CC 20220801
Sri Nrsimhadevadas: Beowulf - www8.georgetown.edu\ngodne gegyrwan, cwæð, he guðcyning\nflota famiheals fugle gelicost,\noðþæt ymb antid oþres dogores\nsæwudu sældon (syrcan hrysedon,\nguðgewædo), gode þancedon\nþæs þe him yþlade eaðe wurdon.\nhider ofer holmas? ...le wæs\n"We synt gumcynnes Geata leode\nond Higelaces heorðgeneatas.\nWæs min fæder folcum gecyþed,\næþele ordfruma, Ecgþeow haten.\nGebad wintra worn, ær he on weg hwurfe,\nwitena welhwylc wide geond eorþan.\nWe þurh holdne hige hlaford þinne,\nsunu Healfdenes, secean cwomon,\nleodgebyrgean; wes þu us larena god.\nwesan, þæs ic wene. þu wast (gif hit is\nswa we soþlice secgan hyrdon)\nþæt mid Scyldingum sceaðona ic nat hwylc,\ndeogol dædhata, deorcum nihtum\neaweð þurh egsan uncuðne nið,\nhynðu ond hrafyl. Ic þæs Hroðgar mæg\nþurh rumne sefan ræd gelæran,\nhu he frod ond god feond oferswyðeþ,\ngyf him edwendan æfre scolde\nbealuwa bisigu, bot eft cuman,\nond þa cearwylmas colran wurðaþ;\noððe a syþðan earfoðþrage,\nþreanyd þolað, þenden þær wunað\non heahstede husa selest."\nWeard maþelode, ðær on wicge sæt,\nombeht unforht: "æghwæþres sceal\nworda ond worca, se þe wel þenceð.\nIc þæt gehyre, þæt þis is hold weorod\nfrean Scyldinga. Gewitaþ forð beran\nwæpen ond gewædu; ic eow wisige.\nSwylce ic maguþegnas mine hate\nwið feonda gehwone flotan eowerne,\nniwtyrwydne nacan on sande\narum healdan, oþðæt eft byreð\nofer lagustreamas leofne mannan\nwudu wundenhals to Wedermearce,\ngodfremmendra swylcum gifeþe bið\nþæt þone hilderæs hal gedigeð."\nGewiton him þa feran. Flota stille bad,\non ancre fæst. Eoforlic scionon\nofer hleorberan gehroden golde,\nfah ond fyrheard; ferhwearde heold\nguþmod grimmon. Guman onetton,\nsigon ætsomne, oþþæt hy sæl timbred,\ngeatolic ond goldfah, ongyton mihton;\nþæt wæs foremærost foldbuendum\nreceda under roderum, on þæm se rica bad;\nlixte se leoma ofer landa fela.\nHim þa hildedeor hof modigra\ntorht getæhte, þæt hie him to mihton\ngegnum gangan; guðbeorna sum\nwicg gewende, word æfter cwæð:\n"Mæl is me to feran; fæder alwalda\nmid arstafum eowic gehealde\nsiða gesunde. Ic to sæ wille\nwið wrað werod wearde healdan."\nStræt wæs stanfah, stig wisode\ngumum ætgædere. Guðbyrne scan\nsong in searwum, þa hie to sele furðum\nin hyra gryregeatwum gangan cwomon.\nSetton sæmeþe side scyldas,\nrondas regnhearde, wið þæs recedes weal,\nbugon þa to bence. Byrnan hringdon,\nguðsearo gumena; garas stodon,\nsæmanna searo, samod ætgædere,\næscholt ufan græg; wæs se irenþreat\nwæpnum gewurþad. þa ðær wlonc hæleð\n"Hwanon ferigeað ge fætte scyldas,\nar ond ombiht. Ne seah ic elþeodige\nþus manige men modiglicran.\nac for higeþrymmum Hroðgar sohton."\nheard under helme: "We synt Higelaces\nþæt we hine swa godne gretan moton."\nwæs his modsefa manegum gecyðed,\nwig ond wisdom): "Ic þæs wine Deniga,\nðe me se goda agifan þenceð."\nHwearf þa hrædlice þær Hroðgar sæt\neald ond anhar mid his eorla gedriht;\neode ellenrof, þæt he for eaxlum gestod\nDeniga frean; cuþe he duguðe þeaw.\nWulfgar maðelode to his winedrihtne:\n"Her syndon geferede, feorran cumene\nBeowulf nemnað. Hy benan synt\nþæt hie, þeoden min, wið þe moton\nwordum wrixlan. No ðu him wearne geteoh\nðinra gegncwida, glædman Hroðgar.\nHy on wiggetawum wyrðe þinceað\neorla geæhtlan; huru se aldor deah,\nse þæm heaðorincum hider wisade."\nHroðgar maþelode, helm Scyldinga:\n"Ic hine cuðe cnihtwesende.\nWæs his ealdfæder Ecgþeo haten,\nðæm to ham forgeaf Hreþel Geata\nangan dohtor; is his eafora nu\nheard her cumen, sohte holdne wine.\nðonne sægdon þæt sæliþende,\nþa ðe gifsceattas Geata fyredon\nþyder to þance, þæt he XXXtiges\nmanna mægencræft on his mundgripe\nheaþorof hæbbe. Hine halig god\nto Westdenum, þæs ic wen hæbbe,\nwið Grendles gryre. Ic þæm godan sceal\nfor his modþræce madmas beodan.\nBeo ðu on ofeste, hat in gan\nseon sibbegedriht samod ætgædere;\ngesaga him eac wordum þæt hie sint wilcuman\nword inne abead:\n"Eow het secgan sigedrihten min,\naldor Eastdena, þæt he eower æþelu can,\nond ge him syndon ofer sæwylmas\nheardhicgende hider wilcuman.\nNu ge moton gangan in eowrum guðgeatawum\nunder heregriman Hroðgar geseon;\nlætað hildebord her onbidan,\nwudu, wælsceaftas, worda geþinges."\nAras þa se rica, ymb hine rinc manig,\nþryðlic þegna heap; sume þær bidon,\nheaðoreaf heoldon, swa him se hearda bebead.\nSnyredon ætsomne, þa secg wisode,\nunder Heorotes hrof\nheard under helme, þæt he on heoðe gestod.\nBeowulf maðelode (on him byrne scan,\nsearonet seowed smiþes orþancum):\n"Wæs þu, Hroðgar, hal! Ic eom Higelaces\nmæg ond magoðegn; hæbbe ic mærða fela\nongunnen on geogoþe. Me wearð Grendles þing\non minre eþeltyrf undyrne cuð;\nsecgað sæliðend þæt þæs sele stande,\nreced selesta, rinca gehwylcum\nidel ond unnyt, siððan æfenleoht\nunder heofenes hador beholen weorþeð.\nþa me þæt gelærdon leode mine\nþa selestan, snotere ceorlas,\nþeoden Hroðgar, þæt ic þe sohte,\nforþan hie mægenes cræft minne cuþon,\nselfe ofersawon, ða ic of searwum cwom,\nfah from feondum, þær ic fife geband,\nyðde eotena cyn ond on yðum slog\nniceras nihtes, nearoþearfe dreah,\nwræc Wedera nið (wean ahsodon),\nforgrand gramum, ond nu wið Grendel sceal,\nwið þam aglæcan, ana gehegan\nðing wið þyrse. Ic þe nu ða,\nbrego Beorhtdena, biddan wille,\nfreowine folca, nu ic þus feorran com,\nþæt ic mote ana ond minra eorla gedryht,\nþes hearda heap, Heorot fælsian.\nHæbbe ic eac geahsod þæt se æglæca\nfor his wonhydum wæpna ne recceð.\nIc þæt þonne forhicge (swa me Higelac sie,\nmin mondrihten, modes bliðe),\nþæt ic sweord bere oþðe sidne scyld,\ngeolorand to guþe, ac ic mid grape sceal\nfon wið feonde ond ymb feorh sacan,\nlað wið laþum; ðær gelyfan sceal\ndryhtnes dome se þe hine deað nimeð.\nWen ic þæt he wille, gif he wealdan mot,\nin þæm guðsele Geotena leode\netan unforhte, swa he oft dyde,\nmægen Hreðmanna. Na þu minne þearft\nhafalan hydan, ac he me habban wile\ndreore fahne, gif mec deað nimeð.\nByreð blodig wæl, byrgean þenceð,\neteð angenga unmurnlice,\nmearcað morhopu; no ðu ymb mines ne þearft\nlices feorme leng sorgian.\nOnsend Higelace, gif mec hild nime,\nbeaduscruda betst, þæt mine breost wereð,\nhrægla selest; þæt is Hrædlan laf,\nWelandes geweorc. Gæð a wyrd swa hio scel."\n"For gewyrhtum þu, wine min Beowulf,\nond for arstafum usic sohtest.\nGesloh þin fæder fæhðe mæste;\nwearþ he Heaþolafe to handbonan\nmid Wilfingum; ða hine Wedera cyn\nfor herebrogan habban ne mihte.\nþanon he gesohte Suðdena folc\nofer yða gewealc, Arscyldinga.\nða ic furþum weold folce Deniga\nond on geogoðe heold ginne rice,\nhordburh hæleþa; ða wæs Heregar dead,\nmin yldra mæg unlifigende,\nbearn Healfdenes; se wæs betera ðonne ic.\nSiððan þa fæhðe feo þingode;\nsende ic Wylfingum ofer wæteres hrycg\nealde madmas; he me aþas swor.\nSorh is me to secganne on sefan minum\nwigheap gewanod; hie wyrd forsweop\non Grendles gryre. God eaþe mæg\nþone dolsceaðan dæda getwæfan.\nFul oft gebeotedon beore druncne\nofer ealowæge oretmecgas\nþæt hie in beorsele bidan woldon\nGrendles guþe mid gryrum ecga.\nðonne wæs þeos medoheal on morgentid,\ndrihtsele dreorfah, þonne dæg lixte,\neal bencþelu blode bestymed,\nheall heorudreore; ahte ic holdra þy læs,\ndeorre duguðe, þe þa deað fornam.\nSite nu to symle ond onsæl meoto,\nsigehreð secgum, swa þin sefa hwette."\nUnferð maþelode, Ecglafes bearn,\nþe æt fotum sæt frean Scyldinga,\nonband beadurune (wæs him Beowulfes sið,\nmodges merefaran, micel æfþunca,\nforþon þe he ne uþe þæt ænig oðer man\næfre mærða þon ma middangeardes\ngehedde under heofenum þonne he sylfa):\n"Eart þu se Beowulf, se þe wið Brecan wunne,\non sidne sæ ymb sund flite,\nond for dolgilpe on deop wæter\naldrum neþdon? Ne inc ænig mon,\nne leof ne lað, belean mihte\nsorhfullne sið, þa git on sund reon.\nþær git eagorstream earmum þehton,\nmæton merestræta, mundum brugdon,\nglidon ofer garsecg; geofon yþum weol,\nwintrys wylmum. Git on wæteres æht\nseofon niht swuncon; he þe æt sunde oferflat,\nhæfde mare mægen. þa hine on morgentid\non Heaþoræmas holm up ætbær;\nðonon he gesohte swæsne ,\nleof his leodum, lond Brondinga,\nfreoðoburh fægere, þær he folc ahte,\nburh ond beagas. Beot eal wið þe\nðonne wene ic to þe wyrsan geþingea,\nðeah þu heaðoræsa gehwær dohte,\ngrimre guðe, gif þu Grendles dearst\nnihtlongne fyrst nean bidan."\n"Hwæt! þu worn fela, wine min Unferð,\nsægdest from his siðe. Soð ic talige,\nþæt ic merestrengo maran ahte,\nearfeþo on yþum, ðonne ænig oþer man.\nond gebeotedon (wæron begen þa git\non geogoðfeore) þæt wit on garsecg ut\naldrum neðdon, ond þæt geæfndon swa.\nHæfdon swurd nacod, þa wit on sund reon,\nheard on handa; wit unc wið hronfixas\nwerian þohton. No he wiht fram me\nflodyþum feor fleotan meahte,\nhraþor on holme; no ic fram him wolde.\nða wit ætsomne on sæ wæron\nfif nihta fyrst, oþþæt unc flod todraf,\nwado weallende, wedera cealdost,\nnipende niht, ond norþanwind\nheaðogrim ondhwearf; hreo wæron yþa.\nWæs merefixa mod onhrered;\nþær me wið laðum licsyrce min,\nheard, hondlocen, helpe gefremede,\nbeadohrægl broden on breostum læg\ngolde gegyrwed. Me to grunde teah\nSwa mec gelome laðgeteonan\nþreatedon þearle. Ic him þenode\ndeoran sweorde, swa hit gedefe wæs.\nbeorht beacen godes; brimu swaþredon,\nþæt ic sænæssas geseon mihte,\nwindige weallas. Wyrd oft nereð\nunfægne eorl, þonne his ellen deah.\nHwæþere me gesælde þæt ic mid sweorde ofsloh\nniceras nigene. No ic on niht gefrægn\nhwaþere ic fara feng feore gedigde,\nsiþes werig. ða mec sæ oþbær,\nflod æfter faroðe on Finna land,\nwadu weallendu. No ic wiht fram þe\nswylcra searoniða secgan hyrde,\nbilla brogan. Breca næfre git\næt heaðolace, ne gehwæþer incer,\nswa deorlice dæd gefremede\nfagum sweordum (no ic þæs fela gylpe),\nþeah ðu þinum broðrum to banan wurde,\nheafodmægum; þæs þu in helle scealt\nwerhðo dreogan, þeah þin wit duge.\nSecge ic þe to soðe, sunu Ecglafes,\nþæt næfre Grendel swa fela gryra gefremede,\natol æglæca, ealdre þinum,\nhynðo on Heorote, gif þin hige wære,\nsefa swa searogrim, swa þu self talast.\nAc he hafað onfunden þæt he þa fæhðe ne þearf,\natole ecgþræce eower leode\nswiðe onsittan, Sigescyldinga;\nnymeð nydbade, nænegum arað\nleode Deniga, ac he lust wigeð,\nswefeð ond sendeþ, secce ne weneþ\nto Gardenum. Ac ic him Geata sceal\neafoð ond ellen ungeara nu,\nguþe gebeodan. Gæþ eft se þe mot\nto medo modig, siþþan morgenleoht\nofer ylda bearn oþres dogores,\nsunne sweglwered suþan scineð."\nþa wæs on salum sinces brytta,\ngamolfeax ond guðrof; geoce gelyfde\nbrego Beorhtdena, gehyrde on Beowulfe\nfolces hyrde fæstrædne geþoht.\nðær wæs hæleþa hleahtor, hlyn swynsode,\nword wæron wynsume. Eode Wealhþeow forð,\nærest Eastdena eþelwearde,\nleodum leofne. He on lust geþeah\nsymbel ond seleful, sigerof kyning.\nYmbeode þa ides Helminga\nsincfato sealde, oþþæt sæl alamp\nþæt hio Beowulfe, beaghroden cwen\nmode geþungen, medoful ætbær;\nfyrena frofre. He þæt ful geþeah,\nwælreow wiga, æt Wealhþeon,\nond þa gyddode guþe gefysed;\n"Ic þæt hogode, þa ic on holm gestah,\nwillan geworhte oþðe on wæl crunge,\non þisse meoduhealle minne gebidan."\nðam wife þa word wel licodon,\ngilpcwide Geates; eode goldhroden\nfreolicu folccwen to hire frean sittan.\nþa wæs eft swa ær inne on healle\nþryðword sprecen, ðeod on sælum,\nsigefolca sweg, oþþæt semninga\nsunu Healfdenes secean wolde\næfenræste; wiste þæm ahlæcan\nto þæm heahsele hilde geþinged,\nsiððan hie sunnan leoht geseon ne meahton,\noþðe nipende niht ofer ealle,\nscaduhelma gesceapu scriðan cwoman,\nwan under wolcnum. Werod eall aras.\nGegrette þa guma oþerne,\nHroðgar Beowulf, ond him hæl abead,\nwinærnes geweald, ond þæt word acwæð:\n"Næfre ic ænegum men ær alyfde,\nsiþðan ic hond ond rond hebban mihte,\nðryþærn Dena buton þe nu ða.\nHafa nu ond geheald husa selest,\nwaca wið wraþum. Ne bið þe wilna gad,\ngif þu þæt ellenweorc aldre gedigest."\nða him Hroþgar gewat mid his hæleþa gedryht,\neodur Scyldinga, ut of healle;\nwolde wigfruma Wealhþeo secan,\ncwen to gebeddan. Hæfde kyningwuldor\nGrendle togeanes, swa guman gefrungon,\nseleweard aseted; sundornytte beheold\nymb aldor Dena, eotonweard abead.\nHuru Geata leod georne truwode\nmodgan mægnes, metodes hyldo.\nða he him of dyde isernbyrnan,\nirena cyst, ombihtþegne,\nond gehealdan het hildegeatwe.\nGespræc þa se goda gylpworda sum,\n"No ic me an herewæsmun hnagran talige,\nguþgeweorca, þonne Grendel hine;\naldre beneotan, þeah ic eal mæge.\nNat he þara goda þæt he me ongean slea,\nrand geheawe, þeah ðe he rof sie\nniþgeweorca; ac wit on niht sculon\nsecge ofersittan, gif he gesecean dear\nwig ofer wæpen, ond siþðan witig god\non swa hwæþere hond, halig dryhten,\nmærðo deme, swa him gemet þince."\nHylde hine þa heaþodeor, hleorbolster onfeng\neorles andwlitan, ond hine ymb monig\nsnellic særinc selereste gebeah.\nNænig heora þohte þæt he þanon scolde\neft eardlufan æfre gesecean,\nfolc oþðe freoburh, þær he afeded wæs;\nac hie hæfdon gefrunen þæt hie ær to fela micles\nin þæm winsele wældeað fornam,\nDenigea leode. Ac him dryhten forgeaf\nwigspeda gewiofu, Wedera leodum,\nfrofor ond fultum, þæt hie feond heora\nðurh anes cræft ealle ofercomon,\nselfes mihtum. Soð is gecyþed\nþæt mihtig god manna cynnes\nweold wideferhð. Com on wanre niht\nCom þa to recede rinc siðian,\nligge gelicost leoht unfæger.\nGeseah he in recede rinca manige,\nswefan sibbegedriht samod ætgædere,\nmagorinca heap. þa his mod ahlog;\nmynte þæt he gedælde, ærþon dæg cwome,\natol aglæca, anra gehwylces\nlif wið lice, þa him alumpen wæs\nwistfylle wen. Ne wæs þæt wyrd þa gen\nþæt he ma moste manna cynnes\nðicgean ofer þa niht. þryðswyð beheold\nmæg Higelaces, hu se manscaða\nunder færgripum gefaran wolde.\nac he gefeng hraðe forman siðe\nslæpendne rinc, slat unwearnum,\nbat banlocan, blod edrum dranc,\nfet ond folma. Forð near ætstop,\nnam þa mid handa higeþihtigne\nrinc on ræste, ræhte ongean\ninwitþancum ond wið earm gesæt.\nSona þæt onfunde fyrena hyrde\nþæt he ne mette middangeardes,\neorþan sceata, on elran men\nmundgripe maran. He on mode wearð\nforht on ferhðe; no þy ær fram meahte.\nHyge wæs him hinfus, wolde on heolster fleon,\nsecan deofla gedræg; ne wæs his drohtoð þær\nswylce he on ealderdagum ær gemette.\nGemunde þa se goda, mæg Higelaces,\næfenspræce, uplang astod\nond him fæste wiðfeng; fingras burston.\nEoten wæs utweard; eorl furþur stop.\nMynte se mæra, þær he meahte swa,\nwidre gewindan ond on weg þanon\nfleon on fenhopu; wiste his fingra geweald\non grames grapum. þæt wæs geocor sið\nþæt se hearmscaþa to Heorute ateah.\nDryhtsele dynede; Denum eallum wearð,\nceasterbuendum, cenra gehwylcum,\neorlum ealuscerwen. Yrre wæron begen,\nreþe renweardas. Reced hlynsode.\nþa wæs wundor micel þæt se winsele\nfæger foldbold; ac he þæs fæste wæs\ninnan ond utan irenbendum\nsearoþoncum besmiþod. þær fram sylle abeag\nmedubenc monig, mine gefræge,\ngolde geregnad, þær þa graman wunnon.\nþæs ne wendon ær witan Scyldinga\nþæt hit a mid gemete manna ænig,\nbetlic ond banfag, tobrecan meahte,\nlistum tolucan, nymþe liges fæþm\nswulge on swaþule. Sweg up astag\nniwe geneahhe; Norðdenum stod\natelic egesa, anra gehwylcum\nþara þe of wealle wop gehyrdon,\ngryreleoð galan godes ondsacan,\nsigeleasne sang, sar wanigean\nhelle hæfton. Heold hine fæste\nse þe manna wæs mægene strengest\non þæm dæge þysses lifes.\nNolde eorla hleo ænige þinga\nþone cwealmcuman cwicne forlætan,\nne his lifdagas leoda ænigum\nnytte tealde. þær genehost brægd\neorl Beowulfes ealde lafe,\nwolde freadrihtnes feorh ealgian,\nmæres þeodnes, ðær hie meahton swa.\nHie þæt ne wiston, þa hie gewin drugon,\nond on healfa gehwone heawan þohton,\nsawle secan, þone synscaðan\nænig ofer eorþan irenna cyst,\nguðbilla nan, gretan nolde,\nac he sigewæpnum forsworen hæfde,\necga gehwylcre. Scolde his aldorgedal\non ðæm dæge þysses lifes\nearmlic wurðan, ond se ellorgast\non feonda geweald feor siðian.\nða þæt onfunde se þe fela æror\nmodes myrðe manna cynne,\nfyrene gefremede (he wæs fag wið god),\nþæt him se lichoma læstan nolde,\nac hine se modega mæg Hygelaces\nhæfde be honda; wæs gehwæþer oðrum\nlifigende lað. Licsar gebad\natol æglæca; him on eaxle wearð\nsyndolh sweotol, seonowe onsprungon,\nburston banlocan. Beowulfe wearð\nguðhreð gyfeþe; scolde Grendel þonan\nfeorhseoc fleon under fenhleoðu,\nsecean wynleas wic; wiste þe geornor\nþæt his aldres wæs ende gegongen,\ndogera dægrim. Denum eallum wearð\næfter þam wælræse willa gelumpen.\nHæfde þa gefælsod se þe ær feorran com,\nsnotor ond swyðferhð, sele Hroðgares,\ngenered wið niðe; nihtweorce gefeh,\nellenmærþum. Hæfde Eastdenum\nGeatmecga leod gilp gelæsted,\nswylce oncyþðe ealle gebette,\ninwidsorge, þe hie ær drugon\nond for þreanydum þolian scoldon,\ntorn unlytel. þæt wæs tacen sweotol,\nearm ond eaxle (þær wæs eal geador\nGrendles grape) under geapne hrof.\nða wæs on morgen mine gefræge\nymb þa gifhealle guðrinc monig;\nferdon folctogan feorran ond nean\ngeond widwegas wundor sceawian,\nlaþes lastas. No his lifgedal\nsarlic þuhte secga ænegum\nþara þe tirleases trode sceawode,\nhu he werigmod on weg þanon,\nniða ofercumen, on nicera mere\nfæge ond geflymed feorhlastas bær.\nðær wæs on blode brim weallende,\nhaton heolfre, heorodreore weol.\nDeaðfæge deog, siððan dreama leas\nin fenfreoðo feorh alegde,\nhæþene sawle; þær him hel onfeng.\nþanon eft gewiton ealdgesiðas,\nswylce geong manig of gomenwaþe\nfram mere modge mearum ridan,\nbeornas on blancum. ðær wæs Beowulfes\nmærðo mæned; monig oft gecwæð\nþætte suð ne norð be sæm tweonum\nofer eormengrund oþer nænig\nunder swegles begong selra nære\nrondhæbbendra, rices wyrðra.\nNe hie huru winedrihten wiht ne logon,\nglædne Hroðgar, ac þæt wæs god cyning.\nHwilum heaþorofe hleapan leton,\non geflit faran fealwe mearas\nðær him foldwegas fægere þuhton,\ncystum cuðe. Hwilum cyninges þegn,\nwordum wrixlan. Welhwylc gecwæð\nþæt he fram Sigemundes secgan hyrde\nellendædum, uncuþes fela,\nWælsinges gewin, wide siðas,\nþara þe gumena bearn gearwe ne wiston,\nfæhðe ond fyrena, buton Fitela mid hine,\næt niða gehwam nydgesteallan;\nhæfdon ealfela eotena cynnes\nsweordum gesæged. Sigemunde gesprong\næfter deaðdæge dom unlytel,\nsyþðan wiges heard wyrm acwealde,\nhordes hyrde. He under harne stan,\næþelinges bearn, ana geneðde\nfrecne dæde, ne wæs him Fitela mid.\nHwæþre him gesælde ðæt þæt swurd þurhwod\nwrætlicne wyrm, þæt hit on wealle ætstod,\ndryhtlic iren; draca morðre swealt.\nHæfde aglæca elne gegongen\nþæt he beahhordes brucan moste\nselfes dome; sæbat gehleod,\nbær on bearm scipes beorhte frætwa,\nWælses eafera. Wyrm hat gemealt.\nSe wæs wreccena wide mærost\nofer werþeode, wigendra hleo,\nellendædum (he þæs ær onðah),\nsiððan Heremodes hild sweðrode,\neafoð ond ellen. He mid Eotenum wearð\non feonda geweald forð forlacen,\nsnude forsended. Hine sorhwylmas\nlemede to lange; he his leodum wearð,\neallum æþellingum to aldorceare;\nswylce oft bemearn ærran mælum\nswiðferhþes sið snotor ceorl monig,\nse þe him bealwa to bote gelyfde,\nþæt þæt ðeodnes bearn geþeon scolde,\nfæderæþelum onfon, folc gehealdan,\nhord ond hleoburh, hæleþa rice,\nScyldinga. He þær eallum wearð,\nmæg Higelaces, manna cynne,\nfreondum gefægra; hine fyren onwod.\nHwilum flitende fealwe stræte\nmearum mæton. ða wæs morgenleoht\nscofen ond scynded. Eode scealc monig\nmedostigge mæt mægþa hose.\nHroðgar maþelode (he to healle geong,\nstod on stapole, geseah steapne hrof,\ngolde fahne, ond Grendles hond):\n"ðisse ansyne alwealdan þanc\nlungre gelimpe! Fela ic laþes gebad,\ngrynna æt Grendle; a mæg god wyrcan\nwunder æfter wundre, wuldres hyrde.\nbote gebidan, þonne blode fah\nhusa selest heorodreorig stod,\nwea widscofen witena gehwylcum\nðara þe ne wendon þæt hie wideferhð\nleoda landgeweorc laþum beweredon\nscuccum ond scinnum. Nu scealc hafað\nniwe sibbe. Ne bið þe nænigra gad\nworolde wilna, þe ic geweald hæbbe.\nFul oft ic for læssan lean teohhode,\nhordweorþunge hnahran rince,\nsæmran æt sæcce. þu þe self hafast\ndædum gefremed þæt þin dom lyfað\nawa to aldre. Alwalda þec\ngode forgylde, swa he nu gyt dyde!"\nBeowulf maþelode, bearn Ecþeowes:\n"We þæt ellenweorc estum miclum,\nfeohtan fremedon, frecne geneðdon\neafoð uncuþes. Uþe ic swiþor\nþæt ðu hine selfne geseon moste,\nfeond on frætewum fylwerigne.\nIc hine hrædlice heardan clammum\non wælbedde wriþan þohte,\nþæt he for mundgripe minum scolde\nlicgean lifbysig, butan his lic swice.\nIc hine ne mihte, þa metod nolde,\nganges getwæman, no ic him þæs georne ætfealh,\nfeorhgeniðlan; wæs to foremihtig\nfeond on feþe. Hwæþere he his folme forlet\nto lifwraþe last weardian,\nearm ond eaxle. No þær ænige swa þeah\nfeasceaft guma frofre gebohte;\nno þy leng leofað laðgeteona,\nmid nydgripe nearwe befongen,\nbalwon bendum. ðær abidan sceal\nmaga mane fah miclan domes,\nhu him scir metod scrifan wille."\nða wæs swigra secg, sunu Eclafes,\non gylpspræce guðgeweorca,\nsiþðan æþelingas eorles cræfte\nofer heanne hrof hand sceawedon,\nfeondes fingras. Foran æghwylc wæs,\nstiðra nægla gehwylc, style gelicost,\nhæþenes handsporu hilderinces,\negl, unheoru. æghwylc gecwæð\nþæt him heardra nan hrinan wolde\niren ærgod, þæt ðæs ahlæcan\nblodge beadufolme onberan wolde.\nða wæs haten hreþe Heort innanweard\nfolmum gefrætwod. Fela þæra wæs,\nwera ond wifa, þe þæt winreced,\ngestsele gyredon. Goldfag scinon\nweb æfter wagum, wundorsiona fela\nsecga gehwylcum þara þe on swylc starað.\nWæs þæt beorhte bold tobrocen swiðe,\neal inneweard irenbendum fæst,\nheorras tohlidene. Hrof ana genæs,\nealles ansund, þe se aglæca,\nfyrendædum fag, on fleam gewand,\naldres orwena. No þæt yðe byð\nto befleonne, fremme se þe wille,\nac gesecan sceal sawlberendra,\nnyde genydde, niþða bearna,\ngrundbuendra gearwe stowe,\nþær his lichoma legerbedde fæst\nswefeþ æfter symle. þa wæs sæl ond mæl\nþæt to healle gang Healfdenes sunu;\nwolde self cyning symbel þicgan.\nNe gefrægen ic þa mægþe maran weorode\nymb hyra sincgyfan sel gebæran.\nBugon þa to bence blædagande,\nfylle gefægon; fægere geþægon\nmedoful manig magas þara\nswiðhicgende on sele þam hean,\nHroðgar ond Hroþulf. Heorot innan wæs\nþeodscyldingas þenden fremedon.\nsegen gyldenne sigores to leane;\nhroden hildecumbor, helm ond byrnan,\nmære maðþumsweord manige gesawon\nbeforan beorn beran. Beowulf geþah\nful on flette; no he þære feohgyfte\nwirum bewunden walu utan heold,\nfætedhleore on flet teon,\nin under eoderas. þara anum stod\nþæt wæs hildesetl heahcyninges,\nefnan wolde. Næfre on ore læg\nwidcuþes wig, ðonne walu feollon.\nOnd ða Beowulfe bega gehwæþres\neodor Ingwina onweald geteah,\nwicga ond wæpna, het hine wel brucan.\nSwa manlice mære þeoden,\nhordweard hæleþa, heaþoræsas geald\nmearum ond madmum, swa hy næfre man lyhð,\nse þe secgan wile soð æfter rihte.\nða gyt æghwylcum eorla drihten\nþara þe mid Beowulfe brimlade teah\non þære medubence maþðum gesealde,\nyrfelafe, ond þone ænne heht\ngolde forgyldan, þone ðe Grendel ær\nmane acwealde, swa he hyra ma wolde,\nnefne him witig god wyrd forstode\nond ðæs mannes mod. Metod eallum weold\ngumena cynnes, swa he nu git deð.\nleofes ond laþes se þe longe her\nhæleð Healfdena, Hnæf Scyldinga,\nin Freswæle feallan scolde.\nEotena treowe; unsynnum wearð\nbeloren leofum æt þam lindplegan,\nbearnum ond broðrum; hie on gebyrd hruron,\ngare wunde. þæt wæs geomuru ides!\nmeotodsceaft bemearn, syþðan morgen com,\nmorþorbealo maga, þær heo ær mæste heold\nworolde wynne. Wig ealle fornam\nFinnes þegnas nemne feaum anum,\nþæt he ne mehte on þæm meðelstede\nwig Hengeste wiht gefeohtan,\nne þa wealafe wige forþringan\nþeodnes ðegna; ac hig him geþingo budon,\nþæt hie him oðer flet eal gerymdon,\nhealle ond heahsetl, þæt hie healfre geweald\nwið Eotena bearn agan moston,\nond æt feohgyftum Folcwaldan sunu\ndogra gehwylce Dene weorþode,\nHengestes heap hringum wenede\nefne swa swiðe sincgestreonum\nfættan goldes, swa he Fresena cyn\non beorsele byldan wolde.\nða hie getruwedon on twa healfa\nelne, unflitme aðum benemde\nne þurh inwitsearo æfre gemænden\nþonne hit sweordes ecg seðan scolde.\nwundum awyrded; sume on wæle crungon.\nbanfatu bærnan ond on bæl don\nGewiton him ða wigend wica neosian,\nhamas ond heaburh. Hengest ða gyt\nwælfagne winter wunode mid Finne\neal unhlitme. Eard gemunde,\nþeah þe he ne meahte on mere drifan\nhringedstefnan; holm storme weol,\nisgebinde, oþðæt oþer com\nfæger foldan bearm. Fundode wrecca,\ngist of geardum; he to gyrnwræce\nswiðor þohte þonne to sælade,\ngif he torngemot þurhteon mihte\nþæt he Eotena bearn inne gemunde.\nSwa he ne forwyrnde woroldrædenne,\nþonne him Hunlafing hildeleoman,\nþæs wæron mid Eotenum ecge cuðe.\nSwylce ferhðfrecan Fin eft begeat\nsweordbealo sliðen æt his selfes ham,\nsiþðan grimne gripe Guðlaf ond Oslaf\næfter sæsiðe, sorge, mændon,\nætwiton weana dæl; ne meahte wæfre mod\nforhabban in hreþre. ða wæs heal roden\nfeonda feorum, swilce Fin slægen,\ncyning on corþre, ond seo cwen numen.\nSceotend Scyldinga to scypon feredon\neal ingesteald eorðcyninges,\nswylce hie æt Finnes ham findan meahton\nsigla, searogimma. Hie on sælade\nlæddon to leodum. Leoð wæs asungen,\ngleomannes gyd. Gamen eft astah,\ngan under gyldnum beage, þær þa godan twegen\narfæst æt ecga gelacum. Spræc ða ides Scyldinga:\n"Onfoh þissum fulle, freodrihten min,\nBeo wið Geatas glæd, geofena gemyndig,\nnean ond feorran þu nu hafast.\nMe man sægde þæt þu ðe for sunu wolde\nhererinc habban. Heorot is gefælsod,\nfolc ond rice, þonne ðu forð scyle\nmetodsceaft seon. Ic minne can\nglædne Hroþulf, þæt he þa geogoðe wile\nwene ic þæt he mid gode gyldan wille\numborwesendum ær arna gefremedon."\nHwearf þa bi bence þær hyre byre wæron,\nHim wæs ful boren ond freondlaþu\nestum geeawed, earmreade twa,\nhordmaððum hæleþa, syþðan Hama ætwæg\nsigle ond sincfæt; searoniðas fleah\nEormenrices, geceas ecne ræd.\nþone hring hæfde Higelac Geata,\nnefa Swertinges, nyhstan siðe,\nsiðþan he under segne sinc ealgode,\nwælreaf werede; hyne wyrd fornam,\nsyþðan he for wlenco wean ahsode,\nfæhðe to Frysum. He þa frætwe wæg,\neorclanstanas ofer yða ful,\nrice þeoden; he under rande gecranc.\nGehwearf þa in Francna fæþm feorh cyninges,\nbreostgewædu ond se beah somod;\nwyrsan wigfrecan wæl reafedon\næfter guðsceare, Geata leode,\nhreawic heoldon. Heal swege onfeng.\nWealhðeo maþelode, heo fore þæm werede spræc:\n"Bruc ðisses beages, Beowulf leofa,\ncen þec mid cræfte ond þyssum cnyhtum wes\nlara liðe; ic þe þæs lean geman.\nHafast þu gefered þæt ðe feor ond neah\nealne wideferhþ weras ehtigað,\nefne swa side swa sæ bebugeð,\nwindgeard, weallas. Wes þenden þu lifige,\næþeling, eadig. Ic þe an tela\nsincgestreona. Beo þu suna minum\ndædum gedefe, dreamhealdende.\nþegnas syndon geþwære, þeod ealgearo,\ndruncne dryhtguman doð swa ic bidde."\nEode þa to setle. þær wæs symbla cyst;\ndruncon win weras. Wyrd ne cuþon,\ngeosceaft grimme, swa hit agangen wearð\neorla manegum, syþðan æfen cwom\nond him Hroþgar gewat to hofe sinum,\nrice to ræste. Reced weardode\nunrim eorla, swa hie oft ær dydon.\nBencþelu beredon; hit geondbræded wearð\nbeddum ond bolstrum. Beorscealca sum\nfus ond fæge fletræste gebeag.\nbordwudu beorhtan; þær on bence wæs\nofer æþelinge yþgesene\nheaþosteapa helm, hringed byrne,\nþrecwudu þrymlic. Wæs þeaw hyra\nþæt hie oft wæron an wig gearwe,\nefne swylce mæla swylce hira mandryhtne\nþearf gesælde; wæs seo þeod tilu.\nSigon þa to slæpe. Sum sare angeald\næfenræste, swa him ful oft gelamp,\nsiþðan goldsele Grendel warode,\nunriht æfnde, oþþæt ende becwom,\nswylt æfter synnum. þæt gesyne wearþ,\nwidcuþ werum, þætte wrecend þa gyt\nlifde æfter laþum, lange þrage,\næfter guðceare. Grendles modor,\nides, aglæcwif, yrmþe gemunde,\nse þe wæteregesan wunian scolde,\ncealde streamas, siþðan Cain wearð\nto ecgbanan angan breþer,\nfæderenmæge; he þa fag gewat,\nmorþre gemearcod, mandream fleon,\nwesten warode. þanon woc fela\ngeosceaftgasta; wæs þæra Grendel sum,\nheorowearh hetelic, se æt Heorote fand\nwæccendne wer wiges bidan.\nþær him aglæca ætgræpe wearð;\nhwæþre he gemunde mægenes strenge,\ngimfæste gife ðe him god sealde,\nond him to anwaldan are gelyfde,\nfrofre ond fultum; ðy he þone feond ofercwom,\nmancynnes feond, ond his modor þa gyt,\ngifre ond galgmod, gegan wolde\nsorhfulne sið, sunu deað wrecan.\nCom þa to Heorote, ðær Hringdene\nefne swa micle swa bið mægþa cræft,\nwiggryre wifes, be wæpnedmen,\nþonne heoru bunden, hamere geþuren,\necgum dyhttig andweard scireð.\nþa wæs on healle heardecg togen\nHeo wæs on ofste, wolde ut þanon,\nfeore beorgan, þa heo onfunden wæs.\nHraðe heo æþelinga anne hæfde\nfæste befangen, þa heo to fenne gang.\nSe wæs Hroþgare hæleþa leofost\non gesiðes had be sæm tweonum,\nrice randwiga, þone ðe heo on ræste abreat,\nblædfæstne beorn. Næs Beowulf ðær,\nac wæs oþer in ær geteohhod\nHream wearð in Heorote; heo under heolfre genam\ncuþe folme; cearu wæs geniwod,\ngeworden in wicun. Ne wæs þæt gewrixle til,\nþæt hie on ba healfa bicgan scoldon\nfreonda feorum. þa wæs frod cyning,\nhar hilderinc, on hreon mode,\nsyðþan he aldorþegn unlyfigendne,\nþone deorestan deadne wisse.\nHraþe wæs to bure Beowulf fetod,\nsigoreadig secg. Samod ærdæge\neode eorla sum, æþele cempa\nself mid gesiðum þær se snotera bad,\nhwæþer him alwalda æfre wille\næfter weaspelle wyrpe gefremman.\nGang ða æfter flore fyrdwyrðe man\nmid his handscale (healwudu dynede),\nþæt he þone wisan wordum nægde\n"Ne frin þu æfter sælum! Sorh is geniwod\nDenigea leodum. Dead is æschere,\næþeling ærgod, swylc æschere wæs!\nWearð him on Heorote to handbanan\nwælgæst wæfre; ic ne wat hwæder\natol æse wlanc eftsiðas teah,\nfylle gefægnod. Heo þa fæhðe wræc\nge feor hafað fæhðe gestæled\n(þæs þe þincean mæg þegne monegum,\nse þe æfter sincgyfan on sefan greoteþ),\nhreþerbealo hearde; nu seo hand ligeð,\nse þe eow welhwylcra wilna dohte.\nfoldbuende. No hie fæder cunnon,\ngumena bearna, þæt þone grund wite;\nheorot hornum trum, holtwudu sece,\naldor on ofre, ær he in wille\nhafelan hydan. Nis þæt heoru stow!\nþonon yðgeblond up astigeð\nwon to wolcnum, þonne wind styreþ,\nlað gewidru, oðþæt lyft drysmaþ,\nroderas reotað. Nu is se ræd gelang\neft æt þe anum. Eard git ne const,\nfrecne stowe, ðær þu findan miht\nfelasinnigne secg; sec gif þu dyrre.\nIc þe þa fæhðe feo leanige,\nealdgestreonum, swa ic ær dyde,\nwundnum golde, gyf þu on weg cymest."\n"Ne sorga, snotor guma; selre bið æghwæm\nþæt he his freond wrece, þonne he fela murne.\nunlifgendum æfter selest.\nAris, rices weard, uton raþe feran\nGrendles magan gang sceawigan.\nIc hit þe gehate, no he on helm losaþ,\nne on foldan fæþm, ne on fyrgenholt,\nne on gyfenes grund, ga þær he wille.\nweana gehwylces, swa ic þe wene to."\nAhleop ða se gomela, gode þancode,\nmihtigan drihtne, þæs se man gespræc.\nwicg wundenfeax. Wisa fengel\ngeatolic gende; gumfeþa stop\nlindhæbbendra. Lastas wæron\næfter waldswaþum wide gesyne,\ngang ofer grundas, þær heo gegnum for\nofer myrcan mor, magoþegna bær\nþone selestan sawolleasne\nþara þe mid Hroðgare ham eahtode.\nOfereode þa æþelinga bearn\nenge anpaðas, uncuð gelad,\nneowle næssas, nicorhusa fela.\nHe feara sum beforan gengde\nwisra monna wong sceawian,\noþþæt he færinga fyrgenbeamas\nofer harne stan hleonian funde,\nwynleasne wudu; wæter under stod\ndreorig ond gedrefed. Denum eallum wæs,\nFlod blode weol (folc to sægon),\nhatan heolfre. Horn stundum song\nfuslic fyrdleoð. Feþa eal gesæt.\nGesawon ða æfter wætere wyrmcynnes fela,\nsellice sædracan, sund cunnian,\nswylce on næshleoðum nicras licgean,\nða on undernmæl oft bewitigað\nsorhfulne sið on seglrade,\nwyrmas ond wildeor; hie on weg hruron,\nbitere ond gebolgne, bearhtm ongeaton,\nguðhorn galan. Sumne Geata leod\nof flanbogan feores getwæfde,\nyðgewinnes, þæt him on aldre stod\nherestræl hearda; he on holme wæs\nsundes þe sænra, ðe hyne swylt fornam.\nHræþe wearð on yðum mid eoferspreotum\nheorohocyhtum hearde genearwod,\nniða genæged, ond on næs togen,\nwundorlic wægbora; weras sceawedon\ngryrelicne gist. Gyrede hine Beowulf\nþæt him on ðearfe lah ðyle Hroðgares;\nþæt wæs an foran ealdgestreona;\nahyrded heaþoswate; næfre hit æt hilde ne swac\nfolcstede fara; næs þæt forma sið\nþæt hit ellenweorc æfnan scolde.\nHuru ne gemunde mago Ecglafes,\neafoþes cræftig, þæt he ær gespræc\nwine druncen, þa he þæs wæpnes onlah\nselran sweordfrecan. Selfa ne dorste\nunder yða gewin aldre geneþan,\ndrihtscype dreogan; þær he dome forleas,\nellenmærðum. Ne wæs þæm oðrum swa,\nsyðþan he hine to guðe gegyred hæfde.\nBeowulf maðelode, bearn Ecgþeowes:\n"Geþenc nu, se mæra maga Healfdenes,\naldre linnan, þæt ðu me a wære\nforðgewitenum on fæder stæle.\nWes þu mundbora minum magoþegnum,\nhondgesellum, gif mec hild nime;\nswylce þu ða madmas þe þu me sealdest,\nHroðgar leofa, Higelace onsend.\nMæg þonne on þæm golde ongitan Geata dryhten,\ngeseon sunu Hrædles, þonne he on þæt sinc starað,\nþæt ic gumcystum godne funde\nbeaga bryttan, breac þonne moste.\nOnd þu Unferð læt ealde lafe,\nwrætlic wægsweord, widcuðne man\nheardecg habban; ic me mid Hruntinge\ndom gewyrce, oþðe mec deað nimeð."\næfter þæm wordum Wedergeata leod\nefste mid elne, nalas ondsware\nbidan wolde; brimwylm onfeng\nhilderince. ða wæs hwil dæges\nær he þone grundwong ongytan mehte.\nSona þæt onfunde se ðe floda begong\nheorogifre beheold hund missera,\ngrim ond grædig, þæt þær gumena sum\nælwihta eard ufan cunnode.\nGrap þa togeanes, guðrinc gefeng\natolan clommum. No þy ær in gescod\nhalan lice; hring utan ymbbearh,\nþæt heo þone fyrdhom ðurhfon ne mihte,\nlocene leoðosyrcan laþan fingrum.\nBær þa seo brimwylf, þa heo to botme com,\nhringa þengel to hofe sinum,\nswa he ne mihte, no he þæs modig wæs,\nwæpna gewealdan, ac hine wundra þæs fela\nswencte on sunde, sædeor monig\nhildetuxum heresyrcan bræc,\nehton aglæcan. ða se eorl ongeat\nþæt he in niðsele nathwylcum wæs,\nþær him nænig wæter wihte ne sceþede,\nne him for hrofsele hrinan ne mehte\nfærgripe flodes; fyrleoht geseah,\nblacne leoman, beorhte scinan.\nOngeat þa se goda grundwyrgenne,\nmerewif mihtig; mægenræs forgeaf\nhildebille, hond sweng ne ofteah,\nþæt hire on hafelan hringmæl agol\ngrædig guðleoð. ða se gist onfand\nþæt se beadoleoma bitan nolde,\naldre sceþðan, ac seo ecg geswac\nðeodne æt þearfe; ðolode ær fela\nhondgemota, helm oft gescær,\nfæges fyrdhrægl; ða wæs forma sið\ndeorum madme, þæt his dom alæg.\nEft wæs anræd, nalas elnes læt,\nmærða gemyndig mæg Hylaces.\nWearp ða wundenmæl wrættum gebunden\nyrre oretta, þæt hit on eorðan læg,\nstið ond stylecg; strenge getruwode,\nmundgripe mægenes. Swa sceal man don,\nlongsumne lof, na ymb his lif cearað.\nGefeng þa be eaxle (nalas for fæhðe mearn)\nGuðgeata leod Grendles modor;\nfeorhgeniðlan, þæt heo on flet gebeah.\nHeo him eft hraþe andlean forgeald\ngrimman grapum ond him togeanes feng;\noferwearp þa werigmod wigena strengest,\nfeþecempa, þæt he on fylle wearð.\nOfsæt þa þone selegyst ond hyre seax geteah,\nbrad ond brunecg, wolde hire bearn wrecan,\nangan eaferan. Him on eaxle læg\nbreostnet broden; þæt gebearh feore,\nwið ord ond wið ecge ingang forstod.\nHæfde ða forsiðod sunu Ecgþeowes\nunder gynne grund, Geata cempa,\nnemne him heaðobyrne helpe gefremede,\nherenet hearde, ond halig god\ngeweold wigsigor; witig drihten,\nrodera rædend, hit on ryht gesced\nyðelice, syþðan he eft astod.\neald sweord eotenisc, ecgum þyhtig,\nwigena weorðmynd; þæt wæs wæpna cyst,\nbuton hit wæs mare ðonne ænig mon oðer\ngod ond geatolic, giganta geweorc.\nHe gefeng þa fetelhilt, freca Scyldinga\nhreoh ond heorogrim hringmæl gebrægd,\naldres orwena, yrringa sloh,\nbanhringas bræc. Bil eal ðurhwod\nfægne flæschoman; heo on flet gecrong.\nSweord wæs swatig, secg weorce gefeh.\nLixte se leoma, leoht inne stod,\nefne swa of hefene hadre scineð\nrodores candel. He æfter recede wlat;\nhwearf þa be wealle, wæpen hafenade\nheard be hiltum Higelaces ðegn,\nyrre ond anræd. Næs seo ecg fracod\nhilderince, ac he hraþe wolde\nGrendle forgyldan guðræsa fela\nðara þe he geworhte to Westdenum\noftor micle ðonne on ænne sið,\nþonne he Hroðgares heorðgeneatas\nsloh on sweofote, slæpende fræt\nfolces Denigea fyftyne men\nond oðer swylc ut offerede,\nlaðlicu lac. He him þæs lean forgeald,\nreþe cempa, to ðæs þe he on ræste geseah\nguðwerigne Grendel licgan\naldorleasne, swa him ær gescod\nhild æt Heorote. Hra wide sprong,\nheorosweng heardne, ond hine þa heafde becearf.\nSona þæt gesawon snottre ceorlas,\nþæt wæs yðgeblond eal gemenged,\nbrim blode fah. Blondenfeaxe,\ngomele ymb godne, ongeador spræcon\nþæt hig þæs æðelinges eft ne wendon\nþæt he sigehreðig secean come\nmærne þeoden; þa ðæs monige gewearð\nþæt hine seo brimwylf abroten hæfde.\nða com non dæges. Næs ofgeafon\nhwate Scyldingas; gewat him ham þonon\ngoldwine gumena. Gistas setan\nmodes seoce ond on mere staredon,\nwiston ond ne wendon þæt hie heora winedrihten\nselfne gesawon. þa þæt sweord ongan\nNe nom he in þæm wicum, Wedergeata leod,\nmaðmæhta ma, þeh he þær monige geseah,\nbuton þone hafelan ond þa hilt somod\nsince fage. Sweord ær gemealt,\nforbarn brodenmæl; wæs þæt blod to þæs hat,\nættren ellorgæst se þær inne swealt.\nSona wæs on sunde se þe ær æt sæcce gebad\nwighryre wraðra, wæter up þurhdeaf.\nWæron yðgebland eal gefælsod,\neacne eardas, þa se ellorgast\noflet lifdagas ond þas lænan gesceaft.\nCom þa to lande lidmanna helm\nswiðmod swymman; sælace gefeah,\nmægenbyrþenne þara þe he him mid hæfde.\nlungre alysed. Lagu drusade,\nwæter under wolcnum, wældreore fag.\nFerdon forð þonon feþelastum\nferhþum fægne, foldweg mæton,\ncuþe stræte. Cyningbalde men\nfrom þæm holmclife hafelan bæron\nearfoðlice heora æghwæþrum,\nfelamodigra; feower scoldon\non þæm wælstenge weorcum geferian\nto þæm goldsele Grendles heafod,\noþðæt semninga to sele comon\nfrome fyrdhwate feowertyne\nGeata gongan; gumdryhten mid\nmodig on gemonge meodowongas træd.\nða com in gan ealdor ðegna,\ndædcene mon dome gewurþad,\nhæle hildedeor, Hroðgar gretan.\nþa wæs be feaxe on flet boren\nGrendles heafod, þær guman druncon,\negeslic for eorlum ond þære idese mid,\nwliteseon wrætlic; weras on sawon.\n"Hwæt! we þe þas sælac, sunu Healfdenes,\ntires to tacne, þe þu her to locast.\nIc þæt unsofte ealdre gedigde\nwigge under wætere, weorc geneþde\nearfoðlice; ætrihte wæs\nguð getwæfed, nymðe mec god scylde.\nNe meahte ic æt hilde mid Hruntinge\nwiht gewyrcan, þeah þæt wæpen duge;\nac me geuðe ylda waldend\nþæt ic on wage geseah wlitig hangian\neald sweord eacen (oftost wisode\nwinigea leasum), þæt ic ðy wæpne gebræd.\nOfsloh ða æt þære sæcce, þa me sæl ageald,\nhuses hyrdas. þa þæt hildebil\nforbarn brogdenmæl, swa þæt blod gesprang,\nhatost heaþoswata. Ic þæt hilt þanan\nfeondum ætferede, fyrendæda wræc,\ndeaðcwealm Denigea, swa hit gedefe wæs.\nIc hit þe þonne gehate, þæt þu on Heorote most\nsorhleas swefan mid þinra secga gedryht\nond þegna gehwylc þinra leoda,\nduguðe ond iogoþe, þæt þu him ondrædan ne þearft,\nþeoden Scyldinga, on þa healfe,\naldorbealu eorlum, swa þu ær dydest."\nða wæs gylden hilt gamelum rince,\nenta ærgeweorc; hit on æht gehwearf\næfter deofla hryre Denigea frean,\nwundorsmiþa geweorc, ond þa þas worold ofgeaf\ngromheort guma, godes ondsaca,\nmorðres scyldig, ond his modor eac,\non geweald gehwearf woroldcyninga\nðæm selestan be sæm tweonum\nðara þe on Scedenigge sceattas dælde.\nHroðgar maðelode, hylt sceawode,\nealde lafe, on ðæm wæs or writen\ngifen geotende, giganta cyn\n(frecne geferdon); þæt wæs fremde þeod\necean dryhtne; him þæs endelean\nþurh wæteres wylm waldend sealde.\nwreoþenhilt ond wyrmfah. ða se wisa spræc\nsunu Healfdenes (swigedon ealle):\n"þæt, la, mæg secgan se þe soð ond riht\nfremeð on folce, feor eal gemon,\neald weard, þæt ðes eorl wære\ngeboren betera! Blæd is aræred\ngeond widwegas, wine min Beowulf,\nðin ofer þeoda gehwylce. Eal þu hit geþyldum healdest,\nmægen mid modes snyttrum. Ic þe sceal mine gelæstan\nfreode, swa wit furðum spræcon. ðu scealt to frofre weorþan\neal langtwidig leodum þinum,\nhæleðum to helpe. Ne wearð Heremod swa\neaforum Ecgwelan, Arscyldingum;\nne geweox he him to willan, ac to wælfealle\nond to deaðcwalum Deniga leodum;\nbreat bolgenmod beodgeneatas,\neaxlgesteallan, oþþæt he ana hwearf,\nmære þeoden, mondreamum from.\neafeþum stepte, ofer ealle men\nbreosthord blodreow. Nallas beagas geaf\nleodbealo longsum. ðu þe lær be þon,\ngumcyste ongit; ic þis gid be þe\nawræc wintrum frod. Wundor is to secganne\nWunað he on wiste; no hine wiht dweleð\nadl ne yldo, ne him inwitsorh\non sefan sweorceð, ne gesacu ohwær\nwendeð on willan (he þæt wyrse ne con),\nweaxeð ond wridað. þonne se weard swefeð,\nsawele hyrde; bið se slæp to fæst,\nbisgum gebunden, bona swiðe neah,\nse þe of flanbogan fyrenum sceoteð.\nþonne bið on hreþre under helm drepen\nwom wundorbebodum wergan gastes;\ngytsað gromhydig, nallas on gylp seleð\nfædde beagas, ond he þa forðgesceaft\nwuldres waldend, weorðmynda dæl.\nHit on endestæf eft gelimpeð\nmære cempa. Nu is þines mægnes blæd\nane hwile. Eft sona bið\nþæt þec adl oððe ecg eafoþes getwæfeð,\noððe fyres feng, oððe flodes wylm,\noððe gripe meces, oððe gares fliht,\noððe atol yldo; oððe eagena bearhtm\nforsiteð ond forsworceð; semninga bið\nþæt ðec, dryhtguma, deað oferswyðeð.\nSwa ic Hringdena hund missera\nweold under wolcnum ond hig wigge beleac\nmanigum mægþa geond þysne middangeard,\næscum ond ecgum, þæt ic me ænigne\nunder swegles begong gesacan ne tealde.\necean dryhtne, þæs ðe ic on aldre gebad\nþæt ic on þone hafelan heorodreorigne\nofer ealdgewin eagum starige!\nGa nu to setle, symbelwynne dreoh\nwigge weorþad; unc sceal worn fela\nmaþma gemænra, siþðan morgen bið."\nGeat wæs glædmod, geong sona to\nsetles neosan, swa se snottra heht.\nþa wæs eft swa ær ellenrofum\nfletsittendum fægere gereorded\nniowan stefne. Nihthelm geswearc\ndeorc ofer dryhtgumum. Duguð eal aras.\nWolde blondenfeax beddes neosan,\ngamela Scylding. Geat unigmetes wel,\nrofne randwigan, restan lyste;\nsona him seleþegn siðes wergum,\nfeorrancundum, forð wisade,\nse for andrysnum ealle beweotede\nþegnes þearfe, swylce þy dogore\nheaþoliðende habban scoldon.\ngeap ond goldfah; gæst inne swæf\noþþæt hrefn blaca heofones wynne\nbliðheort bodode. ða com beorht scacan\nwæron æþelingas eft to leodum\nfuse to farenne; wolde feor þanon\ncuma collenferhð ceoles neosan.\nHeht þa se hearda Hrunting beran\nsunu Ecglafes, heht his sweord niman,\nleoflic iren; sægde him þæs leanes þanc,\ncwæð, he þone guðwine godne tealde,\nwigcræftigne, nales wordum log\nmeces ecge; þæt wæs modig secg.\nOnd þa siðfrome, searwum gearwe\n"Nu we sæliðend secgan wyllað,\nguðgeweorca, ic beo gearo sona.\nGif ic þæt gefricge ofer floda begang,\nþæt þec ymbsittend egesan þywað,\nswa þec hetende hwilum dydon,\nic ðe þusenda þegna bringe,\nhæleþa to helpe. Ic on Higelac wat,\nGeata dryhten, þeah ðe he geong sy,\nfolces hyrde, þæt he mec fremman wile\nwordum ond worcum, þæt ic þe wel herige\nond þe to geoce garholt bere,\nmægenes fultum, þær ðe bið manna þearf.\ngeþingeð, þeodnes bearn, he mæg þær fela\nselran gesohte þæm þe him selfa deah."\nHroðgar maþelode him on ondsware:\n"þe þa wordcwydas wigtig drihten\non swa geongum feore guman þingian.\nþu eart mægenes strang ond on mode frod,\nwis wordcwida. Wen ic talige,\ngif þæt gegangeð, þæt ðe gar nymeð,\nhild heorugrimme, Hreþles eaferan,\nadl oþðe iren ealdor ðinne,\nfolces hyrde, ond þu þin feorh hafast,\nþæt þe Sægeatas selran næbben\nto geceosenne cyning ænigne,\nhordweard hæleþa, gyf þu healdan wylt\nmaga rice. Me þin modsefa\nlicað leng swa wel, leofa Beowulf.\nsib gemæne, ond sacu restan,\ninwitniþas, þe hie ær drugon,\nwesan, þenden ic wealde widan rices,\nmaþmas gemæne, manig oþerne\ngodum gegretan ofer ganotes bæð;\nsceal hringnaca ofer heafu bringan\nlac ond luftacen. Ic þa leode wat\nge wið feond ge wið freond fæste geworhte,\næghwæs untæle ealde wisan."\nða git him eorla hleo inne gesealde,\nmægenes wynnum, se þe oft manegum scod.\nCwom þa to flode felamodigra,\nhægstealdra heap, hringnet bæron,\nlocene leoðosyrcan. Landweard onfand\neftsið eorla, swa he ær dyde;\ncwæð þæt wilcuman Wedera leodum\nscaþan scirhame to scipe foron.\nþa wæs on sande sægeap naca\nhladen herewædum, hringedstefna,\nmearum ond maðmum; mæst hlifade\nofer Hroðgares hordgestreonum.\nHe þæm batwearde bunden golde\nswurd gesealde, þæt he syðþan wæs\non meodubence maþme þy weorþra,\nyrfelafe. Gewat him on naca\nwudu wynsuman forwrecan meahte.\nHet þa up beran æþelinga gestreon,\nmaþmgestreona. Mod þryðo wæg,\nHuru þæt onhohsnode Hemminges mæg;\nGewat him ða se hearda mid his hondscole\nsylf æfter sande sæwong tredan,\nwide waroðas. Woruldcandel scan,\nsigel suðan fus. Hi sið drugon,\nelne geeodon, to ðæs ðe eorla hleo,\nbonan Ongenþeoes burgum in innan,\ngeongne guðcyning godne gefrunon\nhringas dælan. Higelace wæs\nsið Beowulfes snude gecyðed,\nþæt ðær on worðig wigendra hleo,\nlindgestealla, lifigende cwom,\nheaðolaces hal to hofe gongan.\nHraðe wæs gerymed, swa se rica bebead,\nfeðegestum flet innanweard.\nGesæt þa wið sylfne se ða sæcce genæs,\nmæg wið mæge, syððan mandryhten\nþurh hleoðorcwyde holdne gegrette,\nmeaglum wordum. Meoduscencum hwearf\ngeond þæt healreced Hæreðes dohtor,\nlufode ða leode, liðwæge bær\nhæleðum to handa. Higelac ongan\nsinne geseldan in sele þam hean\nfægre fricgcean (hyne fyrwet bræc,\nhwylce Sægeata siðas wæron):\n"Hu lomp eow on lade, leofa Biowulf,\nþa ðu færinga feorr gehogodest\nsæcce secean ofer sealt wæter,\nhilde to Hiorote? Ac ðu Hroðgare\nwidcuðne wean wihte gebettest,\nmærum ðeodne? Ic ðæs modceare\nsorhwylmum seað, siðe ne truwode\nleofes mannes; ic ðe lange bæd\nþæt ðu þone wælgæst wihte ne grette,\nlete Suðdene sylfe geweorðan\nguðe wið Grendel. Gode ic þanc secge\nþæs ðe ic ðe gesundne geseon moste."\n"þæt is undyrne, dryhten Higelac,\nmicel gemeting, monegum fira,\nhwylc orleghwil uncer Grendles\nwearð on ðam wange, þær he worna fela\nSigescyldingum sorge gefremede,\nyrmðe to aldre. Ic ðæt eall gewræc,\nswa begylpan ne þearf Grendeles maga\nænig ofer eorðan uhthlem þone,\nse ðe lengest leofað laðan cynnes,\nfacne bifongen. Ic ðær furðum cwom\nsona me se mæra mago Healfdenes,\nsyððan he modsefan minne cuðe,\nwið his sylfes sunu setl getæhte.\nWeorod wæs on wynne; ne seah ic widan feorh\nbongar bugeð, þeah seo bryd duge!\nMæg þæs þonne ofþyncan ðeodne Heaðobeardna\nswæse gesiðas ond hyra sylfra feorh.\nþonne cwið æt beore se ðe beah gesyhð,\ngarcwealm gumena (him bið grim sefa),\nonginneð geomormod geongum cempan\nþurh hreðra gehygd higes cunnian,\nwigbealu weccean, ond þæt word acwyð:\n'Meaht ðu, min wine, mece gecnawan\nþone þin fæder to gefeohte bær\nunder heregriman hindeman siðe,\ndyre iren, þær hyne Dene slogon,\nweoldon wælstowe, syððan Wiðergyld læg,\næfter hæleþa hryre, hwate Scyldungas?\nmorðres gylpeð, ond þone maðþum byreð,\nþone þe ðu mid rihte rædan sceoldest.'\nManað swa ond myndgað mæla gehwylce\nsarum wordum, oððæt sæl cymeð\nþæt se fæmnan þegn fore fæder dædum\næfter billes bite blodfag swefeð,\nealdres scyldig; him se oðer þonan\nlosað lifigende, con him land geare.\nþonne bioð abrocene on ba healfe\naðsweord eorla; syððan Ingelde\næfter cearwælmum colran weorðað.\nþy ic Heaðobeardna hyldo ne telge,\ndryhtsibbe dæl Denum unfæcne,\nfreondscipe fæstne. Ic sceal forð sprecan\ngen ymbe Grendel, þæt ðu geare cunne,\nsinces brytta, to hwan syððan wearð\nhondræs hæleða. Syððan heofones gim\nglad ofer grundas, gæst yrre cwom,\neatol, æfengrom, user neosan,\nðær we gesunde sæl weardodon.\nþær wæs Hondscio hild onsæge,\nfeorhbealu fægum; he fyrmest læg,\ngyrded cempa; him Grendel wearð,\nmærum maguþegne to muðbonan,\nleofes mannes lic eall forswealg.\nNo ðy ær ut ða gen idelhende\nbona blodigtoð, bealewa gemyndig,\nof ðam goldsele gongan wolde,\nac he mægnes rof min costode,\nsid ond syllic, searobendum fæst;\nsio wæs orðoncum eall gegyrwed\ndeofles cræftum ond dracan fellum.\nHe mec þær on innan unsynnigne,\ndior dædfruma, gedon wolde\nmanigra sumne; hyt ne mihte swa,\nsyððan ic on yrre uppriht astod.\nTo lang ys to reccenne hu ic ðam leodsceaðan\nyfla gehwylces ondlean forgeald;\nþær ic, þeoden min, þine leode\nweorðode weorcum. He on weg losade,\nlytle hwile lifwynna breac;\nhwæþre him sio swiðre swaðe weardade\nhand on Hiorte, ond he hean ðonan\nmodes geomor meregrund gefeoll.\nMe þone wælræs wine Scildunga\nmanegum maðmum, syððan mergen com\nþær wæs gidd ond gleo. Gomela Scilding,\nrehte æfter rihte rumheort cyning.\nSwa we þær inne ondlangne dæg\nfeondes fæðmum under firgenstream.\nþæt wæs Hroðgare hreowa tornost\nþara þe leodfruman lange begeate.\nþa se ðeoden mec ðine life\nhealsode hreohmod, þæt ic on holma geþring\neorlscipe efnde, ealdre geneðde,\nmærðo fremede; he me mede gehet.\nIc ða ðæs wælmes, þe is wide cuð,\ngrimne gryrelicne grundhyrde fond;\nþær unc hwile wæs hand gemæne,\nholm heolfre weoll, ond ic heafde becearf\nin ðam guðsele Grendeles modor\neacnum ecgum, unsofte þonan\nfeorh oðferede. Næs ic fæge þa gyt,\nac me eorla hleo eft gesealde\nmaðma menigeo, maga Healfdenes.\nSwa se ðeodkyning þeawum lyfde.\nNealles ic ðam leanum forloren hæfde,\nsunu Healfdenes, on minne sylfes dom;\nða ic ðe, beorncyning, bringan wylle,\nestum geywan. Gen is eall æt ðe\nlissa gelong; ic lyt hafo\nheafodmaga nefne, Hygelac, ðec."\nHet ða in beran eaforheafodsegn,\nheaðosteapne helm, hare byrnan,\nguðsweord geatolic, gyd æfter wræc:\nHyrde ic þæt þam frætwum feower mearas\nlungre, gelice, last weardode,\næppelfealuwe; he him est geteah\nmeara ond maðma. Swa sceal mæg don,\nnealles inwitnet oðrum bregdon\ndyrnum cræfte, deað renian\nhondgesteallan. Hygelace wæs,\nniða heardum, nefa swyðe hold,\nond gehwæðer oðrum hroþra gemyndig.\nHyrde ic þæt he ðone healsbeah Hygde gesealde,\nwrætlicne wundurmaððum, ðone þe him Wealhðeo geaf,\nðeodnes dohtor, þrio wicg somod\nswancor ond sadolbeorht; hyre syððan wæs\næfter beahðege breost geweorðod.\nSwa bealdode bearn Ecgðeowes,\nguma guðum cuð, godum dædum,\ndreah æfter dome, nealles druncne slog\nheorðgeneatas; næs him hreoh sefa,\nac he mancynnes mæste cræfte\nginfæstan gife, þe him god sealde,\nheold hildedeor. Hean wæs lange,\nne hyne on medobence micles wyrðne\ndrihten Wedera gedon wolde;\næðeling unfrom. Edwenden cwom\ntireadigum menn torna gehwylces.\non hand gehwearf; he geheold tela\nsince fahne. He þæt syððan ......,\nSincfæt ......; þær wæs swylcra fela\nbrucan moste. Beorh eallgearo\n"Heald þu nu, hruse, nu hæleð ne moston,\nfela feorhcynna forð onsended!"\nhran æt heortan. Hordwynne fond\non hyra sincgifan sare geendod.\nða se gæst ongan gledum spiwan,\nbeorht hofu bærnan; bryneleoma stod\neldum on andan. No ðær aht cwices\nlað lyftfloga læfan wolde.\nnearofages nið nean ond feorran,\nhu se guðsceaða Geata leode\nhatode ond hynde; hord eft gesceat,\ndryhtsele dyrnne, ær dæges hwile.\nHæfde landwara lige befangen,\nbæle ond bronde, beorges getruwode,\nwiges ond wealles; him seo wen geleah.\nþa wæs Biowulfe broga gecyðed\nHæfde ligdraca leoda fæsten,\nþeah ðe hordwelan heolde lange.\nfram þam hildfrecan hames niosan.\nSwa he niða gehwane genesen hæfde,\nto gegangenne gumena ænigum!\nGesæt ða on næsse niðheard cyning,\nfeorh æþelinges flæsce bewunden.\nBiowulf maþelade, bearn Ecgðeowes:\n"Fela ic on giogoðe guðræsa genæs,\næðeling unwrecen ealdres linnan.\ngomen in geardum, swylce ðær iu wæron.\nGewiteð þonne on sealman, sorhleoð gæleð\nan æfter anum; þuhte him eall to rum,\nwongas ond wicstede. Swa Wedra helm\næfter Herebealde heortan sorge\nweallende wæg. Wihte ne meahte\non ðam feorhbonan fæghðe gebetan;\nno ðy ær he þone heaðorinc hatian ne meahte\nlaðum dædum, þeah him leof ne wæs.\nHe ða mid þære sorhge, þe him swa sar belamp,\ngumdream ofgeaf, godes leoht geceas,\nherenið hearda, syððan Hreðel swealt,\noððe him Ongenðeowes eaferan wæran\nfrome, fyrdhwate, freode ne woldon\nofer heafo healdan, ac ymb Hreosnabeorh\neatolne inwitscear oft gefremedon.\nþæt mægwine mine gewræcan,\nfæhðe ond fyrene, swa hyt gefræge wæs,\nþeah ðe oðer his ealdre gebohte,\nheardan ceape; Hæðcynne wearð,\nGeata dryhtne, guð onsæge.\nbilles ecgum on bonan stælan,\nþær Ongenþeow Eofores niosað.\nhreas hildeblac; hond gemunde\nfæhðo genoge, feorhsweng ne ofteah.\nIc him þa maðmas, þe he me sealde,\nhond ond heard sweord, ymb hord wigan."\nBeowulf maðelode, beotwordum spræc\nniehstan siðe: "Ic geneðde fela\nof eorðsele ut geseceð."\nswæse gesiðas: "Nolde ic sweord beran,\nfeorhbealu frecne, frean eowerne!"\nAras ða bi ronde rof oretta,\nheard under helme, hiorosercean bær\nunder stancleofu, strengo getruwode\nanes mannes. Ne bið swylc earges sið!\nGeseah ða be wealle se ðe worna fela,\ngumcystum god, guða gedigde,\nhildehlemma, þonne hnitan feðan,\nstondan stanbogan, stream ut þonan\nbrecan of beorge. Wæs þære burnan wælm\nheaðofyrum hat; ne meahte horde neah\nunbyrnende ænige hwile\ndeop gedygan for dracan lege.\nLet ða of breostum, ða he gebolgen wæs,\nWedergeata leod word ut faran,\nstearcheort styrmde; stefn in becom\nheaðotorht hlynnan under harne stan.\nHete wæs onhrered, hordweard oncniow\nmannes reorde; næs ðær mara fyrst\nfreode to friclan. From ærest cwom\noruð aglæcean ut of stane,\nhat hildeswat. Hruse dynede.\nbysigum gebæded. þa wæs beorges weard\nwiht onwendan þam ðe wel þenceð.\nWiglaf maðelode, wordrihta fela\nsægde gesiðum (him wæs sefa geomor):\n"Ic ðæt mæl geman, þær we medu þegun,\nþonne we geheton ussum hlaforde\nin biorsele, ðe us ðas beagas geaf,\nþæt we him ða guðgetawa gyldan woldon\ngif him þyslicu þearf gelumpe,\nhelmas ond heard sweord. ðe he usic on herge geceas\nto ðyssum siðfate sylfes willum,\nonmunde usic mærða, ond me þas maðmas geaf,\nþe he usic garwigend gode tealde,\nhwate helmberend, þeah ðe hlaford us\nþis ellenweorc ana aðohte\nto gefremmanne, folces hyrde,\nfor ðam he manna mæst mærða gefremede,\ndæda dollicra. Nu is se dæg cumen\nþæt ure mandryhten mægenes behofað,\ngodra guðrinca; wutun gongan to,\nhelpan hildfruman, þenden hyt sy,\ngledegesa grim. God wat on mec\nmid minne goldgyfan gled fæðmie.\nNe þynceð me gerysne þæt we rondas beren\neft to earde, nemne we æror mægen\nfane gefyllan, feorh ealgian\nWedra ðeodnes. Ic wat geare\nþæt næron ealdgewyrht, þæt he ana scyle\nGeata duguðe gnorn þrowian,\ngesigan æt sæcce; urum sceal sweord ond helm,\nbyrne ond beaduscrud, bam gemæne."\nWod þa þurh þone wælrec, wigheafolan bær\nfrean on fultum, fea worda cwæð:\n"Leofa Biowulf, læst eall tela,\nfeorh ealgian; ic ðe fullæstu."\nlaðra manna; ligyðum for.\nBorn bord wið rond, byrne ne meahte\ngeongum garwigan geoce gefremman,\nac se maga geonga under his mæges scyld\nelne geeode, þa his agen wæs\ngledum forgrunden. þa gen guðcyning\nmærða gemunde, mægenstrengo sloh\nhildebille, þæt hyt on heafolan stod\nniþe genyded; Nægling forbærst,\ngeswac æt sæcce sweord Biowulfes,\ngomol ond grægmæl. Him þæt gifeðe ne wæs\nþæt him irenna ecge mihton\nhelpan æt hilde; wæs sio hond to strong,\nse ðe meca gehwane, mine gefræge,\nswenge ofersohte, þonne he to sæcce bær\nwæpen wundrum heard; næs him wihte ðe sel.\nþa wæs þeodsceaða þriddan siðe,\nfrecne fyrdraca, fæhða gemyndig,\nræsde on ðone rofan, þa him rum ageald,\nbiteran banum; he geblodegod wearð\nsawuldriore, swat yðum weoll.\nða ic æt þearfe gefrægn þeodcyninges\nandlongne eorl ellen cyðan,\ncræft ond cenðu, swa him gecynde wæs.\nNe hedde he þæs heafolan, ac sio hand gebarn\nmodiges mannes, þær he his mæges healp,\nþæt he þone niðgæst nioðor hwene sloh,\nsecg on searwum, þæt ðæt sweord gedeaf,\nfah ond fæted, þæt ðæt fyr ongon\nsweðrian syððan. þa gen sylf cyning\ngeweold his gewitte, wællseaxe gebræd\nbiter ond beaduscearp, þæt he on byrnan wæg;\nforwrat Wedra helm wyrm on middan.\nsibæðelingas. Swylc sceolde secg wesan,\nþegn æt ðearfe! þæt ðam þeodne wæs\nsiðast sigehwila sylfes dædum,\nworlde geweorces. ða sio wund ongon,\nþe him se eorðdraca ær geworhte,\nswelan ond swellan; he þæt sona onfand,\nþæt him on breostum bealoniðe weoll\nattor on innan. ða se æðeling giong\nece eorðreced innan healde.\nHyne þa mid handa heorodreorigne,\nþeoden mærne, þegn ungemete till\nwinedryhten his wætere gelafede,\nhilde sædne, ond his helm onspeon.\nBiowulf maþelode (he ofer benne spræc,\nwunde wælbleate; wisse he gearwe\nþæt he dæghwila gedrogen hæfde,\neorðan wynne; ða wæs eall sceacen\ndogorgerimes, deað ungemete neah):\n"Nu ic suna minum syllan wolde\nlice gelenge. Ic ðas leode heold\nfiftig wintra; næs se folccyning,\nymbesittendra ænig ðara,\nþe mec guðwinum gretan dorste,\negesan ðeon. Ic on earde bad\nmælgesceafta, heold min tela,\nne sohte searoniðas, ne me swor fela\naða on unriht. Ic ðæs ealles mæg\nfor ðam me witan ne ðearf waldend fira\nmorðorbealo maga, þonne min sceaceð\nlif of lice. Nu ðu lungre geong\nhord sceawian under harne stan,\nWiglaf leofa, nu se wyrm ligeð,\nswefeð sare wund, since bereafod.\nBio nu on ofoste, þæt ic ærwelan,\ngoldæht ongite, gearo sceawige\nswegle searogimmas, þæt ic ðy seft mæge\næfter maððumwelan min alætan\nlif ond leodscipe, þone ic longe heold."\nða ic snude gefrægn sunu Wihstanes\næfter wordcwydum wundum dryhtne\nhyran heaðosiocum, hringnet beran,\nbrogdne beadusercean under beorges hrof.\nGeseah ða sigehreðig, þa he bi sesse geong,\nmagoþegn modig maððumsigla fealo,\ngold glitinian grunde getenge,\nwundur on wealle, ond þæs wyrmes denn,\nealdes uhtflogan, orcas stondan,\nfyrnmanna fatu feormendlease,\nhyrstum behrorene; þær wæs helm monig\neald ond omig, earmbeaga fela\nsearwum gesæled. Sinc eaðe mæg,\noferhigian, hyde se ðe wylle.\nSwylce he siomian geseah segn eallgylden\nheah ofer horde, hondwundra mæst,\ngelocen leoðocræftum; of ðam leoma stod,\nþæt he þone grundwong ongitan meahte,\nwræte giondwlitan. Næs ðæs wyrmes þær\nonsyn ænig, ac hyne ecg fornam.\neald enta geweorc, anne mannan,\nhim on bearm hladon bunan ond discas\nsylfes dome; segn eac genom,\nbeacna beorhtost. Bill ær gescod\n(ecg wæs iren) ealdhlafordes\nþam ðara maðma mundbora wæs\nlonge hwile, ligegesan wæg\nhatne for horde, hioroweallende\nmiddelnihtum, oðþæt he morðre swealt.\nAr wæs on ofoste, eftsiðes georn,\nfrætwum gefyrðred; hyne fyrwet bræc,\nhwæðer collenferð cwicne gemette\nin ðam wongstede Wedra þeoden\nellensiocne, þær he hine ær forlet.\nHe ða mid þam maðmum mærne þioden,\ndryhten sinne, driorigne fand\nealdres æt ende; he hine eft ongon\nwæteres weorpan, oðþæt wordes ord\ngomel on giohðe (gold sceawode):\n"Ic ðara frætwa frean ealles ðanc,\nwuldurcyninge, wordum secge,\necum dryhtne, þe ic her on starie,\nþæs ðe ic moste minum leodum\nær swyltdæge swylc gestrynan.\nNu ic on maðma hord mine bebohte\nleoda þearfe; ne mæg ic her leng wesan.\nHatað heaðomære hlæw gewyrcean\nse scel to gemyndum minum leodum\nheah hlifian on Hronesnæsse,\nþæt hit sæliðend syððan hatan\nBiowulfes biorh, ða ðe brentingas\nofer floda genipu feorran drifað."\n"þu eart endelaf usses cynnes,\nWægmundinga. Ealle wyrd forsweop\neorlas on elne; ic him æfter sceal."\nþæt wæs þam gomelan gingæste word\nbreostgehygdum, ær he bæl cure,\nhate heaðowylmas; him of hreðre gewat\nsawol secean soðfæstra dom.\nða wæs gegongen guman unfrodum\nearfoðlice, þæt he on eorðan geseah\nþone leofestan lifes æt ende\nbleate gebæran. Bona swylce læg,\nac hine irenna ecga fornamon,\nhearde, heaðoscearde homera lafe,\nfor ðæs hildfruman hondgeweorce.\nHuru þæt on lande lyt manna ðah,\nmægenagendra, mine gefræge,\nþeah ðe he dæda gehwæs dyrstig wære,\nþæt he wið attorsceaðan oreðe geræsde,\noððe hringsele hondum styrede,\ngif he wæccende weard onfunde\nbuon on beorge. Biowulfe wearð\ndryhtmaðma dæl deaðe forgolden;\nhæfde æghwæðer ende gefered\nlænan lifes. Næs ða lang to ðon\nþæt ða hildlatan holt ofgefan,\ntydre treowlogan tyne ætsomne.\nða ne dorston ær dareðum lacan\non hyra mandryhtnes miclan þearfe,\nac hy scamiende scyldas bæran,\nguðgewædu, þær se gomela læg,\nwlitan on Wilaf. He gewergad sæt,\nfeðecempa, frean eaxlum neah,\nwehte hyne wætre; him wiht ne speow.\nNe meahte he on eorðan, ðeah he uðe wel,\non ðam frumgare feorh gehealdan,\nne ðæs wealdendes wiht oncirran;\nwolde dom godes dædum rædan\ngumena gehwylcum, swa he nu gen deð.\nþa wæs æt ðam geongan grim ondswaru\neðbegete þam ðe ær his elne forleas.\nWiglaf maðelode, Weohstanes sunu,\nsec, sarigferð (seah on unleofe):\n"þæt, la, mæg secgan se ðe wyle soð specan\nþæt se mondryhten se eow ða maðmas geaf,\neoredgeatwe, þe ge þær on standað,\nþonne he on ealubence oft gesealde\nhealsittendum helm ond byrnan,\nþeoden his þegnum, swylce he þrydlicost\nower feor oððe neah findan meahte,\nþæt he genunga guðgewædu\nwraðe forwurpe, ða hyne wig beget.\nNealles folccyning fyrdgesteallum\ngylpan þorfte; hwæðre him god uðe,\nsigora waldend, þæt he hyne sylfne gewræc\nana mid ecge, þa him wæs elnes þearf.\nofer min gemet mæges helpan;\nsymle wæs þy sæmra, þonne ic sweorde drep\nferhðgeniðlan, fyr unswiðor\nweoll of gewitte. Wergendra to lyt\nþrong ymbe þeoden, þa hyne sio þrag becwom.\nNu sceal sincþego ond swyrdgifu,\neall eðelwyn eowrum cynne,\nlufen alicgean; londrihtes mot\nþære mægburge monna æghwylc\nidel hweorfan, syððan æðelingas\nfeorran gefricgean fleam eowerne,\ndomleasan dæd. Deað bið sella\neorla gehwylcum þonne edwitlif!"\nHeht ða þæt heaðoweorc to hagan biodan\nup ofer ecgclif, þær þæt eorlweorod\nmorgenlongne dæg modgiomor sæt,\nbordhæbbende, bega on wenum,\nendedogores ond eftcymes\nleofes monnes. Lyt swigode\nniwra spella se ðe næs gerad,\nac he soðlice sægde ofer ealle:\n"Nu is wilgeofa Wedra leoda,\ndryhten Geata, deaðbedde fæst,\nwunað wælreste wyrmes dædum.\nHim on efn ligeð ealdorgewinna\nsexbennum seoc; sweorde ne meahte\non ðam aglæcean ænige þinga\nwunde gewyrcean. Wiglaf siteð\nofer Biowulfe, byre Wihstanes,\neorl ofer oðrum unlifigendum,\nhealdeð higemæðum heafodwearde\nleofes ond laðes. Nu ys leodum wen\norleghwile, syððan underne\nFroncum ond Frysum fyll cyninges\nwide weorðeð. Wæs sio wroht scepen\nheard wið Hugas, syððan Higelac cwom\nfaran flotherge on Fresna land,\nþær hyne Hetware hilde genægdon,\nelne geeodon mid ofermægene,\nþæt se byrnwiga bugan sceolde,\nfeoll on feðan, nalles frætwe geaf\nealdor dugoðe. Us wæs a syððan\nMerewioingas milts ungyfeðe.\nNe ic to Sweoðeode sibbe oððe treowe\nwihte ne wene, ac wæs wide cuð\nþætte Ongenðio ealdre besnyðede\nHæðcen Hreþling wið Hrefnawudu,\nþa for onmedlan ærest gesohton\nGeata leode Guðscilfingas.\nSona him se froda fæder Ohtheres,\neald ond egesfull, ondslyht ageaf,\nabreot brimwisan, bryd ahredde,\ngomela iomeowlan golde berofene,\nOnelan modor ond Ohtheres,\nond ða folgode feorhgeniðlan,\noððæt hi oðeodon earfoðlice\nin Hrefnesholt hlafordlease.\nBesæt ða sinherge sweorda lafe,\nwundum werge, wean oft gehet\nearmre teohhe ondlonge niht,\ncwæð, he on mergenne meces ecgum\ngetan wolde, sum on galgtreowum\nfuglum to gamene. Frofor eft gelamp\nsarigmodum somod ærdæge,\nsyððan hie Hygelaces horn ond byman,\ngealdor ongeaton, þa se goda com\nleoda dugoðe on last faran.\nWæs sio swatswaðu Sweona ond Geata,\nwælræs weora wide gesyne,\nhu ða folc mid him fæhðe towehton.\nGewat him ða se goda mid his gædelingum,\nfrod, felageomor, fæsten secean,\neorl Ongenþio, ufor oncirde;\nhæfde Higelaces hilde gefrunen,\nwlonces wigcræft, wiðres ne truwode,\nþæt he sæmannum onsacan mihte,\nheaðoliðendum hord forstandan,\nbearn ond bryde; beah eft þonan\neald under eorðweall. þa wæs æht boden\nSweona leodum, segn Higelaces\nfreoðowong þone forð ofereodon,\nþær wearð Ongenðiow ecgum sweorda,\nblondenfexa, on bid wrecen,\nþæt se þeodcyning ðafian sceolde\nEafores anne dom. Hyne yrringa\nWulf Wonreding wæpne geræhte,\nþæt him for swenge swat ædrum sprong\nforð under fexe. Næs he forht swa ðeh,\ngomela Scilfing, ac forgeald hraðe\nwyrsan wrixle wælhlem þone,\nsyððan ðeodcyning þyder oncirde.\nNe meahte se snella sunu Wonredes\nealdum ceorle ondslyht giofan,\nac he him on heafde helm ær gescer,\nþæt he blode fah bugan sceolde,\nfeoll on foldan; næs he fæge þa git,\nac he hyne gewyrpte, þeah ðe him wund hrine.\nLet se hearda Higelaces þegn\nbradne mece, þa his broðor læg,\neald sweord eotonisc, entiscne helm\nbrecan ofer bordweal; ða gebeah cyning,\nfolces hyrde, wæs in feorh dropen.\nða wæron monige þe his mæg wriðon,\nricone arærdon, ða him gerymed wearð\nþæt hie wælstowe wealdan moston.\nþenden reafode rinc oðerne,\nnam on Ongenðio irenbyrnan,\nheard swyrd hilted ond his helm somod,\nhares hyrste Higelace bær.\nHe ðam frætwum feng ond him fægre gehet\nleana mid leodum, ond gelæste swa;\ngeald þone guðræs Geata dryhten,\nHreðles eafora, þa he to ham becom,\nIofore ond Wulfe mid ofermaðmum,\nlandes ond locenra beaga (ne ðorfte him ða lean oðwitan\nmon on middangearde), syððan hie ða mærða geslogon,\nond ða Iofore forgeaf angan dohtor,\nhamweorðunge, hyldo to wedde.\nþæt ys sio fæhðo ond se feondscipe,\nwælnið wera, ðæs ðe ic wen hafo,\nþe us seceað to Sweona leoda,\nealdorleasne, þone ðe ær geheold\nwið hettendum hord ond rice\næfter hæleða hryre, hwate Scildingas,\neorlscipe efnde. Nu is ofost betost\nþæt we þeodcyning þær sceawian\ngold unrime grimme geceapod,\nond nu æt siðestan sylfes feore\nbeagas gebohte. þa sceall brond fretan,\næled þeccean, nalles eorl wegan\nmaððum to gemyndum, ne mægð scyne\nhabban on healse hringweorðunge,\nac sceal geomormod, golde bereafod,\noft nalles æne elland tredan,\nnu se herewisa hleahtor alegde,\ngamen ond gleodream. Forðon sceall gar wesan\nmonig, morgenceald, mundum bewunden,\nhæfen on handa, nalles hearpan sweg\nwigend weccean, ac se wonna hrefn\nearne secgan hu him æt æte speow,\nþenden he wið wulf wæl reafode."\nSwa se secg hwata secggende wæs\nlaðra spella; he ne leag fela\nwyrda ne worda. Weorod eall aras;\neodon unbliðe under Earnanæs,\nwollenteare wundur sceawian.\nFundon ða on sande sawulleasne\nhlimbed healdan þone þe him hringas geaf\nærran mælum; þa wæs endedæg\ngodum gegongen, þæt se guðcyning,\nWedra þeoden, wundordeaðe swealt.\nær hi þær gesegan syllicran wiht,\nwyrm on wonge wiðerræhtes þær\nlaðne licgean; wæs se legdraca\ngrimlic, gryrefah, gledum beswæled.\nSe wæs fiftiges fotgemearces\nlang on legere, lyftwynne heold\nnihtes hwilum, nyðer eft gewat\ndennes niosian; wæs ða deaðe fæst,\nhæfde eorðscrafa ende genyttod.\nþonne wæs þæt yrfe, eacencræftig,\niumonna gold galdre bewunden,\nþæt ðam hringsele hrinan ne moste\ngumena ænig, nefne god sylfa,\nsigora soðcyning, sealde þam ðe he wolde\n(he is manna gehyld) hord openian,\nefne swa hwylcum manna swa him gemet ðuhte.\nwommum gewitnad, se ðone wong strude,\nWiglaf maðelode, Wihstanes sunu:\n"Oft sceall eorl monig anes willan\nwræc adreogan, swa us geworden is.\nNe meahton we gelæran leofne þeoden,\nrices hyrde, ræd ænigne,\nþæt he ne grette goldweard þone,\nlete hyne licgean þær he longe wæs,\nwicum wunian oð woruldende;\nheold on heahgesceap. Hord ys gesceawod,\ngrimme gegongen; wæs þæt gifeðe to swið\nþe ðone þeodcyning þyder ontyhte.\nIc wæs þær inne ond þæt eall geondseh,\nrecedes geatwa, þa me gerymed wæs,\nnealles swæslice sið alyfed\ninn under eorðweall. Ic on ofoste gefeng\nmicle mid mundum mægenbyrðenne\nhordgestreona, hider ut ætbær\ncyninge minum. Cwico wæs þa gena,\nwis ond gewittig; worn eall gespræc\ngomol on gehðo ond eowic gretan het,\nbæd þæt ge geworhton æfter wines dædum\nin bælstede beorh þone hean,\nmicelne ond mærne, swa he manna wæs\nwigend weorðfullost wide geond eorðan,\nþenden he burhwelan brucan moste.\nUton nu efstan oðre siðe,\nseon ond secean searogimma geþræc,\nwundur under wealle; ic eow wisige,\nþæt ge genoge neon sceawiað\nbeagas ond brad gold. Sie sio bær gearo,\nædre geæfned, þonne we ut cymen,\nond þonne geferian frean userne,\nleofne mannan, þær he longe sceal\non ðæs waldendes wære geþolian."\nhæle hildedior, hæleða monegum,\nfeorran feredon, folcagende,\ngodum togenes: "Nu sceal gled fretan,\nweaxan wonna leg wigena strengel,\nþone ðe oft gebad isernscure,\nþonne stræla storm strengum gebæded\nscoc ofer scildweall, sceft nytte heold,\nfeðergearwum fus flane fulleode."\nHuru se snotra sunu Wihstanes\nacigde of corðre cyninges þegnas\nsyfone tosomne, þa selestan,\neode eahta sum under inwithrof\nhilderinca; sum on handa bær\næledleoman, se ðe on orde geong.\nNæs ða on hlytme hwa þæt hord strude,\nsyððan orwearde ænigne dæl\nsecgas gesegon on sele wunian,\nlæne licgan; lyt ænig mearn\nþæt hi ofostlice ut geferedon\ndyre maðmas. Dracan ec scufun,\nflod fæðmian frætwa hyrde.\nþa wæs wunden gold on wæn hladen,\næghwæs unrim, æþeling boren,\nhar hilderinc to Hronesnæsse.\nHim ða gegiredan Geata leode\nad on eorðan unwaclicne,\nhelmum behongen, hildebordum,\nbeorhtum byrnum, swa he bena wæs;\nalegdon ða tomiddes mærne þeoden\nhæleð hiofende, hlaford leofne.\nOngunnon þa on beorge bælfyra mæst\nwigend weccan; wudurec astah,\nsweart ofer swioðole, swogende leg\nwope bewunden (windblond gelæg),\noðþæt he ða banhus gebrocen hæfde,\nhat on hreðre. Higum unrote\nmodceare mændon, mondryhtnes cwealm;\nswylce giomorgyd Geatisc meowle\nsong sorgcearig swiðe geneahhe\nþæt hio hyre heofungdagas hearde ondrede,\nhynðo ond hæftnyd. Heofon rece swealg.\nGeworhton ða Wedra leode\nhleo on hoe, se wæs heah ond brad,\nwægliðendum wide gesyne,\nond betimbredon on tyn dagum\nbeadurofes becn, bronda lafe\nwealle beworhton, swa hyt weorðlicost\nþa ymbe hlæw riodan hildediore,\nwoldon ceare cwiðan ond kyning mænan,\nwordgyd wrecan ond ymb wer sprecan;\nduguðum demdon, swa hit gedefe bið\nEn realidad el poema tiene como protagonista a un gauta, Beowulf, cuyo único contacto ... 5 V. 18. No debe confundirse a este Beowulf con el héroe del poema.