Beowulf: Lines 1399 to 1799

Lines 1399 to 1440a (Tracina Jackson-Adams, trans.; Bettina Jordan, pres.)
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;	Then for Hrothgar a horse was bridled, a horse with a braided mane. The wise prince rode splendidly; the troop of shield-bearers marched. The spoor was [lit. tracks were] along the forest-tracks widely seen, the track over the grounds went straight over the murky moor, bore the young thane, lifeless, that best one of those who with Hrothgar watched over the homeland. Then the son of princes, he passed over steep rocky slopes, narrow paths, a narrow single-file path, an unknown course, steep bluffs of many nicor-lairs. He, one of a few wise men, rode in front, examined the land, until he suddenly found a mountain-tree, a joyless wood, leaning over a hoary stone; water stood under (it), bloody and churned. For all the Danes, and for the friendly lord of the Scyldings it was painful in spirit a suffering for many a thane, the grief of each of the earls, when [lit. after] they came upon AEscher's head on that sea-cliff. The flood boiled with blood -while the folk watched [lit folk watching]- with hot gore [blood]. The horn sang time and again the ready warsong. The troop all sat. Then they saw many of the serpent-kind, strange sea-drakes, trying to swim in the water [lit. to try swimmings] and also [saw] on the headlands nicors lying [such as] often perform in the morning-time a grievous journey on the sail-road, [saw] serpents and wild beasts.

Lines 1440b - 1479 (Sandy Eckard, trans.; Chad Matlick, pres.)
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.	(The) men looked at the terrible stranger. Beowulf prepared himself with armor, mourning/caring not at all for (his) life; the battle corslet drawn by hand should protect in swimming attempts his body well-known ( corslet is made/known/proven to protect body) (so) the hostile grasp might not injure his breast, the angry malicious grasp (might not) harm his life. (see notes in K) But the shining helmet protected his head should the bottoms of lakes be stirred up, (should) the adorned treasure visit the surging water the splendid band was encased (in jewels???) so in days of old the smith made him weapons, wonderfully made and adorned with boarfigures that no battleswords (would be) able ever to cut it (meaning this sword). That was not of further powerful help in the least ( was not of the least help) that spokesman Hrothgar lent to him in need; the hilted sword was named Hrunting that was one of previous treasure; the sword was of iron, decorated with poisonous stripes, hardened by blood-shed in battle. Never had it in battle escaped (failed?) any of the men (whose) hands grasped it, dared go to the battle place of the hostile one. It was not the first time that it (meaning the sword) should perform a courageous deed. However, Ecglaf's son remembered not the powerful strength/courage that he spoke of before when drunk with wine. Then he lent the weapon to the better warrior; (He) himself dared not to venture on, to fight with his life under the waves, perform valor; there he (meaning Unferth) lost glory, (his) fame for courage. Not so was the other (B), since/when he had perpared himself for battle. Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow, spoke (made a speech): "Think now the famous son of Healfdene, wise prince, now I am ready for the journey, generous prince, we who formerly spoke, if I in distress lose (my) life, you should (know) that you always were to me in the place departed of (your) father (know you were always dear to me)."

Lines 1480 - 1519a (Matt McCrady, trans.; Nila Moyers, pres.)
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;	Comrades, be protectors to my young retainers, if I am taken by war; likewise the treasures, that you gave me, beloved Hrothgar, send to Hygelac. When he looks upon the gold, Lord of the Geats, son of Hraedles, when he looks upon that treasure, that I found by manly virtue a good distributor of rings, I enjoyed the most. And let Unferth have the old heirloom, the splendid sword the widely known one, hard of edge; I with Hruntinge will achieve my glory, or death take me!' After these words, the man of the Weder-Geats hastened with zeal---he wished not at all to remain for an answer; the sea surge received the warrior. Then was a few days, ere he was able to perceive the bottom of the mere. Immediately that he found the expanse of the flood the sword greedy hound of half-years, grim and greedy, perceived that someone of the warriors from above tried the dwelling of the monsters. She grasped towards him, seized the warrior, in horrid grasp; not at all it injured him with its strong body; armor protected him from without, that she was not able to pierce the coat of mail, linked armor, with hateful claws. Then the she-wolf of the sea bore him to the bottom, the ring prince, to her dwelling, so he might not---he was not courageous--- of weapons to wield, but many of the monsters afflicted him in the water, many sea-beasts persecuted him with battle-tusks broke the coat of mail. Then the warrior understood, that he was inside the battle-hall where water not at all would harm him, the attack of the flood; he saw firelight, shining light bright shining. The good one saw then the accursed sea-monster, the mighty water-witch;

Lines 1519b - 1556 (Chad Matlick, trans.; Robert Fletcher, pres.)
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.	He gave a might rush with the battlesword, his hand did not deny the stroke, so that the ring-sword sung a greedy war-song about her head. Then the guest (Beowulf) discovered that the bright war-sword would not bite to harm her life, but the edge failed the prince in need; it suffered many battles before, and often cut through a helm, the war-cloth of the fated. That was the first occasion for the excellent treasure that it failed to perform his command.(Not sure about that line). Afterwards he was resolute, and not slow of courage, the kinsman of Hygelac was mindful of fame. He threw the artfully wound sword so that it lay upon the earth, firm and sharp-edged. He trusted in (his) strength, in (his) might handgrip. So should a man do, if he intends to achieve enduring glory in battle, he cares nothing for his life. The prince of battle, now that he was enraged, seized Grendle's mother by the shoulder (he did not shrink from the struggle), and battle-brave he flung the deadly foe so that she fell on the floor. She quickly repaid him his reward and reached out to grab him in her dread claws. The strongest of warriors, the footsoldier (Beowulf) stumbled wearliy so that he fell. She sat upon her guest and drew wide, bright knife, as she wished to avenge her son, her only offspring. A woven corslet lay upon his shoulder, it protected his life against point and edge, and did not allow (her knife) entry. He would have perished, the son of Ectheow, warrior of the Geats,under the wide ground, if that war-corslet, strong battle-net, had not helped him, and holg god brought about victory. the wise lord, ruler of heavens, decided rightly, since afterwards he got up.

Lines 1557 - 1590 (Jon Myerov, trans.; Tracina Jackson-Adams, pres.)
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.	Then he saw the victorious sword/blade among the other arms, the ancient sword made by giants, with its strong edges, the glory of warriors; that was the best of weapons-- 1560 except that it was more than any other man might be able to carry into battle, [a sword] good and adorned, the handiwork of giants. The bold warrior of the Scyldings, he grasped the hilt, fierce and sword-grim, drew the ring-sword, 1565 despairing of life, struck angrily, the one who grasped her hard by her neck; the vertebrae broke; all the sword went through the body doomed to die; she died on the floor, the sword was bloody, the man rejoiced in the deed. 1570 The light shined, the light arose from within, even as if the candle of the skies shines from heaven. He looked along the building; Hygelac's thane then turned to the wall, raised the hard weapon by the hilt [pl.?], 1575 angry and resolute--the sword wasn't useless to the warrior, but he quickly would repay to Grendel much of the storm of battle which he had performed against the West-Danes much more often than on one occasion, 1580 when he slew the hearth-companions of Hrothgar in their sleep, devoured fifteen men of the sleeping Danish people, and carried out the other such [number of men], a hideous gift. He paid to him the reward, 1585 fierce champion, until he saw Grendel lying dead in bed, the lifeless one, as battle at Heorot gave harm to him. The corpse spread widely, since he suffered after the death blow, 1590 the hard sword-stroke, and thus so cut off his head.

Lines 1591 - 1625 (Bettina Jordan, trans.; Matt McCrady, pres.)
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.	That they did not expect of this king That the famous prince might come to visit again victorious; When he did not come at the ninth hour of the day Many of them (gewealth ?) [figured, is the sense of it] That the seawolf had killed him. The valiant Scyldings left(gave up); the lord of men goes homeward thence; The visitors sat sick of heart and stared at the mere. They wished but not with hope that they might behold 1605 Their friendly lord himself.--Meanwhile after the bloodshed-in-battle That sword, the battle sword, began to waste away into icicles; That was one of the strange things Iit melted more-like ice than bond of fros, when the Father loosens 1610 The waterfetters (icebond), he had the power(control) of Opportunity ; that is the true God. The lord of the Weather-Geats took no more treasures from that dwelling-place Than that head and that shining hilt too, though he swaws many treasures. 1616 The sword had already melted. The damascened sword had burned up. That hot blood was of that venomous alienspirit who died inside. He who had lived through the fighting immediately was a-swimming (He who had lived through) the fall in fight of the foe, swam up through the water; 1620 The large dwelling place, the tossing waves were all cleansed, When the alien spirit relinquished those lifedays and (left) the transitory world. When the stouthearted lord comes swimming to the land of the seafarers; Then he rejoiced in the seabooty, in theme mighty beurden, ethose things which he had along with him.

Lines 1626 - 1654 (Nila Moyers, trans.; Jonathan Myerov, pres.)
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.	[The] king's band [of] splendid thanes then went towards him, rejoic[ing] [and] thank[ing] God because they [could] (lit:"must") see that he [was] unharmed> That coat of mail [an] strong helmet [were] (lit: "was") quickly taken off. [The] lake stagnated, [that] water under the sky stained [with] [the] blood of slaughter. Royally brave men had fared thence, travers[ing] [the] walking track (path) rejoic[ing] [in] spirit [as they made their] way [down the] well known street from that sea cliff[.] [B]earing Grendel's head, four of the very brave with difficulty shall labor to carry [the] head on that battle pole--two on either [end]--towards the gold hall, until presently [they] came to the hall, their brave[ry] [proven] in war[.] [F]ourteen of the spirited Geats, [their] lord (aka. Beowulf) with [them], the throng tread the path near the mead hall. Then comes in [the] thanes' chief, [the] man daring in deeds adorned [in] glory, brave in battle hero, to greet Hrothgar. Grendel's head was then borne on the floor of [the] hall [by the] hair of the head to (the place) where men drank, in the presence of [the] lady with the noblemen, that terrible [yet] wondrous spectacle, [the] men [just stared] (lit: "looked on"). Ecgtheowe's son Beowulf [declared] (lit: "made a speech"): "Behold this sea-booty, Healfdene's son [prince of the] Dans, we joyously brought you [this] token [of] glory [upon] which you here look.

Lines 1655 - 1693 (Robert Fletcher, trans.; Sandy Eckard, pres.)
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.	1655 I hardly survived my life in war [battle] under water, with difficulty; right away was battle put an end to, God protected me. At battle I could not achieve anything 1660 with Hrunting, though that weapon good and I [was] granted [by] the Ruler of men that I see on a wall a beautiful hanging sword [both] old [and] mighty (often he guides the friendless), [and was ] I who drew that weapon. 1665 When I had an opportunity, I then killed him in battle as the house's guardian. Thereupon that battle sword a burned up damascened sword, when that blood sprang forth, [there was] hot bloodshed in battle. I then with that hilt carried the fiend away, revenged his crime, 1670 of slaughtering Danes, as it was fitting. I then promise you, that in Heorot you will sleep free from care, with thy troop of men and each retainer thy people, old retainers and youths, that thou [have] no need [to] fear him (Grendel- I presume), 1675 Lord of the Scyldings. On the half side the killer of men are done." (this line confused me terribly) Then was a golden hilt an ancient warrior [and] old war chief, [was] in [his] hand given, a giant's ancient work; he came in possession 1680 after the demon's fall [or death], Lord of the Danes, the smith who makes wonderful things, and since left this world, hostile hearted man, God's enemy, murderous [and] guilty, and his mother also, in coming to the power [of] the best 1685 earthly kings between the seas there in the Scandinavia treasures were given. Hrothgar spoke, examined the hilt, [an] old hierloom, on them was engraved [the origin of] ancient strife, when the flood 1690 [of] the rushing ocean, killed the race [of] giants (terribly attained); was that estranged nation [to] eternal God; [to] them this final reward the Ruler [sent] through sea surging [or flooding] waters.

Lines 1694 - 1727 (Heidi Pearson, trans.; Christina Berry, pres.)
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.	Likewise, on the sword-guards of bright gold it was rightly inscribed with runes, set down and told, for whom the sword was first made, the best of swords, with a twisted hilt and serpentine ornamentation. Then the wise man, the son of Half-Dane, spoke--all were silent--: "Indeed, he may say, who brings(?) truth and right among the people, who recalls allthings of long ago (=feor), an old guardian of the land, that this warrior was born the better man! Power is exalted throughout distant regions, my friend Beowulf, your (power) over every people. You rule it all steadily, (rule) the strenghth with the wisdom of (your) mind. (???) I shall stand by my friendship to you, as we two just discussed. You shall prove a source of help to your people for quite a long time, a help to men/warriors. Heremod was not so to Ecgwela's retainers, the Ar-Scyldings; he did not become great (=geweox him) for (=to) delight/joy, but rather for the slaughter and destruction of the Danish people; enraged, he killed his table companions, his comrades, until he, the notorious king, turn4d away alone from the joy of life among men, although almighty God had set him forth above all men, exalted him with might, withthe joys of strength. Yet his heart grew bloodthirsty in his breast; he never (=nalles) gave things of value to the Danes in pursuit of glory; he existed, joyless, until he suffered the difficulty of the fight (???), an enduring affliction to the people. You teach yourself from this; learn munificence! I, old and wise(=frod) with winters, make this speech to you.It is a wonder to tell (yes, that's a gerund, but I don't know how else to phrase it) how how mighty God by means of his great mind/spirit distributes wisdom to mankind, land and rank; he has power over all things (=ealra).

Lines 1728 - 1768 (Janet Kemp, trans.; Heidi Pearson, pres.)
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.	Sometimes He allows man's thoughts of famous kin to wander in joy, gives him in his native land the joy of earth to rule the fortunes of men, gives him regions of the world to control, large kingdoms, so that he himself, in his unwisdom, cannot imagine the end of it. He lives in prosperity, sickness and old age do not dwell at all with him, evil care does not darken his mind, contention does not manifest itself anywhere in sword hate (war), but for him all the world bends to his will; he does not know worse until the part of pride inside him grows and flourishes when the watchman sleeps, the guardian of his soul; the sleep is too deep, bound in trouble, the slayer is very near, who shoots with the bow and wicked arrows. Then he is hit in his breast, under his protection, with a sharp arrow - he does not know how to protect himself - with the strange wicked commands of the accursed spirit; he thinks it too little that which he has enjoyed for a long time, angry in mind he is niggardly, in his pride he gives no gold plated rings, and he forgets and neglects his destiny (fate) which God , the ruler of glory, formerly gave him, a portion of honors. It comes to pass again in the end that the frail body declines, falls to fate; another takes over who distributes the treasures recklessly, the lord's old wealth, does not heed the horror. Guard yourself against this wickedness, dear Beowulf, best of men, and choose the better course, everlasting good counsel. Shun pride, famous warrior. Now for a while is the glory of your strength; soon you will be otherwise, disease or the sword will deprive you of strength, or the fire's grasp, or the surging of the flood, or attack of the sword, or flying spear, or horrid old age; or the brightness of your eyes will diminish and grow dim; presently you will be so that death overcomes you, warrior.

Lines 1769 - 1799 (Christina Berry, trans.; Janet Kemp, pres.)
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.	1769 So I rules the Ring Danes 100 half-years the world under the sky and protected them against battle from many tribes throughout this earth from spears and swords, that I under heaven's expanse did not consider any my adversary. Lo, in the native lands came turning back griefs after joy since Grendle came, old adversary, my invader; I then seeking continually carried great sorrow of soul. Thanks be to the God, Eternal Lord, that i ever lived to see that my eyes gaze over the gory head of the old adversary! Go now to the seat, enjoy the delightful feast honored by the battle; I shall [do?] a great many things common treasures, since it is morning." The Geat was glad at heart, he soon went to seek out the seat as the prudent one ordered. there were at all times brave sitters in the ahall fairly preparing a feast new again (another feast?). The cover of night lowered the dark over the retainers. The retainers all arose. He wished to seek out the bed of the grey heaired, old Scylding. The Geat well without measure, reknowned shield-warrior, weary from the voyage of a far country, desired rest immediately a hall thane showed the way foreward, all watched for the propriety the thane's need, which on that day the sea warriors were wont to have.