"Beowulf": Old English Transcript of Nowell Codex - Text

Line	Transcript
	Folio 129r
	\| HWÆT: WE GAR-DENA IN GEARDAGUM
	þeodcyninga þrym gefrunon.
	Hu ða æþelingas ellen fremedon!
	Oft Scyld Scefing sceaþena þreatum
5	monegum mægþum meodosetla ofteah,
	egsode eorl, syððan ærest wearð
	feasceaft funden. He þæs frofre gebad ,
	weox under wolcnum, weorðmyndum þah,
	oð þæt him æghwylc þara ymbsittendra
10	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.
15	Þæt hie ær drugon aldorlease
	lange hwile. Him þæs Liffrea,
	wuldres wealdend, woroldare forgeaf.
	Beowulf wæs breme, blæd wide sprang,
	Scyldes eafera Scedelandum in.
20	Swa sceal geong guma gode gewyrcean,
	Folio 129v
	fromum feohgiftum on fæder \| bearme,
	þæt hine on ylde eft gewunigen
	wilgesiþas , þonne wig cume,
	leode gelæsten. Lofdædum sceal
25	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
30	þenden wordum weold wine Scyldinga.
	Leof landfruma lange ahte.
	Þær æt hyðe stod hringedstefna,
	isig 7 utfus, æþelinges fær.
	Aledon þa leofne þeoden,
35	beaga bryttan on bearm scipes,
	mærne be mæste. Þær wæs madma fela
	of feorwegum frætwa gelæded.
	Ne hyrde ic cymlicor ceol gegyrwan
	hildewæpnum 7 heaðowædum,
40	billum 7 byrnum. Him on bearme læg
	madma mænigo; þa him mid scoldon
	on flodes æht feor gewitan.
	Nalæs hi hine læssan lacum teodan,
	þeodgestreonum, þonne þa dydon,
45	þe hine æt frumsceafte forð onsendon
	Folio 130r
	ænne ofer yðe umborwe\|sende.
	Þa gyt hie him asetton segen gyldenne
	heah ofer heafod, leton holm beran
	geafon on garsecg. Him wæs geomor sefa,
50	murnende mod. Men ne cunnon
	secgan to soðe selerædenne,
	hæleð under heofenum, hwa þæm hlæste onfeng.
	.I.
	ÐA wæs on burgum Beowulf Scyldinga
	leof leodcyning longe þrage,
55	folcum gefræge. Fæder ellor hwearf,
	aldor of earde. Oþ þæt him eft onwoc
	heah Healfdene, heold þenden lifde,
	gamol 7 guðreouw, glæde Scyldingas.
	Ðæm feower bearn forðgerimed
60	in worold wocun: weoroda ræswa,
	Heorogar, 7 Hroðgar, 7 Halga til.
	Hyrde ic þæt ides wæs æþelan cwen,
	Heaðo-Scilfingas healsgebedda.
	Þa wæs Hroðgare heresped gyfen,
65	wiges weorðmynd, þæt him his winemagas
	georne hyrdon, oðð þæt seo geogoð geweox
	magodriht micel. Him on mod bearn
	þæt healreced hatan wolde,
	Folio 130v
	\| medoærn micel men gewyrcean ,
70	þone yldo bearn æfre gefrunon,
	7 þær on innan eall gedælan
	geongum 7 ealdum, swylc him God sealde,
	buton folcscare 7 feorum gumena.
	Ða ic wide gefrægn weorc gebannan
75	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.
80	He beot ne aleh, beagas dælde,
	sinc æt symle. Sele hlifade,
	heah 7 horngeap. Heaðowylma bad,
	laðan liges. Ne wæs hit lenge þa gen
	þæt se secghete aþum swerian,
85	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,
90	swutol sang scopes. Sægde, se þe cuþe,
	frumsceaft fira feorran reccan,
	Folio 132r
	\| cwæð þæt se Ælmihtiga eorðan worhte,
	wlitebeorhtne wang, swa wæter bebugeð,
	gesette sigehreþig sunnan 7 monan,
95	leoman to leohte landbuendum.
	7 gefrætwade foldan sceatas,
	leomum 7 leafum, lif eac gesceop
	cynna gehwylcum þara ðe cwice hwyrfaþ.
	Swa ða drihtguman dreamum lifdon
100	eadiglice, oð ðæt an ongan
	fyrene fremman, feond on helle.
	Wæs se grimma gæst Grendel haten,
	mære mearcstapa, se þe moras heold,
	fen 7 fæsten. Fifelcynnes eard
105	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,
110	Metod for þy mane mancynne fram.
	Þanon untydras ealle onwocon,
	eotenas 7 ylfe 7 orcneas,
	Folio 132v
	swylce gi\| gantas , þa wið Gode wunnon
	lange þrage . He him ðæs lean forgeald!
	.II.
115	Gewat ða neosian, syþðan niht becom,
	hean huses, hu hit Hring-Dene
	æfter beorþege gebun hæfdon.
	Fand þa ðær inne æþelinga gedriht
	swefan æfter symble . Sorge ne cuðon,
120	wonsceaft wera. Wiht unhælo,
	grim 7 grædig, gearo sona wæs,
	reoc 7 reþe, 7 on ræste genam
	þritig þegna. Þanon eft gewat
	huðe hremig to ham faran,
125	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
130	æþeling ærgod, unbliðe sæt,
	þolode ðryðswyð, þegnsorge dreah,
	syðþan hie þæs laðan last sceawedon,
	wergan gastes. Wæs þæt gewin to strang,
	Folio 133r
	lað 7 longsum. Næs hit lengra \| fyrst,
135	ac ymb ane niht eft gefremede
	morðbeala mare, 7 no mearn fore
	fæhðe 7 fyrene. Wæs to fæst on þam.
	Þa wæs eaðfynde þe him elles hwær
	gerumlicor ræste sohte,
140	bed æfter burum, ða him gebeacnod wæs,
	gesægd soðlice sweotolan tacne
	healðegnes hete. Heold hyne syðþan
	fyr 7 fæstor, se þæm feonde ætwand.
	Swa rixode 7 wið rihte wan,
145	ana wið eallum, oð þæt idel stod
	husa selest. Wæs seo hwil micel,
	twelf wintra tid, torn geþolode,
	wine, scyldenda, weana gehwelcne,
	sidra sorga. Forðam sona wearð
150	ylda bearnum undyrne, cuð,
	gyddum geomore, þætte Grendel wan
	hwile wið Hroþgar, heteniðas wæg,
	fyrene 7 fæhðe fela missera,
	singale sæce. Sibbe ne wolde
155	wið manna hwone mægenes Deniga
	feorhbealo feorran, fea þingian.
	Ne þær nænig witena wenan þorfte
	beorhtre bote to banan folmum.
	Folio 133v
	\| Atol æglæca ehtende wæs,
160	deorc deaþscua, duguþe 7 geogoþe,
	seomade 7 syrede, sinnihte heold
	mistige moras. Men ne cunnon
	hwyder helrunan hwyrftum scriþað.
	Swa fela fyrena feond mancynnes,
165	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.
170	Þæt wæs wræc micel wine Scyldinga,
	modes brecða. Monig oft gesæt
	rice to rune; ræd eahtedon,
	hwæt swiðferhðum selest wære
	wið færgryrum to gefremmanne.
175	Hwilum hie geheton æt hrærgtrafum
	wigweorþunga, wordum bædon
	þæt him gastbona geoce gefremede
	wið þeodþreaum. Swylc wæs þeaw hyra,
	hæþenra hyht. Helle gemundon
180	in modsefan, Metod hie ne cuþon,
	dæda Demend, ne wiston hie Drihten God.
	Folio 134r
	\| Ne hie huru heofena Helm herian ne cuþon,
	wuldres Waldend. Wa bið þæm ðe sceal
	þurh sliðne nið sawle bescufan
185	in fyres fæþm, frofre ne wenan,
	wihte gewendan. Wel bið þæm þe mot
	æfter deaðdæge Drihten secean
	7 to fæder fæþmum freoðo wilnian.
	.III.
	Swa ða mælceare maga Healfdenes
190	singala seað. Ne mihte snotor hæleð
	wean onwendan. Wæs þæt gewin to swyð,
	laþ 7 longsum, þe on ða leode becom,
	nydwracu niþgrim, nihtbealwa mæst.
	Þæt fram ham gefrægn Higelaces þegn,
195	god mid Geatum, Grendles dæda.
	Se wæs moncynnes mægenes strengest
	on þæm dæge þysses lifes,
	æþele 7 eacen. Het him yðlidan
	godne gegyrwan. Cwæð, he guðcyning
200	ofer swanrade secean wolde,
	mærne þeoden, þa him wæs manna þearf.
	Ðone siðfæt him snotere ceorlas
	Folio 134v
	lythwon logon. \| Þeah he him leof wære,
	hwetton higerofne. Hæl sceawedon.
205	Hæfde, se goda Geata leoda,
	cempan gecorone, þara þe he cenoste
	findan mihte. Fiftyna sum
	sundwudu sohte, secg wisade,
	lagucræftig mon landgemyrcu.
210	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,
215	guðsearo geatolic. Guman ut scufon,
	weras on wilsið wudu bundenne.
	Gewat þa ofer wægholm, winde gefysed,
	flota famiheals fugle gelicost,
	oð þæt ymb antid oþres dogores
220	wundenstefna gewaden hæfde,
	þæt ða liðende land gesawon,
	brimclifu blican, beorgas steape,
	side sænæssas. Þa wæs sund liden,
	eoletes æt ende. Þanon up hraðe
225	Wedera leode on wang stigon,
	sæwudu sældon. Syrcan hrysedon,
	guðgewædo. Gode þancedon
	þæs þe him yþlade eaðe wurdon.
	Folio 135r
	\| Þa of wealle geseah weard Scildinga,
230	se þe holm clifu healdan scolde,
	beran ofer bolcan beorhte randas,
	fyrdsearu fuslicu. Hine fyrwyt bræc
	modgehygdum hwæt þa men wæron.
	Gewat him þa to waroðe wicge ridan,
235	þegn Hroðgares, þrymmum cwehte
	mægenwudu mundum, meþelwordum frægn.
	"Hwæt syndon ge searohæbbendra,
	byrnum werede, þe þus brontne ceol
	ofer lagustræte lædan cwomon,
240	hider ofer holmas?" He on handscole wæs
	endesæta, ægwearde heold;
	þe on land Dena laðra nænig
	mid scipherge sceðþan ne meahte.
	"No her cuðlicor cuman ongunnon
245	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,
250	wæpnum geweorðad. Næfre him his wlite leoge,
	ænlic ansyn. Nu ic eower sceal
	Folio 135v
	frumcyn witan, ær ge fyr \| heonan
	leassceaweras on land Dena
	furþur feran. Nu ge feorbuend,
255	mereliðende mine gehyrað
	anfealdne geþoht: ofost is selest
	to gecyðanne. Hwanan eowre cyme syndon?"
	.IIII.
	Him se yldesta andswarode,
	werodes wisa, wordhord onleac:
260	"We synt gumcynnes Geata leode
	7 Higelaces heorðgeneatas.
	Wæs min fæder folcum gecyþed,
	æþele ordfruma, Ecgþeow haten.
	Gebad wintra worn, ær he on weg hwurfe,
265	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.
270	Habbað we to þæm mæran micel ærende,
	Deniga frean. Ne sceal þær dyrne sum
	wesan þæs, ic wene. Þu wast, gif hit is
	Folio 136r
	swa we soþlice \| secgan hyrdon,
	þæt mid Scyldingum sceaðona ic nat hwylc,
275	deogol dædhata, deorcum nihtum,
	eaweð þurh egsan uncuðne nið,
	hynðu 7 hrafyl. Ic þæs Hroðgar mæg,
	þurh rumne sefan, ræd gelæran,
	hu he, frod 7 god, feond oferswyðeþ -
280	gyf him edwendan æfre scolde,
	bealuwa bisigu, bot eft cuman.
	7 þa cearwylmas colran wurðaþ,
	oððe a syþðan earfoðþrage,
	þreanyd þolað, þenden þær wunað
285	on heahstede husa selest."
	Weard maþelode, ðær on wicge sæt,
	ombeht unforht: "Æghwæþres sceal
	scearp scyldwiga gescad witan
	worda 7 worca, se þe wel þenceð.
290	Ic þæt gehyre, þæt þis is hold weorod
	frean Scyldinga. Gewitaþ forð beran
	wæpen 7 gewædu. Ic eow wisige.
	Swylce ic maguþegnas mine hate
	wið feonda gehwone flotan eowerne,
295	niwtyrwydne nacan on sande,
	arum healdan, oþ ðæt eft byreð
	Folio 136v
	ofer agustrea\|mas leofne mannan,
	wudu wundenhals to Wedermearce.
	Godfremmendra swylcum gifeþe bið
300	þæt þone hilderæs hal gedigeð."
	Gewiton him þa feran. Flota stille bad,
	seomode on sole, sidfæþmed scip,
	on ancre fæst. Eoforlic scionon
	ofer hleorberan, gehroden golde;
305	fah 7 fyrheard ferhwearde heold.
	Guþmod grummon, guman onetton,
	sigon ætsomne, oþ þæt hy æltimbred,
	geatolic 7 goldfah, ongyton mihton.
	Þæt wæs foremærost foldbuendum
310	receda under roderum. On þæm se rica bad.
	Lixte se leoma ofer landa fela.
	Him þa hildedeor of modigra
	torht getæhte, þæt hie him to mihton
	gegnum gangan. Guðbeorna sum
315	wicg gewende, word æfter cwæð.
	"Mæl is me to feran. Fæder alwalda
	mid arstafum eowic gehealde,
	siða gesunde. Ic to sæ wille,
	Folio 137r
	wið \| wrað werod wearde healdan."
	.V.
320	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.
325	Setton sæmeþe side scyldas,
	rondas regnhearde wið þæs recedes weal,
	bugon þa to bence. Byrnan hringdon,
	guðsearo gumena. Garas stodon
	sæmanna searo, samod ætgædere,
330	æscholt ufan græg. Wæs se irenþreat
	wæpnum gewurþad. Þa ðær wlonc hæleð
	oretmecgas æfter hæleþum frægn:
	"Hwanon ferigeað ge fætte scyldas
	græge syrcan 7 grimhelmas,
335	heresceafta heap? Ic eom Hroðgares
	ar 7 ombiht. Ne seah ic elþeodige
	þus manige men modiglicran.
	Wen' ic þæt ge for wlenco, nalles for wræcsiðum,
	Folio 137v
	ac for hige\| þrymmum Hroðgar sohton."
340	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,
345	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,
350	wig 7 wisdom: "Ic þæs wine Deniga,
	frean Scildinga, frinan wille,
	beaga bryttan, swa þu bena eart,
	þeoden mærne ymb þinne sið,
	7 þe þa andsware ædre gecyðan
355	ðe me se goda agifan þenceð."
	Hwearf þa hrædlice þær Hroðgar sæt,
	eald 7 unhar, mid his eorla gedriht.
	Eode ellenrof þæt he for eaxlum gestod
	Deniga frean. Cuþe he duguðe þeaw.
	Folio 138r
	Wulfgar maðelode \| to his winedrihtne:
	"Her syndon geferede, feorran cumene,
	ofer geofenes begang Geata leode.
	Þone yldestan oretmecgas
	Beowulf nemnað. Hy benan synt,
365	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,
370	se þæm heaðorincum hider wisade."
	.VI.
	Hroðgar maþelode, helm Scyldinga:
	"Ic hine cuðe cnihtwesende.
	Wæs his ealdfæder Ecgþeo haten.
	Ðæm to ham forgeaf Hreþel Geata,
375	angan dohtor. Is his eaforan nu
	heard her cumen, sohte holdne wine.
	Ðonne sægdon þæt, sæliþende,
	þa ðe gifsceattas Geata fyredon
	Folio 138v
	þyder to þance, þæt he þri\|tiges
380	manna mægencræft on his mundgripe
	heaþorof hæbbe. Hine halig God
	for arstafum us onsende,
	to West-Denum, þæs ic wen hæbbe,
	wið Grendles gryre. Ic þæm godan sceal
385	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:
390	"Eow het secgan, sigedrihten min,
	aldor East-Dena, þæt he eower æþelu can,
	7 ge him syndon ofer sæwylmas
	heardhicgende hider wilcuman.
	Nu ge moton gangan in eowrum guðgeatawum,
395	under heregriman, Hroðgar geseon.
	Lætað hildebord her onbidan,
	wuduwælsceaftas, worda geþinges."
	Aras þa se rica, ymb hine rinc manig,
	þryðlic þegna heap. Sume þær bidon,
	Folio 139r
	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,
405	searonet seowed smiþes orþancum:
	"Wæs þu, Hroðgar, hal. Ic eom Higelaces
	mæg 7 magoðegn. Hæbbe ic mærða fela
	ongunnen on geogoþe. Me wearð Grendles þing
	on minre eþeltyrf undyrne cuð.
410	Secgað sæliðend þæt þæs sele stande,
	reced selesta rinca gehwylcum,
	idel 7 unnyt, siððan æfenleoht
	under heofenes hador beholen weorþeð.
	Þa me þæt gelærdon, leode mine,
415	þa selestan, snotere ceorlas,
	þeoden Hroðgar, þæt ic þe sohte,
	for þan hie mægenes cræft mine cuþon;
	selfe ofersawon, ða ic of searwum cwom,
	fah from feondum, þær ic fife geband,
420	yðde eotena cyn, 7 on yðum slog
	niceras nihtes, nearoþearfe dreah,
	Folio 139v
	wræc \| Wedera nið. Wean ahsodon,
	forgrand gramum. 7 nu wið Grendel sceal,
	wið þam aglæcan ana gehegan
425	ðing wið þyrse. Ic þe nu ða,
	brego Beorht-Dena biddan wille,
	eodor Scyldinga, anre bene,
	þæt ðu me ne forwyrne, wigendra hleo,
	freowine folca, nu ic þus feorran com:
430	þæt ic mote ana, na minra eorla gedryht
	7 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,
435	min mondrihten, modes bliðe,
	þæt ic sweord bere oþðe sidne scyld,
	geolorand to guþe. Ac ic mid grape sceal
	fon wið feonde 7 ymb feorh sacan,
	lað wið laþum. Ðær gelyfan sceal
440	Dryhtnes dome, se þe hine deað nimeð.
	Wen' ic þæt he wille, gif he wealdan mot
	in þæm guðsele, Geotena leode
	Folio 140r
	etan unforhte, swa he \| oft dyde
	mægenhreð manna. Na þu minne þearft
445	hafalan hydan, ac he me habban wile
	deore fahne, gif mec deað nimeð.
	Byreð blodig wæl, byrgean þenceð,
	eteð angenga unmurnlice,
	mearcað morhopu. No ðu ymb mines ne þearft
450	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.
	.VII.
455	Hroðgar maþelode, helm Scyldinga:
	"Fere fyhtum, þu, wine min Beowulf,
	7 for arstafum, usic sohtest.
	Gesloh þin fæder fæhðe mæste.
	Wearþ he Heaþolafe to handbonan
460	mid Wilfingum. Ða hine wigara cyn
	for herebrogan habban ne mihte.
	Þanon he gesohte Suð-Dena folc
	Folio 140v
	ofer yða gewealc Ar-\|Scyldinga.
	Ða ic furþum weold folce Deninga
465	7 on geogoðe heold gimmerice,
	hordburh hæleþa. Ða wæs Heregar dead,
	min yldra mæg unlifigende,
	bearn Healfdenes. Se wæs betera ðonne ic.
	Siððan þa fæhðe feo þingode.
470	Sende ic Wylfingum ofer wæteres hrycg
	ealde madmas. He me aþas swor.

| HWÆT: WE GAR-DENA IN GEARDAGUM

þeodcyninga þrym gefrunon.

Hu ða æþelingas ellen fremedon!

Oft Scyld Scefing sceaþena þreatum

5

monegum mægþum meodosetla ofteah,

egsode eorl, syððan ærest wearð

feasceaft funden. He þæs frofre gebad ,

weox under wolcnum, weorðmyndum þah,

oð þæt him æghwylc þara ymbsittendra

10

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.

15

Þæt hie ær drugon aldorlease

lange hwile. Him þæs Liffrea,

wuldres wealdend, woroldare forgeaf.

Beowulf wæs breme, blæd wide sprang,

Scyldes eafera Scedelandum in.

20

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

25

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

30

þenden wordum weold wine Scyldinga.

Leof landfruma lange ahte.

Þær æt hyðe stod hringedstefna,

isig 7 utfus, æþelinges fær.

Aledon þa leofne þeoden,

35

beaga bryttan on bearm scipes,

mærne be mæste. Þær wæs madma fela

of feorwegum frætwa gelæded.

Ne hyrde ic cymlicor ceol gegyrwan

hildewæpnum 7 heaðowædum,

40

billum 7 byrnum. Him on bearme læg

madma mænigo; þa him mid scoldon

on flodes æht feor gewitan.

Nalæs hi hine læssan lacum teodan,

þeodgestreonum, þonne þa dydon,

45

þe hine æt frumsceafte forð onsendon

ænne ofer yðe umborwe|sende.

Þa gyt hie him asetton segen gyldenne

heah ofer heafod, leton holm beran

geafon on garsecg. Him wæs geomor sefa,

50

murnende mod. Men ne cunnon

secgan to soðe selerædenne,

hæleð under heofenum, hwa þæm hlæste onfeng.

ÐA wæs on burgum Beowulf Scyldinga

leof leodcyning longe þrage,

55

folcum gefræge. Fæder ellor hwearf,

aldor of earde. Oþ þæt him eft onwoc

heah Healfdene, heold þenden lifde,

gamol 7 guðreouw, glæde Scyldingas.

Ðæm feower bearn forðgerimed

60

in worold wocun: weoroda ræswa,

Heorogar, 7 Hroðgar, 7 Halga til.

Hyrde ic þæt ides wæs æþelan cwen,

Heaðo-Scilfingas healsgebedda.

Þa wæs Hroðgare heresped gyfen,

65

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 ,

70

þone yldo bearn æfre gefrunon,

7 þær on innan eall gedælan

geongum 7 ealdum, swylc him God sealde,

buton folcscare 7 feorum gumena.

Ða ic wide gefrægn weorc gebannan

75

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.

80

He beot ne aleh, beagas dælde,

sinc æt symle. Sele hlifade,

heah 7 horngeap. Heaðowylma bad,

laðan liges. Ne wæs hit lenge þa gen

þæt se secghete aþum swerian,

85

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,

90

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 7 monan,

95

leoman to leohte landbuendum.

7 gefrætwade foldan sceatas,

leomum 7 leafum, lif eac gesceop

cynna gehwylcum þara ðe cwice hwyrfaþ.

Swa ða drihtguman dreamum lifdon

100

eadiglice, oð ðæt an ongan

fyrene fremman, feond on helle.

Wæs se grimma gæst Grendel haten,

mære mearcstapa, se þe moras heold,

fen 7 fæsten. Fifelcynnes eard

105

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,

110

Metod for þy mane mancynne fram.

Þanon untydras ealle onwocon,

eotenas 7 ylfe 7 orcneas,

swylce gi| gantas , þa wið Gode wunnon

lange þrage . He him ðæs lean forgeald!

115

Gewat ða neosian, syþðan niht becom,

hean huses, hu hit Hring-Dene

æfter beorþege gebun hæfdon.

Fand þa ðær inne æþelinga gedriht

swefan æfter symble . Sorge ne cuðon,

120

wonsceaft wera. Wiht unhælo,

grim 7 grædig, gearo sona wæs,

reoc 7 reþe, 7 on ræste genam

þritig þegna. Þanon eft gewat

huðe hremig to ham faran,

125

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

130

æþeling ærgod, unbliðe sæt,

þolode ðryðswyð, þegnsorge dreah,

syðþan hie þæs laðan last sceawedon,

wergan gastes. Wæs þæt gewin to strang,

lað 7 longsum. Næs hit lengra | fyrst,

135

ac ymb ane niht eft gefremede

morðbeala mare, 7 no mearn fore

fæhðe 7 fyrene. Wæs to fæst on þam.

Þa wæs eaðfynde þe him elles hwær

gerumlicor ræste sohte,

140

bed æfter burum, ða him gebeacnod wæs,

gesægd soðlice sweotolan tacne

healðegnes hete. Heold hyne syðþan

fyr 7 fæstor, se þæm feonde ætwand.

Swa rixode 7 wið rihte wan,

145

ana wið eallum, oð þæt idel stod

husa selest. Wæs seo hwil micel,

twelf wintra tid, torn geþolode,

wine, scyldenda, weana gehwelcne,

sidra sorga. Forðam sona wearð

150

ylda bearnum undyrne, cuð,

gyddum geomore, þætte Grendel wan

hwile wið Hroþgar, heteniðas wæg,

fyrene 7 fæhðe fela missera,

singale sæce. Sibbe ne wolde

155

wið manna hwone mægenes Deniga

feorhbealo feorran, fea þingian.

Ne þær nænig witena wenan þorfte

beorhtre bote to banan folmum.

| Atol æglæca ehtende wæs,

160

deorc deaþscua, duguþe 7 geogoþe,

seomade 7 syrede, sinnihte heold

mistige moras. Men ne cunnon

hwyder helrunan hwyrftum scriþað.

Swa fela fyrena feond mancynnes,

165

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.

170

Þæt wæs wræc micel wine Scyldinga,

modes brecða. Monig oft gesæt

rice to rune; ræd eahtedon,

hwæt swiðferhðum selest wære

wið færgryrum to gefremmanne.

175

Hwilum hie geheton æt hrærgtrafum

wigweorþunga, wordum bædon

þæt him gastbona geoce gefremede

wið þeodþreaum. Swylc wæs þeaw hyra,

hæþenra hyht. Helle gemundon

180

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

185

in fyres fæþm, frofre ne wenan,

wihte gewendan. Wel bið þæm þe mot

æfter deaðdæge Drihten secean

7 to fæder fæþmum freoðo wilnian.

Swa ða mælceare maga Healfdenes

190

singala seað. Ne mihte snotor hæleð

wean onwendan. Wæs þæt gewin to swyð,

laþ 7 longsum, þe on ða leode becom,

nydwracu niþgrim, nihtbealwa mæst.

Þæt fram ham gefrægn Higelaces þegn,

195

god mid Geatum, Grendles dæda.

Se wæs moncynnes mægenes strengest

on þæm dæge þysses lifes,

æþele 7 eacen. Het him yðlidan

godne gegyrwan. Cwæð, he guðcyning

200

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.

205

Hæfde, se goda Geata leoda,

cempan gecorone, þara þe he cenoste

findan mihte. Fiftyna sum

sundwudu sohte, secg wisade,

lagucræftig mon landgemyrcu.

210

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,

215

guðsearo geatolic. Guman ut scufon,

weras on wilsið wudu bundenne.

Gewat þa ofer wægholm, winde gefysed,

flota famiheals fugle gelicost,

oð þæt ymb antid oþres dogores

220

wundenstefna gewaden hæfde,

þæt ða liðende land gesawon,

brimclifu blican, beorgas steape,

side sænæssas. Þa wæs sund liden,

eoletes æt ende. Þanon up hraðe

225

Wedera leode on wang stigon,

sæwudu sældon. Syrcan hrysedon,

guðgewædo. Gode þancedon

þæs þe him yþlade eaðe wurdon.

| Þa of wealle geseah weard Scildinga,

230

se þe holm clifu healdan scolde,

beran ofer bolcan beorhte randas,

fyrdsearu fuslicu. Hine fyrwyt bræc

modgehygdum hwæt þa men wæron.

Gewat him þa to waroðe wicge ridan,

235

þegn Hroðgares, þrymmum cwehte

mægenwudu mundum, meþelwordum frægn.

"Hwæt syndon ge searohæbbendra,

byrnum werede, þe þus brontne ceol

ofer lagustræte lædan cwomon,

240

hider ofer holmas?" He on handscole wæs

endesæta, ægwearde heold;

þe on land Dena laðra nænig

mid scipherge sceðþan ne meahte.

"No her cuðlicor cuman ongunnon

245

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,

250

wæpnum geweorðad. Næfre 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,

255

mereliðende mine gehyrað

anfealdne geþoht: ofost is selest

to gecyðanne. Hwanan eowre cyme syndon?"

Him se yldesta andswarode,

werodes wisa, wordhord onleac:

260

"We synt gumcynnes Geata leode

7 Higelaces heorðgeneatas.

Wæs min fæder folcum gecyþed,

æþele ordfruma, Ecgþeow haten.

Gebad wintra worn, ær he on weg hwurfe,

265

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.

270

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,

275

deogol dædhata, deorcum nihtum,

eaweð þurh egsan uncuðne nið,

hynðu 7 hrafyl. Ic þæs Hroðgar mæg,

þurh rumne sefan, ræd gelæran,

hu he, frod 7 god, feond oferswyðeþ -

280

gyf him edwendan æfre scolde,

bealuwa bisigu, bot eft cuman.

7 þa cearwylmas colran wurðaþ,

oððe a syþðan earfoðþrage,

þreanyd þolað, þenden þær wunað

285

on heahstede husa selest."

Weard maþelode, ðær on wicge sæt,

ombeht unforht: "Æghwæþres sceal

scearp scyldwiga gescad witan

worda 7 worca, se þe wel þenceð.

290

Ic þæt gehyre, þæt þis is hold weorod

frean Scyldinga. Gewitaþ forð beran

wæpen 7 gewædu. Ic eow wisige.

Swylce ic maguþegnas mine hate

wið feonda gehwone flotan eowerne,

295

niwtyrwydne nacan on sande,

arum healdan, oþ ðæt eft byreð

ofer agustrea|mas leofne mannan,

wudu wundenhals to Wedermearce.

Godfremmendra swylcum gifeþe bið

300

þæt þone hilderæs hal gedigeð."

Gewiton him þa feran. Flota stille bad,

seomode on sole, sidfæþmed scip,

on ancre fæst. Eoforlic scionon

ofer hleorberan, gehroden golde;

305

fah 7 fyrheard ferhwearde heold.

Guþmod grummon, guman onetton,

sigon ætsomne, oþ þæt hy æltimbred,

geatolic 7 goldfah, ongyton mihton.

Þæt wæs foremærost foldbuendum

310

receda under roderum. On þæm se rica bad.

Lixte se leoma ofer landa fela.

Him þa hildedeor of modigra

torht getæhte, þæt hie him to mihton

gegnum gangan. Guðbeorna sum

315

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."

320

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.

325

Setton sæmeþe side scyldas,

rondas regnhearde wið þæs recedes weal,

bugon þa to bence. Byrnan hringdon,

guðsearo gumena. Garas stodon

sæmanna searo, samod ætgædere,

330

æscholt ufan græg. Wæs se irenþreat

wæpnum gewurþad. Þa ðær wlonc hæleð

oretmecgas æfter hæleþum frægn:

"Hwanon ferigeað ge fætte scyldas

græge syrcan 7 grimhelmas,

335

heresceafta heap? Ic eom Hroðgares

ar 7 ombiht. Ne seah ic elþeodige

þus manige men modiglicran.

Wen' ic þæt ge for wlenco, nalles for wræcsiðum,

ac for hige| þrymmum Hroðgar sohton."

340

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,

345

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,

350

wig 7 wisdom: "Ic þæs wine Deniga,

frean Scildinga, frinan wille,

beaga bryttan, swa þu bena eart,

þeoden mærne ymb þinne sið,

7 þe þa andsware ædre gecyðan

355

ðe me se goda agifan þenceð."

Hwearf þa hrædlice þær Hroðgar sæt,

eald 7 unhar, 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,

365

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,

370

se þæm heaðorincum hider wisade."

Hroðgar maþelode, helm Scyldinga:

"Ic hine cuðe cnihtwesende.

Wæs his ealdfæder Ecgþeo haten.

Ðæm to ham forgeaf Hreþel Geata,

375

angan dohtor. Is his eaforan nu

heard her cumen, sohte holdne wine.

Ðonne sægdon þæt, sæliþende,

þa ðe gifsceattas Geata fyredon

þyder to þance, þæt he þri|tiges

380

manna mægencræft on his mundgripe

heaþorof hæbbe. Hine halig God

for arstafum us onsende,

to West-Denum, þæs ic wen hæbbe,

wið Grendles gryre. Ic þæm godan sceal

385

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:

390

"Eow het secgan, sigedrihten min,

aldor East-Dena, þæt he eower æþelu can,

7 ge him syndon ofer sæwylmas

heardhicgende hider wilcuman.

Nu ge moton gangan in eowrum guðgeatawum,

395

under heregriman, Hroðgar geseon.

Lætað hildebord her onbidan,

wuduwælsceaftas, 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,

405

searonet seowed smiþes orþancum:

"Wæs þu, Hroðgar, hal. Ic eom Higelaces

mæg 7 magoðegn. Hæbbe ic mærða fela

ongunnen on geogoþe. Me wearð Grendles þing

on minre eþeltyrf undyrne cuð.

410

Secgað sæliðend þæt þæs sele stande,

reced selesta rinca gehwylcum,

idel 7 unnyt, siððan æfenleoht

under heofenes hador beholen weorþeð.

Þa me þæt gelærdon, leode mine,

415

þa selestan, snotere ceorlas,

þeoden Hroðgar, þæt ic þe sohte,

for þan hie mægenes cræft mine cuþon;

selfe ofersawon, ða ic of searwum cwom,

fah from feondum, þær ic fife geband,

420

yðde eotena cyn, 7 on yðum slog

niceras nihtes, nearoþearfe dreah,

wræc | Wedera nið. Wean ahsodon,

forgrand gramum. 7 nu wið Grendel sceal,

wið þam aglæcan ana gehegan

425

ðing wið þyrse. Ic þe nu ða,

brego Beorht-Dena biddan wille,

eodor Scyldinga, anre bene,

þæt ðu me ne forwyrne, wigendra hleo,

freowine folca, nu ic þus feorran com:

430

þæt ic mote ana, na minra eorla gedryht

7 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,

435

min mondrihten, modes bliðe,

þæt ic sweord bere oþðe sidne scyld,

geolorand to guþe. Ac ic mid grape sceal

fon wið feonde 7 ymb feorh sacan,

lað wið laþum. Ðær gelyfan sceal

440

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

mægenhreð manna. Na þu minne þearft

445

hafalan hydan, ac he me habban wile

deore fahne, gif mec deað nimeð.

Byreð blodig wæl, byrgean þenceð,

eteð angenga unmurnlice,

mearcað morhopu. No ðu ymb mines ne þearft

450

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.

455

Hroðgar maþelode, helm Scyldinga:

"Fere fyhtum, þu, wine min Beowulf,

7 for arstafum, usic sohtest.

Gesloh þin fæder fæhðe mæste.

Wearþ he Heaþolafe to handbonan

460

mid Wilfingum. Ða hine wigara cyn

for herebrogan habban ne mihte.

Þanon he gesohte Suð-Dena folc

ofer yða gewealc Ar-|Scyldinga.

Ða ic furþum weold folce Deninga

465

7 on geogoðe heold gimmerice,

hordburh hæleþa. Ða wæs Heregar dead,

min yldra mæg unlifigende,

bearn Healfdenes. Se wæs betera ðonne ic.

Siððan þa fæhðe feo þingode.

470

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,

475

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,

480

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 7 onsæl meoto,

sigehreð secgum, swa þin sefa hwette."

490

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,

495

scencte scir wered. Scop hwilum sang

hador on Heorote. Þær wæs hæleða dream,

duguð unlytel Dena 7 Wedera.

HVNferð maþelode, Ecglafes bearn,

þe æt fotum sæt frean Scyldinga.

500

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:

505

"Eart þu se Beowulf, se þe wið Brecan wunne

on sidne sæ, ymb sund flite,

ðær git for wlence wada cunnedon

7 for dolgilpe on deop wæter

aldrum neþdon? Ne inc ænig mon,

510

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

515

in wintrys wylm. Git on wæteres æht

seofon niht swuncon. He þe æt sunde oferflat,

hæfde mare mægen. Þa hine on morgentid

on Heaþo-Ræmes. holm up ætbær,

Ðonon he gesohte swæsne .eðel.,

520

leof his leodum, lond Brondinga,

freoðoburh fægere, þær he folc ahte,

burh 7 beagas. | Beot eal wið þe

sunu Beanstanes soðe gelæste.

Ðonne wene ic to þe wyrsan geþingea,

525

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 Hunferð,

530

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

535

7 gebeotedon, wæron begen þa git

on geogoðfeore, þæt wit on garsecg ut

aldrum neðdon, 7 þæt geæfndon swa.

Hæfdon swurd nacod, þa wit on sund reon,

heard on handa. Wit unc wið hronfixas

540

werian þohton. No he wiht fram me

flodyþum feor fleotan meahte,

hraþor on holme, no ic fram him wolde.

Ða wit æt|somne on sæ wæron

fif nihta fyrst, oþ þæt unc flod todraf,

545

wado weallende, wedera cealdost,

nipende niht, 7 norþanwind,

heaðogrim ondhwearf. Hreo wæron yþa!

Wæs merefixa mod onhrered:

þær me wið laðum licsyrce min

550

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

555

þæt ic aglæcan orde geræhte,

hildebille. Heaþoræs fornam

mihtig meredeor þurh mine hand."

"Swa mec gelome laðgeteonan

þreatedon þearle. Ic him þenode

560

deoran sweorde, swa hit gedefe wæs.

Næs hie ðære fylle gefean hæfdon,

manfordædlan, þæt hie me þegon,

symbel ymbsæton sægrunde neah.

143r

Ac on mergenne, mecum | wunde,

565

be yðlafe uppe lægon,

sweordum aswefede, þæt syðþan na

ymb brontne ford brimliðende

lade ne letton. Leoht eastan com,

beorht beacen Godes, brimu swaþredon,

570

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

575

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,

580

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

585

fagum sweordum. No ic þæs 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,

590

þæt næfre Gredel 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,

595

atole ecgþræce eower leode

swiðe onsittan Sige-Scyldinga.

Nymeð nydbade, nænegum arað

leode Deniga, ac he lust wigeð,

swefeð ond sendeþ, secce ne weneþ

600

to Gar-Denum. Ac ic him Geata sceal

eafoð 7 ellen ungeara nu

guþe gebeodan. Gæþ eft, se þe mot,

to medo modig, siþþan morgenleoht

ofer ylda bearn oþres dogores,

605

sunne sweglwered suþan scineð."

Þa wæs on salum sinces brytta,

gamolfeax 7 guðrof. Geoce gelyfde,

144r

| brego Beorht-Dena, gehyrde on Beowulfe,

folces hyrde, fæstrædne geþoht.

610

Ðær wæs hæleþa hleahtor, hlyn swynsode,

word wæron wynsume. Eode Wealhþeow forð,

cwen Hroðgares, cynna gemyndig,

grette goldhroden guman on healle.

7 þa freolic wif ful gesealde

615

ærest East-Dena eþelwearde,

bæd hine bliðne æt þære beorþege,

leodum leofne. He on lust geþeah

symbel 7 seleful, sigerof kyning.

Ymbeode þa, ides Helminga,

620

duguþe 7 geogoþe dæl æghwylcne,

sincfato sealde, oþ þæt sæl alamp

þæt hio Beowulfe, beaghroden cwen,

mode geþungen, medoful ætbær.

Grette Geata leod, Gode þancode

625

wisfæst wordum, þæs ðe hire se willa gelamp,

þæt heo on ænigne eorl gelyfde

fyrena frofre. He þæt ful geþeah,

wælreow wiga | æt Wealhþeon

7 þa gyddode, guþe gefysed.

630

Beowulf maþelode, bearn Ecgþeowes:

"Ic þæt hogode, þa ic on holm gestah,

sæbat gesæt mid minra secga gedriht,

þæt ic anunga eowra leoda

willan geworhte, oþðe on wæl crunge,

635

feondgrapum fæst. Ic gefremman sceal

eorlic ellen, oþðe endedæg

on þisse meoduhealle minne gebidan."

Ðam wife þa word wel licodon,

gilpcwide Geates. Eode goldhroden,

640

freolicu folccwen, to hire frean sittan.

Þa wæs eft, swa ær inne on healle,

þryðword sprecen, ðeod on sælum,

sigefolca sweg, oþ þæt semninga

sunu Healfdenes secean wolde

645

æfenræste. Wiste þæm ahlæcan

to þæm heahsele hilde geþinged,

siððan hie sunnan leoht geseon meahton,

oþ ðe nipende niht ofer ealle,

scaduhelma gesceapu scriðan cwoman,

650

wan under wolcnum. Werod eall aras.

Grette þa guma guman oþerne,

Hroðgar Beowulf, 7 him hæl abead,

winærnes | geweald, 7 þæt word acwæð:

"Næfre ic ænegum men ær alyfde,

655

siþðan ic hond 7 rond hebban mihte,

ðryþærn Dena, buton þe nu ða.

Hafa nu 7 geheald husa selest,

gemyne mærþo, mægenellen cyð,

waca wið wraþum. Ne bið þe wilna gad

660

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

665

Grendle togeanes, swa guman gefrungon,

seleweard aseted. Sundornytte beheold

ymb aldor Dena, eotonweard abead.

Huru Geata leod georne truwode

modgan mægnes, Metodes hyldo.

670

Ða he him of dyde isernbyrnan,

helm of hafelan, sealde his hyrsted sweord,

irena cyst, ombihtþegne,

7 gehealdan het hildegeatwe.

Gespræc þa se goda gylpworda sum,

145v

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.

680

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. 7 siþðan witig God,

685

on swa hwæþere hond, halig Dryhten,

mærðo deme, swa him gemet þince."

Hylde hine þa, heaþodeor, hleorbolster onfeng

eorles andwlitan, 7 hine ymb monig

snellic særinc selereste gebeah.

690

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

695

Denigea leode. Ac him Dryhten forgeaf

146r

wigspeda gewiofu | Wedera leodum,

frofor 7 fult um , þæt hie feond heora

ðurh anes cræft ealle ofercomon,

selfes mihtum. Soð is gecyþed,

700

þæt mihtig God manna cynnes

weold w ide ferhð . Com on wanre niht

scriðan sceadugenga. Sceotend swæfon,

þa þæt hornreced healdan scoldon,

ealle buton anum. Þæt wæs yldum cuþ,

705

þæt hie ne moste, þa Metod nolde,

se synscaþa under sceadu bregdan.

Ac he wæccende wraþum on andan

bad bolgenmod beadwa geþinges.

Ða com of more under misthleoþum

710

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,

715

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,

720

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,

725

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,

730

mynte þæt he gedælde, ær þon dæg cwome,

atol aglæca anra gehwylces

lif wið lic. Þa him alumpen wæs

wistfylle wen. Ne wæs þæt wyrd þa gen

þæt he ma moste manna cynnes

735

ðicgean ofer þa niht. Þryðswyð beheold,

mæg Higelaces, hu se manscaða

under færgripum gefaran wolde.

Ne þæt se aglæca yldan þohte,

147A (131)r

ac he ge|feng hraðe forman siðe

740

slæpendn e rinc, slat unwearnum,

bat banlocan, blod edrum dranc,

synsnædum swealh. Sona hæfde

unlyfigendes eal gefeormod

fet 7 folma. Forð near ætstop,

745

nam þa mid handa higeþihtigne

rinc on ræste, ræhte ongean,

feond mid folme. He onfeng hraþe

inwitþancum 7 wið earm gesæt.

Sona þæt onfunde, fyrena hyrde,

750

þæt he ne mette middangeardes,

eorþan sceatta, 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,

755

secan deofla gedræg. Ne wæs his drohtoð þær

swylce he on ealderdagum ær gemette.

Gemunde þa, se goda mæg Higelaces,

æfenspræce. Uplang astod

7 him fæste wiðfeng. Fingras burston.

760

Eoten wæs utweard, eorl furþur stop.

Mynte se mæra, | hwær he meahte swa,

widre gewindan, 7 on weg þanon

fleon on fenhopu. Wiste his fingra geweald

on grames grapum, þæt he wæs geocor sið

765

þæt se hearmscaþa to Heorute ateah.

Dryhtsele dynede. Denum eallum wearð,

ceasterbuendum, cenra gehwylcum,

eorlum ealuscerwen. Yrre wæron begen,

reþe renweardas. Reced hlynsode.

770

Þa wæs wundor micel þæt se winsele

wiðhæfde heaþodeorum, þæt he on hrusan ne feol,

fæger foldbold. Ac he þæs fæste wæs,

innan 7 utan irenbendum,

searoþoncum besmiþod. Þær fram sylle abeag

775

medubenc monig, mine gefræge,

golde geregnad, þær þa graman wunnon.

Þæs ne wendon ær, witan Scyldinga,

þæt hit a mid gemete manna ænig,

betlic 7 banfag tobrecan meahte,

780

listum tolucan, nymþe liges fæþm

swulge on swaþule. Sweg | up astag,

niwe geneahhe: Norð-Denum stod

atelic egesa, anra gehwylcum

þara þe of wealle wop gehyrdon,

785

gryreleoð galan Godes andsacan,

sigeleasne sang, sar wanigean,

helle hæfton. Heold hine fæste,

se þe manna wæs mægene strengest

on þæm dæge þysses lifes.

790

Nolde, eorla hleo, ænige þinga

þone cwealmcuman cwicne forlætan,

ne his lifdagas leoda ænigum

nytte tealde. Þær genehost brægd

eorl Beowulfes, ealde lafe,

795

wolde freadrihtnes feorh ealgian,

mæres þeodnes, ðær hie meahton swa.

Hie þæt ne wiston, þa hie gewin drugon,

heardhicgende hildemecgas,

7 on healfa gehwone heawan þohton,

800

sawle secan: þone synscaðan

ænig ofer eorþan, irenna cyst,

guðbilla nan gretan nolde.

Ac he sigewæpnum | forsworen hæfde,

ecga gehwylcre. Scolde his aldorgedal,

805

on ðæm dæge þysses lifes,

earmlic wurðan, 7 se ellorgast

on feonda geweald feor siðian.

Ða þæt onfunde se þe fela æror

modes myrðe manna cynne,

810

fyrene gefremede, he 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,

815

atol æglæca. Him on eaxle wearð

syndolh sweotol, seonowe onsprungon,

burston banlocan. Beowulfe wearð

guðhreð gyfeþe. Scolde Grendel þonan

feorhseoc fleon under fenhleoðu,

820

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,

825

snotor 7 swyðferhð, sele Hroðgares,

148r

genered wið | niðe. Nihtweorce gefeh,

ellenmærþum. Hæfde East-Denum,

Geatmecga leod, gilp gelæsted.

Swylce oncyþðe ealle gebette,

830

inwidsorge, þe hie ær drugon,

7 for þreanydum þolian scoldon

torn unlytel. Þæt wæs tacen sweotol,

syþðan hildedeor hond alegde,

earm 7 eaxle. Þær wæs eal geador

835

Grendles grape under geapne hrof.

ÐA wæs on morgen mine gefræge

ymb þa gifhealle guðrinc monig.

Ferdon folctogan feorran 7 nean

geond widwegas wundor sceawian,

840

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,

845

fæge 7 geflymed, feorhlastas bær.

Ðær wæs on blode brim weallende,

atol yða geswing eal gemenged

haton heolfre; | heorodreore weol,

deaðfæge deog. Siððan, dreama leas,

850

in fenfreoðo feorh alegde,

hæþene sawle. Þær him hel onfeng.

Þanon eft gewiton ealdgesiðas,

swylce geong manig, of gomenwaþe

fram mere, modge mearum ridan,

855

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

860

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,

865

ðær him foldwegas fægere þuhton,

cystum cuðe. Hwilum cyninges þegn

guma gilphlæden, gidda gemyndig,

se ðe ealfela ealdgesegena

worn gemunde; word oþer fand

870

soðe gebunden. Secg eft ongan

149r

sið Beowulfes snyttrum | styrian,

7 on sped wrecan spel gerade,

wordum wrixlan. Welhwylc gecwæð

þæt he fram Sigemunde secgan hyrde,

875

ellendædum, uncuþes fela

Wælsinges gewin, wide siðas,

þara þe gumena bearn gearwe ne wiston,

fæhðe 7 fyrena, buton Fitela mid hine,

þonne he swulces hwæt secgan wolde,

880

eam his nefan, swa hie a wæron

æt niða gehwam nydgesteallan.

Hæfdon ealfela eotena cynnes

sweordum gesæged. Sigemunde gesprong

æfter deaðdæge dom unlytel.

885

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

890

wrætlicne wyrm, þæt hit on wealle ætstod,

dryhtlic iren. Draca morðre swealt.

Hæfde aglæca elne gegongen,

þæt he beahhordes brucan moste

149v

selfes dome. | Sæbat gehleod,

895

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.

900

Siððan Heremodes hild sweðrode,

earfoð' 7 ellen. He mid eotenum wearð

on feonda geweald forð forlacen,

snude forsended. Hine sorhwylmas

lemede to lange. He his leodum wearð,

905

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,

910

fæderæþelum onfon, folc gehealdan,

hord 7 hleoburh, hæleþa rice,

.eðel. Scyldinga. He þær eallum wearð,

mæg Higelaces, manna cynne,

freondum gefægra. Hine fyren onwod.

915

Hwilum flitende fealwe stræte

mearum mæton. Ða wæs morgenleoht

scofen 7 scynded. | Eode scealc monig

swiðhicgende to sele þam hean

searowundor seon. Swylce self cyning

920

of brydbure, beahhorda weard,

tryddode tirfæst getrume micle,

cystum gecyþed; 7 his cwen mid him

medostigge mæt mægþa hose.

Hroðgar maþelode. He to healle geong,

925

stod on stapole, geseah steapne hrof

golde fahne 7 Grendles hond.

"Ðisse ansyne Alwealdan þanc

lungre gelimpe. Fela ic laþes gebad,

grynna æt Grendle. A mæg God wyrcan

930

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,

935

wea widscofen; witena gehwylcne

ðara þe ne wendon þæt hie wideferhð

leoda landgeweorc laþum beweredon,

| scuccum 7 scinnum. Nu scealc hafað

þurh Drihtnes miht dæd gefremede,

940

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

945

bearngebyrdo. Nu ic Beowulf, þec,

secg betsta, me for sunu wylle

freogan on ferhþe. Heald forð tela

niwe sibbe. Ne bið þe ænigre gad

worolde wilna, þe ic geweald hæbbe.

950

Ful oft ic for læssan lean teohhode,

hordweorþunge hnahran rince,

sæmran æt sæcce. Þu þe self hafast

dædum gefremed, þæt þin dæd lyfað

awa to aldre. Alwalda þec

955

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

960

þæt ðu hine selfne geseon moste,

feond on frætewum fylwerigne.

Ic him hrædlice | heardan clammum

on wælbedde wriþan þohte,

þæt he for handgripe minum scolde

965

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

970

to lifwraþe last weardian,

earm 7 eaxle. No þær ænige swa þeah

feasceaft guma, frofre gebohte.

No þy leng leofað laðgeteona

synnum geswenced, ac hyne sar hafað

975

in niðgripe, nearwe befongen

balwon bendum. Ðær abidan sceal,

maga mane fah, miclan domes,

hu him scir Metod scrifan wille."

Ða wæs swigra secg, sunu Eclafes,

980

on gylpspræce guðgeweorca,

siþðan æþelingas eorles cræfte

ofer heanne hrof hand sceawedon,

feondes fingras. Foran æghwylc wæs

steda nægla gehwylc, style gelicost,

hæþenes handsporu, hilde|rinces

egl unheoru. Æghwylc gecwæð

þæt him heardra nan hrinan wolde,

iren ærgod, þæt ðæs ahlæcan

blodge beadufolme onberan wolde.

990

ÐA wæs haten hreþe Heort innanweard

folmum gefrætwod. Fela þæra wæs

wera 7 wifa, þe þæt winreced,

gestsele gyredon. Goldfag scinon,

web æfter wagum, wundorsiona fela

995

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

1000

fyrendædum fag on fleam gewand,

aldres orwena. No þæt yðe byð

to befleonne, fremme se þe wille;

ac gesacan sceal, sawlberendra,

nyde genydde, niþða bearna,

1005

grundbuendra gearwe stowe,

þær his lichoma, legerbedde fæst,

swefeþ æfter symle. Þa wæs sæl 7 mæl

152r

þæt to healle | gang Healfdenes sunu.

Wolde self cyning symbel þicgan.

1010

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

1015

swiðhicgende on sele þam hean,

Hroðgar 7 Hroþulf. Heorot innan wæs

freondum afylled. Nalles facenstafas

Þeod-Scyldingas þenden fremedon.

Forgeaf þa Beowulfe brand Healfdenes;

1020

segen gyldenne sigores to leane,

hroden hiltecumbor, helm, 7 byrnan.

Mære maðþumsweord manige gesawon

beforan beorn beran. Beowulf geþah

ful on flette. No he þære feohgyfte

1025

for scotenum scami gan ðorfte.

Ne gefrægn ic freondlicor feow er madmas

golde gegyrede gummanna fela

in ealobence oðrum gesellan.

Ym b þæs helmes hrof, heafodbeorge,

1030

wirum bewunden, walan utan heold,

152v

þæt him fela | la f frecne ne meahton,

scurheard, sceþ ða n , þonne scyldfreca

ongean gramum g angan scolde.

Heht ða eorla hleo eah ta mearas,

1035

fætedhleore, on flet teon

in u nder eoderas. Þara anum stod

sadol searwum fah, since gewurþad.

Þæt wæs hildesetl heahcyninges,

ðonne sweorda gelac sunu Healfdenes

1040

efnan wolde. Næfre on ore læg

widcuþes wig, ðonne walu feollon.

7 ða Beowulfe bega gehwæþres

eodor Ingwina onweald geteah,

wicga 7 wæpna. Het hine wel brucan.

1045

Swa manlice mære þeoden

hordweard hæleþa, heaþoræsas geald

mearum 7 madmum. Swa hy næfre man lyhð,

se þe secgan wile soð æfter rihte.

.XVI.

ÐA gyt æghwylcum eorla drihten

1050

þara þe mid Beowulfe brimleade teah,

on þære medubence maþðum gesealde,

153r

yr|felafe, 7 þone ænne heht

golde forgy l dan , þone ðe Grendel ær

mane acwealde. Swa he hyra ma wolde,

1055

nefne him witi g God wyrd forstode,

7 ðæs mannes mod. Me tod eallum weold

gumena cynnes, swa h e nu git deð.

Forþan bið andgit æghwær selest,

ferhðes foreþanc. Fela sceal g e bidan

1060

leofes 7 laþes se þe longe her

on ðyssum windagum worolde bruceð.

Þær wæs sang 7 sweg samod ætgædere

fore Healfdenes hildewisan;

gomenwudu greted, gid oft wrecen.

1065

Ðonne healgamen Hroþgares scop

æfter medobence mænan scolde,

Finnes eaferum, ða hie se fær begeat:

Hæleð Healfdena, Hnæf Scyldinga,

in Freswæle feallan scolde.

1070

Ne huru Hildeburh herian þorfte

eotena treowe. Unsynnum wearð

beloren leofum æt þam hildplegan,

bearnum 7 broðrum. Hie on gebyrd hruron,

153v

gare | w unde . Þæt wæs geomuru ides.

1075

Nalles holinga H oces dohtor

meotodsceaft bemearn, sy þðan morgen com.

Ða heo under swegle ge seon meahte

morþorbealo maga. Þ ær he ær mæste heold

worolde wynne, wig ealle fornam

1080

Finnes þegnas, nemne feaum anum,

þæt he ne mehte on þæm meðelstede

wig Hengeste wiht gefeohtan,

ne þa wealafe wige forþringan

þeodnes ðegne. Ac hig him geþingo budon,

1085

þæt hie him oðer flet eal gerymdon,

healle 7 heahsetl, þæt hie healfre geweald

wið eotena bearn agan moston.

7 æt feohgyftum Folcwaldan sunu

dogra gehwylce Dene weorþode,

1090

Hengestes heap hringum wenede,

efne swa swiðe sincgestreonum

fættan goldes swa he Fresena cyn

on beorsele byldan wolde.

Ða hie getruwedon on twa healfa

1095

fæste frioðuwære. Fin Hengeste

154r

elne unflitme aðum | benemde

þæt he þa wealafe weotena dome

arum heolde, þæt ðær ænig mon

wordum ne worcum wære ne bræce,

1100

ne þurh inwitsearo æfre gemænden,

ðeah hie hira beaggyfan banan folgedon,

ðeodenlease, þa him swa geþearfod wæs.

Gyf þonne Frysna hwylc frecnen spræ ce

ðæs morþorhetes myndgiend wære,

1105

þonne hit sweordes ecg syððan scolde.

Að wæs geæfned, 7 icge, gold,

ahæfen of horde. Here-Scyldinga

betst beadorinca wæs on bæl gearu.

Æt þæm ade wæs eþgesyne

1110

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,

1115

banfatu bærnan, 7 on bæl don.

Earme on eaxle, ides gnornode,

geomrode giddum. Guðrinc astah,

154v

wand | to wolcnum. Wælfyra mæst

hlynode fo r hlawe. Hafelan multon,

1120

bengeato bu rston , ðonne blod ætspranc,

laðbite lices. Lig ealle forswealg,

gæsta g ifrost , þara ðe þær guð fornam

bega folces. Wæs hira blæd scacen.

.XVII.

G Ewiton him ða wigend wica neosian,

1125

freondum befeallen, Frysland geseon,

hamas 7 heaburh. Hengest ða gyt

wælfagne winter wunode mid Finne

ea l unhlitine. Eard gemunde,

þeah þe he meahte on mere drifan

1130

hringedstefnan. Holm storme weol,

won wið winde; winter yþe beleac

isgebinde, oþ ðæt oþer com,

gear in geardas, swa nu gyt deð,

þa ðe syngales sele bewitiað,

1135

wuldortorhtan weder. Ða wæs winter scacen,

fæger foldan bearm. Fundode wrecca,

gist of geardum. He to gyrnwræce

155r

swiðor | þohte þonne to sælade,

gif he tor nge mot þurhteon mihte,

1140

þæt he eote na bearn inne gemunde.

Swa he ne fo r wyrnde woroldrædenne,

þonne him Hunlafing, hildeleoman,

billa sele st on bearm dyde.

Þæs wæron mid eoten um ecge cuðe.

1145

Swylce ferhðfrecan Fin eft begeat

sweordbealo sliðen æt hi s selfes ham.

Siþðan grimne gripe Guðlaf ond Oslaf,

æfter sæsiðe, sorge mændon,

ætwiton weana dæl. Ne meahte wæfre mod

1150

forhabban in hreþre. Ða wæs heal hroden

feonda feorum, swilce Fin slægen,

cyning on corþre, 7 seo cwen numen.

Sceotend Scyldinga to scypon feredon

eal ingesteald eorðcyninges,

1155

swylce hie æt Finnes ham findan meahton

sigla searogimma. Hie on sælade

drihtlice wif to Denum feredon,

155v

læddon | to l eodum . Leoð wæs asungen,

gleoman nes gyd. Gamen eft astah,

1160

beorhtode b encsweg ; byrelas sealdon

win of w underfatum . Þa cwom Wealhþeo forð,

1162 a b

g an under gyldnum beage þær þa godan,

1163 a b

twegen sæton, suhtergefæde r an .

1164 a b

Þa gyt wæs hiera sib ætgædere , æghwylc

1165 a b

oðrum trywe . Swylce þær Hunferþ þyle

1166 a b

æt fotum sæt frean Scyldinga .

1167 a b

Gehwylc hiora his ferhþe treowde ,

1168 a b

þæt he hæfde mod micel , þeah þe he his magum

1169 a b

nære arfæst æt ecga gelacum .

1170 a

Spræc ða ides Scyldinga :

"Onfoh þissum fulle, freodrihten min,

sinces brytta. Þu on sælum wes,

goldwine gumena, 7 to Geatum spræc

mildum wordum, swa sceal man don.

1175

Beo wið Geatas glæd, geofena gemyndig;

nean 7 feorran þu nu hafast.

156r

Me man sægde þæt | þ u ð e for sunu wolde

hereric an hab ban . Heorot is gefælsod,

beahsele beor hta . Bruc, þenden þu mote,

1180

manigra me do , 7 þinum magum læf

folc 7 rice, þonne ðu forð scyle

metodsceaft seon. Ic minne can

glædne Hroþulf, þæt he þa g eo goðe wile

arum healdan, gyf þu ær þonne he,

1185

wine Scildinga, worold oflætest.

Wene ic þæt he mid gode gyldan wille

uncran eaferan, gif he þæt eal gemon,

hwæt wit to willan 7 to worðmyndum

umborwesendum ær arna gefremedon."

1190

Hwearf þa bi bence, þær hyre byre wæron,

Hreðric 7 Hroðmund, 7 hæleþa bearn

giogoð ætgædere. Þær se goda sæt

Beowulf Geata be þæm gebroðrum twæm .

.XVIII.

HIm wæs ful boren, 7 freondlaþu

1195

wordum bewægned 7 wundengold

estum geeawed, earmreade twa,

156v

hrægl 7 hrin| ga s , healsbeaga mæst

þara þe ic on fol dan ge frægen hæbbe.

Nænigne ic under sweg l e selran hyrde

1200

hordmadmum hæleþa, syþðan Hama ætwæg

to herebyrhtan byri g Brosinga mene,

sigle 7 sincfæt. Se aroniðas fealh

Eormenrices, geceas ecne ræd.

Þone hring hæfde, Higelac Geata,

1205

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,

1210

eorclanstanas ofer yða ful,

rice þeoden. He under rande gecranc.

Gehwearf þa in Francna fæþm feorh cyninges

breostgewædu 7 se beah somod.

Wyrsan wigfrecan wæl reafeden

1215

æfter guðsceare. Geata leode

hreawic heoldon. Heal swege onfeng.

Wealhðeo maþelode. Heo fore þæm werede spræc:

"Bruc ðisses beages, Beowulf leofa,

157r

hyse mid hæle, | 7 þ isses hrægles neot;

1220

þeo gestreona, 7 geþeoh tela,

cen þec mid cræfte, 7 þyssum cnyht um wes

lara liðe. Ic þe þæs lean geman.

Ha fast þu gefered þæt ðe feor 7 neah

ealne widefe rhþ weras ehtigað,

1225

efne swa side swa sæ beb ugeð

windgeard, weallas. Wes þenden þu lifige,

æþ eling , eadig. Ic þe an tela

sincgestreona. Beo þu suna minum

dædum gedefe, dreamhealde n de !

1230

Her is æghwylc eorl oþrum getrywe,

modes milde, mandrihtne h leo ;

þegnas sy n don geþwære, þeod ealgearo,

druncne dry ht guman . Doð swa ic bidde."

Eode þa to setle. Þær wæs symbla cyst,

1235

druncon win weras. Wyrd ne cuþon,

geosceaft grimne, swa hit agangen wearð

eorla manegum, syþðan æfen cwom.

7 him Hroþgar gewat to hofe sinum,

rice to ræste. Reced weardode

1240

unrim eorla, swa hie oft ær dydon.

Bencþelu beredon. Hit geondbræded wearð

beddum 7 bolstrum. Beorscealca sum

157v

fus 7 fæge fletræste ge| beag .

Setton him to heafdon hilderandas,

1245

b ordwudu beorhtan. Þær on bence wæs

ofer æþelinge yþgesene

heaþosteapa helm, hringed byrne,

þrecwudu þrymlic. Wæs þ eaw hyra

þæt hie oft wæron an wig gearwe

1250

ge æt ham ge on herge, ge gehwæþer þara,

efne swylce mæla swylce hira mandryhtne

þearf gesælde. Wæs seo þeod tilu.

.XVIIII.

Sigon þa to slæpe. Sum sare angeald

æfenræste, swa him ful oft gelamp,

1255

siþðan goldsele Grendel w arode ,

unriht æfnde oþ þæt ende becwom,

swylt æfter synnum. Þæt gesyne wearþ,

widcuþ werum, þætte wrecend þa gyt

lifde æfter laþum lange þrage

1260

æfter guðceare. Grendles modor,

ides aglæcwif yrmþe gemunde,

se þe wæteregesan wunian scolde,

cealde streamas, siþðan camp wearð

to ecgbanan angan breþer,

1265

fæderenmæge. He þa fag gewat,

158r

morþre gemearcod, | ma n d ream fleon,

westen warode. Þ anon woc fela

geosceaftgasta. Wæs þæra Grend el sum,

heorowearh hetelic, se æt Heorote fand

1270

wæccendne wer wiges bidan.

Þær him aglæca ætgræpe wearð.

Hwæþre he gemunde mægenes strenge,

gimfæste gife, ðe him God sealde,

7 him to Anwaldan are gelyfde,

1275

frofre 7 fultum. Ðy he þone feon d ofercwom,

gehnægde helle gast. Þa he hean gewat,

dreame bedæled, deaþwic seon,

mancynnes feond. 7 his modor þa gyt,

gifre 7 galgmod gegan wolde

1280

sorhfulne sið sunu þeod wrecan.

Com þa to Heorote, ðær Hring-Dene

geond þæt sæld swæfun. Þa ðær sona wearð

edhwyrft eorlum, siþðan inne fealh

Grendles modor. Wæs se gryre læssa

1285

efne swa micle, swa bið mægþa cræft

wiggryre wifes, bewæpned men,

þonne heoru bunden, hamere geþuren,

sweord swate fah swin ofer helme

158v

ecgum | dyhttig andweard scireð.

1290

Þa wæs on hea lle he ardecg togen

sweord ofer setlum, sidrand manig

hafen handa fæst. Helm ne gemunde,

byrnan side, þa hine se br oga angeat.

Heo wæs on ofste, wolde ut þanon,

1295

feore beorgan, þa heo onfunden wæs.

Hraðe heo æþelinga anne hæfde

fæste befangen, þa heo to fenne gang.

Se wæs Hroþgare hæleþa l eofost

on gesiðes had be sæm tweonum,

1300

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

1305

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,

159r

har hilderinc, on hreon | mo de ,

1310

syðþan he aldorþegn unly figendne ,

þone deorestan, deadne wisse.

Hra þe wæs to bure Beowulf fetod

sigoreadig secg. Samod ærdæge

eode eorla sum, æþele cempa

1315

self mid gesiðum þær se snot e ra bad.

Hwæþre him A l walda æf re wille

æfter weaspelle wyrpe gefremman.

Gang ða æfter flore fyrdwyrðe man

mid his handscale, healwudu dynede,

1320

þæt he þone wisan wordum hnæg de

frean Ingwina; frægn gif him wære

æfter neodlaðu niht getæse.

.XX.

Hroðgar maþelode, helm Scyldinga:

"Ne frin þu æfter sælum. Sorh is geniwod

1325

Denigea leodum. Dead is Æschere,

Yrmenlafes yldra broþor,

min runwita 7 min rædbora,

eaxlgestealla, ðonne we on orlege

hafelan weredon, þonne hniton feþan,

159v

eoferas cnysedan. | S wy lc eorl s colde

wesan ærgod, swylc Æsc here wæs !

Wearð him on Heorote to handbanan

wælgæst wæfre. Ic ne wat hwæþer

atol æse wlanc eftsiðas teah,

1335

fylle gefrægnod. Heo þa fæhðe wræc

þe þu gystran niht Gren d el cwealdest

þurh hæstne had heardum clammum,

forþan he to lange leode mine

wanode 7 wyrde. He æt wige gecrang,

1340

ealdres scyldig. 7 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.

1345

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

1350

micle mearcstapan moras healdan,

ellorgæstas. Ðæra oðer wæs,

þæs þe hie gewislicost gewitan meahton,

idese onlicnæs. Oðer earmsceapen

160r

on weres wæstmum wræclastas | træd,

1355

næfne he wæs mara þonne ænig m an oðer.

Þone on geardagum Grendel nem do n .

Foldbuende no hie fæder cunnon,

hwæ þer him ænig wæs ær acenned

dyrnra gasta. Hie dygel lond

1360

warigeað, wulfhleoþu, windi ge næssas,

frecne fengelad, ðær fyrgenstream

under næssa genipu niþer gewiteð,

flod under foldan. Nis þæt feor heonon

milgemearces, þæt se mere stan d eð .

1365

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.

1370

Ðeah þe hæðstapa hundum geswenced,

heorot hornum trum, holtwudu sece,

feorran geflymed, ær he feorh seleð,

aldor on ofre, ær he in wille

hafelan hafenian . Nis þæt heoru stow.

1375

Þonon yðgeblond up astigeð,

won to wolcnum, þonne wind styreþ

lað gewidru, oð þæt lyft drysmaþ,

roderas reotað. Nu is se ræd gelang

160v

eft æt | þ e anum. Eard git ne const,

1380

frecne stowe ðær þu findan miht

felasinnigne secg. S ec gif þu dyrre.

Ic þe þa fæhðe feo leanige,

ealdgestreonum, swa ic ær dyde

wund un golde , gyf þu on weg cymest."

.XXI.

1385

B EOWVLF maþelode, bearn Ecgþeo w es .

"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

1390

domes ær deaþe. Þæt bið drihtguman,

unlifgendum, æfter selest.

Aris, rices weard, uton hraþe feran,

Grendles magan gang sceawigan.

Ic hit þe gehate: no he on helm losaþ,

1395

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,

161r

mihtigan Drihtne, þæs se man ge| spræc .

Þa wæs Hroðgare hors ge bæted ,

wicg wundenfeax. Wisa fengel

geato lic gende. Gumfeþa stop

lindhæbbendra. L astas wæron

1405

æfter waldswaþum wide gesyne.

Gang ofer grundas, gegnum for

ofer myr can mor, magoþegna bær

þone selestan sawolleasne

þara þe mid Hroðgare ham eahtode.

1410

Ofereode þa, æþelinga bearn,

steap stanhliðo, stige nearwe,

enge anpaðas, uncuð gelad,

neowle næssas, nicorhusa fela.

He feara sum beforan gengde

1415

wisra monna wong sceawian,

oþ þæt he færinga fyrgenbeamas

ofer harne stan hleonian funde,

wynleasne wudu. Wæter under stod,

dreorig 7 gedrefed. Denum eallum wæs,

1420

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 -

161v

| hatan heolfre. Horn stundum song

fu slic f orð leoð . Feþa eal gesæt.

Gesawon ða æfter wæt ere wyrmcynnes fela,

sellice sædracan sun d cunnian,

swylce on næshleoðum nicras li cgean .

1430

Ða on undernmæl oft bewitigað

sorhfulne sið on seglrade,

wyrmas 7 wildeor. Hie on weg hruron

bitere 7 gebolgne. Bearhtm ongeaton,

guðhorn galan. Sumne Geata leod

1435

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,

1440

heorohocyhtum hearde genearwod,

niða genæged, 7 on næs togen,

wundorlic wægbora. Weras sceawedon

gryrelicne gist. Gyrede hine Beowulf

eorlgewædum, nalles for ealdre mearn;

1445

scolde herebyrne hondum gebroden

sid 7 searofah sund cunnian,

seo ðe bancofan beorgan cuþe,

þæt him hildegrap hreþre ne mihte

eorres inwitfeng aldre gesceþðan.

162r

Ac se hwita helm | h afelan werede,

se þe meregrundas men gan scolde,

secan sundgebland since geweo rðad ,

befongen freawrasnum swa hine fyrndagum

worhte wæpna smið, wundrum teode,

1455

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.

1460

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,

1465

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

1470

selran sweordfrecan. Selfa ne dorste

under yða gewin aldre geneþan,

drihtscype dreogan. Þær he dome forleas,

162v

ellen| mæ rðum . Ne wæs þæm oðrum swa,

syðþan he hine to guðe gegyred hæfde.

.XXII.

1475

BEOWVLF 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

1480

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,

1485

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.

1490

7 þu Hunferð læt ealde lafe,

wrætlic wægsweord; widcuðne man

heardecg habban. Ic me mid Hruntinge

163r

dom gewyrce | oþðe mec deað nimeð."

Æfter þæ m wordum Weder-Geata leod

1495

efste mid elne. Na las 7 sware

bidan wolde. Brimwylm onfen g

hil derince . Ða wæs hwil dæges

ær he þone grundwong ongytan mehte.

Sona þæt on funde , se ðe floda begong,

1500

heorogifre, beheold hund missera,

grim 7 grædig, þæt þ ær gumena sum

ælwihta eard ufan cunno de .

Grap þa togeanes, guðrinc gefeng

at olan clommum. No þy ær in gescod

1505

halan lice. Hring utan ymbbearh,

þæt heo þone fyrdhom ðurhfon ne mihte,

locene leoð o syrcan , laþan fingrum.

Bær þa seo brimwyl f , þa heo to botme com,

hringa þengel to hofe sinum,

1510

swa he ne mihte - no he þæm modig wæs! -

wæpna gewealdan, ac hine wundra þæs fela

swecte on sunde, sædeor monig

hildetuxum heresyrcan bræc,

ehton aglæcan. Ða se eorl ongeat

1515

þæt he niðsele nathwylcum wæs,

þær him nænig wæter wihte ne sceþede,

ne him for hrofsele hrinan ne mehte,

163v

færgripe flodes. | Fyrleoh t geseah,

blacne leoman beorht e scinan .

1520

Ongeat þa se goda grundwyrgenne,

mer ewif mihtig. Mægenræs forgeaf

hildebille, ho n dswenge , ne ofteah,

þæt hire on ha fe lan hringmæl agol

grædig guðleoð. Ð a se gist onfand

1525

þæt se beadoleoma bitan no lde ,

aldre sceþðan. Ac seo ecg geswac

ð eodne æt þearfe. Ðolode ær fela

hond ge mota , helm oft gescær,

fæges fyrd hr ægl . Ða wæs forma sið

1530

deorum madme þæt his dom alæg.

Eft wæs anræd, nalas elnes l æt ,

mærða gemyndig mæg Hylaces:

wearp ða wundelmæl, wrættum gebunden,

yrre oretta, þæt hit on eorðan læg,

1535

stið 7 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,

1540

Guð-Geata leod, Grendles modor.

Brægd þa beadwe heard, þa he gebolgen wæs,

feorhgeniðlan, þæt heo on flet gebeah.

Heo him eft hraþe handlean forgeald

164r

grim|man grapum 7 him togeanes feng.

1545

Oferwear p þa werigmod, wigena strengest,

feþecempa, þæt he on fylle wearð.

Ofsæt þa þone selegy st , 7 hyre sea x geteah,

brad, brunecg. Wolde hire bearn wrecan,

angan eaferan. Him on eaxle læg

1550

breostnet broden; þæt gebearh feore,

wið ord 7 wið ecge ingang forstod.

Hæfde ða forsiðod sunu Ecgþeowes,

und er gynne grund, Geata cempa,

nemne him heaðobyrne helpe gefremede,

1555

herenet hearde. 7 halig God

geweold wigsigor. Witig Drihten,

rodera Rædend, hit on ryht gesced

yðelice. Syþðan he eft asto d .

.XXIII.

GEseah ða on searwum sigeeadig bil,

1560

ealdsweord eotenisc ecgum þyhtig,

wigena weorðmynd, þæt wæpna cyst,

buton hit wæs mare ðonne ænig mon oðer

to beadulace ætberan meahte,

god 7 geatolic, giganta geweorc.

1565

He gefeng þa fetelhilt, freca Scyldinga

hreoh 7 heorogrim, hringmæl gebrægd

164v

aldres orwena, yrringa | s loh ,

þæt hire wið halse heard grapode,

banhringas bræc. Bil eal ðurhwod

1570

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.

1575

Hwearf þa be wealle, wæpen hafena de

heard be hiltum, Higelaces ðegn,

yrre 7 a nræd . Næs seo ecg fracod

hilderince, ac he hraþe wolde

Grendle forgyldan guðræsa f ela

1580

ðara þe he geworhte to West-Denum

o ftor micle ðonne on ænne sið,

þonne he H roðgares heorðgeneatas

sloh on sweofote, slæpende fræt,

folces Denigea fyftyne men,

1585

7 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

1590

hild æt Heorote. Hra wide sprong,

syþðan he æfter deaðe drepe þrowade,

heorosweng heardne, 7 hine þa heafde becearf.

165r

Sona þæt gesawon, snottre | ceorlas,

þa ðe mid Hroðgare on holm wliton ,

1595

þæt wæs yðgeblond eal gemenged

brim b lode fah. Blondenfeaxe,

gomele ymb godne, ongeador spræcon

þæt hig þæs æðelinges eft ne wendon,

þæt he sigehreðig secean come

1600

mærne þeoden. Þa ðæs monige gewearð

þæt hine seo brimwylf abreoten hæ f de .

Ða com non dæges. Næs ofgeafon

hw ate Scyldingas. Gewat him ham þonon,

gold wine gumena. Gistas secan

1605

modes seoce, 7 o n mere staredon;

wiston, 7 ne wendon, þæt hie heora winedrihten

selfne gesawon. Þa þæt sweord ongan

æfter heaþoswate hildegicelum,

wigbil wanian. Þæt wæs wundra sum,

1610

þæt hit eal gemealt, ise gelicost,

ðonne forstes bend Fæder onlæteð,

onwindeð wæ l rapas , se geweald hafað

sæla 7 mæla. Þæt is soð Metod.

Ne nom he in þæm wicum, Weder-Geata leod,

1615

maðmæhta ma, þeh he þær monige geseah,

buton þone hafelan 7 þa hilt somod

since fage. Sweord ær gemealt,

165v

forbarn brodenmæl. Wæs þæt blod | to þæ s hat,

ættren ellorgæst se þær in ne swealt.

1620

Sona wæs on sunde, se þe æ r æt sæcce gebad,

wighryre wraðra. Wæter up þurhdeaf,

wæron yðgebland eal gefælsod,

eacne eardas, þa se ellorgast

oflet lifdagas 7 þas lænan gesceaft.

1625

Com þa to lande, lidmanna helm,

swiðmod swymman. Sælace gefeah,

mægen by rþenne , þara þe he him mid hæfde.

E odon him þa togeanes, Gode þancodon,

ðryðlic þegna heap þeodnes gefegon,

1630

þæs þe hi hyne gesundne geseon moston.

Ða wæs of þæm hroran helm 7 byrne

lungre alysed. Lagu drusade,

wæter under wolcnum, wældreore fag.

Ferdon forð þonon feþelastum

1635

ferhþum fægne foldweg mæton,

cuþe stræte. Cyningbalde men

from þæm holmclife hafelan bæron

earfoðlice heora æghwæþrum

felamodigra. Feower scoldon

1640

on þæm wælstenge weorcum geferian

to þæm goldsele Grendles heafod.

166r

Oþ ðæt | semninga to sele comon,

frome fyrdhwate feowertyne

Geata gongan, gu m dryhten mid,

1645

modig on gemonge, meod o wongas træd.

Ða com in gan ealdor ðegna,

dædcene mon dome gewurþ ad ,

hæle hildedeor, Hroðgar gretan.

Þ a wæs be feaxe on flet boren

1650

Grendles heafod, þær guman druncon,

egeslic f or eorlum, 7 þære idese mid,

wliteseon wr æt lic . Weras onsawon.

.XXV.

BEOwulf maþelode, bearn Ecgþeowe s :

"Hwæt, we þe þas sælac, sunu Healfdene s ,

1655

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

1660

guð getwæfed, nymðe mec God scylde.

Ne meahte ic æt hilde mid Hruntinge

wiht gewyrcan, þeah þæt wæpen duge.

Ac me geuðe ylda Waldend

166v

þæt ic on wage geseah wlitig | ha ngian

1665

ealdsweord eacen. Oftost wisode

wi nigea leasum; þæt ic ðy wæpne gebræd,

of sloh ða æt þære sæcce, þa me sæl a geald ,

huses hyrdas. Þa þæt hildebil

for ba rn , brogdenmæl, swa þæt blod gesprang,

1670

ha tost heaþoswata. Ic þæt hilt þanan

feon d um ætferede, fyrendæda wræc,

deað c wealm Denigea, swa hit gedefe wæs.

Ic h it þe þonne gehate, þæt þu on Heorote most

so rhleas swefan mid þinra secga gedryht,

1675

7 þegna gehwylc þinra leoda,

duguðe 7 iogoþe, þæt þu him ondrædan ne þearft,

þeoden Scyldinga, on þa healfe,

aldorbealu eorlum, swa þu ær dydest."

Ða wæs gyldenhilt gamelum rince,

1680

harum hildfruman, on hand gyfen

enta ærgeweorc. Hit on æht gehwearf

æfter deofla hryre Denigea frean,

wundorsmiþa geweorc. 7 þa þas worold ofgeaf,

gromheort guma, Godes andsaca

1685

morðres scyldig, 7 his modor eac.

On geweald gehwearf woroldcyninga

167r

ðæm selestan be | sæm tweonum,

ðara þe on Scedenigge sceat tas dælde.

Hroðgar maðelode. Hylt sceawode,

1690

ealde lafe; on ðæm wæs or wri ten

fyrngewinnes, syðþan flod ofs loh ,

gifen geotende, giganta cyn.

Frecne ge ferdon ; þæt wæs fremde þeod

ecean Dryh tne . Him þæs endelean

1695

þurh wæteres wylm Waldend sealde.

Swa wæs on ðæm scen num sciran goldes,

þurh runstafas rihte ge mearcod ,

geseted 7 gesæd, hwam þæt sweo rd geworht,

irena cyst ærest wære,

1700

w reo þenhilt 7 wyrmfah. Ða se wisa spræc,

s u nu Healfdenes. Swigedon ealle:

"Þæt, la, mæg secgan, se þe soð 7 riht

fremeð on folce, feor eal gemon,

eald eðelwea rd , þæt ðes eorl wære

1705

geboren betera. Blæd is aræred

geond widwegas, wine min Beo wulf ,

1707 a b

ðin ofer þeoda gehwylce . Eal þu hit geþyldum

1708 a b

healdest , mægen mid modes snyttrum .

1709 a b

Ic þe sceal mine gelæstan freoðe,

1710 a b

swa wit furðum spræcon . Ðu scealt to frofre weorþan

eal langtwidig leodum þinum,

167v

| hæl eðum to helpe. Ne wearð Heremod swa

eaforum Ecgwelan, Ar-Scyldingum.

Ne geweox he him to willan, ac to wælfeal le

1715

7 to deaðcwalum Deniga leodum.

Breat bo lgenmod beodgeneatas,

eaxlge ste allan , oþ þæt he ana hwearf,

mære þeo d en , mondreamum from

ðeah þe hine mi htig God mægenes wynnum

1720

eafeþum ste pte ofer ealle men,

forð gefreme d e . Hwæþere him on ferhþe greow

breost h ord blodreow. Nallas beagas geaf

Denum æfter dome. Dreamleas gebad,

þæt he þæs gewinnes weorc þrowade,

1725

leodbea l o 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,

1730

eard 7 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,

168r

| gedeð him swa gewealdene worolde dæ las ,

side rice, þæt he his selfa ne m æg

for his unsnyttrum ende geþencean.

W unað he on wiste. No hine wiht dweleð,

ad l ne yldo, ne him inwitsorh

1740

on sefa n sweorceð, ne gesacu ohwær

ecghe te eoweð, ac him eal worold

wendeð on w il lan . He þæt wyrse ne con."

.XXVI.

"Oð þæt him on innan oferhygda dæl

wea xe ð 7 wridað. Þonne se weard swefeð,

1745

sawele hy rde . Bið se slæp to fæst,

bisgum gebunde n , bona swiðe neah,

se þe of flanbogan fyrenum sceoteð.

Þonne bið on hreþre under helm drepen

biteran stræle, him bebeorgan ne con,

1750

wom wundorbebodum wergan gastes.

Þinceð him to lytel þæt he to lange heold;

gytsað gromhydig, nallas on gylp seleð

fædde beagas, 7 he þa forðgesceaft

forgyteð 7 forgymeð, þæs þe him ær God sealde,

168v

wuldres | Wal dend , weorðmynda dæl.

Hit on endestæf eft gelimpeð

þæt se lichoma læn e gedreoseð,

fæge gefealleð. Fehð oþer to ,

se þe unmurnlice madmas dæleþ,

1760

eor les ærgestreon, egesan ne gymeð.

Be beorh þe ðone bealonið, Beowulf leofa,

s ecg betsta, 7 þe þæt selre geceos,

ece rædas. Of erhyda ne gym,

mære cempa. Nu is þines m ægnes blæd

1765

ane hwile. Eft sona bið

þæt þe c adl oððe ecg eafoþes getwæfeð,

oððe fy res feng, oððe flodes wylm,

oððe gripe m eces , oððe gares fliht,

oððe atol yldo. O ððe eagena bearhtm

1770

forsiteð 7 forswor c eð . Semninga bið

þæt ðec, dryhtguma, deað o ferswyðeð .

Swa ic Hring-Dena hund missera

weold under wolcnum 7 hig wigge beleac,

manigum mægþa geond þysne middangeard,

1775

æscum 7 ecgum, þæt ic me ænigne

under swegles begong gesacan ne tealde.

Hwæt, me þæs on eþle edwendan cwom,

gyrn æfter gomene, seoþðan Grendel wearð

ealdgewinna, ingenga min.

169r

| Ic þære socne singales wæg

modcear e micle. Þæs sig Metode þanc,

ecean Dryht ne , þæs ðe ic on aldre gebad,

þæt ic on þo ne hafelan heorodreorigne

ofer eal d ge win eagum starige.

1785

Ga nu to setle, sym belwynne dreoh

wiggeweorþad. Unc sceal worn fela

maþma gemænra siþðan mor gen bið."

Geat wæs glædmod, geong son a to

setles neosan, swa se snottra heht.

1790

Þ a wæs eft swa ær ellenrofum,

fletsittendum fægere gereorded

niowan stefne. Ni ht helm geswearc,

deorc ofer dryhtgu mum . Duguð eal aras.

Wolde blondenfeax beddes neosan,

1795

gamela Scylding. Geat unigmetes wel,

rofne randwigan, restan lys te .

Sona him seleþegn, siðes wergum

feorrancundum forð wisade;

se for andrysnum ealle beweote d e

1800

þegnes þearfe, swylce þy dogore

heaþoliðende habban scoldon.

Reste hine þa rumheort. Reced hliuade,

geap 7 goldfah. Gæst inne swæf,

oþ þæt hrefn blaca, heofones wynne

169v

bliðheort bodode. | Ða c om beorht scacan;

scaþan onetton.

Wæro n æþelingas eft to leodum

fuse to f ar en n e . Wolde feor þanon,

cuma col l enf erhð , ceoles neosan.

1810

Heht þa, se hear da , H runting beran

sunu Ecglafes, heht his s weord niman,

leoflic iren. Sægde him þæ s leanes þanc,

cwæð, he þone guðwine go dne tealde.

wigcræftigne. Nales wor dum log

1815

meces ecge. Þæt wæs modig secg.

7 þ a , siðfrome, searwum gearwe,

wigend wæron. Eo de weorð Denum,

æþeling to yppan, þæ r se oþer wæs.

Helle hildedeor Hroð g ar grette.

.XXVII.

1820

Be owulf maþelode, bearn Ecgþeowes:

"Nu w e sæliðend secgan wyllað

feorran cumene, þæt we fundiaþ

Higelac secan. Wæron her tela

willum bewenede. Þu us wel dohtest.

1825

Gif ic þonne on eorþan owihte mæg

þinre modlufan maran tilian,

gumena dryhten, ðonne ic gyt dyde

guðgeweorca, ic beo gearo sona.

170r

Gif ic þæt ge|fricge ofer floda begang,

1830

þæt þec ymbsittend egesan þywað,

swa þec hete nde hwilum dydon,

ic ðe þusenda þegna br in ge ,

hæleþa to helpe. Ic on Higelace wat

Geata dryhten, þeah ðe he geong sy

1835

folces hyrde, þæt he mec fremman wile

weordum 7 worcum, þæt ic þe wel heri ge

7 þe to geoce garholt bere,

mægenes fultum, þær ðe bið manna þearf.

G if him þonne Hreþric to hofum Geata

1840

geþinge ð þeodnes bearn, he mæg þær fela

freonda findan. Feorcyþðe beoð

selran gesohte þæm þe him selfa dea h. "

Hroðgar maþelode him on andsware:

"Þe þa wordcwydas wigtig Drihten

1845

on sefan sende. Ne hyrde ic snotorlicor

on swa geongum feore guman þingian.

Þu eart mægenes strang 7 on mode frod,

wis wordcwida. Wen ic talige:

gif þæt gegangeð þæt ðe gar nymeð,

1850

hild heorugrimme Hreþles eaferan,

adl oþðe iren ealdor ðinne,

folces hyrde, 7 þu þin feorh hafast,

170v

þæt þe | S æ-Geatas selran næbban

to geceosen ne cyning ænigne

1855

hordweard hæleþa, g yf þu healdan wylt

maga rice. Me þin m odsefa

licað leng swa wel, leofa Beo w ulf .

Hafast þu gefered þæt þam folcum s ceal ,

Geata leodum 7 Gar-Denum,

1860

sib g emænum , 7 sacu restan,

inwitniþas, þe hie ær drugon;

wesan, þenden ic weal d e widan rices,

maþmas gemæne, ma n ig oþerne

godum gegrettan ofer ganotes bæð.

1865

Sceal hringnaca ofer h eaþu bringan

lac 7 luftacen. Ic þa l eode wat

ge wið feond ge wið freond fæste geworhte,

æghwæs untæle ealde wisan."

Ða git him eorla hleo inne gesealde,

1870

mago Healfdenes, maþmas twelfe.

Het inne mid þæm lacum leode swæse

secean on gesyntum, snude eft cuman.

Gecyste þa, cyning æþelum god,

þeoden Scyldinga, ðegn betstan

1875

7 be healse genam. Hruron him tearas

blondenfeaxum. Him wæs bega wen,

171r

ealdum in|frodum oþres swiðor,

þæt h i e seoðða n na geseon moston,

modige on meþle. Wæs him se man to þon leof

1880

þæt he þone breost wylm forberan ne mehte.

Ac him on hreþre hygebendum fæst

æfter d eo rum men dyrne langað

beorn wið bl o de . Him Beowulf þanan,

guðrinc goldwlanc, græsmoldan træd,

1885

since h re mig . Sægenga bad

agedfrean, se þe on ancre rad.

Þa wæs on gange gi fu Hroðgares

oft geæhted. Þæt wæs an cyning,

æghwæs orleahtre, oþ þæt hin e yldo benam

1890

mægenes wynnum, se þe oft manegum scod.

.XXVIII.

CWOM þa to flode fela modigra

hægstealdra. Hringnet bæron

locene leoðosyrcan. Landweard onfand

eftsið eorla, swa he ær dyde.

1895

No he mid hearme of hliðes nosan

171v

| g ie s tas grette, ac him togeanes rad,

cwæ ð þæt wilcuman Wedera leodum

sca þan scirhame to scipe foron.

Þa wæs on sande sægeap naca

1900

hladen here wæ dum , hringedstefna,

mearum 7 mað m um . Mæst hlifade

ofer Hroðgares h ordgestreonum .

He þæm batwearde bun den golde

swurd gesealde, þæt he syð þan wæs

1905

on meodubence maþma þy weo rþ re ,

yrfelafe. Gewat him on nacan

d refan deop wæter. Dena land ofgeaf.

Þa wæs be mæste merehrægla sum,

segl sale fæst. Sundwudu þunede.

1910

No þær wegflotan wind ofer yðum

siðes getwæfde. Sægenga for,

fleat famigheals forð ofer yðe,

bundenstefna ofer brimstreamas,

þæt hie Geata clifu ongitan meahton,

1915

cuþe næssas. Ceol up geþrang

lyftgeswenced. On lande stod.

172r

Hraþe wæs æt | holme hyðweard geara,

se þe ær lange tid leofra manna

fus æt faroðe feor wlatode.

1920

Sælde to sande sidfæþme sci p

oncearbendum fæst, þy læs hym yþ a ðrym

wudu wynsuman forwrecan meah te .

Het þa up beran æþelinga gestr eon ,

frætwe 7 fætgold. Næs him feor þan on

1925

to gesecanne sinces bryttan,

Higelac Hreþling, þær æt ham wunað

s elfa mid gesiðum sæwealle neah.

Bold w æs betlic, bregorof cyning,

heahealle in. Hygd swiðe geong,

1930

wis welþungen, þeah ðe wintra lyt

under burhlocan gebide n hæbbe,

Hæreþes dohtor. Næs hio hnah swa þeah,

ne to gneað gifa Geata leodum,

maþmgestreona. Mod Þryðo wæg,

1935

fremu folces cwen, firen ondrysne.

Nænig þæt dorste deor geneþan,

swæsra gesiða, nefne sinfrea,

þæt hire an dæges eagum starede.

172v

Ac him wælbende | w eotode tealde

1940

handgewriþene; hraþe seo þðan wæs,

æfter mundgripe mece g eþinged ,

þæt hit sceadenmæl scyran m oste ,

cwealmbealu cyðan. Ne bið swylc cwen lic þeaw

idese to efnanne, þeah ðe h io ænlicu sy,

1945

þætte freoðuwebbe feores on sæce

æfter ligetorne leofne mannan.

H uru þæt on hoh snod Hemninges mæg.

Eal odrincende oðer sædan,

þæt hio leod b ealewa læs gefremede,

1950

inwitniða, s yððan ærest wearð

gyfen goldhro d en geongum cempan,

æðelum diore, syððan hio Offan flet

ofer fealone flod be fæder lare

siðe gesohte. Ðær hio syððan well

1955

in gumstole, gode mære,

lifgesceafta lifigende breac,

hiold heahlufan wið hæleþa brego,

ealles moncynnes mine gefræge

þæs selestan bi sæm tweonum,

173r

eormencynnes. Forðam Offa | wæs

geofum 7 guðum, garcene man,

wid e ge weorðod . Wisdome heold

eðel sinne. Þonon geomor woc

hæleðum to helpe, Heminges mæg,

1965

nefa Garmundes, niða cræftig.

.XXVIIII.

GEwat him ða se hearda mid his hondscole

sylf æfter sande sæwong tredan,

wide waroðas. Woruldcandel scan,

sigel suðan fus. Hi sið drugon,

1970

elne geeodon, to ðæ s ðe eorla hleo,

bonan Ongenþeoes burg um in innan,

geongne guðcyning godne gefrunon

hringas dælan. Higelace wæs

sið Beowulfes snude gecyðed,

1975

þæt ðær on worðig wigendra hleo,

lindgestealla, lifigende cwom,

heaðolaces hal to hofe gongan.

Hraðe wæs gerymed, swa se rica bebead,

feðegestum flet innanweard.

1980

Gesæt þa wið sylfne, se ða sæcce genæs,

173v

mæg wið mæge, | s yððan mandryhten

þurh hleoðorcwyde holdne gegrette,

meaglum wordum. Meoduscencum hwearf

geond þæt here reced Hæreðes dohtor,

1985

lufode ða leode, liðwæge bær

hænum to handa. Higelac ongan

sinne geseldan in sele þam hean

fægre fricgcean, hyne fyrwet bræc,

hwylce Sæ-Geata siðas wæron.

1990

" Hu lomp eow on lade, leofa Biowulf,

þa ðu færinga feorr gehogodest

sæcce secean ofer sealt wæter,

hilde to Hiorote? Ac ðu Hroðgare

wi d cuðne wean wihte gebettest,

1995

mærum ðeodne? Ic ðæs modceare

sorhwylmum seað, siðe ne truwode

leofes mannes. Ic ðe lange bæd,

þæt ðu þone wælgæst wihte ne grette,

lete Suð-Dene sylfe geweorðan

2000

guðe wið Grendel. Gode ic þanc secge,

þæs ðe ic ðe gesundne geseon moste.

Biowulf maðelode, bearn Ecgðioes:

174r

| "Þæt is undyrne, dryhten Hige lac ,

micel gemeting monegum fira,

2005

hwy lc e arfoð hwil uncer Grendles

wearð on ðam wange þær he worna fela

Sige- Scyl dingum sorge gefremede,

yrmð e to aldre. Ic ðæt eall gewræc,

swa læs gylpan þearf Grendeles maga

2010

yfel ofer eorðan uhthlem þone,

se ðe lengest leofað laðan cynnes,

f y r ene bifongen. Ic ðær furðum cwom

to ðam hringsele Hroðgar gretan.

Sona me se mæra mago Healfd e nes ,

2015

syððan he modsefan minne cuðe,

wið his sylfes sunu setl getæht e.

Weorod wæs on wynne. Ne seah ic widan feorh

under heofones hwealf healsittendra

medudream mar an . Hwilum mæru cwen,

2020

friðusibb folca, flet eall geondhwearf,

bædde byre geonge. Oft hio beahwriðan

174v

secge | sealde , ær hie to setle geong.

Hwilum fo r d ugu ðe dohtor Hroðgares

eorlum on ende ealuwæge bær.

2025

Þa ic Freaware flet sittende

nemnan hyrde, þær hio næ g led sinc

hæleðum sealde. Sio gehaten is ,

geong goldhroden, gladum suna Frodan.

H a fað þæs geworden wine Scyldinga,

2030

ri ce s hyrde, 7 þæt ræd talað,

þæt he mid ðy wi fe wælfæhða dæl

sæcca gesette. Oft s eldan hwær

æfter leodhryre lytle hw ile

bongar bugeð, þeah seo bryd duge.

2035

M æg þæs þonne ofþyncan ðeod ne Heaðo- B eardna

7 þegna gehwam þara leoda,

þ onne he mid fæmnan on flett gæð:

dryhtbearn Dena duguða, biwenede,

on him gladiað gomelra lafe,

2040

heard 7 hringmæl Heaða-Bearna gestreon,

þenden hie ðam wæpnum wealdan moston.

[.XXX.]

Oð ðæt hie forlæddan to ðam lindplegan

swæse gesiðas ond hyra sylfra feorh.

175r

Þonne cwið æt beore, se ðe beah | gesyhð,

2045

eald æscwiga, se ðe eall g e man

garcwealm gumena. Him bið gri m se fa ,

onginneð geomormod geon g an cempan

þurh hreðra gehygd higes cunnian,

wigbealu weccean, 7 þæt wo rd acwyð:

2050

" Meaht ðu, min wine, mec e gecnawan,

þone þin fæder to gef eohte bær,

under heregriman hinde man siðe,

dyre iren. Þær hyne Dene slogon,

weoldon wælstowe, syððan wiðergyld læg,

2055

æfter hæleþa hry re , hwate Scyldungas.

Nu her þara b a nena byre nathwylces,

frætwum hremig, on flet gæð,

morðres gyl peð , 7 þone maðþum byreð

þone þe ðu m id rihte rædan sceoldest."

2060

Manað sw a 7 myndgað mæla gehwylce

sarum wordum, oð ðæt sæl cymeð

þæt se fæmnan þegn fore fæder dædum

æfter billes bite blodfag swefeð,

ealdres scyldig. Him se oðer þonan

175v

losað | li figen de , con him land geare.

Þon ne bio ð b rocene on ba healfe

aðsweord eorla. Syð ðan Ingelde

weallað wælniðas 7 him wif lufan

æfter cearwælmum colran we orðað .

2070

Þy ic Heaðo-Bearna hyldo ne tel ge ,

dryhtsibbe dæl Denum unfæcne,

f reondscipe fæstne. Ic sceal forð sp recan

gen ymbe Grendel, þæt ðu geare cun ne ,

sinces brytta, to hwan syððan w earð

2075

hondræs hæleða. Syððan heofones g im

glad ofer grundas, gæst yrre cwom,

ea tol æfengrom user neosan,

ðær we g esunde sæl weardodon.

Þær wæs Hond s cio hilde onsæge

2080

feorhbealu fægum. H e fyrmest læg,

gyrded cempa. Him Grendel wearð,

mærum mag u þegne , to muðbonan;

leofes mannes lic eall forswealg.

No ðy ær ut ða gen idelhende

2085

bona blodigtoð, bealewa gemyndig,

of ðam goldsele gongan wolde.

Ac he mægnes rof min costode,

176r

| grapode geareofolm. Glof hangode

sid 7 syllic, searobendum fæst.

2090

Sio wæs orðoncum eall gegyrwed

de ofles cræftum 7 dracan fellum.

He mec þær on innan unsynnigne,

dior dæ d fruma gedon wolde

manigra sumne. Hyt ne miht e swa,

2095

syððan ic on yrre upprih te astod.

To lang ys to reccenne hu i c ð am leodsceaðan

yfla gehwylces hon dlean forgeald.

Þær ic, þeoden min, þine leode

weorðode weorcum. He on weg losade

2100

lytle hwile, lifwynna br ea c .

Hwæþre him sio swiðre swaðe w ear dade

hand on Hiorte, 7 he hea n ðonan,

modes geomor, mereg rund gefeoll.

Me þone wælræs wine Scildunga

2105

fættan golde fela lea no de ,

manegum maðmum, syððan me r gen com,

7 we to symble geseten hæfdon.

176v

Þær wæs gidd 7 gleo. Gome la | Scilding

felafricgende, feorran reh te .

2110

Hwilum hildedeor hearpan wynne

go mel wudu grette; hwilum gyd awræc,

soð 7 sa rlic ; hwilum syllic spell.

Rehte æfter r ihte rumheort cyning.

Hwilum eft onga n , eldo gebunden,

2115

gomel guðwiga, gio guðe cwiðan,

hildestrengo. Hreðer inn e weoll,

þonne he, wintrum frod, worn gem unde .

Swa we þær inne andlangne dæg

niode naman, oð ðæt niht becwom,

2120

oð er to yldum. Þa wæs eft hraðe

gearo gyr nwræce Grendeles modor.

Siðode sor hfull ; sunu deað fornam,

wighete Wed ra . Wif unhyre

hyre bearn gewræc, beo rn acwealde

2125

ellenlice. Þær wæs Æsc he re ,

frodan fyrnwitan feorh uð ge nge .

Noðer hy hine ne moston, syððan m ergen cwom,

deaðwerigne Denia le ode

bronde forbærnan, n e on bel hladan

177r

leofne mannan. | H io þæt lic ætbær

feondes fæð me un der firgenstream.

þæt wæs Hroðg ar e hreowa tornost

þara þe leodfruman lange begeate.

Þa se ðeoden mec ðine life

2135

healsode hreohmod, þæt ic on holma geþring

eorlscipe efnd e , ealdre geneðde,

mærðo fremed e . He me mede gehet.

Ic ða ðæs wælm es , þe is wide cuð,

grimme gryrelic ne grundhyrde fond.

2140

Þær unc hwil e wæs hand gemæne.

Holm heolfre weoll, 7 ic heafde becearf

in ðam grund s ele Grendeles modor

eacnum ecgu m . Unsofte þonan

feorh oðferede. Næs ic fæge þa gyt.

2145

Ac me eorla hl eo eft gesealde

maðma menigeo, mag a Healfdenes."

XXXI

"Swa se ðeodkyning þeawum lyfde.

Nealles ic ðam leanum forloren hæfde,

177v

mægnes mede, ac he me | maðma s geaf,

2150

sunu Healfdenes, on min ne sylfes dom.

Ða ic ðe, beorn c yning , bringan wylle,

estum ge yw an . Gen is eall æt ðe

lissa gelong. Ic lyt hafo

heafodmaga nefne, Hy gelac , ðec."

2155

Het ða in beran eafor hea fodsegn ,

heaðosteapne helm, ha re byrnan,

guðsweord geatolic. Gy d æfter wræc.

"Me ðis hildesceorp H roðgar sealde,

snotra fengel. Sume w orde het,

2160

þæt ic his ærest ðe est gesægde;

c wæð þæt hyt hæfde Hiorogar cyning,

l eod Scyldunga lange hwile.

No ðy æ r suna sinum syllan wolde,

hwatum H eorowearde , þeah he him hold wære,

2165

breostgewædu. Bruc ealles well."

Hyrde ic þæt þam frætwum feower mearas

lungre gelice last weardode,

æppelfealuwe. He him est geteah

178r

meara 7 maðma. Swa sceal | mæg don,

2170

nealles inwitnet oðr um bregdon,

dyrnum cræfte deað re n ian

hondgesteallan. Hygelace wæs

niða heardum nefa swyðe hold,

7 geh wæðer oðrum hroþra gemyndig.

2175

Hyrd e ic þæt he ðone healsbeah Hygde ge sealde ,

wrætlicne wundur maððum , ðone þe him Wealhðeo geaf,

ðeo d nes dohtor, þrio wicg somod

swanco r 7 sadolbeorht. Hyre syððan wæs

æfter beahðege brost geweorðod.

2180

Swa b eal dode , bearn Ecgðeowes,

guma gu ðum cuð, godum dædum.

Dreah æfter dom e , nealles druncne slog

heorðgen ea tas . Næs him hreoh sefa,

ac he ma n cynnes , mæste cræfte,

2185

ginfæsta n gife, þe him God sealde,

heold hildedeor. Hean wæs lange

swa hyne Geat a bearn godne ne tealdon,

ne hyne on medobence micles wyrðne

178v

| dri hten wereda gedon wolde.

2190

Swyðe sæg don , þæt he sleac wære,

æðeling un fro m . Edwenden cwom

tireadigum me nn torna gehwylces.

Het ða eorla hl eo in gefetian,

heaðorof cyning, Hr eðles lafe,

2195

golde gegyrede. Næs mid Geatum ða

sincmaðþum selra o n sweordes had.

Þæt he on Biowulfes be arm alegde,

7 him gesealde seofan þ usendo ,

bold 7 bregostol. Him wæs b a m samod

2200

on ðam leodscipe lo nd gecynde,

eard eðelriht, oðrum s wiðor

side rice, þam ðær selra wæs.

E ft þæt geiode ufaran dogrum

hilde h læmmum , syððan Hygelac læg,

2205

7 Hearede hildemeceas

under bordhreoðan to bonan wurdon,

ða hyne gesohtan on sigeþeode,

hearde hildefrecan, Heaðo-Scilfingas,

niða genægdan nefan Hererices,

179r

þæt syððan | Beowulfe brade rice

on hand ge hwearf . He geheold tela

fiftig wintra, wæs ða frod cyning,

eald eþelweard, oð ð æt on ongan

deorcum nihtum draca rics i an ,

2215

se ðe on hea ðoh l æw e hord beweot ode ,

stanbeorh stear c ne . Stig under l æg

eldum uncuð. Þær on innan giong

nið a nathwyl c , nydd æl gefeng

hæðnum ho rde , hond gewriþen dæl ,

2220

since fahne. He þæt syððan beget

þ eah ð e he slæpende be syre d hæf de

þeo f es cræfte, þæt si e ðiod onfand ,

b u folc beorn es , þæt he gebolge n wæs.

XXXII

Nealles wæs geweoldum wyrmhorda cræft,

2225

sylfes willum, se ðe him sare ge sceod ,

ac for þreanedlan þeo f nathwylces

hæleða bearna hetesweng eas fleoh;

ðær wæs þea rfa , 7 ðær inne weal l ,

secg syn by sig , sona o nwa c ede ,

2230

þæt gean ðam gyst e gry rebr o g a stod.

179v

Hwæðre fyren sceapen | ... se fær begeat.

Sincfæt sohte þær wæs swylcra fela

in ðam eorð se le ærgestreona,

swa hy on gearda gum gumena nathwylc,

2235

eormenlafe æþ elan cynnes,

þanchycgende þær ge hy dde ,

deore maðmas. Ealle hie deað fo rnam

ærran mælum, 7 si an ða gen

leo da duguðe, se ðær lengest hwearf,

2240

we ard winegeomor, w ende þæs yldan,

þæt h e lytel fæc longgestreona

brucan m oste . Beorh eallgearo

wunode on wonge wæ teryðum neah,

niwe be næsse, nearo c ræftum fæst.

2245

Þær on innan bær eorl g estreona

hringa hyrde ha n dwyrðne d æl ,

fættan goldes. Fea worda cwæð:

"Heald þu nu, hruse, nu hæleð ne mostan,

eorla æhta. Hwæt, hyt ær on ðe

2250

gode begeaton. Guðdeað fornam,

f eorhbeal e frecne, fyrena gehwylcne,

leoda minra, þa me ðe þis ofgeaf.

180r

Gesawon seledream as . | Nah, hwa sweord wege

oððe f o r ð sele fæted wæge,

2255

dryncfæt deore. Dug uð ellor seoc.

Sceal se hearda helm hyr stedgolde

fætum befeallen. Feormy nd swefað,

þa ðe beadogriman bywan sceoldon.

Ge swylce seo herepad, s io æt hilde gebad

2260

ofer borda gebræc bite irena,

brosnað æfter beorne. Ne mæg byrnan hring

æfter wig fru man wide feran,

hæleðum be healfe. Næs hearpan wyn,

gomen gleobeames, ne god hafoc

2265

geond sæl swingeð, ne se swifta mearh

burhstede beateð. Bea lo cwealm hafað

fela feorhcynna fo rð onsended."

Swa giomormod giohðo mænde

an æfter eallum, unbliðe hwe arf

2270

dæges 7 nihtes, oð ðæt deaðes wylm

hr an æt heortan. Hordwynne fond,

eald uh t sceaða , opene standan,

se ðe, byrnend e , biorgas seceð.

Nacod niðdraca niht es fleogeð,

2275

fyre befangen. Hyne foldbuen d ,

180v

| swiðe dræ dað . He gesecean sceall

h ear m on h rusan, þær he hæðen gold

warað win trum frod. Ne byð him wihte ðy sel.

Sw a se ðeodsceaða þreo hund wintra

2280

h eold on hrusa n hordærna sum,

eacen cr æftig , oð ðæt hyne an abealch,

mon on mode. Mandryhtne bær

fæted wæge, frioðowære bæd

hlaford sinne. Ða w æs hord rasod,

2285

onboren beaga h ord . Bene getiðad

feasceaftum men. Frea sceawode

fira fyrngeweorc f orman siðe.

Þa se wyrm onwoc, wroht wæs geniwad.

Stonc ða æfter stane, stearcheort onfand

2290

feondes fot l ast . He to forð gestop

dyrnan cræfte dracan heafde neah.

Swa mæg unfæge eaðe gedigan

wean 7 wræcsið se ðe Waldendes

hyldo gehealdeþ. Hordweard sohte

2295

georne æfter grunde, wolde guman findan,

þone þe him on sweofote sare geteode.

181r

Hat 7 hreohmod, | hl æ w oft ymbehwearf

ealn e utan weardne . Ne ðær ænig mon

on þ am westenne, hwæðre hilde gefeh,

2300

bea du weorces . Hwilum on beorh æthwe arf ,

sincfæt sohte. He þæt sona onf and ,

ðæt hæfde gumena sum goldes gefandod,

heahgestreona. Hordwea rd onbad

earfoðlice, oð ðæt æfen c wom .

2305

Wæs ða gebolgen beorges hyrde,

wolde s e laða lige forgyldan

drin c fæt dyre. Þa wæs dæg sceacen

w yr me on willan. No on wealle læg,

bi dan wolde, ac mid bæle for,

2310

fyre gefysed. Wæs se fruma egeslic

leodum on lande, swa hyt lungre wearð

on hyra sincgifan sare geendod.

XXXIII

ÐA se gæst ongan gledum spiwan,

beorht hofu bærnan. Bry ne leoma stod

2315

eldum on andan. No ðæ r aht cwices

181v

lað lyftfloga læfan | wolde .

Wæs þæs wyrmes wig wide gesy ne ,

ne arofages nið nean 7 feorran,

hu s e guðsceaða Geata leode

2320

hatode 7 hyn de . Hord eft gesceat,

dryhtsele dyrn ne ær dæges hwile.

Hæfde landwara li ge befangen,

bæle 7 bronde. Beorges getruwode,

wiges 7 wealles. Him seo wen g eleah .

2325

Þa wæs Biowulfe broga gecy ð ed

snude to soðe, þæt his sylfes h a m ,

bolda selest, brynewylmum mealt,

g ifstol Geata. Þæt ðam godan wæs

hreow o n hreðre, hygesorga mæst.

2330

Wende s e wisa þæt he Wealdende

ofer ealde riht ecean Dryhtne

bitre gebulge. B reost innan weoll

þeostrum geþoncum, swa him geþywe ne wæs.

Hæfde ligdraca leoda fæsten,

2335

ealond utan, eorðweard ðone

gledum forgrunden. Him ðæs guðkyning,

Wedera þioden, wræce leornode.

Heht him þa gewyrcean, wigendra hleo,

eallirenne, eorla dryhten,

182r

wigbord wrætlic. | Wisse he gearwe

þæt him holtwudu he lpan ne meahte,

lind wið lige. Sceolde li þenddaga ,

æþeling ærgod, ende g e bidan

worulde lifes, 7 se wyrm somod,

2345

þeah ðe hordwelan heolde lan ge .

Oferhogode ða hringa fengel

þæt he þone widflogan weorode gesohte

sidan herge. No he him þam sæcce ondred,

ne him þæs wyrmes wig for wiht dyde,

2350

eafoð 7 ellen, forðon he ær fela

nearo neðende niða gedig de ,

hildehlemma, syððan he Hroðga res

sigoreadig secg, sele fælsode,

7 æt g uðe forgrap Grendeles mægum,

2355

laðan cynnes. No þæt læsest wæs

hondge mot a , þær mon Hygelac sloh,

syððan Geata cyning, guðe ræsum,

freawine folc a , Freslondum on,

Hreðles eafora, hiorodryncum swealt,

2360

bille gebeate n . Þonan Biowulf com

sylfes cræfte, sundnytte dreah.

182v

Hæfde him on earm e | ealra þritig

hildegeatwa, þa he to holm e gion g .

Nealles Hetware hremge þorf t on

2365

feðewiges, þe him foran ongean

linde bæron. Lyt eft becwom

fram þam hildfrecan hames niosan.

Ofer s wam ða sioleða bigong sunu Ecgðeowes,

ea rm anhaga eft to leodum.

2370

Þær him Hygd gebead hord 7 rice,

beagas 7 brego s tol . Bearne ne truwode,

þæt he wið ælfylcum eþelstolas

healdan cuðe. Ða wæs Hygelac dead.

No ðy ær feasceafte f indan meahton

2375

æt ðam æðelinge æ nige ðinga,

þæt he Heardrede hlaford w ære ,

oððe þone cynedom ciosan wol d e .

Hwæðre he him on folce freondlarum heold,

estum mid are, oð ðæt he yldra wearð,

2380

Weder-Geatum weold. Hyne wræcmæcgas

ofer sæ sohtan, suna Ohteres.

Hæfdon hy forhealden helm Scylfinga,

þone selestan sæcyninga

þara ðe ðe in Swiorice sinc brytnade,

183r

mærne | þ eoden . Him þæt to mearce wearð.

He þær orfeorme feorhwunde hleat,

sw eor des swengum, sunu Hygelaces.

7 him eft gewat Ongenðioes bearn

ha mes niosan, syððan Heardred læg.

2390

Let ðone bregostol Biowulf healdan,

Geatum wealdan. Þæt wæs god cyning.

XXXIIII.

SE ðæs leodhryres lean gemunde.

Uferan dogrum Eadgilse wearð

feasceaftum freond. Folce gestepte

2395

ofe r sæ side sunu Ohteres,

wigum 7 wæpnum. Þæt he gewræc syððan

cealdum cearsiðum, cyning ealdre bineat.

Swa he niða gehwane genesen hæfde,

sliðra geslyht a , sunu Ecgðiowes,

2400

ellenweorca, oð ðone anne dæg,

þe he wið þam wyrme gewegan sceolde.

Gewat þa, twelfa sum, torne gebolgen,

dryhten Geata, dracan sceawia n .

Hæfde þa gefrunen hwanan sio fæhð aras,

183v

bealonið biorna. Him to bearme | cwom

ma ð þumfæt mære, þurh ðæs me l da n hond.

Se wæs on ðam ðreate þreotteo ða secg,

se ðæs orleges or onstealde,

hæft hy gegiomor . Sceolde hean ðonon

2410

wong w isian . He ofer willan giong

to ðæs ðe he eorðsele anne wisse,

hlæw under hr usan holmwylme neh,

yðgewinne. Se wæs innan full

wrætta 7 wira. Weard unhiore,

2415

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,

2420

gold w ine Geata. Him wæs geomor sefa,

wæfre 7 wælfus. Wyrd ungemete neah

se ðone gomelan gretan sceolde,

secean sawle hord, sundur gedælan

lif wið lice. No þon lange wæs

2425

feorh æþelinges flæsce bewunden.

Biowulf maþelade, bearn Ecgðeowes:

"Fela ic on gioguðe guðræsa genæs,

orleghwila. Ic þæt eall gemon.

184r

| Ic wæs syfanwintre þa mec sin ca bal dor ,

2430

freawine folca, æt minum fæ der genam.

Heold mec 7 hæfde Hreðel cyn ing ,

geaf me sinc 7 symbel, sibbe gemund e ;

næs ic him to life laðra owihte

beorn in burgum, þonne his bearna hwylc,

2435

Herebe ald 7 Hæðcyn oððe Hygelac min.

Wæs þam yldestan ungedefelice

mæges dædum morþorbed stred,

syððan hyne Hæðcyn of hornbogan,

his freawine flane geswencte,

2440

miste mercelses 7 his mæg o f scet ,

broðor oðerne blodigan gare.

Þæt w æs feohleas gefeoht, fyrenum gesyngad,

hreð re hygemeðe. Sceolde hwæðre swa þeah

æð e ling unwrecen ealdres linnan.

2445

Swa bið geomorlic gomelum ceorle

to gebidanne þæt his byre ride

giong on galgan. Þonne h e gyd wrece,

sarigne sang, þonne his sunu hangað

hrefne to hroðre, 7 he him helpa n ne mæg,

2450

eald 7 infrod ænige gefremma n .

Symble bið gemyndgad morna gehwylce,

184v

| eafo ran ellorsið. Oðres ne gymeð

t o gebidanne burgum in innan

yrfeweardas, þonne se an hafað

2455

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,

2460

gomen in geardum, swylce ðær iu wæron."

XXXV

"GEwiteð þonne on sealman, sorhleoð gæleð,

an æfter anum. Þuhte him eall to rum,

wongas 7 wicstede. Swa Wedra helm

æfter Herebealde heortan sorge,

2465

weallinde, wæg. Wihte ne meahte

on ðam feorhbonan fæghðe gebetan.

No ðy ær he þone heaðorinc hatian ne meahte

laðum dædum, þeah him leof ne wæs.

He ða mid þære sorhge, þe him sio sar belamp,

2470

gumdream ofgeaf, Godes leoht geceas.

Eaferum læfde, swa deð eadig mon,

lond 7 leodbyrig, þa he of life gewat.

185r

Þa | wæs synn 7 sacu Sweona 7 Geata

of er w id wæter wroht gemæne,

2475

herenið hea rda , syððan Hreðel swealt,

oððe him Ongenðeowes eaferan wæran

frome fyrdhwate. Freode ne woldon

ofer heafo healdan, ac ymb Hreosna-Beorh

eat olne inwitscear oft ge fremedon .

2480

Þæt m æg wine mine gewræcan,

fæhðe 7 fyrene, swa hyt gefræge wæs,

þeah ðe oðer his ealdre gebohte

heardan ceape. Hæðcynne wearð,

Geata dryhtne guð onsæg e .

2485

Þa ic on morgne gefrægn mæg oðerne

billes ecgum on bonan stælan,

þær Onge n þeow Eofores niosað.

Guðhelm toglad, gomela Scylfing

hreas heaþo blac . Hond gemunde

2490

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, eðelwy n . Næs him ænig þearf,

2495

þæt he to Gifðum oððe to Gar-Denum

oððe in Swiorice secean þurfe

185v

| wyrs an wigfrecan, weorðe gecypa n .

Symle ic him on feðan beforan wolde,

ana on orde, 7 swa to aldre sceall

2500

sæcce fremman, þenden þis sweord þolað.

Þæt mec ær 7 sið oft gelæste,

syððan ic for dugeðum D æghrefne wearð

to handbonan, Huga ce mpan .

Nalles he ða frætwe Frescyning e ,

2505

breostweorðunge bringan moste,

ac in cempan gecrong cumbles hyrde,

æþeling on elne. Ne wæs ecg bona,

ac him hildegrap heortan wylmas,

banhus gebræc. Nu sceall billes ecg,

2510

hond 7 heard sweord ymb hord wigan."

Beowulf maðelode, beotwordum spræc

niehstan siðe: " I c geneðde fela

guða on geogoðe; gyt ic wylle,

frod folces weard fæhðe secan,

2515

mærðum fremman, gif mec se mansceaða

of eorðsele ut geseceð."

Gegrette ða gumena gehwylcne,

hwate helmberend hindeman siðe,

swæse gesiðas: "Nolde ic sweord beran,

186r

wæpen to wyrme, | gif ic wiste hu

wið ðam aglæcean elle s meahte

gylpe wiðgripan, swa ic gio wi ð Grendle dyde.

Ac ic ðær heaðufyres hate s wene,

reðes 7 hattres; forðon ic me on hafu

2525

bord 7 byrnan. Nelle ic beorges weard

oferfleon fotes trem, ac unc sce al

weorðan æt wealle swa unc wyrd geteoð,

Metod manna gehwæs. Ic eom on mode from

þæt ic wið þone guðflogan gylp ofe r sitte .

2530

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, ne fn e min anes."

2535

Wat 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,

2540

heard under helm e , hiorosercean bær

under stancleofu, strengo getruwode

anes mannes. Ne bið swylc earges sið!

186v

Geseah ða be wealle, | se ð e worna fela,

gumcystum god, guða ge d igde ,

2545

hildehlemma, þonne hnitan feðan

stodan stanbogan, stream ut þonan

brecan of beorge. Wæs þære burnan wælm

heaðofyrum hat, ne meahte horde neah,

unbyrnende, ænige hwile

2550

deop gedygan, for dracan lege.

Let ða of breostum, ða he gebolgen wæs,

Weder-Geata leod word ut faran;

stearcheort styrmde. Stefn in becom,

heaðotorht hlynnan under harne stan.

2555

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.

2560

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,

2565

ecgum ungleaw. Æghwæðrum wæs

187r

bealohycgendra | bro ga fram oðrum.

Stiðmod gestod wi ð steapne rond,

winia bealdor, ða se wyr m gebeah

snude tosomne. He on searwum bad.

2570

Gewat ða byrnende gebogen scriða n

to gescipe scyndan. Scyld wel gebearg

life 7 lice læssan hwile

mærum þeodne þon ne his myne sohte,

ðær he þy fyrste fo r man dogore

2575

wealdan moste, swa him wyrd ne gescraf

hreð æt hilde. Hond u p abræd

Geata dryhten, gryrefahne slo h

Incgelafe, þæt sio ecg gewac,

brun on bane, bat unswiðor

2580

þonne his ðiodcyning þe arfe hæfde,

bysigum gebæded. Þa wæs beorges weard

æfter heaðuswenge on hreou m mode.

Wearp wælfyre; wide sprungon

hildeleoman. Hreðsigora ne gealp

2585

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.

2590

Sceolde willan wic eardian

187v

elles hwergen, swa | sceal æghwylc mon

alætan lændag as . Næs ða long to ðon,

þæt ða aglæcean hy eft gemetton.

Hyrte hyne hordweard, hreðer æðme weoll,

2595

niwan stefne. Nearo ðr owode ,

fyre befongen, se ðe ær folce weold.

Nealles him on heape h a ndgesteallan ,

æ ðelinga bearn, ymbe gestodon

hildecystum, ac hy on holt bugon,

2600

ealdre burgan. Hiora in anum weoll

sefa wið sorgum. Sibb æfre ne mæg

wiht onwendan, þam ðe wel þenceð.

XXXVI

W IGlaf wæs haten, Weoxstanes sunu,

leof l ic lindwiga, leod Scylfinga,

2605

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.

2610

Ne mihte ða forhabban, hond rond gefeng,

geolwe linde, gomelswyrd geteah.

Þæt wæs mid eldum Eanmundes laf.

188r

| Su na Ohtere þam æt sæcce wearð

w ræcca wineleasum, Weohstan se bana,

2615

meces ecg um , 7 his magum ætbær

brunfagne helm, hringde byrnan,

ealdsweord etonisc. Þæt him Onela forgeaf,

his gædelinges guðgewædu,

fyrdsearo fuslic. No ymbe ða fæhðe spræc,

2620

þeah ðe he his broðor bearn abredwade.

He frætwe geheold fela missera,

bill 7 byrnan, oð ðæt his byre mihte

eorlscipe efnan swa his ærfæder.

Geaf him ða mid Geatum guðgewæda,

2625

æghwæs unrim, þa he of ealdre gewat,

frod on forðweg. Þa wæs forma sið

geongan cempan, þ æt he guðe ræs

mid his freodryhtne fremman sceolde.

Ne gemealt him, se modsefa, ne his mægenes laf

2630

gewac æt wige. Þa se wyrm onfand,

syððan hie togædre gegan hæfdon.

Wiglaf maðelode, wordrihta fela

sægde gesiðum. Him wæs sefa geomor.

188v

"Ic ðæt | mæl geman, þær we medu þegun,

2635

þon ne we geheton ussum hlaforde

in biorsele, ð e us ðas beagas geaf,

þæt we him ða guðgetawa gyldan woldon,

gif him þyslicu þearf gelumpe,

helmas 7 heard sweord. Ðe he usic on herge geceas

2640

to ðyssum siðfate sylfes willum.

Onmunde usic mærða, 7 me þas maðmas geaf,

þe he usic garwigend gode tealde,

hwate helmberend, þeah ðe hlaford us

þis ellenweorc ana aðohte

2645

to gefremmanne, folces hyrde,

forðan he manna mæst mærða gefremede,

dæda dollicra. Nu is se dæg cumen

þæt ure mandryhten mægenes behofað

godra guðrinca. Wutun gongan to

2650

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

2655

eft to earde, nemne we æror mægen

189A (197)r

fane gefyllan, | f eorh ealgian

Wedra ðeodnes. Ic wat gear e ,

þæt næron ealdgewyrht, þæt he ana scyle

G eata duguðe gnorn þrowian,

2660

gesigan æt sæcce. Urum sceal sweord 7 helm,

byrne 7 byrduscrud bam gemæne."

Wod þa þurh þone wælrec, wig hea folan bær

frean on fultum. Fea worda cwæð :

"Leofa Biowulf, læst eall tela,

2665

swa ðu on g eo guðfeore geara gecwæde,

þæt ðu ne alæte be ðe lifigendum

dom gedreosan. Scealt nu dædum rof,

æðeling anhydig, ealle mægene,

feorh ealgian. Ic ðe fullæstu."

2670

Æfter ðam wordum wyrm yrre cwom,

atol inwitg æst oðre siðe,

fyrwylmum fah fionda nio s i an

laðra manna. Ligyðum for,

born bord wið rond. Byrne ne meahte

2675

geongum garwigan geoce gefremman,

ac se maga geonga und er his mæges scyld

elne geeode, þa his agen wæs

gledum forgrunden. Þa gen guðcyning

m iht gemunde, mægenstrengo sloh

2680

hildebille, þæt hyt on heafolan stod

niþe genyded. Nægl in g forbærst,

geswac æt sæcce sweord Biowulfes

189A (197)v

| gomol 7 grægmæl. Him þæt gifeðe ne wæs,

þæt him irenna ecge mihton

2685

helpan æt hilde. Wæs sio hond to strong,

se ðe meca gehwane m ine gefræge

swenge ofersohte. Þonne he to s æcce bær

wæpen wundum heard; næs him w ihte ðe sel.

Þa wæs þeodsceaða þriddan siðe,

2690

frecne fyrdraca fæhða gemyndig,

ræsde on ðone rofan, þa him rum ageald,

hat 7 heaðogrim, heals ealne ymbefeng

biteran banum. He geblodegod wearð

sawuldriore. Swat yðum weoll.

XXXVII

2695

ÐA ic æt þearfe gefrægn þeodcyninges

andlongne eorl ellen cyðan,

cræft 7 cenðu, swa him gecynde wæs.

Ne hedde he þæs heafolan, ac sio hand gebarn

modiges mannes, þær he his mægenes healp,

2700

þæt he þone niðgæst nioðor hwene sloh,

secg on searwum, þæt ðæt sweord gedeaf,

fah 7 fæted; þæt ðæt fyr ongon

sweðrian syððan. Þa gen sylf cyning

geweold his gewitte, wællseaxe gebræd

2705

biter 7 beaduscearp, þæt he on byrnan wæg.

189r

Forwrat Wedra | helm wyrm on middan.

Feond gefyldan, ferh ellen wræc,

7 hi hyne þa begen abroten hæfdon,

sibæðelingas. Swylc sceolde secg wesan,

2710

þegn æt ðearfe. Þæt ðam þeodne wæs

siðas sigehwile sylfes dædum

wo rlde geweorces. Ða sio wund ongon,

þe him se e orð draca ær geworhte,

swelan 7 swella n . He þæt sona onfand

2715

þæt him on breostum beal onið weoll,

attor on innan. Ða se æðeling gion g ,

þæt he bi wealle wishycgende

gesæt on sesse. Seah on enta geweorc

hu ða stanbogan stapulum fæste

2720

ece eorðreced innan heald e n .

Hyne þa mid handa heorodreorigne,

þeo den mærne, þegn ungemete till

winedry hten his wætere gelafede,

hilde sædne, 7 his he l m onspeon.

2725

Biowulf maþelode. He ofer be nne spræc,

wunde wælbleate. Wisse he gearwe

þæt he dæghwila gedrogen hæfde,

eorðan wyn ne . Ða wæs eall sceacen

dogorgerimes, deað ungemete neah:

2730

"Nu ic suna minum syllan wolde

guðgewædu, þær me gifeðe swa

189v

ænig yrfe|weard æfter wurde

lice gelenge. Ic ðas leo de heold

fiftig wintra. Næs se folccyning

2735

ymbesittendra ænig ðara

þe mec guðwinum gr etan dorste,

egesan ðeon. Ic on earde bad

m ælgesceafta , heold min tela,

ne sohte s earoniðas , ne me swor fela

2740

aða on un ri ht . Ic ðæs ealles mæg

feorhbennum seoc, ge fea n habban,

forðam me witan ne ðearf Waldend fira

morðorbealo maga, þonne min sceaceð

lif of lice. Nu ðu lungre geong

2745

hord sceawian under harne stan,

Wiglaf leofa. Nu se wyrm ligeð,

swefeð sare wund, si nce bereafod.

Bio nu on ofoste, þæt ic ærwelan,

goldæht ongite, gearo sceawige

2750

swegle searogimmas, þæt ic ðy seft mæge

æfter maððumwelan mi n alætan

lif 7 leodscipe, þone ic longe heold."

XXXVIII

ÐA ic snude gefrægn sunu Wihstanes,

æfter wordcwydum wundum dryhtne,

2755

hyran heaðosiocum, hringnet beran,

brogdne beadusercean, u n der beorges hrof.

Geseah ða sigehreðig, þa he bi sesse geong,

190r

magoþegn | modig, maððumsigla fealo,

gold glitinian grunde getenge,

2760

wundur on wealle, 7 þæs wyrmes denn,

ealdes uhtflogan, orcas stondan,

fyrnmanna fatu feormendlease,

hyrstum behrorene. Þær wæs helm monig

eald 7 omig, earmbeaga fela

2765

searwum gesæled. Sinc eaðe mæg,

gold on gr und e , gumcynnes gehwone

oferhigian, hyde se ðe wylle.

Swylce he siomian geseah segn eallgylden,

heah ofer horde, hondwundra mæst,

2770

gelocen leoðocræftum. Of ðam leoman stod,

þæt he þone grundwong ongitan mea hte ,

wræce giondwlitan: næs ðæs wyrmes þ ær

onsyn ænig, ac hyne ecg fornam.

Ða ic on hlæwe gefrægn hord reafian,

2775

eald ent a geweorc anne mannan.

Him on bearm hlo don bunan 7 discas.

Sylfes dome segn eac geno m ,

beacna beorhtost. Bill ær gescod -

ecg wæs iren ealdhlafordes -

2780

þam ðara maðma mundbora wæs

longe hwile. Ligegesan wæg

hatne for horde, hioroweallende

190v

middelnihtum, | oð þæt he morðre swealt.

Ar wæs on ofoste, eftsiðes georn,

2785

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,

2790

dryhten sinne, driorigne fand,

ealdres æt ende. He hine eft ongon

wæteres weorpan, oð þæt wordes ord

breosthord þurhbræc.

Gomel on giogoðe gold sceawode.

2795

"Ic ðara frætwa Frean ealles ðanc,

Wuldurcyninge wordum sec ge ,

ecum Dryhtne, þe ic her on starie,

þæs ðe ic moste minum leodum

ær swyltdæge swylc ge str ynan .

2800

Nu ic on maðma hord minne be bo hte

frode feorhlege. Fremmað gena

l eoda þearfe. Ne mæg ic her leng wesan.

Hatað h eaðomære hlæw gewyrcean

beorhtne æfter bæle, æt brimes nosan.

2805

Se scel to gemyndum minum leodum

heah hlifian on hrones næsse,

þæt hit sæliðend syððan hatan

Biowulfes Biorh, ða ðe brentingas

191r

ofer | floda genipu feorran drifað."

2810

Dyde him of healse hring gyldenne,

þioden þristhydig, þegne gesealde,

geongum garwigan, goldfahne helm,

beah 7 byrnan, het hyne brucan well:

"Þu eart endelaf usses cynnes,

2815

Wægmundinga. Ealle wyrd forspeof t

mine magas to metodsceafte,

eorlas on elne. Ic him æfter sceal."

Þæt wæs þam gomelan gingæste word

breostgehygdum, ær he bæl cure,

2820

hate heaðowylmas. Him of hwæðre gewat

sawol secean soðfæstra dom.

[XXXVIIII]

Ða wæs gegongen gum an unfrodum

earfoðlice, þæt he on eorðan geseah

þone leofestan lifes æt ende

2825

bleate gebæran. Bona swylce læg,

egeslic eorðdraca ealdr e bereafod,

bealwe gebæded. Beahhordum leng

wyrm wohbogen wealdan ne moste,

ac him irenna ecga fornamon,

2830

hearde heaðoscearde homera lafe,

þæt se widfloga, wundum stille,

hreas on hrusan hordærne neah.

191v

Nalles | æfter lyfte lacende hwearf

middelnih tum , maðmæhta wlonc,

2835

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,

2840

þæt he wið attorsceaðan oreðe geræsde,

oððe hringsele hondum styrede,

gif he wæccende weard onfunde

buon on beorge. Biowulfe wearð

dryhtmaðma dæl, deaðe forgolden.

2845

Hæfde æghwæðre ende gefered

lænan lifes. Næs ða lang to ðon,

þæt ða hildlatan holt ofgefan,

tydre treowlogan, tyne ætsomne,

ða ne dorston ær dareðum lacan

2850

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.

2855

Wehte hyne wætre - him wiht ne speo w .

Ne meahte he on eorðan, ðeah he uðe wel,

on ðam frumgare feorh gehealdan,

ne ðæs Wealdendes wiht oncirran.

192r

Wolde dom | Go des dædum rædan

2860

gumena gehwylcum, sw a he nu gen deð.

Þa wæs æt ðam geongum grim andswar u

eðbegete, þam ðe ær his elne forleas.

Wiglaf maðelode, Weohstanes sunu,

sec sarigferð. Seah on unleofe:

2865

"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 7 byrnan,

2870

þeoden his þegnum swylce he þrydlicost

ower feor oððe neah findan meahte,

þæt he genunga guðgewædu

wraðe forwurpe, ða hyne wig beget.

Nealles folccyning fyrdgeste allum

2875

gylpan þorfte; hwæðre him God uðe,

sigor a Waldend, þæt he hyne sylfne gewræc,

ana mid ecge, þa him wæs elnes þearf.

Ic him lifwraðe lytle meahte

ætgifan æt guðe, 7 ongan swa þeah

2880

ofer min gemet mæges helpan.

Symle wæs þy sæmra þonne ic sweorde drep,

ferhðgeniðlan, fyr unswiðor

weoll of gewitte. w ergendra to lyt

192v

þrong ymbe þeoden, þa hyne sio | þ rag becwom.

2885

Hu sceal sincþego 7 swyrd gifu ,

eall eðelwyn eowrum cynne,

lufen alicgean. Londrihtes mot

þære mægburge monna æghwylc

idel hweorfan, syððan æðelingas

2890

feorran gefricgean fleam eowerne,

domleasan dæd. Deað bið sella

eorla gehwylcum þonne edwitlif."

XL

Heht ða þæt heaðoweorc to hagan biodan,

up ofer ecgclif, þær þæt eorlweorod

2895

morgenlongne dæg modgiomor sæt,

bordhæbbende, bega on wenum,

endedogores 7 eftcymes

leofes monnes. Lyt swigode

niwra spella, se ðe næs gerad,

2900

ac he soðlice sægde ofer ealle:

"Nu is wilgeofa Wedra leoda,

dryhten Geata, deaðbedde fæst,

wunað wælreste wyrmes dædum.

Him on efn ligeð ealdorgewinna

2905

siexbennum seoc. Sweorde ne meahte

on ðam aglæcean ænige þinga

wunde gewyrcean. Wiglaf siteð

ofer Biowulfe, byre Wihstanes,

eorl ofer oðrum unlifigendum,

193r

healdeð higemæðum | heafod wearde

leofes 7 la ð es . Nu y s leodum wen

orleghwile syððan under ne

Froncu m 7 Frysum, fyll cyninges

wide weorðeð. Wæs sio wroht scepen

2915

heard wið Hugas, syððan Higelac cwom

faran flotherge on Fresn a land.

Þær hyne Hetware hilde gehnægdon,

elne geeodon mid ofermægene,

þæt se byrnwiga bugan sceolde.

2920

Feoll on feðan. Nalles frætwe geaf,

ealdor dugoðe. Us wæs a syððan

Merewioingas milts ungyfeðe.

Ne ic te Swe o ðeode sibbe oððe treowe

wihte ne wene, ac wæs wide cuð

2925

þætte Ongenðio ealdre besnyðede

Hæðce n Hreþling wið Hrefnawudu,

þa for on med lan ærest gesohton

Geata leode Guð-Sci l fingas .

Sona him se froda fæder Ohthere s ,

2930

eald 7 egesfull, hondslyht ageaf,

abreot brimwisan, bryd aheorde,

gomela iomeowl a n golde berofene,

Onelan modor 7 Ohtheres.

7 ða folgode feorhgeniðlan,

2935

oð ðæt hi oðeodo n earfoðlice,

in Hrefnesholt hlafordlease.

Besæt ða sinherge sweorda lafe,

193v

wundum werge. | Wean o ft gehet

earmre teohhe ondlonge niht,

2940

cwæð, he on mergenne meces ecgum

getan wolde sum on galgtreowu m

feðan to gamene. Frofor eft gelamp

sarigmodum somod ærdæge,

syððan hie Hygelaces horn 7 byman

2945

gealdor ongeaton, þa se goda com

leoda dugoðe on last faran.

XLI.

Wæs sio swatswaðu Swona 7 Geata,

wælræs weora, wide gesyne.

Hu ða folc mid him fæhðe towehton!

2950

Gewat him ða se goda mid his gædelingum,

frod, felageomor, fæsten secean.

Eorl Ongenþio ufor oncirde,

hæfde Higelaces hilde gefrunen,

wlonces wigcræft. Wiðres n e truwode,

2955

þæt he sæmannum onsacan mihte,

heaðoliðendum hord forstandan,

bearn 7 bryde. Beah eft þonan

eald under eorðweall. Þa wæs æht boden

Sweona leodum, segn Higelace.

2960

Freoðowong þone ford ofereodon,

syððan Hreðlingas to hagan þrungon.

Þær wearð Ongenðiow ecgum, sweordum,

blondenfexa on bid wrecen,

þæt se þeodcyning ðafian sceolde

194r

Eafores | anne dom. Hyne yrringa

Wulf Wonreðing wæpne geræhte,

þæt him for swenge swat ædrum sprong

forð under fexe. Næs he forht swa ðeh,

gomela Scilfing, ac forgeald hraðe

2970

wyrsan wrixle wælhlem þone,

syððan ðeodcyning þyder oncirde.

Ne meahte se snella sunu Wonredes

ealdum ceorle hondslyht giofan,

ac he him on heafde helm ær gescer,

2975

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

-- brade mece þa his broðor læg --

2980

ealdsweord eotonisc entiscne helm

brec an ofer bordweal. Ða gebeah cyning,

folces hyrde wæs in feorh dropen.

Ða wæron monige þe his mæg wriðon,

ricone arærdon, ða him gerymed wearð,

2985

þæt hie wælstowe wealdan moston.

Þenden reafode rinc oðerne,

nam on Ongenðio irenbyrnan,

heard swyrd hilted, 7 his helm somod.

Hares hyrste Higelace bær.

2990

He ðam frætwum feng 7 him fægre gehet

194v

leana mid | leodum, 7 gelæst e swa.

Geald þone guðræs, Geata dryhten,

Hreðles eafora, þa he to ham becom,

Iofore 7 Wulfe mid ofermaðmum.

2995

Sealde hiora gehwæðrum hund þusenda

2996 a b

landes 7 locenra beaga , ne ðorfte him

2997 a b

ða lean oðwitan mon on middangearde ,

2998 a b

syðða n hie ða maran mærða geslogon .

7 ða Iofore forgeaf angan dohtor,

3000

hamweorðunge, hyldo to wedde.

Þæt ys sio fæhðo 7 se feondscipe,

wælnið wera, ðæs ðe ic wen hafo,

þe us seceað to Sweona leoda,

syððan hie gefricgeað frean userne

3005

ealdorleasne, þone ðe ær geheold

wið hettendum hord 7 rice,

æfter hæleða hryre, hwate Scildingas,

folcred fremede, oððe furður gen

eorlscipe efnde. Me is ofost betost,

3010

þæt we þeodcyning þær sceawian,

7 þone gebringan, þe us beagas geaf,

on adfære. Ne scel anes hwæt

meltan mid þam modigan, ac þær is maðma hord,

gold unrime, grimme gecea po d ,

3015

7 nu æt siðestan sylfes feore

beagas geboh te . Þa sceall brond fretan,

195r

æled þeccean, | nalles eorl wegan

maððum to gemyndum, ne mægð scyne

habban on healse hringweorðunge,

3020

ac sceal, geomormod, golde bereafod,

oft, nalles æne, elland tredan.

Nu se herewisa hleahtor alegde

gamen 7 gleodream. Forðon sceall gar wesan

monig morgenceald, mundum bewunden,

3025

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."

3030

Swa se secg hwata secggende wæs

laðra spella. He ne leag fela

wyrda ne worda. Weorod eall aras.

Eodon unbliðe under earna næs,

wollenteare, wundu r sceawian.

3035

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.

3040

Ær hi þær gesegan syllicran wiht,

wyrm on wonge wiðerræhtes þær,

laðne licgean. Wæs se legdraca

195v

grimlic gry regist | gledum beswæled.

Se wæs fiftiges fotgemearces

3045

lang on legere. Lyftwynne heold

nihtes hwilum, nyðer eft gewat

dennes niosian. Wæs ða deaðe fæst,

hæfde eorðscrafa ende genyttod.

Him big stodan bunan 7 orcas,

3050

discas lagon 7 dyre swyrd,

omige, þurhetone, swa hie wið eorðan fæðm

þusend wintra þær eardodon.

Þonne wæs þæt yrfe, eacencræftig,

iumonna gold, galdre bewunden,

3055

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.

XLII.

3060

Þa wæs gesyne þæt se sið ne ðah

þam ðe unrihte inne gehydde

wræce under wealle. Weard ær ofsloh

feara sumne. Þa sio fæhð gewearð

gewrecen wraðlice. Wundur hwar þonne

3065

eorl ellenrof ende gefere

lifgesceafta, þonne leng ne mæg,

mon mid his mæ gum , meduseld buan.

196r

Swa wæs Biowulfe, | þa he biorges weard

sohte, searoniðas. Seolfa ne cuðe

3070

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,

3075

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,

3080

wræc adreog an , 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,

3085

wicum wunian oð woruldende.

Heold on heahgesceap. Hord ys gesceawod,

grimme gegongen. Þæt gifeðe wæs

to swið þe ðone þyder ontyhte.

Ic wæs þær inne 7 þæt eall geondseh,

3090

recedes geatwa, þa me gerymed wæs,

nealles swæslice sið alyfed,

inn under eorðweall. Ic on ofoste gefeng

micle mid mundum, mægenbyrðenne

196v

hordgestreona, hider | ut ætbær

3095

cyninge minum. Cwico wæs þa gena,

wis 7 gewittig. Worn eall gespræc,

gomol on gehðo, 7 eowic gretan het,

bæd þæt ge geworhton æfter wines dædum

in bælstede beorh þone hean,

3100

micelne 7 mærne, swa he manna wæs

wigend weorðfullost wide geond eorðan,

þenden he burhwelan brucan moste.

Uton nu efstan oðre siðe

seon 7 secean on searogeþræc

3105

wundur under wealle. Ic eow wisige,

þæt ge genoge neon sceawiað

beagas 7 brad gold. Sie sio bær gearo,

ædre geæfned, þonne we ut cymen,

7 þonne geferian frean userne,

3110

leofne mannan, þær he longe sceal

on ðæs Waldendes wære geþolian."

Het ða gebeodan, byre Wihstanes,

hæle hildedior, hæleða monegum

boldagendra, þæt hie bælwudu

3115

feorran feredon, folcagende

godum togenes: "Nu sceal gled fretan

weaxan wonna leg wigena strengel,

þone ðe oft gebad isernscure,

þonne stræla storm, strengum gebæded,

3120

scoc ofer scildweall. Sceft nytte heold,

fæ ð ergearwum fus, flane fulleode."

Huru se snotra sunu Wihstanes

198r

acigde of corðre | cyniges þegnas,

s yf on e tosom n e , þa selestan.

3125

Eode eahta sum under inwithrof.

H ilderinc sum on handa bær

æledleoman. se ðe on orde geong.

Næs ða on hlytme, hwa þæt hord strude,

syððan orwearde ænigne dæl

3130

secgas gesegon on sele wunian,

læne licgan. Lyt ænig mearn

þæt hi ofostli c e ut geferedon

dyre maðmas. Dracan ec scufun,

wyrm ofer weallclif, leton weg niman,

3135

flod fæðmian frætwa hyrde.

Þæt wæs wundengold on wæn hladen,

æghwæs unrim, æþelinge boren,

har u m hilde, to hrones næsse.

XLIII

Him ða gegiredan, Geata leode,

3140

ad on eorðan unwaclicne,

helm um behongen, hildebordum,

beorhtum byrnum, swa he bena wæs.

Alegdon ða tomiddes mærne þeoden,

hæleð hiofende, hlafor d leofne.

3145

Ongunnon þa on beorge bælfyra mæst,

wigend weccan. W ud u r ec astah,

sweart ofer swi o ðole , swogende l et ,

wop e bewunden. Windblond gelæg,

oð þæt he ða banhus gebrocen hæfd e

3150

hat on hreðre. Higum unrote

modceare mændon, mondryhtnes cw e a lm .

Swylce giomorgyd | Ge at isc an meowle ,

næ s bliðheorte , b undenheorde ,

sang sorgcearig sælðe geneah he

3155

þæt hio hyre here g æn gas hearde ond r ede ,

wælfylla worn, w erudes egesan,

hyðo 7 hæf t nyd . Heofon rece swealg.

Geworhton ða Wedra leode

hlæo on h o e , se wæs heah 7 brad,

3160

wæ gliðendum wide gesyne,

7 beti m bredon on tyn dagum,

beadurofes becn, bronda lafe.

Wealle beworhton, swa hyt weorðlicost

foresnotre men findan mihton.

3165

Hi on beorg dydon beg 7 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

3170

eldum swa unnyt swa hyt æro r wæs.

Þa ymbe hlæw riodan, hildedeore

æþelinga bearn, ealra twelfa,

woldon ca re cwiðan, kyning mænan,

wordgyd wrecan, 7 ymb w er sprecan.

3175

Eahtodan eorlscipe 7 his ellenweorc

duguðum demdon, swa hit ged efe bi ð

þæt mon his winedryhten wordum herge,

ferhðum freog e , þonne he forð scile

of l i chaman l æded weorðan.

3180

Swa begnornodon Geata leode

hlafordes hryre, heorðgeneatas.

Cwædon þæt he wære wyruldcyning,

manna mildust 7 monðwærust ,

leodum liðost, 7 lofgeornost.

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From: Website · Kevin Kiernan · 2015

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From: Website · Kevin Kiernan · 2015

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