Beowulf An Anglo-Sa!

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BEOWULF
AN ANGLO-SAXON EPIC POEM
TRANSLATED FROM THE HEYNE-SOCIN TEXT

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BY

JNO: LESSLIE HALL, PH. D. (J.H.U.)

PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH AND HISTORY IN THE COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY

D.C. HEATH & CO., PUBLISHERS

BOSTON NEW YORK CHICAGO

Ent ! " #$$%!"&n' t% A$t %( C%n'! )), &n t* + #! ,-./, 0+ JNO: LESSLIE HALL, &n t* O((&$ %( t* L&0!#!&#n %( C%n'! )), #t W#)*&n't%n.

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My Wife

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CONTENTS.
PAGE

PREFACE BIBLIOGRAPHY OF TRANSLATIONS GLOSSARY OF PROPER NAMES THE LIFE AND DEATH OF SCYLD (I.) SCYLDS SUCCESSORS (II.) HROTHGARS GREAT MEAD-HALL GRENDEL, THE MURDERER (III.) THE GEATS REACH HEOROT (V.) HROTHGAR AND BEOWULF (VII.) UNFERTH TAUNTS BEOWULF (IX.) BEOWULF SILENCES UNFERTH (X.) GLEE IS HIGH ALL SLEEP SAVE ONE (XI.) GRENDEL AND BEOWULF (XII.) GRENDEL IS VANQUISHED (XIII.) REJOICING OF THE DANES (XIV.) HROTHGARS GRATITUDE (XV.) BANQUET (CONTINUED) (XVII.) THE SCOPS SONG OF FINN AND HN F

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LIST OF WORDS AND PHRASES NOT IN GENERAL USE '$&&&

BEOWULF GOES TO HROTHGARS ASSISTANCE + (IV.)

ALACE (VI.) BEOWULF INTRODUCES HIMSELF AT THE P(-

HROTHGAR AND BEOWULF (CONTINUED) (VIII.) (/

)* HROTHGAR LAVISHES GIFTS UPON HIS DELIVERER (XVI.)

THE FINN EPISODE (CONTINUED) (XVIII.) )0 THE BANQUET CONTINUES BEOWULF RECEIVES FURTHER HONOR (XIX.) .( THE MOTHER OF GRENDEL (XX.) .. .1(XXI.) HROTHGARS ACCOUNT OF THE MONSTERS BEOWULF SEE!S GRENDELS MOTHER (XXII.) .+ *( (XXIII.) BEOWULFS FIGHT WITH GRENDELS MOTHER *) BEOWULF IS DOUBLE-CONQUEROR (XXIV.)
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BEOWULF BRINGS HIS TROPHIES (XXV.) */ HROTHGARS GRATITUDE HROTHGAR MORALI"ES (XXVI.) REST AFTER LABOR SORROW AT PARTING (XXVII.) THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY (XXVIII.) THE TWO QUEENS BEOWULF AND HIGELAC (XXIX.) 1/ 11. 1,

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BEOWULF NARRATES HIS ADVENTURES TO10 HIGELAC (XXX.) GIFT-GIVING IS MUTUAL (XXXI.) BRAVE THOUGH AGED (XXXIII.) REMINISCENCES BEOWULF SEE!S THE DRAGON (XXXIV.) +( BEOWULFS REMINISCENCES REMINISCENCES (CONTINUED) (XXXV.) +) BEOWULFS LAST BATTLE WIGLAF THE TRUSTY (XXXVI.) THE FATAL STRUGGLE (XXXVII.) BEOWULFS LAST MOMENTS WIGLAF PLUNDERS THE DRAGONS DEN (XXXVIII.) 0) BEOWULFS DEATH THE DEAD FOES (XXXIX.) WIGLAFS BITTER TAUNTS THE MESSENGER OF DEATH (XL.) THE MESSENGERS RETROSPECT (XLI.) WIGLAFS SAD STORY (XLII.) THE HOARD CARRIED OFF THE BURNING OF BEOWULF (XLIII.) ADDENDA (,1 (,0 0/ 00 (,) 0* ++ 0( BEOWULF IS DESERTED BY FRIENDS AND BY SWORD /) /+ THE HOARD AND THE DRAGON (XXXII.) /*

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PREFACE.
THE present work is a modest effort to reproduce approximately, in modern measures, the venerable epic, Beowulf. Approximately, I repeat; for a very close reproduction of n!lo"#axon verse would, to a lar!e extent, be prose to a modern ear. The Heyne"#ocin text and !lossary have been closely followed. $ccasionally a deviation has been made, but always for what seemed !ood and sufficient reason. The translator does not aim to be an editor. $nce in a while, however, he has added a con%ecture of his own to the emendations &uoted from the criticisms of other students of the poem. This work is addressed to two classes of readers. 'rom both of these alike the translator be!s sympathy and co"operation. The n!lo" #axon scholar he hopes to please by adherin! faithfully to the ori!inal. The student of En!lish literature he aims to interest by !ivin! him, in modern !arb, the most ancient epic of our race. This is a bold and venturesome undertakin!; and yet there must be some students of the Teutonic past willin! to follow even a darin! !uide, if they may read in modern phrases of the sorrows of Hroth!ar, of the prowess of Beowulf, and of the feelin!s that stirred the hearts of our forefathers in their primeval homes. In order to please the lar!er class of readers, a re!ular cadence has been used, a measure which, while retainin! the essential characteristics of the ori!inal, permits the reader to see ahead of him in readin!. (erhaps every n!lo"#axon scholar has his own theory as to how Beowulf should be translated. #ome have !iven us prose versions of what we believe to be a !reat poem. Is it any reflection on our honored )emble and rnold to say that their translations fail to show a layman that Beowulf is %ustly called our first epic* $f those translators who have used verse, several have written from what would seem a mistaken point of view. Is it proper, for instance, that the !rave and solemn speeches of Beowulf and Hroth!ar be put in ballad measures, trippin! li!htly and airily alon!* $r, a!ain, is it fittin! that the rou!h martial music of n!lo"#axon verse be interpreted to us in the smooth measures of modern blank verse* +o we hear what has been beautifully called ,the clan!in! tread of a warrior in mail-* $f all En!lish translations of Beowulf, that of (rofessor .arnett alone !ives any ade&uate idea of the chief characteristics of this !reat Teutonic epic. The measure used in the present translation is believed to be as near a reproduction of the ori!inal as modern En!lish affords. The cadences closely resemble those used by Brownin! in some of his most strikin! poems. The four stresses of the n!lo"#axon verse are retained, and as much thesis and anacrusis is allowed as is consistent with a re!ular cadence. lliteration has been used to a lar!e extent; but it was thou!ht that modern ears would hardly tolerate it on every line. End"rhyme has been used occasionally; internal rhyme, sporadically. Both have some warrant in n!lo"#axon poetry. /'or end"rhyme, see 0 12, 0 13; for internal rhyme, 4 40, 5 36.7

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What Gummere1 calls the rime-giver has been studiously kept; viz., the first accented syllable in the second half-verse always carries the alliteration; and the last accented syllable alliterates only sporadically. lternate alliteration is occasionally used as in the original. !"ee # $%, & '.( )o two accented syllables have been brought together, e*cept occasionally after a c+sural pause. !"ee , %- and %, %.( .r, scientifically speaking, "ievers/s 0 type has been avoided as not consonant with the plan of translation. "everal of his types, however, constantly occur; e.g. and a variant !1 * 2 1 *( !1 * * 2 1 *(; 3 and a variant !* 1 2 * 1 ( !* * 1 2 * 1 (; a variant of 4 !1 * 2 1 * *(; 5 !1 * * 2 1 (. nacrusis gives further variety to the types used in the translation. 6he parallelisms of the original have been faithfully preserved. !E.g., % %$ and % %#7 8ord and Wielder of Glory; % 9:, % 9%, % 9,; , %, and , %9; , ,# and , ,&; 9 ' and 9 $.( .ccasionally, some loss has been sustained; but, on the other hand, a gain has here and there been made. 6he effort has been made to give a decided flavor of archaism to the translation. ll words not in keeping with the spirit of the poem have been avoided. gain, though many archaic words have been used, there are none, it is believed, which are not found in standard modern poetry. With these preliminary remarks, it will not be amiss to give an outline of the story of the poem.

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THE STORY.
Hrothgar, king of the Danes, or Scyldings, builds a great mead hall, or palace, in !hich he hopes to feast his liegemen and to give them presents. "he #oy of king and retainers is, ho!ever, of short duration. $rendel, the monster, is seized !ith hateful #ealousy. He cannot brook the sounds of #oyance that reach him do!n in his fen d!elling near the hall. %ft and anon he goes to the #oyous building, bent on direful mischief. "hane after thane is ruthlessly carried off and devoured, !hile no one is found strong enough and bold enough to cope !ith the monster. &or t!elve years he persecutes Hrothgar and his vassals. %ver sea, a day's voyage off, (eo!ulf, of the $eats, nephe! of Higelac, king of the $eats, hears of $rendel's doings and of Hrothgar's misery. He resolves to crush the fell monster and relieve the aged king. )ith fourteen chosen companions, he sets sail for Dane land. *eaching that country, he soon persuades Hrothgar of his ability to help him. "he hours that elapse before night are spent in beer drinking and conversation. )hen Hrothgar's bedtime comes he leaves the hall in charge of (eo!ulf, telling him that never before has he given to another the absolute !ardship of his palace. All retire to rest, (eo!ulf, as it !ere, sleeping upon his arms. $rendel comes, the great march stepper, bearing $od's anger. He seizes and kills one of the sleeping !arriors. "hen he advances to!ards (eo!ulf. A fierce and desperate hand to hand struggle ensues. +o arms are used, both combatants trusting to strength and hand grip. (eo!ulf tears $rendel's shoulder from its socket, and the

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monster retreats to his den, ho!ling and yelling !ith agony and fury. "he !ound is fatal. "he next morning, at early da!n, !arriors in numbers flock to the hall Heorot, to hear the ne!s. ,oy is boundless. $lee runs high. Hrothgar and his retainers are lavish of gratitude and of gifts. $rendel's mother, ho!ever, comes the next night to avenge his death. She is furious and raging. )hile (eo!ulf is sleeping in a room some!hat apart from the -uarters of the other !arriors, she seizes one of Hrothgar's favorite counsellors, and carries him off and devours him. (eo!ulf is called. Determined to leave Heorot entirely purified, he arms himself, and goes do!n to look for the female monster. After traveling through the !aters many hours, he meets her near the sea bottom. She drags him to her den. "here he sees $rendel lying dead. After a desperate and almost fatal struggle !ith the !oman, he slays her, and s!ims up!ard in triumph, taking !ith him $rendel's head. ,oy is rene!ed at Heorot. .ongratulations cro!d upon the victor. Hrothgar literally pours treasures into the lap of (eo!ulf/ and it is agreed among the vassals of the king that (eo!ulf !ill be their next liegelord. (eo!ulf leaves Dane land. Hrothgar !eeps and laments at his departure. )hen the hero arrives in his o!n land, Higelac treats him as a distinguished guest. He is the hero of the hour. (eo!ulf subse-uently becomes king of his o!n people, the $eats. After he has been ruling for fifty years, his o!n neighborhood is !ofully harried by a fire spe!ing dragon. (eo!ulf determines to kill him. 0n the ensuing struggle both (eo!ulf and the dragon are slain. "he grief of the $eats is inexpressible. "hey determine, ho!ever, to leave nothing undone to honor the memory of their lord. A great funeral pyre is built, and his body is burnt. "hen a memorial barro! is made, visible from a great distance, that sailors afar may be constantly reminded of the pro!ess of the national hero of $eatland. "he poem closes !ith a glo!ing tribute to his bravery, his gentleness, his goodness of heart, and his generosity.

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It is the devout desire of this translator to hasten the day when the story of Beowulf shall be as familiar to English-speaking peoples as that of the Iliad. Beowulf is our first great epic. It is an epitomized history of the life of the Teutonic races. It brings vividly before us our forefathers of pre-Alfredian eras in their love of war of sea and of adventure. !y special thanks are due to "rofessors #rancis A. !arch and $ames A. %arrison for advice sympathy and assistance. $.&. %A&&.
'() %andbook of "oetics page (*+ (st edition.

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ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THE NOTES.

B. = Bugge. C. = Cosijn. Gr. = Grein. Grdvtg. = Grundtvig. H. = Heyne. H. and S. = Harrison and Sharp. H.-So. = Heyne-Socin. K.= Kemble. Kl. = Kluge. M.= M llenho!!. ". = "ieger. S. = Sievers. S#. = S#eet. t.B. = ten Brin$. %h. = %horpe. &. = & lc$er.

BIBLIOGRAPHY OF TRANSLATIONS.
Arnold, Thomas.'Beo#ul!. ( heroic poem o! the eighth century. )ondon* +,-.. &ith /nglish translation. 0rose. Bot !n", L.'Beo#ul!. /pop1e (nglo-Sa2onne. Havre* +,--. 3irst 3rench translation. 0assages occasionally omitted. #on$%"ar", &.&.'4llustrations o! (nglo-Sa2on 0oetry. )ondon* +,5.. 3ull )atin translation* and some passages translated into /nglish blan$-verse. Ettm'll"r, L.'Beo#ul!* stabreimend berset6t. 7 rich* +,89. Garn"tt, &.(.'Beo#ul!: an (nglo-Sa2on 0oem* and the 3ight at 3innsburg. Boston* +,,5. (n accurate line-!or-line translation* using alliteration occasionally* and sometimes assuming a metrical cadence. Gr"!n, #.).(.';ichtungen der (ngelsachsen* stabreimend berset6t. 5 Bde. G<ttingen* +,=--=>. Gr!on, G!'sto.'Beovul!* poema epico anglo-sassone del ?44. secolo* tradotto e illustrato. )ucca* +,,@. 3irst 4talian translation. Gr'ndt*!+, N.F.S.'Bjo#ul!s ;rape. Copenhagen* +,59. H"$n", (.'( translation in iambic measures. 0aderborn* +,.@. ,"m%l", &.(.'%he (nglo-Sa2on 0oems o! Beo#ul!* the %ravellerAs Song* and the Battle o! 3innsburg. )ondon* +,@@. %he second edition contains a prose translation o! Beo#ul!. L"o, H.'Beber Beo#ul!. Halle* +,@>. %ranslations o! e2tracts.
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L'msd"n, H.).'Beo#ul!* translated into modern rhymes. )ondon* +,,+. Ballad measures. 0assages occasionally omitted. Sandras, G.S.';e carminibus CCdmoni adjudicatis. 0aris* +,=>. (n e2tract !rom Beo#ul!* #ith )atin translation. S-haldmos", F.'Beo#ul! og Scopes &idsith* to (ngelsa2is$e ;igte. Copenhagen* +,8-. S!mro- , ,.'Beo#ul!. Beberset6t und erlDutert. Stuttgart und (ugsburg* +,=>. (lliterative measures. Thor "l!n, G.&.';e ;anorum rebus gestis secul. 444. et 4?. poema ;anicum dialecto (nglosa2onica. HavniC* +,+=. )atin translation. Thor.", B.'%he (nglo-Sa2on 0oems o! Beo#ul!* the ScEp or GleemanAs %ale* and the 3ight at 3innsburg. F2!ord* +,==. /nglish translation in short lines* generally containing t#o stresses.

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Wackerbarth, A.D.Beowulf, translated into English verse. London, 1849. Wickberg, R.Beowulf, en fornengelsk hjeltedikt, fersatt. Westervik. irst !wedish translation. von Wolzogen, H.Beowulf, in alliterative "easures. Lei#$ig. Zinsser, G.%er &a"#f Beowulfs "it 'rendel. (ahres)eri*ht of the +eals*hule at or)a*h, 1881.

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GLOSSARY OF RO !R "A#!S.

,-he figures refer to the divisions of the #oe" in whi*h the res#e*tive na"es o**ur. -he large figures refer to fitts, the s"all, to lines in the fitts..

$l%here./ kins"an of Wiglaf.01 0. $schere.2onfidential friend of &ing 3rothgar. Elder )rother of 4r"enlaf. &illed )5 'rendel.61 07 08 89. &eanstan. ather of Bre*a.9 61. &eo'(l%.!on of !*5ld, the founder of the d5nast5 of !*5ldings. ather of 3ealfdene, and grandfather of 3rothgar.1 187 6 1. &eo'(l%.-he hero of the #oe". !#rung fro" the sto*k of 'eats, son of E*gtheow. Brought u# )5 his "aternal grandfather 3rethel, and figuring in "anhood as a devoted liege"an of his un*le 3igela*. / hero fro" his 5outh. 3as the strength of thirt5 "en. Engages in a swi""ing9"at*h with Bre*a. 'oes to the hel# of 3rothgar against the "onster 'rendel. :an;uishes 'rendel and his "other. /fterwards )e*o"es king of the 'eats. Late in life atte"#ts to kill a fire9s#ewing dragon, and is slain. <s )uried with great honors. 3is "e"orial "ound. 1 617 = 67 = 97 9 07 9 87 16 687 16 407 60 1, et*. &reca.Beowulf>s o##onent in the fa"ous swi""ing9"at*h.9 87 9 197 9 617 9 66. &ron)ings./ #eo#le ruled )5 Bre*a.9 60. &rosinga *ene./ fa"ous *ollar on*e owned )5 the Brosings. 19 =. +ain.?rogenitor of 'rendel and other "onsters.6 @17 68 11. D,ghre%n./ warrior of the 3ugs, killed )5 Beowulf.0@ 48. Danes.!u)je*ts of !*5ld and his des*endants, and hen*e often *alled !*5ldings. Ather na"es for the" are :i*tor59!*5ldings, 3onor9!*5ldings, /r"or9%anes, Bright9%anes, East9%anes, West9%anes, Borth9%anes, !outh9%anes, <ngwins, 3reth"en. 1 17 6 17 0 67 @ 147 = 1, et*. !cgla%. ather of Cnferth, who taunts Beowulf.9 1. !cgtheo'. ather of Beowulf, the hero of the #oe". / widel59 known WDg"unding warrior. Earries 3rethel>s daughter.

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After slaying Heatholaf, a Wylfing, he flees his country.7 3; 5 6; 8 4. Ecgwela.A king of the Danes efore !cyl".#5 6$.
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Elan.!ister of Hrothgar, an" %ro a ly &ife of 'ngentheo&, king of the !&e"es.# ($. Eagle Cape.A %ro)ontory in *eat+lan", un"er &hich took %lace ,eo&ulf-s last encounter.4( 87. Eadgils.!on of 'hthere an" rother of .an)un".34 #. Eanmund.!on of 'hthere an" rother of .a"gils. /he reference to these rothers is 0ague, an" 0ariously un"erstoo". Heyne su%%oses as follo&s1 2aising a re0olt against their father, they are o lige" to lea0e !&e"en. /hey go to the lan" of the *eats; &ith &hat intention, is not kno&n, ut %ro a ly to con3uer an" %lun"er. /he *eatish king, Hear"re", is slain y one of the rothers, %ro a ly .an)un".36 ($; 3( 54 to 3( 6$; 33 66 to 34 6. Eofor.A *eatish hero &ho slays 'ngentheo& in &ar, an" is re&ar"e" y Hygelac &ith the han" of his only "aughter. 4( (8; 4( 48. Eormenric.A *othic king, fro) &ho) Ha)a took a&ay the fa)ous ,rosinga )ene.(4 4. Eomr.!on of 'ffa an" /hrytho, king an" 3ueen of the Angles. #8 64. Finn.5ing of the 6orth+7risians an" the 8utes. 9arries Hil"e urg. At his court takes %lace the horri le slaughter in &hich the Danish general, Hn:f, fell. ;ater on, 7inn hi)self is slain y Danish &arriors.(7 (8; (7 3$; (7 44; (8 4; (8 #3. Fin-land./he country to &hich ,eo&ulf &as "ri0en y the currents in his s&i))ing+)atch.($ ##. Fitela.!on an" ne%he& of 5ing !ige)un", &hose %raises are sung in <=>.(4 4#; (4 53. Folcwalda.7ather of 7inn.(7 38. Franks.=ntro"uce" occasionally in referring to the "eath of Higelac.(4 (4; 4$ #(; 4$ #4. Frisians.A %art of the) are rule" y 7inn. !o)e of the) &ere engage" in the struggle in &hich Higelac &as slain.(7 #$; (7 4#; (7 5#; 4$ #(. Freaware.Daughter of 5ing Hrothgar. 9arrie" to =ngel", a Heatho ar" %rince.#4 6$; 3$ 3#. Froda.5ing of the Heatho ar"s, an" father of =ngel".#4 6#. Garmund.7ather of 'ffa.#8 7(. Geats, Geatmen./he race to &hich the hero of the %oe) elongs. Also calle" We"er+*eats, or We"ers, War+*eats, !ea+*eats. /hey are rule" y Hrethel, H:thcyn, Higelac, an" ,eo&ulf. 4 7; 7 4; ($ 45; (( 8; #7 (4; #8 8. Gepids.6a)e" in connection &ith the Danes an" !&e"es.35 34. Grendel.A )onster of the race of ?ain. D&ells in the fens an" )oors. =s furiously en0ious &hen he hears soun"s of @oy in Hrothgar-s %alace. ?auses the king untol" agony for years. =s finally con3uere" y ,eo&ulf, an" "ies of his &oun". His

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hand and arm are hung up in Hrothgars hall Heorot. His head is cut off by Beowulf when he goes down to fight with Grendels mother.2 50; !; ! ; " !#; !! !$; !2 2; ! 2$; !5 . Guthlaf.% &ane of Hn'fs party.!" 2(. Half-Danes.Branch of the &anes to which Hn'f belonged.!$ !#.
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Halga.)urnamed the Good. *ounger brother of Hrothgar.2 #. Hama.+a,es the Brosinga mene from -ormenric.!# $. Hreth..ather of Higelacs /ueen0 Hygd.2" #; 2# !". Hthcyn.)on of Hrethel and brother of Higelac. 1ills his brother Herebeald accidentally. 2s slain at 3a4enswood0 fighting against 5ngentheow. ( ( ; 5 2 ; (0 2. Helmings.+he race to which 6ueen 7ealhtheow belonged.!0 8 . Heming.% ,insman of Garmund0 perhaps nephew.2" 5(; 2" $0. Hengest.% &anish leader. +a,es command on the fall of Hn'f. !$ ; !$ (!. Herebeald.-ldest son of Hrethel0 the Geatish ,ing0 and brother of Higelac. 1illed by his younger brother H'thcyn. ( ( ; ( ($. Heremod.% &anish ,ing of a dynasty before the )cylding line. 7as a source of great sorrow to his people.!( 8(; 25 5#. Hereric.3eferred to as uncle of Heardred0 but otherwise un,nown. ! 80. Hetwars.%nother name for the .ran,s.
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Healfdene.Grandson of )cyld and father of Hrothgar. 3uled the &anes long and well.2 5; ( !; " !(. Heardred.)on of Higelac and Hygd0 ,ing and /ueen of the Geats. )ucceeds his father0 with Beowulf as regent. 2s slain by the sons of 5hthere. ! 58; 8 ; $5. Heathobards.3ace of 9ombards0 of which .roda is ,ing. %fter .roda falls in battle with the &anes0 2ngeld0 his son0 marries Hrothgars daughter0 .reaware0 in order to heal the feud. 0 !; 0 8. Heatholaf.% 7ylfing warrior slain by Beowulfs father." 5. Heathoremes.+he people on whose shores Breca is cast by the wa4es during his contest with Beowulf.# 2!. Heorogar.-lder brother of Hrothgar0 and surnamed :7eoroda 3'swa0 ;rince of the +roopers.2 #; " !2. Hereward.)on of the abo4e. ! !$. Heort0 Heorot.+he great mead<hall which 1ing Hrothgar builds. 2t is in4aded by Grendel for twel4e years. .inally cleansed by Beowulf0 the Geat. 2t is called Heort on account of the hart< antlers which decorate it.2 25; 2; 52. Hildeburg.7ife of .inn0 daughter of Hoce0 and related to Hn'f0 probably his sister.!$ 2!; !" (. Hnf.9eader of a branch of the &anes called Half<&anes. 1illed in the struggle at .inns castle.!$ !#; !$ 8!.

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Hondscio.One of Beowulfs companions. Killed by Grendel just before Beowulf grappled with that monster.30 3. Hoce.!ather of "ildeburg and probably of "n#f.$% &'. Hrethel.King of the Geats( father of "igelac( and grandfather of Beowulf.% ) 3 3*. Hrethla.Once used for "rethel.% +&. Hrethmen.,nother name for the -anes.% %3. Hrethric..on of "rothgar.$+ '/) &% $*.
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Hreosna-beorh., promontory in Geat0land( near which Ohtheres sons made plundering raids.3/ $+. Hrothgar.1he -anish 2ing who built the hall "eort( but was long unable to enjoy it on account of Grendels persecutions. 3arries 4ealhtheow( a "elming lady. "as two sons and a daughter. 5s a typical 1eutonic 2ing( la6ish of gifts. , de6oted liegelord( as his lamentations o6er slain liegemen pro6e. ,lso 6ery appreciati6e of 2indness( as is shown by his lo6ing gratitude to Beowulf.& *) & $&) $) + $0) $/ $) etc.( etc. Hrothmund..on of "rothgar.$+ '/. Hrothulf.7robably a son of "alga( younger brother of "rothgar. 8ertainly on terms of close intimacy in "rothgars palace. $' &') $+ /%. Hrunting.9nferths sword( lent to Beowulf.&& %$) &/ *. Hugs., race in alliance with the !ran2s and !risians at the time of "igelacs fall.3/ $. Hun., !risian warrior( probably general of the "etwars. Gi6es "engest a beautiful sword.$+ $*. Hunferth..ometimes used for 9nferth. Hygelac( Higelac.King of the Geats( uncle and liegelord of Beowulf( the hero of the poem."is second wife is the lo6ely "ygd( daughter of "#reth. 1he son of their union is "eardred. 5s slain in a war with the "ugs( !ran2s( and !risians combined. Beowulf is regent( and afterwards 2ing of the Geats. ') / ) &+ 3 ) &* *) &* &$) 3$ /'. Hygd.4ife of "igelac( and daughter of "#reth. 1here are some indications that she married Beowulf after she became a widow.&+ 3%. Ingeld..on of the "eathobard 2ing( !roda. 3arries "rothgars daughter( !reaware( in order to reconcile the two peoples. &* '&) 30 3&. Ingwins.,nother name for the -anes.$' /&) &0 '*. Jutes.:ame sometimes applied to !inns people.$% &&) $% 3+) $+ $%. Lafing.:ame of a famous sword presented to "engest by "un. $+ $*. Merewing., !ran2ish 2ing( probably engaged in the war in which "igelac was slain. 0 &*. Ngling.Beowulfs sword.3' %'.

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+eowulfC An Anglo8$aAon '-ic ;oem

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Offa.King of the Angles, and son of Garmund. Marries the terrible Thrytho who is so strongly contrasted with Hygd.28 !" 28 ##. Ohthere.$on of %ngentheow, &ing of the $wedes. He is father of 'anmund and 'adgils.() * " () *!. Onela.+rother of %hthere.*# , " () *!. Ongentheow.King of $weden, of the $cylfing dynasty. Married, -erha-s, 'lan, daughter of Healfdene.* 2#" (, ,#. Oslaf.A .ane of Hn/f0s -arty.,8 2(. Ravenswood.The forest near which H/thcyn was slain.() *," () (,. Scefing.A--lied 1, (2 to $cyld, and meaning 3son of $cef.0
@A5iiB

Scyld.4ounder of the dynasty to which Hrothgar, his father, and grandfather belonged. He dies, and his body is -ut on a 5essel, and set adrift. He goes from .aneland 6ust as he had come to itin a bar&., (" , ,!" , 27. Scyldings.The descendants of $cyld. They are also called Honor8 $cyldings, 9ictory8$cyldings, :ar8$cyldings, etc. 1$ee 3.anes,0 abo5e.22 ," 7 ," 8 ,. Scylfings.A $wedish royal line to which :iglaf belonged.*# 2. Sigemund.$on of :/ls, and uncle and father of 4itela. His struggle with a dragon is related in connection with +eowulf0s deeds of -rowess.,( *8" ,( (7. Swerting.Grandfather of Higelac, and father of Hrethel.,! ,,. Swedes.;eo-le of $weden, ruled by the $cylfings.* ,*. Thrytho.:ife of %ffa, &ing of the Angles. Known for her fierce and unwomanly dis-osition. $he is introduced as a contrast to the gentle Hygd, <ueen of Higelac.28 (2" 28 #. Unferth.$on of 'cglaf, and seemingly a confidential courtier of Hrothgar. Taunts +eowulf for ha5ing ta&en -art in the swimming8match. =ends +eowulf his sword when he goes to loo& for Grendel0s mother. >n the M$. sometimes written Hunferth. ! ," ,8 (,. Wls.4ather of $igemund.,( #). Wgmunding.A name occasionally a--lied to :iglaf and +eowulf, and -erha-s deri5ed from a common ancestor, :/gmund.*# #" *8 #,. Weders.Another name for Geats or :edergeats. Wayland.A fabulous smith mentioned in this -oem and in other old Teutonic literature.7 8*. Wendels.The -eo-le of :ulfgar, Hrothgar0s messenger and retainer. 1;erha-s ? 9andals.2# *). Wealhtheow.:ife of Hrothgar. Her <ueenly courtesy is well shown in the -oem.,) . Weohstan, or Wihstan.A :/gmunding, and father of :iglaf. *# ,. Whales Ness.A -rominent -romontory, on which +eowulf0s mound was built.*8 2" (2 7#.

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BeowulfD .n .nglo-SaAon %+ic 5oem

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Wiglaf.Son of Wihstan, and related to Beowulf. He remains faithful to Beowulf in the fatal struggle with the fire-drake. Would rather die than leave his lord in his dire emergency. 36 ! 36 3! 36 "#. Wonred.$ather of Wulf and %ofor.& "'! & "6. Wulf.Son of Wonred. %ngaged in the (attle (etween Higelac)s and *ngentheow)s forces, and had a hand-to-hand fight with *ngentheow himself. *ngentheow disa(les him, and is thereu+on slain (y %ofor.& ,! & ",. Wulfgar.-ord of the Wendels, and retainer of Hrothgar.6 #! 6 3'. Wylfings.. +eo+le to whom (elonged Heatholaf, who was slain (y %cgtheow.# 6! # 6. Yrmenlaf./ounger (rother of 0schere, the hero whose death grieved Hrothgar so dee+ly." &.

@AviiiB

LIST OF WORDS AND PHRASES NOT IN GENERAL SE!

.1H%-234.5rince, no(leman. B.263.Son, child. B.66*W.7ound, rounded hill, funeral-mound. B.11-%-S.68..rmor. B%.8%6.9u+, drinking-vessel. B%4%.6.5re+are. B24H1.Bay, sea. B2--.Sword. B*SS.*rnamental +ro:ection. B6.91%.1%.. round ornament on a necklace. B6.3;.Sword. B<63.Stream. B<632%..rmor. 9.6-%.7an, hero. %.6-.3o(leman, any (rave man. %8%..lso. %7562S%.%nter+rise, undertaking. %6S1.$ormerly. %6S1-W*61H/.Worthy for a long time +ast. $.23.4lad. $%66/.Bear, carry. $%/.$ated, doomed. $-*.1.=essel, shi+. $*23.1o lunge >Shaks.?.

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GLORY OF KINGS.God. GREWSOME.Cruel, fierce. HEFT.Handle, il!" u#ed $% #%necdoc e for &#'ord.( HELM.Hel)e!, *ro!ec!or. HENCHM+N.Re!ainer, ,a##al. HIGHT.+) -'a#. na)ed. HOLM.Ocean, cur,ed #urface of ! e #ea. HIMSEEME/.-I!. #ee)ed !o i). LIEF./ear, ,alued. MERE.Sea" in co)*ound#, &)ere0'a%#,( &)ere0curren!#,( e!c. MICKLE.Muc . N+THLESS.Ne,er! ele##. N+1E.Ed2e -no#e.. NESS.Ed2e. NICKER.Sea0$ea#!. 34IT, 34ITE.Re5ui!e. R+THE.3uic6l%. RE+7E.8erea,e, de*ri,e. S+IL0RO+/.Sea. SETTLE.Sea!, $enc . SKINKER.One ' o *our#. SOOTHLY.Trul%. SWINGE.S!ro6e, $lo'. T+RGE, T+RGET.S ield. THRO4GHLY.T orou2 l%. TOL/.Coun!ed. 4NC+NNY.Ill0fea!ured, 2ri99l%. 4NNETHE./ifficul!. W+R0S:EE/.Succe## in 'ar. WE8.Ta*e#!r% -! a! ' ic i# &'o,en(.. WEE/E/.Clad -cf. 'ido'(# 'eed#.. WEEN.Su**o#e, i)a2ine. WEIR/.Fa!e, :ro,idence. WHILOM.+! !i)e#, for)erl%, of!en. WIEL/ER.Ruler. Of!en u#ed of God" al#o in co)*ound#, a# &Wielder of Glor%,( &Wielder of Wor# i*.( WIGHT.Crea!ure. WOL/.:lane, e;!ended #urface. WOT.Kno'#. YO4NKER.You! .

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Beowulf: An Anglo-Saxon Epic Poem

Pagina 17 di 114

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BEOWULF.
I. THE LIFE AND DEATH OF SCYLD.
#o$ the Spear-Danes% glory through splendid The famous achievements race of SpearDanes. The folk-kings% former fame we have heard of, How princes displayed then their prowess-in-battle. Scyld, their &ft Scyld the Scefing from scathers in mighty king, in numbers "rom many a people their mead-benches tore. honor of whom they are Since first he found him friendless and often called wretched, Scyldings. He The earl had had terror' comfort he got for it, is the great(a)ed %neath the welkin, world-honor gained, grandfather of Till all his neighbors o%er sea were compelled Hrothgar, so prominent in to the poem. ow to his bidding and bring him their tribute' An e)cellent atheling$ After was borne him A son is born A son and heir, young in his dwelling, to him, who (hom *od-"ather sent to solace the people. receives the He had marked the misery malice had caused name of them, eowulf!a 1 That reaved of their rulers they wretched had name afterwards erstwhile2 made so #ong been afflicted. The #ord, in re+uital, famous by the (ielder of *lory, with world-honor blessed hero of the him. poem. "amed was eowulf, far spread the glory &f Scyld%s great son in the lands of the Danemen. The ideal So the carle that is young, by kindnesses Teutonic king rendered lavishes gifts The friends of his father, with fees in on his vassals. abundance ,ust be able to earn that when age approacheth -ager companions aid him re+uitingly, (hen war assaults him serve him as liegemen' y praise-worthy actions must honor be got %,ong all of the races. At the hour that was fated Scyld dies at Scyld then departed to the All-"ather%s the hour keeping appointed by (arlike to wend him. away then they bare "ate. him To the flood of the current, his fond-loving comrades, As himself he had bidden, while the friend of the Scyldings

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Word-sway wielded, and the well-lovd land-prince on! did rule the".3 #he rin!-ste""d vessel, Bark of the athelin!, lay there at anchor, $cy in !li""er and ea!er for sailin!% By his own #he belovd leader laid they down there, request, his &iver of rin!s, on the breast of the vessel, body is laid on #he fa"ed by the "ain"ast. ' "any of a vessel and (ewels, wafted )f fretted e"bossin!s, fro" far-lands brou!ht seaward. over, Was placed near at hand then% and heard $ not ever #hat a folk ever furnished a float "ore superbly With weapons of warfare, weeds for the battle, Bills and burnies% on his boso" sparkled *any a (ewel that with hi" "ust travel )n the flush of the flood afar on the current. 'nd favors no fewer they furnished hi" soothly, +,cellent folk-!e"s, than others had !iven hi" Who when first he was born outward did send He leaves Daneland on hi" the breast of a one on the "ain, the "erest of infantsbark. 'nd a !old-fashioned standard they stretched under heaven Hi!h o.er his head, let the hol"-currents bear hi", /eaward consi!ned hi"- sad was their spirit, #heir "ood very "ournful. *en are not able No one knows /oothly to tell us, they in halls who reside,4 whither the Heroes under heaven, to what haven he hied.
boat drifted. 012 3or the 456t. of verse 17, /ievers su!!ests 458. 9: which;. $f this be accepted, the sentence 4He had < afflicted. will read- He 9i.e. &od; had perceived the malice-caused sorrow which they, lordless, had formerly long endured. 0=2 3or 4aldor-l>ase. 917; &r. su!!ested 4aldor-ceare.- He perceived their distress, that they formerly had suffered life-sorrow a long while. 0?2 ' very difficult passa!e. 4@hte. 9?1; has no ob(ect. H. supplies 4!eweald. fro" the conte,t% and our translation is based upon this assu"ption, thou!h it is far fro" satisfactory. Al. su!!ests 4l6nda!as. for 4lan!e.- And the beloved land-prince enjoyed (had) his transitory days (i.e. lived). B. su!!ests a dislocation% but this is a dan!erous doctrine, pushed rather far by that e"inent scholar. 0B2 #he readin! of the H.-/o. te,t has been quite closely followed% but so"e e"inent scholars read 4s>le-r6denne. for 4seler6dende.. $f that be adopted, the passa!e will read- Men cannot tell us, indeed, the order of ate, etc. 4/ele-r6dende. has two thin!s to support it- 91; v. 1?BC% 9=; it affords a parallel to 4"en. in v. 7D.

II.

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SCYLDS SUCCESSORS. HROTHGARS GREAT MEADHALL.

$n the borou!hs then Beowulf, bairn of the Beowulf succeeds his /cyldin!s, father /cyld Belovd land-prince, for lon!-lastin! season Was fa"ed "id the folk 9his father departed, #he prince fro" his dwellin!;, till afterward spran! &reat-"inded Healfdene% the Danes in his lifeti"e He !raciously !overned, !ri"-"ooded, a!d. Healfdene.s 3our bairns of his body born in succession birth. Woke in the world, war-troopers. leader Heoro!ar, Hroth!ar, and Hal!a the !ood% Heard $ that +lan was )n!entheow.s consort, He has three #he well-beloved bed"ate of the WarsonsHone of /cylfin! leader. the", #hen !lory in battle to Hroth!ar was !iven, Hroth!arHand Wa,in! of war-fa"e, that willin!ly kins"en a dau!hter )beyed his biddin!, till the boys !rew to na"ed +lan. "anhood, Hroth!ar beco"es a ' nu"erous band. $t burned in his spirit "i!hty kin!. #o ur!e his folk to found a !reat buildin!, ' "ead-hall !rander than "en of the era He is ea!er to +ver had heard of, and in it to share build a !reat With youn! and old all of the blessin!s hall in which #he ord had allowed hi", save life and he "ay feast retainers. his retainers #hen the work $ find afar was assi!ned #o "any races in "iddle-earth.s re!ions, #o adorn the !reat folk-hall. $n due ti"e it happened +arly ."on! "en, that .twas finished entirely, #he !reatest of hall-buildin!s% Heorot he na"ed it #he hall is Who wide-reachin! word-sway wielded co"pleted, and ."on! earl"en. is called Heort, His pro"ise he brake not, rin!s he lavished, or Heorot. #reasure at banquet. #owered the hall up Hi!h and horn-crested, hu!e between antlers$t battle-waves bided, the blastin! fire-de"on% +re lon! then fro" hottest hatred "ust sword-wrath 'rise for a wo"an.s husband and father. #hen the "i!hty war-spirit1 endured for a season, #he *onster Bore it bitterly, he who bided in darkness, &rendel is #hat li!ht-hearted lau!hter loud in the "adly envious buildin! of the &reeted hi" daily% there was dulcet harpDane"en.s "usic, (oy. Ilear son! of the sin!er. He said that was able 0#he course of #o tell fro" of old earth"en.s be!innin!s, the story is #hat 3ather 'l"i!hty earth had created,
interrupted by

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a short The winsome wold that the water encircleth, Set e ultingly the sun!s and the moon!s beams reference to some old To lavish their lustre on land"folk and races, account of the #nd earth He embellished in all her regions creation.] $ith limbs and leaves% life He bestowed too &n all the kindreds that live under heaven. The glee of the So blessed with abundance, brimming with warriors is 'oyance, overcast by a The warriors abided, till a certain one gan to horrible dread. (og them with deeds of direfullest malice, # foe in the hall"building) this horrible stranger2 $as Grendel entitled, the march"stepper famous $ho3 dwelt in the moor"fens, the marsh and the fastness% The wan"mooded being abode for a season *n the land of the giants, when the +ord and Creator Had banned him and branded. ,or that bitter murder, The killing of #bel, all"ruling ,ather Cain is The kindred of Cain crushed with His referred to as a vengeance% progenitor of *n the feud He re'oiced not, but far away Grendel, and drove him of monsters in ,rom kindred and kind, that crime to atone general. for, -eter of .ustice. Thence ill"favored creatures, /lves and giants, monsters of ocean, Came into being, and the giants that longtime Grappled with God% He gave them re0uital. 12] 3. and t. 4. prefer 5ellor"g6st! to 5ellen"g6st! 789:) Then the stranger from afar endured, etc. 1;] Some authorities would translate 5demon! instead of 5stranger.! 1<] Some authorities arrange differently, and render) Who dwelt in the moor-fens, the marsh and the fastness, the land of the giant-race.

III. GRENDEL THE MURDERER.

$hen the sun was sunken, he set out to visit The lofty hall"building, how the 3ing"(anes had used it ,or beds and benches when the ban0uet was over. Then he found there reposing many a noble #sleep after supper% sorrow the heroes,1 -isery knew not. The monster of evil Greedy and cruel tarried but little, ,ell and frantic, and forced from their slumbers
Grendel attacks the sleeping heroes

He drags off thirty of them,

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and devours Thirty of thanemen! thence he departed them "eaping and laughing, his lair to return to, #ith surfeit of slaughter sallying homeward. $n the dus% of the dawning, as the day was &ust brea%ing, #as Grendels prowess revealed to the warriors' A cry of agony Then, his meal(ta%ing finished, a moan was goes up, when uplifted, Grendels )orning(cry mighty. The man(ruler famous, horrible deed The long(worthy atheling, sat very woful, is fully *uffered great sorrow, sighed for his realized. liegemen, #hen they had seen the trac% of the hateful pursuer, The spirit accurs+d' too crushing that sorrow, The monster Too loathsome and lasting. ,ot longer he returns the tarried, next night. -ut one night after continued his slaughter *hameless and shoc%ing, shrin%ing but little .rom malice and murder! they mastered him fully. e was easy to find then who otherwhere loo%ed for A pleasanter place of repose in the lodges, A bed in the bowers. Then was brought to his notice Told him truly by to%en apparent The hall(thanes hatred' he held himself after .urther and faster who the foeman did baffle. 2 *o ruled he and strongly strove against &ustice "one against all men, till empty uptowered The choicest of houses. "ong was the season' King rothgars Twelve(winters time torture suffered agony and The friend of the *cyldings, every affliction, suspense last /ndless agony! hence it after3 became twelve years. 0ertainly %nown to the children of men *adly in measures, that long against rothgar Grendel struggled'1his grudges he cherished, )urderous malice, many a winter, *trife unremitting, and peacefully wished he 4 "ife(woe to lift from no liegeman at all of The men of the 2ane(fol%, for money to settle, ,o counsellor needed count for a moment 3n handsome amends at the hands of the murderer! Grendel is The monster of evil fiercely did harass, unremitting in The ill(planning death(shade, both elder and his younger, persecutions. Trapping and tric%ing them. e trod every night then The mist(covered moor(fens! men do not %now where #itches and wizards wander and ramble. *o the foe of man%ind many of evils Grievous in&uries, often accomplished, orrible hermit! eort he fre4uented, Gem(bedec%ed palace, when night(shades had fallen God is against 5*ince God did oppose him, not the throne the monster. could he touch,5

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The light-flashing jewel, love of Him knew not). Twas a fearful affliction to the friend of the cyldings The king and oul-crushing sorrow. !ot seldom in "rivate his council at the king in his council# conference held deliberate in they vain. $hat the braves should determine gainst terrors unlooked for. They invoke %t the shrines of their idols often they the aid of their "romised gods. Gifts and offerings, earnestly "rayed they The devil from hell would hel" them to lighten Their "eo"les o""ression. uch "ractice they used then, Ho"e of the heathen# hell they remembered &n innermost s"irit, God they knew not, The true God 'udge of their actions, %ll-wielding (uler, they do not !o "raise could they give the Guardian of know. Heaven, The $ielder of Glory. $oe will be his who Through furious hatred his s"irit shall drive to The clutch of the fire, no comfort shall look for, $a) no wiser# well for the man who, *iving his life-days, his *ord may face %nd find defence in his +athers embrace,
-./ The translation is based on 0weras, ado"ted by H.- o.12. and Th. read 0wera and, arranging differently, render ..345)-.567 They knew not sorrow, the wretchedness of man, aught of misfortune.1+or 0unh8lo 4.56) (. suggests 0unf8lo7 The uncanny creature, greedy and cruel, etc. -5/ . rearranges and translates7 So he ruled and struggled unjustly, one against all, till the noblest of buildings stood useless (it was a long while) twelve years time! the friend of the Scyldings suffered distress, every woe, great sorrows, etc. -9/ +or 0sy::an, ;. suggests 0s<rcwidum7 "ence in mournful words it became well known, etc. =arious other words beginning with 0s have been conjectured. ->/ The H.- o. glossary is very inconsistent in referring to this "assage.10 ibbe 4.?>), which H.- o. regards as an instr., ;. takes as accus., obj. of 0wolde. @utting a comma after Aeniga, he renders7 "e did not desire #eace with any of the $anes, nor did he wish to remove their life-woe, nor to settle for money. -?/ Bf this difficult "assage the following inter"retations among others are given7 4.) Though Grendel has freCuented Heorot as a demon, he could not become ruler of the Aanes, on account of his hostility to God. 45) Hrothgar was much grieved that Grendel had not a""eared before his throne to receive "resents. 49) He was not "ermitted to devastate the hall, on account of the Dreator# i.e. God wished to make his visit fatal to him.1!e E wisse 4.F3) $. renders7 %or had he any desire to do so# 0his being obj. gen. G danach.

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BEOWULF GOES TO HROTHGARS ASSISTANCE.

#o Healfdenes insman constantly mused on Hrothgar sees no way of His long-lasting sorrow$ the !attle-thane escape from clever the Was not anywise a!le evils to scape from% persecutions of Too crushing the sorrow that came to the Grendel. people, &oathsome and lasting the life-grinding torture, Beowulf, the Greatest of night-woes. #o Higelacs Geat, hero of liegeman, the poem, Good amid Geatmen, of Grendels hears of achievements Hrothgars Heard in his home%1 of heroes then living sorrow, and resolves to go He was stoutest and strongest, sturdy and to his no!le. assistance. He !ade them prepare him a !ar that was trusty$ He said he the war- ing would see oer the ocean, The fol -leader no!le, since he needed retainers. 'or the perilous pro(ect prudent companions )hided him little, though loving him dearly$ They egged the !rave atheling, augured him glory. With fourteen The e*cellent night from the fol of the carefully Geatmen chosen Had liegemen selected, li est to prove them companions, Trustworthy warriors$ with fourteen he sets out for companions Dane-land. The vessel he loo ed for$ a liegeman then showed them, + sea-crafty man, the !ounds of the country. 'ast the days fleeted$ the float was a-water, The craft !y the cliff. )lom! to the prow then Well-e,uipped warriors% the wave-currents twisted The sea on the sand$ soldiers then carried -n the !reast of the vessel !right-shining (ewels, Handsome war-armor$ heroes outshoved then, Warmen the wood-ship, on its wished-for adventure. The vessel The foamy-nec ed floater fanned !y the sails li e a !ird !ree.e, &i est a !ird, glided the waters, "n twenty four Till twenty and four hours thereafter hours they The twist-stemmed vessel had traveled such reach the distance shores of That the sailing-men saw the sloping Hrothgars em!an ments, dominions The sea cliffs gleaming, precipitous mountains, /esses enormous% they were nearing the limits +t the end of the ocean.2 0p thence ,uic ly

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The men of the Weders clomb to the mainland, Fastened their essel !battle weeds rattled, War burnies clattered", the Wielder they thanked That the ways oer the waters had wa#en so gentle. Then well from the cliff edge the guard of the They are hailed by the $cyldings Who the sea%cliffs should see to, saw oer the Danish coast guard gangway Bra e ones bearing beauteous targets, &rmor all ready, an#iously thought he, 'using and wondering what men were approaching. High on his horse then Hrothgars retainer Turned him to coastward, mightily brandished His lance in his hands, (uestioned with boldness. )Who are ye men here, mail%co ered warriors His challenge *lad in your corslets, come thus a%dri ing & high riding ship oer the shoals of the waters, 3 &nd hither neath helmets ha e hied oer the ocean+ , ha e been strand%guard, standing as warden, -est enemies e er anywise ra age Danish dominions with army of war%ships. 'ore boldly ne er ha e warriors entured Hither to come. of kinsmens appro al, Word%lea e of warriors, , ween that ye surely He is struck by /othing ha e known. /e er a greater one Beowulfs 0f earls oer the earth ha e & had a sight of appearance. Than is one of your number, a hero in armor. /o low%ranking fellow4 adorned with his weapons, But launching them little, unless looks are decei ing, &nd striking appearance. 1re ye pass on your 2ourney &s treacherous spies to the land of the $cyldings &nd farther fare, , fully must know now What race ye belong to. 3e far%away dwellers, $ea%faring sailors, my simple opinion Hear ye and hearken4 haste is most fitting 5lainly to tell me what place ye are come from.6
789 :From h;m !8<=" is much disputed. 0ne rendering is4 'eowulf, being away from home, heard of "rothgar s troubles, etc. &nother, that adopted by $. and endorsed in the H.%$o. notes, is4 '. heard from his neighborhood (neighbors), i.e. in his home, etc. & third is4 '., being at home, heard this as occurring away from home. The H.%$o. glossary and notes conflict. 7>9 :1oletes !>>=" is marked with a !+" by H.%$o.. our rendering simply follows his con2ecture.?0ther con2ectures as to :eolet are4 !8" voyage, !>" toil, labor, !@" hasty journey. 7@9 The lacuna of the '$ at this point has been supplied by arious con2ectures. The reading adopted by H.%$o. has been rendered in the abo e translation. W., like H.%$o., makes :ic the beginning of a new sentence, but, for :helmas bAron, he reads :hringed stefnan. This has the ad antage of gi ing a parallel to :brontne ceol instead of a kenning for :go.?B puts the !+" after :holmas, and begins a new sentence at the middle of the line. Translate4

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What warriors are ye, clad in armor, who have thus come bringing the foaming vessel over the water way, hither over the seas? For some time on the wall I have been coast guard, etc. $. endorses ost of what B. says% #ut lea&es out 'on the wall( in the last sentence. If W.(s 'hringed stefnan( #e accepted% change line )* a#o&e to% A ring-stemmed vessel hither oersea. +,- '$eld-gu a( ./,01 is &ariously rendered2 .*1 housecarle3 ./1 home-stayer3 .41 common man. !r. H. Wood suggests a man-atarms in anothers house.

V. THE GEATS REACH HEOROT.

5he chief of the strangers rendered hi Beowulf courteously answer% replies. War-troopers( leader% and word-treasure opened2 6We are sprung fro the lineage of the people We are Geats. of Geatland% 7nd Higelac(s hearth-friends. 5o heroes unnu #ered My father My father was known% a no#le head-warrior Ecgtheow was Ecgtheow titled3 any a winter well-known in He li&ed with the people% ere he passed on his his day. 8ourney% Old fro his dwelling3 each of the counsellors Widely id world-folk well re e #ers hi . Our intentions We% kindly of spirit% the lord of thy people% 5he son of King Healfdene% ha&e co e here to towards King Hrothgar are of &isit% the kindest. 9olk-troop(s defender2 #e free in thy counsels: 5o the no#le one #ear we a weighty co ission% 5he hel of the !ane en3 we shall hide% I ween% Is it true that a ;aught of our essage. 5hou know(st if it onster is happen% slaying !anish 7s we soothly heard say% that so e sa&age heroes" despoiler% $o e hidden pursuer% on nights that are urky By deeds &ery direful ( id the !ane en e<hi#its Hatred unheard of% horrid destruction 7nd the falling of dead. 9ro feelings least selfish I can help your I a a#le to render counsel to Hrothgar% king to free How he% wise and worthy% ay worst the hi self fro destroyer% this horri#le If the anguish of sorrow should e&er #e creature. lessened%1 =o fort co e to hi % and care-wa&es grow cooler% Or e&er hereafter he agony suffer 7nd trou#lous distress% while towereth upward 5he handso est of houses high on the su it.>

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The coastBestriding his stallion, the strand-watchman guard reminds answered, Beowulf that it The doughty retainer !The difference surely is easier to say "Twi#t words and wor$s, the warli$e shieldthan to do. bearer %ho &udgeth wisely well shall determine. This band, I hear, beareth no malice I am satisfied To the prince of the 'cyldings. (ass ye then of your good onward intentions, and %ith weapons and armor. I shall lead you in shall lead you person) to the palace. To my war-trusty vassals command I shall issue To $eep from all in&ury your e#cellent vessel, Your boat Your fresh-tarred craft, "gainst every opposer *lose by the sea-shore, till the curved-nec$+d shall be well cared for bar$ shall during your %aft bac$ again the well-beloved hero stay here. ,"er the way of the water to %eder dominions. He again To warrior so great "twill be granted sure compliments In the storm of strife to stand secure.Beowulf. ,nward they fared then .the vessel lay /uiet, The broad-bosomed bar$ was bound by its cable, 0irmly at anchor1) the boar-signs glistened2 Bright on the visors vivid with gilding, Bla2e-hardened, brilliant) the boar acted warden. The heroes hastened, hurried the liegemen, The land is 3escended together, till they saw the great perhaps palace, The well-fashioned wassail-hall wondrous and rolling. gleaming "4id world-fol$ and $indreds that was widest Heorot flashes on their view. reputed ,f halls under heaven which the hero abode in) Its lustre enlightened lands without number. Then the battle-brave hero showed them the glittering *ourt of the bold ones, that they easily thither 4ight fare on their &ourney) the aforementioned warrior Turning his courser, /uoth as he left them The coast!"Tis time I were faring) 0ather 5lmighty guard, having Grant you His grace, and give you to &ourney discharged his 'afe on your mission6 To the sea I will get me duty, bids "Gainst hostile warriors as warden to stand.them Godspeed. 789 :;dwendan" .<=>1 B. ta$es to be the subs. :edwenden" .cf. 8??@1) and :bisigu" he ta$es as gen. sing., limiting :edwenden" If reparation for sorrows is ever to come. This is supported by t.B. 7<9 *ombining the emendations of B. and t.B., we may read The boar-images glistened brilliant, protected the life of the warmooded man. They read :ferh-wearde" .A>@1 and :gBCmDdgum men" .A>E1.

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VI. BEOWULF INTRODUCES HIMSELF AT THE PALACE.

The highway glistened with many hued pebble! A by path led the liegemen together. 1 "irm and hand locked the war burnie glistened! The ring sword radiant rang mid the armor As the party was approaching the palace together #n warlike e$uipments. %ainst the wall of the They set their arms and building armor against Their wide fashioned war shields they weary the wall. did set then! Battle shields sturdy& benchward they turned then& Their battle sarks rattled! the gear of the heroes& The lances stood up then! all in a cluster! The arms of the seamen! ashen shafts mounted With edges of iron' the armor clad troopers A Danish hero Were decked with weapons. Then a proud asks them mooded hero Asked of the champions $uestions of lineage' whence and why they are ("rom what borders bear ye your battle come. shields plated! %ilded and gleaming! your gray colored burnies! Helmets with )isors and heap of war lances*+ To Hrothgar the king # am ser)ant and liegeman. ,ong folk from far lands found # ha)e ne)er He expresses ,en so many of mien more courageous. no little # ween that from )alor! nowise as outlaws! admiration for But from greatness of soul ye sought for -ing the strangers. Hrothgar.. Beowulf Then the strength famous earlman answer replies. rendered! The proud mooded Wederchief replied to his $uestion! Hardy neath helmet' (Higelacs mates are we& We are Higelacs Beowulf hight #. To the bairn of Healfdene! table The famous folk leader! # freely will tell companions! To thy prince my commission! if pleasantly and bear an hearing important commission to Hell grant we may greet him so gracious to your prince. all men.. Wulfgar replied then /he was prince of the Wendels! His boldness of spirit was known unto many! His prowess and prudence0' (The prince of the 1cyldings! Wulfgar! the The friend lord of Danemen! # will ask of thy thane! says that 2ourney! he will go and The gi)er of rings! as thou urgest me do it! ask Hrothgar The folk chief famous! and inform thee early whether he What answer the good one mindeth to render will see the me.. strangers.

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He turned then hurriedly where Hrothgar was sitting, 2 Old and hoary, his earlmen attending him; he strength!famous went till he stood at the shoulder Of the lord of the "anemen, of courteous thanemen he custom he minded. #ulfgar addressed then His friendly liegelord$ %&olk of the Geatmen He thereupon Oer the way of the waters are wafted hither, urges his &aring from far!lands$ the foremost in rank liegelord to he battle!champions Beowulf title. receive the hey make this petition$ with thee, O my visitors chieftain, courteously. o be granted a conference; O gracious 'ing Hrothgar, &riendly answer refuse not to give them( Hrothgar, too, )n war!trappings weeded worthy they seem is struck with Of earls to be honored; sure the atheling is Beowulfs doughty appearance. #ho headed the heroes hitherward coming.*
+,- )nstead of the punctuation given by H.!.o, .. proposed to insert a comma after /sc0r 12334, and to take /hring!0ren as meaning /ring!mail and as parallel with /g56!byrne. he passage would then read$ The firm and hand-loc!ed war-burnie shone, bright ring-mail, rang mid the armor, etc. +3- Gr. and others translate /unh7r by /bald; old and bald.

VII. HROTHGAR AND BEOWULF.

Hrothgar answered, helm of the .cyldings$ Hrothgar remembers %) remember this man as the merest of Beowulf as a striplings. youth, and also His father long dead now was 8cgtheow titled, remembers his Him Hrethel the Geatman granted at home his father. One only daughter; his battle!brave son )s come but now, sought a trustworthy friend. .eafaring sailors asserted it then, Beowulf is #ho valuable gift!gems of the Geatmen1 reported to carried have the 9s peace!offering thither, that he thirty mens strength of grapple thirty men. Has in his hand, the hero!in!battle. God hath sent he holy :reator usward sent him, him to our o #est!"ane warriors, ) ween, for to render rescue. Gainst Grendels grimness gracious assistance$ ) shall give to the good one gift!gems for courage. Hasten to bid them hither to speed them,2

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To see assembled this circle of kinsmen Tell them e!pressly they"re welcome in sooth to The men of the #anes.$ To the door of the building Wulfgar Wulfgar went then, this word%message invites the shouted& strangers in. '(y victorious liegelord bade me to tell you, The )ast%#anes" atheling, that your origin knows he, *nd o"er wave%billows wafted ye welcome are hither, +aliant of spirit. ,e straightway may enter -lad in corslets, cased in your helmets, To see .ing Hrothgar. Here let your battle%boards, Wood%spears and war%shafts, await your conferring.$ The mighty one rose then, with many a liegeman, *n e!cellent thane%group some there did await them, *nd as bid of the brave one the battle%gear guarded. Together they hied them, while the hero did guide them, "/eath Heorot"s roof the high%minded went then Sturdy "neath helmet till he stood in the building. Beowulf spake 0his burnie did glisten, His armor seamed over by the art of the craftsman1& 'Hail thou, Hrothgar2 3 am Higelac"s kinsman Beowulf salutes *nd vassal forsooth many a wonder Hrothgar, and 3 dared as a stripling. The doings of Grendel, then proceeds 3n far%off fatherland 3 fully did know of& to boast of his Sea%farers tell us, this hall%building standeth, youthful achievements. )!cellent edifice, empty and useless To all the earlmen after evenlight"s glimmer "/eath heaven"s bright hues hath hidden its glory. This my earls then urged me, the most e!cellent of them, -arles very clever, to come and assist thee, 4olk%leader Hrothgar fully they knew of His fight with The strength of my body. Themselves they the nickers. beheld me When 3 came from the contest, when covered with gore 4oes 3 escaped from, where five3 3 had bound, The giant%race wasted, in the waters destroying The nickers by night, bore numberless sorrows, The Weders avenged 0woes had they suffered1 )nemies ravaged alone now with Grendel 3 shall manage the matter, with the monster of He intends to fight Grendel evil, unaided. The giant, decide it. Thee 3 would therefore Beg of thy bounty, Bright%#anish chieftain, 5ord of the Scyldings, this single petition& /ot to refuse me, defender of warriors, 4riend%lord of folks, so far have 3 sought thee, That I may unaided, my earlmen assisting me, This brave%mooded war%band, purify Heorot. 3 have heard on in6uiry, the horrible creature Since the 4rom veriest rashness recks not for weapons monster uses 3 this do scorn then, so be Higelac gracious, no weapons, (y liegelord belov7d, lenient of spirit,

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To bear a blade or a broad-fashioned target, shield to the onset! only with hand-grip The foe I must grapple, fight for my life then, I, too, shall disdain to use "oeman with foeman! he fain must rely on any. The doom of the #ord whom death layeth hold of. Should he I ween he will wish, if he win in the struggle, crush me, he To eat in the war-hall earls of the $eat-fol%, will eat my &oldly to swallow4 them, as of yore he did companions as often he has eaten The best of the Hrethmen' Thou needest not thy thanes. trouble head-watch to give me!5 he will have me dripping In case of my nd dreary with gore, if death overta%e me,6 defeat, thou Will bear me off bleeding, biting and wilt not have mouthing me, the trouble of The hermit will eat me, heedless of pity, burying me. (ar%ing the moor-fens! no more wilt thou need then Should I fall, "ind me my food.7 If I fall in the battle, send my armor Send to Higelac the armor that serveth to my lord, To shield my bosom, the best of e)uipments, King Higelac. *ichest of ring-mails! +tis the relic of Hrethla, Weird is The wor% of Wayland. $oes Weird as she supreme must go',
-./ Some render 0gif-sceattas+ by 0tribute.+10$2ata+ &. and Th. emended to 0$2atum.+ If this be accepted, change 0of the $eatmen+ to 0to the $eatmen.+ -3/ If t.&.+s emendation of vv. 456, 457 be accepted, the two lines, 0Hasten 8 %insmen+ will read9 Hasten thou, bid the throng of kinsmen go into the hall together. -4/ "or :3; <b= and :3. <a=, &. suggests9 >?r ic <on= f@felgeban ABde eotena cyn C where I in the ocean destroyed the eoten-race.1t.&. accepts &.+s Dbrilliant, 0f@felgeban,+ omits 0on,+ emends 0cyn+ to 0hEm,+ arranging9 >?r ic f@felgeban ABde, eotena hEm C where I desolated the ocean, the home of the eotens.1This would be better but for changing 0cyn+ to 0hEm.+1I suggest9 >?r ic f@felgeband <cf. nhd. &ande= ABde, eotena cyn C where I conquered the monster band, the race of the eotens. This ma%es no change eFcept to read 0ffel+ for 0ffe.+ -:/ 0Gnforhte+ <:::= is much disputed.1H.-So. wavers between adH. and adv. $r. and &. ta%e it as an adv. modifying etan: Will eat the Geats fearlessly.1Kl. considers this reading absurd, and proposes 0anforhte+ C timid.1Gnderstanding 0unforhte+ as an adH. has this advantage, viI. that it gives a parallel to 0$eEtena leJde+9 but to ta%e it as an adv. is more natural. "urthermore, to call the $eats 0brave+ might, at this point, seem li%e an implied thrust at the Kanes, so long helpless! while to call his own men 0timid+ would be befouling his own nest. -L/ "or 0head-watch,+ cf. H.-So. notes and cf. v. 3M.;.1Th. translates9 Thou wilt not need my head to hide <i.e., thou wilt have no occasion to bury me, as $rendel will devour me whole=. 1Simroc% imagines a %ind of dead-watch.1Kr. H. Wood suggests9 Thou wilt not ha e to bury so much as my head <for $rendel will be a thorough underta%er=,1grim humor.

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!"# $. proposes a colon after %nime& 'l. (()*. +his would ma,e no essential change in the translation. !)# -wing to the vagueness of %feorme '(./*, this passage is variously translated. 0n our translation, H.1$o.s glossary has been 2uite closely followed. +his agrees substantially with B.s translation '3. and B. 400. 5)*. R. translates6 Thou needst not take care longer as to the consum!tion of my dead body" %78c is also a cru here, as it may mean living body or dead body.

VIII. HROTHGAR AND BEOWULF. Continued.

Hrothgar discoursed, helm of the $cyldings6 Hrothgar 9+o defend our fol, and to furnish assistance,1 responds. +hou soughtest us hither, good friend Beowulf. Reminiscences +he fiercest of feuds thy father engaged in, of Beowulfs Heatholaf ,illed he in hand1to1hand conflict father, Mid :ilfingish warriors; then the :ederish Ecgtheow. people <or fear of a feud were forced to disown him. +hence flying he fled to the fol, of the $outh1=anes, +he race of the $cyldings, oer the roll of the waters; 0 had lately begun then to govern the =anemen, +he hoard1seat of heroes held in my youth, Rich in its >ewels6 dead was Heregar, My ,insman and elder had earth1>oys forsa,en, Healfdene his bairn. He was better than 0 am? +hat feud thereafter for a fee 0 compounded; -er the weltering waters to the :ilfings 0 sent -rnaments old; oaths did he swear me. Hrothgar 0t pains me in spirit to any to tell it, :hat grief in Heorot Grendel hath caused me, recounts to Beowulf the :hat horror unloo,ed1for, by hatred horrors of unceasing. Grendels :aned is my war1band, wasted my hall1troop; persecutions. :eird hath offcast them to the clutches of Grendel. God can easily hinder the scather <rom deeds so direful. -ft drun,en with beer -er the ale1vessel promised warriors in armor My thanes have made +hey would willingly wait on the wassailing1 many boasts, benches but have not @ grapple with Grendel, with grimmest of e ecuted them. edges. +hen this mead1hall at morning with murder was ree,ing, +he building was bloody at brea,ing of daylight, +he bench1deals all flooded, dripping and bloodied, +he fol,1hall was gory6 0 had fewer retainers,

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!ear"beloved warriors, whom death had laid hold of. Sit down to the Sit at the feast now, thy intents unto heroes,2 feast, and give Thy victor"fame show, as thy spirit doth urge us comfort. thee$% A bench is &or the men of the 'eats then together made ready for assembled, (n the beer"hall blithesome a bench was made Beowulf and his party. ready) There warli e in spirit they went to be seated, *roud and e+ultant. A liegeman did service, ,ho a bea er embellished bore with decorum, The gleeman And gleaming"drin poured. The gleeman sings sang whilom Hearty in Heorot) there was heroes- rejoicing, The heroes all rejoice A numerous war"band of ,eders and together. !anemen.
./0 B. and S. reject the reading given in H."So., and suggested by 'rtvg. B. suggests for 123"1245 w6ere"ryhtum 78, wine m9n B:owulf, and for 6r"stafum 8sic s;htest. This means5 #rom the obligations of clientage, my friend $eowulf, and for assistance thou hast sought us.<This gives coherence to Hrothgar-s opening remar s in =(((., and also introduces a new motive for Beowulf-s coming to Hrothgar-s aid. .>0 %it now at the feast, and disclose thy !ur!oses to the ictorious heroes, as thy s!irit urges.<?l. reaches the above translation by erasing the comma after @meoto- and reading @sige" hrABsecgum.-<There are other and bolder emendations and suggestions. Cf these the boldest is to regard @meoto- as a verb DimperativeE, and read @on sFl-5 Think u!on gayety, etc.<All the renderings are unsatisfactory, the one given in our translation involving a Geugma.

IX. UNFERTH TAUNTS BEOWULF.

Unferth spo e up, Hcglaf his son, ,ho sat at the feet of the lord of the Scyldings, Cpened the jousting Dthe journey1 of Beowulf, Sea"farer doughty, gave sorrow to Unferth And greatest chagrin, too, for granted he never That any man else on earth should attain to, 'ain under heaven, more glory than heE5 IArt thou that Beowulf with Breca did struggle, Cn the wide sea"currents at swimming contended,
Unferth, a thane of Hrothgar, is jealous of Beowulf, and underta es to twit him.

!id you ta e part in a swimming" match with Breca#

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here to humor your pride the ocean ye tried, &rom vainest vauntin! adventured your bodies Twas mere folly that $n care of the waters' %nd no one was able actuated you (or lief nor loth one, in the least to dissuade both to risk you your lives on )our difficult voya!e* then ye ventured the ocean. a+swimmin!, here your arms outstretchin! the streams ye did cover, The mere+ways measured, mi#in! and stirrin! them, Glided the ocean* an!ry the waves were, ith the welterin! of winter. $n the waters possession, )e toiled for a seven+ni!ht* he at swimmin! outdid thee, $n stren!th e#celled thee. Then early at mornin! On the "eathoremes shore the holm+currents tossed him, ,ou!ht he thenceward the home of his fathers, Beloved of his lie!emen, the land of the Brondin!s, The peace+castle pleasant, where a people he wielded, "ad borou!h and -ewels. The pled!e that he made thee Breca outdid The son of Beanstan hath soothly you entirely. accomplished. Then $ ween thou wilt find thee less fortunate issue, Much more Thou!h ever triumphant in onset of battle, will Grendel % !rim !rapplin!, if Grendel thou darest outdo you, if &or the space of a ni!ht near+by to wait for./ you vie with Beowulf answered, offsprin! of 0c!theow1 him in 2My !ood friend Unferth, sure freely and prowess. wildly, Beowulf Thou fuddled with beer of Breca hast spoken, retaliates. "ast told of his -ourney. % fact $ alle!e it, O friend That !reater stren!th in the waters $ had then, Unferth, you are fuddled $lls in the ocean, than any man else had. with beer, and e made a!reement as the merest of striplin!s cannot talk 3romised each other 4both of us then were coherently. )ounkers in years5 that we yet would e simply adventure kept an Out on the ocean* it all we accomplished. en!a!ement hile swimmin! the sea+floods, sword+blade made in early life. unscabbarded Boldly we brandished, our bodies e#pected To shield from the sharks. "e sure was unable "e could not To swim on the waters further than $ could, e#cel me, and $ More swift on the waves, nor would $ from would not him !o. e#cel him. Then we two companions stayed in the ocean %fter five days &ive ni!hts to!ether, till the currents did part the currents us, separated us. The welterin! waters, weathers the bleakest, %nd nethermost ni!ht, and the north+wind whistled &ierce in our faces* fell were the billows. The mere fishes mood was mi!htily ruffled1 %nd there a!ainst foemen my firm+knotted corslet, "and+-ointed, hardy, help did afford me*

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My battle-sark braided, brilliantly gilded, A horrible seaLay on my bosom. o the bottom then beast attacked dragged me, me, but I slew A hateful fiend-scather, sei!ed me and held him. me, "rim in his grapple# $twas granted me, nathless, o pierce the monster with the point of my weapon, My obedient blade% battle offcarried he mighty mere-creature by means of my hand-blow.
&'( It has been plausibly suggested that )s*+$ ,in -.' and in /-/0 means )arrival.$ If so, translate the bracket# &the arri al of $eowulf, the bra e seafarer, was a source of great chagrin to 'nferth, etc"(.

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X. BEOWULF SILENCES UNFERTH. GLEE IS HIGH.

12o ill-meaning enemies often did cause me 2orrow the sorest. I served them, in 3uittance, My dear sword 4ith my dear-lov5d sword, as in sooth it was always served fitting% me faithfully. hey missed the pleasure of feasting abundantly, Ill-doers evil, of eating my body, 6f surrounding the ban3uet deep in the ocean% 7ut wounded with edges early at morning hey were stretched a-high on the strand of the ocean, I put a stop to 8ut to sleep with the sword, that sea-going the outrages of travelers the sea9o longer thereafter were hindered from monsters. sailing he foam-dashing currents. :ame a light from the east, "od$s beautiful beacon% the billows subsided, hat well I could see the nesses pro;ecting, Fortune helps he blustering crags. 4eird often saveth the brave earl. he undoomed hero if doughty his valor< 1 7ut me did it fortune to fell with my weapon 9ine of the nickers. 6f night-struggle harder $9eath dome of the heaven heard I but rarely, 9or of wight more woful in the waves of the ocean% =et I $scaped with my life the grip of the monsters, After that 4eary from travel. hen the waters bare me escape I drifted o the land of the Finns, the flood with the to Finland. current, I have never he weltering waves. 9ot a word hath been heard of your told me

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doing any such Of deeds so daring done by thee, (nferth, bold deeds. )nd of sword-terror none* never hath #reca )t the !lay of the battle, nor either of you two, +eat so fearless !erform,d with wea!ons Glinting and gleaming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - utter no boasting* You are a Though with cold-blooded cruelty thou slayer of "illedst thy brothers, brothers, and Thy nearest of "in* thou needs must in hell get will suffer Direful damnation, though doughty thy damnation, wisdom. wise as you - tell thee in earnest, offs!ring of .cglaf, may be. /ever had Grendel such numberless horrors, The direful demon, done to thy liegelord, Harrying in Heorot, if thy heart were as sturdy, Had your acts Thy mood as ferocious as thou dost describe been as brave them. He hath found out fully that the fierce-burning as your words, Grendel had hatred, not ravaged The edge-battle eager, of all of your "indred, your land so Of the 0ictory-'cyldings, need little dismay long. him1 Oaths he e2acteth, not any he s!ares Of the fol" of the Danemen, but fighteth with The monster is not afraid of !leasure, the Danes, 3illeth and feasteth, no contest e2!ecteth but he will +rom '!ear-Danish !eo!le. #ut the !rowess soon learn to and valor Of the earls of the Geatmen early shall venture dread the Geats. To give him a gra!!le. He shall go who is able #ravely to banquet, when the bright-light of morning On the second &hich the second day bringeth, the sun in its day, any ether-robes, warrior may O er children of men shines from the go unmolested southward45 to the meadThen the gray-haired, war-famed giver of banquet. treasure &as blithesome and $oyous, the #right-Danish Hrothgar s s!irits are ruler revived. .2!ected assistance* the !eo!le s !rotector The old "ing Heard from #eowulf his bold resolution. trusts #eowulf. There was laughter of heroes* loud was the The heroes are clatter, $oyful. The words were winsome. &ealhtheow advanced then, %ueen 6onsort of Hrothgar, of courtesy mindful, &ealhtheow Gold-dec"ed saluted the men in the building, !lays the )nd the freeborn woman the bea"er !resented hostess. To the lord of the "ingdom, first of the .ast'he offers the Danes, cu! to her #ade him be blithesome when beer was husband first. a-flowing, 7ief to his liegemen* he lustily tasted

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!f banquet and beaker, battle"famed ruler. The elmingish lad# then graciousl# circled $%id all the liegemen lesser and greater& Treasure"cups tendered, till time was afforded She gives presents to the That the decorous"mooded, diademed folk" heroes. queen Then she %ight bear to Beowulf the bumper offers the cup o$errunning' to Beowulf, She greeted the Geat"prince, God she did thanking God thank, that aid has %ost wise in her words, that her wish was come. accomplished, That in an# of earlmen she ever should look for Solace in sorrow. e accepted the beaker, Battle"bold warrior, at (ealhtheow$s giving, Beowulf states Then equipped for combat quoth he in to the queen measures, the object of Beowulf spake, offspring of )cgtheow& his visit. *I purposed in spirit when I mounted the ocean, I determined to (hen I boarded m# boat with a band of m# do or die. liegemen, I would work to the fullest the will of #our people !r in foe$s"clutches fastened fall in the battle. +eeds I shall do of daring and prowess, !r the last of m# life"da#s live in this mead"hall., These words to the lad# were welcome and pleasing, The boast of the Geatman' with gold trappings broidered (ent the freeborn folk"queen her fond"lord to sit b#. Glee is high. Then again as of #ore was heard in the building -ourtl# discussion, conquerors$ shouting, eroes were happ#, till ealfdene$s son would Go to his slumber to seek for refreshing' .or the horrid hell"monster in the hall"building knew he / fight was determined,2 since the light of the sun the# 0o longer could see, and lowering darkness !$er all had descended, and dark under heaven Shadow# shapes came sh#ing around them. rothgar The liegemen all rose then. !ne saluted the retires, leaving other, Beowulf in rothgar Beowulf, in rh#thmical measures, charge of the (ishing him well, and, the wassail"hall giving hall. To his care and keeping, quoth he departing& *0ot to an# one else have I ever entrusted, But thee and thee onl#, the hall of the +anemen, Since high I could heave m# hand and m# buckler. Take thou in charge now the noblest of houses' Be mindful of honor, e1hibiting prowess, (atch $gainst the foeman2 Thou shalt want no enjo#ments, Survive thou safel# adventure so glorious2,

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[ ! "he repetition of #hw$%ere &'() and '(*+ is regarded by some scholars as a defect. B. suggests #sw, -$r for the first. So there it befell me, etc. /nother suggestion is to change the second #hw$%ere into #sw, -$r. So there I escaped with my life, etc. [0! 1l. suggests a period after #determined. "his would give the passage as follows. Since they no longer could see the light of the sun, and lowering darkness was down over all, dire under the heavens shadowy beings came going around them.

XI. ALL SLEEP SAVE ONE.

"hen Hrothgar departed2 his earl-throng Hrothgar retires. attending him2 3ol4-lord of 5cyldings2 forth from the building6 "he war-chieftain wished then Wealhtheow to loo4 for2 "he queen for a bedmate. "o 4eep away Grendel God has "he Glory of 1ings had given a hall-watch2 provided a /s men heard recounted. for the 4ing of the watch for the 7anemen hall. He did special service2 gave the giant a watcher. /nd the prince of the Geatmen implicitly trusted Beowulf is His warli4e strength and the Wielders self-confident protection. His armor of iron off him he did then2 He prepares for rest. His helmet from his head2 to his henchman committed His chased-handled chain-sword2 choicest of weapons2 /nd bade him bide with his battle-equipments. "he good one then uttered words of defiance2 Beowulf Geatman2 ere his bed he upmounted. Beowulf 89 hold me no meaner in matters of prowess2 boasts of his 9n warli4e achievements2 than Grendel does ability to cope himself6 with Grendel. Hence 9 see4 not with sword-edge to sooth him to slumber2 :f life to bereave him2 though well 9 am able. We will fight ;o battle-s4ill1 has he2 that blows he should with natures stri4e me2 weapons only. "o shatter my shield2 though sure he is mighty 9n strife and destruction6 but struggling by night we 5hall do without edges2 dare he to loo4 for Weaponless warfare2 and wise-mooded 3ather "he glory apportion2 God ever-holy2 God may :n which hand soever to him seemeth decide who proper.< shall conquer "hen the brave-mooded hero bent to his slumber2

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The pillow received the cheek of the noble; The Geatish And many a martial mere thane attending warriors lie !ank to his slumber. !eemed it unlikely down. That ever thereafter any should hope to They thought Be happy at home" hero friends visit it very unlikely Or the lordly troop castle where he lived from that they his childhood; should ever They had heard how slaughter had snatched see their homes again. from the wine hall" Had recently ravished" of the race of the !cyldings But God raised Too many by far. But the #ord to them up a deliverer. granted The weaving of war speed" to $ederish heroes Aid and comfort" that every opponent By one man%s war might they worsted and van&uished" God rules the By the might of himself; the truth is world. established That God Almighty hath governed for ages 'indreds and nations. A night very lurid Grendel comes The trav%ler at twilight came tramping and to Heorot. striding. The warriors were sleeping who should watch the horned building" Only one One only e(cepted. %)id earthmen %twas warrior is %stablished" Th% implacable foeman was powerless to hurl awake. them To the land of shadows" if the #ord were unwilling; But serving as warder" in terror to foemen" He angrily bided the issue of battle.2
*+, Gr. understood -g.dra% as meaning -advantages in battle.% This rendering H. !o. re/ects. The latter takes the passage as meaning that Grendel" though mighty and formidable" has no skill in the art of war. *0, B. in his masterly articles on Beowulf 12. and B. 344.5 re/ects the division usually made at this point" -67.% 18++5" usually rendered -then"% he translates -when"% and connects its clause with the foregoing sentence. These changes he makes to reduce the number of -c.m%s% as principal verbs. 19f. 8:;" 8++" 80+.5 $ith all deference to this acute scholar" 4 must say that it seems to me that the poet is e(hausting his resources to bring out clearly the supreme event on which the whole subse&uent action turns. <irst" he 1Grendel5 came in the wan night; second" he came from the moor; third" he came to the hall. Time" place from which" place to which" are all given.

*0?,

XII. GRENDEL AND BEOWULF.

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Grendel comes !"eath the cloudy cliffs came from the moor from the fens. then Grendel going God!s anger bare he. The monster intended some one of earthmen #n the hall$building grand to entrap and ma%e way with& He went under wel%in where well he %new of He goes towards the The wine$joyous building brilliant with joyous plating building. Gold$hall of earthmen. "ot the earliest occasion This was not He the home and manor of Hrothgar had his first visit sought& there. "e!er found he in life$days later nor earlier Hardier hero hall$thanes1 more sturdy' Then came to the building the warrior marching His horrid Bereft of his joyance. The door (uic%ly fingers tear the opened )n fire$hinges fastened when his fingers had door open. touched it* The fell one had flung then+his fury so bitter+ )pen the entrance. ,arly thereafter The foeman trod the shining hall$pavement He strides -trode he angrily* from the eyes of him furiously into glimmered the hall. . lustre unlovely li%est to fire. He beheld in the hall the heroes in numbers . circle of %insmen sleeping together . throng of thanemen& then his thoughts were He exults over his supposed exultant prey. He minded to sunder from each of the thanemen The life from his body horrible demon ,re morning came since fate had allowed him The prospect of plenty. /rovidence willed not Fate has To permit him any more of men under heaven decreed that he shall devour To eat in the night$time. Higelac!s %insman no more Great sorrow endured how the dire$mooded heroes. creature Beowulf suffers from #n unloo%ed$for assaults were li%ely to bear suspense. him. "o thought had the monster of deferring the matter Grendel But on earliest occasion he (uic%ly laid hold immediately of seizes a . soldier asleep suddenly tore him sleeping Bit his bone$prison the blood dran% in warrior and currents devours him. -wallowed in mouthfuls& he soon had the dead man!s Feet and hands too eaten entirely. "earer he strode then the stout$hearted warrior -natched as he slumbered seizing with hand$ Beowulf and Grendel grip grapple. Forward the foeman foined with his hand*

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!aught he "uickly the cunning deviser, #n his elbow he rested. This early discovered The master of malice, that in middle$earths regions, %eath the whole of the heavens, no hand$gra&&le greater The monster is 'n any man else had he ever encountered( amazed at )earful in s&irit, faint$mooded waxed he, Beowulfs %ot off could betake him* death he was strength. &ondering, He is anxious +ould fly to his covert, seek the devils to flee. assembly( His calling no more was the same he had followed ,ong in his lifetime. The liege$kinsman worthy #f Higelac minded his s&eech of the evening, Beowulf -tood he u& straight and stoutly did seize him. recalls his boast of the His fingers crackled* the giant was outward, evening, and The earl ste&&ed farther. The famous one determines to minded fulfil it. To flee away farther, if he found an occasion, .nd off and away, avoiding delay, To fly to the fen$moors* he fully was ware of The strength of his gra&&le in the gri& of the foeman. Twas a Twas an ill$taken /ourney that the in/ury$ luckless day bringing, for Grendel. Harrying harmer to Heorot wandered( The hall The &alace re$echoed* to all of the anemen, groans. wellers in castles, to each of the bold ones, 0arlmen, was terror. .ngry they both were, .rchwarders raging.2 1attled the building* Twas a marvellous wonder that the wine$hall withstood then The bold$in$battle, bent not to earthward, 0xcellent earth$hall* but within and without it +as fastened so firmly in fetters of iron, By the art of the armorer. #ff from the sill there Bent mead$benches many, as men have informed me, .dorned with gold$work, where the grim ones did struggle. The -cylding wise men weened neer before That by might and main$strength a man under heaven 2ight break it in &ieces, bone$decked, res&lendent, !rush it by cunning, unless clutch of the fire 'n smoke should consume it. The sound mounted u&ward Grendels cries %ovel enough* on the %orth anes fastened terrify the . terror of anguish, on all of the men there anes. +ho heard from the wall the wee&ing and &laining, The song of defeat from the foeman of heaven, Heard him hymns of horror howl, and his sorrow Hell$bound bewailing. He held him too firmly +ho was strongest of main$strength of men of that era.
345 B. and t.B. emend so as to make lines 6 and 47 read( Never in his life, earlier or later, had he, the hell-thane, found a braver hero.

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They argue that Beowulfs companions had done nothing to merit such encomiums as the usual readings allow them. !" #or $r%&e r%n'weardas ())*+, t.B. suggests $r%&e, r%nhearde. Translate- They were both angry, raging and mighty.

XIII. GRENDEL IS VANQUISHED.

#or no cause whatever would the earlmens Beowulf has no idea of defender letting Grendel .eave in life'/oys the loathsome newcomer, live. He deemed his e0istence utterly useless To men under heaven. 1any a noble 2f Beowulf brandished his battle'sword old, 3ould guard the life of his lord and protector, The far'famous chieftain, if able to do so; 3hile waging the warfare, this wist they but little, Brave battle'thanes, while his body intending No weapon To slit into slivers, and see4ing his spiritwould harm That the relentless foeman nor finest of Grendel; he weapons bore a charmed 2f all on the earth, nor any of war'bills life. 3as willing to in/ure; but weapons of victory 5words and suchli4e he had sworn to dispense with. His death at that time must prove to be wretched, 6nd the far'away spirit widely should /ourney 7nto enemies power. This plainly he saw then 3ho with mirth1 of mood malice no little Had wrought in the past on the race of the earthmen (To God he was hostile+, that his body would fail him, But Higelacs hardy henchman and 4insman Held him by the hand; hateful to other Grendel is 3as each one if living. 6 body'wound sorely suffered wounded. The direful demon, damage incurable His body 3as seen on his shoulder, his sinews were bursts. shivered, His body did burst. To Beowulf was given Glory in battle; Grendel from thenceward 1ust flee and hide him in the fen'cliffs and marshes, 5ic4 unto death, his dwelling must loo4 for 8nwinsome and woful; he wist the more fully The monster The end of his earthly e0istence was nearing, His life'days limits. 6t last for the 9anemen, flees away to hide in the 3hen the slaughter was over, their wish was moors. accomplished. The comer'from'far'land had cleansed then of evil, 3ise and valiant, the war'hall of Hrothgar,

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Saved it from violence. He oyed in the night!wor", #n repute for prowess$ the prince of the Geatmen For the %ast!&anish people his boast had accomplished, Bettered their burdensome bale!sorrows fully, 'he craft!begot evil they erstwhile had suffered And were forced to endure from crushing oppression, 'heir manifold misery. 'was a manifest to"en, Beowulf (hen the hero!in!battle the hand suspended, 'he arm and the shoulder )there was all of the suspends Grendels hand claw and arm in *f Grendel together+ neath great!stretching Heorot. hall!roof.
,-. #t has been proposed to translate /myr0e by with sorrow$ but there seems no authority for such a rendering. 'o the present translator, the phrase /m1des myr0e seems a mere padding for gladly$ i.e., he who gladly harassed mankind.

,86.

XIV. REJOICING OF THE DANES.

#n the mist of the morning many a warrior At early dawn, warriors from Stood round the gift!hall, as the story is told far and near me2 come together Fol"!princes fared then from far and from near to hear of the 'hrough long!stretching ourneys to loo" at nights the wonder, adventures. 'he footprints of the foeman. Few of the warriors (ho ga3ed on the foot!trac"s of the inglorious Few warriors lamented creature Grendels His parting from life pained very deeply, destruction. How, weary in spirit, off from those regions #n combats con4uered he carried his traces, Fated and flying, to the flood of the nic"ers. 'here in bloody billows bubbled the currents, Grendels blood dyes the 'he angry eddy was everywhere mingled waters. And seething with gore, welling with sword! blood$1 He death!doomed had hid him, when reaved of his oyance He laid down his life in the lair he had fled to, His heathenish spirit, where hell did receive him. 'hence the friends from of old bac"ward turned them, And many a youn"er from merry adventure, Striding their stallions, stout from the seaward, Heroes on horses. 'here were heard very often Beowulf is the Beowulfs praises$ many often asserted
hero of the hour.

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That neither south nor north, in the circuit of waters, "er outstretching earth-plain, none other was He is regarded as a probable better successor to #id bearers of war-shields, more worth to Hrothgar. govern, $eath the arch of the ether. $ot an , however, %ainst the friend-lord muttered, mocking-words uttered But no word is "f Hrothgar the gracious &a good king he'. uttered to "ft the famed ones permitted their fallowderogate from skinned horses the old king To run in rivalr , racing and chasing, (here the fieldwa s appeared to them fair and inviting, )nown for their e*cellence+ oft a thane of the folk-lord,2 3 The gleeman A man of celebrit , mindful of rh thms, sings the deeds (ho ancient traditions treasured in memor , of heroes. $ew word-groups found properl bound, The bard after gan then Beowulfs venture He sings in (isel to tell of, and words that were clever alliterative To utter skilfull , earnestl speaking, measures of -ver thing told he that he heard as to Beowulfs Sigmunds prowess. #ight achievements, man things hidden, Also of The strife of the (.lsing, the wide-going Sigemund, ventures who has slain a great fireThe children of men knew of but little, dragon. The feud and the fur , but /itela with him, (hen suchlike matters he minded to speak of, 0ncle to nephew, as in ever contention -ach to other was ever devoted, A numerous host of the race of the scathers The had slain with the sword-edge. To Sigmund accrued then $o little of glor , when his life-da s were over, Since he sturd in struggle had destro ed the great dragon, The hoard-treasures keeper+ neath the hoar-gra ish stone he, The son of the atheling, unaided adventured The perilous pro1ect+ not present was /itela, 2et the fortune befell him of forcing his weapon Through the marvellous dragon, that it stood in the wall, (ell-honored weapon+ the worm was slaughtered. The great one had gained then b his glorious achievement To reap from the ring-hoard richest en1o ment, As best it did please him, his vessel he loaded, Shining ornaments on the ships bosom carried, )insman of (.ls, the drake in heat melted. Sigemund was He was farthest famed of fugitive pilgrims, widel famed. #id wide-scattered world-folk, for works of great prowess, (ar-troopers shelter, hence wa*ed he in honor.4 Heremod, an Afterward Heremods hero-strength failed unfortunate him, !anish king, is His vigor and valor. #id venomous haters
introduced b

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way of To the hands of foemen he was foully contrast. delivered, Offdriven early. gony!billows Unlike Oppressed him too long, to his people he Sigemund and became then, Beowulf, To all the athelings, an ever!great burden" Heremod was nd the daring one#s $ourney in days of yore a burden to his %any wise men were wont to deplore, people. Such as hoped he would bring them help in their sorrow, That the son of their ruler should rise into power, Holding the headship held by his fathers, Should govern the people, the gold!hoard and borough, The kingdom of heroes, the realm of the Scyldings. Beowulf is an He to all men became then far more beloved, honor to his Higelac#s kinsman, to kindreds and races, race. To his friends much dearer" him malice assaulted.& The story is Oft running and racing on roadsters they resumed. measured The dun!colored highways. Then the light of the morning 'as hurried and hastened. 'ent henchmen in numbers To the beautiful building, bold ones in spirit, To look at the wonder" the liegelord himself then (rom his wife!bower wending, warden of treasures, )lorious trod with troopers unnumbered, (amed for his virtues, and with him the *ueen!wife %easured the mead!ways, with maidens attending. +,- S. emends, suggesting .d/op# for .d/og,# and removing semicolon after .w/ol.# The two half!lines .welling 0 hid him# would then read1 The bloody deep welled with sword-gore. B. accepts .d/op# for .d/og,# but reads .d/a2!f3ges#1 The deep boiled with the sword-gore of the death-doomed one. +4- nother and *uite different rendering of this passage is as follows1 Oft a liegeman of the king, a fame-covered man mindful of songs, who very many ancient traditions remembered (he found other word-groups accurately bound together) began afterward to tell of Beowulf s adventure, skilfully to narrate it, etc. +5- %ight .guma gilp!hladen# mean .a man laden with boasts of the deeds of others#6 +7- t.B. accepts B.#s .h/ 83s 9ron 89h# as given by H.!So., but puts a comma after .89h,# and takes .si22an# as introducing a dependent clause1 !e throve in honor since !eremod s strength " had decreased.

+55-

XV. HROTHGARS GRATITUDE.

Hrothgar discoursed :to the hall!building went he,

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He stood by the pillar,1 saw the steep rising hall roof Gleaming with gold gems, and Grendel his hand there!: Hrothgar gives "#or the sight we behold now, thanks to the thanks for the $ielder overthrow of %arly be offered& 'uch evil I bided, the monster. 2 (naring from Grendel: God can e)er )complish $onder on wonder, $ielder of Glory& I had given up But lately I reckoned ne)er under heaven all hope, when *omfort to gain me for any of sorrows, this brave $hile the handsomest of houses horrid with liegeman came bloodstain to our aid. Gory uptowered+ grief had offfrightened3 %ach of the wise ones who weened not that ever The folk troop)s defences )gainst foes they should strengthen, )Gainst sprites and monsters. Through the might of the $ielder , doughty retainer hath a deed now accomplished $hich erstwhile we all with our e-cellent wisdom If his mother #ailed to perform. 'ay affirm very truly yet liveth, well $hat woman soever in all of the nations may she thank Gave birth to the child, if yet she surviveth, God for this That the long ruling .ord was lavish to son. herward In the birth of the bairn. /ow, Beowulf dear, Hereafter, 'ost e-cellent hero, I)ll love thee in spirit ,s bairn of my body+ bear well henceforward Beowulf, thou shalt be my The relationship new. /o lack shall befall thee son. 0f earth 1oys any I ever can give thee. #ull often for lesser service I)ve given Hero less hardy hoard treasure precious, Thou hast won To a weaker in war strife. By works of immortal distinction distinction. Thou hast gained for thyself now that thy glory shall flourish #orever and ever. The ,ll 2uler 3uite thee $ith good from His hand as He hitherto did thee&4 Beowulf Beowulf answered, %cgtheow)s offspring: "That labor of glory most gladly achieved we, replies: I was most happy to The combat accomplished, un3uailing we render thee ventured this service. The enemy)s grapple+ I would grant it much rather Thou wert able to look at the creature in person, #aint unto falling, the foe in his trappings& 0n murder bed 3uickly I minded to bind him, $ith firm holding fetters, that forced by my grapple .ow he should lie in life and death struggle ).ess his body escape+ I was wholly unable, I could not (ince God did not will it, to keep him from keep the going, monster from /ot held him that firmly, hated opposer+
escaping, as

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God did not !oo swift was the foeman. "et safety will that I regarding should. He suffered his hand behind him to linger, His arm and shoulder, to act as watcher# o shadow of solace the woe$begone creature He left his %ound him there nathless& the hated destroyer hand and arm behind. 'iveth no longer, lashed for his evils, But sorrow hath sei(ed him, in snare$meshes hath him )lose in its clutches, keepeth him writhing In baleful bonds& there banished for evil !he man shall wait for the mighty tribunal, God will give How the God of glory shall give him his him his earnings.* !hen the soldier kept silent, son of old +cglaf, deserts. Unferth has %rom boasting and bragging of battle$ nothing more achievements, to say, for ,ince the princes beheld there the hand that Beowulfs depended actions speak eath the lofty hall$timbers by the might of louder than the nobleman, words. +ach one before him, the enemys fingers# +ach finger$nail strong steel most resembled, !he heathen ones hand$spur, the hero$in$battles )law most uncanny# -uoth they agreeing, o sword will !hat not any e.cellent edges of brave ones harm the /as willing to touch him, the terrible monster. creatures Battle$hand bloody to bear away from him. 012 B. and t.B. read 3sta4ole, and translate stood on the floor. 052 %or 3snaring from Grendel, 3sorrows at Grendels hands has been suggested. !his gives a parallel to 3l67es. 3Grynna may well be gen. pl. of 3gyrn, by a scribal slip. 082 !he H.$,o punctuation has been followed# but B. has been followed in understanding 3gehwylcne as ob9ect of 3w:d$scofen ;h<fde=. Gr. construes 3w>a as nom abs.

XVI. HROTHGAR LAVISHES GIFTS UPON HIS DELIVERER.

Heorot is !hen straight was ordered that Heorot inside1 adorned with /ith hands be embellished& a host of them hands. gathered, ?f men and women, who the wassailing$building !he guest$hall begeared. Gold$flashing sparkled /ebs on the walls then, of wonders a many !o each of the heroes that look on such ob9ects.

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The hall is The beautiful building was bro"en to pieces defaced, #hich all within with irons was fastened, however. $ts hinges torn off% onl! the roof was #hole and unin&ured when the horrible creature 'utlawed for evil off had beta"en hi , Hopeless of living. Tis hard to avoid it [A vague (#hoever will do it)*+ but he doubtless ust passage of five co e to2 verses.] The place awaiting, as #!rd hath appointed, ,oul-bearers, earth-dwellers, earls under heaven, #here bound on its bed his bod! shall slu ber Hrothgar goes #hen feasting is finished. Full was the ti e to the banquet. then That the son of Healfdene went to the building+ The e.cellent atheling would eat of the banquet. /eer heard $ that people with hero-band larger Bare the better towrds their bracelet-bestower. The laden-with-glor! stooped to the bench then (Their "ins en-co panions in plent! were &o!ful, 0an! a cupful quaffing co plaisantl!*, 1ought! of spirit in the high-towring palace, Hrothgars Hrothgar and Hrothulf. Heorot then inside nephew, #as filled with friendl! ones+ falsehood and Hrothulf, is treacher! present. The Fol"-,c!ldings now nowise did practise. Hrothgar Then the offspring of Healfdene offered to lavishes gifts Beowulf upon Beowulf. A golden standard, as reward for the victor!, A banner e bossed, burnie and hel et+ 0an! en saw then a song-fa ous weapon Borne fore the hero. Beowulf dran" of The cup in the building+ that treasure-bestowing He needed not blush for in battle- ens presence. /eer heard $ that an! en on the ale-bench Four $n friendlier fashion to their fellows presented handso er gifts were Four bright &ewels with gold-wor" never e bellished. presented. 2ound the roof of the hel et a head-guarder outside Braided with wires, with bosses was furnished, That swords-for-the-battle fight-hardened ight fail Boldl! to har hi , when the hero proceeded Hrothgar Forth against foe en. The defender of earls co ands that then eight finel! 3o anded that eight steeds with bridles caparisoned 4old-plated, glea ing, be guided to hallward, steeds be $nside the building+ on one of the stood then brought to Beowulf. An art-broidered saddle e bellished with &ewels+ Twas the sovereigns seat, when the son of 5ing Healfdene #as pleased to ta"e part in the pla! of the edges+ The fa ous ones valor neer failed at the front when

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Beowulf/ n nglo$Sa2on Epic @oem

@agina A6 di **A

)>?+

55

Slain ones were bowing. nd to Beowulf granted The prince of the !ngwins" power over both" #er war$steeds and weapons% bade him well to en&oy them. !n so manly a manner the mighty$famed chieftain" Hoard$ward of heroes" with horses and &ewels 'ar$storms re(uited" that none eer condemneth 'ho willeth to tell truth with full &ustice.
)*+ ,l. suggests -hroden for -h.ten" and renders/ Then quickly was Heorot adorned within, with hands bedecked.0B. suggests -gefr1twon instead of -gefr1twod" and renders/ Then was it commanded to adorn Heorot within quickly with hands.0The former has the advantage of affording a parallel to -gefr1twod/ both have the disadvantage of altering the te2t. )3+ The passage *445$*446 seems to be hopeless. #ne difficult point is to find a sub&ect for -gesacan. Some say -he% others supply -each" i.e., every soul-bearer must gain the inevitable place. The genitives in this case are partitive.0!f -he be sub&." the genitives are dependent on -gearwe 78 prepared9.0The -he itself is disputed" some referring it to Grendel% but B. takes it as involved in the parenthesis.

XVII. BANQUET (continued).THE SCOPS SONG OF FINN AND HNF.

nd the atheling of earlmen to each of the Each of Beowulfs heroes companions 'ho the ways of the waters went with receives a Beowulf" costly gift. costly gift$token gave on the mead$bench" #ffered an heirloom" and ordered that that man The warrior 'ith gold should be paid for" whom Grendel killed by had erstwhile 'ickedly slaughtered" as he more of them had Grendel is to be paid for in done gold. Had far$seeing God and the mood of the hero The fate not averted/ the :ather then governed ll of the earth$dwellers" as He ever is doing% Hence insight for all men is everywhere fittest" :orethought of spirit; much he shall suffer #f lief and of loathsome who long in this present <seth the world in this woful e2istence. There was music and merriment mingling together Hrothgars Touching Healfdenes leader% the &oy$wood scop recalls was fingered" =easures recited" when the singer of Hrothgar events in the
reign of his lords father.

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0eowulf' /n /nglo%*axon ! ic :oem

:agina 43 di ;;9

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$n mead%bench should mention the merry hall%&oyance $f the kinsmen of Finn, when onset sur rised them' Hnf, the ()he Half%Danish hero, Hnf of the Danish *cyldings, general, is $n the field of the Frisians was fated to treacherously erish. attacked while *ure Hildeburg needed not mention a ro+ing staying at )he faith of the ,utemen' though blameless Finns castle. entirely, -hen shields were shi+ered she was shorn of Queen Hildeburg is her darlings, not only wife $f bairns and brothers' they bent to their fate of Finn, but a -ith war%s ear wounded. woe was that kinswoman of woman. the murdered #ot causeless lamented the daughter of Hoce Hnf. )he decree of the -ielder when morning%light came and *he was able neath hea+en to behold the destruction $f brothers and bairns, where the brightest of earth%&oys Finns force is *he had hitherto had' all the henchmen of almost Finn exterminated. -ar had offtaken, sa+e a handful remaining, )hat he nowise was able to offer resistance1 )o the onset of Hengest in the arley of battle, Hengest succeeds Hnf #or the wretched remnant to rescue in war as Danish from general. )he earl of the atheling. but they offered conditions, Com act /nother great building to fully make ready, between the / hall and a high%seat, that half they might Frisians and rule with the Danes. )he sons of the ,utemen, and that Folcwaldas son would Day after day the Danemen honor -hen gifts were gi+ing, and grant of his ring%store )o Hengests earl%troo e+er so freely, $f his gold% lated &ewels, as he encouraged the Frisians !"uality of $n the bench of the beer%hall. $n both sides gifts agreed they swore then on. / fast%binding com act. Finn unto Hengest -ith no thought of re+oking +owed then most solemnly )he woe%begone remnant well to take charge of, His -itan ad+ising. the agreement should no one 0y words or works weaken and shatter, 0y artifice e+er in&ure its +alue, )hough rea+ed of their ruler their ring%gi+ers slayer )hey followed as +assals, Fate so re"uiring' #o one shall )hen if one of the Frisians the "uarrel should refer to old s eak of grudges. 1n tones that were taunting, terrible edges *hould cut in re"uital. /ccom lished the oath was, /nd treasure of gold from the hoard was u lifted. )he best of the *cylding bra+es was then fully

26<3;<23;9

?eowulf: Bn Bnglo-Ga8on Hpi! Poem

Pagina E) di ))-

C+ (;D*

CE

F+

Danish Prepared for the pile at the pyre was seen warriors are !learly burned on a The blood-gory burnie, the boar with his funeral-pyre. gilding, The iron-hard swine, athelings many Fatally wounded no few had been slaughtered. Hildeburg bade then, at the burning of Hnf, Queen The bairn of her bosom to bear to the fire, That his body be burned and borne to the pyre. Hildeburg has her son burnt The woe-stri!"en woman wept on his along with shoulder,2 Hnf. #n measures lamented upmounted the hero.3 The greatest of dead-fires !urled to the wel"in, $n the hill%s-front !ra!"led heads were a-melting, &ound-doors bursting, while the blood was a-!oursing From body-bite fier!e. The fire devoured them, 'reediest of spirits, whom war had off!arried From both of the peoples their bravest were fallen. ()* For )+,-, .. suggests /wiht Hengeste wi0 gefeohtan.%12. suggests /wi0 Hengeste wiht gefeohtan.% 3either emendation would ma"e any essential !hange in the translation. (4* The separation of ad5e!tive and noun by a phrase 6!f. v. ))),7 being very unusual, some s!holars have put /earme on ea8le% with the foregoing lines, inserting a semi!olon after /ea8le.% #n this !ase /on ea8e% 6i.e., on the ashes, !inders7 is sometimes read, and this affords a parallel to /on bl.% 9et us hope that a satisfa!tory rendering shall yet be rea!hed without resorting to any tampering with the te8t, su!h as 9i!htenheld proposed: /earme ides on ea8le gnornode.% (;* For /g<0-rin!,% /g<0-r=!,% battle-smoke, has been suggested.

XVIII. THE FINN EPISODE (continued). THE BANQUET CONTINUES.

>Then the warriors departed to go to their The survivors go to dwellings, Friesland, the .eaved of their friends, Friesland to visit, Their homes and high-!ity. Hengest !ontinued home of Finn. Hengest ?iding with Finn the blood-tainted winter, 1 &holly unsundered of fatherland thought he remains there all winter, Though unable to drive the ring-stemm@d unable to get vessel away. $%er the ways of the waters the wave-deeps were tossing, Fought with the wind winter in i!e-bonds Alosed up the !urrents, till there !ame to the dwelling B year in its !ourse, as yet it revolveth,

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'eowulf1 2n 2nglo)"a,on *&ic Boem

Bagina ;< di ::@

:;

<=

<;

>=

>;

?@:A

@=

@;

(f season &ro&itious one alway regardeth, %orld)cheering weathers. Then winter was gone, *arths osom was lovely+ the e,ile would get him, He devises The guest from the &alace+ on grewsomest schemes of vengeance vengeance. He rooded more eager than on oversea journeys, %her onset)of)anger he were a le to com&lish, The airns of the -utemen therein to remem er. .owise refused he the duties of liegeman %hen Hun of the Frisians the attle)sword /0fing, Fairest of falchions, friendly did give him1 (ts edges were famous in fol#)tal# of -utland. 2nd savage sword)fury sei3ed in its clutches 'old)mooded Finn where he ode in his &alace, Guthlaf and %hen the grewsome gra&&le Guthlaf and Oslaf revenge Oslaf Had mournfully mentioned, the mere)journey Hnfs slaughter. over, For sorrows half) lamed him+ the flic#ering s&irit 4ould not ide in his osom. Then the uilding was covered2 Finn is slain. %ith cor&ses of foemen, and Finn too was slaughtered, The #ing with his comrades, and the queen made a &risoner. The jewels of The troo&s of the "cyldings ore to their Finn, and his vessels queen are 2ll that the land)#ing had in his &alace, carried away "uch trin#ets and treasures they too# as, on y the !anes. searching, 2t Finns they could find. They ferried to !aneland The e,cellent woman on oversea journey, The lay is /ed her to their land)fol#.5 The lay was concluded, and concluded, The gleemans recital. "houts again rose then, the main story is resumed. 'ench)glee resounded, earers then offered %ine from wonder)vats. %ealhtheo advanced "#in#ers carry round the then ea#er. Going neath gold)crown, where the good ones were seated $ueen 6ncle and ne&hew+ their &eace was yet %ealhtheow mutual, greets True each to the other. 2nd 6nferth the Hrothgar, as he s&o#esman sits eside "at at the feet of the lord of the "cyldings1 Hrothulf, his *ach trusted his s&irit that his mood was ne&hew. courageous, Though at fight he had failed in faith to his #insmen. "aid the queen of the "cyldings1 78y lord and &rotector, Treasure) estower, ta#e thou this ea#er+ -oyance attend thee, gold)friend of heroes, 'e generous to 2nd greet thou the Geatmen with gracious the Geats. res&onses9 "o ought one to do. 'e #ind to the Geatmen,

<>C=:C<=:@

Beowulf: (n (nglo$,a.on <pic oem

agina ?3 di 00A

?4

??

@4

@?

In gifts not niggardly; anear and afar now eace thou enjoyest. !eport hath informed me "hou#lt have for a bairn the battle$brave hero. %ow is Heorot cleans&d, ring$palace gleaming; Have as much 'ive while thou mayest many rewards, joy as possible (nd be)ueath to thy kinsmen kingdom and in thy hall, people, once more *n wending thy way to the +ielder#s purified. splendor. I know good Hrothulf, that the noble young troopers I know that He#ll care for and honor, lord of the Hrothulf will ,cyldings, prove faithful If earth$joys thou endest earlier than he doth; if he survive I reckon that recompense he#ll render with thee. kindness *ur offspring and issue, if that all he remember, +hat favors of yore, when he yet was an infant, +e awarded to him for his worship and pleasure."hen she turned by the bench where her sons were carousing, Hrethric and Hrothmund, and the heroes# offspring, Beowulf is "he war$youth together; there the good one sitting by the was sitting #"wi.t the brothers twain, Beowulf 'eatman. two royal sons.
/01 2or 0034 506 !. and 'r. suggest 7elne unflitme# as 0489 506 reads. "he latter verse is undisputed; and, for the former, 7elne# would be as possible as 7ealles,# and 7unflitme# is well supported. (ccepting 7elne unflitme# for both, I would suggest 7very peaceably# for both places: 506 Finn to Hengest very peaceably vowed with oaths, etc. 5;6 Hengest then still the slaughter-stained winter remained there with Finn very peaceably. "he two passages become thus correlatives, the second a se)uel of the first. 7<lne,# in the sense of very 5sw=>e6, needs no argument; and 7unflitme# 5from 7fl=tan#6 can, it seems to me, be more plausibly rendered 7peaceful,# 7peaceable,# than 7contestable,# or 7con)uerable.# /;1 ,ome scholars have proposed 7roden#; the line would then read: Then the building was reddened, etc., instead of 7covered.# "he 7h# may have been carried over from the three alliterating 7h#s.#

XIX. BEOWULF RECEIVES FURTHER HONOR.

( beaker was borne him, and bidding to )uaff it 'raciously given, and gold that was twisted leasantly proffered, a pair of arm$jewels, !ings and corslet, of collars the greatest I#ve heard of #neath heaven. *f heroes not any
More gifts are offered Beowulf.

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Beowulf, An Anglo%"a?on &pic >oem

>agina 8< di 66<

67

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More splendid from ewels have ! heard neath the welkin, A famous "ince #ama off $ore the Brosingmens necklace is necklace, referred to, in The $racteates and ewels, from the $right% comparison 1 shining city, with the gems &ormenrics cunning craftiness fled from, presented to Beowulf. 'hose gain everlasting. (eatish #igelac, (randson of "werting, last had this ewel When tramping neath $anner the treasure he guarded, The field%spoil defended) *ate offcarried him When for deeds of daring he endured tri$ulation, #ate from the *risians) the ornaments $are he +er the cup of the currents, costly gem%treasures, Mighty folk%leader, he fell neath his target) The2 corpse of the king then came into charge of The race of the *rankmen, the mail%shirt and collar, Warmen less no$le plundered the fallen, When the fight was finished) the folk of the (eatmen The field of the dead held in possession. The choicest of mead%halls with cheering resounded. Wealhtheo discoursed, the war%troop addressed she, Queen -This collar en oy thou, Beowulf worthy, .oung man, in safety, and use thou this armor, Wealhtheow magnifies (ems of the people, and prosper thou fully, Beowulfs "how thyself sturdy and $e to these liegemen achievements. Mild with instruction/ !ll mind thy re0uital. Thou hast $rought it to pass that far and near *orever and ever earthmen shall honor thee, &ven so widely as ocean surroundeth The $lustering $luffs. Be, while thou livest, A wealth%$less1d atheling. ! wish thee most truly May gifts 2ewels and treasure. Be kind to my son, thou never fail thee. 3iving in oyance/ #ere each of the no$les !s true unto other, gentle in spirit, 3oyal to leader. The liegemen are peaceful, The war%troops ready, well%drunken heroes,3 4o as ! $id ye.5 Then she went to the settle. There was choicest of $an0uets, wine drank the heroes, They little Weird they knew not, destiny cruel, know of the As to many an earlman early it happened, sorrow in store When evening had come and #rothgar had for them. parted +ff to his manor, the mighty to slum$er. Warriors unnum$ered warded the $uilding As erst they did often, the ale%settle $ared they, Twas covered all over with $eds and pillows. A doomed 4oomed unto death, down to his slum$er Bowed then a $eer%thane. Their $attle%shields thane is there with them. placed they, Bright%shining targets, up $y their heads then) +er the atheling on ale%$ench twas easy to see there

9:@76@976<

Beow lf, !n !nglo-+a1on :pi" Boem

Bagina AA di ''.

AA

Battle-high helmet, b rnie of ring-mail, !nd mighty war-spear. Twas the wont of that They were always ready people for battle. To "onstantly keep them e# ipped for the 4 battle, !t home or mar"hing$in either "ondition$ !t seasons % st s "h as ne"essity ordered !s best for their r ler& that people was worthy.
['] C. s ggests a semi"olon after ("ity, with (he as s pplied s b%e"t of (fled and ("hose. [)] *or (feorh +. s ggests (feoh, ("orpse in the translation wo ld then be "hanged to (possessions, (belongings. This is a better reading than one %oining, in s "h intimate synta"ti"al relations, things so nlike as ("orpse and (%ewels. [-] +. s ggests (wine-joyous heroes, (warriors elated with wine. [.] / believe this translation brings o t the meaning of the poet, witho t departing serio sly from the 0.-+o. te1t. (2ft fre# ently means ("onstantly, ("ontin ally, not always (often.$3hy (an 4on5 w6g gearwe sho ld be written (7nw6g-gearwe 48 ready for single "ombat5, / "annot see. (Gearwe o"" rs # ite fre# ently with (on& "f. B. '''9 4ready for the pyre5, :l. ))) 4ready for the glad journey5. ;oreover, what has the idea of single "ombat to do with B. ').< ff.= The poet is giving an inventory of the arms and armor whi"h they lay aside on retiring, and he "loses his narration by saying that they were always prepared for battle both at home and on the march.

[..]

XX. THE MOTHER OF GRENDEL.

They sank then to sl mber. 3ith sorrow one paid for 0is evening repose, as often betid them 3hile Grendel was holding1 the gold-bede"ked pala"e, /ll-deeds performing, till his end overtook him, >eath for his sins. Twas seen very "learly, Grendels ?nown nto earth-folk, that still an avenger mother is 2 tlived the loathed one, long sin"e the known to be sorrow thirsting for Ca sed by the str ggle& the mother of revenge. Grendel, >evil-shaped woman, her woe ever minded, 3ho was held to inhabit the horrible waters, [Grendels The "old-flowing " rrents, after Cain had progenitor, be"ome a Cain, is again +layer-with-edges to his one only brother, referred to.] The son of his sire& he set o t then banished, ;arked as a m rderer, man-%oys avoiding, @ived in the desert. Then"e demons nn mbered *ate-sent awoke& one of them Grendel,

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Beowulf( n nglo-Sa-on ,pic 9oem

9agina 38 di ::5

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The poet again Sword-cursd, hateful, who at Heorot met magnifies with Beowulfs man that was watching, waiting the valor. struggle, !here a horrid one held him with hand-grapple sturd"# $athless he minded the might of his %od", The glorious gift God had allowed him, nd fol&-ruling 'athers favor relied on, His help and His comfort( so he con)uered the foeman, The hell-spirit hum%led( he unhapp" departed then, *eaved of his +o"ance, +ourne"ing to death-haunts, 'oeman of man. His mother moreover Grendels ,ager and gloom" was an-ious to go on mother comes Her mournful mission, mindful of vengeance to avenge her 'or the death of her son. She came then to son. Heorot !here the rmor-.ane earlmen all through the %uilding !ere l"ing in slum%er. Soon there %ecame then *eturn2 to the no%les, when the mother of Grendel ,ntered the fol&-hall# the fear was less grievous B" even so much as the vigor of maidens, !ar-strength of women, %" warrior is rec&oned, !hen well-carved weapon, wor&ed with the hammer, Blade ver" %lood", %rave with its edges, Stri&es down the %oar-sign that stands on the helmet. Then the hard-edgd weapon was heaved in the %uilding,3 The %rand oer the %enches, %road-lindens man" Hand-fast were lifted# for helmet he rec&ed not, 'or armor-net %road, whom terror laid hold of. She went then hastil", outward would get her Her life for to save, when some one did sp" her# She seizes a Soon she had grappled one of the athelings favorite 'ast and firml", when fenward she hied her# liegemen of That one to Hrothgar was liefest of heroes Hrothgars. /n ran& of retainer where waters encircle, might" shield-warrior, whom she murdered at slum%er, %roadl"-famed %attle-&night. Beowulf was a%sent, Beowulf was But another apartment was erstwhile devoted To the glor"-dec&ed Geatman when gold was asleep in another part of distri%uted. the palace. There was hu%%u% in Heorot. The hand that was famous She grasped in its gore#4 grief was renewed then /n homes and houses( twas no happ" arrangement /n %oth of the )uarters to %arter and purchase !ith lives of their friends. Then the well-agd ruler, The gra"-headed war-thane, was woful in spirit, !hen his long-trusted liegeman lifeless he &new of, His dearest one gone. 0uic& from a room was Beowulf is sent for. Beowulf %rought, %rave and triumphant. s da" was dawning in the dus& of the morning, !ent then that earlman, champion no%le,

17;2:;12:5

Beowulf3 #n #nglo-.a:on Dpic Koem

Kagina 2> di ,,;

?2

>1

He comes at Came with comrades, where the clever one Hrothgars ided summons. !hether "od all gracious would grant him a respite #fter the woe he had suffered. $he war-worthy hero !ith a troop of retainers trod then the pavement %$he hall- uilding groaned&, till he greeted the wise one, Beowulf $he earl of the 'ngwins(5 as)ed if the night inquires how had Hrothgar had *ully refreshed him, as fain he would have it. enjoyed his nights rest. +,- .everal eminent authorities either read or emend the /.. so as to ma)e this verse read, While Grendel was wasting the goldbedecked palace. .o 01 ,2 elow3 ravaged the desert. +0- *or 4s5na %,06,&, t.B. suggests 4s7ra, limiting 4edhwyrft. 8ead then3 Return of sorrows to the nobles, etc. $his emendation supplies the syntactical gap after 4edhwyrft. +9- .ome authorities follow "reins le:icon in treating 4heard ecg as an adj. limiting 4sweord3 H.-.o. renders it as a su st. %.o v. ,;<,.& $he sense of the translation would e the same. +;- B. suggests 4under hr5f genam %v. ,919&. $his emendation, as well as an emendation with %=& to v. >9<, he offers, ecause 4under affles him in oth passages. #ll we need is to ta)e 4under in its secondary meaning of 4in, which, though not given y "rein, occurs in the literature. Cf. Chron. 6>? %/archs #.-.. "ram. @ 922& and Aro. #maB. '. ,1, where 4under C in the midst of. Cf. modern Dng. 4in such circumstances, which interchanges in good usage with 4under such circumstances. +2- *or 4nEod-laFu %,90,& C. suggests 4nEad-l7Fum, and translates3 asked whether the night had been pleasant to him after crushinghostility.

XXI. HROTHGARS ACCOUNT OF THE MONSTERS.

Hrothgar rejoined, helm of the .cyldings3 Hrothgar laments the G#s) not of joyanceH "rief is renewed to death of $he fol) of the Ianemen. Iead is schere, schere, his Jrmenlafs rother, older than he, shoulder/y true-hearted counsellor, trusty adviser, companion. .houlder-companion, when fighting in attle Aur heads we protected, when troopers were clashing, #nd heroes were dashing( such an earl should He was my ideal hero. e ever, #n erst-worthy atheling, as schere proved him. $he flic)ering death-spirit ecame in Heorot His hand-to-hand murderer( ' can not tell whither $he cruel one turned in the carcass e:ulting,

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Beowulf, &n &nglo!"a.on Epic ;oem

;agina 39 di 227

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This horrible By cramming discovered.1 The quarrel she creature came wreaked then to avenge That last night igone Grendel thou killedst Grendels In grewsomest manner with grim!holding death. clutches "ince too long he had lessened my liege!troop and wasted #y folk!men so foully. $e fell in the battle %ith forfeit of life and another has followed & mighty crime!worker her kinsman avenging &nd henceforth hath 'stablished her hatred unyielding 2 &s it well may appear to many a liegeman %ho mourneth in spirit the treasure!bestower $er heavy heart!sorrow( the hand is now lifeless %hich3 availed you in every wish that you cherished. I have heard )and!people heard I liegemen this saying my vassals *wellers in halls they had seen very often speak of these & pair of such mighty march!striding two uncanny creatures monsters who +ar!dwelling spirits holding the moorlands, lived in the moors. -ne of them wore as well they might notice The image of woman the other one wretched In guise of a man wandered in e.ile E.cept he was huger than any of earthmen( Earth!dwelling people entitled him Grendel In days of yore, they know not their father %her ill!going spirits any were borne him The inhabit the Ever before. They guard the wolf!coverts most desolate )ands inaccessible wind!beaten nesses and horrible +earfullest fen!deeps where a flood from the places. mountains /eath mists of the nesses netherward rattles The stream under earth, not far is it henceward #easured by mile!lengths that the mere!water standeth %hich forests hang over with frost!whiting covered 4 & firm!rooted forest the floods overshadow. There ever at night one an ill!meaning portent & fire!flood may see( mong children of men /one liveth so wise that wot of the bottom( Though harassed by hounds the heath!stepper seek for Even the +ly to the forest firm!antlered he!deer hounded deer "purred from afar his spirit he yieldeth will not seek $is life on the shore ere in he will venture refuge in these To cover his head. 0ncanny the place is, uncanny Thence upward ascendeth the surging of regions. waters %an to the welkin when the wind is stirring The weathers unpleasing till the air groweth gloomy To thee only &nd the heavens lower. /ow is help to be can I look for gotten assistance. +rom thee and thee only1 The abode thou knowst not The dangerous place where thourt able to meet with

46<52<4527

Beowulf: 2n 2nglo-4axon <0ic Coem

Cagina 7H di %%,

FG

The sin-laden hero: seek if thou darest! For the feud I will fully fee thee with money !ith old-time treasure as erstwhile I did thee !ith well-twisted "ewels if away thou shalt get thee.#
$%& For 'gefr(gnod) *%++,- .. and t.B. suggest 'gef(gnod ) rendering 'rejoicing in her fill.) This gi/es a 0arallel to '(se wlanc) *%+++-. $1& The line '2nd 3 yielding ) B. renders: And she has performed a deed of blood-vengeance whose effect is far-reaching. $+& '45 6e) *%+,7- is an instance of masc. rel. with fem. antecedent. 4o /. %888 where 's5 6e) refers to 'yldo.) $,& For 'hr9mge) in the H.-4o. edition :r. and others read 'hr9nde) *;hr9nende- and translate: which rustling forests overhang.

XXII. BEOWULF SEEKS GRENDELS MOTHER.

Beowulf answered <cgtheow)s son: Beowulf =:rie/e not > wise one! for each it is better exhorts the old His friend to a/enge than with /ehemence king to arouse wail him? himself for <ach of us must the end-day abide of action. His earthly existence? who is able accom0lish :lory ere death! To battle-thane noble @ifeless lying )tis at last most fitting. 2rise > king Auick let us hasten To look at the foot0rint of the kinsman of :rendel! I 0romise thee this now: to his 0lace he)ll esca0e not To embrace of the earth nor to mountainous forest Bor to de0ths of the ocean where/er he wanders. Cractice thou now 0atient endurance >f each of thy sorrows as I ho0e for thee soothly!# Hrothgar Then u0 s0rang the old one the 2ll-!ielder rouses himself. thanked he His horse is Duler 2lmighty that the man had outs0oken. brought. Then for Hrothgar a war-horse was decked with a bridle Eurly-maned courser. The cle/er folk-leader They start on 4tately 0roceeded: ste00ed then an earl-troo0 the track of the >f linden-wood bearers. Her foot0rints were female seen then monster. !idely in wood-0aths her way o)er the bottoms !here she faraway fared o)er fen-country murky Bore away breathless the best of retainers

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!ho 0ondered with Hrothgar the welfare of country. The son of the athelings then went o)er the stony Kecli/itous cliffs the close-co/ered 0asses Barrow 0assages 0aths unfreAuented Besses abru0t nicker-haunts many? >ne of a few of wise-mooded heroes He onward ad/anced to /iew the surroundings Till he found unawares woods of the mountain >)er hoar-stones hanging holt-wood un"oyful? The water stood under welling and gory. )Twas irksome in s0irit to all of the Kanemen Friends of the 4cyldings to many a liegeman The sight of 4ad to be suffered a sorrow unlittle Jschere)s To each of the earlmen when to Jschere)s head causes head they them great Eame on the cliff. The current was seething sorrow. !ith blood and with gore *the troo0ers gaLed on it-. The horn anon sang the battle-song ready. The troo0 were all seated? they saw )long the water then The water is Many a ser0ent mere-dragons wondrous filled with Trying the waters nickers a-lying ser0ents and >n the cliffs of the nesses which at noonday sea-dragons. full often :o on the sea-dee0s their sorrowful "ourney !ild-beasts and wormkind? away then they hastened >ne of them is Hot-mooded hateful they heard the great killed by clamor Beowulf. The war-trum0et winding. >ne did the :eat0rince 4under from earth-"oys with arrow from bowstring From his sea-struggle tore him that the trusty war-missile Cierced to his /itals? he 0ro/ed in the currents The dead beast is a 0oor @ess doughty at swimming whom death had swimmer offcarried. 4oon in the waters the wonderful swimmer !as straitened most sorely with sword-0ointed boar-s0ears Cressed in the battle and 0ulled to the cliff-edge? The liegemen then looked on the loath-fashioned stranger. Beowulf Beowulf donned then his battle-eAui0ments 0re0ares for a Eared little for life? inlaid and most am0le struggle with The hand-wo/en corslet which could co/er his the monster. body Must the wa/e-dee0s ex0lore that war might be 0owerless To harm the great hero and the hating one)s gras0 might Bot 0eril his safety? his head was 0rotected By the light-flashing helmet that should mix with the bottoms Trying the eddies treasure-emblaLoned <ncircled with "ewels as in seasons long 0ast The wea0on-smith worked it wondrously made it !ith swine-bodies fashioned it that thenceforward no longer Brand might bite it and battle-sword hurt it.

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nd that was not least of helpers in prowess He has !hat Hrothgars spokesman had lent him Unferths when straitened" sword in his nd the hilted hand#sword was Hrunting hand. entitled, $ld and most e%cellent mong all of the treasures" Its blade was of iron, blotted with poison, Hardened with gore" it failed not in battle ny hero under heaven in hand who it brandished, &ho ventured to take the terrible journeys, !he battle#field sought" not the earliest occasion !hat deeds of daring twas destined to complish. Unferth has 'cglafs kinsman minded not soothly, little use for '%ulting in strength, what erst he had spoken swords. (runken with wine, when the weapon he lent to sword#hero bolder" himself did not venture )eath the strife of the currents his life to endanger, !o fame#deeds perform" there he forfeited glory, *epute for his strength. )ot so with the other &hen he clad in his corslet had e+uipped him for battle.

XXIII. BEOWULFS FIGHT WITH GRENDELS MOTHER.

Beowulf spake, 'cgtheows son, -*ecall now, oh, famous kinsman of Healfdene, .rince very prudent, now to part I am ready, /old#friend of earlmen, what erst we agreed on, 0hould I lay down my life in lending thee assistance, &hen my earth#joys were over, thou wouldst evermore serve me In stead of a father" my faithful thanemen, 1y trusty retainers, protect thou and care for, 2all I in battle, and, Hrothgar belov3d, 0end unto Higelac the high#valued jewels !hou to me hast allotted. !he lord of the /eatmen 1ay perceive from the gold, the Hrethling may see it &hen he looks on the jewels, that a gem#giver found I /ood over#measure, enjoyed him while able. nd the ancient heirloom Unferth permit thou,
Beowulf makes a parting speech to Hrothgar. If I fail, act as a kind liegelord to my thanes,

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and send Higelac the jewels thou hast given me I should like my king to know how generous a lord I found thee to be.

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The famed one to have, the heavy-sword s lendid1 The hard-edg!d wea on" with Hrunting to aid me, # shall gain me glory, or grim-death shall take me.$ Beowulf is The atheling of Geatmen uttered these words eager for the and fray. Heroic did hasten, not any re%oinder &as willing to wait for" the wave-current swallowed He is a whole The doughty-in-battle. Then a days-length day reaching ela sed ere the bottom of He was able to see the sea at its bottom. the sea. 'arly she found then who fifty of winters The course of the currents ke t in her fury, Grisly and greedy, that the grim ones dominion Grendels Some one of men from above was e( loring. )orth did she grab them, gra led the warrior mother knows that some one &ith horrible clutches" yet no sooner she has reached in%ured her domains. His body unscath!d* the burnie out-guarded, That she roved but owerless to ierce through the armor, The limb-mail locked, with loath-grabbing fingers. The sea-wolf bare then, when bottomward came she, She grabs him, The ring- rince homeward, that he after was and bears him owerless to her den. +He had daring to do it, to deal with his wea ons, But many a mere-beast tormented him swimming, Sea-monsters )lood-beasts no few with fierce-biting tusks bite and strike did him. Break through his burnie, the brave one ursued they. The earl then discovered he was down in some cavern &here no water whatever anywise harmed him, -nd the clutch of the current could come not anear him, Since the roofed-hall revented" brightness a-gleaming )ire-light he saw, flashing res lendent. The good one saw then the sea-bottoms monster, Beowulf The mighty mere-woman" he made a great attacks the onset mother of &ith wea on-of-battle, his hand not desisted Grendel. )rom striking, that war-blade struck on her head then - battle-song greedy. The stranger erceived then The sword will The sword would not bite, her life would not not bite. in%ure, But the falchion failed the folk- rince when straitened* 'rst had it often onsets encountered, .ft cloven the helmet, the fated ones armor* Twas the first time that ever the e(cellent %ewel Had failed of its fame. )irm-mooded after, /ot heedless of valor, but mindful of glory, &as Higelacs kinsman" the hero-chief angry 0ast then his carved-sword covered with %ewels

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That it lay on the earth, hard and steel-pointed; The hero He hoped in his strength, his hand-grapple throws down sturdy. all weapons, So any must act whenever he thinketh and again To gain him in attle glory unending, trusts to his !nd is reckless of living. The lord of the "ar- hand-grip. Geats #He shrank not from attle$ sei%ed y the shoulder2 The mother of Grendel; then mighty in struggle Swung he his enemy, since his anger was kindled, That she fell to the floor. "ith furious grapple Beowulf falls. She gave him re&uital3 early thereafter, !nd stretched out to gra him; the strongest of warriors 'aint-mooded stum led, till he fell in his traces, The monster 'oot-going champion. Then she sat on the sits on him hall-guest with drawn !nd wielded her war-knife wide- laded, sword. flashing, 'or her son would take vengeance, her one only airn. His reast-armor woven ode on his shoulder; His armor saves his life. (t guarded his life, the entrance defended )Gainst sword-point and edges. *cgtheow)s son there Had fatally +ourneyed, champion of Geatmen, (n the arms of the ocean, had the armor not given, ,lose-woven corslet, comfort and succor, God arranged !nd had God most holy not awarded the for his escape. victory, !ll-knowing -ord; easily did heaven)s .uler most righteous arrange it with +ustice;4 /prose he erect ready for attle.
012 3l. emends 4w5l-sweord.) The half-line would then read, 4the battle-sword splendid.)6'or 4heard-ecg) in ne7t half-verse, see note to 89 :; a ove. 082 Sw., .., and t.B. suggest 4fea7e) for 4ea7le) #1<:=$ and render> Seized by the hair. 0:2 (f 4hand-l?an) e accepted #as the @S. has it$, the line will read> She hand-reward gave him early thereafter. 0A2 Sw. and S. change H.-So.)s semicolon #v. 1<<B$ to a comma, and translate> The Ruler of Heaven arranged it in justice easily, after he arose again.

XXIV. BEOWULF IS DOUBLECONQUEROR.

Then he saw mid the war-gems a weapon of victory,

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Beowulf An ancient giant-sword, of edges a-doughty, Glory of warriors: of weapons twas choicest, grasps a giantsword, nly twas larger than any man else was Able to bear to the battle-encounter, The good and splendid wor! of the giants. "e grasped then the sword-hilt, !night of the #cyldings, Bold and battle-grim, brandished his ring-sword, "opeless of living, hotly he smote her, That the fiend-womans nec! firmly it grappled, and fells the Bro!e through her bone-$oints, the bill fully female pierced her monster. %ate-curs&d body, she fell to the ground then: The hand-sword was bloody, the hero e'ulted. The brand was brilliant, brightly it glimmered, (ust as from heaven gemli!e shineth The torch of the firmament. "e glanced long the building, And turned by the wall then, "igelacs vassal )aging and wrathful raised his battle-sword #trong by the handle. The edge was not useless To the hero-in-battle, but he speedily wished to Give Grendel re*uital for the many assaults he "ad wor!ed on the +est-,anes not once, but often, +hen he slew in slumber the sub$ects of "rothgar, #wallowed down fifteen sleeping retainers f the fol! of the ,anemen, and fully as many -arried away, a horrible prey. "e gave him re*uital, grim-raging champion, Beowulf sees +hen he saw on his rest-place weary of the body of conflict Grendel, and Grendel lying, of life-$oys bereav&d, cuts off his As the battle at "eorot erstwhile had scathed head. him. "is body far bounded, a blow when he suffered, ,eath having sei/ed him, sword-smiting heavy, And he cut off his head then. 0arly this noticed The clever carles who as comrades of "rothgar The waters are Ga/ed on the sea-deeps, that the surging gory. wave-currents +ere mightily mingled, the mere-flood was gory: f the good one the gray-haired together held converse, Beowulf is The hoary of head, that they hoped not to see given up for again dead. The atheling ever, that e'ulting in victory "ed return there to visit the distinguished fol!-ruler: Then many concluded the mere-wolf had !illed him.1 The ninth hour came then. %rom the ness-edge departed The bold-mooded #cyldings. the gold-friend of heroes "omeward betoo! him. The strangers sat down then #oul-sic!, sorrowful, the sea-waves regarding: They wished and yet weened not their well-loved friend-lord To see any more. The sword-blade began then, The giantsword melts.

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The blood having touched it, contracting and shriveling With battle-icicles twas a wonderful marvel That it melted entirely, likest to ice when The !ather unbindeth the bond of the frost and "nwindeth the wave-bands, #e who wieldeth dominion $f times and of tides% a truth-firm &reator. 'or took he of (ewels more in the dwelling, )ord of the Weders, though they lay all around him, Than the head and the handle handsome with (ewels The brand early melted, burnt was the weapon%2 *o hot was the blood, the strange-spirit poisonous The hero That in it did perish. #e early swam off then swims back to Who had bided in combat the carnage of the realms of haters, day. Went up through the ocean the eddies were cleans+d, The spacious e,panses, when the spirit from farland #is life put aside and this short-lived e,istence. The seamens defender came swimming to land then -oughty of spirit, re(oiced in his sea-gift, The bulky burden which he bore in his keeping. The e,cellent vassals advanced then to meet him, To God they were grateful, were glad in their chieftain, That to see him safe and sound was granted them. !rom the high-minded hero, then, helmet and burnie Were speedily loosened% the ocean was putrid, The water neath welkin weltered with gore. !orth did they fare, then, their footsteps retracing, .erry and mirthful, measured the earth-way, The highway familiar% men very daring3 /are then the head from the sea-cliff, burdening 0ach of the earlmen, e,cellent-valiant. It takes four !our of them had to carry with labor men to carry The head of Grendel to the high towering Grendels head gold-hall on a spear. "pstuck on the spear, till fourteen mostvaliant 1nd battle-brave Geatmen came there going *traight to the palace% the prince of the people .easured the mead-ways, their mood-brave companion. The atheling of earlmen entered the building, -eed-valiant man, adorned with distinction, -oughty shield-warrior, to address 2ing #rothgar% Then hung by the hair, the head of Grendel Was borne to the building, where beer-thanes were drinking, )oth before earlmen and eke fore the lady% The warriors beheld then a wonderful sight.
345 678s monige gewear9 :4;<<= and 6hafa9 >8s geworden :?@?A=. BIn a paper published some years ago in one of the Cohns #opkins "niversity circulars, I tried to throw upon these two long-doubtful passages some light derived from a study of like

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passages in Alfreds prose.The impersonal verb geweoran, with an a us. of the person, and a !"t# lause is used several times with the meaning agree. $ee %rosius &$weets ed.' ()*)+ ,-./.+ ,-*,*+ ,(-(0+ ,*-,-. 1n the two Beowulf passages, the !"t# lause is anti ipated b2 !"s, whi h is learl2 a gen. of the thing agreed on. The first passage &v. (033 &b'#(4--' 1 translate literall25 Then many agreed upon this (namely), that the sea-wolf had killed him. The se ond passage &v. ,-,0 &b'#,-,)'5 She is promised ; to this the friend of the Scyldings has agreed, etc. B2 emending is instead of w"s &,-,0', the tenses will be brought into perfe t harmon2. 1n v. (33) ff. this same idiom o urs, and was noti ed in B.s great arti le on Beowulf, whi h appeared about the time 1 published m2 reading of (033 and ,-,). Translate (33) then5 Wouldst let the South-Danes themsel es decide a!out their struggle with "rendel. 6ere $7#8ene is a us. of person, and g7e is gen. of thing agreed on. 9ith su h ollateral support as that afforded b2 B. &:. and B. ;11. 3)', 1 have no hesitation in departing from 6.#$o., m2 usual guide. The idiom above treated runs through A.#$., %ld $axon, and other Teutoni languages, and should be noti ed in the lexi ons. <,= Br>den#m"l is regarded b2 most s holars as meaning a damas?eened sword. Translate5 The damaskeened sword !urned up. @f. ,0 (4 and note. </= @2ning#balde &(4/0' is the mu h#disputed reading of A. and Th. To render this, Bno!ly !old,C Be#cellently !old,C have been suggested. B. would read 2ning#holde & f. ,3-', and render5 $en well-disposed towards the king carried the head, etc% @2nebealde, sa2s t.B., endorsing Gr.

XXV. BEOWULF BRINGS HIS TROPHIES.HROTHGARS GRATITUDE.

Beowulf spa?e, offspring of D gtheow5 Beowulf relates his last BEoF we blithel2 have brought thee, bairn of exploit. 6ealfdene, :rin e of the $ 2ldings, these presents from o ean 9hi h thine e2e loo?eth on, for an emblem of glor2. 1 ame off alive from this, narrowl2 s aping5 1n war neath the water the wor? with great pains 1 :erformed, and the fight had been finished Guite nearl2, 6ad God not defended me. 1 failed in the battle Aught to a omplish, aided b2 6runting, Though that weapon was worth2, but the 9ielder of earth#fol? God was Gave me willingl2 to see on the wall a fighting with 6eav2 old hand#sword hanging in splendor
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(He guided most often the lorn and the friendless), That I swung as a weapon. The wards of the house then I killed in the conflict (when occasion was gi en me). Then the battle!sword burned, the brand that was lifted,1 "s the blood!current sprang, hottest of war!sweats# $ei%ing the hilt, from my foes I offbore it# I a enged as I ought to their acts of malignity, The murder of &anemen. I then make thee this promise, Heorot is freed Thou'lt be able in Heorot careless to slumber from monsters. (ith thy throng of heroes and the thanes of thy people ) ery and each, of greater and lesser, "nd thou needest not fear for them from the selfsame direction "s thou formerly fearedst, oh, folk!lord of $cyldings, )nd!day for earlmen.* To the age!hoary man then, The famous The gray!haired chieftain, the gold!fashioned sword is sword!hilt, presented to +ld!work of giants, was thereupon gi en# Hrothgar. $ince the fall of the fiends, it fell to the keeping +f the wielder of &anemen, the wonder!smith's labor, "nd the bad!mooded being abandoned this world then, +pponent of God, ictim of murder, "nd also his mother# it went to the keeping +f the best of the world!kings, where waters encircle, (ho the scot di ided in $cylding dominion. Hrothgar looks Hrothgar discoursed, the hilt he regarded, closely at the The ancient heirloom where an old!time old sword. contention's Beginning was gra en, the gurgling currents, The flood slew thereafter the race of the giants, They had pro ed themsel es daring, that people was loth to It had The -ord e erlasting, through lash of the belonged to a billows race hateful to The .ather ga e them final re/uital. God. $o in letters of rune on the clasp of the handle Gleaming and golden, 'twas gra en e0actly, $et forth and said, whom that sword had been made for, .inest of irons, who first it was wrought for, (reathed at its handle and gleaming with serpents. The wise one then said (silent they all were) $on of old Healfdene, 1He may say unrefuted Hrothgar (ho performs 'mid the folk!men fairness and praises Beowulf. truth (The hoary old ruler remembers the past), That better by birth is this bairn of the nobles2 Thy fame is e0tended through far!away countries, Good friend Beowulf, o'er all of the races, Thou holdest all firmly, hero!like strength with 3rudence of spirit. I'll pro e myself grateful "s before we agreed on# thou granted for long shalt Become a great comfort to kinsmen and comrades,

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Heremods A help unto heroes. Heremod became not Such to the Sc ldings, successors of !cgwela" career is again contrasted with He grew not to please them, but grievous Beowulfs. destruction, And diresome death#woes to $anemen attracted" He slew in anger his table#companions, %rustworth counsellors, till he turned off lonel &rom world#jo s awa , wide#famous ruler' %hough high#ruling heaven in hero#strength raised him, (n might e)alted him, oer men of all nations *ade him supreme, et a murderous spirit +rew in his bosom' he gave then no ring#gems A wretched %o the $anes after custom" endured he failure of a unjo ful king, to give Standing the straits from strife that was no jewels to raging, his retainers. ,ongsome folk#sorrow. ,earn then from this, ,a hold of virtue- %hough laden with winters, ( have sung thee these measures. %is a marvel to tell it, Hrothgar How all#ruling +od from greatness of spirit moralizes. +iveth wisdom to children of men, *anor and earlship' all things He ruleth. He often permitteth the mood#thought of man of %he illustrious lineage to lean to possessions, Allows him earthl delights at his manor, A high#burg of heroes to hold in his keeping, *aketh portions of earth#folk hear him, And a wide#reaching kingdom so that, wisdom failing him, He himself is unable to reckon its boundaries" He liveth in lu)ur , little debars him, .or sickness nor age, no treacher #sorrow Becloudeth his spirit, conflict nowhere, .o sword#hate, appeareth, but all of the world doth /end as he wisheth" the worse he knoweth not, %ill arrant arrogance inward pervading, /a)eth and springeth, when the warder is sleeping, %he guard of the soul' with sorrows encompassed, %oo sound is his slumber, the sla er is near him, /ho with bow and arrow aimeth in malice. 012 3r rather, perhaps, 4the inlaid, or damaskeened weapon. 5f. 67 89 and note.

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XXVI. HROTHGAR MORALIZES.REST AFTER LABOR.

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A wounded Then bruised in his boso he with bitter! spirit. toothed issile "s hurt #neath his hel et: fro har ful pollution He is powerless to shield hi by the wonderful andates $f the loath!curs%d spirit& what too long he hath holden Hi see eth too s all, savage he hoardeth, 'or boastfully giveth gold!plated rings,1 The fate of the future flouts and forgetteth Since (od had erst given hi greatness no little, )ielder of (lory. His end!day anear, "t afterward happens that the bodily!dwelling *leetingly fadeth, falls into ruins& Another lays hold who doleth the orna ents, The noble an#s jewels, nothing la enting, Heedeth no terror. $h, Beowulf dear, Best of the heroes, fro bale!strife defend thee, And choose thee the better, counsels eternal& Be not over Beware of arrogance, world!fa ous proud: life is cha pion+ But a little!while lasts thy life!vigor#s fulness& fleeting, and its strength #Twill after hap early, that illness or sword! soon wasteth edge away. Shall part thee fro strength, or the grasp of the fire, $r the wave of the current, or clutch of the edges, $r flight of the war!spear, or age with its horrors, $r thine eyes# bright flashing shall fade into dar,ness: #Twill happen full early, e-cellent hero, Hrothgar gives That death shall subdue thee. So the .anes a an account of half!century " held under heaven, helped the in struggles his reign. #(ainst any a race in iddle!earth#s regions, )ith ash!wood and edges, that ene ies none $n earth olested e. /o+ offsetting change, now, Sorrow after 0a e to y anor, grief after joyance, joy. )hen (rendel beca e y constant visitor, "nveterate hater: " fro that alice 0ontinually travailed with trouble no little. Than,s be to (od that " gained in y lifeti e, To the /ord everlasting, to loo, on the gory Head with ine eyes, after long!lasting sorrow+ (o to the bench now, battle!adorn%d 1oy in the feasting: of jewels in co on )e#ll eet with any when orning appeareth.2 The (eat an was gladso e, ganged he i ediately To go to the bench, as the clever one bade hi . Then again as before were the fa ous!for!prowess, Hall!inhabiters, handso ely ban3ueted, *easted anew. The night!veil fell then .ar, o#er the warriors. The courtiers rose then& The gray!haired was an-ious to go to his slu bers, The hoary old Scylding. Han,ered the (eat an,

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Beowulf is The champion doughty, greatly, to rest him fagged, and !n earlman early outward did lead him, seeks rest. "agged from his faring, from far-country springing, #ho for eti$uettes sake all of a liegemans %eeds regarded, such as seamen at that time #ere &ounden to feel. The &ig-hearted rested' The &uilding uptowered, spacious and gilded, The guest within slum&ered, till the sa&le-clad raven Blithely fore&oded the &eacon of heaven. Then the &right-shining sun oer the &ottoms came going'2 The warriors hastened, the heads of the peoples #ere ready to go again to their peoples, The Geats The high-mooded farer would faraway prepare to thenceward leave Dane(ook for his vessel. The valiant one &ade land. then,3 Unferth asks )ffspring of *cglaf, off to &ear +runting, Beowulf to To take his weapon, his well-&eloved iron' accept his +e him thanked for the gift, saying good he sword as a gift. accounted Beowulf The war-friend and mighty, nor chid he with thanks him. words then The &lade of the &rand twas a &rave-mooded hero. #hen the warriors were ready, arrayed in their trappings, The atheling dear to the Danemen advanced then )n to the dais, where the other was sitting, Grim-mooded hero, greeted ,ing +rothgar. -./ ,. says 0proudly gi eth.1Gr. says, 0&nd gi es no gold-plated rings, in order to incite the recipient to !oastfulness.1B. suggests 0gyld for 0gylp, and renders &nd gi es no !eaten rings for reward. -2/ 3f 4.s emendation &e accepted, v. 56 will read Then came the light, going !right after darkness' the warriors, etc. -7/ !s the passage stands in +.-4o., Unferth presents Beowulf with the sword +runting, and B. thanks him for the gift. 3f, however, the suggestions of Grdtvg. and 8. &e accepted, the passage will read Then the !ra e one (i.e. (eowulf) commanded that )runting !e !orne to the son of *cglaf (+nferth), !ade him take his sword, his dear weapon; he ((%) thanked him (+%) for the loan, etc.

XXVII. SORROW AT PARTING.

Beowulf spake, *cgtheows offspring 9#e men of the water wish to declare now "ared from far-lands, were firmly determined To seek ,ing +igelac. +ere have we fitly
Beowulfs farewell.

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Been welcomed and feasted, as heart would desire it! Good was the greeting. If greater affection I am anywise able ever on earth to Gain at thy hands, ruler of heroes, han yet I have done, I shall "uickly be ready I shall be ever #or combat and conflict. O$er the course of ready to aid the waters thee. %earn I that neighbors alarm thee with terror, &s haters did whilom, I hither will bring thee #or hel' unto heroes henchmen by thousands. I know as to Higelac, the lord of the Geatmen, My liegelord hough young in years, he yet will 'ermit me, will encourage me in aiding By words and by works, ward of the 'eo'le, thee. #ully to furnish thee forces and bear thee My lance to relieve thee, if liegemen shall fail thee, &nd hel' of my hand(strength! if Hrethric be treating, Bairn of the king, at the court of the Geatmen, He thereat may find him friends in abundance) #araway countries he were better to seek for *ho trusts in himself.+ Hrothgar discoursed then, Making re,oinder) - hese words thou hast uttered &ll(knowing God hath given thy s'irit. O Beowulf, /e$er heard I an earlman thus early in life thou art wise More clever in s'eaking) thou$rt cautious of beyond thy s'irit, years. Mighty of muscle, in mouth(answers 'rudent. I count on the ho'e that, ha''en it ever hat missile shall rob thee of Hrethel$s descendant, 0dge(horrid battle, and illness or wea'on 1e'rive thee of 'rince, of 'eo'le$s 'rotector, Should &nd life thou yet holdest, the Sea(Geats will Higelac die, never the Geats #ind a more fitting folk(lord to choose them, could find no Gem(ward of heroes, than thou mightest 'rove better thee, successor than If the kingdom of kinsmen thou carest to thou wouldst make. govern. hy mood(s'irit likes me the longer the better, Beowulf dear) thou hast brought it to 'ass that o both these 'eo'les 'eace shall be common, hou hast o Geat(folk and 1anemen, the strife be healed the sus'ended, ancient breach he secret assailings they suffered in yore( between our days! races. &nd also that ,ewels be shared while I govern he wide(stretching kingdom, and that many shall visit Others o$er the ocean with e2cellent gift(gems) he ring(adorned bark shall bring o$er the currents 3resents and love(gifts. his 'eo'le I know ow$rd foeman and friend firmly established,1 &fter ancient eti"uette everywise blameless.+ hen the warden of earlmen gave him still farther,

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Parting gifts Kins an of Healfdene, a do!en of "ewels, Bade hi safely seek with the presents His well-beloved people, early returning. Hrothgar Then the noble-born king kissed the kisses distinguished, #ear-lov$d liege an, the #ane-prince saluted Beowulf, and weeps. hi , %nd clasp$d his neck& tears fro hi fell, 'ro the gray-headed an( he two things e)pected, %g$d and reverend, but rather the second, 2 That bold in council they*d eet thereafter. The an was so dear that he failed to suppress the + otions that oved hi , but in ood-fetters fastened The old king is The long-fa ous hero longeth in secret deeply grieved #eep in his spirit for the dear-beloved an to part with his Though not a blood-kins an. Beowulf benefactor. thenceward, Gold-splendid warrior, walked o*er the eadows +)ulting in treasure( the sea-going vessel ,iding at anchor awaited its owner. %s they pressed on their way then, the present of Hrothgar -as fre.uently referred to( a folk-king indeed Giving liberally is the that true proof of +veryway bla eless, till age did debar hi kingship. The "oys of his ight, which hath any oft in"ured. /01 'or 2geworhte,* the cru) of this passage, B. proposes 2ge34hte,* rendering( I know this people with firm thought every way blameless towards foe and friends. /51 6. and B. e end so as to negative the verb 2 eet.* 7-hy should Hrothgar weep if he e)pects to eet Beowulf again89 both these scholars ask. But the weeping is entioned before the 2e)pectations*( the tears ay have been due to any e otions, especially gratitude, struggling for e)pression.

XXVIII. THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. THE TWO QUEENS.

Then the band of very valiant retainers :a e to the current& they were clad all in ar or, The coast;n link-woven burnies. The land-warder guard again. noticed The return of the earl en, as he erstwhile had seen the & <owise with insult he greeted the strangers 'ro the na!e of the cliff, but rode on to eet the & 6aid the bright-ar ored visitors1 vesselward traveled

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$el ome to $eders. The wide-bosomed raft then %ay on the sand, laden with armor, $ith horses and &ewels, the ring-stemm'd sailer( The mast uptowered o"er the treasure of Hrothgar. Beowulf gives To the boat-ward a gold-bound brand he the guard a presented, handsome That he was afterwards honored on the alesword. ben h more highly )s the heirloom"s owner. 2#et he out on his vessel, To drive on the deep, *ane- ountry left he. )long by the mast then a sea-garment fluttered, ) rope-fastened sail. The sea-boat resounded, The wind o"er the waters the wave-floater nowise +ept from its &ourney, the sea-goer traveled, The foamy-ne ked floated forth o"er the urrents, The well-fashioned vessel o"er the ways of the o ean, Till they ame within sight of the liffs of the The Geats see their own land Geatmen, again. The well-known headlands. The wave-goer hastened *riven by bree-es, stood on the shore. .rompt at the o ean, the port-ward was ready, The portwarden is $ho long in the past outlooked in the anxiously 3 distan e, looking for )t water"s-edge waiting well-lov'd heroes, them. He bound to the bank then the broad-bosomed vessel /ast in its fetters, lest the for e of the waters #hould be able to in&ure the o ean-wood winsome. Bade he up then take the treasure of prin es, .late-gold and fretwork, not far was it then e To go off in sear h of the giver of &ewels( Hrethel"s son Higela at home there remaineth,4 Himself with his omrades lose to the sea- oast. The building was splendid, the king heroi , Great in his hall, Hygd very young was, Hygd, the /ine-mooded, lever, though few were the noble queen of winters Higela , lavish That the daughter of H0reth had dwelt in the of gifts. borough, But she nowise was ringing nor niggard of presents, !f ornaments rare, to the ra e of the Geatmen. !ffa"s onsort, Thrytho nursed anger, ex ellent5 folk-queen, Thrytho, is Hot-burning hatred( no hero whatever ontrasted with "1ong household ompanions, her husband Hygd. ex epted #he is a terror *ared to adventure to look at the woman 6 to all save her $ith eyes in the daytime, but he knew that husband. death- hains Hand-wreathed were wrought him( early thereafter, $hen the hand-strife was over, edges were ready, That fier e-raging sword-point had to for e a de ision,

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Murder-bale show. Such no womanly custom For a lady to practise, though lovely her person, That a weaver-of-peace, on pretence of anger A belovd liegeman of life should deprive. Soothly this hindered eming!s "insman# $ther ale-drin"ing earlmen asserted That fearful fol"-sorrows fewer she wrought them, Treacherous doings, since first she was given Adorned with gold to the war-hero youthful, For her origin honored, when $ffa!s great palace $!er the fallow flood by her father!s instructions She sought on her %ourney, where she afterwards fully, Famed for her virtue, her fate on the "ing!s-seat &n%oyed in her lifetime, love did she hold with The ruler of heroes, the best, it is told me, $f all of the earthmen that oceans encompass, $f earl-"indreds endless# hence $ffa was famous Far and widely, by gifts and by battles, Spear-valiant hero# the home of his fathers e governed with wisdom, whence &om'r did issue For help unto heroes, eming!s "insman, (randson of (armund, great in encounters.
)*+ For ,scawan! -*./01, ,sca2an! has been proposed. Accepting this, we may render3 He said the bright-armored warriors were going to their vessel, welcome, etc. -4f. *.56.1 )7+ 8. suggests, ,(ew9t him on naca,! and renders3 The vessel set out, to drive on the sea, the Dane-country left. ,$n! bears the alliteration# cf. ,on hafu! -7:761. This has some advantages over the .-So. reading# vi;. -*1 <t adds nothing to the te=t# -71 it ma"es ,naca! the sub%ect, and thus brings the passage into "eeping with the conte=t, where the poet has e=hausted his vocabulary in detailing the actions of the vessel.>?.!s emendation -cf. @. and ?. A<<. /B1 is violent. )C+ ?. translates3 Who for a long time, ready at the coast, had looked out into the distance eagerly for the dear men. This changes the synta= of ,lDofra manna.! )6+ For ,wuna2! -v. */761 several eminent critics suggest ,wunade! -Eremained1. This ma"es the passage much clearer. ):+ Fhy should such a woman be described as an ,e=cellent! GueenH 4. suggests ,frDcnu! E dangerous, bold. )0+ For ,an d'ges! various readings have been offered. <f ,and-Dges! be accepted, the sentence will read3 No hero dared look upon her, eye to eye. <f ,9n-d'ges! be adopted, translate3 Dared look upon her the whole day.

XXIX. BEOWULF AND HIGELAC.

Then the brave one departed, his band along with him,

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Seeking the sea shore, the sea !arches Beowulf and treading, his party seek "he wide stretching shores. "he world candle Higelac. gli!!ered, "he sun fro! the southward# they proceeded then onward, $arly arriving where they heard that the troop lord, %ngentheows slayer, e&cellent, youthful 'olk prince and warrior was distributing (ewels, )lose in his castle. "he co!ing of Beowulf *as announced in a !essage +uickly to Higelac, "hat the folk troops defender forth to the palace "he linden co!panion alive was advancing, Secure fro! the co!bat courtward a going. "he building was early inward !ade ready 'or the foot going guests as the good one had ordered. He sat by the !an then who had lived through Beowulf sits by his the struggle, liegelord. ,ins!an by kins!an, when the king of the people Had in lordly language saluted the dear one, Queen Hygd -n words that were for!al. "he daughter of receives the H.reth heroes. )oursed through the building, carrying !ead cups/1 She loved the retainers, tendered the beakers "o the high !inded Geat!en. Higelac gan then Higelac is 0leasantly plying his co!panion with greatly +uestions -n the high towering palace. 1 curious interest interested in Beowulfs "or!ented his spirit, what !eaning to see in adventures. "he Sea Geats adventures/ 2Beowulf worthy, Give an How throve your (ourneying, when thou account of thy thoughtest suddenly 'ar oer the salt strea!s to seek an encounter, adventures, Beowulf dear. 1 battle at Heorot3 Hast bettered for Hrothgar, "he fa!ous folk leader, his far published sorrows 1ny at all3 -n agony billows My suspense - !used upon torture, distrusted the (ourney %f the belov4d liege!an# - long ti!e did pray has been great. thee By no !eans to seek out the !urderous spirit, "o suffer the South 5anes the!selves to decide on2 Grappling with Grendel. "o God - a! thankful "o be suffered to see thee safe fro! thy (ourney.6 Beowulf Beowulf answered, bairn of old $cgtheow/ narrates his 2"is hidden by no !eans, Higelac chieftain, adventures. 'ro! !any of !en, the !eeting so fa!ous, *hat !ournful !o!ents of !e and of Grendel *ere passed in the place where he pressing affliction %n the 7ictory Scyldings scathefully brought, 1nguish forever# that all - aveng4d, So that any under heaven of the kins!en of Grendel

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!eedeth not boast o" that cry#in#the#morning, Grendels $ho longest liveth o" the loth#going kindred,3 kindred have no cause to %ncompassed by moorland. I came in my boast. &ourney To the royal ring#hall, Hrothgar to greet there' Hrothgar Soon did the "amous scion o" Heal"dene, received me $hen he understood "ully the spirit that led very cordially. me, (ssign me a seat with the son o" his bosom. The troop was in &oyance) mead#glee greater !eath arch o" the ether not ever beheld I *id hall#building holders. The highly#"amed The queen also showed up no queen, little honor. +eace#tie o" peoples, o"t passed through the building, ,heered the young troopers) she o"t tendered a hero ( beauti"ul ring#band, ere she went to her sitting. Hrothgars -"t the daughter o" Hrothgar in view o" the lovely courtiers daughter. To the earls at the end the ale#vessel carried, $hom .reaware I heard then hall#sitters title, $hen nail#adorned &ewels she gave to the heroes' She is Gold#bedecked, youth"ul, to the glad son o" betrothed to .roda Ingeld, in Her "aith has been plighted) the "riend o" the order to unite Scyldings, the anes and The guard o" the kingdom, hath given his Heathobards. sanction,4 (nd counts it a vantage, "or a part o" the quarrels, ( portion o" hatred, to pay with the woman. 5 Somewhere not rarely, when the ruler has "allen, The li"e#taking lance rela/eth its "ury .or a brie" breathing#spell, though the bride be charming0
123 4*eodu#scencum 526728 some would render 4with meadpourers. Translate then' The daughter of Hreth went through the building accompanied by mead-pourers. 193 See my note to 2:66, supra, and ;. in +. and ;. <II. 6=. 1>3 .or 4"enne, supplied by Grdtvg., ;. suggests 4"?cne 5c". @ul. >:A8. (ccepting this, translate' Who longest lives of the hated race, steeped in treachery. 1B3 See note to v. 2:66 above. 1:3 This is perhaps the least understood sentence in the poem, almost every word being open to dispute. 528 The 4nC o" our te/t is an emendation, and is re&ected by many scholars. 598 4Seldan is by some taken as an adv. 5D seldom8, and by others as a noun 5D page, companion8. 5>8 4EFod#hryre, some render 4fall of the people) others, 4fall of the prince. 5B8 4;GgeH, most scholars regard as the intrans. verb meaning 4bend, 4rest) but one great scholar has translated it 4shall kill. 5:8 4HwIr, Jery recently, has been attacked, 4wIre being suggested. 5K8 (s a corollary to the above, the same critic proposes to drop 4o"t out o" the te/t. Lt.;. suggests' -"t seldan wIre a"ter lFodhryre' lMtle hwNle bong?r bGgeH, OFah sFo brMd duge D often has a treaty been (thus)

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struck, after a prince had fallen (but only) a short time is the spear (then) wont to rest, however e!cellent the bride may be.

XXX. BEOWULF NARRATES HIS ADVENTURES TO HIGELAC.

It well may discomfit the prince of the Heathobards And each of the thanemen of earls that attend him, When he goes to the building escorting the woman, That a noble born !aneman the knights should be feasting" There gleam on his person the leavings of elders Hard and ring bright, Heathobards# treasure, While they wielded their arms, till they misled to the battle Their own dear lives and belov$d companions. He saith at the ban%uet who the collar beholdeth, An ancient ash warrior who earlmen#s destruction &learly recalleth 'cruel his spirit(, )adly beginneth sounding the youthful Thane champion#s spirit through the thoughts of his bosom, War grief to waken, and this word answer speaketh" *Art thou able, my friend, to know when thou Ingeld is stirred up to seest it break the The brand which thy father bare to the conflict truce. In his latest adventure, #neath visor of helmet, The dearly loved iron, where !anemen did slay him, And brave mooded )cyldings, on the fall of the heroes, 'When vengeance was sleeping( the slaughter place wielded+ ,#en now some man of the murderer#s progeny ,-ulting in ornaments enters the building, .oasts of his blood shedding, offbeareth the /ewel Which thou shouldst wholly hold in possession0# )o he urgeth and mindeth on every occasion With woe bringing words, till wa-eth the season When the woman#s thane for the works of his father, The bill having bitten, blood gory sleepeth, 1ated to perish2 the other one thenceward #)capeth alive, the land knoweth thoroughly.1 Then the oaths of the earlmen on each side are broken, When rancors unresting are raging in Ingeld And his wife love wa-eth less warm after sorrow. )o the Heathobards# favor not faithful I reckon, Their part in the treaty not true to the !anemen, Their friendship not fast. I further shall tell thee Having made 3ore about 4rendel, that thou fully mayst these hear, preliminary 5rnament giver, what afterward came from
statements, I

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will now tell The hand-rush of heroes. When heaven s thee of !right "ewel # er earthfields had glided, the stranger came Grendel, the monster. raging, The horri!le night-fiend, us for to visit, Where wholly unharmed the hall we were guarding. To Hondscio happened a hopeless contention, Hondscio fell first $eath to the doomed one, dead he fell foremost, Girded war-champion% to him Grendel !ecame then, To the vassal distinguished, a tooth-weaponed murderer, The well-!eloved henchman s !ody all swallowed. &ot the earlier off empty of hand did The !loody-toothed murderer, mindful of evils, Wish to escape from the gold-giver s palace, 'ut sturdy of strength he strove to outdo me, Hand-ready grappled. ( glove was suspended )pacious and wondrous, in art-fetters fastened, Which was fashioned entirely !y touch of the craftman *rom the dragon s skin !y the devil s devices+ He down in its depths would do me unsadly #ne among many, deed-doer raging, Though sinless he saw me% not so could it happen When I in my anger upright did stand. Tis too long to recount how re,uital I furnished *or every evil to the earlmen s destroyer% I reflected Twas there, my prince, that I proudly honor upon my distinguished people. Thy land with my la!ors. He left and retreated, He lived his life a little while longer+ -et his right-hand guarded his footstep in Heorot, (nd sad-mooded thence to the sea-!ottom fell he, .ournful in mind. *or the might-rush of !attle King Hrothgar The friend of the )cyldings, with gold that lavished gifts was plated, upon me. With ornaments many, much re,uited me, When daylight had dawned, and down to the !an,uet We had sat us together. There was chanting and "oyance+ The age-stricken )cylding asked many ,uestions (nd of old-times related% oft light-ringing harp-strings, /oy-telling wood, were touched !y the !rave one% &ow he uttered measures, mourning and truthful, Then the large-hearted land-king a legend of wonder Truthfully told us. &ow trou!led with years The old king is The age-hoary warrior afterward !egan to sad over the .ourn for the might that marked him in loss of his youth-days% youthful vigor. His !reast within !oiled, when !urdened with winters .uch he remem!ered. *rom morning till night then We "oyed us therein as eti,uette suffered,

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Till the second night season came unto earth fol!. Then early thereafter, the mother of Grendel Grendels "as ready for vengeance, wretched she mother. #ourneyed$ %er son had death ravished, the wrath of the Geatmen. The horrible woman aveng&d her offspring, 'nd with mighty mainstrength murdered a hero. schere falls a There the spirit of schere, ag&d adviser, prey to her "as ready to vanish$ nor when morn had vengeance. lightened "ere they anywise suffered to consume him with fire, (ol! of the )anemen, the death wea!ened hero, *or the belov&d liegeman to lay on the pyre$ She suffered She the corpse had offcarried in the clutch of not his body to the foeman2 be burned, but *eath mountain broo!s flood. To %rothgar ate it. twas saddest +f pains that ever had preyed on the chieftain$ ,y the life of thee the land prince then me3 ,esought very sadly, in sea currents eddies To display my prowess, to peril my safety, -ight deeds accomplish$ much did he promise. I found then the famous flood currents cruel, I sought the creature in her %orrible depth warder. ' while unto us two den, %and was in common$ the currents were seething "ith gore that was clotted, and Grendels fierce mothers and hewed her %ead I offhac!ed in the hall at the bottom head off. "ith huge reaching sword edge, hardly I wrested -y life from her clutches$ not doomed was I then, ,ut the warden of earlmen afterward gave me Jewels were freely Jewels in .uantity, !insman of %ealfdene.

bestowed upon me. /01 (or 2lifigende 345678, a mere con#ecture, 2w9gende has been suggested. The line would then read: "scapeth by fighting, knows the land thoroughly. /41 (or 2f;<mum, Gr.s con#ecture, ,. proposes 2f;runga. These three half verses would then read: #he bore off the corpse of her foe suddenly under the mountain-torrent. /71 The phrase 2=9ne l>fe 340748 was long rendered 2with thy (presupposed) permission. The verse would read: The landprince then sadly besought me, with thy (presupposed) permission, etc.

XXXI. GIFT-GIVING IS MUTUAL.

?So the belov&d land prince lived in decorum$

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I had missed no rewards no meeds of my prowess But he gave me !ewels regarding my wishes Healfdene his bairn" I#ll bring them to thee then All my gifts I Atheling of earlmen offer them gladly. 1 lay at thy feet. And still unto thee is all my affection$ But few of my folk%kin find I surviving But thee dear Higelac&' Bade he in then to carry2 The boar%image banner battle%high helmet Iron%gray armor the e(cellent weapon This armor I In song%measures said$ )This suit%for%the% have belonged battle of yore to Hrothgar presented me bade me e(pressly Heregar. Wise%mooded atheling thereafter to tell thee3 The whole of its history said *ing Heregar owned it +ane%prince for long$ yet he wished not to give then The mail to his son though dearly he loved him Hereward the hardy. Hold all in !oyance&' I heard that there followed hard on the !ewels Two braces of stallions of striking resemblance +appled and yellow" he granted him usance ,f horses and treasures. -o a kinsman should bear him .o web of treachery weave for another .or by cunning craftiness cause the destruction Higelac loves ,f trusty companion. /ost precious to his nephew Higelac Beowulf. The bold one in battle was the bairn of his sister And each unto other mindful of favors. Beowulf gives I am told that to Hygd he proffered the Hygd the necklace necklace that Wonder%gem rare that Wealhtheow gave him Wealhtheow The troop%leader#s daughter a trio of horses had given him. -lender and saddle%bright" soon did the !ewel 0mbellish her bosom when the beer%feast was over. -o 0cgtheow#s bairn brave did prove him Beowulf is War%famous man by deeds that were valiant famous. He lived in honor belov1d companions -lew not carousing" his mood was not cruel But by hand%strength hugest of heroes then living The brave one retained the bountiful gift that The 2ord had allowed him. 2ong was he wretched -o that sons of the 3eatmen accounted him worthless And the lord of the liegemen loth was to do him /ickle of honor when mead%cups were passing" They fully believed him idle and sluggish He is requited An indolent atheling$ to the honor%blest man for the slights there suffered in 4ame requital for the cuts he had suffered. earlier days. The folk%troop#s defender bade fetch to the building The heirloom of Hrethel embellished with gold

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Higelac !o the brave one en"oined it# there was "ewel overwhelms no richer the conqueror $n the form of a wea%on mong Geats of that with gifts. era# $n Beowulfs kee%ing he %laced it and gave him !even of thousands, manor and lordshi%. &ommon to both was land mong the %eo%le, 'state and inherited rights and %ossessions, To the second one s%ecially s%acious dominions, To the one who was better. $t afterward ha%%ened $n days that followed, befell the battle thanes, After Higelacs death, and when Heardred was After Heardreds murdered (ith wea%ons of warfare neath well covered death, Beowulf becomes king. targets, (hen valiant battlemen in victor band sought him, (ar !cylfing heroes harassed the ne%hew )f Hereric in battle. To Beowulfs kee%ing Turned there in time e*tensive dominions+ He rules the He fittingly ruled them a fifty of winters Geats fifty ,He a man ruler wise was, manor ward oldyears. till A certain one gan, on gloom darkening nights, a The fire drake. .ragon, to govern, who guarded a treasure, A high rising stone cliff, on heath that was grayish+ A %ath neath it lay, unknown unto mortals. !ome one of earthmen entered the mountain, The heathenish hoard laid hold of with ardor# / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / 012 This verse B. renders, 3Now serve I again thee alone as my gracious king. 042 5or 3eafor ,4167-, 8l. suggests 3ealdor. Translate then+ Bade the prince then to bear in the banner, battle-high helmet, etc. )n the other hand, (. takes 3eaforh9afodsegn as a com%ound, meaning 3helmet+ He bade them bear in the helmet, battle-high helm, gray armor, etc. 072 The H. !o. rendering ,:rest ; history, origin# 3eft for 3est-, though liable to ob"ection, is %erha%s the best offered. 3That $ should very early tell thee of his favor, kindness sounds well# but 3his is badly %laced to limit 39st.<=erha%s, 3eft with verbs of saying may have the force of >at. %refi* 3re, and the H. !o. reading mean, 3that $ should its origin rehearse to thee.

XXXII.

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THE HOARD AND THE DRAGON.

* * * * * * * He sought of himself who sorely did harm him, But, for need very pressing, the servant of one of The sons of the heroes hate-blows evaded, Seeking for shelter and the sin-driven warrior Took refuge within there. He early looked in it, * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * when the onset surprised him, The hoard. He a gem-vessel saw there: many of su hlike !n ient ornaments in the earth- ave were lying, !s in days of yore some one of men of "llustrious lineage, as a lega y monstrous, There had se reted them, areful and thoughtful, #ear-valued $ewels. #eath had offsnat hed them, "n the days of the past, and the one man moreover %f the flower of the folk who fared there the longest, &as fain to defer it, friend-mourning warder, ! little longer to be left in en$oyment %f long-lasting treasure.1 ! barrow all-ready Stood on the plain the stream- urrents nigh to, 'ew by the ness-edge, unnethe of approa hing: The keeper of rings arried within a 2 (onderous deal of the treasure of nobles, %f gold that was beaten, briefly he spake then:3 The ring-giver )Hold thou, % *arth, now heroes no more bewails the may, loss of The earnings of earlmen. +o, erst in thy retainers. bosom &orthy men won them- war-death hath ravished, (erilous life-bale, all my warriors, +iegemen belov.d, who this life have forsaken, &ho hall-pleasures saw. 'o sword-bearer have ", !nd no one to burnish the gold-plated vessel, The high-valued beaker: my heroes are vanished. The hardy helmet behung with gilding Shall be reaved of its ri hes: the ring- leansers slumber &ho were harged to have ready visors-for-battle, !nd the burnie that bided in battle-en ounter %/er breaking of war-shields the bite of the edges 0oulds with the hero. The ring-twisted armor, "ts lord being lifeless, no longer may $ourney Hanging by heroes- harp-$oy is vanished, The rapture of glee-wood, no e1 ellent fal on Swoops through the building, no swift-footed harger 2rindeth the gravel. ! grievous destru tion 'o few of the world-folk widely hath s attered,3

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So, woful of spirit one after all Lamented mournfully, moaning in sadness By day and by night, till death with its billows The fireDashed on his spirit. Then the ancient dus dragon scather !ound the great treasure standing all open, "e who flaming and fiery flies to the barrows, #a ed war-dragon, nightly escapeth $ncompassed with fire% men under heaven &idely beheld him. Tis said that he loo s for4 The hoard in the earth, where old he is guarding The heathenish treasure% hell be nowise the better. The dragon So three-hundred winters the waster of meets his peoples match. "eld upon earth that e'cellent hoard-hall, Till the forementioned earlman angered him bitterly( The beat-plated bea er he bare to his chieftain )nd fullest remission for all his remissness Begged of his liegelord. Then the hoard5 was discovered, The treasure was ta en, his petition was granted The lorn-mooded liegeman. "is lord regarded The hero The old-wor of earth-fol *twas the earliest plunders the dragons den occasion. &hen the dragon awo e, the strife was renewed there% "e snuffed long the stone then, stout-hearted found he The footprint of foeman% too far had he gone &ith cunning craftiness close to the head of The fire-spewing dragon. So undoomed he may scape from )nguish and e'ile with ease who possesseth The favor of "eaven. The hoard-warden eagerly Searched oer the ground then, would meet with the person That caused him sorrow while in slumber reclining( +leaming and wild he oft went round the cavern, )ll of it outward% not any of earthmen &as seen in that desert.6 ,et he -oyed in the battle, .e-oiced in the conflict( oft he turned to the barrow, Sought for the gem-cup%7 this he soon perceived then The dragon That some man or other had discovered the perceives that gold, some one has The famous fol -treasure. #ot fain did the disturbed his hoard-ward treasure. &ait until evening% then the ward of the barrow &as angry in spirit, the loath/d one wished to 0ay for the dear-valued drin -cup with fire. Then the day was done as the dragon would have it, "e no longer would wait on the wall, but departed The dragon is !ire-impelled, flaming. !earful the start was infuriated. To earls in the land, as it early thereafter To their giver-of-gold was grievously ended.

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Beowulf* 0n 0nglo-$a1on ;pic >oe+

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[1] For long-gestr ona!" B. suggests l#engestr ona!" and renders! Of fleeting treasures. $. accepts H."s long-gestr ona!" but renders! The treasure long in accumulating. [%] For hard-fyrdne" &%%'()! B. first suggested hard-fyndne!" rendering* heap of treasures ! so great that its e"ual would be hard to find. The sa+e scholar suggests later hord-wynne d,l" deal of treasure-#oy. [.] $o+e read fec-word" &%%'/)! and render* Banning words uttered. ['] 0n earlier reading of H."s gave the following +eaning to this passage* He is said to inhabit a mound under the earth, where he, etc$ The translation in the te1t is +ore authentic. [2] The repetition of hord" in this passage has led so+e scholars to suggest new readings to avoid the second hord." This! however! is not under the +ain stress! and! it see+s to +e! +ight easily be accepted. [(] The reading of H.-$o. is well defended in the notes to that volu+e. B. e+ends and renders* Nor was there any man in that desert who re#oiced in conflict, in battle-work$ That is! the hoardward could not find any one who had disturbed his slu+bers! for no warrior was there! t.B."s e+endation would give substantially the sa+e translation. [/] $inc-f,t" &%.31)* this word both here and in v. %%.%! t.B. renders treasure."

XXXIII. BRAVE THOUGH AGED. REMINISCENCES.

The stranger began then to vo+it forth fire! The dragon spits fire. To burn the great +anor4 the bla5e then gli++ered For anguish to earl+en! not anything living 6as the hateful air-goer willing to leave there. The war of the wor+ widely was noticed! The feud of the foe+an afar and anear! How the ene+y in7ured the earls of the 8eat+en! Harried with hatred* bac9 he hied to the treasure! To the well-hidden cavern ere the co+ing of daylight. He had circled with fire the fol9 of those regions! 6ith brand and burning4 in the barrow he trusted! :n the wall and his war-+ight* the weening deceived hi+. Beowulf hears Then straight was the horror to Beowulf of the havoc published! wrought by the ;arly forsooth! that his own native dragon. ho+estead!1 The best of buildings! was burning and +elting! 8ift-seat of 8eat+en. "Twas a grief to the spirit <f the good-+ooded hero! the greatest of sorrows* He fears that The wise one weened then that wielding his Heaven is 9ingdo+

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punishing hi+ "8ainst the ancient co++and+ents! he had for so+e bitterly angered cri+e. The Aord everlasting* with lorn +editations His boso+ welled inward! as was nowise his custo+. The fire-spewing dragon fully had wasted The fastness of warriors! the water-land outward! The +anor with fire. The fol9-ruling hero! >rince of the 6eders! was planning to wrea9 hi+. The war+en"s defender bade the+ to +a9e hi+! ;arl+en"s atheling! an e1cellent war-shield He orders an 6holly of iron* fully he 9new then That wood fro+ the forest was helpless to aid iron shield to be +ade fro+ hi+! hi+! wood is $hield against fire. The long-worthy ruler useless. Bust live the last of his li+ited earth-days! <f life in the world and the wor+ along with hi+! Though he long had been holding hoard-wealth in plenty. He deter+ines Then the ring-prince disdained to see9 with a to fight alone. war-band! 6ith ar+y e1tensive! the air-going ranger4 He felt no fear of the foe+an"s assaults and He counted for little the +ight of the dragon! His power and prowess* for previously dared he Beowulf"s 0 heap of hostility! ha5arded dangers! early triu+phs 6ar-thane! when Hrothgar"s palace he referred to cleansCd! DonEuering co+batant! clutched in the battle The 9ins+en of 8rendel! of 9indred detested.2 Higelac"s "Twas of hand-fights not least where Higelac death recalled. was slaughtered! 6hen the 9ing of the 8eat+en with clashings of battle! Friend-lord of fol9s in Frisian do+inions! <ffspring of Hrethrel perished through sword-drin9! 6ith battle-swords beaten4 thence Beowulf ca+e then <n self-help relying! swa+ through the waters4 He bare on his ar+! lone-going! thirty <utfits of ar+or! when the ocean he +ounted. The Hetwars by no +eans had need to be boastful <f their fighting afoot! who forward to +eet hi+ Darried their war-shields* not +any returned fro+ The brave-+ooded battle-9night bac9 to their ho+esteads. ;cgtheow"s bairn o"er the bight-courses swa+ then! Aone-goer lorn to his land-fol9 returning! 6here Hygd to hi+ tendered treasure and 9ingdo+! Heardred"s Fings and do+inion* her son she not trusted! lac9 of To be able to 9eep the 9ingdo+ devised hi+ capacity to "8ainst alien races! on the death of Ging rule. Higelac. Beowulf"s tact Het the sad ones succeeded not in persuading and delicacy the atheling recalled. :n any way ever! to act as a su5erain To Heardred! or pro+ise to govern the 9ingdo+4

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Yet with friendly counsel in the folk he sustained him, Gracious, with honor, till he grew to be older, Reference is Wielded the Weders. Wide fleeing outlaws, here made to a !hthere"s sons, sought him o"er the waters# visit which $hey had stirred a revolt "gainst the helm of Beowulf the %cylfings, receives from $he best of the sea kings, who in %wedish Eanmund and dominions Eadgils, why &istributed treasure, distinguished folk leader. they come is not known. "$was the end of his earth days' in(ury fatal3 By swing of the sword he received as a greeting, !ffspring of )igelac' !ngentheow"s bairn *ater departed to visit his homestead, When )eardred was dead' let Beowulf rule them, Govern the Geatmen# good was that folk king.
+,- .)/m" 012134, the suggestion of B. is accepted by t.B. and other scholars. +1- 5or .l/6an cynnes" 012774, t.B. suggests .l/6an cynne," apposition to .m8gum." 5rom syntactical and other considerations, this is a most e9cellent emendation. +2- Gr. read .on feorme" 012:34, rendering# He there at the banquet a fatal wound received by blows of the sword.

XXXIV. BEOWULF SEEKS THE DRAGON. BEOWULFS REMINISCENCES.

)e planned re;uital for the folk leader"s ruin <n days thereafter, to Eadgils the wretched Becoming an enemy. !hthere"s son then Went with a war troop o"er the wide stretching currents With warriors and weapons# with woe (ourneys cold he =fter avenged him, the king"s life he took. Beowulf has %o he came off unin(ured from all of his been preserved battles, through many >erilous fights, offspring of Ecgtheow, perils. 5rom his deeds of daring, till that day most momentous When he fate driven fared to fight with the dragon. With eleven With eleven companions the prince of the comrades, he Geatmen seeks the Went lowering with fury to look at the fire dragon. drake# <n;uiring he"d found how the feud had arisen, )ate to his heroes' the highly famed gem vessel Was brought to his keeping through the hand of th" informer. $hat in the throng was thirteenth of heroes,

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#hat caused the beginning of conflict so bitter, A guide leads the way, but $aptive and wretched, must sad%mooded thenceward &oint out the place' he passed then unwillingly very reluctantly. #o the spot where he knew of the notable cavern, #he cave under earth, not far from the ocean, #he anger of eddies, which inward was full of (ewels and wires' a warden uncanny, )arrior weaponed, wardered the treasure, Old under earth* no easy possession +or any of earth%folk access to get to. #hen the battle%brave atheling sat on the na,e%edge, )hile the gold%friend of -eatmen gracious saluted His fireside%companions' woe was his spirit, .eath%boding, wavring* )eird very near him, )ho must sei,e the old hero, his soul%treasure look for, .ragging aloof his life from his body' ot flesh%hidden long was the folk%leaders spirit. Beowulf spake, /cgtheows son' 0I survived in my youth%days many a conflict, Beowulfs retrospect. Hours of onset' that all I remember. I was seven%winters old when the 1ewel%prince took me, High%lord of heroes, at the hands of my father, Hrethel the hero%king had me in keeping, Hrethel took -ave me treasure and feasting, our kinship me when I was remembered* seven. ot ever was I any less dear to him He treated me 2night in the boroughs, than the bairns of his as a son. household, Herebald and H3thcyn and Higelac mine. #o the eldest un1ustly by acts of a kinsman )as murder%bed strewn, since him H3thcyn from horn%bow One of the His sheltering chieftain shot with an arrow, brothers /rred in his aim and in1ured his kinsman, accidentally One brother the other, with blood%sprinkled kills another. spear' o fee could #was a feeless fight, finished in malice, compound for 4ad to his spirit* the folk%prince however such a Had to part from e5istence with vengeance calamity. untaken. !A parallel 4o to hoar%headed hero tis heavily crushing1 case is #o live to see his son as he rideth supposed." 6oung on the gallows' then measures he chanteth, A song of sorrow, when his son is hanging +or the ravens delight, and aged and hoary He is unable to offer any assistance. /very morning his offsprings departure Is constant recalled' he cares not to wait for #he birth of an heir in his borough%enclosures, 4ince that one through death%pain the deeds hath e5perienced.

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He heart-grieved beholds in the house of his son the Wine-building wasted, the wind-lodging places Reaved of their roaring; the riders are sleeping, The knights in the grave; there s no sound of the harp-wood, !o" in the "ards, as of "ore were fa#iliar.
$%& 'Go#elu# ceorle ()**+,.-H. takes these words as referring to Hrethel; but the translator here departs fro# his editor b" understanding the poet to refer to a h"pothetical old #an, introduced as an illustration of a father s sorrow. Hrethrel had certainl" never seen a son of his ride on the gallows to feed the crows. The passage beginning 'sw. bi/ g0o#orlic see#s to be an effort to reach a full si#ile, 'as 1 so. '2s it is #ournful for an old #an, etc. 1 so the defence of the Weders ()*34, bore heartsorrow, etc. The verses )*+% to )*345 would be parenthetical, the poet s feelings being so strong as to interrupt the si#ile. The punctuation of the fourth edition would be better-a co##a after 'galgan ()**6,. The translation #a" be indicated as follows7 (Just) as it is sad for an old man to see his son ride young on the gallows when he himself is uttering mournful measures, a sorrowful song, while his son hangs for a comfort to the raven, and he, old and infirm, cannot render him any kelp(he is constantly reminded, etc., !"#$ !%&)so the defence of the 'eders, etc.

XXXV. REMINISCENCES (continued). BEOWULFS LAST BATTLE.

8He seeks then his cha#ber, singeth a woe-song 9ne for the other; all too e:tensive See#ed ho#esteads and plains. So the hel# of the Weders Hrethel grieves ;indful of Herebald heart-sorrow carried, for Herebald. Stirred with e#otion, nowise was able To wreak his ruin on the ruthless destro"er7 He was unable to follow the warrior with hatred, With deeds that were direful, though dear he not held hi#. Then pressed b" the pang this pain occasioned hi#, He gave up glee, God-light elected; He left to his sons, as the #an that is rich does, His land and fortress, when fro# life he departed. Strife between Then was cri#e and hostilit" twi:t Swedes Swedes and and Geat#en, Geats. 9 er wide-stretching water warring was #utual, <urdenso#e hatred, when Hrethel had perished, 2nd 9ngentheow s offspring were active and valiant, Wished not to hold to peace oversea, but Round Hreosna-beorh often acco#plished

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"ruelest massacre. #his my $insman aveng%d! #he feud and fury! as tis found on inquiry! #hough one of them aid it with forfeit of life&joys! 'ith rice that was hard( the struggle became Hthcyns fall at then Ravenswood. )atal to Hthcyn! lord of the *eatmen. #hen I heard that at morning one brother the other 'ith edges of irons egged on to murder! 'here +ngentheow ma$eth onset on ,ofor( #he helmet crashed! the hoary&haired -cylfing -word&smitten fell! his hand then remembered )eud&hate sufficient! refused not the death&blow. I requited him #he gems that he gave me! with jewel&bright for the jewels sword I he gave me. .uited in contest! as occasion was offered( /and he allowed me! life&joy at homestead! 0anor to live on. /ittle he needed )rom *e ids or Danes or in -weden to loo$ for #roo er less true! with treasure to buy him1 0ong foot&soldiers ever in front I would hie me! 2lone in the vanguard! and evermore gladly 'arfare shall wage! while this wea on endureth #hat late and early often did serve me Beowulf refers 'hen I roved before heroes the slayer of to his having Dghrefn! slain 3night of the Hugmen( he by no means was Dghrefn. suffered #o the $ing of the )risians to carry the jewels! #he breast&decoration1 but the banner& ossessor Bowed in the battle! brave&mooded atheling. 4o wea on was slayer! but war&gra le bro$e then #he surge of his s irit! his body destroying. 4ow shall wea ons edge ma$e war for the treasure! 2nd hand and firm&sword.5 Beowulf s a$e then! Boast&words uttered6the latest occasion( He boasts of 7I braved in my youth&days battles his youthful unnumbered1 rowess! and -till am I willing the struggle to loo$ for! declares )ame&deeds erform! fol$&warden rudent! himself still If the hateful des oiler forth from his cavern fearless. -ee$eth me out85 ,ach of the heroes! Helm&bearers sturdy! he thereu on greeted His last Belov%d co&liegemen6his last salutation( salutations. 74o brand would I bear! no blade for the dragon! 'ist I a way my word&boast to com lish1 ,lse with the monster! as with *rendel I did it1 But fire in the battle hot I e9 ect there! )urious flame&burning( so I fi9ed on my body #arget and war&mail. #he ward of the barrow2 Ill not flee from a foot&length! the foeman uncanny. 2t the wall twill befall us as )ate decreeth!

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Let Fate Each ones reator. ! am eager in spirit, decide With the wing"d war#hero to away with all between us. boasting. Bide on the barrow with burnies protected, Wait ye here Earls in armor, which of us two may better till the battle is Bear his disaster, when the battle is over. over. Tis no matter of yours, and man cannot do it, But me and me only, to measure his strength with The monster of malice, might#deeds to complish. ! with prowess shall gain the gold, or the battle, $ireful death#woe will drag off your ruler%& The mighty champion rose by his shield then, Brave under helmet, in battle#mail went he 'eath steep#rising stone#cliffs, the strength he relied on (f one man alone) no wor* for a coward. Then he saw by the wall who a great many battles +ad lived through, most worthy, when foot#troops collided, The place of ,tone#arches standing, stout#hearted strife is champion, described. ,aw a broo* from the barrow bubbling out thenceward) The flood of the fountain was fuming with war#flame) 'ot nigh to the hoard, for season the briefest ould he brave, without burning, the abyss that was yawning, The dra*e was so fiery. The prince of the Weders aused then that words came from his bosom, ,o fierce was his fury- the firm#hearted shouted) +is battle#clear voice came in resounding 'eath the gray#colored stone. ,tirred was his hatred, The hoard#ward distinguished the speech of a Beowulf calls out under the manTime was no longer to loo* out for friendship. stone arches. The breath of the monster issued forth first, .apory war#sweat, out of the stone#cave) The terrible The earth re#echoed. The earl neath the encounter. barrow Lifted his shield, lord of the /eatmen, Towrd the terrible stranger) the ring#twisted creatures +eart was then ready to see* for a struggle. Beowulf The e0cellent battle#*ing first brandished his brandishes his weapon, sword, The ancient heirloom, of edges unblunted,3 To the death#planners twain was terror from other. and stands The lord of the troopers intrepidly stood then against his /ainst his high#rising shield, when the shield. dragon coiled him The dragon 1uic*ly together) in corslet he bided. coils himself. +e went then in bla2es, bended and striding, +asting him forward. +is life and body The targe well protected, for time#period shorter Than wish demanded for the well#renowned leader, Where he then for the first day was forced to be victor,

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Famous in battle, as Fate had not willed it. The lord of the Geatmen uplifted his hand then, miting the fire!drake with sword that was precious, That bright on the bone the blade!edge did weaken, Bit more feebl" than his folk!leader needed, Burdened with bale!griefs. Then the barrow!protector, #hen the sword!blow had fallen, was fierce in The dragon rages his spirit, Flinging his fires, flamings of battle Gleamed then afar$ the gold!friend of #eders Beowulfs Boasted no con%uests, his battle!sword failed sword fails him &aked in conflict, as b" no means it ought to, him. 'ong!trust" weapon. Twas no slight undertaking That (cgtheows famous offspring would lea)e The drake!ca)erns bottom* he must li)e in some region +ther than this, b" the will of the dragon, ,s each one of earthmen existence must forfeit. Twas earl" thereafter the excellent warriors The combat is -et with each other. ,new and afresh The hoard!ward took heart .gasps hea)ed then renewed. his bosom/$ The great hero orrow he suffered encircled with fire is reduced to #ho the people erst go)erned. His extremities. companions b" no means #ere banded about him, bairns of the princes, His comrades #ith )alorous spirit, but the" sped to the flee! forest, eeking for safet". The soul!deeps of one were Blood is 0uffled b" care$ kin!lo)e can ne)er thicker than ,ught in him wa)er who well doth consider.
water. 123 The clause 4546.4/!4544.2/, rendered b" 7#ist 8 9 monster, Gr., followed b" ., translates substantiall" as follows$ If I knew how else I might combat the boastful defiance of the monster. :The translation turns upon 7wi;gr<pan, a word not understood. 143 B. emends and translates$ I will not flee the space of a foot from the guard of the barrow, but there shall be to us a fight at the wall, as fate decrees, each ones Creator. 1=3 The translation of this passage is based on 7unsl>w .45?5/, accepted b" H.! o., in lieu of the long!standing 7ungl@aw. The former is taken as an adA. limiting 7sweord* the latter as an adA. c. 7gB;!c"ning$ The good war-king, rash with edges, brandished his sword, his old relic. The latter gi)es a more rhetorical ,nglo! axon .poetical/ sentence.

XXXVI.

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WIGLAF THE TRUSTY. BEOWULF IS DESERTED BY FRIENDS AND BY SWORD.

The son of Weohstan was Wiglaf entitled, Wiglaf remains hield!warrior precious, prince of the truethe ideal cylfings, Teutonic "lfheres #insman$ he saw his dear liegelord liegeman. %nduring the heat neath helmet and visor. Then he minded the holding that erst he had given him, Wiglaf recalls The W&gmunding warriors wealth!bless'd Beowulfs homestead, %ach of the fol#!rights his father had wielded( generosity. He was hot for the battle, his hand sei)ed the target, The yellow!bar# shield, he unsheathed his old weapon, Which was #nown among earthmen as the relic of %anmund, *htheres offspring, whom, e+iled and friendless, Weohstan did slay with sword!edge in battle, ,nd carried his #insman the clear!shining helmet, The ring!made burnie, the old giant!weapon That *nela gave him, his boon!fellows armor, -eady war!trappings$ he the feud did not mention, Though hed fatally smitten the son of his brother. .any a half!year held he the treasures, The bill and the burnie, till his bairn became able, /i#e his father before him, fame!deeds to complish( Then he gave him mong 0eatmen a goodly array of Weeds for his warfare( he went from life then *ld on his 1ourney. Twas the earliest time then This is That the youthful champion might charge in Wiglafs first the battle battle as ,iding his liegelord( his spirit was dauntless. liegeman of 2or did #insmans be3uest 3uail at the battle$ Beowulf. This the dragon discovered on their coming together. Wiglaf uttered many a right!saying, aid to his fellows, sad was his spirit$ 45 remember the time when, tasting the mead! Wiglaf appeals to the pride of cup, the cowards. We promised in the hall the lord of us all Who gave us these ring!treasures, that this battle!e3uipment, words and helmets, wed certainly 3uite him, hould need of such aid ever befall him$ How we have 5n the war!band he chose us for this 1ourney forfeited our spontaneously, liegelords tirred us to glory and gave me these 1ewels, confidence! ince he held and esteemed us trust!worthy spearmen, Hardy helm!bearers, though this hero!achievement *ur lord intended alone to accomplish,

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Ward of his eo le! for most of achievements! "oings audacious! he did among earth#folk. Our lord is in The day is now come when the ruler of sore need of earthmen us. $eedeth the vigor of valiant heroes% &et us wend us towards him! the war# rince to succor! While the heat yet rageth! horrible fire#fight. I would rather 'od wot in me! (tis mickle the liefer die than go The blaze should embrace my body and eat it home with out With my treasure#bestower. )eseemeth not my suzerain. ro er To bear our battle#shields back to our country! (&ess first we are able to fell and destroy the &ong#hating foeman! to defend the life of Surely he does The rince of the Weders. Well do I know not deserve to (tisn(t die alone. *arned by his e+ loits! he only of 'eatmen Sorrow should suffer! sink in the battle% Brand and helmet to us both shall be common! 1 Shield#cover! burnie., Through the bale#smoke he stalked then! Went under helmet to the hel of his chieftain! Wiglaf Briefly discoursing% -Beowulf dear! .erform thou all fully! as thou formerly saidst! reminds Beowulf of his In thy youthful years! that while yet thou youthful livedst boasts. Thou wouldst let thine honor not ever be lessened. Thy life thou shalt save! mighty in actions! /theling undaunted! with all of thy vigor0 The monster I(ll give thee assistance., The dragon came advances on raging! Wild#mooded stranger! when these words had them. been uttered 1(Twas the second occasion2! seeking his enemies! )en that were hated! with hot#gleaming fire#waves0 With blaze#billows burned the board to its edges% The fight#armor failed then to furnish assistance To the youthful s ear#hero% but the young#ag3d stri ling 4uickly advanced (neath his kinsman(s war#target! Since his own had been ground in the gri of the fire. Beowulf Then the warrior#king was careful of glory! strikes at the He soundly smote with sword#for#the#battle! dragon. That it stood in the head by hatred driven0 $5gling was shivered! the old and iron#made His sword fails Brand of Beowulf in battle deceived him. him. (Twas denied him that edges of irons were able To hel in the battle0 the hand was too mighty 2 Which every wea on! as I heard on in6uiry! Outstruck in its stroke! when to struggle he carried The wonderful war#sword% it wa+ed him no better.

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The dragon Then the people-despoilerthird of his advances on onsets Beowulf again. Fierce-raging fire-drake, of feud-hate was mindful, harged on the strong one, when chance was afforded, !eated and war-grim, sei"ed on his neck With teeth that were bitter# he blood$ did wa% with &oul-gore seething# sword-blood in waves boiled. '() The passage *Brand burnie, is much disputed. +n the first place, some eminent critics assume a gap of at least two halfverses.*,rum -.//01, being a peculiar form, has been much discussed. *B$rdu-scr2d is also a cru%. B. suggests *b3wduscr2d 4 splendid vestments. 5or is *b6m accepted b$ all, *b7on being suggested. Whatever the individual words, the passage must mean, 8I intend to share with him m e!uipments of defence.9 '.) B. would render: "hich, as I heard, e#celled in stroke ever sword that he carried to the strife, even the strongest $sword%. For *;onne he reads *;one, rel. pr.

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XXXVII. THE FATAL STRUGGLE. BEOWULFS LAST MOMENTS.

Then + heard that at need of the king of the Wiglaf defends people Beowulf. The upstanding earlman e%hibited prowess, <igor and courage, as suited his nature# 1 !e his head did not guard, but the high-minded liegemans !and was consumed, when he succored his kinsman, &o he struck the strife-bringing strange-comer lower, =arl-thane in armor, that in went the weapon >leaming and plated, that gan then the fire2 Beowulf draws ?ater to lessen. The liegelord himself then his knife, @etained his consciousness, brandished his war-knife, Battle-sharp, bitter, that he bare on his armor: and cuts the The Weder-lord cut the worm in the middle. dragon. The$ had felled the enem$ -life drove out 3 then Auissant prowess1, the pair had destro$ed him, ?and-chiefs related: so a liegeman should prove him, B thaneman when needed. To the prince twas the last of !is era of conCuest b$ his own great achievements, Beowulfs The latest of world-deeds. The wound then wound swells began and burns. Which the earth-dwelling dragon erstwhile had wrought him

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o burn and to swell. He soon then disco!ered hat bitterest bale-woe in his bosom was raging, "oison within. he atheling ad!anced then, He sits down hat along by the wall, he prudent of spirit exhausted. #ight sit on a settle$ he saw the giant-wor%, How arches of stone strengthened with pillars he earth-hall eternal inward supported. hen the long-worthy liegeman la!ed with his hand the Wiglaf bathes &ar-famous chieftain, gory from sword-edge, his lords head. 'efreshing the face of his friend-lord and ruler, (ated with battle, unbinding his helmet. Beowulf answered, of his injury spa%e he, His wound that was fatal )he was fully aware He had li!ed his allotted life-days enjoying he pleasures of earth$ then past was entirely His measure of days, death !ery near*+ Beowulf ,#y son I would gi!e now my battleregrets that he e-uipments, has no son. Had any of heirs been after me granted, .long of my body. his people I go!erned &ifty of winters+ no %ing mong my neighbors /ared to encounter me with comrades-in-battle, ry me with terror. he time to me ordered I bided at home, mine own %ept fitly, (ought me no snares, swore me not many I can rejoice in 0aths in injustice. 1oy o!er all this a well-spent Im able to ha!e, though ill with my deathlife. wounds$ Hence the 'uler of 2arthmen need not charge me With the %illing of %insmen, when cometh my life out &orth from my body. &are thou with haste now Bring me the o behold the hoard neath the hoar-grayish hoard, Wiglaf, stone, that my dying Well-lo!3d Wiglaf, now the worm is a-lying, eyes may be (ore-wounded sleepeth, dissei4ed of his refreshed by a treasure. sight of it. 5o thou in haste that treasures of old I, 5old-wealth may ga4e on, together see lying he ether-bright jewels, be easier able, Ha!ing the heap of hoard-gems, to yield my 6ife and the land-fol% whom long I ha!e go!erned.7
89: B. renders+ &e )".* did not regard his )the dragons* head )since Beowulf had struc% it without effect*, but struck the dragon a little lower down.'0ne crux is to find out whose head is meant$ another is to bring out the antithesis between ;head and ;hand. 8<: ;=>t ?>t f@r )<AB<*, (. emends to ;?C ?>t f@r D when the fire began to grow less intense afterward. his emendation relie!es the passage of a plethora of conjuncti!e ()ts. 8E: &or ;gefyldan )<ABA*, (. proposes ;gefylde. he passage would read+ &e felled the foe $life drove out strength%, and the then both had destro ed him, chieftains related. his gi!es Beowulf

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the credit of having felled the dragon; then they combine to annihilate him.For ellen (2 ! "# $l. suggests e(a"llne.The reading life drove out strength is very unsatisfactory and very %eculiar. & would suggest as follows' (do%t ).s emendation# remove *.s %arenthesis# read ferh+ellen wr,c# and translate' He felled the foe, drove out his life-strength (that is# made him hors de combat"# and then they both, etc.

XXXVIII. WIGLAF PLUNDERS THE DRAGONS DEN.BEOWULFS DEATH.

Then heard & that Wihstans son very -uic.ly# Wiglaf fulfils his lords These words being uttered# heeded his behest. liegelord Wounded and war+sic.# went in his armor# *is well+woven ring+mail# neath the roof of the barrow. Then the trusty retainer treasure+gems many The dragons /ictorious saw# when the seat he came near den. to# 0old+treasure s%ar.ling s%read on the bottom# Wonder on the wall# and the worm+creatures cavern# The ancient dawn+fliers# vessels a+standing# 1u%s of the ancients of cleansers bereav2d# 3obbed of their ornaments' there were helmets in numbers# 4ld and rust+eaten# arm+bracelets many# (rtfully woven. Wealth can easily# 0old on the sea+bottom# turn into vanity1 5ach one of earthmen# arm him who %leaseth6 (nd he saw there lying an all+golden banner *igh oer the hoard# of hand+wonders greatest# 7in.2d with lacets' a light from it s%ar.led# That the floor of the cavern he was able to loo. on# The dragon is To e8amine the 9ewels. )ight of the dragon :ot any was offered# but edge offcarried him. not there. Wiglaf bears Then & heard that the hero the hoard+treasure the hoard %lundered# away. The giant+wor. ancient reaved in the cavern# ;are on his bosom the bea.ers and %latters# (s himself would fain have it# and too. off the standard# The brightest of beacons;2 the bill had erst in9ured (&ts edge was of iron"# the old+rulers wea%on# *im who long had watched as ward of the 9ewels# Who fire+terror carried hot for the treasure# 3olling in battle# in middlemost dar.ness# Till murdered he %erished. The messenger hastened# :ot loth to return# hurried by 9ewels'

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Curiosity urged him if, excellent-mooded, li!e he should find the lord of the "eders #ortally wounded, at the place where he left him. #id the jewels he found then the famous old chieftain, His liegelord belo!$d, at his lifes-end gory% He thereupon gan to la!e him with water, Till the point of his word pierc$d his breast-hoard. Beowulf spa&e 'the gold-gems he noticed(, Beowulf is The old one in sorrow% )*or the jewels + loo& rejoiced to see on the jewels. Than&s do + utter for all to the ,uler, "ielder of "orship, with words of de!otion, The -ord e!erlasting, that He let me such treasures .ain for my people ere death o!ertoo& me. /ince +!e bartered the ag$d life to me granted *or treasure of jewels, attend ye henceforward He desires to The wants of the war-thanes0 + can wait here be held in no longer. The battle-famed bid ye to build them a gra!e- memory by his people. hill, Bright when +m burned, at the brim-currents limit0 s a memory-mar& to the men + ha!e go!erned, loft it shall tower on "hales-1ess uprising, That earls of the ocean hereafter may call it Beowulfs barrow, those who bar&s e!er-dashing *rom a distance shall dri!e oer the dar&ness of waters.2 The heros last The bold-mooded troop-lord too& from his gift nec& then The ring that was golden, ga!e to his liegeman, The youthful war-hero, his gold-flashing helmet, His collar and war-mail, bade him well to enjoy them% )Thou art latest left of the line of our &indred, and last words. 3f "4gmunding people% "eird hath offcarried ll of my &insmen to the Creators glory, 5arls in their !igor% + shall after them fare.2 Twas the aged liegelords last-spo&en word in His musings of spirit, ere he mounted the fire, The battle-wa!es burning% from his bosom departed His soul to see& the sainted ones glory.
678 The word 9oferh:gian ';<=<( being !ague and little understood, two >uite distinct translations of this passage ha!e arisen. 3ne ta&es 9oferh:gian as meaning 9to exceed, and, inserting 9hord after 9gehwone, renders% The treasure may easily, the gold in the ground, exceed in value every hoard of man, hide it who will. The other ta&es 9oferh:gian as meaning 9to render arrogant, and, gi!ing the sentence a morali?ing tone, renders substantially as in the body of this wor&. 'Cf. ;@ 7A et se>.( 6;8 The passage beginning here is !ery much disputed. 9The bill of the old lord is by some regarded as Beowulfs sword0 by others, as that of the ancient possessor of the hoard. 9Br gescCd ';<<@(, translated in this wor& as !erb and ad!erb, is by some regarded as a compound participial adj. D sheathed in brass.

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XXXIX. THE DEAD FOES.WIGLAFS BITTER TAUNTS.

+t had wofully chanced then the youthful "iglaf is sorely grie!ed retainer to see his lord To behold on earth the most ardent-belo!$d loo& so unt his life-days limit, lying there helpless. warli&e. The slayer too lay there, of life all berea!$d, Horrible earth-dra&e, harassed with sorrow% The dragon The round-twisted monster was permitted no has plundered longer his last hoard. To go!ern the ring-hoards, but edges of warswords #ightily sei?ed him, battle-sharp, sturdy -ea!ings of hammers, that still from his wounds The flier-from-farland fell to the earth Hard by his hoard-house, hopped he at midnight 1ot eer through the air, nor exulting in jewels /uffered them to see him% but he san& then to earthward Through the hero-chiefs handwor&. + heard sure it thro!e then *ew warriors But few in the land of liegemen of !alor, dared to face Though of e!ery achie!ement bold he had the monster. pro!ed him, To run gainst the breath of the !enomous scather, 3r the hall of the treasure to trouble with hand-blows, +f he watching had found the ward of the hoard-hall 3n the barrow abiding. Beowulfs part of The treasure of jewels was paid for with death0 5ach of the twain had attained to the end of -ife so unlasting. 1ot long was the time till The cowardly The tardy-at-battle returned from the thic&et, thanes come The timid truce-brea&ers ten all together, out of the "ho durst not before play with the lances thic&et. +n the prince of the peoples pressing emergency0 They are But blushing with shame, with shields they ashamed of betoo& them, their desertion. "ith arms and armor where the old one was lying% They ga?ed upon "iglaf. He was sitting exhausted, *oot-going fighter, not far from the shoulders 3f the lord of the people, would rouse him with water0 1o whit did it help him0 though he hoped for it &eenly, He was able on earth not at all in the leader -ife to retain, and nowise to alter The will of the "ielder0 the "orld-,ulers power1 "ould go!ern the actions of each one of heroes,
"iglaf is ready to

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excoriate "s yet He is doing. #rom the young one them. forthwith then $ould grim-worded greeting be got for him %uic&ly Whose courage had failed him. Wiglaf discoursed then, Weohstan his son, sad-mooded hero, 'oo&ed on the hated (He who soothness will He begins to taunt them. utter $an say that the liegelord who gave you the )ewels, *he ornament-armor wherein ye are standing, When on ale-bench often he offered to hall-men Helmet and burnie, the prince to his liegemen, "s best upon earth he was able to find him,+ Surely our lord *hat he wildly wasted his war-gear wasted his undoubtedly armor on 2 When battle o,ertoo& him. *he troop-&ing no poltroons. need had *o glory in comrades- yet God permitted him, He, however, .ictory-Wielder, with weapon unaided got along Himself to avenge, when vigor was needed. without you I life-protection but little was able *o give him in battle, and I ,gan, notwithstanding, With some aid, Helping my &insman /my strength I could have overtaxing0 saved our He waxed the wea&er when with weapon I liegelord smote on 1y mortal opponent, the fire less strongly #lamed from his bosom. *oo few of protectors $ame round the &ing at the critical moment. Gift-giving is 2ow must ornament-ta&ing and weaponover with your bestowing, people the Home-)oyance all, cease for your &indred, ring-lord is #ood for the people- each of your warriors dead. 1ust needs be bereav3d of rights that he holdeth In landed possessions, when faraway nobles Shall learn of your leaving your lord so basely, What is life *he dastardly deed. 4eath is more pleasant without honor! *o every earlman than infamous life is56 789 #or :d;dum r;dan, /<=>?0 @. suggests :dAaB Cr;dan,, and renders The might (or judgment) of God would determine death for every man, as he still does. 7<9 Some critics, H. himself in earlier editions, put the clause, :When D him, /".-S. :EC D beget,0 with the following sentence- that is, they ma&e it dependent upon :Eorfte, /<=F>0 instead of upon :forwurpe, /<=FG0.

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XL. THE MESSENGER OF DEATH.

Then he charged that the battle be announced Wiglaf sends the news of at the hedge Up oer the cliff edge! where the earl troopers Beowulfs death to bided liegemen near The whole of the morning! mood wretched sat by. them! Bearers of battle shields! both things e"pecting! The end of his lifetime and the coming again of The liegelord belo#$d. %ittle reser#ed he Of news that was known! who the ness cliff did tra#el! But he truly discoursed to all that could hear him& '(ow the free gi#ing friend lord of the folk of The messenger speaks. the Weders! The folk prince of )eatmen! is fast in his death bed! By the deeds of the dragon in death bed abideth* +long with him lieth his life taking foeman ,lain with knife wounds& he was wholly unable To in-ure at all the ill planning monster With bite of his sword edge. Wiglaf is sitting! Wiglaf sits by our dead lord. Offspring of Wihstan! up o#er Beowulf! .arl oer another whose end day hath reached him! Head watch holdeth oer heroes unli#ing!1 Our lords /or friend and for foeman. The folk now death will lead e"pecteth to attacks from + season of strife when the death of the folk our old foes. king To /rankmen and /risians in far lands is published. The war hatred wa"ed warm gainst the Hugmen! Higelacs When Higelac came with an army of #essels death recalled. /aring to /riesland! where the /rankmen in battle Humbled him and bra#ely with o#ermight complished That the mail clad warrior must sink in the battle! /ell mid his folk troop& no fret gems presented The atheling to earlmen* aye was denied us 0erewings mercy. The men of the ,wedelands /or truce or for truth trust 1 but little* But widely twas known that near 2a#enswood Ongentheow Hthcyns fall ,undered Hthcyn the Hrethling from life referred to. -oys! When for pride o#erweening the War ,cylfings first did ,eek the )eatmen with sa#age intentions. .arly did Ohtheres age laden father! Old and terrible! gi#e blow in re3uital! 4illing the sea king! the 3ueen mother rescued! The old one his consort depri#ed of her gold! Onelas mother and Ohtheres also!

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And then followed the feud-nursing foemen till hardly, Reaved of their ruler, they Ravenswood entered. Then with vast-numbered forces he assaulted the remnant, Weary with wounds, woe often romised The livelong night to the sad-hearted war-troo ! Said he at morning would "ill them with edges of wea ons, Some on the gallows for glee to the fowls. Aid came after to the an#ious-in-s irit At dawn of the day, after $igelac%s bugle And trum et-sound heard they, when the good one roceeded And faring followed the flower of the troo ers.
&'( )$ige-m*+um% ,-.'/0 is glossed by $. as dat. lu. ,1 for the dead0. S. ro oses )hige-m*+e,% nom. sing. limiting Wigl2f3 i.e. W., mood-weary, holds head-watch oer friend and foe.45. suggests ta"ing the word as dat. inst. lu. of an abstract noun in -)u.% The translation would be substantially the same as S.%s.

XLI. THE MESSENGERS RETROSPECT.

6The blood-stain7d trace of Swedes and The messenger Geatmen, continues, and refers to the The death-rush of warmen, widely was feuds of noticed, Swedes and $ow the fol"s with each other feud did Geats. awa"en. The worthy one went then1 with well-beloved comrades, Old and de8ected to go to the fastness, Ongentheo earl u ward then turned him3 Of $igelac%s battle he%d heard on in9uiry, The e#ultant one%s rowess, des aired of resistance, With earls of the ocean to be able to struggle, %Gainst sea-going sailors to save the hoard-treasure, $is wife and his children3 he fled after thenceward Old %neath the earth-wall. Then was offered ursuance To the braves of the Swedemen, the banner2 to $igelac. They fared then forth o%er the field-of- rotection, When the $rethling heroes hedgeward had thronged them. Then with edges of irons was Ongentheow driven, The gray-haired to tarry, that the troo -ruler had to Suffer the ower solely of :ofor! Wulf then wildly with wea on assaulted him, Wulf wounds Ongentheow. Wonred his son, that for swinge of the edges The blood from his body burst out in currents, ;orth %neath his hair. $e feared not however, Gray-headed Scylfing, but s eedily 9uited

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The wasting wound-stroke with worse Ongentheow e change! gives a stout blow in return. "hen the king of the thane-troop thither did turn him# The wise-mooded son of "onred was powerless To give a return-blow to the age-hoary man! $ut his head-shielding helmet first hewed he to pieces! That flecked with gore perforce he did totter! %ell to the earth& not fey was he yet then! $ut up did he spring though an edge-wound had reached him. Eofor smites Then Higelacs vassal! valiant and dauntless! Ongentheow "hen his brother lay dead! made his broadfiercely. bladed weapon! 'iant-sword ancient! defence of the giants! $ound oer the shield-wall& the folk-prince succumbed then! (hepherd of people! was pierced to the vitals. Ongentheow is There were many attendants who bound up his slain. kinsman! )arried him *uickly when occasion was granted That the place of the slain they were suffered to manage. This pending! one hero plundered the other! His armor of iron from Ongentheow ravished! His hard-sword hilted and helmet together& Eofor takes the The old ones e*uipments he carried to old kings warHigelac. gear to He the +ewels received! and rewards mid the Higelac. troopers 'raciously promised! and so did accomplish# The king of the "eders re*uited the war-rush! Hrethels descendant! when home he repaired him! Higelac To Eofor and "ulf with wide-lavished rewards the treasures! brothers. To each of them granted a hundred of thousands In land and rings wrought out of wire# His gifts were ,one upon mid-earth needed to twit him3 beyond cavil. "ith the gifts he gave them! when glory they con*uered& To Eofor he -nd to Eofor then gave he his one only also gives his daughter! only daughter The honor of home! as an earnest of favor. in marriage. Thats the feud and hatred.as ween I twill happen. The anger of earthmen! that earls of the (wedemen "ill visit on us! when they hear that our leader /ifeless is lying! he who longtime protected His hoard and kingdom gainst hating assailers! "ho on the fall of the heroes defended of yore The deed-mighty (cyldings!4 did for the troopers "hat best did avail them! and further moreover It is time for us Hero-deeds complished. ,ow is haste most to pay the last fitting!
marks of

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respect to our That the lord of liegemen we look upon lord. yonder, And that one carry on journey to death-pyre Who ring-presents ga e us. !ot aught of it all "hall melt with the bra e one#theres a mass of bright jewels, $old beyond measure, grewsomely purchased And ending it all ornament-rings too Bought with his life% these fire shall de our, &lame shall co er, no earlman shall wear A jewel-memento, nor beautiful irgin 'a e on her neck rings to adorn her, But wretched in spirit berea (d of gold-gems "he shall oft with others be e)iled and banished, "ince the leader of liegemen hath laughter forsaken, *irth and merriment. 'ence many a war-spear +old from the morning shall be clutched in the fingers, 'ea ed in the hand, no harp-musics sound shall Waken the warriors, but the wan-coated ra en &ain o er fey ones freely shall gabble, "hall say to the eagle how he sped in the eating, When, the wolf his companion, he plundered the slain., "o the high-minded hero was rehearsing these stories -oathsome to hear% he lied as to few of The warriors Weirds and of words. All the war-troop arose go sadly to then, look at !eath the .agles +ape sadly betook them, Beowulfs Weeping and woful, the wonder to look at. lifeless body. They saw on the sand then soulless a-lying, 'is slaughter-bed holding, him who rings had gi en them /n days that were done% then the death-bringing moment Was come to the good one, that the king ery warlike, Wielder of Weders, with wonder-death perished. &irst they beheld there a creature more wondrous, The worm on the field, in front of them lying, They also see the dragon. The foeman before them0 the fire-spewing dragon, $hostly and grisly guest in his terrors, Was scorched in the fire% as he lay there he measured &ifty of feet% came forth in the night-time5 To rejoice in the air, thereafter departing To isit his den% he in death was then fastened, 'e would joy in no other earth-hollowed ca erns. There stood round about him beakers and essels, 1ishes were lying and dear- alued weapons, With iron-rust eaten, as in earths mighty bosom A thousand of winters there they had rested0 The hoard was That mighty be2uest then with magic was under a magic guarded, spell. $old of the ancients, that earlman not any The ring-hall could touch, sa e 3uling-$od only, "ooth-king of 4ictries ga e whom 'e wished to

;?B8:B;8:A

*eo$ulf, :n :nglo-1a3on Epic Goem

Gagina 198 di 118

(He is earth-folks protector) to open the treasure, Een to such among mortals as seemed to Him proper.

God alone could give access to it.

[1 !or "g#da, $hich seems a surprising epithet for a Geat to appl% to the &terri'le( )ngentheo$, *. suggests "gomela. +he passage $ould then stand, "The old one went then, etc. [- !or "segn Higel.ce, /., +h., and *. propose "segn Higel.ces, meaning, Higelacs banner followed the Swedes (in pursuit).01. suggests "s2cc Higel.ces, and renders, Higelacs pursuit.0+he H.-1o. reading, as translated in our te3t, means that the 'anner of the enem% $as captured and 'rought to Higelac as a troph%. [4 +he rendering given in this translation represents the king as 'eing generous 'e%ond the possi'ilit% of reproach5 'ut some authorities construe "him (-667) as plu., and understand the passage to mean that no one reproached the t$o 'rothers $ith having received more re$ard than the% $ere entitled to. [8 +he name "1c%ldingas here (4997) has caused much discussion, and given rise to several theories, the most important of $hich are as follo$s, (1) :fter the do$nfall of Hrothgars famil%, *eo$ulf $as king of the ;anes, or 1c%ldings. (-) !or "1c%ldingas read "1c%lfingas0that is, after killing Eadgils, the 1c%lfing prince, *eo$ulf con<uered his land, and held it in su'=ection. (4) >. considers 4997 a thoughtless repetition of -9?4. (@f. H.-1o.) [? *. takes "nihtes and "h$Alum (498?) as separate adver'ial cases, and renders, oy in the air had he of yore by night, etc. He thinks that the idea of vanished time ought to 'e e3pressed. [7 +he parenthesis is '% some emended so as to read, (1) (He (i.e. !od) is the hope of men)5 (-) (he is the hope of heroes). Gr.s reading has no parenthesis, 'ut sa%s, B could touch, unless !od himself, true "ing of #ictories, ga#e to whom he would to open the treasure, the secret place of enchanters, etc. +he last is re=ected on man% grounds.

XLII. WIGLAFS SAD STORY.THE HOARD CARRIED OFF.

+hen t$as seen that the =ourne% prospered him little Cho $rongl% $ithin had the ornaments hidden1 ;o$n neath the $all. +he $arden erst slaughtered 1ome fe$ of the folk-troop, the feud then thereafter Cas hotl% avengDd. +is a $onder $here,2 Chen the strength-famous trooper has attained to the end of Eife-da%s allotted, then no longer the man ma% Femain $ith his kinsmen $here mead-cups are flo$ing. 1o to *eo$ulf happened $hen the $ard of the 'arro$, :ssaults, he sought for, himself had no kno$ledge Ho$ his leaving this life $as likel% to happen. 1o to doomsda%, famous folk-leaders do$n did

19

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Beowulf# 1n 1nglo-'a5on ?pic "oem

"agina 89< di 88:

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Call it with curseswho complished it there That that man should be e er of ill-deeds con icted! Confined in foul-places! fastened in hell-bonds! "unished with plagues! who this place should eer ra age.3 He cared not for gold# rather the Wielders $a or preferred he first to get sight of.4 Wiglaf Wiglaf discoursed then! Wihstan his son# addresses his %&ft many an earlman on one mans account comrades. must 'orrow endure! as to us it hath happened. The liegelord belo (d we could little pre ail on! )ingdoms *eeper! counsel to follow! +ot to go to the guardian of the gold-hoard! but let him ,ie where he long was! li e in his dwelling Till the end of the world. -et we a destiny Hard to endure# the hoard has been loo*ed at! Been gained ery grimly. too grie ous the fate that5 The prince of the people pric*ed to come thither. $ was therein and all of it loo*ed at! The buildings equipments! since access was gi en me! +ot *indly at all entrance permitted He tells them Within under earth-wall. Hastily sei/ed 0 of Beowulfs 1nd held in my hands a huge-weighing last moments. burden &f hoard-treasures costly! hither out bare them To my liegelord belo (d# life was yet in him! 1nd consciousness also. the old one discoursed then -uch and mournfully! commanded to greet you! Beowulfs Bade that remembering the deeds of your dying request. friend-lord 2e build on the fire-hill of corpses a lofty Burial-barrow! broad and far-famous! 1s mid world-dwelling warriors he was widely most honored While he re eled in riches. ,et us rouse us and hasten 1gain to see and see* for the treasure! The wonder neath wall. The way 0 will show you! That close ye may loo* at ring-gems sufficient 1nd gold in abundance. ,et the bier with promptness $ully be fashioned! when forth we shall come! 1nd lift we our lord! then! where long he shall tarry! Well-belo ed warrior! neath the Wielders protection.3 Then the son of Wihstan bade orders be gi en! Wiglaf charges them to build a -ood- aliant man! to many of heroes! funeral-pyre. Holders of homesteads! that they hither from far! 6 ,eaders of liegemen! should loo* for the good one With wood for his pyre# %The flame shall now swallow 4The wan fire shall wa576 the warriors leader Who the rain of the iron often abided! When! sturdily hurled! the storm of the arrows ,eapt oer linden-wall! the lance rendered ser ice!

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%eowulf( *n *nglo- a1on ?pi$ Goem

Gagina ,89 di ,,@

98

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Furnished with feathers followed the arrow. Now the wise-mooded son of Wihstan did summon The best of the braves from the band of the ruler He takes seven even together! "neath the enemy"s roof he thanes, and Went with the seven! one of the heroes enters the den. Who fared at the front, a fire-bla#ing tor$hlight %are in his hand. No lot then de$ided Who that hoard should havo$, when hero-earls saw it &ying in the $avern un$ared-for entirely, 'usting to ruin( they rued then but little That they hastily hen$e hauled out the treasure, They push the The dear-valued )ewels! the dragon eke dragon over pushed they, The worm o"er the wall, let the wave-$urrents the wall. take him, The waters enwind the ward of the treasures. There wounden gold on a wain was uploaded, The hoard is laid on a wain. * mass unmeasured, the men-leader off then, The hero hoary, to Whale"s-Ness was $arried.
+,- For .geh/dde," %. suggests .geh/0de"( the passage would stand as above e1$ept the $hange of .hidden" 2v. 34 to .plundered." The referen$e, however, would be to the thief, not to the dragon. +3- The passage .Wundur 5 b6an" 27897-78994, :. took to be a ;uestion asking whether it was strange that a man should die when his appointed time had $ome.<%. sees a $orruption, and makes emendations introdu$ing the idea that a brave man should not die from si$kness or from old age, but should find death in the performan$e of some deed of daring.< . sees an indire$t ;uestion introdu$ed by .hw=r" and dependent upon .wundur"( A secret is it when the hero is to die, etc.<Why may the two $lauses not be parallel, and the whole passage an >ld ?nglish $ry of .How wonderful is death!?< ."s is the best yet offered, if .wundor" means .mystery." +7- For .strude" in H.- o., . suggests .stride." This would re;uire .ravage" 2v. ,94 to be $hanged to .tread." +@- .He $ared 5 sight of" 2,A, ,B4, . emends so as to read as follows( He (Beowulf) had not before seen the favor of the avaricious possessor. +C- %. renders( That which drew the kin thither 2i.e. the treasure4 was ranted us, but in such a wa! that it overco"es us. +9- .Fol$-=gende" 27,,@4 %. takes as dat. sing. with .gDdum," and refers it to %eowulf! that is, #hould brin fire$wood to the place where the ood folk$ruler la!. +A- E. proposes to take .wea1an" F &. .ves$or," and translate devour. This gives a parallel to .fretan" above. The parenthesis would be dis$arded and the passage read( %ow shall the fire consu"e, the wan$fla"e devour, the prince of warriors, etc.

XLIII.

37H8,H38,@

Beowulf% An Anglo-$a+on ;pic :oem

:agina 236 di 229

THE BURNING OF BEOWULF.

The fol of the !eatmen got him then ready Beowulfs pyre. A pile on the earth strong for the burning, Behung with helmets, hero- nights targets, And bright-shining burnies, as he begged they should ha"e them# Then wailing war-heroes their world-famous chieftain, Their liegelord belo"ed, laid in the middle. The funeral$oldiers began then to ma e on the barrow flame. The largest of dead-fires% dar oer the "apor The smo e-cloud ascended, the sad-roaring fire, &ingled with weeping 'the wind-roar subsided( Till the building of bone it had bro en to pieces, )ot in the heart. )ea"y in spirit They mood-sad lamented the men-leaders ruin# And mournful measures the much-grie"ing widow * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Weders The men of the Weders made accordingly carry out their A hill on the height, high and e+tensi"e, lords last ,f sea-going sailors to be seen from a request. distance, And the bra"e ones beacon built where the fire was, -n ten-days space, with a wall surrounded it, As wisest of world-fol could most worthily plan it. They placed in the barrow rings and .ewels, Rings and All such ornaments as erst in the treasure gems are laid War-mooded men had won in possession% in the barrow. The earnings of earlmen to earth they entrusted, The gold to the dust, where yet it remaineth As useless to mortals as in foregoing eras. Round the dead-mound rode then the doughty-in-battle, Bairns of all twel"e of the chiefs of the people, They mourn &ore would they mourn, lament for their for their lord, ruler, $pea in measure, mention him with pleasure, and sing his praises. Weighed his worth, and his warli e achie"ements &ightily commended, as tis meet one praise his /iegelord in words and lo"e him in spirit, When forth from his body he fares to destruction. $o lamented mourning the men of the !eats, 0ond-lo"ing "assals, the fall of their lord, An ideal ing. $aid he was indest of ings under hea"en, !entlest of men, most winning of manner,

23

21

43

41

52367 83

81

93

48<32<4329

#eo $lfL An Anglo-SaGon Epic Koe"

Kagina %1& di %%,

,:

Friendliest to folk-troops and fondest of honor.

I%1+J

ADDENDA.
SEVERAL discrepancies and other oversights have been noticed in the H.-So. glossary. Of these a good part ere avoided by Harrison and Sharp! the A"erican editors of #eo $lf! in their last edition! %&&&. 'he rest ill! ( hope! be noticed in their fo$rth edition. As! ho ever! this book "ay fall into the hands of so"e ho have no copy of the A"erican edition! it see"s best to notice all the principal oversights of the )er"an editors. From hm *%+,-../otes and glossary conflict0 the latter not having been altered to s$it the concl$sions accepted in the for"er. r gelfan sceal dryhtnes dme *,,1-..2nder 3d4"5 H. says 3the "ight of the Lord50 hile $nder 3gel6fan5 he says 3the 7$dg"ent of the Lord.5 Eal bencelu *,&8-..2nder 3benc-9el$5 H. says no". plu.0 hile $nder 3eal5 he says no". sin . Heatho rmas *:%+-..2nder 3;tberan5 H. translates 3to the Heathore"es50 hile $nder 3Heatho-r;"as5 he says 3Heathor;"as reaches #reca in the s i""ing-"atch ith #eo $lf.5 Harrison and Sharp *<d edition! %&&&- avoid the discrepancy. Fh f!ond sca"a *::,-..2nder 3f=ond-sca>a5 H. says 3a glea"ing sea-"onster50 $nder 3f?h5 he says 3hostile.5 #nfeng hra"e $n%$t ancum *@,+-..2nder 3onf4n5 H. says 3he received the "alicio$sly-disposed one50 $nder 3in it-9anc5 he says 3he rasped!5 etc. N&" %undor s!on *%<88-..2nder 3nA>- $ndor5 H. calls this ord itself no". sin .0 $nder 3s=on5 he translates it as acc$s. sing.! $nderstanding 3"an5 as s$b7ect of 3s=on.5 H. and S. *<d edition- "ake the correction. Forgeaf h$lde b$lle *%:B%-..H.! $nder the second ord! calls it instr. dat.0 hile $nder 3forgifan5 he "akes it the dat. of indir. ob7. H. and S. *<d edition- "ake the change. 'rd and br(n ecg *%:,@-..2nder 3br?d5 H. says 3das breite HCft"esser "it bronDener Elinge50 $nder 3brFn-ecg5 he says 3ihr breites HCft"esser "it blitDender Elinge.5

I%%1J

)"el&ce *%::@-..2nder this ord H. "akes it "odify 3?st4d.5 (f this be right! the p$nct$ation of the fifth edition is rong. See H. and S.! appendiG. *!lran geshte *%&,1-..2nder 3s=l5 and 3ges=can5 H. calls these t o ords acc$s. pl$.0 b$t this is clearly an error! as both are no". pl$.! pred. no". H. and S. correct $nder 3s=l.5 +$" sylfne *%+@&-..2nder 3 i>5 and 3gesittan5 H. says 3 i> H near! by50 $nder 3self5 he says 3opposite.5 !o% *BBB:- is o"itted fro" the glossary. For dugu"um *B:1B-..2nder 3d$g$>5 H. translates this phrase! 3in 'Cchtigkeit50 $nder 3for!5 by 3vor der edlen Eriegerschaar.5

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#eo $lfL An Anglo-SaGon Epic Koe"

Kagina %1+ di %%,

r *B:@,-..2nder 3 ealdan5 H. translates &'r by 3 o50 $nder 3"4tan!5 by 3da.5 H. and S. s$ggest 3if5 in both passages. +unde *B@B8-..2nder 3 $nd5 H. says 3dative!5 and $nder 3 ;lbl=ate5 he says 3acc$s.5 (t is itho$t do$bt acc$s.! parallel ith 3benne.5 *trengum gebded *<%%&-..2nder 3strengo5 H. says 3Streng$"5 H "it Nacht0 $nder 3geb;ded5 he translates 3von den Sehnen.5 H. and S. correct this discrepancy by re7ecting the second reading. 'ronda be lfe *<%8B-..A recent e"endation. 'he fo$rth edition had 3bronda betost.5 (n the fifth edition the editor neglects to change the glossary to s$it the ne e"endation. See 3be yrcan.5

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#eo $lfL An Anglo-SaGon Epic Koe"

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B<M1%MB1%,

Beowulf: An Anglo-Saxon Epic Poem

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