Beowulf in Anglo-Saxon

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 wæs,
gesægd soðlice     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;     XVna 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 XXXtiges

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 %%OE%%,
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,
%%OE%% 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,