Beowulf Edition (Kiernan)

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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),