Читать книгу Beowulf in Parallel Texts - Sung-Il Lee - Страница 10
ОглавлениеHwæt! We Gar-dena in gear-dagum,
þeodcyninga, þrym gefrunon,
hu ða æþelingas ellen fremedon.
Oft Scyld Scefing sceaþena þreatum,
monegum mægþum meodosetla ofteah, 5
egsode eorlas. Syððan ærest weartð
feasceaft funden, he þæs frofre gebad,
weox under wolcnum, weorðmyndum þah,
oð þæt him æghwylc þara ymbsittendra
ofer hronrade hyran scolde, 10
gomban gyldan. Þæt wæs god cyning!
Đæm eafera wæs æfter cenned
geong in geardum, þone God sende
folce to frofre; fyrenðearfe ongeat,
þe* hie ær drugon aldorlease 15
lange hwile; him þæs Liffrea,
wuldres Wealdend, worold-are forgeaf;
Beowulf* wæs breme —blæd wide sprang—
Scyldes eafera Scedelandum in.
Swa sceal geong guma gode gewyrcean, 20
fromum feohgiftum on fæder bearme,
þæt hine on ylde eft gewunigen
wilgesiþas, þonne wig cume,
leode gelæsten; lofdædum sceal
in mægþa gehwære man geþeon. 25
Him ða Scyld gewat to gescæphwile
felahror feran on Frean wære.
Hi hyne þa ætbæron to brimes faroðe,
What! We have heard of the glory
Of the Spear-Danes’ kings in olden days—
How those princes performed deeds of valor.
Not a few times Scyld Scefing seized
The seats of banquet from many a tribe, 5
Mighty opponents, and terrified the earls.
Since the time when he was found a deserted infant,
He grew up in tender care, soared to the sky,*
And prospered with unparalleled honor, till
All neighboring nations over the sea came 10
To obey and pay tribute to him: a good king he was!
To him a son was born later—a toddler
In his large dwelling, whom God sent
To comfort the nation. He saw the dire distress
Of those who had long suffered without a lord 15
To rule them; in that cause, the Lord of life,
The Ruler of glory granted him worldly honor.
Beow* attained renown—his name spread wide—
The son of Scyld, all over the land of the Danes.
Such is what a young man, while in his father’s protection, 20
Must do, through manly acts and bounteous bestowing,
To secure the blessing in old age of having
Close kinsmen and loyal subjects to stay near
In times of war; of whatever clan, a man
Is bound to prosper through praiseworthy deeds. 25
Then at his destined hour Scyld the strongman departed,
Embarking on a journey to the bosom of the Lord.
Then his dear followers carried him to where
swæse gesiþas, swa he selfa bæd,
þenden wordum weold wine Scyldinga; 30
leof landfruma lange ahte.
Þær æt hyðe stod hringedstefna,
isig ond utfus, æþelinges fær;
aledon þa leofne þeoden,
beaga bryttan on bearm scipes, 35
mærne be mæste. Þær wæs madma fela
of feorwegum frætwa gelæded;
ne hyrde ic cymlicor ceol gegyrwan
hildewæpnum ond heaðowædum,
billum ond byrnum; him on bearme læg 40
madma mænigo, þa him mid scoldon
on flodes æht feor gewitan.
Nalæs hi hine læssan lacum teodan,
þeodgestreonum, þon þa dydon,
þe hine æt frumsceafte forð onsendon 45
ænne ofer yðe umborwesende.
Þa gyt hie him asetton segen g[yl]denne
heah ofer heafod, leton holm beran,
geafon on garsecg; him wæs geomor sefa,
murdnende mod. Men ne cunnon 50
secgan to soðe, selerædende,
hæleð under heofenum, hwa þæm hlæste onfeng.
(I) Đa wæs on burgum Beowulf Scyldinga,
leof leodcyning longe þrage
folcum gefræge —fæder ellor hwearf, 55
aldor of earde—, oþ þæt him eft onwoc
heah Healfdene; heold þenden lifde,
gamol ond guðreouw, glæde Scyldingas.
The waves surge, as he himself had bidden,
When the lord of the Danes ruled with his words. 30
He had kept them long as their dear lord.
There at the harbor stood the ring-prowed ship,
The prince’s vessel, covered with ice and ready to set out.
Then they laid down their dear lord,
Their renowned ring-giver, in the bosom of the ship, 35
Right by the mast. Many a treasure had been
Brought there, precious things from faraway places.
I have not heard of a ship more grandly adorned
With weapons and battle-gear,
With bills and coats of mail; on his breast lay 40
Many a treasure, which was bound to go
Far with him, drifting on the powerful waves.
They no less lavishly provided him with gifts,
People’s treasures, than those who did
At the outset let him float down alone 45
As a child, drifting on the turbulent waves.
To boot, they set up a golden banner for him,
High over his head, let the sea bear it,
Gave it to the ocean; for them sadness welled in hearts,
Grief overflowed the hearts’ brim. Men cannot 50
Tell truly—hall-thanes or field-warriors—
Who received the cargo beneath the sky.
(I) Then in the castle Beow of the Danes, dear
Prince of the people, long remained renowned
Among nations—his father and lord having gone elsewhere, 55
Away from his earthly dwelling—till for them again
Rose high Healfdene, who, aged and fierce in battle,
Ruled the glorious Danes while he lived.
Đæm feower bearn forð gerimed
in worold wocun, weoroda ræswa[n], 60
Heorogar ond Hroðgar ond Halga til;
hyrde ic þæt [. . . .] wæs Onelan cwen,
Heaðo-Scilfingas healsgebedda.
Þa wæs Hroðgare heresped gyfen,
wiges weorðmynd, þæt him his winemagas 65
georne hyrdon, oðð þæt seo geogoð geweox,
magodriht micel. Him on mod bearn,
þæt healreced hatan wolde,
medoærn micel, men gewyrcean
þonne yldo bearn æfre gefrunon, 70
ond þær on innan eall gedælan
geongum ond ealdum, swylc him God sealde,
buton folcscare ond feorum gumena.
Đa ic wide gefrægn weorc gebannan
manigre mægþe geond þisne middangeard, 75
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.
He beot ne aleh, beagas dælde, 80
sinc æt symle. Sele hlifade
heah ond horngeap; heaðowylma bad,
laðan liges; ne wæs hit lenge þa gen,
þæt se ecghete aþumswerian*
æfter wæl-niðe wæcnan scolde. 85
Đa se ellengæst earfoðlice
þrage geþolode, se þe in þystrum bad,
þæt he dogora gehwam dream gehyrde
To him four children all told were born
In the world, to the leader of the bands: 60
Heorogar and Hrothgar and good Halga;
I have heard that . . . was Onela’s queen,
Dear bed-sharer of the Heatho-Scilfing.*
Then to Hrothgar was granted success in battles,
Warlike glory, so that his friendly kinsmen obeyed him 65
With all their hearts—till the youth grew to command
A great band of retainers. It came into his mind
That he would give out the order that men build
A pavilion, the greatest mead-hall that
The sons of men had ever heard of, 70
And therein distribute to the young and the old
All the possession that God had given him—
Except public property and people’s lives.
Then, I have heard, it was widely bidden
That many a clan throughout the world 75
Partake in building the folk-stead. It came to pass in time,
Forthwith among men, that it became quite ready,
The greatest of halls. He named it Heorot,
He who had the power to make his words widely listened to.
He did not fail to keep his promise to dispense rings, 80
Treasure at feast; the hall towered,
High and wide-gabled: it waited for the hostile flames
Of a dreadful fire; it was by no means time yet
That hostility between a son-in-law and his father-in-law
Came to rise after a deadly feud.* 85
Then the powerful demon could hardly endure
Distress—he who dwelt in darkness—
That he heard loud merrymaking every day,
hludne in healle; þær wæs hearpan sweg,
swutol sang scopes. Sægde se þe cuþe 90
frumsceaft fira feorran reccan,
cwæð þæt se Ælmihtiga eorðan worh[te],
wlite-beorhtne wang, swa wæter bebugeð,
gesette sigehreþig sunnan ond monan
leoman to leohte landbuendum, 95
ond gefrætwade foldan sceatas
leomum ond leafum, life eac gesceop
cynna gehwylcum þara ðe cwice hwyrfaþ.
Swa ða drihtguman dreamum lifdon
eadiglice, oð ðæt an ongan 100
fyrene fre[m]man feond on helle;
wæs se grimma gæst Grendel haten,
mære mearcstapa, se þe moras heold,
fen ond fæsten; fifelcynnes eard
wonsæli wer weardode hwile, 105
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,
Metod for þy mane, mancynne fram. 110
Þanon untydras ealle onwocon,
eotenas ond ylfe ond orcnêas,
swylce gigantas, þa wið Gode wunnon
lange þrage; he him ðæs lean forgeald.
(II) Gewat ða neosian, syþðan niht becom, 115
hêan huses, hu hit Hring-Dene
æfter beorþege gebun hæfdon.
Fand þa ðær inne æþelinga gedriht
Coming from the hall; there was the sound of a harp,
The minstrel’s ringing song. He who could unfold 90
The origin of mankind from far back, asserted
That the Almighty created the earth,
The beautiful plain surrounded by streams,
Established the triumphant sun and moon,
The luminaries to lighten the land-dwellers, 95
And adorned the regions of the earth
With branches and leaves, and also created life
For each of the races, which move about alive.
Thus the retainers lived in mirth,
Happily, till a certain fiend of hell 100
Began to perpetrate an act of atrocity.
The grim demon was called Grendel,
A notorious borderland haunter, he who held the moors
As fen and stronghold. The unhappy creature
Warded the region of the race of monsters awhile, 105
Since the Creator had him condemned
As Cain’s kin—then the Eternal Lord
Punished the killing, in which he slew Abel.
Cain did not rejoice at the feud, but the Lord banished him far;
The Lord, for the crime, drove him away from mankind. 110
From him arose all the evil brood,
Giants and elves and evil spirits—
The very giants who contended against God
For a long time; the Lord gave them proper requital for that.
(II) Then Grendel departed to seek out, when night came, 115
The tall house—to see how the Ring-Danes
Had settled in it after their beer drinking.
Then he found therein a band of retainers
swefan æfter symble; sorge ne cuðon,
wonsceaft wera. Wiht unhælo, 120
grim ond grædig, gearo sona wæs,
reoc ond reþe, ond on ræste genam
þritig þegna; þanon eft gewat
huðe hremig to ham faran,
mid þære wælfylle wica neosan. 125
Đa wæs on uhtan mid ærdæge
Grendles guðcræft gumum undyrne;
þa wæs æfter wiste wop up ahafen,
micel morgensweg. Mære þeoden,
æþeling ærgod, unbliðe sæt, 130
þolode ðryðswyð, þegnsorge dreah,
syðþan hie þæs laðan last sceawedon,
wergan gastes; wæs þæt gewin to strang,
lað ond longsum. Næs hit lengra fyrst,
ac ymb ane niht eft gefremede 135
morðbeala mare ond no mearn fore,
fæhðe ond fyrene; wæs to fæst on þam.
Þa wæs eaðfynde þe him elles hwær
gerumlicor ræste sohte,
bed æfter burum, ða him gebeacnod wæs, 140
gesægd soðlice sweotolan tacne
healðegnes hete; heold hyne syðþan
fyr ond fæstor se þæm feonde ætwand.
Swa rixode ond wið rihte wan,
ana wið eallum, oð þæt idel stod 145
husa selest. Wæs seo hwil micel;
twelf wintra tid torn geþolode
wine Scyldinga, weana gehwelcne,
Fast asleep after a banquet. They did not know sorrow,
What men could suffer from; the unhallowed creature, 120
Grim and greedy, was more than ready,
Fierce and furious, and from their resting place took
Thirty thanes; thence he departed to go
Back to his home, exulting in his booty—
Content with his fill of slaughter, toward his abode. 125
Then at dawn with the break of day
Grendel’s strength was manifest to men.
Following a feast, weeping rose up,
A great cry in the morning; the renowned lord,
The good prince, sat joyless; 130
The mighty monarch suffered sorrow for the thanes,
When they beheld the track of the hateful one,
The evil monster; that ordeal was too strong,
Loathsome and long lasting! It was not long after,
But on the very next night again he perpetrated 135
A greater grisly deed, feeling no remorse for it,
A hostile and wicked crime; he was intent on them.
Then many a one sought resting place
Elsewhere at more distance for himself,
Bed among outbuildings, when the hostility of 140
The one who had ransacked the hall was shown to him,
Made clear by manifest token; he who had fled from the fiend
Remained farther away, and more secure afterwards.
So he held sway and strove against right,
One against all, till the best of houses 145
Came to stand empty. It lasted for a great while.
The friendly lord of the Danes suffered affliction
For the length of twelve winters, every woe,
sidra sorga; forðam [secgum]* wearð,
ylda bearnum, undyrne cuð, 150
gyddum geomore, þætte Grendel wan
hwile wið Hroþgar, heteniðas wæg,
fyrene ond fæhðe fela missera,
singale sæce, sibbe ne wolde
wið manna hwone mægenes Deniga, 155
feorhbealo feorran, fea þingian,
ne þær nænig witena wenan þorfte
beorhtre bote to banan folmum;
[ac se]* æglæca ehtende wæs,
deorc deaþscua, duguþe ond geogoþe, 160
seomade ond syrede, sinnihte heold
mistige moras; men ne cunnon,
hwyder helrunan hwyrftum scriþað.
Swa fela fyrena feond mancynnes,
atol angengea, oft gefremede, 165
heardra hynða; Heorot eardode,
sincfage sel sweartum nihtum;
no he þone gifstol gretan moste,
maþðum for Metode, ne his myne wisse.
Þæt wæs wræc micel wine Scyldinga, 170
modes brecða. Monig oft gesæt
rice to rune; ræd eahtedon,
hwæt swiðferhðum selest wære
wið færgryrum to gefremmanne.
Hwilum hie geheton æt hærgtrafum 175
wigweorþunga, wordum bædon,
þæt him gastbona geoce gefremede
wið þeodþreaum. Swylc wæs þeaw hyra,
Great sorrow. Therefore, it became well known
To men, to the offspring of human kind, 150
Through sadly sung tales, that Grendel had fought
Against Hrothgar for long, borne fierce hatred,
Perpetrated much crime and atrocity for many a year,
Continual conflict: he would not have peace
With anyone of the Danish host of men, 155
Remove his deadly evil, or settle with riches.
Nor there any wise man had good cause to expect
Slackening of the sore from the slayer’s hands;
But the fiend, the dark shadow of death, was
Relentless in his grip of the old and the young, 160
Hovered near and ambushed. In darkness he held
The misty moors; men do not know
Where the hellish demons move along, gliding.
In this way the enemy of mankind, the horrid monster,
Often committed a great mass of wicked crimes, 165
Severe injuries: he inhabited Heorot,
The richly decorated hall, in the dark nights;
He was never allowed to approach the gift-seat,
Treasure for God, nor did he know His love.
That was a great distress to the lord of the Danes, 170
Battering of spirit: many powerful often sat down
For consultation; they deliberated on the solution,
What would be the best that the brave ones
Could do to rid themselves of the awful horrors:
Now and again they promised sacrifices 175
At heathen temples, and entreated with words
To the soul-slayer* to bring about remedy
And rid them of distress. (Such was their practice,
hæþenra hyht; helle gemundon
in modsefan, Metod hie ne cuþon, 180
dæda Demend, ne wiston hie Drihten God,
ne hie huru heofena Helm herian ne cuþon,
wuldres Waldend. Wa bið þæm ðe sceal
þurh sliðne nið sawle bescufan
in fyres fæþm, frofre ne wenan, 185
wihte gewendan; wel bið þæm þe mot
æfter deaðdæge Drihten secean,
ond to Fæder fæþmum freoðo wilnian.
(III) Swa ða mælceare maga Healfdenes
singala seað; ne mihte snotor hæleð 190
wean onwendan; wæs þæt gewin to swyð,
laþ ond longsum, þe on ða leode becom,
nydwracu niþgrim, nihtbealwa mæst.
Þæt fram ham gefrægn Higelaces þegn,
god mid Geatum, Grendles dæda; 195
se wæs moncynnes mægenes strengest
on þæm dæge þysses lifes,
æþele ond eacen. Het him yðlidan
godne gegyrwan; cwæð, he guðcyning
ofer swanrade secean wolde, 200
mærne þeoden, þa him wæs manna þearf.
Đone siðfæt him snotere ceorlas
lythwon logon, þeah he him leof wære;
hwetton higerofne, hæl sceawedon.
Hæfde se goda Geata leoda 205
cempan gecorone þara þe he cenoste
findan mihte; fiftyna sum
sundwudu sohte; secg wisade,
Hope of the heathens; they thought of hell
In their mind; they did not know God, 180
The Judge of men’s doings, nor knew they God the Lord,
Nor indeed they knew how to praise the Protector of heavens,
The Lord of glory; woe is to him who must
Through dangerous hostility push a soul
Into the bosom of fire, not hope for solace, 185
Nor change at all! Blessed is he who may
After the death-day seek the Lord
And ask for peace in the Father’s bosom!)
(III) And so Healfdene’s son continually brooded over
The care of the time; no wise man could remove 190
The misery; the hardship that had come upon the people
Was too harsh, loathsome, and long lasting.
It was a grim, dire distress, and the greatest nightmare.
A thane of Hygelac, brave among the Geats,
Then heard at home of Grendel’s deeds. 195
He was the strongest in might of all men
In that time of this life, noble and mighty.
He ordered that a strong ship
Be built for him; he said that he would seek
The war-king, the famous prince, over the sea, 200
Now that for him there was need of men.
The prudent men did not find fault with
The adventure, though he was dear to them.
They urged the valiant one, studied omens.
He had the warriors chosen from the courageous 205
Men of the Geats, those he could find
Most brave. He sought the ship with
Fourteen others. The man skilled in seafaring
lagucræftig mon, landgemyrcu.
Fyrst forð gewat; flota wæs on yðum, 210
bat under beorge. Beornas gearwe
on stefn stigon; streamas wundon,
sund wið sande; secgas bæron
on bearm nacan beorhte frætwe,
guðsearo geatolic; guman ut scufon, 215
weras on wilsið, wudu bundenne.
Gewat þa ofer wægholm winde gefysed
flota fami-heals fugle gelicost,
oð þæt ymb antid oþres dogores
wundenstefna gewaden hæfde, 220
þæt ða liðende land gesawon,
brimclifu blican, beorgas steape,
side sænæssas; þa wæs sund liden,
eoletes æt ende. Þanon up hraðe
Wedera leode on wang stigon, 225
sæwudu sældon; syrcan hrysedon,
guðgewædo; Gode þancedon
þæs þe him yþlade eaðe wurdon.
Þa of wealle geseah weard Scildinga,
se þe holmclifu healdan scolde, 230
beran ofter bolcan beorhte randas,
fyrdsearu fuslicu; hine fyrwyt bræc
modgehygdum, hwæt þa men wæron.
Gewat him þa to waroðe wicge ridan
þegn Hroðgares, þrymmum cwehte 235
mægenwudu mundum, meþelwordum frægn:
“Hwæt syndon ge searohæbbendra,
byrnum werede, þe þus brontne ceol
Showed them how to reach the shore.
In due time the boat was on the waves, 210
Floating under a promontory. The ready warriors
Went up to the prow; the currents swirled,
Water against the sand; the men bore
Into the bosom of the boat bright weapons,
Splendid armors. The men pushed the ship forward, 215
The tight-braced vessel ready for desired journey.
Then over the sea, impelled by the wind,
The foamy-necked ship launched most like a bird,
Till after due time on the second day
The ship with a curved prow had made advance, 220
So that the seafarers could see the land,
The gleaming sea-cliff, the steep hills,
Large headlands. The sea had been traversed;
The voyage was over. Thence up quickly
The people of Geatland stepped onto the land, 225
And moored the ship. The mail-coats rattled,
The warlike dresses. They thanked God
For their voyage made smooth and easy by His grace.
Then from the wall saw the Danish sentinel—
He whose charge was to guard the sea-cliff— 230
The bright bosses of shields borne on the gangway,
Ready war-gear; he was gripped by a desire to learn
What on earth these men were, in his thoughts.
Then the thane of Hrothgar rode his horse
Down to the shore, brandishing a mighty spear 235
Forcefully in both hands, and asked in formal words:
“What sort of fighting men are you,
Protected by coats of mail, who thus have come,
ofer lagustræte lædan cwomon,
hider ofer holmas? [Hwæt, ic hwi]le wæs 240
endesæta, ægwearde heold,
þe on land Dena laðra nænig
mid scipherge sceðþan ne meahte.
No her cuðlicor cuman ongunnon
lindhæbbende; ne ge leafnesword 245
guðfremmendra gearwe ne wisson,
maga gemedu. Næfre ic maran geseah
eorla ofer eorþan, ðonne is eower sum,
secg on searwum; nis þæt seldguma,
wæpnum geweorðad, næfne him his wlite leoge, 250
ænlic ansyn. Nu ic eower sceal
frumcyn witan, ær ge fyr heonan,
leassceaweras, on land Dena
furþur feran. Nu ge feorbuend,
mereliðende, minne gehyrað 255
anfealdne geþoht; ofost is selest
to gecyðanne, hwanan eowre cyme syndon.”
(IV) Him se yldesta ondswarode,
werodes wisa, wordhord onleac:
“We synt gumcynnes Geata leode 260
ond Higelaces heorðgeneatas.
Wæs min fæder folcum gecyþed,
æþele ordfruma, Ecgþeow haten;
gebad wintra worn, ær he on weg hwurfe,
gamol of geardum; hine gearwe geman 265
witena welhwylc wide geond eorþan.
We þurh holdne hige hlaford þinne,
sunu Healfdenes, secean cwomon,
Bringing a tall ship over the watery road,
Hither crossing the waves? What, while I have been 240
A coast-guard, holding watch by the sea,
None hostile to the Danish people could
Inflict any injury on this soil with a ship-army.
No shield-bearers undertook to come here
More openly, nor have you acquired 245
Word of leave from my commanders,
Consent of my kinsmen. Never have I seen one,
Among men on earth, mightier than one of you—
Yon man wearing war-gear. That is not a mere retainer,
Bedecked with weapons, unless his appearance belies him— 250
A peerless sight! Now I must have full knowledge
Of your origin before you go any farther hence,
Deceitful observers on the land of the Danes,
Not one step further. Now you far-dwellers,
Seafaring men, hear and learn my 255
One-fold thought. It is best to be in a hurry
To make clear whence you are coming.”
(IV) The chief answered him, the leader
Of the band, unlocking a hoard of words:
“We are men of the Geatish stock, 260
And Hygelac’s hearth-companions;
My father was well known to the peoples,
A noble chieftain, whose name was Ecgtheow.
He lived through many winters before he went away,
An ancient man, from his dwelling: every wise man 265
Well remembers him, far and wide throughout the world.
We have come to seek Healfdene’s son, your lord,
The protector of people, with well-disposed intention;
leodgebyrgean; wes þu us larena god.
Habbað we to þæm mæran micel ærende 270
Deniga frêan; ne sceal þær dyrne sum
wesan, þæs ic wene. Þu wast, gif hit is
swa we soþlice secgan hyrdon,
þæt mid Scyldingum sceaðona ic nat hwylc,
deogol dædhata, deorcum nihtum 275
eaweð þurh egsan uncuðne nið,
hynðu ond hrafyl. Ic þæs Hroðgar mæg
þurh rumne sefan ræd gelæran,
hu he frod ond god feond oferswyðeþ,
gyf him edwendan æfre scolde 280
bealuwa bisigu, bot eft cuman,
ond þa cearwylmas colran wurðaþ;
oððe a syþðan earfoðþrage,
þreanyd þolað, þenden þær wunað
on heahstede husa selest.” 285
Weard maþelode, ðær on wicge sæt,
ombeht unforht: “Æghwæþres sceal
scearp scyldwiga gescad witan,
worda ond worca, se þe wel þenceð.
Ic þæt gehyre, þæt þis is hold weorod 290
frean Scyldinga. Gewitaþ forð beran
wæpen ond gewædu, ic eow wisige;
swylce ic maguþegnas mine hate
wið feonda gehwone flotan eowerne,
niwtyrwydne nacan on sande 295
arum healdan, oþ ðæt eft byreð
ofer lagustreamas leofne mannan
wudu wundenhals to Wedermearce,
Be good to us with words of your counsel!
We have a grand mission to fulfill for the renowned 270
Lord of the Danes; there shall not be anything
Hidden, of which I think. You know—if it is
Indeed so as we have heard—that with the Danes
A ravager, of what sort I do not know,
An unknown evil-doer in the dark nights, 275
Manifests in a terrible manner strange hostility,
Injury, and slaughter; about this I can offer
Advice to Hrothgar in all good intention
On how he, wise and good, can overcome the fiend,
If reversal, relief from the distress of the afflictions, 280
Should ever come for him again,
And the boiling of care may become cooler;
Or ever after he will have to endure tribulation
And distress, so long as stands there
On the lofty place even the best of all halls.” 285
The watchman spoke, seated on his horse,
A dauntless officer: “A sharp shield-bearer
Shall be a judge of each of the two,
Words and deeds, if he can think well.
I hear that this is a band of men well-disposed 290
To the lord of the Danes. Go forth, bearing
Your arms and armors. I will lead you;
Also I will order my young retainers to guard
Your ship against any of the enemies—
Your fresh-tarred boat on the shore— 295
Upon their honor, till again it will bear
Over the sea-streams its dear man—
The ship with a curved prow—to the land of the Geats.
godfremmendra swylcum gifeþe bið
þæt þone hilderæs hal gedigeð.” 300
Gewiton him þa feran. Flota stille bad,
seomode on sale sidfæþmed scip,
on ancre fæst. Eoforlic scionon
ofer hleorber[g]an gehroden golde,
fah ond fyrheard; ferhwearde heold 305
guþmod grimmon.* Guman onetton,
sigon ætsomne, oþ þæt hy sæl timbred,
geatolic ond goldfah, ongyton mihton;
þæt wæs foremærost foldbuendum
receda under roderum, on þæm se rica bad; 310
lixte se leoma ofer landa fela.
Him þa hildedeor hof modigra
torht getæhte, þæt hie him to mihton
gegnum gangan; guðbeorna sum
wicg gewende, word æfter cwæð: 315
“Mæl is me to feran; Fæder alwalda
mid ar-stafum eowic gehealde
siða gesunde! Ic to sæ wille
wið wrað werod wearde healdan.”
(V) Stræt wæs stanfah, stig wisode 320
gumum ætgædere. Guðbyrne scan
heard hondlocen, hringiren scir
song in searwum, þa hie to sele furðum
in hyra gryregeatwum gangan cwomon.
Setton sæmeþe side scyldas, 325
rondas regnhearde, wið þæs recedes weal,
bugon þa to bence; byrnan hringdon,
guðsearo gumena; garas stodon,
Be it granted to such of those acting bravely
That he pass through a battle-storm, unharmed.” 300
Then they set out. The ship stayed still;
The wide-floored ship remained attached to a rope,
Fastened on anchor. The boar-figures shone
Over the cheek-guards decorated with gold,
Glittering and fire-hardened: the warlike emblem held 305
Guard over life for the grim fighters. Men hastened,
Marched together, till they could see
A timbered hall stately and gold-adorned.
That was the hall most renowned under the sky
Among earth-dwellers, in which the mighty one dwelled; 310
Its beam shone over many a land.
Then the battle-brave one pointed out for them
The bright dwelling of the brave, so that they might
Go straight to it. A worthy warrior as he was,
He turned his horse, and spoke thus: 315
“Time for me to turn back. The Almighty Father
May guard you with His favors,
Safe in your ventures! I will to the sea,
And return to my task of guarding against any foes.”
(V) The road was paved with stones, the path led 320
The men marching together. The mail-coats glittered,
Tightly linked by hand; the bright chain-mail
Clanged in the armors, as they first approached
The hall in their fearsome battle-gear.
Sea-weary, they set down their broad shields, 325
The strong shield-bosses against the wall;
Then they sat on benches. Their mail-coats rang,
The warriors’ battle-wear did. Spears stood,
sæmanna searo, samod ætgædere,
æscholt ufan græg; wæs se irenþreat 330
wæpnum gewurþad. Þa ðær wlonc hæleð
oretmecgas æfter æþelum frægn:
“Hwanon ferigeað ge fætte scyldas,
græge syrcan ond grimhelmas,
heresceafta heap? Ic eom Hroðgares 335
ar ond ombiht. Ne seah ic elþeodige
þus manige men modiglicran.
Wen ic þæt ge for wlenco, nalles for wræcsiðum,
ac for higeþrymmum Hroðgar sohton.”
Him þa ellenrof andswarode, 340
wlanc Wedera leod, word æfter spræc,
heard under helme: “We synt Higelaces
beodgeneatas; Beowulf is min nama.
Wille ic asecgan sunu Healfdenes,
mærum þeodne, min ærende, 345
aldre þinum, gif he us geunnan wile,
þæt we hine swa godne gretan moton.”
Wulfgar maðelode —þæt wæs Wendla leod;
wæs his modsefa manegum gecyðed,
wig ond wisdom—: “Ic þæs wine Deniga, 350
frean Scildinga, frinan wille,
beaga bryttan, swa þu bena eart,
þeoden mærne, ymb þinne sið,
ond þe þa ondsware ædre gecyðan,
ðe me se goda agifan þenceð.” 355
Hwearf þa hrædlice þær Hroðgar sæt
eald ond anhar mid his eorla gedriht;
eode ellenrof, þæt he for eaxlum gestod
The seamen’s arms put together—
The ash-spears gray from above: the armed troop 330
Was worthy of their weapons. Then a proud warrior there
Asked the men-at-arms about their lineage:
“Wherefrom do you bring your ornamented shields,
Gray mail-shirts and masked helmets,
And so many spears? I am Hrothgar’s 335
Messenger and officer. I have not yet seen
A band of foreign men looking more warlike.
I think that you have sought Hrothgar
For a daring and high purpose, not in exile.”
Then to him answered the brave strong man, 340
The proud Weather-Geat spoke the words,
Hardy under his helmet: “We are Hygelac’s
Table-sharers; Beowulf is my name.
I wish to tell the son of Healfdene
My mission to the renowned prince, 345
Your lord, if he will grant us
That we be allowed to greet his good grace.”
Wulfgar spoke, a man of the Wendlas,*
Whose spirit was well known to many—
A man of valor and wisdom—: “I will ask on this 350
The friend of the Danes, Lord of the Scyldings,
Our ring-giver, our renowned prince,
As you have requested, about your undertaking,
And speedily make the answer known to you,
That the good man thinks fit to give me.” 355
He then quickly went to where Hrothgar sat,
Old and gray-haired, with his retinue of earls;
The bold man stepped to stand before the shoulders
Deniga frêan; cuþe he duguðe þeaw.
Wulfgar maðelode to his winedrihtne: 360
“Her syndon geferede, feorran cumene
ofer geofenes begang Geata leode;
þone yldestan oretmecgas
Beowulf nemnað. Hy benan synt,
þæt hie, þeoden min, wið þe moton 365
wordum wrixlan; no ðu him wearne geteoh
ðinra gegncwida, glædman Hroðgar.
Hy on wiggetawum wyrðe þinceað
eorla geæhtlan; huru se aldor deah,
se þæm heaðorincum hider wisade.” 370
(VI) Hroðgar maþelode, helm Scyldinga:
“Ic hine cuðe cnihtwesende;
wæs his eald fæder Ecgþeo haten,
ðæm to ham forgeaf Hreþel Geata
angan dohtor; is his eafora nu 375
heard her cumen, sohte holdne wine.
Đonne sægdon þæt sæliþende,
þa ðe gifsceattas Geata fyredon
þyder to þance, þæt he þritiges
manna mægencræft on his mundgripe 380
heaþorof hæbbe. Hine halig God
for arstafum us onsende,
to West-Denum, þæs ic wen hæbbe,
wið Grendles gryre. Ic þæm godan sceal
for his modþræce madmas beodan. 385
Beo ðu on ofeste, hat in gân
seon sibbegedriht samod ætgædere;
gesaga him eac wordum, þæt hie sint wilcuman
Of the lord of the Danes; he knew the retainers’ custom.
Wulfgar spoke to his friendly lord: 360
“Here are brought, coming from afar
Over the expanse of the sea, the people of Geatland;
The men-at-arms call their chieftain
Beowulf. They are in earnest petition
That they might with you, my Prince, 365
Exchange words. Do not refuse to grant their wish
In your answer, gracious Hrothgar;
Judged from their battle-gear, they appear worthy
Of the esteem of warriors; indeed, their leader is strong,
He, who has led the fighting men here.” 370
(VI) Hrothgar spoke, the protector of the Scyldings:
“I knew him when he was a youngster;
His deceased father’s name was Ecgtheow,
To whom Hrethel of the Geats gave for home
His only daughter;* his son is now 375
Pressingly come here, has sought a glad friend.
Then I have heard that the seafarers say—
Those who carried gifts of the Geats
There for their pleasure—that he has
Strength of thirty men in his hand-grip, 380
Brave in battle. Him God the Holy
Has sent to bestow His grace upon us,
To the West-Danes, as I do hope,
Against the terror of Grendel. I must
Offer him treasures for his brave daring. 385
Be you in haste, bid them to come in
To see my band of kinsmen together;
Tell them also clearly that they are welcome
Deniga leodum.”
[Þa to dura eode
widcuð hæleð,]* word inne abead: 390
“Eow het secgan sigedrihten min,
aldor East-Dena, þæt he eower æþelu can,
ond ge him syndon ofer sæwylmas
heardhicgende hider wilcuman.
Nu ge moton gangan in eowrum guðgeatawum, 395
under heregriman Hroðgar geseon;
lætað hildebord her onbidan,
wudu, wælsceaftas, worda geþinges.”
Aras þa se rica, ymb hine rinc manig,
þryðlic þegna heap; sume þær bidon, 400
heaðoreaf heoldon, swa him se hearda bebead.
Snyredon ætsomne, þa secg wisode,
under Heorotes hrof; [heaþorinc eode,]*
heard under helme, þæt he on heo[r]ðe gestod.
Beowulf maðelode —on him byrne scan, 405
searonet seowed smiþes orþancum—:
“Wæs þu, Hroðgar, hal! Ic eom Higelaces
mæg ond magoðegn; hæbbe ic mærða fela
ongunnen on geogoþe. Me wearð Grendles þing
on minre eþeltyrf undyrne cuð; 410
secgað sæliðend, þæt þæs sele stande,
reced selesta, rinca gehwylcum
idel ond 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,
To the Danish people.”
[Then to the door went
The well-known man,]* told the message from within: 390
“My dread lord, victorious ever, Chieftain of the East-Danes,
Has commanded me to tell you that he knows your lineage,
And you are welcome here to him,
Having bravely sailed over the surging waves.
Now you may go in your battle-shirts, 395
Wearing your helmets, to meet Hrothgar;
Let your battle-shields wait out here,
The wooden lances also, for the outcome of the talk.”
Then rose up the strong man, many a warrior around him,
The band of mighty thanes; some remained there, 400
Kept guard over the battle-gear, as their chief bade them to.
They hastened together as the man led
Under the roof of Heorot; [the warrior went,]*
Resolute under his helmet, so that he reached the hearth.
Beowulf spoke—on him shone his armor, 405
The mail-coat a smith wrought with all his skills—:
“All hail, Hrothgar! I am Hygelac’s
Kinsman and retainer. I have undertaken in youth
Many a worthwhile task. The issue of Grendel
Has come to be known to me in my homeland; 410
Seafaring men say that this hall, the grandest
Of buildings, stands idle and useless
For every warrior, once the evening-light
Becomes hidden under the heaven’s vault.
Then my people advised me, 415
The best of them, the wisest men,
That I should visit you, Prince Hrothgar,
forþan hie mægenes cræft minne cuþon;
selfe ofersawon, ða ic of searwum cwom,
fah from feondum, þær ic fife geband, 420
yðde eotena cyn, ond on yðum slog
niceras nihtes, nearoþearfe dreah,
wræc Wedera nið —wean ahsodon—,
forgrand gramum; ond 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 folca, nu ic þus feorran com, 430
þæt ic mote ana [ond] minra eorla gedryht,
þes hearda heap, Heorot fælsian.
Hæbbe ice 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 ond 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
etan unforhte, swa he oft dyde,
mægen Hreðmanna. Na þu minne þearft 445
hafalan hydan, ac he me habban wile
dreore fahne, gif mec deað nimeð;
For they knew what strength I have;
They saw when I from battles returned,
All bloody from my foes, where I had bound five, 420
Destroyed the giants’ clan, and on the waves slain
Water-fiends of night, endured dire distress,
Avenged the pain of the Geats—they had sought trouble—
Crushed the enemies; and now with Grendel,
With the fierce demon, I alone shall have encounter, 425
Confront this fiend. Now I wish,
Lord of the Bright-Danes, Protector of the Scyldings,
Guard for fighting men, generous friend of good folks,
To entreat you not to deny me one boon—
Now that I have come thus from afar— 430
That I alone, [and] the band of my troopers,
This pack of hardy men, may be allowed to cleanse Heorot.
I have also heard that the fiend,
For his unwariness, scorns use of weapons.
I take it lightly—so my lord Hygelac 435
May be pleased with me in his mind—
That I bear a sword, or a broad shield—
That brown stuff—to battle, but with my grip I shall have
A grueling duel with the fiend and give or take life,
As foes hateful to each other; there he who will be 440
In death’s grip shall trust the verdict of the Lord.
I expect that, if he is allowed to attain victory,
In the battle-hall he will, undeterred by fear,
Gorge himself on the Geats, as he has often done,
The choicest of men; there won’t be any need 445
For you to bury me, for he will have me,
All besmeared in blood, if death takes me.
byreð blodig wæl, byrgean 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.” 455
(VII) Hroðgar maþelode, helm Scyldinga:
“For gewyrhtum þu, wine min Beowulf,
ond for arstafum usic sohtest.
Gesloh þin fæder fæhðe mæste;
wearþ he Heaþolafe to handbonan 460
mid Wlfingum; ða hine Wedera cyn
for herebrogan habban ne mihte.
Þanon he gesohte Suð-Dena folc
ofer yða gewealc, Ar-Scyldinga;
ða ic furþum weold folce Deniga 465
ond on geogoðe heold ginne rice,*
hordburh hæleþa; ða wæs Heregar dead,
min yldra mæg unlifigende,
bearn Healfdenes; se wæs betera ðonne ic.
Siððan þa 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
He will bear my bloody body, thinking to taste it,
And the lone one who goes away will eat ravenously,
Staining his moor-stead; no longer will you need 450
Worry about taking care of my body.
Send to Hygelac, if the battle seizes me,
The best of battle-gear that guards my breast,
The peerless garb that Hrethel once wore,
The work of Weland.* Fate always goes as it must!” 455
(VII) Hrothgar spoke, Protector of the Scyldings:
“For what’s been done in the past and for the favors,
You have sought us, Beowulf, my friend.
Your father incurred the worst feud with fighting:
He happened to slay Heatholaf with his own hands 460
Among the Wylfings;* then the clan of the Geats
Could not keep him, for he was a threat to peace.
From there he sought the folk of the South-Danes—
The Honor-Scyldings—over the swelling sea-waves,
When I had begun to rule the Danish people, 465
And in youth held a wide kingdom,*
A strong fortress of warriors: Heorogar, Healfdene’s son,
My elder kinsman, was then dead,
No longer alive; he was a man better than I.
Since then I settled the feud with money: 470
I sent to the Wylfings, over the surge of the waves,
Old treasures; he* swore oaths to me.
Sorrow swells in my soul to say
To anyone what Grendel has brought about—
Humiliations in Heorot and sudden assaults— 475
With his hostility; my hall-troop,
My daring band has dwindled; doom has swept them
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.
Đonne wæs þeos medoheal on morgentid,
drihtsele dreorfah, þonne dæg lixte, 485
eal bencþelu blode bestymed,
heall heorudreore; ahte ic holdra þy læs,
deorre duguðe, þe þa deað fornam.
Site nu to symle ond 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 ond Wedera.
(VIII) Unferð maþelode, Ecglafes bearn,
þe æt fotum sæt frean Scyldinga, 500
onband beadu-rune —wæs him Beowulfes sið,
modges merefaran, micel æfþunca,
forþon þe he ne uþe, þæt ænig oðer man
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,
Away into Grendel’s horror. God may with ease
Deter the devilish ravager from his deeds.
Full often my valiant fighters have vowed 480
Over ale-cups, drunk with beer,
That they in the mead-hall would remain to meet
The assault of Grendel with grim-edged swords;
Then in the morning when daylight shone forth,
This drinking hall had become drenched all over, 485
All the bench-boards bedewed with blood,
A hall for horrible gore; I had less men loyal to me,
My dear daring men, for death had taken them.
Sit down now for a banquet, and untie your thoughts
And the past triumphs to men, as your heart urges.” 490
Then for the men of the Geats to sit together
A bench was cleared in the beer-hall.
There the strong-willed men went to sit,
Sure of their strength. A thane tended the task,
Who bore in his hands an embellished cup for beer, 495
Let them share shining bubbles; a minstrel sang meanwhile,
To be heard in Heorot. There was mirth for the men,
Not a small band of the Danes and the Weather-Geats.
(VIII) Unferth spoke, son of Ecglaf,
Who sat near the feet of the lord of the Scyldings, 500
Revealing his revulsion—for him the plan of Beowulf,
A daring seafarer, was cause enough for displeasure,
Because he would not allow that any other man
Should ever dare attain more glory on earth
Than he himself under the heavens would: 505
“Are you that Beowulf, the one who contended with Breca,*
Competed in swimming across the wide waves?
ðær git for wlence wada cunnedon
ond for dolgilpe on deop wæter
aldrum neþdon? Ne inc ænig mon, 510
ne leof ne lað, belean mihte
sorhfullne sið, þa git on sund rêon;
þær git eagorstream earmum þehton,
mæton merestræta, mundum brugdon,
glidon ofer garsecg; geofon yþum weol, 515
wintrys wylmum.* Git on wæteres æht
seofon niht swuncon; he þe æt sunde oferflat,
hæfde mare mægen. Þa hine on morgentid
on Heaþo-Ræmas holm up ætbær;
ðonon he gesohte swæsne eþel, 520
leof his leodum, lond Brondinga,
freoðoburh fægere, þær he folc ahte,
burh ond beagas. Beot eal wið þe
sunu Beanstanes soðe gelæste.
Đonne wene ic to þe wyrsan geþingea, 525
ðeah þu heaðoræsa gehwær dohte,
grimre guðe, gif þu Grendles dearst
nihtlongne fyrst nêan bidan.”
Beowulf maþelode, bearn Ecgþeowes:
“Hwæt, þu worn fela, wine min Unferð, 530
beore druncen ymb Brecan spræce,
sægdest from his siðe. Soð ic talige,
þæt ic merestrengo maran ahte,
earfeþo on yðum, ðonne ænig oþer man.
Wit þæt gecwædon cnihtwesende 535
ond gebeotedon —wæron begen þa git
on geogoðfeore— þæt wit on gar-secg ut
There you two for vanity ventured the depths,
And for your dotard-like boast in the deep water
Risked your lives; no one, friend or foe, 510
Could keep the two of you from
Plunging into peril, when you dared into the deep.
There you two covered the sea-current in your arms,
Waded through the waves, hastened your hands,
Slid over the surge; the sea swelled with waves, 515
Winter’s welling. You two in water’s domain
Seven nights strove. He who overpowered in swimming
Was the one with more strength. Then in the morning
The sea bore him up where the Heatho-Ræmas* live;
From there he sought his sweet homeland, 520
Dear to his people, the land of the Brondings,*
The fair fortress where he had his folk,
Town, and treasures. All vow made against you
The son of Beanstan* faithfully fulfilled.
Then I expect an outcome worse for you— 525
Though you may have won in all war-storms,
In bloody battles—if you dare wait near
For Grendel in a vigil of nightlong watch.”
Beowulf spoke, son of Ecgtheow:
“What, my friend Unferth, drunk with beer, 530
You have said a bit too much about Breca,
Gabbled on about his feats! I maintain the truth,
That I have had more sea-faring strength,
Suffering on the sea-waves, than any other man:
We two agreed and avowed together 535
In our boyish boast—we were both then yet
In unripe years—that we two would risk our lives
aldrum neðdon, ond þæt geæfndon swa.
Hæfdon swurd nacod, þa wit on sund rêon,
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.
Đa wit ætsomne on sæ wæron
fif nihta fyrst, oþ þæt unc flod todraf, 545
wado weallende, wedera cealdost,
nipende niht, ond norþanwind
heaðogrim ondhwearf; hreo wæron yþa.
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.
(IX) 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;
ac on mergenne mecum wunde 565
be yðlafe uppe lægon,
sweordum aswefede, þæt syðþan na
Out on the sea-waves, and we carried it out so.
When we swam into the sea, we had naked swords,
Hard in our hands: we thought to defend ourselves 540
Against the whales. Not at all far ahead of me
Could he float faster on the foamy waves,
Nor would I slack off to fall behind him far.
So we two together were on the sea
For five nights, till dashing flood drove us apart, 545
The surging sea-waves, the coldest of weathers,
Darkening night and the north wind
Battle-grim blew on us; fierce were the waves.
Anger was aroused in the sea creatures.
There my mail-shirt, hard-locked by hand, 550
Performed protection of me against the predators:
The woven war-wear, embellished with gold,
Lay on my breast. A fiendish foe full of hatred
Fiercely pulled me to the floor of the sea,
Grim in its grip; however, it happened to be granted me 555
That I attacked the atrocious demon with my dagger,
My battle-sword; the blast of a bloody duel destroyed
The mighty monster of the deep, thanks to my hand.
(IX) So often loathsome creatures perpetrated
Persecution on me pressingly. I paid back to them 560
With my fine sword, insomuch as fit it was.
They by no means had the pleasure of feasting,
These rapacious ravagers, of ravenously devouring me,
Sitting around a round table, near the seafloor.
But in the morning, wounded by my mace, 565
They floated up along the foamy shore,
Slaughtered by my sword, that since then never
ymb brontne 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. Đa mec sæ oþbær,
flod æfter faroðe on Finna land, 580
wadu 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 [fela]* gylpe—,
þeah ðu þinum broðrum to banan wurde,
heafodmægum; þæs þu in helle scealt
werhðo dreogan, þeah þin wit duge.
Secge ic þe to soðe, sunu Ecglafes, 590
þæt næfre Grendel swa fela gryra gefremede,
atol æglæca, ealdre þinum,
hynðo on Heorote, gif þin hige wære,
sefa swa searogrim, swa þu self talast;
ac he hafað onfunden, þæt he þa fæhðe ne þearf, 595
atole ecgþræce eower leode
swiðe onsittan, Sige-Scyldinga;
They prevented the sea-faring men from their passage
Over the soaring sea-waves. Light came from the east,
God’s bright beacon; the surging waves subsided, 570
That I could see the headlands with
The wind-blown walls. Fate often spares a man
Not yet doomed to die, when his daring deserves it!
Anyhow it was my lot that with my sword I slew
Nine nether-water monsters; I have not heard of 575
A fiercer fight at night beneath the heaven’s vault,
Nor of a man put in more miserable state in the sea.
However, I delivered myself from the demons’ grip,
Weary of war. Then the sea carried me off,
The flood with its flow onto the land of the Finns, 580
The surging swells did. No such thing about you
Have I heard say of, so severe sword-slashing,
Such brutal butchering; Breca never yet
In the games of battle, nor either of the two of you,
Has done so daring a deed with shining swords— 585
Nor do I boast of it much—
Though you became the killer of your own brothers,
Your close kinsmen; for that you will in hell
Endure damnation, though your brain may be bright.
I tell you truly, son of Ecglaf, 590
That Grendel, that fearful ferocious foe, would never
Have inflicted so many infamous injuries on your lord,
Humiliation on Heorot, had your heart,
Your fervor, been as fierce as you deign to declare.
But he has found out that he need not much fear 595
Any angry retaliation, repercussion of swishing swords,
From your people, the Scyldings destined for victory.
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 ond 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 ond guðrof; geoce gelyfde
brego Beorht-Dena, gehyrde on Beowulfe
folces hyrde fæstrædne geþoht. 610
Đær wæs hæleþa hleahtor, hlyn swynsode,
word wæron wynsume. Eode Wealhþeow forð,
cwen Hroðgares, cynna gemyndig,
grette goldhroden guman on healle,
ond þa freolic wif ful gesealde 615
ærest East-Dena eþelwearde,
bæd hine bliðne æt þære beorþege,
leodum leofne; he on lust geþeah
symbel ond seleful, sigerof kyning.
Ymbeode þa ides Helminga 620
duguþe ond 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
He takes toll by force, reserving mercy for no man
Of the Danish stock, but he takes delight,
Destroys and dispatches, expects no deterrence 600
By the Spear-Danes; but I shall show to him
The strength and spirit of the Geats soon now,
How we fight. He who may will walk again
Toward mead in good mood, when the morning light
Of another day, the sun dressed in dazzling rays, 605
Throws beams from the south over the sons of men!”
Then glad was the giver of treasure, gray-haired
And brave in battle; the guardian of the Bright-Danes
Could hope for help: the herd of the folk
Had heard from Beowulf a firm and fixed resolution. 610
There was men’s laughter; din made delightful sound,
Words were pleasant. Wealhtheow walked forward,
Queen of Hrothgar, caring of courtesy,
The gold-adorned one greeted the men in the hall,
And the noble lady proffered to pass a cup, 615
First to the guardian of the land of the East-Danes,
And bade him to be blithe at his beer-drinking,
Beloved of his people. He partook of the pleasure,
The triumphant king did, of the feast and the hall-cup.
Then the woman of the Helmings* went round 620
To each group of men, well-tried warriors and youthful ones,
Offering them the valued vessel, till it came to pass
That she, the gold-adorned queen, the good gracious one,
Brought along the bowl for mead to Beowulf.
She greeted the man of the Geats, thanked God, 625
Wise in the use of words, since her pleasure had come to pass,
That she might put her trust in one man, who would
fyrena frofre. He þæt ful geþeah,
wælreow wiga, æt Wealhþêon,
ond 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.”
Đam 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
