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BEOWULF

    
3Hwæt.
4We Gardena in geardagum, þeodcyninga, þrym gefrunon, hu ða
5æþelingas ellen fremedon.
6Oft Scyld Scefing sceaþena þreatum, monegum mægþum,
7meodosetla ofteah, egsode eorlas.
8Syððan ærest wearð feasceaft funden, he þæs frofre
9gebad, weox under wolcnum, weorðmyndum þah, oðþæt
10him æghwylc þara ymbsittendra ofer hronrade hyran
11scolde, gomban gyldan.
12þæt wæs god cyning.
13ðæm eafera wæs æfter cenned, geong in geardum, þone god
14sende folce to frofre; fyrenðearfe ongeat þe hie
15ær drugon aldorlease lange hwile.
16Him þæs liffrea, wuldres wealdend, woroldare forgeaf;
17Beowulf wæs breme blæd wide sprang , Scyldes
18eafera Scedelandum in.
19Swa sceal geong guma gode gewyrcean, fromum feohgiftum
20on fæder bearme , þæt hine on ylde eft gewunigen
21wilgesiþas, þonne wig cume, leode gelæsten;
22lofdædum sceal in mægþa gehwære man geþeon.
23Him ða Scyld gewat to gescæphwile felahror feran on frean
24wære.
25Hi hyne þa ætbæron to brimes faroðe, swæse gesiþas, swa
26he selfa bæd,

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27þenden wordum weold wine Scyldinga; leof landfruma lange ahte.
28þær æt hyðe stod hringedstefna, isig ond utfus,
29æþelinges fær.
30Aledon þa leofne þeoden, beaga bryttan, on bearm scipes,
31mærne be mæste.
32þær wæs madma fela of feorwegum, frætwa, gelæded; ne
33hyrde ic cymlicor ceol gegyrwan hildewæpnum
34ond heaðowædum, billum ond byrnum; him on bearme læg madma
35mænigo, þa him mid scoldon on flodes æht feor gewitan.
36Nalæs hi hine læssan lacum teodan, þeodgestreonum, þon þa
37dydon þe hine æt frumsceafte forð onsendon ænne
38ofer yðe umborwesende.
39þa gyt hie him asetton segen geldenne heah ofer heafod,
40leton holm beran , geafon on garsecg; him
41wæs geomor sefa, murnende mod.
42Men ne cunnon secgan to soðe, selerædende , hæleð under
43heofenum, hwa þæm hlæste onfeng.
44ða wæs on burgum Beowulf Scyldinga, leof leodcyning, longe
45þrage folcum gefræge fæder ellor hwearf,
46aldor of earde, oþþæt him eft onwoc heah Healfdene; heold
47þenden lifde, gamol ond guðreouw, glæde
48Scyldingas.
49ðæm feower bearn forð gerimed in worold wocun, weoroda
50ræswan , Heorogar ond Hroðgar ond Halga til;
51hyrde ic þæt wæs Onelan cwen, Heaðoscilfingas
52healsgebedda.
53þa wæs Hroðgare heresped gyfen,

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54wiges weorðmynd, þæt him
55his winemagas georne hyrdon, oðð þæt seo geogoð geweox,
56magodriht micel.
57Him on mod bearn þæt healreced hatan wolde, medoærn
58micel, men gewyrcean þonne yldo bearn æfre gefrunon,
59ond þær on innan eall gedælan geongum ond ealdum,
60swylc him god sealde, buton folcscare ond
61feorum gumena.
62ða ic wide gefrægn weorc gebannan manigre mægþe geond
63þisne middangeard, folcstede frætwan.
64Him on fyrste gelomp, ædre mid yldum, þæt hit wearð
65ealgearo, healærna mæst; scop him Heort naman se
66þe his wordes geweald wide hæfde.
67He beot ne aleh, beagas dælde, sinc æt symle.
68Sele hlifade, heah ond horngeap, heaðowylma bad, laðan
69liges; ne wæs hit lenge þa gen þæt se ecghete
70aþumsweorum , æfter wælniðe wæcnan scolde.
71ða se ellengæst earfoðlice þrage geþolode, se þe in
72þystrum bad, þæt he dogora gehwam dream gehyrde
73hludne in healle; þær wæs hearpan sweg, swutol sang
74scopes.
75Sægde se þe cuþe frumsceaft fira feorran reccan, cwæð
76þæt se ælmihtiga eorðan worhte , wlitebeorhtne wang,
77swa wæter bebugeð, gesette sigehreþig sunnan ond
78monan leoman to leohte landbuendum ond gefrætwade
79foldan sceatas leomum ond leafum, lif eac gesceop
80cynna gehwylcum þara ðe cwice hwyrfaþ.

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81Swa ða drihtguman dreamum lifdon eadiglice, oððæt an ongan
82fyrene fremman feond on helle.
83Wæs se grimma gæst Grendel haten, mære mearcstapa, se þe
84moras heold, fen ond fæsten; fifelcynnes eard wonsæli
85wer weardode hwile, siþðan him scyppend
86forscrifen hæfde in Caines cynne.
87þone cwealm gewræc ece drihten, þæs þe he Abel slog; ne
88gefeah he þære fæhðe, ac he hine feor forwræc,
89metod for þy mane, mancynne fram.
90þanon untydras ealle onwocon, eotenas ond ylfe ond orcneas,
91swylce gigantas , þa wið gode wunnon lange þrage;
92he him ðæs lean forgeald.
93Gewat ða neosian, syþðan niht becom, hean huses, hu hit
94Hringdene æfter beorþege gebun hæfdon.
95Fand þa ðær inne æþelinga gedriht swefan æfter symble;
96sorge nu cuðon, wonsceaft wera.
97Wiht unhælo, grim ond grædig, gearo sona wæs, reoc ond
98reþe, ond on ræste genam þritig þegna, þanon
99eft gewat huðe hremig to ham faran, mid þære wælfylle
100wica neosan.
101ða wæs on uhtan mid ærdæge Grendles guðcræft gumum
102undyrne; þa wæs æfter wiste wop up ahafen, micel
103morgensweg.
104Mære þeoden, æþeling ærgod, unbliðe sæt, þolode
105ðryðswyð, þegnsorge dreah, syðþan hie þæs laðan
106last sceawedon,

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107wergan gastes; wæs þæt gewin to strang, lað ond longsum.
108Næs hit lengra fyrst, ac ymb ane niht eft gefremede
109morðbeala mare ond no mearn fore, fæhðe ond fyrene;
110wæs to fæst on þam.
111þa wæs eaðfynde þe him elles hwær gerumlicor ræste
112sohte , bed æfter burum, ða him gebeacnod wæs,
113gesægd soðlice sweotolan tacne healðegnes hete; heold hyne
114syðþan fyr ond fæstor se þæm feonde ætwand.
115Swa rixode ond wið rihte wan, ana wið eallum, oðþæt idel
116stod husa selest.
117Wæs seo hwil micel; XII wintra tid torn geþolode wine
118Scyldinga , weana gehwelcne, sidra sorga.
119Forðam secgum wearð, ylda bearnum, undyrne cuð, gyddum
120geomore, þætte Grendel wan hwile wið Hroþgar,
121heteniðas wæg, fyrene ond fæhðe fela missera, singale
122sæce, sibbe ne wolde wið manna hwone mægenes Deniga,
123feorhbealo feorran, fea þingian, ne þær nænig
124witena wenan þorfte beorhtre bote to banan
125folmum, ac se æglæca ehtende wæs, deorc
126deaþscua, duguþe ond geogoþe, seomade ond syrede,
127sinnihte heold mistige moras.
128men ne cunnon hwyder helrunan hwyrftum scriþað.
129Swa fela fyrena feond mancynnes, atol angengea, oft gefremede,
130heardra hynða.
131Heorot eardode,

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132sincfage sel sweartum nihtum; no he þone
133gifstol gretan moste, maþðum for metode, ne his myne wisse.
134þæt wæs wræc micel wine Scyldinga, modes brecða.
135Monig oft gesæt rice to rune; ræd eahtedon hwæt
136swiðferhðum selest wære wið færgryrum to gefremmanne.
137Hwilum hie geheton æt hærgtrafum wigweorþunga, wordum
138bædon þæt him gastbona geoce gefremede wið
139þeodþreaum.
140Swylc wæs þeaw hyra, hæþenra hyht; helle gemundon in
141modsefan, metod hie ne cuþon, dæda demend, ne
142wiston hie drihten god, ne hie huru heofena helm herian ne
143cuþon, wuldres waldend.
144Wa bið þæm ðe sceal þurh sliðne nið sawle bescufan in
145fyres fæþm, frofre ne wenan, wihte gewendan;
146wel bið þæm þe mot æfter deaðdæge drihten secean ond to
147fæder fæþmum freoðo wilnian.
148Swa ða mælceare maga Healfdenes singala seað, ne mihte
149snotor hæleð wean onwendan; wæs þæt gewin to
150swyð, laþ ond longsum, þe on ða leode becom, nydwracu
151niþgrim, nihtbealwa mæst.
152þæt fram ham gefrægn Higelaces þegn, god mid Geatum,
153Grendles dæda; se wæs moncynnes mægenes strengest on
154þæm dæge þysses lifes, æþele ond eacen.
155Het him yðlidan godne gegyrwan, cwæð, he guðcyning ofer
156swanrade secean wolde,

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157mærne þeoden, þa him wæs manna þearf.
158ðone siðfæt him snotere ceorlas lythwon logon, þeah he him
159leof wære; hwetton higerofne , hæl sceawedon.
160Hæfde se goda Geata leoda cempan gecorone þara þe he
161cenoste findan mihte; XVna sum sundwudu sohte;
162secg wisade, lagucræftig mon, landgemyrcu.
163Fyrst forð gewat.
164Flota wæs on yðum, bat under beorge.
165Beornas gearwe on stefn stigon; streamas wundon, sund wið
166sande; secgas bæron on bearm nacan beorhte frætwe,
167guðsearo geatolic; guman ut scufon, weras on
168wilsið, wudu bundenne.
169Gewat þa ofer wægholm, winde gefysed, flota famiheals fugle
170gelicost, oðþæt ymb antid oþres dogores
171wundenstefna gewaden hæfde þæt ða liðende land gesawon,
172brimclifu blican, beorgas steape, side sænæssas;
173þa wæs sund liden, eoletes æt ende.
174þanon up hraðe Wedera leode on wang stigon, sæwudu sældon
175syrcan hrysedon, guðgewædo, gode þancedon
176þæs þe him yþlade eaðe wurdon.
177þa of wealle geseah weard Scildinga, se þe holmclifu healdan
178scolde, beran ofer bolcan beorhte randas, fyrdsearu fuslicu;
179hine fyrwyt bræc modgehygdum, hwæt þa men wæron.
180Gewat him þa to waroðe wicge ridan þegn Hroðgares,
181þrymmum cwehte

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182mægenwudu mundum, meþelwordum frægn: Hwæt syndon ge
183searohæbbendra, byrnum werede, þe þus
184brontne ceol ofer lagustræte lædan cwomon,
185hider ofer holmas?
186le wæs endesæta, ægwearde heold, þe on land Dena
187laðra nænig mid scipherge sceðþan ne meahte.
188No her cuðlicor cuman ongunnon lindhæbbende; ne ge
189leafnesword guðfremmendra gearwe ne wisson, maga
190gemedu.
191Næfre ic maran geseah eorla ofer eorþan ðonne is eower sum,
192secg on searwum; nis þæt seldguma, wæpnum geweorðad,
193næfne him his wlite leoge, ænlic ansyn.
194Nu ic eower sceal frumcyn witan, ær ge fyr heonan ,
195leassceaweras, on land Dena furþur feran.
196Nu ge feorbuend, mereliðende, minne gehyrað anfealdne
197geþoht: Ofost is selest to gecyðanne hwanan
198eowre cyme syndon.
199Him se yldesta ondswarode, werodes wisa, wordhord onleac: We
200synt gumcynnes Geata leode ond Higelaces heorðgeneatas.
201Wæs min fæder folcum gecyþed, æþele ordfruma, Ecgþeow
202haten.
203Gebad wintra worn, ær he on weg hwurfe, gamol of geardum;
204hine gearwe geman witena welhwylc wide geond eorþan.
205We þurh holdne hige hlaford þinne, sunu Healfdenes, secean
206cwomon, leodgebyrgean; wes þu us larena
207god.
208Habbað we to þæm mæran micel ærende,

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209Deniga frean, ne sceal þær dyrne sum wesan, þæs ic wene.
210þu wast gif hit is swa we soþlice secgan hyrdon þæt mid
211Scyldingum sceaðona ic nat hwylc, deogol dædhata,
212deorcum nihtum eaweð þurh egsan uncuðne nið,
213hynðu ond hrafyl.
214Ic þæs Hroðgar mæg þurh rumne sefan ræd gelæran, hu he
215frod ond god feond oferswyðeþ, gyf him edwendan æfre
216scolde bealuwa bisigu, bot eft cuman, ond þa
217cearwylmas colran wurðaþ; oððe a syþðan
218earfoðþrage, þreanyd þolað, þenden þær wunað on
219heahstede husa selest.
220Weard maþelode, ðær on wicge sæt, ombeht unforht:
221æghwæþres sceal scearp scyldwiga gescad witan,
222worda ond worca, se þe wel þenceð.
223Ic þæt gehyre, þæt þis is hold weorod frean Scyldinga.
224Gewitaþ forð beran wæpen ond gewædu; ic eow wisige.
225Swylce ic maguþegnas mine hate wið feonda gehwone flotan
226eowerne, niwtyrwydne nacan on sande arum healdan,
227oþðæt eft byreð ofer lagustreamas leofne mannan
228wudu wundenhals to Wedermearce, godfremmendra swylcum
229gifeþe bið þæt þone hilderæs hal gedigeð.
230Gewiton him þa feran.
231Flota stille bad, seomode on sale sidfæþmed scip, on
232ancre fæst.
233Eoforlic scionon ofer hleorberan gehroden golde, fah ond
234fyrheard; ferhwearde heold guþmod grimmon .
235Guman onetton,

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236sigon ætsomne, oþþæt hy sæl timbred,
237geatolic ond goldfah, ongyton mihton; þæt wæs
238foremærost foldbuendum receda under roderum, on þæm se rica
239bad; lixte se leoma ofer landa fela.
240Him þa hildedeor hof modigra torht getæhte, þæt hie
241him to mihton gegnum gangan; guðbeorna sum wicg gewende,
242word æfter cwæð: Mæl is me to feran; fæder
243alwalda mid arstafum eowic gehealde siða gesunde.
244Ic to sæ wille wið wrað werod wearde healdan.
245Stræt wæs stanfah, stig wisode gumum ætgædere.
246Guðbyrne scan heard hondlocen, hringiren scir song in
247searwum, þa hie to sele furðum in hyra gryregeatwum
248gangan cwomon.
249Setton sæmeþe side scyldas, rondas regnhearde, wið þæs
250recedes weal, bugon þa to bence.
251Byrnan hringdon, guðsearo gumena; garas stodon, sæmanna
252searo, samod ætgædere, æscholt ufan græg;
253wæs se irenþreat wæpnum gewurþad.
254þa ðær wlonc hæleð oretmecgas æfter æþelum frægn:
255Hwanon ferigeað ge fætte scyldas, græge syrcan
256ond grimhelmas, heresceafta heap?
257Ic eom Hroðgares ar ond ombiht.
258Ne seah ic elþeodige þus manige men modiglicran.
259Wen ic þæt ge for wlenco, nalles for wræcsiðum, ac for
260higeþrymmum Hroðgar sohton.
261Him þa ellenrof andswarode, wlanc Wedera leod, word æfter
262spræc,

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263heard under helme: We synt Higelaces beodgeneatas;
264Beowulf is min nama.
265Wille ic asecgan sunu Healfdenes, mærum þeodne, min ærende,
266aldre þinum, gif he us geunnan wile þæt
267we hine swa godne gretan moton.
268Wulfgar maþelode þæt wæs Wendla leod; wæs his modsefa
269manegum gecyðed, wig ond wisdom: Ic þæs wine
270Deniga, frean Scildinga, frinan wille, beaga bryttan, swa þu
271bena eart, þeoden mærne, ymb þinne sið, ond þe þa
272ondsware ædre gecyðan ðe me se goda agifan þenceð.
273Hwearf þa hrædlice þær Hroðgar sæt eald ond anhar
274mid his eorla gedriht; eode ellenrof, þæt he for
275eaxlum gestod Deniga frean; cuþe he duguðe þeaw.
276Wulfgar maðelode to his winedrihtne: Her syndon geferede,
277feorran cumene ofer geofenes begang Geata leode;
278þone yldestan oretmecgas Beowulf nemnað.
279Hy benan synt þæt hie, þeoden min, wið þe moton wordum
280wrixlan.
281No ðu him wearne geteoh ðinra gegncwida, glædman Hroðgar.
282Hy on wiggetawum wyrðe þinceað eorla geæhtlan; huru se
283aldor deah, se þæm heaðorincum hider wisade.
284Hroðgar maþelode, helm Scyldinga: Ic hine cuðe
285cnihtwesende.
286Wæs his ealdfæder Ecgþeo haten, ðæm to ham forgeaf
287Hreþel Geata angan dohtor; is his eafora nu
288heard her cumen, sohte holdne wine.

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289ðonne sægdon þæt sæliþende, þa ðe gifsceattas Geata
290fyredon þyder to þance, þæt he XXXtiges manna
291mægencræft on his mundgripe heaþorof hæbbe.
292Hine halig god for arstafum us onsende, to Westdenum, þæs ic
293wen hæbbe, wið Grendles gryre.
294Ic þæm godan sceal for his modþræce madmas beodan.
295Beo ðu on ofeste, hat in gan seon sibbegedriht samod
296ætgædere; gesaga him eac wordum þæt hie sint wilcuman
297Deniga leodum.
298word inne abead: Eow het secgan sigedrihten min, aldor
299Eastdena, þæt he eower æþelu can, ond ge him syndon
300ofer sæwylmas heardhicgende hider wilcuman.
301Nu ge moton gangan in eowrum guðgeatawum under heregriman
302Hroðgar geseon; lætað hildebord her onbidan, wudu,
303wælsceaftas, worda geþinges.
304Aras þa se rica, ymb hine rinc manig, þryðlic þegna heap;
305sume þær bidon, heaðoreaf heoldon, swa him se hearda bebead.
306Snyredon ætsomne, þa secg wisode, under Heorotes hrof
307heard under helme, þæt he on heoðe gestod.
308Beowulf maðelode on him byrne scan, searonet seowed
309smiþes orþancum: Wæs þu, Hroðgar , hal.
310Ic eom Higelaces mæg ond magoðegn; hæbbe ic mærða fela

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311ongunnen on geogoþe.
312Me wearð Grendles þing on minre eþeltyrf undyrne cuð;
313secgað sæliðend þæt þæs sele stande, reced selesta,
314rinca gehwylcum idel ond unnyt, siððan æfenleoht
315under heofenes hador beholen weorþeð.
316þa me þæt gelærdon leode mine þa selestan, snotere
317ceorlas, þeoden Hroðgar, þæt ic þe sohte, forþan
318hie mægenes cræft minne cuþon, selfe ofersawon, ða ic
319of searwum cwom, fah from feondum.
320þær ic fife geband, yðde eotena cyn ond on yðum slog
321niceras nihtes, nearoþearfe dreah, wræc Wedera
322nið wean ahsodon, forgrand gramum, ond nu wið Grendel
323sceal, wið þam aglæcan, ana gehegan ðing wið þyrse.
324Ic þe nu ða, brego Beorhtdena, biddan wille, eodor
325Scyldinga, anre bene, þæt ðu me ne forwyrne,
326wigendra hleo, freowine folca, nu ic þus feorran com,
327þæt ic mote ana ond minra eorla gedryht,
328þes hearda heap, Heorot fælsian.
329Hæbbe ic eac geahsod þæt se æglæca for his wonhydum
330wæpna ne recceð.
331Ic þæt þonne forhicge swa me Higelac sie, min mondrihten,
332modes bliðe, þæt ic sweord bere oþðe sidne scyld,
333geolorand to guþe, ac ic mid grape sceal fon wið
334feonde ond ymb feorh sacan, lað wið laþum;
335ðær gelyfan sceal dryhtnes dome se þe hine deað nimeð.
336Wen ic þæt he wille, gif he wealdan mot, in þæm guðsele
337Geotena leode etan unforhte, swa he oft dyde,

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338mægen Hreðmanna.
339Na þu minne þearft hafalan hydan, ac he me habban wile
340dreore fahne, gif mec deað nimeð.
341Byreð blodig wæl, byrgean þenceð, eteð angenga
342unmurnlice, mearcað morhopu; no ðu ymb mines
343ne þearft lices feorme leng sorgian.
344Onsend Higelace, gif mec hild nime, beaduscruda betst, þæt
345mine breost wereð, hrægla selest; þæt is
346Hrædlan laf, Welandes geweorc.
347Gæð a wyrd swa hio scel.
348Hroðgar maþelode, helm Scyldinga: For gewyrhtum þu,
349wine min Beowulf, ond for arstafum usic sohtest.
350Gesloh þin fæder fæhðe mæste; wearþ he Heaþolafe to
351handbonan mid Wilfingum; ða hine Wedera cyn for
352herebrogan habban ne mihte.
353þanon he gesohte Suðdena folc ofer yða gewealc,
354Arscyldinga.
355ða ic furþum weold folce Deniga ond on geogoðe heold
356ginne rice, hordburh hæleþa; ða wæs Heregar
357dead, min yldra mæg unlifigende, bearn Healfdenes; se wæs
358betera ðonne ic.
359Siððan þa fæhðe feo þingode; sende ic Wylfingum ofer
360wæteres hrycg ealde madmas; he me aþas swor.
361Sorh is me to secganne on sefan minum gumena ængum hwæt me
362Grendel hafað hynðo on Heorote mid his heteþancum,
363færniða gefremed.
364Is min fletwerod, wigheap gewanod; hie wyrd forsweop on
365Grendles gryre.
366God eaþe mæg þone dolsceaðan dæda getwæfan.

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367Ful oft gebeotedon beore druncne ofer ealowæge oretmecgas
368þæt hie in beorsele bidan woldon Grendles
369guþe mid gryrum ecga.
370ðonne wæs þeos medoheal on morgentid, drihtsele dreorfah,
371þonne dæg lixte, eal bencþelu blode bestymed,
372heall heorudreore ; ahte ic holdra þy læs, deorre
373duguðe, þe þa deað fornam.
374Site nu to symle ond onsæl meoto, sigehreð secgum, swa þin
375sefa hwette.
376þa wæs Geatmæcgum geador ætsomne on beorsele benc gerymed;
377þær swiðferhþe sittan eodon, þryðum dealle.
378þegn nytte beheold, se þe on handa bær hroden ealowæge,
379scencte scir wered.
380Scop hwilum sang hador on Heorote.
381þær wæs hæleða dream, duguð unlytel Dena ond Wedera.
382Unferð maþelode, Ecglafes bearn, þe æt fotum sæt
383frean Scyldinga, onband beadurune wæs him Beowulfes sið,
384modges merefaran, micel æfþunca, forþon þe he ne
385uþe þæt ænig oðer man æfre mærða þon ma
386middangeardes gehedde under heofenum þonne he sylfa: Eart þu
387se Beowulf, se þe wið Brecan wunne, on
388sidne sæ ymb sund flite, ðær git for wlence wada cunnedon
389ond for dolgilpe on deop wæter aldrum neþdon?
390Ne inc ænig mon, ne leof ne lað, belean mihte sorhfullne
391sið, þa git on sund reon.
392þær git eagorstream earmum þehton,

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393mæton merestræta, mundum brugdon, glidon ofer garsecg;
394geofon yþum weol, wintrys wylmum .
395Git on wæteres æht seofon niht swuncon; he þe æt sunde
396oferflat, hæfde mare mægen.
397þa hine on morgentid on Heaþoræmas holm up ætbær;
398ðonon he gesohte swæsne eþel , leof his leodum,
399lond Brondinga, freoðoburh fægere, þær he folc ahte
400burh ond beagas.
401Beot eal wið þe sunu Beanstanes soðe gelæste.
402ðonne wene ic to þe wyrsan geþingea, ðeah þu heaðoræsa
403gehwær dohte, grimre guðe, gif þu Grendles
404dearst nihtlongne fyrst nean bidan.
405Beowulf maþelode, bearn Ecgþeowes: Hwæt.
406þu worn fela, wine min Unferð , beore druncen ymb Brecan
407spræce, sægdest from his siðe.
408Soð ic talige, þæt ic merestrengo maran ahte, earfeþo on
409yþum, ðonne ænig oþer man.
410Wit þæt gecwædon cnihtwesende ond gebeotedon wæron begen
411þa git on geogoðfeore þæt wit on garsecg
412ut aldrum neðdon, ond þæt geæfndon swa.
413Hæfdon swurd nacod, þa wit on sund reon, heard on handa; wit
414unc wið hronfixas werian þohton.
415No he wiht fram me flodyþum feor fleotan meahte, hraþor on
416holme; no ic fram him wolde.
417ða wit ætsomne on sæ wæron fif nihta fyrst, oþþæt unc
418flod todraf, wado weallende, wedera cealdost,
419nipende niht, ond norþanwind heaðogrim ondhwearf; hreo
420wæron yþa.

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421Wæs merefixa mod onhrered; þær me wið laðum licsyrce min,
422heard, hondlocen, helpe gefremede, beadohrægl broden
423on breostum læg golde gegyrwed.
424Me to grunde teah fah feondscaða, fæste hæfde grim on
425grape; hwæþre me gyfeþe wearð þæt ic aglæcan
426orde geræhte, hildebille; heaþoræs fornam mihtig meredeor
427þurh mine hand.
428Swa mec gelome laðgeteonan þreatedon þearle.
429Ic him þenode deoran sweorde, swa hit gedefe wæs.
430Næs hie ðære fylle gefean hæfdon, manfordædlan, þæt hie
431me þegon, symbel ymbsæton sægrunde neah; ac
432on mergenne mecum wunde be yðlafe uppe lægon, sweordum
433aswefede, þæt syðþan na ymb brontne ford brimliðende
434lade ne letton.
435Leoht eastan com, beorht beacen godes; brimu swaþredon, þæt
436ic sænæssas geseon mihte, windige weallas.
437Wyrd oft nereð unfægne eorl, þonne his ellen deah.
438Hwæþere me gesælde þæt ic mid sweorde ofsloh niceras
439nigene.
440No ic on niht gefrægn under heofones hwealf heardran feohtan,
441ne on egstreamum earmran mannon; hwaþere ic fara feng
442feore gedigde, siþes werig.
443ða mec sæ oþbær, flod æfter faroðe on Finna land,
444wadu weallendu.
445No ic wiht fram þe swylcra searoniða secgan hyrde, billa
446brogan.
447Breca næfre git æt heaðolace, ne gehwæþer incer,

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448swa deorlice dæd gefremede fagum sweordum no ic þæs
449fela gylpe, þeah ðu þinum broðrum to banan wurde,
450heafodmægum; þæs þu in helle scealt werhðo dreogan,
451þeah þin wit duge .
452Secge ic þe to soðe, sunu Ecglafes , þæt næfre
453Grendel swa fela gryra gefremede, atol æglæca,
454ealdre þinum, hynðo on Heorote, gif þin hige wære,
455sefa swa searogrim, swa þu self talast.
456Ac he hafað onfunden þæt he þa fæhðe ne þearf, atole
457ecgþræce eower leode swiðe onsittan, Sigescyldinga;
458nymeð nydbade, nænegum arað leode Deniga, ac he lust
459wigeð, swefeð ond sendeþ, secce ne weneþ
460to Gardenum.
461Ac ic him Geata sceal eafoð ond ellen ungeara nu, guþe
462gebeodan.
463Gæþ eft se þe mot to medo modig, siþþan morgenleoht ofer
464ylda bearn oþres dogores, sunne sweglwered
465suþan scineð.
466þa wæs on salum sinces brytta, gamolfeax ond guðrof; geoce
467gelyfde brego Beorhtdena, gehyrde on Beowulfe folces hyrde
468fæstrædne geþoht.
469ðær wæs hæleþa hleahtor , hlyn swynsode, word wæron
470wynsume.
471Eode Wealhþeow forð, cwen Hroðgares, cynna gemyndig, grette
472goldhroden guman on healle, ond þa freolic wif ful gesealde
473ærest Eastdena eþelwearde,

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474bæd hine
475bliðne æt þære beorþege, leodum leofne.
476He on lust geþeah symbel ond seleful, sigerof kyning.
477Ymbeode þa ides Helminga duguþe ond geogoþe dæl
478æghwylcne, sincfato sealde, oþþæt sæl alamp þæt
479hio Beowulfe, beaghroden cwen mode geþungen, medoful ætbær;
480grette Geata leod, gode þancode wisfæst wordum þæs
481ðe hire se willa gelamp þæt heo on ænigne eorl
482gelyfde fyrena frofre.
483He þæt ful geþeah, wælreow wiga, æt Wealhþeon, ond þa
484gyddode guþe gefysed; Beowulf maþelode, bearn
485Ecgþeowes: Ic þæt hogode, þa ic on holm gestah, sæbat
486gesæt mid minra secga gedriht, þæt ic anunga
487eowra leoda willan geworhte oþðe on wæl crunge,
488feondgrapum fæst.
489Ic gefremman sceal eorlic ellen, oþðe endedæg on þisse
490meoduhealle minne gebidan.
491ðam wife þa word wel licodon, gilpcwide Geates; eode
492goldhroden freolicu folccwen to hire frean sittan.
493þa wæs eft swa ær inne on healle þryðword sprecen, ðeod
494on sælum, sigefolca sweg, oþþæt semninga sunu Healfdenes
495secean wolde æfenræste; wiste þæm ahlæcan
496to þæm heahsele hilde geþinged, siððan hie
497sunnan leoht geseon ne meahton, oþðe nipende niht ofer
498ealle, scaduhelma gesceapu scriðan cwoman,
499wan under wolcnum.
500Werod eall aras.
501Gegrette þa guma oþerne,

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502Hroðgar Beowulf, ond him hæl
503abead, winærnes geweald, ond þæt word acwæð:
504Næfre ic ænegum men ær alyfde, siþðan ic hond ond rond
505hebban mihte, ðryþærn Dena buton þe nu ða.
506Hafa nu ond geheald husa selest, gemyne mærþo, mægenellen
507cyð, waca wið wraþum.
508Ne bið þe wilna gad, gif þu þæt ellenweorc aldre
509gedigest.
510ða him Hroþgar gewat mid his hæleþa gedryht, eodur
511Scyldinga, ut of healle; wolde wigfruma Wealhþeo
512secan, cwen to gebeddan.
513Hæfde kyningwuldor Grendle togeanes, swa guman gefrungon,
514seleweard aseted; sundornytte beheold ymb
515aldor Dena, eotonweard abead.
516Huru Geata leod georne truwode modgan mægnes, metodes hyldo.
517ða he him of dyde isernbyrnan, helm of hafelan, sealde his
518hyrsted sweord, irena cyst, ombihtþegne,
519ond gehealdan het hildegeatwe.
520Gespræc þa se goda gylpworda sum, Beowulf Geata, ær he on
521bed stige: No ic me an herewæsmun hnagran
522talige, guþgeweorca, þonne Grendel hine; forþan ic hine
523sweorde swebban nelle, aldre beneotan, þeah ic eal mæge.
524Nat he þara goda þæt he me ongean slea, rand geheawe, þeah
525ðe he rof sie niþgeweorca; ac wit on niht sculon secge
526ofersittan, gif he gesecean dear wig ofer wæpen,
527ond siþðan witig god on swa hwæþere hond,
528halig dryhten, mærðo deme, swa him gemet þince.
529Hylde hine þa heaþodeor, hleorbolster onfeng

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530eorles andwlitan, ond hine ymb monig snellic særinc
531selereste gebeah.
532Nænig heora þohte þæt he þanon scolde eft eardlufan æfre
533gesecean, folc oþðe freoburh, þær he afeded wæs;
534ac hie hæfdon gefrunen þæt hie ær to fela micles
535in þæm winsele wældeað fornam, Denigea leode.
536Ac him dryhten forgeaf wigspeda gewiofu, Wedera leodum, frofor
537ond fultum , þæt hie feond heora ðurh anes
538cræft ealle ofercomon, selfes mihtum.
539Soð is gecyþed þæt mihtig god manna cynnes weold
540wideferhð .
541Com on wanre niht scriðan sceadugenga.
542Sceotend swæfon, þa þæt hornreced healdan scoldon, ealle
543buton anum.
544þæt wæs yldum cuþ þæt hie ne moste, þa metod nolde, se
545scynscaþa under sceadu bregdan; ac he wæccende wraþum
546on andan bad bolgenmod beadwa geþinges.
547ða com of more under misthleoþum Grendel gongan, godes yrre
548bær; mynte se manscaða manna cynnes sumne besyrwan
549in sele þam hean.
550Wod under wolcnum to þæs þe he winreced, goldsele
551gumena, gearwost wisse, fættum fahne.
552Ne wæs þæt forma sið þæt he Hroþgares ham gesohte;
553næfre he on aldordagum ær ne siþðan

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554heardran hæle, healðegnas fand.
555Com þa to recede rinc siðian, dreamum bedæled.
556Duru sona onarn , fyrbendum fæst, syþðan he hire folmum
557æthran ; onbræd þa bealohydig, ða he gebolgen
558wæs, recedes muþan.
559Raþe æfter þon on fagne flor feond treddode, eode yrremod;
560him of eagum stod ligge gelicost leoht unfæger.
561Geseah he in recede rinca manige, swefan sibbegedriht samod
562ætgædere, magorinca heap.
563þa his mod ahlog; mynte þæt he gedælde, ærþon dæg
564cwome, atol aglæca, anra gehwylces lif wið lice,
565þa him alumpen wæs wistfylle wen.
566Ne wæs þæt wyrd þa gen þæt he ma moste manna cynnes
567ðicgean ofer þa niht.
568þryðswyð beheold mæg Higelaces, hu se manscaða under
569færgripum gefaran wolde.
570Ne þæt se aglæca yldan þohte, ac he gefeng hraðe forman
571siðe slæpendne rinc, slat unwearnum, bat banlocan,
572blod edrum dranc, synsnædum swealh; sona hæfde
573unlyfigendes eal gefeormod, fet ond folma.
574Forð near ætstop, nam þa mid handa higeþihtigne rinc on
575ræste, ræhte ongean feond mid folme; he onfeng
576hraþe inwitþancum ond wið earm gesæt.
577Sona þæt onfunde fyrena hyrde þæt he ne mette
578middangeardes,

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579eorþan sceata , on elran men mundgripe maran.
580He on mode wearð forht on ferhðe; no þy ær fram meahte.
581Hyge wæs him hinfus, wolde on heolster fleon, secan deofla
582gedræg; ne wæs his drohtoð þær swylce he
583on ealderdagum ær gemette.
584Gemunde þa se goda, mæg Higelaces, æfenspræce, uplang
585astod ond him fæste wiðfeng; fingras burston.
586Eoten wæs utweard; eorl furþur stop.
587Mynte se mæra, þær he meahte swa, widre gewindan ond on
588weg þanon fleon on fenhopu; wiste his fingra geweald
589on grames grapum.
590þæt wæs geocor sið þæt se hearmscaþa to Heorute
591ateah.
592Dryhtsele dynede; Denum eallum wearð, ceasterbuendum, cenra
593gehwylcum, eorlum ealuscerwen.
594Yrre wæron begen, reþe renweardas.
595Reced hlynsode.
596þa wæs wundor micel þæt se winsele wiðhæfde
597heaþodeorum, þæt he on hrusan ne feol, fæger foldbold;
598ac he þæs fæste wæs innan ond utan irenbendum searoþoncum
599besmiþod.
600þær fram sylle abeag medubenc monig, mine gefræge, golde
601geregnad, þær þa graman wunnon.
602þæs ne wendon ær witan Scyldinga þæt hit a mid gemete
603manna ænig, betlic ond banfag, tobrecan meahte,
604listum tolucan, nymþe liges fæþm swulge on swaþule.
605Sweg up astag niwe geneahhe; Norðdenum stod

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606atelic egesa, anra gehwylcum þara þe of wealle wop
607gehyrdon, gryreleoð galan godes ondsacan, sigeleasne sang,
608sar wanigean helle hæfton.
609Heold hine fæste se þe manna wæs mægene strengest on þæm
610dæge þysses lifes.
611Nolde eorla hleo ænige þinga þone cwealmcuman cwicne
612forlætan, ne his lifdagas leoda ænigum nytte
613tealde.
614þær genehost brægd eorl Beowulfes ealde lafe, wolde
615freadrihtnes feorh ealgian, mæres þeodnes, ðær
616hie meahton swa.
617Hie þæt ne wiston, þa hie gewin drugon, heardhicgende
618hildemecgas, ond on healfa gehwone heawan þohton,
619sawle secan, þone synscaðan ænig ofer eorþan irenna
620cyst, guðbilla nan, gretan nolde, ac he sigewæpnum
621forsworen hæfde, ecga gehwylcre.
622Scolde his aldorgedal on ðæm dæge þysses lifes earmlic
623wurðan, ond se ellorgast on feonda geweald feor siðian.
624ða þæt onfunde se þe fela æror modes myrðe manna cynne,
625fyrene gefremede he wæs fag wið god, þæt him se
626lichoma læstan nolde , ac hine se modega mæg
627Hygelaces hæfde be honda; wæs gehwæþer oðrum
628lifigende lað.
629Licsar gebad atol æglæca; him on eaxle wearð syndolh
630sweotol, seonowe onsprungon,

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631burston banlocan.
632Beowulfe wearð guðhreð gyfeþe; scolde Grendel þonan
633feorhseoc fleon under fenhleoðu, secean wynleas
634wic; wiste þe geornor þæt his aldres wæs ende gegongen,
635dogera dægrim.
636Denum eallum wearð æfter þam wælræse willa gelumpen.
637Hæfde þa gefælsod se þe ær feorran com, snotor ond
638swyðferhð, sele Hroðgares, genered wið niðe;
639nihtweorce gefeh, ellenmærþum .
640Hæfde Eastdenum Geatmecga leod gilp gelæsted, swylce
641oncyþðe ealle gebette, inwidsorge, þe hie ær
642drugon ond for þreanydum þolian scoldon, torn unlytel.
643þæt wæs tacen sweotol, syþðan hildedeor hond alegde, earm
644ond eaxle þær wæs eal geador Grendles grape under geapne
645hrof .
646ða wæs on morgen mine gefræge ymb þa gifhealle guðrinc
647monig; ferdon folctogan feorran ond nean geond widwegas
648wundor sceawian, laþes lastas.
649No his lifgedal sarlic þuhte secga ænegum þara þe
650tirleases trode sceawode, hu he werigmod on weg þanon,
651niða ofercumen, on nicera mere fæge ond geflymed
652feorhlastas bær.
653ðær wæs on blode brim weallende, atol yða geswing eal
654gemenged haton heolfre, heorodreore weol.
655Deaðfæge deog, siððan dreama leas in fenfreoðo feorh
656alegde, hæþene sawle; þær him hel onfeng.
657þanon eft gewiton ealdgesiðas,

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658swylce geong manig of gomenwaþe fram mere modge
659mearum ridan, beornas on blancum.
660ðær wæs Beowulfes mærðo mæned; monig oft gecwæð
661þætte suð ne norð be sæm tweonum ofer eormengrund
662oþer nænig under swegles begong selra nære rondhæbbendra,
663rices wyrðra.
664Ne hie huru winedrihten wiht ne logon, glædne Hroðgar, ac
665þæt wæs god cyning.
666Hwilum heaþorofe hleapan leton, on geflit faran fealwe mearas
667ðær him foldwegas fægere þuhton, cystum cuðe .
668Hwilum cyninges þegn, guma gilphlæden, gidda gemyndig, se
669ðe ealfela ealdgesegena worn gemunde, word oþer fand soðe
670gebunden; secg eft ongan sið Beowulfes snyttrum styrian
671ond on sped wrecan spel gerade, wordum wrixlan.
672Welhwylc gecwæð þæt he fram Sigemundes secgan hyrde
673ellendædum, uncuþes fela, Wælsinges gewin, wide siðas,
674þara þe gumena bearn gearwe ne wiston, fæhðe ond
675fyrena, buton Fitela mid hine, þonne he swulces
676hwæt secgan wolde, eam his nefan, swa hie a wæron æt
677niða gehwam nydgesteallan; hæfdon ealfela eotena
678cynnes sweordum gesæged.
679Sigemunde gesprong æfter deaðdæge dom unlytel, syþðan
680wiges heard wyrm acwealde, hordes hyrde.
681He under harne stan, æþelinges bearn, ana geneðde

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682frecne dæde, ne wæs him Fitela mid.
683hwæþre him gesælde ðæt þæt swurd þurhwod wrætlicne
684wyrm, þæt hit on wealle ætstod, dryhtlic iren; draca
685morðre swealt.
686Hæfde aglæca elne gegongen þæt he beahhordes brucan moste
687selfes dome; sæbat gehleod, bær on bearm
688scipes beorhte frætwa, Wælses eafera.
689Wyrm hat gemealt.
690Se wæs wreccena wide mærost ofer werþeode, wigendra hleo,
691ellendædum he þæs ær onðah, siððan Heremodes hild
692sweðrode, eafoð ond ellen.
693He mid Eotenum wearð on feonda geweald forð forlacen, snude
694forsended.
695Hine sorhwylmas lemede to lange; he his leodum wearð, eallum
696æþellingum to aldorceare; swylce oft bemearn ærran mælum
697swiðferhþes sið snotor ceorl monig, se þe him bealwa
698to bote gelyfde, þæt þæt ðeodnes bearn geþeon scolde,
699fæderæþelum onfon, folc gehealdan, hord ond hleoburh,
700hæleþa rice, eþel Scyldinga.
701He þær eallum wearð, mæg Higelaces, manna cynne, freondum
702gefægra; hine fyren onwod.
703Hwilum flitende fealwe stræte mearum mæton.
704ða wæs morgenleoht scofen ond scynded.
705Eode scealc monig swiðhicgende to sele þam hean searowundor
706seon; swylce self cyning of brydbure, beahhorda weard,
707tryddode tirfæst getrume micle, cystum
708gecyþed, ond his cwen mid him medostigge mæt
709mægþa hose.

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710Hroðgar maþelode he to healle geong, stod on stapole, geseah
711steapne hrof, golde fahne, ond Grendles hond:
712ðisse ansyne alwealdan þanc lungre gelimpe.
713Fela ic laþes gebad, grynna æt Grendle; a mæg god wyrcan
714wunder æfter wundre, wuldres hyrde.
715ðæt wæs ungeara þæt ic ænigra me weana ne wende to widan
716feore bote gebidan, þonne blode fah husa selest heorodreorig
717stod, wea widscofen witena gehwylcum
718ðara þe ne wendon þæt hie wideferhð leoda
719landgeweorc laþum beweredon scuccum ond scinnum.
720Nu scealc hafað þurh drihtnes miht dæd gefremede ðe we
721ealle ær ne meahton snyttrum besyrwan.
722Hwæt, þæt secgan mæg efne swa hwylc mægþa swa ðone
723magan cende æfter gumcynnum, gyf heo gyt lyfað,
724þæt hyre ealdmetod este wære bearngebyrdo.
725Nu ic, Beowulf, þec, secg betsta, me for sunu wylle
726freogan on ferhþe; heald forð tela niwe sibbe.
727Ne bið þe nænigra gad worolde wilna, þe ic geweald
728hæbbe.
729Ful oft ic for læssan lean teohhode, hordweorþunge hnahran
730rince, sæmran æt sæcce.
731þu þe self hafast dædum gefremed þæt þin dom lyfað
732awa to aldre.
733Alwalda þec gode forgylde, swa he nu gyt dyde.
734Beowulf maþelode, bearn Ecþeowes: We þæt ellenweorc estum
735miclum, feohtan fremedon, frecne geneðdon

page 31

736eafoð uncuþes.
737Uþe ic swiþor þæt ðu hine selfne geseon moste, feond on
738frætewum fylwerigne.
739Ic hine hrædlice heardan clammum on wælbedde wriþan
740þohte, þæt he for mundgripe minum scolde licgean
741lifbysig, butan his lic swice.
742Ic hine ne mihte, þa metod nolde, ganges getwæman, no ic him
743þæs georne ætfealh, feorhgeniðlan; wæs
744to foremihtig feond on feþe.
745Hwæþere he his folme forlet to lifwraþe last weardian, earm
746ond eaxle.
747No þær ænige swa þeah feasceaft guma frofre gebohte; no
748þy leng leofað laðgeteona, synnum geswenced,
749ac hyne sar hafað mid nydgripe nearwe befongen,
750balwon bendum.
751ðær abidan sceal maga mane fah miclan domes, hu him scir
752metod scrifan wille.
753ða wæs swigra secg, sunu Eclafes, on gylpspræce
754guðgeweorca, siþðan æþelingas eorles cræfte ofer
755heanne hrof hand sceawedon, feondes fingras.
756Foran æghwylc wæs, stiðra nægla gehwylc, style
757gelicost, hæþenes handsporu hilderinces , egl, unheoru.
758æghwylc gecwæð þæt him heardra nan hrinan wolde iren
759ærgod, þæt ðæs ahlæcan blodge beadufolme onberan wolde.
760ða wæs haten hreþe Heort innanweard folmum gefrætwod.
761Fela þæra wæs, wera ond wifa, þe þæt winreced,

page 32

762gestsele gyredon.
763Goldfag scinon web æfter wagum, wundorsiona fela secga
764gehwylcum þara þe on swylc starað.
765Wæs þæt beorhte bold tobrocen swiðe, eal inneweard
766irenbendum fæst, heorras tohlidene.
767Hrof ana genæs, ealles ansund, þe se aglæca, fyrendædum
768fag, on fleam gewand, aldres orwena.
769No þæt yðe byð to befleonne, fremme se þe wille, ac
770gesecan sceal sawlberendra, nyde genydde, niþða bearna,
771grundbuendra gearwe stowe, þær his lichoma
772legerbedde fæst swefeþ æfter symle.
773þa wæs sæl ond mæl þæt to healle gang Healfdenes sunu;
774wolde self cyning symbel þicgan.
775Ne gefrægen ic þa mægþe maran weorode ymb hyra sincgyfan
776sel gebæran.
777Bugon þa to bence blædagande, fylle gefægon; fægere
778geþægon medoful manig magas þara swiðhicgende
779on sele þam hean, Hroðgar ond Hroþulf.
780Heorot innan wæs freondum afylled; nalles facenstafas
781þeodscyldingas þenden fremedon.
782Forgeaf þa Beowulfe bearn Healfdenes segen gyldenne
783sigores to leane; hroden hildecumbor, helm ond
784byrnan, mære maðþumsweord manige gesawon beforan beorn
785beran.
786Beowulf geþah ful on flette; no he þære feohgyfte for
787sceotendum scamigan ðorfte.
788Ne gefrægn ic freondlicor feower madmas

page 33

789golde gegyrede gummanna fela in ealobence oðrum gesellan.
790Ymb þæs helmes hrof heafodbeorge wirum bewunden walu
791utan heold, þæt him fela laf frecne ne meahton scurheard
792sceþðan, þonne scyldfreca ongean gramum gangan scolde.
793Heht ða eorla hleo eahta mearas fætedhleore on flet teon,
794in under eoderas.
795þara anum stod sadol searwum fah, since gewurþad; þæt wæs
796hildesetl heahcyninges, ðonne sweorda gelac sunu
797Healfdenes efnan wolde.
798Næfre on ore læg widcuþes wig, ðonne walu feollon.
799Ond ða Beowulfe bega gehwæþres eodor Ingwina onweald
800geteah, wicga ond wæpna, het hine wel brucan.
801Swa manlice mære þeoden, hordweard hæleþa, heaþoræsas
802geald mearum ond madmum, swa hy næfre man lyhð,
803se þe secgan wile soð æfter rihte.
804ða gyt æghwylcum eorla drihten þara þe mid Beowulfe
805brimlade teah on þære medubence maþðum gesealde,
806yrfelafe, ond þone ænne heht golde forgyldan, þone ðe
807Grendel ær mane acwealde, swa he hyra ma wolde,
808nefne him witig god wyrd forstode ond ðæs mannes mod.
809Metod eallum weold gumena cynnes, swa he nu git deð.
810Forþan bið andgit æghwær selest, ferhðes foreþanc.
811Fela sceal gebidan leofes ond laþes se þe longe her on
812ðyssum windagum worolde bruceð.
813þær wæs sang ond sweg samod ætgædere

page 34

814fore Healfdenes hildewisan, gomenwudu greted, gid oft wrecen,
815ðonne healgamen Hroþgares scop æfter medobence mænan
816scolde be Finnes eaferum, ða hie se fær begeat,
817hæleð Healfdena, Hnæf Scyldinga, in Freswæle feallan
818scolde.
819Ne huru Hildeburh herian þorfte Eotena treowe; unsynnum
820wearð beloren leofum æt þam lindplegan , bearnum
821ond broðrum; hie on gebyrd hruron, gare wunde.
822þæt wæs geomuru ides.
823Nalles holinga Hoces dohtor meotodsceaft bemearn, syþðan
824morgen com, ða heo under swegle geseon meahte morþorbealo
825maga, þær heo ær mæste heold worolde wynne.
826Wig ealle fornam Finnes þegnas nemne feaum anum, þæt he ne
827mehte on þæm meðelstede wig Hengeste wiht gefeohtan,
828ne þa wealafe wige forþringan þeodnes ðegna .
829ac hig him geþingo budon, þæt hie him oðer flet eal
830gerymdon, healle ond heahsetl, þæt hie healfre
831geweald wið Eotena bearn agan moston, ond æt feohgyftum
832Folcwaldan sunu dogra gehwylce Dene weorþode,
833Hengestes heap hringum wenede efne swa swiðe sincgestreonum
834fættan goldes, swa he Fresena cyn on beorsele byldan wolde.
835ða hie getruwedon on twa healfa

page 35

836fæste frioðuwære.
837Fin Hengeste elne, unflitme aðum benemde þæt he þa wealafe
838weotena dome arum heolde, þæt ðær ænig mon wordum
839ne worcum wære ne bræce, ne þurh inwitsearo æfre
840gemænden ðeah hie hira beaggyfan banan folgedon ðeodenlease,
841þa him swa geþearfod wæs.
842gyf þonne Frysna hwylc frecnan spræce ðæs morþorhetes
843myndgiend wære, þonne hit sweordes ecg seðan
844scolde.
845Ad wæs geæfned ond icge gold ahæfen of horde.
846Herescyldinga betst beadorinca wæs on bæl gearu.
847æt þæm ade wæs eþgesyne swatfah syrce, swyn ealgylden,
848eofer irenheard, æþeling manig wundum awyrded;
849sume on wæle crungon.
850Het ða Hildeburh æt Hnæfes ade hire selfre sunu sweoloðe
851befæstan, banfatu bærnan ond on bæl don eame on eaxle.
852Ides gnornode, geomrode giddum.
853Guðrinc astah.
854Wand to wolcnum wælfyra mæst, hlynode for hlawe; hafelan
855multon, bengeato burston, ðonne blod ætspranc,
856laðbite lices.
857Lig ealle forswealg, gæsta gifrost, þara ðe þær guð
858fornam bega folces; wæs hira blæd scacen.
859Gewiton him ða wigend wica neosian, freondum befeallen,
860Frysland geseon, hamas ond heaburh.
861Hengest ða gyt wælfagne winter wunode mid Finne eal
862unhlitme.
863Eard gemunde,

page 36

864þeah þe he ne meahte on mere drifan
865hringedstefnan; holm storme weol, won wið winde,
866winter yþe beleac isgebinde, oþðæt oþer com gear in
867geardas, swa nu gyt deð, þa ðe syngales sele
868bewitiað , wuldortorhtan weder.
869ða wæs winter scacen, fæger foldan bearm.
870Fundode wrecca, gist of geardum; he to gyrnwræce swiðor
871þohte þonne to sælade, gif he torngemot þurhteon
872mihte þæt he Eotena bearn inne gemunde.
873Swa he ne forwyrnde woroldrædenne, þonne him Hunlafing
874hildeleoman, billa selest, on bearm dyde,
875þæs wæron mid Eotenum ecge cuðe.
876Swylce ferhðfrecan Fin eft begeat sweordbealo sliðen æt his
877selfes ham, siþðan grimne gripe Guðlaf
878ond Oslaf æfter sæsiðe, sorge, mændon, ætwiton weana
879dæl; ne meahte wæfre mod forhabban in hreþre.
880ða wæs heal roden feonda feorum, swilce Fin slægen,
881cyning on corþre, ond seo cwen numen.
882Sceotend Scyldinga to scypon feredon eal ingesteald
883eorðcyninges, swylce hie æt Finnes ham findan meahton sigla,
884searogimma.
885Hie on sælade drihtlice wif to Denum feredon, læddon to
886leodum.
887Leoð wæs asungen, gleomannes gyd.
888Gamen eft astah, beorhtode bencsweg; byrelas sealdon win of
889wunderfatum.
890þa cwom Wealhþeo forð gan under gyldnum beage, þær þa
891godan twegen sæton suhtergefæderan; þa gyt wæs hiera
892sib ætgædere, æghwylc oðrum trywe.
893Swylce þær Unferþ þyle

page 37

894æt fotum sæt frean Scyldinga;
895gehwylc hiora his ferhþe treowde, þæt he hæfde
896mod micel, þeah þe he his magum nære arfæst æt ecga
897gelacum.
898Spræc ða ides Scyldinga: Onfoh þissum fulle, freodrihten
899min, sinces brytta.
900þu on sælum wes, goldwine gumena, ond to Geatum spræc
901mildum wordum, swa sceal man don.
902Beo wið Geatas glæd, geofena gemyndig, nean ond feorran þu
903nu hafast.
904Me man sægde þæt þu ðe for sunu wolde hererinc
905habban.
906Heorot is gefælsod, beahsele beorhta; bruc þenden þu mote
907manigra medo, ond þinum magum læf folc ond rice,
908þonne ðu forð scyle metodsceaft seon.
909Ic minne can glædne Hroþulf, þæt he þa geogoðe wile arum
910healdan, gyf þu ær þonne he, wine Scildinga,
911worold oflætest; wene ic þæt he mid gode gyldan wille
912uncran eaferan, gif he þæt eal gemon, hwæt wit to willan
913ond to worðmyndum umborwesendum ær arna gefremedon.
914Hwearf þa bi bence þær hyre byre wæron, Hreðric ond
915Hroðmund, ond hæleþa bearn, giogoð ætgædere;
916þær se goda sæt, Beowulf Geata, be þæm gebroðrum twæm.
917Him wæs ful boren ond freondlaþu wordum bewægned, ond
918wunden gold estum geeawed, earmreade twa, hrægl ond hringas,
919healsbeaga mæst þara þe ic on foldan gefrægen hæbbe.
920Nænigne ic under swegle selran hyrde hordmaððum hæleþa,
921syþðan Hama ætwæg to þære byrhtan byrig
922Brosinga mene,

page 38

923sigle ond sincfæt; searoniðas fleah
924Eormenrices, geceas ecne ræd.
925þone hring hæfde Higelac Geata, nefa Swertinges, nyhstan
926siðe, siðþan he under segne sinc ealgode,
927wælreaf werede; hyne wyrd fornam, syþðan he for wlenco wean
928ahsode, fæhðe to Frysum.
929He þa frætwe wæg, eorclanstanas ofer yða ful, rice
930þeoden; he under rande gecranc.
931Gehwearf þa in Francna fæþm feorh cyninges, breostgewædu
932ond se beah somod; wyrsan wigfrecan wæl reafedon
933æfter guðsceare, Geata leode, hreawic heoldon.
934Heal swege onfeng.
935Wealhðeo maþelode, heo fore þæm werede spræc: Bruc
936ðisses beages, Beowulf leofa, hyse, mid hæle,
937ond þisses hrægles neot, þeodgestreona ,
938ond geþeoh tela, cen þec mid cræfte ond þyssum cnyhtum
939wes lara liðe; ic þe þæs lean geman.
940Hafast þu gefered þæt ðe feor ond neah ealne
941wideferhþ weras ehtigað, efne swa side swa sæ
942bebugeð , windgeard, weallas.
943Wes þenden þu lifige, æþeling, eadig.
944Ic þe an tela sincgestreona.
945Beo þu suna minum dædum gedefe, dreamhealdende.
946Her is æghwylc eorl oþrum getrywe, modes milde, mandrihtne
947hold ; þegnas syndon geþwære, þeod ealgearo
948druncne dryhtguman doð swa ic bidde.

page 39

949Eode þa to setle.
950þær wæs symbla cyst; druncon win weras.
951Wyrd ne cuþon, geosceaft grimme , swa hit agangen wearð
952eorla manegum, syþðan æfen cwom ond him Hroþgar
953gewat to hofe sinum, rice to ræste.
954Reced weardode unrim eorla, swa hie oft ær dydon.
955Bencþelu beredon; hit geondbræded wearð beddum ond
956bolstrum.
957Beorscealca sum fus ond fæge fletræste gebeag.
958Setton him to heafdon hilderandas, bordwudu beorhtan; þær on
959bence wæs ofer æþelinge yþgesene heaþosteapa helm,
960hringed byrne, þrecwudu þrymlic.
961Wæs þeaw hyra þæt hie oft wæron an wig gearwe, ge æt
962ham ge on herge, ge gehwæþer þara, efne swylce mæla
963swylce hira mandryhtne þearf gesælde; wæs seo þeod
964tilu.
965Sigon þa to slæpe.
966Sum sare angeald æfenræste, swa him ful oft gelamp, siþðan
967goldsele Grendel warode, unriht æfnde, oþþæt ende becwom,
968swylt æfter synnum.
969þæt gesyne wearþ, widcuþ werum, þætte wrecend þa gyt
970lifde æfter laþum, lange þrage, æfter guðceare.
971Grendles modor, ides, aglæcwif, yrmþe gemunde, se þe
972wæteregesan wunian scolde, cealde streamas, siþðan Cain
973wearð to ecgbanan angan breþer, fæderenmæge;
974he þa fag gewat, morþre gemearcod, mandream
975fleon, westen warode.
976þanon woc fela

page 40

977geosceaftgasta; wæs þæra Grendel sum,
978heorowearh hetelic, se æt Heorote fand wæccendne wer
979wiges bidan.
980þær him aglæca ætgræpe wearð; hwæþre he gemunde
981mægenes strenge, gimfæste gife ðe him god sealde,
982ond him to anwaldan are gelyfde, frofre ond fultum; ðy he
983þone feond ofercwom, gehnægde helle gast.
984þa he hean gewat, dreame bedæled, deaþwic seon, mancynnes
985feond, ond his modor þa gyt, gifre ond galgmod,
986gegan wolde sorhfulne sið, sunu deað wrecan.
987Com þa to Heorote, ðær Hringdene geond þæt sæld swæfun.
988þa ðær sona wearð edhwyrft eorlum, siþðan inne fealh
989Grendles modor.
990Wæs se gryre læssa efne swa micle swa bið mægþa cræft,
991wiggryre wifes, be wæpnedmen, þonne heoru bunden,
992hamere geþuren, sweord swate fah swin ofer helme ecgum
993dyhttig andweard scireð.
994þa wæs on healle heardecg togen sweord ofer setlum, sidrand
995manig hafen handa fæst; helm ne gemunde, byrnan side,
996þa hine se broga angeat.
997Heo wæs on ofste, wolde ut þanon, feore beorgan, þa heo
998onfunden wæs.
999Hraðe heo æþelinga anne hæfde fæste befangen, þa heo to
1000fenne gang.
1001Se wæs Hroþgare hæleþa leofost on gesiðes had be sæm
1002tweonum, rice randwiga, þone ðe heo on ræste abreat,
1003blædfæstne beorn.
1004Næs Beowulf ðær,

page 41

1005ac wæs oþer in ær geteohhod æfter
1006maþðumgife mærum Geate.
1007Hream wearð in Heorote; heo under heolfre genam cuþe folme;
1008cearu wæs geniwod, geworden in wicun.
1009Ne wæs þæt gewrixle til, þæt hie on ba healfa bicgan
1010scoldon freonda feorum.
1011þa wæs frod cyning, har hilderinc, on hreon mode, syðþan
1012he aldorþegn unlyfigendne , þone deorestan
1013deadne wisse.
1014Hraþe wæs to bure Beowulf fetod, sigoreadig secg.
1015Samod ærdæge eode eorla sum, æþele cempa self mid gesiðum
1016þær se snotera bad, hwæþer him alwalda æfre wille
1017æfter weaspelle wyrpe gefremman.
1018Gang ða æfter flore fyrdwyrðe man mid his handscale
1019healwudu dynede, þæt he þone wisan wordum nægde
1020frean Ingwina, frægn gif him wære æfter neodlaðum
1021niht getæse.
1022Hroðgar maþelode, helm Scyldinga: Ne frin þu æfter sælum.
1023Sorh is geniwod Denigea leodum.
1024Dead is Æschere, Yrmenlafes yldra broþor, min runwita ond
1025min rædbora, eaxlgestealla, ðonne we on orlege
1026hafelan weredon, þonne hniton feþan, eoferas cynsedan.
1027Swylc scolde eorl wesan, æþeling ærgod, swylc
1028æschere wæs.
1029Wearð him on Heorote to handbanan wælgæst wæfre; ic ne wat
1030hwæder

page 42

1031atol æse wlanc eftsiðas teah, fylle gefægnod .
1032Heo þa fæhðe wræc þe þu gystran niht Grendel cwealdest
1033þurh hæstne had heardum clammum, forþan he to lange leode
1034mine wanode ond wyrde.
1035He æt wige gecrang ealdres scyldig, ond nu oþer cwom mihtig
1036manscaða, wolde hyre mæg wrecan, ge feor hafað fæhðe
1037gestæled þæs þe þincean mæg þegne monegum,
1038se þe æfter sincgyfan on sefan greoteþ,
1039hreþerbealo hearde; nu seo hand ligeð, se þe eow
1040welhwylcra wilna dohte.
1041Ic þæt londbuend, leode mine, selerædende, secgan hyrde
1042þæt hie gesawon swylce twegen micle mearcstapan moras
1043healdan, ellorgæstas.
1044ðæra oðer wæs, þæs þe hie gewislicost gewitan meahton,
1045idese onlicnæs; oðer earmsceapen on weres wæstmum
1046wræclastas træd, næfne he wæs mara þonne ænig man
1047oðer; þone on geardagum Grendel nemdon foldbuende.
1048No hie fæder cunnon, hwæþer him ænig wæs ær acenned
1049dyrnra gasta.
1050Hie dygel lond warigeað, wulfhleoþu, windige næssas,
1051frecne fengelad, ðær fyrgenstream under næssa
1052genipu niþer gewiteð, flod under foldan.
1053Nis þæt feor heonon milgemearces þæt se mere standeð ;
1054ofer þæm hongiað hrinde bearwas, wudu wyrtum
1055fæst wæter oferhelmað.
1056þær mæg nihta gehwæm niðwundor seon, fyr on flode.
1057No þæs frod leofað

page 43

1058gumena bearna, þæt þone grund wite;
1059ðeah þe hæðstapa hundum geswenced, heorot hornum trum,
1060holtwudu sece, feorran geflymed, ær he feorh seleð,
1061aldor on ofre, ær he in wille hafelan hydan .
1062Nis þæt heoru stow.
1063þonon yðgeblond up astigeð won to wolcnum, þonne wind
1064styreþ, lað gewidru, oðþæt lyft drysmaþ, roderas reotað.
1065Nu is se ræd gelang eft æt þe anum.
1066Eard git ne const, frecne stowe, ðær þu findan miht
1067felasinnigne secg; sec gif þu dyrre.
1068Ic þe þa fæhðe feo leanige, ealdgestreonum, swa ic ær
1069dyde, wundnum golde, gyf þu on weg cymest.
1070Beowulf maþelode, bearn Ecgþeowes : Ne sorga, snotor
1071guma; selre bið æghwæm þæt he his freond wrece,
1072þonne he fela murne.
1073Ure æghwylc sceal ende gebidan worolde lifes; wyrce se
1074þe mote domes ær deaþe; þæt bið drihtguman
1075unlifgendum æfter selest.
1076Aris, rices weard, uton raþe feran Grendles magan gang
1077sceawigan.
1078Ic hit þe gehate, no he on helm losaþ, ne on foldan fæþm,
1079ne on fyrgenholt, ne on gyfenes grund, ga þær he wille.
1080ðys dogor þu geþyld hafa weana gehwylces, swa ic þe wene
1081to.
1082Ahleop ða se gomela, gode þancode, mihtigan drihtne, þæs
1083se man gespræc .

page 44

1084þa wæs Hroðgare hors gebæted, wicg wundenfeax.
1085Wisa fengel geatolic gende; gumfeþa stop lindhæbbendra.
1086Lastas wæron æfter waldswaþum wide gesyne, gang ofer
1087grundas, þær heo gegnum for ofer myrcan mor,
1088magoþegna bær þone selestan sawolleasne þara þe mid
1089Hroðgare ham eahtode.
1090Ofereode þa æþelinga bearn steap stanhliðo, stige nearwe,
1091enge anpaðas, uncuð gelad, neowle næssas,
1092nicorhusa fela.
1093He feara sum beforan gengde wisra monna wong sceawian,
1094oþþæt he færinga fyrgenbeamas ofer harne stan hleonian
1095funde, wynleasne wudu; wæter under stod dreorig ond gedrefed.
1096Denum eallum wæs, winum Scyldinga, weorce on mode to
1097geþolianne, ðegne monegum, oncyð eorla gehwæm,
1098syðþan Æscheres on þam holmclife hafelan metton.
1099Flod blode weol folc to sægon, hatan heolfre.
1100Horn stundum song fuslic fyrdleoð .
1101Feþa eal gesæt.
1102Gesawon ða æfter wætere wyrmcynnes fela, sellice sædracan,
1103sund cunnian, swylce on næshleoðum nicras licgean,
1104ða on undernmæl oft bewitigað sorhfulne sið on
1105seglrade, wyrmas ond wildeor; hie on weg
1106hruron, bitere ond gebolgne, bearhtm ongeaton, guðhorn galan.
1107Sumne Geata leod of flanbogan feores getwæfde,

page 45

1108yðgewinnes, þæt him on aldre stod herestræl hearda;
1109he on holme wæs sundes þe sænra, ðe hyne swylt fornam.
1110Hræþe wearð on yðum mid eoferspreotum heorohocyhtum hearde
1111genearwod, niða genæged, ond on næs togen,
1112wundorlic wægbora; weras sceawedon gryrelicne gist.
1113Gyrede hine Beowulf eorlgewædum, nalles for ealdre mearn.
1114Scolde herebyrne hondum gebroden, sid ond searofah, sund
1115cunnian, seo ðe bancofan beorgan cuþe, þæt
1116him hildegrap hreþre ne mihte, eorres inwitfeng, aldre
1117gesceþðan.
1118ac se hwita helm hafelan werede, se þe meregrundas mengan
1119scolde, secan sundgebland since geweorðad ,
1120befongen freawrasnum, swa hine fyrndagum worhte wæpna
1121smið, wundrum teode, besette swinlicum,
1122þæt hine syðþan no brond ne beadomecas bitan ne meahton.
1123Næs þæt þonne mætost mægenfultuma þæt him on ðearfe
1124lah ðyle Hroðgares; wæs þæm hæftmece Hrunting nama.
1125þæt wæs an foran ealdgestreona; ecg wæs iren, atertanum
1126fah, ahyrded heaþoswate; næfre hit æt hilde
1127ne swac manna ængum þara þe hit mid mundum bewand, se ðe
1128gryresiðas gegan dorste, folcstede fara;
1129næs þæt forma sið þæt hit ellenweorc æfnan scolde.
1130Huru ne gemunde mago Ecglafes, eafoþes cræftig, þæt he ær
1131gespræc wine druncen, þa he þæs wæpnes onlah selran
1132sweordfrecan.
1133Selfa ne dorste under yða gewin aldre geneþan,

page 46

1134drihtscype dreogan; þær he dome forleas, ellenmærðum .
1135Ne wæs þæm oðrum swa, syðþan he hine to guðe gegyred
1136hæfde.
1137Beowulf maðelode, bearn Ecgþeowes: Geþenc nu, se mæra maga
1138Healfdenes, snottra fengel, nu ic eom siðes fus,
1139goldwine gumena, hwæt wit geo spræcon, gif ic æt
1140þearfe þinre scolde aldre linnan, þæt ðu
1141me a wære forðgewitenum on fæder stæle.
1142Wes þu mundbora minum magoþegnum, hondgesellum, gif mec hild
1143nime; swylce þu ða madmas þe þu me sealdest,
1144Hroðgar leofa, Higelace onsend.
1145Mæg þonne on þæm golde ongitan Geata dryhten, geseon sunu
1146Hrædles, þonne he on þæt sinc starað, þæt
1147ic gumcystum godne funde beaga bryttan, breac þonne moste.
1148Ond þu Unferð læt ealde lafe, wrætlic wægsweord,
1149widcuðne man heardecg habban; ic me mid Hruntinge
1150dom gewyrce, oþðe mec deað nimeð.
1151æfter þæm wordum Wedergeata leod efste mid elne, nalas
1152ondsware bidan wolde; brimwylm onfeng hilderince .
1153ða wæs hwil dæges ær he þone grundwong ongytan mehte.
1154Sona þæt onfunde se ðe floda begong heorogifre beheold hund
1155missera, grim ond grædig, þæt þær gumena sum ælwihta
1156eard ufan cunnode.
1157Grap þa togeanes, guðrinc gefeng atolan clommum.
1158No þy ær in gescod halan lice; hring utan ymbbearh, þæt
1159heo þone fyrdhom ðurhfon ne mihte,

page 47

1160locene leoðosyrcan laþan fingrum.
1161Bær þa seo brimwylf , þa heo to botme com, hringa
1162þengel to hofe sinum, swa he ne mihte, no he þæs
1163modig wæs, wæpna gewealdan, ac hine wundra þæs fela
1164swencte on sunde, sædeor monig hildetuxum heresyrcan
1165bræc, ehton aglæcan.
1166ða se eorl ongeat þæt he in niðsele nathwylcum wæs,
1167þær him nænig wæter wihte ne sceþede, ne him for
1168hrofsele hrinan ne mehte færgripe flodes; fyrleoht geseah,
1169blacne leoman, beorhte scinan .
1170Ongeat þa se goda grundwyrgenne, merewif mihtig; mægenræs
1171forgeaf hildebille, hond sweng ne ofteah,
1172þæt hire on hafelan hringmæl agol grædig guðleoð.
1173ða se gist onfand þæt se beadoleoma bitan nolde, aldre
1174sceþðan, ac seo ecg geswac ðeodne æt þearfe;
1175ðolode ær fela hondgemota, helm oft gescær, fæges
1176fyrdhrægl; ða wæs forma sið deorum madme, þæt
1177his dom alæg.
1178Eft wæs anræd, nalas elnes læt, mærða gemyndig mæg
1179Hylaces.
1180Wearp ða wundenmæl wrættum gebunden yrre oretta, þæt hit
1181on eorðan læg, stið ond stylecg; strenge getruwode,
1182mundgripe mægenes.
1183Swa sceal man don, þonne he æt guðe gegan þenceð
1184longsumne lof, na ymb his lif cearað.

page 48

1185Gefeng þa be eaxle nalas for fæhðe mearn Guðgeata leod
1186Grendles modor; brægd þa beadwe heard, þa he
1187gebolgen wæs, feorhgeniðlan, þæt heo on flet gebeah.
1188Heo him eft hraþe andlean forgeald grimman grapum ond him
1189togeanes feng; oferwearp þa werigmod wigena strengest,
1190feþecempa, þæt he on fylle wearð.
1191Ofsæt þa þone selegyst ond hyre seax geteah, brad
1192ond brunecg, wolde hire bearn wrecan, angan eaferan.
1193Him on eaxle læg breostnet broden; þæt gebearh feore, wið
1194ord ond wið ecge ingang forstod.
1195Hæfde ða forsiðod sunu Ecgþeowes under gynne grund, Geata
1196cempa, nemne him heaðobyrne helpe gefremede, herenet hearde,
1197ond halig god geweold wigsigor; witig drihten, rodera rædend,
1198hit on ryht gesced yðelice, syþðan he eft astod.
1199Geseah ða on searwum sigeeadig bil, eald sweord eotenisc,
1200ecgum þyhtig, wigena weorðmynd; þæt wæs
1201wæpna cyst, buton hit wæs mare ðonne ænig mon oðer to
1202beadulace ætberan meahte, god ond geatolic, giganta geweorc.
1203He gefeng þa fetelhilt, freca Scyldinga hreoh ond heorogrim
1204hringmæl gebrægd, aldres orwena, yrringa sloh, þæt
1205hire wið halse heard grapode, banhringas bræc.
1206Bil eal ðurhwod fægne flæschoman; heo on flet gecrong.
1207Sweord wæs swatig, secg weorce gefeh.
1208Lixte se leoma, leoht inne stod, efne swa of hefene hadre
1209scineð

page 49

1210rodores candel.
1211He æfter recede wlat; hwearf þa be wealle, wæpen hafenade
1212heard be hiltum Higelaces ðegn, yrre ond
1213anræd.
1214Næs seo ecg fracod hilderince, ac he hraþe wolde Grendle
1215forgyldan guðræsa fela ðara þe he geworhte
1216to Westdenum oftor micle ðonne on ænne sið, þonne he
1217Hroðgares heorðgeneatas sloh on sweofote, slæpende fræt
1218folces Denigea fyftyne men ond oðer swylc ut offerede,
1219laðlicu lac.
1220He him þæs lean forgeald, reþe cempa, to ðæs þe he on
1221ræste geseah guðwerigne Grendel licgan aldorleasne,
1222swa him ær gescod hild æt Heorote.
1223Hra wide sprong, syþðan he æfter deaðe drepe þrowade,
1224heorosweng heardne, ond hine þa heafde becearf.
1225Sona þæt gesawon snottre ceorlas, þa ðe mid Hroðgare on
1226holm wliton , þæt wæs yðgeblond eal gemenged,
1227brim blode fah.
1228Blondenfeaxe, gomele ymb godne, ongeador spræcon þæt hig
1229þæs æðelinges eft ne wendon þæt he sigehreðig secean
1230come mærne þeoden; þa ðæs monige gewearð
1231þæt hine seo brimwylf abroten hæfde.
1232ða com non dæges.
1233Næs ofgeafon hwate Scyldingas; gewat him ham þonon goldwine
1234gumena.
1235Gistas setan modes seoce ond on mere staredon, wiston ond
1236ne wendon þæt hie heora winedrihten selfne gesawon.
1237þa þæt sweord ongan æfter heaþoswate hildegicelum, wigbil
1238wanian.
1239þæt wæs wundra sum,

page 50

1240þæt hit eal gemealt ise gelicost, ðonne forstes bend
1241fæder onlæteð, onwindeð wælrapas, se geweald hafað sæla
1242ond mæla; þæt is soð metod.
1243Ne nom he in þæm wicum, Wedergeata leod, maðmæhta ma, þeh
1244he þær monige geseah, buton þone hafelan
1245ond þa hilt somod since fage.
1246Sweord ær gemealt, forbarn brodenmæl; wæs þæt blod to
1247þæs hat, ættren ellorgæst se þær inne swealt.
1248Sona wæs on sunde se þe ær æt sæcce gebad wighryre
1249wraðra, wæter up þurhdeaf.
1250Wæron yðgebland eal gefælsod, eacne eardas, þa se
1251ellorgast oflet lifdagas ond þas lænan gesceaft.
1252Com þa to lande lidmanna helm swiðmod swymman; sælace
1253gefeah, mægenbyrþenne þara þe he him mid hæfde.
1254Eodon him þa togeanes, gode þancodon, ðryðlic þegna heap,
1255þeodnes gefegon, þæs þe hi hyne gesundne
1256geseon moston.
1257ða wæs of þæm hroran helm ond byrne lungre alysed.
1258Lagu drusade, wæter under wolcnum, wældreore fag.
1259Ferdon forð þonon feþelastum ferhþum fægne, foldweg
1260mæton, cuþe stræte.
1261Cyningbalde men from þæm holmclife hafelan bæron
1262earfoðlice heora æghwæþrum, felamodigra; feower scoldon
1263on þæm wælstenge weorcum geferian to þæm goldsele
1264Grendles heafod, oþðæt semninga to sele comon frome
1265fyrdhwate feowertyne Geata gongan; gumdryhten mid

page 51

1266modig on gemonge meodowongas træd.
1267ða com in gan ealdor ðegna, dædcene mon dome gewurþad,
1268hæle hildedeor, Hroðgar gretan.
1269þa wæs be feaxe on flet boren Grendles heafod, þær guman
1270druncon, egeslic for eorlum ond þære idese
1271mid, wliteseon wrætlic; weras on sawon.
1272Beowulf maþelode, bearn Ecgþeowes: Hwæt.
1273we þe þas sælac, sunu Healfdenes, leod Scyldinga, lustum
1274brohton tires to tacne, þe þu her to locast.
1275Ic þæt unsofte ealdre gedigde wigge under wætere, weorc
1276geneþde earfoðlice; ætrihte wæs guð getwæfed,
1277nymðe mec god scylde.
1278Ne meahte ic æt hilde mid Hruntinge wiht gewyrcan, þeah
1279þæt wæpen duge; ac me geuðe ylda waldend þæt ic on
1280wage geseah wlitig hangian eald sweord eacen oftost
1281wisode winigea leasum, þæt ic ðy wæpne
1282gebræd.
1283Ofsloh ða æt þære sæcce, þa me sæl ageald, huses
1284hyrdas.
1285þa þæt hildebil forbarn brogdenmæl, swa þæt blod
1286gesprang, hatost heaþoswata.
1287Ic þæt hilt þanan feondum ætferede, fyrendæda wræc,
1288deaðcwealm Denigea, swa hit gedefe wæs.
1289Ic hit þe þonne gehate, þæt þu on Heorote most sorhleas
1290swefan mid þinra secga gedryht ond þegna gehwylc
1291þinra leoda, duguðe ond iogoþe, þæt þu him
1292ondrædan ne þearft, þeoden Scyldinga, on þa healfe,
1293aldorbealu eorlum, swa þu ær dydest.
1294ða wæs gylden hilt gamelum rince, harum hildfruman, on hand
1295gyfen,

page 52

1296enta ærgeweorc.
1297hit on æht gehwearf æfter deofla hryre Denigea frean,
1298wundorsmiþa geweorc, ond þa þas worold ofgeaf
1299gromheort guma, godes ondsaca, morðres scyldig, ond his
1300modor eac, on geweald gehwearf woroldcyninga ðæm selestan
1301be sæm tweonum ðara þe on Scedenigge sceattas dælde.
1302Hroðgar maðelode, hylt sceawode, ealde lafe, on ðæm wæs
1303or writen fyrngewinnes, syðþan flod ofsloh,
1304gifen geotende, giganta cyn frecne geferdon; þæt wæs
1305fremde þeod ecean dryhtne; him þæs endelean þurh wæteres
1306wylm waldend sealde.
1307Swa wæs on ðæm scennum sciran goldes þurh runstafas rihte
1308gemearcod, geseted ond gesæd hwam þæt sweord geworht,
1309irena cyst, ærest wære, wreoþenhilt ond wyrmfah.
1310ða se wisa spræc sunu Healfdenes swigedon ealle: þæt, la,
1311mæg secgan se þe soð ond riht fremeð on folce,
1312feor eal gemon, eald eðel weard, þæt ðes eorl
1313wære geboren betera.
1314Blæd is aræred geond widwegas, wine min Beowulf , ðin
1315ofer þeoda gehwylce.
1316Eal þu hit geþyldum healdest, mægen mid modes snyttrum.
1317Ic þe sceal mine gelæstan freode, swa wit furðum spræcon.
1318ðu scealt to frofre weorþan eal langtwidig leodum þinum,
1319hæleðum to helpe.
1320Ne wearð Heremod swa eaforum Ecgwelan, Arscyldingum; ne
1321geweox he him to willan, ac to wælfealle

page 53

1322ond to deaðcwalum Deniga leodum; breat bolgenmod beodgeneatas,
1323eaxlgesteallan, oþþæt he ana hwearf, mære þeoden,
1324mondreamum from.
1325ðeah þe hine mihtig god mægenes wynnum, eafeþum stepte,
1326ofer ealle men forð gefremede, hwæþere him
1327on ferhþe greow breosthord blodreow.
1328Nallas beagas geaf Denum æfter dome; dreamleas gebad þæt he
1329þæs gewinnes weorc þrowade, leodbealo longsum.
1330ðu þe lær be þon, gumcyste ongit; ic þis gid be þe
1331awræc wintrum frod.
1332Wundor is to secganne hu mihtig god manna cynne þurh sidne
1333sefan snyttru bryttað, eard ond eorlscipe;
1334he ah ealra geweald.
1335Hwilum he on lufan læteð hworfan monnes modgeþonc mæran
1336cynnes, seleð him on eþle eorþan wynne to healdanne,
1337hleoburh wera, gedeð him swa gewealdene worolde
1338dælas, side rice, þæt he his selfa ne mæg
1339for his unsnyttrum ende geþencean.
1340Wunað he on wiste; no hine wiht dweleð adl ne yldo,
1341ne him inwitsorh on sefan sweorceð, ne gesacu
1342ohwær ecghete eoweð, ac him eal worold wendeð on willan he
1343þæt wyrse ne con, oðþæt him on innan oferhygda dæl
1344weaxeð ond wridað.
1345þonne se weard swefeð, sawele hyrde; bið se slæp to fæst,

page 54

1346bisgum gebunden, bona swiðe neah, se þe of flanbogan
1347fyrenum sceoteð.
1348þonne bið on hreþre under helm drepen biteran stræle him
1349bebeorgan ne con, wom wundorbebodum wergan
1350gastes; þinceð him to lytel þæt he lange heold, gytsað
1351gromhydig, nallas on gylp seleð fædde beagas, ond he þa
1352forðgesceaft forgyteð ond forgymeð, þæs þe
1353him ær god sealde, wuldres waldend, weorðmynda dæl.
1354Hit on endestæf eft gelimpeð þæt se lichoma læne
1355gedreoseð, fæge gefealleð; fehð oþer to,
1356se þe unmurnlice madmas dæleþ, eorles ærgestreon,
1357egesan ne gymeð.
1358Bebeorh þe ðone bealonið, Beowulf leofa, secg betsta, ond
1359þe þæt selre geceos, ece rædas; oferhyda
1360ne gym, mære cempa.
1361Nu is þines mægnes blæd ane hwile.
1362Eft sona bið þæt þec adl oððe ecg eafoþes getwæfeð,
1363oððe fyres feng, oððe flodes wylm, oððe gripe meces,
1364oððe gares fliht, oððe atol yldo; oððe eagena
1365bearhtm forsiteð ond forsworceð; semninga bið þæt ðec,
1366dryhtguma, deað oferswyðeð.
1367Swa ic Hringdena hund missera weold under wolcnum ond hig
1368wigge beleac manigum mægþa geond þysne middangeard ,
1369æscum ond ecgum, þæt ic me ænigne under
1370swegles begong gesacan ne tealde.
1371Hwæt, me þæs on eþle edwenden cwom,

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1372gyrn æfter gomene, seoþðan Grendel wearð, ealdgewinna,
1373ingenga min; ic þære socne singales wæg modceare micle.
1374þæs sig metode þanc, ecean dryhtne, þæs ðe ic on aldre
1375gebad þæt ic on þone hafelan heorodreorigne
1376ofer ealdgewin eagum starige.
1377Ga nu to setle, symbelwynne dreoh wigge weorþad; unc sceal
1378worn fela maþma gemænra, siþðan morgen bið.
1379Geat wæs glædmod, geong sona to setles neosan, swa se
1380snottra heht.
1381þa wæs eft swa ær ellenrofum fletsittendum fægere
1382gereorded niowan stefne.
1383Nihthelm geswearc deorc ofer dryhtgumum.
1384Duguð eal aras.
1385Wolde blondenfeax beddes neosan, gamela Scylding.
1386Geat unigmetes wel, rofne randwigan, restan lyste; sona him
1387seleþegn siðes wergum, feorrancundum, forð wisade,
1388se for andrysnum ealle betweotede þegnes þearfe,
1389swylce þy dogore heaþoliðende habban scoldon.
1390Reste hine þa rumheort; reced hliuade geap ond goldfah; gæst
1391inne swæf oþþæt hrefn blaca heofones wynne bliðheort
1392bodode.
1393ða com beorht scacan scaþan onetton, wæron
1394æþelingas eft to leodum fuse to farenne ; wolde feor
1395þanon cuma collenferhð ceoles neosan.
1396Heht þa se hearda Hrunting beran

page 56

1397sunu Ecglafes, heht his
1398sweord niman, leoflic iren; sægde him þæs
1399leanes þanc, cwæð, he þone guðwine godne tealde,
1400wigcræftigne, nales wordum log meces ecge; þæt wæs
1401modig secg.
1402Ond þa siðfrome, searwum gearwe wigend wæron; eode weorð
1403Denum æþeling to yppan, þær se oþer wæs,
1404hæle hildedeor Hroðgar grette.
1405Beowulf maþelode, bearn Ecgþeowes: Nu we sæliðend secgan
1406wyllað, feorran cumene, þæt we fundiaþ Higelac secan.
1407Wæron her tela willum bewenede; þu us wel dohtest.
1408Gif ic þonne on eorþan owihte mæg þinre modlufan maran
1409tilian, gumena dryhten, ðonne ic gyt dyde, guðgeweorca,
1410ic beo gearo sona.
1411Gif ic þæt gefricge ofer floda begang, þæt þec ymbsittend
1412egesan þywað, swa þec hetende hwilum dydon,
1413ic ðe þusenda þegna bringe, hæleþa to helpe.
1414Ic on Higelac wat, Geata dryhten, þeah ðe he geong sy,
1415folces hyrde, þæt he mec fremman wile wordum ond worcum,
1416þæt ic þe wel herige ond þe to geoce garholt bere,
1417mægenes fultum, þær ðe bið manna þearf.
1418Gif him þonne Hreþric to hofum Geata geþingeð ,
1419þeodnes bearn, he mæg þær fela freonda findan;
1420feorcyþðe beoð selran gesohte þæm þe him selfa deah.
1421Hroðgar maþelode him on ondsware: þe þa wordcwydas wigtig
1422drihten

page 57

1423on sefan sende; ne hyrde ic snotorlicor on swa geongum feore
1424guman þingian.
1425þu eart mægenes strang ond on mode frod, wis wordcwida.
1426Wen ic talige, gif þæt gegangeð, þæt ðe gar nymeð, hild
1427heorugrimme, Hreþles eaferan, adl oþðe iren
1428ealdor ðinne, folces hyrde, ond þu þin feorh hafast, þæt
1429þe Sægeatas selran næbben to geceosenne cyning ænigne,
1430hordweard hæleþa, gyf þu healdan wylt maga rice.
1431Me þin modsefa licað leng swa wel, leofa Beowulf .
1432Hafast þu gefered þæt þam folcum sceal, Geata leodum ond
1433Gardenum, sib gemæne , ond sacu restan, inwitniþas,
1434þe hie ær drugon, wesan, þenden ic wealde widan
1435rices, maþmas gemæne, manig oþerne godum
1436gegretan ofer ganotes bæð; sceal hringnaca ofer heafu
1437bringan lac ond luftacen.
1438Ic þa leode wat ge wið feond ge wið freond fæste geworhte,
1439æghwæs untæle ealde wisan.
1440ða git him eorla hleo inne gesealde, mago Healfdenes, maþmas
1441XII; het hine mid þæm lacum leode swæse secean
1442on gesyntum, snude eft cuman.
1443Gecyste þa cyning æþelum god, þeoden Scyldinga, ðegn
1444betstan ond be healse genam; hruron him tearas, blondenfeaxum.
1445Him wæs bega wen,

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1446ealdum infrodum, oþres swiðor, þæt
1447hie seoððan no geseon moston, modige on meþle.
1448Wæs him se man to þon leof þæt he þone breostwylm
1449forberan ne mehte, ac him on hreþre hygebendum fæst
1450æfter deorum men dyrne langað beorn wið blode.
1451Him Beowulf þanan, guðrinc goldwlanc, græsmoldan træd
1452since hremig; sægenga bad agendfrean , se þe
1453on ancre rad.
1454þa wæs on gange gifu Hroðgares oft geæhted; þæt wæs an
1455cyning, æghwæs orleahtre, oþþæt hine yldo benam
1456mægenes wynnum, se þe oft manegum scod.
1457Cwom þa to flode felamodigra, hægstealdra heap , hringnet
1458bæron, locene leoðosyrcan.
1459Landweard onfand eftsið eorla, swa he ær dyde; no he mid
1460hearme of hliðes nosan gæstas grette, ac
1461him togeanes rad, cwæð þæt wilcuman Wedera leodum
1462scaþan scirhame to scipe foron.
1463þa wæs on sande sægeap naca hladen herewædum,
1464hringedstefna, mearum ond maðmum; mæst hlifade ofer
1465Hroðgares hordgestreonum.
1466He þæm batwearde bunden golde swurd gesealde, þæt he
1467syðþan wæs on meodubence maþme þy weorþra ,
1468yrfelafe.
1469Gewat him on naca drefan deop wæter, Dena land ofgeaf.
1470þa wæs be mæste merehrægla sum, segl sale fæst; sundwudu
1471þunede.

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1472No þær wegflotan wind ofer yðum siðes getwæfde; sægenga
1473for, fleat famigheals forð ofer yðe, bundenstefna ofer
1474brimstreamas, þæt hie Geata clifu ongitan meahton,
1475cuþe næssas.
1476Ceol up geþrang lyftgeswenced, on lande stod.
1477Hraþe wæs æt holme hyðweard geara se þe ær lange tid
1478leofra manna fus æt faroðe feor wlatode; sælde
1479to sande sidfæþme scip, oncerbendum fæst, þy læs hym
1480yþa ðrym wudu wynsuman forwrecan meahte.
1481Het þa up beran æþelinga gestreon, frætwe ond fætgold;
1482næs him feor þanon to gesecanne sinces bryttan,
1483Higelac Hreþling, þær æt ham wunað selfa mid gesiðum
1484sæwealle neah.
1485Bold wæs betlic, bregorof cyning, heah in healle,
1486Hygd swiðe geong, wis, welþungen, þeah ðe wintra lyt
1487under burhlocan gebiden hæbbe, Hæreþes dohtor; næs
1488hio hnah swa þeah, ne to gneað gifa Geata leodum,
1489maþmgestreona.
1490Mod þryðo wæg, fremu folces cwen, firen ondrysne.
1491Nænig þæt dorste deor geneþan swæsra gesiða, nefne
1492sinfrea, þæt hire an dæges eagum starede, ac him
1493wælbende weotode tealde handgewriþene; hraþe seoþðan
1494wæs æfter mundgripe mece geþinged,

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1495þæt hit sceadenmæl scyran moste, cwealmbealu cyðan.
1496Ne bið swylc cwenlic þeaw idese to efnanne, þeah ðe hio
1497ænlicu sy, þætte freoðuwebbe feores onsæce
1498æfter ligetorne leofne mannan.
1499Huru þæt onhohsnode Hemminges mæg; ealodrincende
1500oðer sædan, þæt hio leodbealewa læs gefremede,
1501inwitniða, syððan ærest wearð gyfen goldhroden geongum
1502cempan, æðelum diore, syððan hio Offan flet
1503ofer fealone flod be fæder lare siðe gesohte.
1504ðær hio syððan well in gumstole, gode, mære, lifgesceafta
1505lifigende breac, hiold heahlufan wið hæleþa brego,
1506ealles moncynnes mine gefræge þone selestan
1507bi sæm tweonum, eormencynnes.
1508Forðam Offa wæs geofum ond guðum, garcene man, wide
1509geweorðod , wisdome heold eðel sinne; þonon
1510Eomer woc hæleðum to helpe, Hemminges mæg, nefa
1511Garmundes, niða cræftig.
1512Gewat him ða se hearda mid his hondscole sylf æfter sande
1513sæwong tredan, wide waroðas.
1514Woruldcandel scan, sigel suðan fus.
1515Hi sið drugon, elne geeodon, to ðæs ðe eorla hleo, bonan
1516Ongenþeoes burgum in innan, geongne guðcyning godne gefrunon

page 61

1517hringas dælan.
1518Higelace wæs sið Beowulfes snude gecyðed, þæt ðær on
1519worðig wigendra hleo, lindgestealla, lifigende
1520cwom, heaðolaces hal to hofe gongan.
1521Hraðe wæs gerymed, swa se rica bebead, feðegestum flet
1522innanweard.
1523Gesæt þa wið sylfne se ða sæcce genæs, mæg wið mæge,
1524syððan mandryhten þurh hleoðorcwyde holdne gegrette,
1525meaglum wordum.
1526Meoduscencum hwearf geond þæt healreced Hæreðes dohtor,
1527lufode ða leode, liðwæge bær hæleðum to handa.
1528Higelac ongan sinne geseldan in sele þam hean fægre
1529fricgcean hyne fyrwet bræc, hwylce Sægeata siðas wæron:
1530Hu lomp eow on lade, leofa Biowulf, þa ðu færinga
1531feorr gehogodest sæcce secean ofer sealt wæter,
1532hilde to Hiorote?
1533Ac ðu Hroðgare widcuðne wean wihte gebettest, mærum
1534ðeodne?
1535Ic ðæs modceare sorhwylmum seað, siðe ne truwode leofes
1536mannes; ic ðe lange bæd þæt ðu þone wælgæst
1537wihte ne grette, lete Suðdene sylfe geweorðan guðe wið
1538Grendel.
1539Gode ic þanc secge þæs ðe ic ðe gesundne geseon moste.
1540Biowulf maðelode, bearn Ecgðioes: þæt is undyrne, dryhten
1541Higelac ,

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1542micel gemeting, monegum fira,
1543hwylc orleghwil uncer Grendles wearð on ðam
1544wange, þær he worna fela Sigescyldingum sorge gefremede,
1545yrmðe to aldre.
1546Ic ðæt eall gewræc, swa begylpan ne þearf Grendeles
1547maga ænig ofer eorðan uhthlem þone, se ðe
1548lengest leofað laðan cynnes, facne bifongen.
1549Ic ðær furðum cwom to ðam hringsele Hroðgar gretan; sona
1550me se mæra mago Healfdenes, syððan he modsefan minne cuðe,
1551wið his sylfes sunu setl getæhte.
1552Weorod wæs on wynne; ne seah ic widan feorh under heofones
1553hwealf healsittendra medudream maran.
1554Hwilum mæru cwen, friðusibb folca, flet eall geondhwearf,
1555bædde byre geonge; oft hio beahwriðan secge sealde ,
1556ær hie to setle geong.
1557Hwilum for duguðe dohtor Hroðgares eorlum on ende
1558ealuwæge bær; þa ic Freaware fletsittende nemnan hyrde,
1559þær hio nægled sinc hæleðum sealde.
1560Sio gehaten is , geong, goldhroden, gladum suna Frodan;
1561hafað þæs geworden wine Scyldinga, rices hyrde,
1562ond þæt ræd talað, þæt he mid ðy wife wælfæhða
1563dæl,

page 63

1564sæcca gesette.
1565Oft seldan hwær æfter leodhryre lytle hwile bongar bugeð,
1566þeah seo bryd duge.
1567Mæg þæs þonne ofþyncan ðeodne Heaðobeardna ond
1568þegna gehwam þara leoda, þonne he mid fæmnan on flett
1569gæð, dryhtbearn Dena, duguða biwenede.
1570on him gladiað gomelra lafe, heard ond hringmæl
1571Heaðabeardna gestreon þenden hie ðam wæpnum wealdan
1572moston, oððæt hie forlæddan to ðam lindplegan swæse
1573gesiðas ond hyra sylfra feorh.
1574þonne cwið æt beore se ðe beah gesyhð , eald æscwiga,
1575se ðe eall geman , garcwealm gumena him bið grim
1576sefa , onginneð geomormod geongum cempan þurh hreðra
1577gehygd higes cunnian, wigbealu weccean, ond þæt word acwyð:
1578Meaht ðu, min wine, mece gecnawan þone
1579þin fæder to gefeohte bær under heregriman
1580hindeman siðe, dyre iren, þær hyne Dene slogon, weoldon
1581wælstowe, syððan Wiðergyld læg, æfter hæleþa
1582hryre, hwate Scyldungas?
1583Nu her þara banena byre nathwylces frætwum hremig on flet
1584gæð, morðres gylpeð, ond þone maðþum byreð,
1585þone þe ðu mid rihte rædan sceoldest.
1586Manað swa ond myndgað mæla gehwylce sarum wordum, oððæt
1587sæl cymeð þæt se fæmnan þegn fore fæder dædum
1588æfter billes bite blodfag swefeð,

page 64

1589ealdres scyldig; him se oðer þonan losað lifigende ,
1590con him land geare.
1591þonne bioð abrocene on ba healfe aðsweord eorla;
1592syððan Ingelde weallað wælniðas, ond him wiflufan
1593æfter cearwælmum colran weorðað.
1594þy ic Heaðobeardna hyldo ne telge, dryhtsibbe dæl Denum
1595unfæcne, freondscipe fæstne.
1596Ic sceal forð sprecan gen ymbe Grendel, þæt ðu geare
1597cunne, sinces brytta, to hwan syððan wearð hondræs
1598hæleða.
1599Syððan heofones gim glad ofer grundas, gæst yrre cwom,
1600eatol, æfengrom, user neosan, ðær we gesunde
1601sæl weardodon.
1602þær wæs Hondscio hild onsæge, feorhbealu fægum; he
1603fyrmest læg, gyrded cempa; him Grendel wearð, mærum
1604maguþegne to muðbonan, leofes mannes lic eall
1605forswealg.
1606No ðy ær ut ða gen idelhende bona blodigtoð, bealewa
1607gemyndig, of ðam goldsele gongan wolde, ac he
1608mægnes rof min costode, grapode gearofolm.
1609Glof hangode sid ond syllic, searobendum fæst; sio wæs
1610orðoncum eall gegyrwed deofles cræftum ond
1611dracan fellum.
1612He mec þær on innan unsynnigne, dior dædfruma, gedon wolde
1613manigra sumne; hyt ne mihte swa,

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1614syððan ic on yrre uppriht astod.
1615To lang ys to reccenne hu ic ðam leodsceaðan yfla
1616gehwylces ondlean forgeald; þær ic, þeoden min,
1617þine leode weorðode weorcum.
1618He on weg losade, lytle hwile lifwynna breac ; hwæþre him
1619sio swiðre swaðe weardade hand on Hiorte,
1620ond he hean ðonan modes geomor meregrund gefeoll.
1621Me þone wælræs wine Scildunga fættan golde fela leanode,
1622manegum maðmum, syððan mergen com ond we to symble
1623geseten hæfdon.
1624þær wæs gidd ond gleo.
1625Gomela Scilding, felafricgende, feorran rehte ; hwilum
1626hildedeor hearpan wynne, gomenwudu grette, hwilum gyd awræc
1627soð ond sarlic, hwilum syllic spell rehte
1628æfter rihte rumheort cyning.
1629Hwilum eft ongan, eldo gebunden, gomel guðwiga gioguðe
1630cwiðan, hildestrengo; hreðer inne weoll,
1631þonne he wintrum frod worn gemunde.
1632Swa we þær inne ondlangne dæg niode naman, oððæt
1633niht becwom oðer to yldum.
1634þa wæs eft hraðe gearo gyrnwræce Grendeles modor, siðode
1635sorhfull; sunu deað fornam, wighete Wedra.
1636Wif unhyre hyre bearn gewræc, beorn acwealde ellenlice; þær
1637wæs Æschere,

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1638frodan fyrnwitan, feorh uðgenge.
1639Noðer hy hine ne moston, syððan mergen cwom, deaðwerigne,
1640Denia leode, bronde forbærnan, ne on bæl
1641hladan leofne mannan; hio þæt lic ætbær feondes
1642fæðmum under firgenstream.
1643þæt wæs Hroðgare hreowa tornost þara þe leodfruman
1644lange begeate.
1645þa se ðeoden mec ðine life healsode hreohmod, þæt ic on
1646holma geþring eorlscipe efnde, ealdre geneðde,
1647mærðo fremede; he me mede gehet.
1648Ic ða ðæs wælmes, þe is wide cuð, grimne gryrelicne
1649grundhyrde fond; þær unc hwile wæs hand gemæne,
1650holm heolfre weoll, ond ic heafde becearf in ðam
1651guðsele Grendeles modor eacnum ecgum,
1652unsofte þonan feorh oðferede.
1653Næs ic fæge þa gyt, ac me eorla hleo eft gesealde maðma
1654menigeo, maga Healfdenes.
1655Swa se ðeodkyning þeawum lyfde.
1656Nealles ic ðam leanum forloren hæfde, mægnes mede, ac he me
1657maðmas geaf, sunu Healfdenes, on minne
1658sylfes dom; ða ic ðe, beorncyning, bringan wylle, estum
1659geywan.
1660Gen is eall æt ðe lissa gelong; ic lyt hafo heafodmaga
1661nefne, Hygelac, ðec.
1662Het ða in beran eaforheafodsegn, heaðosteapne helm, hare
1663byrnan,

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1664guðsweord geatolic, gyd æfter wræc: Me ðis hildesceorp
1665Hroðgar sealde, snotra fengel, sume
1666worde het þæt ic his ærest ðe est gesægde.
1667cwæð þæt hyt hæfde Hiorogar cyning, leod Scyldunga lange
1668hwile; no ðy ær suna sinum syllan wolde, hwatum Heorowearde,
1669þeah he him hold wære, breostgewædu.
1670Bruc ealles well.
1671Hyrde ic þæt þam frætwum feower mearas lungre, gelice,
1672last weardode, æppelfealuwe; he him est geteah meara
1673ond maðma.
1674Swa sceal mæg don, nealles inwitnet oðrum bregdon dyrnum
1675cræfte, deað renian hondgesteallan.
1676Hygelace wæs, niða heardum, nefa swyðe hold, ond
1677gehwæðer oðrum hroþra gemyndig.
1678Hyrde ic þæt he ðone healsbeah Hygde gesealde, wrætlicne
1679wundurmaððum, ðone þe him Wealhðeo geaf,
1680ðeodnes dohtor, þrio wicg somod swancor ond sadolbeorht;
1681hyre syððan wæs æfter beahðege breost geweorðod.
1682Swa bealdode bearn Ecgðeowes, guma guðum cuð, godum
1683dædum, dreah æfter dome, nealles druncne slog
1684heorðgeneatas; næs him hreoh sefa, ac he mancynnes mæste
1685cræfte ginfæstan gife, þe him god sealde,
1686heold hildedeor.
1687Hean wæs lange, swa hyne Geata bearn godne ne tealdon, ne
1688hyne on medobence micles wyrðne

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1689drihten Wedera gedon wolde; swyðe wendon
1690þæt he sleac wære, æðeling unfrom.
1691Edwenden cwom tireadigum menn torna gehwylces.
1692Het ða eorla hleo in gefetian, heaðorof cyning, Hreðles
1693lafe golde gegyrede; næs mid Geatum ða sincmaðþum
1694selra on sweordes had; þæt he on Biowulfes
1695bearm alegde ond him gesealde seofan þusendo,
1696bold ond bregostol.
1697Him wæs bam samod on ðam leodscipe lond gecynde,
1698eard, eðelriht, oðrum swiðor side rice þam ðær
1699selra wæs.
1700Eft þæt geiode ufaran dogrum hildehlæmmum, syððan
1701Hygelac læg ond Heardrede hildemeceas under bordhreoðan
1702to bonan wurdon, ða hyne gesohtan on sigeþeode
1703hearde hildefrecan, Heaðoscilfingas, niða genægdan nefan
1704Hererices, syððan Beowulfe brade rice on hand gehwearf.
1705he geheold tela fiftig wintra wæs ða frod cyning, eald
1706eþelweard , oððæt an ongan deorcum nihtum
1707draca ricsian , se ðe on heaum hofe hord
1708beweotode, stanbeorh steapne ; stig under læg, eldum
1709uncuð.
1710þær on innan giong

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1711niða nathwylc, se ðe neh gefeng
1712hæðnum horde, hond, since fahne.
1713He þæt syððan, þeah ðe he slæpende
1714besyred wurde þeofes cræfte; þæt sie ðiod
1715onfand bufolc beorna, þæt he gebolgen wæs.
1716Nealles mid gewealdum wyrmhord abræc sylfes willum,
1717se ðe him sare gesceod, ac for þreanedlan þeow
1718nathwylces hæleða bearna heteswengeas fleah ,
1719ærnes þearfa, ond ðær inne fealh , secg synbysig,
1720sona onfunde þæt þær ðam gyste gryrebroga stod;
1721hwæðre earm sceapen sceapen þa hyne se
1722fær begeat.
1723Sincfæt ; þær wæs swylcra fela in ðam eorðhuse
1724ærgestreona, swa hy on geardagum gumena nathwylc,
1725eormenlafe æþelan cynnes, þanchycgende þær gehydde, deore
1726maðmas.
1727Ealle hie deað fornam ærran mælum, ond se an ða gen
1728leoda duguðe, se ðær lengest hwearf, weard winegeomor,
1729wende þæs ylcan, þæt he lytel fæc longgestreona
1730brucan moste.
1731Beorh eallgearo wunode on wonge wæteryðum neah, niwe be
1732næsse, nearocræftum fæst.

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1733þær on innan bær eorlgestreona hringa hyrde
1734hordwyrðne dæl, fættan goldes, fea worda cwæð:
1735Heald þu nu, hruse, nu hæleð ne moston , eorla æhte.
1736Hwæt, hyt ær on ðe gode begeaton.
1737Guðdeað fornam, feorhbealo frecne, fyra gehwylcne
1738leoda minra, þara ðe þis lif ofgeaf, gesawon
1739seledream.
1740Ic nah hwa sweord wege oððe feormie fæted wæge,
1741dryncfæt deore; duguð ellor sceoc .
1742Sceal se hearda helm hyrsted golde fætum befeallen;
1743feormynd swefað, þa ðe beadogriman bywan sceoldon,
1744ge swylce seo herepad, sio æt hilde gebad ofer borda
1745gebræc bite irena, brosnað æfter beorne.
1746Ne mæg byrnan hring æfter wigfruman wide feran,
1747hæleðum be healfe.
1748Næs hearpan wyn, gomen gleobeames, ne god hafoc geond sæl
1749swingeð, ne se swifta mearh burhstede beateð.
1750Bealocwealm hafað fela feorhcynna forð onsended.
1751Swa giomormod giohðo mænde an æfter eallum, unbliðe
1752hwearf dæges ond nihtes, oððæt deaðes wylm hran
1753æt heortan.
1754Hordwynne fond eald uhtsceaða opene standan,

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1755se ðe byrnende biorgas seceð, nacod niðdraca, nihtes
1756fleogeð fyre befangen; hyne foldbuend swiðe
1757ondrædað .
1758He gesecean sceall hord on hrusan , þær he
1759hæðen gold warað wintrum frod, ne byð him wihte ðy
1760sel.
1761Swa se ðeodsceaða þreo hund wintra heold on hrusan
1762hordærna sum, eacencræftig, oððæt hyne an abealch
1763mon on mode; mandryhtne bær fæted wæge, frioðowære bæd
1764hlaford sinne.
1765ða wæs hord rasod, onboren beaga hord, bene getiðad
1766feasceaftum men.
1767Frea sceawode fira fyrngeweorc forman siðe.
1768þa se wyrm onwoc, wroht wæs geniwad; stonc ða æfter stane,
1769stearcheort onfand feondes fotlast; he to forð gestop dyrnan
1770cræfte dracan heafde neah.
1771Swa mæg unfæge eaðe gedigan wean ond wræcsið, se ðe
1772waldendes hyldo gehealdeþ.
1773Hordweard sohte georne æfter grunde, wolde guman findan,
1774þone þe him on sweofote sare geteode, hat
1775ond hreohmod hlæw oft ymbehwearf ealne utanweardne ,
1776ne ðær ænig mon on þære westenne; hwæðre
1777wiges gefeh, beaduwe weorces, hwilum on beorh
1778æthwearf, sincfæt sohte.
1779He þæt sona onfand ðæt hæfde gumena sum goldes
1780gefandod, heahgestreona.
1781Hordweard onbad

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1782earfoðlice oððæt æfen cwom; wæs ða
1783gebolgen beorges hyrde, wolde se laða lige forgyldan
1784drincfæt dyre.
1785þa wæs dæg sceacen wyrme on willan; no on wealle læg,
1786bidan wolde, ac mid bæle for, fyre gefysed.
1787Wæs se fruma egeslic leodum on lande, swa hyt lungre wearð
1788on hyra sincgifan sare geendod.
1789ða se gæst ongan gledum spiwan, beorht hofu bærnan;
1790bryneleoma stod eldum on andan.
1791No ðær aht cwices lað lyftfloga læfan wolde.
1792Wæs þæs wyrmes wig wide gesyne, nearofages nið nean ond
1793feorran, hu se guðsceaða Geata leode hatode
1794ond hynde; hord eft gesceat, dryhtsele dyrnne, ær dæges
1795hwile.
1796Hæfde landwara lige befangen, bæle ond bronde, beorges
1797getruwode, wiges ond wealles; him seo wen geleah.
1798þa wæs Biowulfe broga gecyðed snude to soðe, þæt his
1799sylfes ham , bolda selest, brynewylmum mealt,
1800gifstol Geata.
1801þæt ðam godan wæs hreow on hreðre, hygesorga mæst; wende
1802se wisa þæt he wealdende ofer ealde riht,
1803ecean dryhtne, bitre gebulge.
1804Breost innan weoll þeostrum geþoncum, swa him geþywe ne
1805wæs.
1806Hæfde ligdraca leoda fæsten, ealond utan, eorðweard ðone
1807gledum forgrunden; him ðæs guðkyning, Wedera þioden,
1808wræce leornode.
1809Heht him þa gewyrcean wigendra hleo

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1810eallirenne, eorla dryhten, wigbord wrætlic; wisse he gearwe
1811þæt him holtwudu helpan ne meahte, lind wið lige.
1812Sceolde lændaga æþeling ærgod ende gebidan, worulde
1813lifes, ond se wyrm somod, þeah ðe hordwelan heolde lange.
1814Oferhogode ða hringa fengel þæt he þone widflogan weorode
1815gesohte, sidan herge; no he him þa sæcce
1816ondred, ne him þæs wyrmes wig for wiht dyde, eafoð ond
1817ellen, forðon he ær fela nearo neðende niða
1818gedigde, hildehlemma, syððan he Hroðgares, sigoreadig
1819secg, sele fælsode ond æt guðe forgrap Grendeles mægum
1820laðan cynnes.
1821No þæt læsest wæs hondgemota , þær mon Hygelac sloh,
1822syððan Geata cyning guðe ræsum, freawine folca
1823Freslondum on, Hreðles eafora hiorodryncum swealt, bille
1824gebeaten.
1825þonan Biowulf com sylfes cræfte, sundnytte dreah; hæfde him
1826on earme ana XXX hildegeatwa, þa he to holme beag .
1827Nealles Hetware hremge þorfton feðewiges, þe him foran
1828ongean linde bæron; lyt eft becwom fram þam
1829hildfrecan hames niosan.
1830Oferswam ða sioleða bigong sunu Ecgðeowes, earm anhaga, eft
1831to leodum; þær him Hygd gebead hord ond
1832rice, beagas ond bregostol, bearne ne truwode þæt he wið
1833ælfylcum eþelstolas healdan cuðe, ða wæs
1834Hygelac dead.

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1835No ðy ær feasceafte findan meahton æt ðam æðelinge
1836ænige ðinga, þæt he Heardrede hlaford wære oððe
1837þone cynedom ciosan wolde; hwæðre he him on folce
1838freondlarum heold, estum mid are, oððæt he yldra
1839wearð, Wedergeatum weold.
1840Hyne wræcmæcgas ofer sæ sohtan, suna Ohteres; hæfdon hy
1841forhealden helm Scylfinga, þone selestan sæcyninga
1842þara ðe in Swiorice sinc brytnade, mærne þeoden.
1843Him þæt to mearce wearð; he þær for feorme
1844feorhwunde hleat sweordes swengum, sunu Hygelaces, ond
1845him eft gewat Ongenðioes bearn hames niosan, syððan
1846Heardred læg, let ðone bregostol Biowulf healdan,
1847Geatum wealdan.
1848þæt wæs god cyning.
1849Se ðæs leodhryres lean gemunde uferan dogrum.
1850Eadgilse wearð feasceaftum freond, folce gestepte ofer sæ
1851side sunu Ohteres, wigum ond wæpnum; he gewræc syððan
1852cealdum cearsiðum, cyning ealdre bineat.
1853Swa he niða gehwane genesen hæfde, sliðra geslyhta ,
1854sunu Ecgðiowes, ellenweorca, oð ðone anne dæg
1855þe he wið þam wyrme gewegan sceolde.
1856Gewat þa XIIa sum torne gebolgen dryhten Geata dracan
1857sceawian.
1858Hæfde þa gefrunen hwanan sio fæhð aras,

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1859bealonið biorna; him to bearme cwom maðþumfæt mære
1860þurh ðæs meldan hond.
1861Se wæs on ðam ðreate þreotteoða secg, se ðæs orleges or
1862onstealde, hæft hygegiomor, sceolde hean ðonon wong wisian.
1863He ofer willan giong to ðæs ðe he eorðsele anne wisse,
1864hlæw under hrusan holmwylme neh, yðgewinne;
1865se wæs innan full wrætta ond wira.
1866Weard unhiore, gearo guðfreca, goldmaðmas heold, eald under
1867eorðan.
1868Næs þæt yðe ceap to gegangenne gumena ænigum.
1869Gesæt ða on næsse niðheard cyning, þenden hælo abead
1870heorðgeneatum, goldwine Geata.
1871Him wæs geomor sefa, wæfre ond wælfus, wyrd ungemete neah,
1872se ðone gomelan gretan sceolde, secean sawle hord,
1873sundur gedælan lif wið lice, no þon lange wæs
1874feorh æþelinges flæsce bewunden.
1875Biowulf maþelade, bearn Ecgðeowes: Fela ic on giogoðe
1876guðræsa genæs, orleghwila; ic þæt eall gemon.
1877Ic wæs syfanwintre, þa mec sinca baldor , freawine
1878folca, æt minum fæder genam; heold mec ond hæfde
1879Hreðel cyning, geaf me sinc ond symbel, sibbe gemunde.
1880Næs ic him to life laðra owihte, beorn in burgum, þonne
1881his bearna hwylc, Herebeald ond Hæðcyn oððe Hygelac min.
1882Wæs þam yldestan ungedefelice mæges dædum morþorbed
1883stred, syððan hyne Hæðcyn of hornbogan,

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1884his freawine, flane geswencte, miste mercelses ond his mæg
1885ofscet, broðor oðerne blodigan gare.
1886þæt wæs feohleas gefeoht, fyrenum gesyngad, hreðre
1887hygemeðe; sceolde hwæðre swa þeah æðeling unwrecen
1888ealdres linnan.
1889Swa bið geomorlic gomelum ceorle to gebidanne, þæt his byre
1890ride giong on galgan, þonne he gyd wrece, sarigne sang,
1891þonne his sunu hangað hrefne to hroðre,
1892ond he him helpe ne mæg, eald ond infrod,
1893ænige gefremman.
1894Symble bið gemyndgad morna gehwylce eaforan ellorsið; oðres
1895ne gymeð to gebidanne burgum in innan yrfeweardas,
1896þonne se an hafað þurh deaðes nyd dæda
1897gefondad.
1898Gesyhð sorhcearig on his suna bure winsele westne, windge
1899reste reote berofene.
1900Ridend swefað, hæleð in hoðman; nis þær hearpan sweg,
1901gomen in geardum, swylce ðær iu wæron.
1902Gewiteð þonne on sealman, sorhleoð gæleð an æfter anum;
1903þuhte him eall to rum, wongas ond wicstede.
1904Swa Wedra helm æfter Herebealde heortan sorge weallende
1905wæg.
1906Wihte ne meahte on ðam feorhbonan fæghðe gebetan; no ðy
1907ær he þone heaðorinc hatian ne meahte laðum
1908dædum, þeah him leof ne wæs.
1909He ða mid þære sorhge, þe him swa sar belamp, gumdream
1910ofgeaf, godes leoht geceas, eaferum læfde,
1911swa deð eadig mon, lond ond leodbyrig, þa he of life gewat.

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1912þa wæs synn ond sacu Sweona ond Geata ofer wid wæter,
1913wroht gemæne, herenið hearda, syððan Hreðel
1914swealt, oððe him Ongenðeowes eaferan wæran frome,
1915fyrdhwate, freode ne woldon ofer heafo healdan,
1916ac ymb Hreosnabeorh eatolne inwitscear oft gefremedon .
1917þæt mægwine mine gewræcan, fæhðe ond fyrene, swa hyt
1918gefræge wæs, þeah ðe oðer his ealdre gebohte,
1919heardan ceape: Hæðcynne wearð, Geata dryhtne, guð onsæge.
1920þa ic on morgne gefrægn mæg oðerne billes ecgum on bonan
1921stælan, þær Ongenþeow Eofores niosað.
1922Guðhelm toglad, gomela Scylfing hreas hildeblac ; hond
1923gemunde fæhðo genoge, feorhsweng ne ofteah.
1924Ic him þa maðmas, þe he me sealde, geald æt guðe, swa me
1925gifeðe wæs, leohtan sweorde; he me lond forgeaf,
1926eard, eðelwyn.
1927Næs him ænig þearf þæt he to Gifðum oððe to Gardenum
1928oððe in Swiorice secean þurfe wyrsan wigfrecan,
1929weorðe gecypan.
1930Symle ic him on feðan beforan wolde, ana on orde, ond swa to
1931aldre sceall sæcce fremman, þenden þis
1932sweord þolað, þæt mec ær ond sið oft gelæste.
1933Syððan ic for dugeðum Dæghrefne wearð to handbonan, Huga
1934cempan; nalles he ða frætwe Frescyninge ,
1935breostweorðunge, bringan moste, ac in compe gecrong
1936cumbles hyrde,

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1937æþeling on elne; ne wæs ecg bona, ac him hildegrap
1938heortan wylmas, banhus gebræc.
1939Nu sceall billes ecg, hond ond heard sweord, ymb hord wigan.
1940Beowulf maðelode, beotwordum spræc niehstan siðe: Ic
1941geneðde fela guða on geogoðe; gyt ic wylle, frod folces
1942weard, fæhðe secan, mærðu fremman, gif mec
1943se mansceaða of eorðsele ut geseceð.
1944Gegrette ða gumena gehwylcne, hwate helmberend, hindeman
1945siðe, swæse gesiðas: Nolde ic sweord beran, wæpen to
1946wyrme, gif ic wiste hu wið ðam aglæcean
1947elles meahte gylpe wiðgripan, swa ic gio wið
1948Grendle dyde.
1949Ac ic ðær heaðufyres hates wene, oreðes ond
1950attres ; forðon ic me on hafu bord ond byrnan.
1951Nelle ic beorges weard forfleon fotes trem, ac unc
1952furður sceal weorðan æt wealle, swa unc wyrd geteoð,
1953metod manna gehwæs.
1954Ic eom on mode from þæt ic wið þone guðflogan gylp
1955ofersitte.
1956Gebide ge on beorge byrnum werede, secgas on searwum, hwæðer
1957sel mæge æfter wælræse wunde gedygan uncer twega.
1958Nis þæt eower sið ne gemet mannes, nefne min anes,
1959þæt he wið aglæcean eofoðo dæle, eorlscype efne.
1960Ic mid elne sceall gold gegangan, oððe guð nimeð,
1961feorhbealu frecne, frean eowerne.
1962Aras ða bi ronde rof oretta,

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1963heard under helme, hiorosercean bær under stancleofu,
1964strengo getruwode anes mannes.
1965Ne bið swylc earges sið.
1966Geseah ða be wealle se ðe worna fela, gumcystum god,
1967guða gedigde, hildehlemma, þonne hnitan feðan,
1968stondan stanbogan, stream ut þonan brecan of beorge.
1969Wæs þære burnan wælm heaðofyrum hat; ne meahte horde neah
1970unbyrnende ænige hwile deop gedygan for dracan lege.
1971Let ða of breostum, ða he gebolgen wæs, Wedergeata leod
1972word ut faran, stearcheort styrmde; stefn in becom heaðotorht
1973hlynnan under harne stan.
1974Hete wæs onhrered, hordweard oncniow mannes reorde; næs
1975ðær mara fyrst freode to friclan.
1976From ærest cwom oruð aglæcean ut of stane, hat hildeswat.
1977Hruse dynede.
1978Biorn under beorge bordrand onswaf wið ðam gryregieste,
1979Geata dryhten; ða wæs hringbogan heorte gefysed sæcce
1980to seceanne.
1981Sweord ær gebræd god guðcyning, gomele lafe, ecgum
1982unslaw ; æghwæðrum wæs bealohycgendra broga fram
1983oðrum.
1984Stiðmod gestod wið steapne rond winia bealdor, ða se
1985wyrm gebeah snude tosomne; he on searwum bad.
1986Gewat ða byrnende gebogen scriðan, to gescipe scyndan.
1987Scyld wel gebearg life ond lice læssan hwile mærum þeodne
1988þonne his myne sohte, ðær he þy fyrste, forman dogore

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1989wealdan moste swa him wyrd ne gescraf hreð æt hilde.
1990Hond up abræd Geata dryhten, gryrefahne sloh incgelafe, þæt
1991sio ecg gewac brun on bane, bat unswiðor þonne his
1992ðiodcyning þearfe hæfde, bysigum gebæded.
1993þa wæs beorges weard æfter heaðuswenge on hreoum mode,
1994wearp wælfyre; wide sprungon hildeleoman.
1995Hreðsigora ne gealp goldwine Geata; guðbill geswac, nacod
1996æt niðe, swa hyt no sceolde, iren ærgod.
1997Ne wæs þæt eðe sið, þæt se mæra maga Ecgðeowes
1998grundwong þone ofgyfan wolde; sceolde ofer willan wic
1999eardian elles hwergen, swa sceal æghwylc mon alætan
2000lændagas.
2001Næs ða long to ðon þæt ða aglæcean hy eft gemetton.
2002Hyrte hyne hordweard hreðer æðme weoll niwan stefne; nearo
2003ðrowode, fyre befongen, se ðe ær folce weold.
2004Nealles him on heape handgesteallan , æðelinga bearn,
2005ymbe gestodon hildecystum, ac hy on holt bugon, ealdre burgan.
2006Hiora in anum weoll sefa wið sorgum; sibb æfre ne mæg wiht
2007onwendan þam ðe wel þenceð.
2008Wiglaf wæs haten Weoxstanes sunu, leoflic lindwiga, leod
2009Scylfinga, mæg ælfheres; geseah his mondryhten under
2010heregriman hat þrowian.
2011Gemunde ða ða are þe he him ær forgeaf,

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2012wicstede weligne Wægmundinga, folcrihta gehwylc,
2013swa his fæder ahte.
2014Ne mihte ða forhabban; hond rond gefeng, geolwe linde, gomel
2015swyrd geteah, þæt wæs mid eldum Eanmundes laf,
2016suna Ohteres .
2017þam æt sæcce wearð, wræccan wineleasum, Weohstan
2018bana meces ecgum, ond his magum ætbær brunfagne
2019helm, hringde byrnan, eald sweord etonisc; þæt him Onela
2020forgeaf, his gædelinges guðgewædu, fyrdsearo fuslic,
2021no ymbe ða fæhðe spræc, þeah ðe he his
2022broðor bearn abredwade.
2023He frætwe geheold fela missera, bill ond byrnan, oððæt his
2024byre mihte eorlscipe efnan swa his ærfæder;
2025geaf him ða mid Geatum guðgewæda, æghwæs unrim, þa
2026he of ealdre gewat, frod on forðweg.
2027þa wæs forma sið geongan cempan, þæt he guðe ræs mid
2028his freodryhtne fremman sceolde.
2029Ne gemealt him se modsefa, ne his mæges laf gewac æt
2030wige; þæt se wyrm onfand, syððan hie togædre
2031gegan hæfdon.
2032Wiglaf maðelode, wordrihta fela sægde gesiðum him wæs sefa
2033geomor: Ic ðæt mæl geman, þær we medu þegun,
2034þonne we geheton ussum hlaforde in biorsele, ðe us
2035ðas beagas geaf, þæt we him ða guðgetawa
2036gyldan woldon gif him þyslicu þearf gelumpe, helmas ond
2037heard sweord.
2038ðe he usic on herge geceas to ðyssum siðfate sylfes willum,
2039onmunde usic mærða, ond me þas maðmas geaf,

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2040þe he usic garwigend gode tealde, hwate helmberend,
2041þeah ðe hlaford us þis ellenweorc ana aðohte to
2042gefremmanne, folces hyrde, for ðam he manna mæst
2043mærða gefremede, dæda dollicra.
2044Nu is se dæg cumen þæt ure mandryhten mægenes behofað,
2045godra guðrinca; wutun gongan to, helpan hildfruman,
2046þenden hyt sy, gledegesa grim.
2047God wat on mec þæt me is micle leofre þæt minne lichaman
2048mid minne goldgyfan gled fæðmie.
2049Ne þynceð me gerysne þæt we rondas beren eft to earde,
2050nemne we æror mægen fane gefyllan, feorh ealgian
2051Wedra ðeodnes.
2052Ic wat geare þæt næron ealdgewyrht, þæt he ana scyle
2053Geata duguðe gnorn þrowian, gesigan æt sæcce;
2054urum sceal sweord ond helm, byrne ond beaduscrud , bam
2055gemæne.
2056Wod þa þurh þone wælrec, wigheafolan bær frean on fultum,
2057fea worda cwæð : Leofa Biowulf, læst eall
2058tela, swa ðu on geoguðfeore geara gecwæde þæt ðu ne
2059alæte be ðe lifigendum dom gedreosan.
2060Scealt nu dædum rof, æðeling anhydig, ealle mægene feorh
2061ealgian; ic ðe fullæstu.
2062æfter ðam wordum wyrm yrre cwom, atol inwitgæst, oðre
2063siðe fyrwylmum fah fionda niosian ,

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2064laðra manna; ligyðum for.
2065Born bord wið rond, byrne ne meahte geongum garwigan geoce
2066gefremman, ac se maga geonga under his
2067mæges scyld elne geeode, þa his agen wæs gledum
2068forgrunden.
2069þa gen guðcyning mærða gemunde, mægenstrengo sloh
2070hildebille, þæt hyt on heafolan stod niþe genyded;
2071nægling forbærst, geswac æt sæcce sweord Biowulfes,
2072gomol ond grægmæl.
2073Him þæt gifeðe ne wæs þæt him irenna ecge mihton helpan
2074æt hilde; wæs sio hond to strong, se ðe meca gehwane,
2075mine gefræge, swenge ofersohte, þonne he to
2076sæcce bær wæpen wundrum heard; næs him wihte ðe sel.
2077þa wæs þeodsceaða þriddan siðe, frecne fyrdraca, fæhða
2078gemyndig, ræsde on ðone rofan, þa him rum ageald,
2079hat ond heaðogrim, heals ealne ymbefeng biteran banum;
2080he geblodegod wearð sawuldriore, swat
2081yðum weoll.
2082ða ic æt þearfe gefrægn þeodcyninges andlongne eorl
2083ellen cyðan, cræft ond cenðu, swa him gecynde
2084wæs.
2085Ne hedde he þæs heafolan, ac sio hand gebarn modiges mannes,
2086þær he his mæges healp, þæt he þone niðgæst
2087nioðor hwene sloh, secg on searwum, þæt ðæt
2088sweord gedeaf, fah ond fæted, þæt ðæt fyr ongon
2089sweðrian syððan.
2090þa gen sylf cyning geweold his gewitte, wællseaxe gebræd
2091biter ond beaduscearp, þæt he on byrnan wæg;
2092forwrat Wedra helm wyrm on middan.
2093Feond gefyldan ferh ellen wræc,

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2094ond hi hyne þa begen abroten hæfdon, sibæðelingas.
2095Swylc sceolde secg wesan, þegn æt ðearfe.
2096þæt ðam þeodne wæs siðast sigehwila sylfes dædum,
2097worlde geweorces.
2098ða sio wund ongon, þe him se eorðdraca ær geworhte,
2099swelan ond swellan; he þæt sona onfand,
2100þæt him on breostum bealoniðe weoll attor on innan.
2101ða se æðeling giong þæt he bi wealle wishycgende gesæt
2102on sesse; seah on enta geweorc, hu ða stanbogan stapulum
2103fæste ece eorðreced innan healde.
2104Hyne þa mid handa heorodreorigne, þeoden mærne, þegn
2105ungemete till winedryhten his wætere gelafede,
2106hilde sædne, ond his helm onspeon.
2107Biowulf maþelode he ofer benne spræc, wunde wælbleate;
2108wisse he gearwe þæt he dæghwila gedrogen hæfde,
2109eorðan wynne ; ða wæs eall sceacen dogorgerimes,
2110deað ungemete neah: Nu ic suna minum syllan wolde
2111guðgewædu, þær me gifeðe swa ænig yrfeweard æfter
2112wurde lice gelenge.
2113Ic ðas leode heold fiftig wintra; næs se folccyning,
2114ymbesittendra ænig ðara, þe mec guðwinum gretan dorste,
2115egesan ðeon.
2116Ic on earde bad mælgesceafta, heold min tela, ne sohte
2117searoniðas, ne me swor fela

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2118aða on unriht.
2119Ic ðæs ealles mæg feorhbennum seoc gefean habban; for ðam
2120me witan ne ðearf waldend fira morðorbealo maga,
2121þonne min sceaceð lif of lice.
2122Nu ðu lungre geong hord sceawian under harne stan, Wiglaf
2123leofa, nu se wyrm ligeð, swefeð sare wund, since bereafod.
2124Bio nu on ofoste, þæt ic ærwelan, goldæht ongite, gearo
2125sceawige swegle searogimmas, þæt ic ðy seft
2126mæge æfter maððumwelan min alætan lif ond leodscipe,
2127þone ic longe heold.
2128ða ic snude gefrægn sunu Wihstanes æfter wordcwydum wundum
2129dryhtne hyran heaðosiocum, hringnet beran, brogdne
2130beadusercean under beorges hrof.
2131Geseah ða sigehreðig, þa he bi sesse geong, magoþegn modig
2132maððumsigla fealo, gold glitinian grunde
2133getenge, wundur on wealle, ond þæs wyrmes denn, ealdes
2134uhtflogan, orcas stondan, fyrnmanna fatu feormendlease,
2135hyrstum behrorene; þær wæs helm monig eald ond
2136omig, earmbeaga fela searwum gesæled.
2137Sinc eaðe mæg, gold on grunde , gumcynnes gehwone
2138oferhigian, hyde se ðe wylle.
2139Swylce he siomian geseah segn eallgylden heah ofer horde,
2140hondwundra mæst, gelocen leoðocræftum; of
2141ðam leoma stod, þæt he þone grundwong ongitan meahte,
2142wræte giondwlitan.
2143Næs ðæs wyrmes þær onsyn ænig, ac hyne ecg fornam.

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2144ða ic on hlæwe gefrægn hord reafian, eald enta geweorc,
2145anne mannan, him on bearm hladon bunan ond
2146discas sylfes dome; segn eac genom, beacna beorhtost.
2147Bill ær gescod ecg wæs iren ealdhlafordes þam ðara maðma
2148mundbora wæs longe hwile, ligegesan wæg hatne for horde,
2149hioroweallende middelnihtum, oðþæt he
2150morðre swealt.
2151Ar wæs on ofoste, eftsiðes georn, frætwum gefyrðred; hyne
2152fyrwet bræc, hwæðer collenferð cwicne gemette in ðam
2153wongstede Wedra þeoden ellensiocne, þær he
2154hine ær forlet.
2155He ða mid þam maðmum mærne þioden, dryhten sinne,
2156driorigne fand ealdres æt ende; he hine eft ongon
2157wæteres weorpan, oðþæt wordes ord breosthord þurhbræc.
2158gomel on giohðe gold sceawode: Ic ðara frætwa frean
2159ealles ðanc, wuldurcyninge, wordum secge, ecum dryhtne,
2160þe ic her on starie, þæs ðe ic moste minum
2161leodum ær swyltdæge swylc gestrynan.
2162Nu ic on maðma hord mine bebohte frode feorhlege,
2163fremmað gena leoda þearfe; ne mæg ic her leng wesan.
2164Hatað heaðomære hlæw gewyrcean beorhtne æfter bæle æt
2165brimes nosan; se scel to gemyndum minum leodum heah hlifian
2166on Hronesnæsse,

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2167þæt hit sæliðend syððan hatan Biowulfes biorh,
2168ða ðe brentingas ofer floda genipu feorran drifað.
2169Dyde him of healse hring gyldenne þioden þristhydig, þegne
2170gesealde, geongum garwigan, goldfahne helm, beah ond byrnan,
2171het hyne brucan well: þu eart endelaf usses cynnes,
2172Wægmundinga.
2173Ealle wyrd forsweop mine magas to metodsceafte, eorlas on
2174elne; ic him æfter sceal.
2175þæt wæs þam gomelan gingæste word breostgehygdum, ær he
2176bæl cure, hate heaðowylmas; him of hreðre
2177gewat sawol secean soðfæstra dom.
2178ða wæs gegongen guman unfrodum earfoðlice, þæt he on
2179eorðan geseah þone leofestan lifes æt ende bleate gebæran.
2180Bona swylce læg, egeslic eorðdraca ealdre bereafod, bealwe
2181gebæded.
2182Beahhordum leng wyrm wohbogen wealdan ne moste, ac hine
2183irenna ecga fornamon, hearde, heaðoscearde
2184homera lafe, þæt se widfloga wundum stille hreas on hrusan
2185hordærne neah.
2186Nalles æfter lyfte lacende hwearf middelnihtum, maðmæhta
2187wlonc ansyn ywde, ac he eorðan gefeoll for
2188ðæs hildfruman hondgeweorce.
2189Huru þæt on lande lyt manna ðah, mægenagendra, mine
2190gefræge, þeah ðe he dæda gehwæs dyrstig wære,
2191þæt he wið attorsceaðan oreðe geræsde, oððe hringsele
2192hondum styrede, gif he wæccende weard onfunde

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2193buon on beorge.
2194Biowulfe wearð dryhtmaðma dæl deaðe forgolden; hæfde
2195æghwæðer ende gefered lænan lifes.
2196Næs ða lang to ðon þæt ða hildlatan holt ofgefan, tydre
2197treowlogan tyne ætsomne.
2198ða ne dorston ær dareðum lacan on hyra mandryhtnes miclan
2199þearfe, ac hy scamiende scyldas bæran, guðgewædu,
2200þær se gomela læg, wlitan on Wilaf.
2201He gewergad sæt, feðecempa, frean eaxlum neah, wehte hyne
2202wætre; him wiht ne speow .
2203Ne meahte he on eorðan, ðeah he uðe wel, on ðam frumgare
2204feorh gehealdan, ne ðæs wealdendes wiht oncirran;
2205wolde dom godes dædum rædan gumena gehwylcum, swa he
2206nu gen deð.
2207þa wæs æt ðam geongan grim ondswaru eðbegete þam
2208ðe ær his elne forleas.
2209Wiglaf maðelode, Weohstanes sunu, sec, sarigferð seah on
2210unleofe: þæt, la, mæg secgan se ðe wyle soð specan
2211þæt se mondryhten se eow ða maðmas geaf, eoredgeatwe,
2212þe ge þær on standað, þonne he on ealubence oft gesealde
2213healsittendum helm ond byrnan, þeoden his þegnum,
2214swylce he þrydlicost ower feor oððe neah findan meahte,
2215þæt he genunga guðgewædu wraðe forwurpe,
2216ða hyne wig beget.
2217Nealles folccyning fyrdgesteallum gylpan þorfte; hwæðre him
2218god uðe, sigora waldend, þæt he hyne sylfne gewræc
2219ana mid ecge, þa him wæs elnes þearf.
2220Ic him lifwraðe lytle meahte

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2221ætgifan æt guðe, ond ongan
2222swa þeah ofer min gemet mæges helpan; symle
2223wæs þy sæmra, þonne ic sweorde drep ferhðgeniðlan, fyr
2224unswiðor weoll of gewitte.
2225Wergendra to lyt þrong ymbe þeoden, þa hyne sio þrag
2226becwom.
2227Nu sceal sincþego ond swyrdgifu, eall eðelwyn eowrum
2228cynne, lufen alicgean; londrihtes mot þære mægburge
2229monna æghwylc idel hweorfan, syððan æðelingas
2230feorran gefricgean fleam eowerne, domleasan dæd.
2231Deað bið sella eorla gehwylcum þonne edwitlif.
2232Heht ða þæt heaðoweorc to hagan biodan up ofer ecgclif,
2233þær þæt eorlweorod morgenlongne dæg modgiomor sæt,
2234bordhæbbende, bega on wenum, endedogores ond
2235eftcymes leofes monnes.
2236Lyt swigode niwra spella se ðe næs gerad, ac he soðlice
2237sægde ofer ealle: Nu is wilgeofa Wedra leoda, dryhten Geata,
2238deaðbedde fæst, wunað wælreste wyrmes dædum.
2239Him on efn ligeð ealdorgewinna sexbennum seoc; sweorde ne
2240meahte on ðam aglæcean ænige þinga wunde
2241gewyrcean.
2242Wiglaf siteð ofer Biowulfe, byre Wihstanes,

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2243eorl ofer oðrum unlifigendum, healdeð higemæðum
2244heafodwearde leofes ond laðes.
2245Nu ys leodum wen orleghwile, syððan underne Froncum ond
2246Frysum fyll cyninges wide weorðeð.
2247Wæs sio wroht scepen heard wið Hugas, syððan Higelac cwom
2248faran flotherge on Fresna land, þær hyne
2249Hetware hilde genægdon , elne geeodon mid ofermægene,
2250þæt se byrnwiga bugan sceolde, feoll on feðan,
2251nalles frætwe geaf ealdor dugoðe.
2252Us wæs a syððan Merewioingas milts ungyfeðe.
2253Ne ic to Sweoðeode sibbe oððe treowe wihte ne wene, ac
2254wæs wide cuð þætte Ongenðio ealdre besnyðede Hæþcen
2255Hreþling wið Hrefnawudu, þa for onmedlan ærest
2256gesohton Geata leode Guðscilfingas.
2257Sona him se froda fæder Ohtheres, eald ond egesfull,
2258ondslyht ageaf, abreot brimwisan, bryd ahredde ,
2259gomela iomeowlan golde berofene, Onelan modor ond
2260Ohtheres, ond ða folgode feorhgeniðlan, oððæt hi
2261oðeodon earfoðlice in Hrefnesholt hlafordlease.
2262Besæt ða sinherge sweorda lafe, wundum werge, wean oft gehet
2263earmre teohhe ondlonge niht, cwæð, he on mergenne meces ecgum

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2264getan wolde, sum on galgtreowum fuglum to gamene.
2265Frofor eft gelamp sarigmodum somod ærdæge, syððan hie
2266Hygelaces horn ond byman, gealdor ongeaton, þa se goda com
2267leoda dugoðe on last faran.
2268Wæs sio swatswaðu Sweona ond Geata, wælræs weora wide
2269gesyne, hu ða folc mid him fæhðe towehton.
2270Gewat him ða se goda mid his gædelingum, frod, felageomor,
2271fæsten secean, eorl Ongenþio, ufor oncirde; hæfde Higelaces
2272hilde gefrunen, wlonces wigcræft, wiðres ne truwode,
2273þæt he sæmannum onsacan mihte, heaðoliðendum hord
2274forstandan, bearn ond bryde; beah eft þonan eald
2275under eorðweall.
2276þa wæs æht boden Sweona leodum, segn Higelaces
2277freoðowong þone forð ofereodon, syððan Hreðlingas
2278to hagan þrungon.
2279þær wearð Ongenðiow ecgum sweorda , blondenfexa, on bid
2280wrecen, þæt se þeodcyning ðafian sceolde Eafores anne dom.
2281Hyne yrringa Wulf Wonreding wæpne geræhte, þæt him for
2282swenge swat ædrum sprong forð under fexe.
2283Næs he forht swa ðeh, gomela Scilfing, ac forgeald hraðe
2284wyrsan wrixle wælhlem þone, syððan ðeodcyning
2285þyder oncirde.
2286Ne meahte se snella sunu Wonredes ealdum ceorle ondslyht
2287giofan,

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2288ac he him on heafde helm ær gescer, þæt he blode fah
2289bugan sceolde, feoll on foldan; næs he fæge þa git,
2290ac he hyne gewyrpte, þeah ðe him wund hrine.
2291Let se hearda Higelaces þegn bradne mece, þa his broðor
2292læg, eald sweord eotonisc, entiscne helm brecan ofer
2293bordweal; ða gebeah cyning, folces hyrde, wæs in
2294feorh dropen.
2295ða wæron monige þe his mæg wriðon, ricone arærdon, ða
2296him gerymed wearð þæt hie wælstowe wealdan moston.
2297þenden reafode rinc oðerne, nam on Ongenðio irenbyrnan,
2298heard swyrd hilted ond his helm somod, hares hyrste
2299Higelace bær.
2300He ðam frætwum feng ond him fægre gehet leana
2301mid leodum, ond gelæste swa.
2302geald þone guðræs Geata dryhten, Hreðles eafora, þa he to
2303ham becom, Iofore ond Wulfe mid ofermaðmum,
2304sealde hiora gehwæðrum hund þusenda landes ond locenra
2305beaga ne ðorfte him ða lean oðwitan mon on middangearde,
2306syððan hie ða mærða geslogon, ond ða
2307Iofore forgeaf angan dohtor, hamweorðunge, hyldo to wedde.
2308þæt ys sio fæhðo ond se feondscipe, wælnið wera, ðæs
2309ðe ic wen hafo, þe us seceað to Sweona leoda,
2310syððan hie gefricgeað frean userne ealdorleasne, þone ðe
2311ær geheold wið hettendum hord ond rice æfter hæleða
2312hryre, hwate Scildingas, folcred fremede oððe
2313furður gen eorlscipe efnde.
2314Nu is ofost betost

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2315þæt we þeodcyning þær sceawian ond þone gebringan,
2316þe us beagas geaf, on adfære.
2317Ne scel anes hwæt meltan mid þam modigan, ac þær is maðma
2318hord, gold unrime grimme geceapod , ond nu æt siðestan
2319sylfes feore beagas gebohte .
2320þa sceall brond fretan, æled þeccean, nalles eorl wegan
2321maððum to gemyndum, ne mægð scyne habban on
2322healse hringweorðunge, ac sceal geomormod, golde bereafod,
2323oft nalles æne elland tredan, nu se herewisa hleahtor alegde,
2324gamen ond gleodream.
2325Forðon sceall gar wesan monig, morgenceald, mundum bewunden,
2326hæfen on handa, nalles hearpan sweg wigend weccean,
2327ac se wonna hrefn fus ofer fægum fela reordian,
2328earne secgan hu him æt æte speow,
2329þenden he wið wulf wæl reafode.
2330Swa se secg hwata secggende wæs laðra spella; he ne leag
2331fela wyrda ne worda.
2332Weorod eall aras; eodon unbliðe under Earnanæs, wollenteare
2333wundur sceawian.
2334Fundon ða on sande sawulleasne hlimbed healdan þone þe him
2335hringas geaf ærran mælum; þa wæs endedæg
2336godum gegongen, þæt se guðcyning, Wedra þeoden,
2337wundordeaðe swealt.
2338ær hi þær gesegan syllicran wiht, wyrm on wonge
2339wiðerræhtes þær laðne licgean; wæs se legdraca

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2340grimlic, gryrefah , gledum beswæled.
2341Se wæs fiftiges fotgemearces lang on legere, lyftwynne heold
2342nihtes hwilum, nyðer eft gewat dennes
2343niosian; wæs ða deaðe fæst, hæfde eorðscrafa ende
2344genyttod.
2345Him big stodan bunan ond orcas, discas lagon ond dyre swyrd,
2346omige, þurhetone, swa hie wið eorðan fæðm þusend wintra
2347þær eardodon.
2348þonne wæs þæt yrfe, eacencræftig, iumonna gold galdre
2349bewunden, þæt ðam hringsele hrinan ne moste gumena ænig,
2350nefne god sylfa, sigora soðcyning, sealde þam ðe he
2351wolde he is manna gehyld hord openian, efne swa hwylcum manna
2352swa him gemet ðuhte.
2353þa wæs gesyne þæt se sið ne ðah þam ðe unrihte inne
2354gehydde wræte under wealle.
2355Weard ær ofsloh feara sumne; þa sio fæhð gewearð gewrecen
2356wraðlice.
2357Wundur hwar þonne eorl ellenrof ende gefere lifgesceafta,
2358þonne leng ne mæg mon mid his magum meduseld buan.
2359Swa wæs Biowulfe, þa he biorges weard sohte, searoniðas;
2360seolfa ne cuðe þurh hwæt his worulde gedal
2361weorðan sceolde.
2362Swa hit oð domes dæg diope benemdon þeodnas mære, þa
2363ðæt þær dydon, þæt se secg wære synnum scildig,
2364hergum geheaðerod, hellbendum fæst, wommum gewitnad, se
2365ðone wong strude , næs he goldhwæte gearwor hæfde
2366agendes est ær gesceawod.
2367Wiglaf maðelode, Wihstanes sunu:

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2368Oft sceall eorl monig anes willan wræc adreogan ,
2369swa us geworden is.
2370Ne meahton we gelæran leofne þeoden, rices hyrde, ræd
2371ænigne, þæt he ne grette goldweard þone, lete
2372hyne licgean þær he longe wæs, wicum wunian oð
2373woruldende; heold on heahgesceap.
2374Hord ys gesceawod, grimme gegongen; wæs þæt gifeðe to
2375swið þe ðone þeodcyning þyder ontyhte.
2376Ic wæs þær inne ond þæt eall geondseh, recedes geatwa,
2377þa me gerymed wæs, nealles swæslice sið alyfed inn
2378under eorðweall.
2379Ic on ofoste gefeng micle mid mundum mægenbyrðenne
2380hordgestreona, hider ut ætbær cyninge minum.
2381Cwico wæs þa gena, wis ond gewittig; worn eall gespræc
2382gomol on gehðo ond eowic gretan het, bæd þæt
2383ge geworhton æfter wines dædum in bælstede beorh þone
2384hean, micelne ond mærne, swa he manna wæs wigend
2385weorðfullost wide geond eorðan, þenden he burhwelan
2386brucan moste.
2387Uton nu efstan oðre siðe , seon ond secean searogimma
2388geþræc, wundur under wealle; ic eow wisige,
2389þæt ge genoge neon sceawiað beagas ond brad gold.
2390Sie sio bær gearo, ædre geæfned, þonne we ut cymen, ond
2391þonne geferian frean userne, leofne mannan,
2392þær he longe sceal on ðæs waldendes wære geþolian.
2393Het ða gebeodan byre Wihstanes, hæle hildedior, hæleða
2394monegum

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2395boldagendra, þæt hie bælwudu feorran feredon, folcagende,
2396godum togenes: Nu sceal gled fretan, weaxan wonna leg
2397wigena strengel, þone ðe oft gebad isernscure,
2398þonne stræla storm strengum gebæded
2399scoc ofer scildweall, sceft nytte heold,
2400feðergearwum fus flane fulleode.
2401Huru se snotra sunu Wihstanes acigde of corðre cyninges
2402þegnas syfone tosomne , þa selestan, eode
2403eahta sum under inwithrof hilderinca ; sum on handa bær
2404æledleoman, se ðe on orde geong.
2405Næs ða on hlytme hwa þæt hord strude, syððan orwearde
2406ænigne dæl secgas gesegon on sele wunian, læne licgan;
2407lyt ænig mearn þæt hi ofostlice ut geferedon
2408dyre maðmas.
2409Dracan ec scufun, wyrm ofer weallclif, leton weg niman, flod
2410fæðmian frætwa hyrde.
2411þa wæs wunden gold on wæn hladen, æghwæs unrim,
2412æþeling boren, har hilderinc to Hronesnæsse.
2413Him ða gegiredan Geata leode ad on eorðan unwaclicne,
2414helmum behongen, hildebordum, beorhtum byrnum,
2415swa he bena wæs; alegdon ða tomiddes mærne þeoden
2416hæleð hiofende, hlaford leofne.

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2417Ongunnon þa on beorge bælfyra mæst wigend weccan;
2418wudurec astah, sweart ofer swioðole ,
2419swogende leg wope bewunden windblond gelæg,
2420oðþæt he ða banhus gebrocen hæfde , hat on hreðre.
2421Higum unrote modceare mændon, mondryhtnes cwealm ; swylce
2422giomorgyd Geatisc meowle bundenheorde song
2423sorgcearig swiðe geneahhe þæt hio hyre
2424heofungdagas hearde ondrede , wælfylla worn ,
2425werudes egesan, hynðo ond hæftnyd .
2426Heofon rece swealg .
2427Geworhton þa Wedra leode hleo on hoe, se wæs heah ond brad,
2428wægliðendum wide gesyne, ond betimbredon on tyn dagum
2429beadurofes becn, bronda lafe wealle beworhton,
2430swa hyt weorðlicost foresnotre men findan mihton.
2431Hi on beorg dydon beg ond siglu, eall swylce hyrsta, swylce on
2432horde ær niðhedige men genumen hæfdon, forleton eorla
2433gestreon eorðan healdan, gold on greote,
2434þær hit nu gen lifað eldum swa unnyt swa
2435hit æror wæs.
2436þa ymbe hlæw riodan hildediore,

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2437æþelinga bearn, ealra twelfe , woldon ceare cwiðan
2438ond kyning mænan, wordgyd wrecan ond ymb wer sprecan;
2439eahtodan eorlscipe ond his ellenweorc duguðum demdon,
2440swa hit gedefe bið þæt mon his winedryhten
2441wordum herge, ferhðum freoge , þonne he forð scile
2442of lichaman læded weorðan.
2443Swa begnornodon Geata leode hlafordes hryre ,
2444heorðgeneatas, cwædon þæt he wære wyruldcyninga
2445manna mildust ond monðwærust , leodum liðost ond
2446lofgeornost.