I. THE PASSING OF SCYLD.

Hwät! we Gâr-Dena      in geâr-dagum
þeód-cyninga      þrym gefrunon,
hû þâ äðelingas      ellen fremedon.
Oft Scyld Scêfing      sceaðena þreátum,
monegum mægðum      meodo-setla ofteáh.
Egsode eorl,      syððan ærest wearð
feá-sceaft funden:      he þäs frôfre gebâd,
weôx under wolcnum,      weorð-myndum ðâh,
ôð þät him æghwylc      þâra ymb-sittendra
ofer hron-râde      hýran scolde,
gomban gyldan:      þät wäs gôd cyning!
þäm eafera wäs      äfter cenned
geong in geardum,      þone god sende
folce tô frôfre;      fyren-þearfe ongeat,
þät hie ær drugon      aldor-leáse
lange hwîle.      Him þäs lîf-freá,
wuldres wealdend,      worold-âre forgeaf;
Beówulf wäs breme      (blæd wîde sprang),
Scyldes eafera      Scede-landum in.
Swâ sceal geong guma,      gôde gewyrcean,
fromum feoh-giftum      on fäder wine,
þät hine on ylde      eft gewunigen
wil-gesîðas,      þonne wîg cume,
leóde gelæsten:      lof-dædum sceal
in mægða gehwære      man geþeón.
Him þâ Scyld gewât      tô gescäp-hwîle
fela-hrôr fêran      on freán wære;
hi hyne þâ ätbæron      tô brimes faroðe.
swæse gesîðas,      swâ he selfa bäd,
þenden wordum weóld      wine Scyldinga,
leóf land-fruma      lange âhte.
Þær ät hýðe stôd      hringed-stefna,
îsig and ûtfûs,      äðelinges fär;
â-lêdon þâ      leófne þeóden,
beága bryttan      on bearm scipes,
mærne be mäste.      Þær wäs mâdma fela,
of feor-wegum      frätwa gelæded:
ne hýrde ic cymlîcor      ceól gegyrwan
hilde-wæpnum      and heaðo-wædum,
billum and byrnum;      him on bearme läg
mâdma mänigo,      þâ him mid scoldon
on flôdes æht      feor gewîtan.
Nalas hi hine lässan      lâcum teódan,
þeód-gestreónum,      þonne þâ dydon,
þe hine ät frumsceafte      forð onsendon
ænne ofer ýðe      umbor wesende:
þâ gyt hie him âsetton      segen gyldenne
heáh ofer heáfod,      lêton holm beran,
geâfon on gâr-secg:      him wäs geômor sefa,
murnende môd.      Men ne cunnon
secgan tô soðe      sele-rædende,
häleð under heofenum,      hwâ þäm hläste onfêng.

II. THE HALL HEOROT.

Þâ wäs on burgum      Beówulf Scyldinga,
leóf leód-cyning,      longe þrage
folcum gefræge      (fäder ellor hwearf,
aldor of earde),      ôð þät him eft onwôc
heáh Healfdene;      heóld þenden lifde,
gamol and gûð-reów,      gläde Scyldingas.
Þäm feówer bearn      forð-gerîmed
in worold wôcun,      weoroda ræswan,
Heorogâr and Hrôðgâr      and Hâlga til;
hýrde ic, þat Elan cwên      Ongenþeówes wäs
Heaðoscilfinges      heals-gebedde.
Þâ wäs Hrôðgâre      here-spêd gyfen,
wîges weorð-mynd,      þät him his wine-mâgas
georne hýrdon,      ôð þät seó geogoð geweôx,
mago-driht micel.      Him on môd bearn,
þät heal-reced      hâtan wolde,
medo-ärn micel      men gewyrcean,
þone yldo bearn      æfre gefrunon,
and þær on innan      eall gedælan
geongum and ealdum,      swylc him god sealde,
bûton folc-scare      and feorum gumena.
Þâ ic wîde gefrägn      weorc gebannan
manigre mægðe      geond þisne middan-geard,
folc-stede frätwan.      Him on fyrste gelomp
ädre mid yldum,      þät hit wearð eal gearo,
heal-ärna mæst;      scôp him Heort naman,
se þe his wordes geweald      wîde häfde.
He beót ne âlêh,      beágas dælde,
sinc ät symle.      Sele hlifade
heáh and horn-geáp:      heaðo-wylma bâd,
lâðan lîges;      ne wäs hit lenge þâ gen
þät se ecg-hete      âðum-swerian
äfter wäl-nîðe      wäcnan scolde.
Þâ se ellen-gæst      earfoðlîce
þrage geþolode,      se þe in þýstrum bâd,
þät he dôgora gehwâm      dreám gehýrde
hlûdne in healle;      þær wäs hearpan swêg,
swutol sang scôpes.      Sägde se þe cûðe
frum-sceaft fira      feorran reccan,
cwäð þät se älmihtiga      eorðan worhte,
wlite-beorhtne wang,      swâ wäter bebûgeð,
gesette sige-hrêðig      sunnan and mônan
leóman tô leóhte      land-bûendum,
and gefrätwade      foldan sceátas
leomum and leáfum;      lîf eác gesceôp
cynna gehwylcum,      þâra þe cwice hwyrfað.
Swâ þâ driht-guman      dreámum lifdon
eádiglîce,      ôð þät ân ongan
fyrene fremman,      feónd on helle:
wäs se grimma gäst      Grendel hâten,
mære mearc-stapa,      se þe môras heóld,
fen and fästen;      fîfel-cynnes eard
won-sælig wer      weardode hwîle,
siððan him scyppend      forscrifen häfde.
In Caines cynne      þone cwealm gewräc,
êce drihten,      þäs þe he Abel slôg;
ne gefeah he þære fæhðe,      ac he hine feor forwräc,
metod for þý mâne      man-cynne fram.
Þanon untydras      ealle onwôcon,
eotenas and ylfe      and orcnêas,
swylce gigantas,      þâ wið gode wunnon
lange þrage;      he him þäs leán forgeald.

III. GRENDEL'S VISITS.

Gewât þâ neósian,      syððan niht becom,
heán hûses,      hû hit Hring-Dene
äfter beór-þege      gebûn häfdon.
Fand þâ þær inne      äðelinga gedriht
swefan äfter symble;      sorge ne cûðon,
won-sceaft wera.      Wiht unhælo
grim and grædig      gearo sôna wäs,
reóc and rêðe,      and on räste genam
þritig þegna:      þanon eft gewât
hûðe hrêmig      tô hâm faran,
mid þære wäl-fylle      wîca neósan.
Þâ wäs on uhtan      mid ær-däge
Grendles gûð-cräft      gumum undyrne:
þâ wäs äfter wiste      wôp up âhafen,
micel morgen-swêg.      Mære þeóden,
äðeling ær-gôd,      unblîðe sät,
þolode þrýð-swýð,      þegn-sorge dreáh,
syððan hie þäs lâðan      lâst sceáwedon,
wergan gâstes;      wäs þät gewin tô strang,
lâð and longsum.      Näs hit lengra fyrst,
ac ymb âne niht      eft gefremede
morð-beala mâre      and nô mearn fore
fæhðe and fyrene;      wäs tô fäst on þâm.
Þâ wäs eáð-fynde,      þe him elles hwær
gerûmlîcor      räste sôhte,
bed äfter bûrum,      þâ him gebeácnod wäs,
gesägd sôðlîce      sweotolan tâcne
heal-þegnes hete;      heóld hine syððan
fyr and fästor,      se þäm feónde ätwand.
Swâ rîxode      and wið rihte wan
âna wið eallum,      ôð þät îdel stôd
hûsa sêlest.      Wäs seó hwîl micel:
twelf wintra tîd      torn geþolode
wine Scyldinga,      weána gehwelcne,
sîdra sorga;      forþam syððan wearð
ylda bearnum      undyrne cûð,
gyddum geômore,      þätte Grendel wan,
hwîle wið Hrôðgâr;--      hete-nîðas wäg,
fyrene and fæhðe      fela missera,
singale säce,      sibbe ne wolde
wið manna hwone      mägenes Deniga
feorh-bealo feorran,      feó þingian,
ne þær nænig witena      wênan þorfte
beorhtre bôte      tô banan folmum;
atol äglæca      êhtende wäs,
deorc deáð-scûa      duguðe and geogoðe
seomade and syrede.      Sin-nihte heóld
mistige môras;      men ne cunnon,
hwyder hel-rûnan      hwyrftum scrîðað.
Swâ fela fyrena      feónd man-cynnes,
atol ân-gengea,      oft gefremede
heardra hýnða;      Heorot eardode,
sinc-fâge sel      sweartum nihtum
(nô he þone gif-stôl      grêtan môste,
mâððum for metode,      ne his myne wisse);
þät wäs wræc micel      wine Scyldinga,
môdes brecða.      Monig-oft gesät
rîce tô rûne;      ræd eahtedon,
hwät swîð-ferhðum      sêlest wære
wið fær-gryrum      tô gefremmanne.
Hwîlum hie gehêton      ät härg-trafum
wig-weorðunga,      wordum bædon,
þät him gâst-bona      geóce gefremede
wið þeód-þreáum.      Swylc wäs þeáw hyra,
hæðenra hyht;      helle gemundon
in môd-sefan,      metod hie ne cûðon,
dæda dêmend,      ne wiston hie drihten god,
ne hie hûru heofena helm      hêrian ne cûðon,
wuldres waldend.      Wâ bið þäm þe sceal
þurh slîðne nîð      sâwle bescûfan
in fýres fäðm,      frôfre ne wênan,
wihte gewendan;      wel bið þäm þe môt
äfter deáð-däge      drihten sêcean
and tô fäder fäðmum      freoðo wilnian.

IV. HYGELAC'S THANE.

Swâ þâ mæl-ceare      maga Healfdenes
singala seáð;      ne mihte snotor häleð
weán onwendan:      wäs þät gewin tô swýð,
lâð and longsum,      þe on þâ leóde becom,
nýd-wracu nîð-grim,      niht-bealwa mæst.
Þät fram hâm gefrägn      Higelâces þegn,
gôd mid Geátum,      Grendles dæda:
se wäs mon-cynnes      mägenes strengest
on þäm däge      þysses lîfes,
äðele and eácen.      Hêt him ýð-lidan
gôdne gegyrwan;      cwäð he gûð-cyning
ofer swan-râde      sêcean wolde,
mærne þeóden,      þâ him wäs manna þearf.
Þone sîð-fät him      snotere ceorlas
lyt-hwôn lôgon,      þeáh he him leóf wære;
hwetton higerôfne,      hæl sceáwedon.
Häfde se gôda      Geáta leóda
cempan gecorone,      þâra þe he cênoste
findan mihte;      fîftena sum
sund-wudu sôhte;      secg wîsade,
lagu-cräftig mon,      land-gemyrcu.
Fyrst forð gewât:      flota wäs on ýðum,
bât under beorge.      Beornas gearwe
on stefn stigon;      streámas wundon
sund wið sande;      secgas bæron
on bearm nacan      beorhte frätwe,
gûð-searo geatolîc;      guman ût scufon,
weras on wil-sîð      wudu bundenne.
Gewât þâ ofer wæg-holm      winde gefýsed
flota fâmig-heals      fugle gelîcost,
ôð þät ymb ân-tîd      ôðres dôgores
wunden-stefna      gewaden häfde,
þät þâ lîðende      land gesâwon,
brim-clifu blîcan,      beorgas steápe,
sîde sæ-nässas:      þâ wäs sund liden,
eoletes ät ende.      Þanon up hraðe
Wedera leóde      on wang stigon,
sæ-wudu sældon      (syrcan hrysedon,
gûð-gewædo);      gode þancedon,
þäs þe him ýð-lâde      eáðe wurdon.
Þâ of wealle geseah      weard Scildinga,
se þe holm-clifu      healdan scolde,
beran ofer bolcan      beorhte randas,
fyrd-searu fûslîcu;      hine fyrwyt bräc
môd-gehygdum,      hwät þâ men wæron.
Gewât him þâ tô waroðe      wicge rîdan
þegn Hrôðgâres,      þrymmum cwehte
mägen-wudu mundum,      meðel-wordum frägn:
"Hwät syndon ge      searo-häbbendra
"byrnum werede,      þe þus brontne ceól
"ofer lagu-stræte      lædan cwômon,
"hider ofer holmas      helmas bæron?
"Ic wäs ende-sæta,      æg-wearde heóld,
"þät on land Dena      lâðra nænig
"mid scip-herge      sceððan ne meahte.
"Nô her cûðlîcor      cuman ongunnon
"lind-häbbende;      ne ge leáfnes-word
"gûð-fremmendra      gearwe ne wisson,
"mâga gemêdu.      Næfre ic mâran geseah
"eorla ofer eorðan,      þonne is eówer sum,
"secg on searwum;      nis þät seld-guma
"wæpnum geweorðad,      näfne him his wlite leóge,
"ænlîc an-sýn.      Nu ic eówer sceal
"frum-cyn witan,      ær ge fyr heonan
"leáse sceáweras      on land Dena
"furður fêran.      Nu ge feor-bûend,
"mere-lîðende,      mînne gehýrað
"ân-fealdne geþôht:      ôfost is sêlest
"tô gecýðanne,      hwanan eówre cyme syndon."

V. THE ERRAND.

Him se yldesta      andswarode,
werodes wîsa,      word-hord onleác:
"We synt gum-cynnes      Geáta leóde
"and Higelâces      heorð-geneátas.
"Wäs mîn fäder      folcum gecýðed,
"äðele ord-fruma      Ecgþeów hâten;
"gebâd wintra worn,      ær he on weg hwurfe,
"gamol of geardum;      hine gearwe geman
"witena wel-hwylc      wîde geond eorðan.--
"We þurh holdne hige      hlâford þinne,
"sunu Healfdenes,      sêcean cwômon,
"leód-gebyrgean:      wes þu ûs lârena gôd!
"Habbað we tô þäm mæran      micel ærende
"Deniga freán;      ne sceal þær dyrne sum
"wesan, þäs ic wêne.      Þu wâst, gif hit is,
"swâ we sôðlice      secgan hýrdon,
"þät mid Scyldingum      sceaða ic nât hwylc,
"deógol dæd-hata,      deorcum nihtum
"eáweð þurh egsan      uncûðne nîð,
"hýnðu and hrâ-fyl.      Ic þäs Hrôðgâr mäg
"þurh rûmne sefan      ræd gelæran,
"hû he frôd and gôd      feónd oferswýðeð,
"gyf him ed-wendan      æfre scolde
"bealuwa bisigu,      bôt eft cuman
"and þâ cear-wylmas      côlran wurðað;
"oððe â syððan      earfoð-þrage,
"þreá-nýd þolað,      þenden þær wunað
"on heáh-stede      hûsa sêlest."
Weard maðelode,      þær on wicge sät
ombeht unforht:      "Æghwäðres sceal
"scearp scyld-wîga      gescâd witan,
"worda and worca,      se þe wel þenceð.
"Ic þät gehýre,      þät þis is hold weorod
"freán Scyldinga.      Gewîtað forð beran
"wæpen and gewædu,      ic eów wîsige:
"swylce ic magu-þegnas      mîne hâte
"wið feónda gehwone      flotan eówerne,
"niw-tyrwedne      nacan on sande
"ârum healdan,      ôð þät eft byreð
"ofer lagu-streámas      leófne mannan
"wudu wunden-hals      tô Weder-mearce.
"Gûð-fremmendra      swylcum gifeðe bið,
"þät þone hilde-ræs      hâl gedîgeð."
Gewiton him þâ fêran      (flota stille bâd,
seomode on sâle      sîd-fäðmed scyp,
on ancre fäst);      eofor-lîc scionon
ofer hleór-beran      gehroden golde
fâh and fýr-heard,      ferh wearde heóld.
Gûðmôde grummon,      guman onetton,
sigon ätsomne,      ôð þät hy säl timbred
geatolîc and gold-fâh      ongytan mihton;
þät wäs fore-mærost      fold-bûendum
receda under roderum,      on þäm se rîca bâd;
lixte se leóma      ofer landa fela.
Him þâ hilde-deór      hof môdigra
torht getæhte,      þät hie him tô mihton
gegnum gangan;      gûð-beorna sum
wicg gewende,      word äfter cwäð:
"Mæl is me tô fêran;      fäder alwalda
"mid âr-stafum      eówic gehealde
"sîða gesunde!      ic tô sæ wille,
"wið wrâð werod      wearde healdan."

VI. BEÓWULF'S SPEECH.

Stræt wäs stân-fâh,      stîg wîsode
gumum ätgädere.      Gûð-byrne scân
heard hond-locen,      hring-îren scîr
song in searwum,      þâ hie tô sele furðum
in hyra gryre-geatwum      gangan cwômon.
Setton sæ-mêðe      sîde scyldas,
rondas regn-hearde      wið þäs recedes weal,
bugon þâ tô bence;      byrnan hringdon,
gûð-searo gumena;      gâras stôdon,
sæ-manna searo,      samod ätgädere,
äsc-holt ufan græg:      wäs se îren-þreát
wæpnum gewurðad.      Þâ þær wlonc häleð
oret-mecgas      äfter äðelum frägn:
"Hwanon ferigeað ge      fätte scyldas,
"græge syrcan      and grîm-helmas,
"here-sceafta heáp?--      Ic eom Hrôðgâres
"âr and ombiht.      Ne seah ic el-þeódige
"þus manige men      môdiglîcran.
"Wên' ic þät ge for wlenco,      nalles for wräc-sîðum,
"ac for hige-þrymmum      Hrôðgâr sôhton."
Him þâ ellen-rôf      andswarode,
wlanc Wedera leód      word äfter spräc,
heard under helme:      "We synt Higelâces
"beód-geneátas;      Beówulf is mîn nama.
"Wille ic âsecgan      suna Healfdenes,
"mærum þeódne      mîn ærende,
"aldre þînum,      gif he ûs geunnan wile,
"þät we hine swâ gôdne      grêtan môton."
Wulfgâr maðelode      (þät wäs Wendla leód,
wäs his môd-sefa      manegum gecýðed,
wîg and wîs-dôm):      "ic þäs wine Deniga,
"freán Scildinga      frinan wille,
"beága bryttan,      swâ þu bêna eart,
"þeóden mærne      ymb þînne sîð ;
"and þe þâ andsware      ädre gecýðan,
"þe me se gôda      âgifan þenceð."
Hwearf þâ hrädlîce,      þær Hrôðgâr sät,
eald and unhâr      mid his eorla gedriht;
eode ellen-rôf,      þät he for eaxlum gestôd
Deniga freán,      cûðe he duguðe þeáw.
Wulfgâr maðelode      tô his wine-drihtne:
"Her syndon geferede      feorran cumene
"ofer geofenes begang      Geáta leóde:
"þone yldestan      oret-mecgas
"Beówulf nemnað.      Hy bênan synt,
"þät hie, þeóden mîn,      wið þe môton
"wordum wrixlan;      nô þu him wearne geteóh,
"þînra gegn-cwida      glädnian, Hrôðgâr!
"Hy on wîg-geatwum      wyrðe þinceað
"eorla geæhtlan;      hûru se aldor deáh,
"se þæm heaðo-rincum      hider wîsade."

VII. HROTHGAR'S WELCOME.

Hrôðgâr maðelode,      helm Scyldinga:
"Ic hine cûðe      cniht-wesende.
"Wäs his eald-fäder      Ecgþeó hâten,
"þäm tô hâm forgeaf      Hrêðel Geáta
"ângan dôhtor;      is his eafora nu
"heard her cumen,      sôhte holdne wine.
"þonne sägdon þät      sæ-lîðende,
"þâ þe gif-sceattas      Geáta fyredon
"þyder tô þance,      þät he þrittiges
"manna mägen-cräft      on his mund-grîpe
"heaðo-rôf häbbe.      Hine hâlig god
"for âr-stafum      us onsende,
"tô West-Denum,      þäs ic wên häbbe,
"wið Grendles gryre:      ic þäm gôdan sceal
"for his môd-þräce      mâdmas beódan.
"Beó þu on ôfeste,      hât hig in gân,
"seón sibbe-gedriht      samod ätgädere;
"gesaga him eác wordum,      þät hie sint wil-cuman
"Deniga leódum."      Þâ wið duru healle
Wulfgâr eode,      word inne âbeád:
"Eów hêt secgan      sige-drihten mîn,
"aldor Eást-Dena,      þät he eówer äðelu can
"and ge him syndon      ofer sæ-wylmas,
"heard-hicgende,      hider wil-cuman.
"Nu ge môton gangan      in eówrum guð-geatawum,
"under here-grîman,      Hrôðgâr geseón;
"lætað hilde-bord      her onbidian,
"wudu wäl-sceaftas,      worda geþinges."
Ârâs þâ se rîca,      ymb hine rinc manig,
þryðlîc þegna heáp;      sume þær bidon,
heaðo-reáf heóldon,      swâ him se hearda bebeád.
Snyredon ätsomne,      þâ secg wîsode
under Heorotes hrôf;      hyge-rôf eode,
heard under helme,      þät he on heoðe gestôd.
Beówulf maðelode      (on him byrne scân,
searo-net seówed      smiðes or-þancum):
"Wes þu Hrôðgâr hâl!      ic eom Higelâces
"mæg and mago-þegn;      häbbe ic mærða fela
"ongunnen on geogoðe.      Me wearð Grendles þing
"on mînre êðel-tyrf      undyrne cûð:
"secgað sæ-lîðend,      þät þes sele stande,
"reced sêlesta,      rinca gehwylcum
"îdel and unnyt,      siððan æfen-leóht
"under heofenes hâdor      beholen weorðeð.
"Þâ me þät gelærdon      leóde mîne,
"þâ sêlestan,      snotere ceorlas,
"þeóden Hrôðgâr,      þät ic þe sôhte;
"forþan hie mägenes cräft      mînne cûðon:
"selfe ofersâwon,      þâ ic of searwum cwom,
"fâh from feóndum,      þær ic fîfe geband,
"ýðde eotena cyn,      and on ýðum slôg
"niceras nihtes,      nearo-þearfe dreáh,
"wräc Wedera nîð      (weán âhsodon)
"forgrand gramum;      and nu wið Grendel sceal,
"wið þam aglæcan,      âna gehegan
"þing wið þyrse.      Ic þe nu þâ,
"brego Beorht-Dena,      biddan wille,
"eodor Scyldinga,      ânre bêne;
"þät þu me ne forwyrne,      wîgendra hleó,
"freó-wine folca,      nu ic þus feorran com,
"þät ic môte âna      and mînra eorla gedryht,
"þes hearda heáp,      Heorot fælsian.
"Häbbe ic eác geâhsod,      þät se äglæca
"for his won-hýdum      wæpna ne rêceð;
"ic þät þonne forhicge,      swâ me Higelâc sîe,
"mîn mon-drihten,      môdes blîðe,
"þät ic sweord bere      oððe sîdne scyld
"geolo-rand tô gûðe;      ac ic mid grâpe sceal
"fôn wið feónde      and ymb feorh sacan,
"lâð wið lâðum;      þær gelýfan sceal
"dryhtnes dôme      se þe hine deáð nimeð.
"Wên' ic þät he wille,      gif he wealdan môt,
"in þäm gûð-sele      Geátena leóde
"etan unforhte,      swâ he oft dyde
"mägen Hrêðmanna.      Nâ þu mînne þearft
"hafalan hýdan,      ac he me habban wile
"dreóre fâhne,      gif mec deáð nimeð;
"byreð blôdig wäl,      byrgean þenceð,
"eteð ân-genga      unmurnlîce,
"mearcað môr-hopu:      nô þu ymb mînes ne þearft
"lîces feorme      leng sorgian.
"Onsend Higelâce,      gif mec hild nime,
"beadu-scrûda betst,      þät mîne breóst wereð,
"hrägla sêlest;      þät is Hrêðlan lâf,
"Wêlandes geweorc.      Gæð â Wyrd swâ hió scel!"

VIII. HROTHGAR TELLS OF GRENDEL.

Hrôðgâr maðelode,      helm Scyldinga:
"for were-fyhtum þu,      wine mîn Beówulf,
"and for âr-stafum      ûsic sôhtest.
"Geslôh þin fäder      fæhðe mæste,
"wearð he Heaðolâfe      tô hand-bonan
"mid Wilfingum;      þâ hine Wedera cyn
"for here-brôgan      habban ne mihte.
"Þanon he gesôhte      Sûð-Dena folc
"ofer ýða gewealc,      Âr-Scyldinga;
"þâ ic furðum weóld      folce Deninga,
"and on geogoðe heóld      gimme-rîce
"hord-burh häleða:      þâ wäs Heregâr deád,
"mîn yldra mæg      unlifigende,
"bearn Healfdenes.      Se wäs betera þonne ic!
"Siððan þâ fæhðe      feó þingode;
"sende ic Wylfingum      ofer wäteres hrycg
"ealde mâdmas:      he me âðas swôr.
"Sorh is me tô secganne      on sefan mînum
"gumena ængum,      hwät me Grendel hafað
"hýnðo on Heorote      mid his hete-þancum,
"fær-nîða gefremed.      Is mîn flet-werod,
"wîg-heáp gewanod;      hie Wyrd forsweóp
"on Grendles gryre.      God eáðe mäg
"þone dol-scaðan      dæda getwæfan!
"Ful oft gebeótedon      beóre druncne
"ofer ealo-wæge      oret-mecgas,
"þät hie in beór-sele      bîdan woldon
"Grendles gûðe      mid gryrum ecga.
"Þonne wäs þeós medo-heal      on morgen-tîd,
"driht-sele dreór-fâh,      þonne däg lixte,
"eal benc-þelu      blôde bestýmed,
"heall heoru-dreóre:      âhte ic holdra þý läs,
"deórre duguðe,      þe þâ deáð fornam.
"Site nu tô symle      and onsæl meoto,
"sige-hrêð secgum,      swâ þîn sefa hwette!"
Þâ wäs Geát-mäcgum      geador ätsomne
on beór-sele      benc gerýmed;
þær swîð-ferhðe      sittan eodon
þryðum dealle.      Þegn nytte beheóld,
se þe on handa bär      hroden ealo-wæge,
scencte scîr wered.      Scôp hwîlum sang
hâdor on Heorote;      þær wäs häleða dreám,
duguð unlytel      Dena and Wedera.

IX. HUNFERTH OBJECTS TO BEÓWULF.

Ûnferð maðelode,      Ecglâfes bearn,
þe ät fôtum sät      freán Scyldinga;
onband beadu-rûne      (wäs him Beówulfes sîð,
môdges mere-faran,      micel äf-þunca,
forþon þe he ne ûðe,      þät ænig ôðer man
æfre mærða þon mâ      middan-geardes
gehêdde under heofenum      þonne he sylfa):
"Eart þu se Beówulf,      se þe wið Brecan wunne,
"on sîdne sæ      ymb sund flite,
"þær git for wlence      wada cunnedon
"and for dol-gilpe      on deóp wäter
"aldrum nêðdon?      Ne inc ænig mon,
"ne leóf ne lâð,      beleán mihte
"sorh-fullne sîð;      þâ git on sund reón,
"þær git eágor-streám      earmum þehton,
"mæton mere-stræta,      mundum brugdon,
"glidon ofer gâr-secg;      geofon ýðum weól,
"wintres wylme.      Git on wäteres æht
"seofon niht swuncon;      he þe ät sunde oferflât,
"häfde mâre mägen.      Þâ hine on morgen-tîd
"on Heaðo-ræmas      holm up ätbär,
"þonon he gesôhte      swæsne êðel
"leóf his leódum      lond Brondinga,
"freoðo-burh fägere,      þær he folc âhte,
"burg and beágas.      Beót eal wið þe
"sunu Beánstânes      sôðe gelæste.
"Þonne wêne ic tô þe      wyrsan geþinges,
"þeáh þu heaðo-ræsa      gehwær dohte,
"grimre gûðe,      gif þu Grendles dearst
"niht-longne fyrst      neán bîdan!"
Beówulf maðelode,      bearn Ecgþeówes:
"Hwät þu worn fela,      wine mîn Ûnferð,
"beóre druncen      ymb Brecan spræce,
"sägdest from his sîðe!      Sôð ic talige,
"þät ic mere-strengo      mâran âhte,
"earfeðo on ýðum,      þonne ænig ôðer man.
"Wit þät gecwædon      cniht-wesende
"and gebeótedon      (wæron begen þâ git
"on geogoð-feore)      þät wit on gâr-secg ût
"aldrum nêðdon;      and þät geäfndon swâ.
"Häfdon swurd nacod,      þâ wit on sund reón,
"heard on handa,      wit unc wið hron-fixas
"werian þôhton.      Nô he wiht fram me
"flôd-ýðum feor      fleótan meahte,
"hraðor on holme,      nô ic fram him wolde.
"Þâ wit ätsomne      on sæ wæron
"fîf nihta fyrst,      ôð þät unc flôd tôdrâf,
"wado weallende,      wedera cealdost,
"nîpende niht      and norðan wind
"heaðo-grim andhwearf;      hreó wæron ýða,
"Wäs mere-fixa      môd onhrêred:
"þær me wið lâðum      lîc-syrce mîn,
"heard hond-locen,      helpe gefremede;
"beado-hrägl broden      on breóstum läg,
"golde gegyrwed.      Me tô grunde teáh
"fâh feónd-scaða,      fäste häfde
"grim on grâpe:      hwäðre me gyfeðe wearð,
"þät ic aglæcan      orde geræhte,
"hilde-bille;      heaðo-ræs fornam
"mihtig mere-deór      þurh mîne hand.

X. BEÓWULF'S CONTEST WITH BRECA.--THE FEAST.

"Swâ mec gelôme      lâð-geteónan
"þreátedon þearle.      Ic him þênode
"deóran sweorde,      swâ hit gedêfe wäs;
"näs hie þære fylle      gefeán häfdon,
"mân-fordædlan,      þät hie me þêgon,
"symbel ymb-sæton      sæ-grunde neáh,
"ac on mergenne      mêcum wunde
"be ýð-lâfe      uppe lægon,
"sweordum âswefede,      þät syððan nâ
"ymb brontne ford      brim-lîðende
"lâde ne letton.      Leóht eástan com,
"beorht beácen godes;      brimu swaðredon,
"þät ic sæ-nässas      geseón mihte,
"windige weallas.      Wyrd oft nereð
"unfægne eorl,      ðonne his ellen deáh!
"Hwäðere me gesælde,      þät ic mid sweorde ofslôh
"niceras nigene.      Nô ic on niht gefrägn
"under heofones hwealf      heardran feohtan,
"ne on êg-streámum      earmran mannan;
"hwäðere ic fâra feng      feore gedîgde,
"siðes wêrig.      Þâ mec sæ ôðbär,
"flôd äfter faroðe,      on Finna land,
"wadu weallendu.      Nô ic wiht fram þe
"swylcra searo-nîða      secgan hýrde,
"billa brôgan:      Breca næfre git
"ät heaðo-lâce,      ne gehwäðer incer
"swâ deórlîce      dæd gefremede
"fâgum sweordum      . . . . . . .
". . . . . . .      nô ic þäs gylpe;
"þeáh þu þînum brôðrum      tô banan wurde,
"heáfod-mægum;      þäs þu in helle scealt
"werhðo dreógan,      þeáh þîn wit duge,
"Secge ic þe tô sôðe,      sunu Ecglâfes,
"þät næfre Grendel swâ fela      gryra gefremede,
"atol äglæca      ealdre þînum,
"hýnðo on Heorote,      gif þîn hige wære,
"sefa swâ searo-grim,      swâ þu self talast.
"Ac he hafað onfunden,      þät he þâ fæhðe ne þearf,
"atole ecg-þräce      eówer leóde
"swîðe onsittan,      Sige-Scyldinga;
"nymeð nýd-bâde,      nænegum ârað
"leóde Deniga,      ac he on lust wîgeð,
"swefeð ond sendeð,      secce ne wêneð
"tô Gâr-Denum.      Ac him Geáta sceal
"eafoð and ellen      ungeâra nu
"gûðe gebeódan.      Gæð eft se þe môt
"tô medo môdig,      siððan morgen-leóht
"ofer ylda bearn      ôðres dôgores,
"sunne swegl-wered      sûðan scîneð!"
Þâ wäs on sâlum      sinces brytta
gamol-feax and gûð-rôf,      geóce gelýfde
brego Beorht-Dena;      gehýrde on Beówulfe
folces hyrde      fäst-rædne geþôht.
Þær wäs häleða hleahtor;      hlyn swynsode,
word wæron wynsume.      Eode Wealhþeów forð,
cwên Hrôðgâres,      cynna gemyndig,
grêtte gold-hroden      guman on healle,
and þâ freólîc wîf      ful gesealde
ærest Eást-Dena      êðel-wearde,
bäd hine blîðne      ät þære beór-þege,
leódum leófne;      he on lust geþeah
symbel and sele-ful,      sige-rôf kyning.
Ymb-eode þâ      ides Helminga
duguðe and geogoðe      dæl æghwylcne;
sinc-fato sealde,      ôð þät sæl âlamp,
þät hió Beówulfe,      beág-hroden cwên,
môde geþungen,      medo-ful ätbär;
grêtte Geáta leód,      gode þancode
wîs-fäst wordum,      þäs þe hire se willa gelamp,
þät heó on ænigne      eorl gelýfde
fyrena frôfre.      He þät ful geþeah,
wäl-reów wîga      ät Wealhþeón,
and þâ gyddode      gûðe gefýsed,
Beówulf maðelode,      bearn Ecgþeówes:
"Ic þät hogode,      þâ ic on holm gestâh,
"sæ-bât gesät      mid mînra secga gedriht,
"þät ic ânunga      eówra leóda
"willan geworhte,      oððe on wäl crunge,
"feónd-grâpum fäst.      Ic gefremman sceal
"eorlîc ellen,      oððe ende-däg
"on þisse meodu-healle      mînne gebîdan."
Þam wîfe þâ word      wel lîcodon,
gilp-cwide Geátes;      eode gold-hroden
freólîcu folc-cwên      tô hire freán sittan.
Þâ wäs eft swâ ær      inne on healle
þryð-word sprecen,      þeód on sælum,
sige-folca swêg,      ôð þät semninga
sunu Healfdenes      sêcean wolde
æfen-räste;      wiste ät þäm ahlæcan
tô þäm heáh-sele      hilde geþinged,
siððan hie sunnan leóht      geseón ne meahton,
oððe nîpende      niht ofer ealle,
scadu-helma gesceapu      scrîðan cwôman,
wan under wolcnum.      Werod eall ârâs.
Grêtte þâ giddum      guma ôðerne,
Hrôðgâr Beówulf,      and him hæl âbeád,
wîn-ärnes geweald      and þät word âcwäð:
"Næfre ic ænegum men      ær âlýfde,
"siððan ic hond and rond      hebban mihte,
"þryð-ärn Dena      bûton þe nu þâ.
"Hafa nu and geheald      hûsa sêlest;
"gemyne mærðo,      mägen-ellen cýð,
"waca wið wrâðum!      Ne bið þe wilna gâd,
"gif þu þät ellen-weorc      aldre gedîgest."

XI. THE WATCH FOR GRENDEL.

Þâ him Hrôðgâr gewât      mid his häleða gedryht,
eodur Scyldinga      ût of healle;
wolde wîg-fruma      Wealhþeó sêcan,
cwên tô gebeddan      Häfde kyninga wuldor
Grendle tô-geánes,      swâ guman gefrungon,
sele-weard âseted,      sundor-nytte beheóld
ymb aldor Dena,      eoton weard âbeád;
hûru Geáta leód      georne trûwode
môdgan mägnes,      metodes hyldo.
Þâ he him of dyde      îsern-byrnan,
helm of hafelan,      sealde his hyrsted sweord,
îrena cyst      ombiht-þegne,
and gehealdan hêt      hilde-geatwe.
Gespräc þâ se gôda      gylp-worda sum
Beówulf Geáta,      ær he on bed stige:
"Nô ic me an here-wæsmum      hnâgran talige
"gûð-geweorca,      þonne Grendel hine;
"forþan ic hine sweorde      swebban nelle,
"aldre beneótan,      þeáh ic eal mæge.
"Nât he þâra gôda,      þät he me on-geán sleá,
"rand geheáwe,      þeáh þe he rôf sîe
"nîð-geweorca;      ac wit on niht sculon
"secge ofersittan,      gif he gesêcean dear
"wîg ofer wæpen,      and siððan witig god
"on swâ hwäðere hond      hâlig dryhten
"mærðo dême,      swâ him gemet þince."
Hylde hine þâ heaðo-deór,      hleór-bolster onfêng
eorles andwlitan;      and hine ymb monig
snellîc sæ-rinc      sele-reste gebeáh.
Nænig heora þôhte      þät he þanon scolde
eft eard-lufan      æfre gesêcean,
folc oððe freó-burh,      þær he âfêded wäs,
ac hie häfdon gefrunen,      þät hie ær tô fela micles
in þäm wîn-sele      wäl-deáð fornam,
Denigea leóde.      Ac him dryhten forgeaf
wîg-spêda gewiofu,      Wedera leódum
frôfor and fultum,      þät hie feónd heora
þurh ânes cräft      ealle ofercômon,
selfes mihtum:      sôð is gecýðed,
þät mihtig god      manna cynnes
weóld wîde-ferhð.      Com on wanre niht
scrîðan sceadu-genga.      Sceótend swæfon,
þâ þät horn-reced      healdan scoldon,
ealle bûton ânum.      Þät wäs yldum cûð,
þät hie ne môste,      þâ metod nolde,
se syn-scaða      under sceadu bregdan;
ac he wäccende      wrâðum on andan
bâd bolgen-môd      beadwa geþinges.

XII. GRENDEL'S RAID.

Þâ com of môre      under mist-hleoðum
Grendel gongan,      godes yrre bär.
Mynte se mân-scaða      manna cynnes
sumne besyrwan      in sele þam heán;
wôd under wolcnum,      tô þäs þe he wîn-reced,
gold-sele gumena,      gearwost wisse
fättum fâhne.      Ne wäs þät forma sîð,
þät he Hrôðgâres      hâm gesôhte:
næfre he on aldor-dagum      ær ne siððan
heardran häle,      heal-þegnas fand!
Com þâ tô recede      rinc sîðian
dreámum bedæled.      Duru sôna onarn
fýr-bendum fäst,      syððan he hire folmum hrân;
onbräd þâ bealo-hydig,      þâ he âbolgen wäs,
recedes mûðan.      Raðe äfter þon
on fâgne flôr      feónd treddode,
eode yrre-môd;      him of eágum stôd
lîge gelîcost      leóht unfäger.
Geseah he in recede      rinca manige,
swefan sibbe-gedriht      samod ätgädere,
mago-rinca heáp:      þâ his môd âhlôg,
mynte þät he gedælde,      ær þon däg cwôme,
atol aglæca,      ânra gehwylces
lîf wið lîce,      þâ him âlumpen wäs
wist-fylle wên.      Ne wäs þät wyrd þâ gen,
þät he mâ môste      manna cynnes
þicgean ofer þâ niht.      Þrýð-swýð beheóld
mæg Higelâces,      hû se mân-scaða
under fær-gripum      gefaran wolde.
Ne þät se aglæca      yldan þôhte,
ac he gefêng hraðe      forman siðe
slæpendne rinc,      slât unwearnum,
bât bân-locan,      blôd êdrum dranc,
syn-snædum swealh:      sôna häfde
unlyfigendes      eal gefeormod
fêt and folma.      Forð neár ätstôp,
nam þâ mid handa      hige-þihtigne
rinc on räste;      ræhte ongeán
feónd mid folme,      he onfêng hraðe
inwit-þancum      and wið earm gesät.
Sôna þät onfunde      fyrena hyrde,
þät he ne mêtte      middan-geardes
eorðan sceáta      on elran men
mund-gripe mâran:      he on môde wearð
forht on ferhðe,      nô þý ær fram meahte;
hyge wäs him hin-fûs,      wolde on heolster fleón,
sêcan deófla gedräg:      ne wäs his drohtoð þær,
swylce he on ealder-dagum      ær gemêtte.
Gemunde þâ se gôda      mæg Higelâces
æfen-spræce,      up-lang âstôd
and him fäste wiðfêng.      Fingras burston;
eoten wäs ût-weard,      eorl furður stôp.
Mynte se mæra,      þær he meahte swâ,
wîdre gewindan      and on weg þanon
fleón on fen-hopu;      wiste his fingra geweald
on grames grâpum.      Þät wäs geócor sîð,
þät se hearm-scaða      tô Heorute âteáh:
dryht-sele dynede,      Denum eallum wearð,
ceaster-bûendum,      cênra gehwylcum,
eorlum ealu-scerwen.      Yrre wæron begen,
rêðe rên-weardas.      Reced hlynsode;
þâ wäs wundor micel,      þät se wîn-sele
wiðhäfde heaðo-deórum,      þät he on hrusan ne feól,
fäger fold-bold;      ac he þäs fäste wäs
innan and ûtan      îren-bendum
searo-þoncum besmiðod.      Þær fram sylle âbeág
medu-benc monig      mîne gefræge,
golde geregnad,      þær þâ graman wunnon;
þäs ne wêndon ær      witan Scyldinga,
þät hit â mid gemete      manna ænig
betlîc and bân-fâg      tôbrecan meahte,
listum tôlûcan,      nymðe lîges fäðm
swulge on swaðule.      Swêg up âstâg
niwe geneahhe;      Norð-Denum stôd
atelîc egesa      ânra gehwylcum
þâra þe of wealle      wôp gehýrdon,
gryre-leóð galan      godes andsacan,
sige-leásne sang,      sâr wânigean
helle häftan.      Heóld hine tô fäste
se þe manna wäs      mägene strengest
on þäm däge      þysses lîfes.

XIII. BEÓWULF TEARS OFF GRENDEL'S ARM.

Nolde eorla hleó      ænige þinga
þone cwealm-cuman      cwicne forlætan,
ne his lîf-dagas      leóda ænigum
nytte tealde.      Þær genehost brägd
eorl Beówulfes      ealde lâfe,
wolde freá-drihtnes      feorh ealgian
mæres þeódnes,      þær hie meahton swâ;
hie þät ne wiston,      þâ hie gewin drugon,
heard-hicgende      hilde-mecgas,
and on healfa gehwone      heáwan þôhton,
sâwle sêcan,      þät þone syn-scaðan
ænig ofer eorðan      îrenna cyst,
gûð-billa nân      grêtan nolde;
ac he sige-wæpnum      forsworen häfde,
ecga gehwylcre.      Scolde his aldor-gedâl
on þäm däge      þysses lîfes
earmlîc wurðan      and se ellor-gâst
on feónda geweald      feor sîðian.
Þâ þät onfunde      se þe fela æror
môdes myrðe      manna cynne
fyrene gefremede      (he wäs fâg wið god)
þät him se lîc-homa      læstan nolde,
ac hine se môdega      mæg Hygelâces
häfde be honda;      wäs gehwäðer ôðrum
lifigende lâð.      Lîc-sâr gebâd
atol äglæca,      him on eaxle wearð
syn-dolh sweotol,      seonowe onsprungon
burston bân-locan.      Beówulfe wearð
gûð-hrêð gyfeðe;      scolde Grendel þonan
feorh-seóc fleón      under fen-hleoðu,
sêcean wyn-leás wîc;      wiste þê geornor,
þät his aldres wäs      ende gegongen,
dôgera däg-rîm.      Denum eallum wearð
äfter þam wäl-ræse      willa gelumpen.
Häfde þâ gefælsod,      se þe ær feorran com,
snotor and swýð-ferhð      sele Hrôðgâres,
genered wið nîðe.      Niht-weorce gefeh,
ellen-mærðum;      häfde Eást-Denum
Geát-mecga leód      gilp gelæsted,
swylce oncýððe      ealle gebêtte,
inwid-sorge,      þe hie ær drugon
and for þreá-nýdum      þolian scoldon,
torn unlytel.      Þät wäs tâcen sweotol,
syððan hilde-deór      hond âlegde,
earm and eaxle      (þær wäs eal geador
Grendles grâpe)      under geápne hrôf.

XIV. THE JOY AT HEOROT.

Þâ wäs on morgen      mîne gefræge
ymb þâ gif-healle      gûð-rinc monig:
fêrdon folc-togan      feorran and neán
geond wîd-wegas      wundor sceáwian,
lâðes lâstas.      Nô his lîf-gedâl
sârlîc þûhte      secga ænegum,
þâra þe tîr-leáses      trode sceáwode,
hû he wêrig-môd      on weg þanon,
nîða ofercumen,      on nicera mere
fæge and geflýmed      feorh-lâstas bär.
Þær wäs on blôde      brim weallende,
atol ýða geswing      eal gemenged
hâtan heolfre,      heoro-dreóre weól;
deáð-fæge deóg,      siððan dreáma leás
in fen-freoðo      feorh âlegde
hæðene sâwle,      þær him hel onfêng.
Þanon eft gewiton      eald-gesîðas,
swylce geong manig      of gomen-wâðe,
fram mere môdge,      mearum rîdan,
beornas on blancum.      Þær wäs Beówulfes
mærðo mæned;      monig oft gecwäð,
þätte sûð ne norð      be sæm tweonum
ofer eormen-grund      ôðer nænig
under swegles begong      sêlra nære
rond-häbbendra,      rîces wyrðra.
Ne hie hûru wine-drihten      wiht ne lôgon,
glädne Hrôðgâr,      ac þät wäs gôd cyning.
Hwîlum heaðo-rôfe      hleápan lêton,
on geflît faran      fealwe mearas,
þær him fold-wegas      fägere þûhton,
cystum cûðe;      hwîlum cyninges þegn,
guma gilp-hläden      gidda gemyndig,
se þe eal-fela      eald-gesegena
worn gemunde,      word ôðer fand
sôðe gebunden:      secg eft ongan
sîð Beówulfes      snyttrum styrian
and on spêd wrecan      spel gerâde,
wordum wrixlan,      wel-hwylc gecwäð,
þät he fram Sigemunde      secgan hýrde,
ellen-dædum,      uncûðes fela,
Wälsinges gewin,      wîde sîðas,
þâra þe gumena bearn      gearwe ne wiston,
fæhðe and fyrene,      bûton Fitela mid hine,
þonne he swylces hwät      secgan wolde
eám his nefan,      swâ hie â wæron
ät nîða gehwâm      nýd-gesteallan:
häfdon eal-fela      eotena cynnes
sweordum gesæged.      Sigemunde gesprong
äfter deáð-däge      dôm unlýtel,
syððan wîges heard      wyrm âcwealde,
hordes hyrde;      he under hârne stân,
äðelinges bearn,      âna genêðde
frêcne dæde;      ne wäs him Fitela mid.
Hwäðre him gesælde,      þät þät swurd þurhwôd
wrätlîcne wyrm,      þät hit on wealle ätstôd,
dryhtlîc îren;      draca morðre swealt.
Häfde aglæca      elne gegongen,
þät he beáh-hordes      brûcan môste
selfes dôme:      sæ-bât gehlôd,
bär on bearm scipes      beorhte frätwa,
Wälses eafera;      wyrm hât gemealt.
Se wäs wreccena      wîde mærost
ofer wer-þeóde,      wîgendra hleó
ellen-dædum:      he þäs âron þâh.
Siððan Heremôdes      hild sweðrode
eafoð and ellen.      He mid eotenum wearð
on feónda geweald      forð forlâcen,
snûde forsended.      Hine sorh-wylmas
lemede tô lange,      he his leódum wearð,
eallum äðelingum      tô aldor-ceare;
swylce oft bemearn      ærran mælum
swîð-ferhðes sîð      snotor ceorl monig,
se þe him bealwa tô      bôte gelýfde,
þät þät þeódnes bearn      geþeón scolde,
fäder-äðelum onfôn,      folc gehealdan,
hord and hleó-burh,      häleða rîce,
êðel Scyldinga.      He þær eallum wearð,
mæg Higelâces      manna cynne,
freóndum gefägra;      hine fyren onwôd.

Hwîlum flîtende      fealwe stræte
mearum mæton.      Þâ wäs morgen-leóht
scofen and scynded.      Eode scealc monig
swîð-hicgende      tô sele þam heán,
searo-wundor seón,      swylce self cyning,
of brýd-bûre      beáh-horda weard,
tryddode tîr-fäst      getrume micle,
cystum gecýðed,      and his cwên mid him
medo-stîg gemät      mägða hôse.

XV. HROTHGAR'S GRATULATION.

Hrôðgâr maðelode      (he tô healle geóng,
stôd on stapole,      geseah steápne hrôf
golde fâhne      and Grendles hond):
"þisse ansýne      al-wealdan þanc
"lungre gelimpe!      Fela ic lâðes gebâd,
"grynna ät Grendle:      â mäg god wyrcan
"wunder äfter wundre,      wuldres hyrde!
"Þät wäs ungeâra,      þät ic ænigra me
"weána ne wênde      tô wîdan feore
"bôte gebîdan      þonne blôde fâh
"hûsa sêlest      heoro-dreórig stôd;
"weá wîd-scofen      witena gehwylcne
"þâra þe ne wêndon,      þät hie wîde-ferhð
"leóda land-geweorc      lâðum beweredon
"scuccum and scinnum.      Nu scealc hafað
"þurh drihtnes miht      dæd gefremede,
"þe we ealle      ær ne meahton
"snyttrum besyrwan.      Hwät! þät secgan mäg
"efne swâ hwylc mägða,      swâ þone magan cende
"äfter gum-cynnum,      gyf heó gyt lyfað,
"þät hyre eald-metod      êste wære
"bearn-gebyrdo.      Nu ic Beówulf
"þec, secg betsta,      me for sunu wylle
"freógan on ferhðe;      heald forð tela
"niwe sibbe.      Ne bið þe nænigra gâd
"worolde wilna,      þe ic geweald häbbe.
"Ful-oft ic for lässan      leán teohhode
"hord-weorðunge      hnâhran rince,
"sæmran ät säcce.      Þu þe self hafast
"dædum gefremed,      þät þîn dôm lyfað
"âwâ tô aldre.      Alwalda þec
"gôde forgylde,      swâ he nu gyt dyde!"
Beówulf maðelode,      bearn Ecgþeówes:
"We þät ellen-weorc      êstum miclum,
"feohtan fremedon,      frêcne genêðdon
"eafoð uncûðes;      ûðe ic swîðor,
"þät þu hinc selfne      geseón môste,
"feónd on frätewum      fyl-wêrigne!
"Ic hine hrädlîce      heardan clammum
"on wäl-bedde      wrîðan þôhte,
"þät he for mund-gripe      mînum scolde
"licgean lîf-bysig,      bûtan his lîc swice;
"ic hine ne mihte,      þâ metod nolde,
"ganges getwæman,      nô ic him þäs georne ätfealh,
"feorh-genîðlan;      wäs tô fore-mihtig
"feónd on fêðe.      Hwäðere he his folme forlêt
"tô lîf-wraðe      lâst weardian,
"earm and eaxle;      nô þær ænige swâ þeáh
"feá-sceaft guma      frôfre gebohte:
"nô þý leng leofað      lâð-geteóna
"synnum geswenced,      ac hyne sâr hafað
"in nýd-gripe      nearwe befongen,
"balwon bendum:      þær âbîdan sceal
"maga mâne fâh      miclan dômes,
"hû him scîr metod      scrîfan wille."
Þâ wäs swîgra secg,      sunu Ecglâfes,
on gylp-spræce      gûð-geweorca,
siððan äðelingas      eorles cräfte
ofer heáhne hrôf      hand sceáwedon,
feóndes fingras,      foran æghwylc;
wäs stêde nägla gehwylc,      stýle gelîcost,
hæðenes hand-sporu      hilde-rinces
egle unheóru;      æg-hwylc gecwäð,
þät him heardra nân      hrînan wolde
îren ær-gôd,      þät þäs ahlæcan
blôdge beadu-folme      onberan wolde.

XVI. THE BANQUET AND THE GIFTS.

Þâ wäs hâten hreðe      Heort innan-weard
folmum gefrätwod:      fela þæra wäs
wera and wîfa,      þe þät wîn-reced,
gest-sele gyredon.      Gold-fâg scinon
web äfter wagum,      wundor-sióna fela
secga gehwylcum      þâra þe on swylc starað
Wäs þät beorhte bold      tôbrocen swîðe
eal inne-weard      îren-bendum fäst,
heorras tôhlidene;      hrôf âna genäs
ealles ansund,      þâ se aglæca
fyren-dædum fâg      on fleám gewand,
aldres or-wêna.      Nô þät ýðe byð
tô befleónne      (fremme se þe wille!)
ac gesacan sceal      sâwl-berendra
nýde genýdde      niðða bearna
grund-bûendra      gearwe stôwe,
þær his lîc-homa      leger-bedde fäst
swefeð äfter symle.      Þâ wäs sæl and mæl,
þät tô healle gang      Healfdenes sunu;
wolde self cyning      symbel þicgan.
Ne gefrägen ic þâ mægðe      mâran weorode
ymb hyra sinc-gyfan      sêl gebæran.
Bugon þâ tô bence      blæd-âgende,
fylle gefægon.      Fägere geþægon
medo-ful manig      mâgas + þâra
swîð-hicgende      on sele þam heán,
Hrôðgâr and Hrôðulf.      Heorot innan wäs
freóndum âfylled;      nalles fâcen-stafas
Þeód-Scyldingas      þenden fremedon.
Forgeaf þâ Beówulfe      bearn Healfdenes
segen gyldenne      sigores tô leáne,
hroden hilte-cumbor,      helm and byrnan;
mære mâððum-sweord      manige gesâwon
beforan beorn beran.      Beówulf geþah
ful on flette;      nô he þære feoh-gyfte
for sceótendum      scamigan þorfte,
ne gefrägn ic freóndlîcor      feówer mâdmas
golde gegyrede      gum-manna fela
in ealo-bence      ôðrum gesellan.
Ymb þäs helmes hrôf      heáfod-beorge
wîrum bewunden      walan ûtan heóld,
þät him fêla lâfe      frêcne ne meahton
scûr-heard sceððan,      þonne scyld-freca
ongeán gramum      gangan scolde.
Hêht þâ eorla hleó      eahta mearas,
fäted-hleóre,      on flet teón
in under eoderas;      þâra ânum stôd
sadol searwum fâh      since gewurðad,
þät wäs hilde-setl      heáh-cyninges,
þonne sweorda gelâc      sunu Healfdenes
efnan wolde;      næfre on ôre läg
wîd-cûðes wîg,      þonne walu feóllon.
And þâ Beówulfe      bega gehwäðres
eodor Ingwina      onweald geteáh,
wicga and wæpna;      hêt hine wel brûcan.
Swâ manlîce      mære þeóden,
hord-weard häleða      heaðo-ræsas geald
mearum and mâdmum,      swâ hý næfre man lyhð,
se þe secgan wile      sôð äfter rihte.

XVII. SONG OF HROTHGAR'S POET--THE LAY OF HNAEF AND HENGEST.

Þâ gyt æghwylcum      eorla drihten
þâra þe mid Beówulfe      brim-lâde teáh,
on þære medu-bence      mâððum gesealde,
yrfe-lâfe,      and þone ænne hêht
golde forgyldan,      þone þe Grendel ær
mâne âcwealde,      swâ he hyra mâ wolde,
nefne him witig god      wyrd forstôde
and þäs mannes môd:      metod eallum weóld
gumena cynnes,      swâ he nu git dêð;
forþan bið andgit      æghwær sêlest,
ferhðes fore-þanc!      fela sceal gebîdan
leófes and lâðes,      se þe longe her
on þyssum win-dagum      worolde brûceð.
Þær wäs sang and swêg      samod ätgädere
fore Healfdenes      hilde-wîsan,
gomen-wudu grêted,      gid oft wrecen,
þonne heal-gamen      Hrôðgâres scôp
äfter medo-bence      mænan scolde
Finnes eaferum,      þâ hie se fær begeat:
"Häleð Healfdenes,      Hnäf Scyldinga,
"in Fr..es wäle      feallan scolde.
"Ne hûru Hildeburh      hêrian þorfte
"Eotena treówe:      unsynnum wearð
"beloren leófum      ät þam lind-plegan
"bearnum and brôðrum;      hie on gebyrd hruron
"gâre wunde;      þät wäs geômuru ides.
"Nalles hôlinga      Hôces dôhtor
"meotod-sceaft bemearn,      syððan morgen com,
"þâ heó under swegle      geseón meahte
"morðor-bealo mâga,      þær heó ær mæste heóld
"worolde wynne:      wîg ealle fornam
"Finnes þegnas,      nemne feáum ânum,
"þät he ne mehte      on þäm meðel-stede
"wîg Hengeste      wiht gefeohtan,
"ne þâ weá-lâfe      wîge forþringan
"þeódnes þegne;       ac hig him geþingo budon,
"þät hie him ôðer flet      eal gerýmdon,
"healle and heáh-setl,      þät hie healfre geweald
"wið Eotena bearn      âgan môston,
"and ät feoh-gyftum      Folcwaldan sunu
"dôgra gehwylce      Dene weorðode,
"Hengestes heáp      hringum wenede,
"efne swâ swîðe      sinc-gestreónum
"fättan goldes,      swâ he Fresena cyn
"on beór-sele      byldan wolde.
"Þâ hie getrûwedon      on twâ healfa
"fäste frioðu-wære;      Fin Hengeste
"elne unflitme      âðum benemde,
"þät he þâ weá-lâfe      weotena dôme
"ârum heolde,      þät þær ænig mon
"wordum ne worcum      wære ne bræce,
"ne þurh inwit-searo      æfre gemænden,
"þeáh hie hira beág-gyfan      banan folgedon
"þeóden-leáse,      þâ him swâ geþearfod wäs:
"gyf þonne Frysna hwylc      frêcnan spræce
"þäs morðor-hetes      myndgiend wære,
"þonne hit sweordes ecg      syððan scolde.
"Âð wäs geäfned      and icge gold
"âhäfen of horde.      Here-Scyldinga
"betst beado-rinca      wäs on bæl gearu;
"ät þäm âde wäs      êð-gesýne
"swât-fâh syrce,      swýn eal-gylden,
"eofer îren-heard,      äðeling manig
"wundum âwyrded;      sume on wäle crungon.
"Hêt þâ Hildeburh      ät Hnäfes âde
"hire selfre sunu      sweoloðe befästan,
"bân-fatu bärnan      and on bæl dôn.
"Earme on eaxle      ides gnornode,
"geômrode giddum;      gûð-rinc âstâh.
"Wand tô wolcnum      wäl-fýra mæst,
"hlynode for hlâwe;      hafelan multon,
"ben-geato burston,      þonne blôd ätspranc
"lâð-bite lîces.      Lîg ealle forswealg,
"gæsta gîfrost,      þâra þe þær gûð fornam
"bega folces;      wäs hira blæd scacen.

XVIII. THE GLEEMAN'S TALE IS ENDED.

"Gewiton him þâ wîgend      wîca neósian,
"freóndum befeallen      Frysland geseón,
"hâmas and heá-burh.      Hengest þâ gyt
"wäl-fâgne winter      wunode mid Finne
"ealles unhlitme;      eard gemunde,
"þeáh þe he ne meahte      on mere drîfan
"hringed-stefnan;      holm storme weól,
"won wið winde;      winter ýðe beleác
"îs-gebinde      ôð þät ôðer com
"geâr in geardas,      swâ nu gyt dêð,
"þâ þe syngales      sêle bewitiað,
"wuldor-torhtan weder.      Þâ wäs winter scacen,
"fäger foldan bearm;      fundode wrecca,
"gist of geardum;      he tô gyrn-wräce
"swîðor þôhte,      þonne tô sæ-lâde,
"gif he torn-gemôt      þurhteón mihte,
"þät he Eotena bearn      inne gemunde.
"Swâ he ne forwyrnde      worold-rædenne,
"þonne him Hûnlâfing      hilde-leóman,
"billa sêlest,      on bearm dyde:
"þäs wæron mid Eotenum      ecge cûðe.
"Swylce ferhð-frecan      Fin eft begeat
"sweord-bealo slîðen      ät his selfes hâm,
"siððan grimne gripe      Gûðlaf ond Ôslâf
"äfter sæ-siðe      sorge mændon,
"ätwiton weána dæl;      ne meahte wäfre môd
"forhabban in hreðre.      Þâ wäs heal hroden
"feónda feorum,      swilce Fin slägen,
"cyning on corðre,      and seó cwên numen.
"Sceótend Scyldinga      tô scypum feredon
"eal in-gesteald      eorð-cyninges,
"swylce hie ät Finnes hâm      findan meahton
"sigla searo-gimma.      Hie on sæ-lâde
"drihtlîce wîf      tô Denum feredon,
"læddon tô leódum."      Leóð wäs âsungen,
gleó-mannes gyd.      Gamen eft âstâh,
beorhtode benc-swêg,      byrelas sealdon
wîn of wunder-fatum.      Þâ cwom Wealhþeó forð
gân under gyldnum beáge,      þær þâ gôdan twegen
sæton suhter-gefäderan;      þâ gyt wäs hiera sib ätgädere
æghwylc ôðrum trýwe.      Swylce þær Ûnferð þyle
ät fôtum sät freán Scyldinga:      gehwylc hiora his ferhðe treówde,
þät he häfde môd micel,      þeáh þe he his mâgum nære
ârfäst ät ecga gelâcum.      Spräc þâ ides Scyldinga:
"Onfôh þissum fulle,      freó-drihten mîn,
"sinces brytta;      þu on sælum wes,
"gold-wine gumena,      and tô Geátum sprec
"mildum wordum!      Swâ sceal man dôn.
"Beó wið Geátas gläd,      geofena gemyndig;
"neán and feorran      þu nu friðu hafast.
"Me man sägde,      þät þu þe for sunu wolde
"here-rinc habban.      Heorot is gefælsod,
"beáh-sele beorhta;      brûc þenden þu môte
"manigra mêda      and þînum mâgum læf
"folc and rîce,      þonne þu forð scyle
"metod-sceaft seón.      Ic mînne can
"glädne Hrôðulf,      þät he þâ geogoðe wile
"ârum healdan,      gyf þu ær þonne he,
"wine Scildinga,      worold oflætest;
"wêne ic, þät he mid gôde      gyldan wille
"uncran eaferan,      gif he þät eal gemon,
"hwät wit tô willan      and tô worð-myndum
"umbor wesendum ær      ârna gefremedon."
Hwearf þâ bî bence,      þær hyre byre wæron,
Hrêðrîc and Hrôðmund,      and häleða bearn,
giogoð ätgädere;      þær se gôda sät
Beówulf Geáta      be þæm gebrôðrum twæm.

XIX. BEÓWULF'S JEWELLED COLLAR. THE HEROES REST.

Him wäs ful boren      and freónd-laðu
wordum bewägned      and wunden gold
êstum geeáwed,      earm-hreáde twâ,
hrägl and hringas,      heals-beága mæst
þâra þe ic on foldan      gefrägen häbbe.
Nænigne ic under swegle      sêlran hýrde
hord-mâððum häleða,      syððan Hâma ätwäg
tô þære byrhtan byrig      Brosinga mene,
sigle and sinc-fät,      searo-nîðas fealh
Eormenrîces,      geceás êcne ræd.
Þone hring häfde      Higelâc Geáta,
nefa Swertinges,      nýhstan sîðe,
siððan he under segne      sinc ealgode,
wäl-reáf werede;      hyne Wyrd fornam,
syððan he for wlenco      weán âhsode,
fæhðe tô Frysum;      he þâ frätwe wäg,
eorclan-stânas      ofer ýða ful,
rîce þeóden,      he under rande gecranc;
gehwearf þâ in Francna fäðm      feorh cyninges,
breóst-gewædu      and se beáh somod:
wyrsan wîg-frecan      wäl reáfedon
äfter gûð-sceare,      Geáta leóde
hreâ-wîc heóldon.      Heal swêge onfêng.
Wealhþeó maðelode,      heó fore þäm werede spräc:
"Brûc þisses beáges,      Beówulf, leófa
"hyse, mid hæle,      and þisses hrägles neót
"þeód-gestreóna,      and geþeóh tela,
"cen þec mid cräfte      and þyssum cnyhtum wes
"lâra lîðe!      ic þe þäs leán geman.
"Hafast þu gefêred,      þät þe feor and neáh
"ealne wîde-ferhð      weras ehtigað,
"efne swâ sîde      swâ sæ bebûgeð
"windige weallas.      Wes, þenden þu lifige,
"äðeling eádig!      ic þe an tela
"sinc-gestreóna.      Beó þu suna mînum
"dædum gedêfe      dreám healdende!
"Her is æghwylc eorl      ôðrum getrýwe,
"môdes milde,      man-drihtne hold,
"þegnas syndon geþwære,      þeód eal gearo:
"druncne dryht-guman,      dôð swâ ic bidde!"
Eode þâ tô setle.      Þær wäs symbla cyst,
druncon wîn weras:      wyrd ne cûðon,
geó-sceaft grimme,      swâ hit âgangen wearð
eorla manegum,      syððan æfen cwom
and him Hrôðgâr gewât      tô hofe sînum,
rîce tô räste.      Reced weardode
unrîm eorla,      swâ hie oft ær dydon:
benc-þelu beredon,      hit geond-bræded wearð
beddum and bolstrum.      Beór-scealca sum
fûs and fæge      flet-räste gebeág.
Setton him tô heáfdum      hilde-randas,
bord-wudu beorhtan;      þær on bence wäs
ofer äðelinge      ýð-gesêne
heaðo-steápa helm,      hringed byrne,
þrec-wudu þrymlîc.      Wäs þeáw hyra,
þät hie oft wæron      an wîg gearwe,
ge ät hâm ge on herge,      ge gehwäðer þâra
efne swylce mæla,      swylce hira man-dryhtne
þearf gesælde;      wäs seó þeód tilu.

XX. GRENDEL'S MOTHER ATTACKS THE RING-DANES.

Sigon þâ tô slæpe.      Sum sâre angeald
æfen-räste,      swâ him ful-oft gelamp,
siððan gold-sele      Grendel warode,
unriht äfnde,      ôð þät ende becwom,
swylt äfter synnum.      Þät gesýne wearð,
wîd-cûð werum,      þätte wrecend þâ gyt
lifde äfter lâðum,      lange þrage
äfter gûð-ceare;      Grendles môdor,
ides aglæc-wîf      yrmðe gemunde,
se þe wäter-egesan      wunian scolde,
cealde streámas,      siððan Cain wearð
tô ecg-banan      ângan brêðer,
fäderen-mæge;      he þâ fâg gewât,
morðre gemearcod      man-dreám fleón,
wêsten warode.      Þanon wôc fela
geósceaft-gâsta;      wäs þæra Grendel sum,
heoro-wearh hetelîc,      se ät Heorote fand
wäccendne wer      wîges bîdan,
þær him aglæca      ät-græpe wearð;
hwäðre he gemunde      mägenes strenge,
gim-fäste gife,      þe him god sealde,
and him tô anwaldan      âre gelýfde,
frôfre and fultum:      þý he þone feónd ofercwom,
gehnægde helle gâst:      þâ he heán gewât,
dreáme bedæled      deáð-wîc seón,
man-cynnes feónd.      And his môdor þâ gyt
gîfre and galg-môd      gegân wolde
sorh-fulne sîð,      suna deáð wrecan.
Com þâ tô Heorote,      þær Hring-Dene
geond þät säld swæfun.      Þâ þær sôna wearð
ed-hwyrft eorlum,      siððan inne fealh
Grendles môdor;      wäs se gryre lässa
efne swâ micle,      swâ bið mägða cräft,
wîg-gryre wîfes      be wæpned-men,
þonne heoru bunden,      hamere geþuren,
sweord swâte fâh      swîn ofer helme,
ecgum dyhtig      andweard scireð.
Þâ wäs on healle      heard-ecg togen,
sweord ofer setlum,      sîd-rand manig
hafen handa fäst;      helm ne gemunde,
byrnan sîde,      þe hine se brôga angeat.
Heó wäs on ôfste,      wolde ût þanon
feore beorgan,      þâ heó onfunden wäs;
hraðe heó äðelinga      ânne häfde
fäste befangen,      þâ heó tô fenne gang;
se wäs Hrôðgâre      häleða leófost
on gesîðes hâd      be sæm tweonum,
rîce rand-wîga,      þone þe heó on räste âbreát,
blæd-fästne beorn.      Näs Beówulf þær,
ac wäs ôðer in      ær geteohhod
äfter mâððum-gife      mærum Geáte.
Hreám wearð on Heorote.      Heó under heolfre genam
cûðe folme;      cearu wäs geniwod
geworden in wîcum:      ne wäs þät gewrixle til,
þät hie on bâ healfa      bicgan scoldon
freónda feorum.      Þâ wäs frôd cyning,
hâr hilde-rinc,      on hreón môde,
syððan he aldor-þegn      unlyfigendne,
þone deórestan      deádne wisse.
Hraðe wäs tô bûre      Beówulf fetod,
sigor-eádig secg.      Samod ær-däge
eode eorla sum,      äðele cempa
self mid gesîðum,      þær se snottra bâd,
hwäðre him al-walda      æfre wille
äfter weá-spelle      wyrpe gefremman.
Gang þâ äfter flôre      fyrd-wyrðe man
mid his hand-scale      (heal-wudu dynede)
þät he þone wîsan      wordum hnægde
freán Ingwina;      frägn gif him wære
äfter neód-laðu      niht getæse.

XXI. SORROW AT HEOROT: ÆSCHERE'S DEATH.

Hrôðgâr maðelode,      helm Scildinga:
"Ne frin þu äfter sælum!      Sorh is geniwod
"Denigea leódum.      Deád is Äsc-here,
"Yrmenlâfes      yldra brôðor,
"mîn rûn-wita      and mîn ræd-bora,
"eaxl-gestealla,      þonne we on orlege
"hafelan weredon,      þonne hniton fêðan,
"eoferas cnysedan;      swylc scolde eorl wesan
"äðeling ær-gôd,      swylc Äsc-here wäs.
"Wearð him on Heorote      tô hand-banan
"wäl-gæst wäfre;      ic ne wât hwäder
"atol æse wlanc      eft-sîðas teáh,
"fylle gefrægnod.      Heó þâ fæhðe wräc,
"þe þu gystran niht      Grendel cwealdest
"þurh hæstne hâd      heardum clammum,
"forþan he tô lange      leóde mîne
"wanode and wyrde.      He ät wîge gecrang
"ealdres scyldig,      and nu ôðer cwom
"mihtig mân-scaða,      wolde hyre mæg wrecan,
"ge feor hafað      fæhðe gestæled,
"þäs þe þincean mäg      þegne monegum,
"se þe äfter sinc-gyfan      on sefan greóteð,
"hreðer-bealo hearde;      nu seó hand ligeð,
"se þe eów wel-hwylcra      wilna dohte.
"Ic þät lond-bûend      leóde mîne
"sele-rædende      secgan hýrde,
"þät hie gesâwon      swylce twegen
"micle mearc-stapan      môras healdan,
"ellor-gæstas:      þæra ôðer wäs,
"þäs þe hie gewislîcost      gewitan meahton,
"idese onlîcnes,      ôðer earm-sceapen
"on weres wästmum      wräc-lâstas träd,
"näfne he wäs mâra      þonne ænig man ôðer,
"þone on geâr-dagum      Grendel nemdon
"fold-bûende:      nô hie fäder cunnon,
"hwäðer him ænig wäs      ær âcenned
"dyrnra gâsta.      Hie dýgel lond
"warigeað, wulf-hleoðu,      windige nässas,
"frêcne fen-gelâd,      þær fyrgen-streám
"under nässa genipu      niðer gewîteð,
"flôd under foldan;      nis þät feor heonon
"mîl-gemearces,      þät se mere standeð,
"ofer þäm hongiað      hrîmge bearwas,
"wudu wyrtum fäst,      wäter oferhelmað.
"Þær mäg nihta gehwæm      nîð-wundor seón,
"fýr on flôde;      nô þäs frôd leofað
"gumena bearna,      þät þone grund wite;
"þeáh þe hæð-stapa      hundum geswenced,
"heorot hornum trum      holt-wudu sêce,
"feorran geflýmed,      ær he feorh seleð,
"aldor on ôfre,      ær he in wille,
"hafelan hýdan.      Nis þät heóru stôw:
"þonon ýð-geblond      up âstîgeð
"won tô wolcnum,      þonne wind styreð
"lâð gewidru,      ôð þät lyft drysmað,
"roderas reótað.      Nu is ræd gelang
"eft ät þe ânum!      Eard git ne const,
"frêcne stôwe,      þær þu findan miht
"sinnigne secg:      sêc gif þu dyrre!
"Ic þe þâ fæhðe      feó leánige,
"eald-gestreónum,      swâ ic ær dyde,
"wundnum golde,      gyf þu on weg cymest."

XXII. BEÓWULF SEEKS THE MONSTER IN THE HAUNTS OF THE NIXIES.

Beówulf maðelode,      bearn Ecgþeówes:
"Ne sorga, snotor guma!      sêlre bið æghwæm,
"þät he his freónd wrece,      þonne he fela murne;
"ûre æghwylc sceal      ende gebîdan
"worolde lîfes;      wyrce se þe môte
"dômes ær deáðe!      þät bið driht-guman
"unlifgendum      äfter sêlest.
"Ârîs, rîces weard;      uton hraðe fêran,
"Grendles mâgan      gang sceáwigan!
"Ic hit þe gehâte:      nô he on helm losað,
"ne on foldan fäðm,      ne on fyrgen-holt,
"ne on gyfenes grund,      gâ þær he wille.
"Þys dôgor þu      geþyld hafa
"weána gehwylces,      swâ ic þe wêne tô!"
Âhleóp þâ se gomela,      gode þancode,
mihtigan drihtne,      þäs se man gespräc.
Þâ wäs Hrôðgâre      hors gebæted,
wicg wunden-feax.      Wîsa fengel
geatolîc gengde;      gum-fêða stôp
lind-häbbendra.      Lâstas wæron
äfter wald-swaðum      wîde gesýne,
gang ofer grundas;      gegnum fôr þâ
ofer myrcan môr,      mago-þegna bär
þone sêlestan      sâwol-leásne,
þâra þe mid Hrôðgâre      hâm eahtode.
Ofer-eode þâ      äðelinga bearn
steáp stân-hliðo,      stîge nearwe,
enge ân-paðas,      un-cûð gelâd,
neowle nässas,      nicor-hûsa fela;
he feára sum      beforan gengde
wîsra monna,      wong sceáwian,
ôð þät he færinga      fyrgen-beámas
ofer hârne stân      hleonian funde,
wyn-leásne wudu;      wäter under stôd
dreórig and gedrêfed.      Denum eallum wäs,
winum Scyldinga,      weorce on môde,
tô geþolianne      þegne monegum,
oncýð eorla gehwæm,      syððan Äsc-heres
on þam holm-clife      hafelan mêtton.
Flôd blôde weól      (folc tô sægon)
hâtan heolfre.      Horn stundum song
fûslîc fyrd-leóð.      Fêða eal gesät;
gesâwon þâ äfter wätere      wyrm-cynnes fela,
sellîce sæ-dracan      sund cunnian,
swylce on näs-hleoðum      nicras licgean,
þâ on undern-mæl      oft bewitigað
sorh-fulne sîð      on segl-râde,
wyrmas and wil-deór;      hie on weg hruron
bitere and gebolgne,      bearhtm ongeâton,
gûð-horn galan.      Sumne Geáta leód
of flân-bogan      feores getwæfde,
ýð-gewinnes,      þät him on aldre stôd
here-stræl hearda;      he on holme wäs
sundes þe sænra,      þe hyne swylt fornam.
Hräðe wearð on ýðum      mid eofer-spreótum
heoro-hôcyhtum      hearde genearwod,
nîða genæged      and on näs togen
wundorlîc wæg-bora;      weras sceáwedon
gryrelîcne gist.      Gyrede hine Beówulf
eorl-gewædum,      nalles for ealdre mearn:
scolde here-byrne      hondum gebroden,
sîd and searo-fâh,      sund cunnian,
seó þe bân-côfan      beorgan cûðe,
þät him hilde-grâp      hreðre ne mihte,
eorres inwit-feng,      aldre gesceððan;
ac se hwîta helm      hafelan werede,
se þe mere-grundas      mengan scolde,
sêcan sund-gebland      since geweorðad,
befongen freá-wrâsnum,      swâ hine fyrn-dagum
worhte wæpna smið,      wundrum teóde,
besette swîn-lîcum,      þät hine syððan nô
brond ne beado-mêcas      bîtan ne meahton.
Näs þät þonne mætost      mägen-fultuma,
þät him on þearfe lâh      þyle Hrôðgâres;
wäs þäm häft-mêce      Hrunting nama,
þät wäs ân foran      eald-gestreóna;
ecg wäs îren      âter-teárum fâh,
âhyrded heaðo-swâte;      næfre hit ät hilde ne swâc
manna ængum      þâra þe hit mid mundum bewand,
se þe gryre-sîðas      gegân dorste,
folc-stede fâra;      näs þät forma sîð,
þät hit ellen-weorc      äfnan scolde.
Hûru ne gemunde      mago Ecglâfes
eafoðes cräftig,      þät he ær gespräc
wîne druncen,      þâ he þäs wæpnes onlâh
sêlran sweord-frecan:      selfa ne dorste
under ýða gewin      aldre genêðan,
driht-scype dreógan;      þær he dôme forleás,
ellen-mærðum.      Ne wäs þäm ôðrum swâ,
syððan he hine tô gûðe      gegyred häfde.

XXIII. THE BATTLE WITH THE WATER-DRAKE.

Beówulf maðelode,      bearn Ecgþeówes:
"geþenc nu, se mæra      maga Healfdenes,
"snottra fengel,      nu ic eom sîðes fûs,
"gold-wine gumena,      hwät wit geó spræcon,
"gif ic ät þearfe      þînre scolde
"aldre linnan,      þät þu me â wære
"forð-gewitenum      on fäder stäle;
"wes þu mund-bora mînum      mago-þegnum,
"hond-gesellum,      gif mec hild nime:
"swylce þu þâ mâdmas,      þe þu me sealdest,
"Hrôðgâr leófa,      Higelâce onsend.
"Mäg þonne on þäm golde ongitan      Geáta dryhten,
"geseón sunu Hrêðles,      þonne he on þät sinc starað,
"þät ic gum-cystum      gôdne funde
"beága bryttan,      breác þonne môste.
"And þu Ûnferð læt      ealde lâfe,
"wrätlîc wæg-sweord      wîd-cûðne man
"heard-ecg habban;      ic me mid Hruntinge
"dôm gewyrce,      oððe mec deáð nimeð."
Äfter þæm wordum      Weder-Geáta leód
êfste mid elne,      nalas andsware
bîdan wolde;      brim-wylm onfêng
hilde-rince.      Þâ wäs hwîl däges,
ær he þone grund-wong      ongytan mehte.
Sôna þät onfunde,      se þe flôda begong
heoro-gîfre beheóld      hund missera,
grim and grædig,      þät þær gumena sum
äl-wihta eard      ufan cunnode.
Grâp þâ tôgeánes,      gûð-rinc gefêng
atolan clommum;      nô þý ær in gescôd
hâlan lîce:      hring ûtan ymb-bearh,
þät heó þone fyrd-hom      þurh-fôn ne mihte,
locene leoðo-syrcan      lâðan fingrum.
Bär þâ seó brim-wylf,      þâ heó tô botme com,
hringa þengel      tô hofe sînum,
swâ he ne mihte nô      (he þäs môdig wäs)
wæpna gewealdan,      ac hine wundra þäs fela
swencte on sunde,      sæ-deór monig
hilde-tuxum      here-syrcan bräc,
êhton aglæcan.      Þâ se eorl ongeat,
þät he in nið-sele      nât-hwylcum wäs,
þær him nænig wäter      wihte ne sceðede,
ne him for hrôf-sele      hrînan ne mehte
fær-gripe flôdes:      fýr-leóht geseah,
blâcne leóman      beorhte scînan.
Ongeat þâ se gôda      grund-wyrgenne,
mere-wîf mihtig;      mägen-ræs forgeaf
hilde-bille,      hond swenge ne ofteáh,
þät hire on hafelan      hring-mæl âgôl
grædig gûð-leóð.      Þâ se gist onfand,
þät se beado-leóma      bîtan nolde,
aldre sceððan,      ac seó ecg geswâc
þeódne ät þearfe:      þolode ær fela
hond-gemôta,      helm oft gescär,
fæges fyrd-hrägl:      þät wäs forma sîð
deórum mâðme,      þät his dôm âläg.
Eft wäs ân-ræd,      nalas elnes lät,
mærða gemyndig      mæg Hygelâces;
wearp þâ wunden-mæl      wrättum gebunden
yrre oretta,      þät hit on eorðan läg,
stîð and stýl-ecg;      strenge getrûwode,
mund-gripe mägenes.      Swâ sceal man dôn,
þonne he ät gûðe      gegân þenceð
longsumne lof,      nâ ymb his lîf cearað.
Gefêng þâ be eaxle      (nalas for fæhðe mearn)
Gûð-Geáta leód      Grendles môdor;
brägd þâ beadwe heard,      þâ he gebolgen wäs,
feorh-genîðlan,      þät heó on flet gebeáh.
Heó him eft hraðe      and-leán forgeald
grimman grâpum      and him tôgeánes fêng;
oferwearp þâ wêrig-môd      wîgena strengest,
fêðe-cempa,      þät he on fylle wearð.
Ofsät þâ þone sele-gyst      and hyre seaxe geteáh,
brâd and brûn-ecg      wolde hire bearn wrecan,
ângan eaferan.      Him on eaxle läg
breóst-net broden;      þät gebearh feore,
wið ord and wið ecge      ingang forstôd.
Häfde þâ forsîðod      sunu Ecgþeówes
under gynne grund,      Geáta cempa,
nemne him heaðo-byrne      helpe gefremede,
here-net hearde,      and hâlig god
geweóld wîg-sigor,      witig drihten;
rodera rædend      hit on ryht gescêd,
ýðelîce      syððan he eft âstôd.

XXIV. BEÓWULF SLAYS THE SPRITE.

Geseah þâ on searwum      sige-eádig bil,
eald sweord eotenisc      ecgum þyhtig,
wîgena weorð-mynd:      þät wäs wæpna cyst,
bûton hit wäs mâre      þonne ænig mon ôðer
tô beadu-lâce      ätberan meahte
gôd and geatolîc      giganta geweorc.
He gefêng þâ fetel-hilt,      freca Scildinga,
hreóh and heoro-grim      hring-mæl gebrägd,
aldres orwêna,      yrringa slôh,
þät hire wið halse      heard grâpode,
bân-hringas bräc,      bil eal þurh-wôd
fægne flæsc-homan,      heó on flet gecrong;
sweord wäs swâtig,      secg weorce gefeh.
Lixte se leóma,      leóht inne stôd,
efne swâ of hefene      hâdre scîneð
rodores candel.      He äfter recede wlât,
hwearf þâ be wealle,      wæpen hafenade
heard be hiltum      Higelâces þegn,
yrre and ân-ræd.      Näs seó ecg fracod
hilde-rince,      ac he hraðe wolde
Grendle forgyldan      gûð-ræsa fela
þâra þe he geworhte      tô West-Denum
oftor micle      þonne on ænne sîð,
þonne he Hrôðgâres      heorð-geneátas
slôh on sweofote,      slæpende frät
folces Denigea      fýf-tyne men
and ôðer swylc      ût of-ferede,
lâðlîcu lâc.      He him þäs leán forgeald,
rêðe cempa,      tô þäs þe he on räste geseah
gûð-wêrigne      Grendel licgan,
aldor-leásne,      swâ him ær gescôd
hild ät Heorote;      hrâ wîde sprong,
syððan he äfter deáðe      drepe þrowade,
heoro-sweng heardne,      and hine þâ heáfde becearf,
Sôna þät gesâwon      snottre ceorlas,
þâ þe mid Hrôðgâre      on holm wliton,
þät wäs ýð-geblond      eal gemenged,
brim blôde fâh:      blonden-feaxe
gomele ymb gôdne      ongeador spræcon,
þät hig þäs äðelinges      eft ne wêndon,
þät he sige-hrêðig      sêcean côme
mærne þeóden;      þâ þäs monige gewearð,
þät hine seó brim-wylf      âbroten häfde.
Þâ com nôn däges.      Näs ofgeâfon
hwate Scyldingas; gewât him hâm þonon
gold-wine gumena.      Gistas sêtan,
môdes seóce,      and on mere staredon,
wiston and ne wêndon,      þät hie heora wine-drihten
selfne gesâwon.      Þâ þät sweord ongan
äfter heaðo-swâte      hilde-gicelum
wîg-bil wanian;      þät wäs wundra sum,
þät hit eal gemealt      îse gelîcost,
þonne forstes bend      fäder onlæteð,
onwindeð wäl-râpas,      se þe geweald hafað
sæla and mæla;      þät is sôð metod.
Ne nom he in þæm wîcum,      Weder-Geáta leód,
mâðm-æhta mâ,      þêh he þær monige geseah,
bûton þone hafelan      and þâ hilt somod,
since fâge;      sweord ær gemealt,
forbarn broden mæl:      wäs þät blôd tô þäs hât,
ættren ellor-gæst,      se þær inne swealt.
Sôna wäs on sunde,      se þe ær ät säcce gebâd
wîg-hryre wrâðra,      wäter up þurh-deáf;
wæron ýð-gebland      eal gefælsod,
eácne eardas,      þâ se ellor-gâst
oflêt lîf-dagas      and þâs lænan gesceaft.
Com þâ tô lande      lid-manna helm
swîð-môd swymman,      sæ-lâce gefeah,
mägen-byrðenne      þâra þe he him mid häfde.
Eodon him þâ tôgeánes,      gode þancodon,
þryðlîc þegna heáp,      þeódnes gefêgon,
þäs þe hi hyne gesundne      geseón môston.
Þâ wäs of þäm hrôran      helm and byrne
lungre âlýsed:      lagu drusade,
wäter under wolcnum,      wäl-dreóre fâg.
Fêrdon forð þonon      fêðe-lâstum
ferhðum fägne,      fold-weg mæton,
cûðe stræte;      cyning-balde men
from þäm holm-clife      hafelan bæron
earfoðlîce      heora æghwäðrum
fela-môdigra:      feówer scoldon
on ðäm wäl-stenge      weorcum geferian
tô þäm gold-sele      Grendles heáfod,
ôð þät semninga      tô sele cômon
frome fyrd-hwate      feówer-tyne
Geáta gongan;      gum-dryhten mid
môdig on gemonge      meodo-wongas träd.
Þâ com in gân      ealdor þegna,
dæd-cêne mon      dôme gewurðad,
häle hilde-deór.      Hrôðgâr grêtan:
Þâ wäs be feaxe      on flet boren
Grendles heáfod,      þær guman druncon,
egeslîc for eorlum      and þære idese mid:
wlite-seón wrätlîc      weras onsâwon.

XXV. HROTHGAR'S GRATITUDE: HE DISCOURSES.

Beówulf maðelode,      bearn Ecgþeówes:
"Hwät! we þe þâs sæ-lâc,      sunu Healfdenes,
"leód Scyldinga,      lustum brôhton,
"tîres tô tâcne,      þe þu her tô lôcast.
"Ic þät unsôfte      ealdre gedîgde:
"wîge under wätere      weorc genêðde
"earfoðlîce,      ät-rihte wäs
"gûð getwæfed,      nymðe mec god scylde.
"Ne meahte ic ät hilde      mid Hruntinge
"wiht gewyrcan,      þeáh þät wæpen duge,
"ac me geûðe      ylda waldend,
"þät ic on wage geseah      wlitig hangian
"eald sweord eácen      (oftost wîsode
"winigea leásum)      þät ic þý wæpne gebräd.
"Ofslôh þâ ät þære säcce      (þâ me sæl âgeald)
"hûses hyrdas.      Þâ þät hilde-bil
"forbarn, brogden mæl,      swâ þät blôd gesprang,
"hâtost heaðo-swâta:      ic þät hilt þanan
"feóndum ätferede;      fyren-dæda wräc,
"deáð-cwealm Denigea,      swâ hit gedêfe wäs.
"Ic hit þe þonne gehâte,      þät þu on Heorote môst
"sorh-leás swefan      mid þînra secga gedryht,
"and þegna gehwylc      þînra leóda,
"duguðe and iogoðe,      þät þu him ondrædan ne þearft,
"þeóden Scyldinga,      on þâ healfe,
"aldor-bealu eorlum,      swâ þu ær dydest."
Þâ wäs gylden hilt      gamelum rince.
hârum hild-fruman,      on hand gyfen,
enta ær-geweorc,      hit on æht gehwearf
äfter deófla hryre      Denigea freán,
wundor-smiða geweorc,      and þâ þâs worold ofgeaf
grom-heort guma,      godes andsaca,
morðres scyldig,      and his môdor eác;
on geweald gehwearf      worold-cyninga
þäm sêlestan      be sæm tweónum
þâra þe on Sceden-igge      sceattas dælde.
Hrôðgâr maðelode,      hylt sceáwode,
ealde lâfe,      on þäm wäs ôr writen
fyrn-gewinnes:      syððan flôd ofslôh,
gifen geótende,      giganta cyn,
frêcne gefêrdon:      þät wäs fremde þeód
êcean dryhtne,      him þäs ende-leán
þurh wäteres wylm      waldend sealde.
Swâ wäs on þæm scennum      scîran goldes
þurh rûn-stafas      rihte gemearcod,
geseted and gesæd,      hwâm þät sweord geworht,
îrena cyst      ærest wære,
wreoðen-hilt and wyrm-fâh.      Þâ se wîsa spräc
sunu Healfdenes      (swîgedon ealle):
"Þät lâ mäg secgan,      se þe sôð and riht
"fremeð on folce,      (feor eal gemon
"eald êðel-weard),      þät þes eorl wære
"geboren betera!      Blæd is âræred
"geond wîd-wegas,      wine mîn Beówulf,
"þîn ofer þeóda gehwylce.      Eal þu hit geþyldum healdest,
"mägen mid môdes snyttrum.      Ic þe sceal mîne gelæstan
"freóde, swâ wit furðum spræcon;      þu scealt tô frôfre weorðan
"eal lang-twidig      leódum þînum,
"häleðum tô helpe.      Ne wearð Heremôd swâ
"eaforum Ecgwelan,      Âr-Scyldingum;
"ne geweôx he him tô willan,      ac tô wäl-fealle
"and tô deáð-cwalum      Deniga leódum;
"breát bolgen-môd      beód-geneátas,
"eaxl-gesteallan,      ôð þät he âna hwearf,
"mære þeóden.      mon-dreámum from:
"þeáh þe hine mihtig god      mägenes wynnum,
"eafeðum stêpte,      ofer ealle men
"forð gefremede,      hwäðere him on ferhðe greów
"breóst-hord blôd-reów:      nallas beágas geaf
"Denum äfter dôme;      dreám-leás gebâd,
"þät he þäs gewinnes      weorc þrowade,
"leód-bealo longsum.      Þu þe lær be þon,
"gum-cyste ongit!      ic þis gid be þe
"âwräc wintrum frôd.      Wundor is tô secganne,
"hû mihtig god      manna cynne
"þurh sîdne sefan      snyttru bryttað,
"eard and eorl-scipe,      he âh ealra geweald.
"Hwîlum he on lufan      læteð hworfan
"monnes môd-geþonc      mæran cynnes,
"seleð him on êðle      eorðan wynne,
"tô healdanne      hleó-burh wera,
"gedêð him swâ gewealdene      worolde dælas,
"sîde rîce,      þät he his selfa ne mäg
"for his un-snyttrum      ende geþencean;
"wunað he on wiste,      nô hine wiht dweleð,
"âdl ne yldo,      ne him inwit-sorh
"on sefan sweorceð,      ne gesacu ôhwær,
"ecg-hete eóweð,      ac him eal worold
"wendeð on willan;      he þät wyrse ne con,
"ôð þät him on innan      ofer-hygda dæl
"weaxeð and wridað,      þonne se weard swefeð,
"sâwele hyrde:      bið se slæp tô fäst,
"bisgum gebunden,      bona swîðe neáh,
"se þe of flân-bogan      fyrenum sceóteð.

XXVI. THE DISCOURSE IS ENDED.--BEÓWULF PREPARES TO LEAVE.

"Þonne bið on hreðre      under helm drepen
"biteran stræle:      him bebeorgan ne con
"wom wundor-bebodum      wergan gâstes;
"þinceð him tô lytel,      þät he tô lange heóld,
"gýtsað grom-hydig,      nallas on gylp seleð
"fätte beágas      and he þâ forð-gesceaft
"forgyteð and forgýmeð,      þäs þe him ær god sealde
"wuldres waldend,      weorð-mynda dæl.
"Hit on ende-stäf      eft gelimpeð,
"þät se lîc-homa      læne gedreóseð,
"fæge gefealleð;      fêhð ôðer tô,
"se þe unmurnlîce      mâdmas dæleð,
"eorles ær-gestreón,      egesan ne gýmeð.
"Bebeorh þe þone bealo-nîð,      Beówulf leófa,
"secg se betsta,      and þe þät sêlre geceós,
"êce rædas;      oferhyda ne gým,
"mære cempa!      Nu is þînes mägnes blæd
"âne hwîle;      eft sôna bið,
"þät þec âdl oððe ecg      eafoðes getwæfeð,
"oððe fýres feng      oððe flôdes wylm,
"oððe gripe mêces      oððe gâres fliht,
"oððe atol yldo,      oððe eágena bearhtm
"forsiteð and forsworceð;      semninga bið,
"þät þec, dryht-guma,      deáð oferswýðeð.
"Swâ ic Hring-Dena      hund missera
"weóld under wolcnum,      and hig wîge beleác
"manigum mægða      geond þysne middan-geard,
"äscum and ecgum,      þät ic me ænigne
"under swegles begong      gesacan ne tealde.
"Hwät! me þäs on êðle      edwenden cwom,
"gyrn äfter gomene,      seoððan Grendel wearð,
"eald-gewinna,      in-genga mîn:
"ic þære sôcne      singales wäg
"môd-ceare micle.      Þäs sig metode þanc,
"êcean drihtne,      þäs þe ic on aldre gebâd,
"þät ic on þone hafelan      heoro-dreórigne
"ofer eald gewin      eágum starige!
"Gâ nu tô setle,      symbel-wynne dreóh
"wîgge weorðad:      unc sceal worn fela
"mâðma gemænra,      siððan morgen bið."
Geát wäs gläd-môd,      geóng sôna tô,
setles neósan,      swâ se snottra hêht.
Þâ wäs eft swâ ær      ellen-rôfum,
flet-sittendum      fägere gereorded
niówan stefne.      Niht-helm geswearc
deorc ofer dryht-gumum.      Duguð eal ârâs;
wolde blonden-feax      beddes neósan,
gamela Scylding.      Geát ungemetes wel,
rôfne rand-wîgan      restan lyste:
sôna him sele-þegn      sîðes wêrgum,
feorran-cundum      forð wîsade,
se for andrysnum      ealle beweotede
þegnes þearfe,      swylce þý dôgore
heáðo-lîðende      habban scoldon.
Reste hine þâ rûm-heort;      reced hlifade
geáp and gold-fâh,      gäst inne swäf,
ôð þät hrefn blaca      heofones wynne
blîð-heort bodode.      Þâ com beorht sunne
scacan ofer grundas;      scaðan onetton,
wæron äðelingas      eft tô leódum
fûse tô farenne,      wolde feor þanon
cuma collen-ferhð      ceóles neósan.
Hêht þâ se hearda      Hrunting beran,
sunu Ecglâfes,      hêht his sweord niman,
leóflîc îren;      sägde him þäs leánes þanc,
cwäð he þone gûð-wine      gôdne tealde,
wîg-cräftigne,      nales wordum lôg
mêces ecge:      þät wäs môdig secg.
And þâ sîð-frome      searwum gearwe
wîgend wæron,      eode weorð Denum
äðeling tô yppan,      þær se ôðer wäs
häle hilde-deór,      Hrôðgâr grêtte.

XXVII. THE PARTING WORDS.

Beówulf maðelode,      bearn Ecgþeówes:
"Nu we sæ-lîðend      secgan wyllað
"feorran cumene,      þät we fundiað
"Higelâc sêcan.      Wæron her tela
"willum bewenede;      þu ûs wel dohtest.
"Gif ic þonne on eorðan      ôwihte mäg
"þînre môd-lufan      mâran tilian,
"gumena dryhten,      þonne ic gyt dyde,
"gûð-geweorca      ic beó gearo sôna.
"Gif ic þät gefricge      ofer flôda begang,
"þät þec ymbe-sittend      egesan þýwað,
"swâ þec hetende      hwîlum dydon,
"ic þe þûsenda      þegna bringe,
"häleða tô helpe.      Ic on Higelâce wât,
"Geáta dryhten,      þeáh þe he geong sý,
"folces hyrde,      þät he mec fremman wile
"wordum and worcum,      þät ic þe wel herige,
"and þe tô geóce      gâr-holt bere
"mägenes fultum,      þær þe bið manna þearf;
"gif him þonne Hrêðrîc      tô hofum Geáta
"geþingeð, þeódnes bearn,      he mäg þær fela
"freónda findan:      feor-cýððe beóð
"sêlran gesôhte      þäm þe him selfa deáh."
Hrôðgâr maðelode      him on andsware:
"Þe þâ word-cwydas      wittig drihten
"on sefan sende!      ne hýrde ic snotorlîcor
"on swâ geongum feore      guman þingian:
"þu eart mägenes strang      and on môde frôd,
"wîs word-cwida.      Wên ic talige,
"gif þät gegangeð,      þät þe gâr nymeð,
"hild heoru-grimme      Hrêðles eaferan,
"âdl oððe îren      ealdor þînne,
"folces hyrde,      and þu þîn feorh hafast,
"þät þe Sæ-Geátas      sêlran näbben
"tô geceósenne      cyning ænigne,
"hord-weard häleða,      gif þu healdan wylt
"mâga rîce.      Me þîn môd-sefa
"lîcað leng swâ wel,      leófa Beówulf:
"hafast þu gefêred,      þät þâm folcum sceal,
"Geáta leódum      and Gâr-Denum
"sib gemænum      and sacu restan,
"inwit-nîðas,      þe hie ær drugon;
"wesan, þenden ic wealde      wîdan rîces,
"mâðmas gemæne,      manig ôðerne
"gôdum gegrêtan      ofer ganotes bäð;
"sceal hring-naca      ofer heáðu bringan
"lâc and luf-tâcen.      Ic þâ leóde wât
"ge wið feónd ge wið freónd      fäste geworhte
"æghwäs untæle      ealde wîsan."
Þâ git him eorla hleó      inne gesealde,
mago Healfdenes      mâðmas twelfe,
hêt hine mid þæm lâcum      leóde swæse
sêcean on gesyntum,      snûde eft cuman.
Gecyste þâ      cyning äðelum gôd,
þeóden Scildinga,      þegen betstan
and be healse genam;      hruron him teáras,
blonden-feaxum:      him wäs bega wên,
ealdum infrôdum,      ôðres swîðor,
þät hî seoððan      geseón môston
môdige on meðle.      Wäs him se man tô þon leóf,
þät he þone breóst-wylm      forberan ne mehte,
ac him on hreðre      hyge-bendum fäst
äfter deórum men      dyrne langað
beorn wið blôde.      Him Beówulf þanan,
gûð-rinc gold-wlanc      gräs-moldan träd,
since hrêmig:      sæ-genga bâd
âgend-freán,      se þe on ancre râd.
Þâ wäs on gange      gifu Hrôðgâres
oft geæhted:      þät wäs ân cyning
æghwäs orleahtre,      ôð þät hine yldo benam
mägenes wynnum,      se þe oft manegum scôd.

XXVIII. BEÓWULF RETURNS TO GEATLAND.--THE QUEENS HYGD AND THRYTHO.

Cwom þâ tô flôde      fela-môdigra
häg-stealdra heáp;      hring-net bæron,
locene leoðo-syrcan.      Land-weard onfand
eft-sîð eorla,      swâ he ær dyde;
nô he mid hearme      of hliðes nosan
gästas grêtte,      ac him tôgeánes râd;
cwäð þät wilcuman      Wedera leódum
scawan scîr-hame      tô scipe fôron.
Þâ wäs on sande      sæ-geáp naca
hladen here-wædum,      hringed-stefna
mearum and mâðmum:      mäst hlifade
ofer Hrôðgâres      hord-gestreónum.
He þäm bât-wearde      bunden golde
swurd gesealde,      þät he syððan wäs
on meodu-bence      mâðme þý weorðra,
yrfe-lâfe.      Gewât him on ýð-nacan,
drêfan deóp wäter,      Dena land ofgeaf.
Þâ wäs be mäste      mere-hrägla sum,
segl sâle fäst.      Sund-wudu þunede,
nô þær wêg-flotan      wind ofer ýðum
sîðes getwæfde;      sæ-genga fôr,
fleát fâmig-heals      forð ofer ýðe,
bunden-stefna      ofer brim-streámas,
þät hie Geáta clifu      ongitan meahton,
cûðe nässas.      Ceól up geþrang,
lyft-geswenced      on lande stôd.
Hraðe wäs ät holme      hýð-weard gearo,
se þe ær lange tîd,      leófra manna
fûs, ät faroðe      feor wlâtode;
sælde tô sande      sîd-fäðme scip
oncer-bendum fäst,      þý läs hym ýða þrym
wudu wynsuman      forwrecan meahte.
Hêt þâ up beran      äðelinga gestreón,
frätwe and fät-gold;      näs him feor þanon
tô gesêcanne      sinces bryttan:
Higelâc Hrêðling      þær ät hâm wunað,
selfa mid gesîðum      sæ-wealle neáh;
bold wäs betlîc,      brego-rôf cyning,
heá on healle,      Hygd swîðe geong,
wîs, wel-þungen,      þeáh þe wintra lyt
under burh-locan      gebiden häbbe
Häreðes dôhtor:      näs hió hnâh swâ þeáh,
ne tô gneáð gifa      Geáta leódum,
mâðm-gestreóna.      Mod Þryðo wäg,
fremu folces cwên,      firen ondrysne:
nænig þät dorste      deór genêðan
swæsra gesîða,      nefne sin-freá,
þät hire an däges      eágum starede;
ac him wäl-bende      weotode tealde,
hand-gewriðene:      hraðe seoððan wäs
äfter mund-gripe      mêce geþinged,
þät hit sceaðen-mæl      scyran môste,
cwealm-bealu cýðan.      Ne bið swylc cwênlîc þeáw
idese tô efnanne,      þeáh þe hió ænlîcu sý,
þätte freoðu-webbe      feores onsäce
äfter lîge-torne      leófne mannan.
Hûru þät onhôhsnode      Heminges mæg;
ealo drincende      ôðer sædan,
þät hió leód-bealewa      läs gefremede,
inwit-nîða,      syððan ærest wearð
gyfen gold-hroden      geongum cempan,
äðelum dióre,      syððan hió Offan flet
ofer fealone flôd      be fäder lâre
sîðe gesôhte,      þær hió syððan wel
in gum-stôle,      gôde mære,
lîf-gesceafta      lifigende breác,
hióld heáh-lufan      wið häleða brego,
ealles mon-cynnes      mîne gefræge
þone sêlestan      bî sæm tweónum
eormen-cynnes;      forþam Offa wäs
geofum and gûðum      gâr-cêne man,
wîde geweorðod;      wîsdôme heóld
êðel sînne,      þonon Eómær wôc
häleðum tô helpe,      Heminges mæg,
nefa Gârmundes,      nîða cräftig.

XXIX. HIS ARRIVAL. HYGELAC'S RECEPTION.

Gewât him þâ se hearda      mid his hond-scole
sylf äfter sande      sæ-wong tredan,
wîde waroðas.      Woruld-candel scân,
sigel sûðan fûs:      hî sîð drugon,
elne geeodon,      tô þäs þe eorla hleó,
bonan Ongenþeówes      burgum on innan,
geongne gûð-cyning      gôdne gefrunon
hringas dælan.      Higelâce wäs
sîð Beówulfes      snûde gecýðed,
þät þær on worðig      wîgendra hleó,
lind-gestealla      lifigende cwom,
heaðo-lâces hâl      tô hofe gongan.
Hraðe wäs gerýmed,      swâ se rîca bebeád,
fêðe-gestum      flet innan-weard.
Gesät þâ wið sylfne,      se þâ säcce genäs,
mæg wið mæge,      syððan man-dryhten
þurh hleóðor-cwyde      holdne gegrêtte
meaglum wordum.      Meodu-scencum
hwearf geond þät reced      Häreðes dôhtor:
lufode þâ leóde,      lîð-wæge bär
hælum tô handa.      Higelâc ongan
sînne geseldan      in sele þam heán
fägre fricgean,      hyne fyrwet bräc,
hwylce Sæ-Geáta      sîðas wæron:
"Hû lomp eów on lâde,      leófa Biówulf,
"þâ þu færinga      feorr gehogodest,
"säcce sêcean      ofer sealt wäter,
"hilde tô Hiorote?      Ac þu Hrôðgâre
"wîd-cûðne weán      wihte gebêttest,
"mærum þeódne?      Ic þäs môd-ceare
"sorh-wylmum seáð,      sîðe ne trûwode
"leófes mannes;      ic þe lange bäd,
"þät þu þone wäl-gæst      wihte ne grêtte,
"lête Sûð-Dene      sylfe geweorðan
"gûðe wið Grendel.      Gode ic þanc secge,
"þäs þe ic þe gesundne      geseón môste."
Biówulf maðelode,      bearn Ecgþiówes:
"Þät is undyrne,      dryhten Higelâc,
"mære gemêting      monegum fira,
"hwylc orleg-hwîl      uncer Grendles
"wearð on þam wange,      þær he worna fela
"Sige-Scildingum      sorge gefremede,
"yrmðe tô aldre;      ic þät eal gewräc,
"swâ ne gylpan þearf      Grendeles mâga
"ænig ofer eorðan      uht-hlem þone,
"se þe lengest leofað      lâðan cynnes,
"fenne bifongen.      Ic þær furðum cwom,
"tô þam hring-sele      Hrôðgâr grêtan:
"sôna me se mæra      mago Healfdenes,
"syððan he môd-sefan      mînne cûðe,
"wið his sylfes sunu      setl getæhte.
"Weorod wäs on wynne;      ne seah ic wîdan feorh
"under heofenes hwealf      heal-sittendra
"medu-dreám mâran.      Hwîlum mæru cwên,
"friðu-sibb folca      flet eall geond-hwearf,
"bædde byre geonge;      oft hió beáh-wriðan
"secge sealde,      ær hió tô setle geóng.
"Hwîlum for duguðe      dôhtor Hrôðgâres
"eorlum on ende      ealu-wæge bär,
"þâ ic Freáware      flet-sittende
"nemnan hýrde,      þær hió nägled sinc
"häleðum sealde:      sió gehâten wäs,
"geong gold-hroden,      gladum suna Frôdan;
"hafað þäs geworden      wine Scyldinga
"rîces hyrde      and þät ræd talað,
"þät he mid þý wîfe      wäl-fæhða dæl,
"säcca gesette.      Oft nô seldan hwær
"äfter leód-hryre      lytle hwîle
"bon-gâr bûgeð,      þeáh seó brýd duge!

XXX. BEÓWULF'S STORY OF THE SLAYINGS.

"Mäg þäs þonne ofþyncan      þeóden Heaðobeardna
"and þegna gehwâm      þâra leóda,
"þonne he mid fæmnan      on flett gæð,
"dryht-bearn Dena      duguða biwenede:
"on him gladiað      gomelra lâfe
"heard and hring-mæl,      Heaðobeardna gestreón,
"þenden hie þâm wæpnum      wealdan môston,
"ôð þät hie forlæddan      tô þam lind-plegan
"swæse gesîðas      ond hyra sylfra feorh.
"Þonne cwið ät beóre,      se þe beáh gesyhð,
"eald äsc-wîga,      se þe eall geman
"gâr-cwealm gumena      (him bið grim sefa),
"onginneð geômor-môd      geongne cempan
"þurh hreðra gehygd      higes cunnian,
"wîg-bealu weccean      and þät word âcwyð:
"'Meaht þu, mîn wine,      mêce gecnâwan,
"'þone þin fäder      tô gefeohte bär
"'under here-grîman      hindeman sîðe,
"'dýre îren,      þær hyne Dene slôgon,
"'weóldon wäl-stôwe,      syððan wiðer-gyld läg,
"'äfter häleða hryre,      hwate Scyldungas?
"'Nu her þâra banena      byre nât-hwylces,
"'frätwum hrêmig      on flet gæð,
"'morðres gylpeð      and þone mâððum byreð,
"'þone þe þu mid rihte      rædan sceoldest!'"
"Manað swâ and myndgað      mæla gehwylce
"sârum wordum,      ôð þät sæl cymeð,
"þät se fæmnan þegn      fore fäder dædum
"äfter billes bite      blôd-fâg swefeð,
"ealdres scyldig;      him se ôðer þonan
"losað lifigende,      con him land geare.
"Þonne bióð brocene      on bâ healfe
"âð-sweord eorla;      syððan Ingelde
"weallað wäl-nîðas      and him wîf-lufan
"äfter cear-wälmum      côlran weorðað.
"Þý ic Heaðobeardna      hyldo ne telge,
"dryht-sibbe dæl      Denum unfæcne,
"freónd-scipe fästne.      Ic sceal forð sprecan
"gen ymbe Grendel,      þät þu geare cunne,
"sinces brytta,      tô hwan syððan wearð
"hond-ræs häleða.      Syððan heofones gim
"glâd ofer grundas,      gäst yrre cwom,
"eatol æfen-grom,      ûser neósan,
"þær we gesunde      säl weardodon;
"þær wäs Hondsció      hild onsæge,
"feorh-bealu fægum,      he fyrmest läg,
"gyrded cempa;      him Grendel wearð,
"mærum magu-þegne      tô mûð-bonan,
"leófes mannes      lîc eall forswealg.
"Nô þý ær ût þâ gen      îdel-hende
"bona blôdig-tôð      bealewa gemyndig,
"of þam gold-sele      gongan wolde,
"ac he mägnes rôf      mîn costode,
"grâpode gearo-folm.      Glôf hangode
"sîd and syllîc      searo-bendum fäst,
"sió wäs orþoncum      eall gegyrwed
"deófles cräftum      and dracan fellum:
"he mec þær on innan      unsynnigne,
"diór dæd-fruma,      gedôn wolde,
"manigra sumne:      hyt ne mihte swâ,
"syððan ic on yrre      upp-riht âstôd.
"Tô lang ys tô reccenne,      hû ic þam leód-sceaðan
"yfla gehwylces      ond-leán forgeald;
"þær ic, þeóden mîn,      þîne leóde
"weorðode weorcum.      He on weg losade,
"lytle hwîle      lîf-wynna breác;
"hwäðre him sió swîðre      swaðe weardade
"hand on Hiorte      and he heán þonan,
"môdes geômor      mere-grund gefeóll.
"Me þone wäl-ræs      wine Scildunga
"fättan golde      fela leánode,
"manegum mâðmum,      syððan mergen com
"and we tô symble      geseten häfdon.
"Þær wäs gidd and gleó;      gomela Scilding
"fela fricgende      feorran rehte;
"hwîlum hilde-deór      hearpan wynne,
"gomen-wudu grêtte;      hwîlum gyd âwräc
"sôð and sârlîc;      hwîlum syllîc spell
"rehte äfter rihte      rûm-heort cyning.
"Hwîlum eft ongan      eldo gebunden,
"gomel gûð-wîga      gioguðe cwîðan
"hilde-strengo;      hreðer inne weóll,
"þonne he wintrum frôd      worn gemunde.
"Swâ we þær inne      andlangne däg
"nióde nâman,      ôð þät niht becwom
"ôðer tô yldum.      Þâ wäs eft hraðe
"gearo gyrn-wräce      Grendeles môdor,
"sîðode sorh-full;      sunu deáð fornam,
"wîg-hete Wedra.      Wîf unhýre
"hyre bearn gewräc,      beorn âcwealde
"ellenlîce;      þær wäs Äsc-here,
"frôdan fyrn-witan,      feorh ûðgenge;
"nôðer hy hine ne môston,      syððan mergen cwom,
"deáð-wêrigne      Denia leóde
"bronde forbärnan,      ne on bæl hladan
"leófne mannan:      hió þät lîc ätbär
"feóndes fäðmum      under firgen-streám.
"Þät wäs Hrôðgâre      hreówa tornost
"þâra þe leód-fruman      lange begeâte;
"þâ se þeóden mec      þîne lîfe
"healsode hreóh-môd,      þät ic on holma geþring
"eorl-scipe efnde,      ealdre genêðde,
"mærðo fremede:      he me mêde gehêt.
"Ic þâ þäs wälmes,      þe is wîde cûð,
"grimne gryrelîcne      grund-hyrde fond.
"Þær unc hwîle wäs      hand gemæne;
"holm heolfre weóll      and ic heáfde becearf
"in þam grund-sele      Grendeles môdor
"eácnum ecgum,      unsôfte þonan
"feorh ôðferede;      näs ic fæge þâ gyt,
"ac me eorla hleó      eft gesealde
"mâðma menigeo,      maga Healfdenes.

XXXI. HE GIVES PRESENTS TO HYGELAC. HYGELAC REWARDS HIM. HYGELAC'S DEATH.
BEÓWULF REIGNS.

"Swâ se þeód-kyning      þeáwum lyfde;
"nealles ic þâm leánum      forloren häfde,
"mägnes mêde,      ac he me mâðmas geaf,
"sunu Healfdenes,      on sînne sylfes dôm;
"þâ ic þe, beorn-cyning,      bringan wylle,
"êstum geýwan.      Gen is eall ät þe
"lissa gelong:      ic lyt hafo
"heáfod-mâga,      nefne Hygelâc þec!"
Hêt þâ in beran      eafor, heáfod-segn,
heaðo-steápne helm,      hâre byrnan,
gûð-sweord geatolîc,      gyd äfter wräc:
"Me þis hilde-sceorp      Hrôðgâr sealde,
"snotra fengel,      sume worde hêt,
"þät ic his ærest      þe eft gesägde,
"cwäð þät hyt häfde      Hiorogâr cyning,
"leód Scyldunga      lange hwîle:
"nô þý ær suna sînum      syllan wolde,
"hwatum Heorowearde,      þeáh he him hold wære,
"breóst-gewædu.      Brûc ealles well!"
Hýrde ic þät þâm frätwum      feówer mearas
lungre gelîce      lâst weardode,
äppel-fealuwe;      he him êst geteáh
meara and mâðma.      Swâ sceal mæg dôn,
nealles inwit-net      ôðrum bregdan,
dyrnum cräfte      deáð rênian
hond-gesteallan.      Hygelâce wäs,
nîða heardum,      nefa swýðe hold
and gehwäðer ôðrum      hrôðra gemyndig.
Hýrde ic þät he þone heals-beáh      Hygde gesealde,
wrätlîcne wundur-mâððum,      þone þe him Wealhþeó geaf,
þeódnes dôhtor,      þrió wicg somod
swancor and sadol-beorht;      hyre syððan wäs
äfter beáh-þege      breóst geweorðod.
Swâ bealdode      bearn Ecgþeówes,
guma gûðum cûð,      gôdum dædum,
dreáh äfter dôme,      nealles druncne slôg
heorð-geneátas;      näs him hreóh sefa,
ac he man-cynnes      mæste cräfte
gin-fästan gife,      þe him god sealde,
heóld hilde-deór.      Heán wäs lange,
swâ hyne Geáta bearn      gôdne ne tealdon,
ne hyne on medo-bence      micles wyrðne
drihten wereda      gedôn wolde;
swýðe oft sägdon,      þät he sleac wære,
äðeling unfrom:      edwenden cwom
tîr-eádigum menn      torna gehwylces.
Hêt þâ eorla hleó      in gefetian,
heaðo-rôf cyning,      Hrêðles lâfe,
golde gegyrede;      näs mid Geátum þâ
sinc-mâððum sêlra      on sweordes hâd;
þät he on Biówulfes      bearm âlegde,
and him gesealde      seofan þûsendo,
bold and brego-stôl.      Him wäs bâm samod
on þam leód-scipe      lond gecynde,
eard êðel-riht,      ôðrum swîðor
sîde rîce,      þam þær sêlra wäs.
Eft þät geiode      ufaran dôgrum
hilde-hlämmum,      syððan Hygelâc läg
and Heardrêde      hilde-mêceas
under bord-hreóðan      tô bonan wurdon,
þâ hyne gesôhtan      on sige-þeóde
hearde hilde-frecan,      Heaðo-Scilfingas,
nîða genægdan      nefan Hererîces.
Syððan Beówulfe      brâde rîce
on hand gehwearf:      he geheóld tela
fîftig wintru      (wäs þâ frôd cyning,
eald êðel-weard),      ôð þät ân ongan
deorcum nihtum      draca rîcsian,
se þe on heáre hæðe      hord beweotode,
stân-beorh steápne:      stîg under läg,
eldum uncûð.      Þær on innan gióng
niða nât-hwylces      neóde gefêng
hæðnum horde      hond . d . . geþ . . hwylc
since fâhne,      he þät syððan . . . . .
. . . þ . . . lð . þ . . l . g
slæpende be fýre,      fyrena hyrde
þeófes cräfte,      þät sie . . . . ðioð . . . . .
. idh . folc-beorn,      þät he gebolgen wäs.

XXXII. THE FIRE-DRAKE. THE HOARD.

Nealles mid geweoldum      wyrm-horda . . . cräft
sôhte sylfes willum,      se þe him sâre gesceôd,
ac for þreá-nêdlan      þeów nât-hwylces
häleða bearna      hete-swengeas fleáh,
for ofer-þearfe      and þær inne fealh
secg syn-bysig.      Sôna in þâ tîde
þät . . . . . þam gyste      . . . . br . g . stôd,
hwäðre earm-sceapen . . . . . . .
. . ð . . . sceapen o . . . . i r . . e se fæs begeat,
sinc-fät geseah:      þær wäs swylcra fela
in þam eorð-scräfe      ær-gestreóna,
swâ hy on geâr-dagum      gumena nât-hwylc
eormen-lâfe      äðelan cynnes
þanc-hycgende      þær gehýdde,
deóre mâðmas.      Ealle hie deáð fornam
ærran mælum,      and se ân þâ gen
leóda duguðe,      se þær lengest hwearf,
weard wine-geômor      wîscte þäs yldan,
þät he lytel fäc      long-gestreóna
brûcan môste.      Beorh eal gearo
wunode on wonge      wäter-ýðum neáh,
niwe be nässe      nearo-cräftum fäst:
þær on innan bär      eorl-gestreóna
hringa hyrde      hard-fyrdne dæl
fättan goldes,      feá worda cwäð:
"Heald þu nu, hruse,      nu häleð ne môston,
"eorla æhte.      Hwät! hit ær on þe
"gôde begeâton;      gûð-deáð fornam,
"feorh-bealo frêcne      fyra gehwylcne,
"leóda mînra,      þâra þe þis lîf ofgeaf,
"gesâwon sele-dreám.      Nâh hwâ sweord wege
"oððe fetige      fäted wæge,
"drync-fät deóre:      duguð ellor scôc.
"Sceal se hearda helm      hyrsted golde
"fätum befeallen:      feormiend swefað,
"þâ þe beado-grîman      býwan sceoldon,
"ge swylce seó here-pâd,      sió ät hilde gebâd
"ofer borda gebräc      bite îrena,
"brosnað äfter beorne.      Ne mäg byrnan hring
"äfter wîg-fruman      wîde fêran
"häleðum be healfe;      näs hearpan wyn,
"gomen gleó-beámes,      ne gôd hafoc
"geond säl swingeð,      ne se swifta mearh
"burh-stede beáteð.      Bealo-cwealm hafað
"fela feorh-cynna      feorr onsended!"
Swâ giômor-môd      giohðo mænde,
ân äfter eallum      unblîðe hweóp,
däges and nihtes,      ôð þät deáðes wylm
hrân ät heortan.      Hord-wynne fond
eald uht-sceaða      opene standan,
se þe byrnende      biorgas sêceð
nacod nîð-draca,      nihtes fleógeð
fýre befangen;      hyne fold-bûend
wîde gesâwon.      He gewunian sceall
hlâw under hrusan,      þær he hæðen gold
warað wintrum frôd;      ne byð him wihte þê sêl.
Swâ se þeód-sceaða      þreó hund wintra
heóld on hrusan      hord-ärna sum
eácen-cräftig,      ôð þät hyne ân âbealh
mon on môde:      man-dryhtne bär
fäted wæge,      frioðo-wære bäd
hlâford sînne.      Þâ wäs hord râsod,
onboren beága hord,      bêne getîðad
feá-sceaftum men.      Freá sceáwode
fira fyrn-geweorc      forman sîðe.
Þâ se wyrm onwôc,      wrôht wäs geniwad;
stonc þâ äfter stâne,      stearc-heort onfand
feóndes fôt-lâst;      he tô forð gestôp,
dyrnan cräfte,      dracan heáfde neáh.
Swâ mäg unfæge      eáðe gedîgan
weán and wräc-sîð,      se þe waldendes
hyldo gehealdeð.      Hord-weard sôhte
georne äfter grunde,      wolde guman findan,
þone þe him on sweofote      sâre geteóde:
hât and hreóh-môd      hlæw oft ymbe hwearf,
ealne ûtan-weardne;      ne þær ænig mon
wäs on þære wêstenne.      Hwäðre hilde gefeh,
beado-weorces:      hwîlum on beorh äthwearf,
sinc-fät sôhte;      he þät sôna onfand,
þät häfde gumena sum      goldes gefandod
heáh-gestreóna.      Hord-weard onbâd
earfoðlîce,      ôð þät æfen cwom;
wäs þâ gebolgen      beorges hyrde,
wolde se lâða      lîge forgyldan
drinc-fät dýre.      Þâ wäs däg sceacen
wyrme on willan,      nô on wealle leng
bîdan wolde,      ac mid bæle fôr,
fýre gefýsed.      Wäs se fruma egeslîc
leódum on lande,      swâ hyt lungre wearð
on hyra sinc-gifan      sâre geendod.

XXXIII. BEOWULF RESOLVES TO KILL THE FIRE-DRAKE.

Þâ se gäst ongan      glêdum spîwan,
beorht hofu bärnan;      bryne-leóma stôd
eldum on andan;      nô þær âht cwices
lâð lyft-floga      læfan wolde.
Wäs þäs wyrmes wîg      wîde gesýne,
nearo-fâges nîð      neán and feorran,
hû se gûð-sceaða      Geáta leóde
hatode and hýnde:      hord eft gesceát,
dryht-sele dyrnne      ær däges hwîle.
Häfde land-wara      lîge befangen,
bæle and bronde;      beorges getrûwode,
wîges and wealles:      him seó wên geleáh.
Þâ wäs Biówulfe      brôga gecýðed
snûde tô sôðe,      þät his sylfes him
bolda sêlest      bryne-wylmum mealt,
gif-stôl Geáta.      Þät þam gôdan wäs
hreów on hreðre,      hyge-sorga mæst:
wênde se wîsa,      þät he wealdende,
ofer ealde riht,      êcean dryhtne
bitre gebulge:      breóst innan weóll
þeóstrum geþoncum,      swâ him geþýwe ne wäs.
Häfde lîg-draca      leóda fästen,
eá-lond ûtan,      eorð-weard þone
glêdum forgrunden.      Him þäs gûð-cyning,
Wedera þióden,      wräce leornode.
Hêht him þâ gewyrcean      wîgendra hleó
eall-îrenne,      eorla dryhten
wîg-bord wrätlîc;      wisse he gearwe,
þät him holt-wudu      helpan ne meahte,
lind wið lîge.      Sceolde læn-daga
äðeling ær-gôd      ende gebîdan
worulde lîfes      and se wyrm somod;
þeáh þe hord-welan      heólde lange.
Oferhogode þâ      hringa fengel,
þät he þone wîd-flogan      weorode gesôhte,
sîdan herge;      nô he him þâ säcce ondrêd,
ne him þäs wyrmes wîg      for wiht dyde,
eafoð and ellen;      forþon he ær fela
nearo nêðende      nîða gedîgde,
hilde-hlemma,      syððan he Hrôðgâres,
sigor-eádig secg,      sele fælsode
and ät gûðe forgrâp      Grendeles mægum,
lâðan cynnes.      Nô þät läsest wäs
hond-gemota,      þær mon Hygelâc slôh,
syððan Geáta cyning      gûðe ræsum,
freá-wine folces      Freslondum on,
Hrêðles eafora      hioro-dryncum swealt,
bille gebeáten;      þonan Biówulf com
sylfes cräfte,      sund-nytte dreáh;
+ häfde him on earme      ... XXX
hilde-geatwa,      þâ he tô holme stâg.
Nealles Hetware      hrêmge þorfton
fêðe-wîges,      þe him foran ongeán
linde bæron:      lyt eft becwom
fram þam hild-frecan      hâmes niósan.
Oferswam þâ sióleða bigong      sunu Ecgþeówes,
earm ân-haga      eft tô leódum,
þær him Hygd gebeád      hord and rîce,
beágas and brego-stôl:      bearne ne trûwode,
þät he wið äl-fylcum      êðel-stôlas
healdan cûðe,      þâ wäs Hygelâc deád.
Nô þý ær feá-sceafte      findan meahton
ät þam äðelinge      ænige þinga,
þät he Heardrêde      hlâford wære,
oððe þone cyne-dôm      ciósan wolde;
hwäðre he him on folce      freónd-lârum heóld,
êstum mid âre,      ôð þät he yldra wearð,
Weder-Geátum weóld.      Hyne wräc-mäcgas
ofer sæ sôhtan,      suna Ôhteres:
häfdon hy forhealden      helm Scylfinga,
þone sêlestan      sæ-cyninga,
þâra þe in Swió-rîce      sinc brytnade,
mærne þeóden.      Him þät tô mearce wearð;
he þær orfeorme      feorh-wunde hleát
sweordes swengum,      sunu Hygelâces;
and him eft gewât      Ongenþiówes bearn
hâmes niósan,      syððan Heardrêd läg;
lêt þone brego-stôl      Biówulf healdan,
Geátum wealdan:      þät wäs gôd cyning.

XXXIV. RETROSPECT OF BEÓWULF.--STRIFE BETWEEN SWEONAS AND GEATAS.

Se þäs leód-hryres      leán gemunde
uferan dôgrum,      Eádgilse wearð
feá-sceaftum feónd.      Folce gestepte
ofer sæ sîde      sunu Ôhteres
wîgum and wæpnum:      he gewräc syððan
cealdum cear-sîðum,      cyning ealdre bineát.
Swâ he nîða gehwane      genesen häfde,
slîðra geslyhta,      sunu Ecgþiówes,
ellen-weorca,      ôð þone ânne däg,
þe he wið þam wyrme      gewegan sceolde.
Gewât þâ twelfa sum      torne gebolgen
dryhten Geáta      dracan sceáwian;
häfde þâ gefrunen,      hwanan sió fæhð ârâs,
bealo-nîð biorna;      him tô bearme cwom
mâððum-fät mære      þurh þäs meldan hond,
Se wäs on þam þreáte      þreotteoða secg,
se þäs orleges      ôr onstealde,
häft hyge-giômor,      sceolde heán þonon
wong wîsian:      he ofer willan gióng
tô þäs þe he eorð-sele      ânne wisse,
hlæw under hrusan      holm-wylme nêh,
ýð-gewinne,      se wäs innan full
wrätta and wîra:      weard unhióre,
gearo gûð-freca,      gold-mâðmas heóld,
eald under eorðan;      näs þät ýðe ceáp,
tô gegangenne      gumena ænigum.
Gesät þâ on nässe      nîð-heard cyning,
þenden hælo âbeád      heorð-geneátum
gold-wine Geáta:      him wäs geômor sefa,
wäfre and wäl-fûs,      Wyrd ungemete neáh,
se þone gomelan      grêtan sceolde,
sêcean sâwle hord,      sundur gedælan
lîf wið lîce:      nô þon lange wäs
feorh äðelinges      flæsce bewunden.
Biówulf maðelade,      bearn Ecgþeówes:
"Fela ic on giogoðe      guð-ræsa genäs,
"orleg-hwîla:      ic þät eall gemon.
"Ic wäs syfan-wintre,      þâ mec sinca baldor,
"freá-wine folca      ät mînum fäder genam,
"heóld mec and häfde      Hrêðel cyning,
"geaf me sinc and symbel,      sibbe gemunde;
"näs ic him tô lîfe      lâðra ôwihte
"beorn in burgum,      þonne his bearna hwylc,
"Herebeald and Hæðcyn,      oððe Hygelâc mîn.
"Wäs þam yldestan      ungedêfelîce
"mæges dædum      morðor-bed strêd,
"syððan hyne Hæðcyn      of horn-bogan,
"his freá-wine      flâne geswencte,
"miste mercelses      and his mæg ofscêt,
"brôðor ôðerne,      blôdigan gâre:
"þät wäs feoh-leás gefeoht,      fyrenum gesyngad
"hreðre hyge-mêðe;      sceolde hwäðre swâ þeáh
"äðeling unwrecen      ealdres linnan.
"Swâ bið geômorlîc      gomelum ceorle
"tô gebîdanne,      þät his byre rîde
"giong on galgan,      þonne he gyd wrece,
"sârigne sang,      þonne his sunu hangað
"hrefne tô hrôðre      and he him helpe ne mäg,
"eald and in-frôd,      ænige gefremman.
"Symble bið gemyndgad      morna gehwylce
"eaforan ellor-sîð;      ôðres ne gýmeð
"tô gebîdanne      burgum on innan
"yrfe-weardes,      þonne se ân hafað
"þurh deáðes nýd      dæda gefondad.
"Gesyhð sorh-cearig      on his suna bûre
"wîn-sele wêstne,      wind-gereste,
"reóte berofene;      rîdend swefað
"häleð in hoðman;      nis þær hearpan swêg,
"gomen in geardum,      swylce þær iú wæron.

XXXV. MEMORIES OF PAST TIME.--THE FEUD WITH THE FIRE-DRAKE.

"Gewîteð þonne on sealman,      sorh-leóð gäleð
"ân äfter ânum:      þûhte him eall tô rûm,
"wongas and wîc-stede.      Swâ Wedra helm
"äfter Herebealde      heortan sorge
"weallende wäg,      wihte ne meahte
"on þam feorh-bonan      fæhðe gebêtan:
"nô þý ær he þone heaðo-rinc      hatian ne meahte
"lâðum dædum,      þeáh him leóf ne wäs.
"He þâ mid þære sorge,      þe him sió sâr belamp,
"gum-dreám ofgeaf,      godes leóht geceás;
"eaferum læfde,      swâ dêð eádig mon,
"lond and leód-byrig,      þâ he of lîfe gewât.
"Þâ wäs synn and sacu      Sweona and Geáta,
"ofer wîd wäter      wrôht gemæne,
"here-nîð hearda,      syððan Hrêðel swealt,
"oððe him Ongenþeówes      eaferan wæran
"frome fyrd-hwate,      freóde ne woldon
"ofer heafo healdan,      ac ymb Hreosna-beorh
"eatolne inwit-scear      oft gefremedon.
"Þät mæg-wine      mîne gewræcan,
"fæhðe and fyrene,      swâ hyt gefræge wäs,
"þeáh þe ôðer hit      ealdre gebohte,
"heardan ceápe:      Hæðcynne wearð,
"Geáta dryhtne,      gûð onsæge.
"Þâ ic on morgne gefrägn      mæg ôðerne
"billes ecgum      on bonan stælan,
"þær Ongenþeów      Eofores niósade:
"gûð-helm tôglâd,      gomela Scylfing
"hreás heoro-blâc;      hond gemunde
"fæhðo genôge,      feorh-sweng ne ofteáh.
"Ic him þâ mâðmas,      þe he me sealde,
"geald ät gûðe,      swâ me gifeðe wäs,
"leóhtan sweorde:      he me lond forgeaf,
"eard êðel-wyn.      Näs him ænig þearf,
"þät he tô Gifðum      oððe tô Gâr-Denum
"oððe in Swió-rîce      sêcean þurfe
"wyrsan wîg-frecan,      weorðe gecýpan;
"symle ic him on fêðan      beforan wolde,
"âna on orde,      and swâ tô aldre sceall
"säcce fremman,      þenden þis sweord þolað,
"þät mec ær and sîð      oft gelæste,
"syððan ic for dugeðum      Däghrefne wearð
"tô hand-bonan,      Hûga cempan:
"nalles he þâ frätwe      Fres-cyninge,
"breóst-weorðunge      bringan môste,
"ac in campe gecrong      cumbles hyrde,
"äðeling on elne.      Ne wäs ecg bona,
"ac him hilde-grâp      heortan wylmas,
"bân-hûs gebräc.      Nu sceall billes ecg,
"hond and heard sweord      ymb hord wîgan."
Beówulf maðelode,      beót-wordum spräc
niéhstan sîðe:      "Ic genêðde fela
"gûða on geogoðe;      gyt ic wylle,
"frôd folces weard,      fæhðe sêcan,
"mærðum fremman,      gif mec se mân-sceaða
"of eorð-sele      ût gesêceð!"
Gegrêtte þâ      gumena gehwylcne,
hwate helm-berend      hindeman sîðe,
swæse gesîðas:      "Nolde ic sweord beran,
"wæpen tô wyrme,      gif ic wiste hû
"wið þam aglæcean      elles meahte
"gylpe wiðgrîpan,      swâ ic gió wið Grendle dyde;
"ac ic þær heaðu-fýres      hâtes wêne,
"rêðes and-hâttres:      forþon ic me on hafu
"bord and byrnan.      Nelle ic beorges weard
"oferfleón fôtes trem,      feónd unhýre,
"ac unc sceal weorðan ät wealle,      swâ unc Wyrd geteóð,
"metod manna gehwäs.      Ic eom on môde from,
"þät ic wið þone gûð-flogan      gylp ofersitte.
"Gebîde ge on beorge      byrnum werede,
"secgas on searwum,      hwäðer sêl mæge
"äfter wäl-ræse      wunde gedýgan
"uncer twega.      Nis þät eówer sîð,
"ne gemet mannes,      nefne mîn ânes,
"þät he wið aglæcean      eofoðo dæle,
"eorl-scype efne.      Ic mid elne sceall
"gold gegangan      oððe gûð nimeð,
"feorh-bealu frêcne,      freán eówerne!"
Ârâs þâ bî ronde      rôf oretta,
heard under helm,      hioro-sercean bär
under stân-cleofu,      strengo getrûwode
ânes mannes:      ne bið swylc earges sîð.
Geseah þâ be wealle,      se þe worna fela,
gum-cystum gôd,      gûða gedîgde,
hilde-hlemma,      þonne hnitan fêðan,
(stôd on stân-bogan)      streám ût þonan
brecan of beorge;      wäs þære burnan wälm
heaðo-fýrum hât:      ne meahte horde neáh
unbyrnende      ænige hwîle
deóp gedýgan      for dracan lêge.
Lêt þâ of breóstum,      þâ he gebolgen wäs,
Weder-Geáta leód      word ût faran,
stearc-heort styrmde;      stefn in becom
heaðo-torht hlynnan      under hârne stân.
Hete wäs onhrêred,      hord-weard oncniów
mannes reorde;      näs þær mâra fyrst,
freóde tô friclan.      From ærest cwom
oruð aglæcean      ût of stâne,
hât hilde-swât;      hruse dynede.
Biorn under beorge      bord-rand onswâf
wið þam gryre-gieste,      Geáta dryhten:
þâ wäs hring-bogan      heorte gefýsed
säcce tô sêceanne.      Sweord ær gebräd
gôd gûð-cyning      gomele lâfe,
ecgum ungleáw,      æghwäðrum wäs
bealo-hycgendra      brôga fram ôðrum.
Stîð-môd gestôd      wið steápne rond
winia bealdor,      þâ se wyrm gebeáh
snûde tôsomne:      he on searwum bâd.
Gewât þâ byrnende      gebogen scrîðan tô,
gescîfe scyndan.      Scyld wel gebearg
lîfe and lîce      lässan hwîle
mærum þeódne,      þonne his myne sôhte,
þær he þý fyrste      forman dôgore
wealdan môste,      swâ him Wyrd ne gescrâf
hrêð ät hilde.      Hond up âbräd
Geáta dryhten,      gryre-fâhne slôh
incge lâfe,      þät sió ecg gewâc
brûn on bâne,      bât unswîðor,
þonne his þiód-cyning      þearfe häfde,
bysigum gebæded.      Þâ wäs beorges weard
äfter heaðu-swenge      on hreóum môde,
wearp wäl-fýre,      wîde sprungon
hilde-leóman:      hrêð-sigora ne gealp
gold-wine Geáta,      gûð-bill geswâc
nacod ät nîðe,      swâ hyt nô sceolde,
îren ær-gôd.      Ne wäs þät êðe sîð,
þät se mæra      maga Ecgþeówes
grund-wong þone      ofgyfan wolde;
sceolde wyrmes willan      wîc eardian
elles hwergen,      swâ sceal æghwylc mon
âlætan læn-dagas.      Näs þâ long tô þon,
þät þâ aglæcean      hy eft gemêtton.
Hyrte hyne hord-weard,      hreðer æðme weóll,
niwan stefne:      nearo þrowode
fýre befongen      se þe ær folce weóld.
Nealles him on heápe      hand-gesteallan,
äðelinga bearn      ymbe gestôdon
hilde-cystum,      ac hy on holt bugon,
ealdre burgan.      Hiora in ânum weóll
sefa wið sorgum:      sibb æfre ne mäg
wiht onwendan,      þam þe wel þenceð.

XXXVI. WIGLAF HELPS BEÓWULF IN THE FEUD.

Wîglâf wäs hâten      Weoxstânes sunu,
leóflîc lind-wiga,      leód Scylfinga,
mæg Älfheres:      geseah his mon-dryhten
under here-grîman      hât þrowian.
Gemunde þâ þâ âre,      þe he him ær forgeaf
wîc-stede weligne      Wægmundinga,
folc-rihta gehwylc,      swâ his fäder âhte;
ne mihte þâ forhabban,      hond rond gefêng,
geolwe linde,      gomel swyrd geteáh,
þät wäs mid eldum      Eánmundes lâf,
suna Ôhteres,      þam ät säcce wearð
wracu wine-leásum      Weohstânes bana
mêces ecgum,      and his mâgum ätbär
brûn-fâgne helm,      hringde byrnan,
eald sweord eotonisc,      þät him Onela forgeaf,
his gädelinges      gûð-gewædu,
fyrd-searo fûslîc:      nô ymbe þâ fæhðe spräc,
þeáh þe he his brôðor      bearn âbredwade.
He frätwe geheóld      fela missera,
bill and byrnan,      ôð þät his byre mihte
eorl-scipe efnan,      swâ his ær-fäder;
geaf him þâ mid Geátum      gûð-gewæda
æghwäs unrîm;      þâ he of ealdre gewât,
frôd on forð-weg.      Þâ wäs forma sîð
geongan cempan,      þät he gûðe ræs
mid his freó-dryhtne      fremman sceolde;
ne gemealt him se môd-sefa,      ne his mæges lâf
gewâc ät wîge:      þät se wyrm onfand,
syððan hie tôgädre      gegân häfdon.
Wîglâf maðelode      word-rihta fela,
sägde gesîðum,      him wäs sefa geômor:
"Ic þät mæl geman,      þær we medu þêgun,
"þonne we gehêton      ûssum hlâforde
"in biór-sele,      þe ûs þâs beágas geaf,
"þät we him þâ gûð-geatwa      gyldan woldon,
"gif him þyslîcu      þearf gelumpe,
"helmas and heard sweord:      þê he ûsic on herge geceás
"tô þyssum sîð-fate      sylfes willum,
"onmunde ûsic mærða      and me þâs mâðmas geaf,
"þê he ûsic gâr-wîgend      gôde tealde,
"hwate helm-berend,      þeáh þe hlâford ûs
"þis ellen-weorc      âna âþôhte
"tô gefremmanne,      folces hyrde,
"forþam he manna mæst      mærða gefremede,
"dæda dollîcra.      Nu is se däg cumen,
"þät ûre man-dryhten      mägenes behôfað
"gôdra gûð-rinca:      wutun gangan tô,
"helpan hild-fruman,      þenden hyt sý,
"glêd-egesa grim!      God wât on mec,
"þät me is micle leófre,      þät mînne lîc-haman
"mid mînne gold-gyfan      glêd fäðmie.
"Ne þynceð me gerysne,      þät we rondas beren
"eft tô earde,      nemne we æror mægen
"fâne gefyllan,      feorh ealgian
"Wedra þiódnes.      Ic wât geare,
"þät næron eald-gewyrht,      þät he âna scyle
"Geáta duguðe      gnorn þrowian,
"gesîgan ät säcce:      sceal ûrum þät sweord and helm,
"byrne and byrdu-scrûd      bâm gemæne."
Wôd þâ þurh þone wäl-rêc,      wîg-heafolan bär
freán on fultum,      feá worda cwäð:
"Leófa Biówulf,      læst eall tela,
"swâ þu on geoguð-feore      geâra gecwæde,
"þät þu ne âlæte      be þe lifigendum
"dôm gedreósan:      scealt nu dædum rôf,
"äðeling ân-hydig,      ealle mägene
"feorh ealgian;      ic þe fullæstu!"
Äfter þâm wordum      wyrm yrre cwom,
atol inwit-gäst      ôðre sîðe,
fýr-wylmum fâh      fiónda niósan,
lâðra manna;      lîg-ýðum forborn
bord wið ronde:      byrne ne meahte
geongum gâr-wigan      geóce gefremman:
ac se maga geonga      under his mæges scyld
elne geeode,      þâ his âgen wäs
glêdum forgrunden.      Þâ gen gûð-cyning
mærða gemunde,      mägen-strengo,
slôh hilde-bille,      þät hyt on heafolan stôd
nîðe genýded:      Nägling forbärst,
geswâc ät säcce      sweord Biówulfes
gomol and græg-mæl.      Him þät gifeðe ne wäs,
þät him îrenna      ecge mihton
helpan ät hilde;      wäs sió hond tô strong,
se þe mêca gehwane      mîne gefræge
swenge ofersôhte,      þonne he tô säcce bär
wæpen wundrum heard,      näs him wihte þê sêl.
Þâ wäs þeód-sceaða      þriddan sîðe,
frêcne fýr-draca      fæhða gemyndig,
ræsde on þone rôfan,      þâ him rûm âgeald,
hât and heaðo-grim,      heals ealne ymbefêng
biteran bânum;      he geblôdegod wearð
sâwul-drióre;      swât ýðum weóll.

XXXVII. BEÓWULF WOUNDED TO DEATH.

Þâ ic ät þearfe gefrägn      þeód-cyninges
and-longne eorl      ellen cýðan,
cräft and cênðu,      swâ him gecynde wäs;
ne hêdde he þäs heafolan,      ac sió hand gebarn
môdiges mannes,      þær he his mæges healp,
þät he þone nîð-gäst      nioðor hwêne slôh,
secg on searwum,      þät þät sweord gedeáf
fâh and fäted,      þät þät fýr ongon
sweðrian syððan.      Þâ gen sylf cyning
geweóld his gewitte,      wäll-seaxe gebräd,
biter and beadu-scearp,      þät he on byrnan wäg:
forwrât Wedra helm       wyrm on middan.
Feónd gefyldan      (ferh ellen wräc),
and hi hyne þâ begen      âbroten häfdon,
sib-äðelingas:      swylc sceolde secg wesan,
þegn ät þearfe.      Þät þam þeódne wäs
sîðast sîge-hwîle      sylfes dædum,
worlde geweorces.      Þâ sió wund ongon,
þe him se eorð-draca      ær geworhte,
swêlan and swellan.      He þät sôna onfand,
þät him on breóstum      bealo-nîð weóll,
âttor on innan.      Þâ se äðeling gióng,
þät he bî wealle,      wîs-hycgende,
gesät on sesse;      seah on enta geweorc,
hû þâ stân-bogan      stapulum fäste
êce eorð-reced      innan heóldon.
Hyne þâ mid handa      heoro-dreórigne
þeóden mærne      þegn ungemete till,
wine-dryhten his      wätere gelafede,
hilde-sädne      and his helm onspeón.
Biówulf maðelode,      he ofer benne spräc,
wunde wäl-bleáte      (wisse he gearwe,
þät he däg-hwîla      gedrogen häfde
eorðan wynne;      þâ wäs eall sceacen
dôgor-gerîmes,      deáð ungemete neáh):
"Nu ic suna mînum      syllan wolde
"gûð-gewædu,      þær me gifeðe swâ
"ænig yrfe-weard      äfter wurde,
"lîce gelenge.      Ic þâs leóde heóld
"fîftig wintra:      näs se folc-cyning
"ymbe-sittendra      ænig þâra,
"þe mec gûð-winum      grêtan dorste,
"egesan þeón.      Ic on earde bâd
"mæl-gesceafta,      heóld mîn tela,
"ne sôhte searo-nîðas,      ne me swôr fela
"âða on unriht.      Ic þäs ealles mäg,
"feorh-bennum seóc,      gefeán habban:
"forþam me wîtan ne þearf      waldend fira
"morðor-bealo mâga,      þonne mîn sceaceð
"lîf of lîce.      Nu þu lungre
"geong, hord sceáwian      under hârne stân,
"Wîglâf leófa,      nu se wyrm ligeð,
"swefeð sâre wund,      since bereáfod.
"Bió nu on ôfoste,      þät ic ær-welan,
"gold-æht ongite,      gearo sceáwige
"swegle searo-gimmas,      þät ic þý sêft mæge
"äfter mâððum-welan      mîn âlætan
"lîf and leód-scipe,      þone ic longe heóld."

XXXVIII. THE JEWEL-HOARD. THE PASSING OF BEOWULF.

Þâ ic snûde gefrägn      sunu Wihstânes
äfter word-cwydum      wundum dryhtne
hýran heaðo-siócum,      hring-net beran,
brogdne beadu-sercean      under beorges hrôf.
Geseah þâ sige-hrêðig,      þâ he bî sesse geóng,
mago-þegn môdig      mâððum-sigla fela,
gold glitinian      grunde getenge,
wundur on wealle      and þäs wyrmes denn,
ealdes uht-flogan,      orcas stondan,
fyrn-manna fatu      feormend-leáse,
hyrstum behrorene:      þær wäs helm monig,
eald and ômig,      earm-beága fela,
searwum gesæled.      Sinc eáðe mäg,
gold on grunde,      gumena cynnes
gehwone ofer-higian,      hýde se þe wylle!
Swylce he siomian geseah      segn eall-gylden
heáh ofer horde,      hond-wundra mæst,
gelocen leoðo-cräftum:      of þam leóma stôd,
þät he þone grund-wong      ongitan meahte,
wräte giond-wlîtan.      Näs þäs wyrmes þær
onsýn ænig,      ac hyne ecg fornam.
Þâ ic on hlæwe      gefrägn hord reáfian,
eald enta geweorc      ânne mannan,
him on bearm hladan      bunan and discas
sylfes dôme,      segn eác genom,
beácna beorhtost;      bill ær-gescôd
(ecg wäs îren)      eald-hlâfordes
þam þâra mâðma      mund-bora wäs
longe hwîle,      lîg-egesan wäg
hâtne for horde,      hioro-weallende,
middel-nihtum,      ôð þät he morðre swealt.
Âr wäs on ôfoste      eft-sîðes georn,
frätwum gefyrðred:      hyne fyrwet bräc,
hwäðer collen-ferð      cwicne gemêtte
in þam wong-stede      Wedra þeóden,
ellen-siócne,      þær he hine ær forlêt.
He þâ mid þâm mâðmum      mærne þióden,
dryhten sînne      driórigne fand
ealdres ät ende:      he hine eft ongon
wäteres weorpan,      ôð þät wordes ord
breóst-hord þurhbräc.      Beówulf maðelode,
gomel on giohðe      (gold sceáwode):
"Ic þâra frätwa      freán ealles þanc
"wuldur-cyninge      wordum secge,
"êcum dryhtne,      þe ic her on starie,
"þäs þe ic môste      mînum leódum
"ær swylt-däge      swylc gestrýnan.
"Nu ic on mâðma hord      mîne bebohte
"frôde feorh-lege,      fremmað ge nu
"leóda þearfe;      ne mäg ic her leng wesan.
"Hâtað heaðo-mære      hlæw gewyrcean,
"beorhtne äfter bæle      ät brimes nosan;
"se scel tô gemyndum      mînum leódum
"heáh hlifian      on Hrones nässe,
"þät hit sæ-lîðend      syððan hâtan
"Biówulfes biorh,      þâ þe brentingas
"ofer flôda genipu      feorran drîfað."
Dyde him of healse      hring gyldenne
þióden þrîst-hydig,      þegne gesealde,
geongum gâr-wigan,      gold-fâhne helm,
beáh and byrnan,      hêt hyne brûcan well:
"Þu eart ende-lâf      ûsses cynnes,
"Wægmundinga;      ealle Wyrd forsweóf,
"mîne mâgas      tô metod-sceafte,
"eorlas on elne:      ic him äfter sceal."
Þät wäs þam gomelan      gingeste word
breóst-gehygdum,      ær he bæl cure,
hâte heaðo-wylmas:      him of hreðre gewât
sâwol sêcean      sôð-fästra dôm.

XXXIX. THE COWARD-THANES.

Þâ wäs gegongen      guman unfrôdum
earfoðlîce,      þät he on eorðan geseah
þone leófestan      lîfes ät ende
bleáte gebæran.      Bona swylce läg,
egeslîc eorð-draca,      ealdre bereáfod,
bealwe gebæded:      beáh-hordum leng
wyrm woh-bogen      wealdan ne môste,
ac him îrenna      ecga fornâmon,
hearde heaðo-scearpe      homera lâfe,
þät se wîd-floga      wundum stille
hreás on hrusan      hord-ärne neáh,
nalles äfter lyfte      lâcende hwearf
middel-nihtum,      mâðm-æhta wlonc
ansýn ýwde:      ac he eorðan gefeóll
for þäs hild-fruman      hond-geweorce.
Hûru þät on lande      lyt manna þâh
mägen-âgendra      mîne gefræge,
þeáh þe he dæda gehwäs      dyrstig wære,
þät he wið âttor-sceaðan      oreðe geræsde,
oððe hring-sele      hondum styrede,
gif he wäccende      weard onfunde
bûan on beorge.      Biówulfe wearð
dryht-mâðma dæl      deáðe forgolden;
häfde æghwäðer      ende gefêred
lænan lîfes.      Näs þâ lang tô þon,
þät þâ hild-latan      holt ofgêfan,
tydre treów-logan      tyne ätsomne,
þâ ne dorston ær      dareðum lâcan
on hyra man-dryhtnes      miclan þearfe;
ac hy scamiende      scyldas bæran,
gûð-gewædu,      þær se gomela läg:
wlitan on Wîglâf.      He gewêrgad sät,
fêðe-cempa      freán eaxlum neáh,
wehte hyne wätre;      him wiht ne speów;
ne meahte he on eorðan,      þeáh he ûðe wel,
on þam frum-gâre      feorh gehealdan,
ne þäs wealdendes willan      wiht oncirran;
wolde dôm godes      dædum rædan
gumena gehwylcum,      swâ he nu gen dêð.
Þâ wäs ät þam geongan      grim andswaru
êð-begête þâm þe ær      his elne forleás.
Wîglâf maðelode,      Weohstânes sunu,
secg sârig-ferð      seah on unleófe:
"Þät lâ mäg secgan,      se þe wyle sôð sprecan,
"þät se mon-dryhten,      se eów þâ mâðmas geaf,
"eóred-geatwe,      þe ge þær on standað,
"þonne he on ealu-bence      oft gesealde
"heal-sittendum      helm and byrnan,
"þeóden his þegnum,      swylce he þryðlîcost
"ôhwær feor oððe neáh      findan meahte,
"þät he genunga      gûð-gewædu
"wrâðe forwurpe.      Þâ hyne wîg beget,
"nealles folc-cyning      fyrd-gesteallum
"gylpan þorfte;      hwäðre him god ûðe,
"sigora waldend,      þät he hyne sylfne gewräc
"âna mid ecge,      þâ him wäs elnes þearf,
"Ic him lîf-wraðe      lytle meahte
"ätgifan ät gûðe      and ongan swâ þeáh
"ofer mîn gemet      mæges helpan:
"symle wäs þý sæmra,      þonne ic sweorde drep
"ferhð-genîðlan,      fýr unswîðor
"weóll of gewitte.      Wergendra tô lyt
"þrong ymbe þeóden,      þâ hyne sió þrag becwom.
"Nu sceal sinc-þego      and swyrd-gifu
"eall êðel-wyn      eówrum cynne,
"lufen âlicgean:      lond-rihtes môt
"þære mæg-burge      monna æghwylc
"îdel hweorfan,      syððan äðelingas
"feorran gefricgean      fleám eówerne,
"dôm-leásan dæd.      Deáð bið sêlla
"eorla gehwylcum      þonne edwît-lîf!"

XL. THE SOLDIER'S DIRGE AND PROPHECY.

Hêht þâ þät heaðo-weorc      tô hagan biódan
up ofer êg-clif,      þær þät eorl-weorod
morgen-longne däg      môd-giômor sät,
bord-häbbende,      bega on wênum
ende-dôgores      and eft-cymes
leófes monnes.      Lyt swîgode
niwra spella,      se þe näs gerâd,
ac he sôðlîce      sägde ofer ealle;
"Nu is wil-geofa      Wedra leóda,
"dryhten Geáta      deáð-bedde fäst,
"wunað wäl-reste      wyrmes dædum;
"him on efn ligeð      ealdor-gewinna,
"siex-bennum seóc:      sweorde ne meahte
"on þam aglæcean      ænige þinga
"wunde gewyrcean.      Wîglâf siteð
"ofer Biówulfe,      byre Wihstânes,
"eorl ofer ôðrum      unlifigendum,
"healdeð hige-mêðum      heáfod-wearde
"leófes and lâðes.      Nu ys leódum wên
"orleg-hwîle,      syððan underne
"Froncum and Frysum      fyll cyninges
"wîde weorðeð.      Wäs sió wrôht scepen
"heard wið Hûgas,      syððan Higelâc cwom
"faran flot-herge      on Fresna land,
"þær hyne Hetware      hilde gehnægdon,
"elne geeodon      mid ofer-mägene,
"þät se byrn-wîga      bûgan sceolde,
"feóll on fêðan:      nalles frätwe geaf
"ealdor dugoðe;      ûs wäs â syððan
"Merewioinga      milts ungyfeðe.
"Ne ic tô Sweó-þeóde      sibbe oððe treówe
"wihte ne wêne;      ac wäs wîde cûð,
"þätte Ongenþió      ealdre besnyðede
"Hæðcyn Hrêðling      wið Hrefna-wudu,
"þâ for on-mêdlan      ærest gesôhton
"Geáta leóde      Gûð-scilfingas.
"Sôna him se frôda      fäder Ôhtheres,
"eald and eges-full      ond-slyht âgeaf,
"âbreót brim-wîsan,      brýd âheórde,
"gomela ió-meowlan      golde berofene,
"Onelan môdor      and Ôhtheres,
"and þâ folgode      feorh-genîðlan
"ôð þät hî ôðeodon      earfoðlîce
"in Hrefnes-holt      hlâford-leáse.
"Besät þâ sin-herge      sweorda lâfe
"wundum wêrge,      weán oft gehêt
"earmre teohhe      andlonge niht:
"cwäð he on mergenne      mêces ecgum
"getan wolde,      sume on galg-treówum
"fuglum tô gamene.      Frôfor eft gelamp
"sârig-môdum      somod ær-däge,
"syððan hie Hygelâces      horn and býman
"gealdor ongeâton.      Þâ se gôda com
"leóda dugoðe      on lâst faran.

XLI. HE TELLS OF THE SWEDES AND THE GEATAS.

"Wäs sió swât-swaðu      Sweona and Geáta,
"wäl-ræs wera      wîde gesýne,
"hû þâ folc mid him      fæhðe tôwehton.
"Gewât him þâ se gôda      mid his gädelingum,
"frôd fela geômor      fästen sêcean,
"eorl Ongenþió      ufor oncirde;
"häfde Higelâces      hilde gefrunen,
"wlonces wîg-cräft,      wiðres ne trûwode,
"þät he sæ-mannum      onsacan mihte,
"heáðo-lîðendum      hord forstandan,
"bearn and brýde;      beáh eft þonan
"eald under eorð-weall.      Þâ wäs æht boden
"Sweona leódum,      segn Higelâce.
"Freoðo-wong þone      forð ofereodon,
"syððan Hrêðlingas      tô hagan þrungon.
"Þær wearð Ongenþió      ecgum sweorda,
"blonden-fexa      on bîd wrecen,
"þät se þeód-cyning      þafian sceolde
"Eofores ânne dôm:      hyne yrringa
"Wulf Wonrêding      wæpne geræhte,
"þät him for swenge      swât ædrum sprong
"forð under fexe.      Näs he forht swâ þêh,
"gomela Scilfing,      ac forgeald hraðe
"wyrsan wrixle      wäl-hlem þone,
"syððan þeód-cyning      þyder oncirde:
"ne meahte se snella      sunu Wonrêdes
"ealdum ceorle      ond-slyht giofan,
"ac he him on heáfde      helm ær gescer,
"þät he blôde fâh      bûgan sceolde,
"feóll on foldan;      näs he fæge þâ git,
"ac he hyne gewyrpte,      þeáh þe him wund hrîne,
"Lêt se hearda      Higelâces þegn
"brâdne mêce,      þâ his brôðor läg,
"eald sweord eotonisc,      entiscne helm,
"brecan ofer bord-weal:      þâ gebeáh cyning,
"folces hyrde,      wäs in feorh dropen.
"Þâ wæron monige,      þe his mæg wriðon,
"ricone ârærdon,      þâ him gerýmed wearð,
"þät hie wäl-stôwe      wealdan môston.
"Þenden reáfode      rinc ôðerne,
"nam on Ongenþió      îren-byrnan,
"heard swyrd hilted      and his helm somod;
"hâres hyrste      Higelâce bär.
"He þâm frätwum fêng      and him fägre gehêt
"leána fore leódum      and gelæste swâ:
"geald þone gûð-ræs      Geáta dryhten,
"Hrêðles eafora,      þâ he tô hâm becom,
"Jofore and Wulfe      mid ofer-mâðmum,
"sealde hiora gehwäðrum      hund þûsenda
"landes and locenra beága;      ne þorfte him þâ leán ôðwîtan
"mon on middan-gearde,      syððan hie þâ mærða geslôgon;
"and þâ Jofore forgeaf      ângan dôhtor,
"hâm-weorðunge,      hyldo tô wedde.
"Þät ys sió fæhðo      and se feónd-scipe,
"wäl-nîð wera,      þäs þe ic wên hafo,
"þe ûs sêceað tô      Sweona leóde,
"syððan hie gefricgeað      freán ûserne
"ealdor-leásne,      þone þe ær geheóld
"wið hettendum      hord and rîce,
"äfter häleða hryre      hwate Scylfingas,
"folc-ræd fremede      oððe furður gen
"eorl-scipe efnde.      Nu is ôfost betost,
"þät we þeód-cyning      þær sceáwian
"and þone gebringan,      þe ûs beágas geaf,
"on âd-färe.      Ne scel ânes hwät
"meltan mid þam môdigan,      ac þær is mâðma hord.
"gold unrîme      grimme geceápod
"and nu ät sîðestan      sylfes feore
"beágas gebohte;      þâ sceal brond fretan,
"äled þeccean,      nalles eorl wegan
"mâððum tô gemyndum,      ne mägð scýne
"habban on healse      hring-weorðunge,
"ac sceall geômor-môd      golde bereáfod
"oft nalles æne      el-land tredan,
"nu se here-wîsa      hleahtor âlegde,
"gamen and gleó-dreám.      Forþon sceall gâr wesan
"monig morgen-ceald      mundum bewunden,
"häfen on handa,      nalles hearpan swêg
"wîgend weccean,      ac se wonna hrefn
"fûs ofer fægum,      fela reordian,
"earne secgan,      hû him ät æte speów,
"þenden he wið wulf      wäl reáfode."
Swâ se secg hwata      secgende wäs
lâðra spella;      he ne leág fela
wyrda ne worda.      Weorod eall ârâs,
eodon unblîðe      under Earna näs
wollen-teáre      wundur sceáwian.
Fundon þâ on sande      sâwul-leásne
hlim-bed healdan,      þone þe him hringas geaf
ærran mælum:      þâ wäs ende-däg
gôdum gegongen,      þät se gûð-cyning,
Wedra þeóden,      wundor-deáðe swealt.
Ær hî gesêgan      syllîcran wiht,
wyrm on wonge      wiðer-rähtes þær
lâðne licgean:      wäs se lêg-draca,
grimlîc gryre-gäst,      glêdum beswæled,
se wäs fîftiges      fôt-gemearces.
lang on legere,      lyft-wynne heóld
nihtes hwîlum,      nyðer eft gewât
dennes niósian;      wäs þâ deáðe fäst,
häfde eorð-scrafa      ende genyttod.
Him big stôdan      bunan and orcas,
discas lâgon      and dýre swyrd,
ômige þurh-etone,      swâ hie wið eorðan fäðm
þûsend wintra      þær eardodon:
þonne wäs þät yrfe      eácen-cräftig,
iú-monna gold      galdre bewunden,
þät þam hring-sele      hrînan ne môste
gumena ænig,      nefne god sylfa,
sigora sôð-cyning,      sealde þam þe he wolde
(he is manna gehyld)      hord openian,
efne swâ hwylcum manna,      swâ him gemet þûhte.

XLII. WÎGLAF SPEAKS. THE BUILDING OF THE BALE-FIRE.

Þâ wäs gesýne,      þät se sîð ne þâh
þam þe unrihte      inne gehýdde
wräte under wealle.      Weard ær ofslôh
feára sumne;      þâ sió fæhð gewearð
gewrecen wrâðlîce.      Wundur hwâr, þonne
eorl ellen-rôf      ende gefêre
lîf-gesceafta,      þonne leng ne mäg
mon mid his mâgum      medu-seld bûan.
Swâ wäs Biówulfe,      þâ he biorges weard
sôhte, searo-nîðas:      seolfa ne cûðe,
þurh hwät his worulde gedâl      weorðan sceolde;
swâ hit ôð dômes däg      diópe benemdon
þeódnas mære,      þâ þät þær dydon,
þät se secg wære      synnum scildig,
hergum geheaðerod,      hell-bendum fäst,
wommum gewitnad,      se þone wong strâde.
Näs he gold-hwät:      gearwor häfde
âgendes êst      ær gesceáwod.
Wîglâf maðelode,      Wihstânes sunu:
"Oft sceall eorl monig      ânes willan
"wræc âdreógan,      swâ ûs geworden is.
"Ne meahton we gelæran      leófne þeóden,
"rîces hyrde      ræd ænigne,
"þät he ne grêtte      gold-weard þone,
"lête hyne licgean,      þær he longe wäs,
"wîcum wunian      ôð woruld-ende.
"Heóldon heáh gesceap:      hord ys gesceáwod,
"grimme gegongen;      wäs þät gifeðe tô swîð,
"þe þone þeóden      þyder ontyhte.
"Ic wäs þær inne      and þät eall geond-seh,
"recedes geatwa,      þâ me gerýmed wäs,
"nealles swæslîce      sîð âlýfed
"inn under eorð-weall.      Ic on ôfoste gefêng
"micle mid mundum      mägen-byrðenne
"hord-gestreóna,      hider ût ätbär
"cyninge mînum:      cwico wäs þâ gena,
"wîs and gewittig;      worn eall gespräc
"gomol on gehðo      and eówic grêtan hêt,
"bäd þät ge geworhton      äfter wines dædum
"in bæl-stede      beorh þone heán
"micelne and mærne,      swâ he manna wäs
"wîgend weorð-fullost      wîde geond eorðan,
"þenden he burh-welan      brûcan môste.
"Uton nu êfstan      ôðre sîðe
"seón and sêcean      searo-geþräc,
"wundur under wealle!      ic eów wîsige,
"þät ge genôge      neán sceáwiað
"beágas and brâd gold.      Sîe sió bær gearo
"ädre geäfned,      þonne we ût cymen,
"and þonne geferian      freán ûserne,
"leófne mannan,      þær he longe sceal
"on þäs waldendes      wære geþolian."
Hêt þâ gebeódan      byre Wihstânes,
häle hilde-diór,      häleða monegum
bold-âgendra,      þät hie bæl-wudu
feorran feredon,      folc-âgende
gôdum tôgênes:      "Nu sceal glêd fretan
"(weaxan wonna lêg)      wîgena strengel,
"þone þe oft gebâd      îsern-scûre,
"þonne stræla storm,      strengum gebæded,
"scôc ofer scild-weall,      sceft nytte heóld,
"feðer-gearwum fûs      flâne full-eode."
Hûru se snotra      sunu Wihstânes
âcîgde of corðre      cyninges þegnas
syfone tôsomne      þâ sêlestan,
eode eahta sum      under inwit-hrôf;
hilde-rinc sum      on handa bär
äled-leóman,      se þe on orde geóng.
Näs þâ on hlytme,      hwâ þät hord strude,
syððan or-wearde      ænigne dæl
secgas gesêgon      on sele wunian,
læne licgan:      lyt ænig mearn,
þät hi ôfostlice      ût geferedon
dýre mâðmas;      dracan êc scufun,
wyrm ofer weall-clif,      lêton wæg niman,
flôd fäðmian      frätwa hyrde.
Þær wäs wunden gold      on wæn hladen,
æghwäs unrîm,      äðeling boren,
hâr hilde-rinc      tô Hrones nässe.

XLIII. BEÓWULF'S FUNERAL PYRE.

Him þâ gegiredan      Geáta leóde
âd on eorðan      un-wâclîcne,
helmum behongen,      hilde-bordum,
beorhtum byrnum,      swâ he bêna wäs;
âlegdon þâ tô-middes      mærne þeóden
häleð hiófende,      hlâford leófne.
Ongunnon þâ on beorge      bæl-fýra mæst
wîgend weccan:      wudu-rêc âstâh
sweart ofer swioðole,      swôgende lêg,
wôpe bewunden      (wind-blond geläg)
ôð þät he þâ bân-hûs      gebrocen häfde,
hât on hreðre.      Higum unrôte
môd-ceare mændon      mon-dryhtnes cwealm;
swylce giômor-gyd      + lat . con meowle
. . . . .      wunden heorde . . .
serg  cearig sælde      geneahhe
þät hio hyre . . . . gas hearde
. . . . . ede      wälfylla wonn . .
hildes egesan      hyðo
haf mid      heofon rêce swealh 
Geworhton þâ      Wedra leóde
hlæw on hliðe,      se wäs heáh and brâd,
wæg-lîðendum      wîde gesýne,
and betimbredon      on tyn dagum
beadu-rôfes bêcn:      bronda betost
wealle beworhton,      swâ hyt weorðlîcost
fore-snotre men      findan mihton.
Hî on beorg dydon      bêg and siglu,
eall swylce hyrsta,      swylce on horde ær
nîð-hydige men      genumen häfdon;
forlêton eorla gestreón      eorðan healdan,
gold on greóte,      þær hit nu gen lifað
eldum swâ unnyt,      swâ hit æror wäs.
Þâ ymbe hlæw riodan      hilde-deóre,
äðelinga bearn      ealra twelfa,
woldon ceare cwîðan,      kyning mænan,
word-gyd wrecan      and ymb wer sprecan,
eahtodan eorl-scipe      and his ellen-weorc
duguðum dêmdon,      swâ hit ge-dêfe bið,
þät mon his wine-dryhten      wordum hêrge,
ferhðum freóge,      þonne he forð scile
of lîc-haman      læne weorðan.
Swâ begnornodon      Geáta leóde
hlâfordes hryre,      heorð-geneátas,
cwædon þät he wære      woruld-cyning
mannum mildust      and mon-þwærust,
leódum lîðost      and lof-geornost.
Ne gefrägn ic næfre wurðlîcor      ät wera hilde
sixtig sige-beorna      sêl gebæran,