B e o w u l f

T h e   M o n s t e r  
G r e n d e l

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Dha se ellengæst | earfodhlice
thrage getholode, | se the in thystrum bad,
thæt he dogora gehwam | dream gehyrde
hludne in healle; | thær wæs hearpan sweg,

90

swutol sang scopes. | Sægde se the cuthe
frumsceaft fira | feorran reccan,
cwædh thæt se ælmihtiga | eordhan worhte,
wlitebeorhtne wang, | swa wæter bebugedh,
gesette sigehrethig | sunnan ond monan

95

leoman to leohte | landbuendum
ond gefrætwade | foldan sceatas
leomum ond leafum, | lif eac gesceop
cynna gehwylcum | thara dhe cwice hwyrfath.

Swa dha drihtguman | dreamum lifdon

100

eadiglice, | odhdhæt an ongan
fyrene fremman | feond on helle.
Wæs se grimma gæst | Grendel haten,
mære mearcstapa, | se the moras heold,
fen ond fæsten; | fifelcynnes eard

105

wonsæli wer | weardode hwile,
sithdhan him scyppend | forscrifen hæfde
in Caines cynne. | Thone cwealm gewræc
ece drihten, | thæs the he Abel slog;
ne gefeah he thære fæhdhe, | ac he hine feor forwræc,

110

metod for thy mane, | mancynne fram.
Thanon untydras | ealle onwocon,
eotenas ond ylfe | ond orcneas,
swylce gigantas, | tha widh gode wunnon
lange thrage; | he him dhæs lean forgeald.

115

Gewat dha neosian, | sythdhan niht becom,
hean huses, | hu hit Hringdene
æfter beorthege | gebun hæfdon.
Fand tha dhær inne | æthelinga gedriht
swefan æfter symble; | sorge ne cudhon,

120

wonsceaft wera. | Wiht unhælo,
grim ond grædig, | gearo sona wæs,
reoc ond rethe, | ond on ræste genam
thritig thegna, | thanon eft gewat
hudhe hremig | to ham faran,

125

mid thære wælfylle | wica neosan.

Dha wæs on uhtan | mid ærdæge
Grendles gudhcræft | gumum undyrne;
tha wæs æfter wiste | wop up ahafen,
micel morgensweg. | Mære theoden,

130

ætheling ærgod, | unblidhe sæt,
tholode dhrydhswydh, | thegnsorge dreah,
sydhthan hie thæs ladhan | last sceawedon,
wergan gastes; | wæs thæt gewin to strang,
ladh ond longsum. | Næs hit lengra fyrst,

135

ac ymb ane niht | eft gefremede
mordhbeala mare | ond no mearn fore,
fæhdhe ond fyrene; | wæs to fæst on tham.

Tha wæs eadhfynde | the him elles hwær
gerumlicor | ræste sohte,

140

bed æfter burum, | dha him gebeacnod wæs,
gesægd sodhlice | sweotolan tacne
healdhegnes hete; | heold hyne sydhthan
fyr ond fæstor | se thæm feonde ætwand.

Swa rixode | ond widh rihte wan,

145

ana widh eallum, | odhthæt idel stod
husa selest. | Wæs seo hwil micel;
XII wintra tid | torn getholode
wine Scyldinga, | weana gehwelcne,
sidra sorga. | Fordham secgum weardh,

150

ylda bearnum, | undyrne cudh,
gyddum geomore, | thætte Grendel wan
hwile widh Hrothgar, | hetenidhas wæg,
fyrene ond fæhdhe | fela missera,
singale sæce, | sibbe ne wolde

155

widh manna hwone | mægenes Deniga,
feorhbealo feorran, | fea thingian,
ne thær nænig witena | wenan thorfte
beorhtre bote | to banan folmum,
ac se æglæca | ehtende wæs,

160

deorc deathscua, | duguthe ond geogothe,
seomade ond syrede, | sinnihte heold
mistige moras; | men ne cunnon
hwyder helrunan | hwyrftum scrithadh.

Swa fela fyrena | feond mancynnes,

165

atol angengea, | oft gefremede,
heardra hyndha. | Heorot eardode,
sincfage sel | sweartum nihtum;
no he thone gifstol | gretan moste,
mathdhum for metode, | ne his myne wisse.

170

Thæt wæs wræc micel | wine Scyldinga,
modes brecdha. | Monig oft gesæt
rice to rune; | ræd eahtedon
hwæt swidhferhdhum | selest wære
widh færgryrum | to gefremmanne.

175

Hwilum hie geheton | æt hærgtrafum
wigweorthunga, | wordum bædon
thæt him gastbona | geoce gefremede
widh theodthreaum. | Swylc wæs theaw hyra,
hæthenra hyht; | helle gemundon

180

in modsefan, | metod hie ne cuthon,
dæda demend, | ne wiston hie drihten god,
ne hie huru heofena helm | herian ne cuthon,
wuldres waldend. | Wa bidh thæm dhe sceal
thurh slidhne nidh | sawle bescufan

185

in fyres fæthm, | frofre ne wenan,
wihte gewendan; | wel bidh thæm the mot
æfter deadhdæge | drihten secean
ond to fæder fæthmum | freodho wilnian.

Swa dha mælceare | maga Healfdenes

190

singala seadh, | ne mihte snotor hæledh
wean onwendan; | wæs thæt gewin to swydh,
lath ond longsum, | the on dha leode becom,
nydwracu nithgrim, | nihtbealwa mæst.
thæt fram ham gefrægn | Higelaces thegn,

195

god mid Geatum, | Grendles dæda;
se wæs moncynnes | mægenes strengest
on thæm dæge | thysses lifes,
æthele ond eacen. | Het him ydhlidan
godne gegyrwan, | cwædh, he gudhcyning

200

ofer swanrade | secean wolde,
mærne theoden, | tha him wæs manna thearf.
dhone sidhfæt him | snotere ceorlas
lythwon logon, | theah he him leof wære;
hwetton higerofne, | hæl sceawedon.

205

Hæfde se goda | Geata leoda
cempan gecorone | thara the he cenoste
findan mihte; | XVna sum
sundwudu sohte; | secg wisade,
lagucræftig mon, | landgemyrcu.

210

Fyrst fordh gewat. | Flota wæs on ydhum,
bat under beorge. | Beornas gearwe
on stefn stigon; | streamas wundon,
sund widh sande; | secgas bæron
on bearm nacan | beorhte frætwe,

215

gudhsearo geatolic; | guman ut scufon,
weras on wilsidh, | wudu bundenne.

Gewat tha ofer wægholm, | winde gefysed,
flota famiheals | fugle gelicost,
odhthæt ymb antid | othres dogores

220

wundenstefna | gewaden hæfde
thæt dha lidhende | land gesawon,
brimclifu blican, | beorgas steape,
side sænæssas; | tha wæs sund liden,
eoletes æt ende. | Thanon up hradhe

225

Wedera leode | on wang stigon,
sæwudu sældon | (syrcan hrysedon,
gudhgewædo), | gode thancedon
thæs the him ythlade | eadhe wurdon.
Tha of wealle geseah | weard Scildinga,

230

se the holmclifu | healdan scolde,
beran ofer bolcan | beorhte randas,
fyrdsearu fuslicu; | hine fyrwyt bræc
modgehygdum, | hwæt tha men wæron.
Gewat him tha to warodhe | wicge ridan

235

thegn Hrodhgares, | thrymmum cwehte
mægenwudu mundum, | methelwordum frægn:
"Hwæt syndon ge | searohæbbendra,
byrnum werede, | the thus brontne ceol
ofer lagustræte | lædan cwomon,

240

hider ofer holmas? | . . . . . . . le wæs
endesæta, | ægwearde heold,
the on land Dena | ladhra nænig
mid scipherge | scedhthan ne meahte.
No her cudhlicor | cuman ongunnon

245

lindhæbbende; | ne ge leafnesword
gudhfremmendra | gearwe ne wisson,
maga gemedu. | Næfre ic maran geseah
eorla ofer eorthan | dhonne is eower sum,
secg on searwum; | nis thæt seldguma,

250

wæpnum geweordhad, | næfne him his wlite leoge,
ænlic ansyn. | Nu ic eower sceal
frumcyn witan, | ær ge fyr heonan,
leassceaweras, | on land Dena
furthur feran. | Nu ge feorbuend,

255

merelidhende, | minne gehyradh
anfealdne gethoht: | Ofost is selest
to gecydhanne | hwanan eowre cyme syndon."

Him se yldesta | ondswarode,
werodes wisa, | wordhord onleac:

260

"We synt gumcynnes | Geata leode
ond Higelaces | heordhgeneatas.
Wæs min fæder | folcum gecythed,
æthele ordfruma, | Ecgtheow haten.
Gebad wintra worn, | ær he on weg hwurfe,

265

gamol of geardum; | hine gearwe geman
witena welhwylc | wide geond eorthan.
We thurh holdne hige | hlaford thinne,
sunu Healfdenes, | secean cwomon,
leodgebyrgean; | wes thu us larena god.

270

Habbadh we to thæm mæran | micel ærende,
Deniga frean, | ne sceal thær dyrne sum
wesan, thæs ic wene. | Thu wast (gif hit is
swa we sothlice | secgan hyrdon)
thæt mid Scyldingum | sceadhona ic nat hwylc,

275

deogol dædhata, | deorcum nihtum
eawedh thurh egsan | uncudhne nidh,
hyndhu ond hrafyl. | Ic thæs Hrodhgar mæg
thurh rumne sefan | ræd gelæran,
hu he frod ond god | feond oferswydheth,

280

gyf him edwendan | æfre scolde
bealuwa bisigu, | bot eft cuman,
ond tha cearwylmas | colran wurdhath;
odhdhe a sythdhan | earfodhthrage,
threanyd tholadh, | thenden thær wunadh

285

on heahstede | husa selest."
Weard mathelode, | dhær on wicge sæt,
ombeht unforht: | "Æghwæthres sceal
scearp scyldwiga | gescad witan,
worda ond worca, | se the wel thencedh.

290

Ic thæt gehyre, | thæt this is hold weorod
frean Scyldinga. | Gewitath fordh beran
wæpen ond gewædu; | ic eow wisige.
Swylce ic maguthegnas | mine hate
widh feonda gehwone | flotan eowerne,

295

niwtyrwydne | nacan on sande
arum healdan, | othdhæt eft byredh
ofer lagustreamas | leofne mannan
wudu wundenhals | to Wedermearce,
godfremmendra | swylcum gifethe bidh

300

thæt thone hilderæs | hal gedigedh."

Gewiton him tha feran. | Flota stille bad,
seomode on sale | sidfæthmed scip,
on ancre fæst. | Eoforlic scionon
ofer hleorberan | gehroden golde,

305

fah ond fyrheard; | ferhwearde heold
guthmod grimmon. | Guman onetton,
sigon ætsomne, | oththæt hy sæl timbred,
geatolic ond goldfah, | ongyton mihton;
thæt wæs foremærost | foldbuendum

310

receda under roderum, | on thæm se rica bad;
lixte se leoma | ofer landa fela.

Him tha hildedeor | hof modigra
torht getæhte, | thæt hie him to mihton
gegnum gangan; | gudhbeorna sum

315

wicg gewende, | word æfter cwædh:
"Mæl is me to feran; | fæder alwalda
mid arstafum | eowic gehealde
sidha gesunde. | Ic to sæ wille
widh wradh werod | wearde healdan."

320

Stræt wæs stanfah, | stig wisode
gumum ætgædere. | Gudhbyrne scan
heard hondlocen, | hringiren scir
song in searwum, | tha hie to sele furdhum
in hyra gryregeatwum | gangan cwomon.

325

Setton sæmethe | side scyldas,
rondas regnhearde, | widh thæs recedes weal,
bugon tha to bence. | Byrnan hringdon,
gudhsearo gumena; | garas stodon,
sæmanna searo, | samod ætgædere,

330

æscholt ufan græg; | wæs se irenthreat
wæpnum gewurthad. | Tha dhær wlonc hæledh
oretmecgas | æfter æthelum frægn:
"Hwanon ferigeadh ge | fætte scyldas,
græge syrcan | ond grimhelmas,

335

heresceafta heap? | Ic eom Hrodhgares
ar ond ombiht. | Ne seah ic eltheodige
thus manige men | modiglicran.
Wen ic thæt ge for wlenco, | nalles for wræcsidhum,
ac for higethrymmum | Hrodhgar sohton."

340

Him tha 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 theodne, | min ærende,
aldre thinum, | gif he us geunnan wile
thæt we hine swa godne | gretan moton."
Wulfgar mathelode | (thæt wæs Wendla leod;
wæs his modsefa | manegum gecydhed,

350

wig ond wisdom): | "Ic thæs wine Deniga,
frean Scildinga, | frinan wille,
beaga bryttan, | swa thu bena eart,
theoden mærne, | ymb thinne sidh,
ond the tha ondsware | ædre gecydhan

355

dhe me se goda | agifan thencedh."

Hwearf tha hrædlice | thær Hrodhgar sæt
eald ond anhar | mid his eorla gedriht;
eode ellenrof, | thæt he for eaxlum gestod
Deniga frean; | cuthe he dugudhe theaw.

360

Wulfgar madhelode | to his winedrihtne:
"Her syndon geferede, | feorran cumene
ofer geofenes begang | Geata leode;
thone yldestan | oretmecgas
Beowulf nemnadh. | Hy benan synt

365

thæt hie, theoden min, | widh the moton
wordum wrixlan. | No dhu him wearne geteoh
dhinra gegncwida, | glædman Hrodhgar.
Hy on wiggetawum | wyrdhe thinceadh
eorla geæhtlan; | huru se aldor deah,

370

se thæm headhorincum | hider wisade."
Hrodhgar mathelode, | helm Scyldinga:
"Ic hine cudhe | cnihtwesende.
Wæs his ealdfæder | Ecgtheo haten,
dhæm to ham forgeaf | Hrethel Geata

375

angan dohtor; | is his eafora nu
heard her cumen, | sohte holdne wine.
Dhonne sægdon thæt | sælithende,
tha dhe gifsceattas | Geata fyredon
thyder to thance, | thæt he XXXtiges

380

manna mægencræft | on his mundgripe
heathorof hæbbe. | Hine halig god
for arstafum | us onsende,
to Westdenum, | thæs ic wen hæbbe,
widh Grendles gryre. | Ic thæm godan sceal

385

for his modthræce | madmas beodan.
Beo dhu on ofeste, | hat in gan
seon sibbegedriht | samod ætgædere;
gesaga him eac wordum | thæt hie sint wilcuman
Deniga leodum." . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

390

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | word inne abead:
"Eow het secgan | sigedrihten min,
aldor Eastdena, | thæt he eower æthelu can,
ond ge him syndon | ofer sæwylmas
heardhicgende | hider wilcuman.

395

Nu ge moton gangan | in eowrum gudhgeatawum
under heregriman | Hrodhgar geseon;
lætadh hildebord | her onbidan,
wudu, wælsceaftas, | worda gethinges."
Aras tha se rica, | ymb hine rinc manig,

400

thrydhlic thegna heap; | sume thær bidon,
headhoreaf heoldon, | swa him se hearda bebead.

Snyredon ætsomne, | tha secg wisode,
under Heorotes hrof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
heard under helme, | thæt he on heodhe gestod.

405

Beowulf madhelode | (on him byrne scan,
searonet seowed | smithes orthancum):
"Wæs thu, Hrodhgar, hal! | Ic eom Higelaces
mæg ond magodhegn; | hæbbe ic mærdha fela
ongunnen on geogothe. | Me weardh Grendles thing

410

on minre etheltyrf | undyrne cudh;
secgadh sælidhend | thæt thæs sele stande,
reced selesta, | rinca gehwylcum
idel ond unnyt, | sidhdhan æfenleoht
under heofenes hador | beholen weorthedh.

415

Tha me thæt gelærdon | leode mine
tha selestan, | snotere ceorlas,
theoden Hrodhgar, | thæt ic the sohte,
forthan hie mægenes cræft | minne cuthon,
selfe ofersawon, | dha ic of searwum cwom,

420

fah from feondum, | thær ic fife geband,
ydhde eotena cyn | ond on ydhum slog
niceras nihtes, | nearothearfe dreah,
wræc Wedera nidh | (wean ahsodon),
forgrand gramum, | ond nu widh Grendel sceal,

425

widh tham aglæcan, | ana gehegan
dhing widh thyrse. | Ic the nu dha,
brego Beorhtdena, | biddan wille,
eodor Scyldinga, | anre bene,
thæt dhu me ne forwyrne, | wigendra hleo,

430

freowine folca, | nu ic thus feorran com,
thæt ic mote ana | ond minra eorla gedryht,
thes hearda heap, | Heorot fælsian.
Hæbbe ic eac geahsod | thæt se æglæca
for his wonhydum | wæpna ne reccedh.

435

Ic thæt thonne forhicge | (swa me Higelac sie,
min mondrihten, | modes blidhe),
thæt ic sweord bere | othdhe sidne scyld,
geolorand to guthe, | ac ic mid grape sceal
fon widh feonde | ond ymb feorh sacan,

440

ladh widh lathum; | dhær gelyfan sceal
dryhtnes dome | se the hine deadh nimedh.
Wen ic thæt he wille, | gif he wealdan mot,
in thæm gudhsele | Geotena leode
etan unforhte, | swa he oft dyde,

445

mægen Hredhmanna. | Na thu minne thearft
hafalan hydan, | ac he me habban wile
dreore fahne, | gif mec deadh nimedh.
Byredh blodig wæl, | byrgean thencedh,
etedh angenga | unmurnlice,

450

mearcadh morhopu; | no dhu ymb mines ne thearft
lices feorme | leng sorgian.
Onsend Higelace, | gif mec hild nime,
beaduscruda betst, | thæt mine breost weredh,
hrægla selest; | thæt is Hrædlan laf,

455

Welandes geweorc. | Gædh a wyrd swa hio scel."

Hrodhgar mathelode, | helm Scyldinga:
"For gewyrhtum thu, | wine min Beowulf,
ond for arstafum | usic sohtest.
Gesloh thin fæder | fæhdhe mæste;

460

wearth he Heatholafe | to handbonan
mid Wilfingum; | dha hine Wedera cyn
for herebrogan | habban ne mihte.
Thanon he gesohte | Sudhdena folc
ofer ydha gewealc, | Arscyldinga.

465

Dha ic furthum weold | folce Deniga
ond on geogodhe heold | ginne rice,
hordburh hæletha; | dha wæs Heregar dead,
min yldra mæg | unlifigende,
bearn Healfdenes; | se wæs betera dhonne ic.

470

Sidhdhan tha fæhdhe | feo thingode;
sende ic Wylfingum | ofer wæteres hrycg
ealde madmas; | he me athas swor.
Sorh is me to secganne | on sefan minum
gumena ængum | hwæt me Grendel hafadh

475

hyndho on Heorote | mid his hetethancum,
færnidha gefremed. | Is min fletwerod,
wigheap gewanod; | hie wyrd forsweop
on Grendles gryre. | God eathe mæg
thone dolsceadhan | dæda getwæfan.

480

Ful oft gebeotedon | beore druncne
ofer ealowæge | oretmecgas
thæt hie in beorsele | bidan woldon
Grendles guthe | mid gryrum ecga.
Dhonne wæs theos medoheal | on morgentid,

485

drihtsele dreorfah, | thonne dæg lixte,
eal bencthelu | blode bestymed,
heall heorudreore; | ahte ic holdra thy læs,
deorre dugudhe, | the tha deadh fornam.
Site nu to symle | ond onsæl meoto,

490

sigehredh secgum, | swa thin sefa hwette."

Tha wæs Geatmæcgum | geador ætsomne
on beorsele | benc gerymed;
thær swidhferhthe | sittan eodon,
thrydhum dealle. | Thegn nytte beheold,

495

se the on handa bær | hroden ealowæge,
scencte scir wered. | Scop hwilum sang
hador on Heorote. | Thær wæs hæledha dream,
dugudh unlytel | Dena ond Wedera.

Unferdh mathelode, | Ecglafes bearn,

500

the æt fotum sæt | frean Scyldinga,
onband beadurune | (wæs him Beowulfes sidh,
modges merefaran, | micel æfthunca,
forthon the he ne uthe | thæt ænig odher man
æfre mærdha thon ma | middangeardes

505

gehedde under heofenum | thonne he sylfa):
"Eart thu se Beowulf, | se the widh Brecan wunne,
on sidne sæ | ymb sund flite,
dhær git for wlence | wada cunnedon
ond for dolgilpe | on deop wæter

510

aldrum nethdon? | Ne inc ænig mon,
ne leof ne ladh, | belean mihte
sorhfullne sidh, | tha git on sund reon.
Thær git eagorstream | earmum thehton,
mæton merestræta, | mundum brugdon,

515

glidon ofer garsecg; | geofon ythum weol,
wintrys wylmum. | Git on wæteres æht
seofon niht swuncon; | he the æt sunde oferflat,
hæfde mare mægen. | Tha hine on morgentid
on Heathoræmas | holm up ætbær;

520

dhonon he gesohte | swæsne [edhel],
leof his leodum, | lond Brondinga,
freodhoburh fægere, | thær he folc ahte,
burh ond beagas. | Beot eal widh the
sunu Beanstanes | sodhe gelæste.

525

Dhonne wene ic to the | wyrsan gethingea,
dheah thu headhoræsa | gehwær dohte,
grimre gudhe, | gif thu Grendles dearst
nihtlongne fyrst | nean bidan."

Beowulf mathelode, | bearn Ecgtheowes:

530

"Hwæt! thu worn fela, | wine min Unferdh,
beore druncen | ymb Brecan spræce,
sægdest from his sidhe. | Sodh ic talige,
thæt ic merestrengo | maran ahte,
earfetho on ythum, | dhonne ænig other man.

535

Wit thæt gecwædon | cnihtwesende
ond gebeotedon | (wæron begen tha git
on geogodhfeore) | thæt wit on garsecg ut
aldrum nedhdon, | ond thæt geæfndon swa.
Hæfdon swurd nacod, | tha wit on sund reon,

540

heard on handa; | wit unc widh hronfixas
werian thohton. | No he wiht fram me
flodythum feor | fleotan meahte,
hrathor on holme; | no ic fram him wolde.
Dha wit ætsomne | on sæ wæron

545

fif nihta fyrst, | oththæt unc flod todraf,
wado weallende, | wedera cealdost,
nipende niht, | ond northanwind
headhogrim ondhwearf; | hreo wæron ytha.
Wæs merefixa | mod onhrered;

550

thær me widh ladhum | licsyrce min,
heard, hondlocen, | helpe gefremede,
beadohrægl broden | on breostum læg
golde gegyrwed. | Me to grunde teah
fah feondscadha, | fæste hæfde

555

grim on grape; | hwæthre me gyfethe weardh
thæt ic aglæcan | orde geræhte,
hildebille; | heathoræs fornam
mihtig meredeor | thurh mine hand.
Swa mec gelome | ladhgeteonan

560

threatedon thearle. | Ic him thenode
deoran sweorde, | swa hit gedefe wæs.
Næs hie dhære fylle | gefean hæfdon,
manfordædlan, | thæt hie me thegon,
symbel ymbsæton | sægrunde neah;

565

ac on mergenne | mecum wunde
be ydhlafe | uppe lægon,
sweordum aswefede, | thæt sydhthan na
ymb brontne ford | brimlidhende
lade ne letton. | Leoht eastan com,

570

beorht beacen godes; | brimu swathredon,
thæt ic sænæssas | geseon mihte,
windige weallas. | Wyrd oft neredh
unfægne eorl, | thonne his ellen deah.
Hwæthere me gesælde | thæt ic mid sweorde ofsloh

575

niceras nigene. | No ic on niht gefrægn
under heofones hwealf | heardran feohtan,
ne on egstreamum | earmran mannon;
hwathere ic fara feng | feore gedigde,
sithes werig. | Dha mec sæ othbær,

580

flod æfter farodhe | on Finna land,
wadu weallendu. | No ic wiht fram the
swylcra searonidha | secgan hyrde,
billa brogan. | Breca næfre git
æt headholace, | ne gehwæther incer,

585

swa deorlice | dæd gefremede
fagum sweordum | (no ic thæs fela gylpe),
theah dhu thinum brodhrum | to banan wurde,
heafodmægum; | thæs thu in helle scealt
werhdho dreogan, | theah thin wit duge.

590

Secge ic the to sodhe, | sunu Ecglafes,
thæt næfre Grendel swa fela | gryra gefremede,
atol æglæca, | ealdre thinum,
hyndho on Heorote, | gif thin hige wære,
sefa swa searogrim, | swa thu self talast.

595

Ac he hafadh onfunden | thæt he tha fæhdhe ne thearf,
atole ecgthræce | eower leode
swidhe onsittan, | Sigescyldinga;
nymedh nydbade, | nænegum aradh
leode Deniga, | ac he lust wigedh,

600

swefedh ond sendeth, | secce ne weneth
to Gardenum. | Ac ic him Geata sceal
eafodh ond ellen | ungeara nu,
guthe gebeodan. | Gæth eft se the mot
to medo modig, | siththan morgenleoht

605

ofer ylda bearn | othres dogores,
sunne sweglwered | suthan scinedh."
Tha wæs on salum | sinces brytta,
gamolfeax ond gudhrof; | geoce gelyfde
brego Beorhtdena, | gehyrde on Beowulfe

610

folces hyrde | fæstrædne gethoht.

Dhær wæs hæletha hleahtor, | hlyn swynsode,
word wæron wynsume. | Eode Wealhtheow fordh,
cwen Hrodhgares, | cynna gemyndig,
grette goldhroden | guman on healle,

615

ond tha freolic wif | ful gesealde
ærest Eastdena | ethelwearde,
bæd hine blidhne | æt thære beorthege,
leodum leofne. | He on lust getheah
symbel ond seleful, | sigerof kyning.

620

Ymbeode tha | ides Helminga
duguthe ond geogothe | dæl æghwylcne,
sincfato sealde, | oththæt sæl alamp
thæt hio Beowulfe, | beaghroden cwen
mode gethungen, | medoful ætbær;

625

grette Geata leod, | gode thancode
wisfæst wordum | thæs dhe hire se willa gelamp
thæt heo on ænigne | eorl gelyfde
fyrena frofre. | He thæt ful getheah,
wælreow wiga, | æt Wealhtheon,

630

ond tha gyddode | guthe gefysed;
Beowulf mathelode, | bearn Ecgtheowes:
"Ic thæt hogode, | tha ic on holm gestah,
sæbat gesæt | mid minra secga gedriht,
thæt ic anunga | eowra leoda

635

willan geworhte | othdhe on wæl crunge,
feondgrapum fæst. | Ic gefremman sceal
eorlic ellen, | othdhe endedæg
on thisse meoduhealle | minne gebidan."

Dham wife tha word | wel licodon,

640

gilpcwide Geates; | eode goldhroden
freolicu folccwen | to hire frean sittan.
Tha wæs eft swa ær | inne on healle
thrydhword sprecen, | dheod on sælum,
sigefolca sweg, | oththæt semninga

645

sunu Healfdenes | secean wolde
æfenræste; | wiste thæm ahlæcan
to thæm heahsele | hilde gethinged,
sidhdhan hie sunnan leoht | geseon ne meahton,
othdhe nipende | niht ofer ealle,

650

scaduhelma gesceapu | scridhan cwoman,
wan under wolcnum. | Werod eall aras.
Gegrette tha | guma otherne,
Hrodhgar Beowulf, | ond him hæl abead,
winærnes geweald, | ond thæt word acwædh:

655

"Næfre ic ænegum men | ær alyfde,
sithdhan ic hond ond rond | hebban mihte,
dhrythærn Dena | buton the nu dha.
Hafa nu ond geheald | husa selest,
gemyne mærtho, | mægenellen cydh,

660

waca widh wrathum. | Ne bidh the wilna gad,
gif thu thæt ellenweorc | aldre gedigest."

Dha him Hrothgar gewat | mid his hæletha gedryht,
eodur Scyldinga, | ut of healle;
wolde wigfruma | Wealhtheo 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.
dha he him of dyde | isernbyrnan,
helm of hafelan, | sealde his hyrsted sweord,
irena cyst, | ombihtthegne,
ond gehealdan het | hildegeatwe.

675

Gespræc tha se goda | gylpworda sum,
Beowulf Geata, | ær he on bed stige:
"No ic me an herewæsmun | hnagran talige,
guthgeweorca, | thonne Grendel hine;
forthan ic hine sweorde | swebban nelle,

680

aldre beneotan, | theah ic eal mæge.
Nat he thara goda | thæt he me ongean slea,
rand geheawe, | theah dhe he rof sie
nithgeweorca; | ac wit on niht sculon
secge ofersittan, | gif he gesecean dear

685

wig ofer wæpen, | ond sithdhan witig god
on swa hwæthere hond, | halig dryhten,
mærdho deme, | swa him gemet thince."
Hylde hine tha heathodeor, | hleorbolster onfeng
eorles andwlitan, | ond hine ymb monig

690

snellic særinc | selereste gebeah.
Nænig heora thohte | thæt he thanon scolde
eft eardlufan | æfre gesecean,
folc othdhe freoburh, | thær he afeded wæs;
ac hie hæfdon gefrunen | thæt hie ær to fela micles

695

in thæm winsele | wældeadh fornam,
Denigea leode. | Ac him dryhten forgeaf
wigspeda gewiofu, | Wedera leodum,
frofor ond fultum, | thæt hie feond heora
dhurh anes cræft | ealle ofercomon,

700

selfes mihtum. | Sodh is gecythed
thæt mihtig god | manna cynnes
weold wideferhdh. | Com on wanre niht
scridhan sceadugenga. | Sceotend swæfon,
tha thæt hornreced | healdan scoldon,

705

ealle buton anum. | Thæt wæs yldum cuth
thæt hie ne moste, | tha metod nolde,
se scynscatha | under sceadu bregdan;
ac he wæccende | wrathum on andan
bad bolgenmod | beadwa gethinges.

710

Dha com of more | under misthleothum
Grendel gongan, | godes yrre bær;
mynte se manscadha | manna cynnes
sumne besyrwan | in sele tham hean.
Wod under wolcnum | to thæs the he winreced,

715

goldsele gumena, | gearwost wisse,
fættum fahne. | Ne wæs thæt forma sidh
thæt he Hrothgares | ham gesohte;
næfre he on aldordagum | ær ne sithdhan
heardran hæle, | healdhegnas fand.

720

Com tha to recede | rinc sidhian,
dreamum bedæled. | Duru sona onarn,
fyrbendum fæst, | sythdhan he hire folmum æthran;
onbræd tha bealohydig, | dha he gebolgen wæs,
recedes muthan. | Rathe æfter thon

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. | Tha his mod ahlog;
mynte thæt he gedælde, | ærthon dæg cwome,
atol aglæca, | anra gehwylces
lif widh lice, | tha him alumpen wæs
wistfylle wen. | Ne wæs thæt wyrd tha gen

735

thæt he ma moste | manna cynnes
dhicgean ofer tha niht. | Thrydhswydh beheold
mæg Higelaces, | hu se manscadha
under færgripum | gefaran wolde.
Ne thæt se aglæca | yldan thohte,

740

ac he gefeng hradhe | forman sidhe
slæpendne rinc, | slat unwearnum,
bat banlocan, | blod edrum dranc,
synsnædum swealh; | sona hæfde
unlyfigendes | eal gefeormod,

745

fet ond folma. | Fordh near ætstop,
nam tha mid handa | higethihtigne
rinc on ræste, | ræhte ongean
feond mid folme; | he onfeng hrathe
inwitthancum | ond widh earm gesæt.

750

Sona thæt onfunde | fyrena hyrde
thæt he ne mette | middangeardes,
eorthan sceata, | on elran men
mundgripe maran. | He on mode weardh
forht on ferhdhe; | no thy ær fram meahte.

755

Hyge wæs him hinfus, | wolde on heolster fleon,
secan deofla gedræg; | ne wæs his drohtodh thær
swylce he on ealderdagum | ær gemette.

Gemunde tha se goda, | mæg Higelaces,
æfenspræce, | uplang astod

760

ond him fæste widhfeng; | fingras burston.
Eoten wæs utweard; | eorl furthur stop.
Mynte se mæra, | thær he meahte swa,
widre gewindan | ond on weg thanon
fleon on fenhopu; | wiste his fingra geweald

765

on grames grapum. | Thæt wæs geocor sidh
thæt se hearmscatha | to Heorute ateah.
Dryhtsele dynede; | Denum eallum weardh,
ceasterbuendum, | cenra gehwylcum,
eorlum ealuscerwen. | Yrre wæron begen,

770

rethe renweardas. | Reced hlynsode.
Tha wæs wundor micel | thæt se winsele
widhhæfde heathodeorum, | thæt he on hrusan ne feol,
fæger foldbold; | ac he thæs fæste wæs
innan ond utan | irenbendum

775

searothoncum besmithod. | Thær fram sylle abeag
medubenc monig, | mine gefræge,
golde geregnad, | thær tha graman wunnon.
Thæs ne wendon ær | witan Scyldinga
thæt hit a mid gemete | manna ænig,

780

betlic ond banfag, | tobrecan meahte,
listum tolucan, | nymthe liges fæthm
swulge on swathule. | Sweg up astag
niwe geneahhe; | Nordhdenum stod
atelic egesa, | anra gehwylcum

785

thara the of wealle | wop gehyrdon,
gryreleodh galan | godes ondsacan,
sigeleasne sang, | sar wanigean
helle hæfton. | Heold hine fæste
se the manna wæs | mægene strengest

790

on thæm dæge | thysses lifes.
Nolde eorla hleo | ænige thinga
thone cwealmcuman | cwicne forlætan,
ne his lifdagas | leoda ænigum
nytte tealde. | Thær genehost brægd

795

eorl Beowulfes | ealde lafe,
wolde freadrihtnes | feorh ealgian,
mæres theodnes, | dhær hie meahton swa.
Hie thæt ne wiston, | tha hie gewin drugon,
heardhicgende | hildemecgas,

800

ond on healfa gehwone | heawan thohton,
sawle secan, | thone synscadhan
ænig ofer eorthan | irenna cyst,
gudhbilla nan, | gretan nolde,
ac he sigewæpnum | forsworen hæfde,

805

ecga gehwylcre. | Scolde his aldorgedal
on dhæm dæge | thysses lifes
earmlic wurdhan, | ond se ellorgast
on feonda geweald | feor sidhian.
Dha thæt onfunde | se the fela æror

810

modes myrdhe | manna cynne,
fyrene gefremede | (he wæs fag widh god),
thæt him se lichoma | læstan nolde,
ac hine se modega | mæg Hygelaces
hæfde be honda; | wæs gehwæther odhrum

815

lifigende ladh. | Licsar gebad
atol æglæca; | him on eaxle weardh
syndolh sweotol, | seonowe onsprungon,
burston banlocan. | Beowulfe weardh
gudhhredh gyfethe; | scolde Grendel thonan

820

feorhseoc fleon | under fenhleodhu,
secean wynleas wic; | wiste the geornor
thæt his aldres wæs | ende gegongen,
dogera dægrim. | Denum eallum weardh
æfter tham wælræse | willa gelumpen.

825

Hæfde tha gefælsod | se the ær feorran com,
snotor ond swydhferhdh, | sele Hrodhgares,
genered widh nidhe; | nihtweorce gefeh,
ellenmærthum. | Hæfde Eastdenum
Geatmecga leod | gilp gelæsted,

830

swylce oncythdhe | ealle gebette,
inwidsorge, | the hie ær drugon
ond for threanydum | tholian scoldon,
torn unlytel. | Thæt wæs tacen sweotol,
sythdhan hildedeor | hond alegde,

835

earm ond eaxle | (thær wæs eal geador
Grendles grape) | under geapne hrof.

Dha wæs on morgen | mine gefræge
ymb tha gifhealle | gudhrinc monig;
ferdon folctogan | feorran ond nean

840

geond widwegas | wundor sceawian,
lathes lastas. | No his lifgedal
sarlic thuhte | secga ænegum
thara the tirleases | trode sceawode,
hu he werigmod | on weg thanon,

845

nidha ofercumen, | on nicera mere
fæge ond geflymed | feorhlastas bær.
Dhær wæs on blode | brim weallende,
atol ydha geswing | eal gemenged
haton heolfre, | heorodreore weol.

850

Deadhfæge deog, | sidhdhan dreama leas
in fenfreodho | feorh alegde,
hæthene sawle; | thær him hel onfeng.

Thanon eft gewiton | ealdgesidhas,
swylce geong manig | of gomenwathe

855

fram mere modge | mearum ridan,
beornas on blancum. | Dhær wæs Beowulfes
mærdho mæned; | monig oft gecwædh
thætte sudh ne nordh | be sæm tweonum
ofer eormengrund | other nænig

860

under swegles begong | selra nære
rondhæbbendra, | rices wyrdhra.
Ne hie huru winedrihten | wiht ne logon,
glædne Hrodhgar, | ac thæt wæs god cyning.

Hwilum heathorofe | hleapan leton,

865

on geflit faran | fealwe mearas
dhær him foldwegas | fægere thuhton,
cystum cudhe. | Hwilum cyninges thegn,
guma gilphlæden, | gidda gemyndig,
se dhe ealfela | ealdgesegena

870

worn gemunde, | word other fand
sodhe gebunden; | secg eft ongan
sidh Beowulfes | snyttrum styrian
ond on sped wrecan | spel gerade,
wordum wrixlan. | Welhwylc gecwædh

875

thæt he fram Sigemundes | secgan hyrde
ellendædum, | uncuthes fela,
Wælsinges gewin, | wide sidhas,
thara the gumena bearn | gearwe ne wiston,
fæhdhe ond fyrena, | buton Fitela mid hine,

880

thonne he swulces hwæt | secgan wolde,
eam his nefan, | swa hie a wæron
æt nidha gehwam | nydgesteallan;
hæfdon ealfela | eotena cynnes
sweordum gesæged. | Sigemunde gesprong

885

æfter deadhdæge | dom unlytel,
sythdhan wiges heard | wyrm acwealde,
hordes hyrde. | He under harne stan,
æthelinges bearn, | ana genedhde
frecne dæde, | ne wæs him Fitela mid.

890

Hwæthre him gesælde | dhæt thæt swurd thurhwod
wrætlicne wyrm, | thæt hit on wealle ætstod,
dryhtlic iren; | draca mordhre swealt.
Hæfde aglæca | elne gegongen
thæt 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 wertheode, | wigendra hleo,

900

ellendædum | (he thæs ær ondhah),
sidhdhan Heremodes | hild swedhrode,
eafodh ond ellen. | He mid Eotenum weardh
on feonda geweald | fordh forlacen,
snude forsended. | Hine sorhwylmas

905

lemede to lange; | he his leodum weardh,
eallum æthellingum | to aldorceare;
swylce oft bemearn | ærran mælum
swidhferhthes sidh | snotor ceorl monig,
se the him bealwa to | bote gelyfde,

910

thæt thæt dheodnes bearn | getheon scolde,
fæderæthelum onfon, | folc gehealdan,
hord ond hleoburh, | hæletha rice,
[edhel] Scyldinga. | He thær eallum weardh,
mæg Higelaces, | manna cynne,

915

freondum gefægra; | hine fyren onwod.
Hwilum flitende | fealwe stræte
mearum mæton. | Dha wæs morgenleoht
scofen ond scynded. | Eode scealc monig
swidhhicgende | to sele tham hean

920

searowundor seon; | swylce self cyning
of brydbure, | beahhorda weard,
tryddode tirfæst | getrume micle,
cystum gecythed, | ond his cwen mid him
medostigge mæt | mægtha hose.

925

Hrodhgar mathelode | (he to healle geong,
stod on stapole, | geseah steapne hrof,
golde fahne, | ond Grendles hond):
"Dhisse ansyne | alwealdan thanc
lungre gelimpe! | Fela ic lathes gebad,

930

grynna æt Grendle; | a mæg god wyrcan
wunder æfter wundre, | wuldres hyrde.
Dhæt wæs ungeara | thæt ic ænigra me
weana ne wende | to widan feore
bote gebidan, | thonne blode fah

935

husa selest | heorodreorig stod,
wea widscofen | witena gehwylcum
dhara the ne wendon | thæt hie wideferhdh
leoda landgeweorc | lathum beweredon
scuccum ond scinnum. | Nu scealc hafadh

940

thurh drihtnes miht | dæd gefremede
dhe we ealle | ær ne meahton
snyttrum besyrwan. | Hwæt, thæt secgan mæg
efne swa hwylc mægtha | swa dhone magan cende
æfter gumcynnum, | gyf heo gyt lyfadh,

945

thæt hyre ealdmetod | este wære
bearngebyrdo. | Nu ic, Beowulf, thec,
secg betsta, | me for sunu wylle
freogan on ferhthe; | heald fordh tela
niwe sibbe. | Ne bidh the nænigra gad

950

worolde wilna, | the ic geweald hæbbe.
Ful oft ic for læssan | lean teohhode,
hordweorthunge | hnahran rince,
sæmran æt sæcce. | Thu the self hafast
dædum gefremed | thæt thin dom lyfadh

955

awa to aldre. | Alwalda thec
gode forgylde, | swa he nu gyt dyde!"
Beowulf mathelode, | bearn Ectheowes:
"We thæt ellenweorc | estum miclum,
feohtan fremedon, | frecne genedhdon

960

eafodh uncuthes. | Uthe ic swithor
thæt dhu hine selfne | geseon moste,
feond on frætewum | fylwerigne.
Ic hine hrædlice | heardan clammum
on wælbedde | writhan thohte,

965

thæt he for mundgripe | minum scolde
licgean lifbysig, | butan his lic swice.
Ic hine ne mihte, | tha metod nolde,
ganges getwæman, | no ic him thæs georne ætfealh,
feorhgenidhlan; | wæs to foremihtig

970

feond on fethe. | Hwæthere he his folme forlet
to lifwrathe | last weardian,
earm ond eaxle. | No thær ænige swa theah
feasceaft guma | frofre gebohte;
no thy leng leofadh | ladhgeteona,

975

synnum geswenced, | ac hyne sar hafadh
mid nydgripe | nearwe befongen,
balwon bendum. | Dhær abidan sceal
maga mane fah | miclan domes,
hu him scir metod | scrifan wille."

980

Dha wæs swigra secg, | sunu Eclafes,
on gylpspræce | gudhgeweorca,
sithdhan æthelingas | eorles cræfte
ofer heanne hrof | hand sceawedon,
feondes fingras. | Foran æghwylc wæs,

985

stidhra nægla gehwylc, | style gelicost,
hæthenes handsporu | hilderinces,
egl, unheoru. | Æghwylc gecwædh
thæt him heardra nan | hrinan wolde
iren ærgod, | thæt dhæs ahlæcan

990

blodge beadufolme | onberan wolde.

Dha wæs haten hrethe | Heort innanweard
folmum gefrætwod. | Fela thæra wæs,
wera ond wifa, | the thæt winreced,
gestsele gyredon. | Goldfag scinon

995

web æfter wagum, | wundorsiona fela
secga gehwylcum | thara the on swylc staradh.
Wæs thæt beorhte bold | tobrocen swidhe,
eal inneweard | irenbendum fæst,
heorras tohlidene. | Hrof ana genæs,

1000

ealles ansund, | the se aglæca,
fyrendædum fag, | on fleam gewand,
aldres orwena. | No thæt ydhe bydh
to befleonne, | fremme se the wille,
ac gesecan sceal | sawlberendra,

1005

nyde genydde, | nithdha bearna,
grundbuendra | gearwe stowe,
thær his lichoma | legerbedde fæst
swefeth æfter symle. | Tha wæs sæl ond mæl
thæt to healle gang | Healfdenes sunu;

1010

wolde self cyning | symbel thicgan.
Ne gefrægen ic tha mægthe | maran weorode
ymb hyra sincgyfan | sel gebæran.
Bugon tha to bence | blædagande,
fylle gefægon; | fægere gethægon

1015

medoful manig | magas thara
swidhhicgende | on sele tham hean,
Hrodhgar ond Hrothulf. | Heorot innan wæs
freondum afylled; | nalles facenstafas
theodscyldingas | thenden fremedon.

1020

Forgeaf tha Beowulfe | bearn Healfdenes
segen gyldenne | sigores to leane;
hroden hildecumbor, | helm ond byrnan,
mære madhthumsweord | manige gesawon
beforan beorn beran. | Beowulf gethah

1025

ful on flette; | no he thære feohgyfte
for sceotendum | scamigan dhorfte.
Ne gefrægn ic freondlicor | feower madmas
golde gegyrede | gummanna fela
in ealobence | odhrum gesellan.

1030

Ymb thæs helmes hrof | heafodbeorge
wirum bewunden | walu utan heold,
thæt him fela laf | frecne ne meahton
scurheard scethdhan, | thonne scyldfreca
ongean gramum | gangan scolde.

1035

Heht dha eorla hleo | eahta mearas
fætedhleore | on flet teon,
in under eoderas. | Thara anum stod
sadol searwum fah, | since gewurthad;
thæt wæs hildesetl | heahcyninges,

1040

dhonne sweorda gelac | sunu Healfdenes
efnan wolde. | Næfre on ore læg
widcuthes wig, | dhonne walu feollon.
Ond dha Beowulfe | bega gehwæthres
eodor Ingwina | onweald geteah,

1045

wicga ond wæpna, | het hine wel brucan.
Swa manlice | mære theoden,
hordweard hæletha, | heathoræsas geald
mearum ond madmum, | swa hy næfre man lyhdh,
se the secgan wile | sodh æfter rihte.

1050

Dha gyt æghwylcum | eorla drihten
thara the mid Beowulfe | brimlade teah
on thære medubence | mathdhum gesealde,
yrfelafe, | ond thone ænne heht
golde forgyldan, | thone dhe Grendel ær

1055

mane acwealde, | swa he hyra ma wolde,
nefne him witig god | wyrd forstode
ond dhæs mannes mod. | Metod eallum weold
gumena cynnes, | swa he nu git dedh.
Forthan bidh andgit | æghwær selest,

1060

ferhdhes forethanc. | Fela sceal gebidan
leofes ond lathes | se the longe her
on dhyssum windagum | worolde brucedh.

Thær wæs sang ond sweg | samod ætgædere
fore Healfdenes | hildewisan,

1065

gomenwudu greted, | gid oft wrecen,
dhonne healgamen | Hrothgares scop
æfter medobence | mænan scolde
be Finnes eaferum, | dha hie se fær begeat,
hæledh Healfdena, | Hnæf Scyldinga,

1070

in Freswæle | feallan scolde.
Ne huru Hildeburh | herian thorfte
Eotena treowe; | unsynnum weardh
beloren leofum | æt tham lindplegan,
bearnum ond brodhrum; | hie on gebyrd hruron,

1075

gare wunde. | Thæt wæs geomuru ides!
Nalles holinga | Hoces dohtor
meotodsceaft bemearn, | sythdhan morgen com,
dha heo under swegle | geseon meahte
morthorbealo maga, | thær heo ær mæste heold

1080

worolde wynne. | Wig ealle fornam
Finnes thegnas | nemne feaum anum,
thæt he ne mehte | on thæm medhelstede
wig Hengeste | wiht gefeohtan,
ne tha wealafe | wige forthringan

1085

theodnes dhegna; | ac hig him gethingo budon,
thæt hie him odher flet | eal gerymdon,
healle ond heahsetl, | thæt hie healfre geweald
widh Eotena bearn | agan moston,
ond æt feohgyftum | Folcwaldan sunu

1090

dogra gehwylce | Dene weorthode,
Hengestes heap | hringum wenede
efne swa swidhe | sincgestreonum
fættan goldes, | swa he Fresena cyn
on beorsele | byldan wolde.

1095

Dha hie getruwedon | on twa healfa
fæste friodhuwære. | Fin Hengeste
elne, unflitme | adhum benemde
thæt he tha wealafe | weotena dome
arum heolde, | thæt dhær ænig mon

1100

wordum ne worcum | wære ne bræce,
ne thurh inwitsearo | æfre gemænden
dheah hie hira beaggyfan | banan folgedon
dheodenlease, | tha him swa gethearfod wæs;
gyf thonne Frysna hwylc | frecnan spræce

1105

dhæs morthorhetes | myndgiend wære,
thonne hit sweordes ecg | sedhan scolde.

Ad wæs geæfned | ond icge gold
ahæfen of horde. | Herescyldinga
betst beadorinca | wæs on bæl gearu.

1110

Æt thæm ade wæs | ethgesyne
swatfah syrce, | swyn ealgylden,
eofer irenheard, | ætheling manig
wundum awyrded; | sume on wæle crungon.
Het dha Hildeburh | æt Hnæfes ade

1115

hire selfre sunu | sweolodhe befæstan,
banfatu bærnan | ond on bæl don
eame on eaxle. | Ides gnornode,
geomrode giddum. | Gudhrinc astah.
Wand to wolcnum | wælfyra mæst,

1120

hlynode for hlawe; | hafelan multon,
bengeato burston, | dhonne blod ætspranc,
ladhbite lices. | Lig ealle forswealg,
gæsta gifrost, | thara dhe thær gudh fornam
bega folces; | wæs hira blæd scacen.

1125

Gewiton him dha wigend | wica neosian,
freondum befeallen, | Frysland geseon,
hamas ond heaburh. | Hengest dha gyt
wælfagne winter | wunode mid Finne
eal unhlitme. | Eard gemunde,

1130

theah the he ne meahte | on mere drifan
hringedstefnan; | holm storme weol,
won widh winde, | winter ythe beleac
isgebinde, | othdhæt other com
gear in geardas, | swa nu gyt dedh,

1135

tha dhe syngales | sele bewitiadh,
wuldortorhtan weder. | Dha wæs winter scacen,
fæger foldan bearm. | Fundode wrecca,
gist of geardum; | he to gyrnwræce
swidhor thohte | thonne to sælade,

1140

gif he torngemot | thurhteon mihte
thæt he Eotena bearn | inne gemunde.
Swa he ne forwyrnde | woroldrædenne,
thonne him Hunlafing | hildeleoman,
billa selest, | on bearm dyde,

1145

thæs wæron mid Eotenum | ecge cudhe.
Swylce ferhdhfrecan | Fin eft begeat
sweordbealo slidhen | æt his selfes ham,
sithdhan grimne gripe | Gudhlaf ond Oslaf
æfter sæsidhe, | sorge, mændon,

1150

ætwiton weana dæl; | ne meahte wæfre mod
forhabban in hrethre. | Dha wæs heal roden
feonda feorum, | swilce Fin slægen,
cyning on corthre, | ond seo cwen numen.
Sceotend Scyldinga | to scypon feredon

1155

eal ingesteald | eordhcyninges,
swylce hie æt Finnes ham | findan meahton
sigla, searogimma. | Hie on sælade
drihtlice wif | to Denum feredon,
læddon to leodum. | Leodh wæs asungen,

1160

gleomannes gyd. | Gamen eft astah,
beorhtode bencsweg; | byrelas sealdon
win of wunderfatum. | Tha cwom Wealhtheo fordh
gan under gyldnum beage, | thær tha godan twegen
sæton suhtergefæderan; | tha gyt wæs hiera sib ætgædere,

1165

æghwylc odhrum trywe. | Swylce thær Unferth thyle
æt fotum sæt frean Scyldinga; | gehwylc hiora his ferhthe treowde.

Thæt he hæfde mod micel, | theah the he his magum nære
arfæst æt ecga gelacum. | Spræc dha ides Scyldinga:
"Onfoh thissum fulle, | freodrihten min,

1170

sinces brytta! | Thu on sælum wes,
goldwine gumena, | ond to Geatum spræc
mildum wordum, | swa sceal man don.
Beo widh Geatas glæd, | geofena gemyndig,
nean ond feorran | thu nu hafast.

1175

Me man sægde | thæt thu dhe for sunu wolde
hererinc habban. | Heorot is gefælsod,
beahsele beorhta; | bruc thenden thu mote
manigra medo, | ond thinum magum læf
folc ond rice, | thonne dhu fordh scyle

1180

metodsceaft seon. | Ic minne can
glædne Hrothulf, | thæt he tha geogodhe wile
arum healdan, | gyf thu ær thonne he,
wine Scildinga, | worold oflætest;
wene ic thæt he mid gode | gyldan wille

1185

uncran eaferan, | gif he thæt eal gemon,
hwæt wit to willan | ond to wordhmyndum
umborwesendum ær | arna gefremedon."
Hwearf tha bi bence | thær hyre byre wæron,
Hredhric ond Hrodhmund, | ond hæletha bearn,

1190

giogodh ætgædere; | thær se goda sæt,
Beowulf Geata, | be thæm gebrodhrum twæm.
Him wæs ful boren | ond freondlathu
wordum bewægned, | ond wunden gold
estum geeawed, | earmreade twa,

1195

hrægl ond hringas, | healsbeaga mæst
thara the ic on foldan | gefrægen hæbbe.
Nænigne ic under swegle | selran hyrde
hordmadhdhum hæletha, | sythdhan Hama ætwæg
to thære byrhtan byrig | Brosinga mene,

1200

sigle ond sincfæt; | searonidhas fleah
Eormenrices, | geceas ecne ræd.
Thone hring hæfde | Higelac Geata,
nefa Swertinges, | nyhstan sidhe,
sidhthan he under segne | sinc ealgode,

1205

wælreaf werede; | hyne wyrd fornam,
sythdhan he for wlenco | wean ahsode,
fæhdhe to Frysum. | He tha frætwe wæg,
eorclanstanas | ofer ydha ful,
rice theoden; | he under rande gecranc.

1210

Gehwearf tha in Francna fæthm | feorh cyninges,
breostgewædu | ond se beah somod;
wyrsan wigfrecan | wæl reafedon
æfter gudhsceare, | Geata leode,
hreawic heoldon. | Heal swege onfeng.

1215

Wealhdheo mathelode, | heo fore thæm werede spræc:
"Bruc dhisses beages, | Beowulf leofa,
hyse, mid hæle, | ond thisses hrægles neot,
theodgestreona, | ond getheoh tela,
cen thec mid cræfte | ond thyssum cnyhtum wes

1220

lara lidhe; | ic the thæs lean geman.
Hafast thu gefered | thæt dhe feor ond neah
ealne wideferhth | weras ehtigadh,
efne swa side | swa sæ bebugedh,
windgeard, weallas. | Wes thenden thu lifige,

1225

ætheling, eadig. | Ic the an tela
sincgestreona. | Beo thu suna minum
dædum gedefe, | dreamhealdende.
Her is æghwylc eorl | othrum getrywe,
modes milde, | mandrihtne hold;

1230

thegnas syndon gethwære, | theod ealgearo,
druncne dryhtguman | dodh swa ic bidde."
Eode tha to setle. | Thær wæs symbla cyst;
druncon win weras. | Wyrd ne cuthon,
geosceaft grimme, | swa hit agangen weardh

1235

eorla manegum, | sythdhan æfen cwom
ond him Hrothgar gewat | to hofe sinum,
rice to ræste. | Reced weardode
unrim eorla, | swa hie oft ær dydon.
Bencthelu beredon; | hit geondbræded weardh

1240

beddum ond bolstrum. | Beorscealca sum
fus ond fæge | fletræste gebeag.
Setton him to heafdon | hilderandas,
bordwudu beorhtan; | thær on bence wæs
ofer æthelinge | ythgesene

1245

heathosteapa helm, | hringed byrne,
threcwudu thrymlic. | Wæs theaw hyra
thæt hie oft wæron | an wig gearwe,
ge æt ham ge on herge, | ge gehwæther thara,
efne swylce mæla | swylce hira mandryhtne

1250

thearf gesælde; | wæs seo theod tilu.