Beowulf

Hwæt. We Gardena in geardagum,

þeodcyninga, þrym gefrunon,

hu ða æþelingas ellen fremedon.

Oft Scyld Scefing sceaþena þreatum,

monegum mægþum, meodosetla ofteah,

egsode eorlas. Syððan ærest wearð

feasceaft funden, he þæs frofre gebad,

weox under wolcnum, weorðmyndum þah,

oðþæt him æghwylc þara ymbsittendra

ofer 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 feohgiftum on fæder bearme,

þæt hine on ylde eft gewunigen

wilgesiþas, þonne wig cume,

leode gelæsten; lofdædum sceal

in mægþa gehwære man geþeon.

Him ða Scyld gewat to gescæphwile

felahror feran on frean wære.

Hi hyne þa ætbæron to brimes faroðe,

swæse gesiþas, swa he selfa bæd,

þenden wordum weold wine Scyldinga;

leof landfruma lange ahte.

þær æt hyðe stod hringedstefna,

isig ond utfus, æþelinges fær.

Aledon þa leofne þeoden,

beaga bryttan, on bearm scipes,

mærne be mæste. þær wæs madma fela

of 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.

þa gyt hie him asetton segen geldenne

heah ofer heafod, leton holm beran,

geafon on garsecg; him wæs geomor sefa,

murnende mod. Men ne cunnon

secgan to soðe, selerædende,

hæleð under heofenum, hwa þæm hlæste onfeng.

ða wæs on burgum Beowulf Scyldinga,

leof leodcyning, longe þrage

folcum gefræge fæder ellor hwearf,

aldor of earde, oþþæt him eft onwoc

heah Healfdene; heold þenden lifde,

gamol ond guðreouw, glæde Scyldingas.

ðæm feower bearn forð gerimed

in worold wocun, weoroda ræswan,

Heorogar ond Hroðgar ond Halga til;

hyrde ic þæt wæs Onelan cwen,

Heaðoscilfingas healsgebedda.

þa wæs Hroðgare heresped gyfen,

wiges weorðmynd, þæt him his winemagas

georne hyrdon, oðð þæt seo geogoð geweox,

magodriht micel. Him on mod bearn

þæt healreced hatan wolde,

medoærn micel, men gewyrcean

þonne yldo bearn æfre gefrunon,

ond þær on innan eall gedælan

geongum ond ealdum, swylc him god sealde,

buton folcscare ond feorum gumena.

ða 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

þæt 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

frumsceaft fira feorran reccan,

cwæð þæt se ælmihtiga eorðan worhte,

wlitebeorhtne wang, swa wæter bebugeð,

gesette sigehreþig sunnan ond monan

leoman to leohte landbuendum

ond gefrætwade foldan sceatas

leomum ond leafum, lif eac gesceop

cynna gehwylcum þara ðe cwice hwyrfaþ.

Swa ða drihtguman dreamum lifdon

eadiglice, oððæt 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,

siþðan him scyppend forscrifen hæfde

in Caines cynne. þone cwealm gewræc

ece drihten, þæs þe he Abel slog;

ne gefeah he þære fæhðe, ac he hine feor forwræc,

metod for þy mane, mancynne fram.

þanon untydras ealle onwocon,

eotenas ond ylfe ond orcneas,

swylce gigantas, þa wið gode wunnon

lange þrage; he him ðæs lean forgeald.

Gewat ða neosian, syþðan niht becom,

hean huses, hu hit Hringdene

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

Grendles guðcræft gumum undyrne;

þa 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,

ac ymb ane niht eft gefremede

morðbeala mare ond no mearn fore,

fæhðe 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,

ana wið eallum, oðþæt idel stod

husa selest. Wæs seo hwil micel;

XII wintra tid torn geþolode

wine Scyldinga, weana gehwelcne,

sidra sorga. Forðam secgum wearð,

ylda bearnum, undyrne cuð,

gyddum geomore, þætte Grendel wan

hwile wið Hroþgar, heteniðas wæg,

fyrene ond fæhðe fela 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,

ac 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,

heardra 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

wið færgryrum 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,

dæda demend, ne wiston hie drihten god,

ne hie huru heofena helm herian ne cuþon,

wuldres waldend. Wa bið þæm ðe sceal

þurh sliðne nið sawle bescufan

in fyres fæþm, frofre ne wenan,

wihte gewendan; wel bið þæm þe mot

æfter deaðdæge drihten secean

ond to fæder fæþmum freoðo wilnian.

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;

se wæs moncynnes mægenes strengest

on þæm dæge þysses lifes,

æþele ond eacen. Het him yðlidan

godne gegyrwan, cwæð, hu guðcyning

ofer swanrade secean wolde,

mærne þeoden, þa him wæs manna þearf.

ðone siðfæt him snotere ceorlas

lythwon logon, þeah he him leof wære;

hwetton higerofne, hæl sceawedon.

Hæfde se goda Geata leoda

cempan gecorone þara þe he cenoste

findan mihte; XVna sum

sundwudu sohte; secg wisade,

lagucræftig mon, landgemyrcu.

Fyrst forð gewat. Flota wæs on yðum,

bat under beorge. Beornas gearwe

on stefn stigon; streamas wundon,

sund wið sande; secgas bæron

on bearm nacan beorhte frætwe,

guðsearo geatolic; guman ut scufon,

weras on wilsið, wudu bundenne.

Gewat þa ofer wægholm, winde gefysed,

flota famiheals fugle gelicost,

oðþæt ymb antid oþres dogores

wundenstefna gewaden hæfde

þæt ða liðende land gesawon,

brimclifu blican, beorgas steape,

side sænæssas; þa wæs sund liden,

eoletes æt ende. þanon up hraðe

Wedera leode on wang stigon,

sæwudu sældon syrcan hrysedon,

guðgewædo, gode þancedon

þæs þe him yþlade eaðe wurdon.

þa 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

þegn Hroðgares, þrymmum cwehte

mægenwudu mundum, meþelwordum frægn:

Hwæt syndon ge searohæbbendra,

byrnum werede, þe þus brontne ceol

ofer lagustræte lædan cwomon,

hider ofer holmas? le wæs

endesæta, 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

eorla 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 ,

leassceaweras, on land Dena

furþur feran. Nu ge feorbuend,

mereliðende, minne gehyrað

anfealdne geþoht: Ofost is selest

to gecyðanne hwanan eowre cyme syndon.

Him se yldesta ondswarode,

werodes wisa, wordhord onleac:

We synt gumcynnes Geata leode

ond Higelaces heorðgeneatas.

Wæs min fæder folcum gecyþed,

æþele ordfruma, Ecgþeow haten.

Gebad wintra worn, ær he on weg hwurfe,

gamol of geardum; hine gearwe geman

witena welhwylc 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

þæt mid Scyldingum sceaðona ic nat hwylc,

deogol dædhata, deorcum nihtum

eaweð þurh egsan uncuðne nið,

hynðu ond hrafyl. Ic þæs Hroðgar mæg

þurh rumne sefan ræd gelæran,

hu he frod ond god feond oferswyðeþ,

gyf him edwendan æfre scolde

bealuwa bisigu, bot eft cuman,

ond þa cearwylmas colran wurðaþ;

oððe a syþðan earfoðþrage,

þreanyd þolað, þenden þær wunað

on heahstede husa selest.

Weard maþelode, ðær on wicge sæt,

ombeht unforht: æghwæþres sceal

scearp 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; ic eow wisige.

Swylce ic maguþegnas mine hate

wið feonda gehwone flotan eowerne,

niwtyrwydne nacan on sande

arum healdan, oþðæt eft byreð

ofer lagustreamas leofne mannan

wudu wundenhals to Wedermearce,

godfremmendra swylcum gifeþe bið

þæt þone hilderæs hal gedigeð.

Gewiton him þa feran. Flota stille bad,

seomode on sale sidfæþmed scip,

on ancre fæst. Eoforlic scionon

ofer hleorberan gehroden golde,

fah ond fyrheard; ferhwearde heold

guþmod grimmon. Guman onetton,

sigon ætsomne, oþþæt 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.

Stræt wæs stanfah, stig wisode

gumum ætgædere. Guðbyrne scan

heard hondlocen, hringiren scir

song in searwum, þa hie to sele furðum

in hyra gryregeatwum gangan cwomon.

Setton sæmeþe 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,

heresceafta heap? Ic eom Hroðgares

ar ond ombiht. Ne seah ic elþeodige

þus manige men modiglicran.

Wen ic þæt ge for wlenco, nalles for wræcsiðum,

ac for higeþrymmum Hroðgar sohton.

Him þa 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,

aldre þinum, gif he us geunnan wile

þæt we hine swa godne gretan moton.

Wulfgar maþelode þæt wæs Wendla leod;

wæs his modsefa manegum gecyðed,

wig ond wisdom: Ic þæs wine Deniga,

frean Scildinga, frinan wille,

beaga bryttan, swa þu bena eart,

þeoden mærne, ymb þinne sið,

ond þe þa ondsware 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:

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

wordum wrixlan. No ðu him wearne geteoh

ðinra gegncwida, glædman Hroðgar.

Hy on wiggetawum wyrðe þinceað

eorla geæhtlan; huru se aldor deah,

se þæm heaðorincum hider wisade.

Hroðgar maþelode, helm Scyldinga:

Ic hine cuðe cnihtwesende.

Wæs his ealdfæder Ecgþeo haten,

ðæm to ham forgeaf Hreþel Geata

angan dohtor; is his eafora nu

heard her cumen, sohte holdne wine.

ðonne sægdon þæt sæliþende,

þa ðe gifsceattas Geata fyredon

þyder to þance, þæt he XXXtiges

manna mægencræft on his mundgripe

heaþorof hæbbe. Hine halig god

for arstafum us onsende,

to Westdenum, 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 wilcuman

Deniga leodum.

[] word inne abead:

Eow het secgan sigedrihten min,

aldor Eastdena, þæt he eower æþelu can,

ond ge him syndon ofer sæwylmas

heardhicgende hider wilcuman.

Nu ge moton gangan in eowrum guðgeatawum

under heregriman Hroðgar geseon;

lætað hildebord her onbidan,

wudu, wælsceaftas, worda geþinges.

Aras þa se rica, ymb hine rinc manig,

þryðlic þegna heap; sume þær bidon,

heaðoreaf heoldon, swa him se hearda bebead.

Snyredon ætsomne, þa secg wisode,

under Heorotes hrof

heard under helme, þæt he on heoðe gestod.

Beowulf maðelode on 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,

forgrand gramum, ond nu wið Grendel sceal,

wið þam aglæcan, ana gehegan

ðing wið þyrse. Ic þe nu ða,

brego Beorhtdena, biddan wille,

eodor Scyldinga, anre bene,

þæt ðu me ne forwyrne, wigendra hleo,

freowine folca, nu ic þus feorran com,

þæt ic mote ana ond minra eorla gedryht,

þes hearda heap, Heorot fælsian.

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,

mægen Hreðmanna. Na þu minne þearft

hafalan hydan, ac he me habban wile

dreore fahne, gif mec deað nimeð.

Byreð blodig wæl, byrgean þenceð,

eteð angenga unmurnlice,

mearcað 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,

Welandes geweorc. Gæð a wyrd swa hio scel.

Hroðgar maþelode, helm Scyldinga:

For gewyrhtum þu, wine min Beowulf,

ond 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 Suðdena folc

ofer yða gewealc, Arscyldinga.

ða ic furþum weold folce Deniga

ond on geogoðe heold ginne rice,

hordburh 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

þæt hie in beorsele bidan woldon

Grendles guþe mid gryrum ecga.

ðonne wæs þeos medoheal on morgentid,

drihtsele dreorfah, þonne dæg lixte,

eal 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.

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

æfre mærða þon ma middangeardes

gehedde under heofenum þonne he sylfa:

Eart þu se Beowulf, se þe wið Brecan wunne,

on sidne sæ ymb sund flite,

ðær git for wlence wada cunnedon

ond 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

seofon niht swuncon; he þe æt sunde oferflat,

hæfde mare mægen. þa hine on morgentid

on Heaþoræmas 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

sunu 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.

Beowulf maþelode, bearn Ecgþeowes:

Hwæt. þu worn fela, wine min Unferð,

beore druncen ymb Brecan spræce,

sægdest from his siðe. Soð ic talige,

þæt ic merestrengo maran ahte,

earfeþo on yþum, ðonne ænig oþer man.

Wit þæt gecwædon cnihtwesende

ond gebeotedon wæron begen þa git

on geogoðfeore þæt wit on garsecg ut

aldrum 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.

ða wit ætsomne on sæ wæron

fif nihta fyrst, oþþæt 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.

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

be 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,

windige 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;

hwaþere 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,

billa 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

werhðo 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, Sigescyldinga;

nymeð nydbade, nænegum arað

leode Deniga, ac he lust wigeð,

swefeð ond sendeþ, secce ne weneþ

to Gardenum. Ac ic him Geata sceal

eafoð 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

brego Beorhtdena, 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,

ond þa freolic wif ful gesealde

ærest Eastdena eþelwearde,

bæd hine bliðne æt þære beorþege,

leodum leofne. He on lust geþeah

symbel ond seleful, sigerof kyning.

Ymbeode þa ides Helminga

duguþe ond geogoþe dæl æghwylcne,

sincfato sealde, oþþæt sæl alamp

þæt hio Beowulfe, beaghroden cwen

mode geþungen, medoful ætbær;

grette Geata leod, gode þancode

wisfæst wordum þæs ðe hire se willa gelamp

þæt heo on ænigne eorl gelyfde

fyrena frofre. He þæt ful geþeah,

wælreow wiga, æt Wealhþeon,

ond þa gyddode guþe gefysed;

Beowulf maþelode, bearn Ecgþeowes:

Ic þæt hogode, þa ic on holm gestah,

sæbat gesæt mid minre 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, oþþæt semninga

sunu Healfdenes secean wolde

æfenræste; wiste þæm ahlæcan

to þæm heahsele hilde geþinged,

siððan hie sunnan leoht geseon ne meahton,

oðþe nipende niht ofer ealle,

scaduhelma gesceapu scriðan cwoman,

wan under wolcnum. Werod eall aras.

Gegrette þa guma oþerne,

Hroðgar Beowulf, ond him hæl abead,

winærnes geweald, ond þæt word acwæð:

Næfre ic ænegum men ær alyfde,

siþðan ic hond ond rond hebban mihte,

ðryþærn Dena buton þe nu ða.

Hafa nu ond geheald husa selest,

gemyne mærþo, mægenellen cyð,

waca wið wraþum. Ne bið þe wilna gad,

gif þu þæt ellenweorc aldre gedigest.

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 beheold

ymb aldor Dena, eotonweard abead.

Huru Geata leod georne truwode

modgan mægnes, metodes hyldo.

ða he him of dyde isernbyrnan,

helm of hafelan, sealde his hyrsted sweord,

irena cyst, ombihtþegne,

ond gehealdan het hildegeatwe.

Gespræc þa se goda gylpworda sum,

Beowulf Geata, ær he on bed stige:

No ic me an herewæsmun hnagran talige,

guþgeweorca, þonne Grendel hine;

forþan 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 siþðan witig god

on swa hwæþere hond, halig dryhten,

mærðo deme, swa him gemet þince.

Hylde hine þa heaþodeor, hleorbolster onfeng

eorles andwlitan, ond hine ymb monig

snellic særinc selereste gebeah.

Nænig heora þohte þæt he þanon scolde

eft eardlufan æfre gesecean,

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,

frofor ond fultum, þæt hie feond heora

ðurh anes cræft ealle ofercomon,

selfes mihtum. Soð is gecyþed

þæt mihtig god manna cynnes

weold wideferhð. Com 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

bad bolgenmod beadwa geþinges.

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

heardran 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

ligge gelicost leoht unfæger.

Geseah he in recede rinca manige,

swefan sibbegedriht samod ætgædere,

magorinca heap. þa his mod ahlog;

mynte þæt he gedælde, ærþon 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,

ac 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.

Mynte 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

niwe geneahhe; Norðdenum stod

atelic egesa, anra gehwylcum

þara þe of wealle wop gehyrdon,

gryreleoð galan godes ondsacan,

sigeleasne sang, sar wanigean

helle hæfton. Heold hine fæste

se þe manna wæs mægene strengest

on þæm dæge þysses lifes.

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

ænig ofer eorþan irenna cyst,

guðbilla nan, gretan nolde,

ac he sigewæpnum forsworen hæfde,

ecga gehwylcre. Scolde his aldorgedal

on ðæm dæge þysses lifes

earmlic wurðan, ond se ellorgast

on 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

lifigende 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,

dogera dægrim. Denum eallum wearð

æfter þam wælræse willa gelumpen.

Hæfde þa gefælsod se þe ær feorran com,

snotor ond swyðferhð, sele Hroðgares,

genered wið niðe; nihtweorce gefeh,

ellenmærþum. Hæfde Eastdenum

Geatmecga leod gilp gelæsted,

swylce oncyþðe ealle gebette,

inwidsorge, 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.

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,

niða ofercumen, on nicera mere

fæge ond geflymed feorhlastas bær.

ðær wæs on blode brim weallende,

atol yða geswing eal gemenged

haton heolfre, heorodreore weol.

Deaðfæge deog, siððan dreama leas

in fenfreoðo feorh alegde,

hæþene 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,

se ðe ealfela ealdgesegena

worn gemunde, word oþer fand

soðe gebunden; secg eft ongan

sið Beowulfes snyttrum styrian

ond on sped wrecan spel gerade,

wordum 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,

eam 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,

æþelinges 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

selfes dome; sæbat gehleod,

bær on bearm scipes beorhte frætwa,

Wælses eafera. Wyrm hat gemealt.

Se wæs wreccena wide mærost

ofer werþeode, wigendra hleo,

ellendædum he þæs ær onðah,

siððan Heremodes hild sweðrode,

eafoð ond ellen. He mid Eotenum wearð

on feonda geweald forð forlacen,

snude 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,

eþel Scyldinga. He þær eallum wearð,

mæg Higelaces, manna cynne,

freondum gefægra; hine fyren onwod.

Hwilum flitende fealwe stræte

mearum mæton. ða wæs morgenleoht

scofen ond scynded. Eode scealc monig

swiðhicgende to sele þam hean

searowundor seon; swylce self cyning

of brydbure, beahhorda weard,

tryddode tirfæst getrume micle,

cystum gecyþed, ond his cwen mid him

medostigge mæt mægþa hose.

Hroðgar maþelode he to healle geong,

stod on stapole, geseah steapne hrof,

golde 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

husa selest heorodreorig stod,

wea widscofen witena gehwylcum

ðara þe ne wendon þæt hie wideferhð

leoda landgeweorc laþum beweredon

scuccum 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

bearngebyrdo. Nu ic, Beowulf, þec,

secg betsta, me for sunu wylle

freogan on ferhþe; heald forð tela

niwe sibbe. Ne bið þe nænigra gad

worolde 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 Ecþeowes:

We þæt ellenweorc estum miclum,

feohtan fremedon, frecne geneðdon

eafoð uncuþes. Uþe ic swiþor

þæt ðu hine selfne geseon moste,

feond on frætewum fylwerigne.

Ic hine hrædlice heardan clammum

on wælbedde wriþan þohte,

þæt he for mundgripe minum scolde

licgean lifbysig, butan his lic swice.

Ic hine ne mihte, þa metod nolde,

ganges getwæman, no ic him þæs georne ætfealh,

feorhgeniðlan; wæs to foremihtig

feond 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

mid nydgripe nearwe befongen,

balwon bendum. ðær abidan sceal

maga mane fah miclan domes,

hu him scir metod scrifan wille.

ða wæs swigra secg, sunu Eclafes,

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,

egl, unheoru. æghwylc gecwæð

þæt him heardra nan hrinan wolde

iren ærgod, þæt ðæs ahlæcan

blodge beadufolme onberan wolde.

ða wæs haten hreþe Heort innanweard

folmum 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 gesecan sceal sawlberendra,

nyde genydde, niþða bearna,

grundbuendra gearwe stowe,

þær his lichoma legerbedde fæst

swefeþ æfter symle. þa wæs sæl ond mæl

þæt to healle gang Healfdenes sunu;

wolde self cyning symbel þicgan.

Ne gefrægen ic þa mægþe 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

|eodscyldingas þenden fremedon.

Forgeaf þa Beowulfe bearn Healfdenes

segen 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,

þæt him fela laf frecne ne meahton

scurheard sceþðan, þonne scyldfreca

ongean gramum gangan scolde.

Heht ða eorla hleo eahta mearas

fætedhleore on flet teon,

in 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.

ða gyt æghwylcum eorla drihten

þara þe mid Beowulfe brimlade teah

on þære medubence maþðum gesealde,

yrfelafe, 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 Healfdena, Hnæf Scyldinga,

in Freswæle feallan scolde.

Ne huru Hildeburh herian þorfte

Eotena treowe; unsynnum wearð

beloren leofum æt þam lindplegan,

bearnum ond broðrum; hie on gebyrd hruron,

gare 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,

ne 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

on beorsele byldan wolde.

ða hie getruwedon on twa healfa

fæste frioðuwære. Fin Hengeste

elne, unflitme aðum benemde

þæt he þa wealafe weotena dome

arum heolde, þæt ðær ænig mon

wordum ne worcum wære ne bræce,

ne þurh inwitsearo æfre gemænden

ðeah hie hira beaggyfan banan folgedon

ðeodenlease, þa him swa geþearfod wæs.

gyf þonne Frysna hwylc frecnan spræce

ðæs morþorhetes myndgiend wære,

þonne hit sweordes ecg seðan scolde.

Ad wæs geæfned ond icge gold

ahæfen of horde. Herescyldinga

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,

geomrode giddum. Guðrinc astah.

Wand 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

bega folces; wæs hira blæd scacen.

Gewiton him ða wigend wica neosian,

freondum befeallen, Frysland geseon,

hamas ond heaburh. Hengest ða gyt

wælfagne winter wunode mid Finne

eal unhlitme. Eard gemunde,

þeah þe he ne meahte on mere drifan

hringedstefnan; holm storme weol,

won wið winde, winter yþe beleac

isgebinde, oþðæt oþer com

gear 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

swiðor þohte þonne to sælade,

gif he torngemot þurhteon mihte

þæt he Eotena bearn inne gemunde.

Swa he ne forwyrnde woroldrædenne,

þonne him Hunlafing hildeleoman,

billa selest, on bearm dyde,

þæs wæron mid Eotenum ecge cuðe.

Swylce ferhðfrecan 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,

læddon to leodum. Leoð wæs asungen,

gleomannes gyd. Gamen eft astah,

beorhtode bencsweg; byrelas sealdon

win of wunderfatum. þa cwom Wealhþeo forð

gan under gyldnum beage, þær þa godan twegen

sæton suhtergefæderan; þa gyt wæs hiera sib ætgædere,

æghwylc 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

arfæst 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.

Me 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;

wene 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,

Hreðric ond Hroðmund, ond hæleþa bearn,

giogoð ætgædere; þær se goda sæt,

Beowulf Geata, be þæm gebroðrum twæm.

Him wæs ful boren ond freondlaþu

wordum bewægned, ond wunden gold

estum geeawed, earmreade twa,

hrægl ond hringas, healsbeaga mæst

þara þe ic on foldan gefrægen hæbbe.

Nænigne ic under swegle selran hyrde

hordmaððum 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,

hyse, 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,

windgeard, weallas. Wes þenden þu lifige,

æþeling, eadig. Ic þe an tela

sincgestreona. Beo þu suna minum

dædum gedefe, dreamhealdende.

Her is æghwylc eorl oþrum getrywe,

modes 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

ond 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.

Setton him to heafdon hilderandas,

bordwudu beorhtan; þær on bence wæs

ofer æþelinge yþgesene

heaþosteapa helm, hringed byrne,

þrecwudu þrymlic. Wæs þeaw hyra

þæt hie oft wæron an wig gearwe,

ge æt ham ge on herge, ge gehwæþer þara,

efne swylce mæla swylce hira mandryhtne

þearf gesælde; wæs seo þeod tilu.

Sigon þa to slæpe. Sum sare angeald

æfenræste, swa him ful oft gelamp,

siþðan goldsele Grendel warode,

unriht æfnde, oþþæt ende becwom,

swylt æfter synnum. þæt gesyne wearþ,

widcuþ werum, þætte wrecend þa gyt

lifde æfter laþum, lange þrage,

æfter guðceare. Grendles modor,

ides, aglæcwif, yrmþe gemunde,

se þe wæteregesan wunian scolde,

cealde streamas, siþðan Cain wearð

to ecgbanan angan breþer,

fæderenmæge; he þa fag gewat,

morþre gemearcod, mandream fleon,

westen 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,

gifre ond galgmod, gegan wolde

sorhfulne sið, sunu deað wrecan.

Com þa to Heorote, ðær Hringdene

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,

þonne heoru bunden, hamere geþuren,

sweord swate fah swin ofer helme

ecgum dyhttig andweard scireð.

þa 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,

rice randwiga, þone ðe heo on ræste abreat,

blædfæstne beorn. Næs Beowulf ðær,

ac wæs oþer in ær geteohhod

æfter maþðumgife mærum Geate.

Hream 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,

har hilderinc, on hreon mode,

syðþan he aldorþegn unlyfigendne,

þone 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

frean Ingwina, frægn gif him wære

æfter neodlaðum niht getæse.

Hroðgar maþelode, helm Scyldinga:

Ne frin þu æfter sælum. Sorh is geniwod

Denigea leodum. Dead is æschere,

Yrmenlafes yldra broþor,

min runwita ond min rædbora,

eaxlgestealla, ðonne we on orlege

hafelan weredon, þonne hniton feþan,

eoferas cynsedan. Swylc scolde eorl wesan,

æþeling ærgod, swylc æschere wæs.

Wearð him on Heorote to handbanan

wælgæst wæfre; ic ne wat hwæder

atol æse wlanc eftsiðas teah,

fylle gefægnod. Heo þa fæhðe wræc

þe þu gystranniht Grendel cwealdest

þurh hæstne had heardum clammum,

forþan he to lange leode mine

wanode 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.

Ic þæt londbuend, leode mine,

selerædende, secgan hyrde

þæt hie gesawon swylce twegen

micle mearcstapan moras healdan,

ellorgæstas. ðæra oðer wæs,

þæs þe hie gewislicost gewitan meahton,

idese onlicnæs; oðer earmsceapen

on weres wæstmum wræclastas træd,

næfne he wæs mara þonne ænig man oðer;

þone on geardagum Grendel nemdon

foldbuende. 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,

flod 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;

ðeah þe hæðstapa hundum geswenced,

heorot hornum trum, holtwudu sece,

feorran geflymed, ær he feorh seleð,

aldor on ofre, ær he in wille

hafelan hydan. Nis þæt heoru stow!

þonon yðgeblond up astigeð

won to wolcnum, þonne wind styreþ,

lað gewidru, oðþæt lyft drysmaþ,

roderas reotað. Nu is se ræd gelang

eft æt þe anum. Eard git ne const,

frecne stowe, ðær þu findan miht

felasinnigne secg; sec gif þu dyrre.

Ic þe þa fæhðe feo leanige,

ealdgestreonum, swa ic ær dyde,

wundnum golde, gyf þu on weg cymest."

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

domes ær deaþe; þæt bið drihtguman

unlifgendum æfter selest.

Aris, rices weard, uton raþe feran

Grendles magan gang sceawigan.

Ic hit þe gehate, no he on helm losaþ,

ne on foldan fæþm, ne on fyrgenholt,

ne on gyfenes grund, ga þær he wille.

ðys dogor þu geþyld hafa

weana gehwylces, swa ic þe wene to."

Ahleop ða se gomela, gode þancode,

mihtigan drihtne, þæs se man gespræc.

þa wæs Hroðgare hors gebæted,

wicg wundenfeax. Wisa fengel

geatolic gende; gumfeþa stop

lindhæbbendra. Lastas wæron

æfter waldswaþum wide gesyne,

gang ofer grundas, þær heo gegnum for

ofer myrcan mor, magoþegna bær

þone selestan sawolleasne

þara þe mid Hroðgare ham eahtode.

Ofereode þa æþelinga bearn

steap stanhliðo, stige nearwe,

enge anpaðas, uncuð gelad,

neowle næssas, nicorhusa fela.

He feara sum beforan gengde

wisra monna wong sceawian,

oþþæt 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),

hatan 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

eorlgewædum, nalles for ealdre mearn.

Scolde herebyrne hondum gebroden,

sid ond searofah, sund cunnian,

seo ðe bancofan beorgan cuþe,

þæt him hildegrap hreþre ne mihte,

eorres inwitfeng, aldre gesceþðan;

ac se hwita helm hafelan werede,

se þe meregrundas mengan scolde,

secan sundgebland since geweorðad,

befongen freawrasnum, swa hine fyrndagum

worhte wæpna smið, wundrum teode,

besette 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,

ahyrded 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

þæt 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,

ellenmærðum. Ne wæs þæm oðrum swa,

syðþan he hine to guðe gegyred hæfde.

Beowulf maðelode, bearn Ecgþeowes:

"Geþenc nu, se mæra maga Healfdenes,

snottra 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;

swylce þu ða madmas þe þu me sealdest,

Hroðgar 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

beaga bryttan, breac þonne moste.

Ond þu Unferð læt ealde lafe,

wrætlic wægsweord, widcuðne man

heardecg habban; ic me mid Hruntinge

dom gewyrce, oþðe mec deað nimeð."

æfter þæm wordum Wedergeata leod

efste mid elne, nalas ondsware

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.

Grap 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,

ehton 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

færgripe flodes; fyrleoht geseah,

blacne leoman, beorhte scinan.

Ongeat þa se goda grundwyrgenne,

merewif 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

ðeodne 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)

Guðgeata leod Grendles modor;

brægd þa beadwe heard, þa he gebolgen wæs,

feorhgeniðlan, þæt heo on flet gebeah.

Heo him eft hraþe andlean forgeald

grimman 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.

Hæfde ða forsiðod sunu Ecgþeowes

under gynne grund, Geata cempa,

nemne him heaðobyrne helpe gefremede,

herenet hearde, ond halig god

geweold wigsigor; witig drihten,

rodera rædend, hit on ryht gesced

yðelice, syþðan he eft astod.

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,

þæt 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 Westdenum

oftor 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,

syþðan he æfter deaðe drepe þrowade,

heorosweng heardne, ond hine þa heafde becearf.

Sona þæt gesawon snottre ceorlas,

þa ðe mid Hroðgare on holm wliton,

þæt 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.

Ne nom he in þæm wicum, Wedergeata 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,

ættren 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.

Com þa to lande lidmanna helm

swiðmod swymman; sælace gefeah,

mægenbyrþenne þara þe he him mid hæfde.

Eodon him þa togeanes, gode þancodon,

ðryðlic þegna heap, þeodnes gefegon,

þæs þe hi hyne gesundne geseon moston.

ða wæs of þæm hroran helm ond byrne

lungre 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

on þæm wælstenge weorcum geferian

to þæm goldsele Grendles heafod,

oþðæt 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,

hæle 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.

Beowulf maþelode, bearn Ecgþeowes:

"Hwæt! we þe þas sælac, sunu Healfdenes,

leod 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

eald sweord eacen (oftost wisode

winigea leasum), þæt ic ðy wæpne gebræd.

Ofsloh ða æt þære sæcce, þa me sæl ageald,

huses hyrdas. þa þæt hildebil

forbarn brogdenmæl, swa þæt blod gesprang,

hatost 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

sorhleas swefan mid þinra secga gedryht

ond 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 ondsaca,

morðres scyldig, ond his modor eac,

on geweald gehwearf woroldcyninga

ðæm 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,

gifen 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 OEweard, þæt ðes eorl wære

geboren betera! Blæd is aræred

geond widwegas, wine min Beowulf,

ðin 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,

hæleðum to helpe. Ne wearð Heremod swa

eaforum Ecgwelan, Arscyldingum;

ne geweox he him to willan, ac to wælfealle

ond to deaðcwalum Deniga leodum;

breat bolgenmod beodgeneatas,

eaxlgesteallan, oþþæt 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,

gedeð him swa gewealdene worolde dælas,

side rice, þæt he his selfa ne mæg

for his 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),

oðþæt 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

fædde beagas, ond he þa forðgesceaft

forgyteð ond forgymeð, þæs þe him ær god sealde,

wuldres waldend, weorðmynda dæl.

Hit on endestæf eft gelimpeð

þæt se lichoma læne gedreoseð,

fæge gefealleð; fehð oþer to,

se þe unmurnlice madmas dæleþ,

eorles ærgestreon, egesan ne gymeð.

Bebeorh þe ðone bealonið, Beowulf leofa,

secg 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 Hringdena 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;

ic 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 ealdgewin eagum starige!

Ga nu to setle, symbelwynne dreoh

wigge weorþad; unc sceal worn fela

maþma gemænra, siþðan morgen bið."

Geat wæs glædmod, geong sona to

setles 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;

sona him seleþegn siðes wergum,

feorrancundum, forð wisade,

se for andrysnum ealle beweotede

þegnes þearfe, swylce þy dogore

heaþoliðende habban scoldon.

Reste hine þa rumheort; reced hliuade

geap ond goldfah; gæst inne swæf

oþþæt hrefn blaca heofones wynne

bliðheort bodode. ða com beorht scacan

scaþan onetton,

wæron 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.

Ond þa siðfrome, searwum gearwe

wigend wæron; eode weorð Denum

æþeling to yppan, þær se oþer wæs,

hæle hildedeor Hroðgar grette.

Beowulf maþelode, bearn Ecgþeowes:

"Nu we sæliðend secgan wyllað,

feorran cumene, þæt we fundiaþ

Higelac secan. Wæron her tela

willum bewenede; þu us wel dohtest.

Gif ic þonne on eorþan owihte mæg

þinre modlufan maran tilian,

gumena dryhten, ðonne ic gyt dyde,

guðgeweorca, ic beo gearo sona.

Gif 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 Higelac wat,

Geata dryhten, þeah ðe he geong sy,

folces hyrde, þæt he mec fremman wile

wordum ond worcum, þæt ic þe wel herige

ond þe to geoce garholt bere,

mægenes fultum, þær ðe bið manna þearf.

Gif him þonne Hreþric to hofum Geata

geþingeð, þeodnes bearn, he mæg þær fela

freonda findan; feorcyþðe beoð

selran gesohte þæm þe him selfa deah."

Hroðgar maþelode him on ondsware:

"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,

folces hyrde, ond þu þin feorh hafast,

þæt þe Sægeatas 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 Gardenum,

sib gemæne, ond sacu restan,

inwitniþas, þe hie ær drugon,

wesan, þenden ic wealde widan rices,

maþmas gemæne, manig oþerne

godum gegretan 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 [XII];

het hine mid þæm lacum leode swæse

secean on gesyntum, snude eft cuman.

Gecyste þa cyning æþelum god,

þeoden Scyldinga, ðegn betstan

ond be healse genam; hruron him tearas,

blondenfeaxum. Him wæs bega wen,

ealdum 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 gange gifu Hroðgares

oft geæhted; þæt wæs an cyning,

æghwæs orleahtre, oþþæt hine yldo benam

mægenes wynnum, se þe oft manegum scod.

Cwom þa to flode felamodigra,

hægstealdra heap, hringnet bæron,

locene leoðosyrcan. Landweard onfand

eftsið eorla, swa he ær dyde;

no he mid hearme of hliðes nosan

gæstas grette, ac him togeanes rad,

cwæð 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

drefan deop wæter, Dena land ofgeaf.

þa wæs be mæste merehrægla sum,

segl sale fæst; sundwudu þunede.

No þær wegflotan wind ofer yðum

siðes getwæfde; sægenga for,

fleat famigheals forð ofer yðe,

bundenstefna ofer brimstreamas,

þæt hie Geata clifu ongitan meahton,

cuþe næssas. Ceol up geþrang

lyftgeswenced, on lande stod.

Hraþe wæs æt holme hyðweard geara,

se þe ær lange tid leofra manna

fus æt faroðe feor wlatode;

sælde to sande sidfæþme scip,

oncerbendum fæst, þy læs hym yþa ðrym

wudu wynsuman forwrecan meahte.

Het þa up beran æþelinga gestreon,

frætwe ond fætgold; næs him feor þanon

to gesecanne sinces bryttan,

Higelac Hreþling, þær æt ham wunað

selfa mid gesiðum sæwealle neah.

Bold wæs betlic, bregorof cyning,

heah in 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. Mod þryðo wæg,

fremu folces cwen, firen ondrysne.

Nænig þæt dorste deor geneþan

swæsra gesiða, nefne sinfrea,

þæt hire an dæges eagum starede,

ac 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.

Huru þæt onhohsnode Hemminges mæg;

ealodrincende 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

geofum ond guðum, garcene man,

wide geweorðod, wisdome heold

eðel sinne; þonon Eomer woc

hæleðum to helpe, Hemminges mæg,

nefa Garmundes, niða cræftig.

Gewat him ða se hearda mid his hondscole

sylf æfter sande sæwong tredan,

wide waroðas. Woruldcandel scan,

sigel suðan fus. Hi sið drugon,

elne geeodon, to ðæs ðe eorla hleo,

bonan Ongenþeoes burgum in innan,

geongne 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,

mæg 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 Sægeata siðas wæron):

"Hu lomp eow on lade, leofa Biowulf,

þa ðu færinga feorr gehogodest

sæcce 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 Suðdene sylfe geweorðan

guðe wið Grendel. Gode ic þanc secge

þæs ðe ic ðe gesundne geseon moste."

Biowulf maðelode, bearn Ecgðioes:

"þæt is undyrne, dryhten Higelac,

micel gemeting, monegum fira,

hwylc orleghwil uncer Grendles

wearð on ðam wange, þær he worna fela

Sigescyldingum 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

to ðam hringsele Hroðgar gretan;

sona me se mæra mago Healfdenes,

syððan he modsefan minne cuðe,

wið his sylfes sunu setl getæhte.

Weorod 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

secge sealde, ær hie to setle geong.

Hwilum for duguðe dohtor Hroðgares

eorlum on ende ealuwæge bær;

þa ic Freaware fletsittende

nemnan hyrde, þær hio nægled sinc

hæleðum sealde. Sio gehaten is,

geong, goldhroden, gladum suna Frodan;

hafað 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!

Mæg þæs þonne ofþyncan ðeodne Heaðobeardna

ond þegna gehwam þara leoda,

þonne he mid fæmnan on flett gæð,

dryhtbearn Dena, duguða biwenede;

on him gladiað gomelra lafe,

heard ond hringmæl Heaðabeardna gestreon

þenden hie ðam wæpnum wealdan moston,

oððæt hie forlæddan to ðam lindplegan

swæse gesiðas ond hyra sylfra feorh.

þonne cwið æt beore se ðe beah gesyhð,

eald æscwiga, se ðe eall geman,

garcwealm 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, oððæt sæl cymeð

þæt se fæmnan þegn fore fæder dædum

æfter billes bite blodfag swefeð,

ealdres scyldig; him se oðer þonan

losað 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 Heaðobeardna hyldo ne telge,

dryhtsibbe dæl Denum unfæcne,

freondscipe fæstne. Ic sceal forð sprecan

gen ymbe Grendel, þæt ðu geare cunne,

sinces brytta, to hwan syððan wearð

hondræs hæleða. Syððan heofones gim

glad ofer grundas, gæst yrre cwom,

eatol, 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,

grapode gearofolm. Glof hangode

sid ond syllic, searobendum fæst;

sio wæs orðoncum eall gegyrwed

deofles cræftum ond dracan fellum.

He mec þær on innan unsynnigne,

dior dædfruma, gedon wolde

manigra 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;

hwæþre 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,

felafricgende, feorran rehte;

hwilum hildedeor hearpan wynne,

gomenwudu grette, hwilum gyd awræc

soð ond sarlic, hwilum syllic spell

rehte 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 ondlangne dæg

niode naman, oððæt niht becwom

oðer 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 bęl hladan

leofne 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,

holm 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.

Swa se ðeodkyning þeawum lyfde.

Nealles ic ðam leanum forloren hæfde,

mægnes mede, ac he me maðmas geaf,

sunu Healfdenes, on minne sylfes dom;

ða ic ðe, beorncyning, bringan wylle,

estum geywan. Gen is eall æt ðe

lissa gelong; ic lyt hafo

heafodmaga nefne, Hygelac, ðec."

Het ða in beran eaforheafodsegn,

heaðosteapne helm, hare byrnan,

guðsweord geatolic, gyd æfter wræc:

"Me ðis hildesceorp Hroðgar sealde,

snotra fengel, sume worde het

þæt ic his ærest ðe est gesægde;

cwæð þæt hyt hæfde Hiorogar cyning,

leod Scyldunga lange hwile;

no ðy ær suna sinum syllan wolde,

hwatum Heorowearde, þeah he him hold wære,

breostgewædu. Bruc ealles well!"

Hyrde ic þæt þam frætwum feower mearas

lungre, gelice, last weardode,

æppelfealuwe; he him est geteah

meara ond maðma. Swa sceal mæg don,

nealles inwitnet oðrum bregdon

dyrnum cræfte, deað renian

hondgesteallan. Hygelace wæs,

niða heardum, nefa swyðe hold,

ond gehwæðer oðrum hroþra gemyndig.

Hyrde ic þæt he ðone healsbeah Hygde gesealde,

wrætlicne wundurmaððum, ðone þe him Wealhðeo geaf,

ðeodnes dohtor, þrio wicg somod

swancor ond sadolbeorht; hyre syððan wæs

æfter beahðege breost geweorðod.

Swa bealdode bearn Ecgðeowes,

guma guðum cuð, godum dædum,

dreah æfter dome, nealles druncne slog

heorðgeneatas; næs him hreoh sefa,

ac he mancynnes mæste cræfte

ginfæstan gife, þe him god sealde,

heold hildedeor. Hean wæs lange,

swa hyne Geata bearn godne ne tealdon,

ne hyne on medobence micles wyrðne

drihten 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.

Eft þæt geiode ufaran dogrum

hildehlæmmum, syððan Hygelac læg

ond Heardrede hildemeceas

under bordhreoðan to bonan wurdon,

ða hyne gesohtan on sigeþeode

hearde hildefrecan, Heaðoscilfingas,

niða genægdan nefan Hererices,

syððan Beowulfe brade rice

on hand gehwearf; he geheold tela

fiftig wintra (wæs ða frod cyning,

eald eþelweard), oððæt an ongan

deorcum nihtum draca ricsian,

se ðe on heaum hofe hord beweotode,

stanbeorh steapne; stig under læg,

eldum uncuð. þær on innan giong

niða nathwylc, se ðe neh gefeng

hæðnum horde, hond [...],

since fahne. He þæt syððan [...],

þeah ðe he slæpende besyred wurde

þeofes cræfte; þæt sie ðiod onfand,

bufolc beorna, þæt he gebolgen wæs.

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,

secg synbysig, sona onfunde

þæt þær ðam gyste gryrebroga stod;

hwæðre earmsceapen

sceapen

þa hyne se fær begeat.

Sincfæt [...]; þær wæs swylcra fela

in ðam eorðhuse ærgestreona,

swa hy on geardagum gumena nathwylc,

eormenlafe æþelan cynnes,

þanchycgende þær gehydde,

deore maðmas. Ealle hie deað fornam

ærran mælum, ond se an ða gen

leoda duguðe, se ðær lengest hwearf,

weard winegeomor, wende þæs ylcan,

þæt 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 nu, hruse, nu hæleð ne moston,

eorla æhte! Hwæt, hyt ær on ðe

gode begeaton. Guðdeað fornam,

feorhbealo frecne, fyra gehwylcne

leoda minra, þara ðe þis lif ofgeaf,

gesawon seledream. Ic 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

æfter wigfruman wide feran,

hæleðum be healfe. Næs hearpan wyn,

gomen gleobeames, ne god hafoc

geond sæl swingeð, ne se swifta mearh

burhstede beateð. Bealocwealm hafað

fela feorhcynna forð onsended!"

Swa giomormod giohðo mænde

an æfter eallum, unbliðe hwearf

dæges ond nihtes, oððæt deaðes wylm

hran æt heortan. Hordwynne fond

eald uhtsceaða opene standan,

se ðe byrnende biorgas seceð,

nacod niðdraca, nihtes fleogeð

fyre befangen; hyne foldbuend

swiðe ondrædað. He gesecean sceall

hord on hrusan, þær he hæðen gold

warað wintrum frod, ne byð him wihte ðy sel.

Swa se ðeodsceaða þreo hund wintra

heold on hrusan hordærna sum,

eacencræftig, oððæt 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,

hat ond hreohmod hlæw oft ymbehwearf

ealne utanweardne, ne ðær ænig mon

on þære westenne; hwæðre wiges gefeh,

beaduwe weorces, hwilum on beorh æthwearf,

sincfæt sohte. He þæt sona onfand

ðæt hæfde gumena sum goldes gefandod,

heahgestreona. Hordweard onbad

earfoðlice oððæt æfen cwom;

wæs ða gebolgen beorges hyrde,

wolde se laða lige forgyldan

drincfæt dyre. þa wæs dæg sceacen

wyrme on willan; no on wealle læg,

bidan wolde, ac mid bæle for,

fyre gefysed. Wæs se fruma egeslic

leodum on lande, swa hyt lungre wearð

on hyra sincgifan sare geendod.

ða se gæst ongan gledum spiwan,

beorht hofu bærnan; bryneleoma stod

eldum on andan. No ðær aht cwices

lað lyftfloga læfan wolde.

Wæs þæs wyrmes wig wide gesyne,

nearofages 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,

bolda selest, brynewylmum mealt,

gifstol 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.

Heht him þa gewyrcean wigendra hleo

eallirenne, eorla dryhten,

wigbord 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.

Oferhogode ða hringa fengel

þæt he þone widflogan weorode gesohte,

sidan 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,

hildehlemma, syððan he Hroðgares,

sigoreadig 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 [XXX]

hildegeatwa, þa he to holme beag.

Nealles Hetware hremge þorfton

feðewiges, þe him foran ongean

linde bæron; lyt eft becwom

fram þam hildfrecan hames niosan.

Oferswam ða sioleða bigong sunu Ecgðeowes,

earm 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 him on folce freondlarum heold,

estum mid are, oððæt he yldra wearð,

Wedergeatum weold. Hyne wræcmæcgas

ofer sæ sohtan, suna Ohteres;

hæfdon hy forhealden helm Scylfinga,

þone selestan sæcyninga

þara ðe in Swiorice sinc brytnade,

mærne 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,

Geatum wealdan. þæt wæs god cyning!

Se ðæs leodhryres lean gemunde

uferan 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 [XII]a sum torne gebolgen

dryhten Geata dracan sceawian.

Hæfde þa gefrunen hwanan sio fæhð aras,

bealonið biorna; him to bearme cwom

maðþumfæt 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,

yðgewinne; se wæs innan full

wrætta ond wira. Weard unhiore,

gearo guðfreca, goldmaðmas heold,

eald under eorðan. Næs þæt yðe ceap

to gegangenne gumena ænigum!

Gesæt ða on næsse niðheard cyning,

þenden hælo abead heorðgeneatum,

goldwine Geata. Him wæs geomor sefa,

wæfre ond wælfus, wyrd ungemete neah,

se ðone gomelan gretan sceolde,

secean sawle hord, sundur gedælan

lif wið lice, no þon lange wæs

feorh æþelinges flæsce bewunden.

Biowulf maþelade, bearn Ecgðeowes:

"Fela ic on giogoðe guðræsa genæs,

orleghwila; ic þæt eall gemon.

Ic wæs syfanwintre, þa mec sinca baldor,

freawine folca, æt minum fæder genam;

heold mec ond hæfde Hreðel cyning,

geaf me sinc ond symbel, sibbe gemunde.

Næs 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.

Symble bið gemyndgad morna gehwylce

eaforan ellorsið; oðres ne gymeð

to 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.

Gewiteð þonne on sealman, sorhleoð gæleð

an æfter anum; þuhte him eall to rum,

wongas ond wicstede. Swa Wedra helm

æfter Herebealde heortan sorge

weallende 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 swa sar belamp,

gumdream ofgeaf, godes leoht geceas,

eaferum læfde, swa deð eadig mon,

lond ond leodbyrig, þa he of life gewat.

þa 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.

þa ic on morgne gefrægn mæg oðerne

billes ecgum on bonan stælan,

þær Ongenþeow Eofores niosað.

Guðhelm toglad, gomela Scylfing

hreas hildeblac; hond gemunde

fæhðo genoge, feorhsweng ne ofteah.

Ic him þa maðmas, þe he me sealde,

geald æt guðe, swa me gifeðe wæs,

leohtan sweorde; he me lond forgeaf,

eard, eðelwyn. Næs him ænig þearf

þæt he to Gifðum oððe to Gardenum

oððe in Swiorice secean þurfe

wyrsan wigfrecan, weorðe gecypan.

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,

breostweorðunge, bringan moste,

ac in compe gecrong cumbles hyrde,

æþeling 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,

mærðu fremman, gif mec se mansceaða

of eorðsele ut geseceð."

Gegrette ða gumena gehwylcne,

hwate helmberend, hindeman siðe,

swæse gesiðas: "Nolde ic sweord beran,

wæpen to wyrme, gif ic wiste hu

wið 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

forfleon fotes trem, ac unc furður sceal

weorðan æt wealle, swa unc wyrd geteoð,

metod manna gehwæs. Ic eom on mode from

þæt ic wið þone guðflogan gylp ofersitte.

Gebide ge on beorge byrnum werede,

secgas 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

gold 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,

gumcystum god, guða gedigde,

hildehlemma, þonne hnitan feðan,

stondan 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,

Wedergeata 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.

Biorn under beorge bordrand onswaf

wið ðam gryregieste, Geata dryhten;

ða wæs hringbogan heorte gefysed

sæcce to seceanne. Sweord ær gebræd

god guðcyning, gomele lafe,

ecgum unslaw; æghwæðrum wæs

bealohycgendra broga fram oðrum.

Stiðmod gestod wið steapne rond

winia bealdor, ða se wyrm gebeah

snude tosomne; he on searwum bad.

Gewat ða byrnende gebogen scriðan,

to 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

incgelafe, 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

hildeleoman. 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

grundwong þone ofgyfan wolde;

sceolde ofer willan wic eardian

elles 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,

æðelinga bearn, ymbe gestodon

hildecystum, ac hy on holt bugon,

ealdre burgan. Hiora in anum weoll

sefa wið sorgum; sibb æfre ne mæg

wiht onwendan þam ðe wel þenceð.

Wiglaf wæs haten Weoxstanes sunu,

leoflic lindwiga, leod Scylfinga,

mæg ælfheres; geseah his mondryhten

under heregriman hat þrowian.

Gemunde ða ða are þe he him ær forgeaf,

wicstede weligne Wægmundinga,

folcrihta gehwylc, swa his fæder ahte.

Ne mihte ða forhabban; hond rond gefeng,

geolwe linde, gomel swyrd geteah,

þæt wæs mid eldum Eanmundes laf,

suna Ohteres. þam æt sæcce wearð,

wræccan wineleasum, Weohstan bana

meces ecgum, ond his magum ætbær

brunfagne helm, hringde byrnan,

eald sweord etonisc; þæt him Onela forgeaf,

his gædelinges guðgewædu,

fyrdsearo fuslic, no ymbe ða fæhðe spræc,

þeah ðe he his broðor bearn abredwade.

He frætwe geheold fela missera,

bill ond byrnan, oððæt his byre mihte

eorlscipe efnan swa his ærfæder;

geaf him ða mid Geatum guðgewæda,

æghwæs unrim, þa he of ealdre gewat,

frod on forðweg. þa wæs forma sið

geongan cempan, þæt he guðe ræs

mid his freodryhtne fremman sceolde.

Ne gemealt him se modsefa, ne his mæges laf

gewac æt wige; þæt se wyrm onfand,

syððan hie togædre gegan hæfdon.

Wiglaf maðelode, wordrihta fela

sægde gesiðum (him wæs sefa geomor):

"Ic ðæt mæl geman, þær we medu þegun,

þonne we geheton ussum hlaforde

in biorsele, ðe us ðas beagas geaf,

þæt we him ða guðgetawa gyldan woldon

gif him þyslicu þearf gelumpe,

helmas ond heard sweord. ðe he usic on herge geceas

to ðyssum siðfate sylfes willum,

onmunde usic mærða, ond me þas maðmas geaf,

þe he usic garwigend gode tealde,

hwate helmberend, þeah ðe hlaford us

þis ellenweorc ana aðohte

to gefremmanne, folces hyrde,

for ðam he manna mæst mærða gefremede,

dæda dollicra. Nu is se dæg cumen

þæt ure mandryhten mægenes behofað,

godra guðrinca; wutun gongan to,

helpan hildfruman, þenden hyt sy,

gledegesa grim. God wat on mec

þæt me is micle leofre þæt minne lichaman

mid minne goldgyfan gled fæðmie.

Ne þynceð me gerysne þæt we rondas beren

eft to earde, nemne we æror mægen

fane gefyllan, feorh ealgian

Wedra ðeodnes. Ic wat geare

þæt næron ealdgewyrht, þæt he ana scyle

Geata duguðe gnorn þrowian,

gesigan æt sæcce; urum sceal sweord ond helm,

byrne ond beaduscrud, bam gemæne."

Wod þa þurh þone wælrec, wigheafolan bær

frean on fultum, fea worda cwæð:

"Leofa Biowulf, læst eall tela,

swa ðu on geoguðfeore geara gecwæde

þæt ðu ne alæte be ðe lifigendum

dom gedreosan. Scealt nu dædum rof,

æðeling anhydig, ealle mægene

feorh ealgian; ic ðe fullæstu."

æfter ðam wordum wyrm yrre cwom,

atol inwitgæst, oðre siðe

fyrwylmum fah fionda niosian,

laðra manna; ligyðum for.

Born bord wið rond, byrne ne meahte

geongum garwigan geoce gefremman,

ac se maga geonga under his mæges scyld

elne geeode, þa his agen wæs

gledum forgrunden. þa gen guðcyning

mærða gemunde, mægenstrengo sloh

hildebille, þæt hyt on heafolan stod

niþe genyded; Nægling forbærst,

geswac æt sæcce sweord Biowulfes,

gomol ond grægmæl. Him þæt gifeðe ne wæs

þæt him irenna ecge mihton

helpan æt hilde; wæs sio hond to strong,

se ðe meca gehwane, mine gefræge,

swenge ofersohte, þonne he to sæcce bær

wæpen wundrum heard; næs him wihte ðe sel.

þa wæs þeodsceaða þriddan siðe,

frecne fyrdraca, fæhða gemyndig,

ræsde on ðone rofan, þa him rum ageald,

hat ond heaðogrim, heals ealne ymbefeng

biteran banum; he geblodegod wearð

sawuldriore, swat yðum weoll.

ða ic æt þearfe gefrægn þeodcyninges

andlongne eorl ellen cyðan,

cræft ond cenðu, swa him gecynde wæs.

Ne hedde he þæs heafolan, ac sio hand gebarn

modiges mannes, þær he his mæges healp,

þæt he þone niðgæst nioðor hwene sloh,

secg on searwum, þæt ðæt sweord gedeaf,

fah ond fæted, þæt ðæt fyr ongon

sweðrian syððan. þa gen sylf cyning

geweold his gewitte, wællseaxe gebræd

biter ond beaduscearp, þæt he on byrnan wæg;

forwrat Wedra helm wyrm on middan.

Feond gefyldan (ferh ellen wræc),

ond hi hyne þa begen abroten hæfdon,

sibæðelingas. Swylc sceolde secg wesan,

þegn æt ðearfe! þæt ðam þeodne wæs

siðast sigehwila sylfes dædum,

worlde geweorces. ða sio wund ongon,

þe him se eorðdraca ær geworhte,

swelan ond swellan; he þæt sona onfand,

þæt him on breostum bealoniðe weoll

attor on innan. ða se æðeling giong

þæt he bi wealle wishycgende

gesæt on sesse; seah on enta geweorc,

hu ða stanbogan stapulum fæste

ece eorðreced innan healde.

Hyne þa mid handa heorodreorigne,

þeoden mærne, þegn ungemete till

winedryhten his wætere gelafede,

hilde sædne, ond his helm onspeon.

Biowulf maþelode (he ofer benne spræc,

wunde wælbleate; wisse he gearwe

þæt he dæghwila gedrogen hæfde,

eorðan wynne; ða wæs eall sceacen

dogorgerimes, deað ungemete neah):

"Nu ic suna minum syllan wolde

guðgewædu, þær me gifeðe swa

ænig yrfeweard æfter wurde

lice gelenge. Ic ðas leode heold

fiftig wintra; næs se folccyning,

ymbesittendra ænig ðara,

þe mec guðwinum gretan dorste,

egesan ðeon. Ic on earde bad

mælgesceafta, heold min tela,

ne sohte searoniðas, ne me swor fela

aða on unriht. Ic ðæs ealles mæg

feorhbennum seoc gefean habban;

for ðam me witan ne ðearf waldend fira

morðorbealo maga, þonne min sceaceð

lif of lice. Nu ðu lungre geong

hord sceawian under harne stan,

Wiglaf leofa, nu se wyrm ligeð,

swefeð sare wund, since bereafod.

Bio nu on ofoste, þæt ic ærwelan,

goldæht ongite, gearo sceawige

swegle searogimmas, þæt ic ðy seft mæge

æfter maððumwelan min alætan

lif ond leodscipe, þone ic longe heold."

ða ic snude gefrægn sunu Wihstanes

æfter wordcwydum wundum dryhtne

hyran heaðosiocum, hringnet beran,

brogdne beadusercean under beorges hrof.

Geseah ða sigehreðig, þa he bi sesse geong,

magoþegn modig maððumsigla fealo,

gold glitinian grunde getenge,

wundur on wealle, ond þæs wyrmes denn,

ealdes uhtflogan, orcas stondan,

fyrnmanna fatu feormendlease,

hyrstum behrorene; þær wæs helm monig

eald ond omig, earmbeaga fela

searwum gesæled. Sinc eaðe mæg,

gold on grunde, gumcynnes gehwone

oferhigian, hyde se ðe wylle.

Swylce he siomian geseah segn eallgylden

heah ofer horde, hondwundra mæst,

gelocen leoðocræftum; of ðam leoma stod,

þæt he þone grundwong ongitan meahte,

wræte giondwlitan. Næs ðæs wyrmes þær

onsyn ænig, ac hyne ecg fornam.

ða ic on hlæwe gefrægn hord reafian,

eald enta geweorc, anne mannan,

him on bearm hladon bunan ond discas

sylfes dome; segn eac genom,

beacna beorhtost. Bill ær gescod

(ecg wæs iren) ealdhlafordes

þam ðara maðma mundbora wæs

longe hwile, ligegesan wæg

hatne for horde, hioroweallende

middelnihtum, oðþæt he morðre swealt.

Ar wæs on ofoste, eftsiðes georn,

frætwum gefyrðred; hyne fyrwet bræc,

hwæðer collenferð cwicne gemette

in ðam wongstede Wedra þeoden

ellensiocne, þær he hine ær forlet.

He ða mid þam maðmum mærne þioden,

dryhten sinne, driorigne fand

ealdres æt ende; he hine eft ongon

wæteres weorpan, oðþæt wordes ord

breosthord þurhbræc.

gomel on giohðe (gold sceawode):

"Ic ðara frætwa frean ealles ðanc,

wuldurcyninge, wordum secge,

ecum dryhtne, þe ic her on starie,

þæs ðe ic moste minum leodum

ær swyltdæge swylc gestrynan.

Nu ic on maðma hord mine bebohte

frode feorhlege, fremmað gena

leoda þearfe; ne mæg ic her leng wesan.

Hatað heaðomære hlæw gewyrcean

beorhtne æfter bæle æt brimes nosan;

se scel to gemyndum minum leodum

heah hlifian on Hronesnæsse,

þæt hit sæliðend syððan hatan

Biowulfes biorh, ða ðe brentingas

ofer floda genipu feorran drifað."

Dyde him of healse hring gyldenne

þioden þristhydig, þegne gesealde,

geongum garwigan, goldfahne helm,

beah ond byrnan, het hyne brucan well:

"þu eart endelaf usses cynnes,

Wægmundinga. Ealle wyrd forsweop

mine magas to metodsceafte,

eorlas on elne; ic him æfter sceal."

þæt wæs þam gomelan gingæste word

breostgehygdum, ær he bæl cure,

hate heaðowylmas; him of hreðre gewat

sawol secean soðfæstra dom.

ða wæs gegongen guman unfrodum

earfoðlice, þæt he on eorðan geseah

þone leofestan lifes æt ende

bleate gebæran. Bona swylce læg,

egeslic eorðdraca ealdre bereafod,

bealwe gebæded. Beahhordum leng

wyrm wohbogen wealdan ne moste,

ac hine irenna ecga fornamon,

hearde, heaðoscearde homera lafe,

þæt se widfloga wundum stille

hreas on hrusan hordærne neah.

Nalles æfter lyfte lacende hwearf

middelnihtum, maðmæhta wlonc

ansyn ywde, ac he eorðan gefeoll

for ðæs hildfruman hondgeweorce.

Huru þæt on lande lyt manna ðah,

mægenagendra, mine gefræge,

þeah ðe he dæda gehwæs dyrstig wære,

þæt he wið attorsceaðan oreðe geræsde,

oððe hringsele hondum styrede,

gif he wæccende weard onfunde

buon on beorge. Biowulfe wearð

dryhtmaðma dæl deaðe forgolden;

hæfde æghwæðer ende gefered

lænan lifes. Næs ða lang to ðon

þæt ða hildlatan holt ofgefan,

tydre treowlogan tyne ætsomne.

ða ne dorston ær dareðum lacan

on hyra mandryhtnes miclan þearfe,

ac hy scamiende scyldas bæran,

guðgewædu, þær se gomela læg,

wlitan on Wilaf. He gewergad sæt,

feðecempa, frean eaxlum neah,

wehte hyne wætre; him wiht ne speow.

Ne meahte he on eorðan, ðeah he uðe wel,

on ðam frumgare feorh gehealdan,

ne ðæs wealdendes wiht oncirran;

wolde dom godes dædum rædan

gumena gehwylcum, swa he nu gen deð.

þa wæs æt ðam geongan grim ondswaru

eðbegete þam ðe ær his elne forleas.

Wiglaf maðelode, Weohstanes sunu,

sec, sarigferð (seah on unleofe):

"þæt, la, mæg secgan se ðe wyle soð specan

þæt se mondryhten se eow ða maðmas geaf,

eoredgeatwe, þe ge þær on standað,

þonne he on ealubence oft gesealde

healsittendum helm ond byrnan,

þeoden his þegnum, swylce he þrydlicost

ower feor oððe neah findan meahte,

þæt he genunga guðgewædu

wraðe forwurpe, ða hyne wig beget.

Nealles folccyning fyrdgesteallum

gylpan þorfte; hwæðre him god uðe,

sigora waldend, þæt he hyne sylfne gewræc

ana mid ecge, þa him wæs elnes þearf.

Ic him lifwraðe lytle meahte

ætgifan æt guðe, ond ongan swa þeah

ofer min gemet mæges helpan;

symle wæs þy sæmra, þonne ic sweorde drep

ferhðgeniðlan, fyr unswiðor

weoll of gewitte. Wergendra to lyt

þrong ymbe þeoden, þa hyne sio þrag becwom.

Nu sceal sincþego ond swyrdgifu,

eall eðelwyn eowrum cynne,

lufen alicgean; londrihtes mot

þære mægburge monna æghwylc

idel hweorfan, syððan æðelingas

feorran gefricgean fleam eowerne,

domleasan dæd. Deað bið sella

eorla gehwylcum þonne edwitlif!"

Heht ða þæt heaðoweorc to hagan biodan

up ofer ecgclif, þær þæt eorlweorod

morgenlongne dæg modgiomor sæt,

bordhæbbende, bega on wenum,

endedogores ond eftcymes

leofes monnes. Lyt swigode

niwra spella se ðe næs gerad,

ac he soðlice sægde ofer ealle:

"Nu is wilgeofa Wedra leoda,

dryhten Geata, deaðbedde fæst,

wunað wælreste wyrmes dædum.

Him on efn ligeð ealdorgewinna

sexbennum seoc; sweorde ne meahte

on ðam aglæcean ænige þinga

wunde gewyrcean. Wiglaf siteð

ofer Biowulfe, byre Wihstanes,

eorl ofer oðrum unlifigendum,

healdeð higemæðum heafodwearde

leofes ond laðes. Nu ys leodum wen

orleghwile, syððan underne

Froncum ond Frysum fyll cyninges

wide weorðeð. Wæs sio wroht scepen

heard wið Hugas, syððan Higelac cwom

faran flotherge on Fresna land,

þær hyne Hetware hilde genægdon,

elne geeodon mid ofermægene,

þæt se byrnwiga bugan sceolde,

feoll on feðan, nalles frætwe geaf

ealdor dugoðe. Us wæs a syððan

Merewioingas milts ungyfeðe.

Ne ic to Sweoðeode sibbe oððe treowe

wihte ne wene, ac wæs wide cuð

þætte Ongenðio ealdre besnyðede

Hæðcen Hreþling wið Hrefnawudu,

þa for onmedlan ærest gesohton

Geata leode Guðscilfingas.

Sona him se froda fæder Ohtheres,

eald ond egesfull, ondslyht ageaf,

abreot brimwisan, bryd ahredde,

gomela iomeowlan golde berofene,

Onelan modor ond Ohtheres,

ond ða folgode feorhgeniðlan,

oððæt hi oðeodon earfoðlice

in Hrefnesholt hlafordlease.

Besæt ða sinherge sweorda lafe,

wundum werge, wean oft gehet

earmre teohhe ondlonge niht,

cwæð, he on mergenne meces ecgum

getan wolde, sum on galgtreowum

fuglum to gamene. Frofor eft gelamp

sarigmodum somod ærdæge,

syððan hie Hygelaces horn ond byman,

gealdor ongeaton, þa se goda com

leoda dugoðe on last faran.

Wæs sio swatswaðu Sweona ond Geata,

wælræs weora wide gesyne,

hu ða folc mid him fæhðe towehton.

Gewat him ða se goda mid his gædelingum,

frod, felageomor, fæsten secean,

eorl Ongenþio, ufor oncirde;

hæfde Higelaces hilde gefrunen,

wlonces wigcræft, wiðres ne truwode,

þæt he sæmannum onsacan mihte,

heaðoliðendum hord forstandan,

bearn ond bryde; beah eft þonan

eald under eorðweall. þa wæs æht boden

Sweona leodum, segn Higelaces

freoðowong þone forð ofereodon,

syððan Hreðlingas to hagan þrungon.

þær wearð Ongenðiow ecgum sweorda,

blondenfexa, on bid wrecen,

þæt se þeodcyning ðafian sceolde

Eafores anne dom. Hyne yrringa

Wulf Wonreding wæpne geræhte,

þæt him for swenge swat ædrum sprong

forð under fexe. Næs he forht swa ðeh,

gomela Scilfing, ac forgeald hraðe

wyrsan wrixle wælhlem þone,

syððan ðeodcyning þyder oncirde.

Ne meahte se snella sunu Wonredes

ealdum ceorle ondslyht giofan,

ac he him on heafde helm ær gescer,

þæt he blode fah bugan sceolde,

feoll on foldan; næs he fæge þa git,

ac he hyne gewyrpte, þeah ðe him wund hrine.

Let se hearda Higelaces þegn

bradne mece, þa his broðor læg,

eald sweord eotonisc, entiscne helm

brecan ofer bordweal; ða gebeah cyning,

folces hyrde, wæs in feorh dropen.

ða wæron monige þe his mæg wriðon,

ricone arærdon, ða him gerymed wearð

þæt hie wælstowe wealdan moston.

þenden reafode rinc oðerne,

nam on Ongenðio irenbyrnan,

heard swyrd hilted ond his helm somod,

hares hyrste Higelace bær.

He ðam frætwum feng ond him fægre gehet

leana mid leodum, ond gelæste swa;

geald þone guðræs Geata dryhten,

Hreðles eafora, þa he to ham becom,

Iofore ond Wulfe mid ofermaðmum,

sealde hiora gehwæðrum hund þusenda

landes ond locenra beaga (ne ðorfte him ða lean oðwitan

mon on middangearde), syððan hie ða mærða geslogon,

ond ða Iofore forgeaf angan dohtor,

hamweorðunge, hyldo to wedde.

þæt ys sio fæhðo ond se feondscipe,

wælnið wera, ðæs ðe ic wen hafo,

þe us seceað to Sweona leoda,

syððan hie gefricgeað frean userne

ealdorleasne, þone ðe ær geheold

wið hettendum hord ond rice

æfter hæleða hryre, hwate Scildingas,

folcred fremede oððe furður gen

eorlscipe efnde. Nu is ofost betost

þæt we þeodcyning þær sceawian

ond þone gebringan, þe us beagas geaf,

on adfære. Ne scel anes hwæt

meltan mid þam modigan, ac þær is maðma hord,

gold unrime grimme geceapod,

ond nu æt siðestan sylfes feore

beagas gebohte. þa sceall brond fretan,

æled þeccean, nalles eorl wegan

maððum to gemyndum, ne mægð scyne

habban on healse hringweorðunge,

ac sceal geomormod, golde bereafod,

oft nalles æne elland tredan,

nu se herewisa hleahtor alegde,

gamen ond gleodream. Forðon sceall gar wesan

monig, morgenceald, mundum bewunden,

hæfen on handa, nalles hearpan sweg

wigend weccean, ac se wonna hrefn

fus ofer fægum fela reordian,

earne secgan hu him æt æte speow,

þenden he wið wulf wæl reafode."

Swa se secg hwata secggende wæs

laðra spella; he ne leag fela

wyrda ne worda. Weorod eall aras;

eodon unbliðe under Earnanæs,

wollenteare wundur sceawian.

Fundon ða on sande sawulleasne

hlimbed healdan þone þe him hringas geaf

ærran mælum; þa wæs endedæg

godum gegongen, þæt se guðcyning,

Wedra þeoden, wundordeaðe swealt.

ær hi þær gesegan syllicran wiht,

wyrm on wonge wiðerræhtes þær

laðne licgean; wæs se legdraca

grimlic, gryrefah, gledum beswæled.

Se wæs fiftiges fotgemearces

lang on legere, lyftwynne heold

nihtes hwilum, nyðer eft gewat

dennes niosian; wæs ða deaðe fæst,

hæfde eorðscrafa ende genyttod.

Him big stodan bunan ond orcas,

discas lagon ond dyre swyrd,

omige, þurhetone, swa hie wið eorðan fæðm

þusend wintra þær eardodon.

þonne wæs þæt yrfe, eacencræftig,

iumonna gold galdre bewunden,

þæt ðam hringsele hrinan ne moste

gumena ænig, nefne god sylfa,

sigora soðcyning, sealde þam ðe he wolde

(he is manna gehyld) hord openian,

efne swa hwylcum manna swa him gemet ðuhte.

þa wæs gesyne þæt se sið ne ðah

þam ðe unrihte inne gehydde

wræte under wealle. Weard ær ofsloh

feara sumne; þa sio fæhð gewearð

gewrecen wraðlice. Wundur hwar þonne

eorl ellenrof ende gefere

lifgesceafta, þonne leng ne mæg

mon mid his magum meduseld buan.

Swa wæs Biowulfe, þa he biorges weard

sohte, searoniðas; seolfa ne cuðe

þurh hwæt his worulde gedal weorðan sceolde.

Swa hit oð domes dæg diope benemdon

þeodnas mære, þa ðæt þær dydon,

þæt se secg wære synnum scildig,

hergum geheaðerod, hellbendum fæst,

wommum gewitnad, se ðone wong strude,

næs he goldhwæte gearwor hæfde

agendes est ær gesceawod.

Wiglaf maðelode, Wihstanes sunu:

"Oft sceall eorl monig anes willan

wræc adreogan, swa us geworden is.

Ne meahton we gelæran leofne þeoden,

rices hyrde, ræd ænigne,

þæt he ne grette goldweard þone,

lete hyne licgean þær he longe wæs,

wicum wunian oð woruldende;

heold on heahgesceap. Hord ys gesceawod,

grimme gegongen; wæs þæt gifeðe to swið

þe ðone þeodcyning þyder ontyhte.

Ic wæs þær inne ond þæt eall geondseh,

recedes geatwa, þa me gerymed wæs,

nealles swæslice sið alyfed

inn under eorðweall. Ic on ofoste gefeng

micle mid mundum mægenbyrðenne

hordgestreona, hider ut ætbær

cyninge minum. Cwico wæs þa gena,

wis ond gewittig; worn eall gespræc

gomol on gehðo ond eowic gretan het,

bæd þæt ge geworhton æfter wines dædum

in bælstede beorh þone hean,

micelne ond mærne, swa he manna wæs

wigend weorðfullost wide geond eorðan,

þenden he burhwelan brucan moste.

Uton nu efstan oðre siðe,

seon ond secean searogimma geþræc,

wundur under wealle; ic eow wisige,

þæt ge genoge neon sceawiað

beagas ond brad gold. Sie sio bær gearo,

ædre geæfned, þonne we ut cymen,

ond þonne geferian frean userne,

leofne mannan, þær he longe sceal

on ðæs waldendes wære geþolian."

Het ða gebeodan byre Wihstanes,

hæle hildedior, hæleða monegum,

boldagendra, þæt hie bælwudu

feorran feredon, folcagende,

godum togenes: "Nu sceal gled fretan,

weaxan wonna leg wigena strengel,

þone ðe oft gebad isernscure,

þonne stræla storm strengum gebæded

scoc ofer scildweall, sceft nytte heold,

feðergearwum fus flane fulleode."

Huru se snotra sunu Wihstanes

acigde of corðre cyninges þegnas

syfone tosomne, þa selestan,

eode eahta sum under inwithrof

hilderinca; sum on handa bær

æledleoman, se ðe on orde geong.

Næs ða on hlytme hwa þæt hord strude,

syððan orwearde ænigne dæl

secgas gesegon on sele wunian,

læne licgan; lyt ænig mearn

þæt hi ofostlice ut geferedon

dyre maðmas. Dracan ec scufun,

wyrm ofer weallclif, leton weg niman,

flod fæðmian frætwa hyrde.

þa wæs wunden gold on wæn hladen,

æghwæs unrim, æþeling boren,

har hilderinc to Hronesnæsse.

Him ða gegiredan Geata leode

ad on eorðan unwaclicne,

helmum behongen, hildebordum,

beorhtum byrnum, swa he bena wæs;

alegdon ða tomiddes mærne þeoden

hæleð hiofende, hlaford leofne.

Ongunnon þa on beorge bælfyra mæst

wigend weccan; wudurec astah,

sweart ofer swioðole, swogende leg

wope bewunden (windblond gelæg),

oðþæt he ða banhus gebrocen hæfde,

hat on hreðre. Higum unrote

modceare mændon, mondryhtnes cwealm;

swylce giomorgyd Geatisc meowle

bundenheorde

song sorgcearig swiðe geneahhe

þæt hio hyre heofungdagas hearde ondrede,

wælfylla worn, werudes egesan,

hynðo ond hæftnyd. Heofon rece swealg.

Geworhton ða Wedra leode

hleo on hoe, se wæs heah ond brad,

wægliðendum wide gesyne,

ond betimbredon on tyn dagum

beadurofes becn, bronda lafe

wealle beworhton, swa hyt weorðlicost

foresnotre men findan mihton.

Hi on beorg dydon beg ond siglu,

eall swylce hyrsta, swylce on horde ær

niðhedige men genumen hæfdon,

forleton eorla gestreon eorðan healdan,

gold on greote, þær hit nu gen lifað

eldum swa unnyt swa hit æror wæs.

þa ymbe hlæw riodan hildediore,

æþelinga bearn, ealra twelfe,

woldon ceare cwiðan ond kyning mænan,

wordgyd wrecan ond ymb wer sprecan;

eahtodan eorlscipe ond his ellenweorc

duguðum demdon, swa hit gedefe bið

þæt mon his winedryhten wordum herge,

ferhðum freoge, þonne he forð scile

of lichaman læded weorðan.

Swa begnornodon Geata leode

hlafordes hryre, heorðgeneatas,

cwædon þæt he wære wyruldcyninga

manna mildust ond monðwærust,

leodum liðost ond lofgeornost.