Beowulf: Lines 1399 to 1799

Lines 1399 to 1440a (Tracina Jackson-Adams, trans.; Bettina Jordan, pres.)

þa wæs Hroðgare     hors gebæted,
1400
wicg wundenfeax.     Wisa fengel
geatolic gende;     gumfeþa stop
lindhæbbendra.     Lastas wæron
æfter waldswaþum     wide gesyne,
gang ofer grundas,     þær heo gegnum for
1405
ofer myrcan mor,     magoþegna bær
þone selestan     sawolleasne
þara þe mid Hroðgare     ham eahtode.
Ofereode þa     æþelinga bearn
steap stanhliðo,     stige nearwe,
1410
enge anpaðas,     uncuð gelad,
neowle næssas,     nicorhusa fela.
He feara sum     beforan gengde
wisra monna     wong sceawian,
oþþæt he færinga     fyrgenbeamas
1415
ofer harne stan     hleonian funde,
wynleasne wudu;     wæter under stod
dreorig ond gedrefed.     Denum eallum wæs,
winum Scyldinga,     weorce on mode
to geþolianne,     ðegne monegum,
1420
oncyð eorla gehwæm,     syðþan æscheres
on þam holmclife     hafelan metton.
Flod blode weol     (folc to sægon),
hatan heolfre.     Horn stundum song
fuslic fyrdleoð.     Feþa eal gesæt.
1425
Gesawon ða æfter wætere     wyrmcynnes fela,
sellice sædracan,     sund cunnian,
swylce on næshleoðum     nicras licgean,
ða on undernmæl     oft bewitigað
sorhfulne sið     on seglrade,
1430
wyrmas ond wildeor;     hie on weg hruron,
bitere ond gebolgne,     bearhtm ongeaton,
guðhorn galan.     Sumne Geata leod
of flanbogan     feores getwæfde,
yðgewinnes,     þæt him on aldre stod
1435
herestræl hearda;     he on holme wæs
sundes þe sænra,     ðe hyne swylt fornam.
Hræþe wearð on yðum     mid eoferspreotum
heorohocyhtum     hearde genearwod,
niða genæged,     ond on næs togen,
1440
wundorlic wægbora;
Then for Hrothgar a horse was bridled,
a horse with a braided mane. The wise prince
rode splendidly; the troop of shield-bearers
marched. The spoor was [lit. tracks were]
along the forest-tracks widely seen,
the track over the grounds went straight
over the murky moor, bore the young thane,
lifeless, that best one
of those who with Hrothgar watched over the homeland.
Then the son of princes, he passed over
steep rocky slopes, narrow paths,
a narrow single-file path, an unknown course,
steep bluffs of many nicor-lairs.
He, one of a few wise men,
rode in front, examined the land,
until he suddenly found a mountain-tree,
a joyless wood, leaning
over a hoary stone; water stood under (it),
bloody and churned. For all the Danes,
and for the friendly lord of the Scyldings it was painful in spirit
a suffering for many a thane,
the grief of each of the earls, when [lit. after] they came upon
AEscher's head on that sea-cliff.
The flood boiled with blood -while the folk watched [lit folk watching]-
with hot gore [blood]. The horn sang time and again
the ready warsong. The troop all sat.
Then they saw many of the serpent-kind,
strange sea-drakes, trying to swim in the water [lit. to try swimmings]
and also [saw] on the headlands nicors lying
[such as] often perform in the morning-time
a grievous journey on the sail-road,
[saw] serpents and wild beasts.

Lines 1440b - 1479 (Sandy Eckard, trans.; Chad Matlick, pres.)

                weras sceawedon
gryrelicne gist.     Gyrede hine Beowulf
eorlgewædum,     nalles for ealdre mearn.
Scolde herebyrne     hondum gebroden,
sid ond searofah,     sund cunnian,
1445
seo ðe bancofan     beorgan cuþe,
þæt him hildegrap     hreþre ne mihte,
eorres inwitfeng,     aldre gesceþðan;
ac se hwita helm     hafelan werede,
se þe meregrundas     mengan scolde,
1450
secan sundgebland     since geweorðad,
befongen freawrasnum,     swa hine fyrndagum
worhte wæpna smið,     wundrum teode,
besette swinlicum,     þæt hine syðþan no
brond ne beadomecas     bitan ne meahton.
1455
Næs þæt þonne mætost     mægenfultuma
þæt him on ðearfe lah     ðyle Hroðgares;
wæs þæm hæftmece     Hrunting nama.
þæt wæs an foran     ealdgestreona;
ecg wæs iren,     atertanum fah,
1460
ahyrded heaþoswate;     næfre hit æt hilde ne swac
manna ængum     þara þe hit mid mundum bewand,
se ðe gryresiðas     gegan dorste,
folcstede fara;     næs þæt forma sið
þæt hit ellenweorc     æfnan scolde.
1465
Huru ne gemunde     mago Ecglafes,
eafoþes cræftig,     þæt he ær gespræc
wine druncen,     þa he þæs wæpnes onlah
selran sweordfrecan.     Selfa ne dorste
under yða gewin     aldre geneþan,
1470
drihtscype dreogan;     þær he dome forleas,
ellenmærðum.     Ne wæs þæm oðrum swa,
syðþan he hine to guðe     gegyred hæfde.
Beowulf maðelode,     bearn Ecgþeowes:
"Geþenc nu, se mæra     maga Healfdenes,
1475
snottra fengel,     nu ic eom siðes fus,
goldwine gumena,     hwæt wit geo spræcon,
gif ic æt þearfe     þinre scolde
aldre linnan,     þæt ðu me a wære
forðgewitenum     on fæder stæle.
(The) men looked at the
terrible stranger. Beowulf prepared himself
with armor, mourning/caring not at all for (his) life;
the battle corslet drawn by hand should
protect in swimming attempts his
body well-known ( corslet is made/known/proven to protect body)
(so) the hostile grasp might not injure his breast,
the angry malicious grasp (might not) harm his life. (see notes in K)
But the shining helmet protected his head
should the bottoms of lakes be stirred up,
(should) the adorned treasure visit the surging water
the splendid band was encased (in jewels???) so in
days of old the smith made him weapons,
wonderfully made and adorned with boarfigures that
no battleswords (would be) able ever to cut it (meaning this sword).
That was not of further powerful help in the least ( was not of the least
help) that spokesman Hrothgar lent to him in need;
the hilted sword was named Hrunting
that was one of previous treasure;
the sword was of iron, decorated with poisonous stripes,
hardened by blood-shed in battle. Never had it in battle escaped (failed?)
any of the men (whose) hands grasped it,
dared go to the battle place of the hostile one.
It was not the first time that it (meaning the sword)
should perform a courageous deed.
However, Ecglaf's son remembered not the
powerful strength/courage that he spoke of before
when drunk with wine. Then he lent the weapon
to the better warrior; (He) himself dared not
to venture on, to fight with his life under the waves,
perform valor; there he (meaning Unferth) lost glory,
(his) fame for courage. Not so was the other (B),
since/when he had perpared himself for battle.
Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow, spoke (made a speech):
"Think now the famous son of Healfdene,
wise prince, now I am ready for the journey,
generous prince, we who formerly spoke,
if I in distress lose (my) life,
you should (know) that you always were to me
in the place departed of (your) father (know you were always dear to me)."

Lines 1480 - 1519a (Matt McCrady, trans.; Nila Moyers, pres.)

1480
Wes þu mundbora     minum magoþegnum,
hondgesellum,     gif mec hild nime;
swylce þu ða madmas     þe þu me sealdest,
Hroðgar leofa,     Higelace onsend.
Mæg þonne on þæm golde ongitan     Geata dryhten,
1485
geseon sunu Hrædles,     þonne he on þæt sinc starað,
þæt ic gumcystum     godne funde
beaga bryttan,     breac þonne moste.
Ond þu Unferð læt     ealde lafe,
wrætlic wægsweord,     widcuðne man
1490
heardecg habban;     ic me mid Hruntinge
dom gewyrce,     oþðe mec deað nimeð."
æfter þæm wordum     Wedergeata leod
efste mid elne,     nalas ondsware
bidan wolde;     brimwylm onfeng
1495
hilderince.     ða wæs hwil dæges
ær he þone grundwong     ongytan mehte.
Sona þæt onfunde     se ðe floda begong
heorogifre beheold     hund missera,
grim ond grædig,     þæt þær gumena sum
1500
ælwihta eard     ufan cunnode.
Grap þa togeanes,     guðrinc gefeng
atolan clommum.     No þy ær in gescod
halan lice;     hring utan ymbbearh,
þæt heo þone fyrdhom     ðurhfon ne mihte,
1505
locene leoðosyrcan     laþan fingrum.
Bær þa seo brimwylf,     þa heo to botme com,
hringa þengel     to hofe sinum,
swa he ne mihte,     no he þæs modig wæs,
wæpna gewealdan,     ac hine wundra þæs fela
1510
swencte on sunde,     sædeor monig
hildetuxum     heresyrcan bræc,
ehton aglæcan.     ða se eorl ongeat
þæt he in niðsele     nathwylcum wæs,
þær him nænig wæter     wihte ne sceþede,
1515
ne him for hrofsele     hrinan ne mehte
færgripe flodes;     fyrleoht geseah,
blacne leoman,     beorhte scinan.
Ongeat þa se goda     grundwyrgenne,
merewif mihtig;
Comrades, be protectors to my young retainers,
if I am taken by war;
likewise the treasures, that you gave me,
beloved Hrothgar, send to Hygelac.
When he looks upon the gold, Lord of the Geats,
son of Hraedles, when he looks upon that treasure,
that I found by manly virtue
a good distributor of rings, I enjoyed the most.
And let Unferth have the old heirloom,
the splendid sword the widely known one,
hard of edge; I with Hruntinge will achieve
my glory, or death take me!'
After these words, the man of the Weder-Geats
hastened with zeal---he wished not at all
to remain for an answer; the sea surge received
the warrior. Then was a few days,
ere he was able to perceive the bottom of the mere.
Immediately that he found the expanse of the flood
the sword greedy hound of half-years,
grim and greedy, perceived that someone of the warriors
from above tried the dwelling of the monsters.
She grasped towards him, seized the warrior,
in horrid grasp; not at all it injured him
with its strong body; armor protected him from without,
that she was not able to pierce the coat of mail,
linked armor, with hateful claws.
Then the she-wolf of the sea bore him to the bottom,
the ring prince, to her dwelling,
so he might not---he was not courageous---
of weapons to wield, but many of the monsters
afflicted him in the water, many sea-beasts persecuted him
with battle-tusks broke the coat of mail.
Then the warrior understood,
that he was inside the battle-hall where water
not at all would harm him, the attack of the flood;
he saw firelight, shining light bright shining.
The good one saw then the accursed sea-monster,
the mighty water-witch;

Lines 1519b - 1556 (Chad Matlick, trans.; Robert Fletcher, pres.)

                mægenræs forgeaf
1520
hildebille,     hond sweng ne ofteah,
þæt hire on hafelan     hringmæl agol
grædig guðleoð.     ða se gist onfand
þæt se beadoleoma     bitan nolde,
aldre sceþðan,     ac seo ecg geswac
1525
ðeodne æt þearfe;     ðolode ær fela
hondgemota,     helm oft gescær,
fæges fyrdhrægl;     ða wæs forma sið
deorum madme,     þæt his dom alæg.
Eft wæs anræd,     nalas elnes læt,
1530
mærða gemyndig     mæg Hylaces.
Wearp ða wundenmæl     wrættum gebunden
yrre oretta,     þæt hit on eorðan læg,
stið ond stylecg;     strenge getruwode,
mundgripe mægenes.     Swa sceal man don,
1535
þonne he æt guðe     gegan þenceð
longsumne lof,     na ymb his lif cearað.
Gefeng þa be eaxle     (nalas for fæhðe mearn)
Guðgeata leod     Grendles modor;
brægd þa beadwe heard,     þa he gebolgen wæs,
1540
feorhgeniðlan,     þæt heo on flet gebeah.
Heo him eft hraþe     andlean forgeald
grimman grapum     ond him togeanes feng;
oferwearp þa werigmod     wigena strengest,
feþecempa,     þæt he on fylle wearð.
1545
Ofsæt þa þone selegyst     ond hyre seax geteah,
brad ond brunecg,     wolde hire bearn wrecan,
angan eaferan.     Him on eaxle læg
breostnet broden;     þæt gebearh feore,
wið ord ond wið ecge     ingang forstod.
1550
Hæfde ða forsiðod     sunu Ecgþeowes
under gynne grund,     Geata cempa,
nemne him heaðobyrne     helpe gefremede,
herenet hearde,     ond halig god
geweold wigsigor;     witig drihten,
1555
rodera rædend,     hit on ryht gesced
yðelice,     syþðan he eft astod.
He gave a might rush with the battlesword,
his hand did not deny the stroke, so that the
ring-sword sung a greedy war-song about her head.
Then the guest (Beowulf) discovered that the bright
war-sword would not bite to harm her life, but the edge
failed the prince in need; it suffered many battles before,
and often cut through a helm, the war-cloth of the fated.
That was the first occasion for the excellent treasure
that it failed to perform his command.(Not sure about that
line). Afterwards he was resolute, and not slow of courage,
the kinsman of Hygelac was mindful of fame. He threw the
artfully wound sword so that it lay upon the earth, firm
and sharp-edged. He trusted in (his) strength, in (his)
might handgrip. So should a man do, if he intends to achieve
enduring glory in battle, he cares nothing for his life.
The prince of battle, now that he was enraged, seized
Grendle's mother by the shoulder (he did not shrink from
the struggle), and battle-brave he flung the deadly foe
so that she fell on the floor. She quickly repaid him his
reward and reached out to grab him in her dread claws. The
strongest of warriors, the footsoldier (Beowulf) stumbled
wearliy so that he fell. She sat upon her guest and drew
wide, bright knife, as she wished to avenge her son, her
only offspring. A woven corslet lay upon his shoulder,
it protected his life against point and edge, and did
not allow (her knife) entry. He would have perished, the
son of Ectheow, warrior of the Geats,under the wide ground,
if that war-corslet, strong battle-net, had not helped him,
and holg god brought about victory. the wise lord, ruler of
heavens, decided rightly, since afterwards he got up.

Lines 1557 - 1590 (Jon Myerov, trans.; Tracina Jackson-Adams, pres.)

Geseah ða on searwum     sigeeadig bil,
eald sweord eotenisc,     ecgum þyhtig,
wigena weorðmynd;     þæt wæs wæpna cyst,
1560
buton hit wæs mare     ðonne ænig mon oðer
to beadulace     ætberan meahte,
god ond geatolic,     giganta geweorc.
He gefeng þa fetelhilt,     freca Scyldinga
hreoh ond heorogrim     hringmæl gebrægd,
1565
aldres orwena,     yrringa sloh,
þæt hire wið halse     heard grapode,
banhringas bræc.     Bil eal ðurhwod
fægne flæschoman;     heo on flet gecrong.
Sweord wæs swatig,     secg weorce gefeh.
1570
Lixte se leoma,     leoht inne stod,
efne swa of hefene     hadre scineð
rodores candel.     He æfter recede wlat;
hwearf þa be wealle,     wæpen hafenade
heard be hiltum     Higelaces ðegn,
1575
yrre ond anræd.     Næs seo ecg fracod
hilderince,     ac he hraþe wolde
Grendle forgyldan     guðræsa fela
ðara þe he geworhte     to Westdenum
oftor micle     ðonne on ænne sið,
1580
þonne he Hroðgares     heorðgeneatas
sloh on sweofote,     slæpende fræt
folces Denigea     fyftyne men
ond oðer swylc     ut offerede,
laðlicu lac.     He him þæs lean forgeald,
1585
reþe cempa,     to ðæs þe he on ræste geseah
guðwerigne     Grendel licgan
aldorleasne,     swa him ær gescod
hild æt Heorote.     Hra wide sprong,
syþðan he æfter deaðe     drepe þrowade,
1590
heorosweng heardne,     ond hine þa heafde becearf.
Then he saw the victorious sword/blade among the other arms,
the ancient sword made by giants, with its strong edges,
the glory of warriors; that was the best of weapons--
1560 except that it was more than any other man
might be able to carry into battle,
[a sword] good and adorned, the handiwork of giants.
The bold warrior of the Scyldings, he grasped the hilt,
fierce and sword-grim, drew the ring-sword,
1565 despairing of life, struck angrily,
the one who grasped her hard by her neck;
the vertebrae broke; all the sword went through
the body doomed to die; she died on the floor,
the sword was bloody, the man rejoiced in the deed.
1570 The light shined, the light arose from within,
even as if the candle of the skies shines
from heaven. He looked along the building;
Hygelac's thane then turned to the wall,
raised the hard weapon by the hilt [pl.?],
1575 angry and resolute--the sword wasn't useless
to the warrior, but he quickly would
repay to Grendel much of the storm of battle
which he had performed against the West-Danes
much more often than on one occasion,
1580 when he slew the hearth-companions of Hrothgar
in their sleep, devoured fifteen men
of the sleeping Danish people,
and carried out the other such [number of men],
a hideous gift. He paid to him the reward,
1585 fierce champion, until he saw Grendel
lying dead in bed,
the lifeless one, as battle at Heorot
gave harm to him. The corpse spread widely,
since he suffered after the death blow,
1590 the hard sword-stroke, and thus so cut off his head.

Lines 1591 - 1625 (Bettina Jordan, trans.; Matt McCrady, pres.)

Sona þæt gesawon     snottre ceorlas,
þa ðe mid Hroðgare     on holm wliton,
þæt wæs yðgeblond     eal gemenged,
brim blode fah.     Blondenfeaxe,
1595
gomele ymb godne,     ongeador spræcon
þæt hig þæs æðelinges     eft ne wendon
þæt he sigehreðig     secean come
mærne þeoden;     þa ðæs monige gewearð
þæt hine seo brimwylf     abroten hæfde.
1600
ða com non dæges.     Næs ofgeafon
hwate Scyldingas;     gewat him ham þonon
goldwine gumena.     Gistas setan
modes seoce     ond on mere staredon,
wiston ond ne wendon     þæt hie heora winedrihten
1605
selfne gesawon.     þa þæt sweord ongan
æfter heaþoswate     hildegicelum,
wigbil wanian.     þæt wæs wundra sum,
þæt hit eal gemealt     ise gelicost,
ðonne forstes bend     fæder onlæteð,
1610
onwindeð wælrapas,     se geweald hafað
sæla ond mæla;     þæt is soð metod.
Ne nom he in þæm wicum,     Wedergeata leod,
maðmæhta ma,     þeh he þær monige geseah,
buton þone hafelan     ond þa hilt somod
1615
since fage.     Sweord ær gemealt,
forbarn brodenmæl;     wæs þæt blod to þæs hat,
ættren ellorgæst     se þær inne swealt.
Sona wæs on sunde     se þe ær æt sæcce gebad
wighryre wraðra,     wæter up þurhdeaf.
1620
Wæron yðgebland     eal gefælsod,
eacne eardas,     þa se ellorgast
oflet lifdagas     ond þas lænan gesceaft.
Com þa to lande     lidmanna helm
swiðmod swymman;     sælace gefeah,
1625
mægenbyrþenne     þara þe he him mid hæfde.
That they did not expect of this king
That the famous prince might come to visit again victorious;
When he did not come at the ninth hour of the day
Many of them (gewealth ?) [figured, is the sense of it]
That the seawolf had killed him.
The valiant Scyldings left(gave up); the lord of men goes homeward thence;
The visitors sat sick of heart and stared at the mere.
They wished but not with hope that they might behold
1605 Their friendly lord himself.--Meanwhile after the bloodshed-in-battle
That sword, the battle sword, began to waste away into icicles;
That was one of the strange things
Iit melted more-like ice than bond of fros, when the Father loosens
1610 The waterfetters (icebond), he had the power(control) of
Opportunity ; that is the true God.
The lord of the Weather-Geats took no more treasures from that dwelling-place
Than that head and that shining hilt too, though he swaws many treasures.
1616 The sword had already melted. The damascened sword had burned up.
That hot blood was of that venomous alienspirit who died inside.
He who had lived through the fighting immediately was a-swimming
(He who had lived through) the fall in fight of the foe, swam up through
the water;
1620 The large dwelling place, the tossing waves were all cleansed,
When the alien spirit relinquished those lifedays and (left) the
transitory world.
When the stouthearted lord comes swimming to the land of the seafarers;
Then he rejoiced in the seabooty, in theme mighty beurden, ethose things
which he had along with him.

Lines 1626 - 1654 (Nila Moyers, trans.; Jonathan Myerov, pres.)

Eodon him þa togeanes,     gode þancodon,
ðryðlic þegna heap,     þeodnes gefegon,
þæs þe hi hyne gesundne     geseon moston.
ða wæs of þæm hroran     helm ond byrne
1630
lungre alysed.     Lagu drusade,
wæter under wolcnum,     wældreore fag.
Ferdon forð þonon     feþelastum
ferhþum fægne,     foldweg mæton,
cuþe stræte.     Cyningbalde men
1635
from þæm holmclife     hafelan bæron
earfoðlice     heora æghwæþrum,
felamodigra;     feower scoldon
on þæm wælstenge     weorcum geferian
to þæm goldsele     Grendles heafod,
1640
oþðæt semninga     to sele comon
frome fyrdhwate     feowertyne
Geata gongan;     gumdryhten mid
modig on gemonge     meodowongas træd.
ða com in gan     ealdor ðegna,
1645
dædcene mon     dome gewurþad,
hæle hildedeor,     Hroðgar gretan.
þa wæs be feaxe     on flet boren
Grendles heafod,     þær guman druncon,
egeslic for eorlum     ond þære idese mid,
1650
wliteseon wrætlic;     weras on sawon.
Beowulf maþelode,     bearn Ecgþeowes:
"Hwæt! we þe þas sælac,     sunu Healfdenes,
leod Scyldinga,     lustum brohton
tires to tacne,     þe þu her to locast.
[The] king's band [of] splendid thanes then went towards him, rejoic[ing]
[and] thank[ing] God because they [could] (lit:"must") see that he [was]
unharmed> That coat of mail [an] strong helmet [were] (lit: "was")
quickly taken off. [The] lake stagnated, [that] water under the sky
stained [with] [the] blood of slaughter. Royally brave men had fared
thence, travers[ing] [the] walking track (path) rejoic[ing] [in] spirit
[as they made their] way [down the] well known street from that sea
cliff[.] [B]earing Grendel's head, four of the very brave with
difficulty shall labor to carry [the] head on that battle pole--two on
either [end]--towards the gold hall, until presently [they] came to the
hall, their brave[ry] [proven] in war[.] [F]ourteen of the spirited
Geats, [their] lord (aka. Beowulf) with [them], the throng tread
the path near the mead hall. Then comes in [the] thanes' chief, [the]
man daring in deeds adorned [in] glory, brave in battle hero, to greet
Hrothgar. Grendel's head was then borne on the floor of [the] hall [by
the] hair of the head to (the place) where men drank, in the presence of
[the] lady with the noblemen, that terrible [yet] wondrous spectacle,
[the] men [just stared] (lit: "looked on").
Ecgtheowe's son Beowulf [declared] (lit: "made a speech"):
"Behold this sea-booty, Healfdene's son [prince of the] Dans, we
joyously brought you [this] token [of] glory [upon] which you here look.

Lines 1655 - 1693 (Robert Fletcher, trans.; Sandy Eckard, pres.)

1655
Ic þæt unsofte     ealdre gedigde
wigge under wætere,     weorc geneþde
earfoðlice;     ætrihte wæs
guð getwæfed,     nymðe mec god scylde.
Ne meahte ic æt hilde     mid Hruntinge
1660
wiht gewyrcan,     þeah þæt wæpen duge;
ac me geuðe     ylda waldend
þæt ic on wage geseah     wlitig hangian
eald sweord eacen     (oftost wisode
winigea leasum),     þæt ic ðy wæpne gebræd.
1665
Ofsloh ða æt þære sæcce,     þa me sæl ageald,
huses hyrdas.     þa þæt hildebil
forbarn brogdenmæl,     swa þæt blod gesprang,
hatost heaþoswata.     Ic þæt hilt þanan
feondum ætferede,     fyrendæda wræc,
1670
deaðcwealm Denigea,     swa hit gedefe wæs.
Ic hit þe þonne gehate,     þæt þu on Heorote most
sorhleas swefan     mid þinra secga gedryht
ond þegna gehwylc     þinra leoda,
duguðe ond iogoþe,     þæt þu him ondrædan ne þearft,
1675
þeoden Scyldinga,     on þa healfe,
aldorbealu eorlum,     swa þu ær dydest."
ða wæs gylden hilt     gamelum rince,
harum hildfruman,     on hand gyfen,
enta ærgeweorc;     hit on æht gehwearf
1680
æfter deofla hryre     Denigea frean,
wundorsmiþa geweorc,     ond þa þas worold ofgeaf
gromheort guma,     godes ondsaca,
morðres scyldig,     ond his modor eac,
on geweald gehwearf     woroldcyninga
1685
ðæm selestan     be sæm tweonum
ðara þe on Scedenigge     sceattas dælde.
Hroðgar maðelode,     hylt sceawode,
ealde lafe,     on ðæm wæs or writen
fyrngewinnes,     syðþan flod ofsloh,
1690
gifen geotende,     giganta cyn
(frecne geferdon);     þæt wæs fremde þeod
ecean dryhtne;     him þæs endelean
þurh wæteres wylm     waldend sealde.
1655 I hardly survived my life
in war [battle] under water,
with difficulty; right away was
battle put an end to, God protected me.
At battle I could not achieve anything
1660 with Hrunting, though that weapon good
and I [was] granted [by] the Ruler of men
that I see on a wall a beautiful hanging
sword [both] old [and] mighty (often he guides
the friendless), [and was ] I who drew that weapon.
1665 When I had an opportunity, I then killed him in battle
as the house's guardian. Thereupon that battle sword
a burned up damascened sword, when that blood sprang forth,
[there was] hot bloodshed in battle. I then with that hilt
carried the fiend away, revenged his crime,
1670 of slaughtering Danes, as it was fitting.
I then promise you, that in Heorot you will
sleep free from care, with thy troop of men
and each retainer thy people,
old retainers and youths, that thou [have] no need [to]
fear him (Grendel- I presume),
1675 Lord of the Scyldings. On the half side
the killer of men are done." (this line confused me terribly)
Then was a golden hilt an ancient warrior [and]
old war chief, [was] in [his] hand given,
a giant's ancient work; he came in possession
1680 after the demon's fall [or death], Lord of the Danes,
the smith who makes wonderful things, and since left this
world,
hostile hearted man, God's enemy,
murderous [and] guilty, and his mother also,
in coming to the power [of] the best
1685 earthly kings between the seas
there in the Scandinavia treasures were given.
Hrothgar spoke, examined the hilt,
[an] old hierloom, on them was engraved
[the origin of] ancient strife, when the flood
1690 [of] the rushing ocean, killed the race [of] giants
(terribly attained); was that estranged nation
[to] eternal God; [to] them this final reward
the Ruler [sent] through sea surging [or flooding] waters.

Lines 1694 - 1727 (Heidi Pearson, trans.; Christina Berry, pres.)

Swa wæs on ðæm scennum     sciran goldes
1695
þurh runstafas     rihte gemearcod,
geseted ond gesæd     hwam þæt sweord geworht,
irena cyst,     ærest wære,
wreoþenhilt ond wyrmfah.     ða se wisa spræc
sunu Healfdenes     (swigedon ealle):
1700
"þæt, la, mæg secgan     se þe soð ond riht
fremeð on folce,     feor eal gemon,
eald %%OE%%weard,     þæt ðes eorl wære
geboren betera!     Blæd is aræred
geond widwegas,     wine min Beowulf,
1705
ðin ofer þeoda gehwylce.     Eal þu hit geþyldum healdest,
mægen mid modes snyttrum.     Ic þe sceal mine gelæstan
freode, swa wit furðum spræcon.     ðu scealt to frofre weorþan
eal langtwidig     leodum þinum,
hæleðum to helpe.     Ne wearð Heremod swa
1710
eaforum Ecgwelan,     Arscyldingum;
ne geweox he him to willan,     ac to wælfealle
ond to deaðcwalum     Deniga leodum;
breat bolgenmod     beodgeneatas,
eaxlgesteallan,     oþþæt he ana hwearf,
1715
mære þeoden,     mondreamum from.
ðeah þe hine mihtig god     mægenes wynnum,
eafeþum stepte,     ofer ealle men
forð gefremede,     hwæþere him on ferhþe greow
breosthord blodreow.     Nallas beagas geaf
1720
Denum æfter dome;     dreamleas gebad
þæt he þæs gewinnes     weorc þrowade,
leodbealo longsum.     ðu þe lær be þon,
gumcyste ongit;     ic þis gid be þe
awræc wintrum frod.     Wundor is to secganne
1725
hu mihtig god     manna cynne
þurh sidne sefan     snyttru bryttað,
eard ond eorlscipe;     he ah ealra geweald.
Likewise, on the sword-guards of bright gold it was rightly inscribed
with runes, set down and told, for whom the sword was first made, the
best of swords, with a twisted hilt and serpentine ornamentation. Then
the wise man, the son of Half-Dane, spoke--all were silent--:
"Indeed, he may say, who brings(?) truth and right among the people,
who recalls allthings of long ago (=feor), an old guardian of the land,
that this warrior was born the better man! Power is exalted throughout
distant regions, my friend Beowulf, your (power) over every people. You
rule it all steadily, (rule) the strenghth with the wisdom of (your)
mind. (???)
I shall stand by my friendship to you, as we two just discussed.
You shall prove a source of help to your people for quite a long time, a
help to men/warriors.
Heremod was not so to Ecgwela's retainers, the Ar-Scyldings; he
did not become great (=geweox him) for (=to) delight/joy, but rather for
the slaughter and destruction of the Danish people; enraged, he killed
his table companions, his comrades, until he, the notorious king, turn4d
away alone from the joy of life among men, although almighty God had set
him forth above all men, exalted him with might, withthe joys of
strength. Yet his heart grew bloodthirsty in his breast; he never
(=nalles) gave things of value to the Danes in pursuit of glory; he
existed, joyless, until he suffered the difficulty of the fight (???), an
enduring affliction to the people. You teach yourself from this; learn
munificence! I, old and wise(=frod) with winters, make this speech to
you.It is a wonder to tell (yes, that's a gerund, but I don't know how
else to phrase it) how how mighty God by means of his great mind/spirit
distributes wisdom to mankind, land and rank; he has power over all
things (=ealra).

Lines 1728 - 1768 (Janet Kemp, trans.; Heidi Pearson, pres.)

Hwilum he on lufan     læteð hworfan
monnes modgeþonc     mæran cynnes,
1730
seleð him on eþle     eorþan wynne
to healdanne,     hleoburh wera,
gedeð him swa gewealdene     worolde dælas,
side rice,     þæt he his selfa ne mæg
for his unsnyttrum     ende geþencean.
1735
Wunað he on wiste;     no hine wiht dweleð
adl ne yldo,     ne him inwitsorh
on sefan sweorceð,     ne gesacu ohwær
ecghete eoweð,     ac him eal worold
wendeð on willan     (he þæt wyrse ne con),
1740
oðþæt him on innan     oferhygda dæl
weaxeð ond wridað.     þonne se weard swefeð,
sawele hyrde;     bið se slæp to fæst,
bisgum gebunden,     bona swiðe neah,
se þe of flanbogan     fyrenum sceoteð.
1745
þonne bið on hreþre     under helm drepen
biteran stræle     (him bebeorgan ne con),
wom wundorbebodum     wergan gastes;
þinceð him to lytel     þæt he lange heold,
gytsað gromhydig,     nallas on gylp seleð
1750
fædde beagas,     ond he þa forðgesceaft
forgyteð ond forgymeð,     þæs þe him ær god sealde,
wuldres waldend,     weorðmynda dæl.
Hit on endestæf     eft gelimpeð
þæt se lichoma     læne gedreoseð,
1755
fæge gefealleð;     fehð oþer to,
se þe unmurnlice     madmas dæleþ,
eorles ærgestreon,     egesan ne gymeð.
Bebeorh þe ðone bealonið,     Beowulf leofa,
secg betsta,     ond þe þæt selre geceos,
1760
ece rædas;     oferhyda ne gym,
mære cempa.     Nu is þines mægnes blæd
ane hwile.     Eft sona bið
þæt þec adl oððe ecg     eafoþes getwæfeð,
oððe fyres feng,     oððe flodes wylm,
1765
oððe gripe meces,     oððe gares fliht,
oððe atol yldo;     oððe eagena bearhtm
forsiteð ond forsworceð;     semninga bið
þæt ðec, dryhtguma,     deað oferswyðeð.
Sometimes He allows man's thoughts of famous kin to wander in joy, gives him
in his native land the joy of earth to rule the fortunes of men, gives him
regions of the world to control, large kingdoms, so that he himself, in his
unwisdom, cannot imagine the end of it. He lives in prosperity, sickness and
old age do not dwell at all with him, evil care does not darken his mind,
contention does not manifest itself anywhere in sword hate (war), but for
him all the world bends to his will; he does not know worse until the part
of pride inside him grows and flourishes when the watchman sleeps, the
guardian of his soul; the sleep is too deep, bound in trouble, the slayer is
very near, who shoots with the bow and wicked arrows. Then he is hit in his
breast, under his protection, with a sharp arrow - he does not know how to
protect himself - with the strange wicked commands of the accursed spirit;
he thinks it too little that which he has enjoyed for a long time, angry in
mind he is niggardly, in his pride he gives no gold plated rings, and he
forgets and neglects his destiny (fate) which God , the ruler of glory,
formerly gave him, a portion of honors. It comes to pass again in the end
that the frail body declines, falls to fate; another takes over who distributes
the treasures recklessly, the lord's old wealth, does not heed the horror.
Guard yourself against this wickedness, dear Beowulf, best of men, and choose
the better course, everlasting good counsel. Shun pride, famous warrior. Now
for a while is the glory of your strength; soon you will be otherwise, disease
or the sword will deprive you of strength, or the fire's grasp, or the
surging of the flood, or attack of the sword, or flying spear, or horrid old
age; or the brightness of your eyes will diminish and grow dim; presently you
will be so that death overcomes you, warrior.

Lines 1769 - 1799 (Christina Berry, trans.; Janet Kemp, pres.)

Swa ic Hringdena     hund missera
1770
weold under wolcnum     ond hig wigge beleac
manigum mægþa     geond þysne middangeard,
æscum ond ecgum,     þæt ic me ænigne
under swegles begong     gesacan ne tealde.
Hwæt, me þæs on eþle     edwenden cwom,
1775
gyrn æfter gomene,     seoþðan Grendel wearð,
ealdgewinna,     ingenga min;
ic þære socne     singales wæg
modceare micle.     þæs sig metode þanc,
ecean dryhtne,     þæs ðe ic on aldre gebad
1780
þæt ic on þone hafelan     heorodreorigne
ofer ealdgewin     eagum starige!
Ga nu to setle,     symbelwynne dreoh
wigge weorþad;     unc sceal worn fela
maþma gemænra,     siþðan morgen bið."
1785
Geat wæs glædmod,     geong sona to
setles neosan,     swa se snottra heht.
þa wæs eft swa ær     ellenrofum
fletsittendum     fægere gereorded
niowan stefne.     Nihthelm geswearc
1790
deorc ofer dryhtgumum.     Duguð eal aras.
Wolde blondenfeax     beddes neosan,
gamela Scylding.     Geat unigmetes wel,
rofne randwigan,     restan lyste;
sona him seleþegn     siðes wergum,
1795
feorrancundum,     forð wisade,
se for andrysnum     ealle beweotede
þegnes þearfe,     swylce þy dogore
heaþoliðende     habban scoldon.
1769 So I rules the Ring Danes 100 half-years
the world under the sky and protected them against battle
from many tribes throughout this earth
from spears and swords, that I
under heaven's expanse did not consider any my adversary.
Lo, in the native lands came turning back
griefs after joy since Grendle came,
old adversary, my invader;
I then seeking continually carried
great sorrow of soul. Thanks be to the God,
Eternal Lord, that i ever lived to see
that my eyes gaze over the gory head of the old adversary!
Go now to the seat, enjoy the delightful feast
honored by the battle; I shall [do?] a great many things
common treasures, since it is morning."
The Geat was glad at heart, he soon went to seek
out the seat as the prudent one ordered.
there were at all times brave
sitters in the ahall fairly preparing a feast
new again (another feast?). The cover of night lowered
the dark over the retainers. The retainers all arose.
He wished to seek out the bed of the grey heaired,
old Scylding. The Geat well without measure,
reknowned shield-warrior, weary from the voyage
of a far country, desired rest immediately
a hall thane showed the way foreward, all watched
for the propriety the thane's need, which on that
day the sea warriors were wont to have.