Beowulf (Anglo-Saxon text)

Beowulf is the longest and most significant work of Old English poetry. It is untitled. The normalised text of the poem is as follows:

Hwæt! We Gardena    in geardagum,

þeodcyninga,     þrym gefrunon,

hu ða æþelingas     ellen fremedon.

Oft Scyld Scefing     sceaþena þreatum,

5

monegum mægþum,    meodosetla ofteah,

egsode eorlas.     Syððan ærest wearð

feasceaft funden,     he þæs frofre gebad,

weox under wolcnum,     weorðmyndum þah,

oðþæt him æghwylc     þara ymbsittendra

10

ofer hronrade    hyran scolde,

gomban gyldan. þæt wæs god cyning!

ðæm eafera wæs     æfter cenned,

geong in geardum,     þone god sende

folce to frofre;     fyrenðearfe ongeat

15

þe hie ær drugon    aldorlease

lange hwile. Him þæs liffrea,

wuldres wealdend,     woroldare forgeaf;

Beowulf wæs breme     (blæd wide sprang),

Scyldes eafera     Scedelandum in.

20

Swa sceal geong guma    gode gewyrcean,

fromum feohgiftum     on fæder bearme,

þæt hine on ylde     eft gewunigen

wilgesiþas,     þonne wig cume,

leode gelæsten;     lofdædum sceal

25

in mægþa gehwære    man geþeon.

Him ða Scyld gewat     to gescæphwile

felahror feran     on frean wære.

Hi hyne þa ætbæron     to brimes faroðe,

swæse gesiþas,     swa he selfa bæd,

30

þenden wordum weold    wine Scyldinga;

leof landfruma     lange ahte.

þær æt hyðe stod     hringedstefna,

isig ond utfus,     æþelinges fær.

Aledon þa     leofne þeoden,

35

beaga bryttan,    on bearm scipes,

mærne be mæste. þær wæs madma fela

of feorwegum,     frætwa, gelæded;

ne hyrde ic cymlicor     ceol gegyrwan

hildewæpnum     ond heaðowædum,

40

billum ond byrnum;     him on bearme læg

madma mænigo,     þa him mid scoldon

on flodes æht     feor gewitan.

Nalæs hi hine læssan     lacum teodan,

þeodgestreonum,     þon þa dydon

45

þe hine æt frumsceafte    forð onsendon

ænne ofer yðe     umborwesende.

þa gyt hie him asetton     segen geldenne

heah ofer heafod,     leton holm beran,

geafon on garsecg;     him wæs geomor sefa,

50

murnende mod. Men ne cunnon

secgan to soðe,     selerædende,

hæleð under heofenum,     hwa þæm hlæste onfeng.

ða wæs on burgum     Beowulf Scyldinga,

leof leodcyning,     longe þrage

55

folcum gefræge    (fæder ellor hwearf,

aldor of earde),     oþþæt him eft onwoc

heah Healfdene;     heold þenden lifde,

gamol ond guðreouw,     glæde Scyldingas.

ðæm feower bearn     forð gerimed

60

in worold wocun,    weoroda ræswan,

Heorogar ond Hroðgar     ond Halga til;

hyrde ic þæt     wæs Onelan cwen,

Heaðoscilfingas     healsgebedda.

þa wæs Hroðgare     heresped gyfen,

65

wiges weorðmynd,    þæt him his winemagas

georne hyrdon,     oðð þæt seo geogoð geweox,

magodriht micel. Him on mod bearn

þæt healreced     hatan wolde,

medoærn micel,     men gewyrcean

70

þonne yldo bearn    æfre gefrunon,

ond þær on innan     eall gedælan

geongum ond ealdum,     swylc him god sealde,

buton folcscare     ond feorum gumena.

ða ic wide gefrægn     weorc gebannan

75

manigre mægþe    geond þisne middangeard,

folcstede frætwan. Him on fyrste gelomp,

ædre mid yldum,     þæt hit wearð ealgearo,

healærna mæst;     scop him Heort naman

se þe his wordes geweald     wide hæfde.

80

He beot ne aleh,    beagas dælde,

sinc æt symle. Sele hlifade,

heah ond horngeap,     heaðowylma bad,

laðan liges;     ne wæs hit lenge þa gen

þæt se ecghete     aþumsweorum

85

æfter wælniðe    wæcnan scolde.

ða se ellengæst     earfoðlice

þrage geþolode,     se þe in þystrum bad,

þæt he dogora gehwam     dream gehyrde

hludne in healle;     þær wæs hearpan sweg,

90

swutol sang scopes. Sægde se þe cuþe

frumsceaft fira     feorran reccan,

cwæð þæt se ælmihtiga     eorðan worhte,

wlitebeorhtne wang,     swa wæter bebugeð,

gesette sigehreþig     sunnan ond monan

95

leoman to leohte    landbuendum

ond gefrætwade     foldan sceatas

leomum ond leafum,     lif eac gesceop

cynna gehwylcum     þara ðe cwice hwyrfaþ.

Swa ða drihtguman     dreamum lifdon

100

eadiglice,    oððæt an ongan

fyrene fremman     feond on helle.

Wæs se grimma gæst     Grendel haten,

mære mearcstapa,     se þe moras heold,

fen ond fæsten;     fifelcynnes eard

105

wonsæli wer    weardode hwile,

siþðan him scyppend     forscrifen hæfde

in Caines cynne. þone cwealm gewræc

ece drihten,     þæs þe he Abel slog;

ne gefeah he þære fæhðe,     ac he hine feor forwræc,

110

metod for þy mane,    mancynne fram.

þanon untydras     ealle onwocon,

eotenas ond ylfe     ond orcneas,

swylce gigantas,     þa wið gode wunnon

lange þrage;     he him ðæs lean forgeald.

115

Gewat ða neosian,    syþðan niht becom,

hean huses,     hu hit Hringdene

æfter beorþege     gebun hæfdon.

Fand þa ðær inne     æþelinga gedriht

swefan æfter symble;     sorge ne cuðon,

120

wonsceaft wera. Wiht unhælo,

grim ond grædig,     gearo sona wæs,

reoc ond reþe,     ond on ræste genam

þritig þegna,     þanon eft gewat

huðe hremig     to ham faran,

125

mid þære wælfylle    wica neosan.

ða wæs on uhtan     mid ærdæge

Grendles guðcræft     gumum undyrne;

þa wæs æfter wiste     wop up ahafen,

micel morgensweg. Mære þeoden,

130

æþeling ærgod,    unbliðe sæt,

þolode ðryðswyð,     þegnsorge dreah,

syðþan hie þæs laðan     last sceawedon,

wergan gastes;     wæs þæt gewin to strang,

lað ond longsum. Næs hit lengra fyrst,

135

ac ymb ane niht    eft gefremede

morðbeala mare     ond no mearn fore,

fæhðe ond fyrene;     wæs to fæst on þam.

þa wæs eaðfynde     þe him elles hwær

gerumlicor     ræste sohte,

140

bed æfter burum,    ða him gebeacnod wæs,

gesægd soðlice     sweotolan tacne

healðegnes hete;     heold hyne syðþan

fyr ond fæstor     se þæm feonde ætwand.

Swa rixode     ond wið rihte wan,

145

ana wið eallum,    oðþæt idel stod

husa selest. Wæs seo hwil micel;

XII wintra tid     torn geþolode

wine Scyldinga,     weana gehwelcne,

sidra sorga. Forðam secgum wearð,

150

ylda bearnum,    undyrne cuð,

gyddum geomore,     þætte Grendel wan

hwile wið Hroþgar,     heteniðas wæg,

fyrene ond fæhðe     fela missera,

singale sæce,     sibbe ne wolde

155

wið manna hwone    mægenes Deniga,

feorhbealo feorran,     fea þingian,

ne þær nænig witena     wenan þorfte

beorhtre bote     to banan folmum,

ac se æglæca     ehtende wæs,

160

deorc deaþscua,    duguþe ond geogoþe,

seomade ond syrede,     sinnihte heold

mistige moras;     men ne cunnon

hwyder helrunan     hwyrftum scriþað.

Swa fela fyrena     feond mancynnes,

165

atol angengea,    oft gefremede,

heardra hynða. Heorot eardode,

sincfage sel     sweartum nihtum;

no he þone gifstol     gretan moste,

maþðum for metode,     ne his myne wisse.

170

þæt wæs wræc micel    wine Scyldinga,

modes brecða. Monig oft gesæt

rice to rune;     ræd eahtedon

hwæt swiðferhðum     selest wære

wið færgryrum     to gefremmanne.

175

Hwilum hie geheton    æt hærgtrafum

wigweorþunga,     wordum bædon

þæt him gastbona     geoce gefremede

wið þeodþreaum. Swylc wæs þeaw hyra,

hæþenra hyht;     helle gemundon

180

in modsefan,    metod hie ne cuþon,

dæda demend,     ne wiston hie drihten god,

ne hie huru heofena helm     herian ne cuþon,

wuldres waldend. Wa bið þæm ðe sceal

þurh sliðne nið     sawle bescufan

185

in fyres fæþm,    frofre ne wenan,

wihte gewendan;     wel bið þæm þe mot

æfter deaðdæge     drihten secean

ond to fæder fæþmum     freoðo wilnian.

Swa ða mælceare     maga Healfdenes

190

singala seað,    ne mihte snotor hæleð

wean onwendan;     wæs þæt gewin to swyð,

laþ ond longsum,     þe on ða leode becom,

nydwracu niþgrim,     nihtbealwa mæst.

þæt fram ham gefrægn     Higelaces þegn,

195

god mid Geatum,    Grendles dæda;

se wæs moncynnes     mægenes strengest

on þæm dæge     þysses lifes,

æþele ond eacen. Het him yðlidan

godne gegyrwan,     cwæð, he guðcyning

200

ofer swanrade    secean wolde,

mærne þeoden,     þa him wæs manna þearf.

ðone siðfæt him     snotere ceorlas

lythwon logon,     þeah he him leof wære;

hwetton higerofne,     hæl sceawedon.

205

Hæfde se goda    Geata leoda

cempan gecorone     þara þe he cenoste

findan mihte;     XVna sum

sundwudu sohte;     secg wisade,

lagucræftig mon,     landgemyrcu.

210

Fyrst forð gewat. Flota wæs on yðum,

bat under beorge. Beornas gearwe

on stefn stigon;     streamas wundon,

sund wið sande;     secgas bæron

on bearm nacan     beorhte frætwe,

215

guðsearo geatolic;    guman ut scufon,

weras on wilsið,     wudu bundenne.

Gewat þa ofer wægholm,     winde gefysed,

flota famiheals     fugle gelicost,

oðþæt ymb antid     oþres dogores

220

wundenstefna    gewaden hæfde

þæt ða liðende     land gesawon,

brimclifu blican,     beorgas steape,

side sænæssas;     þa wæs sund liden,

eoletes æt ende. þanon up hraðe

225

Wedera leode    on wang stigon,

sæwudu sældon     (syrcan hrysedon,

guðgewædo),     gode þancedon

þæs þe him yþlade     eaðe wurdon.

þa of wealle geseah     weard Scildinga,

230

se þe holmclifu    healdan scolde,

beran ofer bolcan     beorhte randas,

fyrdsearu fuslicu;     hine fyrwyt bræc

modgehygdum,     hwæt þa men wæron.

Gewat him þa to waroðe     wicge ridan

235

þegn Hroðgares,    þrymmum cwehte

mægenwudu mundum,     meþelwordum frægn:

"Hwæt syndon ge     searohæbbendra,

byrnum werede,     þe þus brontne ceol

ofer lagustræte     lædan cwomon,

240

hider ofer holmas? ...le wæs

endesæta,     ægwearde heold,

þe on land Dena     laðra nænig

mid scipherge     sceðþan ne meahte.

No her cuðlicor     cuman ongunnon

245

lindhæbbende;    ne ge leafnesword

guðfremmendra     gearwe ne wisson,

maga gemedu. Næfre ic maran geseah

eorla ofer eorþan     ðonne is eower sum,

secg on searwum;     nis þæt seldguma,

250

wæpnum geweorðad,    næfne him his wlite leoge,

ænlic ansyn. Nu ic eower sceal

frumcyn witan,     ær ge fyr heonan,

leassceaweras,     on land Dena

furþur feran. Nu ge feorbuend,

255

mereliðende,    minne gehyrað

anfealdne geþoht:     Ofost is selest

to gecyðanne     hwanan eowre cyme syndon."

Him se yldesta     ondswarode,

werodes wisa,     wordhord onleac:

260

"We synt gumcynnes    Geata leode

ond Higelaces     heorðgeneatas.

Wæs min fæder     folcum gecyþed,

æþele ordfruma,     Ecgþeow haten.

Gebad wintra worn,     ær he on weg hwurfe,

265

gamol of geardum;    hine gearwe geman

witena welhwylc     wide geond eorþan.

We þurh holdne hige     hlaford þinne,

sunu Healfdenes,     secean cwomon,

leodgebyrgean;     wes þu us larena god.

270

Habbað we to þæm mæran    micel ærende,

Deniga frean,     ne sceal þær dyrne sum

wesan, þæs ic wene. þu wast (gif hit is

swa we soþlice     secgan hyrdon)

þæt mid Scyldingum     sceaðona ic nat hwylc,

275

deogol dædhata,    deorcum nihtum

eaweð þurh egsan     uncuðne nið,

hynðu ond hrafyl. Ic þæs Hroðgar mæg

þurh rumne sefan     ræd gelæran,

hu he frod ond god     feond oferswyðeþ,

280

gyf him edwendan    æfre scolde

bealuwa bisigu,     bot eft cuman,

ond þa cearwylmas     colran wurðaþ;

oððe a syþðan     earfoðþrage,

þreanyd þolað,     þenden þær wunað

285

on heahstede    husa selest."

Weard maþelode,     ðær on wicge sæt,

ombeht unforht:     "æghwæþres sceal

scearp scyldwiga     gescad witan,

worda ond worca,     se þe wel þenceð.

290

Ic þæt gehyre,    þæt þis is hold weorod

frean Scyldinga. Gewitaþ forð beran

wæpen ond gewædu;     ic eow wisige.

Swylce ic maguþegnas     mine hate

wið feonda gehwone     flotan eowerne,

295

niwtyrwydne    nacan on sande

arum healdan,     oþðæt eft byreð

ofer lagustreamas     leofne mannan

wudu wundenhals     to Wedermearce,

godfremmendra     swylcum gifeþe bið

300

þæt þone hilderæs    hal gedigeð."

Gewiton him þa feran. Flota stille bad,

seomode on sale     sidfæþmed scip,

on ancre fæst. Eoforlic scionon

ofer hleorberan     gehroden golde,

305

fah ond fyrheard;    ferhwearde heold

guþmod grimmon.     Guman onetton,

sigon ætsomne,     oþþæt hy sæl timbred,

geatolic ond goldfah,     ongyton mihton;

þæt wæs foremærost     foldbuendum

310

receda under roderum,    on þæm se rica bad;

lixte se leoma     ofer landa fela.

Him þa hildedeor     hof modigra

torht getæhte,     þæt hie him to mihton

gegnum gangan;     guðbeorna sum

315

wicg gewende,    word æfter cwæð:

"Mæl is me to feran;     fæder alwalda

mid arstafum     eowic gehealde

siða gesunde. Ic to sæ wille

wið wrað werod     wearde healdan."

320

Stræt wæs stanfah,    stig wisode

gumum ætgædere. Guðbyrne scan

heard hondlocen,     hringiren scir

song in searwum,     þa hie to sele furðum

in hyra gryregeatwum     gangan cwomon.

325

Setton sæmeþe    side scyldas,

rondas regnhearde,     wið þæs recedes weal,

bugon þa to bence. Byrnan hringdon,

guðsearo gumena;     garas stodon,

sæmanna searo,     samod ætgædere,

330

æscholt ufan græg;    wæs se irenþreat

wæpnum gewurþad. þa ðær wlonc hæleð

oretmecgas     æfter æþelum frægn:

"Hwanon ferigeað ge     fætte scyldas,

græge syrcan     ond grimhelmas,

335

heresceafta heap? Ic eom Hroðgares

ar ond ombiht. Ne seah ic elþeodige

þus manige men     modiglicran.

Wen ic þæt ge for wlenco,     nalles for wræcsiðum,

ac for higeþrymmum     Hroðgar sohton."

340

Him þa ellenrof    andswarode,

wlanc Wedera leod,     word æfter spræc,

heard under helme:     "We synt Higelaces

beodgeneatas;     Beowulf is min nama.

Wille ic asecgan     sunu Healfdenes,

345

mærum þeodne,    min ærende,

aldre þinum,     gif he us geunnan wile

þæt we hine swa godne     gretan moton."

Wulfgar maþelode     (þæt wæs Wendla leod;

wæs his modsefa     manegum gecyðed,

350

wig ond wisdom):    "Ic þæs wine Deniga,

frean Scildinga,     frinan wille,

beaga bryttan,     swa þu bena eart,

þeoden mærne,     ymb þinne sið,

ond þe þa ondsware     ædre gecyðan

355

ðe me se goda    agifan þenceð."

Hwearf þa hrædlice     þær Hroðgar sæt

eald ond anhar     mid his eorla gedriht;

eode ellenrof,     þæt he for eaxlum gestod

Deniga frean;     cuþe he duguðe þeaw.

360

Wulfgar maðelode    to his winedrihtne:

"Her syndon geferede,     feorran cumene

ofer geofenes begang     Geata leode;

þone yldestan     oretmecgas

Beowulf nemnað. Hy benan synt

365

þæt hie, þeoden min,    wið þe moton

wordum wrixlan. No ðu him wearne geteoh

ðinra gegncwida,     glædman Hroðgar.

Hy on wiggetawum     wyrðe þinceað

eorla geæhtlan;     huru se aldor deah,

370

se þæm heaðorincum    hider wisade."

Hroðgar maþelode,     helm Scyldinga:

"Ic hine cuðe     cnihtwesende.

Wæs his ealdfæder     Ecgþeo haten,

ðæm to ham forgeaf     Hreþel Geata

375

angan dohtor;    is his eafora nu

heard her cumen,     sohte holdne wine.

ðonne sægdon þæt     sæliþende,

þa ðe gifsceattas     Geata fyredon

þyder to þance,     þæt he XXXtiges

380

manna mægencræft    on his mundgripe

heaþorof hæbbe. Hine halig god

for arstafum     us onsende,

to Westdenum,     þæs ic wen hæbbe,

wið Grendles gryre. Ic þæm godan sceal

385

for his modþræce    madmas beodan.

Beo ðu on ofeste,     hat in gan

seon sibbegedriht     samod ætgædere;

gesaga him eac wordum     þæt hie sint wilcuman

Deniga leodum."

390

word inne abead:

"Eow het secgan     sigedrihten min,

aldor Eastdena,     þæt he eower æþelu can,

ond ge him syndon     ofer sæwylmas

heardhicgende     hider wilcuman.

395

Nu ge moton gangan    in eowrum guðgeatawum

under heregriman     Hroðgar geseon;

lætað hildebord     her onbidan,

wudu, wælsceaftas,     worda geþinges."

Aras þa se rica,     ymb hine rinc manig,

400

þryðlic þegna heap;    sume þær bidon,

heaðoreaf heoldon,     swa him se hearda bebead.

Snyredon ætsomne,     þa secg wisode,

under Heorotes hrof

heard under helme,     þæt he on heoðe gestod.

405

Beowulf maðelode    (on him byrne scan,

searonet seowed     smiþes orþancum):

"Wæs þu, Hroðgar, hal!     Ic eom Higelaces

mæg ond magoðegn;     hæbbe ic mærða fela

ongunnen on geogoþe. Me wearð Grendles þing

410

on minre eþeltyrf    undyrne cuð;

secgað sæliðend     þæt þæs sele stande,

reced selesta,     rinca gehwylcum

idel ond unnyt,     siððan æfenleoht

under heofenes hador     beholen weorþeð.

415

þa me þæt gelærdon    leode mine

þa selestan,     snotere ceorlas,

þeoden Hroðgar,     þæt ic þe sohte,

forþan hie mægenes cræft     minne cuþon,

selfe ofersawon,     ða ic of searwum cwom,

420

fah from feondum,    þær ic fife geband,

yðde eotena cyn     ond on yðum slog

niceras nihtes,     nearoþearfe dreah,

wræc Wedera nið     (wean ahsodon),

forgrand gramum,     ond nu wið Grendel sceal,

425

wið þam aglæcan,    ana gehegan

ðing wið þyrse. Ic þe nu ða,

brego Beorhtdena,     biddan wille,

eodor Scyldinga,     anre bene,

þæt ðu me ne forwyrne,     wigendra hleo,

430

freowine folca,    nu ic þus feorran com,

þæt ic mote ana     ond minra eorla gedryht,

þes hearda heap,     Heorot fælsian.

Hæbbe ic eac geahsod     þæt se æglæca

for his wonhydum     wæpna ne recceð.

435

Ic þæt þonne forhicge    (swa me Higelac sie,

min mondrihten,     modes bliðe),

þæt ic sweord bere     oþðe sidne scyld,

geolorand to guþe,     ac ic mid grape sceal

fon wið feonde     ond ymb feorh sacan,

440

lað wið laþum;    ðær gelyfan sceal

dryhtnes dome     se þe hine deað nimeð.

Wen ic þæt he wille,     gif he wealdan mot,

in þæm guðsele     Geotena leode

etan unforhte,     swa he oft dyde,

445

mægen Hreðmanna. Na þu minne þearft

hafalan hydan,     ac he me habban wile

dreore fahne,     gif mec deað nimeð.

Byreð blodig wæl,     byrgean þenceð,

eteð angenga     unmurnlice,

450

mearcað morhopu;    no ðu ymb mines ne þearft

lices feorme     leng sorgian.

Onsend Higelace,     gif mec hild nime,

beaduscruda betst,     þæt mine breost wereð,

hrægla selest;     þæt is Hrædlan laf,

455

Welandes geweorc. Gæð a wyrd swa hio scel."

Hroðgar maþelode,     helm Scyldinga:

"For gewyrhtum þu,     wine min Beowulf,

ond for arstafum     usic sohtest.

Gesloh þin fæder     fæhðe mæste;

460

wearþ he Heaþolafe    to handbonan

mid Wilfingum;     ða hine Wedera cyn

for herebrogan     habban ne mihte.

þanon he gesohte     Suðdena folc

ofer yða gewealc,     Arscyldinga.

465

ða ic furþum weold    folce Deniga

ond on geogoðe heold     ginne rice,

hordburh hæleþa;     ða wæs Heregar dead,

min yldra mæg     unlifigende,

bearn Healfdenes;     se wæs betera ðonne ic.

470

Siððan þa fæhðe    feo þingode;

sende ic Wylfingum     ofer wæteres hrycg

ealde madmas;     he me aþas swor.

Sorh is me to secganne     on sefan minum

gumena ængum     hwæt me Grendel hafað

475

hynðo on Heorote    mid his heteþancum,

færniða gefremed. Is min fletwerod,

wigheap gewanod;     hie wyrd forsweop

on Grendles gryre. God eaþe mæg

þone dolsceaðan     dæda getwæfan.

480

Ful oft gebeotedon    beore druncne

ofer ealowæge     oretmecgas

þæt hie in beorsele     bidan woldon

Grendles guþe     mid gryrum ecga.

ðonne wæs þeos medoheal     on morgentid,

485

drihtsele dreorfah,    þonne dæg lixte,

eal bencþelu     blode bestymed,

heall heorudreore;     ahte ic holdra þy læs,

deorre duguðe,     þe þa deað fornam.

Site nu to symle     ond onsæl meoto,

490

sigehreð secgum,    swa þin sefa hwette."

þa wæs Geatmæcgum     geador ætsomne

on beorsele     benc gerymed;

þær swiðferhþe     sittan eodon,

þryðum dealle. þegn nytte beheold,

495

se þe on handa bær    hroden ealowæge,

scencte scir wered. Scop hwilum sang

hador on Heorote. þær wæs hæleða dream,

duguð unlytel     Dena ond Wedera.

Unferð maþelode,     Ecglafes bearn,

500

þe æt fotum sæt    frean Scyldinga,

onband beadurune     (wæs him Beowulfes sið,

modges merefaran,     micel æfþunca,

forþon þe he ne uþe     þæt ænig oðer man

æfre mærða þon ma     middangeardes

505

gehedde under heofenum    þonne he sylfa):

"Eart þu se Beowulf,     se þe wið Brecan wunne,

on sidne sæ     ymb sund flite,

ðær git for wlence     wada cunnedon

ond for dolgilpe     on deop wæter

510

aldrum neþdon? Ne inc ænig mon,

ne leof ne lað,     belean mihte

sorhfullne sið,     þa git on sund reon.

þær git eagorstream     earmum þehton,

mæton merestræta,     mundum brugdon,

515

glidon ofer garsecg;    geofon yþum weol,

wintrys wylmum.     Git on wæteres æht

seofon niht swuncon;     he þe æt sunde oferflat,

hæfde mare mægen. þa hine on morgentid

on Heaþoræmas     holm up ætbær;

520

ðonon he gesohte    swæsne %%OE%%,

leof his leodum,     lond Brondinga,

freoðoburh fægere,     þær he folc ahte,

burh ond beagas. Beot eal wið þe

sunu Beanstanes     soðe gelæste.

525

ðonne wene ic to þe    wyrsan geþingea,

ðeah þu heaðoræsa     gehwær dohte,

grimre guðe,     gif þu Grendles dearst

nihtlongne fyrst     nean bidan."

Beowulf maþelode,     bearn Ecgþeowes:

530

"Hwæt! þu worn fela,    wine min Unferð,

beore druncen     ymb Brecan spræce,

sægdest from his siðe. Soð ic talige,

þæt ic merestrengo     maran ahte,

earfeþo on yþum,     ðonne ænig oþer man.

535

Wit þæt gecwædon    cnihtwesende

ond gebeotedon     (wæron begen þa git

on geogoðfeore)     þæt wit on garsecg ut

aldrum neðdon,     ond þæt geæfndon swa.

Hæfdon swurd nacod,     þa wit on sund reon,

540

heard on handa;    wit unc wið hronfixas

werian þohton. No he wiht fram me

flodyþum feor     fleotan meahte,

hraþor on holme;     no ic fram him wolde.

ða wit ætsomne     on sæ wæron

545

fif nihta fyrst,    oþþæt unc flod todraf,

wado weallende,     wedera cealdost,

nipende niht,     ond norþanwind

heaðogrim ondhwearf;     hreo wæron yþa.

Wæs merefixa     mod onhrered;

550

þær me wið laðum    licsyrce min,

heard, hondlocen,     helpe gefremede,

beadohrægl broden     on breostum læg

golde gegyrwed. Me to grunde teah

fah feondscaða,     fæste hæfde

555

grim on grape;    hwæþre me gyfeþe wearð

þæt ic aglæcan     orde geræhte,

hildebille;     heaþoræs fornam

mihtig meredeor     þurh mine hand.

Swa mec gelome     laðgeteonan

560

þreatedon þearle. Ic him þenode

deoran sweorde,     swa hit gedefe wæs.

Næs hie ðære fylle     gefean hæfdon,

manfordædlan,     þæt hie me þegon,

symbel ymbsæton     sægrunde neah;

565

ac on mergenne    mecum wunde

be yðlafe     uppe lægon,

sweordum aswefede,     þæt syðþan na

ymb brontne ford     brimliðende

lade ne letton. Leoht eastan com,

570

beorht beacen godes;    brimu swaþredon,

þæt ic sænæssas     geseon mihte,

windige weallas. Wyrd oft nereð

unfægne eorl,     þonne his ellen deah.

Hwæþere me gesælde     þæt ic mid sweorde ofsloh

575

niceras nigene. No ic on niht gefrægn

under heofones hwealf     heardran feohtan,

ne on egstreamum     earmran mannon;

hwaþere ic fara feng     feore gedigde,

siþes werig. ða mec sæ oþbær,

580

flod æfter faroðe    on Finna land,

wadu weallendu. No ic wiht fram þe

swylcra searoniða     secgan hyrde,

billa brogan. Breca næfre git

æt heaðolace,     ne gehwæþer incer,

585

swa deorlice    dæd gefremede

fagum sweordum     (no ic þæs fela gylpe),

þeah ðu þinum broðrum     to banan wurde,

heafodmægum;     þæs þu in helle scealt

werhðo dreogan,     þeah þin wit duge.

590

Secge ic þe to soðe,    sunu Ecglafes,

þæt næfre Grendel swa fela     gryra gefremede,

atol æglæca,     ealdre þinum,

hynðo on Heorote,     gif þin hige wære,

sefa swa searogrim,     swa þu self talast.

595

Ac he hafað onfunden    þæt he þa fæhðe ne þearf,

atole ecgþræce     eower leode

swiðe onsittan,     Sigescyldinga;

nymeð nydbade,     nænegum arað

leode Deniga,     ac he lust wigeð,

600

swefeð ond sendeþ,    secce ne weneþ

to Gardenum. Ac ic him Geata sceal

eafoð ond ellen     ungeara nu,

guþe gebeodan. Gæþ eft se þe mot

to medo modig,     siþþan morgenleoht

605

ofer ylda bearn    oþres dogores,

sunne sweglwered     suþan scineð."

þa wæs on salum     sinces brytta,

gamolfeax ond guðrof;     geoce gelyfde

brego Beorhtdena,     gehyrde on Beowulfe

610

folces hyrde    fæstrædne geþoht.

ðær wæs hæleþa hleahtor,     hlyn swynsode,

word wæron wynsume. Eode Wealhþeow forð,

cwen Hroðgares,     cynna gemyndig,

grette goldhroden     guman on healle,

615

ond þa freolic wif    ful gesealde

ærest Eastdena     eþelwearde,

bæd hine bliðne     æt þære beorþege,

leodum leofne. He on lust geþeah

symbel ond seleful,     sigerof kyning.

620

Ymbeode þa    ides Helminga

duguþe ond geogoþe     dæl æghwylcne,

sincfato sealde,     oþþæt sæl alamp

þæt hio Beowulfe,     beaghroden cwen

mode geþungen,     medoful ætbær;

625

grette Geata leod,    gode þancode

wisfæst wordum     þæs ðe hire se willa gelamp

þæt heo on ænigne     eorl gelyfde

fyrena frofre. He þæt ful geþeah,

wælreow wiga,     æt Wealhþeon,

630

ond þa gyddode    guþe gefysed;

Beowulf maþelode,     bearn Ecgþeowes:

"Ic þæt hogode,     þa ic on holm gestah,

sæbat gesæt     mid minra secga gedriht,

þæt ic anunga     eowra leoda

635

willan geworhte    oþðe on wæl crunge,

feondgrapum fæst. Ic gefremman sceal

eorlic ellen,     oþðe endedæg

on þisse meoduhealle     minne gebidan."

ðam wife þa word     wel licodon,

640

gilpcwide Geates;    eode goldhroden

freolicu folccwen     to hire frean sittan.

þa wæs eft swa ær     inne on healle

þryðword sprecen,     ðeod on sælum,

sigefolca sweg,     oþþæt semninga

645

sunu Healfdenes    secean wolde

æfenræste;     wiste þæm ahlæcan

to þæm heahsele     hilde geþinged,

siððan hie sunnan leoht     geseon ne meahton,

oþðe nipende     niht ofer ealle,

650

scaduhelma gesceapu    scriðan cwoman,

wan under wolcnum. Werod eall aras.

Gegrette þa     guma oþerne,

Hroðgar Beowulf,     ond him hæl abead,

winærnes geweald,     ond þæt word acwæð:

655

"Næfre ic ænegum men    ær alyfde,

siþðan ic hond ond rond     hebban mihte,

ðryþærn Dena     buton þe nu ða.

Hafa nu ond geheald     husa selest,

gemyne mærþo,     mægenellen cyð,

660

waca wið wraþum. Ne bið þe wilna gad,

gif þu þæt ellenweorc     aldre gedigest."

ða him Hroþgar gewat     mid his hæleþa gedryht,

eodur Scyldinga,     ut of healle;

wolde wigfruma     Wealhþeo secan,

665

cwen to gebeddan. Hæfde kyningwuldor

Grendle togeanes,     swa guman gefrungon,

seleweard aseted;     sundornytte beheold

ymb aldor Dena,     eotonweard abead.

Huru Geata leod     georne truwode

670

modgan mægnes,    metodes hyldo.

ða he him of dyde     isernbyrnan,

helm of hafelan,     sealde his hyrsted sweord,

irena cyst,     ombihtþegne,

ond gehealdan het     hildegeatwe.

675

Gespræc þa se goda    gylpworda sum,

Beowulf Geata,     ær he on bed stige:

"No ic me an herewæsmun     hnagran talige,

guþgeweorca,     þonne Grendel hine;

forþan ic hine sweorde     swebban nelle,

680

aldre beneotan,    þeah ic eal mæge.

Nat he þara goda     þæt he me ongean slea,

rand geheawe,     þeah ðe he rof sie

niþgeweorca;     ac wit on niht sculon

secge ofersittan,     gif he gesecean dear

685

wig ofer wæpen,    ond siþðan witig god

on swa hwæþere hond,     halig dryhten,

mærðo deme,     swa him gemet þince."

Hylde hine þa heaþodeor,     hleorbolster onfeng

eorles andwlitan,     ond hine ymb monig

690

snellic særinc    selereste gebeah.

Nænig heora þohte     þæt he þanon scolde

eft eardlufan     æfre gesecean,

folc oþðe freoburh,     þær he afeded wæs;

ac hie hæfdon gefrunen     þæt hie ær to fela micles

695

in þæm winsele    wældeað fornam,

Denigea leode. Ac him dryhten forgeaf

wigspeda gewiofu,     Wedera leodum,

frofor ond fultum,     þæt hie feond heora

ðurh anes cræft     ealle ofercomon,

700

selfes mihtum. Soð is gecyþed

þæt mihtig god     manna cynnes

weold wideferhð.     Com on wanre niht

scriðan sceadugenga. Sceotend swæfon,

þa þæt hornreced     healdan scoldon,

705

ealle buton anum. þæt wæs yldum cuþ

þæt hie ne moste,     þa metod nolde,

se scynscaþa     under sceadu bregdan;

ac he wæccende     wraþum on andan

bad bolgenmod     beadwa geþinges.

710

ða com of more    under misthleoþum

Grendel gongan,     godes yrre bær;

mynte se manscaða     manna cynnes

sumne besyrwan     in sele þam hean.

Wod under wolcnum     to þæs þe he winreced,

715

goldsele gumena,    gearwost wisse,

fættum fahne. Ne wæs þæt forma sið

þæt he Hroþgares     ham gesohte;

næfre he on aldordagum     ær ne siþðan

heardran hæle,     healðegnas fand.

720

Com þa to recede    rinc siðian,

dreamum bedæled. Duru sona onarn,

fyrbendum fæst,     syþðan he hire folmum æthran;

onbræd þa bealohydig,     ða he gebolgen wæs,

recedes muþan. Raþe æfter þon

725

on fagne flor    feond treddode,

eode yrremod;     him of eagum stod

ligge gelicost     leoht unfæger.

Geseah he in recede     rinca manige,

swefan sibbegedriht     samod ætgædere,

730

magorinca heap. þa his mod ahlog;

mynte þæt he gedælde,     ærþon dæg cwome,

atol aglæca,     anra gehwylces

lif wið lice,     þa him alumpen wæs

wistfylle wen. Ne wæs þæt wyrd þa gen

735

þæt he ma moste    manna cynnes

ðicgean ofer þa niht. þryðswyð beheold

mæg Higelaces,     hu se manscaða

under færgripum     gefaran wolde.

Ne þæt se aglæca     yldan þohte,

740

ac he gefeng hraðe    forman siðe

slæpendne rinc,     slat unwearnum,

bat banlocan,     blod edrum dranc,

synsnædum swealh;     sona hæfde

unlyfigendes     eal gefeormod,

745

fet ond folma. Forð near ætstop,

nam þa mid handa     higeþihtigne

rinc on ræste,     ræhte ongean

feond mid folme;     he onfeng hraþe

inwitþancum     ond wið earm gesæt.

750

Sona þæt onfunde    fyrena hyrde

þæt he ne mette     middangeardes,

eorþan sceata,     on elran men

mundgripe maran. He on mode wearð

forht on ferhðe;     no þy ær fram meahte.

755

Hyge wæs him hinfus,    wolde on heolster fleon,

secan deofla gedræg;     ne wæs his drohtoð þær

swylce he on ealderdagum     ær gemette.

Gemunde þa se goda,     mæg Higelaces,

æfenspræce,     uplang astod

760

ond him fæste wiðfeng;    fingras burston.

Eoten wæs utweard;     eorl furþur stop.

Mynte se mæra,     þær he meahte swa,

widre gewindan     ond on weg þanon

fleon on fenhopu;     wiste his fingra geweald

765

on grames grapum. þæt wæs geocor sið

þæt se hearmscaþa     to Heorute ateah.

Dryhtsele dynede;     Denum eallum wearð,

ceasterbuendum,     cenra gehwylcum,

eorlum ealuscerwen. Yrre wæron begen,

770

reþe renweardas. Reced hlynsode.

þa wæs wundor micel     þæt se winsele

wiðhæfde heaþodeorum,     þæt he on hrusan ne feol,

fæger foldbold;     ac he þæs fæste wæs

innan ond utan     irenbendum

775

searoþoncum besmiþod. þær fram sylle abeag

medubenc monig,     mine gefræge,

golde geregnad,     þær þa graman wunnon.

þæs ne wendon ær     witan Scyldinga

þæt hit a mid gemete     manna ænig,

780

betlic ond banfag,    tobrecan meahte,

listum tolucan,     nymþe liges fæþm

swulge on swaþule. Sweg up astag

niwe geneahhe;     Norðdenum stod

atelic egesa,     anra gehwylcum

785

þara þe of wealle    wop gehyrdon,

gryreleoð galan     godes ondsacan,

sigeleasne sang,     sar wanigean

helle hæfton. Heold hine fæste

se þe manna wæs     mægene strengest

790

on þæm dæge    þysses lifes.

Nolde eorla hleo     ænige þinga

þone cwealmcuman     cwicne forlætan,

ne his lifdagas     leoda ænigum

nytte tealde. þær genehost brægd

795

eorl Beowulfes    ealde lafe,

wolde freadrihtnes     feorh ealgian,

mæres þeodnes,     ðær hie meahton swa.

Hie þæt ne wiston,     þa hie gewin drugon,

heardhicgende     hildemecgas,

800

ond on healfa gehwone    heawan þohton,

sawle secan,     þone synscaðan

ænig ofer eorþan     irenna cyst,

guðbilla nan,     gretan nolde,

ac he sigewæpnum     forsworen hæfde,

805

ecga gehwylcre. Scolde his aldorgedal

on ðæm dæge     þysses lifes

earmlic wurðan,     ond se ellorgast

on feonda geweald     feor siðian.

ða þæt onfunde     se þe fela æror

810

modes myrðe    manna cynne,

fyrene gefremede     (he wæs fag wið god),

þæt him se lichoma     læstan nolde,

ac hine se modega     mæg Hygelaces

hæfde be honda;     wæs gehwæþer oðrum

815

lifigende lað. Licsar gebad

atol æglæca;     him on eaxle wearð

syndolh sweotol,     seonowe onsprungon,

burston banlocan. Beowulfe wearð

guðhreð gyfeþe;     scolde Grendel þonan

820

feorhseoc fleon    under fenhleoðu,

secean wynleas wic;     wiste þe geornor

þæt his aldres wæs     ende gegongen,

dogera dægrim. Denum eallum wearð

æfter þam wælræse     willa gelumpen.

825

Hæfde þa gefælsod    se þe ær feorran com,

snotor ond swyðferhð,     sele Hroðgares,

genered wið niðe;     nihtweorce gefeh,

ellenmærþum. Hæfde Eastdenum

Geatmecga leod     gilp gelæsted,

830

swylce oncyþðe    ealle gebette,

inwidsorge,     þe hie ær drugon

ond for þreanydum     þolian scoldon,

torn unlytel. þæt wæs tacen sweotol,

syþðan hildedeor     hond alegde,

835

earm ond eaxle    (þær wæs eal geador

Grendles grape)     under geapne hrof.

ða wæs on morgen     mine gefræge

ymb þa gifhealle     guðrinc monig;

ferdon folctogan     feorran ond nean

840

geond widwegas    wundor sceawian,

laþes lastas. No his lifgedal

sarlic þuhte     secga ænegum

þara þe tirleases     trode sceawode,

hu he werigmod     on weg þanon,

845

niða ofercumen,    on nicera mere

fæge ond geflymed     feorhlastas bær.

ðær wæs on blode     brim weallende,

atol yða geswing     eal gemenged

haton heolfre,     heorodreore weol.

850

Deaðfæge deog,    siððan dreama leas

in fenfreoðo     feorh alegde,

hæþene sawle;     þær him hel onfeng.

þanon eft gewiton     ealdgesiðas,

swylce geong manig     of gomenwaþe

855

fram mere modge    mearum ridan,

beornas on blancum. ðær wæs Beowulfes

mærðo mæned;     monig oft gecwæð

þætte suð ne norð     be sæm tweonum

ofer eormengrund     oþer nænig

860

under swegles begong    selra nære

rondhæbbendra,     rices wyrðra.

Ne hie huru winedrihten     wiht ne logon,

glædne Hroðgar,     ac þæt wæs god cyning.

Hwilum heaþorofe     hleapan leton,

865

on geflit faran    fealwe mearas

ðær him foldwegas     fægere þuhton,

cystum cuðe. Hwilum cyninges þegn,

guma gilphlæden,     gidda gemyndig,

se ðe ealfela     ealdgesegena

870

worn gemunde,    word oþer fand

soðe gebunden;     secg eft ongan

sið Beowulfes     snyttrum styrian

ond on sped wrecan     spel gerade,

wordum wrixlan. Welhwylc gecwæð

875

þæt he fram Sigemundes    secgan hyrde

ellendædum,     uncuþes fela,

Wælsinges gewin,     wide siðas,

þara þe gumena bearn     gearwe ne wiston,

fæhðe ond fyrena,     buton Fitela mid hine,

880

þonne he swulces hwæt    secgan wolde,

eam his nefan,     swa hie a wæron

æt niða gehwam     nydgesteallan;

hæfdon ealfela     eotena cynnes

sweordum gesæged. Sigemunde gesprong

885

æfter deaðdæge    dom unlytel,

syþðan wiges heard     wyrm acwealde,

hordes hyrde. He under harne stan,

æþelinges bearn,     ana geneðde

frecne dæde,     ne wæs him Fitela mid.

890

Hwæþre him gesælde    ðæt þæt swurd þurhwod

wrætlicne wyrm,     þæt hit on wealle ætstod,

dryhtlic iren;     draca morðre swealt.

Hæfde aglæca     elne gegongen

þæt he beahhordes     brucan moste

895

selfes dome;    sæbat gehleod,

bær on bearm scipes     beorhte frætwa,

Wælses eafera. Wyrm hat gemealt.

Se wæs wreccena     wide mærost

ofer werþeode,     wigendra hleo,

900

ellendædum    (he þæs ær onðah),

siððan Heremodes     hild sweðrode,

eafoð ond ellen. He mid Eotenum wearð

on feonda geweald     forð forlacen,

snude forsended. Hine sorhwylmas

905

lemede to lange;    he his leodum wearð,

eallum æþellingum     to aldorceare;

swylce oft bemearn     ærran mælum

swiðferhþes sið     snotor ceorl monig,

se þe him bealwa to     bote gelyfde,

910

þæt þæt ðeodnes bearn    geþeon scolde,

fæderæþelum onfon,     folc gehealdan,

hord ond hleoburh,     hæleþa rice,

%%OE%% Scyldinga. He þær eallum wearð,

mæg Higelaces,     manna cynne,

915

freondum gefægra;    hine fyren onwod.

Hwilum flitende     fealwe stræte

mearum mæton. ða wæs morgenleoht

scofen ond scynded. Eode scealc monig

swiðhicgende     to sele þam hean

920

searowundor seon;    swylce self cyning

of brydbure,     beahhorda weard,

tryddode tirfæst     getrume micle,

cystum gecyþed,     ond his cwen mid him

medostigge mæt     mægþa hose.

925

Hroðgar maþelode    (he to healle geong,

stod on stapole,     geseah steapne hrof,

golde fahne,     ond Grendles hond):

"ðisse ansyne     alwealdan þanc

lungre gelimpe! Fela ic laþes gebad,

930

grynna æt Grendle;    a mæg god wyrcan

wunder æfter wundre,     wuldres hyrde.

ðæt wæs ungeara     þæt ic ænigra me

weana ne wende     to widan feore

bote gebidan,     þonne blode fah

935

husa selest    heorodreorig stod,

wea widscofen     witena gehwylcum

ðara þe ne wendon     þæt hie wideferhð

leoda landgeweorc     laþum beweredon

scuccum ond scinnum. Nu scealc hafað

940

þurh drihtnes miht    dæd gefremede

ðe we ealle     ær ne meahton

snyttrum besyrwan. Hwæt, þæt secgan mæg

efne swa hwylc mægþa     swa ðone magan cende

æfter gumcynnum,     gyf heo gyt lyfað,

945

þæt hyre ealdmetod    este wære

bearngebyrdo. Nu ic, Beowulf, þec,

secg betsta,     me for sunu wylle

freogan on ferhþe;     heald forð tela

niwe sibbe. Ne bið þe nænigra gad

950

worolde wilna,    þe ic geweald hæbbe.

Ful oft ic for læssan     lean teohhode,

hordweorþunge     hnahran rince,

sæmran æt sæcce. þu þe self hafast

dædum gefremed     þæt þin dom lyfað

955

awa to aldre. Alwalda þec

gode forgylde,     swa he nu gyt dyde!"

Beowulf maþelode,     bearn Ecþeowes:

"We þæt ellenweorc     estum miclum,

feohtan fremedon,     frecne geneðdon

960

eafoð uncuþes. Uþe ic swiþor

þæt ðu hine selfne     geseon moste,

feond on frætewum     fylwerigne.

Ic hine hrædlice     heardan clammum

on wælbedde     wriþan þohte,

965

þæt he for mundgripe    minum scolde

licgean lifbysig,     butan his lic swice.

Ic hine ne mihte,     þa metod nolde,

ganges getwæman,     no ic him þæs georne ætfealh,

feorhgeniðlan;     wæs to foremihtig

970

feond on feþe. Hwæþere he his folme forlet

to lifwraþe     last weardian,

earm ond eaxle. No þær ænige swa þeah

feasceaft guma     frofre gebohte;

no þy leng leofað     laðgeteona,

975

synnum geswenced,    ac hyne sar hafað

mid nydgripe     nearwe befongen,

balwon bendum. ðær abidan sceal

maga mane fah     miclan domes,

hu him scir metod     scrifan wille."

980

ða wæs swigra secg,    sunu Eclafes,

on gylpspræce     guðgeweorca,

siþðan æþelingas     eorles cræfte

ofer heanne hrof     hand sceawedon,

feondes fingras. Foran æghwylc wæs,

985

stiðra nægla gehwylc,    style gelicost,

hæþenes handsporu     hilderinces,

egl, unheoru. æghwylc gecwæð

þæt him heardra nan     hrinan wolde

iren ærgod,     þæt ðæs ahlæcan

990

blodge beadufolme    onberan wolde.

ða wæs haten hreþe     Heort innanweard

folmum gefrætwod. Fela þæra wæs,

wera ond wifa,     þe þæt winreced,

gestsele gyredon. Goldfag scinon

995

web æfter wagum,    wundorsiona fela

secga gehwylcum     þara þe on swylc starað.

Wæs þæt beorhte bold     tobrocen swiðe,

eal inneweard     irenbendum fæst,

heorras tohlidene. Hrof ana genæs,

1000

ealles ansund,    þe se aglæca,

fyrendædum fag,     on fleam gewand,

aldres orwena. No þæt yðe byð

to befleonne,     fremme se þe wille,

ac gesecan sceal     sawlberendra,

1005

nyde genydde,    niþða bearna,

grundbuendra     gearwe stowe,

þær his lichoma     legerbedde fæst

swefeþ æfter symle. þa wæs sæl ond mæl

þæt to healle gang     Healfdenes sunu;

1010

wolde self cyning    symbel þicgan.

Ne gefrægen ic þa mægþe     maran weorode

ymb hyra sincgyfan     sel gebæran.

Bugon þa to bence     blædagande,

fylle gefægon;     fægere geþægon

1015

medoful manig    magas þara

swiðhicgende     on sele þam hean,

Hroðgar ond Hroþulf. Heorot innan wæs

freondum afylled;     nalles facenstafas

þeodscyldingas     þenden fremedon.

1020

Forgeaf þa Beowulfe    bearn Healfdenes

segen gyldenne     sigores to leane;

hroden hildecumbor,     helm ond byrnan,

mære maðþumsweord     manige gesawon

beforan beorn beran. Beowulf geþah

1025

ful on flette;    no he þære feohgyfte

for sceotendum     scamigan ðorfte.

Ne gefrægn ic freondlicor     feower madmas

golde gegyrede     gummanna fela

in ealobence     oðrum gesellan.

1030

Ymb þæs helmes hrof    heafodbeorge

wirum bewunden     walu utan heold,

þæt him fela laf     frecne ne meahton

scurheard sceþðan,     þonne scyldfreca

ongean gramum     gangan scolde.

1035

Heht ða eorla hleo    eahta mearas

fætedhleore     on flet teon,

in under eoderas. þara anum stod

sadol searwum fah,     since gewurþad;

þæt wæs hildesetl     heahcyninges,

1040

ðonne sweorda gelac    sunu Healfdenes

efnan wolde. Næfre on ore læg

widcuþes wig,     ðonne walu feollon.

Ond ða Beowulfe     bega gehwæþres

eodor Ingwina     onweald geteah,

1045

wicga ond wæpna,    het hine wel brucan.

Swa manlice     mære þeoden,

hordweard hæleþa,     heaþoræsas geald

mearum ond madmum,     swa hy næfre man lyhð,

se þe secgan wile     soð æfter rihte.

1050

ða gyt æghwylcum    eorla drihten

þara þe mid Beowulfe     brimlade teah

on þære medubence     maþðum gesealde,

yrfelafe,     ond þone ænne heht

golde forgyldan,     þone ðe Grendel ær

1055

mane acwealde,    swa he hyra ma wolde,

nefne him witig god     wyrd forstode

ond ðæs mannes mod. Metod eallum weold

gumena cynnes,     swa he nu git deð.

Forþan bið andgit     æghwær selest,

1060

ferhðes foreþanc. Fela sceal gebidan

leofes ond laþes     se þe longe her

on ðyssum windagum     worolde bruceð.

þær wæs sang ond sweg     samod ætgædere

fore Healfdenes     hildewisan,

1065

gomenwudu greted,    gid oft wrecen,

ðonne healgamen     Hroþgares scop

æfter medobence     mænan scolde

be Finnes eaferum,     ða hie se fær begeat,

hæleð Healfdena,     Hnæf Scyldinga,

1070

in Freswæle    feallan scolde.

Ne huru Hildeburh     herian þorfte

Eotena treowe;     unsynnum wearð

beloren leofum     æt þam lindplegan,

bearnum ond broðrum;     hie on gebyrd hruron,

1075

gare wunde. þæt wæs geomuru ides!

Nalles holinga     Hoces dohtor

meotodsceaft bemearn,     syþðan morgen com,

ða heo under swegle     geseon meahte

morþorbealo maga,     þær heo ær mæste heold

1080

worolde wynne. Wig ealle fornam

Finnes þegnas     nemne feaum anum,

þæt he ne mehte     on þæm meðelstede

wig Hengeste     wiht gefeohtan,

ne þa wealafe     wige forþringan

1085

þeodnes ðegna;    ac hig him geþingo budon,

þæt hie him oðer flet     eal gerymdon,

healle ond heahsetl,     þæt hie healfre geweald

wið Eotena bearn     agan moston,

ond æt feohgyftum     Folcwaldan sunu

1090

dogra gehwylce    Dene weorþode,

Hengestes heap     hringum wenede

efne swa swiðe     sincgestreonum

fættan goldes,     swa he Fresena cyn

on beorsele     byldan wolde.

1095

ða hie getruwedon    on twa healfa

fæste frioðuwære. Fin Hengeste

elne, unflitme     aðum benemde

þæt he þa wealafe     weotena dome

arum heolde,     þæt ðær ænig mon

1100

wordum ne worcum    wære ne bræce,

ne þurh inwitsearo     æfre gemænden

ðeah hie hira beaggyfan     banan folgedon

ðeodenlease,     þa him swa geþearfod wæs;

gyf þonne Frysna hwylc     frecnan spræce

1105

ðæs morþorhetes    myndgiend wære,

þonne hit sweordes ecg     seðan scolde.

Ad wæs geæfned     ond icge gold

ahæfen of horde. Herescyldinga

betst beadorinca     wæs on bæl gearu.

1110

æt þæm ade wæs    eþgesyne

swatfah syrce,     swyn ealgylden,

eofer irenheard,     æþeling manig

wundum awyrded;     sume on wæle crungon.

Het ða Hildeburh     æt Hnæfes ade

1115

hire selfre sunu    sweoloðe befæstan,

banfatu bærnan     ond on bæl don

eame on eaxle. Ides gnornode,

geomrode giddum. Guðrinc astah.

Wand to wolcnum     wælfyra mæst,

1120

hlynode for hlawe;    hafelan multon,

bengeato burston,     ðonne blod ætspranc,

laðbite lices. Lig ealle forswealg,

gæsta gifrost,     þara ðe þær guð fornam

bega folces;     wæs hira blæd scacen.

1125

Gewiton him ða wigend    wica neosian,

freondum befeallen,     Frysland geseon,

hamas ond heaburh. Hengest ða gyt

wælfagne winter     wunode mid Finne

eal unhlitme. Eard gemunde,

1130

þeah þe he ne meahte    on mere drifan

hringedstefnan;     holm storme weol,

won wið winde,     winter yþe beleac

isgebinde,     oþðæt oþer com

gear in geardas,     swa nu gyt deð,

1135

þa ðe syngales    sele bewitiað,

wuldortorhtan weder. ða wæs winter scacen,

fæger foldan bearm. Fundode wrecca,

gist of geardum;     he to gyrnwræce

swiðor þohte     þonne to sælade,

1140

gif he torngemot    þurhteon mihte

þæt he Eotena bearn     inne gemunde.

Swa he ne forwyrnde     woroldrædenne,

þonne him Hunlafing     hildeleoman,

billa selest,     on bearm dyde,

1145

þæs wæron mid Eotenum    ecge cuðe.

Swylce ferhðfrecan     Fin eft begeat

sweordbealo sliðen     æt his selfes ham,

siþðan grimne gripe     Guðlaf ond Oslaf

æfter sæsiðe,     sorge, mændon,

1150

ætwiton weana dæl;    ne meahte wæfre mod

forhabban in hreþre. ða wæs heal roden

feonda feorum,     swilce Fin slægen,

cyning on corþre,     ond seo cwen numen.

Sceotend Scyldinga     to scypon feredon

1155

eal ingesteald    eorðcyninges,

swylce hie æt Finnes ham     findan meahton

sigla, searogimma. Hie on sælade

drihtlice wif     to Denum feredon,

læddon to leodum. Leoð wæs asungen,

1160

gleomannes gyd. Gamen eft astah,

beorhtode bencsweg;     byrelas sealdon

win of wunderfatum. þa cwom Wealhþeo forð

gan under gyldnum beage,     þær þa godan twegen

sæton suhtergefæderan;     þa gyt wæs hiera sib ætgædere,

1165

æghwylc oðrum trywe. Swylce þær Unferþ þyle

æt fotum sæt frean Scyldinga;     gehwylc hiora his ferhþe treowde,

þæt he hæfde mod micel,     þeah þe he his magum nære

arfæst æt ecga gelacum. Spræc ða ides Scyldinga:

"Onfoh þissum fulle,     freodrihten min,

1170

sinces brytta! þu on sælum wes,

goldwine gumena,     ond to Geatum spræc

mildum wordum,     swa sceal man don.

Beo wið Geatas glæd,     geofena gemyndig,

nean ond feorran     þu nu hafast.

1175

Me man sægde    þæt þu ðe for sunu wolde

hererinc habban. Heorot is gefælsod,

beahsele beorhta;     bruc þenden þu mote

manigra medo,     ond þinum magum læf

folc ond rice,     þonne ðu forð scyle

1180

metodsceaft seon. Ic minne can

glædne Hroþulf,     þæt he þa geogoðe wile

arum healdan,     gyf þu ær þonne he,

wine Scildinga,     worold oflætest;

wene ic þæt he mid gode     gyldan wille

1185

uncran eaferan,    gif he þæt eal gemon,

hwæt wit to willan     ond to worðmyndum

umborwesendum ær     arna gefremedon."

Hwearf þa bi bence     þær hyre byre wæron,

Hreðric ond Hroðmund,     ond hæleþa bearn,

1190

giogoð ætgædere;    þær se goda sæt,

Beowulf Geata,     be þæm gebroðrum twæm.

Him wæs ful boren     ond freondlaþu

wordum bewægned,     ond wunden gold

estum geeawed,     earmreade twa,

1195

hrægl ond hringas,    healsbeaga mæst

þara þe ic on foldan     gefrægen hæbbe.

Nænigne ic under swegle     selran hyrde

hordmaððum hæleþa,     syþðan Hama ætwæg

to þære byrhtan byrig     Brosinga mene,

1200

sigle ond sincfæt;    searoniðas fleah

Eormenrices,     geceas ecne ræd.

þone hring hæfde     Higelac Geata,

nefa Swertinges,     nyhstan siðe,

siðþan he under segne     sinc ealgode,

1205

wælreaf werede;    hyne wyrd fornam,

syþðan he for wlenco     wean ahsode,

fæhðe to Frysum. He þa frætwe wæg,

eorclanstanas     ofer yða ful,

rice þeoden;     he under rande gecranc.

1210

Gehwearf þa in Francna fæþm    feorh cyninges,

breostgewædu     ond se beah somod;

wyrsan wigfrecan     wæl reafedon

æfter guðsceare,     Geata leode,

hreawic heoldon. Heal swege onfeng.

1215

Wealhðeo maþelode,    heo fore þæm werede spræc:

"Bruc ðisses beages,     Beowulf leofa,

hyse, mid hæle,     ond þisses hrægles neot,

þeodgestreona,     ond geþeoh tela,

cen þec mid cræfte     ond þyssum cnyhtum wes

1220

lara liðe;    ic þe þæs lean geman.

Hafast þu gefered     þæt ðe feor ond neah

ealne wideferhþ     weras ehtigað,

efne swa side     swa sæ bebugeð,

windgeard, weallas. Wes þenden þu lifige,

1225

æþeling, eadig. Ic þe an tela

sincgestreona. Beo þu suna minum

dædum gedefe,     dreamhealdende.

Her is æghwylc eorl     oþrum getrywe,

modes milde,     mandrihtne hold;

1230

þegnas syndon geþwære,    þeod ealgearo,

druncne dryhtguman     doð swa ic bidde."

Eode þa to setle. þær wæs symbla cyst;

druncon win weras. Wyrd ne cuþon,

geosceaft grimme,     swa hit agangen wearð

1235

eorla manegum,    syþðan æfen cwom

ond him Hroþgar gewat     to hofe sinum,

rice to ræste. Reced weardode

unrim eorla,     swa hie oft ær dydon.

Bencþelu beredon;     hit geondbræded wearð

1240

beddum ond bolstrum. Beorscealca sum

fus ond fæge     fletræste gebeag.

Setton him to heafdon     hilderandas,

bordwudu beorhtan;     þær on bence wæs

ofer æþelinge     yþgesene

1245

heaþosteapa helm,    hringed byrne,

þrecwudu þrymlic. Wæs þeaw hyra

þæt hie oft wæron     an wig gearwe,

ge æt ham ge on herge,     ge gehwæþer þara,

efne swylce mæla     swylce hira mandryhtne

1250

þearf gesælde;    wæs seo þeod tilu.

Sigon þa to slæpe. Sum sare angeald

æfenræste,     swa him ful oft gelamp,

siþðan goldsele     Grendel warode,

unriht æfnde,     oþþæt ende becwom,

1255

swylt æfter synnum. þæt gesyne wearþ,

widcuþ werum,     þætte wrecend þa gyt

lifde æfter laþum,     lange þrage,

æfter guðceare. Grendles modor,

ides, aglæcwif,     yrmþe gemunde,

1260

se þe wæteregesan    wunian scolde,

cealde streamas,     siþðan Cain wearð

to ecgbanan     angan breþer,

fæderenmæge;     he þa fag gewat,

morþre gemearcod,     mandream fleon,

1265

westen warode. þanon woc fela

geosceaftgasta;     wæs þæra Grendel sum,

heorowearh hetelic,     se æt Heorote fand

wæccendne wer     wiges bidan.

þær him aglæca     ætgræpe wearð;

1270

hwæþre he gemunde    mægenes strenge,

gimfæste gife     ðe him god sealde,

ond him to anwaldan     are gelyfde,

frofre ond fultum;     ðy he þone feond ofercwom,

gehnægde helle gast. þa he hean gewat,

1275

dreame bedæled,    deaþwic seon,

mancynnes feond,     ond his modor þa gyt,

gifre ond galgmod,     gegan wolde

sorhfulne sið,     sunu deað wrecan.

Com þa to Heorote,     ðær Hringdene

1280

geond þæt sæld swæfun. þa ðær sona wearð

edhwyrft eorlum,     siþðan inne fealh

Grendles modor. Wæs se gryre læssa

efne swa micle     swa bið mægþa cræft,

wiggryre wifes,     be wæpnedmen,

1285

þonne heoru bunden,    hamere geþuren,

sweord swate fah     swin ofer helme

ecgum dyhttig     andweard scireð.

þa wæs on healle     heardecg togen

sweord ofer setlum,     sidrand manig

1290

hafen handa fæst;    helm ne gemunde,

byrnan side,     þa hine se broga angeat.

Heo wæs on ofste,     wolde ut þanon,

feore beorgan,     þa heo onfunden wæs.

Hraðe heo æþelinga     anne hæfde

1295

fæste befangen,    þa heo to fenne gang.

Se wæs Hroþgare     hæleþa leofost

on gesiðes had     be sæm tweonum,

rice randwiga,     þone ðe heo on ræste abreat,

blædfæstne beorn. Næs Beowulf ðær,

1300

ac wæs oþer in    ær geteohhod

æfter maþðumgife     mærum Geate.

Hream wearð in Heorote;     heo under heolfre genam

cuþe folme;     cearu wæs geniwod,

geworden in wicun. Ne wæs þæt gewrixle til,

1305

þæt hie on ba healfa    bicgan scoldon

freonda feorum. þa wæs frod cyning,

har hilderinc,     on hreon mode,

syðþan he aldorþegn     unlyfigendne,

þone deorestan     deadne wisse.

1310

Hraþe wæs to bure    Beowulf fetod,

sigoreadig secg. Samod ærdæge

eode eorla sum,     æþele cempa

self mid gesiðum     þær se snotera bad,

hwæþer him alwalda     æfre wille

1315

æfter weaspelle    wyrpe gefremman.

Gang ða æfter flore     fyrdwyrðe man

mid his handscale     (healwudu dynede),

þæt he þone wisan     wordum nægde

frean Ingwina,     frægn gif him wære

1320

æfter neodlaðum    niht getæse.

Hroðgar maþelode,     helm Scyldinga:

"Ne frin þu æfter sælum!     Sorh is geniwod

Denigea leodum. Dead is æschere,

Yrmenlafes     yldra broþor,

1325

min runwita    ond min rædbora,

eaxlgestealla,     ðonne we on orlege

hafelan weredon,     þonne hniton feþan,

eoferas cnysedan. Swylc scolde eorl wesan,

æþeling ærgod,     swylc æschere wæs!

1330

Wearð him on Heorote    to handbanan

wælgæst wæfre;     ic ne wat hwæder

atol æse wlanc     eftsiðas teah,

fylle gefægnod.     Heo þa fæhðe wræc

þe þu gystran niht     Grendel cwealdest

1335

þurh hæstne had    heardum clammum,

forþan he to lange     leode mine

wanode ond wyrde. He æt wige gecrang

ealdres scyldig,     ond nu oþer cwom

mihtig manscaða,     wolde hyre mæg wrecan,

1340

ge feor hafað    fæhðe gestæled

(þæs þe þincean mæg     þegne monegum,

se þe æfter sincgyfan     on sefan greoteþ),

hreþerbealo hearde;     nu seo hand ligeð,

se þe eow welhwylcra     wilna dohte.

1345

Ic þæt londbuend,    leode mine,

selerædende,     secgan hyrde

þæt hie gesawon     swylce twegen

micle mearcstapan     moras healdan,

ellorgæstas. ðæra oðer wæs,

1350

þæs þe hie gewislicost    gewitan meahton,

idese onlicnæs;     oðer earmsceapen

on weres wæstmum     wræclastas træd,

næfne he wæs mara     þonne ænig man oðer;

þone on geardagum     Grendel nemdon

1355

foldbuende. No hie fæder cunnon,

hwæþer him ænig wæs     ær acenned

dyrnra gasta. Hie dygel lond

warigeað, wulfhleoþu,     windige næssas,

frecne fengelad,     ðær fyrgenstream

1360

under næssa genipu    niþer gewiteð,

flod under foldan. Nis þæt feor heonon

milgemearces     þæt se mere standeð;

ofer þæm hongiað     hrinde bearwas,

wudu wyrtum fæst     wæter oferhelmað.

1365

þær mæg nihta gehwæm    niðwundor seon,

fyr on flode. No þæs frod leofað

gumena bearna,     þæt þone grund wite;

ðeah þe hæðstapa     hundum geswenced,

heorot hornum trum,     holtwudu sece,

1370

feorran geflymed,    ær he feorh seleð,

aldor on ofre,     ær he in wille

hafelan hydan.     Nis þæt heoru stow!

þonon yðgeblond     up astigeð

won to wolcnum,     þonne wind styreþ,

1375

lað gewidru,    oðþæt lyft drysmaþ,

roderas reotað. Nu is se ræd gelang

eft æt þe anum. Eard git ne const,

frecne stowe,     ðær þu findan miht

felasinnigne secg;     sec gif þu dyrre.

1380

Ic þe þa fæhðe    feo leanige,

ealdgestreonum,     swa ic ær dyde,

wundnum golde,     gyf þu on weg cymest."

Beowulf maþelode,     bearn Ecgþeowes:

"Ne sorga, snotor guma;     selre bið æghwæm

1385

þæt he his freond wrece,    þonne he fela murne.

Ure æghwylc sceal     ende gebidan

worolde lifes;     wyrce se þe mote

domes ær deaþe;     þæt bið drihtguman

unlifgendum     æfter selest.

1390

Aris, rices weard,    uton raþe feran

Grendles magan     gang sceawigan.

Ic hit þe gehate,     no he on helm losaþ,

ne on foldan fæþm,     ne on fyrgenholt,

ne on gyfenes grund,     ga þær he wille.

1395

ðys dogor þu    geþyld hafa

weana gehwylces,     swa ic þe wene to."

Ahleop ða se gomela,     gode þancode,

mihtigan drihtne,     þæs se man gespræc.

þa wæs Hroðgare     hors gebæted,

1400

wicg wundenfeax. Wisa fengel

geatolic gende;     gumfeþa stop

lindhæbbendra. Lastas wæron

æfter waldswaþum     wide gesyne,

gang ofer grundas,     þær heo gegnum for

1405

ofer myrcan mor,    magoþegna bær

þone selestan     sawolleasne

þara þe mid Hroðgare     ham eahtode.

Ofereode þa     æþelinga bearn

steap stanhliðo,     stige nearwe,

1410

enge anpaðas,    uncuð gelad,

neowle næssas,     nicorhusa fela.

He feara sum     beforan gengde

wisra monna     wong sceawian,

oþþæt he færinga     fyrgenbeamas

1415

ofer harne stan    hleonian funde,

wynleasne wudu;     wæter under stod

dreorig ond gedrefed. Denum eallum wæs,

winum Scyldinga,     weorce on mode

to geþolianne,     ðegne monegum,

1420

oncyð eorla gehwæm,    syðþan æscheres

on þam holmclife     hafelan metton.

Flod blode weol     (folc to sægon),

hatan heolfre. Horn stundum song

fuslic fyrdleoð.     Feþa eal gesæt.

1425

Gesawon ða æfter wætere    wyrmcynnes fela,

sellice sædracan,     sund cunnian,

swylce on næshleoðum     nicras licgean,

ða on undernmæl     oft bewitigað

sorhfulne sið     on seglrade,

1430

wyrmas ond wildeor;    hie on weg hruron,

bitere ond gebolgne,     bearhtm ongeaton,

guðhorn galan. Sumne Geata leod

of flanbogan     feores getwæfde,

yðgewinnes,     þæt him on aldre stod

1435

herestræl hearda;    he on holme wæs

sundes þe sænra,     ðe hyne swylt fornam.

Hræþe wearð on yðum     mid eoferspreotum

heorohocyhtum     hearde genearwod,

niða genæged,     ond on næs togen,

1440

wundorlic wægbora;    weras sceawedon

gryrelicne gist. Gyrede hine Beowulf

eorlgewædum,     nalles for ealdre mearn.

Scolde herebyrne     hondum gebroden,

sid ond searofah,     sund cunnian,

1445

seo ðe bancofan    beorgan cuþe,

þæt him hildegrap     hreþre ne mihte,

eorres inwitfeng,     aldre gesceþðan;

ac se hwita helm     hafelan werede,

se þe meregrundas     mengan scolde,

1450

secan sundgebland    since geweorðad,

befongen freawrasnum,     swa hine fyrndagum

worhte wæpna smið,     wundrum teode,

besette swinlicum,     þæt hine syðþan no

brond ne beadomecas     bitan ne meahton.

1455

Næs þæt þonne mætost    mægenfultuma

þæt him on ðearfe lah     ðyle Hroðgares;

wæs þæm hæftmece     Hrunting nama.

þæt wæs an foran     ealdgestreona;

ecg wæs iren,     atertanum fah,

1460

ahyrded heaþoswate;    næfre hit æt hilde ne swac

manna ængum     þara þe hit mid mundum bewand,

se ðe gryresiðas     gegan dorste,

folcstede fara;     næs þæt forma sið

þæt hit ellenweorc     æfnan scolde.

1465

Huru ne gemunde    mago Ecglafes,

eafoþes cræftig,     þæt he ær gespræc

wine druncen,     þa he þæs wæpnes onlah

selran sweordfrecan. Selfa ne dorste

under yða gewin     aldre geneþan,

1470

drihtscype dreogan;    þær he dome forleas,

ellenmærðum.     Ne wæs þæm oðrum swa,

syðþan he hine to guðe     gegyred hæfde.

Beowulf maðelode,     bearn Ecgþeowes:

"Geþenc nu, se mæra     maga Healfdenes,

1475

snottra fengel,    nu ic eom siðes fus,

goldwine gumena,     hwæt wit geo spræcon,

gif ic æt þearfe     þinre scolde

aldre linnan,     þæt ðu me a wære

forðgewitenum     on fæder stæle.

1480

Wes þu mundbora    minum magoþegnum,

hondgesellum,     gif mec hild nime;

swylce þu ða madmas     þe þu me sealdest,

Hroðgar leofa,     Higelace onsend.

Mæg þonne on þæm golde ongitan     Geata dryhten,

1485

geseon sunu Hrædles,    þonne he on þæt sinc starað,

þæt ic gumcystum     godne funde

beaga bryttan,     breac þonne moste.

Ond þu Unferð læt     ealde lafe,

wrætlic wægsweord,     widcuðne man

1490

heardecg habban;    ic me mid Hruntinge

dom gewyrce,     oþðe mec deað nimeð."

æfter þæm wordum     Wedergeata leod

efste mid elne,     nalas ondsware

bidan wolde;     brimwylm onfeng

1495

hilderince. ða wæs hwil dæges

ær he þone grundwong     ongytan mehte.

Sona þæt onfunde     se ðe floda begong

heorogifre beheold     hund missera,

grim ond grædig,     þæt þær gumena sum

1500

ælwihta eard    ufan cunnode.

Grap þa togeanes,     guðrinc gefeng

atolan clommum. No þy ær in gescod

halan lice;     hring utan ymbbearh,

þæt heo þone fyrdhom     ðurhfon ne mihte,

1505

locene leoðosyrcan    laþan fingrum.

Bær þa seo brimwylf,     þa heo to botme com,

hringa þengel     to hofe sinum,

swa he ne mihte,     no he þæs modig wæs,

wæpna gewealdan,     ac hine wundra þæs fela

1510

swencte on sunde,    sædeor monig

hildetuxum     heresyrcan bræc,

ehton aglæcan. ða se eorl ongeat

þæt he in niðsele     nathwylcum wæs,

þær him nænig wæter     wihte ne sceþede,

1515

ne him for hrofsele    hrinan ne mehte

færgripe flodes;     fyrleoht geseah,

blacne leoman,     beorhte scinan.

Ongeat þa se goda     grundwyrgenne,

merewif mihtig;     mægenræs forgeaf

1520

hildebille,     hond sweng ne ofteah,

þæt hire on hafelan     hringmæl agol

grædig guðleoð. ða se gist onfand

þæt se beadoleoma     bitan nolde,

aldre sceþðan,     ac seo ecg geswac

1525

ðeodne æt þearfe;    ðolode ær fela

hondgemota,     helm oft gescær,

fæges fyrdhrægl;     ða wæs forma sið

deorum madme,     þæt his dom alæg.

Eft wæs anræd,     nalas elnes læt,

1530

mærða gemyndig    mæg Hylaces.

Wearp ða wundenmæl     wrættum gebunden

yrre oretta,     þæt hit on eorðan læg,

stið ond stylecg;     strenge getruwode,

mundgripe mægenes. Swa sceal man don,

1535

þonne he æt guðe    gegan þenceð

longsumne lof,     na ymb his lif cearað.

Gefeng þa be eaxle     (nalas for fæhðe mearn)

Guðgeata leod     Grendles modor;

brægd þa beadwe heard,     þa he gebolgen wæs,

1540

feorhgeniðlan,    þæt heo on flet gebeah.

Heo him eft hraþe     andlean forgeald

grimman grapum     ond him togeanes feng;

oferwearp þa werigmod     wigena strengest,

feþecempa,     þæt he on fylle wearð.

1545

Ofsæt þa þone selegyst    ond hyre seax geteah,

brad ond brunecg,     wolde hire bearn wrecan,

angan eaferan. Him on eaxle læg

breostnet broden;     þæt gebearh feore,

wið ord ond wið ecge     ingang forstod.

1550

Hæfde ða forsiðod    sunu Ecgþeowes

under gynne grund,     Geata cempa,

nemne him heaðobyrne     helpe gefremede,

herenet hearde,     ond halig god

geweold wigsigor;     witig drihten,

1555

rodera rædend,    hit on ryht gesced

yðelice,     syþðan he eft astod.

Geseah ða on searwum     sigeeadig bil,

eald sweord eotenisc,     ecgum þyhtig,

wigena weorðmynd;     þæt wæs wæpna cyst,

1560

buton hit wæs mare    ðonne ænig mon oðer

to beadulace     ætberan meahte,

god ond geatolic,     giganta geweorc.

He gefeng þa fetelhilt,     freca Scyldinga

hreoh ond heorogrim     hringmæl gebrægd,

1565

aldres orwena,    yrringa sloh,

þæt hire wið halse     heard grapode,

banhringas bræc. Bil eal ðurhwod

fægne flæschoman;     heo on flet gecrong.

Sweord wæs swatig,     secg weorce gefeh.

1570

Lixte se leoma,    leoht inne stod,

efne swa of hefene     hadre scineð

rodores candel. He æfter recede wlat;

hwearf þa be wealle,     wæpen hafenade

heard be hiltum     Higelaces ðegn,

1575

yrre ond anræd. Næs seo ecg fracod

hilderince,     ac he hraþe wolde

Grendle forgyldan     guðræsa fela

ðara þe he geworhte     to Westdenum

oftor micle     ðonne on ænne sið,

1580

þonne he Hroðgares    heorðgeneatas

sloh on sweofote,     slæpende fræt

folces Denigea     fyftyne men

ond oðer swylc     ut offerede,

laðlicu lac. He him þæs lean forgeald,

1585

reþe cempa,    to ðæs þe he on ræste geseah

guðwerigne     Grendel licgan

aldorleasne,     swa him ær gescod

hild æt Heorote. Hra wide sprong,

syþðan he æfter deaðe     drepe þrowade,

1590

heorosweng heardne,    ond hine þa heafde becearf.

Sona þæt gesawon     snottre ceorlas,

þa ðe mid Hroðgare     on holm wliton,

þæt wæs yðgeblond     eal gemenged,

brim blode fah. Blondenfeaxe,

1595

gomele ymb godne,    ongeador spræcon

þæt hig þæs æðelinges     eft ne wendon

þæt he sigehreðig     secean come

mærne þeoden;     þa ðæs monige gewearð

þæt hine seo brimwylf     abroten hæfde.

1600

ða com non dæges. Næs ofgeafon

hwate Scyldingas;     gewat him ham þonon

goldwine gumena. Gistas setan

modes seoce     ond on mere staredon,

wiston ond ne wendon     þæt hie heora winedrihten

1605

selfne gesawon. þa þæt sweord ongan

æfter heaþoswate     hildegicelum,

wigbil wanian. þæt wæs wundra sum,

þæt hit eal gemealt     ise gelicost,

ðonne forstes bend     fæder onlæteð,

1610

onwindeð wælrapas,    se geweald hafað

sæla ond mæla;     þæt is soð metod.

Ne nom he in þæm wicum,     Wedergeata leod,

maðmæhta ma,     þeh he þær monige geseah,

buton þone hafelan     ond þa hilt somod

1615

since fage. Sweord ær gemealt,

forbarn brodenmæl;     wæs þæt blod to þæs hat,

ættren ellorgæst     se þær inne swealt.

Sona wæs on sunde     se þe ær æt sæcce gebad

wighryre wraðra,     wæter up þurhdeaf.

1620

Wæron yðgebland    eal gefælsod,

eacne eardas,     þa se ellorgast

oflet lifdagas     ond þas lænan gesceaft.

Com þa to lande     lidmanna helm

swiðmod swymman;     sælace gefeah,

1625

mægenbyrþenne    þara þe he him mid hæfde.

Eodon him þa togeanes,     gode þancodon,

ðryðlic þegna heap,     þeodnes gefegon,

þæs þe hi hyne gesundne     geseon moston.

ða wæs of þæm hroran     helm ond byrne

1630

lungre alysed. Lagu drusade,

wæter under wolcnum,     wældreore fag.

Ferdon forð þonon     feþelastum

ferhþum fægne,     foldweg mæton,

cuþe stræte. Cyningbalde men

1635

from þæm holmclife    hafelan bæron

earfoðlice     heora æghwæþrum,

felamodigra;     feower scoldon

on þæm wælstenge     weorcum geferian

to þæm goldsele     Grendles heafod,

1640

oþðæt semninga    to sele comon

frome fyrdhwate     feowertyne

Geata gongan;     gumdryhten mid

modig on gemonge     meodowongas træd.

ða com in gan     ealdor ðegna,

1645

dædcene mon    dome gewurþad,

hæle hildedeor,     Hroðgar gretan.

þa wæs be feaxe     on flet boren

Grendles heafod,     þær guman druncon,

egeslic for eorlum     ond þære idese mid,

1650

wliteseon wrætlic;    weras on sawon.

Beowulf maþelode,     bearn Ecgþeowes:

"Hwæt! we þe þas sælac,     sunu Healfdenes,

leod Scyldinga,     lustum brohton

tires to tacne,     þe þu her to locast.

1655

Ic þæt unsofte    ealdre gedigde

wigge under wætere,     weorc geneþde

earfoðlice;     ætrihte wæs

guð getwæfed,     nymðe mec god scylde.

Ne meahte ic æt hilde     mid Hruntinge

1660

wiht gewyrcan,    þeah þæt wæpen duge;

ac me geuðe     ylda waldend

þæt ic on wage geseah     wlitig hangian

eald sweord eacen     (oftost wisode

winigea leasum),     þæt ic ðy wæpne gebræd.

1665

Ofsloh ða æt þære sæcce,    þa me sæl ageald,

huses hyrdas. þa þæt hildebil

forbarn brogdenmæl,     swa þæt blod gesprang,

hatost heaþoswata. Ic þæt hilt þanan

feondum ætferede,     fyrendæda wræc,

1670

deaðcwealm Denigea,    swa hit gedefe wæs.

Ic hit þe þonne gehate,     þæt þu on Heorote most

sorhleas swefan     mid þinra secga gedryht

ond þegna gehwylc     þinra leoda,

duguðe ond iogoþe,     þæt þu him ondrædan ne þearft,

1675

þeoden Scyldinga,    on þa healfe,

aldorbealu eorlum,     swa þu ær dydest."

ða wæs gylden hilt     gamelum rince,

harum hildfruman,     on hand gyfen,

enta ærgeweorc;     hit on æht gehwearf

1680

æfter deofla hryre    Denigea frean,

wundorsmiþa geweorc,     ond þa þas worold ofgeaf

gromheort guma,     godes ondsaca,

morðres scyldig,     ond his modor eac,

on geweald gehwearf     woroldcyninga

1685

ðæm selestan    be sæm tweonum

ðara þe on Scedenigge     sceattas dælde.

Hroðgar maðelode,     hylt sceawode,

ealde lafe,     on ðæm wæs or writen

fyrngewinnes,     syðþan flod ofsloh,

1690

gifen geotende,    giganta cyn

(frecne geferdon);     þæt wæs fremde þeod

ecean dryhtne;     him þæs endelean

þurh wæteres wylm     waldend sealde.

Swa wæs on ðæm scennum     sciran goldes

1695

þurh runstafas    rihte gemearcod,

geseted ond gesæd     hwam þæt sweord geworht,

irena cyst,     ærest wære,

wreoþenhilt ond wyrmfah. ða se wisa spræc

sunu Healfdenes     (swigedon ealle):

1700

"þæt, la, mæg secgan    se þe soð ond riht

fremeð on folce,     feor eal gemon,

eald %%OE%%weard,     þæt ðes eorl wære

geboren betera! Blæd is aræred

geond widwegas,     wine min Beowulf,

1705

ðin ofer þeoda gehwylce. Eal þu hit geþyldum healdest,

mægen mid modes snyttrum. Ic þe sceal mine gelæstan

freode, swa wit furðum spræcon. ðu scealt to frofre weorþan

eal langtwidig     leodum þinum,

hæleðum to helpe. Ne wearð Heremod swa

1710

eaforum Ecgwelan,    Arscyldingum;

ne geweox he him to willan,     ac to wælfealle

ond to deaðcwalum     Deniga leodum;

breat bolgenmod     beodgeneatas,

eaxlgesteallan,     oþþæt he ana hwearf,

1715

mære þeoden,    mondreamum from.

ðeah þe hine mihtig god     mægenes wynnum,

eafeþum stepte,     ofer ealle men

forð gefremede,     hwæþere him on ferhþe greow

breosthord blodreow. Nallas beagas geaf

1720

Denum æfter dome;    dreamleas gebad

þæt he þæs gewinnes     weorc þrowade,

leodbealo longsum. ðu þe lær be þon,

gumcyste ongit;     ic þis gid be þe

awræc wintrum frod. Wundor is to secganne

1725

hu mihtig god    manna cynne

þurh sidne sefan     snyttru bryttað,

eard ond eorlscipe;     he ah ealra geweald.

Hwilum he on lufan     læteð hworfan

monnes modgeþonc     mæran cynnes,

1730

seleð him on eþle    eorþan wynne

to healdanne,     hleoburh wera,

gedeð him swa gewealdene     worolde dælas,

side rice,     þæt he his selfa ne mæg

for his unsnyttrum     ende geþencean.

1735

Wunað he on wiste;    no hine wiht dweleð

adl ne yldo,     ne him inwitsorh

on sefan sweorceð,     ne gesacu ohwær

ecghete eoweð,     ac him eal worold

wendeð on willan     (he þæt wyrse ne con),

1740

oðþæt him on innan    oferhygda dæl

weaxeð ond wridað. þonne se weard swefeð,

sawele hyrde;     bið se slæp to fæst,

bisgum gebunden,     bona swiðe neah,

se þe of flanbogan     fyrenum sceoteð.

1745

þonne bið on hreþre    under helm drepen

biteran stræle     (him bebeorgan ne con),

wom wundorbebodum     wergan gastes;

þinceð him to lytel     þæt he lange heold,

gytsað gromhydig,     nallas on gylp seleð

1750

fædde beagas,    ond he þa forðgesceaft

forgyteð ond forgymeð,     þæs þe him ær god sealde,

wuldres waldend,     weorðmynda dæl.

Hit on endestæf     eft gelimpeð

þæt se lichoma     læne gedreoseð,

1755

fæge gefealleð;    fehð oþer to,

se þe unmurnlice     madmas dæleþ,

eorles ærgestreon,     egesan ne gymeð.

Bebeorh þe ðone bealonið,     Beowulf leofa,

secg betsta,     ond þe þæt selre geceos,

1760

ece rædas;    oferhyda ne gym,

mære cempa. Nu is þines mægnes blæd

ane hwile. Eft sona bið

þæt þec adl oððe ecg     eafoþes getwæfeð,

oððe fyres feng,     oððe flodes wylm,

1765

oððe gripe meces,    oððe gares fliht,

oððe atol yldo;     oððe eagena bearhtm

forsiteð ond forsworceð;     semninga bið

þæt ðec, dryhtguma,     deað oferswyðeð.

Swa ic Hringdena     hund missera

1770

weold under wolcnum    ond hig wigge beleac

manigum mægþa     geond þysne middangeard,

æscum ond ecgum,     þæt ic me ænigne

under swegles begong     gesacan ne tealde.

Hwæt, me þæs on eþle     edwenden cwom,

1775

gyrn æfter gomene,    seoþðan Grendel wearð,

ealdgewinna,     ingenga min;

ic þære socne     singales wæg

modceare micle. þæs sig metode þanc,

ecean dryhtne,     þæs ðe ic on aldre gebad

1780

þæt ic on þone hafelan    heorodreorigne

ofer ealdgewin     eagum starige!

Ga nu to setle,     symbelwynne dreoh

wigge weorþad;     unc sceal worn fela

maþma gemænra,     siþðan morgen bið."

1785

Geat wæs glædmod,    geong sona to

setles neosan,     swa se snottra heht.

þa wæs eft swa ær     ellenrofum

fletsittendum     fægere gereorded

niowan stefne. Nihthelm geswearc

1790

deorc ofer dryhtgumum. Duguð eal aras.

Wolde blondenfeax     beddes neosan,

gamela Scylding. Geat unigmetes wel,

rofne randwigan,     restan lyste;

sona him seleþegn     siðes wergum,

1795

feorrancundum,    forð wisade,

se for andrysnum     ealle beweotede

þegnes þearfe,     swylce þy dogore

heaþoliðende     habban scoldon.

Reste hine þa rumheort;     reced hliuade

1800

geap ond goldfah;    gæst inne swæf

oþþæt hrefn blaca     heofones wynne

bliðheort bodode. ða com beorht scacan

scaþan onetton,

wæron æþelingas     eft to leodum

1805

fuse to farenne;    wolde feor þanon

cuma collenferhð     ceoles neosan.

Heht þa se hearda     Hrunting beran

sunu Ecglafes,     heht his sweord niman,

leoflic iren;     sægde him þæs leanes þanc,

1810

cwæð, he þone guðwine    godne tealde,

wigcræftigne,     nales wordum log

meces ecge;     þæt wæs modig secg.

Ond þa siðfrome,     searwum gearwe

wigend wæron;     eode weorð Denum

1815

æþeling to yppan,    þær se oþer wæs,

hæle hildedeor     Hroðgar grette.

Beowulf maþelode,     bearn Ecgþeowes:

"Nu we sæliðend     secgan wyllað,

feorran cumene,     þæt we fundiaþ

1820

Higelac secan. Wæron her tela

willum bewenede;     þu us wel dohtest.

Gif ic þonne on eorþan     owihte mæg

þinre modlufan     maran tilian,

gumena dryhten,     ðonne ic gyt dyde,

1825

guðgeweorca,    ic beo gearo sona.

Gif ic þæt gefricge     ofer floda begang,

þæt þec ymbsittend     egesan þywað,

swa þec hetende     hwilum dydon,

ic ðe þusenda     þegna bringe,

1830

hæleþa to helpe. Ic on Higelac wat,

Geata dryhten,     þeah ðe he geong sy,

folces hyrde,     þæt he mec fremman wile

wordum ond worcum,     þæt ic þe wel herige

ond þe to geoce     garholt bere,

1835

mægenes fultum,    þær ðe bið manna þearf.

Gif him þonne Hreþric     to hofum Geata

geþingeð, þeodnes bearn,     he mæg þær fela

freonda findan;     feorcyþðe beoð

selran gesohte     þæm þe him selfa deah."

1840

Hroðgar maþelode    him on ondsware:

"þe þa wordcwydas     wigtig drihten

on sefan sende;     ne hyrde ic snotorlicor

on swa geongum feore     guman þingian.

þu eart mægenes strang     ond on mode frod,

1845

wis wordcwida. Wen ic talige,

gif þæt gegangeð,     þæt ðe gar nymeð,

hild heorugrimme,     Hreþles eaferan,

adl oþðe iren     ealdor ðinne,

folces hyrde,     ond þu þin feorh hafast,

1850

þæt þe Sægeatas    selran næbben

to geceosenne     cyning ænigne,

hordweard hæleþa,     gyf þu healdan wylt

maga rice. Me þin modsefa

licað leng swa wel,     leofa Beowulf.

1855

Hafast þu gefered    þæt þam folcum sceal,

Geata leodum     ond Gardenum,

sib gemæne,     ond sacu restan,

inwitniþas,     þe hie ær drugon,

wesan, þenden ic wealde     widan rices,

1860

maþmas gemæne,    manig oþerne

godum gegretan     ofer ganotes bæð;

sceal hringnaca     ofer heafu bringan

lac ond luftacen. Ic þa leode wat

ge wið feond ge wið freond     fæste geworhte,

1865

æghwæs untæle    ealde wisan."

ða git him eorla hleo     inne gesealde,

mago Healfdenes,     maþmas XII;

het hine mid þæm lacum     leode swæse

secean on gesyntum,     snude eft cuman.

1870

Gecyste þa    cyning æþelum god,

þeoden Scyldinga,     ðegn betstan

ond be healse genam;     hruron him tearas,

blondenfeaxum. Him wæs bega wen,

ealdum infrodum,     oþres swiðor,

1875

þæt hie seoððan no    geseon moston,

modige on meþle. Wæs him se man to þon leof

þæt he þone breostwylm     forberan ne mehte,

ac him on hreþre     hygebendum fæst

æfter deorum men     dyrne langað

1880

beorn wið blode. Him Beowulf þanan,

guðrinc goldwlanc,     græsmoldan træd

since hremig;     sægenga bad

agendfrean,     se þe on ancre rad.

þa wæs on gange     gifu Hroðgares

1885

oft geæhted;    þæt wæs an cyning,

æghwæs orleahtre,     oþþæt hine yldo benam

mægenes wynnum,     se þe oft manegum scod.

Cwom þa to flode     felamodigra,

hægstealdra heap,     hringnet bæron,

1890

locene leoðosyrcan. Landweard onfand

eftsið eorla,     swa he ær dyde;

no he mid hearme     of hliðes nosan

gæstas grette,     ac him togeanes rad,

cwæð þæt wilcuman     Wedera leodum

1895

scaþan scirhame    to scipe foron.

þa wæs on sande     sægeap naca

hladen herewædum,     hringedstefna,

mearum ond maðmum;     mæst hlifade

ofer Hroðgares     hordgestreonum.

1900

He þæm batwearde    bunden golde

swurd gesealde,     þæt he syðþan wæs

on meodubence     maþme þy weorþra,

yrfelafe. Gewat him on naca

drefan deop wæter,     Dena land ofgeaf.

1905

þa wæs be mæste    merehrægla sum,

segl sale fæst;     sundwudu þunede.

No þær wegflotan     wind ofer yðum

siðes getwæfde;     sægenga for,

fleat famigheals     forð ofer yðe,

1910

bundenstefna    ofer brimstreamas,

þæt hie Geata clifu     ongitan meahton,

cuþe næssas. Ceol up geþrang

lyftgeswenced,     on lande stod.

Hraþe wæs æt holme     hyðweard geara,

1915

se þe ær lange tid    leofra manna

fus æt faroðe     feor wlatode;

sælde to sande     sidfæþme scip,

oncerbendum fæst,     þy læs hym yþa ðrym

wudu wynsuman     forwrecan meahte.

1920

Het þa up beran    æþelinga gestreon,

frætwe ond fætgold;     næs him feor þanon

to gesecanne     sinces bryttan,

Higelac Hreþling,     þær æt ham wunað

selfa mid gesiðum     sæwealle neah.

1925

Bold wæs betlic,    bregorof cyning,

heah in healle,     Hygd swiðe geong,

wis, welþungen,     þeah ðe wintra lyt

under burhlocan     gebiden hæbbe,

Hæreþes dohtor;     næs hio hnah swa þeah,

1930

ne to gneað gifa    Geata leodum,

maþmgestreona. Mod þryðo wæg,

fremu folces cwen,     firen ondrysne.

Nænig þæt dorste     deor geneþan

swæsra gesiða,     nefne sinfrea,

1935

þæt hire an dæges    eagum starede,

ac him wælbende     weotode tealde

handgewriþene;     hraþe seoþðan wæs

æfter mundgripe     mece geþinged,

þæt hit sceadenmæl     scyran moste,

1940

cwealmbealu cyðan. Ne bið swylc cwenlic þeaw

idese to efnanne,     þeah ðe hio ænlicu sy,

þætte freoðuwebbe     feores onsæce

æfter ligetorne     leofne mannan.

Huru þæt onhohsnode     Hemminges mæg;

1945

ealodrincende    oðer sædan,

þæt hio leodbealewa     læs gefremede,

inwitniða,     syððan ærest wearð

gyfen goldhroden     geongum cempan,

æðelum diore,     syððan hio Offan flet

1950

ofer fealone flod    be fæder lare

siðe gesohte;     ðær hio syððan well

in gumstole,     gode, mære,

lifgesceafta     lifigende breac,

hiold heahlufan     wið hæleþa brego,

1955

ealles moncynnes    mine gefræge

þone selestan     bi sæm tweonum,

eormencynnes. Forðam Offa wæs

geofum ond guðum,     garcene man,

wide geweorðod,     wisdome heold

1960

eðel sinne;    þonon Eomer woc

hæleðum to helpe,     Hemminges mæg,

nefa Garmundes,     niða cræftig.

Gewat him ða se hearda     mid his hondscole

sylf æfter sande     sæwong tredan,

1965

wide waroðas. Woruldcandel scan,

sigel suðan fus. Hi sið drugon,

elne geeodon,     to ðæs ðe eorla hleo,

bonan Ongenþeoes     burgum in innan,

geongne guðcyning     godne gefrunon

1970

hringas dælan. Higelace wæs

sið Beowulfes     snude gecyðed,

þæt ðær on worðig     wigendra hleo,

lindgestealla,     lifigende cwom,

heaðolaces hal     to hofe gongan.

1975

Hraðe wæs gerymed,    swa se rica bebead,

feðegestum     flet innanweard.

Gesæt þa wið sylfne     se ða sæcce genæs,

mæg wið mæge,     syððan mandryhten

þurh hleoðorcwyde     holdne gegrette,

1980

meaglum wordum. Meoduscencum hwearf

geond þæt healreced     Hæreðes dohtor,

lufode ða leode,     liðwæge bær

hæleðum to handa. Higelac ongan

sinne geseldan     in sele þam hean

1985

fægre fricgcean    (hyne fyrwet bræc,

hwylce Sægeata     siðas wæron):

"Hu lomp eow on lade,     leofa Biowulf,

þa ðu færinga     feorr gehogodest

sæcce secean     ofer sealt wæter,

1990

hilde to Hiorote? Ac ðu Hroðgare

widcuðne wean     wihte gebettest,

mærum ðeodne? Ic ðæs modceare

sorhwylmum seað,     siðe ne truwode

leofes mannes;     ic ðe lange bæd

1995

þæt ðu þone wælgæst    wihte ne grette,

lete Suðdene     sylfe geweorðan

guðe wið Grendel. Gode ic þanc secge

þæs ðe ic ðe gesundne     geseon moste."

Biowulf maðelode,     bearn Ecgðioes:

2000

"þæt is undyrne,    dryhten Higelac,

micel gemeting,     monegum fira,

hwylc orleghwil     uncer Grendles

wearð on ðam wange,     þær he worna fela

Sigescyldingum     sorge gefremede,

2005

yrmðe to aldre. Ic ðæt eall gewræc,

swa begylpan ne þearf     Grendeles maga

ænig ofer eorðan     uhthlem þone,

se ðe lengest leofað     laðan cynnes,

facne bifongen. Ic ðær furðum cwom

2010

to ðam hringsele    Hroðgar gretan;

sona me se mæra     mago Healfdenes,

syððan he modsefan     minne cuðe,

wið his sylfes sunu     setl getæhte.

Weorod wæs on wynne;     ne seah ic widan feorh

2015

under heofones hwealf    healsittendra

medudream maran. Hwilum mæru cwen,

friðusibb folca,     flet eall geondhwearf,

bædde byre geonge;     oft hio beahwriðan

secge sealde,     ær hie to setle geong.

2020

Hwilum for duguðe    dohtor Hroðgares

eorlum on ende     ealuwæge bær;

þa ic Freaware     fletsittende

nemnan hyrde,     þær hio nægled sinc

hæleðum sealde. Sio gehaten is,

2025

geong, goldhroden,    gladum suna Frodan;

hafað þæs geworden     wine Scyldinga,

rices hyrde,     ond þæt ræd talað,

þæt he mid ðy wife     wælfæhða dæl,

sæcca gesette. Oft seldan hwær

2030

æfter leodhryre    lytle hwile

bongar bugeð,     þeah seo bryd duge!

Mæg þæs þonne ofþyncan     ðeodne Heaðobeardna

ond þegna gehwam     þara leoda,

þonne he mid fæmnan     on flett gæð,

2035

dryhtbearn Dena,    duguða biwenede;

on him gladiað     gomelra lafe,

heard ond hringmæl     Heaðabeardna gestreon

þenden hie ðam wæpnum     wealdan moston,

oððæt hie forlæddan     to ðam lindplegan

2040

swæse gesiðas    ond hyra sylfra feorh.

þonne cwið æt beore     se ðe beah gesyhð,

eald æscwiga,     se ðe eall geman,

garcwealm gumena     (him bið grim sefa),

onginneð geomormod     geongum cempan

2045

þurh hreðra gehygd    higes cunnian,

wigbealu weccean,     ond þæt word acwyð:

'Meaht ðu, min wine,     mece gecnawan

þone þin fæder     to gefeohte bær

under heregriman     hindeman siðe,

2050

dyre iren,    þær hyne Dene slogon,

weoldon wælstowe,     syððan Wiðergyld læg,

æfter hæleþa hryre,     hwate Scyldungas?

Nu her þara banena     byre nathwylces

frætwum hremig     on flet gæð,

2055

morðres gylpeð,    ond þone maðþum byreð,

þone þe ðu mid rihte     rædan sceoldest.'

Manað swa ond myndgað     mæla gehwylce

sarum wordum,     oððæt sæl cymeð

þæt se fæmnan þegn     fore fæder dædum

2060

æfter billes bite    blodfag swefeð,

ealdres scyldig;     him se oðer þonan

losað lifigende,     con him land geare.

þonne bioð abrocene     on ba healfe

aðsweord eorla;     syððan Ingelde

2065

weallað wælniðas,    ond him wiflufan

æfter cearwælmum     colran weorðað.

þy ic Heaðobeardna     hyldo ne telge,

dryhtsibbe dæl     Denum unfæcne,

freondscipe fæstne. Ic sceal forð sprecan

2070

gen ymbe Grendel,    þæt ðu geare cunne,

sinces brytta,     to hwan syððan wearð

hondræs hæleða. Syððan heofones gim

glad ofer grundas,     gæst yrre cwom,

eatol, æfengrom,     user neosan,

2075

ðær we gesunde    sæl weardodon.

þær wæs Hondscio     hild onsæge,

feorhbealu fægum;     he fyrmest læg,

gyrded cempa;     him Grendel wearð,

mærum maguþegne     to muðbonan,

2080

leofes mannes    lic eall forswealg.

No ðy ær ut ða gen     idelhende

bona blodigtoð,     bealewa gemyndig,

of ðam goldsele     gongan wolde,

ac he mægnes rof     min costode,

2085

grapode gearofolm.    Glof hangode

sid ond syllic,     searobendum fæst;

sio wæs orðoncum     eall gegyrwed

deofles cræftum     ond dracan fellum.

He mec þær on innan     unsynnigne,

2090

dior dædfruma,    gedon wolde

manigra sumne;     hyt ne mihte swa,

syððan ic on yrre     uppriht astod.

To lang ys to reccenne     hu ic ðam leodsceaðan

yfla gehwylces     ondlean forgeald;

2095

þær ic, þeoden min,    þine leode

weorðode weorcum. He on weg losade,

lytle hwile     lifwynna breac;

hwæþre him sio swiðre     swaðe weardade

hand on Hiorte,     ond he hean ðonan

2100

modes geomor    meregrund gefeoll.

Me þone wælræs     wine Scildunga

fættan golde     fela leanode,

manegum maðmum,     syððan mergen com

ond we to symble     geseten hæfdon.

2105

þær wæs gidd ond gleo. Gomela Scilding,

felafricgende,     feorran rehte;

hwilum hildedeor     hearpan wynne,

gomenwudu grette,     hwilum gyd awræc

soð ond sarlic,     hwilum syllic spell

2110

rehte æfter rihte    rumheort cyning.

Hwilum eft ongan,     eldo gebunden,

gomel guðwiga     gioguðe cwiðan,

hildestrengo;     hreðer inne weoll,

þonne he wintrum frod     worn gemunde.

2115

Swa we þær inne    ondlangne dæg

niode naman,     oððæt niht becwom

oðer to yldum. þa wæs eft hraðe

gearo gyrnwræce     Grendeles modor,

siðode sorhfull;     sunu deað fornam,

2120

wighete Wedra. Wif unhyre

hyre bearn gewræc,     beorn acwealde

ellenlice;     þær wæs æschere,

frodan fyrnwitan,     feorh uðgenge.

Noðer hy hine ne moston,     syððan mergen cwom,

2125

deaðwerigne,    Denia leode,

bronde forbærnan,     ne on bel hladan

leofne mannan;     hio þæt lic ætbær

feondes fæðmum     under firgenstream.

þæt wæs Hroðgare     hreowa tornost

2130

þara þe leodfruman    lange begeate.

þa se ðeoden mec     ðine life

healsode hreohmod,     þæt ic on holma geþring

eorlscipe efnde,     ealdre geneðde,

mærðo fremede;     he me mede gehet.

2135

Ic ða ðæs wælmes,    þe is wide cuð,

grimne gryrelicne     grundhyrde fond;

þær unc hwile wæs     hand gemæne,

holm heolfre weoll,     ond ic heafde becearf

in ðam guðsele     Grendeles modor

2140

eacnum ecgum,    unsofte þonan

feorh oðferede. Næs ic fæge þa gyt,

ac me eorla hleo     eft gesealde

maðma menigeo,     maga Healfdenes.

Swa se ðeodkyning     þeawum lyfde.

2145

Nealles ic ðam leanum    forloren hæfde,

mægnes mede,     ac he me maðmas geaf,

sunu Healfdenes,     on minne sylfes dom;

ða ic ðe, beorncyning,     bringan wylle,

estum geywan. Gen is eall æt ðe

2150

lissa gelong;    ic lyt hafo

heafodmaga     nefne, Hygelac, ðec."

Het ða in beran     eaforheafodsegn,

heaðosteapne helm,     hare byrnan,

guðsweord geatolic,     gyd æfter wræc:

2155

"Me ðis hildesceorp    Hroðgar sealde,

snotra fengel,     sume worde het

þæt ic his ærest ðe     est gesægde;

cwæð þæt hyt hæfde     Hiorogar cyning,

leod Scyldunga     lange hwile;

2160

no ðy ær suna sinum    syllan wolde,

hwatum Heorowearde,     þeah he him hold wære,

breostgewædu. Bruc ealles well!"

Hyrde ic þæt þam frætwum     feower mearas

lungre, gelice,     last weardode,

2165

æppelfealuwe;    he him est geteah

meara ond maðma. Swa sceal mæg don,

nealles inwitnet     oðrum bregdon

dyrnum cræfte,     deað renian

hondgesteallan. Hygelace wæs,

2170

niða heardum,    nefa swyðe hold,

ond gehwæðer oðrum     hroþra gemyndig.

Hyrde ic þæt he ðone healsbeah     Hygde gesealde,

wrætlicne wundurmaððum,     ðone þe him Wealhðeo geaf,

ðeodnes dohtor,     þrio wicg somod

2175

swancor ond sadolbeorht;    hyre syððan wæs

æfter beahðege     breost geweorðod.

Swa bealdode     bearn Ecgðeowes,

guma guðum cuð,     godum dædum,

dreah æfter dome,     nealles druncne slog

2180

heorðgeneatas;    næs him hreoh sefa,

ac he mancynnes     mæste cræfte

ginfæstan gife,     þe him god sealde,

heold hildedeor. Hean wæs lange,

swa hyne Geata bearn     godne ne tealdon,

2185

ne hyne on medobence    micles wyrðne

drihten Wedera     gedon wolde;

swyðe wendon     þæt he sleac wære,

æðeling unfrom. Edwenden cwom

tireadigum menn     torna gehwylces.

2190

Het ða eorla hleo    in gefetian,

heaðorof cyning,     Hreðles lafe

golde gegyrede;     næs mid Geatum ða

sincmaðþum selra     on sweordes had;

þæt he on Biowulfes     bearm alegde

2195

ond him gesealde    seofan þusendo,

bold ond bregostol. Him wæs bam samod

on ðam leodscipe     lond gecynde,

eard, eðelriht,     oðrum swiðor

side rice     þam ðær selra wæs.

2200

Eft þæt geiode    ufaran dogrum

hildehlæmmum,     syððan Hygelac læg

ond Heardrede     hildemeceas

under bordhreoðan     to bonan wurdon,

ða hyne gesohtan     on sigeþeode

2205

hearde hildefrecan,    Heaðoscilfingas,

niða genægdan     nefan Hererices,

syððan Beowulfe     brade rice

on hand gehwearf;     he geheold tela

fiftig wintra     (wæs ða frod cyning,

2210

eald eþelweard),    oððæt an ongan

deorcum nihtum     draca ricsian,

se ðe on heaum hofe     hord beweotode,

stanbeorh steapne;     stig under læg,

eldum uncuð. þær on innan giong

2215

niða nathwylc,    se ðe neh gefeng

hæðnum horde,     hond ......,

since fahne. He þæt syððan ......,

þeah ðe he slæpende     besyred wurde

þeofes cræfte;     þæt sie ðiod onfand,

2220

bufolc beorna,     þæt he gebolgen wæs.

Nealles mid gewealdum     wyrmhord abræc

sylfes willum,     se ðe him sare gesceod,

ac for þreanedlan     þeow nathwylces

hæleða bearna     heteswengeas fleah,

2225

ærnes þearfa,     ond ðær inne fealh,

secg synbysig,     sona onfunde

þæt þær ðam gyste     gryrebroga stod;

hwæðre earmsceapen

...sceapen

2230

þa hyne se fær begeat.

Sincfæt ......;     þær wæs swylcra fela

in ðam eorðhuse     ærgestreona,

swa hy on geardagum     gumena nathwylc,

eormenlafe     æþelan cynnes,

2235

þanchycgende    þær gehydde,

deore maðmas. Ealle hie deað fornam

ærran mælum,     ond se an ða gen

leoda duguðe,     se ðær lengest hwearf,

weard winegeomor,     wende þæs ylcan,

2240

þæt he lytel fæc    longgestreona

brucan moste. Beorh eallgearo

wunode on wonge     wæteryðum neah,

niwe be næsse,     nearocræftum fæst.

þær on innan bær     eorlgestreona

2245

hringa hyrde    hordwyrðne dæl,

fættan goldes,     fea worda cwæð:

"Heald þu nu, hruse,     nu hæleð ne moston,

eorla æhte! Hwæt, hyt ær on ðe

gode begeaton. Guðdeað fornam,

2250

feorhbealo frecne,    fyra gehwylcne

leoda minra,     þara ðe þis lif ofgeaf,

gesawon seledream. Ic nah hwa sweord wege

oððe feormie     fæted wæge,

dryncfæt deore;     duguð ellor sceoc.

2255

Sceal se hearda helm    hyrsted golde

fætum befeallen;     feormynd swefað,

þa ðe beadogriman     bywan sceoldon,

ge swylce seo herepad,     sio æt hilde gebad

ofer borda gebræc     bite irena,

2260

brosnað æfter beorne. Ne mæg byrnan hring

æfter wigfruman     wide feran,

hæleðum be healfe. Næs hearpan wyn,

gomen gleobeames,     ne god hafoc

geond sæl swingeð,     ne se swifta mearh

2265

burhstede beateð. Bealocwealm hafað

fela feorhcynna     forð onsended!"

Swa giomormod     giohðo mænde

an æfter eallum,     unbliðe hwearf

dæges ond nihtes,     oððæt deaðes wylm

2270

hran æt heortan. Hordwynne fond

eald uhtsceaða     opene standan,

se ðe byrnende     biorgas seceð,

nacod niðdraca,     nihtes fleogeð

fyre befangen;     hyne foldbuend

2275

swiðe ondrædað.    He gesecean sceall

hord on hrusan,     þær he hæðen gold

warað wintrum frod,     ne byð him wihte ðy sel.

Swa se ðeodsceaða     þreo hund wintra

heold on hrusan     hordærna sum,

2280

eacencræftig,    oððæt hyne an abealch

mon on mode;     mandryhtne bær

fæted wæge,     frioðowære bæd

hlaford sinne. ða wæs hord rasod,

onboren beaga hord,     bene getiðad

2285

feasceaftum men. Frea sceawode

fira fyrngeweorc     forman siðe.

þa se wyrm onwoc,     wroht wæs geniwad;

stonc ða æfter stane,     stearcheort onfand

feondes fotlast;     he to forð gestop

2290

dyrnan cræfte    dracan heafde neah.

Swa mæg unfæge     eaðe gedigan

wean ond wræcsið,     se ðe waldendes

hyldo gehealdeþ! Hordweard sohte

georne æfter grunde,     wolde guman findan,

2295

þone þe him on sweofote    sare geteode,

hat ond hreohmod     hlæw oft ymbehwearf

ealne utanweardne,     ne ðær ænig mon

on þære westenne;     hwæðre wiges gefeh,

beaduwe weorces,     hwilum on beorh æthwearf,

2300

sincfæt sohte. He þæt sona onfand

ðæt hæfde gumena sum     goldes gefandod,

heahgestreona. Hordweard onbad

earfoðlice     oððæt æfen cwom;

wæs ða gebolgen     beorges hyrde,

2305

wolde se laða    lige forgyldan

drincfæt dyre. þa wæs dæg sceacen

wyrme on willan;     no on wealle læg,

bidan wolde,     ac mid bæle for,

fyre gefysed. Wæs se fruma egeslic

2310

leodum on lande,    swa hyt lungre wearð

on hyra sincgifan     sare geendod.

ða se gæst ongan     gledum spiwan,

beorht hofu bærnan;     bryneleoma stod

eldum on andan. No ðær aht cwices

2315

lað lyftfloga    læfan wolde.

Wæs þæs wyrmes wig     wide gesyne,

nearofages nið     nean ond feorran,

hu se guðsceaða     Geata leode

hatode ond hynde;     hord eft gesceat,

2320

dryhtsele dyrnne,    ær dæges hwile.

Hæfde landwara     lige befangen,

bæle ond bronde,     beorges getruwode,

wiges ond wealles;     him seo wen geleah.

þa wæs Biowulfe     broga gecyðed

2325

snude to soðe,    þæt his sylfes ham,

bolda selest,     brynewylmum mealt,

gifstol Geata. þæt ðam godan wæs

hreow on hreðre,     hygesorga mæst;

wende se wisa     þæt he wealdende

2330

ofer ealde riht,    ecean dryhtne,

bitre gebulge. Breost innan weoll

þeostrum geþoncum,     swa him geþywe ne wæs.

Hæfde ligdraca     leoda fæsten,

ealond utan,     eorðweard ðone

2335

gledum forgrunden;    him ðæs guðkyning,

Wedera þioden,     wræce leornode.

Heht him þa gewyrcean     wigendra hleo

eallirenne,     eorla dryhten,

wigbord wrætlic;     wisse he gearwe

2340

þæt him holtwudu    helpan ne meahte,

lind wið lige. Sceolde lændaga

æþeling ærgod     ende gebidan,

worulde lifes,     ond se wyrm somod,

þeah ðe hordwelan     heolde lange.

2345

Oferhogode ða    hringa fengel

þæt he þone widflogan     weorode gesohte,

sidan herge;     no he him þa sæcce ondred,

ne him þæs wyrmes wig     for wiht dyde,

eafoð ond ellen,     forðon he ær fela

2350

nearo neðende    niða gedigde,

hildehlemma,     syððan he Hroðgares,

sigoreadig secg,     sele fælsode

ond æt guðe forgrap     Grendeles mægum

laðan cynnes. No þæt læsest wæs

2355

hondgemota,     þær mon Hygelac sloh,

syððan Geata cyning     guðe ræsum,

freawine folca     Freslondum on,

Hreðles eafora     hiorodryncum swealt,

bille gebeaten. þonan Biowulf com

2360

sylfes cræfte,    sundnytte dreah;

hæfde him on earme     ana XXX

hildegeatwa,     þa he to holme beag.

Nealles Hetware     hremge þorfton

feðewiges,     þe him foran ongean

2365

linde bæron;    lyt eft becwom

fram þam hildfrecan     hames niosan.

Oferswam ða sioleða bigong     sunu Ecgðeowes,

earm anhaga,     eft to leodum;

þær him Hygd gebead     hord ond rice,

2370

beagas ond bregostol,    bearne ne truwode

þæt he wið ælfylcum     eþelstolas

healdan cuðe,     ða wæs Hygelac dead.

No ðy ær feasceafte     findan meahton

æt ðam æðelinge     ænige ðinga,

2375

þæt he Heardrede    hlaford wære

oððe þone cynedom     ciosan wolde;

hwæðre he him on folce     freondlarum heold,

estum mid are,     oððæt he yldra wearð,

Wedergeatum weold. Hyne wræcmæcgas

2380

ofer sæ sohtan,    suna Ohteres;

hæfdon hy forhealden     helm Scylfinga,

þone selestan     sæcyninga

þara ðe in Swiorice     sinc brytnade,

mærne þeoden. Him þæt to mearce wearð;

2385

he þær for feorme    feorhwunde hleat

sweordes swengum,     sunu Hygelaces,

ond him eft gewat     Ongenðioes bearn

hames niosan,     syððan Heardred læg,

let ðone bregostol     Biowulf healdan,

2390

Geatum wealdan. þæt wæs god cyning!

Se ðæs leodhryres     lean gemunde

uferan dogrum,     Eadgilse wearð

feasceaftum freond,     folce gestepte

ofer sæ side     sunu Ohteres,

2395

wigum ond wæpnum;    he gewræc syððan

cealdum cearsiðum,     cyning ealdre bineat.

Swa he niða gehwane     genesen hæfde,

sliðra geslyhta,     sunu Ecgðiowes,

ellenweorca,     oð ðone anne dæg

2400

þe he wið þam wyrme    gewegan sceolde.

Gewat þa XIIa sum     torne gebolgen

dryhten Geata     dracan sceawian.

Hæfde þa gefrunen     hwanan sio fæhð aras,

bealonið biorna;     him to bearme cwom

2405

maðþumfæt mære    þurh ðæs meldan hond.

Se wæs on ðam ðreate     þreotteoða secg,

se ðæs orleges     or onstealde,

hæft hygegiomor,     sceolde hean ðonon

wong wisian. He ofer willan giong

2410

to ðæs ðe he eorðsele    anne wisse,

hlæw under hrusan     holmwylme neh,

yðgewinne;     se wæs innan full

wrætta ond wira. Weard unhiore,

gearo guðfreca,     goldmaðmas heold,

2415

eald under eorðan. Næs þæt yðe ceap

to gegangenne     gumena ænigum!

Gesæt ða on næsse     niðheard cyning,

þenden hælo abead     heorðgeneatum,

goldwine Geata. Him wæs geomor sefa,

2420

wæfre ond wælfus,    wyrd ungemete neah,

se ðone gomelan     gretan sceolde,

secean sawle hord,     sundur gedælan

lif wið lice,     no þon lange wæs

feorh æþelinges     flæsce bewunden.

2425

Biowulf maþelade,    bearn Ecgðeowes:

"Fela ic on giogoðe     guðræsa genæs,

orleghwila;     ic þæt eall gemon.

Ic wæs syfanwintre,     þa mec sinca baldor,

freawine folca,     æt minum fæder genam;

2430

heold mec ond hæfde    Hreðel cyning,

geaf me sinc ond symbel,     sibbe gemunde.

Næs ic him to life     laðra owihte,

beorn in burgum,     þonne his bearna hwylc,

Herebeald ond Hæðcyn     oððe Hygelac min.

2435

Wæs þam yldestan    ungedefelice

mæges dædum     morþorbed stred,

syððan hyne Hæðcyn     of hornbogan,

his freawine,     flane geswencte,

miste mercelses     ond his mæg ofscet,

2440

broðor oðerne    blodigan gare.

þæt wæs feohleas gefeoht,     fyrenum gesyngad,

hreðre hygemeðe;     sceolde hwæðre swa þeah

æðeling unwrecen     ealdres linnan.

Swa bið geomorlic     gomelum ceorle

2445

to gebidanne,    þæt his byre ride

giong on galgan,     þonne he gyd wrece,

sarigne sang,     þonne his sunu hangað

hrefne to hroðre,     ond he him helpe ne mæg,

eald ond infrod,     ænige gefremman.

2450

Symble bið gemyndgad    morna gehwylce

eaforan ellorsið;     oðres ne gymeð

to gebidanne     burgum in innan

yrfeweardas,     þonne se an hafað

þurh deaðes nyd     dæda gefondad.

2455

Gesyhð sorhcearig    on his suna bure

winsele westne,     windge reste

reote berofene. Ridend swefað,

hæleð in hoðman;     nis þær hearpan sweg,

gomen in geardum,     swylce ðær iu wæron.

2460

Gewiteð þonne on sealman,    sorhleoð gæleð

an æfter anum;     þuhte him eall to rum,

wongas ond wicstede. Swa Wedra helm

æfter Herebealde     heortan sorge

weallende wæg. Wihte ne meahte

2465

on ðam feorhbonan    fæghðe gebetan;

no ðy ær he þone heaðorinc     hatian ne meahte

laðum dædum,     þeah him leof ne wæs.

He ða mid þære sorhge,     þe him swa sar belamp,

gumdream ofgeaf,     godes leoht geceas,

2470

eaferum læfde,    swa deð eadig mon,

lond ond leodbyrig,     þa he of life gewat.

þa wæs synn ond sacu     Sweona ond Geata

ofer wid wæter,     wroht gemæne,

herenið hearda,     syððan Hreðel swealt,

2475

oððe him Ongenðeowes    eaferan wæran

frome, fyrdhwate,     freode ne woldon

ofer heafo healdan,     ac ymb Hreosnabeorh

eatolne inwitscear     oft gefremedon.

þæt mægwine     mine gewræcan,

2480

fæhðe ond fyrene,    swa hyt gefræge wæs,

þeah ðe oðer his     ealdre gebohte,

heardan ceape;     Hæðcynne wearð,

Geata dryhtne,     guð onsæge.

þa ic on morgne gefrægn     mæg oðerne

2485

billes ecgum    on bonan stælan,

þær Ongenþeow     Eofores niosað.

Guðhelm toglad,     gomela Scylfing

hreas hildeblac;     hond gemunde

fæhðo genoge,     feorhsweng ne ofteah.

2490

Ic him þa maðmas,    þe he me sealde,

geald æt guðe,     swa me gifeðe wæs,

leohtan sweorde;     he me lond forgeaf,

eard, eðelwyn. Næs him ænig þearf

þæt he to Gifðum     oððe to Gardenum

2495

oððe in Swiorice    secean þurfe

wyrsan wigfrecan,     weorðe gecypan.

Symle ic him on feðan     beforan wolde,

ana on orde,     ond swa to aldre sceall

sæcce fremman,     þenden þis sweord þolað,

2500

þæt mec ær ond sið    oft gelæste.

Syððan ic for dugeðum     Dæghrefne wearð

to handbonan,     Huga cempan;

nalles he ða frætwe     Frescyninge,

breostweorðunge,     bringan moste,

2505

ac in compe gecrong    cumbles hyrde,

æþeling on elne;     ne wæs ecg bona,

ac him hildegrap     heortan wylmas,

banhus gebræc. Nu sceall billes ecg,

hond ond heard sweord,     ymb hord wigan."

2510

Beowulf maðelode,    beotwordum spræc

niehstan siðe:     "Ic geneðde fela

guða on geogoðe;     gyt ic wylle,

frod folces weard,     fæhðe secan,

mærðu fremman,     gif mec se mansceaða

2515

of eorðsele    ut geseceð."

Gegrette ða     gumena gehwylcne,

hwate helmberend,     hindeman siðe,

swæse gesiðas:     "Nolde ic sweord beran,

wæpen to wyrme,     gif ic wiste hu

2520

wið ðam aglæcean    elles meahte

gylpe wiðgripan,     swa ic gio wið Grendle dyde.

Ac ic ðær heaðufyres     hates wene,

oreðes ond attres;     forðon ic me on hafu

bord ond byrnan. Nelle ic beorges weard

2525

forfleon fotes trem,    ac unc furður sceal

weorðan æt wealle,     swa unc wyrd geteoð,

metod manna gehwæs. Ic eom on mode from

þæt ic wið þone guðflogan     gylp ofersitte.

Gebide ge on beorge     byrnum werede,

2530

secgas on searwum,    hwæðer sel mæge

æfter wælræse     wunde gedygan

uncer twega. Nis þæt eower sið

ne gemet mannes,     nefne min anes,

þæt he wið aglæcean     eofoðo dæle,

2535

eorlscype efne. Ic mid elne sceall

gold gegangan,     oððe guð nimeð,

feorhbealu frecne,     frean eowerne!"

Aras ða bi ronde     rof oretta,

heard under helme,     hiorosercean bær

2540

under stancleofu,    strengo getruwode

anes mannes. Ne bið swylc earges sið!

Geseah ða be wealle     se ðe worna fela,

gumcystum god,     guða gedigde,

hildehlemma,     þonne hnitan feðan,

2545

stondan stanbogan,    stream ut þonan

brecan of beorge. Wæs þære burnan wælm

heaðofyrum hat;     ne meahte horde neah

unbyrnende     ænige hwile

deop gedygan     for dracan lege.

2550

Let ða of breostum,    ða he gebolgen wæs,

Wedergeata leod     word ut faran,

stearcheort styrmde;     stefn in becom

heaðotorht hlynnan     under harne stan.

Hete wæs onhrered,     hordweard oncniow

2555

mannes reorde;    næs ðær mara fyrst

freode to friclan. From ærest cwom

oruð aglæcean     ut of stane,

hat hildeswat. Hruse dynede.

Biorn under beorge     bordrand onswaf

2560

wið ðam gryregieste,    Geata dryhten;

ða wæs hringbogan     heorte gefysed

sæcce to seceanne. Sweord ær gebræd

god guðcyning,     gomele lafe,

ecgum unslaw;     æghwæðrum wæs

2565

bealohycgendra    broga fram oðrum.

Stiðmod gestod     wið steapne rond

winia bealdor,     ða se wyrm gebeah

snude tosomne;     he on searwum bad.

Gewat ða byrnende     gebogen scriðan,

2570

to gescipe scyndan. Scyld wel gebearg

life ond lice     læssan hwile

mærum þeodne     þonne his myne sohte,

ðær he þy fyrste,     forman dogore

wealdan moste     swa him wyrd ne gescraf

2575

hreð æt hilde. Hond up abræd

Geata dryhten,     gryrefahne sloh

incgelafe,     þæt sio ecg gewac

brun on bane,     bat unswiðor

þonne his ðiodcyning     þearfe hæfde,

2580

bysigum gebæded. þa wæs beorges weard

æfter heaðuswenge     on hreoum mode,

wearp wælfyre;     wide sprungon

hildeleoman. Hreðsigora ne gealp

goldwine Geata;     guðbill geswac,

2585

nacod æt niðe,    swa hyt no sceolde,

iren ærgod. Ne wæs þæt eðe sið,

þæt se mæra     maga Ecgðeowes

grundwong þone     ofgyfan wolde;

sceolde ofer willan     wic eardian

2590

elles hwergen,    swa sceal æghwylc mon

alætan lændagas. Næs ða long to ðon

þæt ða aglæcean hy     eft gemetton.

Hyrte hyne hordweard     (hreðer æðme weoll)

niwan stefne;     nearo ðrowode,

2595

fyre befongen,    se ðe ær folce weold.

Nealles him on heape     handgesteallan,

æðelinga bearn,     ymbe gestodon

hildecystum,     ac hy on holt bugon,

ealdre burgan. Hiora in anum weoll

2600

sefa wið sorgum;    sibb æfre ne mæg

wiht onwendan     þam ðe wel þenceð.

Wiglaf wæs haten     Weoxstanes sunu,

leoflic lindwiga,     leod Scylfinga,

mæg ælfheres;     geseah his mondryhten

2605

under heregriman    hat þrowian.

Gemunde ða ða are     þe he him ær forgeaf,

wicstede weligne     Wægmundinga,

folcrihta gehwylc,     swa his fæder ahte.

Ne mihte ða forhabban;     hond rond gefeng,

2610

geolwe linde,    gomel swyrd geteah,

þæt wæs mid eldum     Eanmundes laf,

suna Ohteres.     þam æt sæcce wearð,

wræccan wineleasum,     Weohstan bana

meces ecgum,     ond his magum ætbær

2615

brunfagne helm,    hringde byrnan,

eald sweord etonisc;     þæt him Onela forgeaf,

his gædelinges     guðgewædu,

fyrdsearo fuslic,     no ymbe ða fæhðe spræc,

þeah ðe he his broðor bearn     abredwade.

2620

He frætwe geheold    fela missera,

bill ond byrnan,     oððæt his byre mihte

eorlscipe efnan     swa his ærfæder;

geaf him ða mid Geatum     guðgewæda,

æghwæs unrim,     þa he of ealdre gewat,

2625

frod on forðweg. þa wæs forma sið

geongan cempan,     þæt he guðe ræs

mid his freodryhtne     fremman sceolde.

Ne gemealt him se modsefa,     ne his mæges laf

gewac æt wige;     þæt se wyrm onfand,

2630

syððan hie togædre    gegan hæfdon.

Wiglaf maðelode,     wordrihta fela

sægde gesiðum     (him wæs sefa geomor):

"Ic ðæt mæl geman,     þær we medu þegun,

þonne we geheton     ussum hlaforde

2635

in biorsele,    ðe us ðas beagas geaf,

þæt we him ða guðgetawa     gyldan woldon

gif him þyslicu     þearf gelumpe,

helmas ond heard sweord. ðe he usic on herge geceas

to ðyssum siðfate     sylfes willum,

2640

onmunde usic mærða,    ond me þas maðmas geaf,

þe he usic garwigend     gode tealde,

hwate helmberend,     þeah ðe hlaford us

þis ellenweorc     ana aðohte

to gefremmanne,     folces hyrde,

2645

for ðam he manna mæst    mærða gefremede,

dæda dollicra. Nu is se dæg cumen

þæt ure mandryhten     mægenes behofað,

godra guðrinca;     wutun gongan to,

helpan hildfruman,     þenden hyt sy,

2650

gledegesa grim. God wat on mec

þæt me is micle leofre     þæt minne lichaman

mid minne goldgyfan     gled fæðmie.

Ne þynceð me gerysne     þæt we rondas beren

eft to earde,     nemne we æror mægen

2655

fane gefyllan,    feorh ealgian

Wedra ðeodnes. Ic wat geare

þæt næron ealdgewyrht,     þæt he ana scyle

Geata duguðe     gnorn þrowian,

gesigan æt sæcce;     urum sceal sweord ond helm,

2660

byrne ond beaduscrud,    bam gemæne."

Wod þa þurh þone wælrec,     wigheafolan bær

frean on fultum,     fea worda cwæð:

"Leofa Biowulf,     læst eall tela,

swa ðu on geoguðfeore     geara gecwæde

2665

þæt ðu ne alæte    be ðe lifigendum

dom gedreosan. Scealt nu dædum rof,

æðeling anhydig,     ealle mægene

feorh ealgian;     ic ðe fullæstu."

æfter ðam wordum     wyrm yrre cwom,

2670

atol inwitgæst,    oðre siðe

fyrwylmum fah     fionda niosian,

laðra manna;     ligyðum for.

Born bord wið rond,     byrne ne meahte

geongum garwigan     geoce gefremman,

2675

ac se maga geonga    under his mæges scyld

elne geeode,     þa his agen wæs

gledum forgrunden. þa gen guðcyning

mærða gemunde,     mægenstrengo sloh

hildebille,     þæt hyt on heafolan stod

2680

niþe genyded;    Nægling forbærst,

geswac æt sæcce     sweord Biowulfes,

gomol ond grægmæl. Him þæt gifeðe ne wæs

þæt him irenna     ecge mihton

helpan æt hilde;     wæs sio hond to strong,

2685

se ðe meca gehwane,    mine gefræge,

swenge ofersohte,     þonne he to sæcce bær

wæpen wundrum heard;     næs him wihte ðe sel.

þa wæs þeodsceaða     þriddan siðe,

frecne fyrdraca,     fæhða gemyndig,

2690

ræsde on ðone rofan,    þa him rum ageald,

hat ond heaðogrim,     heals ealne ymbefeng

biteran banum;     he geblodegod wearð

sawuldriore,     swat yðum weoll.

ða ic æt þearfe gefrægn     þeodcyninges

2695

andlongne eorl    ellen cyðan,

cræft ond cenðu,     swa him gecynde wæs.

Ne hedde he þæs heafolan,     ac sio hand gebarn

modiges mannes,     þær he his mæges healp,

þæt he þone niðgæst     nioðor hwene sloh,

2700

secg on searwum,    þæt ðæt sweord gedeaf,

fah ond fæted,     þæt ðæt fyr ongon

sweðrian syððan. þa gen sylf cyning

geweold his gewitte,     wællseaxe gebræd

biter ond beaduscearp,     þæt he on byrnan wæg;

2705

forwrat Wedra helm    wyrm on middan.

Feond gefyldan     (ferh ellen wræc),

ond hi hyne þa begen     abroten hæfdon,

sibæðelingas. Swylc sceolde secg wesan,

þegn æt ðearfe! þæt ðam þeodne wæs

2710

siðast sigehwila    sylfes dædum,

worlde geweorces. ða sio wund ongon,

þe him se eorðdraca     ær geworhte,

swelan ond swellan;     he þæt sona onfand,

þæt him on breostum     bealoniðe weoll

2715

attor on innan. ða se æðeling giong

þæt he bi wealle     wishycgende

gesæt on sesse;     seah on enta geweorc,

hu ða stanbogan     stapulum fæste

ece eorðreced     innan healde.

2720

Hyne þa mid handa    heorodreorigne,

þeoden mærne,     þegn ungemete till

winedryhten his     wætere gelafede,

hilde sædne,     ond his helm onspeon.

Biowulf maþelode     (he ofer benne spræc,

2725

wunde wælbleate;    wisse he gearwe

þæt he dæghwila     gedrogen hæfde,

eorðan wynne;     ða wæs eall sceacen

dogorgerimes,     deað ungemete neah):

"Nu ic suna minum     syllan wolde

2730

guðgewædu,    þær me gifeðe swa

ænig yrfeweard     æfter wurde

lice gelenge. Ic ðas leode heold

fiftig wintra;     næs se folccyning,

ymbesittendra     ænig ðara,

2735

þe mec guðwinum    gretan dorste,

egesan ðeon. Ic on earde bad

mælgesceafta,     heold min tela,

ne sohte searoniðas,     ne me swor fela

aða on unriht. Ic ðæs ealles mæg

2740

feorhbennum seoc    gefean habban;

for ðam me witan ne ðearf     waldend fira

morðorbealo maga,     þonne min sceaceð

lif of lice. Nu ðu lungre geong

hord sceawian     under harne stan,

2745

Wiglaf leofa,    nu se wyrm ligeð,

swefeð sare wund,     since bereafod.

Bio nu on ofoste,     þæt ic ærwelan,

goldæht ongite,     gearo sceawige

swegle searogimmas,     þæt ic ðy seft mæge

2750

æfter maððumwelan    min alætan

lif ond leodscipe,     þone ic longe heold."

ða ic snude gefrægn     sunu Wihstanes

æfter wordcwydum     wundum dryhtne

hyran heaðosiocum,     hringnet beran,

2755

brogdne beadusercean    under beorges hrof.

Geseah ða sigehreðig,     þa he bi sesse geong,

magoþegn modig     maððumsigla fealo,

gold glitinian     grunde getenge,

wundur on wealle,     ond þæs wyrmes denn,

2760

ealdes uhtflogan,    orcas stondan,

fyrnmanna fatu     feormendlease,

hyrstum behrorene;     þær wæs helm monig

eald ond omig,     earmbeaga fela

searwum gesæled. Sinc eaðe mæg,

2765

gold on grunde,    gumcynnes gehwone

oferhigian,     hyde se ðe wylle.

Swylce he siomian geseah     segn eallgylden

heah ofer horde,     hondwundra mæst,

gelocen leoðocræftum;     of ðam leoma stod,

2770

þæt he þone grundwong    ongitan meahte,

wræte giondwlitan. Næs ðæs wyrmes þær

onsyn ænig,     ac hyne ecg fornam.

ða ic on hlæwe gefrægn     hord reafian,

eald enta geweorc,     anne mannan,

2775

him on bearm hladon    bunan ond discas

sylfes dome;     segn eac genom,

beacna beorhtost. Bill ær gescod

(ecg wæs iren)     ealdhlafordes

þam ðara maðma     mundbora wæs

2780

longe hwile,    ligegesan wæg

hatne for horde,     hioroweallende

middelnihtum,     oðþæt he morðre swealt.

Ar wæs on ofoste,     eftsiðes georn,

frætwum gefyrðred;     hyne fyrwet bræc,

2785

hwæðer collenferð    cwicne gemette

in ðam wongstede     Wedra þeoden

ellensiocne,     þær he hine ær forlet.

He ða mid þam maðmum     mærne þioden,

dryhten sinne,     driorigne fand

2790

ealdres æt ende;    he hine eft ongon

wæteres weorpan,     oðþæt wordes ord

breosthord þurhbræc.

gomel on giohðe     (gold sceawode):

"Ic ðara frætwa     frean ealles ðanc,

2795

wuldurcyninge,    wordum secge,

ecum dryhtne,     þe ic her on starie,

þæs ðe ic moste     minum leodum

ær swyltdæge     swylc gestrynan.

Nu ic on maðma hord     mine bebohte

2800

frode feorhlege,    fremmað gena

leoda þearfe;     ne mæg ic her leng wesan.

Hatað heaðomære     hlæw gewyrcean

beorhtne æfter bæle     æt brimes nosan;

se scel to gemyndum     minum leodum

2805

heah hlifian    on Hronesnæsse,

þæt hit sæliðend     syððan hatan

Biowulfes biorh,     ða ðe brentingas

ofer floda genipu     feorran drifað."

Dyde him of healse     hring gyldenne

2810

þioden þristhydig,    þegne gesealde,

geongum garwigan,     goldfahne helm,

beah ond byrnan,     het hyne brucan well:

"þu eart endelaf     usses cynnes,

Wægmundinga. Ealle wyrd forsweop

2815

mine magas    to metodsceafte,

eorlas on elne;     ic him æfter sceal."

þæt wæs þam gomelan     gingæste word

breostgehygdum,     ær he bæl cure,

hate heaðowylmas;     him of hreðre gewat

2820

sawol secean    soðfæstra dom.

ða wæs gegongen     guman unfrodum

earfoðlice,     þæt he on eorðan geseah

þone leofestan     lifes æt ende

bleate gebæran. Bona swylce læg,

2825

egeslic eorðdraca    ealdre bereafod,

bealwe gebæded. Beahhordum leng

wyrm wohbogen     wealdan ne moste,

ac hine irenna     ecga fornamon,

hearde, heaðoscearde     homera lafe,

2830

þæt se widfloga    wundum stille

hreas on hrusan     hordærne neah.

Nalles æfter lyfte     lacende hwearf

middelnihtum,     maðmæhta wlonc

ansyn ywde,     ac he eorðan gefeoll

2835

for ðæs hildfruman    hondgeweorce.

Huru þæt on lande     lyt manna ðah,

mægenagendra,     mine gefræge,

þeah ðe he dæda gehwæs     dyrstig wære,

þæt he wið attorsceaðan     oreðe geræsde,

2840

oððe hringsele    hondum styrede,

gif he wæccende     weard onfunde

buon on beorge. Biowulfe wearð

dryhtmaðma dæl     deaðe forgolden;

hæfde æghwæðer     ende gefered

2845

lænan lifes. Næs ða lang to ðon

þæt ða hildlatan     holt ofgefan,

tydre treowlogan     tyne ætsomne.

ða ne dorston ær     dareðum lacan

on hyra mandryhtnes     miclan þearfe,

2850

ac hy scamiende    scyldas bæran,

guðgewædu,     þær se gomela læg,

wlitan on Wilaf. He gewergad sæt,

feðecempa,     frean eaxlum neah,

wehte hyne wætre;     him wiht ne speow.

2855

Ne meahte he on eorðan,    ðeah he uðe wel,

on ðam frumgare     feorh gehealdan,

ne ðæs wealdendes     wiht oncirran;

wolde dom godes     dædum rædan

gumena gehwylcum,     swa he nu gen deð.

2860

þa wæs æt ðam geongan    grim ondswaru

eðbegete     þam ðe ær his elne forleas.

Wiglaf maðelode,     Weohstanes sunu,

sec, sarigferð     (seah on unleofe):

"þæt, la, mæg secgan     se ðe wyle soð specan

2865

þæt se mondryhten    se eow ða maðmas geaf,

eoredgeatwe,     þe ge þær on standað,

þonne he on ealubence     oft gesealde

healsittendum     helm ond byrnan,

þeoden his þegnum,     swylce he þrydlicost

2870

ower feor oððe neah    findan meahte,

þæt he genunga     guðgewædu

wraðe forwurpe,     ða hyne wig beget.

Nealles folccyning     fyrdgesteallum

gylpan þorfte;     hwæðre him god uðe,

2875

sigora waldend,    þæt he hyne sylfne gewræc

ana mid ecge,     þa him wæs elnes þearf.

Ic him lifwraðe     lytle meahte

ætgifan æt guðe,     ond ongan swa þeah

ofer min gemet     mæges helpan;

2880

symle wæs þy sæmra,    þonne ic sweorde drep

ferhðgeniðlan,     fyr unswiðor

weoll of gewitte. Wergendra to lyt

þrong ymbe þeoden,     þa hyne sio þrag becwom.

Nu sceal sincþego     ond swyrdgifu,

2885

eall eðelwyn    eowrum cynne,

lufen alicgean;     londrihtes mot

þære mægburge     monna æghwylc

idel hweorfan,     syððan æðelingas

feorran gefricgean     fleam eowerne,

2890

domleasan dæd. Deað bið sella

eorla gehwylcum     þonne edwitlif!"

Heht ða þæt heaðoweorc     to hagan biodan

up ofer ecgclif,     þær þæt eorlweorod

morgenlongne dæg     modgiomor sæt,

2895

bordhæbbende,    bega on wenum,

endedogores     ond eftcymes

leofes monnes. Lyt swigode

niwra spella     se ðe næs gerad,

ac he soðlice     sægde ofer ealle:

2900

"Nu is wilgeofa    Wedra leoda,

dryhten Geata,     deaðbedde fæst,

wunað wælreste     wyrmes dædum.

Him on efn ligeð     ealdorgewinna

sexbennum seoc;     sweorde ne meahte

2905

on ðam aglæcean     ænige þinga

wunde gewyrcean. Wiglaf siteð

ofer Biowulfe,     byre Wihstanes,

eorl ofer oðrum     unlifigendum,

healdeð higemæðum     heafodwearde

2910

leofes ond laðes. Nu ys leodum wen

orleghwile,     syððan underne

Froncum ond Frysum     fyll cyninges

wide weorðeð. Wæs sio wroht scepen

heard wið Hugas,     syððan Higelac cwom

2915

faran flotherge    on Fresna land,

þær hyne Hetware     hilde genægdon,

elne geeodon     mid ofermægene,

þæt se byrnwiga     bugan sceolde,

feoll on feðan,     nalles frætwe geaf

2920

ealdor dugoðe. Us wæs a syððan

Merewioingas     milts ungyfeðe.

Ne ic to Sweoðeode     sibbe oððe treowe

wihte ne wene,     ac wæs wide cuð

þætte Ongenðio     ealdre besnyðede

2925

Hæðcen Hreþling    wið Hrefnawudu,

þa for onmedlan     ærest gesohton

Geata leode     Guðscilfingas.

Sona him se froda     fæder Ohtheres,

eald ond egesfull,     ondslyht ageaf,

2930

abreot brimwisan,    bryd ahredde,

gomela iomeowlan     golde berofene,

Onelan modor     ond Ohtheres,

ond ða folgode     feorhgeniðlan,

oððæt hi oðeodon     earfoðlice

2935

in Hrefnesholt    hlafordlease.

Besæt ða sinherge     sweorda lafe,

wundum werge,     wean oft gehet

earmre teohhe     ondlonge niht,

cwæð, he on mergenne     meces ecgum

2940

getan wolde,    sum on galgtreowum

fuglum to gamene. Frofor eft gelamp

sarigmodum     somod ærdæge,

syððan hie Hygelaces     horn ond byman,

gealdor ongeaton,     þa se goda com

2945

leoda dugoðe    on last faran.

Wæs sio swatswaðu     Sweona ond Geata,

wælræs weora     wide gesyne,

hu ða folc mid him     fæhðe towehton.

Gewat him ða se goda     mid his gædelingum,

2950

frod, felageomor,    fæsten secean,

eorl Ongenþio,     ufor oncirde;

hæfde Higelaces     hilde gefrunen,

wlonces wigcræft,     wiðres ne truwode,

þæt he sæmannum     onsacan mihte,

2955

heaðoliðendum    hord forstandan,

bearn ond bryde;     beah eft þonan

eald under eorðweall. þa wæs æht boden

Sweona leodum,     segn Higelaces

freoðowong þone     forð ofereodon,

2960

syððan Hreðlingas    to hagan þrungon.

þær wearð Ongenðiow     ecgum sweorda,

blondenfexa,     on bid wrecen,

þæt se þeodcyning     ðafian sceolde

Eafores anne dom. Hyne yrringa

2965

Wulf Wonreding     wæpne geræhte,

þæt him for swenge     swat ædrum sprong

forð under fexe. Næs he forht swa ðeh,

gomela Scilfing,     ac forgeald hraðe

wyrsan wrixle     wælhlem þone,

2970

syððan ðeodcyning    þyder oncirde.

Ne meahte se snella     sunu Wonredes

ealdum ceorle     ondslyht giofan,

ac he him on heafde     helm ær gescer,

þæt he blode fah     bugan sceolde,

2975

feoll on foldan;    næs he fæge þa git,

ac he hyne gewyrpte,     þeah ðe him wund hrine.

Let se hearda     Higelaces þegn

bradne mece,     þa his broðor læg,

eald sweord eotonisc,     entiscne helm

2980

brecan ofer bordweal;    ða gebeah cyning,

folces hyrde,     wæs in feorh dropen.

ða wæron monige     þe his mæg wriðon,

ricone arærdon,     ða him gerymed wearð

þæt hie wælstowe     wealdan moston.

2985

þenden reafode    rinc oðerne,

nam on Ongenðio     irenbyrnan,

heard swyrd hilted     ond his helm somod,

hares hyrste     Higelace bær.

He ðam frætwum feng     ond him fægre gehet

2990

leana mid leodum,    ond gelæste swa;

geald þone guðræs     Geata dryhten,

Hreðles eafora,     þa he to ham becom,

Iofore ond Wulfe     mid ofermaðmum,

sealde hiora gehwæðrum     hund þusenda

2995

landes ond locenra beaga    (ne ðorfte him ða lean oðwitan

mon on middangearde),     syððan hie ða mærða geslogon,

ond ða Iofore forgeaf     angan dohtor,

hamweorðunge,     hyldo to wedde.

þæt ys sio fæhðo     ond se feondscipe,

3000

wælnið wera,    ðæs ðe ic wen hafo,

þe us seceað to     Sweona leoda,

syððan hie gefricgeað     frean userne

ealdorleasne,     þone ðe ær geheold

wið hettendum     hord ond rice

3005

æfter hæleða hryre,    hwate Scildingas,

folcred fremede     oððe furður gen

eorlscipe efnde. Nu is ofost betost

þæt we þeodcyning     þær sceawian

ond þone gebringan,     þe us beagas geaf,

3010

on adfære. Ne scel anes hwæt

meltan mid þam modigan,     ac þær is maðma hord,

gold unrime     grimme geceapod,

ond nu æt siðestan     sylfes feore

beagas gebohte.     þa sceall brond fretan,

3015

æled þeccean,    nalles eorl wegan

maððum to gemyndum,     ne mægð scyne

habban on healse     hringweorðunge,

ac sceal geomormod,     golde bereafod,

oft nalles æne     elland tredan,

3020

nu se herewisa    hleahtor alegde,

gamen ond gleodream. Forðon sceall gar wesan

monig, morgenceald,     mundum bewunden,

hæfen on handa,     nalles hearpan sweg

wigend weccean,     ac se wonna hrefn

3025

fus ofer fægum    fela reordian,

earne secgan     hu him æt æte speow,

þenden he wið wulf     wæl reafode."

Swa se secg hwata     secggende wæs

laðra spella;     he ne leag fela

3030

wyrda ne worda. Weorod eall aras;

eodon unbliðe     under Earnanæs,

wollenteare     wundur sceawian.

Fundon ða on sande     sawulleasne

hlimbed healdan     þone þe him hringas geaf

3035

ærran mælum;    þa wæs endedæg

godum gegongen,     þæt se guðcyning,

Wedra þeoden,     wundordeaðe swealt.

ær hi þær gesegan     syllicran wiht,

wyrm on wonge     wiðerræhtes þær

3040

laðne licgean;    wæs se legdraca

grimlic, gryrefah,     gledum beswæled.

Se wæs fiftiges     fotgemearces

lang on legere,     lyftwynne heold

nihtes hwilum,     nyðer eft gewat

3045

dennes niosian;    wæs ða deaðe fæst,

hæfde eorðscrafa     ende genyttod.

Him big stodan     bunan ond orcas,

discas lagon     ond dyre swyrd,

omige, þurhetone,     swa hie wið eorðan fæðm

3050

þusend wintra    þær eardodon.

þonne wæs þæt yrfe,     eacencræftig,

iumonna gold     galdre bewunden,

þæt ðam hringsele     hrinan ne moste

gumena ænig,     nefne god sylfa,

3055

sigora soðcyning,    sealde þam ðe he wolde

(he is manna gehyld)     hord openian,

efne swa hwylcum manna     swa him gemet ðuhte.

þa wæs gesyne     þæt se sið ne ðah

þam ðe unrihte     inne gehydde

3060

wræte under wealle. Weard ær ofsloh

feara sumne;     þa sio fæhð gewearð

gewrecen wraðlice. Wundur hwar þonne

eorl ellenrof     ende gefere

lifgesceafta,     þonne leng ne mæg

3065

mon mid his magum    meduseld buan.

Swa wæs Biowulfe,     þa he biorges weard

sohte, searoniðas;     seolfa ne cuðe

þurh hwæt his worulde gedal     weorðan sceolde.

Swa hit oð domes dæg     diope benemdon

3070

þeodnas mære,    þa ðæt þær dydon,

þæt se secg wære     synnum scildig,

hergum geheaðerod,     hellbendum fæst,

wommum gewitnad,     se ðone wong strude,

næs he goldhwæte     gearwor hæfde

3075

agendes est    ær gesceawod.

Wiglaf maðelode,     Wihstanes sunu:

"Oft sceall eorl monig     anes willan

wræc adreogan,     swa us geworden is.

Ne meahton we gelæran     leofne þeoden,

3080

rices hyrde,    ræd ænigne,

þæt he ne grette     goldweard þone,

lete hyne licgean     þær he longe wæs,

wicum wunian     oð woruldende;

heold on heahgesceap. Hord ys gesceawod,

3085

grimme gegongen;    wæs þæt gifeðe to swið

þe ðone þeodcyning     þyder ontyhte.

Ic wæs þær inne     ond þæt eall geondseh,

recedes geatwa,     þa me gerymed wæs,

nealles swæslice     sið alyfed

3090

inn under eorðweall. Ic on ofoste gefeng

micle mid mundum     mægenbyrðenne

hordgestreona,     hider ut ætbær

cyninge minum. Cwico wæs þa gena,

wis ond gewittig;     worn eall gespræc

3095

gomol on gehðo    ond eowic gretan het,

bæd þæt ge geworhton     æfter wines dædum

in bælstede     beorh þone hean,

micelne ond mærne,     swa he manna wæs

wigend weorðfullost     wide geond eorðan,

3100

þenden he burhwelan    brucan moste.

Uton nu efstan     oðre siðe,

seon ond secean     searogimma geþræc,

wundur under wealle;     ic eow wisige,

þæt ge genoge     neon sceawiað

3105

beagas ond brad gold. Sie sio bær gearo,

ædre geæfned,     þonne we ut cymen,

ond þonne geferian     frean userne,

leofne mannan,     þær he longe sceal

on ðæs waldendes     wære geþolian."

3110

Het ða gebeodan    byre Wihstanes,

hæle hildedior,     hæleða monegum,

boldagendra,     þæt hie bælwudu

feorran feredon,     folcagende,

godum togenes:     "Nu sceal gled fretan,

3115

weaxan wonna leg    wigena strengel,

þone ðe oft gebad     isernscure,

þonne stræla storm     strengum gebæded

scoc ofer scildweall,     sceft nytte heold,

feðergearwum fus     flane fulleode."

3120

Huru se snotra    sunu Wihstanes

acigde of corðre     cyninges þegnas

syfone tosomne,     þa selestan,

eode eahta sum     under inwithrof

hilderinca;     sum on handa bær

3125

æledleoman,    se ðe on orde geong.

Næs ða on hlytme     hwa þæt hord strude,

syððan orwearde     ænigne dæl

secgas gesegon     on sele wunian,

læne licgan;     lyt ænig mearn

3130

þæt hi ofostlice    ut geferedon

dyre maðmas. Dracan ec scufun,

wyrm ofer weallclif,     leton weg niman,

flod fæðmian     frætwa hyrde.

þa wæs wunden gold     on wæn hladen,

3135

æghwæs unrim,    æþeling boren,

har hilderinc     to Hronesnæsse.

Him ða gegiredan     Geata leode

ad on eorðan     unwaclicne,

helmum behongen,     hildebordum,

3140

beorhtum byrnum,    swa he bena wæs;

alegdon ða tomiddes     mærne þeoden

hæleð hiofende,     hlaford leofne.

Ongunnon þa on beorge     bælfyra mæst

wigend weccan;     wudurec astah,

3145

sweart ofer swioðole,    swogende leg

wope bewunden     (windblond gelæg),

oðþæt he ða banhus     gebrocen hæfde,

hat on hreðre. Higum unrote

modceare mændon,     mondryhtnes cwealm;

3150

swylce giomorgyd    Geatisc meowle

bundenheorde

song sorgcearig     swiðe geneahhe

þæt hio hyre heofungdagas     hearde ondrede,

wælfylla worn,     werudes egesan,

3155

hynðo ond hæftnyd.    Heofon rece swealg.

Geworhton ða     Wedra leode

hleo on hoe,     se wæs heah ond brad,

wægliðendum     wide gesyne,

ond betimbredon     on tyn dagum

3160

beadurofes becn,    bronda lafe

wealle beworhton,     swa hyt weorðlicost

foresnotre men     findan mihton.

Hi on beorg dydon     beg ond siglu,

eall swylce hyrsta,     swylce on horde ær

3165

niðhedige men    genumen hæfdon,

forleton eorla gestreon     eorðan healdan,

gold on greote,     þær hit nu gen lifað

eldum swa unnyt     swa hit æror wæs.

þa ymbe hlæw riodan     hildediore,

3170

æþelinga bearn,    ealra twelfe,

woldon ceare cwiðan     ond kyning mænan,

wordgyd wrecan     ond ymb wer sprecan;

eahtodan eorlscipe     ond his ellenweorc

duguðum demdon,     swa hit gedefe bið

3175

þæt mon his winedryhten    wordum herge,

ferhðum freoge,     þonne he forð scile

of lichaman     læded weorðan.

Swa begnornodon     Geata leode

hlafordes hryre,     heorðgeneatas,

3180

cwædon þæt he wære    wyruldcyninga

manna mildust     ond monðwærust,

leodum liðost     ond lofgeornost.