Beowulf
Verse Indeterminate
Saxon
Hwæt! We Gardena in
geardagum,
þeodcyninga, þrym
gefrunon,
hu ða æþelingas
ellen fremedon.
Oft Scyld Scefing
sceaþena þreatum,
5
monegum mægþum,
meodosetla ofteah,
egsode eorlas.
Syððan ærest wearð
feasceaft funden,
he þæs frofre gebad,
weox under wolcnum,
weorðmyndum þah,
oðþæt him æghwylc
þara ymbsittendra
10
ofer hronrade hyran
scolde,
gomban gyldan. þæt
wæs god cyning!
ðæm eafera wæs
æfter cenned,
geong in geardum,
þone god sende
folce to frofre;
fyrenðearfe ongeat
15
þe hie ær drugon
aldorlease
lange hwile. Him
þæs liffrea,
wuldres wealdend,
woroldare forgeaf;
Beowulf wæs breme (blæd
wide sprang),
Scyldes eafera
Scedelandum in.
20
Swa sceal geong
guma gode gewyrcean,
fromum feohgiftum
on fæder bearme,
þæt hine on ylde
eft gewunigen
wilgesiþas, þonne
wig cume,
leode gelæsten;
lofdædum sceal
25
in mægþa gehwære
man geþeon.
Him ða Scyld gewat
to gescæphwile
felahror feran on
frean wære.
Hi hyne þa ætbæron
to brimes faroðe,
swæse gesiþas, swa
he selfa bæd,
30
þenden wordum weold
wine Scyldinga;
leof landfruma
lange ahte.
þær æt hyðe stod
hringedstefna,
isig ond utfus,
æþelinges fær.
Aledon þa leofne
þeoden,
35
beaga bryttan, on
bearm scipes,
mærne be mæste. þær
wæs madma fela
of feorwegum,
frætwa, gelæded;
ne hyrde ic
cymlicor ceol gegyrwan
hildewæpnum ond
heaðowædum,
40
billum ond byrnum;
him on bearme læg
madma mænigo, þa
him mid scoldon
on flodes æht feor
gewitan.
Nalæs hi hine
læssan lacum teodan,
þeodgestreonum, þon
þa dydon
45
þe hine æt
frumsceafte forð onsendon
ænne ofer yðe
umborwesende.
þa gyt hie him
asetton segen geldenne
heah ofer heafod,
leton holm beran,
geafon on garsecg;
him wæs geomor sefa,
50
murnende mod. Men
ne cunnon
secgan to soðe,
selerædende,
hæleð under
heofenum, hwa þæm hlæste onfeng.
ða wæs on burgum
Beowulf Scyldinga,
leof leodcyning,
longe þrage
55
folcum gefræge
(fæder ellor hwearf,
aldor of earde),
oþþæt him eft onwoc
heah Healfdene;
heold þenden lifde,
gamol ond guðreouw,
glæde Scyldingas.
ðæm feower bearn
forð gerimed
60
in worold wocun,
weoroda ræswan,
Heorogar ond
Hroðgar ond Halga til;
hyrde ic þæt wæs
Onelan cwen,
Heaðoscilfingas
healsgebedda.
þa wæs Hroðgare
heresped gyfen,
65
wiges weorðmynd,
þæt him his winemagas
georne hyrdon, oðð
þæt seo geogoð geweox,
magodriht micel.
Him on mod bearn
þæt healreced hatan
wolde,
medoærn micel, men
gewyrcean
70
þonne yldo bearn
æfre gefrunon,
ond þær on innan
eall gedælan
geongum ond ealdum,
swylc him god sealde,
buton folcscare ond
feorum gumena.
ða ic wide gefrægn
weorc gebannan
75
manigre mægþe geond
þisne middangeard,
folcstede frætwan.
Him on fyrste gelomp,
ædre mid yldum, þæt
hit wearð ealgearo,
healærna mæst; scop
him Heort naman
se þe his wordes
geweald wide hæfde.
80
He beot ne aleh,
beagas dælde,
sinc æt symle. Sele
hlifade,
heah ond horngeap,
heaðowylma bad,
laðan liges; ne wæs
hit lenge þa gen
þæt se ecghete
aþumsweorum
85
æfter wælniðe
wæcnan scolde.
ða se ellengæst
earfoðlice
þrage geþolode, se
þe in þystrum bad,
þæt he dogora
gehwam dream gehyrde
hludne in healle;
þær wæs hearpan sweg,
90
swutol sang scopes.
Sægde se þe cuþe
frumsceaft fira
feorran reccan,
cwæð þæt se
ælmihtiga eorðan worhte,
wlitebeorhtne wang,
swa wæter bebugeð,
gesette sigehreþig
sunnan ond monan
95
leoman to leohte
landbuendum
ond gefrætwade
foldan sceatas
leomum ond leafum,
lif eac gesceop
cynna gehwylcum
þara ðe cwice hwyrfaþ.
Swa ða drihtguman
dreamum lifdon
100
eadiglice, oððæt an
ongan
fyrene fremman
feond on helle.
Wæs se grimma gæst
Grendel haten,
mære mearcstapa, se
þe moras heold,
fen ond fæsten;
fifelcynnes eard
105
wonsæli wer
weardode hwile,
siþðan him scyppend
forscrifen hæfde
in Caines cynne.
þone cwealm gewræc
ece drihten, þæs þe
he Abel slog;
ne gefeah he þære
fæhðe, ac he hine feor forwræc,
110
metod for þy mane,
mancynne fram.
þanon untydras
ealle onwocon,
eotenas ond ylfe
ond orcneas,
swylce gigantas, þa
wið gode wunnon
lange þrage; he him
ðæs lean forgeald.
115
Gewat ða neosian,
syþðan niht becom,
hean huses, hu hit
Hringdene
æfter beorþege
gebun hæfdon.
Fand þa ðær inne
æþelinga gedriht
swefan æfter
symble; sorge ne cuðon,
120
wonsceaft wera.
Wiht unhælo,
grim ond grædig,
gearo sona wæs,
reoc ond reþe, ond
on ræste genam
þritig þegna, þanon
eft gewat
huðe hremig to ham
faran,
125
mid þære wælfylle
wica neosan.
ða wæs on uhtan mid
ærdæge
Grendles guðcræft
gumum undyrne;
þa wæs æfter wiste
wop up ahafen,
micel morgensweg.
Mære þeoden,
130
æþeling ærgod,
unbliðe sæt,
þolode ðryðswyð,
þegnsorge dreah,
syðþan hie þæs
laðan last sceawedon,
wergan gastes; wæs
þæt gewin to strang,
lað ond longsum.
Næs hit lengra fyrst,
135
ac ymb ane niht eft
gefremede
morðbeala mare ond
no mearn fore,
fæhðe ond fyrene;
wæs to fæst on þam.
þa wæs eaðfynde þe
him elles hwær
gerumlicor ræste
sohte,
140
bed æfter burum, ða
him gebeacnod wæs,
gesægd soðlice
sweotolan tacne
healðegnes hete;
heold hyne syðþan
fyr ond fæstor se
þæm feonde ætwand.
Swa rixode ond wið
rihte wan,
145
ana wið eallum,
oðþæt idel stod
husa selest. Wæs
seo hwil micel;
XII wintra tid torn
geþolode
wine Scyldinga,
weana gehwelcne,
sidra sorga. Forðam
secgum wearð,
150
ylda bearnum,
undyrne cuð,
gyddum geomore,
þætte Grendel wan
hwile wið Hroþgar,
heteniðas wæg,
fyrene ond fæhðe
fela missera,
singale sæce, sibbe
ne wolde
155
wið manna hwone
mægenes Deniga,
feorhbealo feorran,
fea þingian,
ne þær nænig witena
wenan þorfte
beorhtre bote to
banan folmum,
ac se æglæca
ehtende wæs,
160
deorc deaþscua,
duguþe ond geogoþe,
seomade ond syrede,
sinnihte heold
mistige moras; men
ne cunnon
hwyder helrunan
hwyrftum scriþað.
Swa fela fyrena
feond mancynnes,
165
atol angengea, oft
gefremede,
heardra hynða.
Heorot eardode,
sincfage sel
sweartum nihtum;
no he þone gifstol
gretan moste,
maþðum for metode,
ne his myne wisse.
170
þæt wæs wræc micel
wine Scyldinga,
modes brecða. Monig
oft gesæt
rice to rune; ræd
eahtedon
hwæt swiðferhðum
selest wære
wið færgryrum to
gefremmanne.
175
Hwilum hie geheton
æt hærgtrafum
wigweorþunga,
wordum bædon
þæt him gastbona
geoce gefremede
wið þeodþreaum.
Swylc wæs þeaw hyra,
hæþenra hyht; helle
gemundon
180
in modsefan, metod
hie ne cuþon,
dæda demend, ne
wiston hie drihten god,
ne hie huru heofena
helm herian ne cuþon,
wuldres waldend. Wa
bið þæm ðe sceal
þurh sliðne nið
sawle bescufan
185
in fyres fæþm,
frofre ne wenan,
wihte gewendan; wel
bið þæm þe mot
æfter deaðdæge
drihten secean
ond to fæder fæþmum
freoðo wilnian.
Swa ða mælceare
maga Healfdenes
190
singala seað, ne
mihte snotor hæleð
wean onwendan; wæs
þæt gewin to swyð,
laþ ond longsum, þe
on ða leode becom,
nydwracu niþgrim,
nihtbealwa mæst.
þæt fram ham
gefrægn Higelaces þegn,
195
god mid Geatum,
Grendles dæda;
se wæs moncynnes
mægenes strengest
on þæm dæge þysses
lifes,
æþele ond eacen.
Het him yðlidan
godne gegyrwan,
cwæð, he guðcyning
200
ofer swanrade
secean wolde,
mærne þeoden, þa
him wæs manna þearf.
ðone siðfæt him
snotere ceorlas
lythwon logon, þeah
he him leof wære;
hwetton higerofne,
hæl sceawedon.
205
Hæfde se goda Geata
leoda
cempan gecorone
þara þe he cenoste
findan mihte; XVna
sum
sundwudu sohte;
secg wisade,
lagucræftig mon,
landgemyrcu.
210
Fyrst forð gewat.
Flota wæs on yðum,
bat under beorge.
Beornas gearwe
on stefn stigon;
streamas wundon,
sund wið sande;
secgas bæron
on bearm nacan
beorhte frætwe,
215
guðsearo geatolic;
guman ut scufon,
weras on wilsið,
wudu bundenne.
Gewat þa ofer
wægholm, winde gefysed,
flota famiheals
fugle gelicost,
oðþæt ymb antid
oþres dogores
220
wundenstefna
gewaden hæfde
þæt ða liðende land
gesawon,
brimclifu blican,
beorgas steape,
side sænæssas; þa
wæs sund liden,
eoletes æt ende.
þanon up hraðe
225
Wedera leode on
wang stigon,
sæwudu sældon
(syrcan hrysedon,
guðgewædo), gode
þancedon
þæs þe him yþlade
eaðe wurdon.
þa of wealle geseah
weard Scildinga,
230
se þe holmclifu
healdan scolde,
beran ofer bolcan
beorhte randas,
fyrdsearu fuslicu;
hine fyrwyt bræc
modgehygdum, hwæt
þa men wæron.
Gewat him þa to
waroðe wicge ridan
235
þegn Hroðgares,
þrymmum cwehte
mægenwudu mundum,
meþelwordum frægn:
"Hwæt syndon ge
searohæbbendra,
byrnum werede, þe
þus brontne ceol
ofer lagustræte
lædan cwomon,
240
hider ofer holmas?
...le wæs
endesæta, ægwearde
heold,
þe on land Dena
laðra nænig
mid scipherge
sceðþan ne meahte.
No her cuðlicor
cuman ongunnon
245
lindhæbbende; ne ge
leafnesword
guðfremmendra
gearwe ne wisson,
maga gemedu. Næfre
ic maran geseah
eorla ofer eorþan
ðonne is eower sum,
secg on searwum;
nis þæt seldguma,
250
wæpnum geweorðad,
næfne him his wlite leoge,
ænlic ansyn. Nu ic
eower sceal
frumcyn witan, ær
ge fyr heonan,
leassceaweras, on
land Dena
furþur feran. Nu ge
feorbuend,
255
mereliðende, minne
gehyrað
anfealdne geþoht:
Ofost is selest
to gecyðanne hwanan
eowre cyme syndon."
Him se yldesta
ondswarode,
werodes wisa,
wordhord onleac:
260
"We synt gumcynnes
Geata leode
ond Higelaces
heorðgeneatas.
Wæs min fæder
folcum gecyþed,
æþele ordfruma,
Ecgþeow haten.
Gebad wintra worn,
ær he on weg hwurfe,
265
gamol of geardum;
hine gearwe geman
witena welhwylc
wide geond eorþan.
We þurh holdne hige
hlaford þinne,
sunu Healfdenes,
secean cwomon,
leodgebyrgean; wes
þu us larena god.
270
Habbað we to þæm
mæran micel ærende,
Deniga frean, ne
sceal þær dyrne sum
wesan, þæs ic wene.
þu wast (gif hit is
swa we soþlice
secgan hyrdon)
þæt mid Scyldingum
sceaðona ic nat hwylc,
275
deogol dædhata,
deorcum nihtum
eaweð þurh egsan
uncuðne nið,
hynðu ond hrafyl.
Ic þæs Hroðgar mæg
þurh rumne sefan
ræd gelæran,
hu he frod ond god
feond oferswyðeþ,
280
gyf him edwendan
æfre scolde
bealuwa bisigu, bot
eft cuman,
ond þa cearwylmas
colran wurðaþ;
oððe a syþðan
earfoðþrage,
þreanyd þolað,
þenden þær wunað
285
on heahstede husa
selest."
Weard maþelode, ðær
on wicge sæt,
ombeht unforht:
"æghwæþres sceal
scearp scyldwiga
gescad witan,
worda ond worca, se
þe wel þenceð.
290
Ic þæt gehyre, þæt
þis is hold weorod
frean Scyldinga.
Gewitaþ forð beran
wæpen ond gewædu;
ic eow wisige.
Swylce ic
maguþegnas mine hate
wið feonda gehwone
flotan eowerne,
295
niwtyrwydne nacan
on sande
arum healdan, oþðæt
eft byreð
ofer lagustreamas
leofne mannan
wudu wundenhals to
Wedermearce,
godfremmendra
swylcum gifeþe bið
300
þæt þone hilderæs
hal gedigeð."
Gewiton him þa
feran. Flota stille bad,
seomode on sale
sidfæþmed scip,
on ancre fæst.
Eoforlic scionon
ofer hleorberan
gehroden golde,
305
fah ond fyrheard;
ferhwearde heold
guþmod grimmon.
Guman onetton,
sigon ætsomne,
oþþæt hy sæl timbred,
geatolic ond
goldfah, ongyton mihton;
þæt wæs foremærost
foldbuendum
310
receda under
roderum, on þæm se rica bad;
lixte se leoma ofer
landa fela.
Him þa hildedeor
hof modigra
torht getæhte, þæt
hie him to mihton
gegnum gangan;
guðbeorna sum
315
wicg gewende, word
æfter cwæð:
"Mæl is me to
feran; fæder alwalda
mid arstafum eowic
gehealde
siða gesunde. Ic to
sæ wille
wið wrað werod
wearde healdan."
320
Stræt wæs stanfah,
stig wisode
gumum ætgædere.
Guðbyrne scan
heard hondlocen,
hringiren scir
song in searwum, þa
hie to sele furðum
in hyra
gryregeatwum gangan cwomon.
325
Setton sæmeþe side
scyldas,
rondas regnhearde,
wið þæs recedes weal,
bugon þa to bence.
Byrnan hringdon,
guðsearo gumena;
garas stodon,
sæmanna searo,
samod ætgædere,
330
æscholt ufan græg;
wæs se irenþreat
wæpnum gewurþad. þa
ðær wlonc hæleð
oretmecgas æfter
æþelum frægn:
"Hwanon ferigeað ge
fætte scyldas,
græge syrcan ond
grimhelmas,
335
heresceafta heap?
Ic eom Hroðgares
ar ond ombiht. Ne
seah ic elþeodige
þus manige men
modiglicran.
Wen ic þæt ge for
wlenco, nalles for wræcsiðum,
ac for higeþrymmum
Hroðgar sohton."
340
Him þa ellenrof
andswarode,
wlanc Wedera leod,
word æfter spræc,
heard under helme:
"We synt Higelaces
beodgeneatas;
Beowulf is min nama.
Wille ic asecgan
sunu Healfdenes,
345
mærum þeodne, min
ærende,
aldre þinum, gif he
us geunnan wile
þæt we hine swa
godne gretan moton."
Wulfgar maþelode
(þæt wæs Wendla leod;
wæs his modsefa
manegum gecyðed,
350
wig ond wisdom):
"Ic þæs wine Deniga,
frean Scildinga,
frinan wille,
beaga bryttan, swa
þu bena eart,
þeoden mærne, ymb
þinne sið,
ond þe þa ondsware
ædre gecyðan
355
ðe me se goda
agifan þenceð."
Hwearf þa hrædlice
þær Hroðgar sæt
eald ond anhar mid
his eorla gedriht;
eode ellenrof, þæt
he for eaxlum gestod
Deniga frean; cuþe
he duguðe þeaw.
360
Wulfgar maðelode to
his winedrihtne:
"Her syndon
geferede, feorran cumene
ofer geofenes
begang Geata leode;
þone yldestan
oretmecgas
Beowulf nemnað. Hy
benan synt
365
þæt hie, þeoden
min, wið þe moton
wordum wrixlan. No
ðu him wearne geteoh
ðinra gegncwida,
glædman Hroðgar.
Hy on wiggetawum
wyrðe þinceað
eorla geæhtlan;
huru se aldor deah,
370
se þæm heaðorincum
hider wisade."
Hroðgar maþelode,
helm Scyldinga:
"Ic hine cuðe
cnihtwesende.
Wæs his ealdfæder
Ecgþeo haten,
ðæm to ham forgeaf
Hreþel Geata
375
angan dohtor; is
his eafora nu
heard her cumen,
sohte holdne wine.
ðonne sægdon þæt
sæliþende,
þa ðe gifsceattas
Geata fyredon
þyder to þance, þæt
he XXXtiges
380
manna mægencræft on
his mundgripe
heaþorof hæbbe.
Hine halig god
for arstafum us
onsende,
to Westdenum, þæs
ic wen hæbbe,
wið Grendles gryre.
Ic þæm godan sceal
385
for his modþræce
madmas beodan.
Beo ðu on ofeste,
hat in gan
seon sibbegedriht
samod ætgædere;
gesaga him eac
wordum þæt hie sint wilcuman
Deniga leodum."
390
word inne abead:
"Eow het secgan
sigedrihten min,
aldor Eastdena, þæt
he eower æþelu can,
ond ge him syndon
ofer sæwylmas
heardhicgende hider
wilcuman.
395
Nu ge moton gangan
in eowrum guðgeatawum
under heregriman
Hroðgar geseon;
lætað hildebord her
onbidan,
wudu, wælsceaftas,
worda geþinges."
Aras þa se rica,
ymb hine rinc manig,
400
þryðlic þegna heap;
sume þær bidon,
heaðoreaf heoldon,
swa him se hearda bebead.
Snyredon ætsomne,
þa secg wisode,
under Heorotes hrof
heard under helme,
þæt he on heoðe gestod.
405
Beowulf maðelode
(on him byrne scan,
searonet seowed
smiþes orþancum):
"Wæs þu, Hroðgar,
hal! Ic eom Higelaces
mæg ond magoðegn;
hæbbe ic mærða fela
ongunnen on
geogoþe. Me wearð Grendles þing
410
on minre eþeltyrf
undyrne cuð;
secgað sæliðend þæt
þæs sele stande,
reced selesta,
rinca gehwylcum
idel ond unnyt,
siððan æfenleoht
under heofenes
hador beholen weorþeð.
415
þa me þæt gelærdon
leode mine
þa selestan,
snotere ceorlas,
þeoden Hroðgar, þæt
ic þe sohte,
forþan hie mægenes
cræft minne cuþon,
selfe ofersawon, ða
ic of searwum cwom,
420
fah from feondum,
þær ic fife geband,
yðde eotena cyn ond
on yðum slog
niceras nihtes,
nearoþearfe dreah,
wræc Wedera nið
(wean ahsodon),
forgrand gramum,
ond nu wið Grendel sceal,
425
wið þam aglæcan,
ana gehegan
ðing wið þyrse. Ic
þe nu ða,
brego Beorhtdena,
biddan wille,
eodor Scyldinga,
anre bene,
þæt ðu me ne
forwyrne, wigendra hleo,
430
freowine folca, nu
ic þus feorran com,
þæt ic mote ana ond
minra eorla gedryht,
þes hearda heap,
Heorot fælsian.
Hæbbe ic eac
geahsod þæt se æglæca
for his wonhydum
wæpna ne recceð.
435
Ic þæt þonne
forhicge (swa me Higelac sie,
min mondrihten,
modes bliðe),
þæt ic sweord bere
oþðe sidne scyld,
geolorand to guþe,
ac ic mid grape sceal
fon wið feonde ond
ymb feorh sacan,
440
lað wið laþum; ðær
gelyfan sceal
dryhtnes dome se þe
hine deað nimeð.
Wen ic þæt he
wille, gif he wealdan mot,
in þæm guðsele
Geotena leode
etan unforhte, swa
he oft dyde,
445
mægen Hreðmanna. Na
þu minne þearft
hafalan hydan, ac
he me habban wile
dreore fahne, gif
mec deað nimeð.
Byreð blodig wæl,
byrgean þenceð,
eteð angenga
unmurnlice,
450
mearcað morhopu; no
ðu ymb mines ne þearft
lices feorme leng
sorgian.
Onsend Higelace,
gif mec hild nime,
beaduscruda betst,
þæt mine breost wereð,
hrægla selest; þæt
is Hrædlan laf,
455
Welandes geweorc.
Gæð a wyrd swa hio scel."
Hroðgar maþelode,
helm Scyldinga:
"For gewyrhtum þu,
wine min Beowulf,
ond for arstafum
usic sohtest.
Gesloh þin fæder
fæhðe mæste;
460
wearþ he Heaþolafe
to handbonan
mid Wilfingum; ða
hine Wedera cyn
for herebrogan
habban ne mihte.
þanon he gesohte
Suðdena folc
ofer yða gewealc,
Arscyldinga.
465
ða ic furþum weold
folce Deniga
ond on geogoðe
heold ginne rice,
hordburh hæleþa; ða
wæs Heregar dead,
min yldra mæg
unlifigende,
bearn Healfdenes;
se wæs betera ðonne ic.
470
Siððan þa fæhðe feo
þingode;
sende ic Wylfingum
ofer wæteres hrycg
ealde madmas; he me
aþas swor.
Sorh is me to
secganne on sefan minum
gumena ængum hwæt
me Grendel hafað
475
hynðo on Heorote
mid his heteþancum,
færniða gefremed.
Is min fletwerod,
wigheap gewanod;
hie wyrd forsweop
on Grendles gryre.
God eaþe mæg
þone dolsceaðan
dæda getwæfan.
480
Ful oft gebeotedon
beore druncne
ofer ealowæge
oretmecgas
þæt hie in beorsele
bidan woldon
Grendles guþe mid
gryrum ecga.
ðonne wæs þeos
medoheal on morgentid,
485
drihtsele dreorfah,
þonne dæg lixte,
eal bencþelu blode
bestymed,
heall heorudreore;
ahte ic holdra þy læs,
deorre duguðe, þe
þa deað fornam.
Site nu to symle
ond onsæl meoto,
490
sigehreð secgum,
swa þin sefa hwette."
þa wæs Geatmæcgum
geador ætsomne
on beorsele benc
gerymed;
þær swiðferhþe
sittan eodon,
þryðum dealle. þegn
nytte beheold,
495
se þe on handa bær
hroden ealowæge,
scencte scir wered.
Scop hwilum sang
hador on Heorote.
þær wæs hæleða dream,
duguð unlytel Dena
ond Wedera.
Unferð maþelode,
Ecglafes bearn,
500
þe æt fotum sæt
frean Scyldinga,
onband beadurune
(wæs him Beowulfes sið,
modges merefaran,
micel æfþunca,
forþon þe he ne uþe
þæt ænig oðer man
æfre mærða þon ma
middangeardes
505
gehedde under
heofenum þonne he sylfa):
"Eart þu se
Beowulf, se þe wið Brecan wunne,
on sidne sæ ymb
sund flite,
ðær git for wlence
wada cunnedon
ond for dolgilpe on
deop wæter
510
aldrum neþdon? Ne
inc ænig mon,
ne leof ne lað,
belean mihte
sorhfullne sið, þa
git on sund reon.
þær git eagorstream
earmum þehton,
mæton merestræta,
mundum brugdon,
515
glidon ofer
garsecg; geofon yþum weol,
wintrys wylmum. Git
on wæteres æht
seofon niht
swuncon; he þe æt sunde oferflat,
hæfde mare mægen.
þa hine on morgentid
on Heaþoræmas holm
up ætbær;
520
ðonon he gesohte
swæsne ,
leof his leodum,
lond Brondinga,
freoðoburh fægere,
þær he folc ahte,
burh ond beagas.
Beot eal wið þe
sunu Beanstanes
soðe gelæste.
525
ðonne wene ic to þe
wyrsan geþingea,
ðeah þu heaðoræsa
gehwær dohte,
grimre guðe, gif þu
Grendles dearst
nihtlongne fyrst
nean bidan."
Beowulf maþelode,
bearn Ecgþeowes:
530
"Hwæt! þu worn
fela, wine min Unferð,
beore druncen ymb
Brecan spræce,
sægdest from his
siðe. Soð ic talige,
þæt ic merestrengo
maran ahte,
earfeþo on yþum,
ðonne ænig oþer man.
535
Wit þæt gecwædon
cnihtwesende
ond gebeotedon
(wæron begen þa git
on geogoðfeore) þæt
wit on garsecg ut
aldrum neðdon, ond
þæt geæfndon swa.
Hæfdon swurd nacod,
þa wit on sund reon,
540
heard on handa; wit
unc wið hronfixas
werian þohton. No
he wiht fram me
flodyþum feor
fleotan meahte,
hraþor on holme; no
ic fram him wolde.
ða wit ætsomne on
sæ wæron
545
fif nihta fyrst,
oþþæt unc flod todraf,
wado weallende,
wedera cealdost,
nipende niht, ond
norþanwind
heaðogrim
ondhwearf; hreo wæron yþa.
Wæs merefixa mod
onhrered;
550
þær me wið laðum
licsyrce min,
heard, hondlocen,
helpe gefremede,
beadohrægl broden
on breostum læg
golde gegyrwed. Me
to grunde teah
fah feondscaða,
fæste hæfde
555
grim on grape;
hwæþre me gyfeþe wearð
þæt ic aglæcan orde
geræhte,
hildebille;
heaþoræs fornam
mihtig meredeor
þurh mine hand.
Swa mec gelome
laðgeteonan
560
þreatedon þearle.
Ic him þenode
deoran sweorde, swa
hit gedefe wæs.
Næs hie ðære fylle
gefean hæfdon,
manfordædlan, þæt
hie me þegon,
symbel ymbsæton
sægrunde neah;
565
ac on mergenne
mecum wunde
be yðlafe uppe
lægon,
sweordum aswefede,
þæt syðþan na
ymb brontne ford
brimliðende
lade ne letton.
Leoht eastan com,
570
beorht beacen
godes; brimu swaþredon,
þæt ic sænæssas
geseon mihte,
windige weallas.
Wyrd oft nereð
unfægne eorl, þonne
his ellen deah.
Hwæþere me gesælde
þæt ic mid sweorde ofsloh
575
niceras nigene. No
ic on niht gefrægn
under heofones
hwealf heardran feohtan,
ne on egstreamum
earmran mannon;
hwaþere ic fara
feng feore gedigde,
siþes werig. ða mec
sæ oþbær,
580
flod æfter faroðe
on Finna land,
wadu weallendu. No
ic wiht fram þe
swylcra searoniða
secgan hyrde,
billa brogan. Breca
næfre git
æt heaðolace, ne
gehwæþer incer,
585
swa deorlice dæd
gefremede
fagum sweordum (no
ic þæs fela gylpe),
þeah ðu þinum
broðrum to banan wurde,
heafodmægum; þæs þu
in helle scealt
werhðo dreogan,
þeah þin wit duge.
590
Secge ic þe to
soðe, sunu Ecglafes,
þæt næfre Grendel
swa fela gryra gefremede,
atol æglæca, ealdre
þinum,
hynðo on Heorote,
gif þin hige wære,
sefa swa searogrim,
swa þu self talast.
595
Ac he hafað
onfunden þæt he þa fæhðe ne þearf,
atole ecgþræce
eower leode
swiðe onsittan,
Sigescyldinga;
nymeð nydbade,
nænegum arað
leode Deniga, ac he
lust wigeð,
600
swefeð ond sendeþ,
secce ne weneþ
to Gardenum. Ac ic
him Geata sceal
eafoð ond ellen
ungeara nu,
guþe gebeodan. Gæþ
eft se þe mot
to medo modig,
siþþan morgenleoht
605
ofer ylda bearn
oþres dogores,
sunne sweglwered
suþan scineð."
þa wæs on salum
sinces brytta,
gamolfeax ond
guðrof; geoce gelyfde
brego Beorhtdena,
gehyrde on Beowulfe
610
folces hyrde
fæstrædne geþoht.
ðær wæs hæleþa
hleahtor, hlyn swynsode,
word wæron wynsume.
Eode Wealhþeow forð,
cwen Hroðgares,
cynna gemyndig,
grette goldhroden
guman on healle,
615
ond þa freolic wif
ful gesealde
ærest Eastdena
eþelwearde,
bæd hine bliðne æt
þære beorþege,
leodum leofne. He
on lust geþeah
symbel ond seleful,
sigerof kyning.
620
Ymbeode þa ides
Helminga
duguþe ond geogoþe
dæl æghwylcne,
sincfato sealde,
oþþæt sæl alamp
þæt hio Beowulfe,
beaghroden cwen
mode geþungen,
medoful ætbær;
625
grette Geata leod,
gode þancode
wisfæst wordum þæs
ðe hire se willa gelamp
þæt heo on ænigne
eorl gelyfde
fyrena frofre. He
þæt ful geþeah,
wælreow wiga, æt
Wealhþeon,
630
ond þa gyddode guþe
gefysed;
Beowulf maþelode,
bearn Ecgþeowes:
"Ic þæt hogode, þa
ic on holm gestah,
sæbat gesæt mid
minra secga gedriht,
þæt ic anunga eowra
leoda
635
willan geworhte
oþðe on wæl crunge,
feondgrapum fæst.
Ic gefremman sceal
eorlic ellen, oþðe
endedæg
on þisse
meoduhealle minne gebidan."
ðam wife þa word
wel licodon,
640
gilpcwide Geates;
eode goldhroden
freolicu folccwen
to hire frean sittan.
þa wæs eft swa ær
inne on healle
þryðword sprecen,
ðeod on sælum,
sigefolca sweg,
oþþæt semninga
645
sunu Healfdenes
secean wolde
æfenræste; wiste
þæm ahlæcan
to þæm heahsele
hilde geþinged,
siððan hie sunnan
leoht geseon ne meahton,
oþðe nipende niht
ofer ealle,
650
scaduhelma gesceapu
scriðan cwoman,
wan under wolcnum.
Werod eall aras.
Gegrette þa guma
oþerne,
Hroðgar Beowulf,
ond him hæl abead,
winærnes geweald,
ond þæt word acwæð:
655
"Næfre ic ænegum
men ær alyfde,
siþðan ic hond ond
rond hebban mihte,
ðryþærn Dena buton
þe nu ða.
Hafa nu ond geheald
husa selest,
gemyne mærþo,
mægenellen cyð,
660
waca wið wraþum. Ne
bið þe wilna gad,
gif þu þæt
ellenweorc aldre gedigest."
ða him Hroþgar
gewat mid his hæleþa gedryht,
eodur Scyldinga, ut
of healle;
wolde wigfruma
Wealhþeo secan,
665
cwen to gebeddan.
Hæfde kyningwuldor
Grendle togeanes,
swa guman gefrungon,
seleweard aseted;
sundornytte beheold
ymb aldor Dena,
eotonweard abead.
Huru Geata leod
georne truwode
670
modgan mægnes,
metodes hyldo.
ða he him of dyde
isernbyrnan,
helm of hafelan,
sealde his hyrsted sweord,
irena cyst,
ombihtþegne,
ond gehealdan het
hildegeatwe.
675
Gespræc þa se goda
gylpworda sum,
Beowulf Geata, ær
he on bed stige:
"No ic me an
herewæsmun hnagran talige,
guþgeweorca, þonne
Grendel hine;
forþan ic hine
sweorde swebban nelle,
680
aldre beneotan,
þeah ic eal mæge.
Nat he þara goda
þæt he me ongean slea,
rand geheawe, þeah
ðe he rof sie
niþgeweorca; ac wit
on niht sculon
secge ofersittan,
gif he gesecean dear
685
wig ofer wæpen, ond
siþðan witig god
on swa hwæþere
hond, halig dryhten,
mærðo deme, swa him
gemet þince."
Hylde hine þa
heaþodeor, hleorbolster onfeng
eorles andwlitan,
ond hine ymb monig
690
snellic særinc
selereste gebeah.
Nænig heora þohte
þæt he þanon scolde
eft eardlufan æfre
gesecean,
folc oþðe freoburh,
þær he afeded wæs;
ac hie hæfdon
gefrunen þæt hie ær to fela micles
695
in þæm winsele
wældeað fornam,
Denigea leode. Ac
him dryhten forgeaf
wigspeda gewiofu,
Wedera leodum,
frofor ond fultum,
þæt hie feond heora
ðurh anes cræft
ealle ofercomon,
700
selfes mihtum. Soð
is gecyþed
þæt mihtig god
manna cynnes
weold wideferhð.
Com on wanre niht
scriðan
sceadugenga. Sceotend swæfon,
þa þæt hornreced
healdan scoldon,
705
ealle buton anum.
þæt wæs yldum cuþ
þæt hie ne moste,
þa metod nolde,
se scynscaþa under
sceadu bregdan;
ac he wæccende
wraþum on andan
bad bolgenmod
beadwa geþinges.
710
ða com of more
under misthleoþum
Grendel gongan,
godes yrre bær;
mynte se manscaða
manna cynnes
sumne besyrwan in
sele þam hean.
Wod under wolcnum
to þæs þe he winreced,
715
goldsele gumena,
gearwost wisse,
fættum fahne. Ne
wæs þæt forma sið
þæt he Hroþgares
ham gesohte;
næfre he on
aldordagum ær ne siþðan
heardran hæle,
healðegnas fand.
720
Com þa to recede
rinc siðian,
dreamum bedæled.
Duru sona onarn,
fyrbendum fæst,
syþðan he hire folmum æthran;
onbræd þa
bealohydig, ða he gebolgen wæs,
recedes muþan. Raþe
æfter þon
725
on fagne flor feond
treddode,
eode yrremod; him
of eagum stod
ligge gelicost
leoht unfæger.
Geseah he in recede
rinca manige,
swefan sibbegedriht
samod ætgædere,
730
magorinca heap. þa
his mod ahlog;
mynte þæt he
gedælde, ærþon dæg cwome,
atol aglæca, anra
gehwylces
lif wið lice, þa
him alumpen wæs
wistfylle wen. Ne
wæs þæt wyrd þa gen
735
þæt he ma moste
manna cynnes
ðicgean ofer þa
niht. þryðswyð beheold
mæg Higelaces, hu
se manscaða
under færgripum
gefaran wolde.
Ne þæt se aglæca
yldan þohte,
740
ac he gefeng hraðe
forman siðe
slæpendne rinc,
slat unwearnum,
bat banlocan, blod
edrum dranc,
synsnædum swealh;
sona hæfde
unlyfigendes eal
gefeormod,
745
fet ond folma. Forð
near ætstop,
nam þa mid handa
higeþihtigne
rinc on ræste,
ræhte ongean
feond mid folme; he
onfeng hraþe
inwitþancum ond wið
earm gesæt.
750
Sona þæt onfunde
fyrena hyrde
þæt he ne mette
middangeardes,
eorþan sceata, on
elran men
mundgripe maran. He
on mode wearð
forht on ferhðe; no
þy ær fram meahte.
755
Hyge wæs him
hinfus, wolde on heolster fleon,
secan deofla
gedræg; ne wæs his drohtoð þær
swylce he on
ealderdagum ær gemette.
Gemunde þa se goda,
mæg Higelaces,
æfenspræce, uplang
astod
760
ond him fæste
wiðfeng; fingras burston.
Eoten wæs utweard;
eorl furþur stop.
Mynte se mæra, þær
he meahte swa,
widre gewindan ond
on weg þanon
fleon on fenhopu;
wiste his fingra geweald
765
on grames grapum.
þæt wæs geocor sið
þæt se hearmscaþa
to Heorute ateah.
Dryhtsele dynede;
Denum eallum wearð,
ceasterbuendum,
cenra gehwylcum,
eorlum ealuscerwen.
Yrre wæron begen,
770
reþe renweardas.
Reced hlynsode.
þa wæs wundor micel
þæt se winsele
wiðhæfde
heaþodeorum, þæt he on hrusan ne feol,
fæger foldbold; ac
he þæs fæste wæs
innan ond utan
irenbendum
775
searoþoncum
besmiþod. þær fram sylle abeag
medubenc monig,
mine gefræge,
golde geregnad, þær
þa graman wunnon.
þæs ne wendon ær
witan Scyldinga
þæt hit a mid
gemete manna ænig,
780
betlic ond banfag,
tobrecan meahte,
listum tolucan,
nymþe liges fæþm
swulge on swaþule.
Sweg up astag
niwe geneahhe;
Norðdenum stod
atelic egesa, anra
gehwylcum
785
þara þe of wealle
wop gehyrdon,
gryreleoð galan
godes ondsacan,
sigeleasne sang,
sar wanigean
helle hæfton. Heold
hine fæste
se þe manna wæs
mægene strengest
790
on þæm dæge þysses
lifes.
Nolde eorla hleo
ænige þinga
þone cwealmcuman
cwicne forlætan,
ne his lifdagas
leoda ænigum
nytte tealde. þær
genehost brægd
795
eorl Beowulfes
ealde lafe,
wolde freadrihtnes
feorh ealgian,
mæres þeodnes, ðær
hie meahton swa.
Hie þæt ne wiston,
þa hie gewin drugon,
heardhicgende
hildemecgas,
800
ond on healfa
gehwone heawan þohton,
sawle secan, þone
synscaðan
ænig ofer eorþan
irenna cyst,
guðbilla nan,
gretan nolde,
ac he sigewæpnum
forsworen hæfde,
805
ecga gehwylcre.
Scolde his aldorgedal
on ðæm dæge þysses
lifes
earmlic wurðan, ond
se ellorgast
on feonda geweald
feor siðian.
ða þæt onfunde se
þe fela æror
810
modes myrðe manna
cynne,
fyrene gefremede
(he wæs fag wið god),
þæt him se lichoma
læstan nolde,
ac hine se modega
mæg Hygelaces
hæfde be honda; wæs
gehwæþer oðrum
815
lifigende lað.
Licsar gebad
atol æglæca; him on
eaxle wearð
syndolh sweotol,
seonowe onsprungon,
burston banlocan.
Beowulfe wearð
guðhreð gyfeþe;
scolde Grendel þonan
820
feorhseoc fleon
under fenhleoðu,
secean wynleas wic;
wiste þe geornor
þæt his aldres wæs
ende gegongen,
dogera dægrim.
Denum eallum wearð
æfter þam wælræse
willa gelumpen.
825
Hæfde þa gefælsod
se þe ær feorran com,
snotor ond
swyðferhð, sele Hroðgares,
genered wið niðe;
nihtweorce gefeh,
ellenmærþum. Hæfde
Eastdenum
Geatmecga leod gilp
gelæsted,
830
swylce oncyþðe
ealle gebette,
inwidsorge, þe hie
ær drugon
ond for þreanydum
þolian scoldon,
torn unlytel. þæt
wæs tacen sweotol,
syþðan hildedeor
hond alegde,
835
earm ond eaxle (þær
wæs eal geador
Grendles grape)
under geapne hrof.
ða wæs on morgen
mine gefræge
ymb þa gifhealle
guðrinc monig;
ferdon folctogan
feorran ond nean
840
geond widwegas
wundor sceawian,
laþes lastas. No
his lifgedal
sarlic þuhte secga
ænegum
þara þe tirleases
trode sceawode,
hu he werigmod on
weg þanon,
845
niða ofercumen, on
nicera mere
fæge ond geflymed
feorhlastas bær.
ðær wæs on blode
brim weallende,
atol yða geswing
eal gemenged
haton heolfre,
heorodreore weol.
850
Deaðfæge deog,
siððan dreama leas
in fenfreoðo feorh
alegde,
hæþene sawle; þær
him hel onfeng.
þanon eft gewiton
ealdgesiðas,
swylce geong manig
of gomenwaþe
855
fram mere modge
mearum ridan,
beornas on blancum.
ðær wæs Beowulfes
mærðo mæned; monig
oft gecwæð
þætte suð ne norð
be sæm tweonum
ofer eormengrund
oþer nænig
860
under swegles
begong selra nære
rondhæbbendra,
rices wyrðra.
Ne hie huru
winedrihten wiht ne logon,
glædne Hroðgar, ac
þæt wæs god cyning.
Hwilum heaþorofe
hleapan leton,
865
on geflit faran
fealwe mearas
ðær him foldwegas
fægere þuhton,
cystum cuðe. Hwilum
cyninges þegn,
guma gilphlæden,
gidda gemyndig,
se ðe ealfela
ealdgesegena
870
worn gemunde, word
oþer fand
soðe gebunden; secg
eft ongan
sið Beowulfes
snyttrum styrian
ond on sped wrecan
spel gerade,
wordum wrixlan.
Welhwylc gecwæð
875
þæt he fram
Sigemundes secgan hyrde
ellendædum, uncuþes
fela,
Wælsinges gewin,
wide siðas,
þara þe gumena
bearn gearwe ne wiston,
fæhðe ond fyrena,
buton Fitela mid hine,
880
þonne he swulces
hwæt secgan wolde,
eam his nefan, swa
hie a wæron
æt niða gehwam
nydgesteallan;
hæfdon ealfela
eotena cynnes
sweordum gesæged.
Sigemunde gesprong
885
æfter deaðdæge dom
unlytel,
syþðan wiges heard
wyrm acwealde,
hordes hyrde. He
under harne stan,
æþelinges bearn,
ana geneðde
frecne dæde, ne wæs
him Fitela mid.
890
Hwæþre him gesælde
ðæt þæt swurd þurhwod
wrætlicne wyrm, þæt
hit on wealle ætstod,
dryhtlic iren;
draca morðre swealt.
Hæfde aglæca elne
gegongen
þæt he beahhordes
brucan moste
895
selfes dome; sæbat
gehleod,
bær on bearm scipes
beorhte frætwa,
Wælses eafera. Wyrm
hat gemealt.
Se wæs wreccena
wide mærost
ofer werþeode,
wigendra hleo,
900
ellendædum (he þæs
ær onðah),
siððan Heremodes
hild sweðrode,
eafoð ond ellen. He
mid Eotenum wearð
on feonda geweald
forð forlacen,
snude forsended.
Hine sorhwylmas
905
lemede to lange; he
his leodum wearð,
eallum æþellingum
to aldorceare;
swylce oft bemearn
ærran mælum
swiðferhþes sið
snotor ceorl monig,
se þe him bealwa to
bote gelyfde,
910
þæt þæt ðeodnes
bearn geþeon scolde,
fæderæþelum onfon,
folc gehealdan,
hord ond hleoburh,
hæleþa rice,
Scyldinga. He þær
eallum wearð,
mæg Higelaces,
manna cynne,
915
freondum gefægra;
hine fyren onwod.
Hwilum flitende
fealwe stræte
mearum mæton. ða
wæs morgenleoht
scofen ond scynded.
Eode scealc monig
swiðhicgende to
sele þam hean
920
searowundor seon;
swylce self cyning
of brydbure,
beahhorda weard,
tryddode tirfæst
getrume micle,
cystum gecyþed, ond
his cwen mid him
medostigge mæt
mægþa hose.
925
Hroðgar maþelode
(he to healle geong,
stod on stapole,
geseah steapne hrof,
golde fahne, ond
Grendles hond):
"ðisse ansyne
alwealdan þanc
lungre gelimpe!
Fela ic laþes gebad,
930
grynna æt Grendle;
a mæg god wyrcan
wunder æfter
wundre, wuldres hyrde.
ðæt wæs ungeara þæt
ic ænigra me
weana ne wende to
widan feore
bote gebidan, þonne
blode fah
935
husa selest
heorodreorig stod,
wea widscofen
witena gehwylcum
ðara þe ne wendon
þæt hie wideferhð
leoda landgeweorc
laþum beweredon
scuccum ond
scinnum. Nu scealc hafað
940
þurh drihtnes miht
dæd gefremede
ðe we ealle ær ne
meahton
snyttrum besyrwan.
Hwæt, þæt secgan mæg
efne swa hwylc
mægþa swa ðone magan cende
æfter gumcynnum,
gyf heo gyt lyfað,
945
þæt hyre ealdmetod
este wære
bearngebyrdo. Nu
ic, Beowulf, þec,
secg betsta, me for
sunu wylle
freogan on ferhþe;
heald forð tela
niwe sibbe. Ne bið
þe nænigra gad
950
worolde wilna, þe
ic geweald hæbbe.
Ful oft ic for
læssan lean teohhode,
hordweorþunge
hnahran rince,
sæmran æt sæcce. þu
þe self hafast
dædum gefremed þæt
þin dom lyfað
955
awa to aldre.
Alwalda þec
gode forgylde, swa
he nu gyt dyde!"
Beowulf maþelode,
bearn Ecþeowes:
"We þæt ellenweorc
estum miclum,
feohtan fremedon,
frecne geneðdon
960
eafoð uncuþes. Uþe
ic swiþor
þæt ðu hine selfne
geseon moste,
feond on frætewum
fylwerigne.
Ic hine hrædlice
heardan clammum
on wælbedde wriþan
þohte,
965
þæt he for
mundgripe minum scolde
licgean lifbysig,
butan his lic swice.
Ic hine ne mihte,
þa metod nolde,
ganges getwæman, no
ic him þæs georne ætfealh,
feorhgeniðlan; wæs
to foremihtig
970
feond on feþe.
Hwæþere he his folme forlet
to lifwraþe last
weardian,
earm ond eaxle. No
þær ænige swa þeah
feasceaft guma
frofre gebohte;
no þy leng leofað
laðgeteona,
975
synnum geswenced,
ac hyne sar hafað
mid nydgripe nearwe
befongen,
balwon bendum. ðær
abidan sceal
maga mane fah
miclan domes,
hu him scir metod
scrifan wille."
980
ða wæs swigra secg,
sunu Eclafes,
on gylpspræce
guðgeweorca,
siþðan æþelingas
eorles cræfte
ofer heanne hrof
hand sceawedon,
feondes fingras.
Foran æghwylc wæs,
985
stiðra nægla
gehwylc, style gelicost,
hæþenes handsporu
hilderinces,
egl, unheoru.
æghwylc gecwæð
þæt him heardra nan
hrinan wolde
iren ærgod, þæt ðæs
ahlæcan
990
blodge beadufolme
onberan wolde.
ða wæs haten hreþe
Heort innanweard
folmum gefrætwod.
Fela þæra wæs,
wera ond wifa, þe
þæt winreced,
gestsele gyredon.
Goldfag scinon
995
web æfter wagum,
wundorsiona fela
secga gehwylcum
þara þe on swylc starað.
Wæs þæt beorhte
bold tobrocen swiðe,
eal inneweard
irenbendum fæst,
heorras tohlidene.
Hrof ana genæs,
1000
ealles ansund, þe
se aglæca,
fyrendædum fag, on
fleam gewand,
aldres orwena. No
þæt yðe byð
to befleonne,
fremme se þe wille,
ac gesecan sceal
sawlberendra,
1005
nyde genydde, niþða
bearna,
grundbuendra gearwe
stowe,
þær his lichoma
legerbedde fæst
swefeþ æfter symle.
þa wæs sæl ond mæl
þæt to healle gang
Healfdenes sunu;
1010
wolde self cyning
symbel þicgan.
Ne gefrægen ic þa
mægþe maran weorode
ymb hyra sincgyfan
sel gebæran.
Bugon þa to bence
blædagande,
fylle gefægon;
fægere geþægon
1015
medoful manig magas
þara
swiðhicgende on
sele þam hean,
Hroðgar ond
Hroþulf. Heorot innan wæs
freondum afylled;
nalles facenstafas
þeodscyldingas
þenden fremedon.
1020
Forgeaf þa Beowulfe
bearn Healfdenes
segen gyldenne
sigores to leane;
hroden hildecumbor,
helm ond byrnan,
mære maðþumsweord
manige gesawon
beforan beorn
beran. Beowulf geþah
1025
ful on flette; no
he þære feohgyfte
for sceotendum
scamigan ðorfte.
Ne gefrægn ic
freondlicor feower madmas
golde gegyrede
gummanna fela
in ealobence oðrum
gesellan.
1030
Ymb þæs helmes hrof
heafodbeorge
wirum bewunden walu
utan heold,
þæt him fela laf
frecne ne meahton
scurheard sceþðan,
þonne scyldfreca
ongean gramum
gangan scolde.
1035
Heht ða eorla hleo
eahta mearas
fætedhleore on flet
teon,
in under eoderas.
þara anum stod
sadol searwum fah,
since gewurþad;
þæt wæs hildesetl
heahcyninges,
1040
ðonne sweorda gelac
sunu Healfdenes
efnan wolde. Næfre
on ore læg
widcuþes wig, ðonne
walu feollon.
Ond ða Beowulfe
bega gehwæþres
eodor Ingwina
onweald geteah,
1045
wicga ond wæpna,
het hine wel brucan.
Swa manlice mære
þeoden,
hordweard hæleþa,
heaþoræsas geald
mearum ond madmum,
swa hy næfre man lyhð,
se þe secgan wile
soð æfter rihte.
1050
ða gyt æghwylcum
eorla drihten
þara þe mid
Beowulfe brimlade teah
on þære medubence
maþðum gesealde,
yrfelafe, ond þone
ænne heht
golde forgyldan,
þone ðe Grendel ær
1055
mane acwealde, swa
he hyra ma wolde,
nefne him witig god
wyrd forstode
ond ðæs mannes mod.
Metod eallum weold
gumena cynnes, swa
he nu git deð.
Forþan bið andgit
æghwær selest,
1060
ferhðes foreþanc.
Fela sceal gebidan
leofes ond laþes se
þe longe her
on ðyssum windagum
worolde bruceð.
þær wæs sang ond
sweg samod ætgædere
fore Healfdenes
hildewisan,
1065
gomenwudu greted,
gid oft wrecen,
ðonne healgamen
Hroþgares scop
æfter medobence
mænan scolde
be Finnes eaferum,
ða hie se fær begeat,
hæleð Healfdena,
Hnæf Scyldinga,
1070
in Freswæle feallan
scolde.
Ne huru Hildeburh
herian þorfte
Eotena treowe;
unsynnum wearð
beloren leofum æt
þam lindplegan,
bearnum ond
broðrum; hie on gebyrd hruron,
1075
gare wunde. þæt wæs
geomuru ides!
Nalles holinga
Hoces dohtor
meotodsceaft
bemearn, syþðan morgen com,
ða heo under swegle
geseon meahte
morþorbealo maga,
þær heo ær mæste heold
1080
worolde wynne. Wig
ealle fornam
Finnes þegnas nemne
feaum anum,
þæt he ne mehte on
þæm meðelstede
wig Hengeste wiht
gefeohtan,
ne þa wealafe wige
forþringan
1085
þeodnes ðegna; ac
hig him geþingo budon,
þæt hie him oðer
flet eal gerymdon,
healle ond
heahsetl, þæt hie healfre geweald
wið Eotena bearn
agan moston,
ond æt feohgyftum
Folcwaldan sunu
1090
dogra gehwylce Dene
weorþode,
Hengestes heap
hringum wenede
efne swa swiðe
sincgestreonum
fættan goldes, swa
he Fresena cyn
on beorsele byldan
wolde.
1095
ða hie getruwedon
on twa healfa
fæste frioðuwære.
Fin Hengeste
elne, unflitme aðum
benemde
þæt he þa wealafe
weotena dome
arum heolde, þæt
ðær ænig mon
1100
wordum ne worcum
wære ne bræce,
ne þurh inwitsearo
æfre gemænden
ðeah hie hira
beaggyfan banan folgedon
ðeodenlease, þa him
swa geþearfod wæs;
gyf þonne Frysna
hwylc frecnan spræce
1105
ðæs morþorhetes
myndgiend wære,
þonne hit sweordes
ecg seðan scolde.
Ad wæs geæfned ond
icge gold
ahæfen of horde.
Herescyldinga
betst beadorinca
wæs on bæl gearu.
1110
æt þæm ade wæs
eþgesyne
swatfah syrce, swyn
ealgylden,
eofer irenheard,
æþeling manig
wundum awyrded;
sume on wæle crungon.
Het ða Hildeburh æt
Hnæfes ade
1115
hire selfre sunu
sweoloðe befæstan,
banfatu bærnan ond
on bæl don
eame on eaxle. Ides
gnornode,
geomrode giddum.
Guðrinc astah.
Wand to wolcnum
wælfyra mæst,
1120
hlynode for hlawe;
hafelan multon,
bengeato burston,
ðonne blod ætspranc,
laðbite lices. Lig
ealle forswealg,
gæsta gifrost, þara
ðe þær guð fornam
bega folces; wæs
hira blæd scacen.
1125
Gewiton him ða
wigend wica neosian,
freondum befeallen,
Frysland geseon,
hamas ond heaburh.
Hengest ða gyt
wælfagne winter
wunode mid Finne
eal unhlitme. Eard
gemunde,
1130
þeah þe he ne
meahte on mere drifan
hringedstefnan;
holm storme weol,
won wið winde,
winter yþe beleac
isgebinde, oþðæt
oþer com
gear in geardas,
swa nu gyt deð,
1135
þa ðe syngales sele
bewitiað,
wuldortorhtan
weder. ða wæs winter scacen,
fæger foldan bearm.
Fundode wrecca,
gist of geardum; he
to gyrnwræce
swiðor þohte þonne
to sælade,
1140
gif he torngemot
þurhteon mihte
þæt he Eotena bearn
inne gemunde.
Swa he ne forwyrnde
woroldrædenne,
þonne him Hunlafing
hildeleoman,
billa selest, on
bearm dyde,
1145
þæs wæron mid
Eotenum ecge cuðe.
Swylce ferhðfrecan
Fin eft begeat
sweordbealo sliðen
æt his selfes ham,
siþðan grimne gripe
Guðlaf ond Oslaf
æfter sæsiðe,
sorge, mændon,
1150
ætwiton weana dæl;
ne meahte wæfre mod
forhabban in
hreþre. ða wæs heal roden
feonda feorum,
swilce Fin slægen,
cyning on corþre,
ond seo cwen numen.
Sceotend Scyldinga
to scypon feredon
1155
eal ingesteald
eorðcyninges,
swylce hie æt
Finnes ham findan meahton
sigla, searogimma.
Hie on sælade
drihtlice wif to
Denum feredon,
læddon to leodum.
Leoð wæs asungen,
1160
gleomannes gyd.
Gamen eft astah,
beorhtode bencsweg;
byrelas sealdon
win of wunderfatum.
þa cwom Wealhþeo forð
gan under gyldnum
beage, þær þa godan twegen
sæton
suhtergefæderan; þa gyt wæs hiera sib ætgædere,
1165
æghwylc oðrum
trywe. Swylce þær Unferþ þyle
æt fotum sæt frean
Scyldinga; gehwylc hiora his ferhþe treowde,
þæt he hæfde mod
micel, þeah þe he his magum nære
arfæst æt ecga
gelacum. Spræc ða ides Scyldinga:
"Onfoh þissum
fulle, freodrihten min,
1170
sinces brytta! þu
on sælum wes,
goldwine gumena,
ond to Geatum spræc
mildum wordum, swa
sceal man don.
Beo wið Geatas
glæd, geofena gemyndig,
nean ond feorran þu
nu hafast.
1175
Me man sægde þæt þu
ðe for sunu wolde
hererinc habban.
Heorot is gefælsod,
beahsele beorhta;
bruc þenden þu mote
manigra medo, ond
þinum magum læf
folc ond rice,
þonne ðu forð scyle
1180
metodsceaft seon.
Ic minne can
glædne Hroþulf, þæt
he þa geogoðe wile
arum healdan, gyf
þu ær þonne he,
wine Scildinga,
worold oflætest;
wene ic þæt he mid
gode gyldan wille
1185
uncran eaferan, gif
he þæt eal gemon,
hwæt wit to willan
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