Beowulf
© Unknown author
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E-Text: Sacred-texts.
-
- Hwæt! We Gardena in geardagum,
þeodcyninga,
þrym gefrunon,
hu ða æþelingas
ellen fremedon.
Oft Scyld Scefing
sceaþena þreatum,
- 5
- monegum mægþum, meodosetla ofteah,
egsode
eorlas. Syððan ærest wearð
feasceaft funden, he þæs frofre gebad,
weox
under wolcnum, weorðmyndum þah,
oðþæt him æghwylc
þara ymbsittendra
- 10
- ofer hronrade hyran scolde,
gomban gyldan.
þæt wæs god cyning!
ðæm eafera wæs
æfter cenned,
geong in geardum,
þone god sende
folce to frofre;
fyrenðearfe ongeat
- 15
- þe hie ær drugon aldorlease
lange hwile. Him þæs liffrea,
wuldres
wealdend, woroldare forgeaf;
Beowulf wæs breme
(blæd wide sprang),
Scyldes eafera
Scedelandum in.
- 20
- Swa sceal geong guma
gode gewyrcean,
fromum feohgiftum
on fæder bearme,
þæt hine on ylde
eft gewunigen
wilgesiþas,
þonne wig cume,
leode gelæsten;
lofdædum sceal
- 25
- in mægþa gehwære man geþeon.
Him ða Scyld
gewat to gescæphwile
felahror feran
on frean wære.
Hi hyne þa ætbæron
to brimes faroðe,
swæse gesiþas,
swa he selfa bæd,
- 30
- þenden wordum weold wine Scyldinga;
leof
landfruma lange ahte.
þær æt hyðe stod
hringedstefna,
isig ond utfus,
æþelinges fær.
Aledon þa
leofne þeoden,
- 35
- beaga bryttan, on bearm scipes,
mærne be
mæste. þær wæs madma fela
of feorwegum,
frætwa, gelæded;
ne hyrde ic cymlicor
ceol gegyrwan
hildewæpnum
ond heaðowædum,
- 40
- billum ond byrnum; him on bearme læg
madma
mænigo, þa him mid scoldon
on flodes æht
feor gewitan.
Nalæs hi hine læssan
lacum teodan,
þeodgestreonum,
þon þa dydon
- 45
- þe hine æt frumsceafte forð onsendon
ænne ofer
yðe umborwesende.
þa gyt hie him asetton
segen geldenne
heah ofer heafod,
leton holm beran,
geafon on garsecg;
him wæs geomor sefa,
- 50
- murnende mod. Men ne cunnon
secgan to soðe,
selerædende,
hæleð under
heofenum, hwa þæm hlæste onfeng.
ða wæs on burgum
Beowulf Scyldinga,
leof leodcyning,
longe þrage
- 55
- folcum gefræge (fæder ellor hwearf,
aldor of
earde), oþþæt him eft onwoc
heah Healfdene;
heold þenden lifde,
gamol ond guðreouw,
glæde Scyldingas.
ðæm feower bearn
forð gerimed
- 60
- in worold wocun, weoroda ræswan,
Heorogar ond Hroðgar ond Halga til;
hyrde ic
þæt wæs Onelan cwen,
Heaðoscilfingas healsgebedda.
þa wæs Hroðgare
heresped gyfen,
- 65
- wiges weorðmynd, þæt him his winemagas
georne
hyrdon, oðð þæt seo geogoð geweox,
magodriht
micel. Him on mod bearn
þæt healreced
hatan wolde,
medoærn micel,
men gewyrcean
- 70
- þonne yldo bearn æfre gefrunon,
ond þær on innan eall gedælan
geongum ond
ealdum, swylc him god sealde,
buton folcscare
ond feorum gumena.
ða ic wide gefrægn
weorc gebannan
- 75
- manigre mægþe geond þisne middangeard,
folcstede frætwan. Him on fyrste gelomp,
ædre
mid yldum, þæt hit wearð ealgearo,
healærna mæst;
scop him Heort naman
se þe his wordes geweald
wide hæfde.
- 80
- He beot ne aleh, beagas dælde,
sinc æt symle.
Sele hlifade,
heah ond horngeap,
heaðowylma bad,
laðan liges;
ne wæs hit lenge þa gen
þæt se
ecghete aþumsweorum
- 85
- æfter wælniðe wæcnan scolde.
ða se ellengæst
earfoðlice
þrage geþolode,
se þe in þystrum bad,
þæt he dogora gehwam
dream gehyrde
hludne in healle;
þær wæs hearpan sweg,
- 90
- swutol sang scopes. Sægde se þe cuþe
frumsceaft fira feorran reccan,
cwæð þæt se
ælmihtiga eorðan worhte,
wlitebeorhtne wang, swa wæter bebugeð,
gesette
sigehreþig sunnan ond monan
- 95
- leoman to leohte landbuendum
ond gefrætwade
foldan sceatas
leomum ond leafum,
lif eac gesceop
cynna gehwylcum
þara ðe cwice hwyrfaþ.
Swa ða drihtguman
dreamum lifdon
- 100
- eadiglice, oððæt an ongan
fyrene
fremman feond on helle.
Wæs se
grimma gæst Grendel haten,
mære mearcstapa,
se þe moras heold,
fen ond fæsten;
fifelcynnes eard
- 105
- wonsæli wer weardode hwile,
siþðan him
scyppend forscrifen hæfde
in Caines cynne.
þone cwealm gewræc
ece drihten,
þæs þe he Abel slog;
ne gefeah he þære fæhðe,
ac he hine feor forwræc,
- 110
- metod for þy mane, mancynne fram.
þanon
untydras ealle onwocon,
eotenas ond ylfe
ond orcneas,
swylce gigantas,
þa wið gode wunnon
lange þrage;
he him ðæs lean forgeald.
- 115
- Gewat ða neosian, syþðan niht becom,
hean
huses, hu hit Hringdene
æfter beorþege
gebun hæfdon.
Fand þa ðær inne
æþelinga gedriht
swefan æfter symble;
sorge ne cuðon,
- 120
- wonsceaft wera. Wiht unhælo,
grim ond grædig,
gearo sona wæs,
reoc ond reþe,
ond on ræste genam
þritig þegna,
þanon eft gewat
huðe hremig
to ham faran,
- 125
- mid þære wælfylle wica neosan.
ða wæs on uhtan
mid ærdæge
Grendles guðcræft
gumum undyrne;
þa wæs æfter wiste
wop up ahafen,
micel morgensweg.
Mære þeoden,
- 130
- æþeling ærgod, unbliðe sæt,
þolode ðryðswyð,
þegnsorge dreah,
syðþan hie þæs laðan
last sceawedon,
wergan gastes;
wæs þæt gewin to strang,
lað ond longsum.
Næs hit lengra fyrst,
- 135
- ac ymb ane niht eft gefremede
morðbeala mare
ond no mearn fore,
fæhðe ond fyrene;
wæs to fæst on þam.
þa wæs eaðfynde
þe him elles hwær
gerumlicor
ræste sohte,
- 140
- bed æfter burum, ða him gebeacnod wæs,
gesægd
soðlice sweotolan tacne
healðegnes hete;
heold hyne syðþan
fyr ond fæstor
se þæm feonde ætwand.
Swa rixode
ond wið rihte wan,
- 145
- ana wið eallum, oðþæt idel stod
husa selest.
Wæs seo hwil micel;
XII wintra tid
torn geþolode
wine Scyldinga,
weana gehwelcne,
sidra sorga.
Forðam secgum wearð,
- 150
- ylda bearnum, undyrne cuð,
gyddum geomore,
þætte Grendel wan
hwile wið Hroþgar,
heteniðas wæg,
fyrene ond fæhðe
fela missera,
singale sæce,
sibbe ne wolde
- 155
- wið manna hwone mægenes Deniga,
feorhbealo
feorran, fea þingian,
ne þær nænig witena
wenan þorfte
beorhtre bote
to banan folmum,
ac se æglæca
ehtende wæs,
- 160
- deorc deaþscua, duguþe ond geogoþe,
seomade
ond syrede, sinnihte heold
mistige moras;
men ne cunnon
hwyder helrunan
hwyrftum scriþað.
Swa fela fyrena
feond mancynnes,
- 165
- atol angengea, oft gefremede,
heardra hynða.
Heorot eardode,
sincfage sel
sweartum nihtum;
no he þone gifstol
gretan moste,
maþðum for metode,
ne his myne wisse.
- 170
- þæt wæs wræc micel wine Scyldinga,
modes
brecða. Monig oft gesæt
rice to rune;
ræd eahtedon
hwæt swiðferhðum
selest wære
wið færgryrum
to gefremmanne.
- 175
- Hwilum hie geheton æt hærgtrafum
wigweorþunga, wordum bædon
þæt him gastbona
geoce gefremede
wið þeodþreaum.
Swylc wæs þeaw hyra,
hæþenra hyht;
helle gemundon
- 180
- in modsefan, metod hie ne cuþon,
dæda demend,
ne wiston hie drihten god,
ne hie huru heofena
helm herian ne cuþon,
wuldres waldend.
Wa bið þæm ðe sceal
þurh sliðne nið
sawle bescufan
- 185
- in fyres fæþm, frofre ne wenan,
wihte
gewendan; wel bið þæm þe mot
æfter deaðdæge
drihten secean
ond to fæder fæþmum
freoðo wilnian.
Swa ða mælceare
maga Healfdenes
- 190
- singala seað, ne mihte snotor hæleð
wean
onwendan; wæs þæt gewin to swyð,
laþ ond longsum,
þe on ða leode becom,
nydwracu niþgrim,
nihtbealwa mæst.
þæt fram ham gefrægn
Higelaces þegn,
- 195
- god mid Geatum, Grendles dæda;
se wæs
moncynnes mægenes strengest
on þæm dæge
þysses lifes,
æþele ond eacen.
Het him yðlidan
godne gegyrwan,
cwæð, he guðcyning
- 200
- ofer swanrade secean wolde,
mærne þeoden,
þa him wæs manna þearf.
ðone siðfæt him
snotere ceorlas
lythwon logon,
þeah he him leof wære;
hwetton
higerofne, hæl sceawedon.
- 205
- Hæfde se goda Geata leoda
cempan gecorone
þara þe he cenoste
findan mihte;
XVna sum
sundwudu sohte;
secg wisade,
lagucræftig mon,
landgemyrcu.
- 210
- Fyrst forð gewat. Flota wæs on yðum,
bat under
beorge. Beornas gearwe
on stefn stigon;
streamas wundon,
sund wið sande;
secgas bæron
on bearm nacan
beorhte frætwe,
- 215
- guðsearo geatolic; guman ut scufon,
weras on
wilsið, wudu bundenne.
Gewat þa ofer wægholm,
winde gefysed,
flota famiheals
fugle gelicost,
oðþæt ymb antid
oþres dogores
- 220
- wundenstefna gewaden hæfde
þæt ða liðende
land gesawon,
brimclifu blican,
beorgas steape,
side sænæssas;
þa wæs sund liden,
eoletes æt ende.
þanon up hraðe
- 225
- Wedera leode on wang stigon,
sæwudu sældon
(syrcan hrysedon,
guðgewædo),
gode þancedon
þæs þe him yþlade
eaðe wurdon.
þa of wealle geseah
weard Scildinga,
- 230
- se þe holmclifu healdan scolde,
beran ofer
bolcan beorhte randas,
fyrdsearu fuslicu;
hine fyrwyt bræc
modgehygdum,
hwæt þa men wæron.
Gewat him þa to waroðe
wicge ridan
- 235
- þegn Hroðgares, þrymmum cwehte
mægenwudu
mundum, meþelwordum frægn:
"Hwæt syndon ge
searohæbbendra,
byrnum werede,
þe þus brontne ceol
ofer lagustræte
lædan cwomon,
- 240
- hider ofer holmas? ...le wæs
endesæta,
ægwearde heold,
þe on land Dena
laðra nænig
mid scipherge
sceðþan ne meahte.
No her cuðlicor
cuman ongunnon
- 245
- lindhæbbende; ne ge leafnesword
guðfremmendra
gearwe ne wisson,
maga gemedu.
Næfre ic maran geseah
eorla ofer eorþan
ðonne is eower sum,
secg on searwum;
nis þæt seldguma,
- 250
- wæpnum geweorðad, næfne him his
wlite leoge,
ænlic ansyn. Nu ic eower sceal
frumcyn witan, ær ge fyr heonan,
leassceaweras, on land Dena
furþur feran.
Nu ge feorbuend,
- 255
- mereliðende, minne gehyrað
anfealdne geþoht: Ofost is selest
to gecyðanne
hwanan eowre cyme syndon."
Him se yldesta
ondswarode,
werodes wisa,
wordhord onleac:
- 260
- "We synt gumcynnes Geata leode
ond Higelaces
heorðgeneatas.
Wæs min fæder
folcum gecyþed,
æþele ordfruma,
Ecgþeow haten.
Gebad wintra worn,
ær he on weg hwurfe,
- 265
- gamol of geardum; hine gearwe geman
witena
welhwylc wide geond eorþan.
We þurh holdne hige
hlaford þinne,
sunu Healfdenes,
secean cwomon,
leodgebyrgean;
wes þu us larena god.
- 270
- Habbað we to þæm mæran micel ærende,
Deniga
frean, ne sceal þær dyrne sum
wesan, þæs ic wene.
þu wast (gif hit is
swa we soþlice
secgan hyrdon)
þæt mid Scyldingum
sceaðona ic nat hwylc,
- 275
- deogol dædhata, deorcum nihtum
eaweð þurh
egsan uncuðne nið,
hynðu ond hrafyl.
Ic þæs Hroðgar mæg
þurh rumne sefan
ræd gelæran,
hu he frod ond god
feond oferswyðeþ,
- 280
- gyf him edwendan æfre scolde
bealuwa bisigu,
bot eft cuman,
ond þa cearwylmas
colran wurðaþ;
oððe a syþðan
earfoðþrage,
þreanyd þolað,
þenden þær wunað
- 285
- on heahstede husa selest."
Weard maþelode,
ðær on wicge sæt,
ombeht unforht:
"æghwæþres sceal
scearp scyldwiga
gescad witan,
worda ond worca,
se þe wel þenceð.
- 290
- Ic þæt gehyre, þæt þis is hold weorod
frean
Scyldinga. Gewitaþ forð beran
wæpen ond gewædu;
ic eow wisige.
Swylce ic maguþegnas
mine hate
wið feonda gehwone
flotan eowerne,
- 295
- niwtyrwydne nacan on sande
arum healdan,
oþðæt eft byreð
ofer lagustreamas
leofne mannan
wudu wundenhals
to Wedermearce,
godfremmendra
swylcum gifeþe bið
- 300
- þæt þone hilderæs hal gedigeð."
Gewiton him þa
feran. Flota stille bad,
seomode on
sale sidfæþmed scip,
on ancre
fæst. Eoforlic scionon
ofer hleorberan
gehroden golde,
- 305
- fah ond fyrheard; ferhwearde heold
guþmod
grimmon. Guman onetton,
sigon
ætsomne, oþþæt hy sæl timbred,
geatolic ond goldfah, ongyton mihton;
þæt wæs
foremærost foldbuendum
- 310
- receda under roderum, on þæm se rica bad;
lixte se leoma ofer landa fela.
Him þa
hildedeor hof modigra
torht
getæhte, þæt hie him to mihton
gegnum gangan;
guðbeorna sum
- 315
- wicg gewende, word æfter cwæð:
"Mæl is me to
feran; fæder alwalda
mid arstafum
eowic gehealde
siða gesunde.
Ic to sæ wille
wið wrað werod
wearde healdan."
- 320
- Stræt wæs stanfah, stig wisode
gumum ætgædere.
Guðbyrne scan
heard hondlocen,
hringiren scir
song in searwum,
þa hie to sele furðum
in hyra gryregeatwum
gangan cwomon.
- 325
- Setton sæmeþe side scyldas,
rondas regnhearde,
wið þæs recedes weal,
bugon þa to bence.
Byrnan hringdon,
guðsearo gumena;
garas stodon,
sæmanna searo,
samod ætgædere,
- 330
- æscholt ufan græg; wæs se irenþreat
wæpnum
gewurþad. þa ðær wlonc hæleð
oretmecgas
æfter æþelum frægn:
"Hwanon
ferigeað ge fætte scyldas,
græge syrcan
ond grimhelmas,
- 335
- heresceafta heap? Ic eom Hroðgares
ar ond
ombiht. Ne seah ic elþeodige
þus manige men
modiglicran.
Wen ic þæt ge for wlenco,
nalles for wræcsiðum,
ac for higeþrymmum
Hroðgar sohton."
- 340
- Him þa ellenrof andswarode,
wlanc Wedera leod,
word æfter spræc,
heard under helme:
"We synt Higelaces
beodgeneatas;
Beowulf is min nama.
Wille ic asecgan
sunu Healfdenes,
- 345
- mærum þeodne, min ærende,
aldre þinum,
gif he us geunnan wile
þæt we hine swa godne
gretan moton."
Wulfgar maþelode
(þæt wæs Wendla leod;
wæs his modsefa
manegum gecyðed,
- 350
- wig ond wisdom): "Ic þæs wine Deniga,
frean
Scildinga, frinan wille,
beaga bryttan,
swa þu bena eart,
þeoden mærne,
ymb þinne sið,
ond þe þa ondsware
ædre gecyðan
- 355
- ðe me se goda agifan þenceð."
Hwearf þa
hrædlice þær Hroðgar sæt
eald ond
anhar mid his eorla gedriht;
eode
ellenrof, þæt he for eaxlum gestod
Deniga frean;
cuþe he duguðe þeaw.
- 360
- Wulfgar maðelode to his winedrihtne:
"Her
syndon geferede, feorran cumene
ofer geofenes
begang Geata leode;
þone yldestan
oretmecgas
Beowulf nemnað.
Hy benan synt
- 365
- þæt hie, þeoden min, wið þe moton
wordum
wrixlan. No ðu him wearne geteoh
ðinra gegncwida,
glædman Hroðgar.
Hy on wiggetawum
wyrðe þinceað
eorla geæhtlan;
huru se aldor deah,
- 370
- se þæm heaðorincum hider wisade."
Hroðgar
maþelode, helm Scyldinga:
"Ic hine cuðe
cnihtwesende.
Wæs his ealdfæder
Ecgþeo haten,
ðæm to ham forgeaf
Hreþel Geata
- 375
- angan dohtor; is his eafora nu
heard her cumen, sohte holdne wine.
ðonne
sægdon þæt sæliþende,
þa ðe gifsceattas
Geata fyredon
þyder to þance,
þæt he XXXtiges
- 380
- manna mægencræft on his mundgripe
heaþorof
hæbbe. Hine halig god
for arstafum
us onsende,
to Westdenum,
þæs ic wen hæbbe,
wið Grendles gryre.
Ic þæm godan sceal
- 385
- for his modþræce madmas beodan.
Beo ðu on
ofeste, hat in gan
seon sibbegedriht
samod ætgædere;
gesaga him eac wordum
þæt hie sint wilcuman
Deniga leodum."
- 390
- word inne abead:
"Eow het secgan
sigedrihten min,
aldor Eastdena,
þæt he eower æþelu can,
ond ge him syndon
ofer sæwylmas
heardhicgende
hider wilcuman.
- 395
- Nu ge moton gangan in eowrum guðgeatawum
under
heregriman Hroðgar geseon;
lætað hildebord
her onbidan,
wudu, wælsceaftas,
worda geþinges."
Aras þa se rica,
ymb hine rinc manig,
- 400
- þryðlic þegna heap; sume þær bidon,
heaðoreaf
heoldon, swa him se hearda bebead.
Snyredon
ætsomne, þa secg wisode,
under Heorotes hrof
heard under helme, þæt he
on heoðe gestod.
- 405
- Beowulf maðelode (on him byrne scan,
searonet
seowed smiþes orþancum):
"Wæs þu, Hroðgar, hal!
Ic eom Higelaces
mæg ond magoðegn;
hæbbe ic mærða fela
ongunnen on geogoþe.
Me wearð Grendles þing
- 410
- on minre eþeltyrf undyrne cuð;
secgað sæliðend
þæt þæs sele stande,
reced selesta,
rinca gehwylcum
idel ond unnyt,
siððan æfenleoht
under heofenes hador
beholen weorþeð.
- 415
- þa me þæt gelærdon leode mine
þa selestan,
snotere ceorlas,
þeoden Hroðgar,
þæt ic þe sohte,
forþan hie mægenes cræft
minne cuþon,
selfe ofersawon,
ða ic of searwum cwom,
- 420
- fah from feondum, þær ic fife geband,
yðde
eotena cyn ond on yðum slog
niceras nihtes,
nearoþearfe dreah,
wræc Wedera nið
(wean ahsodon),
forgrand gramum,
ond nu wið Grendel sceal,
- 425
- wið þam aglæcan, ana gehegan
ðing wið þyrse.
Ic þe nu ða,
brego Beorhtdena,
biddan wille,
eodor Scyldinga,
anre bene,
þæt ðu me ne forwyrne,
wigendra hleo,
- 430
- freowine folca, nu ic þus feorran com,
þæt ic
mote ana ond minra eorla gedryht,
þes hearda heap, Heorot fælsian.
Hæbbe ic eac geahsod þæt se æglæca
for his
wonhydum wæpna ne recceð.
- 435
- Ic þæt þonne forhicge (swa me Higelac sie,
min
mondrihten, modes bliðe),
þæt ic sweord bere
oþðe sidne scyld,
geolorand to guþe,
ac ic mid grape sceal
fon wið feonde
ond ymb feorh sacan,
- 440
- lað wið laþum; ðær gelyfan sceal
dryhtnes dome
se þe hine deað nimeð.
Wen ic þæt he wille,
gif he wealdan mot,
in þæm guðsele
Geotena leode
etan unforhte,
swa he oft dyde,
- 445
- mægen Hreðmanna. Na þu minne þearft
hafalan
hydan, ac he me habban wile
dreore fahne, gif mec deað nimeð.
Byreð blodig wæl, byrgean þenceð,
eteð angenga
unmurnlice,
- 450
- mearcað morhopu; no ðu ymb mines ne þearft
lices feorme leng sorgian.
Onsend Higelace,
gif mec hild nime,
beaduscruda betst,
þæt mine breost wereð,
hrægla selest;
þæt is Hrædlan laf,
- 455
- Welandes geweorc. Gæð a wyrd swa hio scel."
Hroðgar maþelode, helm Scyldinga:
"For gewyrhtum þu,
wine min Beowulf,
ond for arstafum
usic sohtest.
Gesloh þin fæder
fæhðe mæste;
- 460
- wearþ he Heaþolafe to handbonan
mid Wilfingum;
ða hine Wedera cyn
for herebrogan
habban ne mihte.
þanon he gesohte
Suðdena folc
ofer yða gewealc,
Arscyldinga.
- 465
- ða ic furþum weold folce Deniga
ond on geogoðe heold ginne rice,
hordburh hæleþa; ða wæs Heregar dead,
min
yldra mæg unlifigende,
bearn Healfdenes;
se wæs betera ðonne ic.
- 470
- Siððan þa fæhðe feo þingode;
sende ic
Wylfingum ofer wæteres hrycg
ealde madmas;
he me aþas swor.
Sorh is me to secganne
on sefan minum
gumena ængum
hwæt me Grendel hafað
- 475
- hynðo on Heorote mid his heteþancum,
færniða
gefremed. Is min fletwerod,
wigheap gewanod;
hie wyrd forsweop
on Grendles gryre.
God eaþe mæg
þone dolsceaðan
dæda getwæfan.
- 480
- Ful oft gebeotedon beore druncne
ofer ealowæge
oretmecgas
þæt hie in beorsele
bidan woldon
Grendles guþe
mid gryrum ecga.
ðonne wæs þeos medoheal
on morgentid,
- 485
- drihtsele dreorfah, þonne dæg lixte,
eal
bencþelu blode bestymed,
heall heorudreore;
ahte ic holdra þy læs,
deorre duguðe,
þe þa deað fornam.
Site nu to symle
ond onsæl meoto,
- 490
- sigehreð secgum, swa þin sefa hwette."
þa wæs
Geatmæcgum geador ætsomne
on beorsele
benc gerymed;
þær swiðferhþe
sittan eodon,
þryðum dealle.
þegn nytte beheold,
- 495
- se þe on handa bær hroden ealowæge,
scencte
scir wered. Scop hwilum sang
hador on Heorote.
þær wæs hæleða dream,
duguð unlytel
Dena ond Wedera.
Unferð maþelode,
Ecglafes bearn,
- 500
- þe æt fotum sæt frean Scyldinga,
onband
beadurune (wæs him Beowulfes sið,
modges
merefaran, micel æfþunca,
forþon þe he ne uþe
þæt ænig oðer man
æfre mærða þon ma
middangeardes
- 505
- gehedde under heofenum þonne he sylfa):
"Eart
þu se Beowulf, se þe wið Brecan wunne,
on sidne sæ
ymb sund flite,
ðær git for wlence
wada cunnedon
ond for dolgilpe
on deop wæter
- 510
- aldrum neþdon? Ne inc ænig mon,
ne leof ne
lað, belean mihte
sorhfullne sið,
þa git on sund reon.
þær git eagorstream
earmum þehton,
mæton merestræta,
mundum brugdon,
- 515
- glidon ofer garsecg; geofon yþum weol,
wintrys
wylmum. Git on wæteres æht
seofon
niht swuncon; he þe æt sunde oferflat,
hæfde mare
mægen. þa hine on morgentid
on
Heaþoræmas holm up ætbær;
- 520
- ðonon he gesohte swæsne %%OE%%,
leof his
leodum, lond Brondinga,
freoðoburh fægere,
þær he folc ahte,
burh ond beagas.
Beot eal wið þe
sunu Beanstanes
soðe gelæste.
- 525
- ðonne wene ic to þe wyrsan geþingea,
ðeah þu
heaðoræsa gehwær dohte,
grimre guðe,
gif þu Grendles dearst
nihtlongne fyrst
nean bidan."
Beowulf maþelode,
bearn Ecgþeowes:
- 530
- "Hwæt! þu worn fela, wine min
Unferð,
beore druncen ymb Brecan
spræce,
sægdest from his siðe. Soð ic talige,
þæt ic merestrengo maran ahte,
earfeþo on
yþum, ðonne ænig oþer man.
- 535
- Wit þæt gecwædon cnihtwesende
ond gebeotedon
(wæron begen þa git
on geogoðfeore)
þæt wit on garsecg ut
aldrum neðdon,
ond þæt geæfndon swa.
Hæfdon swurd nacod,
þa wit on sund reon,
- 540
- heard on handa; wit unc wið hronfixas
werian
þohton. No he wiht fram me
flodyþum feor
fleotan meahte,
hraþor on holme;
no ic fram him wolde.
ða wit ætsomne
on sæ wæron
- 545
- fif nihta fyrst, oþþæt unc flod todraf,
wado
weallende, wedera cealdost,
nipende niht,
ond norþanwind
heaðogrim ondhwearf;
hreo wæron yþa.
Wæs merefixa
mod onhrered;
- 550
- þær me wið laðum licsyrce min,
heard,
hondlocen, helpe gefremede,
beadohrægl broden
on breostum læg
golde gegyrwed.
Me to grunde teah
fah feondscaða,
fæste hæfde
- 555
- grim on grape; hwæþre me gyfeþe wearð
þæt ic
aglæcan orde geræhte,
hildebille;
heaþoræs fornam
mihtig meredeor
þurh mine hand.
Swa mec gelome
laðgeteonan
- 560
- þreatedon þearle. Ic him þenode
deoran
sweorde, swa hit gedefe wæs.
Næs hie ðære fylle
gefean hæfdon,
manfordædlan,
þæt hie me þegon,
symbel ymbsæton
sægrunde neah;
- 565
- ac on mergenne mecum wunde
be yðlafe
uppe lægon,
sweordum aswefede,
þæt syðþan na
ymb brontne ford
brimliðende
lade ne letton.
Leoht eastan com,
- 570
- beorht beacen godes; brimu swaþredon,
þæt ic
sænæssas geseon mihte,
windige weallas.
Wyrd oft nereð
unfægne eorl,
þonne his ellen deah.
Hwæþere me gesælde
þæt ic mid sweorde ofsloh
- 575
- niceras nigene. No ic on niht gefrægn
under
heofones hwealf heardran feohtan,
ne on egstreamum
earmran mannon;
hwaþere ic fara feng
feore gedigde,
siþes werig.
ða mec sæ oþbær,
- 580
- flod æfter faroðe on Finna land,
wadu weallendu. No ic wiht fram
þe
swylcra searoniða secgan hyrde,
billa
brogan. Breca næfre git
æt heaðolace,
ne gehwæþer incer,
- 585
- swa deorlice dæd gefremede
fagum sweordum
(no ic þæs fela gylpe),
þeah ðu
þinum broðrum to banan wurde,
heafodmægum;
þæs þu in helle scealt
werhðo dreogan,
þeah þin wit duge.
- 590
- Secge ic þe to soðe, sunu Ecglafes,
þæt næfre
Grendel swa fela gryra gefremede,
atol æglæca, ealdre þinum,
hynðo on Heorote,
gif þin hige wære,
sefa swa searogrim,
swa þu self talast.
- 595
- Ac he hafað onfunden þæt he þa fæhðe ne þearf,
atole ecgþræce eower leode
swiðe onsittan,
Sigescyldinga;
nymeð nydbade,
nænegum arað
leode Deniga,
ac he lust wigeð,
- 600
- swefeð ond sendeþ, secce ne weneþ
to Gardenum.
Ac ic him Geata sceal
eafoð ond ellen
ungeara nu,
guþe gebeodan.
Gæþ eft se þe mot
to medo modig,
siþþan morgenleoht
- 605
- ofer ylda bearn oþres dogores,
sunne
sweglwered suþan scineð."
þa wæs on salum
sinces brytta,
gamolfeax ond guðrof;
geoce gelyfde
brego Beorhtdena,
gehyrde on Beowulfe
- 610
- folces hyrde fæstrædne geþoht.
ðær wæs hæleþa
hleahtor, hlyn swynsode,
word wæron wynsume.
Eode Wealhþeow forð,
cwen Hroðgares,
cynna gemyndig,
grette goldhroden
guman on healle,
- 615
- ond þa freolic wif ful gesealde
ærest Eastdena
eþelwearde,
bæd hine bliðne
æt þære beorþege,
leodum leofne.
He on lust geþeah
symbel ond seleful,
sigerof kyning.
- 620
- Ymbeode þa ides Helminga
duguþe ond geogoþe
dæl æghwylcne,
sincfato sealde,
oþþæt sæl alamp
þæt hio Beowulfe,
beaghroden cwen
mode geþungen,
medoful ætbær;
- 625
- grette Geata leod, gode þancode
wisfæst wordum
þæs ðe hire se willa gelamp
þæt heo on ænigne
eorl gelyfde
fyrena frofre.
He þæt ful geþeah,
wælreow wiga,
æt Wealhþeon,
- 630
- ond þa gyddode guþe gefysed;
Beowulf maþelode,
bearn Ecgþeowes:
"Ic þæt hogode,
þa ic on holm gestah,
sæbat gesæt
mid minra secga gedriht,
þæt ic anunga
eowra leoda
- 635
- willan geworhte oþðe on wæl crunge,
feondgrapum fæst. Ic gefremman sceal
eorlic
ellen, oþðe endedæg
on þisse meoduhealle
minne gebidan."
ðam wife þa word
wel licodon,
- 640
- gilpcwide Geates; eode goldhroden
freolicu
folccwen to hire frean sittan.
þa wæs eft swa ær
inne on healle
þryðword sprecen,
ðeod on sælum,
sigefolca sweg,
oþþæt semninga
- 645
- sunu Healfdenes secean wolde
æfenræste;
wiste þæm ahlæcan
to þæm heahsele
hilde geþinged,
siððan hie sunnan leoht
geseon ne meahton,
oþðe nipende
niht ofer ealle,
- 650
- scaduhelma gesceapu scriðan cwoman,
wan under
wolcnum. Werod eall aras.
Gegrette þa guma oþerne,
Hroðgar Beowulf, ond him hæl abead,
winærnes
geweald, ond þæt word acwæð:
- 655
- "Næfre ic ænegum men ær alyfde,
siþðan ic hond
ond rond hebban mihte,
ðryþærn Dena
buton þe nu ða.
Hafa nu ond geheald
husa selest,
gemyne mærþo,
mægenellen cyð,
- 660
- waca wið wraþum. Ne bið þe wilna gad,
gif þu
þæt ellenweorc aldre gedigest."
ða him Hroþgar
gewat mid his hæleþa gedryht,
eodur Scyldinga,
ut of healle;
wolde wigfruma
Wealhþeo 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.
ða he him of
dyde isernbyrnan,
helm of hafelan,
sealde his hyrsted sweord,
irena cyst,
ombihtþegne,
ond gehealdan het
hildegeatwe.
- 675
- Gespræc þa se goda gylpworda sum,
Beowulf
Geata, ær he on bed stige:
"No ic me an herewæsmun
hnagran talige,
guþgeweorca,
þonne Grendel hine;
forþan ic hine sweorde
swebban nelle,
- 680
- aldre beneotan, þeah ic eal mæge.
Nat he þara
goda þæt he me ongean slea,
rand geheawe,
þeah ðe he rof sie
niþgeweorca;
ac wit on niht sculon
secge ofersittan,
gif he gesecean dear
- 685
- wig ofer wæpen, ond siþðan witig god
on swa
hwæþere hond, halig dryhten,
mærðo deme,
swa him gemet þince."
Hylde hine þa heaþodeor,
hleorbolster onfeng
eorles andwlitan,
ond hine ymb monig
- 690
- snellic særinc selereste gebeah.
Nænig heora
þohte þæt he þanon scolde
eft eardlufan
æfre gesecean,
folc oþðe freoburh,
þær he afeded wæs;
ac hie hæfdon gefrunen
þæt hie ær to fela micles
- 695
- in þæm winsele wældeað fornam,
Denigea leode.
Ac him dryhten forgeaf
wigspeda gewiofu,
Wedera leodum,
frofor ond fultum,
þæt hie feond heora
ðurh anes cræft
ealle ofercomon,
- 700
- selfes mihtum. Soð is gecyþed
þæt mihtig god
manna cynnes
weold wideferhð.
Com on wanre niht
scriðan sceadugenga.
Sceotend swæfon,
þa þæt hornreced
healdan scoldon,
- 705
- ealle buton anum. þæt wæs yldum cuþ
þæt hie ne
moste, þa metod nolde,
se
scynscaþa under sceadu bregdan;
ac he wæccende wraþum on andan
bad bolgenmod
beadwa geþinges.
- 710
- ða com of more under misthleoþum
Grendel
gongan, godes yrre bær;
mynte se manscaða
manna cynnes
sumne besyrwan
in sele þam hean.
Wod under wolcnum
to þæs þe he winreced,
- 715
- goldsele gumena, gearwost wisse,
fættum fahne.
Ne wæs þæt forma sið
þæt he Hroþgares
ham gesohte;
næfre he on aldordagum
ær ne siþðan
heardran hæle,
healðegnas fand.
- 720
- Com þa to recede rinc siðian,
dreamum bedæled.
Duru sona onarn,
fyrbendum fæst,
syþðan he hire folmum æthran;
onbræd þa bealohydig, ða he
gebolgen wæs,
recedes muþan. Raþe
æfter þon
- 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. þa his mod ahlog;
mynte þæt he
gedælde, ærþon dæg cwome,
atol aglæca,
anra gehwylces
lif wið lice,
þa him alumpen wæs
wistfylle wen.
Ne wæs þæt wyrd þa gen
- 735
- þæt he ma moste manna cynnes
ðicgean ofer þa
niht. þryðswyð beheold
mæg Higelaces,
hu se manscaða
under færgripum
gefaran wolde.
Ne þæt se aglæca
yldan þohte,
- 740
- ac he gefeng hraðe forman siðe
slæpendne rinc,
slat unwearnum,
bat banlocan,
blod edrum dranc,
synsnædum swealh;
sona hæfde
unlyfigendes
eal gefeormod,
- 745
- fet ond folma. Forð near ætstop,
nam þa mid
handa higeþihtigne
rinc on ræste,
ræhte ongean
feond mid folme;
he onfeng hraþe
inwitþancum
ond wið earm gesæt.
- 750
- Sona þæt onfunde fyrena hyrde
þæt he ne mette
middangeardes,
eorþan sceata,
on elran men
mundgripe maran.
He on mode wearð
forht on ferhðe;
no þy ær fram meahte.
- 755
- Hyge wæs him hinfus, wolde on heolster fleon,
secan deofla gedræg; ne wæs his drohtoð þær
swylce he on ealderdagum ær gemette.
Gemunde
þa se goda, mæg Higelaces,
æfenspræce,
uplang astod
- 760
- ond him fæste wiðfeng; fingras burston.
Eoten
wæs utweard; eorl furþur stop.
Mynte se mæra,
þær he meahte swa,
widre gewindan
ond on weg þanon
fleon on fenhopu;
wiste his fingra geweald
- 765
- on grames grapum. þæt wæs geocor
sið
þæt se hearmscaþa to Heorute ateah.
Dryhtsele dynede; Denum eallum wearð,
ceasterbuendum, cenra gehwylcum,
eorlum
ealuscerwen. Yrre wæron begen,
- 770
- reþe renweardas. Reced hlynsode.
þa wæs wundor
micel þæt se winsele
wiðhæfde heaþodeorum,
þæt he on hrusan ne feol,
fæger foldbold;
ac he þæs fæste wæs
innan ond utan
irenbendum
- 775
- searoþoncum besmiþod. þær fram sylle abeag
medubenc monig, mine gefræge,
golde geregnad,
þær þa graman wunnon.
þæs ne wendon ær
witan Scyldinga
þæt hit a mid gemete
manna ænig,
- 780
- betlic ond banfag, tobrecan
meahte,
listum tolucan, nymþe liges fæþm
swulge on swaþule. Sweg up astag
niwe
geneahhe; Norðdenum stod
atelic egesa,
anra gehwylcum
- 785
- þara þe of wealle wop gehyrdon,
gryreleoð
galan godes ondsacan,
sigeleasne sang,
sar wanigean
helle hæfton.
Heold hine fæste
se þe manna wæs
mægene strengest
- 790
- on þæm dæge þysses lifes.
Nolde eorla hleo
ænige þinga
þone cwealmcuman
cwicne forlætan,
ne his lifdagas
leoda ænigum
nytte tealde.
þær genehost brægd
- 795
- eorl Beowulfes ealde lafe,
wolde freadrihtnes
feorh ealgian,
mæres þeodnes,
ðær hie meahton swa.
Hie þæt ne wiston,
þa hie gewin drugon,
heardhicgende
hildemecgas,
- 800
- ond on healfa gehwone heawan þohton,
sawle
secan, þone synscaðan
ænig ofer eorþan
irenna cyst,
guðbilla nan,
gretan nolde,
ac he sigewæpnum
forsworen hæfde,
- 805
- ecga gehwylcre. Scolde his aldorgedal
on ðæm
dæge þysses lifes
earmlic wurðan,
ond se ellorgast
on feonda geweald
feor siðian.
ða þæt onfunde
se þe fela æror
- 810
- modes myrðe manna cynne,
fyrene gefremede
(he wæs fag wið god),
þæt him se
lichoma læstan nolde,
ac hine se modega
mæg Hygelaces
hæfde be honda;
wæs gehwæþer oðrum
- 815
- lifigende lað. Licsar gebad
atol æglæca;
him on eaxle wearð
syndolh sweotol,
seonowe onsprungon,
burston banlocan.
Beowulfe wearð
guðhreð gyfeþe;
scolde Grendel þonan
- 820
- feorhseoc fleon under fenhleoðu,
secean
wynleas wic; wiste þe geornor
þæt his aldres wæs
ende gegongen,
dogera dægrim.
Denum eallum wearð
æfter þam wælræse
willa gelumpen.
- 825
- Hæfde þa gefælsod se þe ær feorran com,
snotor
ond swyðferhð, sele Hroðgares,
genered wið niðe;
nihtweorce gefeh,
ellenmærþum.
Hæfde Eastdenum
Geatmecga leod
gilp gelæsted,
- 830
- swylce oncyþðe ealle gebette,
inwidsorge,
þe hie ær drugon
ond for þreanydum
þolian scoldon,
torn unlytel.
þæt wæs tacen sweotol,
syþðan hildedeor
hond alegde,
- 835
- earm ond eaxle (þær wæs eal geador
Grendles
grape) under geapne hrof.
ða wæs
on morgen mine gefræge
ymb þa gifhealle
guðrinc monig;
ferdon folctogan
feorran ond nean
- 840
- geond widwegas wundor sceawian,
laþes lastas.
No his lifgedal
sarlic þuhte
secga ænegum
þara þe tirleases
trode sceawode,
hu he werigmod
on weg þanon,
- 845
- niða ofercumen, on nicera mere
fæge ond
geflymed feorhlastas bær.
ðær wæs on blode
brim weallende,
atol yða geswing
eal gemenged
haton heolfre,
heorodreore weol.
- 850
- Deaðfæge deog, siððan dreama leas
in fenfreoðo
feorh alegde,
hæþene sawle;
þær him hel onfeng.
þanon eft gewiton
ealdgesiðas,
swylce geong manig
of gomenwaþe
- 855
- fram mere modge mearum ridan,
beornas on
blancum. ðær wæs Beowulfes
mærðo mæned;
monig oft gecwæð
þætte suð ne norð
be sæm tweonum
ofer eormengrund
oþer nænig
- 860
- under swegles begong selra nære
rondhæbbendra,
rices wyrðra.
Ne hie huru winedrihten
wiht ne logon,
glædne Hroðgar,
ac þæt wæs god cyning.
Hwilum heaþorofe
hleapan leton,
- 865
- on geflit faran fealwe mearas
ðær him
foldwegas fægere þuhton,
cystum cuðe.
Hwilum cyninges þegn,
guma gilphlæden,
gidda gemyndig,
se ðe ealfela
ealdgesegena
- 870
- worn gemunde, word oþer fand
soðe gebunden;
secg eft ongan
sið Beowulfes
snyttrum styrian
ond on sped wrecan
spel gerade,
wordum wrixlan.
Welhwylc gecwæð
- 875
- þæt he fram Sigemundes secgan
hyrde
ellendædum, uncuþes fela,
Wælsinges
gewin, wide siðas,
þara þe gumena bearn
gearwe ne wiston,
fæhðe ond fyrena,
buton Fitela mid hine,
- 880
- þonne he swulces hwæt secgan wolde,
eam his
nefan, swa hie a wæron
æt niða gehwam
nydgesteallan;
hæfdon ealfela
eotena cynnes
sweordum gesæged.
Sigemunde gesprong
- 885
- æfter deaðdæge dom unlytel,
syþðan wiges heard
wyrm acwealde,
hordes hyrde.
He under harne stan,
æþelinges bearn,
ana geneðde
frecne dæde,
ne wæs him Fitela mid.
- 890
- Hwæþre him gesælde ðæt þæt swurd þurhwod
wrætlicne wyrm, þæt hit on wealle ætstod,
dryhtlic iren; draca morðre swealt.
Hæfde
aglæca elne gegongen
þæt he beahhordes
brucan moste
- 895
- selfes dome; sæbat gehleod,
bær on bearm
scipes beorhte frætwa,
Wælses eafera.
Wyrm hat gemealt.
Se wæs wreccena
wide mærost
ofer werþeode,
wigendra hleo,
- 900
- ellendædum (he þæs ær onðah),
siððan Heremodes
hild sweðrode,
eafoð ond ellen.
He mid Eotenum wearð
on feonda geweald
forð forlacen,
snude forsended.
Hine sorhwylmas
- 905
- lemede to lange; he his leodum wearð,
eallum
æþellingum to aldorceare;
swylce oft bemearn
ærran mælum
swiðferhþes sið
snotor ceorl monig,
se þe him bealwa to
bote gelyfde,
- 910
- þæt þæt ðeodnes bearn geþeon scolde,
fæderæþelum onfon, folc gehealdan,
hord ond
hleoburh, hæleþa rice,
%%OE%% Scyldinga.
He þær eallum wearð,
mæg Higelaces,
manna cynne,
- 915
- freondum gefægra; hine fyren onwod.
Hwilum
flitende fealwe stræte
mearum mæton.
ða wæs morgenleoht
scofen ond scynded.
Eode scealc monig
swiðhicgende
to sele þam hean
- 920
- searowundor seon; swylce self cyning
of
brydbure, beahhorda weard,
tryddode tirfæst
getrume micle,
cystum gecyþed,
ond his cwen mid him
medostigge mæt
mægþa hose.
- 925
- Hroðgar maþelode (he to healle geong,
stod on
stapole, geseah steapne hrof,
golde fahne,
ond Grendles hond):
"ðisse ansyne
alwealdan þanc
lungre gelimpe!
Fela ic laþes gebad,
- 930
- grynna æt Grendle; a mæg god wyrcan
wunder
æfter wundre, wuldres hyrde.
ðæt wæs ungeara
þæt ic ænigra me
weana ne wende
to widan feore
bote gebidan,
þonne blode fah
- 935
- husa selest heorodreorig stod,
wea widscofen
witena gehwylcum
ðara þe ne
wendon þæt hie wideferhð
leoda landgeweorc
laþum beweredon
scuccum ond scinnum.
Nu scealc hafað
- 940
- þurh drihtnes miht dæd gefremede
ðe we ealle
ær ne meahton
snyttrum besyrwan.
Hwæt, þæt secgan mæg
efne swa hwylc mægþa
swa ðone magan cende
æfter gumcynnum,
gyf heo gyt lyfað,
- 945
- þæt hyre ealdmetod este wære
bearngebyrdo.
Nu ic, Beowulf, þec,
secg betsta,
me for sunu wylle
freogan on ferhþe;
heald forð tela
niwe sibbe.
Ne bið þe nænigra gad
- 950
- worolde wilna, þe ic geweald hæbbe.
Ful oft ic
for læssan lean teohhode,
hordweorþunge
hnahran rince,
sæmran æt sæcce.
þu þe self hafast
dædum gefremed
þæt þin dom lyfað
- 955
- awa to aldre. Alwalda þec
gode forgylde,
swa he nu gyt dyde!"
Beowulf maþelode,
bearn Ecþeowes:
"We þæt ellenweorc
estum miclum,
feohtan fremedon,
frecne geneðdon
- 960
- eafoð uncuþes. Uþe ic swiþor
þæt ðu hine
selfne geseon moste,
feond on frætewum
fylwerigne.
Ic hine hrædlice
heardan clammum
on wælbedde
wriþan þohte,
- 965
- þæt he for mundgripe minum scolde
licgean lifbysig, butan his lic swice.
Ic hine
ne mihte, þa metod nolde,
ganges getwæman,
no ic him þæs georne ætfealh,
feorhgeniðlan;
wæs to foremihtig
- 970
- feond on feþe. Hwæþere he his folme forlet
to
lifwraþe last weardian,
earm ond eaxle.
No þær ænige swa þeah
feasceaft guma
frofre gebohte;
no þy leng leofað
laðgeteona,
- 975
- synnum geswenced, ac hyne sar hafað
mid nydgripe
nearwe befongen,
balwon bendum.
ðær abidan sceal
maga mane fah
miclan domes,
hu him scir metod
scrifan wille."
- 980
- ða wæs swigra secg, sunu Eclafes,
on
gylpspræce guðgeweorca,
siþðan æþelingas
eorles cræfte
ofer heanne hrof
hand sceawedon,
feondes fingras.
Foran æghwylc wæs,
- 985
- stiðra nægla gehwylc, style
gelicost,
hæþenes handsporu
hilderinces,
egl, unheoru.
æghwylc gecwæð
þæt him heardra nan
hrinan wolde
iren ærgod,
þæt ðæs ahlæcan
- 990
- blodge beadufolme onberan wolde.
ða wæs haten
hreþe Heort innanweard
folmum gefrætwod.
Fela þæra wæs,
wera ond wifa,
þe þæt winreced,
gestsele gyredon.
Goldfag scinon
- 995
- web æfter wagum, wundorsiona fela
secga
gehwylcum þara þe on swylc starað.
Wæs þæt beorhte
bold tobrocen swiðe,
eal inneweard
irenbendum fæst,
heorras tohlidene.
Hrof ana genæs,
- 1000
- ealles ansund, þe se aglæca,
fyrendædum fag,
on fleam gewand,
aldres orwena.
No þæt yðe byð
to befleonne,
fremme se þe wille,
ac gesecan
sceal sawlberendra,
- 1005
- nyde genydde, niþða bearna,
grundbuendra
gearwe stowe,
þær his lichoma
legerbedde fæst
swefeþ æfter symle.
þa wæs sæl ond mæl
þæt to healle gang
Healfdenes sunu;
- 1010
- wolde self cyning symbel þicgan.
Ne gefrægen
ic þa mægþe maran weorode
ymb hyra sincgyfan
sel gebæran.
Bugon þa to bence
blædagande,
fylle gefægon;
fægere geþægon
- 1015
- medoful manig magas þara
swiðhicgende
on sele þam hean,
Hroðgar ond Hroþulf.
Heorot innan wæs
freondum afylled;
nalles facenstafas
þeodscyldingas
þenden fremedon.
- 1020
- Forgeaf þa Beowulfe bearn
Healfdenes
segen gyldenne sigores to leane;
hroden hildecumbor, helm ond
byrnan,
mære maðþumsweord manige gesawon
beforan beorn beran. Beowulf geþah
- 1025
- ful on flette; no he þære feohgyfte
for
sceotendum scamigan ðorfte.
Ne
gefrægn ic freondlicor feower madmas
golde
gegyrede gummanna fela
in ealobence
oðrum gesellan.
- 1030
- Ymb þæs helmes hrof heafodbeorge
wirum
bewunden walu utan heold,
þæt him
fela laf frecne ne meahton
scurheard sceþðan,
þonne scyldfreca
ongean gramum
gangan scolde.
- 1035
- Heht ða eorla hleo eahta mearas
fætedhleore
on flet teon,
in under eoderas.
þara anum stod
sadol searwum fah,
since gewurþad;
þæt wæs hildesetl
heahcyninges,
- 1040
- ðonne sweorda gelac sunu Healfdenes
efnan
wolde. Næfre on ore læg
widcuþes wig,
ðonne walu feollon.
Ond ða Beowulfe
bega gehwæþres
eodor Ingwina
onweald geteah,
- 1045
- wicga ond wæpna, het hine wel brucan.
Swa
manlice mære þeoden,
hordweard hæleþa,
heaþoræsas geald
mearum ond madmum,
swa hy næfre man lyhð,
se þe secgan wile
soð æfter rihte.
- 1050
- ða gyt æghwylcum eorla drihten
þara þe mid
Beowulfe brimlade teah
on þære
medubence maþðum gesealde,
yrfelafe,
ond þone ænne heht
golde forgyldan,
þone ðe Grendel ær
- 1055
- mane acwealde, swa he hyra ma wolde,
nefne him
witig god wyrd forstode
ond ðæs mannes mod.
Metod eallum weold
gumena cynnes,
swa he nu git deð.
Forþan bið andgit
æghwær selest,
- 1060
- ferhðes foreþanc. Fela sceal gebidan
leofes
ond laþes se þe longe her
on ðyssum windagum
worolde bruceð.
þær wæs sang ond sweg
samod ætgædere
fore Healfdenes
hildewisan,
- 1065
- gomenwudu greted, gid oft wrecen,
ðonne
healgamen Hroþgares scop
æfter medobence
mænan scolde
be Finnes eaferum,
ða hie se fær begeat,
hæleð Healfdena,
Hnæf Scyldinga,
- 1070
- in Freswæle feallan scolde.
Ne huru Hildeburh
herian þorfte
Eotena treowe;
unsynnum wearð
beloren leofum
æt þam lindplegan,
bearnum ond
broðrum; hie on gebyrd hruron,
- 1075
- gare wunde. þæt wæs geomuru ides!
Nalles
holinga Hoces dohtor
meotodsceaft bemearn,
syþðan morgen com,
ða heo under swegle
geseon meahte
morþorbealo maga,
þær heo ær mæste heold
- 1080
- worolde wynne. Wig ealle fornam
Finnes þegnas
nemne feaum anum,
þæt he ne mehte
on þæm meðelstede
wig Hengeste
wiht gefeohtan,
ne þa wealafe
wige forþringan
- 1085
- þeodnes ðegna; ac hig him geþingo
budon,
þæt hie him oðer flet eal gerymdon,
healle ond heahsetl, þæt hie healfre geweald
wið Eotena bearn agan moston,
ond æt
feohgyftum Folcwaldan sunu
- 1090
- dogra gehwylce Dene weorþode,
Hengestes heap
hringum wenede
efne swa swiðe
sincgestreonum
fættan goldes,
swa he Fresena cyn
on beorsele
byldan wolde.
- 1095
- ða hie getruwedon on twa healfa
fæste
frioðuwære. Fin Hengeste
elne, unflitme
aðum benemde
þæt he þa wealafe
weotena dome
arum heolde,
þæt ðær ænig mon
- 1100
- wordum ne worcum wære ne bræce,
ne þurh
inwitsearo æfre gemænden
ðeah hie hira beaggyfan
banan folgedon
ðeodenlease,
þa him swa geþearfod wæs;
gyf þonne Frysna hwylc
frecnan spræce
- 1105
- ðæs morþorhetes myndgiend wære,
þonne hit
sweordes ecg seðan scolde.
Ad wæs geæfned ond icge gold
ahæfen of horde. Herescyldinga
betst
beadorinca wæs on bæl gearu.
- 1110
- æt þæm ade wæs eþgesyne
swatfah syrce,
swyn ealgylden,
eofer irenheard,
æþeling manig
wundum awyrded;
sume on wæle crungon.
Het ða Hildeburh
æt Hnæfes ade
- 1115
- hire selfre sunu sweoloðe befæstan,
banfatu
bærnan ond on bæl don
eame on
eaxle. Ides gnornode,
geomrode giddum.
Guðrinc astah.
Wand to wolcnum
wælfyra mæst,
- 1120
- hlynode for hlawe; hafelan multon,
bengeato
burston, ðonne blod ætspranc,
laðbite lices.
Lig ealle forswealg,
gæsta gifrost,
þara ðe þær guð fornam
bega folces;
wæs hira blæd scacen.
- 1125
- Gewiton him ða wigend wica neosian,
freondum
befeallen, Frysland geseon,
hamas ond heaburh.
Hengest ða gyt
wælfagne winter
wunode mid Finne
eal unhlitme.
Eard gemunde,
- 1130
- þeah þe he ne meahte on mere
drifan
hringedstefnan; holm storme weol,
won
wið winde, winter yþe beleac
isgebinde,
oþðæt oþer com
gear in geardas,
swa nu gyt deð,
- 1135
- þa ðe syngales sele bewitiað,
wuldortorhtan
weder. ða wæs winter scacen,
fæger foldan bearm.
Fundode wrecca,
gist of geardum;
he to gyrnwræce
swiðor þohte
þonne to sælade,
- 1140
- gif he torngemot þurhteon mihte
þæt he Eotena
bearn inne gemunde.
Swa he ne forwyrnde
woroldrædenne,
þonne him Hunlafing
hildeleoman,
billa selest,
on bearm dyde,
- 1145
- þæs wæron mid Eotenum ecge cuðe.
Swylce
ferhðfrecan Fin eft begeat
sweordbealo sliðen
æt his selfes ham,
siþðan grimne gripe
Guðlaf ond Oslaf
æfter sæsiðe,
sorge, mændon,
- 1150
- ætwiton weana dæl; ne meahte wæfre mod
forhabban in hreþre. ða wæs heal
roden
feonda feorum, swilce Fin
slægen,
cyning on corþre, ond seo cwen numen.
Sceotend Scyldinga to scypon feredon
- 1155
- eal ingesteald eorðcyninges,
swylce hie æt
Finnes ham findan meahton
sigla, searogimma.
Hie on sælade
drihtlice wif
to Denum feredon,
læddon to leodum.
Leoð wæs asungen,
- 1160
- gleomannes gyd. Gamen eft astah,
beorhtode
bencsweg; byrelas sealdon
win of wunderfatum.
þa cwom Wealhþeo forð
gan under gyldnum beage,
þær þa godan twegen
sæton suhtergefæderan;
þa gyt wæs hiera sib ætgædere,
- 1165
- æghwylc oðrum trywe. Swylce þær
Unferþ þyle
æt fotum sæt frean Scyldinga;
gehwylc hiora his ferhþe treowde,
þæt he hæfde mod
micel, þeah þe he his magum nære
arfæst æt ecga
gelacum. Spræc ða ides Scyldinga:
"Onfoh þissum
fulle, freodrihten min,
- 1170
- sinces brytta! þu on sælum wes,
goldwine
gumena, ond to Geatum spræc
mildum wordum,
swa sceal man don.
Beo wið Geatas glæd,
geofena gemyndig,
nean ond feorran
þu nu hafast.
- 1175
- Me man sægde þæt þu ðe for sunu wolde
hererinc habban. Heorot is
gefælsod,
beahsele beorhta; bruc þenden þu mote
manigra medo, ond þinum magum læf
folc ond
rice, þonne ðu forð scyle
- 1180
- metodsceaft seon. Ic minne can
glædne Hroþulf,
þæt he þa geogoðe wile
arum healdan,
gyf þu ær þonne he,
wine
Scildinga, worold oflætest;
wene ic þæt he mid
gode gyldan wille
- 1185
- uncran eaferan, gif he þæt eal gemon,
hwæt wit
to willan ond to worðmyndum
umborwesendum ær
arna gefremedon."
Hwearf þa bi bence
þær hyre byre wæron,
Hreðric ond Hroðmund,
ond hæleþa bearn,
- 1190
- giogoð ætgædere; þær se goda sæt,
Beowulf
Geata, be þæm gebroðrum twæm.
Him wæs ful boren
ond freondlaþu
wordum bewægned,
ond wunden gold
estum geeawed,
earmreade twa,
- 1195
- hrægl ond hringas, healsbeaga mæst
þara þe ic
on foldan gefrægen hæbbe.
Nænigne ic under swegle
selran hyrde
hordmaððum hæleþa,
syþðan Hama ætwæg
to þære byrhtan
byrig Brosinga mene,
- 1200
- sigle ond sincfæt; searoniðas
fleah
Eormenrices, geceas ecne
ræd.
þone hring hæfde Higelac Geata,
nefa
Swertinges, nyhstan siðe,
siðþan he under segne
sinc ealgode,
- 1205
- wælreaf werede; hyne wyrd fornam,
syþðan he
for wlenco wean ahsode,
fæhðe to Frysum.
He þa frætwe wæg,
eorclanstanas
ofer yða ful,
rice þeoden;
he under rande gecranc.
- 1210
- Gehwearf þa in Francna fæþm feorh cyninges,
breostgewædu ond se beah somod;
wyrsan
wigfrecan wæl reafedon
æfter
guðsceare, Geata leode,
hreawic heoldon.
Heal swege onfeng.
- 1215
- Wealhðeo maþelode, heo fore þæm werede spræc:
"Bruc ðisses beages, Beowulf leofa,
hyse, mid
hæle, ond þisses hrægles neot,
þeodgestreona, ond geþeoh tela,
cen þec mid cræfte ond þyssum cnyhtum wes
- 1220
- lara liðe; ic þe þæs lean geman.
Hafast þu
gefered þæt ðe feor ond neah
ealne wideferhþ
weras ehtigað,
efne swa side
swa sæ bebugeð,
windgeard, weallas.
Wes þenden þu lifige,
- 1225
- æþeling, eadig. Ic þe an tela
sincgestreona.
Beo þu suna minum
dædum gedefe,
dreamhealdende.
Her is æghwylc eorl
oþrum getrywe,
modes milde,
mandrihtne hold;
- 1230
- þegnas syndon geþwære, þeod ealgearo,
druncne
dryhtguman doð swa ic bidde."
Eode þa to setle.
þær wæs symbla cyst;
druncon win weras.
Wyrd ne cuþon,
geosceaft grimme,
swa hit agangen wearð
- 1235
- eorla manegum, syþðan æfen cwom
ond him
Hroþgar gewat to hofe sinum,
rice to ræste.
Reced weardode
unrim eorla,
swa hie oft ær dydon.
Bencþelu beredon;
hit geondbræded wearð
- 1240
- beddum ond bolstrum. Beorscealca sum
fus ond
fæge fletræste gebeag.
Setton him to heafdon
hilderandas,
bordwudu beorhtan;
þær on bence wæs
ofer æþelinge
yþgesene
- 1245
- heaþosteapa helm, hringed byrne,
þrecwudu
þrymlic. Wæs þeaw hyra
þæt hie oft wæron
an wig gearwe,
ge æt ham ge on herge,
ge gehwæþer þara,
efne swylce mæla
swylce hira mandryhtne
- 1250
- þearf gesælde; wæs seo þeod tilu.
Sigon þa to
slæpe. Sum sare angeald
æfenræste,
swa him ful oft gelamp,
siþðan goldsele
Grendel warode,
unriht æfnde,
oþþæt ende becwom,
- 1255
- swylt æfter synnum. þæt gesyne wearþ,
widcuþ
werum, þætte wrecend þa gyt
lifde æfter laþum,
lange þrage,
æfter guðceare.
Grendles modor,
ides, aglæcwif,
yrmþe gemunde,
- 1260
- se þe wæteregesan wunian scolde,
cealde
streamas, siþðan Cain wearð
to
ecgbanan angan breþer,
fæderenmæge;
he þa fag gewat,
morþre gemearcod,
mandream fleon,
- 1265
- westen warode. þanon woc fela
geosceaftgasta;
wæs þæra Grendel sum,
heorowearh hetelic,
se æt Heorote fand
wæccendne wer
wiges bidan.
þær him aglæca
ætgræpe wearð;
- 1270
- hwæþre he gemunde mægenes strenge,
gimfæste
gife ðe him god sealde,
ond him to anwaldan
are gelyfde,
frofre ond fultum;
ðy he þone feond ofercwom,
gehnægde helle gast.
þa he hean gewat,
- 1275
- dreame bedæled, deaþwic seon,
mancynnes feond,
ond his modor þa gyt,
gifre ond galgmod,
gegan wolde
sorhfulne sið,
sunu deað wrecan.
Com þa to
Heorote, ðær Hringdene
- 1280
- geond þæt sæld swæfun. þa ðær sona wearð
edhwyrft eorlum, siþðan inne fealh
Grendles
modor. Wæs se gryre læssa
efne swa micle
swa bið mægþa cræft,
wiggryre wifes,
be wæpnedmen,
- 1285
- þonne heoru bunden, hamere geþuren,
sweord
swate fah swin ofer helme
ecgum dyhttig
andweard scireð.
þa wæs on healle
heardecg togen
sweord ofer setlum,
sidrand manig
- 1290
- hafen handa fæst; helm ne gemunde,
byrnan
side, þa hine se broga angeat.
Heo wæs on ofste,
wolde ut þanon,
feore beorgan,
þa heo onfunden wæs.
Hraðe heo æþelinga
anne hæfde
- 1295
- fæste befangen, þa heo to fenne gang.
Se wæs
Hroþgare hæleþa leofost
on gesiðes had
be sæm tweonum,
rice randwiga,
þone ðe heo on ræste abreat,
blædfæstne beorn.
Næs Beowulf ðær,
- 1300
- ac wæs oþer in ær geteohhod
æfter maþðumgife
mærum Geate.
Hream wearð in Heorote;
heo under heolfre genam
cuþe folme;
cearu wæs geniwod,
geworden in wicun.
Ne wæs þæt gewrixle til,
- 1305
- þæt hie on ba healfa bicgan scoldon
freonda
feorum. þa wæs frod cyning,
har hilderinc,
on hreon mode,
syðþan he aldorþegn
unlyfigendne,
þone deorestan
deadne wisse.
- 1310
- Hraþe wæs to bure Beowulf fetod,
sigoreadig
secg. Samod ærdæge
eode eorla sum,
æþele cempa
self mid gesiðum
þær se snotera bad,
hwæþer him
alwalda æfre wille
- 1315
- æfter weaspelle wyrpe gefremman.
Gang ða æfter
flore fyrdwyrðe man
mid his handscale
(healwudu dynede),
þæt he þone wisan
wordum nægde
frean Ingwina,
frægn gif him wære
- 1320
- æfter neodlaðum niht getæse.
Hroðgar maþelode, helm Scyldinga:
"Ne frin þu
æfter sælum! Sorh is geniwod
Denigea leodum.
Dead is æschere,
Yrmenlafes
yldra broþor,
- 1325
- min runwita ond min rædbora,
eaxlgestealla,
ðonne we on orlege
hafelan weredon,
þonne hniton feþan,
eoferas cnysedan.
Swylc scolde eorl
wesan,
æþeling ærgod, swylc
æschere wæs!
- 1330
- Wearð him on Heorote to handbanan
wælgæst
wæfre; ic ne wat hwæder
atol æse
wlanc eftsiðas teah,
fylle
gefægnod. Heo þa fæhðe wræc
þe þu
gystran niht Grendel cwealdest
- 1335
- þurh hæstne had heardum clammum,
forþan he to
lange leode mine
wanode ond wyrde.
He æt wige gecrang
ealdres scyldig,
ond nu oþer cwom
mihtig manscaða,
wolde hyre mæg wrecan,
- 1340
- ge feor hafað fæhðe gestæled
(þæs þe þincean
mæg þegne monegum,
se þe æfter sincgyfan
on sefan greoteþ),
hreþerbealo hearde;
nu seo hand ligeð,
se þe eow welhwylcra
wilna dohte.
- 1345
- Ic þæt londbuend, leode mine,
selerædende,
secgan hyrde
þæt hie gesawon
swylce twegen
micle mearcstapan
moras healdan,
ellorgæstas.
ðæra oðer wæs,
- 1350
- þæs þe hie gewislicost gewitan meahton,
idese
onlicnæs; oðer earmsceapen
on weres wæstmum
wræclastas træd,
næfne he wæs mara
þonne ænig man oðer;
þone on geardagum
Grendel nemdon
- 1355
- foldbuende. No hie fæder cunnon,
hwæþer him
ænig wæs ær acenned
dyrnra gasta.
Hie dygel lond
warigeað, wulfhleoþu,
windige næssas,
frecne fengelad,
ðær fyrgenstream
- 1360
- under næssa genipu niþer gewiteð,
flod under
foldan. Nis þæt feor heonon
milgemearces
þæt se mere standeð;
ofer þæm
hongiað hrinde bearwas,
wudu wyrtum fæst
wæter oferhelmað.
- 1365
- þær mæg nihta gehwæm niðwundor seon,
fyr on
flode. No þæs frod leofað
gumena bearna,
þæt þone grund wite;
ðeah þe hæðstapa
hundum geswenced,
heorot hornum trum,
holtwudu sece,
- 1370
- feorran geflymed, ær he feorh seleð,
aldor on
ofre, ær he in wille
hafelan
hydan. Nis þæt heoru stow!
þonon
yðgeblond up astigeð
won to wolcnum,
þonne wind styreþ,
- 1375
- lað gewidru, oðþæt lyft drysmaþ,
roderas
reotað. Nu is se ræd gelang
eft æt þe anum.
Eard git ne const,
frecne stowe,
ðær þu findan miht
felasinnigne secg;
sec gif þu dyrre.
- 1380
- Ic þe þa fæhðe feo leanige,
ealdgestreonum,
swa ic ær dyde,
wundnum golde,
gyf þu on weg cymest."
Beowulf maþelode,
bearn Ecgþeowes:
"Ne sorga, snotor guma;
selre bið æghwæm
- 1385
- þæt he his freond wrece, þonne he fela murne.
Ure æghwylc sceal ende gebidan
worolde lifes;
wyrce se þe mote
domes ær deaþe;
þæt bið drihtguman
unlifgendum
æfter selest.
- 1390
- Aris, rices weard, uton raþe
feran
Grendles magan gang sceawigan.
Ic hit þe
gehate, no he on helm losaþ,
ne on foldan fæþm,
ne on fyrgenholt,
ne on gyfenes grund,
ga þær he wille.
- 1395
- ðys dogor þu geþyld hafa
weana gehwylces,
swa ic þe wene to."
Ahleop ða se gomela,
gode þancode,
mihtigan drihtne,
þæs se man gespræc.
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; 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.
- 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;
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.
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.
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.
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.
- 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,