CC 20220801
Medieval Sourcebook: Beowulf (in Old English) The modern English version by Francis Gummere is also on line. 1-21\nofer hronrade hyran scolde, gomban gyldan; þæt wæs god cyning! Ðæm eafera wæs æfter cenned geong in geardum, þone God sende folce to frofre; fyrenðearfe ongeat, þe hie ær drugon aldorlease lange hwile; him þæs Liffrea, wuldres Wealdend woroldare forgeaf, Beowulf wæs breme --- blæd wide sprang--- Scyldes eafera Scedelandum in. Swa sceal geong guma gode gewyrcean, fromum feohgiftumon fæder bearme,\n22-46 þæt hine on ylde eft gewunigen wilgesiþas, þonne wig cume, leode gelæsten; lofdædum sceal\nin mægþa gehwære man geþeon. Him ða Scyld gewat to gescæphwile\nfelahror feran on Frean wære; hi hyne þa ætbæron to brimes faroðe, swæse gesiþas, swa he selfa bæd, þendenwordum weold wine Scyldinga--- leof landfruma lange ahte. Þær æt hyðe stod hringedstefna isig ond utfus, æþelingesfær; aledon þa leofne þeoden, beaga bryttan on bearm scipes,\nof feorwegum frætwa gelæded; ne hyrde ic cymlicor ceol gegyrwan hildewæpnum ond heaðowædum, billum ond byrnum;him on bearme læg madma mænigo, þa him mid scoldon on flodes æht feor gewitan. Nalæs hi hine læssan lacum teodan, þeodgestreonum, þon þa dydon, þe hine æt frumsceafte forð onsendon ænne ofer yðe umborwesende. 47-68\nÞa gyt hie him asetton segen gyldenne heah ofer heafod, leton holm beran,\nmurnende mod. Men ne cunnon secgan to soðe, selerædende, hæleð under heofenum, hwa þæm hlæste onfeng.\nI Ða wæs on burgum Beowulf Scyldinga, leof leodcyning longe þrage folcum gefræge --- fæder ellor hwearf, aldor of earde--- , oþ þæt him eft onwoc heah Healfdene; heold þenden lifde gamol ond guðreouw glæde Scyldingas. Ðæm feower bearn forðgerimed in worold wocun, weoroda ræswan, Heorogar ond Hroðgar ond Halga til, hyrde ic þæt . . . . . . wæs Onelan cwen, Heaðo-Scilfingas healsgebedda. Þa wæs Hroðgare heresped gyfen, wiges weorðmynd, þæt him his winemgas georne hyrdon, oðð þæt seo geogoð geweox, magodriht micel. Him on mod bearn, þæt healreced hatan wolde, 69-91\nmedoærn micel men gewyrcean þonne yldo bearn æfre gefrunon,\nond þær on innan eall gedælan geongum ond ealdum, swylc him God sealde buton folcscare ond feorum gumena.\nÐa ic wide gefrægn weorc gebannan manigre mægþe geond þisne middangeard, folcstede frætwan. Him on fyrste gelomp, ædre mid yldum, þæt hit wearð ealgearo, healærna mæst; scop him Heort naman se þe his wordes geweald wide hæfde. He beot ne aleh, beagas dælde, sinc æt symle. Sele hlifade, heah ond horngeap; heaðowylma bad, laðan liges; ne wæs hit lenge þa gen,\nþæt se ecghete aþumsweorum, æfter wælniðe wæcnan scolde. Ða se ellengæst earfoðlice þrage geþolode, se þe in þystrum bad, þæt he dogora gehwam dream gehyrde hludne in healle; þær wæs hearpan sweg, swutol sang scopes. Sægde se þe cuþe\nwlitebeorhtne wang, swa wæter bebugeð, gesette sigehreþig sunnan ond monan leoman to leohte landbuendum, ond gefrætwade foldan sceatas\nleomum ond leafum, lif eac gesceop rynna gehwylcum þara ðe cwice hwyrfaþ.---\nSwa þa drihtguman dreamum lifdon, eadiglice, oð ðæt an ongan fyrene fremman feond on helle; wæs se grimma gæst Grendel haten, mære mearcstapa, se þe moras heold, fen ond fæsten; fifelcynnes eard wonsæli wer weardode hwile,\nin Caines cynne--- þone cwealm gewræc\nece Drihten, þæs þe he Abel slog; ne gefeah he þære fæhðe, ac hehine feor forwræc, Metod for þy mane mancynne fram. Þanon untydras ealle on wocon,\neotenas ond ylfe ond orcneas, swylce gigantas, þa wið Gode wunnon 114-134\nII Gewat ða neosian, syþðan niht becom,\nhean huses, hu hit Hring-Dene æfter beorþege gebun hæfdon. Fand þa ðær inne æþelinga gedriht swefan æfter symble; sorge ne cuðon, wonsceaft wera. Wiht unhælo, grim ond grædig, gearo sona wæs, reoc ond reþe, ond on ræste genam þritig þegna; þanon eft gewat huðe hremig to ham faran, mid þære wælfylle wica neosan. Ða wæs on uhtan mid ærdæge\nþa wæs æfter wiste wop up ahafen, micel morgensweg. Mære þeoden, æþeling ærgod, unbliðe sæt, þolode ðryðswyð þegnsorge dreah, syðþan hie þæs laðan last sceawedon, wergan gastes; wæs þæt gewin to strang, lað ond longsum! Næs hit lengra fyrst, 135-158\nmorðbeala mare, ond no mearn fore,\nfæhðe ond fyrene; wæs to fæst on þam. Þa wæs eaðfynde þe him elles hwær gerumlicor ræste sohte, bed æfter burum, ða him gebeacnod wæs, gesægd soðlice sweotolan tacne healðegnes hete; heold hyne syðþan fyr ond fæstor se þæm feonde ætwand. Swa rixode ond wið rihte wan,\nana wið eallum, oð þæt idel stod husa selest. Wæs seo hwil micel; twelf wintra tid torn geþolode wine Scyldinga, weana gehwelcne,\nsidra sorga; forðam secgum wearð ylda bearnum, undyrne cuð gyddum geomore, þætte Grendel wan hwile wið Hroþgar, heteniðas wæg, fyrene ond fæhðefela missera, singale sæce; sibbe ne wolde wið manna hwone mægenes Deniga, feorhbealo feorran, fea þingian, ne þær nænig witena wenan þorfte beorhtre bote to banan folmum;\nac se æglæca ehtende wæs, deorc deaþscua, duguþe ond geogoþe, seomade ond syrede; sinnihte heold mistige moras; men ne cunnon, hwyder helrunan hwyrftum scriþað. Swa fela fyrena feond mancynnes, atol angengea, oft gefremede,\nherdra hynða; Heorot eardode, sincfage sel sweartum nihtum;--- no he þone gifstol gretan moste, maþðum for Metode, ne his myne wisse.--- Þæt wæs wræc micel wine Scyldinga, modes brecða. Monig oft gesæt rice to rune; ræd eahtedon, hwæt swiðferhðum selest wære\nwið færgyrum to gefremmanne. Hwilum hie geheton æt hærgtrafum wigweorþunga, wordum bædon, þæt him gastbona geoce gefremede wið þeodþreaum. Swylc wæs þeaw hyra, hæþenra hyht; helle gemundon in modsefan, Metod hie ne cuþon,\nne hie huru heofena Helm herian ne cuþon, Wuldres Waldend. Wa bið þæm ðe sceal þurh sliðne nið sawle bescufan\nin fyres fæþm, frofre ne wenan, wihte gewendan! Wel bið þæm þe mot æfter deaðdæge Drihten secean ond to Fæder fæþmum freoðo wilnian!\nIII Swa ða mælceare maga Healfdenes singala seað; ne mihte snotor hæleð wean onwendan; wæs þæt gewin to swyð, laþ ond longsum, þe on ða leode becom, nydwracu niþgrim, nihtbealwa mæst. Þæt fram ham gefrægn Higelaces þegn, god mid Geatum, Grendles dæda;\nse wæs moncynnes mægenes strengest on þæm dæge þysses lifes, æþele ond eacen. Het him yðlidan godne gegyrwan; cwæð, he guðcyning ofer swanrade secean wolde, mærne þeoden, þa him wæs manna þearf. Ðone siðfæt him snotere ceorlas lythwon logon, þeah he him leof wære; 204-228\nhwetton higerofne, hæl sceawedon. Hæfde se goda Geata leoda\nfindan mihte; fiftyna sum sundwudu sohte, secg wisade, lagucræftig mon landgemyrcu. Fyrst forð gewat; flota wæs on yðum,\nbat under beorge. Beornas gearwe on stefn stigon,--- streamas wundon, sund wið sande; secgas bæron on bearm nacanbeorhte frætwe, guðsearo geatolic; guman ut scufon, weras on wilsið, wudu bundenne. Gewat þa ofer wægholm winde gefysed flota famiheals fugle gelicost, oð þæt ymb antid oþres dogores wundenstefna gewaden hæfde,\nþæt ða liðende land ge sawon, brimclifu blican, beorgas steape, side sænæssas; þa wæssund liden, eoletes æt ende. Þanon up hraðe Wedera leode on wang stigon, sæwudu sældon,--- syrcan hyrsedon, guðgewædo; Gode þancedon þæs þe him yþlade eaðe wurdon.\nÐa of wealle geseah weard Scildinga, se þe holmclifu healdan scolde, beran ofer bolcan beorhte randas, fyrdsearu fuslicu; hine fyrwyt bræc modgehygdum, hwæt þa men wæron. Gewat him þa to waroðe wicge ridan\nþegn Hroðgares, þrymmum cwehte mægenwudu mundum, meþelwordum frægn: 'Hwæt syndon ge searohæbbendra, byrnum werede, þe þus brontne ceol ofer lagustræte lædan cwomon, hider ofer holmas? Hwæt, ic hwile wæs\nendesæta, ægwearde heold, þe on land Dena laðra nænig mid scipherge sceðþan ne meahte. No her cuðlicor cuman ongunnon lindhæbbende, ne ge leafnesword guðfremmendra gearwe ne wisson, maga gemedu. Næfre ic maran geseah\neorla ofer, eorþan ðonne is eower sum, secg on searwum; nis þæt seldguma, wæpnum geweorðad, næfne him his wlite leoge, ænlic ansyn. Nu ic eower sceal frumcyn witan, ær ge fyr heonan, 253-257\nfurþur feran. Nu ge feorbuend, mereliðende, minne gehyrað anfealdne geþoht: ofost is selest to gecyðanne, hwanan eowre cyme syndon.'\nIIII Him se yldesta andswarode, werodes wisa, wordhord onleac: `We synt gumcynnes Geata leode ond Higelaces heorðgeneatas.\nWæs min fæder folcum gecyþed, æþele ordfruma, Ecgþeow haten; gebad wintra worn, ær he on weg hwurfe, gamol of geardum; hine gearwe geman witenawelhwylc wide geond eorþan. We þurh holdne hige hlaford þinne, sunu Healfdenes secean cwomon, leodgebyrgean; wes þu us larena god! Habbað we to þæm mæran micel ærende Deniga frean; ne sceal þær dyrne sum wesan, þæs ic wene. Þu wast, gif hit is swa we soþlice secgan hyrdon, 274-297\nþæt mid Scyldingum sceaðona ic nat hwylc, deogol dædhata deorcum nihtum eaweð þurh egsan uncuðne nið,\nhynðu ond hrafyl . Ic þæs Hroðgar mæg þurh rumne sefan ræd gelæran, hu he frod ond god feond oferswyðeþ--- gyf him edwenden æfre scolde bealuwa bisigu bot eft cuman---, ond þa cearwylmas colran wurðaþ;\noððe a syþðan earfoðþrage, þreanyd þolað, þenden þær wunað on heahstede husa selest.' Weard maþelode, ðær on wicge sæt, ombeht unforht: `Æghwæþres sceal\nscearp scyldwiga gescad witan, worda ond worca, se þe wel þenceð. Ic þæt gehyre, þæt þis is hold weorod frean Scyldinga. Gewitaþ forð beran wæpen ond gewædu, iceow wisige;\nswylce ic maguþegnas mine hate wið feonda gehwone flotan eowerne,\nniwtyrwydne nacan on sande arum healdan, oþ ðæt eft byreð ofer lagustreamas leofne mannan 298-319\nwudu wundenhals to Wedermearce, godfremmendra swylcum gifeþe bið þæt þone hilderæs hal gedigeð.' Gewiton him þa feran,--- flota stille bad, seomode on sale sidfæþmed scip, oa ancre fæst. Eoforlic scionon\nofer hleorbergan gehroden golde, fah ond fyrheard,--- ferhwearde heold guþmod grimmon. Guman onetton, sigon ætsomne, oþ þæt hy sæl timbred geatolic ond goldfah ongyton mihton; þæt wæs foremærost foldbuendum receda under roderum, on þæm se rica bad; lixte se leoma ofer landa fela. Him þa hildedeor hof modigra torht getæhte, þæt hie him to mihton gegnum gangan; guðbeorna sum wicg gewende, word æfter cwæð: `Mæl is me to feran; Fæder alwalda mid arstafum eowic gehealde siða gesunde! Ic to sæ wille, wið wrað werod wearde healdan.'\nV Stræt wæs stanfah, stig wisode gumum ætgædere. Guðbyrnescan heard hondlocen, hringiren scir song in searwum, þa hie to sele furðum in hyra gryregeatwum gangan cwomon. Setton sæme þe side scyldas, rondas regnhearde wið þæs recedes weal; bugon þa to bence,--- byrnan hringdon, guðsearo gumena; garas stodon, sæmanna searo, samod ætgædere, æscholt ufan græg; wæs se irenþreat wæpnum gewurþad. Þa ðær wlonc hæleð oretmecgas æfter æþelum frægn: `Hwanon ferigeað ge fætte scyldas, græge syrcan ond grimhelmas,\nar ond ombiht. Ne seah ic elþeodige þus manige men modiglicran. Wen' ic þæt ge for wlenco, nalles for wræcsiðum, ac for higeþrymmum Hroðgar sohton.' 340-360\nHimþa ellenrof andswarode, wlanc Wedera leod, word æfter spræc heard under helme: `We synt Higelaces beodgeneatas; Beowulf is min nama. Wille ic asecgan sunu Healfdenes, mærum þeodne, min ærende,\naldre þinum, gif he us geunnan wile,\nþæt we hine swa godne gretan moton.'\nWulfgar maþelode --- þæt wæs Wendla leod,\nwæs his modsefa manegumgecyðed,\nwig ond wisdom--- : `Ic þæs wineDeniga, frean Scildinga frinan wille, beaga bryttan, swa þu bena eart, þeoden mærne, ymb þinne sið, ond þe þa andsware ædre gecyðan, ðe me se goda agifan þenceð.' Hwearf þa hrædlice þær Hroðgar sæt eald ond anhar mid his eorla gedriht; eode ellenrof, þæt he for eaxlum gestod Deniga frean; cuþe he duguðe þeaw. Wulfgar maðelode to his winedrihtne: 361-379\n`Her syndon geferede, feorran cumene ofer geofenes begang Geata leode; þone yldestan oretmecgas Beowulf nemnað. Hy benan synt, þæt hie, þeoden min,wið þe moton\nwordum wrixlan; no ðu him wearne geteoh ðinra gegncwida, glædman Hroðar! Hy on wiggetawum wyrðe þinceað eorla geæhtlan; huru se aldor deah, se þæm heaðorincum hider wisade.'\nVI Hroðgar maþelode, helm Scyldinga:\n'Ic hine cuðe cnihtwesende; wæs his ealdfæder Ecgþeo haten, ðæm to ham forgeaf Hreþel Geata angan dohtor; is his eaforan nu heard her cumen, sohte holdne wine. Ðonne sægdon þæt sæliþende, þa ðe gifsceattas Geata fyredon þyder to þance, þæt he þritiges 380-401\nmanna mægencræft on his mundgripe heaþorof hæbbe. Hine halig God\nfor arstafum us onsende, to West-Denum, þæs ic wen hæbbe. wið Grendles gryre. Ic þæm godan sceal for his modþræce madmas beodan. Beo ðu on ofeste, hat in gan seon sibbegedriht samod ætgædere, gesaga him eac wordum. þæt hie sint wil cuman Deniga leodum.' Þa to dura eode widcuð hæleð, word inne abead; `Eow het secgan sigedrihten min, aldor East-Dena, þæt he eoweræþelu can, ond ge him syndon ofer sæwylmas\nheardhicgende hider wilcuman. Nu ge moton gangan in eowrum guðgetawum under heregriman Hroðgar geseon; lætað hildebord her onbidan,\nwudu wælsceaftas worda geþinges.'\nAras þa se rica, ymb hine rinc manig, þryðlic þegna heap ; sume þær bidon, heaðoreaf heoldon, swa him se hearda bebead. 402-422\nSnyredon ætsomne, þa secg wisode, under Heorotes hrof; heaþorinc eode,\nheard under helme, þæt he on heorðe gestod, Beowulf ma ---ode ðelon him byrne scan, searonet seowed smiþes orþancum--- : `Wæs þu, Hroðgar, hal! Ic eom Higelaces mæg ond magoðegn; hæbbe ic mærða fela ongunnen on geogoþe. Me wearð Grendles þing on minre eþeltyrf undyrne cuð; secgað sæliðend, þæt þæs sele stande, reced selesta rinca gehwylcum idel ond unnyt, siððan æfenleoht under heofenes hador beholen weorþeð. Þa me þæt gelærdon leode mine, þa selestan, snotere ceorlas, þeoden Hroðgar, þæt ic þe sohte, forþan hie mægenes cræft minne cuþon; selfe ofersawon, ða ic of searwum cwom, fah from feondum, þær ic fife geband, yðde eotena cyn, ond on yðum slog niceras nihtes, nearoþearfe dreah, wræc Wedera nið --- wean ahsodon---, 424-444\nforgrandgramum; ond nu wið Grendel sceal, wið þam aglæcan ana gehegan ðing wið þyrse. Ic þe nu ða, brego Beorht-Dena, biddan wille,\neodor Scyldinga, anre bene,\nþæt ðu me ne forwyrne, wigendra hleo,\nfreowine folca, nu ic þus feorran com, þæt ic mote ana ond minra eorla gedryht, þes hearda heap, Heorot fæl sian. Hæbbe ic eac geahsod, þæt se æglæca for his wonhydum wæpna ne recceð; ic þæt þonne forhicge, swa me Higelac sie, min mondrihten, modes bliðe, þæt ic sweord bere oþðe sidne scyld, geolorand to guþe, ac ic mid grape sceal fon wið feonde ond ymb feorh sacan, lað wið laþum; ðær gelyfan sceal Dryhtnes dome se þe hine deað nimeð. Wen' ic þæt he wille, gif he wealdan mot, in þæm guðsele Geotena leode etan unforhte, swa he oft dyde, 445-455\nmægen Hreðmanna. Na ðu minne þearft hafalan hydan, ac he me habban wile dreore fahne, gif mec deað nimeð; byreð blodig wæl, byrgean þenceð, eteð angenga unmurnlice,\nmearcað morhopu; no ðu ymb mines ne þearft lices feorme leng sorgian. Onsend Higelace, gif mec hild nime, beaduscruda betst, þæt mine breost wereð, hrægla selest; þæt is Hrædlan laf,\nWelandes geweorc. Gæð a wyrd swa hio scel!\nVII Hroðgar maþelode, helm Scyldinga:\n`For gewyrhtum þu, wine min Beowulf,\nond for arstafum usic sohtest. Gesloh þin fæder fæhðe mæste; wearþ he Heaþolafe to handbonan mid Wilfingum; ða hine Wedera cyn for herebrogan habban ne mihte. Þanon he gesohte Suð-Dena folc ofer yða gewealc, Ar-Scyldinga; 465-485\nða ic furþum weold folce Deniga ond on geogoðe heold ginne rice,\nhordburh hæleþa; ða wæs Heregar dead, min yldra mæg unlifigende, bearn Healfdenes; se wæs betera ðonne ic! Siððan þa fæhðe feo þingode; sende ic Wylfingum ofer wæteres hrycg ealde madmas; he me aþas swor. Sorh is me to secganne on sefan minum gumena ængum, hwæt me Grendel hafað hynðo on Heorote mid his heteþancum, færniða gefremed; is min fletwerod, wigheap gewanod; hie wyrd forsweop on Grendles gryre. God eaþe mæg þone dolsceaðan dæda getwæfan! Ful oft gebeotedon beore druncne ofer ealowæge oretmecgas,\nþæt hie in beorsele bidan woldon Grendles guþe mid gryrum ecga. Ðonne wæs þeos medoheal on morgentid, drihtsele dreorfah, þonne dæg lixte, 486-503\neal bencþelu blode bestymed, heall heorudreore; ahte ic holdra þy læs, deorre duguðe, þe þa deað fornam. Site nu to symle ond onsæl meoto, sigehreð secgum, Swa þin sefa hwette.' Þa wæs Geatmæcgum geador ætsomne on beorsele benc gerymed; þær swiðferhþe sittan eodon, þryðum dealle. Þegn nytte beheold, se þe on handa bær hroden ealowæge, scencte scir wered. Scop hwilum sang hador on Heorote. Þær wæs hæleða dream, duguð unlytel Dena ond Wedera.\nVIII Unferð maþelode, Ecglafes bearn, þe æt fotum sæt frean Scyldinga, onband beadurune--- wæs him Beowulfes sið, modges merefaran, micel æfþunca, forþon þe he ne uþe, þæt ænig oðer man 504-523\næfre mærða þon ma middangeardes gehede under heofenum þonne he sylfa--- :\n`Eart þu se Beowulf, se þe wið Brecan wunne, on sidne sæ ymb sund flite,\nðær git for wlence wada cunnedon\nond for dolgilpe on deop wæter aldrum neþdon? Ne inc ænig mon, ne leof ne lað, belean mihte sorhfullne sið, þa git on sund reon; þær git eagorstream earmum þehton, mæton merestræta, mundum brugdon, glidon ofer garsecg; geofon yþum weol, wintrys wylmum. Git on wæteres æht,\nseofon niht swuncon; he þe æt sunde oferflat, hæfde mare mægen. Þa hine on morgentid on Heaðo-Ræmes holm up ætbær; ðonon he gesohte swæsne eþel, leof his leodum, lond Brondinga, freoðoburh fægere, þær he folc ahte, burh ond beagas. Beot eal wið þe 524-543\nsunu Beanstanes soðe gelæste. Ðonne wene ic to þe wyrsan geþingea, ðeah þu heaðoræsa gehwær dohte, grimre guðe, gif þu Grendles dearst nihtlongne fyrst nean bidan.'\n`Hwæt, þu worn fela, wine min Unferð,\nsædgest from his siðe! Soð ic talige,\nþæt ic merestrengo maran ahte, earfeþo on yþum, ðonne ænig oþer man.\nWit þæt gecwædon cnihtwesende ond gebeotedon --- wæron begen þa git on geogoðfeore--- þæt wit on garsecg ut\naldrum neðdon, ond þæt geæfndon swa. Hæfdon swurd nacod, þa wit on sund reon, heard on handa; wit unc wið hronfixas werian þohton. No he wiht fram me flodyþum feor fleotan meahte, hraþor on holme; no ic fram him wolde. 544-558\nÐa wit ætsomne on sæ wæron fif nihta fyrst, oþ þæt unc flod todraf, wado weallende, wedera cealdost, nipende niht, ond norþanwind heaðogrim ondhwearf; hreo wæron yþa. wæs merefixa mod onhrered; þær me wið laðum licsyrce min heard hondlocen, helpe gefremede, beadohrægl broden, on breostum læg golde gegyrwed. Me to grunde teah fah feondscaða, fæste hæfde grim on grape; hwæþre me gyfeþe wearð, þæt ic aglæcan orde geræhte, hildebille; heaþoræs fornam mihtig meredeor þurh mine hand.\nVIIII Swa mec gelome laðgeteonan þreatedon þearle. Ic him þenode deoran sweorde, swa hit gedefe wæs. Næs hie ðære fylle gefean hæfdon, manfordædlan, þæt hie me þegon, symbel ymbsæton sægrunde neah; ac on mergenne mecum wunde 566-588\nbe yðlafe uppe lægon, sweordum aswefede, þæt syðþan na ymb brontne ford brimliðende lade ne letton. Leoht eastan com, beorht beacen Godes; brimu swaþredon, þæt ic sænæssas geseon mihte,\nwindige weallas. Wyrd oft nereð unfægne eorl, þonne his ellen deah! Hwæþere me gesælde, þæt ic mid sweorde ofsloh niceras nigene. No ic on niht gefrægn under heofones hwealf heardran feohtan, ne on egstreamum earmran mannon; hwæþere ic fara feng feore gedigde siþes werig. Ða mec sæ oþbær, flod æfter faroðe on Finna land, wadu weallendu. No ic wiht fram þe swylcra searoniða secgan hyrde,\nbilla brogan. Breca næfre git æt heaðolace, ne gehwæþer incer, swa deorlice, dæd gefremede fagum sweordum --- no ic þæs fela gylpe--- , þeah ðu þinum broðrum to banan wurde, heafodmægum; þæs þu in helle scealt 589-608\nwerhðo dreogan, þeah þin wit duge. Secge ic þe to soðe, sunu Ecglafes, þæt næfre Grendel swa fela gryra gefremede, atol æglæca, ealdre þinum, hynðo on Heorote, gif þin hige wære, sefa swa searogrim, swa þu self talast; ac he hafað onfunden, þæt he þa fæhðe ne þearf, atole ecgþræce eower leode swiðe onsittan, Sige-Scyldinga; nymeð nydbade, nænegum arað leode Deniga, ac he lust wigeð,\nswefeð ond snedeþ, secce ne weneþ\nto Gar-Denum. Ac ic him Geata sceal\neafoð ond ellen ungeara nu, guþe gebeodan. Gæþ eft se þe mot to medo modig, siþþan morgenleoht ofer ylda bearn oþres dogores, sunne sweglwered suþan scineð!' Þa wæs on salum sinces brytta, gamolfeax ond guðrof; geoce gelyfde\nbrego Beorht-Dena, gehyrde on Beowulfe folces hyrde fæstrædne geþoht. Ðær wæs hæleþa hleahtor, hlyn swynsode, word wæron wynsume. Eode Wealhþeow forð, cwen Hroðgares, cynna gemyndig, grette goldhroden guman on healle,\nond þa freolic wif ful gesealde ærest East-Dena eþelwearde, bæd hine bliðne æt þære beorþege, leodum leofne; he on lust geþeah symbel ond seleful, sigerof kyning. Ymbeode þa ides Helminga\nduguþe ond geogoþe dæl æghwylcne,\nsincfato sealde, oþ þæt sæl alamp þæt hio Beowulfe, beaghroden cwen mode geþungen medoful ætbær; grette Geata leod, Gode þancode wisfæst wordum þæs ðe hire se willa gelamp,\nþæt heo on ænigne eorl gelyfde fyrena frofre. He þæt ful geþeah, wælreow wiga, æt Wealhþeon, 630-653\nond þa gyddode guþe gefysed,\nBeowulf maþelode, bearn Ecgþeowes: `Ic þæt hogode, þa ic on holm gestah, sæbat gesæt mid minra secga gedriht, þæt ic anunga eowra leoda willan geworhte, oþðe on wæl crunge feondgrapum fæst. Ic gefremman sceal eorlic ellen, oþðe endedæg on þisse meoduhealle minne gebidan!' Ðam wife þa word wel licodon, gilpcwide Geates; eode goldhroden, freolicu folccwen to hire frean sittan. Þa wæs eft swa ær inne on healle þryðword sprecen, ðeod on sælum, sigefolca sweg, oþ þæt semninga sunu Healfdenes secean wolde æfenræste; wiste þæm ahlæcan\nto þæm heahsele hilde geþinged, siððan hie sunnan leoht geseon meahton, oð þe nipende niht ofer ealle, scaduhelma gesceapu scriðan cwoman wan under wolcnum. Werod eall aras. Gegrette þa guma oþerne,\nHroðgar Beowulf, ond him hæl abead, 654-661\nwinærnes geweald, ond þæt word acwæð: `Næfre ic ænegum men ær alyfde, siþðan ic hond ond rond hebban mihte, ðryþærn Dena buton þe nu ða.\nHafa nu ond geheald husa selest, gemyne mærþo, mægenellen cyð, waca wiþ wraþum! Ne bið þe wilna gad, gif þu þæt ellenweorc aldre gedigest.'\nX Ða him Hroþgar gewat mid his hæleþa gedryht, eodur Scyldinga ut of healle; wolde wigfruma Wealhþeo secan, cwen to gebeddan. Hæfde Kyningwuldor Grendle togeanes, swa guman gefrungon, seleweard aseted; sundornytte behold ymb aldor Dena, eotonweard' abead. Huru Geata leod georne truwode\nmodgan mægnes, Metodes hyldo.--- Ða he him of dyde iserbyrnan, helm of hafelan, sealde his hyrsted sweord, irena cyst ombihtþegne, ond gehealdan het hildegeatwe.\nGespræc þa se goda gylpworda sum, 676-697\nBeowulf Geata, ær he on bed stige: `No ic me an herewæsmun hnagran talige guþgeweorca, þonne Grendel hine;\nforþan ic hine sweorde swebban nelle, aldre beneotan, þeah ic eal mæge; nat he þara goda, þæt he me ongean slea, rand geheawe, þeah ðe he rof sie niþgeweorca; ac wit on niht sculon secge ofersittan, gif he gesecean dear wig ofer wæpen, ond siðan witig\nGod on swa hwæere hond halig Dryhten mærðo deme, swa him gemet þince.' Hylde hine þa heaþodeor, hleorbolster onfeng eorles andwlitan, ond hine ymb monig\nsnellic særinc selereste gebeah. Nænig heora þohte, þæt he þanon scolde eft eardlufan æfre gesecan, folc oþðe freoburh, þær he afeded wæs; ac hie hæfdon gefrunen, þæt hie ær to fela micles in þæm winsele wældeað fornam, Denigea leode. Ac him Dryhten forgeaf wigspeda gewiofu, Wedera leodum. 698-718\nfrofor ond fultum, þæt hie feond heora ðurh anes cræft ealle ofercomon, selfes mihtum. Soð is gecyþed, þæt mihtig God manna cynnes weold wideferhð.\nCom on wanre niht scriðan sceadugenga. Sceotend swæfon, þa þæt hornreced healdan scoldon, ealle buton anum. Þæt wæs yldum cuþ, þæt hie ne moste, þa Metod nolde, se scynscaþa under sceadu bregdan;--- ac he wæccende wraþum on andan\nXI Ða com of more under misthleoþum Grendel gongan, Godes yrre bær; mynte se manscaða manna cynnes sumne besyrwan in sele þam hean. Wod under wolcnum to þæs þe he winreced, goldsele gumena gearwost wisse fættum fahne. Ne wæs þæt forma sið, þæt he Hroþgares ham gesohte; næfre he on aldordagum ær ne siþðan 719-739\nheardran hæle, healðegnas fand! Com þa to recede rinc siðian dreamum bedæled. Duru sona onarn fyrbendum fæst, syþðan he hire folmum æthran; onbræd þa bealohydig, ða he gebolgen wæs, recedes muþan. Raþe æfter þon on fagne flor feond treddode, eode yrremod; him of eagum stod\nligge gelicost leoht unfæger. Geseah he in recede rinca manige, swefan sibbegedriht samod ætgædere, magorinca heap. Þa his mod ahlog; mynte þæt he gedælde, ær þon dæg cwome, atol aglæca, anra gehwylces lif wið lice, þa him alumpen wæs wistfylle wen. Ne wæs þæt wyrd þa gen, þæt he ma moste manna cynnes ðicgean ofer þa niht. Þryðswyð beheold mæg Higelaces, hu se manscaða under færgripum gefaran wolde. Ne þæt se aglæca yldan þohte, 740-761\nac he gefeng hraðe forman siðe slæpendne rinc, slat unwearnum, bat banlocan, blod edrum dranc, synsnædum swealh; sona hæfde unlyfigendes eal gefeormod, fet ond folma. Forð near ætstop, nam þa mid handa higeþihtigne rinc on ræste, ræhte ongean feond mid folme; he onfeng hraþe inwitþancum ond wið earm gesæt. Sona þæt onfunde fyrena hyrde, þæt he ne mette middangeardes, eorþan sceata on elran men mundgripe maran; he on mode wearð forht on ferhðe; no þy ær fram meahte. Hyge wæs him hinfus, wolde on heolster fleon, secan deofla gedræg; ne wæs his drohtoð þær swylce he on ealderdagum ær gemette. Gemunde þa se goda, mæg Higelaces, æfenspræce, uplang astod ond him fæste wiðfeng; fingras burston; eoten wæs utweard; eorl furþur stop. 762-782\nMynte se mæra, þær he meahte swa, widre gewindan ond on weg þanon fleon on fenhopu; wiste his fingra geweald on grames grapum. Þæt wæs geocor sið, þæt se hearmscaþa to Heorute ateah! Dryhtsele dynede; Denum eallum wearð, ceasterbuendum, cenra gehwylcum, eorlum ealuscerwen. Yrre wæron begen, reþe renweardas. Reced hlynsode. Þa wæs wundor micel, þæt se winsele wiðhæfde heaþodeorum, þæt he on hrusan ne feol, fæger foldbold; ac he þæs fæste wæs innan ond utan irenbendum searoþoncum besmiþod. Þær fram sylle abeag medubenc monig mine gefræge golde geregnad, þær þa graman wunnon. Þæs ne wendon ær witan Scyldinga, þæt hit a mid gemete manna ænig betlic ond banfag tobrecan meahte, listum tolucan, nymþe liges fæþm swulge on swaþule. Sweg up astag 783-803\nniwe geneahhe: Norð-Denum stod\natelic egesa, anra gehwylcum þara þe of wealle wop gehyrdon, gryreleoð galan Godes andsacan, sigeleasne sang, sar wanigean helle hæfton. Heold hine fæste se þe manna wæs mægene strengest on þæm dæge þysses lifes.\nXII Nolde eorla hleo ænige þinga þone cwealmcuman cwicne forlætan, ne his lifdagas leoda ænigum nytte tealde. Þær genehost brægd eorl Beowulfes ealde lafe, wolde freadrihtnes feorh ealgian, mæres þeodnes, ðær hie meahton swa. Hie þæt ne wiston, þa hie gewin drugon, heardhicgende hildemecgas, ond on healfa gehwone heawan þohton, sawle secan: þone synscaðan\nænig ofer eorþan irenna cyst, guðbilla nan, gretan nolde; 804-826\nac he sigewæpnum forsworen hæfde, ecga gehwylcre. Scolde his aldorgedal on ðæm dæge þysses lifes earmlic wurðan, ond se ellorgast\non feonda geweald feor siðian.--- Ða þæt onfunde se þe fela æror modes myrðe manna cynne, fyrene gefremede --- he wæs fag wið God--- , þæt him se lichoma læstan nolde, ac hine se modega mæg Hygelaces hæfde be honda; wæs gehwæþer oðrum\nlifigende lað. Licsar gebad atol æglæca; him on eaxle wearð syndolh sweotol, seonowe onsprungon, burston banlocan. Beowulfe wearð guðhreð gyfeþe; scolde Grendel þonan feorhseoc fleon under fenhleoðu, secean wynleas wic; wiste þe geornor þæt his aldres wæs ende gegongen,\ndogera dægrim. Denum eallum wearð æfter þam wælræse willa gelumpen. Hæfde þa gefælsod se þe ær feorran com, snotor ond swyðferhð, sele Hroðgares, 827-8367\ngenered wið niðe. Nihtweorce gefeh, ellenmærþum. Hæfde East-Denum Geatmecga leod gilp gelæsted, swylce oncyþðe ealle gebette,\ninwidsorge, þe hie ær drugon ond for þreanydum þolian scoldon, torn unlytel. Þæt wæs tacen sweotol, syþðan hildedeor hond alegde, earm ond eaxle --- þær wæs eal geador Grendles grape--- under geapne hrof.837-849\nXIII Ða wæs on morgen mine gefræge ymb þa gifhealle guðrinc monig; ferdon folctogan feorran ond nean geond widwegas wundor sceawian, laþes lastas. No his lifgedal sarlic þuhte secga ænegum þara þe tirleases trode sceawode, hu he werigmod on weg þanon,\nniða ofercumen, on nicera mere fæge ond geflymed feorhlastas bær. Ðær wæs on blode brim weallende, atol yða geswing eal gemenged haton heolfre, heorodreore weol; 850-872\ndeaðfæge deog, siððan dreama leas in fenfreoðo feorh alegde,\nhæþene sawle; þær him hel onfeng. Þanon eft gewiton ealdgesiðas swylce geong manig of gomenwaþe, fram mere modge mearum ridan, beornas on blancum. Ðær wæs Beowulfes mærðo mæned; monig oft gecwæð, þætte suð ne norð be sæm tweonum ofer eormengrund oþer nænig under swegles begong selra nære rondhæbbendra, rices wyrðra. --- Ne hie huru winedrihten wiht ne logon, glædne Hroðgar, ac þæt wæs god cyning. --- Hwilum heaþorofe hleapan leton, on geflit faran fealwe mearas, ðær him foldwegas fægere þuhton, cystum cuðe. Hwilum cyninges þegn, guma gilphlæden, gidda gemyndig,\nse ðe ealfela ealdgesegena worn gemunde, word oþer fand soðe gebunden; secg eft ongan sið Beowulfes snyttrum styrian, 873-894\nwordum wrixlan; welhwylc gecwæð, þæt he fram Sigemundes secgan hyrde ellendædum, uncuþes fela, Wælsinges gewin, wide siðas, þara þe gumena bearn gearwe ne wiston, fæhðe ond fyrena, buton Fitela mid hine, þonne he swulces hwæt secgan wolde,\neam his nefan, swa hie a wæron æt niða gehwam nydgesteallan; hæfdon ealfela eotena cynnes sweordum gesæged. Sigemunde gesprong æfter deaðdæge dom unlytel, syþðan wiges heard wyrm acwealde, hordes hyrde; he under harne stan,\næþelinges bearn ana geneðde frecne dæde, ne wæs him Fitela mid; hwæþre him gesælde, ðæt þæt swurd þurhwod wrætlicne wyrm, þæt hit on wealle ætstod, dryhtlic iren; draca morðre swealt. Hæfde aglæca elne gegongen, þæt he beahhordes brucan moste 895-917\nselfes dome; sæbat gehleod, bær on bearm scipes beorhte frætwa, Wælses eafera; wyrm hat gemealt. Se wæs wreccena wide mærost\nofer werþeode, wigendra hleo, ellendædum --- he þæs ær onðah--- , siððan Heremodes hild sweðrode, eafoð ond ellen. He mid Eotenum wearð, on feonda geweald forð forlacen,\nsnude forsended. Hine sorhwylmas lemede to lange; he his leodum wearð, eallum æþellingum to aldorceare; swylce oft bemearn ærran mælum swiðferhþes sið snotor ceorl monig, se þe him bealwa to bote gelyfde, þæt þæt ðeodnes bearn geþeon scolde, fæderæþelum onfon, folc gehealdan, hord ond hleoburh, hæleþa rice,\neþel Scyldinga. He þær eallum wearð, mæg Higelaces manna cynne, freondum gefægra; hine fyren onwod. Hwilum flitende fealwe stræte mearum mæton. Ða wæs morgenleoht 918-938\nscofen ond scynded. Eode scealc monig swiðhicgende to sele þam hean searowundor seon; swylce self cyning of brydbure, beahhorda weard,\ncystum gecyþed, ond his cwen mid him medostigge mæt mægþa hose.\nXIIII Hroðgar maþelode --- he to healle geong,\nstod on stapole, geseah steapne hrof\ngolde fahne ond Grendles hond --- : `Ðisse ansyne Alwealdan þanc lungre gelimpe! Fela ic laþes gebad, grynna æt Grendle; a mæg God wyrcan wunder æfter wundre, wuldres Hyrde. Ðæt wæs ungeara, þæt ic ænigra me weana ne wende to widan feore bote gebidan, þonne blode fah\nhusa selest heorodreorig stod, --- wea widscofen witena gehwylcum ðara þe ne wendon, þæt hie wideferhð leoda landgeweorc laþum beweredon\nscuccum ond scinnum. Nu scealc hafað þurh Drihtnes miht dæd gefremede, ðe we ealle ær ne meahton snyttrum besyrwan. Hwæt, þæt secgan mæg efne swa hwylc mægþa swa ðone magan cende æfter gumcynnum, gyf heo gyt lyfað, þæt hyre Ealdmetod este wære\nbearngebyrdo. Nu ic, Beowulf, þec, secg betsta, me for sunu wylle freogan on ferhþe; heald forð tela niwe sibbe. Ne bið þe nænigra gad\nworolde wilna, þe ic geweald hæbbe. Ful oft ic for læssan lean teohhode, hordweorþunge hnahran rince, sæmran æt sæcce. Þu þe self hafast dædum gefremed, þæt þin dom lyfað awa to aldre. Alwalda þec gode forgylde, swa he nu gyt dyde!' Beowulf maþelode, bearn Ecgþeowes: `We þæt ellenweorc estum miclum, feohtan fremedon, frecne geneðdon eafoð uncuþes. Uþe ic swiþor, þæt ðu hine selfne geseon moste, feond on frætewum fylwerigne! 963-986\nIc hine hrædlice heardan clammum on wælbedde wriþan þohte, þæt he for mundgripe minum scolde\nlicgean lifbysig, butan his lic swice; ic hine ne mihte, þa Metod nolde, ganges getwæman, no ic him þæs georne ætfealh, feorhgeniðlan; wæs to foremihtig\nfeond on feþe. Hwæþere he his folme forlet to lifwraþe last weardian, earm ond eaxle; no þær ænige swa þeah feasceaft guma frofre gebohte; no þy leng leofað laðgeteona synnum geswenced, ac hyne sar hafað in nidgripe nearwe befongen,\nbalwon bendum; ðær abidan sceal maga mane fah miclan domes, hu him scir Metod scrifan wille.' Ða wæs swigra secg, sunu Ecglafes, on gylpspræce guðgeweorca, siþðan æþelingas eorles cræfte ofer heanne hrof hand sceawedon, feondes fingras; foran æghwylc wæs, stiðra nægla gehwylc style gelicost, hæþenes handsporu hilderinces 987-1008\neglu unheoru; æghwylc gecwæð,\nþæt him heardra nan hrinan wolde iren ærgod, þæt ðæs ahlæcan blodge beadufolme onberan wolde. XV Ða wæs haten hreþe Heort innanweard\nfolmum gefrætwod; fela þæra wæs, wera ond wifa, þe þæt winreced, gestsele gyredon. Goldfag scinon web æfter wagum, wundorsiona fela secga gehwylcum þara þe on swylc starað. Wæs þæt beorhte bold tobrocen swiðe eal inneweard irenbendum fæst, heorras tohlidene; hrof ana genæs ealles ansund, þe se aglæca fyrendædum fag on fleam gewand, aldres orwena. No þæt yðe byð to befleonne --- fremme se þe wille --- , ac gesacan sceal sawlberendra, nyde genydde, niþða bearna, grundbuendra gearwe stowe, þær his lichoma legerbedde fæst swefeþ æfter symle. Þa wæs sæl ond mæl, 1009-1031\nþæt to healle gang Healfdenes sunu; wolde self cyning symbel þicgan, Ne gefrægen ic þa mægþa maran weorode ymb hyra sincgyfan sel gebæran. Bugon þa to bence blædagande, fylle gefægon; fægere geþægon medoful manig magas þara swiðhicgende on sele þam hean, Hroðgar ond Hroþulf. Heorot innan wæs freondum afylled; nalles facenstafas Þeod-Scyldingas þenden fremedon. ---\nForgeaf þa Beowulfe bearn Healfdenes\nsegen gyldenne sigores to leane, hroden hildecumbor, helm ond byrnan; mære maðþumsweord manige gesawon beforan beorn beran. Beowulf geþah ful on flette; no he þære feohgyfte for sceotendum scamigan ðorfte, --- ne gefrægn ic freondlicor feower madmas golde gegyrede gummanna fela in ealobence oðrum gesellan. Ymb þæs helmes hrof heafodbeorge wirum bewunden walu utan heold, 1032-1049\nþæt him fela laf frecne ne meahte scurheard sceþðan, þonne scyldfreca ongean gramum gangan scolde. Heht ða eorla hleo eahta mearas fætedhleore on flet teon,\nin under eoderas; þara anum stod sadol searwum fah, since gewurþad; þæt wæs hildesetl heahcyninges, ðonne sweorda gelac sunu Healfdenes efnan wolde, --- næfre on ore læg widcuþes wig, ðonne walu feollon. Ond ða Beowulfe bega gehwæþres eodor Ingwina onweald geteah, wicga ond wæpna; het hine wel brucan. Swa manlice mære þeoden, hordweard hæleþa heaþoræsas geald mearum ond madmum, swa hy næfre man lyhð, se þe secgan wile soð æfter rihte.1050-1052\nXVI ÐA gyt æghwylcum eorla drihten þara þe mid Beowulfe brimlade teah, on þære medubence maþðum gesealde, 1053-1074\nyrfelafe, ond þone ænne heht golde forgyldan, þone ðe Grendel ær mane acwealde,--- swa he hyra ma wolde, nefne him witig God wyrd forstode ond ðæs mannes mod. Metod eallum weold gumena cynnes, swa he nu git deð. Forþan bið andgit æghwær selest, ferhðes foreþanc. Fela sceal gebidan leofes ond laþes se þe longe her on ðyssum windagum worolde bruceð! Þær wæs sang ond sweg samod ætgædere fore Healfdenes hildewisan, gomenwudu greted, gid oft wrecen, ðonne healgamen Hroþgares scop æfter medobence mænan scolde, be Finnes eaferum, ða hie se fær begeat, hæleð Healf-Dena, Hnæf Scyldinga in Freswæle feallan scolde.\nNe huru Hildeburh herian þorfte\nEotena treowe; unsynnum wearð beloren leofum æt þam lindplegan bearnum ond broðrum; hie on gebyrd hruron 1075-1097\ngare wunde; þæt wæs geomuru ides! Nalles holinga Hoces dohtor meotodsceaft bemearn, syþðan morgen com, ða heo under swegle geseon meahte morþorbealo maga, þær heo ær mæste heold worolde wynne. Wig ealle fornam Finnes þegnas nemne feaum anum, þæt he ne mehte on þæm meðelstede wig Hengeste wiht gefeohtan,\nne þa wealafe wige forþringan þeodnes ðegna; ac hig him geþingo budon, þæt hie him oðer flet eal gerymdon, healle ond heahsetl, þæt hie healfre geweald wið Eotena bearn agan moston, ond æt feohgyftum Folcwaldan sunu dogra gehwylce Dene weorþode, Hengestes heap hringum wenede efne swa swiðe sincgestreonum fættan goldes, swa he Fresena cyn\non beorsele byldan wolde. Ða hie getruwedon on twa healfa fæste frioðuwære. Fin Hengeste elne unflitme aðum benemde, 1098-1118\nþæt he þa wealafe weotena dome arum heolde, þæt ðær ænig mon\nwordum ne worcum wære ne bræce, ne þurh inwitsearo æfre gemænden, ðeah hie hira beaggyfan banan folgedon\ngyf þonne Frysna hwylc frecnan spræce\nþonne hit sweordes ecg seðan scolde. ---\nAd wæs geæfned, ond icge gold ahæfen of horde. Here-Scyldinga betst beadorinca wæs on bæl gearu. Æt þæm ade wæs eþgesyne swatfah syrce, swyn ealgylden, eofer irenheard, æþeling manig wundum awyrded; sume on wæle crungon! Het ða Hildeburh æt Hnæfes ade hire selfre sunu sweoloðe befæstan, banfatu bærnan, ond on bæl don eame on eaxle. Ides gnornode,\ngeomrode giddum. Guðrinc astah. 1119-1138\nWand to wolcnum wælfyra mæst, hlynode for hlawe; hafelan multon, bengeato burston, ðonne blod ætspranc, laðbite lices. Lig ealle forswealg, gæsta gifrost, þara ðe þær guð fornam\nXVII Gewiton him ða wigend wica neosian\nfreondum befeallen, Frysland geseon,\nhamas ond heaburh. Hengest ða gyt wælfagne winter wunode mid Finne\neal unhlitme; eard gemunde, þeah þe ne meahte on mere drifan hringedstefnan,--- holm storme weol, won wið winde, winter yþe beleac isgebinde, oþðæt oþer com\ngear in geardas,--- swa nu gyt deð, þa ðe syngales sele bewitiað, wuldortorhtan weder. Ða wæs winter scacen, fæger foldan bearm; fundode wrecca, gist of geardum; he to gyrnwræce 1139-1158\nswiðor þohte þonne to sælade, gif he torngemot þurhteon mihte, þæt he Eotena bearn inne gemunde. Swa he ne forwyrnde weorodrædende, þonne him Hunlafing hildeleoman, billa selest on bearm dyde; þæs wæron mid Eotenum ecge cuðe. Swylce ferðfrecan Fin eft begeat sweordbealo sliðen æt his selfes ham, siþðan grimne gripe Guðlaf ond Oslaf æfter sæsiðe, sorge mændon, ætwiton weana dæl; ne meahte wæfre mod forhabban in hreþre. Ða wæs heal roden feonda feorum, swilce Fin slægen, cyning on corþre, ond seo cwen numen. Sceotend Scyldinga to scypon feredon eal ingesteald eorðcyninges, swylce hie æt Finnes ham findan meahton sigla searogimma. Hie on sælade drihtlice wif to Denum feredon, 1159-1174\nlæddon to leodum. Leoð wæs asungen, gleomannes gyd. Gamen eft astah, beorhtode bencsweg, byrelas sealdon win of wunderfatum. Þa cwom Wealhþeo forð\ngan under gyldnum beage þær þa godan twegen sæton suhtergefæderan; þa gyt wæs hiera sib ætgædere,\næghwylc oðrum trywe. Swylce þær Unferþ þyle æt fotum sæt frean Scyldinga; gehwylc hiora his ferhþe treowde, þæt he hæfde mod micel, þeah þe he his magum nære\narfæst æt ecga gelacum. Spræc ða ides Scyldinga: `Onfoh þissum fulle, freodrihten min, sinces brytta! þu on sælum wes, goldwine gumena, ond to Geatum spræc mildum wordum, swa sceal man don! Beo wið Geatas glæd, geofena gemyndig, nean ond feorran þu nu hafast. 1175-1194\nMe man sægde, þæt þu ðe for sunu wolde hererinc habban. Heorot is gefælsod, beahsele beorhta; bruc þenden þu mote manigra medo, ond þinum magum læf folc ond rice, þonne ðu forð scyle, metodsceaft seon. Ic minne can glædne Hroþulf, þæt he þa geogoðe wile arum healdan, gyf þu ær þonne he, wine Scildinga, worold oflætest;\nwene ic þæt he mid Gode gyldan wille uncran eaferan, gif he þæt eal gemon, hwæt wit to willan ond to worðmyndum umborwesendum ær arna gefremedon.' Hwearf þa bi bence, þær hyre byre wæron,\nHreðric ond Hroðmund, ond hæleþa bearn,\ngiogoð ætgædere; þær se goda sæt,\nBeowulf Geata, be þæm gebroðrum twæm.\nXVIII Him wæs ful boren, ond freondlaþu wordum bewægned, ond wunden gold estum geeawed, earmreade twa, 1195-1216\nhrægl ond hringas, healsbeaga mæst þara þe ic on foldan gefrægen hæbbe. Nænigne ic under swegle selran hyrde hordmaðum hæleþa, syþðan Hama ætwæg to þære byrhtan byrig Brosinga mene, sigle ond sincfæt,--- searoniðas fleah Eormenrices, geceas ecne ræd. --- þone hring hæfde Higelac Geata, nefa Swertinges, nyhstan siðe, siðþan he under segne sinc ealgode, wælreaf werede; hyne wyrd fornam, syþðan he for wlenco wean ahsode, fæhðe to Frysum. He þa frætwe wæg, eorclanstanas ofer yða ful, rice þeoden; he under rande gecranc. Gehwearf þa in Francna fæþm feorh cyninges, breostgewædu, ond se beah somod; wyrsan wigfrecan wæl reafedon æfter guðsceare, Geata leode, hreawic heoldon.--- Heal swege onfeng. Wealhðeo maþelode, heo fore þæm werede spræc: `Bruc ðisses beages, Beowulf leofa, 1217-1241\nhyse, mid hæle, ond þisses hrægles neot, þeodgestreona, ond geþeoh tela, cen þec mid cræfte, ond þyssum cnyhtum wes lara liðe! Ic þe þæs lean geman. Hafast þu gefered, þæt ðe feor ond neah ealne wideferhþ weras ehtigað, efne swa side swa sæ bebugeð,\nwindgeard, weallas. Wes þenden þu lifige, æþeling, eadig! Ic þe an tela\nsincgestreona. Beo þu suna minum dædum gedefe, dreamhealdende! Her is æghwylc eorl oþrum getrywe,\nmodes milde, mandrihtne hold, þegnas syndon geþwære, þeod ealgearo, druncne dryhtguman doð swa ic bidde' Eode þa to setle. Þær wæs symbla cyst, druncon win weras. Wyrd ne cuþon, geosceaft grimme, swa hit agangen wearð eorla manegum, syþðan æfen cwom,\nond him Hroþgar gewat to hofe sinum, rice to ræste. Reced weardode unrim eorla, swa hie oft ær dydon. Bencþelu beredon; hit geondbræded wearð beddum ond bolstrum. Beorscealca sum fus ond fæge fletræste gebeag. 1242-1250\nSetton him to heafdon hilderandas,\nbordwudu beorhtan; þær on bence wæs ofer æþelinge yþgesene heaþosteapa helm, hringed byrne, þrecwudu þrymlic. Wæs þeaw hyra, þæt hie oft wæron an wig gearwe,\nge æt ham ge on herge, ge gehwæþer þara,\nefne swylce mæla, swylce hira mandryhtne þearf gesælde; wæs seo þeod tilu.1251-1264\nXVIIII Sigon þa to slæpe. Sum sare angeald æfenræste, swa him ful oft gelamp, siþðan goldsele Grendel warode, unriht æfnde, oþ þæt ende becwom, swylt æfter synnum. Þæt gesyne wearþ, widcuð werum, þætte wrecend þa gyt lifde æfter laþum, lange þrage, æfter guðceare; Grendles modor, ides aglæcwif yrmþe gemunde, se þe wæteregesan wunian scoldeld ,cea\ne streamas, siþðan Cain wearð\nto ecgbanan angan breþer, fæderenmæge; he þa fag gewat, morþre gemearcod mandream fleon, 1265-1286\nwesten warode. Þanon woc fela geosceaftgasta; wæs þæra Grendel sum, heorowearh hetelic, se æt Heorote fand wæccendne wer wiges bidan; þær him aglæca ætgræpe wearð; hwæþre he gemunde mægenes strenge, gimfæste gife, ðe him God sealde, ond him to Anwaldan are gelyfde, frofre ond fultum; ðy he þone feond ofercwom, gehnægde helle gast. Þa he hean gewat, dreame bedæled deaþwic seon, mancynnes feond. Ond his modor þa gyt\ngifre ond galgmod gegan wolde sorhfulne sið, sunu deoð wrecan. Com þa to Heorote, ðær Hring-Dene geond þæt sæld swæfun. Þa ðær sona wearð edhwyrft eorlum, siþðan inne fealh Grendles modor. Wæs se gryre læssa efne swa micle, swa bið mægþa cræft, wiggryre wifes be wæpnedmen,\nsweord swate fah swin ofer helme 1287-1306\necgum dyhtig andweard scireð. Ða wæs on healle heardecg togen sweord ofer setlum, sidrand manig hafen handa fæst; helm ne gemunde, byrnan side, þa hine se broga angeat. Heo wæs on ofste, wolde ut þanon, feore beorgan, þa heo onfunden wæs; hraðe heo æþelinga anne hæfde fæste befangen, þa heo to fenne gang. Se wæs Hroþgare hæleþa leofost on gesiðes had be sæm tweonum,\nrice randwiga, þone ðe heo on ræste abreat, blædfæstne beorn. Næs Beowulf ðær, ac wæs oþer in ær geteohhod\næfter maþðumgife mærum Geate.\nHream wearð in Heorote; heo under heolfre genam cuþe folme; cearu wæs geniwod, geworden in wicun. Ne wæs þæt gewrixle til, þæt hie on ba healfa bicgan scoldon freonda feorum! Þa wæs frod cyning, 1307-1327\nhar hilderinc on hreon mode, syðþan he aldorþegn unlyfigendne,\nþone deorestan deadne wisse. Hraþe wæs to bure Beowulf fetod, sigoreadig secg. Samod ærdæge eode eorla sum, æþele cempa self mid gesiðum þær se snotera bad, hwæþer him Alwalda æfre wille æfter weaspelle wyrpe gefremman. Gang ða æfter flore fyrdwyrðe man mid his handscale --- healwudu dynede --- þæt he þone wisan wordum nægde\nfrean Ingwina, frægn gif him wære\næfter neodlaðum niht getæse.\nXX Hroðgar maþelode, helm Scyldinga:\n`Ne frin þu æfter sælum! Sorh is geniwod Denigea leodum. Dead is Æschere,\nYrmenlafes yldra broþor, min runwita ond min rædbora, eaxlgestealla, ðonne we on orlege hafelan weredon, þonne hniton feþan, 1328-1352\neoferas cnysedan. Swylc scolde eorl wesan. æþeling ærgod, swylc Æschere wæs! Wearð him on Heorote to handbanan\nwælgæst wæfre; ic ne wat hwæder atol æse wlanc eftsiðas teah, fylle gefægnod. Heo þa fæhðe wræc, þe þu gystran niht Grendel cwealdest þurh hæstne had heardum clammum, forþan he to lange leode mine\nwanode ond wyrde. He æt wige gecrang ealdres scyldig, ond nu oþer cwom mihtig manscaða, wolde hyre mæg wrecan, ge feor hafað fæhðe gestæled, þæs þe þincean mæg þegne monegum, se þe æfter sincgyfan on sefan greoteþ, --- hreþerbealo hearde; nu seo hand ligeð, se þe eow welhwylcra wilna dohte.\nIc þæt londbuend, leode mine, selerædende secgan hyrde, þæt hie gesawon swylce twegen\nmicle mearcstapan moras healdan, ellorgæstas. Ðæra oðer wæs, þæs þe hie gewislicost gewitan meahton, idese onlicnes; oðer earmsceapen on weres wæstmum wræclastas træd, 1353-1377\nnæfne he wæs mara þonne ænig man oðer; þone on geardagum Grendel nemdon\nfoldbuende; no hie fæder cunnon, hwæþer him ænig wæs ær acenned dyrnra gasta. Hie dygel lond warigeað wulfhleoþu, windige næssas, frecne fengelad, ðær fyrgenstream under næssa genipu niþer gewiteð,\nflod under foldan. Nis þæt feor heonon milgemearces, þæt se mere standeð; ofer þæm hongiað hrinde bearwas, wudu wyrtum fæst wæter oferhelmað. Þær mæg nihta gehwæm niðwundor seon, fyr on flode. No þæs frod leofað gumena bearna, þæt þone grund wite.\nÐeah þe hæðstapa hundum geswenced, heorot hornum trum holtwudu sece, feorran geflymed, ær he feorh seleð, aldor on ofre, ær he in wille, hafelan beorgan; nis þæt heoru stow! Þonon yðgeblond up astigeð won to wolcnum, þonne wind styreþ, lað gewidru, oð þæt lyft drysmaþ,\nroderas reotað. Nu is se ræd gelang eft æt þe anum. Eard git ne const, 1378-1398\nfrecne stowe, þær þu findan miht sinnigne secg; sec gif þu dyrre! Ic þe þa fæhðe feo leanige, ealdgestreonum, swa ic ær dyde, windnum golde, gyf þu on weg cymest.'\nXXI Beowulf maþelode, bearn Ecgþeowes: `Ne sorga, snotor guma! Selre bið æghwæm, þæt he his freond wrece, þonne he fela murne. Ure æghwylc sceal ende gebidan worolde lifes; wyrce se þe mote\ndomes ær deaþe; þæt bið drihtguman unlifgendum æfter selest. Aris, rices weard, uton hraþe feran. Grendles magan gang sceawigan. Ic hit þe gehate: no he on helm losaþ,\nne on foldan fæþm, ne on fyrgenholt, ne on gyfenes grund, ga þær he wille! Ðys dogor þu geþyld hafa\nweana gehwylces, swa ic þe wene to.' Ahleop ða se gomela, Gode þancode, mihtigan Drihtne, þæs se man gespræc. 1399-1422\nÞa wæs Hroðgare hors gebæted,\nwicg wundenfeax. Wisa fengel geatolic gende; gumfeþa stop lindhæbbendra. Lastas wæron æfter waldswaþum wide gesyne,\ngang ofer grundas, swa gegnum for ofer myrcan mor, magoþegna bær þone selestan sawolleasne þara þe mid Hroðgare ham eahtode. Ofereode þa æþelinga bearn steap stanhliðo, stige nearwe,\nenge anpaðas, uncuð gelad, neowle næssas, nicorhusa fela; he feara sum beforan gengde wisra monna wong sceawian,\noþ þæt he færinga fyrgenbeamas ofer harne stan hleonian funde, wynleasne wudu; wæter under stod dreorig ond gedrefed. Denum eallum wæs, winum Scyldinga weorce on mode to geþolianne, ðegne monegum, oncyð eorla gehwæm, syðþan Æscheres on þam holmclife hafelan metton. Flod blode weol --- folc to sægon --- ,\nhatan heolfre. Horn stundum song fuslic fyrdleoð. Feþa eal gesæt. Gesawon ða æfter wætere wyrmcynnes fela, sellice sædracan sund cunnian, swylce on næshleoðum nicras licgean, ða on undernmæl oft bewitigað sorhfulne sið on seglrade, wyrmas ond wildeor. Hie on weg hruron bitere ond gebolgne; bearhtm ongeaton, guðhorn galan. Sumne Geata leod of flanbogan feores getwæfde, yðgewinnes, þæt him on aldre stod herestræl hearda; he on holme wæs sundes þe sænra, ðe hyne swylt fornam. Hræþe wearð on yðum mid eoferspreotum heorohocyhtum hearde genearwod, niða genæged, ond on næs togen, wundorlic wægbora; weras sceawedon gryrelicne gist. Gyrede hine Beowulf\neorlgewædum, nalles for ealdre mearn; scolde herebyrne hondum gebroden, sid ond searofah, sund cunnian, seo ðe bancofan beorgan cuþe,\nþæt him hildegrap hreþre ne mihte, eorres inwitfeng aldre gesceþðan; ac se hwita helm hafelan werede, 1449-1470\nse þe meregrundas mengan scolde, secan sundgebland since geweorðad,\nbefongen freawrasnum, swa hine fyrndagum worhte wæpna smið, wundrum teode,\nbesette swinlicum, þæt hine syðþan no brond ne beadomecas bitan ne meahton. Næs þæt þonne mætost mægenfultuma, þæt him on ðearfe lah ðyle Hroðgares; wæs þæm hæftmece Hrunting nama; þæt wæs an foran ealdgestreona; ecg wæs iren, atertanum fah,\nahyrded heaþoswate; næfre hit æt hilde ne swac manna ængum þara þe hit mid mundum bewand, se ðe gryresiðas gegan dorste, folcstede fara; næs þæt forma sið,\nþæt hit ellenweorc æfnan scolde. Huru ne gemunde mago Ecglafes eafoþes cræftig, þæt he ær gespræc wine druncen, þa he þæs wæpnes onlah selran sweordfrecan; selfa ne dorste under yða gewin aldre geneþan, drihtscype dreogan; þær he dome forleas, 1471-1472\nellenmærðum. Ne wæs þæm oðrum swa, syðþan he hine to guðe gegyred hæfde.\nXXII Beowulf maðelode, bearn Ecgþeowes:\n`Geþenc nu, se mæra maga Healfdenes,\nsnottra fengel, nu ic eom siðes fus, goldwine gumena, hwæt wit geo spræcon, gif ic æt þearfe þinre scolde aldre linnan, þæt ðu me a wære forðgewitenum on fæder stæle. Wes þu mundbora minum magoþegnum hondgesellum, gif mec hild nime;\nswylce þu ða madmas, þe þu me sealdest,\nHroðgar leofa, Higelace onsend. Mæg þonne on þæm golde ongitan Geata dryhten, geseon sunu Hrædles, þonne he on þæt sinc starað. þæt ic gumcystum godne funde\nbeaga bryttan, breac þonne moste. Ond þu Unferð læt ealde lafe, wrætlic wægsweord widcuðne man heardecg habban; ic me mid Hruntinge 1491-1515\ndom gewyrce, oþðe mec deað nimeð!' Æfter þæm wordum Weder-Geata leod efste mid elne,--- nalas andsware bidan wolde; brimwylm onfeng hilderince. Ða wæs hwil dæges, ær he þone grundwong ongytan mehte. Sona þæt onfunde se ðe floda begong heorogifre beheold hund missera, grim ond grædig, þæt þær gumena sum ælwihta eard ufan cunnode.\nGrap þa togeanes, guðrinc gefeng atolan clommum; no þy ær in gescod halan lice; hring utan ymbbearh, þæt heo þone fyrdhom ðurhfon ne mihte, locene leoðosyrcan laþan fingrum. Bær þa seo brimwylf, þa heo to botme com, hringa þengel to hofe sinum, swa he ne mihte --- no he þæs modig wæs --- wæpna gewealdan, ac hine wundra þæs fela swencte on sunde, sædeor monig hildetuxum heresyrcan bræc,\nehton aglæcan. Ða se eorl ongeat, þæt he in niðsele nathwylcum wæs, þær him nænig wæter wihte ne sceþede, ne him for hrofsele hrinan ne mehte 1516-1541\nfærgripe flodes; fyrleoht geseah, blacne leoman beorhte scinan. Ongeat þa se goda grundwyrgenne,\nmerewif mihtig; mægenræs forgeaf hildebille, hond sweng ne ofteah, þæt hire on hafelan hringmæl agol grædig guðleoð. Ða se gist onfand, þæt se beadoleoma bitan nolde, aldre sceþðan, ac seo ecg geswac\nðeodne æt þearfe; ðolode ær fela hondgemota, helm oft gescær, fæges fyrdhrægl; ða wæs forma sið deorum madme, þæt his dom alæg. Eft wæs anræd, nalas elnes læt, mærða gemyndig mæg Hylaces: wearp ða wundenmæl wrættum gebunden yrre oretta, þæt hit on eorðan læg, stið ond stylecg; strenge getruwode, mundgripe mægenes. Swa sceal man don, þonne he æt guðe gegan þenceð longsumne lof; na ymb his lif cearað. Gefeng þa be eaxle --- nalas for fæhðe mearn --- Guð-Geata leod Grendles modor;\nbrægd þa beadwe heard, þa he gebolgen wæs,\nfeorhgeniðlan, þæt heo on flet gebeah. Heo him eft hraþe andlean forgeald 1542-1565\ngrimman grapum ond him togeanes feng; oferwearp þa werigmod wigena strengest, feþecempa, þæt he on fylle wearð. Ofsæt þa þone selegyst, ond hyre seax geteah brad ond brunecg; wolde hire bearn wrecan, angan eaferan. Him on eaxle læg breostnet broden; þæt gebearh feore, wið ord ond wið ecge ingang forstod.\nHæfde ða forsiðod sunu Ecgþeowes under gynne grund, Geata cempa, nemne him heaðobyrne helpe gefremede,\nherenet hearde, --- ond halig God geweold wigsigor; witig Drihten, rodera Rædend hit on ryht gesced yðelice, syþðan he eft astod.\nXXIII Geseah ða on searwum sigeeadig bil, eald sweord eotenisc ecgum þyhtig, wigena weorðmynd; þæt wæs wæpna cyst, --- buton hit wæs mare ðonne ænig mon oðer to beadulace ætberan meahte, God ond geatolic, giganta geweorc. He gefeng þa fetelhilt, freca Scyldinga hreoh ond heorogrim, hringmæl gebrægd aldres orwena, yrringa sloh, 1566-1591\nþæt hire wið halse heard grapode, banhringas bræc; bil eal ðurhwod fægne flæschoman; heo on flet gecrong, sweord wæs swatig, secg weorce gefeh. Lixte se leoma, leoht inne stod, efne swa of hefene hadre scineð rodores candel. He æfter recede wlat; hwearf þa be wealle, wæpen hafenade heard be hiltum Higelaces ðegn yrre ond anræd, --- næs seo ecg fracod hilderince, ac he hraþe wolde Grendle forgyldan guðræsa fela ðara þe he geworhte to West-Denum\noftor micle ðonne on ænne sið, þonne he Hroðgares heorðgeneatas sloh on sweofote, slæpende fræt folces Denigea fyftyne men, ond oðer swylc ut offerede, laðlicu lac. He him þæs lean forgeald, reþe cempa, to ðæs þe he on ræste geseah guðwerigne Grendel licgan, aldorleasne, swa him ær gescod hild æt Heorote. Hra wide sprong,\nsyþðan he æfter deaðe drepe þrowade,\nheorosweng heardne, ond hine þa heafde becearf. Sona þæt gesawon snottre ceorlas, 1592-1616\nþa ðe mid Hroðgare on holm wliton,\nþæt wæs yðgeblond eal gemenged, brim blode fah. Blondenfeaxe, gomele ymb godne ongeador spræcon, þæt hig þæs æðelinges eft ne wendon, þæt he sigehreðig secean come mærne þeoden; þa ðæs monige gewearð, þæt hine seo brimwylf abroten hæfde. Ða com non dæges. Næs ofgeafon hwate Scyldingas; gewat him ham þonon goldwine gumena. Gistas setan modes seoce ond on mere staredon; wiston ond ne wendon, þæt hie heora winedrihten selfne gesawon. --- Þa þæt sweord ongan æfter heaþoswate hildegicelum, wigbil wanian; þæt wæs wundra sum, þæt hit eal gemealt ise gelicost, ðonne forstes bend Fæder onlæteð, onwindeð wælrapas, se geweald hafað sæla ond mæla; þæt is soð Metod.\nNe nom he in þæm wicum, Weder-Geata leod, maðmæhta ma, þeh he þær monige geseah, buton þone hafelan ond þa hilt somod since fage; sweord ær gemealt, forbarn brodenmæl; wæs þæt blod to þæs hat, 1617-1639\nættren ellorgæst, se þær inne swealt. Sona wæs on sunde se þe ær æt sæcce gebad wighryre wraðra, wæter up þurhdeaf; wæron yðgebland eal gefælsod, eacne eardas, þa se ellorgast oflet lifdagas ond þas lænan gesceaft.\nCom þa to lande lidmanna helm swiðmod swymman; sælace gefeah, mægenbyrþenne þara þe he him mid hæfde.\nEoden him þa togeanes, Gode þancodon,\nþæs þe hi hyne gesundne geseon moston.\nÐa wæs of þæm hroran helm ond byrne\nlungre alysed. Lagu drusade, wæter under wolcnum, wældreore fag. Ferdon forð þonon feþelastum ferhþum fægne, foldweg mæton, cuþe stræte; cyningbalde men from þæm holmclife hafelan bæron earfoðlice heora æghwæþrum felamodigra; feower scoldon\non þæm wælstenge weorcum geferian to þæm goldsele Grendles heafod, --- 1640-1650\noþ ðæt semninga to sele comon frome fyrdhwate feowertyne Geata gongan; gumdryhten mid modig on gemonge meodowongas træd. Ða com in gan ealdor ðegna, dædcene mon dome gewurþad,\nhæle hildedeor, Hroðgar gretan. Þa wæs be feaxe on flet boren Grendles heafod, þær guman druncon, egeslic for eorlum ond þære idese mid, wliteseon wrætlic; weras on sawon.1651-1662\nXXIIII Beowulf maþelode, bearn Ecgþeowes:\n`Hwæt, we þe þas sælac, sunu Healfdenes,\nleod Scyldinga, lustum brohton tires to tacne, þe þu her to locast. Ic þæt unsofte ealdre gedigde, wigge under wætere, weorc geneþde earfoðlice; ætrihte wæs guð getwæfed, nymðe mec God scylde. Ne meahte ic æt hilde mid Hruntinge wiht gewyrcan, þeah þæt wæpen duge; ac me geuðe ylda Waldend, þæt ic on wage geseah wlitig hangian 1663-1684\nealdsweord eacen --- oftost wisode\nwinigea leasum ---, þæt ic ðy wæpne gebræd.\nOfsloh ða æt þære sæcce, þa me sæl ageald, huses hyrdas. Þa þæt hildebil forbarn brogdenmæl, swa þæt blod gesprang,\nhatost heaþoswata. Ic þæt hilt þanan feondum ætferede; fyrendæda wræc, deaðcwealm Denigea, swa hit gedefe wæs. Ic hit þe þonne gehate, þæt þu on Heorote most\nsorhleas swefan mid þinra secga gedryht,\nond þegna gehwylc þinra leoda, duguðe ond iogoþe, þæt þu him ondrædan ne þearft, þeoden Scyldinga, on þa healfe, aldorbealu eorlum, swa þu ær dydest.' Ða wæs gylden hilt gamelum rince, harum hildfruman, on hand gyfen, enta ærgeweorc; hit on æht gehwearf æfter deofla hryre Denigea frean, wundorsmiþa geweorc; ond þa þas worold ofgeaf gromheort guma, Godes andsaca, morðres scyldig, ond his modor eac; on geweald gehwearf woroldcyninga 1685-1708\nðæm selestan be sæm tweonum ðara þe on Scedenigge sceattas dælde. Hroðgar maðelode --- hylt sceawode, ealde lafe, on ðæm wæs or writen fyrngewinnes, syðþan flod ofsloh,\ngifen geotende giganta cyn, frecne geferdon; þæt wæs fremde þeod ecean Dryhtne; him þæs endelean þurh wæteres wylm Waldend sealde. Swa wæs on ðæm scennum sciran goldes þurh runstafas rihte gemearcod, geseted ond gesæd, hwam þæt sweord geworht, irena cyst ærest wære, wreoþenhilt ond wyrmfah. Ða se wisa spræc sunu Healfdenes --- swigedon ealle --- : `Þæt. la, mæg secgan se þe soð ond riht fremeð on folce, feor eal gemon, eald eðelweard, þæt ðes eorl wære geboren betera! Blæd is aræred geond widwegas, wine min Beowulf,\nðin ofer þeoda gehwylce. Eal þu hit geþyldum healdest, mægen mid modes snyttrum. Ic þe sceal mine gelæstan freode, swa wit furðum spræcon. Ðu scealt to frofre weorþan eal langtwidig leodum þinum,\nhæleðum to helpe.\nNe wearð Heremod swa eaforum Ecgwelan, Ar-Scyldingum;\nne geweox he him to willan, ac to wælfealle ond to deaðcwalum Deniga leodum; breat bolgenmod beodgeneatas, eaxlgesteallan, oþ þæt he ana hwearf, mære þeoden, mondreamum from, ðeah þe hine mihtig God mægenes wynnum, eafeþum stepte, ofer ealle men forð gefremede. Hwæþere him on ferhþe greow breosthord blodreow; nallas beagas geaf Denum æfter dome; dreamleas gebad, þæt he þæs gewinnes weorc þrowade, leodbealo longsum. Ðu þe lær be þon, gumcyste ongit! Ic þis gid be þe awræc wintrum frod. Wundor is to secganne, hu mihtig God manna cynne þurh sidne sefan snyttru bryttað, eard ond eorlscipe; he ah ealra geweald. Hwilum he on lufan læteð hworfan monnes modgeþonc mæran cynnes, seleð him on eþle eorþan wynne to healdanne hleoburh wera,\ngedeð him swa gewealdene worolde dælas, side rice, þæt he his selfa ne mæg\nhis unsnyttrum ende geþencean. Wunað he on wiste; no hine wiht dweleð adl ne yldo, ne him inwitsorh on sefan sweorceð, ne gesacu ohwær ecghete eoweð, ac him eal worold wendeð on willan; he þæt wyrse ne con --- ,\nXXV oð þæt him on innan oferhygda dæl weaxeð ond wridað; þonne se weard swefeð, sawele hyrde; bið se slæp to fæst, bisgum gebunden, bona swiðe neah, se þe of flanbogan fyrenum sceoteð. Þonne bið on hreþre under helm drepen biteran stræle --- him bebeorgan ne con --- , wom wundorbebodum wergan gastes; þinceð him to lytel, þæt he lange heold, gytsað gromhydig, nallas on gylp seleð fætte beagas, ond he þa forðgesceaft forgyteð ond forgymeð, þæs þe him ær God sealde, 1752-1776\nwuldres Waldend, weorðmynda dæl. Hit on ende stæf eft gelimpeð, þæt se lichoma læne gedreoseð, fæge gefealleð; fehð oþer to, se þe unmurnlice madmas dæleþ,\nsecg betsta, ond þe þæt selre geceos, ece rædas; oferhyda ne gym, mære cempa! Nu is þines mægnes blæd ane hwile; eft sona bið, þæt þec adl oððe ecg eafoþes getwæfeð, oððe fyres feng, oððe flodes wylm, oððe gripe meces, oððe gares fliht, oððe atol yldo; oððe eagena bearhtm forsiteð ond forsworceð; semninga bið, þæt ðec, dryhtguma, deað oferswyðeð. Swa ic Hring-Dena hund missera weold under wolcnum ond hig wigge beleac manigum mægþa geond þysne middangeard, æscum ond ecgum, þæt ic me ænigne under swegles begong gesacan ne tealde. Hwæt, me þæs on eþle edwenden cwom, gyrn æfter gomene, seoþðan Grendel wearð, ealdgewinna, ingenga min;\nic þære socne singales wæg modceare micle. Þæs sig Metode þanc, ecean Dryhtne, þæs ðe ic on aldre gebad, þæt ic on þone hafelan heorodreorigne ofer eald gewin eagum starige! Ga nu to setle, symbelwynne dreoh wiggeweorþad; unc sceal worn fela maþma gemænra, siþðan morgen bið.' Geat wæs glædmod, geong sona to,\nsetles neosan, swa se snottra heht. Þa wæs eft swa ær ellenrofum, fletsittendum fægere gereorded niowan stefne.--- Nihthelm geswearc deorc ofer dryhtgumum. Duguð eal aras; wolde blondenfeax beddes neosan, gamela Scylding. Geat unigmetes wel, rofne randwigan restan lyste;\nsona him seleþegn siðes wergum, feorrancundum, forð wisade, se for andrysnum ealle beweotede þegnes þearfe, swylce þy dogore heaþoliðende habban scoldon.\nReste hine þa rumheort; reced hliuade\ngeap ond goldfah; gæst inne swæf, oþ þæt hrefn blaca heofones wynne bliðheort bodode. Ða com beorht scacan 1803-1816\nscima ofer sceadwa; scaþan onetton,\nwæron æþelingas eft to leodum fuse to farenne; wolde feor þanon cuma collenferhð ceoles neosan. Heht þa se hearda Hrunting beran sunu Ecglafes, heht his sweord niman, leoflic iren; sægde him þæs leanes þanc, cwæð, he þone guðwine godne tealde, wigcræftigne, nales wordum log meces ecge; þæt wæs modig secg. ---\nOnd þa siðfrome, searwum gearwe wigend wæron; eode weorð Denum æþeling to yppan, þær se oþer wæs, hæle hildedeor Hroðgar grette.1817-1825\nXXVI Beowulf maþelode, bearn Ecgþeowes: `Nu we sæliðend secgan willað feorran cumene, þæt we fundiaþ Higelac secan. Wæron her tela, willum bewenede; þu us wel dohtest.\nGif ic þonne on eorþan owihte mæg þinre modlufan maran tilian, gumena dryhten, ðonne ic gyt dyde, guðgeweorca, ic beo gearo sona. 1826-1849\nGif ic þæt gefricge ofer floda begang, þæt þec ymbsittend egesan þywað, swa þec hetende hwilum dydon, ic ðe þusenda þegna bringe, hæleþa to helpe. Ic on Higelace wat, Geata dryhten, þeah ðe he geong sy, folces hyrde, þæt he mec fremman wile wordum ond weorcum, þæt ic þe wel herige\nond þe to geoce garholt bere, mægenes fultum, þær ðe bið manna þearf. Gif him þonne Hreþric to hofum Geata\ngeþingeð þeodnes bearn, he mæg þær fela freonda findan; feorcyþðe beoð\nselran gesohte þæm þe him selfa deah.'\nHroðgar maþelode him on andsware: `Þe þa wordcwydas wigtig Drihten on sefan sende; ne hyrde ic snotorlicor on swa geongum feore guman þingian. Þu eart mægenes strang, ond on mode frod, wis wordcwida! Wen ic talige, gif þæt gegangeð, þæt ðe gar nymeð, hild heorugrimme, Hreþles eaferan, adl oþðe iren ealdor ðinne,\nfolces hyrde, ond þu þin feorh hafast, 1850-1873\nþæt þe Sæ-Geatas selran næbben to geceosenne cyning ænigne, hordweard hæleþa, gyf þu healdan wylt maga rice. Me þin modsefa licað leng swa wel, leofa Beowulf. Hafast þu gefered, þæt þam folcum sceal, Geata leodum ond Gar-Denum sib gemæne, ond sacu restan, inwitniþas, þe hie ær drugon, wesan, þenden ic wealde widan rices, maþmas gemæne, manig oþerne godum gegrettan ofer ganotes bæð; sceal hringnaca ofer heafu bringan lac ond luftacen. Ic þa leode wat ge wið feond ge wið freond fæste geworhte, æghwæs untæle ealde wisan.' Ða git him eorla hleo inne gesealde, mago Healfdenes, maþmas twelfe; het hine mid þæm lacum leode swæse secean on gesyntum, snude eft cuman. Gecyste þa cyning æþelum god,\nþeoden Scyldinga ðegn betstan ond be healse genam; hruron him tearas blondenfeaxum. Him wæs bega wen 1874-1892\nealdum infrodum, oþres swiðor, þæt hie seoððan no geseon moston, modige on meþle. Wæs him se man to þon leof, þæt he þone breostwylm forberan ne mehte; ac him on hreþre hygebendum fæst æfter deorum men dyrne langað beorn wið blode. Him Beowulf þanan, guðrinc goldwlanc græsmoldan træd since hremig; sægenga bad agendfrean, se þe on ancre rad. Þa wæs on gang gifu Hroðgares oft geæhted; þæt wæs an cyning æghwæs orleahtre, oþ þæt hine yldo benam mægenes wynnum, se þe oft manegum scod.\nXXVII Cwom þa to flode felamodigra,\nhægstealdra heap; hringnet bæron, locene leoðosyrcan. Landweard onfand eftsið eorla, swa he ær dyde;\nno he mid hearme of hliðes nosan\ngæstas grette, ac him togeanes rad,\ncwæð þæt wilcuman Wedera leodum scaþan scirhame to scipe foron. Þa wæs on sande sægeap naca hladen herewædum hringedstefna, mearum ond maðmum; mæst hlifade ofer Hroðgares hordgestreonum. He þæm batwearde bunden golde swurd gesealde, þæt he syðþan wæs on meodubence maþme þy weorþra, yrfelafe. Gewat him on naca\ndrefan deop wæter, Dena land ofgeaf.\nÞa wæs be mæste merehrægla sum,\nsegl sale fæst; sundwudu þunede;\nfleat famigheals forð ofer yðe, bundenstefna ofer brimstreamas, þæt hie Geata clifu ongitan meahton, cuþe næssas; ceol up geþrang lyftgeswenced, on lande stod. 1914-1935\nHraþe wæs æt holme hyðweard geara, se þe ær lange tid leofra manna fus æt faroðe feor wlatode; sælde to sande sidfæþme scip\noncerbendum fæst, þy læs hym yþa ðrym wudu wynsuman forwrecan meahte. Het þa up beran æþelinga gestreon,\nto gesecanne sinces bryttan, Higelac Hreþling, þær æt ham wunað selfa mid gesiðum sæwealle neah. Bold wæs betlic, bregorof cyning, heah on healle, Hygd swiðe geong, wis, welþungen, þeah ðe wintra lyt under burhlocan gebiden hæbbe, Hæreþes dohtor; næs hio hnah swa þeah, ne to gneað gifa Geata leodum, maþmgestreona. Modþryðo wæg,\nfremu folces cwen, firen' ondrysne;\nnænig þæt dorste deor geneþan swæsra gesiða, nefne sinfrea, þæt hire an dæges eagum starede; 1936-1957\nac him wælbende weotode tealde handgewriþene; hraþe seoþðan wæs æfter mundgripe mece geþinged, þæt hit sceadenmæl scyran moste, cwealmbealu cyðan. Ne bið swylc cwenlic þeaw idese to efnanne, þeah ðe hio ænlicu sy, þætte freoðuwebbe feores onsæce æfter ligetorne leofne mannan.\nHuru þæt onhohsnode Hemminges mæg:\nealodrincende oðer sædan, þæt hio leodbealewa læs gefremede, inwitniða, syððan ærest wearð gyfen goldhroden geongum cempan, æðelum diore, syððan hio Offan flet ofer fealone flod be fæder lare siðe gesohte; ðær hio syððan well in gumstole, gode mære, lifgesceafta lifigende breac, hiold heahlufan wið hæleþa brego, ealles moncynnes mine gefræge þone selestan bi sæm tweonum, eormencynnes; forðam Offa wæs 1958-1977\ngeofum ond guðum, garcene man, wide geweorðod, wisdome heold eðel sinne;--- þonon Eomer woc hæleðum to helpe, Hemminges mæg, nefa Garmundes, niða cræftig.\nXXVIII Gewat him ða se hearda mid his hondscole sylf æfter sande sæwong tredan, wide waroðas. Woruldcandel scan,\nsigel suðan fus. Hi sið drugon, elne geeodon, to ðæs ðe eorla hleo, bonan Ongenþeoes burgum in innan,\ngeongne guðcyning godne gefrunon hringas dælan. Higelace wæs sið Beowulfes snude gecyðed, þæt ðær on worðig wigendra hleo, lindgestealla lifigende cwom, heaðolaces hal to hofe gongan. Hraðe wæs gerymed, swa se rica bebead. feðegestum flet innanweard. Gesæt þa wið sylfne se ða sæcce genæs, 1978-1999\nmæg wið mæge, syððan mandryhten þurh hleoðorcwyde holdne gegrette, meaglum wordum. Meoduscencum hwearf geond þæt healreced Hæreðes dohtor, lufode ða leode, liðwæge bær hæleðum to handa. Higelac ongan sinne geseldan in sele þam hean fægre fricgcean, hyne fyrwet bræc, hwylce Sæ-Geata siðas wæron: `Hu lomp eow on lade, leofa Biowulf, þa ðu færinga feorr gehogodest\nsæcce secean ofer sealt wæter, hilde to Hiorote? Ac ðu Hroðgare widcuðne wean wihte gebettest, mærum ðeodne? Ic ðæs modceare sorhwylmum seað, siðe ne truwode leofes mannes; ic ðe lange bæd, þæt ðu þone wælgæst wihte ne grette, lete Suð-Dene sylfe geweorðan\nguðe wið Grendel. Gode ic þanc secge,\nþæs ðe ic ðe gesundne geseon moste.'\nBiowulf maðelode, bearn Ecgðioes:\n`Þæt is undyrne, dryhten Higelac,\nmicel gemeting, monegum fira, hwylc orleghwil uncer Grendles wearð on ðæm wange, þær he worna fela Sige-Scyldingum sorge gefremede, yrmðe to aldre; ic ðæt eall gewræc, swa begylpan ne þearf Grendeles maga ænig ofer eorðan uhthlem þone, se ðe lengest leofað laðan cynnes, facne bifongen.--- Ic ðær furðum cwom\nto ðam hringsele Hroðgar gretan;\nsona me se mæra mago Healfdenes, syððan he modsefan minne cuðe, wið his sylfes sunu setl getæhte.\nWeorod wæs on wynne; ne seah ic widan feorh under heofones hwealf healsittendra medudream maran. Hwilum mæru cwen, friðusibb folca flet eall geondhwearf, bædde byre geonge; oft hio beahwriðan 2019-2039\nsecge sealde, ær hie to setle geong. Hwilum for duguðe dohtor Hroðgares eorlum on ende ealuwæge bær, þa ic Freaware fletsittende nemnan hyrde, þær hio nægledsinc hæleðum sealde. Sio gehaten is,\ngeong goldhroden, gladum suna Frodan;\nhafað þæs geworden wine Scyldinga, rices hyrde, ond þæt ræd talað, þæt he mid ðy wife wælfæhða dæl, sæcca gesette. Oft seldan hwær æfter leodhryre lytle hwile bongar bugeð, þeah seo bryd duge!\nMæg þæs þonne ofþyncan ðeodne Heaðo-Beardna ond þegna gehwam þara leoda,\non him gladiað gomelra lafe, heard ond hringmæl Heaða-Beardna gestreon,\nþenden hie ðam wæpnum wealdan moston, ---2039-2041\nXXVIIII-XXX oð ðæt hie forlæddan to ðam lindplegan swæse gesiðas ond hyra sylfra feorh. Þonne cwið æt beore se ðe beah gesyhð, 2042-2061\neald æscwiga, se ðe eall geman,\ngarcwealm gumena --- him bið grim sefa --- , onginneð geomormod geongum cempan þurh hreðra gehygd higes cunnian, wigbealu weccean, ond þæt word acwyð: "Meaht ðu, min wine, mece gecnawan, þone þin fæder to gefeohte bær under heregriman hindeman siðe, dyre iren, þær hyne Dene slogon, weoldon wælstowe, syððan Wiðergyld læg, æfter hæleþa hryre, hwate Scyldungas? Nu her þara banena byre nathwylces frætwum hremig on flet gæð, morðres gylpeð, ond þone maðþum byreð, þone þe ðu mid rihte rædan sceoldest." Manað swa ond myndgað mæla gehwylce sarum wordum, oð ðæt sæl cymeð, þæt se fæmnan þegn fore fæder dædum\næfter billes bite blodfag swefeð, ealdres scyldig; him se oðer þonan 2062-2084\nlosað lifigende, con him land geare. Þonne bioð abrocene on ba healfe aðsweord eorla; syððan Ingelde weallað wælniðas, ond him wiflufan æfter cearwælmum colran weorðað. Þy ic Heaðo-Beardna hyldo ne telge, dryhtsibbe dæl Denum unfæcne,\nfreondscipe fæstne. Ic sceal forð sprecan gen ymbe Grendel, þæt ðu geare cunne, sinces brytta, to hwan syððan wearð\nhondræs hæleða. Syððan heofones gim glad ofer grundas, gæst yrre cwom,\neatol æfengrom user neosan, ðær we gesunde sæl weardodon. Þær wæs Hondscio hild onsæge, feorhbealu fægum; he fyrmest læg, gyrded cempa; him Grendel wearð, mærum maguþegne to muðbonan, leofes mannes lic eall forswealg. No ðy ær ut ða gen idelhende bona blodigtoð, bealewa gemyndig, of ðam goldsele gongan wolde; ac he mægnes rof min costode,\ngrapode gearofolm. Glof hangode\nsid ond syllic, searobendum fæst; sio wæs orðoncum eall gegyrwed deofles cræftum ond dracan fellum. He mec þær on innan unsynnigne, dior dædfruma gedon wolde\nmanigra sumne; hyt ne mihte swa, syððan ic on yrre uppriht astod. To lang ys to reccenne, hu ic ðam leodsceaðan yfla gehwylces ondlean forgeald; þær ic, þeoden min, þine leode weorðode weorcum. He on weg losade, lytle hwile lifwynna breac;\nhwæþre him sio swiðre swaðe weardade hand on Hiorte, ond he hean ðonan, modes geomor meregrund gefeoll. Me þone wælræs wine Scildunga fættan golde fela leanode, manegum maðmum, syððan mergen com, ond we to symble geseten hæfdon. Þær wæs gidd ond gleo; gomela Scilding, 2106-2126\nfelafricgende feorran rehte;\nhwilum hildedeor hearpan wynne, gomenwudu grette, hwilum gyd awræc\nrehte æfter rihte rumheort cyning; hwilum eft ongan eldo gebunden, gomel guðwiga gioguðe cwiðan, hildestrengo; hreðer inne weoll, þonne he wintrum frod worn gemunde. Swa we þær inne andlangne dæg niode naman, oð ðæt niht becwom\noðer to yldum. Þa wæs eft hraðe gearo gyrnwræce Grendeles modor, siðode sorhfull; sunu deað fornam, wighete Wedra. Wif unhyre hyre bearn gewræc, beorn acwealde ellenlice; þær wæs Æschere, frodan fyrnwitan feorh uðgenge. Noðer hy hine ne moston, syððan mergen cwom, deaðwerigne, Denia leode, bronde forbærnan, ne on b,el hladan,\nleofne mannan; hio þæt lic ætbær feondes fæðmum under firgenstream. Þæt wæs Hroðgare hreowa tornost þara þe leodfruman lange begeate. Þa se ðeoden mec ðine life healsode hreohmod, þæt ic on holma geþring eorlscipe efnde, ealdre geneðde, mærðo fremede; he me mede gehet. Ic ða ðæs wælmes, þe is wide cuð, grimne gryrelicne grundhyrde fond. Þær unc hwile wæs hand gemæne;\nholm heolfre weoll, ond ic heafde becearf in ðam guðsele Grendeles modor eacnum ecgum; unsofte þonan feorh oðferede; næs ic fæge þa gyt; ac me eorla hleo eft gesealde maðma menigeo, maga Healfdenes. XXXI Swa se ðeodkyning þeawum lyfde;\nnealles ic ðam leanum forloren hæfde, 2146-2165\nmægnes mede, ac he me maðmas geaf,\nHyrde ic þæt þam frætwum feower mearas lungre, gelice last weardode, æppelfealuwe; he him est geteah 2166-2185\nmeara ond maðma.--- Swa sceal mæg don, nealles inwitnet oðrum bregdon dyrnum cræfte, deað renian\ndrihten Wedera gedon wolde; swyðe wendon, þæt he sleac wære, æðeling unfrom. Edwenden cwom tireadigum menn torna gehwylces.--- Het ða eorla hleo in gefetian, heaðorof cyning Hreðles lafe golde gegyrede; næs mid Geatum ða sincmaðþum selra on sweordes had; þæt he on Biowulfes bearm alegde, ond him gesealde seofan þusendo, bold ond bregostol. Him wæs bam samod on ðam leodscipe lond gecynde, eard eðelriht, oðrum swiðor side rice þam ðær selra wæs.\nond Heardrede hildemeceas under bordhreoðan to bonan wurdon, ða hyne gesohtan on sigeþeode hearde hildfrecan, Heaðo-Scilfingas, niða genægdan nefan Hererices ---: 2207-2220\nsyððan Beowulfe brade rice on hand gehwearf; he geheold tela fiftig wintra --- wæs ða frod cyning, eald eþelweard --- , oð ðæt an ongan deorcum nihtum draca ricsian,\nbigfolc beorna, þæt he gebolgen wæs. 2221-2228\nXXXII Nealles mid gewealdum wyrmhord abræc, sylfes willum, se ðe him sare gesceod, ac for þreanedlan þeow nathwylces hæleða bearna heteswengeas fleah, ærnes þearfa, ond ðær inne fealh,\nþæt he lytel fæc longgestreona brucan moste. Beorh eallgearo wunode on wonge wæteryðum neah, niwe be næsse, nearocræftum fæst; þær on innan bær eorlgestreona hringa hyrde hordwyrðne dæl, fættan goldes, fea worda cwæð: `Heald þu nuhruse ,, nu hæleð ne mostan, eorla æhte! Hwæt, hyt ær on ðe gode begeaton; guðdeað fornam, feorhbealo frecne, fyra gehwylcne leoda minra þara ðe þis lif ofgeaf, 2252-2274\ngesawon seledream. Nah, hwa sweord wege oððe feormie fæted wæge, dryncfæt deore; duguð ellor sceoc. Sceal se hearda helm hyrsted golde, fætum befeallen; feormynd swefað, þa ðe beadogriman bywan sceoldon; ge swylce seo herepad, sio æt hilde gebad ofer borda gebræc bite irena, brosnað æfter beorne. Ne mæg byrnan hring\nse ðe byrnende biorgas seceð, nacod niðdraca, nihtes fleogeð fyre befangen; hyne foldbuend\nwarað wintrum frod; ne byð him wihte ðy sel.\nheold on hrusan hordærna sum eacencræftig, oð ð æt hyne an abealch mon on mode; mandryhtne bær fæted wæge, frioðowære bæd hlaford sinne. Ða wæs hord rasod, onboren beaga hord, bene getiðad feasceaftum men; Frea sceawode fira fyrngeweorc forman siðe. --- Þa se wyrm onwoc, wroht wæs geniwad; stonc ða æfter stane, stearcheort onfand feondes fotlast; he to forð gestop dyrnan cræfte dracan heafde neah. Swa mæg unfæge eaðe gedigan wean ond wræcsið se ðe Waldendes hyldo gehealdeþ! Hordweard sohte georne æfter grunde, wolde guman findan, þone þe him on sweofote sare geteode; 2296-2315\nhat ond hreohmod hlæw oft ymbehwearf ealne utanweardne; ne ðær ænig mon on þære westenne, --- hwæðre wiges gefeh, beaduwe weorces; hwilum on beorh æthwearf,\nsincfæt sohte; he þæt sona onfand,\nðæt hæfde gumena sum goldes gefandod, heahgestreona. Hordweard onbad earfoðlice, oð ðæt æfen cwom;\nwolde se laða lige forgyldan drincfæt dyre. Þa wæs dæg sceacen wyrme on willan; no on wealle læng, bidan wolde, ac mid bæle for, fyre gefysed. Wæs se fruma egeslic\nleodum on lande, swa hyt lungre wearð on hyra sincgifan sare geendod.\nXXXIII Ða se gæst ongan gledum spiwan,\nbeorht hogu bærnan, --- byrneleoma stod eldum on andan; no ðær aht cwices lað lyftfloga læfan wolde. 2316-2338\nWæs þæs wyrmes wig wide gesyne,\nnearofages nið nean ond feorran, hu se guðsceaða Geata leode hatode ond hynde; hord eft gesceat, dryhtsele dyrnne ær dæges hwile. Hæfde landwara lige befangen, bæle ond bronde; beorges getruwode, wiges ond wealles; him seo wen geleah. Þa wæs Biowulfe broga gecyðed snude to soðe, þæt his sylfes ham,\nbolda selest, brynewylmum mealt,\ngifstol Geata. Þæt ðam godan wæs hreow on hreðre, hygesorga mæst; wende se wisa, þæt he Wealdende ofer ealde riht ecean Dryhtne bitre gebulge; breost innan weoll þeostrum geþoncum, swa him geþywe ne wæs. Hæfde ligdraca leoda fæsten, ealond utan, eorðweard ðone gledum forgrunden; him ðæs guðkyning, Wedera þioden wræce leornode.\nHeht him þa gewyrcean wigendra hleo eallirenne, eorla dryhten, 2339-2361\nwigbord wrætlic; wisse he gearwe, þæt him holtwudu helpan ne meahte, lind wið lige. Sceolde lændaga æþeling ærgod ende gebidan, worulde lifes, ond se wyrm somod, þeah ðe hordwelan heolde lange.\nOferhogode ða hringa fengel, þæt he þone widflogan weorode gesohte,\nsidan herge; no he him þa sæcce ondred, ne him þæs wyrmes wig for wiht dyde, eafoð ond ellen, forðon he ær fela nearo neðende niða gedigde,\nhildehlemma, syððan he Hroðgares,\nsigoreadig secg, sele fælsode, ond æt guðe forgrap Grendeles mægum laðan cynnes. No þæt læsest wæs hondgemota, þær mon Hygelac sloh, syððan Geata cyning guðe ræsum, freawine folca Freslondum on, Hreðles eafora hiorodryncum swealt, bille gebeaten. Þonan Biowulf com sylfes cræfte, sundnytte dreah; hæfde him on earme ana þritig\nhildegeatwa, þa he to holme stag. Nealles Hetware hremge þorfton feðewiges, þe him foran ongean\nlinde bæron; lyt eft becwom fram þam hildfrecan hames niosan!\nearm anhaga, eft to leodum; þær him Hygd gebead hord ond rice, beagas ond bregostol; bearne ne truwode, þæt he wið ælfylcum eþelstolas healdan cuðe, ða wæs Hygelac dead. No ðy ær feasceafte findan meahton æt ðam æðelinge ænige ðinga, þæt he Heardrede hlaford wære, oððe þone cynedom ciosan wolde; hwæðre he hine on folce freondlarum heold, estum mid are, oð ðæt he yldra wearð, Weder-Geatum weold. Hyne wræcmæcgas ofer sæ sohtan, suna Ohteres;\nþone selestan sæcyninga þara ðe in Swiorice sinc brytnade, 2384-2390\nmærne þeoden. Him þæt to mearce wearð; he þær for feorme feorhwunde hleat, sweordes swengum, sunu Hygelaces; ond him eft gewat Ongenðioes bearn hames niosan, syððan Heardred læg, let ðone bregostol Biowulf healdan,\nGeatum wealdan; þæt wæs god cyning.\nXXXIIII Se ðæs leodhryres lean gemunde\nuferan dogrum, Eadgilse wearð feasceaftum freond; folce gestepte ofer sæ side sunu Ohteres, wigum ond wæpnum; he gewræc syððan cealdum cearsiðum, cyning ealdre bineat. Swa he niða gehwane genesen hæfde, sliðra geslyhta, sunu Ecgðiowes, ellenweorca, oð ðone anne dæg, þe he wið þam wyrme gewegan sceolde. Gewat þa twelfa sum torne gebolgen dryhten Geata dracan sceawian;\nhæfde þa gefrunen hwanan sio fæhð aras, bealonið biorna; him to bearme cwom 2405-2427\nmaðþumfæt mære þurh ðæs meldan hond. Se wæs on ðam ðreate þreotteoða secg, se ðæs orleges or onstealde, hæft hygegiomor, sceolde hean ðonon wong wisian. He ofer willan giong to ðæs ðe he eorðsele anne wisse, hlæw under hrusan holmwylme neh,\nyðgewinne; se wæs innan full wrætta ond wira. Weard unhiore, gearo guðfreca, goldmaðmas heold eald under eorðan; næs þæt yðe ceap to gegangenne gumena ænigum.\nGesæt ða on næsse niðheard cyning;\nþenden hælo abead heorðgeneatum, goldwine Geata. Him wæs geomor sefa,\nwæfre ond wælfus, wyrd ungemete neah, se ðone gomelan gretan sceolde, secean sawle hord, sundur gedælan lif rið lice; no þon lange wæs feorh æþelinges flæsce bewunden. Biowulf maþelade, bearn Ecgðeowes: `Fela ic on giogoðe guðræsa genæs, orleghwila; ic þæt eall gemon.\nIc wæs syfanwintre, þa mec sinca baldor, freawine folca æt minum fæder genam; heold mec ond hæfde Hreðel cyning,\nnæs ic him to life laðra owihte, beorn in burgum, þonne his bearna hwylc, Herebeald ond Hæðcyn oððe Hygelac min. Wæs þam yldestan ungedefelice mæges dædum morþorbed stred, syððan hyne Hæðcyn of hornbogan, his freawine flane geswencte, miste mercelses ond his mæg ofscet, broðor oðerne blodigan gare. Þæt wæs feohleas gefeoht, fyrenum gesyngad, hreðre hygemeðe; sceolde hwæðre swa þeah æðeling unwrecen ealdres linnan. Swa bið geomorlic gomelum ceorle to gebidanne, þæt his byre ride giong on galgan; þonne he gyd wrece, sarigne sang, þonne his sunu hangað hrefne to hroðre, ond he him helpe ne mæg eald ond infrod ænige gefremman.\nSymble bið gemyndgad morna gehwylce\neaforan ellorsið; oðres ne gymeð\nto gebidanne burgum in innan yrfeweardas, þonne se an hafað þurh deaðes nyd dæda gefondad. Gesyhð sorhcearig on his suna bure winsele westne, windge reste reote berofene, --- Ridend swefað, hæleð in hoðman; nis þær hearpan sweg, gomen in geardum, swylce ðær iu wæron. XXXV Gewiteð þonne on sealman, sorhleoð gæleð an æfter anum; þuhte him eall to rum, wongas ond wicstede. Swa Wedra helm\næfter Herebealde heortan sorge weallinde wæg; wihte ne meahte on ðam feorhbonan fæghðe gebetan; no ðy ær he þone heaðorinc hatian ne meahte laðum dædum, þeah him leof ne wæs. He ða mid þære sorhge, þe him to sar belamp,\ngumdream ofgeaf, Godes leoht geceas; eaferum læfde, swa deð eadig mon, lond ond leodbyrig, þa he of life gewat. 2472-2495\nÞa wæs synn ond sacu Sweona ond Geata ofer wid wæter, wroht gemæne, herenið hearda, syððan Hreðel swealt, oððe him Ongenðeowes eaferan wæran frome fyrdhwate, freode ne woldon ofer heafo healdan, ac ymb Hreosnabeorh eatolne inwitscear oft gefremedon. Þæt mægwine mine gewræcan, fæhðe ond fyrene, swa hyt gefræge wæs, þeah ðe oðer his ealdre gebohte, heardan ceape; Hæðcynne wearð, Geata dryhtne, guð onsæge.\nbilles ecgum on bonan stælan, þær Ongenþeow Eofores niosað; guðhelm toglad, gomela Scylfing hreas heoroblac; hond gemunde fæhðo genoge, feorhsweng ne ofteah. Ic him þa maðmas, þe he me sealde,\ngeald æt guðe, swa me gifeðe wæs, leohtan sweorde; he me lond forgeaf, eard eðelwyn. Næs him ænig þearf, þæt he to Gifðum oððe to Gar-Denum oððe in Swiorice secean þurfe\nwyrsan wigfrecan, weorðe gecyþan; symle ic him on feðan beforan wolde, ana on orde, ond swa to aldre sceall sæcce fremman, þenden þis sweord þolað, þæt mec ær ond sið oft gelæste, syððan ic for dugeðum Dæghrefne wearð to handbonan, Huga cempan; --- nalles he ða frætwe Frescyninge,\nbreostweorðunge, bringan moste, ac in campe gecrong cumbles hyrde,\næþeling on elne; ne wæs ecg bona, ac him hildegrap heortan wylmas, banhus gebræc. Nu sceall billes ecg, hond ond heard sweord ymb hord wigan.' Beowulf maðelode, beotwordum spræc niehstan siðe: `Ic geneðde fela guða on geogoðe; gyt ic wylle, frod folces weard fæhðe secan,\nmærðu fremman, gif mec se mansceaða\nof eorðsele ut geseceð.' Gegrette ða gumena gehwylcne, hwate helmberend hindeman siðe, swæse gesiðas: `Nolde ic sweord beran, wæpen to wyrme, gif ic wiste hu 2520-2542\nwið ðam aglæcean elles meahte gylpe wiðgripan, swa ic gio wið Grendle dyde; ac ic ðær heaðufyres hates wene, oreðes ond attres; forðon ic me on hafu bord ond byrnan. Nelle ic beorges weard oferfleon fotes trem, ac unc furður sceal\nweorðan æt wealle, swa unc wyrd geteoð,\nMetod manna gehwæs. Ic eom on mode from, þæt ic wið þone guðflogan gylp ofersitte. Gebide ge on beorge byrnum werede,\nsecgas on searwum, hwæðer sel mæge æfter wælræse wunde gedygan uncer twega. Nis þæt eower sið, ne gemet mannes, nefne min anes, þæt he wið aglæcean eofoðo dæle, eorlscype efne. Ic mid elne sceall\ngold gegangan, oððe guð nimeð, feorhbealu frecne, frean eowerne!' Aras ða bi ronde rof oretta, heard under helme, hiorosercean bær under stancleofu, strengo getruwode anes mannes; ne bið swylc earges sið! Geseah ða be wealle se ðe worna fela 2543-2565\ngumcystum god guða gedigde, hildehlemma, þonne hnitan feðan,\nstondan stanbogan, stream ut þonan brecan of beorge; wæs þære burnan wælm heaðofyrum hat, ne meahte horde neah unbyrnende ænige hwile deop gedygan for dracan lege. Let ða of breostum, ða he gebolgen wæs, Weder-Geata leod word ut faran, stearcheort styrmde; stefn in becom heaðotorht hlynnan under harne stan. Hete wæs onhrered, hordweard oncniow mannes reorde; næs ðær mara fyrst freode to friclan. From ærest cwom oruð aglæcean ut of stane, hat hildeswat; hruse dynede.\nBiorn under beorge bordrand onswaf\nwið ðam gryregieste, Geata dryhten;\nða wæs hringbogan heorte gefysed\nsæcce to seceanne. Sweord ær gebræd\ngod guðcyning, gomele lafe, ecgum unslaw; æghwæðrum wæs bealohycgendra broga fram oðrum. 2566-2589\nStiðmod gestod wið steapne rond winia bealdor, ða se wyrm gebeah snude tosomne; he on searwum bad. Gewat ða byrnende gebogen scriðan,\nto gescipe scyndan. Scyld wel gebearg life ond lice læssan hwile mærum þeodne, þonne his myne sohte, ðær he þy fyrste forman dogore wealdan moste, swa him wyrd ne gescraf hreð æt hilde. Hond up abræd Geata dryhten, gryrefahne sloh\nincge-lafe, þæt sio ecg gewac brun on bane, bat unswiðor, þonne his ðiodcyning þearfe hæfde bysigum gebæded. Þa wæs beorges weard æfter heaðuswenge on hreoum mode, wearp wælfyre; wide sprungon\nhildeleoman. Hreðsigora ne gealp goldwine Geata; guðbill geswac, nacod æt niðe, swa hyt no sceolde, iren ærgod. --- Ne wæs þæt eðe sið, þæt se mæra maga Ecgðeowes\ngrundwong þone ofgyfan wolde; sceolde ofer willan wic eardian 2590-2601\nelles hwergen, swa sceal æghwylc mon alætan lændagas. Næs ða long to ðon, þæt ða aglæcean hy eft gemetton. Hyrte hyne hordweard, hreðer æðme weoll, niwan stefne; nearo ðrowode fyre befongen se ðe ær folce weold. Nealles him on heape handgesteallan,\næðelinga bearn ymbe gestodon hildecystum, ac hy on holt bugon, ealdre burgan. Hiora in anum weoll sefa wið sorgum; sibb æfre ne mæg Source.\nThis is the Klaeber edition of the text, first published as Beowulf and The fight at Finnsburg; edited, with introduction, bibliography, notes, glossary, and appendices, by Fr. Klaeber. Boston, New York [etc.] D.C. Heath & Co. [c1922]. This text is part of the Internet