Beowulf Edition (Kiernan)

129r |HWÆT: WE GARDENA IN GEARDAGUM

þeodcyninga þrym gefrunon.

Hu ða æþelingas elle(n) fremedon!

Oft Scyld Scefing sceaþen[a] þreatum

5 monegum mægþum meodosetla ofteah,

egsode eorl, syððan ærest wear(ð)

feasceaft funden. He þæs frofre geba(d),

weox under wolcnum, weorðmyndum þah,

oð þæt 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 Þæt hie ær drugon aldor[le]ase

lange hwile. Him þæs Liffrea,

wuldres wealdend, woroldare forgeaf.

Beowulf wæs breme, blæd wide sprang,

Scyldes eafera Scedelandum in.

20 Swa sceal ge[ong] [g]uma gode gewyrcean,

129v fromum feohgiftum on fæder |[bea](r)me,

þæt hine on ylde eft gewunigen

wi(l)gesiþas, 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 7 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 7 heaðowædum,

40 billum 7 byrnum. Him on bearme læg

madma mænigo, þa him mid scoldon

on flodes æht feor gewitan.

Nalæs hi hine læssan lacum teodan,

þeodgestreonum, þon[ne] (þ)a d(y)don,

45 þe hine æt frumsceafte forð onsendon

130r ænne ofer yðe umborwe|sende.

Þa gyt hie him asetton segen g(y)[l]denne

heah ofer heafod, leton holm ber(an)

geafon on garsecg. Him wæs geomor sefa,

50 murnende mod. Men ne cunnon

secgan t(o) soðe selerædenne,

hæleð under heofenum, hwa þæm hlæste onfeng.

.I.

ÐA wæs on burgum Beowulf Scyldinga

leo(f) leodcyning longe þrage,

55 folcum gefræge. Fæder ellor hwearf,

aldor of earde. Oþ þæt him eft onwoc

heah Healfdene, heold þenden lifde,

gamol 7 guðreouw, glæde Scyldingas.

Ðæm feower bearn forðgerimed

60 in worold wocun: weoroda ræswa,

Heorogar, 7 Hroðgar, 7 Halga til.

Hyrde ic þæt [æþele] [an] [wearð] Elan cwen,

Heaðo-Scilfingas 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,

130v |[medo]ærn micel men gewyrcean -

70 þone yldo (b)earn æfre gefrunon -

7 þær on innan eall (g)edælan

geongum 7 ealdum, swylc him God sealde,

buton folcscare 7 feorum gumena.

(Ð)a 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 7 horngeap. Heaðowylma bad,

laðan liges. Ne wæs hit lenge þa gen

þæt se secghete aþum swerian,

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,

132r |cwæ(ð) þæt se Ælmihtiga eorðan w(orh)[te],

wlitebeorhtne wang, swa wæter b(e)bugeð,

gesette sigehreþig sunn(an) 7 monan,

95 leoman to leohte landb(uen)dum.

7 gefrætwade foldan sceatas,

leomum 7 leafum, lif eac gesceop

cy(n)na gehwylcum þara ðe cwice hwyrfa(þ.)

Swa ða drihtguman dreamum lifd(on)

100 eadiglice, oð ðæt an ongan

fyrene fre[m]man, feond on helle.

Wæs se grimma gæst Grendel haten,

mære mearcstapa, se þe moras heold,

fen 7 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 7 ylfe 7 orcneas,

132v swylce gi|[ga](ntas), þa wið Gode wunnon

lange þrag(e). (He) him ðæs lean forgeald.

.II.

115 (Ge)wat ða neosian, syþðan niht becom,

hean huses, hu hit Hring-Dene

æfter (b)eorþege gebun hæfdon.

Fand þa ðær inne æþelinga gedriht

swefan æfter (sy)mble. Sorge ne cuðon,

120 wonsceaft wera. Wiht unhælo,

grim 7 grædig, gearo sona wæs,

reoc 7 reþe, 7 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 upahafen,

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,

133r lað 7 longsum. Næs hit lengra |(f)yrst,

135 ac ym(b) ane niht ef(t gefremede)

morðbeala mare, 7 no mearn fore

fæhðe 7 fyrene. Wæs to fæst on þam.

Þ(a) wæs eaðfynde þe him elles hwær

geru(m)licor ræste [wolde],

140 bed æfter burum, ða hi(m) gebeacnod wæs,

gesægd soðlice sweo(to)lan tacne

healðegnes hete. Heold h(y)ne syðþan

fyr 7 fæstor, se þæm feonde ætwand.

Swa rixode 7 wið rihte wan,

145 ana wið eallum, oð þæt idel stod

husa selest. Wæs seo hwil micel,

twelf wintra tid, torn geþolode

wine, scyldenda, weana gehwelcne,

sidra sorga. Forðam [sona] wearð

150 ylda bearnum undyrne, cuð,

gyddum geomore, þætte Grendel wan

hwile wið Hroþgar, heteniðas wæg,

fyrene 7 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 ban[an] folmum.

133v |[Atol] (æglæca) (eh)tende wæs

160 deorc deaþsc(ua), (du)guþe 7 geogoþe,

seomade 7 syrede, (s)innihte heold

mistige moras. Men ne (c)unnon

hwyder helrunan hwyrftum scriþað.

Swa fela fyrena feond mancyn(n)es,

165 atol angengea, oft gefremede,

(h)eardra hynða. Heorot eardode,

sinc(fa)ge 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 hrærgtrafum

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.

134r |(Ne hie) huru heofena Helm herian (ne) cuþon,

wuldres Waldend. Wa bið þæm ðe sceal

þurh sliðne nið sawle bescufa(n)

185 in fyres fæþm, frofre ne wenan,

wihte gewendan. Wel bið þæm þe mot

æfter deaðdæge Drihten secean

7 to fæder fæþmum freoðo wilnian.

.III.

Swa ða mælceare maga Healfdenes

190 singala seað. Ne mihte snotor hæleð

wean onwendan. Wæs þæt gewin to swyð,

laþ 7 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 7 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

134v lyt hwon logon. |(Þeah) he him leof wære,

hwetton hige(rofne). (Hæ)l sceawedon.

205 Hæfde se goda Geata leoda

(c)empan gecorone, þara þe he cenoste

findan mihte. Fiftyna 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,

oð þæt 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.

135r |(Þa) of wealle geseah weard Scildinga,

230 se þe (holm)clifu healdan scolde,

beran ofer bolcan beorhte randas,

fyrdsearu fuslicu. Hine fyrwyt bræc

modgehygdum hwæt þa men wæron.

Gewat him þa to waroðe wicge rid(an),

235 þegn Hroðgares, þrymmum cwehte

mægenwudu mundum, meþelwordum frægn.

"Hwæt, syndon ge searohæbbendra,

byrnum wer(e)de, þe þus brontne ceol

ofer lagustræte lædan cwomon,

240 hider ofer holmas?"

[H]e 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. Næfre him his wlite leoge,

ænlic ansyn. Nu ic eower sceal

135v frumcyn witan, ær ge fyr |(heon)an

leassceaweras on land Den(a)

furþur feran. Nu ge feorbuend,

255 mereliðende mine gehyrað

anfealdne geþoht: ofost is selest

to gecyðanne. (H)wanan eowre cyme syndon?"

.IIII.

Him se yldesta andswarode,

werodes wisa, wordhord onleac:

260 "We synt gumcynnes Geata leode

7 Higelaces heorðgeneatas.

Wæs min fæder folcum gecyþed,

æþele ordfruma, Ecgþeow hatan.

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

136r swa we soþlice |secgan hyrdon,

þæt mid Scyldingum scea(ðona) ic nat hwylc,

275 deogol dædhata, deorcu(m) nihtum,

eaweð þurh egsan uncuðne ni(ð),

hynðu 7 hrafyl. Ic þæs Hroðgar mæg,

þur(h) rumne sefan, ræd gelæran,

hu he, fro(d 7) god, feond oferswyðeþ -

280 gyf him edwend(an) æfre scolde,

bealuwa bisigu, bot eft cuman.

7 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 7 worca, se þe wel þenceð.

290 Ic þæt gehyre, þæt þis is hold weorod

frean Scyldinga. Gewitaþ forð beran

wæpen 7 gewædu. Ic eow wisige.

Swylce ic maguþegnas mine hate

wið feonda gehwone flotan eowerne,

295 niwtyrwydne nacan on sande,

arum healdan, oþ ðæt eft byreð

136v ofer lagustrea|(mas) leofne mannan,

wudu wundenhals (t)o Wedermearce.

Godfremmendra swylcum gifeþe bið

300 þæt þone hilderæs hal gedigeð."

Gewiton him þa feran. Flota (s)tille bad,

seomode on sole sidfæþmed (sc)ip,

on ancre fæst. Eoforlic scionon

(o)fer hleorberan, gehroden golde,

305 fah 7 fyrheard. Ferhwearde heold,

guþmod grummon. Guman onetton,

sigon ætsomne, oþ þæt hy æltimbred,

geatolic 7 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 of 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,

137r wið |(w)ra(ð) werod wearde healdan."

.V.

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 hæleþum frægn:

"Hwanon ferigeað ge fætte scyldas

græge syrcan 7 grimhelmas,

335 heresceafta heap? Ic eom Hroðgares

ar 7 ombiht. Ne seah ic elþeodige

þus manige men modiglicran.

Wen' ic þæt ge for wlenco, nalles for wræcsiðum,

137v ac for hige|(þry)mmum Hroðgar sohton."

340 Him þa elle(n)rof 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 7 wisdom: "Ic þæs wine Deniga,

frean Scildinga, frinan wille,

beaga bryttan, swa þu bena eart,

þeoden mærne ymb þinne sið,

7 þe þa andsware ædre gecyðan

355 ðe me se goda agifan þenceð."

Hwearf þa hrædlice þær Hroðgar sæt,

eald 7 unhar, mid his eorla gedriht.

Eode ellenrof þæt he for eaxlum gestod

Deniga frean. Cuþe he duguðe þeaw.

138r Wulfgar maðelode |to [h]i(s) winedrihtne:

"Her syndon ge(fere)de, feorran cumene,

ofer geofenes (be)gang Geata leode.

Þone yldestan ore(t)mecgas

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."

.VI.

Hroðgar maþelode, helm Scyldinga:

"Ic hine cuðe cnihtwesende.

Wæs his ealdfæder Ecgþeo haten.

Ðæm to ham forgeaf Hreþel Geata,

375 angan dohto(r). Is his eaforan nu

heard her cumen, sohte holdne wine.

Ðonne sægdon þæt, sæliþende,

þa ðe gifsceattas Geata fyredon

138v þyder to þance, þæt he þri|(tig)es

380 manna mægencræft on his (mund)gripe

heaþorof hæbbe. Hine halig God

for arstafum us onsende,

to West-Denum, (þ)æs ic wen hæbbe,

wið Grendles gryre. (Ic) þæm godan sceal

385 for his modþræce (m)admas beodan.

Beo ðu on ofeste, hat in gan

seon sibbegedriht samod ætgædere.

Gesaga him eac wordum, þæt hie sint wilcuman

Deniga leodum." Word inne abead.

390 "Eow het secgan, sigedrihten min,

aldor East-Dena, þæt he eower æþelu can,

7 ge him syndon ofer sæwylmas

heardhicgende hider wilcuman.

Nu ge moton gangan in eowrum guðgeatawum,

395 under heregriman, Hroðgar geseon.

Lætað hildebord her onbidan,

wuduwælsceaftas, worda geþinges."

Aras þa se rica, ymb hine rinc manig

þryðlic þegna heap. Sume þær bidon,

139r heaðoreaf heoldon, swa him se |(hea)rda bebead.

Snyredon ætsomn(e). (Þa) secg wisode

under Heorotes hrof,

hea[rd] under helme, þæt he on heoðe gestod.

Beowulf maðelode. On him byrne scan,

405 sea[ro]net seowed smiþes orþancum:

"Wæs þu, Hr(oð)gar, hal. Ic eom Higelaces

mæg 7 magoðegn. Hæbbe ic mærða fela

ongunnen on geogoþe. Me wearð Grendles þing

on minre eþeltyrf undyrne cuð.

410 Secgað sæliðend þæt þæs sele stande,

reced selesta rinca gehwylcum,

idel 7 unnyt, siððan æfenleoht

under heofenes hador beholen weorþeð.

Þa me þæt gelærdon leode mine,

415 þa selestan, snotere ceorlas,

þeoden Hroðgar, þæt ic þe sohte,

for þan hie mægenes cræft mine cuþon;

selfe ofersawon, ða ic of searwum cwom,

fah from feondum, þær ic fife geband,

420 yðde eotena cyn, 7 on yðum slog

niceras nihtes; nearoþearfe dreah,

139v wræc |(Wed)[e]ra nið. Wean ahsodon,

forgrand g(ra)mum. 7 nu wið Grendel sceal,

wið þam aglæcan ana gehegan

425 ðing wið þyrse. (Ic) þe nu ða,

brego Beorht-Dena biddan wille,

eodor Scyldinga, anre bene,

þæt ðu me ne forwyrne, wigendra hleo,

freowine (f)olca, nu ic þus feorran com:

430 þæt ic mote ana - minra eorla gedryht

7 þes hearda heap! - Heorot fælsian.

Hæbbe ic eac geahsod þæt se æglæca

for his wonhydum wæpna ne recceð.

Ic þæt þonne forhicge, swa me Higelac sie,

435 min mondrihten, modes bliðe,

þæt ic sweord bere oþðe sidne scyld,

geolorand to guþe. Ac ic mid grape sceal

fon wið feonde 7 ymb feorh sacan,

lað wið laþum. Ðær gelyfan sceal

440 Dryhtnes dome, se þe hine deað nimeð.

Wen' ic þæt he wille, gif he wealdan mot

in þæm guðsele, Geotena leode

140r etan unforhte, swa he |oft dyde

mægenhreð manna. Na (þu) minne þearft

445 hafalan hydan, ac he me habban wile

deore fahne, gif mec deað nimeð.

Byreð blodig wæl, byrgea(n) þenceð,

eteð angenga unmurnlice,

mearcað morhopu. No ðu ymb mines ne þearft

450 lices feorme leng sorgian.

Onsend Higelace gif mec hild nime,

beaduscruda betst, þæt mine breost wereð,

hrægla selest. Þæt is Hrædlan laf

Welandes geweorc. Gæð a wyrd swa hio scel.

.VII.

455 Hroðgar maþelode, helm Scyldinga:

"Fere fyhtum, þu, wine min Beowulf,

7 for arstafum usic sohtest.

Gesloh þin fæder fæhðe mæste.

Wearþ he Heaþolafe to handbonan

460 mid Wilfingum. Ða hine [wi]gara cyn

for herebrogan habban ne mihte.

Þanon he gesohte Suð-Dena folc

140v ofer yða gewealc Ar-|(Scyl)dinga.

Ða ic furþum weold folce Deninga

465 7 on geogoðe heold gimmerice

hordburh hæleþa. Ða wæs Heregar dead,

min yldra mæg unlifigende,

bearn (H)ealfdenes. Se wæs betera ðonne ic.

Siððan (þ)a fæhðe feo þingode.

470 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

hynðo on Heorote mid his heteþancum,

475 færniða gefremed. Is min fletwerod,

wigheap gewanod. Hie wyrd forsweop

on Grendles gryre. God eaþe mæg

þone dolsceaðan dæda getwæfan.

Ful oft gebeotedon, beore druncne,

480 ofer ealowæge oretmecgas,

þæt hie in beorsele bidan woldon

Grendles guþe mid gryrum ecga.

Ðonne wæs þeos medoheal on morgentid

drihtsele dreorfah, þonne dæg lixte,

141r eal |bencþelu blode bestymed,

heall heor(u)dreore. Ahte ic holdra þy læs,

deorre duguðe, þe þa deað fornam.

Site nu t(o) symle 7 onsæl meoto,

sigehreð secgum, swa þin sefa hwette."

490 Þa wæs Geatmæcgum geador ætsomne

on beorsele benc gerymed.

Þær swiðferhþe sittan eodon,

þryðum dealle. Þegn nytte beheold,

se þe on handa bær hroden ealowæge,

495 scencte scir wered. Scop hwilum sang

hador on Heorote. Þær wæs hæleða dream,

duguð unlytel Dena 7 Wedera.

.VIII.

HVNferð maþelode, Ecglafes bearn,

þe æt fotum sæt frean Scyldinga.

500 Onband beadurune. Wæs him Beowulfes sið,

modges merefaran, micel æfþunca,

forþon þe he ne uþe þæt ænig oðer man

141v æfre |mærða þon ma middangeardes

gehedde under heofenum þonne he sylfa:

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

on sidne sæ, ymb sund flite,

ðær git for wlence wada cunnedon

7 for dolgilpe on deop wæter

aldrum neþdon? Ne inc ænig mon,

510 ne leof ne lað, belean mihte

sorhfullne sið, þa git on sund reon.

Þær git eagorstream earmum þehton,

mæton merestræta, mundum brugdon,

glidon ofer garsecg. Geofon yþum

515 weol, wintrys wylm. Git on wæteres æht

seofon niht swuncon. He þe æt sunde oferflat,

hæfde mare mægen. Þa hine on morgentid

on Heaþo-Ræmes. holm up ætbær,

Ðonon he gesohte swæsne .eðel.,

520 leof his leodum, lond Brondinga,

freoðoburh fægere, þær he folc ahte,

142r burh 7 beagas. |Beot eal wið þe

sunu Beanstanes so[ðe] gelæste.

Ðonne wene ic to þe wyrsan (ge)þingea,

525 ðeah þu heaðoræsa gehwær dohte,

grimre guðe, gif þu Grendl(es) dearst

nihtlongne fyrst nean bi(dan)."

Beowulf maþelode, bearn Ecgþeowes:

"Hwæt, þu worn fela, wine min Hunfer(ð),

530 beore druncen, ymb Brecan spræce,

sægdest from his siðe. Soð ic talige

þæt ic merestrengo maran ahte,

earfeþo on yþum, ðonne ænig oþer man.

Wit þæt gecwædon, cnihtwesende

535 7 gebeotedon - wæron begen þa git

on geogoðfeore þæt wit on garsecg ut

aldrum neðdon, 7 þæt geæfndon swa.

Hæfdon swurd nacod, þa wit on sund reon,

heard on handa. Wit unc wið hronfixas

540 werian þohton. No he wiht fram me

flodyþum feor fleotan meahte,

hraþor on holme, no ic fram him wolde.

142v Ða wit æt|(s)omne on sæ wæron

fif nihta fyrst, (o)þ þæt unc flod todraf,

545 wado weallende, wedera cealdost,

nipende niht, 7 norþan(w)ind

heaðogrim ondhwearf. Hreo wæron (y)þa.

Wæs merefixa mod onhrered:

þær me wið laðum licsyrce min

550 heard hondlocen, helpe gefremede,

beadohrægl broden, on breostum læg,

golde gegyrwed. Me to grunde teah,

fah feondscaða, fæste hæfde,

grim on grape. Hwæþre me gyfeþe wearð

555 þæt ic aglæcan orde geræhte,

hildebille. Heaþoræs fornam

mihtig meredeor þurh mine hand."

.VIIII.

"Swa mec gelome laðgeteonan

þreatedon þearle. Ic him þenode

560 deoran sweorde, swa hit gedefe wæs.

Næs hie ðære fylle gefean hæfdon,

manfordædlan, þæt hie me þegon,

symbel ymbsæton sægrunde neah.

143r Ac on mergenne, mecum |wunde,

565 be yðlafe uppe lægon,

swe(o[r]dum) aswefede, þæt syðþan na

ymb bront(ne) ford brimliðende

lade ne letton. (Leoht) eastan com,

beorht beacen Godes, brimu swaþredon,

570 þæt ic sænæssas geseon mihte,

windige weallas. Wyrd oft nereð

unfægne eorl, þonne his ellen deah.

Hwæþere me gesælde þæt ic mid sweorde ofsloh

niceras nigene. No ic on niht gefrægn

575 under heofones hwealf heardran feohtan,

ne on egstreamum earmran mannon.

Hwaþere ic fara feng feore gedigde,

siþes werig. Ða mec sæ oþbær,

flod æfter faroðe on Finna land,

580 w[a]du weallendu. No ic wiht fram þe

swylcra searoniða secgan hyrde,

billa brogan. Breca næfre git

æt heaðolace, ne gehwæþer incer,

swa deorlice dæd gefremede

585 fagum sweordum. No ic þæs gylpe,

þeah ðu þinum broðrum to banan wurde,

143v heafodmægum. Þæs þu in | (hell)e scealt

werhðo dreogan, þeah þin (wit) duge.

Secge ic þe to soðe, sunu Ecg(laf)es,

590 þæt næfre Gredel swa fela gryra gefremede,

atol æglæca ealdre þinum,

hynðo on Heorote, gif þin hige wære,

sefa swa searogrim swa þu self talast.

Ac he hafað onfunden þæt he þa fæhðe ne þearf,

595 atole ecgþræce eower leode

swiðe onsittan Sige-Scyldinga.

Nymeð nydbade, nænegum arað

leode Deniga, ac he lust wigeð,

swefeð ond sendeþ, secce ne weneþ

600 to Gar-Denum. Ac ic him Geata sceal

eafoð 7 ellen ungeara nu

guþe gebeodan. Gæþ eft, se þe mot,

to medo modig, siþþan morgenleoht

ofer ylda bearn oþres dogores,

605 sunne sweglwered suþan scineð."

Þa wæs on salum sinces brytta,

gamolfeax 7 guðrof. Geoce gelyfde,

144r |brego Beorht-Dena - gehyrde on (Beo)wulfe,

folces hyrde, fæstrædne geþoht.

610 Ðær wæs hæleþa hleahtor, hlyn swynsode,

word wæron wynsume. Eode Wealhþeow forð,

cwen Hroðgares, cynna gemyndig,

grette goldhroden guman on healle.

7 þa freolic wif ful gesealde

615 ærest East-Dena eþelwearde,

bæd hine bliðne æt þær(e) beorþege,

leodum leofne. He on lust geþeah

symbel 7 seleful, sigerof kyning.

Ymbeode þa, ides Helminga,

620 duguþe 7 geogoþe dæl æghwylcne,

sincfato sealde, oþ þæt sæl alamp

þæt hio Beowulfe, beaghroden cwen,

mode geþungen, medoful ætbær.

Grette Geata leod, Gode þancode

625 wisfæst wordum, þæs ðe hire se willa gelamp,

þæt heo on ænigne eorl gelyfde

fyrena frofre. He þæt ful geþeah,

144v wælreow wiga |(æt W)ealhþeon,

7 þa gyddode, guþe gefysed.

630 Beowulf maþelode, bearn Ecgþeowes:

"Ic þæt hogode, þa ic on holm gestah,

sæbat gesæt mid minra secga gedriht,

þæt ic anunga eowra leoda

willan geworhte, oþðe on wæl crunge,

635 feondgrapum fæst. Ic gefremman sceal

eorlic ellen, oþðe endedæg

on þisse meoduhealle minne gebidan."

Ðam wife þa word wel licodon,

gilpcwide Geates. Eode goldhroden,

640 freolicu folccwen, to hire frean sittan.

þa wæs eft, swa ær inne on healle,

þryðword sprecen, ðeod on sælum,

sigefolca sweg, oþ þæt semninga

sunu Healfdenes secean wolde

645 æfenræste. Wiste þæm ahlæcan

to þæm heahsele hilde geþinged,

siððan hie sunnan leoht geseon meahton,

oþðe nipende niht ofer ealle,

scaduhelma gesceapu scriðan cwoman,

650 wan under wolcnum. Werod eall aras.

Grette þa guma [guman] oþerne,

Hroðgar Beowulf, 7 him hæl abead,

145r winærnes |geweald, 7 þæt word acwæð:

"Næfre ic ænegum men ær alyfde,

655 siþðan ic hond 7 rond hebban mihte,

ðryþærn Dena, buton þe nu ða.

Hafa nu 7 geheald husa selest,

gemyne mærþo, mægenellen cyð,

waca wið wraþum. Ne bið þe wilna gad

660 gif þu þæt ellenweorc aldre gedigest."

.X.

ÐA him Hroþgar gewat mid his hæleþa gedryht,

eodur Scyldinga ut of healle.

Wolde wigfruma Wealhþeo secan,

cwen to gebeddan. Hæfde Kyningwuldor

665 Grendle togeanes, swa guman gefrungon,

seleweard aseted. Sundornytte beheold

ymb aldor Dena, eotonweard abead.

Huru Geata leod georne truwode

modgan mægnes, Metodes hyldo.

670 Ða he him of dyde isernbyrnan,

helm of hafelan, sealde his hyrsted sweord,

irena cyst, ombihtþegne,

7 gehealdan het hildegeatwe.

Gespræc þa se goda gylpworda sum,

145v Beowulf |Geata, ær he on bed stige:

"No ic me an herewæsmun hnagran talige,

guþgeweorca, þonne Grendel hine.

Forþan ic hine sweorde swebban nelle,

aldre beneotan, þeah ic eal mæge.

680 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 h[e] gesecean dear

wig ofer wæpen. 7 siþðan witig God,

685 on swa hwæþere hond, halig Dryhten,

mærðo deme, swa him gemet þince."

Hylde hine þa heaþodeor, hleorbolster onfeng

eorles andwlitan, 7 hine ymb monig

snellic særinc selereste gebeah.

690 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,

in þæm winsele wældeað fornam

695 Denigea leode. Ac him Dryhten forgeaf

146r wigspeda gewiofu |Wedera leodum,

frofor 7 fult(um), (þæt hie) feond heora

ðurh anes cræft ealle ofercomon,

selfes mihtum. Soð is gecyþed,

700 þæt mihtig God manna cynnes

weold (wide)ferhð. Com on wanre niht

scriðan s(cea)dugenga. Sceotend swæfon,

þa þæt hornreced healdan scoldon,

ealle buton an(um). Þæt wæs yldum cuþ,

705 þæt hie ne moste, þa Meto(d) nolde,

se synscaþa under sceadu bregdan.

Ac he wæccende wraþum on andan

bad bolgenmod beadwa geþinges.

.XI.

Ða com of more under misthleoþum

710 Grendel gongan, Godes yrre bær.

Mynte se manscaða manna cynnes

sumne b(e)syrwan in sele þam hean.

Wod under (wolc)num to þæs þe he winreced,

goldsele gum(e)na gearwost wisse,

715 fættum fahne. Ne wæs þæt forma sið

þæt he Hroþgares ham gesohte.

146v Næfre he on aldordagum, ær |(ne) siþðan,

heardran hæle, healðegnas fand.

Com þa to recede rinc siðian,

720 dreamum bedæled. Duru sona onarn,

fyr(ben)dum fæst, syþðan he hire folmum [æt]hran.

Onbræd þa bealohydig, ða [h]e gebolgen wæs,

recedes muþan. Raþe æfter þon

on fagne flor feond treddode,

725 eode yrremod. Him of eagum stod

ligge gelicost leoht unfæger.

Geseah he in recede rinca manige,

swefan sibbegedriht samod ætgædere

magorinca heap. Þa his mod ahlog,

730 mynte þæt he gedælde, ær þon dæg cwome,

atol aglæca anra gehwylces

lif wið lice, þa him alumpen wæs

wistfylle wen. Ne wæs (þæt) (w)yrd þa gen

þæt he ma moste manna cynnes

735 ðicgean ofer þa niht. Þryðswyð beheold,

mæg Higelaces, hu se manscaða

under færgripum gefaran wolde.

Ne þæt se aglæca yldan þohte,

147A
(131)r ac he ge|feng hraðe forman siðe

740 slæpendn(e) rinc, slat unwearnum,

bat banlocan, bl(od) edrum dranc,

synsnædum swealh. Sona hæfde

unlyfigendes ealgefeormod

fe(t) 7 folma. Forð near ætstop,

745 nam þa mid h(an)da higeþihtigne

rinc on ræste, ræhte ongean

feond mid folme. He onfeng hraþe

inwitþancum 7 wið earm gesæt.

Sona þæt onfunde, fyrena hyrde,

750 þæt he ne mette middangeardes,

eorþan sceatta, on elran men

mundgripe maran. He on mode wearð

forht on ferhðe. No þy ær fram meahte.

Hyge wæs him hinfus, wolde on heolster fleon,

755 secan deofla gedræg. Ne wæs his drohtoð þær

swylce he on ealderdagum ær gemette.

Gemunde þa se goda, mæg Higelaces,

æfenspræce. Uplang astod

7 him fæste wiðfeng. Fingras burston.

760 Eoten wæs utweard, eorl furþur stop.

147A
(131)v Mynte se mæra, |[hw](ær) he meahte swa,

widre gewindan, 7 (o)n weg þanon

fleon on fenhopu. Wiste [h]is fingra geweald

on grames grapum, (þæt) he wæs geocorsið

765 þæt se hearmsca(þa) to Heorute ateah.

Dryhtsele (dy)nede. Denum eallum wearð,

ceasterbuendum, cenra gehwylcum,

eorlum ealuscerwen. Yrre wæron begen,

reþe renweardas. Reced hlynsode.

770 Þa wæs wundor micel þæt se winsele

wiðhæfde heaþodeorum, þæt he on hrusan ne feol,

fæger foldbold. Ac he þæs fæste wæs

innan 7 utan irenbendum

searoþoncum besmiþod. Þær fram sylle abeag

775 medubenc monig, mine gefræge,

golde geregnad, þær þa graman wunnon.

Þæs ne wendon ær, witan Scyldinga,

þæt hit a mid gemete manna ænig,

[b]etlic 7 banfag, tobrecan meahte,

780 listum tolucan, nymþe liges fæþm

147r swulge on swaþule. Sweg |up astag,

niwe geneahhe: Norð-Denum st(od)

atelic egesa, anra gehwylcum

þara (þe) of wealle wop gehyrdon,

785 gryreleoð (ga)lan Godes andsacan,

sigeleasne sang, (sar) wanigean,

helle hæfton. Heold hine fæste,

se þe manna wæs mægene str(en)gest

on þæm dæge þysses lifes.

.XII.

790 Nolde eorla hleo ænige þinga

þone cwealmcuman cwicne forlætan,

ne his lifdagas leoda ænigum

nytte tealde. Þær genehost brægd

eorl Beowulfes, ealde lafe,

795 wolde freadrihtnes feorh ealgian,

mæres þeodnes, ðær hie meahton swa.

Hie þæt ne wiston, þa hie gewin drugon,

heardhicgende hildemecgas,

7 on healfa gehwone heawan þohton,

800 sawle secan: þone synscaðan

ænig ofer eorþan, irenna cyst,

guðbilla nan gretan nolde.

147v Ac he sigewæpnum |(fo)rsworen hæfde,

ecga gehwylcre. Scolde (h)is aldorgedal

805 on ðæm dæge þysses (lif)es

earmlic wurðan, 7 se ellorgast

(on) feonda geweald feor siðian.

Ða þæt (o)nfunde se þe fela æror

modes myrðe (m)anna cynne

810 fyrene gefremede, he (f)ag wið God,

þæt him se lichoma læstan (n)olde,

ac hine se modega mæg Hygela(c)es

hæfde be honda. Wæs gehwæþer oðrum

lifigende lað. Licsar gebad,

815 atol æglæca. Him on eaxle wearð

syndolh sweotol, seonowe onsprungon,

burston banlocan. Beowulfe wearð

guðhreð gyfeþe. Scolde Grendel þonan

feorhseoc fleon under fenhleoðu,

820 secean wynleas wic. Wiste þe geornor

þæt his aldres wæs ende gegongen,

dogera dægrim. Denum eallum wearð

æfter þam wælræse willa gelumpen.

Hæfde þa gefælsod, se þe ær feorran com,

825 snotor 7 swyðferhð, sele Hroðgares,

148r genered wið |niðe. Nihtweorce gefeh,

ellenmær(þum). Hæfde East-Denum,

Geatmecga leod, gilp gelæsted.

Swylce oncyþðe ealle ge(bette),

830 inwidsorge, þe hie ær drugon,

7 for (þrea)nydum þolian scoldon

torn unlyt(el). Þæt wæs tacen sweotol,

syþðan hildedeor hond alegde,

earm 7 eaxle, þær wæs eal geador

835 Grendles grape, under geapne h[rof].

.XIII.

ÐA wæs on morgen mine gefræge

ymb þa gifhealle guðrinc monig.

Ferdon folctogan feorran 7 nean

geond widwegas wundor sceawian,

840 laþes lastas. No his lifgedal

sarlic þuhte secga ænegum

þara þe tirleases trode sceawode,

hu he werigmod on weg þanon,

niða ofercumen, on nicera mere

845 fæge 7 geflymed feorhlastas bær.

Ðær wæs on blode brim weallende,

atol yða geswing eal gemenged

148v haton heolfre, |(heo)rodreore weol,

deaðfæge deog. Siððan dreama leas,

850 in fenfreoðo, feorh alegde,

(hæþ)ene sawle. Þær him hel onfeng.

Þanon (eft) gewiton ealdgesiðas,

swylce geong (ma)nig, of gomenwaþe,

fram mere modge (m)earum ridan,

855 beornas on blancum. Ðær (w)æs Beowulfes

mærðo mæned. Monig oft gecwæð

þætte suð ne norð be sæm tweonum,

ofer eormengrund, oþer nænig

under swegles begong selra nære

860 rondhæbbendra, rices wyrðra.

Ne hie huru winedrihten wiht ne logon,

glædne Hroðgar, ac þæt wæs god cyning.

Hwilum heaþorofe hleapan leton,

on geflit faran fealwe mearas,

865 ðær him foldwegas fægere þuhton,

cystum cuðe. Hwilum cyninges þegn

guma gilphlæden, gidda gemyndig,

se ðe ealfela ealdgesegena

worn gemunde, word oþer fand

870 soðe gebunden. Secg eft ongan

149r sið Beowulfes snyttrum |styrian,

7 on sped wrecan spel gerade,

wordum wrixlan. Welhwylc gecwæð

þæt he fram Sigemunde secgan hyrde,

875 elle(ndæ)dum, uncuþes fela

Wælsinges gewin, wide siðas,

þara þe gumena bearn gearwe ne wiston,

fæhðe 7 fyrena. Buton Fitela (mid) hine,

þonne he swulces hwæt secgan wol(de),

880 eam his nefan, swa hie a wæron

æt niða gehwam nydgesteallan.

Hæfdon ealfela eotena cynnes

sweordum gesæged. Sigemunde gesprong

æfter deaðdæge dom unlytel.

885 Syþðan wiges heard wyrm acwealde,

hordes hyrde; he under harne stan

æþelinges bearn ana geneðde

frecne dæde, ne wæs him Fitela mid.

Hwæþre him gesælde ðæt þæt swurd þurhwod

890 wrætlicne wyrm, þæt hit on wealle ætstod,

dryhtlic iren. Draca morðre swealt.

Hæfde aglæca elne gegongen

þæt he beahhordes brucan moste

149v selfes dome. | Sæbat gehleod,

895 bær on bearm scipes beorhte frætwa,

Wælses eafera. Wyrm hat (ge)mealt.

Se wæs wreccena wide mærost

(o)fer werþeode, wigendra hleo,

ellendædum. (H)e þæs ær onðah.

900 Siððan Heremodes hild (s)weðrode,

earfoð' 7 ellen. He mid eotenum (w)earð

on feonda geweald forð forlacen,

(s)nude forsended. Hine sorhwylmas

lemede to lange. He his leodum wearð,

905 eallum æþellingum, to aldorceare.

Swylce oft bemearn ærran mælum

swiðferhþes sið, snotor ceorl monig,

se þe him bealwa to bote gelyfde,

þæt þæt ðeodnes bearn geþeon scolde,

910 fæderæþelum onfon, folc gehealdan,

hord 7 hleoburh, hæleþa rice,

.eðel. Scyldinga. He þær eallum wearð,

mæg Higelaces, manna cynne,

freondum gefægra. Hine fyren onwod.

915 Hwilum flitende fealwe stræte

mearum mæton. Ða wæs morgenleoht

150r scofen 7 scynded. |Eode scealc monig

swiðhicgende to sele þam hean

searowundor seon. Swylce se(lf) cyning

920 of brydbure, beahhorda wear(d),

tryddode tirfæst getrume micle,

cystum gecyþed, 7 his cwen mid him

med(o)stigge mæt mægþa hose.

.XIIII.

Hroðgar maþelode. He to healle geon(g),

925 stod on stapole, geseah steapne hrof

golde fahne 7 Grendles hond.

"Ðisse ansyne Alwealdan þanc

lungre gelimpe. Fela ic laþes gebad,

grynna æt Grendle. A mæg God wyrcan

930 wunder æfter wundre, wuldres Hyrde.

Ðæt wæs ungeara þæt ic ænigra me

weana ne wende to widan feore,

bote gebidan (þonne blode fah

husa selest heorodreorig stod,

935 wea widscofen), witena gehwylcne

ðara þe ne wendon þæt hie wideferhð

leoda landgeweorc laþum beweredon,

150v |scuccum 7 scinnum. Nu scealc hafað

þurh Drihtnes miht dæd gefremede,

940 ðe we ealle (ær) ne meahton

snyttrum besyrwan. Hwæt, (þæt s)ecgan mæg,

efne swa hwylc mægþa swa ðone magan cende,

æfter gumcynnum, gyf heo gyt lyfað,

þæt hyre Ealdmetod este wære

945 bearngebyrdo. Nu ic Beowulf, þec,

secg betsta, me for sunu wylle

freogan on ferhþe. Heald forð tela

niwe sibbe. Ne bið þe ænigre gad

worolde wilna, þe ic geweald hæbbe.

950 Ful oft ic for læssan lean teohhode,

hordweorþunge hnahran rince,

sæmran æt sæcce. Þu þe self hafast

dædum gefremed, þæt þin [dæd] lyfað

awa to aldre. Alwalda þec

955 gode forgylde, swa he nu gyt dyde."

Beowulf maþelode, bearn Ecþeowes:

"We þæt ellenweorc estum miclum,

feohtan fremedon, frecne geneðdon

eafoð uncuþes. Uþe ic swiþor

960 þæt ðu hine selfne geseon moste,

feond on frætewum fylwerigne.

151r Ic him hrædlice |heardan clammum

on wælbedde wriþan þohte,

þæt he for handgripe minum scolde

965 licgean lifbysig, butan his lic swice.

Ic hine ne mihte, þa Metod nolde,

gange(s) getwæman: no ic him þæs georne ætfealh,

feorhgeniðlan. Wæs to foremi(htig),

feond on feþe. Hwæþere, he his folme f(or)let

970 to lifwraþe last weardian,

earm 7 (eax)le. No þær ænige swa þeah

feasceaft (gu)ma, frofre gebohte.

No þy leng leof(að) laðgeteona

synnum geswenced, ac hyne sar hafað

975 in [nið]gripe, nearwe befongen

balwon bendum. Ðær abidan sceal,

maga mane fah, miclan domes,

hu him scir Metod scrifan wille."

Ða wæs swigra secg, sunu Eclafes,

980 on gylpspræce guðgeweorca,

siþðan æþelingas eorles cræfte

ofer heanne hrof hand sceawedon,

feondes fingras. Foran æghwylc wæs

steda nægla gehwylc, style gelicost;

151v hæþenes handsporu hilde|rinces

egl unheoru. Æghwylc gecwæð

þæt him heardra nan hrinan wolde,

iren ærgod, þæt ðæs ahlæcan

blodge beadufolme (o)nberan wolde.

.XV.

990 ÐA wæs haten hreþe Heort innanweard

folmum gefrætwod. Fela þæra wæs

wera 7 wifa, þe þæt winreced,

gestsele gyredon. Goldfag scinon,

web æfter wagum, wundorsiona fela

995 secga gehwylcum, þara þe on swylc starað.

Wæs þæt beorhte bold tobrocen swiðe

eal inneweard irenbendum fæst,

heorras tohlidene. Hrof ana genæs

ealles ansund, þe se aglæca

1000 fyrendædum fag on fleam gewand,

aldres orwena. No þæt yðe byð

to befleonne - fremme se þe wille -

ac gesacan sceal sawlberendra,

nyde genydde, niþða bearna,

1005 grundbuendra gearwe stowe,

þær his lichoma, legerbedde fæst,

swefeþ æfter symle. Þa wæs sæl 7 mæl

152r þæt to healle |gang Healfdenes sunu.

Wolde self cyni(ng) symbel þicgan.

1010 Ne gefrægen ic þa mægþ(e) maran weorode

ymb hyra sincgyfan s(el) gebæran.

Bugon þa to bence blæd(agan)de,

fylle gefægon. Fægere geþægon

(me)doful manig, magas þara

1015 swiðhicgend(e) on sele þam hean,

Hroðgar 7 Hroþulf. (Heo)rot innan wæs

freondum afylled. Nalles f(acen)stafas

Þeod-Scyldingas þenden fremed(on).

Forgeaf þa Beowulfe brand Healfde(nes);

1020 segen gyldenne sigores to leane,

hro(den) hiltecumbor, helm, 7 byrnan.

Mære m(að)þumsweord manige gesawon

beforan be(orn) beran. Beowulf geþah

ful on flette. No (he) þære feohgyfte

1025 for scotenum scami(gan) ðorfte.

Ne gefrægn ic freondlicor feow(er) madmas

golde gegyrede gummanna fela

in ealobence oðrum gesellan.

Ym(b) þæs helmes hrof, heafodbeorge,

1030 wirum bewunden, walan utan heold,

152v þæt him fela |(la)f frecne ne meahton,

scurheard, sceþ(ða)n, þonne scyldfreca

ongean gramum (g)angan scolde.

Heht ða eorla hleo eah(ta) mearas,

1035 fætedhleore, on flet teon

(in u)nder eoderas. Þara anum stod

sadol searwum fah, since gewurþad.

Þæt wæs hildesetl heahcyninges,

ðonne sweorda gelac sunu Healfdenes

1040 efnan wolde. Næfre on ore læg

widcuþes wig, ðonne walu feollon.

7 ða Beowulfe bega gehwæþres

eodor Ingwina onweald geteah,

wicga 7 wæpna. Het hine wel brucan.

1045 Swa manlice mære þeoden

hordweard hæleþa, heaþoræsas geald

mearum 7 madmum. Swa hy næfre man lyhð,

se þe secgan wile soð æfter rihte.

.XVI.

ÐA gyt æghwylcum eorla drihten

1050 þara þe mid Beowulfe brimleade teah,

on þære medubence maþðum gesealde,

153r yr|felafe, 7 þone ænne heht

golde forgy(l)dan, þone ðe Grendel ær

mane acwealde. Swa he hyra ma wolde,

1055 nefne him witi(g) God wyrd forstode,

7 ðæs mannes mod. (Me)tod eallum weold

gumena cynnes, swa h(e) nu git deð.

Forþan bið andgit æghwær selest,

ferhðes foreþanc. Fela sceal g(e)bidan

1060 leofes 7 laþes se þe longe her

on ðyssum windagum worolde bruceð.

Þær wæs sang 7 sweg samod ætgædere

fore Healfdenes hildewisan;

gomenwudu greted, gid oft wrecen.

1065 Ðonne healgamen Hroþgares scop

æfter medobence mænan scolde,

Finnes eaferum, ða hie se fær begeat:

Hæleð Healfdena, Hnæf Scyldinga,

in Freswæle feallan scolde.

1070 Ne huru Hildeburh herian þorfte

eotena treowe. Unsynnum wearð

beloren leofum æt þam hildplegan,

bearnum 7 broðrum. Hie on gebyrd hruron,

153v gare | (w)unde. Þæt wæs geomuru ides.

1075 Nalles holinga (H)oces dohtor

meotodsceaft bemearn, (sy)þðan morgen com.

Ða heo under swegle (ge)seon meahte

morþorbealo maga. (Þ)ær he ær mæste heold

worolde wynne, wig ealle fornam

1080 Finnes þegnas, nemne feaum anum.

Þæt he ne mehte on þæm meðelstede

wig Hengeste wiht gefeohtan.

ne þa wealafe wige forþringan

þeodnes ðegne. Ac hig him geþingo budon,

1085 þæt hie him oðer flet eal gerymdon,

healle 7 heahsetl, þæt hie healfre geweald

wið eotena bearn agan moston.

7 æt feohgyftum Folcwaldan sunu

dogra gehwylce Dene weorþode,

1090 Hengestes heap hringum wenede,

efne swa swiðe sincgestreonum

fættan goldes swa he Fresena cyn

on beorsele byldan wolde.

Ða hie getruwedon on twa healfa

1095 fæste frioðuwære. Fin Hengeste

154r elne unflitme aðum |benemde

þæt he þa wealafe weotena dome

arum heolde, þæt ðær ænig mon

wordum ne worcum wære ne bræce,

1100 (ne) þurh inwitsearo æfre gemænden,

ðeah hie hira beaggyfan banan folgedon,

ðeodenlease, þa him swa geþearfod wæs.

Gyf þonne Frysna hwylc frecnen spræ(ce)

ðæs morþorhetes myndgiend wære,

1105 þonne hit sweordes ecg syððan scolde.

Að wæs geæfned, 7 icge, gold,

ahæfen of horde. Here-Scyldinga

betst beadorinca wæs on bæl gearu.

Æt þæm ade wæs eþgesyne

1110 swatfah syrce, swyn ealgylden,

eofer irenheard, æþeling manig

wundum awyrded. Sume on wæle crungon.

Het ða Hildeburh æt Hnæfes ade

hire selfre sunu sweoloðe befæstan,

1115 banfatu bærnan, 7 on bæl don.

Earme on eaxle, ides gnornode,

geomrode giddum. Guðrinc astah,

154v wand |(to) wolcnum. Wælfyra mæst

hlynode (fo)r hlawe. Hafelan multon,

1120 bengeato (bu)rston, ðonne blod ætspranc,

laðbite lices. Lig ealle forswealg,

gæsta (g)ifrost, þara ðe þær guð fornam

bega folces. Wæs hira blæd scacen.

.XVII.

(G)Ewiton him ða wigend wica neosian,

1125 freondum befeallen, Frysland geseon,

hamas 7 heaburh. Hengest ða gyt

wælfagne winter wunode mid Fin

[ea]l unhlitine. Eard gemunde,

þeah þe he meahte on mere drifan

1130 hringedstefnan. Holm storme weol,

won wið winde; winter yþe beleac

isgebinde, oþ ðæt oþer com,

gear in geardas, swa nu gyt deð,

þa ðe syngales sele bewitiað,

1135 wuldortorhtan weder. Ða wæs winter scacen,

fæger foldan bearm. Fundode wrecca,

gist of geardum. He to gyrnwræce

155r swiðor |þohte þonne to sælade,

gif he tor(nge)mot þurhteon mihte,

1140 þæt he eote(na) bearn inne gemunde.

Swa he ne fo(r)wyrnde woroldrædenne,

þonne him Hunlafing hildeleoman,

billa sele(st) on bearm dyde.

Þæs wæron mid eoten(um) ecge cuðe.

1145 Swylce ferhðfrecan Fin eft begeat

sweordbealo sliðen æt hi(s) selfes ham,

siþðan grimne gripe Guðlaf ond Oslaf

æfter sæsiðe sorge mændon,

ætwiton weana dæl. Ne meahte wæfre mod

1150 forhabban in hreþre. Ða wæs heal hroden

feonda feorum, swilce Fin slægen,

cyning on corþre, 7 seo cwen numen.

Sceotend Scyldinga to scypon feredon

eal ingesteald eorðcyninges,

1155 swylce hie æt Finnes ham findan meahton

sigla searogimma. Hie on sælade

drihtlice wif to Denum feredon,

155v læddon |(to l)eodum. Leoð wæs asungen,

gleoman(nes) gyd. Gamen eft astah,

1160 beorhtode (b)encsweg, byrelas sealdon

win of (w)underfatum. Þa cwom Wealhþeo forð,

(g)an under gyldnum beage þær þa godan

twegen sæton, suhtergefæde(r)an;

þa gyt wæs hiera sib ætgædere, æghwylc

1165 oðrum trywe. Swylce þær Hunferþ 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.

1170 Spræc ða ides Scyldinga:

"Onfoh þissum fulle, freodrihten min,

sinces brytta. Þu on sælum wes,

goldwine gumena, 7 to Geatum spræc

mildum wordum, swa sceal man don.

1175 Beo wið Geatas glæd, geofena gemyndig;

nean 7 feorran þu nu hafast.

156r Me man sægde þæt |(þ)u (ð)e for sunu wolde

hereric hab(ban). Heorot is gefælsod,

beahsele beor(hta). Bruc, þenden þu mote,

1180 manigra me(do), 7 þinum magum læf

folc 7 rice þonne ðu forð scyle

metodsceaft seon. (Ic) minne can

glædne Hroþulf, þæt he þa g(eo)goðe wile

arum healdan, gyf þu ær þonne he,

1185 wine Scildinga, worold oflætest.

Wene ic þæt he mid gode gyldan wille

uncran eaferan, gif he þæt eal gemon,

hwæt wit to willan 7 to worðmyndum

umborwesendum ær arna gefremedon."

1190 Hwearf þa bi bence, þær hyre byre wæron,

Hreðric 7 Hroðmund, 7 hæleþa bearn

giogoð æt gædere. Þær se goda sæt

Beowulf Geata be þæm gebroðrum twæm(.)

.XVIII.

HIm wæs ful boren, 7 freondlaþu

1195 wordum bewægned 7 wundengold

estum geeawed, earmreade twa,

156v hrægl 7 hrin|(ga)s, healsbeaga mæst

þara þe ic on fol(dan) (ge)frægen hæbbe.

Nænigne ic under sweg(l)e selran hyrde

1200 hordmadmum hæleþa, syþðan Hama ætwæg

to herebyrhtan (byri)g Brosinga mene,

sigle 7 sincfæt. (Se)aroniðas fealh

Eormenrices geceas ecne ræd.

Þone hring hæfde Higelac Geata,

1205 nefa Swertinges, nyhstan siðe,

siðþan he under segne sinc ealgode,

wælreaf werede. Hyne wyrd fornam,

syþðan he for wlenco wean ahsode,

fæhðe to Frysum. He þa frætwe wæg,

1210 eorclanstanas ofer yða ful,

rice þeoden. He under rande gecranc.

Gehwearf þa in Francna fæþm feorh cyninges

breostgewædu 7 se beah somod.

Wyrsan wigfrecan wæl reafeden

1215 æfter guðsceare. Geata leode

hreawic heoldon. Heal swege onfeng.

Wealhðeo maþelode. Heo fore þæm werede spræc:

"Bruc ðisses beages, Beowulf leofa,

157r hyse mid hæle, |(7 þ)isses hrægles neot;

1220 þeo gestreona, (7 geþeoh) tela,

cen þec mid cræfte, 7 þyssum cnyht(um) wes

lara liðe. Ic þe þæs lean geman.

Ha(fast) þu gefered þæt ðe feor 7 neah

ealne widefe(rhþ) weras ehtigað,

1225 efne swa side swa sæ beb(ugeð)

windgeard, weallas. Wes þenden þu lifige,

æþ(eling), eadig. Ic þe an tela

sincgestreona. Beo þu suna minum

dædum gedefe, dreamhealde(n)de!

1230 Her is æghwylc eorl oþrum getrywe,

modes milde, mandrihtne h[leo];

þegnas sy(n)don geþwære, þeod ealgearo,

druncne dry(ht)guman. Doð swa ic bidde."

Eode þa to setle. Þær wæs symbla cyst,

1235 druncon win weras. Wyrd ne cuþon,

geosceaft grimne, swa hit agangen wearð

eorla manegum, syþðan æfen cwom.

7 him Hroþgar gewat to hofe sinum,

rice to ræste. Reced weardode

1240 unrim eorla, swa hie oft ær dydon.

Bencþelu beredon. Hit geondbræded wearð

beddum 7 bolstrum. Beorscealca sum

157v fus 7 fæge fletræste ge|(beag).

Setton him to heafdon hilderandas,

1245 (b)ordwudu beorhtan. Þær on bence wæs

ofer æþelinge yþgesene

heaþosteapa helm, hringed byrne,

þrecwudu þrymlic. Wæs (þ)eaw hyra

þæt hie oft wæron an wig gearwe

1250 ge æt ham ge on herge, ge gehwæþer þara,

efne swylce mæla swylce hira mandryhtne

þearf gesælde. Wæs seo þeod tilu.

.XVIIII.

Sigon þa to slæpe. Sum sare angeald

æfenræste, swa him ful oft gelamp,

1255 siþðan goldsele Grendel (w)arode,

unriht æfnde oþ þæt ende becwom,

swylt æfter synnum. Þæt gesyne wearþ,

widcuþ werum, þætte wrecend þa gyt

lifde æfter laþum, lange þrage

1260 æfter guðceare. Grendles modor,

ides aglæcwif yrmþe gemunde,

se þe wæteregesan wunian scolde,

cealde streamas, siþðan camp wearð

to ecgbanan angan breþer,

1265 fæderenmæge. He þa fag gewat,

158r morþre gemearcod, | (ma)n(d)ream fleon,

westen warode. Þ(anon woc) fela

geosceaftgasta. Wæs þæra Grend(el) sum,

heorowearh hetelic, se æt Heorote fand

1270 wæccendne wer wiges bidan.

Þær him aglæca ætgræpe wearð.

Hwæþre he gemunde mægenes strenge,

gimfæste gife, ðe him God sealde,

7 him to Anwaldan are gelyfde,

1275 frofre 7 fultum. Ðy he þone feon(d) ofercwom,

gehnægde helle gast. Þa he hean gewat,

dreame bedæled, deaþwic seon,

mancynnes feond. 7 his modor þa gyt,

gifre 7 galgmod gegan wolde

1280 sorhfulne sið sunu þeod wrecan.

Com þa to Heorote, ðær Hring-Dene

geond þæt sæld swæfun. Þa ðær sona wearð

edhwyrft eorlum, siþðan inne fealh

Grendles modor. Wæs se gryre læssa

1285 efne swa micle, swa bið mægþa cræft

wiggryre wifes, bewæpned men,

þonne heoru bunden, hamere geþuren,

sweord swate fah swin ofer helme

158v ecgum |(dyhttig) andweard scireð.

1290 Þa wæs on hea(lle) (he)ardecg togen

sweord ofer setlum, sidrand manig

hafen handa fæst. Helm ne gemunde,

byrnan side, þa hine se (br)oga angeat.

Heo wæs on ofste, wolde ut þanon,

1295 feore beorgan, þa heo onfunden wæs.

Hraðe heo æþelinga anne hæfde

fæste befangen, þa heo to fenne gang.

Se wæs Hroþgare hæleþa (l)eofost

on gesiðes had be sæm tweonum

1300 rice randwiga, þone ðe heo on ræste abreat,

blædfæstne beorn. Næs Beowulf ðær.

ac wæs oþer in ær geteohhod

æfter maþðumgife mærum Geate.

Hream wearð in Heorote. Heo under heolfre genam

1305 cuþe folme. Cearu wæs geniwod

geworden in wicun. Ne wæs þæt gewrixle til

þæt hie on ba healfa bicgan scoldon.

freonda feorum. Þa wæs frod cyning,

159r har hilderinc on hreon |(mo)de,

1310 syðþan he aldorþegn unly(figendne),

þone deorestan, deadne wisse.

Hra(þe wæs) to bure Beowulf fetod

sigoreadig secg. Samod ærdæge

eode eorla sum, æþele cempa

1315 self mid gesiðum þær se snot(e)ra bad.

Hwæþre him A[l]walda æf(re) wille

æfter weaspelle wyrpe gefremman.

Gang ða æfter flore fyrdwyrðe man

mid his handscale, healwudu dynede,

1320 þæt he þone wisan wordum hnæg(de)

frean Ingwina, frægn gif him wære

æfter neodlaðu niht getæse.

.XX.

Hroðgar maþelode, helm Scyldinga:

"Ne frin þu æfter sælum. Sorh is geniwod

1325 Denigea leodum. Dead is Æschere,

Yrmenlafes yldra broþor,

min runwita 7 min rædbora,

eaxlgestealla, ðonne we on orlege

hafelan weredon, þonne hniton feþan,

159v eoferas cnysedan. |(Swy)[lc] [eorl] (s)colde

wesan ærgod, swylc Æsc(here) (wæs).

Wearð him on Heorote to handbanan

wælgæst wæfre. Ic ne wat hwæþer

atol æse wlanc eftsiðas teah,

1335 fylle gefrægnod. Heo þa fæhðe wræc

þe þu gystran niht Gren(d)el cwealdest

þurh hæstne had heardum clammum,

forþan he to lange leode mine

wanode 7 wyrde. He æt wige gecrang,

1340 ealdres scyldig. 7 nu oþer cwom,

mihtig manscaða, wolde hyre mæg wrecan,

ge feor hafað fæhðe gestæled,

þæs þe þincean mæg þegne monegum,

se þe æfter sincgyfan on sefan greoteþ.

1345 Hreþerbealo hearde! Nu seo hand ligeð,

se þe eow welhwylcra wilna dohte.

Ic þæt londbuend, leode mine,

selerædende secgan hyrde

þæt hie gesawon swylce twegen

1350 micle mearcstapan moras healdan,

ellorgæstas. Ðæra oðer wæs,

þæs þe hie gewislicost gewitan meahton,

idese onlicnæs. Oðer earmsceapen

160r on weres wæstmum wræclastas |træd,

1355 næfne he wæs mara þonne ænig m(an) oðer.

Þone on geardagum Grendel nem(don).

Foldbuende no hie fæder cunnon,

hwæ(þer) him ænig wæs ær acenned

dyrnra gasta. Hie dygel lond

1360 warigeað, wulfhleoþu, windi(ge) næssas,

frecne fengelad, ðær fyrgenstream

under næssa genipu niþer gewiteð,

flod under foldan. Nis þæt feor heonon

milgemearces, þæt se mere stan[d]eð.

1365 Ofer þæm hongiað hrinde bearwas,

wudu wyrtum fæst wæter oferhelmað.

Þær mæg nihta gehwæm niðwundor seon,

fyr on flode. No þæs frod leofað

gumena bearna, þæt þone grund wite.

1370 Ðeah þe hæðstapa hundum geswenced,

heorot hornum trum holtwudu sece,

feorran geflymed, ær he feorh seleð,

aldor on ofre, ær he in wille

hafelan [hafenian]. Nis þæt heoru stow.

1375 Þonon yðgeblond up astigeð,

won to wolcnum, þonne wind styreþ,

lað gewidru, oð þæt lyft drysmaþ,

roderas reotað. Nu is se ræd gelang

160v eft æt |(þ)e anum. Eard git ne const,

1380 frecne stowe (ðær) þu findan miht

felasinnigne secg. (S)ec gif þu dyrre.

Ic þe þa fæhðe feo leanige,

ealdgestreonum, swa ic ær dyde

wund[un]golde, gyf þu on weg cymest."

.XXI.

1385 (B)EOWVLF maþelode, bearn Ecgþeo[w]es.

"Ne sorga, snotor guma. Selre bið æghwæm

þæt he his freond wrece þonne he fela murne.

Ure æghwylc sceal ende gebidan

worolde lifes. Wyrce se þe mote

1390 domes ær deaþe. Þæt bið drihtguman,

unlifgendum, æfter selest.

Aris, rices weard, uton hraþe feran,

Grendles magan gang sceawigan.

Ic hit þe gehate: no he on helm losaþ,

1395 ne on foldan fæþm, ne on fyrgenholt,

ne on gyfenes grund, ga þær he wille.

Ðys dogor þu geþyld hafa

weana gehwylces, swa ic þe wene to."

Ahleop ða se gomela, Gode þancode,

161r mihtigan Drihtne, þæs se man ge|(spræc).

Þa wæs Hroðgare hors ge(bæted),

wicg wundenfeax. Wisa fengel

geato(lic) gende. Gumfeþa stop

lindhæbbendra. L(astas) wæron

1405 æfter waldswaþum wide gesyne.

Gang ofer grundas, gegnum for

ofer (myr)can mor, magoþegna bær

þone selestan sawolleasne

þara þe mid Hroðgare ham eahtode.

1410 Ofereode þa æþelinga bearn

steap stanhliðo, stige nearwe,

enge anpaðas, uncuð gelad,

neowle næssas, nicorhusa fela.

He feara sum beforan gengde

1415 wisra monna wong sceawian,

oþ þæt he færinga fyrgenbeamas

ofer harne stan hleonian funde,

wynleasne wudu. Wæter under stod,

dreorig 7 gedrefed. Denum eallum wæs,

1420 winum Scyldinga, weorce on mode

to geþolianne, ðegne monegum,

oncyð eorla gehwæm, syðþan Æscheres

on þam holmclife hafelan metton.

Flod blode weol - folc to sægon -

161v |(hatan) heolfre. Horn stundum song,

fu(slic) [f][orð]leoð. Feþa eal gesæt.

Gesawon ða æfter (wæt)ere wyrmcynnes fela,

sellice sædracan (sun)d cunnian,

swylce on næshleoðum nicras (li)cgean.

1430 Ða on undernmæl oft bewitigað

sorhfulne sið on seglrade,

wyrmas 7 wildeor. Hie on weg hruron

bitere 7 gebolgne. Bearhtm ongeaton,

guðhorn galan. Sumne Geata leod

1435 of flanbogan feores getwæfde,

yðgewinnes. Þæt him on aldre stod,

herestræl hearda. He on holme wæs

sundes þe sænra, ðe hyne swylt fornam.

Hræþe wearð on yðum mid eoferspreotum

1440 heorohocyhtum hearde genearwod,

niða genæged, 7 on næs togen,

wundorlic wægbora. Weras sceawedon

gryrelicne gist. Gyrede hine Beowulf

eorlgewædum, nalles for ealdre mearn;

1445 scolde herebyrne hondum gebroden

sid 7 searofah sund cunnian,

seo ðe bancofan beorgan cuþe,

þæt him hildegrap hreþre ne mihte

eorres inwitfeng aldre gesceþðan.

162r Ac se hwita helm |(h)afelan werede,

se þe meregrundas men(gan) scolde,

secan sundgebland since geweo(rðad),

befongen freawrasnum swa hine fyrndagum

worhte wæpna smið, wundrum teode,

1455 besette swinlicum, þæt hine syðþan no

brond ne beadomecas bitan ne meahton.

Næs þæt þonne mætost mægenfultuma,

þæt him on ðearfe lah ðyle Hroðgares.

Wæs þæm hæftmece Hrunting nama.

1460 Þæt wæs an foran ealdgestreona.

Ecg wæs iren, atertanum fah,

ahyrded heaþoswate. Næfre hit æt hilde ne swac

manna ængum, þara þe hit mid mundum bewand,

se ðe gryresiðas gegan dorste,

1465 folcstede fara. Næs þæt forma sið

þæt hit ellenweorc æfnan scolde.

Huru ne gemunde mago Ecglafes,

eafoþes cræftig, þæt he ær gespræc,

wine druncen, þa he þæs wæpnes onlah

1470 selran sweordfrecan. Selfa ne dorste

under yða gewin aldre geneþan,

drihtscype dreogan. Þær he dome forleas,

162v ellen|(mæ)rðum. Ne wæs þæm oðrum swa,

syðþan (he) hine to guðe gegyred hæfde.

.XXII.

1475 BEOWVLF maðelode, bearn Ecgþeowes:

"Geþenc nu, se mæra maga Healfdenes,

snottra fengel, nu ic eom siðes fus,

goldwine gumena, hwæt wit geo spræcon:

gif ic æt þearfe þinre scolde

1480 aldre linnan, þæt ðu me a wære,

forðgewitenum, on fæder stæle.

Wes þu mundbora minum magoþegnum,

hondgesellum, gif mec hild nime.

Swylce þu ða madmas, þe þu me sealdest,

1485 Hroðgar leofa, Higelace onsend.

Mæg þonne on þæm golde ongitan Geata dryhten,

geseon sunu Hrædles, þonne he on þæt sinc starað,

þæt ic gumcystum godne funde

beaga bryttan, breac þonne moste.

1490 7 þu Hunferð læt ealde lafe,

wrætlic wægsweord widcuðne man

heardecg habban. Ic me mid Hruntinge

163r dom gewyrce, |oþðe mec deað nimeð."

Æfter þæ(m wordum) Weder-Geata leod

1495 efste mid elne. Na(las and)sware

bidan wolde. Brimwylm onfen(g)

[hil]derince. Ða wæs hwil dæges,

ær he þone grundwong ongytan mehte.

Sona þæt (on)funde, se ðe floda begong,

1500 heorogifre, beheold hund missera,

grim 7 grædig, þæt þ(ær) gumena sum

ælwihta eard ufan cunno(de).

Grap þa togeanes, guðrinc gefeng

at(olan) clommum. No þy ær in gescod

1505 halan lice. Hring utan ymbbearh,

þæt heo þone fyrdhom ðurhfon ne mihte,

locene leoð(o)syrcan, laþan fingrum.

Bær þa seo brimwyl[f], þa heo to botme com,

hringa þengel to hofe sinum,

1510 swa he ne mihte - no he þæm modig wæs! -

wæpna gewealdan, ac hine wundra þæs fela

swecte on sunde, sædeor monig

hildetuxum heresyrcan bræc,

ehton aglæcan. Ða se eorl ongeat

1515 þæt he niðsele nathwylcum wæs,

þær him nænig wæter wihte ne sceþede,

ne him for hrofsele hrinan ne mehte,

163v færgripe flodes. |(Fyrleoh)t geseah,

blacne leoman beorht(e) [scinan].

1520 Ongeat þa se goda grundwyrgenne,

(mer)ewif mihtig. Mægenræs forgeaf

hildebille, ho[n]dswenge, ne ofteah,

þæt hire on ha(fe)lan hringmæl agol

grædig guðleoð. [Ð]a se gist onfand

1525 þæt se beadoleoma bitan (no)lde,

aldre sceþðan. Ac seo ecg geswac

(ð)eodne æt þearfe. Ðolode ær fela

hond(ge)mota, helm oft gescær,

fæges fyrd(hr)ægl. Ða wæs forma sið

1530 deorum madme þæt his dom alæg.

Eft wæs anræd, nalas elnes (l)æt,

mærða gemyndig mæg Hylaces:

wearp ða wundelmæl, wrættum gebunden,

yrre oretta, þæt hit on eorðan læg,

1535 stið 7 stylecg. Strenge getruwode,

mundgripe mægenes. Swa sceal man don,

þonne he æt guðe gegan þenceð

longsumne lof. Na ymb his lif cearað.

Gefeng þa be eaxle, nalas for fæhðe mearn,

1540 Guð-Geata leod, Grendles modor.

Brægd þa beadwe heard, þa he gebolgen wæs,

feorhgeniðlan, þæt heo on flet gebeah.

Heo him eft hraþe handlean forgeald

164r grim|man grapum 7 him togeanes feng.

1545 Oferwear[p] þa werigmod, wigena strengest,

feþecempa, þæt he on fylle wearð.

Ofsæt þa þone selegy(st), 7 hyre sea[x] geteah,

brad, brunecg. Wolde hire bearn wrecan,

angan eaferan. Him on eaxle læg

1550 breostnet broden; þæt gebearh feore,

wið ord 7 wið ecge ingang forstod.

Hæfde ða forsiðod sunu Ecgþeowes,

und(er) gynne grund, Geata cempa,

nemne him heaðobyrne helpe gefremede,

1555 herenet hearde. 7 halig God

geweold wigsigor. Witig Drihten,

rodera Rædend, hit on ryht gesced

yðelice. Syþðan he eft asto(d).

.XXIII.

GEseah ða on searwum sigeeadig bil,

1560 ealdsweord eotenisc ecgum þyhtig,

wigena weorðmynd, þæt wæpna cyst,

buton hit wæs mare ðonne ænig mon oðer

to beadulace ætberan meahte,

god 7 geatolic, giganta geweorc.

1565 He gefeng þa fetelhilt, freca Scyldinga

hreoh 7 heorogrim, hringmæl gebrægd

164v aldres orwena, yrringa | (s)loh,

þæt hire wið halse heard grapode,

banhringas bræc. Bil eal ðurhwod

1570 fægne flæschoman. Heo on flet gecrong.

Sweord wæs swatig, secg weorce gefeh.

Lixte se leoma, leoht inne stod,

efne swa of hefene hadre scineð

rodores candel. He æfter recede wlat.

1575 Hwearf þa be wealle, wæpen hafena(de)

heard be hiltum, Higelaces ðegn,

yrre (7 a)nræd. Næs seo ecg fracod

hilderince, ac he hraþe wolde

Grendle forgyldan guðræsa (f)ela

1580 ðara þe he geworhte to West-Denum

(o)ftor micle ðonne on ænne sið,

þonne he (H)roðgares heorðgeneatas

sloh on sweofote, slæpende fræt,

folces Denigea fyftyne men,

1585 7 oðer swylc ut offerede

laðlicu lac. He him þæs lean forgeald,

reþe cempa, to ðæs þe he on ræste geseah

guðwerigne Grendel licgan,

aldorleasne, swa him ær gescod

1590 hild æt Heorote. Hra wide sprong,

syþðan he æfter deaðe drepe þrowade,

heorosweng heardne. 7 hine þa heafde becearf.

165r Sona þæt gesawon snottre |ceorlas,

þa ðe mid Hroðgare on holm (wliton),

1595 þæt wæs yðgeblond eal gemenged

brim b(lode) fah. Blondenfeaxe,

gomele ymb godne, ongeador spræcon,

þæt hig þæs æðelinges eft ne wendon,

þæt he sigehreðig secean come

1600 mærne þeoden. Þa ðæs monige gewearð,

þæt hine seo brimwylf abreoten hæ(f)de.

Ða com non dæges. Næs ofgeafon

hw(ate) Scyldingas. Gewat him ham þonon,

gold(wine) gumena. Gistas secan

1605 modes seoce, 7 o(n) mere staredon,

wiston, 7 ne wendon, þæt hie heora winedrihten

selfne gesawon. Þa þæt sweord ongan

æfter heaþoswate hildegicelum,

wigbil wanian. Þæt wæs wundra sum,

1610 þæt hit eal gemealt, ise gelicost,

ðonne forstes bend Fæder onlæteð,

onwindeð wæ(l)rapas, se geweald hafað

sæla 7 mæla. Þæt is soð Metod.

Ne nom he in þæm wicum, Weder-Geata leod,

1615 maðmæhta ma, þeh he þær monige geseah,

buton þone hafelan 7 þa hilt somod

since fage. Sweord ær gemealt,

165v forbarn brodenmæl. Wæs þæt blod | (to þæ)s hat,

ættren ellorgæst se þær (in)ne swealt.

1620 Sona wæs on sunde, se þe (æ)r æt sæcce gebad,

wighryre wraðra. Wæter up þurhdeaf,

wæron yðgebland eal gefælsod,

eacne eardas, þa se ellorgast

oflet lifdagas 7 þas lænan gesceaft.

1625 Com þa to lande, lidmanna helm,

swiðmod swymman. Sælace gefeah,

mægen(by)rþenne, þara þe he him mid hæfde.

(E)odon him þa togeanes, Gode þancodon,

ðryðlic þegna heap, þeodnes gefegon,

1630 þæs þe hi hyne gesundne geseon moston.

Ða wæs of þæm hroran helm 7 byrne

lungre alysed. Lagu drusade,

wæter under wolcnum, wældreore fag.

Ferdon forð þonon feþelastum

1635 ferhþum fægne, foldweg mæton,

cuþe stræte. Cyningbalde men

from þæm holmclife hafelan bæron

earfoðlice, heora æghwæþrum,

felamodigra. Feower scoldon

1640 on þæm wælstenge weorcum geferian

to þæm goldsele Grendles heafod.

166r Oþ ðæt |semninga to sele comon,

frome fyrdhwate feowertyne

Geata gongan, gu(m)dryhten mid,

1645 modig on gemonge, meod(o)wongas træd.

Ða com in gan ealdor ðegna,

dædcene mon dome gewurþ(ad),

hæle hildedeor, Hroðgar gretan.

Þ(a) wæs be feaxe on flet boren

1650 Grendles heafod, þær guman druncon,

egeslic f(or) eorlum, 7 þære idese mid,

wliteseon wr(æt)lic. Weras onsawon.

.XXV.

BEOwulf maþelode, bearn Ecgþeowe(s):

"Hwæt, we þe þas sælac, sunu Healfdene(s),

1655 leod Scyldinga, lustum brohton

tires to tacne, þe þu her to locast.

Ic þæt unsofte ealdre gedigde,

wigge under wætere, weorc geneþde

earfoðlice. Ætrihte wæs

1660 guð getwæfed, nymðe mec God scylde.

Ne meahte ic æt hilde mid Hruntinge

wiht gewyrcan, þeah þæt wæpen duge.

Ac me geuðe ylda Waldend

166v þæt ic on wage geseah wlitig |(ha)ngian

1665 ealdsweord eacen. Oftost wisode

(wi)nigea leasum; þæt ic ðy wæpne gebræd,

(of)sloh ða æt þære sæcce, þa me sæl (a)geald,

huses hyrdas. Þa þæt hildebil

for(ba)rn brogdenmæl, swa þæt blod gesprang,

1670 (ha)tost heaþoswata. Ic þæt hilt þanan

feon(d)um ætferede, fyrendæda wræc,

deað(c)wealm Denigea, swa hit gedefe wæs.

Ic (h)it þe þonne gehate, þæt þu on Heorote most

(so)rhleas swefan mid þinra secga gedryht,

1675 (7) þegna gehwylc þinra leoda,

duguðe 7 iogoþe, þæt þu him ondrædan ne þearft,

þeoden Scyldinga, on þa healfe,

aldorbealu eorlum, swa þu ær dydest."

Ða wæs gyldenhilt gamelum rince,

1680 harum hildfruman, on hand gyfen,

enta ærgeweorc. Hit on æht gehwearf

æfter deofla hryre Denigea frean,

wundorsmiþa geweorc. 7 þa þas worold ofgeaf

gromheort guma, Godes andsaca

1685 morðres scyldig, 7 his modor eac.

On geweald gehwearf woroldcyninga

167r ðæm selestan be |sæm tweonum,

ðara þe on Scedenigge (sceat)tas dælde.

Hroðgar maðelode. Hylt sceawode,

1690 ealde lafe, on ðæm wæs or (wri)ten

fyrngewinnes, syðþan flod ofs(loh)

gifen geotende, giganta cyn.

Frecne (ge)ferdon; þæt wæs fremde þeod

ecean Dryh(tne). Him þæs endelean

1695 þurh wæteres wylm Waldend sealde.

Swa wæs on ðæm scen(num) sciran goldes

þurh runstafas rihte (ge)mearcod,

geseted 7 gesæd, hwam þæt sweo(rd) geworht,

irena cyst ærest wære,

1700 w(reo)þenhilt 7 wyrmfah. Ða se wisa spræc,

s(u)nu Healfdenes. Swigedon ealle:

"Þæt, la, mæg secgan, se þe soð 7 riht

fremeð on folce, feor eal gemon,

eald .eðel.wea(rd), þæt ðes eorl wære

1705 geboren betera. Blæd (is) aræred

geond widwegas, wine min Beo[wulf],

ðin ofer þeoda gehwylce. Eal þu hit geþyldum

healdest, mægen mid modes snyttrum.

Ic þe sceal mine gelæstan freoðe,

1710 swa wit furðum spræcon. Ðu scealt to frofre weorþan

eal langtwidig leodum þinum,

167v |(hæl)eðum to helpe. Ne wearð Heremod (swa)

eaforum Ecgwelan, Ar-Scyldingum.

(Ne) geweox he him to willan, ac to wælfeal(le)

1715 7 to deaðcwalum Deniga leodum.

Breat (bo)lgenmod beodgeneatas,

eaxlge(ste)allan, oþ þæt he ana hwearf,

mære þeo(d)en, mondreamum from

ðeah þe hine (mi)htig God mægenes wynnum

1720 eafeþum (ste)pte ofer ealle men,

forð gefreme(d)e. Hwæþere him on ferhþe greow

breost(h)ord blodreow. Nallas beagas geaf

Denum æfter dome. Dreamleas gebad,

þæt he þæs gewinnes weorc þrowade,

1725 leodbea(l)o longsum. Ðu þe lær be þon,

gumcyste ongit. Ic þis gid be þe

awræc wintrum frod. Wundor is to secganne

hu mihtig God manna cynne

þurh sidne sefan snyttru bryttað,

1730 eard 7 eorlscipe. He ah ealra geweald.

Hwilum he on lufan læteð hworfan

monnes modgeþonc mæran cynnes

seleð him on eþle eorþan wynne

to healdanne hleoburh wera,

168r |gedeð him swa gewealdene worolde (dæ)las

side rice, þæt he his selfa ne m(æg)

(for) his unsnyttrum ende geþencean.

W(unað) he on wiste. No hine wiht dweleð,

ad(l) ne yldo, ne him inwitsorh

1740 on sefa(n) sweorceð, ne gesacu ohwær

ecghe(te) eoweð, ac him eal worold

wendeð on w(il)lan. He þæt wyrse ne con.

.XXVI.

Oð þæt him on innan oferhygda dæl

wea(xeð) 7 wridað. Þonne se weard swefeð,

1745 sawele hy(rde). Bið se slæp to fæst,

bisgum gebunde(n), bona swiðe neah,

se þe of flanbogan fyrenum sceoteð.

Þonne bið on hreþre under helm drepen

biteran stræle (him bebeorgan ne con),

1750 wom wundorbebodum wergan gastes.

Þinceð him to lytel þæt he to lange heold;

gytsað gromhydig, nallas on gylp seleð

fædde beagas, 7 he þa forðgesceaft

forgyteð 7 forgymeð, þæs þe him ær God sealde,

168v wuldres |(Wal)dend, weorðmynda dæl.

Hit on endestæf eft gelimpeð

þæt se lichoma [læn]e gedreoseð,

fæge gefealleð. Fehð oþer (to),

se þe unmurnlice madmas dæleþ,

1760 (eor)les ærgestreon, egesan ne gymeð.

(Be)beorh þe ðone bealonið, Beowulf leofa,

(s)ecg betsta, 7 þe þæt selre geceos,

ece rædas. (Of)erhyda ne gym,

mære cempa. Nu is þines (m)ægnes blæd

1765 ane hwile. Eft sona bið

þæt (þe)c adl oððe ecg eafoþes getwæfeð,

oððe (fy)res feng, oððe flodes wylm,

oððe gripe (m)eces, oððe gares fliht,

oððe atol yldo. (O)ððe eagena bearhtm

1770 forsiteð 7 forswor(c)eð. Semninga bið

þæt ðec, dryhtguma, deað (o)ferswyðeð.

Swa ic Hring-Dena hund missera

weold under wolcnum 7 hig wigge beleac,

manigum mægþa geond þysne middangeard,

1775 æscum 7 ecgum, þæt ic me ænigne

under swegles begong gesacan ne tealde.

Hwæt, me þæs on eþle edwendan cwom,

gyrn æfter gomene, seoþðan Grendel wearð

ealdgewinna, ingenga min.

169r |Ic þære socne singales wæg

modcear(e) micle. Þæs sig Metode þanc,

ecean (Dryht)ne, þæs ðe ic on aldre gebad,

þæt ic on þo(ne) hafelan heorodreorigne

ofer eal(d ge)win eagum starige.

1785 Ga nu to setle, (sym)belwynne dreoh,

wiggeweorþad. Unc (sceal) worn fela

maþma gemænra siþðan (mor)gen bið."

Geat wæs glædmod, geong son(a to)

setles neosan, swa se snottra heht.

1790 Þ(a wæs) eft swa ær ellenrofum,

fletsittendum fægere gereorded

niowan stefne. Ni(ht)helm geswearc,

deorc ofer dryhtgu(mum). Duguð eal aras.

Wolde blondenfeax beddes neosan,

1795 gamela Scylding. Geat unigmetes wel,

rofne randwigan, restan lys(te).

Sona him seleþegn siðes wergum

feorrancundum forð wisade,

se for andrysnum ealle beweote[d]e

1800 þegnes þearfe, swylce þy dogore

heaþoliðende habban scoldon.

Reste hine þa rumheort. Reced hliuade

geap 7 goldfah. Gæst inne swæf

oþ þæt hrefn blaca, heofones wynne

169v bliðheort bodode. |[Ða c]om beorht scacan,

scaþan onetton.

(Wæro)n æþelingas eft to leodum

fuse to [f](ar)en[n]e. Wolde feor þanon,

cuma col[l](enf)erhð, ceoles neosan.

1810 Heht þa se hear(da) (H)runting beran

sunu Ecglafes, heht (his s)weord niman,

leoflic iren. Sægde him (þæ)s leanes þanc,

cwæð, he þone guðwine (go)dne tealde.

wigcræftigne. Nales (wor)dum log

1815 meces ecge. Þæt wæs modig secg.

(7 þ)a, siðfrome, searwum gearwe,

wigend wæron. (Eo)de weorð Denum,

æþeling to yppan, (þæ)r se oþer wæs.

Helle hildedeor Hroð(g)ar grette.

.XXVII.

1820 (Be)owulf maþelode, bearn Ecgþeowes:

"Nu (w)e sæliðend secgan wyllað

feorran cumene, þæt we fundiaþ

Higelac secan. Wæron her tela

willum bewenede. Þu us wel dohtest.

1825 Gif ic þonne on eorþan owihte mæg

þinre modlufan maran tilian,

gumena dryhten, ðonne ic gyt dyde

guðgeweorca, ic beo gearo sona.

170r Gif ic þæt ge|fricge ofer floda begang,

1830 þæt þec ymbsittend egesan þywað,

swa þec hete(nde) hwilum dydon,

Ic ðe þusenda þegna br(in)ge,

hæleþa to helpe. Ic on Higelace wat

Geata dryhten, þeah ðe he geong sy,

1835 folces hyrde, þæt he mec fremman wile

weordum 7 worcum, þæt ic þe wel heri(ge)

7 þe to geoce garholt bere,

mægenes fultum, þær ðe bið manna þearf.

G(if) him þonne Hreþrinc to hofum Geata

1840 geþinge[ð] þeodnes bearn, he mæg þær fela

freonda findan. Feorcyþðe beoð

selran gesohte þæm þe him selfa dea(h.)"

Hroðgar maþelode him on andsware:

"Þe þa wordcwydas wigtig Drihten

1845 on sefan sende. Ne hyrde ic snotorlicor

on swa geongum feore guman þingian.

Þu eart mægenes strang 7 on mode frod,

wis wordcwida. Wen ic talige:

gif þæt gegangeð, þæt ðe gar nymeð,

1850 hild heorugrimme Hreþles eaferan,

adl oþðe iren ealdor ðinne,

folces hyrde, 7 þu þin feorh hafast,

170v þæt þe |(S)æ-Geatas selran næbban

to geceosen(ne) cyning ænigne

1855 hordweard hæleþa, (g)yf þu healdan wylt

maga rice. Me þin [m]odsefa

licað leng swa wel, leofa Beo(w)ulf.

Hafast þu gefered þæt þam folcum (s)ceal,

Geata leodum 7 Gar-Denum,

1860 sib (g)emænum, 7 sacu restan,

inwitniþas, (þe) hie ær drugon;

wesan, þenden ic weal(d)e widan rices,

maþmas gemæne, ma[n]ig oþerne

godum gegrettan ofer ganotes bæð.

1865 Sceal hringnaca ofer (h)eaþu bringan

lac 7 luftacen. Ic þa (l)eode wat

ge wið feond ge wið freond fæste geworhte,

æghwæs untæle ealde wisan."

Ða git him eorla hleo inne gesealde,

1870 mago Healfdenes maþmas twelf.

Het inne mid þæm lacum leode swæse

secean on gesyntum, snude eft cuman.

Gecyste þa, cyning æþelum god,

þeoden Scyldinga, ðegn betstan

1875 7 be healse genam. Hruron him tearas

blondenfeaxum. Him wæs bega wen

171r ealdum in|frodum, oþres swiðor,

þæt h[i]e seoðða[n] geseon moston,

modige on meþle. (Wæs) him se man to þon leof

1880 þæt he þone (breost)wylm forberan ne mehte.

Ac him (on) hreþre hygebendum fæst

æfter d(eo)rum men dyrne langað

beorn wið bl(o)de. Him Beowulf þanan,

guðrinc goldwlanc, græsmoldan træd,

1885 since h(re)mig. Sægenga bad

agedfrean, se (þe) on ancre rad.

Þa wæs on gange gi(fu) Hroðgares

oft geæhted. Þæt wæs an cyning,

æghwæs orleahtre, oþ þæt hin(e) yldo benam

1890 mægenes wynnum, se þe oft manegum scod.

.XXVIII.

CWOM þa to flode fela modigra

hægstealdra. Hringnet bæron

locene leoðosyrcan. Landweard onfand

eftsið eorla, swa he ær dyde.

1895 No he mid hearme of hliðes nosan

171v |(g[ie]s)[tas] grette, ac him togeanes rad,

(cwæ)ð þæt wilcuman Wedera leodum

sca(þan) scirhame to scipe foron.

Þa wæs (on) sande sægeap naca

1900 hladen here(wæ)dum hringedstefna,

mearum 7 mað(m)um. Mæst hlifade

ofer Hroðgares (h)ordgestreonum.

He þæm batwearde (bun)den golde

swurd gesealde, þæt he syð(þan) wæs

1905 on meodubence maþma þy weo(rþ)re,

yrfelafe. Gewat him on nacan

(d)refan deop wæter. Dena land ofgeaf.

Þa wæs be mæste merehrægla sum,

segl sale fæst. Sundwudu þunede.

1910 No þær wegflotan wind ofer yðum

siðes getwæfde. Sægenga for,

fleat famigheals forð ofer yðe,

bundenstefna ofer brimstreamas,

þæt hie Geata clifu ongitan meahton,

1915 cuþe næssas. Ceol up geþrang

lyftgeswenced, on lande stod.

172r Hraþe wæs æt |holme hyðweard geara,

se þe ær lange tid leofra manna

fus æt faroðe (feor) wlatode.

1920 Sælde to sande sidfæþme sci(p)

oncearbendum fæst, þy læs hym yþ(a) ðrym

wudu wynsuman forwrecan (meah)te.

Het þa up beran æþelinga gestr(eon),

frætwe 7 fætgold. Næs him feor þan(on)

1925 to gesecanne sinces bryttan,

Higelac Hreþling, þær æt ham wunað

s(elfa) mid gesiðum sæwealle neah.

Bold w(æs) betlic, bregorof cyning,

heahealle. Hygd swiðe geong,

1930 wis welþungen, þeah ðe wintra lyt

under burhlocan gebide(n) hæbbe,

Hæreþes dohtor. Næs hio hnah swa þeah,

ne to gneað gifa Geata leodum,

maþmgestreona. Mod Þryðo wæg,

1935 fremu folces cwen, firen ondrysne.

Nænig þæt dorste deor geneþan,

swæsra gesiða, nefne sinfrea,

þæt hire an dæges eagum starede.

172v Ac him wælbende |(w)eotode tealde

1940 handgewriþene; hraþe (seo)þðan wæs,

æfter mundgripe mece (g)eþinged,

þæt hit sceadenmæl scyran (m)oste,

cwealmbealu cyðan. Ne bið swylc (cwen)lic þeaw

idese to efnanne, þeah ðe (h)io ænlicu sy,

1945 þætte freoðuwebbe feores (on)sæce

æfter ligetorne leofne mannan.

(H)uru þæt on hoh snod Hemninges mæg.

(Eal)odrincende oðer sædan,

þæt hio leod(b)ealewa læs gefremede,

1950 inwitniða, [s]yððan ærest wearð

gyfen goldhro(d)en geongum cempan,

æðelum diore, syððan hio Offan flet

ofer fealone flod be fæder lare

siðe gesohte. Ðær hio syððan well

1955 in gumstole, gode mære,

lifgesceafta lifigende breac,

hiold heahlufan wið hæleþa brego,

ealles moncynnes mine gefræge

þæs selestan bi sæm tweonum,

173r eormencynnes. Forðam Offa |wæs

geofum 7 guðum, garcene man;

wid(e) (ge)weorðod, wisdome heold

eðel sinne. Þonon geomor woc

hæleðum to helpe, Heminges mæg,

1965 nefa Garmundes, niða cræftig.

.XXVIIII.

GEwat him ða se hearda mid his hondscole

sylf æfter sande sæwong tredan,

wide waroðas. Woruldcandel scan,

sigel suðan fus. Hi sið drugon,

1970 elne geeodon, to ðæ(s ðe) eorla hleo,

bonan Ongenþeoes burg(um) in innan,

geongne guðcyning godne gefrunon

hringas dælan. Higelace wæs

sið Beowulfes snude gecyðed,

1975 þæt ðær on worðig wigendra hleo,

lindgestealla, lifigende cwom,

heaðolaces hal to hofe gongan.

Hraðe wæs gerymed, swa se rica bebead,

feðegestum flet innanweard.

1980 Gesæt þa wið sylfne, se ða sæcce genæs,

173v mæg wið mæge, |[s]yððan mandryhten

þurh hleoðorcwyde holdne gegrette,

meaglum wordum. Meoduscencum

hwearf geond þæt side reced Hæreðes dohtor,

1985 lufode ða leode, liðwæge bær

hænum to handa. Higelac ongan

sinne geseldan in sele þam hean

fægre fricgcean, hyne fyrwet bræc,

hwylce Sæ-Geata siðas wæron.

1990 "Hu lomp eow on lade, leofa Biowulf,

þa ðu færinga feorr gehogodest

sæcce secean ofer sealt wæter,

hilde to Hiorote? Ac ðu Hroðgare

wi[d]cuðne wean wihte gebettest,

1995 mærum ðeodne? Ic ðæs modceare

sorhwylmum seað, siðe ne truwode

leofes mannes. Ic ðe lange bæd,

þæt ðu þone wælgæst wihte ne grette,

lete Suð-Dene sylfe geweorðan

2000 guðe wið Grendel. Gode ic þanc secge,

þæs ðe ic ðe gesundne geseon moste.

Biowulf maðelode, bearn Ecgðioes:

174r |"Þæt is undyrne, dryhten Hige[lac],

[micel] gemeting monegum fira,

2005 hwy[lc e][arfoð]hwil uncer Grendles

wearð on (ðam) wange þær he worna fela

Sige-(Scyl)dingum sorge gefremede,

yrmð(e) to aldre. Ic ðæt eall gewræc,

swa (be)gylpan þearf Grendeles maga

2010 [yfel] ofer eorðan uhthlem þone,

se (ðe) lengest leofað laðan cynnes,

(fyrene) bifongen. Ic ðær furðum cwom

to ðam hringsele Hroðgar gretan.

Sona me se mæra mago Healfd(e)nes,

2015 syððan he modsefan minne cuðe,

wið his sylfes sunu setl getæht(e.)

Weorod wæs on wynne. Ne seah ic widan feorh

under heofones hwealf healsittendra

medudream mar(an). Hwilum mæru cwen,

2020 friðusibb folca, flet eall geondhwearf,

bædde byre geonge. Oft hio beahwriðan

174v secge |(sealde), ær hie to setle geong.

Hwilum fo(r) [d][ugu]ðe dohtor Hroðgares

eorlum [on] ende ealuwæge bær.

2025 þa ic Freaware (flet)sittende

nemnan hyrde, þær hio [næ](g)led sinc

hæleðum sealde. Sio gehaten [is],

geong goldhroden, gladum suna Frodan.

[H](a)fað þæs geworden wine Scyldinga,

2030 ri(ce)s hyrde, 7 þæt ræd talað,

þæt he mid ðy (wi)fe wælfæhða dæl

sæcca gesette. Oft (s)eldan hwær

æfter leodhryre lytle (hw)ile

bongar bugeð, þeah seo bryd duge.

2035 (M)æg þæs þonne ofþyncan ðeoden Heaðo-(B)eardna

7 þegna gehwam þara leoda,

(þ)onne he mid fæmnan on flett gæð,

dryhtbearn Dena duguða, biwenede

on him gladiað gomelra lafe,

2040 heard 7 hringmæl Heaða-Bearna gestreon,

þenden hie ðam wæpnum wealdan moston.

[.XXX.]

Oð ðæt hie forlæddan to ðam lindplegan

swæse gesiðas ond hyra sylfra feorh.

175r Þonne cwið æt beore, se ðe beah |gesyhð,

2045 eald æscwiga, se ðe eall g(e)[man]

garcwealm gumena. Him bið gri(m) [se]fa,

onginneð geomormod geon(g)[an] cempan

þurh hreðra gehygd (higes) cunnian,

wigbealu weccean, 7 þæt wo(rd) acwyð:

2050 "Meaht ðu, min wine, mec(e) gecnawan,

þone þin fæder to gef(eohte) bær,

under heregriman hinde(man) siðe,

dyre iren. Þær hyne Dene slogon,

weoldon wælstowe, syððan wiðergyld læg,

2055 æfter hæleþa hry(re), hwate Scyldungas?

Nu her þara b(a)nena byre nathwylces,

frætwum hremig, on flet gæð,

morðres gyl[peð], 7 þone maðþum byreð

þone þe ðu m(id) rihte rædan sceoldest."

2060 Manað sw(a) 7 myndgað mæla gehwylce

sarum wordum, oð ðæt sæl cymeð

þæt se fæmnan þegn fore fæder dædum

æfter billes bite blodfag swefeð,

ealdres scyldig. Him se oðer þonan

175v losað |[li](figen)de, con him land geare.

Þon(ne) bio(ð) (b)rocene on ba healfe

aðsweord eorla. [Syð]ðan Ingelde

weallað wælniðas 7 him (wif)lufan

æfter cearwælmum colran (we)orðað.

2070 Þy ic Heaðo-Bearna hyldo ne (tel)ge,

dryhtsibbe dæl, Denum unfæcne,

(f)reondscipe fæstne. Ic sceal forð (sp)recan

gen ymbe Grendel, þæt ðu geare (cun)ne,

sinces brytta, to hwan syððan (w)earð

2075 hondræs hæleða. Syððan heofones (g)im

glad ofer grundas, gæst yrre cwom,

(ea)tol æfengrom user neosan,

ðær we (g)esunde sæl weardodon.

Þær wæs Hond(s)cio hilde onsæge

2080 feorhbealu fægum. (H)e fyrmest læg,

gyrded cempa. Him Grendel wearð,

mærum mag[u]þegne, to muðbonan,

leofes mannes lic eall forswealg.

No ðy ær ut ða gen idelhende

2085 bona blodigtoð, bealewa gemyndig,

of ðam goldsele gongan wolde.

Ac he mægnes rof min costode,

176r |grapode geareofolm. Glof (hangode)

sid 7 syllic, searobendum fæst.

2090 (Sio) wæs orðoncum eall gegyrwed

de(ofles) cræftum 7 dracan fellum.

He mec (þær) on innan unsynnigne,

dior dæ(d)fruma gedon wolde

manigra sumne. Hyt ne miht(e) swa,

2095 syððan ic on yrre upprih(te) astod.

To lang ys to reccenne hu i(c ðam) leodsceaðan

yfla gehwylces hon(dlean) forgeald.

Þær ic, þeoden min, þine leode

weorðode weorcum. He on (weg) losade

2100 lytle hwile, lifwynna br(eac).

Hwæþre him sio swiðre swaðe w(ear)dade

hand on Hiorte, 7 he hea(n) ðonan,

modes geomor, mereg(rund) gefeoll.

Me þone wælræs wine Scildunga

2105 fættan golde fela lea(no)de,

manegum maðmum, syððan me(r)gen com,

7 we to symble geseten hæfdon.

176v Þær wæs gidd 7 gleo. Gome(la) |(Scilding)

felafricgende, feorran reh(te).

2110 (Hwilum) hildedeor hearpan wynne

go(mel)wudu grette; hwilum gyd awræc,

soð (7 sa)rlic; hwilum syllic spell.

Rehte æfter (r)ihte rumheort cyning.

Hwilum eft (onga)n, eldo gebunden,

2115 gomel guðwiga, (gio)guðe cwiðan,

hildestrengo. Hreðer (inn)e weoll,

þonne he, wintrum frod, worn (gem)unde.

Swa we þær inne andlangne [dæg]

niode naman, oð ðæt niht becwom,

2120 (oð)er to yldum. Þa wæs eft hraðe

gearo (gyr)nwræce Grendeles modor.

Siðode (sor)hfull; sunu deað fornam,

wighete (Wed)ra. Wif unhyre

hyre bearn gewræc, (beo)rn acwealde

2125 ellenlice. Þær wæs Æsc(he)re,

frodan fyrnwitan feorh uð(ge)nge.

Noðer hy hine ne moston, syððan (m)ergen cwom,

deaðwerigne Denia (le)ode

bronde forbærnan, (n)e on bel hladan,

177r leofne mannan. |(H)io þæt lic ætbær

feondes fæð[me] [un]der firgenstream.

þæt wæs Hroðg[are] hreowa tornost

þara þe leodfruman lange begeate.

Þa se ðeoden (mec) ðine life

2135 healsode hreohmod, (þæt ic) on holma geþring

eorlscipe efnd(e), ealdre geneðde,

mærðo fremed(e). He me mede gehet.

Ic ða ðæs wælm(es), þe is wide cuð,

grimme gryrelic(ne) grundhyrde fond.

2140 Þær unc hwil(e) wæs hand gemæne.

Holm heolfre weoll, 7 ic heafde becearf

in ðam [grund]s(ele) Grendeles modor

eacnum ecgu(m), unsofte þonan

feorh oðferede. Næs ic fæge þa gyt.

2145 Ac me eorla hl(eo) eft gesealde

maðma menigeo, mag(a) Healfdenes."

XXXI

"Swa se ðeodkyning þeawum lyfde.

Nealles ic ðam leanum forloren hæfde,

177v mægnes mede, ac he me |[maðma](s) geaf,

2150 sunu Healfdenes, on [min]ne sylfes dom.

Ða ic ðe, beorn(c)yning, bringan wylle,

estum ge(yw)an. Gen is eall æt ðe

lissa gelong. (Ic) lyt hafo

heafodmaga nefne, (Hy)gelac, ðec."

2155 Het ða in beran eafor (hea)fodsegn,

heaðosteapne helm, (ha)re byrnan,

guðsweord geatolic. (Gy)d æfter wræc.

"Me ðis hildesceorp (H)roðgar sealde,

snotra fengel. Sume (w)orde het,

2160 þæt ic his ærest ðe est gesægde;

(c)wæð þæt hyt hæfde Hiorogar cyning,

(l)eod Scyldunga lange hwile.

No ðy (æ)r suna sinum syllan wolde,

hwatum (H)eorowearde, þeah he him hold wære,

2165 breostgewædu. Bruc ealles well."

Hyrde ic þæt þam frætwum feower mearas

lungre gelice last weardode,

æppelfealuwe. He him est geteah

178r meara 7 maðma. Swa sceal |mæg don,

2170 nealles inwitnet oðr(um) bregdon,

dyrnum cræfte deað re[nian]

hondgesteallan. Hygelace wæs

(niða) heardum nefa swyðe hold,

7 geh(wæðer) oðrum hroþra gemyndig.

2175 Hyrd(e) ic þæt he ðone healsbeah Hygde (ge)sealde,

wrætlicne wundur(maððum), ðone þe him Wealhðeo geaf,

ðeo(d)[nes] dohtor, þrio wicg somod

swanco(r) 7 sadolbeorht. Hyre syððan wæs

(æfter) beahðege brost geweorðod.

2180 Swa (b)[eal]dode, bearn Ecgðeowes,

guma gu(ð)[um]cuð, godum dædum.

Dreah æfter dom(e), nealles druncne slog

heorðgen(ea)tas. Næs him hreoh sefa,

ac he ma(n)cynnes, mæste cræfte,

2185 ginfæsta(n) gife, þe him God sealde,

heold hildedeor. Hean wæs lange

swa hyne Geat(a) bearn godne ne tealdon,

ne hyne on medobence micles wyrðne

178v |[dri]hten wereda gedon wolde.

2190 Swyðe [sæg]don, þæt he sleac wære,

æðeling un(fro)m. Edwenden cwom

tireadigum (me)nn torna gehwylces.

Het ða eorla (hl)eo in gefetian,

heaðorof cyning, (Hr)eðles lafe,

2195 golde gegyrede. Næs (mid) Geatum ða

sincmaðþum selra [o](n) sweordes had.

Þæt he on Biowulfes (be)arm alegde,

7 him gesealde seofan (þ)usendo,

bold 7 bregostol. Him wæs [b](a)m samod

2200 on ðam leodscipe [lo]nd gecynde,

eard eðelriht, oðrum (s)wiðor

side rice þam ðær selra wæs.

(E)ft þæt geiode ufaran dogrum

hilde(h)læmmum, syððan Hygelac læg,

2205 7 Hearede hildemeceas

under bordhreoðan to bonan wurdon,

ða hyne gesohtan on sigeþeode.

Hearde hildefrecan, Heaðo-Scilfingas,

niða genægdan nefan Hererices.

179r Syððan |Beowulfe br[æ]de rice

on hand ge[hwearf]. He geheold tela

fiftig wintra. W(æs ða) frod cyning,

eald eþelweard, oð ð(æt) on ongan

deorcum nihtum draca (rics[i]an),

2215 se ðe on hea[um] h[of]e hord beweot(ode),

stanbeorh stear[c]ne. Stig under l(æg)

eldum uncuð. Þær on innan giong

nið(a) nathwyl[c], [7] [neah] gefeng

hæðnum ho(rde), hond[gewriþenne]

2220 since fahne. (He þæt) syððan [bohte]

þ[eah] ð[e] [he] slæpende (be)syre[d] [hæf]de

þeo[f]es cræfte. Þæt si(e) ðiod [onfand],

b[u]folc beorn[a], þæt he gebolge[n] wæs.

XXXII

Nealles [næs] geweoldum wyrmhorda cræft,

2225 sylfes willum, se ðe him sare (ge)sceod,

ac for þreanedlan þe[of] nathwylces

hæleða bearna hetesweng(eas) fleoh,

[ðeodnes] þea[rfe]. 7 ðær inne weal(l),

secg syn[by]sig, sona [o]nwa[ca]de,

2230 þæt [gean] ðam gyst[e] [gry]rebr[o]g[a] stod.

179r-v Hwæðre [fyren]sceapen| [...] se fær begeat.

Sincfæt [sohte] þær wæs swylcra fela

in ðam eorð[sele] ærgestreona,

swa hy on gearda(gum) gumena nathwylc,

2235 eormenlafe (æþ)elan cynnes,

þanchycgende, þær ge(hy)dde,

deore maðmas. Ealle hie deað (fo)rnam

ærran mælum, 7 si an ða gen

(leo)da duguðe, se ðær lengest hwearf,

2240 (we)ard winegeomor, [w]ende þæs yldan,

(þæt h)e lytel fæc longgestreona

brucan (m)oste. Beorh eallgearo

wunode on wonge [wæ]teryðum neah,

niwe be næsse, nearo(c)ræftum fæst.

2245 Þær on innan bær eorl(g)estreona

hringa hyrde ha[n]dwyrðne (d)æl,

fættan goldes. Fea worda cwæð:

"Heald þu nu, hruse, nu hæleð ne m[o]stan,

eorla æhte. Hwæt, hyt ær on ðe

2250 gode begeaton. Guðdeað fornam,

[f]eorhbeal[e] frecne, fyrena gehwylcne,

leoda minra. Þa [me]ðe þis ofgeaf.

180r Gesawon seledream. [He]| nah, hwa sweord wege

oððe f[æ]g[rie] fæted wæge,

2255 dryncfæt deore. Dug[uð] ellor seoc.

Sceal se hearda helm [hyr]stedgolde

fætum befeallen. Feormy(nd) swefað,

þa ðe beadogriman bywan sceoldon.

Ge swylce seo herepad, s(io) æt hilde gebad

2260 ofer borda gebræc bite irena,

brosnað æfter beorne. Ne mæg byrnan hring

æfter wig(fru)man wide feran,

hæleðum be healfe. Næs hearpan wyn,

gomen gleobeames, ne god hafoc

2265 geond sæl swingeð, ne se swifta mearh

burhstede beateð. Bea(lo)cwealm hafað

fela feorhcynna fo(rð) onsended."

Swa giomormod giohðo mænde

an æfter eallum, unbliðe hwe(arf)

2270 dæges 7 nihtes, oð ðæt deaðes wylm

hr(an) æt heortan. Hordwynne fond,

eald uh(t)sceaða, opene standan,

se ðe, byrnend[e], biorgas seceð.

Nacod niðdraca niht(es) fleogeð,

2275 fyre befangen. Hyne foldbuen(d)

180v |[: : : : : : : : : : : :]nan. He gesecean sceall

[hearm] [on] [h]rusan, þær he hæðen gold

warað [win]trum frod. Ne byð him wihte ðy sel.

(Sw)a se ðeodsceaða þreo hund wintra

2280 (h)eold on hrusa[n] hordærna sum,

eacen(cr)æftig, oð ðæt hyne an abealch,

mon on mode. Mandryhtne bær

fæted wæge, frioðowære bæd

hlaford sinne. (Ða w)æs hord rasod,

2285 onboren beaga (h)ord. Bene getiðad

feasceaftum men. Frea sceawode

fira fyrngeweorc (f)orman siðe.

Þa se wyrm onwoc, wroht wæs geniwad.

Stonc ða æfter stane, stearcheort onfand

2290 feondes fot(l)ast. He to forð gestop

dyrnan cræfte dracan heafde neah.

Swa mæg unfæge eaðe gedigan

wean 7 wræcsið se ðe Waldendes

hyldo gehealdeþ. Hordweard sohte

2295 georne æfter grunde, wolde guman findan,

þone þe him on sweofote sare geteode.

181r Hat 7 hreohmod, |hl(æ)wum oft ymbehwearf

ealn[e utan]weardne. Ne ðær ænig mon

on þ[am] westenne, hwæðre hilde gefeh,

2300 bea[du]weorces. Hwilum on beorh æthwe(arf),

sincfæt sohte. He þæt sona onf(and),

ðæt hæfde gumena sum goldes gefandod,

heahgestreona. Hordwea(rd) onbad

earfoðlice, oð ðæt æfen c(wom).

2305 Wæs ða gebolgen beorges hyrde,

wolde [s]e laða lige forgyldan

drin(c)fæt dyre. Þa wæs dæg sceacen

w(yr)me on willan. No on wealle læg,

(bi)dan wolde, ac mid bæle for,

2310 fyre gefysed. Wæs se fruma egeslic

leodum on lande, swa hyt lungre wearð

on hyra sincgifan sare geendod.

XXXIII

ÐA se gæst ongan gledum spiwan,

beorht hofu bærnan. Bry(ne)leoma stod

2315 eldum on andan. No ðæ(r) aht cwices

181v lað lyftfloga læfan |(wolde).

Wæs þæs wyrmes wig wide gesy(ne),

(ne)arofages nið nean 7 feorran,

hu (s)e guðsceaða Geata leode

2320 hatode 7 hyn(de). Hord eft gesceat,

dryhtsele dyrn(ne) ær dæges hwile.

Hæfde landwara (li)ge befangen,

bæle 7 bronde. Beorges getruwode,

wiges 7 wealles. Him seo wen (g)eleah.

2325 Þa wæs Biowulfe broga gecy(ð)ed

snude to soðe, þæt his sylfes h[a]m,

bolda selest, brynewylmum mealt,

(g)ifstol Geata. Þæt ðam godan wæs

hreow (o)n hreðre, hygesorga mæst.

2330 Wende (s)e wisa þæt he Wealdende

ofer ealde riht ecean Dryhtne

bitre gebulge. (B)reost innan weoll

þeostrum geþoncum, swa him geþywe ne wæs.

Hæfde ligdraca leoda fæsten,

2335 ealond utan, eorðweard ðone

gledum forgrunden. Him ðæs guðkyning,

Wedera þioden, wræce leornode.

Heht him þa gewyrcean, wigendra hleo,

eallirenne, eorla dryhten,

182r wigbord wrætlic. |Wisse he gearwe,

þæt him holtwudu he[lpan] ne meahte,

lind wið lige. Sceolde [li]þenddaga,

æþeling ærgod, ende g(e)bidan

worulde lifes, 7 se wyrm somod,

2345 þeah ðe hordwelan heolde lan(ge).

Oferhogode ða hringa fengel

þæt he þone widflogan weorode gesohte,

sidan herge. No he him þam sæcce ondred,

ne him þæs wyrmes wig for wiht dyde,

2350 eafoð 7 ellen, forðon he ær fela

nearo neðende niða gedig(de),

hildehlemma, syððan he Hroðga(res)

sigoreadig secg, sele fælsode,

7 æt g(uðe) forgrap Grendeles mægum,

2355 laðan cynnes. No þæt læsest wæs

hondge(mot)[a], þær mon Hygelac sloh,

syððan Geata cyning, guðe ræsum,

freawine folc(a), Freslondum on,

Hreðles eafora, hiorodryncum swealt,

2360 bille gebeate(n). Þonan Biowulf com

sylfes cræfte, sundnytte dreah.

182v Hæfde him on earm(e) | [ealra] þritig

hildegeatwa, þa he to holm(e) [gion]g.

Nealles Hetware hremge þorf[ton]

2365 feðewiges, þe him foran ongean

linde bæron. Lyt eft becwom

fram þam hildfrecan hames niosan.

Ofer(s)wam ða sioleða bigong sunu Ecgðeowes,

(ea)rm anhaga eft to leodum.

2370 Þær him Hygd gebead hord 7 rice,

beagas 7 brego(s)tol. Bearne ne truwode,

þæt he wið ælfylcum eþelstolas

healdan cuðe. Ða wæs Hygelac dead.

No ðy ær feasceafte (f)indan meahton

2375 æt ðam æðelinge (æ)nige ðinga,

þæt he Heardrede hlaford (w)ære,

oððe þone cynedom ciosan wol(d)e.

Hwæðre he him on folce freondlarum heold,

estum mid are, oð ðæt he yldra wearð,

2380 Weder-Geatum weold. Hyne wræcmæcgas

ofer sæ sohtan, suna Ohteres.

Hæfdon hy forhealden helm Scylfinga,

þone selestan sæcyninga

þara ðe ðe in Swiorice sinc brytnade

183r mærne | (þ)eoden. Him þæt to mearce wearð.

He (þær) orfeorme feorhwunde hleat,

sw(eor)des swengum, sunu Hygelaces.

7 [him] eft gewat Ongenðioes bearn

ha(mes) niosan, syððan Heardred læg.

2390 Let ðone bregostol Biowulf healdan,

Geatum wealdan. Þæt wæs god cyning.

XXXIIII.

SE ðæs leodhryres lean gemunde.

Uferan dogrum Eadgilse wearð

feasceaftum freond. Folce gestepte

2395 ofe(r) sæ side sunu Ohteres,

wigum 7 wæpnum. He gewræc syððan

cealdum cearsiðum, cyning ealdre bineat.

Swa he niða gehwane genesen hæfde,

sliðra geslyht(a), sunu Ecgðiowes,

2400 ellenweorca, oð ðone anne dæg,

þe he wið þam wyrme gewegan sceolde.

Gewat þa twelfa sum, torne gebolgen,

dryhten Geata, dracan sceawia(n).

Hæfde þa gefrunen hwanan sio fæhð aras,

183v bealonið biorna. Him to bearme |(cwom)

ma(ð)þumfæt mære, þurh ðæs me(l)(da)n hond.

Se wæs on ðam ðreate þreotteo(ða) secg,

se ðæs orleges or onstealde,

hæft (hy)gegiomor. Sceolde hean ðonon

2410 wong (w)isian. He ofer willan giong

to ðæs ðe he eorðsele anne wisse,

hlæw under (hr)usan holmwylme neh,

yðgewinne. Se wæs innan full

wrætta 7 wira. Weard unhiore,

2415 gearo guðfreca goldmaðmas heold

eald under eorðan. Næs þæt yðe ceap,

to gegangenne gumena ænigum.

Gesæt ða on næsse niðheard cyning,

þenden hælo abead heorðgeneatum,

2420 gold(w)ine Geata. Him wæs geomor sefa,

wæfre 7 wælfus. Wyrd ungemete neah

se ðone gomelan gretan sceolde,

secean sawle hord, sundur gedælan

lif wið lice. No þon lange wæs

2425 feorh æþelinges flæsce bewunden.

Biowulf maþelade, bearn Ecgðeowes:

"Fela ic on gioguðe guðræsa genæs,

orleghwila. Ic þæt eall gemon.

184r |Ic wæs syfanwintre þa mec sin(ca bal)dor,

2430 freawine folca, æt minum fæ(der) genam.

Heold mec 7 hæfde Hreðel cyn(ing),

geaf me sinc 7 symbel, sibbe gemund(e);

næs ic him to life laðra owihte

beorn (in) burgum, þonne his bearna hwylc,

2435 Herebe(ald) 7 Hæðcyn oððe Hygelac min.

Wæs þam yldestan ungedefelice

mæges dædum morþorbed stred,

syððan hyne Hæðcyn of hornbogan,

his freawine flane geswencte,

2440 miste mercelses 7 his mæg o(f)scet,

broðor oðerne blodigan gare.

Þæt w(æs) feohleas gefeoht fyrenum gesyngad,

hreð(re) hygemeðe. Sceolde hwæðre swa þeah

æð(e)ling unwrecen ealdres linnan.

2445 Swa bið geomorlic gomelum ceorle

to gebidanne þæt his byre ride

giong on galgan. Þonne h(e) gyd wrece,

sarigne sang, þonne his sunu hangað

hrefne to hroðre, 7 he him helpa(n) ne mæg,

2450 eald 7 infrod ænige gefremma(n).

Symble bið gemyndgad morna gehwylce,

184v |(eafo)ran ellorsið. Oðres ne gymeð

(t)o gebidanne burgum in innan,

yrfeweardas, þonne se an hafað

2455 þurh deaðes nyd dæda gefondad.

Gesyhð sorhcearig on his suna bure

winsele westne, windge reste

reote berofene. Ridend swefað,

hæleð in hoðman. Nis þær hearpan sweg,

2460 gomen in geardum, swylce ðær iu wæron.

XXXV

GEwiteð þonne on sealman, sorhleoð gæleð,

an æfter anum. Þuhte him eall to rum,

wongas 7 wicstede. Swa Wedra helm

æfter Herebealde heortan sorge,

2465 weallinde, wæg. Wihte ne meahte

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 sio sar belamp,

2470 gumdream ofgeaf, Godes leoht geceas.

Eaferum læfde, swa deð eadig mon,

lond 7 leodbyrig, þa he of life gewat.

185r Þa |(wæs) synn 7 sacu Sweona 7 Geata

of(er [w]id) wæter wroht gemæne,

2475 herenið hea(rda), syððan Hreðel swealt,

oððe him Ongenðeowes eaferan wæran

frome fyrdhwate. Freode ne woldon

ofer heafo healdan, ac ymb Hreosnabeorh

eat(olne) inwitscear oft [ge]fremedon.

2480 Þæt m(æg)wine mine gewræcan,

fæhðe 7 fyrene, swa hyt gefræge wæs,

þeah ðe oðer his ealdre gebohte,

heardan ceape. Hæðcynne wearð,

Geata dryhtne guð onsæg(e).

2485 Þa ic on morgne gefrægn mæg oðerne

billes ecgum on bonan stælan,

þær Onge(n)þeow Eofores niosað.

Guðhelm toglad, gomela Scylfing

hreas [heaþo]blac. Hond gemunde

2490 fæhðo genoge, feorhsweng ne ofteah.

Ic him þa maðmas, þe he me sealde,

geald æt guðe, swa me gifeðe wæs,

leohtan sweorde. He me lond forgeaf,

eard eðelwy(n). Næs him ænig þearf,

2495 þæt he to Gifðum oððe to Gar-Denum

oððe in Swiorice secean þurfe

185v |(wyrs)an wigfrecan, weorðe gecypa(n).

(Symle) (ic) him on feðan beforan wolde,

ana on orde. 7 swa to aldre sceall

2500 sæcce fremman, þenden þis sweord þolað.

Þæt mec ær 7 sið oft gelæste,

syððan ic for dugeðum (D)æghrefne wearð

to handbonan, Huga (ce)mpan.

Nalles he ða frætwe Frescyning[e],

2505 breostweorðunge bringan moste,

ac in cempan gecrong cumbles hyrde,

æþeling on elne. Ne wæs ecg bona,

ac him hildegrap heortan wylmas,

banhus gebræc. Nu sceall billes ecg,

2510 hond 7 heard sweord ymb hord wigan."

Beowulf maðelode, beotwordum spræc

niehstan siðe: "(I)c geneðde fela

guða on geogoðe; gyt ic wylle,

frod folces weard fæhðe secan,

2515 mærðum fremman, gif mec se mansceaða

of eorðsele ut geseceð."

Gegrette ða gumena gehwylcne,

hwate helmberend hindeman siðe,

swæse gesiðas: "Nolde ic sweord beran,

186r wæpen to wyrme, |gif ic wiste hu

wið ðam aglæcean elle(s) meahte

gylpe wiðgripan, swa ic gio wi(ð) Grendle dyde.

Ac ic ðær heaðufyres hate(s) wene,

reðes 7 hattres; forðon ic me on hafu

2525 bord 7 byrnan. Nelle ic beorges weard

oferfleon fotes trem, ac unc sce(al)

weorðan æt wealle swa unc wyrd geteoð,

Metod manna gehwæs. Ic eom on mode from

þæt ic wið þone guðflogan gylp ofe(r)sitte.

2530 Gebide ge on beorge byrnum werede,

secgas on searwum, hwæðer sel mæge

æfter wælræse wunde gedygan

uncer twega. Nis þæt eower sið,

ne gemet mannes, ne(fn)[e] min anes."

2535 Wat he wið aglæcean eofoðo dæle,

eorlscype efne. "Ic mid elne sceall

gold gegangan, oððe guð nimeð,

feorhbealu frecne frean eowerne."

Aras ða bi ronde, rof oretta,

2540 heard under helm(e), hiorosercean bær

under stancleofu, strengo getruwode

anes mannes. Ne bið swylc earges sið!

186v Geseah ða be wealle, |(se ð)e worna fela,

gumcystum god, guða ge(d)igde,

2545 hildehlemma, þonne hnitan feðan -

stodan stanbogan -- stream ut þonan

brecan of beorge. Wæs þære burnan wælm

heaðofyrum hat, ne meahte horde neah

unbyrnende ænige hwile

2550 deop gedygan for dracan lege.

Let ða of breostum, ða he gebolgen wæs,

Weder-Geata leod word ut faran,

stearcheort styrmde. Stefn in becom,

heaðotorht hlynnan under harne stan.

2555 Hete wæs onhrered, hordweard oncniow

mannes reorde. Næs ðær mara fyrst

freode to friclan. From ærest cwom

oruð aglæcean ut of stane,

hat hildeswat. Hruse dynede.

2560 Biorn under beorge bordrand onswaf

wið ðam gryregieste Geata dryhten.

Ða wæs hringbogan heorte gefysed

sæcce to seceanne. Sweord ær gebræd

god guðcyning, gomele lafe,

2565 ecgum ungleaw. Æghwæðrum wæs

187r bealohycgendra |(bro)ga fram oðrum.

Stiðmod gestod (wið) steapne rond

winia bealdor, ða se wyr(m) gebeah

snude tosomne. He on searwum bad.

2570 Gewat ða byrnende gebogen scriða(n),

to gescipe scyndan. Scyld wel gebearg

(life) 7 lice læssan hwile

mærum þeodne, þon(ne) his myne sohte,

ðær he þy fyrste fo(r)man dogore

2575 wealdan moste, swa him wyrd ne gescraf

hreð æt hilde. Hond u(p) abræd

Geata dryhten, gryrefahne slo(h)

Incgelafe, þæt sio ecg gewac

brun on bane, bat unswiðor

2580 þonne his ðiodcyning þe(arfe) hæfde

bysigum gebæded. Þa wæs beorges weard

æfter heaðuswenge on hreou(m) mode.

Wearp wælfyre; wide sprungon

hildeleoman. Hreðsigora ne gealp

2585 goldwine Geata. Guðbill geswac,

nacod æt niðe, swa hyt no sceolde,

iren ærgod. Ne wæs þæt eðe sið,

þæt se mæra maga Ecgðeowes

grundwong þone ofgyfan wolde.

2590 Sceolde willan wic eardian

187v elles hwergen, swa |(sceal) æghwylc mon

alætan lændag(as). Næs ða long to ðon,

þæt ða aglæcean hy eft gemetton.

Hyrte hyne hordweard, hreðer æðme weoll,

2595 niwan stefne. Nearo (ðr)owode,

fyre befongen, se ðe ær folce weold.

Nealles him on heape h[a]ndgesteallan,

(æ)ðelinga bearn, ymbe gestodon

hildecystum, ac hy on holt bugon,

2600 ealdre burgan. Hiora in anum weoll

sefa wið sorgum. Sibb æfre ne mæg

wiht onwendan, þam ðe wel þenceð.

XXXVI

(W)IGlaf wæs haten, Weoxstanes sunu,

leof(l)ic lindwiga, leod Scylfinga,

2605 mæg Ælfheres. Geseah his mondryhten

under heregriman hat þrowian.

Gemunde ða ða are þe he him ær forgeaf,

wicstede weligne Wægmundinga,

folcrihta gehwylc, swa his fæder ahte.

2610 Ne mihte ða forhabban, hond rond gefeng,

geolwe linde, gomelswyrd geteah.

Þæt wæs mid eldum Eanmundes laf,

188r |(su)na Ohtere. Þam æt sæcce wearð

w(ræcca) wineleasum Weohstanes bana

2615 meces ecg(um), 7 his magum ætbær

brunfagne helm, hringde byrnan,

ealdsweord etonisc. Þæt him Onela forgeaf,

his gædelinges guðgewædu,

fyrdsearo fuslic. No ymbe ða fæhðe spræc,

2620 þeah ðe he his broðor bearn abredwade.

He frætwe geheold fela missera,

bill 7 byrnan, oð ðæt his byre mihte

eorlscipe efnan swa his ærfæder.

Geaf him ða mid Geatum guðgewæda,

2625 æghwæs unrim, þa he of ealdre gewat,

frod on forðweg. Þa wæs forma sið

geongan cempan, þ(æt) he guðe ræs

mid his freodryhtne fremman sceolde.

Ne gemealt him se modsefa, ne his mægenes laf

2630 gewac æt wige. Þa se wyrm onfand,

syððan hie togædre gegan hæfdon.

Wiglaf maðelode, wordrihta fela

sægde gesiðum. Him wæs sefa geomor.

188v "Ic ðæt |(mæl) geman, þær we medu þegun,

2635 þon(ne) (we) geheton ussum hlaforde

in biorsele, (ð)e us ðas beagas geaf,

þæt we him ða guðgetawa gyldan woldon,

gif him þyslicu þearf gelumpe,

helmas 7 heard sweord. Ðe he usic on herge geceas

2640 to ðyssum siðfate sylfes willum.

Onmunde usic mærða, 7 me þas maðmas geaf,

þe he usic garwigend gode tealde,

hwate helmberend, þeah ðe hlaford us

þis ellenweorc ana aðohte

2645 to gefremmanne, folces hyrde,

forðan he manna mæst mærða gefremede,

dæda dollicra. Nu is se dæg cumen

þæt ure mandryhten mægenes behofað

godra guðrinca. Wutun gongan to

2650 helpan hildfruman, þenden hyt sy,

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

2655 eft to earde, nemne we æror mægen

189A
(197)r fane gefyllan, | (f)eorh ealgian

Wedra ðeodnes. Ic wat gear(e),

þæt næron ealdgewyrht, þæt he ana scyle

G(eata) duguðe gnorn þrowian,

2660 gesigan æt sæcce. Urum sceal sweord 7 helm,

byrne 7 byrduscrud (bam) gemæne."

Wod þa þurh þone wælrec, wig(hea)folan bær

frean on fultum. Fea worda (cwæð):

"Leofa Biowulf, læst eall tela,

2665 swa ðu on g(eo)guðfeore geara gecwæde,

þæt ðu ne alæte be ðe lifigendum

dom gedreosan. Scealt nu dædum rof,

æðeling anhydig, ealle mægene,

feorh ealgian. Ic ðe fullæstu."

2670 Æfter ðam wordum wyrm yrre cwom,

atol inwitg(æst) oðre siðe,

fyrwylmum fah fionda nio(s[i]an)

laðra manna. Lig yðum for,

born bord (wið) rond. Byrne ne meahte

2675 geongum garwigan geoce gefremman.

ac se maga geonga und(er) his mæges scyld

elne geeode, þa his agen [wæs]

gledum forgrunden. Þa gen guðcyning

m[iht] gemunde, mægenstrengo sloh

2680 hildebille, (þæt) hyt on heafolan stod

niþe genyded. Nægl(in)g forbærst,

geswac æt sæcce sweord Biowulfes

189A
(197)v |gomol 7 grægmæl. Him þæt gifeðe ne wæs,

(þæt) him irenna ecge mihton

2685 helpan æt hilde. Wæs sio hond to strong,

se ðe meca gehwane (m)ine gefræge

swenge ofersohte. Þonne he to (s)æcce bær

wæpen wundum heard, næs him (w)ihte ðe sel.

Þa wæs þeodsceaða þriddan siðe,

2690 frecne fyrdraca fæhða gemyndig,

ræsde on ðone rofan, þa him rum ageald,

hat 7 heaðogrim, heals ealne ymbefeng

biteran banum. He geblodegod wearð

sawuldriore. Swat yðum weoll.

XXXVII

2695 ÐA ic æt þearfe [gefrægn] þeodcyninges

andlongne eorl ellen cyðan,

cræft 7 cenðu, swa him gecynde wæs.

Ne hedde he þæs heafolan, ac sio hand gebarn

modiges mannes, þær he his mægenes healp,

2700 þæt he þone niðgæst nioðor hwene sloh,

secg on searwum, þæt ðæt sweord gedeaf

fah 7 fæted; þæt ðæt fyr ongan go

sweðrian syððan. Þa gen sylf cyning

geweold his gewitte, wællseaxe gebræd

2705 biter 7 beaduscearp, þæt he on byrnan wæg.

189r Forwrat Wedra |helm wyrm on middan.

Feond gefyldan, ferh ellen wræc,

7 hi hyne þa begen abroten hæfdon,

sibæðelingas. Swylc sceolde secg wesan,

2710 þegn æt ðearfe. Þæt ðam þeodne wæs

siðas sigehwile sylfes dædum,

wo(rlde) geweorces. Ða sio wund ongon,

þe him se e(orð)draca ær geworhte,

swelan 7 swella(n). (He) þæt sona onfand

2715 þæt him on breostum beal(onið) weoll,

attor on innan. Ða se æðeling gion(g),

þæt he bi wealle wishycgende

gesæt on sesse. Seah on enta geweorc

hu ða stanbogan stapulum fæste

2720 ece eorðreced innan heald(e)[n].

Hyne þa mid handa heorodreorigne,

(þeo)den mærne, þegn ungemete till

winedry(hten) his wætere gelafede,

hilde sædne, 7 his he(l)[m] onspeon.

2725 Biowulf maþelode. He ofer be(nne) spræc,

wunde wælbleate. Wisse he gearwe

þæt he dæghwila gedrogen hæfde,

eorðan wyn[ne]. Ða wæs eall sceacen

dogorgerimes, deað ungemete neah:

2730 "Nu ic suna minum syllan wolde

guðgewædu, þær me gifeðe swa

189v ænig yrfe|weard æfter wurde

lice gelenge. Ic ðas leo(de) heold

fiftig wintra. Næs se folccyning

2735 ymbesittendra ænig ðara

þe mec guðwinum (gr)etan dorste,

egesan ðeon. Ic on earde bad

(m)ælgesceafta, heold min tela,

ne sohte (s)earoniðas, ne me swor fela

2740 aða on un(ri)ht. Ic ðæs ealles mæg

feorhbennum seoc ge(fea)n habban,

forðam me witan ne ðearf Waldend fira

morðorbealo maga, þonne min sceaceð

lif of lice. Nu ðu lungre geong

2745 hord sceawian under harne stan,

Wiglaf leofa. Nu se wyrm ligeð,

swefeð sare wund, (si)nce bereafod.

Bio nu on ofoste, þæt ic ærwelan,

goldæht ongite, gearo sceawige

2750 swegle searogimmas, þæt ic ðy seft mæge

æfter maððumwelan (mi)n alætan

lif 7 leodscipe, þone ic longe heold."

XXXVIII

ÐA ic snude gefrægn sunu Wihstanes,

æfter wordcwydum wundum dryhtne,

2755 hyran heaðosiocum, hringnet beran,

brogdne beadusercean u[n]der beorges hrof.

Geseah ða sigehreðig, þa he bi sesse geong,

190r magoþegn |modig, maððumsigla fealo,

gold glitinian grunde getenge,

2760 wundur on wealle, 7 þæs wyrmes denn,

ealdes uhtflogan, orcas stondan,

fyrnmanna fatu feormendlease,

hyrstum behrorene. Þær wæs helm monig

eald 7 omig, earmbeaga fela

2765 searwum gesæled. Sinc eaðe mæg,

gold on gr(und)[e] gumcynnes gehwone

oferhigian, hyde se ðe wylle.

Swylce he siomian geseah segn eallgylden

heah ofer horde, hondwundra mæst,

2770 gelocen leoðocræftum. Of ðam leoman stod,

þæt he þone grundwong ongitan mea(hte),

wræce giondwlitan: næs ðæs wyrmes þ(ær)

onsyn ænig, ac hyne ecg fornam.

Ða ic (on) hlæwe gefrægn hord reafian,

2775 eald ent(a) geweorc anne mannan.

Him on bearm hlo(don) bunan 7 discas.

Sylfes dome segn eac geno(m),

beacna beorhtost. Bill ær gescod -

ecg wæs iren ealdhlafordes -

2780 þam ðara maðma mundbora wæs

longe hwile. Ligegesan wæg

hatne for horde, hioroweallende

190v middelnihtum |oð þæt he morðre swealt.

Ar wæs on ofoste, eftsiðes georn,

2785 frætwum gefyrðred. Hyne fyrwet bræc,

hwæðer collenferð cwicne gemette

in ðam wongstede, Wedra þeoden

ellensiocne, þær he hine ær forlet.

He ða mid þam maðmum mærne þioden,

2790 dryhten sinne, driorigne fand,

ealdres æt ende. He hine eft ongon

wæteres weorpan, oð þæt wordes ord

breosthord þurhbræc.

Gomel on giogoðe gold sceawode.

2795 "Ic ðara frætwa Frean ealles ðanc,

Wuldurcyninge wordum (sec)ge,

ecum Dryhtne, þe ic her on starie,

þæs ðe (ic) moste minum leodum

ær swyltdæge swylc ge(str)ynan.

2800 Nu ic on maðma hord minne be(bo)hte

frode feorhlege. Fremmað gena

(l)eoda þearfe. Ne mæg ic her leng wesan.

Hatað (h)eaðomære hlæw gewyrcean

beorhtne æfter bæle, æt brimes nosan.

2805 Se scel to gemyndum minum leodum

heah hlifian on hrones næsse,

þæt hit sæliðend syððan hatan

Biowulfes Biorh, ða ðe brentingas

191r ofer |floda genipu feorran drifað."

2810 Dyde him of healse hring gyldenne,

þioden þristhydig, þegne gesealde,

geongum garwigan, goldfahne helm,

beah 7 byrnan, het hyne brucan well:

"Þu eart endelaf usses cynnes,

2815 Wægmundinga. Ealle wyrd forspeo[f]

mine magas to metodsceafte,

eorlas on elne. Ic him æfter sceal."

Þæt wæs þam gomelan gingæste word

breostgehygdum, ær he bæl cure,

2820 hate heaðowylmas. Him of hwæðre gewat

sawol secean soðfæstra dom.

[XXXVIIII]

Ða wæs gegongen gum[an] unfrodum

earfoðlice, þæt he on eorðan geseah

þone leofestan lifes æt ende

2825 bleate gebæran. Bona swylce læg,

egeslic eorðdraca ealdr(e) bereafod,

bealwe gebæded. Beahhordum leng

wyrm wohbogen wealdan ne moste,

ac him irenna ecga fornamon,

2830 hearde heaðoscearde homera lafe,

þæt se widfloga, wundum stille,

hreas on hrusan hordærne neah.

191v Nalles |æfter lyfte lacende hwearf

middelnih(tum), maðmæhta wlonc,

2835 ansyn ywde, ac he eorðan gefeoll

for ðæs hildfruman hondgeweorce.

Huru þæt on lande lyt manna ðah

mægenagendra, mine gefræge,

þeah ðe he dæda gehwæs dyrstig wære,

2840 þæt he wið attorsceaðan oreðe geræsde,

oððe hringsele hondum styrede,

gif he wæccende weard onfunde

buon on beorge. Biowulfe wearð

dryhtmaðma dæl, deaðe forgolden.

2845 Hæfde æghwæðre ende gefered

lænan lifes. Næs ða lang to ðon,

þæt ða hildlatan holt ofgefan,

tydre treowlogan, tyne ætsomne,

ða ne dorston ær dareðum lacan

2850 on hyra mandryhtnes miclan þearfe.

Ac hy scamiende scyldas bæran,

guðgewædu, þær se gomela læg.

Wlitan on Wilaf. He gewergad sæt,

feðecempa frean eaxlum neah.

2855 Wehte hyne wætre - him wiht ne speo[w].

Ne meahte he on eorðan, ðeah he uðe wel,

on ðam frumgare feorh gehealdan,

ne ðæs Wealdendes wiht oncirran;

192r wolde dom |(Go)des dædum rædan

2860 gumena gehwylcum, sw(a) he nu gen deð.

Þa wæs æt ðam geongum grim andswar(u)

eðbegete, þam ðe ær his elne forleas.

Wiglaf maðelode, Weohstanes sunu,

sec sarigferð. Seah on unleofe:

2865 "Þæt, la, mæg secgan se ðe wyle soð specan,

þæt se mondryhten, se eow ða maðmas geaf,

eoredgeatwe, þe ge þær on standað,

þonne he on ealubence oft gesealde

healsittendum helm 7 byrnan,

2870 þeoden his þegnum swylce he þrydlicost

ower feor oððe neah findan meahte,

þæt he genunga guðgewædu

wraðe forwurpe, ða hyne wig beget.

Nealles folccyning fyrdgeste(allum)

2875 gylpan þorfte; hwæðre him God uðe,

sigor(a) Waldend, þæt he hyne sylfne gewræc,

ana mid ecge, þa him wæs elnes þearf.

Ic him lifwraðe lytle meahte

ætgifan æt guðe, 7 ongan swa þeah

2880 ofer min gemet mæges helpan.

Symle wæs þy sæmra þonne ic sweorde drep,

ferhðgeniðlan, fyr unswiðor

weoll of gewitte. Fergendra to lyt

192v þrong ymbe þeoden, þa hyne sio |(þ)rag becwom.

2885 Hu sceal sincþego 7 swyrd(gifu),

eall eðelwyn eowrum cynne,

lufen alicgean. Londrihtes mot

þære mægburge monna æghwylc

idel hweorfan, syððan æðelingas

2890 feorran gefricgean fleam eowerne,

domleasan dæd. Deað bið sella

eorla gehwylcum þonne edwitlif."

XL

Heht ða þæt heaðoweorc to hagan biodan,

up ofer ecgclif, þær þæt eorlweorod

2895 morgenlongne dæg modgiomor sæt,

bordhæbbende, bega on wenum,

endedogores 7 eftcymes

leofes monnes. Lyt swigode

niwra spella, se ðe næs gerad,

2900 ac he soðlice sægde ofer ealle:

"Nu is wilgeofa Wedra leoda,

dryhten Geata deaðbedde fæst,

wunað wælreste wyrmes dædum.

Him on efn ligeð ealdorgewinna

2905 siexbennum seoc. Sweorde ne meahte

on ðam aglæcean ænige þinga

wunde gewyrcean. Wiglaf siteð

ofer Biowulfe, byre Wihstanes,

eorl ofer oðrum unlifigendum,

193r healdeð higemæðum |(heafod)wearde

leofes 7 la(ð)es. Nu y(s leodum) wen

orleghwile syððan und[y]r[ne]

Froncu(m) 7 Frysum, fyll cyninges

wide weorðeð. Wæs sio wroht scepen

2915 heard wið Hugas, syððan Higelac cwom

faran flotherge on Fresn(a) land.

Þær hyne Hetware hilde gehnægdon,

elne geeodon mid ofermægene,

þæt se byrnwiga bugan sceolde.

2920 Feoll on feðan. Nalles frætwe geaf

ealdor dugoðe. Us wæs a syððan

Merewioingas milts ungyfeðe.

Ne ic te Swe(o)ðeode sibbe oððe treowe

wihte ne wene, ac wæs wide cuð

2925 þætte Ongenðio ealdre besnyðede

Hæðce(n) Hreþling wið Hrefnawudu,

þa for on(med)lan ærest gesohton

Geata leode Guð-Sci(l)fingas.

Sona him se froda fæder Ohthere(s),

2930 eald 7 egesfull, hondslyht ageaf

abreot brimwisan, bryda he[ro]de,

gomela iomeowl(a)[n] golde berofene,

Onelan modor 7 Ohtheres.

7 ða folgode feorhgeniðlan,

2935 oð ðæt hi oðeodo(n) earfoðlice,

in Hrefnesholt hlafordlease.

Besæt ða sinherge sweorda lafe

193v wundum werge. |(Wean o)ft gehet

earmre teohhe on(d longe) niht,

2940 cwæð, he on mergenne meces ecgum

getan wolde sum on galgtreowu[m]

[feðan] to gamene. Frofor eft gelamp

sarigmodum somod ærdæge,

syððan hie Hygelaces horn 7 byman,

2945 gealdor ongeaton, þa se goda com,

leoda dugoðe on last faran.

XLI.

Wæs sio swatswaðu Swona 7 Geata,

wælræs weora, wide gesyne.

Hu ða folc mid him fæhðe towehton!

2950 Gewat him ða se goda mid his gædelingum,

frod, felageomor, fæsten secean.

Eorl Ongenþio ufor oncirde,

hæfde Higelaces hilde gefrunen,

wlonces wigcræft. Wiðres (n)e truwode,

2955 þæt he sæmannum onsacan mihte,

heaðoliðendum hord forstandan,

bearn 7 bryde. Beah eft þonan

eald under eorðweall. Þa wæs æht boden

Sweona leodum, segn Higelace.

2960 Freoðowong þone ford ofereodon,

syððan Hreðlingas to hagan þrungon.

Þær wearð Ongenðiow ecgum, sweordum,

blondenfexa on bid wrecen,

þæt se þeodcyning ðafian sceolde

194r Eafores |anne dom. Hyne yrringa

Wulf Wonreðing wæpne geræhte,

þæt him for swenge swat ædrum sprong

forð under fexe. Næs he forht swa ðeh,

gomela Scilfing, ac forgeald hraðe

2970 wyrsan wrixle wælhlem þone,

syððan ðeodcyning þyder oncirde.

Ne meahte se snella sunu Wonredes

ealdum ceorle hondslyht giofan,

ac he him on heafde helm ær gescer,

2975 þæt he blode fah bugan sceolde.

Feoll on foldan. Næs he fæge þa git,

ac he hyne gewyrpte, þeah ðe him wund hrine.

Let se hearda Higelaces þegn

brade mece, þa his broðor læg,

2980 ealdsweord eotonisc entiscne helm

brec(an) ofer bordweal. Ða gebeah cyning,

folces hyrde wæs in feorh dropen.

Ða wæron monige, þe his mæg wriðon,

ricone arærdon, ða him gerymed wearð,

2985 þæt hie wælstowe wealdan moston.

Þenden reafode rinc oðerne,

nam on Ongenðio irenbyrnan,

heard swyrd hilted, 7 his helm somod.

Hares hyrste Higelace bær

2990 He [ðam] frætwum feng 7 him fægre gehet

194v leana [mid] |leodum, 7 gelæst[e] swa.

Geald þone guðræs Geata dryhten,

Hreðles eafora, þa he to ham becom,

Iofore 7 Wulfe mid ofermaðmum.

2995 Sealde hiora gehwæðrum hund þusenda

landes 7 locenra beaga, ne ðorfte him ða lean,

oðwitan mon on middangearde,

syðða[n] hie [ma] ða mærða geslogon.

7 ða Iofore forgeaf angan dohtor,

3000 hamweorðunge, hyldo to wedde.

Þæt ys sio fæhðo 7 se feondscipe,

wælnið wera, ðæs ðe ic [wean] hafo,

þe us seceað to Sweona leoda,

syððan hie gefricgeað frean userne

3005 ealdorleasne, þone ðe ær geheold

wið hettendum hord (7) rice,

æfter hæleða hryre, hwate Scildingas,

folcred fremede, oððe furður gen

eorlscipe efnde. Me is ofost betost,

3010 þæt we þeodcyning þær sceawian,

7 þone gebringan, þe us beagas geaf,

on adfære. Ne scel anes hwæt

meltan mid þam modigan, ac þær is maðma hord,

gold unrime, grimme gecea[po](d),

3015 7 nu æt siðestan sylfes feore

beagas [geboh]te; þa sceall brond fretan,

195r æled þeccean; |nalles eorl wegan

maððum to gemyndum, ne mægð scyne

habban on healse hringweorðunge,

3020 ac sceal, geomormod, golde bereafod,

oft, nalles æne, elland tredan.

Nu se herewisa hleahtor alegde

gamen 7 gleodream. Forðon sceall gar wesan

monig morgenceald mundum bewunden,

3025 hæfen on handa; nalles hearpan sweg

wigend weccean, ac se wonna hrefn,

fus ofer fægum, fela reordian,

earne secgan, hu him æt æte speow,

þenden he wið wulf wæl reafode."

3030 Swa se secg hwata secggende wæs

laðra spella. He ne leag fela

wyrda ne worda. Weorod eall aras.

Eodon unbliðe under earna næs,

wollenteare, wundu[r] sceawian.

3035 Fundon ða on sande sawulleasne,

hlimbed healdan, þone þe him hringas geaf

ærran mælum. Þa wæs endedæg

godum gegongen, þæt se guðcyning,

Wedra þeoden, wundordeaðe swealt.

3040 Ær hi þær gesegan syllicran wiht,

wyrm on wonge wiðerræhtes þær,

laðne licgean. Wæs se legdraca

195v grimlic gry[regiest] |gledum beswæled.

Se wæs fiftiges fotgemearces

3045 lang on legere. Lyftwynne heold

nihtes hwilum, nyðer eft gewat

dennes niosian. Wæs ða deaðe fæst,

hæfde eorðscrafa ende genyttod.

Him big stodan bunan 7 orcas,

3050 discas lagon 7 dyre swyrd,

omige þurhetone, swa hie wið eorðan fæðm

þusend wintra þær eardodon.

Þonne wæs þæt yrfe eacencræftig,

iumonna gold, galdre bewunden,

3055 þæt ðam hringsele hrinan ne moste,

gumena ænig, nefne God sylfa,

sigora Soðcyning sealde þam ðe he wolde -

He is manna gehyld - hord openian,

efne swa hwylcum manna swa him gemet ðuhte.

XLII.

3060 Þa wæs gesyne þæt se sið ne ðah

þam ðe unrihte inne gehydde

wræce under wealle. Weard ær ofsloh

feara sumne. Þa sio fæhð gewearð

gewrecen wraðlice. Wundur hwar þonne

3065 eorl ellenrof ende gefere

lifgesceafta, þonne leng ne mæg,

mon mid his [mæ]gum, meduseld buan.

196r Swa wæs Biowulfe, |þa he biorges weard

sohte searoniðas. Seolfa ne cuðe

3070 þurh hwæt his worulde gedal weorðan sceolde.

Swa hit oð domes dæg diope benemdon

þeodnas mære, þa ðæt þær dydon,

þæt se secg wære synnum scildig,

hergum geheaðerod, hellbendum fæst,

3075 wommum gewitnad, se ðone wong strude.

Næs he goldhwæte gearwor hæfde

agendes est ær gesceawod.

Wiglaf maðelode, Wihstanes sunu:

"Oft sceall eorl monig, anes willan,

3080 wræc adreog[an], swa us geworden is.

Ne meahton we gelæran leofne þeoden,

rices hyrde, ræd ænigne,

þæt he ne grette goldweard þone,

lete hyne licgean, þær he longe wæs,

3085 wicum wunian oð woruldende.

Heoldon heahgesceap. Hord ys gesceawod,

grimme gegongen. Þæt gifeðe [wæs]

to swið þe ðone þyder ontyhte.

Ic wæs þær inne 7 þæt eall geondseh,

3090 recedes geatwa, þa me gerymed wæs,

nealles swæslice sið alyfed

inn under eorðweall. Ic on ofoste gefeng

micle mid mundum mægenbyrðenne

196v hordgestreona, hider |ut ætbær

3095 cyninge minum. Cwico wæs þa gena,

wis 7 gewittig. Worn eall gespræc,

gomol on gehðo, 7 eowic gretan het,

bæd þæt ge geworhton æfter wines dædum

in bælstede beorh þone hean,

3100 micelne 7 mærne, swa he manna wæs

wigend weorðfullost wide geond eorðan,

þenden he burhwelan brucan moste.

Uton nu efstan oðre [siðe]

seon 7 secean [on] searogeþræc,

3105 wundur under wealle. Ic eow wisige,

þæt ge genoge neon sceawiað

beagas 7 brad gold. Sie sio bær gearo,

ædre geæfned, þonne we ut cymen,

7 þonne geferian frean userne,

3110 leofne mannan, þær he longe sceal

on ðæs Waldendes wære geþolian."

Het ða gebeodan, byre Wihstanes,

hæle hildedior, hæleða monegum

boldagendra, þæt hie bælwudu

3115 feorran feredon, folcagende

godum togenes: "Nu sceal gled fretan

weaxan wonna leg wigena strengel,

þone ðe oft gebad isernscure,

þonne stræla storm, strengum gebæded,

3120 scoc ofer scildweall. Sceft nytte heold,

fæ[ð]ergearwum fus, flane fulleode."

Huru se snotra sunu Wihstanes

198r acigde of corðre |cyniges þegnas,

s[yf]on[e] [tosom][n]e, þa selestan.

3125 Eode eahta sum under inwithrof.

(H)ilderinc sum on handa bær

æledleoman. se ðe on orde geong.

Næs ða on hlytme, hwa þæt hord strude,

syððan orwearde ænigne dæl

3130 secgas gesegon on sele wunian,

læne licgan. Lyt ænig mearn

þæt hi ofostli(c)[e] ut geferedon

dyre maðmas. Dracan ec scufun,

wyrm ofer weallclif, leton weg niman,

3135 flod fæðmian frætwa hyrde.

Þæt wæs wundengold on wæn hladen,

æghwæs unrim, æþelinge boren,

har[um] hilde, to hrones næsse.

XLIII

Him ða gegiredan Geata leode

3140 ad on eorðan unwaclicne,

helm[um] behongen, hildebordum,

beorhtum byrnum, swa he bena wæs.

Alegdon ða tomiddes mærne þeoden,

hæleð hiofende, hlafor[d] leofne.

3145 Ongunnon þa on beorge bælfyra mæst,

wigend weccan. W(ud[u]r)ec astah,

sweart ofer swi[o]ðole, swogende l(et)

(wop)e bewunden. Windblond gelæg,

oð þæt he ða banhus gebrocen hæfd[e]

3150 hat on hreðre. Higum unrote

modceare mændon, mondryhtnes (cw[e]a)lm.

198v Swylce giomorgyd |[Ge]at[isc] [an]meowle

[ : : : : ... : : : :] [b]undenheorde

[sang] sorgcearig sælðe geneah[he]

3155 þæt hio hyre [here]g[æn]gas hearde ond[r]ede,

wælfylla wo[r]n, [w]erudes egesan,

hyðo [7] hæf[t]nyd. Heofon rece swealg.

Geworhton ða Wedra leode

[hlæo] on h[o]e, se wæs heah 7 brad,

3160 [wæ]gliðendum wide gesyne,

7 beti[m]bredon on tyn dagum

beadurofes becn, bronda lafe.

Wealle beworhton, swa hyt weorðlicost

foresnotre men findan mihton.

3165 Hi on beorg dydon beg 7 siglu,

eall swylce hyrsta, swylce on horde ær

niðhedige men genumen hæfdon.

Forleton eorla gestreon eorðan healdan,

gold on greote, þær hit nu gen lifað

3170 eldum swa unnyt swa hyt [ære]r wæs.

Þa ymbe hlæw riodan, hildedeore

æþelinga bearn, ealra twelfa,

woldon [cearge] cwiðan, kyning mænan,

wordgyd wrecan, 7 ymb w[er] sprecan.

3175 Eahtodan eorlscipe 7 his ellenweorc

duguðum demdon, swa hit ged[efe] [bi]ð,

þæt mon his winedryhten wordum herge,

ferhðum freog[e], (þonne) he forð scile

of l[i]chaman [læded] weorðan.

3180 Swa begnornodon Geata leode

hlafordes [hry]re, heorðgeneatas.

Cwædon þæt he wære wyruldcyning,

manna mildust (mon[ðw]ær)ust

leodum liðost, 7 lofgeornost.