User:Vergencescattered/Cædmon's Hymn

oft Scyld Scefing sceaþena þreatum, monegum mægþum meodosetla ofteah, egsode eorlas syþþan ærest wearþ feasceaft funden he þæs frofre gebad, weox under wolcnum weorþmyndum þah, oþþæt him æghwylc þara ymbsittendra ofer hronrade hyran scolde, gomban gyldan þæt wæs god cyning. þæm eafera wæs æfter cenned, geong in geardum þone god sende folce to frofre; fyrenþearfe ongeat þe hie ær drugon aldorlease lange hwile him þæs liffrea, wuldres wealdend woroldare forgeaf; Beowulf wæs breme blæd wide sprang, Scyldes eafera Scedelandum in. swa sceal geong guma gode gewyrcean, fromum feohgiftum on fæder bearme, þæt hine on ylde eft gewunigen wilgesiþas þonne wig cume, leode gelæsten; lofdædum sceal in mægþa gehwære man geþeon. him þa Scyld gewat to gescæphwile felahror feran on frean wære. hi hyne þa ætbæron to brimes faroþe, swæse gesiþas swa he selfa bæd, þenden wordum weold wine Scyldinga; leof landfruma lange ahte. þær æt hyþe stod hringedstefna, isig ond utfus æþelinges fær. aledon þa leofne þeoden, beaga bryttan on bearm scipes, mærne be mæste þær wæs madma fela of feorwegum frætwa gelæded; ne hyrde ic cymlicor ceol gegyrwan hildewæpnum ond heaþowædum, billum ond byrnum; him on bearme læg madma mænigo þa him mid scoldon on flodes æht feor gewitan. nalæs hi hine læssan lacum teodan, þeodgestreonum þon þa dydon þe hine æt frumsceafte forþ onsendon ænne ofer yþe umbor wesende. þa gyt hie him asetton segen geldenne heah ofer heafod leton holm beran, geafon on garsecg; him wæs geomor sefa, murnende mod Men ne cunnon secgan to soþe selerædende, hæleþ under heofenum hwa þæm hlæste onfeng. þa wæs on burgum Beowulf Scyldinga, leof leodcyning longe þrage folcum gefræge fæder ellor hwearf, aldor of earde oþþæt him eft onwoc heah Healfdene; heold þenden lifde, gamol ond guþreouw glæde Scyldingas. þæm feower bearn forþ gerimed in worold wocun weoroda ræswan, Heorogar ond Hroþgar ond Halga til; hyrde ic þæt wæs Onelan cwen, Heaþoscilfingas healsgebedda. þa wæs Hroþgare heresped gyfen, wiges weorþmynd þæt him his winemagas georne hyrdon oþþæt seo geogoþ geweox, magodriht micel him on mod bearn þæt healreced hatan wolde, medoærn micel men gewyrcean þonne yldo bearn æfre gefrunon, ond þær on innan eall gedælan geongum ond ealdum swylc him god sealde, buton folcscare ond feorum gumena. þa ic wide gefrægn weorc gebannan manigre mægþe geond þisne middangeard, folcstede frætwan him on fyrste gelomp, ædre mid yldum þæt hit wearþ ealgearo, healærna mæst; scop him Heort naman se þe his wordes geweald wide hæfde. He beot ne aleh beagas dælde, sinc æt symle sele hlifade, heah ond horngeap heaþowylma bad, laþan liges; ne wæs hit lenge þa gen þæt se ecghete aþum sweorum, æfter wælniþe wæcnan scolde. þa se ellengæst earfoþlice þrage geþolode se þe in þystrum bad, þæt he dogora gehwam dream gehyrde hludne in healle; þær wæs hearpan sweg, swutol sang scopes sægde se þe cuþe frumsceaft fira feorran reccan, cwæþ þæt se ælmihtiga eorþan worhte, wlitebeorhtne wang swa wæter bebugeþ, gesette sigehreþig sunnan ond monan leoman to leohte landbuendum ond gefrætwade foldan sceatas leomum ond leafum lif eac gesceop cynna gehwylcum þara þe cwice hwyrfaþ. swa þa drihtguman dreamum lifdon eadiglice oþþæt an ongan fyrene fremman feond on helle. wæs se grimma gæst Grendel haten, mære mearcstapa se þe moras heold, fen ond fæsten; fifelcynnes eard wonsæli wer weardode hwile, siþþan him scyppend forscrifen hæfde in Caines cynne þone cwealm gewræc ece drihten þæs þe he Abel slog; ne gefeah he þære fæhþe ac he hine feor forwræc, metod for þy mane mancynne fram. þanon untydras ealle onwocon, eotenas ond ylfe ond orcneas, swylce gigantas þa wiþ gode wunnon lange þrage; he him þæs lean forgeald. Gewat þa neosian syþþan niht becom, hean huses hu hit Hringdene æfter beorþege gebun hæfdon. fand þa þær inne æþelinga gedriht swefan æfter symble; sorge ne cuþon, wonsceaft wera Wiht unhælo, grim ond grædig gearo sona wæs, reoc ond reþe ond on ræste genam þritig þegna þanon eft gewat huþe hremig to ham faran, mid þære wælfylle wica neosan. þa wæs on uhtan mid ærdæge Grendles guþcræft gumum undyrne; þa wæs æfter wiste wop up ahafen, micel morgensweg Mære þeoden, æþeling ærgod unbliþe sæt, þolode þryþswyþ þegnsorge dreah, syþþan hie þæs laþan last sceawedon, wergan gastes; wæs þæt gewin to strang, laþ ond longsum Næs hit lengra fyrst, ac ymb ane niht eft gefremede morþbeala mare ond no mearn fore, fæhþe ond fyrene; wæs to fæst on þam. þa wæs eaþfynde þe him elles hwær gerumlicor ræste sohte, bed æfter burum þa him gebeacnod wæs, gesægd soþlice sweotolan tacne healþegnes hete; heold hyne syþþan fyr ond fæstor se þæm feonde ætwand. swa rixode ond wiþ rihte wan, ana wiþ eallum oþþæt idel stod husa selest wæs seo hwil micel; XII wintra tid torn geþolode wine Scyldinga weana gehwelcne, sidra sorga Forþam secgum wearþ, ylda bearnum undyrne cuþ, gyddum geomore þætte Grendel wan hwile wiþ Hroþgar heteniþas wæg, fyrene ond fæhþe fela missera, singale sæce sibbe ne wolde wiþ manna hwone mægenes Deniga, feorhbealo feorran fea þingian, ne þær nænig witena wenan þorfte beorhtre bote to banan folmum, ac se æglæca ehtende wæs, deorc deaþscua duguþe ond geogoþe, seomade ond syrede sinnihte heold mistige moras men ne cunnon hwyder helrunan hwyrftum scriþaþ. swa fela fyrena feond mancynnes, atol angengea oft gefremede, heardra hynþa Heorot eardode, sincfage sel sweartum nihtum; no he þone gifstol gretan moste, maþþum for metode ne his myne wisse. þæt wæs wræc micel wine Scyldinga, modes brecþa Monig oft gesæt rice to rune; ræd eahtedon hwæt swiþferhþum selest wære wiþ færgryrum to gefremmanne. hwilum hie geheton æt hærgtrafum wigweorþunga wordum bædon þæt him gastbona geoce gefremede wiþ þeodþreaum Swylc wæs þeaw hyra, hæþenra hyht; helle gemundon in modsefan metod hie ne cuþon, dæda demend ne wiston hie drihten god, ne hie huru heofena helm herian ne cuþon, wuldres waldend Wa biþ þæm þe sceal þurh sliþne niþ sawle bescufan in fyres fæþm frofre ne wenan, wihte gewendan; wel biþ þæm þe mot æfter deaþdæge drihten secean ond to fæder fæþmum freoþo wilnian. swa þa mælceare maga Healfdenes singala seaþ ne mihte snotor hæleþ wean onwendan; wæs þæt gewin to swyþ, laþ ond longsum þe on þa leode becom, nydwracu niþgrim nihtbealwa mæst. þæt fram ham gefrægn Higelaces þegn, god mid Geatum Grendles dæda; se wæs moncynnes mægenes strengest on þæm dæge þysses lifes, æþele ond eacen Het him yþlidan godne gegyrwan cwæþ hu guþcyning ofer swanrade secean wolde, mærne þeoden þa him wæs manna þearf. þone siþfæt him snotere ceorlas lythwon logon þeah he him leof wære; hwetton higerofne hæl sceawedon. hæfde se goda Geata leoda cempan gecorone þara þe he cenoste findan mihte; XVna sum sundwudu sohte; secg wisade, lagucræftig mon landgemyrcu. fyrst forþ gewat Flota wæs on yþum, bat under beorge Beornas gearwe on stefn stigon; streamas wundon, sund wiþ sande; secgas bæron on bearm nacan beorhte frætwe, guþsearo geatolic; guman ut scufon, weras on wilsiþ wudu bundenne. gewat þa ofer wægholm winde gefysed, flota famiheals fugle gelicost, oþþæt ymb antid oþres dogores wundenstefna gewaden hæfde þæt þa liþende land gesawon, brimclifu blican beorgas steape, side sænæssas; þa wæs sund liden, eoletes æt ende þanon up hraþe Wedera leode on wang stigon, sæwudu sældon syrcan hrysedon, guþgewædo gode þancedon þæs þe him yþlade eaþe wurdon. þa of wealle geseah weard Scildinga, se þe holmclifu healdan scolde, beran ofer bolcan beorhte randas, fyrdsearu fuslicu; hine fyrwyt bræc modgehygdum hwæt þa men wæron. gewat him þa to waroþe wicge ridan þegn Hroþgares þrymmum cwehte mægenwudu mundum meþelwordum frægn: hwæt syndon ge searohæbbendra, byrnum werede þe þus brontne ceol ofer lagustræte lædan cwomon, hider ofer holmas? le wæs endesæta ægwearde heold, þe on land Dena laþra nænig mid scipherge sceþþan ne meahte. no her cuþlicor cuman ongunnon lindhæbbende; ne ge leafnesword guþfremmendra gearwe ne wisson, maga gemedu Næfre ic maran geseah eorla ofer eorþan þonne is eower sum, secg on searwum; nis þæt seldguma, wæpnum geweorþad 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, mereliþende minne gehyraþ anfealdne geþoht: Ofost is selest to gecyþanne hwanan eowre cyme syndon. him se yldesta ondswarode, werodes wisa wordhord onleac: we synt gumcynnes Geata leode ond Higelaces heorþgeneatas. wæs min fæder folcum gecyþed, æþele ordfruma Ecgþeow haten. gebad wintra worn ær he on weg hwurfe, 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. habbaþ 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 sceaþona ic nat hwylc, deogol dædhata deorcum nihtum eaweþ þurh egsan uncuþne niþ, hynþu ond hrafyl ic þæs Hroþgar mæg þurh rumne sefan ræd gelæran, hu he frod ond god feond oferswyþeþ, gyf him edwendan æfre scolde bealuwa bisigu bot eft cuman, ond þa cearwylmas colran wurþaþ; oþþe a syþþan earfoþþrage, þreanyd þolaþ þenden þær wunaþ on heahstede husa selest. weard maþelode þær on wicge sæt, ombeht unforht: æghwæþres sceal scearp scyldwiga gescad witan, worda ond worca se þe wel þenceþ. ic þæt gehyre þæt þis is hold weorod frean Scyldinga Gewitaþ forþ beran wæpen ond gewædu; ic eow wisige. swylce ic maguþegnas mine hate wiþ feonda gehwone flotan eowerne, niwtyrwydne nacan on sande arum healdan oþþæt eft byreþ ofer lagustreamas leofne mannan wudu wundenhals to Wedermearce, godfremmendra swylcum gifeþe biþ þæt þone hilderæs hal gedigeþ. gewiton him þa feran Flota stille bad, seomode on sale sidfæþmed scip, on ancre fæst Eoforlic scionon ofer hleorberan gehroden golde, fah ond fyrheard; ferhwearde heold guþmod grimmon Guman onetton, sigon ætsomne oþþæt hy sæl timbred, geatolic ond goldfah ongyton mihton; þæt wæs foremærost foldbuendum receda under roderum on þæm se rica bad; lixte se leoma ofer landa fela. him þa hildedeor hof modigra torht getæhte þæt hie him to mihton gegnum gangan; guþbeorna sum wicg gewende word æfter cwæþ: mæl is me to feran; fæder alwalda mid arstafum eowic gehealde siþa gesunde ic to sæ wille wiþ wraþ werod wearde healdan. stræt wæs stanfah stig wisode gumum ætgædere Guþbyrne scan heard hondlocen hringiren scir song in searwum þa hie to sele furþum in hyra gryregeatwum gangan cwomon. setton sæmeþe side scyldas, rondas regnhearde wiþ þæs recedes weal, bugon þa to bence Byrnan hringdon, guþsearo gumena; garas stodon, sæmanna searo samod ætgædere, æscholt ufan græg; wæs se irenþreat wæpnum gewurþad þa þær wlonc hæleþ oretmecgas æfter æþelum frægn: hwanon ferigeaþ ge fætte scyldas, græge syrcan ond grimhelmas, heresceafta heap? ic eom Hroþgares ar ond ombiht ne seah ic elþeodige þus manige men modiglicran. wen ic þæt ge for wlenco nalles for wræcsiþum, ac for higeþrymmum Hroþgar sohton. 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, 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 gecyþed, wig ond wisdom: ic þæs wine Deniga, frean Scildinga frinan wille, beaga bryttan swa þu bena eart, þeoden mærne ymb þinne siþ, ond þe þa ondsware ædre gecyþan þe me se goda agifan þenceþ. hwearf þa hrædlice þær Hroþgar sæt eald ond anhar mid his eorla gedriht; eode ellenrof þæt he for eaxlum gestod Deniga frean; cuþe he duguþe þeaw. Wulfgar maþelode to his winedrihtne: her syndon geferede feorran cumene ofer geofenes begang Geata leode; þone yldestan oretmecgas Beowulf nemnaþ Hy benan synt þæt hie þeoden min wiþ þe moton wordum wrixlan No þu him wearne geteoh þinra gegncwida glædman Hroþgar. hy on wiggetawum wyrþe þinceaþ eorla geæhtlan; huru se aldor deah, se þæm heaþorincum hider wisade. Hroþgar maþelode helm Scyldinga: ic hine cuþe cnihtwesende. wæs his ealdfæder Ecgþeo haten, þæm to ham forgeaf Hreþel Geata angan dohtor; is his eafora nu heard her cumen sohte holdne wine. þonne sægdon þæt sæliþende, þa þe gifsceattas Geata fyredon þyder to þance þæt he XXXtiges manna mægencræft on his mundgripe heaþorof hæbbe Hine halig god for arstafum us onsende, to Westdenum þæs ic wen hæbbe, wiþ Grendles gryre ic þæm godan sceal for his modþræce madmas beodan. Beo þu on ofeste hat in gan seon sibbegedriht samod ætgædere; gesaga him eac wordum þæt hie sint wilcuman Deniga leodum. word inne abead: eow het secgan sigedrihten min, aldor Eastdena þæt he eower æþelu can, ond ge him syndon ofer sæwylmas heardhicgende hider wilcuman. nu ge moton gangan in eowrum guþgeatawum under heregriman Hroþgar geseon; lætaþ hildebord her onbidan, wudu wælsceaftas worda geþinges. aras þa se rica ymb hine rinc manig, þryþlic þegna heap; sume þær bidon, heaþoreaf heoldon swa him se hearda bebead. snyredon ætsomne þa secg wisode, under Heorotes hrof heard under helme þæt he on heoþe gestod. Beowulf maþelode on him byrne scan, searonet seowed smiþes orþancum: wæs þu Hroþgar hal ic eom Higelaces mæg ond magoþegn; hæbbe ic mærþa fela ongunnen on geogoþe Me wearþ Grendles þing on minre eþeltyrf undyrne cuþ; secgaþ sæliþend þæt þæs sele stande, reced selesta rinca gehwylcum idel ond unnyt siþþan æfenleoht under heofenes hador beholen weorþeþ. þa me þæt gelærdon leode mine þa selestan snotere ceorlas, þeoden Hroþgar þæt ic þe sohte, forþan hie mægenes cræft minne cuþon, selfe ofersawon þa ic of searwum cwom, fah from feondum þær ic fife geband, yþde eotena cyn ond on yþum slog niceras nihtes nearoþearfe dreah, wræc Wedera niþ wean ahsodon, forgrand gramum ond nu wiþ Grendel sceal, wiþ þam aglæcan ana gehegan þing wiþ þyrse ic þe nu þa, brego Beorhtdena biddan wille, eodor Scyldinga anre bene, þæt þu me ne forwyrne wigendra hleo, 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 recceþ. ic þæt þonne forhicge swa me Higelac sie, min mondrihten modes bliþe, þæt ic sweord bere oþþe sidne scyld, geolorand to guþe ac ic mid grape sceal fon wiþ feonde ond ymb feorh sacan, laþ wiþ laþum; þær gelyfan sceal dryhtnes dome se þe hine deaþ nimeþ. wen ic þæt he wille gif he wealdan mot, in þæm guþsele Geotena leode etan unforhte swa he oft dyde, mægen Hreþmanna Na þu minne þearft hafalan hydan ac he me habban wile dreore fahne gif mec deaþ nimeþ. byreþ blodig wæl byrgean þenceþ, eteþ angenga unmurnlice, mearcaþ morhopu; no þu ymb mines ne þearft lices feorme leng sorgian. onsend Higelace gif mec hild nime, beaduscruda betst þæt mine breost wereþ, hrægla selest; þæt is Hrædlan laf, Welandes geweorc Gæþ a wyrd swa hio scel. Hroþgar maþelode helm Scyldinga: for gewyrhtum þu wine min Beowulf, ond for arstafum usic sohtest. gesloh þin fæder fæhþe mæste; wearþ he Heaþolafe to handbonan mid Wilfingum; þa hine Wedera cyn for herebrogan habban ne mihte. þanon he gesohte Suþdena folc ofer yþa gewealc Arscyldinga. þa ic furþum weold folce Deniga ond on geogoþe heold ginne rice, hordburh hæleþa; þa wæs Heregar dead, min yldra mæg unlifigende, bearn Healfdenes; se wæs betera þonne ic. siþþan þa fæhþe 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 hafaþ hynþo on Heorote mid his heteþancum, færniþa gefremed Is min fletwerod, wigheap gewanod; hie wyrd forsweop on Grendles gryre God eaþe mæg þone dolsceaþan dæda getwæfan. ful oft gebeotedon beore druncne ofer ealowæge oretmecgas þæt hie in beorsele bidan woldon Grendles guþe mid gryrum ecga. þonne wæs þeos medoheal on morgentid, drihtsele dreorfah þonne dæg lixte, eal bencþelu blode bestymed, heall heorudreore; ahte ic holdra þy læs, deorre duguþe þe þa deaþ fornam. site nu to symle ond onsæl meoto, sigehreþ secgum swa þin sefa hwette. þa wæs Geatmæcgum geador ætsomne on beorsele benc gerymed; þær swiþferhþe sittan eodon, þryþum dealle þegn nytte beheold, se þe on handa bær hroden ealowæge, scencte scir wered Scop hwilum sang hador on Heorote þær wæs hæleþa dream, duguþ unlytel Dena ond Wedera. Unferþ maþelode Ecglafes bearn, þe æt fotum sæt frean Scyldinga, onband beadurune wæs him Beowulfes siþ, modges merefaran micel æfþunca, forþon þe he ne uþe þæt ænig oþer man æfre mærþa þon ma middangeardes gehedde under heofenum þonne he sylfa: eart þu se Beowulf se þe wiþ Brecan wunne, on sidne sæ ymb sund flite, þær git for wlence wada cunnedon ond for dolgilpe on deop wæter aldrum neþdon? ne inc ænig mon, ne leof ne laþ belean mihte sorhfullne siþ þa git on sund reon. þær git eagorstream earmum þehton, mæton merestræta mundum brugdon, glidon ofer garsecg; geofon yþum weol, wintrys wylmum Git on wæteres æht seofon niht swuncon; he þe æt sunde oferflat, hæfde mare mægen þa hine on morgentid on Heaþoræmas holm up ætbær; þonon he gesohte swæsne eþel, leof his leodum lond Brondinga, freoþoburh fægere þær he folc ahte burh ond beagas Beot eal wiþ þe sunu Beanstanes soþe gelæste. þonne wene ic to þe wyrsan geþingea, þeah þu heaþoræsa gehwær dohte, grimre guþe gif þu Grendles dearst nihtlongne fyrst nean bidan. Beowulf maþelode bearn Ecgþeowes: hwæt þu worn fela wine min Unferþ, beore druncen ymb Brecan spræce, sægdest from his siþe Soþ ic talige, þæt ic merestrengo maran ahte, earfeþo on yþum þonne ænig oþer man. wit þæt gecwædon cnihtwesende ond gebeotedon wæron begen þa git on geogoþfeore þæt wit on garsecg ut aldrum neþdon ond þæt geæfndon swa. hæfdon swurd nacod þa wit on sund reon, heard on handa; wit unc wiþ hronfixas werian þohton No he wiht fram me flodyþum feor fleotan meahte, hraþor on holme; no ic fram him wolde. þa wit ætsomne on sæ wæron fif nihta fyrst oþþæt unc flod todraf, wado weallende wedera cealdost, nipende niht ond norþanwind heaþogrim ondhwearf; hreo wæron yþa. wæs merefixa mod onhrered; þær me wiþ laþum licsyrce min, heard hondlocen helpe gefremede, beadohrægl broden on breostum læg golde gegyrwed Me to grunde teah fah feondscaþa fæste hæfde grim on grape; hwæþre me gyfeþe wearþ þæt ic aglæcan orde geræhte, hildebille; heaþoræs fornam mihtig meredeor þurh mine hand. swa mec gelome laþgeteonan þreatedon þearle ic him þenode deoran sweorde swa hit gedefe wæs. næs hie þære fylle gefean hæfdon, manfordædlan þæt hie me þegon, symbel ymbsæton sægrunde neah; ac on mergenne mecum wunde be yþlafe uppe lægon, sweordum aswefede þæt syþþan na ymb brontne ford brimliþende lade ne letton Leoht eastan com, beorht beacen godes; brimu swaþredon, þæt ic sænæssas geseon mihte, windige weallas Wyrd oft nereþ unfægne eorl þonne his ellen deah. hwæþere me gesælde þæt ic mid sweorde ofsloh niceras nigene No ic on niht gefrægn under heofones hwealf heardran feohtan, ne on egstreamum earmran mannon; hwaþere ic fara feng feore gedigde, siþes werig þa mec sæ oþbær, flod æfter faroþe on Finna land, wadu weallendu No ic wiht fram þe swylcra searoniþa secgan hyrde, billa brogan Breca næfre git æt heaþolace ne gehwæþer incer, swa deorlice dæd gefremede fagum sweordum no ic þæs fela gylpe, þeah þu þinum broþrum to banan wurde, heafodmægum; þæs þu in helle scealt werhþo dreogan þeah þin wit duge. secge ic þe to soþe sunu Ecglafes, þæt næfre Grendel swa fela gryra gefremede, atol æglæca ealdre þinum, hynþo on Heorote gif þin hige wære, sefa swa searogrim swa þu self talast. ac he hafaþ onfunden þæt he þa fæhþe ne þearf, atole ecgþræce eower leode swiþe onsittan Sigescyldinga; nymeþ nydbade nænegum araþ leode Deniga ac he lust wigeþ, swefeþ ond sendeþ secce ne weneþ to Gardenum Ac ic him Geata sceal eafoþ ond ellen ungeara nu, guþe gebeodan Gæþ eft se þe mot to medo modig siþþan morgenleoht ofer ylda bearn oþres dogores, sunne sweglwered suþan scineþ. þa wæs on salum sinces brytta, gamolfeax ond guþrof; geoce gelyfde brego Beorhtdena gehyrde on Beowulfe folces hyrde fæstrædne geþoht. þær wæs hæleþa hleahtor hlyn swynsode, word wæron wynsume Eode Wealhþeow forþ, cwen Hroþgares cynna gemyndig, grette goldhroden guman on healle, ond þa freolic wif ful gesealde ærest Eastdena eþelwearde, bæd hine bliþne æt þære beorþege, leodum leofne He on lust geþeah symbel ond seleful sigerof kyning. ymbeode þa ides Helminga duguþe ond geogoþe dæl æghwylcne, sincfato sealde oþþæt sæl alamp þæt hio Beowulfe beaghroden cwen mode geþungen medoful ætbær; grette Geata leod gode þancode wisfæst wordum þæs þe hire se willa gelamp þæt heo on ænigne eorl gelyfde fyrena frofre He þæt ful geþeah, wælreow wiga æt Wealhþeon, ond þa gyddode guþe gefysed; Beowulf maþelode bearn Ecgþeowes: ic þæt hogode þa ic on holm gestah, sæbat gesæt mid minre secga gedriht, þæt ic anunga eowra leoda willan geworhte oþþe on wæl crunge, feondgrapum fæst ic gefremman sceal eorlic ellen oþþe endedæg on þisse meoduhealle minne gebidan. þam wife þa word wel licodon, gilpcwide Geates; eode goldhroden freolicu folccwen to hire frean sittan. þa wæs eft swa ær inne on healle þryþword sprecen þeod on sælum, sigefolca sweg oþþæt semninga sunu Healfdenes secean wolde æfenræste; wiste þæm ahlæcan to þæm heahsele hilde geþinged, siþþan hie sunnan leoht geseon ne meahton, oþþe nipende niht ofer ealle, scaduhelma gesceapu scriþan cwoman, wan under wolcnum Werod eall aras. gegrette þa guma oþerne, Hroþgar Beowulf ond him hæl abead, winærnes geweald ond þæt word acwæþ: næfre ic ænegum men ær alyfde, siþþan ic hond ond rond hebban mihte, þryþærn Dena buton þe nu þa. hafa nu ond geheald husa selest, gemyne mærþo mægenellen cyþ, waca wiþ wraþum ne biþ þe wilna gad, gif þu þæt ellenweorc aldre gedigest. þa him Hroþgar gewat mid his hæleþa gedryht, eodur Scyldinga ut of healle; wolde wigfruma Wealhþeo secan, cwen to gebeddan Hæfde kyningwuldor Grendle togeanes swa guman gefrungon, seleweard aseted; sundornytte beheold ymb aldor Dena eotonweard abead. huru Geata leod georne truwode modgan mægnes metodes hyldo. þa he him of dyde isernbyrnan, helm of hafelan sealde his hyrsted sweord, irena cyst ombihtþegne, ond gehealdan het hildegeatwe. 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, aldre beneotan þeah ic eal mæge. nat he þara goda þæt he me ongean slea, rand geheawe þeah þe he rof sie niþgeweorca; ac wit on niht sculon secge ofersittan gif he gesecean dear wig ofer wæpen ond siþþan witig god on swa hwæþere hond halig dryhten, mærþo deme swa him gemet þince. hylde hine þa heaþodeor hleorbolster onfeng eorles andwlitan ond hine ymb monig snellic særinc selereste gebeah. nænig heora þohte þæt he þanon scolde eft eardlufan æfre gesecean, folc oþþe freoburh þær he afeded wæs; ac hie hæfdon gefrunen þæt hie ær to fela micles in þæm winsele wældeaþ fornam, Denigea leode Ac him dryhten forgeaf wigspeda gewiofu Wedera leodum, frofor ond fultum þæt hie feond heora þurh anes cræft ealle ofercomon, selfes mihtum Soþ is gecyþed þæt mihtig god manna cynnes weold wideferhþ Com on wanre niht scriþan sceadugenga Sceotend swæfon, þa þæt hornreced healdan scoldon, ealle buton anum þæt wæs yldum cuþ þæt hie ne moste þa metod nolde, se scynscaþa under sceadu bregdan; ac he wæccende wraþum on andan bad bolgenmod beadwa geþinges. þa com of more under misthleoþum Grendel gongan godes yrre bær; mynte se manscaþa manna cynnes sumne besyrwan in sele þam hean. wod under wolcnum to þæs þe he winreced, goldsele gumena gearwost wisse, fættum fahne ne wæs þæt forma siþ þæt he Hroþgares ham gesohte; næfre he on aldordagum ær ne siþþan heardran hæle healþegnas fand. com þa to recede rinc siþian, dreamum bedæled Duru sona onarn, fyrbendum fæst syþþan he hire folmum æthran; onbræd þa bealohydig þa he gebolgen wæs, recedes muþan Raþe æfter þon on fagne flor feond treddode, eode yrremod; him of eagum stod ligge gelicost leoht unfæger. geseah he in recede rinca manige, swefan sibbegedriht samod ætgædere, magorinca heap þa his mod ahlog; mynte þæt he gedælde ærþon dæg cwome, atol aglæca anra gehwylces lif wiþ lice þa him alumpen wæs wistfylle wen ne wæs þæt wyrd þa gen þæt he ma moste manna cynnes þicgean ofer þa niht þryþswyþ beheold mæg Higelaces hu se manscaþa under færgripum gefaran wolde. ne þæt se aglæca yldan þohte, ac he gefeng hraþe forman siþe slæpendne rinc slat unwearnum, bat banlocan blod edrum dranc, synsnædum swealh; sona hæfde unlyfigendes eal gefeormod, fet ond folma Forþ near ætstop, nam þa mid handa higeþihtigne rinc on ræste ræhte ongean feond mid folme; he onfeng hraþe inwitþancum ond wiþ earm gesæt. sona þæt onfunde fyrena hyrde þæt he ne mette middangeardes, eorþan sceata on elran men mundgripe maran He on mode wearþ forht on ferhþe; no þy ær fram meahte. hyge wæs him hinfus wolde on heolster fleon, secan deofla gedræg; ne wæs his drohtoþ þær swylce he on ealderdagum ær gemette. gemunde þa se goda mæg Higelaces, æfenspræce uplang astod ond him fæste wiþfeng; 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 on grames grapum þæt wæs geocor siþ þæt se hearmscaþa to Heorute ateah. Dryhtsele dynede; Denum eallum wearþ, ceasterbuendum cenra gehwylcum, eorlum ealuscerwen Yrre wæron begen, reþe renweardas Reced hlynsode. þa wæs wundor micel þæt se winsele wiþhæfde heaþodeorum þæt he on hrusan ne feol, fæger foldbold; ac he þæs fæste wæs innan ond utan irenbendum searoþoncum besmiþod þær fram sylle abeag medubenc monig mine gefræge, golde geregnad þær þa graman wunnon. þæs ne wendon ær witan Scyldinga þæt hit a mid gemete manna ænig, betlic ond banfag tobrecan meahte, listum tolucan nymþe liges fæþm swulge on swaþule Sweg up astag niwe geneahhe; Norþdenum stod atelic egesa anra gehwylcum þara þe of wealle wop gehyrdon, gryreleoþ galan godes ondsacan, sigeleasne sang sar wanigean helle hæfton Heold hine fæste se þe manna wæs mægene strengest on þæm dæge þysses lifes. nolde eorla hleo ænige þinga þone cwealmcuman cwicne forlætan, ne his lifdagas leoda ænigum nytte tealde þær genehost brægd eorl Beowulfes ealde lafe, wolde freadrihtnes feorh ealgian, mæres þeodnes þær hie meahton swa. hie þæt ne wiston þa hie gewin drugon, heardhicgende hildemecgas, ond on healfa gehwone heawan þohton, sawle secan þone synscaþan ænig ofer eorþan irenna cyst, guþbilla nan gretan nolde, ac he sigewæpnum forsworen hæfde, ecga gehwylcre Scolde his aldorgedal on þæm dæge þysses lifes earmlic wurþan ond se ellorgast on feonda geweald feor siþian. þa þæt onfunde se þe fela æror modes myrþe manna cynne, fyrene gefremede he wæs fag wiþ god, þæt him se lichoma læstan nolde, ac hine se modega mæg Hygelaces hæfde be honda; wæs gehwæþer oþrum lifigende laþ Licsar gebad atol æglæca; him on eaxle wearþ syndolh sweotol seonowe onsprungon, burston banlocan Beowulfe wearþ guþhreþ gyfeþe; scolde Grendel þonan feorhseoc fleon under fenhleoþu, secean wynleas wic; wiste þe geornor þæt his aldres wæs ende gegongen, dogera dægrim Denum eallum wearþ æfter þam wælræse willa gelumpen. hæfde þa gefælsod se þe ær feorran com, snotor ond swyþferhþ sele Hroþgares, genered wiþ niþe; nihtweorce gefeh, ellenmærþum Hæfde Eastdenum Geatmecga leod gilp gelæsted, swylce oncyþþe ealle gebette, inwidsorge þe hie ær drugon ond for þreanydum þolian scoldon, torn unlytel þæt wæs tacen sweotol, syþþan hildedeor hond alegde, earm ond eaxle þær wæs eal geador Grendles grape under geapne hrof. þa wæs on morgen mine gefræge ymb þa gifhealle guþrinc monig; ferdon folctogan feorran ond nean geond widwegas wundor sceawian, laþes lastas No his lifgedal sarlic þuhte secga ænegum þara þe tirleases trode sceawode, hu he werigmod on weg þanon, niþa ofercumen on nicera mere fæge ond geflymed feorhlastas bær. þær wæs on blode brim weallende, atol yþa geswing eal gemenged haton heolfre heorodreore weol. deaþfæge deog siþþan dreama leas in fenfreoþo feorh alegde, hæþene sawle; þær him hel onfeng. þanon eft gewiton ealdgesiþas, swylce geong manig of gomenwaþe fram mere modge mearum ridan, beornas on blancum þær wæs Beowulfes mærþo mæned; monig oft gecwæþ þætte suþ ne norþ be sæm tweonum ofer eormengrund oþer nænig under swegles begong selra nære rondhæbbendra rices wyrþra. ne hie huru winedrihten wiht ne logon, glædne Hroþgar ac þæt wæs god cyning. hwilum heaþorofe hleapan leton, on geflit faran fealwe mearas þær him foldwegas fægere þuhton, cystum cuþe Hwilum cyninges þegn, guma gilphlæden gidda gemyndig, se þe ealfela ealdgesegena worn gemunde word oþer fand soþe gebunden; secg eft ongan siþ Beowulfes snyttrum styrian ond on sped wrecan spel gerade, wordum wrixlan Welhwylc gecwæþ þæt he fram Sigemundes secgan hyrde ellendædum uncuþes fela, Wælsinges gewin wide siþas, þara þe gumena bearn gearwe ne wiston, fæhþe ond fyrena buton Fitela mid hine, þonne he swulces hwæt secgan wolde, eam his nefan swa hie a wæron æt niþa gehwam nydgesteallan; hæfdon ealfela eotena cynnes sweordum gesæged Sigemunde gesprong æfter deaþdæge dom unlytel, syþþan wiges heard wyrm acwealde, hordes hyrde He under harne stan, æþelinges bearn ana geneþde frecne dæde ne wæs him Fitela mid. hwæþre him gesælde þæt þæt swurd þurhwod wrætlicne wyrm þæt hit on wealle ætstod, dryhtlic iren; draca morþre swealt. hæfde aglæca elne gegongen þæt he beahhordes brucan moste selfes dome; sæbat gehleod, bær on bearm scipes beorhte frætwa, Wælses eafera Wyrm hat gemealt. se wæs wreccena wide mærost ofer werþeode wigendra hleo, ellendædum he þæs ær onþah, siþþan Heremodes hild sweþrode, eafoþ ond ellen He mid Eotenum wearþ on feonda geweald forþ forlacen, snude forsended Hine sorhwylmas lemede to lange; he his leodum wearþ, eallum æþellingum to aldorceare; swylce oft bemearn ærran mælum swiþferhþes siþ snotor ceorl monig, se þe him bealwa to bote gelyfde, þæt þæt þeodnes bearn geþeon scolde, fæderæþelum onfon folc gehealdan, hord ond hleoburh hæleþa rice, eþel Scyldinga He þær eallum wearþ, mæg Higelaces manna cynne, freondum gefægra; hine fyren onwod. hwilum flitende fealwe stræte mearum mæton þa wæs morgenleoht scofen ond scynded Eode scealc monig swiþhicgende to sele þam hean searowundor seon; swylce self cyning of brydbure beahhorda weard, tryddode tirfæst getrume micle, cystum gecyþed ond his cwen mid him medostigge mæt mægþa hose. Hroþgar maþelode he to healle geong, stod on stapole geseah steapne hrof, golde fahne ond Grendles hond: þisse ansyne alwealdan þanc lungre gelimpe Fela ic laþes gebad, grynna æt Grendle; a mæg god wyrcan wunder æfter wundre wuldres hyrde. þæt wæs ungeara þæt ic ænigra me weana ne wende to widan feore bote gebidan þonne blode fah husa selest heorodreorig stod, wea widscofen witena gehwylcum þara þe ne wendon þæt hie wideferhþ leoda landgeweorc laþum beweredon scuccum ond scinnum nu scealc hafaþ þurh drihtnes miht dæd gefremede þe we ealle ær ne meahton snyttrum besyrwan Hwæt þæt secgan mæg efne swa hwylc mægþa swa þone magan cende æfter gumcynnum gyf heo gyt lyfaþ, þæt hyre ealdmetod este wære bearngebyrdo nu ic Beowulf þec, secg betsta me for sunu wylle freogan on ferhþe; heald forþ tela niwe sibbe ne biþ þe nænigra gad worolde wilna þe ic geweald hæbbe. ful oft ic for læssan lean teohhode, hordweorþunge hnahran rince, sæmran æt sæcce þu þe self hafast dædum gefremed þæt þin dom lyfaþ awa to aldre Alwalda þec gode forgylde swa he nu gyt dyde. Beowulf maþelode bearn Ecþeowes: we þæt ellenweorc estum miclum, feohtan fremedon frecne geneþdon eafoþ uncuþes Uþe ic swiþor þæt þu hine selfne geseon moste, feond on frætewum fylwerigne. ic hine hrædlice heardan clammum on wælbedde wriþan þohte, þæt he for mundgripe minum scolde licgean lifbysig butan his lic swice. ic hine ne mihte þa metod nolde, ganges getwæman no ic him þæs georne ætfealh, feorhgeniþlan; wæs to foremihtig feond on feþe Hwæþere he his folme forlet to lifwraþe last weardian, earm ond eaxle No þær ænige swa þeah feasceaft guma frofre gebohte; no þy leng leofaþ laþgeteona, synnum geswenced ac hyne sar hafaþ mid nydgripe nearwe befongen, balwon bendum þær abidan sceal maga mane fah miclan domes, hu him scir metod scrifan wille. þa wæs swigra secg sunu Eclafes, on gylpspræce guþgeweorca, siþþan æþelingas eorles cræfte ofer heanne hrof hand sceawedon, feondes fingras Foran æghwylc wæs, stiþra nægla gehwylc style gelicost, hæþenes handsporu hilderinces, egl unheoru æghwylc gecwæþ þæt him heardra nan hrinan wolde iren ærgod þæt þæs ahlæcan blodge beadufolme onberan wolde. þa wæs haten hreþe Heort innanweard folmum gefrætwod Fela þæra wæs, wera ond wifa þe þæt winreced, gestsele gyredon Goldfag scinon web æfter wagum wundorsiona fela secga gehwylcum þara þe on swylc staraþ. wæs þæt beorhte bold tobrocen swiþe, eal inneweard irenbendum fæst, heorras tohlidene Hrof ana genæs, ealles ansund þe se aglæca, fyrendædum fag on fleam gewand, aldres orwena No þæt yþe byþ to befleonne fremme se þe wille, ac gesecan sceal sawlberendra, nyde genydde niþþa bearna, grundbuendra gearwe stowe, þær his lichoma legerbedde fæst swefeþ æfter symle þa wæs sæl ond mæl þæt to healle gang Healfdenes sunu; 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 medoful manig magas þara swiþhicgende on sele þam hean, Hroþgar ond Hroþulf Heorot innan wæs freondum afylled; nalles facenstafas eodscyldingas þenden fremedon. forgeaf þa Beowulfe bearn Healfdenes segen gyldenne sigores to leane; hroden hildecumbor helm ond byrnan, mære maþþumsweord manige gesawon beforan beorn beran Beowulf geþah ful on flette; no he þære feohgyfte for sceotendum scamigan þorfte. ne gefrægn ic freondlicor feower madmas golde gegyrede gummanna fela in ealobence oþrum gesellan. ymb þæs helmes hrof heafodbeorge wirum bewunden walu utan heold, þæt him fela laf frecne ne meahton scurheard sceþþan þonne scyldfreca ongean gramum gangan scolde. heht þa eorla hleo eahta mearas fætedhleore on flet teon, in under eoderas þara anum stod sadol searwum fah since gewurþad; þæt wæs hildesetl heahcyninges, þonne sweorda gelac sunu Healfdenes efnan wolde Næfre on ore læg widcuþes wig þonne walu feollon. ond þa Beowulfe bega gehwæþres eodor Ingwina onweald geteah, wicga ond wæpna het hine wel brucan. swa manlice mære þeoden, hordweard hæleþa heaþoræsas geald mearum ond madmum swa hy næfre man lyhþ, se þe secgan wile soþ æfter rihte. þa gyt æghwylcum eorla drihten þara þe mid Beowulfe brimlade teah on þære medubence maþþum gesealde, yrfelafe ond þone ænne heht golde forgyldan þone þe Grendel ær mane acwealde swa he hyra ma wolde, nefne him witig god wyrd forstode ond þæs mannes mod Metod eallum weold gumena cynnes swa he nu git deþ. forþan biþ andgit æghwær selest, ferhþes foreþanc Fela sceal gebidan leofes ond laþes se þe longe her on þyssum windagum worolde bruceþ. þær wæs sang ond sweg samod ætgædere fore Healfdenes hildewisan, gomenwudu greted gid oft wrecen, þonne healgamen Hroþgares scop æfter medobence mænan scolde be Finnes eaferum þa hie se fær begeat, hæleþ Healfdena Hnæf Scyldinga, in Freswæle feallan scolde. ne huru Hildeburh herian þorfte Eotena treowe; unsynnum wearþ beloren leofum æt þam lindplegan, bearnum ond broþrum; hie on gebyrd hruron, gare wunde þæt wæs geomuru ides. malles holinga Hoces dohtor meotodsceaft bemearn syþþan morgen com, þa heo under swegle geseon meahte morþorbealo maga þær heo ær mæste heold worolde wynne Wig ealle fornam Finnes þegnas nemne feaum anum, þæt he ne mehte on þæm meþelstede wig Hengeste wiht gefeohtan, ne þa wealafe wige forþringan þeodnes þegna ac hig him geþingo budon, þæt hie him oþer flet eal gerymdon, healle ond heahsetl þæt hie healfre geweald wiþ Eotena bearn agan moston, ond æt feohgyftum Folcwaldan sunu dogra gehwylce Dene weorþode, Hengestes heap hringum wenede efne swa swiþe sincgestreonum fættan goldes swa he Fresena cyn on beorsele byldan wolde. þa hie getruwedon on twa healfa fæste frioþuwære Fin Hengeste elne unflitme aþum benemde þæt he þa wealafe weotena dome arum heolde þæt þær ænig mon wordum ne worcum wære ne bræce, ne þurh inwitsearo æfre gemænden þeah hie hira beaggyfan banan folgedon þeodenlease þa him swa geþearfod wæs. gyf þonne Frysna hwylc frecnan spræce þæs morþorhetes myndgiend wære, þonne hit sweordes ecg seþan scolde. ad wæs geæfned ond icge gold ahæfen of horde Herescyldinga betst beadorinca wæs on bæl gearu. æt þæm ade wæs eþgesyne swatfah syrce swyn ealgylden, eofer irenheard æþeling manig wundum awyrded; sume on wæle crungon. het þa Hildeburh æt Hnæfes ade hire selfre sunu sweoloþe befæstan, banfatu bærnan ond on bæl don eame on eaxle Ides gnornode, geomrode giddum Guþrinc astah. wand to wolcnum wælfyra mæst, hlynode for hlawe; hafelan multon, bengeato burston þonne blod ætspranc, laþbite lices Lig ealle forswealg, gæsta gifrost þara þe þær guþ fornam bega folces; wæs hira blæd scacen. gewiton him þa wigend wica neosian, freondum befeallen Frysland geseon, hamas ond heaburh Hengest þa gyt wælfagne winter wunode mid Finne eal unhlitme Eard gemunde, þeah þe he ne meahte on mere drifan hringedstefnan; holm storme weol, won wiþ winde winter yþe beleac isgebinde oþþæt oþer com gear in geardas swa nu gyt deþ, þa þe syngales sele bewitiaþ, wuldortorhtan weder þa wæs winter scacen, fæger foldan bearm Fundode wrecca, gist of geardum; he to gyrnwræce swiþor þohte þonne to sælade, 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, þæs wæron mid Eotenum ecge cuþe. swylce ferhþfrecan Fin eft begeat sweordbealo sliþen æt his selfes ham, siþþan grimne gripe Guþlaf ond Oslaf æfter sæsiþe sorge mændon, ætwiton weana dæl; ne meahte wæfre mod forhabban in hreþre þa wæs heal roden feonda feorum swilce Fin slægen, cyning on corþre ond seo cwen numen. sceotend Scyldinga to scypon feredon eal ingesteald eorþcyninges, swylce hie æt Finnes ham findan meahton sigla searogimma Hie on sælade drihtlice wif to Denum feredon, læddon to leodum Leoþ wæs asungen, gleomannes gyd Gamen eft astah, beorhtode bencsweg; byrelas sealdon win of wunderfatum þa cwom Wealhþeo forþ gan under gyldnum beage þær þa godan twegen sæton suhtergefæderan; þa gyt wæs hiera sib ætgædere, æghwylc oþrum 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 þa ides Scyldinga: onfoh þissum fulle freodrihten min, sinces brytta þu on sælum wes, goldwine gumena ond to Geatum spræc mildum wordum swa sceal man don. Beo wiþ Geatas glæd geofena gemyndig, nean ond feorran þu nu hafast. me man sægde þæt þu þe for sunu wolde hererinc habban Heorot is gefælsod, beahsele beorhta; bruc þenden þu mote manigra medo ond þinum magum læf folc ond rice þonne þu forþ scyle metodsceaft seon ic minne can glædne Hroþulf þæt he þa geogoþe wile arum healdan gyf þu ær þonne he, wine Scildinga worold oflætest; wene ic þæt he mid gode gyldan wille uncran eaferan gif he þæt eal gemon, hwæt wit to willan ond to worþmyndum umborwesendum ær arna gefremedon. hwearf þa bi bence þær hyre byre wæron, Hreþric ond Hroþmund ond hæleþa bearn, giogoþ ætgædere; þær se goda sæt, Beowulf Geata be þæm gebroþrum twæm. him wæs ful boren ond freondlaþu wordum bewægned ond wunden gold estum geeawed earmreade twa, hrægl ond hringas healsbeaga mæst þara þe ic on foldan gefrægen hæbbe. nænigne ic under swegle selran hyrde hordmaþþum hæleþa syþþan Hama ætwæg to þære byrhtan byrig Brosinga mene, sigle ond sincfæt; searoniþas fleah Eormenrices geceas ecne ræd. þone hring hæfde Higelac Geata, nefa Swertinges nyhstan siþe, siþþan he under segne sinc ealgode, wælreaf werede; hyne wyrd fornam, syþþan he for wlenco wean ahsode, fæhþe to Frysum He þa frætwe wæg, eorclanstanas ofer yþa ful, rice þeoden; he under rande gecranc. gehwearf þa in Francna fæþm feorh cyninges, breostgewædu ond se beah somod; wyrsan wigfrecan wæl reafedon æfter guþsceare Geata leode, hreawic heoldon Heal swege onfeng. Wealhþeo maþelode heo fore þæm werede spræc: bruc þisses beages Beowulf leofa, hyse mid hæle ond þisses hrægles neot, þeodgestreona ond geþeoh tela, cen þec mid cræfte ond þyssum cnyhtum wes lara liþe; ic þe þæs lean geman. hafast þu gefered þæt þe feor ond neah ealne wideferhþ weras ehtigaþ, efne swa side swa sæ bebugeþ, windgeard weallas Wes þenden þu lifige, æþeling eadig ic þe an tela sincgestreona Beo þu suna minum dædum gedefe dreamhealdende. her is æghwylc eorl oþrum getrywe, modes milde mandrihtne hold; þegnas syndon geþwære þeod ealgearo, druncne dryhtguman doþ swa ic bidde. eode þa to setle þær wæs symbla cyst; druncon win weras Wyrd ne cuþon, geosceaft grimme swa hit agangen wearþ eorla manegum syþþan æfen cwom ond him Hroþgar gewat to hofe sinum, rice to ræste Reced weardode unrim eorla swa hie oft ær dydon. bencþelu beredon; hit geondbræded wearþ beddum ond bolstrum Beorscealca sum fus ond fæge fletræste gebeag. setton him to heafdon hilderandas, bordwudu beorhtan; þær on bence wæs ofer æþelinge yþgesene heaþosteapa helm hringed byrne, þrecwudu þrymlic wæs þeaw hyra þæt hie oft wæron an wig gearwe, ge æt ham ge on herge ge gehwæþer þara, efne swylce mæla swylce hira mandryhtne þearf gesælde; wæs seo þeod tilu. sigon þa to slæpe Sum sare angeald æfenræste swa him ful oft gelamp, siþþan goldsele Grendel warode, unriht æfnde oþþæt ende becwom, swylt æfter synnum þæt gesyne wearþ, widcuþ werum þætte wrecend þa gyt lifde æfter laþum lange þrage, æfter guþceare Grendles modor, ides aglæcwif yrmþe gemunde, se þe wæteregesan wunian scolde, cealde streamas siþþan Cain wearþ to ecgbanan angan breþer, fæderenmæge; he þa fag gewat, morþre gemearcod mandream fleon, westen warode þanon woc fela geosceaftgasta; wæs þæra Grendel sum, heorowearh hetelic se æt Heorote fand wæccendne wer wiges bidan. þær him aglæca ætgræpe wearþ; hwæþre he gemunde mægenes strenge, gimfæste gife þe him god sealde, ond him to anwaldan are gelyfde, frofre ond fultum; þy he þone feond ofercwom, gehnægde helle gast þa he hean gewat, dreame bedæled deaþwic seon, mancynnes feond ond his modor þa gyt, gifre ond galgmod gegan wolde sorhfulne siþ sunu deaþ wrecan. com þa to Heorote þær Hringdene geond þæt sæld swæfun þa þær sona wearþ edhwyrft eorlum siþþan inne fealh Grendles modor wæs se gryre læssa efne swa micle swa biþ mægþa cræft, wiggryre wifes be wæpnedmen, þonne heoru bunden hamere geþuren, sweord swate fah swin ofer helme ecgum dyhttig andweard scireþ. þa wæs on healle heardecg togen sweord ofer setlum sidrand manig hafen handa fæst; helm ne gemunde, byrnan side þa hine se broga angeat. heo wæs on ofste wolde ut þanon, eore beorgan þa heo onfunden wæs. hraþe heo æþelinga anne hæfde fæste befangen þa heo to fenne gang. se wæs Hroþgare hæleþa leofost on gesiþes had be sæm tweonum, rice randwiga þone þe heo on ræste abreat, blædfæstne beorn Næs Beowulf þær, ac wæs oþer in ær geteohhod æfter maþþumgife mærum Geate. hream wearþ in Heorote; heo under heolfre genam cuþe folme; cearu wæs geniwod, geworden in wicun ne wæs þæt gewrixle til, þæt hie on ba healfa bicgan scoldon freonda feorum þa wæs frod cyning, har hilderinc on hreon mode, syþþan he aldorþegn unlyfigendne, þone deorestan deadne wisse. hraþe wæs to bure Beowulf fetod, sigoreadig secg Samod ærdæge eode eorla sum æþele cempa self mid gesiþum þær se snotera bad, hwæþer him alwalda æfre wille æfter weaspelle wyrpe gefremman. gang þa æfter flore fyrdwyrþe man mid his handscale healwudu dynede, þæt he þone wisan wordum nægde frean Ingwina frægn gif him wære æfter neodlaþum niht getæse. Hroþgar maþelode helm Scyldinga: ne frin þu æfter sælum Sorh is geniwod Denigea leodum Dead is æschere, Yrmenlafes yldra broþor, min runwita ond min rædbora, eaxlgestealla þonne we on orlege hafelan weredon þonne hniton feþan, eoferas cynsedan Swylc scolde eorl wesan, æþeling ærgod swylc æschere wæs. wearþ him on Heorote to handbanan wælgæst wæfre; ic ne wat hwæder atol æse wlanc eftsiþas teah, fylle gefægnod Heo þa fæhþe wræc þe þu gystranniht Grendel cwealdest þurh hæstne had heardum clammum, forþan he to lange leode mine wanode ond wyrde He æt wige gecrang ealdres scyldig ond nu oþer cwom mihtig manscaþa wolde hyre mæg wrecan, ge feor hafaþ fæhþe gestæled (þæs þe þincean mæg þegne monegum, se þe æfter sincgyfan on sefan greoteþ, hreþerbealo hearde; nu seo hand ligeþ, se þe eow welhwylcra wilna dohte. ic þæt londbuend leode mine, selerædende secgan hyrde þæt hie gesawon swylce twegen micle mearcstapan moras healdan, ellorgæstas þæra oþer wæs, þæs þe hie gewislicost gewitan meahton, idese onlicnæs; oþer earmsceapen on weres wæstmum wræclastas træd, næfne he wæs mara þonne ænig man oþer; þone on geardagum Grendel nemdon foldbuende No hie fæder cunnon, hwæþer him ænig wæs ær acenned dyrnra gasta Hie dygel lond warigeaþ wulfhleoþu windige næssas, frecne fengelad þær fyrgenstream under næssa genipu niþer gewiteþ, flod under foldan Nis þæt feor heonon milgemearces þæt se mere standeþ; ofer þæm hongiaþ hrinde bearwas, wudu wyrtum fæst wæter oferhelmaþ. þær mæg nihta gehwæm niþwundor seon, fyr on flode No þæs frod leofaþ gumena bearna þæt þone grund wite; þeah þe hæþstapa hundum geswenced, heorot hornum trum holtwudu sece, feorran geflymed ær he feorh seleþ, aldor on ofre ær he in wille hafelan hydan Nis þæt heoru stow! þonon yþgeblond up astigeþ won to wolcnum þonne wind styreþ, laþ gewidru oþþæt lyft drysmaþ, roderas reotaþ nu is se ræd gelang eft æt þe anum Eard git ne const, frecne stowe þær þu findan miht felasinnigne secg; sec gif þu dyrre. ic þe þa fæhþe feo leanige, ealdgestreonum swa ic ær dyde, wundnum golde gyf þu on weg cymest." Beowulf maþelode bearn Ecgþeowes: "ne sorga snotor guma; selre biþ æghwæm þæt he his freond wrece þonne he fela murne. ure æghwylc sceal ende gebidan worolde lifes; wyrce se þe mote domes ær deaþe; þæt biþ drihtguman unlifgendum æfter selest. aris rices weard uton raþe feran Grendles magan gang sceawigan. ic hit þe gehate no he on helm losaþ, ne on foldan fæþm ne on fyrgenholt, ne on gyfenes grund ga þær he wille. þys dogor þu geþyld hafa weana gehwylces swa ic þe wene to." ahleop þa se gomela gode þancode, mihtigan drihtne þæs se man gespræc. þa wæs Hroþgare hors gebæted, wicg wundenfeax Wisa fengel geatolic gende; gumfeþa stop lindhæbbendra Lastas wæron æfter waldswaþum wide gesyne, gang ofer grundas þær heo gegnum for ofer myrcan mor magoþegna bær þone selestan sawolleasne þara þe mid Hroþgare ham eahtode. ofereode þa æþelinga bearn steap stanhliþo stige nearwe, enge anpaþas uncuþ gelad, neowle næssas nicorhusa fela. he feara sum beforan gengde wisra monna wong sceawian, oþþæt he færinga fyrgenbeamas ofer harne stan hleonian funde, wynleasne wudu; wæter under stod dreorig ond gedrefed Denum eallum wæs, winum Scyldinga weorce on mode to geþolianne þegne monegum, oncyþ eorla gehwæm syþþan æscheres on þam holmclife hafelan metton. flod blode weol (folc to sægon, hatan heolfre Horn stundum song fuslic fyrdleoþ Feþa eal gesæt. gesawon þa æfter wætere wyrmcynnes fela, sellice sædracan sund cunnian, swylce on næshleoþum nicras licgean, þa on undernmæl oft bewitigaþ sorhfulne siþ on seglrade, wyrmas ond wildeor; hie on weg hruron, bitere ond gebolgne bearhtm ongeaton, guþhorn galan Sumne Geata leod of flanbogan feores getwæfde, yþgewinnes þæt him on aldre stod herestræl hearda; he on holme wæs sundes þe sænra þe hyne swylt fornam. Hræþe wearþ on yþum mid eoferspreotum heorohocyhtum hearde genearwod, niþa genæged ond on næs togen, wundorlic wægbora; weras sceawedon gryrelicne gist Gyrede hine Beowulf eorlgewædum nalles for ealdre mearn. scolde herebyrne hondum gebroden, sid ond searofah sund cunnian, seo þe bancofan beorgan cuþe, þæt him hildegrap hreþre ne mihte, eorres inwitfeng aldre gesceþþan; ac se hwita helm hafelan werede, se þe meregrundas mengan scolde, secan sundgebland since geweorþad, befongen freawrasnum swa hine fyrndagum worhte wæpna smiþ wundrum teode, besette swinlicum þæt hine syþþan no brond ne beadomecas bitan ne meahton. næs þæt þonne mætost mægenfultuma þæt him on þearfe lah þyle Hroþgares; wæs þæm hæftmece Hrunting nama. þæt wæs an foran ealdgestreona; ecg wæs iren atertanum fah, ahyrded heaþoswate; næfre hit æt hilde ne swac manna ængum þara þe hit mid mundum bewand, se þe gryresiþas gegan dorste, folcstede fara; næs þæt forma siþ þæt hit ellenweorc æfnan scolde. Huru ne gemunde mago Ecglafes, eafoþes cræftig þæt he ær gespræc wine druncen þa he þæs wæpnes onlah selran sweordfrecan selfa ne dorste under yþa gewin aldre geneþan, drihtscype dreogan; þær he dome forleas, ellenmærþum ne wæs þæm oþrum swa, syþþan he hine to guþe gegyred hæfde. Beowulf maþelode bearn Ecgþeowes: "Geþenc nu se mæra maga Healfdenes, snottra fengel nu ic eom siþes fus, goldwine gumena hwæt wit geo spræcon, gif ic æt þearfe þinre scolde aldre linnan þæt þu me a wære forþgewitenum on fæder stæle. wes þu mundbora minum magoþegnum, hondgesellum gif mec hild nime; swylce þu þa madmas þe þu me sealdest, Hroþgar leofa Higelace onsend. mæg þonne on þæm golde ongitan Geata dryhten, geseon sunu Hrædles þonne he on þæt sinc staraþ, þæt ic gumcystum godne funde beaga bryttan breac þonne moste. ond þu Unferþ læt ealde lafe, wrætlic wægsweord widcuþne man heardecg habban; ic me mid Hruntinge dom gewyrce oþþe mec deaþ nimeþ." æfter þæm wordum Wedergeata leod efste mid elne nalas ondsware bidan wolde; brimwylm onfeng hilderince þa wæs hwil dæges ær he þone grundwong ongytan mehte. sona þæt onfunde se þe floda begong heorogifre beheold hund missera, grim ond grædig þæt þær gumena sum ælwihta eard ufan cunnode. grap þa togeanes guþrinc gefeng atolan clommum No þy ær in gescod halan lice; hring utan ymbbearh, þæt heo þone fyrdhom þurhfon ne mihte, locene leoþosyrcan laþan fingrum. bær þa seo brimwylf þa heo to botme com, hringa þengel to hofe sinum, swa he ne mihte no he þæs modig wæs, wæpna gewealdan ac hine wundra þæs fela swencte on sunde sædeor monig hildetuxum heresyrcan bræc, ehton aglæcan þa se eorl ongeat þæt he in niþsele nathwylcum wæs, þær him nænig wæter wihte ne sceþede, ne him for hrofsele hrinan ne mehte færgripe flodes; fyrleoht geseah, blacne leoman beorhte scinan. ongeat þa se goda grundwyrgenne, merewif mihtig; mægenræs forgeaf hildebille hond sweng ne ofteah, þæt hire on hafelan hringmæl agol grædig guþleoþ þa se gist onfand þæt se beadoleoma bitan nolde, aldre sceþþan ac seo ecg geswac þeodne æt þearfe; þolode ær fela hondgemota helm oft gescær, fæges fyrdhrægl; þa wæs forma siþ deorum madme þæt his dom alæg. eft wæs anræd nalas elnes læt, mærþa gemyndig mæg Hylaces. wearp þa wundenmæl wrættum gebunden yrre oretta þæt hit on eorþan læg, stiþ ond stylecg; strenge getruwode, mundgripe mægenes swa sceal man don, þonne he æt guþe gegan þenceþ longsumne lof na ymb his lif cearaþ. gefeng þa be eaxle (nalas for fæhþe mearn) Guþgeata leod Grendles modor; brægd þa beadwe heard þa he gebolgen wæs, feorhgeniþlan þæt heo on flet gebeah. heo him eft hraþe andlean forgeald grimman grapum ond him togeanes feng; oferwearp þa werigmod wigena strengest, feþecempa þæt he on fylle wearþ. ofsæt þa þone selegyst ond hyre seax geteah, brad ond brunecg wolde hire bearn wrecan, angan eaferan him on eaxle læg breostnet broden; þæt gebearh feore, wiþ ord ond wiþ ecge ingang forstod. hæfde þa forsiþod sunu Ecgþeowes under gynne grund Geata cempa, nemne him heaþobyrne helpe gefremede, herenet hearde ond halig god geweold wigsigor; witig drihten, rodera rædend hit on ryht gesced yþelice syþþan he eft astod. geseah þa on searwum sigeeadig bil, eald sweord eotenisc ecgum þyhtig, wigena weorþmynd; þæt wæs wæpna cyst, buton hit wæs mare þonne ænig mon oþer to beadulace ætberan meahte, god ond geatolic giganta geweorc. he gefeng þa fetelhilt freca Scyldinga hreoh ond heorogrim hringmæl gebrægd, aldres orwena yrringa sloh, þæt hire wiþ halse heard grapode, banhringas bræc Bil eal þurhwod fægne flæschoman; heo on flet gecrong. sweord wæs swatig secg weorce gefeh. lixte se leoma leoht inne stod, efne swa of hefene hadre scineþ rodores candel He æfter recede wlat; hwearf þa be wealle wæpen hafenade heard be hiltum Higelaces þegn, yrre ond anræd Næs seo ecg fracod hilderince ac he hraþe wolde Grendle forgyldan guþræsa fela þara þe he geworhte to Westdenum oftor micle þonne on ænne siþ, þonne he Hroþgares heorþgeneatas sloh on sweofote slæpende fræt folces Denigea fyftyne men ond oþer swylc ut offerede, laþlicu lac He him þæs lean forgeald, reþe cempa to þæs þe he on ræste geseah guþwerigne Grendel licgan aldorleasne swa him ær gescod hild æt Heorote Hra wide sprong, syþþan he æfter deaþe drepe þrowade, heorosweng heardne ond hine þa heafde becearf. sona þæt gesawon snottre ceorlas, þa þe mid Hroþgare on holm wliton, þæt wæs yþgeblond eal gemenged, brim blode fah Blondenfeaxe, gomele ymb godne ongeador spræcon þæt hig þæs æþelinges eft ne wendon þæt he sigehreþig secean come mærne þeoden; þa þæs monige gewearþ þæt hine seo brimwylf abroten hæfde. þa com non dæges næs ofgeafon hwate Scyldingas; gewat him ham þonon goldwine gumena Gistas setan modes seoce ond on mere staredon, wiston ond ne wendon þæt hie heora winedrihten selfne gesawon þa þæt sweord ongan æfter heaþoswate hildegicelum, wigbil wanian þæt wæs wundra sum, þæt hit eal gemealt ise gelicost, þonne forstes bend fæder onlæteþ, onwindeþ wælrapas se geweald hafaþ sæla ond mæla; þæt is soþ metod. ne nom he in þæm wicum Wedergeata leod, maþmæhta ma þeh he þær monige geseah, buton þone hafelan ond þa hilt somod since fage Sweord ær gemealt, forbarn brodenmæl; wæs þæt blod to þæs hat, ættren ellorgæst se þær inne swealt. sona wæs on sunde se þe ær æt sæcce gebad wighryre wraþra wæter up þurhdeaf. wæron yþgebland eal gefælsod, eacne eardas þa se ellorgast oflet lifdagas ond þas lænan gesceaft. com þa to lande lidmanna helm swiþmod swymman; sælace gefeah, mægenbyrþenne þara þe he him mid hæfde. rodon him þa togeanes gode þancodon, þryþlic þegna heap þeodnes gefegon, þæs þe hi hyne gesundne geseon moston. þa wæs of þæm hroran helm ond byrne lungre alysed Lagu drusade, wæter under wolcnum wældreore fag. ferdon forþ þonon feþelastum ferhþum fægne foldweg mæton, cuþe stræte Cyningbalde men from þæm holmclife hafelan bæron earfoþlice heora æghwæþrum, felamodigra; feower scoldon on þæm wælstenge weorcum geferian to þæm goldsele Grendles heafod, oþþæt semninga to sele comon frome fyrdhwate feowertyne Geata gongan; gumdryhten mid modig on gemonge meodowongas træd. þa com in gan ealdor þegna, dædcene mon dome gewurþad, hæle hildedeor Hroþgar gretan. þa wæs be feaxe on flet boren Grendles heafod þær guman druncon, egeslic for eorlum ond þære idese mid, wliteseon wrætlic; weras on sawon. Beowulf maþelode bearn Ecgþeowes: "Hwæt! we þe þas sælac sunu Healfdenes, leod Scyldinga lustum brohton tires to tacne þe þu her to locast. ic þæt unsofte ealdre gedigde wigge under wætere weorc geneþde earfoþlice; ætrihte wæs guþ getwæfed nymþe mec god scylde. ne meahte ic æt hilde mid Hruntinge wiht gewyrcan þeah þæt wæpen duge; ac me geuþe ylda waldend þæt ic on wage geseah wlitig hangian eald sweord eacen (oftost wisode winigea leasum þæt ic þy wæpne gebræd. ofsloh þa æt þære sæcce þa me sæl ageald, huses hyrdas þa þæt hildebil forbarn brogdenmæl swa þæt blod gesprang, hatost heaþoswata ic þæt hilt þanan feondum ætferede fyrendæda wræc, deaþcwealm Denigea swa hit gedefe wæs. ic hit þe þonne gehate þæt þu on Heorote most sorhleas swefan mid þinra secga gedryht ond þegna gehwylc þinra leoda, duguþe ond iogoþe þæt þu him ondrædan ne þearft, þeoden Scyldinga on þa healfe, aldorbealu eorlum swa þu ær dydest." þa wæs gylden hilt gamelum rince, harum hildfruman on hand gyfen, enta ærgeweorc; hit on æht gehwearf æfter deofla hryre Denigea frean, wundorsmiþa geweorc ond þa þas worold ofgeaf gromheort guma godes ondsaca, morþres scyldig ond his modor eac, on geweald gehwearf woroldcyninga þæm selestan be sæm tweonum þara þe on Scedenigge sceattas dælde. Hroþgar maþelode hylt sceawode, ealde lafe on þæm wæs or writen fyrngewinnes syþþan flod ofsloh, gifen geotende giganta cyn (frecne geferdon; þæt wæs fremde þeod ecean dryhtne; him þæs endelean þurh wæteres wylm waldend sealde. swa wæs on þæm scennum sciran goldes þurh runstafas rihte gemearcod, geseted ond gesæd hwam þæt sweord geworht, irena cyst ærest wære, wreoþenhilt ond wyrmfah þa se wisa spræc sunu Healfdenes (swigedon ealle: "þæt la mæg secgan se þe soþ ond riht fremeþ on folce feor eal gemon, eald OEweard þæt þes eorl wære geboren betera! Blæd is aræred geond widwegas wine min Beowulf, þin ofer þeoda gehwylce Eal þu hit geþyldum healdest, mægen mid modes snyttrum ic þe sceal mine gelæstan freode swa wit furþum spræcon þu scealt to frofre weorþan eal langtwidig leodum þinum, hæleþum to helpe ne wearþ Heremod swa eaforum Ecgwelan Arscyldingum; ne geweox he him to willan ac to wælfealle ond to deaþcwalum Deniga leodum; breat bolgenmod beodgeneatas, eaxlgesteallan oþþæt he ana hwearf, mære þeoden mondreamum from. þeah þe hine mihtig god mægenes wynnum, eafeþum stepte ofer ealle men forþ gefremede hwæþere him on ferhþe greow breosthord blodreow Nallas beagas geaf Denum æfter dome; dreamleas gebad þæt he þæs gewinnes weorc þrowade, leodbealo longsum þu þe lær be þon, gumcyste ongit; ic þis gid be þe awræc wintrum frod Wundor is to secganne hu mihtig god manna cynne þurh sidne sefan snyttru bryttaþ, eard ond eorlscipe; he ah ealra geweald. hwilum he on lufan læteþ hworfan monnes modgeþonc mæran cynnes, seleþ him on eþle eorþan wynne to healdanne hleoburh wera, gedeþ him swa gewealdene worolde dælas, side rice þæt he his selfa ne mæg for his unsnyttrum ende geþencean. wunaþ he on wiste; no hine wiht dweleþ adl ne yldo ne him inwitsorh on sefan sweorceþ ne gesacu ohwær ecghete eoweþ ac him eal worold wendeþ on willan (he þæt wyrse ne con, oþþæt him on innan oferhygda dæl weaxeþ ond wridaþ þonne se weard swefeþ, sawele hyrde; biþ se slæp to fæst, bisgum gebunden bona swiþe neah, se þe of flanbogan fyrenum sceoteþ. þonne biþ on hreþre under helm drepen biteran stræle (him bebeorgan ne con, wom wundorbebodum wergan gastes; þinceþ him to lytel þæt he lange heold, gytsaþ gromhydig nallas on gylp seleþ fædde beagas ond he þa forþgesceaft forgyteþ ond forgymeþ þæs þe him ær god sealde, wuldres waldend weorþmynda dæl. hit on endestæf eft gelimpeþ þæt se lichoma læne gedreoseþ, fæge gefealleþ; fehþ oþer to, se þe unmurnlice madmas dæleþ, eorles ærgestreon egesan ne gymeþ. bebeorh þe þone bealoniþ Beowulf leofa, secg betsta ond þe þæt selre geceos, ece rædas; oferhyda ne gym, mære cempa nu is þines mægnes blæd ane hwile Eft sona biþ þæt þec adl oþþe ecg eafoþes getwæfeþ, oþþe fyres feng oþþe flodes wylm, oþþe gripe meces oþþe gares fliht, oþþe atol yldo; oþþe eagena bearhtm forsiteþ ond forsworceþ; semninga biþ þæt þec dryhtguma deaþ oferswyþeþ. swa ic Hringdena hund missera weold under wolcnum ond hig wigge beleac manigum mægþa geond þysne middangeard, æscum ond ecgum þæt ic me ænigne under swegles begong gesacan ne tealde. hwæt me þæs on eþle edwenden cwom, gyrn æfter gomene seoþþan Grendel wearþ, ealdgewinna ingenga min; ic þære socne singales wæg modceare micle þæs sig metode þanc, ecean dryhtne þæs þe ic on aldre gebad þæt ic on þone hafelan heorodreorigne ofer ealdgewin eagum starige! ga nu to setle symbelwynne dreoh wigge weorþad; unc sceal worn fela maþma gemænra siþþan morgen biþ." Geat wæs glædmod geong sona to setles neosan swa se snottra heht. þa wæs eft swa ær ellenrofum fletsittendum fægere gereorded niowan stefne Nihthelm geswearc deorc ofer dryhtgumum Duguþ eal aras. wolde blondenfeax beddes neosan, gamela Scylding Geat unigmetes wel, rofne randwigan restan lyste; sona him seleþegn siþes wergum, feorrancundum forþ wisade, se for andrysnum ealle beweotede þegnes þearfe swylce þy dogore heaþoliþende habban scoldon. reste hine þa rumheort; reced hliuade geap ond goldfah; gæst inne swæf oþþæt hrefn blaca heofones wynne bliþheort bodode þa com beorht scacan scaþan onetton, wæron æþelingas eft to leodum fuse to farenne; wolde feor þanon cuma collenferhþ ceoles neosan. heht þa se hearda Hrunting beran sunu Ecglafes heht his sweord niman, leoflic iren; sægde him þæs leanes þanc, cwæþ he þone guþwine godne tealde, wigcræftigne nales wordum log meces ecge; þæt wæs modig secg. ond þa siþfrome searwum gearwe wigend wæron; eode weorþ Denum æþeling to yppan þær se oþer wæs, hæle hildedeor Hroþgar grette. Beowulf maþelode bearn Ecgþeowes: "nu we sæliþend secgan wyllaþ, feorran cumene þæt we fundiaþ Higelac secan Wæron her tela willum bewenede; þu us wel dohtest. gif ic þonne on eorþan owihte mæg þinre modlufan maran tilian, gumena dryhten þonne ic gyt dyde, guþgeweorca ic beo gearo sona. gif ic þæt gefricge ofer floda begang, þæt þec ymbsittend egesan þywaþ, swa þec hetende hwilum dydon, ic þe þusenda þegna bringe, hæleþa to helpe ic on Higelac wat, Geata dryhten þeah þe he geong sy, folces hyrde þæt he mec fremman wile wordum ond worcum þæt ic þe wel herige ond þe to geoce garholt bere, mægenes fultum þær þe biþ manna þearf. gif him þonne Hreþric to hofum Geata geþingeþ þeodnes bearn he mæg þær fela freonda findan; feorcyþþe beoþ selran gesohte þæm þe him selfa deah." Hroþgar maþelode him on ondsware: "þe þa wordcwydas wigtig drihten on sefan sende; ne hyrde ic snotorlicor on swa geongum feore guman þingian. þu eart mægenes strang ond on mode frod, wis wordcwida Wen ic talige, gif þæt gegangeþ þæt þe gar nymeþ, hild heorugrimme Hreþles eaferan, adl oþþe iren ealdor þinne, folces hyrde ond þu þin feorh hafast, þæt þe Sægeatas selran næbben to geceosenne cyning ænigne, hordweard hæleþa gyf þu healdan wylt maga rice Me þin modsefa licaþ leng swa wel leofa Beowulf. hafast þu gefered þæt þam folcum sceal, Geata leodum ond Gardenum, sib gemæne ond sacu restan, inwitniþas þe hie ær drugon, wesan þenden ic wealde widan rices, maþmas gemæne manig oþerne godum gegretan ofer ganotes bæþ; sceal hringnaca ofer heafu bringan lac ond luftacen ic þa leode wat ge wiþ feond ge wiþ freond fæste geworhte, æghwæs untæle ealde wisan." þa git him eorla hleo inne gesealde, mago Healfdenes maþmas XII; het hine mid þæm lacum leode swæse secean on gesyntum snude eft cuman. gecyste þa cyning æþelum god, þeoden Scyldinga þegn betstan ond be healse genam; hruron him tearas, blondenfeaxum him wæs bega wen, ealdum infrodum oþres swiþor, þæt hie seoþþan no geseon moston, modige on meþle wæs him se man to þon leof þæt he þone breostwylm forberan ne mehte, ac him on hreþre hygebendum fæst æfter deorum men dyrne langaþ beorn wiþ blode him Beowulf þanan, guþrinc goldwlanc græsmoldan træd since hremig; sægenga bad agendfrean se þe on ancre rad. þa wæs on gange gifu Hroþgares oft geæhted; þæt wæs an cyning, æghwæs orleahtre oþþæt hine yldo benam mægenes wynnum se þe oft manegum scod. cwom þa to flode felamodigra, hægstealdra heap hringnet bæron, locene leoþosyrcan Landweard onfand eftsiþ eorla swa he ær dyde; no he mid hearme of hliþes nosan gæstas grette ac him togeanes rad, cwæþ þæt wilcuman Wedera leodum scaþan scirhame to scipe foron. þa wæs on sande sægeap naca hladen herewædum hringedstefna, mearum ond maþmum; mæst hlifade ofer Hroþgares hordgestreonum. he þæm batwearde bunden golde swurd gesealde þæt he syþþan wæs on meodubence maþme þy weorþra, yrfelafe Gewat him on naca drefan deop wæter Dena land ofgeaf. þa wæs be mæste merehrægla sum, segl sale fæst; sundwudu þunede. no þær wegflotan wind ofer yþum siþes getwæfde; sægenga for, fleat famigheals forþ ofer yþe, bundenstefna ofer brimstreamas, þæt hie Geata clifu ongitan meahton, cuþe næssas Ceol up geþrang lyftgeswenced on lande stod. hraþe wæs æt holme hyþweard geara, se þe ær lange tid leofra manna fus æt faroþe feor wlatode; sælde to sande sidfæþme scip, oncerbendum fæst þy læs hym yþa þrym wudu wynsuman forwrecan meahte. het þa up beran æþelinga gestreon, frætwe ond fætgold; næs him feor þanon to gesecanne sinces bryttan, Higelac Hreþling þær æt ham wunaþ selfa mid gesiþum sæwealle neah. bold wæs betlic bregorof cyning, heah in healle Hygd swiþe geong, wis welþungen þeah þe wintra lyt under burhlocan gebiden hæbbe, Hæreþes dohtor; næs hio hnah swa þeah, ne to gneaþ gifa Geata leodum, maþmgestreona Mod þryþo wæg, fremu folces cwen firen ondrysne. nænig þæt dorste deor geneþan swæsra gesiþa nefne sinfrea, þæt hire an dæges eagum starede, ac him wælbende weotode tealde handgewriþene; hraþe seoþþan wæs æfter mundgripe mece geþinged, þæt hit sceadenmæl scyran moste, cwealmbealu cyþan ne biþ swylc cwenlic þeaw idese to efnanne þeah þe hio ænlicu sy, þætte freoþuwebbe feores onsæce æfter ligetorne leofne mannan. huru þæt onhohsnode Hemminges mæg; ealodrincende oþer sædan, þæt hio leodbealewa læs gefremede, inwitniþa syþþan ærest wearþ gyfen goldhroden geongum cempan, æþelum diore syþþan hio Offan flet ofer fealone flod be fæder lare siþe gesohte; þær hio syþþan well in gumstole gode mære, lifgesceafta lifigende breac, hiold heahlufan wiþ hæleþa brego, ealles moncynnes mine gefræge þone selestan bi sæm tweonum, eormencynnes Forþam Offa wæs geofum ond guþum garcene man, wide geweorþod wisdome heold eþel sinne; þonon Eomer woc hæleþum to helpe Hemminges mæg, nefa Garmundes niþa cræftig. gewat him þa se hearda mid his hondscole sylf æfter sande sæwong tredan, wide waroþas Woruldcandel scan, sigel suþan fus Hi siþ drugon, elne geeodon to þæs þe eorla hleo, bonan Ongenþeoes burgum in innan, geongne guþcyning godne gefrunon hringas dælan Higelace wæs siþ Beowulfes snude gecyþed, þæt þær on worþig wigendra hleo, lindgestealla lifigende cwom, heaþolaces hal to hofe gongan. hraþe wæs gerymed swa se rica bebead, feþegestum flet innanweard. gesæt þa wiþ sylfne se þa sæcce genæs, mæg wiþ mæge syþþan mandryhten þurh hleoþorcwyde holdne gegrette, meaglum wordum Meoduscencum hwearf geond þæt healreced Hæreþes dohtor, lufode þa leode liþwæge bær hæleþum to handa Higelac ongan sinne geseldan in sele þam hean fægre fricgcean (hyne fyrwet bræc, hwylce Sægeata siþas wæron: "hu lomp eow on lade leofa Biowulf, þa þu færinga feorr gehogodest sæcce secean ofer sealt wæter, hilde to Hiorote? Ac þu Hroþgare widcuþne wean wihte gebettest, mærum þeodne? ic þæs modceare sorhwylmum seaþ siþe ne truwode leofes mannes; ic þe lange bæd þæt þu þone wælgæst wihte ne grette, lete Suþdene sylfe geweorþan guþe wiþ Grendel Gode ic þanc secge þæs þe ic þe gesundne geseon moste." Biowulf maþelode bearn Ecgþioes: "þæt is undyrne dryhten Higelac, micel gemeting monegum fira, hwylc orleghwil uncer Grendles wearþ on þam wange þær he worna fela Sigescyldingum sorge gefremede, yrmþe to aldre ic þæt eall gewræc, swa begylpan ne þearf Grendeles maga ænig ofer eorþan uhthlem þone, se þe lengest leofaþ laþan cynnes, facne bifongen ic þær furþum cwom to þam hringsele Hroþgar gretan; sona me se mæra mago Healfdenes, syþþan he modsefan minne cuþe, wiþ his sylfes sunu setl getæhte. weorod wæs on wynne; ne seah ic widan feorh under heofones hwealf healsittendra medudream maran Hwilum mæru cwen, friþusibb folca flet eall geondhwearf, bædde byre geonge; oft hio beahwriþan secge sealde ær hie to setle geong. hwilum for duguþe dohtor Hroþgares eorlum on ende ealuwæge bær; þa ic Freaware fletsittende nemnan hyrde þær hio nægled sinc hæleþum sealde Sio gehaten is, geong goldhroden gladum suna Frodan; hafaþ þæs geworden wine Scyldinga, rices hyrde ond þæt ræd talaþ, þæt he mid þy wife wælfæhþa dæl, sæcca gesette Oft seldan hwær æfter leodhryre lytle hwile bongar bugeþ þeah seo bryd duge! mæg þæs þonne ofþyncan þeodne Heaþobeardna ond þegna gehwam þara leoda, þonne he mid fæmnan on flett gæþ, dryhtbearn Dena duguþa biwenede; on him gladiaþ gomelra lafe, heard ond hringmæl Heaþabeardna gestreon þenden hie þam wæpnum wealdan moston, oþþæt hie forlæddan to þam lindplegan swæse gesiþas ond hyra sylfra feorh. þonne cwiþ æt beore se þe beah gesyhþ, eald æscwiga se þe eall geman, garcwealm gumena (him biþ grim sefa, onginneþ geomormod geongum cempan þurh hreþra gehygd higes cunnian, wigbealu weccean ond þæt word acwyþ: 'Meaht þu min wine mece gecnawan þone þin fæder to gefeohte bær under heregriman hindeman siþe, dyre iren þær hyne Dene slogon, weoldon wælstowe syþþan Wiþergyld læg, æfter hæleþa hryre hwate Scyldungas? nu her þara banena byre nathwylces frætwum hremig on flet gæþ, morþres gylpeþ ond þone maþþum byreþ, þone þe þu mid rihte rædan sceoldest.' manaþ swa ond myndgaþ mæla gehwylce sarum wordum oþþæt sæl cymeþ þæt se fæmnan þegn fore fæder dædum æfter billes bite blodfag swefeþ, ealdres scyldig; him se oþer þonan losaþ lifigende con him land geare. þonne bioþ abrocene on ba healfe aþsweord eorla; syþþan Ingelde weallaþ wælniþas ond him wiflufan æfter cearwælmum colran weorþaþ. þy ic Heaþobeardna hyldo ne telge, dryhtsibbe dæl Denum unfæcne, freondscipe fæstne ic sceal forþ sprecan gen ymbe Grendel þæt þu geare cunne, sinces brytta to hwan syþþan wearþ hondræs hæleþa syþþan heofones gim glad ofer grundas gæst yrre cwom, eatol æfengrom user neosan, þær we gesunde sæl weardodon. þær wæs Hondscio hild onsæge, feorhbealu fægum; he fyrmest læg, gyrded cempa; him Grendel wearþ, mærum maguþegne to muþbonan, leofes mannes lic eall forswealg. no þy ær ut þa gen idelhende bona blodigtoþ bealewa gemyndig, of þam goldsele gongan wolde, ac he mægnes rof min costode, grapode gearofolm Glof hangode sid ond syllic searobendum fæst; sio wæs orþoncum eall gegyrwed deofles cræftum ond dracan fellum. he mec þær on innan unsynnigne, dior dædfruma gedon wolde manigra sumne; hyt ne mihte swa, syþþan ic on yrre uppriht astod. to lang ys to reccenne hu ic þam leodsceaþan yfla gehwylces ondlean forgeald; þær ic þeoden min þine leode weorþode weorcum He on weg losade, lytle hwile lifwynna breac; hwæþre him sio swiþre swaþe weardade hand on Hiorte ond he hean þonan modes geomor meregrund gefeoll. me þone wælræs wine Scildunga fættan golde fela leanode, manegum maþmum syþþan mergen com ond we to symble geseten hæfdon. þær wæs gidd ond gleo Gomela Scilding, felafricgende feorran rehte; hwilum hildedeor hearpan wynne, gomenwudu grette hwilum gyd awræc soþ ond sarlic hwilum syllic spell rehte æfter rihte rumheort cyning. hwilum eft ongan eldo gebunden, gomel guþwiga gioguþe cwiþan, hildestrengo; hreþer inne weoll, þonne he wintrum frod worn gemunde. swa we þær inne ondlangne dæg niode naman oþþæt niht becwom oþer to yldum þa wæs eft hraþe gearo gyrnwræce Grendeles modor, siþode sorhfull; sunu deaþ fornam, wighete Wedra Wif unhyre hyre bearn gewræc beorn acwealde ellenlice; þær wæs æschere, frodan fyrnwitan feorh uþgenge. noþer hy hine ne moston syþþan mergen cwom, deaþwerigne Denia leode, bronde forbærnan ne on bęl hladan leofne mannan; hio þæt lic ætbær feondes fæþmum under firgenstream. þæt wæs Hroþgare hreowa tornost þara þe leodfruman lange begeate. þa se þeoden mec þine life healsode hreohmod þæt ic on holma geþring eorlscipe efnde ealdre geneþde, mærþo fremede; he me mede gehet. ic þa þæs wælmes þe is wide cuþ, grimne gryrelicne grundhyrde fond; þær unc hwile wæs hand gemæne, holm heolfre weoll ond ic heafde becearf in þam guþsele Grendeles modor eacnum ecgum unsofte þonan feorh oþferede Næs ic fæge þa gyt, ac me eorla hleo eft gesealde maþma menigeo maga Healfdenes. swa se þeodkyning þeawum lyfde. nealles ic þam leanum forloren hæfde, mægnes mede ac he me maþmas geaf, sunu Healfdenes on minne sylfes dom; þa ic þe beorncyning bringan wylle, estum geywan Gen is eall æt þe lissa gelong; ic lyt hafo heafodmaga nefne Hygelac þec." het þa in beran eaforheafodsegn, heaþosteapne helm hare byrnan, guþsweord geatolic gyd æfter wræc: "me þis hildesceorp Hroþgar sealde, snotra fengel sume worde het þæt ic his ærest þe est gesægde; cwæþ þæt hyt hæfde Hiorogar cyning, leod Scyldunga lange hwile; no þy ær suna sinum syllan wolde, hwatum Heorowearde þeah he him hold wære, breostgewædu Bruc ealles well!" hyrde ic þæt þam frætwum feower mearas lungre gelice last weardode, æppelfealuwe; he him est geteah meara ond maþma swa sceal mæg don, nealles inwitnet oþrum bregdon dyrnum cræfte deaþ renian hondgesteallan Hygelace wæs, niþa heardum nefa swyþe hold, ond gehwæþer oþrum hroþra gemyndig. hyrde ic þæt he þone healsbeah Hygde gesealde, wrætlicne wundurmaþþum þone þe him Wealhþeo geaf, þeodnes dohtor þrio wicg somod swancor ond sadolbeorht; hyre syþþan wæs æfter beahþege breost geweorþod. swa bealdode bearn Ecgþeowes, guma guþum cuþ godum dædum, dreah æfter dome nealles druncne slog heorþgeneatas; næs him hreoh sefa, ac he mancynnes mæste cræfte ginfæstan gife þe him god sealde, heold hildedeor Hean wæs lange, swa hyne Geata bearn godne ne tealdon, ne hyne on medobence micles wyrþne drihten Wedera gedon wolde; swyþe wendon þæt he sleac wære, æþeling unfrom Edwenden cwom tireadigum menn torna gehwylces. het þa eorla hleo in gefetian, heaþorof cyning Hreþles lafe golde gegyrede; næs mid Geatum þa sincmaþþum selra on sweordes had; þæt he on Biowulfes bearm alegde ond him gesealde seofan þusendo, bold ond bregostol him wæs bam samod on þam leodscipe lond gecynde, eard eþelriht oþrum swiþor side rice þam þær selra wæs. rft þæt geiode ufaran dogrum hildehlæmmum syþþan Hygelac læg ond Heardrede hildemeceas under bordhreoþan to bonan wurdon, þa hyne gesohtan on sigeþeode hearde hildefrecan Heaþoscilfingas, niþa genægdan nefan Hererices, syþþan Beowulfe brade rice on hand gehwearf; he geheold tela fiftig wintra (wæs þa frod cyning, eald eþelweard oþþæt an ongan deorcum nihtum draca ricsian, se þe on heaum hofe hord beweotode, stanbeorh steapne; stig under læg, eldum uncuþ þær on innan giong niþa nathwylc se þe neh gefeng hæþnum horde hond, since fahne He þæt syþþan, þeah þe he slæpende besyred wurde þeofes cræfte; þæt sie þiod onfand, bufolc beorna þæt he gebolgen wæs. nealles mid gewealdum wyrmhord abræc sylfes willum se þe him sare gesceod, ac for þreanedlan þeow nathwylces hæleþa bearna heteswengeas fleah, ærnes þearfa ond þær inne fealh, secg synbysig sona onfunde þæt þær þam gyste gryrebroga stod; hwæþre earmsceapen þa hyne se fær begeat. sincfæt þær wæs swylcra fela in þam eorþhuse ærgestreona, swa hy on geardagum gumena nathwylc, eormenlafe æþelan cynnes, þanchycgende þær gehydde, deore maþmas Ealle hie deaþ fornam ærran mælum ond se an þa gen leoda duguþe se þær lengest hwearf, weard winegeomor wende þæs ylcan, þæt he lytel fæc longgestreona brucan moste Beorh eallgearo wunode on wonge wæteryþum neah, niwe be næsse nearocræftum fæst. þær on innan bær eorlgestreona hringa hyrde hordwyrþne dæl, fættan goldes fea worda cwæþ: "Heald þu nu hruse nu hæleþ ne moston, eorla æhte! Hwæt hyt ær on þe gode begeaton Guþdeaþ fornam, feorhbealo frecne fyra gehwylcne leoda minra þara þe þis lif ofgeaf, gesawon seledream ic nah hwa sweord wege oþþe feormie fæted wæge, dryncfæt deore; duguþ ellor sceoc. sceal se hearda helm hyrsted golde fætum befeallen; feormynd swefaþ, þa þe beadogriman bywan sceoldon, ge swylce seo herepad sio æt hilde gebad ofer borda gebræc bite irena, brosnaþ æfter beorne ne mæg byrnan hring æfter wigfruman wide feran, hæleþum be healfe Næs hearpan wyn, gomen gleobeames ne god hafoc geond sæl swingeþ ne se swifta mearh burhstede beateþ Bealocwealm hafaþ fela feorhcynna forþ onsended!" swa giomormod giohþo mænde an æfter eallum unbliþe hwearf dæges ond nihtes oþþæt deaþes wylm hran æt heortan Hordwynne fond eald uhtsceaþa opene standan, se þe byrnende biorgas seceþ, nacod niþdraca nihtes fleogeþ fyre befangen; hyne foldbuend swiþe ondrædaþ He gesecean sceall hord on hrusan þær he hæþen gold waraþ wintrum frod ne byþ him wihte þy sel. swa se þeodsceaþa þreo hund wintra heold on hrusan hordærna sum, eacencræftig oþþæt hyne an abealch mon on mode; mandryhtne bær fæted wæge frioþowære bæd hlaford sinne þa wæs hord rasod, onboren beaga hord bene getiþad feasceaftum men Frea sceawode fira fyrngeweorc forman siþe. þa se wyrm onwoc wroht wæs geniwad; stonc þa æfter stane stearcheort onfand feondes fotlast; he to forþ gestop dyrnan cræfte dracan heafde neah. swa mæg unfæge eaþe gedigan wean ond wræcsiþ se þe waldendes hyldo gehealdeþ! Hordweard sohte georne æfter grunde wolde guman findan, þone þe him on sweofote sare geteode, hat ond hreohmod hlæw oft ymbehwearf ealne utanweardne ne þær ænig mon on þære westenne; hwæþre wiges gefeh, beaduwe weorces hwilum on beorh æthwearf, sincfæt sohte He þæt sona onfand þæt hæfde gumena sum goldes gefandod, heahgestreona Hordweard onbad earfoþlice oþþæt æfen cwom; wæs þa gebolgen beorges hyrde, wolde se laþa lige forgyldan drincfæt dyre þa wæs dæg sceacen wyrme on willan; no on wealle læg, bidan wolde ac mid bæle for, fyre gefysed wæs se fruma egeslic leodum on lande swa hyt lungre wearþ on hyra sincgifan sare geendod. þa se gæst ongan gledum spiwan, beorht hofu bærnan; bryneleoma stod eldum on andan No þær aht cwices laþ lyftfloga læfan wolde. wæs þæs wyrmes wig wide gesyne, nearofages niþ nean ond feorran, hu se guþsceaþa Geata leode hatode ond hynde; hord eft gesceat, dryhtsele dyrnne ær dæges hwile. hæfde landwara lige befangen, bæle ond bronde beorges getruwode, wiges ond wealles; him seo wen geleah. þa wæs Biowulfe broga gecyþed snude to soþe þæt his sylfes ham, bolda selest brynewylmum mealt, gifstol Geata þæt þam godan wæs hreow on hreþre hygesorga mæst; wende se wisa þæt he wealdende ofer ealde riht ecean dryhtne, bitre gebulge Breost innan weoll þeostrum geþoncum swa him geþywe ne wæs. hæfde ligdraca leoda fæsten, ealond utan eorþweard þone gledum forgrunden; him þæs guþkyning, Wedera þioden wræce leornode. heht him þa gewyrcean wigendra hleo eallirenne eorla dryhten, wigbord wrætlic; wisse he gearwe þæt him holtwudu helpan ne meahte, lind wiþ lige Sceolde lændaga æþeling ærgod ende gebidan, worulde lifes ond se wyrm somod, þeah þe hordwelan heolde lange. oferhogode þa hringa fengel þæt he þone widflogan weorode gesohte, sidan herge; no he him þa sæcce ondred, ne him þæs wyrmes wig for wiht dyde, eafoþ ond ellen forþon he ær fela nearo neþende niþa gedigde, hildehlemma syþþan he Hroþgares, sigoreadig secg sele fælsode ond æt guþe forgrap Grendeles mægum laþan cynnes No þæt læsest wæs hondgemota þær mon Hygelac sloh, syþþan Geata cyning guþe ræsum, freawine folca Freslondum on, Hreþles eafora hiorodryncum swealt, bille gebeaten þonan Biowulf com sylfes cræfte sundnytte dreah; hæfde him on earme ana XXX hildegeatwa þa he to holme beag. nealles Hetware hremge þorfton feþewiges þe him foran ongean linde bæron; lyt eft becwom fram þam hildfrecan hames niosan. oferswam þa sioleþa bigong sunu Ecgþeowes, earm anhaga eft to leodum; þær him Hygd gebead hord ond rice, beagas ond bregostol bearne ne truwode þæt he wiþ ælfylcum eþelstolas healdan cuþe þa wæs Hygelac dead. no þy ær feasceafte findan meahton æt þam æþelinge ænige þinga, þæt he Heardrede hlaford wære oþþe þone cynedom ciosan wolde; hwæþre he him on folce freondlarum heold, estum mid are oþþæt he yldra wearþ, Wedergeatum weold Hyne wræcmæcgas ofer sæ sohtan suna Ohteres; hæfdon hy forhealden helm Scylfinga, þone selestan sæcyninga þara þe in Swiorice sinc brytnade, mærne þeoden him þæt to mearce wearþ; he þær for feorme feorhwunde hleat sweordes swengum sunu Hygelaces, ond him eft gewat Ongenþioes bearn hames niosan syþþan Heardred læg, let þone bregostol Biowulf healdan, Geatum wealdan þæt wæs god cyning! se þæs leodhryres lean gemunde uferan dogrum Eadgilse wearþ feasceaftum freond folce gestepte ofer sæ side sunu Ohteres, wigum ond wæpnum; he gewræc syþþan cealdum cearsiþum cyning ealdre bineat. swa he niþa gehwane genesen hæfde, sliþra geslyhta sunu Ecgþiowes, ellenweorca oþ þone anne dæg þe he wiþ þam wyrme gewegan sceolde. gewat þa XII sum torne gebolgen dryhten Geata dracan sceawian. hæfde þa gefrunen hwanan sio fæhþ aras, bealoniþ biorna; him to bearme cwom maþþumfæt mære þurh þæs meldan hond. se wæs on þam þreate þreotteoþa secg, se þæs orleges or onstealde, hæft hygegiomor sceolde hean þonon wong wisian He ofer willan giong to þæs þe he eorþsele anne wisse, hlæw under hrusan holmwylme neh, yþgewinne; se wæs innan full wrætta ond wira Weard unhiore, gearo guþfreca goldmaþmas heold, eald under eorþan Næs þæt yþe ceap to gegangenne gumena ænigum! gesæt þa on næsse niþheard cyning, þenden hælo abead heorþgeneatum, goldwine Geata him wæs geomor sefa, wæfre ond wælfus wyrd ungemete neah, se þone gomelan gretan sceolde, secean sawle hord sundur gedælan lif wiþ lice no þon lange wæs feorh æþelinges flæsce bewunden. Biowulf maþelade bearn Ecgþeowes: "fela ic on giogoþe guþræsa genæs, orleghwila; ic þæt eall gemon. ic wæs syfanwintre þa mec sinca baldor, freawine folca æt minum fæder genam; heold mec ond hæfde Hreþel cyning, geaf me sinc ond symbel sibbe gemunde. næs ic him to life laþra owihte, beorn in burgum þonne his bearna hwylc, Herebeald ond Hæþcyn oþþe Hygelac min. wæs þam yldestan ungedefelice mæges dædum morþorbed stred, syþþan hyne Hæþcyn of hornbogan, his freawine flane geswencte, miste mercelses ond his mæg ofscet, broþor oþerne blodigan gare. þæt wæs feohleas gefeoht fyrenum gesyngad, hreþre hygemeþe; sceolde hwæþre swa þeah æþeling unwrecen ealdres linnan. swa biþ geomorlic gomelum ceorle to gebidanne þæt his byre ride giong on galgan þonne he gyd wrece, sarigne sang þonne his sunu hangaþ hrefne to hroþre ond he him helpe ne mæg, eald ond infrod ænige gefremman. symble biþ gemyndgad morna gehwylce eaforan ellorsiþ; oþres ne gymeþ to gebidanne burgum in innan yrfeweardas þonne se an hafaþ þurh deaþes nyd dæda gefondad. gesyhþ sorhcearig on his suna bure winsele westne windge reste reote berofene Ridend swefaþ, hæleþ in hoþman; nis þær hearpan sweg, gomen in geardum swylce þær iu wæron. gewiteþ þonne on sealman sorhleoþ gæleþ an æfter anum; þuhte him eall to rum, wongas ond wicstede swa Wedra helm æfter Herebealde heortan sorge weallende wæg Wihte ne meahte on þam feorhbonan fæghþe gebetan; no þy ær he þone heaþorinc hatian ne meahte laþum dædum þeah him leof ne wæs. he þa mid þære sorhge þe him swa sar belamp, gumdream ofgeaf godes leoht geceas, eaferum læfde swa deþ eadig mon, lond ond leodbyrig þa he of life gewat. þa wæs synn ond sacu Sweona ond Geata ofer wid wæter wroht gemæne, hereniþ hearda syþþan Hreþel swealt, oþþe him Ongenþeowes eaferan wæran frome fyrdhwate freode ne woldon ofer heafo healdan ac ymb Hreosnabeorh eatolne inwitscear oft gefremedon. þæt mægwine mine gewræcan, fæhþe ond fyrene swa hyt gefræge wæs, þeah þe oþer his ealdre gebohte, heardan ceape; Hæþcynne wearþ, Geata dryhtne guþ onsæge. þa ic on morgne gefrægn mæg oþerne billes ecgum on bonan stælan, þær Ongenþeow Eofores niosaþ. guþhelm toglad gomela Scylfing hreas hildeblac; hond gemunde fæhþo genoge feorhsweng ne ofteah. ic him þa maþmas þe he me sealde, geald æt guþe swa me gifeþe wæs, leohtan sweorde; he me lond forgeaf, eard eþelwyn Næs him ænig þearf þæt he to Gifþum oþþe to Gardenum oþþe in Swiorice secean þurfe wyrsan wigfrecan weorþe gecypan. symle ic him on feþan beforan wolde, ana on orde ond swa to aldre sceall sæcce fremman þenden þis sweord þolaþ, þæt mec ær ond siþ oft gelæste. syþþan ic for dugeþum Dæghrefne wearþ to handbonan Huga cempan; nalles he þa frætwe Frescyninge, breostweorþunge bringan moste, ac in compe gecrong cumbles hyrde, æþeling on elne; ne wæs ecg bona, ac him hildegrap heortan wylmas, banhus gebræc nu sceall billes ecg, hond ond heard sweord ymb hord wigan." Beowulf maþelode beotwordum spræc niehstan siþe: "ic geneþde fela guþa on geogoþe; gyt ic wylle, frod folces weard fæhþe secan, mærþu fremman gif mec se mansceaþa of eorþsele ut geseceþ." gegrette þa gumena gehwylcne, hwate helmberend hindeman siþe, swæse gesiþas: "Nolde ic sweord beran, wæpen to wyrme gif ic wiste hu wiþ þam aglæcean elles meahte gylpe wiþgripan swa ic gio wiþ Grendle dyde. ac ic þær heaþufyres hates wene, oreþes ond attres; forþon ic me on hafu bord ond byrnan nelle ic beorges weard forfleon fotes trem ac unc furþur sceal weorþan æt wealle swa unc wyrd geteoþ, metod manna gehwæs ic eom on mode from þæt ic wiþ þone guþflogan gylp ofersitte. gebide ge on beorge byrnum werede, secgas on searwum hwæþer sel mæge æfter wælræse wunde gedygan uncer twega Nis þæt eower siþ ne gemet mannes nefne min anes, þæt he wiþ aglæcean eofoþo dæle, eorlscype efne ic mid elne sceall gold gegangan oþþe guþ nimeþ, feorhbealu frecne frean eowerne!" gras þa bi ronde rof oretta, heard under helme hiorosercean bær under stancleofu strengo getruwode anes mannes ne biþ swylc earges siþ! geseah þa be wealle se þe worna fela, gumcystum god guþa gedigde, hildehlemma þonne hnitan feþan, stondan stanbogan stream ut þonan brecan of beorge wæs þære burnan wælm heaþofyrum hat; ne meahte horde neah unbyrnende ænige hwile deop gedygan for dracan lege. let þa of breostum þa he gebolgen wæs, Wedergeata leod word ut faran, stearcheort styrmde; stefn in becom heaþotorht hlynnan under harne stan. hete wæs onhrered hordweard oncniow mannes reorde; næs þær mara fyrst freode to friclan From ærest cwom oruþ aglæcean ut of stane, hat hildeswat Hruse dynede. Biorn under beorge bordrand onswaf wiþ þam gryregieste Geata dryhten; þa wæs hringbogan heorte gefysed sæcce to seceanne Sweord ær gebræd god guþcyning gomele lafe, ecgum unslaw; æghwæþrum wæs bealohycgendra broga fram oþrum. stiþmod gestod wiþ steapne rond winia bealdor þa se wyrm gebeah snude tosomne; he on searwum bad. gewat þa byrnende gebogen scriþan, to gescipe scyndan Scyld wel gebearg life ond lice læssan hwile mærum þeodne þonne his myne sohte, þær he þy fyrste forman dogore wealdan moste swa him wyrd ne gescraf hreþ æt hilde Hond up abræd Geata dryhten gryrefahne sloh incgelafe þæt sio ecg gewac brun on bane bat unswiþor þonne his þiodcyning þearfe hæfde, bysigum gebæded þa wæs beorges weard æfter heaþuswenge on hreoum mode, wearp wælfyre; wide sprungon hildeleoman Hreþsigora ne gealp goldwine Geata; guþbill geswac, nacod æt niþe swa hyt no sceolde, iren ærgod ne wæs þæt eþe siþ, þæt se mæra maga Ecgþeowes grundwong þone ofgyfan wolde; sceolde ofer willan wic eardian elles hwergen swa sceal æghwylc mon alætan lændagas Næs þa long to þon þæt þa aglæcean hy eft gemetton. hyrte hyne hordweard (hreþer æþme weoll) niwan stefne; nearo þrowode, fyre befongen se þe ær folce weold. nealles him on heape handgesteallan, æþelinga bearn ymbe gestodon hildecystum ac hy on holt bugon, ealdre burgan Hiora in anum weoll sefa wiþ sorgum; sibb æfre ne mæg wiht onwendan þam þe wel þenceþ. Wiglaf wæs haten Weoxstanes sunu, leoflic lindwiga leod Scylfinga, mæg ælfheres; geseah his mondryhten under heregriman hat þrowian. gemunde þa þa are þe he him ær forgeaf, wicstede weligne Wægmundinga, folcrihta gehwylc swa his fæder ahte. ne mihte þa forhabban; hond rond gefeng, geolwe linde gomel swyrd geteah, þæt wæs mid eldum Eanmundes laf, suna Ohteres þam æt sæcce wearþ, wræccan wineleasum Weohstan bana meces ecgum ond his magum ætbær brunfagne helm hringde byrnan, eald sweord etonisc; þæt him Onela forgeaf, his gædelinges guþgewædu, fyrdsearo fuslic no ymbe þa fæhþe spræc, þeah þe he his broþor bearn abredwade. he frætwe geheold fela missera, bill ond byrnan oþþæt his byre mihte eorlscipe efnan swa his ærfæder; geaf him þa mid Geatum guþgewæda, æghwæs unrim þa he of ealdre gewat, frod on forþweg þa wæs forma siþ geongan cempan þæt he guþe ræs mid his freodryhtne fremman sceolde. ne gemealt him se modsefa ne his mæges laf gewac æt wige; þæt se wyrm onfand, syþþan hie togædre gegan hæfdon. Wiglaf maþelode wordrihta fela sægde gesiþum (him wæs sefa geomor: "ic þæt mæl geman þær we medu þegun, þonne we geheton ussum hlaforde in biorsele þe us þas beagas geaf, þæt we him þa guþgetawa gyldan woldon gif him þyslicu þearf gelumpe, helmas ond heard sweord þe he usic on herge geceas to þyssum siþfate sylfes willum, onmunde usic mærþa ond me þas maþmas geaf, þe he usic garwigend gode tealde, hwate helmberend þeah þe hlaford us þis ellenweorc ana aþohte to gefremmanne folces hyrde, for þam he manna mæst mærþa gefremede, dæda dollicra nu is se dæg cumen þæt ure mandryhten mægenes behofaþ, godra guþrinca; wutun gongan to, helpan hildfruman þenden hyt sy, gledegesa grim God wat on mec þæt me is micle leofre þæt minne lichaman mid minne goldgyfan gled fæþmie. ne þynceþ me gerysne þæt we rondas beren eft to earde nemne we æror mægen fane gefyllan feorh ealgian Wedra þeodnes ic wat geare þæt næron ealdgewyrht þæt he ana scyle Geata duguþe gnorn þrowian, gesigan æt sæcce; urum sceal sweord ond helm, byrne ond beaduscrud bam gemæne." wod þa þurh þone wælrec wigheafolan bær frean on fultum fea worda cwæþ: "Leofa Biowulf læst eall tela, swa þu on geoguþfeore geara gecwæde þæt þu ne alæte be þe lifigendum dom gedreosan scealt nu dædum rof, æþeling anhydig ealle mægene feorh ealgian; ic þe fullæstu." æfter þam wordum wyrm yrre cwom, atol inwitgæst oþre siþe fyrwylmum fah fionda niosian, laþra manna; ligyþum for. Born bord wiþ rond byrne ne meahte geongum garwigan geoce gefremman, ac se maga geonga under his mæges scyld elne geeode þa his agen wæs gledum forgrunden þa gen guþcyning mærþa gemunde mægenstrengo sloh hildebille þæt hyt on heafolan stod niþe genyded; Nægling forbærst, geswac æt sæcce sweord Biowulfes, gomol ond grægmæl him þæt gifeþe ne wæs þæt him irenna ecge mihton helpan æt hilde; wæs sio hond to strong, se þe meca gehwane mine gefræge, swenge ofersohte þonne he to sæcce bær wæpen wundrum heard; næs him wihte þe sel. þa wæs þeodsceaþa þriddan siþe, frecne fyrdraca fæhþa gemyndig, ræsde on þone rofan þa him rum ageald, hat ond heaþogrim heals ealne ymbefeng biteran banum; he geblodegod wearþ sawuldriore swat yþum weoll. þa ic æt þearfe gefrægn þeodcyninges andlongne eorl ellen cyþan, cræft ond cenþu swa him gecynde wæs. ne hedde he þæs heafolan ac sio hand gebarn modiges mannes þær he his mæges healp, þæt he þone niþgæst nioþor hwene sloh, secg on searwum þæt þæt sweord gedeaf, fah ond fæted þæt þæt fyr ongon sweþrian syþþan þa gen sylf cyning geweold his gewitte wællseaxe gebræd biter ond beaduscearp þæt he on byrnan wæg; forwrat Wedra helm wyrm on middan. feond gefyldan (ferh ellen wræc, ond hi hyne þa begen abroten hæfdon, sibæþelingas Swylc sceolde secg wesan, þegn æt þearfe! þæt þam þeodne wæs siþast sigehwila sylfes dædum, worlde geweorces þa sio wund ongon, þe him se eorþdraca ær geworhte, swelan ond swellan; he þæt sona onfand, þæt him on breostum bealoniþe weoll attor on innan þa se æþeling giong þæt he bi wealle wishycgende gesæt on sesse; seah on enta geweorc, hu þa stanbogan stapulum fæste ece eorþreced innan healde. hyne þa mid handa heorodreorigne, þeoden mærne þegn ungemete till winedryhten his wætere gelafede, hilde sædne ond his helm onspeon. Biowulf maþelode (he ofer benne spræc, wunde wælbleate; wisse he gearwe þæt he dæghwila gedrogen hæfde, eorþan wynne; þa wæs eall sceacen dogorgerimes deaþ ungemete neah: "nu ic suna minum syllan wolde guþgewædu þær me gifeþe swa ænig yrfeweard æfter wurde lice gelenge ic þas leode heold fiftig wintra; næs se folccyning, ymbesittendra ænig þara, þe mec guþwinum gretan dorste, egesan þeon ic on earde bad mælgesceafta heold min tela, ne sohte searoniþas ne me swor fela aþa on unriht ic þæs ealles mæg feorhbennum seoc gefean habban; for þam me witan ne þearf waldend fira morþorbealo maga þonne min sceaceþ lif of lice nu þu lungre geong hord sceawian under harne stan, Wiglaf leofa nu se wyrm ligeþ, swefeþ sare wund since bereafod. Bio nu on ofoste þæt ic ærwelan, goldæht ongite gearo sceawige swegle searogimmas þæt ic þy seft mæge æfter maþþumwelan min alætan lif ond leodscipe þone ic longe heold." þa ic snude gefrægn sunu Wihstanes æfter wordcwydum wundum dryhtne hyran heaþosiocum hringnet beran, brogdne beadusercean under beorges hrof. geseah þa sigehreþig þa he bi sesse geong, magoþegn modig maþþumsigla fealo, gold glitinian grunde getenge, wundur on wealle ond þæs wyrmes denn, ealdes uhtflogan orcas stondan, fyrnmanna fatu feormendlease, hyrstum behrorene; þær wæs helm monig eald ond omig earmbeaga fela searwum gesæled Sinc eaþe mæg, gold on grunde gumcynnes gehwone oferhigian hyde se þe wylle. swylce he siomian geseah segn eallgylden heah ofer horde hondwundra mæst, gelocen leoþocræftum; of þam leoma stod, þæt he þone grundwong ongitan meahte, wræte giondwlitan Næs þæs wyrmes þær onsyn ænig ac hyne ecg fornam. þa ic on hlæwe gefrægn hord reafian, eald enta geweorc anne mannan, him on bearm hladon bunan ond discas sylfes dome; segn eac genom, beacna beorhtost Bill ær gescod (ecg wæs iren ealdhlafordes þam þara maþma mundbora wæs longe hwile ligegesan wæg hatne for horde hioroweallende middelnihtum oþþæt he morþre swealt. ar wæs on ofoste eftsiþes georn, frætwum gefyrþred; hyne fyrwet bræc, hwæþer collenferþ cwicne gemette in þam wongstede Wedra þeoden ellensiocne þær he hine ær forlet. he þa mid þam maþmum mærne þioden, dryhten sinne driorigne fand ealdres æt ende; he hine eft ongon wæteres weorpan oþþæt wordes ord breosthord þurhbræc. gomel on giohþe (gold sceawode: "ic þara frætwa frean ealles þanc, wuldurcyninge wordum secge, ecum dryhtne þe ic her on starie, þæs þe ic moste minum leodum ær swyltdæge swylc gestrynan. nu ic on maþma hord mine bebohte frode feorhlege fremmaþ gena leoda þearfe; ne mæg ic her leng wesan. hataþ heaþomære hlæw gewyrcean beorhtne æfter bæle æt brimes nosan; se scel to gemyndum minum leodum heah hlifian on Hronesnæsse, þæt hit sæliþend syþþan hatan Biowulfes biorh þa þe brentingas ofer floda genipu feorran drifaþ." dyde him of healse hring gyldenne þioden þristhydig þegne gesealde, geongum garwigan goldfahne helm, beah ond byrnan het hyne brucan well: "þu eart endelaf usses cynnes, wægmundinga Ealle wyrd forsweop mine magas to metodsceafte, eorlas on elne; ic him æfter sceal." þæt wæs þam gomelan gingæste word breostgehygdum ær he bæl cure, hate heaþowylmas; him of hreþre gewat sawol secean soþfæstra dom. þa wæs gegongen guman unfrodum earfoþlice þæt he on eorþan geseah þone leofestan lifes æt ende bleate gebæran Bona swylce læg, egeslic eorþdraca ealdre bereafod, bealwe gebæded Beahhordum leng wyrm wohbogen wealdan ne moste, ac hine irenna ecga fornamon, hearde heaþoscearde homera lafe, þæt se widfloga wundum stille hreas on hrusan hordærne neah. nalles æfter lyfte lacende hwearf middelnihtum maþmæhta wlonc ansyn ywde ac he eorþan gefeoll for þæs hildfruman hondgeweorce. huru þæt on lande lyt manna þah, mægenagendra mine gefræge, þeah þe he dæda gehwæs dyrstig wære, þæt he wiþ attorsceaþan oreþe geræsde, oþþe hringsele hondum styrede, gif he wæccende weard onfunde buon on beorge Biowulfe wearþ dryhtmaþma dæl deaþe forgolden; hæfde æghwæþer ende gefered lænan lifes Næs þa lang to þon þæt þa hildlatan holt ofgefan, tydre treowlogan tyne ætsomne. þa ne dorston ær dareþum lacan on hyra mandryhtnes miclan þearfe, ac hy scamiende scyldas bæran, guþgewædu þær se gomela læg, wlitan on Wilaf He gewergad sæt, feþecempa frean eaxlum neah, wehte hyne wætre; him wiht ne speow. ne meahte he on eorþan þeah he uþe wel, on þam frumgare feorh gehealdan, ne þæs wealdendes wiht oncirran; wolde dom godes dædum rædan gumena gehwylcum swa he nu gen deþ. þa wæs æt þam geongan grim ondswaru eþbegete þam þe ær his elne forleas. Wiglaf maþelode Weohstanes sunu, sec sarigferþ (seah on unleofe: "þæt la mæg secgan se þe wyle soþ specan þæt se mondryhten se eow þa maþmas geaf, eoredgeatwe þe ge þær on standaþ, þonne he on ealubence oft gesealde healsittendum helm ond byrnan, þeoden his þegnum swylce he þrydlicost ower feor oþþe neah findan meahte, þæt he genunga guþgewædu wraþe forwurpe þa hyne wig beget. nealles folccyning fyrdgesteallum gylpan þorfte; hwæþre him god uþe, sigora waldend þæt he hyne sylfne gewræc ana mid ecge þa him wæs elnes þearf. ic him lifwraþe lytle meahte ætgifan æt guþe ond ongan swa þeah ofer min gemet mæges helpan; symle wæs þy sæmra þonne ic sweorde drep ferhþgeniþlan fyr unswiþor weoll of gewitte Wergendra to lyt þrong ymbe þeoden þa hyne sio þrag becwom. nu sceal sincþego ond swyrdgifu, eall eþelwyn eowrum cynne, lufen alicgean; londrihtes mot þære mægburge monna æghwylc idel hweorfan syþþan æþelingas feorran gefricgean fleam eowerne, domleasan dæd Deaþ biþ sella eorla gehwylcum þonne edwitlif!" heht þa þæt heaþoweorc to hagan biodan up ofer ecgclif þær þæt eorlweorod morgenlongne dæg modgiomor sæt, bordhæbbende bega on wenum, endedogores ond eftcymes leofes monnes Lyt swigode niwra spella se þe næs gerad, ac he soþlice sægde ofer ealle: "nu is wilgeofa Wedra leoda, dryhten Geata deaþbedde fæst, wunaþ wælreste wyrmes dædum. him on efn ligeþ ealdorgewinna sexbennum seoc; sweorde ne meahte on þam aglæcean ænige þinga wunde gewyrcean Wiglaf siteþ ofer Biowulfe byre Wihstanes, eorl ofer oþrum unlifigendum, healdeþ higemæþum heafodwearde leofes ond laþes nu ys leodum wen orleghwile syþþan underne froncum ond Frysum fyll cyninges wide weorþeþ wæs sio wroht scepen heard wiþ Hugas syþþan Higelac cwom faran flotherge on Fresna land, þær hyne Hetware hilde genægdon, elne geeodon mid ofermægene, þæt se byrnwiga bugan sceolde, feoll on feþan nalles frætwe geaf ealdor dugoþe Us wæs a syþþan Merewioingas milts ungyfeþe. ne ic to Sweoþeode sibbe oþþe treowe wihte ne wene ac wæs wide cuþ þætte Ongenþio ealdre besnyþede hæþcen Hreþling wiþ Hrefnawudu, þa for onmedlan ærest gesohton Geata leode Guþscilfingas. Sona him se froda fæder Ohtheres, eald ond egesfull ondslyht ageaf, abreot brimwisan bryd ahredde, gomela iomeowlan golde berofene, Onelan modor ond Ohtheres, ond þa folgode feorhgeniþlan, oþþæt hi oþeodon earfoþlice in Hrefnesholt hlafordlease. besæt þa sinherge sweorda lafe, wundum werge wean oft gehet earmre teohhe ondlonge niht, cwæþ he on mergenne meces ecgum getan wolde sum on galgtreowum fuglum to gamene Frofor eft gelamp sarigmodum somod ærdæge, syþþan hie Hygelaces horn ond byman, gealdor ongeaton þa se goda com leoda dugoþe on last faran. wæs sio swatswaþu Sweona ond Geata, wælræs weora wide gesyne, hu þa folc mid him fæhþe towehton. gewat him þa se goda mid his gædelingum, frod felageomor fæsten secean, eorl Ongenþio ufor oncirde; hæfde Higelaces hilde gefrunen, wlonces wigcræft wiþres ne truwode, þæt he sæmannum onsacan mihte, heaþoliþendum hord forstandan, bearn ond bryde; beah eft þonan eald under eorþweall þa wæs æht boden Sweona leodum segn Higelaces freoþowong þone forþ ofereodon, syþþan Hreþlingas to hagan þrungon. þær wearþ Ongenþiow ecgum sweorda, blondenfexa on bid wrecen, þæt se þeodcyning þafian sceolde Eafores anne dom Hyne yrringa Wulf Wonreding wæpne geræhte, þæt him for swenge swat ædrum sprong forþ under fexe Næs he forht swa þeh, gomela Scilfing ac forgeald hraþe wyrsan wrixle wælhlem þone, syþþan þeodcyning þyder oncirde. ne meahte se snella sunu Wonredes ealdum ceorle ondslyht giofan, ac he him on heafde helm ær gescer, þæt he blode fah bugan sceolde, feoll on foldan; næs he fæge þa git, ac he hyne gewyrpte þeah þe him wund hrine. let se hearda Higelaces þegn bradne mece þa his broþor læg, eald sweord eotonisc entiscne helm brecan ofer bordweal; þa gebeah cyning, folces hyrde wæs in feorh dropen. þa wæron monige þe his mæg wriþon, ricone arærdon þa him gerymed wearþ þæt hie wælstowe wealdan moston. þenden reafode rinc oþerne, nam on Ongenþio irenbyrnan, heard swyrd hilted ond his helm somod, hares hyrste Higelace bær. he þam frætwum feng ond him fægre gehet leana mid leodum ond gelæste swa; geald þone guþræs Geata dryhten, Hreþles eafora þa he to ham becom, Iofore ond Wulfe mid ofermaþmum, sealde hiora gehwæþrum hund þusenda landes ond locenra beaga (ne þorfte him þa lean oþwitan mon on middangearde syþþan hie þa mærþa geslogon, ond þa Iofore forgeaf angan dohtor, hamweorþunge hyldo to wedde. þæt ys sio fæhþo ond se feondscipe, wælniþ wera þæs þe ic wen hafo, þe us seceaþ to Sweona leoda, syþþan hie gefricgeaþ frean userne ealdorleasne þone þe ær geheold wiþ hettendum hord ond rice æfter hæleþa hryre hwate Scildingas, folcred fremede oþþe furþur gen eorlscipe efnde nu is ofost betost þæt we þeodcyning þær sceawian ond þone gebringan þe us beagas geaf, on adfære ne scel anes hwæt meltan mid þam modigan ac þær is maþma hord, gold unrime grimme geceapod, ond nu æt siþestan sylfes feore beagas gebohte þa sceall brond fretan, æled þeccean nalles eorl wegan maþþum to gemyndum ne mægþ scyne habban on healse hringweorþunge, ac sceal geomormod golde bereafod, oft nalles æne elland tredan, nu se herewisa hleahtor alegde, gamen ond gleodream Forþon sceall gar wesan monig morgenceald mundum bewunden, hæfen on handa nalles hearpan sweg wigend weccean ac se wonna hrefn fus ofer fægum fela reordian, earne secgan hu him æt æte speow, þenden he wiþ wulf wæl reafode." swa se secg hwata secggende wæs laþra spella; he ne leag fela wyrda ne worda Weorod eall aras; eodon unbliþe under Earnanæs, wollenteare wundur sceawian. fundon þa on sande sawulleasne hlimbed healdan þone þe him hringas geaf ærran mælum; þa wæs endedæg godum gegongen þæt se guþcyning, Wedra þeoden wundordeaþe swealt. ær hi þær gesegan syllicran wiht, wyrm on wonge wiþerræhtes þær laþne licgean; wæs se legdraca grimlic gryrefah gledum beswæled. se wæs fiftiges fotgemearces lang on legere lyftwynne heold nihtes hwilum nyþer eft gewat dennes niosian; wæs þa deaþe fæst, hæfde eorþscrafa ende genyttod. him big stodan bunan ond orcas, discas lagon ond dyre swyrd, omige þurhetone swa hie wiþ eorþan fæþm þusend wintra þær eardodon. þonne wæs þæt yrfe eacencræftig, iumonna gold galdre bewunden, þæt þam hringsele hrinan ne moste gumena ænig nefne god sylfa, sigora soþcyning sealde þam þe he wolde (he is manna gehyld hord openian, efne swa hwylcum manna swa him gemet þuhte. þa wæs gesyne þæt se siþ ne þah þam þe unrihte inne gehydde wræte under wealle Weard ær ofsloh feara sumne; þa sio fæhþ gewearþ gewrecen wraþlice Wundur hwar þonne eorl ellenrof ende gefere lifgesceafta þonne leng ne mæg mon mid his magum meduseld buan. swa wæs Biowulfe þa he biorges weard sohte searoniþas; seolfa ne cuþe þurh hwæt his worulde gedal weorþan sceolde. swa hit oþ domes dæg diope benemdon þeodnas mære þa þæt þær dydon, þæt se secg wære synnum scildig, hergum geheaþerod hellbendum fæst, wommum gewitnad se þone wong strude, næs he goldhwæte gearwor hæfde agendes est ær gesceawod. Wiglaf maþelode Wihstanes sunu: "Oft sceall eorl monig anes willan wræc adreogan swa us geworden is. ne meahton we gelæran leofne þeoden, rices hyrde ræd ænigne, þæt he ne grette goldweard þone, lete hyne licgean þær he longe wæs, wicum wunian oþ woruldende; heold on heahgesceap Hord ys gesceawod, grimme gegongen; wæs þæt gifeþe to swiþ þe þone þeodcyning þyder ontyhte. ic wæs þær inne ond þæt eall geondseh, recedes geatwa þa me gerymed wæs, nealles swæslice siþ alyfed inn under eorþweall ic on ofoste gefeng micle mid mundum mægenbyrþenne hordgestreona hider ut ætbær cyninge minum Cwico wæs þa gena, wis ond gewittig; worn eall gespræc gomol on gehþo ond eowic gretan het, bæd þæt ge geworhton æfter wines dædum in bælstede beorh þone hean, micelne ond mærne swa he manna wæs wigend weorþfullost wide geond eorþan, þenden he burhwelan brucan moste. uton nu efstan oþre siþe, seon ond secean searogimma geþræc, wundur under wealle; ic eow wisige, þæt ge genoge neon sceawiaþ beagas ond brad gold Sie sio bær gearo, ædre geæfned þonne we ut cymen, ond þonne geferian frean userne, leofne mannan þær he longe sceal on þæs waldendes wære geþolian." het þa gebeodan byre Wihstanes, hæle hildedior hæleþa monegum, boldagendra þæt hie bælwudu feorran feredon folcagende, godum togenes: "nu sceal gled fretan, weaxan wonna leg wigena strengel, þone þe oft gebad isernscure, þonne stræla storm strengum gebæded scoc ofer scildweall sceft nytte heold, feþergearwum fus flane fulleode." huru se snotra sunu Wihstanes acigde of corþre cyninges þegnas syfone tosomne þa selestan, eode eahta sum under inwithrof hilderinca; sum on handa bær æledleoman se þe on orde geong. næs þa on hlytme hwa þæt hord strude, syþþan orwearde ænigne dæl secgas gesegon on sele wunian, læne licgan; lyt ænig mearn þæt hi ofostlice ut geferedon dyre maþmas Dracan ec scufun, wyrm ofer weallclif leton weg niman, flod fæþmian frætwa hyrde. þa wæs wunden gold on wæn hladen, æghwæs unrim æþeling boren, har hilderinc to Hronesnæsse. him þa gegiredan Geata leode ad on eorþan unwaclicne, helmum behongen hildebordum, beorhtum byrnum swa he bena wæs; alegdon þa tomiddes mærne þeoden hæleþ hiofende hlaford leofne. ongunnon þa on beorge bælfyra mæst wigend weccan; wudurec astah, sweart ofer swioþole swogende leg wope bewunden (windblond gelæg, oþþæt he þa banhus gebrocen hæfde, hat on hreþre Higum unrote modceare mændon mondryhtnes cwealm; swylce giomorgyd Geatisc meowle bundenheorde song sorgcearig swiþe geneahhe þæt hio hyre heofungdagas hearde ondrede, wælfylla worn werudes egesan, hynþo ond hæftnyd Heofon rece swealg. geworhton þa Wedra leode hleo on hoe se wæs heah ond brad, wægliþendum wide gesyne, ond betimbredon on tyn dagum beadurofes becn bronda lafe wealle beworhton swa hyt weorþlicost foresnotre men findan mihton. hi on beorg dydon beg ond siglu, eall swylce hyrsta swylce on horde ær niþhedige men genumen hæfdon, forleton eorla gestreon eorþan healdan, gold on greote þær hit nu gen lifaþ eldum swa unnyt swa hit æror wæs. þa ymbe hlæw riodan hildediore, æþelinga bearn ealra twelfe, woldon ceare cwiþan ond kyning mænan, wordgyd wrecan ond ymb wer sprecan; eahtodan eorlscipe ond his ellenweorc duguþum demdon swa hit gedefe biþ þæt mon his winedryhten wordum herge, ferhþum freoge þonne he forþ scile of lichaman læded weorþan. swa begnornodon Geata leode hlafordes hryre heorþgeneatas, cwædon þæt he wære wyruldcyninga manna mildust ond monþwærust, leodum liþost ond lofgeornost.