Beowulf: Lines 2752 to 3182

Lines 2752-2792 (Sandy Eckard, trans.; Matt. McCrady, pres.)
2752 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.	Sandy's Stuff Then I quickly learned Weohstan's son, after speeches, obeyed the wounded lord, bore [his] coat of mail. the woven coat of mail, under the roof of the mound. Beside the seat he, the victorious young retainer, saw many precious jewels, glittering gold, close to the ground, the wonder on the wall, and in the lair of the dragon, the old nightflier, stood cups, vessels from men of old, without a polisher, deprived of ornaments; there were many a helmet, old and rusty, many arm-rings of twisted armor--Treasure, gold in the ground, can easily overpower each man--hide it who will!-- Also he saw an all-golden banner rest high over the treasure, the greatest of wonderous things worked by hand, woven by skillful hands; a light shone [lit: stood] from it [so] that he might see the surface of the floor, look over the ornaments. There was not any sight of the dragon but the sword that destroyed him. Then I learned in the cave of a certain man's plunder of treasure, old giant's handiwork; cups and dishes of his own choice lay in his lap; [He] also seized the banner, the brightest of banners. The sword of the dear lord [which had] previously injured him-- the sword was iron--was the protector of the treasure for a long time. Waves of the fire-terror, welling fiercely, hot for the treasure, [in the] middle of nights until he died by slaying. The messenger was in haste, eager for the return, treasures advanced; curiosity tormented him, [he was] excited whether the living, the prince of the Wedders, [could be] found in the place, deprived of strength, where he previously let go of him. He [found] the famous prince with treasures, his lord, bloody still (?) at the end of his life; he afterwards began to sprinkle him with sea-water [lit=throw the sea at him], until the point the word broke through the heart. The king spoke:

Lines 2793-2835 (Matt McCrady, trans.; Nila Moyers, pres.)
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.	Matt's Stuff 2792b [The Hero-King spoke] ancient in sorrow---he looked at the gold---: "I say thanks with words to the Lord of all these treasures, 2795 That I here look upon, to the King of Glory, Eternal Lord, because I am allowed to gain such as this for my people before the day of death. Now I prudently sold my allotted life 2800 For a treasure hoard, still I tend to the troubles of my people, nor may I long be here. Command the reknowned in battle to make a barrow bright on account of funeral fire near the promontory of the sea; which shall tower lofty on Hronesnesse 2805 as a memorial for my people, that seafarers afterwards shall call it the mound of Beowulf, then the ships from afar will drive over the darkness of the sea." He put from his neck a golden ring 2810 bold-minded king, made a present to the warrior to the young spear-fighter, the helmet ornamented with gold, the crown and corselet, commanded him to use well--- "You are the last one of our people, of the Waegmundings; Wyrd swept all away 2815 my kinsmen to death, warriors with courage; I must after them." That was the last word by the ancient one with thoughts of the heart, before he tasted the fire, the hot hostile flames; soul departed from his breast 2820 to visit the glory of the righteous. Then it was happened to the young man painfully, that he saw on the ground the most beloved of life at an end pitifully borne. The slayer likewise lay, 2825 terrible of of earth-dragons bereft of life, oppressed by evil. With the ring-hoard the longest serpent coiled might no longer rule, but swords of iron destroyed by it, the strong battle-sharp sword of hammers, 2830 that the far-flier fixed by wounds fell onto the ground near the treasure-house. Not at all will it move about flying through the sky in the middle of the night, proud of the sight of the treasure it showed, but it fell to earth 2835 because of the deed of strength (handiwork) of the war-chief.

Lines 2836-2879 (Chad Matlick, trans.; Heidi Pearson, pres.)
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;	Chad's Stuff I have heard that few on earth may succeed, though he were bold in every deed, that he might rush against the venomous beast of breath, or disturb the ringhall with his hand, if he found the guarding watching, the dweller in the hill. The great treasure cam to Beowulf, paid for in death, each (Beo and Dragon) attained the end of their transitory life. It was not long, until the cowards left the wood, the frightened traitors, ten together, they dared not fight with spears in the greatest need of their lord, but ashamedly bore their shields. the war dress to where the old king lay, looked at Wiglaf. He sat wearily, the foot warrior, near the shoulder of the king, and tried to stir him with water; he did not succeed at all. He could not (do so) on earth though he wished to very much, to hold the life in the chief, but did not turn the Ruler in anything at all; the judgment of God willed to control the deeds of every man, as he still does now. Then an angry answer was easily obtained from the young man by those previously bereft of courage. Wiglaf made a speech, the son of Weohstan, a man sad at heart - he looked at the unloved ones - "Indeed, that a mna may wish to say the truth, that the liege-lord gave you treasures, the war dress that you stand there in, when at the ale-bench he often gave helm and corslet to the hallsitters, the lord to his thanes, the most splendid as he could find anywhere far and near; that he straighforward threw away quickly his armor, when battle came upon him. The king of the folk did not at all need to boast about his war-comrades, however god granted him, the Lord of victories, that he might avenge himself, alone with a sword, when courage was needed. I could give little to save his life in battle, and began to though (it was) beyond my means to help my kinsman.

Lines 2880-2921 (Bettina Jordan, trans.; Robert Fletcher, pres.)
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.	Bettina's Stuff I struck the deadly foe with [my] sword; he was ever weaker, [his] fire surged less strongly from his head. A few defenders thronged forward around the prince, to whom evil times had come. Now sahll the giving of swords and the receiving of treasures, All the hereditary estate of your king cease joy/comfort. 2886b Each one of the kinsmen may be allowed the privileges belonging to the prince, deprived of moving about, when they might ask questions about your flight, your inglorious deed. 2890b Death is better for each earl than a life of disgrace!" He commanded when that battlework for an enclosure be announced up over the steep cliff, where tat band of warriors [should] sit the whole morning long , sad at heart, the shield bearers, both in expectations of the last day of death and of the return of the beloved of man. 2897b They were not at all silent of new stories, he who wan not skillful, 2899 But he faithfully said in the hearing of all: 2900 "Now the joygiver/the lord, the leader of the Weders, the lord of the Geats, is bound to the deathbed, He occupies a bed of slaughter, the work of the dragon; 2903 He lies beside him, the old life enemy with sick wounds; a sword might not [do] any handiwork, any wound in that monster. 2906b Wiglaf, the son of Wichstan, sat over Beowulf earl over the others dead, He guards in distress of soul [as] Beowulf and the dragon [go?] heavenward (or does Wiglaf turn in his distress toward heaven?) (then what happens with B and the worm?) 2910b Now is the people's expectation of time of war, when under the Franks and Frisians the fall of kings becomes far and wide. 2913b That hard strife was with the Franks, when Higelac came to proceed with a naval force (flotilla) into the Frisian land, where the Franks attacked his in battle and went with courage among a superior force, that 2918 mhat mailed warrior who should sink to penetrate the band on foot; no one gave decorated treasures or weapons to the older veteran. 2920b To us was always the kindness of the Merovingians denied. (The Merovingians' kindness was always denied to us.)

Lines 2922-2964a (Robert Fletcher, trans.; Chad Matlick, pres.)
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.	Fletch's Stuff 2922 Nor do I expect friendship or fidelity from the Swedish people in any way, and [it] was widely known that Ongenthio deprived the life of 2925 Hæthcen[,] son of Hrethel[,] near Ravenswood (a forest in Sweden), when for arrogance the Geatish people first sought out the Swedes. The wise father of Ohthere, old and terrible, soon gave a counterblow 2930 [which] cut down the king, rescued his wife, the aged old woman deprived of her gold, the mother of Onela and Othere, and he pursued his life enemies, until they escaped[,] with difficulty[,] 2935 into Ravenswood without a chief (or lord). Then a huge army besieged the swords survivors, wound exhausted, often giving misery (or trouble) to the distressed company the entire night, by saying, [that] in the morning they would be cut open by his 2940 sword's edge, [and] many [would hang] on the gallows tree [as] sport for birds. But help again came to the sad hearted at day break, when they heard the sound of Hygelacs horn and trumpet, where the able/brave people came 2945 in proceeding after his retainers. That bloody track of Swedes and Geats was a conflict widely evident [among] men, how the people among him stired up the fued. Then he with each of his good kinsmen, 2950 wise, very sad, visited a stronghold, the noble Ongenthio, turned further away; having heard of Higelacs valor, proud prowess, [he did] not trust that the seamen had the stregnth of resistence to fight with the sea warriors, 2955 to defend his treasure, his sons and wife, [so they chose to] flee against the inside of an old earth-wall. Then was pursuit offered to the Swedish people, Higelacs banners henceforth overran that field of refuge, 2960 when the Geat people had enclosed onto the encampment. Driven by the force of edged swords, the gray haired Ongenthiow was brought to bay, the king of a people had to submit to Eafore's judgment.

Lines 2965b-3010a (Nila Moyers, trans.; Tracina Jackson-Adams, pres.)
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.	Nila's Stuff ..weapon reach him that because of [the] blow, sweat (blood) sprang forth [from] streams (veins) under [the] hair of his head. He wasn't afraid, nevertheless in this manner [the] aged Scilfing quickly repaid [for a] worse exchange the slaughter-blow, when [the] king of [the] people turned there. Nor might the quick son of Wonred give [a] counter-blow [to the] old man, but he cut through his (son of W.'s) helmet [and] into [his] head ere that he should fall (stained) [with] blood, onto [the] ground [he] fell. He wasn't doomed to die yet then, he recovered nevertheless, [though] the wound reached him. Hygelac's brother lay low [so the] thane allowed the hard broad sword, that ancient sword made by giants to break over [his] helmet and protecting shield made by giants; then [the] king, the folks' guardian fell, [and] was mortally wounded. Then [there] were many who quickly bound [and] raised him up since it happened [that] they cleared the battlefield to rule [it]. Meanwhile [a] man robbed [the] other, seized Ongentheow in [his] iron corslet and his ornamented helmet together [with his] hard hilted old sword, [which] he bore to Hygelac. He (this individual) recieved the treasures and vowed courteously [to?] him leans (mortgages?) amid [the] people, [the] Geats' lord stood by and was so repaid. [T]hen Hrethel's sons, Iofore and Wulfe, [returned] home amid exceeding treasure, [and Hrethel gave] both of them [a] hundred-thousand lands intertwined [with] precious rings - no man in middleyard need reproach them since Hygelac then gave Iofore his only daughter, his home-ornament, [as a] pledge [for] loyalty. [Due to] that, the emnity and the hostility [of] deadly-hate is men's, [thus] I expected [the] Swedish people to seek us [now that] our king, who held [our] hoard and riches against our enemies, [lies] lifeless after [the] heros' death. What benefit is performed [by the] shield-warriors, and furthermore still nobility performed. Haste is best now that we bring [the] king of a people [who] gave us things of value, [to] [the] way to the funeral pyre [to] behold there.

Lines 3010b-3050 (Christina Berry, trans.; Jonathan Myerov, pres.)
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.	Christina's Stuff 3010b No small piece shall melt together with the high spirited one, there is a precious treausre hord, countless gold grimly traded, and now at last rings bought with his own life; then fire shall consume, 3015 fire (shall) cover, not at all shall the earls carry precious rememberances, nor beautiful women have on neck ring adornment, but shall be sad of mind, not bearing gold tread in foreign country, often not at all once, 3020 now that the army leader gave up laughter, joy and mirth. Therefore the spear shall, many a cold morning in hands grasped, have in hand, not at all shall harp music wake warriors, but the dark raven 3025 eager over the dead shall speak much, tell the eagle how he succeeded at the meal, while he with (or against see note) robbed those slain in battle.' As the brave man was saying of hateful tales; nor he lied much in 3030 facts nor words. The host all arose; were joyless under Earnanaes, with gushing tears behold the wonderful thing. They found on the shore lifeless holding the bed of rest him who gave them rings 3035 in earlier times; There the last day was in good reach, that the war king, Wedder prince, died a wonderous death. First they say the strange creature, the hateful dragon lying in the field opposite 3040 the dead (one); the fire dragon was fierce terrible in varigated colors scorched with flames; it was 50 footmark(s) long in lying; it held the joyous air at night, then departed downward after 3045 to inspect the den; it was there in fast death, it had make his last use of earth caverns. Cups and pitchers sood by it, plates heaped and dear swords, rusty through, as they had remained in there in the 3050 earth's bosom for 1000 winters.

Lines 3051-3093a (Heidi Pearson, trans.; Christina Berry, pres.)
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;	Heidi's Stuff then that huge heritage, the gold of men of old, was encircled with a spell so that no man must touch the ringhall, unless God himself--he is the protector of men--the true king of victories, gave the hoard to whom he would, to whomever of men seemed fit, to open. Then it was evident that the undertaking did not profit the man (him) who had wrongfully hidden the ornaments within, under the wall. The guardian had before slain a certain man of a few (??); then the battle ws cruelly avenged. It is a wonder anywhere when a warrior famed for his courage may reach the end of his life, when a man may no longer dwell amongst his kinsmen inthe mead house. So it was with Beowulf when he sought a battle (picked a fight) with the guardian of the cave; he himself did not know through what action (thurh hwaet) his parting from the world should come. The great princes who had put it (the treasure or the curse?) there had solemnly declared that until judgement day the man who plundered the place would be guilty of sins, restrained (in?) idol-fanes, held fast by the bonds of hell, tormented by evils, unless the Owner's favor had been shown clearly before to the one who was greedy for gold (this is acc.pl. in the glossary, but I can't make it work that way in modern English--perhaps "unless he had clearly shown the Owner's favor before to the one who was greedy for gold"?). Wiglaf, son of Wihstan, spoke: "Often many a man must endure distress for the sake of one, as has happened to us. We could not convince our dear prince, the keeper of the kingdom, with any counsel, that he (should) not attack the grardian of the gold, but let him lie where he long had been, and remain in his dwellings until the world's end. He held onto his destiny; the hoard, griomly won, is revealed; that which impelled him thither was too strongly fated. I was there (therein) and saw all of it, the precious things of the hall, when it was granted to me; the journey within under the earthen wall was not permitted at all gently (peaceably?). Hastily I siezed in my hands a great burden of treasures from the hoard, and carried it hither to my king.

Lines 3093b-3140 (Tracina Jackson-Adams, trans.; Bettina Jordan, pres.)
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;	Tracina's Stuff ...He was then still living, wise and conscious/ spoke a great many things ancient in sorrow/ and called to greet you, bade that you make/ that lofty barrow after the deeds of the friendly lord (heh?)/ in the place of the pyre great and famous/ as he was of men the worthiest warrior/ widely over the earth as long as he might enjoy the use of the castle-wealth. Let us now hasten/ to the next journey to look and to seek/ the heap of precious gems, the wonder under the wall/ I [will] guide you that you [might] behold from near[by] abundant rings and broad gold./ We speedily performed the preparations for the bier (very liberal translation) /then we came out and carried/ our king, that beloved man, [to] where he shall long remain in the keeping of the Lord. The son of Wihstan/ the warrior brave in battle then called to command / many warriors, (many) landowners/ that they bring bale-wood for the chief/ from afar, towards the good (man): 'Now shall fire consume (the flame wax dark), the ruler of warriors, he who often lived through/ the iron shower, when the storm of arrows/ urged on strengths [scoc-? shot? shock?] over the shieldwall/ the shaft had use eager for feathergear/ the arrow followed.' Indeed the wise/ son of Wihstan called forth from the troop/ of the king's thanes seven [al]together/ the best those certain eight warriors/ went under the enemy's roof; one, he who went in point/ bore in his hand a torch. It was not decided by lot/ as they plundered that hoard thereupon without a guardian/ the men beheld any share/ was situated in the hall, lying transitory;/ any (of them) mourned little that they speedily/ carried out the dear treasure;/ also shoved the dragon, the wyrm over the wallcliff,/ let the wave take the guardian of treasures,/ (let) the water embrace (him). Then [worked? woven?]gold/ was laden in the wain, a countless number of everything/ bore the prince, the old warrior/ to Hronesnaes. The Geatish people/ then made ready in the earth the funeral pyre for him,/ unweak (=splendid) behung with helms,/ battle shields, bright corslets,/ as he requested.

Lines 3141-3182 (Jonathan Myerov, trans.; Sandy Eckard, pres.)
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.	Jon's Stuff Then the warriors, lamenting, laid down the famous king, their beloved lord, in the middle. The warriors then began to kindle, on the cliff, the greatest of funeral fires; wood-smoke ascended, 3145 black above the flame(s), the roaring fire mingling with the weeping--the tumult of the winds subsided-- until he (the fire), hot to the heart, had broken the bones' house. With sad spirits, they uttered their sorrow of soul, the death of their lord; 3150 likewise, the sorrowful old woman, with her hair bound up, sang a mournful song for Beowulf, told earnestly that she herself sorely dreaded the evil day, feared a great quantity of slaughter, fear of the warrior, 3155 humiliation and captivity. Heaven swallowed up the smoke. Then the Weather-Geat people made, on the cliff, a mound that was high and broad, for seafarers, visible from far and wide, and they built in ten days 3160 a monument of the one who was bold in battle, surrounded his ashes with a wall, as most splendidly as the very clever men were able to devise it. Within the barrow, they placed the ring(s) and jewels, also all the armor, just as from the hoard 3165 hostile men had before taken away. They let the earth hold the wealth of nobles, gold in the earth, there still it lies now, as useless to men as it was before. Then the children of nobles, twelve men, 3170 brave in battle, rode around the barrow, wished to express their grief, and to speak of their king, to recite their elegy, and to talk about the man; they esteemed his high nobility and praised highly his courageous deeds--as it is fitting 3175 that a man should praise with words his friendly lord, that he should love him in his heart, when (his lord) should be led forth from his body. So the Geatish people, the hearth companions, lamented the death of their lord; 3180 They said that he was of earthly kings the kindest of men, and the gentlest, the gentlest to his people and most eager for praise.