Part 2 of 2 |
Beowulf maþelode, bearn Ecgþeowes: “Hwæt! we þe þas sælac, sunu Healfdenes, leod Scyldinga, lustum brohton tires to tacne, þe þu her to locast. Ic þæt unsofte ealdre gedigde wigge under wætere, weorc geneþde earfoðlice; ætrihte wæs guð getwæfed, nymðe mec god scylde. Ne meahte ic æt hilde mid Hruntinge 1660 wiht gewyrcan, þeah þæt wæpen duge; ac me geuðe ylda waldend þæt ic on wage geseah wlitig hangian eald sweord eacen (oftost wisode winigea leasum), þæt ic ðy wæpne gebræd. Ofsloh ða æt þære sæcce, þa me sæl ageald, huses hyrdas. þa þæt hildebil forbarn brogdenmæl, swa þæt blod gesprang, hatost heaþoswata. Ic þæt hilt þanan feondum ætferede, fyrendæda wræc, 1670 deaðcwealm Denigea, swa hit gedefe wæs. Ic hit þe þonne gehate, þæt þu on Heorote most sorhleas swefan mid þinra secga gedryht ond þegna gehwylc þinra leoda, duguðe ond iogoþe, þæt þu him ondrædan ne þearft, þeoden Scyldinga, on þa healfe, aldorbealu eorlum, swa þu ær dydest.” ða wæs gylden hilt gamelum rince, harum hildfruman, on hand gyfen, enta ærgeweorc; hit on æht gehwearf 1680 æfter deofla hryre Denigea frean, wundorsmiþa geweorc, ond þa þas worold ofgeaf gromheort guma, godes ondsaca, morðres scyldig, ond his modor eac, on geweald gehwearf woroldcyninga ðæm selestan be sæm tweonum ðara þe on Scedenigge sceattas dælde. Hroðgar maðelode, hylt sceawode, ealde lafe, on ðæm wæs or writen fyrngewinnes, syðþan flod ofsloh, 1690 gifen geotende, giganta cyn (frecne geferdon); þæt wæs fremde þeod ecean dryhtne; him þæs endelean þurh wæteres wylm waldend sealde. Swa wæs on ðæm scennum sciran goldes þurh runstafas rihte gemearcod, geseted ond gesæd hwam þæt sweord geworht, irena cyst, ærest wære, wreoþenhilt ond wyrmfah. ða se wisa spræc sunu Healfdenes (swigedon ealle): 1700 “þæt, la, mæg secgan se þe soð ond riht fremeð on folce, feor eal gemon, eald weard, þæt ðes eorl wære geboren betera! Blæd is aræred geond widwegas, wine min Beowulf, ðin ofer þeoda gehwylce. Eal þu hit geþyldum healdest, mægen mid modes snyttrum. Ic þe sceal mine gelæstan freode, swa wit furðum spræcon. ðu scealt to frofre weorþan eal langtwidig leodum þinum, hæleðum to helpe. Ne wearð Heremod swa 1710 eaforum Ecgwelan, Arscyldingum; ne geweox he him to willan, ac to wælfealle ond to deaðcwalum Deniga leodum; breat bolgenmod beodgeneatas, eaxlgesteallan, oþþæt he ana hwearf, mære þeoden, mondreamum from. ðeah þe hine mihtig god mægenes wynnum, eafeþum stepte, ofer ealle men forð gefremede, hwæþere him on ferhþe greow breosthord blodreow. Nallas beagas geaf 1720 Denum æfter dome; dreamleas gebad þæt he þæs gewinnes weorc þrowade, leodbealo longsum. ðu þe lær be þon, gumcyste ongit; ic þis gid be þe awræc wintrum frod. Wundor is to secganne hu mihtig god manna cynne þurh sidne sefan snyttru bryttað, eard ond eorlscipe; he ah ealra geweald. Hwilum he on lufan læteð hworfan monnes modgeþonc mæran cynnes, 1730 seleð him on eþle eorþan wynne to healdanne, hleoburh wera, gedeð him swa gewealdene worolde dælas, side rice, þæt he his selfa ne mæg for his unsnyttrum ende geþencean. Wunað he on wiste; no hine wiht dweleð adl ne yldo, ne him inwitsorh on sefan sweorceð, ne gesacu ohwær ecghete eoweð, ac him eal worold wendeð on willan (he þæt wyrse ne con), |
Fitt 24 1651. Beowulf made a speech, son of Ecgtheow’s: “Indeed, son of Healfdane’s, man of the Scyldings, we have gladly brought the sea-booty which you are looking at here as a sign of glory. With difficulty I survived with my life in battle under water, a work ventured on with adversity.” 1657. “The battle would have immediately ended if God had not protected me. Nor was I able to achieve anything with Hrunting in the battle, though that weapon may be good.” 1661. “But it was granted to me by the Ruler of men that I saw hanging in the hall a handsome, mighty old sword– He has often guided the friendless– so that I drew the weapon. Then, when the opportunity was permitted to me, I slew the guardian of the house, killed in the conflict.” 1666. “Then that battle-sword burned away, the damascened sword, so that blood sprang out, the hottest blood of combat. I carried the hilt away from the fiend there; the wicked deed was avenged, Danish slaughter, as it was fitting.” 1671. “I have promised you that you might sleep free from care in Heorot with your company of men, and each thane with your people, tried warriors and young warriors, that you need not fear deadly evil for your warriors from that half, prince of the Scyldings, as you did before.” 1677. Then the golden hilt was given into the old warrior’s hand, the grey-haired war-leader, the ancient work of giants; the work of a wondrous smith, it passed in possession after the devil’s fall to the lord of the Danes. 1681. And then the world gave up the hostile-hearted creature, God’s adversary, guilty of murder, and his mother also; power passed to the earthly king, the best between the seas who shared out treasures in the Danish realm. 1687. Hrothgar made a speech, looking at the hilt, the old heirloom, on which was engraved the origin of the ancient strife, when the flood, the rush of ocean, killed the giants' kin, who fared terribly. Those were people estranged from the eternal Lord; the Ruler gave them the final retribution for that through the water’s surging. 1694.Thus on the plate of metal, shining through the gold, were runic letters rightly marked, which set down and stated for whom the sword was worked, when the best sword was first made with twisted hilt and serpentine patterning. 1698. Then the wise man spoke, the son of Healfdane, calling for all to be silent: “One who upholds the truth and the right among his folk, who remembers all far back, an old guardian of the homeland, may indeed say that this warrior was born a better man!" 1703. “Your renown is exalted through distant regions, my friend Beowulf, over each people. You hold it all in patience, strength with wisdom in mind. I will fulfill my friendship to you, as we two spoke earlier.” 1707. “You will entirely be a long-lasting comfort to my people, a help to warriors. It was not so of Heremod, son of Ecgwelan, of the Honor-Scyldings; he did not grow up to be a joy to him, but to slaughter and to the death of Danish people.” 1713. “Enraged, he killed table-companions- his comrades- until he turned alone, a renowned prince, from human joys. Though he joyed in the strength given him by mighty God, who exalted his power and advanced him forth over all men, nevertheless, bloodthirsty and secret thoughts grew in his heart.” 1719. “Nonetheless he gave rings to the Danes in pursuit of renown; he lived joyless, suffering the misery of that struggle, a prolonged affliction to his people. May you be taught by that and see manly virtue!" 1723. “I tell this tale for you, wise in my years. It is a wonder to say how mighty God, through His deep spirit, distributes wisdom to mankind, land and nobility; he holds all power. Sometimes he lets the mind of a man of renowned kin follow its desire.” 1730. “Sometimes God gives him in his native land the earthly joy to possess the stronghold of men, and makes him so subject to the regions of the world, a broad kingdom, that he himself does not, in his folly, conceive an end of it.” 1735. “He dwells in prosperity; neither sickness nor age hinder him, nor does evil anxiety grow dark in his mind, nor does enmity anywhere show deadly hostility, but all the world goes as he desires.” |
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1740 oðþæt him on innan oferhygda dæl weaxeð ond wridað. þonne se weard swefeð, sawele hyrde; bið se slæp to fæst, bisgum gebunden, bona swiðe neah, se þe of flanbogan fyrenum sceoteð. þonne bið on hreþre under helm drepen biteran stræle (him bebeorgan ne con), wom wundorbebodum wergan gastes; þinceð him to lytel þæt he lange heold, gytsað gromhydig, nallas on gylp seleð 1750 fædde beagas, ond he þa forðgesceaft forgyteð ond forgymeð, þæs þe him ær god sealde, wuldres waldend, weorðmynda dæl. Hit on endestæf eft gelimpeð þæt se lichoma læne gedreoseð, fæge gefealleð; fehð oþer to, se þe unmurnlice madmas dæleþ, eorles ærgestreon, egesan ne gymeð. Bebeorh þe ðone bealonið, Beowulf leofa, secg betsta, ond þe þæt selre geceos, 1760 ece rædas; oferhyda ne gym, mære cempa. Nu is þines mægnes blæd ane hwile. Eft sona bið þæt þec adl oððe ecg eafoþes getwæfeð, oððe fyres feng, oððe flodes wylm, oððe gripe meces, oððe gares fliht, oððe atol yldo; oððe eagena bearhtm forsiteð ond forsworceð; semninga bið þæt ðec, dryhtguma, deað oferswyðeð. Swa ic Hringdena hund missera 1770 weold under wolcnum ond hig wigge beleac manigum mægþa geond þysne middangeard, æscum ond ecgum, þæt ic me ænigne under swegles begong gesacan ne tealde. Hwæt, me þæs on eþle edwenden cwom, gyrn æfter gomene, seoþðan Grendel wearð, ealdgewinna, ingenga min; ic þære socne singales wæg modceare micle. þæs sig metode þanc, ecean dryhtne, þæs ðe ic on aldre gebad 1780 þæt ic on þone hafelan heorodreorigne ofer ealdgewin eagum starige! Ga nu to setle, symbelwynne dreoh wigge weorþad; unc sceal worn fela maþma gemænra, siþðan morgen bið.” Geat wæs glædmod, geong sona to setles neosan, swa se snottra heht. þa wæs eft swa ær ellenrofum fletsittendum fægere gereorded niowan stefne. Nihthelm geswearc 1790 deorc ofer dryhtgumum. Duguð eal aras. Wolde blondenfeax beddes neosan, gamela Scylding. Geat unigmetes wel, rofne randwigan, restan lyste; sona him seleþegn siðes wergum, feorrancundum, forð wisade, se for andrysnum ealle beweotede þegnes þearfe, swylce þy dogore heaþoliðende habban scoldon. Reste hine þa rumheort; reced hliuade 1800 geap ond goldfah; gæst inne swæf oþþæt hrefn blaca heofones wynne bliðheort bodode. ða com beorht scacan scaþan onetton, wæron æþelingas eft to leodum fuse to farenne; wolde feor þanon cuma collenferhð ceoles neosan. Heht þa se hearda Hrunting beran sunu Ecglafes, heht his sweord niman, leoflic iren; sægde him þæs leanes þanc, 1810 cwæð, he þone guðwine godne tealde, wigcræftigne, nales wordum log meces ecge; þæt wæs modig secg. Ond þa siðfrome, searwum gearwe wigend wæron; eode weorð Denum æþeling to yppan, þær se oþer wæs, hæle hildedeor Hroðgar grette. |
Fitt 25 1740. “He knows no worse, until inside, by measures, his arrogance grows and flourishes; then the guardian sleeps, the soul’s keeper. The sleep is too sound, bound by care, with the slayer very near who shoots wickedly from his bow.” 1745. “When his heart, under protection, is struck with bitter arrows, he is not able to protect it from the perverse and strange commands of evil spirits.” 1748.”He thinks it too little that he long held, coveting angry-minded; in pride he gives no gold-plated rings at all, and then he forgets and neglects his future destiny, because earlier God, the Ruler of glory, gave him his share of honor.” 1753. “In the end it happens that after the transitory body declines, the fated to die falls; another takes over, who ungrudgingly deals out treasures, the ancient wealth of noblemen, heedless of terror. Guard against evil hostility, dear Beowulf, best of men, and choose the better: eternal gain.” 1760. “Be not intent on pride, renowned warrior! Now is your power’s fame for a while; soon after it will be that disease or the sword will deprive you of your strength, or the fire’s grasp, or surging waters, or attack by swords, or the flight of spears, or terrible old age; or the brightness in your eyes will fail and become dim.” 1767. “Presently it will be that death will overpower you, warrior.” 1769. “I have ruled the Ring-Danes for fifty years under the sky, and protected them against war from many nations throughout this earth, with spears and swords, so that I did not consider that I had any adversary under the sky’s expanse.” 1774. “Listen, to me came a reversal in my native land, grief after joy, after Grendel, ancient adversary, became my invader; I bore continuously the persecution with great sorrow of mind.” 1778. “For that thanks be to the Creator, eternal Lord, that I could experience in my life gazing upon this head, blood-stained from battle after old struggles, with my eyes! Go now to your seat, enjoying the pleasure of feasting, exalted by battle; we shall share a great many treasure when it is morning.” 1785. The Geat was glad at heart, and soon went to go to his seat, as the wise man had asked. Then there was after, again as before, a finely prepared feast for the one sitting in the hall famed for courage. 1789. The cover of night grew dark and murky over the warriors. The body of retainers all rose, as the grey-haired old Scylding wished to go to bed. 1792. The Geat, famous shield-warrior, greatly desired rest. Soon his chamberlain guided him forth, weary from his exploits, from a far country, and in all courtesy looked after the thane’s needs, such as seafaring warriors should have in those days. 1799. The great-hearted man then rested; the building towered, spacious and adorned with gold; the guest slept inside until the black raven, blithe in heart, announced heaven’s joy. Then bright light came passing over the shadows. 1803. The warriors hastened, as the noblemen were eager to go back to their people; the visitor, brave in heart, wished to go on his ships far from there. Then the brave son of Ecglaf’s, Unferth, ordered that hard Hrunting should be brought, and that Beowulf take his sword, the precious blade. 1809. Beowulf expressed thanks for the reward; he considered his war-friend good, and strong in battle. He did not at all in words find fault with the sword’s edge; that was a noble-minded man. 1813. And then the warriors' arms were ready and they were eager to depart; the honored Danish prince went forward to the high-seat, where the other was. The warrior, brave in battle, greeted Hrothgar. |
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Beowulf maþelode, bearn Ecgþeowes: “Nu we sæliðend secgan wyllað, feorran cumene, þæt we fundiaþ 1820 Higelac secan. Wæron her tela willum bewenede; þu us wel dohtest. Gif ic þonne on eorþan owihte mæg þinre modlufan maran tilian, gumena dryhten, ðonne ic gyt dyde, guðgeweorca, ic beo gearo sona. Gif ic þæt gefricge ofer floda begang, þæt þec ymbsittend egesan þywað, swa þec hetende hwilum dydon, ic ðe þusenda þegna bringe, 1830 hæleþa to helpe. Ic on Higelac wat, Geata dryhten, þeah ðe he geong sy, folces hyrde, þæt he mec fremman wile wordum ond worcum, þæt ic þe wel herige ond þe to geoce garholt bere, mægenes fultum, þær ðe bið manna þearf. Gif him þonne Hreþric to hofum Geata geþingeð, þeodnes bearn, he mæg þær fela freonda findan; feorcyþðe beoð selran gesohte þæm þe him selfa deah.” 1840 Hroðgar maþelode him on ondsware: “þe þa wordcwydas wigtig drihten on sefan sende; ne hyrde ic snotorlicor on swa geongum feore guman þingian. þu eart mægenes strang ond on mode frod, wis wordcwida. Wen ic talige, gif þæt gegangeð, þæt ðe gar nymeð, hild heorugrimme, Hreþles eaferan, adl oþðe iren ealdor ðinne, folces hyrde, ond þu þin feorh hafast, 1850 þæt þe Sægeatas selran næbben to geceosenne cyning ænigne, hordweard hæleþa, gyf þu healdan wylt maga rice. Me þin modsefa licað leng swa wel, leofa Beowulf. Hafast þu gefered þæt þam folcum sceal, Geata leodum ond Gardenum, sib gemæne, ond sacu restan, inwitniþas, þe hie ær drugon, wesan, þenden ic wealde widan rices, 1860 maþmas gemæne, manig oþerne godum gegretan ofer ganotes bæð; sceal hringnaca ofer heafu bringan lac ond luftacen. Ic þa leode wat ge wið feond ge wið freond fæste geworhte, æghwæs untæle ealde wisan.” ða git him eorla hleo inne gesealde, mago Healfdenes, maþmas XII; het hine mid þæm lacum leode swæse secean on gesyntum, snude eft cuman. 1870 Gecyste þa cyning æþelum god, þeoden Scyldinga, ðegn betstan ond be healse genam; hruron him tearas, blondenfeaxum. Him wæs bega wen, ealdum infrodum, oþres swiðor, þæt hie seoððan no geseon moston, modige on meþle. Wæs him se man to þon leof þæt he þone breostwylm forberan ne mehte, ac him on hreþre hygebendum fæst æfter deorum men dyrne langað 1880 beorn wið blode. Him Beowulf þanan, guðrinc goldwlanc, græsmoldan træd since hremig; sægenga bad agendfrean, se þe on ancre rad. þa wæs on gange gifu Hroðgares oft geæhted; þæt wæs an cyning, æghwæs orleahtre, oþþæt hine yldo benam mægenes wynnum, se þe oft manegum scod. |
Fitt 26 1817. Beowulf made a speech, son of Ecgtheow’s: “Now we seafarers, who have come from afar, wish to say that we are eager to seek Hygelac. You have treated us well and entertained us as we might wish.” 1822. “If I might, while on earth, do anything more to earn your heart’s affection, lord of men, than I did yet by war-like deeds, I am soon ready. If I learn over the expanse of the waters that these neighboring peoples are threatened by terrors, as your enemies did for a while, I will bring you a thousand thanes, warriors to help.” 1830. “I know of Hygelac, lord of the Geats, that though he may be young, guardian of the folk, he will support me in words and deeds so that I will honor you well; and to help I will bear a forest of spears, the support of strength, where you need men.” 1836. “If Hrethric decides to go to the court of the Geats, a prince’s son, he will find many friends there; it is better that a far country should be visited by one who is of worth.” 1840. Hrothgar made a speech to answer him: “You have the words of the wise Lord sent into your mind; I have not heard a man of such young age speak more wisely. You are strong in might and sharp in mind, wise in words.” 1845. “I consider it something to be expected, if it happens that the spear takes Hrethel’s son in sword-fierce battle, or sickness or sword takes your lord, guardian of the folk, and you have your life, that the Sea-Geats will not have any better choice of a king, warrior and guardian of treasure, if you will hold the kingdom of your kinsmen.” 1853. “Your spirit pleases me longer as well, dear Beowulf. You have brought it about that the folk, Geatish people and Gar-Danes, shall share peace and cease from the strife and enmity which they endured before. While I rule the wide kingdoms treasures will be shared; many will greet his other with gifts over the gannot’s bath.” 1862. “The ring-prowed ship will bring gifts and tokens of love over the seas. I know your people have disposed firmly both with the enemy and with friends and are in every respect blameless, according to the old ways.” 1866. Furthermore, the protector of the warriors, son of Healfdane, gave him twelve treasures inside and enjoined him to go to his dear people with the gifts in safety, and to come back soon. Then the king, of good and noble descent, kissed the prince of the Scyldings, the best of thanes, and clasped him by the neck. 1872. Tears fell from the grey-haired man. He, being old and very wise, had two things in expectation, and one more especially, that they would never be able to see each other again, courageous in council. 1876. The man was so dear to him that could not restrain his surging emotion, but he held the heart-strings of his heart firm for the dear man and hid the longing which burned in his blood. Beowulf, proud gold-adorned warrior, walked away from him and tread the grassy earth, exulting in his treasure. 1882. The ship, which rode at anchor, waited for its owner and lord. On the way Hrothgar’s gift was often praised; that was one king blameless in every respect, until age, which has harmed many, deprived him of his strength’s joys. |
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hægstealdra heap, hringnet bæron, 1890 locene leoðosyrcan. Landweard onfand eftsið eorla, swa he ær dyde; no he mid hearme of hliðes nosan gæstas grette, ac him togeanes rad, cwæð þæt wilcuman Wedera leodum scaþan scirhame to scipe foron. þa wæs on sande sægeap naca hladen herewædum, hringedstefna, mearum ond maðmum; mæst hlifade ofer Hroðgares hordgestreonum. 1900 He þæm batwearde bunden golde swurd gesealde, þæt he syðþan wæs on meodubence maþme þy weorþra, yrfelafe. Gewat him on naca drefan deop wæter, Dena land ofgeaf. þa wæs be mæste merehrægla sum, segl sale fæst; sundwudu þunede. No þær wegflotan wind ofer yðum siðes getwæfde; sægenga for, fleat famigheals forð ofer yðe, 1910 bundenstefna ofer brimstreamas, þæt hie Geata clifu ongitan meahton, cuþe næssas. Ceol up geþrang lyftgeswenced, on lande stod. Hraþe wæs æt holme hyðweard geara, se þe ær lange tid leofra manna fus æt faroðe feor wlatode; sælde to sande sidfæþme scip, oncerbendum fæst, þy læs hym yþa ðrym wudu wynsuman forwrecan meahte. 1920 Het þa up beran æþelinga gestreon, frætwe ond fætgold; næs him feor þanon to gesecanne sinces bryttan, Higelac Hreþling, þær æt ham wunað selfa mid gesiðum sæwealle neah. Bold wæs betlic, bregorof cyning, heah in healle, Hygd swiðe geong, wis, welþungen, þeah ðe wintra lyt under burhlocan gebiden hæbbe, Hæreþes dohtor; næs hio hnah swa þeah, 1930 ne to gneað gifa Geata leodum, maþmgestreona. Mod þryðo wæg, fremu folces cwen, firen ondrysne. Nænig þæt dorste deor geneþan swæsra gesiða, nefne sinfrea, þæt hire an dæges eagum starede, ac him wælbende weotode tealde handgewriþene; hraþe seoþðan wæs æfter mundgripe mece geþinged, þæt hit sceadenmæl scyran moste, 1940 cwealmbealu cyðan. Ne bið swylc cwenlic þeaw idese to efnanne, þeah ðe hio ænlicu sy, þætte freoðuwebbe feores onsæce æfter ligetorne leofne mannan. Huru þæt onhohsnode Hemminges mæg; ealodrincende oðer sædan, þæt hio leodbealewa læs gefremede, inwitniða, syððan ærest wearð gyfen goldhroden geongum cempan, æðelum diore, syððan hio Offan flet 1950 ofer fealone flod be fæder lare siðe gesohte; ðær hio syððan well in gumstole, gode, mære, lifgesceafta lifigende breac, hiold heahlufan wið hæleþa brego, ealles moncynnes mine gefræge þone selestan bi sæm tweonum, eormencynnes. Forðam Offa wæs geofum ond guðum, garcene man, wide geweorðod, wisdome heold 1960 eðel sinne; þonon Eomer woc hæleðum to helpe, Hemminges mæg, nefa Garmundes, niða cræftig. |
Fitt 27 1888. Then a young and very brave band came to the shore, bearing mail-coats and interlocked mail-shirts. The coastguard observed the return of the warrior, as he before did; he did not greet the guests near the cliff’s nose with an insult, but he rode towards him to say that these warriors in bright armor going to the ship would be welcome to the Weder people. 1896. Then the spacious vessel was on the sand, the ring-prowed ship, laden with armor, horses and treasures; the mast towered over Hrothgar’s hoard of treasure. Beowulf gave the boat-keeper a sword with bound gold, so that afterwards he was all the more honored on the mead-bench for the treasure and heirloom. 1903. He then went on the ship, driving the ship through deep water, leaving Danish land. Then there was some sea-garment by the mast; a sail rope was fixed. The sea-wood creaked. The wind over the waves did not hinder the wave-floater’s journey. 1908. The ship went on and floated, foamy-necked, forth over the waves, the ship with bound prow over sea-currents, so that they might see the Geatish cliffs, familiar headlands. The ship pressed forward and stood on land, wind-battered. 1914. The ready harbor-guard was swiftly at the water, who had before for a long time eagerly looked out far for the dear men. From moor to sand the anchor-rope of the roomy ship was fixed, lest the force of the waves drive away the handsome wooden craft. 1920. Then the noblemen commanded the treasure to be borne up, adornments and plated gold; it was not far from there for him to go to the bestower of treasures, Hygelac, son of Hrethling, who dwelt there at home with his companions near the seawall. 1925. The building was magnificent, with a king of princely fame exalted in the hall, and Hygd very young, wisely accomplished, though the years lived within the enclosed stronghold had been few for Hareth’s daughter. 1929. She was not so niggardly, though; she was not too sparing with gifts and treasures for the Geatish people. Modthrytho, the noble folk’s queen, committed terrible sins; none of the dear companions dared to bravely venture, except her husband, to look her in the eye by day. 1936. But he who did could expect deadly bonds ordained and twisted by hand; quickly after being gripped by hand the mace’s use would be determined; so that the sword with branching patterns would settle the matter, make known its deadly evil. 1940. Such was not a queenly custom for a woman to practice, peerless as she might be, that the peace-weaver should dear men of life after an imagined insult. However, that was stopped by a kinsman of the Hemmings. 1945. The ale-drinkers said otherwise, that she performed fewer afflictions to the people, malicious acts, as soon as she was given, gold-adorned, to a young warrior of noble and excellent descent, since by her father’s counsel she went in voyage to Offa’s hall over the pale water. 1951. Thereafter she was well on the throne, renowned for goodness, and made use of her destined life-span. She maintained a deep love for the prince of warriors, and was to all mankind, as I have heard, the best between the seas. For this, Offa, brave man, was widely honored in gifts and war, and ruled his native land with wisdom. 1960. From him Eomer was born, a warrior to help, kinsman of the Hemmings, grandson of Garmund’s, powerful in battle. |
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Gewat him ða se hearda mid his hondscole sylf æfter sande sæwong tredan, wide waroðas. Woruldcandel scan, sigel suðan fus. Hi sið drugon, elne geeodon, to ðæs ðe eorla hleo, bonan Ongenþeoes burgum in innan, geongne guðcyning godne gefrunon 1970 hringas dælan. Higelace wæs sið Beowulfes snude gecyðed, þæt ðær on worðig wigendra hleo, lindgestealla, lifigende cwom, heaðolaces hal to hofe gongan. Hraðe wæs gerymed, swa se rica bebead, feðegestum flet innanweard. Gesæt þa wið sylfne se ða sæcce genæs, mæg wið mæge, syððan mandryhten þurh hleoðorcwyde holdne gegrette, 1980 meaglum wordum. Meoduscencum hwearf geond þæt healreced Hæreðes dohtor, lufode ða leode, liðwæge bær hæleðum to handa. Higelac ongan sinne geseldan in sele þam hean fægre fricgcean (hyne fyrwet bræc, hwylce Sægeata siðas wæron): “Hu lomp eow on lade, leofa Biowulf, þa ðu færinga feorr gehogodest sæcce secean ofer sealt wæter, 1990 hilde to Hiorote? Ac ðu Hroðgare widcuðne wean wihte gebettest, mærum ðeodne? Ic ðæs modceare sorhwylmum seað, siðe ne truwode leofes mannes; ic ðe lange bæd þæt ðu þone wælgæst wihte ne grette, lete Suðdene sylfe geweorðan guðe wið Grendel. Gode ic þanc secge þæs ðe ic ðe gesundne geseon moste.” Biowulf maðelode, bearn Ecgðioes: 2000 “þæt is undyrne, dryhten Higelac, micel gemeting, monegum fira, hwylc orleghwil uncer Grendles wearð on ðam wange, þær he worna fela Sigescyldingum sorge gefremede, yrmðe to aldre. Ic ðæt eall gewræc, swa begylpan ne þearf Grendeles maga ænig ofer eorðan uhthlem þone, se ðe lengest leofað laðan cynnes, facne bifongen. Ic ðær furðum cwom 2010 to ðam hringsele Hroðgar gretan; sona me se mæra mago Healfdenes, syððan he modsefan minne cuðe, wið his sylfes sunu setl getæhte. Weorod wæs on wynne; ne seah ic widan feorh under heofones hwealf healsittendra medudream maran. Hwilum mæru cwen, friðusibb folca, flet eall geondhwearf, bædde byre geonge; oft hio beahwriðan secge sealde, ær hie to setle geong. 2020 Hwilum for duguðe dohtor Hroðgares eorlum on ende ealuwæge bær; þa ic Freaware fletsittende nemnan hyrde, þær hio nægled sinc hæleðum sealde. Sio gehaten is, geong, goldhroden, gladum suna Frodan; hafað þæs geworden wine Scyldinga, rices hyrde, ond þæt ræd talað, þæt he mid ðy wife wælfæhða dæl, sæcca gesette. Oft seldan hwær 2030 æfter leodhryre lytle hwile bongar bugeð, þeah seo bryd duge! Mæg þæs þonne ofþyncan ðeodne Heaðobeardna ond þegna gehwam þara leoda, þonne he mid fæmnan on flett gæð, dryhtbearn Dena, duguða biwenede; on him gladiað gomelra lafe, heard ond hringmæl Heaðabeardna gestreon þenden hie ðam wæpnum wealdan moston, oððæt hie forlæddan to ðam lindplegan |
Fitt 28 1963. Then the hardy man himself went amid his band of companions, treading along the sandy plain by the sea, wide shores. The world-candle shone, the sun hastening south. He eagerly made his way to where he had heard the protector of noblemen, the slayer of Ongentheow, good young war-king, shared out rings inside his stronghold. 1970. Beowulf’s journey was quickly announced to Hygelac, that there in the precinct of the protector of warriors his comrade in battle had come back alive, unharmed by battle, to go to the court. A way was swiftly cleared, as the ruler commanded, for the guest on foot within the hall. 1977. He who had survived the conflict then sat with the king himself, kinsman with kinsman, after he loyally greeted his liege lord with ceremonious speech, solemn words. Mead-vessels moved around throughout the hall. 1981. Hareth’s daughter, Hygd, beloved by the people, bore cups with drink in her hand to the warriors. Hygelac began to courteously question his companion in the high hall– his curiously pressed as to what the Sea-Geat’s adventures were. 1987. “What happened to you on your voyage, dear Beowulf, that you suddenly resolved to seek conflict far off over salt water, battle at Heorot? Have you remedied Hrothgar’s widely known miseries in any way, renowned prince?" 1992. “My anxiety of mind was agitated by surging sorrow, not trusting this venture of my dear man; I long asked you to not attack the murderous creature at all, to allow the South-Danes themselves to settle the fight with Grendel. To God I say thanks that I have been able to see you sound.” 1999. Beowulf made a speech, son of Ecgtheow’s: “My great meeting is unconcealed to many men, lord Hygelac, what time of battle there was between Grendel and me in that place, where he brought about sorrows for a great many Victory-Scyldings, miseries for ever.” 2005. “I avenged all that, so that anyone of Grendel’s kinfolk over the earth need not boast of that uproar at night, he who lives longest of that hateful race, encompassed in crime.” 2009. “I first came there to the ring-hall to greet Hrothgar. Soon the renowned kinsman of Healfdane’s, after he knew my mind, allotted me a seat with his own sons. The company was in joy. I have never seen under heaven’s vault one sitting in the hall with greater joy over mead.” 2016. “After a while the renowned queen, the pledge of peace of the folk, went throughout all the hall and urged on the young men; she often gave men circlets before she went to her seat. After a while, for the body of retainers, Hrothgar’s daughter bore an ale-cup to the warriors in turn; then I heard those sitting in the hall name her Freawaru.” 2023. “There she gave a warrior a studded precious vessel. Young and gold-adorned, she is promised to the gracious son of Frodan; it has been settled by the friend of the Scyldings, the guardian of the kingdom, and with that wise policy he expects that he will settle conflicts, a great number of deadly feuds, with the woman.” 2029. “After the fall of a man, seldom anywhere does the deadly spear rest, even for a little while, though the bride may be good. It may displease the prince of the Heathobards and each thane of those people- nobly entertained- when he goes with that woman on the hall-floor, the Danish wedding-attendant.” 2036. “On him shines an old heirloom, hard and ring-patterned, a Heathobard treasure, while they were able to wield the weapon until being led to destruction, dear companions and her own life, in the shield-play.” |
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2040 swæse gesiðas ond hyra sylfra feorh. þonne cwið æt beore se ðe beah gesyhð, eald æscwiga, se ðe eall geman, garcwealm gumena (him bið grim sefa), onginneð geomormod geongum cempan þurh hreðra gehygd higes cunnian, wigbealu weccean, ond þæt word acwyð: 'Meaht ðu, min wine, mece gecnawan þone þin fæder to gefeohte bær under heregriman hindeman siðe, 2050 dyre iren, þær hyne Dene slogon, weoldon wælstowe, syððan Wiðergyld læg, æfter hæleþa hryre, hwate Scyldungas? Nu her þara banena byre nathwylces frætwum hremig on flet gæð, morðres gylpeð, ond þone maðþum byreð, þone þe ðu mid rihte rædan sceoldest.' Manað swa ond myndgað mæla gehwylce sarum wordum, oððæt sæl cymeð þæt se fæmnan þegn fore fæder dædum 2060 æfter billes bite blodfag swefeð, ealdres scyldig; him se oðer þonan losað lifigende, con him land geare. þonne bioð abrocene on ba healfe aðsweord eorla; syððan Ingelde weallað wælniðas, ond him wiflufan æfter cearwælmum colran weorðað. þy ic Heaðobeardna hyldo ne telge, dryhtsibbe dæl Denum unfæcne, freondscipe fæstne. Ic sceal forð sprecan 2070 gen ymbe Grendel, þæt ðu geare cunne, sinces brytta, to hwan syððan wearð hondræs hæleða. Syððan heofones gim glad ofer grundas, gæst yrre cwom, eatol, æfengrom, user neosan, ðær we gesunde sæl weardodon. þær wæs Hondscio hild onsæge, feorhbealu fægum; he fyrmest læg, gyrded cempa; him Grendel wearð, mærum maguþegne to muðbonan, 2080 leofes mannes lic eall forswealg. No ðy ær ut ða gen idelhende bona blodigtoð, bealewa gemyndig, of ðam goldsele gongan wolde, ac he mægnes rof min costode, grapode gearofolm. Glof hangode sid ond syllic, searobendum fæst; sio wæs orðoncum eall gegyrwed deofles cræftum ond dracan fellum. He mec þær on innan unsynnigne, 2090 dior dædfruma, gedon wolde manigra sumne; hyt ne mihte swa, syððan ic on yrre uppriht astod. To lang ys to reccenne hu ic ðam leodsceaðan yfla gehwylces ondlean forgeald; þær ic, þeoden min, þine leode weorðode weorcum. He on weg losade, lytle hwile lifwynna breac; hwæþre him sio swiðre swaðe weardade hand on Hiorte, ond he hean ðonan 2100 modes geomor meregrund gefeoll. Me þone wælræs wine Scildunga fættan golde fela leanode, manegum maðmum, syððan mergen com ond we to symble geseten hæfdon. þær wæs gidd ond gleo. Gomela Scilding, felafricgende, feorran rehte; hwilum hildedeor hearpan wynne, gomenwudu grette, hwilum gyd awræc soð ond sarlic, hwilum syllic spell 2110 rehte æfter rihte rumheort cyning. Hwilum eft ongan, eldo gebunden, gomel guðwiga gioguðe cwiðan, hildestrengo; hreðer inne weoll, þonne he wintrum frod worn gemunde. Swa we þær inne ondlangne dæg niode naman, oððæt niht becwom oðer to yldum. þa wæs eft hraðe gearo gyrnwræce Grendeles modor, siðode sorhfull; sunu deað fornam, 2120 wighete Wedra. Wif unhyre hyre bearn gewræc, beorn acwealde ellenlice; þær wæs æschere, frodan fyrnwitan, feorh uðgenge. Noðer hy hine ne moston, syððan mergen cwom, deaðwerigne, Denia leode, bronde forbærnan, ne on bæl hladan leofne mannan; hio þæt lic ætbær feondes fæðmum under firgenstream. þæt wæs Hroðgare hreowa tornost 2130 þara þe leodfruman lange begeate. þa se ðeoden mec ðine life healsode hreohmod, þæt ic on holma geþring eorlscipe efnde, ealdre geneðde, mærðo fremede; he me mede gehet. Ic ða ðæs wælmes, þe is wide cuð, grimne gryrelicne grundhyrde fond; þær unc hwile wæs hand gemæne, holm heolfre weoll, ond ic heafde becearf in ðam guðsele Grendeles modor 2140 eacnum ecgum, unsofte þonan feorh oðferede. Næs ic fæge þa gyt, ac me eorla hleo eft gesealde maðma menigeo, maga Healfdenes. |
Fitt 29-30 2041. “Then he who sees the precious object will speak during the beer-drinking, an old spear-warrior, who remembers all, the death of men by the spear; he is grim in heart.” 2044. “Sad of mind, he begins to test the spirit of a young warrior through the thoughts of his heart, arousing the evil of war, and utters the word: ‘Might you, my friend, recognize the sword that your father bore to the fight, the precious iron, under helmet, on his last expedition?'" 2050. “'There the Danes slew him, and controlled the battle-field after Withergild lay dead, after the fall of the warriors, valiant Scyldings! Now here some son of the slayers, exulting in the adornments, goes on the floor, boasting in his murders, bearing the treasure which you should by rights possess.'" 2057. “He is urged so and reminded each time with bitter words, until the time comes that the woman’s thane, because of his father’s deeds, sleeps blood-stained after the bite of the sword, having forfeited life. The other escapes from there with his life; he knows the land well.” 2063. “Then the oath-swearing on both halves of the warriors will be broken; afterward deadly hate wells up in Ingeld, and after the surging of sorrow his love for his wife will become cooler.” 2067. “Therefore I do not consider the Heathobards to have loyalty, or their share in the peace made by marriage to be made without deceit, their friendship firm. I will speak forth further about Grendel, so that you know well, bestower of treasures, about what becomes afterward the hand-to-hand struggle of warriors.” 2072. “After heaven’s jewel glided over the ground, the enraged creature came, dreadful and hostile in the evening, to seek us out. There, unharmed, we guarded the hall.” 2076. “There Hondscio was in a fatal battle, fated to die by deadly evil; he lay dead first, girded warrior. Grendel came to him, the renowned young thane to the mouth-slayer. The dear man’s body was entirely swallowed up.” 2081. “Yet none the quicker the empty-handed bloody-toothed slayer, intent on evil, then wished to go out from the gold-hall; but he tested my renowned strength, my grasp with ready hand. His glove hung broad and strange, secured with cunning clasp.” 2087. “It was contrived with all ingenuity, the devil’s craft and a dragon’s skill. He wished to put me inside, guiltless, the fierce perpetrator of deeds, as he would many a one. It was not so, after I stood upright in anger.” 2093. “It is too long to tell how I paid back requital to the ravager of those people for every evil, where I, my prince, brought honor to your people with deeds. He escaped on the way, and enjoyed life for a little while.” 2098. “Nevertheless, his right hand remained as his trail in Heorot, and he went abject from there, sad at heart, and fell to the bottom of the mere. The friend of the Scyldings rewarded me greatly for the mortal conflict with plated gold, many treasures, after morning came and we had sat down to the feast.” 2105. “There was song and music; an old Scylding, having learned of many things, related tales from long ago. For a while there was the harp’s joy for the brave in battle, and the delightful wood was struck. For a while true and sorrowful tales were told.” 2109. “For a while strange stories were narrated fittingly by the great-hearted king. After a while an old warrior, bound by age, proceeded to lament his youth, his strength in battle. My heart welled inside when he recalled many things from old years.” 2115. “So we took our pleasure inside for the entire day, until the second night came to the men. After then revenge for injury was quickly made ready by Grendel’s mother, who made a journey full of sorrow; death had taken her son through a Weder’s warlike enmity.” 2120. “The monstrous woman avenged her child; she boldly killed a warrior. There was Aschere, wise old counselor, who departed from life. Nor were the Danish people able, after morning came, to burn up the dead man in fire, nor lay the dear man on the pyre.” 2127. “She bore off the body in a fiend’s embrace under the mountain-stream. That was Hrothgar’s most grievous sorrow of those which had long befallen the leader of a people. Then the prince, troubled in mind, implored me for your sake that I carry out a heroic deed in the water’s tumult, to venture life, perform a marvelous deed.” 2134. “He promised me reward. Then, as is widely known, I found in the surging waters the grim and terrible guardian of the deep. There we two fought hand to hand for a while; the water welled with blood, and I cut off his head in the battle-hall of Grendel’s mother with a mighty sword-edge.” 2140. “With difficulty I bore away from there with my life. I was not then fated to die yet, but afterward the protector of warriors, son of Healfdane’s, gave me a multitude of treasures.” |
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Swa se ðeodkyning þeawum lyfde. Nealles ic ðam leanum forloren hæfde, mægnes mede, ac he me maðmas geaf, sunu Healfdenes, on minne sylfes dom; ða ic ðe, beorncyning, bringan wylle, estum geywan. Gen is eall æt ðe 2150 lissa gelong; ic lyt hafo heafodmaga nefne, Hygelac, ðec.” Het ða in beran eaforheafodsegn, heaðosteapne helm, hare byrnan, guðsweord geatolic, gyd æfter wræc: “Me ðis hildesceorp Hroðgar sealde, snotra fengel, sume worde het þæt ic his ærest ðe est gesægde; cwæð þæt hyt hæfde Hiorogar cyning, leod Scyldunga lange hwile; 2160 no ðy ær suna sinum syllan wolde, hwatum Heorowearde, þeah he him hold wære, breostgewædu. Bruc ealles well!” Hyrde ic þæt þam frætwum feower mearas lungre, gelice, last weardode, æppelfealuwe; he him est geteah meara ond maðma. Swa sceal mæg don, nealles inwitnet oðrum bregdon dyrnum cræfte, deað renian hondgesteallan. Hygelace wæs, 2170 niða heardum, nefa swyðe hold, ond gehwæðer oðrum hroþra gemyndig. Hyrde ic þæt he ðone healsbeah Hygde gesealde, wrætlicne wundurmaððum, ðone þe him Wealhðeo geaf, ðeodnes dohtor, þrio wicg somod swancor ond sadolbeorht; hyre syððan wæs æfter beahðege breost geweorðod. Swa bealdode bearn Ecgðeowes, guma guðum cuð, godum dædum, dreah æfter dome, nealles druncne slog 2180 heorðgeneatas; næs him hreoh sefa, ac he mancynnes mæste cræfte ginfæstan gife, þe him god sealde, heold hildedeor. Hean wæs lange, swa hyne Geata bearn godne ne tealdon, ne hyne on medobence micles wyrðne drihten Wedera gedon wolde; swyðe wendon þæt he sleac wære, æðeling unfrom. Edwenden cwom tireadigum menn torna gehwylces. 2190 Het ða eorla hleo in gefetian, heaðorof cyning, Hreðles lafe golde gegyrede; næs mid Geatum ða sincmaðþum selra on sweordes had; þæt he on Biowulfes bearm alegde ond him gesealde seofan þusendo, bold ond bregostol. Him wæs bam samod on ðam leodscipe lond gecynde, eard, eðelriht, oðrum swiðor side rice þam ðær selra wæs. 2200 Eft þæt geiode ufaran dogrum hildehlæmmum, syððan Hygelac læg ond Heardrede hildemeceas under bordhreoðan to bonan wurdon, ða hyne gesohtan on sigeþeode hearde hildefrecan, Heaðoscilfingas, niða genægdan nefan Hererices, syððan Beowulfe brade rice on hand gehwearf; he geheold tela fiftig wintra (wæs ða frod cyning, 2210 eald eþelweard), oððæt an ongan deorcum nihtum draca ricsian, se ðe on heaum hofe hord beweotode, stanbeorh steapne; stig under læg, eldum uncuð. þær on innan giong niða nathwylc, se ðe neh gefeng hæðnum horde, hond ......, since fahne. He þæt syððan ......, þeah ðe he slæpende besyred wurde þeofes cræfte; þæt sie ðiod onfand, 2220 bufolc beorna, þæt he gebolgen wæs. |
Fitt 31 2144. “So the people’s king lived according to custom. I have not lost any of the rewards, the reward for my strength, but the son of Healfdane’s gave me treasures, of my own choice. These I wish to bring to you, warrior-king, bestowing them with good will. All favors are still dependent on you; I have few close kinsmen except you, Hygelac.” 2152. Then he commanded the head-sign of a boar to be borne in, a helmet towering in battle, a grey mail-coat, a splendid war-sword, and uttered a speech after this: “Hrothgar gave me this battle-dress, wise king.” 2156. “He ordered with one speech that I should tell you first of the gift; to say that it was first owned by King Heorogar, man of the Scyldings for a long while. Yet he would not give the corselet to his son, bold Heoroward, though he is loyal to him. Enjoy all of it well!" 2163. I heard that four apple-bay horses, swift and alike, occupied the track of the adornments. He bestowed the gift on him of horses and treasures. So shall a kinsman do, not at all to weave a net of malice for the other in secret cunning, preparing the death of a close companion. 2169. To Hygelac, hardy in battle, his nephew was very loyal, and each was mindful of the other’s benefit. I heard that he gave Hygd the neck-ring, splendid and wondrous jewel, which Wealtheow gave him, the prince’s daughter, as well as three horses, graceful with bright saddles. 2175. Afterward her breast was honored with the receiving of a ring. So the son of Ecgtheow’s showed himself brave, a man renowned for battle and good deeds, who acted in pursuit of glory. He did not at all drunkenly slay hearth-companions. 2180. He was not savage at heart, but, brave in battle, he kept the liberal gift which God had given him, the greatest strength of mankind. He was long of low esteem, as he was a Geatish son who was considered no good. 2185. Nor would the lord of the Weders make him worthy of much on the mead-bench; it was very much thought that he was slack, a feeble prince. Change came gloriously to the man in every affliction. 2190. Then the protector of the warriors, the king famous in battle, ordered brought in Hrethel’s heirloom, adorned with gold; there was not then among the Geats a finer treasure in the form of a sword. This he laid on Beowulf’s lap, and gave him seven thousand hides of land, and a hall and princely throne. 2196. Both of them together possessed land in that country by natural right, the ancestral domain, but the broad kingdom was rather his who was of higher rank. 2200. Afterwards it happened, in later days, in the crash of battle, after Hygelac lay dead and battle-maces had slain Heardred under the sword-shields, when hard warriors sought him out, the victorious people, when Heatho-Scylfings attacked the nephew of Hereric’s with hostile assaults, that the broad kingdom passed into Beowulf’s hand. 2208. He ruled well for fifty years, and was then an old king, old guardian of the native land, until a certain dark night began where the dragon held sway, who watched over a hoard on a high heath, a steep stone barrow; underneath lay a path unknown to men. 2214. There went some man on inside, who grasped near the heathen hoard with his hand, the shining treasure. Though he intended to trick the sleeping dragon, with a thief’s craft, the people found out, the men dwelling there, that he was enraged. |
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Nealles mid gewealdum wyrmhord abræc sylfes willum, se ðe him sare gesceod, ac for þreanedlan þeow nathwylces hæleða bearna heteswengeas fleah, ærnes þearfa, ond ðær inne fealh, secg synbysig, sona onfunde þæt þær ðam gyste gryrebroga stod; hwæðre earmsceapen ...sceapen 2230 þa hyne se fær begeat. Sincfæt ......; þær wæs swylcra fela in ðam eorðhuse ærgestreona, swa hy on geardagum gumena nathwylc, eormenlafe æþelan cynnes, þanchycgende þær gehydde, deore maðmas. Ealle hie deað fornam ærran mælum, ond se an ða gen leoda duguðe, se ðær lengest hwearf, weard winegeomor, wende þæs ylcan, 2240 þæt he lytel fæc longgestreona brucan moste. Beorh eallgearo wunode on wonge wæteryðum neah, niwe be næsse, nearocræftum fæst. þær on innan bær eorlgestreona hringa hyrde hordwyrðne dæl, fættan goldes, fea worda cwæð: “Heald þu nu, hruse, nu hæleð ne moston, eorla æhte! Hwæt, hyt ær on ðe gode begeaton. Guðdeað fornam, 2250 feorhbealo frecne, fyra gehwylcne leoda minra, þara ðe þis lif ofgeaf, gesawon seledream. Ic nah hwa sweord wege oððe feormie fæted wæge, dryncfæt deore; duguð ellor sceoc. Sceal se hearda helm hyrsted golde fætum befeallen; feormynd swefað, þa ðe beadogriman bywan sceoldon, ge swylce seo herepad, sio æt hilde gebad ofer borda gebræc bite irena, 2260 brosnað æfter beorne. Ne mæg byrnan hring æfter wigfruman wide feran, hæleðum be healfe. Næs hearpan wyn, gomen gleobeames, ne god hafoc geond sæl swingeð, ne se swifta mearh burhstede beateð. Bealocwealm hafað fela feorhcynna forð onsended!” Swa giomormod giohðo mænde an æfter eallum, unbliðe hwearf dæges ond nihtes, oððæt deaðes wylm 2270 hran æt heortan. Hordwynne fond eald uhtsceaða opene standan, se ðe byrnende biorgas seceð, nacod niðdraca, nihtes fleogeð fyre befangen; hyne foldbuend swiðe ondrædað. He gesecean sceall hord on hrusan, þær he hæðen gold warað wintrum frod, ne byð him wihte ðy sel. Swa se ðeodsceaða þreo hund wintra heold on hrusan hordærna sum, 2280 eacencræftig, oððæt hyne an abealch mon on mode; mandryhtne bær fæted wæge, frioðowære bæd hlaford sinne. ða wæs hord rasod, onboren beaga hord, bene getiðad feasceaftum men. Frea sceawode fira fyrngeweorc forman siðe. þa se wyrm onwoc, wroht wæs geniwad; stonc ða æfter stane, stearcheort onfand feondes fotlast; he to forð gestop 2290 dyrnan cræfte dracan heafde neah. Swa mæg unfæge eaðe gedigan wean ond wræcsið, se ðe waldendes hyldo gehealdeþ! Hordweard sohte georne æfter grunde, wolde guman findan, þone þe him on sweofote sare geteode, hat ond hreohmod hlæw oft ymbehwearf ealne utanweardne, ne ðær ænig mon on þære westenne; hwæðre wiges gefeh, beaduwe weorces, hwilum on beorh æthwearf, 2300 sincfæt sohte. He þæt sona onfand ðæt hæfde gumena sum goldes gefandod, heahgestreona. Hordweard onbad earfoðlice oððæt æfen cwom; wæs ða gebolgen beorges hyrde, wolde se laða lige forgyldan drincfæt dyre. þa wæs dæg sceacen wyrme on willan; no on wealle læg, bidan wolde, ac mid bæle for, fyre gefysed. Wæs se fruma egeslic 2310 leodum on lande, swa hyt lungre wearð on hyra sincgifan sare geendod. |
Fitt 32 2221. He did not at all deliberately break into the serpent’s hoard, desiring it for himself, to grievously harm him, but in dire distress some slave fled the hostile blows of a man’s son, and the guilty man, needing a dwelling, made his way inside. 2226. As soon it he looked the intruder rose in horror; nevertheless, the wretched creature escaped when sudden attack befell him. There were many such precious vessels in the earth-house, ancient treasures, which some man in former days, deep in thought, hid there, the immense legacy of a noble kin, precious treasures. 2236. Death carried off all of them in former times, and the only one still left of the tried warriors of the people, who lived the longest there, a guardian mourning for friends, expected the same, that he would be able to enjoy the ancient treasure for only a little time. 2241. The barrow was fully ready, and stood on open ground with the seawalls near, newly made by the headlands, and securely made inaccessible. There the keeper of the rings bore inside the noblemen’s treasure, plated gold, a quantity worthy of hoarding. 2246. He spoke a few words: “Hold now, earth, now that warriors were not able to, the property of warriors! Indeed, worthy men obtained it from you before. Death in battle, terrible mortal harm, carried off each of the men of my people who have left this life, who saw the joy of the hall.” 2252. “I have none who will carry a sword or bear forth a plated cup, dear drinking-vessel; the tried warriors have passed elsewhere. The hard, gold-adorned helmet is bereft of its gold plates; the burnishers sleep in death, they who should polish the battle-mask.” 2258. “And the mail-coat also, which in battle endured the bite of swords over broken shields, decays after the warrior; the ring of the mail-coat may not journey far with the war-leader, by the side of the warrior.” 2262. “There is no joy in the harp, delight in musical instruments, no good hawk flying through the hall, nor swift mare to stamp through the courtyard. The destruction of death has sent away many a living race.” 2267. Thus, sad at heart, he expressed his sorrow; alone of all he moved about joylessly for days and nights, until the surging of death touched at his heart. The delightful hoard was found by the old night-ravager standing open, the burner who seeks the barrow- a naked, malicious dragon, who flies at night enveloped in fire. 2274. The dwellers in the land greatly fear him. He will seek out a hoard in the earth, where he guards years-old heathen gold; nor is he at all the better for it. 2278. So the mighty ravager of the people held a treasure-house in the earth for three hundred years, until one man enraged him at heart; he bore a gold-plated cup to his lord, and begged for a peace-agreement from his lord for his sin. 2283. The hoard was thus ransacked, diminished of rings, as the grant was made to the wretched man. The lord looked upon the ancient work of men for the first time. 2287. Then the serpent awoke and strife was renewed; fiercehearted, it moved quickly along the stones and found its enemy’s track; he had stepped forth with stealthy skill near the dragon’s head. So may one not fated to die easily survive misery and exile, who holds the favor of the Ruler. 2293. The guardian of the hoard searched eagerly along the ground, wishing to find the man who had dealt with him grievously in his sleep. Hot and fierce-hearted, he often went all round the barrow outside. There was not any man there in that deserted place. Nevertheless, he rejoiced in warfare, in the deeds of battle. 2298. For a while he turned back into the barrow, and sought for the precious vessel; he soon found that some man had tampered with the gold, the rich treasure. The guardian of the hoard waited with difficulty until evening had come. 2302. The guardian of the barrow was then enraged, and would pay back for that drinking-vessel with loathful flames. Then the day was gone by, as the serpent desired; no longer would he wait on the sea-wall, but would go forth with flames, ready with fire. 2309. The beginning was terrible for the people in the land, as it would swiftly and sorely bring an end to their treasure-giver. |
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Ða se gæst ongan gledum spiwan, beorht hofu bærnan; bryneleoma stod eldum on andan. No ðær aht cwices lað lyftfloga læfan wolde. Wæs þæs wyrmes wig wide gesyne, nearofages nið nean ond feorran, hu se guðsceaða Geata leode hatode ond hynde; hord eft gesceat, 2320 dryhtsele dyrnne, ær dæges hwile. Hæfde landwara lige befangen, bæle ond bronde, beorges getruwode, wiges ond wealles; him seo wen geleah. þa wæs Biowulfe broga gecyðed snude to soðe, þæt his sylfes ham, bolda selest, brynewylmum mealt, gifstol Geata. þæt ðam godan wæs hreow on hreðre, hygesorga mæst; wende se wisa þæt he wealdende 2330 ofer ealde riht, ecean dryhtne, bitre gebulge. Breost innan weoll þeostrum geþoncum, swa him geþywe ne wæs. Hæfde ligdraca leoda fæsten, ealond utan, eorðweard ðone gledum forgrunden; him ðæs guðkyning, Wedera þioden, wræce leornode. Heht him þa gewyrcean wigendra hleo eallirenne, eorla dryhten, wigbord wrætlic; wisse he gearwe 2340 þæt him holtwudu helpan ne meahte, lind wið lige. Sceolde lændaga æþeling ærgod ende gebidan, worulde lifes, ond se wyrm somod, þeah ðe hordwelan heolde lange. Oferhogode ða hringa fengel þæt he þone widflogan weorode gesohte, sidan herge; no he him þa sæcce ondred, ne him þæs wyrmes wig for wiht dyde, eafoð ond ellen, forðon he ær fela 2350 nearo neðende niða gedigde, hildehlemma, syððan he Hroðgares, sigoreadig secg, sele fælsode ond æt guðe forgrap Grendeles mægum laðan cynnes. No þæt læsest wæs hondgemota, þær mon Hygelac sloh, syððan Geata cyning guðe ræsum, freawine folca Freslondum on, Hreðles eafora hiorodryncum swealt, bille gebeaten. þonan Biowulf com 2360 sylfes cræfte, sundnytte dreah; hæfde him on earme ana XXX hildegeatwa, þa he to holme beag. Nealles Hetware hremge þorfton feðewiges, þe him foran ongean linde bæron; lyt eft becwom fram þam hildfrecan hames niosan. Oferswam ða sioleða bigong sunu Ecgðeowes, earm anhaga, eft to leodum; þær him Hygd gebead hord ond rice, 2370 beagas ond bregostol, bearne ne truwode þæt he wið ælfylcum eþelstolas healdan cuðe, ða wæs Hygelac dead. No ðy ær feasceafte findan meahton æt ðam æðelinge ænige ðinga, þæt he Heardrede hlaford wære oððe þone cynedom ciosan wolde; hwæðre he him on folce freondlarum heold, estum mid are, oððæt he yldra wearð, Wedergeatum weold. Hyne wræcmæcgas 2380 ofer sæ sohtan, suna Ohteres; hæfdon hy forhealden helm Scylfinga, þone selestan sæcyninga þara ðe in Swiorice sinc brytnade, mærne þeoden. Him þæt to mearce wearð; he þær for feorme feorhwunde hleat sweordes swengum, sunu Hygelaces, ond him eft gewat Ongenðioes bearn hames niosan, syððan Heardred læg, let ðone bregostol Biowulf healdan, 2390 Geatum wealdan. þæt wæs god cyning! |
Fitt 33 2312. Then the stranger began to spew flames, and to burn bright dwellings; the glow of fire rose, to the terror of men. The loathful flying creature would not leave anything alive there. The serpent’s onslaught, his cruelly hostile malice, was widely visible from near and far, how the warlike ravager hated and humiliated the Geatish people. 2319. He hastened again to his hoard, his secret and splendid hall, before daytime. The people of the land had been encircled in flame, fire and burning; he trusted in his burrow, its fighting power and its walls; his hope deceived him. 2324. Then the terror was made known to Beowulf, quickly in its truth, that his own home, the best of buildings, had melted in the surge of fire, the Geatish throne. The good man had sorrow in his heart, the greatest of grief. 2329. The wise man thought that he had acted contrary to the old law, and had severely offended the Ruler, the eternal Lord. His breast inside welled up with dark thoughts, as was not customary for him. 2333. The fire-dragon had destroyed in flames the people’s stronghold, along the coastal land, the earth-guard. The war-king, the Weder prince, planned vengeance for him. He ordered made for himself a wondrous shield, all of iron, a warrior’s protector for the lord of noblemen. He knew well that forest-wood would not help him, a linden shield against the fire. 2341. The prince of proven excellence would experience the end of his transitory days, this world’s life, and the serpent also, though he long held the hoarded wealth. 2345. The prince of rings then disdained that he should attack the far-flier with a host of men, a large army; he did not dread battle for himself, nor did he think anything of the serpent’s fighting power, his strength and courage. 2349. For he had before risked many harsh straits, and survived combat and the crash of battle, since he had cleansed the hall of Hrothgar, man blessed with victory, and in combat had gripped in death Grendel’s kindred, his loathful race. 2354. Not the least was the hand-to-hand encounter where a man slew Hygelac, when the Geatish king, Hrethel’s son, lord and friend of the folk, died in sword-drink in Frisian land in the onslaught of battle, the strike of the edge. 2359. From there Beowulf came by his own craft, and performed a feat of swimming; he had on his arm battle-gear from thirty warriors when he went to the sea. The Hetware did not at all have reason to be exultant in their foot-battle when they bore shields against him; few came back from the warrior to go to their homes. 2367. The son of Ecgtheow’s swam across the expanse of the sea, a wretched and solitary one, back to his people, where Hygd offered him hoard and kingdom, rings and royal throne. She did not trust her son, that he would be able to hold the ancestral throne against foreign people now that Hygelac was dead. 2373. Yet no sooner might the destitute people prevail upon the prince, in any way, to be Heardred’s lord, or to accept the royal power; yet he supported him in friendly counsel among the folk, with good will and honor, until he became older and could rule the Weder-Geats. 2379. Exiles from over the sea, Othere’s sons, sought Heardred; they had rebelled against the protector of the Scylfings, renowned prince, the best sea-king who distributed treasure in Sweden. For him that became his life’s end; the son of Hygelac’s received a mortal wound for his hospitality, the sword’s stroke. 2387. And the son of Ongentheow’s went back to seek his home after Heardred lay dead, and allowed Beowulf to occupy the royal throne and to rule the Geats. That was a good king. |
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Se ðæs leodhryres lean gemunde uferan dogrum, Eadgilse wearð feasceaftum freond, folce gestepte ofer sæ side sunu Ohteres, wigum ond wæpnum; he gewræc syððan cealdum cearsiðum, cyning ealdre bineat. Swa he niða gehwane genesen hæfde, sliðra geslyhta, sunu Ecgðiowes, ellenweorca, oð ðone anne dæg 2400 þe he wið þam wyrme gewegan sceolde. Gewat þa XIIa sum torne gebolgen dryhten Geata dracan sceawian. Hæfde þa gefrunen hwanan sio fæhð aras, bealonið biorna; him to bearme cwom maðþumfæt mære þurh ðæs meldan hond. Se wæs on ðam ðreate þreotteoða secg, se ðæs orleges or onstealde, hæft hygegiomor, sceolde hean ðonon wong wisian. He ofer willan giong 2410 to ðæs ðe he eorðsele anne wisse, hlæw under hrusan holmwylme neh, yðgewinne; se wæs innan full wrætta ond wira. Weard unhiore, gearo guðfreca, goldmaðmas heold, eald under eorðan. Næs þæt yðe ceap to gegangenne gumena ænigum! Gesæt ða on næsse niðheard cyning, þenden hælo abead heorðgeneatum, goldwine Geata. Him wæs geomor sefa, 2420 wæfre ond wælfus, wyrd ungemete neah, se ðone gomelan gretan sceolde, secean sawle hord, sundur gedælan lif wið lice, no þon lange wæs feorh æþelinges flæsce bewunden. Biowulf maþelade, bearn Ecgðeowes: “Fela ic on giogoðe guðræsa genæs, orleghwila; ic þæt eall gemon. Ic wæs syfanwintre, þa mec sinca baldor, freawine folca, æt minum fæder genam; 2430 heold mec ond hæfde Hreðel cyning, geaf me sinc ond symbel, sibbe gemunde. Næs ic him to life laðra owihte, beorn in burgum, þonne his bearna hwylc, Herebeald ond Hæðcyn oððe Hygelac min. Wæs þam yldestan ungedefelice mæges dædum morþorbed stred, syððan hyne Hæðcyn of hornbogan, his freawine, flane geswencte, miste mercelses ond his mæg ofscet, 2440 broðor oðerne blodigan gare. þæt wæs feohleas gefeoht, fyrenum gesyngad, hreðre hygemeðe; sceolde hwæðre swa þeah æðeling unwrecen ealdres linnan. Swa bið geomorlic gomelum ceorle to gebidanne, þæt his byre ride giong on galgan, þonne he gyd wrece, sarigne sang, þonne his sunu hangað hrefne to hroðre, ond he him helpe ne mæg, eald ond infrod, ænige gefremman. 2450 Symble bið gemyndgad morna gehwylce eaforan ellorsið; oðres ne gymeð to gebidanne burgum in innan yrfeweardas, þonne se an hafað þurh deaðes nyd dæda gefondad. Gesyhð sorhcearig on his suna bure winsele westne, windge reste reote berofene. Ridend swefað, hæleð in hoðman; nis þær hearpan sweg, gomen in geardum, swylce ðær iu wæron. |
Fitt 34 2391. In later days he was mindful of retribution for that; he became a friend to the destitute Eadgils, and with his folk he supported the son of Othere’s over the wide sea, with warriors and weapons. He took vengeance after the bitter expedition, depriving the king of life. 2397. So he, the son of Ecgtheow’s, had survived each combat, fierce battles, with courageous deeds, until the one day on which he should wage battle with the serpent. He went, one of twelve, enraged with anger, the lord of the Geats, to look upon the dragon. 2403. He had then learned from where the feud had arose, a man’s dire affliction; it had come to his possession, the famous and precious vessel, through the hand of an informer. He was the thirteenth man in the company, who had brought about the beginning of the strife. 2408. The captive, sad in mind, was to be their abject guide from there to the place. He went against his will to where he alone knew of the earth-hall, the barrow under ground near the surging sea, tossing waves, which inside was full of ornate, gold-carved objects. 2413. The keeper was monstrous, a ready warrior who held the golden treasures, old under earth; it was not an easy purchase for any man to obtain. 2417. The king, hardy in conflict, then sat on the headland while his hearth-companions offered him good luck, to their gold-giving friend of the Geats. He was sat at heart, restless and ready for death, with fate immeasurably near, which was to greet the old man and seek the soul’s hoard, dividing life from body. 2423. Not for long after was the prince’s life enclosed in flesh. Beowulf made a speech, son of Ecgtheow’s: “I have survived many battle-rushes in youth, times of war; I remember all that. I was seven years old when the lord of treasure, lord and friend of the folk, received me from my father.” 2430. “King Hrethel took charge of me and kept me, gave me treasure and feasting, and was mindful of kinship; I was not in his lifetime at all more hateful to him than a warrior in his stronghold, or any of his sons, Herebeald and Hathcyn, or my own Hygelac.” 2435. “The eldest was unfittingly spread on a violent death-bed by a kinsman’s deed, after Hathcyn, his lord and friend, struck him down with an arrow from a horn-bow. It missed its mark and he shot his kinsman dead, one brother the other with a bloody shaft.” 2441. “That was an assault without compensation, a crime wrongly done, wearing to the heart’s spirit; yet it was so that the prince had to lose his life unavenged. So it is sad for an old man to endure his young son swinging on the gallows.” 2446. “Then he utters a dirge, a mournful song, when his son hangs, a joy to the ravens, and he, old and wise, may not help him or accomplish anything. He is always reminded each morning of his son’s passing away; he does not care to wait inside his stronghold for another heir, when the one, through death’s necessity, has experienced his last deeds.” 2455. “He looks sorrowfully on his son’s dwelling, the deserted banquet hall, the windy resting-place, bereft of joy; the horsemen sleep, the warriors in the grave. There is no sound of harp there, no men in the yard, as there were formerly.” |
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2460 Gewiteð þonne on sealman, sorhleoð gæleð an æfter anum; þuhte him eall to rum, wongas ond wicstede. Swa Wedra helm æfter Herebealde heortan sorge weallende wæg. Wihte ne meahte on ðam feorhbonan fæghðe gebetan; no ðy ær he þone heaðorinc hatian ne meahte laðum dædum, þeah him leof ne wæs. He ða mid þære sorhge, þe him swa sar belamp, gumdream ofgeaf, godes leoht geceas, 2470 eaferum læfde, swa deð eadig mon, lond ond leodbyrig, þa he of life gewat. þa wæs synn ond sacu Sweona ond Geata ofer wid wæter, wroht gemæne, herenið hearda, syððan Hreðel swealt, oððe him Ongenðeowes eaferan wæran frome, fyrdhwate, freode ne woldon ofer heafo healdan, ac ymb Hreosnabeorh eatolne inwitscear oft gefremedon. þæt mægwine mine gewræcan, 2480 fæhðe ond fyrene, swa hyt gefræge wæs, þeah ðe oðer his ealdre gebohte, heardan ceape; Hæðcynne wearð, Geata dryhtne, guð onsæge. þa ic on morgne gefrægn mæg oðerne billes ecgum on bonan stælan, þær Ongenþeow Eofores niosað. Guðhelm toglad, gomela Scylfing hreas hildeblac; hond gemunde fæhðo genoge, feorhsweng ne ofteah. 2490 Ic him þa maðmas, þe he me sealde, geald æt guðe, swa me gifeðe wæs, leohtan sweorde; he me lond forgeaf, eard, eðelwyn. Næs him ænig þearf þæt he to Gifðum oððe to Gardenum oððe in Swiorice secean þurfe wyrsan wigfrecan, weorðe gecypan. Symle ic him on feðan beforan wolde, ana on orde, ond swa to aldre sceall sæcce fremman, þenden þis sweord þolað, 2500 þæt mec ær ond sið oft gelæste. Syððan ic for dugeðum Dæghrefne wearð to handbonan, Huga cempan; nalles he ða frætwe Frescyninge, breostweorðunge, bringan moste, ac in compe gecrong cumbles hyrde, æþeling on elne; ne wæs ecg bona, ac him hildegrap heortan wylmas, banhus gebræc. Nu sceall billes ecg, hond ond heard sweord, ymb hord wigan.” 2510 Beowulf maðelode, beotwordum spræc niehstan siðe: “Ic geneðde fela guða on geogoðe; gyt ic wylle, frod folces weard, fæhðe secan, mærðu fremman, gif mec se mansceaða of eorðsele ut geseceð.” Gegrette ða gumena gehwylcne, hwate helmberend, hindeman siðe, swæse gesiðas: “Nolde ic sweord beran, wæpen to wyrme, gif ic wiste hu 2520 wið ðam aglæcean elles meahte gylpe wiðgripan, swa ic gio wið Grendle dyde. Ac ic ðær heaðufyres hates wene, oreðes ond attres; forðon ic me on hafu bord ond byrnan. Nelle ic beorges weard forfleon fotes trem, ac unc furður sceal weorðan æt wealle, swa unc wyrd geteoð, metod manna gehwæs. Ic eom on mode from þæt ic wið þone guðflogan gylp ofersitte. Gebide ge on beorge byrnum werede, 2530 secgas on searwum, hwæðer sel mæge æfter wælræse wunde gedygan uncer twega. Nis þæt eower sið ne gemet mannes, nefne min anes, þæt he wið aglæcean eofoðo dæle, eorlscype efne. Ic mid elne sceall gold gegangan, oððe guð nimeð, feorhbealu frecne, frean eowerne!” Aras ða bi ronde rof oretta, heard under helme, hiorosercean bær 2540 under stancleofu, strengo getruwode anes mannes. Ne bið swylc earges sið! Geseah ða be wealle se ðe worna fela, gumcystum god, guða gedigde, hildehlemma, þonne hnitan feðan, stondan stanbogan, stream ut þonan brecan of beorge. Wæs þære burnan wælm heaðofyrum hat; ne meahte horde neah unbyrnende ænige hwile deop gedygan for dracan lege. 2550 Let ða of breostum, ða he gebolgen wæs, Wedergeata leod word ut faran, stearcheort styrmde; stefn in becom heaðotorht hlynnan under harne stan. Hete wæs onhrered, hordweard oncniow mannes reorde; næs ðær mara fyrst freode to friclan. From ærest cwom oruð aglæcean ut of stane, hat hildeswat. Hruse dynede. Biorn under beorge bordrand onswaf 2560 wið ðam gryregieste, Geata dryhten; ða wæs hringbogan heorte gefysed sæcce to seceanne. Sweord ær gebræd god guðcyning, gomele lafe, ecgum unslaw; æghwæðrum wæs bealohycgendra broga fram oðrum. Stiðmod gestod wið steapne rond winia bealdor, ða se wyrm gebeah snude tosomne; he on searwum bad. Gewat ða byrnende gebogen scriðan, 2570 to gescipe scyndan. Scyld wel gebearg life ond lice læssan hwile mærum þeodne þonne his myne sohte, ðær he þy fyrste, forman dogore wealdan moste swa him wyrd ne gescraf hreð æt hilde. Hond up abræd Geata dryhten, gryrefahne sloh incgelafe, þæt sio ecg gewac brun on bane, bat unswiðor þonne his ðiodcyning þearfe hæfde, 2580 bysigum gebæded. þa wæs beorges weard æfter heaðuswenge on hreoum mode, wearp wælfyre; wide sprungon hildeleoman. Hreðsigora ne gealp goldwine Geata; guðbill geswac, nacod æt niðe, swa hyt no sceolde, iren ærgod. Ne wæs þæt eðe sið, þæt se mæra maga Ecgðeowes grundwong þone ofgyfan wolde; sceolde ofer willan wic eardian 2590 elles hwergen, swa sceal æghwylc mon alætan lændagas. Næs ða long to ðon þæt ða aglæcean hy eft gemetton. Hyrte hyne hordweard (hreðer æðme weoll) niwan stefne; nearo ðrowode, fyre befongen, se ðe ær folce weold. Nealles him on heape handgesteallan, æðelinga bearn, ymbe gestodon hildecystum, ac hy on holt bugon, ealdre burgan. Hiora in anum weoll 2600 sefa wið sorgum; sibb æfre ne mæg wiht onwendan þam ðe wel þenceð. |
Fitt 35 2460. “Then he goes to his bed, chanting one song of grief after another; to him, all seems too spacious, the fields and his dwelling-place. So the protector of the Weders bore a welling grief in his heart for Herebeald.” 2464. “Nothing at all might put right the violent deed of the slayer; yet none the sooner might he show hatred for the warrior for the hostile deed, though he was not dear to him. Then, amid the grief which had too bitterly befallen him, he gave up human joy and chose God’s light.” 2470. “He left to his sons, as the prosperous man does, land and towns when he left his life.” 2472. “Then there was enmity and strife between Swedes and Geats over wide water, mutual feud, hard and warlike enmity, after Hrethel had died, and against him Ongentheow’s sons were bold and war-keen. They would not hold friendship over the seas, but around Whale’s Hill often carried out malicious killings.” 2479. “My dear kinsmen avenged that, hostile deeds and crimes, as it was well known, though the other paid with his life, hard bargain; Hathcyn, lord of the Geats, became a fatality of war.” 2484. “I have heard that in the morning one kinsman- Hygelac- avenged the other on the slayer with the edge of his sword, where he encountered Ongentheow’s sons. His war-helmet split; the old Scylfing fell, pale from battle.” 2489. “His hand remembered enough hostile deeds, and did not hold back the deadly blow. I repaid in war the treasures which he gave me, as it was granted by fate to me, with a gleaming sword. He granted me land, the joy of a hereditary estate.” 2493. “Nor was there any need for him to look to the Gifthas, or to the Spear-Danes, or in Sweden, that he need seek worse warriors, bought at a price; I would always be before him in a band on foot, alone at the point.” 2498. “And so I will throughout my life do battle while this sword endures, which has often been of service before and now, since I became the slayer of Dagrefne with my own hand, the champion of the Franks, for the host of warriors.” 2503. “He was not able to bring adornments to the king of the Frisians, the breast-ornament, but the keeper of the standard fell in battle, a prince in valor; nor was my sword-blade his slayer, but my hostile grasp crushed his bone-house, his pulsing heart.” 2508. “Now the sword’s edge, the hand and hard blade, shall do battle for the hoard.” Beowulf made a speech, speaking the words of a vow for the last time: “I have ventured upon many battles in my youth; yet I will, the old guardian of the people, seek out conflict, and accomplish a glorious deed, if the wicked ravager of the earthen hall seeks me out.” 2516. He then greeted each man, bold warriors in helmets, for the last time, dear companions: “I would not bear a sword as a weapon to the serpent, if I knew how else I might grapple with the fierce assailant, as I pledged, as I did with Grendel long ago.” 2522. “But I expect hot and deadly fire there, breath and venom; therefore I will have on me a shield and mail-coat. I will not flee from the barrow’s guardian one footstep, but we two shall be further along the wall as the Creator of each man allots us our fate.” 2527. “I am firm in heart that I forebear from making a vow against the flying enemy. Wait in the barrow, protected by your mail-coats, men in arms, to see which of us two may better survive our wounds after the deadly onslaught.” 2532. “This is not your exploit, nor what is fitting for men except me alone, that he share out his strength against the fierce assailant to perform a heroic deed. With valor I shall win gold, or your lord will be taken by battle, terrible destroyer of life!" 2538. The renowned warrior then arose by his shield, hard under helmet, and bore his mail-coat under the rocky cliffs. He trusted in one man’s strength; such is not the course of the cowardly! 2542. Then he who had survived a great many wars, good in manly virtue, the crash of battle when bands on foot clashed, saw a stone arch standing by the wall, with a stream out from there, bursting out of the barrow. 2546. There was the burning surging of hot and deadly fire; nor might he survive any while unburned in the depths near the hoard for the dragon’s flames. Then the Weder-Geatish man, who was enraged, allowed a word to go out from his breast, a fierce-hearted shout. 2552. His voice came in and reverberated clear in battle under the grey stone. Hatred was aroused; the hoard-guardian recognized man’s speech; there was no more time to ask for friendship. First the fierce assailant’s breath came out from the stone, the hot vapor of battle; the ground resounded. 2559. The warrior under the barrow, lord of the Geats, swung the rim of his shield against the dreadful stranger; then the coiled creature’s heart was incited to seek battle. The good war-king had drawn his sword earlier, ancient heirloom, sharp edge. Each of them, intent upon destruction, was horrified by the other. 2566. It stood firm against the towering shield of the dear people’s lord, and then the serpent swiftly coiled itself together; he waited in arms. Then, burning and coiled, it went gliding out, hastening to its fate. 2570. His shield protected the renowned prince, his life and body, for a shorter while than his purpose required. For the first time, he would have to hold the day there without fate having decreed for him triumph in battle. 2575. The hand of the lord of the Geats swung up the mighty heirloom and struck it, terrible in its varied colors, so that the edge failed, gleaming on bone. Its bite was less strong than the people’s king had needed it to be, oppressed by affliction. 2580. Then the barrow’s guard, after the battle-stroke, was fierce in spirit, and threw deadly fire; the battle-light leapt wide. The gold-giving friend of the Geats did not boast of glorious victory. Unsheathed in battle, the war-shield failed as it should not have, the hitherto excellent sword. 2586. Nor was it an easy journey when the renowned son of Ecgtheow’s had to give up the ground, when he should, against his will, inhabit a dwelling-place elsewhere, just as each man shall leave these transitory days. 2591. It was not long until the warriors met each other again. The hoard’s guardian took heart- its breast heaved with breathing once again; he who had ruled the folk before suffered harsh straits, enveloped in fire. 2596. Not at all did his band of comrades, the sons of noblemen, stand around him in martial virtue, but they fled into the woods and saved their lives. In one of them a heart surged with sorrow; nothing may ever turn away the kinship of him who thinks rightly. |
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Wiglaf wæs haten Weoxstanes sunu, leoflic lindwiga, leod Scylfinga, mæg ælfheres; geseah his mondryhten under heregriman hat þrowian. Gemunde ða ða are þe he him ær forgeaf, wicstede weligne Wægmundinga, folcrihta gehwylc, swa his fæder ahte. Ne mihte ða forhabban; hond rond gefeng, 2610 geolwe linde, gomel swyrd geteah, þæt wæs mid eldum Eanmundes laf, suna Ohteres. þam æt sæcce wearð, wræccan wineleasum, Weohstan bana meces ecgum, ond his magum ætbær brunfagne helm, hringde byrnan, eald sweord etonisc; þæt him Onela forgeaf, his gædelinges guðgewædu, fyrdsearo fuslic, no ymbe ða fæhðe spræc, þeah ðe he his broðor bearn abredwade. 2620 He frætwe geheold fela missera, bill ond byrnan, oððæt his byre mihte eorlscipe efnan swa his ærfæder; geaf him ða mid Geatum guðgewæda, æghwæs unrim, þa he of ealdre gewat, frod on forðweg. þa wæs forma sið geongan cempan, þæt he guðe ræs mid his freodryhtne fremman sceolde. Ne gemealt him se modsefa, ne his mæges laf gewac æt wige; þæt se wyrm onfand, 2630 syððan hie togædre gegan hæfdon. Wiglaf maðelode, wordrihta fela sægde gesiðum (him wæs sefa geomor): “Ic ðæt mæl geman, þær we medu þegun, þonne we geheton ussum hlaforde in biorsele, ðe us ðas beagas geaf, þæt we him ða guðgetawa gyldan woldon gif him þyslicu þearf gelumpe, helmas ond heard sweord. ðe he usic on herge geceas to ðyssum siðfate sylfes willum, 2640 onmunde usic mærða, ond me þas maðmas geaf, þe he usic garwigend gode tealde, hwate helmberend, þeah ðe hlaford us þis ellenweorc ana aðohte to gefremmanne, folces hyrde, for ðam he manna mæst mærða gefremede, dæda dollicra. Nu is se dæg cumen þæt ure mandryhten mægenes behofað, godra guðrinca; wutun gongan to, helpan hildfruman, þenden hyt sy, 2650 gledegesa grim. God wat on mec þæt me is micle leofre þæt minne lichaman mid minne goldgyfan gled fæðmie. Ne þynceð me gerysne þæt we rondas beren eft to earde, nemne we æror mægen fane gefyllan, feorh ealgian Wedra ðeodnes. Ic wat geare þæt næron ealdgewyrht, þæt he ana scyle Geata duguðe gnorn þrowian, gesigan æt sæcce; urum sceal sweord ond helm, 2660 byrne ond beaduscrud, bam gemæne.” Wod þa þurh þone wælrec, wigheafolan bær frean on fultum, fea worda cwæð: “Leofa Biowulf, læst eall tela, swa ðu on geoguðfeore geara gecwæde þæt ðu ne alæte be ðe lifigendum dom gedreosan. Scealt nu dædum rof, æðeling anhydig, ealle mægene feorh ealgian; ic ðe fullæstu.” æfter ðam wordum wyrm yrre cwom, 2670 atol inwitgæst, oðre siðe fyrwylmum fah fionda niosian, laðra manna; ligyðum for. Born bord wið rond, byrne ne meahte geongum garwigan geoce gefremman, ac se maga geonga under his mæges scyld elne geeode, þa his agen wæs gledum forgrunden. þa gen guðcyning mærða gemunde, mægenstrengo sloh hildebille, þæt hyt on heafolan stod 2680 niþe genyded; Nægling forbærst, geswac æt sæcce sweord Biowulfes, gomol ond grægmæl. Him þæt gifeðe ne wæs þæt him irenna ecge mihton helpan æt hilde; wæs sio hond to strong, se ðe meca gehwane, mine gefræge, swenge ofersohte, þonne he to sæcce bær wæpen wundrum heard; næs him wihte ðe sel. þa wæs þeodsceaða þriddan siðe, frecne fyrdraca, fæhða gemyndig, 2690 ræsde on ðone rofan, þa him rum ageald, hat ond heaðogrim, heals ealne ymbefeng biteran banum; he geblodegod wearð sawuldriore, swat yðum weoll. |
Fitt 36 2602. He was called Wiglaf, son of Weoxstone, a beloved warrior, a man of the Scylfings, kinsman of Alfhere. He saw his liege lord suffer heat under his helmet. He was reminded then of the property which Beowulf had given him before, the rich dwelling place of the Wagmundings, each in common right as his father had possessed. 2609. He was not then able to restrain himself; his hand grasped the yellow shield, and drew an ancient sword; that was Eanmund’s heirloom among men, son of Othere’s. It happened in battle that Weohstan was the slayer of that friendless exile with the sword’s edge, and bore away to his kinsmen the shining helmet, a ringed mail-coat, an old sword made by giants. 2616. Onela gave him that, his kinsmen’s war-garments, ready war-gear; he spoke nothing about the feud, even though Weohstan had killed his brother’s son. He kept the adornments for many seasons, sword and mail-coat, until his son might perform heroic deeds just as his late father. 2623. Then, amid the Geats, he gave him a countless number of every type of war-garment when he departed from life, old and on his way forth. That was the first time for the young warrior that he should participate in the onslaught of battle with his noble lord. 2628. Nor did his spirit weaken, nor did his kinsman’s heirloom fail in conflict; the serpent found that out when they had come together. 2631. Wiglaf made a speech, and said many a true word to his companions- he was sad at heart: “I remember that time, where we drank mead, when we promised our lord in the beer-hall, he who gave us rings, that we would repay him for the war equipment if such need would befall him, with helmets and hard swords.” 2638. “For this he chose us in his army, willed ourselves to be at this expedition, considered us worthy, and gave me these treasures, because he considered us good spear-fighters, valiant helmet-bearers! Though our lord, the folk’s guardian, intended to accomplish this courageous deed alone, because he among men accomplished the most glorious feats, audacious deeds.” 2646. “Now the day is come that our liege lord needs the strength of good warriors. Let us go to help our leader in battle while he is in the heat of grim fire-terror. God knows of me that it is dearer to me that fire should enfold me with my gold-giving lord.” 2653. “Nor does it seem fitting to me that we should bear shields back to home unless we first may kill the foe, and defend the life of our Weder prince’s. I know well that it has not been merited by past deeds that he alone of the Geatish host must suffer affliction, and fall in battle.” 2659. “We shall both share sword and helmet, mail-coat and battle-garment.” He then waded through the deadly smoke, bore a helmet to help his lord, and spoke a few words: “Dear Beowulf, perform everything well, as you said long ago in youth that you would not allow, while you are alive, your glory to decline.” 2666. “You shall now defend your life with all strength, deed-famed, resolute prince. I will help you!” After these words the serpent became angry; the terrible, malicious alien attacked its enemy a second time with glowing, surging fire, loathful flames. 2672. The wave of flames advanced, and burned the shield up to its boss; it might not burn the young warrior providing help, but the young man went on valiantly under his kinsman’s shield when his own was destroyed by flames. 2678. Then again the war-king set his mind on glory, and struck with his battle-sword with great strength, so that it stuck in the head, impelled with hostility. Naegling broke; Beowulf’s sword, ancient and grey-colored, failed in battle. 2682. It was not granted by fate to him that the sword’s edge might help him in battle. The hand was too strong, I have heard, whose stroke overtaxed every sword, when he bore to battle the wondrously hard weapon. He was not at all the better for it. 2698. Then the ravager of the people, for the third time, terrible fire-dragon, was intent on hostile deeds; he rushed on the renowned man when the opportunity permitted him, hot and battle-fierce. His neck was entirely clasped by sharp tusks; he became bloodied with his life-fluid. Blood surged in streams. |
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Ða ic æt þearfe gefrægn þeodcyninges andlongne eorl ellen cyðan, cræft ond cenðu, swa him gecynde wæs. Ne hedde he þæs heafolan, ac sio hand gebarn modiges mannes, þær he his mæges healp, þæt he þone niðgæst nioðor hwene sloh, 2700 secg on searwum, þæt ðæt sweord gedeaf, fah ond fæted, þæt ðæt fyr ongon sweðrian syððan. þa gen sylf cyning geweold his gewitte, wællseaxe gebræd biter ond beaduscearp, þæt he on byrnan wæg; forwrat Wedra helm wyrm on middan. Feond gefyldan (ferh ellen wræc), ond hi hyne þa begen abroten hæfdon, sibæðelingas. Swylc sceolde secg wesan, þegn æt ðearfe! þæt ðam þeodne wæs 2710 siðast sigehwila sylfes dædum, worlde geweorces. ða sio wund ongon, þe him se eorðdraca ær geworhte, swelan ond swellan; he þæt sona onfand, þæt him on breostum bealoniðe weoll attor on innan. ða se æðeling giong þæt he bi wealle wishycgende gesæt on sesse; seah on enta geweorc, hu ða stanbogan stapulum fæste ece eorðreced innan healde. 2720 Hyne þa mid handa heorodreorigne, þeoden mærne, þegn ungemete till winedryhten his wætere gelafede, hilde sædne, ond his helm onspeon. Biowulf maþelode (he ofer benne spræc, wunde wælbleate; wisse he gearwe þæt he dæghwila gedrogen hæfde, eorðan wynne; ða wæs eall sceacen dogorgerimes, deað ungemete neah): “Nu ic suna minum syllan wolde 2730 guðgewædu, þær me gifeðe swa ænig yrfeweard æfter wurde lice gelenge. Ic ðas leode heold fiftig wintra; næs se folccyning, ymbesittendra ænig ðara, þe mec guðwinum gretan dorste, egesan ðeon. Ic on earde bad mælgesceafta, heold min tela, ne sohte searoniðas, ne me swor fela aða on unriht. Ic ðæs ealles mæg 2740 feorhbennum seoc gefean habban; for ðam me witan ne ðearf waldend fira morðorbealo maga, þonne min sceaceð lif of lice. Nu ðu lungre geong hord sceawian under harne stan, Wiglaf leofa, nu se wyrm ligeð, swefeð sare wund, since bereafod. Bio nu on ofoste, þæt ic ærwelan, goldæht ongite, gearo sceawige swegle searogimmas, þæt ic ðy seft mæge 2750 æfter maððumwelan min alætan lif ond leodscipe, þone ic longe heold.” |
Fitt 37 2694. Then, I have heard, at the need of the people’s king, the warrior at his side displayed courage, strength and boldness, as was natural for him. 2697. Nor did he heed that dragon’s head, but the brave man’s hand was burned as he helped his kinsman, as he struck at the malicious alien a little lower down, the man in arms, so that the sword sank in, gleaming and gold plated; the fire began to subside after. 2702. Then again the king himself held his senses, and drew the deadly knife, cruel and sharp in battle, that he carried in his mail-coat. The protector of the Weders cut through the serpent in the middle. The foe was felled- valor drove his life out- and they had both then destroyed him, noble kinsmen. 2708. So should a man be to his prince in need. For the prince that was the last time of victory for his own deeds, of his actions in the world. Then the wound which the earth-dragon inflicted on him earlier began to burn and swell. 2713. He soon found out that deadly evil was welling up in his breast, venom inside. Then the prince, wise in thought, went to where he might sit on a seat by the wall; he saw the work of the giants, how the stone arches, secure pillars, held an age-old earth-dwelling inside. 2720. Then with his hand, blood-stained from battle, the thane, good without limit, bathed his friend and lord with water, the renowned prince wearied from battle, and unfastened his helmet. 2724. Beowulf made a speech- he spoke despite his injury, mortal wound; he knew well that he had passed through his days, joy on earth. His number of days were all passed away, with death exceedingly near. 2729. “Now I would give my war-garments to my son, if it had been granted so to me by fate that any heir was of my body. I ruled this people for fifty years; there was no king of a folk, any neighboring peoples there, who dared greet me with swords, threaten with terror.” 2736. “I awaited my destiny in the homeland, held my own well, and sought no contrived hostility, nor swore many oaths wrongfully. In all of this, sick with mortal wounds, I may have joy; for the Ruler of men has no cause to accuse me of murderous killing when my life passes from my body.” 2743. “Now go swiftly to look upon the hoard under the grey stone, dear Wiglaf, now that the serpent lies dead, sleeping from sore wounds, bereft of its treasure.” 2747. “Be now in haste so that I may see the ancient riches, the store of gold, and look at the bright, finely-worked jewels clearly, so that because of the wealth of treasure I may more peacefully leave the life and nation which I long held.” |
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Ða ic snude gefrægn sunu Wihstanes æfter wordcwydum wundum dryhtne hyran heaðosiocum, hringnet beran, brogdne beadusercean under beorges hrof. Geseah ða sigehreðig, þa he bi sesse geong, magoþegn modig maððumsigla fealo, gold glitinian grunde getenge, wundur on wealle, ond þæs wyrmes denn, 2760 ealdes uhtflogan, orcas stondan, fyrnmanna fatu feormendlease, hyrstum behrorene; þær wæs helm monig eald ond omig, earmbeaga fela searwum gesæled. Sinc eaðe mæg, gold on grunde, gumcynnes gehwone oferhigian, hyde se ðe wylle. Swylce he siomian geseah segn eallgylden heah ofer horde, hondwundra mæst, gelocen leoðocræftum; of ðam leoma stod, 2770 þæt he þone grundwong ongitan meahte, wræte giondwlitan. Næs ðæs wyrmes þær onsyn ænig, ac hyne ecg fornam. ða ic on hlæwe gefrægn hord reafian, eald enta geweorc, anne mannan, him on bearm hladon bunan ond discas sylfes dome; segn eac genom, beacna beorhtost. Bill ær gescod (ecg wæs iren) ealdhlafordes þam ðara maðma mundbora wæs 2780 longe hwile, ligegesan wæg hatne for horde, hioroweallende middelnihtum, oðþæt he morðre swealt. Ar wæs on ofoste, eftsiðes georn, frætwum gefyrðred; hyne fyrwet bræc, hwæðer collenferð cwicne gemette in ðam wongstede Wedra þeoden ellensiocne, þær he hine ær forlet. He ða mid þam maðmum mærne þioden, dryhten sinne, driorigne fand 2790 ealdres æt ende; he hine eft ongon wæteres weorpan, oðþæt wordes ord breosthord þurhbræc. gomel on giohðe (gold sceawode): “Ic ðara frætwa frean ealles ðanc, wuldurcyninge, wordum secge, ecum dryhtne, þe ic her on starie, þæs ðe ic moste minum leodum ær swyltdæge swylc gestrynan. Nu ic on maðma hord mine bebohte 2800 frode feorhlege, fremmað gena leoda þearfe; ne mæg ic her leng wesan. Hatað heaðomære hlæw gewyrcean beorhtne æfter bæle æt brimes nosan; se scel to gemyndum minum leodum heah hlifian on Hronesnæsse, þæt hit sæliðend syððan hatan Biowulfes biorh, ða ðe brentingas ofer floda genipu feorran drifað.” Dyde him of healse hring gyldenne 2810 þioden þristhydig, þegne gesealde, geongum garwigan, goldfahne helm, beah ond byrnan, het hyne brucan well: “þu eart endelaf usses cynnes, Wægmundinga. Ealle wyrd forsweop mine magas to metodsceafte, eorlas on elne; ic him æfter sceal.” þæt wæs þam gomelan gingæste word breostgehygdum, ær he bæl cure, hate heaðowylmas; him of hreðre gewat 2820 sawol secean soðfæstra dom. |
Fitt 38 2752. Then I have heard that the son of Wihstan, after the spoken words of his wounded lord, swiftly obeyed the battle-wounded man, and carried a mail-coat, woven battle-shirt, under the barrow’s roof. 2756. The brave young thane, triumphant in victory, saw after he went by the seat many precious jewels, glittering gold lying on the ground, wondrous objects on the wall, and the serpent’s lair- the old creature that flew before dawn- cups standing, and vessels of men of old, lacking a burnisher, bereft of adornment. 2762. There was many a helmet, old and rusted, and many an arm-wring, skillfully twisted. Treasure, gold in the ground, may easily overpower each one of mankind, hide it who will. He also saw a standard all of gold, hanging high over the hoard, a great marvel made by hand, woven with the skill of hand. 2769. From these things a light shone out, so that he might see the surface of the floor, and look at every part of the ornate objects. There was no sign of the serpent, for the sword had carried him off. 2773. Then I have heard that one man plundered the hoard in the barrow, the old work of giants; he loaded his lap with drinking-vessels and dishes of his own choice; the standard was also taken, brightest of banners. 2778. The aged lord’s sword- its edge was iron- had already injured the dragon, who was the guardian of the treasure for a long while, who brought hot, terrifying fire because of the hoard, fiercely welling in the middle of the night, until he died a violent death. 2783. The messenger was in haste, eager to journey back, urged on by precious things; anxiety oppressed him to find whether the prince of the Weders, deprived of strength, was alive and bold in spirit in that place where he left him before. 2788. Then, with the treasures, he found his lord bleeding, renowned prince, his life at an end; he began again to sprinkle him with water, until words began to break through his heart. The warrior-king spoke, old in sorrow- he looked at the gold. 2794. “To the Lord of all, the King of glory, eternal Lord, I say words of thanks for the precious things which I gaze upon here, for the fact that I have been permitted to gain such treasure for my people before my day of death.” 2799. “Now for a hoard of treasures I have sold my old life. Attend still to my people’s needs; I may not be here longer. Order the battle-famed to build a splendid burial mound, after the pyre, at the sea’s promontory.” 2804. “It is to be a memorial to my people, a high tower on Whale’s Hill, that afterwards seafarers may call Beowulf’s barrow when they drive ships over the sea’s mist from afar.” 2809. The brave-hearted prince took from his neck a golden ring, and gave it to the thane, the young warrior, and a gold-adorned helmet, and commanded him to use it well: “You are the last remaining of our kin, the Wagmundings.” 2814. “Fate swept away all of my kinsmen to their destiny’s decree, warriors in valor; I shall follow them.” That was the last word thought from the heart of the old man, before he chose the pyre, hot and hostile flames. His soul departed from his breast to seek the judgment of his righteousness. |
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Ða wæs gegongen guman unfrodum earfoðlice, þæt he on eorðan geseah þone leofestan lifes æt ende bleate gebæran. Bona swylce læg, egeslic eorðdraca ealdre bereafod, bealwe gebæded. Beahhordum leng wyrm wohbogen wealdan ne moste, ac hine irenna ecga fornamon, hearde, heaðoscearde homera lafe, 2830 þæt se widfloga wundum stille hreas on hrusan hordærne neah. Nalles æfter lyfte lacende hwearf middelnihtum, maðmæhta wlonc ansyn ywde, ac he eorðan gefeoll for ðæs hildfruman hondgeweorce. Huru þæt on lande lyt manna ðah, mægenagendra, mine gefræge, þeah ðe he dæda gehwæs dyrstig wære, þæt he wið attorsceaðan oreðe geræsde, 2840 oððe hringsele hondum styrede, gif he wæccende weard onfunde buon on beorge. Biowulfe wearð dryhtmaðma dæl deaðe forgolden; hæfde æghwæðer ende gefered lænan lifes. Næs ða lang to ðon þæt ða hildlatan holt ofgefan, tydre treowlogan tyne ætsomne. ða ne dorston ær dareðum lacan on hyra mandryhtnes miclan þearfe, 2850 ac hy scamiende scyldas bæran, guðgewædu, þær se gomela læg, wlitan on Wilaf. He gewergad sæt, feðecempa, frean eaxlum neah, wehte hyne wætre; him wiht ne speow. Ne meahte he on eorðan, ðeah he uðe wel, on ðam frumgare feorh gehealdan, ne ðæs wealdendes wiht oncirran; wolde dom godes dædum rædan gumena gehwylcum, swa he nu gen deð. 2860 þa wæs æt ðam geongan grim ondswaru eðbegete þam ðe ær his elne forleas. Wiglaf maðelode, Weohstanes sunu, sec, sarigferð (seah on unleofe): “þæt, la, mæg secgan se ðe wyle soð specan þæt se mondryhten se eow ða maðmas geaf, eoredgeatwe, þe ge þær on standað, þonne he on ealubence oft gesealde healsittendum helm ond byrnan, þeoden his þegnum, swylce he þrydlicost 2870 ower feor oððe neah findan meahte, þæt he genunga guðgewædu wraðe forwurpe, ða hyne wig beget. Nealles folccyning fyrdgesteallum gylpan þorfte; hwæðre him god uðe, sigora waldend, þæt he hyne sylfne gewræc ana mid ecge, þa him wæs elnes þearf. Ic him lifwraðe lytle meahte ætgifan æt guðe, ond ongan swa þeah ofer min gemet mæges helpan; 2880 symle wæs þy sæmra, þonne ic sweorde drep ferhðgeniðlan, fyr unswiðor weoll of gewitte. Wergendra to lyt þrong ymbe þeoden, þa hyne sio þrag becwom. Nu sceal sincþego ond swyrdgifu, eall eðelwyn eowrum cynne, lufen alicgean; londrihtes mot þære mægburge monna æghwylc idel hweorfan, syððan æðelingas feorran gefricgean fleam eowerne, 2890 domleasan dæd. Deað bið sella eorla gehwylcum þonne edwitlif!” |
Fitt 39 2821. Then it was a painful happening for the young man, that he saw the dearest man suffer pitiably on the ground, at the end of his life. The slayer also lay, terrible earth-dragon, bereft of life, overwhelmed by ruin. 2826. The coiled serpent was no longer able to rule over the hoard of rings, but the sword’s edge destroyed him, the hard, battle-sharp hammer-remnant, so that the wide-flyer fell on the ground, unmoving from his wounds, near the hoard-house. 2832. There was not at all the show of a sign of it flying through the air, moving about in the middle of the night, glorying in rich possessions, but he fell on the earth through the handiwork of the war-leader. 2836. Indeed, there were in the land few mighty men who succeeded, as I have heard, though they were daring in every deed, that they made a rush against the breath of the venomous ravager, or disturbed the hall of rings with their hand, if he found the guardian who dwells in the barrow awake. 2842. Beowulf paid for the share of noble treasures with his death; both had reached the end of this transitory life. It was not long after that the laggards in battle left the wood, cowardly traitors, the ten together, who did not dare before fight with spears in their liege lord’s great need. 2850. But they carried their shields in shame, their war-garments, to where the old man lay, and gazed on Wiglaf. He sat, exhausted, the foot-warrior near the shoulder of his lord; he tried to revive him with water- he did not at all succeed. 2855. Nor might he, though he wished strongly, keep the chieftain’s life on earth, nor change anything ordained by the Ruler. The decree of God’s would rule the deeds of each man, as He now still does. 2860. Then it was easy for the young man to obtain a grim answer for those who lost their courage earlier. Wiglaf made a speech, Weohstan’s son, a man sad at heart, as he looked on the unloved. 2864. “It indeed may be said, by he who will speak the truth, that the liege lord who gave you these treasures, the war-equipment in which you now stand there- when he on the mead-bench often gave to the hall-sitters a helmet and mail-coat, a prince to his thanes, as most splendid as he might find anywhere far or near- that he had completely and grievously thrown away the war-garments when war came upon him.” 2873. “Not at all did the people’s king have cause to boast about his comrades in arms. Yet God granted him, the victorious Ruler, that he himself avenged, alone with his sword-blade, when he was in need of courage.” 2877. “I might give him little life-protection in combat, and yet I began to help my kinsman, despite my power. It always was the weaker when I struck the deadly foe with my sword; the fire less strongly welled out from its head.” 2882. “The defenders were too few thronged around the prince when the time of hardship came to him. Now the receiving of treasures and giving of swords, all joy in the native land of your kin, in your beloved homeland, shall cease.” 2886. “Every man of your kindred must wander, deprived of his land-right, after noblemen from afar learn of your flight, inglorious deed. Death is better for each warrior than a life of disgrace!" |
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Heht ða þæt heaðoweorc to hagan biodan up ofer ecgclif, þær þæt eorlweorod morgenlongne dæg modgiomor sæt, bordhæbbende, bega on wenum, endedogores ond eftcymes leofes monnes. Lyt swigode niwra spella se ðe næs gerad, ac he soðlice sægde ofer ealle: 2900 “Nu is wilgeofa Wedra leoda, dryhten Geata, deaðbedde fæst, wunað wælreste wyrmes dædum. Him on efn ligeð ealdorgewinna sexbennum seoc; sweorde ne meahte on ðam aglæcean ænige þinga wunde gewyrcean. Wiglaf siteð ofer Biowulfe, byre Wihstanes, eorl ofer oðrum unlifigendum, healdeð higemæðum heafodwearde 2910 leofes ond laðes. Nu ys leodum wen orleghwile, syððan underne Froncum ond Frysum fyll cyninges wide weorðeð. Wæs sio wroht scepen heard wið Hugas, syððan Higelac cwom faran flotherge on Fresna land, þær hyne Hetware hilde genægdon, elne geeodon mid ofermægene, þæt se byrnwiga bugan sceolde, feoll on feðan, nalles frætwe geaf 2920 ealdor dugoðe. Us wæs a syððan Merewioingas milts ungyfeðe. Ne ic to Sweoðeode sibbe oððe treowe wihte ne wene, ac wæs wide cuð þætte Ongenðio ealdre besnyðede Hæðcen Hreþling wið Hrefnawudu, þa for onmedlan ærest gesohton Geata leode Guðscilfingas. Sona him se froda fæder Ohtheres, eald ond egesfull, ondslyht ageaf, 2930 abreot brimwisan, bryd ahredde, gomela iomeowlan golde berofene, Onelan modor ond Ohtheres, ond ða folgode feorhgeniðlan, oððæt hi oðeodon earfoðlice in Hrefnesholt hlafordlease. Besæt ða sinherge sweorda lafe, wundum werge, wean oft gehet earmre teohhe ondlonge niht, cwæð, he on mergenne meces ecgum 2940 getan wolde, sum on galgtreowum fuglum to gamene. Frofor eft gelamp sarigmodum somod ærdæge, syððan hie Hygelaces horn ond byman, gealdor ongeaton, þa se goda com leoda dugoðe on last faran. |
Fitt 40 2892. Then he ordered that the warlike deed be announced to the encampment, up over the sea-cliff, where the band of warriors, shield-bearers, sat sad at heart all morning long. Their expectation was of two things: the last day and the return of the beloved man. 2897. He who rode up to the headland was hardly silent with the new message, but he truly said in the hearing of all: “Now the lord of the Geats, the benefactor of the Weder people, is still in his deathbed, and occupies a bed of slaughter through the serpent’s deeds.” 2903. “The deadly foe lies beside him, stricken with dagger-wounds; he could not inflict a wound in any way on the fierce assailant with a sword. Wiglaf sits over Beowulf, son of Wihstan’s, one warrior by the lifeless other.” 2909. “In weariness of mind he keeps a head-watch over the loved and the loathed. Now the people’s expectation is of a time of war, after the king’s death becomes widely known to the Franks and Frisians.” 2913. “The hostility was made hard against the Franks after Hygelac came from afar with a ship-bound force to Frisian land, where the Hetware attacked him in battle. He displayed valor amid superior force, so that the mail-clad warrior should succumb, and fell in the foot-band.” 2919. “That lord gave no precious things at all to his retainers. For ever, since then, the Merovingian king has denied us favors.” 2922. “Nor do I at all expect peace or good faith from the Swedish, but it was widely known that Ongentheow deprived Hathcyn, Hrethel’s son, of his life near Ravenswood, when in arrogance the Geatish people first attacked the War-Scylfings.” 2928. “Soon the aged father of Othere’s, Ongentheow, old and terrible, gave a counter-stroke, cut down the sea-king, and rescued his bride, an old woman of former days deprived of gold, mother of Onela and Othere.” 2933. “And then he pursued the deadly foes until they escaped with difficulty in Ravenswood, without a lord. The standing army beset the survivors of the swords, wearied from wounds; miseries were often vowed to the wretched company the entire night.” 2939. “He said that in the morning he would destroy them with the mace’s edge, and would have some on the gallows trees as sport for birds. Comfort came back for the sad at heart with the first light of day, after they heard the sound of Hygelac’s horn and trumpet, when the good man came following their track with a host of men.” |
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Wæs sio swatswaðu Sweona ond Geata, wælræs weora wide gesyne, hu ða folc mid him fæhðe towehton. Gewat him ða se goda mid his gædelingum, 2950 frod, felageomor, fæsten secean, eorl Ongenþio, ufor oncirde; hæfde Higelaces hilde gefrunen, wlonces wigcræft, wiðres ne truwode, þæt he sæmannum onsacan mihte, heaðoliðendum hord forstandan, bearn ond bryde; beah eft þonan eald under eorðweall. þa wæs æht boden Sweona leodum, segn Higelaces freoðowong þone forð ofereodon, 2960 syððan Hreðlingas to hagan þrungon. þær wearð Ongenðiow ecgum sweorda, blondenfexa, on bid wrecen, þæt se þeodcyning ðafian sceolde Eafores anne dom. Hyne yrringa Wulf Wonreding wæpne geræhte, þæt him for swenge swat ædrum sprong forð under fexe. Næs he forht swa ðeh, gomela Scilfing, ac forgeald hraðe wyrsan wrixle wælhlem þone, 2970 syððan ðeodcyning þyder oncirde. Ne meahte se snella sunu Wonredes ealdum ceorle ondslyht giofan, ac he him on heafde helm ær gescer, þæt he blode fah bugan sceolde, feoll on foldan; næs he fæge þa git, ac he hyne gewyrpte, þeah ðe him wund hrine. Let se hearda Higelaces þegn bradne mece, þa his broðor læg, eald sweord eotonisc, entiscne helm 2980 brecan ofer bordweal; ða gebeah cyning, folces hyrde, wæs in feorh dropen. ða wæron monige þe his mæg wriðon, ricone arærdon, ða him gerymed wearð þæt hie wælstowe wealdan moston. þenden reafode rinc oðerne, nam on Ongenðio irenbyrnan, heard swyrd hilted ond his helm somod, hares hyrste Higelace bær. He ðam frætwum feng ond him fægre gehet 2990 leana mid leodum, ond gelæste swa; geald þone guðræs Geata dryhten, Hreðles eafora, þa he to ham becom, Iofore ond Wulfe mid ofermaðmum, sealde hiora gehwæðrum hund þusenda landes ond locenra beaga (ne ðorfte him ða lean oðwitan mon on middangearde), syððan hie ða mærða geslogon, ond ða Iofore forgeaf angan dohtor, hamweorðunge, hyldo to wedde. þæt ys sio fæhðo ond se feondscipe, 3000 wælnið wera, ðæs ðe ic wen hafo, þe us seceað to Sweona leoda, syððan hie gefricgeað frean userne ealdorleasne, þone ðe ær geheold wið hettendum hord ond rice æfter hæleða hryre, hwate Scildingas, folcred fremede oððe furður gen eorlscipe efnde. Nu is ofost betost þæt we þeodcyning þær sceawian ond þone gebringan, þe us beagas geaf, 3010 on adfære. Ne scel anes hwæt meltan mid þam modigan, ac þær is maðma hord, gold unrime grimme geceapod, ond nu æt siðestan sylfes feore beagas gebohte. þa sceall brond fretan, æled þeccean, nalles eorl wegan maððum to gemyndum, ne mægð scyne habban on healse hringweorðunge, ac sceal geomormod, golde bereafod, oft nalles æne elland tredan, 3020 nu se herewisa hleahtor alegde, gamen ond gleodream. Forðon sceall gar wesan monig, morgenceald, mundum bewunden, hæfen on handa, nalles hearpan sweg wigend weccean, ac se wonna hrefn fus ofer fægum fela reordian, earne secgan hu him æt æte speow, þenden he wið wulf wæl reafode.” Swa se secg hwata secggende wæs laðra spella; he ne leag fela 3030 wyrda ne worda. Weorod eall aras; eodon unbliðe under Earnanæs, wollenteare wundur sceawian. Fundon ða on sande sawulleasne hlimbed healdan þone þe him hringas geaf ærran mælum; þa wæs endedæg godum gegongen, þæt se guðcyning, Wedra þeoden, wundordeaðe swealt. ær hi þær gesegan syllicran wiht, wyrm on wonge wiðerræhtes þær 3040 laðne licgean; wæs se legdraca grimlic, gryrefah, gledum beswæled. Se wæs fiftiges fotgemearces lang on legere, lyftwynne heold nihtes hwilum, nyðer eft gewat dennes niosian; wæs ða deaðe fæst, hæfde eorðscrafa ende genyttod. Him big stodan bunan ond orcas, discas lagon ond dyre swyrd, omige, þurhetone, swa hie wið eorðan fæðm 3050 þusend wintra þær eardodon. þonne wæs þæt yrfe, eacencræftig, iumonna gold galdre bewunden, þæt ðam hringsele hrinan ne moste gumena ænig, nefne god sylfa, sigora soðcyning, sealde þam ðe he wolde (he is manna gehyld) hord openian, efne swa hwylcum manna swa him gemet ðuhte. |
Fitt 41 2946. “The trail of blood of the Swedes and Geats, the deadly onslaught of men, was widely visible- how the people stirred up the feud among them. Then the good man went with his kinsmen, wise and very sad, to seek his stronghold.” 2951. “The nobleman Ongentheow turned to higher ground; he had learned of Hygelac’s fighting power, the proud one’s war-craft. He did not trust resistance, that he might withstand the seamen, defend his hoard, his children and wife, against the seafaring warriors.” 2956. “He turned back from there, the old man under his earthen rampart. Then pursuit was given to the Swedish people; Hygelac’s standard overran that place of refuge, after Hrethel’s descendants pressed forward to the encampment.” 2961. “There the grey-haired Ongentheow was driven to a halt by the edges of swords, so that the people’s king had to submit to Eafor’s judgment alone. There his brother Wulf, son of Wonred, struck him furiously with his weapon, so that from the stroke blood sprung forth in streams from beneath his hair.” 2967. “He was nevertheless not afraid, the old Scylfing, but paid him back quickly for the deadly blow with a worse exchange, after the people’s king turned in that direction.” 2971. “Nor might the brave son of Wonred’s give a counter-stroke to the old man, but he had already cut through the helmet on his head, so that he should bow down, bloodstained, and fell on the earth. Yet he was not fated to die yet, but he recovered himself, though the wound had struck him deeply.” 2977. “This caused the hardy thane of Hygelac, when his brother lay, to break through the protecting shield with a broad mace, an old sword and helmet made by giants. Then the king bowed down; the people’s guardian was life-stricken.” 2982. “Then there were many who bound the wounds of his kinsman, swiftly raised up; then a way was cleared for them so that they were able to take control of the place of slaughter. Then one warrior plundered the other, and took from Ongentheow his iron mail-coat, his hard hilted sword, and his helmet also. He bore to Hygelac the grey-haired man’s equipment.” 2989. “He received the adornments and treated him courteously amid his people, and so fulfilled his promises. The Geatish lord repaid Hrethel’s sons for the onslaught in battle when they came home, Eafor and Wulf with very great treasures.” 2994. “He gave each of them a hundred thousand silver coins' worth of land and interlinked rings- no man on earth had need to reproach him for the reward, after they had achieved the glory by fighting. And then he gave Eafor his only daughter, an honor to a home, as a pledge of favor.” 2999. “That is the feud and the enmity, the deadly hostility of men, for which I have the expectation that the Swedish people will attack us after they learn that our lord is lifeless, who previously protected the hoard and kingdom against enemies after the fall of heroes, the bold shield-warriors.” 3005. “He performed benefits for the people until he carried out still more heroic deeds. Now haste is best, that we may look at the people’s king there, and bring him who gave us rings on the way to the funeral pyre.” 3010. “Nor shall one part melt with the courageous, but the hoard of treasures, countless gold, purchased at a grim cost, and now the rings were bought in the end of his own life. These the fire shall consume, the flame enfold.” 3015. “Not at all will the warrior wear treasure at the memorial, nor the beautiful woman have a ring-adornment on her neck, but all will be sad at heart, deprived of gold, often- not at all once- treading foreign land, now that our army-leader has laid aside laughter, joy, and merriment.” 3021. “For the spear shall be grasped by hands on many cold mornings, raised in hand. The harp’s sound will not awaken the warriors, but the black raven, who will be eager to speak much of those fated to die, to say to the eagle how he fared at eating while he plundered the slain with the wolf.” 3028. So the valiant man told the loathful tidings; he did not say much that was false of the future or the past. The band of men all rose and went sorrowfully to the promontory Earnanes to see the wonder with welling tears. 3033. They then found on the sand the lifeless man, occupying his bed of rest, he who gave them rings in former times; then the last day of the hero had been reached, that the war-king, the Wederish prince, had died a wondrous death. 3038. They first saw a more strange creature there, the serpent in the opposite place, lying hatefully; the fire-dragon was fierce and terrible in its varied colors, scorched by flames. It was fifty feet long as it lay. 3043. It possessed joy in the sky for a night’s while, going back down to visit its lair; it was then held fast in death. Its use of the cavern in the earth had ended. 3047. Beside him stood drinking-vessels and cups; dishes lay and a precious sword, rusty and eaten through, as they had remained there in the earth’s bosom for a thousand winters. 3051. Back then the mighty heritage, the gold of ancient men, was encircled by spells, so that the ring-filled hall would not be permitted to be reached by any man, unless God Himself, the true King of victories, granted that he could- He is man’s protection- open the hoard, to whatever man seemed fitting to Him. |
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Þa wæs gesyne þæt se sið ne ðah þam ðe unrihte inne gehydde 3060 wræte under wealle. Weard ær ofsloh feara sumne; þa sio fæhð gewearð gewrecen wraðlice. Wundur hwar þonne eorl ellenrof ende gefere lifgesceafta, þonne leng ne mæg mon mid his magum meduseld buan. Swa wæs Biowulfe, þa he biorges weard sohte, searoniðas; seolfa ne cuðe þurh hwæt his worulde gedal weorðan sceolde. Swa hit oð domes dæg diope benemdon 3070 þeodnas mære, þa ðæt þær dydon, þæt se secg wære synnum scildig, hergum geheaðerod, hellbendum fæst, wommum gewitnad, se ðone wong strude, næs he goldhwæte gearwor hæfde agendes est ær gesceawod. Wiglaf maðelode, Wihstanes sunu: “Oft sceall eorl monig anes willan wræc adreogan, swa us geworden is. Ne meahton we gelæran leofne þeoden, 3080 rices hyrde, ræd ænigne, þæt he ne grette goldweard þone, lete hyne licgean þær he longe wæs, wicum wunian oð woruldende; heold on heahgesceap. Hord ys gesceawod, grimme gegongen; wæs þæt gifeðe to swið þe ðone þeodcyning þyder ontyhte. Ic wæs þær inne ond þæt eall geondseh, recedes geatwa, þa me gerymed wæs, nealles swæslice sið alyfed 3090 inn under eorðweall. Ic on ofoste gefeng micle mid mundum mægenbyrðenne hordgestreona, hider ut ætbær cyninge minum. Cwico wæs þa gena, wis ond gewittig; worn eall gespræc gomol on gehðo ond eowic gretan het, bæd þæt ge geworhton æfter wines dædum in bælstede beorh þone hean, micelne ond mærne, swa he manna wæs wigend weorðfullost wide geond eorðan, 3100 þenden he burhwelan brucan moste. Uton nu efstan oðre siðe, seon ond secean searogimma geþræc, wundur under wealle; ic eow wisige, þæt ge genoge neon sceawiað beagas ond brad gold. Sie sio bær gearo, ædre geæfned, þonne we ut cymen, ond þonne geferian frean userne, leofne mannan, þær he longe sceal on ðæs waldendes wære geþolian.” 3110 Het ða gebeodan byre Wihstanes, hæle hildedior, hæleða monegum, boldagendra, þæt hie bælwudu feorran feredon, folcagende, godum togenes: “Nu sceal gled fretan, weaxan wonna leg wigena strengel, þone ðe oft gebad isernscure, þonne stræla storm strengum gebæded scoc ofer scildweall, sceft nytte heold, feðergearwum fus flane fulleode.” 3120 Huru se snotra sunu Wihstanes acigde of corðre cyninges þegnas syfone tosomne, þa selestan, eode eahta sum under inwithrof hilderinca; sum on handa bær æledleoman, se ðe on orde geong. Næs ða on hlytme hwa þæt hord strude, syððan orwearde ænigne dæl secgas gesegon on sele wunian, læne licgan; lyt ænig mearn 3130 þæt hi ofostlice ut geferedon dyre maðmas. Dracan ec scufun, wyrm ofer weallclif, leton weg niman, flod fæðmian frætwa hyrde. þa wæs wunden gold on wæn hladen, æghwæs unrim, æþeling boren, har hilderinc to Hronesnæsse. |
Fitt 42 3058. Then it was seen that the venture had not succeeded for he who had wrongfully hidden the ornate objects inside under the walls. The guardian had previously slain one man alone; then the feud had been avenged grievously. 3062. It was a wonder where the courage-famed warrior may reach the end of his allotted life, when a man may no longer dwell in the mead-hall with his kinsmen. So it was for Beowulf, when he sought out the barrow’s guardian and his cunning enmity. 3067. He did not know himself through what means his parting from the world should come about, just as until judgment day it had been solemnly declared by the renowned princes who placed it there, that the man who should plunder that place would be guilty of sin, confined to an idol’s shrine, and held fast in the bonds of hell, tormented by evils. 3074. He had not at all previously fully perceived the gold-bestowing favor of the Lord. Wiglaf made a speech, Wiglaf’s son: “Often many a warrior will desire to endure misery alone, as has happened with us.” 3079. “Nor might we persuade the beloved prince, the kingdom’s guardian, with any counsel that he not attack the gold-guardian, to let him lie where he long was, to remain in his dwelling-place until the world’s end- to keep his exalted destiny.” 3084. “The hoard is shown, bitterly won; the fate was too harsh which impelled the people’s king to that place. I was inside there and looked over all of it, the building’s precious objects, when a way was cleared for me; not at all in a friendly way was passage granted inside under the earthen walls.” 3090. “In haste I grasped much with my hand from the mighty burden of hoarded treasure, and bore away my king out to here. He was then still alive, wise and conscious; he spoke a great many things, old in grief.” 3095. “He ordered me to greet you, and directed that in the place of the pyre you should build, in honor of the deeds of your friendly lord, a barrow just as high- great and renowned- as he was a man, the most worthy warrior throughout the earth, while he was able to enjoy the stronghold’s wealth.” 3101. “Let us now hasten a second time, to see and seek out the pile of finely-worked jewels, the wonder under walls. I will guide you so that you will see from near at hand abundant rings and broad gold.” 3105. “Let the bier be ready, swiftly prepared, when we come out, and then let us carry our lord, the beloved man, to where he shall long remain in the protection of the Ruler. The son of Wihstan’s, battle-bold warrior, then commanded and gave orders to many warriors who owned a hall, leaders of people, that they bring wood for the fire from far off for the good man. 3114. “Now flames shall consume- the fire growing dark- the ruler of warriors, who often endured the rain of iron during a storm of arrows, impelled by bow-strings, and passed over shield-wall, with the shaft fulfilling its duty, hastening with feather fittings as it aided the arrow-head.” 3120. Indeed, the wise son of Wihstan’s summoned from the band of king’s thanes seven together, the best, and went with the seven others in under the evil roof of the warrior; one bore in hand a blazing torch, he who went in front. 3126. No lots were drawn then to see who would plunder the hoard, once men saw any part unguarded in the chamber, laying wasting away. Little did any man mourn that they hastily carried out the precious treasures. 3131. The dragon was also shoved over the cliff, the serpent, allowing the waves to take him, the sea to enfold the keeper of precious things. Then the twisted gold was laden on a wagon, everything in countless number. The prince was borne, the grey-haired warrior, to Whale’s Hill. |
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Him ða gegiredan Geata leode ad on eorðan unwaclicne, helmum behongen, hildebordum, 3140 beorhtum byrnum, swa he bena wæs; alegdon ða tomiddes mærne þeoden hæleð hiofende, hlaford leofne. Ongunnon þa on beorge bælfyra mæst wigend weccan; wudurec astah, sweart ofer swioðole, swogende leg wope bewunden (windblond gelæg), oðþæt he ða banhus gebrocen hæfde, hat on hreðre. Higum unrote modceare mændon, mondryhtnes cwealm; 3150 swylce giomorgyd Geatisc meowle bundenheorde song sorgcearig swiðe geneahhe þæt hio hyre heofungdagas hearde ondrede, wælfylla worn, werudes egesan, hynðo ond hæftnyd. Heofon rece swealg. Geworhton ða Wedra leode hleo on hoe, se wæs heah ond brad, wægliðendum wide gesyne, ond betimbredon on tyn dagum 3160 beadurofes becn, bronda lafe wealle beworhton, swa hyt weorðlicost foresnotre men findan mihton. Hi on beorg dydon beg ond siglu, eall swylce hyrsta, swylce on horde ær niðhedige men genumen hæfdon, forleton eorla gestreon eorðan healdan, gold on greote, þær hit nu gen lifað eldum swa unnyt swa hit æror wæs. þa ymbe hlæw riodan hildediore, 3170 æþelinga bearn, ealra twelfe, woldon ceare cwiðan ond kyning mænan, wordgyd wrecan ond ymb wer sprecan; eahtodan eorlscipe ond his ellenweorc duguðum demdon, swa hit gedefe bið þæt mon his winedryhten wordum herge, ferhðum freoge, þonne he forð scile of lichaman læded weorðan. Swa begnornodon Geata leode hlafordes hryre, heorðgeneatas, 3180 cwædon þæt he wære wyruldcyninga manna mildust ond monðwærust, leodum liðost ond lofgeornost. |
Fitt 43 3137. Then the Geatish people made him ready, with a splendid funeral pyre on the earth. His helmet was hung round, his battle-shield, and his bright mail-coat, as he had requested. The renowned prince was laid in the midst; warriors lamented their beloved lord. 3143. A funeral fire then proceeded on the cliff, kindled by warriors; wood-smoke rose up, black over the fire, roaring flames mingled with weeping- the swirling wind subsided- until it had destroyed his bone-house, hot on his breast. 3148. Sad hearts lamented in grief for the death of their liege lord. A Geatish woman with her hair bound up also repeatedly said a song of mourning, that she sorely dreaded their invasion, the abundance of slaughter, the terror of the company of men, humiliation and captivity. 3155. Heaven received the smoke. The Geatish people then built a burial-mound on the headland, which was high and broad, widely visible to seafarers, and constructed in ten days a monument to the battle-bold man, with walls built around the remnants of the fire, as it might be most worthily devised by wise men. 3163. They placed on the barrow ring and jewels, all such adornments from the hoard as hostile-minded men had taken before. The warriors left wealth for the earth to hold, gold in the ground, where it now still exists, as useless to men as it previously was. 3169. Then the battle-brave rode around the burial-mound, the sons of noblemen, twelve in all, who wished to lament their sorrow and mourn for their king, utter a dirge, and speak about the man. 3173. His heroism was praised and his courageous deed judged highly, as it is fitting that a man praise his lord with words, loved in heart, when he must be led forth from his body. The Geatish people lamented their lord’s fall so, their hearth-companion. 3180. They said that of earthly kings he was the mildest and most gracious man, kindest to his people, and most eager for fame. |
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