Part 2

115 Gewât þâ neósian, syððan niht becom, heán hûses, hû hit Hring-Dene äfter beór-þege gebûn häfdon. Fand þâ þær inne äðelinga gedriht swefan äfter symble; sorge ne cûðon, 120 won-sceaft wera. Wiht unhælo grim and grædig gearo sôna wäs, reóc and rêðe, and on räste genam þritig þegna: þanon eft gewât hûðe hrêmig tô hâm faran, 125 mid þære wäl-fylle wîca neósan. Þâ wäs on uhtan mid ær-däge Grendles gûð-cräft gumum undyrne: þâ wäs äfter wiste wôp up âhafen, micel morgen-swêg. Mære þeóden, 130 äðeling ær-gôd, unblîðe sät, þolode þrýð-swýð, þegn-sorge dreáh, syððan hie þäs lâðan lâst sceáwedon, wergan gâstes; wäs þät gewin tô strang, lâð and longsum. Näs hit lengra fyrst, 135 ac ymb âne niht eft gefremede morð-beala mâre and nô mearn fore fæhðe and fyrene; wäs tô fäst on þâm. Þâ wäs eáð-fynde, þe him elles hwær gerûmlîcor räste sôhte, 140 bed äfter bûrum, þâ him gebeácnod wäs, gesägd sôðlîce sweotolan tâcne heal-þegnes hete; heóld hine syððan fyr and fästor, se þäm feónde ätwand. Swâ rîxode and wið rihte wan 145 âna wið eallum, ôð þät îdel stôd hûsa sêlest. Wäs seó hwîl micel: twelf wintra tîd torn geþolode wine Scyldinga, weána gehwelcne, sîdra sorga; forþam syððan wearð 150 ylda bearnum undyrne cûð, gyddum geômore, þätte Grendel wan, hwîle wið Hrôðgâr;-- hete-nîðas wäg, fyrene and fæhðe fela missera, singale säce, sibbe ne wolde 155 wið manna hwone mägenes Deniga feorh-bealo feorran, feó þingian, ne þær nænig witena wênan þorfte beorhtre bôte tô banan folmum; atol äglæca êhtende wäs, 160 deorc deáð-scûa duguðe and geogoðe seomade and syrede. Sin-nihte heóld mistige môras; men ne cunnon, hwyder hel-rûnan hwyrftum scrîðað. Swâ fela fyrena feónd man-cynnes, 165 atol ân-gengea, oft gefremede heardra hýnða; Heorot eardode, sinc-fâge sel sweartum nihtum (nô he þone gif-stôl grêtan môste, mâððum for metode, ne his myne wisse); 170 þät wäs wræc micel wine Scyldinga, môdes brecða. Monig-oft gesät rîce tô rûne; ræd eahtedon, hwät swîð-ferhðum sêlest wære wið fær-gryrum tô gefremmanne. 175 Hwîlum hie gehêton ät härg-trafum wig-weorðunga, wordum bædon, þät him gâst-bona geóce gefremede wið þeód-þreáum. Swylc wäs þeáw hyra, hæðenra hyht; helle gemundon 180 in môd-sefan, metod hie ne cûðon, dæda dêmend, ne wiston hie drihten god, ne hie hûru heofena helm hêrian ne cûðon, wuldres waldend. Wâ bið þäm þe sceal þurh slîðne nîð sâwle bescûfan 185 in fýres fäðm, frôfre ne wênan, wihte gewendan; wel bið þäm þe môt äfter deáð-däge drihten sêcean and tô fäder fäðmum freoðo wilnian.

IV. HYGELAC'S THANE.

Swâ þâ mæl-ceare maga Healfdenes 190 singala seáð; ne mihte snotor häleð weán onwendan: wäs þät gewin tô swýð, lâð and longsum, þe on þâ leóde becom, nýd-wracu nîð-grim, niht-bealwa mæst. Þät fram hâm gefrägn Higelâces þegn, 195 gôd mid Geátum, Grendles dæda: se wäs mon-cynnes mägenes strengest on þäm däge þysses lîfes, äðele and eácen. Hêt him ýð-lidan gôdne gegyrwan; cwäð he gûð-cyning 200 ofer swan-râde sêcean wolde, mærne þeóden, þâ him wäs manna þearf. Þone sîð-fät him snotere ceorlas lyt-hwôn lôgon, þeáh he him leóf wære; hwetton higerôfne, hæl sceáwedon. 205 Häfde se gôda Geáta leóda cempan gecorone, þâra þe he cênoste findan mihte; fîftena sum sund-wudu sôhte; secg wîsade, lagu-cräftig mon, land-gemyrcu. 210 Fyrst forð gewât: flota wäs on ýðum, bât under beorge. Beornas gearwe on stefn stigon; streámas wundon sund wið sande; secgas bæron on bearm nacan beorhte frätwe, 215 gûð-searo geatolîc; guman ût scufon, weras on wil-sîð wudu bundenne. Gewât þâ ofer wæg-holm winde gefýsed flota fâmig-heals fugle gelîcost, ôð þät ymb ân-tîd ôðres dôgores 220 wunden-stefna gewaden häfde, þät þâ lîðende land gesâwon, brim-clifu blîcan, beorgas steápe, sîde sæ-nässas: þâ wäs sund liden, eoletes ät ende. Þanon up hraðe 225 Wedera leóde on wang stigon, sæ-wudu sældon (syrcan hrysedon, gûð-gewædo); gode þancedon, þäs þe him ýð-lâde eáðe wurdon. Þâ of wealle geseah weard Scildinga, 230 se þe holm-clifu healdan scolde, beran ofer bolcan beorhte randas, fyrd-searu fûslîcu; hine fyrwyt bräc môd-gehygdum, hwät þâ men wæron. Gewât him þâ tô waroðe wicge rîdan 235 þegn Hrôðgâres, þrymmum cwehte mägen-wudu mundum, meðel-wordum frägn: "Hwät syndon ge searo-häbbendra "byrnum werede, þe þus brontne ceól "ofer lagu-stræte lædan cwômon, 240 "hider ofer holmas helmas bæron? "Ic wäs ende-sæta, æg-wearde heóld, "þät on land Dena lâðra nænig "mid scip-herge sceððan ne meahte. "Nô her cûðlîcor cuman ongunnon 245 "lind-häbbende; ne ge leáfnes-word "gûð-fremmendra gearwe ne wisson, "mâga gemêdu. Næfre ic mâran geseah "eorla ofer eorðan, þonne is eówer sum, "secg on searwum; nis þät seld-guma 250 "wæpnum geweorðad, näfne him his wlite leóge, "ænlîc an-sýn. Nu ic eówer sceal "frum-cyn witan, ær ge fyr heonan "leáse sceáweras on land Dena "furður fêran. Nu ge feor-bûend, 255 "mere-lîðende, mînne gehýrað "ân-fealdne geþôht: ôfost is sêlest "tô gecýðanne, hwanan eówre cyme syndon."

V. THE ERRAND.

Him se yldesta andswarode, werodes wîsa, word-hord onleác: 260 "We synt gum-cynnes Geáta leóde "and Higelâces heorð-geneátas. "Wäs mîn fäder folcum gecýðed, "äðele ord-fruma Ecgþeów hâten; "gebâd wintra worn, ær he on weg hwurfe, 265 "gamol of geardum; hine gearwe geman "witena wel-hwylc wîde geond eorðan.-- "We þurh holdne hige hlâford þinne, "sunu Healfdenes, sêcean cwômon, "leód-gebyrgean: wes þu ûs lârena gôd! 270 "Habbað we tô þäm mæran micel ærende "Deniga freán; ne sceal þær dyrne sum "wesan, þäs ic wêne. Þu wâst, gif hit is, "swâ we sôðlice secgan hýrdon, "þät mid Scyldingum sceaða ic nât hwylc, 275 "deógol dæd-hata, deorcum nihtum "eáweð þurh egsan uncûðne nîð, "hýnðu and hrâ-fyl. Ic þäs Hrôðgâr mäg "þurh rûmne sefan ræd gelæran, "hû he frôd and gôd feónd oferswýðeð, 280 "gyf him ed-wendan æfre scolde "bealuwa bisigu, bôt eft cuman "and þâ cear-wylmas côlran wurðað; "oððe â syððan earfoð-þrage, "þreá-nýd þolað, þenden þær wunað 285 "on heáh-stede hûsa sêlest." Weard maðelode, þær on wicge sät ombeht unforht: "Æghwäðres sceal "scearp scyld-wîga gescâd witan, "worda and worca, se þe wel þenceð. 290 "Ic þät gehýre, þät þis is hold weorod "freán Scyldinga. Gewîtað forð beran "wæpen and gewædu, ic eów wîsige: "swylce ic magu-þegnas mîne hâte "wið feónda gehwone flotan eówerne, 295 "niw-tyrwedne nacan on sande "ârum healdan, ôð þät eft byreð "ofer lagu-streámas leófne mannan "wudu wunden-hals tô Weder-mearce. "Gûð-fremmendra swylcum gifeðe bið, 300 "þät þone hilde-ræs hâl gedîgeð." Gewiton him þâ fêran (flota stille bâd, seomode on sâle sîd-fäðmed scyp, on ancre fäst); eofor-lîc scionon ofer hleór-beran gehroden golde 305 fâh and fýr-heard, ferh wearde heóld. Gûðmôde grummon, guman onetton, sigon ätsomne, ôð þät hy säl timbred geatolîc and gold-fâh ongytan mihton; þät wäs fore-mærost fold-bûendum 310 receda under roderum, on þäm se rîca bâd; lixte se leóma ofer landa fela. Him þâ hilde-deór hof môdigra torht getæhte, þät hie him tô mihton gegnum gangan; gûð-beorna sum 315 wicg gewende, word äfter cwäð: "Mæl is me tô fêran; fäder alwalda "mid âr-stafum eówic gehealde "sîða gesunde! ic tô sæ wille, "wið wrâð werod wearde healdan."

VI. BEÓWULF'S SPEECH.

320 Stræt wäs stân-fâh, stîg wîsode gumum ätgädere. Gûð-byrne scân heard hond-locen, hring-îren scîr song in searwum, þâ hie tô sele furðum in hyra gryre-geatwum gangan cwômon. 325 Setton sæ-mêðe sîde scyldas, rondas regn-hearde wið þäs recedes weal, bugon þâ tô bence; byrnan hringdon, gûð-searo gumena; gâras stôdon, sæ-manna searo, samod ätgädere, 330 äsc-holt ufan græg: wäs se îren-þreát wæpnum gewurðad. Þâ þær wlonc häleð oret-mecgas äfter äðelum frägn: "Hwanon ferigeað ge fätte scyldas, "græge syrcan and grîm-helmas, 335 "here-sceafta heáp?-- Ic eom Hrôðgâres "âr and ombiht. Ne seah ic el-þeódige "þus manige men môdiglîcran. "Wên' ic þät ge for wlenco, nalles for wräc-sîðum, "ac for hige-þrymmum Hrôðgâr sôhton." 340 Him þâ ellen-rôf andswarode, wlanc Wedera leód word äfter spräc, heard under helme: "We synt Higelâces "beód-geneátas; Beówulf is mîn nama. "Wille ic âsecgan suna Healfdenes, 345 "mærum þeódne mîn ærende, "aldre þînum, gif he ûs geunnan wile, "þät we hine swâ gôdne grêtan môton." Wulfgâr maðelode (þät wäs Wendla leód, wäs his môd-sefa manegum gecýðed, 350 wîg and wîs-dôm): "ic þäs wine Deniga, "freán Scildinga frinan wille, "beága bryttan, swâ þu bêna eart, "þeóden mærne ymb þînne sîð ; "and þe þâ andsware ädre gecýðan, 355 "þe me se gôda âgifan þenceð." Hwearf þâ hrädlîce, þær Hrôðgâr sät, eald and unhâr mid his eorla gedriht; eode ellen-rôf, þät he for eaxlum gestôd Deniga freán, cûðe he duguðe þeáw. 360 Wulfgâr maðelode tô his wine-drihtne: "Her syndon geferede feorran cumene "ofer geofenes begang Geáta leóde: "þone yldestan oret-mecgas "Beówulf nemnað. Hy bênan synt, 365 "þät hie, þeóden mîn, wið þe môton "wordum wrixlan; nô þu him wearne geteóh, "þînra gegn-cwida glädnian, Hrôðgâr! "Hy on wîg-geatwum wyrðe þinceað "eorla geæhtlan; hûru se aldor deáh, 370 "se þæm heaðo-rincum hider wîsade."

VII. HROTHGAR'S WELCOME.

Hrôðgâr maðelode, helm Scyldinga: "Ic hine cûðe cniht-wesende. "Wäs his eald-fäder Ecgþeó hâten, "þäm tô hâm forgeaf Hrêðel Geáta 375 "ângan dôhtor; is his eafora nu "heard her cumen, sôhte holdne wine. "þonne sägdon þät sæ-lîðende, "þâ þe gif-sceattas Geáta fyredon "þyder tô þance, þät he þrittiges 380 "manna mägen-cräft on his mund-grîpe "heaðo-rôf häbbe. Hine hâlig god "for âr-stafum us onsende, "tô West-Denum, þäs ic wên häbbe, "wið Grendles gryre: ic þäm gôdan sceal 385 "for his môd-þräce mâdmas beódan. "Beó þu on ôfeste, hât hig in gân, "seón sibbe-gedriht samod ätgädere; "gesaga him eác wordum, þät hie sint wil-cuman "Deniga leódum." Þâ wið duru healle 390 Wulfgâr eode, word inne âbeád: "Eów hêt secgan sige-drihten mîn, "aldor Eást-Dena, þät he eówer äðelu can "and ge him syndon ofer sæ-wylmas, "heard-hicgende, hider wil-cuman. 395 "Nu ge môton gangan in eówrum guð-geatawum, "under here-grîman, Hrôðgâr geseón; "lætað hilde-bord her onbidian, "wudu wäl-sceaftas, worda geþinges." Ârâs þâ se rîca, ymb hine rinc manig, 400 þryðlîc þegna heáp; sume þær bidon, heaðo-reáf heóldon, swâ him se hearda bebeád. Snyredon ätsomne, þâ secg wîsode under Heorotes hrôf; hyge-rôf eode, heard under helme, þät he on heoðe gestôd. 405 Beówulf maðelode (on him byrne scân, searo-net seówed smiðes or-þancum): "Wes þu Hrôðgâr hâl! ic eom Higelâces "mæg and mago-þegn; häbbe ic mærða fela "ongunnen on geogoðe. Me wearð Grendles þing 410 "on mînre êðel-tyrf undyrne cûð: "secgað sæ-lîðend, þät þes sele stande, "reced sêlesta, rinca gehwylcum "îdel and unnyt, siððan æfen-leóht "under heofenes hâdor beholen weorðeð. 415 "Þâ me þät gelærdon leóde mîne, "þâ sêlestan, snotere ceorlas, "þeóden Hrôðgâr, þät ic þe sôhte; "forþan hie mägenes cräft mînne cûðon: "selfe ofersâwon, þâ ic of searwum cwom, 420 "fâh from feóndum, þær ic fîfe geband, "ýðde eotena cyn, and on ýðum slôg "niceras nihtes, nearo-þearfe dreáh, "wräc Wedera nîð (weán âhsodon) "forgrand gramum; and nu wið Grendel sceal, 425 "wið þam aglæcan, âna gehegan "þing wið þyrse. Ic þe nu þâ, "brego Beorht-Dena, biddan wille, "eodor Scyldinga, ânre bêne; "þät þu me ne forwyrne, wîgendra hleó, 430 "freó-wine folca, nu ic þus feorran com, "þät ic môte âna and mînra eorla gedryht, "þes hearda heáp, Heorot fælsian. "Häbbe ic eác geâhsod, þät se äglæca "for his won-hýdum wæpna ne rêceð; 435 "ic þät þonne forhicge, swâ me Higelâc sîe, "mîn mon-drihten, môdes blîðe, "þät ic sweord bere oððe sîdne scyld "geolo-rand tô gûðe; ac ic mid grâpe sceal "fôn wið feónde and ymb feorh sacan, 440 "lâð wið lâðum; þær gelýfan sceal "dryhtnes dôme se þe hine deáð nimeð. "Wên' ic þät he wille, gif he wealdan môt, "in þäm gûð-sele Geátena leóde "etan unforhte, swâ he oft dyde 445 "mägen Hrêðmanna. Nâ þu mînne þearft "hafalan hýdan, ac he me habban wile "dreóre fâhne, gif mec deáð nimeð; "byreð blôdig wäl, byrgean þenceð, "eteð ân-genga unmurnlîce, 450 "mearcað môr-hopu: nô þu ymb mînes ne þearft "lîces feorme leng sorgian. "Onsend Higelâce, gif mec hild nime, "beadu-scrûda betst, þät mîne breóst wereð, "hrägla sêlest; þät is Hrêðlan lâf, 455 "Wêlandes geweorc. Gæð â Wyrd swâ hió scel!"

VIII. HROTHGAR TELLS OF GRENDEL.

Hrôðgâr maðelode, helm Scyldinga: "for were-fyhtum þu, wine mîn Beówulf, "and for âr-stafum ûsic sôhtest. "Geslôh þin fäder fæhðe mæste, 460 "wearð he Heaðolâfe tô hand-bonan "mid Wilfingum; þâ hine Wedera cyn "for here-brôgan habban ne mihte. "Þanon he gesôhte Sûð-Dena folc "ofer ýða gewealc, Âr-Scyldinga; 465 "þâ ic furðum weóld folce Deninga, "and on geogoðe heóld gimme-rîce "hord-burh häleða: þâ wäs Heregâr deád, "mîn yldra mæg unlifigende, "bearn Healfdenes. Se wäs betera þonne ic! 470 "Siððan þâ fæhðe feó þingode; "sende ic Wylfingum ofer wäteres hrycg "ealde mâdmas: he me âðas swôr. "Sorh is me tô secganne on sefan mînum "gumena ængum, hwät me Grendel hafað 475 "hýnðo on Heorote mid his hete-þancum, "fær-nîða gefremed. Is mîn flet-werod, "wîg-heáp gewanod; hie Wyrd forsweóp "on Grendles gryre. God eáðe mäg "þone dol-scaðan dæda getwæfan! 480 "Ful oft gebeótedon beóre druncne "ofer ealo-wæge oret-mecgas, "þät hie in beór-sele bîdan woldon "Grendles gûðe mid gryrum ecga. "Þonne wäs þeós medo-heal on morgen-tîd, 485 "driht-sele dreór-fâh, þonne däg lixte, "eal benc-þelu blôde bestýmed, "heall heoru-dreóre: âhte ic holdra þý läs, "deórre duguðe, þe þâ deáð fornam. "Site nu tô symle and onsæl meoto, 490 "sige-hrêð secgum, swâ þîn sefa hwette!" Þâ wäs Geát-mäcgum geador ätsomne on beór-sele benc gerýmed; þær swîð-ferhðe sittan eodon þryðum dealle. Þegn nytte beheóld, 495 se þe on handa bär hroden ealo-wæge, scencte scîr wered. Scôp hwîlum sang hâdor on Heorote; þær wäs häleða dreám, duguð unlytel Dena and Wedera.

IX. HUNFERTH OBJECTS TO BEÓWULF.

Ûnferð maðelode, Ecglâfes bearn, 500 þe ät fôtum sät freán Scyldinga; onband beadu-rûne (wäs him Beówulfes sîð, môdges mere-faran, micel äf-þunca, forþon þe he ne ûðe, þät ænig ôðer man æfre mærða þon mâ middan-geardes 505 gehêdde under heofenum þonne he sylfa): "Eart þu se Beówulf, se þe wið Brecan wunne, "on sîdne sæ ymb sund flite, "þær git for wlence wada cunnedon "and for dol-gilpe on deóp wäter 510 "aldrum nêðdon? Ne inc ænig mon, "ne leóf ne lâð, beleán mihte "sorh-fullne sîð; þâ git on sund reón, "þær git eágor-streám earmum þehton, "mæton mere-stræta, mundum brugdon, 515 "glidon ofer gâr-secg; geofon ýðum weól, "wintres wylme. Git on wäteres æht "seofon niht swuncon; he þe ät sunde oferflât, "häfde mâre mägen. Þâ hine on morgen-tîd "on Heaðo-ræmas holm up ätbär, 520 "þonon he gesôhte swæsne êðel "leóf his leódum lond Brondinga, "freoðo-burh fägere, þær he folc âhte, "burg and beágas. Beót eal wið þe "sunu Beánstânes sôðe gelæste. 525 "Þonne wêne ic tô þe wyrsan geþinges, "þeáh þu heaðo-ræsa gehwær dohte, "grimre gûðe, gif þu Grendles dearst "niht-longne fyrst neán bîdan!" Beówulf maðelode, bearn Ecgþeówes: 530 "Hwät þu worn fela, wine mîn Ûnferð, "beóre druncen ymb Brecan spræce, "sägdest from his sîðe! Sôð ic talige, "þät ic mere-strengo mâran âhte, "earfeðo on ýðum, þonne ænig ôðer man. 535 "Wit þät gecwædon cniht-wesende "and gebeótedon (wæron begen þâ git "on geogoð-feore) þät wit on gâr-secg ût "aldrum nêðdon; and þät geäfndon swâ. "Häfdon swurd nacod, þâ wit on sund reón, 540 "heard on handa, wit unc wið hron-fixas "werian þôhton. Nô he wiht fram me "flôd-ýðum feor fleótan meahte, "hraðor on holme, nô ic fram him wolde. "Þâ wit ätsomne on sæ wæron 545 "fîf nihta fyrst, ôð þät unc flôd tôdrâf, "wado weallende, wedera cealdost, "nîpende niht and norðan wind "heaðo-grim andhwearf; hreó wæron ýða, "Wäs mere-fixa môd onhrêred: 550 "þær me wið lâðum lîc-syrce mîn, "heard hond-locen, helpe gefremede; "beado-hrägl broden on breóstum läg, "golde gegyrwed. Me tô grunde teáh "fâh feónd-scaða, fäste häfde 555 "grim on grâpe: hwäðre me gyfeðe wearð, "þät ic aglæcan orde geræhte, "hilde-bille; heaðo-ræs fornam "mihtig mere-deór þurh mîne hand.

X. BEÓWULF'S CONTEST WITH BRECA.--THE FEAST.

"Swâ mec gelôme lâð-geteónan 560 "þreátedon þearle. Ic him þênode "deóran sweorde, swâ hit gedêfe wäs; "näs hie þære fylle gefeán häfdon, "mân-fordædlan, þät hie me þêgon, "symbel ymb-sæton sæ-grunde neáh, 565 "ac on mergenne mêcum wunde "be ýð-lâfe uppe lægon, "sweordum âswefede, þät syððan nâ "ymb brontne ford brim-lîðende "lâde ne letton. Leóht eástan com, 570 "beorht beácen godes; brimu swaðredon, "þät ic sæ-nässas geseón mihte, "windige weallas. Wyrd oft nereð "unfægne eorl, ðonne his ellen deáh! "Hwäðere me gesælde, þät ic mid sweorde ofslôh 575 "niceras nigene. Nô ic on niht gefrägn "under heofones hwealf heardran feohtan, "ne on êg-streámum earmran mannan; "hwäðere ic fâra feng feore gedîgde, "siðes wêrig. Þâ mec sæ ôðbär, 580 "flôd äfter faroðe, on Finna land, "wadu weallendu. Nô ic wiht fram þe "swylcra searo-nîða secgan hýrde, "billa brôgan: Breca næfre git "ät heaðo-lâce, ne gehwäðer incer 585 "swâ deórlîce dæd gefremede "fâgum sweordum . . . . . . . ". . . . . . . nô ic þäs gylpe; "þeáh þu þînum brôðrum tô banan wurde, "heáfod-mægum; þäs þu in helle scealt 590 "werhðo dreógan, þeáh þîn wit duge, "Secge ic þe tô sôðe, sunu Ecglâfes, "þät næfre Grendel swâ fela gryra gefremede, "atol äglæca ealdre þînum, "hýnðo on Heorote, gif þîn hige wære, 595 "sefa swâ searo-grim, swâ þu self talast. "Ac he hafað onfunden, þät he þâ fæhðe ne þearf, "atole ecg-þräce eówer leóde "swîðe onsittan, Sige-Scyldinga; "nymeð nýd-bâde, nænegum ârað 600 "leóde Deniga, ac he on lust wîgeð, "swefeð ond sendeð, secce ne wêneð "tô Gâr-Denum. Ac him Geáta sceal "eafoð and ellen ungeâra nu "gûðe gebeódan. Gæð eft se þe môt 605 "tô medo môdig, siððan morgen-leóht "ofer ylda bearn ôðres dôgores, "sunne swegl-wered sûðan scîneð!" Þâ wäs on sâlum sinces brytta gamol-feax and gûð-rôf, geóce gelýfde 610 brego Beorht-Dena; gehýrde on Beówulfe folces hyrde fäst-rædne geþôht. Þær wäs häleða hleahtor; hlyn swynsode, word wæron wynsume. Eode Wealhþeów forð, cwên Hrôðgâres, cynna gemyndig, 615 grêtte gold-hroden guman on healle, and þâ freólîc wîf ful gesealde ærest Eást-Dena êðel-wearde, bäd hine blîðne ät þære beór-þege, leódum leófne; he on lust geþeah 620 symbel and sele-ful, sige-rôf kyning. Ymb-eode þâ ides Helminga duguðe and geogoðe dæl æghwylcne; sinc-fato sealde, ôð þät sæl âlamp, þät hió Beówulfe, beág-hroden cwên, 625 môde geþungen, medo-ful ätbär; grêtte Geáta leód, gode þancode wîs-fäst wordum, þäs þe hire se willa gelamp, þät heó on ænigne eorl gelýfde fyrena frôfre. He þät ful geþeah, 630 wäl-reów wîga ät Wealhþeón, and þâ gyddode gûðe gefýsed, Beówulf maðelode, bearn Ecgþeówes: "Ic þät hogode, þâ ic on holm gestâh, "sæ-bât gesät mid mînra secga gedriht, 635 "þät ic ânunga eówra leóda "willan geworhte, oððe on wäl crunge, "feónd-grâpum fäst. Ic gefremman sceal "eorlîc ellen, oððe ende-däg "on þisse meodu-healle mînne gebîdan." 640 Þam wîfe þâ word wel lîcodon, gilp-cwide Geátes; eode gold-hroden freólîcu folc-cwên tô hire freán sittan. Þâ wäs eft swâ ær inne on healle þryð-word sprecen, þeód on sælum, 645 sige-folca swêg, ôð þät semninga sunu Healfdenes sêcean wolde æfen-räste; wiste ät þäm ahlæcan tô þäm heáh-sele hilde geþinged, siððan hie sunnan leóht geseón ne meahton, 650 oððe nîpende niht ofer ealle, scadu-helma gesceapu scrîðan cwôman, wan under wolcnum. Werod eall ârâs. Grêtte þâ giddum guma ôðerne, Hrôðgâr Beówulf, and him hæl âbeád, 655 wîn-ärnes geweald and þät word âcwäð: "Næfre ic ænegum men ær âlýfde, "siððan ic hond and rond hebban mihte, "þryð-ärn Dena bûton þe nu þâ. "Hafa nu and geheald hûsa sêlest; 660 "gemyne mærðo, mägen-ellen cýð, "waca wið wrâðum! Ne bið þe wilna gâd, "gif þu þät ellen-weorc aldre gedîgest."

XI. THE WATCH FOR GRENDEL.

Þâ him Hrôðgâr gewât mid his häleða gedryht, eodur Scyldinga ût of healle; 665 wolde wîg-fruma Wealhþeó sêcan, cwên tô gebeddan Häfde kyninga wuldor Grendle tô-geánes, swâ guman gefrungon, sele-weard âseted, sundor-nytte beheóld ymb aldor Dena, eoton weard âbeád; 670 hûru Geáta leód georne trûwode môdgan mägnes, metodes hyldo. Þâ he him of dyde îsern-byrnan, helm of hafelan, sealde his hyrsted sweord, îrena cyst ombiht-þegne, 675 and gehealdan hêt hilde-geatwe. Gespräc þâ se gôda gylp-worda sum Beówulf Geáta, ær he on bed stige: "Nô ic me an here-wæsmum hnâgran talige "gûð-geweorca, þonne Grendel hine; 680 "forþan ic hine sweorde swebban nelle, "aldre beneótan, þeáh ic eal mæge. "Nât he þâra gôda, þät he me on-geán sleá, "rand geheáwe, þeáh þe he rôf sîe "nîð-geweorca; ac wit on niht sculon 685 "secge ofersittan, gif he gesêcean dear "wîg ofer wæpen, and siððan witig god "on swâ hwäðere hond hâlig dryhten "mærðo dême, swâ him gemet þince." Hylde hine þâ heaðo-deór, hleór-bolster onfêng 690 eorles andwlitan; and hine ymb monig snellîc sæ-rinc sele-reste gebeáh. Nænig heora þôhte þät he þanon scolde eft eard-lufan æfre gesêcean, folc oððe freó-burh, þær he âfêded wäs, 695 ac hie häfdon gefrunen, þät hie ær tô fela micles in þäm wîn-sele wäl-deáð fornam, Denigea leóde. Ac him dryhten forgeaf wîg-spêda gewiofu, Wedera leódum frôfor and fultum, þät hie feónd heora 700 þurh ânes cräft ealle ofercômon, selfes mihtum: sôð is gecýðed, þät mihtig god manna cynnes weóld wîde-ferhð. Com on wanre niht scrîðan sceadu-genga. Sceótend swæfon, 705 þâ þät horn-reced healdan scoldon, ealle bûton ânum. Þät wäs yldum cûð, þät hie ne môste, þâ metod nolde, se syn-scaða under sceadu bregdan; ac he wäccende wrâðum on andan 710 bâd bolgen-môd beadwa geþinges.

XII. GRENDEL'S RAID.

Þâ com of môre under mist-hleoðum Grendel gongan, godes yrre bär. Mynte se mân-scaða manna cynnes sumne besyrwan in sele þam heán; 715 wôd under wolcnum, tô þäs þe he wîn-reced, gold-sele gumena, gearwost wisse fättum fâhne. Ne wäs þät forma sîð, þät he Hrôðgâres hâm gesôhte: næfre he on aldor-dagum ær ne siððan 720 heardran häle, heal-þegnas fand! Com þâ tô recede rinc sîðian dreámum bedæled. Duru sôna onarn fýr-bendum fäst, syððan he hire folmum hrân; onbräd þâ bealo-hydig, þâ he âbolgen wäs, 725 recedes mûðan. Raðe äfter þon on fâgne flôr feónd treddode, eode yrre-môd; him of eágum stôd lîge gelîcost leóht unfäger. Geseah he in recede rinca manige, 730 swefan sibbe-gedriht samod ätgädere, mago-rinca heáp: þâ his môd âhlôg, mynte þät he gedælde, ær þon däg cwôme, atol aglæca, ânra gehwylces lîf wið lîce, þâ him âlumpen wäs 735 wist-fylle wên. Ne wäs þät wyrd þâ gen, þät he mâ môste manna cynnes þicgean ofer þâ niht. Þrýð-swýð beheóld mæg Higelâces, hû se mân-scaða under fær-gripum gefaran wolde. 740 Ne þät se aglæca yldan þôhte, ac he gefêng hraðe forman siðe slæpendne rinc, slât unwearnum, bât bân-locan, blôd êdrum dranc, syn-snædum swealh: sôna häfde 745 unlyfigendes eal gefeormod fêt and folma. Forð neár ätstôp, nam þâ mid handa hige-þihtigne rinc on räste; ræhte ongeán feónd mid folme, he onfêng hraðe 750 inwit-þancum and wið earm gesät. Sôna þät onfunde fyrena hyrde, þät he ne mêtte middan-geardes eorðan sceáta on elran men mund-gripe mâran: he on môde wearð 755 forht on ferhðe, nô þý ær fram meahte; hyge wäs him hin-fûs, wolde on heolster fleón, sêcan deófla gedräg: ne wäs his drohtoð þær, swylce he on ealder-dagum ær gemêtte. Gemunde þâ se gôda mæg Higelâces 760 æfen-spræce, up-lang âstôd and him fäste wiðfêng. Fingras burston; eoten wäs ût-weard, eorl furður stôp. Mynte se mæra, þær he meahte swâ, wîdre gewindan and on weg þanon 765 fleón on fen-hopu; wiste his fingra geweald on grames grâpum. Þät wäs geócor sîð, þät se hearm-scaða tô Heorute âteáh: dryht-sele dynede, Denum eallum wearð, ceaster-bûendum, cênra gehwylcum, 770 eorlum ealu-scerwen. Yrre wæron begen, rêðe rên-weardas. Reced hlynsode; þâ wäs wundor micel, þät se wîn-sele wiðhäfde heaðo-deórum, þät he on hrusan ne feól, fäger fold-bold; ac he þäs fäste wäs 775 innan and ûtan îren-bendum searo-þoncum besmiðod. Þær fram sylle âbeág medu-benc monig mîne gefræge, golde geregnad, þær þâ graman wunnon; þäs ne wêndon ær witan Scyldinga, 780 þät hit â mid gemete manna ænig betlîc and bân-fâg tôbrecan meahte, listum tôlûcan, nymðe lîges fäðm swulge on swaðule. Swêg up âstâg niwe geneahhe; Norð-Denum stôd 785 atelîc egesa ânra gehwylcum þâra þe of wealle wôp gehýrdon, gryre-leóð galan godes andsacan, sige-leásne sang, sâr wânigean helle häftan. Heóld hine tô fäste 790 se þe manna wäs mägene strengest on þäm däge þysses lîfes.

XIII. BEÓWULF TEARS OFF GRENDEL'S ARM.