TH E SO NG O F RO LAND

D one into English in the Original Measure by CHARLE S SCOTT MONCRIEFF

it a tro uct on HESTERTON and a Note on W h n n . I d i by G . K C n ue EORGE A NTSBURY Tech iq by G S I .

econ m ress on (S d I p i ) .

RI I CAL P SOME C T O INIONS .

Mr re er c arr son in The Fortni htl Review ta e a . F d i H i , g y I k lively interest in the new translation of the gran d medimval Epic - Chanson de Roland It is a o and success u enture . b ld f l v . I advise all wh o care for mediaeval history and for primitive epics to study the original side by side wit h Captain Scott Mon ’ fi s tra s at o crie n l i n . Mr mun oss e C B in The Sunda Times T ere . Ed d G , . y h have in the past been made eff orts to ren der the S ong of Roland nt o n s but t e a e not it erto een er success u i E gli h , h y h v h h b v y f l . Captain Scott Moncriefl h as approached this rough epic in exactly the r t S r t a n rea his ers on care u and a n igh pi i ; h vi g d v i f lly, h vi g accustome m ear to his t reatment of the assonance ee t at d y , I f l h his success is er cons era e n ee v y id bl i d d . ’ Mr est ert on At the n of the or s End in . G . K . Ch Sig ld W / The New Witness : Th e orn of o an unl e the horns of h R l d , ik elfland rea oes ro rom sou to sou and row for e er an d , lly d ll f l l , g v for e er Th e ent us as m of a r s n and r cr t ca cr t c e v . h i i i g ve y i i l i i lik ' Mr cott Mon criefi is of it r i somet n . a t e s ren ewa T e e s S yp l . h hi g of immortal m oment about that image of the king and his court r n ome in tr um an d ear n rom the ar as s e n idi g h i ph , h i g f d k p b hi d t em the rea u n ote of oom n ee it is er e our resent h d df l d . I d d , v y lik p position when our rul ers are su ppose d to have triumphed an d ma e eace and t rou the c orus of ra se come w un d p , h gh h p i ild accounta e o ces rom P o an and ta an d the nto era e bl v i f l d I ly , i l bl ron of re an owe er it be e a ne or a e t ere re i y I l d . H v xpl i d ppli d , h ” ma ns arreste f or e er the a eant of t at a te marc i d v p g h h l d h . Mr ames D ou las in The tar an in The Nott n ham . S d i J g , g ournal Th e war h as re man oets and now it has estowe j b d y p , b d u o n us a noble trans at on of a no e oem a t rans at on w c p l i bl p , l i hi h is tse a res race an d or of our n s ton ue now i lf f h g gl y E gli h g . K “ in not n of the on as rea t s trans at on e t e eats g hi g S g , I d hi l i I f l lik K A o mer It was e a oor o enin an d as he read Chapman 8 H . lik d p g us c Not e n a reat s c o ar e Pro letting out great m i . b i g g h l lik can esto w on t s trans at on on the raise fessor Saints bury, I b hi l i ly p — a mast erpiece of Englis h a t hi ng com ’ ’ ” ar o r r u art s a e a s It s Om U q h R b l i , n its marvellous resurrection of a lost time a t a oet r be a m eans of es ca e rom and a forgotten f i h . If p y p f ’ s env ronment sure t s t in is a era the pett y dus t of one i , ly hi h g lib ent Our da w ass an d men w see the tion and enlargem . y ill p , ill are n can ma ine a sc o ar heroic element in it to which we bli d . I i g h l a hun dred years hence citing this translation as a proof that our ” r ca soldiers were he oi l . Pro essor o e rt c o s in The bserver So a e uate is f R b Ni h l , O d q ’ Captain Scott Moncriefi s t ran slation that it can but take its place ’ s in t s sort—w t Florio s onta ne tz with th e clas ics hi i h M ig , Fi ' ” ’ " - - era s mar atts cum Puse s St . u us t ne Ur u g ld O , W y A g i , q ' ’ art s a e a s and Burton s ra an ts . The wor h R b l i , A bi Nigh k has that considerable accuracy with the maximum of the original ic amounts to a recreat on and w c a one a es a flavour wh h i , hi h l m k of the te t trans ate uc a recreat on is in translation w orthy x l d . S h i co on eat in t s cas e it amounts to a tr um all cas es an un mm f hi i ph . BS in The Manchester Guardian There are other t rans ” lations of the anson de o an of cou rse but we ou t Ch R l d , , d b if ’ a e een w e rea Th e rtue of a ta n M on criefi s they h v b id ly d . vi C p i version is that it popularis es for us one of thos e great w orks terature w c conta n and summar s e an e oc No one who li hi h i i p h . on ce fairly begins to read his Song of Roland will want to ut the oo ow n t he has nis e it T s is er a s the mos p b k d ill fi h d . hi p h p t " remar a e as ect of a er remar a e ac e ement k bl p v y k bl hi v . H0 in The Athenaeum O ur author revels in the battle eces th e our of w c has sure ne r sur asse pi , vig hi h ly ve been p d he can be tender at the right moment n or does ~ he ever miss the spirit of pure religious faith and the fervent n ote of patriotism t at n orm the w o e h i f h l . The Tablet We a feel th t the translation will prove most useful to those who may be teaching Englis h literat ure or history in our at o c sc ools The at o c atmos ere of the C h li h . C h li ph oem its at o c sett n an d its re ous ee n can be ras e p , C h li i g , ligi f li g g p d " on o ne who st ro esses the same a t ly by ill p f f i h . ’ The Christian Science Monitor : The on of o an . is S g , R l d ’ one of the reatest a an e cs n ot the reates t in the w or s g p g pi , if g , ld terature It is u of li . f ll every splendid nobleness to w hich humanity is e r e ce t t at art cu ar h i , x p h p i l nobleness which was taught and practised by th e Founder of Christianity T er h e can be littl e but praise f or t he way in which Captain ' Scott Moncriefi has carried out the superlatively difficult task of ren erin the reat e c nto n s he co m nat o of ru e d g g pi i E gli h . T bi i n gg d dignity and breathless spee d which is charact eristic of the original has een re ro uce w t as ton s b p d d i h i hing success . The S aturday Westminster Gazette We cannot commend e er ent The oo is the most tera trans at o the xp im ” . . b k li l l i n ’

t we know It rs not oetr . tha . p y a ette The e er ment we t in is a rea P all M ll Gaz . The xp i , h k , l success It is o n a t rue cra tsman who can an e suc a t n . ly f h dl h hi g e t t o a e mm e its r tnes s and bej u dg d no h v di d b igh . ’ The Liverpool P ost The reviewer s first feeling was one of f — t t e t o m " vai n regret How useful his migh hav been e once . o n st ee s t at the wor wi ro e ma n u e u And e ill f l . h k ll p v i ly s f l for e ucat ona ur os es or one re ers to ut it so as an d i l p p , , if p f p , ’ ” er ra uate s cr Und g d ib . The Times Literary Supplemm t : The Chanson de Roland ‘ a t a ar aro s i s effect a o em is to be e t in is . brup nd b b u if t as p f l n s the t rans at on w e ee n a t u to the mean n E gli h l i , hil k pi g f i hf lly i g, must repro duce the abruptness and barbarity o f th e French ’ a e at i at Mr Moncriefi un e th e l iss s . T s w h h . , lik of t s oem ha one hi p , s d . The ent us asm the flas of one oet catc a most in h i , h p h l tu t e th e emot on of anot er on ea the thfifiof rea n i iv ly i h l g d d, di g — an intelligent transcript of a great poem these are the valuable t in s in t s oo h g hi b k . The Morning P ost We took up this volume with a certain ’ sense of sa o ntment It seeme to us that a ta n cott di pp i . d C p i S Mon crieff might have given us a m ore modern epic not of Ro an but of Tomm t ns But our n rat tu e was s ort d y A ki . i g i d h [ veld T s on not on s n s of tr um but 1s in ts e a w on er hi S g ly i g i ph , i lf d f ul tr um for our mot er ton ue i ph h g . The Glas ow Herald The es s n of Mr ai ts ur g bl i g . S n b y s ou suffice the mest s c o ar For ourse es w e can ma ne h ld h l ly . lv , i gi no n er t for the r t n of bo er no e e ement of fi gif igh ki d y. Ev y bl l r oman ce leaps into life in the tal e of the fight an d the horn - blow in and n o ra er t ac n w be oun i morta stor t a in g , b v e hi g ill f d n y h n ” l the ast m eet n of o an and er l i g R l d liv . ” O Peter Be in Land and Water To a e trans ate t s ll , h v l d hi work rs t o have performed a service to English readers ; an d to have trans lat ed it in the original m easure with so much success ” as ere is to a e ac e e a nota e eat of e ter t h h v hi v d bl f d x i y . ' Country Lif e Captain Scott Moncriefi writes from the very heart and cent re of his A vers ion done divin ely ’ wel we ma sure ca t is in the or s t at Tenn son a e l y ly ll h , w d h y ppli d ’ ‘ to tz era s mar Fi g ld . O ' The Nation z Captain Moncriefi met the Chanson de Ro an acc ent but it was rea a re- eterm ne co l d by id , lly p d i d n ’ ’ unct o n of a n t es a t rans ator s o an for the or na s j i ffi i i , l R l d igi l er so w on er u do t ese tw n terar s r ts matc eac Oliv , d f lly h i li y pi i h h ’ ‘ ot er T at e a ns th tr at r f r e h . h xpl i e ansl o 3 word or wo d h had no ot er a ternat e but we can ma ne w at a as of it an h l iv , i gi h h h — equally gifted man of letters who was not Captain M oncrieff ' - a of it As it is we have the s n u ar and n ee wou d have m de . , i g l i d d l ' unique pleasure of reading this gran d old epic not so very difier ear it sun to t em the on leurs ently as its contemporaries h d g h by j g . oo wor rou as an uncut amon but u It is indee d g d k , gh di d , f ll ” f a ce ower o p thos and fier p . of any University ee in reat Br ta n arr ors a e as a ru e e resse W kly G i i ) W i h v , l , xp d such a horror of war poems ’ ’ i r t n J ohn O London s Weekly Fame s a quee hi g . The London Mercury (in a review of four pages) Epics need so many particular an d favourable circumstances for their pro u o t at t e are scarce and n ua and ever d cti n h h y highly i divid l , y tera re t to a e a su c ent ren er n of eac of t em li tu ough h v ffi i d i g h h . Mr cott Moncriefi has ro uce a fine or na n s . S p d d igi l E gli h oem and one can sa e ass ert t at he has a so re ro uce the p , f ly h l p d d ’ S r t of the or na ecause the oem s c aract er st cs w ch he pi i igi l , b p h i i hi er es rom the or n a the soc a s stem m e the s c d iv f igi l , i l y i pli d , p y h ology and general treatment harmonise excellently wit h th e c aract er st cs w c are due t o mse name the s r t and h i i hi h hi lf, ly , pi i ress of the erse w c he has em o e d v hi h pl y d . ’ ’ Mr Moncriefl ro oses us n Léon aut er s na . p p , by i g M . G i fi l ’ e t on of th e on of o an to ncrease the oem some di i S g R l d , i p by our un re nes We re ret t s t ou we a m re his coura e f h d d li . g hi , h gh d i g and his o a t t o his ori inal l y l y g . Th e oun t Rollan z has never o e cowar s C l v d d , Nor arro ant nor men of e eart g , vil h , Nor C e a er t at was n ot oo ass a h v li h g d v l . ' ure he wou o e Mr Mon criefi S ly ld l v . . ’ The Outlook In his trans at on of The on of o an l i S g R l d , Captain Scott M on crieff has given us many goo d ts above and e on the su er ua t of the trans at on itse One of t ese b y d p b q li y l i h , and we con ess to n n it s n u ar t ouc n is the u et f fi di g i g l ly hi g , q i es cr t on of how the wo r came to be one not er d ip i k d . A h i ’ oo t s . . estert on s ntro uct on w c w a wa s g d gif G K Ch i d i , hi h ill l y rema n one of the sma e r ect es sa s in the an ua e T en i ll p f y l g g . h ’ we a e eor e a nts ur s ote on Techn ue h v G g S i b y N iq . Captain Scott M oncrieff can write on an individual note if ever a writer could but we owe an et ernal debt of grati tude t o him that he has bee n entirely con cerned with the Son g of o an and not at all w t the son of a ta n cott M on criefi R l d i h g C p i S . ’ Mr . Be oc ectu r n on The on of o an in as ow ll , l i g S g R l d , Gl g , paid a high compliment to the recent trans lation by Captain Scott ’ Moncriefi who he sa o owe the t erar on , , id , f ll d li y meaning and dicti , ” t e of assonance and met re of the or na The las ow H erald yp igi l . ( G g , arc 1 M h , ” Mr M . as efield ectur n on The on of o an in Lo n on , l i g S g R l d d i a i h did not t hink it was poss ible to translate The So n g of Rolan cl

The Scotsrrmn Decem er 8 1 1 : T ere is no more t o sa , b , 9 9 h y.

W idsith BEOW ULF

Fin nsburgh W aldere D eor

D o n e i n t o co m m o n E ngli sh

aft er t h e o ld m an ner

b . ” h y in V‘ R , CHA R LE S SCOTT- MONCRIE FF

W it h an In t ro du ct i o n by VISCO UNT NO RTHCLI FFE

LO NDO N

H A 6: H A . C P M A N LL , LTD M CMXXI

Co nt ents

’ Translato r s Preface Dedication Arguments of the Poems Widsith Beowulf Finnsburgh Waldere Deo r No tes

In tro ductio n

T is characteristic o f the mo desty of the English eo e t at o ur o e st e c o r ra er the on e Ip pl h ld pi , , th , n s e c t a h as s r e s o Old E gli h pi h t u viv d , h uld con a n not a w or a o n an n ee th e t i d b ut E gl d . I d d , greater part of its sto ry takes place in the co un try ’ of th e anes w ho had een n an s mos crue D , b E gl d t l an d destructive enemies fo r some tw o cen turies befo re the existin g manuscript of B eowulf w as r tten So too in a ater a e en o ur rama w i . , , l g , wh d came to be r tten r e of ace w as en to w i , p id l giv , an d has s n ce een e the Tra e of am et i b h ld by , g dy H l , r n ce of enmar But the reser at on o f Beo P i D k . p v i Wulf as an En glish epic is just1fied by th e embo di ment in its hero o f m any traits of character which we are still proud to recognise amon g o ur fe llow co tr m e er cr t c sm m a re ce ren e un y n . High i i i y du G d l an d his mother to the symbo li cal dim en sions of e em cs due to an o er- o ate sett eme n pid i , v p pul d l t on the marshy and misty shore of a tideless sea ; but the courage o f th e yo un g captain an d his sma com an ac n un no n e r s in a o re n ll p y , f i g k w p il f ig co ntr an d the rene e coura e of th e e eran u y , w d g v t , after more than a gen eration of peaceful govern men t arm n m se to t an d die a on e in th e , i g hi lf figh l e en ce of lus eo le are ac s t c ha d f p , f t wi h whi h , p are st am ar pil w e il f ili . How m any tho usan d Beowulfs have we no t sent out in the last seven years from these is lan ds to ace su e es of o rro r as n cre e as ren e f btl ti h i dibl G d l , ’ fire as sca n as the o rm s sea- mons ers thi g W , t against whi ch no arm amen t was proof ! Some a e come ac in tr m o t ers e on h v b k iu ph ; h , lik H d sc o an d Aeschere a e a en man e an d i , h v f ll , gl d m r ere ose ame is reser e on in u d d , wh f p v d ly me or fo r so o a e r frrends s rv e t em m y l ng s th i u iv h . vii Some e eo in his o had , lik B wulf y uth , sa of em ere acco nte of tt e id th , w u d li l the ca ta ns o f w arr o rs who s rew p i i , h dly ” a a Yet to t em as t t s c t e w ere . o eo f h t l k h y h , B wul , ” ato emen a e fo r a t e r ro es n t c m ll h i t ubl . Perhaps it w o uld be better to sin g the and trium hs of e en one of t ese o ur v h , o raries a to re e a momentar in p , n viv y an o ld and harshly wo rded poem fro m a fo rgotten a ec But w e com e is ers on of B eowul di l t . I l th v i f because I find in its hero what I lament in count ess men w ho a e a en in th e e sim e cour l h v f ll fi ld , pl a e nt r n en rance stain ess o no r. g , u i i g du , l h u

Nom éu m .

viii ’ Tran slat o r s Preface

T is as difficult to find an excuse fo r addin g a M r at in his a m ra e An lo to . wh t Wy t , d i bl g I S axon describes as a w ho le library ” of oo s ea n w B eowul as it is ras fo r a b k d li g ith f, h yo un g adventurer to challenge so pow erful a co e r to n ame no o ers as am o rr s mp tito ( th ) Willi M i . But this translation fo llow s lo gi cally after that Ro nd of t e Chanson de la , w c a e a rea h hi h I h v l dy . s e an d w as n s re th e s es on publi h d , i pi d by ugg ti that I sho uld attempt to do fo r the English epic a a one fo r the ren c ‘ wh t I h d d F h .1 So man slighting references have been made to B eowul and its a m re rs ate in th e ress of d i l ly , p s co n tr at am o e to con c u e at a thi u y , th I blig d l d th cons era e n erest o ne w a and th e o t er is id bl i t , y h , e t in the o em e en b some of the man cr cs f l p , v y y iti ‘ e er rea it As sa in m r who have n v d . I id y forme “ o me t s is n ot a o r o f sc o arsh no r v lu , hi w k h l ip , ° yet of im a nation but I h0pe that it m ay prove nsefu to a few of the hun dreds of students who have to acqui re some know le dge of the o rigin al in order to graduate in Engli sh Literature in our . ar o s n ers es an d t a at the same me v i u U iv iti , h t , ti , it may inte rest others who are co m elled an d content to remain in igno ran ce of t e austere , a of the En hsh an a e be uties Old g l gu g . The histo ry of the poem is fai rly w ell known it seems to a e een com ose l n the n an h v b p d , A gli a ec a o th e ear 00 near a cent r be di l t , b ut y 7 , ly u y ’ ore in Beo rhtric s da as the ron c e te s f , Ch i l ll us came the rs t ree s s and the ree e ,1 fi t hip , v

am r e n ers t Press 1 1 C b idg U iv i y , 9 9 . ‘ For as is w e - nown 1 , ll k , Ne sont ue tro s m atieres anu! ome att en ant q i h d , De rance et de Bretai ne et de ome la rant F g R g . n o - a on ron c e ear 8 I A gl S x Ch i l , y 7 7 .

1X ’ ro e ereto and o r e t em to a n s d th , w uld d iv h th t Ki g t own eca se h e new n ot at t e w ere and b u k wh h y , o ne s e hi o se w ere the rs t s hi s o f a l w m . Th fi D nish ' m en at so u ht th e an of th e n e n o t th l d A gl . Ab u th e end of e ten cen r w en the anis th tu y , h D h men ere a a n arr n n an two n a e ess w g i h yi g E gl d , m l s cr es Co e fo r us i n the a ec of ess e ib pi d , di l t W x , the o ne m anuscript o f B eowulf which h as sur vived rom t at t me it m s a e rem a ne i . F h i u t h v i d n its m on ast c rar un rea and n creas n i lib y , d i i gly un n e e nt a ter th e sso t on i t lligibl , u il , f Di lu i , it p ass ed into the collecti on of Sir Ro bert Bi'ii ce o on n ow a so r e i n the rar of the r t s C tt , b b d lib y B i i h Mus euin ere it w as sco ere in 1 00 . H di v d 7 by um re an e who es cr es in lus cata H f y W l y , d ib it lo gue as Tractatus n obiliss imus poetice s crip ” t us in c t ere seem e to be fo r he co , whi h h d , uld “ n ot a e trans ate it descri ta be a ae h v l d , p ll qu B eowulfus u a anus ex re o Sc ldin orum , q id mD gi y g s t r e o rtus es si t contra Sueciae e u os In i p , g R g l . 1 731 a great part o f the Co ttoni an library was d es tro yed by a fire at As hbum ham Ho use in es min ster in ic t e o ernm ent h ad W t , wh h h G v recen ace it fo r s a et The o me te s tlypl d f y. v lu , Vi lliu 1 in ic B eowul i s o un es ca e A 5 , wh h f b d , p d with s er o s n ur In 1 86 Tho rkelin of o enh a en i u i j y . 7 C p g transcr e the m anuscr fo r the s econ m e ib d ipt , d ti , r a s s nce his an s ancestors came to h p , i D i h Eii glan d e xactly a tho us an d years earlier ; by a belated act of yretaliati on the m ateri als fo r his e on w ere estro ed an n s eet in the diti d b E gli h fl , om ar men o f en a en and B eo u did b b d t p g , wlf 88 not a ear in r nt un 1 81 . n a i n 1 2 pp p i til 5S Fi lly , , an auto e facs imile w as pre ared fo r the Early En s ext o c et with a iiteral tran scr t o n li h S i y , ip i , b ro fessor ! u t a w e a more acces s e te y pi z , hil ibl xt

is a e te ess rs att an d . . th t di d by M . A . J . Wy R W C am ers an u s e the am r e h b , dy p bli h d by C b idg ers t re i 1 1 U niv i y P ss n 9 4 . In the man uscript the po em is written cont n o s as it were rose in o rt - ree i u u ly, p , but f y th di s ons o rt of w h c are ea e w num vi i , f y i h h d d ith r The o en n nes e ar no n m er en be s . p i g li b u b ; th come twenty - eight divisio ns o f abo ut seventy

n es eac n m ere to . The ne li h , u b d I XXVIII xt a a ter ne 20 8 and in the m e of a sen g p, f li 3 , iddl t en ce h as no n m er en come to , u b ; th XXXI o ne m ore nn m ere and to XXXVIII , u u b d , XL ese s ons do n ot at all corres on XLIII . Th divi i p d t e at ra rea i t e e to h n u l b ks n h o m . The sto ry 0 ens as thougpit were inten de d to be in ra se 0 an o er eo ul th e so n of e p i th B w f, Shi ld o f th e eaf and an ances ra n of the anes Sh , t l Ki g D r e n s To e is ascr e the m t ca o Shi ldi g . Shi ld ib d y hi l o r n as a c sent o rt a one in a oat rom igi , hild f h l b f art n no n aven w c ater ron c ers u k w h , hi h l Ch i l a e to a certa n ea who anot er sto r g v i Sh f, , by h y , a i k e s f a at th e w s orn n the Ar th on o o . b , N h But hun dredth lin e the tone of the oem chan es ;

a r . ie th e D nish Beowulf has flou ished and d . ro ar his dson a n at en s ccee e H thg , , h vi g l gth u d d , o r ers a ha to be him the m es d built , ighti t

on ear and ca ls its n ame Heo rot o r art . th , l , H e he is eas n t his cou r ren e a Whil f ti g wi h t , G d l ,

‘ mons er rom th e ens and m oors escen e t f f , d d d f rom the e e off s r n o f a n n a es Heorot xil d p i g C i , i v d , ’ and snatches from it thirty o f Hrothgar s the gns the co rt is sca ere in error and fo r e e u tt d t , tw lv ears th e a rema ns es er e y h ll i d t d . It be seen h a the anes w ose ro ess will t t D , h p w is so e tra a ant a e in the en n nes x v g ly l ud d Op i g li , a e a rea cease t r e t r h v l dy d o be the he oes of th s o y . ’ ” In ne 1 w e first ear of Hi elac s e li 94 h g th gn, in ne 2 62 he e s us t a he is the son of Ec th eow li t ll h t g , and in line 343 he n ames him self to the Danes as eo ence o r ar the t r i f i B eo B wulf h f w d s o y s o h m . u e o an and a re r eroes of w lf, lik R l d hund d othe h ’ e c and rom ance w as the son of his s o ere n s pi , v ig ’ ’ s er and eo s nc e l e o an s h as Si t ; B wulf u l , ik R l d , a ace in s o r fo r the Hi elac who n a e pl hi t y , g i v d d

X1 th e Fr s an an who t ere s a o e the r i i l d , h w ll w d swo d ’ r n ose e la in the ran s ee n can e d i k , wh lif y F k k pi g , b identified with the Chocilaicus mentioned in the Gesta Regum Francorum of Grego of Tou was e the ran s r nce eo debert son kill d by F ki h P i , of eo or c the son of o s in th e secon eca e Th d i Cl vi , d d d f he s t en r a r o t c . So so o ar is the Roe son ix h tu y l H thg , o f Haldanus Who res in a o Grammaticus a a , figu S x s n of enmar an d the o n er of os e Ki g D k f u d R kild .

With B eowulf I have in cluded tw o short poem an d tw o e c ra men s e er t n of the n pi f g t , v y hi g ki d c has s r e in o ur an a e Whi h u viv d l gu g . ser e as an ntro uc o n to the rest a v i d ti , but stoute r than this would be requi red fo r the pro pe r ta of idsith a one he c r o rea er anno tion W l . T u i us d a to th e asc n a n o r f Mr am m y turn f i ti g w k o . Ch ! e rs and fin d ere a ea t of nformat on b , will th w l h i i on th e hi sto ry and myt ho lo gy of the tribes and en t one in the m Widsith e m oe . i d p , lik Dear i s o n i n the eter oo a co ec on of , f u d Ex B k , ll ti Old En gli sh po etry m ade abo ut the same time as the m an s cr of B eowul and resen e to the u ipt f, t d athe ra of e er its rs Bs o eo r c C d l Ex t by fi t i h p , L f i , who remove d his See there from Crediton in 1 0 0 Its own ate is ess eas eterm ne as the 5 . d l ily d i d , hero claims to have visite d historical Kin gs Whose re ns e ten e o er more t an two cen r es ig x d d v h tu i , e re erences to r ans and srae es ss r Whil f Sy i I lit , A y ans and e re s o nt to inter olation b a a er i H b w p i p ) l t , . ro a monas c scr e the u l; of the p b bly ti , ib ; but b l e m m s a e een com ose not m c ear er po u t h v b p d u h li , and ro a not muc ater t an the ear 600 p b bly h l , h y ca e La o the First Minstrel It might well be lled th y f ,

Widsith a tu in n s ero c Le en R . , S dy Old E gli h H i g d , by

am ers am r e n ers t Press 1 1 2 . W . Ch b , C b idg U iv i y , 9 xii

- on Reader rom c u ote r An lo S ax . a e g , f whi h I q W lt o f ta ne Hilde und o f the ur n ans Aqui i , g B gu di , his e rot e and a en o f th e ran s ere b t h d , H g F k w taken as hostages by Attila and n obly reare d at his i n c urse o f me Ha en esca e co rt o . So u . But ti g p d , ater the o ers tak n t em m cli l , did l v , i g Wi h th u reasure en t e reac e the o s es t e t , Wh h y h d V g , h y were attacke d by the Frankish King Gunther and ’ t e e arr o rs nc u n a en a te r s w lv w i , i l di g H g , W l juratus eleven w arrio rs were s lain by Walter in the roc ass w c w as ort an arm to him ky p , hi h w h then Gun ther and Hagen withdrew an d d them se es e r r se succee e n e t d a the o ers lv . Th i u d d ; x y l v cont n e t e r ourne and w ere o erta en in i u d h i j y , v k ’ t e r two o es a ter s a ea to the plain by h i f . W l pp l ’ r en sh i s in a n fo r Ha en has n ow a s ster s f i d ip v i , i e ter f fi htin on e a a nst son to a en . ours o v g Af h g g, g i tw o the ero i s st uncon uere he has ost , h ill q d ; l his r ht an a en an e e an d n t er a le ig h d , H g y , Gu h g, and in t s con t on t e rriake eace and es t hi di i h y p , j ser es t e t e In w hile Hildegund v h m w i h Wi n . Old n s a ter ecomes Waldere Hilde und E gli h W l b , g Hilde th n er Guthhere the same W ho a e gy , Gu th ( g v

a a some e e to Widsith an d a en Ha en a. gl d j w l ) , H g g

m versification roso is s are at ert With y , p d t lib y to at a t t e n s oetr find w h f ul h y will . Old E gli h p y w as com pose d n ot fo r the librarian but fo r the ar st an d t ese ers on s o f m ne can be h pi , if h v i i s oute a o to th e har o r its e a e nt so h d l ud p quiv l , m c th e e tte r ar rom t a a e attem te u h b . Ap t f h t , I h v p d to m ake the sort of lines that an En glishman o f the He at c o reco n se as m etr ca t hy w uld g i i l , tho ugh e might fee l o bliged to imp rove them in a re a s The rs t i c t i n ra s at n hund d w y . fi d ffiul y t n l i g Old Englis h i s presented by i ts curi ously primi t e s n a t s be reta ne the eff ect i s te ous iv y t x ; if hi i d , di

XlV and un readable if it be ' too m uch amende d the es tro e n o t e r d d . A h difficulty is s peecyo f m an y excellen t w o rds in w hi ch the o ld po ets foun d s yn o nyms fo r th e s t e m ost co mm on escr e suc as thi n g h y ly d ib d , h att e arm so e r swo r and a o e all b l , y , ldi , d , , b v , ea t r com es rom our a n ro e th e s . A hi d f h vi g d pp d ec on s rom o ur w o r s so t at at in the infl ti f d , h Wh e r n a w as a tro c ee t its ro e r rh th th o igi l h , wi h p p y o rce e comes a an d nw e m ono mical f , b dull u i ldy a e Yet ano er is th e a arent oss of alliter s yll bl . th pp l a ue in w o r s w ose n als a e c an e ative v l d h i iti h v h g d . I have escape d thi s by sometimes alliteratin g g he atter as in e outh et re r t ere t c . e wi h y Wh l ( y , y , ) p sents an n s and a l terat n l n r Old E gli h g , by l i i g , , an d w w ith h and With each other w hen the Old a is as rate hl h n s n t n hr o r hw . E gli h i i i l pi d , , , , A m o re difficult thin g is the allite ratio n of com o un an d re e w o r s in w c it h as een p d p fix d d , hi h b impossible to follow consistently the rules o bserve d — in the survivin g co rpus s ome thirty thousan d — — l n es o f re on uest e rse . c o ars re e at i p C q v S h l , I p , are at libe rty to condemn bo th my m etre and my a tera on ro e at t e s ew m e how lli ti , p vid d th h y h r e T e r both m ay be imp ov d . h general reade must be con ten t With m ass uran ce that w hat fo llows is a a r m tat on 0 n s oetr the c e f i i i i Old E gli h P y , hi f rules of w hich are as fo llow s The li ne consists of tw o m etri cally e quivalen t es se arate in t s o m e an o ue halv , p d hi v lu by bliq ’l‘ stro ke In each half there are no rm ally two a cen te s a es an d at east o ne accente s a e c d yll bl , l d yll bl in th e first half- lin e is alliterated With o n e in the All o r s a es ma be a terate o r s econ . d f u yll bl y lli d , any three o r there m ay be do uble alliterati ons Lines with t hree accented syllables in each half are rare e am es are 1 1 6 - 8 1 0 - an d t ere is in B owul . 2 f Ex pl , 7 5 7 , h e ls ew here a t en den cy to as soci ate a thi rd w ord w ith th e two m t tron accen te in eac a - ne T ca e am es o f os s gly d h h lf li . ypi l x pl t n ene n e w be oun n th he le gth d li ill f d i judi . xv b o r a b b a o r a terat a b a . F on all n t a ow e s , lli i , i i i l v l are rec one the same as are all as rate ow e s and k d , pi d v l conson an ts— ha he hi hl hn ho r ha a , , , , , , h , , n d hw . To illus trate this I print the o pening lines of B eowu in e r o r na orm su st t n th fo r lf th i igi l f , b itu i g the old com o n etter and r nt n the accente p u d l , p i i g d initials in itali cs Hw aet ! w e Gar- Dena in gear- dagum theo d - cyninga thrym a aet elin as e e re e o n hu th h g ll n f m d . Oft S c S cefin sceathen a threatum yld g , mo ne um mae thum meo do - set a ofte a g g l h . E so de eor s thth an aerest wearth g l , y ea- sceaft n en he th aes rofre e bad f fu d f g , weox n er wolcnum weo rth - m n dum tha u d , y h , o th th aet him ae hwylc thara ymb - sittendra o er kron - ra e i ran scolde f d /[ y , a a ° thaet aes c in gomb n gyld n w god yn g. IV I have to acknowledge the kin dness and the candour of several critics who have allowed them se lves to be burdened with parts o f this boo k in man scr t ro esso r t e ster to om u ip ; P f Bly h W b , wh I owe any kn ow ledge I m ay have acquired of Old n s ro essor Ke r w o se arn n o t E gli h ; P f , h w i g I ugh a e e r re ho a o w e m e to ta n M . . . u w h v k ; J C Sq i , ll d to reprint the De di cation from his London M er r r seeme to t n cur M . . . u on who y ; J E G d , d hi k the oem w o r rea n Mr rt ur a p th di g ; . A h W ugh , who has t o t it o rt u s in and a o e h ugh w h p bli h g , b v

all and e on all o r ort c e . b y d , L d N h liff

London H S Scorr C I . , C ARLE MON R EFF M h 1 1 arc 2 . , 9 1 Of th e w o rd s in B eowulf beginn ing with as pirated con s onan ts th e co mm o nest are hl dan t o loa blaew a law or a d , ur a - mou n h la ord a or hleahtor au ter hlud ou b i l d , f l d , l gh , l d , hnah n ar hre n ra en hreoh rou hrin r n hra roo igg d , f v , gh , g i g , f f, hron w a e br e r d e hwa hwaet wh o w at hwaer w ere h l , y g i g , h , h ,

and s uc w or s as n ow e n wh e ce t wiht a w it . h d b gi , x p h xvi D e dicat io n

RICHARD REYNOLDS BALL

WHO LIKE B E U , OW LF , TRAVELLED FEARLESSLY IN C UN Y ISKI G A FAR O TR , R N HIS LIFE TO HELP THE VICTIMS OF WAR AND P P ESSI O R ON , UNTIL HE DIED IN P OLAND I E EMB E 1 1 C . N D R , 9 9 TO TW O H S AND OT ER , HIS IE S MI E FR ND AND N , WHO HAVE FOLLOWED FROM MY WORLD TO H IS JOHN SCOTT MONCRIEFF GLADYS DALYELL

at o e com anio n in co ness est o Wh My l v d p , ld li th u , nis e t 1ife in a an a ar ! Fi h d wi h , l d f rom f r en s e to eat o rs a en F i d divid d , d h f k ,

‘ ’ arest o a one o n Fate s erran F th u l d , The w ay of the w o rld When by th e Will Of Go d oe to Him a a n the t He a en G th g i i h th giv , His oan of e NO ess m o rn t ee l lif . l u h an ose om eat ent ie n Th did I th Wh D h w th vi g , n ou s in the ears o f w ar Willi g y th y , O ur r en s and our e ow s t o a n w as f i d f ll , h ugh f i I o f them

0 . en een ew a e m att e - com ra es Wh k ly I b il d y b l d , n n t em m ur ere u o n m an e s Fi di g h d d p fi ld . When a little knave I w as kn ew I t ee first S n ce e o re m e t ou w ast orn am on men i b f h b g , An e er r en to t ose o ow n a ter ld f i d h f ll i g f . Fo r t ou ast n t rt ears on h w livi g hi y y l g , umm ers an d nters ere w ar us sun ere S wi , d d , r en rom r en an d o u r ears o ow n F i d f f i d , f y f ll i g s e amo n anes Bu ily kept m n g killi g b . en o w ast wi o re n races Th th u th f ig , / uss - m en and renc men R F h , Ser s an d o es in the ass n season s b P l , p i g , S nter- t es w e the ta e of w ar ix Wi id , hil l resse to an en d e ace came a ter P d p f , rom se to the eo es on eart p i d p pl h , r ar are o t e t en r a w f . W uld h y h e dily n aw a th e arr o rs most Wi d y , w i ly , A stragglin few of the fierce strugglers Who o ut 0 the att e had orne t em a e b l b h liv . But tho u w ast fo r returnin g w hithe r trouble w aited Fam n e an e er amo n r en ess o i d f v g f i dl f lk . No r w as it any tim e then till must taste tho u also The rear cu t a r st erst ran d y p h t Ch i d k , ’ Sad in sou the nn ers e er l , Si Sh ph d , The o o r w ose eart e er o et us H ly L d , h H v l v h , The Son Go d in the ar en of o rro s Of G d S w , On the eve o f eat en so st t o a so D h . Ev did h u l , e er ate ree e er w ere w entes o B f v f d . F ly v y h t th u , o otin n ot at en em es arme t n o s e S g i , d wi h hi ld a ns t rea s o f e - t n e rs Ag i t h t vil hi k , sm n at terro rs tr e and s m e But ili g , u i pl , Diedst th ou as t ou a st e ut u h h d liv d , d if lly No r a e ear a m an a n m ore of a ness h v I h d Of h vi g h ppi , ron er and n er to n sm en and stran ers St g ki d ki g , ar en o f e ret e t e eas A w d th w ch d . Will h y ily ear in m n who m a e rea te r be orn B i d , h f b , The n s r en 0 t e r a ers of E gli h f i d h i f th Old ,

xviii est e o e mos ea ti to B b l v d , t b u ful a s of t s ur e In th e d y hi o lif .

ne 1 2 0 . . fi , 9 C . K . S M .

Beowu and his men lie own in the a l and all but lf d h l , he s ee T en out of th e m sts on the moors comes r l p . h , i , G endel; he rea s t rou the oors an d t ears to eces Hondscio b k h gh d pi , ’ o ne of Beowu s men w om h e e ours lf , h d v . But Beowulf has the strength of thirty men in his han d unarme he wrest es w t ren e and at en t tears off d , l i h G d l , l g h his r t arm orta woun e ren s o me igh . M lly d d , G del links h to his a r in the ens l i f . ’ In the morn n oun an d Old assem e t e see ren e s i g , y g bl h y G d l arm an n the roo of the a an d o ow th e trac h gi g by f h ll , f ll k of his blood to the foul pool in w hich he has dived and e Th e race t e r orses omewar s an d on the wa di d . y h i h h d , y a minstrel sings to them of Sigemund and his war with the ra on an d of Herem od an e n who was etra e d g , , vil Ki g, b y d nto the an s of his enem es Not so he sa s is Beowu i h d i . , y , lf . Hrothgar an d his Queen leave their bo wer an d come to the ’ a w ere he es t an s to God see n ren e 8 rm h ll , h giv h k , i g G d l a e ose t ere He a s Beowu as his son an d rom ses xp d h . h il lf , p i him am e rewar s Beowu escr es the t Ec laf is pl d . lf d ib figh . g s to si en e hw ed in l c . Heorot is a orne for a east w t o en an n s Hroth d d f i h g ld h gi g . ar estows armour treasure an d orses u on Beowul g b , h p f, and ot er i ts u o n eac of his com an ons The hard h g f p h p i . t en s n s the la of rm a r s an n who had carrie h i g y Fi , F i i Ki g , d off Hildeburh the au ter of Hoc and was attac e , d gh , k d by ’ her rot ers Hnaef an d en est Hnaef and nn s son b h , H g . Fi are i e and rm ma es a act w t en est who t e XVII k ll d , Fi k p i h H g , a ns in his ur t rou th e Winter The o es of the m i b gh h gh . b di a ar urne e t ans re en but r s ians s n e . n es e th e l i b d H g pl v g , F i him and he is le Later two of his men ut a attac . k , kil d , , G hl f ’ and Oslaf return to nn s countr him an d carr , Fi y , kill y Hildebu rh ack t o her ome b h . Wealhth eow a ain oes t rou the a w t th e da on g g h gh h ll i h g , w ic he i es to rot ar She a so es Beowul a XVIII h h s g v H hg . l giv f nec ace the reatest in the w or w ch in ater ears kl , g ld , hi , l y , Hi elac is t o w ear w en he n a es the Low ountr es and g h i v d C i , a in t w t the ran s The east en s and the f lls figh i h F k . f d ,

’ t now anot er orror comes u on t em ren e s Bu h h p h . G d l mot er a monst er w e ree to a en e her son enters h , if , g dy v g , u o n th e a se zes and carr es off Aeschere th e c ose p h ll , i i , l trust e counse or of rot ar en in companion and d ll H hg . S d g fo r Beowul rot ar te s him th e news an d escr es f, H hg ll , d ib r i w ic m onsters ur Beo the enchanted me e n h h the l k . If e t e he s a a e art er rewar s wulf will ventur her h ll h v f h d . acce ts th e c a en e and w t rot ar and his Beow ulf p h ll g , , i h H hg t for he mere He arms mse and Unferth men sets ou t . , hi lf, , xxii re of his oast n en s him his own sw or Hrunt now cu d b i g, l d d , er a e an man in att e f in w c had ne . Beowu g, hi h v f il d y b l l ’ co mm en s his o ow ers to rot ar s care an d e ueat s d f ll H hg , b q h wn swor to Unferth he t en es nto th e m ere his o d h div i , f r a w o e da s n s towar s th e o tt om attac e as an d o h l y i k d b , k d ’ ll mann er Of m ons ters At ast ren e s m ot er he a s a . f ll , by l G d l h , consc ous of his a roac com es rom her den and se z n i pp h , f , i i g carr es him own to a ca e w ere no w ater comes Beowulf i d v h . T ere t e t fire- t but th e swor w not woun h h y figh by ligh , d ill d th e creature an d Be owu n n it own catc es her , lf, fli gi g d , h t s u er and t rows h er to th e oo r Sh e u ls him by he ho ld h fl . p l ow n a ter her an d raws her n f e but God rotects d f , d k i ; p

’ O n the wa Of th e ca e he sees an old swor of an ts XXIII ll v d , gi or n He raws it an d cuts off her ea T en he sees f gi g . d , h d . h ren e on th e roun ea or n an d cuts o ff his G d l g d , d d dyi g , ea a so and w t it an d th e Old swor es u w ar s h d l , i h d div p d th oo - sta n e wat er But in the o s onous oo through e bl d i d . p i bl d th e old sw o r me ts e an c c e in s r n an d on the d l lik i i l p i g , ly t of it remains rot ar an d his D anes a e one ome hil . H hg h v g h , ’ an d Beowu s men are e t s orrow n on th e s ore w atc lf l f i g h , h in th e e ies of oo in th e w ater w en t e r a ta n g dd bl d , h h i C p i ’ emer es T e sarm him ta e u Gren del s ea an . d g h y di , k p h d , return to Heorot w ere th e D anes are at ta e w t t e r , h bl i h h i an d ueen King Q . Beowul te s rot ar Of the att e and es him the t XXIV f ll H hg b l , giv hil of he old swor rot ar e a ts him a o e t . all men an d d H hg x l b v , a a n contrasts him w t the w c e n Herem All g i i h i k d Ki g od . men are mortal and eart l r e a a s tt e un ess a man , h y p id v il li l , l c ooses the Wa of Go d Fo r the ast t me the eats eas h y . l i , G f t in Heorot an d t en th e wear Beowul is led to res t I n , h y f . th e morn n he res tores Hruntin to E c laf an d ann oun ces i g g g , t at he must retu rn to his own count an d to Hi elac his h , g , H d rot ar ss o ne an ot er d n . e an an art an d th e Ki g H hg ki p , eats o own t o t e r s and ut out to sea G g d h i hip p . Hi elac w as a rou in his ouse i an d eaut u g p d K g, h h gh b if l , his ueen H d er oun but w se un e Thr th o Q , yg , v y y g , i ; lik y , ’ the ueen of a who cause the eat Of her us an s Q Off , d d h h b d court ers t ou some sa t at she a t er her marr a i , h gh y h , f i ge , rew w se a so g i l . ’ II Th e eats an an d ma e t e r w a to Hi elac s a w ere XXV I G l d k h i y g h ll , h t e are we come him H d his ueen es t em h y l d by ; yg , Q , giv h t o rin and Beowu te ls his a ent ures He s a of d k , lf l dv . pe ks ’ rot ar s au ter Freawaru w om he saw in Heoro H hg d gh , , h t ; she is etrot e to In eld so n of ro a a Heathobear b h d g , F d , d Pr n ce w c ma ma e for eace now etw een D i , hi h y k p b anes and Heathobeards but ma a s o ea to uarre s ater He y l l d q l l . xxiii t en re ates his t s w t ren e an d in the mere He h l figh i h G d l . ’ then brings in Hrothgar s gifts and o ffe rs them to his own or who es him in return th e swor of his at er Hrethel l d , giv d f h , se en t ousan s of mone and a o me So Beowu who v h d y , h . lf, had een es se In his out an d accounte s ac es b d pi d y h , d l k, liv in ros er t w t Hi elac p p i y i h g .

Q 0 fl i t Q l O

Years ass Hi elac is e and Heardred his so n Beo p . g kill d , wu succee s to the n om and re ns for t ears lf d ki gd , ig fif y y . Then a dragon which for centuries has lived in a burial moun uar n a oar o f treasure awa es an d n n d , g di g h d , k , fi di g ’ th e treasure s tur e ies out o er Beowu s countr di b d , fl v lf y . X Here the anuscri t is uch a a ed b re man un XXII ( m p m d m g y fi ) . A name a s a e ee n rom un s ment has ta en re u e d , l v fl i g f p i h , k f g in the moun and has seen t ere all the treas ures of some d , h anc ent and or otte n race w c the ast sur or mo urn i f g , hi h l viv , in his r en s and es a r n o f his own e h ad en g f i d d p i i g lif , hidd

t ere so t at t e m t ne er a a n be en o e man . h , h h y igh v g i j y d by The ra on who had oun the lace o en had a n t ere d g , f d p p , l i h for t ree un re ears and s e t T en t is man ta es a h h d d y , l p . h h k cu r m the o ar rs it his as ter The ra on o an d Offe to m . p f h d d g , in ur comes out am n and urns the h omes of the f y , fl i g , b ’ l{xxIII eo e and Beowu s a Beowu or ers a s e of ron p pl lf h ll . lf d hi ld i t o be ma e him an d ows t at he w ll o out a one a a nst d , v h i g l g i the monster The ear er att es are reca e w c he . li b l ll d , by hi h w on his in om k gd . Eleven men follow him to th e m ound he bids them fare w e and recoun ts the stor of his o wn out of Hreth el ll , y y h , an d his sons one of t em Haethc n h ad l e his e er h , y , ki l d ld rot er w t an arrow P ower ess to do ust ce Hrethel b h i h . l j i , ne an d e Th e we es t en n a e the countr and pi d di d . S d h i v d d y , Haethc n w as e y kill d . Beowu a ances to the m out of the m oun and c a lf dv h d , h l len es the ra on w c comes urt n out in smo e and g d g , hi h h li g k ame t o meet him his men all see sa et in a w oo fl . Of , k f y d ’

( sa e o ne Wi laf son of Weohs tan wh o draws s his at er s XXVI v , g , , f h swor re u es his co m an ons and w a es t rou th e d , b k p i , d h gh

’ ‘ ’ ames t o Beowu s s e Beowu s sw or rea s and the fl lf id . lf d b k , ra on rus es u on him a t r t m e an d catc es him d g h p hi d i , h by the nec Wi laf woun s th e dra on w ose fire e ns to k . g d g , h b gi s ac en t en Beowu s it but mse a nts wi t his l k h lf kill , hi lf f i h w oun s He s Wi la etc out the treasure rom the d . bid g f f h f ( moun r es Wi laf enters the I t at he ma see it e o e he . XXVII d , h y b f di g m oun and n s t ere reat treasures w ic he r es and d , fi d h g , h h ifl r n s to Beowu Be owu t an s God for t em and s b i g lf . lf h k h , bid ’ Wiglaf have a barrow made for him upon the Whale s xxiv oo n o er the sea He es im his own ea an . h H dl d , l ki g v giv

e a on es ea es e him Wi laf watc n o er Th dr g li d d b id , g hi g v ot w en th e ten com an on s co m e s am e u rom the b h , h p i h f lly f w oo Wi laf re u es t em tter an d sen s the news of d . g b k h bi ly , d ’ t to th e rest of his eo e The messen er Beowulf s dea h p pl . g w arns t em t at the r s ans and ran s wh o had i e h h F i i F k , k ll d Hi elac wou now nva e t em the w ed es also w oul g , ld i d h S d a en e th e Batt e in a ensw oo w ere Hi elac un s e v g l R v d , h g p i h d ’ f t i n Of Haethc n Beo wul s o must now them or he k lli g y . f b dy t it e o to h mou be urne and the ewe s w . T t e n b d , j l i h h y g d , an d se en of th em w t Wi laf enter th e enc ante treas v , i h g , h d ‘ ure- ous e Wi laf or ers woo to be rou t rom near h . g d d b gh f ’ and far for the urn n The ra on s o is un o er b i g . d g b dy fl g v ' he clifl t .

reat i e is u t u for Beowu and ec e w t ar A g p l b il p lf, d k d i h m our His o is a t ere an d urne His w e i . b dy l id h , b d . if ( ) am ents him an d oret e s com n disasters T en for t en l , f ll i g . h , a s his m en u a moun o er the as es an d ur w t d y , b ild d v h , b y i h tr ures rom the oar oun the moun r e him the eas f h d . R d d id tw e e c am ons am ent n his e at and roc a m n his lv h pi , l i g d h p l i i g w ort h .

Fin n sburgh

ra ment of the stor summar se in B eowu nes (A f g y i d lf, li 1 068- 1 1 e nn n ere w t the ast t ree wor s f 59 , b gi i g h i h l h d o a uest on q i . ) Hengest and his men are surprised in their hall by th e r s ans Sure the a es are not urn F i i . ly g bl b i ng ! asks one and en est P answers s is not th , H g ( ) Thi e light of awn n or a er ra on nor are the a es urn n ut d , fi y d g , g bl b i g . B t e are om n a a nst us in c as n armour wa n h y c i g g i , l hi g . A ke a d ”

re are to t . T e o to the doors Si eferth and Eah a p p figh h y g , g t o o ne end O rdlaf the Oslaf of B eo u t . w lf Gu hlaf an d en est to the ot er Si ef erth c a en es the attac ers H g h . g h ll g k , an d t e t for five a s s a n man r s ans but h y figh d y , l yi g y F i i , w t out oss to t emse es a en n the memor of Hnaef i h l h lv , v gi g y . One of t em w oun e ma es his wa to his n w t h , d d , k y Ki g, i h

- news Of the att e . It a ears rom B eowul 1 1 2 t at b l ( pp f f , 4 4 , h en est was e an ot erw se un n own Hunlafin H g kill d by h i k g) .

XXV W alde re

I

Hilde th encoura es Waldere e ore t he t rem n gy g b f figh , i din g ’ h im t at his swor the mm n e an s mast er ece h d , Mi i g , W l d pi , h as ne er et a e an man ow er u enou to w e it v y f il d y p f l gh i ld . i h e our Of eat o r ct NOW s t or . e er h d h vi y N v in the past has s he seen him raw ac rom att e H e h as Off r d b k f b l . e ed tribute hhere ho has re us e it r to Gut w . T e e ore mus , f d h f t Guthhere a th e ena t in att e p y p l y b l .

’ Guthhere ra ses Waldere s sw or th e mm n w c ( p i ) d , Mi i g , hi h T eo or c h ad ow ne and had een m n e to e w t h d i d , b i d d giv , i h ’ o t er t reasures to e an s son a h , W l d Widi . Waldere replies boasting that h e has not been defeated by Ha ena and t at he now e es the assau t of Guthh ere g , h d fi l , t o God for rotect on t rusting p i .

D eor a m nstre recounts the sorrows of e an who , i l , W l d , r s e and mut ate n Nithhad But he w as imp i on d il d by Ki g . ’ e Beadohild Nithh ad s au ter had cause for escap d . , d gh , had outra e her and i e her ro s orrow for e an t ers . , W l d g d , k ll d b h me the mot er of a But her sorrows (By him she beca h Widi ) . Th e eat s n Nithhad w as m a ene passed . G i h Ki g ) dd d by m of s But t at ass l e w c ro e hi ee . e . T eo ov , hi h bb d l p h p d h l a for t irt ears an ex e . But t t asse Eor d oric was h y y i h p d . m anric th e crue n e man a man in ca t t who , l Ki g , h ld y p ivi y, f is n om T at a so asse r a O h . longed fo the f ll ki gd h l p d . Th ose who sit in sorrow and mis fortune must re membe r that God oft en makes the wretched happy and brings down au t the h gh y . t msel D eor ar Of the Heo denin s was The poe hi f, , b d g , cherished by his lord until Heo rrenda robbed him of his lso ma s r nc Yet t s trou e a as . inhe ita e . hi bl y p

xxvi

Saefe rth the S c s the w e es On entheow y g , S d g , Sce afthere the Ymbras ea the o n ear s , Sh f L gb d , Hun the Hetw aras and o en the Wrosn as H l . ’ H rin weald w as hi ht the He refaras n g g Ki g . Ofla r e n e AleWih th e an es ul d A g l , / D , He w as of t ose men hi es t - m n e o f all h / b i d d , Yet n eve r di d be o ver Offa /in earlship excel ; But f a as one rst amo n m en O f f hi d /fi g , en a o n na e w as he o f n oms the Wh y u g k v , / ki gd greates t ; No on e of an age with him earlship mightier Wro ught i n the on slaught with o ne sw ord Th e m arch he measured with the Myrgings Fifeldo r en ce o rt t e e it By th f h h y h ld , e a ae as ff a re it Angl nd Sw f O d w . Hro thwu lf and Hrothgar he ld the lon gest n on to e e r un c e and ne ew U i g th , l ph , After they h ad cast o ut the ki n o f the Vikin gs ’ An d I n e l e s arm ~ had um e g d y h bl d , ’ e o n at Heo ro t the Heathobear s ost H wn d w d h . SO I fare d through m an y fo reign lan ds Ove r the Wide earth o f goo d and e vil ere m a e tri a ro m m tr e di e Th I d l f y ib vid d , far o e e ro m m nsmen ow m n e . F y ki , I f ll d Wid ly ere o re m a s n an d sa m sto r Wh f I y i g y y y , Mentio n befo re the multitude in the m ead hall k n - o o m en n ness s ew e me H ow i gly g d ki d h d . I w as with Huns an d w ith B reth - Go ths With Sw edes and with Geats and With ut - So h D anes . With Vandals I w as and With Vae rns and with Viki n With Gift as I w as and w ith Wen ds and with eflle s G g . With An gles I was and with Sw aefs and with

-A e as en n .

With S axo ns . I w as and with Sycgs an d with

With Whales I was and with Deans an d with With Thyrin gs I w as an d w ith Throwends An d w as wit ur un s ere a race et had I h B g d , th b l I There Guthhe re gave m e a gladso me j ew el ’ Fo r my ' so ng in paym ent twas no sluggard

With Fran ks I was an d w ith Frisians and with

With Rugian s I w as and with Glommas and ome - e s With R W l h . Also I was in Italy with Aelfwine Who had o f man n in m ear n ki d , y h i g , The test an fo r a a e w o r s ligh h d l ud bl k , The heart least niggard when rings were ea n d li g ,

r est race e s t at a rn a ne . B ight b l t , h b i Of E dwi t aracens w as and t r ans Wi h S I wi h Sy i . With Creeks I w as an d with Finn s and with a sar C , th e o - ur s ust ce r e j y b gh b j i ul d , Wealth and go o d -Will an d th e {Velsh kin gdom With Sco ts I w as and with Picts an d with at n - n s Sk i g Fi n . With LidW ICings I w as and with Leons an d with o n ear s L gb d , With Heathens and with Haereths and with Hundin s g . srae tes w as and ss r ans With I li I with A y i , With Ebrew s and with In di an s an d with t ans Egyp i . th Medes I was and with Persians and with Myrgmgs An d Mo fdin gs and Counter- Myr ngs An t n s ast -Th rin as d wi h Am othi g . With E y gs I w And t Eo ls d w ste an d Idumin s Wi h an ith I g . An d w as t Eo rman ric all th e t me I wi h i , There the Go thic Kin g w as goo d to m e ’ race e h e a e m e the ur ers o r A b l t g v , b gh l d , Wherein w ere six hun dre d of smelted go ld o n s rec oned co nte in s n s C i k , u d hilli g ’ s to Ead ils o ners a e Thi I g w hip g v , ' To m o r and e e r w en to m ome y l d h lp , h y h I

came , To my friend as a fee fo r that he furnished land t e o m , ’ a a M r in t er s ber ts e the e of the s . My f h i , H d y g g An d t en also Eal (1 ano er a e me h hi th g v , ca - ueen of the o h t au ter of Du l Q d ug y , d gh a w ne E d i . Her a w as ro on e t rou an s man l ud p l g d h gh l d y , 1 00 When I in song w as set to say Where I un der the sky had s een the best o - ec e uee n treas res G ld d k d Q n givi g u . When Shillin g and I with s heer voices e o re our ro a o r ra se the son B f y l L d u i d g , e ou to th e h ar t e t m a e me o Wh n l d p lil d l dy , Then m any men w hose min ds w ere proud In o r s sa who w e had n o e e w d did y, ll k wl dg , at t e a a ear Th h y n ever sw eeter so ng h d h d . en ce ro ame o er all the rea m the ot s Th I d v l Of G h , X 1 0 So ught I ever the bes t Of bo on - companions at as e r a ric Th w th in dw e llers with Eo m n . Hethca so t and Beadeca an d the Herelin s ugh I / g , Emerca s ought I and Fridia an d Eas t - Go ta ’

and a ant Unw en s at er . Old g ll , f h ecca so t an d ecca Seafo la and Theodric S ugh I B , ,

Heatho ric and Sifeca Hlithe and Inc entheow . , g a n e so t and sa Ae ehn und and E dwi ugh I El , g Hun gar

- And the pro ud company of Counter Myrgin gs . Wulfhere sought I an d Wyrmhere full o ft there w ar a a e no t b t d , 1 2 0 When the host o f the Hreths with hard swo rds By the Wistula Woo d must w atch and w ard ’ r e Thei an cien t seat from Attila s eopl . Raedhere so t and Ron dhere Rum stan an d ugh I , Gislhere , Wither ld and Fr o theric Wud a an ama gy e , g d H ; No r ere t e o co m ra e the o rst to me w h y f d s w , o ar st the end Th ugh I must n am e them ne e . Full oft from that host w hini ng flew The howling spear o n a hostile people an erers t e o erne t e re wounden W d , h y g v d h by go ld s s e ma an and s Wud a an d a . Hu b d wiv , g H So a e o n it e er in all m ar n I h v f u d v , y f i g a h e is o e th e es t the an - el ers Th t l v d b by l d dw l , To who m Go d give th governan ce o f men T a r et o h ve and to ho ld I while he e he liv h .

SO wanderin g far by fate are driven ’ en s la - s n ers o er an s m an M y i g v l d y , e r r ts sa t e t an fu wor s ea e Th i th if y h y , h k l d Sp k th y , er sou o r no r some one meet t e Ev , th th , with h y in ees of n s ar n Apt gl , u p i g , Who e o re the fi ers s es his ame to e a b f wi h f x lt , ar s to ac e e nt all is scattere E l hip hi v , u il d , t an d e to t er a he aineth Ligh lif h l ud g , at H h un der the cavens high fame an d fast .

BEO W UL F

! We o f ear- an es in s ent a s WHAT S D p d y , p ' th e o l - n s fo rce h ave ear Of F k Ki g h d , n e e e i How the Athe li gs xc ll d n fight . Oft Shie ld Of the Sheaf from s cathin From m an meinies thei r m eadzstools Aflri hted em the ar s nce ers he g E l , i t o n nw ea t t en r en s he aw a e F u d , u l hy h f i d hip it d , a e un er the w e n in o rs t ro e W x d d lki , w hip h v , Until that each one of those o ut - dw elling ’ Over the a e - roa m st ear en to him wh l d , u h k , o m st e him at w as a oo n G ld u giv . Th g d Ki g His o ff s r n w as a terwar s no n p i g f d k w , oun in the ar s om God sen Y g y d , wh t 0 The fo lk to befrien d the fierce dearth He knew e h ad ere t en en re ac n e ers Th y h du d , l ki g ld To him the - r o n e . e o A l gwhil Lif L d , - or 3 e er w o r onour a e . Gl y Wi ld , ld h g v No ble w as Beowulf (blo om ed Wide his n ame) ’ hiel e s i the ce e - an s S d so n n S d l d . So s a a oun room w or his own oo h ll y g g k g d , u ees en to r en s of his a er By f ll f giv f i d f th , at t him in his a e t e m a e er a e Th wi h g h y y v bid , n com ra es enas w ar com et Willi g d , Wh h , To serve the people by 3raised dee ds shall One m an t r e am on allm an - n h iv g ki d . Turn ed as ide then Shield in the tim e shape d fo r him , ’ ull- r e to are in rea s ee n F ip , f F k pi g. Him en out t e are to the r n of o cean th h y b b i k , His sw eet com an ons so mse had en p i , hi lf bidd , i e his w or s had e t w e come r en of Wh l d w igh , l f i d Shieldi n gs e o e an - c e on had he re ne A b l v d l d hi f, l g ig d . ere in the r o a s she s o o Th d t d , Ic out - ar n an y. f i g . Laid they down then the est we r of race e s in th e s B o b l t , hip , T e r m an th mas ere w as a mass o f h i by e t . Th ea w lth , re te e r e romfar aw a F t d go ld f r i d I f y . No r heard I Of a kee l m ore co mely- wise garnished ra e ea o ns and att e - ee s With b v w p b l w d , xWi th bills and b on his b reast lay Man y treasures that m ust with him ’ I s ee n a ar n th e floo d k pi g f . o n ess ts a ow e him N thi g l Of gif ll d , Of their po ss essions th h ad those Who at his first farin g fo rth had sent him

lo ne o er o cean an n an t n ee . A v , i f i d d mo re t e stoo u fo r him a o en Still , h y d p g ld stan dard High o ver head they let the ho lm bear him ; en him to t e ear- Ma sad w as e r so l S t h Sp n th i u , t r m oo FOr men n ew n ot Mournf ul hei d . k How soot l to sa men see in co n c h y y, ly u il , Of their hero un der heave n who that lading re e ce iv d .

the o a am e No r as it t erea ter Of l thly fl . w long h f ’ That the sw o rd - hatre d o f daughter s husban d ’ a ns e s at er s o u a a e Ag i t wif f h h ld w k n .

Hardly then that gho st Of ho rror o re the e a he t at in ar n ess a o e B d l y , h d k b d , While he each day their happiness heard Lo ud in the hall there w as so un d Of harp Shrill song of th e shaperi Said he that knew ’ en s o r in rom O f old to re c on M ig f k , The Ahni ht ot he ro t th e eart g y, qu h , w ugh h , Our bright - seermng w eald in w ater em bo som e d a e - a He set th e sun an d th e moon B ttl H ppy , Fo r ts to ten the an - n w e ers ligh li h l d i d ll , An d adorned al th e ends Of the earth With leafy limbs life eke he shape d o e Fo r each o f the kin dreds that qui cken ed do m v .

’ So t en th e e o e en w e t in ros e r t h p pl s m d l p p i y , 1 00 ess e an d a nt o ne e an Bl d h ppy , u il b g e on to as on a en o ut o f e F l y f hi , fi d h ll Was t a r m es t ren e h t g i gu G d l hight , m t m arc - ste er w ho th e m oors e A igh y h pp , h ld , ’ Fen an d fastness thro ugh th e fifel- kin s res ku The a e had w an ere w n chan cy Wight lo ng w hil d d ,

Sin ce him the Sh a r had roscribed . ’ On a ne s kin e a en e t at l n C i v g h kil i g ,

Th e o r tern a fo r t at e he s ew . L d E l , h Ab l l NO o o n He in t at eu but far e e him j y f u d h f d , xil d ,

- 1 1 0 The a er for the mur er rom out m an n . M k d , f ki d en ce a om nat ons all arose Th b i i , Etin s an d e es o rcne s a s o lv , y l , Likewise gian ts that with Go d strove

Fo r m any days th at do om He dealt them .

I C He w ent t en to a e no e e w en n h h v k wl dg , h ight

w as com e , the o use how in it th e n - anes Of high h , Ri g D r- r ere esto e After bee d inki n g w b w d . He foun d then inside the athe lin g- band s ee a er su e r n o so rro t e ne A l p ft pp w h y k w , No r m ser es of m en The m onste r of n ea n i i . u h li g , r m an d ree w as s eedi re G i g dy , p ly , erce an d ur ous an d too o rt rom t e r e s Fi f i , k f f h i b d rt e s e e a a he de arted n . n c n Thi y th g Th g i , a in his a omew ar s to are H ppy h ul , h d ,

rom am s t at estr ct on to s t his w e n . F id t h d u i , / vi i d lli g ’ en in the awn the a s rst t Th d , with d y fi ligh , ’ Gren del s w ar- craft w as kenn e d o f m en en e re a ter his o r n roan s ra se Th w , f g gi g , g up i d , i the m o r Th e o r uc so un n n n . m t M h d i g igh y L d , ew e o f a e n s sate all o es s J l th li g , j yl , o e his st ro n w ron t e n - so rrow en u re Th l d g g , h g d d , Whenas they lo oked o n the lo athly traces the c rse s r t t a str e w as too stron Of u d pi i h t if g , Lo athly and lastin No r w as it lo n ger in time an o ne n t ter a a n he accom s e Th igh , g i pli h d o re of mur ers an d m n e not M d , i d d Their feuds n o r thei r fo rce too fast w as he fix ed i t e n h m . Then w as easily fo un d h e who elsewhe re o re room his rest w o see M ily uld k , bed mid the ow e rs fo r eaco ne to t em A b , b d h as w , o o t s o en a s m e to en S hly p k , by i pl k , The hate Of that hall - thegn he held himself then ceforth art er an aster ho t at en o e F h d f w h fi d utwil d .

SO ruled he them an d against the right fought One a a n s all t at e it s oo g i t , till h idl t d , I I The o es o f o ses a as e h li t h u . Th t w some whil e e n er- t es th e ta n he t o e Tw lv wi t id u t h l d , The r en of S ie n s all f orms Of r ef F i d h ldi g ,/ g i , Swellin g so rrow s sin ce when it w as Open ly known to th e Offsprin g of men In loo m ees a ren e o t y gl , th t G d l f ugh ° le t rot ar a e ate u w ar Aw wi h H hg , w g d h f l , an d e in the o o n seasons f ud f ll wi g , un ceasing no r in sympathy w ould From any man o f the Damsh m einy

- ee a ar off t at e ane fo r a fee com o n . K p f h lif b , p u d Na n one of the se t ere n ee s fo r an y, Wi h d wi h y B righter boon at th e han ds o f th e bane w an to n w retc was o rr in t em A h w y g h , ar eat - s a o the ou t an d o n A d k d h h d w , d gh y y u g , n are em and n ette e n t he S d th d th m , igh ly s talked The mi sty m oo rs m en kn ow not ’ ther hell s rune - s pe llers hie in their roam n s i g .

’ SO m an cr mes man - n e s fo e y i ki d , at a f a one - oer o ften an ne Th w ul l g pl d , ars er m n lico rot he a nte H h hu bli gs h u d , That bright treasure - hall in the blackness of t nigh . No r to reet the t - sto o m t he o g gif l igh g , ec e fo r the reato r nor a e his es re D k d C , h v d i That w as m uch s hame fo r the Frien d of S e n s hi ldi g , rea n o f mo o en s ate m an B ki d . Oft Men ric in r ne - ore t e r re e t e on ere u l , h i d y p d d , What it w ere best fo r the bo ld - hearted r a To frame against thei griesly fe rs .

At whiles' they vowed in the heathen - ten ts o - w o rs ra e t o r s Of id l hip , p y d wi h w d

1 2 That the Slayer of Spirits succo ur w ould send them a ns at a ue e eo e c as t e r Ag i t th pl g Of th p pl . Su h w h i ract ce p i , ’ The hOpe of the heathen ; twas hell they remembere d In the t o u ts t e r m n s e r a er h gh Of h i i d . Th i M k t e n ew not h y k , Th e em ster ee s n or st Of ne Go d D p Of d d , wi Divi , No r indeed the Hehn of Heaven knew they to onour h , Th e e e r of or Woe w o rt him who s a Wi ld Gl y . h h ll Thro ugh s layin g spite his sou l shuffle nto th e c utc es of fire an d find no co m o rt I l h , f , No r w en d then ce a whit w ell w o rth him who m ay ter his eat - da the ne o r s ee Af d h y Divi L d k , i he s t t And n t Arm Of he Father fin d refres hm en .

So in that time - sorrow the son of Halfdane Was se ethed witho ut ceasin g ; n or might the sage hero Win a Chan ge from his w oe ; w as that warfare too st ff i , oa and ast n t at on the o an e L thly l i g , h f lk l d d ee resse t em w t r m ate of N d p d h i h g i h , n t- anes the reatest igh b g . ’ ear rom his ome Hi elac s t e n Till h d f h g h g , ’ So oo mid h e eats Of Gren del s ee s g d t G , d d ’ He w as Of man - kin d s mein y the stron gest In the a s o f t s o ur hfe d y hi , e - and a He a e him a W ll bo rn w xing . b d

th e great Kin g see k , e he lack d . Fo r that w ay- farin g his wise fe llow s ame him but tt e t o o e Of t em he Bl d li l , h ugh l v d h w as

His - m n t e w ette w atc e o high i d h y h d , h d h ly om ens

He h ad o o m an ro m the eat s eo e , g d , f G i h p pl am o n s c osen of t ose t at een es t Ch pi h , h h k Might be foun d with fo urteen else The soun d - w oo d h e sought a sailo r shewed t em h , a e - cra t m an the an - m ar s A l k f y l d k . 2 1 0 On t m e w ent on the a es w as t e r s i w v h i hip , a r e r The o all rea A bo t un de b gs . b ys dy Steppe d o n th e stem th e stream w as was hin g The so un d on the s an d those seam en bare nto th e reast the ar r t a o rnmen s I b Of b k b igh d t , — ‘ Wo n drous w ar armour w ell o ut they shoved her , (Wights willi n g to j ourney) with woo den beams o un en b d . ent t en o er th e a es as the n ra e W h v w v , wi d d v r h e , The oam - nec e o ater to a ow est ene f y k d fl , f l b lik d , Till abo ut th e same time on the secon d d ay 2 2 0 Her wi ndin g stem had w aded so far a th e s a o rs an cou see Th t il l d ld , o re - c ff s s n n m o n ta ns s eer Sh li hi i g , u i h , Spre adin g sea- n esses then w as the so un d crosse d At the end o f o cean ereon c . Th up qui kly Th e o of the eders w a e on to the e s f lk W lk d fi ld , e cure t e r a- oo e r sar s ra e S d h i se w d th i k ttl d , ee s o f w ar and Go d e o rs e W d ; th y w hipp d , ’ r t at e a r th e a es so eas as Fo h th w y o e w v y w . ’ Then saw fro m the wall th e Shie ldin gs atc m an w h , He who the o m - c s had to o ( h l liff h ld ,) Them bear o ver th e bulwarks their bright ar e s t g t ,

1 4 Arms ready fo r acti on am azem ent brake th e t ou ts of his m n w at m en w ere On h gh i d , h ese th . e him t e n to th e aven o n a o rse r n Hi d h h , h idi g , Th e thegn o f H ro thgar in his han d he b randished t ron his ear- w o o and so emn or s S gly Sp d , l w d s pake : at are e a n armour Wh y h vi g , an in rn es who t us a ta ar A b d by i , h ll b k er the a e - street e a n are come Ov l k l di g , , Hither o ve r the ho hn s Awhile I on the wall a e een set at th e en d the sea- uar a e H v b , g d h v e h ld , That in the lan d o f D an es no lo athly fo eman t m en in sh s s cat e us m t Wi h ip h igh . Not mo re o pe n ly hither have attempte d to co m e Any shi eld - be are rs n o r th e se cret w o rd o ur w ar— anne rs w st e re a i Of pl i y d ly , e t f ur n re e er sa The co ns n o o ki d d . N v w I come lier ar on eart t an Is o ne o f ou E l up h h y , A m an in his m ail coat that i s n o hall - mini on Made w orthy by w eapons ; un less his Visage be lie hi m , ir at No s a our An a unm ched . w h ll I y nea e earn ere ea n ere e Li g l , l vi g h y Lyin g spies into th e l and o f D an es r Now e far- r are o rt art e . w e e s F f h f h y d ll , ere —ourn e ers ear en to m M j y , h k y Simple thought sw iftest i s safest To let me ken w en ce o ur com n is h y i g .

1 5 To him the e est ma e his an sw er ld d , The wise m an o f the war- band his wo rd - ho ard un lo cked We are a group of the Geatish peo ple ’ And Hi elace s eart - com an o n s g h h p i . at er w as ame am o n o s My f h f d g f lk , no e an cesto r Ec theow n am e A bl , g ly He abo de m an y winters ere on his w ay h e went So old from th e earth have him easily in min d e - ni all the se t s i e w o r ' o er W ll gh Wi , hi w d ld v . We t o n m n s the o r of t ee wi h l vi g i d L d h , ’ Halfdane s son are come to see , k , The Helpe r of the low ly be thou go o d to us in t ore hy l . We a e w t t at m t o n e a miCkle erran h v i h h igh y d , the o r of anes No r s a a i With L d D . h ll ught of t do ubtful

e ma n as w een . ou w s it is R i , I Th i t if So as w e so ot a e ear it s a , hly h v h d id , That against the Shi eldin gs I kn ow not what s cath er

ee - en ee - ate u in ar es D p hidd , d d h f l , d k t n ight - time eac es terro r ro es n o T h by t ubl u t ld , n To ro t ar a Havoc an d humbli g . H hg I m y In the roo m o f his eart a re e m art h d i p , How he o ld and o m a t at ane o er ow er , b ld , y h b v p , If there shou ld eve r en d fo r him s a e u us n ess o on s come a ter Thi b l f l b i , b f , And th e welli n g cares w ax coo ler Or e er a te r a t me of an uis if, v f , i g h , roes of nee he m ust o e w e t ere it Th d th l , hil h th las te , he est o f ous es e on t . Build d high , b h The w atc m an a e w ere his o rse h e sa e h Sp k , h h t , An officer unfearing Either way Should A sharp s hie ld - w arri o r know h ow to s kim

o r s rom w o r s on e t at e in et . W d f k , h w ll th k h

1 6

In th e r r e s ear o n t e cam e i g i ly g g i g , h y . e set sea- w ear ' roa - s e s e s Th y , /b d id d hi ld , ’ Hard en e d bo sses /i1y that ho use s w all They ben t then to the benches ; their byrnies ran War- m ail o f m en in a mass the re s too d ’ ears seamen S armo r as sem e to e er Sp , u , / bl d g th , Ash - w oo d grey- tippe d ; w as that i ro n troo p e a i w ea o ns en a arr r ra e W lthy n p . [ Th w io b v t ose at etes t e r o r n as e Of h hl h i igi k d . en ce r n e t ese eate s e s Wh b i g y h b n hi ld , ese re s arlis an d s tten ehns Th g y / hu b , ’ This hgap of war- shafts P I am H ro thgar s ’ er ar - earer Ne er a r ere s m . s w om e se U h , b I f l wh So man men i n moo mo re y d bold . I w een t a ro m r e n ot as re c es in h t f p id , w t h e e xil , But so n I n eart ro t ar a e so u u d h H hg ye h v ght . Th e reat in ar n a e him an sw er g d i g v , ro r nce of e ers a w o r a te r s a e P ud P i d d f p k , ’ Hard under his hehn We are Higelac s

- oo co m an o ns . eo i s m nam e B n p i B wulf y . s to s a to t e so n o f Halfdane I Wi h y , To the m t r nce t s e rran o m ne igh y P i , hi d f i , ’ To th m en s er he a ow us y Eld , if will ll it a s a m an e a re t Th t o goo d w m y g e . Wu lfgar Spake (that w as a Wen de l Chie f The w a o f his m n to m an w as no wn y i d y k , His w arring - an d Wisdom) That o f the e - w s er o f anes W ll i h D , Lo rd of Shi eldin gs shall I ask ; Of the Bestow er of bracelets as tho u dost beg e m , Of the mighty Kin g anent thy co min ; And to t ee s c answ er at on ce m e n own h , u h k ‘ ’ at a t e e As th goo d m n m ay think o giv m . " He e en in aste ere Hroth u sa e hi d th h wh “ t , Old an d ho a amid his ban d o f eargé He ste e o r h s tro n - earte t he stoo pp d t , g h d , ill d by the sho ulders

1 8 t e o r the anes He new the la Of h L d Of D . k w of the do u h Wulfgar sp e /to his Willin Lo rd ere a e men ar n far henc co m n H r f i g , / e i g ’ e r th rt of o cean eat s o O e gi h , /G i h f lk ; The ir eldest one th e o ther athletes o An d e do be e Be wulf. th y g a t e m as ter m a it t ee Th t h y , y m , y w h h res t e i n wo r s ere o re w o no t W l d . Wh f ithh ld co n sent cou r eo us ro t ar Thy , t H hg . ‘ I n their w ar- gear w o rthy seem they ’

ear s esteem . n ee t at e er is o u ht Of l I d d h ld d g y, He who the att e -men has ro u t h er b l b gh ith .

ro t ar ans ere ehn o f ie n s H hg w d , H Sh ldi g I knew him as a litt le kn ave ; Ec theow w as the n am e o f his o ld at er g f h , To o m to his ome a e H re thel the eat wh , h , g v G His o n l daughte r ; it is his offsprin g now l co m e a e er ardi n r n see n . Hith y , ki d f i d ki g e sa t en too the se a- are rs Th y id h , , f Who the ree s to the eats err e f gift G f i d , it er fo r t an s t a he h ad rt Th h h k , h t thi y ’ Men s main - strength in th e mighty grip a eat - ear e i Go Of his n r . H m o d h d , g h t d H ly For a si al help hath sen t to us To the Wes t r- anes as co s e D , I uld Wi h , ’ a n s Grendel s r mness To s oo -man Ag i t g i . thi g d Shall I o r his ar n reas res ea F d i g t u d l . Be ou as en n t em in th h t i g , bid h To m s t s roo of r en s assem e y i ht , hi t p f i d bl d togetge to them e ke in wo rds that they are we lcome th e an s eo e Then to the door o the D i h p pl . f hall Wu ar went the w o r announce rom w n lfg , d d f ithi I 9 ' = - s m e sa t o o u m s Battle o ran Bid y y y S v , The ast - an es e r t at he o r o r n ens E D Eld , h y u igi k , An d e are to him t h e sea-Wa es o e y , v v r, ar o w w e com e t er: H dy f ill , l hi h Now m s t e o in our m art a ear u y g y i l g , en n er h ehn ets ro t ar to s ee Hidd u d , H hg Let your w ar- shields here aw ait And o r oo en cor se - s a ts at comes of y u w d p h f , wh t s w or hi d .

' rose t en the r c o ne man men ro n him A h i h , y u d , A picked ban d of thegns some there abiding Watched over the w ar as the hardy on e e wish d . ed the l o et er ere the e s e e em S t g h wh guid h w d th , ’ - n er Ileo rot s roo . S tron hearted he went d f g , ar n er his e n t in the - ace he H dy u d h h , ill high pl stoo d . eow s a e on him the b rn s o ne B ulf p k ( y y h , A steel net sew e d by the skill o f a smith) ’ a to t ee rot ar am Hi elac s H il h , H hg I g Cousin and kin - thegn much glo ry I claim at at i m o t To me was t s Th I g n y y u h . hi Grendel-m atter On my own turf Ope n ly to ld Sa the sea- arers that this a Stan e y f h ll d th , o est o f ou ses to the w o e of o r men H li h , h l u ' e and se ess soon as e enin ht Idl u l , v g g In the house of ea en is en a a h v hidd w y . Then prevailed on me mine own peo ple The est - te th e men o f s om b wit d , wi d , ro ar re t at s o see t ee H thg , Si , h I h uld k h Fo r the main - stren gth o f me they knew ; Themse lves had seen m e when scatheless I came oo - fo rom m oes en five had Bl d ul f y f , wh I o n b u d , en en e the et n - n an d in the ocean Wh I d d i ki d , s lew Nico rs by night n arrow straits I endured ’ en e the Weders so rrow s oes had t e Av g d , (w h y uffered

2 0 t e r r e - s ers And no w t Groun d dow n h i g i f wi h . w i h ren e s a G d l I h ll , t at e ec e o n l With h d vil d id , I Th e t n w th e an t is now o f t ee hi g ith gi T h , r n ce o f r t - an es w be P i B igh D , ill I g, a e - uar of e n s a s n e oo n S f G d Shi ldi g , i gl b ; Do not t ou re use m e e u e of arr o rs h f , R f g W i , ear r en o f th o n ow so far am com e D F i d y f lk , I at m a o n t in an of ear s Th I y, I ly , wi h b d l , f ar o es ea Heo ro t s an u o n c nse o ut . Thi h df l h dy , 7l a e ear a so how th s o rro r H v I h d l , i h In his w an - heedin g of weapo ns reeks no t Hen ce I fo rsw ear (so m ay Hi e lac m aster to m e be t e Ogmoo My bli h d ,) swo r to e ar o r sh e roa - s e A d b , i ld b d id d , ” Yellow - b oss to th e battle but w ith bare hands shall I t the en and th e o r e t be e F ght wi h fi d , f f i lif 0ifoe against foe have faith he s hall In a doom divine whom death s hall een t at h e w h e be the nner W I h ill , if Wi , In this hall of fighters th e fo lk o f Geats Eat all un ear n as oft he , f i g , did t e m t f e Hrethm n o fo r e To h igh o th e . N t m needst thou ea eart on m ea fo r he a e m e H p h y h d , will h v rear r n me eat ta et D ily d ippi g , if d h k h en h e earet m oo co r se th n et to Wh b h y bl dy p , i k h rows e o n it b , ate as a one he oet all n mo rn u E th l g h , u u f l , Staineth his m oo r an a r n a no t fo r me l d l i ; y, n eedest tho u ’ Fo r m o s treatmen t ta e t ou t o n er y b dy k h gh l g . B ut sen to Hi elac m e th e stru e s la d g , if ggl This bes t o f battle -s hro uds which my breast uard eth g , ’ ares of arnes s it was Hrethel s ea n R t h l vi g , ’ elande s r n oet a e ‘ r as she W w o ki g . G h y Wy d ” will .

2 1 answ ere him e n o f el n s d , /H h Shi di g t in our e en ce t o m r en d f h u , y f i d eow u B lf, An d rom n ness art come to us f ki d . o t th at er in m an eu s F ugh y f h y f d , Happen e d he Heatholaf to s lay w ith h is hand Am on g the Wylfin gs ; then th e Weder- kin

Fo r ear of harr n s mi ht i o t ar r him f yi g / g n h bo u . h erea ter so u ht he the So t an e o l T f g u h D f k , Over heavin g seas the Honour- Shie ldings enas rst r e the o o f th e anes Wh fi I ul d f lk D , And held in my youth /the m - enri ched oar - ur o f eroes Tiien w as Heo ro ar H d b gh h . g ea d d , ne e er rot er all n n Mi ld b h u livi g , ’ Halfdane s bo h e w as e ter t an y b t h I . Sin ce then - the feud With a fee I finished ’ Sent I to th e Wylfings o ver the water s ridge n c en t treasures o a s he s o re to me A i th w . In my so ul a so rrow it is to say To an y guest what Grendel hath m n s fo r He rot in his a e u t o hts Of hu bli g o h t f l h u , s en ears as one th e ost o f m oo r Of udd f f hi d ; h y , My war- ban d waneth w hom Wyrd hath sw ept

ree re e God eas g dy G n d l . ily a er i a f is s That de l n m dness divide rom h dee d . o ft th e oas te t ee r r n en Full b d , wi h b d u k , er theale—o w s m at etes Ov b l , did y hl , That i n the been -hall they would abide ’ Gre el s o n set t r m w o r s nd Wi h g i s d . en w as s m ea a in mo rn n - t e Th thi d h ll i g id , o re - renc e ear ouse en as da G d h d , d h , Wh y ten e ligh d , The en c es all oo ere ste am n b h with bl d w i g , The hall with sw o rd - dro ps ; h ad I henchmen the

ear and o o se om eat o r . D d ughty , by th wh d h f did

2 2 Sit thee now to thy suppe r and un seal thy thoughts tale of thy triumphs as thy tongue may be ett e wh d . Then fo r the Ge at - m en gathered together In the be er- hall a be nch w as numbere d ere to sit stout - earte ent t e Th h d w h y , i e r tren t t e e ce s s re n t s . n s r A u d h i g h A h g did vi , He t at are i n his arms the ale ow eau h b b l b tiful , ' o ur t re r n At es the o e san P ed he pu d i k . Whil p t g High th rough Heorot there w as joy among

No sma ra t o f anes an eders ll d f D d W .

’ Unferth s a e E c lafe 3 bo p k , g Who s ate at the eet o f the y: riend o f e n s f Shi ldi g , ’ Unbound th e battle - rune (Beow ulf s vo yage w as im to h , ro - m n e mere - are r muc ann o an ce P ud i d d f , h y , Fo r he allow e d no t eve r that any o ther man Mo re o f glo ry o n this middle - garth o ear n er ea en t an h e ms e f Sh uld h , u d h v , h hi l )! Art tho u that Beowulf who with B reca s trove On the e sea i n sw mm n w a ere wid , i i g g d , en e w a n so ra e o f th e t e ma e t r a Wh y t i , b v , id d i l , ’ An d fo r a do lt s w ager i n the deep w ate r r r a m ffe e e . No n an O d lif up y , No r fri en d n o r os forbid you might ’ ‘ at so rrow u s a n w en o n t e soun e Th f l ili g , h h d y

The n w as t he w ater- stream by your arm - stro kes o en w v , Ye measured th e m ere - street i n mighty an s h dful , Sped over the Spear- Man ; Splas hed yo u the

o cean , ’ f nter Ye t wa n in the w ater s rea Wave s o wi . i lm 2 3 Sevenh nights swin ked he in swimmin g o utdid t c c , He had m o re m t en in orn n - ti e igh . Th m i g d ’ On to the Heatho - Raem s beach the ho lm upbare him en ce h e sou t his ow n sw ee so Th gh t il , He o e o f his eo e the an o f Brondin s , l v d p pl , l d g , The en ce r h a r w e re he h ad his o f d bu g f i h f lk , His ur an race ets his o as t t ee b gh d b l . All b wi h th The so n o f B ean stan i n soo t u e h f lfill d . So een fo r t ee a w o rse o com e w I h ut , Tho ugh in war- onset thou w e rt eve rywhere nn er wi , r mm er ue for ren e t o darest A g i d l , if G d l h u n t on and n to a e All igh l g igh bid . ’ eo answ ere E c theow s bo B wulf d , g at ! u m an n s m rien d Unferth Wh F ll y thi g , y , t eer r n en o f reca as s o en Wi h b d u k h t p k , .B as sa his s I o t te th w mm n . n so ee H t id Of i i g h I ll , a o f m e re - stren t mo re a e owne Th t I g h h v d , n uran ce o f a es t an an o t er E d w v , h y h We tw o o t eiii t e n a es qu h , b g lit l k v , And w e bo asted (w e w e re bo th of us ye t In the s rin of o t at we o er the p g y uth) , h v sS ) ear- Man

Wo ul are o ur es an en so e \ dd liv : d ev did w . We e a sw o r n a e en w e s wam o n th e h ld d k d , wh so n u d , Hard I n han d agaimst the whale fis hes We t o t to w ar us No t rom me h ugh d . Whi f ar on th e floo d - Wa es m t he o a Af v igh fl t , as t er on the ohn n r rom him w o u H i h o f ld I . Thus w e tw o assembled o n the s ea w ent e n ts o rt un the o o sca e re us Fiv igh f h , til fl d tt d , e ter n w a es and w ea er co es t W l i g v th ld , Darken in g n ight an d n o rthe rn w ind s e o n us w ar- r m rou w ere the a e rs Ru h d , g i gh w t . ’ Was the mere - fishes m alice quickened 5 5 0 Then agains t beasts my bo dy- sark ar an o c en e aff o r e H d , h d l k , h lp d d ; 2 4

With shining sw ord (I say it n ot , bOasting) o t o to th ret ren 'a ane ast een Th ugh h u y b h / b h b , To the sons of thy houSe [ Wherefo re in hell thou s halt

Th o r e u l t ou fine be t h w it . y f f it f fil , h gh ) sa to ee i soo t son of Ec laf I y th n h , g :

That Gren del n ever .so much that is gruesome had w ro u t gh , at cr e creature on th n Th u l up Ki g , No r um n s in Heorot th eart w ere h bli g , i y h O r thy soul as s tern as thyself thou te llest he at o n t a fo r the eu he n ee no t But h h f u d h t f d d , Fo r the cr e s o r - ress o f our eo e u l w d p y p pl , Sit so re ly t rouble d by Triumph - Shieldin gs ‘ He ta es e es at n ee no ne he s aret k pl dg d , p h the an s w arr o rs bu t he arre at Of D i h i , w th eas re pl u , a et and w a ow et see et no ven ance Sl y h s ll h , k h rom the S ear- ane But s e wil s . e F p D p dily I , ” HOW oo an a ant the eats be n ow g d d g ll G , I n a at o im Go he a er w h o ma m ch inf rm h . ft y ’ To his mead high - min ded when the mo rni ng s light an o ther a o er the off s r n o f m en Of d y v p i g , The sun sw athed in brightness from the South ” et shin h . en w as h e o u the e e - er Th j yf l , J w l Giv , re - a re w ar- a t In e he tr ste G y h i d , h ugh y h lp u d , The Head of the B right - Danes heard from B eow ulf

The r o f th e o his xe ur ose . He d f lk , fi d p p erew as a ter of eroes o res ound n Th l ugh h , l ud i g o r e ent We alhth eow o rt W ds w ere Winsom . W f h , The en of ro t ar of custom Que H hg , , Gold -de cked she greeted the groo m s in hall And that free - bo rn wife the flago n handed ’ r t - anes r en and e r Fi st to th e Eas D F i d Eld , a e him be t e at t at ee r- tast n B d bli h h b i g , Him o e o f his an smen h e ust too , l v d l d l ily k

Th e east an d th e fla on o rtunate in . f g , f K g

2 6 en en aro n t at oman o f the Helmi n s Th w t u d h W g , To old and young, gave each his s hare the treas re - cu t the t me w as com e Of u p, ill i a she t o eow race ete ueen Th t B ulf , b l d Q , o e - m n ed the mea - ow are N bl i d , d b l b ’ ree e sh e the eats r n ce Go d s he t an e G t d G P i h k d, se in her w o r s t at her s w as Wi d , h Wi h accom s e pli h d , That she on any earl might reckon o r o o r a s h e curs e Th e cu he too F c m a n t . f t g i t p k , war- fierce arr o r ro m Wealhth eow A w i , f , An d t en ra e nto s eec fo r a e rea h b k i p h , b ttl dy ’ eo l m a e tteran ce Ec th eow s bo B wu f d u , g y s are th s o at w en sa e on th e o cean I w i h h I il d , In a s ea-lboat sate t m so er- an wi h ldi b d , ’ a on ce fo r all w o u o r eo e s Th t , , ld y u p pl s a e w ro t o r w arr n a e a en Wi h h v ugh , i g h v f ll , ’ In th e fien d s r as t as on s a g ip f . F hi I h ll ar - e ef o rts o r the end o f the da 8 E l lik f , e s a a a t i t is mea - a Of m h ll w i n h d h ll . To th e w e t at o r w e - n seeme if h w d ll liki g d , Th e es of th e eat o - ec e she en g t G g ld d k d w t , ’ ree - o rn o - een her r en to s it A f b F lk Qu , by F i d . en w as a ter as erst - i e n s e the a Th , f Wh l , i id h ll The ro o r o en the eo e re o ce p ud w d Sp k ; p pl j i d , Th e con uero rs C am o re s en came l u d , till udd it ’ That Hal dane s son w ould go to seek His eveni ng rest h e knew th at the evil o ne a a t n to arr Th t high h ll did hi k h y , ’ oon as the s n s t see t e mi ht not S u ligh h y , Or now d es cen n n t o er alf , di g igh v , a es of the s a ow s s n n came Sh p h d li ki g , Wan un er the e k n The w arr o rs all arose d w l i . i reete eac o ne en the o t er G d h th h , rot ar eo an d a e him a H hg B wulf, b d h il , e it in th e n e - al an d t s w o r ot Wi ld wi h l , hi d qu h e er a e to an m en ere n ow entr s e N v h v I u t d , n ce s e o n fist rs t m t s ew Si hi ld fi igh h , h e - a t e T e no of anes but now to e . bl h ll D , h a e t o and o t s o est o f o uses H v h u h ld hi h li h , 2 7 Of th fame be mindful ate fo r t he ~ rat W w h . shalt tho u ac l k , all t at eff o rt a e o u en durest If h liv th .

Bew en t him then Hro thgar with his ban d o f eroes h , Help o f the o ut o f hall He o the War ef We alhtheow see w uld , , k , ’ ee f r his couc He h a t e n o . d h n s or A Qu h , Ki g Gl y , a nst ren e so roo ms ear te Ag i G d l , ( g h d ll) A sentinel set w ho se rvi ce did ’ o the anes er o e re w atc a a ns Ab ut D Eld , ff d h g i t

’ How ever the Geats Prince zidly trus ted ’ In his moo mi ht in his gvia er s erc d , /l k M y . ' Then he di off fhis i ron byrn His ehn ro m his ea a s te s o r h f h d , /g hil d w d , o ces o f 1rons to his armour- eare r Ch i t , / b , And a e him o the att e - a ess b d h ld b l h rn . a e en - the ra e o ne some o as n w o r s Sp k th b v b ti g d , Beo lf the ea e re to bed h e en wu G t , w t Not in the might of hos ts mo re meagre ho ld I

me , ’ In the ame o f war an Gren del s sel g , th f ; Therefore with the sword to s leep will I riot send

him , f e is - us e him t u al t at m a No r o d o l . lif , h gh h I y no s h e not the oo a s a nst m e to str e K w g d w y g i ik , ro un - shi to hew t ou ro he be My d , h gh ugh In wo rks o f Vio lence ; bii t w e tw o by night shall Set as e the sw o r see he are id d , if k d War o t w ea ns and t en let se God With u , h Wi , The o o r o n e t er an H ly L d , i h h d r e m eet e t et The me t em as H in . i d , h k h

' a him own t en the am on a L id d h Ch pi , / chee k- bo lster took

2 8 The ace of th e ear and all aro n man f l , u d y see seam an s aiik to rest A ly . Not o ne o f them thought that therefrom he s ho uld His ow n o e eart e er a t er see l v d h v f , The fo lk o r the free - burgh w here he w as fo stered Fo r they h ad foun d that far too many befo re In that wi ne - hall death h ad w asted the an s eo e to t em the ne Of D i h p pl . But h Divi One gave e s of w ar- s ee to th e e er- eo e W b p d , W d p pl o ace an d succo r h at t e r foe t e s o l S l u , t h i h y h u d ro the cra t of one all o ercome Th ugh f v , ythe might o f him se lf in soo th it is known That Mighty Go d all mannes - kin d Th ro u l e - me ieldeth ame In the wan g Wid ti w . C m fit S a n the s a ow - oer The s ooters t lki g , h d g . h s m e re lu b d , e who th e a - o se s o be o n Th y h ll h u h uld h ldi g , t one is eac as no n All bu . Th by h w k w at em he m s not If t e r a er e Th th u t , h i M k will d it not , The cease ess scather n e r the s a o s snatc l , u d h d w h ’ h e w a n in th e w rat s e an ce But , ki g , h d fi , ’ o e o n w t ra e th e att e s o come Ab d , b ili g i h g , b l ut .

Then came fro m th e m oo r un der misty slo pes ’ ren e n o s ire he are G d l glidi g , G d b ; Was m n e t at mur erer o f mannes i d d , h d , ome to ensnare i n at o emn a S th s l h ll . a e h e n er the el n t he th e ne - o use W d d u d w ki ill wi h , o - a of room s m t et w e i n s G ld h ll g igh g ll ight , With filigrees frette d n or w as it the first time ’ a e r ar a Th t h H othg s home h d sought . Nor e er in his a s he e re nor a er v d y did , ft , ar er ero nor a - t e ns find H di h h ll h g . 3 9 Came then to the ho use From de lights divided ; o fired baii ds as ten e Th u h with f d , finge rs to uche d it ; urs t he in t en a efu - m n e and o n B h b l lly i d d , / b ili g

he w as , t f t ro a a ter The m ou h o he om . R pidly f On its as on e oo r the en w as tre ad n f hi d fl fi d i g , On ent he re in his e es t e re s one w i ful , y h h , To ea n - flame est a l t n o e l pi g lik , igh u l v ly , S w he in the a ero es man a h ll h y , cous n - and s ee in co uc e to et er A i b l g h d g h , “ A ea of r en w arr ors en his ear h p f i d y i . Th h t laughed o ut ; He w as m n e to e e re the da came g i d d divid , y , at e in eac an d all Th ugly d vil , h The life fro m the limbs ; then lust to him came i No as it ate a n Of feastin g h s fill . r w f d gai That mo re he might of m annes - kin d to a a ter t a t stro n w ron e e S m ch f h t nigh . A g g b h ld ’ Hi e lac s m an how the mo rta scather g , l t his e ars om e r ou e ar Wi h f g ip w ld b f ing . No r t at the e t n to e a , h did d vil hi k d l y _ But he s eize d sw iftly In his firs t sw o o p s ee n man n aw ares he s t him A l pi g , u li , ’ Bit his o nes - co er is oo - streams ran b v , h bl d d k , Swift mo uthfuls sw allow ed soon he had The n n man all o s e c ean u livi g p li h d l , m his ee to his ers rt r r e e ro n . nea e s F f t fi g Fo h , , t pp d e h , Too k the n with his han ds that highest -minded Hero at re st reached o ut against him The fie n d w ith his han d he quickly held him hts of a is arm o en nd sate on h . With th u vy , oo n e fin d t at s he e rd of e on es S did , h f l i , at he had not met i n iddle - Gar Th , th , In the en s of the eart rom an o t er m an d h , f y h A han d - ggri p harde r ; he in his heart Felt sore afraid no r the sooner there - from m he ight . 30 In his m n w as he a n n to th e m r to flee i d f i i i k , The tribe o f devils to see k no r w as his treatment the re as i e ar e r a e a e e r Such n li d ys h h d v met . Was min de d then the gallant m ate o f Hige lae in - s e too his e en m ch . he s Of v g Upright d , An d fas t him hel his fin gers w e re burs ting : Etin w as o utw ard Earl farther s te ppe d eant h e s m t e reso he m t M , o igh y , Wh igh To w n as de an d on his w a t ence i d i , y h Flee to the fen lands he knew that his fin gers w ere he ld ’ In a j ealous gri Tw as a j o yless j o urn ey at th e arm ul- scather to Heor t m a e Th h o d . Dinn ed the n the maste r- hall and to the Danes all se em e it d , To the C ester- w e ers to eac o f the eenes h d ll , / h k t , To the ear s an ale - ro u ht re r t h . u w e e o l , d I f l b h os e cr e w ar en s The w a s w e re cras n Th u l d . ll hi g It w as a great wo n der that the w in e - hall t sto o the r m - fi hte rs t at to th e ro un Wi h d g i g , h g d it e n t f ll o , The fai r field dw ellin g but so fas t it w as ns e and o uts e t ron n n s I id id wi h i bi di g , sa t o u t sm t ie en rom th e s s By g h gh i h d . Th f ill fele Mead ben ches m an y (my s to ry te lls ) o n s e w ere the o es ra e With g ld fi i h d , h f g ppl d ; No r w een ed e re then the wi se st Shie ldings That an y amon g men 1 could m anage it ever eaut u o ne e c e to rea asun er B if l , b d k d , b k d , ’ Or fin d o ut to n o c it n ess the ame s u l k , u l fl embrace o s a ow in smo e so n Sh uld w ll it k . A u d ascended New eno ugh o n the No rth - Danes fell An a terro r o n eac an d all wful h , Who from the w all to his w eeping ’ To o s en em ree t n a r es la G d y g i g g i ly y, No son o f tr um his so res ewa n g i ph , b ili g ,

3X ’ e s o n m an Fo r e him ast H ll b d . h ld f He that of men w as in might th e stronges t ° In the a s of t s o ur e 7 9 d y hi lif .

’ Would no t the earls - buckler fo r any thing Let that quellin g quester qui ck e Nor his tim e on th e eart h to any ee me e se u rew t en eac D d h u f l . D h h ’ eo s ear s his an c ent e r o om Of B wulf l i h i l , And o his o r es hfe e en w uld l d d f d , The m ar e o s r nce t e t so m . v ll u P i , if h y igh Fo r t s t e st not w en t e w a e a a nst hi h ywi , h h y g d g i m hi , The ar - m n e m en of a e h dy i d d b ttl , And on e er a f t e t o u ht to hew him v y h l h y h , To search out his so ul that t e ceas eless scather Not o ne u o n eart o f the c o cest ro ns p h h i i , w ar- s no ne o l t e re com e near Of bill w u d h , Fo r w nn n w ea o n s he h ad ew tc e i i g p b i h d , An d e er s o r - e e st the end o f his t me v y w d dg . Mu i In the days I o f thi s our life Be so rrow - u and the o re n an tom f ll , f ig ph ’ n o t e en s rea far st t ra e I t h fi d hn mu v l . en t s h e ho ree e rs e h o n , w T hi ~ f u d f ly twhil In mi rthf ul m oo d against m an - ki n d Had as o ne e on es he oes w t God f hi d f l i , , f i h , a his i e m t ast no on er Th t l v bo dy ! igh l l g , For him the haughty mate o f Higelac Had by th e arm so each to the o ther e he e as ane r e of o he Whil liv d w b ful . G i f b dy o re ‘ b , o e r Th e wc e retc a w o n in his . s i k d w h u d h uld , sw e n so re s ew e the s ne s ran o ut A lli g h d i w Sp g , ’ The o e - co er r t To eow f w as b n s v bu s . B ul Th e glo rygiven mus t Gren del then ce c o f kfc flee n e r en an o es Si k u d f l d Sl p , S eek a j oyless dwellin g judge d he sure ly 32

His eat en s so l t ere e him se e h h i h u ; h h ll iz d . Cam e back there - after th e e lder com rades An d oun sters m an a o a ourne y g y , j vi l j y , rom the m e re so a o n orses mounte F , h ppy , h d ’ Boys upon bays There w as Beo wulf s Might pro claim e d m any and o ft quo they at sou n o r no rt tw o seas etween Th th h , b , er the en ess eartli ne er an ot er Ov dl , v h n er the ow of ea en w as t ere ette r U d b l h v h b , ro n - s e arr o r m ore o r to r e A u d hi ld w i w thy ul . Nor did they i n their Frien d an d Lo rd the least a t find f ul , In a rot ar fo r a w as a o od n gl d H hg , th t g Ki g . es reat in a le t e let a110 At Whil , g b tt , h y g p, atc e in a race t e r a o m ares M h d , h i f ll w , ere the field - a s a rest w ere rec one Wh w y , f i k d , ’ enne and c osen e s the n s e n K d h . At Whil Ki g th g , m an oast - a en of a a s m n A b l d , b ll d i dful , Who alm ost all o f the o lden s ayings ou e rem em er res w or s o fin d C ld w ll b , f h d w uld , t r t en n e He too his ta e With u h twi d . k up l the com n o f eow f c e er w ea n it Of i g B ul , l v ly vi g , And 8 ake t s e e his sk u sto r es wi h p d ilf l i , Wrest ed in w or s we ll - nigh all he quoth at o f Si emun d he had ear t em s a Th g h d h y, His m t ef o r s n n o n thin s m an igh y f t , u k w g y , The w ars of the Waelsin his e o rne s g, wid j u y , ereo the sons of m en w ere s carce a are Wh f ly w , e s and o f e on es sa e Fitela his s e Of f ud f l i , v by id , en some n o f s c m at ers w o he sa Wh thi g u h t uld y, An n c e to his n e ew fo r so e er e ere u l ph , v th y w In fighti ng times faithful com rades The hadgalmo st all of the etin - ki ndred Su e r sw o r s nto Si em und ran with th i d . U g Sp g After th e day ' o f his death a deal of glo S n ce ar in war the orm h e ue led i , h dy , W q , a er of the oar er a oar stone Th t h d h d und h y , ‘ ’ An a e n s son a one he ent re th li g , l v u d A fearless deed nor was Fitela with him

34 890 How ever it w as sent him that his sword went

at w on rous o rm t i n th e a it stoo Th d W , ill w ll d ,

o u t ron and the ra o n sw o one in eat . A d gh y i , d g d d h He h ad t at llant so w o aine , h , h lly g d , That the jew e - ho ard /l he might enj oy As mse l ste a sea- o at he o a e hi lf i d ; / b l d d , are nto the reas t o f the s r t a o rnments B i b hip b igh d , lses s o e r its ea m e te ae Th o m . Did W n . W gh t l d He w as of w an derers we ll the m ost famous In th e ouses of m en a h e r of arr o rs h , w i ar ee so i ro e he B his d ing d ds n th v . V‘yh en as Heremo des ar oo ane h dih d w d , His ow er an d his ro ess am th e Eo tens he p p w , id passe d nto on a e o f his oes o rt e tra e I b d g f f h b y d , a s t r n of so rro s Sent aw y w if ly . Su gi g w e him to o on ro out e he was Lam d l g . Th ugh lif r his o to his s en all ca e to w n n m . A , ki So that often bew ailed i n o lden times ’ The stout he arte d one s sailin g sage carls many Who o n him as a ar a a ns a e , bulw k g i t b l , e e e b li v d , en son of e r n s he s o come to Wh , th i Ki g , h uld man o o h d , ’ a e his at er s r ers re n o er the o T k f h ul hip , ig v f lk , Th e o ar an d the re e a realm of eroes h d fug h , om estea o f e n s He was all H d Shi ldi g . by ’ Hi elac s m ate o f mann es - n g ki d , his r en s more a o r i n fe on the By f i d f v u ed . But l y o er as stee th w ped .

At Whiles in races the yellow roads ’ ’ The m ares eet easure en w as morn n s f m d . Th i g hght rust su en o r are so ers man Th dd ly f th . F d ldi y , a t - earte to t a a H ugh y h d , h t h ll , To s ee a s ran e won er mse f too the t g d ; hi l , n Ki g , ’ Out of the r e- o er the race e -s ore s ar en b id b w ,/ b l t t w d , 35 ro o rt tr m an t t a roo e on T d f h iu ph , [ wi h t p b y d n m e r u b , He enne and c o sen an d his een bes e , k d h , Qu id him

e a - a t r a en - an Th m e d w lk m easure d wi h he m id b d .

Hrothgar spake ; he to the ball goin g Stoo on the ste s of it saw the stee - c e d p , p pit h d roo f ’ t o ma e lo e an d Grend el s an Wi h g ld d v ly , h d For this en sign to the Ahn igh than ks At once be off ere an e s ave o rne d . M y vil I b , Gins set by Grendel e ve r may Go d

on er o n o n er ar en o f o r . W d up w d , W d Gl y ’ Tis no t any time since I fro m none Of my woes did ween that in the w ide w o rld

I s o l reac a reme w en ree n o f oo h u d h dy , h , ki g bl d , This dearest of houses swo rd drea , sto od Woe scattere d w ide my wise men 31 Who weene d not that they in the w ide w o rld ever ’ the o s C o s e r c ose to e r oes Might f lk l i t l th i f , o emons an d e s Now a o one at T gd d vil . d ughty h h race ne a ee accom s e By G Divi / d d pli h d , Where all o f us mi ht no t eve r ccee fo r our sugtilt a ! Now ma she Su d , y. Wh t y s a y, osoe e r the oman be who t s w rr o r ore Wh v w hi a i b , The atest of his ne she et et l li , /if y liv h , That Go d of o ld /[ w as cious to her At her c - ear n Vow eo ee hild b i g . fi , B wulf, th , a est of men as m ne own son S g , i Will love throughout life good - luck atten d tficc With thy n ew kin dred be thou never in nee d 36 s in the o r e am e n Of thy wi h w ld , whil I wi ldi g o er p w . ‘ oft an d for ess ees a e a s e Full l , f h v I l vi h d , rom m oar a e on o re m en ess ar F y h d h v h u d l h dy , r i t am e t o u as Feeble n figh . Thy f h h t Made so great by thy deeds th at thy glo ry liveth e r t m Ma th e lm t For ev and all i e . y A ighty wi h thee Deal ever kin dly as He did this day ’ eo answ ere E c theow s bo B wulf d , g y We this mi hty w o rk with great oo d will ” Fo ught an d she d fiercely dare w e The rage o f the unknown rather w ould I at t o m sel mi htest a e see n Th h u hi f g h v , Th e e i his ar- ear ear a ln n n w w . fi d g , ily f l i g ast as ar c as e him H ily I , h d I l p d , On his eat bed o u t to n him d h th gh bi d , So t at r e m musc es he s o h , g ipp d by y / l , h uld Lie fo r e as n est his o ea rom , lif g pi g ; l b dy l p f But him m t no t fo r the a e r e it not I igh , M k Will d , Kee p from his goin I did not clin g fast eno ugh To t at ata fo e too o rce he w as h f l ; f ful , Th e e o his eet owe er his n ers he fi n d n f . H v fi g e t l f , His e to s a e and to ea e us a si rl lif v , l v g His arm a is o t er No r et li ec an nd h x . / y did y a r has e a e ess t ness u c . H ppi , h lpl wigh No on er e et i n o at o n s l g liv h l hly d i g , Burden ed w ith sins but so re pain hath him In a r o f necess t narrow r sone g ip i y ly p i d , In a e u on s t ere s a he a e b l f l b d ; h h ll bid , m on ster o u t m a ce th e m t oom A f l wi h li , igh y d Whi ch the Shining Maker as sentence shall 3,

him . Then a silent man w as the son of Reglaf In oast n o r s o f his att e - w o rks b i g w d b l , ’ Sin ce that th e athelin gs by that earl s s tren gth er th e roo a an co see Ov high f h dy uld , e r t e a A fien des fingers b fo e h m ll. ‘ Was the s em of eac n a to stee es en e t h il / l b t lik d , 37 Heat en s an -s urs the a e- ar h i h h d p , b ttl h dy Talon un ho ly then each of them to ld That th ere w as n aught so hard that ho ld mi ght , Nor o ld - tried i ron whi ch from that o gre Th e oo a t e -fist m t rea aw a bl dy b t l igh b k y .

Then it was hastily ordered that Heo rot

’ Be m de fai r by men s fingers ; not a few were tfiere

ts and of omen who t at ine - o se Of Wigh w h w h u , e e t - a s e o - ro ere on Th gu s h ll h d . G ld b id d sh e Webs on the wails won der- sights m any Fo r every soul that on s uch thi n gs stareth Was that bright building broken so rely o n ar s all t ron - an s astene Th ugh i w d wi h i b d f d , Its hin es sun dered the ro of only still 1 000 Was ole an d so n en the an on one w u d , wh w t o t e on es i n t ew ent F ul wi h f l i fligh b , o e No t eas i s it Of life un h p ful . y To esca aw a m a e the eff o r who k t will , eac so arer s a be o rne But ul h ll b , necess t o n of the baim s o f men By i y b u d , , the e0 les o n ro n to the ace re are Of p g u d , pl p p d h ere s ear o i n its bed a r ast W d b dy l i f , ’ S ee s a ter e s su e r en was seas on an d l p f lif pp . Th re as on ’ That to the hall should 0 Halfdan e s son 1 e r 0 1 0 Th e Kin g him self ! w ou d partake of th e supp . Nor have I heard that a muster of men so m any r - r ar e es e e r About thei bo oty give b e them s lv b tt . en e t en to th e ben ches a un an t in ea t B t th y h , b d w l h , With joy they feaste d an d fai rly taste d an a cu - the nsm en o f all t e re M y p ful ki h , ar of eart in t at a so H d h / h h ll high , r t ar r lf Heo ro t t n was H o g and H othu . wi hi 38 Fille d With friends n o fashion of treason e n - eo e s a e t at w e The Shi ldi g P pl h p d h hil . 1 02 0 Gave then to Beowulf /th e bairn of Halfdane An ens n of o ld to race his tr m ig g iu ph , ro ere sh t - stan ar b rn and hehn et B id d d d , y y ; A mighty treasure - sw ord m an y saw there e e re at r eow to o Born b fo th b ave . B ulf k The Ha on on th e oo r no r o f t at fee - i g fl , h g ft Amon g the s hoo ters sham ed n ee d h e be ; Nor have I heard that m ore friendliwise fo ur treasures Any go ld - girdled groups of men a - e c e a o r e At th e le b n h s e ch upon the besto w d . ’ o th e roo of t a e m et his ea s safe Ab ut f h t h l h d ty , res woun den a rea ar e With Wi y , w th gu d d t o wi h ut , a th e file - s ar a es o a m e m Th t h p bl d , b ldly i d , ight

n ot , o er- tem e re sca e him en the Sh w p d , th , wh shield -w arrio r o be o n ains his o s Sh uld g i / gi t f e . Bade then the garls - B uckle r /ci ght ho rses With fashion ed facin gs upo n the floo r be led In un der the barriers on o ne of them stood A sa e tr c e o ut treas res s n n ddl , i k d , with u hi i g ; at w as the ca ain - sea o f the Kin Th pt t High , 1 040 Wh en in th e play of swords th e son of H dane Was a n to o r s ne er a e in th e f i fl u i h , / v f il d forefro nt i r n H s famo us s kill when the slain w e e f alli g . An d then to Be o wulf o f both these ri ches ’ Th e r n ce o f In s r en s ossess on a e P i g F i d p i g v , Anim als and Weapo ns bade him well to use e th m . So manliwise th e or Mighty L d , Hoar - ar en of eroes att e - o rro rs d W d h , [b l h

t mares and i me a so a never man Wi h w th t l , th t ma ame him y bl , Who s es to sa e s is r wi h y th oo th as ight . 39 en a so on eac th e o r o f ar s Th l h L d E l , Of tho se who with Beowulf the brimming-se a tra e e v ll d , at m ea en c esto e treas res At th d b h b w d u , An cient heirlooms and fo r that o ne he bade at o be en om ren e ate Th g ld giv , [/Wh G d l l ly t m a ce li ad ue e as more o f t em he Wi h li q ll d , [ h o w uld , Had n ot se God t e r r t stoo Wi h i wy d Wi h d , An the t of t e r a The a e r r e d migh h i m n . M k ul d over all The nat o ns o f m en as n ow e en He ot i , v d h

ere o re is un erstan n eve e re . est Wh f d di g h b , o ret ou t o f m n uc s a he fin d F h gh i d . M h h l Of love ly and loathly he who lon g here In ese w ar- a s the o r brooketh th d y w ld . There w as s in gin g an d so unding assembled together ’ Halfdane s a e - ea sman b ttl h d , The lau hter- w oo was to uc e the la oft o d h d , y t ld , ’ When 0 hall - pleasure Hro thgar s bardy Alon g the mead ben ches made

' nn es od s r n w en ear at o of t em By Fi i g , [ h f g h ld h , The hero of HaIED anes J/Hn aef of the Shieldin gs In Frisian fight /to fall w as fated ! No Wi se did Hildeburh n eed to hono ur Th e trot o f the Eo tens uns nn n s h e w as h i i g , o rn of her o e ones at t at n en a L l v d h li d pl y , Of her bo ys and h er brothers they bow ed to e r ate th i f , Wo un ded with Spe ars that w as a so rrowful man w o . No r witho ut due reas on did Ho cees daughte r ’ The t er 3 oom mo rn en m o rn n came D u wh i g , When un der the suns hine she might s ee Her men lie murdered w here most she had held o r War o o o ff all Of jo ys in the w ld . t k 40

Their bo dies for burning on the bier to do n Her an o n his s o u er so rro e t at a h d h ld w d h l dy , a s amen e The o r arose With l y l t d . l d Curled up to the clouds of corpse - fires the rea e st g t , n zo oare e o re the o t e r ea s me te R d b f m un d ; h i h d l d , Wo un d - gates burst O pen ; then bloo d spran g out rom o es fo e - t en The e all sw a ow e F b di bi t . flam ll d , os tton o s os t o se om the w ar had M t glu u gh t , h Wh otten g ,

Of bo th th e fo lks their bloo m was scatt ere d .

XVII

e ar e ose a an s to s t e r w e l n s D p t d th v li t vi it h i d l i g , Forlom o f e r r en s r es an to see th i f i d , F i l d , e r om es and i r en es all t ro Th i h h gh bu gh . H g t h ugh That death - stained win ter dw e lt with Finn In stren gth unstrivin g [ his ho mestead he remem ere b d , Although he might never over the mere drive His r n e - stem t sto rm s the o n w e tere i g d Wi h h h l d , arre t e nter o c e the W d wi h th wi nd . Wi l k d Ice — o n en t at t ere came anot er yb u d , till h h h ear in th e art s e en as et o Y g h , v y d th a s re a e o ser es th e season (Wh t , u ly , y b v ) o r - r t eat er en w as nter sca ere Gl y b igh w h . Th wi tt d , ’ a r was the e s osom o rt nt the e e F i fi ld b , f h we xil , ’ The guest from the garths he o f grief s aven gin g o on er ou t t an of sea- ar n S th gh h f i g , he a er mee n m t r n a o t If bitt ti g igh b i g b u , That the m en of the Eo tens therein be remem ere b d . ’ So he did n ot refus e the w orld s ruli ng en Hun lafin the o f att e Wh g light b l , The best of blades in his bo som thrust ose e es w ere to the Eoten s no wn Wh dg k . So to fearless - hearted Fi nn be fell S o r - ea sa a e to mse at ome w d d th v g hi lf h , 4 2 When the grim grappling Guthlaf an d Oslaf er sea- sa n i n sorro amente Aft ili g w l d , Charged him with a share o f their woes ; might h e the waverin g life o in his re ast en the a w as es re n H ld b . Th h ll b t w o ies of o emen nn e se w as s a n With b d f Fi lik wi l i , i i r an e ueen ta en A Kin m d h s cou tiers d th Q k . Th e sgooters of the Shieldin gs [ to their ships carried the nw ar fu of t a eart n All i d h t hly Ki g , hic in nnes be n in W h Fi fi d g , Sun - e e s su t e - ems on the sea-wa j w l , b l g . y His co rt ame to the anes t e carr e u ly d D h y i d , Led her to her eo e p pl . The la was s n y u g , ’ The eeman s est o a er arose gl g . J y ft , B right grew the bench - soun d Bearers gave out ne rom on ro s esse s en came Wi f w d u v l . Th We alhtheow fo rth o n eneat a o en cro n e en w ere the G i g b h g ld w , v h go o dly tw ain ate th e nc e and the ne ew s w ere t e S , u l ph till h y eac at eace to et er h p g h , ac of t em w as tr e to the ot er So ere E h h u h . th Unferth too th e s o es m an , , p k , ’ Sate by the feet of the Shi eldi n gs Father all of t em in his ee n tr ste h f li g u d , a he had a cr e co ura e t o he w as n ot Th t u l g , h ugh to his kinsm en o a t the s o r - e e a n a e t en w . L y l , wi h d dg pl yi g Sp k h th e Lady of the Shie ldin gs a e t o t s a on ree - o r of m ne T k h u hi fl g , f l d i , ea er of t reas re a be t o H p u , h ppy h u , o - r en of men and to the eats s ea G ld f i d , G p k In m w o r s as a m an s o o d . ild d , h uld B e a t the eats of ts be m n gl d wi h G , gif i dful ear an d far t o n ow e ace findest N , h u p Men have said to m e that tho u fo r thy son w o uldst a e i i e e h s ero . Heo rot s c ans H v t h l d , B right hall of j ew els enj oy while tho u mayest 4 3 omfo rts man and to th n re ea e C y , y ki d d l v o and kin dom w en o rt t o m s t F lk h f h h u u , th IVlaker now m ne ow n y . I k i rac o s Hro thulf t at o ur o t he G i u , h y u h will o in ono r o soon er t an h e H ld h u , if th u h , o er o f h e n s leavest th e o r L v S i ldi g , w ld ‘ Ween I that h e go o d thin gs w ill yi eld again To o ur own o s r n all h e rem em ers ff p i g , if b That we two for his Wish an d his w o rship of o ld When be ’ was a child in his honour planned Turned she then by the ben ch Whe re h er bo ys ere w , ’ Hrethric and Hrothm un d and the e ro es a m s , h h i , The o t to e r t e re the oo one sate y u hs g the h g d ,

eo l o f the ea s t ose ret ren t a n . B wu f G t , by h b h w i

XVIII

To him w as the fla on orne and rien g b , f dly biddin g en in o r s and wounden o Giv w d , g ld a o f ere arm - r es t a n Gl dly f d , gi dl w i , n s an d a f arment the reatest o f nec e s Ri g g , g kl t

“ ere o o n t s e art as e er o Wh f I hi h w v t ld .

' No r under the sky have I heard o f any seemli er reas re oar o f ero es s nce am a o re off T u h d h , i H b ’ T o t a r t ur the B rosin s co lar h t b igh b gh g l , 1 2 00 The ro wn and the casket from the cunning he fged

' Eorman ri c c o se he ern a u e t . Of , h Et l R l at r n ad a so Hi elac the eat Th i g h l g G , ran son of Sw ertin o n his ‘ last sa n G d g, ili g , en h e n er his ann er th o ot uar e Wh u d b e b y g d d , Fenced the spoils o f the slain ; him fate spe d _ [ en ce h , en in w anton ' ride w o es he s uff ere Wh p d , e the r n s He t a ner A f ud with F isia . h t fi y ost stones o n the cu o f th e w aters C ly , p , c es t o f r n ce er i e he e r s e Ri h p i s un d h s shi ld p i h d . 44 ’ Lay then in the Franks keepin g the life of that n Ki g , ’ His bo dy s clothing and the co llar therewith Evil prow lers his co rpse lundered y th e fortun e of w ar t e fo lk of the Geats fleld t at e o f s a te r h fi ld l ugh . h a T e h ll filled with sound . Wealhtheow e an t en e ore the arr o rs b g h , b f w i spake s en e - o r us e eowu e o e Thi b d d w k , B lf, b l v d ‘ o t t oo uc an d th s arment w ear ~ Y u h , wi h g d l k , i g , ’ The eo e s treasures an d rOS er w el p pl , p l . ew se in th stren t and to t ese Sh thy lf y g h , h ' striplin gs ve n re e th rew ar rem em er Ki dly d y d I will b . So as t t o are t at far an d n ear h h u f d , h A t e r es on s a men es eem t ee ll h i liv l g h ll t h , Even so far abro ad as the sea is bow ed about n e art -w a s Be e t o est Wi dy h ll . Whil h u liv A w ealthy athe lin g I wish thee m uch tore f tre re Be to t ese sons o f m ne o asu s . S h _ i

e in th ee s o t em in a ness . H lpful y d d . Uph ld h h ppi ere is e er ear the ot ers t r s e H v y l by h u t d , of moo to the as ter o a Mild d , M l y l , Th e t e n s are n the commons all in h g ki dly , rea ness di .

r n n the no es do as t em . D i ki g , bl I bid h e t s e en to er sea ere w as of s ers W n h th h t . Th upp the c o cest h i , ran ne t o se ts r e new not D k wi h Wigh Wy d th y k , Th e forecast grim that w as fallin g upon e e n me an an ear . oon as n ca M y l S v i g , And H rothgar bewent him to his ow n home r c m an to his rest ar e t at roo A i h , gu d d h f

ar s un n m e re as o ten o f old t e h ad one . E l u b d , f h y d The bench - tree they bared it w as over- bo rn e o st rs the ee r- s arers With beds an d With b l e . Of b h one . t to his oo r—res en Fey and fa ed fl t b t . Set h e t e r ea s t e r s e s o f w ar t y by h i h d h i hi ld , 4 5 Board - woo d bright on the bench there Over each athe lin g e asily s een att e - stee e met a r n e b rn A b l p h l , i g d y y, m t ear- oo e r m an n er it as igh y Sp w d . Th i w That they ever were o r w ar all ready Or at ome o r in the ost o r ow so it m t be h h , h igh Even at such times as to the ir sovran lo rd e e t Th n e d migh come that was a kindly race .

e s t en to ee ne so re a for Th y ank h sl p . O ly p id His e en n - res as u o ft e el t em v i g t , f ll it b f l h a t me the o en a ren e a nte Wh t i g ld h ll G d l h u d , And ro u t n r t unt his end came w gh u igh ly il , a ter a ter his s ns en seem n w as it Sl ugh f i . Th i gly Kno wn widely o f men that a wreaker of ven eance still e a ter t at o a one on m e eno Liv d h l thly , l g ti ugh ‘ ’ ter the r e s an d m r ers Gren del s mo er Af g i f u d th , w oman a monster- W e her o es remem ere A , if , w b d , She w ho in rea w a ers h er w e n m s ee d d t d lli g u t k p , In co ldest streams s in ce Cain be came his a e the an e o f his on ro er With bl d b ly b th , The seed of his father I then fo rth into e xile went

ll6 . ’ ar e h at m r er rom men s o s M k d wit th u d , f j y fleein g In the as es he an ere o e rom him w t w d d . Aw k f m any osts o re -o r a n e and ren e one of em Gh f d i d , G d l th , That hateful sw o rd - w o lf who in Heorot foun d a c n m a is ar are a n A w t hi g n h w f bidi g . There w as th e griesly one g ropin g after him ; Howbeit he remembe red h is mighty The gift firm - set which Go d h ad sent ’ And mse to the at er s a o r en r ste hi lf F h f v u t u d , Fo r comfo rt and kin dness ; l whereby he o ercame the en v fi d , 4 6 e lled th e e - ost Who at him o r o rn F h ll gh , g f l , rom e ts d e his eat - ace to F d ligh ivid d , d h pl M an - n es foe An d so n ow his m ot er ki d . h , A glutton gloom - m in ded w as fo r go in g ’ A s o rrow ful voyage her son s death to am e s he t en to Heo ro t w ere th e C h , h Ri 1 2 80 r he a ere s ee n en ou t w . Th gh h ll l pi g Th , sw t w as if ly , c an e fo r the ear s w en i n on t em c ar e A h l , h h h g d ’ GrendeIs m ot er Was her r mness es s h . g i l ’ e en so m c as a m a en s stren is By v u h id gth , ’ ’ w e s w ar- rimness t an a w ea on e man s A if g h p d , en the te a e a ammer eaten Wh hil d bl d , by h b , When the swo rd bloo d - stained the Swi ne on the hehn et the enem s eareth o e e h d. Of y , d ughtily dg en w as i n a the ar - e e ra n Th h ll h d dg d w , The sw o r o e r the sea s an d s e - r n s man d v t , hi ld i g y 1 2 0 e as in an of e met he rec e not 9 H ld f t h d h l k d , No r o f s rea n b rn om t at orro r p di g y y, Wh h h e e s iz d . She was in aste ou hie aw a ence h , w ld y th Fo r sa et as so on as she w as seen f y , on ce of the at e n s one she had At , h li g Fas t i n h er fan gs ; then fenw ards she ’ He was rot ar s earest enc man H hg d h h , the custo m o f com ra es tw o coasts e w een By d , b t , A r c s e - w arr or w om she ra e in his i h hi ld i , [ h b k res t , aron w e ame Nor w as eo t ere A b ll f d . B wulf h , Fo r an ot er inn w as erew i e a o tt e h h l ll d , - ter treas re n to th e m ea . Af u givi g , ighty G t Arose s houtin i n Heo rot she i n its blood took an t e enn ed t e r care w as renew e A h d h y h i d , rew in th e w e n s at ea w as not oo G d lli g . Th d l g d ic t e o n o s es h ad to ar er Wh h h y b th id b t , The es o f r en s en w as th e earne n liv f i d . Th l d Ki g , oar w arr o r harshl m n e H y i , i d d , en his e er e n all n n Wh ld th g u livi g ,

4 7 His eares so er ea e a h s w . d t ldi , d d tl to the w er w as eow f summone Swif y bo B ul d , The m an of trium h ; [ wi en mid his cargs the e ce ent c am on W t x ll h pi , Himse lf wit h his com rades Where the sage King Won de red Whet her the Ahn ighty ever w o uld A ter at c a ter of w oe w or him an c a e f th h p k y h ng . Wen t then over the floo r the m an fam ed i n armies t his an u fo o n the a - woo Wi h h df l l wi g , ( h ll d dinne d) a h e the se o ne in or s m reet Th t wi W d ight g , ’ Th e o r of n s r en s m ask so it L d I g F i d , [ ight if as w , ter s ca in nee t a the n t had been Af thi ll d , h t igh u e q i t .

ro ar s e the e m of e n s H thg k , H l Shi ldi g Ask n ot tpiu of o ur safety so rrow is renewed In the an s eo l a is [ Eschere e . e D i h p D d , ’ Yrmen lafe s e de r b rother, r ne - n er an d m re e - e rer M u bi d y d b a , W o s to od by my sho ulder w hen w e in the shock ’ en e o ur ea s in the f otmen s onset F d d h d o , en crests w ere s attere So s o an ear Wh h d . h uld l be

E er oo so fEs ch re as v g d e w . In Heo rot w as the han d that s lew him ’ an er n ea - ues s n o r wot er A w d i g d th g t , I Whith a terro r carr on - ro ne a a n Th t , i p ud , tur d g i om ew ar s h d , In the ame o f he r east She th e eud f f . f ere n t ou est rn t ren e ue Wh i h , y e igh G d l q th ar oo ars c as n him By y h dih d h hly l pi g , Fo r that he to o lon g my loyal peo ple eset an d ro u t lo H e ow e in th att e B b gh w . b d e b l At the s of s e a o anot er is come co t hi lif nd n w h , 4 8

Wan to the e n en the in st rr w lki , wh w d i eth o at ea er the t ar enet L hly w th , till lif d k h , The he avens w ee Now w isdom be lo n

a n to t ee o l a . a r e t t o Ag i h n y . Th t i t y h u

not , The m ars hes o f fear Where tho u mayest find a f s t o u ar t so u o ns . S e d est Th ul f ll i e k if h . t ee fo r the t t a fee rewar I will h figh wi h d , o en treas res as e rs With ld u , t I did , t w ounden o aw a t o u comes Wi h g ld , if y h t .

’ eo ans ere Ec theow 8 bo B wulf w d , g y o rrow no t o ld sa e et e r ser es a eac S , g ; b t v it th t h m an ’ His r en m r er a e e an m c mo r s n n n . f i d u d v g , th u h u i g Every o ne o f us the en d m ust aw ait e i n th e wo r let him Win w ho ma Of lif ld , y Fame befo re death that is fo r a fightin g man

Who se life is o ve r thereafter best . 1 0 r se Realm ~ Warden let us run o r 39 A i , , f th , ’ G rendel s ns om a o e trac n ki w n g w ki g . I sw ear to thee this that she shall no t escape me In o s of the e ar no r in mo nta n o rests f ld th u i f ,

No r on ocean roun o w ere s he . d , g h will This day there o re do tho u have patience f e In eac of th w o es as w s o e . h y , I i h th ea e t en the re ear Go d he t an e U l p d h g yb d , h k d ,

e t o r fo r w at the man had s o en . T Migh y L d , h p k en fo r ro t ar a o rse w as r e Th H hg h b idl d , A char er w ith w oven m an e the Wise old Prince Went o rth i n state steppe d o ut the war- band ar r T e trac as s ew n s e e e s . h w Of hi ld b / k h i g , Al on the w oo hths w e seen g d id ly , oo r nts o e r the roun s e had one fo r F tp i v g d , y h g w ard er the m r m oo r t e r m a e - e n had Ov u ky , h i t th g o rne b , so u e re t the est o f t em Of l b f , b h Who w t H ro th ar the o me had ar e i h g h gu d d . The son o f the athe lin gs then w ent over tee stone c f s stra t ass a es S p li f , i p g , n e trac s a ro a ntro en Si gl k , d u dd , eet n n esses nico r- o ses man B li g , h u y He w ent rst w t him a few fi , i h r ent m en the a n to es P ud , pl i py , Until in a trice /the m o un tain trees ’ He o un 0 er an n a oar stone f d h g h y , at o ess w oof th e w ater stoo un er Th j yl ; d d , r m n oo - rear he a s a . To t ne ll w as D u li g , bl d d y D , To the r en s of ie n s so rrow of so f i d Sh ldi g , ul Fo r m an a t e n t a he had to o e y h g h t th l , ’ Trouble fo r each o f the earls Whenas [ Eschere s ea e m et on t at o m - c f H d th y h h l li f . The floo d surged w ith bloo d (the folk saw that) r hot T e t eart d o 3 . h o rn n ow san Wi h h p h g , n to att e The so iers al sate So un di g b l . ld l ; They saw then in the w ater of the w o rm - kind m an y , ran e sea ra o n s sw m n the so n St g d g i mi g u d , s o o n th e n ess - s o es nico rs n Al , l p , lyi g , (Who in the firs t daylight o ften fo ll ow sorrow u course on the s a ro a A f l il d) , o rm s an d w - eer aw a e rr e W ild d y th y hu i d , t e r an d e chin the ast t e had ear Bi t b l g , bl h y h d , ’ The w ar- horn ye llin g On e the Yeats Prince t is ea n bo w e re t of e Wi h h l pi g b f lif , his str e w t the a es so t a stoo in his Of if i h w v , h t d ts The flush w ar- arrow he on the holm w as ow er i s mm n fo r ea en se e him Sl n wi i g d th th iz d . Swiftl l was he o n the billows by their bo ar- sprits ar i o o e ar este Sh p y h k d , /h d b d , r e resse and u e o n the c ff C u lly p d p ll d li , A w ondrous w ave - breaster ; the w arrio rs looked ri l uest r e him eo On thei r g es g . Gi d d B wulf In the wee s 0 an ear no r rec e at all of l e d l , k d if ; He ou i n his w ar- b rn ra e an w ld y y, b id d by h d , 5 ! roa an d ro ere W t s l ra e the ee B d b id d i h ki l , b v d p so un d We ll co uld it she lter th e sheath o f his bo nes at the att e - r m t not his reast Th b l g ip igh b , No r the an gry clutch his spi rit inj ure But the ite e me t his ea w ar e wh h l h d d d , ’ c o n the mere s oo r w as to m n e Whi h fl i gl , ’ To seek the so un d 8 tum ult with treas ure ma e o rt d w hy , fin e c a ns com asse as in ormer a s With h i p d , f d y Th e ea o n - sm ro t it t o n ers w p ith w ugh , wi h w d a o rne it d d , es et it t w ne - fi ures so t at s n ce t en no B wi h S i g , h i h ran no r att e - a e m an a to te it B d b l bl d d bi . No r w as that the m eanest 0 m ain s uppo rts ’ Wherewith H ro thgar s s po kesman helpe d in his nee d , That hafted blade Hrun tin g was named ; ’ Tw as on e of the o rem o st o f an cient treas ures Its e e w as o f ro n etc e t o so n t s dg i , h d wi h p i wig , Hardened in the bloo d o f hosts n ever in battle h ad it faile d An man ose arm had c as ed it y wh l p , Who th e w a o f terro r are to trea y d d d , Th e field o f foem en twas not th e firs t time r i a That an excellent w o k t w as to ccomplish . ’ n ee h e reca e n ot E c a s nsman I d d ll d , gl f ki tron in m t at he h ad s o en e o re S g igh , Wh p k b f , t n e r n en en t at ea o n he ent Wi h wi d u k , wh h w p l To a etter sw o r sman m se he urst not b d hi lf, d n er the r s of the a es r s his hfe U d u h w v i k , 1 0 Act t lo r s o st he ere o r 4 7 wi h d hip ; l th by gl y , ’ An exce llent fame tw as n ot so with th e o the r e e f When he fo r the assault h ad arm d hims l .

XXII

’ eo f s a e Ec t heow 3 bo B wul p k , g y e nk ee now m t m an of Halfdane B thi th , igh y , 5 2 e m os t se n ow t a fo r the ee am I rea Duk wi , h t d d dy , o r en of th a s of w at ate w e sa G ld f i d y l d , h l ly id a s ou s ar n th nee Th t if I h ld , / h i g y d , e be str e t o u w o u s stan to m e Of lif ipp d , h ld t d e e r v ,

’ ’ r in a at er s a a e a e ce . I h v f d , f h pl Do thou be kin d to my kinsme n - th e o on - com an on s m e th e att e ta e My b p i , if b k Do thou also the t reasures that in tribute tho u est m e v ,

Hrot ar earest to Hi elac sen . g d , g d Ma h e earn t en ro m t at o the o r o f y l h f h g ld , L d the eats G , ’ Ma Hrethel s so n see w en on t at oar he y , h h h d stareth , That I h ad foun d a fine and goo d - ew e ve r an d h ad o e t . J l gi , j y Whil I And do t o let Unferth the o ld m h u — , The w e - ro u t w a e - sw o r a e ll w gh v d , Wid ly kn own m an a e t at ar e e Fo r m e w t Hruntin H v h h d dgg , I i h g

or w al n o r death s a et me . Gl y ill g i , h ll g ’ Afte r those w o rds th e Weder- Geats Prince Spe d bo ldly on no r any an sw er Would he abide ; the brimmin flood w he lm e d ’ at m an of att e was the ireadth o f a da Th b l . T y r at Ere he might get to the g oun d ben e h . ’ Soo n foun d she o ut who the flood s exte nt ad e a sw o r - utt o n an n re seaso ns H h ld , d gl , hu d d , r m an d ree t at some room e re G i g dy , h g th - as That home o f else thin gs over head w scouting . She grope d then tow ards him the warrio r grip d In an awful clutch ; n ot at all might s he scat e His a e o the r n s Wt o t ar e him h l b dy ; i g i h u gu d d , So that through his coat o f m ail she might not a come t hi m , Through the locken limb - sark With lo athly fin ers g . are t en the mer- o en to the o om she B h w lf, wh b tt

came , 5 3 The rin r n ce to he r own ace d P i pl , ’ So at i m t n ot fo r all his ro m n th igh , p ud i d , Wield his w eapons fo r such w ondro us thi ngs n e him i n the s oun sea- eer man Swi k d d , d y wo rr in tus s his w ar- sar tare With y k k , ase him t e creatures en th e ear ne Ch d . Th l k w ’ a he w as in some o r ot er enem s a Th t h y h ll , ere no ater a w t m t s cat e him Wh w hi igh h , ’ Nor fo r the a s ro o m et o o n , h ll f, ight g h ld up him

The erce r of the oo fire - t he s aw fi g ip fl d ligh , n n eam t at r t s on e A bli di g gl h b igh ly h . The goo d o n e grew w are then of the roun - n o g d lyi g w lf, - - A mighty mer wi fe a m ain stroke h e \ gave he r his sw o r of a t e n o r its sw n his With d b t l , i g did an w t o h d i hh ld , Till the ring - set sw o rd ran g o ut o n her head ree w ar- la en her est A g dy y. Th gu at his att e - eam er w o u n ot te Th b l gl ld bi , Nor etch to h er ear but the e e o f it fa e f h t , dg il d The or in his nee It had aste man l d d . l d y ar - o t m eet n s e m s oft had s o rn H d f ugh i g , h l h , ’ Fated - m en s w ar- co ats this w as th e first tiin e r th e a a its r a e Fo goodly we po n th t glo y w n d . t was he r ose o f his row ess os t S ill pu p ful , p l no thin g ; ’ Of his hon our mindful w as Higelac Threw down then th e ban de d sw o rd with j ewe ls blended a an r w arr o r so t at o n the eart it la Th t y i , h h y, an stee - e e In his stren t he tr s te Stiff l dg d . g h u d , an - m sc es o f mi t So a m an s o do H d u l h . h uld Then w hen in war c thi nketh to Win as n ra se n o r f i r k L ti g p i o h s life ec eth . Caught then by th e sho ulder (for the fight he cared no t) ’ ’ The War- Geats M aster Gren del s m other n he e n att e - ar so ur o s w as he Flu th , b l h dy , f i u ,

The oe of h s e t she la on the oo r. i lif , ill y fl 5 4 Sh e quickly agai n requited his han diwo rk t h er r m and a a nst him reac e Wi h g i p , g i h d Stoo pe d o ver en wearily th e stronges t of w arr o rs i , ’ - The oo t men s c am on nt t at he e . f h pi , u il h f ll Sate she then on th e hall- guest and he r saxe she re d w , ’ B ro ad an d brown - edged her bairn s he ld a en e v g , er his arm t ere Her o n ly o ff sprin g . Ov h A w o ven breast - net ; that w arde d his r o an of e e Withstoo d the ent y f point d dg . f t eo Then h ad spe d th e son o E cg h w . en eat the e ro n the eat s c am on B h wid g u d , G i h h pi , his att e — rn h ad n ot rou t him e If b l by [ b gh h lp , A hard w ar- net did n ot Ho ly God e the nn The sest o r Rul wi i Wi L d , Th e Justice o f judge d it aright Eas ily so up he

XXIII

He saw then amo n g the arm our a sw o rd ri ch in V cto r es i i , An o ld Eo tenish a e ou t o f e e bl d , d gh y dg , ’ To warrio rs w o rshipful ; twas the choices t o f w ea ons p , But it w as mightier than m an o the r nto the a of att e mi a e o rne I pl y b l h v b , Good and glo rio us , He seize d then the be lted hilt that Wo lf of the e n s Shi ldi g , ou an d w ar- r e the r n e a e rew R gh ud , i g d bl d d Ho pe less of livin g w ith heat h e struck So t at ar it ri ed h er on the n ec h h d g k , Her bone - rin gs brake ; the bill w ent through all - r e Her fated flesh cove r o n the flo o r she c ash d . The sw o r w as sw eat n the s o er re o ce d i g , [ ldi j i d in his w or k . 5 5 as w as n e t e it t n A fl h ki dl d , ligh fill d wi hi , Even so as fro m the sky brightly s hineth The Candle of ea en He oo e t ro the H v . [ l k d h ugh

ho use , rne en to the w a th e ea o n ea e he Tu d th ll w p h v d , ’ ar the t Hi elac s t e n H d , by hil , g h g , n r o ne - m n e at e e w as not A g y , i d d . Th dg wo rthless To th e m an o f w ar for at o n ce he oul , w d Settle with Grende l the m an y as saults at he had w rou t o n the ester- anes Th gh W D , Far mo re o ten t an o ne t m e o n f h i ly , ’ When h e Hrothgar s hearth - companions e in e r s m er sw a ow e s ee n Sl w th i lu b , ll d l pi g een m en o f the o o f an s Fift f lk D e , And o t ers a so carr e o ut h l i d , o at oot Fo r t at o ss re a him A l hly l . h l p id The ra n c am o n n as rest n he saw ' gi g h pi , i i g ren e lie o f war row n ear G d l , g W y , n n as ers e had e him All u livi g , twhil l ft ’ The a t e in Heo ro t His bod 's ran as e .

b t l g y p g id When be after death en dure d that stroke i 0 T e ar - e he car e off his 5 9 h h dy swo rd swing - th n v d ea h d . oon t e saw the s e c r s S h y , ubtl hu l , They who with Hro thgar o n the ho lm w ere a n g zi g , a the e n a es all ere - m n e Th t ddyi g w v w i gl d , The a er oo - ou e o f a r w t bl d f l . Whit h i The elders abo ut th e goo d one That they ex ected not ever o f a he sw e led con est w o come to Th t , with qu , uld seek e r m t r n ce fo r to man it seeme Th i igh y P i , y d a e a ro en him Th t th w o lf of th e brine h d b k up . 1 600 Then (mi ne nones of the day from the ness depart ed The a S e n s ent home ar s rom h ughty hi ldi g . W w d f thence The o - r en of e The es s ere s n G ld F i d m n . gu t w itti g 5 6

No easy thi ng The fierce st - mi m ust Swinkin g carry ’ G rendel s head Un til there qui ckly cam e to that hall erce ette to t o u r an d ten Fi , wh d figh , f eats a- o n t e r ar ian t t em G g i g h i Gu d wi h h , rou - m n e amo n his tr00 the m ea - a ns P d i d d g p , d pl i

en cam e an d entere t at e er am on t e n s Th d h ld g h g , ee - een m an and u c er s e A d d k , d ly h i h d ,

- ero att e ar B ro t r to ree . A h , b l h dy , h g t Then into the ho use by the air w as bo rn e ’ Gren del s ea w ere the o st ere r n n h d , h h w d i ki g , Aw ful befo re the earls and that lady also r ro e t r re On a wond ous p sp ct he w a rio rs pee d .

’ eow m a e tteran ce Ec theow s bo B ulf d u , g y a w e to t ee t s sea- oo t son o f Wh t h hi b y ,

Halfdane , o r o f e n s s t r n L d Shi ldi g , lu ily b i g

I n to en o f t r m w e reto ere t ou o o es . k iu ph , [ h h h l k t all nso t es ca e a e I u f ly p d liv , In w ar un der water w o rk I dared That w as no t easy almost w as

w arr n n s e h ad n ot Go d m e w ar e . My i g fi i h d , d d No r might I in th e heat of i t with H runt - in g o r an w t t o t at w ea o n be w o rt W k y hi , h ugh h p hy ; But to m e granted the Guardian o f m en at o n the w all s aw seem an n Th , I ly h gi g An o ld sw o rd an d goo d (o ftenm o st has He guided

en r en s are w an t n so t at w e a o n I drew . Wh f i d i g) , h p ew in t at on s au t as th e c an ce o ff e re Sl I h l gh , h d , The ee e rs o f the o se en t at l n a e k p h u . Th h kil i g bl d 5 8 rne aw a ra e ma as the oo Bu d y , b id d il , bl d o t - s ran u g , Hottest o batt le - sweat ! I th e hilt thereo f etc e aw a rom m oes a en e t e r e o n es F h d y f f , v g d h i f l i ,

- The ea ualm s o ane s as it w as due . d th q D , / to ee t ere o re vow it t at t o in Heo rot I th h f , h h u mayest orro ess s m e r w t th so e r- an S wl lu b i h y ldi b d , An d eac o f the t e ns of th eo e h h g y p pl , The doughty and young ; and that d read them ’ t o n ee est not h u d , r n ce o f e n s rom t ose arts P i Shi ldi g , f h p ,

eat ane to ear s as o f old o st . A d h b l , th u did en th e o en h t to the re arr o r Th g ld il g w i , The oar o st ; ea er nto h13 an d w as en h y h l d , i giv , ’ an s anc en t o r i t to the owners asse Gi t i w k ; hip p d , ter the ev s ere ost o f the an s o r Af d il w l , D i h L d , ’ Wo nder- smiths w o rk and w hen gave up this wo rld ’ at r m - earte room o s a ersar Th g i h d g , G d dv y , r er t and s mo t er eke Mu d guil y , ghi h , To his kee pin g it w ent of the Kings o f the wo rld To the seem est two seas e een li , b tw , t - r e a t Of hose w ho o n Seeden ig s catte ed w l h . ro ar answ e re the t he scanne H thg d hil d , An an cient hei rloom w hereon w as th e origin written the o rm er w arr n w en the o o es ro e Of f i g h fl d d t y d , ’ us n o cean th e Gian ts kin G hi gg , ; Fearless ly fare d the y that fo lk w as fo reign To the Lo rd Etern al to them that ending yment tlie w e n w aters o ur e er se nt By lli g Wi ld . 80 too on the swo rd - uard o f s hi nin g go ld By runic staves ariggt w as m arke d Was set an d sa fo r om the sw o r id wh d , o cest o f 1ron s h ad o f o ld en r e Ch i , / be wo k d t w reat e t and w o rm attern e Wi h h d hil p . Th n s pake the wise 5 9 Son of Halfdane w ere silen t all at 10 ma h e sa w ho soot and r Th , y y hly ight rames fo r his o all far t in s remem e rs F f lk , h g b , An old eart - w ar e n t at t s ear w as h h d , h hi l o of the es t oom is u raise B rn b . Thy bl p d f e on t he w e a s m w e om e eow u B y d id w y , y lc B lf, ne o er e er eo e of it in at e e Thi v v y p pl . All p i nc t o o est h u h ld , m t t s om of m n s a ra Thy igh wi h w i d i d . I h ll g nt thee my

act as at - first w e ro m se o u s a t P , p i d Th h l ro te ctio n furni s h t ro u t me to t ne ow n tr e All gh i hi ib , e e r o eroes No r w as He remo sUc A h lp f h . d h ’ To Ec wela s heirs to the o n o ur- e n s g , H Shi ldi g No r w a e b e fo r t e r w e are but for w anton x d h i lf , slaughter And fo r death - qualms of the D anish peo ple He ra e t o n m n his o ar - com anlo ns b k , wi h b ili g i d ,/ b d p , ’ Who ha stoo his s o u er nt a o ne he d d by h ld , u il l s e e t pp d , ’ amo s r nce m en s eas re A f u P i , pl u o him Go d in the o s o f master Th ugh Mighty j y y , In stren t e a te o er all me e se g h , x l d v n l ,

Hel and ' eld him et in his ear ere re d h , y h t th g w A b ood - ro ugh l breast - hoard ; no brace lets gave he To th e anes as w as due n e t n a o e he D , u d ligh i g b d , So that he fro m that turmoil trouble s uff ered A ast o - s rrow Do t o earn at l in g f lk o . h u l by th Get thee m an ly goo dnes s I this gossip fo r thee

’ a e or e o ld in nters on er it is to H v w d d , wi . A w d sa ’ How fiighty God o er man nes - kind ' His e rit w s om s rea et By Wid S i d p d h , a a ear s i all t s e ie et E rth nd l p hi n g H w ld h . At Whiles He in love le tt eth turn His n - o s to a m an of m n re Mi d Th ught ighty ki d d, e to his owne rsh ear o s Giv th ip thlyj y , e e - r o f men fo r hi m to h dg d bu gh hold , o so fo r his w e n a eal of he or D th i ldi g d t w ld , 60 s rea n n om t at mse m an cannot A p di g ki gd , h hi lf , In his unwi sdo m thin k Dw elleth he in w ealth n o w hit him darkeneth ness n o r o ness no r an u s o f en em es Ill ld , g i h i Staineth his s o n o r str e an w ere ul , if y h , ea on - ate s ew et but all of the w o r W p h , h h , ld fo r his o n o rse he n ow et o r s . W k will N thi g w k h ,

’ Until within him an o e rweenin g part a es an d sw e s en the w ar en s m ers W x ll , wh d lu b , ’ The so u s s e er is t at s ee too as l h ph d h l p f t , e e in so rrow s the a er is e r near N tt d , Sl y v y , ho rom his arro - bo a r s oote W f w w ng ily h th . Then is h e in hi s tren t str c n er his , s g h , u k , u d helmet By th e cruel shaft to shie ld him h e knows no t From e crooked wonder- biddin gs of th e cursed gIthost Thin keth he too little what lon h e hath he ld His o m n is ree ne er o r a oast et b ld i d g dy , v b giv h he

as ione r n s and t en he the ate o re - s a e n F h d i g , I h f f h p o r e et and for oe th fo r at Go d erst e F g tt h g , th whil a e him g v , ’ or s e er a s are o f ors i Gl y Wi ld , h w h p . At the end of the a e a ter ha net t l , f , it p h at the es o f his o fl eetin a e Th fl h b dy [ il th , a et ated ol ow et him a o her F ll h f ; f l h n t , Wh o not tearfull th e reasure e yj t divid th , ’ at ear s an c ent -wea t no r th e aw e of him Th l i l h , heede h t . est r t ee a a nst t at a u n ess o e B i h g i h b lef l , l v ly eo u B w lf, est o f m en and the mo re b esse - w a c oose B , l d y h t ee h , o no r eterna n c ne n ot to a t ness H u l i li h ugh i , an c am o Now is t i t i oom M ly h pi n . hy m gh n bl

6 x A - While on ly soo n after it m ay be That thee sickness o r sword of thy so vranty s n er u d , ’ ’ Or re s n ers o r oo s w e n fi fi g , fl d lli g , Or o rce of a e o r i t o f 3 ar f bl d , fl gh , ’ Or bitte r age o r th e e yes brig tness ’ Fo rs ake an d o e rsh adow thee swiftly it shall be at t ee u e of m en eat o ver oweret Th h , d k , d h p h . So I the Rin - Danes an hun d red seasons a e wielde un e r the w e in and ro H v d lk , f m wars a e o c e t em h v l k d h , From m any meinies over thi s muddle - garth t as h - w oo and e e - swor so t a Wi h d dg d d , h t I no t any ’ Enem co unted n er ea en s arc y u d h v h . at to m e in m c am e r came a c an e Wh y h b h g , oom a ter a ness s n ce ren e w as Gl f gl d , i G d l , An o ld a e rs ar n a u me dv y , i v di I by his questin con stan t y bo re - re m e To the a er b n ca c . e an s Mi d i k M k th k , tern a o r t at in e a e a o e E l L d , h I lif h v b d nt o n his ea ac e the sw o r U il I h d , h k d by d , f ter th e o ld stru e t m e es m a s are A ggl wi h y y y t . Go now to th se at the su r- o s are y , p j y h , Wo rshipful in w ar fo r us s all a wealth t reasure be meas re w en m o rn n co Of u d , h i g

’ eat was a - m n e soo n he o G gl d i d d , did g To ta e h1s seat as the tr s o ne a e him k , u b d . en w as a ter as ers fo r t e al an in act on Th , f t , v i t i , Fo r the floo r- sitte rs fa1rly furn ished ’ e t s e m e ow ere A new f as t . Nigh h l t l d 1 0 e n smen The com a a ro 7 9 D ark o ver th ki . p ny ll a se o u t at an c e e a his bed d1$cover W ld h bl h d h d , e o re all t e The a e e n . n the a g d Shi ldi g B f hi G t , ' s e - warr o r fo r rest was o n n Ro ugh hi ld i , ear of his sw mm n s t the ha e n W y i i g , wif ly g e him ort w ho was come rom far Guid d f h , f

He that . wo rshipfully watched over all e nee s o f a e n s c t n s as in ose Th d th g , u h hi g th days

6 2 - an ere rs m t be an t n Sea w d igh w i g . este him t en ro om - earte the roo R d h , y h d f tow ere d , a n and o - ec e the ues t w t n s e G pi g g ld d k d g i hi l pt , ’ Until the black raven o f heaven s blessin gs o e t e - ear e t e n came r t B d d , bli h h t d h b igh ly s cattering n ov r the hills The so e rs as tene The su e . ldi h d We re th e athe lings ! again to their o ple a n to be ar n far t en ce w ou he F i f i g h d , - i ar The o earte s tran e r see o ut h s . b ld h d g , k b k Bade then the hardy o ne to gird o n H runting ’ Ec laf s son his sw o r a e him ta e g , d b d k , o e ron fo r the oan he t an e him L v ly i l h k d , uo t he t a att e - r en a fin e one he Q h , h t b l f i d rec one k d ,

Stro ng ~ in w ar in no w o rds blam ed he ’ e e e o f t at a e w as a ra e - mmde Th dg h bl d . T b v m an .

And en rea to tra e tra e in e r wh dy v l , pp d th i armo r u , er the w arr o rs went wo rs e o f anes W e i , , hipp d D , The at e n to the most ace w e re the h li g up pl , h other w as a - t ro t ar reete The hero b ttle haugh y H hg g d .

’ eo m a e tterance Ec theow s bo B wulf d u , g y Now we sea- w an erers w s to sa d i h y, om e rom far t a fo rt we o C f , h t h will g Higelac to fin d here w e re w e fitly

ouse as w e w s e . we as t o o ne H d , i h d / ll h t h u d by

us . If then I on this earth may o ne whit ’ o re atta n of m n s o e M i thy i d l v , e o f men an et a e one Duk , th I y h v d , a Fo r striving in w ar I am willi ng straightw y . s o earn o er the ane of o cean If I h uld l , v l , 63 at o n t ee th ne o urs t ro n t terro rs Th h y ighb h g wi h , As at n t ee aw e t e , h i g h , hil h y did , to t ee a t o usan t e n s s a l br1n I h h d h g h l g, eroes to e t ee Hi elac I wo t H h lp h . Of g , “ the Yeatish o r t o u o un he be Of l d , h gh y g , ’ The o s e er t at he so ram e fo r me F lk Sh ph d , h will f o r s an d w o r s t at w e m a ors i t ee W d k , h ll y I w h p h , An d to th su o rt m s ear- s a t ear y pp y p h f b , m t fo r th com o rt w e n men t o My igh y f , h h u

cravest . If then H reth ric him s elf in the Ho use o f th e Geats ’ ster a n s so n h e ma t e re m an Mu , Ki g , y h y Fri endships fin d far- co un tries are eem est sou w omso mse is o t S li ht by h hi lf d ugh y . Hro thgar m a e utteran ce to him in answ er Th e w o rds tho u sayest o ur Wisest Lo rd Hath s ent to thy soul no r have I heard sage lie r An y m an reason so early in life o u art stro n in mi t and o ld in min Th g gh d , - it e se w o r e a e r . een A wi d Sp k W I lik ly, it be s e t th at th e s ear a e If p l p t k , Or s o r - r m att e the so n o f Hrethel w d g i b l , ,

ness o r. ro n end t ne er Ill i hi Eld , e er o f the a t an t o th e haves t Sh ph d l i y, d h u y lif , That the Sea- Geats will have no seemli er n t an t ee to ca to t em Ki g h h ll h , o ar - ar en o f eroe s o t o w t H d w d h , if h ld h u il The ru e o er the me n Me th m n a d ear l v i y . y i d n h t

et lon er an d ette r o e eow u . Lik h b , l v ly B lf o ast o un d o ut a w a t at to the o s s a be Th u h y h f lk h ll , To the Yeatis h eo e an d the ar - anes p pl , Y d D , eace in comm on and str e s a e r s P if h ll p i h , " The bitter enmity th at e rst they bo re ere s a w e e t s w e k n om Th h ll , hil I wi ld hi id i gd , 1 860 Be min gling o f treasures m an y shall o thers ’ G reet with gifts across the gann et s bath Shall a rin ged - ship o ve r the se a brin g e - t The a w o t oo t an d o o en s . t L l v k l i y , I , To r en and to fo e are as t esta s e f i d f bli h d , a In all thin gs blameless in the ancient w ys . 64

’ er ro ar s oar o f treas re Ov H thg h d u . He on the bo at - warden a go ld y- bo unden bestow e s o at t ence he w as d , th Si h On the mea en c es t at oo n e w o r er d b h by h b h ld thi , ear e r o om On ec h e e arte A d h i l . d k d p d ’ e ee ate r a es a he e t To r w . n n d iv d p D l d l f , en w as to the m ast o ne o f the m et - s eets Th h , A sail ro pe - fas tene d the sea- w o o d ro ared Nor that w ave - floater did the win d over the w aters

n er ro m s a n the sea- oer starte Hi d f ili g g d , oate o am - nec e o rt o er the a es Fl d , f y k d , f h v w v , 1 1 0 The an e stem o er r mm n s tre ams 9 b d d v b i i g , t e eat s c f s m t et in s t Till h y G i h li f igh g igh , Kenned nesses the keel pus hed up r e th e ree e t e ea she s too n o n h c . D iv by b z , b h d a the o m w as the t e - w ar en rea R pidly by h l hy h d dy , He who e er and on fo r the o e m en v l g l v ly , a n the oo a ar had a e F i by fl d , f g z d ; He bo und to the s and the b ro ad bosome d ship anc or- bon s as est the o rce o f the With h d f t , l f waves a nso e oo re a a Th t Wi m w d might w nch w y . ’ 1 2 0 a e h e t en ar s ear the at e n s treasure 9 B d h upw d b h li g , Frette d and fashione d gold ; /no r had they far then ce To o sec n the l er o f e els g ki ggiv j w , e ae Hret n w here at om e he e Hig l li g , / h dw lt , e t is e t t e a- a ne ar Hims lf w i h h s ubj c s he s w ll . The in w as eaut its aron a ro build g b iful , [ b p ud Kin w e! e the a s w as er o n High h ll Hy d v y y u g , se e - t r en t o nters few Wi , w ll h iv , h ug wi o c e in the ur had she a o e L k d b gh b d , ’ Haereth s a ter as she n o t um e o e er d ugh ; w h bl h w v ,

1 0 No r too n ar o f s to the eat s eo e . 9 3 igg d gift G i h p pl , ass treas ure Of m y . oo nes s tho s e e M di Th h w d , a an o - ueen earso e vio ence V li t f lk q , f m Was none who rs o t to ent re du t , d ugh y , v u 66 h er own o se o her s an sa e Of h u h ld , hu b d v , Her upo n by day w ith his e yes to stare But o n ro pes of death fo r a do om might he reckon H an d - i- woven has tily then was fter his se ure th e sw o r a o tte him A iz d ll d , at s ar s eer s o u e s t Th h ply , h ly, h ld lif hu , a e c ear his l n Not so is the ee M k l kil i g . qu n ly custom For a oman to or t o w on er- a r sh e be w w k , h ugh d f i , at she a eace - ea er th e l e rs ue Th , P W v , if pu , In a f a m a e o e n m ce o n . lyi g li , b l v d ’ ow e t t a he hin er emm n s nsman H b i , h t did d , H i g ki .

Ale - r n ers o t erw se sa d i k h i id , at she of o - am a e as ione ess Th f lk d g f h d l , e an d atre s n ce rst she w as Of f ud h d , i fi en o - ec e to th e llant Giv , g ld d k d , ’ ear of an ces r en she fia s D t y , wh ’ Over the fallow floo d b her father s co unsel a n sou t e re s he s t ence e S ili g ght h , i h , w ll On the ro a seat reno ne fo r oo ness y l , w d g d , The e a o e h e e and en o e lif ll tt d r liv d j y d , ’ e o e fo r the e roes r nce H ld high l v H P i , Who of all man n in m sto r ki d , y y , Was seem est two seas e een li , b tw , e e r - n Wherefo Of v y ki d . In s en in and st r n a ear- een man p d g ivi g Sp k , Wide ly wo rshippe d in wi sdo m held he His e t a rom him Eomaer ran own hom s e d . F Sp g ’ Fo r the e o f eroes emm n s nsman h lp h , H i g ki ,

ran so n of Garm nd reat in a e . G d u , g b ttl

XXVIII

Bew ent him then the hardy one w ith his handful the san the sea- field trea n Himself over d di g, ate r- ar s the w o r - can e s one Wide w m k ld dl h , The sun so t - r s n h e s a e e r w a , u h i i g t y h p d th i y, r e ent w ere the en ce o f ar s With fo ce th y w h F E l , The ane of n enth eow his r n b O g , bu gh withi , 67 Thei r yo un g and go o d War- Kin g (they guess ed) 1 0 w as e a in Hi elac w as 9 7 Rin d l g . g ’ Of fiowulf s tra e n u c l to v lli g q i k y ld , ’ at t n t o se w a s the w arr o rs c am on Th wi hi h ll i h pi , His n en com ra e ahve w as come li d d , a e rom the att e - a to the ouse o n H l f b l pl y h g i g . a w as m a e re a as the r c o n e a e R pidly d dy i h b d , r the o o t e ts th e o o r t in Fo f in g gu s fl wi h . Sate then by his side he w ho w as s aved from the st r e if , nsm an nsman en th e n of men Ki by ki , wh Ki g Speakin g alo ud his lie em an greete d t o r s l ‘gl m ea rau ts m o e In migh y w d . /xw d d gh v d ’ Over that hall flo o r Haereth s daughter ; She loved the laity liquo r- bow ls bare o e an s o f th e eroe s Hi elac e an T th h d h . g b g His ho use m ate /in the high hall To uest on in ! know e e he cra e q i k d l dg v d , ’ at the ater- Ge ats w an er s ere W d ing w . h a came to ou o n o r cro ss n nsman W t y y u i g , ki eow B ulf, en t o u in a mo m ent ert m n e a ar Wh h , , w i d d f Str e to see o e r sa t w ater if k , v l , ’ 1 9 9 0 Hand layin Heo ro t P An d hast tho u Hro thgar s e am e w o e o n e w t m a e ett er Wid d hi d b , at m t r ce t ain u m n Th igh y P in . I wi h p f l i d In so rrow - w a es seet e t at sa l n m str ste v h d , h i i g i u d a a o e o n t m e ra e t ee Of m n bel v d . L g i I p y d h Neve r to meet that m urde r- guest ’ But to leave the So uth D anes selves to sett le e r r e an ce t ren e To God s a Th i g i v wi h G d l . / I y thanks at a see ee a e a Th I m y th s f nd so und . ’ eo ul an sw ere E c theow s bo B w f d , g y 2 000 It i s n o se cret ovran Hi e lac , S g , mon m an m en o ur mi ht m eet n A g y , g y i g , What a bo ut of gri to Gren del an d m e Cam e on that fie ld w he re h e wi th co untless o rrow s h ad t ro e the r um - e n s S ubl d T i ph Shi ldi g , er ast n an s All of it a en e Ev l i g gui h I v g d , 68

[XXX!

Till they led astray to th e lin den - play e r o e co mra es and e r own i es Th i l v d d , th i l v . en sa s o e r his eer as the oot he sees Th y v b , b y , An old as h - w arr o r who it all rem em ers i b , The ear- m r er o f men and his m n is Sp u d , ( i d grim) ' ’ He beginn eth gloomily the youn g Champion s o ra e to s o ut the t ou ts of his S r t C u g py , by h gh pi i , War- an er to n e an d t is Wo r o ki dl , h d qu th o st t o n m son the s o r st n s D , y , w d di i gui h , ic th fat er to the t are Wh h y h figh b , ra e i n his e me the in most me T pp d h l t , h d ti , His ear ron en the anes s e d i , wh D l w And won the s a ter- field w en Wither ld l ugh , h gy la t ere y h , And th e ers ere a en the erce e n s fight w f ll , fi Shi ldi g ’ Now ere t ose s a ers s n o r s c - e , h , h l y o , u h lik , n in his / fin er o er th e oo r oe Exulti g y v fl g th , Of the tre as on boastet and the treasure be ’ i r t a asse nto ossess on Wh ch igh ly h d p d i thy p i . o et he him so and remindeth him man a M v h , yfi

sa a e o r s t the season c me With v g w d , [ ill o th ’ ’ An d the emme s t e n fo r h is at er s d ee s f h g f h d , en th e a e has tten him in oo s ee e t Wh bl d bi bl d l p h , Endeth his d ays and the o the r from thence ose t m se a e for t a an is w e - n o n L h hi lf liv , h t l d ll k w to him . Then bin bro ken on both sides

. The o at s ear s sw o re en in In eld h l , wh g Welleth u ea oa hin and his o e of his , p d dly l t g , l v wife er a es of care a et coo er Und w v w x h l . ’ So on the Heathobe ards onest co nt n ot I h y u , On thei r share in the Peace with th e simple anes D , e i r e s Or fas tn ss n f i nd hip . Hencefo rth shall I Speak 70 a n a o ut ren e t ou et ll Ag i b G d l , /till h g fu n ow e e k l dg , Oflerer o f t reas ures how it turne at the end , d , at an - fi ht of ero es ter ea en Th h d g h . Af h v e e ow the ro n t at uest an r Glid d b l g u d , h g g i a e c m , An aw u e en n - ra e us to s t f l v i g g , vi i , ere s a e and s o n w e sate in the a Wh f u d h ll . ere u o n Hondscio a ost escen e Th p h d d d , His hfe fo rfeit by fate the first he fe ll r e c am on to him ren e was A gi d d h pi ; G d l , To o ur m t m an a mo t o f m r er igh y u h u d , t at s a n e o e the m s h e sw a o e Of h w i b l v d li b ll w d . one the ear er o ut a a n e - an e N li g i , idl h d d , at o o - too t e ane of utc er m n Th bl dy h d b , b h y i dful , From the gold - hall would be goin g But ho ld in his m t o f me ma e t r a , igh , d i l , ra e me ree an e His o e G ppl d g dy d d . gl v han gin g e and w on ro s t o en - an s a tene Wid d u , wi h w v b d f s d ; It w as by cun nin g all con trive d ’ ’ t e s craf t a d ra o s e s Wi h d vil n d g n p lt . He t ere ns e it me n s nn n h , i id , u i i g , at re ee - o r er w o a e one a a Th di d d w k , [ uld h v d w y , One amo n g m an y ; th at might no t be W en i n ire r t aro se h I up igh , Too lon g i s it to reckon how I to that lan d - scath er Fo r e ach of his evils o ff e re d han d - p aym ent ; There I m r n ce ma e eo e , y P i , / d thy p pl f l r a e o rs u o . he sca e W hip by y w k /Aw y p d , ’ A little pw hile /1ife s j o ys he bro o ked ; But his r arm e ro a o n te ight th y d p i d , His an in Heo rot an d he a ess t ence h d , h pl , h , ’ 2 1 00 o rn m n e to the m ere s oo r e M u fully i d d , fl f ll . Me fo r that fight the Frien d of Shie ldin gs as io ne o in full rew ar e With f h d g ld d d , m an treasures w en mo rn n came With y , h i g , And w e to th e ban uet h ad ent us down b . Then w as son an d cc The re e ar e n g g . g yb d Shi ldi g s n us man t n s o ld ta es remem ere A ki g y hi g , l b d ; 7 1 t m es a ero the ha ar At i h p y h p , The o - oo sw e t wh e a son he ere j y w d p , / il g utt d , True an d tragic ; at times a stran ge tale 2 1 1 0 us aright the roo my- hearted King ; le a ter e an a e o n en f b g , by g b u d , r e w arr o r his o ut to ew a A g izzl d i y h b il , His batt le - s trength ; his breast in him sw elled As he o ld in w n ters all t at rem em ere , i , h b d . So w e in side there all the day lon g aste o f eas re n t n t return e T d pl u , u il igh d 11 to the ear e re a te r w as ra th . Th f pidly ’ for en e an ce Grendel s mot er v g h , Set her fo rth sorrowful her so n death had ta en k , ’ 2 1 2 0 The Weders ar- ate e un o e w . w h A if l v ly , Her bairn s he aven ged a brave m an she

Aes chere , earne e er fe e t o ut A l d ld , li w n . e er m t t e en m o rn n came N ith igh h y wh i g , Him e a - w ear the an s eo le , d th y D i h p rn w ran s n or o n the a e fire la Bu ith b d , b l y Their love d kinsman ; his co rpse she bare off In en e e r e - floo fi dish fin g rs und th m oun tain d . That w as fo r Hrothgar harshest o f the so rrows t at - r on m e h a a e Which on h Fo lk Lo d l g ti d f ll n . en t at o r of me thine ow n e Th h l d , by lif , ' Wistfull besou ht /that i n the swirlin g s o act w it ear s o ff er e I h ul l hip , lif up , er or m ee he rom se me M it gl y d p i d , I then o f those w e lls - it is w idely kn own T e r a r ar a oun h g im n d g ies ly gu di n f d . There for us two aw hile w as a han d - enco unter The o o ea e w t oo and the ea p l h v d i h bl d , / I h d car e o ff v d , ’ In at round- m ans on o f Gren del s mo er th g i , th , With a hlul ge sw o rd n ot softly then ce Did I fetcli me alive I w as n o t fated as yet But the Guardian of Earls afterwards ’ lf ane s 0 ea of reas res Ha d 3 11 . A h p t u , 7 2

His eart - e o s nor was he ars n ' r h h f ll w h h i spi it , But amon g man-kind with most o f craft The gift firm - set whi ch Go d had sent him e att e - ar H e w as he on . m H ld , b l h dy u bl d l g , Fo r the so ns of the ea s no oo o f him sa G t g d id , No r o n the mea - en c of m c e , d b h , i kl The captains o f warrio rs would acco unt him re t e rec one t at s ac he w as Sh wdly h y k d h l k , An at e n n a ant Ato nemen came h li g u g ll . t o t e an trium an t fo r all is tro es T h m h h ubl . 2 1 0 en the ence o ar s a e etc him in 9 Th F E l b d f h , ’ The n att e - au t Hrethel s e r oom Ki g b l h gh y, h i l Gay with go ld am o n g the Geats was no t then A wealthier treasure in the way of swo rds ’ s he in eo s osom a Thi B wulf b l id , ‘ And s en on him se en o san s p t u v th u d , o er an a t rone To ot o f em w as A b w h . b h th In t at co nt r an e eat e h u y l d b qu h d , Home and o n ers to the ot er one rat er w hip h , h , The b ro ad realm wherefo re the better man was e t e re h h .

2 2 00 A ter t at it a ene in o t er a s f h h pp d , h d y , ‘ In the r o f osts e Hi elac w as a e fu y h , wh n g f ll n, And on Heardred the hewing swo rds Through the board of his s hield [ balefully attere sh d , When sought him out mid his so ldier- peo ple

‘ o o es o f att e arr o r- Sc lfin s B ld w lv b l , W i y g , ’ Who fo rcefully harried Hereric s nephew Then to Beowulf th e bro ad re ahn

a e e r is an \ He e it ar t C m und h h d . / h ld igh t nte rs t en as h e a te - a re n Fif y wi ( h w whi h i d Ki g , 2 2 1 0 An o ld lan d - warden ) be an In ar ness o f n t to ord it d k igh , W c in a law la o e r a o ar hi h high v h d , stee stone - arro an d ste s t e re n er A p b w ; p h u d , t the o r t n t ere en Unknown o w ld . Wi hi h w t 7 4 ome enem who in env se e S y , y iz d The heathenish hoard his han d took forth e e e bowl nor he brin it a a n A j w ll d , did g g i , But he ensnare d the s leeping warden e s cra t so the n ound By thi vi h f Ki g f , The ra e one o f the o t at he w as e ch n b v f lk , h b l i g t ur w i h f y .

XXXII

’ Never o f a purpo se the pow er of the Wo rm s ho ard S ou ht he fo r his own sa e who so re sca e g , k , ly th d hims e lf But in stra es t nee the slave o f some one it d , the sons o f eroes ate - sw m es fled Of . h , h i , F n n no home an d t ere n fel i di g , h i so sin - us e o on it betided A ul b i d . S at t ere o e r the uest r es terror came Th h , v g , g i ly et er in his w retc e ness Wh h h d ,

While on him the fear presse d The ew e - cu he saw suc w ere t ere man j l p . Of h h y In t at e art - o se of an c en t r c es h h h u , i i h , uc as in o en a s an o n e of m en S h ld d y y , (The w ho le heritage of an hon oure d ki ndred) ee u in t o t t ere h ad en H df l h ugh , h hidd , earest t r as res of t e eat h ad a en D e u . All h m d h t k In ear e r t m es an d the on on e now li i , ly ’ the eo e s o r s he wh o on est a o e Of p pl l d , l g b d e re th , a e r en - so rr s e to n er W x d f i d y , wi h d li g , That he a little s pe ll the lon g- ke pt riche s Might enjo The moun d all in readi ness too on t e eart near th e streams of o cean S d h , New w rou ht o n t he n ess n arro - c ose and g , w l d gas t ’ are he t en ns e of t ose ear s o nt es B h i id h l b u i , 7 5 at o r of r n s a ea o a Th l d i g , h vy l d , as on e o an d few w o r s o Of f hi d g ld , d qu th o t o now e art now e roes m a n ot H ld h u , h , h y , a o e at of o What Earls h ve wn d . Wh ld out of thee

al ants ot t em r m eat -h as ta en G l g h g i d h k , assacre erce the m en eac an d all M fi , , h m e o e w ho a e as se rom t s hfe Of y p pl , h v p d f hi ’ e a seen the a s bhss on e a e Th y h d h ll . N h v I who aret s o r be h w d . Or o h sheth the ate ow p pl d b l , The drin kin g - cup dear ; the do ughty are e se ere scattere l w h d . From th e hard hehn et harn esse d w ith o ld Its plates shall slip the po lishers slumie r Wh o the battle - m as ks were w on t to burnish ; An d s o th e arm - coat at in conflic en re y th t du d , en o ar s w ere ro en the e of ro n Wh b d b k , bit i , 2 2 60 Mo ulde rs with its m as ter ; n or may the mailed byrny the w ar- c ef e o rne With hi wid ly j u y , e a is o At an th e ero es . In th r n o h d by h h p j y, No game of the glee - beam n o goo d haw k ’ O e r the ouse swin eth n o r an sw t o rse h g , y if h t e - co r stam et Fo r stern ea In th e s on u t h . d th ” f e o - e fo has e e All o th f lk lif xil d . s sad o f moo his so rrow s he mo rne Thu , d , u d , One a ter t em all un t e he w e t , f h bli h p , ’ a an d n t n eat s t e D ily igh ly , u til d h id t a i eart Fel t h s h . The o ar o f o he o n h d j y f u d , at o ld str e r in tw t stan n O en Th ik iligh , di g p , He wh o urn n the arrow s see e , b i g , b k th , n a e ear- ra on n t flieth A k d f d g , igh ly D riven b him the field - dw e llers Still h e seeketh A hoard in th e gro un d w he re h e heathen go ld atc eth o ld in n ers nor is he a t the W h , wi t 1 whi ea er w lthi . ’ So the e0 1e s t reaten er ree n re nters p p h , th hu d d wi e in th e ear suc a oar - o se H ld th h h d h u , 7 6

Aw ful to all men no r aught th e re alive a t - flier o e ea e lo thly lif w uld h l v . ’ Was the o rm s w ar are w e seen W f , id ly , ’ The narrow - oe s ur n ear and far f f y , How a w arrin g punishe r the Geatish peo 3le as a n and m n To th e o arda a W h ti g hu bli g . h g in he s ot h , 2 2 0 To his ar oma n e re aw n o f da 3 d k d i , d y He h ad the fo lk o f the land with fire en com asse p d , With burmng an d bran ding ; [ in his barrow he tr ste u d , In his w ar and his wall that w eening bew rayed

Then w as the tale of terro r to ld to Beow ulf t and in so o h ow m se f his ome Swif ly th , hi l h est o f u in s in rn n w a es m e te B b ild g bu i g v l d , e t - s oo o f th e eats at to th e a lan Th gif t l G . Th g l t o ne w as

rt ul at eart ea est of m n - so rrow s Hu f h , h vi i d eene the se on e t at the e er he W d wi h Wi ld , a nst th e anc ent Law the o r terna Ag i i , L d E l Had b itte rly angere d ; his breas t w e lled in

ar es t cares as his c stom w as not With d k , u . ’ Had the fire - dragon th e pe o ple s ’ c o n e ar t e ow ne theo cean s e e Whi h th h y d , by dg , With co als consum e d {lerefo re the Kin g o f att e B l , ’ The Weders r nce anne a en eance P i [ pl d v g . ’ Bade he then work him (the Warrio rs Buckler.) All o f i ron (the Lo rd of Earls) A wo ndrous w ar- shield ° wist he we ll at e n - w oo to him no hel mi ht furnish Th h w d g , e a a ns ame s he 0 his ee n a s Fu l g i t fl . Mu t gfl ti g d y , An athehn e er oo d the en d awa t v , i , e in t e wo r and the o rm to oo t Of lif d , W b , Th 011gh he the hoarde d wealth had held for 1ori g. Too proud w as then the Prince o f Rings 7 8 That he “ the wide - flier with w arrio rs should s ee k , With a stron g host ; no r fo r himself the struggle rea e d d d , ’ o r the o rm s w arr n a W esteeme N W i g hit d , is - mi ht and m en ace fo r at man t mes of H th y i , 01 Ven turing in strait places b y strife he h ad an u s e v q i h d , ’ In eat o f att e s n ce he ro t ar s h b l , i H hg a had c eanse a a con uero r H ll l d , h ppy q , ’ An d in t h ad o ut ri ed Grendel s o figh g pp f lk , That loathly kin dre d No r the least w as that an -e nco unters w ere Hi elac t e e Of h d , h g h y kill d , ’ en the ea s r er in the race o f at e Wh G t ul b tl , r en o f his o in r s an an F i d f lk F i i l d , Son o f Hrethel the swo r - r n s a o e , d d i k w ll w d , B eaten down by the blade ; th ere fro m Beowulf came his own cra t use his sea c nn n ° y f , d u i g H h ad on his arm he o n t rt , ly , hi y a f ar e t the ater e e e ons o w n o h n . W p , wh w w t Neve r did the Hetw are n eed to exult In t e r t n o n oo who o r ar a a ns h i figh i g f t , / f w d g i t him Lin den - shields bare ; little o f them came back

- rom that a e o to ehold e r omes . F b ttl w lf, b th i h ’ Overs w am then th e sea s width the son of Ec theow g , In o vet t a one 21 11 to his e le p y , l , ere H d o f ere in hoarcfdif n om Th yg f d d ki gd , race ets an d t rone ° i n th e bo she truste not B l h y d , That he against strange fo lk the stoo l of his fathers ou d n o how to o and elac e W l k w h ld , Hi kill d . None the sooner the mourn ers mig t o btain ro m t at at e n on an erms F h h li g , y t , ’ at h e o Heardred s o r ecome Th w uld l d b , Or that kin gdom choose to ho ld ; 7 9 However he kept him with the fo lk in frie ndly co n se u l ,

Graciousl w t ono r un t the lad o er re . i h h u , / il ld g w The Wedhr- eats r e Him retc e e es G ul d . w h d xil ou t o er the sea the sons o f Ohthere S gh v , , Had t e e out a a n st the ehn o f Sc lfin s h y h ld g i H y g , The seemliest o f th e sea- kings Who i n Swio - r ce r c es scattere i i h d , r Hi eas r t at ar e A mighty lo d . s m u e h m k d He t ere est tute his eat - w o n w o n h , d i , d h u d r the s f lac sw n e n s o on o . By i g i g w d , Hi ’ And thereafte r bew ent him On gent eow s bairn His om e to e o w en Heardred la ea h b h ld , h y d d , He let eo u kee the n seat B w lf p ki gly ,

2 0 o ern th e eats at as a oo n . 39 G v G . [ Th w g d ki g

XXXIV

’ He w as min ded to have payment fo r that Prince s murder In afte r days ; To Eadgils he w as r en i n his so rro s it his fo he A f i d w , [ w h lk s o rte upp d , er the e sea the so n o f Ohth ere Ov wid , , t arr o rs and w ea on s He rea e Wi h w i p . w k d vengeance thereafter

o m arc n t at n o f e ere t . C ldly hi g , h Ki g lif b f So rom e er enem esca e he f v y y p did , rom sa a e o nslau hts the son of Ec theow F v g g , g , rom ee s o f ar n n t at sam e da F d d d i g , u til h y e a r a r t When h with th t Wo m w ge mus . ent t en one of we e W t an er sw e n W h , t lv , / i h g lli g, The D uke o f Geats the dragon to seek e a t en oun o ut ence the eu arose H h d h f d w h f d , The curs e on the captain s into his keepin g w as come ’ - e e r 3 an The fam o us treasure cu /from th find h d . He w as in t at troo t e t rte ent man h / hi h , Who of that battle begin nin g had m ade ; 8

Min d - w earyin g and heart m ust ho w soever

‘ at o r unaven ed rom e e art Th l d f lif d p . So m ourn ful is it fo r an age d m an To bide alive While his bairn rideth

o n on th e a o s t en a . ee m a he s n Y u g g ll w h gl y i g , sorr son w en his so n han eth A y g , h , ’ ' ra en s com o rt and to e m he can no A v f , h lp t ,

In o est a e au t e se . ld g , gh d vi w a s is he rem n e e e r mo rn n Al y i d d , v y i g ; Of his off sprin g go ne e lsew he re no r of ano ther careth he To a e the rt his ur t n bid bi h , b gh wi hi , Fo r a further heir w hen th e fo rmer hath ’ eat s constra nt of his ee s ma e roo By d h i d d d p f . ’ Sore at heart he seeth in his son s bow er The w ne - a a w aste fo r w n s to res t in i h ll , i d it , re e s e re t the r e rs are s ee n Of v l b f id l pi g , The heroes in shadow ; no r is sound there of ar n h pi g , No r am n in the ar s as of o re t ere ere g i g y d y h w .

XXXV

We n deth he t en to his c am er a c ant o f h h b , h r ai et so row w l h , One man fo r another seem to him all to o ro omy e a e o - s tea So the ence of The fi lds n d th f lk d . F Weders Fo r He rebeald with so rrow o f heart Melte d aw ay no w hit he might Upo n the murderer m en d the feud Non e th e so oner that soldier might he shame ee s of atre t o dear ‘ to him he w as By d d h d , h ugh

n ot .

en fo r that sorrow th e so re t a had w o n e Th , h t u d d him , ’ ’ a c eer e a e o s t c ose M n s h h g v up . G d ligh h To his c ren he e as c o t a w ea t hild will d , l h l hy

82 r an o r s w en t s hfe he ef ; d l d hip , h hi ; l t en w as sin and str e amon w e es and eats Th if g S d G , ve r the e w ate r w rat in common O Wid , h , ar ' troo - a re a te r Hreth el w as H d p h t d , f ’ An d to them Ongentheow s off s pring Pro ud an d w arlike peace the y w ould n ot o acro ss the ater but a a nst H reos na H ld , w , g i Hill vi r a s te anne E l in o d of n pl d . c m ates an d kin of a en e Whi h v g d , eu s an d e on es so the ame o f it w ent F d f l i , ( f ) ou o ne of t em w t his ow n e a Th gh h i h lif p id , ar ar a n fo r Haeth c n w as A h d b g i y , ’ - Fo r the ea s ar en war eat ate . G t W d , d h f d Then at bre ak o f day o ne m an his bro the r ’ ’ the sw o r s e e o n his s a er a en e l d dg , l y v g d , When Ongentheo w with Eo fo r met ; His att e - ehn e asun er the re - a re b l h glid d d , g y h i d Scylfing e murder- a e a an rem em e re F ll , p l h d b d

- e s enou no r a e at th e eat s ro e . F ud gh , f il d d h t k

Him en fo r the o w c he h ad e n me th , g ld hi h giv re aid in w ar as it w as aw ar e to m e I , d d , Wi htnin sw o r an he a e me li g d l d g v , ers of eart Was n ot an nee Own p h . y d at h e o f the Yifthas o r o f the ar anes Th , Y d D , Or in Swio - r ce s ou be s ee n i , h ld ki g r w ar-w o o r a him his w or lf, p y th Ever fo r him with the fo ot - men be fo re would I o g , one in the van an d so a w a s s a Al , l y h ll I See to ht w e t s sw o r en uret k fig , hil hi d d h , c ear and ate a h o ten se r e me Whi h ly l h t f v d , ’ Since I in my do ughtiness w as D a raven s ’ . an - s a er the Hu as c m io 3 a n . H d l y , g h e er co he the finer to the r s an n N v uld y F i i Ki g , The breast ado rnm en ts brin g agali n ’ But in strife w as struck down the s tan dard s ee er k p , 83 An at e n ra e ° nor was the a e his e n h li gg b v bl d ndi g , ’ But th e batt le - grip his heart s beatin g ’ His o e - u e ra e No s a th e e n o s . w s e b h b / h ll gbill dg , ” an and ar - sw or fo r the o ar contes H d h d d , h d t . 2 1 0 eowu m a e tterance o as t n o r s s a e 5 B lf d u , b i g w d p k , Fo r th e last tim e : I laun ched me on many ars i n m o t et a d in W y y u h ; /y will I , An o ld o - she er s86eehthe t f lk h d , / figh , Do m t eeds i ie the monste r igh y d , if r rom his eart - o se come o ut to m eet F h h u . reete he t en the ro oms eac one G d h g h , a t e n e arers a os t me H ugh y h h b , hindm t i , His s ve d compan ions A swo rd wo uld I not aar

‘ No r ea o n a a n s the o rm if w s how w p g i t W , I i t With that enemy else I might ome to ri s o ast - e n as o f o re t C g I b y lli g , y wi h Gren de l f did But ere o n a ate - fire ho t rec on h h I k , And breathin g o f venom ; w herefo re I bear on me ’ oar an d rn No r rom the arro s B d by y. will I f b w warden ’ ee aw a one oo 3 measure Fl y f t , t a it t r s a But o us sh ll be a th e wall as Wy d h ll. a o nt fo r us pp i , he eas re o f e er an am i m n T m u v y m . I n i d em o en e b ld d , r - ier So that I fo go bo as ti ng be fo re that batt le fl . a e on the arro rn es w ear n Aw it y b w , by i i g , Men in armour c m a the e r , whi h y bett ue en re his o n s d l du w u d , a or is it o r r a us n . N Of tw i y u t i l , ’ No r an m an s sa e m ne o n y , v i ly , a he t the m onster meas re his stren t Th t wi h u g h , a c his ear s m m s a 1 M t h l hip . I by y ight h ll a n th e o r the att e at er G i g ld , o b l g h , r e e - ane t e or o f C u l lif b , h l d Stood up then with his shield stalw art c am on h pi , 84

e o o r th e t His a ra se Th h n u of figh . h nd up i d The eat s o r th e r es - e one str ck G i h l d , g i ly hu d u ’ In s e r oom but its e e e ac With g h i l , dg f ll b k , rown rom the one bit ess een B f b , l k ly an its a on - n had nee o f it Th N ti Ki g d , ’ eset en as the arr us . w ow s War en B ily b Th b d , ter t at erce stro e st rre to Af h fi k , i d And s pew ed s layin g fire s pran afar Its att e — eam s o aste n ot 0 t r m b l gl . B d iu ph The Go ld - Fri en d o f Geats his goo d sw o rd had

a e in the t as ne er s ou N k d figh , v h ld ce e t ro n No r w as t at an e as o urne Ex ll n i . h y j y en the c am ion the c o f Ec theow Wh h p , hild g , Ha to o rsa e th e e s of eart d f k / fi ld h , ust n es r n ma e his w e n M , u d i i g , k d lli g sew ere as m ust e er m an El h , v y Leave his lo an o f da No r was it long then ere t er a o r e a a Ei h ch mpi n chhg d g in . o ene him the arrow - w ar en his reast B ld d b d , b sw e e t reat ll d wi h b h , Now anew he w as narrow eset ly b ,

ence in fire who the o h ad r e ~ F d , f lk ul d . No se fo r him in t e r o st his an - com an ons Wi h i h / h d p i , ’ t e in s sto c s oo aro un A h l g k , t d d In e r batt e - w o rt but to the oo e th i l h , w d th y o n t em b u d h , To s ave thei r In o ne alo ne swelled 2 600 His so ul wi th care kinship n ever m ay

An n un n in o ne who e t in e . y thi g bi d , w ll h k th

XXXVI

’ Wi laf was he n ame Weohstan s so n g d , ,

‘ love d linden - w arr o r a o r of Sc lfin s A i , l d y g , Sib to Aelfhere ° he saw his m aster Under the s hutten helmet suff erin8g heat ; He mi nded him then o f the hono ur /whi ch he old had en him giv , 86 them No r m h e o ac en his an the s e ight h ld b k th , h d hi ld se e iz d , r - r he rew e o n en his o e sw o . Y ll w li d , y d d ’ at w as for all men Eanmund s e r oom Th , , h i l , ’ ’ Ohthere s s on s w om in the s au ter , h l gh , r en ess w an erer Weohstan n s e A f i dl d , fi i h d ’ t the a e s e e and rom his e ow s are off Wi h bl d dg , f f ll b The row n - ue e n the r n e b rn b h d h h , i g d y y, The o ld sw o r Eotenish w c One la h ad en d , , hi h giv him ’ - His rot er c ansman s battle f clo thin b h l g, it fo r e r ce No r a out the e s a e he F s vi . b f ud p k ’ e i r r r a r ere Though h h s b oth e s bai n h d mu d d . He w o re t ose treasures man w nters h y i , a e and b rn nt his ow n bo m t Bl d y y, u il y igh ar s ac e e as erst his at er E l hip hi v , f h ; He gave him then am on g the Geats his gear o f batt le nn um ere w en o ut rom e he w ent All , u b d , h f lif , - a me o rt r n . s w as the rst t Old , f h f i g Thi fi i Fo r the young champion that he th e charge o f battle With his so vran lo rd h ad to suffer ’ No r me te his co ra e no r w as his nsman s l d u g , ki hei rloom Weak at w arfare that the Wo rmfo und o ut en t e to et er o n e h a e Wh h y g h c d gon . Wi laf uttere w o r s fit and m an g d d y , Said to his com rades (full o f care w as his so ul) t at t m e am m n w en the mea w e Of h i I i dful , h d

When we m ade a vow to the m aste r o f us In the eer- a Who t ese race ets a e us b h ll , h b l g v , at w e fo r o ur w ea o ns w ou re a him Th p ld p y , to him t s n of e r came If hi ki d p il , Fo r e mets and ar sw r s Na he us rom o . h l h d d y, f the ho st did choose 87 Fo r t s o rne o f his own ement hi j u judg , em n e us 0y o r and to me t ese reas ures R i d d gl y , h t a e g v , Beca s e he acco unte us cun n n s e armen u d i g p , Lusty hehn bearerS ° though o ur lo rd fo r us This w o rk o f valour wishe d alo ne ’ To s a e an d n s the o s e er h p fi i h , F lk Sh ph d , Fo r that he m ost amon g m en o f maste ry hath ro t w ugh , e e ate ee s Now is the da come Of d sp r d d . y That our lo rd and master th e m ain - s tren gt h n ee deth f allant arr o r Let us 0 t " O w i s . [ og (g e o ur ero h e is eat en uret h lp h , w il h d h , ame - terro r r m God wot o f me Fl g i . , That t o me it is much liefer that my live bo dy ’ m o - e r s t he am o ras With y g ld giv [ fl e s h uld g p . No r mes eems i t becoming[ that w e hear o ur shie lds ac to o ur o sa e fl l‘St w e ma B k f lk, v y e t is foe een the hfe F ll h , d f d ’ t e e rs r e o no w Of he W d P in c . Well d I k That his ancient w o rth is no t such /that he o nly sho uld Of the e a s so er s ff er so rrow G ti h ldi y u , Sink in the strife ° for us twai n shall be swo rd and e n h h , 2 660 B r an co ere - fo r t in co on n d s e o mm . y y v d hi ld , b h a e he en t ro t a oo ree his W d d th h ugh h t bl d k , w ar- head bo re His r en to co mfo rt an d few w o r s uo t f i d , d q h e ares e ow l do all t n s we D t B u f, hi g ll , Even as thou i n thy youth time of yo re didst say T at t ou w ou st not let rom t se l n h h ld , f hy f livi g or w n e n ow must t o u reat in Gl y d i dl ; h , g thy ee s d d , e n o ne - m n e t all th t Ath li g i d d , Wi h y igh ”m a e e ° and s o r t ee S v thy lif I upp t h . After tho se w o rds the Worm i refully came An e uest of enm t ano t er t me vil g i y , h i , fire - w a es as n his oes to see With v fl hi g , f k , 88

’ To s ac en stra t a en imse the n l k igh w y . [ Th h lf Ki g again on ere his ts th e n - n e rew C qu d wi , killi g k if d , tter an d attle - s ar ch on his b rn he Bi b h p , [ whi y y

’ ’ The Weders Helm wrote into the Wo rm s e middl . e r foe t e e e a o r n s e him Th i h y f ll d , v l u fi i h d , An d ot o f t o se ad ro en him u b h h b k p, nsmen - at e n s so s o e er man be Ki h li g h uld v y , t e n i er or the r n ce t at w as A h g n p il . F P i h The tm ost t r m - da o f his ow n ee s u y d d , . iu ph his r i t o r e h e w oun e an o n he w . n t Of w k ld Th d b g , Which Upon him the earth - d ragon [ earlier had w rought To sw eal an d to swe ll ; so on he fo un d o ut at t ro his reast a baleful rt w as w e n Th h ugh b hu lli g , o son ro ent t en the at e n P i f m within . W h h li g Until he by th e w all in Wisdom o f min d ’ ate on a sseat h e saw the an ts w o r S ; gi k , How that sto ne - arches o n staples fas t Th e e e r - a ar e v las ti n g earth h ll inw dly h ld . 2 2 0 Him t en w th his an s o rr w t oo 7 h i h d , h id i h bl d ,

' His famous Prince . that the gn faithful beyond m easure , His r en an d o r ae in ater f i d l d did l v w ,

e nt w t att e an d n s anne his ehn . Sp i h b l , u p d h eow u m a e tterance of his ane he s a e B lf d u b p k , Of his w o un d death - piteous ; [ w ist he readily That he his day- span h ad s ent at length Of earthly joy [ then w as al scatt e red The ta e of his a s eat er n l d y , d h v y igh Now I to a son o f mine w ould seek to give 2 0 ee s o f w ar w e re i t so aw ar e me 7 3 My w d , d d at an e r s o u a ter m e co m e Th y h i h ld f , e o tten of o s r a e e B g my b dy . Thi bu gh h v I h ld Through fifty Winters ; [ nor w as there a Po lk- Kin g Who me w t his w ar- r en s to w e come are i h f i d l d d , To arass m e w terrors At om e a t en e h ith . h I t d d 9 0 ’ a me s o " r n me treate e m ne Wh t ti h uld b i g , d w ll i

Nor so t arme uarre s no r ugh d q l , Oaths un rightly From all of this I m ay When sickgwith death -wo unds succo ur draw ; Blame m e fo r that canno t the King o f Men Fo r the m r er o f nsmen w en cast o rt is m u d ki , h f h y e rom m m s Let t ee now asten Lif f y li b . h h The o ar to e o un e r the o ar stone h d b h ld , d h y , e o e Wi laf now t at the o rm et B l v d g , h W li h , ‘ - i i r re t S ee et so re w oun e of h s s lve e . l p h d d , b f Be o ff now in aste t at the anc ent w ea t h , h I i l h , The o - o ar m a m se ma a e m fill g ld h d y gli p , y g z y On the s n n ew e s t at so m o re s o t m a hi i g j l , h f ly I y Fo r that m as s o f treas ure take leave of my

e an d or s w c on o . Lif l d hip , hi h I l g did h ld

XXXVIII

Then swiftly (as I heard) the so n of Weo hs tan en t s w o r w as o en his w o n e o r Wh hi d Sp k u d d l d , War- s c ene o be ed w en t in his r n e b rn i k d , y , i g d y y, ‘ ’ His ra e att e sark n er the arrow s roo b id d b l , u d b f, Saw h e t en i n his t r um as the sea he h i ph , by t ent w , m asterfu tr e t e n t reas res m n A l ib h g , u a y , sten n o o n the roun at ere Gli i g g ld g d g h d , ’ o n e rs o n the w a s and the o rm s den W d ll , W , ’ The o ld w t - flier s fla n s stoo t ere t iligh go d h , ’ s esse s t no ne to r s v l , Wi h fu bi h t em h , s e o f t e r at n s ere w ere behns Hu k d h i pl i g . Th e nt pl y , Old and rus ty arm - ri ngs m any

w ste and t e . reasure eas m a T i d i d T ily y, o in the roun et ro m the ras G ld g d , f g p an man i n the w o r e it wh o Wi Of y d , hid So too set t ere he saw a S n all o en , h ig g ld 9 1 h over the oar of an - w o n e rs t e Hig h d , [ h d d h oc e s of m ° w ere ro m a L k d by kill li b , [ h f shone 2 0 a h e the ro n t ere m t e t in s t 7 7 Th t g u d h igh g igh , ro u out t e a t t No r f Th gh h w e l h o n i . h the Wo rm

An s n fo r him an e e h ad s a n . y ig , dg l i en ear t at in the u l the o ar was r e Th I h d h l l h d ifl d , The o ld w o r o f 0 res one m an o n k g , by ly ; That his breast he lo aded w ith bow ls and dishes As m se ° the s n a so he too hi lf ig l k , Bri The a e no a s ca s . bl d w h d thed

ron -ed ed o f an o ld o r I g , l d , Him who had he ld i n his hand those treas ures on w i e tn n - terro r he w a e A l g h l . Ligh i g g d Hot fo r his o ar w t a re w e n h d , i h h t d lli g In the m st of the n t nt murt er he id igh , u il by h e r s e p i h d .

ee w as the messen er a n to re rn Fl t g , f i tu , D riven on by his t reas ures ; do ubt was tearin g

e e r u - ear e he ou fin d a e Wh th , f ll h t d , w ld liv On on er a n the r nce o f Weders y d pl i P i , - ow er e s ere he had e t him ano n . P l s , wh l f en he w t t a o th e o r o s r nce Th i h h t gg ld gl i u P i , ’ The o r of him at his e s en L d lif g d , 2 7 9 0 eed n o n en a a n e an he Bl i g, f u d ; th g i b g To s n e him w ater n t l an e n n pri kl ith w , [ u i Op i g wo rd ra e rom his reas - oar Beowul s ke B k f b t h d ; [ f pa , Gre - a red in r e o n the ld he h i , g i f I o r these riche s /l to the Ru e r of myd thanks the Wo rshi ful King) in w o rds will say th e o r Etern a w ereon e re do oo L d l) , h I h l k , that I might for mine ow n peo ple Ere my killing- time con quer such things Now I fo r the precio us hoard have paid w i l e la ow n oo t o s t Old if id d , l k h u ill 9 2

r me of da m the r e o f his reas res At p i y, p id t u Shewin g his shape fo r he had sun k to ’ h at ero - ead er s an or By t h l h diw k . t Na t rou o t all an s 1tt 1e has a man ros e re y, h gh u l d /l p p d , n ow e w m t in m E d d ith igh , ( y o u i n e er ee ar n he w e re Th gh v y d d d i g , ’ When h e against a poi so n - reeke r s breath w ent r s n u hi g , O r a sto re of r n s w t his an s st r i g i h h d did i , If w aki n g he it sgw arden fo un d n i n t e arro eo l w a Bidi g h b w . By B wu f s His part in the princely tre asure paid fo r with death Each o f them h ad to the en d be en brought t s eet n e Of hi fl i g lif . ’ Tw as not lo n g thereafter at the att e - a ar s e t the o t Th b l l gg d l f h l , ee e t ro - ars ten to et e r F bl th li , g h , Who be fo re had no t dare d their darts to fling ’ In thei r n oble m aste r s mi ckle n eed B ut s am e u now e r s e s t e are h f lly th i hi ld h y b , e r arments o f w ar e re th e re head la Th i g , wh g y y e i laf i ear nes sate oo e u o n W . He n w s Th y l k d p g i , ’ at t n o o - m an his r en s s ou er Th figh i g f t , f i d h ld n ear , Waken in g him w ith w ater n o whit did it s peed im h , No r m t he in s w o r m uc t o he igh thi ld , h h ugh wis e it h d , In t at o r o f s ears the e reser e h l d p lif p v , ’ No r t e e e r a n h Wi ld s will w hit un bi d . Th e Doom o f Go d the dee ds m us t rule e r m an as e e o it o t e n n w . Of v y , v d h Then o ut o f that yo un gster a grim answ er c cam e to t o se w ho t e r co ra e had Qui kly , h h i u g ost l . ’ Wi laf m a e tt e rance Weohs tan s so n g d u , , A lad so re - hearted seein g those he loved no t Lo ! s m a he sa who in soo w o u Thi y y, th ld s e a p k , 9 4 That the lord of th e tribe who treasures gave

u ~ o , The zo ldier- c o n w ere n c a e s tan e re l thi g h i l d y d h , When h e at th e ale - be n ches o ft b estow ed On the s tters in a e m s and rnies i h ll h l by , r n ce on his eo e o n th e ro u es t - earte A i p pl , p d h d hom far o r n ear he m t an w e re fin d W , , igh y h ; That Who lly h e those w eeds o f war An d anton had - aste w en w ar are came w ly w d , h f to him . Never did o ur Fo lk Kin g o f his fie ld com rades ee to o ast howbeit: Go d estow e o n him N d b b d , The e er o f cto r es t at h e s ou a en e Wi ld Vi i , h h ld v g himse lf one w t his a e w en the ra e w ere Al i h bl d , h b v ac l kin g . I could but little life - protection e him i n the t e an no ess Giv figh I b g , l , e on m measure m m aste r to he l B y d y y p . Alw ays w as he the suff erer w hen with my I aim ed At the de adly foe the fire less di refully e e rom his ea e e rs to o few W ll d f y h d . H lp roo e to t e r n en his t me as co e T p d h i Ki g wh i w m . Now s a o - s ar n and sw o r ivin h ll g ld h i g d g, er om e - o from our o useho ds Ev y h j y y h , o e an u s of an r ts must All h p , l g i h ; l d igh All t at am rst and ast h f ily , fi l , an er em t en as the at e n s W d p y , Wh h li g rom a ar the am e o f ou r fl t s a e ar F f f y igh h ll h , our lo r es ee eat is mo re oo Y g yl s d d . D h g d ” For an ear t an o e y l h infam us lif .

B ade he then that battle - w o rk /at the barrier be to ld , o e r the o cean -c ff here t ose ear s in Up v li , [ w h l company 9 S All mo rning lon g m ournin g h ad sate ear n t e r s ie s to o t c an ces oo n B i g h i h ld , b h h l ki g ; To the en d o f his days and to the afte r- comin g ” the m an t e o e tt e h e e e s ent Of h y l v d . Li l did k p il The new t n s w ho th e ness rod e idi g , up , But he soot hf ull s aid to them all Now is the le as ure - Giver o f the e e r- eo e W d P pl , The u e of eats on eat - bed ast D k G , d h f , ’ He at t e h h w on o his re st by th e Worm s d ed . ’ Le ve lled with him li eth his life s winn er By kn ife - w o un ds Sickened with his swo rd he might n ot On that evil creat o r a w o u W k nd .

One ear o er anot er an d n n l v h , u livi g , Ho lde th with ho nour watch by the heads r en and foe Now fo r the o i s Of f i d . f lk fo re boding a seas o n o f con ct so on as commo n Of fli , ly By Frisian s an d Fran ks the fall o f the Ki Is no n a ar k w f . That feud w as s hapen ar a a nst the B s en Hi elac H d g i uga , wh g ar n a eet to the r s an an F i g with fl F i i l d , ere him the Hetw are m e in a e Wh hu bl d b ttl , Who achieved e r e ce ence o er o wer n by th i x ll , v p i g 1 h m , That the byrny- w earer must bo w befo re them He fell amid hi s foot -m en no fin ery gave ' a el er to is a ants rom as e er s nce Th t d h g ll . F v i Has merc ' been withh eld by the M erowingians ’ No r do l in the Sw ede - Fo lk s sw earing trus t e er ith , ’ No r a whit expe ct it fo r twas widely known That On gen th eow had th e life H aet c n Hrethlin a enswoo Of h y g by R v d , en o f r e the ter- Scilfin s Wh , full p id , Figh g s te t e ea o k Vi i d firs th G tish f l . 9 6

to the hedges thronged e e swo r s by dg d d , to ba r en y d iv , ’ So that Peo ple s King /consent he m ust ’ To Eafo r s so e m en t Him in an er l judg . g ' f Won redin wi w ea o n s o re ac e Wul g p h d , That from him at the stroke in streams the bloo d s pran g or nder his a r Yet no t ear u w as he F th u h i . f f l , The oar Scilfin but in aste re a h y g, h p id i a stron er co nte r t at cras n stro e W th g u h hi g k , n of the tr e t rn e i t er ki g ib u d h m thi h . the sw ift so n o f Wo n red an answ e r e giv , For he on his head the helm et had shatt e red So a o u o o bow ow n he mus th t , f l with bl d , d t , And e l o n the e ‘ n o r et ate w s he f l fi ld / y f d a , ra se mself t o the w oun h ad ren But i d hi , h ugh d t

Let th e hardy thegn of Higelac His roa a e ere his ro t e r la b d bl d , Wh b h y, oar s or Eoten ish e m ant c H y w d , h l gig i Break over the shield - w all; then bowed the Kin ’ The Peo ple s Herdsman to the heart w as pierce Then were there m any who w rappe d up the o nds o f e r nsm an w u th i ki , him en roo was ma e fo r , wh m d

So that they o f the s laughter- field should be as er m t s . the ot er h , 3 ron b rn i y y, his helm therewith ’ e are The hoary one s harness to Higelac h b . He o s rec ous n s too an d rom se him t p i thi g k , p i d haire " r es fol his eo e and er o rme the same P iz p pl , p f d Pa fo r a un s n the r n ce of ea s y th t p i hi g did P i G t , ’ Hrethel s ofls rin w en to his ome he came p g, h h , Bo or and u en ess ea t f W lf with dl w l h , 9 8 a e eac of em an n re t o san s G v h th hu d d h u d , Land an d lo cke d rin gs ; no r fo r lavishness n eed blame him An m an in th s m e - art s n ce fo r t e r y i iddl g h , / i h i m ee d theyh ad fo ught ; An d then to B ofo r he gave his To en s his om a a e pl i h h e , s pl d

That is the feud an d the foem an ship au ter o f m en as it s eem s to m Sl gh , y ere ore w see us o ut the w e is eo le Wh f ill k S d h p p , When as they learn that the lo rd of us Has en e his e of o ld who e d d lif , h ld mst a re of enem es o ar and reahn h t d i h d , w hen fighters w ere fallen the fierce Shieldin gs ; ’ Th e o s oo as one and r er a ain f lk g d f hi d , fu th g ar s ac e e At on ce m eseems es E l hip hi v d . b t That we come there to loo k on o ur Lord and n Ki g , An d r n race ets a e us b i g b l g v , To his fire hall a few things on ly Melt with fo r the re i s a m ass of ea t w l h , o un co un te r m ar a ne fo r G ld d , g i ly b g i d , An d now at the last with his own life race ets at h e o t t ese s a l the a e B l h h b ugh , h h l bl z sw a ow ll , The flame thatch over ; never an earl shall w ear ew e for rem n er n or ma en s een A j l i d , id h a e o n her t o at a rin for a ornm ent H v hr d , oom i n m n o f t eir o ere But gl y i d , g ld b ft , ten n ot o nce e se - an s s a the trea Of , , l l d h ll y d , Now th at the leader o f hosts has laid aside lau hter g , o rt an d son g Wherefo re shall spears IS/pan m orn n - co be c as e n ers y, i g ld , l p d by fi g , ’ Hoisted in han d never s hall the harper 3 s trai n w arr o r but the w an ra en i , v , o n o er the a en o f ne s F d v f ll , full w , 9 9 \ To the ea e s a sa how at the eat n he s e gl h ll y i g p d , ” en he t the o arr e the co r ses Wh wi h w lf h i d p . So that bo ld so ldie r w as s ayin g eve r Loathl tidin s he lied not much ate ga As to o r ct . His frien ds all arose ’ They went un blithe ly un der the Eagle s Ness t e n tears th e on er to e o Wi h w lli g , w d b h ld . Fo n t e t ere on the san ere his u d h y h d , wh had e t him l f , ‘ His rest n - bed o n him W ho r n s h ad i g h ldi g , i g given them In earlier tim es then w as the en d o f his da ome t o the oo one en the Kin o f ar C g d , wh j , , g ’ The Weders r n ce w on rous - eat P i , by d d h e r s e p i h d . F rst t e e e a e n mo re stran e i h y b h ld b i g g , o rm o n the ro un a a s t em t ere A W g d g in th h , ’ A foul thin g lying ; tw as th e flam e - d ragon e r r m scather sco rc e fire Th i g i , h d with . He w as fifty foo t - me asu res a a o t he ha o rt e on s he . d L g , y Al f Sp d In me of n t an d n et er ar s t en en ti igh , h w d h w t His den to s t in eat w as he as t ere vi i d h f t h , He had his eart - ca ern use to the e h v d nd . him sto o o s an d fla ons By d b wl g , s es la and ear sw o r s Di h y, d d , ’ s t ro u - eaten as t e in the eart s R , , u th gh , h y h yosom A thousan d w inte rs there had dw e lt ; n ce it w as t at rt - r of o n ess Si , h bi h ight b u dl stren t g h , The o o f an c ent men b m a c uar e g ld i , y gi g d d , So that to the rin g - chambe r mi ht n b t reach An so n o f m an sa e t at Go mse y v h Hi lf , The r t - in o f r m s en truste to T u h K g T iu ph , d whom He w o uld ’ He is m an n s e er the o ar to o en ( ki d H lp ) h d p ,

' Even un to s uch a man as m eet to Him seem ed .

1 00

o se easant assa e a ow e N wi pl ly , p ll d In n e r the eart - a at o n ce se e u d h w ll . iz d c in m an s a m r en Mu h y h d , ighty bu th ho arded tre as res t er 0 Of u , hi h To m ow n n uick w as he s y Ki g /q till , se and w e - m n e er m an Wi hol i d d . V y y thin gs s pake The o ld m an i n his r e an d to reet o u o r ere g i f, g y d d e m , ’ a e ou urn s fitl fo r o r r en s ee s B d y f i h y, y u f i d d d , ’ On the a e - fire 3 s te a arrow ta b l i b ll ,

c e and m t as o f men he w as . Mi kl igh y , The o rt est w arr o r th e w e o r o er w hi i id w ld v , 1 00 Whi e th e w ea t o f the bur h be e m t use 3 l l h w ll igh . ’ Let us now be ofl on anotg‘er errand

To see and to see the s t e store - o s e k ub l h u , The on er t n the a s o u e w d wi hi w ll I will y guid , That ye from near eno ugh m ay look a roa o Be t e r On brace lets nd b d g ld . h bie in rea ness di , c as io ne en o ut we come Qui kly f h d , wh , And la we e reo n th e or o f us y th L d , The an e o e e re on h e s a m b l v d , wh l g h ll ’ ” e e r s atc a e Under th e Wi ld w h bid . ’ 1 xc a e he t em comm an t at bo of Weohstan 8 3 B d h d , h y , a e ro of the o st eroes man Th t h h , h y , o n s o ne at e the a e - oo Wh buildi g w d , th th y b l w d o etc rom a ar e n o - own ers Sh uld f h f f , b i f lk , ’ e o To the brave one s sid . / 15 w shall the blaze devo ur ’ The w an flam e w axing the Warriors tre t ene r S ng h , i ho o ft a o e th e ron s ow ers H m w b d i h , When a s to rm o f d art s driven by s trin t o er the s e - a the s a t eld to its Sho v hi ld w ll , h f t du y , An d with feather- gear fain the flyin g- barb ” e fo llow d . 31 2 0 And now the s age son o f Weohstan Called fro m the th rong thegns of the e en o et e r the seem est S v t g h , li ; 1 02 One o f eight he went un der th e enemy roof One man of battle bare in his han d

am to rc who in ron t of t em tro . A fl ing h , f h d No r w as it left to the lot who sho uld loo t that o ar h d , W en all n uar e an art o f it h , u g d d , y p The so e rs saw in t at ce ar a n ldi h ll bidi g , ' L n g there fo r a moment litt le did any mo urn T at they must at o n ce fetch out from thence e ear tr r The ra on eke t e Thos d eas u es . d g h y

’ The Wo rm o ver the a - c let the ave ake w ll liff, w t him

’ The oo e a ee r f ew e s fl d n clasp th t k pe o j l . ere w as w oun den o o n a a n a en Th g ld w i l d , nn m e re and th e e in orne All u u b d Ath l g b , ’

The o ar arr o r to th e a e s ess . h y w i , Wh l N

XLIII

Pile d fo r him then the Geatish peo ple er on the eart un ieldin in s tren t A bi h y h , And an e it e m ets e ro - s iegds h g d with h l , h

' r rn es the oon he had as e B ight by i , b k d a th e on the m s of it t e r mi ht Pn nce L id y id t h i g y , The ero e t r h s lam en in g the Lo d they loved . Be gan then on th e barrow of bale - fires mighti es t A warrior to aw aken the woo d - smo ke so ared Sw art over the fire - sw athes the sin gin g flame With eepin g mingled (the Win d -e ddies lay Stl{s n his one - o se had ro en U til b h u it b k , Ho t in its eart a e . n m n h U h pily i d d , ’ Moodily the y mourned thei r master s Also a w eary lay the wife o f o ld For B eowul t o n en a r f , wi h b u d h i S an in her so rrow g , That harmful days and harsh she 1 03 an on s a ter r r e ro r o f , warrio s W t l ugh , t , m n and slaver Hu bli g y . ea en sw a ow e the ree H v ll d k .

rou the t en the e er—eo e W ght h , W d P pl , ' bill o n e clifi t at was and ro a A up—t h high b d , By Wave farers widely seen And timbered about in ten days ’ The battle - chief s beacon ; what the burnin With a w all they enw rappe d in the wo rthiest w ay Men o r i a e o f emo st n wisdom might h v f und . In the arro t e a race e s and ew e s b w h y l id b l t j l , ‘ All s uch harness ings as from the ho ard erstwhile Angry men h ad taken o ut The) l ft the t reas ure o f earls fo r the earth to ;1oe (1, o amon ra e ere a a n now it l e G ld g g v l , wh g i iv th , To all e o f it as m n se ess as old w . u l ,

en aroun the mo n ro e a e - c a ons Th d u d d b ttl h mpi , ’ t e in s so ns w e e in all A h l g , t lv , Who o een their master mo rn t e r n w uld k , u h i Ki g , n e o r s measure and te o f the man Tu d w d , ll They exalted his earls hi an d his excellent wo rk o u t t e eeme as due it is D gh y h y d d , at e r n o r men s o au in o r s Th th i Willi l d h uld l d w d , ho o e in t eir earts w en he m s o rt S uld l v h , h u t f h f i r t len th Out o h s bo dy be bo ne a g .

80 grieved and plained the Geatish Peo ple ’ Fo r eir o r s a his eart - e ow s th L d f ll , h h f ll e s a at he w as a o r n Th y id th W ld Ki g , Of m en the m es an d to m en n est ild t ki d , To his peo ple most pleasant and for praise most ea e r g .

1 04

en w as ere in th e a a o c of s a ter Th th h ll h v l ugh , ust the c r e o ar in een n s M u v d b d k ha d , ’ - The ones u ar rst . The r floo r b g d , bu bu gh dinn ed en in t at fi ht w as a en Gar Wh h f ll ulf, The rst of all the e art - e ers fi f h dw ll , ’

Guthlaf s son a o t him a an s man . , b u g ll t y

o a e o er th e co r s es the raven ' w andered R m d v p , Sw art and sallow - brown the sw o rd - gleam s hone t o all inn sbur h on fire ere As h ugh F g it w . No r heard I ever that mo re worthily in w ars of men t a e - ero es are emse es e er Six y b ttl h b th lv b tt , ‘ No r ever did swain s fo r their sweet mead give seemher payment Than to Hnaef was p aid by his hou e o five a s et e ere none Th y f ught d y , y f ll th Of the do ughty com rades but the doo rs they

held . Then bewent him th e wo un ded hero on his way o in e s!i at his b rn ro en w as H d y y b k , No e armen and eke w as his hehn et h lpful g t , e pierc d . Then swiftly asked him the Shepherd of the Fo lk How the warrio rs with their wo unds were

And whi ch the yo uths

1 06 W alde re I

she heartened him eagerly ’ In deed Welan d s wo rk n ot faileth An amon men who th e mm n can y g Mi i g , e ar ne an e Oft in the ost at a en Th ho y o h dl . h h h f ll Bloo d - sweatin g an d sw o rd -woun ded swain after o er th . ’ t ila s an ar le t not th alo r et A t V gu d , y v u y win e to -d a th om n ance ass D dl y, y d i p . Fo r the day is come When truly tho u shalt take o f tw o thin gs either Thy life s halt lose o r lasti ng glo ry ’ mo e elfhere s son Own a n m n A . g , e er of ee m r en the a do name N v th , y f i d , f ult I That I have seen thee in the swo rd - play By ignominy with any man o to t o r flee to the a Av id figh , w ll , e en n th o t o u oes D f di g y b dy , h gh f Thy byrn y co at with thei r blades But t o e er ar er to h t st see h u v f th fig did k , To parley be yon d thy border th erefo re thy er rea e p il I d d d , For that tho u too fiercely to fight didst see k ’ In t at en co n er the o t er m an s h u t , h e att ro s r t e Pitch d b le . P hys lf '

a an ee s le Go d for t ee care . By g ll t d d , w h th No r be trouble d fo r thy swo rd ; to thee is the choi cest of t reas ure en to e ee ere t t o s a t Giv , h lp th , Wh wi h h u h l ’ Guthhe re s oas n a ase e ca se he at att e e an B ti g b , b u th b l b g , n a r the rst to see U f i ly , fi k . e se he the s o r and th e fla on ew e e R fu d w d g j ll d , An d race e s m an n ow ot of t em ac n b l t y , b h h l ki g , xc 7 S a hie rom t s the o r to fin d h ll f hi fight l d , His an c en er ta e or ere rs t s m e r i t h i g , h , fi , lu b If he the

a be tter blade Save that one on ly w hi ch eke I have I n a ston e c est stea t i en h l h ly hidd . I w ot that Th eod ric thought to sen d it ’ To a 3 se and reat w ea t also Widi lf, g l h Of treasure w ith that blade ; an d a troo p o f them beside him With gold to ado rn ; he had t his fee o f old ’ When out o f his n arrow straits [Tlithhad s ’ e an s son a sent him W l d , Widi ; ’ en rom the ants o o rt he hastene Wh f gi f ld f h d . Waldere m a e answ e r a arr o r sto t d , w i u , e i n his an his e i n att e H ld h d h lp b l , The rni J of his w ar- a e and in w or s o as e g bl d , / d b t d What l st t o n ee beheve o r o f the did h u i d d , L d B ur u ds g n , ’ at me Ha ena s an had e in a e Th h d h ld b ttl , An d driven from the fi ht P Fetch if thou darest m o ar b rn us att e - w ear At y h y y y, t b l y . Is happed here abo ut my shoulders the heirloom f Ae re 1fh e , oo broad é fro nted t o as one G d , , wi h g ld f hi d , ’ In all n s ame ess an at e n s armen thi g bl l , h li g g t Fo r him to have when his hand defendeth His l e - o ar rom o es no r ro es it alse to me a if h d f f p v f en men n n a a n be nn n Wh u ki d , g i gi i g, e et w t e r a es as m e e M ith h i bl d , y did Yet victory m ay he ow n who ever is Ready an d reso lute fo r all thin gs righteous ; oso him to th e o est f r e entrusteth Wh H li o h lp , To God fo r favo ur will h e fin d it readily on t at re ar h e t n et e er If h w d hi k h v . e n m a the ro v e ossess ons Th y p ud di id p i , Wieldi n g power ; that i s

1 0 8

S e an so rro f se ere rom fo r ne itt th y w ul , v d f tu , His so ar en e to mse t n et he ul d k d , hi lf hi k h That his share o f evil endless i s P Let him then be think him that beyo n d this wo rld O ur Lo rd All - Wise o ften chan geth ; To m an an e ar His erc s e et y l M y h w h , Sure glory ; to some a share of woes

And I of myself say this thing That a w hile I was the Heo den ings bard ; To m e as ear and eo r was m name y duk w I d ; D y , had fo r man nters a w or office I , y wi , thy , h aiidsome o r n Heo rren da n ow A l d , u til , A m an s kille d i n lays the lan d - right h as taken ar a f s e e Whi ch the Gu di n o Earl o f old had giv n m . o er ass in m a v p g , y.

I I O No t es

WID SITH

must a a n turn the rea er to the e t on o f Widsith a S tud I g i d di i , y in Old E n lish H eroic Le end M r am ers ub g g , by . R . W . Ch b , p lished in 1 1 2 t he am r e n ers t Pres s T ere are 9 by C b idg U iv i y . h , in the oem 1 nes in th e oo 2 a es on w c the p , 43 li b k 74 p g , hi h innumerable stories of history an d myt h suggeste d by each of ’ the names i i si s ta o ues ar u e ore ere n W d th ca l g e c nningly xpl d . H I can refer to those only of the first importan ce or who figure in the ot er oems h p . Widsith th e rea assume or s m o ca n ame o f a wan er n , l , d , y b li l d i g m nst re m eans s m t he w e tra e er The oc of his i l , i ply id v ll . l k wor - oar is of cours e the arr er of teet w c we find d h d , , b i h hi h in omer H . a e use th e wor me n ere and se era t mes in B eo I h v d d i y h , v l i ” wul t o ren er the n s mae th a tr e or rou of f , d Old E gli h g , ib , g p eo e For t s w or as f or its arent mac a - ns man or p pl . hi d p g , ki comra e t ere is n o oo e u a ent w t the m n t a w c d , h g d q iv l i h i i i l hi h a terat on re u res t ou mae can somet mes be ren ere lli i q i , h gh g i d d

The M r in s seem see to a e hved sout of the n es y g g ( 43) h v h A gl , i e etw ee n the er the e d the Ba t c . . an , b Eid , Elb l i ; But Ealhhild is a Lom ar au ter of a w ne u o n b d , d gh E d i (A d i ) ; Wids ith seems to have es cort ed her when she went as bride to the ot c n Eormanric G hi Ki g . Eorma ic Hermanari w e a o ut A in his nr cus ho D . ( ) , di d b 375 1 roth ear rema e f or centur es a t of the erce and mart al y , in d i ype fi i t rant I n B eowul 1 200 ama fled rom his cunn n ear n y . f ( ) H f i g , b i g ’ off the Brosin s o ar D eor 2 1 had ear of his wolfish g C ll . ( ) h d

" t ou ts erce and a t ess he seems t o Widsith et he h gh . Fi f i hl , y (89) was goo d to me ; a bracelet he gave me and his court ers w ere the est of oo - com an ons i b b n p i . e an er seems an anac ron sm but his stor had tra e e Al x d h i , y v ll d t rou the est and or anes s ea s of him as a ara e to h gh W , J d p k p ll l Eormanric . Under Gifica (Gibeche) the Burgun ds were still neighbours of

‘ uns oths ree s and nns in the stu a countr In H , G , G k Fi Vi l y . Waldere e e r t er w find t m sett e in the est un e un . h l d W , d G h Th e Greeks are called Creacs here and in 76 Cz sar he re is the m eror of the as t E p E . See m note t o Dear 6 y , 3 . a a w ose name sur es in Yor s re had a reat terar W d , h viv k hi , g li y career We find in aucer and a or rumours of his stren t . Ch M ll y g h I II f ma c oat He was a so as cr e as at er t an d o his . o e an gi b l ib d f h W l d . Theodric the ran s on of o s was at er of Theodebert F k , Cl vi , f h , ’ who e Beowu s un c e Hi elac in r es an kill d lf l g F i l d . Breca of the Brondings is the h ero who swam with Beowulf (499 - 606) nn son of Folcwalda is the ero of the e isode in B eowu Fi , , h p lf (1 9 68- 1 1 59) and the lord of Finn sburgh ' Hnaef son of Hoc was the rot er of nn s ueen de , , b h Fi Q , Hil ur an d was e at innsbur h B eowul b h , kill d F g ( f , On entheow is in B eowu the at er of Oncla and Ohthere g , lf , f h , who is i e in the t w t Hi elac at a ensw oo k ll d figh i h g R v d . Th e Longbeards (Lombards) are here still in their northern ome on the an s of th e e h b k Elb . Th e Het w aras Hatuarii ure tw ce in B eowul l n es 2 6 ( ) fig i f ( i 3 3, 2 1 6 as the enem t n w om Hi elac was e in r es 9 ) y , figh i g h g kill d F i an l d . a t ere w ere two n s of t s n ame one in th e cont n Off h Ki g hi , i enta n a the ot er his es cen ant an actual n of erc a l A gli , h , d d , Ki g M i . n e of t em is in B eowu the us an of a erce ueen O h , lf, h b d fi Q , ' Thr t ho The stor of the rst Ofla 18 to at en t a o y . y fi ld l g h by S x . In out he as stu and s eec ess but came orwar as the y h w pid p hl , f d c am on of his countr w c he e en e i n a ue ifeldor h pi y , hi h d f d d d l by F t e r er er ( h iv Eid ) . Th e w ae Suabian is a arent e u a ent ere to M r in S f ( ) pp ly q iv l h y g g . Of the latter . nothing can be s aid with certainty beyo nd w hat t s oem sa s hi p y . ’ rothwulf B eowu 1 01 1 1 81 was ro a son of rot ar s H ( lf, 7 , ) p b bly H hg r he n id He is a so er o f t e a of rot e a a t . a b h , H lg Ki d ( l h o h S g ol Kraki w ere his at er is Hel i his unc e Hroarr and his R f , h f h g , l , ran at er a an rom B eowul w e uess t at the eace g df h H lfd . F f g h p between un cle and nephew is not t o las t in line 1 1 63 even where th e goo dly tw ain ate the unc e and th e n e ew st w ere t e at eac at eace S , l ph ill h y h p to et er g h , and earlier (1 01 5) w e fin d the kins men of all there r t ar an d Hrothulf Heorot w t n was H o hg . i hi Filled with friends n o fashion of treas on e in - Peo e s a e t at w le The Shi ld g pl h p d h hi .

Later w e can s cern rom a o t at ‘Hrothwulf e ose and , di f S x h d p d e th e o n of his un c e rot ar an d t at h e ms el was kill d s l H hg , h hi f ’ attac e an d e Heorow eard the son of rot ar s e er k d kill d by , H hg ld , brother mentio ned in B eowulf o nly as being ' deprived of the ’ ss t o his at er s a mour succe mn f h r . In eld s on o f ro a is the Heath obeard r n ce ment one g , F d , p i i d by ’ eowul 206 as etrot e t o roth ar s au ter in or er B f ( 4) b h d H g d gh , d l h at t at eu was is su est ere o ea an o d eu e . t h l f d . W h f d gg d h 1 1 2

treac er ama is o scure ment one in Beowul 1 1 8 as h y . H b ly i d f ( 9 ) ’ ' carr in OR the Brosin s o ar an d n ro m Eo rmanric s y g g C ll , flyi g f cunn n In the Thidreks S a a he ures as He imir Studasson i g . g fig ,

- w ho a ter a on career as a t robber c e enters a m onas ter f l g hi f y . (See my note on B eowulf From 1 29 we see that Wudga

we are not to w ere t at countr was o r how t he two came ld h h y ,

I Th e oem en s as it e an w t nine nes not ut nto the 35 p d , b g , i h li , p i ’ mout of Widsith imse but enera es cr t e of the o t s h h lf, g lly d ip iv p e lot w c as a tere tt e in t ese teen ce ntur es , hi h h l d li l h fif i .

BEOWUL F

T ere is some conf iision et ween t s c eeha e h b hi S yld S g , Shi ld ’ of t he ea and the n es ancestor Sceaf to w om am Sh f , A gl , h Willi of a mes ur as cr es a s ar o r n : ste ut ferunt in M l b y ib imil igi I , uandam nsu am e rman ac Scandzam a ulsus na q i l G i . p vi . p s ne remi e uerulus os to ad ca ut frumenti man u o i g , p , p i p ip l , ' do rmiens ideo ue Sceaf nun cu atus ab hominibus re ionis , q p , g illius pro miracul o exceptus et se dulo nutritus : adulta aetate re navit in o o uo tunc Slas wic nunc ero Haithebi a g ppid q d , v p ” ellatur Sceaf a ears in the n o- a on e rees as a son p . pp A gl S x p dig r i h Ark t o oa an d a cestor o f t he n s n I o n n t e n s . n b N h , E gli h Ki g idsith 2 S f ru m ar n th t r W cea es the Lo s . O e o e an (3 ) l b d h h d , c is the Dan es ances tor w en ce t e r name of e n s S yld , h h i Shi ldi g . s Be owu is not the ero of the oem He isa ears na Thi lf h p . d pp fi lly at ne 6 li 5 . ere as in t he fine assa e 2 2 1 - 2 2 0 the oet tou c es o n cu st H , p g 3 7 , p h r w t ee n and ma n a oms w c e en t o him we e arc a c . hi h v h i , i h f li g i gi tion . Halfdane an d his s ons come also in Saxo and in the Saga o f Rolf ' Kraki rom 6 w e earn t at Heoro ar e in rot ar s . F 4 7 l h g di d H hg out rom 2 1 8 t at he not ea e his arm ou r to his so n y h f 5 h did l v , Heo rowear d but t at H rot ar a e it to Beow u Hrot ar is , h hg g v lf . hg at o nce a t e o f t he w se o ld ru er an d of the oo me so n o f an yp i l , d d accurse race T rou out all his m s ortunes w en he is w o d . h gh i f , h h lly e ess he is a e the e m of e n s the e er of h lpl , c ll d H l Shi ldi g , Sh ph d No r is s sto nis e i n B eowul We his ol and so ort hi r . F k , f h . y fi h d f learn (2020) that he wis hed to give his daughter to the Heatho ear Pr nce In eld in or er to ea an old eu But he msel b d i g , d h l f d . hi f, a o te s us w as s a n one Ho dbroddus in w ose name S x ll , l i by , h the Heathobeard seems t o ur His sons Hrethric and B rot l k . , h mun w ere st oun 1 1 80 and he w as succee e d , ill y g ( , d d by Hrot ulf th son of ou r rot e r a a al a is t he h e his n e . , y g b h , H lg H g Kraki Hel i Hundin sbane of the as and Hrothulf is o . g g Sag , R lf In Sa o the s ss sse cous in Heoroweard rea ears as x di po e d , , pp ( 1 1 4 Hiarwarus a n u o n o and his men in the az n a ) , f lli g p R lf bl i g h ll . T us t ou it is n ow ere sa in the oem t he e n h , h gh h id p , Shi ldi g t ratr c e and ot er tra c ra t es dynasty was one stained wi h f i id h gi f il i . e ners at ere a out t he s n n oet t he s m c t onest g h d b i gi g p , i pli i y , h y and courage of Beowulf an d the Geats are u nmistakably out

' M as de ic th clan cwen heatho- scilfin as ea s The S h h r . . y g h l ” ' ebe dda ear t at e an or e a s uee n a Batt e g . H d I h l ( l q , l ’ ” cilfin s - e e ow Gru ndtvi su este t at elan is S g neck b df ll . g gg d h

‘ ’ art of the wor nelan an d t at Halfdane s ourt c a p d O , h f h hild , au t er was marr e t o the w e s n O ncla of w om d gh , i d S di h Ki g , h “ later M r att rea s h rde ic thaet an ew en On entheowes . . Wy d y , El g ’ waes m n the a s name an and erse the w e of , aki g l dy El , h lf if n entheow T s de nt es her w t t he os s in l ne O g . hi i ifi i h g ip i 2 0 and ma es h er m ot er of Onela and Ohthere not er 93 , k h , A h suggestion is t o borrow the n am es Signy and Saevil from th e “ a a o f o Kraki an d rea h rde ic t haet Si eneow Saewelan S g R lf d y , g cwen w aes But the matt er is of tt e im o rt ance . li l p . The we es are ca e Scilfin s or Sc lfin s as the Danes are S d ll d g y g , calle Sc ldin s e n s Bot names are com oun e d y g (Shi ldi g ) . h p d d ,

‘ usually to help out alliteratio n ; so t hat we have North out ast est ear n Br t - Dan s S h E W Sp Ri g igh e , onour Tr um e n s etc The w e is n s in H i ph Shi ldi g , . S d h Ki g B e wul ar n e theow and his son ncla ou so n o e O n O . n er f g , A y g , Ohthere is at er of Eanmund and Ead ils w ho re e a a nst , f h g , b l g i ' O ncla are an s e and ta e re u e w t Beowul s cous n , b i h d , k f g i h f i , Heardr d the eat s court T s res ults i the cam a e at . n ns , G i h hi p ig es cr e tow ar s the e d o f B eowul d ib d d n f . HEOROT means art The orns 82 w ere ro a ant ers e H . h ( ) p b bly l fix d t o or car e u on the a es as s m o s v d p g bl y b l . Nor was it long - this refers to the fight between Hrothgar d the eat o eards see Wi dsith It w as r i an H h b . e a s n a ; 45 9 , p h p , ater t t at rot ar was e and the rs t fi t ma a e l figh h H hg kill d , fi gh y h v ’ come e ore re e s n as o n b f G nd l i v i . T s mn in its re terat on of a s m e t ou t reca s the hi hy , i i i pl h gh , ll ae mo n and is roba contem o rar C d , p bly p y . Pro er s ea n t ere are no r st an assa es in B eowu p ly p ki g , h Ch i i p g lf, but t his seems to in dicate that the poet had had a monastic sc oo n ot ce too at 1 his co ntem t for the eat en rac h li g . N i , , 75 p h h p t ces to w ic a ter and i n s te of t s mn his D anes re ert i h h , f pi hi hy , v . ‘ ” " In B eowu the w or s ast a os t o r s r t and st b d g , gh pi i , gi , uest or stran er are bot o t en f written aest w ic ea s g g , h f g , h h l d to con us o n But a ues t in n s w as s e o m an ex f i . g , Old E gli h , ld ected an d not o ten a we come ues t ence to t s m n t p , f l g . H hi id igh mur erer o ne w or is as tt n as the ot er The a n enters d d fi i g h . vill i

1 1 5 T s t ou not a r s t an assa e m es an ac ua nt hi , h gh Ch i i p g , i pli q i ” ance w t at east the Tes tam ent He in 1 1 is st i h , l , Old . 5 ill ren e G d l . T s is one of the cruces of the oe m tera ren er n is hi p . A li l d i g No r he the (or that Gift - Stoo l greet (or visit m t w t treasure e ore th e reat or n or now his m n igh , i h b f C , k i d (or n or have his desire Th e difliculty is to determine ' w et er he is Hroth ar o r ren e and w et er his is h h g G d l , h h ' ’ ’ rot ar s Grendel s or the reator s n n th w o m . O e H hg , , C i d h le I prefer t o take he as Hrothgar ; its promi nence in the line su est s a res su ect an ren e was su ect of the las t gg f h bj , d G d l bj sentence T s rea n ma es ne 1 0 s m e a s o rot ar . hi di g k li 7 i pl l . H hg w as ash ame ecause he cou not s t the t - too t he d b ld vi i Gif S l , acre T rone or o a Altar in his a rom w c he had S d h R y l H ll , f hi h anne to ea out s ares of wea t to all his eo le An d he pl d d l h l h p p . cou not s t it ecause the a w as defiled ren e O n ld vi i b h ll by G d l . th e t er an it is e t at he is ren e who was a owe o h h d , h ld h G d l , ll d to ra a e the a but re ente 'b some c ai'm rom o at n v g h ll , p v d y h f vi l i g the sanctuar and rom inter ret n as the n must the y , f p i g ( Ki g ) Will f G o od . T s o ows ars u o n the mn of nes 2 8 But one can hi f ll h hly p hy li 9 9 . m a ne t at a oet imse a con ert o r the s on o f con erts to i gi h p , h lf v v r s t an t in n an wou ee some ou t as to the a t Ch i i i y E gl d , ld f l d b f i h o f his ont nenta ancestors C i l . ’ ” Hi elac s T e n is the ero of the oe BEOWULF the s on g h g h p m, , f Ec t heow a au ter of t he eatis i Hr hel ro m o n et . g , by d gh G h K g F t s o int i n the stor the Danes a e nto insi nificance and hi p y f d i g , Beowu and his an f u o the e The eats are ace lf h d l h ld fi ld . G pl d Wi dsith 8 etween the w e es and the Sout - Danes by (5 ) b S d h . T e se em to a e e in the s out ern art of mo er we en h y h v liv d h p d n S d , e on La es ener and etter an d to a e wa e ncessant b y d k W W , h v g d i w ar w t the w e es across t es e a es Was ee e on i h S d h l k . d p b y d “ ” um n sa s D eor the ass on o f the eat meanin pl bi g , y , p i G , g , a arent Nithhad the ca tor an tormentor of e an the pp ly , , p d W l d m t S i h . re is o a ere b me w or are a n m ss n T e n ut so s . h g p h , d pl i ly i i g I ’ o ow Bu e s emen at on rou t th e te t a e r nte f ll gg d i . Th ghou x I h v p i d in italics all words that represent serious additions t o or alterations o f the of t es oems e . MSS . h p ' The Boar s image w orn upon the helmet (as crests were worn in the a s of c a r was a s m o of re a Its use is ment o ne d y hiv l y) y b l F y . i d Tac tus Germania ns ne su erstitionis ormas by i ( , I ig p f aprorum gestant : id pro armis omnique tutela securum deae " ultorem et am nter ost s raeetat And w at rema ns f suc c i i h i p . h i o h a e met was oun a D r s r arr w 1 8 8 h l f d in e by hi e b o in 4 . The Weders are the eats G .

‘ These two half- lines w ere suggested by Grein to remedy the

1 1 6

eo e was s oo -ma e all was s o ma e was s oo p pl h k , yb h ok yb I h k ’ ’ m se m a e t at s wh I m in her for terms B ut ou mar y lf yb h y e . y k ’ ’ ' me ca n it w on t do tw ce t un er ! e a e t o do , p , i , by h d W ll h v ’ sentr - o an d ease ofl a o nt or so o n the rum a e ou y g , p i . M yb y ’ ' t n we were all a s eet in the w n s e e But a I ll te ou was hi k h i d y . ll y [ ’ ’ - so ber I was o n y dog tired an d if I d aw oke a~ second so oner ’ ’ ’ I d a cau t ou at th e act I woul He was n t ea w en gh y d . d d h I ot roun to him not h e g d , . P a l t a All t at e . s s a ta n mo e t as coo s can be W ll y C p i S l , l . h er sa was a r e to him but ou w ou ne er a e uesse Silv id iddl , y ld v h v g d ' it ro m his tone As for me a ha a n Be n unn s . e n to e n n . f , I b g v i kli g G ast w or s came ac to m m n e an to su ose t at he l d b k y i d . I b g pp h had paid the buccaneers a visit w hile they all lay drunk together roun the fire and rec on e u w t ee t at we ad on d , I k d p i h gl h h ly ourt m es o t — re I c een ene t ea w T asure sland a . f i d l i h , h p . xx This man was Hondscio (20 He ma be Beowu o r ren e ro a the atter as t ou ts y lf G d l , p b bly l , h gh of e n nw t - thonc m ies treac erous nte nt vy (i i ) i pl h i . To these simple ancients a shortage of ale seemed the wo rst ca am t t at cou e a t em The crue war ens are l i y h ld b f ll h . l d a arent Beowu and rend e pp ly lf G l . T s t he La of S emund is the rst of the so es in B eo hi , y ig , fi Epi d wul In the ater and more am ar stor the ra o n was e f . l f ili y , d g kill d ' Si emund s son ur or e r e Fitela Sinfiotli was by g , Sig d Si gf i d . ( ) t he so n of Si emund his s ster S n an d so a so his ne ew . g , by i ig y , l ph Th e Waelsin is ett er nown as tilsun g b k V g. Si emund oo i a t of In g as a g d and hero ic King s ype Beowulf. Heremod ere and at 1 0 we fin d the co ntrast of a bad n , h 7 9 , Ki g , wh o arms his e o e He seems to a e e n a n of the h p pl . h v b e Ki g D anes of a as o r a n t t n the e n s . , dy y lde h Shi ldi g om are Widsith C p , 45 . I n was accor n to Tac tus Germania i o ne of the t ree g , di g i ( , i ) h

’ sons of annus son of the eart - o rn od Tuisto from w om M , h b g , h the tr e neares the t of ae o nes T s is ib t ocean take he name Ing v . hi ’ in B eowu In - W ne o r n s r en s We find In ment o ne lf g i , I g F i d . g i d amon the ast - Danes in the Runie P oem g E . The Lay of Finn is the lon gest and most impo rtant of the Epi so des in B eowu It a ears to b a con ensat on of a s m ar lf . pp e d i i il e c of w c the 8 nes ca e Finnsbur h a e 1 0 - 6 are a pi , hi h 4 li ll d g (p g 5 ) ra ment The stor seems to be as o ows f g . y f ll

in n n of the r sians or Eotens had carr e off e F , Ki g F i , i d Hild ur au ter of the Danis n Hoc an d s ster of Hnaef b h , d gh h Ki g , i ’ and en est ter some ears h er rot ers n a e nn s H g . Af y b h i v d Fi countr and in t e r attac Hnaef and a son of nn y, h i k Fi by Hildeburh are e w t man of the r s ans Peace is kill d , i h y F i i . s ne and the sur n r sians un ertake to ui a a ig d , vivi g F i d b ld h ll

' for en est an d his D anes an to a t em tr bute a H g , d p y h i d ily. 1 1 8 f h s are so emn urne It is now mid The bo dies o t e lain l ly b d . w nter and en est is o e to sta am on the r s ans i , H g blig d y g F i i ; he is co ns ume w t r ef fo r his rot er and ans an attac d i h g i b h , pl k u o n inn T s the r s ans ant c ate an d in the Finns p F . hi F i i i ip , bur h ra m ent w e find t em attac n en es t in his a g f g h ki g H g h ll . ccor n to the ra ment none o f the Danes a s but rom A di g f g , f ll , f B eowul 1 1 2 - w e fin d t at en est is ed Two of his f ( 4 4) h H g kill . men ut a and Qa a or O rdlaf es ca e to Denmar return , G hl f l f ( ) , p k , w t res orces nn and oo t his a l and carr ac i h f h f , kill Fi l h l , y b k Hildeburh (in a t riumph which she pe rhaps does not share) to her own eo e p pl . Some in the se nse (w hich seems to have survived or revived in m er ca of man A i ) y . Hunlafing is possibly t he w arrior w ho kills Hengest ; but th e has hun lafin and the w or s ma be se arate so MS . g, d y p . If ,

Hun is the w arr or so Widsith and Lafin is a er - ro a e i ( , 33) g v y p b bl ’ a for a sw or The w or s ru n is of c urse eat n me o . d . ld li g , , d h ere we a e a assa e s uc as is co mm one r in ot er oe ms H h v p g h h p , where there are three accente d syllables in each half- li ne (com pare 1 705 - 7) ’ It is e ent t at Hrothulf e n o er t an rot ar s sons is vid h , b i g ld h H hg , r ar as e e r to his t rone eg ded th h i h . not er sto r o f w c t anta s n tt e is to We a e see n A h y , hi h li i gly li l ld . h v ama in Widsith 1 2 T ere he ru es as an e e dis H ( 4 h l xil , by tr ut w ounden o ere he ees nto e e—a ar ib ing g ld . H fl i xil pp i t o ster oos n the terna u e Mr a ers nt n o a c c . m e . ly l i , h i g E l R l Ch b dsith 6 t rans ates a as sa e ro m the Thidreks S a a Wi . ( , p 5 ) l p g f g , w c ears o n t s The m onaster to w c Heimir h s hi h b hi . y in hi h a een rece e w t out te n his name is attac e a ant who b iv d i h lli g , k d by gi , c a en es the mo n s Heimir off ers to meet him and as s for h ll g k . , k w h has on a o surren ere o th e a ot the wea ons c e t . p hi h , l g g , d d bb The abbo t ans w ers Thou s halt n ot have thy sw ord it w as broken as un der and a doo r hinge o f made it here in the monast er And the rest of t ne arm our was so in the mar et y. hi ld k ’ ace T en s a e Heimir : Ye mo n s know m uc o f oo s pl . h p k k h b k but litt le of chival ry ; had ye kn ow n how goo d these weapo ns ’ m r w ere e had ne er arte w t t e . And he s ran tow a s , y v p d i h h p g d the a o t and too his cow in ot an s and sa er bb , k l b h h d id V ily t ou wast a oo no ro n w ou sut t ee t o urn s th h f l , if i ld i h f i h y c urc oors but m oo sw or Na lhrin w c has cut h h d , y g d d g g, hi h as un er man a e m l e c ot and ma e man a s o n o f the d y h l ik l h , d y ’ ants ea ess and t ou s alt a fo r it And he s oo the gi h dl ; h h p y . h k ’ cow w t the ea ns e so ar t at our of the a o t s teet l , i h h d i id , h d h f bb h e out t ree on to the oo r an d the ourt ow n his t roat f ll h fl , f h d h .

’ And w en the mon s ear ment on of Na lh rin t en t e h k h d i g g, h h y new t at it was Heimir Stu dasson of w om t e had o ft ear k h , h h y h d te A d t e were so re a ra and too the e s and went to ll . n h y f id , k k y

1 1 9 eat c es t w ere all his wea o ns were store O ne too the gr h h p d . k his s wor Na lhrin the secon his au er the t ir his e m d g g, d h b k , h d h l ,

t ourt his s e and the t his s ear. And all t ese he f h hi ld , fif h p h weapons had been so well st ored that they were no whit w orse en he arte w t t em than wh p d i h h . And Heimir took Naglhring and saw how fairly its edges and its gold ornaments shone an d it came into his mind what trust d had in its e es eac t me t at he s ou t An d as he ha dg h i h h ld figh . t ou t o f man a a d an d how he had r en out t o he h gh y h ppy ay, idd t w t his e ows he w as rst red as oo an d t en a e as figh i h f ll , fi bl d , h p l

a cor se And he ke ti s ence for a t me . ter that he as e p . p il i Af k d as is orse Rs a And the a ot ma e ans wer Th w here w h h p . bb d y horse use d t o draw stones t o the church he has bee n dead many ) 9 ) a ear y . ’ e Brosin s o ar we find in the Elder E dda It was won rom Th g C ll . f a a d sto en rom her b Lo h e ros in th war s re n . T B s e d f by F y , l f y7 ki g or Brisings probably dwelt on the rocky summit of Altl Breisach o ne n the Rhi . 1 202 T s ot er ol ar Beowu es t o Hi e ac w ho wears it on his hi h C l lf giv g l , ast e t on t o r es an w ere he is s a n and ro e l xpe di i F i l d , h l i bb d by f eo debert the Franks o Th . ' e —not as con uerors the wor s us ua mean n but H ld q ( d l i g) , it w t t e r cor ses by covering i h h i p . So Tac tus te s us Germania N autem ne ue u b i ll ( , xiii) ihil q p ’ e e rivatae rei n s armati a unt lioac n qu p i i g . a st ct rea in the oe m T es e nes 1 2 1 - 8 The re is di in b k p . h li ( 5 7 ) su u the rece n and ntro uce the new a enture T s m p p di g i d dv . hi t m the Danes a e ret urne to s ee in t e r a l an d the i e h v d l p h i h l , o e sew ere Geats are l dged l h . “ on t me w as one or t wo a s at most This l g i d y . So in r Aeneid 11 6 - Vi gil ( , 4 7 9)

tat sua cui ue es re e et rre ara e tem us S q di , b v i p bil p mn us es t tae sed famam ext endere act s O ib vi f i , Hoc rtut s o us vi i p .

’ mes ere as in oland So we a e seen Heimir s o r s a e na . Sw d h v h , R h v ’ s word Naglhring (Nail ring) and s hall s ee Beowulf s l ast sw o rd ’ — (2680) Naeglin g (Nail s off spring its hilt was pe rhaps stu dded w t na s e the treas ure- cu at i h il , lik p Eot enish ere an d at 2 61 6 and 2 means ant c the , h 979 , gig i , w r o f eti t ere 13 no a us on to the Eotens of n nn o k ns ; h ll i Ki g Fi . It is diflicult t o e a n h ow water cou not et nto the a xpl i , if ld g i h ll , ’ 8 o ros t rou the w ater Grendel bl o d e h gh . M ead- plains are fie ds in w hi ch the ingredients of mead are l “ rown so too the mea - w al in g ; , , d k l terat on in the secon al ne is in to as in the The a li i d h f li , ’ or al tera w c t ou ere t o oo est igin (li lly, hi h h h l k

u es were cut on the ts of swor s . T s stor of the war R n hil d hi y , 1 20 amon the Danes we a e a summar of his c aract er L e the g , h v y h . ik e er Ofia he had een cons ere s u s in his out ~ ld , b id d l ggi h y h .

A gap of s ome sixty years is indi cated by the asteriks whi ch I

a e ace in the text ere . As it a ens the fire of 1 1 has h v pl d h h pp , 73 - ma e a a a so in the . our a f nes are ent rel ost and d g p l MS F h l li i y l , in ot ers the wor s I a e ta c se are e i e ter the mut h d h v i li i d ill g bl . Af il at e nes e ns w at is certa n the most ma nat e an d I d li b gi h i ly i gi iv , t n the most oet ca assa e in B eowu . t a rare sense of hi k p i l p g , lf Wi h ers ect e the oet es cr es the oar of treasure t en ic p p iv , p d ib h d , h p tures the on - ea c e ast sur o r of an ear er race who l g d d hi f, l viv li , must have hidden it in the mound then his reas on for hiding it an d s o his e e 22 4 2 66 on his ea com an ons T en , l gy ( 4 7 ) d d p i . h t ree and a a nes summ n u th e rest of his i e unt h h lf li i g p l f , il ’ ” i a t D t t at h s e rt er ma n al owances r . ea h s tide fel h . Af ki g l eve y w ere for er os t and for arrennes s of rammat ca con h v b i y , b g i l st ruct on th e rea e r of B eowul comes u on t s conc se s m le i , d f p hi i , i p n e o uent assa e w t a sense of o as one who comes u a d l q p g i h j y, pon a poo l where he may dive an d swim after walking through mile upon mile of the acrid dust and ens narin g stems of burne d r a oor heathe upon m . ’ 7 He in the rst a - ne is th e ea c ie in the seco nd the fi h lf li d d h f , ra on d g . to ne tha aefter st an e stearo-heort onfand eondes f ot - ast S , F l s ro a n d effect e rase a t ng iv ph . as I a e o n e out in the re ace r n s us in touc h v p i t d p f , b i g h a stor ca n as on of r es an in the rst uarter of the hi i l i v i F i l d , fi q t centur in w c Chocilaicus Hi elac was e We six h y , hi h ( g ) kill d . have had the Het ware in Widsith They appear to be the as the c ass ca Hatuarii same l i l . e bo is Heardred son o f Hi elac and H d As Th y , g yg . had succee e his un c e rot ar so the ' Geatis h t rone is d d l , H hg , h off ered to Beowulf (the atheling of He ere and him in the ne t ne re er t o Heardred h , x li , f . He seems to a e en s e ter t o Eanmund an d Ead ils the h v giv h l g ,

f ht ere w en . t were an s ed t e r un c n la s ons o O h e e O e . , h h y b i h by h i l ’ He the On enth eow s a rn of 2 ursues t em and s ( g b i 397) p h , kill Heardred He t en ret res ea n Beowul on the eat s . h i , l vi g f G i h t r ne Beowu con t nues to su o rt Ead ils a t ou his r h o . lf i pp g ( l h gh e t i er Weohst an has s a n Eanmund as at 2 61 2 and ol s a n l i , ) f low O nela t o his ow n countr w ere he s him in a att e on the y , h kill , b l en r fro ze n surface of Lake W e . r—it um in co care - marc es The two wor s Cealdum cea s h ld h . d ’ ut ne a cture as clear as Ba zac s on st or of t he Be resina o li pi l l g y .

There was t ra in the eat s as in .the Dan s nast but gedy G i h i h dy y , it was c an ce not t rou ma ce t at Haethc n e his by h , h gh li , h y kill d rot er Herebeald Haethc n owe er is e the we es b h , . y , h v , kill d by S d ,

1 2 2 ' O n enth eow and his sons in one of t e r attac s o n Hreosna g , h i k Hreos nabeorh Hill ( ) . Haethc n was e but his brot er Hi elac a en e him y kill d , h , g , v g d by the an of B o or Later w e fin d t at Hi elac re war s Bo or h d f . h g d f with the han d of his only daughter This battle is des a a 2 6- 2 8 cribed g in in lines 94 99 . “ Him an he re er to Hi elac d f g . The Yift has are ro a the e ae see Widsi th p b bly G pid ( , w in astida nt a oo s c a en e to st ro ot s ose se . h K g, F , f li h h ll g O g h The Hu as w t the ran s and r s ans o ose Hi elac g , i h F k F i i , pp d g in his ast att e l b l . Th e ring- twister (bring- bo gs ) describes the serpent ine a ance of the ra on dv d g . T s swor is ca e Nae lin o r a n at 2 680 ere hi d ll d g g, N ili g , . H he wor i elaf w is un certa n As t is nc e ose mean n . oo d g , h i g i g d as an ot er ren er n is t o su ose t at t s is th e Dan s swor y h d i g pp h hi i h d, ’ " resente rot ar the Lor of n s r en s t o Beo p d by H hg , d I g F i d , wul and t at it is in some w a conn ecte w t In the foun er f, h y d i h g, d of t he ear er D an s ouse li i h h . ’ Wiglaf is here a Scylfing (but in 2 814 he is one of Beowulf s n r an d a a mun in Mr att su es t at Ec theo w e W e d . ts ki d d) g g . Wy gg h g an d Weohstan w ere rot ers an d so ns of Wae mun d wh o was b h , g , ' a rot er of O n entheow and so n of Sc lf t s oss e t at he b h g y . I i p ibl h

' is ca e a or of Sc lfin s ecause he had n er te ll d l d y g , b i h i d Sc lfin e r ooms rom his at er who had won t em rom y g h i l f f h , h f

As wr t n was or nal one w t a ni e u on woo th e i i g igi ly d i h k f , p d , ‘ su est on t at Beowu in woun n the ra on car e runes gg i h lf, di g d g , v d of eat u o n it is o ous and effect e d h p , bvi iv . There is somet hin g of the scene between Rolan d and Turpin ere and more of rt ur and Be i ere h , A h d v . The natu re of t s s n or st an ar as of t at set u o er e hi ig d d , h p v Shi ld of the Sheaf is uncertain So Tac tus Germania : cutu m reli uisse raec uum i ( , vi) S q p ip fla itium nec aut sacris a esse aut co ncih um i nire i nom n oso g , d g i i " fas m lti it bellorum inf amiam a ueo finierunt u ue su erst es . , q p l q Here again we have a reference to the last fight of Higelac in Fr es an And at 2 2 2 a urt er account of the t at a ens i l d . , 9 , f h figh R v woo in w c w e are to how On entheow e ers his w e d , hi h ld g d liv if oss the au ter of a ans m ent one at 62 ro m the (p ibly d gh H lfd , i d ) f Geats who had carried her o ff ; an d how Higelac (after Haethcyn has een i e comes to the res cue o f his eats and r es the b k ll d) G , d iv we es ac across the a n of eace u and B o or sons of S d b k pl i p . W lf f , WOnred attac O n entheow u a s woun e but B o or , k g . W lf f ll d d , f ’ s the old n and is rewar e w t the an of Hi elac s kill Ki g , d d i h h d g au t er d gh .

1 23 T s ine h as een re ar e as a re et t on of 20 2 and as re hi l b g d d p i i 5 , p se nt n a cu t w c I m se cannot see unl i g diffi l y hi h y lf , ess in the ” su este rea n Sc lfin s h e ea gg d di g y g . T sp ker is rapidly sum ’ marizin Beowu s career ac war s s e re o g lf b k d . Thi lin fers t the t w t ren e the e n t figh i h G d l , n xt li e o the st ill suc as the s w mm n - matc w t Breca h i i g h i h . The greatest pains w ere taken to guard agains t the violation of t reasure oar s The rim stor i rett r the tron h d . g y n G i S g sugges ts the n of ear as so c ate w t t em ki d f i d i h h . The ast o o w ic e ns ere is muc torn The worst a l f li , h h b gi h , h . g s — p are in nes 1 0- 1 w ere it seems t at a . new c aracte li 3 5 3 55 , h h h r is ” ” ntro uce sio eo- meo wle the w e of old We a e i d d , g , if . h v ’ ear not in t ert o of Beowu s w e but it is o n natura h d h g hi h lf if , ly l to su ose t at o ne e ste H . Poss she was d pp h xi d ibly yg .

FINNSBURGH

The sole authority for the text of this fragment is the Thes-aura: of Dr eor Hick D ea of orc t r th a n on . e es n es e e G g , W , MS . h vi g l g

sa eared . It o ens w t a b rnath naefre Su di pp p i h n s y . p n homas rom ne we et the nd of a uest on o r plyi g f li 4 , g e q i ” e c amat on e a - orns ar ev r ur n T ere is x l i Th g ble h e n e b ni g . h st some o scur t as the s ea er a ear to be ns e the a ill b i y , p k pp s i id h ll . Se e m note on B eowul 1 068 y f , . The att e- oun is ro a en est his rot er b l y g King p b bly H g ; b h , Hnaef a n een e ear er in the stor , h vi g b kill d li y . O rlaf and Guthlaf are probably the Oslaf and Guthlaf of B eo wul 1 1 8 w ho esca e rom the t an d ret urn ater to a en e f , 4 , p f figh , l , v g th e eat of en est s a n nn d h H g by l yi g Fi . T ese ficu t nes r t ra en et aru st rre u f a e e . T h di l li , li lly h G lf i d p Guthere that they so noble (free- born) a e on the first j ourney ’ t o the a s oors in rness ear not now t at it one ar in h ll d ha b , h h dy ” ' enmt wou ta e ut w ose w as the no e i e ! e n est s i y ld k . B h bl l f H g ’ ’ or Si eferth s or Ga l s own ! he last Was a arent son of g ru f T , pp ly , ut a G hl f . Se eowu 8 a swor We c means a man or B . g , ( lf, 6 4) d have seen a tribe of Sycgs twice in Widsith (31 and w ere t e r ru er is ca e Saeferth o er ent es t em w t h h i l ll d . M ll id ifi h i h the su se uent co o n sts of sse b q l i E x .

Hickes ere rea s Hw ear cra hraer w ic is meani n ess . h d fla , h h gl They paid Hnaef fo r t heir mead by avenging his oss e t at th ac of the ra ment is far ear er in t e s or p ibl h e pl e f g li h t y ,

ur n the rst Dan s attac on rm in w c Hnaef is i e . d i g fi i h k Fi , hi h k ll d Yet we a e see t at aru was e and we now t at Hnaef h v n h G lf kill d , k h t t out w as killed in the first and Hengest in the secon d figh . i h ' W the hel of B eowu 1 068- 1 1 t s ra ment wou d not be in lf, 59 , hi f g l telli ib e and e en w t t at e it resents se era uzz es g . v i h h h lp p v l p l 1 24 in the te t Yet the oet ma ' omm se rat n the , a e een c x . p y h v b i i g

Widsith See . , 9 T s and t he six o ow n nes are con emne as an nter hi , f ll i g li , d d i olation w c rea s the s mmetr of the st an zas p , hi h b k y y . Heoden ru e th e Glo mmas acco r n t o Widn th 2 1 In the l d , di g , . Edda h carr es off the au t r f Ha u t he e i d gh e o " gena w ho purs es to the s an of Ho i n r n e e u t all and a r . Th o da p i I l d y, O k y y f gh y, ’ in the e en n the in s w ent to t e r s i s But Ha ena s v i g K g h i h p . Hild ( g au ter w ent n t t o the co r ses and aw o e the ea d gh ) by igh p , k d d by ma c And the n e t da the n s went to the att e- field and gi . x y Ki g b l ou t an d so all t ose who e the da e ore In suc W se f gh , did h f ll y b f . h i the att e cont nue da a ter da so t at all t ose wh o e b l i d y f y h h f ll , and all the w ea ons and s el s w la on the att e- eld p hi d hich y b l fi , were turned nto stone And w en it awne all th e ea men i . h d d , d d stoo u and ou t an d all the w ea ons were soun and it is d p f gh , p d told in so ngs t hat t he Hjathningar shall so abide t ill Dooms da Heorren da in t s stor is H arrandi the at er of et n y. , hi y , j , f h H hi Heode n In t he erman oem Kudrw : h e is Horant the ( ) . High G p , sw eet sin er of the court o f Het el who sa s to re an to win g , il I l d au ter of the r s n a en His so n s ames into Hild , d gh I i h Ki g H g . g h s en ce the r s s n n in the us es is c arme it il bi d i gi g b h . Hild h d by s he cann ot res t till H6rant comes t o sing to her in her chamber ' So Hé raut s ings a song of Amil e the like of which was ne er nown r st an man e ore or s nce un ess he ear v k by Ch i i b f i , l h d i u th w wa es T en he t row s off his s ui e and t pon e ild v . h h di g s w for hi or o e ma m or i i court twe e oos s . has n h s l d N bl id , y l d lv w ho s n far e on me and all so sweet as is t e r so n et i g b y d h i g, y ’ m or s n s est of all She consents to flee w t th e wooe rs . yl d i g b . i h It is of course oss e t at t s is the of ne 1 an d t at , , p ibl h hi Hild li 4 , h ’ 1 5 refers t o Heoden s love for her ; but why should he be a Geat

In clos ing these notes with two large quotations borrowed fro m express in w ords a debt to him w hich is otherwise -S C . K . . M .

LONDON THE DANISH KINGS

S cef (She af)

n - 2 S cyld S ce fl g (Shie ld) . 4 5

B e o w ulf S cyldin g 53

n H ealfd e n e (Halfd a e ) . 57

H ro th ar = W e alhth e o w a a P th e ue e n g , H lg Q

a H e m n . 6 1 o f O n e la 6 1 & c . l i g

6 & c . 6 2 . 1 2 ,

H eo ro w e ard H reth ric Hro th mun d F reaw a ru 2 1 6 1 1 1 89 2 02 2 W ife In ld o f g e , s n o f Fro a o d . a H eath o be a rd

THE GEATISH KINGS

Sw erting 1 203

Hre th el 454 Ha s reth 1 9 29

Hyg e lac B ygd 1 9 26 &c 435 :

(Numbe rs re fe r to lin es in

1 2 7