,welþungen, þeah ðe wintra lyt

underburhlocan gebiden hæbbe,

Hæreþesdohtor; næs hio hnah swa þeah,

ne togneað gifa Geata leodum,

maþmgestreona. Modþryðo wæg,

fremufolces cwen, firen' ondrysne;

nænig þætdorste deor geneþan

swæsragesiða, nefne sinfrea,

þæt hirean dæges eagum starede;

1936-1957

ac himwælbende weotode tealde

handgewriþene; hraþe seoþðan wæs

æftermundgripe mece geþinged,

þæt hitsceadenmæl scyran moste,

cwealmbealu cyðan. Ne bið swylc cwenlic þeaw

idese toefnanne, þeah ðe hio ænlicu sy,

þættefreoðuwebbe feores onsæce

æfterligetorne leofne mannan.

Huru þætonhohsnode Hemminges mæg:

ealodrincende oðer sædan,

þæt hioleodbealewa læs gefremede,

inwitniða,syððan ærest wearð

gyfengoldhroden geongum cempan,

æðelumdiore, syððan hio Offan flet

oferfealone flod be fæder lare

siðegesohte; ðær hio syððan well

ingumstole, gode mære,

lifgesceafta lifigende breac,

hioldheahlufan wið hæleþa brego,

eallesmoncynnes mine gefræge

þoneselestan bi sæm tweonum,

eormencynnes; forðam Offa wæs

1958-1977

geofum ondguðum, garcene man,

widegeweorðod, wisdome heold

eðelsinne;--- þonon Eomer woc

hæleðum tohelpe, Hemminges mæg,

nefaGarmundes, niða cræftig.

XXVIIIGewat him ða se hearda mid his hondscole

sylf æftersande sæwong tredan,

widewaroðas. Woruldcandel scan,

sigelsuðan fus. Hi sið drugon,

elnegeeodon, to ðæs ðe eorla hleo,

bonanOngenþeoes burgum in innan,

geongneguðcyning godne gefrunon

hringasdælan. Higelace wæs

siðBeowulfes snude gecyðed,

þæt ðær onworðig wigendra hleo,

lindgestealla lifigende cwom,

heaðolaceshal to hofe gongan.

Hraðe wæsgerymed, swa se rica bebead.

feðegestumflet innanweard.

Gesæt þawið sylfne se ða sæcce genæs,

1978-1999

mæg wiðmæge, syððan mandryhten

þurhhleoðorcwyde holdne gegrette,

meaglumwordum. Meoduscencum hwearf

geond þæthealreced Hæreðes dohtor,

lufode ðaleode, liðwæge bær

hæleðum tohanda. Higelac ongan

sinnegeseldan in sele þam hean

fægrefricgcean, hyne fyrwet bræc,

hwylceSæ-Geata siðas wæron:

`Hu lompeow on lade, leofa Biowulf,

þa ðufæringa feorr gehogodest

sæccesecean ofer sealt wæter,

hilde toHiorote? Ac ðu Hroðgare

widcuðnewean wihte gebettest,

mærumðeodne? Ic ðæs modceare

sorhwylmumseað, siðe ne truwode

leofesmannes; ic ðe lange bæd,

þæt ðuþone wælgæst wihte ne grette,

leteSuð-Dene sylfe geweorðan

guðe wiðGrendel. Gode ic þanc secge,

þæs ðe icðe gesundne geseon moste.'

Biowulfmaðelode, bearn Ecgðioes:

2000-2018

`Þæt isundyrne, dryhten Higelac,

micelgemeting, monegum fira,

hwylcorleghwil uncer Grendles

wearð onðæm wange, þær he worna fela

Sige-Scyldingum sorge gefremede,

yrmðe toaldre; ic ðæt eall gewræc,

swabegylpan ne þearf Grendeles maga

ænig ofereorðan uhthlem þone,

se ðelengest leofað laðan cynnes,

facnebifongen.--- Ic ðær furðum cwom

to ðamhringsele Hroðgar gretan;

sona me semæra mago Healfdenes,

syððan hemodsefan minne cuðe,

wið hissylfes sunu setl getæhte.

Weorod wæson wynne; ne seah ic widan feorh

underheofones hwealf healsittendra

medudreammaran. Hwilum mæru cwen,

friðusibbfolca flet eall geondhwearf,

bædde byregeonge; oft hio beahwriðan

2019-2039

secgesealde, ær hie to setle geong.

Hwilum forduguðe dohtor Hroðgares

eorlum onende ealuwæge bær,

þa icFreaware fletsittende

nemnanhyrde, þær hio nægledsinc

hæleðumsealde. Sio gehaten is,

geonggoldhroden, gladum suna Frodan;

hafað þæsgeworden wine Scyldinga,

riceshyrde, ond þæt ræd talað,

þæt he midðy wife wælfæhða dæl,

sæccagesette. Oft seldan hwær

æfterleodhryre lytle hwile

bongarbugeð, þeah seo bryd duge!

Mæg þæsþonne ofþyncan ðeodne Heaðo-Beardna

ond þegnagehwam þara leoda,

þonne hemid fæmnan on flett gæð,

dryhtbearnDena, duguða biwenede;

on himgladiað gomelra lafe,

heard ondhringmæl Heaða-Beardna gestreon,

þenden hieðam wæpnum wealdan moston, ---2039-2041

XXVIIII-XXX oð ðæt hie forlæddan to ðamlindplegan

swæsegesiðas ond hyra sylfra feorh.

Þonne cwiðæt beore se ðe beah gesyhð,

2042-2061

ealdæscwiga, se ðe eall geman,

garcwealmgumena --- him bið grim sefa --- ,

onginneðgeomormod geongum cempan

þurhhreðra gehygd higes cunnian,

wigbealuweccean, ond þæt word acwyð:

"Meaht ðu,min wine, mece gecnawan,

þone þinfæder to gefeohte bær

underheregriman hindeman siðe,

dyre iren,þær hyne Dene slogon,

weoldonwælstowe, syððan Wiðergyld læg,

æfterhæleþa hryre, hwate Scyldungas?

Nu herþara banena byre nathwylces

frætwumhremig on flet gæð,

morðresgylpeð, ond þone maðþum byreð,

þone þe ðumid rihte rædan sceoldest."

Manað swaond myndgað mæla gehwylce

sarumwordum, oð ðæt sæl cymeð,

þæt sefæmnan þegn fore fæder dædum

æfterbilles bite blodfag swefeð,

ealdresscyldig; him se oðer þonan

2062-2084

losaðlifigende, con him land geare.

Þonne bioðabrocene on ba healfe

aðsweordeorla; syððan Ingelde

weallaðwælniðas, ond him wiflufan

æftercearwælmum colran weorðað.

Þy icHeaðo-Beardna hyldo ne telge,

dryhtsibbedæl Denum unfæcne,

freondscipe fæstne.

Ic scealforð sprecan

gen ymbeGrendel, þæt ðu geare cunne,

sincesbrytta, to hwan syððan wearð

hondræshæleða. Syððan heofones gim

glad ofergrundas, gæst yrre cwom,

eatolæfengrom user neosan,

ðær wegesunde sæl weardodon.

Þær wæsHondscio hild onsæge,

feorhbealufægum; he fyrmest læg,

gyrdedcempa; him Grendel wearð,

mærummaguþegne to muðbonan,

leofesmannes lic eall forswealg.

No ðy ærut ða gen idelhende

bonablodigtoð, bealewa gemyndig,

of ðamgoldsele gongan wolde;

ac hemægnes rof min costode,

2085-2105

grapodegearofolm. Glof hangode

sid ondsyllic, searobendum fæst;

sio wæsorðoncum eall gegyrwed

deoflescræftum ond dracan fellum.

He mec þæron innan unsynnigne,

diordædfruma gedon wolde

manigrasumne; hyt ne mihte swa,

syððan icon yrre uppriht astod.

To lang ysto reccenne, hu ic ðam leodsceaðan

yflagehwylces ondlean forgeald;

þær ic,þeoden min, þine leode

weorðodeweorcum. He on weg losade,

lytlehwile lifwynna breac;

hwæþre himsio swiðre swaðe weardade

hand onHiorte, ond he hean ðonan,

modesgeomor meregrund gefeoll.

Me þonewælræs wine Scildunga

fættangolde fela leanode,

manegummaðmum, syððan mergen com,

ond we tosymble geseten hæfdon.

Þær wæsgidd ond gleo; gomela Scilding,

2106-2126

felafricgende feorran rehte;

hwilumhildedeor hearpan wynne,

gomenwudugrette, hwilum gyd awræc

soð ondsarlic, hwilum syllic spell

rehteæfter rihte rumheort cyning;

hwilum eftongan eldo gebunden,

gomelguðwiga gioguðe cwiðan,

hildestrengo; hreðer inne weoll,

þonne hewintrum frod worn gemunde.

Swa we þærinne andlangne dæg

niodenaman, oð ðæt niht becwom

oðer toyldum. Þa wæs eft hraðe

gearogyrnwræce Grendeles modor,

siðodesorhfull; sunu deað fornam,

wigheteWedra. Wif unhyre

hyre bearngewræc, beorn acwealde

ellenlice;þær wæs Æschere,

frodanfyrnwitan feorh uðgenge.

Noðer hyhine ne moston, syððan mergen cwom,

deaðwerigne, Denia leode,

brondeforbærnan, ne on b,el hladan,

2127-2145

leofnemannan; hio þæt lic ætbær

feondesfæðmum under firgenstream.

Þæt wæsHroðgare hreowa tornost

þara þeleodfruman lange begeate.

Þa seðeoden mec ðine life

healsodehreohmod, þæt ic on holma geþring

eorlscipeefnde, ealdre geneðde,

mærðofremede; he me mede gehet.

Ic ða ðæswælmes, þe is wide cuð,

grimnegryrelicne grundhyrde fond.

Þær unchwile wæs hand gemæne;

holmheolfre weoll, ond ic heafde becearf

in ðamguðsele Grendeles modor

eacnumecgum; unsofte þonan

feorhoðferede; næs ic fæge þa gyt;

ac meeorla hleo eft gesealde

maðmamenigeo, maga Healfdenes.

XXXI Swase ðeodkyning þeawum lyfde;

nealles icðam leanum forloren hæfde,

2146-2165

mægnesmede, ac he me maðmas geaf,

sunuHealfdenes on minne sylfes dom;

ða ic ðe,beorncyning, bringan wylle,

estumgeywan. Gen is eall æt ðe

lissagelong; ic lyt hafo

heafodmaganefne, Hygelac, ðec.'

Het ða inberan eafor heafodsegn,

heaðosteapne helm, hare byrnan,

guðsweordgeatolic, gyd æfter wræc:

`Me ðishildesceorp Hroðgar sealde,

snotrafengel; sume worde het,

þæt ic hisærest ðe est gesægde;

cwæð þæthyt hæfde Hiorogar cyning,

leodScyldunga lange hwile;

no ðy ærsuna sinum syllan wolde,

hwatumHeorowearde, þeah he him hold wære,

breostgewædu. Bruc ealles well!'

Hyrde icþæt þam frætwum feower mearas

lungre,gelice last weardode,

æppelfealuwe; he him est geteah

2166-2185

meara ondmaðma.--- Swa sceal mæg don,

neallesinwitnet oðrum bregdon

dyrnumcræfte, deað renian

hondgesteallan. Hygelace wæs,

niðaheardum nefa swyðe hold,

ondgehwæðer oðrum hroþra gemyndig. ---

Hyrde icþæt he ðone healsbeah Hygde gesealde,

wrætlicnewundurmaððum, ðone þe him Wealhðeo geaf,

ðeodnesdohtor, þrio wicg somod

swancorond sadolbeorht; hyre syððan wæs

æfterbeahðege breost geweorðod.

Swabealdode bearn Ecgðeowes,

guma guðumcuð, godum dædum,

dreahæfter dome; nealles druncne slog

heorðgeneatas; næs him hreoh sefa,

ac hemancynnes mæste cræfte

ginfæstangife, þe him God sealde,

heoldhildedeor. Hean wæs lange,

swa hyneGeata bearn godne ne tealdon,

ne hyne onmedobence micles wyrðne

2186-2206

drihtenWedera gedon wolde;

swyðewendon, þæt he sleac wære,

æðelingunfrom. Edwenden cwom

tireadigummenn torna gehwylces.---

Het ðaeorla hleo in gefetian,

heaðorofcyning Hreðles lafe

goldegegyrede; næs mid Geatum ða

sincmaðþumselra on sweordes had;

þæt he onBiowulfes bearm alegde,

ond himgesealde seofan þusendo,

bold ondbregostol. Him wæs bam samod

on ðamleodscipe lond gecynde,

eardeðelriht, oðrum swiðor

side riceþam ðær selra wæs.

Eft þætgeiode ufaran dogrum

hildehlæmmum, syððan Hygelac læg,

ondHeardrede hildemeceas

underbordhreoðan to bonan wurdon,

ða hynegesohtan on sigeþeode

heardehildfrecan, Heaðo-Scilfingas,

niðagenægdan nefan Hererices ---:

2207-2220

syððanBeowulfe brade rice

on handgehwearf; he geheold tela

fiftigwintra --- wæs ða frod cyning,

ealdeþelweard --- , oð ðæt an ongan

deorcumnihtum draca ricsian,

se ðe onheaum hæþe hord beweotode,

stanbeorhsteapne; stig under læg

eldumuncuð. Þær on innan giong

niððanathwylc, se ðe neh gefealg

hæðnumhorde, hond wæge nam,

sid, sincefah; ne he þæt syððan bemað,

þeah ðe heslæpende besyred wurde

þeofescræfte; þæt sie ðiod onfand,

bigfolcbeorna, þæt he gebolgen wæs.

2221-2228

XXXIINealles mid gewealdum wyrmhord abræc,

sylfeswillum, se ðe him sare gesceod,

ac forþreanedlan þeow nathwylces

hæleðabearna heteswengeas fleah,

ærnesþearfa, ond ðær inne fealh,

secgsynbysig. Sona mwatide

þæt:::::ðam gyste gryrebroga stod;

hwæðreearmsceapen . . . . . . . .

2229-2251

. . . . .. . . . . . . . . sceapen

. . . . .. . þa hyne se fær begeat.

Sincfæt .. . . . Þær wæs swylcra fela

in ðameorðhuse ærgestreona,

swa hy ongeardagum gumena nathwylc,

eormenlafeæþelan cynnes,

þanchycgende þær gehydde,

deoremaðmas. Ealle hie deað fornam

ærranmælum, ond se an ða gen

leodaduguðe, se ðær lengest hwearf,

weardwinegeomor, wende þæs ylcan,

þæt helytel fæc longgestreona

brucanmoste. Beorh eallgearo

wunode onwonge wæteryðum neah,

niwe benæsse, nearocræftum fæst;

þær oninnan bær eorlgestreona

hringahyrde hordwyrðne dæl,

fættangoldes, fea worda cwæð:

`Heald þunuhruse ,, nu hæleð ne mostan,

eorlaæhte! Hwæt, hyt ær on ðe

godebegeaton; guðdeað fornam,

feorhbealofrecne, fyra gehwylcne

leodaminra þara ðe þis lif ofgeaf,

2252-2274

gesawonseledream. Nah, hwa sweord wege

oððefeormie fæted wæge,

dryncfætdeore; duguð ellor sceoc.

Sceal sehearda helm hyrsted golde,

fætumbefeallen; feormynd swefað,

þa ðebeadogriman bywan sceoldon;

ge swylceseo herepad, sio æt hilde gebad

ofer bordagebræc bite irena,

brosnaðæfter beorne. Ne mæg byrnan hring

æfterwigfruman wide feran,

hæleðum behealfe. Næs hearpan wyn,

gomengleobeames, ne god hafoc

geond sælswingeð, ne se swifta mearh

burhstedebeateð. Bealocwealm hafað

felafeorhcynna forð onsended!'

Swagiomormod giohðo mænde

an æftereallum, unbliðe hwearf

dæges ondnihtes, oð ðæt deaðes wylm

hran ætheortan. Hordwynne fond

ealduhtsceaða opene standan,

se ðebyrnende biorgas seceð,

nacodniðdraca, nihtes fleogeð

fyrebefangen; hyne foldbuend

2275-2295

swiðeondrædað. He gesecean sceall

hord onhrusan, þær he hæðen gold

waraðwintrum frod; ne byð him wihte ðy sel.

Swa seðeodsceaða þreo hund wintra

heold onhrusan hordærna sum

eacencræftig, oð ð æt hyne an abealch

mon onmode; mandryhtne bær

fætedwæge, frioðowære bæd

hlafordsinne. Ða wæs hord rasod,

onborenbeaga hord, bene getiðad

feasceaftum men; Frea sceawode

firafyrngeweorc forman siðe. ---

Þa se wyrmonwoc, wroht wæs geniwad;

stonc ðaæfter stane, stearcheort onfand

feondesfotlast; he to forð gestop

dyrnancræfte dracan heafde neah.

Swa mægunfæge eaðe gedigan

wean ondwræcsið se ðe Waldendes

hyldogehealdeþ! Hordweard sohte

georneæfter grunde, wolde guman findan,

þone þehim on sweofote sare geteode;

2296-2315

hat ondhreohmod hlæw oft ymbehwearf

ealneutanweardne; ne ðær ænig mon

on þærewestenne, --- hwæðre wiges gefeh,

beaduweweorces; hwilum on beorh æthwearf,

sincfætsohte; he þæt sona onfand,

ðæt hæfdegumena sum goldes gefandod,

heahgestreona. Hordweard onbad

earfoðlice, oð ðæt æfen cwom;

wæs ðagebolgen beorges hyrde,

wolde selaða lige forgyldan

drincfætdyre. Þa wæs dæg sceacen

wyrme onwillan; no on wealle læng,

bidanwolde, ac mid bæle for,

fyregefysed. Wæs se fruma egeslic

leodum onlande, swa hyt lungre wearð

on hyrasincgifan sare geendod.

XXXIII Ðase gæst ongan gledum spiwan,

beorhthogu bærnan, --- byrneleoma stod

eldum onandan; no ðær aht cwices

laðlyftfloga læfan wolde.

2316-2338

Wæs þæswyrmes wig wide gesyne,

nearofagesnið nean ond feorran,

hu seguðsceaða Geata leode

hatode ondhynde; hord eft gesceat,

dryhtseledyrnne ær dæges hwile.

Hæfdelandwara lige befangen,

bæle ondbronde; beorges getruwode,

wiges ondwealles; him seo wen geleah.

Þa wæsBiowulfe broga gecyðed

snude tosoðe, þæt his sylfes ham,

boldaselest, brynewylmum mealt,

gifstolGeata. Þæt ðam godan wæs

hreow onhreðre, hygesorga mæst;

wende sewisa, þæt he Wealdende

ofer ealderiht ecean Dryhtne

bitregebulge; breost innan weoll

þeostrumgeþoncum, swa him geþywe ne wæs.

Hæfdeligdraca leoda fæsten,

ealondutan, eorðweard ðone

gledumforgrunden; him ðæs guðkyning,

Wederaþioden wræce leornode.

Heht himþa gewyrcean wigendra hleo

eallirenne, eorla dryhten,

2339-2361

wigbordwrætlic; wisse he gearwe,

þæt himholtwudu helpan ne meahte,

lind wiðlige. Sceolde lændaga

æþelingærgod ende gebidan,

woruldelifes, ond se wyrm somod,

þeah ðehordwelan heolde lange.

Oferhogodeða hringa fengel,

þæt heþone widflogan weorode gesohte,

sidanherge; no he him þa sæcce ondred,

ne him þæswyrmes wig for wiht dyde,

eafoð ondellen, forðon he ær fela

nearoneðende niða gedigde,

hildehlemma, syððan he Hroðgares,

sigoreadigsecg, sele fælsode,

ond ætguðe forgrap Grendeles mægum

laðancynnes. No þæt læsest wæs

hondgemota, þær mon Hygelac sloh,

syððanGeata cyning guðe ræsum,

freawinefolca Freslondum on,

Hreðleseafora hiorodryncum swealt,

billegebeaten. Þonan Biowulf com

sylfescræfte, sundnytte dreah;

hæfde himon earme ana þritig

2362-2383

hildegeatwa, þa he to holme stag.

NeallesHetware hremge þorfton

feðewiges,þe him foran ongean

lindebæron; lyt eft becwom

fram þamhildfrecan hames niosan!

Oferswamða sioleða bigong sunu Ecgðeowes,

earmanhaga, eft to leodum;

þær himHygd gebead hord ond rice,

beagas ondbregostol; bearne ne truwode,

þæt he wiðælfylcum eþelstolas

healdancuðe, ða wæs Hygelac dead.

No ðy ærfeasceafte findan meahton

æt ðamæðelinge ænige ðinga,

þæt heHeardrede hlaford wære,

oððe þonecynedom ciosan wolde;

hwæðre hehine on folce freondlarum heold,

estum midare, oð ðæt he yldra wearð,

Weder-Geatum weold. Hyne wræcmæcgas

ofer sæsohtan, suna Ohteres;

hæfdon hyforhealden helm Scylfinga,

þoneselestan sæcyninga

þara ðe inSwiorice sinc brytnade,

2384-2390

mærneþeoden. Him þæt to mearce wearð;

he þær forfeorme feorhwunde hleat,

sweordesswengum, sunu Hygelaces;

ond himeft gewat Ongenðioes bearn

hamesniosan, syððan Heardred læg,

let ðonebregostol Biowulf healdan,

Geatumwealdan; þæt wæs god cyning.

2391-2404

XXXIIII Seðæs leodhryres lean gemunde

uferandogrum, Eadgilse wearð

feasceaftum freond; folce gestepte

ofer sæside sunu Ohteres,

wigum ondwæpnum; he gewræc syððan

cealdumcearsiðum, cyning ealdre bineat.

Swa heniða gehwane genesen hæfde,

sliðrageslyhta, sunu Ecgðiowes,

ellenweorca, oð ðone anne dæg,

þe he wiðþam wyrme gewegan sceolde.

Gewat þatwelfa sum torne gebolgen

dryhtenGeata dracan sceawian;

hæfde þagefrunen hwanan sio fæhð aras,

bealoniðbiorna; him to bearme cwom

2405-2427

maðþumfætmære þurh ðæs meldan hond.

Se wæs onðam ðreate þreotteoða secg,

se ðæsorleges or onstealde,

hæfthygegiomor, sceolde hean ðonon

wongwisian. He ofer willan giong

to ðæs ðehe eorðsele anne wisse,

hlæw underhrusan holmwylme neh,

yðgewinne;se wæs innan full

wrætta ondwira. Weard unhiore,

gearoguðfreca, goldmaðmas heold

eald undereorðan; næs þæt yðe ceap

togegangenne gumena ænigum.

Gesæt ðaon næsse niðheard cyning;

þendenhælo abead heorðgeneatum,

goldwineGeata. Him wæs geomor sefa,

wæfre ondwælfus, wyrd ungemete neah,

se ðonegomelan gretan sceolde,

seceansawle hord, sundur gedælan

lif riðlice; no þon lange wæs

feorhæþelinges flæsce bewunden.

Biowulfmaþelade, bearn Ecgðeowes:

`Fela icon giogoðe guðræsa genæs,

orleghwila; ic þæt eall gemon.

2428-2450

Ic wæssyfanwintre, þa mec sinca baldor,

freawinefolca æt minum fæder genam;

heold mecond hæfde Hreðel cyning,

geaf mesinc ond symbel, sibbe gemunde;

næs ic himto life laðra owihte,

beorn inburgum, þonne his bearna hwylc,

Herebealdond Hæðcyn oððe Hygelac min.

Wæs þamyldestan ungedefelice

mægesdædum morþorbed stred,

syððanhyne Hæðcyn of hornbogan,

hisfreawine flane geswencte,

mistemercelses ond his mæg ofscet,

broðoroðerne blodigan gare.

Þæt wæsfeohleas gefeoht, fyrenum gesyngad,

hreðrehygemeðe; sceolde hwæðre swa þeah

æðelingunwrecen ealdres linnan.

Swa biðgeomorlic gomelum ceorle

togebidanne, þæt his byre ride

giong ongalgan; þonne he gyd wrece,

sarignesang, þonne his sunu hangað

hrefne tohroðre, ond he him helpe ne mæg

eald ondinfrod ænige gefremman.

Symble biðgemyndgad morna gehwylce

2451-2471

eaforanellorsið; oðres ne gymeð

togebidanne burgum in innan

yrfeweardas, þonne se an hafað

þurhdeaðes nyd dæda gefondad.

Gesyhðsorhcearig on his suna bure

winselewestne, windge reste

reoteberofene, --- Ridend swefað,

hæleð inhoðman; nis þær hearpan sweg,

gomen ingeardum, swylce ðær iu wæron.

XXXVGewiteð þonne on sealman, sorhleoð gæleð

an æfteranum; þuhte him eall to rum,

wongas ondwicstede. Swa Wedra helm

æfterHerebealde heortan sorge

weallindewæg; wihte ne meahte

on ðamfeorhbonan fæghðe gebetan;

no ðy ærhe þone heaðorinc hatian ne meahte

laðumdædum, þeah him leof ne wæs.

He ða midþære sorhge, þe him to sar belamp,

gumdreamofgeaf, Godes leoht geceas;

eaferumlæfde, swa deð eadig mon,

lond ondleodbyrig, þa he of life gewat.

2472-2495

Þa wæssynn ond sacu Sweona ond Geata

ofer widwæter, wroht gemæne,

hereniðhearda, syððan Hreðel swealt,

oððe himOngenðeowes eaferan wæran

fromefyrdhwate, freode ne woldon

ofer heafohealdan, ac ymb Hreosnabeorh

eatolneinwitscear oft gefremedon.

Þætmægwine mine gewræcan,

fæhðe ondfyrene, swa hyt gefræge wæs,

þeah ðeoðer his ealdre gebohte,

heardanceape; Hæðcynne wearð,

Geatadryhtne, guð onsæge.

Þa ic onmorgne gefrægn mæg oðerne

billesecgum on bonan stælan,

þærOngenþeow Eofores niosað;

guðhelmtoglad, gomela Scylfing

hreasheoroblac; hond gemunde

fæhðogenoge, feorhsweng ne ofteah.

Ic him þamaðmas, þe he me sealde,

geald ætguðe, swa me gifeðe wæs,

leohtansweorde; he me lond forgeaf,

eardeðelwyn. Næs him ænig þearf,

þæt he toGifðum oððe to Gar-Denum

oððe inSwiorice secean þurfe

2496-2519

wyrsanwigfrecan, weorðe gecyþan;

symle ichim on feðan beforan wolde,

ana onorde, ond swa to aldre sceall

sæccefremman, þenden þis sweord þolað,

þæt mec ærond sið oft gelæste,

syððan icfor dugeðum Dæghrefne wearð

tohandbonan, Huga cempan; ---

nalles heða frætwe Frescyninge,

breostweorðunge, bringan moste,

ac incampe gecrong cumbles hyrde,

æþeling onelne; ne wæs ecg bona,

ac himhildegrap heortan wylmas,

banhusgebræc. Nu sceall billes ecg,

hond ondheard sweord ymb hord wigan.'

Beowulfmaðelode, beotwordum spræc

niehstansiðe: `Ic geneðde fela

guða ongeogoðe; gyt ic wylle,

frodfolces weard fæhðe secan,

mærðufremman, gif mec se mansceaða

ofeorðsele ut geseceð.'

Gegretteða gumena gehwylcne,

hwatehelmberend hindeman siðe,

swæsegesiðas: `Nolde ic sweord beran,

wæpen towyrme, gif ic wiste hu

2520-2542

wið ðamaglæcean elles meahte

gylpewiðgripan, swa ic gio wið Grendle dyde;

ac ic ðærheaðufyres hates wene,

oreðes ondattres; forðon ic me on hafu

bord ondbyrnan. Nelle ic beorges weard

oferfleonfotes trem, ac unc furður sceal

weorðan ætwealle, swa unc wyrd geteoð,

Metodmanna gehwæs. Ic eom on mode from,

þæt ic wiðþone guðflogan gylp ofersitte.

Gebide geon beorge byrnum werede,

secgas onsearwum, hwæðer sel mæge

æfterwælræse wunde gedygan

uncertwega. Nis þæt eower sið,

ne gemetmannes, nefne min anes,

þæt he wiðaglæcean eofoðo dæle,

eorlscypeefne. Ic mid elne sceall

goldgegangan, oððe guð nimeð,

feorhbealufrecne, frean eowerne!'

Aras ða bironde rof oretta,

heardunder helme, hiorosercean bær

understancleofu, strengo getruwode

anesmannes; ne bið swylc earges sið!

Geseah ðabe wealle se ðe worna fela

2543-2565

gumcystumgod guða gedigde,

hildehlemma, þonne hnitan feðan,

stondanstanbogan, stream ut þonan

brecan ofbeorge; wæs þære burnan wælm

heaðofyrumhat, ne meahte horde neah

unbyrnendeænige hwile

deopgedygan for dracan lege.

Let ða ofbreostum, ða he gebolgen wæs,

Weder-Geata leod word ut faran,

stearcheort styrmde; stefn in becom

heaðotorhthlynnan under harne stan.

Hete wæsonhrered, hordweard oncniow

mannesreorde; næs ðær mara fyrst

freode tofriclan. From ærest cwom

oruðaglæcean ut of stane,

hathildeswat; hruse dynede.

Biornunder beorge bordrand onswaf

wið ðamgryregieste, Geata dryhten;

ða wæshringbogan heorte gefysed

sæcce toseceanne. Sweord ær gebræd

godguðcyning, gomele lafe,

ecgumunslaw; æghwæðrum wæs

bealohycgendra broga fram oðrum.

2566-2589

Stiðmodgestod wið steapne rond

winiabealdor, ða se wyrm gebeah

snudetosomne; he on searwum bad.

Gewat ðabyrnende gebogen scriðan,

to gescipescyndan. Scyld wel gebearg

life ondlice læssan hwile

mærumþeodne, þonne his myne sohte,

ðær he þyfyrste forman dogore

wealdanmoste, swa him wyrd ne gescraf

hreð æthilde. Hond up abræd

Geatadryhten, gryrefahne sloh

incge-lafe, þæt sio ecg gewac

brun onbane, bat unswiðor,

þonne hisðiodcyning þearfe hæfde

bysigumgebæded. Þa wæs beorges weard

æfterheaðuswenge on hreoum mode,

wearpwælfyre; wide sprungon

hildeleoman. Hreðsigora ne gealp

goldwineGeata; guðbill geswac,

nacod ætniðe, swa hyt no sceolde,

irenærgod. --- Ne wæs þæt eðe sið,

þæt semæra maga Ecgðeowes

grundwongþone ofgyfan wolde;

sceoldeofer willan wic eardian

2590-2601

elleshwergen, swa sceal æghwylc mon

alætanlændagas. Næs ða long to ðon,

þæt ðaaglæcean hy eft gemetton.

Hyrte hynehordweard, hreðer æðme weoll,

niwanstefne; nearo ðrowode

fyrebefongen se ðe ær folce weold.

Nealleshim on heape handgesteallan,

æðelingabearn ymbe gestodon

hildecystum, ac hy on holt bugon,

ealdreburgan. Hiora in anum weoll

sefa wiðsorgum; sibb æfre ne mæg

Source.

This is the Klaeber edition of the text, firstpublished as Beowulf and The fight at Finnsburg; edited, withintroduction, bibliography, notes, glossary, and appendices, by Fr.Klaeber. Boston, New York [etc.] D.C. Heath & Co. [c1922].

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