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Beowulf

  Hwæt! We Gardena   in geardagum,
  þeodcyninga,   þrym gefrunon,
  hu ða æþelingas   ellen fremedon.
  Oft Scyld Scefing   sceaþena þreatum,
5
  monegum mægþum,   meodosetla ofteah,
  egsode eorlas.   Syððan ærest wearð
  feasceaft funden,   he þæs frofre gebad,
  weox under wolcnum,   weorðmyndum þah,
  oðþæt him æghwylc   þara ymbsittendra
10
  ofer hronrade   hyran scolde,
  gomban gyldan.   þæt wæs god cyning!
  ðæm eafera wæs   æfter cenned,
  geong in geardum,   þone god sende
  folce to frofre;   fyrenðearfe ongeat
15
  þe hie ær drugon   aldorlease
  lange hwile.   Him þæs liffrea,
  wuldres wealdend,   woroldare forgeaf;
  Beowulf wæs breme   (blæd wide sprang),
  Scyldes eafera   Scedelandum in.
20
  Swa sceal geong guma   gode gewyrcean,
  fromum feohgiftum   on fæder bearme,
  þæt hine on ylde   eft gewunigen
  wilgesiþas,   þonne wig cume,
  leode gelæsten;   lofdædum sceal
25
  in mægþa gehwære   man geþeon.
  Him ða Scyld gewat   to gescæphwile
  felahror feran   on frean wære.
  Hi hyne þa ætbæron   to brimes faroðe,
  swæse gesiþas,   swa he selfa bæd,
30
  þenden wordum weold   wine Scyldinga;
  leof landfruma   lange ahte.
  þær æt hyðe stod   hringedstefna,
  isig ond utfus,   æþelinges fær.
  Aledon þa   leofne þeoden,
35
  beaga bryttan,   on bearm scipes,
  mærne be mæste.   þær wæs madma fela
  of feorwegum,   frætwa, gelæded;
  ne hyrde ic cymlicor   ceol gegyrwan
  hildewæpnum   ond heaðowædum,
40
  billum ond byrnum;   him on bearme læg
  madma mænigo,   þa him mid scoldon
  on flodes æht   feor gewitan.
  Nalæs hi hine læssan   lacum teodan,
  þeodgestreonum,   þon þa dydon
45
  þe hine æt frumsceafte   forð onsendon
  ænne ofer yðe   umborwesende.
  þa gyt hie him asetton   segen geldenne
  heah ofer heafod,   leton holm beran,
  geafon on garsecg;   him wæs geomor sefa,
50
  murnende mod.   Men ne cunnon
  secgan to soðe,   selerædende,
  hæleð under heofenum,   hwa þæm hlæste onfeng.
  ða wæs on burgum   Beowulf Scyldinga,
  leof leodcyning,   longe þrage
55
  folcum gefræge   (fæder ellor hwearf,
  aldor of earde),   oþþæt him eft onwoc
  heah Healfdene;   heold þenden lifde,
  gamol ond guðreouw,   glæde Scyldingas.
  ðæm feower bearn   forð gerimed
60
  in worold wocun,   weoroda ræswan,
  Heorogar ond Hroðgar   ond Halga til;
  hyrde ic þæt   wæs Onelan cwen,
  Heaðoscilfingas   healsgebedda.
  þa wæs Hroðgare   heresped gyfen,
65
  wiges weorðmynd,   þæt him his winemagas
  georne hyrdon,   oðð þæt seo geogoð geweox,
  magodriht micel.   Him on mod bearn
  þæt healreced   hatan wolde,
  medoærn micel,   men gewyrcean
70
  þonne yldo bearn   æfre gefrunon,
  ond þær on innan   eall gedælan
  geongum ond ealdum,   swylc him god sealde,
  buton folcscare   ond feorum gumena.
  ða ic wide gefrægn   weorc gebannan
75
  manigre mægþe   geond þisne middangeard,
  folcstede frætwan.   Him on fyrste gelomp,
  ædre mid yldum,   þæt hit wearð ealgearo,
  healærna mæst;   scop him Heort naman
  se þe his wordes geweald   wide hæfde.
80
  He beot ne aleh,   beagas dælde,
  sinc æt symle.   Sele hlifade,
  heah ond horngeap,   heaðowylma bad,
  laðan liges;   ne wæs hit lenge þa gen
  þæt se ecghete   aþumsweorum
85
  æfter wælniðe   wæcnan scolde.
  ða se ellengæst   earfoðlice
  þrage geþolode,   se þe in þystrum bad,
  þæt he dogora gehwam   dream gehyrde
  hludne in healle;   þær wæs hearpan sweg,
90
  swutol sang scopes.   Sægde se þe cuþe
  frumsceaft fira   feorran reccan,
  cwæð þæt se ælmihtiga   eorðan worhte,
  wlitebeorhtne wang,   swa wæter bebugeð,
  gesette sigehreþig   sunnan ond monan
95
  leoman to leohte   landbuendum
  ond gefrætwade   foldan sceatas
  leomum ond leafum,   lif eac gesceop
  cynna gehwylcum   þara ðe cwice hwyrfaþ.
  Swa ða drihtguman   dreamum lifdon
100
  eadiglice,   oððæt an ongan
  fyrene fremman   feond on helle.
  Wæs se grimma gæst   Grendel haten,
  mære mearcstapa,   se þe moras heold,
  fen ond fæsten;   fifelcynnes eard
105
  wonsæli wer   weardode hwile,
  siþðan him scyppend   forscrifen hæfde
  in Caines cynne.   þone cwealm gewræc
  ece drihten,   þæs þe he Abel slog;
  ne gefeah he þære fæhðe,   ac he hine feor forwræc,
110
  metod for þy mane,   mancynne fram.
  þanon untydras   ealle onwocon,
  eotenas ond ylfe   ond orcneas,
  swylce gigantas,   þa wið gode wunnon
  lange þrage;   he him ðæs lean forgeald.
115
  Gewat ða neosian,   syþðan niht becom,
  hean huses,   hu hit Hringdene
  æfter beorþege   gebun hæfdon.
  Fand þa ðær inne   æþelinga gedriht
  swefan æfter symble;   sorge ne cuðon,
120
  wonsceaft wera.   Wiht unhælo,
  grim ond grædig,   gearo sona wæs,
  reoc ond reþe,   ond on ræste genam
  þritig þegna,   þanon eft gewat
  huðe hremig   to ham faran,
125
  mid þære wælfylle   wica neosan.
  ða wæs on uhtan   mid ærdæge
  Grendles guðcræft   gumum undyrne;
  þa wæs æfter wiste   wop up ahafen,
  micel morgensweg.   Mære þeoden,
130
  æþeling ærgod,   unbliðe sæt,
  þolode ðryðswyð,   þegnsorge dreah,
  syðþan hie þæs laðan   last sceawedon,
  wergan gastes;   wæs þæt gewin to strang,
  lað ond longsum.   Næs hit lengra fyrst,
135
  ac ymb ane niht   eft gefremede
  morðbeala mare   ond no mearn fore,
  fæhðe ond fyrene;   wæs to fæst on þam.
  þa wæs eaðfynde   þe him elles hwær
  gerumlicor   ræste sohte,
140
  bed æfter burum,   ða him gebeacnod wice   sweotolan tacne
  healðegnes hete;   heold hyne syðþan
  fyr ond fæstor   se þæm feonde ætwand.
  Swa rixode   ond wið rihte wan,
145
  ana wið eallum,   oðþæt idel stod
  husa selest.   Wæs seo hwil micel;
  XII wintra tid   torn geþolode
  wine Scyldinga,   weana gehwelcne,
  sidra sorga.   Forðam secgum wearð,
150
  ylda bearnum,   undyrne cuð,
  gyddum geomore,   þætte Grendel wan
  hwile wið Hroþgar,   heteniðas wæg,
  fyrene ond fæhðe   fela missera,
  singale sæce,   sibbe ne wolde
155
  wið manna hwone   mægenes Deniga,
  feorhbealo feorran,   fea þingian,
  ne þær nænig witena   wenan þorfte
  beorhtre bote   to banan folmum,
  ac se æglæca   ehtende wæs,
160
  deorc deaþscua,   duguþe ond geogoþe,
  seomade ond syrede,   sinnihte heold
  mistige moras;   men ne cunnon
  hwyder helrunan   hwyrftum scriþað.
  Swa fela fyrena   feond mancynnes,
165
  atol angengea,   oft gefremede,
  heardra hynða.   Heorot eardode,
  sincfage sel   sweartum nihtum;
  no he þone gifstol   gretan moste,
  maþðum for metode,   ne his myne wisse.
170
  þæt wæs wræc micel   wine Scyldinga,
  modes brecða.   Monig oft gesæt
  rice to rune;   ræd eahtedon
  hwæt swiðferhðum   selest wære
  wið færgryrum   to gefremmanne.
175
  Hwilum hie geheton   æt hærgtrafum
  wigweorþunga,   wordum bædon
  þæt him gastbona   geoce gefremede
  wið þeodþreaum.   Swylc wæs þeaw hyra,
  hæþenra hyht;   helle gemundon
180
  in modsefan,   metod hie ne cuþon,
  dæda demend,   ne wiston hie drihten god,
  ne hie huru heofena helm   herian ne cuþon,
  wuldres waldend.   Wa bið þæm ðe sceal
  þurh sliðne nið   sawle bescufan
185
  in fyres fæþm,   frofre ne wenan,
  wihte gewendan;   wel bið þæm þe mot
  æfter deaðdæge   drihten secean
  ond to fæder fæþmum   freoðo wilnian.
  Swa ða mælceare   maga Healfdenes
190
  singala seað,   ne mihte snotor hæleð
  wean onwendan;   wæs þæt gewin to swyð,
  laþ ond longsum,   þe on ða leode becom,
  nydwracu niþgrim,   nihtbealwa mæst.
  þæt fram ham gefrægn   Higelaces þegn,
195
  god mid Geatum,   Grendles dæda;
  se wæs moncynnes   mægenes strengest
  on þæm dæge   þysses lifes,
  æþele ond eacen.   Het him yðlidan
  godne gegyrwan,   cwæð, he guðcyning
200
  ofer swanrade   secean wolde,
  mærne þeoden,   þa him wæs manna þearf.
  ðone siðfæt him   snotere ceorlas
  lythwon logon,   þeah he him leof wære;
  hwetton higerofne,   hæl sceawedon.
205
  Hæfde se goda   Geata leoda
  cempan gecorone   þara þe he cenoste
  findan mihte;   /XV/na sum
  sundwudu sohte;   secg wisade,
  lagucræftig mon,   landgemyrcu.
210
  Fyrst forð gewat.   Flota wæs on yðum,
  bat under beorge.   Beornas gearwe
  on stefn stigon;   streamas wundon,
  sund wið sande;   secgas bæron
  on bearm nacan   beorhte frætwe,
215
  guðsearo geatolic;   guman ut scufon,
  weras on wilsið,   wudu bundenne.
  Gewat þa ofer wægholm,   winde gefysed,
  flota famiheals   fugle gelicost,
  oðþæt ymb antid   oþres dogores
220
  wundenstefna   gewaden hæfde
  þæt ða liðende   land gesawon,
  brimclifu blican,   beorgas steape,
  side sænæssas;   þa wæs sund liden,
  eoletes æt ende.   þanon up hraðe
225
  Wedera leode   on wang stigon,
  sæwudu sældon   (syrcan hrysedon,
  guðgewædo),   gode þancedon
  þæs þe him yþlade   eaðe wurdon.
  þa of wealle geseah   weard Scildinga,
230
  se þe holmclifu   healdan scolde,
  beran ofer bolcan   beorhte randas,
  fyrdsearu fuslicu;   hine fyrwyt bræc
  modgehygdum,   hwæt þa men wæron.
  Gewat him þa to waroðe   wicge ridan
235
  þegn Hroðgares,   þrymmum cwehte
  mægenwudu mundum,   meþelwordum frægn:
  "Hwæt syndon ge   searohæbbendra,
  byrnum werede,   þe þus brontne ceol
  ofer lagustræte   lædan cwomon,
240
  hider ofer holmas?   ...le wæs
  endesæta,   ægwearde heold,
  þe on land Dena   laðra nænig
  mid scipherge   sceðþan ne meahte.
  No her cuðlicor   cuman ongunnon
245
  lindhæbbende;   ne ge leafnesword
  guðfremmendra   gearwe ne wisson,
  maga gemedu.   Næfre ic maran geseah
  eorla ofer eorþan   ðonne is eower sum,
  secg on searwum;   nis þæt seldguma,
250
  wæpnum geweorðad,   næfne him his wlite leoge,
  ænlic ansyn.   Nu ic eower sceal
  frumcyn witan,   ær ge fyr heonan,
  leassceaweras,   on land Dena
  furþur feran.   Nu ge feorbuend,
255
  mereliðende,   minne gehyrað
  anfealdne geþoht:   Ofost is selest
  to gecyðanne   hwanan eowre cyme syndon."
  Him se yldesta   ondswarode,
  werodes wisa,   wordhord onleac:
260
  "We synt gumcynnes   Geata leode
  ond Higelaces   heorðgeneatas.
  Wæs min fæder   folcum gecyþed,
  æþele ordfruma,   Ecgþeow haten.
  Gebad wintra worn,   ær he on weg hwurfe,
265
  gamol of geardum;   hine gearwe geman
  witena welhwylc   wide geond eorþan.
  We þurh holdne hige   hlaford þinne,
  sunu Healfdenes,   secean cwomon,
  leodgebyrgean;   wes þu us larena god.
270
  Habbað we to þæm mæran   micel ærende,
  Deniga frean,   ne sceal þær dyrne sum
  wesan, þæs ic wene.   þu wast (gif hit is
  swa we soþlice   secgan hyrdon)
  þæt mid Scyldingum   sceaðona ic nat hwylc,
275
  deogol dædhata,   deorcum nihtum
  eaweð þurh egsan   uncuðne nið,
  hynðu ond hrafyl.   Ic þæs Hroðgar mæg
  þurh rumne sefan   ræd gelæran,
  hu he frod ond god   feond oferswyðeþ,
280
  gyf him edwendan   æfre scolde
  bealuwa bisigu,   bot eft cuman,
  ond þa cearwylmas   colran wurðaþ;
  oððe a syþðan   earfoðþrage,
  þreanyd þolað,   þenden þær wunað
285
  on heahstede   husa selest."
  Weard maþelode,   ðær on wicge sæt,
  ombeht unforht:   "æghwæþres sceal
  scearp scyldwiga   gescad witan,
  worda ond worca,   se þe wel þenceð.
290
  Ic þæt gehyre,   þæt þis is hold weorod
  frean Scyldinga.   Gewitaþ forð beran
  wæpen ond gewædu;   ic eow wisige.
  Swylce ic maguþegnas   mine hate
  wið feonda gehwone   flotan eowerne,
295
  niwtyrwydne   nacan on sande
  arum healdan,   oþðæt eft byreð
  ofer lagustreamas   leofne mannan
  wudu wundenhals   to Wedermearce,
  godfremmendra   swylcum gifeþe bið
300
  þæt þone hilderæs   hal gedigeð."
  Gewiton him þa feran.   Flota stille bad,
  seomode on sale   sidfæþmed scip,
  on ancre fæst.   Eoforlic scionon
  ofer hleorberan   gehroden golde,
305
  fah ond fyrheard;   ferhwearde heold
  guþmod grimmon.   Guman onetton,
  sigon ætsomne,   oþþæt hy sæl timbred,
  geatolic ond goldfah,   ongyton mihton;
  þæt wæs foremærost   foldbuendum
310
  receda under roderum,   on þæm se rica bad;
  lixte se leoma   ofer landa fela.
  Him þa hildedeor   hof modigra
  torht getæhte,   þæt hie him to mihton
  gegnum gangan;   guðbeorna sum
315
  wicg gewende,   word æfter cwæð:
  "Mæl is me to feran;   fæder alwalda
  mid arstafum   eowic gehealde
  siða gesunde.   Ic to sæ wille
  wið wrað werod   wearde healdan."
320
  Stræt wæs stanfah,   stig wisode
  gumum ætgædere.   Guðbyrne scan
  heard hondlocen,   hringiren scir
  song in searwum,   þa hie to sele furðum
  in hyra gryregeatwum   gangan cwomon.
325
  Setton sæmeþe   side scyldas,
  rondas regnhearde,   wið þæs recedes weal,
  bugon þa to bence.   Byrnan hringdon,
  guðsearo gumena;   garas stodon,
  sæmanna searo,   samod ætgædere,
330
  æscholt ufan græg;   wæs se irenþreat
  wæpnum gewurþad.   þa ðær wlonc hæleð
  oretmecgas   æfter æþelum frægn:
  "Hwanon ferigeað ge   fætte scyldas,
  græge syrcan   ond grimhelmas,
335
  heresceafta heap?   Ic eom Hroðgares
  ar ond ombiht.   Ne seah ic elþeodige
  þus manige men   modiglicran.
  Wen ic þæt ge for wlenco,   nalles for wræcsiðum,
  ac for higeþrymmum   Hroðgar sohton."
340
  Him þa ellenrof   andswarode,
  wlanc Wedera leod,   word æfter spræc,
  heard under helme:   "We synt Higelaces
  beodgeneatas;   Beowulf is min nama.
  Wille ic asecgan   sunu Healfdenes,
345
  mærum þeodne,   min ærende,
  aldre þinum,   gif he us geunnan wile
  þæt we hine swa godne   gretan moton."
  Wulfgar maþelode   (þæt wæs Wendla leod;
  wæs his modsefa   manegum gecyðed,
350
  wig ond wisdom):   "Ic þæs wine Deniga,
  frean Scildinga,   frinan wille,
  beaga bryttan,   swa þu bena eart,
  þeoden mærne,   ymb þinne sið,
  ond þe þa ondsware   ædre gecyðan
355
  ðe me se goda   agifan þenceð."
  Hwearf þa hrædlice   þær Hroðgar sæt
  eald ond anhar   mid his eorla gedriht;
  eode ellenrof,   þæt he for eaxlum gestod
  Deniga frean;   cuþe he duguðe þeaw.
360
  Wulfgar maðelode   to his winedrihtne:
  "Her syndon geferede,   feorran cumene
  ofer geofenes begang   Geata leode;
  þone yldestan   oretmecgas
  Beowulf nemnað.   Hy benan synt
365
  þæt hie, þeoden min,   wið þe moton
  wordum wrixlan.   No ðu him wearne geteoh
  ðinra gegncwida,   glædman Hroðgar.
  Hy on wiggetawum   wyrðe þinceað
  eorla geæhtlan;   huru se aldor deah,
370
  se þæm heaðorincum   hider wisade."
  Hroðgar maþelode,   helm Scyldinga:
  "Ic hine cuðe   cnihtwesende.
  Wæs his ealdfæder   Ecgþeo haten,
  ðæm to ham forgeaf   Hreþel Geata
375
  angan dohtor;   is his eafora nu
  heard her cumen,   sohte holdne wine.
  ðonne sægdon þæt   sæliþende,
  þa ðe gifsceattas   Geata fyredon
  þyder to þance,   þæt he /XXX/tiges
380
  manna mægencræft   on his mundgripe
  heaþorof hæbbe.   Hine halig god
  for arstafum   us onsende,
  to Westdenum,   þæs ic wen hæbbe,
  wið Grendles gryre.   Ic þæm godan sceal
385
  for his modþræce   madmas beodan.
  Beo ðu on ofeste,   hat in gan
  seon sibbegedriht   samod ætgædere;
  gesaga him eac wordum   þæt hie sint wilcuman
  Deniga leodum."  
390
  word inne abead:
  "Eow het secgan   sigedrihten min,
  aldor Eastdena,   þæt he eower æþelu can,
  ond ge him syndon   ofer sæwylmas
  heardhicgende   hider wilcuman.
395
  Nu ge moton gangan   in eowrum guðgeatawum
  under heregriman   Hroðgar geseon;
  lætað hildebord   her onbidan,
  wudu, wælsceaftas,   worda geþinges."
  Aras þa se rica,   ymb hine rinc manig,
400
  þryðlic þegna heap;   sume þær bidon,
  heaðoreaf heoldon,   swa him se hearda bebead.
  Snyredon ætsomne,   þa secg wisode,
  under Heorotes hrof  
  heard under helme,   þæt he on heoðe gestod.
405
  Beowulf maðelode   (on him byrne scan,
  searonet seowed   smiþes orþancum):
  "Wæs þu, Hroðgar, hal!   Ic eom Higelaces
  mæg ond magoðegn;   hæbbe ic mærða fela
  ongunnen on geogoþe.   Me wearð Grendles þing
410
  on minre eþeltyrf   undyrne cuð;
  secgað sæliðend   þæt þæs sele stande,
  reced selesta,   rinca gehwylcum
  idel ond unnyt,   siððan æfenleoht
  under heofenes hador   beholen weorþeð.
415
  þa me þæt gelærdon   leode mine
  þa selestan,   snotere ceorlas,
  þeoden Hroðgar,   þæt ic þe sohte,
  forþan hie mægenes cræft   minne cuþon,
  selfe ofersawon,   ða ic of searwum cwom,
420
  fah from feondum,   þær ic fife geband,
  yðde eotena cyn   ond on yðum slog
  niceras nihtes,   nearoþearfe dreah,
  wræc Wedera nið   (wean ahsodon),
  forgrand gramum,   ond nu wið Grendel sceal,
425
  wið þam aglæcan,   ana gehegan
  ðing wið þyrse.   Ic þe nu ða,
  brego Beorhtdena,   biddan wille,
  eodor Scyldinga,   anre bene,
  þæt ðu me ne forwyrne,   wigendra hleo,
430
  freowine folca,   nu ic þus feorran com,
  þæt ic mote ana   ond minra eorla gedryht,
  þes hearda heap,   Heorot fælsian.
  Hæbbe ic eac geahsod   þæt se æglæca
  for his wonhydum   wæpna ne recceð.
435
  Ic þæt þonne forhicge   (swa me Higelac sie,
  min mondrihten,   modes bliðe),
  þæt ic sweord bere   oþðe sidne scyld,
  geolorand to guþe,   ac ic mid grape sceal
  fon wið feonde   ond ymb feorh sacan,
440
  lað wið laþum;   ðær gelyfan sceal
  dryhtnes dome   se þe hine deað nimeð.
  Wen ic þæt he wille,   gif he wealdan mot,
  in þæm guðsele   Geotena leode
  etan unforhte,   swa he oft dyde,
445
  mægen Hreðmanna.   Na þu minne þearft
  hafalan hydan,   ac he me habban wile
  dreore fahne,   gif mec deað nimeð.
  Byreð blodig wæl,   byrgean þenceð,
  eteð angenga   unmurnlice,
450
  mearcað morhopu;   no ðu ymb mines ne þearft
  lices feorme   leng sorgian.
  Onsend Higelace,   gif mec hild nime,
  beaduscruda betst,   þæt mine breost wereð,
  hrægla selest;   þæt is Hrædlan laf,
455
  Welandes geweorc.   Gæð a wyrd swa hio scel."
  Hroðgar maþelode,   helm Scyldinga:
  "For gewyrhtum þu,   wine min Beowulf,
  ond for arstafum   usic sohtest.
  Gesloh þin fæder   fæhðe mæste;
460
  wearþ he Heaþolafe   to handbonan
  mid Wilfingum;   ða hine Wedera cyn
  for herebrogan   habban ne mihte.
  þanon he gesohte   Suðdena folc
  ofer yða gewealc,   Arscyldinga.
465
  ða ic furþum weold   folce Deniga
  ond on geogoðe heold   ginne rice,
  hordburh hæleþa;   ða wæs Heregar dead,
  min yldra mæg   unlifigende,
  bearn Healfdenes;   se wæs betera ðonne ic.
470
  Siððan þa fæhðe   feo þingode;
  sende ic Wylfingum   ofer wæteres hrycg
  ealde madmas;   he me aþas swor.
  Sorh is me to secganne   on sefan minum
  gumena ængum   hwæt me Grendel hafað
475
  hynðo on Heorote   mid his heteþancum,
  færniða gefremed.   Is min fletwerod,
  wigheap gewanod;   hie wyrd forsweop
  on Grendles gryre.   God eaþe mæg
  þone dolsceaðan   dæda getwæfan.
480
  Ful oft gebeotedon   beore druncne
  ofer ealowæge   oretmecgas
  þæt hie in beorsele   bidan woldon
  Grendles guþe   mid gryrum ecga.
  ðonne wæs þeos medoheal   on morgentid,
485
  drihtsele dreorfah,   þonne dæg lixte,
  eal bencþelu   blode bestymed,
  heall heorudreore;   ahte ic holdra þy læs,
  deorre duguðe,   þe þa deað fornam.
  Site nu to symle   ond onsæl meoto,
490
  sigehreð secgum,   swa þin sefa hwette."
  þa wæs Geatmæcgum   geador ætsomne
  on beorsele   benc gerymed;
  þær swiðferhþe   sittan eodon,
  þryðum dealle.   þegn nytte beheold,
495
  se þe on handa bær   hroden ealowæge,
  scencte scir wered.   Scop hwilum sang
  hador on Heorote.   þær wæs hæleða dream,
  duguð unlytel   Dena ond Wedera.
  Unferð maþelode,   Ecglafes bearn,
500
  þe æt fotum sæt   frean Scyldinga,
  onband beadurune   (wæs him Beowulfes sið,
  modges merefaran,   micel æfþunca,
  forþon þe he ne uþe   þæt ænig oðer man
  æfre mærða þon ma   middangeardes
505
  gehedde under heofenum   þonne he sylfa):
  "Eart þu se Beowulf,   se þe wið Brecan wunne,
  on sidne sæ   ymb sund flite,
  ðær git for wlence   wada cunnedon
  ond for dolgilpe   on deop wæter
510
  aldrum neþdon?   Ne inc ænig mon,
  ne leof ne lað,   belean mihte
  sorhfullne sið,   þa git on sund reon.
  þær git eagorstream   earmum þehton,
  mæton merestræta,   mundum brugdon,
515
  glidon ofer garsecg;   geofon yþum weol,
  wintrys wylmum.   Git on wæteres æht
  seofon niht swuncon;   he þe æt sunde oferflat,
  hæfde mare mægen.   þa hine on morgentid
  on Heaþoræmas   holm up ætbær;
520
  ðonon he gesohte   swæsne ?,
  leof his leodum,   lond Brondinga,
  freoðoburh fægere,   þær he folc ahte,
  burh ond beagas.   Beot eal wið þe
  sunu Beanstanes   soðe gelæste.
525
  ðonne wene ic to þe   wyrsan geþingea,
  ðeah þu heaðoræsa   gehwær dohte,
  grimre guðe,   gif þu Grendles dearst
  nihtlongne fyrst   nean bidan."
  Beowulf maþelode,   bearn Ecgþeowes:
530
  "Hwæt! þu worn fela,   wine min Unferð,
  beore druncen   ymb Brecan spræce,
  sægdest from his siðe.   Soð ic talige,
  þæt ic merestrengo   maran ahte,
  earfeþo on yþum,   ðonne ænig oþer man.
535
  Wit þæt gecwædon   cnihtwesende
  ond gebeotedon   (wæron begen þa git
  on geogoðfeore)   þæt wit on garsecg ut
  aldrum neðdon,   ond þæt geæfndon swa.
  Hæfdon swurd nacod,   þa wit on sund reon,
540
  heard on handa;   wit unc wið hronfixas
  werian þohton.   No he wiht fram me
  flodyþum feor   fleotan meahte,
  hraþor on holme;   no ic fram him wolde.
  ða wit ætsomne   on sæ wæron
545
  fif nihta fyrst,   oþþæt unc flod todraf,
  wado weallende,   wedera cealdost,
  nipende niht,   ond norþanwind
  heaðogrim ondhwearf;   hreo wæron yþa.
  Wæs merefixa   mod onhrered;
550
  þær me wið laðum   licsyrce min,
  heard, hondlocen,   helpe gefremede,
  beadohrægl broden   on breostum læg
  golde gegyrwed.   Me to grunde teah
  fah feondscaða,   fæste hæfde
555
  grim on grape;   hwæþre me gyfeþe wearð
  þæt ic aglæcan   orde geræhte,
  hildebille;   heaþoræs fornam
  mihtig meredeor   þurh mine hand.
  Swa mec gelome   laðgeteonan
560
  þreatedon þearle.   Ic him þenode
  deoran sweorde,   swa hit gedefe wæs.
  Næs hie ðære fylle   gefean hæfdon,
  manfordædlan,   þæt hie me þegon,
  symbel ymbsæton   sægrunde neah;
565
  ac on mergenne   mecum wunde
  be yðlafe   uppe lægon,
  sweordum aswefede,   þæt syðþan na
  ymb brontne ford   brimliðende
  lade ne letton.   Leoht eastan com,
570
  beorht beacen godes;   brimu swaþredon,
  þæt ic sænæssas   geseon mihte,
  windige weallas.   Wyrd oft nereð
  unfægne eorl,   þonne his ellen deah.
  Hwæþere me gesælde   þæt ic mid sweorde ofsloh
575
  niceras nigene.   No ic on niht gefrægn
  under heofones hwealf   heardran feohtan,
  ne on egstreamum   earmran mannon;
  hwaþere ic fara feng   feore gedigde,
  siþes werig.   ða mec sæ oþbær,
580
  flod æfter faroðe   on Finna land,
  wadu weallendu.   No ic wiht fram þe
  swylcra searoniða   secgan hyrde,
  billa brogan.   Breca næfre git
  æt heaðolace,   ne gehwæþer incer,
585
  swa deorlice   dæd gefremede
  fagum sweordum   (no ic þæs fela gylpe),
  þeah ðu þinum broðrum   to banan wurde,
  heafodmægum;   þæs þu in helle scealt
  werhðo dreogan,   þeah þin wit duge.
590
  Secge ic þe to soðe,   sunu Ecglafes,
  þæt næfre Grendel swa fela   gryra gefremede,
  atol æglæca,   ealdre þinum,
  hynðo on Heorote,   gif þin hige wære,
  sefa swa searogrim,   swa þu self talast.
595
  Ac he hafað onfunden   þæt he þa fæhðe ne þearf,
  atole ecgþræce   eower leode
  swiðe onsittan,   Sigescyldinga;
  nymeð nydbade,   nænegum arað
  leode Deniga,   ac he lust wigeð,
600
  swefeð ond sendeþ,   secce ne weneþ
  to Gardenum.   Ac ic him Geata sceal
  eafoð ond ellen   ungeara nu,
  guþe gebeodan.   Gæþ eft se þe mot
  to medo modig,   siþþan morgenleoht
605
  ofer ylda bearn   oþres dogores,
  sunne sweglwered   suþan scineð."
  þa wæs on salum   sinces brytta,
  gamolfeax ond guðrof;   geoce gelyfde
  brego Beorhtdena,   gehyrde on Beowulfe
610
  folces hyrde   fæstrædne geþoht.
  ðær wæs hæleþa hleahtor,   hlyn swynsode,
  word wæron wynsume.   Eode Wealhþeow forð,
  cwen Hroðgares,   cynna gemyndig,
  grette goldhroden   guman on healle,
615
  ond þa freolic wif   ful gesealde
  ærest Eastdena   eþelwearde,
  bæd hine bliðne   æt þære beorþege,
  leodum leofne.   He on lust geþeah
  symbel ond seleful,   sigerof kyning.
620
  Ymbeode þa   ides Helminga
  duguþe ond geogoþe   dæl æghwylcne,
  sincfato sealde,   oþþæt sæl alamp
  þæt hio Beowulfe,   beaghroden cwen
  mode geþungen,   medoful ætbær;
625
  grette Geata leod,   gode þancode
  wisfæst wordum   þæs ðe hire se willa gelamp
  þæt heo on ænigne   eorl gelyfde
  fyrena frofre.   He þæt ful geþeah,
  wælreow wiga,   æt Wealhþeon,
630
  ond þa gyddode   guþe gefysed;
  Beowulf maþelode,   bearn Ecgþeowes:
  "Ic þæt hogode,   þa ic on holm gestah,
  sæbat gesæt   mid minra secga gedriht,
  þæt ic anunga   eowra leoda
635
  willan geworhte   oþðe on wæl crunge,
  feondgrapum fæst.   Ic gefremman sceal
  eorlic ellen,   oþðe endedæg
  on þisse meoduhealle   minne gebidan."
  ðam wife þa word   wel licodon,
640
  gilpcwide Geates;   eode goldhroden
  freolicu folccwen   to hire frean sittan.
  þa wæs eft swa ær   inne on healle
  þryðword sprecen,   ðeod on sælum,
  sigefolca sweg,   oþþæt semninga
645
  sunu Healfdenes   secean wolde
  æfenræste;   wiste þæm ahlæcan
  to þæm heahsele   hilde geþinged,
  siððan hie sunnan leoht   geseon ne meahton,
  oþðe nipende   niht ofer ealle,
650
  scaduhelma gesceapu   scriðan cwoman,
  wan under wolcnum.   Werod eall aras.
  Gegrette þa   guma oþerne,
  Hroðgar Beowulf,   ond him hæl abead,
  winærnes geweald,   ond þæt word acwæð:
655
  "Næfre ic ænegum men   ær alyfde,
  siþðan ic hond ond rond   hebban mihte,
  ðryþærn Dena   buton þe nu ða.
  Hafa nu ond geheald   husa selest,
  gemyne mærþo,   mægenellen cyð,
660
  waca wið wraþum.   Ne bið þe wilna gad,
  gif þu þæt ellenweorc   aldre gedigest."
  ða him Hroþgar gewat   mid his hæleþa gedryht,
  eodur Scyldinga,   ut of healle;
  wolde wigfruma   Wealhþeo secan,
665
  cwen to gebeddan.   Hæfde kyningwuldor
  Grendle togeanes,   swa guman gefrungon,
  seleweard aseted;   sundornytte beheold
  ymb aldor Dena,   eotonweard abead.
  Huru Geata leod   georne truwode
670
  modgan mægnes,   metodes hyldo.
  ða he him of dyde   isernbyrnan,
  helm of hafelan,   sealde his hyrsted sweord,
  irena cyst,   ombihtþegne,
  ond gehealdan het   hildegeatwe.
675
  Gespræc þa se goda   gylpworda sum,
  Beowulf Geata,   ær he on bed stige:
  "No ic me an herewæsmun   hnagran talige,
  guþgeweorca,   þonne Grendel hine;
  forþan ic hine sweorde   swebban nelle,
680
  aldre beneotan,   þeah ic eal mæge.
  Nat he þara goda   þæt he me ongean slea,
  rand geheawe,   þeah ðe he rof sie
  niþgeweorca;   ac wit on niht sculon
  secge ofersittan,   gif he gesecean dear
685
  wig ofer wæpen,   ond siþðan witig god
  on swa hwæþere hond,   halig dryhten,
  mærðo deme,   swa him gemet þince."
  Hylde hine þa heaþodeor,   hleorbolster onfeng
  eorles andwlitan,   ond hine ymb monig
690
  snellic særinc   selereste gebeah.
  Nænig heora þohte   þæt he þanon scolde
  eft eardlufan   æfre gesecean,
  folc oþðe freoburh,   þær he afeded wæs;
  ac hie hæfdon gefrunen   þæt hie ær to fela micles
695
  in þæm winsele   wældeað fornam,
  Denigea leode.   Ac him dryhten forgeaf
  wigspeda gewiofu,   Wedera leodum,
  frofor ond fultum,   þæt hie feond heora
  ðurh anes cræft   ealle ofercomon,
700
  selfes mihtum.   Soð is gecyþed
  þæt mihtig god   manna cynnes
  weold wideferhð.   Com on wanre niht
  scriðan sceadugenga.   Sceotend swæfon,
  þa þæt hornreced   healdan scoldon,
705
  ealle buton anum.   þæt wæs yldum cuþ
  þæt hie ne moste,   þa metod nolde,
  se scynscaþa   under sceadu bregdan;
  ac he wæccende   wraþum on andan
  bad bolgenmod   beadwa geþinges.
710
  ða com of more   under misthleoþum
  Grendel gongan,   godes yrre bær;
  mynte se manscaða   manna cynnes
  sumne besyrwan   in sele þam hean.
  Wod under wolcnum   to þæs þe he winreced,
715
  goldsele gumena,   gearwost wisse,
  fættum fahne.   Ne wæs þæt forma sið
  þæt he Hroþgares   ham gesohte;
  næfre he on aldordagum   ær ne siþðan
  heardran hæle,   healðegnas fand.
720
  Com þa to recede   rinc siðian,
  dreamum bedæled.   Duru sona onarn,
  fyrbendum fæst,   syþðan he hire folmum æthran;
  onbræd þa bealohydig,   ða he gebolgen wæs,
  recedes muþan.   Raþe æfter þon
725
  on fagne flor   feond treddode,
  eode yrremod;   him of eagum stod
  ligge gelicost   leoht unfæger.
  Geseah he in recede   rinca manige,
  swefan sibbegedriht   samod ætgædere,
730
  magorinca heap.   þa his mod ahlog;
  mynte þæt he gedælde,   ærþon dæg cwome,
  atol aglæca,   anra gehwylces
  lif wið lice,   þa him alumpen wæs
  wistfylle wen.   Ne wæs þæt wyrd þa gen
735
  þæt he ma moste   manna cynnes
  ðicgean ofer þa niht.   þryðswyð beheold
  mæg Higelaces,   hu se manscaða
  under færgripum   gefaran wolde.
  Ne þæt se aglæca   yldan þohte,
740
  ac he gefeng hraðe   forman siðe
  slæpendne rinc,   slat unwearnum,
  bat banlocan,   blod edrum dranc,
  synsnædum swealh;   sona hæfde
  unlyfigendes   eal gefeormod,
745
  fet ond folma.   Forð near ætstop,
  nam þa mid handa   higeþihtigne
  rinc on ræste,   ræhte ongean
  feond mid folme;   he onfeng hraþe
  inwitþancum   ond wið earm gesæt.
750
  Sona þæt onfunde   fyrena hyrde
  þæt he ne mette   middangeardes,
  eorþan sceata,   on elran men
  mundgripe maran.   He on mode wearð
  forht on ferhðe;   no þy ær fram meahte.
755
  Hyge wæs him hinfus,   wolde on heolster fleon,
  secan deofla gedræg;   ne wæs his drohtoð þær
  swylce he on ealderdagum   ær gemette.
  Gemunde þa se goda,   mæg Higelaces,
  æfenspræce,   uplang astod
760
  ond him fæste wiðfeng;   fingras burston.
  Eoten wæs utweard;   eorl furþur stop.
  Mynte se mæra,   þær he meahte swa,
  widre gewindan   ond on weg þanon
  fleon on fenhopu;   wiste his fingra geweald
765
  on grames grapum.   þæt wæs geocor sið
  þæt se hearmscaþa   to Heorute ateah.
  Dryhtsele dynede;   Denum eallum wearð,
  ceasterbuendum,   cenra gehwylcum,
  eorlum ealuscerwen.   Yrre wæron begen,
770
  reþe renweardas.   Reced hlynsode.
  þa wæs wundor micel   þæt se winsele
  wiðhæfde heaþodeorum,   þæt he on hrusan ne feol,
  fæger foldbold;   ac he þæs fæste wæs
  innan ond utan   irenbendum
775
  searoþoncum besmiþod.   þær fram sylle abeag
  medubenc monig,   mine gefræge,
  golde geregnad,   þær þa graman wunnon.
  þæs ne wendon ær   witan Scyldinga
  þæt hit a mid gemete   manna ænig,
780
  betlic ond banfag,   tobrecan meahte,
  listum tolucan,   nymþe liges fæþm
  swulge on swaþule.   Sweg up astag
  niwe geneahhe;   Norðdenum stod
  atelic egesa,   anra gehwylcum
785
  þara þe of wealle   wop gehyrdon,
  gryreleoð galan   godes ondsacan,
  sigeleasne sang,   sar wanigean
  helle hæfton.   Heold hine fæste
  se þe manna wæs   mægene strengest
790
  on þæm dæge   þysses lifes.
  Nolde eorla hleo   ænige þinga
  þone cwealmcuman   cwicne forlætan,
  ne his lifdagas   leoda ænigum
  nytte tealde.   þær genehost brægd
795
  eorl Beowulfes   ealde lafe,
  wolde freadrihtnes   feorh ealgian,
  mæres þeodnes,   ðær hie meahton swa.
  Hie þæt ne wiston,   þa hie gewin drugon,
  heardhicgende   hildemecgas,
800
  ond on healfa gehwone   heawan þohton,
  sawle secan,   þone synscaðan
  ænig ofer eorþan   irenna cyst,
  guðbilla nan,   gretan nolde,
  ac he sigewæpnum   forsworen hæfde,
805
  ecga gehwylcre.   Scolde his aldorgedal
  on ðæm dæge   þysses lifes
  earmlic wurðan,   ond se ellorgast
  on feonda geweald   feor siðian.
  ða þæt onfunde   se þe fela æror
810
  modes myrðe   manna cynne,
  fyrene gefremede   (he wæs fag wið god),
  þæt him se lichoma   læstan nolde,
  ac hine se modega   mæg Hygelaces
  hæfde be honda;   wæs gehwæþer oðrum
815
  lifigende lað.   Licsar gebad
  atol æglæca;   him on eaxle wearð
  syndolh sweotol,   seonowe onsprungon,
  burston banlocan.   Beowulfe wearð
  guðhreð gyfeþe;   scolde Grendel þonan
820
  feorhseoc fleon   under fenhleoðu,
  secean wynleas wic;   wiste þe geornor
  þæt his aldres wæs   ende gegongen,
  dogera dægrim.   Denum eallum wearð
  æfter þam wælræse   willa gelumpen.
825
  Hæfde þa gefælsod   se þe ær feorran com,
  snotor ond swyðferhð,   sele Hroðgares,
  genered wið niðe;   nihtweorce gefeh,
  ellenmærþum.   Hæfde Eastdenum
  Geatmecga leod   gilp gelæsted,
830
  swylce oncyþðe   ealle gebette,
  inwidsorge,   þe hie ær drugon
  ond for þreanydum   þolian scoldon,
  torn unlytel.   þæt wæs tacen sweotol,
  syþðan hildedeor   hond alegde,
835
  earm ond eaxle   (þær wæs eal geador
  Grendles grape)   under geapne hrof.
  ða wæs on morgen   mine gefræge
  ymb þa gifhealle   guðrinc monig;
  ferdon folctogan   feorran ond nean
840
  geond widwegas   wundor sceawian,
  laþes lastas.   No his lifgedal
  sarlic þuhte   secga ænegum
  þara þe tirleases   trode sceawode,
  hu he werigmod   on weg þanon,
845
  niða ofercumen,   on nicera mere
  fæge ond geflymed   feorhlastas bær.
  ðær wæs on blode   brim weallende,
  atol yða geswing   eal gemenged
  haton heolfre,   heorodreore weol.
850
  Deaðfæge deog,   siððan dreama leas
  in fenfreoðo   feorh alegde,
  hæþene sawle;   þær him hel onfeng.
  þanon eft gewiton   ealdgesiðas,
  swylce geong manig   of gomenwaþe
855
  fram mere modge   mearum ridan,
  beornas on blancum.   ðær wæs Beowulfes
  mærðo mæned;   monig oft gecwæð
  þætte suð ne norð   be sæm tweonum
  ofer eormengrund   oþer nænig
860
  under swegles begong   selra nære
  rondhæbbendra,   rices wyrðra.
  Ne hie huru winedrihten   wiht ne logon,
  glædne Hroðgar,   ac þæt wæs god cyning.
  Hwilum heaþorofe   hleapan leton,
865
  on geflit faran   fealwe mearas
  ðær him foldwegas   fægere þuhton,
  cystum cuðe.   Hwilum cyninges þegn,
  guma gilphlæden,   gidda gemyndig,
  se ðe ealfela   ealdgesegena
870
  worn gemunde,   word oþer fand
  soðe gebunden;   secg eft ongan
  sið Beowulfes   snyttrum styrian
  ond on sped wrecan   spel gerade,
  wordum wrixlan.   Welhwylc gecwæð
875
  þæt he fram Sigemundes   secgan hyrde
  ellendædum,   uncuþes fela,
  Wælsinges gewin,   wide siðas,
  þara þe gumena bearn   gearwe ne wiston,
  fæhðe ond fyrena,   buton Fitela mid hine,
880
  þonne he swulces hwæt   secgan wolde,
  eam his nefan,   swa hie a wæron
  æt niða gehwam   nydgesteallan;
  hæfdon ealfela   eotena cynnes
  sweordum gesæged.   Sigemunde gesprong
885
  æfter deaðdæge   dom unlytel,
  syþðan wiges heard   wyrm acwealde,
  hordes hyrde.   He under harne stan,
  æþelinges bearn,   ana geneðde
  frecne dæde,   ne wæs him Fitela mid.
890
  Hwæþre him gesælde   ðæt þæt swurd þurhwod
  wrætlicne wyrm,   þæt hit on wealle ætstod,
  dryhtlic iren;   draca morðre swealt.
  Hæfde aglæca   elne gegongen
  þæt he beahhordes   brucan moste
895
  selfes dome;   sæbat gehleod,
  bær on bearm scipes   beorhte frætwa,
  Wælses eafera.   Wyrm hat gemealt.
  Se wæs wreccena   wide mærost
  ofer werþeode,   wigendra hleo,
900
  ellendædum   (he þæs ær onðah),
  siððan Heremodes   hild sweðrode,
  eafoð ond ellen.   He mid Eotenum wearð
  on feonda geweald   forð forlacen,
  snude forsended.   Hine sorhwylmas
905
  lemede to lange;   he his leodum wearð,
  eallum æþellingum   to aldorceare;
  swylce oft bemearn   ærran mælum
  swiðferhþes sið   snotor ceorl monig,
  se þe him bealwa to   bote gelyfde,
910
  þæt þæt ðeodnes bearn   geþeon scolde,
  fæderæþelum onfon,   folc gehealdan,
  hord ond hleoburh,   hæleþa rice,
  ? Scyldinga.   He þær eallum wearð,
  mæg Higelaces,   manna cynne,
915
  freondum gefægra;   hine fyren onwod.
  Hwilum flitende   fealwe stræte
  mearum mæton.   ða wæs morgenleoht
  scofen ond scynded.   Eode scealc monig
  swiðhicgende   to sele þam hean
920
  searowundor seon;   swylce self cyning
  of brydbure,   beahhorda weard,
  tryddode tirfæst   getrume micle,
  cystum gecyþed,   ond his cwen mid him
  medostigge mæt   mægþa hose.
925
  Hroðgar maþelode   (he to healle geong,
  stod on stapole,   geseah steapne hrof,
  golde fahne,   ond Grendles hond):
  "ðisse ansyne   alwealdan þanc
  lungre gelimpe!   Fela ic laþes gebad,
930
  grynna æt Grendle;   a mæg god wyrcan
  wunder æfter wundre,   wuldres hyrde.
  ðæt wæs ungeara   þæt ic ænigra me
  weana ne wende   to widan feore
  bote gebidan,   þonne blode fah
935
  husa selest   heorodreorig stod,
  wea widscofen   witena gehwylcum
  ðara þe ne wendon   þæt hie wideferhð
  leoda landgeweorc   laþum beweredon
  scuccum ond scinnum.   Nu scealc hafað
940
  þurh drihtnes miht   dæd gefremede
  ðe we ealle   ær ne meahton
  snyttrum besyrwan.   Hwæt, þæt secgan mæg
  efne swa hwylc mægþa   swa ðone magan cende
  æfter gumcynnum,   gyf heo gyt lyfað,
945
  þæt hyre ealdmetod   este wære
  bearngebyrdo.   Nu ic, Beowulf, þec,
  secg betsta,   me for sunu wylle
  freogan on ferhþe;   heald forð tela
  niwe sibbe.   Ne bið þe nænigra gad
950
  worolde wilna,   þe ic geweald hæbbe.
  Ful oft ic for læssan   lean teohhode,
  hordweorþunge   hnahran rince,
  sæmran æt sæcce.   þu þe self hafast
  dædum gefremed   þæt þin dom lyfað
955
  awa to aldre.   Alwalda þec
  gode forgylde,   swa he nu gyt dyde!"
  Beowulf maþelode,   bearn Ecþeowes:
  "We þæt ellenweorc   estum miclum,
  feohtan fremedon,   frecne geneðdon
960
  eafoð uncuþes.   Uþe ic swiþor
  þæt ðu hine selfne   geseon moste,
  feond on frætewum   fylwerigne.
  Ic hine hrædlice   heardan clammum
  on wælbedde   wriþan þohte,
965
  þæt he for mundgripe   minum scolde
  licgean lifbysig,   butan his lic swice.
  Ic hine ne mihte,   þa metod nolde,
  ganges getwæman,   no ic him þæs georne ætfealh,
  feorhgeniðlan;   wæs to foremihtig
970
  feond on feþe.   Hwæþere he his folme forlet
  to lifwraþe   last weardian,
  earm ond eaxle.   No þær ænige swa þeah
  feasceaft guma   frofre gebohte;
  no þy leng leofað   laðgeteona,
975
  synnum geswenced,   ac hyne sar hafað
  mid nydgripe   nearwe befongen,
  balwon bendum.   ðær abidan sceal
  maga mane fah   miclan domes,
  hu him scir metod   scrifan wille."
980
  ða wæs swigra secg,   sunu Eclafes,
  on gylpspræce   guðgeweorca,
  siþðan æþelingas   eorles cræfte
  ofer heanne hrof   hand sceawedon,
  feondes fingras.   Foran æghwylc wæs,
985
  stiðra nægla gehwylc,   style gelicost,
  hæþenes handsporu   hilderinces,
  egl, unheoru.   æghwylc gecwæð
  þæt him heardra nan   hrinan wolde
  iren ærgod,   þæt ðæs ahlæcan
990
  blodge beadufolme   onberan wolde.
  ða wæs haten hreþe   Heort innanweard
  folmum gefrætwod.   Fela þæra wæs,
  wera ond wifa,   þe þæt winreced,
  gestsele gyredon.   Goldfag scinon
995
  web æfter wagum,   wundorsiona fela
  secga gehwylcum   þara þe on swylc starað.
  Wæs þæt beorhte bold   tobrocen swiðe,
  eal inneweard   irenbendum fæst,
  heorras tohlidene.   Hrof ana genæs,
1000
  ealles ansund,   þe se aglæca,
  fyrendædum fag,   on fleam gewand,
  aldres orwena.   No þæt yðe byð
  to befleonne,   fremme se þe wille,
  ac gesecan sceal   sawlberendra,
1005
  nyde genydde,   niþða bearna,
  grundbuendra   gearwe stowe,
  þær his lichoma   legerbedde fæst
  swefeþ æfter symle.   þa wæs sæl ond mæl
  þæt to healle gang   Healfdenes sunu;
1010
  wolde self cyning   symbel þicgan.
  Ne gefrægen ic þa mægþe   maran weorode
  ymb hyra sincgyfan   sel gebæran.
  Bugon þa to bence   blædagande,
  fylle gefægon;   fægere geþægon
1015
  medoful manig   magas þara
  swiðhicgende   on sele þam hean,
  Hroðgar ond Hroþulf.   Heorot innan wæs
  freondum afylled;   nalles facenstafas
  þeodscyldingas   þenden fremedon.
1020
  Forgeaf þa Beowulfe   bearn Healfdenes
  segen gyldenne   sigores to leane;
  hroden hildecumbor,   helm ond byrnan,
  mære maðþumsweord   manige gesawon
  beforan beorn beran.   Beowulf geþah
1025
  ful on flette;   no he þære feohgyfte
  for sceotendum   scamigan ðorfte.
  Ne gefrægn ic freondlicor   feower madmas
  golde gegyrede   gummanna fela
  in ealobence   oðrum gesellan.
1030
  Ymb þæs helmes hrof   heafodbeorge
  wirum bewunden   walu utan heold,
  þæt him fela laf   frecne ne meahton
  scurheard sceþðan,   þonne scyldfreca
  ongean gramum   gangan scolde.
1035
  Heht ða eorla hleo   eahta mearas
  fætedhleore   on flet teon,
  in under eoderas.   þara anum stod
  sadol searwum fah,   since gewurþad;
  þæt wæs hildesetl   heahcyninges,
1040
  ðonne sweorda gelac   sunu Healfdenes
  efnan wolde.   Næfre on ore læg
  widcuþes wig,   ðonne walu feollon.
  Ond ða Beowulfe   bega gehwæþres
  eodor Ingwina   onweald geteah,
1045
  wicga ond wæpna,   het hine wel brucan.
  Swa manlice   mære þeoden,
  hordweard hæleþa,   heaþoræsas geald
  mearum ond madmum,   swa hy næfre man lyhð,
  se þe secgan wile   soð æfter rihte.
1050
  ða gyt æghwylcum   eorla drihten
  þara þe mid Beowulfe   brimlade teah
  on þære medubence   maþðum gesealde,
  yrfelafe,   ond þone ænne heht
  golde forgyldan,   þone ðe Grendel ær
1055
  mane acwealde,   swa he hyra ma wolde,
  nefne him witig god   wyrd forstode
  ond ðæs mannes mod.   Metod eallum weold
  gumena cynnes,   swa he nu git deð.
  Forþan bið andgit   æghwær selest,
1060
  ferhðes foreþanc.   Fela sceal gebidan
  leofes ond laþes   se þe longe her
  on ðyssum windagum   worolde bruceð.
  þær wæs sang ond sweg   samod ætgædere
  fore Healfdenes   hildewisan,
1065
  gomenwudu greted,   gid oft wrecen,
  ðonne healgamen   Hroþgares scop
  æfter medobence   mænan scolde
  be Finnes eaferum,   ða hie se fær begeat,
  hæleð Healfdena,   Hnæf Scyldinga,
1070
  in Freswæle   feallan scolde.
  Ne huru Hildeburh   herian þorfte
  Eotena treowe;   unsynnum wearð
  beloren leofum   æt þam lindplegan,
  bearnum ond broðrum;   hie on gebyrd hruron,
1075
  gare wunde.   þæt wæs geomuru ides!
  Nalles holinga   Hoces dohtor
  meotodsceaft bemearn,   syþðan morgen com,
  ða heo under swegle   geseon meahte
  morþorbealo maga,   þær heo ær mæste heold
1080
  worolde wynne.   Wig ealle fornam
  Finnes þegnas   nemne feaum anum,
  þæt he ne mehte   on þæm meðelstede
  wig Hengeste   wiht gefeohtan,
  ne þa wealafe   wige forþringan
1085
  þeodnes ðegna;   ac hig him geþingo budon,
  þæt hie him oðer flet   eal gerymdon,
  healle ond heahsetl,   þæt hie healfre geweald
  wið Eotena bearn   agan moston,
  ond æt feohgyftum   Folcwaldan sunu
1090
  dogra gehwylce   Dene weorþode,
  Hengestes heap   hringum wenede
  efne swa swiðe   sincgestreonum
  fættan goldes,   swa he Fresena cyn
  on beorsele   byldan wolde.
1095
  ða hie getruwedon   on twa healfa
  fæste frioðuwære.   Fin Hengeste
  elne, unflitme   aðum benemde
  þæt he þa wealafe   weotena dome
  arum heolde,   þæt ðær ænig mon
1100
  wordum ne worcum   wære ne bræce,
  ne þurh inwitsearo   æfre gemænden
  ðeah hie hira beaggyfan   banan folgedon
  ðeodenlease,   þa him swa geþearfod wæs;
  gyf þonne Frysna hwylc   frecnan spræce
1105
  ðæs morþorhetes   myndgiend wære,
  þonne hit sweordes ecg   seðan scolde.
  Ad wæs geæfned   ond icge gold
  ahæfen of horde.   Herescyldinga
  betst beadorinca   wæs on bæl gearu.
1110
  æt þæm ade wæs   eþgesyne
  swatfah syrce,   swyn ealgylden,
  eofer irenheard,   æþeling manig
  wundum awyrded;   sume on wæle crungon.
  Het ða Hildeburh   æt Hnæfes ade
1115
  hire selfre sunu   sweoloðe befæstan,
  banfatu bærnan   ond on bæl don
  eame on eaxle.   Ides gnornode,
  geomrode giddum.   Guðrinc astah.
  Wand to wolcnum   wælfyra mæst,
1120
  hlynode for hlawe;   hafelan multon,
  bengeato burston,   ðonne blod ætspranc,
  laðbite lices.   Lig ealle forswealg,
  gæsta gifrost,   þara ðe þær guð fornam
  bega folces;   wæs hira blæd scacen.
1125
  Gewiton him ða wigend   wica neosian,
  freondum befeallen,   Frysland geseon,
  hamas ond heaburh.   Hengest ða gyt
  wælfagne winter   wunode mid Finne
  eal unhlitme.   Eard gemunde,
1130
  þeah þe he ne meahte   on mere drifan
  hringedstefnan;   holm storme weol,
  won wið winde,   winter yþe beleac
  isgebinde,   oþðæt oþer com
  gear in geardas,   swa nu gyt deð,
1135
  þa ðe syngales   sele bewitiað,
  wuldortorhtan weder.   ða wæs winter scacen,
  fæger foldan bearm.   Fundode wrecca,
  gist of geardum;   he to gyrnwræce
  swiðor þohte   þonne to sælade,
1140
  gif he torngemot   þurhteon mihte
  þæt he Eotena bearn   inne gemunde.
  Swa he ne forwyrnde   woroldrædenne,
  þonne him Hunlafing   hildeleoman,
  billa selest,   on bearm dyde,
1145
  þæs wæron mid Eotenum   ecge cuðe.
  Swylce ferhðfrecan   Fin eft begeat
  sweordbealo sliðen   æt his selfes ham,
  siþðan grimne gripe   Guðlaf ond Oslaf
  æfter sæsiðe,   sorge, mændon,
1150
  ætwiton weana dæl;   ne meahte wæfre mod
  forhabban in hreþre.   ða wæs heal roden
  feonda feorum,   swilce Fin slægen,
  cyning on corþre,   ond seo cwen numen.
  Sceotend Scyldinga   to scypon feredon
1155
  eal ingesteald   eorðcyninges,
  swylce hie æt Finnes ham   findan meahton
  sigla, searogimma.   Hie on sælade
  drihtlice wif   to Denum feredon,
  læddon to leodum.   Leoð wæs asungen,
1160
  gleomannes gyd.   Gamen eft astah,
  beorhtode bencsweg;   byrelas sealdon
  win of wunderfatum.   þa cwom Wealhþeo forð
  gan under gyldnum beage,   þær þa godan twegen
  sæton suhtergefæderan;   þa gyt wæs hiera sib ætgædere,
1165
  æghwylc oðrum trywe.   Swylce þær Unferþ þyle
  æt fotum sæt frean Scyldinga;   gehwylc hiora his ferhþe treowde,
  þæt he hæfde mod micel,   þeah þe he his magum nære
  arfæst æt ecga gelacum.   Spræc ða ides Scyldinga:
  "Onfoh þissum fulle,   freodrihten min,
1170
  sinces brytta!   þu on sælum wes,
  goldwine gumena,   ond to Geatum spræc
  mildum wordum,   swa sceal man don.
  Beo wið Geatas glæd,   geofena gemyndig,
  nean ond feorran   þu nu hafast.
1175
  Me man sægde   þæt þu ðe for sunu wolde
  hererinc habban.   Heorot is gefælsod,
  beahsele beorhta;   bruc þenden þu mote
  manigra medo,   ond þinum magum læf
  folc ond rice,   þonne ðu forð scyle
1180
  metodsceaft seon.   Ic minne can
  glædne Hroþulf,   þæt he þa geogoðe wile
  arum healdan,   gyf þu ær þonne he,
  wine Scildinga,   worold oflætest;
  wene ic þæt he mid gode   gyldan wille
1185
  uncran eaferan,   gif he þæt eal gemon,
  hwæt wit to willan   ond to worðmyndum
  umborwesendum ær   arna gefremedon."
  Hwearf þa bi bence   þær hyre byre wæron,
  Hreðric ond Hroðmund,   ond hæleþa bearn,
1190
  giogoð ætgædere;   þær se goda sæt,
  Beowulf Geata,   be þæm gebroðrum twæm.
  Him wæs ful boren   ond freondlaþu
  wordum bewægned,   ond wunden gold
  estum geeawed,   earmreade twa,
1195
  hrægl ond hringas,   healsbeaga mæst
  þara þe ic on foldan   gefrægen hæbbe.
  Nænigne ic under swegle   selran hyrde
  hordmaððum hæleþa,   syþðan Hama ætwæg
  to þære byrhtan byrig   Brosinga mene,
1200
  sigle ond sincfæt;   searoniðas fleah
  Eormenrices,   geceas ecne ræd.
  þone hring hæfde   Higelac Geata,
  nefa Swertinges,   nyhstan siðe,
  siðþan he under segne   sinc ealgode,
1205
  wælreaf werede;   hyne wyrd fornam,
  syþðan he for wlenco   wean ahsode,
  fæhðe to Frysum.   He þa frætwe wæg,
  eorclanstanas   ofer yða ful,
  rice þeoden;   he under rande gecranc.
1210
  Gehwearf þa in Francna fæþm   feorh cyninges,
  breostgewædu   ond se beah somod;
  wyrsan wigfrecan   wæl reafedon
  æfter guðsceare,   Geata leode,
  hreawic heoldon.   Heal swege onfeng.
1215
  Wealhðeo maþelode,   heo fore þæm werede spræc:
  "Bruc ðisses beages,   Beowulf leofa,
  hyse, mid hæle,   ond þisses hrægles neot,
  þeodgestreona,   ond geþeoh tela,
  cen þec mid cræfte   ond þyssum cnyhtum wes
1220
  lara liðe;   ic þe þæs lean geman.
  Hafast þu gefered   þæt ðe feor ond neah
  ealne wideferhþ   weras ehtigað,
  efne swa side   swa sæ bebugeð,
  windgeard, weallas.   Wes þenden þu lifige,
1225
  æþeling, eadig.   Ic þe an tela
  sincgestreona.   Beo þu suna minum
  dædum gedefe,   dreamhealdende.
  Her is æghwylc eorl   oþrum getrywe,
  modes milde,   mandrihtne hold;
1230
  þegnas syndon geþwære,   þeod ealgearo,
  druncne dryhtguman   doð swa ic bidde."
  Eode þa to setle.   þær wæs symbla cyst;
  druncon win weras.   Wyrd ne cuþon,
  geosceaft grimme,   swa hit agangen wearð
1235
  eorla manegum,   syþðan æfen cwom
  ond him Hroþgar gewat   to hofe sinum,
  rice to ræste.   Reced weardode
  unrim eorla,   swa hie oft ær dydon.
  Bencþelu beredon;   hit geondbræded wearð
1240
  beddum ond bolstrum.   Beorscealca sum
  fus ond fæge   fletræste gebeag.
  Setton him to heafdon   hilderandas,
  bordwudu beorhtan;   þær on bence wæs
  ofer æþelinge   yþgesene
1245
  heaþosteapa helm,   hringed byrne,
  þrecwudu þrymlic.   Wæs þeaw hyra
  þæt hie oft wæron   an wig gearwe,
  ge æt ham ge on herge,   ge gehwæþer þara,
  efne swylce mæla   swylce hira mandryhtne
1250
  þearf gesælde;   wæs seo þeod tilu.
  Sigon þa to slæpe.   Sum sare angeald
  æfenræste,   swa him ful oft gelamp,
  siþðan goldsele   Grendel warode,
  unriht æfnde,   oþþæt ende becwom,
1255
  swylt æfter synnum.   þæt gesyne wearþ,
  widcuþ werum,   þætte wrecend þa gyt
  lifde æfter laþum,   lange þrage,
  æfter guðceare.   Grendles modor,
  ides, aglæcwif,   yrmþe gemunde,
1260
  se þe wæteregesan   wunian scolde,
  cealde streamas,   siþðan Cain wearð
  to ecgbanan   angan breþer,
  fæderenmæge;   he þa fag gewat,
  morþre gemearcod,   mandream fleon,
1265
  westen warode.   þanon woc fela
  geosceaftgasta;   wæs þæra Grendel sum,
  heorowearh hetelic,   se æt Heorote fand
  wæccendne wer   wiges bidan.
  þær him aglæca   ætgræpe wearð;
1270
  hwæþre he gemunde   mægenes strenge,
  gimfæste gife   ðe him god sealde,
  ond him to anwaldan   are gelyfde,
  frofre ond fultum;   ðy he þone feond ofercwom,
  gehnægde helle gast.   þa he hean gewat,
1275
  dreame bedæled,   deaþwic seon,
  mancynnes feond,   ond his modor þa gyt,
  gifre ond galgmod,   gegan wolde
  sorhfulne sið,   sunu deað wrecan.
  Com þa to Heorote,   ðær Hringdene
1280
  geond þæt sæld swæfun.   þa ðær sona wearð
  edhwyrft eorlum,   siþðan inne fealh
  Grendles modor.   Wæs se gryre læssa
  efne swa micle   swa bið mægþa cræft,
  wiggryre wifes,   be wæpnedmen,
1285
  þonne heoru bunden,   hamere geþuren,
  sweord swate fah   swin ofer helme
  ecgum dyhttig   andweard scireð.
  þa wæs on healle   heardecg togen
  sweord ofer setlum,   sidrand manig
1290
  hafen handa fæst;   helm ne gemunde,
  byrnan side,   þa hine se broga angeat.
  Heo wæs on ofste,   wolde ut þanon,
  feore beorgan,   þa heo onfunden wæs.
  Hraðe heo æþelinga   anne hæfde
1295
  fæste befangen,   þa heo to fenne gang.
  Se wæs Hroþgare   hæleþa leofost
  on gesiðes had   be sæm tweonum,
  rice randwiga,   þone ðe heo on ræste abreat,
  blædfæstne beorn.   Næs Beowulf ðær,
1300
  ac wæs oþer in   ær geteohhod
  æfter maþðumgife   mærum Geate.
  Hream wearð in Heorote;   heo under heolfre genam
  cuþe folme;   cearu wæs geniwod,
  geworden in wicun.   Ne wæs þæt gewrixle til,
1305
  þæt hie on ba healfa   bicgan scoldon
  freonda feorum.   þa wæs frod cyning,
  har hilderinc,   on hreon mode,
  syðþan he aldorþegn   unlyfigendne,
  þone deorestan   deadne wisse.
1310
  Hraþe wæs to bure   Beowulf fetod,
  sigoreadig secg.   Samod ærdæge
  eode eorla sum,   æþele cempa
  self mid gesiðum   þær se snotera bad,
  hwæþer him alwalda   æfre wille
1315
  æfter weaspelle   wyrpe gefremman.
  Gang ða æfter flore   fyrdwyrðe man
  mid his handscale   (healwudu dynede),
  þæt he þone wisan   wordum nægde
  frean Ingwina,   frægn gif him wære
1320
  æfter neodlaðum   niht getæse.
  Hroðgar maþelode,   helm Scyldinga:
  "Ne frin þu æfter sælum!   Sorh is geniwod
  Denigea leodum.   Dead is æschere,
  Yrmenlafes   yldra broþor,
1325
  min runwita   ond min rædbora,
  eaxlgestealla,   ðonne we on orlege
  hafelan weredon,   þonne hniton feþan,
  eoferas cnysedan.   Swylc scolde eorl wesan,
  æþeling ærgod,   swylc æschere wæs!
1330
  Wearð him on Heorote   to handbanan
  wælgæst wæfre;   ic ne wat hwæder
  atol æse wlanc   eftsiðas teah,
  fylle gefægnod.   Heo þa fæhðe wræc
  þe þu gystran niht   Grendel cwealdest
1335
  þurh hæstne had   heardum clammum,
  forþan he to lange   leode mine
  wanode ond wyrde.   He æt wige gecrang
  ealdres scyldig,   ond nu oþer cwom
  mihtig manscaða,   wolde hyre mæg wrecan,
1340
  ge feor hafað   fæhðe gestæled
  (þæs þe þincean mæg   þegne monegum,
  se þe æfter sincgyfan   on sefan greoteþ),
  hreþerbealo hearde;   nu seo hand ligeð,
  se þe eow welhwylcra   wilna dohte.
1345
  Ic þæt londbuend,   leode mine,
  selerædende,   secgan hyrde
  þæt hie gesawon   swylce twegen
  micle mearcstapan   moras healdan,
  ellorgæstas.   ðæra oðer wæs,
1350
  þæs þe hie gewislicost   gewitan meahton,
  idese onlicnæs;   oðer earmsceapen
  on weres wæstmum   wræclastas træd,
  næfne he wæs mara   þonne ænig man oðer;
  þone on geardagum   Grendel nemdon
1355
  foldbuende.   No hie fæder cunnon,
  hwæþer him ænig wæs   ær acenned
  dyrnra gasta.   Hie dygel lond
  warigeað, wulfhleoþu,   windige næssas,
  frecne fengelad,   ðær fyrgenstream
1360
  under næssa genipu   niþer gewiteð,
  flod under foldan.   Nis þæt feor heonon
  milgemearces   þæt se mere standeð;
  ofer þæm hongiað   hrinde bearwas,
  wudu wyrtum fæst   wæter oferhelmað.
1365
  þær mæg nihta gehwæm   niðwundor seon,
  fyr on flode.   No þæs frod leofað
  gumena bearna,   þæt þone grund wite;
  ðeah þe hæðstapa   hundum geswenced,
  heorot hornum trum,   holtwudu sece,
1370
  feorran geflymed,   ær he feorh seleð,
  aldor on ofre,   ær he in wille
  hafelan hydan.   Nis þæt heoru stow!
  þonon yðgeblond   up astigeð
  won to wolcnum,   þonne wind styreþ,
1375
  lað gewidru,   oðþæt lyft drysmaþ,
  roderas reotað.   Nu is se ræd gelang
  eft æt þe anum.   Eard git ne const,
  frecne stowe,   ðær þu findan miht
  felasinnigne secg;   sec gif þu dyrre.
1380
  Ic þe þa fæhðe   feo leanige,
  ealdgestreonum,   swa ic ær dyde,
  wundnum golde,   gyf þu on weg cymest."
  Beowulf maþelode,   bearn Ecgþeowes:
  "Ne sorga, snotor guma;   selre bið æghwæm
1385
  þæt he his freond wrece,   þonne he fela murne.
  Ure æghwylc sceal   ende gebidan
  worolde lifes;   wyrce se þe mote
  domes ær deaþe;   þæt bið drihtguman
  unlifgendum   æfter selest.
1390
  Aris, rices weard,   uton raþe feran
  Grendles magan   gang sceawigan.
  Ic hit þe gehate,   no he on helm losaþ,
  ne on foldan fæþm,   ne on fyrgenholt,
  ne on gyfenes grund,   ga þær he wille.
1395
  ðys dogor þu   geþyld hafa
  weana gehwylces,   swa ic þe wene to."
  Ahleop ða se gomela,   gode þancode,
  mihtigan drihtne,   þæs se man gespræc.
  þa wæs Hroðgare   hors gebæted,
1400
  wicg wundenfeax.   Wisa fengel
  geatolic gende;   gumfeþa stop
  lindhæbbendra.   Lastas wæron
  æfter waldswaþum   wide gesyne,
  gang ofer grundas,   þær heo gegnum for
1405
  ofer myrcan mor,   magoþegna bær
  þone selestan   sawolleasne
  þara þe mid Hroðgare   ham eahtode.
  Ofereode þa   æþelinga bearn
  steap stanhliðo,   stige nearwe,
1410
  enge anpaðas,   uncuð gelad,
  neowle næssas,   nicorhusa fela.
  He feara sum   beforan gengde
  wisra monna   wong sceawian,
  oþþæt he færinga   fyrgenbeamas
1415
  ofer harne stan   hleonian funde,
  wynleasne wudu;   wæter under stod
  dreorig ond gedrefed.   Denum eallum wæs,
  winum Scyldinga,   weorce on mode
  to geþolianne,   ðegne monegum,
1420
  oncyð eorla gehwæm,   syðþan æscheres
  on þam holmclife   hafelan metton.
  Flod blode weol   (folc to sægon),
  hatan heolfre.   Horn stundum song
  fuslic fyrdleoð.   Feþa eal gesæt.
1425
  Gesawon ða æfter wætere   wyrmcynnes fela,
  sellice sædracan,   sund cunnian,
  swylce on næshleoðum   nicras licgean,
  ða on undernmæl   oft bewitigað
  sorhfulne sið   on seglrade,
1430
  wyrmas ond wildeor;   hie on weg hruron,
  bitere ond gebolgne,   bearhtm ongeaton,
  guðhorn galan.   Sumne Geata leod
  of flanbogan   feores getwæfde,
  yðgewinnes,   þæt him on aldre stod
1435
  herestræl hearda;   he on holme wæs
  sundes þe sænra,   ðe hyne swylt fornam.
  Hræþe wearð on yðum   mid eoferspreotum
  heorohocyhtum   hearde genearwod,
  niða genæged,   ond on næs togen,
1440
  wundorlic wægbora;   weras sceawedon
  gryrelicne gist.   Gyrede hine Beowulf
  eorlgewædum,   nalles for ealdre mearn.
  Scolde herebyrne   hondum gebroden,
  sid ond searofah,   sund cunnian,
1445
  seo ðe bancofan   beorgan cuþe,
  þæt him hildegrap   hreþre ne mihte,
  eorres inwitfeng,   aldre gesceþðan;
  ac se hwita helm   hafelan werede,
  se þe meregrundas   mengan scolde,
1450
  secan sundgebland   since geweorðad,
  befongen freawrasnum,   swa hine fyrndagum
  worhte wæpna smið,   wundrum teode,
  besette swinlicum,   þæt hine syðþan no
  brond ne beadomecas   bitan ne meahton.
1455
  Næs þæt þonne mætost   mægenfultuma
  þæt him on ðearfe lah   ðyle Hroðgares;
  wæs þæm hæftmece   Hrunting nama.
  þæt wæs an foran   ealdgestreona;
  ecg wæs iren,   atertanum fah,
1460
  ahyrded heaþoswate;   næfre hit æt hilde ne swac
  manna ængum   þara þe hit mid mundum bewand,
  se ðe gryresiðas   gegan dorste,
  folcstede fara;   næs þæt forma sið
  þæt hit ellenweorc   æfnan scolde.
1465
  Huru ne gemunde   mago Ecglafes,
  eafoþes cræftig,   þæt he ær gespræc
  wine druncen,   þa he þæs wæpnes onlah
  selran sweordfrecan.   Selfa ne dorste
  under yða gewin   aldre geneþan,
1470
  drihtscype dreogan;   þær he dome forleas,
  ellenmærðum.   Ne wæs þæm oðrum swa,
  syðþan he hine to guðe   gegyred hæfde.
  Beowulf maðelode,   bearn Ecgþeowes:
  "Geþenc nu, se mæra   maga Healfdenes,
1475
  snottra fengel,   nu ic eom siðes fus,
  goldwine gumena,   hwæt wit geo spræcon,
  gif ic æt þearfe   þinre scolde
  aldre linnan,   þæt ðu me a wære
  forðgewitenum   on fæder stæle.
1480
  Wes þu mundbora   minum magoþegnum,
  hondgesellum,   gif mec hild nime;
  swylce þu ða madmas   þe þu me sealdest,
  Hroðgar leofa,   Higelace onsend.
  Mæg þonne on þæm golde ongitan   Geata dryhten,
1485
  geseon sunu Hrædles,   þonne he on þæt sinc starað,
  þæt ic gumcystum   godne funde
  beaga bryttan,   breac þonne moste.
  Ond þu Unferð læt   ealde lafe,
  wrætlic wægsweord,   widcuðne man
1490
  heardecg habban;   ic me mid Hruntinge
  dom gewyrce,   oþðe mec deað nimeð."
  æfter þæm wordum   Wedergeata leod
  efste mid elne,   nalas ondsware
  bidan wolde;   brimwylm onfeng
1495
  hilderince.   ða wæs hwil dæges
  ær he þone grundwong   ongytan mehte.
  Sona þæt onfunde   se ðe floda begong
  heorogifre beheold   hund missera,
  grim ond grædig,   þæt þær gumena sum
1500
  ælwihta eard   ufan cunnode.
  Grap þa togeanes,   guðrinc gefeng
  atolan clommum.   No þy ær in gescod
  halan lice;   hring utan ymbbearh,
  þæt heo þone fyrdhom   ðurhfon ne mihte,
1505
  locene leoðosyrcan   laþan fingrum.
  Bær þa seo brimwylf,   þa heo to botme com,
  hringa þengel   to hofe sinum,
  swa he ne mihte,   no he þæs modig wæs,
  wæpna gewealdan,   ac hine wundra þæs fela
1510
  swencte on sunde,   sædeor monig
  hildetuxum   heresyrcan bræc,
  ehton aglæcan.   ða se eorl ongeat
  þæt he in niðsele   nathwylcum wæs,
  þær him nænig wæter   wihte ne sceþede,
1515
  ne him for hrofsele   hrinan ne mehte
  færgripe flodes;   fyrleoht geseah,
  blacne leoman,   beorhte scinan.
  Ongeat þa se goda   grundwyrgenne,
  merewif mihtig;   mægenræs forgeaf
1520
  hildebille,   hond sweng ne ofteah,
  þæt hire on hafelan   hringmæl agol
  grædig guðleoð.   ða se gist onfand
  þæt se beadoleoma   bitan nolde,
  aldre sceþðan,   ac seo ecg geswac
1525
  ðeodne æt þearfe;   ðolode ær fela
  hondgemota,   helm oft gescær,
  fæges fyrdhrægl;   ða wæs forma sið
  deorum madme,   þæt his dom alæg.
  Eft wæs anræd,   nalas elnes læt,
1530
  mærða gemyndig   mæg Hylaces.
  Wearp ða wundenmæl   wrættum gebunden
  yrre oretta,   þæt hit on eorðan læg,
  stið ond stylecg;   strenge getruwode,
  mundgripe mægenes.   Swa sceal man don,
1535
  þonne he æt guðe   gegan þenceð
  longsumne lof,   na ymb his lif cearað.
  Gefeng þa be eaxle   (nalas for fæhðe mearn)
  Guðgeata leod   Grendles modor;
  brægd þa beadwe heard,   þa he gebolgen wæs,
1540
  feorhgeniðlan,   þæt heo on flet gebeah.
  Heo him eft hraþe   andlean forgeald
  grimman grapum   ond him togeanes feng;
  oferwearp þa werigmod   wigena strengest,
  feþecempa,   þæt he on fylle wearð.
1545
  Ofsæt þa þone selegyst   ond hyre seax geteah,
  brad ond brunecg,   wolde hire bearn wrecan,
  angan eaferan.   Him on eaxle læg
  breostnet broden;   þæt gebearh feore,
  wið ord ond wið ecge   ingang forstod.
1550
  Hæfde ða forsiðod   sunu Ecgþeowes
  under gynne grund,   Geata cempa,
  nemne him heaðobyrne   helpe gefremede,
  herenet hearde,   ond halig god
  geweold wigsigor;   witig drihten,
1555
  rodera rædend,   hit on ryht gesced
  yðelice,   syþðan he eft astod.
  Geseah ða on searwum   sigeeadig bil,
  eald sweord eotenisc,   ecgum þyhtig,
  wigena weorðmynd;   þæt wæs wæpna cyst,
1560
  buton hit wæs mare   ðonne ænig mon oðer
  to beadulace   ætberan meahte,
  god ond geatolic,   giganta geweorc.
  He gefeng þa fetelhilt,   freca Scyldinga
  hreoh ond heorogrim   hringmæl gebrægd,
1565
  aldres orwena,   yrringa sloh,
  þæt hire wið halse   heard grapode,
  banhringas bræc.   Bil eal ðurhwod
  fægne flæschoman;   heo on flet gecrong.
  Sweord wæs swatig,   secg weorce gefeh.
1570
  Lixte se leoma,   leoht inne stod,
  efne swa of hefene   hadre scineð
  rodores candel.   He æfter recede wlat;
  hwearf þa be wealle,   wæpen hafenade
  heard be hiltum   Higelaces ðegn,
1575
  yrre ond anræd.   Næs seo ecg fracod
  hilderince,   ac he hraþe wolde
  Grendle forgyldan   guðræsa fela
  ðara þe he geworhte   to Westdenum
  oftor micle   ðonne on ænne sið,
1580
  þonne he Hroðgares   heorðgeneatas
  sloh on sweofote,   slæpende fræt
  folces Denigea   fyftyne men
  ond oðer swylc   ut offerede,
  laðlicu lac.   He him þæs lean forgeald,
1585
  reþe cempa,   to ðæs þe he on ræste geseah
  guðwerigne   Grendel licgan
  aldorleasne,   swa him ær gescod
  hild æt Heorote.   Hra wide sprong,
  syþðan he æfter deaðe   drepe þrowade,
1590
  heorosweng heardne,   ond hine þa heafde becearf.
  Sona þæt gesawon   snottre ceorlas,
  þa ðe mid Hroðgare   on holm wliton,
  þæt wæs yðgeblond   eal gemenged,
  brim blode fah.   Blondenfeaxe,
1595
  gomele ymb godne,   ongeador spræcon
  þæt hig þæs æðelinges   eft ne wendon
  þæt he sigehreðig   secean come
  mærne þeoden;   þa ðæs monige gewearð
  þæt hine seo brimwylf   abroten hæfde.
1600
  ða com non dæges.   Næs ofgeafon
  hwate Scyldingas;   gewat him ham þonon
  goldwine gumena.   Gistas setan
  modes seoce   ond on mere staredon,
  wiston ond ne wendon   þæt hie heora winedrihten
1605
  selfne gesawon.   þa þæt sweord ongan
  æfter heaþoswate   hildegicelum,
  wigbil wanian.   þæt wæs wundra sum,
  þæt hit eal gemealt   ise gelicost,
  ðonne forstes bend   fæder onlæteð,
1610
  onwindeð wælrapas,   se geweald hafað
  sæla ond mæla;   þæt is soð metod.
  Ne nom he in þæm wicum,   Wedergeata leod,
  maðmæhta ma,   þeh he þær monige geseah,
  buton þone hafelan   ond þa hilt somod
1615
  since fage.   Sweord ær gemealt,
  forbarn brodenmæl;   wæs þæt blod to þæs hat,
  ættren ellorgæst   se þær inne swealt.
  Sona wæs on sunde   se þe ær æt sæcce gebad
  wighryre wraðra,   wæter up þurhdeaf.
1620
  Wæron yðgebland   eal gefælsod,
  eacne eardas,   þa se ellorgast
  oflet lifdagas   ond þas lænan gesceaft.
  Com þa to lande   lidmanna helm
  swiðmod swymman;   sælace gefeah,
1625
  mægenbyrþenne   þara þe he him mid hæfde.
  Eodon him þa togeanes,   gode þancodon,
  ðryðlic þegna heap,   þeodnes gefegon,
  þæs þe hi hyne gesundne   geseon moston.
  ða wæs of þæm hroran   helm ond byrne
1630
  lungre alysed.   Lagu drusade,
  wæter under wolcnum,   wældreore fag.
  Ferdon forð þonon   feþelastum
  ferhþum fægne,   foldweg mæton,
  cuþe stræte.   Cyningbalde men
1635
  from þæm holmclife   hafelan bæron
  earfoðlice   heora æghwæþrum,
  felamodigra;   feower scoldon
  on þæm wælstenge   weorcum geferian
  to þæm goldsele   Grendles heafod,
1640
  oþðæt semninga   to sele comon
  frome fyrdhwate   feowertyne
  Geata gongan;   gumdryhten mid
  modig on gemonge   meodowongas træd.
  ða com in gan   ealdor ðegna,
1645
  dædcene mon   dome gewurþad,
  hæle hildedeor,   Hroðgar gretan.
  þa wæs be feaxe   on flet boren
  Grendles heafod,   þær guman druncon,
  egeslic for eorlum   ond þære idese mid,
1650
  wliteseon wrætlic;   weras on sawon.
  Beowulf maþelode,   bearn Ecgþeowes:
  "Hwæt! we þe þas sælac,   sunu Healfdenes,
  leod Scyldinga,   lustum brohton
  tires to tacne,   þe þu her to locast.
1655
  Ic þæt unsofte   ealdre gedigde
  wigge under wætere,   weorc geneþde
  earfoðlice;   ætrihte wæs
  guð getwæfed,   nymðe mec god scylde.
  Ne meahte ic æt hilde   mid Hruntinge
1660
  wiht gewyrcan,   þeah þæt wæpen duge;
  ac me geuðe   ylda waldend
  þæt ic on wage geseah   wlitig hangian
  eald sweord eacen   (oftost wisode
  winigea leasum),   þæt ic ðy wæpne gebræd.
1665
  Ofsloh ða æt þære sæcce,   þa me sæl ageald,
  huses hyrdas.   þa þæt hildebil
  forbarn brogdenmæl,   swa þæt blod gesprang,
  hatost heaþoswata.   Ic þæt hilt þanan
  feondum ætferede,   fyrendæda wræc,
1670
  deaðcwealm Denigea,   swa hit gedefe wæs.
  Ic hit þe þonne gehate,   þæt þu on Heorote most
  sorhleas swefan   mid þinra secga gedryht
  ond þegna gehwylc   þinra leoda,
  duguðe ond iogoþe,   þæt þu him ondrædan ne þearft,
1675
  þeoden Scyldinga,   on þa healfe,
  aldorbealu eorlum,   swa þu ær dydest."
  ða wæs gylden hilt   gamelum rince,
  harum hildfruman,   on hand gyfen,
  enta ærgeweorc;   hit on æht gehwearf
1680
  æfter deofla hryre   Denigea frean,
  wundorsmiþa geweorc,   ond þa þas worold ofgeaf
  gromheort guma,   godes ondsaca,
  morðres scyldig,   ond his modor eac,
  on geweald gehwearf   woroldcyninga
1685
  ðæm selestan   be sæm tweonum
  ðara þe on Scedenigge   sceattas dælde.
  Hroðgar maðelode,   hylt sceawode,
  ealde lafe,   on ðæm wæs or writen
  fyrngewinnes,   syðþan flod ofsloh,
1690
  gifen geotende,   giganta cyn
  (frecne geferdon);   þæt wæs fremde þeod
  ecean dryhtne;   him þæs endelean
  þurh wæteres wylm   waldend sealde.
  Swa wæs on ðæm scennum   sciran goldes
1695
  þurh runstafas   rihte gemearcod,
  geseted ond gesæd   hwam þæt sweord geworht,
  irena cyst,   ærest wære,
  wreoþenhilt ond wyrmfah.   ða se wisa spræc
  sunu Healfdenes   (swigedon ealle):
1700
  "þæt, la, mæg secgan   se þe soð ond riht
  fremeð on folce,   feor eal gemon,
  eald ?weard,   þæt ðes eorl wære
  geboren betera!   Blæd is aræred
  geond widwegas,   wine min Beowulf,
1705
  ðin ofer þeoda gehwylce.   Eal þu hit geþyldum healdest,
  mægen mid modes snyttrum.   Ic þe sceal mine gelæstan
  freode, swa wit furðum spræcon.   ðu scealt to frofre weorþan
  eal langtwidig   leodum þinum,
  hæleðum to helpe.   Ne wearð Heremod swa
1710
  eaforum Ecgwelan,   Arscyldingum;
  ne geweox he him to willan,   ac to wælfealle
  ond to deaðcwalum   Deniga leodum;
  breat bolgenmod   beodgeneatas,
  eaxlgesteallan,   oþþæt he ana hwearf,
1715
  mære þeoden,   mondreamum from.
  ðeah þe hine mihtig god   mægenes wynnum,
  eafeþum stepte,   ofer ealle men
  forð gefremede,   hwæþere him on ferhþe greow
  breosthord blodreow.   Nallas beagas geaf
1720
  Denum æfter dome;   dreamleas gebad
  þæt he þæs gewinnes   weorc þrowade,
  leodbealo longsum.   ðu þe lær be þon,
  gumcyste ongit;   ic þis gid be þe
  awræc wintrum frod.   Wundor is to secganne
1725
  hu mihtig god   manna cynne
  þurh sidne sefan   snyttru bryttað,
  eard ond eorlscipe;   he ah ealra geweald.
  Hwilum he on lufan   læteð hworfan
  monnes modgeþonc   mæran cynnes,
1730
  seleð him on eþle   eorþan wynne
  to healdanne,   hleoburh wera,
  gedeð him swa gewealdene   worolde dælas,
  side rice,   þæt he his selfa ne mæg
  for his unsnyttrum   ende geþencean.
1735
  Wunað he on wiste;   no hine wiht dweleð
  adl ne yldo,   ne him inwitsorh
  on sefan sweorceð,   ne gesacu ohwær
  ecghete eoweð,   ac him eal worold
  wendeð on willan   (he þæt wyrse ne con),
1740
  oðþæt him on innan   oferhygda dæl
  weaxeð ond wridað.   þonne se weard swefeð,
  sawele hyrde;   bið se slæp to fæst,
  bisgum gebunden,   bona swiðe neah,
  se þe of flanbogan   fyrenum sceoteð.
1745
  þonne bið on hreþre   under helm drepen
  biteran stræle   (him bebeorgan ne con),
  wom wundorbebodum   wergan gastes;
  þinceð him to lytel   þæt he lange heold,
  gytsað gromhydig,   nallas on gylp seleð
1750
  fædde beagas,   ond he þa forðgesceaft
  forgyteð ond forgymeð,   þæs þe him ær god sealde,
  wuldres waldend,   weorðmynda dæl.
  Hit on endestæf   eft gelimpeð
  þæt se lichoma   læne gedreoseð,
1755
  fæge gefealleð;   fehð oþer to,
  se þe unmurnlice   madmas dæleþ,
  eorles ærgestreon,   egesan ne gymeð.
  Bebeorh þe ðone bealonið,   Beowulf leofa,
  secg betsta,   ond þe þæt selre geceos,
1760
  ece rædas;   oferhyda ne gym,
  mære cempa.   Nu is þines mægnes blæd
  ane hwile.   Eft sona bið
  þæt þec adl oððe ecg   eafoþes getwæfeð,
  oððe fyres feng,   oððe flodes wylm,
1765
  oððe gripe meces,   oððe gares fliht,
  oððe atol yldo;   oððe eagena bearhtm
  forsiteð ond forsworceð;   semninga bið
  þæt ðec, dryhtguma,   deað oferswyðeð.
  Swa ic Hringdena   hund missera
1770
  weold under wolcnum   ond hig wigge beleac
  manigum mægþa   geond þysne middangeard,
  æscum ond ecgum,   þæt ic me ænigne
  under swegles begong   gesacan ne tealde.
  Hwæt, me þæs on eþle   edwenden cwom,
1775
  gyrn æfter gomene,   seoþðan Grendel wearð,
  ealdgewinna,   ingenga min;
  ic þære socne   singales wæg
  modceare micle.   þæs sig metode þanc,
  ecean dryhtne,   þæs ðe ic on aldre gebad
1780
  þæt ic on þone hafelan   heorodreorigne
  ofer ealdgewin   eagum starige!
  Ga nu to setle,   symbelwynne dreoh
  wigge weorþad;   unc sceal worn fela
  maþma gemænra,   siþðan morgen bið."
1785
  Geat wæs glædmod,   geong sona to
  setles neosan,   swa se snottra heht.
  þa wæs eft swa ær   ellenrofum
  fletsittendum   fægere gereorded
  niowan stefne.   Nihthelm geswearc
1790
  deorc ofer dryhtgumum.   Duguð eal aras.
  Wolde blondenfeax   beddes neosan,
  gamela Scylding.   Geat unigmetes wel,
  rofne randwigan,   restan lyste;
  sona him seleþegn   siðes wergum,
1795
  feorrancundum,   forð wisade,
  se for andrysnum   ealle beweotede
  þegnes þearfe,   swylce þy dogore
  heaþoliðende   habban scoldon.
  Reste hine þa rumheort;   reced hliuade
1800
  geap ond goldfah;   gæst inne swæf
  oþþæt hrefn blaca   heofones wynne
  bliðheort bodode.   ða com beorht scacan
  scaþan onetton,
  wæron æþelingas   eft to leodum
1805
  fuse to farenne;   wolde feor þanon
  cuma collenferhð   ceoles neosan.
  Heht þa se hearda   Hrunting beran
  sunu Ecglafes,   heht his sweord niman,
  leoflic iren;   sægde him þæs leanes þanc,
1810
  cwæð, he þone guðwine   godne tealde,
  wigcræftigne,   nales wordum log
  meces ecge;   þæt wæs modig secg.
  Ond þa siðfrome,   searwum gearwe
  wigend wæron;   eode weorð Denum
1815
  æþeling to yppan,   þær se oþer wæs,
  hæle hildedeor   Hroðgar grette.
  Beowulf maþelode,   bearn Ecgþeowes:
  "Nu we sæliðend   secgan wyllað,
  feorran cumene,   þæt we fundiaþ
1820
  Higelac secan.   Wæron her tela
  willum bewenede;   þu us wel dohtest.
  Gif ic þonne on eorþan   owihte mæg
  þinre modlufan   maran tilian,
  gumena dryhten,   ðonne ic gyt dyde,
1825
  guðgeweorca,   ic beo gearo sona.
  Gif ic þæt gefricge   ofer floda begang,
  þæt þec ymbsittend   egesan þywað,
  swa þec hetende   hwilum dydon,
  ic ðe þusenda   þegna bringe,
1830
  hæleþa to helpe.   Ic on Higelac wat,
  Geata dryhten,   þeah ðe he geong sy,
  folces hyrde,   þæt he mec fremman wile
  wordum ond worcum,   þæt ic þe wel herige
  ond þe to geoce   garholt bere,
1835
  mægenes fultum,   þær ðe bið manna þearf.
  Gif him þonne Hreþric   to hofum Geata
  geþingeð, þeodnes bearn,   he mæg þær fela
  freonda findan;   feorcyþðe beoð
  selran gesohte   þæm þe him selfa deah."
1840
  Hroðgar maþelode   him on ondsware:
  "þe þa wordcwydas   wigtig drihten
  on sefan sende;   ne hyrde ic snotorlicor
  on swa geongum feore   guman þingian.
  þu eart mægenes strang   ond on mode frod,
1845
  wis wordcwida.   Wen ic talige,
  gif þæt gegangeð,   þæt ðe gar nymeð,
  hild heorugrimme,   Hreþles eaferan,
  adl oþðe iren   ealdor ðinne,
  folces hyrde,   ond þu þin feorh hafast,
1850
  þæt þe Sægeatas   selran næbben
  to geceosenne   cyning ænigne,
  hordweard hæleþa,   gyf þu healdan wylt
  maga rice.   Me þin modsefa
  licað leng swa wel,   leofa Beowulf.
1855
  Hafast þu gefered   þæt þam folcum sceal,
  Geata leodum   ond Gardenum,
  sib gemæne,   ond sacu restan,
  inwitniþas,   þe hie ær drugon,
  wesan, þenden ic wealde   widan rices,
1860
  maþmas gemæne,   manig oþerne
  godum gegretan   ofer ganotes bæð;
  sceal hringnaca   ofer heafu bringan
  lac ond luftacen.   Ic þa leode wat
  ge wið feond ge wið freond   fæste geworhte,
1865
  æghwæs untæle   ealde wisan."
  ða git him eorla hleo   inne gesealde,
  mago Healfdenes,   maþmas /XII/;
  het hine mid þæm lacum   leode swæse
  secean on gesyntum,   snude eft cuman.
1870
  Gecyste þa   cyning æþelum god,
  þeoden Scyldinga,   ðegn betstan
  ond be healse genam;   hruron him tearas,
  blondenfeaxum.   Him wæs bega wen,
  ealdum infrodum,   oþres swiðor,
1875
  þæt hie seoððan no   geseon moston,
  modige on meþle.   Wæs him se man to þon leof
  þæt he þone breostwylm   forberan ne mehte,
  ac him on hreþre   hygebendum fæst
  æfter deorum men   dyrne langað
1880
  beorn wið blode.   Him Beowulf þanan,
  guðrinc goldwlanc,   græsmoldan træd
  since hremig;   sægenga bad
  agendfrean,   se þe on ancre rad.
  þa wæs on gange   gifu Hroðgares
1885
  oft geæhted;   þæt wæs an cyning,
  æghwæs orleahtre,   oþþæt hine yldo benam
  mægenes wynnum,   se þe oft manegum scod.
  Cwom þa to flode   felamodigra,
  hægstealdra heap,   hringnet bæron,
1890
  locene leoðosyrcan.   Landweard onfand
  eftsið eorla,   swa he ær dyde;
  no he mid hearme   of hliðes nosan
  gæstas grette,   ac him togeanes rad,
  cwæð þæt wilcuman   Wedera leodum
1895
  scaþan scirhame   to scipe foron.
  þa wæs on sande   sægeap naca
  hladen herewædum,   hringedstefna,
  mearum ond maðmum;   mæst hlifade
  ofer Hroðgares   hordgestreonum.
1900
  He þæm batwearde   bunden golde
  swurd gesealde,   þæt he syðþan wæs
  on meodubence   maþme þy weorþra,
  yrfelafe.   Gewat him on naca
  drefan deop wæter,   Dena land ofgeaf.
1905
  þa wæs be mæste   merehrægla sum,
  segl sale fæst;   sundwudu þunede.
  No þær wegflotan   wind ofer yðum
  siðes getwæfde;   sægenga for,
  fleat famigheals   forð ofer yðe,
1910
  bundenstefna   ofer brimstreamas,
  þæt hie Geata clifu   ongitan meahton,
  cuþe næssas.   Ceol up geþrang
  lyftgeswenced,   on lande stod.
  Hraþe wæs æt holme   hyðweard geara,
1915
  se þe ær lange tid   leofra manna
  fus æt faroðe   feor wlatode;
  sælde to sande   sidfæþme scip,
  oncerbendum fæst,   þy læs hym yþa ðrym
  wudu wynsuman   forwrecan meahte.
1920
  Het þa up beran   æþelinga gestreon,
  frætwe ond fætgold;   næs him feor þanon
  to gesecanne   sinces bryttan,
  Higelac Hreþling,   þær æt ham wunað
  selfa mid gesiðum   sæwealle neah.
1925
  Bold wæs betlic,   bregorof cyning,
  heah in healle,   Hygd swiðe geong,
  wis, welþungen,   þeah ðe wintra lyt
  under burhlocan   gebiden hæbbe,
  Hæreþes dohtor;   næs hio hnah swa þeah,
1930
  ne to gneað gifa   Geata leodum,
  maþmgestreona.   Mod þryðo wæg,
  fremu folces cwen,   firen ondrysne.
  Nænig þæt dorste   deor geneþan
  swæsra gesiða,   nefne sinfrea,
1935
  þæt hire an dæges   eagum starede,
  ac him wælbende   weotode tealde
  handgewriþene;   hraþe seoþðan wæs
  æfter mundgripe   mece geþinged,
  þæt hit sceadenmæl   scyran moste,
1940
  cwealmbealu cyðan.   Ne bið swylc cwenlic þeaw
  idese to efnanne,   þeah ðe hio ænlicu sy,
  þætte freoðuwebbe   feores onsæce
  æfter ligetorne   leofne mannan.
  Huru þæt onhohsnode   Hemminges mæg;
1945
  ealodrincende   oðer sædan,
  þæt hio leodbealewa   læs gefremede,
  inwitniða,   syððan ærest wearð
  gyfen goldhroden   geongum cempan,
  æðelum diore,   syððan hio Offan flet
1950
  ofer fealone flod   be fæder lare
  siðe gesohte;   ðær hio syððan well
  in gumstole,   gode, mære,
  lifgesceafta   lifigende breac,
  hiold heahlufan   wið hæleþa brego,
1955
  ealles moncynnes   mine gefræge
  þone selestan   bi sæm tweonum,
  eormencynnes.   Forðam Offa wæs
  geofum ond guðum,   garcene man,
  wide geweorðod,   wisdome heold
1960
  eðel sinne;   þonon Eomer woc
  hæleðum to helpe,   Hemminges mæg,
  nefa Garmundes,   niða cræftig.
  Gewat him ða se hearda   mid his hondscole
  sylf æfter sande   sæwong tredan,
1965
  wide waroðas.   Woruldcandel scan,
  sigel suðan fus.   Hi sið drugon,
  elne geeodon,   to ðæs ðe eorla hleo,
  bonan Ongenþeoes   burgum in innan,
  geongne guðcyning   godne gefrunon
1970
  hringas dælan.   Higelace wæs
  sið Beowulfes   snude gecyðed,
  þæt ðær on worðig   wigendra hleo,
  lindgestealla,   lifigende cwom,
  heaðolaces hal   to hofe gongan.
1975
  Hraðe wæs gerymed,   swa se rica bebead,
  feðegestum   flet innanweard.
  Gesæt þa wið sylfne   se ða sæcce genæs,
  mæg wið mæge,   syððan mandryhten
  þurh hleoðorcwyde   holdne gegrette,
1980
  meaglum wordum.   Meoduscencum hwearf
  geond þæt healreced   Hæreðes dohtor,
  lufode ða leode,   liðwæge bær
  hæleðum to handa.   Higelac ongan
  sinne geseldan   in sele þam hean
1985
  fægre fricgcean   (hyne fyrwet bræc,
  hwylce Sægeata   siðas wæron):
  "Hu lomp eow on lade,   leofa Biowulf,
  þa ðu færinga   feorr gehogodest
  sæcce secean   ofer sealt wæter,
1990
  hilde to Hiorote?   Ac ðu Hroðgare
  widcuðne wean   wihte gebettest,
  mærum ðeodne?   Ic ðæs modceare
  sorhwylmum seað,   siðe ne truwode
  leofes mannes;   ic ðe lange bæd
1995
  þæt ðu þone wælgæst   wihte ne grette,
  lete Suðdene   sylfe geweorðan
  guðe wið Grendel.   Gode ic þanc secge
  þæs ðe ic ðe gesundne   geseon moste."
  Biowulf maðelode,   bearn Ecgðioes:
2000
  "þæt is undyrne,   dryhten Higelac,
  micel gemeting,   monegum fira,
  hwylc orleghwil   uncer Grendles
  wearð on ðam wange,   þær he worna fela
  Sigescyldingum   sorge gefremede,
2005
  yrmðe to aldre.   Ic ðæt eall gewræc,
  swa begylpan ne þearf   Grendeles maga
  ænig ofer eorðan   uhthlem þone,
  se ðe lengest leofað   laðan cynnes,
  facne bifongen.   Ic ðær furðum cwom
2010
  to ðam hringsele   Hroðgar gretan;
  sona me se mæra   mago Healfdenes,
  syððan he modsefan   minne cuðe,
  wið his sylfes sunu   setl getæhte.
  Weorod wæs on wynne;   ne seah ic widan feorh
2015
  under heofones hwealf   healsittendra
  medudream maran.   Hwilum mæru cwen,
  friðusibb folca,   flet eall geondhwearf,
  bædde byre geonge;   oft hio beahwriðan
  secge sealde,   ær hie to setle geong.
2020
  Hwilum for duguðe   dohtor Hroðgares
  eorlum on ende   ealuwæge bær;
  þa ic Freaware   fletsittende
  nemnan hyrde,   þær hio nægled sinc
  hæleðum sealde.   Sio gehaten is,
2025
  geong, goldhroden,   gladum suna Frodan;
  hafað þæs geworden   wine Scyldinga,
  rices hyrde,   ond þæt ræd talað,
  þæt he mid ðy wife   wælfæhða dæl,
  sæcca gesette.   Oft seldan hwær
2030
  æfter leodhryre   lytle hwile
  bongar bugeð,   þeah seo bryd duge!
  Mæg þæs þonne ofþyncan   ðeodne Heaðobeardna
  ond þegna gehwam   þara leoda,
  þonne he mid fæmnan   on flett gæð,
2035
  dryhtbearn Dena,   duguða biwenede;
  on him gladiað   gomelra lafe,
  heard ond hringmæl   Heaðabeardna gestreon
  þenden hie ðam wæpnum   wealdan moston,
  oððæt hie forlæddan   to ðam lindplegan
2040
  swæse gesiðas   ond hyra sylfra feorh.
  þonne cwið æt beore   se ðe beah gesyhð,
  eald æscwiga,   se ðe eall geman,
  garcwealm gumena   (him bið grim sefa),
  onginneð geomormod   geongum cempan
2045
  þurh hreðra gehygd   higes cunnian,
  wigbealu weccean,   ond þæt word acwyð:
  'Meaht ðu, min wine,   mece gecnawan
  þone þin fæder   to gefeohte bær
  under heregriman   hindeman siðe,
2050
  dyre iren,   þær hyne Dene slogon,
  weoldon wælstowe,   syððan Wiðergyld læg,
  æfter hæleþa hryre,   hwate Scyldungas?
  Nu her þara banena   byre nathwylces
  frætwum hremig   on flet gæð,
2055
  morðres gylpeð,   ond þone maðþum byreð,
  þone þe ðu mid rihte   rædan sceoldest.'
  Manað swa ond myndgað   mæla gehwylce
  sarum wordum,   oððæt sæl cymeð
  þæt se fæmnan þegn   fore fæder dædum
2060
  æfter billes bite   blodfag swefeð,
  ealdres scyldig;   him se oðer þonan
  losað lifigende,   con him land geare.
  þonne bioð abrocene   on ba healfe
  aðsweord eorla;   syððan Ingelde
2065
  weallað wælniðas,   ond him wiflufan
  æfter cearwælmum   colran weorðað.
  þy ic Heaðobeardna   hyldo ne telge,
  dryhtsibbe dæl   Denum unfæcne,
  freondscipe fæstne.   Ic sceal forð sprecan
2070
  gen ymbe Grendel,   þæt ðu geare cunne,
  sinces brytta,   to hwan syððan wearð
  hondræs hæleða.   Syððan heofones gim
  glad ofer grundas,   gæst yrre cwom,
  eatol, æfengrom,   user neosan,
2075
  ðær we gesunde   sæl weardodon.
  þær wæs Hondscio   hild onsæge,
  feorhbealu fægum;   he fyrmest læg,
  gyrded cempa;   him Grendel wearð,
  mærum maguþegne   to muðbonan,
2080
  leofes mannes   lic eall forswealg.
  No ðy ær ut ða gen   idelhende
  bona blodigtoð,   bealewa gemyndig,
  of ðam goldsele   gongan wolde,
  ac he mægnes rof   min costode,
2085
  grapode gearofolm.   Glof hangode
  sid ond syllic,   searobendum fæst;
  sio wæs orðoncum   eall gegyrwed
  deofles cræftum   ond dracan fellum.
  He mec þær on innan   unsynnigne,
2090
  dior dædfruma,   gedon wolde
  manigra sumne;   hyt ne mihte swa,
  syððan ic on yrre   uppriht astod.
  To lang ys to reccenne   hu ic ðam leodsceaðan
  yfla gehwylces   ondlean forgeald;
2095
  þær ic, þeoden min,   þine leode
  weorðode weorcum.   He on weg losade,
  lytle hwile   lifwynna breac;
  hwæþre him sio swiðre   swaðe weardade
  hand on Hiorte,   ond he hean ðonan
2100
  modes geomor   meregrund gefeoll.
  Me þone wælræs   wine Scildunga
  fættan golde   fela leanode,
  manegum maðmum,   syððan mergen com
  ond we to symble   geseten hæfdon.
2105
  þær wæs gidd ond gleo.   Gomela Scilding,
  felafricgende,   feorran rehte;
  hwilum hildedeor   hearpan wynne,
  gomenwudu grette,   hwilum gyd awræc
  soð ond sarlic,   hwilum syllic spell
2110
  rehte æfter rihte   rumheort cyning.
  Hwilum eft ongan,   eldo gebunden,
  gomel guðwiga   gioguðe cwiðan,
  hildestrengo;   hreðer inne weoll,
  þonne he wintrum frod   worn gemunde.
2115
  Swa we þær inne   ondlangne dæg
  niode naman,   oððæt niht becwom
  oðer to yldum.   þa wæs eft hraðe
  gearo gyrnwræce   Grendeles modor,
  siðode sorhfull;   sunu deað fornam,
2120
  wighete Wedra.   Wif unhyre
  hyre bearn gewræc,   beorn acwealde
  ellenlice;   þær wæs æschere,
  frodan fyrnwitan,   feorh uðgenge.
  Noðer hy hine ne moston,   syððan mergen cwom,
2125
  deaðwerigne,   Denia leode,
  bronde forbærnan,   ne on b/æ/l hladan
  leofne mannan;   hio þæt lic ætbær
  feondes fæðmum   under firgenstream.
  þæt wæs Hroðgare   hreowa tornost
2130
  þara þe leodfruman   lange begeate.
  þa se ðeoden mec   ðine life
  healsode hreohmod,   þæt ic on holma geþring
  eorlscipe efnde,   ealdre geneðde,
  mærðo fremede;   he me mede gehet.
2135
  Ic ða ðæs wælmes,   þe is wide cuð,
  grimne gryrelicne   grundhyrde fond;
  þær unc hwile wæs   hand gemæne,
  holm heolfre weoll,   ond ic heafde becearf
  in ðam guðsele   Grendeles modor
2140
  eacnum ecgum,   unsofte þonan
  feorh oðferede.   Næs ic fæge þa gyt,
  ac me eorla hleo   eft gesealde
  maðma menigeo,   maga Healfdenes.
  Swa se ðeodkyning   þeawum lyfde.
2145
  Nealles ic ðam leanum   forloren hæfde,
  mægnes mede,   ac he me maðmas geaf,
  sunu Healfdenes,   on minne sylfes dom;
  ða ic ðe, beorncyning,   bringan wylle,
  estum geywan.   Gen is eall æt ðe
2150
  lissa gelong;   ic lyt hafo
  heafodmaga   nefne, Hygelac, ðec."
  Het ða in beran   eaforheafodsegn,
  heaðosteapne helm,   hare byrnan,
  guðsweord geatolic,   gyd æfter wræc:
2155
  "Me ðis hildesceorp   Hroðgar sealde,
  snotra fengel,   sume worde het
  þæt ic his ærest ðe   est gesægde;
  cwæð þæt hyt hæfde   Hiorogar cyning,
  leod Scyldunga   lange hwile;
2160
  no ðy ær suna sinum   syllan wolde,
  hwatum Heorowearde,   þeah he him hold wære,
  breostgewædu.   Bruc ealles well!"
  Hyrde ic þæt þam frætwum   feower mearas
  lungre, gelice,   last weardode,
2165
  æppelfealuwe;   he him est geteah
  meara ond maðma.   Swa sceal mæg don,
  nealles inwitnet   oðrum bregdon
  dyrnum cræfte,   deað renian
  hondgesteallan.   Hygelace wæs,
2170
  niða heardum,   nefa swyðe hold,
  ond gehwæðer oðrum   hroþra gemyndig.
  Hyrde ic þæt he ðone healsbeah   Hygde gesealde,
  wrætlicne wundurmaððum,   ðone þe him Wealhðeo geaf,
  ðeodnes dohtor,   þrio wicg somod
2175
  swancor ond sadolbeorht;   hyre syððan wæs
  æfter beahðege   breost geweorðod.
  Swa bealdode   bearn Ecgðeowes,
  guma guðum cuð,   godum dædum,
  dreah æfter dome,   nealles druncne slog
2180
  heorðgeneatas;   næs him hreoh sefa,
  ac he mancynnes   mæste cræfte
  ginfæstan gife,   þe him god sealde,
  heold hildedeor.   Hean wæs lange,
  swa hyne Geata bearn   godne ne tealdon,
2185
  ne hyne on medobence   micles wyrðne
  drihten Wedera   gedon wolde;
  swyðe wendon   þæt he sleac wære,
  æðeling unfrom.   Edwenden cwom
  tireadigum menn   torna gehwylces.
2190
  Het ða eorla hleo   in gefetian,
  heaðorof cyning,   Hreðles lafe
  golde gegyrede;   næs mid Geatum ða
  sincmaðþum selra   on sweordes had;
  þæt he on Biowulfes   bearm alegde
2195
  ond him gesealde   seofan þusendo,
  bold ond bregostol.   Him wæs bam samod
  on ðam leodscipe   lond gecynde,
  eard, eðelriht,   oðrum swiðor
  side rice   þam ðær selra wæs.
2200
  Eft þæt geiode   ufaran dogrum
  hildehlæmmum,   syððan Hygelac læg
  ond Heardrede   hildemeceas
  under bordhreoðan   to bonan wurdon,
  ða hyne gesohtan   on sigeþeode
2205
  hearde hildefrecan,   Heaðoscilfingas,
  niða genægdan   nefan Hererices,
  syððan Beowulfe   brade rice
  on hand gehwearf;   he geheold tela
  fiftig wintra   (wæs ða frod cyning,
2210
  eald eþelweard),   oððæt an ongan
  deorcum nihtum   draca ricsian,
  se ðe on heaum hofe   hord beweotode,
  stanbeorh steapne;   stig under læg,
  eldum uncuð.   þær on innan giong
2215
  niða nathwylc,   se ðe neh gefeng
  hæðnum horde,   hond ......,
  since fahne.   He þæt syððan ......,
  þeah ðe he slæpende   besyred wurde
  þeofes cræfte;   þæt sie ðiod onfand,
2220
  bufolc beorna,   þæt he gebolgen wæs.
  Nealles mid gewealdum   wyrmhord abræc
  sylfes willum,   se ðe him sare gesceod,
  ac for þreanedlan   þeow nathwylces
  hæleða bearna   heteswengeas fleah,
2225
  ærnes þearfa,   ond ðær inne fealh,
  secg synbysig,   sona onfunde
  þæt þær ðam gyste   gryrebroga stod;
  hwæðre earmsceapen  
  ...sceapen
2230
  þa hyne se fær begeat.
  Sincfæt ......;   þær wæs swylcra fela
  in ðam eorðhuse   ærgestreona,
  swa hy on geardagum   gumena nathwylc,
  eormenlafe   æþelan cynnes,
2235
  þanchycgende   þær gehydde,
  deore maðmas.   Ealle hie deað fornam
  ærran mælum,   ond se an ða gen
  leoda duguðe,   se ðær lengest hwearf,
  weard winegeomor,   wende þæs ylcan,
2240
  þæt he lytel fæc   longgestreona
  brucan moste.   Beorh eallgearo
  wunode on wonge   wæteryðum neah,
  niwe be næsse,   nearocræftum fæst.
  þær on innan bær   eorlgestreona
2245
  hringa hyrde   hordwyrðne dæl,
  fættan goldes,   fea worda cwæð:
  "Heald þu nu, hruse,   nu hæleð ne moston,
  eorla æhte!   Hwæt, hyt ær on ðe
  gode begeaton.   Guðdeað fornam,
2250
  feorhbealo frecne,   fyra gehwylcne
  leoda minra,   þara ðe þis lif ofgeaf,
  gesawon seledream.   Ic nah hwa sweord wege
  oððe feormie   fæted wæge,
  dryncfæt deore;   duguð ellor sceoc.
2255
  Sceal se hearda helm   hyrsted golde
  fætum befeallen;   feormynd swefað,
  þa ðe beadogriman   bywan sceoldon,
  ge swylce seo herepad,   sio æt hilde gebad
  ofer borda gebræc   bite irena,
2260
  brosnað æfter beorne.   Ne mæg byrnan hring
  æfter wigfruman   wide feran,
  hæleðum be healfe.   Næs hearpan wyn,
  gomen gleobeames,   ne god hafoc
  geond sæl swingeð,   ne se swifta mearh
2265
  burhstede beateð.   Bealocwealm hafað
  fela feorhcynna   forð onsended!"
  Swa giomormod   giohðo mænde
  an æfter eallum,   unbliðe hwearf
  dæges ond nihtes,   oððæt deaðes wylm
2270
  hran æt heortan.   Hordwynne fond
  eald uhtsceaða   opene standan,
  se ðe byrnende   biorgas seceð,
  nacod niðdraca,   nihtes fleogeð
  fyre befangen;   hyne foldbuend
2275
  swiðe ondrædað.   He gesecean sceall
  hord on hrusan,   þær he hæðen gold
  warað wintrum frod,   ne byð him wihte ðy sel.
  Swa se ðeodsceaða   þreo hund wintra
  heold on hrusan   hordærna sum,
2280
  eacencræftig,   oððæt hyne an abealch
  mon on mode;   mandryhtne bær
  fæted wæge,   frioðowære bæd
  hlaford sinne.   ða wæs hord rasod,
  onboren beaga hord,   bene getiðad
2285
  feasceaftum men.   Frea sceawode
  fira fyrngeweorc   forman siðe.
  þa se wyrm onwoc,   wroht wæs geniwad;
  stonc ða æfter stane,   stearcheort onfand
  feondes fotlast;   he to forð gestop
2290
  dyrnan cræfte   dracan heafde neah.
  Swa mæg unfæge   eaðe gedigan
  wean ond wræcsið,   se ðe waldendes
  hyldo gehealdeþ!   Hordweard sohte
  georne æfter grunde,   wolde guman findan,
2295
  þone þe him on sweofote   sare geteode,
  hat ond hreohmod   hlæw oft ymbehwearf
  ealne utanweardne,   ne ðær ænig mon
  on þære westenne;   hwæðre wiges gefeh,
  beaduwe weorces,   hwilum on beorh æthwearf,
2300
  sincfæt sohte.   He þæt sona onfand
  ðæt hæfde gumena sum   goldes gefandod,
  heahgestreona.   Hordweard onbad
  earfoðlice   oððæt æfen cwom;
  wæs ða gebolgen   beorges hyrde,
2305
  wolde se laða   lige forgyldan
  drincfæt dyre.   þa wæs dæg sceacen
  wyrme on willan;   no on wealle læg,
  bidan wolde,   ac mid bæle for,
  fyre gefysed.   Wæs se fruma egeslic
2310
  leodum on lande,   swa hyt lungre wearð
  on hyra sincgifan   sare geendod.
  ða se gæst ongan   gledum spiwan,
  beorht hofu bærnan;   bryneleoma stod
  eldum on andan.   No ðær aht cwices
2315
  lað lyftfloga   læfan wolde.
  Wæs þæs wyrmes wig   wide gesyne,
  nearofages nið   nean ond feorran,
  hu se guðsceaða   Geata leode
  hatode ond hynde;   hord eft gesceat,
2320
  dryhtsele dyrnne,   ær dæges hwile.
  Hæfde landwara   lige befangen,
  bæle ond bronde,   beorges getruwode,
  wiges ond wealles;   him seo wen geleah.
  þa wæs Biowulfe   broga gecyðed
2325
  snude to soðe,   þæt his sylfes ham,
  bolda selest,   brynewylmum mealt,
  gifstol Geata.   þæt ðam godan wæs
  hreow on hreðre,   hygesorga mæst;
  wende se wisa   þæt he wealdende
2330
  ofer ealde riht,   ecean dryhtne,
  bitre gebulge.   Breost innan weoll
  þeostrum geþoncum,   swa him geþywe ne wæs.
  Hæfde ligdraca   leoda fæsten,
  ealond utan,   eorðweard ðone
2335
  gledum forgrunden;   him ðæs guðkyning,
  Wedera þioden,   wræce leornode.
  Heht him þa gewyrcean   wigendra hleo
  eallirenne,   eorla dryhten,
  wigbord wrætlic;   wisse he gearwe
2340
  þæt him holtwudu   helpan ne meahte,
  lind wið lige.   Sceolde lændaga
  æþeling ærgod   ende gebidan,
  worulde lifes,   ond se wyrm somod,
  þeah ðe hordwelan   heolde lange.
2345
  Oferhogode ða   hringa fengel
  þæt he þone widflogan   weorode gesohte,
  sidan herge;   no he him þa sæcce ondred,
  ne him þæs wyrmes wig   for wiht dyde,
  eafoð ond ellen,   forðon he ær fela
2350
  nearo neðende   niða gedigde,
  hildehlemma,   syððan he Hroðgares,
  sigoreadig secg,   sele fælsode
  ond æt guðe forgrap   Grendeles mægum
  laðan cynnes.   No þæt læsest wæs
2355
  hondgemota,   þær mon Hygelac sloh,
  syððan Geata cyning   guðe ræsum,
  freawine folca   Freslondum on,
  Hreðles eafora   hiorodryncum swealt,
  bille gebeaten.   þonan Biowulf com
2360
  sylfes cræfte,   sundnytte dreah;
  hæfde him on earme   ana /XXX/
  hildegeatwa,   þa he to holme beag.
  Nealles Hetware   hremge þorfton
  feðewiges,   þe him foran ongean
2365
  linde bæron;   lyt eft becwom
  fram þam hildfrecan   hames niosan.
  Oferswam ða sioleða bigong   sunu Ecgðeowes,
  earm anhaga,   eft to leodum;
  þær him Hygd gebead   hord ond rice,
2370
  beagas ond bregostol,   bearne ne truwode
  þæt he wið ælfylcum   eþelstolas
  healdan cuðe,   ða wæs Hygelac dead.
  No ðy ær feasceafte   findan meahton
  æt ðam æðelinge   ænige ðinga,
2375
  þæt he Heardrede   hlaford wære
  oððe þone cynedom   ciosan wolde;
  hwæðre he him on folce   freondlarum heold,
  estum mid are,   oððæt he yldra wearð,
  Wedergeatum weold.   Hyne wræcmæcgas
2380
  ofer sæ sohtan,   suna Ohteres;
  hæfdon hy forhealden   helm Scylfinga,
  þone selestan   sæcyninga
  þara ðe in Swiorice   sinc brytnade,
  mærne þeoden.   Him þæt to mearce wearð;
2385
  he þær for feorme   feorhwunde hleat
  sweordes swengum,   sunu Hygelaces,
  ond him eft gewat   Ongenðioes bearn
  hames niosan,   syððan Heardred læg,
  let ðone bregostol   Biowulf healdan,
2390
  Geatum wealdan.   þæt wæs god cyning!
  Se ðæs leodhryres   lean gemunde
  uferan dogrum,   Eadgilse wearð
  feasceaftum freond,   folce gestepte
  ofer sæ side   sunu Ohteres,
2395
  wigum ond wæpnum;   he gewræc syððan
  cealdum cearsiðum,   cyning ealdre bineat.
  Swa he niða gehwane   genesen hæfde,
  sliðra geslyhta,   sunu Ecgðiowes,
  ellenweorca,   oð ðone anne dæg
2400
  þe he wið þam wyrme   gewegan sceolde.
  Gewat þa /XII/a sum   torne gebolgen
  dryhten Geata   dracan sceawian.
  Hæfde þa gefrunen   hwanan sio fæhð aras,
  bealonið biorna;   him to bearme cwom
2405
  maðþumfæt mære   þurh ðæs meldan hond.
  Se wæs on ðam ðreate   þreotteoða secg,
  se ðæs orleges   or onstealde,
  hæft hygegiomor,   sceolde hean ðonon
  wong wisian.   He ofer willan giong
2410
  to ðæs ðe he eorðsele   anne wisse,
  hlæw under hrusan   holmwylme neh,
  yðgewinne;   se wæs innan full
  wrætta ond wira.   Weard unhiore,
  gearo guðfreca,   goldmaðmas heold,
2415
  eald under eorðan.   Næs þæt yðe ceap
  to gegangenne   gumena ænigum!
  Gesæt ða on næsse   niðheard cyning,
  þenden hælo abead   heorðgeneatum,
  goldwine Geata.   Him wæs geomor sefa,
2420
  wæfre ond wælfus,   wyrd ungemete neah,
  se ðone gomelan   gretan sceolde,
  secean sawle hord,   sundur gedælan
  lif wið lice,   no þon lange wæs
  feorh æþelinges   flæsce bewunden.
2425
  Biowulf maþelade,   bearn Ecgðeowes:
  "Fela ic on giogoðe   guðræsa genæs,
  orleghwila;   ic þæt eall gemon.
  Ic wæs syfanwintre,   þa mec sinca baldor,
  freawine folca,   æt minum fæder genam;
2430
  heold mec ond hæfde   Hreðel cyning,
  geaf me sinc ond symbel,   sibbe gemunde.
  Næs ic him to life   laðra owihte,
  beorn in burgum,   þonne his bearna hwylc,
  Herebeald ond Hæðcyn   oððe Hygelac min.
2435
  Wæs þam yldestan   ungedefelice
  mæges dædum   morþorbed stred,
  syððan hyne Hæðcyn   of hornbogan,
  his freawine,   flane geswencte,
  miste mercelses   ond his mæg ofscet,
2440
  broðor oðerne   blodigan gare.
  þæt wæs feohleas gefeoht,   fyrenum gesyngad,
  hreðre hygemeðe;   sceolde hwæðre swa þeah
  æðeling unwrecen   ealdres linnan.
  Swa bið geomorlic   gomelum ceorle
2445
  to gebidanne,   þæt his byre ride
  giong on galgan,   þonne he gyd wrece,
  sarigne sang,   þonne his sunu hangað
  hrefne to hroðre,   ond he him helpe ne mæg,
  eald ond infrod,   ænige gefremman.
2450
  Symble bið gemyndgad   morna gehwylce
  eaforan ellorsið;   oðres ne gymeð
  to gebidanne   burgum in innan
  yrfeweardas,   þonne se an hafað
  þurh deaðes nyd   dæda gefondad.
2455
  Gesyhð sorhcearig   on his suna bure
  winsele westne,   windge reste
  reote berofene.   Ridend swefað,
  hæleð in hoðman;   nis þær hearpan sweg,
  gomen in geardum,   swylce ðær iu wæron.
2460
  Gewiteð þonne on sealman,   sorhleoð gæleð
  an æfter anum;   þuhte him eall to rum,
  wongas ond wicstede.   Swa Wedra helm
  æfter Herebealde   heortan sorge
  weallende wæg.   Wihte ne meahte
2465
  on ðam feorhbonan   fæghðe gebetan;
  no ðy ær he þone heaðorinc   hatian ne meahte
  laðum dædum,   þeah him leof ne wæs.
  He ða mid þære sorhge,   þe him swa sar belamp,
  gumdream ofgeaf,   godes leoht geceas,
2470
  eaferum læfde,   swa deð eadig mon,
  lond ond leodbyrig,   þa he of life gewat.
  þa wæs synn ond sacu   Sweona ond Geata
  ofer wid wæter,   wroht gemæne,
  herenið hearda,   syððan Hreðel swealt,
2475
  oððe him Ongenðeowes   eaferan wæran
  frome, fyrdhwate,   freode ne woldon
  ofer heafo healdan,   ac ymb Hreosnabeorh
  eatolne inwitscear   oft gefremedon.
  þæt mægwine   mine gewræcan,
2480
  fæhðe ond fyrene,   swa hyt gefræge wæs,
  þeah ðe oðer his   ealdre gebohte,
  heardan ceape;   Hæðcynne wearð,
  Geata dryhtne,   guð onsæge.
  þa ic on morgne gefrægn   mæg oðerne
2485
  billes ecgum   on bonan stælan,
  þær Ongenþeow   Eofores niosað.
  Guðhelm toglad,   gomela Scylfing
  hreas hildeblac;   hond gemunde
  fæhðo genoge,   feorhsweng ne ofteah.
2490
  Ic him þa maðmas,   þe he me sealde,
  geald æt guðe,   swa me gifeðe wæs,
  leohtan sweorde;   he me lond forgeaf,
  eard, eðelwyn.   Næs him ænig þearf
  þæt he to Gifðum   oððe to Gardenum
2495
  oððe in Swiorice   secean þurfe
  wyrsan wigfrecan,   weorðe gecypan.
  Symle ic him on feðan   beforan wolde,
  ana on orde,   ond swa to aldre sceall
  sæcce fremman,   þenden þis sweord þolað,
2500
  þæt mec ær ond sið   oft gelæste.
  Syððan ic for dugeðum   Dæghrefne wearð
  to handbonan,   Huga cempan;
  nalles he ða frætwe   Frescyninge,
  breostweorðunge,   bringan moste,
2505
  ac in compe gecrong   cumbles hyrde,
  æþeling on elne;   ne wæs ecg bona,
  ac him hildegrap   heortan wylmas,
  banhus gebræc.   Nu sceall billes ecg,
  hond ond heard sweord,   ymb hord wigan."
2510
  Beowulf maðelode,   beotwordum spræc
  niehstan siðe:   "Ic geneðde fela
  guða on geogoðe;   gyt ic wylle,
  frod folces weard,   fæhðe secan,
  mærðu fremman,   gif mec se mansceaða
2515
  of eorðsele   ut geseceð."
  Gegrette ða   gumena gehwylcne,
  hwate helmberend,   hindeman siðe,
  swæse gesiðas:   "Nolde ic sweord beran,
  wæpen to wyrme,   gif ic wiste hu
2520
  wið ðam aglæcean   elles meahte
  gylpe wiðgripan,   swa ic gio wið Grendle dyde.
  Ac ic ðær heaðufyres   hates wene,
  oreðes ond attres;   forðon ic me on hafu
  bord ond byrnan.   Nelle ic beorges weard
2525
  forfleon fotes trem,   ac unc furður sceal
  weorðan æt wealle,   swa unc wyrd geteoð,
  metod manna gehwæs.   Ic eom on mode from
  þæt ic wið þone guðflogan   gylp ofersitte.
  Gebide ge on beorge   byrnum werede,
2530
  secgas on searwum,   hwæðer sel mæge
  æfter wælræse   wunde gedygan
  uncer twega.   Nis þæt eower sið
  ne gemet mannes,   nefne min anes,
  þæt he wið aglæcean   eofoðo dæle,
2535
  eorlscype efne.   Ic mid elne sceall
  gold gegangan,   oððe guð nimeð,
  feorhbealu frecne,   frean eowerne!"
  Aras ða bi ronde   rof oretta,
  heard under helme,   hiorosercean bær
2540
  under stancleofu,   strengo getruwode
  anes mannes.   Ne bið swylc earges sið!
  Geseah ða be wealle   se ðe worna fela,
  gumcystum god,   guða gedigde,
  hildehlemma,   þonne hnitan feðan,
2545
  stondan stanbogan,   stream ut þonan
  brecan of beorge.   Wæs þære burnan wælm
  heaðofyrum hat;   ne meahte horde neah
  unbyrnende   ænige hwile
  deop gedygan   for dracan lege.
2550
  Let ða of breostum,   ða he gebolgen wæs,
  Wedergeata leod   word ut faran,
  stearcheort styrmde;   stefn in becom
  heaðotorht hlynnan   under harne stan.
  Hete wæs onhrered,   hordweard oncniow
2555
  mannes reorde;   næs ðær mara fyrst
  freode to friclan.   From ærest cwom
  oruð aglæcean   ut of stane,
  hat hildeswat.   Hruse dynede.
  Biorn under beorge   bordrand onswaf
2560
  wið ðam gryregieste,   Geata dryhten;
  ða wæs hringbogan   heorte gefysed
  sæcce to seceanne.   Sweord ær gebræd
  god guðcyning,   gomele lafe,
  ecgum unslaw;   æghwæðrum wæs
2565
  bealohycgendra   broga fram oðrum.
  Stiðmod gestod   wið steapne rond
  winia bealdor,   ða se wyrm gebeah
  snude tosomne;   he on searwum bad.
  Gewat ða byrnende   gebogen scriðan,
2570
  to gescipe scyndan.   Scyld wel gebearg
  life ond lice   læssan hwile
  mærum þeodne   þonne his myne sohte,
  ðær he þy fyrste,   forman dogore
  wealdan moste   swa him wyrd ne gescraf
2575
  hreð æt hilde.   Hond up abræd
  Geata dryhten,   gryrefahne sloh
  incgelafe,   þæt sio ecg gewac
  brun on bane,   bat unswiðor
  þonne his ðiodcyning   þearfe hæfde,
2580
  bysigum gebæded.   þa wæs beorges weard
  æfter heaðuswenge   on hreoum mode,
  wearp wælfyre;   wide sprungon
  hildeleoman.   Hreðsigora ne gealp
  goldwine Geata;   guðbill geswac,
2585
  nacod æt niðe,   swa hyt no sceolde,
  iren ærgod.   Ne wæs þæt eðe sið,
  þæt se mæra   maga Ecgðeowes
  grundwong þone   ofgyfan wolde;
  sceolde ofer willan   wic eardian
2590
  elles hwergen,   swa sceal æghwylc mon
  alætan lændagas.   Næs ða long to ðon
  þæt ða aglæcean hy   eft gemetton.
  Hyrte hyne hordweard   (hreðer æðme weoll)
  niwan stefne;   nearo ðrowode,
2595
  fyre befongen,   se ðe ær folce weold.
  Nealles him on heape   handgesteallan,
  æðelinga bearn,   ymbe gestodon
  hildecystum,   ac hy on holt bugon,
  ealdre burgan.   Hiora in anum weoll
2600
  sefa wið sorgum;   sibb æfre ne mæg
  wiht onwendan   þam ðe wel þenceð.
  Wiglaf wæs haten   Weoxstanes sunu,
  leoflic lindwiga,   leod Scylfinga,
  mæg ælfheres;   geseah his mondryhten
2605
  under heregriman   hat þrowian.
  Gemunde ða ða are   þe he him ær forgeaf,
  wicstede weligne   Wægmundinga,
  folcrihta gehwylc,   swa his fæder ahte.
  Ne mihte ða forhabban;   hond rond gefeng,
2610
  geolwe linde,   gomel swyrd geteah,
  þæt wæs mid eldum   Eanmundes laf,
  suna Ohteres.   þam æt sæcce wearð,
  wræccan wineleasum,   Weohstan bana
  meces ecgum,   ond his magum ætbær
2615
  brunfagne helm,   hringde byrnan,
  eald sweord etonisc;   þæt him Onela forgeaf,
  his gædelinges   guðgewædu,
  fyrdsearo fuslic,   no ymbe ða fæhðe spræc,
  þeah ðe he his broðor bearn   abredwade.
2620
  He frætwe geheold   fela missera,
  bill ond byrnan,   oððæt his byre mihte
  eorlscipe efnan   swa his ærfæder;
  geaf him ða mid Geatum   guðgewæda,
  æghwæs unrim,   þa he of ealdre gewat,
2625
  frod on forðweg.   þa wæs forma sið
  geongan cempan,   þæt he guðe ræs
  mid his freodryhtne   fremman sceolde.
  Ne gemealt him se modsefa,   ne his mæges laf
  gewac æt wige;   þæt se wyrm onfand,
2630
  syððan hie togædre   gegan hæfdon.
  Wiglaf maðelode,   wordrihta fela
  sægde gesiðum   (him wæs sefa geomor):
  "Ic ðæt mæl geman,   þær we medu þegun,
  þonne we geheton   ussum hlaforde
2635
  in biorsele,   ðe us ðas beagas geaf,
  þæt we him ða guðgetawa   gyldan woldon
  gif him þyslicu   þearf gelumpe,
  helmas ond heard sweord.   ðe he usic on herge geceas
  to ðyssum siðfate   sylfes willum,
2640
  onmunde usic mærða,   ond me þas maðmas geaf,
  þe he usic garwigend   gode tealde,
  hwate helmberend,   þeah ðe hlaford us
  þis ellenweorc   ana aðohte
  to gefremmanne,   folces hyrde,
2645
  for ðam he manna mæst   mærða gefremede,
  dæda dollicra.   Nu is se dæg cumen
  þæt ure mandryhten   mægenes behofað,
  godra guðrinca;   wutun gongan to,
  helpan hildfruman,   þenden hyt sy,
2650
  gledegesa grim.   God wat on mec
  þæt me is micle leofre   þæt minne lichaman
  mid minne goldgyfan   gled fæðmie.
  Ne þynceð me gerysne   þæt we rondas beren
  eft to earde,   nemne we æror mægen
2655
  fane gefyllan,   feorh ealgian
  Wedra ðeodnes.   Ic wat geare
  þæt næron ealdgewyrht,   þæt he ana scyle
  Geata duguðe   gnorn þrowian,
  gesigan æt sæcce;   urum sceal sweord ond helm,
2660
  byrne ond beaduscrud,   bam gemæne."
  Wod þa þurh þone wælrec,   wigheafolan bær
  frean on fultum,   fea worda cwæð:
  "Leofa Biowulf,   læst eall tela,
  swa ðu on geoguðfeore   geara gecwæde
2665
  þæt ðu ne alæte   be ðe lifigendum
  dom gedreosan.   Scealt nu dædum rof,
  æðeling anhydig,   ealle mægene
  feorh ealgian;   ic ðe fullæstu."
  æfter ðam wordum   wyrm yrre cwom,
2670
  atol inwitgæst,   oðre siðe
  fyrwylmum fah   fionda niosian,
  laðra manna;   ligyðum for.
  Born bord wið rond,   byrne ne meahte
  geongum garwigan   geoce gefremman,
2675
  ac se maga geonga   under his mæges scyld
  elne geeode,   þa his agen wæs
  gledum forgrunden.   þa gen guðcyning
  mærða gemunde,   mægenstrengo sloh
  hildebille,   þæt hyt on heafolan stod
2680
  niþe genyded;   Nægling forbærst,
  geswac æt sæcce   sweord Biowulfes,
  gomol ond grægmæl.   Him þæt gifeðe ne wæs
  þæt him irenna   ecge mihton
  helpan æt hilde;   wæs sio hond to strong,
2685
  se ðe meca gehwane,   mine gefræge,
  swenge ofersohte,   þonne he to sæcce bær
  wæpen wundrum heard;   næs him wihte ðe sel.
  þa wæs þeodsceaða   þriddan siðe,
  frecne fyrdraca,   fæhða gemyndig,
2690
  ræsde on ðone rofan,   þa him rum ageald,
  hat ond heaðogrim,   heals ealne ymbefeng
  biteran banum;   he geblodegod wearð
  sawuldriore,   swat yðum weoll.
  ða ic æt þearfe gefrægn   þeodcyninges
2695
  andlongne eorl   ellen cyðan,
  cræft ond cenðu,   swa him gecynde wæs.
  Ne hedde he þæs heafolan,   ac sio hand gebarn
  modiges mannes,   þær he his mæges healp,
  þæt he þone niðgæst   nioðor hwene sloh,
2700
  secg on searwum,   þæt ðæt sweord gedeaf,
  fah ond fæted,   þæt ðæt fyr ongon
  sweðrian syððan.   þa gen sylf cyning
  geweold his gewitte,   wællseaxe gebræd
  biter ond beaduscearp,   þæt he on byrnan wæg;
2705
  forwrat Wedra helm   wyrm on middan.
  Feond gefyldan   (ferh ellen wræc),
  ond hi hyne þa begen   abroten hæfdon,
  sibæðelingas.   Swylc sceolde secg wesan,
  þegn æt ðearfe!   þæt ðam þeodne wæs
2710
  siðast sigehwila   sylfes dædum,
  worlde geweorces.   ða sio wund ongon,
  þe him se eorðdraca   ær geworhte,
  swelan ond swellan;   he þæt sona onfand,
  þæt him on breostum   bealoniðe weoll
2715
  attor on innan.   ða se æðeling giong
  þæt he bi wealle   wishycgende
  gesæt on sesse;   seah on enta geweorc,
  hu ða stanbogan   stapulum fæste
  ece eorðreced   innan healde.
2720
  Hyne þa mid handa   heorodreorigne,
  þeoden mærne,   þegn ungemete till
  winedryhten his   wætere gelafede,
  hilde sædne,   ond his helm onspeon.
  Biowulf maþelode   (he ofer benne spræc,
2725
  wunde wælbleate;   wisse he gearwe
  þæt he dæghwila   gedrogen hæfde,
  eorðan wynne;   ða wæs eall sceacen
  dogorgerimes,   deað ungemete neah):
  "Nu ic suna minum   syllan wolde
2730
  guðgewædu,   þær me gifeðe swa
  ænig yrfeweard   æfter wurde
  lice gelenge.   Ic ðas leode heold
  fiftig wintra;   næs se folccyning,
  ymbesittendra   ænig ðara,
2735
  þe mec guðwinum   gretan dorste,
  egesan ðeon.   Ic on earde bad
  mælgesceafta,   heold min tela,
  ne sohte searoniðas,   ne me swor fela
  aða on unriht.   Ic ðæs ealles mæg
2740
  feorhbennum seoc   gefean habban;
  for ðam me witan ne ðearf   waldend fira
  morðorbealo maga,   þonne min sceaceð
  lif of lice.   Nu ðu lungre geong
  hord sceawian   under harne stan,
2745
  Wiglaf leofa,   nu se wyrm ligeð,
  swefeð sare wund,   since bereafod.
  Bio nu on ofoste,   þæt ic ærwelan,
  goldæht ongite,   gearo sceawige
  swegle searogimmas,   þæt ic ðy seft mæge
2750
  æfter maððumwelan   min alætan
  lif ond leodscipe,   þone ic longe heold."
  ða ic snude gefrægn   sunu Wihstanes
  æfter wordcwydum   wundum dryhtne
  hyran heaðosiocum,   hringnet beran,
2755
  brogdne beadusercean   under beorges hrof.
  Geseah ða sigehreðig,   þa he bi sesse geong,
  magoþegn modig   maððumsigla fealo,
  gold glitinian   grunde getenge,
  wundur on wealle,   ond þæs wyrmes denn,
2760
  ealdes uhtflogan,   orcas stondan,
  fyrnmanna fatu   feormendlease,
  hyrstum behrorene;   þær wæs helm monig
  eald ond omig,   earmbeaga fela
  searwum gesæled.   Sinc eaðe mæg,
2765
  gold on grunde,   gumcynnes gehwone
  oferhigian,   hyde se ðe wylle.
  Swylce he siomian geseah   segn eallgylden
  heah ofer horde,   hondwundra mæst,
  gelocen leoðocræftum;   of ðam leoma stod,
2770
  þæt he þone grundwong   ongitan meahte,
  wræte giondwlitan.   Næs ðæs wyrmes þær
  onsyn ænig,   ac hyne ecg fornam.
  ða ic on hlæwe gefrægn   hord reafian,
  eald enta geweorc,   anne mannan,
2775
  him on bearm hladon   bunan ond discas
  sylfes dome;   segn eac genom,
  beacna beorhtost.   Bill ær gescod
  (ecg wæs iren)   ealdhlafordes
  þam ðara maðma   mundbora wæs
2780
  longe hwile,   ligegesan wæg
  hatne for horde,   hioroweallende
  middelnihtum,   oðþæt he morðre swealt.
  Ar wæs on ofoste,   eftsiðes georn,
  frætwum gefyrðred;   hyne fyrwet bræc,
2785
  hwæðer collenferð   cwicne gemette
  in ðam wongstede   Wedra þeoden
  ellensiocne,   þær he hine ær forlet.
  He ða mid þam maðmum   mærne þioden,
  dryhten sinne,   driorigne fand
2790
  ealdres æt ende;   he hine eft ongon
  wæteres weorpan,   oðþæt wordes ord
  breosthord þurhbræc.  
  gomel on giohðe   (gold sceawode):
  "Ic ðara frætwa   frean ealles ðanc,
2795
  wuldurcyninge,   wordum secge,
  ecum dryhtne,   þe ic her on starie,
  þæs ðe ic moste   minum leodum
  ær swyltdæge   swylc gestrynan.
  Nu ic on maðma hord   mine bebohte
2800
  frode feorhlege,   fremmað gena
  leoda þearfe;   ne mæg ic her leng wesan.
  Hatað heaðomære   hlæw gewyrcean
  beorhtne æfter bæle   æt brimes nosan;
  se scel to gemyndum   minum leodum
2805
  heah hlifian   on Hronesnæsse,
  þæt hit sæliðend   syððan hatan
  Biowulfes biorh,   ða ðe brentingas
  ofer floda genipu   feorran drifað."
  Dyde him of healse   hring gyldenne
2810
  þioden þristhydig,   þegne gesealde,
  geongum garwigan,   goldfahne helm,
  beah ond byrnan,   het hyne brucan well:
  "þu eart endelaf   usses cynnes,
  Wægmundinga.   Ealle wyrd forsweop
2815
  mine magas   to metodsceafte,
  eorlas on elne;   ic him æfter sceal."
  þæt wæs þam gomelan   gingæste word
  breostgehygdum,   ær he bæl cure,
  hate heaðowylmas;   him of hreðre gewat
2820
  sawol secean   soðfæstra dom.
  ða wæs gegongen   guman unfrodum
  earfoðlice,   þæt he on eorðan geseah
  þone leofestan   lifes æt ende
  bleate gebæran.   Bona swylce læg,
2825
  egeslic eorðdraca   ealdre bereafod,
  bealwe gebæded.   Beahhordum leng
  wyrm wohbogen   wealdan ne moste,
  ac hine irenna   ecga fornamon,
  hearde, heaðoscearde   homera lafe,
2830
  þæt se widfloga   wundum stille
  hreas on hrusan   hordærne neah.
  Nalles æfter lyfte   lacende hwearf
  middelnihtum,   maðmæhta wlonc
  ansyn ywde,   ac he eorðan gefeoll
2835
  for ðæs hildfruman   hondgeweorce.
  Huru þæt on lande   lyt manna ðah,
  mægenagendra,   mine gefræge,
  þeah ðe he dæda gehwæs   dyrstig wære,
  þæt he wið attorsceaðan   oreðe geræsde,
2840
  oððe hringsele   hondum styrede,
  gif he wæccende   weard onfunde
  buon on beorge.   Biowulfe wearð
  dryhtmaðma dæl   deaðe forgolden;
  hæfde æghwæðer   ende gefered
2845
  lænan lifes.   Næs ða lang to ðon
  þæt ða hildlatan   holt ofgefan,
  tydre treowlogan   tyne ætsomne.
  ða ne dorston ær   dareðum lacan
  on hyra mandryhtnes   miclan þearfe,
2850
  ac hy scamiende   scyldas bæran,
  guðgewædu,   þær se gomela læg,
  wlitan on Wilaf.   He gewergad sæt,
  feðecempa,   frean eaxlum neah,
  wehte hyne wætre;   him wiht ne speow.
2855
  Ne meahte he on eorðan,   ðeah he uðe wel,
  on ðam frumgare   feorh gehealdan,
  ne ðæs wealdendes   wiht oncirran;
  wolde dom godes   dædum rædan
  gumena gehwylcum,   swa he nu gen deð.
2860
  þa wæs æt ðam geongan   grim ondswaru
  eðbegete   þam ðe ær his elne forleas.
  Wiglaf maðelode,   Weohstanes sunu,
  sec, sarigferð   (seah on unleofe):
  "þæt, la, mæg secgan   se ðe wyle soð specan
2865
  þæt se mondryhten   se eow ða maðmas geaf,
  eoredgeatwe,   þe ge þær on standað,
  þonne he on ealubence   oft gesealde
  healsittendum   helm ond byrnan,
  þeoden his þegnum,   swylce he þrydlicost
2870
  ower feor oððe neah   findan meahte,
  þæt he genunga   guðgewædu
  wraðe forwurpe,   ða hyne wig beget.
  Nealles folccyning   fyrdgesteallum
  gylpan þorfte;   hwæðre him god uðe,
2875
  sigora waldend,   þæt he hyne sylfne gewræc
  ana mid ecge,   þa him wæs elnes þearf.
  Ic him lifwraðe   lytle meahte
  ætgifan æt guðe,   ond ongan swa þeah
  ofer min gemet   mæges helpan;
2880
  symle wæs þy sæmra,   þonne ic sweorde drep
  ferhðgeniðlan,   fyr unswiðor
  weoll of gewitte.   Wergendra to lyt
  þrong ymbe þeoden,   þa hyne sio þrag becwom.
  Nu sceal sincþego   ond swyrdgifu,
2885
  eall eðelwyn   eowrum cynne,
  lufen alicgean;   londrihtes mot
  þære mægburge   monna æghwylc
  idel hweorfan,   syððan æðelingas
  feorran gefricgean   fleam eowerne,
2890
  domleasan dæd.   Deað bið sella
  eorla gehwylcum   þonne edwitlif!"
  Heht ða þæt heaðoweorc   to hagan biodan
  up ofer ecgclif,   þær þæt eorlweorod
  morgenlongne dæg   modgiomor sæt,
2895
  bordhæbbende,   bega on wenum,
  endedogores   ond eftcymes
  leofes monnes.   Lyt swigode
  niwra spella   se ðe næs gerad,
  ac he soðlice   sægde ofer ealle:
2900
  "Nu is wilgeofa   Wedra leoda,
  dryhten Geata,   deaðbedde fæst,
  wunað wælreste   wyrmes dædum.
  Him on efn ligeð   ealdorgewinna
  sexbennum seoc;   sweorde ne meahte
2905
  on ðam aglæcean   ænige þinga
  wunde gewyrcean.   Wiglaf siteð
  ofer Biowulfe,   byre Wihstanes,
  eorl ofer oðrum   unlifigendum,
  healdeð higemæðum   heafodwearde
2910
  leofes ond laðes.   Nu ys leodum wen
  orleghwile,   syððan underne
  Froncum ond Frysum   fyll cyninges
  wide weorðeð.   Wæs sio wroht scepen
  heard wið Hugas,   syððan Higelac cwom
2915
  faran flotherge   on Fresna land,
  þær hyne Hetware   hilde genægdon,
  elne geeodon   mid ofermægene,
  þæt se byrnwiga   bugan sceolde,
  feoll on feðan,   nalles frætwe geaf
2920
  ealdor dugoðe.   Us wæs a syððan
  Merewioingas   milts ungyfeðe.
  Ne ic to Sweoðeode   sibbe oððe treowe
  wihte ne wene,   ac wæs wide cuð
  þætte Ongenðio   ealdre besnyðede
2925
  Hæðcen Hreþling   wið Hrefnawudu,
  þa for onmedlan   ærest gesohton
  Geata leode   Guðscilfingas.
  Sona him se froda   fæder Ohtheres,
  eald ond egesfull,   ondslyht ageaf,
2930
  abreot brimwisan,   bryd ahredde,
  gomela iomeowlan   golde berofene,
  Onelan modor   ond Ohtheres,
  ond ða folgode   feorhgeniðlan,
  oððæt hi oðeodon   earfoðlice
2935
  in Hrefnesholt   hlafordlease.
  Besæt ða sinherge   sweorda lafe,
  wundum werge,   wean oft gehet
  earmre teohhe   ondlonge niht,
  cwæð, he on mergenne   meces ecgum
2940
  getan wolde,   sum on galgtreowum
  fuglum to gamene.   Frofor eft gelamp
  sarigmodum   somod ærdæge,
  syððan hie Hygelaces   horn ond byman,
  gealdor ongeaton,   þa se goda com
2945
  leoda dugoðe   on last faran.
  Wæs sio swatswaðu   Sweona ond Geata,
  wælræs weora   wide gesyne,
  hu ða folc mid him   fæhðe towehton.
  Gewat him ða se goda   mid his gædelingum,
2950
  frod, felageomor,   fæsten secean,
  eorl Ongenþio,   ufor oncirde;
  hæfde Higelaces   hilde gefrunen,
  wlonces wigcræft,   wiðres ne truwode,
  þæt he sæmannum   onsacan mihte,
2955
  heaðoliðendum   hord forstandan,
  bearn ond bryde;   beah eft þonan
  eald under eorðweall.   þa wæs æht boden
  Sweona leodum,   segn Higelaces
  freoðowong þone   forð ofereodon,
2960
  syððan Hreðlingas   to hagan þrungon.
  þær wearð Ongenðiow   ecgum sweorda,
  blondenfexa,   on bid wrecen,
  þæt se þeodcyning   ðafian sceolde
  Eafores anne dom.   Hyne yrringa
2965
  Wulf Wonreding   wæpne geræhte,
  þæt him for swenge   swat ædrum sprong
  forð under fexe.   Næs he forht swa ðeh,
  gomela Scilfing,   ac forgeald hraðe
  wyrsan wrixle   wælhlem þone,
2970
  syððan ðeodcyning   þyder oncirde.
  Ne meahte se snella   sunu Wonredes
  ealdum ceorle   ondslyht giofan,
  ac he him on heafde   helm ær gescer,
  þæt he blode fah   bugan sceolde,
2975
  feoll on foldan;   næs he fæge þa git,
  ac he hyne gewyrpte,   þeah ðe him wund hrine.
  Let se hearda   Higelaces þegn
  bradne mece,   þa his broðor læg,
  eald sweord eotonisc,   entiscne helm
2980
  brecan ofer bordweal;   ða gebeah cyning,
  folces hyrde,   wæs in feorh dropen.
  ða wæron monige   þe his mæg wriðon,
  ricone arærdon,   ða him gerymed wearð
  þæt hie wælstowe   wealdan moston.
2985
  þenden reafode   rinc oðerne,
  nam on Ongenðio   irenbyrnan,
  heard swyrd hilted   ond his helm somod,
  hares hyrste   Higelace bær.
  He ðam frætwum feng   ond him fægre gehet
2990
  leana mid leodum,   ond gelæste swa;
  geald þone guðræs   Geata dryhten,
  Hreðles eafora,   þa he to ham becom,
  Iofore ond Wulfe   mid ofermaðmum,
  sealde hiora gehwæðrum   hund þusenda
2995
  landes ond locenra beaga   (ne ðorfte him ða lean oðwitan
  mon on middangearde),   syððan hie ða mærða geslogon,
  ond ða Iofore forgeaf   angan dohtor,
  hamweorðunge,   hyldo to wedde.
  þæt ys sio fæhðo   ond se feondscipe,
3000
  wælnið wera,   ðæs ðe ic wen hafo,
  þe us seceað to   Sweona leoda,
  syððan hie gefricgeað   frean userne
  ealdorleasne,   þone ðe ær geheold
  wið hettendum   hord ond rice
3005
  æfter hæleða hryre,   hwate Scildingas,
  folcred fremede   oððe furður gen
  eorlscipe efnde.   Nu is ofost betost
  þæt we þeodcyning   þær sceawian
  ond þone gebringan,   þe us beagas geaf,
3010
  on adfære.   Ne scel anes hwæt
  meltan mid þam modigan,   ac þær is maðma hord,
  gold unrime   grimme geceapod,
  ond nu æt siðestan   sylfes feore
  beagas gebohte.   þa sceall brond fretan,
3015
  æled þeccean,   nalles eorl wegan
  maððum to gemyndum,   ne mægð scyne
  habban on healse   hringweorðunge,
  ac sceal geomormod,   golde bereafod,
  oft nalles æne   elland tredan,
3020
  nu se herewisa   hleahtor alegde,
  gamen ond gleodream.   Forðon sceall gar wesan
  monig, morgenceald,   mundum bewunden,
  hæfen on handa,   nalles hearpan sweg
  wigend weccean,   ac se wonna hrefn
3025
  fus ofer fægum   fela reordian,
  earne secgan   hu him æt æte speow,
  þenden he wið wulf   wæl reafode."
  Swa se secg hwata   secggende wæs
  laðra spella;   he ne leag fela
3030
  wyrda ne worda.   Weorod eall aras;
  eodon unbliðe   under Earnanæs,
  wollenteare   wundur sceawian.
  Fundon ða on sande   sawulleasne
  hlimbed healdan   þone þe him hringas geaf
3035
  ærran mælum;   þa wæs endedæg
  godum gegongen,   þæt se guðcyning,
  Wedra þeoden,   wundordeaðe swealt.
  ær hi þær gesegan   syllicran wiht,
  wyrm on wonge   wiðerræhtes þær
3040
  laðne licgean;   wæs se legdraca
  grimlic, gryrefah,   gledum beswæled.
  Se wæs fiftiges   fotgemearces
  lang on legere,   lyftwynne heold
  nihtes hwilum,   nyðer eft gewat
3045
  dennes niosian;   wæs ða deaðe fæst,
  hæfde eorðscrafa   ende genyttod.
  Him big stodan   bunan ond orcas,
  discas lagon   ond dyre swyrd,
  omige, þurhetone,   swa hie wið eorðan fæðm
3050
  þusend wintra   þær eardodon.
  þonne wæs þæt yrfe,   eacencræftig,
  iumonna gold   galdre bewunden,
  þæt ðam hringsele   hrinan ne moste
  gumena ænig,   nefne god sylfa,
3055
  sigora soðcyning,   sealde þam ðe he wolde
  (he is manna gehyld)   hord openian,
  efne swa hwylcum manna   swa him gemet ðuhte.
  þa wæs gesyne   þæt se sið ne ðah
  þam ðe unrihte   inne gehydde
3060
  wræte under wealle.   Weard ær ofsloh
  feara sumne;   þa sio fæhð gewearð
  gewrecen wraðlice.   Wundur hwar þonne
  eorl ellenrof   ende gefere
  lifgesceafta,   þonne leng ne mæg
3065
  mon mid his magum   meduseld buan.
  Swa wæs Biowulfe,   þa he biorges weard
  sohte, searoniðas;   seolfa ne cuðe
  þurh hwæt his worulde gedal   weorðan sceolde.
  Swa hit oð domes dæg   diope benemdon
3070
  þeodnas mære,   þa ðæt þær dydon,
  þæt se secg wære   synnum scildig,
  hergum geheaðerod,   hellbendum fæst,
  wommum gewitnad,   se ðone wong strude,
  næs he goldhwæte   gearwor hæfde
3075
  agendes est   ær gesceawod.
  Wiglaf maðelode,   Wihstanes sunu:
  "Oft sceall eorl monig   anes willan
  wræc adreogan,   swa us geworden is.
  Ne meahton we gelæran   leofne þeoden,
3080
  rices hyrde,   ræd ænigne,
  þæt he ne grette   goldweard þone,
  lete hyne licgean   þær he longe wæs,
  wicum wunian   oð woruldende;
  heold on heahgesceap.   Hord ys gesceawod,
3085
  grimme gegongen;   wæs þæt gifeðe to swið
  þe ðone þeodcyning   þyder ontyhte.
  Ic wæs þær inne   ond þæt eall geondseh,
  recedes geatwa,   þa me gerymed wæs,
  nealles swæslice   sið alyfed
3090
  inn under eorðweall.   Ic on ofoste gefeng
  micle mid mundum   mægenbyrðenne
  hordgestreona,   hider ut ætbær
  cyninge minum.   Cwico wæs þa gena,
  wis ond gewittig;   worn eall gespræc
3095
  gomol on gehðo   ond eowic gretan het,
  bæd þæt ge geworhton   æfter wines dædum
  in bælstede   beorh þone hean,
  micelne ond mærne,   swa he manna wæs
  wigend weorðfullost   wide geond eorðan,
3100
  þenden he burhwelan   brucan moste.
  Uton nu efstan   oðre siðe,
  seon ond secean   searogimma geþræc,
  wundur under wealle;   ic eow wisige,
  þæt ge genoge   neon sceawiað
3105
  beagas ond brad gold.   Sie sio bær gearo,
  ædre geæfned,   þonne we ut cymen,
  ond þonne geferian   frean userne,
  leofne mannan,   þær he longe sceal
  on ðæs waldendes   wære geþolian."
3110
  Het ða gebeodan   byre Wihstanes,
  hæle hildedior,   hæleða monegum,
  boldagendra,   þæt hie bælwudu
  feorran feredon,   folcagende,
  godum togenes:   "Nu sceal gled fretan,
3115
  weaxan wonna leg   wigena strengel,
  þone ðe oft gebad   isernscure,
  þonne stræla storm   strengum gebæded
  scoc ofer scildweall,   sceft nytte heold,
  feðergearwum fus   flane fulleode."
3120
  Huru se snotra   sunu Wihstanes
  acigde of corðre   cyninges þegnas
  syfone tosomne,   þa selestan,
  eode eahta sum   under inwithrof
  hilderinca;   sum on handa bær
3125
  æledleoman,   se ðe on orde geong.
  Næs ða on hlytme   hwa þæt hord strude,
  syððan orwearde   ænigne dæl
  secgas gesegon   on sele wunian,
  læne licgan;   lyt ænig mearn
3130
  þæt hi ofostlice   ut geferedon
  dyre maðmas.   Dracan ec scufun,
  wyrm ofer weallclif,   leton weg niman,
  flod fæðmian   frætwa hyrde.
  þa wæs wunden gold   on wæn hladen,
3135
  æghwæs unrim,   æþeling boren,
  har hilderinc   to Hronesnæsse.
  Him ða gegiredan   Geata leode
  ad on eorðan   unwaclicne,
  helmum behongen,   hildebordum,
3140
  beorhtum byrnum,   swa he bena wæs;
  alegdon ða tomiddes   mærne þeoden
  hæleð hiofende,   hlaford leofne.
  Ongunnon þa on beorge   bælfyra mæst
  wigend weccan;   wudurec astah,
3145
  sweart ofer swioðole,   swogende leg
  wope bewunden   (windblond gelæg),
  oðþæt he ða banhus   gebrocen hæfde,
  hat on hreðre.   Higum unrote
  modceare mændon,   mondryhtnes cwealm;
3150
  swylce giomorgyd   Geatisc meowle
  bundenheorde
  song sorgcearig   swiðe geneahhe
  þæt hio hyre heofungdagas   hearde ondrede,
  wælfylla worn,   werudes egesan,
3155
  hynðo ond hæftnyd.   Heofon rece swealg.
  Geworhton ða   Wedra leode
  hleo on hoe,   se wæs heah ond brad,
  wægliðendum   wide gesyne,
  ond betimbredon   on tyn dagum
3160
  beadurofes becn,   bronda lafe
  wealle beworhton,   swa hyt weorðlicost
  foresnotre men   findan mihton.
  Hi on beorg dydon   beg ond siglu,
  eall swylce hyrsta,   swylce on horde ær
3165
  niðhedige men   genumen hæfdon,
  forleton eorla gestreon   eorðan healdan,
  gold on greote,   þær hit nu gen lifað
  eldum swa unnyt   swa hit æror wæs.
  þa ymbe hlæw riodan   hildediore,
3170
  æþelinga bearn,   ealra twelfe,
  woldon ceare cwiðan   ond kyning mænan,
  wordgyd wrecan   ond ymb wer sprecan;
  eahtodan eorlscipe   ond his ellenweorc
  duguðum demdon,   swa hit gedefe bið
3175
  þæt mon his winedryhten   wordum herge,
  ferhðum freoge,   þonne he forð scile
  of lichaman   læded weorðan.
  Swa begnornodon   Geata leode
  hlafordes hryre,   heorðgeneatas,
3180
  cwædon þæt he wære   wyruldcyninga
  manna mildust   ond monðwærust,
  leodum liðost   ond lofgeornost.

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