Medieval Sourcebook:

Beowulf (in Old English) The modern English version by Francis Gummere is also on line.

1-21

HWÆT, WE GAR-DEna in geardagum,

þeodcyninga þrym gefrunon,

hu ða æþelingas ellen fremedon!

oft Scyld Scefing sceaþena þreatum,

monegum mægþum meodosetla ofteah,

egsode eorlas, syððanærest wearð

feasceaft funden; he þæs frofre gebad,

weox under wolcnum weorðmyndum þah,

oð þæt him æghwylc ymbsittendra

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,

þe hie ær drugon aldorlease

lange hwile; him þæs Liffrea,

wuldres Wealdend woroldare forgeaf,

Beowulf wæs breme --- blæd wide sprang---

Scyldes eafera Scedelandum in.

Swa sceal geong guma gode gewyrcean,

fromum feohgiftumon fæder bearme,



22-46

þæt hine on ylde eft gewunigen

wilgesiþas, þonne wig cume,

leode gelæsten; lofdædum sceal

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,

þendenwordum weold wine Scyldinga---

leof landfruma lange ahte.

Þær æt hyðe stod hringedstefna

isig ond utfus, æþelingesfær;

aledon þa leofne þeoden,

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,

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,

þe hine æt frumsceafte forð onsendon

ænne ofer yðe umborwesende.



47-68

Þa gyt hie him asetton segen gyldenne

heah ofer heafod, leton holm beran,

geafon on garsecg; him wæs geomor sefa,

murnende mod. Men ne cunnon

secgan to soðe, selerædende,

hæleð under heofenum, hwa þæm hlæste onfeng.

I Ða wæs on burgum Beowulf Scyldinga,

leof leodcyning longe þrage

folcum gefræge --- fæder ellor hwearf,

aldor of earde--- , oþ þæt him eft onwoc

heah Healfdene; heold þenden lifde

gamol ond guðreouw glæde Scyldingas.

Ðæm feower bearn forðgerimed

in worold wocun, weoroda ræswan,

Heorogar ond Hroðgar ond Halga til,

hyrde ic þæt . . . . . . wæs Onelan cwen,

Heaðo-Scilfingas healsgebedda.

Þa wæs Hroðgare heresped gyfen,

wiges weorðmynd, þæt him his winemgas

georne hyrdon, oðð þæt seo geogoð geweox,

magodriht micel. Him on mod bearn,

þæt healreced hatan wolde,



69-91

medoærn micel men gewyrcean

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

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.

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,

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,

swutol sang scopes. Sægde se þe cuþe

frumsceaft fira feorran reccan,



92-113

cwæð þæt se Ælmihtiga eorðan worhte,

wlitebeorhtne wang, swa wæter bebugeð,

gesette sigehreþig sunnan ond monan

leoman to leohte landbuendum,

ond gefrætwade foldan sceatas

leomum ond leafum, lif eac gesceop

rynna gehwylcum þara ðe cwice hwyrfaþ.---

Swa þa drihtguman dreamum lifdon,

eadiglice, oð ðæt an ongan

fyrene fremman feond on helle;

wæs se grimma gæst Grendel haten,

mære mearcstapa, se þe moras heold,

fen ond fæsten; fifelcynnes eard

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 hehine feor forwræc,

Metod for þy mane mancynne fram.

Þanon untydras ealle on wocon,

eotenas ond ylfe ond orcneas,

swylce gigantas, þa wið Gode wunnon



114-134

lange þrage; he him ðæs lean forgeald.

II Gewat ða neosian, syþðan niht becom,

hean huses, hu hit Hring-Dene

æfter beorþege gebun hæfdon.

Fand þa ðær inne æþelinga gedriht

swefan æfter symble; sorge ne cuðon,

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,

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,

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,



135-158

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,

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,

ana wið eallum, oð þæt idel stod

husa selest. Wæs seo hwil micel;

twelf wintra tid torn geþolode

wine Scyldinga, weana gehwelcne,

sidra sorga; forðam secgum wearð

ylda bearnum, undyrne cuð

gyddum geomore, þætte Grendel wan

hwile wið Hroþgar, heteniðas wæg,

fyrene ond fæhðefela missera,

singale sæce; sibbe ne wolde

wið manna hwone mægenes Deniga,

feorhbealo feorran, fea þingian,

ne þær nænig witena wenan þorfte

beorhtre bote to banan folmum;



159-181

ac se æglæca ehtende wæs,

deorc deaþscua, duguþe ond geogoþe,

seomade ond syrede; sinnihte heold

mistige moras; men ne cunnon,

hwyder helrunan hwyrftum scriþað.

Swa fela fyrena feond mancynnes,

atol angengea, oft gefremede,

herdra hynða; Heorot eardode,

sincfage sel sweartum nihtum;---

no he þone gifstol gretan moste,

maþðum for Metode, ne his myne wisse.---

Þæt wæs wræc micel wine Scyldinga,

modes brecða. Monig oft gesæt

rice to rune; ræd eahtedon,

hwæt swiðferhðum selest wære

wið færgyrum to gefremmanne.

Hwilum hie geheton æt hærgtrafum

wigweorþunga, wordum bædon,

þæt him gastbona geoce gefremede

wið þeodþreaum. Swylc wæs þeaw hyra,

hæþenra hyht; helle gemundon

in modsefan, Metod hie ne cuþon,

dæda Demend, ne wiston hie Drihten God,



182-203

ne hie huru heofena Helm herian ne cuþon,

Wuldres Waldend. Wa bið þæm ðe sceal

þurh sliðne nið sawle bescufan

in fyres fæþm, frofre ne wenan,

wihte gewendan! Wel bið þæm þe mot

æfter deaðdæge Drihten secean

ond to Fæder fæþmum freoðo wilnian!

III Swa ða mælceare maga Healfdenes

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,

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

ofer swanrade secean wolde,

mærne þeoden, þa him wæs manna þearf.

Ðone siðfæt him snotere ceorlas

lythwon logon, þeah he him leof wære;



204-228

hwetton higerofne, hæl sceawedon.

Hæfde se goda Geata leoda

cempan gecorone þara þe he cenoste

findan mihte; fiftyna sum

sundwudu sohte, secg wisade,

lagucræftig mon landgemyrcu.

Fyrst forð gewat; flota wæs on yðum,

bat under beorge. Beornas gearwe

on stefn stigon,--- streamas wundon,

sund wið sande; secgas bæron

on bearm nacanbeorhte frætwe,

guðsearo geatolic; guman ut scufon,

weras on wilsið, wudu bundenne.

Gewat þa ofer wægholm winde gefysed

flota famiheals fugle gelicost,

oð þæt ymb antid oþres dogores

wundenstefna gewaden hæfde,

þæt ða liðende land ge sawon,

brimclifu blican, beorgas steape,

side sænæssas; þa wæssund liden,

eoletes æt ende. Þanon up hraðe

Wedera leode on wang stigon,

sæwudu sældon,--- syrcan hyrsedon,

guðgewædo; Gode þancedon

þæs þe him yþlade eaðe wurdon.



229-252

Ða of wealle geseah weard Scildinga,

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

þegn Hroðgares, þrymmum cwehte

mægenwudu mundum, meþelwordum frægn:

'Hwæt syndon ge searohæbbendra,

byrnum werede, þe þus brontne ceol

ofer lagustræte lædan cwomon,

hider ofer holmas? Hwæt, ic hwile wæs

endesæta, ægwearde heold,

þe on land Dena laðra nænig

mid scipherge sceðþan ne meahte.

No her cuðlicor cuman ongunnon

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,

wæpnum geweorðad, næfne him his wlite leoge,

ænlic ansyn. Nu ic eower sceal

frumcyn witan, ær ge fyr heonan,



253-257

leassceaweras, on land Dena

furþur feran. Nu ge feorbuend,

mereliðende, minne gehyrað

anfealdne geþoht: ofost is selest

to gecyðanne, hwanan eowre cyme syndon.'



258-273

IIII Him se yldesta andswarode,

werodes wisa, wordhord onleac:

`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,

gamol of geardum; hine gearwe geman

witenawelhwylc wide geond eorþan.

We þurh holdne hige hlaford þinne,

sunu Healfdenes secean cwomon,

leodgebyrgean; wes þu us larena god!

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,



274-297

þæt mid Scyldingum sceaðona ic nat hwylc,

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---

gyf him edwenden æfre scolde

bealuwa bisigu bot eft cuman---,

ond þa cearwylmas colran wurðaþ;

oððe a syþðan earfoðþrage,

þreanyd þolað, þenden þær wunað

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.

Ic þæt gehyre, þæt þis is hold weorod

frean Scyldinga. Gewitaþ forð beran

wæpen ond gewædu, iceow wisige;

swylce ic maguþegnas mine hate

wið feonda gehwone flotan eowerne,

niwtyrwydne nacan on sande

arum healdan, oþ ðæt eft byreð

ofer lagustreamas leofne mannan



298-319

wudu wundenhals to Wedermearce,

godfremmendra swylcum gifeþe bið

þæt þone hilderæs hal gedigeð.'

Gewiton him þa feran,--- flota stille bad,

seomode on sale sidfæþmed scip,

oa ancre fæst. Eoforlic scionon

ofer hleorbergan gehroden golde,

fah ond fyrheard,--- ferhwearde heold

guþmod grimmon. Guman onetton,

sigon ætsomne, oþ þæt hy sæl timbred

geatolic ond goldfah ongyton mihton;

þæt wæs foremærost foldbuendum

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

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.'



320-338

V Stræt wæs stanfah, stig wisode

gumum ætgædere. Guðbyrnescan

heard hondlocen, hringiren scir

song in searwum, þa hie to sele furðum

in hyra gryregeatwum gangan cwomon.

Setton sæme þe side scyldas,

rondas regnhearde wið þæs recedes weal;

bugon þa to bence,--- byrnan hringdon,

guðsearo gumena; garas stodon,

sæmanna searo, samod ætgædere,

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,

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.'



340-360

Himþa ellenrof andswarode,

wlanc Wedera leod, word æfter spræc

heard under helme: `We synt Higelaces

beodgeneatas; Beowulf is min nama.

Wille ic asecgan sunu Healfdenes,

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 manegumgecyðed,

wig ond wisdom--- : `Ic þæs wineDeniga,

frean Scildinga frinan wille,

beaga bryttan, swa þu bena eart,

þeoden mærne, ymb þinne sið,

ond þe þa andsware ædre gecyðan,

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.

Wulfgar maðelode to his winedrihtne:



361-379

`Her syndon geferede, feorran cumene

ofer geofenes begang Geata leode;

þone yldestan oretmecgas

Beowulf nemnað. Hy benan synt,

þæt hie, þeoden min,wið þe moton

wordum wrixlan; no ðu him wearne geteoh

ðinra gegncwida, glædman Hroðar!

Hy on wiggetawum wyrðe þinceað

eorla geæhtlan; huru se aldor deah,

se þæm heaðorincum hider wisade.'

VI Hroðgar maþelode, helm Scyldinga:

'Ic hine cuðe cnihtwesende;

wæs his ealdfæder Ecgþeo haten,

ðæm to ham forgeaf Hreþel Geata

angan dohtor; is his eaforan nu

heard her cumen, sohte holdne wine.

Ðonne sægdon þæt sæliþende,

þa ðe gifsceattas Geata fyredon

þyder to þance, þæt he þritiges



380-401

manna mægencræft on his mundgripe

heaþorof hæbbe. Hine halig God

for arstafum us onsende,

to West-Denum, þæs ic wen hæbbe.

wið Grendles gryre. Ic þæm godan sceal

for his modþræce madmas beodan.

Beo ðu on ofeste, hat in gan

seon sibbegedriht samod ætgædere,

gesaga him eac wordum. þæt hie sint wil cuman

Deniga leodum.' Þa to dura eode

widcuð hæleð, word inne abead;

`Eow het secgan sigedrihten min,

aldor East-Dena, þæt he eoweræþelu can,

ond ge him syndon ofer sæwylmas

heardhicgende hider wilcuman.

Nu ge moton gangan in eowrum guðgetawum

under heregriman Hroðgar geseon;

lætað hildebord her onbidan,

wudu wælsceaftas worda geþinges.'

Aras þa se rica, ymb hine rinc manig,

þryðlic þegna heap ; sume þær bidon,

heaðoreaf heoldon, swa him se hearda bebead.



402-422

Snyredon ætsomne, þa secg wisode,

under Heorotes hrof; heaþorinc eode,

heard under helme, þæt he on heorðe gestod,

Beowulf ma ---ode ðelon 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

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.

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,

fah from feondum, þær ic fife geband,

yðde eotena cyn, ond on yðum slog

niceras nihtes, nearoþearfe dreah,

wræc Wedera nið --- wean ahsodon---,



424-444

forgrandgramum; ond nu wið Grendel sceal,

wið þam aglæcan ana gehegan

ðing wið þyrse. Ic þe nu ða,

brego Beorht-Dena, biddan wille,

eodor Scyldinga, anre bene,

þæt ðu me ne forwyrne, wigendra hleo,

freowine folca, nu ic þus feorran com,

þæt ic mote ana ond minra eorla gedryht,

þes hearda heap, Heorot fæl sian.

Hæbbe ic eac geahsod, þæt se æglæca

for his wonhydum wæpna ne recceð;

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,

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,



445-455

mægen Hreðmanna. Na ðu minne þearft

hafalan hydan, ac he me habban wile

dreore fahne, gif mec deað nimeð;

byreð blodig wæl, byrgean þenceð,

eteð angenga unmurnlice,

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,

Welandes geweorc. Gæð a wyrd swa hio scel!



456-464

VII Hroðgar maþelode, helm Scyldinga:

`For gewyrhtum þu, wine min Beowulf,

ond for arstafum usic sohtest.

Gesloh þin fæder fæhðe mæste;

wearþ he Heaþolafe to handbonan

mid Wilfingum; ða hine Wedera cyn

for herebrogan habban ne mihte.

Þanon he gesohte Suð-Dena folc

ofer yða gewealc, Ar-Scyldinga;



465-485

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!

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

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!

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,

drihtsele dreorfah, þonne dæg lixte,



486-503

eal bencþelu blode bestymed,

heall heorudreore; ahte ic holdra þy læs,

deorre duguðe, þe þa deað fornam.

Site nu to symle ond onsæl meoto,

sigehreð secgum, Swa þin sefa hwette.'

Þa wæs Geatmæcgum geador ætsomne

on beorsele benc gerymed;

þær swiðferhþe sittan eodon,

þryðum dealle. Þegn nytte beheold,

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.

VIII Unferð maþelode, Ecglafes bearn,

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



504-523

æfre mærða þon ma middangeardes

gehede 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

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,

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 Heaðo-Ræmes holm up ætbær;

ðonon he gesohte swæsne eþel,

leof his leodum, lond Brondinga,

freoðoburh fægere, þær he folc ahte,

burh ond beagas. Beot eal wið þe



524-543

sunu Beanstanes soðe gelæste.

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:

`Hwæt, þu worn fela, wine min Unferð,

beore druncen ymb Brecan spræce,

sædgest from his siðe! Soð ic talige,

þæt ic merestrengo maran ahte,

earfeþo on yþum, ðonne ænig oþer man.

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,

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.



544-558

Ða wit ætsomne on sæ wæron

fif nihta fyrst, oþ þæt unc flod todraf,

wado weallende, wedera cealdost,

nipende niht, ond norþanwind

heaðogrim ondhwearf; hreo wæron yþa.

wæs merefixa mod onhrered;

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

grim on grape; hwæþre me gyfeþe wearð,

þæt ic aglæcan orde geræhte,

hildebille; heaþoræs fornam

mihtig meredeor þurh mine hand.

VIIII Swa mec gelome laðgeteonan

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;

ac on mergenne mecum wunde



566-588

be yðlafe uppe lægon,

sweordum aswefede, þæt syðþan na

ymb brontne ford brimliðende

lade ne letton. Leoht eastan com,

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

niceras nigene. No ic on niht gefrægn

under heofones hwealf heardran feohtan,

ne on egstreamum earmran mannon;

hwæþere ic fara feng feore gedigde

siþes werig. Ða mec sæ oþbær,

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,

swa deorlice, dæd gefremede

fagum sweordum --- no ic þæs fela gylpe--- ,

þeah ðu þinum broðrum to banan wurde,

heafodmægum; þæs þu in helle scealt



589-608

werhðo dreogan, þeah þin wit duge.

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;

ac he hafað onfunden, þæt he þa fæhðe ne þearf,

atole ecgþræce eower leode

swiðe onsittan, Sige-Scyldinga;

nymeð nydbade, nænegum arað

leode Deniga, ac he lust wigeð,

swefeð ond snedeþ, secce ne weneþ

to Gar-Denum. Ac ic him Geata sceal

eafoð ond ellen ungeara nu,

guþe gebeodan. Gæþ eft se þe

mot to medo modig, siþþan morgenleoht

ofer ylda bearn oþres dogores,

sunne sweglwered suþan scineð!'

Þa wæs on salum sinces brytta,

gamolfeax ond guðrof; geoce gelyfde



609-629

brego Beorht-Dena, gehyrde on Beowulfe

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,

ond þa freolic wif ful gesealde

ærest East-Dena eþelwearde,

bæd hine bliðne æt þære beorþege,

leodum leofne; he on lust geþeah

symbel ond seleful, sigerof kyning.

Ymbeode þa ides Helminga

duguþe ond geogoþe dæl æghwylcne,

sincfato sealde, oþ þæt sæl alamp

þæt hio Beowulfe, beaghroden cwen

mode geþungen medoful ætbær;

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,



630-653

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

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,

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, oþ þæt semninga

sunu Healfdenes secean wolde

æfenræste; wiste þæm ahlæcan

to þæm heahsele hilde geþinged,

siððan hie sunnan leoht geseon meahton,

oð þe nipende niht ofer ealle,

scaduhelma gesceapu scriðan cwoman

wan under wolcnum. Werod eall aras.

Gegrette þa guma oþerne,

Hroðgar Beowulf, ond him hæl abead,



654-661

winærnes geweald, ond þæt word acwæð:

`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,

waca wiþ wraþum! Ne bið þe wilna gad,

gif þu þæt ellenweorc aldre gedigest.'





663-675

X Ða him Hroþgar gewat mid his hæleþa gedryht,

eodur Scyldinga ut of healle;

wolde wigfruma Wealhþeo secan,

cwen to gebeddan. Hæfde Kyningwuldor

Grendle togeanes, swa guman gefrungon,

seleweard aseted; sundornytte behold

ymb aldor Dena, eotonweard' abead.

Huru Geata leod georne truwode

modgan mægnes, Metodes hyldo.---

Ða he him of dyde iserbyrnan,

helm of hafelan, sealde his hyrsted sweord,

irena cyst ombihtþegne,

ond gehealdan het hildegeatwe.

Gespræc þa se goda gylpworda sum,



676-697

Beowulf Geata, ær he on bed stige:

`No ic me an herewæsmun hnagran talige

guþgeweorca, þonne Grendel hine;

forþan ic hine sweorde swebban nelle,

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

wig ofer wæpen, ond siðan witig God

on swa hwæere hond halig Dryhten

mærðo deme, swa him gemet þince.'

Hylde hine þa heaþodeor, hleorbolster onfeng

eorles andwlitan, ond hine ymb monig

snellic særinc selereste gebeah.

Nænig heora þohte, þæt he þanon scolde

eft eardlufan æfre gesecan,

folc oþðe freoburh, þær he afeded wæs;

ac hie hæfdon gefrunen, þæt hie ær to fela micles

in þæm winsele wældeað fornam,

Denigea leode. Ac him Dryhten forgeaf

wigspeda gewiofu, Wedera leodum.



698-718

frofor ond fultum, þæt hie feond heora

ðurh anes cræft ealle ofercomon,

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,

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.

XI 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,

goldsele gumena gearwost wisse

fættum fahne. Ne wæs þæt forma sið,

þæt he Hroþgares ham gesohte;

næfre he on aldordagum ær ne siþðan



719-739

heardran hæle, healðegnas fand!

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

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,

magorinca heap. Þa his mod ahlog;

mynte þæt he gedælde, ær þon dæg cwome,

atol aglæca, anra gehwylces

lif wið lice, þa him alumpen wæs

wistfylle wen. Ne wæs þæt wyrd þa gen,

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,



740-761

ac he gefeng hraðe forman siðe

slæpendne rinc, slat unwearnum,

bat banlocan, blod edrum dranc,

synsnædum swealh; sona hæfde

unlyfigendes eal gefeormod,

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.

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.

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

ond him fæste wiðfeng; fingras burston;

eoten wæs utweard; eorl furþur stop.



762-782

Mynte se mæra, þær he meahte swa,

widre gewindan ond on weg þanon

fleon on fenhopu; wiste his fingra geweald

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,

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

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

betlic ond banfag tobrecan meahte,

listum tolucan, nymþe liges fæþm

swulge on swaþule. Sweg up astag



783-803

niwe geneahhe: Norð-Denum stod

atelic egesa, anra gehwylcum

þara þe of wealle wop gehyrdon,

gryreleoð galan Godes andsacan,

sigeleasne sang, sar wanigean

helle hæfton. Heold hine fæste

se þe manna wæs mægene strengest

on þæm dæge þysses lifes.

XII Nolde eorla hleo ænige þinga

þone cwealmcuman cwicne forlætan,

ne his lifdagas leoda ænigum

nytte tealde. Þær genehost brægd

eorl Beowulfes ealde lafe,

wolde freadrihtnes feorh ealgian,

mæres þeodnes, ðær hie meahton swa.

Hie þæt ne wiston, þa hie gewin drugon,

heardhicgende hildemecgas,

ond on healfa gehwone heawan þohton,

sawle secan: þone synscaðan

ænig ofer eorþan irenna cyst,

guðbilla nan, gretan nolde;



804-826

ac he sigewæpnum forsworen hæfde,

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

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

lifigende lað. Licsar gebad

atol æglæca; him on eaxle wearð

syndolh sweotol, seonowe onsprungon,

burston banlocan. Beowulfe wearð

guðhreð gyfeþe; scolde Grendel þonan

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.

Hæfde þa gefælsod se þe ær feorran com,

snotor ond swyðferhð, sele Hroðgares,



827-8367

genered wið niðe. Nihtweorce gefeh,

ellenmærþum. Hæfde East-Denum

Geatmecga leod gilp gelæsted,

swylce oncyþðe ealle gebette,

inwidsorge, þe hie ær drugon

ond for þreanydum þolian scoldon,

torn unlytel. Þæt wæs tacen sweotol,

syþðan hildedeor hond alegde,

earm ond eaxle --- þær wæs eal geador

Grendles grape--- under geapne hrof.837-849



XIII Ða wæs on morgen mine gefræge

ymb þa gifhealle guðrinc monig;

ferdon folctogan feorran ond nean

geond widwegas wundor sceawian,

laþes lastas. No his lifgedal

sarlic þuhte secga ænegum

þara þe tirleases trode sceawode,

hu he werigmod on weg þanon,

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;



850-872

deaðfæge deog, siððan dreama leas

in fenfreoðo feorh alegde,

hæþene sawle; þær him hel onfeng.

Þanon eft gewiton ealdgesiðas

swylce geong manig of gomenwaþe,

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

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,

on geflit faran fealwe mearas,

ðær him foldwegas fægere þuhton,

cystum cuðe. Hwilum cyninges þegn,

guma gilphlæden, gidda gemyndig,

se ðe ealfela ealdgesegena

worn gemunde, word oþer fand

soðe gebunden; secg eft ongan

sið Beowulfes snyttrum styrian,



873-894

ond on sped wrecan spel gerade,

wordum wrixlan; welhwylc gecwæð,

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,

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

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;

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



895-917

selfes dome; sæbat gehleod,

bær on bearm scipes beorhte frætwa,

Wælses eafera; wyrm hat gemealt.

Se wæs wreccena wide mærost

ofer werþeode, wigendra hleo,

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

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,

þæt þæt ðeodnes bearn geþeon scolde,

fæderæþelum onfon, folc gehealdan,

hord ond hleoburh, hæleþa rice,

eþel Scyldinga. He þær eallum wearð,

mæg Higelaces manna cynne,

freondum gefægra; hine fyren onwod.

Hwilum flitende fealwe stræte

mearum mæton. Ða wæs morgenleoht



918-938

scofen ond scynded. Eode scealc monig

swiðhicgende to sele þam hean

searowundor seon; swylce self cyning

of brydbure, beahhorda weard,

tryddode tirfæst getrume micle,

cystum gecyþed, ond his cwen mid him

medostigge mæt mægþa hose.

XIIII 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,

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

husa selest heorodreorig stod, ---

wea widscofen witena gehwylcum

ðara þe ne wendon, þæt hie wideferhð

leoda landgeweorc laþum beweredon



939-962

scuccum ond scinnum. Nu scealc hafað

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,

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

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

awa to aldre. Alwalda þec

gode forgylde, swa he nu gyt dyde!'

Beowulf maþelode, bearn Ecgþeowes:

`We þæt ellenweorc estum miclum,

feohtan fremedon, frecne geneðdon

eafoð uncuþes. Uþe ic swiþor,

þæt ðu hine selfne geseon moste,

feond on frætewum fylwerigne!



963-986

Ic hine hrædlice heardan clammum

on wælbedde wriþan þohte,

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

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

synnum geswenced, ac hyne sar hafað

in nidgripe nearwe befongen,

balwon bendum; ðær abidan sceal

maga mane fah miclan domes,

hu him scir Metod scrifan wille.'

Ða wæs swigra secg, sunu Ecglafes,

on gylpspræce guðgeweorca,

siþðan æþelingas eorles cræfte

ofer heanne hrof hand sceawedon,

feondes fingras; foran æghwylc wæs,

stiðra nægla gehwylc style gelicost,

hæþenes handsporu hilderinces



987-1008

eglu unheoru; æghwylc gecwæð,

þæt him heardra nan hrinan wolde

iren ærgod, þæt ðæs ahlæcan

blodge beadufolme onberan wolde.

XV Ða wæs haten hreþe Heort innanweard

folmum gefrætwod; fela þæra wæs,

wera ond wifa, þe þæt winreced,

gestsele gyredon. Goldfag scinon

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

ealles ansund, þe se aglæca

fyrendædum fag on fleam gewand,

aldres orwena. No þæt yðe byð

to befleonne --- fremme se þe wille --- ,

ac gesacan sceal sawlberendra,

nyde genydde, niþða bearna,

grundbuendra gearwe stowe,

þær his lichoma legerbedde fæst

swefeþ æfter symle.

Þa wæs sæl ond mæl,



1009-1031

þæt to healle gang Healfdenes sunu;

wolde self cyning symbel þicgan,

Ne gefrægen ic þa mægþa maran weorode

ymb hyra sincgyfan sel gebæran.

Bugon þa to bence blædagande,

fylle gefægon; fægere geþægon

medoful manig magas þara

swiðhicgende on sele þam hean,

Hroðgar ond Hroþulf. Heorot innan wæs

freondum afylled; nalles facenstafas

Þeod-Scyldingas þenden fremedon. ---

Forgeaf þa Beowulfe bearn Healfdenes

segen gyldenne sigores to leane,

hroden hildecumbor, helm ond byrnan;

mære maðþumsweord manige gesawon

beforan beorn beran. Beowulf geþah

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.

Ymb þæs helmes hrof heafodbeorge

wirum bewunden walu utan heold,



1032-1049

þæt him fela laf frecne ne meahte

scurheard sceþðan, þonne scyldfreca

ongean gramum gangan scolde.

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,

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,

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.1050-1052



XVI ÐA gyt æghwylcum eorla drihten

þara þe mid Beowulfe brimlade teah,

on þære medubence maþðum gesealde,



1053-1074

yrfelafe, ond þone ænne heht

golde forgyldan, þone ðe Grendel ær

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,

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,

gomenwudu greted, gid oft wrecen,

ðonne healgamen Hroþgares scop

æfter medobence mænan scolde,

be Finnes eaferum, ða hie se fær begeat,

hæleð Healf-Dena, Hnæf Scyldinga

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



1075-1097

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

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

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

dogra gehwylce Dene weorþode,

Hengestes heap hringum wenede

efne swa swiðe sincgestreonum

fættan goldes, swa he Fresena cyn

on beorsele byldan wolde.

Ða hie getruwedon on twa healfa

fæste frioðuwære. Fin Hengeste

elne unflitme aðum benemde,



1098-1118

þæt he þa wealafe weotena dome

arum heolde, þæt ðær ænig mon

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

ðæs morþorhetes myndgiend wære,

þonne hit sweordes ecg seðan scolde. ---

Ad wæs geæfned, ond icge gold

ahæfen of horde. Here-Scyldinga

betst beadorinca wæs on bæl gearu.

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

hire selfre sunu sweoloðe befæstan,

banfatu bærnan, ond on bæl don

eame on eaxle. Ides gnornode,

geomrode giddum. Guðrinc astah.



1119-1138

Wand to wolcnum wælfyra mæst,

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.

XVII 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,

þeah þe 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,

þa ðe syngales sele bewitiað,

wuldortorhtan weder. Ða wæs winter scacen,

fæger foldan bearm; fundode wrecca,

gist of geardum; he to gyrnwræce



1139-1158

swiðor þohte þonne to sælade,

gif he torngemot þurhteon mihte,

þæt he Eotena bearn inne gemunde.

Swa he ne forwyrnde weorodrædende,

þonne him Hunlafing hildeleoman,

billa selest on bearm dyde;

þæs wæron mid Eotenum ecge cuðe.

Swylce ferðfrecan Fin eft begeat

sweordbealo sliðen æt his selfes ham,

siþðan grimne gripe Guðlaf ond Oslaf

æfter sæsiðe, sorge mændon,

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

eal ingesteald eorðcyninges,

swylce hie æt Finnes ham findan meahton

sigla searogimma. Hie on sælade

drihtlice wif to Denum feredon,



1159-1174

læddon to leodum.

Leoð wæs asungen,

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,

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,

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.



1175-1194

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,

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

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,

giogoð ætgædere; þær se goda sæt,

Beowulf Geata, be þæm gebroðrum twæm.

XVIII Him wæs ful boren, ond freondlaþu

wordum bewægned, ond wunden gold

estum geeawed, earmreade twa,



1195-1216

hrægl ond hringas, healsbeaga mæst

þara þe ic on foldan gefrægen hæbbe.

Nænigne ic under swegle selran hyrde

hordmaðum hæleþa, syþðan Hama ætwæg

to þære byrhtan byrig Brosinga mene,

sigle ond sincfæt,--- searoniðas fleah

Eormenrices, geceas ecne ræd. ---

þone hring hæfde Higelac Geata,

nefa Swertinges, nyhstan siðe,

siðþan he under segne sinc ealgode,

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.

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.

Wealhðeo maþelode, heo fore þæm werede spræc:

`Bruc ðisses beages, Beowulf leofa,



1217-1241

hyse, mid hæle, ond þisses hrægles neot,

þeodgestreona, ond geþeoh tela,

cen þec mid cræfte, ond þyssum cnyhtum wes

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,

æþeling, eadig! Ic þe an tela

sincgestreona. Beo þu suna minum

dædum gedefe, dreamhealdende!

Her is æghwylc eorl oþrum getrywe,

modes milde, mandrihtne hold,

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

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

beddum ond bolstrum. Beorscealca sum

fus ond fæge fletræste gebeag.



1242-1250



Setton him to heafdon hilderandas,

bordwudu beorhtan; þær on bence wæs

ofer æþelinge yþgesene

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

þearf gesælde; wæs seo þeod tilu.1251-1264

XVIIII Sigon þa to slæpe. Sum sare angeald

æfenræste, swa him ful oft gelamp,

siþðan goldsele Grendel warode,

unriht æfnde, oþ þæt ende becwom,

swylt æfter synnum. Þæt gesyne wearþ,

widcuð werum, þætte wrecend þa gyt

lifde æfter laþum, lange þrage,

æfter guðceare; Grendles modor,

ides aglæcwif yrmþe gemunde,

se þe wæteregesan wunian scoldeld ,cea

e streamas, siþðan Cain wearð

to ecgbanan angan breþer,

fæderenmæge; he þa fag gewat,

morþre gemearcod mandream fleon,



1265-1286

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;

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,

dreame bedæled deaþwic seon,

mancynnes feond. Ond his modor þa gyt

gifre ond galgmod gegan wolde

sorhfulne sið, sunu deoð wrecan.

Com þa to Heorote, ðær Hring-Dene

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,

þonne heoru bunden, hamere geþruen,

sweord swate fah swin ofer helme



1287-1306

ecgum dyhtig andweard scireð.

Ða wæs on healle heardecg togen

sweord ofer setlum, sidrand manig

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

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,

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,

þæt hie on ba healfa bicgan scoldon

freonda feorum!

Þa wæs frod cyning,



1307-1327

har hilderinc on hreon mode,

syðþan he aldorþegn unlyfigendne,

þone deorestan deadne wisse.

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

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

æfter neodlaðum niht getæse.

XX Hroðgar maþelode, helm Scyldinga:

`Ne frin þu æfter sælum! Sorh is geniwod

Denigea leodum. Dead is Æschere,

Yrmenlafes yldra broþor,

min runwita ond min rædbora,

eaxlgestealla, ðonne we on orlege

hafelan weredon, þonne hniton feþan,



1328-1352

eoferas cnysedan. Swylc scolde eorl wesan.

æþeling ærgod, swylc Æschere wæs!

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

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,

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.

Ic þæt londbuend, leode mine,

selerædende secgan hyrde,

þæt hie gesawon swylce twegen

micle mearcstapan moras healdan,

ellorgæstas. Ðæra oðer wæs,

þæs þe hie gewislicost gewitan meahton,

idese onlicnes; oðer earmsceapen

on weres wæstmum wræclastas træd,



1353-1377

næfne he wæs mara þonne ænig man oðer;

þone on geardagum Grendel nemdon

foldbuende; no hie fæder cunnon,

hwæþer him ænig wæs ær acenned

dyrnra gasta. Hie dygel lond

warigeað wulfhleoþu, windige næssas,

frecne fengelad, ðær fyrgenstream

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.

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,

feorran geflymed, ær he feorh seleð,

aldor on ofre, ær he in wille,

hafelan beorgan; nis þæt heoru stow!

Þonon yðgeblond up astigeð

won to wolcnum, þonne wind styreþ,

lað gewidru, oð þæt lyft drysmaþ,

roderas reotað. Nu is se ræd gelang

eft æt þe anum. Eard git ne const,



1378-1398

frecne stowe, þær þu findan miht

sinnigne secg; sec gif þu dyrre!

Ic þe þa fæhðe feo leanige,

ealdgestreonum, swa ic ær dyde,

windnum golde, gyf þu on weg cymest.'

XXI Beowulf maþelode, bearn Ecgþeowes:

`Ne sorga, snotor guma! Selre bið æghwæm,

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.

Aris, rices weard, uton hraþe 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!

Ðys dogor þu geþyld hafa

weana gehwylces, swa ic þe wene to.'

Ahleop ða se gomela, Gode þancode,

mihtigan Drihtne, þæs se man gespræc.



1399-1422

Þa wæs Hroðgare hors gebæted,

wicg wundenfeax. Wisa fengel

geatolic gende; gumfeþa stop

lindhæbbendra. Lastas wæron

æfter waldswaþum wide gesyne,

gang ofer grundas, swa gegnum for

ofer myrcan mor, magoþegna bær

þone selestan sawolleasne

þara þe mid Hroðgare ham eahtode.

Ofereode þa æþelinga bearn

steap stanhliðo, stige nearwe,

enge anpaðas, uncuð gelad,

neowle næssas, nicorhusa fela;

he feara sum beforan gengde

wisra monna wong sceawian,

oþ þæt he færinga fyrgenbeamas

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,

oncyð eorla gehwæm, syðþan Æscheres

on þam holmclife hafelan metton.

Flod blode weol --- folc to sægon --- ,



1423-1448

hatan heolfre. Horn stundum song

fuslic fyrdleoð. Feþa eal gesæt.

Gesawon ða æfter wætere wyrmcynnes fela,

sellice sædracan sund cunnian,

swylce on næshleoðum nicras licgean,

ða on undernmæl oft bewitigað

sorhfulne sið on seglrade,

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

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,

wundorlic wægbora; weras sceawedon

gryrelicne gist.

Gyrede hine Beowulf

eorlgewædum, nalles for ealdre mearn;

scolde herebyrne hondum gebroden,

sid ond searofah, sund cunnian,

seo ðe bancofan beorgan cuþe,

þæt him hildegrap hreþre ne mihte,

eorres inwitfeng aldre gesceþðan;

ac se hwita helm hafelan werede,



1449-1470

se þe meregrundas mengan scolde,

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.

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,

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.

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,

drihtscype dreogan; þær he dome forleas,



1471-1472

ellenmærðum. Ne wæs þæm oðrum swa,

syðþan he hine to guðe gegyred hæfde. 1473-1490

XXII Beowulf maðelode, bearn Ecgþeowes:

`Geþenc nu, se mæra maga Healfdenes,

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.

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,

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

heardecg habban; ic me mid Hruntinge



1491-1515

dom gewyrce, oþðe mec deað nimeð!'

Æfter þæm wordum Weder-Geata leod

efste mid elne,--- nalas andsware

bidan wolde; brimwylm onfeng

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

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,

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

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,

ne him for hrofsele hrinan ne mehte



1516-1541

færgripe flodes; fyrleoht geseah,

blacne leoman beorhte scinan.

Ongeat þa se goda grundwyrgenne,

merewif mihtig; mægenræs forgeaf

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

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,

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,

þonne he æt guðe gegan þenceð

longsumne lof; na ymb his lif cearað.

Gefeng þa be eaxle --- nalas for fæhðe mearn ---

Guð-Geata leod Grendles modor;

brægd þa beadwe heard, þa he gebolgen wæs,

feorhgeniðlan, þæt heo on flet gebeah.

Heo him eft hraþe andlean forgeald



1542-1565

grimman grapum ond him togeanes feng;

oferwearp þa werigmod wigena strengest,

feþecempa, þæt he on fylle wearð.

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.

Hæfde ða forsiðod sunu Ecgþeowes

under gynne grund, Geata cempa,

nemne him heaðobyrne helpe gefremede,

herenet hearde, --- ond halig God

geweold wigsigor; witig Drihten,

rodera Rædend hit on ryht gesced

yðelice, syþðan he eft astod.

XXIII Geseah ða on searwum sigeeadig bil,

eald sweord eotenisc ecgum þyhtig,

wigena weorðmynd; þæt wæs wæpna cyst, ---

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

aldres orwena, yrringa sloh,



1566-1591

þæt hire wið halse heard grapode,

banhringas bræc; bil eal ðurhwod

fægne flæschoman; heo on flet gecrong,

sweord wæs swatig, secg weorce gefeh.

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

yrre ond anræd, --- næs seo ecg fracod

hilderince, ac he hraþe wolde

Grendle forgyldan guðræsa fela

ðara þe he geworhte to West-Denum

oftor micle ðonne on ænne sið,

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,

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,

heorosweng heardne, ond hine þa heafde becearf.

Sona þæt gesawon snottre ceorlas,



1592-1616

þa ðe mid Hroðgare on holm wliton,

þæt wæs yðgeblond eal gemenged,

brim blode fah. Blondenfeaxe,

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.

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

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,

onwindeð wælrapas, se geweald hafað

sæla ond mæla; þæt is soð Metod.

Ne nom he in þæm wicum, Weder-Geata leod,

maðmæhta ma, þeh he þær monige geseah,

buton þone hafelan ond þa hilt somod

since fage; sweord ær gemealt,

forbarn brodenmæl; wæs þæt blod to þæs hat,



1617-1639

ættren ellorgæst, se þær inne swealt.

Sona wæs on sunde se þe ær æt sæcce gebad

wighryre wraðra, wæter up þurhdeaf;

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,

mægenbyrþenne þara þe he him mid hæfde.

Eoden 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

lungre alysed. Lagu drusade,

wæter under wolcnum, wældreore fag.

Ferdon forð þonon feþelastum

ferhþum fægne, foldweg mæton,

cuþe stræte; cyningbalde men

from þæm holmclife hafelan bæron

earfoðlice heora æghwæþrum

felamodigra; feower scoldon

on þæm wælstenge weorcum geferian

to þæm goldsele Grendles heafod, ---



1640-1650

oþ ðæt semninga to sele comon

frome fyrdhwate feowertyne

Geata gongan; gumdryhten mid

modig on gemonge meodowongas træd.

Ða com in gan ealdor ðegna,

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,

wliteseon wrætlic; weras on sawon.1651-1662



XXIIII Beowulf maþelode, bearn Ecgþeowes:

`Hwæt, we þe þas sælac, sunu Healfdenes,

leod Scyldinga, lustum brohton

tires to tacne, þe þu her to locast.

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

wiht gewyrcan, þeah þæt wæpen duge;

ac me geuðe ylda Waldend,

þæt ic on wage geseah wlitig hangian



1663-1684

ealdsweord eacen --- oftost wisode

winigea leasum ---, þæt ic ðy wæpne gebræd.

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,

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,

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

æfter deofla hryre Denigea frean,

wundorsmiþa geweorc; ond þa þas worold ofgeaf

gromheort guma, Godes andsaca,

morðres scyldig, ond his modor eac;

on geweald gehwearf woroldcyninga



1685-1708

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,

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

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 --- :

`Þæt. la, mæg secgan se þe soð ond riht

fremeð on folce, feor eal gemon,

eald eðelweard, þæt ðes eorl wære

geboren betera! Blæd is aræred

geond widwegas, wine min Beowulf,

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,



1708-1731

hæleðum to helpe.

Ne wearð Heremod swa

eaforum Ecgwelan, Ar-Scyldingum;

ne geweox he him to willan, ac to wælfealle

ond to deaðcwalum Deniga leodum;

breat bolgenmod beodgeneatas,

eaxlgesteallan, oþ þæt he ana hwearf,

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

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,

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,

seleð him on eþle eorþan wynne

to healdanne hleoburh wera,



1732-1751

gedeð him swa gewealdene worolde dælas,

side rice, þæt he his selfa ne mæg

his unsnyttrum ende geþencean.

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 --- ,

XXV oð þæt 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.

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

fætte beagas, ond he þa forðgesceaft

forgyteð ond forgymeð, þæs þe him ær God sealde,



1752-1776

wuldres Waldend, weorðmynda dæl.

Hit on ende stæf eft gelimpeð,

þæt se lichoma læne gedreoseð,

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,

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,

oððe gripe meces, oððe gares fliht,

oððe atol yldo; oððe eagena bearhtm

forsiteð ond forsworceð; semninga bið,

þæt ðec, dryhtguma, deað oferswyðeð.

Swa ic Hring-Dena hund missera

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,

gyrn æfter gomene, seoþðan Grendel wearð,

ealdgewinna, ingenga min;



1777-1802

ic þære socne singales wæg

modceare micle. Þæs sig Metode þanc,

ecean Dryhtne, þæs ðe ic on aldre gebad,

þæt ic on þone hafelan heorodreorigne

ofer eald gewin eagum starige!

Ga nu to setle, symbelwynne dreoh

wiggeweorþad; unc sceal worn fela

maþma gemænra, siþðan morgen bið.'

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

deorc ofer dryhtgumum. Duguð eal aras;

wolde blondenfeax beddes neosan,

gamela Scylding. Geat unigmetes wel,

rofne randwigan restan lyste;

sona him seleþegn siðes wergum,

feorrancundum, forð wisade,

se for andrysnum ealle beweotede

þegnes þearfe, swylce þy dogore

heaþoliðende habban scoldon.

Reste hine þa rumheort; reced hliuade

geap ond goldfah; gæst inne swæf,

oþ þæt hrefn blaca heofones wynne

bliðheort bodode. Ða com beorht scacan



1803-1816

scima ofer sceadwa; scaþan onetton,

wæron æþelingas eft to leodum

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,

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

æþeling to yppan, þær se oþer wæs,

hæle hildedeor Hroðgar grette.1817-1825



XXVI Beowulf maþelode, bearn Ecgþeowes:

`Nu we sæliðend secgan willað

feorran cumene, þæt we fundiaþ

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,

guðgeweorca, ic beo gearo sona.



1826-1849

Gif ic þæt gefricge ofer floda begang,

þæt þec ymbsittend egesan þywað,

swa þec hetende hwilum dydon,

ic ðe þusenda þegna bringe,

hæleþa to helpe. Ic on Higelace wat,

Geata dryhten, þeah ðe he geong sy,

folces hyrde, þæt he mec fremman wile

wordum ond weorcum, þæt ic þe wel herige

ond þe to geoce garholt bere,

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.'

Hroðgar maþelode him on andsware:

`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,

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,



1850-1873

þæt þe Sæ-Geatas selran næbben

to geceosenne cyning ænigne,

hordweard hæleþa, gyf þu healdan wylt

maga rice. Me þin modsefa

licað leng swa wel, leofa Beowulf.

Hafast þu gefered, þæt þam folcum sceal,

Geata leodum ond Gar-Denum

sib gemæne, ond sacu restan,

inwitniþas, þe hie ær drugon,

wesan, þenden ic wealde widan rices,

maþmas gemæne, manig oþerne

godum gegrettan ofer ganotes bæð;

sceal hringnaca ofer heafu bringan

lac ond luftacen. Ic þa leode wat

ge wið feond ge wið freond fæste geworhte,

æghwæs untæle ealde wisan.'

Ða git him eorla hleo inne gesealde,

mago Healfdenes, maþmas twelfe;

het hine mid þæm lacum leode swæse

secean on gesyntum, snude eft cuman.

Gecyste þa cyning æþelum god,

þeoden Scyldinga ðegn betstan

ond be healse genam; hruron him tearas

blondenfeaxum. Him wæs bega wen



1874-1892

ealdum infrodum, oþres swiðor,

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

beorn wið blode. Him Beowulf þanan,

guðrinc goldwlanc græsmoldan træd

since hremig; sægenga bad

agendfrean, se þe on ancre rad.

Þa wæs on gang gifu Hroðgares

oft geæhted; þæt wæs an cyning

æghwæs orleahtre, oþ þæt hine yldo benam

mægenes wynnum, se þe oft manegum scod.



XXVII Cwom þa to flode felamodigra,

hægstealdra heap; hringnet bæron,

locene leoðosyrcan. Landweard onfand

eftsið eorla, swa he ær dyde;

no he mid hearme of hliðes nosan



1893-1913

gæstas grette, ac him togeanes rad,

cwæð þæt wilcuman Wedera leodum

scaþan scirhame to scipe foron.

Þa wæs on sande sægeap naca

hladen herewædum hringedstefna,

mearum ond maðmum; mæst hlifade

ofer Hroðgares hordgestreonum.

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.

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,

bundenstefna ofer brimstreamas,

þæt hie Geata clifu ongitan meahton,

cuþe næssas; ceol up geþrang

lyftgeswenced, on lande stod.



1914-1935

Hraþe wæs æt holme hyðweard geara,

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.

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.

Bold wæs betlic, bregorof cyning,

heah on healle, Hygd swiðe geong,

wis, welþungen, þeah ðe wintra lyt

under burhlocan gebiden hæbbe,

Hæreþes dohtor; næs hio hnah swa þeah,

ne to gneað gifa Geata leodum,

maþmgestreona. Modþryðo wæg,

fremu folces cwen, firen' ondrysne;

nænig þæt dorste deor geneþan

swæsra gesiða, nefne sinfrea,

þæt hire an dæges eagum starede;



1936-1957

ac him wælbende weotode tealde

handgewriþene; hraþe seoþðan wæs

æfter mundgripe mece geþinged,

þæt hit sceadenmæl scyran moste,

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:

ealodrincende oðer sædan,

þæt hio leodbealewa læs gefremede,

inwitniða, syððan ærest wearð

gyfen goldhroden geongum cempan,

æðelum diore, syððan hio Offan flet

ofer fealone flod be fæder lare

siðe gesohte; ðær hio syððan well

in gumstole, gode mære,

lifgesceafta lifigende breac,

hiold heahlufan wið hæleþa brego,

ealles moncynnes mine gefræge

þone selestan bi sæm tweonum,

eormencynnes; forðam Offa wæs



1958-1977

geofum ond guðum, garcene man,

wide geweorðod, wisdome heold

eðel sinne;--- þonon Eomer woc

hæleðum to helpe, Hemminges mæg,

nefa Garmundes, niða cræftig.

XXVIII Gewat him ða se hearda mid his hondscole

sylf æfter sande sæwong tredan,

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

hringas dælan. Higelace wæs

sið Beowulfes snude gecyðed,

þæt ðær on worðig wigendra hleo,

lindgestealla lifigende cwom,

heaðolaces hal to hofe gongan.

Hraðe wæs gerymed, swa se rica bebead.

feðegestum flet innanweard.

Gesæt þa wið sylfne se ða sæcce genæs,



1978-1999

mæg wið mæge, syððan mandryhten

þurh hleoðorcwyde holdne gegrette,

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

fægre fricgcean, hyne fyrwet bræc,

hwylce Sæ-Geata siðas wæron:

`Hu lomp eow on lade, leofa Biowulf,

þa ðu færinga feorr gehogodest

sæcce secean ofer sealt wæter,

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,

þæt ðu þone wælgæst wihte ne grette,

lete Suð-Dene sylfe geweorðan

guðe wið Grendel. Gode ic þanc secge,

þæs ðe ic ðe gesundne geseon moste.'

Biowulf maðelode, bearn Ecgðioes:



2000-2018

`Þæt is undyrne, dryhten Higelac,

micel gemeting, monegum fira,

hwylc orleghwil uncer Grendles

wearð on ðæm wange, þær he worna fela

Sige-Scyldingum sorge gefremede,

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

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

under heofones hwealf healsittendra

medudream maran. Hwilum mæru cwen,

friðusibb folca flet eall geondhwearf,

bædde byre geonge; oft hio beahwriðan



2019-2039

secge sealde, ær hie to setle geong.

Hwilum for duguðe dohtor Hroðgares

eorlum on ende ealuwæge bær,

þa ic Freaware fletsittende

nemnan hyrde, þær hio nægledsinc

hæleðum sealde. Sio gehaten is,

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

æfter leodhryre lytle hwile

bongar bugeð, þeah seo bryd duge!

Mæg þæs þonne ofþyncan ðeodne Heaðo-Beardna

ond þegna gehwam þara leoda,

þonne he mid fæmnan on flett gæð,

dryhtbearn Dena, duguða biwenede;

on him gladiað gomelra lafe,

heard ond hringmæl Heaða-Beardna gestreon,

þenden hie ðam wæpnum wealdan moston, ---2039-2041



XXVIIII-XXX oð ðæt hie forlæddan to ðam lindplegan

swæse gesiðas ond hyra sylfra feorh.

Þonne cwið æt beore se ðe beah gesyhð,



2042-2061

eald æscwiga, se ðe eall geman,

garcwealm gumena --- him bið grim sefa --- ,

onginneð geomormod geongum cempan

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,

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,

morðres gylpeð, ond þone maðþum byreð,

þone þe ðu mid rihte rædan sceoldest."

Manað swa ond myndgað mæla gehwylce

sarum wordum, oð ðæt sæl cymeð,

þæt se fæmnan þegn fore fæder dædum

æfter billes bite blodfag swefeð,

ealdres scyldig; him se oðer þonan



2062-2084

losað lifigende, con him land geare.

Þonne bioð abrocene on ba healfe

aðsweord eorla; syððan Ingelde

weallað wælniðas, ond him wiflufan

æfter cearwælmum colran weorðað.

Þy ic Heaðo-Beardna hyldo ne telge,

dryhtsibbe dæl Denum unfæcne,

freondscipe fæstne.



Ic sceal forð sprecan

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,

ðær we gesunde sæl weardodon.

Þær wæs Hondscio hild onsæge,

feorhbealu fægum; he fyrmest læg,

gyrded cempa; him Grendel wearð,

mærum maguþegne to muðbonan,

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,



2085-2105

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,

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;

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,

modes geomor meregrund gefeoll.

Me þone wælræs wine Scildunga

fættan golde fela leanode,

manegum maðmum, syððan mergen com,

ond we to symble geseten hæfdon.

Þær wæs gidd ond gleo; gomela Scilding,



2106-2126

felafricgende feorran rehte;

hwilum hildedeor hearpan wynne,

gomenwudu grette, hwilum gyd awræc

soð ond sarlic, hwilum syllic spell

rehte æfter rihte rumheort cyning;

hwilum eft ongan eldo gebunden,

gomel guðwiga gioguðe cwiðan,

hildestrengo; hreðer inne weoll,

þonne he wintrum frod worn gemunde.

Swa we þær inne andlangne dæg

niode naman, oð ðæt niht becwom

oðer to yldum. Þa wæs eft hraðe

gearo gyrnwræce Grendeles modor,

siðode sorhfull; sunu deað fornam,

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,

deaðwerigne, Denia leode,

bronde forbærnan, ne on b,el hladan,



2127-2145

leofne mannan; hio þæt lic ætbær

feondes fæðmum under firgenstream.

Þæt wæs Hroðgare hreowa tornost

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.

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

eacnum ecgum; unsofte þonan

feorh oðferede; næs ic fæge þa gyt;

ac me eorla hleo eft gesealde

maðma menigeo, maga Healfdenes.

XXXI Swa se ðeodkyning þeawum lyfde;

nealles ic ðam leanum forloren hæfde,



2146-2165

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

lissa gelong; ic lyt hafo

heafodmaga nefne, Hygelac, ðec.'

Het ða in beran eafor heafodsegn,

heaðosteapne helm, hare byrnan,

guðsweord geatolic, gyd æfter wræc:

`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;

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,

æppelfealuwe; he him est geteah



2166-2185

meara ond maðma.--- Swa sceal mæg don,

nealles inwitnet oðrum bregdon

dyrnum cræfte, deað renian

hondgesteallan. Hygelace wæs,

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

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

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,

ne hyne on medobence micles wyrðne



2186-2206

drihten Wedera gedon wolde;

swyðe wendon, þæt he sleac wære,

æðeling unfrom. Edwenden cwom

tireadigum menn torna gehwylces.---

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,

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.

Eft þæt geiode ufaran dogrum

hildehlæmmum, syððan Hygelac læg,

ond Heardrede hildemeceas

under bordhreoðan to bonan wurdon,

ða hyne gesohtan on sigeþeode

hearde hildfrecan, Heaðo-Scilfingas,

niða genægdan nefan Hererices ---:



2207-2220

syððan Beowulfe brade rice

on hand gehwearf; he geheold tela

fiftig wintra --- wæs ða frod cyning,

eald eþelweard --- , oð ðæt an ongan

deorcum nihtum draca ricsian,

se ðe on heaum hæþe hord beweotode,

stanbeorh steapne; stig under læg

eldum uncuð. Þær on innan giong

niðða nathwylc, se ðe neh gefealg

hæðnum horde, hond wæge nam,

sid, since fah; ne he þæt syððan bemað,

þeah ðe he slæpende besyred wurde

þeofes cræfte; þæt sie ðiod onfand,

bigfolc beorna, þæt he gebolgen wæs.



2221-2228

XXXII Nealles mid gewealdum wyrmhord abræc,

sylfes willum, se ðe him sare gesceod,

ac for þreanedlan þeow nathwylces

hæleða bearna heteswengeas fleah,

ærnes þearfa, ond ðær inne fealh,

secg synbysig. Sona mwatide

þæt :::::ðam gyste gryrebroga stod;

hwæðre earmsceapen . . . . . . . .





2229-2251

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . sceapen

. . . . . . . þa hyne se fær begeat.

Sincfæt . . . . . Þær wæs swylcra fela

in ðam eorðhuse ærgestreona,

swa hy on geardagum gumena nathwylc,

eormenlafe æþelan cynnes,

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,

þæt he lytel fæc longgestreona

brucan moste. Beorh eallgearo

wunode on wonge wæteryðum neah,

niwe be næsse, nearocræftum fæst;

þær on innan bær eorlgestreona

hringa hyrde hordwyrðne dæl,

fættan goldes, fea worda cwæð:

`Heald þu nuhruse ,, nu hæleð ne mostan,

eorla æhte! Hwæt, hyt ær on ðe

gode begeaton; guðdeað fornam,

feorhbealo frecne, fyra gehwylcne

leoda minra þara ðe þis lif ofgeaf,



2252-2274

gesawon seledream. Nah, hwa sweord wege

oððe feormie fæted wæge,

dryncfæt deore; duguð ellor sceoc.

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,

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

burhstede beateð. Bealocwealm hafað

fela feorhcynna forð onsended!'

Swa giomormod giohðo mænde

an æfter eallum, unbliðe hwearf

dæges ond nihtes, oð ðæt deaðes wylm

hran æt heortan. Hordwynne fond

eald uhtsceaða opene standan,

se ðe byrnende biorgas seceð,

nacod niðdraca, nihtes fleogeð

fyre befangen; hyne foldbuend



2275-2295

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

eacencræftig, oð ð æt hyne an abealch

mon on mode; mandryhtne bær

fæted wæge, frioðowære bæd

hlaford sinne. Ða wæs hord rasod,

onboren beaga hord, bene getiðad

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

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,

þone þe him on sweofote sare geteode;



2296-2315

hat ond hreohmod hlæw oft ymbehwearf

ealne utanweardne; ne ðær ænig mon

on þære westenne, --- hwæðre wiges gefeh,

beaduwe weorces; hwilum on beorh æthwearf,

sincfæt sohte; he þæt sona onfand,

ðæt hæfde gumena sum goldes gefandod,

heahgestreona. Hordweard onbad

earfoðlice, oð ðæt æfen cwom;

wæs ða gebolgen beorges hyrde,

wolde se laða lige forgyldan

drincfæt dyre. Þa wæs dæg sceacen

wyrme on willan; no on wealle læng,

bidan wolde, ac mid bæle for,

fyre gefysed. Wæs se fruma egeslic

leodum on lande, swa hyt lungre wearð

on hyra sincgifan sare geendod.

XXXIII Ða se gæst ongan gledum spiwan,

beorht hogu bærnan, --- byrneleoma stod

eldum on andan; no ðær aht cwices

lað lyftfloga læfan wolde.



2316-2338

Wæs þæs wyrmes wig wide gesyne,

nearofages nið nean ond feorran,

hu se guðsceaða Geata leode

hatode ond hynde; hord eft gesceat,

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

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

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

gledum forgrunden; him ðæs guðkyning,

Wedera þioden wræce leornode.

Heht him þa gewyrcean wigendra hleo

eallirenne, eorla dryhten,



2339-2361

wigbord wrætlic; wisse he gearwe,

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.

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

nearo neðende niða gedigde,

hildehlemma, syððan he Hroðgares,

sigoreadig secg, sele fælsode,

ond æt guðe forgrap Grendeles mægum

laðan cynnes. No þæt læsest wæs

hondgemota, þær mon Hygelac sloh,

syððan Geata cyning guðe ræsum,

freawine folca Freslondum on,

Hreðles eafora hiorodryncum swealt,

bille gebeaten. Þonan Biowulf com

sylfes cræfte, sundnytte dreah;

hæfde him on earme ana þritig



2362-2383

hildegeatwa, þa he to holme stag.

Nealles Hetware hremge þorfton

feðewiges, þe him foran ongean

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,

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,

þæt he Heardrede hlaford wære,

oððe þone cynedom ciosan wolde;

hwæðre he hine on folce freondlarum heold,

estum mid are, oð ðæt he yldra wearð,

Weder-Geatum weold. Hyne wræcmæcgas

ofer sæ sohtan, suna Ohteres;

hæfdon hy forhealden helm Scylfinga,

þone selestan sæcyninga

þara ðe in Swiorice sinc brytnade,



2384-2390

mærne þeoden. Him þæt to mearce wearð;

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,

Geatum wealdan; þæt wæs god cyning.



2391-2404

XXXIIII Se ðæs leodhryres lean gemunde

uferan dogrum, Eadgilse wearð

feasceaftum freond; folce gestepte

ofer sæ side sunu Ohteres,

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,

þe he wið þam wyrme gewegan sceolde.

Gewat þa twelfa sum torne gebolgen

dryhten Geata dracan sceawian;

hæfde þa gefrunen hwanan sio fæhð aras,

bealonið biorna; him to bearme cwom



2405-2427

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

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

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,

wæfre ond wælfus, wyrd ungemete neah,

se ðone gomelan gretan sceolde,

secean sawle hord, sundur gedælan

lif rið lice; no þon lange wæs

feorh æþelinges flæsce bewunden.

Biowulf maþelade, bearn Ecgðeowes:

`Fela ic on giogoðe guðræsa genæs,

orleghwila; ic þæt eall gemon.



2428-2450

Ic wæs syfanwintre, þa mec sinca baldor,

freawine folca æt minum fæder genam;

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.

Wæs þam yldestan ungedefelice

mæges dædum morþorbed stred,

syððan hyne Hæðcyn of hornbogan,

his freawine flane geswencte,

miste mercelses ond his mæg ofscet,

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

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.

Symble bið gemyndgad morna gehwylce



2451-2471

eaforan ellorsið; oðres ne gymeð

to gebidanne burgum in innan

yrfeweardas, þonne se an hafað

þurh deaðes nyd dæda gefondad.

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.

XXXV Gewiteð þonne on sealman, sorhleoð gæleð

an æfter anum; þuhte him eall to rum,

wongas ond wicstede. Swa Wedra helm

æfter Herebealde heortan sorge

weallinde wæg; wihte ne meahte

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 to sar belamp,

gumdream ofgeaf, Godes leoht geceas;

eaferum læfde, swa deð eadig mon,

lond ond leodbyrig, þa he of life gewat.



2472-2495

Þa wæs synn ond sacu Sweona ond Geata

ofer wid wæter, wroht gemæne,

herenið hearda, syððan Hreðel swealt,

oððe him Ongenðeowes eaferan wæran

frome fyrdhwate, freode ne woldon

ofer heafo healdan, ac ymb Hreosnabeorh

eatolne inwitscear oft gefremedon.

Þæt mægwine mine gewræcan,

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

billes ecgum on bonan stælan,

þær Ongenþeow Eofores niosað;

guðhelm toglad, gomela Scylfing

hreas heoroblac; hond gemunde

fæhðo genoge, feorhsweng ne ofteah.

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 Gar-Denum

oððe in Swiorice secean þurfe



2496-2519

wyrsan wigfrecan, weorðe gecyþan;

symle ic him on feðan beforan wolde,

ana on orde, ond swa to aldre sceall

sæcce fremman, þenden þis sweord þolað,

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,

ac in campe 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.'

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

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



2520-2542

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

oferfleon 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,

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,

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

under stancleofu, strengo getruwode

anes mannes; ne bið swylc earges sið!

Geseah ða be wealle se ðe worna fela



2543-2565

gumcystum god guða gedigde,

hildehlemma, þonne hnitan feðan,

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.

Let ða of breostum, ða he gebolgen wæs,

Weder-Geata leod word ut faran,

stearcheort styrmde; stefn in becom

heaðotorht hlynnan under harne stan.

Hete wæs onhrered, hordweard oncniow

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

wið ðam gryregieste, Geata dryhten;

ða wæs hringbogan heorte gefysed

sæcce to seceanne. Sweord ær gebræd

god guðcyning, gomele lafe,

ecgum unslaw; æghwæðrum wæs

bealohycgendra broga fram oðrum.



2566-2589

Stiðmod gestod wið steapne rond

winia bealdor, ða se wyrm gebeah

snude tosomne; he on searwum bad.

Gewat ða byrnende gebogen scriðan,

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

hreð æt hilde. Hond up abræd

Geata dryhten, gryrefahne sloh

incge-lafe, þæt sio ecg gewac

brun on bane, bat unswiðor,

þonne his ðiodcyning þearfe hæfde

bysigum gebæded. Þa wæs beorges weard

æfter heaðuswenge on hreoum mode,

wearp wælfyre; wide sprungon

hildeleoman. Hreðsigora ne gealp

goldwine Geata; guðbill geswac,

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



2590-2601

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

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

sefa wið sorgum; sibb æfre ne mæg

Source. This is the Klaeber edition of the text, first published as Beowulf and The fight at Finnsburg; edited, with introduction, bibliography, notes, glossary, and appendices, by Fr. Klaeber. Boston, New York [etc.] D.C. Heath & Co. [c1922]. This text is part of the Internet Medieval Source Book. The Sourcebook is a collection of public domain and copy-permitted texts related to medieval and Byzantine history. Unless otherwise indicated the specific electronic form of the document is copyright. Permission is granted for electronic copying, distribution in print form for educational purposes and personal use. If you do reduplicate the document, indicate the source. No permission is granted for commercial use. © Paul Halsall, August 1998

halsall@murray.fordham.edu

The Internet Medieval Sourcebook is part of the Internet History Sourcebooks Project. The Internet History Sourcebooks Project is located at the History Department of Fordham University, New York. The Internet Medieval Sourcebook, and other medieval components of the project, are located at the Fordham University Center for Medieval Studies.The IHSP recognizes the contribution of Fordham University, the Fordham University History Department, and the Fordham Center for Medieval Studies in providing web space and server support for the project. The IHSP is a project independent of Fordham University. Although the IHSP seeks to follow all applicable copyright law, Fordham University is not the institutional owner, and is not liable as the result of any legal action.



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