Beowulf in Anglo-Saxon

    Hwæt! We Gardena     in geardagum,
    þeodcyninga,     þrym gefrunon,
    hu ða æþelingas     ellen fremedon.
    Oft Scyld Scefing     sceaþena þreatum,
    5
    monegum mægþum,     meodosetla ofteah,
    egsode eorlas.     Syððan ærest wearð
    feasceaft funden,     he þæs frofre gebad,
    weox under wolcnum,     weorðmyndum þah,
    oðþæt him æghwylc     þara ymbsittendra
    10
    ofer hronrade     hyran scolde,
    gomban gyldan.     þæt wæs god cyning!
    ðæm eafera wæs     æfter cenned,
    geong in geardum,     þone god sende
    folce to frofre;     fyrenðearfe ongeat
    15
    þe hie ær drugon     aldorlease
    lange hwile.     Him þæs liffrea,
    wuldres wealdend,     woroldare forgeaf;
    Beowulf wæs breme     (blæd wide sprang),
    Scyldes eafera     Scedelandum in.
    20
    Swa sceal geong guma     gode gewyrcean,
    fromum feohgiftum     on fæder bearme,
    þæt hine on ylde     eft gewunigen
    wilgesiþas,     þonne wig cume,
    leode gelæsten;     lofdædum sceal
    25
    in mægþa gehwære     man geþeon.
    Him ða Scyld gewat     to gescæphwile
    felahror feran     on frean wære.
    Hi hyne þa ætbæron     to brimes faroðe,
    swæse gesiþas,     swa he selfa bæd,
    30
    þenden wordum weold     wine Scyldinga;
    leof landfruma     lange ahte.
    þær æt hyðe stod     hringedstefna,
    isig ond utfus,     æþelinges fær.
    Aledon þa     leofne þeoden,
    35
    beaga bryttan,     on bearm scipes,
    mærne be mæste.     þær wæs madma fela
    of feorwegum,     frætwa, gelæded;
    ne hyrde ic cymlicor     ceol gegyrwan
    hildewæpnum     ond heaðowædum,
    40
    billum ond byrnum;     him on bearme læg
    madma mænigo,     þa him mid scoldon
    on flodes æht     feor gewitan.
    Nalæs hi hine læssan     lacum teodan,
    þeodgestreonum,     þon þa dydon
    45
    þe hine æt frumsceafte     forð onsendon
    ænne ofer yðe     umborwesende.
    þa gyt hie him asetton     segen geldenne
    heah ofer heafod,     leton holm beran,
    geafon on garsecg;     him wæs geomor sefa,
    50
    murnende mod.     Men ne cunnon
    secgan to soðe,     selerædende,
    hæleð under heofenum,     hwa þæm hlæste onfeng.
    ða wæs on burgum     Beowulf Scyldinga,
    leof leodcyning,     longe þrage
    55
    folcum gefræge     (fæder ellor hwearf,
    aldor of earde),     oþþæt him eft onwoc
    heah Healfdene;     heold þenden lifde,
    gamol ond guðreouw,     glæde Scyldingas.
    ðæm feower bearn     forð gerimed
    60
    in worold wocun,     weoroda ræswan,
    Heorogar ond Hroðgar     ond Halga til;
    hyrde ic þæt     wæs Onelan cwen,
    Heaðoscilfingas     healsgebedda.
    þa wæs Hroðgare     heresped gyfen,
    65
    wiges weorðmynd,     þæt him his winemagas
    georne hyrdon,     oðð þæt seo geogoð geweox,
    magodriht micel.     Him on mod bearn
    þæt healreced     hatan wolde,
    medoærn micel,     men gewyrcean
    70
    þonne yldo bearn     æfre gefrunon,
    ond þær on innan     eall gedælan
    geongum ond ealdum,     swylc him god sealde,
    buton folcscare     ond feorum gumena.
    ða ic wide gefrægn     weorc gebannan
    75
    manigre mægþe     geond þisne middangeard,
    folcstede frætwan.     Him on fyrste gelomp,
    ædre mid yldum,     þæt hit wearð ealgearo,
    healærna mæst;     scop him Heort naman
    se þe his wordes geweald     wide hæfde.
    80
    He beot ne aleh,     beagas dælde,
    sinc æt symle.     Sele hlifade,
    heah ond horngeap,     heaðowylma bad,
    laðan liges;     ne wæs hit lenge þa gen
    þæt se ecghete     aþumsweorum
    85
    æfter wælniðe     wæcnan scolde.
    ða se ellengæst     earfoðlice
    þrage geþolode,     se þe in þystrum bad,
    þæt he dogora gehwam     dream gehyrde
    hludne in healle;     þær wæs hearpan sweg,
    90
    swutol sang scopes.     Sægde se þe cuþe
    frumsceaft fira     feorran reccan,
    cwæð þæt se ælmihtiga     eorðan worhte,
    wlitebeorhtne wang,     swa wæter bebugeð,
    gesette sigehreþig     sunnan ond monan
    95
    leoman to leohte     landbuendum
    ond gefrætwade     foldan sceatas
    leomum ond leafum,     lif eac gesceop
    cynna gehwylcum     þara ðe cwice hwyrfaþ.
    Swa ða drihtguman     dreamum lifdon
    100
    eadiglice,     oððæt an ongan
    fyrene fremman     feond on helle.
    Wæs se grimma gæst     Grendel haten,
    mære mearcstapa,     se þe moras heold,
    fen ond fæsten;     fifelcynnes eard
    105
    wonsæli wer     weardode hwile,
    siþðan him scyppend     forscrifen hæfde
    in Caines cynne.     þone cwealm gewræc
    ece drihten,     þæs þe he Abel slog;
    ne gefeah he þære fæhðe,     ac he hine feor forwræc,
    110
    metod for þy mane,     mancynne fram.
    þanon untydras     ealle onwocon,
    eotenas ond ylfe     ond orcneas,
    swylce gigantas,     þa wið gode wunnon
    lange þrage;     he him ðæs lean forgeald.
    115
    Gewat ða neosian,     syþðan niht becom,
    hean huses,     hu hit Hringdene
    æfter beorþege     gebun hæfdon.
    Fand þa ðær inne     æþelinga gedriht
    swefan æfter symble;     sorge ne cuðon,
    120
    wonsceaft wera.     Wiht unhælo,
    grim ond grædig,     gearo sona wæs,
    reoc ond reþe,     ond on ræste genam
    þritig þegna,     þanon eft gewat
    huðe hremig     to ham faran,
    125
    mid þære wælfylle     wica neosan.
    ða wæs on uhtan     mid ærdæge
    Grendles guðcræft     gumum undyrne;
    þa wæs æfter wiste     wop up ahafen,
    micel morgensweg.     Mære þeoden,
    130
    æþeling ærgod,     unbliðe sæt,
    þolode ðryðswyð,     þegnsorge dreah,
    syðþan hie þæs laðan     last sceawedon,
    wergan gastes;     wæs þæt gewin to strang,
    lað ond longsum.     Næs hit lengra fyrst,
    135
    ac ymb ane niht     eft gefremede
    morðbeala mare     ond no mearn fore,
    fæhðe ond fyrene;     wæs to fæst on þam.
    þa wæs eaðfynde     þe him elles hwær
    gerumlicor     ræste sohte,
    140
    bed æfter burum,     ða him gebeacnod wæs,
    gesægd soðlice     sweotolan tacne
    healðegnes hete;     heold hyne syðþan
    fyr ond fæstor     se þæm feonde ætwand.
    Swa rixode     ond wið rihte wan,
    145
    ana wið eallum,     oðþæt idel stod
    husa selest.     Wæs seo hwil micel;
    XII wintra tid     torn geþolode
    wine Scyldinga,     weana gehwelcne,
    sidra sorga.     Forðam secgum wearð,
    150
    ylda bearnum,     undyrne cuð,
    gyddum geomore,     þætte Grendel wan
    hwile wið Hroþgar,     heteniðas wæg,
    fyrene ond fæhðe     fela missera,
    singale sæce,     sibbe ne wolde
    155
    wið manna hwone     mægenes Deniga,
    feorhbealo feorran,     fea þingian,
    ne þær nænig witena     wenan þorfte
    beorhtre bote     to banan folmum,
    ac se æglæca     ehtende wæs,
    160
    deorc deaþscua,     duguþe ond geogoþe,
    seomade ond syrede,     sinnihte heold
    mistige moras;     men ne cunnon
    hwyder helrunan     hwyrftum scriþað.
    Swa fela fyrena     feond mancynnes,
    165
    atol angengea,     oft gefremede,
    heardra hynða.     Heorot eardode,
    sincfage sel     sweartum nihtum;
    no he þone gifstol     gretan moste,
    maþðum for metode,     ne his myne wisse.
    170
    þæt wæs wræc micel     wine Scyldinga,
    modes brecða.     Monig oft gesæt
    rice to rune;     ræd eahtedon
    hwæt swiðferhðum     selest wære
    wið færgryrum     to gefremmanne.
    175
    Hwilum hie geheton     æt hærgtrafum
    wigweorþunga,     wordum bædon
    þæt him gastbona     geoce gefremede
    wið þeodþreaum.     Swylc wæs þeaw hyra,
    hæþenra hyht;     helle gemundon
    180
    in modsefan,     metod hie ne cuþon,
    dæda demend,     ne wiston hie drihten god,
    ne hie huru heofena helm     herian ne cuþon,
    wuldres waldend.     Wa bið þæm ðe sceal
    þurh sliðne nið     sawle bescufan
    185
    in fyres fæþm,     frofre ne wenan,
    wihte gewendan;     wel bið þæm þe mot
    æfter deaðdæge     drihten secean
    ond to fæder fæþmum     freoðo wilnian.
    Swa ða mælceare     maga Healfdenes
    190
    singala seað,     ne mihte snotor hæleð
    wean onwendan;     wæs þæt gewin to swyð,
    laþ ond longsum,     þe on ða leode becom,
    nydwracu niþgrim,     nihtbealwa mæst.
    þæt fram ham gefrægn     Higelaces þegn,
    195
    god mid Geatum,     Grendles dæda;
    se wæs moncynnes     mægenes strengest
    on þæm dæge     þysses lifes,
    æþele ond eacen.     Het him yðlidan
    godne gegyrwan,     cwæð, he guðcyning
    200
    ofer swanrade     secean wolde,
    mærne þeoden,     þa him wæs manna þearf.
    ðone siðfæt him     snotere ceorlas
    lythwon logon,     þeah he him leof wære;
    hwetton higerofne,     hæl sceawedon.
    205
    Hæfde se goda     Geata leoda
    cempan gecorone     þara þe he cenoste
    findan mihte;     XVna sum
    sundwudu sohte;     secg wisade,
    lagucræftig mon,     landgemyrcu.
    210
    Fyrst forð gewat.     Flota wæs on yðum,
    bat under beorge.     Beornas gearwe
    on stefn stigon;     streamas wundon,
    sund wið sande;     secgas bæron
    on bearm nacan     beorhte frætwe,
    215
    guðsearo geatolic;     guman ut scufon,
    weras on wilsið,     wudu bundenne.
    Gewat þa ofer wægholm,     winde gefysed,
    flota famiheals     fugle gelicost,
    oðþæt ymb antid     oþres dogores
    220
    wundenstefna     gewaden hæfde
    þæt ða liðende     land gesawon,
    brimclifu blican,     beorgas steape,
    side sænæssas;     þa wæs sund liden,
    eoletes æt ende.     þanon up hraðe
    225
    Wedera leode     on wang stigon,
    sæwudu sældon     (syrcan hrysedon,
    guðgewædo),     gode þancedon
    þæs þe him yþlade     eaðe wurdon.
    þa of wealle geseah     weard Scildinga,
    230
    se þe holmclifu     healdan scolde,
    beran ofer bolcan     beorhte randas,
    fyrdsearu fuslicu;     hine fyrwyt bræc
    modgehygdum,     hwæt þa men wæron.
    Gewat him þa to waroðe     wicge ridan
    235
    þegn Hroðgares,     þrymmum cwehte
    mægenwudu mundum,     meþelwordum frægn:
    "Hwæt syndon ge     searohæbbendra,
    byrnum werede,     þe þus brontne ceol
    ofer lagustræte     lædan cwomon,
    240
    hider ofer holmas?     ...le wæs
    endesæta,     ægwearde heold,
    þe on land Dena     laðra nænig
    mid scipherge     sceðþan ne meahte.
    No her cuðlicor     cuman ongunnon
    245
    lindhæbbende;     ne ge leafnesword
    guðfremmendra     gearwe ne wisson,
    maga gemedu.     Næfre ic maran geseah
    eorla ofer eorþan     ðonne is eower sum,
    secg on searwum;     nis þæt seldguma,
    250
    wæpnum geweorðad,     næfne him his wlite leoge,
    ænlic ansyn.     Nu ic eower sceal
    frumcyn witan,     ær ge fyr heonan,
    leassceaweras,     on land Dena
    furþur feran.     Nu ge feorbuend,
    255
    mereliðende,     minne gehyrað
    anfealdne geþoht:     Ofost is selest
    to gecyðanne     hwanan eowre cyme syndon."
    Him se yldesta     ondswarode,
    werodes wisa,     wordhord onleac:
    260
    "We synt gumcynnes     Geata leode
    ond Higelaces     heorðgeneatas.
    Wæs min fæder     folcum gecyþed,
    æþele ordfruma,     Ecgþeow haten.
    Gebad wintra worn,     ær he on weg hwurfe,
    265
    gamol of geardum;     hine gearwe geman
    witena welhwylc     wide geond eorþan.
    We þurh holdne hige     hlaford þinne,
    sunu Healfdenes,     secean cwomon,
    leodgebyrgean;     wes þu us larena god.
    270
    Habbað we to þæm mæran     micel ærende,
    Deniga frean,     ne sceal þær dyrne sum
    wesan, þæs ic wene.     þu wast (gif hit is
    swa we soþlice     secgan hyrdon)
    þæt mid Scyldingum     sceaðona ic nat hwylc,
    275
    deogol dædhata,     deorcum nihtum
    eaweð þurh egsan     uncuðne nið,
    hynðu ond hrafyl.     Ic þæs Hroðgar mæg
    þurh rumne sefan     ræd gelæran,
    hu he frod ond god     feond oferswyðeþ,
    280
    gyf him edwendan     æfre scolde
    bealuwa bisigu,     bot eft cuman,
    ond þa cearwylmas     colran wurðaþ;
    oððe a syþðan     earfoðþrage,
    þreanyd þolað,     þenden þær wunað
    285
    on heahstede     husa selest."
    Weard maþelode,     ðær on wicge sæt,
    ombeht unforht:     "æghwæþres sceal
    scearp scyldwiga     gescad witan,
    worda ond worca,     se þe wel þenceð.
    290
    Ic þæt gehyre,     þæt þis is hold weorod
    frean Scyldinga.     Gewitaþ forð beran
    wæpen ond gewædu;     ic eow wisige.
    Swylce ic maguþegnas     mine hate
    wið feonda gehwone     flotan eowerne,
    295
    niwtyrwydne     nacan on sande
    arum healdan,     oþðæt eft byreð
    ofer lagustreamas     leofne mannan
    wudu wundenhals     to Wedermearce,
    godfremmendra     swylcum gifeþe bið
    300
    þæt þone hilderæs     hal gedigeð."
    Gewiton him þa feran.     Flota stille bad,
    seomode on sale     sidfæþmed scip,
    on ancre fæst.     Eoforlic scionon
    ofer hleorberan     gehroden golde,
    305
    fah ond fyrheard;     ferhwearde heold
    guþmod grimmon.     Guman onetton,
    sigon ætsomne,     oþþæt hy sæl timbred,
    geatolic ond goldfah,     ongyton mihton;
    þæt wæs foremærost     foldbuendum
    310
    receda under roderum,     on þæm se rica bad;
    lixte se leoma     ofer landa fela.
    Him þa hildedeor     hof modigra
    torht getæhte,     þæt hie him to mihton
    gegnum gangan;     guðbeorna sum
    315
    wicg gewende,     word æfter cwæð:
    "Mæl is me to feran;     fæder alwalda
    mid arstafum     eowic gehealde
    siða gesunde.     Ic to sæ wille
    wið wrað werod     wearde healdan."
    320
    Stræt wæs stanfah,     stig wisode
    gumum ætgædere.     Guðbyrne scan
    heard hondlocen,     hringiren scir
    song in searwum,     þa hie to sele furðum
    in hyra gryregeatwum     gangan cwomon.
    325
    Setton sæmeþe     side scyldas,
    rondas regnhearde,     wið þæs recedes weal,
    bugon þa to bence.     Byrnan hringdon,
    guðsearo gumena;     garas stodon,
    sæmanna searo,     samod ætgædere,
    330
    æscholt ufan græg;     wæs se irenþreat
    wæpnum gewurþad.     þa ðær wlonc hæleð
    oretmecgas     æfter æþelum frægn:
    "Hwanon ferigeað ge     fætte scyldas,
    græge syrcan     ond grimhelmas,
    335
    heresceafta heap?     Ic eom Hroðgares
    ar ond ombiht.     Ne seah ic elþeodige
    þus manige men     modiglicran.
    Wen ic þæt ge for wlenco,     nalles for wræcsiðum,
    ac for higeþrymmum     Hroðgar sohton."
    340
    Him þa ellenrof     andswarode,
    wlanc Wedera leod,     word æfter spræc,
    heard under helme:     "We synt Higelaces
    beodgeneatas;     Beowulf is min nama.
    Wille ic asecgan     sunu Healfdenes,
    345
    mærum þeodne,     min ærende,
    aldre þinum,     gif he us geunnan wile
    þæt we hine swa godne     gretan moton."
    Wulfgar maþelode     (þæt wæs Wendla leod;
    wæs his modsefa     manegum gecyðed,
    350
    wig ond wisdom):     "Ic þæs wine Deniga,
    frean Scildinga,     frinan wille,
    beaga bryttan,     swa þu bena eart,
    þeoden mærne,     ymb þinne sið,
    ond þe þa ondsware     ædre gecyðan
    355
    ðe me se goda     agifan þenceð."
    Hwearf þa hrædlice     þær Hroðgar sæt
    eald ond anhar     mid his eorla gedriht;
    eode ellenrof,     þæt he for eaxlum gestod
    Deniga frean;     cuþe he duguðe þeaw.
    360
    Wulfgar maðelode     to his winedrihtne:
    "Her syndon geferede,     feorran cumene
    ofer geofenes begang     Geata leode;
    þone yldestan     oretmecgas
    Beowulf nemnað.     Hy benan synt
    365
    þæt hie, þeoden min,     wið þe moton
    wordum wrixlan.     No ðu him wearne geteoh
    ðinra gegncwida,     glædman Hroðgar.
    Hy on wiggetawum     wyrðe þinceað
    eorla geæhtlan;     huru se aldor deah,
    370
    se þæm heaðorincum     hider wisade."
    Hroðgar maþelode,     helm Scyldinga:
    "Ic hine cuðe     cnihtwesende.
    Wæs his ealdfæder     Ecgþeo haten,
    ðæm to ham forgeaf     Hreþel Geata
    375
    angan dohtor;     is his eafora nu
    heard her cumen,     sohte holdne wine.
    ðonne sægdon þæt     sæliþende,
    þa ðe gifsceattas     Geata fyredon
    þyder to þance,     þæt he XXXtiges
    380
    manna mægencræft     on his mundgripe
    heaþorof hæbbe.     Hine halig god
    for arstafum     us onsende,
    to Westdenum,     þæs ic wen hæbbe,
    wið Grendles gryre.     Ic þæm godan sceal
    385
    for his modþræce     madmas beodan.
    Beo ðu on ofeste,     hat in gan
    seon sibbegedriht     samod ætgædere;
    gesaga him eac wordum     þæt hie sint wilcuman
    Deniga leodum."     
    390
        word inne abead:
    "Eow het secgan     sigedrihten min,
    aldor Eastdena,     þæt he eower æþelu can,
    ond ge him syndon     ofer sæwylmas
    heardhicgende     hider wilcuman.
    395
    Nu ge moton gangan     in eowrum guðgeatawum
    under heregriman     Hroðgar geseon;
    lætað hildebord     her onbidan,
    wudu, wælsceaftas,     worda geþinges."
    Aras þa se rica,     ymb hine rinc manig,
    400
    þryðlic þegna heap;     sume þær bidon,
    heaðoreaf heoldon,     swa him se hearda bebead.
    Snyredon ætsomne,     þa secg wisode,
    under Heorotes hrof     
    heard under helme,     þæt he on heoðe gestod.
    405
    Beowulf maðelode     (on him byrne scan,
    searonet seowed     smiþes orþancum):
    "Wæs þu, Hroðgar, hal!     Ic eom Higelaces
    mæg ond magoðegn;     hæbbe ic mærða fela
    ongunnen on geogoþe.     Me wearð Grendles þing
    410
    on minre eþeltyrf     undyrne cuð;
    secgað sæliðend     þæt þæs sele stande,
    reced selesta,     rinca gehwylcum
    idel ond unnyt,     siððan æfenleoht
    under heofenes hador     beholen weorþeð.
    415
    þa me þæt gelærdon     leode mine
    þa selestan,     snotere ceorlas,
    þeoden Hroðgar,     þæt ic þe sohte,
    forþan hie mægenes cræft     minne cuþon,
    selfe ofersawon,     ða ic of searwum cwom,
    420
    fah from feondum,     þær ic fife geband,
    yðde eotena cyn     ond on yðum slog
    niceras nihtes,     nearoþearfe dreah,
    wræc Wedera nið     (wean ahsodon),
    forgrand gramum,     ond nu wið Grendel sceal,
    425
    wið þam aglæcan,     ana gehegan
    ðing wið þyrse.     Ic þe nu ða,
    brego Beorhtdena,     biddan wille,
    eodor Scyldinga,     anre bene,
    þæt ðu me ne forwyrne,     wigendra hleo,
    430
    freowine folca,     nu ic þus feorran com,
    þæt ic mote ana     ond minra eorla gedryht,
    þes hearda heap,     Heorot fælsian.
    Hæbbe ic eac geahsod     þæt se æglæca
    for his wonhydum     wæpna ne recceð.
    435
    Ic þæt þonne forhicge     (swa me Higelac sie,
    min mondrihten,     modes bliðe),
    þæt ic sweord bere     oþðe sidne scyld,
    geolorand to guþe,     ac ic mid grape sceal
    fon wið feonde     ond ymb feorh sacan,
    440
    lað wið laþum;     ðær gelyfan sceal
    dryhtnes dome     se þe hine deað nimeð.
    Wen ic þæt he wille,     gif he wealdan mot,
    in þæm guðsele     Geotena leode
    etan unforhte,     swa he oft dyde,
    445
    mægen Hreðmanna.     Na þu minne þearft
    hafalan hydan,     ac he me habban wile
    dreore fahne,     gif mec deað nimeð.
    Byreð blodig wæl,     byrgean þenceð,
    eteð angenga     unmurnlice,
    450
    mearcað morhopu;     no ðu ymb mines ne þearft
    lices feorme     leng sorgian.
    Onsend Higelace,     gif mec hild nime,
    beaduscruda betst,     þæt mine breost wereð,
    hrægla selest;     þæt is Hrædlan laf,
    455
    Welandes geweorc.     Gæð a wyrd swa hio scel."
    Hroðgar maþelode,     helm Scyldinga:
    "For gewyrhtum þu,     wine min Beowulf,
    ond for arstafum     usic sohtest.
    Gesloh þin fæder     fæhðe mæste;
    460
    wearþ he Heaþolafe     to handbonan
    mid Wilfingum;     ða hine Wedera cyn
    for herebrogan     habban ne mihte.
    þanon he gesohte     Suðdena folc
    ofer yða gewealc,     Arscyldinga.
    465
    ða ic furþum weold     folce Deniga
    ond on geogoðe heold     ginne rice,
    hordburh hæleþa;     ða wæs Heregar dead,
    min yldra mæg     unlifigende,
    bearn Healfdenes;     se wæs betera ðonne ic.
    470
    Siððan þa fæhðe     feo þingode;
    sende ic Wylfingum     ofer wæteres hrycg
    ealde madmas;     he me aþas swor.
    Sorh is me to secganne     on sefan minum
    gumena ængum     hwæt me Grendel hafað
    475
    hynðo on Heorote     mid his heteþancum,
    færniða gefremed.     Is min fletwerod,
    wigheap gewanod;     hie wyrd forsweop
    on Grendles gryre.     God eaþe mæg
    þone dolsceaðan     dæda getwæfan.
    480
    Ful oft gebeotedon     beore druncne
    ofer ealowæge     oretmecgas
    þæt hie in beorsele     bidan woldon
    Grendles guþe     mid gryrum ecga.
    ðonne wæs þeos medoheal     on morgentid,
    485
    drihtsele dreorfah,     þonne dæg lixte,
    eal bencþelu     blode bestymed,
    heall heorudreore;     ahte ic holdra þy læs,
    deorre duguðe,     þe þa deað fornam.
    Site nu to symle     ond onsæl meoto,
    490
    sigehreð secgum,     swa þin sefa hwette."
    þa wæs Geatmæcgum     geador ætsomne
    on beorsele     benc gerymed;
    þær swiðferhþe     sittan eodon,
    þryðum dealle.     þegn nytte beheold,
    495
    se þe on handa bær     hroden ealowæge,
    scencte scir wered.     Scop hwilum sang
    hador on Heorote.     þær wæs hæleða dream,
    duguð unlytel     Dena ond Wedera.
    Unferð maþelode,     Ecglafes bearn,
    500
    þe æt fotum sæt     frean Scyldinga,
    onband beadurune     (wæs him Beowulfes sið,
    modges merefaran,     micel æfþunca,
    forþon þe he ne uþe     þæt ænig oðer man
    æfre mærða þon ma     middangeardes
    505
    gehedde under heofenum     þonne he sylfa):
    "Eart þu se Beowulf,     se þe wið Brecan wunne,
    on sidne sæ     ymb sund flite,
    ðær git for wlence     wada cunnedon
    ond for dolgilpe     on deop wæter
    510
    aldrum neþdon?     Ne inc ænig mon,
    ne leof ne lað,     belean mihte
    sorhfullne sið,     þa git on sund reon.
    þær git eagorstream     earmum þehton,
    mæton merestræta,     mundum brugdon,
    515
    glidon ofer garsecg;     geofon yþum weol,
    wintrys wylmum.     Git on wæteres æht
    seofon niht swuncon;     he þe æt sunde oferflat,
    hæfde mare mægen.     þa hine on morgentid
    on Heaþoræmas     holm up ætbær;
    520
    ðonon he gesohte     swæsne %%OE%%,
    leof his leodum,     lond Brondinga,
    freoðoburh fægere,     þær he folc ahte,
    burh ond beagas.     Beot eal wið þe
    sunu Beanstanes     soðe gelæste.
    525
    ðonne wene ic to þe     wyrsan geþingea,
    ðeah þu heaðoræsa     gehwær dohte,
    grimre guðe,     gif þu Grendles dearst
    nihtlongne fyrst     nean bidan."
    Beowulf maþelode,     bearn Ecgþeowes:
    530
    "Hwæt! þu worn fela,     wine min Unferð,
    beore druncen     ymb Brecan spræce,
    sægdest from his siðe.     Soð ic talige,
    þæt ic merestrengo     maran ahte,
    earfeþo on yþum,     ðonne ænig oþer man.
    535
    Wit þæt gecwædon     cnihtwesende
    ond gebeotedon     (wæron begen þa git
    on geogoðfeore)     þæt wit on garsecg ut
    aldrum neðdon,     ond þæt geæfndon swa.
    Hæfdon swurd nacod,     þa wit on sund reon,
    540
    heard on handa;     wit unc wið hronfixas
    werian þohton.     No he wiht fram me
    flodyþum feor     fleotan meahte,
    hraþor on holme;     no ic fram him wolde.
    ða wit ætsomne     on sæ wæron
    545
    fif nihta fyrst,     oþþæt unc flod todraf,
    wado weallende,     wedera cealdost,
    nipende niht,     ond norþanwind
    heaðogrim ondhwearf;     hreo wæron yþa.
    Wæs merefixa     mod onhrered;
    550
    þær me wið laðum     licsyrce min,
    heard, hondlocen,     helpe gefremede,
    beadohrægl broden     on breostum læg
    golde gegyrwed.     Me to grunde teah
    fah feondscaða,     fæste hæfde
    555
    grim on grape;     hwæþre me gyfeþe wearð
    þæt ic aglæcan     orde geræhte,
    hildebille;     heaþoræs fornam
    mihtig meredeor     þurh mine hand.
    Swa mec gelome     laðgeteonan
    560
    þreatedon þearle.     Ic him þenode
    deoran sweorde,     swa hit gedefe wæs.
    Næs hie ðære fylle     gefean hæfdon,
    manfordædlan,     þæt hie me þegon,
    symbel ymbsæton     sægrunde neah;
    565
    ac on mergenne     mecum wunde
    be yðlafe     uppe lægon,
    sweordum aswefede,     þæt syðþan na
    ymb brontne ford     brimliðende
    lade ne letton.     Leoht eastan com,
    570
    beorht beacen godes;     brimu swaþredon,
    þæt ic sænæssas     geseon mihte,
    windige weallas.     Wyrd oft nereð
    unfægne eorl,     þonne his ellen deah.
    Hwæþere me gesælde     þæt ic mid sweorde ofsloh
    575
    niceras nigene.     No ic on niht gefrægn
    under heofones hwealf     heardran feohtan,
    ne on egstreamum     earmran mannon;
    hwaþere ic fara feng     feore gedigde,
    siþes werig.     ða mec sæ oþbær,
    580
    flod æfter faroðe     on Finna land,
    wadu weallendu.     No ic wiht fram þe
    swylcra searoniða     secgan hyrde,
    billa brogan.     Breca næfre git
    æt heaðolace,     ne gehwæþer incer,
    585
    swa deorlice     dæd gefremede
    fagum sweordum     (no ic þæs fela gylpe),
    þeah ðu þinum broðrum     to banan wurde,
    heafodmægum;     þæs þu in helle scealt
    werhðo dreogan,     þeah þin wit duge.
    590
    Secge ic þe to soðe,     sunu Ecglafes,
    þæt næfre Grendel swa fela     gryra gefremede,
    atol æglæca,     ealdre þinum,
    hynðo on Heorote,     gif þin hige wære,
    sefa swa searogrim,     swa þu self talast.
    595
    Ac he hafað onfunden     þæt he þa fæhðe ne þearf,
    atole ecgþræce     eower leode
    swiðe onsittan,     Sigescyldinga;
    nymeð nydbade,     nænegum arað
    leode Deniga,     ac he lust wigeð,
    600
    swefeð ond sendeþ,     secce ne weneþ
    to Gardenum.     Ac ic him Geata sceal
    eafoð ond ellen     ungeara nu,
    guþe gebeodan.     Gæþ eft se þe mot
    to medo modig,     siþþan morgenleoht
    605
    ofer ylda bearn     oþres dogores,
    sunne sweglwered     suþan scineð."
    þa wæs on salum     sinces brytta,
    gamolfeax ond guðrof;     geoce gelyfde
    brego Beorhtdena,     gehyrde on Beowulfe
    610
    folces hyrde     fæstrædne geþoht.
    ðær wæs hæleþa hleahtor,     hlyn swynsode,
    word wæron wynsume.     Eode Wealhþeow forð,
    cwen Hroðgares,     cynna gemyndig,
    grette goldhroden     guman on healle,
    615
    ond þa freolic wif     ful gesealde
    ærest Eastdena     eþelwearde,
    bæd hine bliðne     æt þære beorþege,
    leodum leofne.     He on lust geþeah
    symbel ond seleful,     sigerof kyning.
    620
    Ymbeode þa     ides Helminga
    duguþe ond geogoþe     dæl æghwylcne,
    sincfato sealde,     oþþæt sæl alamp
    þæt hio Beowulfe,     beaghroden cwen
    mode geþungen,     medoful ætbær;
    625
    grette Geata leod,     gode þancode
    wisfæst wordum     þæs ðe hire se willa gelamp
    þæt heo on ænigne     eorl gelyfde
    fyrena frofre.     He þæt ful geþeah,
    wælreow wiga,     æt Wealhþeon,
    630
    ond þa gyddode     guþe gefysed;
    Beowulf maþelode,     bearn Ecgþeowes:
    "Ic þæt hogode,     þa ic on holm gestah,
    sæbat gesæt     mid minra secga gedriht,
    þæt ic anunga     eowra leoda
    635
    willan geworhte     oþðe on wæl crunge,
    feondgrapum fæst.     Ic gefremman sceal
    eorlic ellen,     oþðe endedæg
    on þisse meoduhealle     minne gebidan."
    ðam wife þa word     wel licodon,
    640
    gilpcwide Geates;     eode goldhroden
    freolicu folccwen     to hire frean sittan.
    þa wæs eft swa ær     inne on healle
    þryðword sprecen,     ðeod on sælum,
    sigefolca sweg,     oþþæt semninga
    645
    sunu Healfdenes     secean wolde
    æfenræste;     wiste þæm ahlæcan
    to þæm heahsele     hilde geþinged,
    siððan hie sunnan leoht     geseon ne meahton,
    oþðe nipende     niht ofer ealle,
    650
    scaduhelma gesceapu     scriðan cwoman,
    wan under wolcnum.     Werod eall aras.
    Gegrette þa     guma oþerne,
    Hroðgar Beowulf,     ond him hæl abead,
    winærnes geweald,     ond þæt word acwæð:
    655
    "Næfre ic ænegum men     ær alyfde,
    siþðan ic hond ond rond     hebban mihte,
    ðryþærn Dena     buton þe nu ða.
    Hafa nu ond geheald     husa selest,
    gemyne mærþo,     mægenellen cyð,
    660
    waca wið wraþum.     Ne bið þe wilna gad,
    gif þu þæt ellenweorc     aldre gedigest."
    ða him Hroþgar gewat     mid his hæleþa gedryht,
    eodur Scyldinga,     ut of healle;
    wolde wigfruma     Wealhþeo secan,
    665
    cwen to gebeddan.     Hæfde kyningwuldor
    Grendle togeanes,     swa guman gefrungon,
    seleweard aseted;     sundornytte beheold
    ymb aldor Dena,     eotonweard abead.
    Huru Geata leod     georne truwode
    670
    modgan mægnes,     metodes hyldo.
    ða he him of dyde     isernbyrnan,
    helm of hafelan,     sealde his hyrsted sweord,
    irena cyst,     ombihtþegne,
    ond gehealdan het     hildegeatwe.
    675
    Gespræc þa se goda     gylpworda sum,
    Beowulf Geata,     ær he on bed stige:
    "No ic me an herewæsmun     hnagran talige,
    guþgeweorca,     þonne Grendel hine;
    forþan ic hine sweorde     swebban nelle,
    680
    aldre beneotan,     þeah ic eal mæge.
    Nat he þara goda     þæt he me ongean slea,
    rand geheawe,     þeah ðe he rof sie
    niþgeweorca;     ac wit on niht sculon
    secge ofersittan,     gif he gesecean dear
    685
    wig ofer wæpen,     ond siþðan witig god
    on swa hwæþere hond,     halig dryhten,
    mærðo deme,     swa him gemet þince."
    Hylde hine þa heaþodeor,     hleorbolster onfeng
    eorles andwlitan,     ond hine ymb monig
    690
    snellic særinc     selereste gebeah.
    Nænig heora þohte     þæt he þanon scolde
    eft eardlufan     æfre gesecean,
    folc oþðe freoburh,     þær he afeded wæs;
    ac hie hæfdon gefrunen     þæt hie ær to fela micles
    695
    in þæm winsele     wældeað fornam,
    Denigea leode.     Ac him dryhten forgeaf
    wigspeda gewiofu,     Wedera leodum,
    frofor ond fultum,     þæt hie feond heora
    ðurh anes cræft     ealle ofercomon,
    700
    selfes mihtum.     Soð is gecyþed
    þæt mihtig god     manna cynnes
    weold wideferhð.     Com on wanre niht
    scriðan sceadugenga.     Sceotend swæfon,
    þa þæt hornreced     healdan scoldon,
    705
    ealle buton anum.     þæt wæs yldum cuþ
    þæt hie ne moste,     þa metod nolde,
    se scynscaþa     under sceadu bregdan;
    ac he wæccende     wraþum on andan
    bad bolgenmod     beadwa geþinges.
    710
    ða com of more     under misthleoþum
    Grendel gongan,     godes yrre bær;
    mynte se manscaða     manna cynnes
    sumne besyrwan     in sele þam hean.
    Wod under wolcnum     to þæs þe he winreced,
    715
    goldsele gumena,     gearwost wisse,
    fættum fahne.     Ne wæs þæt forma sið
    þæt he Hroþgares     ham gesohte;
    næfre he on aldordagum     ær ne siþðan
    heardran hæle,     healðegnas fand.
    720
    Com þa to recede     rinc siðian,
    dreamum bedæled.     Duru sona onarn,
    fyrbendum fæst,     syþðan he hire folmum æthran;
    onbræd þa bealohydig,     ða he gebolgen wæs,
    recedes muþan.     Raþe æfter þon
    725
    on fagne flor     feond treddode,
    eode yrremod;     him of eagum stod
    ligge gelicost     leoht unfæger.
    Geseah he in recede     rinca manige,
    swefan sibbegedriht     samod ætgædere,
    730
    magorinca heap.     þa his mod ahlog;
    mynte þæt he gedælde,     ærþon dæg cwome,
    atol aglæca,     anra gehwylces
    lif wið lice,     þa him alumpen wæs
    wistfylle wen.     Ne wæs þæt wyrd þa gen
    735
    þæt he ma moste     manna cynnes
    ðicgean ofer þa niht.     þryðswyð beheold
    mæg Higelaces,     hu se manscaða
    under færgripum     gefaran wolde.
    Ne þæt se aglæca     yldan þohte,
    740
    ac he gefeng hraðe     forman siðe
    slæpendne rinc,     slat unwearnum,
    bat banlocan,     blod edrum dranc,
    synsnædum swealh;     sona hæfde
    unlyfigendes     eal gefeormod,
    745
    fet ond folma.     Forð near ætstop,
    nam þa mid handa     higeþihtigne
    rinc on ræste,     ræhte ongean
    feond mid folme;     he onfeng hraþe
    inwitþancum     ond wið earm gesæt.
    750
    Sona þæt onfunde     fyrena hyrde
    þæt he ne mette     middangeardes,
    eorþan sceata,     on elran men
    mundgripe maran.     He on mode wearð
    forht on ferhðe;     no þy ær fram meahte.
    755
    Hyge wæs him hinfus,     wolde on heolster fleon,
    secan deofla gedræg;     ne wæs his drohtoð þær
    swylce he on ealderdagum     ær gemette.
    Gemunde þa se goda,     mæg Higelaces,
    æfenspræce,     uplang astod
    760
    ond him fæste wiðfeng;     fingras burston.
    Eoten wæs utweard;     eorl furþur stop.
    Mynte se mæra,     þær he meahte swa,
    widre gewindan     ond on weg þanon
    fleon on fenhopu;     wiste his fingra geweald
    765
    on grames grapum.     þæt wæs geocor sið
    þæt se hearmscaþa     to Heorute ateah.
    Dryhtsele dynede;     Denum eallum wearð,
    ceasterbuendum,     cenra gehwylcum,
    eorlum ealuscerwen.     Yrre wæron begen,
    770
    reþe renweardas.     Reced hlynsode.
    þa wæs wundor micel     þæt se winsele
    wiðhæfde heaþodeorum,     þæt he on hrusan ne feol,
    fæger foldbold;     ac he þæs fæste wæs
    innan ond utan     irenbendum
    775
    searoþoncum besmiþod.     þær fram sylle abeag
    medubenc monig,     mine gefræge,
    golde geregnad,     þær þa graman wunnon.
    þæs ne wendon ær     witan Scyldinga
    þæt hit a mid gemete     manna ænig,
    780
    betlic ond banfag,     tobrecan meahte,
    listum tolucan,     nymþe liges fæþm
    swulge on swaþule.     Sweg up astag
    niwe geneahhe;     Norðdenum stod
    atelic egesa,     anra gehwylcum
    785
    þara þe of wealle     wop gehyrdon,
    gryreleoð galan     godes ondsacan,
    sigeleasne sang,     sar wanigean
    helle hæfton.     Heold hine fæste
    se þe manna wæs     mægene strengest
    790
    on þæm dæge     þysses lifes.
    Nolde eorla hleo     ænige þinga
    þone cwealmcuman     cwicne forlætan,
    ne his lifdagas     leoda ænigum
    nytte tealde.     þær genehost brægd
    795
    eorl Beowulfes     ealde lafe,
    wolde freadrihtnes     feorh ealgian,
    mæres þeodnes,     ðær hie meahton swa.
    Hie þæt ne wiston,     þa hie gewin drugon,
    heardhicgende     hildemecgas,
    800
    ond on healfa gehwone     heawan þohton,
    sawle secan,     þone synscaðan
    ænig ofer eorþan     irenna cyst,
    guðbilla nan,     gretan nolde,
    ac he sigewæpnum     forsworen hæfde,
    805
    ecga gehwylcre.     Scolde his aldorgedal
    on ðæm dæge     þysses lifes
    earmlic wurðan,     ond se ellorgast
    on feonda geweald     feor siðian.
    ða þæt onfunde     se þe fela æror
    810
    modes myrðe     manna cynne,
    fyrene gefremede     (he wæs fag wið god),
    þæt him se lichoma     læstan nolde,
    ac hine se modega     mæg Hygelaces
    hæfde be honda;     wæs gehwæþer oðrum
    815
    lifigende lað.     Licsar gebad
    atol æglæca;     him on eaxle wearð
    syndolh sweotol,     seonowe onsprungon,
    burston banlocan.     Beowulfe wearð
    guðhreð gyfeþe;     scolde Grendel þonan
    820
    feorhseoc fleon     under fenhleoðu,
    secean wynleas wic;     wiste þe geornor
    þæt his aldres wæs     ende gegongen,
    dogera dægrim.     Denum eallum wearð
    æfter þam wælræse     willa gelumpen.
    825
    Hæfde þa gefælsod     se þe ær feorran com,
    snotor ond swyðferhð,     sele Hroðgares,
    genered wið niðe;     nihtweorce gefeh,
    ellenmærþum.     Hæfde Eastdenum
    Geatmecga leod     gilp gelæsted,
    830
    swylce oncyþðe     ealle gebette,
    inwidsorge,     þe hie ær drugon
    ond for þreanydum     þolian scoldon,
    torn unlytel.     þæt wæs tacen sweotol,
    syþðan hildedeor     hond alegde,
    835
    earm ond eaxle     (þær wæs eal geador
    Grendles grape)     under geapne hrof.
    ða wæs on morgen     mine gefræge
    ymb þa gifhealle     guðrinc monig;
    ferdon folctogan     feorran ond nean
    840
    geond widwegas     wundor sceawian,
    laþes lastas.     No his lifgedal
    sarlic þuhte     secga ænegum
    þara þe tirleases     trode sceawode,
    hu he werigmod     on weg þanon,
    845
    niða ofercumen,     on nicera mere
    fæge ond geflymed     feorhlastas bær.
    ðær wæs on blode     brim weallende,
    atol yða geswing     eal gemenged
    haton heolfre,     heorodreore weol.
    850
    Deaðfæge deog,     siððan dreama leas
    in fenfreoðo     feorh alegde,
    hæþene sawle;     þær him hel onfeng.
    þanon eft gewiton     ealdgesiðas,
    swylce geong manig     of gomenwaþe
    855
    fram mere modge     mearum ridan,
    beornas on blancum.     ðær wæs Beowulfes
    mærðo mæned;     monig oft gecwæð
    þætte suð ne norð     be sæm tweonum
    ofer eormengrund     oþer nænig
    860
    under swegles begong     selra nære
    rondhæbbendra,     rices wyrðra.
    Ne hie huru winedrihten     wiht ne logon,
    glædne Hroðgar,     ac þæt wæs god cyning.
    Hwilum heaþorofe     hleapan leton,
    865
    on geflit faran     fealwe mearas
    ðær him foldwegas     fægere þuhton,
    cystum cuðe.     Hwilum cyninges þegn,
    guma gilphlæden,     gidda gemyndig,
    se ðe ealfela     ealdgesegena
    870
    worn gemunde,     word oþer fand
    soðe gebunden;     secg eft ongan
    sið Beowulfes     snyttrum styrian
    ond on sped wrecan     spel gerade,
    wordum wrixlan.     Welhwylc gecwæð
    875
    þæt he fram Sigemundes     secgan hyrde
    ellendædum,     uncuþes fela,
    Wælsinges gewin,     wide siðas,
    þara þe gumena bearn     gearwe ne wiston,
    fæhðe ond fyrena,     buton Fitela mid hine,
    880
    þonne he swulces hwæt     secgan wolde,
    eam his nefan,     swa hie a wæron
    æt niða gehwam     nydgesteallan;
    hæfdon ealfela     eotena cynnes
    sweordum gesæged.     Sigemunde gesprong
    885
    æfter deaðdæge     dom unlytel,
    syþðan wiges heard     wyrm acwealde,
    hordes hyrde.     He under harne stan,
    æþelinges bearn,     ana geneðde
    frecne dæde,     ne wæs him Fitela mid.
    890
    Hwæþre him gesælde     ðæt þæt swurd þurhwod
    wrætlicne wyrm,     þæt hit on wealle ætstod,
    dryhtlic iren;     draca morðre swealt.
    Hæfde aglæca     elne gegongen
    þæt he beahhordes     brucan moste
    895
    selfes dome;     sæbat gehleod,
    bær on bearm scipes     beorhte frætwa,
    Wælses eafera.     Wyrm hat gemealt.
    Se wæs wreccena     wide mærost
    ofer werþeode,     wigendra hleo,
    900
    ellendædum     (he þæs ær onðah),
    siððan Heremodes     hild sweðrode,
    eafoð ond ellen.     He mid Eotenum wearð
    on feonda geweald     forð forlacen,
    snude forsended.     Hine sorhwylmas
    905
    lemede to lange;     he his leodum wearð,
    eallum æþellingum     to aldorceare;
    swylce oft bemearn     ærran mælum
    swiðferhþes sið     snotor ceorl monig,
    se þe him bealwa to     bote gelyfde,
    910
    þæt þæt ðeodnes bearn     geþeon scolde,
    fæderæþelum onfon,     folc gehealdan,
    hord ond hleoburh,     hæleþa rice,
    %%OE%% Scyldinga.     He þær eallum wearð,
    mæg Higelaces,     manna cynne,
    915
    freondum gefægra;     hine fyren onwod.
    Hwilum flitende     fealwe stræte
    mearum mæton.     ða wæs morgenleoht
    scofen ond scynded.     Eode scealc monig
    swiðhicgende     to sele þam hean
    920
    searowundor seon;     swylce self cyning
    of brydbure,     beahhorda weard,
    tryddode tirfæst     getrume micle,
    cystum gecyþed,     ond his cwen mid him
    medostigge mæt     mægþa hose.
    925
    Hroðgar maþelode     (he to healle geong,
    stod on stapole,     geseah steapne hrof,
    golde fahne,     ond Grendles hond):
    "ðisse ansyne     alwealdan þanc
    lungre gelimpe!     Fela ic laþes gebad,
    930
    grynna æt Grendle;     a mæg god wyrcan
    wunder æfter wundre,     wuldres hyrde.
    ðæt wæs ungeara     þæt ic ænigra me
    weana ne wende     to widan feore
    bote gebidan,     þonne blode fah
    935
    husa selest     heorodreorig stod,
    wea widscofen     witena gehwylcum
    ðara þe ne wendon     þæt hie wideferhð
    leoda landgeweorc     laþum beweredon
    scuccum ond scinnum.     Nu scealc hafað
    940
    þurh drihtnes miht     dæd gefremede
    ðe we ealle     ær ne meahton
    snyttrum besyrwan.     Hwæt, þæt secgan mæg
    efne swa hwylc mægþa     swa ðone magan cende
    æfter gumcynnum,     gyf heo gyt lyfað,
    945
    þæt hyre ealdmetod     este wære
    bearngebyrdo.     Nu ic, Beowulf, þec,
    secg betsta,     me for sunu wylle
    freogan on ferhþe;     heald forð tela
    niwe sibbe.     Ne bið þe nænigra gad
    950
    worolde wilna,     þe ic geweald hæbbe.
    Ful oft ic for læssan     lean teohhode,
    hordweorþunge     hnahran rince,
    sæmran æt sæcce.     þu þe self hafast
    dædum gefremed     þæt þin dom lyfað
    955
    awa to aldre.     Alwalda þec
    gode forgylde,     swa he nu gyt dyde!"
    Beowulf maþelode,     bearn Ecþeowes:
    "We þæt ellenweorc     estum miclum,
    feohtan fremedon,     frecne geneðdon
    960
    eafoð uncuþes.     Uþe ic swiþor
    þæt ðu hine selfne     geseon moste,
    feond on frætewum     fylwerigne.
    Ic hine hrædlice     heardan clammum
    on wælbedde     wriþan þohte,
    965
    þæt he for mundgripe     minum scolde
    licgean lifbysig,     butan his lic swice.
    Ic hine ne mihte,     þa metod nolde,
    ganges getwæman,     no ic him þæs georne ætfealh,
    feorhgeniðlan;     wæs to foremihtig
    970
    feond on feþe.     Hwæþere he his folme forlet
    to lifwraþe     last weardian,
    earm ond eaxle.     No þær ænige swa þeah
    feasceaft guma     frofre gebohte;
    no þy leng leofað     laðgeteona,
    975
    synnum geswenced,     ac hyne sar hafað
    mid nydgripe     nearwe befongen,
    balwon bendum.     ðær abidan sceal
    maga mane fah     miclan domes,
    hu him scir metod     scrifan wille."
    980
    ða wæs swigra secg,     sunu Eclafes,
    on gylpspræce     guðgeweorca,
    siþðan æþelingas     eorles cræfte
    ofer heanne hrof     hand sceawedon,
    feondes fingras.     Foran æghwylc wæs,
    985
    stiðra nægla gehwylc,     style gelicost,
    hæþenes handsporu     hilderinces,
    egl, unheoru.     æghwylc gecwæð
    þæt him heardra nan     hrinan wolde
    iren ærgod,     þæt ðæs ahlæcan
    990
    blodge beadufolme     onberan wolde.
    ða wæs haten hreþe     Heort innanweard
    folmum gefrætwod.     Fela þæra wæs,
    wera ond wifa,     þe þæt winreced,
    gestsele gyredon.     Goldfag scinon
    995
    web æfter wagum,     wundorsiona fela
    secga gehwylcum     þara þe on swylc starað.
    Wæs þæt beorhte bold     tobrocen swiðe,
    eal inneweard     irenbendum fæst,
    heorras tohlidene.     Hrof ana genæs,
    1000
    ealles ansund,     þe se aglæca,
    fyrendædum fag,     on fleam gewand,
    aldres orwena.     No þæt yðe byð
    to befleonne,     fremme se þe wille,
    ac gesecan sceal     sawlberendra,
    1005
    nyde genydde,     niþða bearna,
    grundbuendra     gearwe stowe,
    þær his lichoma     legerbedde fæst
    swefeþ æfter symle.     þa wæs sæl ond mæl
    þæt to healle gang     Healfdenes sunu;
    1010
    wolde self cyning     symbel þicgan.
    Ne gefrægen ic þa mægþe     maran weorode
    ymb hyra sincgyfan     sel gebæran.
    Bugon þa to bence     blædagande,
    fylle gefægon;     fægere geþægon
    1015
    medoful manig     magas þara
    swiðhicgende     on sele þam hean,
    Hroðgar ond Hroþulf.     Heorot innan wæs
    freondum afylled;     nalles facenstafas
    þeodscyldingas     þenden fremedon.
    1020
    Forgeaf þa Beowulfe     bearn Healfdenes
    segen gyldenne     sigores to leane;
    hroden hildecumbor,     helm ond byrnan,
    mære maðþumsweord     manige gesawon
    beforan beorn beran.     Beowulf geþah
    1025
    ful on flette;     no he þære feohgyfte
    for sceotendum     scamigan ðorfte.
    Ne gefrægn ic freondlicor     feower madmas
    golde gegyrede     gummanna fela
    in ealobence     oðrum gesellan.
    1030
    Ymb þæs helmes hrof     heafodbeorge
    wirum bewunden     walu utan heold,
    þæt him fela laf     frecne ne meahton
    scurheard sceþðan,     þonne scyldfreca
    ongean gramum     gangan scolde.
    1035
    Heht ða eorla hleo     eahta mearas
    fætedhleore     on flet teon,
    in under eoderas.     þara anum stod
    sadol searwum fah,     since gewurþad;
    þæt wæs hildesetl     heahcyninges,
    1040
    ðonne sweorda gelac     sunu Healfdenes
    efnan wolde.     Næfre on ore læg
    widcuþes wig,     ðonne walu feollon.
    Ond ða Beowulfe     bega gehwæþres
    eodor Ingwina     onweald geteah,
    1045
    wicga ond wæpna,     het hine wel brucan.
    Swa manlice     mære þeoden,
    hordweard hæleþa,     heaþoræsas geald
    mearum ond madmum,     swa hy næfre man lyhð,
    se þe secgan wile     soð æfter rihte.
    1050
    ða gyt æghwylcum     eorla drihten
    þara þe mid Beowulfe     brimlade teah
    on þære medubence     maþðum gesealde,
    yrfelafe,     ond þone ænne heht
    golde forgyldan,     þone ðe Grendel ær
    1055
    mane acwealde,     swa he hyra ma wolde,
    nefne him witig god     wyrd forstode
    ond ðæs mannes mod.     Metod eallum weold
    gumena cynnes,     swa he nu git deð.
    Forþan bið andgit     æghwær selest,
    1060
    ferhðes foreþanc.     Fela sceal gebidan
    leofes ond laþes     se þe longe her
    on ðyssum windagum     worolde bruceð.
    þær wæs sang ond sweg     samod ætgædere
    fore Healfdenes     hildewisan,
    1065
    gomenwudu greted,     gid oft wrecen,
    ðonne healgamen     Hroþgares scop
    æfter medobence     mænan scolde
    be Finnes eaferum,     ða hie se fær begeat,
    hæleð Healfdena,     Hnæf Scyldinga,
    1070
    in Freswæle     feallan scolde.
    Ne huru Hildeburh     herian þorfte
    Eotena treowe;     unsynnum wearð
    beloren leofum     æt þam lindplegan,
    bearnum ond broðrum;     hie on gebyrd hruron,
    1075
    gare wunde.     þæt wæs geomuru ides!
    Nalles holinga     Hoces dohtor
    meotodsceaft bemearn,     syþðan morgen com,
    ða heo under swegle     geseon meahte
    morþorbealo maga,     þær heo ær mæste heold
    1080
    worolde wynne.     Wig ealle fornam
    Finnes þegnas     nemne feaum anum,
    þæt he ne mehte     on þæm meðelstede
    wig Hengeste     wiht gefeohtan,
    ne þa wealafe     wige forþringan
    1085
    þeodnes ðegna;     ac hig him geþingo budon,
    þæt hie him oðer flet     eal gerymdon,
    healle ond heahsetl,     þæt hie healfre geweald
    wið Eotena bearn     agan moston,
    ond æt feohgyftum     Folcwaldan sunu
    1090
    dogra gehwylce     Dene weorþode,
    Hengestes heap     hringum wenede
    efne swa swiðe     sincgestreonum
    fættan goldes,     swa he Fresena cyn
    on beorsele     byldan wolde.
    1095
    ða hie getruwedon     on twa healfa
    fæste frioðuwære.     Fin Hengeste
    elne, unflitme     aðum benemde
    þæt he þa wealafe     weotena dome
    arum heolde,     þæt ðær ænig mon
    1100
    wordum ne worcum     wære ne bræce,
    ne þurh inwitsearo     æfre gemænden
    ðeah hie hira beaggyfan     banan folgedon
    ðeodenlease,     þa him swa geþearfod wæs;
    gyf þonne Frysna hwylc     frecnan spræce
    1105
    ðæs morþorhetes     myndgiend wære,
    þonne hit sweordes ecg     seðan scolde.
    Ad wæs geæfned     ond icge gold
    ahæfen of horde.     Herescyldinga
    betst beadorinca     wæs on bæl gearu.
    1110
    æt þæm ade wæs     eþgesyne
    swatfah syrce,     swyn ealgylden,
    eofer irenheard,     æþeling manig
    wundum awyrded;     sume on wæle crungon.
    Het ða Hildeburh     æt Hnæfes ade
    1115
    hire selfre sunu     sweoloðe befæstan,
    banfatu bærnan     ond on bæl don
    eame on eaxle.     Ides gnornode,
    geomrode giddum.     Guðrinc astah.
    Wand to wolcnum     wælfyra mæst,
    1120
    hlynode for hlawe;     hafelan multon,
    bengeato burston,     ðonne blod ætspranc,
    laðbite lices.     Lig ealle forswealg,
    gæsta gifrost,     þara ðe þær guð fornam
    bega folces;     wæs hira blæd scacen.
    1125
    Gewiton him ða wigend     wica neosian,
    freondum befeallen,     Frysland geseon,
    hamas ond heaburh.     Hengest ða gyt
    wælfagne winter     wunode mid Finne
    eal unhlitme.     Eard gemunde,
    1130
    þeah þe he ne meahte     on mere drifan
    hringedstefnan;     holm storme weol,
    won wið winde,     winter yþe beleac
    isgebinde,     oþðæt oþer com
    gear in geardas,     swa nu gyt deð,
    1135
    þa ðe syngales     sele bewitiað,
    wuldortorhtan weder.     ða wæs winter scacen,
    fæger foldan bearm.     Fundode wrecca,
    gist of geardum;     he to gyrnwræce
    swiðor þohte     þonne to sælade,
    1140
    gif he torngemot     þurhteon mihte
    þæt he Eotena bearn     inne gemunde.
    Swa he ne forwyrnde     woroldrædenne,
    þonne him Hunlafing     hildeleoman,
    billa selest,     on bearm dyde,
    1145
    þæs wæron mid Eotenum     ecge cuðe.
    Swylce ferhðfrecan     Fin eft begeat
    sweordbealo sliðen     æt his selfes ham,
    siþðan grimne gripe     Guðlaf ond Oslaf
    æfter sæsiðe,     sorge, mændon,
    1150
    ætwiton weana dæl;     ne meahte wæfre mod
    forhabban in hreþre.     ða wæs heal roden
    feonda feorum,     swilce Fin slægen,
    cyning on corþre,     ond seo cwen numen.
    Sceotend Scyldinga     to scypon feredon
    1155
    eal ingesteald     eorðcyninges,
    swylce hie æt Finnes ham     findan meahton
    sigla, searogimma.     Hie on sælade
    drihtlice wif     to Denum feredon,
    læddon to leodum.     Leoð wæs asungen,
    1160
    gleomannes gyd.     Gamen eft astah,
    beorhtode bencsweg;     byrelas sealdon
    win of wunderfatum.     þa cwom Wealhþeo forð
    gan under gyldnum beage,     þær þa godan twegen
    sæton suhtergefæderan;     þa gyt wæs hiera sib ætgædere,
    1165
    æghwylc oðrum trywe.     Swylce þær Unferþ þyle
    æt fotum sæt frean Scyldinga;     gehwylc hiora his ferhþe treowde,
    þæt he hæfde mod micel,     þeah þe he his magum nære
    arfæst æt ecga gelacum.     Spræc ða ides Scyldinga:
    "Onfoh þissum fulle,     freodrihten min,
    1170
    sinces brytta!     þu on sælum wes,
    goldwine gumena,     ond to Geatum spræc
    mildum wordum,     swa sceal man don.
    Beo wið Geatas glæd,     geofena gemyndig,
    nean ond feorran     þu nu hafast.
    1175
    Me man sægde     þæt þu ðe for sunu wolde
    hererinc habban.     Heorot is gefælsod,
    beahsele beorhta;     bruc þenden þu mote
    manigra medo,     ond þinum magum læf
    folc ond rice,     þonne ðu forð scyle
    1180
    metodsceaft seon.     Ic minne can
    glædne Hroþulf,     þæt he þa geogoðe wile
    arum healdan,     gyf þu ær þonne he,
    wine Scildinga,     worold oflætest;
    wene ic þæt he mid gode     gyldan wille
    1185
    uncran eaferan,     gif he þæt eal gemon,
    hwæt wit to willan     ond to worðmyndum
    umborwesendum ær     arna gefremedon."
    Hwearf þa bi bence     þær hyre byre wæron,
    Hreðric ond Hroðmund,     ond hæleþa bearn,
    1190
    giogoð ætgædere;     þær se goda sæt,
    Beowulf Geata,     be þæm gebroðrum twæm.
    Him wæs ful boren     ond freondlaþu
    wordum bewægned,     ond wunden gold
    estum geeawed,     earmreade twa,
    1195
    hrægl ond hringas,     healsbeaga mæst
    þara þe ic on foldan     gefrægen hæbbe.
    Nænigne ic under swegle     selran hyrde
    hordmaððum hæleþa,     syþðan Hama ætwæg
    to þære byrhtan byrig     Brosinga mene,
    1200
    sigle ond sincfæt;     searoniðas fleah
    Eormenrices,     geceas ecne ræd.
    þone hring hæfde     Higelac Geata,
    nefa Swertinges,     nyhstan siðe,
    siðþan he under segne     sinc ealgode,
    1205
    wælreaf werede;     hyne wyrd fornam,
    syþðan he for wlenco     wean ahsode,
    fæhðe to Frysum.     He þa frætwe wæg,
    eorclanstanas     ofer yða ful,
    rice þeoden;     he under rande gecranc.
    1210
    Gehwearf þa in Francna fæþm     feorh cyninges,
    breostgewædu     ond se beah somod;
    wyrsan wigfrecan     wæl reafedon
    æfter guðsceare,     Geata leode,
    hreawic heoldon.     Heal swege onfeng.
    1215
    Wealhðeo maþelode,     heo fore þæm werede spræc:
    "Bruc ðisses beages,     Beowulf leofa,
    hyse, mid hæle,     ond þisses hrægles neot,
    þeodgestreona,     ond geþeoh tela,
    cen þec mid cræfte     ond þyssum cnyhtum wes
    1220
    lara liðe;     ic þe þæs lean geman.
    Hafast þu gefered     þæt ðe feor ond neah
    ealne wideferhþ     weras ehtigað,
    efne swa side     swa sæ bebugeð,
    windgeard, weallas.     Wes þenden þu lifige,
    1225
    æþeling, eadig.     Ic þe an tela
    sincgestreona.     Beo þu suna minum
    dædum gedefe,     dreamhealdende.
    Her is æghwylc eorl     oþrum getrywe,
    modes milde,     mandrihtne hold;
    1230
    þegnas syndon geþwære,     þeod ealgearo,
    druncne dryhtguman     doð swa ic bidde."
    Eode þa to setle.     þær wæs symbla cyst;
    druncon win weras.     Wyrd ne cuþon,
    geosceaft grimme,     swa hit agangen wearð
    1235
    eorla manegum,     syþðan æfen cwom
    ond him Hroþgar gewat     to hofe sinum,
    rice to ræste.     Reced weardode
    unrim eorla,     swa hie oft ær dydon.
    Bencþelu beredon;     hit geondbræded wearð
    1240
    beddum ond bolstrum.     Beorscealca sum
    fus ond fæge     fletræste gebeag.
    Setton him to heafdon     hilderandas,
    bordwudu beorhtan;     þær on bence wæs
    ofer æþelinge     yþgesene
    1245
    heaþosteapa helm,     hringed byrne,
    þrecwudu þrymlic.     Wæs þeaw hyra
    þæt hie oft wæron     an wig gearwe,
    ge æt ham ge on herge,     ge gehwæþer þara,
    efne swylce mæla     swylce hira mandryhtne
    1250
    þearf gesælde;     wæs seo þeod tilu.
    Sigon þa to slæpe.     Sum sare angeald
    æfenræste,     swa him ful oft gelamp,
    siþðan goldsele     Grendel warode,
    unriht æfnde,     oþþæt ende becwom,
    1255
    swylt æfter synnum.     þæt gesyne wearþ,
    widcuþ werum,     þætte wrecend þa gyt
    lifde æfter laþum,     lange þrage,
    æfter guðceare.     Grendles modor,
    ides, aglæcwif,     yrmþe gemunde,
    1260
    se þe wæteregesan     wunian scolde,
    cealde streamas,     siþðan Cain wearð
    to ecgbanan     angan breþer,
    fæderenmæge;     he þa fag gewat,
    morþre gemearcod,     mandream fleon,
    1265
    westen warode.     þanon woc fela
    geosceaftgasta;     wæs þæra Grendel sum,
    heorowearh hetelic,     se æt Heorote fand
    wæccendne wer     wiges bidan.
    þær him aglæca     ætgræpe wearð;
    1270
    hwæþre he gemunde     mægenes strenge,
    gimfæste gife     ðe him god sealde,
    ond him to anwaldan     are gelyfde,
    frofre ond fultum;     ðy he þone feond ofercwom,
    gehnægde helle gast.     þa he hean gewat,
    1275
    dreame bedæled,     deaþwic seon,
    mancynnes feond,     ond his modor þa gyt,
    gifre ond galgmod,     gegan wolde
    sorhfulne sið,     sunu deað wrecan.
    Com þa to Heorote,     ðær Hringdene
    1280
    geond þæt sæld swæfun.     þa ðær sona wearð
    edhwyrft eorlum,     siþðan inne fealh
    Grendles modor.     Wæs se gryre læssa
    efne swa micle     swa bið mægþa cræft,
    wiggryre wifes,     be wæpnedmen,
    1285
    þonne heoru bunden,     hamere geþuren,
    sweord swate fah     swin ofer helme
    ecgum dyhttig     andweard scireð.
    þa wæs on healle     heardecg togen
    sweord ofer setlum,     sidrand manig
    1290
    hafen handa fæst;     helm ne gemunde,
    byrnan side,     þa hine se broga angeat.
    Heo wæs on ofste,     wolde ut þanon,
    feore beorgan,     þa heo onfunden wæs.
    Hraðe heo æþelinga     anne hæfde
    1295
    fæste befangen,     þa heo to fenne gang.
    Se wæs Hroþgare     hæleþa leofost
    on gesiðes had     be sæm tweonum,
    rice randwiga,     þone ðe heo on ræste abreat,
    blædfæstne beorn.     Næs Beowulf ðær,
    1300
    ac wæs oþer in     ær geteohhod
    æfter maþðumgife     mærum Geate.
    Hream wearð in Heorote;     heo under heolfre genam
    cuþe folme;     cearu wæs geniwod,
    geworden in wicun.     Ne wæs þæt gewrixle til,
    1305
    þæt hie on ba healfa     bicgan scoldon
    freonda feorum.     þa wæs frod cyning,
    har hilderinc,     on hreon mode,
    syðþan he aldorþegn     unlyfigendne,
    þone deorestan     deadne wisse.
    1310
    Hraþe wæs to bure     Beowulf fetod,
    sigoreadig secg.     Samod ærdæge
    eode eorla sum,     æþele cempa
    self mid gesiðum     þær se snotera bad,
    hwæþer him alwalda     æfre wille
    1315
    æfter weaspelle     wyrpe gefremman.
    Gang ða æfter flore     fyrdwyrðe man
    mid his handscale     (healwudu dynede),
    þæt he þone wisan     wordum nægde
    frean Ingwina,     frægn gif him wære
    1320
    æfter neodlaðum     niht getæse.
    Hroðgar maþelode,     helm Scyldinga:
    "Ne frin þu æfter sælum!     Sorh is geniwod
    Denigea leodum.     Dead is æschere,
    Yrmenlafes     yldra broþor,
    1325
    min runwita     ond min rædbora,
    eaxlgestealla,     ðonne we on orlege
    hafelan weredon,     þonne hniton feþan,
    eoferas cnysedan.     Swylc scolde eorl wesan,
    æþeling ærgod,     swylc æschere wæs!
    1330
    Wearð him on Heorote     to handbanan
    wælgæst wæfre;     ic ne wat hwæder
    atol æse wlanc     eftsiðas teah,
    fylle gefægnod.     Heo þa fæhðe wræc
    þe þu gystran niht     Grendel cwealdest
    1335
    þurh hæstne had     heardum clammum,
    forþan he to lange     leode mine
    wanode ond wyrde.     He æt wige gecrang
    ealdres scyldig,     ond nu oþer cwom
    mihtig manscaða,     wolde hyre mæg wrecan,
    1340
    ge feor hafað     fæhðe gestæled
    (þæs þe þincean mæg     þegne monegum,
    se þe æfter sincgyfan     on sefan greoteþ),
    hreþerbealo hearde;     nu seo hand ligeð,
    se þe eow welhwylcra     wilna dohte.
    1345
    Ic þæt londbuend,     leode mine,
    selerædende,     secgan hyrde
    þæt hie gesawon     swylce twegen
    micle mearcstapan     moras healdan,
    ellorgæstas.     ðæra oðer wæs,
    1350
    þæs þe hie gewislicost     gewitan meahton,
    idese onlicnæs;     oðer earmsceapen
    on weres wæstmum     wræclastas træd,
    næfne he wæs mara     þonne ænig man oðer;
    þone on geardagum     Grendel nemdon
    1355
    foldbuende.     No hie fæder cunnon,
    hwæþer him ænig wæs     ær acenned
    dyrnra gasta.     Hie dygel lond
    warigeað, wulfhleoþu,     windige næssas,
    frecne fengelad,     ðær fyrgenstream
    1360
    under næssa genipu     niþer gewiteð,
    flod under foldan.     Nis þæt feor heonon
    milgemearces     þæt se mere standeð;
    ofer þæm hongiað     hrinde bearwas,
    wudu wyrtum fæst     wæter oferhelmað.
    1365
    þær mæg nihta gehwæm     niðwundor seon,
    fyr on flode.     No þæs frod leofað
    gumena bearna,     þæt þone grund wite;
    ðeah þe hæðstapa     hundum geswenced,
    heorot hornum trum,     holtwudu sece,
    1370
    feorran geflymed,     ær he feorh seleð,
    aldor on ofre,     ær he in wille
    hafelan hydan.     Nis þæt heoru stow!
    þonon yðgeblond     up astigeð
    won to wolcnum,     þonne wind styreþ,
    1375
    lað gewidru,     oðþæt lyft drysmaþ,
    roderas reotað.     Nu is se ræd gelang
    eft æt þe anum.     Eard git ne const,
    frecne stowe,     ðær þu findan miht
    felasinnigne secg;     sec gif þu dyrre.
    1380
    Ic þe þa fæhðe     feo leanige,
    ealdgestreonum,     swa ic ær dyde,
    wundnum golde,     gyf þu on weg cymest."
    Beowulf maþelode,     bearn Ecgþeowes:
    "Ne sorga, snotor guma;     selre bið æghwæm
    1385
    þæt he his freond wrece,     þonne he fela murne.
    Ure æghwylc sceal     ende gebidan
    worolde lifes;     wyrce se þe mote
    domes ær deaþe;     þæt bið drihtguman
    unlifgendum     æfter selest.
    1390
    Aris, rices weard,     uton raþe feran
    Grendles magan     gang sceawigan.
    Ic hit þe gehate,     no he on helm losaþ,
    ne on foldan fæþm,     ne on fyrgenholt,
    ne on gyfenes grund,     ga þær he wille.
    1395
    ðys dogor þu     geþyld hafa
    weana gehwylces,     swa ic þe wene to."
    Ahleop ða se gomela,     gode þancode,
    mihtigan drihtne,     þæs se man gespræc.
    þa wæs Hroðgare     hors gebæted,
    1400
    wicg wundenfeax.     Wisa fengel
    geatolic gende;     gumfeþa stop
    lindhæbbendra.     Lastas wæron
    æfter waldswaþum     wide gesyne,
    gang ofer grundas,     þær heo gegnum for
    1405
    ofer myrcan mor,     magoþegna bær
    þone selestan     sawolleasne
    þara þe mid Hroðgare     ham eahtode.
    Ofereode þa     æþelinga bearn
    steap stanhliðo,     stige nearwe,
    1410
    enge anpaðas,     uncuð gelad,
    neowle næssas,     nicorhusa fela.
    He feara sum     beforan gengde
    wisra monna     wong sceawian,
    oþþæt he færinga     fyrgenbeamas
    1415
    ofer harne stan     hleonian funde,
    wynleasne wudu;     wæter under stod
    dreorig ond gedrefed.     Denum eallum wæs,
    winum Scyldinga,     weorce on mode
    to geþolianne,     ðegne monegum,
    1420
    oncyð eorla gehwæm,     syðþan æscheres
    on þam holmclife     hafelan metton.
    Flod blode weol     (folc to sægon),
    hatan heolfre.     Horn stundum song
    fuslic fyrdleoð.     Feþa eal gesæt.
    1425
    Gesawon ða æfter wætere     wyrmcynnes fela,
    sellice sædracan,     sund cunnian,
    swylce on næshleoðum     nicras licgean,
    ða on undernmæl     oft bewitigað
    sorhfulne sið     on seglrade,
    1430
    wyrmas ond wildeor;     hie on weg hruron,
    bitere ond gebolgne,     bearhtm ongeaton,
    guðhorn galan.     Sumne Geata leod
    of flanbogan     feores getwæfde,
    yðgewinnes,     þæt him on aldre stod
    1435
    herestræl hearda;     he on holme wæs
    sundes þe sænra,     ðe hyne swylt fornam.
    Hræþe wearð on yðum     mid eoferspreotum
    heorohocyhtum     hearde genearwod,
    niða genæged,     ond on næs togen,
    1440
    wundorlic wægbora;     weras sceawedon
    gryrelicne gist.     Gyrede hine Beowulf
    eorlgewædum,     nalles for ealdre mearn.
    Scolde herebyrne     hondum gebroden,
    sid ond searofah,     sund cunnian,
    1445
    seo ðe bancofan     beorgan cuþe,
    þæt him hildegrap     hreþre ne mihte,
    eorres inwitfeng,     aldre gesceþðan;
    ac se hwita helm     hafelan werede,
    se þe meregrundas     mengan scolde,
    1450
    secan sundgebland     since geweorðad,
    befongen freawrasnum,     swa hine fyrndagum
    worhte wæpna smið,     wundrum teode,
    besette swinlicum,     þæt hine syðþan no
    brond ne beadomecas     bitan ne meahton.
    1455
    Næs þæt þonne mætost     mægenfultuma
    þæt him on ðearfe lah     ðyle Hroðgares;
    wæs þæm hæftmece     Hrunting nama.
    þæt wæs an foran     ealdgestreona;
    ecg wæs iren,     atertanum fah,
    1460
    ahyrded heaþoswate;     næfre hit æt hilde ne swac
    manna ængum     þara þe hit mid mundum bewand,
    se ðe gryresiðas     gegan dorste,
    folcstede fara;     næs þæt forma sið
    þæt hit ellenweorc     æfnan scolde.
    1465
    Huru ne gemunde     mago Ecglafes,
    eafoþes cræftig,     þæt he ær gespræc
    wine druncen,     þa he þæs wæpnes onlah
    selran sweordfrecan.     Selfa ne dorste
    under yða gewin     aldre geneþan,
    1470
    drihtscype dreogan;     þær he dome forleas,
    ellenmærðum.     Ne wæs þæm oðrum swa,
    syðþan he hine to guðe     gegyred hæfde.
    Beowulf maðelode,     bearn Ecgþeowes:
    "Geþenc nu, se mæra     maga Healfdenes,
    1475
    snottra fengel,     nu ic eom siðes fus,
    goldwine gumena,     hwæt wit geo spræcon,
    gif ic æt þearfe     þinre scolde
    aldre linnan,     þæt ðu me a wære
    forðgewitenum     on fæder stæle.
    1480
    Wes þu mundbora     minum magoþegnum,
    hondgesellum,     gif mec hild nime;
    swylce þu ða madmas     þe þu me sealdest,
    Hroðgar leofa,     Higelace onsend.
    Mæg þonne on þæm golde ongitan     Geata dryhten,
    1485
    geseon sunu Hrædles,     þonne he on þæt sinc starað,
    þæt ic gumcystum     godne funde
    beaga bryttan,     breac þonne moste.
    Ond þu Unferð læt     ealde lafe,
    wrætlic wægsweord,     widcuðne man
    1490
    heardecg habban;     ic me mid Hruntinge
    dom gewyrce,     oþðe mec deað nimeð."
    æfter þæm wordum     Wedergeata leod
    efste mid elne,     nalas ondsware
    bidan wolde;     brimwylm onfeng
    1495
    hilderince.     ða wæs hwil dæges
    ær he þone grundwong     ongytan mehte.
    Sona þæt onfunde     se ðe floda begong
    heorogifre beheold     hund missera,
    grim ond grædig,     þæt þær gumena sum
    1500
    ælwihta eard     ufan cunnode.
    Grap þa togeanes,     guðrinc gefeng
    atolan clommum.     No þy ær in gescod
    halan lice;     hring utan ymbbearh,
    þæt heo þone fyrdhom     ðurhfon ne mihte,
    1505
    locene leoðosyrcan     laþan fingrum.
    Bær þa seo brimwylf,     þa heo to botme com,
    hringa þengel     to hofe sinum,
    swa he ne mihte,     no he þæs modig wæs,
    wæpna gewealdan,     ac hine wundra þæs fela
    1510
    swencte on sunde,     sædeor monig
    hildetuxum     heresyrcan bræc,
    ehton aglæcan.     ða se eorl ongeat
    þæt he in niðsele     nathwylcum wæs,
    þær him nænig wæter     wihte ne sceþede,
    1515
    ne him for hrofsele     hrinan ne mehte
    færgripe flodes;     fyrleoht geseah,
    blacne leoman,     beorhte scinan.
    Ongeat þa se goda     grundwyrgenne,
    merewif mihtig;     mægenræs forgeaf
    1520
    hildebille,     hond sweng ne ofteah,
    þæt hire on hafelan     hringmæl agol
    grædig guðleoð.     ða se gist onfand
    þæt se beadoleoma     bitan nolde,
    aldre sceþðan,     ac seo ecg geswac
    1525
    ðeodne æt þearfe;     ðolode ær fela
    hondgemota,     helm oft gescær,
    fæges fyrdhrægl;     ða wæs forma sið
    deorum madme,     þæt his dom alæg.
    Eft wæs anræd,     nalas elnes læt,
    1530
    mærða gemyndig     mæg Hylaces.
    Wearp ða wundenmæl     wrættum gebunden
    yrre oretta,     þæt hit on eorðan læg,
    stið ond stylecg;     strenge getruwode,
    mundgripe mægenes.     Swa sceal man don,
    1535
    þonne he æt guðe     gegan þenceð
    longsumne lof,     na ymb his lif cearað.
    Gefeng þa be eaxle     (nalas for fæhðe mearn)
    Guðgeata leod     Grendles modor;
    brægd þa beadwe heard,     þa he gebolgen wæs,
    1540
    feorhgeniðlan,     þæt heo on flet gebeah.
    Heo him eft hraþe     andlean forgeald
    grimman grapum     ond him togeanes feng;
    oferwearp þa werigmod     wigena strengest,
    feþecempa,     þæt he on fylle wearð.
    1545
    Ofsæt þa þone selegyst     ond hyre seax geteah,
    brad ond brunecg,     wolde hire bearn wrecan,
    angan eaferan.     Him on eaxle læg
    breostnet broden;     þæt gebearh feore,
    wið ord ond wið ecge     ingang forstod.
    1550
    Hæfde ða forsiðod     sunu Ecgþeowes
    under gynne grund,     Geata cempa,
    nemne him heaðobyrne     helpe gefremede,
    herenet hearde,     ond halig god
    geweold wigsigor;     witig drihten,
    1555
    rodera rædend,     hit on ryht gesced
    yðelice,     syþðan he eft astod.
    Geseah ða on searwum     sigeeadig bil,
    eald sweord eotenisc,     ecgum þyhtig,
    wigena weorðmynd;     þæt wæs wæpna cyst,
    1560
    buton hit wæs mare     ðonne ænig mon oðer
    to beadulace     ætberan meahte,
    god ond geatolic,     giganta geweorc.
    He gefeng þa fetelhilt,     freca Scyldinga
    hreoh ond heorogrim     hringmæl gebrægd,
    1565
    aldres orwena,     yrringa sloh,
    þæt hire wið halse     heard grapode,
    banhringas bræc.     Bil eal ðurhwod
    fægne flæschoman;     heo on flet gecrong.
    Sweord wæs swatig,     secg weorce gefeh.
    1570
    Lixte se leoma,     leoht inne stod,
    efne swa of hefene     hadre scineð
    rodores candel.     He æfter recede wlat;
    hwearf þa be wealle,     wæpen hafenade
    heard be hiltum     Higelaces ðegn,
    1575
    yrre ond anræd.     Næs seo ecg fracod
    hilderince,     ac he hraþe wolde
    Grendle forgyldan     guðræsa fela
    ðara þe he geworhte     to Westdenum
    oftor micle     ðonne on ænne sið,
    1580
    þonne he Hroðgares     heorðgeneatas
    sloh on sweofote,     slæpende fræt
    folces Denigea     fyftyne men
    ond oðer swylc     ut offerede,
    laðlicu lac.     He him þæs lean forgeald,
    1585
    reþe cempa,     to ðæs þe he on ræste geseah
    guðwerigne     Grendel licgan
    aldorleasne,     swa him ær gescod
    hild æt Heorote.     Hra wide sprong,
    syþðan he æfter deaðe     drepe þrowade,
    1590
    heorosweng heardne,     ond hine þa heafde becearf.
    Sona þæt gesawon     snottre ceorlas,
    þa ðe mid Hroðgare     on holm wliton,
    þæt wæs yðgeblond     eal gemenged,
    brim blode fah.     Blondenfeaxe,
    1595
    gomele ymb godne,     ongeador spræcon
    þæt hig þæs æðelinges     eft ne wendon
    þæt he sigehreðig     secean come
    mærne þeoden;     þa ðæs monige gewearð
    þæt hine seo brimwylf     abroten hæfde.
    1600
    ða com non dæges.     Næs ofgeafon
    hwate Scyldingas;     gewat him ham þonon
    goldwine gumena.     Gistas setan
    modes seoce     ond on mere staredon,
    wiston ond ne wendon     þæt hie heora winedrihten
    1605
    selfne gesawon.     þa þæt sweord ongan
    æfter heaþoswate     hildegicelum,
    wigbil wanian.     þæt wæs wundra sum,
    þæt hit eal gemealt     ise gelicost,
    ðonne forstes bend     fæder onlæteð,
    1610
    onwindeð wælrapas,     se geweald hafað
    sæla ond mæla;     þæt is soð metod.
    Ne nom he in þæm wicum,     Wedergeata leod,
    maðmæhta ma,     þeh he þær monige geseah,
    buton þone hafelan     ond þa hilt somod
    1615
    since fage.     Sweord ær gemealt,
    forbarn brodenmæl;     wæs þæt blod to þæs hat,
    ættren ellorgæst     se þær inne swealt.
    Sona wæs on sunde     se þe ær æt sæcce gebad
    wighryre wraðra,     wæter up þurhdeaf.
    1620
    Wæron yðgebland     eal gefælsod,
    eacne eardas,     þa se ellorgast
    oflet lifdagas     ond þas lænan gesceaft.
    Com þa to lande     lidmanna helm
    swiðmod swymman;     sælace gefeah,
    1625
    mægenbyrþenne     þara þe he him mid hæfde.
    Eodon him þa togeanes,     gode þancodon,
    ðryðlic þegna heap,     þeodnes gefegon,
    þæs þe hi hyne gesundne     geseon moston.
    ða wæs of þæm hroran     helm ond byrne
    1630
    lungre alysed.     Lagu drusade,
    wæter under wolcnum,     wældreore fag.
    Ferdon forð þonon     feþelastum
    ferhþum fægne,     foldweg mæton,
    cuþe stræte.     Cyningbalde men
    1635
    from þæm holmclife     hafelan bæron
    earfoðlice     heora æghwæþrum,
    felamodigra;     feower scoldon
    on þæm wælstenge     weorcum geferian
    to þæm goldsele     Grendles heafod,
    1640
    oþðæt semninga     to sele comon
    frome fyrdhwate     feowertyne
    Geata gongan;     gumdryhten mid
    modig on gemonge     meodowongas træd.
    ða com in gan     ealdor ðegna,
    1645
    dædcene mon     dome gewurþad,
    hæle hildedeor,     Hroðgar gretan.
    þa wæs be feaxe     on flet boren
    Grendles heafod,     þær guman druncon,
    egeslic for eorlum     ond þære idese mid,
    1650
    wliteseon wrætlic;     weras on sawon.
    Beowulf maþelode,     bearn Ecgþeowes:
    "Hwæt! we þe þas sælac,     sunu Healfdenes,
    leod Scyldinga,     lustum brohton
    tires to tacne,     þe þu her to locast.
    1655
    Ic þæt unsofte     ealdre gedigde
    wigge under wætere,     weorc geneþde
    earfoðlice;     ætrihte wæs
    guð getwæfed,     nymðe mec god scylde.
    Ne meahte ic æt hilde     mid Hruntinge
    1660
    wiht gewyrcan,     þeah þæt wæpen duge;
    ac me geuðe     ylda waldend
    þæt ic on wage geseah     wlitig hangian
    eald sweord eacen     (oftost wisode
    winigea leasum),     þæt ic ðy wæpne gebræd.
    1665
    Ofsloh ða æt þære sæcce,     þa me sæl ageald,
    huses hyrdas.     þa þæt hildebil
    forbarn brogdenmæl,     swa þæt blod gesprang,
    hatost heaþoswata.     Ic þæt hilt þanan
    feondum ætferede,     fyrendæda wræc,
    1670
    deaðcwealm Denigea,     swa hit gedefe wæs.
    Ic hit þe þonne gehate,     þæt þu on Heorote most
    sorhleas swefan     mid þinra secga gedryht
    ond þegna gehwylc     þinra leoda,
    duguðe ond iogoþe,     þæt þu him ondrædan ne þearft,
    1675
    þeoden Scyldinga,     on þa healfe,
    aldorbealu eorlum,     swa þu ær dydest."
    ða wæs gylden hilt     gamelum rince,
    harum hildfruman,     on hand gyfen,
    enta ærgeweorc;     hit on æht gehwearf
    1680
    æfter deofla hryre     Denigea frean,
    wundorsmiþa geweorc,     ond þa þas worold ofgeaf
    gromheort guma,     godes ondsaca,
    morðres scyldig,     ond his modor eac,
    on geweald gehwearf     woroldcyninga
    1685
    ðæm selestan     be sæm tweonum
    ðara þe on Scedenigge     sceattas dælde.
    Hroðgar maðelode,     hylt sceawode,
    ealde lafe,     on ðæm wæs or writen
    fyrngewinnes,     syðþan flod ofsloh,
    1690
    gifen geotende,     giganta cyn
    (frecne geferdon);     þæt wæs fremde þeod
    ecean dryhtne;     him þæs endelean
    þurh wæteres wylm     waldend sealde.
    Swa wæs on ðæm scennum     sciran goldes
    1695
    þurh runstafas     rihte gemearcod,
    geseted ond gesæd     hwam þæt sweord geworht,
    irena cyst,     ærest wære,
    wreoþenhilt ond wyrmfah.     ða se wisa spræc
    sunu Healfdenes     (swigedon ealle):
    1700
    "þæt, la, mæg secgan     se þe soð ond riht
    fremeð on folce,     feor eal gemon,
    eald %%OE%%weard,     þæt ðes eorl wære
    geboren betera!     Blæd is aræred
    geond widwegas,     wine min Beowulf,
    1705
    ðin ofer þeoda gehwylce.     Eal þu hit geþyldum healdest,
    mægen mid modes snyttrum.     Ic þe sceal mine gelæstan
    freode, swa wit furðum spræcon.     ðu scealt to frofre weorþan
    eal langtwidig     leodum þinum,
    hæleðum to helpe.     Ne wearð Heremod swa
    1710
    eaforum Ecgwelan,     Arscyldingum;
    ne geweox he him to willan,     ac to wælfealle
    ond to deaðcwalum     Deniga leodum;
    breat bolgenmod     beodgeneatas,
    eaxlgesteallan,     oþþæt he ana hwearf,
    1715
    mære þeoden,     mondreamum from.
    ðeah þe hine mihtig god     mægenes wynnum,
    eafeþum stepte,     ofer ealle men
    forð gefremede,     hwæþere him on ferhþe greow
    breosthord blodreow.     Nallas beagas geaf
    1720
    Denum æfter dome;     dreamleas gebad
    þæt he þæs gewinnes     weorc þrowade,
    leodbealo longsum.     ðu þe lær be þon,
    gumcyste ongit;     ic þis gid be þe
    awræc wintrum frod.     Wundor is to secganne
    1725
    hu mihtig god     manna cynne
    þurh sidne sefan     snyttru bryttað,
    eard ond eorlscipe;     he ah ealra geweald.
    Hwilum he on lufan     læteð hworfan
    monnes modgeþonc     mæran cynnes,
    1730
    seleð him on eþle     eorþan wynne
    to healdanne,     hleoburh wera,
    gedeð him swa gewealdene     worolde dælas,
    side rice,     þæt he his selfa ne mæg
    for his unsnyttrum     ende geþencean.
    1735
    Wunað he on wiste;     no hine wiht dweleð
    adl ne yldo,     ne him inwitsorh
    on sefan sweorceð,     ne gesacu ohwær
    ecghete eoweð,     ac him eal worold
    wendeð on willan     (he þæt wyrse ne con),
    1740
    oðþæt him on innan     oferhygda dæl
    weaxeð ond wridað.     þonne se weard swefeð,
    sawele hyrde;     bið se slæp to fæst,
    bisgum gebunden,     bona swiðe neah,
    se þe of flanbogan     fyrenum sceoteð.
    1745
    þonne bið on hreþre     under helm drepen
    biteran stræle     (him bebeorgan ne con),
    wom wundorbebodum     wergan gastes;
    þinceð him to lytel     þæt he lange heold,
    gytsað gromhydig,     nallas on gylp seleð
    1750
    fædde beagas,     ond he þa forðgesceaft
    forgyteð ond forgymeð,     þæs þe him ær god sealde,
    wuldres waldend,     weorðmynda dæl.
    Hit on endestæf     eft gelimpeð
    þæt se lichoma     læne gedreoseð,
    1755
    fæge gefealleð;     fehð oþer to,
    se þe unmurnlice     madmas dæleþ,
    eorles ærgestreon,     egesan ne gymeð.
    Bebeorh þe ðone bealonið,     Beowulf leofa,
    secg betsta,     ond þe þæt selre geceos,
    1760
    ece rædas;     oferhyda ne gym,
    mære cempa.     Nu is þines mægnes blæd
    ane hwile.     Eft sona bið
    þæt þec adl oððe ecg     eafoþes getwæfeð,
    oððe fyres feng,     oððe flodes wylm,
    1765
    oððe gripe meces,     oððe gares fliht,
    oððe atol yldo;     oððe eagena bearhtm
    forsiteð ond forsworceð;     semninga bið
    þæt ðec, dryhtguma,     deað oferswyðeð.
    Swa ic Hringdena     hund missera
    1770
    weold under wolcnum     ond hig wigge beleac
    manigum mægþa     geond þysne middangeard,
    æscum ond ecgum,     þæt ic me ænigne
    under swegles begong     gesacan ne tealde.
    Hwæt, me þæs on eþle     edwenden cwom,
    1775
    gyrn æfter gomene,     seoþðan Grendel wearð,
    ealdgewinna,     ingenga min;
    ic þære socne     singales wæg
    modceare micle.     þæs sig metode þanc,
    ecean dryhtne,     þæs ðe ic on aldre gebad
    1780
    þæt ic on þone hafelan     heorodreorigne
    ofer ealdgewin     eagum starige!
    Ga nu to setle,     symbelwynne dreoh
    wigge weorþad;     unc sceal worn fela
    maþma gemænra,     siþðan morgen bið."
    1785
    Geat wæs glædmod,     geong sona to
    setles neosan,     swa se snottra heht.
    þa wæs eft swa ær     ellenrofum
    fletsittendum     fægere gereorded
    niowan stefne.     Nihthelm geswearc
    1790
    deorc ofer dryhtgumum.     Duguð eal aras.
    Wolde blondenfeax     beddes neosan,
    gamela Scylding.     Geat unigmetes wel,
    rofne randwigan,     restan lyste;
    sona him seleþegn     siðes wergum,
    1795
    feorrancundum,     forð wisade,
    se for andrysnum     ealle beweotede
    þegnes þearfe,     swylce þy dogore
    heaþoliðende     habban scoldon.
    Reste hine þa rumheort;     reced hliuade
    1800
    geap ond goldfah;     gæst inne swæf
    oþþæt hrefn blaca     heofones wynne
    bliðheort bodode.     ða com beorht scacan
        scaþan onetton,
    wæron æþelingas     eft to leodum
    1805
    fuse to farenne;     wolde feor þanon
    cuma collenferhð     ceoles neosan.
    Heht þa se hearda     Hrunting beran
    sunu Ecglafes,     heht his sweord niman,
    leoflic iren;     sægde him þæs leanes þanc,
    1810
    cwæð, he þone guðwine     godne tealde,
    wigcræftigne,     nales wordum log
    meces ecge;     þæt wæs modig secg.
    Ond þa siðfrome,     searwum gearwe
    wigend wæron;     eode weorð Denum
    1815
    æþeling to yppan,     þær se oþer wæs,
    hæle hildedeor     Hroðgar grette.
    Beowulf maþelode,     bearn Ecgþeowes:
    "Nu we sæliðend     secgan wyllað,
    feorran cumene,     þæt we fundiaþ
    1820
    Higelac secan.     Wæron her tela
    willum bewenede;     þu us wel dohtest.
    Gif ic þonne on eorþan     owihte mæg
    þinre modlufan     maran tilian,
    gumena dryhten,     ðonne ic gyt dyde,
    1825
    guðgeweorca,     ic beo gearo sona.
    Gif ic þæt gefricge     ofer floda begang,
    þæt þec ymbsittend     egesan þywað,
    swa þec hetende     hwilum dydon,
    ic ðe þusenda     þegna bringe,
    1830
    hæleþa to helpe.     Ic on Higelac wat,
    Geata dryhten,     þeah ðe he geong sy,
    folces hyrde,     þæt he mec fremman wile
    wordum ond worcum,     þæt ic þe wel herige
    ond þe to geoce     garholt bere,
    1835
    mægenes fultum,     þær ðe bið manna þearf.
    Gif him þonne Hreþric     to hofum Geata
    geþingeð, þeodnes bearn,     he mæg þær fela
    freonda findan;     feorcyþðe beoð
    selran gesohte     þæm þe him selfa deah."
    1840
    Hroðgar maþelode     him on ondsware:
    "þe þa wordcwydas     wigtig drihten
    on sefan sende;     ne hyrde ic snotorlicor
    on swa geongum feore     guman þingian.
    þu eart mægenes strang     ond on mode frod,
    1845
    wis wordcwida.     Wen ic talige,
    gif þæt gegangeð,     þæt ðe gar nymeð,
    hild heorugrimme,     Hreþles eaferan,
    adl oþðe iren     ealdor ðinne,
    folces hyrde,     ond þu þin feorh hafast,
    1850
    þæt þe Sægeatas     selran næbben
    to geceosenne     cyning ænigne,
    hordweard hæleþa,     gyf þu healdan wylt
    maga rice.     Me þin modsefa
    licað leng swa wel,     leofa Beowulf.
    1855
    Hafast þu gefered     þæt þam folcum sceal,
    Geata leodum     ond Gardenum,
    sib gemæne,     ond sacu restan,
    inwitniþas,     þe hie ær drugon,
    wesan, þenden ic wealde     widan rices,
    1860
    maþmas gemæne,     manig oþerne
    godum gegretan     ofer ganotes bæð;
    sceal hringnaca     ofer heafu bringan
    lac ond luftacen.     Ic þa leode wat
    ge wið feond ge wið freond     fæste geworhte,
    1865
    æghwæs untæle     ealde wisan."
    ða git him eorla hleo     inne gesealde,
    mago Healfdenes,     maþmas XII;
    het hine mid þæm lacum     leode swæse
    secean on gesyntum,     snude eft cuman.
    1870
    Gecyste þa     cyning æþelum god,
    þeoden Scyldinga,     ðegn betstan
    ond be healse genam;     hruron him tearas,
    blondenfeaxum.     Him wæs bega wen,
    ealdum infrodum,     oþres swiðor,
    1875
    þæt hie seoððan no     geseon moston,
    modige on meþle.     Wæs him se man to þon leof
    þæt he þone breostwylm     forberan ne mehte,
    ac him on hreþre     hygebendum fæst
    æfter deorum men     dyrne langað
    1880
    beorn wið blode.     Him Beowulf þanan,
    guðrinc goldwlanc,     græsmoldan træd
    since hremig;     sægenga bad
    agendfrean,     se þe on ancre rad.
    þa wæs on gange     gifu Hroðgares
    1885
    oft geæhted;     þæt wæs an cyning,
    æghwæs orleahtre,     oþþæt hine yldo benam
    mægenes wynnum,     se þe oft manegum scod.
    Cwom þa to flode     felamodigra,
    hægstealdra heap,     hringnet bæron,
    1890
    locene leoðosyrcan.     Landweard onfand
    eftsið eorla,     swa he ær dyde;
    no he mid hearme     of hliðes nosan
    gæstas grette,     ac him togeanes rad,
    cwæð þæt wilcuman     Wedera leodum
    1895
    scaþan scirhame     to scipe foron.
    þa wæs on sande     sægeap naca
    hladen herewædum,     hringedstefna,
    mearum ond maðmum;     mæst hlifade
    ofer Hroðgares     hordgestreonum.
    1900
    He þæm batwearde     bunden golde
    swurd gesealde,     þæt he syðþan wæs
    on meodubence     maþme þy weorþra,
    yrfelafe.     Gewat him on naca
    drefan deop wæter,     Dena land ofgeaf.
    1905
    þa wæs be mæste     merehrægla sum,
    segl sale fæst;     sundwudu þunede.
    No þær wegflotan     wind ofer yðum
    siðes getwæfde;     sægenga for,
    fleat famigheals     forð ofer yðe,
    1910
    bundenstefna     ofer brimstreamas,
    þæt hie Geata clifu     ongitan meahton,
    cuþe næssas.     Ceol up geþrang
    lyftgeswenced,     on lande stod.
    Hraþe wæs æt holme     hyðweard geara,
    1915
    se þe ær lange tid     leofra manna
    fus æt faroðe     feor wlatode;
    sælde to sande     sidfæþme scip,
    oncerbendum fæst,     þy læs hym yþa ðrym
    wudu wynsuman     forwrecan meahte.
    1920
    Het þa up beran     æþelinga gestreon,
    frætwe ond fætgold;     næs him feor þanon
    to gesecanne     sinces bryttan,
    Higelac Hreþling,     þær æt ham wunað
    selfa mid gesiðum     sæwealle neah.
    1925
    Bold wæs betlic,     bregorof cyning,
    heah in healle,     Hygd swiðe geong,
    wis, welþungen,     þeah ðe wintra lyt
    under burhlocan     gebiden hæbbe,
    Hæreþes dohtor;     næs hio hnah swa þeah,
    1930
    ne to gneað gifa     Geata leodum,
    maþmgestreona.     Mod þryðo wæg,
    fremu folces cwen,     firen ondrysne.
    Nænig þæt dorste     deor geneþan
    swæsra gesiða,     nefne sinfrea,
    1935
    þæt hire an dæges     eagum starede,
    ac him wælbende     weotode tealde
    handgewriþene;     hraþe seoþðan wæs
    æfter mundgripe     mece geþinged,
    þæt hit sceadenmæl     scyran moste,
    1940
    cwealmbealu cyðan.     Ne bið swylc cwenlic þeaw
    idese to efnanne,     þeah ðe hio ænlicu sy,
    þætte freoðuwebbe     feores onsæce
    æfter ligetorne     leofne mannan.
    Huru þæt onhohsnode     Hemminges mæg;
    1945
    ealodrincende     oðer sædan,
    þæt hio leodbealewa     læs gefremede,
    inwitniða,     syððan ærest wearð
    gyfen goldhroden     geongum cempan,
    æðelum diore,     syððan hio Offan flet
    1950
    ofer fealone flod     be fæder lare
    siðe gesohte;     ðær hio syððan well
    in gumstole,     gode, mære,
    lifgesceafta     lifigende breac,
    hiold heahlufan     wið hæleþa brego,
    1955
    ealles moncynnes     mine gefræge
    þone selestan     bi sæm tweonum,
    eormencynnes.     Forðam Offa wæs
    geofum ond guðum,     garcene man,
    wide geweorðod,     wisdome heold
    1960
    eðel sinne;     þonon Eomer woc
    hæleðum to helpe,     Hemminges mæg,
    nefa Garmundes,     niða cræftig.
    Gewat him ða se hearda     mid his hondscole
    sylf æfter sande     sæwong tredan,
    1965
    wide waroðas.     Woruldcandel scan,
    sigel suðan fus.     Hi sið drugon,
    elne geeodon,     to ðæs ðe eorla hleo,
    bonan Ongenþeoes     burgum in innan,
    geongne guðcyning     godne gefrunon
    1970
    hringas dælan.     Higelace wæs
    sið Beowulfes     snude gecyðed,
    þæt ðær on worðig     wigendra hleo,
    lindgestealla,     lifigende cwom,
    heaðolaces hal     to hofe gongan.
    1975
    Hraðe wæs gerymed,     swa se rica bebead,
    feðegestum     flet innanweard.
    Gesæt þa wið sylfne     se ða sæcce genæs,
    mæg wið mæge,     syððan mandryhten
    þurh hleoðorcwyde     holdne gegrette,
    1980
    meaglum wordum.     Meoduscencum hwearf
    geond þæt healreced     Hæreðes dohtor,
    lufode ða leode,     liðwæge bær
    hæleðum to handa.     Higelac ongan
    sinne geseldan     in sele þam hean
    1985
    fægre fricgcean     (hyne fyrwet bræc,
    hwylce Sægeata     siðas wæron):
    "Hu lomp eow on lade,     leofa Biowulf,
    þa ðu færinga     feorr gehogodest
    sæcce secean     ofer sealt wæter,
    1990
    hilde to Hiorote?     Ac ðu Hroðgare
    widcuðne wean     wihte gebettest,
    mærum ðeodne?     Ic ðæs modceare
    sorhwylmum seað,     siðe ne truwode
    leofes mannes;     ic ðe lange bæd
    1995
    þæt ðu þone wælgæst     wihte ne grette,
    lete Suðdene     sylfe geweorðan
    guðe wið Grendel.     Gode ic þanc secge
    þæs ðe ic ðe gesundne     geseon moste."
    Biowulf maðelode,     bearn Ecgðioes:
    2000
    "þæt is undyrne,     dryhten Higelac,
    micel gemeting,     monegum fira,
    hwylc orleghwil     uncer Grendles
    wearð on ðam wange,     þær he worna fela
    Sigescyldingum     sorge gefremede,
    2005
    yrmðe to aldre.     Ic ðæt eall gewræc,
    swa begylpan ne þearf     Grendeles maga
    ænig ofer eorðan     uhthlem þone,
    se ðe lengest leofað     laðan cynnes,
    facne bifongen.     Ic ðær furðum cwom
    2010
    to ðam hringsele     Hroðgar gretan;
    sona me se mæra     mago Healfdenes,
    syððan he modsefan     minne cuðe,
    wið his sylfes sunu     setl getæhte.
    Weorod wæs on wynne;     ne seah ic widan feorh
    2015
    under heofones hwealf     healsittendra
    medudream maran.     Hwilum mæru cwen,
    friðusibb folca,     flet eall geondhwearf,
    bædde byre geonge;     oft hio beahwriðan
    secge sealde,     ær hie to setle geong.
    2020
    Hwilum for duguðe     dohtor Hroðgares
    eorlum on ende     ealuwæge bær;
    þa ic Freaware     fletsittende
    nemnan hyrde,     þær hio nægled sinc
    hæleðum sealde.     Sio gehaten is,
    2025
    geong, goldhroden,     gladum suna Frodan;
    hafað þæs geworden     wine Scyldinga,
    rices hyrde,     ond þæt ræd talað,
    þæt he mid ðy wife     wælfæhða dæl,
    sæcca gesette.     Oft seldan hwær
    2030
    æfter leodhryre     lytle hwile
    bongar bugeð,     þeah seo bryd duge!
    Mæg þæs þonne ofþyncan     ðeodne Heaðobeardna
    ond þegna gehwam     þara leoda,
    þonne he mid fæmnan     on flett gæð,
    2035
    dryhtbearn Dena,     duguða biwenede;
    on him gladiað     gomelra lafe,
    heard ond hringmæl     Heaðabeardna gestreon
    þenden hie ðam wæpnum     wealdan moston,
    oððæt hie forlæddan     to ðam lindplegan
    2040
    swæse gesiðas     ond hyra sylfra feorh.
    þonne cwið æt beore     se ðe beah gesyhð,
    eald æscwiga,     se ðe eall geman,
    garcwealm gumena     (him bið grim sefa),
    onginneð geomormod     geongum cempan
    2045
    þurh hreðra gehygd     higes cunnian,
    wigbealu weccean,     ond þæt word acwyð:
    'Meaht ðu, min wine,     mece gecnawan
    þone þin fæder     to gefeohte bær
    under heregriman     hindeman siðe,
    2050
    dyre iren,     þær hyne Dene slogon,
    weoldon wælstowe,     syððan Wiðergyld læg,
    æfter hæleþa hryre,     hwate Scyldungas?
    Nu her þara banena     byre nathwylces
    frætwum hremig     on flet gæð,
    2055
    morðres gylpeð,     ond þone maðþum byreð,
    þone þe ðu mid rihte     rædan sceoldest.'
    Manað swa ond myndgað     mæla gehwylce
    sarum wordum,     oððæt sæl cymeð
    þæt se fæmnan þegn     fore fæder dædum
    2060
    æfter billes bite     blodfag swefeð,
    ealdres scyldig;     him se oðer þonan
    losað lifigende,     con him land geare.
    þonne bioð abrocene     on ba healfe
    aðsweord eorla;     syððan Ingelde
    2065
    weallað wælniðas,     ond him wiflufan
    æfter cearwælmum     colran weorðað.
    þy ic Heaðobeardna     hyldo ne telge,
    dryhtsibbe dæl     Denum unfæcne,
    freondscipe fæstne.     Ic sceal forð sprecan
    2070
    gen ymbe Grendel,     þæt ðu geare cunne,
    sinces brytta,     to hwan syððan wearð
    hondræs hæleða.     Syððan heofones gim
    glad ofer grundas,     gæst yrre cwom,
    eatol, æfengrom,     user neosan,
    2075
    ðær we gesunde     sæl weardodon.
    þær wæs Hondscio     hild onsæge,
    feorhbealu fægum;     he fyrmest læg,
    gyrded cempa;     him Grendel wearð,
    mærum maguþegne     to muðbonan,
    2080
    leofes mannes     lic eall forswealg.
    No ðy ær ut ða gen     idelhende
    bona blodigtoð,     bealewa gemyndig,
    of ðam goldsele     gongan wolde,
    ac he mægnes rof     min costode,
    2085
    grapode gearofolm.     Glof hangode
    sid ond syllic,     searobendum fæst;
    sio wæs orðoncum     eall gegyrwed
    deofles cræftum     ond dracan fellum.
    He mec þær on innan     unsynnigne,
    2090
    dior dædfruma,     gedon wolde
    manigra sumne;     hyt ne mihte swa,
    syððan ic on yrre     uppriht astod.
    To lang ys to reccenne     hu ic ðam leodsceaðan
    yfla gehwylces     ondlean forgeald;
    2095
    þær ic, þeoden min,     þine leode
    weorðode weorcum.     He on weg losade,
    lytle hwile     lifwynna breac;
    hwæþre him sio swiðre     swaðe weardade
    hand on Hiorte,     ond he hean ðonan
    2100
    modes geomor     meregrund gefeoll.
    Me þone wælræs     wine Scildunga
    fættan golde     fela leanode,
    manegum maðmum,     syððan mergen com
    ond we to symble     geseten hæfdon.
    2105
    þær wæs gidd ond gleo.     Gomela Scilding,
    felafricgende,     feorran rehte;
    hwilum hildedeor     hearpan wynne,
    gomenwudu grette,     hwilum gyd awræc
    soð ond sarlic,     hwilum syllic spell
    2110
    rehte æfter rihte     rumheort cyning.
    Hwilum eft ongan,     eldo gebunden,
    gomel guðwiga     gioguðe cwiðan,
    hildestrengo;     hreðer inne weoll,
    þonne he wintrum frod     worn gemunde.
    2115
    Swa we þær inne     ondlangne dæg
    niode naman,     oððæt niht becwom
    oðer to yldum.     þa wæs eft hraðe
    gearo gyrnwræce     Grendeles modor,
    siðode sorhfull;     sunu deað fornam,
    2120
    wighete Wedra.     Wif unhyre
    hyre bearn gewræc,     beorn acwealde
    ellenlice;     þær wæs æschere,
    frodan fyrnwitan,     feorh uðgenge.
    Noðer hy hine ne moston,     syððan mergen cwom,
    2125
    deaðwerigne,     Denia leode,
    bronde forbærnan,     ne on bel hladan
    leofne mannan;     hio þæt lic ætbær
    feondes fæðmum     under firgenstream.
    þæt wæs Hroðgare     hreowa tornost
    2130
    þara þe leodfruman     lange begeate.
    þa se ðeoden mec     ðine life
    healsode hreohmod,     þæt ic on holma geþring
    eorlscipe efnde,     ealdre geneðde,
    mærðo fremede;     he me mede gehet.
    2135
    Ic ða ðæs wælmes,     þe is wide cuð,
    grimne gryrelicne     grundhyrde fond;
    þær unc hwile wæs     hand gemæne,
    holm heolfre weoll,     ond ic heafde becearf
    in ðam guðsele     Grendeles modor
    2140
    eacnum ecgum,     unsofte þonan
    feorh oðferede.     Næs ic fæge þa gyt,
    ac me eorla hleo     eft gesealde
    maðma menigeo,     maga Healfdenes.
    Swa se ðeodkyning     þeawum lyfde.
    2145
    Nealles ic ðam leanum     forloren hæfde,
    mægnes mede,     ac he me maðmas geaf,
    sunu Healfdenes,     on minne sylfes dom;
    ða ic ðe, beorncyning,     bringan wylle,
    estum geywan.     Gen is eall æt ðe
    2150
    lissa gelong;     ic lyt hafo
    heafodmaga     nefne, Hygelac, ðec."
    Het ða in beran     eaforheafodsegn,
    heaðosteapne helm,     hare byrnan,
    guðsweord geatolic,     gyd æfter wræc:
    2155
    "Me ðis hildesceorp     Hroðgar sealde,
    snotra fengel,     sume worde het
    þæt ic his ærest ðe     est gesægde;
    cwæð þæt hyt hæfde     Hiorogar cyning,
    leod Scyldunga     lange hwile;
    2160
    no ðy ær suna sinum     syllan wolde,
    hwatum Heorowearde,     þeah he him hold wære,
    breostgewædu.     Bruc ealles well!"
    Hyrde ic þæt þam frætwum     feower mearas
    lungre, gelice,     last weardode,
    2165
    æppelfealuwe;     he him est geteah
    meara ond maðma.     Swa sceal mæg don,
    nealles inwitnet     oðrum bregdon
    dyrnum cræfte,     deað renian
    hondgesteallan.     Hygelace wæs,
    2170
    niða heardum,     nefa swyðe hold,
    ond gehwæðer oðrum     hroþra gemyndig.
    Hyrde ic þæt he ðone healsbeah     Hygde gesealde,
    wrætlicne wundurmaððum,     ðone þe him Wealhðeo geaf,
    ðeodnes dohtor,     þrio wicg somod
    2175
    swancor ond sadolbeorht;     hyre syððan wæs
    æfter beahðege     breost geweorðod.
    Swa bealdode     bearn Ecgðeowes,
    guma guðum cuð,     godum dædum,
    dreah æfter dome,     nealles druncne slog
    2180
    heorðgeneatas;     næs him hreoh sefa,
    ac he mancynnes     mæste cræfte
    ginfæstan gife,     þe him god sealde,
    heold hildedeor.     Hean wæs lange,
    swa hyne Geata bearn     godne ne tealdon,
    2185
    ne hyne on medobence     micles wyrðne
    drihten Wedera     gedon wolde;
    swyðe wendon     þæt he sleac wære,
    æðeling unfrom.     Edwenden cwom
    tireadigum menn     torna gehwylces.
    2190
    Het ða eorla hleo     in gefetian,
    heaðorof cyning,     Hreðles lafe
    golde gegyrede;     næs mid Geatum ða
    sincmaðþum selra     on sweordes had;
    þæt he on Biowulfes     bearm alegde
    2195
    ond him gesealde     seofan þusendo,
    bold ond bregostol.     Him wæs bam samod
    on ðam leodscipe     lond gecynde,
    eard, eðelriht,     oðrum swiðor
    side rice     þam ðær selra wæs.
    2200
    Eft þæt geiode     ufaran dogrum
    hildehlæmmum,     syððan Hygelac læg
    ond Heardrede     hildemeceas
    under bordhreoðan     to bonan wurdon,
    ða hyne gesohtan     on sigeþeode
    2205
    hearde hildefrecan,     Heaðoscilfingas,
    niða genægdan     nefan Hererices,
    syððan Beowulfe     brade rice
    on hand gehwearf;     he geheold tela
    fiftig wintra     (wæs ða frod cyning,
    2210
    eald eþelweard),     oððæt an ongan
    deorcum nihtum     draca ricsian,
    se ðe on heaum hofe     hord beweotode,
    stanbeorh steapne;     stig under læg,
    eldum uncuð.     þær on innan giong
    2215
    niða nathwylc,     se ðe neh gefeng
    hæðnum horde,     hond ......,
    since fahne.     He þæt syððan ......,
    þeah ðe he slæpende     besyred wurde
    þeofes cræfte;     þæt sie ðiod onfand,
    2220
    bufolc beorna,     þæt he gebolgen wæs.
    Nealles mid gewealdum     wyrmhord abræc
    sylfes willum,     se ðe him sare gesceod,
    ac for þreanedlan     þeow nathwylces
    hæleða bearna     heteswengeas fleah,
    2225
    ærnes þearfa,     ond ðær inne fealh,
    secg synbysig,     sona onfunde
    þæt þær ðam gyste     gryrebroga stod;
    hwæðre earmsceapen     
        ...sceapen
    2230
        þa hyne se fær begeat.
    Sincfæt ......;     þær wæs swylcra fela
    in ðam eorðhuse     ærgestreona,
    swa hy on geardagum     gumena nathwylc,
    eormenlafe     æþelan cynnes,
    2235
    þanchycgende     þær gehydde,
    deore maðmas.     Ealle hie deað fornam
    ærran mælum,     ond se an ða gen
    leoda duguðe,     se ðær lengest hwearf,
    weard winegeomor,     wende þæs ylcan,
    2240
    þæt he lytel fæc     longgestreona
    brucan moste.     Beorh eallgearo
    wunode on wonge     wæteryðum neah,
    niwe be næsse,     nearocræftum fæst.
    þær on innan bær     eorlgestreona
    2245
    hringa hyrde     hordwyrðne dæl,
    fættan goldes,     fea worda cwæð:
    "Heald þu nu, hruse,     nu hæleð ne moston,
    eorla æhte!     Hwæt, hyt ær on ðe
    gode begeaton.     Guðdeað fornam,
    2250
    feorhbealo frecne,     fyra gehwylcne
    leoda minra,     þara ðe þis lif ofgeaf,
    gesawon seledream.     Ic nah hwa sweord wege
    oððe feormie     fæted wæge,
    dryncfæt deore;     duguð ellor sceoc.
    2255
    Sceal se hearda helm     hyrsted golde
    fætum befeallen;     feormynd swefað,
    þa ðe beadogriman     bywan sceoldon,
    ge swylce seo herepad,     sio æt hilde gebad
    ofer borda gebræc     bite irena,
    2260
    brosnað æfter beorne.     Ne mæg byrnan hring
    æfter wigfruman     wide feran,
    hæleðum be healfe.     Næs hearpan wyn,
    gomen gleobeames,     ne god hafoc
    geond sæl swingeð,     ne se swifta mearh
    2265
    burhstede beateð.     Bealocwealm hafað
    fela feorhcynna     forð onsended!"
    Swa giomormod     giohðo mænde
    an æfter eallum,     unbliðe hwearf
    dæges ond nihtes,     oððæt deaðes wylm
    2270
    hran æt heortan.     Hordwynne fond
    eald uhtsceaða     opene standan,
    se ðe byrnende     biorgas seceð,
    nacod niðdraca,     nihtes fleogeð
    fyre befangen;     hyne foldbuend
    2275
    swiðe ondrædað.     He gesecean sceall
    hord on hrusan,     þær he hæðen gold
    warað wintrum frod,     ne byð him wihte ðy sel.
    Swa se ðeodsceaða     þreo hund wintra
    heold on hrusan     hordærna sum,
    2280
    eacencræftig,     oððæt hyne an abealch
    mon on mode;     mandryhtne bær
    fæted wæge,     frioðowære bæd
    hlaford sinne.     ða wæs hord rasod,
    onboren beaga hord,     bene getiðad
    2285
    feasceaftum men.     Frea sceawode
    fira fyrngeweorc     forman siðe.
    þa se wyrm onwoc,     wroht wæs geniwad;
    stonc ða æfter stane,     stearcheort onfand
    feondes fotlast;     he to forð gestop
    2290
    dyrnan cræfte     dracan heafde neah.
    Swa mæg unfæge     eaðe gedigan
    wean ond wræcsið,     se ðe waldendes
    hyldo gehealdeþ!     Hordweard sohte
    georne æfter grunde,     wolde guman findan,
    2295
    þone þe him on sweofote     sare geteode,
    hat ond hreohmod     hlæw oft ymbehwearf
    ealne utanweardne,     ne ðær ænig mon
    on þære westenne;     hwæðre wiges gefeh,
    beaduwe weorces,     hwilum on beorh æthwearf,
    2300
    sincfæt sohte.     He þæt sona onfand
    ðæt hæfde gumena sum     goldes gefandod,
    heahgestreona.     Hordweard onbad
    earfoðlice     oððæt æfen cwom;
    wæs ða gebolgen     beorges hyrde,
    2305
    wolde se laða     lige forgyldan
    drincfæt dyre.     þa wæs dæg sceacen
    wyrme on willan;     no on wealle læg,
    bidan wolde,     ac mid bæle for,
    fyre gefysed.     Wæs se fruma egeslic
    2310
    leodum on lande,     swa hyt lungre wearð
    on hyra sincgifan     sare geendod.
    ða se gæst ongan     gledum spiwan,
    beorht hofu bærnan;     bryneleoma stod
    eldum on andan.     No ðær aht cwices
    2315
    lað lyftfloga     læfan wolde.
    Wæs þæs wyrmes wig     wide gesyne,
    nearofages nið     nean ond feorran,
    hu se guðsceaða     Geata leode
    hatode ond hynde;     hord eft gesceat,
    2320
    dryhtsele dyrnne,     ær dæges hwile.
    Hæfde landwara     lige befangen,
    bæle ond bronde,     beorges getruwode,
    wiges ond wealles;     him seo wen geleah.
    þa wæs Biowulfe     broga gecyðed
    2325
    snude to soðe,     þæt his sylfes ham,
    bolda selest,     brynewylmum mealt,
    gifstol Geata.     þæt ðam godan wæs
    hreow on hreðre,     hygesorga mæst;
    wende se wisa     þæt he wealdende
    2330
    ofer ealde riht,     ecean dryhtne,
    bitre gebulge.     Breost innan weoll
    þeostrum geþoncum,     swa him geþywe ne wæs.
    Hæfde ligdraca     leoda fæsten,
    ealond utan,     eorðweard ðone
    2335
    gledum forgrunden;     him ðæs guðkyning,
    Wedera þioden,     wræce leornode.
    Heht him þa gewyrcean     wigendra hleo
    eallirenne,     eorla dryhten,
    wigbord wrætlic;     wisse he gearwe
    2340
    þæt him holtwudu     helpan ne meahte,
    lind wið lige.     Sceolde lændaga
    æþeling ærgod     ende gebidan,
    worulde lifes,     ond se wyrm somod,
    þeah ðe hordwelan     heolde lange.
    2345
    Oferhogode ða     hringa fengel
    þæt he þone widflogan     weorode gesohte,
    sidan herge;     no he him þa sæcce ondred,
    ne him þæs wyrmes wig     for wiht dyde,
    eafoð ond ellen,     forðon he ær fela
    2350
    nearo neðende     niða gedigde,
    hildehlemma,     syððan he Hroðgares,
    sigoreadig secg,     sele fælsode
    ond æt guðe forgrap     Grendeles mægum
    laðan cynnes.     No þæt læsest wæs
    2355
    hondgemota,     þær mon Hygelac sloh,
    syððan Geata cyning     guðe ræsum,
    freawine folca     Freslondum on,
    Hreðles eafora     hiorodryncum swealt,
    bille gebeaten.     þonan Biowulf com
    2360
    sylfes cræfte,     sundnytte dreah;
    hæfde him on earme     ana XXX
    hildegeatwa,     þa he to holme beag.
    Nealles Hetware     hremge þorfton
    feðewiges,     þe him foran ongean
    2365
    linde bæron;     lyt eft becwom
    fram þam hildfrecan     hames niosan.
    Oferswam ða sioleða bigong     sunu Ecgðeowes,
    earm anhaga,     eft to leodum;
    þær him Hygd gebead     hord ond rice,
    2370
    beagas ond bregostol,     bearne ne truwode
    þæt he wið ælfylcum     eþelstolas
    healdan cuðe,     ða wæs Hygelac dead.
    No ðy ær feasceafte     findan meahton
    æt ðam æðelinge     ænige ðinga,
    2375
    þæt he Heardrede     hlaford wære
    oððe þone cynedom     ciosan wolde;
    hwæðre he him on folce     freondlarum heold,
    estum mid are,     oððæt he yldra wearð,
    Wedergeatum weold.     Hyne wræcmæcgas
    2380
    ofer sæ sohtan,     suna Ohteres;
    hæfdon hy forhealden     helm Scylfinga,
    þone selestan     sæcyninga
    þara ðe in Swiorice     sinc brytnade,
    mærne þeoden.     Him þæt to mearce wearð;
    2385
    he þær for feorme     feorhwunde hleat
    sweordes swengum,     sunu Hygelaces,
    ond him eft gewat     Ongenðioes bearn
    hames niosan,     syððan Heardred læg,
    let ðone bregostol     Biowulf healdan,
    2390
    Geatum wealdan.     þæt wæs god cyning!
    Se ðæs leodhryres     lean gemunde
    uferan dogrum,     Eadgilse wearð
    feasceaftum freond,     folce gestepte
    ofer sæ side     sunu Ohteres,
    2395
    wigum ond wæpnum;     he gewræc syððan
    cealdum cearsiðum,     cyning ealdre bineat.
    Swa he niða gehwane     genesen hæfde,
    sliðra geslyhta,     sunu Ecgðiowes,
    ellenweorca,     oð ðone anne dæg
    2400
    þe he wið þam wyrme     gewegan sceolde.
    Gewat þa XIIa sum     torne gebolgen
    dryhten Geata     dracan sceawian.
    Hæfde þa gefrunen     hwanan sio fæhð aras,
    bealonið biorna;     him to bearme cwom
    2405
    maðþumfæt mære     þurh ðæs meldan hond.
    Se wæs on ðam ðreate     þreotteoða secg,
    se ðæs orleges     or onstealde,
    hæft hygegiomor,     sceolde hean ðonon
    wong wisian.     He ofer willan giong
    2410
    to ðæs ðe he eorðsele     anne wisse,
    hlæw under hrusan     holmwylme neh,
    yðgewinne;     se wæs innan full
    wrætta ond wira.     Weard unhiore,
    gearo guðfreca,     goldmaðmas heold,
    2415
    eald under eorðan.     Næs þæt yðe ceap
    to gegangenne     gumena ænigum!
    Gesæt ða on næsse     niðheard cyning,
    þenden hælo abead     heorðgeneatum,
    goldwine Geata.     Him wæs geomor sefa,
    2420
    wæfre ond wælfus,     wyrd ungemete neah,
    se ðone gomelan     gretan sceolde,
    secean sawle hord,     sundur gedælan
    lif wið lice,     no þon lange wæs
    feorh æþelinges     flæsce bewunden.
    2425
    Biowulf maþelade,     bearn Ecgðeowes:
    "Fela ic on giogoðe     guðræsa genæs,
    orleghwila;     ic þæt eall gemon.
    Ic wæs syfanwintre,     þa mec sinca baldor,
    freawine folca,     æt minum fæder genam;
    2430
    heold mec ond hæfde     Hreðel cyning,
    geaf me sinc ond symbel,     sibbe gemunde.
    Næs ic him to life     laðra owihte,
    beorn in burgum,     þonne his bearna hwylc,
    Herebeald ond Hæðcyn     oððe Hygelac min.
    2435
    Wæs þam yldestan     ungedefelice
    mæges dædum     morþorbed stred,
    syððan hyne Hæðcyn     of hornbogan,
    his freawine,     flane geswencte,
    miste mercelses     ond his mæg ofscet,
    2440
    broðor oðerne     blodigan gare.
    þæt wæs feohleas gefeoht,     fyrenum gesyngad,
    hreðre hygemeðe;     sceolde hwæðre swa þeah
    æðeling unwrecen     ealdres linnan.
    Swa bið geomorlic     gomelum ceorle
    2445
    to gebidanne,     þæt his byre ride
    giong on galgan,     þonne he gyd wrece,
    sarigne sang,     þonne his sunu hangað
    hrefne to hroðre,     ond he him helpe ne mæg,
    eald ond infrod,     ænige gefremman.
    2450
    Symble bið gemyndgad     morna gehwylce
    eaforan ellorsið;     oðres ne gymeð
    to gebidanne     burgum in innan
    yrfeweardas,     þonne se an hafað
    þurh deaðes nyd     dæda gefondad.
    2455
    Gesyhð sorhcearig     on his suna bure
    winsele westne,     windge reste
    reote berofene.     Ridend swefað,
    hæleð in hoðman;     nis þær hearpan sweg,
    gomen in geardum,     swylce ðær iu wæron.
    2460
    Gewiteð þonne on sealman,     sorhleoð gæleð
    an æfter anum;     þuhte him eall to rum,
    wongas ond wicstede.     Swa Wedra helm
    æfter Herebealde     heortan sorge
    weallende wæg.     Wihte ne meahte
    2465
    on ðam feorhbonan     fæghðe gebetan;
    no ðy ær he þone heaðorinc     hatian ne meahte
    laðum dædum,     þeah him leof ne wæs.
    He ða mid þære sorhge,     þe him swa sar belamp,
    gumdream ofgeaf,     godes leoht geceas,
    2470
    eaferum læfde,     swa deð eadig mon,
    lond ond leodbyrig,     þa he of life gewat.
    þa wæs synn ond sacu     Sweona ond Geata
    ofer wid wæter,     wroht gemæne,
    herenið hearda,     syððan Hreðel swealt,
    2475
    oððe him Ongenðeowes     eaferan wæran
    frome, fyrdhwate,     freode ne woldon
    ofer heafo healdan,     ac ymb Hreosnabeorh
    eatolne inwitscear     oft gefremedon.
    þæt mægwine     mine gewræcan,
    2480
    fæhðe ond fyrene,     swa hyt gefræge wæs,
    þeah ðe oðer his     ealdre gebohte,
    heardan ceape;     Hæðcynne wearð,
    Geata dryhtne,     guð onsæge.
    þa ic on morgne gefrægn     mæg oðerne
    2485
    billes ecgum     on bonan stælan,
    þær Ongenþeow     Eofores niosað.
    Guðhelm toglad,     gomela Scylfing
    hreas hildeblac;     hond gemunde
    fæhðo genoge,     feorhsweng ne ofteah.
    2490
    Ic him þa maðmas,     þe he me sealde,
    geald æt guðe,     swa me gifeðe wæs,
    leohtan sweorde;     he me lond forgeaf,
    eard, eðelwyn.     Næs him ænig þearf
    þæt he to Gifðum     oððe to Gardenum
    2495
    oððe in Swiorice     secean þurfe
    wyrsan wigfrecan,     weorðe gecypan.
    Symle ic him on feðan     beforan wolde,
    ana on orde,     ond swa to aldre sceall
    sæcce fremman,     þenden þis sweord þolað,
    2500
    þæt mec ær ond sið     oft gelæste.
    Syððan ic for dugeðum     Dæghrefne wearð
    to handbonan,     Huga cempan;
    nalles he ða frætwe     Frescyninge,
    breostweorðunge,     bringan moste,
    2505
    ac in compe gecrong     cumbles hyrde,
    æþeling on elne;     ne wæs ecg bona,
    ac him hildegrap     heortan wylmas,
    banhus gebræc.     Nu sceall billes ecg,
    hond ond heard sweord,     ymb hord wigan."
    2510
    Beowulf maðelode,     beotwordum spræc
    niehstan siðe:     "Ic geneðde fela
    guða on geogoðe;     gyt ic wylle,
    frod folces weard,     fæhðe secan,
    mærðu fremman,     gif mec se mansceaða
    2515
    of eorðsele     ut geseceð."
    Gegrette ða     gumena gehwylcne,
    hwate helmberend,     hindeman siðe,
    swæse gesiðas:     "Nolde ic sweord beran,
    wæpen to wyrme,     gif ic wiste hu
    2520
    wið ðam aglæcean     elles meahte
    gylpe wiðgripan,     swa ic gio wið Grendle dyde.
    Ac ic ðær heaðufyres     hates wene,
    oreðes ond attres;     forðon ic me on hafu
    bord ond byrnan.     Nelle ic beorges weard
    2525
    forfleon fotes trem,     ac unc furður sceal
    weorðan æt wealle,     swa unc wyrd geteoð,
    metod manna gehwæs.     Ic eom on mode from
    þæt ic wið þone guðflogan     gylp ofersitte.
    Gebide ge on beorge     byrnum werede,
    2530
    secgas on searwum,     hwæðer sel mæge
    æfter wælræse     wunde gedygan
    uncer twega.     Nis þæt eower sið
    ne gemet mannes,     nefne min anes,
    þæt he wið aglæcean     eofoðo dæle,
    2535
    eorlscype efne.     Ic mid elne sceall
    gold gegangan,     oððe guð nimeð,
    feorhbealu frecne,     frean eowerne!"
    Aras ða bi ronde     rof oretta,
    heard under helme,     hiorosercean bær
    2540
    under stancleofu,     strengo getruwode
    anes mannes.     Ne bið swylc earges sið!
    Geseah ða be wealle     se ðe worna fela,
    gumcystum god,     guða gedigde,
    hildehlemma,     þonne hnitan feðan,
    2545
    stondan stanbogan,     stream ut þonan
    brecan of beorge.     Wæs þære burnan wælm
    heaðofyrum hat;     ne meahte horde neah
    unbyrnende     ænige hwile
    deop gedygan     for dracan lege.
    2550
    Let ða of breostum,     ða he gebolgen wæs,
    Wedergeata leod     word ut faran,
    stearcheort styrmde;     stefn in becom
    heaðotorht hlynnan     under harne stan.
    Hete wæs onhrered,     hordweard oncniow
    2555
    mannes reorde;     næs ðær mara fyrst
    freode to friclan.     From ærest cwom
    oruð aglæcean     ut of stane,
    hat hildeswat.     Hruse dynede.
    Biorn under beorge     bordrand onswaf
    2560
    wið ðam gryregieste,     Geata dryhten;
    ða wæs hringbogan     heorte gefysed
    sæcce to seceanne.     Sweord ær gebræd
    god guðcyning,     gomele lafe,
    ecgum unslaw;     æghwæðrum wæs
    2565
    bealohycgendra     broga fram oðrum.
    Stiðmod gestod     wið steapne rond
    winia bealdor,     ða se wyrm gebeah
    snude tosomne;     he on searwum bad.
    Gewat ða byrnende     gebogen scriðan,
    2570
    to gescipe scyndan.     Scyld wel gebearg
    life ond lice     læssan hwile
    mærum þeodne     þonne his myne sohte,
    ðær he þy fyrste,     forman dogore
    wealdan moste     swa him wyrd ne gescraf
    2575
    hreð æt hilde.     Hond up abræd
    Geata dryhten,     gryrefahne sloh
    incgelafe,     þæt sio ecg gewac
    brun on bane,     bat unswiðor
    þonne his ðiodcyning     þearfe hæfde,
    2580
    bysigum gebæded.     þa wæs beorges weard
    æfter heaðuswenge     on hreoum mode,
    wearp wælfyre;     wide sprungon
    hildeleoman.     Hreðsigora ne gealp
    goldwine Geata;     guðbill geswac,
    2585
    nacod æt niðe,     swa hyt no sceolde,
    iren ærgod.     Ne wæs þæt eðe sið,
    þæt se mæra     maga Ecgðeowes
    grundwong þone     ofgyfan wolde;
    sceolde ofer willan     wic eardian
    2590
    elles hwergen,     swa sceal æghwylc mon
    alætan lændagas.     Næs ða long to ðon
    þæt ða aglæcean hy     eft gemetton.
    Hyrte hyne hordweard     (hreðer æðme weoll)
    niwan stefne;     nearo ðrowode,
    2595
    fyre befongen,     se ðe ær folce weold.
    Nealles him on heape     handgesteallan,
    æðelinga bearn,     ymbe gestodon
    hildecystum,     ac hy on holt bugon,
    ealdre burgan.     Hiora in anum weoll
    2600
    sefa wið sorgum;     sibb æfre ne mæg
    wiht onwendan     þam ðe wel þenceð.
    Wiglaf wæs haten     Weoxstanes sunu,
    leoflic lindwiga,     leod Scylfinga,
    mæg ælfheres;     geseah his mondryhten
    2605
    under heregriman     hat þrowian.
    Gemunde ða ða are     þe he him ær forgeaf,
    wicstede weligne     Wægmundinga,
    folcrihta gehwylc,     swa his fæder ahte.
    Ne mihte ða forhabban;     hond rond gefeng,
    2610
    geolwe linde,     gomel swyrd geteah,
    þæt wæs mid eldum     Eanmundes laf,
    suna Ohteres.     þam æt sæcce wearð,
    wræccan wineleasum,     Weohstan bana
    meces ecgum,     ond his magum ætbær
    2615
    brunfagne helm,     hringde byrnan,
    eald sweord etonisc;     þæt him Onela forgeaf,
    his gædelinges     guðgewædu,
    fyrdsearo fuslic,     no ymbe ða fæhðe spræc,
    þeah ðe he his broðor bearn     abredwade.
    2620
    He frætwe geheold     fela missera,
    bill ond byrnan,     oððæt his byre mihte
    eorlscipe efnan     swa his ærfæder;
    geaf him ða mid Geatum     guðgewæda,
    æghwæs unrim,     þa he of ealdre gewat,
    2625
    frod on forðweg.     þa wæs forma sið
    geongan cempan,     þæt he guðe ræs
    mid his freodryhtne     fremman sceolde.
    Ne gemealt him se modsefa,     ne his mæges laf
    gewac æt wige;     þæt se wyrm onfand,
    2630
    syððan hie togædre     gegan hæfdon.
    Wiglaf maðelode,     wordrihta fela
    sægde gesiðum     (him wæs sefa geomor):
    "Ic ðæt mæl geman,     þær we medu þegun,
    þonne we geheton     ussum hlaforde
    2635
    in biorsele,     ðe us ðas beagas geaf,
    þæt we him ða guðgetawa     gyldan woldon
    gif him þyslicu     þearf gelumpe,
    helmas ond heard sweord.     ðe he usic on herge geceas
    to ðyssum siðfate     sylfes willum,
    2640
    onmunde usic mærða,     ond me þas maðmas geaf,
    þe he usic garwigend     gode tealde,
    hwate helmberend,     þeah ðe hlaford us
    þis ellenweorc     ana aðohte
    to gefremmanne,     folces hyrde,
    2645
    for ðam he manna mæst     mærða gefremede,
    dæda dollicra.     Nu is se dæg cumen
    þæt ure mandryhten     mægenes behofað,
    godra guðrinca;     wutun gongan to,
    helpan hildfruman,     þenden hyt sy,
    2650
    gledegesa grim.     God wat on mec
    þæt me is micle leofre     þæt minne lichaman
    mid minne goldgyfan     gled fæðmie.
    Ne þynceð me gerysne     þæt we rondas beren
    eft to earde,     nemne we æror mægen
    2655
    fane gefyllan,     feorh ealgian
    Wedra ðeodnes.     Ic wat geare
    þæt næron ealdgewyrht,     þæt he ana scyle
    Geata duguðe     gnorn þrowian,
    gesigan æt sæcce;     urum sceal sweord ond helm,
    2660
    byrne ond beaduscrud,     bam gemæne."
    Wod þa þurh þone wælrec,     wigheafolan bær
    frean on fultum,     fea worda cwæð:
    "Leofa Biowulf,     læst eall tela,
    swa ðu on geoguðfeore     geara gecwæde
    2665
    þæt ðu ne alæte     be ðe lifigendum
    dom gedreosan.     Scealt nu dædum rof,
    æðeling anhydig,     ealle mægene
    feorh ealgian;     ic ðe fullæstu."
    æfter ðam wordum     wyrm yrre cwom,
    2670
    atol inwitgæst,     oðre siðe
    fyrwylmum fah     fionda niosian,
    laðra manna;     ligyðum for.
    Born bord wið rond,     byrne ne meahte
    geongum garwigan     geoce gefremman,
    2675
    ac se maga geonga     under his mæges scyld
    elne geeode,     þa his agen wæs
    gledum forgrunden.     þa gen guðcyning
    mærða gemunde,     mægenstrengo sloh
    hildebille,     þæt hyt on heafolan stod
    2680
    niþe genyded;     Nægling forbærst,
    geswac æt sæcce     sweord Biowulfes,
    gomol ond grægmæl.     Him þæt gifeðe ne wæs
    þæt him irenna     ecge mihton
    helpan æt hilde;     wæs sio hond to strong,
    2685
    se ðe meca gehwane,     mine gefræge,
    swenge ofersohte,     þonne he to sæcce bær
    wæpen wundrum heard;     næs him wihte ðe sel.
    þa wæs þeodsceaða     þriddan siðe,
    frecne fyrdraca,     fæhða gemyndig,
    2690
    ræsde on ðone rofan,     þa him rum ageald,
    hat ond heaðogrim,     heals ealne ymbefeng
    biteran banum;     he geblodegod wearð
    sawuldriore,     swat yðum weoll.
    ða ic æt þearfe gefrægn     þeodcyninges
    2695
    andlongne eorl     ellen cyðan,
    cræft ond cenðu,     swa him gecynde wæs.
    Ne hedde he þæs heafolan,     ac sio hand gebarn
    modiges mannes,     þær he his mæges healp,
    þæt he þone niðgæst     nioðor hwene sloh,
    2700
    secg on searwum,     þæt ðæt sweord gedeaf,
    fah ond fæted,     þæt ðæt fyr ongon
    sweðrian syððan.     þa gen sylf cyning
    geweold his gewitte,     wællseaxe gebræd
    biter ond beaduscearp,     þæt he on byrnan wæg;
    2705
    forwrat Wedra helm     wyrm on middan.
    Feond gefyldan     (ferh ellen wræc),
    ond hi hyne þa begen     abroten hæfdon,
    sibæðelingas.     Swylc sceolde secg wesan,
    þegn æt ðearfe!     þæt ðam þeodne wæs
    2710
    siðast sigehwila     sylfes dædum,
    worlde geweorces.     ða sio wund ongon,
    þe him se eorðdraca     ær geworhte,
    swelan ond swellan;     he þæt sona onfand,
    þæt him on breostum     bealoniðe weoll
    2715
    attor on innan.     ða se æðeling giong
    þæt he bi wealle     wishycgende
    gesæt on sesse;     seah on enta geweorc,
    hu ða stanbogan     stapulum fæste
    ece eorðreced     innan healde.
    2720
    Hyne þa mid handa     heorodreorigne,
    þeoden mærne,     þegn ungemete till
    winedryhten his     wætere gelafede,
    hilde sædne,     ond his helm onspeon.
    Biowulf maþelode     (he ofer benne spræc,
    2725
    wunde wælbleate;     wisse he gearwe
    þæt he dæghwila     gedrogen hæfde,
    eorðan wynne;     ða wæs eall sceacen
    dogorgerimes,     deað ungemete neah):
    "Nu ic suna minum     syllan wolde
    2730
    guðgewædu,     þær me gifeðe swa
    ænig yrfeweard     æfter wurde
    lice gelenge.     Ic ðas leode heold
    fiftig wintra;     næs se folccyning,
    ymbesittendra     ænig ðara,
    2735
    þe mec guðwinum     gretan dorste,
    egesan ðeon.     Ic on earde bad
    mælgesceafta,     heold min tela,
    ne sohte searoniðas,     ne me swor fela
    aða on unriht.     Ic ðæs ealles mæg
    2740
    feorhbennum seoc     gefean habban;
    for ðam me witan ne ðearf     waldend fira
    morðorbealo maga,     þonne min sceaceð
    lif of lice.     Nu ðu lungre geong
    hord sceawian     under harne stan,
    2745
    Wiglaf leofa,     nu se wyrm ligeð,
    swefeð sare wund,     since bereafod.
    Bio nu on ofoste,     þæt ic ærwelan,
    goldæht ongite,     gearo sceawige
    swegle searogimmas,     þæt ic ðy seft mæge
    2750
    æfter maððumwelan     min alætan
    lif ond leodscipe,     þone ic longe heold."
    ða ic snude gefrægn     sunu Wihstanes
    æfter wordcwydum     wundum dryhtne
    hyran heaðosiocum,     hringnet beran,
    2755
    brogdne beadusercean     under beorges hrof.
    Geseah ða sigehreðig,     þa he bi sesse geong,
    magoþegn modig     maððumsigla fealo,
    gold glitinian     grunde getenge,
    wundur on wealle,     ond þæs wyrmes denn,
    2760
    ealdes uhtflogan,     orcas stondan,
    fyrnmanna fatu     feormendlease,
    hyrstum behrorene;     þær wæs helm monig
    eald ond omig,     earmbeaga fela
    searwum gesæled.     Sinc eaðe mæg,
    2765
    gold on grunde,     gumcynnes gehwone
    oferhigian,     hyde se ðe wylle.
    Swylce he siomian geseah     segn eallgylden
    heah ofer horde,     hondwundra mæst,
    gelocen leoðocræftum;     of ðam leoma stod,
    2770
    þæt he þone grundwong     ongitan meahte,
    wræte giondwlitan.     Næs ðæs wyrmes þær
    onsyn ænig,     ac hyne ecg fornam.
    ða ic on hlæwe gefrægn     hord reafian,
    eald enta geweorc,     anne mannan,
    2775
    him on bearm hladon     bunan ond discas
    sylfes dome;     segn eac genom,
    beacna beorhtost.     Bill ær gescod
    (ecg wæs iren)     ealdhlafordes
    þam ðara maðma     mundbora wæs
    2780
    longe hwile,     ligegesan wæg
    hatne for horde,     hioroweallende
    middelnihtum,     oðþæt he morðre swealt.
    Ar wæs on ofoste,     eftsiðes georn,
    frætwum gefyrðred;     hyne fyrwet bræc,
    2785
    hwæðer collenferð     cwicne gemette
    in ðam wongstede     Wedra þeoden
    ellensiocne,     þær he hine ær forlet.
    He ða mid þam maðmum     mærne þioden,
    dryhten sinne,     driorigne fand
    2790
    ealdres æt ende;     he hine eft ongon
    wæteres weorpan,     oðþæt wordes ord
    breosthord þurhbræc.     
    gomel on giohðe     (gold sceawode):
    "Ic ðara frætwa     frean ealles ðanc,
    2795
    wuldurcyninge,     wordum secge,
    ecum dryhtne,     þe ic her on starie,
    þæs ðe ic moste     minum leodum
    ær swyltdæge     swylc gestrynan.
    Nu ic on maðma hord     mine bebohte
    2800
    frode feorhlege,     fremmað gena
    leoda þearfe;     ne mæg ic her leng wesan.
    Hatað heaðomære     hlæw gewyrcean
    beorhtne æfter bæle     æt brimes nosan;
    se scel to gemyndum     minum leodum
    2805
    heah hlifian     on Hronesnæsse,
    þæt hit sæliðend     syððan hatan
    Biowulfes biorh,     ða ðe brentingas
    ofer floda genipu     feorran drifað."
    Dyde him of healse     hring gyldenne
    2810
    þioden þristhydig,     þegne gesealde,
    geongum garwigan,     goldfahne helm,
    beah ond byrnan,     het hyne brucan well:
    "þu eart endelaf     usses cynnes,
    Wægmundinga.     Ealle wyrd forsweop
    2815
    mine magas     to metodsceafte,
    eorlas on elne;     ic him æfter sceal."
    þæt wæs þam gomelan     gingæste word
    breostgehygdum,     ær he bæl cure,
    hate heaðowylmas;     him of hreðre gewat
    2820
    sawol secean     soðfæstra dom.
    ða wæs gegongen     guman unfrodum
    earfoðlice,     þæt he on eorðan geseah
    þone leofestan     lifes æt ende
    bleate gebæran.     Bona swylce læg,
    2825
    egeslic eorðdraca     ealdre bereafod,
    bealwe gebæded.     Beahhordum leng
    wyrm wohbogen     wealdan ne moste,
    ac hine irenna     ecga fornamon,
    hearde, heaðoscearde     homera lafe,
    2830
    þæt se widfloga     wundum stille
    hreas on hrusan     hordærne neah.
    Nalles æfter lyfte     lacende hwearf
    middelnihtum,     maðmæhta wlonc
    ansyn ywde,     ac he eorðan gefeoll
    2835
    for ðæs hildfruman     hondgeweorce.
    Huru þæt on lande     lyt manna ðah,
    mægenagendra,     mine gefræge,
    þeah ðe he dæda gehwæs     dyrstig wære,
    þæt he wið attorsceaðan     oreðe geræsde,
    2840
    oððe hringsele     hondum styrede,
    gif he wæccende     weard onfunde
    buon on beorge.     Biowulfe wearð
    dryhtmaðma dæl     deaðe forgolden;
    hæfde æghwæðer     ende gefered
    2845
    lænan lifes.     Næs ða lang to ðon
    þæt ða hildlatan     holt ofgefan,
    tydre treowlogan     tyne ætsomne.
    ða ne dorston ær     dareðum lacan
    on hyra mandryhtnes     miclan þearfe,
    2850
    ac hy scamiende     scyldas bæran,
    guðgewædu,     þær se gomela læg,
    wlitan on Wilaf.     He gewergad sæt,
    feðecempa,     frean eaxlum neah,
    wehte hyne wætre;     him wiht ne speow.
    2855
    Ne meahte he on eorðan,     ðeah he uðe wel,
    on ðam frumgare     feorh gehealdan,
    ne ðæs wealdendes     wiht oncirran;
    wolde dom godes     dædum rædan
    gumena gehwylcum,     swa he nu gen deð.
    2860
    þa wæs æt ðam geongan     grim ondswaru
    eðbegete     þam ðe ær his elne forleas.
    Wiglaf maðelode,     Weohstanes sunu,
    sec, sarigferð     (seah on unleofe):
    "þæt, la, mæg secgan     se ðe wyle soð specan
    2865
    þæt se mondryhten     se eow ða maðmas geaf,
    eoredgeatwe,     þe ge þær on standað,
    þonne he on ealubence     oft gesealde
    healsittendum     helm ond byrnan,
    þeoden his þegnum,     swylce he þrydlicost
    2870
    ower feor oððe neah     findan meahte,
    þæt he genunga     guðgewædu
    wraðe forwurpe,     ða hyne wig beget.
    Nealles folccyning     fyrdgesteallum
    gylpan þorfte;     hwæðre him god uðe,
    2875
    sigora waldend,     þæt he hyne sylfne gewræc
    ana mid ecge,     þa him wæs elnes þearf.
    Ic him lifwraðe     lytle meahte
    ætgifan æt guðe,     ond ongan swa þeah
    ofer min gemet     mæges helpan;
    2880
    symle wæs þy sæmra,     þonne ic sweorde drep
    ferhðgeniðlan,     fyr unswiðor
    weoll of gewitte.     Wergendra to lyt
    þrong ymbe þeoden,     þa hyne sio þrag becwom.
    Nu sceal sincþego     ond swyrdgifu,
    2885
    eall eðelwyn     eowrum cynne,
    lufen alicgean;     londrihtes mot
    þære mægburge     monna æghwylc
    idel hweorfan,     syððan æðelingas
    feorran gefricgean     fleam eowerne,
    2890
    domleasan dæd.     Deað bið sella
    eorla gehwylcum     þonne edwitlif!"
    Heht ða þæt heaðoweorc     to hagan biodan
    up ofer ecgclif,     þær þæt eorlweorod
    morgenlongne dæg     modgiomor sæt,
    2895
    bordhæbbende,     bega on wenum,
    endedogores     ond eftcymes
    leofes monnes.     Lyt swigode
    niwra spella     se ðe næs gerad,
    ac he soðlice     sægde ofer ealle:
    2900
    "Nu is wilgeofa     Wedra leoda,
    dryhten Geata,     deaðbedde fæst,
    wunað wælreste     wyrmes dædum.
    Him on efn ligeð     ealdorgewinna
    sexbennum seoc;     sweorde ne meahte
    2905
    on ðam aglæcean     ænige þinga
    wunde gewyrcean.     Wiglaf siteð
    ofer Biowulfe,     byre Wihstanes,
    eorl ofer oðrum     unlifigendum,
    healdeð higemæðum     heafodwearde
    2910
    leofes ond laðes.     Nu ys leodum wen
    orleghwile,     syððan underne
    Froncum ond Frysum     fyll cyninges
    wide weorðeð.     Wæs sio wroht scepen
    heard wið Hugas,     syððan Higelac cwom
    2915
    faran flotherge     on Fresna land,
    þær hyne Hetware     hilde genægdon,
    elne geeodon     mid ofermægene,
    þæt se byrnwiga     bugan sceolde,
    feoll on feðan,     nalles frætwe geaf
    2920
    ealdor dugoðe.     Us wæs a syððan
    Merewioingas     milts ungyfeðe.
    Ne ic to Sweoðeode     sibbe oððe treowe
    wihte ne wene,     ac wæs wide cuð
    þætte Ongenðio     ealdre besnyðede
    2925
    Hæðcen Hreþling     wið Hrefnawudu,
    þa for onmedlan     ærest gesohton
    Geata leode     Guðscilfingas.
    Sona him se froda     fæder Ohtheres,
    eald ond egesfull,     ondslyht ageaf,
    2930
    abreot brimwisan,     bryd ahredde,
    gomela iomeowlan     golde berofene,
    Onelan modor     ond Ohtheres,
    ond ða folgode     feorhgeniðlan,
    oððæt hi oðeodon     earfoðlice
    2935
    in Hrefnesholt     hlafordlease.
    Besæt ða sinherge     sweorda lafe,
    wundum werge,     wean oft gehet
    earmre teohhe     ondlonge niht,
    cwæð, he on mergenne     meces ecgum
    2940
    getan wolde,     sum on galgtreowum
    fuglum to gamene.     Frofor eft gelamp
    sarigmodum     somod ærdæge,
    syððan hie Hygelaces     horn ond byman,
    gealdor ongeaton,     þa se goda com
    2945
    leoda dugoðe     on last faran.
    Wæs sio swatswaðu     Sweona ond Geata,
    wælræs weora     wide gesyne,
    hu ða folc mid him     fæhðe towehton.
    Gewat him ða se goda     mid his gædelingum,
    2950
    frod, felageomor,     fæsten secean,
    eorl Ongenþio,     ufor oncirde;
    hæfde Higelaces     hilde gefrunen,
    wlonces wigcræft,     wiðres ne truwode,
    þæt he sæmannum     onsacan mihte,
    2955
    heaðoliðendum     hord forstandan,
    bearn ond bryde;     beah eft þonan
    eald under eorðweall.     þa wæs æht boden
    Sweona leodum,     segn Higelaces
    freoðowong þone     forð ofereodon,
    2960
    syððan Hreðlingas     to hagan þrungon.
    þær wearð Ongenðiow     ecgum sweorda,
    blondenfexa,     on bid wrecen,
    þæt se þeodcyning     ðafian sceolde
    Eafores anne dom.     Hyne yrringa
    2965
    Wulf Wonreding     wæpne geræhte,
    þæt him for swenge     swat ædrum sprong
    forð under fexe.     Næs he forht swa ðeh,
    gomela Scilfing,     ac forgeald hraðe
    wyrsan wrixle     wælhlem þone,
    2970
    syððan ðeodcyning     þyder oncirde.
    Ne meahte se snella     sunu Wonredes
    ealdum ceorle     ondslyht giofan,
    ac he him on heafde     helm ær gescer,
    þæt he blode fah     bugan sceolde,
    2975
    feoll on foldan;     næs he fæge þa git,
    ac he hyne gewyrpte,     þeah ðe him wund hrine.
    Let se hearda     Higelaces þegn
    bradne mece,     þa his broðor læg,
    eald sweord eotonisc,     entiscne helm
    2980
    brecan ofer bordweal;     ða gebeah cyning,
    folces hyrde,     wæs in feorh dropen.
    ða wæron monige     þe his mæg wriðon,
    ricone arærdon,     ða him gerymed wearð
    þæt hie wælstowe     wealdan moston.
    2985
    þenden reafode     rinc oðerne,
    nam on Ongenðio     irenbyrnan,
    heard swyrd hilted     ond his helm somod,
    hares hyrste     Higelace bær.
    He ðam frætwum feng     ond him fægre gehet
    2990
    leana mid leodum,     ond gelæste swa;
    geald þone guðræs     Geata dryhten,
    Hreðles eafora,     þa he to ham becom,
    Iofore ond Wulfe     mid ofermaðmum,
    sealde hiora gehwæðrum     hund þusenda
    2995
    landes ond locenra beaga     (ne ðorfte him ða lean oðwitan
    mon on middangearde),     syððan hie ða mærða geslogon,
    ond ða Iofore forgeaf     angan dohtor,
    hamweorðunge,     hyldo to wedde.
    þæt ys sio fæhðo     ond se feondscipe,
    3000
    wælnið wera,     ðæs ðe ic wen hafo,
    þe us seceað to     Sweona leoda,
    syððan hie gefricgeað     frean userne
    ealdorleasne,     þone ðe ær geheold
    wið hettendum     hord ond rice
    3005
    æfter hæleða hryre,     hwate Scildingas,
    folcred fremede     oððe furður gen
    eorlscipe efnde.     Nu is ofost betost
    þæt we þeodcyning     þær sceawian
    ond þone gebringan,     þe us beagas geaf,
    3010
    on adfære.     Ne scel anes hwæt
    meltan mid þam modigan,     ac þær is maðma hord,
    gold unrime     grimme geceapod,
    ond nu æt siðestan     sylfes feore
    beagas gebohte.     þa sceall brond fretan,
    3015
    æled þeccean,     nalles eorl wegan
    maððum to gemyndum,     ne mægð scyne
    habban on healse     hringweorðunge,
    ac sceal geomormod,     golde bereafod,
    oft nalles æne     elland tredan,
    3020
    nu se herewisa     hleahtor alegde,
    gamen ond gleodream.     Forðon sceall gar wesan
    monig, morgenceald,     mundum bewunden,
    hæfen on handa,     nalles hearpan sweg
    wigend weccean,     ac se wonna hrefn
    3025
    fus ofer fægum     fela reordian,
    earne secgan     hu him æt æte speow,
    þenden he wið wulf     wæl reafode."
    Swa se secg hwata     secggende wæs
    laðra spella;     he ne leag fela
    3030
    wyrda ne worda.     Weorod eall aras;
    eodon unbliðe     under Earnanæs,
    wollenteare     wundur sceawian.
    Fundon ða on sande     sawulleasne
    hlimbed healdan     þone þe him hringas geaf
    3035
    ærran mælum;     þa wæs endedæg
    godum gegongen,     þæt se guðcyning,
    Wedra þeoden,     wundordeaðe swealt.
    ær hi þær gesegan     syllicran wiht,
    wyrm on wonge     wiðerræhtes þær
    3040
    laðne licgean;     wæs se legdraca
    grimlic, gryrefah,     gledum beswæled.
    Se wæs fiftiges     fotgemearces
    lang on legere,     lyftwynne heold
    nihtes hwilum,     nyðer eft gewat
    3045
    dennes niosian;     wæs ða deaðe fæst,
    hæfde eorðscrafa     ende genyttod.
    Him big stodan     bunan ond orcas,
    discas lagon     ond dyre swyrd,
    omige, þurhetone,     swa hie wið eorðan fæðm
    3050
    þusend wintra     þær eardodon.
    þonne wæs þæt yrfe,     eacencræftig,
    iumonna gold     galdre bewunden,
    þæt ðam hringsele     hrinan ne moste
    gumena ænig,     nefne god sylfa,
    3055
    sigora soðcyning,     sealde þam ðe he wolde
    (he is manna gehyld)     hord openian,
    efne swa hwylcum manna     swa him gemet ðuhte.
    þa wæs gesyne     þæt se sið ne ðah
    þam ðe unrihte     inne gehydde
    3060
    wræte under wealle.     Weard ær ofsloh
    feara sumne;     þa sio fæhð gewearð
    gewrecen wraðlice.     Wundur hwar þonne
    eorl ellenrof     ende gefere
    lifgesceafta,     þonne leng ne mæg
    3065
    mon mid his magum     meduseld buan.
    Swa wæs Biowulfe,     þa he biorges weard
    sohte, searoniðas;     seolfa ne cuðe
    þurh hwæt his worulde gedal     weorðan sceolde.
    Swa hit oð domes dæg     diope benemdon
    3070
    þeodnas mære,     þa ðæt þær dydon,
    þæt se secg wære     synnum scildig,
    hergum geheaðerod,     hellbendum fæst,
    wommum gewitnad,     se ðone wong strude,
    næs he goldhwæte     gearwor hæfde
    3075
    agendes est     ær gesceawod.
    Wiglaf maðelode,     Wihstanes sunu:
    "Oft sceall eorl monig     anes willan
    wræc adreogan,     swa us geworden is.
    Ne meahton we gelæran     leofne þeoden,
    3080
    rices hyrde,     ræd ænigne,
    þæt he ne grette     goldweard þone,
    lete hyne licgean     þær he longe wæs,
    wicum wunian     oð woruldende;
    heold on heahgesceap.     Hord ys gesceawod,
    3085
    grimme gegongen;     wæs þæt gifeðe to swið
    þe ðone þeodcyning     þyder ontyhte.
    Ic wæs þær inne     ond þæt eall geondseh,
    recedes geatwa,     þa me gerymed wæs,
    nealles swæslice     sið alyfed
    3090
    inn under eorðweall.     Ic on ofoste gefeng
    micle mid mundum     mægenbyrðenne
    hordgestreona,     hider ut ætbær
    cyninge minum.     Cwico wæs þa gena,
    wis ond gewittig;     worn eall gespræc
    3095
    gomol on gehðo     ond eowic gretan het,
    bæd þæt ge geworhton     æfter wines dædum
    in bælstede     beorh þone hean,
    micelne ond mærne,     swa he manna wæs
    wigend weorðfullost     wide geond eorðan,
    3100
    þenden he burhwelan     brucan moste.
    Uton nu efstan     oðre siðe,
    seon ond secean     searogimma geþræc,
    wundur under wealle;     ic eow wisige,
    þæt ge genoge     neon sceawiað
    3105
    beagas ond brad gold.     Sie sio bær gearo,
    ædre geæfned,     þonne we ut cymen,
    ond þonne geferian     frean userne,
    leofne mannan,     þær he longe sceal
    on ðæs waldendes     wære geþolian."
    3110
    Het ða gebeodan     byre Wihstanes,
    hæle hildedior,     hæleða monegum,
    boldagendra,     þæt hie bælwudu
    feorran feredon,     folcagende,
    godum togenes:     "Nu sceal gled fretan,
    3115
    weaxan wonna leg     wigena strengel,
    þone ðe oft gebad     isernscure,
    þonne stræla storm     strengum gebæded
    scoc ofer scildweall,     sceft nytte heold,
    feðergearwum fus     flane fulleode."
    3120
    Huru se snotra     sunu Wihstanes
    acigde of corðre     cyninges þegnas
    syfone tosomne,     þa selestan,
    eode eahta sum     under inwithrof
    hilderinca;     sum on handa bær
    3125
    æledleoman,     se ðe on orde geong.
    Næs ða on hlytme     hwa þæt hord strude,
    syððan orwearde     ænigne dæl
    secgas gesegon     on sele wunian,
    læne licgan;     lyt ænig mearn
    3130
    þæt hi ofostlice     ut geferedon
    dyre maðmas.     Dracan ec scufun,
    wyrm ofer weallclif,     leton weg niman,
    flod fæðmian     frætwa hyrde.
    þa wæs wunden gold     on wæn hladen,
    3135
    æghwæs unrim,     æþeling boren,
    har hilderinc     to Hronesnæsse.
    Him ða gegiredan     Geata leode
    ad on eorðan     unwaclicne,
    helmum behongen,     hildebordum,
    3140
    beorhtum byrnum,     swa he bena wæs;
    alegdon ða tomiddes     mærne þeoden
    hæleð hiofende,     hlaford leofne.
    Ongunnon þa on beorge     bælfyra mæst
    wigend weccan;     wudurec astah,
    3145
    sweart ofer swioðole,     swogende leg
    wope bewunden     (windblond gelæg),
    oðþæt he ða banhus     gebrocen hæfde,
    hat on hreðre.     Higum unrote
    modceare mændon,     mondryhtnes cwealm;
    3150
    swylce giomorgyd     Geatisc meowle
        bundenheorde
    song sorgcearig     swiðe geneahhe
    þæt hio hyre heofungdagas     hearde ondrede,
    wælfylla worn,     werudes egesan,
    3155
    hynðo ond hæftnyd.     Heofon rece swealg.
    Geworhton ða     Wedra leode
    hleo on hoe,     se wæs heah ond brad,
    wægliðendum     wide gesyne,
    ond betimbredon     on tyn dagum
    3160
    beadurofes becn,     bronda lafe
    wealle beworhton,     swa hyt weorðlicost
    foresnotre men     findan mihton.
    Hi on beorg dydon     beg ond siglu,
    eall swylce hyrsta,     swylce on horde ær
    3165
    niðhedige men     genumen hæfdon,
    forleton eorla gestreon     eorðan healdan,
    gold on greote,     þær hit nu gen lifað
    eldum swa unnyt     swa hit æror wæs.
    þa ymbe hlæw riodan     hildediore,
    3170
    æþelinga bearn,     ealra twelfe,
    woldon ceare cwiðan     ond kyning mænan,
    wordgyd wrecan     ond ymb wer sprecan;
    eahtodan eorlscipe     ond his ellenweorc
    duguðum demdon,     swa hit gedefe bið
    3175
    þæt mon his winedryhten     wordum herge,
    ferhðum freoge,     þonne he forð scile
    of lichaman     læded weorðan.
    Swa begnornodon     Geata leode
    hlafordes hryre,     heorðgeneatas,
    3180
    cwædon þæt he wære     wyruldcyninga
    manna mildust     ond monðwærust,
    leodum liðost     ond lofgeornost.