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Beowulf · Beowulf

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  Section one lo praise of the prowess of people kings of spear armed Danes.
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  In days long sped we have heard, and what honor the athelings won oft
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  skill'd the skeffing from squadroned foes from many a tribe. The mead bench tore
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  owing the earls. Since erst he lay friendless a foundling, Fate repaid him
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  for he waxed under welkin in wealth he throve till before him the folk,
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  both far and near, who house by the whil path heard his mandate,
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  gave him gifts. A good king he to him an heir was afterward born
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  a son in his halls, whom Heaven sent to favor the folk. Feeling
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  there woe that erst they had lacked an earl for leader so long a while,
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  the Lord endowed him with wielder of wonder, with worlds renowned famed was
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  this Beowulf far flew the boast of him son of skilled in the Scandian lands.
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  So becomes it a youth to quit him well with his father's friends by
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  fee and gift that to aid him aged in after days come warriors willing should
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  war draw nigh liege men loyal by lauded deeds, shall an earl have honor
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  in every clan. Fourth he fared at the fated moment, sturdy, skilled
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  to the shelter of God. Then they bore him over the ocean's billow loving
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  clansmen. As late he charged them while wielded words. The winsome skilled,
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  the leader beloved, who long had ruled in the roadstead rocked a ring dight
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  vessel ice flecked outbound etheling's barge. There laid they down their darling lord on
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  the breast of the boat, the breaker of rings by the mast. The
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  mighty one, many treasure fetched from far, was freighted with him. No
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  ship have I known so nobly dight with weapons of war and weeds of battle,
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  with breast plate and blade on his bosom, lay a heaped hoard,
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  that hence should go far o'er the flood, with him floating away. No
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  less these loaded the lordly gifts Thanes huge treasure than those had done who in
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  former time forth had sent him soul on the seas a suckling child high o'er
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  his head. They hoist the standard a gold wove banner. Let billows take
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  him gave him to ocean grave. Were their spirits mournful their mood No man
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  is able to say in sooth, no son of the halls, no hero
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  neath heaven, who harbored that freight. Now Beowulf bode in the burg of
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  the Skildings, leader, beloved and long. He ruled in fame with all
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  folk, since his father had gone away from the world, till awoke an
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  heir, haughty health dane, who held through life sage and sturdy the Skildings
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  glad. Then one after one there woke to him, to the chieftain of
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  clansmen children four hey o Agar, then Hrothgar, then Halga brave, And
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  I heard that Blank was Blank's queen. The hartho Skilfings help mate dear to
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  Rothsgar was given such glory of war, such honor of combat, that all
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  his kin obeyed him gladly, till great grew his band of youthful comrades.
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  It came in his mind to bid his henchmen a hall uprear, a master
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  mead house mightier far than ever was seen by the sons of earth, and
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  within it. Then to old and young he would all alot that the Lord
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  had sent him, save only the land and the lives of his men.
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  Wide I heard was the work commanded for many a tribe, this mid earth,
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  round to fashion the folkstead. It fell as he ordered, in rapid
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  achievement. That ready it stood there of halls, the noblest herot he named
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  it, whose message had might in many a land, not reckless of promise,
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  the rings he dealt treasure at banquet. There towered the hall high,
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  gabled wide, the hot surge waiting of furious flame. Nor far was that
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  day when father and son in law stood in feud for warfare and hatred,
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  that woke again with envy and anger, and evil spirit endured the dole in
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  his dark abode, that he heard each day the din of revel. High
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  in the hall. Their harps rang out clear song of the singer he sang,
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  who knew tales of the early time of man. How the Almighty made
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  the earth fairest fields enfolded by water, set triumphant sun and moon for a
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  light to lighten the land dwellers, and braided bright the breast of earth with
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  limbs and leaves, made life for all of mortal beings that breathe and move,
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  So lived the clansmen in cheer and revel a winsome life till one began
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  to fashion evils that field of hell Grendell. This monster Grim was called march
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  Reaver, mighty in Moorland, living in fen and fastness, fief of the
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  giants, the hapless White a while had kept since the Creator his exile doomed
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  on kin of Cain was the killing avenged by sovereign God for slaughtered able ill
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  fared his feud, and far was he driven for the slaughter's sake. From
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  sight of men of Cain awoke all that woeful breed etins and elves and evil
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  spirits, as as well as the giants that warred with God. Weary while
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  but their wage was paid them, went he forth to find at fall of
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  night that haughty house and heed, wherever the ring Danes out reveled to rest
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  had gone. Found within it the atheling band, asleep after feasting, and
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  fearless of sorrow of human hardship. Unhallowed, White, grim and greedy,
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  he grasped betimes, wrathful, reckless, from resting places, thrifty of the
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  thanes, And thence he rushed fain of his fell, spoil, faring homeward,
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  laden with slaughter his lair to seek. Then, at the dawning,
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  as day was breaking, the might of Grendel to men was known. Then
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  after Wasael was wail uplifted loud moan. In the morn the mighty chief,
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  atheling, excellent, unblithe, sat labored in woe for the loss of his
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  Thanes. When once had been traced the trail of the fiend. Spirit accursed
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  too cruel, that sorrow too long, too loathsome not late the respite,
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  with night returning, a new began ruthless murder. He wrecked no whit firm
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  in his guilt of the feud and crime. They were easy to find,
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  who elsewhere sought in room remote their rest at night, bed in the bowers,
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  When that bale was shown, was seen in sooth with shortest token the
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  hall Fane's hate. Such held themselves far and fast. Who the fiend out
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  ran, thus ruled unrighteous, and raged his fill one against all, until
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  empty stood that lordly building, And long it bodes so twelve years tied the
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  trouble he bore, sovereign of skildings, sorrows in plenty, boundless cares.
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  There came unhidden tidings true to the tribes of men in sorrowful songs. How
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  ceaselessly Grendel grassed Hrothgar, What hate he bore him, what murder and massacre?
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  Many a year feud unfading, refused consent to deal with any of Daneland's
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  earls, make pact of peace, or compound for gold. Still less did
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  the wise men ween to get great fee for the feud from his fiendish hands.
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  But the evil one ambushed ye old and young, death, shadow,
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  dark and dogged them, still blured or lurked in the livelong night of misty.
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  Morland's men may say not where the haunts of these hell roons be.
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  Such heaping of horrors The hater of men, lonely Roamer wrought unceasing harassings heavy
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  or herat he lorded gold bright hall in gloomy nights, And ne'er could the
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  Prince approach his throne twas judgment of God, or have joy in his hall.
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  Sore was the sorrow to Skilding's friend heartre misery. Many nobles sat assembled
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  and searched out counsel. How it were best for bold hearted men against harassing
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  terror to try their hand whilst they vowed in their heathen fanes althar offerings,
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  asked with words that the slayer of souls would succor give them for the pain
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  of their people their practice. This their heathen hope. Twas hell they thought
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  of in mood of their mind. Almighty they knew not doomsmen of deeds and
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  dreadful Lord, nor Heaven's helmet heeded they, ever, wielder of wonder.
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  Woe for that man who, in harm and hatred hails his soul to fiery
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  embraces, nor favor nor change awaits he ever, but well for him,
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  that after death day may draw to his lord and friendship find in the Father's
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  arms. Thus seethed unceasing, the son of health Dane, with the woe
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  of these days. Not wisest men essaged his sorrow to sore or the anguish,
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  loathly and long that lay on his folk, most baneful of burdens and
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  bales of the night. This heard in his home Hegelock's, thean great among
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  geats of Grendel's doings. He was the mightiest man of valor in that same
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  day of this our life, stalwart and stately a stout wave walker, he
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  bade make ready yon battle. King said he far o'er the swan road.
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  He fain would seek the noble monarch who needed men. The prince's journey by
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  prudent folk was little blamed, though they loved him dear. They whetted the
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  hero and hailed good omens. And now the bold one from bands of geats
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  comrades chose the keenest of warriors ere he could find. With fourteen men the
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  sea wood he sought, and sailor proved led them on to the land's confines.
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  Time had now flown afloat was the ship boat under bluff. On board
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  they climbed warriors ready. Waves were charning sea with sand. The sailors bore
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  on the breast of the bark their bright array, their mail and weapons.
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  The men pushed off on its willing way. The well braced craft then moved
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  o'er the waters by might of the wind that bark like a bird, with
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  breast of foam, till in season dew. On the second day the curved
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  prow such course had run that sailors now could see the land, sea cliffs
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  shining, steep high hills, headlands broad. Their haven was found. Their
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  journey ended up then quickly the waders clansmen climbed ashore, anchored their sea wood
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  with armor clashing and gear of battle. God they thanked for passing in peace
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  o'er the paths of the sea. Now saw from the cliff a skilding clansman,
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  a warden that watched the water side, how they bore o'er the gangway,
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  glittering shields war gear. In readiness, wonder seized him to know what
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  manner of men they were. Straight to the strand his steed, he rode
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  Hrothgar's henchmen with hand of might. He shook his spear and spake in parley,
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  who are ye, then, ye armed men, mailed folk that yon
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  mighty vessel have urged Thus over the ocean ways here o'er the waters. A
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  warden I sentinel set o'er the sea march here, lest any foe to the
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  folk of Danes, with harrying fleet should harm the land. No aliens ever
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  at ease. Thus bore them linden wielders. Yet word of leave, clearly
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  ye lack from clansmen. Here my folk's agreement. A greater ne'er saw eye
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  of warriors in world than is one of you Yon hero in harness, no
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  henchmen, he worthied by weapons, if witness his features, his peerless presence.
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  I pray you, though, tell your folk and home lest hens ye
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  fair suspect to wander your way as spies in Danish land now dwellers Afar ocean
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  travelers, take from me simple advice. The sooner the better I hear of
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  the country. Whence ye came to him, the stateliest spake in answer,
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  the warrior's leader his word Horde unlocked. We are by kin of the clan
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  of Geats, and Hagelac's own hearth fellows. We to folk Afar was my
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  father known noble atheling eke thou named full of winters. He fared away aged
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  from earth. He is honored still through width of the world by wise men,
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  all to thy lord and liege in loyal mood. We hasten hither to
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  helf Dane's son people protector, be pleased to advise us to that mighty one.
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  Come we on, Michel errand to the Lord of the Danes, nor
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  dee my right that ought be hidden. We hear thou knowest if sooth it
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  is the saying of men that amid the Skildings, a scathing monster, dark
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  ill doer in dusky nights, shows terrific his rage, unmatched hatred and murder
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  to Hrothgar, I, in greatness of soul, would succor bring so the
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  wise and brave may worst his foes. If ever the end of ills is
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  fated of cruel contest, If cure shall follow and the boiling care waves cooler
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  grow, else ever, afterward anguish days, he shall suffer in sorrow while
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  stands in place high on its hill that house unpeered astride his steed, the
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  strand ward answered clansmen unquailing. The keen, souled fane must be skilled to
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  sever and sunder duly words and works. If he well intends, I gather
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  this band is graciously bent to the Skilding's master. March then bearing weapons and
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  weeds the way I show you. I will bid my men your boat meanwhile
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  to guard for fear lest foemen come your new tarred ship by shore of ocean,
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  faithfully watching till once again it waft o'er the waters. These well loved
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  veanes, winding necked wood to waders bounds heroes such as the hest of fate
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  shall succor and save from the shock of war. They bent them to march.
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  The boat lay still fettered by cable and fast at anchor. Broad bosomed
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  ship then shone the boors over the cheek guard chased with gold, keen and
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  gleaming guard. It kept o'er the man of war. As marched along heroes
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  in haste till the hall. They saw broad of gable and bright with gold.
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  That was the fairest mid folk of Earth, of houses neath heaven where
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  Hrothgar lived, And the gleam of it lightened o'er lands afar. The sturdy
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  shieldsman showed that bright burg of the boldest bade them go straightway hither. Steed
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  then turned hardy hero and hailed them. Thus tis time that I fare from
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  you, Father, Almighty and grace and mercy, guard you well safe in
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  your seekings, seaward I go against hostile warriors. Hold my watch. End
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  of section one, Section two. Stone bright the street, it showed the
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  way to the crowd of clansmen, corselets glistened, hand forged hard on their
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  harness, bright the steel ring sang as they strode along in mail of battle,
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  and marched to the hall. There weary of ocean the wall along.
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  They set their bucklers, their broad shields down, and bowed them to bench.
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  The breastplates clanged war gear of men, their weapons stacked, spears of
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  the seafarers stood together. Gray tipped that iron band, and was worthily weaponed.
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  A warrior proud asked of the heroes their home and kin. Whence now
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  bear ye burnished shields, harness, gray and helmet's grim spears in multitude,
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  Messenger, I Hrothgar's herald heroes, so many ne'er met I as strangers of
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  mood, so strong tis plain for that prowess, not plunged into exile,
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  for high hearted valor Hrothgar, Ye seek him the sturdy in war. Bespake
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  with words, proud earl of the Wedd'er's answer, Maid Hardy neath helmet haiglachs
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  wee fellows at board. I am Beowulf named. I am seeking to say
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  to the son of half Dane, this mission of mine to thy master lord,
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  the doughty Prince. If he deign at all grace, that we greet
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  him the good one. Now, Wulfgar spake, the Wendell's chieftain, whose
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  might of mind to many was known his courage and counsel, the King of
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  Danes, the Skilding's friend, I fain will tell the breaker of rings as
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  the boon. Thou askest the famed prince of thy faring hither and swiftly after
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  such answer, bring as the doughty monarch may deign to give hide. Then
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  in haste to where Hrothgar sat, white haired and old his earls about him,
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  till the stout fine stood at the shoulder there of the Danish king,
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  good courtier. He Wulfgar spake to his winsome lord, hither have fared to
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  thee far come men o'er the paths of ocean, people of Geatland, and
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  the stateliest there by his sturdy band is Beowulf, named this boon. They
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  seek that they, my master, may with thee have speech at will,
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  nor spurn their prayer to give them hearing. Gracious Wrothgar, in we of
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  the warrior worthy. They methinks of our liking their leader most surely a hero
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  that hither his henchman has led. Hrothgar answered, helmet of Skildings. I
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  knew him of yore in his youthful days. His aged father was ec Thou
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  named to whom at home gave Hrethel the Geat his only daughter, their offspring
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  Bold fares hither to seek the steadfast friend. And seamen too have sed me
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  this who carried my gifts to the Geatish court. Thither for thanks he has
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  thirty men's heft of grasp in the grip of his hand. The bold in
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  battle blessed God out of his mercy. This man hath sent to Danes of
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  the west, as I ween, indeed, against horror of Grendel, I
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  hope to give the good youth gold for his gallant thought. Be thou in
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  haste, and bid them hither, clan of kinsmen, to come before me,
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  and add this word. They are welcome guests to folk of the Danes.
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  To the door of the hall, Wulfgar went, and the word declared
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  to you this message my master sends east Danes, king that your kin he
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  knows hardy heroes, and hails you all. Welcome hither o'er waves of the
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  sea. Ye may wend your way in war attire and under helmets Hrothgar greet.
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  But let here the battle shields bide your parley, and wooden war shafts
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  wait its end up rose the mighty one ringed with his men, brave band
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  of Thanes. Some bode without battle gear, guarding, as bade the chief.
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  Then hide that troop where the herald led them under Herod's roof. The
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  hero strode hardy meaf helm till the hearth he near'd Beowulf spake his breastplate gleamed
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  war net woe by wit of the smith, Thou Hrothgar, Hail Hagilax,
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  I kinsman and follower, fame a plenty have I gained in youth These grendel
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  deeds I heard in my homeland. Heralded clear sea farers say, how stands
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  this hall of building's best for your band of Thanes? Empty and idle when
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  evening sun in the harbor of heaven is hidden away. So my vassals advised
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  me, well, brave and wise, the best of men, O sovereign
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  Hrothgar, to seek thee here for my nerve and my might. They knew
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  full well themselves had seen me from slaughter, come, blood flecked from foes
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  where five I bound, and that wild brew worsted I the waves. I
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  slew nikors by night, in need and peril, avenging the waiters whose woe
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  they sought, crushing the grim ones grendel. Now monster cruel be mine to
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  quell in single battle. So from thee thou, sovereign of the Shining Danes,
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  Skilding's bulwark a boon I seek, and friend of the folk, refuse
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  it, not o warrior's shield. Now I've wandered far that I alone with
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  my liegemen here this hardy band, may herot purge. More I hear that
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  the monster dire in his wanton mood of weapons recks not hence shall I scorn,
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  so hide gluck stay, king of my kindred kind to me brand or
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  buckler to bear in the fight gold colored targe. But with grip alone,
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  must I front the fiend and fight for life foe against foe. Then faith
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  be his in the doom of the lord whom death shall take. Fain I
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  ween if the fight he win in this hall of gold my geatish band,
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  will he fearless eat as oft before my noblest thanes, nor need'st thou then
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  to hide my head for his? Shall I be died in gore? If
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  death must take me and my blood cover'd body, he'll bear as prey,
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  ruthless devour it the roamer lonely with my life blood redden his lair in the
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  fen. No further for me needs food, prepare to Hagelock's end, if
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  Hill'd should take me best of war weeds warding my breast armor excellent heirloom of
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  Hrethel and work of wheland Fair's weird as she must. Hrothgar spake the Skilding's
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  helmet for fight. Defensive friend, my Beowulf, to succor and save thou
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  hast sought us here thy father's combat. A feud enkindled when Haathelof with hand,
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  he slew among the Wilfings his waider kin for horror of fighting, fear'd
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  to hold him. Fleeing, he sought our south Dane over surge of ocean,
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  the honor Skildings. When first I was ruling, the folk of Danes
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  wielded youthful, this widespread realm, this hoard hold of heroes. Hey Oigar
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  was dead. My elder brother had breathed his last half danes Bairn. He
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  was better than I. Straightway the feud with fee I settled to the Wilfing
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  scent o'er watery ridges treasures olden oath, he swore me. Sore is my
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  soul to say to any of the race of man, what ruth for me?
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  And harot? Grendel, with hate hath wrought what sudden harryings haul folk
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  fail me, My warriors wane, for weird hath swept them into Grendel's grasp.
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  But God is able this deadly foe from his deeds to turn boasted full
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  oft as my beer. They drank earls o'er the ale cup, armed men
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  that they would bide in the beer hall. Here Grendel's attack with terror of
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  blades. Then was this mead house at morning tide died with gore. When
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  the daylight broke, all the boards of the benches blood besprinkled gory the hall.
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  I had heroes, the less doughty, dear ones that death had reft.
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  But sit to the banquet, unbind thy words, hardy hero as heart
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  shall prompt. Thee gathered together the Geatish men in the banquet hall, on
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  bench assigned sturdy spirited, sat them down, hardy hearted. A henchman attended,
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  carried the carven cup in hand, served the clear mead oft minstrel sang
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  blythe in herot heroes reveled no dearth of warriors. Waiter and Dane unfaith spake
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  the son of Ecglaff, who sat at the feet of the Skilding's lord,
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  unbound. The battle runs Beowulf's quest sturdy seafarers sorely galled him. Ever,
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  he envied that other men should more achieve in Middle Earth of fame under heaven
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  than he himself. Art thou that Beowulf, Breca's rival, who emulous swam
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  on the open sea, when for pride the pair of you proved the floods,
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  and wantonly dared in waters deep to risk your lives. No living man,
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  or leaf or loath from your labor dire could you dissuade from swimming the
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  main ocean tides with your arms. Ye cover'd with strenuous hands. The sea
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  streets measured swam o'er the waters. Winter's storm rolled the rough waves in realm
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  of sea, A senite strove Ye in swimming he topped thee had more of
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  Maine him. At morning tide, Billow's bore to the battling ramas. Whence
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  he hied to his home. So dear beloved of his liegemen, to land
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  of brondings, fastness, fair where his folk he ruled town and treasure.
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  In triumph o'er thee Anstan's barn, his boast achieved, so ween I for
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  thee a worse adventure. Though in buffet of battle, Thou brave hast been
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  in struggle grim if Grendel's approach, Thou darest wait through the watch of night
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  Berewolf spake barn of ech Thou what a deal? Hast uttered dear my unferth,
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  drunken with beer of Breca, now told of his triumph. Truth,
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  I claim it that I had more of might in the sea than any man
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  else more ocean endurance. We twain had talked in time of youth and made
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  our boast. We were merely boys, stripling still to stake our lives far
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  at sea, and so we performed it naked swords. As we swam along,
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  we held in hand with hope to guard us against the whales. Not
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  a whit from me could he float afar o'er the flood of waves. Haste
• 27:53
  o'er the billows, nor him I abandoned. Together we twain on the tide's
• 28:00
  abode, five nights full till the flood divided us, churning waves and chillist
• 28:04
  weather. Darkling night, and the northern wind, ruthless, rushed on us.
• 28:10
  Rough was the surge. Now the wrath of the sea fish rose apace
• 28:15
  yet me against the monsters. My mailed coat, hard and hand linked help
• 28:19
  afforded battle. Sark braided my breast to ward, garnished with gold, there
• 28:26
  grasped me firm and hailed me to bottom the hated foe with grimmest grip.
• 28:30
  Twas granted me though to pierce the monster with point of sword, with blade
• 28:36
  of battle. Huge beast of the sea was whelmed by the hurly through hand
• 28:41
  of mine me. Thus often the evil monster's thronging threatened with thrust of my
• 28:48
  sword, the darling I dealt them due return. Nowise had they bliss from
• 28:53
  their booty than to devour their victim. Vengeful creatures seated to banquet at bottom
• 29:00
  of sea. But at break of day my brand sore hurt on the edge
• 29:04
  of ocean. Up they lay put to sleep by the sword, and since
• 29:08
  by them on the fathomless sea ways, sailor folk are never molested. Light
• 29:15
  from east came bright God's beacon. The billows sank so that I saw the
• 29:19
  sea cliff's high, windy walls for weird oft saveth earl undoomed if he doughty
• 29:26
  be. And so it came that I kill'd with my sword. Nine of
• 29:30
  the Nyikors of night fought battles. Ne'er heard I a harder neath Heaven's dome,
• 29:36
  nor adrift on the deep, a more desolate man. Yet I came
• 29:40
  unharmed from that hostile clutch, though spent with swimming the sea up bore me
• 29:45
  flood of the tide on Finnish land the welling waters. No wise of thee
• 29:51
  have I heard men tell such terror of falcians, bitter battle breca ne'er yet
• 29:56
  not one of you pair in the play of war such daring deed has done
• 30:00
  at all with bloody brand. I boast not of it, though thou wast
• 30:06
  the bane of thy brethren, Dear, thy closest kin, whence curse of
• 30:10
  hell awaits thee well as thy wit may serve. For I say in sooth
• 30:15
  thou, son of Ecglaf, never had Grendel these grim deeds wrought monster dire
• 30:22
  on thy master, Dear in Harot, such havoc if heart of thine were
• 30:26
  as battle bold as thy boast is loud, But he has found no feud
• 30:30
  will happen from sword clash, dread of your Danish clan. He vaunts him
• 30:34
  safe from the victor skildings, He forces, pledges, favors none of the
• 30:41
  land of Danes, but lustily murders, fights and feasts, nor feud he
• 30:45
  dreads from speared ane men. But speedily now shall I prove him the prowess
• 30:51
  and pride of the Geats, shall bid him battle blithe to mead go he
• 30:56
  that listeth when light of dawn this marks orrow morning. O'er men of earth,
• 31:00
  ether robed sun from the south shall beam joyous. Then was the jewel
• 31:07
  giver, hoar haired, war brave help awaited the bright Danes prince from Beowulf,
• 31:14
  hearing folks, good shepherd, such firm resolve. Then was laughter of
• 31:18
  Liegemen, loud, resounding with winsome words. Came wealthaw forth, Queen of
• 31:26
  Hrothgar, heedful of courtesy, gold decked, greeting the guests in hall,
• 31:30
  and the high born lady handed the cup first to the east Danes. Heir
• 31:36
  and warden bade him be blithe at the beer carouse the land's beloved one lustily
• 31:41
  took he banquet and beaker battle famed king through the hall. Then went the
• 31:48
  helmings. Lady, too younger and older everywhere carried the cup till come the
• 31:53
  moment when the ring graced Queen the royal hearted to Beowulf bore the beaker of
• 31:59
  me. She greeted the Geat's Lord God. She thanked in wisdom's words that
• 32:05
  her will was granted, that at last on a hero her hope could lean
• 32:08
  for comfort and terrors. The cup he took hardy in war from whale Thow's
• 32:15
  hand, and answer uttered the eager for combat. Beowulf spake, Baron of
• 32:21
  eck Thou, this was my thought, when my fanes and I bent to
• 32:25
  the ocean and entered our boat, that I would work the will of your
• 32:29
  people fully, or fighting fall in death in fiend's grip fast, I am
• 32:35
  firm to do an earl's brave deed, or end the days of this life
• 32:37
  of mine. In the mead hall here well these words to the woman seemed
• 32:44
  Beowulf's battle boast bright with gold. The stately dame, by her spouse,
• 32:49
  sat down again as erst began in hall, warriors wassail and words of power
• 32:55
  the proud band's revel till presently the son of half Dane hastened to seek rest
• 33:00
  for the night. He knew there waited fight for the fiend in that festal
• 33:05
  hall. When the sheen of the sun they saw no more, and dusk
• 33:08
  of night sank, darkling nigh, and shadowy shapes came striding on Wan under
• 33:15
  Welkin. The warriors rose man to man. He made harangue Hrothgar to Beowulf,
• 33:22
  bade him hail, let him wield the wine hall. A word,
• 33:27
  he added, never to any man, eerst I trusted since I could heave
• 33:31
  up hand and shield this noble Dane hall. Till now to thee, have
• 33:37
  now and hold this house unpeered. Remember thy glory, thy might declare,
• 33:43
  watch for the foe. No wish shall fail thee. If thou bidest the
• 33:47
  battle with bold one life and of section two Section three. Then Roskaw went
• 33:59
  with his hero train defense of Sildings forth from hall fain would the war lord
• 34:04
  wilt thou seek couch of his queen, the King of Glory against this grendel
• 34:07
  A guard had set so heroes heard a whole defender who warded the monarch and
• 34:13
  watched for the monster. In truth, the Gheet's prince gladly trusted his mettle,
• 34:17
  his might, the mercy of God cast off, then his corselet of
• 34:22
  iron helmet from head to his henchmen, gave choicest of weapons, the well
• 34:25
  chased sword, bidding him guard the gear of battle. Spake. Then his
• 34:30
  vaunt, the valiant man beowulf Gate e're the bed be sought or force in
• 34:36
  fight? No feebler I count me in grim war deeds than Grendel deems him
• 34:39
  not with the sword. Then to sleep of death his life will I give,
• 34:44
  though it lie in my power. No skill is his to strike against
• 34:46
  me my shield to Hugh, though he hardy be bold in battle, we
• 34:51
  both this knight shall spurn the sword if he seek me here unweaponed for war.
• 34:55
  Let wisest God, sacred Lord, on which side soever doomed as he
• 35:00
  deemeth right reclined. Then the chieftain and cheek pillows held the head of the
• 35:05
  Earl, while all about him seamen hardy on ball beds sank. None of
• 35:08
  them thought that, thence their steps to the folk and fastness. It fostered
• 35:12
  them to the land they loved would lead them back full well. They wist
• 35:16
  that on warrior's many battle death seized in the banquet hall of Danish clan.
• 35:22
  But comfort and help war weal. Weaving to wade of folk, the master
• 35:25
  gave that by might have won over their enemy, all prevailed by single strength.
• 35:30
  In sooth tis told that highest God o'er human kind hath wielded. Ever
• 35:35
  through one night striding came the walker in shadow. Warriors slept, whose hest
• 35:40
  was to guard the gabled hall, all save one. Twas widely known that
• 35:45
  against God's will, the ghostly ravager Hymn could not hurl to haunts of darkness.
• 35:50
  Wakeful ready with warrior's wrath, bold he bided the battle's issue. Then
• 35:57
  from the moorland by misty crags, with God's ralph laden Grendel came the monster
• 36:02
  was minded of mankind, now sundry to seize in the stately house. Under
• 36:07
  welcome, he walked till the wine palace. There gold hall of men he
• 36:10
  gladly discerned, flashing with fretwork. Not first time this that he the home
• 36:15
  of Rothcar sought, Yet ne'er in his life, day late or early,
• 36:20
  such hardy heroes such hall Thanes found to the house. The warrior walked apace,
• 36:25
  parted from peace. The portal opened it, though with forged bolts.
• 36:30
  Fast when his fist had struck it, and baleful, he burst in his
• 36:34
  blatant rage the house's mouth all hastily. Then o'er fair paved floor. The
• 36:39
  fiend trod on ireful. He strode there, streamed from his eyes fearful flashes
• 36:45
  like flame to see he spied in hall the hero band, kin and clansmen
• 36:50
  clustered asleep. Hardy liegemen. Then laughed his heart, for the monster was
• 36:54
  minded ere morn, should dawn savage to sever the soul of each life from
• 36:59
  body, Since lustful Banquet waited his will, but weird forbade him to seize
• 37:04
  any more of men on earth. After that evening eagerly watched Heiglack's clansman,
• 37:08
  his cursed foe, how he would fare in fell attack, Not that the
• 37:13
  monster was minded to pause straightway. He seized a sleeping warrior for the first
• 37:17
  and tore him fiercely asunder the bone frame, bit drank blood in streams,
• 37:22
  swallowed him piecemeal swiftly. Thus the lifeless course was clear, devoured e'n feet
• 37:28
  and hands. Then farther he hied for the hardy hero. With hand he
• 37:31
  grasped, felt for the foe, with fiendish claw for the hero, reclining,
• 37:35
  who clutched it boldly, prompt to answer, propped on his arm.
• 37:39
  Soon then saw that shepherd of evils that never he met in this middle world
• 37:44
  in the ways of Earth, another white with heavier hand, gripe at heart
• 37:47
  he feared, sorrowed in soul none the sooner escaped. Fain would he flee
• 37:53
  his fastness, seek the den of devils. No doings now such as oft
• 37:58
  he had done in days of old. Then bethought him the hardy higlock,
• 38:00
  thane of his boasted evening. Up he bounded, grasped firm his foe,
• 38:06
  whose fingers cracked. The fiend made off, but the earl close followed.
• 38:09
  The monster meant if he might at all, to fling himself free and far
• 38:14
  away, fly to the fence. Knew his fingers power in the gripe of
• 38:16
  the grim one, gruesome marsh to herod. This monster of harm had made
• 38:22
  Din filled the room. The Danes were bereft, castle dwellers and clansmen,
• 38:27
  All earls of their ale angry were both so savage hall guards the house resounded
• 38:32
  wonder it was the wine hall, firm, in the strain of their struggle,
• 38:36
  stood to earth. The fair house fell not too fast. It was
• 38:39
  within and without by its iron bands, craftily clamped, though there crashed from
• 38:45
  sill. Many a mead bench men have told me, gay with gold,
• 38:50
  where the grim foes wrestled, so well had weened the wisest sildings, that
• 38:54
  not ever at all might any man that bone decked brave house break asunder crush
• 39:00
  by craft, unless clasp of fire and smoke engulfed it again. Uprose din
• 39:05
  redoubled, Danes of the north with fear and frenzy were filled each one who
• 39:09
  from the war that wailing heard God's foe sounding his grisly song, cry of
• 39:15
  the conquered, clamorous pain from captive of hell too closely held him, he
• 39:19
  who of men in might was strongest in that same day of this our life.
• 39:25
  Not in any wise would the Earl's defense suffer that slaughterrous stranger to live,
• 39:30
  unless dealing his days and years to men on earth. Now many an
• 39:34
  earl of Beowulf brandished blade ancestral feigned the life of their lord to shield to
• 39:37
  their praise at Prince, if power were theirs. Never they knew as they
• 39:42
  neared the foe, hardy hearted heroes of war, aiming their swords on every
• 39:45
  side the accursed to kill. No keenest blade, no fairest of Fucians fashioned
• 39:51
  on earth could harm or hurt that hideous fiend. He was safe by his
• 39:54
  spells, from sword of battle, from edge of iron. Yet his end
• 39:59
  and parting on that same day of this hour life woeful should be, and
• 40:02
  his wandering soul far off flit to the fiend's domain. Soon he found who
• 40:07
  in former days harmful in heart and hated of God. On many a man
• 40:12
  such murder wrought that the frame of his body failed him. Now for him,
• 40:15
  the keen, souled kinsman of higlack, held in hand, hateful alive
• 40:21
  was to each other, the outlawed dire took mortal hurt. A mighty wound
• 40:24
  showed on his shoulder, and sinews cracked in the bone frame burst to Beowulf.
• 40:30
  Now the glory was given, and Grendel, thence death, sick his
• 40:34
  den in the dark moor, sought noisome abode. He knew too well that
• 40:37
  here was the last of life, an end of his days on earth.
• 40:42
  To all the Danes. By that bloody battle the boon had come from ravage,
• 40:45
  had rescued the roving stranger Rothgar's hall. The hardy and wise one had
• 40:50
  perched it anew. His night work pleased him, his deed and its honor
• 40:53
  to eastern Danes, had the valiant geat his vaunt made good all their sorrow
• 40:59
  and ill are suaged, their bale of battle borne so long, and all
• 41:04
  the dole they erst endured pain a plenty twas proof of this, when the
• 41:07
  hardy in fight a hand laid down arm and shoulder, all indeed of Grendel's
• 41:13
  gripe neath the gabled roof. Many at morning, as men have told me,
• 41:19
  warriors gathered the gift hall round. Folk leaders faring from far and near
• 41:23
  o'er wide stretched ways the wonder to view traces of the traitor not troublous,
• 41:29
  seemed the enemy's end to any man who saw by the gait of the graceless
• 41:31
  foe. How the weary hearted away from thence baffled in battle and band his
• 41:37
  steps death marked, dragged to the devil's near bloody. The billows were boiling
• 41:42
  there, turbid, the tide of tumbling waves, horribly seething with sword blood
• 41:45
  hot by that doomed one died, who, in den of the moor,
• 41:50
  laid forlorn his life. Are down his heathen soul, and Hell received it
• 41:54
  home. Then rode the hoary clansmen from that merry journey, and many a
• 41:59
  youth on horse whe the hardy warrior's back from the mere. Then Beowulf's glory.
• 42:04
  Eager they echoed, and all averred that from sea to sea, or
• 42:07
  south or north, there was no other in Earth's domain under vault of Heaven
• 42:10
  more valiant found of warriors, none more worthy to rule on their lord beloved.
• 42:15
  They laid no slight gracious rofka a good king. He From time to
• 42:21
  time the tried in battle their gray steeds, set to gallop a main,
• 42:23
  and ran a race when the road seemed fair. From time to time a
• 42:28
  fane of the king, who had made many vaunts, was mindful of verses
• 42:31
  stored with sagas and songs of old bound word to word in well knit rhyme,
• 42:36
  wielded his lay. This warrior soon of Beowulf's quest right cleverly sang and
• 42:42
  artfully added an excellent tale in well ranged words, of the warlike deeds he
• 42:45
  had heard in Sagre of Sigamund. Strange the story, he said it all
• 42:50
  the walesings, wanderings wide, his struggles, which never were told to tribes
• 42:53
  of men, the feuds and the frauds, save to Fetella. Only when
• 42:59
  of these doings he deigned to speak uncle to nephew. As ever, the
• 43:02
  twain stood side by side in stress of war, and multitude of the monster
• 43:07
  kind they had felled with their swords. Of Sigamund grew when he passed from
• 43:10
  life no little praise for the doughty and combat. A dragon killed that herded
• 43:15
  the Horde under hoary rock. The atheling dared the deed alone fearful quest,
• 43:20
  nor was for teller there. Yet so it befell his fortune. Pierced that
• 43:23
  wondrous worm on the wall, it struck best blade, the dragon died in
• 43:28
  its blood. Thus had the dread one, by daring, achieved over the
• 43:30
  Ringhorde to rule at will himself. To pleasure. A sea boat he loaded
• 43:36
  and bore on its bosom, the beaming gold Son of Wales. The worm
• 43:39
  was consumed. He had, of all heroes the highest renown among races of
• 43:44
  men, this refuge of warriors for deeds of daring that decked his name.
• 43:47
  Since the hand and heart of Herremund grew slack in battle, he swiftly banished
• 43:52
  to mingle with monsters at mercy of foes to death was betrayed for torrents of
• 43:55
  sorrow had lamed him too long a mode of care to earls and bafflings.
• 44:00
  All he proved oft, indeed, in earlier days for the warrior's wafaring.
• 44:04
  Wise men mourned, who had hoped of him help from harm and bail,
• 44:07
  and had thought their sovereign's son would thrive follow his father his folk protect the
• 44:12
  Horde and the stronghold hero's land, home of sildings. But here, faines,
• 44:16
  said the kinsmen of higlack kindess seemed to all. The other was urged
• 44:22
  to crime, and afresh to the race the fallow roads by swift steeds measured
• 44:25
  the morning sun was climbing higher. Clan's men hastened to the high built wall.
• 44:30
  Those hearty minded the wonder to witness warden of treasure crowned with glory,
• 44:35
  the king himself with stately band from the bride bower Strode, and with him
• 44:38
  the Queen and her crowd of maidens measured the path to the mead house.
• 44:42
  Fair Rothgar spake to the hall. He went, stood by the steps the
• 44:49
  steep roof saw garnished with gold in Grendel's hand. For the sight I see
• 44:53
  to the sovereign ruler be speedy. Thanks a throng of sorrows I have borne
• 44:58
  from Grendel. But God's still works wonder on wonder the warden of glory.
• 45:02
  It was, but now that I never more, for woes that weighed on
• 45:06
  me, waited help long as I lived, When laved in blood, stood
• 45:09
  sword gore stained this stateliest house, widespread woe for wise men, all who
• 45:15
  had no hope to hinder ever foes, infernal and fiendish sprites from Havoc and
• 45:19
  hall. This hero, now, by the wielder's might, a work has
• 45:22
  done that not all of us erst could ever do by wilent wisdom. Lo
• 45:28
  well can she say, whoso of women this warrior bore among sons of men?
• 45:31
  If still she liveth that the God of the Ages was good to her
• 45:35
  in the birth of her bairn. Now Beowulf, thee of heroes, best
• 45:38
  I shall heartily love as mine own my son. Preserve thou. Ever this
• 45:43
  kinship knew, Thou shalt never lack wealth of the world that I wield as
• 45:46
  mine full of. For less have I large as showered my precious hoarde on
• 45:51
  a punier man, less stout in struggle thyself hast now fulfilled such deeds that
• 45:55
  thy fame shall endure through all the ages as ever he did well, May
• 46:00
  the wielder reward thee. Still Beowulf, spake Baron of eck Thou this work
• 46:05
  of war most willingly. We have fought this fight and fearlessly dared force of
• 46:08
  the foe. Fain too, were I hadst thou but seen himself. What
• 46:13
  time the fiend, in his trappings tottered to fall? Swiftly? I thought,
• 46:16
  in strongest gripe on his bed of death, to bind him down,
• 46:20
  that he, in the heart of this hand of mine, should breathe his
• 46:22
  last. But he broke away. Here I might not the maker wiled not
• 46:28
  hinder from flight, and firm enough hold the life destroyer too. Sturdy was
• 46:31
  he, the ruthless and running for rescue. However, he left behind him
• 46:36
  his hand in pledge, arm and shoulder. Nor aught of help could the
• 46:40
  cursed one thus procure it all none the longer liveth he loathsome fiend sunk in
• 46:45
  his sins, But sorrow holds him tightly, grasped in gripe of anguish,
• 46:50
  in baleful bonds, where abide he must evil outlaw such awful doom as the
• 46:54
  mighty maker shall meet him out more silent seemed the son of eglaf em boast
• 47:00
  speech of his battle deeds, Since Athling's all through the Earl's great prowess beheld
• 47:04
  that hand on the high roof, gazing foeman's fingers. The fore part of
• 47:08
  each of the sturdy nails to steel was likest heathen's hand spear, hostile warrior's
• 47:14
  chlor uncanny. Twas clear they said that him. No blade of the brave
• 47:17
  could touch, how keen soever, or cut away that battle hand, bloody
• 47:22
  from baneful foe. End of section three, Section four, there was hurry
• 47:30
  and hest in hurrat Now poor hands to bedeck it, and dense was the
• 47:35
  throng of men and women, the wine haul to cleanse the guest room,
• 47:38
  to garnish gold gage on the hangings that were wove on the wall, and
• 47:44
  wonders many to delight each mortal that looks upon them. Though braced within by
• 47:50
  iron bands, that building bright was broken, sorely rent were its hinges.
• 47:55
  The roof alone held safe and sound. When seared with cro the fiendish foe
• 48:00
  his flight essayed of life, despairing no light thing that the flight for safety,
• 48:07
  say it, who will force of fate? He shall find his way
• 48:10
  to the refuge, ready for race of man, for soul, possessors and
• 48:15
  sons of earth, And there his body, on bed of death shall rest.
• 48:21
  After revel arrived was the hour when to hall proceeded half Dean's son,
• 48:28
  the king himself would sit to banquet. Ne'er heard I of host in haughtier
• 48:32
  throng more graciously gathered round, giver of rings, bowed then to bench.
• 48:39
  Those bearers of glory fain of the feasting, fatally received many a mead cup.
• 48:46
  The mighty in spirit kinsman who sat in the sumptuous hall Trothgar and Hrothulf
• 48:52
  Herath now was filled with friends the folk of Skildings. Ne'er yet had tried
• 48:58
  the traitor's deed to Berewulf gave the bane of half Dean, a gold wove
• 49:04
  banner, gerdon of triumph, broidered battle flag, breastplate and helmet, and
• 49:09
  a splendid sword was seen of many borne to the brave one Berewulf took cup
• 49:15
  in hall for such costly gifts. He suffer'd no shame in that soldier throng,
• 49:22
  for I heard a few heroes in heartier mood with four such gifts so
• 49:28
  fashioned, with gold on the ale bench honoring others. Thus or the roof
• 49:34
  of the helmet high, a ridge wound with wires kept ward o'er the head,
• 49:38
  lest the relict of files should fierce, inveighed sharp in the strife.
• 49:45
  When that shielded hero should go to grapple against his foes, then the earl's
• 49:52
  defense on the floor bade lead coursers eight with carven head gear. Adown the
• 49:57
  hall, one horse was decked, the saddle all shining and set in jewels.
• 50:02
  Twas the battle seat of the best of kings. When to play of
• 50:07
  swords, the son of half Dean was fain to fare ne'er failed his valor
• 50:12
  in the crush of combat, when corpses fell to beowulf over them. Both
• 50:17
  then gave the refuge of ingwine's right and power o'er war steeds and weapons,
• 50:23
  wished him joy of them manfully. Thus the mighty Prince hoard guard for heroes
• 50:30
  that hard fight, repaid with steeds and treasures contemned by none who is willing
• 50:37
  to say the sooth aright. And the Lord of earls to each that came
• 50:43
  with Berewulf over the briny ways an heirloom there at the ell bench gave precious
• 50:50
  gift, and the price bade pay in gold for him whom grendel Est murdered,
• 50:55
  and fain of them more had killed, had not what wisest God their
• 51:00
  word averted, and the man's brave mood. The maker then ruled human kind
• 51:07
  as here and now therefore is in sight always best and forethought of mind,
• 51:13
  how much awaits him of leaf and of loath, who long time here through
• 51:17
  days of warfare, this world endures. Then song and music mingled sounds,
• 51:24
  and the presence of half Dean's head of armies, and harping was heard with
• 51:29
  the hero lay as throftgart singer the hall Joy woke along the mead seats,
• 51:35
  making his song of that sudden raid on the sons of Finn, half Dean's
• 51:39
  hero Naf the Skilding was fated to fall in the Frisian slaughter. Hilburg needed
• 51:45
  not hold in value her enemy's honor. Innocent both were the loved one she
• 51:52
  lost at the Linden play Ban and brother they bowed to fate, stricken by
• 51:58
  spears twas a sorrow woman. None doubted why the daughter of Hoc bewailed her
• 52:04
  doom. When dawning came and under the sky she saw them lying kinsmen murdered.
• 52:09
  When most she had ken of the sweets of the world by war were
• 52:14
  swept two Finn's own liegemen, and few were left in the parleying place.
• 52:19
  He could ply, no longer weapon nor war could he wage on Hengest and
• 52:24
  rescue his remnants by right of arms from the princess. Than a pact he
• 52:30
  offered another dwelling, the Danes should have hall and high seat, and half
• 52:35
  the power should fall to them in Frisian land and at the figifts Fulkwald's sun
• 52:40
  day by day. The Danes should honor the folk of Hengest favor with rings,
• 52:45
  even as truly with treasure and jewels with fretted gold. As his Frisian
• 52:51
  kin he meant to honor in ale Hall. There pacts of peace they plighted
• 52:55
  further on both sides, firmly Finn to Hengest with oath upon honor, openly
• 53:00
  promised that woeful remnant, with wise men's aid, nobly to govern. So
• 53:07
  none of the guests, by word or work should warp the treaty, or
• 53:12
  with malice of mind bemoan themselves as forced to follow their fee giver's slayer ladless
• 53:19
  men, as their lot ordained, should Frisian moreover with Foemen's taunt that murderous
• 53:27
  hatred to mind recall, then edge of the sword must seal his doom.
• 53:34
  Oaths were given, and ancient gold heaped from Horde, the hardy skillding battle
• 53:40
  fane best on his bail fire lay all on the byre were plain to see
• 53:47
  the gory sark, the gilded swine crest, boar of hard iron, and
• 53:52
  Eathling's many slain by the sword of the slaughter they fell. It was Hildeberth's
• 53:59
  headst at Neft's on pire, the burn of her body on brands to lay
• 54:06
  his bones to burn on the baial fire placed at his uncle's side, and
• 54:12
  sorrowful dirgers bewept them. The woman great wailing ascended, then wound up to
• 54:19
  Bulkan. The wildest of death fires roared o'er the hillock heads. All were
• 54:24
  melted, gashes burst, and blood gushed out from bites of the body.
• 54:32
  Balefire devoured greediest spirit, though spared not by war, out of either folk.
• 54:40
  Their flower was gone. Then hastened those heroes their home to see,
• 54:47
  friendless, to find the Frisian land houses and highburg hangeth still through the death
• 54:54
  dyed winter dwelt with Finn holding pact. Yet of home he minded, though
• 55:00
  powerless his ring decked prow to drive over the waters. Now waves rolled fierce,
• 55:07
  lashed by the winds or winter locked them in icy fetters, then fared
• 55:14
  another year to mene dwellings. As yet they do the sun bright skies that
• 55:20
  their season, ever duly await far off. Winter was driven fair lay Earth's
• 55:27
  breast, and Fain was the rover the guest to depart, though more gladly.
• 55:31
  He pondered on wreaking his vengeance than roaming the deep, and how to
• 55:37
  hasten the hot encounter where sons of the Frisians were sure to be so we
• 55:44
  escaped not the common doom. When hung with laughing the light of battle,
• 55:49
  best of blades, his bosom pierced, its edge was famed with the Frisian
• 55:53
  earls on Fierce's heart. Thinn there fell likewise on him self. At home.
• 56:00
  The horrid saw death for Guthlaf and Oslaf of grim attack had sorrowing told
• 56:07
  from seaways landed mourning their woes. Finn's wavering spirit bode not imprest. The
• 56:15
  burg was reddened with blood of foemen, and Finn was slain king amid clansmen.
• 56:22
  The queen was taken to their ship. The Skilding warriors bore all the
• 56:27
  chattels. The chieftain owned whatever they found in Finn's domain of gems and jewels.
• 56:34
  The gentle wife o'er paths of the deep to the Danes, they bore
• 56:38
  led to her land. The lay was finished. The gleam AND's song.
• 56:44
  Then glad rose the revel bench boy brightened bearers draw from their wonder bats wine
• 56:52
  comes. We'll pow forth under gold crown goes where the good pair sit Uncle
• 56:58
  and nephew, two each to the other, one kindred in amity unfirth.
• 57:05
  The spokesman of the Skilding Lord's feet. Sat men had faith in his spirit,
• 57:10
  his keenness of courage, though kinsmen had found him unsure. At the
• 57:15
  sword play, the Skilding Queen spoke, quoth of this cup, my king
• 57:21
  and lord, breaker of rings, and blithe be thou gold friend of men
• 57:27
  to the geats. Here speak such words of mildness as men should use.
• 57:32
  Be glad with thy geats of those gifts, be mindful or near or far
• 57:38
  which now thou hast, men say to me a son, Thou wishest yon
• 57:45
  hero to hold thy haraths, perjured, jewel hall brightest enjoy Thou canst with
• 57:52
  many a largis, and leave to thy kin folk and realm. When forth
• 57:55
  thou goest to greet thy doom for gracious I deem my Wrotholf, willing to
• 58:02
  hold and rule nobly our youths. If thou yield up, first, prince
• 58:07
  of Skildings, thy part in the world, I ween with good, he
• 58:10
  will well requite offspring of hours, when all he minds that for him we
• 58:16
  did in his helpless days of gift and grace to gain him honor. Then
• 58:22
  she turned to the seat where her sons were placed Threatrick and Rothmond, with
• 58:27
  heroes, bands young men together. The Geat too sat there berewulf brave the
• 58:34
  brothers between a cup she gave him with kindly greeting and winsome words of wound
• 58:40
  and gold. She offered to honor him armed jewels, twain, corselet and
• 58:45
  rings, and of collars. The noblest that ever I knew the earth around,
• 58:51
  ne'er heard I so mighty neath Heaven's dome a hoard gem of heroes.
• 58:57
  Since Hammer bore to his bright built burg the brisings, necklace, jewel and
• 59:02
  gem casket, jealousy fled he or Menroc's hate chose help eternal. He gallach
• 59:10
  Geat, grandson of Sweating. On the last of his raids. This ring
• 59:15
  bore with him under his manner the booty defending the war spoil warding, but
• 59:21
  word overwhelmed him. What time in his daring dangers he sought feud with Frisians.
• 59:28
  Fairest of gems he bore with him of the beaker of waves, sovereigns,
• 59:32
  strong under shield he died, fell the corpse of the king into keeping
• 59:38
  of Franks, gear of the breast, and that gorgeous ring. Weaker warriors
• 59:44
  won the spoil after gripe of battle from Geetland's lord, and held the death
• 59:50
  field. Din rose in hall built pulse, spake amid warriors, and said,
• 59:55
  this jewel enjoy in thy jockund youth. Berewulf loved these battle weeds,
• 1:00:02
  where a royal treasure and richly thrive, preserve thy strength, and these striplings
• 1:00:09
  here counsel in kindness requital be mine has done such deeds that for days to
• 1:00:16
  come. Thou art famed among folk, both far and near, so wide
• 1:00:22
  as washeth the wave of ocean, his windy walls, through the ways of
• 1:00:28
  life. Prosper o Prince, I pray for the rich possessions to son of
• 1:00:34
  mine, be helpful indeed, and uphold his joys. Here every earl to
• 1:00:39
  the other is true, mild of mood to the master. Loyal thines are
• 1:00:45
  friendly, the throng obedient liegemen are reveling. List and obey went then to
• 1:00:52
  her place that was proudest of feasts, flowed wine for the warriors. Word
• 1:00:59
  they knew not destiny dire, and the doom to be seen by many an
• 1:01:05
  earl when eve should come and throth our homeward hasten away royal to rest.
• 1:01:12
  The room was guarded by an army of earls. As erste was done,
• 1:01:16
  they bared the bench balls abroad, they spread beds and bolsters. One beer
• 1:01:22
  carouser, in danger of doom, lay down in the hall. At their
• 1:01:29
  heads, they said, their shields of war butler's bright on the bench were
• 1:01:32
  there over each eighthling easy to see the high battle helmet, the haughty spear,
• 1:01:38
  the corselet of rings. Twas their customs, so ever to be for
• 1:01:43
  battle, prepared at home, or harrying, which it were, even as
• 1:01:47
  off does evil threaten their sovereign king. They were clansmen good. Then sank
• 1:01:53
  they to sleep with sorrow when bought his rest of the evening, as oft
• 1:01:59
  time had happened, and when Grendel guarded that golden hall, evil wrought till
• 1:02:04
  his end drew nigh slaughter for sins twas seen and told how an avenger survived
• 1:02:09
  the fiend, as was learnt afar the livelong time after that grim fight,
• 1:02:15
  Grendel's mother, Monster of women, mourned her woe. She was doomed to
• 1:02:21
  dwell in the dreary waters cold sea courses since Cain cut down with edge of
• 1:02:27
  the sword, his only brother, his father's offspring. Outlawed, he fled,
• 1:02:31
  marked with murder from men's delights, warded the wilds there woke from him.
• 1:02:38
  Such fate sent ghosts as Grendel, who wore wolf horrid. At herot
• 1:02:45
  found a warrior watching and waiting the fray with whom the grisly one grappled a
• 1:02:52
  main. But the man remembered his mighty power, the glorious gift that God
• 1:02:57
  had sent him in his maker's mercy, put his trust for comfort and help.
• 1:03:02
  So he conquered the foe, felled the fiend, who fled abject,
• 1:03:07
  reft of joy, to the realms of death mankind's foe, and his mother,
• 1:03:13
  now gloomy and grin, would go that quest of sorrow, the death
• 1:03:17
  of her son to avenge to her. At came she where helmet had danes
• 1:03:23
  slept in the hall too soon came back old ills of the earls, when
• 1:03:30
  in she burst the mother of Grendel. Less grim though that terror, and
• 1:03:36
  as terror of woman in war is less might have made than of men in
• 1:03:42
  arms. When Hammer forged the falcon heart, sword gore stain, though swine
• 1:03:49
  of the helm crested with keen blade carves. A man then was in the
• 1:03:54
  hall, the hard edge drawn, the swords on the settles and shields.
• 1:04:00
  A many firm held in hand, nor helmet minded, nor harness of mail,
• 1:04:05
  whom that horror seized. Haste was hers. She would hie afar and
• 1:04:12
  save her life. When the liegeman saw her yet a single eightling up she
• 1:04:16
  seized fast and firm as she fled to the moor. He was four rothguard
• 1:04:24
  of heroes, the dearest of trusty vassals, betwixt the seas, whom she
• 1:04:30
  killed on his couch, A clansman famous in battle, brave, nor was
• 1:04:36
  berewulf. There another house had been held apart, after giving of gold for
• 1:04:43
  the Geat renowned Uproar filled her roths the hand all had viewed. Blood fleck
• 1:04:49
  she bore with her bail was returned dole in the dwellings towards dire exchange,
• 1:04:57
  where Dane and Geat were doomed to gear the lives of loved ones long tried.
• 1:05:03
  King the hoary hero at heart, was sad when he knew his noble
• 1:05:09
  no more lived and dead. Indeed was his dearest thane to his bow was
• 1:05:15
  berewolf brought in haste dauntless victor. As daylight broke along with his earl's the
• 1:05:21
  oightling lord with his clownsmen came where the king abode, waiting to see if
• 1:05:28
  the wielder of all would turn this tale of trouble and woe. Strode over
• 1:05:32
  floor the famed in strife with his hand companions. The hall resounded, wishing
• 1:05:40
  to greet the wise old king in Gwine's lord. He asked if the knight
• 1:05:45
  had passed in peace to the prince's mind. End of section four, Section
• 1:05:51
  five, Rothgar spake, helmet of skildings, ask not of pleasure. Pain
• 1:06:00
  is renewed to Danish folk. Dead is iskhaire of irmen Lath the elder brother,
• 1:06:09
  my sage adviser and stay in council shoulder comrade. In stress of fight,
• 1:06:15
  when warriors clash'd and we warded our heads hewed the helm boars hero fam'd
• 1:06:21
  should be every earl as I caree was, but here in hirot a hand
• 1:06:28
  hath slain him of wandering death. Sprite, I WoT not whither proud of
• 1:06:34
  the prey her path she took fain of her fill. The feud she aveng'd
• 1:06:40
  that yester night unyieldingly. Grendel in grimmest grasp thou killidst seeing how long these
• 1:06:48
  liegemen mine. He ruin'd and ravaged, reft of life in arms he fell.
• 1:06:57
  Now another comes, keen and cruel, akin to Avenge, faring far
• 1:07:01
  in feud of blood, so that many a thane shall think who e'er sorrows
• 1:07:08
  in soul for that sharer of rings. This is hardest of heart bales.
• 1:07:15
  The hand lies low that once was willing. Each wish to please land dwellers
• 1:07:21
  here, and liegemen mine who house by those parts I have heard relate that
• 1:07:28
  such a pair they have sometimes seen march Stalker's mighty, the moorland haunting wondering
• 1:07:34
  spirits. One of them seem'd so far as my folk could fairly judge of
• 1:07:41
  womankind, and one accursed in man's guise, trod the misery track of exile,
• 1:07:49
  though huger than human bulk, Grendel in days long gone they named him
• 1:07:57
  folk of the land. His father. They knew not, nor any brood
• 1:08:01
  that was borne to him, of treacherous spirits. Untrod is their home,
• 1:08:08
  by wolf cliffs haunt they and windy headlands, fenways fearful where flows the stream
• 1:08:15
  from mountains, gliding to gloom of the rocks underground flood not far is it
• 1:08:23
  hence in measure of miles, that the mere expands, and o'er it the
• 1:08:28
  frost bound forest hanging sturdily rooted shadows the wave by night is a wonder weird
• 1:08:36
  to see fire on the waters. So wise lived none of the sons of
• 1:08:44
  men to search those depths. Nay, though the heathrover, harried by dogs,
• 1:08:49
  the horn proud heart, this halt should seek long distance, driven his
• 1:08:57
  dear life. First on the rink, he yields ere he brathe the plunge
• 1:09:02
  to hide his head. Tis no happy place. Thence the welter of waters
• 1:09:09
  washes up one to welkin when winds bestir evil storms and air grows dusk,
• 1:09:17
  and the heavens weep. Now is help once more with thee alone the land
• 1:09:25
  thou know'st not place of fear, Where thou findest out that sinflect being seek.
• 1:09:33
  If thou dare, I will reward thee for waging this fight with ancient
• 1:09:39
  treasure, as erst I did with winding gold. If thou winnest back.
• 1:09:46
  Beowulf spake bairn of egthial sorrow not sage. It beseems us better friends to
• 1:09:54
  avenge than fruitlessly mourn them. Each of us all must his men abide in
• 1:10:00
  the ways of the world. So win who may glory ere death when his
• 1:10:06
  days are told. That is the warrior's worthiest doom. Rise o realm warder
• 1:10:14
  ride we anon and mark the trail of the mother of Grendel. No harbor
• 1:10:18
  shall hide her. Heed my promise, enfolding of field or forested mountain,
• 1:10:25
  or floor of the flood. Let her flee whence she will. But thou
• 1:10:29
  this day endure in patience, as I ween thou wilt thy woes. Each
• 1:10:33
  one leapt up the gray beard God. He thanked Mighty Lord for the man's
• 1:10:40
  brave words for Hrothgar. Soon a horse was saddled wave maine steed. The
• 1:10:46
  sovereign wise stately rode on his shield. Armed men followed in force. The
• 1:10:53
  footprints led along the woodland widely seen a path o'er the plain where she passed
• 1:10:59
  and trod the murky moor of men at arms. She bore the bravest and
• 1:11:03
  best one dead, him who with throthgar the homestead ruled on. Then went
• 1:11:11
  the atheling born o'er stone cliffs, steep and straight defiles, narrow passes and
• 1:11:18
  unknown ways, headlands sheer, and the haunts of the niccoors foremost. He
• 1:11:26
  fared a few at his side of the wisest men the ways to scan,
• 1:11:31
  till he found in a flash the forested hill hanging over the hoary rock,
• 1:11:35
  a woeful wood. The waves below were dyed in blood. The danish Men
• 1:11:43
  had sorrow of soul and for skildings all for many a hero twas hard to
• 1:11:48
  bear ill for earls when I scare his head. They found by the flood
• 1:11:54
  on the fall, and there waves were welling. The warriors saw hot with
• 1:12:00
  blood, but the horn sang oft battle song bold. The band sat down
• 1:12:08
  and watched on the water, worm like things, sea dragons strange that sounded
• 1:12:14
  the deep, and nicors that lay on the ledge of the nests, such
• 1:12:18
  as oft essay at hour of morn, on the road of sails, their
• 1:12:24
  ruthless quest, and sea snakes and monsters. These started away, swollen and
• 1:12:30
  savage. That song to hear that wore horn's blast. The warden of gillats
• 1:12:35
  with bolt from bow, then balked of life of wave work one monster amid
• 1:12:43
  its heart went the keen war shaft in water. It seemed less doughty in
• 1:12:48
  swimming whom death had seized. Swift on the billows with boar spears well hooked
• 1:12:55
  and barbed. It was hard beset done to death, and dragg'd on the
• 1:12:59
  headland wave roamer. Wond'rous warriors view'd the grisly quest, then girt him Beowulf
• 1:13:08
  in martial mail, nor mourn'd for his life. His breastplate broad and bright
• 1:13:14
  of hues woven by hand. Should the waters dry, well could it ward
• 1:13:19
  the warrior's body, that battle should break on his breast in vain, nor
• 1:13:24
  harm his heart by the hand of a foe. And the helmet white that
• 1:13:30
  his head protected was destin'd to dare the deeps of the flood. The wave
• 1:13:35
  whirl wind twas wound with chains, deck'd with gold, as in days of
• 1:13:41
  yore. The weapon smith work'd it wondrously with swine forms set it that swords
• 1:13:47
  nowise brandished in battle could bite that helm. Nor was that the meanest of
• 1:13:54
  mighty helps which Shrothgar's orator offer'd at need hrunting, they named the hilted sword
• 1:14:00
  of old time. Heir looms easily. First iron was its edge, all
• 1:14:06
  etch'd with poison, with battle, blood hardened, nor blenched it at fight
• 1:14:12
  in a hero's hand, who held it ever on paths of peril, prepared
• 1:14:16
  to go to folkstead of foes. Not first time this it was destined to
• 1:14:25
  do a daring task. For he bore not in mind the Baon of echgluff,
• 1:14:30
  sturdy and strong, that speech he had made drunk with wine. Now
• 1:14:35
  this weapon he lent to a stouter swordsman himself, though durst not under welter
• 1:14:42
  of waters, wager his life as loyal liegemen. So lost he his glory,
• 1:14:48
  honor of earls with the other. Not so who girded him now for
• 1:14:54
  the grim encounter. Beowulf spake, Bairon of echt have mind, thou,
• 1:15:01
  honored offspring of half Dane gold, friend of men. Now I go on
• 1:15:08
  this quest sovereign wise what once was said, if in thy cause it came
• 1:15:15
  that I should lose my life, thou wouldst loyal bide to me, though
• 1:15:20
  fallen in father's place. Be guardian thou to this group of my thanes.
• 1:15:27
  My warrior friends. If war should seize me and the goodly gifts, thou
• 1:15:32
  gavest me, Hrothgar beloved to Higalac send Gaatlund's king may Ken by the Goldrethel's
• 1:15:42
  son see when he stares at the treasure, that I got, mere friend
• 1:15:45
  for goodness, famed and joy'd, while I could in my duel bestower and
• 1:15:53
  let unfaith wield this wondrous sword. Earl far honored this ere gloom, precious
• 1:16:00
  hard of edge, with thrunting, I seek doom of glory, or death
• 1:16:05
  shall take me. After these words, the wader gayat Lord boldly hastened,
• 1:16:13
  biding never answer at all. The ocean floods clos'd o'er the hero, long
• 1:16:18
  while of the day fled ere he felt the floor of the sea. Soon
• 1:16:26
  found the fiend who the flood domain. Sword hungry held these hundred winters,
• 1:16:32
  greedy and grim that some guest from above, some man was raiding her monster
• 1:16:38
  realm. She grasped out for him with grisly claws, and the warrior seiz'd,
• 1:16:45
  yet scathed, she not his body. Hail the breastplate hindered as she
• 1:16:49
  strove to shatter the sark of war. The linked harness with loathsome hand then
• 1:16:56
  bore this brine wolf. When bottom she touch'd the lord of rings to the
• 1:17:01
  lair she haunted. Whiles vainly he strove, though his valor held weapon to
• 1:17:08
  wield against wondrous monsters that sore beset him. Sea beasts many tried with fierce
• 1:17:14
  tusks to tear his mail, and swarmed on the stranger. But soon he
• 1:17:19
  marked he was now in some hall he knew not which where water never could
• 1:17:24
  work him harm, nor through the roof could reach him. Ever, fangs
• 1:17:29
  of the flood firelight he saw, beams of a blaze that brightly shone.
• 1:17:34
  Then the warrior was ware of that wolf of the deep, mere wife monstrous
• 1:17:42
  for mighty stroke, he swung his blade, and the blow withheld not then
• 1:17:46
  sang on her head. That seemly blade, its war song wild. But
• 1:17:53
  the warrior, found the light of battle, was loath to bite, to
• 1:17:57
  harm the heart. Its hard edge failed. The noble, at need yet
• 1:18:02
  had known of old strife hand to hand, and had helmet's cloven doomed men's
• 1:18:09
  fighting gear first time. This for the gleaming blade that its glory fell firms
• 1:18:15
  still stood nor failed in valor, heedful of high deeds, high glax kinsmen
• 1:18:21
  flung away fretted sword featly jeweled the angry earl on earth. It lay steel,
• 1:18:29
  edged and stiff his strength he trusted hand gripe of might. So man
• 1:18:34
  shall do whenever in war he weens to earn him lasting fame, nor fears
• 1:18:40
  for his life, seized them by shoulder, shrank not from combat. The
• 1:18:45
  Giatish war Prince Grendel's mother flung then the fierce one, filled with wrath his
• 1:18:51
  deadly foe, that she fell to ground. Swift on her part, she
• 1:18:57
  paid him back with grisly grasp and grappled with spent with struggle, stumbled the
• 1:19:01
  warrior, fiercest of fighting men, fell adown on the hall guest. She
• 1:19:08
  hurled herself, hence her short sword broad and brown edged the bairn to avenge
• 1:19:14
  the sole born's sun on his shoulder lay braided breast mail, barring Deathwithstanding entrance
• 1:19:21
  of edge or blade, life would have ended for Ecgthiao's son under wide earth,
• 1:19:29
  for that Earl of Giats, had his armor of war not aided him,
• 1:19:33
  battled net hard, and Holy God wielded the victory. Wisest maker to
• 1:19:40
  Lord of Heaven allowed his cause, and easily rose the earl erect mid the
• 1:19:46
  battle gear saw he a blade, triumphant old sword of eotense with edge of
• 1:19:53
  proof, warrior's heirloom weapon unmatched save only twas more than other men to bandy
• 1:20:00
  of battle could bear at all, as the giants had wrought it ready and
• 1:20:04
  keen seized. Then its chain hilt the skilding's chieftain, bold and battle grim
• 1:20:12
  brandished the sword reckless of life, and so wrathfully smote that it gripped her
• 1:20:17
  neck and grasped her hard her bone rings, breaking the blade pierced through that
• 1:20:24
  fated one's flesh to floor. She sank bloody. The blade he was,
• 1:20:30
  blithe of his deed, then blazed forth light twas bright within as when from
• 1:20:36
  the sky there shines unclouded Heaven's candle the hall. He scann'd by the wall.
• 1:20:44
  Then went he, his weapon raised high by its hilts, the hygelac
• 1:20:48
  thane, angry and eager, that edge was not useless to the warrior.
• 1:20:54
  Now he wished with speed Grendel to Gwerdon for grim raids many for the war.
• 1:21:00
  He wag'd on western Danes oftener far than an only time, when of
• 1:21:06
  Hrothgar's half companions he slew in slumber, in sleep, devour'd fifteen men of
• 1:21:13
  the folk of Danes, and as many others outward, bore his horrible prey
• 1:21:20
  well paid for that. The wrathful prince for now prone, He saw Grendel
• 1:21:27
  stretch'd there, spent with war, spoil'd of life, so scathed had left
• 1:21:32
  him Heorot's battle. The body sprang far when after death it endured the blow
• 1:21:41
  sword stroked savage that severed its head. Soon then saw the sage companions,
• 1:21:46
  who waited with Throthgar, watching the flood, that the tossing water's turbid grew
• 1:21:53
  blood stain'd. The mere old men, together, hoary haired of the hero
• 1:21:58
  spake the war barrier. Would not they weened again, proud of conquest,
• 1:22:02
  come to seek their mighty master. To many, it seemed the wolf of
• 1:22:08
  the waves had won his life. The ninth hour came. The noble skildings
• 1:22:15
  left the headland homeward went the gold friend of men. But the guests sat
• 1:22:23
  on, stared at the surges, sick in heart, and wished, yet
• 1:22:29
  weened not their winsome lord again to see now that sword began from blood of
• 1:22:36
  the fight in battle droppings war blade to wane, twas a wondrous thing,
• 1:22:43
  that all of it melted as ice is wont When frosty fetters, the father
• 1:22:47
  loosens, unwines the wave bonds, wielding all seasons and times the true God
• 1:22:57
  he nor took from that dwelling the Duke of the gayats save only the head
• 1:23:02
  and that hilt withal blazoned with duels. The blade had melted, burned was
• 1:23:10
  the bright sword. Her blood was so hot, so poisoned the hell sprite
• 1:23:15
  who perish'd within there Soon he was swimming, who safe saw in combat downfall
• 1:23:23
  of demons, up dove through the flood. The clashing waters were cleansed,
• 1:23:28
  now waste of waves, where the wandering fiend her life days left, and
• 1:23:34
  this lapsing world swam then to strand, the sailor's refuge, sturdy in spirit
• 1:23:44
  of sea, booty, glad of burden, brave, he bore with him,
• 1:23:49
  went then to greet him and God. They thanked the thane band choice
• 1:23:56
  of their chieftain, blithe that safe and sound they could see him again soon
• 1:24:02
  from the hardy one, helmet and armor deftly they doffed, now drows'd the
• 1:24:10
  mere water meath welkin with war blood stain'd. Forth they fared by the footpaths,
• 1:24:16
  thence merry at heart the highways measured well known roads. Courageous men carried
• 1:24:24
  the head from the cliff by the sea, an arduous task for all the
• 1:24:28
  band, the firm in fight, since four were needed on the shaft of
• 1:24:32
  slaughter strenuously to bear to the gold hall Grendel's head. So presently to the
• 1:24:40
  palace there foemen fearless, fourteen gaiats marching came their master of clan mighty amid
• 1:24:47
  them. The meadow ways trod strode. Then within the sovereign Thane fearless in
• 1:24:54
  fight of fame, renowned hardy hero Rothgar to greet, and next by the
• 1:25:00
  hair into hall was borne Grendel's head, where the henchmen were drinking an awe
• 1:25:06
  to clan and queen alike, a monster of marvel. The men look'd on
• 1:25:14
  Beowulf, spake, bairn of egtheow lo Now this sea booty, son of
• 1:25:23
  half Dane, lord of Skildings, We've lustily brought thee sign of glory.
• 1:25:30
  Thou seest it here. Not lightly did I, with my life escape in
• 1:25:34
  war under water. This work I essayed with endless effort, And even so
• 1:25:40
  my strength had been lost. Had the Lord not shielded me. Not a
• 1:25:45
  wit could I with fronting do in work of war. Though the weapon is
• 1:25:48
  good, yet a sword. The Sovereign of men vouchsafed me to spy on
• 1:25:55
  the wall there in splendor, hanging old, gigantic, how oft he guides
• 1:26:00
  the friendless wight. And I fought with that brand, felling in fight,
• 1:26:05
  since fate was with me. The house's wardens. That war sword then all
• 1:26:12
  burn'd bright blade, when the blood gush'd o'er it battle sweat hot. But
• 1:26:17
  the hilt I brought back from my foes so avenged I their fiendish deeds death
• 1:26:25
  fall of Danes, as was dew and right. And this is my hest
• 1:26:30
  that in heorot now safe, thou canst sleep with thy soldier band, and
• 1:26:36
  every thane of all thy folk, both old and young, no evil fear
• 1:26:43
  Skilding's lord from that side again aught ill for thy earls, as erst thou
• 1:26:49
  must. Then the golden hilt for that gray haired leader hoary hero in hand
• 1:26:58
  was laid giant wrought old so owned and enjoyed it. After downfall of devils,
• 1:27:05
  the Danish lord wonder Smith's work, since the world was rid of that
• 1:27:11
  grim souled fiend, the foe of God murder marked and his mother as well.
• 1:27:18
  Now it passed into power of the people's king. Best of all that
• 1:27:25
  the oceans bound, who have scattered the gold o'er Scandia's isle. Hrothcas spake
• 1:27:31
  the hilt he viewed herloom old, where was etched the rise of that far
• 1:27:38
  off fight, where the floods o'erwhelmed raging waves. The race of giants,
• 1:27:45
  fearful their fate, a folk estranged from God eternal. Whence guerden dieu in
• 1:27:51
  that waste of waters the wielder paid them so on the guard of shining gold.
• 1:28:00
  In Runic staves, it was rightly said for whom the serpent traced sword
• 1:28:04
  was wrought best of blades in by gone days, and the hilt well wound.
• 1:28:13
  The wise one spake, son of Hielfdane silent, were all lo So
• 1:28:19
  may he say, who sooth and right follows mid folk of far times mindful
• 1:28:28
  a land warden old that this earl belongs to the better breed so borne aloft
• 1:28:35
  thy fame must fly, O friend, my Beowulf, far and wide o'er
• 1:28:42
  folk stead's many Firmly, thou shalt all maintain mighty strength with mood of wisdom.
• 1:28:49
  Love of mine. Will I assure thee as a while ago, I
• 1:28:55
  promis'd thou shalt prove a stay in future, in far years to folk of
• 1:29:01
  thine, to the heroes, a help was not heremod Thus to offspring of
• 1:29:09
  ech Gula, honor skildings nor grew for their grace, but for grisly slaughter,
• 1:29:15
  for doom of death. To the Danish man, he slew wrath,
• 1:29:20
  swollen his shoulder, comrades companions at board, so he passed alone, chieftain,
• 1:29:29
  haughty from human cheer. Though him the maker with might endowed delights of
• 1:29:35
  power and uplifted high above all men, yet blood fierce his mind. His
• 1:29:43
  breast Horde grew no bracelets gave he to Danes as was due. He endur'd
• 1:29:50
  all joyless, strain of struggle and stress of woe, long feud with his
• 1:29:57
  folk. Here find thy lesson of virtue. Advise thee. This verse I
• 1:30:04
  have said for thee wise, from laps to winters wondrous seems how to sons
• 1:30:12
  of men, Almighty God, in the strength of his spirit sendeth wisdom,
• 1:30:16
  estate, high station. He swayeth all things, whiles he letteth right lustily
• 1:30:24
  fare the heart of the hero of high born race in seat ancestral assigns him
• 1:30:30
  bliss his folks, sure fortress in fee to hold, puts in his power
• 1:30:34
  great parts of the earth, empire so ample that end of it this want
• 1:30:42
  of wisdom weeneth none. So he waxes in wealth. No wise can harm
• 1:30:46
  him, illness or age, No evil cares shadow his spirit, no sword,
• 1:30:53
  hate threatens from ever an enemy. All the world wends at his will.
• 1:31:00
  No worse he knoweth, till all within him obstinate pride waxes and wakes,
• 1:31:06
  while the warden slumbers. The spirit's sentry sleep is too fast, which
• 1:31:13
  masters his might, and the murderer nears stealthily, shooting the shafts from his
• 1:31:19
  bow under harness. His heart then is hit indeed by sharpest shafts, and
• 1:31:27
  no shelter avails from foul behest of the hellish fiend him seems too little,
• 1:31:35
  what long he possess'd greedy and grim, no golden rings he gives for his
• 1:31:42
  pride. The promised future forgets he and spurns with all God has sent him,
• 1:31:49
  wonder wielder of wealth and fame. Yet in the end it ever comes
• 1:31:57
  that the frame of the body, fragile yields fated falls, and there follows
• 1:32:02
  another who joyously the jewels divides the royal riches nor wrecks of his forbear ban.
• 1:32:12
  Then such baleful thoughts Beowulf, dearest, best of men, and the
• 1:32:17
  better part choose profit, eternal and temper thy pride, warrior famous. The
• 1:32:26
  flower of thy might lasts now a while, but ere long it shall be
• 1:32:30
  that sickness or sword thy strength shall minish, or fang of fire, or
• 1:32:38
  flooding billow, or bite of blade or brandish spear, or odious age,
• 1:32:45
  or the eyes clear beam wax, dull and darken death. Even thee in
• 1:32:51
  haste shall overwhelm thou, hero of war. So the ring Danes these half
• 1:33:00
  years a hundred I ruled wielded neath welkin, and warded them bravely from mighty
• 1:33:06
  ones Many or Middle Earth, from spear and sword, till it seemed for
• 1:33:13
  me no foe could be found under fold of the sky. Lo sudden,
• 1:33:19
  the shift to me seated secure, came grief for joy when Grendel began to
• 1:33:26
  harry my home, the hellish foe for those ruthless raids unresting, I suffered
• 1:33:33
  heart sorrow heavy heaven be thanked, Lord eternal, for life extended that I
• 1:33:42
  on this head, all hewn and bloody, after long evil with eyes may
• 1:33:47
  gaze. Go to the bench. Now be glad at banquet, warrior worthy,
• 1:33:54
  A wealth of treasure at dawn of day be dealt between us. Gladdlad
• 1:34:00
  was the Geat's lord, going betimes to seek his seat, as the Sage
• 1:34:06
  commanded afresh as before for the famed in battle for the band of the hall
• 1:34:14
  was a banquet dight nobly anew the night helm darkened, dust o'er the drinkers,
• 1:34:21
  the doughty ones rose for the hoary headed would hasten to rest aged,
• 1:34:28
  shilding and eager, the Geat shield fighter sturdy for sleeping yearned him wander weary
• 1:34:36
  warrior guest from far a hall thane heralded forth, who by custom courtly cared
• 1:34:45
  for all needs of a thane as in those of old days, Warrior wanderers
• 1:34:51
  wont to have so slumbered the stout heart stately the hall rose gabled in gilt,
• 1:34:59
  where the slept on till a raven black the rapture of heaven, blithe
• 1:35:04
  heart boded, bright came flying shine after shadow. The swordsman hastened athelings.
• 1:35:13
  All were eager homeward forth to fare and far from thence the great hearted guest
• 1:35:19
  would guide his keel. Bade then the hardy ones hrunting be brought to the
• 1:35:26
  sun of Etchlaf. The sword bade him take excellent iron, and uttered his
• 1:35:32
  thanks for it. Quoth that he counted it keen in battle. War friend
• 1:35:39
  winsome with words, he slander'd not edge of the blade twas a big hearted
• 1:35:45
  man, now eager for parting and armed at point warriors waited while went to
• 1:35:53
  his host. That darling of Danes, the doughty atheling to high seat hastened
• 1:36:00
  and Hrothgar greeted. Be Wolf, spoke Bairn of egg. Thou lo we
• 1:36:09
  sea farers say our will far come men that we fain would seek higelac.
• 1:36:15
  Now we here have found hosts to our heart. Thou hast harbored us well,
• 1:36:21
  if ever on earth I am able to win me more of thy love,
• 1:36:26
  O, Lord of men, aught anew than I now have done for
• 1:36:30
  work of war. I am willing still if it come to me ever across
• 1:36:36
  the seas that neighbor foreman annoy and fright thee, as they that hate thee
• 1:36:44
  erewhile have used thousands than of Thanes, I shall bring heroes to help thee
• 1:36:50
  of Higelac. I know ward of his folk, that though few his years,
• 1:36:58
  the Lord of the Gates will give me aid by word and by work,
• 1:37:02
  that well I may serve thee, wielding the war wood to win thy
• 1:37:08
  triumph, and lending thee might when thou lackest men. If thy Hrethric should
• 1:37:15
  come to court of Gates, a sovereign son, he will surely there find
• 1:37:23
  his friends a far off land. Each man should visit who vaunts him brave
• 1:37:30
  him. Then, answering hroth Gar, spake these words of thine, the
• 1:37:35
  wisest God sent to thy soul. No sajr counsel from so young in years
• 1:37:43
  e'er yet have I heard thou art strong of main, and in mind art
• 1:37:49
  weary art wise in words? I ween indeed, if ever it hap that
• 1:37:57
  hrethels e'er by spear be seized by sword, grim battle, by illness or
• 1:38:03
  iron, Thine elder and Lord, People's leader and life be thine. No
• 1:38:11
  seemlier man will the sea gates find at all to choose for their chief and
• 1:38:18
  king, for hoard, God of heroes. If hold thou wilt thy kinsman's
• 1:38:26
  kingdom, thy keen mind pleases me, the longer the better, Bewolf loved,
• 1:38:33
  Thou hast brought it about that both are peoples, sons of the Geat
• 1:38:40
  and spear. Dane folk shall have mutual peace and from murderous strife, such
• 1:38:46
  as once they waged from war. Refrain, long as I rule this realm
• 1:38:53
  so wide, Let our hoards be common. Let heroes with gold each other
• 1:39:00
  greet o'er the gannet's bath, and the ring prowbear o'er rolling waves, tokens
• 1:39:09
  of love. I true my landfolk, toward friend and foe, are firmly
• 1:39:14
  join'd and honor they keep in the olden way to him in the hall.
• 1:39:19
  Then half Dane's son gave treasures twelve, and the trust of earls bade him
• 1:39:27
  fair with the gifts to his folk. Beloved hailed to his home, and
• 1:39:31
  in haste return then kiss'd the King of Kin renown'd the Shulding's chieftain, that
• 1:39:41
  choicest thane, and fell on his neck. Fast flowed the tears of the
• 1:39:46
  hoary headed, heavy with winters. He had chances, twain, but he
• 1:39:51
  clung to this, that each should look on the other again, and hear
• 1:39:58
  him in hall. Was this hero so dear to him his breast's wild billows
• 1:40:04
  He banned in vain, safe in his soul, a secret longing locked in
• 1:40:10
  his mind for that loved man burned in his blood. Then Beowulf strode,
• 1:40:17
  glad of his gold gifts. The grass plot o'er warrior, blithe the wave
• 1:40:25
  roamer bode, riding at anchor, its owner awaiting. As they hastened onward
• 1:40:31
  Hrothgar's gift. They lauded at length twas a lord unpeered every way blameless till
• 1:40:41
  age had broken it spareth no mortal, his splendid might came now to ocean.
• 1:40:49
  The ever courageous, hardy henchmen, their harness bearing woven warsacks, the
• 1:40:58
  warden marked trusty as ever. The Earl's return from the height of the hill,
• 1:41:03
  no hostile words reached the guests as he rode to greet them, but
• 1:41:09
  welcome. He called to that weder clan as the sheen mailed spoilers to ship.
• 1:41:15
  Marched on then on the strand with street steeds and treasure and armor.
• 1:41:21
  Their roomy and ring edite ship was heavily laden high. Its mast rose over
• 1:41:28
  Hrothgar's hoarded gems. A sword to the boat guard. Beowulf gave mounted with
• 1:41:34
  gold on the mead bench, since he was better esteemed that blade possessing heirloom
• 1:41:43
  old their ocean keel boarding, they drove through the deep and Daneland left.
• 1:41:49
  A sea cloth was set a sail with ropes firm to the mast. The
• 1:41:56
  flood timbers moaned, nor did wind over billows. That wave swimmer blow across
• 1:42:02
  from her course. The craft sped on foam necked. It floated forth o'er
• 1:42:09
  the waves, keel firm, bound over briny currents till they got them sight
• 1:42:15
  of the Geatish cliffs, home known Headlands High. The boat, stirred by
• 1:42:21
  winds on the strand, up drove helpful at haven. The harbor guard stood,
• 1:42:30
  who long already for loved companions by the water, had waited and watched
• 1:42:35
  afar. He bound to the beach. The broad bosomed ship with anchor bands
• 1:42:43
  lest ocean billows that trusty timber should tear away. Then Beowulf bade them bear
• 1:42:49
  the treasure, gold and jewels. No journey far was it, thence to
• 1:42:55
  go to the giver of rings. Higelacth at home. He dwelt by the
• 1:43:01
  sea wall, close himself and clan haughty that house a hero the king hide
• 1:43:11
  the hall, and higg'd right, young, wise and wary. Though winter's
• 1:43:16
  few in those fortress walls, she had found a home Harrith's daughter, Nor
• 1:43:25
  humble her ways, nor grudge she gifts to the geatish men of precious treasure.
• 1:43:31
  Not Thrith's pride showed she folk queen famed, or that fell Deceit was
• 1:43:40
  none so daring that durst make bold save her lord alone of the liegemen,
• 1:43:46
  dear that lady full in the face to look. But forged fetters he found
• 1:43:53
  his lot, bonds of death and brief the respite. Soon as they seized
• 1:43:59
  him his sword, doom was spoken, and the burnished blade a baleful murder
• 1:44:05
  proclaimed and closed. No queenly way for woman to practice. Though peerless,
• 1:44:13
  she that the weaver of peace from warrior deer by wrath and lying his life
• 1:44:20
  should reave. But Hemming's kinsman hindered this, for over their ale men also
• 1:44:31
  told that of these folk horrors, fewer she wrought onslaughts of evil. After
• 1:44:39
  she went gold decked bride to the brave young prince Atheling haughty and Offa's haul
• 1:44:47
  or the fallow flood, at her father's bidding safely sought where since she prospered
• 1:44:56
  royal throned, rich in goods, fain of the fair life, fate had
• 1:45:01
  sent her and leel in love to the lord of warriors. He of all
• 1:45:08
  heroes I heard of ever from sea to sea, of the sons of earth,
• 1:45:13
  most excellent seemed. Hence Offa was praised for his fighting and feeing by
• 1:45:19
  far off men. The spear bold warrior wisely he ruled over his empire.
• 1:45:27
  Umer woke to him help of heroes. Hemming's kinsman, grandson of garmand grim
• 1:45:33
  in war, hastened the hardy one henchmen with him sandy strand of the sea
• 1:45:43
  to tread and widespread ways. The world's great candle sun shone from south.
• 1:45:50
  They strode along with sturdy steps to the spot they knew where the battle king
• 1:45:58
  young, his burg within slayer of ungan Thoe shared the rings shelter of heroes
• 1:46:05
  to Higelac. Beowulf's coming was quickly told that there in the court the clansman's
• 1:46:14
  refuge, this shield companions, sound and alive. Hail from the hero play.
• 1:46:19
  Homeward strode with haste in the hall by highest order. Room for the
• 1:46:27
  rovers was readily made by his sovereign. He sat, come safe from battle,
• 1:46:33
  kinsmen, by kinsmen, his kindly lord he first had greeted in gracious
• 1:46:41
  form with manly words. The mead dispensing came through the high haul. Harrath's
• 1:46:47
  daughter winsome to warriors, wine cup bore to the hands of the heroes.
• 1:46:55
  Higelac then his comrade fairly with question ply in the lofty hall, sore,
• 1:47:01
  longing to know what manner of sojourn the sea gates made. What came of
• 1:47:09
  thy quest, my kinsman, Beowulf, when thy yearning suddenly swept thee yonder
• 1:47:15
  battle to seek o'er the briny sea combat in heroat Crothgar, couldst thou aid
• 1:47:23
  at all the honored chief in his wide known woes with waves of care,
• 1:47:30
  my sad heart seethed I sore, mistrusted my loved one's venture. Long I
• 1:47:38
  begged Thee by no means to seek that slaughtering monster, But suffer the South
• 1:47:44
  Danes to settle their feud themselves with Grendel. Now God be thanked that safe
• 1:47:50
  and sound I can see Thee now be wulf spake the bairn of Edge.
• 1:47:57
  Thou tis no unhidden higelac lord to many men that meeting of hours struggle grim
• 1:48:05
  between Grendel and me, which we fought on the field, where full too
• 1:48:11
  many sorrows he wrought for the shielding victors, evils unending these all I avenged.
• 1:48:20
  No boast can be from breed of Grendel any on earth, For that
• 1:48:29
  uproar at dawn from the longest lived of the loathsome race in fleshly fold.
• 1:48:36
  But first I went Hrothgart to greet in the hall of Gifts, where half
• 1:48:42
  Dane's kinsmen high renowned, stood, as my purpose was plain to him,
• 1:48:47
  assign'd me a seat by his son and heir. The liegemen were lusty my
• 1:48:54
  life days. Never such merry men over mead in hall have I heard under
• 1:49:00
  heaven the high born queen People's peace bringer passed through the hall, cheered the
• 1:49:08
  young clansmen clasps of gold ere. She sought her seat to sundry, gave
• 1:49:15
  off to the heroes Hrothgaw's daughter to earls. In turn the ale cup tendered
• 1:49:21
  she whom I heard these hall companions fray owaru name. When fretted gold she
• 1:49:30
  proffered the warriors promised, is she gold decked maid to the glad son of
• 1:49:36
  Freuda, sage the seams to the shilding's friends, Kingdom's keeper. He counts
• 1:49:45
  it wise the woman to wedsoe and ward off feud store of slaughter. But
• 1:49:51
  seldom ever, when men are slain does the murder speak sink but briefest while
• 1:50:00
  though the bride be fair, nor haply will like it. The heathen bard
• 1:50:08
  lord, and as little each of his liegemen all when a thane of the
• 1:50:13
  Danes in that doughty throng goes with a lady along their hall, and on
• 1:50:19
  him the old time heirlooms glisten hard and ring decked. Hethe Bard's treasure weapons
• 1:50:28
  that once they wielded fair until they lost it at the linden play. Liegemen
• 1:50:34
  leel and their lives as well. Then over the ale on this heirloom,
• 1:50:41
  gazing some ash wielder old who has all in mind that spear death of men.
• 1:50:48
  He is stern of mood, heavy of heart. In the hero young
• 1:50:54
  tests the temper and tries the soul, and war hate wakens with words like
• 1:51:00
  these, canst thou not, comrade? Can that sword which to the fray
• 1:51:06
  thy father carried in his final feud neath the fighting mask, dearest of blades,
• 1:51:14
  when the Danish slew him and wielded the war place on whither guild's fall
• 1:51:20
  after havoc of heroes, those hardy shieldings. Now the son of a certain
• 1:51:28
  slaughtering Dane, proud of his treasure, paces this hall, joys in the
• 1:51:34
  killing, and carries the jewel that rightfully ought to be owned by thee.
• 1:51:42
  Thus he urges and eggs him all the time with keenest words, till occasion
• 1:51:47
  offers that fray Owaru's thane for his father's deed, after bite of brand in
• 1:51:56
  his blood, must slumber, losing his life. But that Liegeman flies living
• 1:52:02
  away for the land he kens and thus be broken on both their sides.
• 1:52:11
  Oaths of the earls. When Ingeld's breast wells with war hate and wife love.
• 1:52:18
  Now after the care billows cooler grows. So I hold not high the
• 1:52:26
  heathobard's faith due to the Danes or their during love and pact of peace.
• 1:52:33
  But I pass from that, turning to Grendel, o giver of treasure,
• 1:52:40
  and saying in full now how the fight resulted, hand Frey of heroes,
• 1:52:46
  When Heaven's jewel had fled o'er far fields, that fierce sprite came night foe
• 1:52:55
  savage to seek us out where safe and sound we entered the hall to Hanshue.
• 1:53:02
  Then was that harassing deadly? His fall there was fated. He first
• 1:53:10
  was slain, girded warrior Grendel on him, turned murderous mouth on our mighty
• 1:53:17
  kinsmen, and all of the braves man body devoured. Yet none the earlier,
• 1:53:26
  empty handed, would the bloody tooth murderer, mindful of bail outward,
• 1:53:32
  go from the gold decked hall. But me he attacked, in his terror
• 1:53:38
  of might, with greedy hand, grasped me a glove hung by him,
• 1:53:45
  wide and wondrous wound with bands, and in artful. Wise it was all
• 1:53:50
  wrought by devilish craft of dragon skins. Meitherin an innocent man, the fiendish
• 1:53:59
  foe was fain to thrust with many another he might not sow. When I,
• 1:54:04
  all angrily upright, stood twere long to relate how that land destroyer I
• 1:54:12
  paid in kind for his cruel deeds. Yet there, my prince, this
• 1:54:16
  people of thine, got fame by my fighting. He fled away, and
• 1:54:23
  a little space his life preserved. But there stayed behind him, his stronger
• 1:54:30
  hand left in harout heartsick. Thence on the floor of the ocean that outcast
• 1:54:36
  fell me for this struggle. The Shilding's friend paid in plenty, with plates
• 1:54:45
  of gold, with many a treasure. When morn had come and we all
• 1:54:50
  at the banquet board sat down, then was song and glee. The gray
• 1:54:57
  haired Shilding, much tested, told of the times of yore. Whiles the
• 1:55:03
  hero, his harp bestirred, would of delight now lays he chanted of sooth
• 1:55:12
  and sadness, or set aright legends of wonder the wide hearted king, or
• 1:55:20
  for years of his youth he would yearn at times for strength of old struggles.
• 1:55:29
  Now stricken with age, hoary hero, his heart surged full, when
• 1:55:35
  wise with winters he wailed their flight. Thus in the hall the whole of
• 1:55:42
  that day at ease we feasted till fell or earth another night anon full ready
• 1:55:49
  in greed of vengeance. Grendel's mother set forth all doleful dead, was her
• 1:55:58
  son through war, he of wedders, now woman monstrous with fury fell a
• 1:56:04
  foemen. She slew, avenging her offspring from asher old loyal counselor life was
• 1:56:13
  gone, Nor might they even when morning broke. Those Danish people their death
• 1:56:20
  done. Comrade burn with brands on bale fire lay the man they mourn'd under
• 1:56:28
  mountain stream. She had carried the corpse with cruel hands for Hrothgar. That
• 1:56:34
  was the heaviest sorrow of all that had laden the lord of his folk,
• 1:56:41
  the leader. Then by thy life besought me sad was his soul in the
• 1:56:47
  sea wave's coil, to play the hero and hazard my being for glory of
• 1:56:54
  prowess my garden. He pledg'd I then in the waters. Tis widely known
• 1:57:00
  that Seafloor guardian Savage found hand to hand there a while we struggled billows well
• 1:57:10
  blood in the briny hall her head. I hewed with a hardy blade from
• 1:57:15
  Grendel's mother and gained my life, though not without danger. My doom was
• 1:57:23
  not yet Then the haven of heroes, half Dane's son gave me ingardon great
• 1:57:30
  gifts of price. So held this king to the customs, old that I
• 1:57:39
  wanted for naught. In the wage I gained the mead of my might.
• 1:57:45
  He made me gifts half Dane's heir for my own disposal. Now to thee,
• 1:57:50
  my prince, I prooffer them all gladly, give them thy grace alone
• 1:57:57
  can find me favor few, and indeed have I of kinsmen save Higelac thee.
• 1:58:04
  Then he bade them bear him the bore head standard in battle, helm
• 1:58:10
  high and breastplate gray, the splendid sword. Then spake in form me this
• 1:58:17
  war gear the wise old Prince Hrothgar gave, and his hest he added that
• 1:58:26
  its story be straightway, said to thee Awhile it was held by Haragar king
• 1:58:33
  for long time, lord of the land of Shildings, yet not to his
• 1:58:38
  son. The sovereign left it to daring Heroward dear as he was to him
• 1:58:45
  his harness of battle. Well hold thou it all, And I heard that
• 1:58:54
  soon passed o'er the path of this treasure, all apple fallow four good steeds
• 1:59:01
  each like the other's arms and horses he gave to the king. So should
• 1:59:08
  kinsmen be not weave one another the net of wiles, or with deep hid
• 1:59:15
  treachery, death, contrive for neighbor and comrade. His nephew was ever by
• 1:59:23
  hardy Higelac held full dear, and each kept watch o'er the other's wheel.
• 1:59:30
  I heard too the necklace to Higgott, he presented wonder wrought treasure, which
• 1:59:36
  wial Thou gave him Sovereign's daughter. Three steeds he added slender and saddle gay.
• 1:59:45
  Since such gift the gem gleamed bright on the breast of the queen.
• 1:59:50
  Thus showed his strain. The son of Edge Thou as a man, remarked
• 1:59:57
  for mighty deeds and acts of honor at ale. He slew not comrade or
• 2:00:01
  kin, nor cruel. His mood, though of sons of earth, his
• 2:00:08
  strength was greatest, a glorious gift that God had sent the splendid leader.
• 2:00:14
  Long was he spurn'd and worthless by Geatish warriors held him at meed. The
• 2:00:20
  master of clans failed full off to favor at all, slacken, shiftless.
• 2:00:26
  The strong men deemed him profitless prince, but payment came to the warrior,
• 2:00:32
  honored for all his woes. Then the bulwark of earls bade bring within hardy
• 2:00:40
  chieftain Hrethel's heirloom garnish'd with gold no geat e'er new in shape of a sword,
• 2:00:47
  a statelier prize. The brand he laid in Beowulf's lap, and of
• 2:00:55
  hides assign'd him seven thousand, with house and high seat. They held in
• 2:01:01
  common Land alike by their line of birth inheritance home, but hire the king
• 2:01:09
  because of his rule over the realm itself. Now further, it fell,
• 2:01:15
  with the flight of years, with Harrying's horrid that Higelac perished, and herdred
• 2:01:20
  too by hewing of swords under the shield wall, slaughtered lay when him at
• 2:01:28
  the van of his victor folk sought hardy heroes heatho schilfings in arms o'erwhelming heroic's
• 2:01:38
  nephew. Then Beowulf came as king this broad realm to wield, and he
• 2:01:44
  ruled it well fifty winters, a wise old prince warding his land, until
• 2:01:50
  one began, in the dark of night a dragon to rage in the grave
• 2:02:00
  on the hill. A hoard it guarded in the stone barrow steep a straight
• 2:02:05
  path reached it unknown to mortals. Some man, however, came by chance
• 2:02:12
  that cave within to the heathen horde in hand. He took a golden goblet,
• 2:02:18
  nor gave he it back, stole with it away while the watcher slept
• 2:02:26
  by thievish wiles. For the warden's wrath, Prince and people must pay betimes
• 2:02:35
  Section seven. That way he went, with no will of his own,
• 2:02:43
  in danger of life, to the dragon's hoard. But for pressure of peril
• 2:02:49
  some prince's thing, he fled in fear the fatal scourge, seeking shelter a
• 2:02:58
  sinful man, and entered in. At the awful sight, tottered that guest,
• 2:03:04
  and terror seized him. Yet the wretched fugitive rallied Anon from fright and
• 2:03:13
  fear. Ere he fled away and took the cup from that treasure horde.
• 2:03:19
  Of such Besides, there was story enough heirlooms old the earth below which some
• 2:03:28
  earl forgotten in ancient years. Left the last of his lofty race heedfully there
• 2:03:35
  had hidden away dearest treasure, for death of yore had hurried all hence,
• 2:03:44
  and he alone left to live the last of the clan weeping his friends,
• 2:03:50
  yet wished to bide, warding the treasure his one delight, though brief,
• 2:03:57
  his respite car new, ready to strand and sea waves stood anear hard by
• 2:04:04
  the headland, hidden and closed. There laid within it his lordly heirlooms,
• 2:04:12
  and heaped hoard of heavy gold, that warden of rings. Few words he
• 2:04:18
  spake. Now hold thou earth, since heroes may not what earls have owned,
• 2:04:28
  lo erst from thee brave men brought it, But battle, death,
• 2:04:32
  seized and cruel killing my clansmen all robbed them of life and a leechman's joys.
• 2:04:43
  None have I left to lift the sword, or to cleanse the carven
• 2:04:47
  cup of price beaker bright, my brave are gone, and the helmet hard,
• 2:04:56
  All haughty with gold shall part from its plaiting polishers sleep, who could
• 2:05:03
  brighten and burnish the battle mask, and those weeds of war that were wont
• 2:05:10
  to brave over bicker of shields, the bite of steel rust with their bearer,
• 2:05:17
  the ringed male fares not far with famous chieftain at side of hero.
• 2:05:26
  No harp's delight, no glee, wood's gladness. No good hawk now flies
• 2:05:32
  through the hall, nor horses, fleet, stamp in the bergstead, battle
• 2:05:40
  and death, the flower of my race have reft away, mournful of mood.
• 2:05:49
  Thus he moaned his woe alone for them all, and unblithe wept by
• 2:05:57
  day and by night, till death fell wave or whelmed his heart, his
• 2:06:04
  horde of bliss, that old ill doer open found who blazing at twilight the
• 2:06:12
  barrows haunteth naked foe dragon flying by night, folded in fire. The folk
• 2:06:20
  of Earth dread him, sore'tis his doom to seek hoard in the graves
• 2:06:28
  and heathen gold, to watch many wintered nor wins. He thereby powerful this
• 2:06:38
  plague of the people. Thus held the house of the Horde in Earth three
• 2:06:43
  hundred winters till one aroused wrath in his breast to the ruler, bearing that
• 2:06:50
  costly cup, and the king implored for bond of peace. So the barrow
• 2:06:59
  was plumbered, borne off was booty. His boon was granted. That wretched
• 2:07:05
  man and his ruler saw first time what was fashioned in far off days.
• 2:07:14
  When the dragon awoke, new woe was kindled or the stone he snuffed,
• 2:07:21
  the stark heart found footprint of Foe, who so far had gone in his
• 2:07:28
  hidden craft by the creature's head. So may the undoomed easily flee evils and
• 2:07:35
  exile, if only he gained the grace of the wielder, that warden of
• 2:07:44
  gold or the ground went seeking, greedy to find the man who brought him
• 2:07:49
  such wrong. In sleep, savage and burning. The barrow he circled all
• 2:07:57
  without nor was any there none in the waste. Yet war he desired,
• 2:08:05
  was eager for battle. The barrel he entered, sought the cup, and
• 2:08:11
  discovered soon that some one of the mortals had searched his treasure, his lordly
• 2:08:18
  gold. The guardian waited ill, enduring till evening came. Boiling with wrath,
• 2:08:26
  was the barrel's keeper, and fame with flame the foe to pay for
• 2:08:31
  the dear cup's loss. Now day was fled, as the worm had wished
• 2:08:39
  by its wall. No more was it glad to bide, But burning flew
• 2:08:46
  folded in flame, a fearful beginning for suns of the soil, And soon
• 2:08:52
  it came in the doom of their lord, to a dreadful end. Then
• 2:09:01
  the baleful fiend, its fire belched out, and bright homes burned. The
• 2:09:09
  blaze stood high all landsfolk frighting. No living thing would that loathly one leave
• 2:09:16
  as aloft it flew. Wide was the dragon's warring scene, its fiendish fury,
• 2:09:24
  far and near as the grim destroyer those Gaetish people hated and hounded too
• 2:09:35
  hidden lair to its hoard, It hastened at hint of dawn, folk of
• 2:09:41
  the land. It had lapped in flame, with bale and brand in its
• 2:09:46
  barrow. It trusted its battling and bulwarks. That boast was vain to Beowulf.
• 2:09:56
  Then the bale was told quickly and truly the king's own home of buildings,
• 2:10:03
  the best in brand. Waves melted the gift throne of gates to the
• 2:10:11
  good old man. Sad in heart twas heaviest sorrow. The sage assumed that
• 2:10:18
  his sovereign god he had angered, breaking ancient law, and embittered the lord.
• 2:10:26
  His breast within with black thoughts welled as his wont was never the folk's
• 2:10:33
  own fastness. That fiery dragon with flame had destroyed, and the stronghold all
• 2:10:41
  washed by waves. But the warlike king, prince of the waiter's plotted vengeance
• 2:10:50
  warriors bulwark, he bade them work all of iron. The Earl's commander,
• 2:10:56
  a war shield wondrous well he knew that forest wood against fire were worthless.
• 2:11:07
  Lyndon could aid not Atheling Brave, he was fated to finish this fleeting life,
• 2:11:15
  his days on earth, and the dragon with him, though long it
• 2:11:20
  had watched or the wealth of the Horde shame. He reckoned sharer of rings
• 2:11:26
  to follow the flier afar with a host, a broad flung band. Nor
• 2:11:33
  the battle feared he, nor deemed he dreadful the dragon's warring, its vigor
• 2:11:41
  and valor ventures desperate, he had passed a plenty and perils of war,
• 2:11:48
  contest crash. Since conqueror proud Rothgar's Hall, he had wholly purged, and
• 2:11:58
  in grapple had killed the Ken of Grendel. Loathsome breed, not least was
• 2:12:05
  that of hand to hand fights with Hegelach fell when the ruler of Gates,
• 2:12:11
  in rush of battle, lord of his folk in the Frisian Land, son
• 2:12:16
  of Rethel, by sword, drafts, guide by brands, down beaten,
• 2:12:24
  thence Beowulf fled through strength of himself and his swimming power, though alone,
• 2:12:31
  and his arms were laden with thirty coats of mail. When he came to
• 2:12:37
  the sea. Nor yet might hetwarres haughtily boast their craft of contest, who
• 2:12:46
  carried against him shields to the fight, But few escaped from strife with the
• 2:12:52
  hero to their homes. Then swam over ocean Echthiao's son, lonely and sorrowful,
• 2:13:01
  seeking his land, where Hygd made him offer of hoard and realm rings
• 2:13:09
  and royal seat, reckoning not the strength of her son to save their kingdom
• 2:13:16
  from hostile hordes after Hegelach's death. No sooner for this could the stricken ones
• 2:13:24
  in any wise move that Atheling's mind over young Hardred's head as lord and ruler
• 2:13:33
  of all the realm to be. Yet the hero upheld him with helpful words,
• 2:13:39
  aided in honor till older grown he wielded the wetter geats wandering exile sought
• 2:13:50
  him oward the seas. The sons of Outre, who had spurned the sway
• 2:13:56
  of the Skilfing's helmet. The bravest and best that broke the rings in Swedish
• 2:14:01
  land of the sea King's line, haughty hero, hence Herdrid's end for shelter
• 2:14:11
  he gave them sword. Death came the blades fell blow to Bairn of Hygelact,
• 2:14:20
  But the son of Augenthial sought again house and home when herdrid fell,
• 2:14:26
  leaving Beowulf, lord of Gates and gift Seats master a good king. He
• 2:14:37
  the fall of his lord, he was fain to requite in after days,
• 2:14:41
  and to Edgull's he proved friend to the friendless, and forces sent over the
• 2:14:48
  sea to the son of Otre, weapons and warriors well repaid he those care
• 2:14:56
  paths cold when the king lou thus safe through struggles, The son of Echthial
• 2:15:05
  had passed a plenty through peril's dire with daring deeds, till this day was
• 2:15:15
  come that doomed him. Now with the dragons to strive with Comrade's eleven,
• 2:15:22
  the Lord of Gates, swollen in rage, went seeking the dragon he had
• 2:15:28
  heard. Whence all the harm arose, and the killing of klansmen, that
• 2:15:33
  cup of price on the lap of the lord had been laid by the finder
• 2:15:39
  in the throng. Was this one thirteenth man, starter of all the strife
• 2:15:46
  and ill, care laden, captive, cringing, thence forced and reluctant,
• 2:15:54
  he led them on till he came in ken of that cavern hall the barrow
• 2:16:01
  dealt near Billowy Surge's flood of ocean within twas full of wire, gold and
• 2:16:09
  jewels. A jealous warden warrior, trusty the treasures held lurked in his lair,
• 2:16:20
  nor light the task of entrance for any of the earth born men.
• 2:16:24
  Sat on the headland. The hero king spake words of hail to his hearth,
• 2:16:31
  companion's gold, friend of Gates, all gloomy, his soul wavering,
• 2:16:39
  death bound, weird, full nigh ready stood to greet the gray haired man,
• 2:16:50
  to seize his soul, Horde, sunder apart, life and body not
• 2:16:56
  long would be the warrior's spirit in wound with flush. Beowulf spake the barn
• 2:17:03
  of Echthial through store of struggles, I strove in youth mighty feuds, I
• 2:17:13
  mind them all. I was seven years old when the Sovereign of Ring's,
• 2:17:20
  friend of his folk from my father, took me, had me and held
• 2:17:24
  me rethel the king with food and fee, faithful in kinship ne'er while I
• 2:17:33
  lived there. He loathlier found me barn in the burgh. Then his birthright
• 2:17:41
  sons Hairbelled and Hasteth and Higelac mine for the eldest of these by unmeet chants
• 2:17:50
  by kinsman's deed was the death bed strewn when Hyacinth killed him with horny bow.
• 2:17:58
  His own dear liege laid low with an arrow, missed the mark,
• 2:18:03
  and his mate shot down, one brother the other with bloody shaft. A
• 2:18:11
  felis fight and a fearful sin horror to rethel. Yet hard as it was
• 2:18:20
  unavenged, must the athelen die too awful? It is for an aged man
• 2:18:28
  to bide and bear that his barn so young, rides on the gallows.
• 2:18:35
  A rhyme, he makes sorrow song for his son, there hanging as rapture
• 2:18:41
  of ravens. No rescue now can come from the old disabled man. Still
• 2:18:50
  is he minded? As his morning breaks of the air, gone elsewhere another
• 2:18:58
  he hopes not he will by to see his burg within as ward for his
• 2:19:03
  wealth. Now the one has found doom of death that the deed incurred.
• 2:19:11
  Forlorn, he looks on the lodge of his son, wine hall, waste
• 2:19:18
  and wind swept chambers, reft of revel. The writer sleepeth, the hero
• 2:19:26
  far hidden. No harp resounds in the courts, no wastle as once was
• 2:19:35
  heard. Then he goes to his chamber a grief song, chants alone for
• 2:19:43
  his lost two large all seems homestead and house. So the helmet of wedders
• 2:19:52
  hid in his heart for harrabuild waves of woe. No way could he take
• 2:20:00
  to avenge on the slayer slaughter so foul, nor en could he harass that
• 2:20:07
  hero at all with loathing deed, though he loved him not, And so
• 2:20:13
  for the sorrow his soul endured men's gladness. He gave up, and God's
• 2:20:20
  light chose lands and cities. He left his sons as the wealthy do.
• 2:20:28
  When he went from earth, there was strife and struggle TwixT Swede and Gait
• 2:20:35
  over the width of waters. War arose, hard, battle horror. When
• 2:20:43
  Rethel died and Ongenthal's offspring grew strife, keen bold nor brooked o'er the seas
• 2:20:52
  packed of peace, but pushed their boats to harass and hatred Rosnabord. Men
• 2:21:00
  of my folk for that feud had vengeance. For woeful war tis widely known,
• 2:21:09
  though one of them bought it with blood of his own heart, a
• 2:21:13
  bargain hard for hethsin prov'd fatal that fray for the first of gates at morn
• 2:21:22
  i heard was the murderer kill'd by kinsmen for kinsmen with clash of sword.
• 2:21:31
  When Ongenthau met eofor there wide split the war helm wan, he fell hoary
• 2:21:39
  skillfing the hand that smote him of feud was mindful, nor flinch'd from the
• 2:21:46
  death blow. For all that he gave me, my gleaming sword repaid him
• 2:21:54
  at war such power I wielded for lordly treasure. With land he entrusted me
• 2:22:03
  homestead and house. He had no need from Swedish realm, or from spear
• 2:22:11
  Dane folk, or from the men of gifts to get him help some warrior
• 2:22:20
  worse for wage to buy. Ever, I fought in the front of all
• 2:22:24
  soul to the fore, and so shall I fight while I bide in life.
• 2:22:31
  And this blade shall last that early and late hath loyal proved, Since
• 2:22:37
  for my daughtiness Dachfrin fell slain by my hand. The Hugos champion nor fared.
• 2:22:48
  He thence to the Frisian king with the booty back and breast adornments,
• 2:22:54
  but slain in struggle. That standard bearer fell Athleen brave. Not with blade
• 2:23:03
  was he slain, but his bones were broken by brownie gripe his heart waves
• 2:23:11
  stifled. The sword edge now hard blade, and my hand for the horde
• 2:23:18
  shall strive. Beowulf spake, and a battle vow made his last of all.
• 2:23:28
  I have lived through many wars in my youth. Now once again,
• 2:23:35
  old folk defender feud. Will I seek do doughty deeds. If the dark
• 2:23:41
  destroyer forth from his cavern, come to fight me, Then hailed he the
• 2:23:50
  helmeted heroes, all for the last time, greeting his leechman, dear comrades
• 2:23:56
  of war. I should carry no weapon nor sword to the serpent. If
• 2:24:05
  sure I knew how with such enemy, else my vows I could gain as
• 2:24:11
  I did in Grendel's day. But fire in this fight. I must fear
• 2:24:16
  me now and poisonous breath. So I bring with me breastplate and board from
• 2:24:24
  the barrow's keeper, no foot, breadth, flee eye. One fight shall
• 2:24:31
  end our war by the wall, as weird allots all mankind's master. My
• 2:24:41
  mood is bold, but forbears to boast or this battling flier. Now abide
• 2:24:48
  by the barrow, ye breastplate mailed, Ye heroes in harness, which of
• 2:24:54
  us twain better from the battle rush bare his wounds. Wait ye the finish.
• 2:25:01
  The fight is not yours, nor meet for any but me alone.
• 2:25:09
  To measure might with this monster. Here and play the hero heartily, I
• 2:25:15
  shall win that wealth or war shall seize cruel, killing your king and lord
• 2:25:24
  up. Stood then with shield, the sturdy champion stay'd by the strength of
• 2:25:31
  his single manhood and hearty neath helmet, his harness bore under cleft of the
• 2:25:37
  cliffs. No cowards path soon spied by the wall, that warrior, chief,
• 2:25:46
  survivor of many a victory field where foemen fought with furious clashings in arch
• 2:25:54
  of stone, and within a stream that broke from the barrel. The brooklet's
• 2:26:01
  wave was hot with fire the Horde that way he never could hope, unharmed,
• 2:26:07
  to near or endure those deeps. For the dragon's flame then let from
• 2:26:18
  his breast, for he burst with rage the waiter gate prince a word outgo
• 2:26:26
  stormed. The stark heart stern went ringing and clear his cry neath the cliff
• 2:26:33
  rocks gray. The horde guard heard a human voice. His rage was enkindled.
• 2:26:41
  No respite now for pact of peace. The poisoned breath of that foul
• 2:26:48
  worm first came forth from the cave hot reek of fight, the rocks resounded
• 2:26:56
  stout by the stone way his shield he raised Lord of the Gates against the
• 2:27:03
  loathed one, while with courage keen that coiled foe came seeking strife. The
• 2:27:13
  sturdy king had drawn his sword, not dull of edge, heirloom old,
• 2:27:20
  and each of the two felt fear of his foe, though fierce their mood.
• 2:27:26
  Stoutly stood with his shield high, raised the warrior king as the worm
• 2:27:33
  now coiled together a maine. The mailed one waited, now spire by spire,
• 2:27:43
  fast sped and glided that blazing serpent. The shield protected soul and body
• 2:27:52
  a shorter while for the hero king, then his heart desired, could his
• 2:27:58
  will have wielded the welcome respite but once in his life, But weird denied
• 2:28:05
  it, and victory's honors his arm. He lifted Lord of the Gates.
• 2:28:13
  The grim foes smote with Athleen's heirloom. Its edge was turned brown, blade
• 2:28:20
  on the bone, and bit more feebly than its noble master had need of.
• 2:28:26
  Then in his baleful stress, then the barrows keeper waxed full wild.
• 2:28:33
  For that weighty blow cast deadly flames wide, drove in far those vicious fires,
• 2:28:43
  no victor's glory. The Gate's lord boasted his brand had failed, naked
• 2:28:50
  in battle, as never it should excellent iron. Twas no easy path that
• 2:28:56
  Echthiau's honored air must tread, or the planet to the place of the foe.
• 2:29:01
  For against his will he must win a home elsewhere, far as must
• 2:29:07
  all men leaving this lapsing life. Not long it was ere those champions grimly
• 2:29:16
  closed again. The hoard guard was heartened high heaved his breast once more,
• 2:29:24
  and by peril was pressed again, enfolded in flames, the folk commander nor
• 2:29:33
  yet about him. His bands of comrades, son of Ethlings, armed,
• 2:29:39
  stood with warlike front to the woods. They bent them their lives to save.
• 2:29:46
  But the soul of one with care was cumbered. Kinship true can never
• 2:29:52
  be marred in a noble mind. If his name was Welston's son, Lynden
• 2:30:03
  Thane loved the lord of Skilphings, Alpher's kinsman, his king he now saw
• 2:30:11
  with heat under helmet, hard oppressed, he minded the prizes his prince had
• 2:30:18
  given him, wealthy seat of Weigdemen's line, and folk writes that his father
• 2:30:24
  owned Not long he lingered the linden yellow his shield. He seized the old
• 2:30:33
  sword he drew as heirloom of Enmund Earth dwellers knew it who was slain by
• 2:30:41
  the sword edge son of Otaire, friendless, exiled erst in fray, killed
• 2:30:48
  by Wilston, who won for his kin. Brown, bright helmet, breastplate,
• 2:30:54
  ringed old sword of Jotun's anils, gift, weeds of war, of
• 2:31:01
  the warrior's thing, battle gear brave. Though a brother's child had been felled,
• 2:31:09
  the feud was unfelt by Onelah For winters this war gear. Wailston kept
• 2:31:18
  breastplate and board till his barn had groaned, earlship to earn as the old
• 2:31:24
  Sire did. Then he gave him mid Gates the gear of battle portion huge.
• 2:31:33
  When he passed from life, fared aged fourth for the first time,
• 2:31:41
  now with his leader Lord the Liegeman Young was bidden to share the shock of
• 2:31:46
  battle neither softened his soul nor the Sire's bequest weakened in war. So the
• 2:31:58
  worm found out. When once in fight the foes had met, Wickliff spake
• 2:32:05
  and his words were sage, sad in spirit. He said to his comrades,
• 2:32:13
  I remember the time when mead we took what promise we made to this
• 2:32:18
  Prince of ours in the banquet hall, to our breaker of rings for gear
• 2:32:26
  of combat, to him give requital for hard sword and helmet, if hap
• 2:32:33
  should bring stress of this sort. Himself, who chose us from all his
• 2:32:39
  army to aid him, now urged us to glory, and gave these treasures
• 2:32:46
  because he counted us keen with the spear and hearty neath helm. Though this
• 2:32:52
  hero work our leader hoped unhelped and alone to finish for us folk defender,
• 2:33:01
  who hath got him glory greater than all men for daring deeds. Now the
• 2:33:09
  day is come that our noble master has need of the might of warriors.
• 2:33:13
  Stout. Let us stride along the hero to help, while the heat is
• 2:33:20
  about him, glowing and grim. For God is my witness, I am
• 2:33:26
  far more famed. The fire should seize along with my lord these limbs of
• 2:33:33
  mine unsuiting, it seems our shields to bear homeward. Hence save here we
• 2:33:41
  essay to fell the foe and defend the life of the Wedder's lord. I
• 2:33:48
  WoT twere shame on the law of our land. If alone the king out
• 2:33:54
  of Gaetish warriors woe endur'd and sank in the struggle. My sword and helmet,
• 2:34:03
  breastplate and board for us both shall serve through slaughter. Reek strode he
• 2:34:13
  to succor his chieftain, his battle helm bore and brief words spake balwolf,
• 2:34:22
  dearest, do all bravely, as in youthful days of your thou voust that
• 2:34:30
  while life should last, thou wouldst let know wise thy glory droop. Now
• 2:34:37
  great indeeds athlen steadfast with all thy strength, shield thy life. I will
• 2:34:46
  stand to help thee. At the words, the worm came once again,
• 2:34:54
  murderous monster, mad with rage, with fire billows flaming its foes to seek
• 2:35:03
  the hated men. In heat waves burned that board to the boss, and
• 2:35:07
  the breastplate failed to shelter at all. The spear Thane, young, yet
• 2:35:15
  quickly under his kinsman shield, went eager the earl, since his own was
• 2:35:20
  now all burned by the blaze. The bold king again had mind of his
• 2:35:26
  glory with might, his glave was driven into the dragon's head blow nerved by
• 2:35:35
  hate, but nagling was shivered. Broken in battle was Baleo's sword, old
• 2:35:45
  and gray twas granted him. Not that ever, the edge of iron at
• 2:35:50
  all could help him at strife. Too strong was his hand, so the
• 2:35:56
  tale was told, and he tried too far with strength of stroke, all
• 2:36:01
  swords he wielded, though sturdy their steel, they steadied him. Not then,
• 2:36:09
  for the third time thought on its feud. That folk destroyer fired dread
• 2:36:15
  dragon and rushed on the hero where room aloud, battle grim burning, its
• 2:36:24
  bitter teeth closed on his neck and covered him with waves of blood from his
• 2:36:31
  breast that welled end of Section seven, Section eight. Twas now men say,
• 2:36:43
  in his sovereign's need, that the Earl made known his noble strain,
• 2:36:46
  craft and keenness and courage, enduring, heedless of harm. Though his hand
• 2:36:52
  was burned, hardy hearted, he helped his kinsman a little lower the loathsome
• 2:36:56
  beast he smote with his sword. His steel drove vin bright and burnished.
• 2:37:01
  That blaze began to lose and lessen. At last the king wielded his wits
• 2:37:05
  again, war knife, drew a biting blade by his breastplate hanging, and
• 2:37:11
  the wedder's helm smoke that warm asunder felled. The foe flung forth its life.
• 2:37:16
  So had they killed it kinsmen both athelings twain. Thus an earl should
• 2:37:22
  be in danger's day of deeds of valor. This conqueror's hour of the king
• 2:37:26
  was last of his work in the world. The wound began which that dragon
• 2:37:30
  of earth had erst inflicted, to swell and smart, and soon he found
• 2:37:33
  in his breast was boiling, baleful and deep pain of poison. The prince
• 2:37:39
  walked on wise in his thought to the wall of rock, then sat and
• 2:37:43
  stared at the structure of giants, where arch of stone and steadfast column upheld
• 2:37:48
  forever that hall in earth. Yet here must the hand of the henchman,
• 2:37:52
  peerless, lave with water his winsome lord, the king and conqueror, covered
• 2:37:58
  with blood, with struggles spent and unspan his helmet. Beowulf spake in spite
• 2:38:03
  of his hurt, his mortal wound full well. He knew his portion now
• 2:38:07
  was past and gone of earthly bliss, and all had fled of his file
• 2:38:11
  of days, and death was near. I would fain bestow on son of
• 2:38:16
  mine this gear of war were given me, now that any heir should after
• 2:38:20
  me come of my proper blood. This people I ruled fifty winters, no
• 2:38:24
  folk king. Was there none at all of the neighboring clans who war would
• 2:38:28
  wage me with Warrior's friends and threaten me with horrors at home. I bided
• 2:38:33
  what fate might come, and I cared for mine own feuds. I sought
• 2:38:37
  not, nor falsely swore ever on oath for all these things. Though fatally
• 2:38:43
  wounded, fain am I from the ruler of man. No wrath shall seize
• 2:38:46
  me, when life from my frame must flee away for killing of kinsmen.
• 2:38:50
  Now quickly go and gaze on that hoard beneath the hoary rock wiglff loved.
• 2:38:56
  Now the worm lies low, sleeps, heart sore of his spoil, breathing
• 2:39:00
  and fair in haste, I would fain behold the gorgeous heirlooms, golden store,
• 2:39:05
  have joy in the jewels and gems, lay down softlier for sight of
• 2:39:09
  this splendid horde. My life and lordship I long have held. I have
• 2:39:13
  heard that swiftly the son of Werston at wish and word of his wounded king,
• 2:39:18
  war sick warrior, woven mail coat battle sark boreneath the barrow's roof.
• 2:39:24
  Then the clansmen, keen of conquest, proud passing the seat, saw a
• 2:39:28
  store of jewels and glistening gold. The ground along by the wall were marvels
• 2:39:33
  and many a vessel In the den of the dragon, the dawn flier old
• 2:39:37
  unburnished bowls of bygone men, reft of richness, rusty helms of the olden
• 2:39:41
  age, and arm rings, many wondrously woven. Such wealth of gold booty
• 2:39:46
  from barrow can burden with pride each human wight let him hide it, who
• 2:39:50
  will? His glance too, fell on a gold wove banner high o'er the
• 2:39:54
  horde of handiwork, noblest, brilliantly broidered, so bright its gleam all the
• 2:40:00
  earth floor. He easily saw and viewed all these vessels. No vestige now
• 2:40:05
  was seen of the serpent. The sword had taken him. Then I heard
• 2:40:09
  the hill of its hoard was reft old work of giants. By one alone.
• 2:40:13
  He burdened his bosom with beakers and plait at his own good will,
• 2:40:16
  and the ensign took brightest of beacons. The blade of his lord, its
• 2:40:20
  edge was iron, had injured deep one that had guarded the golden horde many
• 2:40:24
  a year, and its murder fires spread hot round the barrow in horror billows
• 2:40:28
  at midnight hour till it met its doom. Hastened the herald the horde so
• 2:40:33
  spurred him his track to retrace. He was troubled by doubt. High souled
• 2:40:37
  hero, if haply he'd find alive where he left him, the lord of
• 2:40:41
  waiters, weakening fast by the wall of the cave. So he carried the
• 2:40:45
  load his lord and king. He found all bleeding famous chief at the lapse
• 2:40:50
  of life. The liegeman again plashed him with water, till point of word
• 2:40:54
  broke through the breast hord. Beowulf spake sage and sad as he stared at
• 2:40:58
  the gold, for the gold and treasure, to God, my thanks to
• 2:41:03
  the wielder of wonders. With words I say for what I behold, to
• 2:41:05
  Heaven's Lord, for the grace that I give such gifts to my folk,
• 2:41:09
  or ever the day of my death be run. Now I've bartered here for
• 2:41:13
  booty of treasure, the last of my life. So look ye well to
• 2:41:16
  the needs of my land. No longer I tarry a barrow, Bid ye
• 2:41:22
  the battle fand raise for my ashes twill shine by the shore of the flood
• 2:41:26
  to folk of mine. Memorial fare on Ron's head land high uplifted that ocean
• 2:41:31
  wanderers oft may hail Beowulf's sparrow, as back from far they drive their keels
• 2:41:35
  o'er the darkling wave. From his neck. He unclasp'd the collar of gold
• 2:41:41
  valorous king to his vassal, gave it with bright gold helmet, breastplate and
• 2:41:46
  ring to the youthful Thane. Bade him use them in joy. Thou art
• 2:41:50
  end and remnant of all our race. The wagmunding name for word, hath
• 2:41:54
  swept them all my line to the land of doom earls in their glory,
• 2:41:58
  I after them go. This word was the last which the wise old man
• 2:42:03
  harbored in heart ere hot death. Waves of bale fire he chose from his
• 2:42:09
  bosom, fled his soul to seek the saint's reward. It was heavy hap
• 2:42:13
  for that hero young on his lord beloved to look and find him lying on
• 2:42:18
  earth with life at end sorrowful sight. But the slayer too awful earth dragon,
• 2:42:24
  empty of breath, lay felt in fight, nor fain of its treasure.
• 2:42:28
  Could the writhing monster rule it more? For edges of iron had ended
• 2:42:31
  its days hard in battle, sharp hammers leaving and that flier Afar had fallen
• 2:42:37
  to the ground, hushed by its hurt, its hoard all near, no
• 2:42:41
  longer lusty, aloft to whirl at midnight, making its merriment seen, proud
• 2:42:45
  of its prizes prone, it sank by the handiwork of the hero king forsooth
• 2:42:50
  among folk, but few achieve, though sturdy and strong, as stories tell
• 2:42:54
  me, and never so daring, Indeed a valor the perilous breath of a
• 2:42:58
  poison foe to brave and to rush on the ring board hall, whenever his
• 2:43:03
  watch the warden keeps bold in the barrow. Beowulf paid the price of death
• 2:43:07
  for that precious horde, and each of the foes had found the end of
• 2:43:11
  this fleeting life. Befell ere long that the laggards in war the wood had
• 2:43:16
  left trothbreakers cowards, ten together, fearing before to flourish a spear in the
• 2:43:20
  sore distress of their sovereign lord. Now in their shame their shields they carried
• 2:43:26
  armor of fight. Where the old man lay, and they gazed on Wiglaff.
• 2:43:30
  Wearied, he sat at his sovereign's shoulder, shieldsmen good to wake him
• 2:43:33
  with water. Nowise it availed, though well he wished it in world.
• 2:43:39
  No more could he bury her life for that leader of battles, nor baffle
• 2:43:43
  the will of all wielding God. Doom of the lord was law, or
• 2:43:46
  the deeds of every man, as it is to day grim was the answer
• 2:43:50
  easy to get from the youth for those that had yielded to fear Wiglaf spoke
• 2:43:54
  the son of Weiersten, mournful. He looked on those men unloved, who
• 2:44:00
  sooth will speak, can say indeed that the ruler who gave you golden rings
• 2:44:05
  and the harness of war in which ye stand for he at ale bench oftentimes
• 2:44:09
  bestowed on hal folk, helm and breastplate, Lord to liegemen. The likeliest
• 2:44:13
  gear which nearer or far he could find to give, threw away and wasted
• 2:44:18
  these weeds of battle on men who failed. When the foemen came. Not
• 2:44:22
  at all could the king of his comrades in arms venture to vaunt, though
• 2:44:26
  the victory wielder God gave him grace that he got revenge soul with his sword
• 2:44:31
  in stress and need to rescue his life, twas little that I could serve
• 2:44:35
  him in struggle, Yet shift I made hopeless. It seemed to help my
• 2:44:39
  kinsmen, its strength ever waned when with weapon I struck that fatal foe,
• 2:44:43
  and the fire less strongly flowed from its head. Too few the heroes in
• 2:44:48
  throe of contest that thronged to our king. Now gift of treasure and girding
• 2:44:52
  of sword, joy of the house and home delight shall fail your folk his
• 2:44:56
  freehold land. Every clansman within your kin shall lose, and li eve when
• 2:45:00
  Lord's high born hear afar of that flight of yours a fameless deed. Yea
• 2:45:05
  death is better for liegemen all than a life of shame. That battle toil
• 2:45:09
  bade he at Burg to announce at the fort on the cliff, where full
• 2:45:13
  of sorrow, all the morning earls had sat daring shieldsmen in doubt of twain.
• 2:45:18
  Would they wail as dead or welcome home their lord beloved little kept back
• 2:45:22
  of the tidings new, but told them all the herald that up the headland
• 2:45:26
  road now the willing giver to weder folk. In death bed lies the Lord
• 2:45:31
  of Gates. On the slaughter bed sleeps by the serpent's deed, and beside
• 2:45:35
  him is stretched that slayer of men with knife wounds, sick no sword availed
• 2:45:39
  on the awesome thing in any wise to work a wound. Their wig laugh
• 2:45:43
  sitteth Wilston's barn by Beowulf's side, the living earl by the other dead,
• 2:45:48
  and heavy of heart, a head watch keeps or friend and foe. Now
• 2:45:52
  our folk may look for waging of war when once unhidden to Frisian and Frank,
• 2:45:56
  the fall of the king is spread afar. The strike began when hot
• 2:46:01
  on the Hugos Hagelac fell and fared with his fleet to the Frisian land him
• 2:46:05
  There the hetwaras humbled in war, plied with such prowess, their power overwhelming
• 2:46:11
  that the bold in battle bowed beneath it and fell in fight to his friends.
• 2:46:15
  No wise could that earl give treasure. And ever since the Marrowing's favor
• 2:46:18
  has failed us wholly nor aught. Expect I of peace and faith from Swedish
• 2:46:22
  folk. Twas spread afar how ungan thou reft at ravenswood hyketh and brethling of
• 2:46:28
  hope and life. When the folk of Gates for the first time sought in
• 2:46:31
  wanton pride, the warlike skilfings. Soon the sage old Sire of Altaire ancient
• 2:46:37
  and awful gave answering blow. The sea king he slew, and his spouse
• 2:46:41
  redeemed. His good wife rescued, though robbed of her gold, mother of
• 2:46:45
  Oterr and Onela. Then he followed his foes, who fled before him,
• 2:46:48
  sore beset, and stole their way, bereft of a ruler, to Ravenswood.
• 2:46:54
  With his host, he besieged there what swords had left, the weary
• 2:46:58
  and wounded woes. He threatened the whole night through to that hard pressed throng.
• 2:47:03
  Some with the morrow his swords should kill, some should go to the
• 2:47:05
  gallows tree for rapture of ravens. But rescue came with dawn of day for
• 2:47:11
  those desperate men, when they heard the horn of Higlac sound tones of his
• 2:47:15
  trumpet. The trusty king had followed their trail with faithful band. The bloody
• 2:47:20
  swath of Swedes and Gates, and the storm of their strife were seen afar.
• 2:47:24
  How folk against folk, the fight had wakened. The ancient king,
• 2:47:28
  with his atheling band, sought his citadel, sorrowing much ongan. Though Earl
• 2:47:33
  went up to his burg, he had tested Heiglac's hardihood. The proud one's
• 2:47:37
  prowess would prove it no longer defied no more those fighting wanderers, nor hoped
• 2:47:43
  from the seamen to save his hoard, his barn, and his bride.
• 2:47:46
  So he bent him again old to his earth walls. Yet after him came
• 2:47:50
  with slaughter for swedes the standards of Higlac over peaceful plains in pride, advancing
• 2:47:56
  till threthlings fought in the fenced town. Then ungan thought with edge of sword.
• 2:48:01
  The hoary bearded was held at bay, and the folk king there was
• 2:48:03
  forced to suffer yeofor's anger in ire at the king wolf wan riding with weapons
• 2:48:09
  struck, and the chieftain's blood for that blow in streams flowed neath his hair.
• 2:48:13
  No fear felt he stout old skilfing, but straightway repaid in better bargain
• 2:48:18
  that bitter stroke, and faced his foe with fell intent. Nor swift enough
• 2:48:24
  was the son of one rid answer to render the aged chief too soon on
• 2:48:28
  his head the helm was cloven, blood bedecked. He bowed to earth and
• 2:48:31
  fell adown. Not doomed was he yet, and well he waxed, though
• 2:48:35
  the wound was sore. Then the hardy Haiglak fane when his brother fell with
• 2:48:39
  broad brand smote Giant's sword, crashing through Giant's helm across the shield wall,
• 2:48:46
  sank the king, his folk's old herdsman fatally hurt. There were many to
• 2:48:50
  bind the brother's wounds and lift him fast, as fate allowed his people to
• 2:48:54
  wield the place of war. But yofor took from Ungenthal earl from other the
• 2:48:58
  eye, iron breastplate, hard sword, hilted and helmet too, and the
• 2:49:03
  hoar chief's harness to Higelac carried, who took the trappings and truly promised rich
• 2:49:09
  fee mid folk, and fulfilled it. So for that grim strike gave the
• 2:49:13
  Gaetish lord Rethel's offspring. When home he came to Yofur and Wolf a wealth
• 2:49:18
  of treasure. Each of them had a hundred thousand in land and linked rings.
• 2:49:22
  Nor at less price reckoned mid earth men such mighty deeds. And to
• 2:49:26
  yofor he gave his only daughter in pledge of grace, the pride of his
• 2:49:30
  home. Such is the feud, the foeman's rage, death, hate of
• 2:49:33
  men. So I deem it sure that the Swedish folk will seek us home
• 2:49:37
  for this fall of their friends. The fighting Skilfings when once they learned that
• 2:49:41
  our warrior leader lifeless lies, who land and hoard ever defended from all his
• 2:49:46
  foes, furthered his folk's will, finished his course a hardy hero. Now
• 2:49:50
  haste is best that we go to gaze on our gaytish lord, and bear
• 2:49:54
  the bountiful breaker of rings to the funeral pyre. No fragments merely shall burn
• 2:50:00
  with the warrior wealth of jewels, gold untold and gained in terror treasure.
• 2:50:05
  At last, with his life obtained, all of that booty the brands shall
• 2:50:07
  take, fire shall eat it. No earl must carry memorial jewel. No
• 2:50:13
  maiden fair shall wreathe her neck with noble ring. Nay sad in spirit and
• 2:50:18
  shorn of her gold oft shall she pass o'er paths of exile. Now,
• 2:50:22
  our Lord, all laughter has laid aside, all mirth and revel. Many
• 2:50:26
  a spear morning cold shall be clasped, a main lifted aloft, Nor shall
• 2:50:31
  lilt of harp those warriors wake, But the wan hewed raven fain o'er the
• 2:50:35
  fallen his feast shall praise and boast to the eagle, how bravely he ate
• 2:50:39
  when he and the wolf were wasting the slain, So he told his sorrowful
• 2:50:45
  tidings, and little he lied the loyal man of word or of work.
• 2:50:48
  The warriors rose sad. They climbed to the cliff of eagles, went welling
• 2:50:54
  with tears the wonder to view found on the sand there stretched at rest their
• 2:50:58
  lifeless lord, who had lavished rings of old upon them. Ending day had
• 2:51:03
  dawned on the doughty one death had seized in woeful slaughter the waiter's king.
• 2:51:07
  There saw they, besides the strangest, being loathsome lying their leader near prone
• 2:51:13
  on the field. The fiery dragon, fearful fiend with flame, was scorched,
• 2:51:16
  reckoned by feet. It was fifty measures in length as it lay aloft
• 2:51:20
  ere while it had reveled by night and anon came back seeking its den.
• 2:51:26
  Now in death's sure clutch, it had come to the end of its earth
• 2:51:28
  Hall joys by it. There stood the stoops and jars, dishes lay there,
• 2:51:33
  and dear decked swords eaten with rest as on earth's lamp, resting a
• 2:51:37
  thousand winters. They waited there for all that heritage huge, that gold of
• 2:51:41
  bygone men, was bound by a spell, so the treasure hall could be
• 2:51:45
  touched by none of human kind, save that Heaven's king, God himself might
• 2:51:48
  give whom he would helper of heroes the hoard to open. Even such a
• 2:51:52
  man, as it seemed to him, meet perilous path. It proved he
• 2:51:56
  trod who heinously hid that hall within wealth under wall. Its watcher had killed
• 2:52:01
  one of a few, and the feud was avenged in woeful fashion. Wondrous
• 2:52:07
  seems it what manner a man of might and valor oft ends his life when
• 2:52:11
  the earl no longer in mead hall may live with loving friends. So Beowulf,
• 2:52:16
  when that barrow's wooden he sought, and the struggle himself knew not in
• 2:52:20
  what wise he should wend from the world at last, for Princess Potent,
• 2:52:24
  who placed the gold with a curse to doomsday, covered it deep, so
• 2:52:28
  that marked with sin, the man should be hedged with horrors, and hell
• 2:52:31
  bounds fast racked with plagues. Who should rob their horde. Yet no greed
• 2:52:35
  for gold, but the grace of Heaven ever had the king kept in view.
• 2:52:39
  Wig Laugh, spoke the son of Worston, at the mandate of one
• 2:52:43
  oft warriors. Many sorrow may suffer, and so must we the people's shepherds
• 2:52:50
  showed not aught of care for our counsel. King beloved that guardian of gold.
• 2:52:54
  He should grapple, not urged we, but let him lie where he
• 2:52:56
  long had been, in his Earth's hall, waiting at the end of the
• 2:53:00
  world, the hest of heaven. This hoard is ours, but grievously gotten
• 2:53:05
  too grim the fate which thither carried our King and Lord. I was within
• 2:53:09
  there, and all I viewed the chambered treasure when chance allowed me, and
• 2:53:13
  my path was made in no pleasant wise under the earth wall. Eager I
• 2:53:18
  seized such heap from the hoard as hands could bear, and hurriedly carried it
• 2:53:22
  hither back to my legion, Lord alive, he was still still wielding his
• 2:53:26
  wits. The wise old man spake much in his sorrow, and sent you
• 2:53:31
  greetings, and bade yet ye build when he breathe no more on the place
• 2:53:35
  of his balefire, a barrel high memorial. Mighty of men, was he
• 2:53:39
  worthiest warrior wide earth over the while he had joy of his jewels and burgh.
• 2:53:46
  Let us set out in haste now the second time, to see and
• 2:53:48
  search this store of treasure. These wall hid wonders, the way I show
• 2:53:52
  you where gathered near, ye may gaze your fill at broad golden rings.
• 2:53:56
  Let the bier soon made be all in order. When out we come our
• 2:54:01
  King and Captain, to carry thither man beloved, where long he shall bide
• 2:54:05
  safe in the shelter of sovereign God. Then the barn of Worston bade command
• 2:54:09
  hardy chief to heroes, many that owned their homesteads hither to bring firewood from
• 2:54:15
  far or the folk they ruled. For the famed one's funeral, fire shall
• 2:54:20
  devour and wan flame's feed on the fearless warrior who oft stood stout in the
• 2:54:24
  iron shower, when sped from string a storm of arrows shot, or the
• 2:54:28
  shield wall the shaft held firm featly feathered. Followed the barb and now the
• 2:54:33
  sage, young son of Worston seven, chose of the chieftain's thains the best.
• 2:54:37
  He found that band within, and went with these warriors, one of
• 2:54:41
  eight, under hostile roof in hand, one bore a lighted torch and led
• 2:54:46
  the way. No lots they cast for keeping the horde. When once the
• 2:54:50
  warriors saw it in hall altogether without a guardian, lying there lost and little
• 2:54:54
  they mourned. When they had hastily hailed it out, Dear bought treasure the
• 2:54:58
  drag, and they cast the worm o'er the wall for the wave to take,
• 2:55:03
  and surges swallowed that shepherd of gems. Then the woven gold on a
• 2:55:07
  wain was laden countless quite, and the king was born hoary hero to crone's
• 2:55:13
  nest. Then fashioned for him the folk of Gates firm on the earth a
• 2:55:16
  funeral pile, and hung it with helmets and harness of war and breastplates,
• 2:55:22
  bright as the boon, he asked, and they laid it amid the mighty
• 2:55:26
  chieftain heroes, mourning their master. Dear. Then on the hill that hugest
• 2:55:31
  of bale fires, the warriors wakened. Wood smoke rose black over blaze,
• 2:55:35
  and blent was the roar of flame, with weeping. The wind was still
• 2:55:39
  till the fire had broken the frame of bones, hot at the heart.
• 2:55:43
  In heavy mood their misery moaned they their master's death. Wailing her woe.
• 2:55:48
  The widow old her hair upbound for Beowulf's death, sung in her sorrow,
• 2:55:54
  and said full oft she dreaded the doleful days to come. Deaths a now
• 2:55:58
  and doom of battle and shame. The smoke by the sky was devoured.
• 2:56:01
  The folk of the waiters fashioned there on the headland a barrow, broad and
• 2:56:05
  high by ocean farers descried in ten days time their toil had raised it the
• 2:56:11
  battle brave's beacon, round brands of the pyre. A wall they built the
• 2:56:16
  worthiest ever that wit could prompt in their wisest men, they placed in the
• 2:56:20
  barrow that precious booty, the rounds and the rings they had reft erewhile hardy
• 2:56:24
  heroes from hoard in cave, trusting the ground with treasure of earls, gold
• 2:56:30
  in the earth wherever it lies, useless to men as of yore. It
• 2:56:33
  was then about that barrow the battle keen road, Athelingbourne, a band of
• 2:56:37
  twelve lament to make to mourn their king, chant, their dirge, and
• 2:56:41
  their chieftain honor. They praised his earlship, his acts of prowess worthily witnessed,
• 2:56:46
  and well it is that men their master friend mightily laud heartily love,
• 2:56:52
  when hence he goes from life in the body forlorn away. Thus made their
• 2:56:56
  mourning. The men of Gateland, for their heroes, passing his hearth come
• 2:57:00
  companions quoth that of all the kings of earth, of men, he was
• 2:57:03
  mildest and most beloved to his kin, the kindest, keenest for praise.
• 2:57:09
  End of Section eight, end of Beowulf