[229] Êa of wealle geseah weard Scildinga,
[230] se Ýe holmclifu healdan scolde, [231] beran ofer bolcan beorhte randas, [232] fyrdsearu fuslicu; hine fyrwyt bræc [233] modgehygdum, hwæt Ýa men wæron. [234] Gewat him Ýa to waro*e wicge ridan [235] Ýegn Hro*gares, Ýrymmum cwehte [236] mægenwudu mundum, meÝelwordum frægn: [237] "Hwæt syndon ge searohæbbendra, [238] byrnum werede, Ýe Ýus brontne ceol [239] ofer lagustræte lædan cwomon, [240] hider ofer holmasÊ * * * wæs [241] endesæta, ægwearde heold, [242] Ýe on land Dena la*ra nænig [243] mid scipherge sce*Ýan ne meahte. [244] No her cu*licor cuman ongunnon [245] lindhæbbende; ne ge leafnesword [246] gu*fremmendra gearwe ne wisson, [247] maga gemedu. Næfre ic maran geseah [248] eorla ofer eorÝan *onne is eower sum, [249] secg on searwum; nis Ýæt seldguma, [250] wæpnum geweor*ad, næfne him his wlite leoge, [251] ænlic ansyn. Nu ic eower sceal [252] frumcyn witan, ær ge fyr heonan, [253] leassceaweras, on land Dena [254] furÝur feran. Nu ge feorbuend, [255] mereli*ende, minne gehyra* [256] anfealdne geÝoht: Ofost is selest [257] to gecy*anne hwanan eowre cyme syndon." <Fitt 4 [258] Him se yldesta ondswarode, [259] werodes wisa, wordhord onleac: [260] "We synt gumcynnes Geata leode [261] ond Higelaces heor*geneatas. [262] min fæder folcum gecyÝed, [263] æÝele ordfruma, EcgÝeow haten. [264] Gebad wintra worn, ær he on weg hwurfe, [265] gamol of geardum; hine gearwe geman [266] witena welhwylc wide geond eorÝan. [267] We Ýurh holdne hige hlaford Ýinne, [268] sunu Healfdenes, secean cwomon, [269] leodgebyrgean; wes Ýu us larena god. [270] Habba* we to Ýæm mæran micel ærende, [271] Deniga frean, ne sceal Ýær dyrne sum [272] wesan, Ýæs ic wene. Êu wast (gif hit is [273] swa we soÝlice secgan hyrdon) [274] Ýæt mid Scyldingum scea*ona ic nat hwylc, [275] deogol dædhata, deorcum nihtum [276] eawe* Ýurh egsan uncu*ne ni*, [277] hyn*u ond hrafyl. Ic Ýæs Hro*gar mæg [278] Ýurh rumne sefan ræd gelæran, [279] hu he frod ond god feond oferswy*eÝ, [280] gyf him edwendan æfre scolde [281] bealuwa bisigu, bot eft cuman, [282] ond Ýa cearwylmas colran wur*aÝ; [283] a syÝ*an earfo*Ýrage, [284] Ýreanyd Ýola*, Ýenden Ýær wuna* [285] on heahstede husa selest." [286] Weard maÝelode, *ær on wicge sæt, [287] ombeht unforht: "AEghwæÝres sceal [288] scearp scyldwiga gescad witan, [289] worda ond worca, se Ýe wel Ýence*. [290] Ic Ýæt gehyre, Ýæt Ýis is hold weorod [291] frean Scyldinga. GewitaÝ for* beran [292] wæpen ond gewædu; ic eow wisige. |
ll. 229-292: Matt, translator; ______, presenterTo him the eldest answered, sthe leader of the band unlocked the word-hoard: "We are men of the tribe of Geats and Higelac's hearth-companions. My father was well known by the folk, a noble leader called Ecgtheow. He lived many winters before he went away, an aged (man) from dwellings. Every wise man remenbers him well, wide throughout the earth. Through friendly mind , we come to visit thine lord, son of the Healfdanes, protector of the people; (Give us) good instruction. We have a great (for) message the famous lord of the Danes. I think there should not (be) some secrets. (You) know if it is truely thus. I say I have heard, that amoung the Scyldings I know not one who does harm, doer of secret hatred deeds, unknown violence in a terrible mannor, in dark nights injury and slaughter. In a roomy heart (give) advice to Hrothgar, who he, wise and good, over-power the fiend. If turning back ever should come to him, relief of the evil affliction and seething of sorrows, come to pass to cool. Or since they suffer distress, while the best of houses stay in a lofty place." The guard spoke (from) where he sat upon the horse, brave servant: "A sharp shield-warrior, who thinks well shall understand each of two, word and works. I hear that this is a friendly band to the land of the Scyldings. Go forth bearing weapons and war-gear. I (will) show the way to you. Frithwulf
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x[293] Swylce ic maguÝegnas mine hate
[294] wi* feonda gehwone flotan eowerne, [295] niwtyrwydne nacan on sande [296] arum healdan, oÝ*æt eft byre* [297] ofer lagustreamas leofne mannan [298] wudu wundenhals to Wedermearce, [299] godfremmendra swylcum gifeÝe bi* [300] Ýæt Ýone hilderæs hal gedige*." [301] Gewiton him Ýa feran. Flota stille bad, [302] seomode on sale sidfæÝmed scip, [303] on ancre fæst. Eoforlic scionon [304] ofer hleorberan gehroden golde, [305] fah ond fyrheard; ferhwearde heold [306] guÝmod grimmon. Guman onetton, [307] sigon ætsomne, oÝÝæt hy sæl timbred, [308] geatolic ond goldfah, ongyton mihton; [309] Ýæt wæs foremærost foldbuendum [310] receda under roderum, on Ýæm se rica bad; [311] lixte se leoma ofer landa fela. [312] Him Ýa hildedeor hof modigra [313] torht getæhte, Ýæt hie him to mihton [314] gegnum gangan; gu*beorna sum [315] wicg gewende, word æfter cwæ*: [316] "Mæl is me to feran; fæder alwalda [317] mid arstafum eowic gehealde [318] si*a gesunde. Ic to sæ wille [319] wi* wra* werod wearde healdan." <Fitt 5 [320] Stræt wæs stanfah, stig wisode [321] gumum ætgædere. Gu*byrne scan [322] heard hondlocen, hringiren scir [323] song in searwum, Ýa hie to sele fur*um [324] in hyra gryregeatwum gangan cwomon. [325] Setton sæmeÝe side scyldas, [326] rondas regnhearde, wi* Ýæs recedes weal, [327] bugon Ýa to bence. Byrnan hringdon, [328] gu*searo gumena; garas stodon, [329] sæmanna searo, samod ætgædere, [330] æscholt ufan græg; wæs se irenÝreat [331] wæpnum gewurÝad. Êa *ær wlonc hæle* [332] oretmecgas æfter æÝelum frægn: [333] "Hwanon ferigea* ge fætte scyldas, [334] græge syrcan ond grimhelmas, [335] heresceafta heapÊ Ic eom Hro*gares [336] ar ond ombiht. Ne seah ic elÝeodige [337] Ýus manige men modiglicran. [338] Wen ic Ýæt ge for wlenco, nalles for wræcsi*um, [339] ac for higeÝrymmum Hro*gar sohton." [340] Him Ýa ellenrof andswarode, [341] wlanc Wedera leod, word æfter spræc, [342] heard under helme: "We synt Higelaces [343] beodgeneatas; Beowulf is min nama. [344] Wille ic asecgan sunu Healfdenes, [345] mærum Ýeodne, min ærende, [346] aldre Ýinum, gif he us geunnan wile [347] Ýæt we hine swa godne gretan moton." [348] Wulfgar maÝelode (Ýæt wæs Wendla leod; [349] his modsefa manegum gecy*ed, [350] wig ond wisdom): "Ic Ýæs wine Deniga, [351] frean Scildinga, frinan wille, [352] beaga bryttan, swa Ýu bena eart, [353] Ýeoden mærne, ymb Ýinne si*, [354] ond Ýe Ýa ondsware ædre gecy*an [355] *e me se goda agifan Ýence*." |
ll. 293-355: Erin, translator; ______, presenter[301]Then he departed--the boat remained fixed, the roomy ship rested on the rope, firm at anchor. Boar figures shone on helmets decorated in gold and fire-hardened--the warlike boar kept guard over the fierce ones. Men hastened, marched together until they saw the timbered hall adorned with gold; that was the most famous of halls of men under heaven in which the powerful dwell, the light shone over many lands. Then he, brave in battle, pointed out the bright house of the brave, that they might go straight to it, the warrior turned his horse, then spoke [these] words: "It is suitable time for me to return; Lord Father keep you kindly safe. I will guard against hostile company at sea. [320]The street was paved, the path guided men together. War-corslet shone, bright iron rings, hard locked by hand, rang forth on armor when they first came to the hall in their war-equipment. Sea-weary they sat down large shields, wondrously strong, against the edge of the building's wall. Then they sat down on the bench, men's armor clanged; spears stood together, seamen's weapons, grey at the top. The armed troop was exhaulted with weapons. [332]Then there a proud warrior asked the warriors after their
lineage. Whence do you bear those ornamented shields, grey mail shirts
and grim helms, multitude of battle-shafts? I am Hrothgar's
messenger and servant. I have not seen this many brave foreign men.
I think that it is for pride, not at all for misery but for greatness
of heart you seek Hrothgar." Brave one then answered, the pride
of the Geats, strong under cover, spoke words "We are Higlac's
table-companions; Beowulf is my name. I wish to tell my message
to the son of Healfdene, the famous prince, if he the good one would
let us greet him.Wulfgar spoke--that was a Wendel man, his bold mind
known to many, [for] valor and wisdom, I will ask King Scild, lord
of the Danes, the ring-giver, as you ask, [will ask] the glorious
chief about thy journey and will early make known what thought the
good man gives me."
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[[356] Hwearf Ýa hrædlice Ýær Hro*gar
sæt
[357] eald ond anhar mid his eorla gedriht; [358] eode ellenrof, Ýæt he for eaxlum gestod [359] Deniga frean; cuÝe he dugu*e Ýeaw. [360] Wulfgar ma*elode to his winedrihtne: [361] "Her syndon geferede, feorran cumene [362] ofer geofenes begang Geata leode; [363] Ýone yldestan oretmecgas [364] Beowulf nemna*. Hy benan synt [365] Ýæt hie, Ýeoden min, wi* Ýe moton [366] wordum wrixlan. No *u him wearne geteoh [367] *inra gegncwida, glædman Hro*gar. [368] Hy on wiggetawum wyr*e Ýincea* [369] eorla geæhtlan; huru se aldor deah, [370] se Ýæm hea*orincum hider wisade." <Fitt 6 [371] Hro*gar maÝelode, helm Scyldinga: [372] "Ic hine cu*e cnihtwesende. [373] his ealdfæder EcgÝeo haten, [374] *æm to ham forgeaf HreÝel Geata [375] angan dohtor; is his eafora nu [376] heard her cumen, sohte holdne wine. [377] Îonne sægdon Ýæt sæliÝende, [378] Ýa *e gifsceattas Geata fyredon [379] Ýyder to Ýance, Ýæt he Ýritiges [380] manna mægencræft on his mundgripe [381] heaÝorof hæbbe. Hine halig god [382] for arstafum us onsende, [383] to Westdenum, Ýæs ic wen hæbbe, [384] wi* Grendles gryre. Ic Ýæm godan sceal [385] for his modÝræce madmas beodan. [386] Beo *u on ofeste, hat in gan [387] seon sibbegedriht samod ætgædere; [388] gesaga him eac wordum Ýæt hie sint wilcuman [389] Deniga leodum." * * * [390] % * * * word inne abead: [391] "Eow het secgan sigedrihten min, [392] aldor Eastdena, Ýæt he eower æÝelu can, [393] ond ge him syndon ofer sæwylmas [394] heardhicgende hider wilcuman. [395] Nu ge moton gangan in eowrum gu*geatawum [396] under heregriman Hro*gar geseon; [397] læta* hildebord her onbidan, [398] wudu, wælsceaftas, worda geÝinges." [399] Aras Ýa se rica, ymb hine rinc manig, [400] Ýry*lic Ýegna heap; sume Ýær bidon, [401] hea*oreaf heoldon, swa him se hearda bebead. [402] Snyredon ætsomne, Ýa secg wisode, [403] under Heorotes hrof * * * [404] heard under helme, Ýæt he on heo*e gestod. [405] Beowulf ma*elode (on him byrne scan, [406] searonet seowed smiÝes orÝancum): [407] "Wæs Ýu, Hro*gar, hal! Ic eom Higelaces [408] ond mago*egn; hæbbe ic mær*a fela [409] ongunnen on geogoÝe. Me wear* Grendles Ýing [410] on minre eÝeltyrf undyrne cu*; [411] secga* sæli*end Ýæt Ýæs sele stande, [412] reced selesta, rinca gehwylcum [413] idel ond unnyt, si**an æfenleoht [414] under heofenes hador beholen weorÝe*. [415] Êa me Ýæt gelærdon leode mine [416] Ýa selestan, snotere ceorlas, [417] Ýeoden Hro*gar, Ýæt ic Ýe sohte, [418] forÝan hie mægenes cræft minne cuÝon, |
ll. 356-418: Stephen, translator; ______, presenterold and hoary with his band of retainers walked stoutly so that he by shoulders stood with the lord of the danes he knew retainer's custom wulfgar spoke to his lord "here are journeyed come from far over ocean's expanse the men of Geats' warfighters call the eldest one Beowulf . . . . . they are asking that they, my chief, might exchange words with you; you give them no refusal of your answers gracious Hrothgar! because of (on account of)their war-equipment they seem worthy of men's respect; indeed the chief (be good??) (he) who the soldiers led hither. hrothgar spoke, helm of scyldings: "i knew him being a boy; his old father was called Ecgtheo, he gave his only daughter, hrethel of geats, towards home(?????); Ecgtheo's heir is now hardly come here (having?) sought a loyal friend. furthermore, seafarers said it, they who ferried gift-coins for geats thither in thanks, that he has thirty men's main-strength in his hand grip battle famed. holy god in kindness has sent him to us to west-danes, of that i have hope against grendle's terror. i shall offer treasures to the good man for his daring. be you in haste order to go in to see the kinsmen-band grouped together; tell them too in words that they are welcome in among the danish people. then wulfgar went to the door announced from the door: "To you my victory lord, leader of east-danes, commands to say that he knows your lineage and you are, to him, hither welcome hard-minded over sea-wellings. now you may go in your war gear under armour-masks to see hrothgar; let shields and death-shafts of wood remain here." the mighty man arose then, many warriors about him, sturdy heap of thanes; some waited there guarded war-gear, as the leader bade them. they hastened together, a man guided them, under heorot's roof; the warrior walked hard under helm, so that he stood in the hall. beowulf spoke, byrnie shown on him, armour-net woven by(with) the smith's artifice: hail to you, hrothgar! i am higelac's kinsman and thane; i have undertaken many great deeds in youth. to me grendl's tricks became clearly known on my native turf; seafarers say that this hall, (this) finest building for all warriors stands idle and useless, when evening-light goes hidden under heaven's brightness. then my people, the best ones, wise-minded men, advised me (so)that i sought you, chieftain hrothgar, because they knew my strength's power.
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[419] selfe ofersawon, *a ic of searwum cwom,
[420] fah from feondum; Ýær ic fife geband, [421] y*de eotena cyn ond on y*um slog [422] niceras nihtes, nearoÝearfe dreah, [423] wræc Wedera ni* (wean ahsodon), [424] forgrand gramum, ond nu wi* Grendel sceal, [425] wi* Ýam aglæcan, ana gehegan [426] *ing wi* Ýyrse. Ic Ýe nu *a, [427] brego Beorhtdena, biddan wille, [428] eodor Scyldinga, anre bene, [429] Ýæt *u me ne forwyrne, wigendra hleo, [430] freowine folca, nu ic Ýus feorran com, [431] Ýæt ic mote ana ond minra eorla gedryht, [432] Ýes hearda heap, Heorot fælsian. [433] Hæbbe ic eac geahsod Ýæt se æglæca [434] for his wonhydum wæpna ne recce*. [435] Ic Ýæt Ýonne forhicge (swa me Higelac sie, [436] min mondrihten, modes bli*e), [437] Ýæt ic sweord bere oÝ*e sidne scyld, [438] geolorand to guÝe, ac ic mid grape sceal [439] fon wi* feonde ond ymb feorh sacan, [440] la* wi* laÝum; *ær gelyfan sceal [441] dryhtnes dome se Ýe hine dea* nime*. [442] Wen ic Ýæt he wille, gif he wealdan mot, [443] in Ýæm gu*sele Geotena leode [444] etan unforhte, swa he oft dyde, [445] mægen Hre*manna. Na Ýu minne Ýearft [446] hafalan hydan, ac he me habban wile [447] dreore fahne, gif mec dea* nime*. [448] Byre* blodig wæl, byrgean Ýence*, [449] ete* angenga unmurnlice, [450] mearca* morhopu; no *u ymb mines ne Ýearft [451] lices feorme leng sorgian. [452] Onsend Higelace, gif mec hild nime, [453] beaduscruda betst, Ýæt mine breost were*, [454] hrægla selest; Ýæt is Hrædlan laf, [455] Welandes geweorc. Gæ* a wyrd swa hio scel." <Fitt 7 [456] Hro*gar maÝelode, helm Scyldinga: [457] "For gewyrhtum Ýu, wine min Beowulf, [458] ond for arstafum usic sohtest. [459] Gesloh Ýin fæder fæh*e mæste; [460] wearÝ he HeaÝolafe to handbonan [461] mid Wilfingum; *a hine Wedera cyn [462] for herebrogan habban ne mihte. [463] Êanon he gesohte Su*dena folc [464] ofer y*a gewealc, Arscyldinga. [465] Îa ic furÝum weold folce Deniga [466] ond on geogo*e heold ginne rice, [467] hordburh hæleÝa; *a wæs Heregar dead, [468] min yldra mæg unlifigende, [469] bearn Healfdenes; se wæs betera *onne ic. [470] Si**an Ýa fæh*e feo Ýingode; [471] sende ic Wylfingum ofer wæteres hrycg [472] ealde madmas; he me aÝas swor. [473] Sorh is me to secganne on sefan minum [474] gumena ængum hwæt me Grendel hafa* [475] hyn*o on Heorote mid his heteÝancum, [476] færni*a gefremed. Is min fletwerod, [477] wigheap gewanod; hie wyrd forsweop [478] on Grendles gryre. God eaÝe mæg [479] Ýone dolscea*an dæda getwæfan. [480] Ful oft gebeotedon beore druncne [481] ofer ealowæge oretmecgas [482] Ýæt hie in beorsele bidan woldon [483] Grendles guÝe mid gryrum ecga.
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ll. 419-483: Eddie, translator; ______, presenterI have also heard that the monster, because of his recklessness, discounts weapons; I that [weapons] then scorn, so that for me Higelac, my Lord, be of joyful spirit, that I bear sword or great shield, or yellow shield to war, I too shall with grip grapple against the fiend and concerning life contend, loath against foes; there shall I resign myself to God's judgement, he who takes death. I expect that he [Grendel] shall, if he can manage it, eat fearlessly in the battle-hall of the Geatish people, as he often did, strength of the Geats. You will never need to hide my head [ie. perform funeral rites] but he will hold me, dripping blood shining, if death takes me; bringing a bloody corpse, he intends to eat, the lone-goer eats ruthlessly, stains the moor retreat; No longer sorrow about the sustenance of my body. Send to Higelac, if battle takes me, the best of my war-garments of the best mail, that protects my breast; that is Hrethel's heirloom, Wayland' work. Fate always goes as she shall! Hrothgar made a speech: "Because of deeds done and on account of favors you sought us out, thou, my friend Beowulf. Your father brought about by fight the greatesr of feuds, he became a man of the tribe as a hand-slayer among the Wylfings; then he might not keep the Weder-Geats out of war-terror. Thence he sought out the South- Danish Folk, over the rolling sea, of the Ar-Scyldings. When I first ['a short time ago'] ruled the Danish Folk and in youth held a wide kingdom, treasure-city of heroes; then was Heregar dead, my elder kinsman lifeless, Halfdene's son; he was better than I! Thereupon I settled the feud with riches; I sent time-honored
treasures to the Wylfings from the water's ridge; they swore oaths
to me. It sorrows me to say, in my heart of any man's, what
humiliation Grendel has [caused] me in Heorot with his hateful thoughts,
accomplishment of sudden affliction; My hall-troop, band of
warriors, is wasted; their fate swept away in Grendel's terror.
God could easily hinder the deeds of the desperate foe! Often
warriors boasted, beer drunk over the ale-cup, that they would wait for
Grendel's attack in the beer-hall with grim swords.
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[484] Îonne wæs Ýeos medoheal on morgentid,
[485] drihtsele dreorfah, Ýonne dæg lixte, [486] eal bencÝelu blode bestymed, [487] heall heorudreore; ahte ic holdra Ýy læs, [488] deorre dugu*e, Ýe Ýa dea* fornam. [489] Site nu to symle ond onsæl meoto, [490] sigehre* secgum, swa Ýin sefa hwette." [491] Êa wæs Geatmæcgum geador ætsomne [492] on beorsele benc gerymed; [493] Ýær swi*ferhÝe sittan eodon, [494] Ýry*um dealle. Êegn nytte beheold, [495] se Ýe on handa bær hroden ealowæge, [496] scencte scir wered. Scop hwilum sang [497] hador on Heorote. Êær wæs hæle*a dream, [498] dugu* unlytel Dena ond Wedera. <Fitt 8 [499] Unfer* maÝelode, Ecglafes bearn, [500] Ýe æt fotum sæt frean Scyldinga, [501] onband beadurune (wæs him Beowulfes si*, [502] modges merefaran, micel æfÝunca, [503] forÝon Ýe he ne uÝe Ýæt ænig o*er man [504] æfre mær*a Ýon ma middangeardes [505] gehedde under heofenum Ýonne he sylfa): [506] "Eart Ýu se Beowulf, se Ýe wi* Brecan wunne, [507] on sidne sæ ymb sund flite, [508] *ær git for wlence wada cunnedon [509] ond for dolgilpe on deop wæter [510] aldrum neÝdonÊ Ne inc ænig mon, [511] ne leof ne la*, belean mihte [512] sorhfullne si*, Ýa git on sund reon. [513] Êær git eagorstream earmum Ýehton, [514] mæton merestræta, mundum brugdon, [515] glidon ofer garsecg; geofon yÝum weol, [516] wintrys wylmum. Git on wæteres æht [517] seofon niht swuncon; he Ýe æt sunde oferflat, [518] hæfde mare mægen. Êa hine on morgentid [519] on HeaÝoræmas holm up ætbær; [520] *onon he gesohte swæsne e*el, [521] leof his leodum, lond Brondinga, [522] freo*oburh fægere, Ýær he folc ahte, [523] burh ond beagas. Beot eal wi* Ýe [524] sunu Beanstanes so*e gelæste. [525] Îonne wene ic to Ýe wyrsan geÝingea, [526] *eah Ýu hea*oræsa gehwær dohte, [527] grimre gu*e, gif Ýu Grendles dearst [528] nihtlongne fyrst nean bidan." [529] Beowulf maÝelode, bearn EcgÝeowes: [530] "Hwæt! Ýu worn fela, wine min Unfer*, [531] beore druncen ymb Brecan spræce, [532] sægdest from his si*e. So* ic talige, [533] Ýæt ic merestrengo maran ahte, [534] earfeÝo on yÝum, *onne ænig oÝer man. [535] Wit Ýæt gecwædon cnihtwesende [536] ond gebeotedon (wæron begen Ýa git [537] on geogo*feore) Ýæt wit on garsecg ut [538] aldrum ne*don, ond Ýæt geæfndon swa. [539] Hæfdon swurd nacod, Ýa wit on sund reon, [540] heard on handa; wit unc wi* hronfixas [541] werian Ýohton. No he wiht fram me [542] flodyÝum feor fleotan meahte, [543] hraÝor on holme, no ic fram him wolde. [544] Îa wit ætsomne on sæ wæron [545] fif nihta fyrst, oÝÝæt unc flod todraf, [546] wado weallende, wedera cealdost, [547] nipende niht, ond norÝanwind [548] hea*ogrim ondhwearf; hreo wæron yÝa. [549] merefixa mod onhrered; [550] Ýær me wi* la*um licsyrce min, [551] heard, hondlocen, helpe gefremede, [552] beadohrægl broden on breostum læg [553] golde gegyrwed. Me to grunde teah [554] fah feondsca*a, fæste hæfde [555] grim on grape; hwæÝre me gyfeÝe wear* [556] Ýæt ic aglæcan orde geræhte, [557] hildebille; heaÝoræs fornam [558] mihtig meredeor Ýurh mine hand.
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ll. 484-548: Bharati, translator; ______, presenterthis splendid hall was stained with gore, all the bench-planks wet with blood, hall itself filled with the battle-blood; I had the fewer of the faithful fighters, dear companions, whom death had taken. Sit now to feast and unbind your thoughts of the glory of victory, just as your mind urges. Then for the men of Geats
all together
Unferth spoke, son of Ecglaf,
"Are you that Beowulf, the one who contended with Breca,
Beowulf spoke, the son of
Ecgtheow:
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<Fitt 9
[559] Swa mec gelome la*geteonan [560] Ýreatedon Ýearle. Ic him Ýenode [561] deoran sweorde, swa hit gedefe wæs. [562] hie *ære fylle gefean hæfdon, [563] manfordædlan, Ýæt hie me Ýegon, [564] symbel ymbsæton sægrunde neah; [565] ac on mergenne mecum wunde [566] be y*lafe uppe lægon, [567] sweordum aswefede, Ýæt sy*Ýan na [568] ymb brontne ford brimli*ende [569] lade ne letton. Leoht eastan com, [570] beorht beacen godes; brimu swaÝredon, [571] Ýæt ic sænæssas geseon mihte, [572] windige weallas. Wyrd oft nere* [573] unfægne eorl, Ýonne his ellen deah. [574] HwæÝere me gesælde Ýæt ic mid sweorde ofsloh [575] niceras nigene. No ic on niht gefrægn [576] under heofones hwealf heardran feohtan, [577] ne on egstreamum earmran mannon; [578] hwaÝere ic fara feng feore gedigde, [579] siÝes werig. Îa mec sæ oÝbær, [580] flod æfter faro*e on Finna land, [581] wadu weallendu. No ic wiht fram Ýe [582] swylcra searoni*a secgan hyrde, [583] billa brogan. Breca næfre git [584] æt hea*olace, ne gehwæÝer incer, [585] swa deorlice dæd gefremede [586] fagum sweordum (no ic Ýæs fela gylpe), [587] Ýeah *u Ýinum bro*rum to banan wurde, [588] heafodmægum; Ýæs Ýu in helle scealt [589] werh*o dreogan, Ýeah Ýin wit duge. [590] Secge ic Ýe to so*e, sunu Ecglafes, [591] Ýæt næfre Grendel swa fela gryra gefremede, [592] atol æglæca, ealdre Ýinum, [593] hyn*o on Heorote, gif Ýin hige wære, [594] sefa swa searogrim, swa Ýu self talast. [595] Ac he hafa* onfunden Ýæt he Ýa fæh*e ne Ýearf, [596] atole ecgÝræce eower leode [597] swi*e onsittan, Sigescyldinga; [598] nyme* nydbade, nænegum ara* [599] leode Deniga, ac he lust wige*, [600] swefe* ond sendeÝ, secce ne weneÝ [601] to Gardenum. Ac ic him Geata sceal [602] eafo* ond ellen ungeara nu, [603] guÝe gebeodan. GæÝ eft se Ýe mot [604] to medo modig, siÝÝan morgenleoht [605] ofer ylda bearn oÝres dogores, [606] sunne sweglwered suÝan scine*."
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ll. 549-606: Mary Ellen, translator; ______, presenter"The ocean monsters were aroused in anger; There against the enemies my hard handlinked body armor, woven mailshirt adorned with gold, laying upon my breast, provided me with help. The hostile fiend who harms had me firmly and fiercely in hand and drew me to the bottom; However, it became granted me that I hit the terrible one with sword point; Through my hand, the battle's rush took off the mighty sea beast. "Thus the evil doer frequently pressed me severely. I served him the glorious sword as it was fitting. By no means had they, wicked destroyers, their feast of joy, banquet round, that they partook from me close to the sea bottom; But in morning by swords wounds above the tide line (they) lie, put to sleep by swords, that afterwards no seafarer's passage through the waterway be hindered. " Light from the East came, bright sign of God, water subsided, that I might see the headland, the windy high shore. Fate often saves the undoomed man, when his courage is glorious! However that may be, befell me, that I, with sword, slew nine watermonsters. "I hear not at night under the vault of heaven, nor in the water stream, a harder pressed man. Yet I escaped my life from the grasp of hostiles of weary undertaking. Then the sea, surging waters, flood along current, bore me off to the land of the Finns. I hear of nothing concerning to tell of such terror of the sword. Neither Brecca nor you, though your intelligience be good, ever yet at battle accomplished deeds with shining swords -- I of this would not boast much-- although you, your brothers, near relatives, prove a source as slayer; for that you shall endure damnation in Hell. "I say to thee truth, Son of Ecglaf, that Grendel, terrible monster never perform so much horror against your lord, harm against Herot, were your resolve yet so fierce in conflict as you yourself tells; But he (Grendel) has found no need to very much dread the terrible swordstorm of the Danish army, people of yours(eower leode????); He seizes the toll, spares no people of the Danes, thinks of no quarrel with the Bright-Danes, but carries pleasure as he kills and feasts. But I, Beowulf of the Geats, shall before long now, offer strength and courage in war. Before one more day goes, when morning light, sunclad in radiance, over the child of man shines from the south, we will be allowed to mead high-spirited." AARRGHHH! I do believe the previous week's assignment was a bit nicer-- frustration level was high on those last 10 lines or so-- it really is a big jump from 37 to 57 lines!!
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