Beowulf: Lines 1800 to 2241a

Lines 2241b-2285 (Bettina Jordan, trans.; Matt. McCrady, pres.)
2241b 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.	Bettina's Stuff The new barrow, quite ready, was situated in a place near the waves of the sea along the headland,fixed by the art of rendering [it]difficult of access;cthe guardian of the rings wore a portion of the noblemen's treasures, worth of being hoarded, gold plated of gold, [and] said a few (of) words: 'Guard you now the earth, since [a] warrior may not be allowed properties of the earl's! Behold, before some [of?] the brave obtained it for you; ; the terrible deadly evil carries off in battle death every one of the tribe of those men and gives up this life for you, they had seen [the last of] the hall mirth. I do not have a sword to carry or a gold plated cup I might polish, an excellent drinking vessel; the veteran departed whither. 2255[Sceal=?] l that hard helmet was deprived of fairly wrought gold gold plate; the polishers sleep in death when the ought to adorn the helmet [warmask]; 2258 likewise that coat of mail, that lived through the near the iron cut over the crashing of shields, falls to pieces after the hero. Nor may the corselet of 20,000 rings [the ring mail] gor far by the side of heroes behind the warchief. 2262a There [is] no harp pleasure, [no] mirth of the gleewood [harp], neither good hawk [falcon, trained] flies through the hall, nor swift horse that tramps the castle. 2265b Baleful death has sent forth so much of the race of men! 2267 So sone after all uttered the mournful sorrow, moved about unhappy for days and nights, until until the surging of the dead reached the heart. 2270b [note: the stones closing the entrance of this ancient tomb had fallen, giving access to the interior.--I don't see how the translator got this at all; my version follows.] The old dawn predator searched out the delightful treasurehord, the one tries to find the burning cave, the water monster, the malicious dragon fled at night 2274 encircled by fire; earthdwellers dreaded him very much. 2275b He must seek the treasure ground where he guards the heathen gold, [he] old and wise of years [winters]; 2277b you are not better than him in any way. 2278 Thus the people's foe ruled the treasure house ground for 300 years, a huge one, until so that some one angered him in spirit; 2281b-2283: the lord asked his liege lord for a compact of peace, as he carried a gold plated flagon [cup]. 2283b Then was the hoard explored, the hoard diminished, the favor of necklaces was granted [ favor is genitive] to destitute men;

Lines 2286-2331a (Matt McCrady, trans.; Nila Moyers, pres.)
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.	Matt's Stuff 2285b The King saw for the first time the ancient work of men. Then the dragon awoke, strife was renewed; it moved rapidly then on the stone, it found the footprint of the stouthearted enemy; 2290 he stepped forward by secret craft near to the dragon's head. So he may survive easily not fated to die misery and exile he who holds the favor of the lord! The dragon sought eagerly on the ground, it wished to find the man, 2295 who from sleep sorely dealt with him; hot and troubled in mind it moved about the cave all outside; nor there any man in that wilderness,---however it rejoiced of war, of battle [and] of deeds; sometimes on the cliff it went, 2300 it sought the precious cup; it soon found it, which of gold some of the men had tampered with, of splendid treasure. The dragon waited impatiently, until evening came; the keeper of the cave was enraged, 2305 the foe wished to repay with fire the precious drinking vessel. Then the day was gone the dragon in joy; not at all it desired to remain long in the wall, but went with fire, provided with fire. The beginning was terrible 2310 for the people, so quickly it happened to their treasure-giver sorely ended. Then the demon began to spew fire, to burn magnificent houses,---a gleam of fire shone forth to men in horror; not at all anything of the living 2315 the hateful air-flier desired to leave. The battle of the dragon was visible far and wide, the cruelly hostile affliction from near and from afar, how the enemy hated and injured the people of the Geats; afterward it hastened to the treasure 2320 to the splendid hall secret a few days before. The people of the land it had seized with its flames, with fire and burning; it trusted of the cave, of strength and of walls; the expectation deceived it. Then was terror made known to Beowulf 2325 straightway as a fact, that his own home, the best of halls it melted in a surge of fire, the gift-seat of the Geats. The good one was sorrow in heart, greatest of heart-sorrow; the wise one expected, that he had bitterly offended 2330 against the long-standing right to the eternal Lord;

Lines 2331b-2379a (Tracina Jackson-Adams, trans.; Heidi Pearson, pres.)
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.	Tracina's Stuff ...within (his) breast welled dark thoughts // as were (lit. "was") not customary for him. The dragon (lit. "fire-drake") had consumed // with flames the stronghold of the people // the land bordering on water, that earthguard; // for that the war-king, prince of the Weder-Geats, // devised a punishment for him. Then he, the protection of warriors, // lord of earls, commanded a splendid warboard // to be made for him, all of iron; // he knew well that a wooden shield // could not help him, linden against fire. // The prince, good as things were of old, was to live through // the end of (his) transitory days of life (in) the world, // and that wyrm as well, although he had long held // hoarded wealth. Then the prince of rings // scorned to seek out (lit. "that he seek out") that far-flier // with a band, with a large army; // not at all did he fear him in battle, he did not (fear) a whit // battle with that wyrm, (its) strength and courage, // because he previously braved many difficulties, // endured (many) afflictions, battle-crashes, // since he cleansed Hrothgar's hall, //victorious man, and previously grappled in battle // with Grendel's kin of the hateful race. Not at all was that the least of battles, // where someone slew Hygelac, after the king of the Geats // friend and lord of the people through storms of battle //in West Frisian land Hrethel's son // died of sword-drinks, (was) beaten with swords. // From there Beowulf came through his own skill, // swimming , had in his arm // (ana - alone) thirty war-equipments, // then he went to sea. Not at all (did) the Hetware // have good cause for exulting in fights on foot, // (they) who bore before them linden shields; // afterwards little became of those warriors // to return to (their) homes! The son of Ecgtheow // swam over those regions of the seas, the wretched solitary one // (swam) back to his people; there Hygd offered him // treasure and the kingdom, rings and the throne, // (she) did not have faith in (her) son, that he could hold // the ancestral seat against foreign people // when Hygelac was dead. Not at all might // those previously wretched people prevail upon that man // in any way, that he would be (lit."was") lord // (over?) Heardred, or would choose // that kingdom; however, he held frindly councils // among the people, kindly (and) with honor, // until he (Heardred) became older, ruled the Weder-Geats.

Lines 2379b-2425 (Sandy Eckard, trans.; Robert Fletcher, pres.)
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:	Sandy's StuffOutcasts, sons of Ohthere, sought him over the sea; they had disregarded the protection of the Swedes, the best of sea-kings, of those who in Sweden dispensed treasure, the famous chief. That happened to him to mark life's end [This ended his life] he there, in return for his hospitality, obtained his life's wound [by] strokes of the sword, son of Higelac; and afterwards, the child of Ongentheow went to seek out his home, one Heardred lay [dead], [and] let Beowulf possess the throne in control of the Geats; that was a good king. The national calamity (or fall of a prince) remembered the reward in later days, [It--meaning the reward] happened to Eadgils, the destitute friend; the son of Ohthere advanced people/army over the broad sea, warriors and weapons; Afterwards, he avenged the painful expedition that brings care (to his people) [and] deprived the king of his life. So, he had saved each of the battles (emerged victorious), dangerous battles, son of Ecgtheow, [performed] courageous deeds, until one day, that he should fight with the serpent (dragon). Then, anger enraged, the lord of the Geats, with 12 others, viewed the fragon; [He} had heard of how the feud arose, the dire affliction. The famous, precious vessel came into his possesion through the hand of the informer. The 13th man in the troop was the captive--sad in mind--who brought about the beginning of the war, then should guide to abject/wretched land. He, against his will, went to the certain cave he knew, a cave under the earth, near the surge of the sea, [near] tossing water; the inside was full of ornaments and metal bands. The monstrous guardian, a prepared fighter, guarded the gold-treasures ancient under the earth; The bargain wasn't easy for any of the men to reach. The brave-in-battle king sat down on the bluff, then saluted his retainers for luck, the prince of the Geats. Sad in mind was he, restless and ready for death; fate--exceedingly near-- should approach the old one, seek the treasure of his soul, part asunder his life from his body; not long was the life of the prince enclosed in flesh.

Lines 2426-2471 (Robert Fletcher, trans.; Chad Matlick, pres.)
"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.	Fletch's Stuff 2426 I in my youth stormed many battle-attacks, in time of war; I remember it all. I was seven years old, when the treasure lord, friend and lord of the people, took me from my father; 2430 King Hrethel kept and guarded (or ruled) me, thought of kinship, gave me jewel and feast; I was no way to his life anything hateful, a man in a stronghold, than either of his sons, Herebeald and Haethcyn or my [lord] Hygelac. 2435 For the eldest son a death bed was strewn, unfittingly done by his kinsman, after Haethcyn struck down his friend and lord with an arrow from his horn bow, missed his marked aim and shot his kinsman, 2440 the other brother blood stained with an arrow. It was a moneyless fight, exceedingly wrong, wearing the heart; yet the prince lost his life however, unavenged. So it is sad that an on old man 2445 [must] wait for his son to ride young on the gallows; then he recited a song, a mournful song, when his son hangs joy to the raven, and he old and very wise may not do (or give) him any help. 2450 Always, each morning, he calls to mind his son's death; he does not care to wait for another hier to come from within his stronghold, when one has experienced distressful deeds in death. 2455 Sorryful, he looks upon his son's dwelling a deserted wine hall, a windy resting place deprived of joy,*the rider sleeps, warrior in grave; there is no harp music, [or] pastimes in the dwelling [or yard], (such) as formerly were. 2460 He then goes to his bed, sings a long song of sorrow for the lost one; all appears to him as seeming too spacious, the fields and home. Thus the lord of the Wedra's heart welled with grief in sorrow for Herebearde; there was not any one way at all 2465 that he could settle the feud with the lifeslayer; [nor] hate any man [or] do hostle deeds [to] he who is not yet a warrior, though he was not dear to him. He then along with this sorrow, that befell him too grievous, he left man's joys, chose God's light; 2470 left to his sons, as blessed (or prosperous) men do, land and towns, when he departs his life.

Lines 2472-2521 (Nila Moyers, trans.; Tracina Jackson-Adams, pres.)
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.	Nila's Stuff Then crime and strife was [again between] the Swedes and the Geats, a mutual quarrel- severe hostility over [the] wide water as soon as Hrethel died; [since] Ongentheow's offspring were brave [and] warlike, friendship wouldn't rule across [the] seas but near Hresnabeorh (a mountain) [a] terrible malicious slaughter advanced. My kinsmen avenged that hostile act of sin, as it was renouned, though another bought his life [with a] hard bargain: Haethcynne, the Geats' prince happened [into] a fatal fight. I learn[ed] in [the] morning [that] [an]other kinsman s[ought] to avenge [that] slayer, Eofore's sword's edges [went] into Ongentheow; [the] aged Swede's war-helmet split assunder and he fell mortally wounded; [that] hand remembered enough hostile acts [and] didn't withhold the deadly blow. I repaid him the treasures which he gave me near [the] battle, given [to] me as by fate was [the] bright sword; he forgave me the land, estate, and a delightful home. He [didn't] need to seek to buy any Gifthum, or Spear-Danes, or to seek in Sweden for worse- price warriors (mercinaries); I would always perform alone before hi[s] band on foot to the point, and shall forever as long as fighting [and] the sword endures that often served me at all times since I [stood] before elder- retainers [and] became (proved to be a source) DayRaven's, the Franks' champion['s], slayer [by] hand; he must not at all bring that precious thing/breast ornament to Frescyning, but fight [and] fall in battle, [the] banner's keeper, a man [of] zeal. [A] sword wasn't his slayer, but a a hostile-grip crushed hi[s] heart's body's (rib-cage's) surgings. Now [I] with falchion's edge [in] hand and [a] hardy sword shall fight concerning [the] hoard." Beowulf declared, [and] spoke words of boasting [for the] last journey: "I ventured on many battles in [my] youth; it (battle) I will seek [again as an] old guardian of [this] nation, to perform [one more] glorious deed if the wicked ravenger from the earth's hall seeks me out." [He] then addressed each [of the] men's valiant helmet-bearers [for the] last [time], [the] dear retainers: "I won't bear a sword [or] weapon against [the] serpent if [I] might otherwise grapple with that monster, as I formerly did boast against Grendel...........

Lines 2522-2568 (Jonathan Myerov, trans.; Bettina Jordan, pres.)
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.	Jon's Stuff But I am expectant there of hot, deadly fire, of breath and venom; therefore I have on my shield and corslet. I will not flee the space of a foot 2525 from the guardian of the barrow, but we two shall press on to the wall, as to both of us fate might allow, G-d of each man. I am bold in spirit, enough that I will abstain from the boast against the war-flier. You will wait on the hill defending with your coats of mail, 2530 men in armor, for whoever of we two might better survive his wound after the bloody conflict. This is not your undertaking, nor is it the measure of any man, except for me alone, that he ought to make the fight against the wretch, 2535 perform the heroic deed. With courage I shall win the gold, or else war, the terrible deadly evil, will carry off your king! Then the renowned warrior arose with his shield by him, brave beneath his helmet, wore his coat of mail 2540 as he went under the rocky cliff, he trusted in the strength of one man; such is not the course of action of a coward! Then he who had survived, out of a great number of men, with his strong, manly virtues of battles, [survived] out of the crashes of battle, when troops clashed in battles, 2545 saw the stone arch standing before the wall, the stream out thence bursting forth from the mound; the surging of the stream was hot with battle fires, the deep was unable to endure the nearby treasure at any time without its burning because of the flame of the dragon. 2550 Then the prince of the Weather-Geats, when he was enraged, let his Word go out from his breast, the stout-hearted prince shouted; the voice came shouting clear-sounding into battle, to the lower part of the old stone. Hate was stirred up, the guardian of treasure received 2555 the voice of the man; there was not any more time to ask for friendship. From the first came the breath of the monster out of the stone, hot battle-vapor; the earth resounded. The hero under the barrow, the lord of the Geats, 2560 turned his shield towards the terrible stranger; then the heart of the dragon was provided with battle-seeking. The good war-king first drew his sword, the old heirloom, with its edges not blunt; terror was with each 2565 of the hostile two from the other. The stout-hearted prince of friends braced himself against his towering shield, then the serpent quickly coiled himself together; he waited in his armor.

Lines 2569-2616a (Heidi Pearson, trans.; Christina Berry, pres.)
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;	Heidi's Stuff Then, coiled (and) burning, it (the wyrm) went (=gewat) gliding, to hasten toward its fate. The shield protected well the life and body of the illustrious chief (taking a few liberties with the grammar here, it's true) for a shorter time than his mind/will demanded, if he must control this time for/on the first day (help!), as fate had not designated victory for him in this battle. The lord of the Geats raised up his hand, struck the shining (or variegated, or bloodstained) horror with his sword (=incge-lafe--see Klaeber's note on 2577), so that the blade, bright against the bone, gave way; it bit with less strength (=unswither) than its lord/prince had need of, oppressed by his struggles. Then the keeper of the barrow was in a fierce temper because of the blow; he threw out (breathed?) deadly fire; the flames (battle-lights) leapt far and wide. The prince, the gold friend of the Geats (all that for goldwine Geatas) did not boast of glorious victories; his war sword, bare in battle, (had) failed, as it, a good sword since times of old, should never have done. That was no pleasant journey, on which the famous son of Ecgtheow wished to leave the earth(??); (contrary to) his will he must make his abode elsewhere, just as every man must relinquish his borrowed days. It was not long until the warriors/enemies met again. The guardian of the hoard took heart; his breast swelled anew with his breathing; he who had formerly ruled a nation suffered distress, encircled by the fire. Nor did his comrades, the sons of noblemen, stand, with the valor of battle, in a group around him, but instead they fled into the forest and saved their lives. The heart in one of them surged with grief; nothing can put kinship aside in one who means well. He was called Wiglaf, son of Weoxstan, admirable shield-warrior, member of the Scylding tribe, and kinsman of Aelfhere; he saw his liege lord, under his war helm, suffer the heat. Then he recalled the honors which he (Beowulf) granted him (or them?) before, the rich dwelling place of the Waegmendings, each of the folk-rights (or possessions?) , such as his father had; then he could not hold back; his hand took up his shield of yellow linden-wood; he drew his ancient sword, which was an heirloom among the men of Eanmund, the son of Ohtere; in battle, with the sword's edge, Weahstan became his murderer (=bana tham=murderer to him), a friendless exile, and he carried to his kin the shining helm, the ringed coat of mail, and the old sword, made by giants; Onela gave that to him. (A rather hellish passage to translate.)

Lines 2616b-2660 (Christina Berry, trans.; Jonathan Myerov, pres.)
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."	Christina's Stuff That Onela forgave him, his kinsmen's war dresses, ready armor, - nor spoke about the battle, never the less he killed his (Onela's) brother's child. 2620 He held the ornaments many half years, sword and corslet, until his son might perform nobility as hir forefather (did); (he) gave him the armors when among the Geats, everything of countless numbers, then he went 2625 forth wise in life's way. - That was the first time the young champion, that he with his noble lord would perform war's onslaught. His mind (was) not melted, nor his father's heirloom (the sword) failed at war; the dragon discovered that 2630 when they had gone together (fought together). Wiglaf spoke, many right words said to the retainers - his mind was sad -: "I remember that time, when we received meed, when we promised our lord 2635 in the beer hall, then he gave us things of value, that we would repay him for the war equipments, helmets and swords, if such a need happen (to him). Then he chose us from the army of his own will for this expedition, 2640 considered us worthy of fame, and gave me these treasures, he considered us good spear fighters, brisk warriors, - never the less the lord alone thought this courageous deed he would perform, guardian of the folk, 2645 becasue he among men had performed the greatest glorious deeds, daring deeds. Now the day is coming, that our lord might require, good warriors; let us go to, help the war chief, while the heat is [see note] 2650 grim fire-terror. God knows in me, that he is very dear, my body together with my lord fire enfold (see note - he would go die with his lord) It seems not proper to me, that we bear shields back to home, unless we first 2655 kill the hostile foe, defend the life of the WEder Geats'prince. I know surely that he doesn't deserve for former deeds, that he alone shall the Geats'prince suffer sorrow, sink at battle, our swork and helmet, 2660 corslet and war garmet both in common shall (serve) [see note].

Lines 2661-2705 (Chad Matlick, trans.; Janet Kemp, pres.)
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.	Chad's Stuff He went through the deadly fumes, wore a helmet in support to the king, and in a few words said, "Dear Beowulf, do everything properly as you said long ago in your youth, that you would not during your life allow glory to fail. Strong-minded prince, reknowned in deed, you must not protect life with all your might. I will support you". After these words the wyrm came angrily a second time, the horrid foe, to attack its enemies, the hostile men, shining shining with a surge of fire, as a wave of flame, The shield burnt around the edge, the mail could not give aid to the young spear- warior, the young kinsman valiantly continued under the his kinsman's shield when his own was destroyed in the fire. Then yet was the war king still mindfull of glory, and with great strength he struck with his battle- sword, so that it stood in it's head, compeled in battle. Naegling snapped, failed in the combat, the sword of Beowulf, old and grey-colored. It was not granted to him that the iron edge might help him in the battle; the hand was too strong, he who, it is made known to me, overpowered each sword in the blow when he bore a wonderfully strong weapon into battle; that was not at all good for him (no kidding!). Then the foe of the people, the terrible fire drake, mindful of its enmities, rushed at the brave one a third time, when the opportunity permitted, hot and battle grim, and clasped his entire neck in its sharp tusks; he became washed in life-blood, the blood fell in waves. Then I am told, the people's king, the upright earl, in distress, showed courage, ability and boldness, as was natural for him. When he helpd his kinsmen, He cared not for the head, but the hand of that brave man burned so that he struck the foe a little lower down, the man in armor, so that the sword, shining and ornamented stuck in, and began afterwards to diminsh the fire. Then yet the kind controlled his own senses, and drew the battle-knife, bitter and sharp, that he wore on his armor, and the protector of the Weder-Geats cut the dragon in the middle.

Lines 2706-2751 (Janet Kemp, trans.; Sandy Eckard, pres.)
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."	Janet's Stuff They killed the foe - strength drove out life - and they two, related nobles, had cut him down; so must a man be, a warrior in need; for the lord that was the last victory of his own deeds, of works in the world. The wound which the earth-dragon gave him earlier began to burn and swell; he quickly found that the poison boiled inside his breast with fierce rage. Then the prince went, wise in thought, to sit on a seat beside the cave; he looked at the giants' work, how tha everlasting earth house possessed inside stone arches firm on pillars. Then the exceedingly good thane with his hands washed with water the battle bloodied glorious prince, his friend and lord, wearied with battle and unfastened his helmet. Beowulf spoke -he spoke in spite of his wound, the mortal wound; he knew well that he had passed through his length of days, his pleasure on earth; his length of days was all scattered, death was exceedingly close. "Now I would wish to give my war gear to my son, if it were granted to me that any heir belonging to my body would come after me. I ruled the people fifty winters; There was not any king of neighboring people who dared to attack me with swords or oppress with fear. In my home I have lived my allotted span, I have guarded my people well, I did not seek treacherous quarrels, nor swear many oaths unjustly. I may have joy of all of this, sick with mortal wounds, because the Ruler of men does not have cause to lay to my charge the slaughter of kinsmen, when my life passes from my body. Now you, dear Wiglaf, go quickly under the gray stone to see the hoard, now the dragon lies, sleeps grieviously wounded, spoiled of his treasure. Go now with haste, so that I may see the ancient wealth, the treasures of gold, may well behold the bright precious jewels, so that on account of the wealth of treasure, I might gently leave my life and lordship which I have long held."