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.
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