Part 3

Nolde eorla hleó ænige þinga þone cwealm-cuman cwicne forlætan, ne his lîf-dagas leóda ænigum 795 nytte tealde. Þær genehost brägd eorl Beówulfes ealde lâfe, wolde freá-drihtnes feorh ealgian mæres þeódnes, þær hie meahton swâ; hie þät ne wiston, þâ hie gewin drugon, 800 heard-hicgende hilde-mecgas, and on healfa gehwone heáwan þôhton, sâwle sêcan, þät þone syn-scaðan ænig ofer eorðan îrenna cyst, gûð-billa nân grêtan nolde; 805 ac he sige-wæpnum forsworen häfde, ecga gehwylcre. Scolde his aldor-gedâl on þäm däge þysses lîfes earmlîc wurðan and se ellor-gâst on feónda geweald feor sîðian. 810 Þâ þät onfunde se þe fela æror môdes myrðe manna cynne fyrene gefremede (he wäs fâg wið god) þät him se lîc-homa læstan nolde, ac hine se môdega mæg Hygelâces 815 häfde be honda; wäs gehwäðer ôðrum lifigende lâð. Lîc-sâr gebâd atol äglæca, him on eaxle wearð syn-dolh sweotol, seonowe onsprungon burston bân-locan. Beówulfe wearð 820 gûð-hrêð gyfeðe; scolde Grendel þonan feorh-seóc fleón under fen-hleoðu, sêcean wyn-leás wîc; wiste þê geornor, þät his aldres wäs ende gegongen, dôgera däg-rîm. Denum eallum wearð 825 äfter þam wäl-ræse willa gelumpen. Häfde þâ gefælsod, se þe ær feorran com, snotor and swýð-ferhð sele Hrôðgâres, genered wið nîðe. Niht-weorce gefeh, ellen-mærðum; häfde Eást-Denum 830 Geát-mecga leód gilp gelæsted, swylce oncýððe ealle gebêtte, inwid-sorge, þe hie ær drugon and for þreá-nýdum þolian scoldon, torn unlytel. Þät wäs tâcen sweotol, 835 syððan hilde-deór hond âlegde, earm and eaxle (þær wäs eal geador Grendles grâpe) under geápne hrôf.

XIV. THE JOY AT HEOROT.

Þâ wäs on morgen mîne gefræge ymb þâ gif-healle gûð-rinc monig: 840 fêrdon folc-togan feorran and neán geond wîd-wegas wundor sceáwian, lâðes lâstas. Nô his lîf-gedâl sârlîc þûhte secga ænegum, þâra þe tîr-leáses trode sceáwode, 845 hû he wêrig-môd on weg þanon, nîða ofercumen, on nicera mere fæge and geflýmed feorh-lâstas bär. Þær wäs on blôde brim weallende, atol ýða geswing eal gemenged 850 hâtan heolfre, heoro-dreóre weól; deáð-fæge deóg, siððan dreáma leás in fen-freoðo feorh âlegde hæðene sâwle, þær him hel onfêng. Þanon eft gewiton eald-gesîðas, 855 swylce geong manig of gomen-wâðe, fram mere môdge, mearum rîdan, beornas on blancum. Þær wäs Beówulfes mærðo mæned; monig oft gecwäð, þätte sûð ne norð be sæm tweonum 860 ofer eormen-grund ôðer nænig under swegles begong sêlra nære rond-häbbendra, rîces wyrðra. Ne hie hûru wine-drihten wiht ne lôgon, glädne Hrôðgâr, ac þät wäs gôd cyning. 865 Hwîlum heaðo-rôfe hleápan lêton, on geflît faran fealwe mearas, þær him fold-wegas fägere þûhton, cystum cûðe; hwîlum cyninges þegn, guma gilp-hläden gidda gemyndig, 870 se þe eal-fela eald-gesegena worn gemunde, word ôðer fand sôðe gebunden: secg eft ongan sîð Beówulfes snyttrum styrian and on spêd wrecan spel gerâde, 875 wordum wrixlan, wel-hwylc gecwäð, þät he fram Sigemunde secgan hýrde, ellen-dædum, uncûðes fela, Wälsinges gewin, wîde sîðas, þâra þe gumena bearn gearwe ne wiston, 880 fæhðe and fyrene, bûton Fitela mid hine, þonne he swylces hwät secgan wolde eám his nefan, swâ hie â wæron ät nîða gehwâm nýd-gesteallan: häfdon eal-fela eotena cynnes 885 sweordum gesæged. Sigemunde gesprong äfter deáð-däge dôm unlýtel, syððan wîges heard wyrm âcwealde, hordes hyrde; he under hârne stân, äðelinges bearn, âna genêðde 890 frêcne dæde; ne wäs him Fitela mid. Hwäðre him gesælde, þät þät swurd þurhwôd wrätlîcne wyrm, þät hit on wealle ätstôd, dryhtlîc îren; draca morðre swealt. Häfde aglæca elne gegongen, 895 þät he beáh-hordes brûcan môste selfes dôme: sæ-bât gehlôd, bär on bearm scipes beorhte frätwa, Wälses eafera; wyrm hât gemealt. Se wäs wreccena wîde mærost 900 ofer wer-þeóde, wîgendra hleó ellen-dædum: he þäs âron þâh. Siððan Heremôdes hild sweðrode eafoð and ellen. He mid eotenum wearð on feónda geweald forð forlâcen, 905 snûde forsended. Hine sorh-wylmas lemede tô lange, he his leódum wearð, eallum äðelingum tô aldor-ceare; swylce oft bemearn ærran mælum swîð-ferhðes sîð snotor ceorl monig, 910 se þe him bealwa tô bôte gelýfde, þät þät þeódnes bearn geþeón scolde, fäder-äðelum onfôn, folc gehealdan, hord and hleó-burh, häleða rîce, êðel Scyldinga. He þær eallum wearð, 915 mæg Higelâces manna cynne, freóndum gefägra; hine fyren onwôd.

Hwîlum flîtende fealwe stræte mearum mæton. Þâ wäs morgen-leóht scofen and scynded. Eode scealc monig 920 swîð-hicgende tô sele þam heán, searo-wundor seón, swylce self cyning, of brýd-bûre beáh-horda weard, tryddode tîr-fäst getrume micle, cystum gecýðed, and his cwên mid him 925 medo-stîg gemät mägða hôse.

XV. HROTHGAR'S GRATULATION.

Hrôðgâr maðelode (he tô healle geóng, stôd on stapole, geseah steápne hrôf golde fâhne and Grendles hond): "þisse ansýne al-wealdan þanc 930 "lungre gelimpe! Fela ic lâðes gebâd, "grynna ät Grendle: â mäg god wyrcan "wunder äfter wundre, wuldres hyrde! "Þät wäs ungeâra, þät ic ænigra me "weána ne wênde tô wîdan feore 935 "bôte gebîdan þonne blôde fâh "hûsa sêlest heoro-dreórig stôd; "weá wîd-scofen witena gehwylcne "þâra þe ne wêndon, þät hie wîde-ferhð "leóda land-geweorc lâðum beweredon 940 "scuccum and scinnum. Nu scealc hafað "þurh drihtnes miht dæd gefremede, "þe we ealle ær ne meahton "snyttrum besyrwan. Hwät! þät secgan mäg "efne swâ hwylc mägða, swâ þone magan cende 945 "äfter gum-cynnum, gyf heó gyt lyfað, "þät hyre eald-metod êste wære "bearn-gebyrdo. Nu ic Beówulf "þec, secg betsta, me for sunu wylle "freógan on ferhðe; heald forð tela 950 "niwe sibbe. Ne bið þe nænigra gâd "worolde wilna, þe ic geweald häbbe. "Ful-oft ic for lässan leán teohhode "hord-weorðunge hnâhran rince, "sæmran ät säcce. Þu þe self hafast 955 "dædum gefremed, þät þîn dôm lyfað "âwâ tô aldre. Alwalda þec "gôde forgylde, swâ he nu gyt dyde!" Beówulf maðelode, bearn Ecgþeówes: "We þät ellen-weorc êstum miclum, 960 "feohtan fremedon, frêcne genêðdon "eafoð uncûðes; ûðe ic swîðor, "þät þu hinc selfne geseón môste, "feónd on frätewum fyl-wêrigne! "Ic hine hrädlîce heardan clammum 965 "on wäl-bedde wrîðan þôhte, "þät he for mund-gripe mînum scolde "licgean lîf-bysig, bûtan his lîc swice; "ic hine ne mihte, þâ metod nolde, "ganges getwæman, nô ic him þäs georne ätfealh, 970 "feorh-genîðlan; wäs tô fore-mihtig "feónd on fêðe. Hwäðere he his folme forlêt "tô lîf-wraðe lâst weardian, "earm and eaxle; nô þær ænige swâ þeáh "feá-sceaft guma frôfre gebohte: 975 "nô þý leng leofað lâð-geteóna "synnum geswenced, ac hyne sâr hafað "in nýd-gripe nearwe befongen, "balwon bendum: þær âbîdan sceal "maga mâne fâh miclan dômes, 980 "hû him scîr metod scrîfan wille." Þâ wäs swîgra secg, sunu Ecglâfes, on gylp-spræce gûð-geweorca, siððan äðelingas eorles cräfte ofer heáhne hrôf hand sceáwedon, 985 feóndes fingras, foran æghwylc; wäs stêde nägla gehwylc, stýle gelîcost, hæðenes hand-sporu hilde-rinces egle unheóru; æg-hwylc gecwäð, þät him heardra nân hrînan wolde 990 îren ær-gôd, þät þäs ahlæcan blôdge beadu-folme onberan wolde.

XVI. THE BANQUET AND THE GIFTS.

Þâ wäs hâten hreðe Heort innan-weard folmum gefrätwod: fela þæra wäs wera and wîfa, þe þät wîn-reced, 995 gest-sele gyredon. Gold-fâg scinon web äfter wagum, wundor-sióna fela secga gehwylcum þâra þe on swylc starað Wäs þät beorhte bold tôbrocen swîðe eal inne-weard îren-bendum fäst, 1000 heorras tôhlidene; hrôf âna genäs ealles ansund, þâ se aglæca fyren-dædum fâg on fleám gewand, aldres or-wêna. Nô þät ýðe byð tô befleónne (fremme se þe wille!) 1005 ac gesacan sceal sâwl-berendra nýde genýdde niðða bearna grund-bûendra gearwe stôwe, þær his lîc-homa leger-bedde fäst swefeð äfter symle. Þâ wäs sæl and mæl, 1010 þät tô healle gang Healfdenes sunu; wolde self cyning symbel þicgan. Ne gefrägen ic þâ mægðe mâran weorode ymb hyra sinc-gyfan sêl gebæran. Bugon þâ tô bence blæd-âgende, 1015 fylle gefægon. Fägere geþægon medo-ful manig mâgas + þâra swîð-hicgende on sele þam heán, Hrôðgâr and Hrôðulf. Heorot innan wäs freóndum âfylled; nalles fâcen-stafas 1020 Þeód-Scyldingas þenden fremedon. Forgeaf þâ Beówulfe bearn Healfdenes segen gyldenne sigores tô leáne, hroden hilte-cumbor, helm and byrnan; mære mâððum-sweord manige gesâwon 1025 beforan beorn beran. Beówulf geþah ful on flette; nô he þære feoh-gyfte for sceótendum scamigan þorfte, ne gefrägn ic freóndlîcor feówer mâdmas golde gegyrede gum-manna fela 1030 in ealo-bence ôðrum gesellan. Ymb þäs helmes hrôf heáfod-beorge wîrum bewunden walan ûtan heóld, þät him fêla lâfe frêcne ne meahton scûr-heard sceððan, þonne scyld-freca 1035 ongeán gramum gangan scolde. Hêht þâ eorla hleó eahta mearas, fäted-hleóre, on flet teón in under eoderas; þâra ânum stôd sadol searwum fâh since gewurðad, 1040 þät wäs hilde-setl heáh-cyninges, þonne sweorda gelâc sunu Healfdenes efnan wolde; næfre on ôre läg wîd-cûðes wîg, þonne walu feóllon. And þâ Beówulfe bega gehwäðres 1045 eodor Ingwina onweald geteáh, wicga and wæpna; hêt hine wel brûcan. Swâ manlîce mære þeóden, hord-weard häleða heaðo-ræsas geald mearum and mâdmum, swâ hý næfre man lyhð, 1050 se þe secgan wile sôð äfter rihte.

XVII. SONG OF HROTHGAR'S POET--THE LAY OF HNAEF AND HENGEST.

Þâ gyt æghwylcum eorla drihten þâra þe mid Beówulfe brim-lâde teáh, on þære medu-bence mâððum gesealde, yrfe-lâfe, and þone ænne hêht 1055 golde forgyldan, þone þe Grendel ær mâne âcwealde, swâ he hyra mâ wolde, nefne him witig god wyrd forstôde and þäs mannes môd: metod eallum weóld gumena cynnes, swâ he nu git dêð; 1060 forþan bið andgit æghwær sêlest, ferhðes fore-þanc! fela sceal gebîdan leófes and lâðes, se þe longe her on þyssum win-dagum worolde brûceð. Þær wäs sang and swêg samod ätgädere 1065 fore Healfdenes hilde-wîsan, gomen-wudu grêted, gid oft wrecen, þonne heal-gamen Hrôðgâres scôp äfter medo-bence mænan scolde Finnes eaferum, þâ hie se fær begeat: 1070 "Häleð Healfdenes, Hnäf Scyldinga, "in Fr..es wäle feallan scolde. "Ne hûru Hildeburh hêrian þorfte "Eotena treówe: unsynnum wearð "beloren leófum ät þam lind-plegan 1075 "bearnum and brôðrum; hie on gebyrd hruron "gâre wunde; þät wäs geômuru ides. "Nalles hôlinga Hôces dôhtor "meotod-sceaft bemearn, syððan morgen com, "þâ heó under swegle geseón meahte 1080 "morðor-bealo mâga, þær heó ær mæste heóld "worolde wynne: wîg ealle fornam "Finnes þegnas, nemne feáum ânum, "þät he ne mehte on þäm meðel-stede "wîg Hengeste wiht gefeohtan, 1085 "ne þâ weá-lâfe wîge forþringan "þeódnes þegne; ac hig him geþingo budon, "þät hie him ôðer flet eal gerýmdon, "healle and heáh-setl, þät hie healfre geweald "wið Eotena bearn âgan môston, 1090 "and ät feoh-gyftum Folcwaldan sunu "dôgra gehwylce Dene weorðode, "Hengestes heáp hringum wenede, "efne swâ swîðe sinc-gestreónum "fättan goldes, swâ he Fresena cyn 1095 "on beór-sele byldan wolde. "Þâ hie getrûwedon on twâ healfa "fäste frioðu-wære; Fin Hengeste "elne unflitme âðum benemde, "þät he þâ weá-lâfe weotena dôme 1100 "ârum heolde, þät þær ænig mon "wordum ne worcum wære ne bræce, "ne þurh inwit-searo æfre gemænden, "þeáh hie hira beág-gyfan banan folgedon "þeóden-leáse, þâ him swâ geþearfod wäs: 1105 "gyf þonne Frysna hwylc frêcnan spræce "þäs morðor-hetes myndgiend wære, "þonne hit sweordes ecg syððan scolde. "Âð wäs geäfned and icge gold "âhäfen of horde. Here-Scyldinga 1110 "betst beado-rinca wäs on bæl gearu; "ät þäm âde wäs êð-gesýne "swât-fâh syrce, swýn eal-gylden, "eofer îren-heard, äðeling manig "wundum âwyrded; sume on wäle crungon. 1115 "Hêt þâ Hildeburh ät Hnäfes âde "hire selfre sunu sweoloðe befästan, "bân-fatu bärnan and on bæl dôn. "Earme on eaxle ides gnornode, "geômrode giddum; gûð-rinc âstâh. 1120 "Wand tô wolcnum wäl-fýra mæst, "hlynode for hlâwe; hafelan multon, "ben-geato burston, þonne blôd ätspranc "lâð-bite lîces. Lîg ealle forswealg, "gæsta gîfrost, þâra þe þær gûð fornam 1125 "bega folces; wäs hira blæd scacen.

XVIII. THE GLEEMAN'S TALE IS ENDED.

"Gewiton him þâ wîgend wîca neósian, "freóndum befeallen Frysland geseón, "hâmas and heá-burh. Hengest þâ gyt "wäl-fâgne winter wunode mid Finne 1130 "ealles unhlitme; eard gemunde, "þeáh þe he ne meahte on mere drîfan "hringed-stefnan; holm storme weól, "won wið winde; winter ýðe beleác "îs-gebinde ôð þät ôðer com 1135 "geâr in geardas, swâ nu gyt dêð, "þâ þe syngales sêle bewitiað, "wuldor-torhtan weder. Þâ wäs winter scacen, "fäger foldan bearm; fundode wrecca, "gist of geardum; he tô gyrn-wräce 1140 "swîðor þôhte, þonne tô sæ-lâde, "gif he torn-gemôt þurhteón mihte, "þät he Eotena bearn inne gemunde. "Swâ he ne forwyrnde worold-rædenne, "þonne him Hûnlâfing hilde-leóman, 1145 "billa sêlest, on bearm dyde: "þäs wæron mid Eotenum ecge cûðe. "Swylce ferhð-frecan Fin eft begeat "sweord-bealo slîðen ät his selfes hâm, "siððan grimne gripe Gûðlaf ond Ôslâf 1150 "äfter sæ-siðe sorge mændon, "ätwiton weána dæl; ne meahte wäfre môd "forhabban in hreðre. Þâ wäs heal hroden "feónda feorum, swilce Fin slägen, "cyning on corðre, and seó cwên numen. 1155 "Sceótend Scyldinga tô scypum feredon "eal in-gesteald eorð-cyninges, "swylce hie ät Finnes hâm findan meahton "sigla searo-gimma. Hie on sæ-lâde "drihtlîce wîf tô Denum feredon, 1160 "læddon tô leódum." Leóð wäs âsungen, gleó-mannes gyd. Gamen eft âstâh, beorhtode benc-swêg, byrelas sealdon wîn of wunder-fatum. Þâ cwom Wealhþeó forð gân under gyldnum beáge, þær þâ gôdan twegen 1165 sæton suhter-gefäderan; þâ gyt wäs hiera sib ätgädere æghwylc ôðrum trýwe. Swylce þær Ûnferð þyle ät fôtum sät freán Scyldinga: gehwylc hiora his ferhðe treówde, þät he häfde môd micel, þeáh þe he his mâgum nære ârfäst ät ecga gelâcum. Spräc þâ ides Scyldinga: 1170 "Onfôh þissum fulle, freó-drihten mîn, "sinces brytta; þu on sælum wes, "gold-wine gumena, and tô Geátum sprec "mildum wordum! Swâ sceal man dôn. "Beó wið Geátas gläd, geofena gemyndig; 1175 "neán and feorran þu nu friðu hafast. "Me man sägde, þät þu þe for sunu wolde "here-rinc habban. Heorot is gefælsod, "beáh-sele beorhta; brûc þenden þu môte "manigra mêda and þînum mâgum læf 1180 "folc and rîce, þonne þu forð scyle "metod-sceaft seón. Ic mînne can "glädne Hrôðulf, þät he þâ geogoðe wile "ârum healdan, gyf þu ær þonne he, "wine Scildinga, worold oflætest; 1185 "wêne ic, þät he mid gôde gyldan wille "uncran eaferan, gif he þät eal gemon, "hwät wit tô willan and tô worð-myndum "umbor wesendum ær ârna gefremedon." Hwearf þâ bî bence, þær hyre byre wæron, 1190 Hrêðrîc and Hrôðmund, and häleða bearn, giogoð ätgädere; þær se gôda sät Beówulf Geáta be þæm gebrôðrum twæm.

XIX. BEÓWULF'S JEWELLED COLLAR. THE HEROES REST.

Him wäs ful boren and freónd-laðu wordum bewägned and wunden gold 1195 êstum geeáwed, earm-hreáde twâ, hrägl and hringas, heals-beága mæst þâra þe ic on foldan gefrägen häbbe. Nænigne ic under swegle sêlran hýrde hord-mâððum häleða, syððan Hâma ätwäg 1200 tô þære byrhtan byrig Brosinga mene, sigle and sinc-fät, searo-nîðas fealh Eormenrîces, geceás êcne ræd. Þone hring häfde Higelâc Geáta, nefa Swertinges, nýhstan sîðe, 1205 siððan he under segne sinc ealgode, wäl-reáf werede; hyne Wyrd fornam, syððan he for wlenco weán âhsode, fæhðe tô Frysum; he þâ frätwe wäg, eorclan-stânas ofer ýða ful, 1210 rîce þeóden, he under rande gecranc; gehwearf þâ in Francna fäðm feorh cyninges, breóst-gewædu and se beáh somod: wyrsan wîg-frecan wäl reáfedon äfter gûð-sceare, Geáta leóde 1215 hreâ-wîc heóldon. Heal swêge onfêng. Wealhþeó maðelode, heó fore þäm werede spräc: "Brûc þisses beáges, Beówulf, leófa "hyse, mid hæle, and þisses hrägles neót "þeód-gestreóna, and geþeóh tela, 1220 "cen þec mid cräfte and þyssum cnyhtum wes "lâra lîðe! ic þe þäs leán geman. "Hafast þu gefêred, þät þe feor and neáh "ealne wîde-ferhð weras ehtigað, "efne swâ sîde swâ sæ bebûgeð 1225 "windige weallas. Wes, þenden þu lifige, "äðeling eádig! ic þe an tela "sinc-gestreóna. Beó þu suna mînum "dædum gedêfe dreám healdende! "Her is æghwylc eorl ôðrum getrýwe, 1230 "môdes milde, man-drihtne hold, "þegnas syndon geþwære, þeód eal gearo: "druncne dryht-guman, dôð swâ ic bidde!" Eode þâ tô setle. Þær wäs symbla cyst, druncon wîn weras: wyrd ne cûðon, 1235 geó-sceaft grimme, swâ hit âgangen wearð eorla manegum, syððan æfen cwom and him Hrôðgâr gewât tô hofe sînum, rîce tô räste. Reced weardode unrîm eorla, swâ hie oft ær dydon: 1240 benc-þelu beredon, hit geond-bræded wearð beddum and bolstrum. Beór-scealca sum fûs and fæge flet-räste gebeág. Setton him tô heáfdum hilde-randas, bord-wudu beorhtan; þær on bence wäs 1245 ofer äðelinge ýð-gesêne heaðo-steápa helm, hringed byrne, þrec-wudu þrymlîc. Wäs þeáw hyra, þät hie oft wæron an wîg gearwe, ge ät hâm ge on herge, ge gehwäðer þâra 1250 efne swylce mæla, swylce hira man-dryhtne þearf gesælde; wäs seó þeód tilu.

XX. GRENDEL'S MOTHER ATTACKS THE RING-DANES.

Sigon þâ tô slæpe. Sum sâre angeald æfen-räste, swâ him ful-oft gelamp, siððan gold-sele Grendel warode, 1255 unriht äfnde, ôð þät ende becwom, swylt äfter synnum. Þät gesýne wearð, wîd-cûð werum, þätte wrecend þâ gyt lifde äfter lâðum, lange þrage äfter gûð-ceare; Grendles môdor, 1260 ides aglæc-wîf yrmðe gemunde, se þe wäter-egesan wunian scolde, cealde streámas, siððan Cain wearð tô ecg-banan ângan brêðer, fäderen-mæge; he þâ fâg gewât, 1265 morðre gemearcod man-dreám fleón, wêsten warode. Þanon wôc fela geósceaft-gâsta; wäs þæra Grendel sum, heoro-wearh hetelîc, se ät Heorote fand wäccendne wer wîges bîdan, 1270 þær him aglæca ät-græpe wearð; hwäðre he gemunde mägenes strenge, gim-fäste gife, þe him god sealde, and him tô anwaldan âre gelýfde, frôfre and fultum: þý he þone feónd ofercwom, 1275 gehnægde helle gâst: þâ he heán gewât, dreáme bedæled deáð-wîc seón, man-cynnes feónd. And his môdor þâ gyt gîfre and galg-môd gegân wolde sorh-fulne sîð, suna deáð wrecan. 1280 Com þâ tô Heorote, þær Hring-Dene geond þät säld swæfun. Þâ þær sôna wearð ed-hwyrft eorlum, siððan inne fealh Grendles môdor; wäs se gryre lässa efne swâ micle, swâ bið mägða cräft, 1285 wîg-gryre wîfes be wæpned-men, þonne heoru bunden, hamere geþuren, sweord swâte fâh swîn ofer helme, ecgum dyhtig andweard scireð. Þâ wäs on healle heard-ecg togen, 1290 sweord ofer setlum, sîd-rand manig hafen handa fäst; helm ne gemunde, byrnan sîde, þe hine se brôga angeat. Heó wäs on ôfste, wolde ût þanon feore beorgan, þâ heó onfunden wäs; 1295 hraðe heó äðelinga ânne häfde fäste befangen, þâ heó tô fenne gang; se wäs Hrôðgâre häleða leófost on gesîðes hâd be sæm tweonum, rîce rand-wîga, þone þe heó on räste âbreát, 1300 blæd-fästne beorn. Näs Beówulf þær, ac wäs ôðer in ær geteohhod äfter mâððum-gife mærum Geáte. Hreám wearð on Heorote. Heó under heolfre genam cûðe folme; cearu wäs geniwod 1305 geworden in wîcum: ne wäs þät gewrixle til, þät hie on bâ healfa bicgan scoldon freónda feorum. Þâ wäs frôd cyning, hâr hilde-rinc, on hreón môde, syððan he aldor-þegn unlyfigendne, 1310 þone deórestan deádne wisse. Hraðe wäs tô bûre Beówulf fetod, sigor-eádig secg. Samod ær-däge eode eorla sum, äðele cempa self mid gesîðum, þær se snottra bâd, 1315 hwäðre him al-walda æfre wille äfter weá-spelle wyrpe gefremman. Gang þâ äfter flôre fyrd-wyrðe man mid his hand-scale (heal-wudu dynede) þät he þone wîsan wordum hnægde 1320 freán Ingwina; frägn gif him wære äfter neód-laðu niht getæse.

XXI. SORROW AT HEOROT: ÆSCHERE'S DEATH.

Hrôðgâr maðelode, helm Scildinga: "Ne frin þu äfter sælum! Sorh is geniwod "Denigea leódum. Deád is Äsc-here, 1325 "Yrmenlâfes yldra brôðor, "mîn rûn-wita and mîn ræd-bora, "eaxl-gestealla, þonne we on orlege "hafelan weredon, þonne hniton fêðan, "eoferas cnysedan; swylc scolde eorl wesan 1330 "äðeling ær-gôd, swylc Äsc-here wäs. "Wearð him on Heorote tô hand-banan "wäl-gæst wäfre; ic ne wât hwäder "atol æse wlanc eft-sîðas teáh, "fylle gefrægnod. Heó þâ fæhðe wräc, 1335 "þe þu gystran niht Grendel cwealdest "þurh hæstne hâd heardum clammum, "forþan he tô lange leóde mîne "wanode and wyrde. He ät wîge gecrang "ealdres scyldig, and nu ôðer cwom 1340 "mihtig mân-scaða, wolde hyre mæg wrecan, "ge feor hafað fæhðe gestæled, "þäs þe þincean mäg þegne monegum, "se þe äfter sinc-gyfan on sefan greóteð, "hreðer-bealo hearde; nu seó hand ligeð, 1345 "se þe eów wel-hwylcra wilna dohte. "Ic þät lond-bûend leóde mîne "sele-rædende secgan hýrde, "þät hie gesâwon swylce twegen "micle mearc-stapan môras healdan, 1350 "ellor-gæstas: þæra ôðer wäs, "þäs þe hie gewislîcost gewitan meahton, "idese onlîcnes, ôðer earm-sceapen "on weres wästmum wräc-lâstas träd, "näfne he wäs mâra þonne ænig man ôðer, 1355 "þone on geâr-dagum Grendel nemdon "fold-bûende: nô hie fäder cunnon, "hwäðer him ænig wäs ær âcenned "dyrnra gâsta. Hie dýgel lond "warigeað, wulf-hleoðu, windige nässas, 1360 "frêcne fen-gelâd, þær fyrgen-streám "under nässa genipu niðer gewîteð, "flôd under foldan; nis þät feor heonon "mîl-gemearces, þät se mere standeð, "ofer þäm hongiað hrîmge bearwas, 1365 "wudu wyrtum fäst, wäter oferhelmað. "Þær mäg nihta gehwæm nîð-wundor seón, "fýr on flôde; nô þäs frôd leofað "gumena bearna, þät þone grund wite; "þeáh þe hæð-stapa hundum geswenced, 1370 "heorot hornum trum holt-wudu sêce, "feorran geflýmed, ær he feorh seleð, "aldor on ôfre, ær he in wille, "hafelan hýdan. Nis þät heóru stôw: "þonon ýð-geblond up âstîgeð 1375 "won tô wolcnum, þonne wind styreð "lâð gewidru, ôð þät lyft drysmað, "roderas reótað. Nu is ræd gelang "eft ät þe ânum! Eard git ne const, "frêcne stôwe, þær þu findan miht 1380 "sinnigne secg: sêc gif þu dyrre! "Ic þe þâ fæhðe feó leánige, "eald-gestreónum, swâ ic ær dyde, "wundnum golde, gyf þu on weg cymest."

XXII. BEÓWULF SEEKS THE MONSTER IN THE HAUNTS OF THE NIXIES.

Beówulf maðelode, bearn Ecgþeówes: 1385 "Ne sorga, snotor guma! sêlre bið æghwæm, "þät he his freónd wrece, þonne he fela murne; "ûre æghwylc sceal ende gebîdan "worolde lîfes; wyrce se þe môte "dômes ær deáðe! þät bið driht-guman 1390 "unlifgendum äfter sêlest. "Ârîs, rîces weard; uton hraðe fêran, "Grendles mâgan gang sceáwigan! "Ic hit þe gehâte: nô he on helm losað, "ne on foldan fäðm, ne on fyrgen-holt, 1395 "ne on gyfenes grund, gâ þær he wille. "Þys dôgor þu geþyld hafa "weána gehwylces, swâ ic þe wêne tô!" Âhleóp þâ se gomela, gode þancode, mihtigan drihtne, þäs se man gespräc. 1400 Þâ wäs Hrôðgâre hors gebæted, wicg wunden-feax. Wîsa fengel geatolîc gengde; gum-fêða stôp lind-häbbendra. Lâstas wæron äfter wald-swaðum wîde gesýne, 1405 gang ofer grundas; gegnum fôr þâ ofer myrcan môr, mago-þegna bär þone sêlestan sâwol-leásne, þâra þe mid Hrôðgâre hâm eahtode. Ofer-eode þâ äðelinga bearn 1410 steáp stân-hliðo, stîge nearwe, enge ân-paðas, un-cûð gelâd, neowle nässas, nicor-hûsa fela; he feára sum beforan gengde wîsra monna, wong sceáwian, 1415 ôð þät he færinga fyrgen-beámas ofer hârne stân hleonian funde, wyn-leásne wudu; wäter under stôd dreórig and gedrêfed. Denum eallum wäs, winum Scyldinga, weorce on môde, 1420 tô geþolianne þegne monegum, oncýð eorla gehwæm, syððan Äsc-heres on þam holm-clife hafelan mêtton. Flôd blôde weól (folc tô sægon) hâtan heolfre. Horn stundum song 1425 fûslîc fyrd-leóð. Fêða eal gesät; gesâwon þâ äfter wätere wyrm-cynnes fela, sellîce sæ-dracan sund cunnian, swylce on näs-hleoðum nicras licgean, þâ on undern-mæl oft bewitigað 1430 sorh-fulne sîð on segl-râde, wyrmas and wil-deór; hie on weg hruron bitere and gebolgne, bearhtm ongeâton, gûð-horn galan. Sumne Geáta leód of flân-bogan feores getwæfde, 1435 ýð-gewinnes, þät him on aldre stôd here-stræl hearda; he on holme wäs sundes þe sænra, þe hyne swylt fornam. Hräðe wearð on ýðum mid eofer-spreótum heoro-hôcyhtum hearde genearwod, 1440 nîða genæged and on näs togen wundorlîc wæg-bora; weras sceáwedon gryrelîcne gist. Gyrede hine Beówulf eorl-gewædum, nalles for ealdre mearn: scolde here-byrne hondum gebroden, 1445 sîd and searo-fâh, sund cunnian, seó þe bân-côfan beorgan cûðe, þät him hilde-grâp hreðre ne mihte, eorres inwit-feng, aldre gesceððan; ac se hwîta helm hafelan werede, 1450 se þe mere-grundas mengan scolde, sêcan sund-gebland since geweorðad, befongen freá-wrâsnum, swâ hine fyrn-dagum worhte wæpna smið, wundrum teóde, besette swîn-lîcum, þät hine syððan nô 1455 brond ne beado-mêcas bîtan ne meahton. Näs þät þonne mætost mägen-fultuma, þät him on þearfe lâh þyle Hrôðgâres; wäs þäm häft-mêce Hrunting nama, þät wäs ân foran eald-gestreóna; 1460 ecg wäs îren âter-teárum fâh, âhyrded heaðo-swâte; næfre hit ät hilde ne swâc manna ængum þâra þe hit mid mundum bewand, se þe gryre-sîðas gegân dorste, folc-stede fâra; näs þät forma sîð, 1465 þät hit ellen-weorc äfnan scolde. Hûru ne gemunde mago Ecglâfes eafoðes cräftig, þät he ær gespräc wîne druncen, þâ he þäs wæpnes onlâh sêlran sweord-frecan: selfa ne dorste 1470 under ýða gewin aldre genêðan, driht-scype dreógan; þær he dôme forleás, ellen-mærðum. Ne wäs þäm ôðrum swâ, syððan he hine tô gûðe gegyred häfde.

XXIII. THE BATTLE WITH THE WATER-DRAKE.