Part 5

2145 "Swâ se þeód-kyning þeáwum lyfde; "nealles ic þâm leánum forloren häfde, "mägnes mêde, ac he me mâðmas geaf, "sunu Healfdenes, on sînne sylfes dôm; "þâ ic þe, beorn-cyning, bringan wylle, 2150 "êstum geýwan. Gen is eall ät þe "lissa gelong: ic lyt hafo "heáfod-mâga, nefne Hygelâc þec!" Hêt þâ in beran eafor, heáfod-segn, heaðo-steápne helm, hâre byrnan, 2155 gûð-sweord geatolîc, gyd äfter wräc: "Me þis hilde-sceorp Hrôðgâr sealde, "snotra fengel, sume worde hêt, "þät ic his ærest þe eft gesägde, "cwäð þät hyt häfde Hiorogâr cyning, 2160 "leód Scyldunga lange hwîle: "nô þý ær suna sînum syllan wolde, "hwatum Heorowearde, þeáh he him hold wære, "breóst-gewædu. Brûc ealles well!" Hýrde ic þät þâm frätwum feówer mearas 2165 lungre gelîce lâst weardode, äppel-fealuwe; he him êst geteáh meara and mâðma. Swâ sceal mæg dôn, nealles inwit-net ôðrum bregdan, dyrnum cräfte deáð rênian 2170 hond-gesteallan. Hygelâce wäs, nîða heardum, nefa swýðe hold and gehwäðer ôðrum hrôðra gemyndig. Hýrde ic þät he þone heals-beáh Hygde gesealde, wrätlîcne wundur-mâððum, þone þe him Wealhþeó geaf, 2175 þeódnes dôhtor, þrió wicg somod swancor and sadol-beorht; hyre syððan wäs äfter beáh-þege breóst geweorðod. Swâ bealdode bearn Ecgþeówes, guma gûðum cûð, gôdum dædum, 2180 dreáh äfter dôme, nealles druncne slôg heorð-geneátas; näs him hreóh sefa, ac he man-cynnes mæste cräfte gin-fästan gife, þe him god sealde, heóld hilde-deór. Heán wäs lange, 2185 swâ hyne Geáta bearn gôdne ne tealdon, ne hyne on medo-bence micles wyrðne drihten wereda gedôn wolde; swýðe oft sägdon, þät he sleac wære, äðeling unfrom: edwenden cwom 2190 tîr-eádigum menn torna gehwylces. Hêt þâ eorla hleó in gefetian, heaðo-rôf cyning, Hrêðles lâfe, golde gegyrede; näs mid Geátum þâ sinc-mâððum sêlra on sweordes hâd; 2195 þät he on Biówulfes bearm âlegde, and him gesealde seofan þûsendo, bold and brego-stôl. Him wäs bâm samod on þam leód-scipe lond gecynde, eard êðel-riht, ôðrum swîðor 2200 sîde rîce, þam þær sêlra wäs. Eft þät geiode ufaran dôgrum hilde-hlämmum, syððan Hygelâc läg and Heardrêde hilde-mêceas under bord-hreóðan tô bonan wurdon, 2205 þâ hyne gesôhtan on sige-þeóde hearde hilde-frecan, Heaðo-Scilfingas, nîða genægdan nefan Hererîces. Syððan Beówulfe brâde rîce on hand gehwearf: he geheóld tela 2210 fîftig wintru (wäs þâ frôd cyning, eald êðel-weard), ôð þät ân ongan deorcum nihtum draca rîcsian, se þe on heáre hæðe hord beweotode, stân-beorh steápne: stîg under läg, 2215 eldum uncûð. Þær on innan gióng niða nât-hwylces neóde gefêng hæðnum horde hond . d . . geþ . . hwylc since fâhne, he þät syððan . . . . . . . . þ . . . lð . þ . . l . g 2220 slæpende be fýre, fyrena hyrde þeófes cräfte, þät sie . . . . ðioð . . . . . . idh . folc-beorn, þät he gebolgen wäs.

XXXII. THE FIRE-DRAKE. THE HOARD.

Nealles mid geweoldum wyrm-horda . . . cräft sôhte sylfes willum, se þe him sâre gesceôd, 2225 ac for þreá-nêdlan þeów nât-hwylces häleða bearna hete-swengeas fleáh, for ofer-þearfe and þær inne fealh secg syn-bysig. Sôna in þâ tîde þät . . . . . þam gyste . . . . br . g . stôd, 2230 hwäðre earm-sceapen . . . . . . . . . ð . . . sceapen o . . . . i r . . e se fæs begeat, sinc-fät geseah: þær wäs swylcra fela in þam eorð-scräfe ær-gestreóna, swâ hy on geâr-dagum gumena nât-hwylc 2235 eormen-lâfe äðelan cynnes þanc-hycgende þær gehýdde, deóre mâðmas. Ealle hie deáð fornam ærran mælum, and se ân þâ gen leóda duguðe, se þær lengest hwearf, 2240 weard wine-geômor wîscte þäs yldan, þät he lytel fäc long-gestreóna brûcan môste. Beorh eal gearo wunode on wonge wäter-ýðum neáh, niwe be nässe nearo-cräftum fäst: 2245 þær on innan bär eorl-gestreóna hringa hyrde hard-fyrdne dæl fättan goldes, feá worda cwäð: "Heald þu nu, hruse, nu häleð ne môston, "eorla æhte. Hwät! hit ær on þe 2250 "gôde begeâton; gûð-deáð fornam, "feorh-bealo frêcne fyra gehwylcne, "leóda mînra, þâra þe þis lîf ofgeaf, "gesâwon sele-dreám. Nâh hwâ sweord wege "oððe fetige fäted wæge, 2255 "drync-fät deóre: duguð ellor scôc. "Sceal se hearda helm hyrsted golde "fätum befeallen: feormiend swefað, "þâ þe beado-grîman býwan sceoldon, "ge swylce seó here-pâd, sió ät hilde gebâd 2260 "ofer borda gebräc bite îrena, "brosnað äfter beorne. Ne mäg byrnan hring "äfter wîg-fruman wîde fêran "häleðum be healfe; näs hearpan wyn, "gomen gleó-beámes, ne gôd hafoc 2265 "geond säl swingeð, ne se swifta mearh "burh-stede beáteð. Bealo-cwealm hafað "fela feorh-cynna feorr onsended!" Swâ giômor-môd giohðo mænde, ân äfter eallum unblîðe hweóp, 2270 däges and nihtes, ôð þät deáðes wylm hrân ät heortan. Hord-wynne fond eald uht-sceaða opene standan, se þe byrnende biorgas sêceð nacod nîð-draca, nihtes fleógeð 2275 fýre befangen; hyne fold-bûend wîde gesâwon. He gewunian sceall hlâw under hrusan, þær he hæðen gold warað wintrum frôd; ne byð him wihte þê sêl. Swâ se þeód-sceaða þreó hund wintra 2280 heóld on hrusan hord-ärna sum eácen-cräftig, ôð þät hyne ân âbealh mon on môde: man-dryhtne bär fäted wæge, frioðo-wære bäd hlâford sînne. Þâ wäs hord râsod, 2285 onboren beága hord, bêne getîðad feá-sceaftum men. Freá sceáwode fira fyrn-geweorc forman sîðe. Þâ se wyrm onwôc, wrôht wäs geniwad; stonc þâ äfter stâne, stearc-heort onfand 2290 feóndes fôt-lâst; he tô forð gestôp, dyrnan cräfte, dracan heáfde neáh. Swâ mäg unfæge eáðe gedîgan weán and wräc-sîð, se þe waldendes hyldo gehealdeð. Hord-weard sôhte 2295 georne äfter grunde, wolde guman findan, þone þe him on sweofote sâre geteóde: hât and hreóh-môd hlæw oft ymbe hwearf, ealne ûtan-weardne; ne þær ænig mon wäs on þære wêstenne. Hwäðre hilde gefeh, 2300 beado-weorces: hwîlum on beorh äthwearf, sinc-fät sôhte; he þät sôna onfand, þät häfde gumena sum goldes gefandod heáh-gestreóna. Hord-weard onbâd earfoðlîce, ôð þät æfen cwom; 2305 wäs þâ gebolgen beorges hyrde, wolde se lâða lîge forgyldan drinc-fät dýre. Þâ wäs däg sceacen wyrme on willan, nô on wealle leng bîdan wolde, ac mid bæle fôr, 2310 fýre gefýsed. Wäs se fruma egeslîc leódum on lande, swâ hyt lungre wearð on hyra sinc-gifan sâre geendod.

XXXIII. BEOWULF RESOLVES TO KILL THE FIRE-DRAKE.

Þâ se gäst ongan glêdum spîwan, beorht hofu bärnan; bryne-leóma stôd 2315 eldum on andan; nô þær âht cwices lâð lyft-floga læfan wolde. Wäs þäs wyrmes wîg wîde gesýne, nearo-fâges nîð neán and feorran, hû se gûð-sceaða Geáta leóde 2320 hatode and hýnde: hord eft gesceát, dryht-sele dyrnne ær däges hwîle. Häfde land-wara lîge befangen, bæle and bronde; beorges getrûwode, wîges and wealles: him seó wên geleáh. 2325 Þâ wäs Biówulfe brôga gecýðed snûde tô sôðe, þät his sylfes him bolda sêlest bryne-wylmum mealt, gif-stôl Geáta. Þät þam gôdan wäs hreów on hreðre, hyge-sorga mæst: 2330 wênde se wîsa, þät he wealdende, ofer ealde riht, êcean dryhtne bitre gebulge: breóst innan weóll þeóstrum geþoncum, swâ him geþýwe ne wäs. Häfde lîg-draca leóda fästen, 2335 eá-lond ûtan, eorð-weard þone glêdum forgrunden. Him þäs gûð-cyning, Wedera þióden, wräce leornode. Hêht him þâ gewyrcean wîgendra hleó eall-îrenne, eorla dryhten 2340 wîg-bord wrätlîc; wisse he gearwe, þät him holt-wudu helpan ne meahte, lind wið lîge. Sceolde læn-daga äðeling ær-gôd ende gebîdan worulde lîfes and se wyrm somod; 2345 þeáh þe hord-welan heólde lange. Oferhogode þâ hringa fengel, þät he þone wîd-flogan weorode gesôhte, sîdan herge; nô he him þâ säcce ondrêd, ne him þäs wyrmes wîg for wiht dyde, 2350 eafoð and ellen; forþon he ær fela nearo nêðende nîða gedîgde, hilde-hlemma, syððan he Hrôðgâres, sigor-eádig secg, sele fælsode and ät gûðe forgrâp Grendeles mægum, 2355 lâðan cynnes. Nô þät läsest wäs hond-gemota, þær mon Hygelâc slôh, syððan Geáta cyning gûðe ræsum, freá-wine folces Freslondum on, Hrêðles eafora hioro-dryncum swealt, 2360 bille gebeáten; þonan Biówulf com sylfes cräfte, sund-nytte dreáh; + häfde him on earme ... XXX hilde-geatwa, þâ he tô holme stâg. Nealles Hetware hrêmge þorfton 2365 fêðe-wîges, þe him foran ongeán linde bæron: lyt eft becwom fram þam hild-frecan hâmes niósan. Oferswam þâ sióleða bigong sunu Ecgþeówes, earm ân-haga eft tô leódum, 2370 þær him Hygd gebeád hord and rîce, beágas and brego-stôl: bearne ne trûwode, þät he wið äl-fylcum êðel-stôlas healdan cûðe, þâ wäs Hygelâc deád. Nô þý ær feá-sceafte findan meahton 2375 ät þam äðelinge ænige þinga, þät he Heardrêde hlâford wære, oððe þone cyne-dôm ciósan wolde; hwäðre he him on folce freónd-lârum heóld, êstum mid âre, ôð þät he yldra wearð, 2380 Weder-Geátum weóld. Hyne wräc-mäcgas ofer sæ sôhtan, suna Ôhteres: häfdon hy forhealden helm Scylfinga, þone sêlestan sæ-cyninga, þâra þe in Swió-rîce sinc brytnade, 2385 mærne þeóden. Him þät tô mearce wearð; he þær orfeorme feorh-wunde hleát sweordes swengum, sunu Hygelâces; and him eft gewât Ongenþiówes bearn hâmes niósan, syððan Heardrêd läg; 2390 lêt þone brego-stôl Biówulf healdan, Geátum wealdan: þät wäs gôd cyning.

XXXIV. RETROSPECT OF BEÓWULF.--STRIFE BETWEEN SWEONAS AND GEATAS.

Se þäs leód-hryres leán gemunde uferan dôgrum, Eádgilse wearð feá-sceaftum feónd. Folce gestepte 2395 ofer sæ sîde sunu Ôhteres wîgum and wæpnum: he gewräc syððan cealdum cear-sîðum, cyning ealdre bineát. Swâ he nîða gehwane genesen häfde, slîðra geslyhta, sunu Ecgþiówes, 2400 ellen-weorca, ôð þone ânne däg, þe he wið þam wyrme gewegan sceolde. Gewât þâ twelfa sum torne gebolgen dryhten Geáta dracan sceáwian; häfde þâ gefrunen, hwanan sió fæhð ârâs, 2405 bealo-nîð biorna; him tô bearme cwom mâððum-fät mære þurh þäs meldan hond, Se wäs on þam þreáte þreotteoða secg, se þäs orleges ôr onstealde, häft hyge-giômor, sceolde heán þonon 2410 wong wîsian: he ofer willan gióng tô þäs þe he eorð-sele ânne wisse, hlæw under hrusan holm-wylme nêh, ýð-gewinne, se wäs innan full wrätta and wîra: weard unhióre, 2415 gearo gûð-freca, gold-mâðmas heóld, eald under eorðan; näs þät ýðe ceáp, tô gegangenne gumena ænigum. Gesät þâ on nässe nîð-heard cyning, þenden hælo âbeád heorð-geneátum 2420 gold-wine Geáta: him wäs geômor sefa, wäfre and wäl-fûs, Wyrd ungemete neáh, se þone gomelan grêtan sceolde, sêcean sâwle hord, sundur gedælan lîf wið lîce: nô þon lange wäs 2425 feorh äðelinges flæsce bewunden. Biówulf maðelade, bearn Ecgþeówes: "Fela ic on giogoðe guð-ræsa genäs, "orleg-hwîla: ic þät eall gemon. "Ic wäs syfan-wintre, þâ mec sinca baldor, 2430 "freá-wine folca ät mînum fäder genam, "heóld mec and häfde Hrêðel cyning, "geaf me sinc and symbel, sibbe gemunde; "näs ic him tô lîfe lâðra ôwihte "beorn in burgum, þonne his bearna hwylc, 2435 "Herebeald and Hæðcyn, oððe Hygelâc mîn. "Wäs þam yldestan ungedêfelîce "mæges dædum morðor-bed strêd, "syððan hyne Hæðcyn of horn-bogan, "his freá-wine flâne geswencte, 2440 "miste mercelses and his mæg ofscêt, "brôðor ôðerne, blôdigan gâre: "þät wäs feoh-leás gefeoht, fyrenum gesyngad "hreðre hyge-mêðe; sceolde hwäðre swâ þeáh "äðeling unwrecen ealdres linnan. 2445 "Swâ bið geômorlîc gomelum ceorle "tô gebîdanne, þät his byre rîde "giong on galgan, þonne he gyd wrece, "sârigne sang, þonne his sunu hangað "hrefne tô hrôðre and he him helpe ne mäg, 2450 "eald and in-frôd, ænige gefremman. "Symble bið gemyndgad morna gehwylce "eaforan ellor-sîð; ôðres ne gýmeð "tô gebîdanne burgum on innan "yrfe-weardes, þonne se ân hafað 2455 "þurh deáðes nýd dæda gefondad. "Gesyhð sorh-cearig on his suna bûre "wîn-sele wêstne, wind-gereste, "reóte berofene; rîdend swefað "häleð in hoðman; nis þær hearpan swêg, 2460 "gomen in geardum, swylce þær iú wæron.

XXXV. MEMORIES OF PAST TIME.--THE FEUD WITH THE FIRE-DRAKE.

"Gewîteð þonne on sealman, sorh-leóð gäleð "ân äfter ânum: þûhte him eall tô rûm, "wongas and wîc-stede. Swâ Wedra helm "äfter Herebealde heortan sorge 2465 "weallende wäg, wihte ne meahte "on þam feorh-bonan fæhðe gebêtan: "nô þý ær he þone heaðo-rinc hatian ne meahte "lâðum dædum, þeáh him leóf ne wäs. "He þâ mid þære sorge, þe him sió sâr belamp, 2470 "gum-dreám ofgeaf, godes leóht geceás; "eaferum læfde, swâ dêð eádig mon, "lond and leód-byrig, þâ he of lîfe gewât. "Þâ wäs synn and sacu Sweona and Geáta, "ofer wîd wäter wrôht gemæne, 2175 "here-nîð hearda, syððan Hrêðel swealt, "oððe him Ongenþeówes eaferan wæran "frome fyrd-hwate, freóde ne woldon "ofer heafo healdan, ac ymb Hreosna-beorh "eatolne inwit-scear oft gefremedon. 2480 "Þät mæg-wine mîne gewræcan, "fæhðe and fyrene, swâ hyt gefræge wäs, "þeáh þe ôðer hit ealdre gebohte, "heardan ceápe: Hæðcynne wearð, "Geáta dryhtne, gûð onsæge. 2485 "Þâ ic on morgne gefrägn mæg ôðerne "billes ecgum on bonan stælan, "þær Ongenþeów Eofores niósade: "gûð-helm tôglâd, gomela Scylfing "hreás heoro-blâc; hond gemunde 2490 "fæhðo genôge, feorh-sweng ne ofteáh. "Ic him þâ mâðmas, þe he me sealde, "geald ät gûðe, swâ me gifeðe wäs, "leóhtan sweorde: he me lond forgeaf, "eard êðel-wyn. Näs him ænig þearf, 2495 "þät he tô Gifðum oððe tô Gâr-Denum "oððe in Swió-rîce sêcean þurfe "wyrsan wîg-frecan, weorðe gecýpan; "symle ic him on fêðan beforan wolde, "âna on orde, and swâ tô aldre sceall 2500 "säcce fremman, þenden þis sweord þolað, "þät mec ær and sîð oft gelæste, "syððan ic for dugeðum Däghrefne wearð "tô hand-bonan, Hûga cempan: "nalles he þâ frätwe Fres-cyninge, 2505 "breóst-weorðunge bringan môste, "ac in campe gecrong cumbles hyrde, "äðeling on elne. Ne wäs ecg bona, "ac him hilde-grâp heortan wylmas, "bân-hûs gebräc. Nu sceall billes ecg, 2510 "hond and heard sweord ymb hord wîgan." Beówulf maðelode, beót-wordum spräc niéhstan sîðe: "Ic genêðde fela "gûða on geogoðe; gyt ic wylle, "frôd folces weard, fæhðe sêcan, 2515 "mærðum fremman, gif mec se mân-sceaða "of eorð-sele ût gesêceð!" Gegrêtte þâ gumena gehwylcne, hwate helm-berend hindeman sîðe, swæse gesîðas: "Nolde ic sweord beran, 2520 "wæpen tô wyrme, gif ic wiste hû "wið þam aglæcean elles meahte "gylpe wiðgrîpan, swâ ic gió wið Grendle dyde; "ac ic þær heaðu-fýres hâtes wêne, "rêðes and-hâttres: forþon ic me on hafu 2525 "bord and byrnan. Nelle ic beorges weard "oferfleón fôtes trem, feónd unhýre, "ac unc sceal weorðan ät wealle, swâ unc Wyrd geteóð, "metod manna gehwäs. Ic eom on môde from, "þät ic wið þone gûð-flogan gylp ofersitte. 2530 "Gebîde ge on beorge byrnum werede, "secgas on searwum, hwäðer sêl mæge "äfter wäl-ræse wunde gedýgan "uncer twega. Nis þät eówer sîð, "ne gemet mannes, nefne mîn ânes, 2535 "þät he wið aglæcean eofoðo dæle, "eorl-scype efne. Ic mid elne sceall "gold gegangan oððe gûð nimeð, "feorh-bealu frêcne, freán eówerne!" Ârâs þâ bî ronde rôf oretta, 2540 heard under helm, hioro-sercean bär under stân-cleofu, strengo getrûwode ânes mannes: ne bið swylc earges sîð. Geseah þâ be wealle, se þe worna fela, gum-cystum gôd, gûða gedîgde, 2545 hilde-hlemma, þonne hnitan fêðan, (stôd on stân-bogan) streám ût þonan brecan of beorge; wäs þære burnan wälm heaðo-fýrum hât: ne meahte horde neáh unbyrnende ænige hwîle 2550 deóp gedýgan for dracan lêge. Lêt þâ of breóstum, þâ he gebolgen wäs, Weder-Geáta leód word ût faran, stearc-heort styrmde; stefn in becom heaðo-torht hlynnan under hârne stân. 2555 Hete wäs onhrêred, hord-weard oncniów mannes reorde; näs þær mâra fyrst, freóde tô friclan. From ærest cwom oruð aglæcean ût of stâne, hât hilde-swât; hruse dynede. 2560 Biorn under beorge bord-rand onswâf wið þam gryre-gieste, Geáta dryhten: þâ wäs hring-bogan heorte gefýsed säcce tô sêceanne. Sweord ær gebräd gôd gûð-cyning gomele lâfe, 2565 ecgum ungleáw, æghwäðrum wäs bealo-hycgendra brôga fram ôðrum. Stîð-môd gestôd wið steápne rond winia bealdor, þâ se wyrm gebeáh snûde tôsomne: he on searwum bâd. 2570 Gewât þâ byrnende gebogen scrîðan tô, gescîfe scyndan. Scyld wel gebearg lîfe and lîce lässan hwîle mærum þeódne, þonne his myne sôhte, þær he þý fyrste forman dôgore 2575 wealdan môste, swâ him Wyrd ne gescrâf hrêð ät hilde. Hond up âbräd Geáta dryhten, gryre-fâhne slôh incge lâfe, þät sió ecg gewâc brûn on bâne, bât unswîðor, 2580 þonne his þiód-cyning þearfe häfde, bysigum gebæded. Þâ wäs beorges weard äfter heaðu-swenge on hreóum môde, wearp wäl-fýre, wîde sprungon hilde-leóman: hrêð-sigora ne gealp 2585 gold-wine Geáta, gûð-bill geswâc nacod ät nîðe, swâ hyt nô sceolde, îren ær-gôd. Ne wäs þät êðe sîð, þät se mæra maga Ecgþeówes grund-wong þone ofgyfan wolde; 2590 sceolde wyrmes willan wîc eardian elles hwergen, swâ sceal æghwylc mon âlætan læn-dagas. Näs þâ long tô þon, þät þâ aglæcean hy eft gemêtton. Hyrte hyne hord-weard, hreðer æðme weóll, 2595 niwan stefne: nearo þrowode fýre befongen se þe ær folce weóld. Nealles him on heápe hand-gesteallan, äðelinga bearn ymbe gestôdon hilde-cystum, ac hy on holt bugon, 2600 ealdre burgan. Hiora in ânum weóll sefa wið sorgum: sibb æfre ne mäg wiht onwendan, þam þe wel þenceð.

XXXVI. WIGLAF HELPS BEÓWULF IN THE FEUD.

Wîglâf wäs hâten Weoxstânes sunu, leóflîc lind-wiga, leód Scylfinga, 2605 mæg Älfheres: geseah his mon-dryhten under here-grîman hât þrowian. Gemunde þâ þâ âre, þe he him ær forgeaf wîc-stede weligne Wægmundinga, folc-rihta gehwylc, swâ his fäder âhte; 2610 ne mihte þâ forhabban, hond rond gefêng, geolwe linde, gomel swyrd geteáh, þät wäs mid eldum Eánmundes lâf, suna Ôhteres, þam ät säcce wearð wracu wine-leásum Weohstânes bana 2615 mêces ecgum, and his mâgum ätbär brûn-fâgne helm, hringde byrnan, eald sweord eotonisc, þät him Onela forgeaf, his gädelinges gûð-gewædu, fyrd-searo fûslîc: nô ymbe þâ fæhðe spräc, 2620 þeáh þe he his brôðor bearn âbredwade. He frätwe geheóld fela missera, bill and byrnan, ôð þät his byre mihte eorl-scipe efnan, swâ his ær-fäder; geaf him þâ mid Geátum gûð-gewæda 2625 æghwäs unrîm; þâ he of ealdre gewât, frôd on forð-weg. Þâ wäs forma sîð geongan cempan, þät he gûðe ræs mid his freó-dryhtne fremman sceolde; ne gemealt him se môd-sefa, ne his mæges lâf 2630 gewâc ät wîge: þät se wyrm onfand, syððan hie tôgädre gegân häfdon. Wîglâf maðelode word-rihta fela, sägde gesîðum, him wäs sefa geômor: "Ic þät mæl geman, þær we medu þêgun, 2635 "þonne we gehêton ûssum hlâforde "in biór-sele, þe ûs þâs beágas geaf, "þät we him þâ gûð-geatwa gyldan woldon, "gif him þyslîcu þearf gelumpe, "helmas and heard sweord: þê he ûsic on herge geceás 2640 "tô þyssum sîð-fate sylfes willum, "onmunde ûsic mærða and me þâs mâðmas geaf, "þê he ûsic gâr-wîgend gôde tealde, "hwate helm-berend, þeáh þe hlâford ûs "þis ellen-weorc âna âþôhte 2645 "tô gefremmanne, folces hyrde, "forþam he manna mæst mærða gefremede, "dæda dollîcra. Nu is se däg cumen, "þät ûre man-dryhten mägenes behôfað "gôdra gûð-rinca: wutun gangan tô, 2650 "helpan hild-fruman, þenden hyt sý, "glêd-egesa grim! God wât on mec, "þät me is micle leófre, þät mînne lîc-haman "mid mînne gold-gyfan glêd fäðmie. "Ne þynceð me gerysne, þät we rondas beren 2655 "eft tô earde, nemne we æror mægen "fâne gefyllan, feorh ealgian "Wedra þiódnes. Ic wât geare, "þät næron eald-gewyrht, þät he âna scyle "Geáta duguðe gnorn þrowian, 2660 "gesîgan ät säcce: sceal ûrum þät sweord and helm, "byrne and byrdu-scrûd bâm gemæne." Wôd þâ þurh þone wäl-rêc, wîg-heafolan bär freán on fultum, feá worda cwäð: "Leófa Biówulf, læst eall tela, 2665 "swâ þu on geoguð-feore geâra gecwæde, "þät þu ne âlæte be þe lifigendum "dôm gedreósan: scealt nu dædum rôf, "äðeling ân-hydig, ealle mägene "feorh ealgian; ic þe fullæstu!" 2670 Äfter þâm wordum wyrm yrre cwom, atol inwit-gäst ôðre sîðe, fýr-wylmum fâh fiónda niósan, lâðra manna; lîg-ýðum forborn bord wið ronde: byrne ne meahte 2675 geongum gâr-wigan geóce gefremman: ac se maga geonga under his mæges scyld elne geeode, þâ his âgen wäs glêdum forgrunden. Þâ gen gûð-cyning mærða gemunde, mägen-strengo, 2680 slôh hilde-bille, þät hyt on heafolan stôd nîðe genýded: Nägling forbärst, geswâc ät säcce sweord Biówulfes gomol and græg-mæl. Him þät gifeðe ne wäs, þät him îrenna ecge mihton 2685 helpan ät hilde; wäs sió hond tô strong, se þe mêca gehwane mîne gefræge swenge ofersôhte, þonne he tô säcce bär wæpen wundrum heard, näs him wihte þê sêl. Þâ wäs þeód-sceaða þriddan sîðe, 2690 frêcne fýr-draca fæhða gemyndig, ræsde on þone rôfan, þâ him rûm âgeald, hât and heaðo-grim, heals ealne ymbefêng biteran bânum; he geblôdegod wearð sâwul-drióre; swât ýðum weóll.

XXXVII. BEÓWULF WOUNDED TO DEATH.

2695 Þâ ic ät þearfe gefrägn þeód-cyninges and-longne eorl ellen cýðan, cräft and cênðu, swâ him gecynde wäs; ne hêdde he þäs heafolan, ac sió hand gebarn môdiges mannes, þær he his mæges healp, 2700 þät he þone nîð-gäst nioðor hwêne slôh, secg on searwum, þät þät sweord gedeáf fâh and fäted, þät þät fýr ongon sweðrian syððan. Þâ gen sylf cyning geweóld his gewitte, wäll-seaxe gebräd, 2705 biter and beadu-scearp, þät he on byrnan wäg: forwrât Wedra helm wyrm on middan. Feónd gefyldan (ferh ellen wräc), and hi hyne þâ begen âbroten häfdon, sib-äðelingas: swylc sceolde secg wesan, 2710 þegn ät þearfe. Þät þam þeódne wäs sîðast sîge-hwîle sylfes dædum, worlde geweorces. Þâ sió wund ongon, þe him se eorð-draca ær geworhte, swêlan and swellan. He þät sôna onfand, 2715 þät him on breóstum bealo-nîð weóll, âttor on innan. Þâ se äðeling gióng, þät he bî wealle, wîs-hycgende, gesät on sesse; seah on enta geweorc, hû þâ stân-bogan stapulum fäste 2720 êce eorð-reced innan heóldon. Hyne þâ mid handa heoro-dreórigne þeóden mærne þegn ungemete till, wine-dryhten his wätere gelafede, hilde-sädne and his helm onspeón. 2725 Biówulf maðelode, he ofer benne spräc, wunde wäl-bleáte (wisse he gearwe, þät he däg-hwîla gedrogen häfde eorðan wynne; þâ wäs eall sceacen dôgor-gerîmes, deáð ungemete neáh): 2730 "Nu ic suna mînum syllan wolde "gûð-gewædu, þær me gifeðe swâ "ænig yrfe-weard äfter wurde, "lîce gelenge. Ic þâs leóde heóld "fîftig wintra: näs se folc-cyning 2735 "ymbe-sittendra ænig þâra, "þe mec gûð-winum grêtan dorste, "egesan þeón. Ic on earde bâd "mæl-gesceafta, heóld mîn tela, "ne sôhte searo-nîðas, ne me swôr fela 2740 "âða on unriht. Ic þäs ealles mäg, "feorh-bennum seóc, gefeán habban: "forþam me wîtan ne þearf waldend fira "morðor-bealo mâga, þonne mîn sceaceð "lîf of lîce. Nu þu lungre 2745 "geong, hord sceáwian under hârne stân, "Wîglâf leófa, nu se wyrm ligeð, "swefeð sâre wund, since bereáfod. "Bió nu on ôfoste, þät ic ær-welan, "gold-æht ongite, gearo sceáwige 2750 "swegle searo-gimmas, þät ic þý sêft mæge "äfter mâððum-welan mîn âlætan "lîf and leód-scipe, þone ic longe heóld."

XXXVIII. THE JEWEL-HOARD. THE PASSING OF BEOWULF.

Þâ ic snûde gefrägn sunu Wihstânes äfter word-cwydum wundum dryhtne 2755 hýran heaðo-siócum, hring-net beran, brogdne beadu-sercean under beorges hrôf. Geseah þâ sige-hrêðig, þâ he bî sesse geóng, mago-þegn môdig mâððum-sigla fela, gold glitinian grunde getenge, 2760 wundur on wealle and þäs wyrmes denn, ealdes uht-flogan, orcas stondan, fyrn-manna fatu feormend-leáse, hyrstum behrorene: þær wäs helm monig, eald and ômig, earm-beága fela, 2765 searwum gesæled. Sinc eáðe mäg, gold on grunde, gumena cynnes gehwone ofer-higian, hýde se þe wylle! Swylce he siomian geseah segn eall-gylden heáh ofer horde, hond-wundra mæst, 2770 gelocen leoðo-cräftum: of þam leóma stôd, þät he þone grund-wong ongitan meahte, wräte giond-wlîtan. Näs þäs wyrmes þær onsýn ænig, ac hyne ecg fornam. Þâ ic on hlæwe gefrägn hord reáfian, 2775 eald enta geweorc ânne mannan, him on bearm hladan bunan and discas sylfes dôme, segn eác genom, beácna beorhtost; bill ær-gescôd (ecg wäs îren) eald-hlâfordes 2780 þam þâra mâðma mund-bora wäs longe hwîle, lîg-egesan wäg hâtne for horde, hioro-weallende, middel-nihtum, ôð þät he morðre swealt. Âr wäs on ôfoste eft-sîðes georn, 2785 frätwum gefyrðred: hyne fyrwet bräc, hwäðer collen-ferð cwicne gemêtte in þam wong-stede Wedra þeóden, ellen-siócne, þær he hine ær forlêt. He þâ mid þâm mâðmum mærne þióden, 2790 dryhten sînne driórigne fand ealdres ät ende: he hine eft ongon wäteres weorpan, ôð þät wordes ord breóst-hord þurhbräc. Beówulf maðelode, gomel on giohðe (gold sceáwode): 2795 "Ic þâra frätwa freán ealles þanc "wuldur-cyninge wordum secge, "êcum dryhtne, þe ic her on starie, "þäs þe ic môste mînum leódum "ær swylt-däge swylc gestrýnan. 2800 "Nu ic on mâðma hord mîne bebohte "frôde feorh-lege, fremmað ge nu "leóda þearfe; ne mäg ic her leng wesan. "Hâtað heaðo-mære hlæw gewyrcean, "beorhtne äfter bæle ät brimes nosan; 2805 "se scel tô gemyndum mînum leódum "heáh hlifian on Hrones nässe, "þät hit sæ-lîðend syððan hâtan "Biówulfes biorh, þâ þe brentingas "ofer flôda genipu feorran drîfað." 2810 Dyde him of healse hring gyldenne þióden þrîst-hydig, þegne gesealde, geongum gâr-wigan, gold-fâhne helm, beáh and byrnan, hêt hyne brûcan well: "Þu eart ende-lâf ûsses cynnes, 2815 "Wægmundinga; ealle Wyrd forsweóf, "mîne mâgas tô metod-sceafte, "eorlas on elne: ic him äfter sceal." Þät wäs þam gomelan gingeste word breóst-gehygdum, ær he bæl cure, 2820 hâte heaðo-wylmas: him of hreðre gewât sâwol sêcean sôð-fästra dôm.

XXXIX. THE COWARD-THANES.