| ?a wæs on salum sinces brytta,
gamolfeax ond gu?rof; geoce gelyfde brego Beorhtdena, gehyrde on Beowulfe 610 folces hyrde fæstrædne ge?oht. ?ær wæs hæle?a hleahtor, hlyn swynsode, word wæron wynsume. Eode Wealh?eow for?, cwen Hro?gares, cynna gemyndig, grette goldhroden guman on healle, 615 ond ?a freolic wif ful gesealde ærest Eastdena e?elwearde, bæd hine bli?ne æt ?ære beor?ege, leodum leofne. He on lust ge?eah symbel ond seleful, sigerof kyning. 620 Ymbeode ?a ides Helminga dugu?e ond geogo?e dæl æghwylcne, sincfato sealde, o??æt sæl alamp ?æt hio Beowulfe, beaghroden cwen mode ge?ungen, medoful ætbær; 625 grette Geata leod, gode ?ancode wisfæst wordum ?æs ?e hire se willa gelamp ?æt heo on ænigne eorl gelyfde fyrena frofre. He ?æt ful ge?eah, wælreow wiga, æt Wealh?eon, 630 ond ?a gyddode gu?e gefysed; Beowulf ma?elode, bearn Ecg?eowes: "Ic ?æt hogode, ?a ic on holm gestah, sæbat gesæt mid minra secga gedriht, ?æt ic anunga eowra leoda 635 willan geworhte o??e on wæl crunge, feondgrapum fæst. Ic gefremman sceal eorlic ellen, o??e endedæg on ?isse meoduhealle minne gebidan." ?am wife ?a word wel licodon, 640 gilpcwide Geates; eode goldhroden freolicu folccwen to hire frean sittan. ?a wæs eft swa ær inne on healle ?ry?word sprecen, ?eod on sælum, sigefolca sweg, o??æt semninga 645 sunu Healfdenes secean wolde æfenræste; wiste ?æm ahlæcan to ?æm heahsele hilde ge?inged, si??an hie sunnan leoht geseon ne meahton, o??e nipende niht ofer ealle, 650 scaduhelma gesceapu scri?an cwoman, wan under wolcnum. Werod eall aras. Gegrette ?a guma o?erne, Hro?gar Beowulf, ond him hæl abead, winærnes geweald, ond ?æt word acwæ?: 655 "Næfre ic ænegum men ær alyfde, si??an ic hond ond rond hebban mihte, ?ry?ærn Dena buton ?e nu ?a. Hafa nu ond geheald husa selest, gemyne mær?o, mægenellen cy?, 660 waca wi? wra?um. Ne bi? ?e wilna gad, gif ?u ?æt ellenweorc aldre gedigest." ?a him Hro?gar gewat mid his hæle?a gedryht, eodur Scyldinga, ut of healle; wolde wigfruma Wealh?eo secan, 665 cwen to gebeddan. Hæfde kyningwuldor Grendle togeanes, swa guman gefrungon, seleweard aseted; sundornytte beheold ymb aldor Dena, eotonweard abead. Huru Geata leod georne truwode 670 modgan mægnes, metodes hyldo. |
ll. 607-670: Bharati, translator; ______, presentergreyhaired and brave; the lord of the Danes could believe in help; the people's guardian heard from Beowulf a fast-resolved thought. There was laughter of men,
cheerful sound made,
Then (it) was again as before
within the hall,
Then Hrothgar went out of
the hall with his band of men, the prince
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| ?a he him of dyde isernbyrnan,
helm of hafelan, sealde his hyrsted sweord, irena cyst, ombiht?egne, ond gehealdan het hildegeatwe. 675 Gespræc ?a se goda gylpworda sum, Beowulf Geata, ær he on bed stige: "No ic me an herewæsmun hnagran talige, gu?geweorca, ?onne Grendel hine; for?an ic hine sweorde swebban nelle, 680 aldre beneotan, ?eah ic eal mæge. Nat he ?ara goda ?æt he me ongean slea, rand geheawe, ?eah ?e he rof sie ni?geweorca; ac wit on niht sculon secge ofersittan, gif he gesecean dear 685 wig ofer wæpen, ond si??an witig god on swa hwæ?ere hond, halig dryhten, mær?o deme, swa him gemet ?ince." Hylde hine ?a hea?odeor, hleorbolster onfeng eorles andwlitan, ond hine ymb monig 690 snellic særinc selereste gebeah. Nænig heora ?ohte ?æt he ?anon scolde eft eardlufan æfre gesecean, folc o??e freoburh, ?ær he afeded wæs; ac hie hæfdon gefrunen ?æt hie ær to fela micles 695 in ?æm winsele wældea? fornam, Denigea leode. Ac him dryhten forgeaf wigspeda gewiofu, Wedera leodum, frofor ond fultum, ?æt hie feond heora ?urh anes cræft ealle ofercomon, 700 selfes mihtum. So? is gecy?ed ?æt mihtig god manna cynnes weold wideferh?. Com on wanre niht scri?an sceadugenga. Sceotend swæfon, ?a ?æt hornreced healdan scoldon, 705 ealle buton anum. ?æt wæs yldum cu? ?æt hie ne moste, ?a metod nolde, se scynsca?a under sceadu bregdan; ac he wæccende wra?um on andan bad bolgenmod beadwa ge?inges. 710 ?a com of more under misthleo?um Grendel gongan, godes yrre bær; mynte se mansca?a manna cynnes sumne besyrwan in sele ?am hean Wod under wolcnum to ?æs ?e he winreced, 715 goldsele gumena, gearwost wisse, fættum fahne. Ne wæs ?æt forma si? ?æt he Hro?gares ham gesohte; næfre he on aldordagum ær ne si??an heardran hæle, heal?egnas fand. 720 Com ?a to recede rinc si?ian, dreamum bedæled. Duru sona onarn, fyrbendum fæst, sy??an he hire folmum æthran; onbræd ?a bealohydig, ?a he gebolgen wæs, recedes mu?an. Ra?e æfter ?on 725 on fagne flor feond treddode, eode yrremod; him of eagum stod ligge gelicost leoht unfæger. Geseah he in recede rinca manige, swefan sibbegedriht samod ætgædere, 730 magorinca heap. |
ll. 671-730a: Eddie, translator; ______, presentergave his adorned sword, iron of the best quality, to a servant and commanded him to guard his war-equipments. Spoke then the excellent, Beowulf of the Geats, boasting words before he went to bed: "I do not in warlike-stature consider myself lowly[er] in warlike deeds than Grendel him[self]'; therefore I wish not to kill him with sword, deprive him of life; nevertheless I I entirely am able to. He does not know the good [skill], though he is renowned in hostile deeds, that he strike against me, hew the boss of my shield' but we in night shall forego the use of swords, if he dares to visist war without weapon, and thereupon wise God, the holy Lord, judges glory on whichsoever hand as seems proper to him." Then he, battlebrave, bent down, took pillow of noble's face, and around him many brave sea-warriors lay down in hall-bed. None of them thought, that he thence should ever seek dear home again, nation or noble town, there he was fed; They had also learned that, far too many before, [695] in the winehall, murderous death destroyed, the Danish people. But to him the Lord God granted fortune's victory, solace and support of the Geats, that they their enemy through one's craft, his own might, [700] all overcame. The truth is well- known, that mighty God Mankind [has] ruled forever. Came in black night, gliding shadowgoer, soldiers slept who should hold that gabled-hall, [705] all except one. That was well-known among men, that when God wished-not, the demonic foe must not drag them;- but he awakening fierce in anger waited enraged for battle's result. [710] Then came from the moor, under misty hills, Grendel going, God's anger bore; The evil-doer intended to ensnare many a one of mankind in the exulted hall. Advanced under clouds to the point where he most surely knew the [715] gold-hall of men, gold-plates shining. It was not the first time he had sought Hrothgar's hall; never, at any time, in the old-days harder luck, hall-thanes found. [720] Came then to the hall, warrior to go [creature creeping!??] deprived of joy. At once the door sprang open, bands forged fast with fire, when he touched it with hands, broke open then hostile, then [now] he was enraged, [in] the hall's mouth. Quickly after that, on the shining floor the fiend stepped, went angry of mood; from his eyes shone forth a horrible light most like flame. He saw in the hall many warriors, sleeping band of kinsmen, company of young warriors together. Then his heart exulted. -- |
| 730 magorinca heap. ?a his mod ahlog;
mynte ?æt he gedælde, ær?on dæg cwome, atol aglæca, anra gehwylces lif wi? lice, ?a him alumpen wæs wistfylle wen. Ne wæs ?æt wyrd ?a gen 735 ?æt he ma moste manna cynnes ?icgean ofer ?a niht. ?ry?swy? beheold mæg Higelaces, hu se mansca?a under færgripum gefaran wolde. Ne ?æt se aglæca yldan ?ohte, 740 ac he gefeng hra?e forman si?e slæpendne rinc, slat unwearnum, bat banlocan, blod edrum dranc, synsnædum swealh; sona hæfde unlyfigendes eal gefeormod, 745 fet ond folma. For? near ætstop, nam ?a mid handa hige?ihtigne rinc on ræste, ræhte ongean feond mid folme; he onfeng hra?e inwit?ancum ond wi? earm gesæt. 750 Sona ?æt onfunde fyrena hyrde ?æt he ne mette middangeardes, eor?an sceata, on elran men mundgripe maran. He on mode wear? forht on ferh?e; no ?y ær fram meahte. 755 Hyge wæs him hinfus, wolde on heolster fleon, secan deofla gedræg; ne wæs his drohto? ?ær swylce he on ealderdagum ær gemette. Gemunde ?a se goda, mæg Higelaces, æfenspræce, uplang astod 760 ond him fæste wi?feng; fingras burston. Eoten wæs utweard; eorl fur?ur stop. Mynte se mæra, ?ær he meahte swa, widre gewindan ond on weg ?anon fleon on fenhopu; wiste his fingra geweald 765 on grames grapum. ?æt wæs geocor si? ?æt se hearmsca?a to Heorute ateah. Dryhtsele dynede; Denum eallum wear?, ceasterbuendum, cenra gehwylcum, eorlum ealuscerwen. Yrre wæron begen, 770 re?e renweardas. Reced hlynsode. ?a wæs wundor micel ?æt se winsele wi?hæfde hea?odeorum, ?æt he on hrusan ne feol, fæger foldbold; ac he ?æs fæste wæs innan ond utan irenbendum 775 searo?oncum besmi?od. ?ær fram sylle abeag medubenc monig, mine gefræge, golde geregnad, ?ær ?a graman wunnon. ?æs ne wendon ær witan Scyldinga ?æt hit a mid gemete manna ænig, 780 betlic ond banfag, tobrecan meahte, listum tolucan, nym?e liges fæ?m swulge on swa?ule. Sweg up astag niwe geneahhe; Nor?denum stod atelic egesa, anra gehwylcum 785 ?ara ?e of wealle wop gehyrdon, gryreleo? galan godes ondsacan, sigeleasne sang, sar wanigean helle hæfton. Heold hine fæste se ?e manna wæs mægene strengest 790 on ?æm dæge ?ysses lifes. Nolde eorla hleo ænige ?inga ?one cwealmcuman cwicne forlætan, ne his lifdagas leoda ænigum nytte tealde. |
ll. 730b-794a: Matt, translator; ______, presenterhad come he [would] distribute the life from the body of each one, it had come to pass an expectation of full-feasting. He was not destined, by no means, that over the night he would have more of an opportunity to partake of mankind. The kinsmen of Higelac, mighty, beheld how the wicked ravanger would procede under sudden attack. Not that the wretch delayed thought, but the first time he took quickly a sleeping warrior, tore without hinderance, bit the bone-locker, drank blood from the veins, swallowed huge morsels, immediately (he) had eaten up all of the (not living) dead (man), feet and hands. He stepped forth near, [touched] with his hand the strong-hearted warrior in [his] resting place, reached out with hostile purpose towards him, the enemy with his hand, he (Beowulf) quickly seized it, sat up with his arm. Immediately the guardian of sin discovered that he met of the the mid-yard of the corners of the earth, a greater hand-grip of any man. In mind he became afraid, in his spirit; None the sooner might [he] go away. His mind was eager to get away, he would flee to the hiding-place, go to the concourse of the devil. [What] he had met there was not such, as before met in the days of his life. The kinsmen of Higelac, the good men, remembered the evening speech, stood upright and firmly lay hold on him, his fingers (burst). The [giant] was turning outwards, the nobleman stepped further, the famous one thought to go further and away where he might and thence flee to [his] fen-retreat; he knew the power of his fingers in a wrathful grasp. That was a grievios journey, the enemy drew to Heorot. The retainer's hall resounded [a terrible drink] for all the Danes [the house dwellers] every warrior, the noblemen, distress. Both were angry, furious, guardians of the house. The hall resounded. Then [there] was much wonder that the wine-hall withstood, battle-brave, that it did not fall on the earth, fair building; but it was fast (sound) with iron bands within and from without, fastened by skill. There mstarted from the floor, as I have heard say, many mead-benches gold adorned, the hostiles fought. No wisemen of the Scydings before expected that ant man, by ordinary means, might break [it], splendid and adorned with bone, [had] skill to pull asunder, unless an embrace of fire swallow it in flame. Noise arose abundantly: Horriblefew stood of the north-Danes, everyone heard the weeping from the wall, God's enemy sing [his] terrible song, song without victory. The hall-captive bewail [his] pain. Held to his frimly [he who of men] was strongest of might in the days of this life. He willed it not, by any means, the nobleman let go the murderous visitor alive, he did not reckon his life-days of use to any of the members of the tribe.
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| ?ær genehost brægd
795 eorl Beowulfes ealde lafe, wolde freadrihtnes feorh ealgian, mæres ?eodnes, ?ær hie meahton swa. Hie ?æt ne wiston, ?a hie gewin drugon, heardhicgende hildemecgas,
?æt him se lichoma læstan
nolde,
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ll.794b-856a: Erin, translator; ______, presenterwould protect the life of their dear lord, famous prince, however they might. 798 They did not know, those brave-minded warriors, that when they they entered the fight, to attack that soul, and thought to hew from all sides; the best of swords on earth, none of the war-swords would harm the evil-doer; but that he had cast a spell against weapons, every edge. 805b His separation from life in this life was to be wretched, and the alien spirit to journey far away into the power of enemies. 809 Then he who in the past advanced many heart troubles and sins towards mankind--he was a foe to God--discovered that body would not avail him, because the brave kin of Hygelac had him by the hand; each living was hateful to the other. 815b The horrible monster suffered an injury, a great wound became manifest in his shoulder; sinews sprung asunder, the joints (bone-locks) burst. 818b Glory in battle was given to Beowulf; Grendal had to flee, mortally wounded, from him, into the lower marsh to go to his joyless abode; he knew, more surely, that his life was reaching the end, the number of his days. 823a The Danes became joyous after the bloody conflict. 825 Thus he who came from afar, wise and strong minded, had cleansed Hrothgar's hall, protected against violence. 827 He rejoiced in his night-work, famous for courage. 828b The Geatish man fulfilled his boast to the Eastern Danes; also had bettered every distress, the evil sorrow they had to endure and for long suffered distress, no small grief. 833b That was a clear sign when the brave man lay down the hand, arm and shoulder--there was Grendle's claw--under spacious roof. 837 Then in the morning, I have heard said, around the gift hall were many warriors; chiefs came far and near over far extending regions to look at the wonder, the foe's tracks. 841b His parting from life was not apparently sad to the men in any way for the vanquished trail was examined, how he then wearily by way of the conflict overcame, water monsters on the sea doomed to die and put to flight bloody tracks bear.????? 847 There the water boiled with blood, terrible wave swirl all stirred up hot gore, battle blood. 850 Doomed to death he concealed in refuge, laying down his heathen soul; there hell received him. 853 Then afterwards old retainers, also many others returned from the joyous journey to depart from the sea, warriors riding highspirited on white-grey horses.
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| [?ær wæs Beowulfes
mær?o mæned; monig oft gecwæ? ?ætte su? ne nor? be sæm tweonum ofer eormengrund o?er nænig 860 under swegles begong selra nære rondhæbbendra, rices wyr?ra. Ne hie huru winedrihten wiht ne logon, glædne Hro?gar, ac ?æt wæs god cyning. Hwilum hea?orofe hleapan leton, 865 on geflit faran fealwe mearas ?ær him foldwegas fægere ?uhton, cystum cu?e. Hwilum cyninges ?egn, guma gilphlæden, gidda gemyndig, se ?e ealfela ealdgesegena 870 worn gemunde, word o?er fand so?e gebunden; secg eft ongan si? Beowulfes snyttrum styrian ond on sped wrecan spel gerade, wordum wrixlan. Welhwylc gecwæ? 875 ?æt he fram Sigemundes secgan
890 Hwæ?re him gesælde ?æt ?æt swurd
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ll. 856b-920a: Mary Ellen, translator; ______, presentershield bearer, niether southwards, nor northwards between the two seas over the earth, nor under the expanse of heaven, was not better, worthier of the kindom-- not that they at any rate, find fault at all with the freindly lord, kind Hrothgar, for that was a good king-- At times they, well known as brave in battle, let the pale yellow horses to gallop, to go in contest where they found the path seemed fair and of good quality. At times the Thane of the king, man covered in glory, very mindful of the song, remembered a great quantity of old sagas and truly joined and devised other words; Man afterwards began to recite the venture of Beowulf's skills
to
He was of heros far and wide,
most glorious over the nation for his
He of the Jutes was mislead
away and quickly and straight away sent
Often, many a prudent man, on earlier occasions, mourned over
At times they would again contend along the street covered with pale
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| 920 searowundor seon; swylce self cyning
of brydbure, beahhorda weard, tryddode tirfæst getrume micle, cystum gecy?ed, ond his cwen mid him medostigge mæt mæg?a hose. 925 Hro?gar ma?elode (he to healle geong, stod on stapole, geseah steapne hrof, golde fahne, ond Grendles hond): "?isse ansyne alwealdan ?anc lungre gelimpe! Fela ic la?es gebad, 930 grynna æt Grendle; a mæg god wyrcan wunder æfter wundre, wuldres hyrde. ?æt wæs ungeara ?æt ic ænigra me weana ne wende to widan feore bote gebidan, ?onne blode fah 935 husa selest heorodreorig stod, wea widscofen witena gehwylcum ?ara ?e ne wendon ?æt hie wideferh? leoda landgeweorc la?um beweredon scuccum ond scinnum. Nu scealc hafa? 940 ?urh drihtnes miht dæd gefremede ?e we ealle ær ne meahton snyttrum besyrwan. Hwæt, ?æt secgan mæg efne swa hwylc mæg?a swa ?one magan cende æfter gumcynnum, gyf heo gyt lyfa?, 945 ?æt hyre ealdmetod este wære bearngebyrdo. Nu ic, Beowulf, ?ec, secg betsta, me for sunu wylle freogan on ferh?e; heald for? tela niwe sibbe. Ne bi? ?e nænigra gad 950 worolde wilna, ?e ic geweald hæbbe. Ful oft ic for læssan lean teohhode, hordweor?unge hnahran rince, sæmran æt sæcce. ?u ?e self hafast dædum gefremed ?æt ?in dom lyfa? 955 awa to aldre. Alwalda ?ec gode forgylde, swa he nu gyt dyde!" Beowulf ma?elode, bearn Ec?eowes: "We ?æt ellenweorc estum miclum, feohtan fremedon, frecne gene?don 960 eafo? uncu?es. U?e ic swi?or ?æt ?u hine selfne geseon moste, feond on frætewum fylwerigne Ic hine hrædlice heardan clammum on wælbedde wri?an ?ohte, 965 ?æt he for mundgripe minum scolde licgean lifbysig, butan his lic swice. Ic hine ne mihte, ?a metod nolde, ganges getwæman, no ic him ?æs georne ætfealh, feorhgeni?lan; wæs to foremihtig 970 feond on fe?e. Hwæ?ere he his folme forlet to lifwra?e last weardian, earm ond eaxle. No ?ær ænige swa ?eah feasceaft guma frofre gebohte; no ?y leng leofa? la?geteona, 975 synnum geswenced, ac hyne sar hafa? mid nydgripe nearwe befongen, balwon bendum. ?ær abidan sceal maga mane fah miclan domes, hu him scir metod scrifan wille." 980 ?a wæs swigra secg, sunu Eclafes, on gylpspræce gu?geweorca, si??an æ?elingas eorles cræfte ofer heanne hrof hand sceawedon, feondes fingras. Foran æghwylc wæs, 985 sti?ra nægla gehwylc, style gelicost, hæ?enes handsporu hilderinces, egl, unheoru. æghwylc gecwæ? ?æt him heardra nan hrinan wolde iren ærgod, ?æt ?æs ahlæcan 990 blodge beadufolme onberan wolde
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ll. 920b-990: Stephen, translator; ______, presenterringhoard's keeper (and his queen with maidens' band) stepped glorious from bride bower with a great many men cystum gecythed (??) paced mead-path. hrothgar made a speech he to hall went stood on step saw high roof adroned with gold and grendel's hand: "for this sight thanks to Almighty comeforth straightaway! i spitefully suffered much griefs from grendel; ever may God work wonder upon wonder glory's Shepherd. it was not long ago that i hoped not for any woes for me in long/whole life when the best house stood stained with blood sword-gory, woe widespread of each of the wise-men those that hoped not that they could ever protect the people's stronghold from foes from demons and evil-spirits. now a warrior has through the power of the Lord performed a deed which we all could not previously contrive by wisdom. WHAT! this might say even whichever woman bore the young-man among mankind if she still lives that the God of old was gracious to her in childbearing. now, beowulf, best man, i will love you in life like a son for me; no lack of worldly wishes will be for you if i have my way. very often i have granted rewards for less honouring with treasure to a meaner warrior weaker at battle. you have ensured for yourself by deeds that you fame lives always. May the Almighty reward you with good as he just now did." Beowulf, son of ecgtheow,
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