Beowulf

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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,
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.
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.
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.
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.
Reste hine þa rumheort;     reced hliuade

1800

geap ond goldfah;     gæst inne swæf
oþþæt hrefn blaca     heofones wynne
bliðheort bodode.     ða com beorht scacan
    scaþan onetton,
wæron æþelingas     eft to leodum

1805

fuse to farenne;     wolde feor þanon
cuma collenferhð     ceoles neosan.
Heht þa se hearda     Hrunting beran
sunu Ecglafes,     heht his sweord niman,
leoflic iren;     sægde him þæs leanes þanc,

1810

cwæð, he þone guðwine     godne tealde,
wigcræftigne,     nales wordum log
meces ecge;     þæt wæs modig secg.
Ond þa siðfrome,     searwum gearwe
wigend wæron;     eode weorð Denum

1815

æþeling to yppan,     þær se oþer wæs,
hæle hildedeor     Hroðgar grette.
Beowulf maþelode,     bearn Ecgþeowes:
"Nu we sæliðend     secgan wyllað,
feorran cumene,     þæt we fundiaþ

1820

Higelac secan.     Wæron her tela
willum bewenede;     þu us wel dohtest.
Gif ic þonne on eorþan     owihte mæg
þinre modlufan     maran tilian,
gumena dryhten,     ðonne ic gyt dyde,

1825

guðgeweorca,     ic beo gearo sona.
Gif ic þæt gefricge     ofer floda begang,
þæt þec ymbsittend     egesan þywað,
swa þec hetende     hwilum dydon,
ic ðe þusenda     þegna bringe,

1830

hæleþa to helpe.     Ic on Higelac wat,
Geata dryhten,     þeah ðe he geong sy,
folces hyrde,     þæt he mec fremman wile
wordum ond worcum,     þæt ic þe wel herige
ond þe to geoce     garholt bere,

1835

mægenes fultum,     þær ðe bið manna þearf.
Gif him þonne Hreþric     to hofum Geata
geþingeð, þeodnes bearn,     he mæg þær fela
freonda findan;     feorcyþðe beoð
selran gesohte     þæm þe him selfa deah."

1840

Hroðgar maþelode     him on ondsware:
"þe þa wordcwydas     wigtig drihten
on sefan sende;     ne hyrde ic snotorlicor
on swa geongum feore     guman þingian.
þu eart mægenes strang     ond on mode frod,

1845

wis wordcwida.     Wen ic talige,
gif þæt gegangeð,     þæt ðe gar nymeð,
hild heorugrimme,     Hreþles eaferan,
adl oþðe iren     ealdor ðinne,
folces hyrde,     ond þu þin feorh hafast,

1850

þæt þe Sægeatas     selran næbben
to geceosenne     cyning ænigne,
hordweard hæleþa,     gyf þu healdan wylt
maga rice.     Me þin modsefa
licað leng swa wel,     leofa Beowulf.

1855

Hafast þu gefered     þæt þam folcum sceal,
Geata leodum     ond Gardenum,
sib gemæne,     ond sacu restan,
inwitniþas,     þe hie ær drugon,
wesan, þenden ic wealde     widan rices,

1860

maþmas gemæne,     manig oþerne
godum gegretan     ofer ganotes bæð;
sceal hringnaca     ofer heafu bringan
lac ond luftacen.     Ic þa leode wat
ge wið feond ge wið freond     fæste geworhte,

1865

æghwæs untæle     ealde wisan."
ða git him eorla hleo     inne gesealde,
mago Healfdenes,     maþmas XII;
het hine mid þæm lacum     leode swæse
secean on gesyntum,     snude eft cuman.

1870

Gecyste þa     cyning æþelum god,
þeoden Scyldinga,     ðegn betstan
ond be healse genam;     hruron him tearas,
blondenfeaxum.     Him wæs bega wen,
ealdum infrodum,     oþres swiðor,

1875

þæt hie seoððan no     geseon moston,
modige on meþle.     Wæs him se man to þon leof
þæt he þone breostwylm     forberan ne mehte,
ac him on hreþre     hygebendum fæst
æfter deorum men     dyrne langað

1880

beorn wið blode.     Him Beowulf þanan,
guðrinc goldwlanc,     græsmoldan træd
since hremig;     sægenga bad
agendfrean,     se þe on ancre rad.
þa wæs on gange     gifu Hroðgares

1885

oft geæhted;     þæt wæs an cyning,
æghwæs orleahtre,     oþþæt hine yldo benam
mægenes wynnum,     se þe oft manegum scod.
Cwom þa to flode     felamodigra,
hægstealdra heap,     hringnet bæron,

1890

locene leoðosyrcan.     Landweard onfand
eftsið eorla,     swa he ær dyde;
no he mid hearme     of hliðes nosan
gæstas grette,     ac him togeanes rad,
cwæð þæt wilcuman     Wedera leodum

1895

scaþan scirhame     to scipe foron.
þa wæs on sande     sægeap naca
hladen herewædum,     hringedstefna,
mearum ond maðmum;     mæst hlifade
ofer Hroðgares     hordgestreonum.

1900

He þæm batwearde     bunden golde
swurd gesealde,     þæt he syðþan wæs
on meodubence     maþme þy weorþra,
yrfelafe.     Gewat him on naca
drefan deop wæter,     Dena land ofgeaf.

1905

þa wæs be mæste     merehrægla sum,
segl sale fæst;     sundwudu þunede.
No þær wegflotan     wind ofer yðum
siðes getwæfde;     sægenga for,
fleat famigheals     forð ofer yðe,

1910

bundenstefna     ofer brimstreamas,
þæt hie Geata clifu     ongitan meahton,
cuþe næssas.     Ceol up geþrang
lyftgeswenced,     on lande stod.
Hraþe wæs æt holme     hyðweard geara,

1915

se þe ær lange tid     leofra manna
fus æt faroðe     feor wlatode;
sælde to sande     sidfæþme scip,
oncerbendum fæst,     þy læs hym yþa ðrym
wudu wynsuman     forwrecan meahte.

1920

Het þa up beran     æþelinga gestreon,
frætwe ond fætgold;     næs him feor þanon
to gesecanne     sinces bryttan,
Higelac Hreþling,     þær æt ham wunað
selfa mid gesiðum     sæwealle neah.

1925

Bold wæs betlic,     bregorof cyning,
heah in healle,     Hygd swiðe geong,
wis, welþungen,     þeah ðe wintra lyt
under burhlocan     gebiden hæbbe,
Hæreþes dohtor;     næs hio hnah swa þeah,

1930

ne to gneað gifa     Geata leodum,
maþmgestreona.     Mod þryðo wæg,
fremu folces cwen,     firen ondrysne.
Nænig þæt dorste     deor geneþan
swæsra gesiða,     nefne sinfrea,

1935

þæt hire an dæges     eagum starede,
ac him wælbende     weotode tealde
handgewriþene;     hraþe seoþðan wæs
æfter mundgripe     mece geþinged,
þæt hit sceadenmæl     scyran moste,

1940

cwealmbealu cyðan.     Ne bið swylc cwenlic þeaw
idese to efnanne,     þeah ðe hio ænlicu sy,
þætte freoðuwebbe     feores onsæce
æfter ligetorne     leofne mannan.
Huru þæt onhohsnode     Hemminges mæg;

1945

ealodrincende     oðer sædan,
þæt hio leodbealewa     læs gefremede,
inwitniða,     syððan ærest wearð
gyfen goldhroden     geongum cempan,
æðelum diore,     syððan hio Offan flet

1950

ofer fealone flod     be fæder lare
siðe gesohte;     ðær hio syððan well
in gumstole,     gode, mære,
lifgesceafta     lifigende breac,
hiold heahlufan     wið hæleþa brego,

1955

ealles moncynnes     mine gefræge
þone selestan     bi sæm tweonum,
eormencynnes.     Forðam Offa wæs
geofum ond guðum,     garcene man,
wide geweorðod,     wisdome heold

1960

eðel sinne;     þonon Eomer woc
hæleðum to helpe,     Hemminges mæg,
nefa Garmundes,     niða cræftig.
Gewat him ða se hearda     mid his hondscole
sylf æfter sande     sæwong tredan,

1965

wide waroðas.     Woruldcandel scan,
sigel suðan fus.     Hi sið drugon,
elne geeodon,     to ðæs ðe eorla hleo,
bonan Ongenþeoes     burgum in innan,
geongne guðcyning     godne gefrunon

1970

hringas dælan.     Higelace wæs
sið Beowulfes     snude gecyðed,
þæt ðær on worðig     wigendra hleo,
lindgestealla,     lifigende cwom,
heaðolaces hal     to hofe gongan.

1975

Hraðe wæs gerymed,     swa se rica bebead,
feðegestum     flet innanweard.
Gesæt þa wið sylfne     se ða sæcce genæs,
mæg wið mæge,     syððan mandryhten
þurh hleoðorcwyde     holdne gegrette,

1980

meaglum wordum.     Meoduscencum hwearf
geond þæt healreced     Hæreðes dohtor,
lufode ða leode,     liðwæge bær
hæleðum to handa.     Higelac ongan
sinne geseldan     in sele þam hean

1985

fægre fricgcean     (hyne fyrwet bræc,
hwylce Sægeata     siðas wæron):
"Hu lomp eow on lade,     leofa Biowulf,
þa ðu færinga     feorr gehogodest
sæcce secean     ofer sealt wæter,

1990

hilde to Hiorote?     Ac ðu Hroðgare
widcuðne wean     wihte gebettest,
mærum ðeodne?     Ic ðæs modceare
sorhwylmum seað,     siðe ne truwode
leofes mannes;     ic ðe lange bæd

1995

þæt ðu þone wælgæst     wihte ne grette,
lete Suðdene     sylfe geweorðan
guðe wið Grendel.     Gode ic þanc secge
þæs ðe ic ðe gesundne     geseon moste."
Biowulf maðelode,     bearn Ecgðioes:

2000

"þæt is undyrne,     dryhten Higelac,
micel gemeting,     monegum fira,
hwylc orleghwil     uncer Grendles
wearð on ðam wange,     þær he worna fela
Sigescyldingum     sorge gefremede,

2005

yrmðe to aldre.     Ic ðæt eall gewræc,
swa begylpan ne þearf     Grendeles maga
ænig ofer eorðan     uhthlem þone,
se ðe lengest leofað     laðan cynnes,
facne bifongen.     Ic ðær furðum cwom

2010

to ðam hringsele     Hroðgar gretan;
sona me se mæra     mago Healfdenes,
syððan he modsefan     minne cuðe,
wið his sylfes sunu     setl getæhte.
Weorod wæs on wynne;     ne seah ic widan feorh

2015

under heofones hwealf     healsittendra
medudream maran.     Hwilum mæru cwen,
friðusibb folca,     flet eall geondhwearf,
bædde byre geonge;     oft hio beahwriðan
secge sealde,     ær hie to setle geong.

2020

Hwilum for duguðe     dohtor Hroðgares
eorlum on ende     ealuwæge bær;
þa ic Freaware     fletsittende
nemnan hyrde,     þær hio nægled sinc
hæleðum sealde.     Sio gehaten is,

2025

geong, goldhroden,     gladum suna Frodan;
hafað þæs geworden     wine Scyldinga,
rices hyrde,     ond þæt ræd talað,
þæt he mid ðy wife     wælfæhða dæl,
sæcca gesette.     Oft seldan hwær

2030

æfter leodhryre     lytle hwile
bongar bugeð,     þeah seo bryd duge!
Mæg þæs þonne ofþyncan     ðeodne Heaðobeardna
ond þegna gehwam     þara leoda,
þonne he mid fæmnan     on flett gæð,

2035

dryhtbearn Dena,     duguða biwenede;
on him gladiað     gomelra lafe,
heard ond hringmæl     Heaðabeardna gestreon
þenden hie ðam wæpnum     wealdan moston,
oððæt hie forlæddan     to ðam lindplegan

2040

swæse gesiðas     ond hyra sylfra feorh.
þonne cwið æt beore     se ðe beah gesyhð,
eald æscwiga,     se ðe eall geman,
garcwealm gumena     (him bið grim sefa),
onginneð geomormod     geongum cempan

2045

þurh hreðra gehygd     higes cunnian,
wigbealu weccean,     ond þæt word acwyð:
'Meaht ðu, min wine,     mece gecnawan
þone þin fæder     to gefeohte bær
under heregriman     hindeman siðe,

2050

dyre iren,     þær hyne Dene slogon,
weoldon wælstowe,     syððan Wiðergyld læg,
æfter hæleþa hryre,     hwate Scyldungas?
Nu her þara banena     byre nathwylces
frætwum hremig     on flet gæð,

2055

morðres gylpeð,     ond þone maðþum byreð,
þone þe ðu mid rihte     rædan sceoldest.'
Manað swa ond myndgað     mæla gehwylce
sarum wordum,     oððæt sæl cymeð
þæt se fæmnan þegn     fore fæder dædum

2060

æfter billes bite     blodfag swefeð,
ealdres scyldig;     him se oðer þonan
losað lifigende,     con him land geare.
þonne bioð abrocene     on ba healfe
aðsweord eorla;     syððan Ingelde

2065

weallað wælniðas,     ond him wiflufan
æfter cearwælmum     colran weorðað.
þy ic Heaðobeardna     hyldo ne telge,
dryhtsibbe dæl     Denum unfæcne,
freondscipe fæstne.     Ic sceal forð sprecan

2070

gen ymbe Grendel,     þæt ðu geare cunne,
sinces brytta,     to hwan syððan wearð
hondræs hæleða.     Syððan heofones gim
glad ofer grundas,     gæst yrre cwom,
eatol, æfengrom,     user neosan,

2075

ðær we gesunde     sæl weardodon.
þær wæs Hondscio     hild onsæge,
feorhbealu fægum;     he fyrmest læg,
gyrded cempa;     him Grendel wearð,
mærum maguþegne     to muðbonan,

2080

leofes mannes     lic eall forswealg.
No ðy ær ut ða gen     idelhende
bona blodigtoð,     bealewa gemyndig,
of ðam goldsele     gongan wolde,
ac he mægnes rof     min costode,

2085

grapode gearofolm.     Glof hangode
sid ond syllic,     searobendum fæst;
sio wæs orðoncum     eall gegyrwed
deofles cræftum     ond dracan fellum.
He mec þær on innan     unsynnigne,

2090

dior dædfruma,     gedon wolde
manigra sumne;     hyt ne mihte swa,
syððan ic on yrre     uppriht astod.
To lang ys to reccenne     hu ic ðam leodsceaðan
yfla gehwylces     ondlean forgeald;

2095

þær ic, þeoden min,     þine leode
weorðode weorcum.     He on weg losade,
lytle hwile     lifwynna breac;
hwæþre him sio swiðre     swaðe weardade
hand on Hiorte,     ond he hean ðonan

2100

modes geomor     meregrund gefeoll.
Me þone wælræs     wine Scildunga
fættan golde     fela leanode,
manegum maðmum,     syððan mergen com
ond we to symble     geseten hæfdon.

2105

þær wæs gidd ond gleo.     Gomela Scilding,
felafricgende,     feorran rehte;
hwilum hildedeor     hearpan wynne,
gomenwudu grette,     hwilum gyd awræc
soð ond sarlic,     hwilum syllic spell

2110

rehte æfter rihte     rumheort cyning.
Hwilum eft ongan,     eldo gebunden,
gomel guðwiga     gioguðe cwiðan,
hildestrengo;     hreðer inne weoll,
þonne he wintrum frod     worn gemunde.

2115

Swa we þær inne     ondlangne dæg
niode naman,     oððæt niht becwom
oðer to yldum.     þa wæs eft hraðe
gearo gyrnwræce     Grendeles modor,
siðode sorhfull;     sunu deað fornam,

2120

wighete Wedra.     Wif unhyre
hyre bearn gewræc,     beorn acwealde
ellenlice;     þær wæs æschere,
frodan fyrnwitan,     feorh uðgenge.
Noðer hy hine ne moston,     syððan mergen cwom,

2125

deaðwerigne,     Denia leode,
bronde forbærnan,     ne on bel hladan
leofne mannan;     hio þæt lic ætbær
feondes fæðmum     under firgenstream.
þæt wæs Hroðgare     hreowa tornost

2130

þara þe leodfruman     lange begeate.
þa se ðeoden mec     ðine life
healsode hreohmod,     þæt ic on holma geþring
eorlscipe efnde,     ealdre geneðde,
mærðo fremede;     he me mede gehet.

2135

Ic ða ðæs wælmes,     þe is wide cuð,
grimne gryrelicne     grundhyrde fond;
þær unc hwile wæs     hand gemæne,
holm heolfre weoll,     ond ic heafde becearf
in ðam guðsele     Grendeles modor

2140

eacnum ecgum,     unsofte þonan
feorh oðferede.     Næs ic fæge þa gyt,
ac me eorla hleo     eft gesealde
maðma menigeo,     maga Healfdenes.
Swa se ðeodkyning     þeawum lyfde.

2145

Nealles ic ðam leanum     forloren hæfde,
mægnes mede,     ac he me maðmas geaf,
sunu Healfdenes,     on minne sylfes dom;
ða ic ðe, beorncyning,     bringan wylle,
estum geywan.     Gen is eall æt ðe

2150

lissa gelong;     ic lyt hafo
heafodmaga     nefne, Hygelac, ðec."
Het ða in beran     eaforheafodsegn,
heaðosteapne helm,     hare byrnan,
guðsweord geatolic,     gyd æfter wræc:

2155

"Me ðis hildesceorp     Hroðgar sealde,
snotra fengel,     sume worde het
þæt ic his ærest ðe     est gesægde;
cwæð þæt hyt hæfde     Hiorogar cyning,
leod Scyldunga     lange hwile;

2160

no ðy ær suna sinum     syllan wolde,
hwatum Heorowearde,     þeah he him hold wære,
breostgewædu.     Bruc ealles well!"
Hyrde ic þæt þam frætwum     feower mearas
lungre, gelice,     last weardode,

2165

æppelfealuwe;     he him est geteah
meara ond maðma.     Swa sceal mæg don,
nealles inwitnet     oðrum bregdon
dyrnum cræfte,     deað renian
hondgesteallan.     Hygelace wæs,

2170

niða heardum,     nefa swyðe hold,
ond gehwæðer oðrum     hroþra gemyndig.
Hyrde ic þæt he ðone healsbeah     Hygde gesealde,
wrætlicne wundurmaððum,     ðone þe him Wealhðeo geaf,
ðeodnes dohtor,     þrio wicg somod

2175

swancor ond sadolbeorht;     hyre syððan wæs
æfter beahðege     breost geweorðod.
Swa bealdode     bearn Ecgðeowes,
guma guðum cuð,     godum dædum,
dreah æfter dome,     nealles druncne slog

2180

heorðgeneatas;     næs him hreoh sefa,
ac he mancynnes     mæste cræfte
ginfæstan gife,     þe him god sealde,
heold hildedeor.     Hean wæs lange,
swa hyne Geata bearn     godne ne tealdon,

2185

ne hyne on medobence     micles wyrðne
drihten Wedera     gedon wolde;
swyðe wendon     þæt he sleac wære,
æðeling unfrom.     Edwenden cwom
tireadigum menn     torna gehwylces.

2190

Het ða eorla hleo     in gefetian,
heaðorof cyning,     Hreðles lafe
golde gegyrede;     næs mid Geatum ða
sincmaðþum selra     on sweordes had;
þæt he on Biowulfes     bearm alegde

2195

ond him gesealde     seofan þusendo,
bold ond bregostol.     Him wæs bam samod
on ðam leodscipe     lond gecynde,
eard, eðelriht,     oðrum swiðor
side rice     þam ðær selra wæs.

2200

Eft þæt geiode     ufaran dogrum
hildehlæmmum,     syððan Hygelac læg
ond Heardrede     hildemeceas
under bordhreoðan     to bonan wurdon,
ða hyne gesohtan     on sigeþeode

2205

hearde hildefrecan,     Heaðoscilfingas,
niða genægdan     nefan Hererices,
syððan Beowulfe     brade rice
on hand gehwearf;     he geheold tela
fiftig wintra     (wæs ða frod cyning,

2210

eald eþelweard),     oððæt an ongan
deorcum nihtum     draca ricsian,
se ðe on heaum hofe     hord beweotode,
stanbeorh steapne;     stig under læg,
eldum uncuð.     þær on innan giong

2215

niða nathwylc,     se ðe neh gefeng
hæðnum horde,     hond ......,
since fahne.     He þæt syððan ......,
þeah ðe he slæpende     besyred wurde
þeofes cræfte;     þæt sie ðiod onfand,

2220

bufolc beorna,     þæt he gebolgen wæs.
Nealles mid gewealdum     wyrmhord abræc
sylfes willum,     se ðe him sare gesceod,
ac for þreanedlan     þeow nathwylces
hæleða bearna     heteswengeas fleah,

2225

ærnes þearfa,     ond ðær inne fealh,
secg synbysig,     sona onfunde
þæt þær ðam gyste     gryrebroga stod;
hwæðre earmsceapen     
    ...sceapen

2230

    þa hyne se fær begeat.
Sincfæt ......;     þær wæs swylcra fela
in ðam eorðhuse     ærgestreona,
swa hy on geardagum     gumena nathwylc,
eormenlafe     æþelan cynnes,

2235

þanchycgende     þær gehydde,
deore maðmas.     Ealle hie deað fornam
ærran mælum,     ond se an ða gen
leoda duguðe,     se ðær lengest hwearf,
weard winegeomor,     wende þæs ylcan,

2240

þæt he lytel fæc     longgestreona
brucan moste.     Beorh eallgearo
wunode on wonge     wæteryðum neah,
niwe be næsse,     nearocræftum fæst.
þær on innan bær     eorlgestreona

2245

hringa hyrde     hordwyrðne dæl,
fættan goldes,     fea worda cwæð:
"Heald þu nu, hruse,     nu hæleð ne moston,
eorla æhte!     Hwæt, hyt ær on ðe
gode begeaton.     Guðdeað fornam,

2250

feorhbealo frecne,     fyra gehwylcne
leoda minra,     þara ðe þis lif ofgeaf,
gesawon seledream.     Ic nah hwa sweord wege
oððe feormie     fæted wæge,
dryncfæt deore;     duguð ellor sceoc.

2255

Sceal se hearda helm     hyrsted golde
fætum befeallen;     feormynd swefað,
þa ðe beadogriman     bywan sceoldon,
ge swylce seo herepad,     sio æt hilde gebad
ofer borda gebræc     bite irena,

2260

brosnað æfter beorne.     Ne mæg byrnan hring
æfter wigfruman     wide feran,
hæleðum be healfe.     Næs hearpan wyn,
gomen gleobeames,     ne god hafoc
geond sæl swingeð,     ne se swifta mearh

2265

burhstede beateð.     Bealocwealm hafað
fela feorhcynna     forð onsended!"
Swa giomormod     giohðo mænde
an æfter eallum,     unbliðe hwearf
dæges ond nihtes,     oððæt deaðes wylm

2270

hran æt heortan.     Hordwynne fond
eald uhtsceaða     opene standan,
se ðe byrnende     biorgas seceð,
nacod niðdraca,     nihtes fleogeð
fyre befangen;     hyne foldbuend

2275

swiðe ondrædað.     He gesecean sceall
hord on hrusan,     þær he hæðen gold
warað wintrum frod,     ne byð him wihte ðy sel.
Swa se ðeodsceaða     þreo hund wintra
heold on hrusan     hordærna sum,

2280

eacencræftig,     oððæt hyne an abealch
mon on mode;     mandryhtne bær
fæted wæge,     frioðowære bæd
hlaford sinne.     ða wæs hord rasod,
onboren beaga hord,     bene getiðad

2285

feasceaftum men.     Frea sceawode
fira fyrngeweorc     forman siðe.
þa se wyrm onwoc,     wroht wæs geniwad;
stonc ða æfter stane,     stearcheort onfand
feondes fotlast;     he to forð gestop

2290

dyrnan cræfte     dracan heafde neah.
Swa mæg unfæge     eaðe gedigan
wean ond wræcsið,     se ðe waldendes
hyldo gehealdeþ!     Hordweard sohte
georne æfter grunde,     wolde guman findan,

2295

þone þe him on sweofote     sare geteode,
hat ond hreohmod     hlæw oft ymbehwearf
ealne utanweardne,     ne ðær ænig mon
on þære westenne;     hwæðre wiges gefeh,
beaduwe weorces,     hwilum on beorh æthwearf,

2300

sincfæt sohte.     He þæt sona onfand
ðæt hæfde gumena sum     goldes gefandod,
heahgestreona.     Hordweard onbad
earfoðlice     oððæt æfen cwom;
wæs ða gebolgen     beorges hyrde,

2305

wolde se laða     lige forgyldan
drincfæt dyre.     þa wæs dæg sceacen
wyrme on willan;     no on wealle læg,
bidan wolde,     ac mid bæle for,
fyre gefysed.     Wæs se fruma egeslic

2310

leodum on lande,     swa hyt lungre wearð
on hyra sincgifan     sare geendod.
ða se gæst ongan     gledum spiwan,
beorht hofu bærnan;     bryneleoma stod
eldum on andan.     No ðær aht cwices

2315

lað lyftfloga     læfan wolde.
Wæs þæs wyrmes wig     wide gesyne,
nearofages nið     nean ond feorran,
hu se guðsceaða     Geata leode
hatode ond hynde;     hord eft gesceat,

2320

dryhtsele dyrnne,     ær dæges hwile.
Hæfde landwara     lige befangen,
bæle ond bronde,     beorges getruwode,
wiges ond wealles;     him seo wen geleah.
þa wæs Biowulfe     broga gecyðed

2325

snude to soðe,     þæt his sylfes ham,
bolda selest,     brynewylmum mealt,
gifstol Geata.     þæt ðam godan wæs
hreow on hreðre,     hygesorga mæst;
wende se wisa     þæt he wealdende

2330

ofer ealde riht,     ecean dryhtne,
bitre gebulge.     Breost innan weoll
þeostrum geþoncum,     swa him geþywe ne wæs.
Hæfde ligdraca     leoda fæsten,
ealond utan,     eorðweard ðone

2335

gledum forgrunden;     him ðæs guðkyning,
Wedera þioden,     wræce leornode.
Heht him þa gewyrcean     wigendra hleo
eallirenne,     eorla dryhten,
wigbord wrætlic;     wisse he gearwe

2340

þæt him holtwudu     helpan ne meahte,
lind wið lige.     Sceolde lændaga
æþeling ærgod     ende gebidan,
worulde lifes,     ond se wyrm somod,
þeah ðe hordwelan     heolde lange.

2345

Oferhogode ða     hringa fengel
þæt he þone widflogan     weorode gesohte,
sidan herge;     no he him þa sæcce ondred,
ne him þæs wyrmes wig     for wiht dyde,
eafoð ond ellen,     forðon he ær fela

2350

nearo neðende     niða gedigde,
hildehlemma,     syððan he Hroðgares,
sigoreadig secg,     sele fælsode
ond æt guðe forgrap     Grendeles mægum
laðan cynnes.     No þæt læsest wæs

2355

hondgemota,     þær mon Hygelac sloh,
syððan Geata cyning     guðe ræsum,
freawine folca     Freslondum on,
Hreðles eafora     hiorodryncum swealt,
bille gebeaten.     þonan Biowulf com

2360

sylfes cræfte,     sundnytte dreah;
hæfde him on earme     ana XXX
hildegeatwa,     þa he to holme beag.
Nealles Hetware     hremge þorfton
feðewiges,     þe him foran ongean

2365

linde bæron;     lyt eft becwom
fram þam hildfrecan     hames niosan.
Oferswam ða sioleða bigong     sunu Ecgðeowes,
earm anhaga,     eft to leodum;
þær him Hygd gebead     hord ond rice,

2370

beagas ond bregostol,     bearne ne truwode
þæt he wið ælfylcum     eþelstolas
healdan cuðe,     ða wæs Hygelac dead.
No ðy ær feasceafte     findan meahton
æt ðam æðelinge     ænige ðinga,

2375

þæt he Heardrede     hlaford wære
oððe þone cynedom     ciosan wolde;
hwæðre he him on folce     freondlarum heold,
estum mid are,     oððæt he yldra wearð,
Wedergeatum weold.     Hyne wræcmæcgas

2380

ofer sæ sohtan,     suna Ohteres;
hæfdon hy forhealden     helm Scylfinga,
þone selestan     sæcyninga
þara ðe in Swiorice     sinc brytnade,
mærne þeoden.     Him þæt to mearce wearð;

2385

he þær for feorme     feorhwunde hleat
sweordes swengum,     sunu Hygelaces,
ond him eft gewat     Ongenðioes bearn
hames niosan,     syððan Heardred læg,
let ðone bregostol     Biowulf healdan,

2390

Geatum wealdan.     þæt wæs god cyning!
Se ðæs leodhryres     lean gemunde
uferan dogrum,     Eadgilse wearð
feasceaftum freond,     folce gestepte
ofer sæ side     sunu Ohteres,

2395

wigum ond wæpnum;     he gewræc syððan
cealdum cearsiðum,     cyning ealdre bineat.
Swa he niða gehwane     genesen hæfde,
sliðra geslyhta,     sunu Ecgðiowes,
ellenweorca,     oð ðone anne dæg

2400

þe he wið þam wyrme     gewegan sceolde.
Gewat þa XIIa sum     torne gebolgen
dryhten Geata     dracan sceawian.
Hæfde þa gefrunen     hwanan sio fæhð aras,
bealonið biorna;     him to bearme cwom

2405

maðþumfæt mære     þurh ðæs meldan hond.
Se wæs on ðam ðreate     þreotteoða secg,
se ðæs orleges     or onstealde,
hæft hygegiomor,     sceolde hean ðonon
wong wisian.     He ofer willan giong

2410

to ðæs ðe he eorðsele     anne wisse,
hlæw under hrusan     holmwylme neh,
yðgewinne;     se wæs innan full
wrætta ond wira.     Weard unhiore,
gearo guðfreca,     goldmaðmas heold,

2415

eald under eorðan.     Næs þæt yðe ceap
to gegangenne     gumena ænigum!
Gesæt ða on næsse     niðheard cyning,
þenden hælo abead     heorðgeneatum,
goldwine Geata.     Him wæs geomor sefa,

2420

wæfre ond wælfus,     wyrd ungemete neah,
se ðone gomelan     gretan sceolde,
secean sawle hord,     sundur gedælan
lif wið lice,     no þon lange wæs
feorh æþelinges     flæsce bewunden.

2425

Biowulf maþelade,     bearn Ecgðeowes:
"Fela ic on giogoðe     guðræsa genæs,
orleghwila;     ic þæt eall gemon.
Ic wæs syfanwintre,     þa mec sinca baldor,
freawine folca,     æt minum fæder genam;

2430

heold mec ond hæfde     Hreðel cyning,
geaf me sinc ond symbel,     sibbe gemunde.
Næs ic him to life     laðra owihte,
beorn in burgum,     þonne his bearna hwylc,
Herebeald ond Hæðcyn     oððe Hygelac min.

2435

Wæs þam yldestan     ungedefelice
mæges dædum     morþorbed stred,
syððan hyne Hæðcyn     of hornbogan,
his freawine,     flane geswencte,
miste mercelses     ond his mæg ofscet,

2440

broðor oðerne     blodigan gare.
þæt wæs feohleas gefeoht,     fyrenum gesyngad,
hreðre hygemeðe;     sceolde hwæðre swa þeah
æðeling unwrecen     ealdres linnan.
Swa bið geomorlic     gomelum ceorle

2445

to gebidanne,     þæt his byre ride
giong on galgan,     þonne he gyd wrece,
sarigne sang,     þonne his sunu hangað
hrefne to hroðre,     ond he him helpe ne mæg,
eald ond infrod,     ænige gefremman.

2450

Symble bið gemyndgad     morna gehwylce
eaforan ellorsið;     oðres ne gymeð
to gebidanne     burgum in innan
yrfeweardas,     þonne se an hafað
þurh deaðes nyd     dæda gefondad.

2455

Gesyhð sorhcearig     on his suna bure
winsele westne,     windge reste
reote berofene.     Ridend swefað,
hæleð in hoðman;     nis þær hearpan sweg,
gomen in geardum,     swylce ðær iu wæron.

2460

Gewiteð þonne on sealman,     sorhleoð gæleð
an æfter anum;     þuhte him eall to rum,
wongas ond wicstede.     Swa Wedra helm
æfter Herebealde     heortan sorge
weallende wæg.     Wihte ne meahte

2465

on ðam feorhbonan     fæghðe gebetan;
no ðy ær he þone heaðorinc     hatian ne meahte
laðum dædum,     þeah him leof ne wæs.
He ða mid þære sorhge,     þe him swa sar belamp,
gumdream ofgeaf,     godes leoht geceas,

2470

eaferum læfde,     swa deð eadig mon,
lond ond leodbyrig,     þa he of life gewat.
þa wæs synn ond sacu     Sweona ond Geata
ofer wid wæter,     wroht gemæne,
herenið hearda,     syððan Hreðel swealt,

2475

oððe him Ongenðeowes     eaferan wæran
frome, fyrdhwate,     freode ne woldon
ofer heafo healdan,     ac ymb Hreosnabeorh
eatolne inwitscear     oft gefremedon.
þæt mægwine     mine gewræcan,

2480

fæhðe ond fyrene,     swa hyt gefræge wæs,
þeah ðe oðer his     ealdre gebohte,
heardan ceape;     Hæðcynne wearð,
Geata dryhtne,     guð onsæge.
þa ic on morgne gefrægn     mæg oðerne

2485

billes ecgum     on bonan stælan,
þær Ongenþeow     Eofores niosað.
Guðhelm toglad,     gomela Scylfing
hreas hildeblac;     hond gemunde
fæhðo genoge,     feorhsweng ne ofteah.

2490

Ic him þa maðmas,     þe he me sealde,
geald æt guðe,     swa me gifeðe wæs,
leohtan sweorde;     he me lond forgeaf,
eard, eðelwyn.     Næs him ænig þearf
þæt he to Gifðum     oððe to Gardenum

2495

oððe in Swiorice     secean þurfe
wyrsan wigfrecan,     weorðe gecypan.
Symle ic him on feðan     beforan wolde,
ana on orde,     ond swa to aldre sceall
sæcce fremman,     þenden þis sweord þolað,

2500

þæt mec ær ond sið     oft gelæste.
Syððan ic for dugeðum     Dæghrefne wearð
to handbonan,     Huga cempan;
nalles he ða frætwe     Frescyninge,
breostweorðunge,     bringan moste,

2505

ac in compe gecrong     cumbles hyrde,
æþeling on elne;     ne wæs ecg bona,
ac him hildegrap     heortan wylmas,
banhus gebræc.     Nu sceall billes ecg,
hond ond heard sweord,     ymb hord wigan."

2510

Beowulf maðelode,     beotwordum spræc
niehstan siðe:     "Ic geneðde fela
guða on geogoðe;     gyt ic wylle,
frod folces weard,     fæhðe secan,
mærðu fremman,     gif mec se mansceaða

2515

of eorðsele     ut geseceð."
Gegrette ða     gumena gehwylcne,
hwate helmberend,     hindeman siðe,
swæse gesiðas:     "Nolde ic sweord beran,
wæpen to wyrme,     gif ic wiste hu

2520

wið ðam aglæcean     elles meahte
gylpe wiðgripan,     swa ic gio wið Grendle dyde.
Ac ic ðær heaðufyres     hates wene,
oreðes ond attres;     forðon ic me on hafu
bord ond byrnan.     Nelle ic beorges weard

2525

forfleon fotes trem,     ac unc furður sceal
weorðan æt wealle,     swa unc wyrd geteoð,
metod manna gehwæs.     Ic eom on mode from
þæt ic wið þone guðflogan     gylp ofersitte.
Gebide ge on beorge     byrnum werede,

2530

secgas on searwum,     hwæðer sel mæge
æfter wælræse     wunde gedygan
uncer twega.     Nis þæt eower sið
ne gemet mannes,     nefne min anes,
þæt he wið aglæcean     eofoðo dæle,

2535

eorlscype efne.     Ic mid elne sceall
gold gegangan,     oððe guð nimeð,
feorhbealu frecne,     frean eowerne!"
Aras ða bi ronde     rof oretta,
heard under helme,     hiorosercean bær

2540

under stancleofu,     strengo getruwode
anes mannes.     Ne bið swylc earges sið!
Geseah ða be wealle     se ðe worna fela,
gumcystum god,     guða gedigde,
hildehlemma,     þonne hnitan feðan,

2545

stondan stanbogan,     stream ut þonan
brecan of beorge.     Wæs þære burnan wælm
heaðofyrum hat;     ne meahte horde neah
unbyrnende     ænige hwile
deop gedygan     for dracan lege.

2550

Let ða of breostum,     ða he gebolgen wæs,
Wedergeata leod     word ut faran,
stearcheort styrmde;     stefn in becom
heaðotorht hlynnan     under harne stan.
Hete wæs onhrered,     hordweard oncniow

2555

mannes reorde;     næs ðær mara fyrst
freode to friclan.     From ærest cwom
oruð aglæcean     ut of stane,
hat hildeswat.     Hruse dynede.
Biorn under beorge     bordrand onswaf

2560

wið ðam gryregieste,     Geata dryhten;
ða wæs hringbogan     heorte gefysed
sæcce to seceanne.     Sweord ær gebræd
god guðcyning,     gomele lafe,
ecgum unslaw;     æghwæðrum wæs

2565

bealohycgendra     broga fram oðrum.
Stiðmod gestod     wið steapne rond
winia bealdor,     ða se wyrm gebeah
snude tosomne;     he on searwum bad.
Gewat ða byrnende     gebogen scriðan,

2570

to gescipe scyndan.     Scyld wel gebearg
life ond lice     læssan hwile
mærum þeodne     þonne his myne sohte,
ðær he þy fyrste,     forman dogore
wealdan moste     swa him wyrd ne gescraf

2575

hreð æt hilde.     Hond up abræd
Geata dryhten,     gryrefahne sloh
incgelafe,     þæt sio ecg gewac
brun on bane,     bat unswiðor
þonne his ðiodcyning     þearfe hæfde,

2580

bysigum gebæded.     þa wæs beorges weard
æfter heaðuswenge     on hreoum mode,
wearp wælfyre;     wide sprungon
hildeleoman.     Hreðsigora ne gealp
goldwine Geata;     guðbill geswac,

2585

nacod æt niðe,     swa hyt no sceolde,
iren ærgod.     Ne wæs þæt eðe sið,
þæt se mæra     maga Ecgðeowes
grundwong þone     ofgyfan wolde;
sceolde ofer willan     wic eardian

2590

elles hwergen,     swa sceal æghwylc mon
alætan lændagas.     Næs ða long to ðon
þæt ða aglæcean hy     eft gemetton.
Hyrte hyne hordweard     (hreðer æðme weoll)
niwan stefne;     nearo ðrowode,

2595

fyre befongen,     se ðe ær folce weold.
Nealles him on heape     handgesteallan,
æðelinga bearn,     ymbe gestodon
hildecystum,     ac hy on holt bugon,
ealdre burgan.     Hiora in anum weoll

2600

sefa wið sorgum;     sibb æfre ne mæg
wiht onwendan     þam ðe wel þenceð.
Wiglaf wæs haten     Weoxstanes sunu,
leoflic lindwiga,     leod Scylfinga,
mæg ælfheres;     geseah his mondryhten

2605

under heregriman     hat þrowian.
Gemunde ða ða are     þe he him ær forgeaf,
wicstede weligne     Wægmundinga,
folcrihta gehwylc,     swa his fæder ahte.
Ne mihte ða forhabban;     hond rond gefeng,

2610

geolwe linde,     gomel swyrd geteah,
þæt wæs mid eldum     Eanmundes laf,
suna Ohteres.     þam æt sæcce wearð,
wræccan wineleasum,     Weohstan bana
meces ecgum,     ond his magum ætbær

2615

brunfagne helm,     hringde byrnan,
eald sweord etonisc;     þæt him Onela forgeaf,
his gædelinges     guðgewædu,
fyrdsearo fuslic,     no ymbe ða fæhðe spræc,
þeah ðe he his broðor bearn     abredwade.

2620

He frætwe geheold     fela missera,
bill ond byrnan,     oððæt his byre mihte
eorlscipe efnan     swa his ærfæder;
geaf him ða mid Geatum     guðgewæda,
æghwæs unrim,     þa he of ealdre gewat,

2625

frod on forðweg.     þa wæs forma sið
geongan cempan,     þæt he guðe ræs
mid his freodryhtne     fremman sceolde.
Ne gemealt him se modsefa,     ne his mæges laf
gewac æt wige;     þæt se wyrm onfand,

2630

syððan hie togædre     gegan hæfdon.
Wiglaf maðelode,     wordrihta fela
sægde gesiðum     (him wæs sefa geomor):
"Ic ðæt mæl geman,     þær we medu þegun,
þonne we geheton     ussum hlaforde

2635

in biorsele,     ðe us ðas beagas geaf,
þæt we him ða guðgetawa     gyldan woldon
gif him þyslicu     þearf gelumpe,
helmas ond heard sweord.     ðe he usic on herge geceas
to ðyssum siðfate     sylfes willum,

2640

onmunde usic mærða,     ond me þas maðmas geaf,
þe he usic garwigend     gode tealde,
hwate helmberend,     þeah ðe hlaford us
þis ellenweorc     ana aðohte
to gefremmanne,     folces hyrde,

2645

for ðam he manna mæst     mærða gefremede,
dæda dollicra.     Nu is se dæg cumen
þæt ure mandryhten     mægenes behofað,
godra guðrinca;     wutun gongan to,
helpan hildfruman,     þenden hyt sy,

2650

gledegesa grim.     God wat on mec
þæt me is micle leofre     þæt minne lichaman
mid minne goldgyfan     gled fæðmie.
Ne þynceð me gerysne     þæt we rondas beren
eft to earde,     nemne we æror mægen

2655

fane gefyllan,     feorh ealgian
Wedra ðeodnes.     Ic wat geare
þæt næron ealdgewyrht,     þæt he ana scyle
Geata duguðe     gnorn þrowian,
gesigan æt sæcce;     urum sceal sweord ond helm,

2660

byrne ond beaduscrud,     bam gemæne."
Wod þa þurh þone wælrec,     wigheafolan bær
frean on fultum,     fea worda cwæð:
"Leofa Biowulf,     læst eall tela,
swa ðu on geoguðfeore     geara gecwæde

2665

þæt ðu ne alæte     be ðe lifigendum
dom gedreosan.     Scealt nu dædum rof,
æðeling anhydig,     ealle mægene
feorh ealgian;     ic ðe fullæstu."
æfter ðam wordum     wyrm yrre cwom,

2670

atol inwitgæst,     oðre siðe
fyrwylmum fah     fionda niosian,
laðra manna;     ligyðum for.
Born bord wið rond,     byrne ne meahte
geongum garwigan     geoce gefremman,

2675

ac se maga geonga     under his mæges scyld
elne geeode,     þa his agen wæs
gledum forgrunden.     þa gen guðcyning
mærða gemunde,     mægenstrengo sloh
hildebille,     þæt hyt on heafolan stod

2680

niþe genyded;     Nægling forbærst,
geswac æt sæcce     sweord Biowulfes,
gomol ond grægmæl.     Him þæt gifeðe ne wæs
þæt him irenna     ecge mihton
helpan æt hilde;     wæs sio hond to strong,

2685

se ðe meca gehwane,     mine gefræge,
swenge ofersohte,     þonne he to sæcce bær
wæpen wundrum heard;     næs him wihte ðe sel.
þa wæs þeodsceaða     þriddan siðe,
frecne fyrdraca,     fæhða gemyndig,

2690

ræsde on ðone rofan,     þa him rum ageald,
hat ond heaðogrim,     heals ealne ymbefeng
biteran banum;     he geblodegod wearð
sawuldriore,     swat yðum weoll.
ða ic æt þearfe gefrægn     þeodcyninges

2695

andlongne eorl     ellen cyðan,
cræft ond cenðu,     swa him gecynde wæs.
Ne hedde he þæs heafolan,     ac sio hand gebarn
modiges mannes,     þær he his mæges healp,
þæt he þone niðgæst     nioðor hwene sloh,

2700

secg on searwum,     þæt ðæt sweord gedeaf,
fah ond fæted,     þæt ðæt fyr ongon
sweðrian syððan.     þa gen sylf cyning
geweold his gewitte,     wællseaxe gebræd
biter ond beaduscearp,     þæt he on byrnan wæg;

2705

forwrat Wedra helm     wyrm on middan.
Feond gefyldan     (ferh ellen wræc),
ond hi hyne þa begen     abroten hæfdon,
sibæðelingas.     Swylc sceolde secg wesan,
þegn æt ðearfe!     þæt ðam þeodne wæs

2710

siðast sigehwila     sylfes dædum,
worlde geweorces.     ða sio wund ongon,
þe him se eorðdraca     ær geworhte,
swelan ond swellan;     he þæt sona onfand,
þæt him on breostum     bealoniðe weoll

2715

attor on innan.     ða se æðeling giong
þæt he bi wealle     wishycgende
gesæt on sesse;     seah on enta geweorc,
hu ða stanbogan     stapulum fæste
ece eorðreced     innan healde.

2720

Hyne þa mid handa     heorodreorigne,
þeoden mærne,     þegn ungemete till
winedryhten his     wætere gelafede,
hilde sædne,     ond his helm onspeon.
Biowulf maþelode     (he ofer benne spræc,

2725

wunde wælbleate;     wisse he gearwe
þæt he dæghwila     gedrogen hæfde,
eorðan wynne;     ða wæs eall sceacen
dogorgerimes,     deað ungemete neah):
"Nu ic suna minum     syllan wolde

2730

guðgewædu,     þær me gifeðe swa
ænig yrfeweard     æfter wurde
lice gelenge.     Ic ðas leode heold
fiftig wintra;     næs se folccyning,
ymbesittendra     ænig ðara,

2735

þe mec guðwinum     gretan dorste,
egesan ðeon.     Ic on earde bad
mælgesceafta,     heold min tela,
ne sohte searoniðas,     ne me swor fela
aða on unriht.     Ic ðæs ealles mæg

2740

feorhbennum seoc     gefean habban;
for ðam me witan ne ðearf     waldend fira
morðorbealo maga,     þonne min sceaceð
lif of lice.     Nu ðu lungre geong
hord sceawian     under harne stan,

2745

Wiglaf leofa,     nu se wyrm ligeð,
swefeð sare wund,     since bereafod.
Bio nu on ofoste,     þæt ic ærwelan,
goldæht ongite,     gearo sceawige
swegle searogimmas,     þæt ic ðy seft mæge

2750

æfter maððumwelan     min alætan
lif ond leodscipe,     þone ic longe heold."
ða ic snude gefrægn     sunu Wihstanes
æfter wordcwydum     wundum dryhtne
hyran heaðosiocum,     hringnet beran,

2755

brogdne beadusercean     under beorges hrof.
Geseah ða sigehreðig,     þa he bi sesse geong,
magoþegn modig     maððumsigla fealo,
gold glitinian     grunde getenge,
wundur on wealle,     ond þæs wyrmes denn,

2760

ealdes uhtflogan,     orcas stondan,
fyrnmanna fatu     feormendlease,
hyrstum behrorene;     þær wæs helm monig
eald ond omig,     earmbeaga fela
searwum gesæled.     Sinc eaðe mæg,

2765

gold on grunde,     gumcynnes gehwone
oferhigian,     hyde se ðe wylle.
Swylce he siomian geseah     segn eallgylden
heah ofer horde,     hondwundra mæst,
gelocen leoðocræftum;     of ðam leoma stod,

2770

þæt he þone grundwong     ongitan meahte,
wræte giondwlitan.     Næs ðæs wyrmes þær
onsyn ænig,     ac hyne ecg fornam.
ða ic on hlæwe gefrægn     hord reafian,
eald enta geweorc,     anne mannan,

2775

him on bearm hladon     bunan ond discas
sylfes dome;     segn eac genom,
beacna beorhtost.     Bill ær gescod
(ecg wæs iren)     ealdhlafordes
þam ðara maðma     mundbora wæs

2780

longe hwile,     ligegesan wæg
hatne for horde,     hioroweallende
middelnihtum,     oðþæt he morðre swealt.
Ar wæs on ofoste,     eftsiðes georn,
frætwum gefyrðred;     hyne fyrwet bræc,

2785

hwæðer collenferð     cwicne gemette
in ðam wongstede     Wedra þeoden
ellensiocne,     þær he hine ær forlet.
He ða mid þam maðmum     mærne þioden,
dryhten sinne,     driorigne fand

2790

ealdres æt ende;     he hine eft ongon
wæteres weorpan,     oðþæt wordes ord
breosthord þurhbræc.     
gomel on giohðe     (gold sceawode):
"Ic ðara frætwa     frean ealles ðanc,

2795

wuldurcyninge,     wordum secge,
ecum dryhtne,     þe ic her on starie,
þæs ðe ic moste     minum leodum
ær swyltdæge     swylc gestrynan.
Nu ic on maðma hord     mine bebohte

2800

frode feorhlege,     fremmað gena
leoda þearfe;     ne mæg ic her leng wesan.
Hatað heaðomære     hlæw gewyrcean
beorhtne æfter bæle     æt brimes nosan;
se scel to gemyndum     minum leodum

2805

heah hlifian     on Hronesnæsse,
þæt hit sæliðend     syððan hatan
Biowulfes biorh,     ða ðe brentingas
ofer floda genipu     feorran drifað."
Dyde him of healse     hring gyldenne

2810

þioden þristhydig,     þegne gesealde,
geongum garwigan,     goldfahne helm,
beah ond byrnan,     het hyne brucan well:
"þu eart endelaf     usses cynnes,
Wægmundinga.     Ealle wyrd forsweop

2815

mine magas     to metodsceafte,
eorlas on elne;     ic him æfter sceal."
þæt wæs þam gomelan     gingæste word
breostgehygdum,     ær he bæl cure,
hate heaðowylmas;     him of hreðre gewat

2820

sawol secean     soðfæstra dom.
ða wæs gegongen     guman unfrodum
earfoðlice,     þæt he on eorðan geseah
þone leofestan     lifes æt ende
bleate gebæran.     Bona swylce læg,

2825

egeslic eorðdraca     ealdre bereafod,
bealwe gebæded.     Beahhordum leng
wyrm wohbogen     wealdan ne moste,
ac hine irenna     ecga fornamon,
hearde, heaðoscearde     homera lafe,

2830

þæt se widfloga     wundum stille
hreas on hrusan     hordærne neah.
Nalles æfter lyfte     lacende hwearf
middelnihtum,     maðmæhta wlonc
ansyn ywde,     ac he eorðan gefeoll

2835

for ðæs hildfruman     hondgeweorce.
Huru þæt on lande     lyt manna ðah,
mægenagendra,     mine gefræge,
þeah ðe he dæda gehwæs     dyrstig wære,
þæt he wið attorsceaðan     oreðe geræsde,

2840

oððe hringsele     hondum styrede,
gif he wæccende     weard onfunde
buon on beorge.     Biowulfe wearð
dryhtmaðma dæl     deaðe forgolden;
hæfde æghwæðer     ende gefered

2845

lænan lifes.     Næs ða lang to ðon
þæt ða hildlatan     holt ofgefan,
tydre treowlogan     tyne ætsomne.
ða ne dorston ær     dareðum lacan
on hyra mandryhtnes     miclan þearfe,

2850

ac hy scamiende     scyldas bæran,
guðgewædu,     þær se gomela læg,
wlitan on Wilaf.     He gewergad sæt,
feðecempa,     frean eaxlum neah,
wehte hyne wætre;     him wiht ne speow.

2855

Ne meahte he on eorðan,     ðeah he uðe wel,
on ðam frumgare     feorh gehealdan,
ne ðæs wealdendes     wiht oncirran;
wolde dom godes     dædum rædan
gumena gehwylcum,     swa he nu gen deð.

2860

þa wæs æt ðam geongan     grim ondswaru
eðbegete     þam ðe ær his elne forleas.
Wiglaf maðelode,     Weohstanes sunu,
sec, sarigferð     (seah on unleofe):
"þæt, la, mæg secgan     se ðe wyle soð specan

2865

þæt se mondryhten     se eow ða maðmas geaf,
eoredgeatwe,     þe ge þær on standað,
þonne he on ealubence     oft gesealde
healsittendum     helm ond byrnan,
þeoden his þegnum,     swylce he þrydlicost

2870

ower feor oððe neah     findan meahte,
þæt he genunga     guðgewædu
wraðe forwurpe,     ða hyne wig beget.
Nealles folccyning     fyrdgesteallum
gylpan þorfte;     hwæðre him god uðe,

2875

sigora waldend,     þæt he hyne sylfne gewræc
ana mid ecge,     þa him wæs elnes þearf.
Ic him lifwraðe     lytle meahte
ætgifan æt guðe,     ond ongan swa þeah
ofer min gemet     mæges helpan;

2880

symle wæs þy sæmra,     þonne ic sweorde drep
ferhðgeniðlan,     fyr unswiðor
weoll of gewitte.     Wergendra to lyt
þrong ymbe þeoden,     þa hyne sio þrag becwom.
Nu sceal sincþego     ond swyrdgifu,

2885

eall eðelwyn     eowrum cynne,
lufen alicgean;     londrihtes mot
þære mægburge     monna æghwylc
idel hweorfan,     syððan æðelingas
feorran gefricgean     fleam eowerne,

2890

domleasan dæd.     Deað bið sella
eorla gehwylcum     þonne edwitlif!"
Heht ða þæt heaðoweorc     to hagan biodan
up ofer ecgclif,     þær þæt eorlweorod
morgenlongne dæg     modgiomor sæt,

2895

bordhæbbende,     bega on wenum,
endedogores     ond eftcymes
leofes monnes.     Lyt swigode
niwra spella     se ðe næs gerad,
ac he soðlice     sægde ofer ealle:

2900

"Nu is wilgeofa     Wedra leoda,
dryhten Geata,     deaðbedde fæst,
wunað wælreste     wyrmes dædum.
Him on efn ligeð     ealdorgewinna
sexbennum seoc;     sweorde ne meahte

2905

on ðam aglæcean     ænige þinga
wunde gewyrcean.     Wiglaf siteð
ofer Biowulfe,     byre Wihstanes,
eorl ofer oðrum     unlifigendum,
healdeð higemæðum     heafodwearde

2910

leofes ond laðes.     Nu ys leodum wen
orleghwile,     syððan underne
Froncum ond Frysum     fyll cyninges
wide weorðeð.     Wæs sio wroht scepen
heard wið Hugas,     syððan Higelac cwom

2915

faran flotherge     on Fresna land,
þær hyne Hetware     hilde genægdon,
elne geeodon     mid ofermægene,
þæt se byrnwiga     bugan sceolde,
feoll on feðan,     nalles frætwe geaf

2920

ealdor dugoðe.     Us wæs a syððan
Merewioingas     milts ungyfeðe.
Ne ic to Sweoðeode     sibbe oððe treowe
wihte ne wene,     ac wæs wide cuð
þætte Ongenðio     ealdre besnyðede

2925

Hæðcen Hreþling     wið Hrefnawudu,
þa for onmedlan     ærest gesohton
Geata leode     Guðscilfingas.
Sona him se froda     fæder Ohtheres,
eald ond egesfull,     ondslyht ageaf,

2930

abreot brimwisan,     bryd ahredde,
gomela iomeowlan     golde berofene,
Onelan modor     ond Ohtheres,
ond ða folgode     feorhgeniðlan,
oððæt hi oðeodon     earfoðlice

2935

in Hrefnesholt     hlafordlease.
Besæt ða sinherge     sweorda lafe,
wundum werge,     wean oft gehet
earmre teohhe     ondlonge niht,
cwæð, he on mergenne     meces ecgum

2940

getan wolde,     sum on galgtreowum
fuglum to gamene.     Frofor eft gelamp
sarigmodum     somod ærdæge,
syððan hie Hygelaces     horn ond byman,
gealdor ongeaton,     þa se goda com

2945

leoda dugoðe     on last faran.
Wæs sio swatswaðu     Sweona ond Geata,
wælræs weora     wide gesyne,
hu ða folc mid him     fæhðe towehton.
Gewat him ða se goda     mid his gædelingum,

2950

frod, felageomor,     fæsten secean,
eorl Ongenþio,     ufor oncirde;
hæfde Higelaces     hilde gefrunen,
wlonces wigcræft,     wiðres ne truwode,
þæt he sæmannum     onsacan mihte,

2955

heaðoliðendum     hord forstandan,
bearn ond bryde;     beah eft þonan
eald under eorðweall.     þa wæs æht boden
Sweona leodum,     segn Higelaces
freoðowong þone     forð ofereodon,

2960

syððan Hreðlingas     to hagan þrungon.
þær wearð Ongenðiow     ecgum sweorda,
blondenfexa,     on bid wrecen,
þæt se þeodcyning     ðafian sceolde
Eafores anne dom.     Hyne yrringa

2965

Wulf Wonreding     wæpne geræhte,
þæt him for swenge     swat ædrum sprong
forð under fexe.     Næs he forht swa ðeh,
gomela Scilfing,     ac forgeald hraðe
wyrsan wrixle     wælhlem þone,

2970

syððan ðeodcyning     þyder oncirde.
Ne meahte se snella     sunu Wonredes
ealdum ceorle     ondslyht giofan,
ac he him on heafde     helm ær gescer,
þæt he blode fah     bugan sceolde,

2975

feoll on foldan;     næs he fæge þa git,
ac he hyne gewyrpte,     þeah ðe him wund hrine.
Let se hearda     Higelaces þegn
bradne mece,     þa his broðor læg,
eald sweord eotonisc,     entiscne helm

2980

brecan ofer bordweal;     ða gebeah cyning,
folces hyrde,     wæs in feorh dropen.
ða wæron monige     þe his mæg wriðon,
ricone arærdon,     ða him gerymed wearð
þæt hie wælstowe     wealdan moston.

2985

þenden reafode     rinc oðerne,
nam on Ongenðio     irenbyrnan,
heard swyrd hilted     ond his helm somod,
hares hyrste     Higelace bær.
He ðam frætwum feng     ond him fægre gehet

2990

leana mid leodum,     ond gelæste swa;
geald þone guðræs     Geata dryhten,
Hreðles eafora,     þa he to ham becom,
Iofore ond Wulfe     mid ofermaðmum,
sealde hiora gehwæðrum     hund þusenda

2995

landes ond locenra beaga     (ne ðorfte him ða lean oðwitan
mon on middangearde),     syððan hie ða mærða geslogon,
ond ða Iofore forgeaf     angan dohtor,
hamweorðunge,     hyldo to wedde.
þæt ys sio fæhðo     ond se feondscipe,

3000

wælnið wera,     ðæs ðe ic wen hafo,
þe us seceað to     Sweona leoda,
syððan hie gefricgeað     frean userne
ealdorleasne,     þone ðe ær geheold
wið hettendum     hord ond rice

3005

æfter hæleða hryre,     hwate Scildingas,
folcred fremede     oððe furður gen
eorlscipe efnde.     Nu is ofost betost
þæt we þeodcyning     þær sceawian
ond þone gebringan,     þe us beagas geaf,

3010

on adfære.     Ne scel anes hwæt
meltan mid þam modigan,     ac þær is maðma hord,
gold unrime     grimme geceapod,
ond nu æt siðestan     sylfes feore
beagas gebohte.     þa sceall brond fretan,

3015

æled þeccean,     nalles eorl wegan
maððum to gemyndum,     ne mægð scyne
habban on healse     hringweorðunge,
ac sceal geomormod,     golde bereafod,
oft nalles æne     elland tredan,

3020

nu se herewisa     hleahtor alegde,
gamen ond gleodream.     Forðon sceall gar wesan
monig, morgenceald,     mundum bewunden,
hæfen on handa,     nalles hearpan sweg
wigend weccean,     ac se wonna hrefn

3025

fus ofer fægum     fela reordian,
earne secgan     hu him æt æte speow,
þenden he wið wulf     wæl reafode."
Swa se secg hwata     secggende wæs
laðra spella;     he ne leag fela

3030

wyrda ne worda.     Weorod eall aras;
eodon unbliðe     under Earnanæs,
wollenteare     wundur sceawian.
Fundon ða on sande     sawulleasne
hlimbed healdan     þone þe him hringas geaf

3035

ærran mælum;     þa wæs endedæg
godum gegongen,     þæt se guðcyning,
Wedra þeoden,     wundordeaðe swealt.
ær hi þær gesegan     syllicran wiht,
wyrm on wonge     wiðerræhtes þær

3040

laðne licgean;     wæs se legdraca
grimlic, gryrefah,     gledum beswæled.
Se wæs fiftiges     fotgemearces
lang on legere,     lyftwynne heold
nihtes hwilum,     nyðer eft gewat

3045

dennes niosian;     wæs ða deaðe fæst,
hæfde eorðscrafa     ende genyttod.
Him big stodan     bunan ond orcas,
discas lagon     ond dyre swyrd,
omige, þurhetone,     swa hie wið eorðan fæðm

3050

þusend wintra     þær eardodon.
þonne wæs þæt yrfe,     eacencræftig,
iumonna gold     galdre bewunden,
þæt ðam hringsele     hrinan ne moste
gumena ænig,     nefne god sylfa,

3055

sigora soðcyning,     sealde þam ðe he wolde
(he is manna gehyld)     hord openian,
efne swa hwylcum manna     swa him gemet ðuhte.
þa wæs gesyne     þæt se sið ne ðah
þam ðe unrihte     inne gehydde

3060

wræte under wealle.     Weard ær ofsloh
feara sumne;     þa sio fæhð gewearð
gewrecen wraðlice.     Wundur hwar þonne
eorl ellenrof     ende gefere
lifgesceafta,     þonne leng ne mæg

3065

mon mid his magum     meduseld buan.
Swa wæs Biowulfe,     þa he biorges weard
sohte, searoniðas;     seolfa ne cuðe
þurh hwæt his worulde gedal     weorðan sceolde.
Swa hit oð domes dæg     diope benemdon

3070

þeodnas mære,     þa ðæt þær dydon,
þæt se secg wære     synnum scildig,
hergum geheaðerod,     hellbendum fæst,
wommum gewitnad,     se ðone wong strude,
næs he goldhwæte     gearwor hæfde

3075

agendes est     ær gesceawod.
Wiglaf maðelode,     Wihstanes sunu:
"Oft sceall eorl monig     anes willan
wræc adreogan,     swa us geworden is.
Ne meahton we gelæran     leofne þeoden,

3080

rices hyrde,     ræd ænigne,
þæt he ne grette     goldweard þone,
lete hyne licgean     þær he longe wæs,
wicum wunian     oð woruldende;
heold on heahgesceap.     Hord ys gesceawod,

3085

grimme gegongen;     wæs þæt gifeðe to swið
þe ðone þeodcyning     þyder ontyhte.
Ic wæs þær inne     ond þæt eall geondseh,
recedes geatwa,     þa me gerymed wæs,
nealles swæslice     sið alyfed

3090

inn under eorðweall.     Ic on ofoste gefeng
micle mid mundum     mægenbyrðenne
hordgestreona,     hider ut ætbær
cyninge minum.     Cwico wæs þa gena,
wis ond gewittig;     worn eall gespræc

3095

gomol on gehðo     ond eowic gretan het,
bæd þæt ge geworhton     æfter wines dædum
in bælstede     beorh þone hean,
micelne ond mærne,     swa he manna wæs
wigend weorðfullost     wide geond eorðan,

3100

þenden he burhwelan     brucan moste.
Uton nu efstan     oðre siðe,
seon ond secean     searogimma geþræc,
wundur under wealle;     ic eow wisige,
þæt ge genoge     neon sceawiað

3105

beagas ond brad gold.     Sie sio bær gearo,
ædre geæfned,     þonne we ut cymen,
ond þonne geferian     frean userne,
leofne mannan,     þær he longe sceal
on ðæs waldendes     wære geþolian."

3110

Het ða gebeodan     byre Wihstanes,
hæle hildedior,     hæleða monegum,
boldagendra,     þæt hie bælwudu
feorran feredon,     folcagende,
godum togenes:     "Nu sceal gled fretan,

3115

weaxan wonna leg     wigena strengel,
þone ðe oft gebad     isernscure,
þonne stræla storm     strengum gebæded
scoc ofer scildweall,     sceft nytte heold,
feðergearwum fus     flane fulleode."

3120

Huru se snotra     sunu Wihstanes
acigde of corðre     cyninges þegnas
syfone tosomne,     þa selestan,
eode eahta sum     under inwithrof
hilderinca;     sum on handa bær

3125

æledleoman,     se ðe on orde geong.
Næs ða on hlytme     hwa þæt hord strude,
syððan orwearde     ænigne dæl
secgas gesegon     on sele wunian,
læne licgan;     lyt ænig mearn

3130

þæt hi ofostlice     ut geferedon
dyre maðmas.     Dracan ec scufun,
wyrm ofer weallclif,     leton weg niman,
flod fæðmian     frætwa hyrde.
þa wæs wunden gold     on wæn hladen,

3135

æghwæs unrim,     æþeling boren,
har hilderinc     to Hronesnæsse.
Him ða gegiredan     Geata leode
ad on eorðan     unwaclicne,
helmum behongen,     hildebordum,

3140

beorhtum byrnum,     swa he bena wæs;
alegdon ða tomiddes     mærne þeoden
hæleð hiofende,     hlaford leofne.
Ongunnon þa on beorge     bælfyra mæst
wigend weccan;     wudurec astah,

3145

sweart ofer swioðole,     swogende leg
wope bewunden     (windblond gelæg),
oðþæt he ða banhus     gebrocen hæfde,
hat on hreðre.     Higum unrote
modceare mændon,     mondryhtnes cwealm;

3150

swylce giomorgyd     Geatisc meowle
    bundenheorde
song sorgcearig     swiðe geneahhe
þæt hio hyre heofungdagas     hearde ondrede,
wælfylla worn,     werudes egesan,

3155

hynðo ond hæftnyd.     Heofon rece swealg.
Geworhton ða     Wedra leode
hleo on hoe,     se wæs heah ond brad,
wægliðendum     wide gesyne,
ond betimbredon     on tyn dagum

3160

beadurofes becn,     bronda lafe
wealle beworhton,     swa hyt weorðlicost
foresnotre men     findan mihton.
Hi on beorg dydon     beg ond siglu,
eall swylce hyrsta,     swylce on horde ær

3165

niðhedige men     genumen hæfdon,
forleton eorla gestreon     eorðan healdan,
gold on greote,     þær hit nu gen lifað
eldum swa unnyt     swa hit æror wæs.
þa ymbe hlæw riodan     hildediore,

3170

æþelinga bearn,     ealra twelfe,
woldon ceare cwiðan     ond kyning mænan,
wordgyd wrecan     ond ymb wer sprecan;
eahtodan eorlscipe     ond his ellenweorc
duguðum demdon,     swa hit gedefe bið

3175

þæt mon his winedryhten     wordum herge,
ferhðum freoge,     þonne he forð scile
of lichaman     læded weorðan.
Swa begnornodon     Geata leode
hlafordes hryre,     heorðgeneatas,

3180

cwædon þæt he wære     wyruldcyninga
manna mildust     ond monðwærust,
leodum liðost     ond lofgeornost.

© Aerius, 2004