"'I. THE PASSING OF SCYLD.\n\nHwät! we Gâr-Dena      in geâr-dagum\nþeód-cyninga      þrym gefrunon,\nhû þâ äðelingas      ellen fremedon.\nOft Scyld Scêfing      sceaðena þreátum,\nmonegum mægðum      meodo-setla ofteáh.\nEgsode eorl,      syððan ærest wearð\nfeá-sceaft funden:      he þäs frôfre gebâd,\nweôx under wolcnum,      weorð-myndum ðâh,\nôð þät him æghwylc      þâra ymb-sittendra\nofer hron-râde      hýran scolde,\ngomban gyldan:      þät wäs gôd cyning!\nþäm eafera wäs      äfter cenned\ngeong in geardum,      þone god sende\nfolce tô frôfre;      fyren-þearfe ongeat,\nþät hie ær drugon      aldor-leáse\nlange hwîle.      Him þäs lîf-freá,\nwuldres wealdend,      worold-âre forgeaf;\nBeówulf wäs breme      (blæd wîde sprang),\nScyldes eafera      Scede-landum in.\nSwâ sceal geong guma,      gôde gewyrcean,\nfromum feoh-giftum      on fäder wine,\nþät hine on ylde      eft gewunigen\nwil-gesîðas,      þonne wîg cume,\nleóde gelæsten:      lof-dædum sceal\nin mægða gehwære      man geþeón.\nHim þâ Scyld gewât      tô gescäp-hwîle\nfela-hrôr fêran      on freán wære;\nhi hyne þâ ätbæron      tô brimes faroðe.\nswæse gesîðas,      swâ he selfa bäd,\nþenden wordum weóld      wine Scyldinga,\nleóf land-fruma      lange âhte.\nÞær ät hýðe stôd      hringed-stefna,\nîsig and ûtfûs,      äðelinges fär;\nâ-lêdon þâ      leófne þeóden,\nbeága bryttan      on bearm scipes,\nmærne be mäste.      Þær wäs mâdma fela,\nof feor-wegum      frätwa gelæded:\nne hýrde ic cymlîcor      ceól gegyrwan\nhilde-wæpnum      and heaðo-wædum,\nbillum and byrnum;      him on bearme läg\nmâdma mänigo,      þâ him mid scoldon\non flôdes æht      feor gewîtan.\nNalas hi hine lässan      lâcum teódan,\nþeód-gestreónum,      þonne þâ dydon,\nþe hine ät frumsceafte      forð onsendon\nænne ofer ýðe      umbor wesende:\nþâ gyt hie him âsetton      segen gyldenne\nheáh ofer heáfod,      lêton holm beran,\ngeâfon on gâr-secg:      him wäs geômor sefa,\nmurnende môd.      Men ne cunnon\nsecgan tô soðe      sele-rædende,\nhäleð under heofenum,      hwâ þäm hläste onfêng.\n\nII. THE HALL HEOROT.\n\nÞâ wäs on burgum      Beówulf Scyldinga,\nleóf leód-cyning,      longe þrage\nfolcum gefræge      (fäder ellor hwearf,\naldor of earde),      ôð þät him eft onwôc\nheáh Healfdene;      heóld þenden lifde,\ngamol and gûð-reów,      gläde Scyldingas.\nÞäm feówer bearn      forð-gerîmed\nin worold wôcun,      weoroda ræswan,\nHeorogâr and Hrôðgâr      and Hâlga til;\nhýrde ic, þat Elan cwên      Ongenþeówes wäs\nHeaðoscilfinges      heals-gebedde.\nÞâ wäs Hrôðgâre      here-spêd gyfen,\nwîges weorð-mynd,      þät him his wine-mâgas\ngeorne hýrdon,      ôð þät seó geogoð geweôx,\nmago-driht micel.      Him on môd bearn,\nþät heal-reced      hâtan wolde,\nmedo-ärn micel      men gewyrcean,\nþone yldo bearn      æfre gefrunon,\nand þær on innan      eall gedælan\ngeongum and ealdum,      swylc him god sealde,\nbûton folc-scare      and feorum gumena.\nÞâ ic wîde gefrägn      weorc gebannan\nmanigre mægðe      geond þisne middan-geard,\nfolc-stede frätwan.      Him on fyrste gelomp\nädre mid yldum,      þät hit wearð eal gearo,\nheal-ärna mæst;      scôp him Heort naman,\nse þe his wordes geweald      wîde häfde.\nHe beót ne âlêh,      beágas dælde,\nsinc ät symle.      Sele hlifade\nheáh and horn-geáp:      heaðo-wylma bâd,\nlâðan lîges;      ne wäs hit lenge þâ gen\nþät se ecg-hete      âðum-swerian\näfter wäl-nîðe      wäcnan scolde.\nÞâ se ellen-gæst      earfoðlîce\nþrage geþolode,      se þe in þýstrum bâd,\nþät he dôgora gehwâm      dreám gehýrde\nhlûdne in healle;      þær wäs hearpan swêg,\nswutol sang scôpes.      Sägde se þe cûðe\nfrum-sceaft fira      feorran reccan,\ncwäð þät se älmihtiga      eorðan worhte,\nwlite-beorhtne wang,      swâ wäter bebûgeð,\ngesette sige-hrêðig      sunnan and mônan\nleóman tô leóhte      land-bûendum,\nand gefrätwade      foldan sceátas\nleomum and leáfum;      lîf eác gesceôp\ncynna gehwylcum,      þâra þe cwice hwyrfað.\nSwâ þâ driht-guman      dreámum lifdon\neádiglîce,      ôð þät ân ongan\nfyrene fremman,      feónd on helle:\nwäs se grimma gäst      Grendel hâten,\nmære mearc-stapa,      se þe môras heóld,\nfen and fästen;      fîfel-cynnes eard\nwon-sælig wer      weardode hwîle,\nsiððan him scyppend      forscrifen häfde.\nIn Caines cynne      þone cwealm gewräc,\nêce drihten,      þäs þe he Abel slôg;\nne gefeah he þære fæhðe,      ac he hine feor forwräc,\nmetod for þý mâne      man-cynne fram.\nÞanon untydras      ealle onwôcon,\neotenas and ylfe      and orcnêas,\nswylce gigantas,      þâ wið gode wunnon\nlange þrage;      he him þäs leán forgeald.\n\nIII. GRENDEL\'S VISITS.\n\nGewât þâ neósian,      syððan niht becom,\nheán hûses,      hû hit Hring-Dene\näfter beór-þege      gebûn häfdon.\nFand þâ þær inne      äðelinga gedriht\nswefan äfter symble;      sorge ne cûðon,\nwon-sceaft wera.      Wiht unhælo\ngrim and grædig      gearo sôna wäs,\nreóc and rêðe,      and on räste genam\nþritig þegna:      þanon eft gewât\nhûðe hrêmig      tô hâm faran,\nmid þære wäl-fylle      wîca neósan.\nÞâ wäs on uhtan      mid ær-däge\nGrendles gûð-cräft      gumum undyrne:\nþâ wäs äfter wiste      wôp up âhafen,\nmicel morgen-swêg.      Mære þeóden,\näðeling ær-gôd,      unblîðe sät,\nþolode þrýð-swýð,      þegn-sorge dreáh,\nsyððan hie þäs lâðan      lâst sceáwedon,\nwergan gâstes;      wäs þät gewin tô strang,\nlâð and longsum.      Näs hit lengra fyrst,\nac ymb âne niht      eft gefremede\nmorð-beala mâre      and nô mearn fore\nfæhðe and fyrene;      wäs tô fäst on þâm.\nÞâ wäs eáð-fynde,      þe him elles hwær\ngerûmlîcor      räste sôhte,\nbed äfter bûrum,      þâ him gebeácnod wäs,\ngesägd sôðlîce      sweotolan tâcne\nheal-þegnes hete;      heóld hine syððan\nfyr and fästor,      se þäm feónde ätwand.\nSwâ rîxode      and wið rihte wan\nâna wið eallum,      ôð þät îdel stôd\nhûsa sêlest.      Wäs seó hwîl micel:\ntwelf wintra tîd      torn geþolode\nwine Scyldinga,      weána gehwelcne,\nsîdra sorga;      forþam syððan wearð\nylda bearnum      undyrne cûð,\ngyddum geômore,      þätte Grendel wan,\nhwîle wið Hrôðgâr;--      hete-nîðas wäg,\nfyrene and fæhðe      fela missera,\nsingale säce,      sibbe ne wolde\nwið manna hwone      mägenes Deniga\nfeorh-bealo feorran,      feó þingian,\nne þær nænig witena      wênan þorfte\nbeorhtre bôte      tô banan folmum;\natol äglæca      êhtende wäs,\ndeorc deáð-scûa      duguðe and geogoðe\nseomade and syrede.      Sin-nihte heóld\nmistige môras;      men ne cunnon,\nhwyder hel-rûnan      hwyrftum scrîðað.\nSwâ fela fyrena      feónd man-cynnes,\natol ân-gengea,      oft gefremede\nheardra hýnða;      Heorot eardode,\nsinc-fâge sel      sweartum nihtum\n(nô he þone gif-stôl      grêtan môste,\nmâððum for metode,      ne his myne wisse);\nþät wäs wræc micel      wine Scyldinga,\nmôdes brecða.      Monig-oft gesät\nrîce tô rûne;      ræd eahtedon,\nhwät swîð-ferhðum      sêlest wære\nwið fær-gryrum      tô gefremmanne.\nHwîlum hie gehêton      ät härg-trafum\nwig-weorðunga,      wordum bædon,\nþät him gâst-bona      geóce gefremede\nwið þeód-þreáum.      Swylc wäs þeáw hyra,\nhæðenra hyht;      helle gemundon\nin môd-sefan,      metod hie ne cûðon,\ndæda dêmend,      ne wiston hie drihten god,\nne hie hûru heofena helm      hêrian ne cûðon,\nwuldres waldend.      Wâ bið þäm þe sceal\nþurh slîðne nîð      sâwle bescûfan\nin fýres fäðm,      frôfre ne wênan,\nwihte gewendan;      wel bið þäm þe môt\näfter deáð-däge      drihten sêcean\nand tô fäder fäðmum      freoðo wilnian.\n\nIV. HYGELAC\'S THANE.\n\nSwâ þâ mæl-ceare      maga Healfdenes\nsingala seáð;      ne mihte snotor häleð\nweán onwendan:      wäs þät gewin tô swýð,\nlâð and longsum,      þe on þâ leóde becom,\nnýd-wracu nîð-grim,      niht-bealwa mæst.\nÞät fram hâm gefrägn      Higelâces þegn,\ngôd mid Geátum,      Grendles dæda:\nse wäs mon-cynnes      mägenes strengest\non þäm däge      þysses lîfes,\näðele and eácen.      Hêt him ýð-lidan\ngôdne gegyrwan;      cwäð he gûð-cyning\nofer swan-râde      sêcean wolde,\nmærne þeóden,      þâ him wäs manna þearf.\nÞone sîð-fät him      snotere ceorlas\nlyt-hwôn lôgon,      þeáh he him leóf wære;\nhwetton higerôfne,      hæl sceáwedon.\nHäfde se gôda      Geáta leóda\ncempan gecorone,      þâra þe he cênoste\nfindan mihte;      fîftena sum\nsund-wudu sôhte;      secg wîsade,\nlagu-cräftig mon,      land-gemyrcu.\nFyrst forð gewât:      flota wäs on ýðum,\nbât under beorge.      Beornas gearwe\non stefn stigon;      streámas wundon\nsund wið sande;      secgas bæron\non bearm nacan      beorhte frätwe,\ngûð-searo geatolîc;      guman ût scufon,\nweras on wil-sîð      wudu bundenne.\nGewât þâ ofer wæg-holm      winde gefýsed\nflota fâmig-heals      fugle gelîcost,\nôð þät ymb ân-tîd      ôðres dôgores\nwunden-stefna      gewaden häfde,\nþät þâ lîðende      land gesâwon,\nbrim-clifu blîcan,      beorgas steápe,\nsîde sæ-nässas:      þâ wäs sund liden,\neoletes ät ende.      Þanon up hraðe\nWedera leóde      on wang stigon,\nsæ-wudu sældon      (syrcan hrysedon,\ngûð-gewædo);      gode þancedon,\nþäs þe him ýð-lâde      eáðe wurdon.\nÞâ of wealle geseah      weard Scildinga,\nse þe holm-clifu      healdan scolde,\nberan ofer bolcan      beorhte randas,\nfyrd-searu fûslîcu;      hine fyrwyt bräc\nmôd-gehygdum,      hwät þâ men wæron.\nGewât him þâ tô waroðe      wicge rîdan\nþegn Hrôðgâres,      þrymmum cwehte\nmägen-wudu mundum,      meðel-wordum frägn:\n\"Hwät syndon ge      searo-häbbendra\n\"byrnum werede,      þe þus brontne ceól\n\"ofer lagu-stræte      lædan cwômon,\n\"hider ofer holmas      helmas bæron?\n\"Ic wäs ende-sæta,      æg-wearde heóld,\n\"þät on land Dena      lâðra nænig\n\"mid scip-herge      sceððan ne meahte.\n\"Nô her cûðlîcor      cuman ongunnon\n\"lind-häbbende;      ne ge leáfnes-word\n\"gûð-fremmendra      gearwe ne wisson,\n\"mâga gemêdu.      Næfre ic mâran geseah\n\"eorla ofer eorðan,      þonne is eówer sum,\n\"secg on searwum;      nis þät seld-guma\n\"wæpnum geweorðad,      näfne him his wlite leóge,\n\"ænlîc an-sýn.      Nu ic eówer sceal\n\"frum-cyn witan,      ær ge fyr heonan\n\"leáse sceáweras      on land Dena\n\"furður fêran.      Nu ge feor-bûend,\n\"mere-lîðende,      mînne gehýrað\n\"ân-fealdne geþôht:      ôfost is sêlest\n\"tô gecýðanne,      hwanan eówre cyme syndon.\"\n\nV. THE ERRAND.\n\nHim se yldesta      andswarode,\nwerodes wîsa,      word-hord onleác:\n\"We synt gum-cynnes      Geáta leóde\n\"and Higelâces      heorð-geneátas.\n\"Wäs mîn fäder      folcum gecýðed,\n\"äðele ord-fruma      Ecgþeów hâten;\n\"gebâd wintra worn,      ær he on weg hwurfe,\n\"gamol of geardum;      hine gearwe geman\n\"witena wel-hwylc      wîde geond eorðan.--\n\"We þurh holdne hige      hlâford þinne,\n\"sunu Healfdenes,      sêcean cwômon,\n\"leód-gebyrgean:      wes þu ûs lârena gôd!\n\"Habbað we tô þäm mæran      micel ærende\n\"Deniga freán;      ne sceal þær dyrne sum\n\"wesan, þäs ic wêne.      Þu wâst, gif hit is,\n\"swâ we sôðlice      secgan hýrdon,\n\"þät mid Scyldingum      sceaða ic nât hwylc,\n\"deógol dæd-hata,      deorcum nihtum\n\"eáweð þurh egsan      uncûðne nîð,\n\"hýnðu and hrâ-fyl.      Ic þäs Hrôðgâr mäg\n\"þurh rûmne sefan      ræd gelæran,\n\"hû he frôd and gôd      feónd oferswýðeð,\n\"gyf him ed-wendan      æfre scolde\n\"bealuwa bisigu,      bôt eft cuman\n\"and þâ cear-wylmas      côlran wurðað;\n\"oððe â syððan      earfoð-þrage,\n\"þreá-nýd þolað,      þenden þær wunað\n\"on heáh-stede      hûsa sêlest.\"\nWeard maðelode,      þær on wicge sät\nombeht unforht:      \"Æghwäðres sceal\n\"scearp scyld-wîga      gescâd witan,\n\"worda and worca,      se þe wel þenceð.\n\"Ic þät gehýre,      þät þis is hold weorod\n\"freán Scyldinga.      Gewîtað forð beran\n\"wæpen and gewædu,      ic eów wîsige:\n\"swylce ic magu-þegnas      mîne hâte\n\"wið feónda gehwone      flotan eówerne,\n\"niw-tyrwedne      nacan on sande\n\"ârum healdan,      ôð þät eft byreð\n\"ofer lagu-streámas      leófne mannan\n\"wudu wunden-hals      tô Weder-mearce.\n\"Gûð-fremmendra      swylcum gifeðe bið,\n\"þät þone hilde-ræs      hâl gedîgeð.\"\nGewiton him þâ fêran      (flota stille bâd,\nseomode on sâle      sîd-fäðmed scyp,\non ancre fäst);      eofor-lîc scionon\nofer hleór-beran      gehroden golde\nfâh and fýr-heard,      ferh wearde heóld.\nGûðmôde grummon,      guman onetton,\nsigon ätsomne,      ôð þät hy säl timbred\ngeatolîc and gold-fâh      ongytan mihton;\nþät wäs fore-mærost      fold-bûendum\nreceda under roderum,      on þäm se rîca bâd;\nlixte se leóma      ofer landa fela.\nHim þâ hilde-deór      hof môdigra\ntorht getæhte,      þät hie him tô mihton\ngegnum gangan;      gûð-beorna sum\nwicg gewende,      word äfter cwäð:\n\"Mæl is me tô fêran;      fäder alwalda\n\"mid âr-stafum      eówic gehealde\n\"sîða gesunde!      ic tô sæ wille,\n\"wið wrâð werod      wearde healdan.\"\n\nVI. BEÓWULF\'S SPEECH.\n\nStræt wäs stân-fâh,      stîg wîsode\ngumum ätgädere.      Gûð-byrne scân\nheard hond-locen,      hring-îren scîr\nsong in searwum,      þâ hie tô sele furðum\nin hyra gryre-geatwum      gangan cwômon.\nSetton sæ-mêðe      sîde scyldas,\nrondas regn-hearde      wið þäs recedes weal,\nbugon þâ tô bence;      byrnan hringdon,\ngûð-searo gumena;      gâras stôdon,\nsæ-manna searo,      samod ätgädere,\näsc-holt ufan græg:      wäs se îren-þreát\nwæpnum gewurðad.      Þâ þær wlonc häleð\noret-mecgas      äfter äðelum frägn:\n\"Hwanon ferigeað ge      fätte scyldas,\n\"græge syrcan      and grîm-helmas,\n\"here-sceafta heáp?--      Ic eom Hrôðgâres\n\"âr and ombiht.      Ne seah ic el-þeódige\n\"þus manige men      môdiglîcran.\n\"Wên\' ic þät ge for wlenco,      nalles for wräc-sîðum,\n\"ac for hige-þrymmum      Hrôðgâr sôhton.\"\nHim þâ ellen-rôf      andswarode,\nwlanc Wedera leód      word äfter spräc,\nheard under helme:      \"We synt Higelâces\n\"beód-geneátas;      Beówulf is mîn nama.\n\"Wille ic âsecgan      suna Healfdenes,\n\"mærum þeódne      mîn ærende,\n\"aldre þînum,      gif he ûs geunnan wile,\n\"þät we hine swâ gôdne      grêtan môton.\"\nWulfgâr maðelode      (þät wäs Wendla leód,\nwäs his môd-sefa      manegum gecýðed,\nwîg and wîs-dôm):      \"ic þäs wine Deniga,\n\"freán Scildinga      frinan wille,\n\"beága bryttan,      swâ þu bêna eart,\n\"þeóden mærne      ymb þînne sîð ;\n\"and þe þâ andsware      ädre gecýðan,\n\"þe me se gôda      âgifan þenceð.\"\nHwearf þâ hrädlîce,      þær Hrôðgâr sät,\neald and unhâr      mid his eorla gedriht;\neode ellen-rôf,      þät he for eaxlum gestôd\nDeniga freán,      cûðe he duguðe þeáw.\nWulfgâr maðelode      tô his wine-drihtne:\n\"Her syndon geferede      feorran cumene\n\"ofer geofenes begang      Geáta leóde:\n\"þone yldestan      oret-mecgas\n\"Beówulf nemnað.      Hy bênan synt,\n\"þät hie, þeóden mîn,      wið þe môton\n\"wordum wrixlan;      nô þu him wearne geteóh,\n\"þînra gegn-cwida      glädnian, Hrôðgâr!\n\"Hy on wîg-geatwum      wyrðe þinceað\n\"eorla geæhtlan;      hûru se aldor deáh,\n\"se þæm heaðo-rincum      hider wîsade.\"\n\nVII. HROTHGAR\'S WELCOME.\n\nHrôðgâr maðelode,      helm Scyldinga:\n\"Ic hine cûðe      cniht-wesende.\n\"Wäs his eald-fäder      Ecgþeó hâten,\n\"þäm tô hâm forgeaf      Hrêðel Geáta\n\"ângan dôhtor;      is his eafora nu\n\"heard her cumen,      sôhte holdne wine.\n\"þonne sägdon þät      sæ-lîðende,\n\"þâ þe gif-sceattas      Geáta fyredon\n\"þyder tô þance,      þät he þrittiges\n\"manna mägen-cräft      on his mund-grîpe\n\"heaðo-rôf häbbe.      Hine hâlig god\n\"for âr-stafum      us onsende,\n\"tô West-Denum,      þäs ic wên häbbe,\n\"wið Grendles gryre:      ic þäm gôdan sceal\n\"for his môd-þräce      mâdmas beódan.\n\"Beó þu on ôfeste,      hât hig in gân,\n\"seón sibbe-gedriht      samod ätgädere;\n\"gesaga him eác wordum,      þät hie sint wil-cuman\n\"Deniga leódum.\"      Þâ wið duru healle\nWulfgâr eode,      word inne âbeád:\n\"Eów hêt secgan      sige-drihten mîn,\n\"aldor Eást-Dena,      þät he eówer äðelu can\n\"and ge him syndon      ofer sæ-wylmas,\n\"heard-hicgende,      hider wil-cuman.\n\"Nu ge môton gangan      in eówrum guð-geatawum,\n\"under here-grîman,      Hrôðgâr geseón;\n\"lætað hilde-bord      her onbidian,\n\"wudu wäl-sceaftas,      worda geþinges.\"\nÂrâs þâ se rîca,      ymb hine rinc manig,\nþryðlîc þegna heáp;      sume þær bidon,\nheaðo-reáf heóldon,      swâ him se hearda bebeád.\nSnyredon ätsomne,      þâ secg wîsode\nunder Heorotes hrôf;      hyge-rôf eode,\nheard under helme,      þät he on heoðe gestôd.\nBeówulf maðelode      (on him byrne scân,\nsearo-net seówed      smiðes or-þancum):\n\"Wes þu Hrôðgâr hâl!      ic eom Higelâces\n\"mæg and mago-þegn;      häbbe ic mærða fela\n\"ongunnen on geogoðe.      Me wearð Grendles þing\n\"on mînre êðel-tyrf      undyrne cûð:\n\"secgað sæ-lîðend,      þät þes sele stande,\n\"reced sêlesta,      rinca gehwylcum\n\"îdel and unnyt,      siððan æfen-leóht\n\"under heofenes hâdor      beholen weorðeð.\n\"Þâ me þät gelærdon      leóde mîne,\n\"þâ sêlestan,      snotere ceorlas,\n\"þeóden Hrôðgâr,      þät ic þe sôhte;\n\"forþan hie mägenes cräft      mînne cûðon:\n\"selfe ofersâwon,      þâ ic of searwum cwom,\n\"fâh from feóndum,      þær ic fîfe geband,\n\"ýðde eotena cyn,      and on ýðum slôg\n\"niceras nihtes,      nearo-þearfe dreáh,\n\"wräc Wedera nîð      (weán âhsodon)\n\"forgrand gramum;      and nu wið Grendel sceal,\n\"wið þam aglæcan,      âna gehegan\n\"þing wið þyrse.      Ic þe nu þâ,\n\"brego Beorht-Dena,      biddan wille,\n\"eodor Scyldinga,      ânre bêne;\n\"þät þu me ne forwyrne,      wîgendra hleó,\n\"freó-wine folca,      nu ic þus feorran com,\n\"þät ic môte âna      and mînra eorla gedryht,\n\"þes hearda heáp,      Heorot fælsian.\n\"Häbbe ic eác geâhsod,      þät se äglæca\n\"for his won-hýdum      wæpna ne rêceð;\n\"ic þät þonne forhicge,      swâ me Higelâc sîe,\n\"mîn mon-drihten,      môdes blîðe,\n\"þät ic sweord bere      oððe sîdne scyld\n\"geolo-rand tô gûðe;      ac ic mid grâpe sceal\n\"fôn wið feónde      and ymb feorh sacan,\n\"lâð wið lâðum;      þær gelýfan sceal\n\"dryhtnes dôme      se þe hine deáð nimeð.\n\"Wên\' ic þät he wille,      gif he wealdan môt,\n\"in þäm gûð-sele      Geátena leóde\n\"etan unforhte,      swâ he oft dyde\n\"mägen Hrêðmanna.      Nâ þu mînne þearft\n\"hafalan hýdan,      ac he me habban wile\n\"dreóre fâhne,      gif mec deáð nimeð;\n\"byreð blôdig wäl,      byrgean þenceð,\n\"eteð ân-genga      unmurnlîce,\n\"mearcað môr-hopu:      nô þu ymb mînes ne þearft\n\"lîces feorme      leng sorgian.\n\"Onsend Higelâce,      gif mec hild nime,\n\"beadu-scrûda betst,      þät mîne breóst wereð,\n\"hrägla sêlest;      þät is Hrêðlan lâf,\n\"Wêlandes geweorc.      Gæð â Wyrd swâ hió scel!\"\n\nVIII. HROTHGAR TELLS OF GRENDEL.\n\nHrôðgâr maðelode,      helm Scyldinga:\n\"for were-fyhtum þu,      wine mîn Beówulf,\n\"and for âr-stafum      ûsic sôhtest.\n\"Geslôh þin fäder      fæhðe mæste,\n\"wearð he Heaðolâfe      tô hand-bonan\n\"mid Wilfingum;      þâ hine Wedera cyn\n\"for here-brôgan      habban ne mihte.\n\"Þanon he gesôhte      Sûð-Dena folc\n\"ofer ýða gewealc,      Âr-Scyldinga;\n\"þâ ic furðum weóld      folce Deninga,\n\"and on geogoðe heóld      gimme-rîce\n\"hord-burh häleða:      þâ wäs Heregâr deád,\n\"mîn yldra mæg      unlifigende,\n\"bearn Healfdenes.      Se wäs betera þonne ic!\n\"Siððan þâ fæhðe      feó þingode;\n\"sende ic Wylfingum      ofer wäteres hrycg\n\"ealde mâdmas:      he me âðas swôr.\n\"Sorh is me tô secganne      on sefan mînum\n\"gumena ængum,      hwät me Grendel hafað\n\"hýnðo on Heorote      mid his hete-þancum,\n\"fær-nîða gefremed.      Is mîn flet-werod,\n\"wîg-heáp gewanod;      hie Wyrd forsweóp\n\"on Grendles gryre.      God eáðe mäg\n\"þone dol-scaðan      dæda getwæfan!\n\"Ful oft gebeótedon      beóre druncne\n\"ofer ealo-wæge      oret-mecgas,\n\"þät hie in beór-sele      bîdan woldon\n\"Grendles gûðe      mid gryrum ecga.\n\"Þonne wäs þeós medo-heal      on morgen-tîd,\n\"driht-sele dreór-fâh,      þonne däg lixte,\n\"eal benc-þelu      blôde bestýmed,\n\"heall heoru-dreóre:      âhte ic holdra þý läs,\n\"deórre duguðe,      þe þâ deáð fornam.\n\"Site nu tô symle      and onsæl meoto,\n\"sige-hrêð secgum,      swâ þîn sefa hwette!\"\nÞâ wäs Geát-mäcgum      geador ätsomne\non beór-sele      benc gerýmed;\nþær swîð-ferhðe      sittan eodon\nþryðum dealle.      Þegn nytte beheóld,\nse þe on handa bär      hroden ealo-wæge,\nscencte scîr wered.      Scôp hwîlum sang\nhâdor on Heorote;      þær wäs häleða dreám,\nduguð unlytel      Dena and Wedera.\n\nIX. HUNFERTH OBJECTS TO BEÓWULF.\n\nÛnferð maðelode,      Ecglâfes bearn,\nþe ät fôtum sät      freán Scyldinga;\nonband beadu-rûne      (wäs him Beówulfes sîð,\nmôdges mere-faran,      micel äf-þunca,\nforþon þe he ne ûðe,      þät ænig ôðer man\næfre mærða þon mâ      middan-geardes\ngehêdde under heofenum      þonne he sylfa):\n\"Eart þu se Beówulf,      se þe wið Brecan wunne,\n\"on sîdne sæ      ymb sund flite,\n\"þær git for wlence      wada cunnedon\n\"and for dol-gilpe      on deóp wäter\n\"aldrum nêðdon?      Ne inc ænig mon,\n\"ne leóf ne lâð,      beleán mihte\n\"sorh-fullne sîð;      þâ git on sund reón,\n\"þær git eágor-streám      earmum þehton,\n\"mæton mere-stræta,      mundum brugdon,\n\"glidon ofer gâr-secg;      geofon ýðum weól,\n\"wintres wylme.      Git on wäteres æht\n\"seofon niht swuncon;      he þe ät sunde oferflât,\n\"häfde mâre mägen.      Þâ hine on morgen-tîd\n\"on Heaðo-ræmas      holm up ätbär,\n\"þonon he gesôhte      swæsne êðel\n\"leóf his leódum      lond Brondinga,\n\"freoðo-burh fägere,      þær he folc âhte,\n\"burg and beágas.      Beót eal wið þe\n\"sunu Beánstânes      sôðe gelæste.\n\"Þonne wêne ic tô þe      wyrsan geþinges,\n\"þeáh þu heaðo-ræsa      gehwær dohte,\n\"grimre gûðe,      gif þu Grendles dearst\n\"niht-longne fyrst      neán bîdan!\"\nBeówulf maðelode,      bearn Ecgþeówes:\n\"Hwät þu worn fela,      wine mîn Ûnferð,\n\"beóre druncen      ymb Brecan spræce,\n\"sägdest from his sîðe!      Sôð ic talige,\n\"þät ic mere-strengo      mâran âhte,\n\"earfeðo on ýðum,      þonne ænig ôðer man.\n\"Wit þät gecwædon      cniht-wesende\n\"and gebeótedon      (wæron begen þâ git\n\"on geogoð-feore)      þät wit on gâr-secg ût\n\"aldrum nêðdon;      and þät geäfndon swâ.\n\"Häfdon swurd nacod,      þâ wit on sund reón,\n\"heard on handa,      wit unc wið hron-fixas\n\"werian þôhton.      Nô he wiht fram me\n\"flôd-ýðum feor      fleótan meahte,\n\"hraðor on holme,      nô ic fram him wolde.\n\"Þâ wit ätsomne      on sæ wæron\n\"fîf nihta fyrst,      ôð þät unc flôd tôdrâf,\n\"wado weallende,      wedera cealdost,\n\"nîpende niht      and norðan wind\n\"heaðo-grim andhwearf;      hreó wæron ýða,\n\"Wäs mere-fixa      môd onhrêred:\n\"þær me wið lâðum      lîc-syrce mîn,\n\"heard hond-locen,      helpe gefremede;\n\"beado-hrägl broden      on breóstum läg,\n\"golde gegyrwed.      Me tô grunde teáh\n\"fâh feónd-scaða,      fäste häfde\n\"grim on grâpe:      hwäðre me gyfeðe wearð,\n\"þät ic aglæcan      orde geræhte,\n\"hilde-bille;      heaðo-ræs fornam\n\"mihtig mere-deór      þurh mîne hand.\n\nX. BEÓWULF\'S CONTEST WITH BRECA.--THE FEAST.\n\n\"Swâ mec gelôme      lâð-geteónan\n\"þreátedon þearle.      Ic him þênode\n\"deóran sweorde,      swâ hit gedêfe wäs;\n\"näs hie þære fylle      gefeán häfdon,\n\"mân-fordædlan,      þät hie me þêgon,\n\"symbel ymb-sæton      sæ-grunde neáh,\n\"ac on mergenne      mêcum wunde\n\"be ýð-lâfe      uppe lægon,\n\"sweordum âswefede,      þät syððan nâ\n\"ymb brontne ford      brim-lîðende\n\"lâde ne letton.      Leóht eástan com,\n\"beorht beácen godes;      brimu swaðredon,\n\"þät ic sæ-nässas      geseón mihte,\n\"windige weallas.      Wyrd oft nereð\n\"unfægne eorl,      ðonne his ellen deáh!\n\"Hwäðere me gesælde,      þät ic mid sweorde ofslôh\n\"niceras nigene.      Nô ic on niht gefrägn\n\"under heofones hwealf      heardran feohtan,\n\"ne on êg-streámum      earmran mannan;\n\"hwäðere ic fâra feng      feore gedîgde,\n\"siðes wêrig.      Þâ mec sæ ôðbär,\n\"flôd äfter faroðe,      on Finna land,\n\"wadu weallendu.      Nô ic wiht fram þe\n\"swylcra searo-nîða      secgan hýrde,\n\"billa brôgan:      Breca næfre git\n\"ät heaðo-lâce,      ne gehwäðer incer\n\"swâ deórlîce      dæd gefremede\n\"fâgum sweordum      . . . . . . .\n\". . . . . . .      nô ic þäs gylpe;\n\"þeáh þu þînum brôðrum      tô banan wurde,\n\"heáfod-mægum;      þäs þu in helle scealt\n\"werhðo dreógan,      þeáh þîn wit duge,\n\"Secge ic þe tô sôðe,      sunu Ecglâfes,\n\"þät næfre Grendel swâ fela      gryra gefremede,\n\"atol äglæca      ealdre þînum,\n\"hýnðo on Heorote,      gif þîn hige wære,\n\"sefa swâ searo-grim,      swâ þu self talast.\n\"Ac he hafað onfunden,      þät he þâ fæhðe ne þearf,\n\"atole ecg-þräce      eówer leóde\n\"swîðe onsittan,      Sige-Scyldinga;\n\"nymeð nýd-bâde,      nænegum ârað\n\"leóde Deniga,      ac he on lust wîgeð,\n\"swefeð ond sendeð,      secce ne wêneð\n\"tô Gâr-Denum.      Ac him Geáta sceal\n\"eafoð and ellen      ungeâra nu\n\"gûðe gebeódan.      Gæð eft se þe môt\n\"tô medo môdig,      siððan morgen-leóht\n\"ofer ylda bearn      ôðres dôgores,\n\"sunne swegl-wered      sûðan scîneð!\"\nÞâ wäs on sâlum      sinces brytta\ngamol-feax and gûð-rôf,      geóce gelýfde\nbrego Beorht-Dena;      gehýrde on Beówulfe\nfolces hyrde      fäst-rædne geþôht.\nÞær wäs häleða hleahtor;      hlyn swynsode,\nword wæron wynsume.      Eode Wealhþeów forð,\ncwên Hrôðgâres,      cynna gemyndig,\ngrêtte gold-hroden      guman on healle,\nand þâ freólîc wîf      ful gesealde\nærest Eást-Dena      êðel-wearde,\nbäd hine blîðne      ät þære beór-þege,\nleódum leófne;      he on lust geþeah\nsymbel and sele-ful,      sige-rôf kyning.\nYmb-eode þâ      ides Helminga\nduguðe and geogoðe      dæl æghwylcne;\nsinc-fato sealde,      ôð þät sæl âlamp,\nþät hió Beówulfe,      beág-hroden cwên,\nmôde geþungen,      medo-ful ätbär;\ngrêtte Geáta leód,      gode þancode\nwîs-fäst wordum,      þäs þe hire se willa gelamp,\nþät heó on ænigne      eorl gelýfde\nfyrena frôfre.      He þät ful geþeah,\nwäl-reów wîga      ät Wealhþeón,\nand þâ gyddode      gûðe gefýsed,\nBeówulf maðelode,      bearn Ecgþeówes:\n\"Ic þät hogode,      þâ ic on holm gestâh,\n\"sæ-bât gesät      mid mînra secga gedriht,\n\"þät ic ânunga      eówra leóda\n\"willan geworhte,      oððe on wäl crunge,\n\"feónd-grâpum fäst.      Ic gefremman sceal\n\"eorlîc ellen,      oððe ende-däg\n\"on þisse meodu-healle      mînne gebîdan.\"\nÞam wîfe þâ word      wel lîcodon,\ngilp-cwide Geátes;      eode gold-hroden\nfreólîcu folc-cwên      tô hire freán sittan.\nÞâ wäs eft swâ ær      inne on healle\nþryð-word sprecen,      þeód on sælum,\nsige-folca swêg,      ôð þät semninga\nsunu Healfdenes      sêcean wolde\næfen-räste;      wiste ät þäm ahlæcan\ntô þäm heáh-sele      hilde geþinged,\nsiððan hie sunnan leóht      geseón ne meahton,\noððe nîpende      niht ofer ealle,\nscadu-helma gesceapu      scrîðan cwôman,\nwan under wolcnum.      Werod eall ârâs.\nGrêtte þâ giddum      guma ôðerne,\nHrôðgâr Beówulf,      and him hæl âbeád,\nwîn-ärnes geweald      and þät word âcwäð:\n\"Næfre ic ænegum men      ær âlýfde,\n\"siððan ic hond and rond      hebban mihte,\n\"þryð-ärn Dena      bûton þe nu þâ.\n\"Hafa nu and geheald      hûsa sêlest;\n\"gemyne mærðo,      mägen-ellen cýð,\n\"waca wið wrâðum!      Ne bið þe wilna gâd,\n\"gif þu þät ellen-weorc      aldre gedîgest.\"\n\nXI. THE WATCH FOR GRENDEL.\n\nÞâ him Hrôðgâr gewât      mid his häleða gedryht,\neodur Scyldinga      ût of healle;\nwolde wîg-fruma      Wealhþeó sêcan,\ncwên tô gebeddan      Häfde kyninga wuldor\nGrendle tô-geánes,      swâ guman gefrungon,\nsele-weard âseted,      sundor-nytte beheóld\nymb aldor Dena,      eoton weard âbeád;\nhûru Geáta leód      georne trûwode\nmôdgan mägnes,      metodes hyldo.\nÞâ he him of dyde      îsern-byrnan,\nhelm of hafelan,      sealde his hyrsted sweord,\nîrena cyst      ombiht-þegne,\nand gehealdan hêt      hilde-geatwe.\nGespräc þâ se gôda      gylp-worda sum\nBeówulf Geáta,      ær he on bed stige:\n\"Nô ic me an here-wæsmum      hnâgran talige\n\"gûð-geweorca,      þonne Grendel hine;\n\"forþan ic hine sweorde      swebban nelle,\n\"aldre beneótan,      þeáh ic eal mæge.\n\"Nât he þâra gôda,      þät he me on-geán sleá,\n\"rand geheáwe,      þeáh þe he rôf sîe\n\"nîð-geweorca;      ac wit on niht sculon\n\"secge ofersittan,      gif he gesêcean dear\n\"wîg ofer wæpen,      and siððan witig god\n\"on swâ hwäðere hond      hâlig dryhten\n\"mærðo dême,      swâ him gemet þince.\"\nHylde hine þâ heaðo-deór,      hleór-bolster onfêng\neorles andwlitan;      and hine ymb monig\nsnellîc sæ-rinc      sele-reste gebeáh.\nNænig heora þôhte      þät he þanon scolde\neft eard-lufan      æfre gesêcean,\nfolc oððe freó-burh,      þær he âfêded wäs,\nac hie häfdon gefrunen,      þät hie ær tô fela micles\nin þäm wîn-sele      wäl-deáð fornam,\nDenigea leóde.      Ac him dryhten forgeaf\nwîg-spêda gewiofu,      Wedera leódum\nfrôfor and fultum,      þät hie feónd heora\nþurh ânes cräft      ealle ofercômon,\nselfes mihtum:      sôð is gecýðed,\nþät mihtig god      manna cynnes\nweóld wîde-ferhð.      Com on wanre niht\nscrîðan sceadu-genga.      Sceótend swæfon,\nþâ þät horn-reced      healdan scoldon,\nealle bûton ânum.      Þät wäs yldum cûð,\nþät hie ne môste,      þâ metod nolde,\nse syn-scaða      under sceadu bregdan;\nac he wäccende      wrâðum on andan\nbâd bolgen-môd      beadwa geþinges.\n\nXII. GRENDEL\'S RAID.\n\nÞâ com of môre      under mist-hleoðum\nGrendel gongan,      godes yrre bär.\nMynte se mân-scaða      manna cynnes\nsumne besyrwan      in sele þam heán;\nwôd under wolcnum,      tô þäs þe he wîn-reced,\ngold-sele gumena,      gearwost wisse\nfättum fâhne.      Ne wäs þät forma sîð,\nþät he Hrôðgâres      hâm gesôhte:\nnæfre he on aldor-dagum      ær ne siððan\nheardran häle,      heal-þegnas fand!\nCom þâ tô recede      rinc sîðian\ndreámum bedæled.      Duru sôna onarn\nfýr-bendum fäst,      syððan he hire folmum hrân;\nonbräd þâ bealo-hydig,      þâ he âbolgen wäs,\nrecedes mûðan.      Raðe äfter þon\non fâgne flôr      feónd treddode,\neode yrre-môd;      him of eágum stôd\nlîge gelîcost      leóht unfäger.\nGeseah he in recede      rinca manige,\nswefan sibbe-gedriht      samod ätgädere,\nmago-rinca heáp:      þâ his môd âhlôg,\nmynte þät he gedælde,      ær þon däg cwôme,\natol aglæca,      ânra gehwylces\nlîf wið lîce,      þâ him âlumpen wäs\nwist-fylle wên.      Ne wäs þät wyrd þâ gen,\nþät he mâ môste      manna cynnes\nþicgean ofer þâ niht.      Þrýð-swýð beheóld\nmæg Higelâces,      hû se mân-scaða\nunder fær-gripum      gefaran wolde.\nNe þät se aglæca      yldan þôhte,\nac he gefêng hraðe      forman siðe\nslæpendne rinc,      slât unwearnum,\nbât bân-locan,      blôd êdrum dranc,\nsyn-snædum swealh:      sôna häfde\nunlyfigendes      eal gefeormod\nfêt and folma.      Forð neár ätstôp,\nnam þâ mid handa      hige-þihtigne\nrinc on räste;      ræhte ongeán\nfeónd mid folme,      he onfêng hraðe\ninwit-þancum      and wið earm gesät.\nSôna þät onfunde      fyrena hyrde,\nþät he ne mêtte      middan-geardes\neorðan sceáta      on elran men\nmund-gripe mâran:      he on môde wearð\nforht on ferhðe,      nô þý ær fram meahte;\nhyge wäs him hin-fûs,      wolde on heolster fleón,\nsêcan deófla gedräg:      ne wäs his drohtoð þær,\nswylce he on ealder-dagum      ær gemêtte.\nGemunde þâ se gôda      mæg Higelâces\næfen-spræce,      up-lang âstôd\nand him fäste wiðfêng.      Fingras burston;\neoten wäs ût-weard,      eorl furður stôp.\nMynte se mæra,      þær he meahte swâ,\nwîdre gewindan      and on weg þanon\nfleón on fen-hopu;      wiste his fingra geweald\non grames grâpum.      Þät wäs geócor sîð,\nþät se hearm-scaða      tô Heorute âteáh:\ndryht-sele dynede,      Denum eallum wearð,\nceaster-bûendum,      cênra gehwylcum,\neorlum ealu-scerwen.      Yrre wæron begen,\nrêðe rên-weardas.      Reced hlynsode;\nþâ wäs wundor micel,      þät se wîn-sele\nwiðhäfde heaðo-deórum,      þät he on hrusan ne feól,\nfäger fold-bold;      ac he þäs fäste wäs\ninnan and ûtan      îren-bendum\nsearo-þoncum besmiðod.      Þær fram sylle âbeág\nmedu-benc monig      mîne gefræge,\ngolde geregnad,      þær þâ graman wunnon;\nþäs ne wêndon ær      witan Scyldinga,\nþät hit â mid gemete      manna ænig\nbetlîc and bân-fâg      tôbrecan meahte,\nlistum tôlûcan,      nymðe lîges fäðm\nswulge on swaðule.      Swêg up âstâg\nniwe geneahhe;      Norð-Denum stôd\natelîc egesa      ânra gehwylcum\nþâra þe of wealle      wôp gehýrdon,\ngryre-leóð galan      godes andsacan,\nsige-leásne sang,      sâr wânigean\nhelle häftan.      Heóld hine tô fäste\nse þe manna wäs      mägene strengest\non þäm däge      þysses lîfes.\n\nXIII. BEÓWULF TEARS OFF GRENDEL\'S ARM.\n\nNolde eorla hleó      ænige þinga\nþone cwealm-cuman      cwicne forlætan,\nne his lîf-dagas      leóda ænigum\nnytte tealde.      Þær genehost brägd\neorl Beówulfes      ealde lâfe,\nwolde freá-drihtnes      feorh ealgian\nmæres þeódnes,      þær hie meahton swâ;\nhie þät ne wiston,      þâ hie gewin drugon,\nheard-hicgende      hilde-mecgas,\nand on healfa gehwone      heáwan þôhton,\nsâwle sêcan,      þät þone syn-scaðan\nænig ofer eorðan      îrenna cyst,\ngûð-billa nân      grêtan nolde;\nac he sige-wæpnum      forsworen häfde,\necga gehwylcre.      Scolde his aldor-gedâl\non þäm däge      þysses lîfes\nearmlîc wurðan      and se ellor-gâst\non feónda geweald      feor sîðian.\nÞâ þät onfunde      se þe fela æror\nmôdes myrðe      manna cynne\nfyrene gefremede      (he wäs fâg wið god)\nþät him se lîc-homa      læstan nolde,\nac hine se môdega      mæg Hygelâces\nhäfde be honda;      wäs gehwäðer ôðrum\nlifigende lâð.      Lîc-sâr gebâd\natol äglæca,      him on eaxle wearð\nsyn-dolh sweotol,      seonowe onsprungon\nburston bân-locan.      Beówulfe wearð\ngûð-hrêð gyfeðe;      scolde Grendel þonan\nfeorh-seóc fleón      under fen-hleoðu,\nsêcean wyn-leás wîc;      wiste þê geornor,\nþät his aldres wäs      ende gegongen,\ndôgera däg-rîm.      Denum eallum wearð\näfter þam wäl-ræse      willa gelumpen.\nHäfde þâ gefælsod,      se þe ær feorran com,\nsnotor and swýð-ferhð      sele Hrôðgâres,\ngenered wið nîðe.      Niht-weorce gefeh,\nellen-mærðum;      häfde Eást-Denum\nGeát-mecga leód      gilp gelæsted,\nswylce oncýððe      ealle gebêtte,\ninwid-sorge,      þe hie ær drugon\nand for þreá-nýdum      þolian scoldon,\ntorn unlytel.      Þät wäs tâcen sweotol,\nsyððan hilde-deór      hond âlegde,\nearm and eaxle      (þær wäs eal geador\nGrendles grâpe)      under geápne hrôf.\n\nXIV. THE JOY AT HEOROT.\n\nÞâ wäs on morgen      mîne gefræge\nymb þâ gif-healle      gûð-rinc monig:\nfêrdon folc-togan      feorran and neán\ngeond wîd-wegas      wundor sceáwian,\nlâðes lâstas.      Nô his lîf-gedâl\nsârlîc þûhte      secga ænegum,\nþâra þe tîr-leáses      trode sceáwode,\nhû he wêrig-môd      on weg þanon,\nnîða ofercumen,      on nicera mere\nfæge and geflýmed      feorh-lâstas bär.\nÞær wäs on blôde      brim weallende,\natol ýða geswing      eal gemenged\nhâtan heolfre,      heoro-dreóre weól;\ndeáð-fæge deóg,      siððan dreáma leás\nin fen-freoðo      feorh âlegde\nhæðene sâwle,      þær him hel onfêng.\nÞanon eft gewiton      eald-gesîðas,\nswylce geong manig      of gomen-wâðe,\nfram mere môdge,      mearum rîdan,\nbeornas on blancum.      Þær wäs Beówulfes\nmærðo mæned;      monig oft gecwäð,\nþätte sûð ne norð      be sæm tweonum\nofer eormen-grund      ôðer nænig\nunder swegles begong      sêlra nære\nrond-häbbendra,      rîces wyrðra.\nNe hie hûru wine-drihten      wiht ne lôgon,\nglädne Hrôðgâr,      ac þät wäs gôd cyning.\nHwîlum heaðo-rôfe      hleápan lêton,\non geflît faran      fealwe mearas,\nþær him fold-wegas      fägere þûhton,\ncystum cûðe;      hwîlum cyninges þegn,\nguma gilp-hläden      gidda gemyndig,\nse þe eal-fela      eald-gesegena\nworn gemunde,      word ôðer fand\nsôðe gebunden:      secg eft ongan\nsîð Beówulfes      snyttrum styrian\nand on spêd wrecan      spel gerâde,\nwordum wrixlan,      wel-hwylc gecwäð,\nþät he fram Sigemunde      secgan hýrde,\nellen-dædum,      uncûðes fela,\nWälsinges gewin,      wîde sîðas,\nþâra þe gumena bearn      gearwe ne wiston,\nfæhðe and fyrene,      bûton Fitela mid hine,\nþonne he swylces hwät      secgan wolde\neám his nefan,      swâ hie â wæron\nät nîða gehwâm      nýd-gesteallan:\nhäfdon eal-fela      eotena cynnes\nsweordum gesæged.      Sigemunde gesprong\näfter deáð-däge      dôm unlýtel,\nsyððan wîges heard      wyrm âcwealde,\nhordes hyrde;      he under hârne stân,\näðelinges bearn,      âna genêðde\nfrêcne dæde;      ne wäs him Fitela mid.\nHwäðre him gesælde,      þät þät swurd þurhwôd\nwrätlîcne wyrm,      þät hit on wealle ätstôd,\ndryhtlîc îren;      draca morðre swealt.\nHäfde aglæca      elne gegongen,\nþät he beáh-hordes      brûcan môste\nselfes dôme:      sæ-bât gehlôd,\nbär on bearm scipes      beorhte frätwa,\nWälses eafera;      wyrm hât gemealt.\nSe wäs wreccena      wîde mærost\nofer wer-þeóde,      wîgendra hleó\nellen-dædum:      he þäs âron þâh.\nSiððan Heremôdes      hild sweðrode\neafoð and ellen.      He mid eotenum wearð\non feónda geweald      forð forlâcen,\nsnûde forsended.      Hine sorh-wylmas\nlemede tô lange,      he his leódum wearð,\neallum äðelingum      tô aldor-ceare;\nswylce oft bemearn      ærran mælum\nswîð-ferhðes sîð      snotor ceorl monig,\nse þe him bealwa tô      bôte gelýfde,\nþät þät þeódnes bearn      geþeón scolde,\nfäder-äðelum onfôn,      folc gehealdan,\nhord and hleó-burh,      häleða rîce,\nêðel Scyldinga.      He þær eallum wearð,\nmæg Higelâces      manna cynne,\nfreóndum gefägra;      hine fyren onwôd.\n\nHwîlum flîtende      fealwe stræte\nmearum mæton.      Þâ wäs morgen-leóht\nscofen and scynded.      Eode scealc monig\nswîð-hicgende      tô sele þam heán,\nsearo-wundor seón,      swylce self cyning,\nof brýd-bûre      beáh-horda weard,\ntryddode tîr-fäst      getrume micle,\ncystum gecýðed,      and his cwên mid him\nmedo-stîg gemät      mägða hôse.\n\nXV. HROTHGAR\'S GRATULATION.\n\nHrôðgâr maðelode      (he tô healle geóng,\nstôd on stapole,      geseah steápne hrôf\ngolde fâhne      and Grendles hond):\n\"þisse ansýne      al-wealdan þanc\n\"lungre gelimpe!      Fela ic lâðes gebâd,\n\"grynna ät Grendle:      â mäg god wyrcan\n\"wunder äfter wundre,      wuldres hyrde!\n\"Þät wäs ungeâra,      þät ic ænigra me\n\"weána ne wênde      tô wîdan feore\n\"bôte gebîdan      þonne blôde fâh\n\"hûsa sêlest      heoro-dreórig stôd;\n\"weá wîd-scofen      witena gehwylcne\n\"þâra þe ne wêndon,      þät hie wîde-ferhð\n\"leóda land-geweorc      lâðum beweredon\n\"scuccum and scinnum.      Nu scealc hafað\n\"þurh drihtnes miht      dæd gefremede,\n\"þe we ealle      ær ne meahton\n\"snyttrum besyrwan.      Hwät! þät secgan mäg\n\"efne swâ hwylc mägða,      swâ þone magan cende\n\"äfter gum-cynnum,      gyf heó gyt lyfað,\n\"þät hyre eald-metod      êste wære\n\"bearn-gebyrdo.      Nu ic Beówulf\n\"þec, secg betsta,      me for sunu wylle\n\"freógan on ferhðe;      heald forð tela\n\"niwe sibbe.      Ne bið þe nænigra gâd\n\"worolde wilna,      þe ic geweald häbbe.\n\"Ful-oft ic for lässan      leán teohhode\n\"hord-weorðunge      hnâhran rince,\n\"sæmran ät säcce.      Þu þe self hafast\n\"dædum gefremed,      þät þîn dôm lyfað\n\"âwâ tô aldre.      Alwalda þec\n\"gôde forgylde,      swâ he nu gyt dyde!\"\nBeówulf maðelode,      bearn Ecgþeówes:\n\"We þät ellen-weorc      êstum miclum,\n\"feohtan fremedon,      frêcne genêðdon\n\"eafoð uncûðes;      ûðe ic swîðor,\n\"þät þu hinc selfne      geseón môste,\n\"feónd on frätewum      fyl-wêrigne!\n\"Ic hine hrädlîce      heardan clammum\n\"on wäl-bedde      wrîðan þôhte,\n\"þät he for mund-gripe      mînum scolde\n\"licgean lîf-bysig,      bûtan his lîc swice;\n\"ic hine ne mihte,      þâ metod nolde,\n\"ganges getwæman,      nô ic him þäs georne ätfealh,\n\"feorh-genîðlan;      wäs tô fore-mihtig\n\"feónd on fêðe.      Hwäðere he his folme forlêt\n\"tô lîf-wraðe      lâst weardian,\n\"earm and eaxle;      nô þær ænige swâ þeáh\n\"feá-sceaft guma      frôfre gebohte:\n\"nô þý leng leofað      lâð-geteóna\n\"synnum geswenced,      ac hyne sâr hafað\n\"in nýd-gripe      nearwe befongen,\n\"balwon bendum:      þær âbîdan sceal\n\"maga mâne fâh      miclan dômes,\n\"hû him scîr metod      scrîfan wille.\"\nÞâ wäs swîgra secg,      sunu Ecglâfes,\non gylp-spræce      gûð-geweorca,\nsiððan äðelingas      eorles cräfte\nofer heáhne hrôf      hand sceáwedon,\nfeóndes fingras,      foran æghwylc;\nwäs stêde nägla gehwylc,      stýle gelîcost,\nhæðenes hand-sporu      hilde-rinces\negle unheóru;      æg-hwylc gecwäð,\nþät him heardra nân      hrînan wolde\nîren ær-gôd,      þät þäs ahlæcan\nblôdge beadu-folme      onberan wolde.\n\nXVI. THE BANQUET AND THE GIFTS.\n\nÞâ wäs hâten hreðe      Heort innan-weard\nfolmum gefrätwod:      fela þæra wäs\nwera and wîfa,      þe þät wîn-reced,\ngest-sele gyredon.      Gold-fâg scinon\nweb äfter wagum,      wundor-sióna fela\nsecga gehwylcum      þâra þe on swylc starað\nWäs þät beorhte bold      tôbrocen swîðe\neal inne-weard      îren-bendum fäst,\nheorras tôhlidene;      hrôf âna genäs\nealles ansund,      þâ se aglæca\nfyren-dædum fâg      on fleám gewand,\naldres or-wêna.      Nô þät ýðe byð\ntô befleónne      (fremme se þe wille!)\nac gesacan sceal      sâwl-berendra\nnýde genýdde      niðða bearna\ngrund-bûendra      gearwe stôwe,\nþær his lîc-homa      leger-bedde fäst\nswefeð äfter symle.      Þâ wäs sæl and mæl,\nþät tô healle gang      Healfdenes sunu;\nwolde self cyning      symbel þicgan.\nNe gefrägen ic þâ mægðe      mâran weorode\nymb hyra sinc-gyfan      sêl gebæran.\nBugon þâ tô bence      blæd-âgende,\nfylle gefægon.      Fägere geþægon\nmedo-ful manig      mâgas + þâra\nswîð-hicgende      on sele þam heán,\nHrôðgâr and Hrôðulf.      Heorot innan wäs\nfreóndum âfylled;      nalles fâcen-stafas\nÞeód-Scyldingas      þenden fremedon.\nForgeaf þâ Beówulfe      bearn Healfdenes\nsegen gyldenne      sigores tô leáne,\nhroden hilte-cumbor,      helm and byrnan;\nmære mâððum-sweord      manige gesâwon\nbeforan beorn beran.      Beówulf geþah\nful on flette;      nô he þære feoh-gyfte\nfor sceótendum      scamigan þorfte,\nne gefrägn ic freóndlîcor      feówer mâdmas\ngolde gegyrede      gum-manna fela\nin ealo-bence      ôðrum gesellan.\nYmb þäs helmes hrôf      heáfod-beorge\nwîrum bewunden      walan ûtan heóld,\nþät him fêla lâfe      frêcne ne meahton\nscûr-heard sceððan,      þonne scyld-freca\nongeán gramum      gangan scolde.\nHêht þâ eorla hleó      eahta mearas,\nfäted-hleóre,      on flet teón\nin under eoderas;      þâra ânum stôd\nsadol searwum fâh      since gewurðad,\nþät wäs hilde-setl      heáh-cyninges,\nþonne sweorda gelâc      sunu Healfdenes\nefnan wolde;      næfre on ôre läg\nwîd-cûðes wîg,      þonne walu feóllon.\nAnd þâ Beówulfe      bega gehwäðres\neodor Ingwina      onweald geteáh,\nwicga and wæpna;      hêt hine wel brûcan.\nSwâ manlîce      mære þeóden,\nhord-weard häleða      heaðo-ræsas geald\nmearum and mâdmum,      swâ hý næfre man lyhð,\nse þe secgan wile      sôð äfter rihte.\n\nXVII. SONG OF HROTHGAR\'S POET--THE LAY OF HNAEF AND HENGEST.\n\nÞâ gyt æghwylcum      eorla drihten\nþâra þe mid Beówulfe      brim-lâde teáh,\non þære medu-bence      mâððum gesealde,\nyrfe-lâfe,      and þone ænne hêht\ngolde forgyldan,      þone þe Grendel ær\nmâne âcwealde,      swâ he hyra mâ wolde,\nnefne him witig god      wyrd forstôde\nand þäs mannes môd:      metod eallum weóld\ngumena cynnes,      swâ he nu git dêð;\nforþan bið andgit      æghwær sêlest,\nferhðes fore-þanc!      fela sceal gebîdan\nleófes and lâðes,      se þe longe her\non þyssum win-dagum      worolde brûceð.\nÞær wäs sang and swêg      samod ätgädere\nfore Healfdenes      hilde-wîsan,\ngomen-wudu grêted,      gid oft wrecen,\nþonne heal-gamen      Hrôðgâres scôp\näfter medo-bence      mænan scolde\nFinnes eaferum,      þâ hie se fær begeat:\n\"Häleð Healfdenes,      Hnäf Scyldinga,\n\"in Fr..es wäle      feallan scolde.\n\"Ne hûru Hildeburh      hêrian þorfte\n\"Eotena treówe:      unsynnum wearð\n\"beloren leófum      ät þam lind-plegan\n\"bearnum and brôðrum;      hie on gebyrd hruron\n\"gâre wunde;      þät wäs geômuru ides.\n\"Nalles hôlinga      Hôces dôhtor\n\"meotod-sceaft bemearn,      syððan morgen com,\n\"þâ heó under swegle      geseón meahte\n\"morðor-bealo mâga,      þær heó ær mæste heóld\n\"worolde wynne:      wîg ealle fornam\n\"Finnes þegnas,      nemne feáum ânum,\n\"þät he ne mehte      on þäm meðel-stede\n\"wîg Hengeste      wiht gefeohtan,\n\"ne þâ weá-lâfe      wîge forþringan\n\"þeódnes þegne;       ac hig him geþingo budon,\n\"þät hie him ôðer flet      eal gerýmdon,\n\"healle and heáh-setl,      þät hie healfre geweald\n\"wið Eotena bearn      âgan môston,\n\"and ät feoh-gyftum      Folcwaldan sunu\n\"dôgra gehwylce      Dene weorðode,\n\"Hengestes heáp      hringum wenede,\n\"efne swâ swîðe      sinc-gestreónum\n\"fättan goldes,      swâ he Fresena cyn\n\"on beór-sele      byldan wolde.\n\"Þâ hie getrûwedon      on twâ healfa\n\"fäste frioðu-wære;      Fin Hengeste\n\"elne unflitme      âðum benemde,\n\"þät he þâ weá-lâfe      weotena dôme\n\"ârum heolde,      þät þær ænig mon\n\"wordum ne worcum      wære ne bræce,\n\"ne þurh inwit-searo      æfre gemænden,\n\"þeáh hie hira beág-gyfan      banan folgedon\n\"þeóden-leáse,      þâ him swâ geþearfod wäs:\n\"gyf þonne Frysna hwylc      frêcnan spræce\n\"þäs morðor-hetes      myndgiend wære,\n\"þonne hit sweordes ecg      syððan scolde.\n\"Âð wäs geäfned      and icge gold\n\"âhäfen of horde.      Here-Scyldinga\n\"betst beado-rinca      wäs on bæl gearu;\n\"ät þäm âde wäs      êð-gesýne\n\"swât-fâh syrce,      swýn eal-gylden,\n\"eofer îren-heard,      äðeling manig\n\"wundum âwyrded;      sume on wäle crungon.\n\"Hêt þâ Hildeburh      ät Hnäfes âde\n\"hire selfre sunu      sweoloðe befästan,\n\"bân-fatu bärnan      and on bæl dôn.\n\"Earme on eaxle      ides gnornode,\n\"geômrode giddum;      gûð-rinc âstâh.\n\"Wand tô wolcnum      wäl-fýra mæst,\n\"hlynode for hlâwe;      hafelan multon,\n\"ben-geato burston,      þonne blôd ätspranc\n\"lâð-bite lîces.      Lîg ealle forswealg,\n\"gæsta gîfrost,      þâra þe þær gûð fornam\n\"bega folces;      wäs hira blæd scacen.\n\nXVIII. THE GLEEMAN\'S TALE IS ENDED.\n\n\"Gewiton him þâ wîgend      wîca neósian,\n\"freóndum befeallen      Frysland geseón,\n\"hâmas and heá-burh.      Hengest þâ gyt\n\"wäl-fâgne winter      wunode mid Finne\n\"ealles unhlitme;      eard gemunde,\n\"þeáh þe he ne meahte      on mere drîfan\n\"hringed-stefnan;      holm storme weól,\n\"won wið winde;      winter ýðe beleác\n\"îs-gebinde      ôð þät ôðer com\n\"geâr in geardas,      swâ nu gyt dêð,\n\"þâ þe syngales      sêle bewitiað,\n\"wuldor-torhtan weder.      Þâ wäs winter scacen,\n\"fäger foldan bearm;      fundode wrecca,\n\"gist of geardum;      he tô gyrn-wräce\n\"swîðor þôhte,      þonne tô sæ-lâde,\n\"gif he torn-gemôt      þurhteón mihte,\n\"þät he Eotena bearn      inne gemunde.\n\"Swâ he ne forwyrnde      worold-rædenne,\n\"þonne him Hûnlâfing      hilde-leóman,\n\"billa sêlest,      on bearm dyde:\n\"þäs wæron mid Eotenum      ecge cûðe.\n\"Swylce ferhð-frecan      Fin eft begeat\n\"sweord-bealo slîðen      ät his selfes hâm,\n\"siððan grimne gripe      Gûðlaf ond Ôslâf\n\"äfter sæ-siðe      sorge mændon,\n\"ätwiton weána dæl;      ne meahte wäfre môd\n\"forhabban in hreðre.      Þâ wäs heal hroden\n\"feónda feorum,      swilce Fin slägen,\n\"cyning on corðre,      and seó cwên numen.\n\"Sceótend Scyldinga      tô scypum feredon\n\"eal in-gesteald      eorð-cyninges,\n\"swylce hie ät Finnes hâm      findan meahton\n\"sigla searo-gimma.      Hie on sæ-lâde\n\"drihtlîce wîf      tô Denum feredon,\n\"læddon tô leódum.\"      Leóð wäs âsungen,\ngleó-mannes gyd.      Gamen eft âstâh,\nbeorhtode benc-swêg,      byrelas sealdon\nwîn of wunder-fatum.      Þâ cwom Wealhþeó forð\ngân under gyldnum beáge,      þær þâ gôdan twegen\nsæton suhter-gefäderan;      þâ gyt wäs hiera sib ätgädere\næghwylc ôðrum trýwe.      Swylce þær Ûnferð þyle\nät fôtum sät freán Scyldinga:      gehwylc hiora his ferhðe treówde,\nþät he häfde môd micel,      þeáh þe he his mâgum nære\nârfäst ät ecga gelâcum.      Spräc þâ ides Scyldinga:\n\"Onfôh þissum fulle,      freó-drihten mîn,\n\"sinces brytta;      þu on sælum wes,\n\"gold-wine gumena,      and tô Geátum sprec\n\"mildum wordum!      Swâ sceal man dôn.\n\"Beó wið Geátas gläd,      geofena gemyndig;\n\"neán and feorran      þu nu friðu hafast.\n\"Me man sägde,      þät þu þe for sunu wolde\n\"here-rinc habban.      Heorot is gefælsod,\n\"beáh-sele beorhta;      brûc þenden þu môte\n\"manigra mêda      and þînum mâgum læf\n\"folc and rîce,      þonne þu forð scyle\n\"metod-sceaft seón.      Ic mînne can\n\"glädne Hrôðulf,      þät he þâ geogoðe wile\n\"ârum healdan,      gyf þu ær þonne he,\n\"wine Scildinga,      worold oflætest;\n\"wêne ic, þät he mid gôde      gyldan wille\n\"uncran eaferan,      gif he þät eal gemon,\n\"hwät wit tô willan      and tô worð-myndum\n\"umbor wesendum ær      ârna gefremedon.\"\nHwearf þâ bî bence,      þær hyre byre wæron,\nHrêðrîc and Hrôðmund,      and häleða bearn,\ngiogoð ätgädere;      þær se gôda sät\nBeówulf Geáta      be þæm gebrôðrum twæm.\n\nXIX. BEÓWULF\'S JEWELLED COLLAR. THE HEROES REST.\n\nHim wäs ful boren      and freónd-laðu\nwordum bewägned      and wunden gold\nêstum geeáwed,      earm-hreáde twâ,\nhrägl and hringas,      heals-beága mæst\nþâra þe ic on foldan      gefrägen häbbe.\nNænigne ic under swegle      sêlran hýrde\nhord-mâððum häleða,      syððan Hâma ätwäg\ntô þære byrhtan byrig      Brosinga mene,\nsigle and sinc-fät,      searo-nîðas fealh\nEormenrîces,      geceás êcne ræd.\nÞone hring häfde      Higelâc Geáta,\nnefa Swertinges,      nýhstan sîðe,\nsiððan he under segne      sinc ealgode,\nwäl-reáf werede;      hyne Wyrd fornam,\nsyððan he for wlenco      weán âhsode,\nfæhðe tô Frysum;      he þâ frätwe wäg,\neorclan-stânas      ofer ýða ful,\nrîce þeóden,      he under rande gecranc;\ngehwearf þâ in Francna fäðm      feorh cyninges,\nbreóst-gewædu      and se beáh somod:\nwyrsan wîg-frecan      wäl reáfedon\näfter gûð-sceare,      Geáta leóde\nhreâ-wîc heóldon.      Heal swêge onfêng.\nWealhþeó maðelode,      heó fore þäm werede spräc:\n\"Brûc þisses beáges,      Beówulf, leófa\n\"hyse, mid hæle,      and þisses hrägles neót\n\"þeód-gestreóna,      and geþeóh tela,\n\"cen þec mid cräfte      and þyssum cnyhtum wes\n\"lâra lîðe!      ic þe þäs leán geman.\n\"Hafast þu gefêred,      þät þe feor and neáh\n\"ealne wîde-ferhð      weras ehtigað,\n\"efne swâ sîde      swâ sæ bebûgeð\n\"windige weallas.      Wes, þenden þu lifige,\n\"äðeling eádig!      ic þe an tela\n\"sinc-gestreóna.      Beó þu suna mînum\n\"dædum gedêfe      dreám healdende!\n\"Her is æghwylc eorl      ôðrum getrýwe,\n\"môdes milde,      man-drihtne hold,\n\"þegnas syndon geþwære,      þeód eal gearo:\n\"druncne dryht-guman,      dôð swâ ic bidde!\"\nEode þâ tô setle.      Þær wäs symbla cyst,\ndruncon wîn weras:      wyrd ne cûðon,\ngeó-sceaft grimme,      swâ hit âgangen wearð\neorla manegum,      syððan æfen cwom\nand him Hrôðgâr gewât      tô hofe sînum,\nrîce tô räste.      Reced weardode\nunrîm eorla,      swâ hie oft ær dydon:\nbenc-þelu beredon,      hit geond-bræded wearð\nbeddum and bolstrum.      Beór-scealca sum\nfûs and fæge      flet-räste gebeág.\nSetton him tô heáfdum      hilde-randas,\nbord-wudu beorhtan;      þær on bence wäs\nofer äðelinge      ýð-gesêne\nheaðo-steápa helm,      hringed byrne,\nþrec-wudu þrymlîc.      Wäs þeáw hyra,\nþät hie oft wæron      an wîg gearwe,\nge ät hâm ge on herge,      ge gehwäðer þâra\nefne swylce mæla,      swylce hira man-dryhtne\nþearf gesælde;      wäs seó þeód tilu.\n\nXX. GRENDEL\'S MOTHER ATTACKS THE RING-DANES.\n\nSigon þâ tô slæpe.      Sum sâre angeald\næfen-räste,      swâ him ful-oft gelamp,\nsiððan gold-sele      Grendel warode,\nunriht äfnde,      ôð þät ende becwom,\nswylt äfter synnum.      Þät gesýne wearð,\nwîd-cûð werum,      þätte wrecend þâ gyt\nlifde äfter lâðum,      lange þrage\näfter gûð-ceare;      Grendles môdor,\nides aglæc-wîf      yrmðe gemunde,\nse þe wäter-egesan      wunian scolde,\ncealde streámas,      siððan Cain wearð\ntô ecg-banan      ângan brêðer,\nfäderen-mæge;      he þâ fâg gewât,\nmorðre gemearcod      man-dreám fleón,\nwêsten warode.      Þanon wôc fela\ngeósceaft-gâsta;      wäs þæra Grendel sum,\nheoro-wearh hetelîc,      se ät Heorote fand\nwäccendne wer      wîges bîdan,\nþær him aglæca      ät-græpe wearð;\nhwäðre he gemunde      mägenes strenge,\ngim-fäste gife,      þe him god sealde,\nand him tô anwaldan      âre gelýfde,\nfrôfre and fultum:      þý he þone feónd ofercwom,\ngehnægde helle gâst:      þâ he heán gewât,\ndreáme bedæled      deáð-wîc seón,\nman-cynnes feónd.      And his môdor þâ gyt\ngîfre and galg-môd      gegân wolde\nsorh-fulne sîð,      suna deáð wrecan.\nCom þâ tô Heorote,      þær Hring-Dene\ngeond þät säld swæfun.      Þâ þær sôna wearð\ned-hwyrft eorlum,      siððan inne fealh\nGrendles môdor;      wäs se gryre lässa\nefne swâ micle,      swâ bið mägða cräft,\nwîg-gryre wîfes      be wæpned-men,\nþonne heoru bunden,      hamere geþuren,\nsweord swâte fâh      swîn ofer helme,\necgum dyhtig      andweard scireð.\nÞâ wäs on healle      heard-ecg togen,\nsweord ofer setlum,      sîd-rand manig\nhafen handa fäst;      helm ne gemunde,\nbyrnan sîde,      þe hine se brôga angeat.\nHeó wäs on ôfste,      wolde ût þanon\nfeore beorgan,      þâ heó onfunden wäs;\nhraðe heó äðelinga      ânne häfde\nfäste befangen,      þâ heó tô fenne gang;\nse wäs Hrôðgâre      häleða leófost\non gesîðes hâd      be sæm tweonum,\nrîce rand-wîga,      þone þe heó on räste âbreát,\nblæd-fästne beorn.      Näs Beówulf þær,\nac wäs ôðer in      ær geteohhod\näfter mâððum-gife      mærum Geáte.\nHreám wearð on Heorote.      Heó under heolfre genam\ncûðe folme;      cearu wäs geniwod\ngeworden in wîcum:      ne wäs þät gewrixle til,\nþät hie on bâ healfa      bicgan scoldon\nfreónda feorum.      Þâ wäs frôd cyning,\nhâr hilde-rinc,      on hreón môde,\nsyððan he aldor-þegn      unlyfigendne,\nþone deórestan      deádne wisse.\nHraðe wäs tô bûre      Beówulf fetod,\nsigor-eádig secg.      Samod ær-däge\neode eorla sum,      äðele cempa\nself mid gesîðum,      þær se snottra bâd,\nhwäðre him al-walda      æfre wille\näfter weá-spelle      wyrpe gefremman.\nGang þâ äfter flôre      fyrd-wyrðe man\nmid his hand-scale      (heal-wudu dynede)\nþät he þone wîsan      wordum hnægde\nfreán Ingwina;      frägn gif him wære\näfter neód-laðu      niht getæse.\n\nXXI. SORROW AT HEOROT: ÆSCHERE\'S DEATH.\n\nHrôðgâr maðelode,      helm Scildinga:\n\"Ne frin þu äfter sælum!      Sorh is geniwod\n\"Denigea leódum.      Deád is Äsc-here,\n\"Yrmenlâfes      yldra brôðor,\n\"mîn rûn-wita      and mîn ræd-bora,\n\"eaxl-gestealla,      þonne we on orlege\n\"hafelan weredon,      þonne hniton fêðan,\n\"eoferas cnysedan;      swylc scolde eorl wesan\n\"äðeling ær-gôd,      swylc Äsc-here wäs.\n\"Wearð him on Heorote      tô hand-banan\n\"wäl-gæst wäfre;      ic ne wât hwäder\n\"atol æse wlanc      eft-sîðas teáh,\n\"fylle gefrægnod.      Heó þâ fæhðe wräc,\n\"þe þu gystran niht      Grendel cwealdest\n\"þurh hæstne hâd      heardum clammum,\n\"forþan he tô lange      leóde mîne\n\"wanode and wyrde.      He ät wîge gecrang\n\"ealdres scyldig,      and nu ôðer cwom\n\"mihtig mân-scaða,      wolde hyre mæg wrecan,\n\"ge feor hafað      fæhðe gestæled,\n\"þäs þe þincean mäg      þegne monegum,\n\"se þe äfter sinc-gyfan      on sefan greóteð,\n\"hreðer-bealo hearde;      nu seó hand ligeð,\n\"se þe eów wel-hwylcra      wilna dohte.\n\"Ic þät lond-bûend      leóde mîne\n\"sele-rædende      secgan hýrde,\n\"þät hie gesâwon      swylce twegen\n\"micle mearc-stapan      môras healdan,\n\"ellor-gæstas:      þæra ôðer wäs,\n\"þäs þe hie gewislîcost      gewitan meahton,\n\"idese onlîcnes,      ôðer earm-sceapen\n\"on weres wästmum      wräc-lâstas träd,\n\"näfne he wäs mâra      þonne ænig man ôðer,\n\"þone on geâr-dagum      Grendel nemdon\n\"fold-bûende:      nô hie fäder cunnon,\n\"hwäðer him ænig wäs      ær âcenned\n\"dyrnra gâsta.      Hie dýgel lond\n\"warigeað, wulf-hleoðu,      windige nässas,\n\"frêcne fen-gelâd,      þær fyrgen-streám\n\"under nässa genipu      niðer gewîteð,\n\"flôd under foldan;      nis þät feor heonon\n\"mîl-gemearces,      þät se mere standeð,\n\"ofer þäm hongiað      hrîmge bearwas,\n\"wudu wyrtum fäst,      wäter oferhelmað.\n\"Þær mäg nihta gehwæm      nîð-wundor seón,\n\"fýr on flôde;      nô þäs frôd leofað\n\"gumena bearna,      þät þone grund wite;\n\"þeáh þe hæð-stapa      hundum geswenced,\n\"heorot hornum trum      holt-wudu sêce,\n\"feorran geflýmed,      ær he feorh seleð,\n\"aldor on ôfre,      ær he in wille,\n\"hafelan hýdan.      Nis þät heóru stôw:\n\"þonon ýð-geblond      up âstîgeð\n\"won tô wolcnum,      þonne wind styreð\n\"lâð gewidru,      ôð þät lyft drysmað,\n\"roderas reótað.      Nu is ræd gelang\n\"eft ät þe ânum!      Eard git ne const,\n\"frêcne stôwe,      þær þu findan miht\n\"sinnigne secg:      sêc gif þu dyrre!\n\"Ic þe þâ fæhðe      feó leánige,\n\"eald-gestreónum,      swâ ic ær dyde,\n\"wundnum golde,      gyf þu on weg cymest.\"\n\nXXII. BEÓWULF SEEKS THE MONSTER IN THE HAUNTS OF THE NIXIES.\n\nBeówulf maðelode,      bearn Ecgþeówes:\n\"Ne sorga, snotor guma!      sêlre bið æghwæm,\n\"þät he his freónd wrece,      þonne he fela murne;\n\"ûre æghwylc sceal      ende gebîdan\n\"worolde lîfes;      wyrce se þe môte\n\"dômes ær deáðe!      þät bið driht-guman\n\"unlifgendum      äfter sêlest.\n\"Ârîs, rîces weard;      uton hraðe fêran,\n\"Grendles mâgan      gang sceáwigan!\n\"Ic hit þe gehâte:      nô he on helm losað,\n\"ne on foldan fäðm,      ne on fyrgen-holt,\n\"ne on gyfenes grund,      gâ þær he wille.\n\"Þys dôgor þu      geþyld hafa\n\"weána gehwylces,      swâ ic þe wêne tô!\"\nÂhleóp þâ se gomela,      gode þancode,\nmihtigan drihtne,      þäs se man gespräc.\nÞâ wäs Hrôðgâre      hors gebæted,\nwicg wunden-feax.      Wîsa fengel\ngeatolîc gengde;      gum-fêða stôp\nlind-häbbendra.      Lâstas wæron\näfter wald-swaðum      wîde gesýne,\ngang ofer grundas;      gegnum fôr þâ\nofer myrcan môr,      mago-þegna bär\nþone sêlestan      sâwol-leásne,\nþâra þe mid Hrôðgâre      hâm eahtode.\nOfer-eode þâ      äðelinga bearn\nsteáp stân-hliðo,      stîge nearwe,\nenge ân-paðas,      un-cûð gelâd,\nneowle nässas,      nicor-hûsa fela;\nhe feára sum      beforan gengde\nwîsra monna,      wong sceáwian,\nôð þät he færinga      fyrgen-beámas\nofer hârne stân      hleonian funde,\nwyn-leásne wudu;      wäter under stôd\ndreórig and gedrêfed.      Denum eallum wäs,\nwinum Scyldinga,      weorce on môde,\ntô geþolianne      þegne monegum,\noncýð eorla gehwæm,      syððan Äsc-heres\non þam holm-clife      hafelan mêtton.\nFlôd blôde weól      (folc tô sægon)\nhâtan heolfre.      Horn stundum song\nfûslîc fyrd-leóð.      Fêða eal gesät;\ngesâwon þâ äfter wätere      wyrm-cynnes fela,\nsellîce sæ-dracan      sund cunnian,\nswylce on näs-hleoðum      nicras licgean,\nþâ on undern-mæl      oft bewitigað\nsorh-fulne sîð      on segl-râde,\nwyrmas and wil-deór;      hie on weg hruron\nbitere and gebolgne,      bearhtm ongeâton,\ngûð-horn galan.      Sumne Geáta leód\nof flân-bogan      feores getwæfde,\nýð-gewinnes,      þät him on aldre stôd\nhere-stræl hearda;      he on holme wäs\nsundes þe sænra,      þe hyne swylt fornam.\nHräðe wearð on ýðum      mid eofer-spreótum\nheoro-hôcyhtum      hearde genearwod,\nnîða genæged      and on näs togen\nwundorlîc wæg-bora;      weras sceáwedon\ngryrelîcne gist.      Gyrede hine Beówulf\neorl-gewædum,      nalles for ealdre mearn:\nscolde here-byrne      hondum gebroden,\nsîd and searo-fâh,      sund cunnian,\nseó þe bân-côfan      beorgan cûðe,\nþät him hilde-grâp      hreðre ne mihte,\neorres inwit-feng,      aldre gesceððan;\nac se hwîta helm      hafelan werede,\nse þe mere-grundas      mengan scolde,\nsêcan sund-gebland      since geweorðad,\nbefongen freá-wrâsnum,      swâ hine fyrn-dagum\nworhte wæpna smið,      wundrum teóde,\nbesette swîn-lîcum,      þät hine syððan nô\nbrond ne beado-mêcas      bîtan ne meahton.\nNäs þät þonne mætost      mägen-fultuma,\nþät him on þearfe lâh      þyle Hrôðgâres;\nwäs þäm häft-mêce      Hrunting nama,\nþät wäs ân foran      eald-gestreóna;\necg wäs îren      âter-teárum fâh,\nâhyrded heaðo-swâte;      næfre hit ät hilde ne swâc\nmanna ængum      þâra þe hit mid mundum bewand,\nse þe gryre-sîðas      gegân dorste,\nfolc-stede fâra;      näs þät forma sîð,\nþät hit ellen-weorc      äfnan scolde.\nHûru ne gemunde      mago Ecglâfes\neafoðes cräftig,      þät he ær gespräc\nwîne druncen,      þâ he þäs wæpnes onlâh\nsêlran sweord-frecan:      selfa ne dorste\nunder ýða gewin      aldre genêðan,\ndriht-scype dreógan;      þær he dôme forleás,\nellen-mærðum.      Ne wäs þäm ôðrum swâ,\nsyððan he hine tô gûðe      gegyred häfde.\n\nXXIII. THE BATTLE WITH THE WATER-DRAKE.\n\nBeówulf maðelode,      bearn Ecgþeówes:\n\"geþenc nu, se mæra      maga Healfdenes,\n\"snottra fengel,      nu ic eom sîðes fûs,\n\"gold-wine gumena,      hwät wit geó spræcon,\n\"gif ic ät þearfe      þînre scolde\n\"aldre linnan,      þät þu me â wære\n\"forð-gewitenum      on fäder stäle;\n\"wes þu mund-bora mînum      mago-þegnum,\n\"hond-gesellum,      gif mec hild nime:\n\"swylce þu þâ mâdmas,      þe þu me sealdest,\n\"Hrôðgâr leófa,      Higelâce onsend.\n\"Mäg þonne on þäm golde ongitan      Geáta dryhten,\n\"geseón sunu Hrêðles,      þonne he on þät sinc starað,\n\"þät ic gum-cystum      gôdne funde\n\"beága bryttan,      breác þonne môste.\n\"And þu Ûnferð læt      ealde lâfe,\n\"wrätlîc wæg-sweord      wîd-cûðne man\n\"heard-ecg habban;      ic me mid Hruntinge\n\"dôm gewyrce,      oððe mec deáð nimeð.\"\nÄfter þæm wordum      Weder-Geáta leód\nêfste mid elne,      nalas andsware\nbîdan wolde;      brim-wylm onfêng\nhilde-rince.      Þâ wäs hwîl däges,\nær he þone grund-wong      ongytan mehte.\nSôna þät onfunde,      se þe flôda begong\nheoro-gîfre beheóld      hund missera,\ngrim and grædig,      þät þær gumena sum\näl-wihta eard      ufan cunnode.\nGrâp þâ tôgeánes,      gûð-rinc gefêng\natolan clommum;      nô þý ær in gescôd\nhâlan lîce:      hring ûtan ymb-bearh,\nþät heó þone fyrd-hom      þurh-fôn ne mihte,\nlocene leoðo-syrcan      lâðan fingrum.\nBär þâ seó brim-wylf,      þâ heó tô botme com,\nhringa þengel      tô hofe sînum,\nswâ he ne mihte nô      (he þäs môdig wäs)\nwæpna gewealdan,      ac hine wundra þäs fela\nswencte on sunde,      sæ-deór monig\nhilde-tuxum      here-syrcan bräc,\nêhton aglæcan.      Þâ se eorl ongeat,\nþät he in nið-sele      nât-hwylcum wäs,\nþær him nænig wäter      wihte ne sceðede,\nne him for hrôf-sele      hrînan ne mehte\nfær-gripe flôdes:      fýr-leóht geseah,\nblâcne leóman      beorhte scînan.\nOngeat þâ se gôda      grund-wyrgenne,\nmere-wîf mihtig;      mägen-ræs forgeaf\nhilde-bille,      hond swenge ne ofteáh,\nþät hire on hafelan      hring-mæl âgôl\ngrædig gûð-leóð.      Þâ se gist onfand,\nþät se beado-leóma      bîtan nolde,\naldre sceððan,      ac seó ecg geswâc\nþeódne ät þearfe:      þolode ær fela\nhond-gemôta,      helm oft gescär,\nfæges fyrd-hrägl:      þät wäs forma sîð\ndeórum mâðme,      þät his dôm âläg.\nEft wäs ân-ræd,      nalas elnes lät,\nmærða gemyndig      mæg Hygelâces;\nwearp þâ wunden-mæl      wrättum gebunden\nyrre oretta,      þät hit on eorðan läg,\nstîð and stýl-ecg;      strenge getrûwode,\nmund-gripe mägenes.      Swâ sceal man dôn,\nþonne he ät gûðe      gegân þenceð\nlongsumne lof,      nâ ymb his lîf cearað.\nGefêng þâ be eaxle      (nalas for fæhðe mearn)\nGûð-Geáta leód      Grendles môdor;\nbrägd þâ beadwe heard,      þâ he gebolgen wäs,\nfeorh-genîðlan,      þät heó on flet gebeáh.\nHeó him eft hraðe      and-leán forgeald\ngrimman grâpum      and him tôgeánes fêng;\noferwearp þâ wêrig-môd      wîgena strengest,\nfêðe-cempa,      þät he on fylle wearð.\nOfsät þâ þone sele-gyst      and hyre seaxe geteáh,\nbrâd and brûn-ecg      wolde hire bearn wrecan,\nângan eaferan.      Him on eaxle läg\nbreóst-net broden;      þät gebearh feore,\nwið ord and wið ecge      ingang forstôd.\nHäfde þâ forsîðod      sunu Ecgþeówes\nunder gynne grund,      Geáta cempa,\nnemne him heaðo-byrne      helpe gefremede,\nhere-net hearde,      and hâlig god\ngeweóld wîg-sigor,      witig drihten;\nrodera rædend      hit on ryht gescêd,\nýðelîce      syððan he eft âstôd.\n\nXXIV. BEÓWULF SLAYS THE SPRITE.\n\nGeseah þâ on searwum      sige-eádig bil,\neald sweord eotenisc      ecgum þyhtig,\nwîgena weorð-mynd:      þät wäs wæpna cyst,\nbûton hit wäs mâre      þonne ænig mon ôðer\ntô beadu-lâce      ätberan meahte\ngôd and geatolîc      giganta geweorc.\nHe gefêng þâ fetel-hilt,      freca Scildinga,\nhreóh and heoro-grim      hring-mæl gebrägd,\naldres orwêna,      yrringa slôh,\nþät hire wið halse      heard grâpode,\nbân-hringas bräc,      bil eal þurh-wôd\nfægne flæsc-homan,      heó on flet gecrong;\nsweord wäs swâtig,      secg weorce gefeh.\nLixte se leóma,      leóht inne stôd,\nefne swâ of hefene      hâdre scîneð\nrodores candel.      He äfter recede wlât,\nhwearf þâ be wealle,      wæpen hafenade\nheard be hiltum      Higelâces þegn,\nyrre and ân-ræd.      Näs seó ecg fracod\nhilde-rince,      ac he hraðe wolde\nGrendle forgyldan      gûð-ræsa fela\nþâra þe he geworhte      tô West-Denum\noftor micle      þonne on ænne sîð,\nþonne he Hrôðgâres      heorð-geneátas\nslôh on sweofote,      slæpende frät\nfolces Denigea      fýf-tyne men\nand ôðer swylc      ût of-ferede,\nlâðlîcu lâc.      He him þäs leán forgeald,\nrêðe cempa,      tô þäs þe he on räste geseah\ngûð-wêrigne      Grendel licgan,\naldor-leásne,      swâ him ær gescôd\nhild ät Heorote;      hrâ wîde sprong,\nsyððan he äfter deáðe      drepe þrowade,\nheoro-sweng heardne,      and hine þâ heáfde becearf,\nSôna þät gesâwon      snottre ceorlas,\nþâ þe mid Hrôðgâre      on holm wliton,\nþät wäs ýð-geblond      eal gemenged,\nbrim blôde fâh:      blonden-feaxe\ngomele ymb gôdne      ongeador spræcon,\nþät hig þäs äðelinges      eft ne wêndon,\nþät he sige-hrêðig      sêcean côme\nmærne þeóden;      þâ þäs monige gewearð,\nþät hine seó brim-wylf      âbroten häfde.\nÞâ com nôn däges.      Näs ofgeâfon\nhwate Scyldingas; gewât him hâm þonon\ngold-wine gumena.      Gistas sêtan,\nmôdes seóce,      and on mere staredon,\nwiston and ne wêndon,      þät hie heora wine-drihten\nselfne gesâwon.      Þâ þät sweord ongan\näfter heaðo-swâte      hilde-gicelum\nwîg-bil wanian;      þät wäs wundra sum,\nþät hit eal gemealt      îse gelîcost,\nþonne forstes bend      fäder onlæteð,\nonwindeð wäl-râpas,      se þe geweald hafað\nsæla and mæla;      þät is sôð metod.\nNe nom he in þæm wîcum,      Weder-Geáta leód,\nmâðm-æhta mâ,      þêh he þær monige geseah,\nbûton þone hafelan      and þâ hilt somod,\nsince fâge;      sweord ær gemealt,\nforbarn broden mæl:      wäs þät blôd tô þäs hât,\nættren ellor-gæst,      se þær inne swealt.\nSôna wäs on sunde,      se þe ær ät säcce gebâd\nwîg-hryre wrâðra,      wäter up þurh-deáf;\nwæron ýð-gebland      eal gefælsod,\neácne eardas,      þâ se ellor-gâst\noflêt lîf-dagas      and þâs lænan gesceaft.\nCom þâ tô lande      lid-manna helm\nswîð-môd swymman,      sæ-lâce gefeah,\nmägen-byrðenne      þâra þe he him mid häfde.\nEodon him þâ tôgeánes,      gode þancodon,\nþryðlîc þegna heáp,      þeódnes gefêgon,\nþäs þe hi hyne gesundne      geseón môston.\nÞâ wäs of þäm hrôran      helm and byrne\nlungre âlýsed:      lagu drusade,\nwäter under wolcnum,      wäl-dreóre fâg.\nFêrdon forð þonon      fêðe-lâstum\nferhðum fägne,      fold-weg mæton,\ncûðe stræte;      cyning-balde men\nfrom þäm holm-clife      hafelan bæron\nearfoðlîce      heora æghwäðrum\nfela-môdigra:      feówer scoldon\non ðäm wäl-stenge      weorcum geferian\ntô þäm gold-sele      Grendles heáfod,\nôð þät semninga      tô sele cômon\nfrome fyrd-hwate      feówer-tyne\nGeáta gongan;      gum-dryhten mid\nmôdig on gemonge      meodo-wongas träd.\nÞâ com in gân      ealdor þegna,\ndæd-cêne mon      dôme gewurðad,\nhäle hilde-deór.      Hrôðgâr grêtan:\nÞâ wäs be feaxe      on flet boren\nGrendles heáfod,      þær guman druncon,\negeslîc for eorlum      and þære idese mid:\nwlite-seón wrätlîc      weras onsâwon.\n\nXXV. HROTHGAR\'S GRATITUDE: HE DISCOURSES.\n\nBeówulf maðelode,      bearn Ecgþeówes:\n\"Hwät! we þe þâs sæ-lâc,      sunu Healfdenes,\n\"leód Scyldinga,      lustum brôhton,\n\"tîres tô tâcne,      þe þu her tô lôcast.\n\"Ic þät unsôfte      ealdre gedîgde:\n\"wîge under wätere      weorc genêðde\n\"earfoðlîce,      ät-rihte wäs\n\"gûð getwæfed,      nymðe mec god scylde.\n\"Ne meahte ic ät hilde      mid Hruntinge\n\"wiht gewyrcan,      þeáh þät wæpen duge,\n\"ac me geûðe      ylda waldend,\n\"þät ic on wage geseah      wlitig hangian\n\"eald sweord eácen      (oftost wîsode\n\"winigea leásum)      þät ic þý wæpne gebräd.\n\"Ofslôh þâ ät þære säcce      (þâ me sæl âgeald)\n\"hûses hyrdas.      Þâ þät hilde-bil\n\"forbarn, brogden mæl,      swâ þät blôd gesprang,\n\"hâtost heaðo-swâta:      ic þät hilt þanan\n\"feóndum ätferede;      fyren-dæda wräc,\n\"deáð-cwealm Denigea,      swâ hit gedêfe wäs.\n\"Ic hit þe þonne gehâte,      þät þu on Heorote môst\n\"sorh-leás swefan      mid þînra secga gedryht,\n\"and þegna gehwylc      þînra leóda,\n\"duguðe and iogoðe,      þät þu him ondrædan ne þearft,\n\"þeóden Scyldinga,      on þâ healfe,\n\"aldor-bealu eorlum,      swâ þu ær dydest.\"\nÞâ wäs gylden hilt      gamelum rince.\nhârum hild-fruman,      on hand gyfen,\nenta ær-geweorc,      hit on æht gehwearf\näfter deófla hryre      Denigea freán,\nwundor-smiða geweorc,      and þâ þâs worold ofgeaf\ngrom-heort guma,      godes andsaca,\nmorðres scyldig,      and his môdor eác;\non geweald gehwearf      worold-cyninga\nþäm sêlestan      be sæm tweónum\nþâra þe on Sceden-igge      sceattas dælde.\nHrôðgâr maðelode,      hylt sceáwode,\nealde lâfe,      on þäm wäs ôr writen\nfyrn-gewinnes:      syððan flôd ofslôh,\ngifen geótende,      giganta cyn,\nfrêcne gefêrdon:      þät wäs fremde þeód\nêcean dryhtne,      him þäs ende-leán\nþurh wäteres wylm      waldend sealde.\nSwâ wäs on þæm scennum      scîran goldes\nþurh rûn-stafas      rihte gemearcod,\ngeseted and gesæd,      hwâm þät sweord geworht,\nîrena cyst      ærest wære,\nwreoðen-hilt and wyrm-fâh.      Þâ se wîsa spräc\nsunu Healfdenes      (swîgedon ealle):\n\"Þät lâ mäg secgan,      se þe sôð and riht\n\"fremeð on folce,      (feor eal gemon\n\"eald êðel-weard),      þät þes eorl wære\n\"geboren betera!      Blæd is âræred\n\"geond wîd-wegas,      wine mîn Beówulf,\n\"þîn ofer þeóda gehwylce.      Eal þu hit geþyldum healdest,\n\"mägen mid môdes snyttrum.      Ic þe sceal mîne gelæstan\n\"freóde, swâ wit furðum spræcon;      þu scealt tô frôfre weorðan\n\"eal lang-twidig      leódum þînum,\n\"häleðum tô helpe.      Ne wearð Heremôd swâ\n\"eaforum Ecgwelan,      Âr-Scyldingum;\n\"ne geweôx he him tô willan,      ac tô wäl-fealle\n\"and tô deáð-cwalum      Deniga leódum;\n\"breát bolgen-môd      beód-geneátas,\n\"eaxl-gesteallan,      ôð þät he âna hwearf,\n\"mære þeóden.      mon-dreámum from:\n\"þeáh þe hine mihtig god      mägenes wynnum,\n\"eafeðum stêpte,      ofer ealle men\n\"forð gefremede,      hwäðere him on ferhðe greów\n\"breóst-hord blôd-reów:      nallas beágas geaf\n\"Denum äfter dôme;      dreám-leás gebâd,\n\"þät he þäs gewinnes      weorc þrowade,\n\"leód-bealo longsum.      Þu þe lær be þon,\n\"gum-cyste ongit!      ic þis gid be þe\n\"âwräc wintrum frôd.      Wundor is tô secganne,\n\"hû mihtig god      manna cynne\n\"þurh sîdne sefan      snyttru bryttað,\n\"eard and eorl-scipe,      he âh ealra geweald.\n\"Hwîlum he on lufan      læteð hworfan\n\"monnes môd-geþonc      mæran cynnes,\n\"seleð him on êðle      eorðan wynne,\n\"tô healdanne      hleó-burh wera,\n\"gedêð him swâ gewealdene      worolde dælas,\n\"sîde rîce,      þät he his selfa ne mäg\n\"for his un-snyttrum      ende geþencean;\n\"wunað he on wiste,      nô hine wiht dweleð,\n\"âdl ne yldo,      ne him inwit-sorh\n\"on sefan sweorceð,      ne gesacu ôhwær,\n\"ecg-hete eóweð,      ac him eal worold\n\"wendeð on willan;      he þät wyrse ne con,\n\"ôð þät him on innan      ofer-hygda dæl\n\"weaxeð and wridað,      þonne se weard swefeð,\n\"sâwele hyrde:      bið se slæp tô fäst,\n\"bisgum gebunden,      bona swîðe neáh,\n\"se þe of flân-bogan      fyrenum sceóteð.\n\nXXVI. THE DISCOURSE IS ENDED.--BEÓWULF PREPARES TO LEAVE.\n\n\"Þonne bið on hreðre      under helm drepen\n\"biteran stræle:      him bebeorgan ne con\n\"wom wundor-bebodum      wergan gâstes;\n\"þinceð him tô lytel,      þät he tô lange heóld,\n\"gýtsað grom-hydig,      nallas on gylp seleð\n\"fätte beágas      and he þâ forð-gesceaft\n\"forgyteð and forgýmeð,      þäs þe him ær god sealde\n\"wuldres waldend,      weorð-mynda dæl.\n\"Hit on ende-stäf      eft gelimpeð,\n\"þät se lîc-homa      læne gedreóseð,\n\"fæge gefealleð;      fêhð ôðer tô,\n\"se þe unmurnlîce      mâdmas dæleð,\n\"eorles ær-gestreón,      egesan ne gýmeð.\n\"Bebeorh þe þone bealo-nîð,      Beówulf leófa,\n\"secg se betsta,      and þe þät sêlre geceós,\n\"êce rædas;      oferhyda ne gým,\n\"mære cempa!      Nu is þînes mägnes blæd\n\"âne hwîle;      eft sôna bið,\n\"þät þec âdl oððe ecg      eafoðes getwæfeð,\n\"oððe fýres feng      oððe flôdes wylm,\n\"oððe gripe mêces      oððe gâres fliht,\n\"oððe atol yldo,      oððe eágena bearhtm\n\"forsiteð and forsworceð;      semninga bið,\n\"þät þec, dryht-guma,      deáð oferswýðeð.\n\"Swâ ic Hring-Dena      hund missera\n\"weóld under wolcnum,      and hig wîge beleác\n\"manigum mægða      geond þysne middan-geard,\n\"äscum and ecgum,      þät ic me ænigne\n\"under swegles begong      gesacan ne tealde.\n\"Hwät! me þäs on êðle      edwenden cwom,\n\"gyrn äfter gomene,      seoððan Grendel wearð,\n\"eald-gewinna,      in-genga mîn:\n\"ic þære sôcne      singales wäg\n\"môd-ceare micle.      Þäs sig metode þanc,\n\"êcean drihtne,      þäs þe ic on aldre gebâd,\n\"þät ic on þone hafelan      heoro-dreórigne\n\"ofer eald gewin      eágum starige!\n\"Gâ nu tô setle,      symbel-wynne dreóh\n\"wîgge weorðad:      unc sceal worn fela\n\"mâðma gemænra,      siððan morgen bið.\"\nGeát wäs gläd-môd,      geóng sôna tô,\nsetles neósan,      swâ se snottra hêht.\nÞâ wäs eft swâ ær      ellen-rôfum,\nflet-sittendum      fägere gereorded\nniówan stefne.      Niht-helm geswearc\ndeorc ofer dryht-gumum.      Duguð eal ârâs;\nwolde blonden-feax      beddes neósan,\ngamela Scylding.      Geát ungemetes wel,\nrôfne rand-wîgan      restan lyste:\nsôna him sele-þegn      sîðes wêrgum,\nfeorran-cundum      forð wîsade,\nse for andrysnum      ealle beweotede\nþegnes þearfe,      swylce þý dôgore\nheáðo-lîðende      habban scoldon.\nReste hine þâ rûm-heort;      reced hlifade\ngeáp and gold-fâh,      gäst inne swäf,\nôð þät hrefn blaca      heofones wynne\nblîð-heort bodode.      Þâ com beorht sunne\nscacan ofer grundas;      scaðan onetton,\nwæron äðelingas      eft tô leódum\nfûse tô farenne,      wolde feor þanon\ncuma collen-ferhð      ceóles neósan.\nHêht þâ se hearda      Hrunting beran,\nsunu Ecglâfes,      hêht his sweord niman,\nleóflîc îren;      sägde him þäs leánes þanc,\ncwäð he þone gûð-wine      gôdne tealde,\nwîg-cräftigne,      nales wordum lôg\nmêces ecge:      þät wäs môdig secg.\nAnd þâ sîð-frome      searwum gearwe\nwîgend wæron,      eode weorð Denum\näðeling tô yppan,      þær se ôðer wäs\nhäle hilde-deór,      Hrôðgâr grêtte.\n\nXXVII. THE PARTING WORDS.\n\nBeówulf maðelode,      bearn Ecgþeówes:\n\"Nu we sæ-lîðend      secgan wyllað\n\"feorran cumene,      þät we fundiað\n\"Higelâc sêcan.      Wæron her tela\n\"willum bewenede;      þu ûs wel dohtest.\n\"Gif ic þonne on eorðan      ôwihte mäg\n\"þînre môd-lufan      mâran tilian,\n\"gumena dryhten,      þonne ic gyt dyde,\n\"gûð-geweorca      ic beó gearo sôna.\n\"Gif ic þät gefricge      ofer flôda begang,\n\"þät þec ymbe-sittend      egesan þýwað,\n\"swâ þec hetende      hwîlum dydon,\n\"ic þe þûsenda      þegna bringe,\n\"häleða tô helpe.      Ic on Higelâce wât,\n\"Geáta dryhten,      þeáh þe he geong sý,\n\"folces hyrde,      þät he mec fremman wile\n\"wordum and worcum,      þät ic þe wel herige,\n\"and þe tô geóce      gâr-holt bere\n\"mägenes fultum,      þær þe bið manna þearf;\n\"gif him þonne Hrêðrîc      tô hofum Geáta\n\"geþingeð, þeódnes bearn,      he mäg þær fela\n\"freónda findan:      feor-cýððe beóð\n\"sêlran gesôhte      þäm þe him selfa deáh.\"\nHrôðgâr maðelode      him on andsware:\n\"Þe þâ word-cwydas      wittig drihten\n\"on sefan sende!      ne hýrde ic snotorlîcor\n\"on swâ geongum feore      guman þingian:\n\"þu eart mägenes strang      and on môde frôd,\n\"wîs word-cwida.      Wên ic talige,\n\"gif þät gegangeð,      þät þe gâr nymeð,\n\"hild heoru-grimme      Hrêðles eaferan,\n\"âdl oððe îren      ealdor þînne,\n\"folces hyrde,      and þu þîn feorh hafast,\n\"þät þe Sæ-Geátas      sêlran näbben\n\"tô geceósenne      cyning ænigne,\n\"hord-weard häleða,      gif þu healdan wylt\n\"mâga rîce.      Me þîn môd-sefa\n\"lîcað leng swâ wel,      leófa Beówulf:\n\"hafast þu gefêred,      þät þâm folcum sceal,\n\"Geáta leódum      and Gâr-Denum\n\"sib gemænum      and sacu restan,\n\"inwit-nîðas,      þe hie ær drugon;\n\"wesan, þenden ic wealde      wîdan rîces,\n\"mâðmas gemæne,      manig ôðerne\n\"gôdum gegrêtan      ofer ganotes bäð;\n\"sceal hring-naca      ofer heáðu bringan\n\"lâc and luf-tâcen.      Ic þâ leóde wât\n\"ge wið feónd ge wið freónd      fäste geworhte\n\"æghwäs untæle      ealde wîsan.\"\nÞâ git him eorla hleó      inne gesealde,\nmago Healfdenes      mâðmas twelfe,\nhêt hine mid þæm lâcum      leóde swæse\nsêcean on gesyntum,      snûde eft cuman.\nGecyste þâ      cyning äðelum gôd,\nþeóden Scildinga,      þegen betstan\nand be healse genam;      hruron him teáras,\nblonden-feaxum:      him wäs bega wên,\nealdum infrôdum,      ôðres swîðor,\nþät hî seoððan      geseón môston\nmôdige on meðle.      Wäs him se man tô þon leóf,\nþät he þone breóst-wylm      forberan ne mehte,\nac him on hreðre      hyge-bendum fäst\näfter deórum men      dyrne langað\nbeorn wið blôde.      Him Beówulf þanan,\ngûð-rinc gold-wlanc      gräs-moldan träd,\nsince hrêmig:      sæ-genga bâd\nâgend-freán,      se þe on ancre râd.\nÞâ wäs on gange      gifu Hrôðgâres\noft geæhted:      þät wäs ân cyning\næghwäs orleahtre,      ôð þät hine yldo benam\nmägenes wynnum,      se þe oft manegum scôd.\n\nXXVIII. BEÓWULF RETURNS TO GEATLAND.--THE QUEENS HYGD AND THRYTHO.\n\nCwom þâ tô flôde      fela-môdigra\nhäg-stealdra heáp;      hring-net bæron,\nlocene leoðo-syrcan.      Land-weard onfand\neft-sîð eorla,      swâ he ær dyde;\nnô he mid hearme      of hliðes nosan\ngästas grêtte,      ac him tôgeánes râd;\ncwäð þät wilcuman      Wedera leódum\nscawan scîr-hame      tô scipe fôron.\nÞâ wäs on sande      sæ-geáp naca\nhladen here-wædum,      hringed-stefna\nmearum and mâðmum:      mäst hlifade\nofer Hrôðgâres      hord-gestreónum.\nHe þäm bât-wearde      bunden golde\nswurd gesealde,      þät he syððan wäs\non meodu-bence      mâðme þý weorðra,\nyrfe-lâfe.      Gewât him on ýð-nacan,\ndrêfan deóp wäter,      Dena land ofgeaf.\nÞâ wäs be mäste      mere-hrägla sum,\nsegl sâle fäst.      Sund-wudu þunede,\nnô þær wêg-flotan      wind ofer ýðum\nsîðes getwæfde;      sæ-genga fôr,\nfleát fâmig-heals      forð ofer ýðe,\nbunden-stefna      ofer brim-streámas,\nþät hie Geáta clifu      ongitan meahton,\ncûðe nässas.      Ceól up geþrang,\nlyft-geswenced      on lande stôd.\nHraðe wäs ät holme      hýð-weard gearo,\nse þe ær lange tîd,      leófra manna\nfûs, ät faroðe      feor wlâtode;\nsælde tô sande      sîd-fäðme scip\noncer-bendum fäst,      þý läs hym ýða þrym\nwudu wynsuman      forwrecan meahte.\nHêt þâ up beran      äðelinga gestreón,\nfrätwe and fät-gold;      näs him feor þanon\ntô gesêcanne      sinces bryttan:\nHigelâc Hrêðling      þær ät hâm wunað,\nselfa mid gesîðum      sæ-wealle neáh;\nbold wäs betlîc,      brego-rôf cyning,\nheá on healle,      Hygd swîðe geong,\nwîs, wel-þungen,      þeáh þe wintra lyt\nunder burh-locan      gebiden häbbe\nHäreðes dôhtor:      näs hió hnâh swâ þeáh,\nne tô gneáð gifa      Geáta leódum,\nmâðm-gestreóna.      Mod Þryðo wäg,\nfremu folces cwên,      firen ondrysne:\nnænig þät dorste      deór genêðan\nswæsra gesîða,      nefne sin-freá,\nþät hire an däges      eágum starede;\nac him wäl-bende      weotode tealde,\nhand-gewriðene:      hraðe seoððan wäs\näfter mund-gripe      mêce geþinged,\nþät hit sceaðen-mæl      scyran môste,\ncwealm-bealu cýðan.      Ne bið swylc cwênlîc þeáw\nidese tô efnanne,      þeáh þe hió ænlîcu sý,\nþätte freoðu-webbe      feores onsäce\näfter lîge-torne      leófne mannan.\nHûru þät onhôhsnode      Heminges mæg;\nealo drincende      ôðer sædan,\nþät hió leód-bealewa      läs gefremede,\ninwit-nîða,      syððan ærest wearð\ngyfen gold-hroden      geongum cempan,\näðelum dióre,      syððan hió Offan flet\nofer fealone flôd      be fäder lâre\nsîðe gesôhte,      þær hió syððan wel\nin gum-stôle,      gôde mære,\nlîf-gesceafta      lifigende breác,\nhióld heáh-lufan      wið häleða brego,\nealles mon-cynnes      mîne gefræge\nþone sêlestan      bî sæm tweónum\neormen-cynnes;      forþam Offa wäs\ngeofum and gûðum      gâr-cêne man,\nwîde geweorðod;      wîsdôme heóld\nêðel sînne,      þonon Eómær wôc\nhäleðum tô helpe,      Heminges mæg,\nnefa Gârmundes,      nîða cräftig.\n\nXXIX. HIS ARRIVAL. HYGELAC\'S RECEPTION.\n\nGewât him þâ se hearda      mid his hond-scole\nsylf äfter sande      sæ-wong tredan,\nwîde waroðas.      Woruld-candel scân,\nsigel sûðan fûs:      hî sîð drugon,\nelne geeodon,      tô þäs þe eorla hleó,\nbonan Ongenþeówes      burgum on innan,\ngeongne gûð-cyning      gôdne gefrunon\nhringas dælan.      Higelâce wäs\nsîð Beówulfes      snûde gecýðed,\nþät þær on worðig      wîgendra hleó,\nlind-gestealla      lifigende cwom,\nheaðo-lâces hâl      tô hofe gongan.\nHraðe wäs gerýmed,      swâ se rîca bebeád,\nfêðe-gestum      flet innan-weard.\nGesät þâ wið sylfne,      se þâ säcce genäs,\nmæg wið mæge,      syððan man-dryhten\nþurh hleóðor-cwyde      holdne gegrêtte\nmeaglum wordum.      Meodu-scencum\nhwearf geond þät reced      Häreðes dôhtor:\nlufode þâ leóde,      lîð-wæge bär\nhælum tô handa.      Higelâc ongan\nsînne geseldan      in sele þam heán\nfägre fricgean,      hyne fyrwet bräc,\nhwylce Sæ-Geáta      sîðas wæron:\n\"Hû lomp eów on lâde,      leófa Biówulf,\n\"þâ þu færinga      feorr gehogodest,\n\"säcce sêcean      ofer sealt wäter,\n\"hilde tô Hiorote?      Ac þu Hrôðgâre\n\"wîd-cûðne weán      wihte gebêttest,\n\"mærum þeódne?      Ic þäs môd-ceare\n\"sorh-wylmum seáð,      sîðe ne trûwode\n\"leófes mannes;      ic þe lange bäd,\n\"þät þu þone wäl-gæst      wihte ne grêtte,\n\"lête Sûð-Dene      sylfe geweorðan\n\"gûðe wið Grendel.      Gode ic þanc secge,\n\"þäs þe ic þe gesundne      geseón môste.\"\nBiówulf maðelode,      bearn Ecgþiówes:\n\"Þät is undyrne,      dryhten Higelâc,\n\"mære gemêting      monegum fira,\n\"hwylc orleg-hwîl      uncer Grendles\n\"wearð on þam wange,      þær he worna fela\n\"Sige-Scildingum      sorge gefremede,\n\"yrmðe tô aldre;      ic þät eal gewräc,\n\"swâ ne gylpan þearf      Grendeles mâga\n\"ænig ofer eorðan      uht-hlem þone,\n\"se þe lengest leofað      lâðan cynnes,\n\"fenne bifongen.      Ic þær furðum cwom,\n\"tô þam hring-sele      Hrôðgâr grêtan:\n\"sôna me se mæra      mago Healfdenes,\n\"syððan he môd-sefan      mînne cûðe,\n\"wið his sylfes sunu      setl getæhte.\n\"Weorod wäs on wynne;      ne seah ic wîdan feorh\n\"under heofenes hwealf      heal-sittendra\n\"medu-dreám mâran.      Hwîlum mæru cwên,\n\"friðu-sibb folca      flet eall geond-hwearf,\n\"bædde byre geonge;      oft hió beáh-wriðan\n\"secge sealde,      ær hió tô setle geóng.\n\"Hwîlum for duguðe      dôhtor Hrôðgâres\n\"eorlum on ende      ealu-wæge bär,\n\"þâ ic Freáware      flet-sittende\n\"nemnan hýrde,      þær hió nägled sinc\n\"häleðum sealde:      sió gehâten wäs,\n\"geong gold-hroden,      gladum suna Frôdan;\n\"hafað þäs geworden      wine Scyldinga\n\"rîces hyrde      and þät ræd talað,\n\"þät he mid þý wîfe      wäl-fæhða dæl,\n\"säcca gesette.      Oft nô seldan hwær\n\"äfter leód-hryre      lytle hwîle\n\"bon-gâr bûgeð,      þeáh seó brýd duge!\n\nXXX. BEÓWULF\'S STORY OF THE SLAYINGS.\n\n\"Mäg þäs þonne ofþyncan      þeóden Heaðobeardna\n\"and þegna gehwâm      þâra leóda,\n\"þonne he mid fæmnan      on flett gæð,\n\"dryht-bearn Dena      duguða biwenede:\n\"on him gladiað      gomelra lâfe\n\"heard and hring-mæl,      Heaðobeardna gestreón,\n\"þenden hie þâm wæpnum      wealdan môston,\n\"ôð þät hie forlæddan      tô þam lind-plegan\n\"swæse gesîðas      ond hyra sylfra feorh.\n\"Þonne cwið ät beóre,      se þe beáh gesyhð,\n\"eald äsc-wîga,      se þe eall geman\n\"gâr-cwealm gumena      (him bið grim sefa),\n\"onginneð geômor-môd      geongne cempan\n\"þurh hreðra gehygd      higes cunnian,\n\"wîg-bealu weccean      and þät word âcwyð:\n\"\'Meaht þu, mîn wine,      mêce gecnâwan,\n\"\'þone þin fäder      tô gefeohte bär\n\"\'under here-grîman      hindeman sîðe,\n\"\'dýre îren,      þær hyne Dene slôgon,\n\"\'weóldon wäl-stôwe,      syððan wiðer-gyld läg,\n\"\'äfter häleða hryre,      hwate Scyldungas?\n\"\'Nu her þâra banena      byre nât-hwylces,\n\"\'frätwum hrêmig      on flet gæð,\n\"\'morðres gylpeð      and þone mâððum byreð,\n\"\'þone þe þu mid rihte      rædan sceoldest!\'\"\n\"Manað swâ and myndgað      mæla gehwylce\n\"sârum wordum,      ôð þät sæl cymeð,\n\"þät se fæmnan þegn      fore fäder dædum\n\"äfter billes bite      blôd-fâg swefeð,\n\"ealdres scyldig;      him se ôðer þonan\n\"losað lifigende,      con him land geare.\n\"Þonne bióð brocene      on bâ healfe\n\"âð-sweord eorla;      syððan Ingelde\n\"weallað wäl-nîðas      and him wîf-lufan\n\"äfter cear-wälmum      côlran weorðað.\n\"Þý ic Heaðobeardna      hyldo ne telge,\n\"dryht-sibbe dæl      Denum unfæcne,\n\"freónd-scipe fästne.      Ic sceal forð sprecan\n\"gen ymbe Grendel,      þät þu geare cunne,\n\"sinces brytta,      tô hwan syððan wearð\n\"hond-ræs häleða.      Syððan heofones gim\n\"glâd ofer grundas,      gäst yrre cwom,\n\"eatol æfen-grom,      ûser neósan,\n\"þær we gesunde      säl weardodon;\n\"þær wäs Hondsció      hild onsæge,\n\"feorh-bealu fægum,      he fyrmest läg,\n\"gyrded cempa;      him Grendel wearð,\n\"mærum magu-þegne      tô mûð-bonan,\n\"leófes mannes      lîc eall forswealg.\n\"Nô þý ær ût þâ gen      îdel-hende\n\"bona blôdig-tôð      bealewa gemyndig,\n\"of þam gold-sele      gongan wolde,\n\"ac he mägnes rôf      mîn costode,\n\"grâpode gearo-folm.      Glôf hangode\n\"sîd and syllîc      searo-bendum fäst,\n\"sió wäs orþoncum      eall gegyrwed\n\"deófles cräftum      and dracan fellum:\n\"he mec þær on innan      unsynnigne,\n\"diór dæd-fruma,      gedôn wolde,\n\"manigra sumne:      hyt ne mihte swâ,\n\"syððan ic on yrre      upp-riht âstôd.\n\"Tô lang ys tô reccenne,      hû ic þam leód-sceaðan\n\"yfla gehwylces      ond-leán forgeald;\n\"þær ic, þeóden mîn,      þîne leóde\n\"weorðode weorcum.      He on weg losade,\n\"lytle hwîle      lîf-wynna breác;\n\"hwäðre him sió swîðre      swaðe weardade\n\"hand on Hiorte      and he heán þonan,\n\"môdes geômor      mere-grund gefeóll.\n\"Me þone wäl-ræs      wine Scildunga\n\"fättan golde      fela leánode,\n\"manegum mâðmum,      syððan mergen com\n\"and we tô symble      geseten häfdon.\n\"Þær wäs gidd and gleó;      gomela Scilding\n\"fela fricgende      feorran rehte;\n\"hwîlum hilde-deór      hearpan wynne,\n\"gomen-wudu grêtte;      hwîlum gyd âwräc\n\"sôð and sârlîc;      hwîlum syllîc spell\n\"rehte äfter rihte      rûm-heort cyning.\n\"Hwîlum eft ongan      eldo gebunden,\n\"gomel gûð-wîga      gioguðe cwîðan\n\"hilde-strengo;      hreðer inne weóll,\n\"þonne he wintrum frôd      worn gemunde.\n\"Swâ we þær inne      andlangne däg\n\"nióde nâman,      ôð þät niht becwom\n\"ôðer tô yldum.      Þâ wäs eft hraðe\n\"gearo gyrn-wräce      Grendeles môdor,\n\"sîðode sorh-full;      sunu deáð fornam,\n\"wîg-hete Wedra.      Wîf unhýre\n\"hyre bearn gewräc,      beorn âcwealde\n\"ellenlîce;      þær wäs Äsc-here,\n\"frôdan fyrn-witan,      feorh ûðgenge;\n\"nôðer hy hine ne môston,      syððan mergen cwom,\n\"deáð-wêrigne      Denia leóde\n\"bronde forbärnan,      ne on bæl hladan\n\"leófne mannan:      hió þät lîc ätbär\n\"feóndes fäðmum      under firgen-streám.\n\"Þät wäs Hrôðgâre      hreówa tornost\n\"þâra þe leód-fruman      lange begeâte;\n\"þâ se þeóden mec      þîne lîfe\n\"healsode hreóh-môd,      þät ic on holma geþring\n\"eorl-scipe efnde,      ealdre genêðde,\n\"mærðo fremede:      he me mêde gehêt.\n\"Ic þâ þäs wälmes,      þe is wîde cûð,\n\"grimne gryrelîcne      grund-hyrde fond.\n\"Þær unc hwîle wäs      hand gemæne;\n\"holm heolfre weóll      and ic heáfde becearf\n\"in þam grund-sele      Grendeles môdor\n\"eácnum ecgum,      unsôfte þonan\n\"feorh ôðferede;      näs ic fæge þâ gyt,\n\"ac me eorla hleó      eft gesealde\n\"mâðma menigeo,      maga Healfdenes.\n\nXXXI. HE GIVES PRESENTS TO HYGELAC. HYGELAC REWARDS HIM. HYGELAC\'S DEATH.\nBEÓWULF REIGNS.\n\n\"Swâ se þeód-kyning      þeáwum lyfde;\n\"nealles ic þâm leánum      forloren häfde,\n\"mägnes mêde,      ac he me mâðmas geaf,\n\"sunu Healfdenes,      on sînne sylfes dôm;\n\"þâ ic þe, beorn-cyning,      bringan wylle,\n\"êstum geýwan.      Gen is eall ät þe\n\"lissa gelong:      ic lyt hafo\n\"heáfod-mâga,      nefne Hygelâc þec!\"\nHêt þâ in beran      eafor, heáfod-segn,\nheaðo-steápne helm,      hâre byrnan,\ngûð-sweord geatolîc,      gyd äfter wräc:\n\"Me þis hilde-sceorp      Hrôðgâr sealde,\n\"snotra fengel,      sume worde hêt,\n\"þät ic his ærest      þe eft gesägde,\n\"cwäð þät hyt häfde      Hiorogâr cyning,\n\"leód Scyldunga      lange hwîle:\n\"nô þý ær suna sînum      syllan wolde,\n\"hwatum Heorowearde,      þeáh he him hold wære,\n\"breóst-gewædu.      Brûc ealles well!\"\nHýrde ic þät þâm frätwum      feówer mearas\nlungre gelîce      lâst weardode,\näppel-fealuwe;      he him êst geteáh\nmeara and mâðma.      Swâ sceal mæg dôn,\nnealles inwit-net      ôðrum bregdan,\ndyrnum cräfte      deáð rênian\nhond-gesteallan.      Hygelâce wäs,\nnîða heardum,      nefa swýðe hold\nand gehwäðer ôðrum      hrôðra gemyndig.\nHýrde ic þät he þone heals-beáh      Hygde gesealde,\nwrätlîcne wundur-mâððum,      þone þe him Wealhþeó geaf,\nþeódnes dôhtor,      þrió wicg somod\nswancor and sadol-beorht;      hyre syððan wäs\näfter beáh-þege      breóst geweorðod.\nSwâ bealdode      bearn Ecgþeówes,\nguma gûðum cûð,      gôdum dædum,\ndreáh äfter dôme,      nealles druncne slôg\nheorð-geneátas;      näs him hreóh sefa,\nac he man-cynnes      mæste cräfte\ngin-fästan gife,      þe him god sealde,\nheóld hilde-deór.      Heán wäs lange,\nswâ hyne Geáta bearn      gôdne ne tealdon,\nne hyne on medo-bence      micles wyrðne\ndrihten wereda      gedôn wolde;\nswýðe oft sägdon,      þät he sleac wære,\näðeling unfrom:      edwenden cwom\ntîr-eádigum menn      torna gehwylces.\nHêt þâ eorla hleó      in gefetian,\nheaðo-rôf cyning,      Hrêðles lâfe,\ngolde gegyrede;      näs mid Geátum þâ\nsinc-mâððum sêlra      on sweordes hâd;\nþät he on Biówulfes      bearm âlegde,\nand him gesealde      seofan þûsendo,\nbold and brego-stôl.      Him wäs bâm samod\non þam leód-scipe      lond gecynde,\neard êðel-riht,      ôðrum swîðor\nsîde rîce,      þam þær sêlra wäs.\nEft þät geiode      ufaran dôgrum\nhilde-hlämmum,      syððan Hygelâc läg\nand Heardrêde      hilde-mêceas\nunder bord-hreóðan      tô bonan wurdon,\nþâ hyne gesôhtan      on sige-þeóde\nhearde hilde-frecan,      Heaðo-Scilfingas,\nnîða genægdan      nefan Hererîces.\nSyððan Beówulfe      brâde rîce\non hand gehwearf:      he geheóld tela\nfîftig wintru      (wäs þâ frôd cyning,\neald êðel-weard),      ôð þät ân ongan\ndeorcum nihtum      draca rîcsian,\nse þe on heáre hæðe      hord beweotode,\nstân-beorh steápne:      stîg under läg,\neldum uncûð.      Þær on innan gióng\nniða nât-hwylces      neóde gefêng\nhæðnum horde      hond . d . . geþ . . hwylc\nsince fâhne,      he þät syððan . . . . .\n. . . þ . . . lð . þ . . l . g\nslæpende be fýre,      fyrena hyrde\nþeófes cräfte,      þät sie . . . . ðioð . . . . .\n. idh . folc-beorn,      þät he gebolgen wäs.\n\nXXXII. THE FIRE-DRAKE. THE HOARD.\n\nNealles mid geweoldum      wyrm-horda . . . cräft\nsôhte sylfes willum,      se þe him sâre gesceôd,\nac for þreá-nêdlan      þeów nât-hwylces\nhäleða bearna      hete-swengeas fleáh,\nfor ofer-þearfe      and þær inne fealh\nsecg syn-bysig.      Sôna in þâ tîde\nþät . . . . . þam gyste      . . . . br . g . stôd,\nhwäðre earm-sceapen . . . . . . .\n. . ð . . . sceapen o . . . . i r . . e se fæs begeat,\nsinc-fät geseah:      þær wäs swylcra fela\nin þam eorð-scräfe      ær-gestreóna,\nswâ hy on geâr-dagum      gumena nât-hwylc\neormen-lâfe      äðelan cynnes\nþanc-hycgende      þær gehýdde,\ndeóre mâðmas.      Ealle hie deáð fornam\nærran mælum,      and se ân þâ gen\nleóda duguðe,      se þær lengest hwearf,\nweard wine-geômor      wîscte þäs yldan,\nþät he lytel fäc      long-gestreóna\nbrûcan môste.      Beorh eal gearo\nwunode on wonge      wäter-ýðum neáh,\nniwe be nässe      nearo-cräftum fäst:\nþær on innan bär      eorl-gestreóna\nhringa hyrde      hard-fyrdne dæl\nfättan goldes,      feá worda cwäð:\n\"Heald þu nu, hruse,      nu häleð ne môston,\n\"eorla æhte.      Hwät! hit ær on þe\n\"gôde begeâton;      gûð-deáð fornam,\n\"feorh-bealo frêcne      fyra gehwylcne,\n\"leóda mînra,      þâra þe þis lîf ofgeaf,\n\"gesâwon sele-dreám.      Nâh hwâ sweord wege\n\"oððe fetige      fäted wæge,\n\"drync-fät deóre:      duguð ellor scôc.\n\"Sceal se hearda helm      hyrsted golde\n\"fätum befeallen:      feormiend swefað,\n\"þâ þe beado-grîman      býwan sceoldon,\n\"ge swylce seó here-pâd,      sió ät hilde gebâd\n\"ofer borda gebräc      bite îrena,\n\"brosnað äfter beorne.      Ne mäg byrnan hring\n\"äfter wîg-fruman      wîde fêran\n\"häleðum be healfe;      näs hearpan wyn,\n\"gomen gleó-beámes,      ne gôd hafoc\n\"geond säl swingeð,      ne se swifta mearh\n\"burh-stede beáteð.      Bealo-cwealm hafað\n\"fela feorh-cynna      feorr onsended!\"\nSwâ giômor-môd      giohðo mænde,\nân äfter eallum      unblîðe hweóp,\ndäges and nihtes,      ôð þät deáðes wylm\nhrân ät heortan.      Hord-wynne fond\neald uht-sceaða      opene standan,\nse þe byrnende      biorgas sêceð\nnacod nîð-draca,      nihtes fleógeð\nfýre befangen;      hyne fold-bûend\nwîde gesâwon.      He gewunian sceall\nhlâw under hrusan,      þær he hæðen gold\nwarað wintrum frôd;      ne byð him wihte þê sêl.\nSwâ se þeód-sceaða      þreó hund wintra\nheóld on hrusan      hord-ärna sum\neácen-cräftig,      ôð þät hyne ân âbealh\nmon on môde:      man-dryhtne bär\nfäted wæge,      frioðo-wære bäd\nhlâford sînne.      Þâ wäs hord râsod,\nonboren beága hord,      bêne getîðad\nfeá-sceaftum men.      Freá sceáwode\nfira fyrn-geweorc      forman sîðe.\nÞâ se wyrm onwôc,      wrôht wäs geniwad;\nstonc þâ äfter stâne,      stearc-heort onfand\nfeóndes fôt-lâst;      he tô forð gestôp,\ndyrnan cräfte,      dracan heáfde neáh.\nSwâ mäg unfæge      eáðe gedîgan\nweán and wräc-sîð,      se þe waldendes\nhyldo gehealdeð.      Hord-weard sôhte\ngeorne äfter grunde,      wolde guman findan,\nþone þe him on sweofote      sâre geteóde:\nhât and hreóh-môd      hlæw oft ymbe hwearf,\nealne ûtan-weardne;      ne þær ænig mon\nwäs on þære wêstenne.      Hwäðre hilde gefeh,\nbeado-weorces:      hwîlum on beorh äthwearf,\nsinc-fät sôhte;      he þät sôna onfand,\nþät häfde gumena sum      goldes gefandod\nheáh-gestreóna.      Hord-weard onbâd\nearfoðlîce,      ôð þät æfen cwom;\nwäs þâ gebolgen      beorges hyrde,\nwolde se lâða      lîge forgyldan\ndrinc-fät dýre.      Þâ wäs däg sceacen\nwyrme on willan,      nô on wealle leng\nbîdan wolde,      ac mid bæle fôr,\nfýre gefýsed.      Wäs se fruma egeslîc\nleódum on lande,      swâ hyt lungre wearð\non hyra sinc-gifan      sâre geendod.\n\nXXXIII. BEOWULF RESOLVES TO KILL THE FIRE-DRAKE.\n\nÞâ se gäst ongan      glêdum spîwan,\nbeorht hofu bärnan;      bryne-leóma stôd\neldum on andan;      nô þær âht cwices\nlâð lyft-floga      læfan wolde.\nWäs þäs wyrmes wîg      wîde gesýne,\nnearo-fâges nîð      neán and feorran,\nhû se gûð-sceaða      Geáta leóde\nhatode and hýnde:      hord eft gesceát,\ndryht-sele dyrnne      ær däges hwîle.\nHäfde land-wara      lîge befangen,\nbæle and bronde;      beorges getrûwode,\nwîges and wealles:      him seó wên geleáh.\nÞâ wäs Biówulfe      brôga gecýðed\nsnûde tô sôðe,      þät his sylfes him\nbolda sêlest      bryne-wylmum mealt,\ngif-stôl Geáta.      Þät þam gôdan wäs\nhreów on hreðre,      hyge-sorga mæst:\nwênde se wîsa,      þät he wealdende,\nofer ealde riht,      êcean dryhtne\nbitre gebulge:      breóst innan weóll\nþeóstrum geþoncum,      swâ him geþýwe ne wäs.\nHäfde lîg-draca      leóda fästen,\neá-lond ûtan,      eorð-weard þone\nglêdum forgrunden.      Him þäs gûð-cyning,\nWedera þióden,      wräce leornode.\nHêht him þâ gewyrcean      wîgendra hleó\neall-îrenne,      eorla dryhten\nwîg-bord wrätlîc;      wisse he gearwe,\nþät him holt-wudu      helpan ne meahte,\nlind wið lîge.      Sceolde læn-daga\näðeling ær-gôd      ende gebîdan\nworulde lîfes      and se wyrm somod;\nþeáh þe hord-welan      heólde lange.\nOferhogode þâ      hringa fengel,\nþät he þone wîd-flogan      weorode gesôhte,\nsîdan herge;      nô he him þâ säcce ondrêd,\nne him þäs wyrmes wîg      for wiht dyde,\neafoð and ellen;      forþon he ær fela\nnearo nêðende      nîða gedîgde,\nhilde-hlemma,      syððan he Hrôðgâres,\nsigor-eádig secg,      sele fælsode\nand ät gûðe forgrâp      Grendeles mægum,\nlâðan cynnes.      Nô þät läsest wäs\nhond-gemota,      þær mon Hygelâc slôh,\nsyððan Geáta cyning      gûðe ræsum,\nfreá-wine folces      Freslondum on,\nHrêðles eafora      hioro-dryncum swealt,\nbille gebeáten;      þonan Biówulf com\nsylfes cräfte,      sund-nytte dreáh;\n+ häfde him on earme      ... XXX\nhilde-geatwa,      þâ he tô holme stâg.\nNealles Hetware      hrêmge þorfton\nfêðe-wîges,      þe him foran ongeán\nlinde bæron:      lyt eft becwom\nfram þam hild-frecan      hâmes niósan.\nOferswam þâ sióleða bigong      sunu Ecgþeówes,\nearm ân-haga      eft tô leódum,\nþær him Hygd gebeád      hord and rîce,\nbeágas and brego-stôl:      bearne ne trûwode,\nþät he wið äl-fylcum      êðel-stôlas\nhealdan cûðe,      þâ wäs Hygelâc deád.\nNô þý ær feá-sceafte      findan meahton\nät þam äðelinge      ænige þinga,\nþät he Heardrêde      hlâford wære,\noððe þone cyne-dôm      ciósan wolde;\nhwäðre he him on folce      freónd-lârum heóld,\nêstum mid âre,      ôð þät he yldra wearð,\nWeder-Geátum weóld.      Hyne wräc-mäcgas\nofer sæ sôhtan,      suna Ôhteres:\nhäfdon hy forhealden      helm Scylfinga,\nþone sêlestan      sæ-cyninga,\nþâra þe in Swió-rîce      sinc brytnade,\nmærne þeóden.      Him þät tô mearce wearð;\nhe þær orfeorme      feorh-wunde hleát\nsweordes swengum,      sunu Hygelâces;\nand him eft gewât      Ongenþiówes bearn\nhâmes niósan,      syððan Heardrêd läg;\nlêt þone brego-stôl      Biówulf healdan,\nGeátum wealdan:      þät wäs gôd cyning.\n\nXXXIV. RETROSPECT OF BEÓWULF.--STRIFE BETWEEN SWEONAS AND GEATAS.\n\nSe þäs leód-hryres      leán gemunde\nuferan dôgrum,      Eádgilse wearð\nfeá-sceaftum feónd.      Folce gestepte\nofer sæ sîde      sunu Ôhteres\nwîgum and wæpnum:      he gewräc syððan\ncealdum cear-sîðum,      cyning ealdre bineát.\nSwâ he nîða gehwane      genesen häfde,\nslîðra geslyhta,      sunu Ecgþiówes,\nellen-weorca,      ôð þone ânne däg,\nþe he wið þam wyrme      gewegan sceolde.\nGewât þâ twelfa sum      torne gebolgen\ndryhten Geáta      dracan sceáwian;\nhäfde þâ gefrunen,      hwanan sió fæhð ârâs,\nbealo-nîð biorna;      him tô bearme cwom\nmâððum-fät mære      þurh þäs meldan hond,\nSe wäs on þam þreáte      þreotteoða secg,\nse þäs orleges      ôr onstealde,\nhäft hyge-giômor,      sceolde heán þonon\nwong wîsian:      he ofer willan gióng\ntô þäs þe he eorð-sele      ânne wisse,\nhlæw under hrusan      holm-wylme nêh,\nýð-gewinne,      se wäs innan full\nwrätta and wîra:      weard unhióre,\ngearo gûð-freca,      gold-mâðmas heóld,\neald under eorðan;      näs þät ýðe ceáp,\ntô gegangenne      gumena ænigum.\nGesät þâ on nässe      nîð-heard cyning,\nþenden hælo âbeád      heorð-geneátum\ngold-wine Geáta:      him wäs geômor sefa,\nwäfre and wäl-fûs,      Wyrd ungemete neáh,\nse þone gomelan      grêtan sceolde,\nsêcean sâwle hord,      sundur gedælan\nlîf wið lîce:      nô þon lange wäs\nfeorh äðelinges      flæsce bewunden.\nBiówulf maðelade,      bearn Ecgþeówes:\n\"Fela ic on giogoðe      guð-ræsa genäs,\n\"orleg-hwîla:      ic þät eall gemon.\n\"Ic wäs syfan-wintre,      þâ mec sinca baldor,\n\"freá-wine folca      ät mînum fäder genam,\n\"heóld mec and häfde      Hrêðel cyning,\n\"geaf me sinc and symbel,      sibbe gemunde;\n\"näs ic him tô lîfe      lâðra ôwihte\n\"beorn in burgum,      þonne his bearna hwylc,\n\"Herebeald and Hæðcyn,      oððe Hygelâc mîn.\n\"Wäs þam yldestan      ungedêfelîce\n\"mæges dædum      morðor-bed strêd,\n\"syððan hyne Hæðcyn      of horn-bogan,\n\"his freá-wine      flâne geswencte,\n\"miste mercelses      and his mæg ofscêt,\n\"brôðor ôðerne,      blôdigan gâre:\n\"þät wäs feoh-leás gefeoht,      fyrenum gesyngad\n\"hreðre hyge-mêðe;      sceolde hwäðre swâ þeáh\n\"äðeling unwrecen      ealdres linnan.\n\"Swâ bið geômorlîc      gomelum ceorle\n\"tô gebîdanne,      þät his byre rîde\n\"giong on galgan,      þonne he gyd wrece,\n\"sârigne sang,      þonne his sunu hangað\n\"hrefne tô hrôðre      and he him helpe ne mäg,\n\"eald and in-frôd,      ænige gefremman.\n\"Symble bið gemyndgad      morna gehwylce\n\"eaforan ellor-sîð;      ôðres ne gýmeð\n\"tô gebîdanne      burgum on innan\n\"yrfe-weardes,      þonne se ân hafað\n\"þurh deáðes nýd      dæda gefondad.\n\"Gesyhð sorh-cearig      on his suna bûre\n\"wîn-sele wêstne,      wind-gereste,\n\"reóte berofene;      rîdend swefað\n\"häleð in hoðman;      nis þær hearpan swêg,\n\"gomen in geardum,      swylce þær iú wæron.\n\nXXXV. MEMORIES OF PAST TIME.--THE FEUD WITH THE FIRE-DRAKE.\n\n\"Gewîteð þonne on sealman,      sorh-leóð gäleð\n\"ân äfter ânum:      þûhte him eall tô rûm,\n\"wongas and wîc-stede.      Swâ Wedra helm\n\"äfter Herebealde      heortan sorge\n\"weallende wäg,      wihte ne meahte\n\"on þam feorh-bonan      fæhðe gebêtan:\n\"nô þý ær he þone heaðo-rinc      hatian ne meahte\n\"lâðum dædum,      þeáh him leóf ne wäs.\n\"He þâ mid þære sorge,      þe him sió sâr belamp,\n\"gum-dreám ofgeaf,      godes leóht geceás;\n\"eaferum læfde,      swâ dêð eádig mon,\n\"lond and leód-byrig,      þâ he of lîfe gewât.\n\"Þâ wäs synn and sacu      Sweona and Geáta,\n\"ofer wîd wäter      wrôht gemæne,\n\"here-nîð hearda,      syððan Hrêðel swealt,\n\"oððe him Ongenþeówes      eaferan wæran\n\"frome fyrd-hwate,      freóde ne woldon\n\"ofer heafo healdan,      ac ymb Hreosna-beorh\n\"eatolne inwit-scear      oft gefremedon.\n\"Þät mæg-wine      mîne gewræcan,\n\"fæhðe and fyrene,      swâ hyt gefræge wäs,\n\"þeáh þe ôðer hit      ealdre gebohte,\n\"heardan ceápe:      Hæðcynne wearð,\n\"Geáta dryhtne,      gûð onsæge.\n\"Þâ ic on morgne gefrägn      mæg ôðerne\n\"billes ecgum      on bonan stælan,\n\"þær Ongenþeów      Eofores niósade:\n\"gûð-helm tôglâd,      gomela Scylfing\n\"hreás heoro-blâc;      hond gemunde\n\"fæhðo genôge,      feorh-sweng ne ofteáh.\n\"Ic him þâ mâðmas,      þe he me sealde,\n\"geald ät gûðe,      swâ me gifeðe wäs,\n\"leóhtan sweorde:      he me lond forgeaf,\n\"eard êðel-wyn.      Näs him ænig þearf,\n\"þät he tô Gifðum      oððe tô Gâr-Denum\n\"oððe in Swió-rîce      sêcean þurfe\n\"wyrsan wîg-frecan,      weorðe gecýpan;\n\"symle ic him on fêðan      beforan wolde,\n\"âna on orde,      and swâ tô aldre sceall\n\"säcce fremman,      þenden þis sweord þolað,\n\"þät mec ær and sîð      oft gelæste,\n\"syððan ic for dugeðum      Däghrefne wearð\n\"tô hand-bonan,      Hûga cempan:\n\"nalles he þâ frätwe      Fres-cyninge,\n\"breóst-weorðunge      bringan môste,\n\"ac in campe gecrong      cumbles hyrde,\n\"äðeling on elne.      Ne wäs ecg bona,\n\"ac him hilde-grâp      heortan wylmas,\n\"bân-hûs gebräc.      Nu sceall billes ecg,\n\"hond and heard sweord      ymb hord wîgan.\"\nBeówulf maðelode,      beót-wordum spräc\nniéhstan sîðe:      \"Ic genêðde fela\n\"gûða on geogoðe;      gyt ic wylle,\n\"frôd folces weard,      fæhðe sêcan,\n\"mærðum fremman,      gif mec se mân-sceaða\n\"of eorð-sele      ût gesêceð!\"\nGegrêtte þâ      gumena gehwylcne,\nhwate helm-berend      hindeman sîðe,\nswæse gesîðas:      \"Nolde ic sweord beran,\n\"wæpen tô wyrme,      gif ic wiste hû\n\"wið þam aglæcean      elles meahte\n\"gylpe wiðgrîpan,      swâ ic gió wið Grendle dyde;\n\"ac ic þær heaðu-fýres      hâtes wêne,\n\"rêðes and-hâttres:      forþon ic me on hafu\n\"bord and byrnan.      Nelle ic beorges weard\n\"oferfleón fôtes trem,      feónd unhýre,\n\"ac unc sceal weorðan ät wealle,      swâ unc Wyrd geteóð,\n\"metod manna gehwäs.      Ic eom on môde from,\n\"þät ic wið þone gûð-flogan      gylp ofersitte.\n\"Gebîde ge on beorge      byrnum werede,\n\"secgas on searwum,      hwäðer sêl mæge\n\"äfter wäl-ræse      wunde gedýgan\n\"uncer twega.      Nis þät eówer sîð,\n\"ne gemet mannes,      nefne mîn ânes,\n\"þät he wið aglæcean      eofoðo dæle,\n\"eorl-scype efne.      Ic mid elne sceall\n\"gold gegangan      oððe gûð nimeð,\n\"feorh-bealu frêcne,      freán eówerne!\"\nÂrâs þâ bî ronde      rôf oretta,\nheard under helm,      hioro-sercean bär\nunder stân-cleofu,      strengo getrûwode\nânes mannes:      ne bið swylc earges sîð.\nGeseah þâ be wealle,      se þe worna fela,\ngum-cystum gôd,      gûða gedîgde,\nhilde-hlemma,      þonne hnitan fêðan,\n(stôd on stân-bogan)      streám ût þonan\nbrecan of beorge;      wäs þære burnan wälm\nheaðo-fýrum hât:      ne meahte horde neáh\nunbyrnende      ænige hwîle\ndeóp gedýgan      for dracan lêge.\nLêt þâ of breóstum,      þâ he gebolgen wäs,\nWeder-Geáta leód      word ût faran,\nstearc-heort styrmde;      stefn in becom\nheaðo-torht hlynnan      under hârne stân.\nHete wäs onhrêred,      hord-weard oncniów\nmannes reorde;      näs þær mâra fyrst,\nfreóde tô friclan.      From ærest cwom\noruð aglæcean      ût of stâne,\nhât hilde-swât;      hruse dynede.\nBiorn under beorge      bord-rand onswâf\nwið þam gryre-gieste,      Geáta dryhten:\nþâ wäs hring-bogan      heorte gefýsed\nsäcce tô sêceanne.      Sweord ær gebräd\ngôd gûð-cyning      gomele lâfe,\necgum ungleáw,      æghwäðrum wäs\nbealo-hycgendra      brôga fram ôðrum.\nStîð-môd gestôd      wið steápne rond\nwinia bealdor,      þâ se wyrm gebeáh\nsnûde tôsomne:      he on searwum bâd.\nGewât þâ byrnende      gebogen scrîðan tô,\ngescîfe scyndan.      Scyld wel gebearg\nlîfe and lîce      lässan hwîle\nmærum þeódne,      þonne his myne sôhte,\nþær he þý fyrste      forman dôgore\nwealdan môste,      swâ him Wyrd ne gescrâf\nhrêð ät hilde.      Hond up âbräd\nGeáta dryhten,      gryre-fâhne slôh\nincge lâfe,      þät sió ecg gewâc\nbrûn on bâne,      bât unswîðor,\nþonne his þiód-cyning      þearfe häfde,\nbysigum gebæded.      Þâ wäs beorges weard\näfter heaðu-swenge      on hreóum môde,\nwearp wäl-fýre,      wîde sprungon\nhilde-leóman:      hrêð-sigora ne gealp\ngold-wine Geáta,      gûð-bill geswâc\nnacod ät nîðe,      swâ hyt nô sceolde,\nîren ær-gôd.      Ne wäs þät êðe sîð,\nþät se mæra      maga Ecgþeówes\ngrund-wong þone      ofgyfan wolde;\nsceolde wyrmes willan      wîc eardian\nelles hwergen,      swâ sceal æghwylc mon\nâlætan læn-dagas.      Näs þâ long tô þon,\nþät þâ aglæcean      hy eft gemêtton.\nHyrte hyne hord-weard,      hreðer æðme weóll,\nniwan stefne:      nearo þrowode\nfýre befongen      se þe ær folce weóld.\nNealles him on heápe      hand-gesteallan,\näðelinga bearn      ymbe gestôdon\nhilde-cystum,      ac hy on holt bugon,\nealdre burgan.      Hiora in ânum weóll\nsefa wið sorgum:      sibb æfre ne mäg\nwiht onwendan,      þam þe wel þenceð.\n\nXXXVI. WIGLAF HELPS BEÓWULF IN THE FEUD.\n\nWîglâf wäs hâten      Weoxstânes sunu,\nleóflîc lind-wiga,      leód Scylfinga,\nmæg Älfheres:      geseah his mon-dryhten\nunder here-grîman      hât þrowian.\nGemunde þâ þâ âre,      þe he him ær forgeaf\nwîc-stede weligne      Wægmundinga,\nfolc-rihta gehwylc,      swâ his fäder âhte;\nne mihte þâ forhabban,      hond rond gefêng,\ngeolwe linde,      gomel swyrd geteáh,\nþät wäs mid eldum      Eánmundes lâf,\nsuna Ôhteres,      þam ät säcce wearð\nwracu wine-leásum      Weohstânes bana\nmêces ecgum,      and his mâgum ätbär\nbrûn-fâgne helm,      hringde byrnan,\neald sweord eotonisc,      þät him Onela forgeaf,\nhis gädelinges      gûð-gewædu,\nfyrd-searo fûslîc:      nô ymbe þâ fæhðe spräc,\nþeáh þe he his brôðor      bearn âbredwade.\nHe frätwe geheóld      fela missera,\nbill and byrnan,      ôð þät his byre mihte\neorl-scipe efnan,      swâ his ær-fäder;\ngeaf him þâ mid Geátum      gûð-gewæda\næghwäs unrîm;      þâ he of ealdre gewât,\nfrôd on forð-weg.      Þâ wäs forma sîð\ngeongan cempan,      þät he gûðe ræs\nmid his freó-dryhtne      fremman sceolde;\nne gemealt him se môd-sefa,      ne his mæges lâf\ngewâc ät wîge:      þät se wyrm onfand,\nsyððan hie tôgädre      gegân häfdon.\nWîglâf maðelode      word-rihta fela,\nsägde gesîðum,      him wäs sefa geômor:\n\"Ic þät mæl geman,      þær we medu þêgun,\n\"þonne we gehêton      ûssum hlâforde\n\"in biór-sele,      þe ûs þâs beágas geaf,\n\"þät we him þâ gûð-geatwa      gyldan woldon,\n\"gif him þyslîcu      þearf gelumpe,\n\"helmas and heard sweord:      þê he ûsic on herge geceás\n\"tô þyssum sîð-fate      sylfes willum,\n\"onmunde ûsic mærða      and me þâs mâðmas geaf,\n\"þê he ûsic gâr-wîgend      gôde tealde,\n\"hwate helm-berend,      þeáh þe hlâford ûs\n\"þis ellen-weorc      âna âþôhte\n\"tô gefremmanne,      folces hyrde,\n\"forþam he manna mæst      mærða gefremede,\n\"dæda dollîcra.      Nu is se däg cumen,\n\"þät ûre man-dryhten      mägenes behôfað\n\"gôdra gûð-rinca:      wutun gangan tô,\n\"helpan hild-fruman,      þenden hyt sý,\n\"glêd-egesa grim!      God wât on mec,\n\"þät me is micle leófre,      þät mînne lîc-haman\n\"mid mînne gold-gyfan      glêd fäðmie.\n\"Ne þynceð me gerysne,      þät we rondas beren\n\"eft tô earde,      nemne we æror mægen\n\"fâne gefyllan,      feorh ealgian\n\"Wedra þiódnes.      Ic wât geare,\n\"þät næron eald-gewyrht,      þät he âna scyle\n\"Geáta duguðe      gnorn þrowian,\n\"gesîgan ät säcce:      sceal ûrum þät sweord and helm,\n\"byrne and byrdu-scrûd      bâm gemæne.\"\nWôd þâ þurh þone wäl-rêc,      wîg-heafolan bär\nfreán on fultum,      feá worda cwäð:\n\"Leófa Biówulf,      læst eall tela,\n\"swâ þu on geoguð-feore      geâra gecwæde,\n\"þät þu ne âlæte      be þe lifigendum\n\"dôm gedreósan:      scealt nu dædum rôf,\n\"äðeling ân-hydig,      ealle mägene\n\"feorh ealgian;      ic þe fullæstu!\"\nÄfter þâm wordum      wyrm yrre cwom,\natol inwit-gäst      ôðre sîðe,\nfýr-wylmum fâh      fiónda niósan,\nlâðra manna;      lîg-ýðum forborn\nbord wið ronde:      byrne ne meahte\ngeongum gâr-wigan      geóce gefremman:\nac se maga geonga      under his mæges scyld\nelne geeode,      þâ his âgen wäs\nglêdum forgrunden.      Þâ gen gûð-cyning\nmærða gemunde,      mägen-strengo,\nslôh hilde-bille,      þät hyt on heafolan stôd\nnîðe genýded:      Nägling forbärst,\ngeswâc ät säcce      sweord Biówulfes\ngomol and græg-mæl.      Him þät gifeðe ne wäs,\nþät him îrenna      ecge mihton\nhelpan ät hilde;      wäs sió hond tô strong,\nse þe mêca gehwane      mîne gefræge\nswenge ofersôhte,      þonne he tô säcce bär\nwæpen wundrum heard,      näs him wihte þê sêl.\nÞâ wäs þeód-sceaða      þriddan sîðe,\nfrêcne fýr-draca      fæhða gemyndig,\nræsde on þone rôfan,      þâ him rûm âgeald,\nhât and heaðo-grim,      heals ealne ymbefêng\nbiteran bânum;      he geblôdegod wearð\nsâwul-drióre;      swât ýðum weóll.\n\nXXXVII. BEÓWULF WOUNDED TO DEATH.\n\nÞâ ic ät þearfe gefrägn      þeód-cyninges\nand-longne eorl      ellen cýðan,\ncräft and cênðu,      swâ him gecynde wäs;\nne hêdde he þäs heafolan,      ac sió hand gebarn\nmôdiges mannes,      þær he his mæges healp,\nþät he þone nîð-gäst      nioðor hwêne slôh,\nsecg on searwum,      þät þät sweord gedeáf\nfâh and fäted,      þät þät fýr ongon\nsweðrian syððan.      Þâ gen sylf cyning\ngeweóld his gewitte,      wäll-seaxe gebräd,\nbiter and beadu-scearp,      þät he on byrnan wäg:\nforwrât Wedra helm       wyrm on middan.\nFeónd gefyldan      (ferh ellen wräc),\nand hi hyne þâ begen      âbroten häfdon,\nsib-äðelingas:      swylc sceolde secg wesan,\nþegn ät þearfe.      Þät þam þeódne wäs\nsîðast sîge-hwîle      sylfes dædum,\nworlde geweorces.      Þâ sió wund ongon,\nþe him se eorð-draca      ær geworhte,\nswêlan and swellan.      He þät sôna onfand,\nþät him on breóstum      bealo-nîð weóll,\nâttor on innan.      Þâ se äðeling gióng,\nþät he bî wealle,      wîs-hycgende,\ngesät on sesse;      seah on enta geweorc,\nhû þâ stân-bogan      stapulum fäste\nêce eorð-reced      innan heóldon.\nHyne þâ mid handa      heoro-dreórigne\nþeóden mærne      þegn ungemete till,\nwine-dryhten his      wätere gelafede,\nhilde-sädne      and his helm onspeón.\nBiówulf maðelode,      he ofer benne spräc,\nwunde wäl-bleáte      (wisse he gearwe,\nþät he däg-hwîla      gedrogen häfde\neorðan wynne;      þâ wäs eall sceacen\ndôgor-gerîmes,      deáð ungemete neáh):\n\"Nu ic suna mînum      syllan wolde\n\"gûð-gewædu,      þær me gifeðe swâ\n\"ænig yrfe-weard      äfter wurde,\n\"lîce gelenge.      Ic þâs leóde heóld\n\"fîftig wintra:      näs se folc-cyning\n\"ymbe-sittendra      ænig þâra,\n\"þe mec gûð-winum      grêtan dorste,\n\"egesan þeón.      Ic on earde bâd\n\"mæl-gesceafta,      heóld mîn tela,\n\"ne sôhte searo-nîðas,      ne me swôr fela\n\"âða on unriht.      Ic þäs ealles mäg,\n\"feorh-bennum seóc,      gefeán habban:\n\"forþam me wîtan ne þearf      waldend fira\n\"morðor-bealo mâga,      þonne mîn sceaceð\n\"lîf of lîce.      Nu þu lungre\n\"geong, hord sceáwian      under hârne stân,\n\"Wîglâf leófa,      nu se wyrm ligeð,\n\"swefeð sâre wund,      since bereáfod.\n\"Bió nu on ôfoste,      þät ic ær-welan,\n\"gold-æht ongite,      gearo sceáwige\n\"swegle searo-gimmas,      þät ic þý sêft mæge\n\"äfter mâððum-welan      mîn âlætan\n\"lîf and leód-scipe,      þone ic longe heóld.\"\n\nXXXVIII. THE JEWEL-HOARD. THE PASSING OF BEOWULF.\n\nÞâ ic snûde gefrägn      sunu Wihstânes\näfter word-cwydum      wundum dryhtne\nhýran heaðo-siócum,      hring-net beran,\nbrogdne beadu-sercean      under beorges hrôf.\nGeseah þâ sige-hrêðig,      þâ he bî sesse geóng,\nmago-þegn môdig      mâððum-sigla fela,\ngold glitinian      grunde getenge,\nwundur on wealle      and þäs wyrmes denn,\nealdes uht-flogan,      orcas stondan,\nfyrn-manna fatu      feormend-leáse,\nhyrstum behrorene:      þær wäs helm monig,\neald and ômig,      earm-beága fela,\nsearwum gesæled.      Sinc eáðe mäg,\ngold on grunde,      gumena cynnes\ngehwone ofer-higian,      hýde se þe wylle!\nSwylce he siomian geseah      segn eall-gylden\nheáh ofer horde,      hond-wundra mæst,\ngelocen leoðo-cräftum:      of þam leóma stôd,\nþät he þone grund-wong      ongitan meahte,\nwräte giond-wlîtan.      Näs þäs wyrmes þær\nonsýn ænig,      ac hyne ecg fornam.\nÞâ ic on hlæwe      gefrägn hord reáfian,\neald enta geweorc      ânne mannan,\nhim on bearm hladan      bunan and discas\nsylfes dôme,      segn eác genom,\nbeácna beorhtost;      bill ær-gescôd\n(ecg wäs îren)      eald-hlâfordes\nþam þâra mâðma      mund-bora wäs\nlonge hwîle,      lîg-egesan wäg\nhâtne for horde,      hioro-weallende,\nmiddel-nihtum,      ôð þät he morðre swealt.\nÂr wäs on ôfoste      eft-sîðes georn,\nfrätwum gefyrðred:      hyne fyrwet bräc,\nhwäðer collen-ferð      cwicne gemêtte\nin þam wong-stede      Wedra þeóden,\nellen-siócne,      þær he hine ær forlêt.\nHe þâ mid þâm mâðmum      mærne þióden,\ndryhten sînne      driórigne fand\nealdres ät ende:      he hine eft ongon\nwäteres weorpan,      ôð þät wordes ord\nbreóst-hord þurhbräc.      Beówulf maðelode,\ngomel on giohðe      (gold sceáwode):\n\"Ic þâra frätwa      freán ealles þanc\n\"wuldur-cyninge      wordum secge,\n\"êcum dryhtne,      þe ic her on starie,\n\"þäs þe ic môste      mînum leódum\n\"ær swylt-däge      swylc gestrýnan.\n\"Nu ic on mâðma hord      mîne bebohte\n\"frôde feorh-lege,      fremmað ge nu\n\"leóda þearfe;      ne mäg ic her leng wesan.\n\"Hâtað heaðo-mære      hlæw gewyrcean,\n\"beorhtne äfter bæle      ät brimes nosan;\n\"se scel tô gemyndum      mînum leódum\n\"heáh hlifian      on Hrones nässe,\n\"þät hit sæ-lîðend      syððan hâtan\n\"Biówulfes biorh,      þâ þe brentingas\n\"ofer flôda genipu      feorran drîfað.\"\nDyde him of healse      hring gyldenne\nþióden þrîst-hydig,      þegne gesealde,\ngeongum gâr-wigan,      gold-fâhne helm,\nbeáh and byrnan,      hêt hyne brûcan well:\n\"Þu eart ende-lâf      ûsses cynnes,\n\"Wægmundinga;      ealle Wyrd forsweóf,\n\"mîne mâgas      tô metod-sceafte,\n\"eorlas on elne:      ic him äfter sceal.\"\nÞät wäs þam gomelan      gingeste word\nbreóst-gehygdum,      ær he bæl cure,\nhâte heaðo-wylmas:      him of hreðre gewât\nsâwol sêcean      sôð-fästra dôm.\n\nXXXIX. THE COWARD-THANES.\n\nÞâ wäs gegongen      guman unfrôdum\nearfoðlîce,      þät he on eorðan geseah\nþone leófestan      lîfes ät ende\nbleáte gebæran.      Bona swylce läg,\negeslîc eorð-draca,      ealdre bereáfod,\nbealwe gebæded:      beáh-hordum leng\nwyrm woh-bogen      wealdan ne môste,\nac him îrenna      ecga fornâmon,\nhearde heaðo-scearpe      homera lâfe,\nþät se wîd-floga      wundum stille\nhreás on hrusan      hord-ärne neáh,\nnalles äfter lyfte      lâcende hwearf\nmiddel-nihtum,      mâðm-æhta wlonc\nansýn ýwde:      ac he eorðan gefeóll\nfor þäs hild-fruman      hond-geweorce.\nHûru þät on lande      lyt manna þâh\nmägen-âgendra      mîne gefræge,\nþeáh þe he dæda gehwäs      dyrstig wære,\nþät he wið âttor-sceaðan      oreðe geræsde,\noððe hring-sele      hondum styrede,\ngif he wäccende      weard onfunde\nbûan on beorge.      Biówulfe wearð\ndryht-mâðma dæl      deáðe forgolden;\nhäfde æghwäðer      ende gefêred\nlænan lîfes.      Näs þâ lang tô þon,\nþät þâ hild-latan      holt ofgêfan,\ntydre treów-logan      tyne ätsomne,\nþâ ne dorston ær      dareðum lâcan\non hyra man-dryhtnes      miclan þearfe;\nac hy scamiende      scyldas bæran,\ngûð-gewædu,      þær se gomela läg:\nwlitan on Wîglâf.      He gewêrgad sät,\nfêðe-cempa      freán eaxlum neáh,\nwehte hyne wätre;      him wiht ne speów;\nne meahte he on eorðan,      þeáh he ûðe wel,\non þam frum-gâre      feorh gehealdan,\nne þäs wealdendes willan      wiht oncirran;\nwolde dôm godes      dædum rædan\ngumena gehwylcum,      swâ he nu gen dêð.\nÞâ wäs ät þam geongan      grim andswaru\nêð-begête þâm þe ær      his elne forleás.\nWîglâf maðelode,      Weohstânes sunu,\nsecg sârig-ferð      seah on unleófe:\n\"Þät lâ mäg secgan,      se þe wyle sôð sprecan,\n\"þät se mon-dryhten,      se eów þâ mâðmas geaf,\n\"eóred-geatwe,      þe ge þær on standað,\n\"þonne he on ealu-bence      oft gesealde\n\"heal-sittendum      helm and byrnan,\n\"þeóden his þegnum,      swylce he þryðlîcost\n\"ôhwær feor oððe neáh      findan meahte,\n\"þät he genunga      gûð-gewædu\n\"wrâðe forwurpe.      Þâ hyne wîg beget,\n\"nealles folc-cyning      fyrd-gesteallum\n\"gylpan þorfte;      hwäðre him god ûðe,\n\"sigora waldend,      þät he hyne sylfne gewräc\n\"âna mid ecge,      þâ him wäs elnes þearf,\n\"Ic him lîf-wraðe      lytle meahte\n\"ätgifan ät gûðe      and ongan swâ þeáh\n\"ofer mîn gemet      mæges helpan:\n\"symle wäs þý sæmra,      þonne ic sweorde drep\n\"ferhð-genîðlan,      fýr unswîðor\n\"weóll of gewitte.      Wergendra tô lyt\n\"þrong ymbe þeóden,      þâ hyne sió þrag becwom.\n\"Nu sceal sinc-þego      and swyrd-gifu\n\"eall êðel-wyn      eówrum cynne,\n\"lufen âlicgean:      lond-rihtes môt\n\"þære mæg-burge      monna æghwylc\n\"îdel hweorfan,      syððan äðelingas\n\"feorran gefricgean      fleám eówerne,\n\"dôm-leásan dæd.      Deáð bið sêlla\n\"eorla gehwylcum      þonne edwît-lîf!\"\n\nXL. THE SOLDIER\'S DIRGE AND PROPHECY.\n\nHêht þâ þät heaðo-weorc      tô hagan biódan\nup ofer êg-clif,      þær þät eorl-weorod\nmorgen-longne däg      môd-giômor sät,\nbord-häbbende,      bega on wênum\nende-dôgores      and eft-cymes\nleófes monnes.      Lyt swîgode\nniwra spella,      se þe näs gerâd,\nac he sôðlîce      sägde ofer ealle;\n\"Nu is wil-geofa      Wedra leóda,\n\"dryhten Geáta      deáð-bedde fäst,\n\"wunað wäl-reste      wyrmes dædum;\n\"him on efn ligeð      ealdor-gewinna,\n\"siex-bennum seóc:      sweorde ne meahte\n\"on þam aglæcean      ænige þinga\n\"wunde gewyrcean.      Wîglâf siteð\n\"ofer Biówulfe,      byre Wihstânes,\n\"eorl ofer ôðrum      unlifigendum,\n\"healdeð hige-mêðum      heáfod-wearde\n\"leófes and lâðes.      Nu ys leódum wên\n\"orleg-hwîle,      syððan underne\n\"Froncum and Frysum      fyll cyninges\n\"wîde weorðeð.      Wäs sió wrôht scepen\n\"heard wið Hûgas,      syððan Higelâc cwom\n\"faran flot-herge      on Fresna land,\n\"þær hyne Hetware      hilde gehnægdon,\n\"elne geeodon      mid ofer-mägene,\n\"þät se byrn-wîga      bûgan sceolde,\n\"feóll on fêðan:      nalles frätwe geaf\n\"ealdor dugoðe;      ûs wäs â syððan\n\"Merewioinga      milts ungyfeðe.\n\"Ne ic tô Sweó-þeóde      sibbe oððe treówe\n\"wihte ne wêne;      ac wäs wîde cûð,\n\"þätte Ongenþió      ealdre besnyðede\n\"Hæðcyn Hrêðling      wið Hrefna-wudu,\n\"þâ for on-mêdlan      ærest gesôhton\n\"Geáta leóde      Gûð-scilfingas.\n\"Sôna him se frôda      fäder Ôhtheres,\n\"eald and eges-full      ond-slyht âgeaf,\n\"âbreót brim-wîsan,      brýd âheórde,\n\"gomela ió-meowlan      golde berofene,\n\"Onelan môdor      and Ôhtheres,\n\"and þâ folgode      feorh-genîðlan\n\"ôð þät hî ôðeodon      earfoðlîce\n\"in Hrefnes-holt      hlâford-leáse.\n\"Besät þâ sin-herge      sweorda lâfe\n\"wundum wêrge,      weán oft gehêt\n\"earmre teohhe      andlonge niht:\n\"cwäð he on mergenne      mêces ecgum\n\"getan wolde,      sume on galg-treówum\n\"fuglum tô gamene.      Frôfor eft gelamp\n\"sârig-môdum      somod ær-däge,\n\"syððan hie Hygelâces      horn and býman\n\"gealdor ongeâton.      Þâ se gôda com\n\"leóda dugoðe      on lâst faran.\n\nXLI. HE TELLS OF THE SWEDES AND THE GEATAS.\n\n\"Wäs sió swât-swaðu      Sweona and Geáta,\n\"wäl-ræs wera      wîde gesýne,\n\"hû þâ folc mid him      fæhðe tôwehton.\n\"Gewât him þâ se gôda      mid his gädelingum,\n\"frôd fela geômor      fästen sêcean,\n\"eorl Ongenþió      ufor oncirde;\n\"häfde Higelâces      hilde gefrunen,\n\"wlonces wîg-cräft,      wiðres ne trûwode,\n\"þät he sæ-mannum      onsacan mihte,\n\"heáðo-lîðendum      hord forstandan,\n\"bearn and brýde;      beáh eft þonan\n\"eald under eorð-weall.      Þâ wäs æht boden\n\"Sweona leódum,      segn Higelâce.\n\"Freoðo-wong þone      forð ofereodon,\n\"syððan Hrêðlingas      tô hagan þrungon.\n\"Þær wearð Ongenþió      ecgum sweorda,\n\"blonden-fexa      on bîd wrecen,\n\"þät se þeód-cyning      þafian sceolde\n\"Eofores ânne dôm:      hyne yrringa\n\"Wulf Wonrêding      wæpne geræhte,\n\"þät him for swenge      swât ædrum sprong\n\"forð under fexe.      Näs he forht swâ þêh,\n\"gomela Scilfing,      ac forgeald hraðe\n\"wyrsan wrixle      wäl-hlem þone,\n\"syððan þeód-cyning      þyder oncirde:\n\"ne meahte se snella      sunu Wonrêdes\n\"ealdum ceorle      ond-slyht giofan,\n\"ac he him on heáfde      helm ær gescer,\n\"þät he blôde fâh      bûgan sceolde,\n\"feóll on foldan;      näs he fæge þâ git,\n\"ac he hyne gewyrpte,      þeáh þe him wund hrîne,\n\"Lêt se hearda      Higelâces þegn\n\"brâdne mêce,      þâ his brôðor läg,\n\"eald sweord eotonisc,      entiscne helm,\n\"brecan ofer bord-weal:      þâ gebeáh cyning,\n\"folces hyrde,      wäs in feorh dropen.\n\"Þâ wæron monige,      þe his mæg wriðon,\n\"ricone ârærdon,      þâ him gerýmed wearð,\n\"þät hie wäl-stôwe      wealdan môston.\n\"Þenden reáfode      rinc ôðerne,\n\"nam on Ongenþió      îren-byrnan,\n\"heard swyrd hilted      and his helm somod;\n\"hâres hyrste      Higelâce bär.\n\"He þâm frätwum fêng      and him fägre gehêt\n\"leána fore leódum      and gelæste swâ:\n\"geald þone gûð-ræs      Geáta dryhten,\n\"Hrêðles eafora,      þâ he tô hâm becom,\n\"Jofore and Wulfe      mid ofer-mâðmum,\n\"sealde hiora gehwäðrum      hund þûsenda\n\"landes and locenra beága;      ne þorfte him þâ leán ôðwîtan\n\"mon on middan-gearde,      syððan hie þâ mærða geslôgon;\n\"and þâ Jofore forgeaf      ângan dôhtor,\n\"hâm-weorðunge,      hyldo tô wedde.\n\"Þät ys sió fæhðo      and se feónd-scipe,\n\"wäl-nîð wera,      þäs þe ic wên hafo,\n\"þe ûs sêceað tô      Sweona leóde,\n\"syððan hie gefricgeað      freán ûserne\n\"ealdor-leásne,      þone þe ær geheóld\n\"wið hettendum      hord and rîce,\n\"äfter häleða hryre      hwate Scylfingas,\n\"folc-ræd fremede      oððe furður gen\n\"eorl-scipe efnde.      Nu is ôfost betost,\n\"þät we þeód-cyning      þær sceáwian\n\"and þone gebringan,      þe ûs beágas geaf,\n\"on âd-färe.      Ne scel ânes hwät\n\"meltan mid þam môdigan,      ac þær is mâðma hord.\n\"gold unrîme      grimme geceápod\n\"and nu ät sîðestan      sylfes feore\n\"beágas gebohte;      þâ sceal brond fretan,\n\"äled þeccean,      nalles eorl wegan\n\"mâððum tô gemyndum,      ne mägð scýne\n\"habban on healse      hring-weorðunge,\n\"ac sceall geômor-môd      golde bereáfod\n\"oft nalles æne      el-land tredan,\n\"nu se here-wîsa      hleahtor âlegde,\n\"gamen and gleó-dreám.      Forþon sceall gâr wesan\n\"monig morgen-ceald      mundum bewunden,\n\"häfen on handa,      nalles hearpan swêg\n\"wîgend weccean,      ac se wonna hrefn\n\"fûs ofer fægum,      fela reordian,\n\"earne secgan,      hû him ät æte speów,\n\"þenden he wið wulf      wäl reáfode.\"\nSwâ se secg hwata      secgende wäs\nlâðra spella;      he ne leág fela\nwyrda ne worda.      Weorod eall ârâs,\neodon unblîðe      under Earna näs\nwollen-teáre      wundur sceáwian.\nFundon þâ on sande      sâwul-leásne\nhlim-bed healdan,      þone þe him hringas geaf\nærran mælum:      þâ wäs ende-däg\ngôdum gegongen,      þät se gûð-cyning,\nWedra þeóden,      wundor-deáðe swealt.\nÆr hî gesêgan      syllîcran wiht,\nwyrm on wonge      wiðer-rähtes þær\nlâðne licgean:      wäs se lêg-draca,\ngrimlîc gryre-gäst,      glêdum beswæled,\nse wäs fîftiges      fôt-gemearces.\nlang on legere,      lyft-wynne heóld\nnihtes hwîlum,      nyðer eft gewât\ndennes niósian;      wäs þâ deáðe fäst,\nhäfde eorð-scrafa      ende genyttod.\nHim big stôdan      bunan and orcas,\ndiscas lâgon      and dýre swyrd,\nômige þurh-etone,      swâ hie wið eorðan fäðm\nþûsend wintra      þær eardodon:\nþonne wäs þät yrfe      eácen-cräftig,\niú-monna gold      galdre bewunden,\nþät þam hring-sele      hrînan ne môste\ngumena ænig,      nefne god sylfa,\nsigora sôð-cyning,      sealde þam þe he wolde\n(he is manna gehyld)      hord openian,\nefne swâ hwylcum manna,      swâ him gemet þûhte.\n\nXLII. WÎGLAF SPEAKS. THE BUILDING OF THE BALE-FIRE.\n\nÞâ wäs gesýne,      þät se sîð ne þâh\nþam þe unrihte      inne gehýdde\nwräte under wealle.      Weard ær ofslôh\nfeára sumne;      þâ sió fæhð gewearð\ngewrecen wrâðlîce.      Wundur hwâr, þonne\neorl ellen-rôf      ende gefêre\nlîf-gesceafta,      þonne leng ne mäg\nmon mid his mâgum      medu-seld bûan.\nSwâ wäs Biówulfe,      þâ he biorges weard\nsôhte, searo-nîðas:      seolfa ne cûðe,\nþurh hwät his worulde gedâl      weorðan sceolde;\nswâ hit ôð dômes däg      diópe benemdon\nþeódnas mære,      þâ þät þær dydon,\nþät se secg wære      synnum scildig,\nhergum geheaðerod,      hell-bendum fäst,\nwommum gewitnad,      se þone wong strâde.\nNäs he gold-hwät:      gearwor häfde\nâgendes êst      ær gesceáwod.\nWîglâf maðelode,      Wihstânes sunu:\n\"Oft sceall eorl monig      ânes willan\n\"wræc âdreógan,      swâ ûs geworden is.\n\"Ne meahton we gelæran      leófne þeóden,\n\"rîces hyrde      ræd ænigne,\n\"þät he ne grêtte      gold-weard þone,\n\"lête hyne licgean,      þær he longe wäs,\n\"wîcum wunian      ôð woruld-ende.\n\"Heóldon heáh gesceap:      hord ys gesceáwod,\n\"grimme gegongen;      wäs þät gifeðe tô swîð,\n\"þe þone þeóden      þyder ontyhte.\n\"Ic wäs þær inne      and þät eall geond-seh,\n\"recedes geatwa,      þâ me gerýmed wäs,\n\"nealles swæslîce      sîð âlýfed\n\"inn under eorð-weall.      Ic on ôfoste gefêng\n\"micle mid mundum      mägen-byrðenne\n\"hord-gestreóna,      hider ût ätbär\n\"cyninge mînum:      cwico wäs þâ gena,\n\"wîs and gewittig;      worn eall gespräc\n\"gomol on gehðo      and eówic grêtan hêt,\n\"bäd þät ge geworhton      äfter wines dædum\n\"in bæl-stede      beorh þone heán\n\"micelne and mærne,      swâ he manna wäs\n\"wîgend weorð-fullost      wîde geond eorðan,\n\"þenden he burh-welan      brûcan môste.\n\"Uton nu êfstan      ôðre sîðe\n\"seón and sêcean      searo-geþräc,\n\"wundur under wealle!      ic eów wîsige,\n\"þät ge genôge      neán sceáwiað\n\"beágas and brâd gold.      Sîe sió bær gearo\n\"ädre geäfned,      þonne we ût cymen,\n\"and þonne geferian      freán ûserne,\n\"leófne mannan,      þær he longe sceal\n\"on þäs waldendes      wære geþolian.\"\nHêt þâ gebeódan      byre Wihstânes,\nhäle hilde-diór,      häleða monegum\nbold-âgendra,      þät hie bæl-wudu\nfeorran feredon,      folc-âgende\ngôdum tôgênes:      \"Nu sceal glêd fretan\n\"(weaxan wonna lêg)      wîgena strengel,\n\"þone þe oft gebâd      îsern-scûre,\n\"þonne stræla storm,      strengum gebæded,\n\"scôc ofer scild-weall,      sceft nytte heóld,\n\"feðer-gearwum fûs      flâne full-eode.\"\nHûru se snotra      sunu Wihstânes\nâcîgde of corðre      cyninges þegnas\nsyfone tôsomne      þâ sêlestan,\neode eahta sum      under inwit-hrôf;\nhilde-rinc sum      on handa bär\näled-leóman,      se þe on orde geóng.\nNäs þâ on hlytme,      hwâ þät hord strude,\nsyððan or-wearde      ænigne dæl\nsecgas gesêgon      on sele wunian,\nlæne licgan:      lyt ænig mearn,\nþät hi ôfostlice      ût geferedon\ndýre mâðmas;      dracan êc scufun,\nwyrm ofer weall-clif,      lêton wæg niman,\nflôd fäðmian      frätwa hyrde.\nÞær wäs wunden gold      on wæn hladen,\næghwäs unrîm,      äðeling boren,\nhâr hilde-rinc      tô Hrones nässe.\n\nXLIII. BEÓWULF\'S FUNERAL PYRE.\n\nHim þâ gegiredan      Geáta leóde\nâd on eorðan      un-wâclîcne,\nhelmum behongen,      hilde-bordum,\nbeorhtum byrnum,      swâ he bêna wäs;\nâlegdon þâ tô-middes      mærne þeóden\nhäleð hiófende,      hlâford leófne.\nOngunnon þâ on beorge      bæl-fýra mæst\nwîgend weccan:      wudu-rêc âstâh\nsweart ofer swioðole,      swôgende lêg,\nwôpe bewunden      (wind-blond geläg)\nôð þät he þâ bân-hûs      gebrocen häfde,\nhât on hreðre.      Higum unrôte\nmôd-ceare mændon      mon-dryhtnes cwealm;\nswylce giômor-gyd      + lat . con meowle\n. . . . .      wunden heorde . . .\nserg  cearig sælde      geneahhe\nþät hio hyre . . . . gas hearde\n. . . . . ede      wälfylla wonn . .\nhildes egesan      hyðo\nhaf mid      heofon rêce swealh \nGeworhton þâ      Wedra leóde\nhlæw on hliðe,      se wäs heáh and brâd,\nwæg-lîðendum      wîde gesýne,\nand betimbredon      on tyn dagum\nbeadu-rôfes bêcn:      bronda betost\nwealle beworhton,      swâ hyt weorðlîcost\nfore-snotre men      findan mihton.\nHî on beorg dydon      bêg and siglu,\neall swylce hyrsta,      swylce on horde ær\nnîð-hydige men      genumen häfdon;\nforlêton eorla gestreón      eorðan healdan,\ngold on greóte,      þær hit nu gen lifað\neldum swâ unnyt,      swâ hit æror wäs.\nÞâ ymbe hlæw riodan      hilde-deóre,\näðelinga bearn      ealra twelfa,\nwoldon ceare cwîðan,      kyning mænan,\nword-gyd wrecan      and ymb wer sprecan,\neahtodan eorl-scipe      and his ellen-weorc\nduguðum dêmdon,      swâ hit ge-dêfe bið,\nþät mon his wine-dryhten      wordum hêrge,\nferhðum freóge,      þonne he forð scile\nof lîc-haman      læne weorðan.\nSwâ begnornodon      Geáta leóde\nhlâfordes hryre,      heorð-geneátas,\ncwædon þät he wære      woruld-cyning\nmannum mildust      and mon-þwærust,\nleódum lîðost      and lof-geornost.\nNe gefrägn ic næfre wurðlîcor      ät wera hilde\nsixtig sige-beorna      sêl gebæran,'"