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ST.  MICHAEL'S  COL'. 
TORONTO  6,  CANADA 


BEOWULF 


AN   ANGLO-SAXON    EPIC    POEM 


TRANSLATED 

FROM  THE  HEYNE-SOCIN  TEXT 
BY 

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

PROFESSOR  OF  ENGLISH  AND  HISTORY  IN  THE  COLLEGE  OF  WILLIAM 

AND  MARY. 


D.  C.  HEATH  &  CO.,  PUBLISHERS 
BOSTON    NEW  YORK    CHICAGO 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1893,  by 

JNO:   LESSLIE  HALL, 
in  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


1G9 


TO 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

PREFACE      .       .       .........       .     "»X  )*-•-'.•   v      •  '     .       .  vii 

BIBLIOGRAPHY  OF  TRANSLATIONS        .       .       .       f  ,-. j-p/y.       V- '' •       .       .  xi 

GLOSSARY  OF  PROPER  NAMES     .'.'.../. xiii 

LIST  OF  WORDS  AND  PHRASES  NOT  IN  GENERAL  USE      ,  ••"•  ;c     »    •'  \-     .       .  xviii 

THE  LIFE  AND  DEATH  OF  SCYLD  (I.)       .       .       .'       '.      -v  ^,  "  -^  -^  .       .  i 

SCYLD'S  SUCCESSORS    •        •        •  I  m  ) 

HROTHGAR'S  GREAT  MEAD- HALL  / 

GRENDEL,  THE  MURDERER  (III.)       ......        .        .        .       i       i  '    '.  5 

BEOWULF  GOES  TO  HROTHGAR'S  ASSISTANCE  (IV.)   .    -  <x      ,    •  ;  •  •-'•»••'    .   :    .  8 

THE  GEATS  REACH  HEOROT  (V.)                      f.t        pv\  •/  *•      •'      •       *'      •  I0 

BEOWULF  INTRODUCES  HIMSELF  AT  THE  PALACE  (VI.)    .       .-';..  s    .  12 

HROTHGAR  AND  BEOWULF  (VII.)       . .  v^*v     .*      •*  <'>'••  •  >V<  •    •      '*    '  •       .  14 

HROTHGAR  AND  BEOWULF  (continued}  (VIII.)         «      . .      . .      -.*','.  17 

UNFERTH  TAUNTS  BEOWULF  (IX.)     .        .        .       ,.  ,    .       .       .       .     :  .-       .  19 

BEOWULF  SILENCES  UNFERTH  "I    ,^^ 

GLEE  is  HIGH     .       .       .    I. 

ALL  SLEEP  SAVE  ONE  (XI.)       .     ...»       •       V--  .'•       •       i       •       •       •  24 

GRENDEL  AND  BEOWULF  (XII.)         •       .       •       .  •..-».    '  *       »: "     .        .        .  26 

GRENDEL  is  VANQUISHED  (XIII.)      .       .       .       .•'•'      «l     '•'•".  28 

REJOICING  OF  THE  DANES  (XIV.)      .       ....       .       .    •    &   V  •>V;:    .  30 

HROTHGAR'S  GRATITUDE  (XV.) .        .        .      , '  ;  •  33 

HROTHGAR  LAVISHES  GIFTS  UPON  HIS  DELIVERER  (XVI.) 35 

BANQUET  (continued}          ...     "I    ,xyn , 
THE  SCOP'S  SONG  OF  FINN  AND  HN^F  / 
THE  FINN  EPISODE  (continued}  \   ,VTrTTT  x 

V    (A.V111.)        .           .           *           .           .           .           •           •  3" 

THE  BANQUET  CONTINUES  . 

BEOWULF  RECEIVES  FURTHER  HONOR  (XIX.) 41 

THE  MOTHER  OF  GRENDEL  (XX.) 44 

HROTHGAR'S  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  MONSTERS  (XXI.) 46 

BEOWULF  SEEKS  GRENDEL'S  MOTHER  (XXII.) 48 

BEOWULF'S  FIGHT  WITH  GRENDEL'S  MOTHER  (XXIII.) 51 

BEOWULF  is  DOUBLE-CONQUEROR  (XXIV.) 53 


vi  Contents. 

PAGE 

BEOWULF  BRINGS  HIS  TROPHIES  )   /XXV  )  57 

HROTHGAR'S  GRATITUDE     .        / 

HROTHGAR  MORALIZES  \   (XXVI  )  60 

REST  AFTER  LABOR      / 

SORROW  AT  PARTING  (XXVII.)  ...........  62 

THE  HOMEWARD  JOURNEY   1   (XXVIII  )  64 

THE  Two  QUEENS       .        .  / 

BEOWULF  AND  HIGELAC  (XXIX.)      ..........  67 

BEOWULF  NARRATES  HIS  ADVENTURES  TO  HIGELAC  (XXX.)    .....  69 

GIFT-GIVING  is  MUTUAL  (XXXI.)     ..........  73 

THE  HOARD  AND  THE  DRAGON  (XXXII.)         ........  75 

—  *=»BRAVE  THOUGH  AGED       CXXXIII  )  78 


1     (XXXVI.)     .  88 

BEOWULF  is  DESERTED  BY  FRIENDS  AND  BY  SWORD) 


REMINISCENCES 

BEOWULF  SEEKS  THE  DRAGON) 

> 

BEOWULF'S  REMINISCENCES       J 
REMINISCENCES  (continued)  \    (XXXV  ^ 
BEOWULF'S  LAST  BATTLE      / 

WIGLAF  THE  TRUSTY 

BEOWULF  is  DESERT 

THE  FATAL  STRUGGLE    .     1    ,v        ^   . 

>  ^A.A.A.  V  LI.)  ........          yi 

BEOWULF'S  LAST  MOMENTS) 

WIGLAF  PLUNDERS  THE  DRAGON'S  DEN  1   /XXXVIII  'i 

BEOWULF'S  DEATH      .        .        .        .    /  ^ 

THE  DEAD  FOES         .      j  (XXXIX.)      ..........      95 

WIGLAF'S  BITTER  TAUNTS/ 

THE  MESSENGER  OF  DEATH  (XL.)     ..........      97 

THE  MESSENGER'S  RETROSPECT  (XLI.)      .........      99 

WIGLAF'S  SAD  STORY     .      \   XYT  TT 

>  (  A.J-.11.  )  .......*•       *uj 

THE  HOARD  CARRIED  OFFJ 

THE  BURNING  OF  BEOWULF  (XLIII.)        .........     106 

ADDENDA    ...............    109 


PREFACE. 


THE  present  work  is  a  modest  effort  to  reproduce  approximately,  in  modern 
measures,  the  venerable  epic,  Beowulf.  Approximately,  I  repeat ;  for  a  very 
close  reproduction  of  Anglo-Saxon  verse  would,  to  a  large  extent,  be  prose  to 
a  modern  ear. 

The  Heyne-Socin  text  and  glossary  have  been  closely  followed.  Occasion- 
ally a  deviation  has  been  made,  but  always  for  what  seemed  good  and  sufficient 
reason.  The  translator  does  not  aim  to  be  an  editor.  Once  in  a  while,  how- 
ever, he  has  added  a  conjecture  of  his  own  to  the  emendations  quoted  from 
the  criticisms  of  other  students  of  the  poem. 

This  work  is  addressed  to  two  classes  of  readers.  From  both  of  these  alike 
the  translator  begs  sympathy  and  co-operation.  The  Anglo-Saxon  scholar  he 
hopes  to  please  by  adhering  faithfully  to  the  original.  The  student  of  English 
literature  he  aims  to  interest  by  giving  him,  in  modern  garb,  the  most  ancient 
epic  of  our  race.  This  is  a  bold  and  venturesome  undertaking ;  and  yet  there 
must  be  some  students  of  the  Teutonic  past  willing  to  follow  even  a  daring 
guide,  if  they  may  read  in  modern  phrases  of  the  sorrows  of  Hrothgar,  of  the 
prowess  of  Beowulf,  and  of  the  feelings  that  stirred  the  hearts  of  our  forefathers 
in  their  primeval  homes. 

In  order  to  please  the  larger  class  of  readers,  a  regular  cadence  has  been 
used,  a  measure  which,  while  retaining  the  essential  characteristics  of  the  origi- 
nal, permits  the  reader  to  see  ahead  of  him  in  reading. 

Perhaps  every  Anglo-Saxon  scholar  has  his  own  theory  as  to  how  Beowulf 
should  be  translated.  Some  have  given  us  prose  versions  of  what  we  believe 
to  be  a  great  poem.  Is  it  any  reflection  on  our  honored  Kemble  and  Arnold 
to  say  that  their  translations  fail  to  show  a  layman  that  Beowulf  is  justly  called 
our  first  epic  ?  Of  those  translators  who  have  used  verse,  several  have  written 

vii 


viii  Preface. 

from  what  would  seem  a  mistaken  point  of  view.  Is  it  proper,  for  instance, 
that  the  grave  and  solemn  speeches  of  Beowulf  and  Hrothgar  be  put  in  ballad 
measures,  tripping  lightly  and  airily  along?  Or,  again,  is  it  fitting  that  the 
rough  martial  music  of  Anglo-Saxon  verse  be  interpreted  to  us  in  the  smooth 
measures  of  modern  blank  verse  ?  Do  we  hear  what  has  been  beautifully  called 
"  the  clanging  tread  of  a  warrior  in  mail  "  ? 

Of  all  English  translations  of  Beowulf,  that  of  Professor  Garnett  alone 
gives  any  adequate  idea  of  the  chief  characteristics  of  this  great  Teutonic 
epic. 

The  measure  used  in  the  present  translation  is  believed  to  be  as  near  a 
reproduction  of  the  original  as  modern  English  affords.  The  cadences  closely 
resemble  those  used  by  Browning  in  some  of  his  most  striking  poems.  The 
four  stresses  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  verse  are  retained,  and  as  much  thesis  and 
anacrusis  is  allowed  as  is  consistent  with  a  regular  cadence.  Alliteration  has 
been  used  to  a  large  extent ;  but  it  was  thought  that  modern  ears  would  hardly 
tolerate  it  on  every  line.  End-rhyme  has  been  used  occasionally ;  internal 
rhyme,  sporadically.  Both  have  some  warrant  in  Anglo-Saxon  poetry.  (For 
end-rhyme,  see  1  53,  1  54 ;  for  internal  rhyme,  2  21,  6  40.) 

What  Gummere T  calls  the  "  rime-giver  "  has  been  studiously  kept ;  viz.,  the 
first  accented  syllable  in  the  second  half-verse  always  carries  the  alliteration ; 
and  the  last  accented  syllable  alliterates  only  sporadically.  Alternate  allitera- 
tion is  occasionally  used  as  in  the  original.  (See  7  ei,  8  5.) 

No  two  accented  syllables  have  been  brought  together,  except  occasionally 
after  a  caesural  pause.  (See  2  10  and  12  i.)  Or,  scientifically  speaking,  Sievers's 
C  type  has  been  avoided  as  not  consonant  with  the  plan  of  translation.  Several 
of  his  types,  however,  constantly  occur ;  e.g.  A  and  a  variant  (/  x  |  ±  x)  (^  x  x  | 
^  x) ;  B  and  a  variant  (x  L  \  x  /)  (x  x  L  \  x  L)  ;  a  variant  of  D  (^  x  j  ^  x  x) ; 
E  (.£  x  x  |  .i).  Anacrusis  gives  further  variety  to  the  types  used  in  the  trans- 
lation. 

The  parallelisms  of  the  original  have  been  faithfully  preserved.     (E.g.,  1  ie 
and  1 17 :  "  Lord  "  and  "  Wielder  of  Glory  "  ;  1  so,  1  si,  1  32 ;  2  12  and  2  is  •• 
2  27  and  2  28 ;  3s  and  3  e.)    Occasionally,  some  loss  has  been  sustained ;  but, 
on  the  other  hand,  a  gain  has  here  and  there  been  made. 

The  effort  has  been  made  to  give  a  decided  flavor  of  archaism  to  the  trans- 
lation. All  words  not  in  keeping  with  the  spirit  of  the  poem  have  been 

1  Handbook  of  Poetics,  page  175,  1st  edition. 


Preface.  ix 

avoided.     Again,  though  many  archaic  words  have  been  used,  there  are  none, 
it  is  believed,  which  are  not  found  in  standard  modern  poetry. 

With  these  preliminary  remarks,  it  will  not  be  amiss  to  give  an  outline  of 
the  story  of  the  poem. 

THE  STORY. 

Hrothgar,  king  of  the  Danes,  or  Scyldings,  builds  a  great  mead-hall,  or 
palace,  in  which  he  hopes  to  feast  his  liegemen  and  to  give  them  presents.  The 
joy  of  king  and  retainers  is,  however,  of  short  duration.  Grendel,  the  monster, 
is  seized  with  hatfful  jealousy.  He  cannot  brook  the  sounds  of  joyance  that 
reach  him  down  in  his  fen-dwelling  near  the  hall.  Oft  and  anon  he  goes  to 
the  joyous  building,  bent  on  direful  mischief.  Thane  after  thane  is  ruthlessly 
carried  off  and  devoured,  while  no  one  is  found  strong  enough  and  bold  enough 
to  cope  with  the  monster.  For  twelve  years  he  persecutes  Hrothgar  and  his 
vassals. 

Over  sea,  a  day's  voyage  off,  Beowulf,  of  the  Geats,  nephew  of  Higelac, 
king  of  the  Geats,  hears  of  Grendel1  s  doings  and  of  Hrothgar's  misery.  He 
resolves  to  crush  the  fell  monster  and  relieve  the  aged  king.  With  fourteen 
chosen  companions,  he  sets  sail  for  Dane-land.  Reaching  that  country,  he  soon 
persuades  Hrothgar  of  his  ability  to  help  him.  The  hours  that  elapse  before 
night  are  spent  in  beer-drinking  and  conversation.  When  Hrothgar's  bedtime 
comes  he  leaves  the  hall  in  charge  of  Beowulf,  telling  him  that  never  before  has 
he  given  to  another  the  absolute  wardship  of  his  palace.  All  retire  to  rest, 
Beowulf,  as  it  were,  sleeping  upon  his  arms. 

Grendel  comes,  the  great  march-stepper,  bearing  God's  anger.  He  seizes 
and  kills  one  of  the  sleeping  warriors.  Then  he  advances  towards  Beowulf. 
A  fierce  and  desperate  hand-to-hand  struggle  ensues.  No  arms  are  used,  both 
combatants  trusting  to  strength  and  hand-grip.  Beowulf  tears  GrendeFs 
shoulder  from  its  socket,  and  the  monster  retreats  to  his  den,  howling  and 
yelling  with  agony  and  fury.  The  wound  is  fatal. 

The  next  morning,  at  early  dawn,  warriors  in  numbers  flock  to  the  hall 
Heorot,  to  hear  the  news.  Joy  is  boundless.  Glee  runs  high.  Hrothgar  and 
his  retainers  are  lavish  of  gratitude  and  of  gifts. 

G renders  mother,  however,  comes  the  next  night  to  avenge  his  death.  She 
is  furious  and  raging.  While  Beowulf  is  sleeping  in  a  room  somewhat  apart 


x  Preface. 

from  the  quarters  of  the  other  warriors,  she  seizes  one  of  Hrothgat*s  favorite 
counsellors,  and  carries  him  off  and  devours  him.  Beowulf  is  called.  Deter- 
mined to  leave  Heorot  entirely  purified,  he  arms  himself,  and  goes  down  to  look 
for  the  female  monster.  After  traveling  through  the  waters  many  hours,  he 
meets  her  near  the  sea-bottom.  She  drags  him  to  her  den.  There  he  sees 
Grendel  lying  dead.  After  a  desperate  and  almost  fatal  struggle  with  the 
woman,  he  slays  her,  and  swims  upward  in  triumph,  taking  with  him  Gren- 
ders  head. 

Joy  is  renewed  at  Heorot.  Congratulations  crowd  upon  the  victor. 
Hrothgar  literally  pours  treasures  into  the  lap  of  Beowulf ;  and  it  is  agreed 
among  the  vassals  of  the  king  that  Beowulf  will  be  their  next  liege  lord. 

Beowulf  leaves  Dane-land.     Hrothgar  weeps  and  laments  at  his  departure. 

When  the  hero  arrives  in  his  own  land,  Higelac  treats  him  as  a  distin- 
guished guest.  He  is  the  hero  of  the  hour. 

Beowulf  subsequently  becomes  king  of  his  own  people,  the  Geats.  After  he 
has  been  ruling  for  fifty  years,  his  own  neighborhood  is  wofully  harried  by  a 
fire-spewing  dragon.  Beowulf  determines  to  kill  him.  In  the  ensuing  struggle 
both  Beowulf  and  the  dragon  are  slain.  The  grief  of  the  Geats  is  inexpres- 
sible. They  determine,  however,  to  leave  nothing  undone  to  honor  the  memory 
of  their  lord.  A  great  funeral-pyre  is  built,  and  his  body  is  burnt.  Then  a 
memorial-barrow  is  made,  visible  from  a  great  distance,  that  sailors  afar  may 
be  constantly  reminded  of  the  prowess  of  the  national  hero  of  Geatland. 

The  poem  closes  with  a  glowing  tribute  to  his  bravery,  his  gentleness,  his 
goodness  of  heart,  and  his  generosity. 

It  is  the  devout  desire  of  this  translator  to  hasten  the  day  when  the  story 
of  Beowulf  shall  be  as  familiar  to  English-speaking  peoples  as  that  of  the  Iliad. 
Beowulf  is  our  first  great  epic.  It  is  an  epitomized  history  of  the  life  of  the 
Teutonic  races.  It  brings  vividly  before  us  our  forefathers  of  pre-Alfredian 
eras,  in  their  love  of  war,  of  sea,  and  of  adventure. 

My  special  thanks  are  due  to  Professors  Francis  A.  March  and  James  A. 
Harrison,  for  advice,  sympathy,  and  assistance, 

J.  L.  HALL. 


ABBREVIATIONS   USED   IN  THE  NOTES. 

B.  =  Bugge.  C.  =  Cosijn.  Gr.=  Grein.  Grdvtg.  =  Grundtvig.  H.=  Heyne.  H.  and 
S.=  Harrison  and  Sharp.  H.-So.  =  Heyne-Socin.  K.=  Kemble.  Kl.  =  Kluge.  M.  = 
Mullenhoff.  R.  =  Rieger.  S.  =  Sievers.  Sw.  =  Sweet,  t.  B.  =  ten  Brink.  Th.  =  Thorpe. 
W.  =  Wulcker. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY   OF   TRANSLATIONS. 

Arnold,  Thomas.  —  Beowulf.  A  heroic  poem  of  the  eighth  century.  London,  1876. 
With  English  translation.  Prose. 

Botkine,  L. —  Beowulf.  Epopee  Anglo-Saxonne.  Havre,  1877.  First  French  transla- 
tion. Passages  occasionally  omitted. 

Conybeare,  J.  J.  —  Illustrations  of  Anglo-Saxon  Poetry.  London,  1826.  Full  Latin 
translation,  and  some  passages  translated  into  English  blank-verse. 

Ettmiiller,  L. —  Beowulf,  stabreimend  ubersetzt.     Zurich,  1840. 

Garnett,  J.  M.  —  Beowulf:  an  Anglo-Saxon  Poem,  and  the  Fight  at  Finnsburg.  Boston, 
1882.  An  accurate  line-for-line  translation,  using  alliteration  occasionally,  and  sometimes 
assuming  a  metrical  cadence. 

Grein,  C.  W.  M.  —  Dichtungen  der  Angelsachsen,  stabreimend  ubersetzt.  2  Bde. 
Gottingen,  1857-59. 

Grion,  Giusto.  —  Beovulf,  poema  epico  anglo-sasson*  del  VII.  secolo,  tradotto  e  illus- 
trato.  Lucca,  1883.  First  Italian  translation. 

Grundtvig,  If.  F.  S.  —  Bjowulfs  Drape.     Copenhagen,  1820. 
Heyne,  M.  — A  translation  in  iambic  measures.     Paderborn,  1863. 

Kemble,  J.  M.  —  The  Anglo-Saxon  Poems  of  Beowulf,  the  Traveller's  Song,  and  the 
Battle  of  Finnsburg.  London,  1833.  The  second  edition  contains  a  prose  translation  of 
Beowulf. 

Leo,  H.  —  Ueber  Beowulf.     Halle,  1839.    Translations  of  extracts. 


xii  Bibliography  of  Translations. 

Lumsden,  H.  W.  —  Beowulf,  translated  into  modern  rhymes.  London,  1881.  Ballad 
measures.  Passages  occasionally  omitted. 

Sandras,  G.  S.  —  De  carminibus  Caedmoni  adjudicates.  Paris,  1859.  An  extract  from 
Beowulf,  with  Latin  translation. 

Schaldmose,  F.  —  Beowulf  og  Scopes  Widsith,  to  Angelsaxiske  Digte.  Copenhagen, 
1847. 

Simrock,  K. — Beowulf.  Uebersetzt  und  erlautert.  Stuttgart  und  Augsburg,  1859. 
Alliterative  measures. 

Thorkelin,  G.  J.  —  De  Danorum  rebus  gestis  secul.  III.  et  IV.  poema  Danicum  dia- 
lecto  Anglosaxonica.  Havniae,  1815.  Latin  translation. 

Thorpe,  B. — The  Anglo-Saxon  Poems  of  Beowulf,  the  Scop  or  Gleeman's  Tale,  and 
the  Fight  at  Finnsburg.  Oxford,  1855.  English  translation  in  short  lines,  generally  con- 
taining two  stresses. 

Wackerbarth,  A.  D.  — Beowulf,  translated  into  English  verse.     London,  1849. 

Wickberg,  R.  —  Beowulf,  en  fornengelek  hjeltedikt,  ofersatt  Westewik.  First  Swed- 
ish translation. 

von  Wolzogen,  H.  —  Beowulf,  in  alliterative  measures.     Leipzig. 

Zinsser,  G.  —  Der  Kampf  Beowulfs  mit  Grendel.  Jahresbericht  of  the  Realschule  at 
Forbach,  1881. 


GLOSSARY   OF   PROPER   NAMES. 


[The  figures  refer  to  the  divisions  of  the  poem  in  which  the  respective  names  occur.    The  Urge  figures 

to  fitts;  the  small,  to  lines  in  the  fitts.] 


JElfhere.  —  A  kinsman  of  Wiglaf.  —  36  3. 

JEschere.  —  Confidential  friend  of  King  Hrothgar.  Elder  brother  of  Yrmenlaf.  Killed  by 
Grendel.  — 21  3;  3089. 

Beanstan.  —  Father  of  Breca.  —  9  26. 

Beowulf.  —  Son  of  Scyld,  the  founder  of  the  dynasty  of  Scyldings.  Father  of  Healfdenc, 
and  grandfather  of  Hrothgar.  —  1  18;  2  1. 

Beowulf.  —  The  hero  of  the  poem.  Sprung  from  the  stock  of  Geats,  son  of  Ecgtheow. 
Brought  up  by  his  maternal  grandfather  Hrethel,  and  figuring  in  manhood  as  a 
devoted  liegeman  of  his  uncle  Higelac.  A  hero  from  his  youth.  Has  the  strength 
of  thirty  men.  Engages  in  a  swimming-match  with  Breca.  Goes  to  the  help  of 
Hrothgar  against  the  monster  Grendel.  Vanquishes  Grendel  and  his  mother. 
Afterwards  becomes  king  of  the  Geats.  Late  in  life  attempts  to  kill  a  fire-spewing 
dragon,  and  is  slain.  Is  buried  with  great  honors.  His  memorial  mound.  —  626; 
72;  79;  93;  98;  12  28;  12  43;  23  1,  etc. 

Breca. -— Beowulfs  opponent  in  the  famous  swimming-match. —  98;  9  19;  921;  922. 

Brondings.  —  A  people  ruled  by  Breca.  —  9  23. 

Brosinga  mene.  —  A  famous  collar  once  owned  by  the  Brosings.  —  19  7. 

Cain.  —  Progenitor  of  Grendel  and  other  monsters.  —  2  66;  20  11. 

Daeghrefn.  —  A  warrior  of  the  Hugs,  killed  by  Beowulf.  —  35  40. 

Danes.  —  Subjects  of  Scyld  and  his  descendants,  and  hence  often  called  Scyldings.  Other 
names  for  them  are  Victory-Scyldings,  Honor-Scyldings,  Armor-Danes,  Bright-Danes, 
East-Danes,  West-Danes,  North-Danes,  South-Danes,  Ingwins,  Hrethmen.  —  1  1; 
2  1;  32;  5  14;  7  1,  etc. 

Ecglaf .  —  Father  of  Unferth,  who  taunts  Beowulf.  — -  9  1. 

Ecgtheow.  —  Father  of  Beowulf,  the  hero  of  the  poem.  A  widely-known  Waegmunding 
warrior.  Marries  Hrethel's  daughter.  After  slaying  Heatholaf,  a  Wylfing,  he  flees 
his  country.  —  73;  56;  84. 

Ecgwela.  —  A  king  of  the  Dane*  before  Scyld.  —  25  «0. 


xiv  Glossary  of  Proper  Names. 


Elan.  —  Sister  of  Hrothgar,  and  probably  wife  of  Ongentheow,  king  of  the  Swedes.  —  2  10i 

Eagle  Cape.  —  A  promontory  in  Geat-land,  under  which  took  place  BeowulPs  last  en- 
counter. —  41  87. 

Eadgils.  —  Son  of  Ohthere  and  brother  of  Eanmund.  —  34  2. 

Eanmund.  —  Son  of  Ohthere  and  brother  of  Eadgils.  The  reference  to  these  brothers  is 
vague,  and  variously  understood.  Heyne  supposes  as  follows:  Raising  a  revolt 
against  their  father,  they  are  obliged  to  leave  Sweden.  They  go  to  the  land  of  the 
Geats;  with  what  intention,  is  not  known,  but  probably  to  conquer  and  plunder. 
The  Geatish  king,  Heardred,  is  slain  by  one  of  the  brothers,  probably  Eanmund.  — 
36  10;  31  54  to  31  60;  33  66  to  34  6. 

Bofor.  —  A  Geatish  hero  who  slays  Ongentheow  in  war,  and  is  rewarded  by  Hygelac  with 
the  hand  of  his  only  daughter.  —41  18;  41  48. 

Eormenric.  —  A  Gothic  king,  from  whom  Kama  took  away  the  famous  Brosinga  mene. 
—  199. 

Eomaer.  —  Son  of  Ofia  and  Thrytho,  king  and  queen  of  the  Angles.  —  28  69. 

Finn.  —  King  of  the  North-Frisians  and  the  Jutes.  Marries  Hildeburg.  At  his  court  takes 
place  the  horrible  slaughter  in  which  the  Danish  general,  Hnsef,  fell.  Later  on,  Finn 
himself  is  slain  by  Danish  warriors.  —  17  18;  17  30;  17  44;  18  4;  18  23. 

Fin-land.  —  The  country  to  which  Beowulf  was  driven  by  the  currents  in  his  swimming- 
match.  — 10  22. 

Fitela.  —  Son  and  nephew  of  King  Sigemund,  whose  praises  are  sung  in  XIV.  —  14  42;  14  53. 

Folcwalda.  —  Father  of  Finn.  —  17  38. 

Franks.  —  Introduced  occasionally  in  referring  to  the  death  of  Higelac.  — 19 19;  4021; 
4024. 

Frisians.  —  A  part  of  them  are  ruled  by  Finn.  Some  of  them  were  engaged  in  the  struggle 
in  which  Higelac  was  slain.  —  17  20;  17  42;  17  52;  40  21. 

Freaware.  —  Daughter  of  King  Hrothgar.  Married  to  Ingeld,  a  Heathobard  prince.  — 
2960;  3032. 

Froda.  —  King  of  the  Heathobards,  and  father  of  Ingeld.  —  29  62. 

Garmund.  —  Father  of  Offa.  —  28  71. 

Geats,  Geatmen.  —  The  race  to  which  the  hero  of  the  poem  belongs.  Also  called  Weder- 
Geats,  or  Weders,  War-Geats,  Sea-Geats.  They  are  ruled  by  Hrethel,  Hsethcyn, 
Higelac,  and  Beowulf.— 4  7;  7  4;  10  45;  11  8;  27  14;  28  8.  „ 

Gepids.  — Named  in  connection  with  the  Danes  and  Swedes.  —35  34. 

Grendel.  —  A  monster  of  the  race  of  Cain.  Dwells  in  the  fens  and  moors.  Is  furiously 
envious  when  he  hears  sounds  of  joy  in  Hrothgar's  palace.  Causes  the  king  untold 
agony  for  years.  Is  finally  conquered  by  Beowulf,  and  dies  of  his  wound.  His  hand 
and  arm  are  hung  up  in  Hrothgar's  hall  Heorot.  His  head  is  cut  off  by  Beowulf 
when  he  goes  down  to  fight  with  GrendePs  mother.  —  2  50;  3  1;  3  13;  8  19;  11  17* 
122;  1327;  153. 

Gnthlaf .  —  A  Dane  of  Hnaefs  party.  — 18  24. 

Half-Danes.  —  Branch  of  the  Danes  to  which  Hnaef  belonged.  —  17  19. 


Glossary  of  Proper  Names.  xv 

Halga.  —  Surnamed  the  Good.    Younger  brother  of  Hrothgar.  —  29. 

Hama.  —  Takes  the  Brosinga  mene  from  Eormenric.  — 19  7. 

Haereth.  —  Father  of  Higelac's  queen,  Hygd.  —  28  39;  29  18. 

Hathcyn.  —  Son  of  Hrethel  and  brother  of  Higelac.  Kills  his  brother  Herebeald  acci- 
dentally. Is  slain  at  Ravenswood,  fighting  against  Ongentheow.  —  34  48;  35  28; 
4032. 

Helmings.  — The  race  to  which  Queen  Wealhtheow  belonged.  —  10  63. 

Heming.  —  A  kinsman  of  Garmund,  perhaps  nephew.  —  28  54;  28  70. 

Hengest.  —  A  Danish  leader.    Takes  command  on  the  fall  of  Hnaef. —  17  33;  17  41. 

Herebeald.  —  Eldest  son  of  Hrethel,  the  Geatish  king,  and  brother  of  Higelac.  Killed  by 
his  younger  brother  Haethcyn.  —  34  43;  34  47. 

Heremod.  —  A  Danish  king  of  a  dynasty  before  the  Scylding  line.  Was  a  source  of  great 
sorrow  to  his  people.  — 14  64 ;  25  69. 

Hereric.  —  Referred  to  as  uncle  of  Heardred,  but  otherwise  unknown.  —  31  60. 

Hetwars.  —  Another  name  for  the  Franks.  —  33  51. 

Healf  dene.  —  Grandson  of  Scyld  and  father  of  Hrothgar.     Ruled  the  Danes  long  and  well. 

—  25;  41;  8  14. 

Heardred.  —  Son  of  Higelac  and  Hygd,  king  and  queen  of  the  Geats.     Succeeds  his  father, 

with  Beowulf  as  regent.     Is  slain  by  the  sons  of  Ohthere.  —  31  56;  33  63;  33  75. 
Heathobards.  —  Race  of  Lombards,  of  which  Froda  is  king.     After  Froda  falls  in  battle 

with  the  Danes,  Ingeld,  his  son,  marries  Hrothgar's  daughter,  Freaware,  in  order  to 

heal  the  feud.—  30  1 ;  306. 

Heatholaf.  —A  Wylfing  warrior  slain  by  Beowulf s  father.  — 8  5. 
Heathor ernes.  — The  people  on  whose  shores  Breca  is  cast  by  the  waves  during  his  contest 

with  Beowulf.  —  9  21. 
Heorogar.  —  Elder  brother  of  Hrothgar,  and  surnamed  '  Weoroda  Raeswa,'  Prince  of  the 

Troopers.  —  29;  8  12. 
Hereward.  —  Son  of  the  above.  —31 17. 
Heort,  Heorot.  —  The  great  mead-hall  which  King  ^Hrothgar  builds.     It  is  invaded  by 

Grendel  for  twelve  years.     Finally  cleansed  by  Beowulf,  the  Geat.      It  is  called 

Heort  on  account  of  the  hart-antlers  which  decorate  it.  — 2  25;  3  32;  3  52. 
Hildeburg.  —  Wife  of  Finn,  daughter  of  Hoce,  and  related  to  Hnaef,  —  probably  his  sister. 

—  1721;   1834. 

Hnaef.  —  Leader  of  a  branch  of  the  Danes  called  Half-Danes.     Killed  in  the  struggle  at 

Finn's  castle.  —  17  19;   17  61. 
Hondscio.  —  One  of  Beowulf's  companions.    Killed  by  Grendel  just  before  Beowulf  grappled 

with  that  monster.  —  30  43. 

Hoce.  —  Father  of  Hildeburg  and  probably  of  Hnaef.  — 17  26. 

Hrethel.  —  King  of  the  Geats,  father  of  Higelac,  and  grandfather  of  Beowulf.  —  7  4;  34  39. 
Hrethla.  —  Once  used  for  Hrethel.  —  7  82. 
Hrethmen.  —  Another  name  for  the  Danes.  —  7  73. 
Hrethric.  —  Son  of  Hrothgar.  —  18  65;  27  19. 


xvi  Glossary  of  Proper  Names. 

Hreosna-beorh.  —  A  promontory  in  Geat-land,  near  which  Ohthere's  sons  made  plundering 

raids.  —  35  18. 
Hrothgar.  —  The  Danish  king  who  built  the  hall  Heort,  but  was  long  unable  to  enjoy  it  on 

account  of  Grendel's  persecutions.     Marries  Wealhtheow,  a  Helming  lady.     Has 

two  sons  and  a  daughter.     Is  a  typical  Teutonic  king,  lavish  of  gifts.    A  devoted 

liegelord,  as  his  lamentations  over  slain  liegemen  prove.     Also  very  appreciative  of 

kindness,  as  is  shown  by  his  loving  gratitude  to  Beowulf.  —  29;   2  12;   4  1;  8  10; 

15  1;  etc.,  etc. 

Hrothmund.  —  Son  of  Hrothgar.  —  18  65. 
Hrothulf .  —  Probably  a  son  of  Halga,  younger  brother  of  Hrothgar.     Certainly  on  terms  of 

close  intimacy  in  Hrothgar's  palace.  — 16  26;  18  57. 
Hnmting.  —  Unferth's  sword,  lent  to  Beowulf.  —  22  71;  25  9. 
Hugs.  —  A  race  in  alliance  with  the  Franks  and  Frisians  at  the  time  of  Higelac's  fall.  — 

3541. 
Hun.  —  A  Frisian  warrior,  probably  general  of  the  Hetwars.     Gives  Hengest  a  beautiful 

sword.  — 18  19. 

Hunferth.  —  Sometimes  used  for  Unferth. 
Hygelac,  Higelac.  —  King  of  the  Geats,  uncle  and  liegelord  of  Beowulf,  the  hero  of  the 

poem.  —  His  second  wife  is  the  lovely  Hygd,  daughter  of  Haereth.     The  son  of  their 

union  is  Heardred.     Is  slain  in  a  war  with  the  Hugs,  Franks,  and  Frisians  combined. 

Beowulf  is  regent,  and   afterwards  king  of  the  Geats. —46;    54;    2834;    299; 

2921;  3156. 
Hygd.  —  Wife  of  Higelac,  and  daughter  of  Haereth.    There  are  some  indications  that  she 

married  Beowulf  after  she  became  a  widow.  —  28  37. 
Ingeld.  —  Son  of  the  Heathobard  king,  Froda.     Marries  Hrothgar's  daughter,  Freaware, 

in  order  to  reconcile  the  two  peoples.  —  29  62;  30  32. 
Ing  wins.  — Another  name  for  the  Danes.  —  16  52;  20  69. 
Jutes.  —  Name  sometimes  applied  to  Finn's  people.  —  17  22;   17  38;   18  17. 
Lafing.  —  Name  of  a  famous  sword  presented  to  Hengest  by  Hun.  — 18  19. 
Merewing.  —  A  Frankish  king,  probably  engaged  in  the  war  in  which  Higelac  was  slain. 

—  4029. 

Naegling.  —  Beowulf  s  sword.  —  36  76. 
Offa.  —  King  of  the  Angles,  and  son  of  Garmund.     Marries  the  terrible  Thrytho  who  is  so 

strongly  contrasted  with  Hygd.  —  28  59;  28  66. 
Ohthere.  —  Son  of  Ongentheow,  king  of  the  Swedes.     He  is  father  of  Eanmund   and 

Eadgils.  —  40  35;  4039. 
Onela.  —  Brother  of  Ohthere.  —  36 15 ;  40  39. 
Ongentheow.  —  King  of  Sweden,  of  the  Scylfing  dynasty.    Married,  perhaps,  Elan,  daughter 

of  Healfdene.— 35  26;  41 16. 
Oslaf .  —  A  Dane  of  Hnaf  s  party.  — 18  24. 

Ravenswood.  —  The  forest  near  which  Haethcyn  was  slain.  —40  31;  40  41. 
Scefing. — Applied  (1  4)  to  Scyld,  and  meaning  'son  of  Scef.' 


Glossary  of  Proper  Names.  xvii 

Scyld.  — Founder  of  the  dynasty  to  which  Hrothgar,  his  father,  and  grandfather  belonged. 
He  dies,  and  his  body  is  put  on  a  vessel,  and  set  adrift.  He  goes  from  Dane- 
land  just  as  he  had  come  to  it  —  in  a  bark.  —  1  4;  1  19;  1  27. 

Scyldings.— The  descendants  of  Scyld.  They  are  also  called  Honor-Scyldings,  Victory- 
Scyldings,  War-Scyldings,  etc.  (See  '  Danes,'  above.)  —2  1;  7  1;  8  1. 

Scylfings.  —  A  Swedish  royal  line  to  which  Wiglaf  belonged.  —  36  2. 

Sigemund.  —  Son  of  Wsels,  and  uncle  and  iither  of  Fitela.  His  struggle  with  a  dragon  is 
related  in  connection  with  Beowulf's  deeds  of  prowess.  — 14  38;  14  47. 

Swerting.  —  Grandfather  of  Higelac,  and  father  of  Hrethel.  — 19  11. 

Swedes.  —  People  of  Sweden,  ruled  by  the  Scylfings.  —  35  13. 

Thrytho.  —  Wife  of  Offa,  king  of  the  Angles.  Known  for  her  fierce  and  unwomanly  dispo- 
sition. She  is  introduced  as  a  contrast  to  the  gentle  Hygd,  queen  of  Higelac.  — 
2842;  2856. 

Unferth.  —  Son  of  Ecglaf,  and  seemingly  a  confidential  courtier  of  Hrothgar.  Taunts 
Beowulf  for  having  taken  part  in  the  swimming-match.  Lends  Beowulf  his  sword 
when  he  goes  to  look  for  Grendel's  mother.  In  the  MS.  sometimes  written  Hun- 
ferth.—<)\\  1841. 

Waels.  —  Father  of  Sigemund.  —  14  60. 

Waegmunding.  —  A  name  occasionally  applied  to  Wiglaf  and  Beowulf,  and  perhaps  derived 
from  a  common  ancestor,  Waegmund.  — 36  6;  38  61. 

Weders.  —  Another  name  for  Geats  or  Wedergeats. 

Wayland.  —  A  fabulous  smith  mentioned  in  this  poem  and  in  other  old  Teutonic  literature. 

—  783. 

Wondels.  — The  people  of  Wulfgar,  Hrothgar's  messenger  and  retainer.     (Perhaps  =  Van- 
dals.) —  6  30. 
Wealhtheow. — Wife  of  Hrothgar.     Her  queenly  courtesy  is  well  shown   in  th«  poem. 

—  1055. 

Weohstan,  or  Wihstan.  — A  Waegmunding,  and  father  of  Wiglaf.  —  36  1. 

Whale's  Ness. — A  prominent  promontory,  on  which  BeowulPs  mound  was  built. — 
38  62;  42  78. 

Wiglaf.  —  Son  of  Wihstan,  and  related  to  Beowulf.  He  remains  faithful  to  Beowulf  in  the 
fatal  struggle  with  the  fire-drake.  Would  rather  die  than  leave  his  lord  in  his  dire 
emergency.  — 36  1;  36  3;  36  28. 

Wonred.  —  Father  of  Wulf  and  Eofor.— 41  20;  41  26. 

Wulf.  —  Son  of  Wonred.  Engaged  in  the  battle  between  Higelac's  and  Ongentheow's 
forces,  and  had  a  hand-to-hand  fight  with  Ongentheow  himself.  Ongentheow  dis- 
ables him,  and  is  thereupon  skin  by  Eofor. — 41  19;  41  29. 

Wulfgar.  —  Lord  of  the  Wendels,  and  retainer  of  Hrothgar.  —  6  18;  6  30. 

Wylfings.  —  A  people  to  whom  belonged  Heatholaf,  who  was  slain  by  Ecgtheow.  —  86;  8 16. 

Yrmenlaf. — Younger  brother  of  ^Eschere,  the  hero  whose  death  grieved  Hrothgar  so 
deeply.— 214. 


LIST   OF  WORDS   AND    PHRASES 

NOT  IN  GENERAL  USE. 


ATHELING.  —  Prince,  nobleman. 

BAIRN.  —  Son,  child. 

BARROW.  —  Mound,  rounded  hill,  funeral- 
mound. 

BATTLE-SARK.  —  Armor. 

BEAKER.  —  Cup,  drinking-vessel. 

BEGEAR.  —  Prepare. 

BIGHT.  —  Bay,  sea. 

BILL. —  Sword. 

Boss.  —  Ornamental  projection. 

BRACTEATE.  —  A  round  ornament  on  a  neck- 
lace. 

BRAND.  —  Sword. 

BURN.  —  Stream. 

BURNIE.  —  Armor. 

CARLE.  —  Man,  hero. 

EARL.  —  Nobleman,  any  brave  man. 

EKE.  —  Also. 

EMPRISE.  —  Enterprise,  undertaking. 

ERST.  —  Formerly. 

ERST-WORTHY. — Worthy  for  a  long  time 
past. 

FAIN.  —  Glad. 

FERRY.  —  Bear,  carry. 

FEY.  —  Fated,  doomed. 

FLOAT.  —  Vessel,  ship. 

FOIN.— To  lunge  (Shaks.). 

GLORY  OF  KINGS.  —  God. 

GREWSOME.  —  Cruel,  fierce. 

HEFT.  —  Handle,  hilt;  used  by  synecdoche 
for  *  sword.' 

HELM.  —  Helmet,  protector. 

HENCHMAN.  —  Retainer,  vassal. 

HIGHT.  —  Am  (was)  named. 

HOLM.  —  Ocean,  curved  surface  of  the  sea. 
xviii 


HIMSEEMED.  —  (It)  seemed  to  him. 

LIEF.  —  Dear,  valued. 

MERE.  —  Sea;  in  compounds,  'mere- ways,1 

'  mere-currents,'  etc. 
MICKLE.  —  Much. 
NATHLESS.  —  Nevertheless. 
NAZE.  —  Edge  (nose). 
NESS.  —  Edge. 
NICKER.  —  Sea-beast. 
QUIT,  QUITE.  —  Requite. 
RATHE.  —  Quickly. 
REAVE.  —  Bereave,  deprive. 
SAIL-ROAD. —  Sea. 
SETTLE.  —  Seat,  bench. 
SKINKER.  —  One  who  pours. 
SOOTHLY.  —  Truly. 
SWINGE.  — Stroke,  blow. 
TARGE,  TARGET.  —  Shield. 
THROUGHLY.  —  Thoroughly. 
TOLD.  —  Counted. 
UNCANNY.  —  Ill-featured,  grizzly. 
UNNETHE.  —  Difficult. 
WAR-SPEED.  —  Success  in  war. 
WEB.  —  Tapestry  (that  which  is  '  woven '). 
WEEDED.  —  Clad  (cf.  widow's  weeds). 
WEEN. — Suppose,  imagine. 
WEIRD.  —  Fate,  Providence. 
WHILOM.  —  At  times,  formerly,  often. 
WIELDER.  —  Ruler.     Often    used   of    God, 

also  in  compounds,  as  '  Wielder  of  Glory,* 

'  Wielder  of  Worship.' 
WIGHT.  — Creature. 
WOLD.  —  Plane,  extended  surface. 
WOT.  —  Knows. 
YOUNKER.  —  Youth. 


BEOWULF. 


i. 

THE  LIFE  AND   DEATH  OF  SCYLD. 

Lo  !  the  Spear-Danes'  glory  through  splendid  achievements 
The  folk-kings'  former  fame  we  have  heard  of, 
How  princes  displayed  then  their  prowess-in-battle. 
Oft  Scyld  the  Scefing  from  scathers  in  numbers 
5    From  many  a  people  their  mead-benches  tore. 
Since  first  he  found  him  friendless  and  wretched, 
The  earl  had  had  terror :  comfort  he  got  for  it, 
Waxed  'neath  the  welkin,  world-honor  gained, 
Till  all  his  neighbors  o'er  sea  were  compelled  to 

10    Bow  to  his  bidding  and  bring  him  their  tribute  : 
An  excellent  atheling  !     After  was  borne  him 
A  son  and  heir,  young  in  his  dwelling, 
Whom  God- Father  sent  to  solace  the  people. 
He  had  marked  the  misery  malice  had  caused  them, 

15    l  That  reaved  of  their  rulers  they  wretched  had  erstwhile 2 
Long  been  afflicted.     The  Lord,  in  requital, 
Wielder  of  Glory,  with  world-honor  blessed  him. 
Famed  was  Beowulf,  far  spread  the  glory 
Of  Scyld's  great  son  in  the  lands  of  the  Danemen. 

1  For  the  'baet'  of  verse  15,  Sievers  suggests  *ba'  (=  which).     If  this  be 
accepted,  the  sentence  '  He  had  .  .  .  afflicted '  will  read :  He  (i.e.  God)  had 
perceived  the  malice-caused  sorrow  which  they,  lordless,  had  formerly  long 
endured. 

2  For  '  aider-lease  '  (15)  Gr.  suggested  '  aldor-ceare  ' :  He  perceived  their 
distress,  that  they  formerly  had  suffered  life-sorrow  a  long  while. 

I 


The  famous  race  of 
Spear-Danes. 


Scyld,  their  mighty 
king,  in  honor  of 
whom  they  are 
often  called  Scyld- 
ings.     He  is  the 
great-grandfather 
of  Hrothgar,  so 
prominent  in  the 
poem. 


A  son  is  born  to 
him,  who  receives 
the  name  of 
Beowulf —  a  name 
afterwards  made  so 
famous  by  the  hero 
of  the  poem. 


The  ideal  Teutonic 
king  lavishes  gifts 
on  his  vassals. 


Scyld  dies  at  the 
hour  appointed  by 
Fate. 


By  his  own  re- 
quest, his  body  is 
laid  on  a  vessel 
and  wafted  sea- 
ward. 


He  leaves  Dane- 
land  on  the  breast 
of  a  bark. 


Beowulf. 

So  the  carle  that  is  young,  by  kindnesses  rendered 
The  friends  of  his  father,  with  fees  in  abundance 
Must  be  able  to  earn  that  when  age  approacheth 
Eager  companions  aid  him  requitingly, 
When  war  assaults  him  serve  him  as  liegemen  : 

25    By  praise-worthy  actions  must  honor  be  got 

'Mong  all  of  the  races.     At  the  hour  that  was  fated 
Scyld  then  departed  to  the  All- Father's  keeping 
Warlike  to  wend  him ;  away  then  they  bare  him 
To  the  flood  of  the  current,  his  fond-loving  comrades, 

30    As  himself  he  had  bidden,  while  the  friend  of  the  Scyldings 
Word-sway  wielded,  and  the  well-loved  land-prince 
Long  did  rule  them.1     The  ring-stemmed  vessel, 
Bark  of  the  atheling,  lay  there  at  anchor, 
Icy  in  glimmer  and  eager  for  sailing ; 

35    The  beloved  leader  laid  they  down  there, 
Giver  of  rings,  on  the  breast  of  the  vessel, 
The  famed  by  the  mainmast.     A  many  of  jewels, 
Of  fretted  embossings,  from  far-lands  brought  over, 
Was  placed  near  at  hand  then ;  and  heard  I  not  ever 

40    That  a  folk  ever  furnished  a  float  more  superbly 
With  weapons  of  warfare,  weeds  for  the  battle, 
Bills  and  burnies ;  on  his  bosom  sparkled 
Many  a  jewel  that  with  him  must  travel 
On  the  flush  of  the  flood  afar  on  the  current. 

45    And  favors  no  fewer  they  furnished  him  soothly, 
Excellent  folk-gems,  than  others  had  given  him 
Who  when  first  he  was  born  outward  did  send  him 
Lone  on  the  main,  the  merest  of  infants  : 
And  a  gold- fashioned  standard  they  stretched  under  heaven 


1  A  very  difficult  passage.  'Ahte'  (31)  has  no  object.  H.  supplies  *ge- 
weald'  from  the  context;  and  our  translation  is  based  upon  this  assumption, 
though  it  is  far  from  satisfactory.  Kl.  suggests  '  laendagas '  for  « lange ' :  And 
the  beloved  land-prince  enjoyed  (had}  his  transitory  days  (i.e.  lived).  B.  sug- 
gests a  dislocation;  but  this  is  a  dangerous  doctrine,  pushed  rather  far  by  that 
eminent  scholar. 


Beowulf. 


5«    High  o'er  his  head,  let  the  holm-currents  bear  him, 
Seaward  consigned  him  :  sad  was  their  spirit, 
Their  mood  very  mournful.     Men  are  not  able 
Soothly  to  tell  us,  they  in  halls  who  reside,1 
Heroes  under  heaven,  to  what  haven  he  hied. 


No  one  knows 
whither  the  boat 


II. 


SCYLD'S  SUCCESSORS.  —  HROTHGAR'S  GREAT  MEAD-HALL. 

In  the  boroughs  then  Beowulf,  bairn  of  the  Scyldings, 

Beloved  land-prince,  for  long-lasting  season 

Was  famed  mid  the  folk  (his  father  departed, 

The  prince  from  his  dwelling),  till  afterward  sprang 
5     Great-minded  Healfdene  ;  the  Danes  in  his  lifetime 

He  graciously  governed,  grim-mooded,  aged. 

Four  bairns  of  his  body  born  in  succession 

Woke  in  the  world,  war-troopers'  leader 

Heorogar,  Hrothgar,  and  Halga  the  good ; 
10    Heard  I  that  Elan  was  Ongentheow's  consort, 

The  well-beloved  bedmate  of  the  War-Scylfing  leader. 

Then  glory  in  battle  to  Hrothgar  was  given, 

Waxing  of  war-fame,  that  willingly  kinsmen 

Obeyed  his  bidding,  till  the  boys  grew  to  manhood, 
15    A  numerous  band.   \It  burned  in  his  spirit 

To  urge  his  folk  to,  found  a  great  building, 

A  mead-hall  grander  than  men  of  the  era 

Ever  had  heard  of,  and  in  it  to  share 

With  young  and  old  all  of  the  blessings 
20   The  Lord  had  allowed  him,  save  life  and  retainers. 

Then  the  work  I  find  afar  was  assigned 

1  The  reading  of  the  H.-So.  text  has  been  quite  closely  followed ;  but  some 
eminent  scholars  read  '  sele-raedenne  '  for  '  sele-wedende.'  If  that  be  adopted, 
the  passage  will  read :  Men  cannot  tell  us,  indeed,  the  order  of  Fate,  etc. 
' Sele-raedende '  has  two  things  to  support  it:  (i)  v.  1347;  (2)  it  affords  a 
parallel  to  '  men  '  in  v.  50. 


Beowulf  succeeds 
his  father  Scy Id. 


Healfdene's  birth. 


He  has  three  sons 
—  one  of  them, 
Hrothgar  —  and  a 
daughter  named 
Elan.     Hrothgar 
becomes  a  mighty 
king. 


He  is  eager  to 
build  a  great  hall 
in  which  he  may 
feast  his  retainers 


Beowulf. 


The  hall  is  com- 
pleted, and  is 
called  Heort,  or 
Heorot. 


The  monster  Gren- 
del  is  madly  en- 
vious of  the  Dane- 
men's  joy.  35 


[The  course  of  the 
story  is  interrupted 
by  a  short  refer- 
ence to  some  old      40 
account  of  the 
creation.]  X 


The  glee  of  the 
warriors  is  over- 
cast by  a  horrible 
dread. 


To  many  races  in  middle-earth's  regions, 

To  adorn  the  great  folk-hall.     In  due  time  it  happened 

Early  'mong  men,  that  'twas  finished  entirely, 
25    The  greatest  of  hall-buildings  ;  Heorot  he  named  it  ^ 

Who  wide-reaching  word-sway  wielded  'mong  earlmen. 

His  promise  he  brake  not,  rings  he  lavished, 

Treasure  at  banquet.     Towered  the  hall  up 

High  and  horn-crested,  huge  between  antlers : 
30    It  battle-waves  bided,  the  blasting  fire-demon ; 

Ere  long  then  from  hottest  hatred  must  sword-wrath 

Arise  for  a  woman's  husband  and  father. 

Then  the  mighty  war-spirit !  endured  for  a  season, 

Bore  it  bitterly,  he  who  bided  in  darkness, 

That  light-hearted  laughter  loud  in  the  building 

Greeted  him  daily ;  there  was  dulcet  harp-music, 

Clear  song  of  the  singer.     He  said  that  was  able 

To  tell  from  of  old  earthmen's  beginnings, 

That  Father  Almighty  earth  had  created, 

The  winsome  wold  that  the  water  encircleth, 

Set  exultingly  the  sun's  and  the  moon's  beams 

To  lavish  their  lustre  on  land-folk  and  races, 

And  earth  He  embellished  in  all  her  regions 

With  limbs  and  leaves ;  life  He  bestowed  too 
45    On  all  the  kindreds  that  live  under  heaven. 

So  blessed  with  abundance,  brimming  with  joyance, 

The  warriors  abided,  till  a  certain  one  gan  to 

Dog  them  with  deeds  of  direfullest  malice, 

A  foe  in  the  hall-building :  this  horrible  stranger 2 
50    Was  Grendel  entitled,  the  march-stepper  famous 

Who 3  dwelt  in  the  moor-fens,  the  marsh  and  the  fastness ; 

The  wan-mooded  being  abode  for  a  season 

1  R.  and  t.  B.  prefer  '  ellor-gsest '  to  'ellen-gaest'  (86)  :    Then  ike  stranger 
from  afar  endured,  etc. 

2  Some  authorities  would  translate  4  demon1  instead  of '  stranger.' 

*  Some  authorities  arrange  differently,  and  render :    Who  dwelt  in  the  moor» 
fens,  the  marsh  and  the  fastness,  the  land  of  the  giant-race. 


Beowulf.  5 

In  the  land  of  the  giants,  when  the  Lord  and  Creator 
Had  banned  him  and  branded.     For  that  bitter  murder, 

55    The  killing  of  Abel,  all-ruling  Father 

The  kindred  of  Cain  crushed  with  His  vengeance  ;  Cain  is  referred  to 

In  the  feud  He  rejoiced  not,  but  far  away  drove  him  GrTnddflnd^f0 

From  kindred  and  kind,  that  crime  to  atone  for,  monsters  in  gen- 

Meter  of  Justice.    Thence  ill-favored  creatures, 

60    Elves  and  giants,  monsters  of  ocean, 

Came  into  being,  and  the  giants  that  longtime 
Grappled  with  God ;  He  gave  them  requital. 


III. 
GRENDEL  THE  MURDERER. 

When  the  sun  was  sunken,  he  set  out  to  visit  Gremki  attacks  the 

The  lofty  hall-building,  how  the  Ring-Danes  had  used  h  8leeping  heroes< 

For  beds  and  benches  when  the  banquet  was  over. 

Then  he  found  there  reposing  many  a  noble 
5    Asleep  after  supper ;  sorrow  the  heroes,1 

Misery  knew  not.    The  monster  of  evil 

Greedy  and  cruel  tarried  but  little, 

Fell  and  frantic,  and  forced  from  their  slumbers  He  drags  off  thirty 

Thirty  of  thanemen ;  thence  he  departed  ££T3£?  ^ 

10    Leaping  and  laughing,  his  lair  to  return  to, 

With  surfeit  of  slaughter  sallying  homeward. 

In  the  dusk  of  the  dawning,  as  the  day  was  just  breaking, 

Was  Grendel's  prowess  revealed  to  the  warriors  : 

Then,  his  meal-taking  finished,  a  moan  was  uplifted,  A  cry  of  agony 

15    Morning-cry  mighty.    The  man-ruler  famous,  ^idTtolribie 

The  long- worthy  atheling,  sat  very  woful,  deed  is  fully  real. 

Suffered  great  sorrow,  sighed  for  his  liegemen, 

1  The  translation  is  based  on  'weras,'  adopted  by  H.-So.  —  K.  and  Th. 
read  '  wera '  and,  arranging  differently,  render  119(2) -120:  They  knew  not 
.arrow,  the  -wretchedness  of  man,  aught  of  misfortune.  —  For  '  unhoelo '  (120) 
R.  suggests  « unfaelo.' :  The  uncanny  creature,  greedy  andcrue^  etc. 


Beowulf. 


The  monster  re- 
turns the  next 
night. 


King  Hrothgar's 
agony  and  sus- 
pense last  twelve 
years. 


When  they  had  seen  the  track  of  the  hateful  pursuer, 

The  spirit  accursed  :  too  crushing  that  sorrow, 
ao   Too  loathsome  and  lasting.     Not  longer  he  tarried, 

But  one  night  after  continued  his  slaughter 

Shameless  and  shocking,  shrinking  but  little 

From  malice  and  murder ;  they  mastered  him  fully. 

He  was  easy  to  find  then  who  otherwhere  looked  for 
25    A  pleasanter  place  of  repose  in  the  lodges, 

A  bed  in  the  bowers.     Then  was  brought  to  his  notice 

Told  him  truly  by  token  apparent 

The  hall-thane's  hatred  :  he  held  himself  after 

Further  and  faster  who  the  foeman  did  baffle. 
30   1  So  ruled  he  and  strongly  strove  against  justice 

Lone  against  all  men,  till  empty  uptowered 

The  choicest  of  houses.     Long  was  the  season : 

Twelve-winters'  time  torture  suffered 

The  friend  of  the  Scyldings,  every  affliction, 
35    Endless  agony ;  hence  it  after 2  became 

Certainly  known  to  the  children  of  men 

Sadly  in  measures,  that  long  against  Hrothgar 

Grendel  struggled  :  —  his  grudges  he  cherished, 

Murderous  malice,  many  a  winter, 
40   Strife  unremitting,  and  peacefully  wished  he 

3  Life-woe  to  lift  from  no  liegeman  at  all  of 

The  men  of  the  Dane- folk,  for  money  to  settle,     / 

No  counsellor  needed  count  for  a  moment 

1  S.  rearranges  and  translates :  So  he  ruled  and  struggled  unjustly,  one  against 
all,  till  the  noblest  of  buildings  stood  useless  {it  was  a  long  while}  twelve  years' 
time  :  the  friend  of  the  Scyldings  suffered  distress,  every  woe,  great  sorrows,  etc. 

2  For  '  sySftan,'  B.  suggests  '  sarcwidum ' :  Hence  in  mournful  words  it  be- 
came well  known,  etc.      Various  other  words  beginning  with  4s'  have  been 
conjectured. 

8  The  H.-So.  glossary  is  very  inconsistent  in  referring  to  this  passage.— 
'Sibbe'  (154),  which  H.-So.  regards  as  an  instr.,  B.  takes  as  accus.,  obj.  of 
'wolde.'  Putting  a  comma  after  Deniga,  he  renders:  He  did  not  desire 
peace  with  any  of  the  Danes,  nor  did  he  wish  to  remove  their  life-woe,  nor  to 
uttlefor  money. 


Beowulf.  7 

On  handsome  amends  at  the  hands  of  the  murderer ; 
45    The  monster  of  evil  fiercely  did  harass,  Grendei  u  unre- 

The  ill-planning  death-shade,  both  elder  and  younger, 

Trapping  and  tricking  them.     He  trod  every  night  then 

The  mist-covered  moor-fens ;  men  do  not  know  where 

Witches  and  wizards  wander  and  ramble. 

So  the  foe  of  mankind  many  of  evils 

Grievous  injuries,  often  accomplished, 

Horrible  hermit ;  Heort  he  frequented, 

Gem-bedecked  palace,  when  night-shades  had  fallen 

(Since  God  did  oppose  him,  not  the  throne  could  he  touch,1     God  »  a**"1"  th« 
55    The  light- flashing  jewel,  love  of  Him  knew  not). 

'Twas  a  fearful  affliction  to  the  friend  of  the  Scyldings 

Soul-crushing  sorrow.     Not  seldom  in  private  The  king  and  his 

Sat  the  king  in  his  council ;  conference  held  they  council  deliberate 


in  vain. 


What  the  braves  should  determine  'gainst  terrors  unlooked  for. 
k>    At  the  shrines  of  their  idols  often  they  promised  ™ev  inv°kc  th« 

Gifts  and  offerings,  earnestly  prayed  they 

The  devil  from  hell  would  help  them  to  lighten 

Their  people's  oppression.     Such  practice  they  used  then, 

Hope  of  the  heathen  ;  hell  they  remembered 
6$    In  innermost  spirit,  God  they  knew  not, 

Judge  of  their  actions,  All-wielding  Ruler,  TI»«  *™e  God  they 

No  praise  could  they  give  the  Guardian  of  Heaven, 

The  Wielder  of  Glory.     Woe  will  be  his  who 

Through  furious  hatred  his  spirit  shall  drive  to 
70   The  clutch  of  the  fire,  no  comfort  shall  look  for, 

Wax  no  wiser ;  well  for  the  man  who, 

Living  his  life-days,  his  Lord  may  face 

And  find  defence  in  his  Father's  embrace  ! 

1  Of  this  difficult  passage  the  following  interpretations  among  others  are 
given :  (i)  Though  Grendei  has  frequented  Heorot  as  a  demon,  he  could  not 
become  ruler  of  the  Danes,  on  account  of  his  hostility  to  God.  (2)  Hrothgar 
was  much  grieved  that  Grendei  had  not  appeared  before  his  throne  to  receive 
presents.  (3)  He  was  not  permitted  to  devastate  the  hall,  on  account  of  the 
Creator;  i.e.  God  wished  to  make  his  visit  fatal  to  him.  — Ne  .  .  .  wisse  (169) 
W.  renders :  Nor  had  he  any  desire  to  do  so  ;  '  his '  being  obj.  gen.  =  danach. 


8 


Beowulf. 


Hrothgar  sees  no 
way  of  escape  from 
the  persecutions  of 
Grendel. 


Beowulf,  the  Geat, 
hero  of  the  poem, 
hears  of  Hrothgar's 
sorrow,  and  re- 
solves to  go  to  his 
assistance. 


With  fourteen  care- 
fully chosen  com- 
panions, he  sets  out 
for  Dane-land. 


IV. 
BEOWULF  GOES  TO  HROTHGAR'S  ASSISTANCE. 

So  Healfdene's  kinsman  constantly  mused  on 
'His  long-lasting  sorrow ;  the  battle-thane  clever 
Was  not  anywise  able  evils  to  'scape  from : 
Too  crushing  the  sorrow  that  came  to  the  people, 
Loathsome  and  lasting  the  life-grinding  torture, 
Greatest  of  night-woes.     So  Higelac's  liegeman, 
Good  amid  Geatmen,  of  Grendel' s  achievements 
Heard  in  his  home  : 1  of  heroes  then  living 
He  was  stoutest  and  strongest,  sturdy  and  noble. 

10    He  bade  them  prepare  him  a  bark  that  was  trusty ; 
He  said  he  the  war-king  would  seek  o'er  the  ocean, 
The  folk-leader  noble,  since  he  needed  retainers. 
For  the  perilous  project  prudent  companions 
Chided  him  little,  though  loving  him  dearly ; 

15    They  egged  the  brave  atheling,  augured  him  glory. 
The  excellent  knight  from  the  folk  of  the  Geatmen 
Had  liegemen  selected,  likest  to  prove  them 
Trustworthy  warriors ;  with  fourteen  companions 
The  vessel  he  looked  for ;  a  liegeman  then  showed  them, 

20    A  sea-crafty  man,  the  bounds  of  the  country. 
Fast  the  days  fleeted  ;  the  float  was  a-water, 
The  craft  by  the  cliff.     Clomb  to  the  prow  then 
Well-equipped  warriors  :  the  wave-currents  twisted 
The  sea  on  the  sand ;  soldiers  then  carried 

25    On  the  breast  of  the  vessel  bright-shining  jewels, 
Handsome  war-armor ;  heroes  outshoved  then, 
Warmen  the  wood-ship,  on  its  wished-for  adventure. 

1  'From  ham'  (194)  is  much  disputed.  One  rendering  is:  Beowulf,  being 
away  from  home,  heard  of  Hrothgar's  troubles,  etc.  Another,  that  adopted  by 
S.  and  endorsed  in  the  H.-So.  notes,  is :  B.  heard  from  his  neighborhood  (neigh- 
bors), i.e.  in  his  home,  etc.  A  third  is:  B.,  being  at  home,  heard  this  as 
occurring  away  from  home.  The  H.-So.  glossary  and  notes  conflict. 


Beowulf. 


The  foamy-necked  floater  fanned  by  the  breeze, 
Likest  a  bird,  glided  the  waters, 

30    Till  twenty  and  four  hours  thereafter 

The  twist-stemmed  vessel  had  traveled  such  distance 
That  the  sailing-men  saw  the  sloping  embankments, 
The  sea-cliffs  gleaming,  precipitous  mountains, 
Nesses  enormous  :  they  were  nearing  the  limits 

35    At  the  end  of  the  ocean.1     Up  thence  quickly 
The  men  of  the  Weders  clomb  to  the  mainland, 
Fastened  their  vessel  (battle-weeds  rattled, 
War-burnies  clattered)  ;  the  Wielder  they  thanked 
That  the  ways  o'er  the  waters  had  waxen  so  gentle. 

40   Then  well  from  the  cliff-edge  the  guard  of  the  Scyldings 
Who  the  sea-cliffs  should  see  to,  saw  o'er  the  gangway 
Brave  ones  bearing  beauteous  targets, 
Armor  all  ready ;  anxiously  thought  he, 
Musing  and  wondering  what  men  were  approaching. 

45    High  on  his  horse  then  Hrothgar's  retainer 
Turned  him  to  coastward,  mightily  brandished 
His  lance  in  his  hands,  questioned  with  boldness : 
"  Who  are  ye  men  here,  mail-covered  warriors 
Clad  in  your  corslets,  come  thus  a-driving 

50    A  high-riding  ship  o'er  the  shoals  of  the  waters, 

'And  hither  'neath  helmets  have  hied  o'er  the  ocean? 

1  'Eoletes'  (224)  is  marked  with  a  (?)  by  H.-So.:  our  rendering  simply 
follows  his  conjecture. — Other  conjectures  as  to  'eolet*  are:  (i)  voyage; 
(2)  toil,  labor ;  (3)  hasty  journey. 

a  The  lacuna  of  the  MS.  at  this  point  has  been  supplied  by  various  conjec- 
tures. The  reading  adopted  by  H.So.  has  been  rendered  in  the  above  translation. 
W.,  like  H.-So.  makes  '  ic '  the  beginning  of  a  new  sentence ;  but,  for  '  helmas 
baeron,'  he  reads  '  hringed-stefnan.'  This  has  the  advantage  of  giving  a 
parallel  to  'brontne  ceol*  instead  of  a  kenning  for  'go.'  —  B.  puts  the  (?) 
after  '  holmas,'  and  begins  a  new  sentence  at  the  middle  of  the  line.  Trans- 
late :  What  warriors  are  ye,  clad  in  armor,  who  have  thus  come  bringing  the 
foaming  vessel  over  the  water-way,  hither  over  the  seas  ?  For  some  time  on 
the  wall  I  have  been  coast-guard,  etc.  S.  endorses  most  of  what  B.  says,  but 
leaves  out  on  the  wall'  in  the  last  sentence.  If  W.'s  'hringed-stefnan'  be 
accepted,  change  line  51  above  to,  A  ring-stemmed  vessel  hither  oversea? 


The  vessel  sails 
like  a  bird. 

In  twenty-four 
hours  they  reach 
the  shores  of 
Hrothgar's  domin. 
ions. 


They  are  hailed  by 
the  Danish  coast- 
guard. 


His  challenge. 


io  Beowulf. 

I  have  been  strand-guard,  standing  as  warden, 
Lest  enemies  ever  anywise  ravage 
Danish  dominions  with  army  of  war-ships. 

55    More  boldly  never  have  warriors  ventured 
Hither  to  come ;  of  kinsmen's  approval, 
Word-leave  of  warriors,  I  ween  that  ye  surely 
He  is  struck  by  Nothing  have  known.     Never  a  greater  one 

Of  earls  o'er  the  earth  have  /  had  a  sight  of 

60    Than  is  one  of  your  number,  a  hero  in  armor ; 
No  low-ranking  fellow 1  adorned  with  his  weapons, 
But  launching  them  little,  unless  looks  are  deceiving, 
And  striking  appearance.     Ere  ye  pass  on  your  journey 
As  treacherous  spies  to  the  land  of  the  Scyldings 

65    And  farther  fare,  I  fully  must  know  now 

What  race  ye  belong  to.     Ye  far-away  dwellers, 
Sea-faring  sailors,  my  simple  opinion 
Hear  ye  and  hearken  :  haste  is  most  fitting 
Plainly  to  tell  me  what  place  ye  are  come  from." 


V. 

THE  GEATS  REACH   HEOROT. 

.-$4 

Beowulf  courte-    ,       The  chief  of  the  strangers  rendered  him  answer, 
War-troopers'  leader,  and  word-treasure  opened  : 

We  are  Geats.  "  We  are  sprung  from  the  lineage  of  the  people  of  Geatland, 

And  Higelac's  hearth-friends.    To  heroes  unnumbered 

My  father  Ecg-       5    My  father  was  known,  a  noble  head- warrior 
Ecgtheow  titled  ;  many  a  winter 
He  lived  with  the  people,  ere  he  passed  on  his  journey, 
Old  from  his  dwelling ;  each  of  the  counsellors 
Widely  mid  world-folk  well  remembers  him. 

Our  intentions       Io   \ye  kindly  of  spirit,  the  lord  of  thy  people, 

towards  King  '  . 

Hrothgarareofthe       The  son  of  King  Healfdenc,  have  come  here  to  visit, 

i  t     »      , 

1  '  Seld-guma '  (249)  is  variously  rendered :  (i)  housecarle;  (2)  home-stayer, 
(3)  common  man.    Dr.  H.  Wood  suggests  a  man-at-arms  in  another's  house- 


Beowulf. 

Folk-troop's  defender  :  be  free  in  thy  counsels  ! 
To  the  noble  one  bear  we  a  weighty  commission, 
The  helm  of  the  Danemen ;  we  shall  hide,  I  ween, 

«5    Naught  of  our  message.     Thou  know'st  if  it  happen, 
As  we  soothly  heard  say,  that  some  savage  despoiler, 
Some  hidden  pursuer,  on  nights  that  are  murky 
By  deeds  very  direful  'mid  the  Danemen  exhibits 
Hatred  unheard  of,  horrid  destruction 

ao   And  the  falling  of  dead.     From  feelings  least  selfish 
I  am  able  to  render  counsel  to  Hrothgar, 
How  he,  wise  and  worthy,  may  worst  the  destroyer, 
If  the  anguish  of  sorrow  should  ever  be  lessened,1 
Comfort  come  to  Jiim,  and  care-waves  grow  cooler, 

25    Or  ever  hereafter  he  agony  suffer 

And  troublous  distress,  while  towereth  upward 
The  handsomest  of  houses  high  on  the  summit." 
Bestriding  his  stallion,  the  strand-watchman  answered, 
The  doughty  retainer  :  "  The  difference  surely 

30    Twixt  words  and  works,  the  warlike  shield-bearer 
Who  judgeth  wisely  well  shall  determine. 
This  band,  I  hear,  beareth  no  malice 
To  the  prince  of  the  Scyldings.     Pass  ye  then  onward 
With  weapons  and  armor.     I  shall  lead  you  in  person ; 

35    To  my  war- trusty  vassals  command  I  shall  issue 
To  keep  from  all  injury  your  excellent  vessel, 
Your  fresh-tarred  craft,  'gainst  every  opposer 
Close  by  the  sea-shore,  till  the  curved-necked  bark  shall 
Waft  back  again  the  well-beloved  hero 

40    O'er  the  way  of  the  water  to  Weder  dominions. 
To  warrior  so  great  'twill  be  granted  sure 
In  the  storm  of  strife  to  stand  secure." 
Onward  they  fared  then  (the  vessel  lay  quiet, 
The  broad-bosomed  bark  was  bound  by  its  cable, 

1  'Edwendan'  (280)  B.  takes  to  be  the  subs,  'edwenden1  (cf.  1775);  and 
'bisigu'  he  takes  as  gen.  sing.,  limiting  'edwenden':  If  reparation  for 
torrows  is  ever  to  come.  This  is  supported  by  t.  B. 


II 


Is  it  true  that  a 
monster  is  slaying 
Danish  heroes? 


I  can  help  your 
king  to  free  himself 
from  this  horrible 
creature. 


The  coast-guard 
reminds  Beowulf 
that  it  is  easier  to 
say  than  to  do* 


I  am  satisfied  of 
your  good  inten- 
tions, and  shall  lead 
you  to  the  palace. 
Your  boat  shall  be 
well  cared  for  dur- 
ing your  stay  here. 


He  again  compli- 
ments Beowulf. 


12 


Beowulf. 


45 


The  land  is  per- 
haps rolling. 

Heorot  flashes  on 
their  view. 


5° 


55 


~f$£  coast-gvard, 

having  discharged 
tiis  duty,  bills  them 
Sod-sp«ed.  60 


Firmly  at  anchor)  ;  the  boar-signs  glistened1 

Bright  on  the  visors  vivid  with  gilding, 

Blaze-hardened,  brilliant ;  the  boar  acted  warden. 

The  heroes  hastened,  hurried  the  liegemen, 

Descended  together,  till  they  saw  the  great  palace, 

The  well- fashioned  wassail-hall  wondrous  and  gleaming : 

'Mid  world-folk  and  kindreds  that  was  widest  reputed 

Of  halls  under  heaven  which  the  hero  abode  in ; 

Its  lustre  enlightened  lands  without  number. 

Then  the  battle-brave  hero  showed  them  the  glittering 

Court  of  the  bold  ones,  that  they  easily  thither 

Might  fare  on  their  journey ;  the  aforementioned  warrior 

Turning  his  courser,  quoth  as  he  left  them : 

"  Tis  time  I  were  faring ;  Father  Almighty 

Grant  you  His  grace,  and  give  you  to  journey 

Safe  on  your  mission  !     To  the  sea  I  will  get  me 

'Gainst  hostile  warriors  as  warden  to  stand." 


They  set  their 
arms  and  armor 
against  the  wall. 


VI. 

BEOWULF  INTRODUCES  HIMSELF  AT  THE   PALACE. 

The  highway  glistened  with  many-hued  pebble, 
A  by-path  led  the  liegemen  together. 
2  Firm  and  hand-locked  the  war-burnie  glistened, 
The  ring-sword  radiant  rang  'mid  the  armor 
5    As  the  party  was  approaching  the  palace  together 

In  warlike  equipments.     'Gainst  the  wall  of  the  building 
Their  wide-fashioned  war-shields  they  weary  did  set  then, 

1  Combining  the  emendations  of  B.  and  t.  B.,  we  may  read :    The  boar- 
images  glistened .  .  .  brilliant,  protected  the  life  of  the  war-mooded  man.     They 
read  ' ferh-wearde '  (305)  and  'guSmddgum  men'  (306). 

2  Instead  of  the  punctuation  given  by  H.-So.,  S.  proposed  to  insert  a  comma 
after  'scir'  (322),  and  to  take  ' hring-i'ren '  as  meaning  'ring-mail'  and  as 
parallel  with  ' gu$-byrne.'     The  passage  would  then  read:    The  firm  and 
hand-locked  war-burnie  shone,  bright  ring-mail,  rang  'mid  the  armor,  etc. 


Beowulf. 


10 


'5 


Battle-shields  sturdy ;  benchward  they  turned  then ; 

Their  battle-sarks  rattled,  the  gear  of  the  heroes ; 

The  lances  stood  up  then,  all  in  a  cluster, 

The  arms  of  the  seamen,  ashen-shafts  mounted 

With  edges  of  iron :  the  armor-clad  troopers 

Were  decked  with  weapons.     Then  a  proud-mooded  hero 

Asked  of  the  champions  questions  of  lineage  : 

"  From  what  borders  bear  ye  your  battle-shields  plated, 

Gilded  and  gleaming,  your  gray-colored  burnies, 

Helmets  with  visors  and  heap  of  war-lances?  — 

To  Hrothgar  the  king  I  am  servant  and  liegeman. 

'Mong  folk  from  far-lands  found  I  have  never 

ao    Men  so  many  of  mien  more  courageous. 
I  ween  that  from  valor,  nowise  as  outlaws, 
But  from  greatness  of  soul  ye  sought  for  King  Hrothgar." 
Then  the  strength-famous  earlman  answer  rendered, 
The  proud-mooded  Wederchief  replied  to  his  question,- 

25   Hardy  'neath  helmet :  "  Higelac's  mates  are  we ; 
Beowulf  hight  I.    To  the  bairn  of  Healfdene, 
The  famous  folk-leader,  I  freely  will  tell 
To  thy  prince  my  commission,  if  pleasantly  hearing 
He'll  grant  we  may  greet  him  so  gracious  to  all  men." 

30   Wulfgar  replied  then  (he  was  prince  of  the  Wendels, 
His  boldness  of  spirit  was  known  unto  many, 
His  prowess  and  prudence)  :  "  The  prince  of  the  Scyldings, 
The  friend-lord  of  Danemen,  I  will  ask  of  thy  journey, 
The  giver  of  rings,  as  thou  urgest  me  do  it, 

35    The  folk-chief  famous,  and  inform  thee  early 

What  answer  the  good  one  mindeth  to  render  me." 
He  turned  then  hurriedly  where  Hrothgar  was  sitting, 
1  Old  and  hoary,  his  earlmen  attending  him  ; 
The  strength- famous  went  till  he  stood  at  the  shoulder 

40    Of  the  lord  of  the  Danemen,  of  courteous  thanemen 
The  custom  he  minded.     Wulfgar  addressed  then 
His  friendly  liegelord  :  "  Folk  of  the  Geatmen 

1  Gr.  and  others  translate  '  unbar '  by  •  bald ' :  old  and  bald. 


A  Danish  hero 
asks  them  whence 
and  why  they  are 


He  expresses  no 
little  admiration 
for  the  strangers. 

Beowulf  replies. 


We  are  Higelac's 
table-companion  s , 
and  bear  an  impor- 
tant commission  to 
your  prince. 


Wulfgar,  the 
thane,  says  that 
he  will  go  and  ask 
Hrothgar  whether 
he  will  see  the 
strangers. 


Beowulf. 


He  thereupon 
urges  his  liegelord 
to  receive  the  visit- 
ors courteously. 


Hrothgar,  too,  is 
struck  with  Beo- 
wulf s  appearance. 


O'er  the  way  of  the  waters  are  wafted  hither, 

Faring  from  far-lands  :  the  foremost  in  rank 
45    The  battle-champions  Beowulf  title. 

They  make  this  petition  :  with  thee,  O  my  chieftain, 

To  be  granted  a  conference  ;  O  gracious  King  Hrothgar, 

Friendly  answer  refuse  not  to  give  them  ! 

In  war-trappings  weeded  worthy  they  seem 
50    Of  earls  to  be  honored ;  sure  the  atheling  is  doughty 

Who  headed  the  heroes  hitherward  coming." 


Hrothgar  remem- 
bers Beowulf  as  a 
youth,  and  also 
remembers  his 
father. 


Beowulf  is  re- 
ported to  have  the 
strength  of  thirty 
men. 

God  hath  sent  him 
-to  our  rescue. 


VII. 
HROTHGAR  AND   BEOWULF. 

Hrothgar  answered,  helm  of  the  Scyldings  : 

"  I  remember  this  man  as  the  merest  of  striplings. 

His  father  long  dead  now  was  Ecgtheow  titled, 

Him  Hrethel  the  Geatman  granted  at  home  his 

One  only  daughter ;  his  battle-brave  son 

Is  come  but  now,  sought  a  trustworthy  friend. 

Seafaring  sailors  asserted  it  then, 

Who  valuable  gift-gems  of  the  Geatmen l  carried 

As  peace-offering  thither,  that  he  thirty  men's  grapple 

10    Has  in  his  hand,  the  hero-in-battle. 
The  holy  Creator  usward  sent  him, 
To  West-Dane  warriors,  I  ween,  for  to  render 
'Gainst  Grendel's  grimness  gracious  assistance  : 
I  shall  give  to  the  good  one  gift-gems  for  courage. 

15    Hasten  to  bid  them  hither  to  speed  them,2 
To  see  assembled  this  circle  of  kinsmen ; 
Tell  them  expressly  they're  welcome  in  sooth  to 
The  men  of  the  Danes."    To  the  door  of  the  building 

1  Some  render  '  gif-sceattas '  by  '  tribute.'  — '  Geata '  B.  and  Th.  emended  4.0 
'Geatum.'    If  this  be  accepted,  change  '</the  Geatmen'  to  'to  the  Geatmen.' 

2  If  t.  B.'s  emendation  of  w.  386,  387  be  accepted,  the  two  lines,  '  Hasten 
.  .  .  kinsmen '  will  read :  Hasten  thou,  bid  the  throng  of  kinsmen  go  into  the 
hall  together. 


Beowulf.  15 

Wulfgar  went  then,  this  word-message  shouted  :  Wuifg«r  invites  the 

ao    "  My  victorious  liegelord  bade  me  to  tell  you,  «tranjers  in. 

The  East- Danes'  atheling,  that  your  origin  knows  he, 

And  o'er  wave-billows  wafted  ye  welcome  are  hither, 

Valiant  of  spirit.     Ye  straightway  may  enter 

Clad  in  corslets,  cased  in  your  helmets, 
25    To  see  King  Hrothgar.     Here  let  your  battle- boards, 

Wood-spears  and  war-shafts,  await  your  conferring." 

The  mighty  one  rose  then,  with  many  a  liegeman, 

An  excellent  thane-group ;  some  there  did  await  them, 

And  as  bid  of  the  brave  one  the  battle-gear  guarded. 
30   Together  they  hied  them,  while  the  hero  did  guide  them, 

'Neath  Heorot's  roof;  the  high-minded  went  then 

Sturdy  'neath  helmet  till  he  stood  in  the  building. 

Beowulf  spake  (his  burnie  did  glisten, 

His  armor  seamed  over  by  the  art  of  the  craftsman)  : 
35    "  Hail  thou,  Hrothgar  !     I  am  Higelac's  kinsman  Beowulf  salute* 

And  vassal  forsooth ;  many  a  wonder  Setpra edfto 

I  dared  as  a  stripling.    The  doings  of  Grendel,  boast  of  his  youth 

In  far-off  fatherland  I  fully  did  know  of: 

Sea-farers  tell  us,  this  hall-building  standeth, 
40    Excellent  edifice,  empty  and  useless 

To  all  the  earlmen  after  evenlight's  glimmer 

'Neath  heaven's  bright  hues  hath  hidden  its  glory. 

This  my  earls  then  urged  me,  the  most  excellent  of  them, 

Carles  very  clever,  to  come  and  assist  thee4 
45    Folk-leader  Hrothgar ;  fully  they  knew  of 

The  strength  of  my  body.    Themselves  they  beheld  me  Hl«  fi«ht  ***  ** 

When  I  came  from  the  contest,  when  covered  with  gore 

Foes  I  escaped  from,  where  five l  I  had  bound, 

1  For  420  (£)  and  421  (a),  B.  suggests:  par  ic  (on)  fifelgeban  fSdc 
eotena  cyn  =  -where  I  in  the  ocean  destroyed  the  eoten-race.  —  t.  B.  accepts  B.'i 
"  brilliant "  '  fifelgeban,'  omits  '  on,'  emends  '  cyn '  to  '  him,'  arranging :  par  ic 
fifelgeban  ySde,  eotena  ham  =  where  I  desolated  the  ocean,  the  home  of  tht 
eotens. — This  would  be  better  but  for  changing  'cyn'  to  'him.'  —  I  suggest: 
paer  ic  flfelgeband  (cf.  nhd.  Bande)  ytSde,  eotena  cyn  =  where  I  conquered  the 
monster  band,  the  race  of  the  eotens.  This  makes  no  change  except  to  read 
•  for  'fife? 


Beowulf. 


He  intends  to  fight 
Grcndel  unaided. 


Since  the  monster 
uses  no  weapons, 


I,  too,  shall  disdain 
to  use  any. 


Should  he  crush 
me,  he  will  eat  my 
companions  as  he 
has  eaten  thy 


The  giant-race  wasted,  in  the  waters  destroying 
The  nickers  by  night,  bore  numberless  sorrows, 
The  Weders  avenged  (woes  had  they  suffered) 
Enemies  ravaged ;  alone  now  with  Grendel 
I  shall  manage  the  matter,  with  the  monster  of  evil, 
The  giant,  decide  it.    Thee  I  would  therefore 

55    Beg  of  thy  bounty,  Bright-Danish  chieftain, 
Lord  of  the  Scyldings,  this  single  petition  : 
Not  to  refuse  me,  defender  of  warriors, 
Friend-lord  of  folks,  so  far  have  I  sought  thee, 
That  /  may  unaided,  my  earlmen  assisting  me, 

60    This  brave-mooded  war-band,  purify  Heorot. 
I  have  heard  on  inquiry,  the  horrible  creature 
From  veriest  rashness  recks  not  for  weapons  ; 
I  this  do  scorn  then,  so  be  Higelac  gracious, 
My  liegelord  beloved,  lenient  of  spirit, 

65    To  bear  a  blade  or  a  broad-fashioned  target, 
A  shield  to  the  onset ;  only  with  hand-grip 
The  foe  I  must  grapple,  fight  for  my  life  then, 
Foeman  with  foeman ;  he  fain  must  rely  on 
The  doom  of  the  Lord  whom  death  layeth  hold  of. 
I  ween  he  will  wish,  if  he  win  in  the  struggle, 
To  eat  in  the  war-hall  earls  of  the  Geat-folk, 
Boldly  to  swallow 1  them,  as  of  yore  he  did  often 
The  best  of  the  Hrethmen  !    Thou  needest  not  trouble 
A  head-watch  to  give  me ; 2  he  will  have  me  dripping 

1  'Unforhte '  (444)  is  much  disputed.  —  H.-So.  wavers  between  adj.  and  ad* 
Gr.  and  B.  take  it  as  an  adv.  modifying  etan  :   Will  eat  the  Geats  fearlessly.  -* 
Kl.  considers  this  reading  absurd,  and  proposes  '  anforhte '  =  timid.  —  Under- 
standing '  unforhte '  as  an  adj.  has  this  advantage,  viz.  that  it  gives  a  parallel 
to  '  Geatena  Ie6de  ' :  but  to  take  it  as  an  adv.  is  more  natural.   Furthermore,  to 
call  the  Geats « brave '  might,  at  this  point,  seem  like  an  implied  thrust  at  the 
Danes,  so  long  helpless;  while  to  call  his  own  men  ' timid '  would  be  befouling 
his  own  nest. 

2  For  'head-watch,'  cf.  H.-So. notes  and  cf.  v.  2910. — Th.  translates:  Thou 
wilt  not  need  my  head  to  hide  (i.e.,  thou  wilt  have  no  occasion  to  bury  me,  as 
Grendel  will  devour  me  whole).  — Simrock  imagines  a  kind  of  dead- watch. — 


Beowuif. 


75    And  dreary  with  gore,  if  death  overtake  me,1 

Will  bear  me  off  bleeding,  biting  and  mouthing  me, 
The  hermit  will  eat  me,  heedless  of  pity, 
Marking  the  moor-fens ;  no  more  wilt  thou  need  then 
Find  me  my  food.2     If  I  fall  in  the  battle, 

80    Send  to  Higelac  the  armor  that  serveth 

To  shield  my  bosom,  the  best  of  equipments, 

Richest  of  ring-mails ;  'tis  the  relic  of  Hrethla, 

The  work  of  Wayland.     Goes  Weird  as  she  must  go  ! " 


In  case  of  my  de- 
feat, thou  wilt  not 
have  the  trouble  of 
burying  me. 

Should  I  fall,  send 
my  armor  to  my 
lord,  King  Higelac. 


Weird  is 


VIII. 
HROTHGAR  AND  BEOWULF.  —  Continued. 

Hrothgar  discoursed,  helm  of  the  Scyldings  : 
"  To  defend  our  folk  and  to  furnish  assistance,8 
Thou  soughtest  us  hither,  good  friend  Beowulf. 
The  fiercest  of  feuds  thy  father  engaged  in, 
5    Heatholaf  killed  he  in  hand-to-hand  conflict 

'Mid  Wilfingish  warriors ;  then  the  Wederish  people 
For  fear  of  a  feud  were  forced  to  disown  him. 
Thence  flying  he  fled  to  the  folk  of  the  South-Danes, 

Dr.  H.  Wood  suggests :  Thou  wilt  not  have  to  bury  so  much  as  my  head  (for 
Grendel  will  be  a  thorough  undertaker),  —  grim  humor. 

1  S.  proposes  a  colon  after  'nime'S'  (1.  447).     This  would  make  no  essen- 
tial change  in  the  translation. 

2  Owing  to  the  vagueness  of '  feorme  '  (451),  this  passage  is  variously  trans- 
lated.    In  our  translation,  H.-So.'s  glossary  has  been  quite  closely  followed. 
This  agrees  substantially  with  B.'s  translation  (P.  and  B.  XII.  87).     R.  trans- 
lates:   Thou  needst  not  take  care  longer  as  to  the  consumption   of  my  dead 
body.     *  Lfc '  is  also  a  crux  here,  as  it  may  mean  living  body  or  dead  body. 

8  B.  and  S.  reject  the  reading  given  in  H.-So.,  and  suggested  by  Grtvg.    B. 
suggests  for  457-458 : 

waere-ryhtum  bu,  wine  min  Beowulf, 
and  for  ar-stafum  usic  sohtest. 

This  means:  From  the  obligations  of  clientage,  my  friend  Beowulf,  and  for 
assistance  thou  hast  sought  us.  — This  gives  coherence  to  Hrothgar's  opening 
remarks  in  VIII.,  and  also  introduces  a  new  motive  for  Beowulfs  coming  to 
Hrothgar's  aid. 


Hrothgar  re- 
sponds. 


Reminiscences  of 
BeowulPs  father, 
Ecgtheow. 


i8 


Beowulf. 


Hrothgar  recounts 
to  Beowulf  the 
horrors  of  Grendel's 
persecutions.  2o 

V 


My  thanes  have       2, 
made  many  boasts, 
but  have  not  exe- 
cuted them. 


Sit  down  to  the 

feast,  and  give  us 

comfort. 

A  bench  is  made 

ready  for  Beowulf 

and  his  party. 


** 


The  race  of  the  Scyldings,  o'er  the  roll  of  the  waters ; 

I  had  lately  begun  then  to  govern  the  Danemen, 

The  hoard-seat  of  heroes  held  in  my  youth, 

Rich  in  its  jewels  :  dead  was  Heregar, 

My  kinsman  and  elder  had  earth-joys  forsaken, 

Healfdene  his  bairn.     He  was  better  than  I  am  ! 

That  feud  thereafter  for  a  fee  I  compounded ; 

O'er  the  weltering  waters  to  the  Wilfings  I  sent 

Ornaments  old ;  oaths  did  he  swear  me. 

It  pains  me  in  spirit  to  any  to  tell  it, 

What  grief  in  Heorot  Grendel  hath  caused  me, 

What  horror  unlooked-for,  by  hatred  unceasing, 

Waned  is  my  war-band,  wasted  my  hall-troop ; 

Weird  hath  offcast  them  to  the  clutches  of  Grendel. 

God  can  easily  hinder  the  scather 

From  deeds  so  direful.     Oft  drunken  with  beer 

O'er  the  ale-vessel  promised  warriors  in  armor 

They  would  willingly  wait  on  the  wassailing-benches 

A  grapple  with  Grendel,  with  grimmest  of  edges. 

Then  this  mead-hall  at  morning  with  murder  was  reeking, 

The  building  was  bloody  at  breaking  of  daylight, 

The  bench-deals  all  flooded,  dripping  and  bloodied, 

The  folk-hall  was  gory  :  I  had  fewer  retainers, 

Dear-beloved  warriors,  whom  death  had  laid  hold  of. 

Sit  at  the  feast  now,  thy  intents  unto  heroes,1 

Thy  victor-fame  show,  as  thy  spirit  doth  urge  thee  ! " 

For  the  men  of  the  Geats  then  together  assembled, 

In  the  beer-hall  blithesome  a  bench  was  made  ready ; 

There  warlike  in  spirit  they  went  to  be  seated, 

Proud  and  exultant.     A  liegeman  did  service, 


1  Sit  now  at  the  feast,  and  disclose  thy  purposes  to  the  victorious  heroes,  as 
thy  spirit  urges.  —  Kl.  reaches  the  above  translation  by  erasing  the  comma 
after  'meoto'  and  reading  '  sige-hre'Ssecgum.'  —  There  are  other  and  bolder 
emendations  and  suggestions.  Of  these  the  boldest  is  to  regard  '  meoto '  as  a 
verb  (imperative),  and  read  '  on  sael ' :  Think  upon  gay ety,  etc.  —  All  the  render- 
ings are  unsatisfactory,  the  one  given  in  our  translation  involving  a  zeugma. 


Beowulf. 


Who  a  beaker  embellished  bore  with  decorum, 
40    And  gleaming-drink  poured.    The  gleeman  sang  whilom 
Hearty  in  Heorot ;  there  was  heroes'  rejoicing, 
A  numerous  war- band  of  Weders  and  Danemen. 


The  gleeman  sings 

The  heroes  all  re- 
joke  together. 


IX. 

UNFERTH  TAUNTS  BEOWULF. 

Unferth  spoke  up,  Ecglaf  his  son, 
Who  sat  at  the  feet  of  the  lord  of  the  Scyldings, 
Opened  the  jousting  (the  journey1  of  Beowulf, 
Sea-farer  doughty,  gave  sorrow  to  Unferth 
5    And  greatest  chagrin,  too,  for  granted  he  never 
That  any  man  else  on  earth  should  attain  to, 
Gain  under  heaven,  more  glory  than  he)  : 
"  Art  thou  that  Beowulf  with  Breca  did  struggle, 
On  the  wide  sea-currents  at  swimming  contended, 

10   Where  to  humor  your  pride  the  ocean  ye  tried, 
From  vainest  vaunting  adventured  your  bodies 
In  care  of  the  waters  ?    And  no  one  was  able 
Nor  lief  nor  loth  one,  in  the  least  to  dissuade  you 
Your  difficult  voyage ;  then  ye  ventured  a-swimming, 

15    Where  your  arms  outstretching  the  streams  ye  did  cover, 
The  mere-ways  measured,  mixing  and  stirring  them, 
Glided  the  ocean  ;  angry  the  waves  were, 
With  the  weltering  of  winter.     In  the  water's  possession, 
Ye  toiled  for  a  seven-night ;  he  at  swimming  outdid  thee, 

20    In  strength  excelled  thee.     Then  early  at  morning 

On  the  Heathoremes'  shore  the  holm-currents  tossed  him, 
Sought  he  thenceward  the  home  of  his  fathers, 
Beloved  of  his  liegemen,  the  land  of  the  Brondings, 
The  peace-castle  pleasant,  where  a  people  he  wielded, 

1  It  has  been  plausibly  suggested  that  '  sf'S '  (in  501  and  in  353)  means 
arrival.'      If  so,  translate  the   bracket:   (the  arrival  of  Beowulf,  the  brave 
seafarer,  was  a  source  of  great  chagrin  to  Unferth,  etc.}. 


Unferth,  a  thane 
of  Hrothgar,  is 
jealous  of  Beowulf, 
and  undertakes  to 
twit  him. 


Did  you  take  part 
in  a  swimming- 
match  with  Breca? 

'Twas  mere  folly 
that  actuated  you 
both  to  risk  your 
lives  on  the  ocean. 


20 


Breca  outdid  you 
entirely. 

Much  more  will 
Grendel  outdo  you, 
if  you  vie  with  him 
in  prowess.  -jo 

Beowulf  retaliates. 


O  friend  Unferth, 
you  are  fuddled 
with  beer,  and  can- 
not talk  coherently.  35 


We  simply  kept  an 
engagement  made 
in  early  life.  4° 


He  could  not  excel 

me,  and  I  would 

not  excel  him.  45 

After  five  days  the 
currents  separated 


5° 


A  horrible  sea- 
beast  attacked  me, 
but  I  slew  him. 


Beowulf. 

i 

25    Had  borough  and  jewels.    The  pledge  that  he  made  thee 
The  son  of  Beanstan  hath  soothly  accomplished. 
Then  I  ween  thou  wilt  find  thee  less  fortunate  issue, 
Though  ever  triumphant  in  onset  of  battle, 
A  grim  grappling,  if  Grendel  thou  darest 
For  the  space  of  a  night  near-by  to  wait  for ! " 
Beowulf  answered,  offspring  of  Ecgtheow  : 
"  My  good  friend  Unferth,  sure  freely  and  wildly, 
Thou  fuddled  with  beer  of  Breca  hast  spoken, 
Hast  told  of  his  journey  !     A  fact  I  allege  it, 
That  greater  strength  in  the  waters  I  had  then, 
Ills  in  the  ocean,  than  any  man  else  had. 
We  made  agreement  as  the  merest  of  striplings 
Promised  each  other  (both  of  us  then  were 
Younkers  in  years)  that  we  yet  would  adventure 
Out  on  the  ocean ;  it  all  we  accomplished. 
While  swimming  the  sea-floods,  sword-blade  unscafcbarded 
Boldly  we  brandished,  our  bodies  expected 
To  shield  from  the  sharks.     He  sure  was  unable  • 
To  swim  on  the  waters  further  than  I  could, 
More  swift  on  the  waves,  nor  would  I  from  him  go. 
Then  we  two  companions  stayed  in  the  ocean 
Five  nights  together,  till  the  currents  did  part  us, 
The  weltering  waters,  weathers  the  bleakest, 
And  nethermost  night,  and  the  north-wind  whistled 
Fierce  in  our  faces ;  fell  were  the  billows. 
The  mere  fishes'  mood  was  mightily  ruffled  : 
And  there  against  foemen  my  firm-knotted  corslet, 
Hand-jointed,  hardy,  help  did  afford  me  ; 
My  battle-sark  braided,  brilliantly  gilded, 

55    Lay  on  my  bosom.    To  the  bottom  then  dragged  me, 
A  hateful  fiend-scather,  seized  me  and  held  me, 
Grim  in  his  grapple  :  'twas  granted  me,  nathless, 
To  pierce  the  monster  with  the  point  of  my  weapon, 
My  obedient  blade  ;  battle  offcarried 

60   The  mighty  mere-creature  by  means  of  my  hand-blow. 


Beowulf.  21 


X. 

BEOWULF  SILENCES  UNFERTH.  —  GLEE  IS  HIGH. 

"  So  ill-meaning  enemies  often  did  cause  me 

Sorrow  the  sorest.     I  served  them,  in  quittance, 

With  my  dear-loved  sword,  as  in  sooth  it  was  fitting ;  MY  dear  «w°r<1 

They  missed  the  pleasure  of  feasting  abundantly, 
5    Ill-doers  evil,  of  eating  my  body, 

Of  surrounding  the  banquet  deep  in  the  ocean ;  v/ 

But  wounded  with  edges  early  at  morning 

They  were  stretched  a-high  on  the  strand  of  the  ocean, 

Put  to  sleep  with  the  sword,  that  sea-going  travelers  *  ?«»* »  «<>P  to  the 

10    No  longer  thereafter  were  hindered  from  sailing  monster*0 

The  foam-dashing  currents.     Came  a  light  from  the  east, 

God's  beautiful  beacon  ;  the  billows  subsided, 

That  well  I  could  see  the  nesses  projecting, 

The  blustering  crags.    Weird  often  saveth  Fortune  helps  tht 

15    The  undoomed  hero  if  doughty  his  valor  ! 

But  me  did  it  fortune *  to  fell  with  my  weapon 

Nine  of  the  nickers.     Of  night-struggle  harder 

'Neath  dome  of  the  heaven  heard  I  but  rarely, 

Nor  of  wight  more  woful  in  the  waves  of  the  ocean ; 
to   Yet  I  'scaped  with  my  life  the  grip  of  the  monsters, 

Weary  from  travel.     Then  the  waters  bare  me  After  that  escape  I 

To  the  land  of  the  Finns,  the  flood  with  the  current, 

The  weltering  waves.     Not  a  word  hath  been  told  me  i  have  never  heard 

Of  deeds  so  daring  done  by  thee,  Unferth, 
25    And  of  sword- terror  none  ;  never  hath  Breca 

At  the  play  of  the  battle,  nor  either  of  you  two, 

Feat  so  fearless  performed  with  weapons 

Glinting  and  gleaming 

1  The  repetition  of  'hwaeflere'  (574  and  578)  is  regarded  by  some  scholars 
as  a  defect.  B.  suggests  '  swa  fcer '  for  the  first :  So  there  it  befell  me,  etc. 
Another  suggestion  is  to  change  the  second  4  hwaeftere '  into  '  swa  Vxt ' :  So 
there  I  escaped  with  my  life,  etc. 


22 


You  arc  a  slayer  of 
brothers,  and  will 
suffer  damnation, 
wise  as  you  may 
be. 


35 


Had  your  acts  been 
as  brave  as  your 
words,  Grendel  had 
not  ravaged  your 
land  so  long. 


40 


The  monster  is  not 
afraid  of  the  Danes, 

but  he  will  soon 
learn  to  dread  the 
Geats.  45 


On  the  second  day, 
any  warrior  may 
go  unmolested  to 
the  mead-banquet.   50 

Hrothgar's  spirits 
are  revived. 

The  old  king  trusts 
Beowulf. 
The  heroes  are 
joyful. 


55 


Queen  Wealh- 
theow  plays  the 
hostess. 

She  offers  the  cup 
to  her  husband 
first* 


60 


Beowulf. 

I  utter  no  boasting ; 

Though  with  cold-blooded  cruelty  thou  killedst  thy  brothers, 

Thy  nearest  of  kin ;  thou  needs  must  in  hell  get 

Direful  damnation,  though  doughty  thy  wisdom. 

I  tell  thee  in  earnest,  offspring  of  Ecglaf, 

Never  had  Grendel  such  numberless  horrors, 

The  direful  demon,  done  to  thy  liegelord, 

Harrying  in  Heorot,  if  thy  heart  were  as  sturdy, 

Thy  mood  as  ferocious  as  thou  dost  describe  them. 

He  hath  found  out  fully  that  the  fierce-burning  hatred, 

The  edge-battle  eager,  of  all  of  your  kindred, 

Of  the  Victory- Scyldings,  need  little  dismay  him  : 

Oaths  he  exacteth,  not  any  he  spares 

Of  the  folk  of  the  Danemen,  but  fighteth  with  pleasure, 

Killeth  and  feasteth,  no  contest  expecteth 

From  Spear-Danish  people.     But  the  prowess  and  valor 

Of  the  earls  of  the  Geatmen  early  shall  venture 

To  give  him  a  grapple.     He  shall  go  who  is  able 

Bravely  to  banquet,  when  the  bright-light  of  morning 

Which  the  second  day  bringeth,  the  sun  in  its  ether-robes, 

O'er  children  of  men  shines  from  the  southward  ! " 

Then  the  gray- haired,  war- famed  giver  of  treasure 

Was  blithesome  and  joyous,  the  Bright- Danish  ruler 

Expected  assistance ;  the  people's  protector 

Heard  from  Beowulf  his  bold  resolution. 

There  was  laughter  of  heroes  ;  loud  was  the  clatter, 

The  words  were  winsome.     Wealhtheow  advanced  then, 

Consort  of  Hrothgar,  of  courtesy  mindful, 

Gold-decked  saluted  the  men  in  the  building, 

And  the  freeborn  woman  the  beaker  presented 

To  the  lord  of  the  kingdom,  first  of  the  East-Danes, 

Bade  him  be  blithesome  when  beer  was  a-flowing, 

Lief  to  his  liegemen ;  he  lustily  tasted 

Of  banquet  and  beaker,  battle-famed  ruler. 

The  Helmingish  lady  then  graciously  circled 

'Mid  all  the  liegemen  lesser  and  greater : 


Beowulf. 

65    Treasure-cups  tendered,  till  time  was  afforded 
That  the  decorous-mooded,  diademed  folk-queen 
Might  bear  to  Beowtrlf  the  bumper  o'errunning ; 
She  greeted  the  Geat-prince,  God  she  did  thank, 
Most  wise  in  her  words,  that  her  wish  was  accomplished, 

70   That  in  any  of  earlmen  she  ever  should  look  for 
Solace  in  sorrow.     He  accepted  the  beaker, 
Battle-bold  warrior,  at  Wealhtheow's  giving, 
Then  equipped  for  combat  quoth  he  in  measures, 
Beowulf  spake,  offspring  of  Ecgtheow  : 

75    "  I  purposed  in  spirit  when  I  mounted  the  ocean, 
When  I  boarded  my  boat  with  a  band  of  my  liegemen, 
I  would  work  to  the  fullest  the  will  of  your  people 
Or  in  foe's-clutches  fastened  fall  in  the  battle. 
Deeds  I  shall  do  of  daring  and  prowess, 

80    Or  the  last  of  my  life-days  live  in  this  mead-hall." 
These  words  to  the  lady  were  welcome  and  pleasing, 
The  boast  of  the  Geatman ;  with  gold  trappings  broidered 
Went  the  freeborn  folk-queen  her  fond-lord  to  sit  by. 
Then  again  as  of  yore  was  heard  in  the  building 

85    Courtly  discussion,  conquerors'  shouting, 

Heroes  were  happy,  till  Healfdene's  son  would 

Go  to  his  slumber  to  seek  for  refreshing ; 

For  the  horrid  hell-monster  in  the  hall-building  knew  he 

A  fight  was  determined,1  since  the  light  of  the  sun  they 

90    No  longer  could  see,  and  lowering  darkness 
O'er  all  had  descended,  and  dark  under  heaven 
Shadowy  shapes  came  shying  around  them. 
The  liegemen  all  rose  then.     One  saluted  the  other, 
Hrothgar  Beowulf,  in  rhythmical  measures, 

95    Wishing  him  well,  and,  the  wassail-hall  giving 
To  his  care  and  keeping,  quoth  he  departing : 


23 

She  gives  presents 
to  the  heroes. 

Then  she  offers  the 
cup  to  Beowulf, 
thanking  God  that 
aid  has  come. 


Beowulf  states  to 
the  queen  the  ob- 
ject of  his  visit. 

I  determined  to  do 
•rdie. 


Glee  is  high. 


Hrothgar  retires, 
leaving  Beowulf  in 
charge  of  the  hall. 


1  Kl.  suggests  a  period  after  'determined.'  This  would  give  the  passage 
as  follows :  Since  they  no  longer  could  see  the  light  of  the  sun,  and  lowering 
darkness  was  down  over  all,  dire  under  the  heavens  shadowy  beings  came  going 
around  them. 


Beowulf. 

"  Not  to  any  one  else  have  I  ever  entrusted, 
But  thee  and  thee  only,  the  hall  of  the  Danemen, 
Since  high  I  could  heave  my  hand  and  my  buckler. 
ioo  Take  thou  in  charge  now  the  noblest  of  houses ; 
Be  mindful  of  honor,  exhibiting  prowess, 
Watch  'gainst  the  foeman  !     Thou  shalt  want  no  enjoyments, 
Survive  thou  safely  adventure  so  glorious  ! " 


Hrothgar  retires. 


God  has  provided 
a  watch  for  the 
hall. 


Beowulf  is  self- 

confident. 

He  prepares  for 

rest. 


Beowulf  boasts  of 
his  ability  to  cope 
with  Grendel. 


We  will  fight  with 
nature's  weapons 
•nly. 


XI. 

ALL  SLEEP  SAVE  ONE. 

Then  Hrothgar  departed,  his  earl-throng  attending  him, 
Folk-lord  of  Scyldings,  forth  from  the  building ; 
The  war-chieftain  wished  then  Wealhtheow  to  look  for, 
The  queen  for  a  bedmate.     To  keep  away  Grendel 
5    The  Glory  of  Kings  had  given  a  hall-watch, 

As  men  heard  recounted  :  for  the  king  of  the  Danemen 
He  did  special  service,  gave  the  giant  a  watcher : 
And  the  prince  of  the  Geatmen  implicitly  trusted 
His  warlike  strength  and  the  Wielder's  protection. 

10    His  armor  of  iron  off  him  he  did  then, 

His  helmet  from  his  head,  to  his  henchman  committed 
His  chased-handled  chain- sword,  choicest  of  weapons, 
And  bade  him  bide  with  his  battle-equipments. 
The  good  one  then  uttered  words  of  defiance, 

15    Beowulf  Geatman,  ere  his  bed  he  upmounted  : 
"  I  hold  me  no  meaner  in  matters  of  prowess, 
In  warlike  achievements,  than  Grendel  does  himself; 
Hence  I  seek  not  with  sword-edge  to  sooth  him  to  slumber, 
Of  life  to  bereave  him,  though  well  I  am  able. 

20    No  battle-skill  *  has  he,  that  blows  he  should  strike  me, 
To  shatter  my  shield,  though  sure  he  is  mighty 

1  Gr.  understood  '  g6dra '  as  meaning  '  advantages  in  battle.'  This  render- 
ing H.-So.  rejects.  The  latter  takes  the  passage  as  meaning  that  Grendel, 
though  mighty  and  formidable,  has  no  skill  in  the  art  of  war. 


Beowulf.  25 

In  strife  and  destruction ;  but  struggling  by  night  we 

Shall  do  without  edges,  dare  he  to  look  for 

Weaponless  warfare,  and  wise-mooded  Father 
25    The  glory  apportion,  God  ever-holy, 

On  which  hand  soever  to  him  seemeth  proper."  God  may  decide 

Then  the  brave-mooded  hero  bent  to  his  slumber, 

The  pillow  received  the  cheek  of  the  noble ; 

And  many  a  martial  mere-thane  attending  The  Geatish  war- 

30    Sank  to  his  slumber.     Seemed  it  unlikely  riofl  Iie  down' 

That  ever  thereafter  any  should  hope  to  They  thought  it 

Be  happy  at  home,  hero-friends  visit  £J  ^*±* 

Or  the  lordly  troop-castle  where  he  lived  from  his  childhood  ;  see  their  homes 

They  had  heard  how  slaughter  had  snatched  from  the  wine-hall, agam* 
35    Had  recently  ravished,  of  the  race  of  the  Scyldings 

Too  many  by  far.     But  the  Lord  to  them  granted  But  God  raised  up 

The  weaving  of  war-speed,  to  Wederish  heroes 

Aid  and  comfort,  that  every  opponent 

By  one  man's  war- might  they  worsted  and  vanquished, 
40    By  the  might  of  himself;  the  truth  is  established  God  rules  the 

That  God  Almighty  hath  governed  for  ages 

Kindreds  and  nations.     A  night  very  lurid 

The  trav'ler-at-twilight  came  tramping  and  striding.  Grendei  comes  to 

The  warriors  were  sleeping  who  should  watch  the  horned-building, 
45    One  only  excepted.     'Mid  earthmen  'twas  'stablished,  Pnlx one  warrior 

Th'  implacable  foeman  was  powerless  to  hurl  them 

To  the  land  of  shadows,  if  the  Lord  were  unwilling ; 

But  serving  as  warder,  in  terror  to  foemen, 

He  angrily  bided  the  issue  of  battle.1 

1  B.  in  his  masterly  articles  on  Beowulf  (P.  and  B.  XII.)  rejects  the  division 
usually  made  at  this  point.  '  pa '  (711),  usually  rendered  '  then,'  he  translates 
'  when,'  and  connects  its  clause  with  the  foregoing  sentence.  These  changes 
he  makes  to  reduce  the  number  of  'c6mV  as  principal  verbs.  (Cf.  703,  711, 
721.)  With  all  deference  to  this  acute  scholar,  I  must  say  that  it  seems  to  me 
that  the  poet  is  exhausting  his  resources  to  bring  out  clearly  the  supreme  event 
on  which  the  whole  subsequent  action  turns.  First,  he  (Grendei)  came  in 
Vie  wan  night ;  second,  he  came  from  the  moor ;  third,  he  came  to  the  halL 
Time,  place  from  which,  place  to  which,  are  all  given. 


26 


Beowulf. 


Grendel  comes 
from  the  fens. 


He  goes  towards        e 
the  joyous  build- 
ing. 

This  was  not  his 
first  visit  there. 


His  horrid  fingers 
tear  the  doo-  open. 


15 


He  strides  furi- 
ously into  the  hall. 


He  exults  over  his 
supposed  prey. 


Fate  has  decreed 
that  he  shall  devour 
no  more  heroes. 
Beowulf  suffers 
from  suspense. 


25 


XII. 

GRENDEL  AND   BEOWULF. 

'Neath  the  cloudy  cliffs  came  from  the  moor  then 

Grendel  going,  God's  anger  bare  he. 

The  monster  intended  some  one  of  earthmen 

In  the  hall-building  grand  to  entrap  and  make  way  with  ; 

He  went  under  welkin  where  well  he  knew  of 

The  wine-joyous  building,  brilliant  with  plating, 

Gold-hall  of  earthmen.     Not  the  earliest  occasion 

He  the  home  and  manor  of  Hrothgar  had  sought  : 

Ne'er  found  he  in  life-days  later  nor  earlier 

Hardier  hero,  hall-  thanes  *  more  sturdy  ! 

Then  came  to  the  building  the  warrior  marching, 

Bereft  of  his  joyance.     The  door  quickly  opened 

On  fire-hinges  fastened,  when  his  fingers  had  touched  it  ; 

The  fell  one  had  flung  then  —  his  fury  so  bitter  — 

Open  the  entrance.     Early  thereafter 

The  foeman  trod  the  shining  hall-pavement, 

Strode  he  angrily  ;  from  the  eyes  of  him  glimmered 

A  lustre  unlovely  likest  to  fire. 

He  beheld  in  the  hall  the  heroes  in  numbers, 

A  circle  of  kinsmen  sleeping  together, 

A  throng  of  thanemen  :  then  his  thoughts  were  exultant, 

He  minded  to  sunder  from  each  of  the  thanemen 

The  life  from  his  body,  horrible  demon, 

Ere  morning  came,  since  fate  had  allowed  him 

The  prospect  of  plenty.     Providence  willed  not 

To  permit  him  any  more  of  men  under  heaven 

To  eat  in  the  night-time.     Higelac's  kinsman 

Great  sorrow  endured  how  the  dire-mooded  creature 


1  B.  and  t.  B.  emend  so  as  to  make  lines  9  and  10  read  :  Never  in  his  life, 
earlier  or  later,  had  he,  the  hell-thane,  found  a  braver  hero.  —  They  argue 
that  Beowulf's  companions  had  done  nothing  to  merit  such  encomiums  as  the 
usual  readings  allow  them. 


Beowulf. 

In  unlooked-for  assaults  were  likely  to  bear  him. 
30    No  thought  had  the  monster  of  deferring  the  matter, 

But  on  earliest  occasion  he  quickly  laid  hold  of 

A  soldier  asleep,  suddenly  tore  him, 

Bit  his  bone-prison,  the  blood  drank  in  currents, 

Swallowed  in  mouthfuls  :  he  soon  had  the  dead  man's 
35    Feet  and  hands,  too,  eaten  entirely. 

Nearer  he  strode  then,  the  stout-hearted  warrior 

Snatched  as  he  slumbered,  seizing  with  hand-grip, 

Forward  the  foeman  foined  with  his  hand ; 

Caught  he  quickly  the  cunning  deviser, 
40    On  his  elbow  he  rested.     This  early  discovered 

The  master  of  malice,  that  in  middle-earth's  regions, 

'Neath  the  whole  of  the  heavens,  no  hand-grapple  greater 

In  any  man  else  had  he  ever  encountered  : 

Fearful  in  spirit,  faint- mooded  waxed  he, 
45    Not  off  could  betake  him ;  death  he  was  pondering, 

Would  fly  to  his  covert,  seek  the  devils'  assembly : 

His  calling  no  more  was  the  same  he  had  followed 

Long  in  his  lifetime.     The  liege-kinsman  worthy 

Of  Higelac  minded  his  speech  of  the  evening, 
50    Stood  he  up  straight  and  stoutly  did  seize  him. 

His  fingers  crackled ;  the  giant  was  outward, 

The  earl  stepped  farther.     The  famous  one  minded 

To  flee  away  farther,  if  he  found  an  occasion, 

And  off  and  away,  avoiding  delay, 
55    To  fly  to  the  fen-moors ;  he  fully  was  ware  of 

The  strength  of  his  grapple  in  the  grip  of  the  foeman. 

Twas  an  ill-taken  journey  that  the  injury-bringing, 

Harrying  harmer  to  Heorot  wandered  : 
^  The  palace  re-echoed ;  to  all  of  the  Danemen, 
5o    Dwellers  in  castles,  to  each  of  the  bold  ones, 

Earlmen,  was  terror.     Angry  they  both  were, 

Archwarders  raging.1     Rattled  the  building ; 

1  For  'retfe  ren-weardas'  (771),  t.  B.  suggests  '16*6,  renhearde.'    Trans- 
Ate  :    TTuy  were  both  angry,  raging  and  mighty. 


Grendel  immedi- 
ately seizes  a 
sleeping  warrior, 
and  devours  him. 


Beowulf  and  Grer> 
del  grapple. 


The  monster  is 
•mazed  at  Beo- 
wulf s  strength. 

He  is  anxious  to 
flee. 


Beowulf  recalls  his 
boast  of  the  even- 
ing, and  deter- 
mines to  fulfil  it. 


Twas  a  luckiest 
day  for  Grendel. 

The  hall  groans. 


28 


Beowulf. 


G rendel's  cries  ter- 
rify the  Danes. 


Twos  a  marvellous  wonder  that  the  wine-hall  withstood  thea 
The  bold-in-battle,  bent  not  to  earthward, 

65    Excellent  earth-hall ;  but  within  and  without  it 
Was  fastened  so  firmly  in  fetters  of  iron, 
By  the  art  of  the  armorer.     Off  from  the  sill  there 
Bent  mead-benches  many,  as  men  have  informed  me, 
Adorned  with  gold-work,  where  the  grim  ones  did  struggle. 

70   The  Scylding  wise  men  weened  ne'er  before 

That  by  might  and  main-strength  a  man  under  heaven 
Might  break  it  in  pieces,  bone-decked,  resplendent, 
Crush  it  by  cunning,  unless  clutch  of  the  fire 
In  smoke  should  consume  it.     The  sound  mounted  upward 

75    Novel  enough  ;  on  the  North  Danes  fastened 
A  terror  of  anguish,  on  all  of  the  men  there 
Who  heard  from  the  wall  the  weeping  and  plaining, 
The  song  of  defeat  from  the  foeman  of  heaven, 
Heard  him  hymns  of  horror  howl,  and  his  sorrow 

80   Hell-bound  bewailing.     He  held  him  too  firmly 

Who  was  strongest  of  main-strength  of  men  of  that  era* 


Beowulf  has  no 
idea  of  letting 
Grendel  live. 


No  weapon  would 
harm  Grendel ;  he 
bore  a  charmed 
life. 


XIII. 
GRENDEL  IS  VANQUISHED. 

For  no  cause  whatever  would  the  earlmen's  defender 
Leave  in  life-joys  the  loathsome  newcomer, 
He  deemed  his  existence  utterly  useless 
To  men  under  heaven.     Many  a  noble 
Of  Beowulf  brandished  his  battle-sword  old, 
Would  guard  the  life  of  his  lord  and  protector, 
The  far-famous  chieftain,  if  able  to  do  so ; 
i  While  waging  the  warfare,  this  wist  they  but  little, 
Brave  battle-thanes,  while  his  body  intending    */ 
To  slit  into  slivers,  and  seeking  his  spirit :         ^ 
That  the  relentless  foeman  nor  finest  of  weapons 
JOf  all  on  the  earth,  nor  any  of  war-bills 


Beowulf. 


Was  willing  to  injure  ;  but  weapons  of  victory 
Swords  and  suchlike  he  had  sworn  to  dispense  with. 

25    His  death  at  that  time  must  prove  to  be  wretched, 
And  the  far-away  spirit  widely  should  journey 
Into  enemies'  power.     This  plainly  he  saw  then 
Who  with  mirth  *  of  mood  malice  no  little 
Had  wrought  in  the  past  on  the  race  of  the  earthmen 

to    (To  God  he  was  hostile),  that  his  body  would  fail  him, 
But  Higelac's  hardy  henchman  and  kinsman 
Held  him  by  the  hand  ;  hateful  to  other 
Was  each  one  if  living.     A  body-wound  suffered 
The  direful  demon,  damage  incurable 

*5    Was  seen  on  his  shoulder,  his  sinews  were  shivered, 
His  body  did  burst.     To  Beowulf  was  given 
Glory  in  battle  ;  Grendel  from  thenceward 
Must  flee  and  hide  him  in  the  fen-cliffs  and  marshes, 
Sick  unto  death,  his  dwelling  must  look  for 

30   Unwinsome  and  woful  ;  he  wist  the  more  fully 
The  end  of  his  earthly  existence  was  nearing, 
His  life-days'  limits.     At  last  for  the  Danemen, 
When  the  slaughter  was  over,  their  wish  was  accomplished. 
The  comer-from-far-land  had  cleansed  then  of  evil, 

35    Wise  and  valiant,  the  war-hall  of  Hrothgar, 

Saved  it  from  violence.     He  joyed  in  the  night-work, 
In  repute  for  prowess  ;  the  prince  of  the  Geatmen 
For  the  East-  Danish  people  his  boast  had  accomplished, 
Bettered  their  burdensome  bale-sorrows  fully, 

40   The  craft-begot  evil  they  erstwhile  had  suffered 

And  were  forced  to  endure  from  crushing  oppression, 
Their  manifold  misery.     Twas  a  manifest  token, 
When  the  hero-in-battle  the  hand  suspended, 
The  arm  and  the  shoulder  (there  was  all  of  the  claw 

45    Of  Grendel  together)  'neath  great-stretching  hall-roof. 

1  It  has  been  proposed  to  translate  '  myrfie  '  by  with  sorrow  ;  but  there 
•eems  no  authority  for  such  a  rendering.  To  the  present  translator,  the  phrase 
*m6des  myrfle  '  seems  a  inert  padding  for  gladly;  Le.,  he  who  gladly 
Harassed  mankind. 


Grendel  is  sorely 
wounded. 

His  body  bursts. 


The  monster  flees 
away  to  hide  in 
the: 


Beowulf  suspends 
G rendel's  hand  and 
arm  in  Heorot. 


Beowulf. 


At  early  dawn, 
warriors  from  far 
and  near  come  to- 
gether to  hear  of 
the  night's  adven- 
tures. 

Few  warriors  la* 

merited  Grendel's 
destruction. 


Grendel's  blood 
dyes  the  waters. 


Beowulf  is  the  hero 
of  the  hour. 

He  is  regarded  as  a 
probable  successor 
to  Hrothgar. 


But  no  word  is 
uttered  to  derogate 
from  the  old  king 


XIV. 
REJOICING  OF  THE   DANES. 

In  the  mist  of  the  morning  many  a  warrior 
Stood  round  the  gift-hall,  as  the  story  is  told  me : 
Folk-princes  fared  then  from  far  and  from  near 
Through  long-stretching  journeys  to  look  at  the  wonder, 

5    The  footprints  of  the  foeman.     Few  of  the  warriors 
Who  gazed  on  the  foot-tracks  of  the  inglorious  creature 
His  parting  from  life  pained  very  deeply, 
How,  weary  in  spirit,  off  from  those  regions 
In  combats  conquered  he  carried  his  traces, 

10    Fated  and  flying,  to  the  flood  of  the  nickers. 
There  in  bloody  billows  bubbled  the  currents, 
The  angry  eddy  was  everywhere  mingled 
And  seething  with  gore,  welling  with  sword- blood ;  * 
He  death-doomed  had  hid  him,  when  reaved  of  his  joyance 

15    He  laid  down  his  life  in  the  lair  he  had  fled  to, 
His  heathenish  spirit,  where  hell  did  receive  him. 
Thence  the  friends  from  of  old  backward  turned  them, 
And  many  a  younker  from  merry  adventure, 
Striding  their  stallions,  stout  from  the  seaward, 

ao    Heroes  on  horses.    There  were  heard  very  often 
Beowulf  s  praises ;  many  often  asserted 
That  neither  south  nor  north,  in  the  circuit  of  waters, 
O'er  outstretching  earth-plain,  none  other  was  better 
'Mid  bearers  of  war-shields,  more  worthy  to  govern, 

25    'Neath  the  arch  of  the  ether.     Not  any,  however, 

'Gainst  the  friend-lord  muttered,  mocking-words  uttered 

Of  Hrothgar  the  gracious  (a  good  king  he). 

Oft  the  famed  ones  permitted  their  fallow-skinned  horses 

1  S.  emends,  suggesting  '  deop '  for  '  de"og,'  and  removing  semicolon  after 
'weol.'  The  two  half-lines  'welling  ...  hid  him'  would  then  read:  Tht 
bloody  deep  welled  with  sword-gore.  B.  accepts  '  deop '  for  '  de"og,'  but  reads 
'  dla&faeges ' :  The  deep  boiled  with  the  sword-gore  of  the  death-doomed  one. 


Beowulf. 


To  run  in  rivalry,  racing  and  chasing, 
30    Where  the  fieldways  appeared  to  them  fair  and  inviting, 

Known  for  their  excellence ;  oft  a  thane  of  the  folk-lord,1 

* A  man  of  celebrity,  mindful  of  rhythms, 

Who  ancient  traditions  treasured  in  memory, 

New  word-groups  found  properly  bound  : 
35    The  bard  after  'gan  then  Beowulf  s  venture 

Wisely  to  tell  of,  and  words  that  were  clever 

To  utter  skilfully,  earnestly  speaking, 

Everything  told  he  that  he  heard  as  to  Sigmund's 

Mighty  achievements,  many  things  hidden, 
40   The  strife  of  the  Waelsing,  the  wide-going  ventures 

The  children  of  men  knew  of  but  little, 

The  feud  and  the  fury,  but  Fitela  with  him, 

When  suchlike  matters  he  minded  to  speak  of, 

Uncle  to  nephew,  as  in  every  contention 
45    Each  to  other  was  ever  devoted  : 

A  numerous  host  of  the  race  of  the  scathers 

They  had  slain  with  the  sword-edge.    To  Sigmund  accrued  then 

No  little  of  glory,  when  his  life-days  were  over, 

Since  he  sturdy  in  struggle  had  destroyed  the  great  dragon, 
50   The  hoard-treasure's  keeper ;  'neath  the  hoar-grayish  stone  he, 

The  son  of  the  atheling,  unaided  adventured 

The  perilous  project ;  not  present  was  Fitela, 

Yet  the  fortune  befell  him  of  forcing  his  weapon 

Through  the  marvellous  dragon,  that  it  stood  in  the  wall, 
55    Well-honored  weapon  ;  the  worm  was  yslaughtered. 

The  great  one  had  gained  then  by  his  glorious  achievement 

To  reap  from  the  ring-hoard  richest  enjoyment, 

1  Another  and  quite  different  rendering  of  this  passage  is  as  follows :  Oft 
i  liegeman  of  the  king,  a  fame-covered  man  mindful  of  songs,  who  very  many 
indent  traditions  remembered  (he  found  other  word-groups  accurately  bound 
together)  began  afterward  to  tell  of  Beowulf  s  adventure,  skilfully  to  narrate 
it,  etc. 

8  Might  '  guma  gilp-hladen '  mean  '  a  man  laden  with  boasts  of  the  deeds 
of  others'? 


The  gleeman  sings 
the  deeds  of  heroes. 


He  sings  in  alliter- 
ative measures  of 
BeowulPs  prowess. 

Also  of  Sigemund, 
who  had  slain  a 
great  fire-drake. 


Beowulf. 


Sigemund  was 
widely  famed. 


Heremod,  an  un- 
fortunate Danish 
king,  is  introduced  °5 
by  way  of  contrast. 


Unlike  Sigemund 
and  Beowulf,  Here- 
mod  was  a  burden 
to  his  people.  70 


Beowulf  is  an 
honor  to  his  race. 


The  story  is  re-        go 
sumed. 


As  best  it  did  please  him  :  his  vessel  he  loaded, 
Shining  ornaments  on  the  ship's  bosom  carried, 

60    Kinsman  of  Wsels  :  the  drake  in  heat  melted. 
He  was  farthest  famed  of  fugitive  pilgrims, 
Mid  wide-scattered  world- folk,  for  works  of  great  prowess, 
War-troopers'  shelter  :  hence  waxed  he  in  honor.1 
Afterward  Heremod's  hero-strength  failed  him, 
His  vigor  and  valor.     'Mid  venomous  haters 
To  the  hands  of  foemen  he  was  foully  delivered, 
Offdriven  early.    Agony-billows 

Oppressed  him  too  long,  to  his  people  he  became  then, 
To  all  the  athelings,  an  ever-great  burden ; 
And  the  daring  one's  journey  in  days  of  yore 
Many  wise  men  were  wont  to  deplore, 
Such  as  hoped  he  would  bring  them  help  in  their  sorrow, 
That  the  son  of  their  ruler  should  rise  into  power, 
Holding  the  headship  held  by  his  fathers, 

75    Should  govern  the  people,  the  gold-hoard  and  borough, 
The  kingdom  of  heroes,  the  realm  of  the  Scyldings. 
He  to  all  men  became  then  far  more  beloved, 
Higelac's  kinsman,  to  kindreds  and  races, 
To  his  friends  much  dearer ;  him  malice  assaulted.  — 
Oft  running  and  racing  on  roadsters  they  measured 
The  dun-colored  highways.     Then  the  light  of  the  morning 
Was  hurried  and  hastened.     Went  henchmen  in  numbers 
To  the  beautiful  building,  bold  ones  in  spirit, 
To  look  at  the  wonder ;  the  liegelord  himself  then 

85    From  his  wife-bower  wending,  warden  of  treasures, 
Glorious  trod  with  troopers  unnumbered, 
Famed  for  his  virtues,  and  with  him  the  queen-wife 
Measured  the  mead-ways,  with  maidens  attending. 

1  t.  B.  accepts  B.'s  « he"  bges  aron  bah '  as  given  by  H.-So.,  but  puts  a  comma 
after  '  bah,'  and  takes  '  siflflan '  as  introducing  a  dependent  clause :  He  throve 
in  honor  since  HeremocTs  strength  .  .  .  had  decreased. 


\ 


Beowulf.  33 


XV. 

HROTHGAR'S  GRATITUDE. 

Hrothgar  discoursed  (to  the  hall-building  went  he, 
He  stood  by  the  pillar,1  saw  the  steep-rising  hall-roof 
Gleaming  with  gold-gems,  and  Grendel  his  hand  there)  : 
"  For  the  sight  we  behold  now,  thanks  to  the  Wielder  Hrothgar  gives 

5    Early  be  offered  !     Much  evil  I  bided, 

Snaring  from  Grendel  :  2  God  can  e'er  'complish 

Wonder  on  wonder,  Wielder  of  Glory  ! 

But  lately  I  reckoned  ne'er  under  heaven  *  had  Pvcn  UP  M 

~        e     A  .  e  f  hope,  when  this 

Comfort  to  gam  me  for  any  of  sorrows,  bravc  uegeman 

10    While  the  handsomest  of  houses  horrid  with  bloodstain  came  to  our  aid. 

Gory  uptowered  ;  grief  had  offfrightened  3 

Each  of  the  wise  ones  who  weened  not  that  ever 

The  folk-troop's  defences  'gainst  foes  they  should  strengthen, 

'Gainst  sprites  and  monsters.   Through  the  might  of  the  Wielder 
15    A  doughty  retainer  hath  a  deed  now  accomplished 

Which  erstwhile  we  all  with  our  excellent  wisdom 

Failed  to  perform.     May  affirm  very  truly  if  his  mother  yet 


What  woman  soever  in  all  of  the  nations  Ei*  G*  for 

Gave  birth  to  the  child,  if  yet  she  surviveth,  this  son. 

20    That  the  long-ruling  Lord  was  lavish  to  herward 
In  the  birth  of  the  bairn.     Now,  Beowulf  dear, 
Most  excellent  hero,  I'll  love  thee  in  spirit  Hereafter,  Beo- 

...  -  i      j         «  it  i  e  j  wulf.  thou  shall  be 

As  bairn  of  my  body  ;  bear  well  henceforward  my  ^ 

The  relationship  new.     No  lack  shall  befall  thee 
»5    Of  earth-joys  any  I  ever  can  give  thee. 
Full  often  for  lesser  service  I've  given 

1  B.  and  t.  B.  read  '  stable,'  and  translate  stood  on  the  floor. 

2  For  '  snaring  from  Grendel,'  '  sorrows  at  Grendel's  bands  '  has  been  sug- 
gested.    This  gives  a  parallel  to  '  laftes.'     '  Grynna  '  may  well  be  gen.  pi.  of 
'gyrn,'  by  a  scribal  slip. 

8  The  H.-So.  punctuation  has  been  followed;  but  B.  has  been  followed  in 
understanding  '  gehwylcne  '  as  object  of  '  wfd-scofen  (haefde).'  Gr.  construes 
•wea'  as  nom.  abs. 


34 


Thou  hast  won  im- 
mortal distinction. 


Beowulf  replies: 
I  was  most  happy 
to  render  thee  this 
service. 


I  could  not  keep 
the  monster  from 
escaping,  as  God 
did  not  will  that  I 
should. 


He  left  his  hand 
and  arm  behind. 


God  will  give  him 
his  deserts. 

Unferth  has  noth- 
ing more  to  say, 
for  Beowulf  s  ac- 
tions speak  louder 
than  words. 


Beowulf. 

Hero  less  hardy  hoard-treasure  precious, 

To  a  weaker  in  war-strife.     By  works  of  distinction 

Thou  hast  gained  for  thyself  now  that  thy  glory  shall  flourish 

30    Forever  and  ever.     The  All- Ruler  quite  thee 

With  good  from  His  hand  as  He  hitherto  did  thee  1 " 
Beowulf  answered,  Ecgtheow's  offspring  : 
"  That  labor  of  glory  most  gladly  achieved  we, 
The  combat  accomplished,  unquailing  we  ventured 

35   The  enemy's  grapple  ;  I  would  grant  it  much  rather 
Thou  wert  able  to  look  at  the  creature  in  person, 
Faint  unto  falling,  the  foe  in  his  trappings  ! 
On  murder-bed  quickly  I  minded  to  bind  him, 
With  firm-holding  fetters,  that  forced  by  my  grapple 

40    Low  he  should  lie  in  life-and-death  struggle 
'Less  his  body  escape  ;  I  was  wholly  unable, 
Since  God  did  not  will  it,  to  keep  him  from  going, 
Not  held  him  that  firmly,  hated  opposer ; 
Too  swift  was  the  foeman.     Yet  safety  regarding 

45    He  suffered  his  hand  behind  him  to  linger, 
His  arm  and  shoulder,  to  act  as  watcher ; 
No  shadow  of  solace  the  woe-begone  creature 
Found  him  there  nathless  :  the  hated  destroyer 
Liveth  no  longer,  lashed  for  his  evils, 

50    But  sorrow  hath  seized  him,  in  snare-meshes  hath  him 
Close  in  its  clutches,  keepeth  him  writhing 
In  baleful  bonds  :  there  banished  for  evil 
The  man  shall  wait  for  the  mighty  tribunal, 
How  the  God  of  glory  shall  give  him  his  earnings." 

55    Then  the  soldier  kept  silent,  son  of  old  Ecglaf, 
From  boasting  and  bragging  of  battle-achievements, 
Since  the  princes  beheld  there  the  hand  that  depended 
'Neath  the  lofty  hall-timbers  by  the  might  of  the  nobleman, 
Each  one  before  him,  the  enemy's  fingers ; 

60    Each  finger-nail  strong  steel  most  resembled, 
The  heathen  one's  hand-spur,  the  hero-in-battle's 
Claw  most  uncanny ;  quoth  they  agreeing, 


Beowulf. 


35 


That  not  any  excellent  edges  of  brave  ones 
Was  willing  to  touch  him,  the  terrible  creature's 
*5    Battle-hand  bloody  to  bear  away  from  him. 


No  sword  will 

harm  the  monster. 


XVI. 


HROTHGAR  LAVISHES  GIFTS  UPON  HIS  DELIVERER. 

Then  straight  was  ordered  that  Heorot  inside * 
With  hands  be  embellished  :  a  host  of  them  gathered, 
Of  men  and  women,  who  the  wassailing-building 
The  guest-hall  begeared.     Gold-flashing  sparkled 
5    Webs  on  the  walls  then,  of  wonders  a  many 
To  each  of  the  heroes  that  look  on  such  objects. 
The  beautiful  building  was  broken  to  pieces 
Which  all  within  with  irons  was  fastened, 
Its  hinges  torn  off :  only  the  roof  was 

10    Whole  and  uninjured  when  the  horrible  creature 
Outlawed  for  evil  off  had  betaken  him, 
Hopeless  of  living.     'Tis  hard  to  avoid  it 
(Whoever  will  do  it !)  ;  but  he  doubtless  must  come  to1 
The  place  awaiting,  as  Wyrd  hath  appointed, 

15    Soul-bearers,  earth-dwellers,  earls  under  heaven, 
Where  bound  on  its  bed  his  body  shall  slumber 
When  feasting  is  finished.     Full  was  the  time  then 
That  the  son  of  Healfdene  went  to  the  building ; 

1  Kl.   suggests   '  hroden '   for  '  haten,'   and   renders :     Then   quickly  was 
Heorot  adorned  within,  with  hands  bedecked.  —  B.  suggests  '  gefraetwon '  in- 
stead of  '  gefraetwod,'  and  renders  :    Then  was  it  commanded  to  adorn  Heorot 
within  quickly  with  hands. — The  former  has  the  advantage  of  affording  a 
parallel  to  '  gefraetwod ' :  both  have  the  disadvantage  of  altering  the  text. 

2  The  passage  1005-1009  seems  to  be  hopeless.     One  difficult  point  is  to 
find  a  subject  for  'gesacan.'     Some  say  'he';  others  supply  'each,'  i.e.,  every 
soul-bearer  .  .  .  must  gain  the  inevitable  place.     The  genitives  in  this  case  are 
partitive.  —  If  '  he '  be  subj.,  the  genitives  are  dependent  on  '  gearwe '  (=  pre- 
pared).—  The  'he'  itself  is  disputed,  some  referring  it  to  Grendel;  but  B. 
takes  it  as  involved  in  the  parenthesis. 


Heorot  is  adorned 
with  hands. 


The  hall  is  defaced 
however. 


[A  vague  passage 
of  five  verses.] 


Hrothgar  goes  to 
the  banquet. 


Hrothgar's 
nephew,  Hrothulf, 
is  present. 

Hrothgar  lavishes 
gifts  upon  Beowulf. 


3° 


35 


Four  handsomer 
gifts  were  never 
presented. 


40 


Hrothgar  com- 
mands that  eight 
finely  caparisoned 
steeds  be  brought     ,,- 
to  Beowulf. 


5° 


Beowulf. 

The  excellent  atheling  would  eat  of  the  banquet. 

Ne'er  heard  I  that  people  with  hero-band  larger 

Bare  them  better  tow'rds  their  bracelet-bestower. 

The  laden-with-glory  stooped  to  the  bench  then 

(Their  kinsmen-companions  in  plenty  were  joyful, 

Many  a  cupful  quaffing  complaisantly) , 

Doughty  of  spirit  in  the  high-tow'ring  palace, 

Hrothgar  and  Hrothulf.     Heorotthen  inside 

Was  filled  with  friendly  ones ;  falsehood  and  treachery 

The  Folk-Scyldings  now  nowise  did  practise. 

Then  the  offspring  of  Healfdene  offered  to  Beowulf 

A  golden  standard,  as  reward  for  the  victory, 

A  banner  embossed,  burnie  and  helmet ; 

Many  men  saw  then  a  song-famous  weapon 

Borne  'fore  the  hero.     Beowulf  drank  of 

The  cup  in  the  building ;  that  treasure-bestowing 

He  needed  not  blush  for  in  battle-men's  presence. 

Ne'er  heard  I  that  many  men  on  the  ale-bench 

In  friendlier  fashion  to  their  fellows  presented 

Four  bright  jewels  with  gold- work  embellished. 

'Round  the  roof  of  the  helmet  a  head-guarder  outside 

Braided  with  wires,  with  bosses  was  furnished, 

That  swords-for-the-battle  fight-hardened  might  fail 

Boldly  to  harm  him,  when  the  hero  proceeded 

Forth  against  foemen.    The  defender  of  earls  then 

Commanded  that  eight  steeds  with  bridles 

Gold-plated,  gleaming,  be  guided  to  hallward, 

Inside  the  building ;  on  one  of  them  stood  then 

An  art-broidered  saddle  embellished  with  jewels  ; 

Twas  the  sovereign's  seat,  when  the  son  of  King  Healfdene 

Was  pleased  to  take  part  in  the  play  of  the  edges ; 

The  famous  one's  valor  ne'er  failed  at  the  front  when 

Slain  ones  were  bowing.     And  to  Beowulf  granted 

The  prince  of  the  Ingwins,  power  over  both, 

O'er  war-steeds  and  weapons ;  bade  him  well  to  enjoy  them. 

In  so  manly  a  manner  the  mighty-famed  chieftain, 


Beowulf. 


37 


55    Hoard-ward  of  heroes,  with  horses  and  jewels 
War-storms  requited,  that  none  e'er  condemneth 
Who  willeth  to  tell  truth  with  full  justice. 


XVII. 
BANQUET  (continued).— THE  SCOP'S  SONG  OF  FINN  AND  HN^EF. 

And  the  atheling  of  earlmen  to  each  of  the  heroes 
Who  the  ways  of  the  waters  went  with  Beowulf, 
A  costly  gift-token  gave  on  the  mead-bench, 
Offered  an  heirloom,  and  ordered  that  that  man 
5    With  gold  should  be  paid  for,  whom  Grendel  had  erstwhile 
Wickedly  slaughtered,  as  he  more  of  them  had  done 
Had  far-seeing  God  and  the  mood  of  the  hero 
The  fate  not  averted  :  the  Father  then  governed 
All  of  the.  earth-dwellers,  as  He  ever  is  doing ; 

10    Hence  insight  for  all  men  is  everywhere  fittest, 
Forethought  of  spirit !  much  he  shall  suffer 
Of  lief  and  of  loathsome  who  long  in  this  present 
Useth  the  world  in  this  woful  existence. 
There  was  music  and  merriment  mingling  together 

15    Touching  Healfdene's  leader ;  the  joy-wood  was  fingered, 
Measures  recited,  when  the  singer  of  Hrothgar 
On  mead-bench  should  mention  the  merry  hall-joyance 
Of  the  kinsmen  of  Finn,  when  onset  surprised  them  : 
"The  Half-Danish  hero,  Hnaef  of  the  Scyldings, 

10    On  the  field  of  the  Frisians  was  fated  to  perish. 
Sure  Hildeburg  needed  not  mention  approving 
The  faith  of  the  Jute  men  :  though  blameless  entirely, 
When  shields  were  shivered  she  was  shorn  of  her  darlings, 
Of  bairns  and  brothers  :  they  bent  to  their  fate 

35    With  war-spear  wounded ;  woe  was  that  woman. 


Not  causeless  lamented  the  daughter  of  Hoce 

The  decree  of  the  Wielder  when  morning-light  came  and 

She  was  able  'neath  heaven  to  behold  the  destruction 


Each  of  Beowulfi 
companions  re- 
ceives a  costly  gift. 


The  warrior  killed 
by  Grendel  is  to  be 
paid  for  in  gold. 


Hrothgar' i  scop 
recalls  events  in 
the  reign  of  his 
lord's  father. 


Hnaef,  the  Danish 
general,  is  treach- 
erously attacked 
while  staying  at 
Finn's  castle. 

Queen  Hildeburg 
is  not  only  wife  of 
Finn,  but  a  kins- 
woman of  the  mur- 
dered rinacf. 


Finn's  force  is  al- 
most exterminated. 


Hengest  succeeds 
Hnsef  as  Danish 
general. 

Compact  between 
the  Frisians  and  the 
Danes. 


Equality  of  gifts 
agreed  on. 


No  one  shall  refer 
to  old  grudges. 


Danish  warriors 
are  burned  on  a 
funeral-pyre. 


Beowulf. 

Of  brothers  and  bairns,  where  the  brightest  of  earth-joys 

30    She  had  hitherto  had  :  all  the  henchmen  of  Finn 
War  had  offtaken,  save  a  handful  remaining, 
That  he  nowise  was  able  "to  offer  resistance  * 
To  the  onset  of  Hengest  in  the  parley  of  battle, 
Nor  the  wretched  remnant  to  rescue  in  war  from 

35    The  earl  of  the  atheling ;  but  they  offered  conditions, 
Another  great  building  to  fully  make  ready, 
A  hall  and  a  high-seat,  that  half  they  might  rule  with 
The  sons  of  the  Jutemen,  and  that  Folcwalda's  son  would 
Day  after  day  the  Danemen  honor 

40    When  gifts  were  giving,  and  grant  of  his  ring- store 
To  Hengest's  earl-troop  ever  so  freely, 
Of  his  gold-plated  jewels,  as  he  encouraged  the  Frisians 
On  the  bench  of  the  beer-hall.    On  both  sides  they  swore  then 
A  fast-binding  compact ;  Finn  unto  Hengest 

45    With  no  thought  of  revoking  vowed  then  most  solemnly 
The  woe-begone  remnant  well  to  take  charge  of, 
His  Witan  advising ;  the  agreement  should  no  one 
By  words  or  works  weaken  and  shatter, 
By  artifice  ever  injure  its  value, 

50   Though  reaved  of  their  ruler  their  ring-giver's  slayer 
They  followed  as  vassals,  Fate  so  requiring  : 
Then  if  one  of  the  Frisians  the  quarrel  should  speak  of 
In  tones  that  were  taunting,  terrible  edges 
Should  cut  in  requital.     Accomplished  the  oath  was, 

55    And  treasure  of  gold  from  the  hoard  was  uplifted. 
The  best  of  the  Scylding  braves  was  then  fully 
Prepared  for  the  pile  ;  at  the  pyre  was  seen  clearly 
The  blood-gory  burnie,  the  boar  with  his  gilding, 
The  iron-hard  swine,  athelings  many 

60    Fatally  wounded ;  no  few  had  been  slaughtered. 
Hildeburg  bade  then,  at  the  burning  of  Hnsef, 

1  For  1084,  R.  suggests  '  wiht  Hengeste  wi$  gefeohtan.'  —  K.  suggests  '  wi*S 
Hengeste  wiht  gefeohtan.'  Neither  emendation  would  make  any  essential 
change  in  the  translation. 


Beowulf.  39 


The  bairn  of  her  bosom  to  bear  to  the  fire, 
That  his  body  be  burned  and  borne  to  the  pyre. 
The  woe-stricken  woman  wept  on  his  shoulder,1 

65    In  measures  lamented ;  upmounted  the  hero.* 
The  greatest  of  dead-fires  curled  to  the  welkin, 
On  the  hilTs-front  crackled ;  heads  were  a-melting, 
Wound-doors  bursting,  while  the  blood  was  a-coursing 
From  body-bite  fierce.    The  fire  devoured  them, 

70    Greediest  of  spirits,  whom  war  had  offcarried 

From  both  of  the  peoples ;  their  bravest  were  fallen. 


XVIII. 
THE  FINN  EPISODE   (continue*).  — THE   BANQUET  CONTINUES. 

"  Then  the  warriors  departed  to  go  to  their  dwellings,  The  survivors  go 

to  Fricsland,  t) 
home  of  Finn. 


Reaved  of  their  friends,  Friesland  to  visit,  to  Friesland« the 


Their  homes  and  high-city.     Hengest  continued 
Biding  with  Finn  the  blood-tainted  winter,  Hengest  remains 

5    Wholly  unsundered  ;»  of  fatherland  thought  he 
Though  unable  to  drive  the  ring-stemmed  vessel 

1  The  separation  of  adjective  and  noun  by  a  phrase  (cf.  v.  1118)  being  very 
unusual,  some  scholars  have  put  '  earme  on  eaxle '  with  the  foregoing  lines, 
inserting  a  semicolon  after  '  eaxle.'  In  this  case  '  on  eaxe '  (i.e.,  on  the  ashes, 
cinders)  is  sometimes  read,  and  this  affords  a  parallel  to  '  on  bael.'  Let  us  hope 
that  a  satisfactory  rendering  shall  yet  be  reached  without  resorting  to  any  tamper- 
ing with  the  text,  such  as  Lichtenheld  proposed  :  '  earme  ides  on  eaxle  gnornode.' 

8  For  '  gtSS-rinc,'  '  gtift-re'c,'  battle-smoke,  has  been  suggested. 

*  For  1130  (i)  R.  and  Gr.  suggest 'elne  unflitme'  as  1098  (i)  reads.  The 
latter  verse  is  undisputed;  and,  for  the  former,  '  elne  '  would  be  as  possible  as 
1  ealles,'  and  '  unflitme  '  is  well  supported.  Accepting  '  elne  unflitme '  for  both, 
I  would  suggest  'very  peaceably*  for  both  places:  (i)  Finn  to  Hengest  very 
peaceably  vowed  with  oaths,  etc.  (2)  Hengest  then  still  the  slaughter-stained 
winter  remained  there  with  Finn  very  peaceably.  The  two  passages  become 
thus  correlatives,  the  second  a  sequel  of  the  first.  '  Elne,'  in  the  sense  of  very 
(swfSe),  needs  no  argument;  and  '  unflitme '  (from  '  flftan ')  can,  it  seems  to 
me,  be  more  plausibly  rendered  'peaceful,'  'peaceable,'  than  '  contestable,'  or 
'conquerable.' 


He  devises 
schemes  of  ven- 
geance. 


GuthlafandOslaf 
revenge  Hnzf's 
slaughter.  25 


Finn  is  slain. 


The  jewels  of  Finn, 
and  his  queen  are 
carried  away  by 
the  Danes. 


The  lay  is  con- 
cluded, and  the 
main  story  is  re- 
sumed. 

Skinkers  carry 
round  the  beaker. 


Beowulf. 

O'er  the  ways  of  the  waters ;  the  wave-deeps  were  tossing, 

Fought  with  the  wind ;  winter  in  ice-bonds 

Closed  up  the  currents,  till  there  came  to  the  dwelling 

A  year  in  its  course,  as  yet  it  revolveth, 

If  season  propitious  one  alway  regardeth, 

World-cheering  weathers.    Then  winter  was  gone, 

Earth's  bosom  was  lovely ;  the  exile  would  get  him, 

The  guest  from  the  palace ;  on  grewsomest  vengeance 

He  brooded  more  eager  than  on  oversea  journeys, 

Whe'r  onset-of-anger  he  were  able  to  'complish, 

The  bairns  of  the  Jutemen  therein  to  remember. 

Nowise  refused  he  the  duties  of  liegeman 

When  Hun  of  the  Frisians  the  battle-sword  Lafing, 

Fairest  of  falchions^friendly  did  give  him  : 

Its  edges  were  famous  in  folk-talk  of  Jutland. 

And  savage  sword-fury  seized  in  its  clutches 

Bold-mooded  Finn  where  he  bode  in  his  palace, 

When  the  grewsome  grapple  Guthlaf  and  Oslaf 

Had  mournfully  mentioned,  the  mere- journey  over, 

For  sorrows  half-blamed  him ;  the  flickering  spirit 

Could  not  bide  in  his  bosom.    Then  the  building  was  covered ' 

With  corpses  of  foemen,  and  Finn  too  was  slaughtered, 

The  king  with  his  comrades,  and  the  queen  made  a  prisoner. 

The  troops  of  the  Scyldings  bore  to  their  vessels 

All  that  the  land-king  had  in  his  palace, 

Such  trinkets  and  treasures  they  took  as,  on  searching, 

At  Finn's  they  could  find.    They  ferried  to  Daneland 

The  excellent  woman  on  oversea  journey, 

Led  her  to  their  land-folk."    The  lay  was  concluded, 

The  gleeman's  recital.     Shouts  again  rose  then, 

Bench-glee  resounded,  bearers  then  offered 

Wine  from  wonder-vats.     Wealhtheo  advanced  then 

Going  'neath  gold-crown,  where  the  good  ones  were  seated 

1  Some  scholars  have  proposed  '  roden ' ;  the  line  would  then  read :  Then 
the  building  was  reddened,  etc.,  instead  of  '  covered.'  The  '  h '  may  have  been 
carried  over  from  the  three  alliterating  '  h's.' 


35 


Beowulf. 

40    Uncle  and  nephew ;  their  peace  was  yet  mutual, 
True  each  to  the  other.     And  Unferth  the  spokesman 
Sat  at  the  feet  of  the  lord  of  the  Scyldings : 
Each  trusted  his  spirit  that  his  mood  was  courageous, 
Though  at  fight  he  had  failed  in  faith  to  his  kinsmen. 

45    Said  the  queen  of  the  Scyldings  :  "  My  lord  and  protector, 
Treasure-bestower,  take  thou  this  beaker ; 
Joyance  attend  thee,  gold-friend  of  heroes, 
And  greet  thou  the  Geatmen  with  gracious  responses  ! 
So  ought  one  to  do.     Be  kind  to  the  Geatmen, 

50    In  gifts  not  niggardly ;  anear  and  afar  now 

Peace  thou  enjoyest.     Report  hath  informed  me 
Thou'lt  have  for  a  bairn  the  battle-brave  hero. 
Now  is  Heorot  cleansed,  ring- palace  gleaming; 
Give  while  thou  mayest  many  rewards, 

55    And  bequeath  to  thy  kinsmen  kingdom  and  people, 
On  wending  thy  way  to  the  Wielder's  splendor. 
I  know  good  Hrothulf,  that  the  noble  young  troopers 
He'll  care  for  and  honor,  lord  of  the  Scyldings, 
If  earth-joys  thou  endest  earlier  than  he  doth ; 

60    I  reckon  that  recompense  he'll  render  with  kindness 
Our  offspring  and  issue,  if  that  all  he  remember, 
What  favors  of  yore,  when  he  yet  was  an  infant, 
We  awarded  to  him  for  his  worship  and  pleasure." 
Then  she  turned  by  the  bench  where  her  sons  were  carousing, 

(5    Hrethric  and  Hrothmund,  and  the  heroes'  offspring, 
The  war-youth  together ;  there  the  good  one  was  sitting 
Twixt  the  brothers  twain,  Beowulf  Geatman. 


41 

Queen  Wealh- 
theow  greets 
Hrothgar,  as  he 
sits  beside  Hroth- 
ulf,  his  nephew. 


Be  generous  to 
the  Geats. 


Have  as  much  joy 
as  possible  in  thy 
hall,  once  more 
purified. 


1  know  that  HrotK 
ulf  will  prove  faith 
ful  if  h*  survive 


Beowulf  is  sitting 
by  the  two  royal 


XIX. 
BEOWULF  RECEIVES  FURTHER   HONOR. 

A  beaker  was  borne  him,  and  bidding  to  quaff  it 
Graciously  given,  and  gold  that  was  twisted 
Pleasantly  proffered,  a  pair  of  arm -jewels, 


More  gifts  a—  of- 
fered Beowulf. 


Beowulf. 


A  famous  necklace 
is  referred  to,  in 
comparison  with 
the  gems  presented 
to  Beowulf. 


Queen  Wcalh- 
theow  magnifies 
BeowulPs  achieve- 
ments. 


Rings  and  corslet,  of  collars  the  greatest 

I've  heard  of  'neath  heaven.     Of  heroes  not  any 

More  splendid  from  jewels  have  I  heard  'neath  the  welkin, 

Since  Kama  off  bore  the  Brosingmen's  necklace, 

The  bracteates  and  jewels,  from  the  bright-shining  city,1 

Eormenric's  cunning  craftiness  fled  from, 
10   Chose  gain  everlasting.     Geatish  Higelac, 

Grandson  of  Swerting,  last  had  this  jewel 

When  tramping  'neath  banner  the  treasure  he  guarded, 

The  field-spoil  defended  ;  Fate  offcarried  him 

When  for  deeds  of  daring  he  endured  tribulation, 
15    Hate  from  the  Frisians ;  the  ornaments  bare  he 

O'er  the  cup  of  the  currents,  costly  gem-treasures, 

Mighty  folk-leader,  he  fell  'neath  his  target ; 

The 2  corpse  of  the  king  then  came  into  charge  of 

The  race  of  the  Frankmen,  the  mail-shirt  and  collar : 
so    Warmen  less  noble  plundered  the  fallen, 

When  the  fight  was  finished  ;  the  folk  of  the  Geatmen 

The  field  of  the  dead  held  in  possession. 

The  choicest  of  mead-halls  with  cheering  resounded. 

Wealhtheo  discoursed,  the  war-troop  addressed  she  : 
25    "  This  collar  enjoy  thou,  Beowulf  worthy, 

Young  man,  in  safety,  and  use  thou  this  armor, 

Gems  of  the  people,  and  prosper  thou  fully, 

Show  thyself  sturdy  and  be  to  these  liegemen 

Mild  with  instruction  !     I'll  mind  thy  requital. 
30   Thou  hast  brought  it  to  pass  that  far  and  near 

Forever  and  ever  earthmen  shall  honor  thee, 

Even  so  widely  as  ocean  surroundeth 

The  blustering  bluffs.     Be,  while  thou  livest, 

1  C.  suggests  a  semicolon  after  '  city,'  with  '  he '  as  supplied  subject  of 
'fled 'and 'chose.' 

2  For  '  feorh '  S.  suggests  '  feoh ' :  '  corpse '  in  the  translation  would  then 
be  changed  to  *  possessions]  '  belongings?    This  is  a  better  reading  than  one 
joining,  in  such  intimate  syntactical  relations,  things  so  unlike  as  '  corpse '  and 
'jewels.' 


Beowulf.  43 

A  wealth-blessed  atheling.     I  wish  thee  most  truly 
35    Jewels  and  treasure.     Be  kind  to  my  son,  thou  May  gifts  new 

Living  in  joyance  !     Here  each  of  the  nobles 

Is  true  unto  other,  gentle  in  spirit, 

Loyal  to  leader.     The  liegemen  are  peaceful, 

The  war-troops  ready  :  well-drunken  heroes,1 
40    Do  as  I  bid  ye."    Then  she  went  to  the  settle. 

There  was  choicest  of  banquets,  wine  drank  the  heroes : 

Weird  they  knew  not,  destiny  cruel,  They  little  know 

As  to  many  an  earlman  early  it  happened,  store^'the^T 

When  evening  had  come  and  Hrothgar  had  parted 
15    Off  to  his  manor,  the  mighty  to  slumber. 

Warriors  unnumbered  warded  the  building 

As  erst  they  did  often  :  the  ale-settle  bared  they, 

'Twas  covered  all  over  with  beds  and  pillows. 

Doomed  unto  death,  down  to  his  slumber  A  doomed  thane  is 

5o   Bowed  then  a  beer-thane.    Their  battle- shields  placed  they,     thcre  whh them' 

Bright-shining  targets,  up  by  their  heads  then ; 

O'er  the  atheling  on  ale-bench  'twas  easy  to  see  there 

Battle-high  helmet,  burnie  of  ring-mail, 

And  mighty  war-spear.     Twas  the  wont  of  that  people  They  were 

55    To  constantly  keep  them  equipped  for  the  battle,8  ready  for  battle* 

At  home  or  marching  —  in  either  condition  — 

At  seasons  just  such  as  necessity  ordered 

As  best  for  their  ruler ;  that  people  was  worthy. 

1  S.  suggests  '  wine-joyous  heroes?  '  warriors  elated  with  wine? 

2  I  believe  this  translation  brings  out  the  meaning  of  the  poet,  without 
departing  seriously  from  the  H.-So.  text.     'Oft'  frequently  means  'constantly,' 
*  continually,'  not  always  'often.'  —  Why  'an  (on)  wfg  gearwe '  should  be 
written  '  anwig-gearwe  '  (=  ready  for  single  combat),  I  cannot  see.     'Gearwe' 
occurs  quite  frequently  with  'on';   cf.  B.  mo  (ready  for  the  Pyre),  El.  222 
(ready  for  the  glad  journey}.     Moreover,  what  has  the  idea  of  single  combat 
to  do  with  B.  1247  ff-?    Tne  Poet  is  giving  an  inventory  of  the  arms  and 
armor  which  they  lay  aside  on  retiring,  and  he  closes  his  narration  by  saying 
that  they  were  always  prepared  for  battle  both  at  home  and  on  the  march. 


44 


Beowulf. 


Grendel's  mother 
is  known  to  be 
thirsting  for  re- 
venge. 


[Grendel's  progen- 
itor, Cain,  is  again 
referred  to.] 


The  poet  again 
magnifies  Beo- 
wulf s  valor. 


Grendel's  mother 
comes  to  avenge 
her  son. 


XX. 

THE  MOTHER  OF  GRENDEL. 

They  sank  then  to  slumber.     With  sorrow  one  paid  for 

His  evening  repose,  as  often  betid  them 

While  Grendel  was  holding *  the  gold-bedecked  palace, 

Ill-deeds  performing,  till  his  end  overtook  him, 

Death  for  his  sins.     Twas  seen  very  clearly, 

Known  unto  earth-folk,  that  still  an  avenger 

Outlived  the  loathed  one,  long  since  the  sorrow 

Caused  by  the  struggle  ;  the  mother  of  Grendel, 

Devil-shaped  woman,  her  woe  ever  minded, 

Who  was  held  to  inhabit  the  horrible  waters, 

The  cold-flowing  currents,  after  Cain  had  become  a 

Slayer-with-edges  to  his  one  only  brother, 

The  son  of  his  sire ;  he  set  out  then  banished, 

Marked  as  a  murderer,  man-joys  avoiding, 

15    Lived  in  the  desert.     Thence  demons  unnumbered 
Fate-sent  awoke ;  one  of  them  Grendel, 
Sword-cursed,  hateful,  who  at  Heorot  met  with 
A  man  that  was  watching,  waiting  the  struggle, 
Where  a  horrid  one  held  him  with  hand-grapple  sturdy ; 

20    Nathless  he  minded  the  might  of  his  body, 
The  glorious  gift  God  had  allowed  him, 
And  folk-ruling  Father's  favor  relied  on, 
His  help  and  His  comfort :  so  he  conquered  the  foeman, 
The  hell-spirit  humbled  :  he  unhappy  departed  then, 

25    Reaved  of  his  joyance,  journeying  to  death-haunts, 
Foeman  of  man.     His  mother  moreover 
Eager  and  gloomy  was  anxious  to  go  on 
Her  mournful  mission,  mindful  of  vengeance 
For  the  death  of  her  son.     She  came  then  to  Heorot 

1  Several  eminent  authorities  either  read  or  emend  the  MS.  so  as  to  make 
this  verse  read,  While  Grendel  -was  wasting  the  gold-bedecked  palace.  So  2O16 
below :  ravaged  the  desert. 


Beowulf.  45 

30   Where  the  Armor- Dane  earlmen  all  through  the  building 

Were  lying  in  slumber.     Soon  there  became  then 

Return J  to  the  nobles,  when  the  mother  of  Grendel 

Entered  the  folk-hall ;  the  fear  was  less  grievous 

By  even  so  much  as  the  vigor  of  maidens, 
35    War-strength  of  women,  by  warrior  is  reckoned, 

When  well-carved  weapon,  worked  with  the  hammer, 

Blade  very  bloody,  brave  with  its  edges, 

Strikes  down  the  boar-sign  that  stands  on  the  helmet. 

Then  the  hard-edged  weapon  was  heaved  in  the  building,2 
40   The  brand  o'er  the  benches,  broad-lindens  many 

Hand-fast  were  lifted  ;  for  helmet  he  recked  not, 

For  armor-net  broad,  whom  terror  laid  hold  of. 

She  went  then  hastily,  outward  would  get  her 

Her  life  for  to  save,  when  some  one  did  spy  her ; 

45    Soon  she  had  grappled  one  of  the  athelings  She  seizes  a  favor- 

Fast  and  firmly,  when  fenward  she  hied  her ; 

That  one  to  Hrothgar  was  liefest  of  heroes 

In  rank  of  retainer  where  waters  encircle, 

A  mighty  shield-warrior,  whom  she  murdered  at  slumber, 
50   A  broadly- famed  battle-knight.     Beowulf  was  absent, 

But  another  apartment  was  erstwhile  devoted  Beowulf  was  asleep 

To  the  glory-decked  Geatman  when  gold  was  distributed. 

There  was  hubbub  in  Heorot.     The  hand  that  was  famous 

She  grasped  in  its  gore ; 3  grief  was  renewed  then 

1  For  *s6na'  (1281),  t.  B.  suggests  'sara,'  limiting ' edhwyrft.'  Read  then: 
Return  of  sorrows  to  the  nobles,  etc.  This  emendation  supplies  the  syntactical 
gap  after  'edhwyrft.' 

8  Some  authorities  follow  Grein's  lexicon  in  treating  'heard-ecg'  as  an  adj. 
limiting  'sweord':  H.-So.  renders  it  as  a  subst.  (So  v.  1491.)  The  sense  of 
the  translation  would  be  the  same. 

8  B.  suggests  'under  hr6f  genam'  (v.  1303).  This  emendation,  as  well  as 
an  emendation  with  ( ?)  to  v.  739,  he  offers,  because  '  under '  baffles  him  in 
both  passages.  All  we  need  is  to  take  '  under '  in  its  secondary  meaning  of 
'  in,'  which,  though  not  given  by  Grein,  occurs  in  the  literature.  Cf.  Chron. 
876  (March's  A.-S.  Gram.  §  355)  and  Oro.  Amaz.  I.  10,  where  '  under  '=  w 
the  midst  of.  Cf.  modern  Eng.  '  in  such  circumstances,'  which  interchange* 
in  good  usage  with  '  under  such  circumstances.' 


46 


Beowulf. 


55 


Beowulf  is  sent        g0 
for. 


He  comes  at 
Hrothgar's  sum- 
mons. 


Beowulf  inquires 
how  Hrothgar  had 
enjoyed  his  night's  7* 


In  homes  and  houses  :  'twas  no  happy  arrangement 

In  both  of  the  quarters  to  barter  and  purchase 

With  lives  of  their  friends.     Then  the  well-aged  ruler, 

The  gray-headed  war-thane,  was  woful  in  spirit, 

When  his  long-trusted  liegeman  lifeless  he  knew  of, 

His  dearest  one  gone.     Quick  from  a  room  was 

Beowulf  brought,  brave  and  triumphant. 

As  day  was  dawning  in  the  dusk  of  the  morning, 

Went  then  that  earlman,  champion  noble, 

Came  with  comrades,  where  the  clever  one  bided 

Whether  God  all  gracious  would  grant  him  a  respite 

After  the  woe  he  had  suffered.     The  war-worthy  hero 

With  a  troop  of  retainers  trod  then  the  pavement 

(The  hall-building  groaned),  till  he  greeted  the  wise  one, 

The  earl  of  the  Ingwins ; *  asked  if  the  night  had 

Fully  refreshed  him,  as  fain  he  would  have  it. 


\ 


XXI. 


Hrothgar  laments 
the  death  of  /Es- 
chere,  his  shoulder- 
companion. 


He  was  my  ideal 
hero. 


HROTHGAR'S  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  MONSTERS. 

Hrothgar  rejoined,  helm  of  the  Scyldings  : 
"  Ask  not  of  joyance  !     Grief  is  renewed  to 
The  folk  of  the  Danemen.     Dead  is  ^Eschere, 
Yrmenlaf  s  brother,  older  than  he, 

5    My  true-hearted  counsellor,  trusty  adviser, 
Shoulder-companion,  when  fighting  in  battle 
Our  heads  we  protected,  when  troopers  were  clashing, 
And  heroes  were  dashing ;  such  an  earl  should  be  ever, 
An  erst- worthy  atheling,  as  ^Eschere  proved  him. 

10    The  flickering  death-spirit  became  in  Heorot 

His  hand-to-hand  murderer ;  I  can  not  tell  whither 
The  cruel  one  turned  in  the  carcass  exulting, 

1  For  '  ne'od-laftu '  (1321)  C.  suggests  ' nead-laflum,'  and  translates:  asked 
whether  the  night  had  been  pleasant  to  him  after  crushing-hostility. 


\ 


Beowulf.  47 

By  cramming  discovered.1    The  quarrel  she  wreaked  then, 

That  last  night  igone  Grendel  thou  killedst 
15    In  grewsomest  manner,  with  grim-holding  clutches, 

Since  too  long  he  had  lessened  my  liege-troop  and  wasted 

My  folk-men  so  foully.     He  fell  in  the  battle 

With  forfeit  of  life,  and  another  has  followed, 

A  mighty  crime-worker,  her  kinsman  avenging, 
ao    And  henceforth  hath  'stablished  her  hatred  unyielding,1 

As  it  well  may  appear  to  many  a  liegeman, 
v   Who  mourneth  in  spirit  the  treasure- bestower, 

Her  heavy  heart-sorrow ;  the  hand  is  now  lifeless 

Which  *  availed  you  in  every  wish  that  you  cherished. 
«S    Land-people  heard  I,  liegemen,  this  saying,  *  *»»«  h**«*  »y 

Dwellers  in  halls,  they  had  seen  very  often  JJ^  tJ^ncanny 

A  pair  of  such  mighty  march-striding  creatures,  monsters  who  lived 

Far-dwelling  spirits,  holding  the  moorlands : 

One  of  them  wore,  as  well  they  might  notice, 
30   The  image  of  woman,  the  other  one  wretched 

In  guise  of  a  man  wandered  in  exile, 

Except  he  was  huger  than  any  of  earthmen ; 

Earth-dwelling  people  entitled  him  Grendel 

In  days  of  yore  :  they  know  not  their  father, 
35    Whe'r  ill-going  spirits  any  were  borne  him 

Ever  before.    They  guard  the  wolf-coverts,  T**I  inh»bit  *• 

T        j     .  ...  -11  most  desolate  and 

Lands  inaccessible,  wind-beaten  nesses,  horrible  places. 

Fearfullest  fen-deeps,  where  a  flood  from  the  mountains 
'Neath  mists  of  the  nesses  netherward  rattles, 
40   The  stream  under  earth  :  not  far  is  it  henceward 

Measured  by  mile-lengths  that  the  mere-water  standeth, 
Which  forests  hang  over,  with  frost-whiting  covered,4 

1  For  'gefraegnod'   (1334),  K.  and  t.  B.  suggest  'gefagnod,'  rendering 
rejoicing  in  her  fill!    This  gives  a  parallel  to  '  aese  wlanc  '  (1333). 

2  The  line  '  And  .  .  .  yielding,'  B.  renders :  And  she  has  performed  a  deed 
of  blood-vengeance  whose  effect  is  far-reaching. 

*'Se)>e'  (1345)  is  an  instance  of  masc.  rel.  with  fern,  antecedent.  So 
r.  1888,  where  ' se  H '  refers  to  'yldo.' 

4  For  '  hrfmge '  in  the  H.-So.  edition,  Gr.  and  others  read  '  hrfnde ' 
(—  hrfnende),  and  translate :  which  rustling  forests  overhang. 


Beowulf. 


Even  the  hounded 
deer  will  not  seek 
refuge  in  these  un- 
canny regions. 


To  thee  only  can  I 
look  for  assistance. 


A  firm-rooted  forest,  the  floods  overshadow. 

There  ever  at  night  one  an  ill-meaning  portent 
45    A  fire-flood  may  see ;  'mong  children  of  men 

None  liveth  so  wise  that  wot  of  the  bottom  ; 

Though  harassed  by  hounds  the  heath-stepper  seek  for, 

Fly  to  the  forest,  firm-antlered  he-deer, 

Spurred  from  afar,  his  spirit  he  yieldeth, 
50    His  life  on  the  shore,  ere  in  he  will  venture 

To  cover  his  head.     Uncanny  the  place  is  : 

Thence  upward  ascendeth  the  surging  of  waters, 

Wan  to  the  welkin,  when  the  wind  is  stirring 

The  weathers  unpleasing,  till  the  air  groweth  gloomy, 
55    And  the  heavens  lower.     Now  is  help  to  be  gotten 

From  thee  and  thee  only  !     The  abode  thou  know'st  not, 

The  dangerous  place  where  thou'rt  able  to  meet  with 

The  sin-laden  hero  :  seek  if  thou  darest ! 

For  the  feud  I  will  fully  fee  thee  with  money, 
60    With  old-time  treasure,  as  erstwhile  I  did  thee, 

With  well-twisted  jewels,  if  away  thou  shalt  get  thee." 


Beowulf  exhorts 
the  old  king  to 
arouse  himself  for 
action. 

5 


XXII. 
BEOWULF  SEEKS  GRENDEL'S   MOTHER. 

Beowulf  answered,  Ecgtheow's  son  : 

"  Grieve  not,  O  wise  one  !  for  each  it  is  better, 

His  friend  to  avenge  than  with  vehemence  wail  him  ; 

Each  of  us  must  the  end-day  abide  of 

His  earthly  existence  ;  who  is  able  accomplish 

Glory  ere  death  !    To  battle-thane  noble 

Lifeless  lying,  'tis  at  last  most  fitting. 

Arise,  O  king,  quick  let  us  hasten 

To  look  at  the  footprint  of  the  kinsman  of  Grendel ! 

I  promise  thee  this  now :  to  his  place  he'll  escape  not, 

To  embrace  of  the  earth,  nor  to  mountainous  forest, 

Nor  to  depths  of  the  ocean,  wherever  he  wanders. 


Beowulf. 


49 


Practice  thou  now  patient  endurance 

Of  each  of  thy  sorrows,  as  I  hope  for  thee  soothly  ! " 
15    Then  up  sprang  the  old  one,  the  All-Wielder  thanked  he, 

Ruler  Almighty,  that  the  man  had  outspoken. 

Then  for  Hrothgar  a  war-horse  was  decked  with  a  bridle, 

Curly-maned  courser.    The  clever  folk-leader 

Stately  proceeded  :  stepped  then  an  earl-troop 
20    Of  linden-wood  bearers.     Her  footprints  were  seen  then 

Widely  in  wood-paths,  her  way  o'er  the  bottoms, 

Where  she  faraway  fared  o'er  fen-country  murky, 

Bore  away  breathless  the  best  of  retainers 

Who  pondered  with  Hrothgar  the  welfare  of  country. 
25    The  son  of  the  athelings  then  went  o'er  the  stony, 

Declivitous  cliffs,  the  close-covered  passes, 

Narrow  passages,  paths  unfrequented, 

Nesses  abrupt,  nicker-haunts  many ; 

One  of  a  few  of  wise-mooded  heroes, 
30    He  onward  advanced  to  view  the  surroundings, 

Till  he  found  unawares  woods  of  the  mountain 

O'er  hoar-stones  hanging,  holt-wood  unjoyful ; 

The  water  stood  under,  welling  and  gory. 

Twas  irksome  in  spirit  to  all  of  the  Danemen, 
35    Friends  of  the  Scyldings,  to  many  a  liegeman 

Sad  to  be  suffered,  a  sorrow  unlittle 

To  each  of  the  earlmen,  when  to  ^schere's  head  they 

Came  on  the  cliff.     The  current  was  seething 

With  blood  and  with  gore  (the  troopers  gazed  on  it). 
40    The  horn  anon  sang  the  battle -song  ready. 

The  troop  were  all  seated ;  they  saw  'long  the  water  then 

Many  a  serpent,  mere-dragons  wondrous 

Trying  the  waters,  nickers  a-lying 

On  the  cliffs  of  the  nesses,  which  at  noonday  full  often 
45    Go  on  the  sea-deeps  their  sorrowful  journey, 

Wild-beasts  and  wormkind  ;  away  then  they  hastened 

Hot-mooded,  hateful,  they  heard  the  great  clamor, 

The  war-trumpet  winding.     One  did  the  Geat-prince 


Hrothgar  rouses 
himself.    HU  horse 
is  brought. 


They  start  on  the 
track  of  the  female 

monster. 


The  sight  of 
./Eschere's  head 
causes  them  great 
sorrow. 


The  water  is  filled 
with  serpents  and 
sea-dragons. 


One  of  them  is 
killed  by  Beowulf. 


5° 


The  dead  beast  is  a 
poor  swimmer. 


Beowulf  prepares 
for  a  struggle  with 
the  monster. 


He  has  Unferth's 
sword  in  his  hand. 


Unferth  has  little 
use  for  swords. 


Beowulf. 

Sunder  from  earth-joys,  with  arrow  from  bowstring, 
50    From  his  sea-struggle  tore  him,  that  the  trusty  war-missile 

Pierced  to  his  vitals ;  he  proved  in  the  currents 

Less  doughty  at  swimming  whom  death  had  offcarried. 

Soon  in  the  waters  the  wonderful  swimmer 

Was  straitened  most  sorely  with  sword-pointed  boar-spears, 
55    Pressed  in  the  battle  and  pulled  to  the  cliff-edge ; 

The  liegemen  then  looked  on  the  loath-fashioned  stranger. 

Beowulf  donned  then  his  battle-equipments, 

Cared  little  for  life ;  inlaid  and  most  ample, 

The  hand-woven  corslet  which  could  cover  his  body, 
60    Must  the  wave-deeps  explore,  that  war  might  be  powerless 

To  harm  the  great  hero,  and  the  hating  one's  grasp  might 

Not  peril  his  safety ;  his  head  was  protected 

.By  the  light-flashing  helmet  that  should  mix  with  the  bot- 
toms, 

Trying  the  eddies,  treasure- emblazoned, 
65    Encircled  with  jewels,  as  in  seasons  long  past 

The  weapon-smith  worked  it,  wondrously  made  it, 

With  swine-bodies  fashioned  it,  that  thenceforward  no  longer 

Brand  might  bite  it,  and  battle-sword  hurt  it. 

And  that  was  not  least  of  helpers  in  prowess 
70   That  Hrothgar's  spokesman  had  lent  him  when  straitened ; 

And  the  hiked  hand-sword  was  Hrunting  entitled, 

Old  and  most  excellent  'mong  all  of  the  treasures ; 

Its  blade  was  of  iron,  blotted  with  poison, 

Hardened  with  gore ;  it  failed  not  in  battle 
75    Any  hero  under  heaven  in  hand  who  it  brandished, 

Who  ventured  to  take  the  terrible  journeys, 

The  battle-field  sought ;  not  the  earliest  occasion 

That  deeds  of  daring  'twas  destined  to  'complish. 

Ecglaf  s  kinsman  minded  not  soothly, 
80    Exulting  in  strength,  what  erst  he  had  spoken 

Drunken  with  wine,  when  the  weapon  he  lent  to 

A  sword-hero  bolder ;  himself  did  not  venture 

'Neath  the  strife  of  the  currents  his  life  to  endanger, 


Beowulf. 

To  fame-deeds  perform  ;  there  he  forfeited  glory, 
85    Repute  for  his  strength.     Not  so  with  the  other 

When  he  clad  in  his  corslet  had  equipped  him  for  battle. 


XXIII. 
BEOWULFS    FIGHT  WITH   GRENDEL'S    MOTHER. 

Beowulf  spake,  Ecgtheow's  son  : 
"  Recall  now,  oh,  famous  kinsman  of  Healfdene, 
Prince  very  prudent,  now  to  part  I  am  ready, 
Gold-friend  of  earlmen,  what  erst  we  agreed  on, 
5    Should  I  lay  down  my  life  in  lending  thee  assistance, 

When  my  earth-joys  were  over,  thou  wouldst  evermore  serve  me 
In  stead  of  a  father  ;  my  faithful  thanemen, 
My  trusty  retainers,  protect  thou  and  care  for, 
Fall  I  in  battle  :  and,  Hrothgar  beloved, 

10    Send  unto  Higelac  the  high- valued  jewels 

Thou  to  me  hast  allotted./   The  lord  of  the  Geatmen 
May  perceive  from  the  gold,  the  Hrethling  may  see  it 
When  he  looks  on  the  jewels,  that  a  gem-giver  found  I 
Good  over-measure,  enjoyed  him  while  able. 

15    And  the  ancient  heirloom  Unferth  permit  thou, 
The  famed  one  to  have,  the  heavy-sword  splendid * 
The  hard-edged  weapon ;  with  Hrunting  to  aid  me, 
I  shall  gain  me  glory,  or  grim-death  shall  take  me." 
|u  «|  ^  The  atheling  of  Geatmen  uttered  these  words  and 

20    Heroic  did  hasten,  not  any  rejoinder 

Was  willing  to  wait  for ;  the  wave-current  swallowed 
The  doughty-in-battle.    Then  a  day's-length  elapsed  ere 
He  was  able  to  see  the  sea  at  its  bottom. 
Early  she  found  then  who  fifty  of  winters 

25    The  course  of  the  currents  kept  in  her  fury, 
Grisly  and  greedy,  that  the  grim  one's  dominion 

1  Kl.  emends  '  wael-sweord.'      The  half-line  would  then  read,  '  the  battle- 
sword  splendid.' —  For  'heard-ecg'  in  next  half-vene,  see  note  to  20,,  above. 


Beowulf  makes  a 
parting  speech  to 
Hrothgar. 


If  I  (all,  act  as  a 
kind  liegelord  to 
my  thanes, 


and  send  Higelac 
the  jewels  thou 
hast  given  me. 

I  should  like  my 
king  to  know  how 
generous  a  lord  I 
found  thee  to  be. 


Beowulf  is  eager 
for  the  fray. 


He  is  a  whole  day 
reaching  the  bot- 
tom of  the  sea. 


Grendel's  mother 
knows  that  some 
one  has  reached 
her  domains. 


She  grabs  him, 
and  bears  him  to 
her  den. 

Sea-monsters  bite 
and  strike  htm. 


Beowulf  attacks 
the  mother  of 
Grendel. 


The  sword  will  not 
bite. 


The  hero  throws 
down  all  weapons, 
and  again  trusts 
to  his  hand-grip. 


Beowulf. 

Some  one  of  men  from  above  was  exploring. 
Forth  did  she  grab  them,,  grappled  the  warrior 
With  horrible  clutches ;  yet  no  sooner  she  injured 

30    His  body  unscathed  :  the  burnie  out-guarded, 

That  she  proved  but  powerless  to  pierce  through  the  armor, 
The  limb-mail  locked,  with  loath-grabbing  fingers. 
The  sea-wolf  bare  then,  when  bottomward  came  she, 
The  ring-prince  homeward,  that  he  after  was  powerless 

35    (He  had  daring  to  do  it.)  to  deal  with  his  weapons, 
But  many  a  mere-beast  tormented  him  swimming, 
Flood-beasts  no  few  with  fierce-biting  tusks  did 
Break  through  his  burnie,  the  brave  one  pursued  they. 
The  earl  then  discovered  he  was  down  in  some  cavern 

40    Where  no  water  whatever  anywise  harmed  him, 

And  the  clutch  of  the  current  could  come  not  anear  him, 
Since  the  roofed-hall  prevented  ;  brightness  a-gleaming 
Fire-light  he  saw,  flashing  resplendent. 
The  good  one  saw  then  the  sea-bottom's  monster, 

45    The  mighty  mere-woman ;  he  made  a  great  onset 
With  weapon-of-battle,  his  hand  not  desisted 
From  striking,  that  war-blade  struck  on  her  head  then 
A  battle-song  greedy.     The  stranger  perceived  then 
The  sword  would  not  bite,  her  life  would  not  injure, 

50    But  the  falchion  failed  the  folk-prince  when  straitened : 
Erst  had  it  often  onsets  encountered, 
Oft  cloven  the  helmet,  the  fated  one's  armor : 
'Twas  the  first  time  that  ever  the  excellent  jewel 
Had  failed  of  its  fame.     Firm-mooded  after, 

55    Not  heedless  of  valor,  but  mindful  of  glory, 

Was  Higelac's  kinsman  ;  the  hero-chief  angry    ^ 
Cast  then  his  carved-sword  covered  with  jewels 
That  it  lay  on  the  earth,  hard  and  steel-pointed ; 
He  hoped  in  his  strength,  his  hand-grapple  sturdy. 

60  So  any  must  act  whenever  he  thinketh 
To  gain  him  in  battle  glory  unending, 
And  is  reckless  of  living.  The  lord  of  the  War-Geats 


Beowulf. 


53 


(He  shrank  not  from  battle)  seized  by  the  shoulder  l 
The  mother  of  Grendel  ;  then  mighty  in  struggle 

65    Swung  he  his  enemy,  since  his  anger  was  kindled, 
That  she  fell  to  the  floor.     With  furious  grapple 
She  gave  him  requital2  early  thereafter, 
And  stretched  out  to  grab  him  ;  the  strongest  of  warriors 
Faint-mooded  stumbled,  till  he  fell  in  his  traces, 

70    Foot-going  champion.     Then  she  sat  on  the  hall-guest 

...        •  i      i  i     i     i     /i      i  • 

And  wielded  her  war-knife  wide-bladed,  flashing, 

For  her  son  would  take  vengeance,  her  one  only  bairn. 

His  breast-armor  woven  bode  on  his  shoulder  ; 

It  guarded  his  life,  the  entrance  defended 
75    'Gainst  sword-point  and  edges.     Ecgtheow's  son  there 

Had  fatally  journeyed,  champion  of  Geatmen, 

In  the  arms  of  the  ocean,  had  the  armor  not  given, 

Close-woven  corslet,  comfort  and  succor, 

And  had  God  most  holy  not  awarded  the  victory, 
80    All-knowing  Lord  ;  easily  did  heaven's 

Ruler  most  righteous  arrange  it  with  justice  ;  * 

Uprose  he  erect  ready  for  battle. 


Beowulf  fall*. 


™*  monster  sits 

on  him  with  drawn 

sword. 

Hu  annor  «*ve« 
.  •  .  •»• 


^  «Tanged  for 

his  escape. 


XXIV. 
BEOWULF  IS  DOUBLE-CONQUEROR. 

Then  he  saw  mid  the  war-  gems  a  weapon  of  victory, 
An  ancient  giant-sword,  of  edges  a-doughty, 
Glory  of  warriors  :  of  weapons  'twas  choicest, 
Only  'twas  larger  than  any  man  else  was 

1  Sw.,  R.,  and  t.  B.  suggest  'feaxe'  for  'eaxle'  (1538)  and  render:  Seiud 
by  the  hair. 

a  If  'hand-lean'  be  accepted  (as  the  MS.  has  it),  the  line  will  read:  She 
hand-reward  gave  him  early  thereafter. 

8  Sw.  and  S.  change  H.-So.'s  semicolon  (v.  1557)  to  a  comma,  and  trans* 
late  :  The  Ruler  of  Heaven  arranged  it  in  justice  easily  ',  after  he  arose 
again. 


Beowulf  grasps 


54  Beowulf. 

5    Able  to  bear  to  the  battle-encounter, 
The  good  and  splendid  work  of  the  giants. 
He  grasped  then  the  sword-hilt,  knight  of  the  Scyldings, 
Bold  and  battle-grim,  brandished  his  ring-sword, 
Hopeless  of  living,  hotly  he  smote  her, 
xo   That  the  fiend-woman's  neck  firmly  it  grappled, 
*nd  fells  the  female       Broke  through  her  bone-joints,  the  bill  fully  pierced  her 
Fate-cursed  body,  she  fell  to  the  ground  then : 
The  hand-sword  was  bloody,  the  hero  exulted.// 
The  brand  was  brilliant,  brightly  it  glimmered, 
15    Just  as  from  heaven  gemlike  shine th 

The  torch  of  the  firmament.     He  glanced  'long  the  building, 
And  turned  by  the  wall  then,  Higelac's  vassal 
Raging  and  wrathful  raised  his  battle- sword 
Strong  by  the  handle.     The  edge  was  not  useless 
20   To  the  hero-in-battle,  but  he  speedily  wished  to 
Give  Grendel  requital  for  the  many  assaults  he 
Had  worked  on  the  West-Danes  not  once,  but  often, 
When  he  slew  in  slumber  the  subjects  of  Hrothgar, 
Swallowed  down  fifteen  sleeping  retainers 
25    Of  the  folk  of  the  Danemen,  and  fully  as  many 
Carried  away,  a  horrible  prey. 
JHte  gave  him  requital,  grim-raging  champion, 
Beowulf  sees  the          When  he  saw  on  his  rest-place  weary  of  conflict 

body  of  Grendel,  ^         j   ,  ,    .  /.,./-•          ,  »•• 

and  cuts  off  his  Grendel  lying,  of  life-joys  bereaved, 

head.  3o    As  the  battle  at  Heorot  erstwhile  had  scathed  him ; 

His  body  far  bounded,  a  blow  when  he  suffered, 
Death  having  seized  him,  sword-smiting  heavy, 
And  he  cut  off  his  head  then.     Early  this  noticed 
The  clever  carles  who  as  comrades  of  Hrothgar 

The  waters  are      35    Q^e^  on  the  sea-deeps,  that  the  surging  wave-currents 
Were  mightily  mingled,  the  mere-flood  was  gory : 
Of  the  good  one  the  gray-haired  together  held  converse, 

Beowulf  is  given          The  hoary  of  head,  that  they  hoped  not  to  see  again      _ 

The  atheling  ever,  that  exulting  in  victory 
40    He'd  return  there  to  visit  the  distinguished  folk-ruler : 


Beowulf.  55 

Then  many  concluded  the  mere-wolf  had  killed  him.1 

The  (ninth  hourjcame  then.     From  the  ness-edge  departed 

The  bold-mooded  Scyldings ;  the  gold-friend  of  heroes 

Homeward  betook  him.    The  strangers  sat  down  then 
t5    Soul- sick,  sorrowful,  the  sea- waves  regarding : 

They  wished  and  yet  weened  not  their  well-loved  friend-lord 

To  see  any  more.    The  sword-blade  began  then,  T1*  giant-swoid 

The  blood  having  touched  it,  contracting  and  shriveling 

With  battle-icicles ;  'twas  a  wonderful  marvel 
50   That  it  melted  entirely,  likest  to  ice  when 

The  Father  unbindeth  the  bond  of  the  frost  and 

Unwindeth  the  wave-bands,  He  who  wieldeth  dominion 

Of  times  and  of  tides  :  a  truthzfirm  Creator. 

Nor  took  he  of  jewels  more  in  the  dwelling, 
55    Lord  of  the  Weders,  though  they  lay  all  around  him, 

Than  the  head  and  the  handle  handsome  with  jewels ; 

1 '  pses  monige  gewearfl  '  (1599)  and  '  hafaft  J>aes  geworden '  (2027).  —  In  a 
paper  published  some  years  ago  in  one  of  the  Johns  Hopkins  University 
circulars,  I  tried  to  throw  upon  these  two  long-doubtful  passages  some  light 
derived  from  a  study  of  like  passages  in  Alfred's  prose.  —  The  impersonal  verb 
'  geweortJan,'  with  an  accus.  of  the  person,  and  a  bat-clause  is  used  several 
times  with  the  meaning  'agree.'  See  Orosius  (Sweet's  ed.)  1787;  204,4; 
2o8M;  210,5;  28o20.  In  the  two  Beowulf  passages,  the  J>set-clause  is  antici- 
pated by  '  f>aes,'  which  is  clearly  a  gen.  of  the  thing  agreed  on. 

The  first  passage  (v.  1599  (b)-i6oo)  I  translate  literally  :  Then  many 
agreed  upon  this  (namely},  that  the  sea-wolf  had  killed  him. 

The  second  passage  (v.  2025  (b)-2O27):  She  is  promised .  .  . ;  to  this  the 
friend  of  the  Scyldings  has  agreed,  etc.  By  emending  'is'  instead  of  'wses' 
(2025),  the  tenses  will  be  brought  into  perfect  harmony. 

In  v.  1997  ff.  this  same  idiom  occurs,  and  was  noticed  in  B.'s  great 
article  on  Beowulf,  which  appeared  about  the  time  I  published  my  reading 
of  1599  and  2027.  Translate  1997  then:  Wouldst  let  the  South-Danes  them- 
selves decide  about  their  struggle  with  GrendeU  Here  '  Sti'5-Dene '  is  accus. 
of  person,  and  '  gtifte '  is  gen.  of  thing  agreed  on. 

With  such  collateral  support  as  that  afforded  by  B.  (P.  and  B.  XII.  97),  I 
have  no  hesitation  in  departing  from  H.-So.,  my  usual  guide. 

The  idiom  above  treated  runs  through  A.-S.,  Old  Saxon,  and  other  Teutonic 
languages,  and  should  be  noticed  in  the  lexicons. 


Beowulf. 


"  The  hero  swims 
back  to  the  realms 
.of  day. 


The  brand  early  melted,  burnt  was  the  weapon :  * 
So  hot  was  the  blood,  the  strange-spirit  poisonous 
That  in  it  did  perish.     He  early  swam  off  then 

60   Who  had  bided  in  combat  the  carnage  of  haters, 

Went  up  through  the  ocean ;  the  eddies  were  cleansed, 
The  spacious  expanses,  when  the  spirit  from  farland 
His  life  put  aside  and  this  short-lived  existence. 
The  seamen's  defender  came  swimming  to  land  then 

65    Doughty  of  spirit,  rejoiced  in  his  sea-gift, 

The  bulky  burden  which  he  bore  in  his  keeping. 
The  excellent  vassals  advanced  then  to  meet  him, 
To  God  they  were  grateful,  were  glad  in  their  chieftain, 
That  to  see  him  safe  and  sound  was  granted  them. 

70    From  the  high-minded  hero,  then,  helmet  and  burnie 
Were  speedily  loosened  :  the  ocean  was  putrid, 
The  water  'neath  welkin  weltered  with  gore. 
Forth  did  they  fare,  then,  their  footsteps  retracing, 
Merry  and  mirthful,  measured  the  earth-way, 
\Ve  75    The  highway  familiar  :  men  very  daring 2 

Bare  then  the  head  from  the  sea-cliff,  burdening 

Each  of  the  earlmen,  excellent-valiant. 

Four  of  them  had  to  carry  with  labor 

The  head  of  Grendel  to  the  high  towering  gold-hall 

80    Upstuck  on  the  spear,  till  fourteen  most-valiant 
And  battle-brave  Geatmen  came  there  going 
Straight  to  the  palace  :  the  prince  of  the  people 
Measured  the  mead-ways,  their  mood-brave  companion. 
The  atheling  of  earlmen  entered  the  building, 

85    Deed-valiant  man,  adorned  with  distinction, 

Doughty  shield-warrior,  to  address  King  Hrothgar : 


It  takes  four  men 
•to  carry  Grendel's 
head  on  a  spear. 


1  '  Broden-mael '  is  regarded  by  most  scholars  as  meaning  a  damaskeened 
sword.     Translate :    The  damaskeened  sword  burned  up.     Cf.  2516  and  note. 

2  '  Cyning-balde '  (1635)  is  the  much-disputed  reading  of  K.  and  Th.    To 
render  this,  "  nobly  bold,"  "  excellently  bold,"  have  been  suggested.     B.  would 
read  '  cyning-holde '  (cf.  290),  and  render:   Men  well-disposed  towards  tht 
king  carried  the  head,  etc.     *  Cynebealde,'  says  t.  B.,  endorsing  G& 


Beowulf.  57 

Then  hung  by  the  hair,  the  head  of  Grendel 
Was  borne  to  the  building,  where  beer-thanes  were  drinking, 
Loth  before  earlmen  and  eke  'fore  the  lady : 
90    The  warriors  beheld  then  a  wonderful  sight. 


XXV. 

BEOWULF  BRINGS  HIS  TROPHIES.  —  HROTHGAR'S  GRATITUDE. 

Beowulf  spake,  offspring  of  Ecgtheow :  B«owuif  relates  his 

"  Lo  !  we  blithely  have  brought  thee,  bairn  of  Healfdene,          last  "ploit> 

Prince  of  the  Scyldings,  these  presents  from  ocean 

Which  thine  eye  looketh  on,  for  an  emblem  of  glory. 
5    I  came  off  alive  from  this,  narrowly  'scaping  : 

In  war  'neath  the  water  the  work  with  great  pains  I 

Performed,  and  the  fight  had  been  finished  quite  nearly, 

Had  God  not  defended  me.     I  failed  in  the  battle 

Aught  to  accomplish,  aided  by  Hrunting, 
10   Though  that  weapon  was  worthy,  but  the  Wielder  of  earth-folk 

Gave  me  willingly  to  see  on  the  wall  a  ^  was  fighting 

Heavy  old  hand-sword  hanging  in  splendor 

(He  guided  most  often  the  lorn  and  the  friendless), 

That  I  swung  as  a  weapon.     The  wards  of  the  house  then 
15    I  killed  in  the  conflict  (when  occasion  was  given  me). 

Then  the  battle-sword  burned,  the  brand  that  was  lifted,1 

As  the  blood-current  sprang,  hottest  of  war-sweats  ; 

Seizing  the  hilt,  from  my  foes  I  offbore  it ; 

I  avenged  as  I  ought  to  their  acts  of  malignity, 
20   The  murder  of  Danemen.     I  then  make  thee  this  promise, 

Thou'lt  be  able  in  Heorot  careless  to  slumber  Heorot  u  freed 

With  thy  throng  of  heroes  and  the  thanes  of  thy  people  from  monsterE- 

Every  and  each,  of  greater  and  lesser, 

And  thou  needest  not  fear  for  them  from  the  selfsame  direction 
25    As  thou  formerly  fearedst,  oh,  folk-lord  of  Scyldings, 

1  Or  rather,  perhaps,  ' the  inlaid,  or  damaskeened  weapon'    Cf.  24^,  and 
note. 


The  famous  sword 
is  presented  to 
Hrotngar. 


35 


Hrothgar  looks 
closely  at  the  old 
sword. 


40 


It  had  belonged  to 
a  race  hateful  to 
God. 


45 


Hrothgar  praises 
Beowulf. 


5° 


55 


Heremod's  career 
is  again  contrasted  , 
with  Beowulf  s. 


Beowulf. 

End-day  for  earlmen."    To  the  age-hoary  man  then, 

The  gray-haired  chieftain,  the  gold-fashioned  sword-hilt, 

Old-work  of  giants,  was  thereupon  given ; 

Since  the  fall  of  the  fiends,  it  fell  to  the  keeping  . 

Of  the  wielder  of  Danemen,  the  wonder-smith's  labor,  v 

And  the  bad-mooded  being  abandoned  this  world  then, 

Opponent  of  God,  victim  of  murder, 

And  also  his  mother ;  it  went  to  the  keeping 

Of  the  best  of  the  world-kings,  where  waters  encircle, 

Who  the  scot  divided  in  Scylding  dominion. 

Hrothgar  discoursed,  the  hilt  he  regarded, 

The  ancient  heirloom  where  an  old-time  contention's 

Beginning  was  graven  :  the  gurgling  currents, 

The  flood  slew  thereafter  the  race  of  the  giants, 

They  had  proved  themselves  daring :  that  people  was  loth  to 

The  Lord  everlasting,  through  lash  of  the  billows 

The  Father  gave  them  final  requital. 

So  in  letters  of  rune  on  the  clasp  of  the  handle 

Gleaming  and  golden,  'twas  graven  exactly, 

Set  forth  and  said,  whom  that  sword  had  been  made  for, 

Finest  of  irons,  who  first  it  was  wrought  for, 

Wreathed  at  its  handle  and  gleaming  with  serpents. 

The  wise  one  then  said  (silent  they  all  were) 

Son  of  old  Healfdene  :  "  He  may  say  unrefuted 

Who  performs  'mid  the  folk-men  fairness  and  truth 

(The  hoary  old  ruler  remembers  the  past), 

That  better  by  birth  is  this  bairn  of  the  nobles  ! 

Thy  fame  is  extended  through  far-away  countries, 

Good  friend  Beowulf,  o'er  all  of  the  races, 

Thou  holdest  all  firmly,  hero-like  strength  with 

Prudence  of  spirit.     I'll  prove  myself  grateful 

As  before  we  agreed  on ;  thou  granted  for  long  shalt 

Become  a  great  comfort  to  kinsmen  and  comrades, 

A  help  unto  heroes.     Heremod  became  not 

Such  to  the  Scyldings,  successors  of  Ecgwela ; 

He  grew  not  to  please  them,  but  grievous  destruction, 


Beowulf.  59 

And  diresome  death-woes  to  Danemen  attracted ; 

He  slew  in  anger  his  table-companions, 

Trustworthy  counsellors,  till  he  turned  off  lonely 
65    From  world-joys  away,  wide-famous  ruler : 

Though  high-ruling  heaven  in  hero-strength  raised  him, 

In  might  exalted  him,  o'er  men  of  all  nations 

Made  him  supreme,  yet  a  murderous  spirit 

Grew  in  his  bosom  :  he  gave  then  no  ring-gems 
70   To  the  Danes  after  custom ;  endured  he  unjoyful  A  wretched  failure 

Standing  the  straits  from  strife  that  was  raging, 

Longsome  folk-sorrow.     Learn  then  from  this, 

Lay  hold  of  virtue  !    Though  laden  with  winters, 

I  have  sung  thee  these  measures.     Tis  a  marvel  to  tell  it, 
75    How  all-ruling  God  from  greatness  of  spirit  Hrothgar  moral- 

Giveth  wisdom  to  children  of  men, 

Manor  and  earlship  :  all  things  He  ruleth. 

He  often  permitteth  the  mood- thought  of  man  of 

The  illustrious  lineage  to  lean  to  possessions, 
80   Allows  him  earthly  delights  at  his  manor, 

A  high-burg  of  heroes  to  hold  in  his  keeping, 

Maketh  portions  of  earth-folk  hear  him, 

And  a  wide-reaching  kingdom  so  that,  wisdom  failing  him, 

He  himself  is  unable  to  reckon  its  boundaries ; 
85    He  liveth  in  luxury,  little  debars  him, 

Nor  sickness  nor  age,  no  treaohery-sorrow 

Becloudeth  his  spirit,  conflict  nowhere, 

No  sword-hate,  appeareth,  but  all  of  the  world  doth 

Wend  as  he  wisheth ;  the  worse  he  knoweth  not, 
90   Till  arrant  arrogance  inward  pervading, 

Waxeth  and  springeth,  when  the  warder  is  sleeping, 

The  guard  of  the  soul :  with  sorrows  encompassed, 

Too  sound  is  his  slumber,  the  slayer  is  near  him, 

Who  with  bow  and  arrow  aimeth  in  malice. 


60 


Beowulf. 


XXVI. 
HROTHGAR   MORALIZES.— REST  AFTER  LABOR. 

A  wounded  spirit         "  Then  bruised  in  his  bosom  he  with  bitter-toothed  missib 
Is  hurt  'neath  his  helmet :  from  harmful  pollution 
He  is  powerless  to  shield  him  by  the  wonderful  mandates 
Of  the  loath-cursed  spirit ;  what  too  long  he  hath  holden 
5    Him  seemeth  too  small,  savage  he  hoardeth, 
Nor  boastfully  giveth  gold-plated  rings,1 
The  fate  of  the  future  flouts  and  forgetteth 
Since  God  had  erst  given  him  greatness  no  little, 
Wielder  of  Glory.     His  end-day  anear, 

10    It  afterward  happens  that  the  bodily-dwelling 
Fleetingly  fadeth,  falls  into  ruins  ; 
Another  lays  hold  who  doleth  the  ornaments, 
The  nobleman's  jewels,  nothing  lamenting, 
Heedeth  no  terror.     Oh,  Beowulf  dear, 

15    Best  of  the  heroes,  from  bale-strife  defend  thee, 
And  choose  thee  the  better,  counsels  eternal ; 
Beware  of  arrogance,  world-famous  champion  ! 
But  a  little- while  lasts  thy  life-vigor's  fulness ; 
'Twill  after  hap  early,  that  illness  or  sword-edge 

20    Shall  part  thee  from  strength,  or  the  grasp  of  the  fire, 
Or  the  wave  of  the  current,  or  clutch  of  the  edges, 
Or  flight  of  the  war-spear,  or  age  with  its  horrors, 
Or  thine  eyes'  bright  flashing  shall  fade  into  darkness : 
Twill  happen  full  early,  excellent  hero, 

25   That  death  shall  subdue  thee.     So  the  Danes  a  half-century 
I  held  under  heaven,  helped  them  in  struggles 
'Gainst  many  a  race  in  middle-earth's  regions, 
With  ash-wood  and  edges,  that  enemies  none 
On  earth  molested  me.     Lo  !  offsetting  change,  now, 

1  K.  says  'proudly  givetk? —  Gr.  says, '  And  gives  no  gold-plated  rings,  in 
order  to  incite  the  recipient  to  boastfulness?  —  B.  suggests  'gyld'  for  'gylp/ 
and  renders:  And  gives  no  beaten  rings  for  reward. 


Be  not  over  proud : 
life  is  fleeting,  and 
its  strength  soon 
wasteth  away. 


Hrothgar  gives  an 
account  of  his 
reign. 


Beowulf. 

30    Came  to  my  manor,  grief  after  joyance, 

When  Grendel  became  my  constant  visitor, 

Inveterate  hater :  I  from  that  malice 

Continually  travailed  with  trouble  no  little. 

Thanks  be  to  God  that  I  gained  in  my  lifetime, 
35    To  the  Lord  everlasting,  to  look  on  the  gory 

Head  with  mine  eyes,  after  long-lasting  sorrow  ! 

Go  to  the  bench  now,  battle-adorned 

Joy  in  the  feasting :  of  jewels  in  common 

We'll  meet  with  many  when  morning  appeareth." 
40   The  Geatman  was  gladsome,  ganged  he  immediately 

To  go  to  the  bench,  as  the  clever  one  bade  him. 

Then  again  as  before  were  the  famous-for-prowess, 

Hall-inhabiters,  handsomely  banqueted, 

Feasted  anew.    The  night-veil  fell  then 
45    Dark  o'er  the  warriors.    The  courtiers  rose  then ; 

The  gray-haired  was  anxious  to  go  to  his  slumbers, 

The  hoary  old  Scylding.     Hankered  the  Geatman, 

The  champion  doughty,  greatly,  to  rest  him  : 

An  earlman  early  outward  did  lead  him, 
50    Fagged  from  his  faring,  from  far-country  springing, 

Who  for  etiquette's  sake  all  of  a  liegeman's 

Needs  regarded,  such  as  seamen  at  that  time 

Were  bound  en  to  feel.     The  big-hearted  rested-, 

The  building  uptowered,  spacious  and  gilded, 
55    The  guest  within  slumbered,  till  the  sable-clad  raven 

Blithely  foreboded  the  beacon  of  heaven. 

Then  the  bright-shining  sun  o'er  the  bottoms  came  going ; 

The  warriors  hastened,  the  heads  of  the  peoples 

Were  ready  to  go  again  to  their  peoples, 
60   The  high-mooded  farer  would  faraway  thenceward 

Look  for  his  vessel.    The  valiant  one  bade  then,2 

1  If  S.'s  emendation  be  accepted,  v.  57  will  read :  Then  came  the  light, 
foing  bright  after  darkness  :  the  warriors,  etc. 

8  As  the  passage  stands  in  H.-So.,  Unferth  presents  Beowulf  with  the  sword 
H  run  ting,  and  B.  thanks  him  for  the  gift.  If,  however,  the  suggestions  of  Grdtvg. 


61 


Sorrow  after  joy. 


Beowulf  is  fogged, , 
and  seeks  rest. 


The  G«ats  prepare 
to  leave  Dane-land. 


62 


Unferth  asks  Beo- 
wulf to  accept  his 
sword  as  a  gift. 
Beowulf  thanks 
him. 


Beowulf. 

Offspring  of  Ecglaf,  off  to  bear  Hrunting,    • 

To  take  his  weapon,  his  well-beloved  iron ; 

He  him  thanked  for  the  gift,  saying  good  he  accounted 

65    The  war-friend  and  mighty,  nor  chid  he  with  words  then 
The  blade  of  the  brand  :  'twas  a  brave-mooded  hero. 
When  the  warriors  were  ready,  arrayed  in  their  trappings, 
The  atheling  dear  to  the  Danemen  advanced  then 
On  to  the  dais,  where  the  other  was  sitting, 

70   Grim-mooded  hero,  greeted  King  Hrothgar. 


XXVII. 
SORROW  AT  PARTING. 

BeowuiPs  farewell.       Beowulf  spake,  Ecgtheow's  offspring : 

"  We  men  of  the  water  wish  to  declare  now 
Fared  from  far-lands,  we're  firmly  determined 
To  seek  King  Higelac.     Here  have  we  fitly 

5    Been  welcomed  and  feasted,  as  heart  would  desire  it ; 
Good  was  the  greeting.     If  greater  affection 
I  am  anywise  able  ever  on  earth  to 
Gain  at  thy  hands,  ruler  of  heroes, 
Than  yet  I  have  done,  I  shall  quickly  be  ready 

10   For  combat  and  conflict.    O'er  the  course  of  the  waters 
Learn  I  that  neighbors  alarm  thee  with  terror, 
As  haters  did  whilom,  I  hither  will  bring  thee 
For  help  unto  heroes  henchmen  by  thousands. 
I  know  as  to  Higelac,  the  lord  of  the  Geatmen, 

15    Though  young  in  years,  he  yet  will  permit  me, 
By  words  and  by  works,  ward  of  the  people, 
Fully  to  furnish  thee  forces  and  bear  thee 
My  lance  to  relieve  thee,  if  liegemen  shall  fail  thee, 
And  help  of  my  hand-strength ;  if  Hrethric  be  treating, 

and  M.  be  accepted,  the  passage  will  read :  Then  the  brave  one  (i.e.  Beowulf) 
commanded  that  Hrunting  be  borne  to  the  son  of  Ecglaf  (Unferth),  bade  him 
take  his  sword,  his  dear  weapon  ;  he  (B?)  thanked  him  (U^  for  the  loan,  etc. 


I  shall  be  ever 
ready  to  aid  thee. 


My  liegelord  will 
encourage  me  in 
aiding  thee. 


Beowulf. 


10    Bairn  of  the  king,  at  the  court  of  the  Geatmen, 
He  thereat  may  find  him  friends  in  abundance : 
Faraway  countries  he  were  better  to  seek  for 
Who  trusts  in  himself."     Hrothgar  discoursed  then, 
Making  rejoinder  :  "  These  words  thou  hast  uttered 

as    All-knowing  God  hath  given  thy  spirit ! 
Ne'er  heard  I  an  earlman  thus  early  in  life 
More  clever  in  speaking  :  thou'rt  cautious  of  spirit, 
Mighty  of  muscle,  in  mouth-answers  prudent. 
I  count  on  the  hope  that,  happen  it  ever 

30   That  missile  shall  rob  thee  of  Hrethel's  descendant, 
Edge-horrid  battle,  and  illness  or  weapon 
Deprive  thee  of  prince,  of  people's  protector, 
And  life  thou  yet  holdest,  the  Sea-Geats  will  never 
Find  a  more  fitting  folk-lord  to  choose  them, 

35    Gem-ward  of  heroes,  than  thou  mightest  prove  thee, 
If  the  kingdom  of  kinsmen  thou  carest  to  govern. 
Thy  mood-spirit  likes  me  the  longer  the  better, 
Beowulf  dear  :  thou  hast  brought  it  to  pass  that 
To  both  these  peoples  peace  shall  be  common, 

40   To  Geat-folk  and  Danemen,  the  strife  be  suspended, 
The  secret  assailings  they  suffered  in  yore-days ; 
And  also  that  jewels  be  shared  while  I  govern 
The  wide-stretching  kingdom,  and  that  many  shall  visit 
Others  o'er  the  ocean  with  excellent  gift-gems  : 

45    The  ring-adorned  bark  shall  bring  o'er  the  currents 
Presents  and  love-gifts.     This  people  I  know 
Tow'rd  foeman  and  friend  firmly  established,1 
After  ancient  etiquette  everywise  blameless." 
Then  the  warden  of  earlmen  gave  him  still  farther, 

50    Kinsman  of  Healfdene,  a  dozen  of  jewels, 
Bade  him  safely  seek  with  the  presents 
His  well-beloved  people,  early  returning. 

1  For  'geworhte/  the  crux  of  this  passage,  B.  proposes  'geJxShte,'  rendering: 
/  knew  this  people  with  firm  thought  every  way  blameless  towards  foe  and 
friends. 


O  Beowulf,  thou 
art  wise  beyond 
thy  years. 


Should  Higelac 
die,  the  Geats 
could  find  no  bettet 
successor  than 
thou  wouldst  make. 


Thou  hast  healed 
the  ancient  breach 
between  our  races 


Parting  gifts. 


64 


Beowulf. 


Hrothgar  kisses 
Beowulf,  and 
weeps. 


The  old  king  is 
deeply  grieved  to 
part  with  his  bene- 
factor. 


Giving  liberally  is 
the  true  proof  of 
kingship. 


Then  the  noble-born  king  kissed  the  distinguished, 
Dear-loved  liegeman,  the  Dane-prince  saluted  him, 

55    And  clasped  his  neck ;  tears  from  him  fell, 

From  the  gray-headed  man  :  he  two  things  expected, 
Aged  and  reverend,  but  rather  the  second, 
1  That  bold  in  council  they'd  meet  thereafter. 
The  man  was  so  dear  that  he  failed  to  suppress  the 

60    Emotions  that  moved  him,  but  in  mood-fetters  fastened 
The  long-famous  hero  longeth  in  secret 
Deep  in  his  spirit  for  the  dear-beloved  man 
Though  not  a  blood-kinsman.     Beowulf  thenceward, 
Gold-splendid  warrior,  walked  o'er  the  meadows 

65    Exulting  in  treasure  :  the  sea-going  vessel 
Riding  at  anchor  awaited  its  owner. 

As  they  pressed  on  their  way  then,  the  present  of  Hrothgar 
Was  frequently  referred  to  :  a  folk-king  indeed  that 
Everyway  blameless,  till  age  did  debar  him 

70   The  joys  of  his  might,  which  hath  many  oft  injured. 


The  coast-guard 
again. 


XXVIII. 
THE  HOMEWARD  JOURNEY.  — THE  TWO  QUEENS. 

Then  the  band  of  very  valiant  retainers 
Came  to  the  current ;  they  were  clad  all  in  armor, 
In  link-woven  buraies.     The  land-warder  noticed 
The  return  of  the  earlmen,  as  he  erstwhile  had  seen  them ; 
5    Nowise  with  insult  he  greeted  the  strangers 

From  the  naze  of  the  cliff,  but  rode  on  to  meet  them ; 
Said  the  bright-armored  visitors 2  vesselward  traveled 

1  S.  and  B.  emend  so  as  to  negative  the  verb  '  meet.'  "  Why  should 
Hrothgar  weep  if  he  expects  to  meet  Beowulf  again?"  both  these  scholars 
ask.  But  the  weeping  is  mentioned  before  the  « expectations ' :  the  tears  may 
have  been  due  to  many  emotions,  especially  gratitude,  struggling  for  expression. 

a  For  'scawan'  (1896),  'scaftan'  has  been  proposed.  Accepting  this,  we 
may  render  :  He  said  the  bright-armored  warriors  were  going  to  their  vessel, 
•welcome,  etc.  (Cf.  1804.) 


Beowulf.  65 

Welcome  to  Weders.    The  wide- bosomed  craft  then 

Lay  on  the  sand,  laden  with  armor, 
10   With  horses  and  jewels,  the  ring-stemmed  sailer : 

The  mast  uptowered  o'er  the  treasure  of  Hrothgar. 

To  the  boat- ward  a  gold-bound  brand  he  presented,  Beowulf  gives  the 

That  he  was  afterwards  honored  on  the  ale-bench  more  highly          * 

As  the  heirloom's  owner.     1  Set  he  out  on  his  vessel, 
15    To  drive  on  the  deep,  Dane-country  left  he. 

Along  by  the  mast  then  a  sea-garment  fluttered, 

A  rope-fastened  sail.     The  sea-boat  resounded, 

The  wind  o'er  the  waters  the  wave-floater  nowise 

Kept  from  its  journey ;  the  sea-goer  traveled, 
20    The  foamy-necked  floated  forth  o'er  the  currents, 

The  well-fashioned  vessel  o'er  the  ways  of  the  ocean, 

Till  they  came  within  sight  of  the  cliffs  of  the  Geatmen,  The  Geau 

The  well-known  headlands.     The  wave-goer  hastened 

Driven  by  breezes,  stood  on  the  shore. 
25    Prompt  at  the  ocean,  the  port- ward  was  ready,  "n*  port-warden  u 

Who  long  in  the  past  outlooked  in  the  distance,2  ™^. 1(> 

At  water's-edge  waiting  well-loved  heroes ; 

He  bound  to  the  bank  then  the  broad-bosomed  vessel 

Fast  in  its  fetters,  lest  the  force  of  the  waters 
30    Should  be  able  to  injure  the  ocean-wood  winsome. 

Bade  he  up  then  take  the  treasure  of  princes, 

Plate-gold  and  fretwork ;  not  far  was  it  thence 

To  go  off  in  search  of  the  giver  of  jewels  : 

1  R.  suggests,  ' Gewat  him  on  naca,'  and  renders :  The  vessel  set  out,  to 
drive  on  the  sea,  the  Dane-country  left.  'On'  bears  the  alliteration;  cf.  'on 
hafu'  (2524).  This  has  some  advantages  over  the  H.-So.  reading;  viz. 
(i)  It  adds  nothing  to  the  text;  (2)  it  makes  'naca1  the  subject,  and  thus 
brings  the  passage  into  keeping  with  the  context,  where  the  poet  has  ex- 
hausted his  vocabulary  in  detailing  the  actions  of  the  vessel.  —  B.'s  emenda- 
tion (cf.  P.  and  B.  XII.  97)  is  violent. 

3  B.  translates :  Who  for  a  long  time,  ready  at  the  coast,  had  looked  out  into 
the  distance  eagerly  for  the  dear  men.  This  changes  the  syntax  of  'le"ofra 
manna.' 


66 


Hygd,  the  noble 
queen  of  Higelac, 
lavish  of  gifts. 


Offa's  consort, 
Thrytho,  is  con- 
trasted with  Hygd. 

She  is  a  terror  to 
all  save  her  hus- 
band. 


Beowulf. 

Hrethel's  son  Higelac  at  home  there  remaineth,1 

35    Himself  with  his  comrades  close  to  the  sea-coast. 
The  building  was  splendid,  the  king  heroic, 
Great  in  his  hall,  Hygd  very  young  was, 
Fine-mooded,  clever,  though  few  were  the  winters 
That  the  daughter  of  Haereth  had  dwelt  in  the  borough ; 

40    But  she  nowise  was  cringing  nor  niggard  of  presents, 
Of  ornaments  rare,  to  the  race  of  the  Geatmen. 
Thrytho  nursed  anger,  excellent 2  folk-queen, 
Hot-burning  hatred  :  no  hero  whatever 
'Mong  household  companions,  her  husband  exceptec} 

45    Dared  to  adventure  to  look  at  the  woman 

With  eyes  in  the  daytime ; 3  but  he  knew  that  death-chain* 
Hand-wreathed  were  wrought  him  :  early  thereafter, 
When  the  hand-strife  was  over,  edges  were  ready, 
That  fierce-raging  sword-point  had  to  force  a  decision, 

50    Murder-bale  show.     Such  no  womanly  custom 
For  a  lady  to  practise,  though  lovely  her  person, 
That  a  weaver-of-peace,  on  pretence  of  anger 
A  beloved  liegeman  of  life  should  deprive. 
Soothly  this  hindered  Heming's  kinsman ; 

55    Other  ale-drinking  earlmen  asserted 

That  fearful  folk-sorrows  fewer  she  wrought  them, 
Treacherous  doings,  since  first  she  was  given 
Adorned  with  gold  to  the  war-hero  youthful, 
For  her  origin  honored,  when  Offa's  great  palace 

60    O'er  the  fallow  flood  by  her  father's  instructions 

She  sought  on  her  journey,  where  she  afterwards  fully, 
Famed  for  her  virtue,  her  fate  on  the  king's-seat 


1  For  'wunaft'  (v.  1924)  several  eminent  critics  suggest  'wunade'  (=  re- 
mained).    This  makes  the  passage  much  clearer. 

2  Why  should  such  a  woman  be  described  as  an  '  excellent '  queen?    C. 
suggests  '  fre'cnu '  =  dangerous,  bold. 

8  For  « an  daeges '  various  readings  have  been  offered.  If  '  and-e"ges '  be 
accepted,  the  sentence  will  read :  No  hero  .  .  .  dared  look  upon  her,  eye  to  eye. 
If « an-daeges '  be  adopted,  translate :  Dared  look  upon  her  the  whole  day. 


Beowulf.  67 


Enjoyed  in  her  lifetime,  love  did  she  hold  with 
The  ruler  of  heroes,  the  best,  it  is  told  me, 

65    Of  all  of  the  earthmen  that  oceans  encompass, 
Of  earl-kindreds  endless ;  hence  Offa  was  famous 
Far  and  widely,  by  gifts  and  by  battles, 
Spear-valiant  hero  ;  the  home  of  his  fathers 
He  governed  with  wisdom,  whence  Eomaer  did  issue 

70    For  help  unto  heroes,  Heming's  kinsman, 
Grandson  of  Garmund,  great  in  encounters. 


XXIX. 

BEOWULF  AND  HIGELAC. 

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

Seeking  the  sea-shore,  the  sea-marches  treading,  Beowulf  and  Ms 

The  wide-stretching  shores.    The  world-candle  glimmered, 

The  sun  from  the  southward ;  they  proceeded  then  onward, 
5    Early  arriving  where  they  heard  that  the  troop-lord, 

Ongentheow's  slayer,  excellent,  youthful 

Folk-prince  and  warrior  was  distributing  jewels, 

Close  in  his  castle.     The  coming  of  Beowulf 

Was  announced  in  a  message  quickly  to  Higelac, 
10    That  the  folk-troop's  defender  forth  to  the  palace 

The  linden-companion  alive  was  advancing, 

Secure  from  the  combat  courtward  a-going. 

The  building  was  early  inward  made  ready 

For  the  foot-going  guests  as  the  good  one  had  ordered. 
15    He  sat  by  the  man  then  who  had  lived  through  the  struggle,     Beowulf  sits  by  his 

Kinsman  by  kinsman,  when  the  king  of  the  people 

Had  in  lordly  language  saluted  the  dear  one, 

In  words  that  were  formal.     The  daughter  of  Haereth  Que«n  Hygd  «. 

Coursed  through  the  building,  carrying  mead-cups  : ' 

1  '  Meodu-scencum '  ( 1981 )  some  would  render  •  with  mead-pour ers!  Trans- 
late then :  The  daughter  of  Hcereth  went  through  the  building  accompanied  by 
viead-pourers. 


68 


Higelac  is  greatly 
interested  in  Beo- 
wulf s  adventures. 


Give  an  account  of 
thy  adventures, 
Beowulf  dear. 


My  suspense  has 
been  great. 


Beowulf  narrates 
his  adventures. 


Grendel's  kindred    45 
have  no  cause  to 
boast. 


Hrothgar  received 
me  very  cordially. 


Beowulf. 

20    She  loved  the  retainers,  tendered  the  beakers 
To  the  high-minded  Geatmen.     Higelac  'gan  then 
Pleasantly  plying  his  companion  with  questions 
In  the  high-towering  palace.     A  curious  interest 
Tormented  his  spirit,  what  meaning  to  see  in 
The  Sea-Geats'  adventures  :  "  Beowulf  worthy, 
How  throve  your  journeying,  when  thou  thoughtest  suddenly 
Far  o'er  the  salt-streams  to  seek  an  encounter, 
A  battle  at  Heorot  ?     Hast  bettered  for  Hrothgar, 
The  famous  folk-leader,  his  far-published  sorrows 

30    Any  at  all  ?     In  agony-billows 

I  mused  upon  torture,  distrusted  the  journey 

Of  the  beloved  liegeman  ;  I  long  time  did  pray  thee 

By  no  means  to  seek  out  the  murderous  spirit, 

To  suffer  the  South-Danes  themselves  to  decide  on1 

35    Grappling  with  Grendel.     To  God  I  am  thankful 
To  be  suffered  to  see  thee  safe  from  thy  journey." 
Beowulf  answered,  bairn  of  old  Ecgtheow : 
"  'Tis  hidden  by  no  means,  Higelac  chieftain, 
From  many  of  men,  the  meeting  so  famous, 

40    What  mournful  moments  of  me  and  of  Grendel 

Were  passed  in  the  place  where  he  pressing  affliction 
On  the  Victory-Scyldings  scathefully  brought, 
Anguish  forever ;  that  all  I  avenged, 
So  that  any  under  heaven  of  the  kinsmen  of  Grendel 
Needeth  not  boast  of  that  cry-in-the-morning, 
Who  longest  liveth  of  the  loth-going  kindred,2 
Encompassed  by  moorland.     I  came  in  my  journey 
To  the  royal  ring-hall,  Hrothgar  to  greet  there  : 
Soon  did  the  famous  scion  of  Healfdene, 

50   When  he  understood  fully  the  spirit  that  led  me, 
Assign  me  a  seat  with  the  son  of  his  bosom. 


1  See  my  note  to  1599,  supra,  and  B.  in  P.  and  B.  XII.  97. 

2  For  'fenne,'  supplied  by  Grdtvg.,  B.  suggests  'facne'   (cf.  Jul.  350). 
Accepting  this,  translate:    Who  longest  lives  of  the  hated  race,  steeped  in 
treachery. 


Beowulf. 


The  troop  was  in  joyance ;  mead-glee  greater 

'Neath  arch  of  the  ether  not  ever  beheld  I 

'Mid  hall-building  holders.     The  highly-famed  queen, 

55    Peace-tie  of  peoples,  oft  passed  through  the  building, 
Cheered  the  young  troopers ;  she  oft  tendered  a  hero 
A  beautiful  ring-band,  ere  she  went  to  her  sitting. 
Oft  the  daughter  of  Hrothgar  in  view  of  the  courtiers 
To  the  earls  at  the  end  the  ale-vessel  carried, 

60   Whom  Freaware  I  heard  then  hall-sitters  title, 
When  nail-adorned  jewels  she  gave  to  the  heroes  : 
Gold-bedecked,  youthful,  to  the  glad  son  of  Froda 
Her  faith  has  been  plighted ;  the  friend  of  the  Scyldings, 
The  guard  of  the  kingdom,  hath  given  his  sanction,1 

65   And  counts  it  a  vantage,  for  a  part  of  the  quarrels, 
A  portion  of  hatred,  to  pay  with  the  woman. 
*  Somewhere  not  rarely,  when  the  ruler  has  fallen, 
The  life- taking  lance  relaxeth  its  fury 
For  a  brief  breathing-spell,  though  the  bride  be  charming  ! 


The  queen  also 
showed  us  no  little 


Hrothgar's  lovely 
daughter. 


She  is  betrothed  to 
Ingeld,  in  order  to 
unite  the  Danes 

and  Heathobards. 


XXX. 

BEOWULF  NARRATES  HIS  ADVENTURES  TO  HIGELAC. 

"  It  well  may  discomfit  the  prince  of  the  Heathobards 
And  each  of  the  thanemen  of  earls  that  attend  him, 

1  See  note  to  v.  1599  above. 

*  This  is  perhaps  the  least  understood  sentence  in  the  poem,  almost  every 
word  being  open  to  dispute,  (i)  The  '  n6 '  of  our  text  is  an  emendation,  and 
is  rejected  by  many  scholars.  (2)  'Seldan'  is  by  some  taken  as  an  adv. 
(=  seldom),  and  by  others  as  a  noun  (=page,  companion}.  (3)  '  Le\>d- 
hryre,'  some  render  'fall  of  the  people ';  others,  'fall  of  the  prince.'  (4)  '  BugeS,' 
most  scholars  regard  as  the  intrans.  verb  meaning  '  bend}  'rest1;  but  one 
great  scholar  has  translated  it  'shall  kill.1  (5)  'Hwaer,'  very  recently,  has 
been  attacked,  'waere'  being  suggested.  (6)  As  a  corollary  to  the  above, 
the  same  critic  proposes  to  drop  •  oft '  out  of  the  text.  —  t.  B.  suggests :  Oft 
seldan  waere  after  leodhryre :  ly"tle  hwfle  bongar  bdgefl,  )>eah  se"o  bryd  duge 
=  often  has  a  treaty  been  (thus)  struck,  after  a  prince  had  fallen  :  (but  only) 
a  short  time  is  the  spear  (then)  wont  to  rest,  however  excellent  the  bride  may  be. 


jo  Beowulf. 

When  he  goes  to  the  building  escorting  the  woman, 

That  a  noble-born  Daneman  the  knights  should  be  feasting  : 

5    There  gleam  on  his  person  the  leavings  of  elders 
Hard  and  ring-bright,  Heathobards'  treasure, 
While  they  wielded  their  arms,  till  they  misled  to  the  battle 
Their  own  dear  lives  and  beloved  companions. 
He  saith  at  the  banquet  who  the  collar  beholdeth, 

10    An  ancient  ash-warrior  who  earlmen's  destruction 
Clearly  recalleth  (cruel  his  spirit), 
Sadly  beginneth  sounding  the  youthful 
Thane-champion's  spirit  through  the  thoughts  of  his  bosom, 
War-grief  to  waken,  and  this  word-answer  speaketh  : 


Ingeld  is  stirred  up          t  ^rt  tJ1QU  a^Je    my  frien(J    tO  knOW  when  thou  SCCSt  it 
to  break  the  truce.     '  , 

The  brand  which  thy  father  bare  to  the  conflict 

In  his  latest  adventure,  'neath  visor  of  helmet, 

The  dearly-loved  iron,  where  Danemen  did  slay  him, 

And  brave-mooded  Scyldings,  on  the  fall  of  the  heroes, 

ao    (When  vengeance  was  sleeping)  the  slaughter-place  wielded  ? 
E'en  now  some  man  of  the  murderer's  progeny 
Exulting  in  ornaments  enters  the  building, 
Boasts  of  his  blood-shedding,  offbeareth  the  jewel 
Which  thou  shouldst  wholly  hold  in  possession  !  ' 

25    So  he  urgeth  and  mindeth  on  every  occasion 
With  woe-bringing  words,  till  waxeth  the  season 
When  the  woman's  thane  for  the  works  of  his  father, 
The  bill  having  bitten,  blood-gory  sleepeth, 
Fated  to  perish  ;  the  other  one  thenceward 
i  -.:          30    'Scapeth  alive,  the  land  knoweth  thoroughly.1 

Then  the  oaths  of  the  earlmen  on  each  side  are  broken, 
When  rancors  unresting  are  raging  in  Ingeld 
And  his  wife-love  waxeth  less  warm  after  sorrow. 
So  the  Heathobards'  favor  not  faithful  I  reckon, 

35    Their  part  in  the  treaty  not  true  to  the  Danemen, 
Their  friendship  not  fast.     I  further  shall  tell  thee 

1  For  Mifigende'  (2063),  a  mere  conjecture,  'wfgende'  has  been  suggested. 
The  line  would  then  read  :  Escapeth  by  fighting,  knows  the  land  thoroughly. 


Beowulf. 

More  about  Grendel,  that  thou  fully  mayst  hear, 

Ornament-giver,  what  afterward  came  from 

The  hand-rush  of  heroes.     When  heaven's  bright  jewel 

40    O'er  earthfields  had  glided,  the  stranger  came  raging, 
The  horrible  night-fiend,  us  for  to  visit, 
Where  wholly  unharmed  the  hall  we  were  guarding. 
To  Hondscio  happened  a  hopeless  contention, 
Death  to  the  doomed  one,  dead  he  fell  foremost, 

45    Girded  war-champion ;  to  him  Grendel  became  then, 
To  the  vassal  distinguished,  a  tooth-weaponed  murderer, 
The  well-beloved  henchman's  body  all  swallowed. 
Not  the  earlier  off  empty  of  hand  did 
The  bloody-toothed  murderer,  mindful  of  evils, 

50    Wish  to  escape  from  the  gold-giver's  palace, 
But  sturdy  of  strength  he  strove  to  outdo  me, 
Hand-ready  grappled.    A  glove  was  suspended 
Spacious  and  wondrous,  in  art-fetters  fastened, 
Which  was  fashioned  entirely  by  touch  of  the  craftman 

55    From  the  dragon's  skin  by  the  devil's  devices : 
He  down  in  its  depths  would  do  me  unsadly 
One  among  many,  deed-doer  raging, 
Though  sinless  he  saw  me  ;  not  so  could  it  happen 
When  I  in  my  anger  upright  did  stand. 

60    'Tis  too  long  to  recount  how  requital  I  furnished 
For  every  evil  to  the  earlmen's  destroyer ; 
Twas  there,  my  prince,  that  I  proudly  distinguished 
Thy  land  with  my  labors.     He  left  and  retreated, 
He  lived  his  life  a  little  while  longer : 

65    Yet  his  right-hand  guarded  his  footstep  in  Heorot, 
And  sad-mooded  thence  to  the  sea-bottom  fell  he, 
Mournful  in  mind.     For  the  might-rush  of  battle 
The  friend  of  the  Scyldings,  with  gold  that  was  plated, 
With  ornaments  many,  much  requited  me, 

70   When  daylight  had  dawned,  and  down  to  the  banquet 
We  had  sat  us  together.     There  was  chanting  and  joyance 
The  age-stricken  Scylding  asked  many  questions 


Having  nude  these 
preliminary  state- 
ments, I  will  now 
tell  thee  of  Gren- 
del, the  monster. 


Hondscio  fell  first 


I  reflected  honor 
upon  my  people. 


King  Hrothgar 
lavished  gifts  upon- 


• 
N. 


The  old  king  is 
sad  over  the  loss 
of  his  youthful 
vigor. 


Grendel's  mother. 


^Eschcre  falls  a 
prey  to  her  ven- 
geance. 


She  suffered  not 
his  body  to  be 
burned,  but  ate  it. 


I  sought  the  crea- 
ture in  her  den, 


Beowulf. 

And  of  old-times  related ;  oft  light-ringing  harp-strings, 
Joy-telling  wood,  were  touched  by  the  brave  one ; 

75    Now  he  uttered  measures,  mourning  and  truthful, 
Then  the  large-hearted  land-king  a  legend  of  wonder 
Truthfully  told  us.     Now  troubled  with  years 
The  age-hoary  warrior  afterward  began  to 
Mourn  for  the  might  that  marked  him  in  youth-days ; 

80    His  breast  within  boiled,  when  burdened  with  winters 
Much  he  remembered.     From  morning  till  night  then 
We  joyed  us  therein  as  etiquette  suffered, 
Till  the  second  night  season  came  unto  earth-folk. 
Then  early  thereafter,  the  mother  of  Grendel 

85    Was  ready  for  vengeance,  wretched  she  journeyed ; 
Her  son  had  death  ravished,  the  wrath  of  the  Geatmen. 
The  horrible  woman  avenged  her  offspring, 
And  with  mighty  mainstrength  murdered  a  hero. 
There  the  spirit  of  ^Eschere,  aged  adviser, 

90    Was  ready  to  vanish ;  nor  when  morn  had  lightened 
Were  they  anywise  suffered  to  consume  him  with  fire, 
Folk  of  the  Danemen,  the  death-weakened  hero, 
Nor  the  beloved  liegeman  to  lay  on  the  pyre ; 
She  the  corpse  had  offcarried  in  the  clutch  of  the  foeman* 

95    'Neath  mountain-brook's  flood.    To  Hrothgar  'twas  saddest 
Of  pains  that  ever  had  preyed  on  the  chieftain ; 
By  the  life  of  thee  the  land-prince  then  me 2 
Besought  very  sadly,  in  sea-currents'  eddies 
To  display  my  prowess,  to  peril  my  safety, 

ioo  Might-deeds  accomplish ;  much  did  he  promise. 
I  found  then  the  famous  flood-current's  cruel, 
Horrible  depth-warder.    A  while  unto  us  two 


1  For  '  faettmum,'  Gr.'s  conjecture,  B.  proposes  *  faerunga.'      These  three 
half- verses  would  then  read :  She  bore  off  the  corpse  of  her  foe  suddenly  under 
the  mountain-torrent. 

2  The  phrase  '  Hne  lyfe '  (2132)  was  long  rendered  '  with  thy  {presupposed) 
permission!    The  verse  would  read :   The  land-prince  then  sadly  besought  met 
•with  thy  {presupposed}  permission,  etc. 


Beowulf. 


73 


Hand  was  in  common ;  the  currents  were  seething 
With  gore  that  was  clotted,  and  Grendel's  fierce  mother's 
105  Head  I  offhacked  in  the  hall  at  the  bottom 

With  huge -reaching  sword- edge,  hardly  I  wrested 
My  life  from  her  clutches  ;  not  doomed  was  I  then, 
But  the  warden  of  earlmen  afterward  gave  me 
Jewels  in  quantity,  kinsman  of  Healfdene. 


and  hewed  her 
head  off. 


Jewels  w«e  freely 
bestowed  upon  me. 


XXXI. 

GIFT-GIVING  IS  MUTUAL. 

"  So  the  beloved  land-prince  lived  in  decorum ; 

I  had  missed  no  rewards,  no  meeds  of  my  prowess, 

But  he  gave  me  jewels,  regarding  my  wishes, 

Healfdene  his  bairn ;  I'll  bring  them  to  thee,  then, 
5    Atheling  of  earlmen,  offer  them  gladly. 

And  still  unto  thee  is  all  my  affection  : ! 

But  few  of  my  folk-kin  find  I  surviving 

But  thee,  dear  Higelac  !  "     Bade  he  in  then  to  carry  * 

The  boar-image,  banner,  battle-high  helmet, 
10    Iron-gray  armor,  the  excellent  weapon, 

In  song-measures  said  :  "  This  suit-for-the-battle 

Hrothgar  presented  me,  bade  me  expressly, 

Wise-mooded  atheling,  thereafter  to  tell  thee s 

The  whole  of  its  history,  said  King  Heregar  owned  it, 
15    Dane-prince  for  long :  yet  he  wished  not  to  give  then 

1  This  verse  B.  renders, '  Now  serve  I  again  thee  alone  as  my  gracious  king? 

a  For  'eafor'  (2153),  Kl.  suggests  'ealdor.'  Translate  then:  Bade  the 
prince  then  to  bear  in  the  banner,  battle-high  helmet,  etc.  On  the  other  hand, 
W.  takes  '  eafor  heafodsegn '  as  a  compound,  meaning  '  helmet ' :  He  bade  them 
bear  in  the  helmet,  battle-high  helm,  gray  armor,  etc. 

*  The  H.-So.  rendering  (aerest  =  history,  origin  ;  *  eft '  for  '  est '),  though 
liable  to  objection,  is  perhaps  the  best  offered.  •  That  I  should  very  early  tell 
thee  of  his  favor,  kindness'  sounds  well;  but  'his'  is  badly  placed  to  limit 
'est.'  —  Perhaps,  'eft'  with  verbs  of  saying  may  have  the  force  of  Lat.  prefix 
're,'  and  the  H.-So.  reading  mean,  'that  I  should  its  origin  rehearse  to  thee.' 


All  my  gifts  I  lay 
at  thy  feet. 


This  armor  I  have 
belonged  of  yore  to 
Heregar. 


74 


20 


Higelac  loves  his 
nephew  Beowulf. 


25 


Beowulf  gives 
Hygd  the  necklace 
that  Wealhtheow 
had  given  him. 


Beowulf  is  famous. 


35 


He  is  requited  for 
the  slights  suffered 
in  earlier  days. 


45 


Higelac  over- 
whelms the  con- 
queror with  gifts. 


5° 


Beowulf. 

The  mail  to  his  son,  though  dearly  he  loved  him, 

Here  ward  the  hardy.     Hold  all  in  joyance  ! " 

I  heard  that  there  followed  hard  on  the  jewels 

Two  braces  of  stallions  of  striking  resemblance, 

Dappled  and  yellow ;  he  granted  him  usance 

Of  horses  and  treasures.     So  a  kinsman  should  bear  him, 

No  web  of  treachery  weave  for  another, 

Nor  by  cunning  craftiness  cause  the  destruction 

Of  trusty  companion.     Most  precious  to  Higelac, 

The  bold  one  in  battle,  was  the  bairn  of  his  sister, 

And  each  unto  other  mindful  of  favors. 

I  am  told  that  to  Hygd  he  proffered  the  necklace, 

Wonder-gem  rare  that  Wealhtheow  gave  him, 

The  troop-leader's  daughter,  a  trio  of  horses 

Slender  and  saddle-bright ;  soon  did  the  jewel 

Embellish  her  bosom,  when  the  beer-feast  was  over. 

So  Ecgtheow's  bairn  brave  did  prove  him, 

War-famous  man,  by  deeds  that  were  valiant, 

He  lived  in  honor,  beloved  companions 

Slew  not  carousing ;  his  mood  was  not  cruel, 

But  by  hand-strength  hugest  of  heroes  then  living 

The  brave  one  retained  the  bountiful  gift  that 

The  Lord  had  allowed  him.     Long  was  he  wretched, 

So  that  sons  of  the  Geatmen  accounted  him  worthless, 

And  the  lord  of  the  liegemen  loth  was  to  do  him 

Mickle  of  honor,  when  mead-cups  were  passing; 

They  fully  believed  him  idle  and  sluggish, 

An  indolent  atheling  :  to  the  honor-blest  man  there 

Came  requital  for  the  cuts  he  had  suffered. 

The  folk-troop's  defender  bade  fetch  to  the  building 

The  heirloom  of  Hrethel,  embellished  with  gold, 

So  the  brave  one  enjoined  it ;  there  was  jewel  no  richer 

In  the  form  of  a  weapon  'mong  Geats  of  that  era ; 

In  Beowulf  s  keeping  he  placed  it  and  gave  him 

Seven  of  thousands,  manor  and  lordship. 

Common  to  both  was  land  'mong  the  people, 


Beowulf.  75 

Estate  and  inherited  rights  and  possessions, 
To  the  second  one  specially  spacious  dominions, 
To  the  one  who  was  better.     It  afterward  happened 
55    In  days  that  followed,  befell  the  battle-thanes, 

After  Higelac's  death,  and  when  Heardred  was  murdered          Aftcr  Heardr*d'* 

_-..  ,  -  -          ,  .  „  death,  Beowulf  be- 

With  weapons  of  warfare  'neath  well-covered  targets,  ^^^  king. 


When  valiant  battlemen  in  victor-band  sought  him, 

War-Scylfing  heroes  harassed  the  nephew 
60    Of  Hereric  in  battle.     To  Beowulf  s  keeping 

Turned  there  in  time  extensive  dominions  : 

He  fittingly  ruled  them  a  fifty  of  winters  H«  rules  the  G**U 

(He  a  man-ruler  wise  was,  manor-ward  old)  till  fifty  years. 

A  certain  one  'gan,  on  gloom-darkening  nights,  a 
65    Dragon,  to  govern,  who  guarded  a  treasure,  The  fire-drake. 

A  high-rising  stone-cliff,  on  heath  that  was  grayish  : 

A  path  'neath  it  lay,  unknown  unto  mortals. 

Some  one  of  earthmen  entered  the  mountain, 

The  heathenish  hoard  laid  hold  of  with  ardor  ; 


* 
* 

* 
* 

* 

* 
* 

* 

* 
* 

* 
* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

XXXII. 
THE  HOARD  AND  THE  DRAGON. 

******* 
He  sought  of  himself  who  sorely  did  harm  him, 
But,  for  need  very  pressing,  the  servant  of  one  of 
The  sons  of  the  heroes  hate-blows  evaded, 
Seeking  for  shelter  and  the  sin-driven  warrior 
Took  refuge  within  there.     He  early  looked  in  it, 
******* 
******* 


76 


Beowulf. 


The  hoard. 


The  ring-giver  be- 
wails the  loss  of 
retainers. 


*****     wnen  the  onset  surprised  him, 

10    He  a  gem-vessel  saw  there  :  many  of  suchlike 
Ancient  ornaments  in  the  earth-cave  were  lying, 
As  in  days  of  yore  some  one  of  men  of 
Illustrious  lineage,  as  a  legacy  monstrous, 
There  had  secreted  them,  careful  and  thoughtful, 

15    Dear- valued  jewels.     Death  had  offsnatched  them, 
In  the  days  of  the  past,  and  the  one  man  moreover 
Of  the  flower  of  the  folk  who  fared  there  the  longest, 
Was  fain  to  defer  it,  friend-mourning  warder, 
A  little  longer  to  be  left  in  enjoyment 

20    Of  long- lasting  treasure.1     A  barrow  all-ready 
Stood  on  the  plain  the  stream-currents  nigh  to, 
New  by  the  ness-edge,  unnethe  of  approaching : 
The  keeper  of  rings  carried  within  a 
""-*  Ponderous  deal  of  the  treasure  of  nobles, 

25    Of  gold  that  was  beaten,  briefly  he  spake  then  : 3 
"  Hold  thou,  O  Earth,  now  heroes  no  more  may, 
The  earnings  of  earlmen.     Lo  !  erst  in  thy  bosom 
Worthy  men  won  them  ;  war-death  hath  ravished, 
Perilous  life-bale,  all  my  warriors, 

30    Liegemen  beloved,  who  this  life  have  forsaken, 
Who  hall-pleasures  saw.     No  sword-bearer  have  I, 
And  no  one  to  burnish  the  gold-plated  vessel, 
The  high-valued  beaker  :  my  heroes  are  vanished. 
The  hardy  helmet  behung  with  gilding 

35    Shall  be  reaved  of  its  riches  :  the  ring-cleansers  slumber 
Who  were  charged  to  have  ready  visors-for-battle, 
And  the  burnie  that  bided  in  battle-encounter 


1  For  'long-gestre"ona,'  B.  suggests  '  laengestreona,'  and  renders,  Of  fleeting 
treasures.     S.  accepts  H.'s   '  long-gestreona,  but  renders,  The  treasure  long 
in  accumulating. 

2  For  '  hard-fyrdne '  (2246),  B.  first  suggested  '  hard-fyndne,'  rendering-. 
A  heap  of  treasures  .  .  .  so  great  that  its  equal  would  be  hard  tojind.    The  same 
scholar  suggests  later  '  hord-wynne  dsel '  =  A  deal  of  treasure-joy. 

8  Some  read  'fee-word'  (2247),  and  render:  Banning  words  uttered- 


Beowulf.  77 

O'er  breaking  of  war-shields  the  bite  of  the  edges 

Moulds  with  the  hero.     The  ring-twisted  armor, 
40    Its  lord  being  lifeless,  no  longer  may  journey 

Hanging  by  heroes ;  harp-joy  is  vanished, 

The  rapture  of  glee-wood,  no  excellent  falcon 

Swoops  through  the  building,  no  swift-footed  charger 

Grindeth  the  gravel.     A  grievous  destruction 
45    No  few  of  the  world-folk  widely  hath  scattered  ! " 

So,  woful  of  spirit  one  after  all 

Lamented  mournfully,  moaning  in  sadness 

By  day  and  by  night,  till  death  with  its  billows 

Dashed  on  his  spirit.    Then  the  ancient  dusk-scather  The  fire-dragon. 

50    Found  the  great  treasure  standing  all  open, 

He  who  flaming  and  fiery  flies  to  the  barrows, 

Naked  war-dragon,  nightly  escapeth 

Encompassed  with  fire ;  men  under  heaven 

Widely  beheld  him.     Tis  said  that  he  looks  for1 
55    The  hoard  in  the  earth,  where  old  he  is  guarding 

The  heathenish  treasure  ;  he'll  be  nowise  the  better. 

So  three-hundred  winters  the  waster  of  peoples  ™c  drag°n  m**** 

Held  upon  earth  that  excellent  hoard-hall, 

Till  the  forementioned  earlman  angered  him  bitterly : 
60   The  beat-plated  beaker  he  bare  to  his  chieftain 

And  fullest  remission  for  all  his  remissness 

Begged  of  his  liegelord.     Then  the  hoard 2  was  discovered, 

The  treasure  was  taken,  his  petition  was  granted 

The  lorn-mooded  liegeman.     His  lord  regarded  The  hcro  panders 

65    The  old-work  of  earth-folk  —  'twas  the  earliest  occasion. 

When  the  dragon  awoke,  the  strife  was  renewed  there ; 

He  snuffed  'long  the  stone  then,  stout-hearted  found  he 

1  An  earlier  reading  of  H.'s  gave  the  following  meaning  to  this  passage : 
He  is  said  to  inhabit  a  mound  under  the  earth,  where  he,  etc.    The  translation 
in  the  text  is  more  authentic. 

2  The  repetition  of  '  hord '  in  this  passage  has  led  some  scholars  to  suggest 
new  readings  to  avoid  the  second  *  hord.'    This,  however,  is  not  under  the 
main  stress,  and,  it  seems  to  me,  might  easily  be  accepted. 


Beowulf. 


The  dragon  per- 
ceives that  some 
one  has  disturbed 
his  treasure. 


The  dragon  is  in- 
furiated. 


The  footprint  of  foeman ;  too  far  had  he  gone 
With  cunning  craftiness  close  to  the  head  of 

70   The  fire-spewing  dragon.     So  undoomed  he  may  'scape  from 
Anguish  and  exile  with  ease  who  possesseth 
The  favor  of  Heaven.     The  hoard-warden  eagerly 
Searched  o'er  the  ground  then,  would  meet  with  the  person 
That  caused  him  sorrow  while  in  slumber  reclining : 

75  -Gleaming  and  wild  he  oft  went  round  the  cavern, 
All  of  it  outward ;  not  any  of  earthmen 
Was  seen  iri  that  desert.1    Yet  he  joyed  in  the  battle, 
Rejoiced  in  the  conflict :  oft  he  turned  to  the  barrow, 
Sought  for  the  gem-cup ; 2  this  he  soon  perceived  then 

80   That  some  man  or  other  had  discovered  the  gold, 

The  famous  folk-treasure.     Not  fain  did  the  hoard-ward 
Wait  until  evening ;  then  the  ward  of  the  barrow 
Was  angry  in  spirit,  the  loathed  one  wished  to 
Pay  for  the  dear-valued  drink-cup  with  fire. 

85    Then  the  day  was  done  as  the  dragon  would  have  it, 
He  no  longer  would  wait  on  the  wall,  but  departed 
Fire-impelled,  flaming.     Fearful  the  start  was 
To  earls  in  the  land,  as  it  early  thereafter 
To  their  giver-of-gold  was  grievously  ended. 


The  dragon  spits 
fire. 


XXXIII. 
BRAVE  THOUGH  AGED.  —  REMINISCENCES. 

The  stranger  began  then  to  vomit  forth  fire, 
„  To  burn  the  great  manor ;  the  blaze  then  glimmered 
For  anguish  to  earlmen,  not  anything  living 

1  The  reading  of  H.-So.  is  well  defended  in  the  notes  to  that  volume.  B. 
emends  and  renders :  Nor  was  there  any  man  in  that  desert  who  rejoiced  in 
conflict,  in  battle-work.  That  is,  the  hoard-ward  could  not  find  any  one  who 
had  disturbed  his  slumbers,  for  no  warrior  was  there,  t.  B.'s  emendation 
would  give  substantially  the  same  translation. 

a'Sinc-faet'  (2301):  this  word  both  here  and  in  v.  2232,  t.  B.  renders 
1  treasure.' 


Beowulf.  79 

Was  the  hateful  air-goer  willing  to  leave  there. 
5    The  war  of  the  worm  widely  was  noticed, 

The  feud  of  the  foeman  afar  and  anear, 

How  the  enemy  injured  the  earls  of  the  Geatmen, 

Harried  with  hatred  :  back  he  hied  to  the  treasure, 

To  the  well-hidden  cavern  ere  the  coming  of  daylight. 
10    He  had  circled  with  fire  the  folk  of  those  regions, 

With  brand  and  burning ;  in  the  barrow  he  trusted, 

In  the  wall  and  his  war-might :  the  weening  deceived  him. 

Then  straight  was  the  horror  to  Beowulf  published,  Beowulf  hears  of 

Early  forsooth,  that  his  own  native  homestead,1 
15    The  best  of  buildings,  was  burning  and  melting, 

Gift-seat  of  Geatmen.     Twas  a  grief  to  the  spirit 

Of  the  good-mooded  hero,  the  greatest  of  sorrows : 

The  wise  one  weened  then  that  wielding  his  kingdom  He  fears  that 

'Gainst  the  ancient  commandments,  he  had  bitterly  angered 
ao   The  Lord  everlasting  :  with  lorn  meditations  crime. 

His  bosom  welled  inward,  as  was  nowise  his  custom. 

The  fire-spewing  dragon  fully  had  wasted 

The  fastness  of  warriors,  the  water-land  outward, 

The  manor  with  fire.     The  folk-ruling  hero, 
35    Prince  of  the  Weders,  was  planning  to  wreak  him. 

The  warmen's  defender  bade  them  to  make  him, 

Earlmen's  atheling,  an  excellent  war-shield 

Wholly  of  iron  :  fully  he  knew  then  H«  order*  an  iron 

That  wood  from  the  forest  was  helpless  to  aid  him,  for*hi!°  *Z£db 

Shield  against  fire.    The  long-worthy  ruler  useless. 

Must  live  the  last  of  his  limited  earth-days, 

Of  life  in  the  world  and  the  worm  along  with  him, 

Though  he  long  had  been  holding  hoard-wealth  in  plenty. 

Then  the  ring-prince  disdained  to  seek  with  a  war-band,  H«  determines  to 

35    With  army  extensive,  the  air-going  ranger ; 

He  felt  no  fear  of  the  foeman's  assaults  and 

He  counted  for  little  the  might  of  the  dragon, 

1  'Ham'  (2326),  the  suggestion  of  B.  is  accepted  by  t.  B.  and  other 
scholars. 


' 


8o 


Beowulf  s  early 
triumphs  referred 
to.  40 


Higelac's  death 
recalled. 


45 


5° 


55 


Heardred's  lack  of 
capacity  to  rule. 


60 


Beowulf  s  tact  and 
delicacy  recalled. 


65 

Reference  is  here 
made  to  a  visit 
which  Beowulf  re- 
ceives from  Ean- 
mund  and  Eadgils, 
why  they  come  is 
not  known.  7° 


Beowulf. 

His  power  and  prowess  :  for  previously  dared  he 

A  heap  of  hostility,  hazarded  dangers, 

War-thane,  when  Hrothgar's  palace  he  cleansed, 

Conquering  combatant,  clutched  in  the  battle 

The  kinsmen  of  Grendel,  of  kindred  detested.1 

Twas  of  hand-fights  not  least  where  Higelac  was  slaughtered, 

When  the  king  of  the  Geatmen  with  clashings  of  battle, 

Friend-lord  of  folks  in  Frisian  dominions, 

Offspring  of  Hrethrel  perished  through  sword-drink, 

With  battle-swords  beaten ;  thence  Beowulf  came  then 

On  self-help  relying,  swam  through  the  waters ; 

He  bare  on  his  arm,  lone-going,  thirty 

Outfits  of  armor,  when  the  ocean  he  mounted. 

The  Hetwars  by  no  means  had  need  to  be  boastful 

Of  their  fighting  afoot,  who  forward  to  meet  him 

Carried  their  war-shields  :  not  many  returned  from 

The  brave-mooded  battle-knight  back  to  their  homesteads. 

Ecgtheow's  bairn  o'er  the  bight-courses  swam  then, 

Lone-goer  lorn  to  his  land-folk  returning, 

Where  Hygd  to  him  tendered  treasure  and  kingdom, 

Rings  and  dominion  :  her  son  she  not  trusted, 

To  be  able  to  keep  the  kingdom  devised  him 

'Gainst  alien  races,  on  the  death  of  King  Higelac. 

Yet  the  sad  ones  succeeded  not  in  persuading  the  atheling 

In  any  way  ever,  to  act  as  a  suzerain 

To  Heardred,  or  promise  to  govern  the  kingdom ; 

Yet  with  friendly  counsel  in  the  folk  he  sustained  him, 

Gracious,  with  honor,  till  he  grew  to  be  older, 

Wielded  the  Weders.    Wide-fleeing  outlaws, 

Ohthere's  sons,  sought  him  o'er  the  waters  : 

They  had  stirred  a  revolt  'gainst  the  helm  of  the  Scylfings, 

The  best  of  the  sea-kings,  who  in  Swedish  dominions 

Distributed  treasure,  distinguished  folk-leader. 


1  For  'laftan  cynnes'  (2355),  t.  B.  suggests  'laftan  cynne,'  apposition  to 
'  maegum.'  From  syntactical  and  other  considerations,  this  is  a  most  excellent 
emendation. 


Beowulf.  8l 


Twos  the  end  of  his  earth-days ;  injury  fatal * 
By  swing  of  the  sword  he  received  as  a  greeting, 
Offspring  of  Higelac ;  Ongentheow's  bairn 
Later  departed  to  visit  his  homestead, 
75    When  Heardred  was  dead ;  let  Beowulf  rule  them, 
Govern  the  Geatmen  :  good  was  that  folk-king. 


XXXIV. 
BEOWULF  SEEKS  THE  DRAGON.  —  BEOWULF'S  REMINISCENCES. 

He  planned  requital  for  the  folk-leader's  ruin 
In  days  thereafter,  to  Eadgils  the  wretched 
Becoming  an  enemy.     Ohthere's  son  then 
Went  with  a  war-troop  o'er  the  wide-  stretching  currents 
5    With  warriors  and  weapons  :  with  woe-journeys  cold  he 
After  avenged  him,  the  king's  life  he  took. 

So  he  came  off  uninjured  from  all  of  his  battles,  Beowulf  has  been 

Perilous  fights,  offspring  of  Ecgtheow, 
From  his  deeds  of  daring,  till  that  day  most  momentous 
10   When  he  fate-driven  fared  to  fight  with  the  dragon. 

With  eleven  companions  the  prince  of  the  Geatmen  With  eleven 


Went  lowering  with  fury  to  look  at  the  fire-drake  : 


Inquiring  he'd  found  how  the  feud  had  arisen, 

Hate  to  his  heroes  ;  the  highly-famed  gem-vessel 
15    Was  brought  to  his  keeping  through  the  hand  of  th'  informer. 

That  in  the  throng  was  thirteenth  of  heroes,  A  *""*«  k*^  th« 

That  caused  the  beginning  of  conflict  so  bitter, 

Captive  and  wretched,  must  sad-mooded  thenceward 

Point  out  the  place  :  he  passed  then  unwillingly  very  «i»ctamiy. 

20   To  the  spot  where  he  knew  of  the  notable  cavern, 

The  cave  under  earth,  not  far  from  the  ocean, 

The  anger  of  eddies,  which  inward  was  full  of 

Jewels  and  wires  :  a  warden  uncanny, 

1  Gr.  read  'on  feornae  '  (2386),  rendering:  He  there  at  the  banquet  o  fatal 
wound  received  by  blows  of  the  sword. 


82 


Beowulf  s  retro- 
spect. 


Hrethel  took  me 
when  I  was  seven. 

He  treated  me  as 
a  son. 


One  of  the  brothers 
accidentally  kills 
another. 


No  fee  could  com- 
pound for  such  a 
calamity.  5° 

[A  parallel  case 
is  supposed.] 


Beowulf. 

Warrior  weaponed,  wardered  the  treasure, 
25    Old  under  earth ;  no  easy  possession 

For  any  of  earth-folk  access  to  get  to. 

Then  the  battle-brave  atheling  sat  on  the  naze-edge, 

While  the  gold-friend  of  Geatmen  gracious  saluted 

His  fireside-companions  :  woe  was  his  spirit, 
30    Death-boding,  wav'ring ;  Weird  very  near  him, 

Who  must  seize  the  old  hero,  his  soul-treasure  look  for, 

Dragging  aloof  his  life  from  his  body  : 

Not  flesh-hidden  long  was  the  folk-leader's  spirit. 

Beowulf  spake,  Ecgtheow's  son  : 
35    "  I  survived  in  my  youth-days  many  a  conflict, 

Hours  of  onset :  that  all  I  remember. 

I  was  seven -winters  old  when  the  jewel-prince  took  me, 

High-lord  of  heroes,  at  the  hands  of  my  father, 

Hrethel  the  hero-king  had  me  in  keeping, 
40    Gave  me  treasure  and  feasting,  our  kinship  remembered ; 

Not  ever  was  I  any  less  dear  to  him 

Knight  in  the  boroughs,  than  the  bairns  of  his  household, 

Herebald  and  Hsethcyn  and  Higelac  mine. 

To  the  eldest  unjustly  by  acts  of  a  kinsman 
45    Was  murder-bed  strewn,  since  him  Haethcyn  from  horn-bow 

His  sheltering  chieftain  shot  with  an  arrow, 

Erred  in  his  aim  and  injured  his  kinsman, 

One  brother  the  other,  with  blood-sprinkled  spear : 

Twas  a  feeless  fight,  finished  in  malice, 

Sad  to  his  spirit ;  the  folk-prince  however 

Had  to  part  from  existence  with  vengeance  untaken. 

So  to  hoar-headed  hero  'tis  heavily  crushing * 


1  'Gomelum  ceorle'(2445). —  H.  takes  these  words  as  referring  to  Hrethel; 
but  the  translator  here  departs  from  his  editor  by  understanding  the  poet  to 
refer  to  a  hypothetical  old  man,  introduced  as  an  illustration  of  a  father's 
sorrow. 

Hrethrel  had  certainly  never  seen  a  son  of  his  ride  on  the  gallows  to  feed 
the  crows.  » 

The  passage  beginning  '  swa  bi*5  geomorlic '  seems  to  be  an  effort  to  reach 


Beowulf.  83 

To  live  to  see  his  son  as  he  rideth 

Young  on  the  gallows  :  then  measures  he  chanteth, 
55    A  song  of  sorrow,  when  his  son  is  hanging 

For  the  raven's  delight,  and  aged  and  hoary 

He  is  unable  to  offer  any  assistance. 

Every  morning  his  offspring's  departure 

Is  constant  recalled :  he  cares  not  to  wait  for 
60    The  birth  of  an  heir  in  his  borough-enclosures, 

Since  that  one  through  death-pain  the  deeds  hath  experienced. 

He  heart-grieved  beholds  in  the  house  of  his  son  the 

Wine1building  wasted,  the  wind-lodging  places 

Reaved  of  their  roaring ;  the  riders  are  sleeping, 
65    The  knights  in  the  grave  ;  there's  no  sound  of  the  harp- wood, 

Joy  in  the  yards,  as  of  yore  were  familiar. 


XXXV. 

REMINISCENCES   (continued}.  —BEOWULF'S   LAST  BATTLE. 

"  He  seeks  then  his  chamber,  singeth  a  woe-song 
One  for  the  other ;  all  too  extensive 

Seemed  homesteads  and  plains.     So  the  helm  of  the  Weders 
Mindful  of  Herebald  heart-sorrow  carried,  Hrethei  gneves 

5    Stirred  with  emotion,  nowise  was  able 

To  wreak  his  ruin  on  the  ruthless  destroyer : 

He  was  unable  to  follow  the  warrior  with  hatred, 

With  deeds  that  were  direful,  though  dear  he  not  held  him. 

a  full  simile,  '  as  ...  so.'  '  As  it  is  mournful  for  an  old  man,  etc.  ...  so  the 
defence  of  the  Weders  (2463)  bore  heart-sorrow,  etc.'  The  verses  2451  to 
2463$  would  be  parenthetical,  the  poet's  feelings  being  so  strong  as  to  inter- 
rupt the  simile.  The  punctuation  of  the  fourth  edition  would  be  better — a 
comma  after  'galgan'  (2447).  The  translation  may  be  indicated  as  follows: 
(Jusf)  as  it  is  sad  for  an  old  man  to  see  his  son  ride  young  on  the  gallows  when 
he  himself  is  tittering  mournful  measures,  a  sorrowful  song,  while  his  son  hangs 
for  a  comfort  to  the  raven,  and  he,  old  and  infirm,  cannot  render  him  any 
help — (he  is  constantly  reminded,  etc.,  2451-2463)  —  so  the  defence  of  the 
Weders,  etc. 


84 


Strife  between 
Swedes  and  Geats. 


Haethcyn's  fall  at 
Ravenswood. 


25 


I  requited  him  for   30 
the  jewels  he  gave 


35 


Beowulf  refers  to 
his  having  slain 

Daeghrcfn. 


Beowulf. 

Then  pressed  by  the  pang  this  pain  occasioned  him, 

10    He  gave  up  glee,  God-light  elected ; 

He  left  to  his  sons,  as  the  man  that  is  rich  does, 
His  land  and  fortress,  when  from  life  he  departed. 
Then  was  crime  and  hostility  'twixt  Swedes  and  Geatmen, 
O'er  wide-stretching  water  warring  was  mutual, 

15    Burdensome  hatred,  when  Hrethel  had  perished, 
And  Ongentheow's  offspring  were  active  and  valiant, 
Wished  not  to  hold  to  peace  oversea,  but 
Round  Hreosna-beorh  often  accomplished 
Crudest  massacre.     This  my  kinsman  avenged, 

20    The  feud  and  fury,  as  'tis  found  on  inquiry, 

Though  one  of  them  paid  it  with  forfeit  of  life-joys, 
With  price  that  was  hard  :  the  struggle  became  then 
Fatal  to  Haethcyn,  lord  of  the  Geatmen. 
Then  I  heard  that  at  morning  one  brother  the  other 
With  edges  of  irons  egged  on  to  murder, 
Where  Ongentheow  maketh  onset  on  Eofor : 
The  helmet  crashed,  the  hoary-haired  Scylfing 
Sword-smitten  fell,  his  hand  then  remembered 
Feud-hate  sufficient,  refused  not  the  death-blow. 
The  gems  that  he  gave  me,  with  jewel-bright  sword  I 
'Quited  in  contest,  as  occasion  was  offered : 
Land  he  allowed  me,  life-joy  at  homestead, 
Manor  to  live  on.     Little  he  needed 
From  Gepids  or  Danes  or  in  Sweden  to  look  for 
Trooper  less  true,  with  treasure  to  buy  him ; 
'Mong  foot-soldiers  ever  in  front  I  would  hie  me, 
Alone  in  the  vanguard,  and  evermore  gladly 
Warfare  shall  wage,  while  this  weapon  endureth 
That  late  and  early  often  did  serve  me 

40   When  I  proved  before  heroes  the  slayer  of  Dseghrefn, 
Knight  of  the  Hugmen  :  he  by  no  means  was  suffered 
To  the  king  of  the  Frisians  to  carry  the  jewels, 
The  breast-decoration ;  but  the  banner-possessor 
Bowed  in  the  battle,  brave-mooded  atheling. 


Beowulf. 

45    No  weapon  was  slayer,  but  war-grapple  broke  then 
The  surge  of  his  spirit,  his  body  destroying. 
Now  shall  weapon's  edge  make  war  for  the  treasure, 
And  hand  and  firm-sword."     Beowulf  spake  then, 
Boast-words  uttered  —  the  latest  occasion  : 

50    "  I  braved  in  my  youth-days  battles  unnumbered ; 
Still  am  I  willing  the  struggle  to  look  for, 
Fame-deeds  perform,  folk-warden  prudent, 
If  the  hateful  despoiler  forth  from  his  cavern 
Seeketh  me  out !  "     Each  of  the  heroes, 

55    Helm-bearers  sturdy,  he  thereupon  greeted 
Beloved  co-liegemen  —  his  last  salutation  : 
"  No  brand  would  I  bear,  no  blade  for  the  dragon, 
Wist  I  a  way  my  word-boast  to  'complish * 
Else  with  the  monster,  as  with  Grendel  I  did  it ; 

60    But  fire  in  the  battle  hot  I  expect  there, 

Furious  flame-burning  :  so  I  fixed  on  my  body 
Target  and  war- mail.     The  ward  of  the  barrow  * 
I'll  not  flee  from  a  foot-length,  the  foeman  uncanny. 
At  the  wall  'twill  befall  us  as  Fate  decreeth, 

65    Each  one's  Creator.     I  am  eager  in  spirit, 

With  the  winged  war-hero  to  away  with  all  boasting. 
Bide  on  the  barrow  with  burnies  protected, 
Earls  in  armor,  which  of  us  two  may  better 
Bear  his  disaster,  when  the  battle  is  over. 

70    Tis  no  matter  of  yours,  and  man  cannot  do  it, 
But  me  and  me  only,  to  measure  his  strength  with 
The  monster  of  malice,  might-deeds  to  'complish. 
I  with  prowess  shall  gain  the  gold,  or  the  battle, 


He  boasts  of  his 
youthful  prowess, 
and  declares  him- 
self still  fearless. 


His  last  saluta- 


Let  Fate  decide 
between  us* 


Wait  ye  here  till 
the  battle  is  over. 


lfThe  clause  2^20(2^-2^22(1),  rendered  by  'Wist  I  ...  monster,'  Gr., 
followed  by  S.,  translates  substantially  as  follows :  If  I  knew  how  else  I  might 
combat  the  boastful  defiance  of  the  monster.  — The  translation  turns  upon 
'  wrSgripan/  a  word  not  understood. 

2  B.  emends  and  translates:  I  will  not  flee  the  space  of  a  foot  from  the  guard 
of  the  barrow,  but  there  shall  be  to  us  a  fight  at  the  wall,  as  Fate  decrees,  each 
one's  Creator. 


86 


Beowulf. 


The  place  of  strife 
is  described. 


Beowulf  calls  out 
under  the  stone 
arches. 


The  terrible  en- 
counter. 


Beowulf  brandishes 
his  sword, 


and  stands  against 
his  shield. 

The  dragon  coils 
himself. 


Direful  death- woe  will  drag  off  your  ruler  ! " 
75    The  mighty  champion  rose  by  his  shield  then, 

Brave  under  helmet,  in  battle-mail  went  he 

'Neath  steep-rising  stone-cliffs,  the  strength  he  relied  on 

Of  one  man  alone  :  no  work  for  a  coward. 

Then  he  saw  by  the  wall  who  a  great  many  battles 
80    Had  lived  through,  most  worthy,  when  foot-troops  collided, 

Stone-arches  standing,  stout-hearted  champion, 

Saw  a  brook  from  the  barrow  bubbling  out  thenceward  : 

The  flood  of  the  fountain  was  fuming  with  war-flame  : 

Not  nigh  to  the  hoard,  for  season  the  briefest 
85    Could  he  brave,  without  burning,  the  abyss  that  was  yawning> 

The  drake  was  so  fiery.    The  prince  of  the  Weders 

Caused  then  that  words  came  from  his  bosom, 

So  fierce  was  his  fury ;  the  firm-hearted  shouted : 

His  battle-clear  voice  came  in  resounding 
90    'Neath  the  gray-colored  stone.     Stirred  was  his  hatred, 

The  hoard-ward  distinguished  the  speech  of  a  man ; 

Time  was  no  longer  to  look  out  for  friendship. 

The  breath  of  the  monster  issued  forth  first, 

Vapory  war-sweat,  out  of  the  stone-cave  : 
95    The  earth  re-echoed.     The  earl  'neath  the  barrow 

Lifted  his  shield,  lord  of  the  Geatmen, 

Tow'rd  the  terrible  stranger :  the  ring-twisted  creature's 

Heart  was  then  ready  to  seek  for  a  struggle. 

The  excellent  battle-king  first  brandished  his  weapon, 
ioo  The  ancient  heirloom,  of  edges  unblunted,1 

To  the  death-planners  twain  was  terror  from  other. 

The  lord  of  the  troopers  intrepidly  stood  then 

'Gainst  his  high-rising  shield,  when  the  dragon  coiled  him 

Quickly  together :  in  corslet  he  bided. 

1  The  translation  of  this  passage  is  based  on  '  unslaw'  (2565),  accepted  by 
H.-So.,  in  lieu  of  the  long-standing  '  ung!6aw.'  The  former  is  taken  as  an 
adj.  limiting 'sweord';  the  latter  as  an  adj.  c.  '  gtifl-cyning ' :  The  good  -war- 
king,  rash  with  edges,  brandished  his  sword,  his  old  relic.  The  latter  gives  a 
more  rhetorical  Anglo-Saxon  (poetical)  sentence. 


Beowulf.  87 

105  He  went  then  in  blazes,  bended  and  striding, 

Hasting  him  forward.     His  life  and  body 

The  targe  well  protected,  for  time-period  shorter 

Than  wish  demanded  for  the  well-renowned  leader, 

Where  he  then  for  the  first  day  was  forced  to  be  victor, 
no  Famous  in  battle,  as  Fate  had  not  willed  it. 

The  lord  of  the  Geatmen  uplifted  his  hand  then, 

Smiting  the  fire-drake  with  sword  that  was  precious, 

That  bright  on  the  bone  the  blade-edge  did  weaken, 

Bit  more  feebly  than  his  folk-leader  needed, 
115  Burdened  with  bale-griefs.    Then  the  barrow-protector, 

When  the  sword-blow  had  fallen,  was  fierce  in  his  spirit,  The  dragon  rages. 

Flinging  his  fires,  flamings  of  battle 

Gleamed  then  afar  :  the  gold-friend  of  Weders 

Boasted  no  conquests,  his  battle-sword  failed  him  Beowuifs  sword 

120  Naked  in  conflict,  as  by  no  means  it  ought  to, 

Long-trusty  weapon.     Twas  no  slight  undertaking 

That  Ecgtheow's  famous  offspring  would  leave 

The  drake-cavern's  bottom ;  he  must  live  in  some  region 

Other  than  this,  by  the  will  of  the  dragon, 
125  As  each  one  of  earthmen  existence  must  forfeit. 

Twas  early  thereafter  the  excellent  warriors 

Met  with  each  other.     Anew  and  afresh  The  combat  u 

The  hoard-ward  took  heart  (gasps  heaved  then  his  bosom)  :     rcnewcd- 

Sorrow  he  suffered  encircled  with  fire  The  great  hero  is 

130  Who  the  people  erst  governed.     His  companions  by  no  means  J^"01 

Were  banded  about  him,  bairns  of  the  princes, 

With  valorous  spirit,  but  they  sped  to  the  forest,  Hi*  comrades  fleei 

Seeking  for  safety.    The  soul-deeps  of  one  were 

Ruffled  by  care  :  kin-love  can  never  Blood  is  thicker 

135  Aught  in  him  waver  who  well  doth  consider.  than  watcr' 


88 


Beowulf. 


Wiglaf  i 

true  — the  ideal 

Teutonic  liege- 


Wiglaf  recalls 
Beowulf  s  gener- 
osity. 


20 


This  is  Wiglaf  s 
first  battle  as  liege- 
man of  Beowulf.       25 


Wiglaf  appeals  to 
the  pride  of  the 
cowards. 


XXXVI. 

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


The  son  of  Weohstan  was  Wiglaf  entitled, 

Shield-warrior  precious,  prince  of  the  Scylfings, 

JElf here's  kinsman  :  he  saw  his  dear  liegelord 

Enduring  the  heat  'neath  helmet  and  visor. 

Then  he  minded  the  holding  that  erst  he  had  given  him, 

The  Waegmunding  warriors'  wealth-blessed  homestead, 

Each  of  the  folk-rights  his  father  had  wielded ; 

He  was  hot  for  the  battle,  his  hand  seized  the  target, 

The  yellow-bark  shield,  he  unsheathed  his  old  weapon, 

Which  was  known  among  earthmen  as  the  relic  of  Eanmund, 

Ohthere's  offspring,  whom,  exiled  and  friendless, 

Weohstan  did  slay  with  sword-edge  in  battle, 

And  carried  his  kinsman  the  clear-shining  helmet, 

The  ring-made  burnie,  the  old  giant-weapon 

That  Onela  gave  him,  his  boon-fellow's  armor, 

Ready  war-trappings  :  he  the  feud  did  not  mention, 

Though  he'd  fatally  smitten  the  son  of  his  brother. 

Many  a  half-year  held  he  the  treasures, 

The  bill  and  the  burnie,  till  his  bairn  became  able, 

Like  his  father  before  him,  fame-deeds  to  'complish ; 

Then  he  gave  him  'mong  Geatmen  a  goodly  array  of 

Weeds  for  his  warfare  ;  he  went  from  life  then 

Old  on  his  journey.     'Twas  the  earliest  time  then 

That  the  youthful  champion  might  charge  in  the  battle 

Aiding  his  liegelord ;  his  spirit  was  dauntless. 

Nor  did  kinsman's  bequest  quail  at  the  battle  : 

This  the  dragon  discovered  on  their  coming  together. 

Wiglaf  uttered  many  a  right-saying, 

Said  to  his  fellows,  sad  was  his  spirit : 

"  I  remember  the  time  when,  tasting  the  mead-cup, 

We  promised  in  the  hall  the  lord  of  us  all 


Beowulf. 

Who  gave  us  these  ring- treasures,  that  this  battle- equipment, 

Swords  and  helmets,  we'd  certainly  quite  him, 

Should  need  of  such  aid  ever  befall  him  : 
35    In  the  war-band  he  chose  us  for  this  journey  spontaneously, 

Stirred  us  to  glory  and  gave  me  these  jewels, 

Since  he  held  and  esteemed  us  trust-worthy  spearmen, 

Hardy  helm-bearers,  though  this  hero-achievement 

Our  lord  intended  alone  to  accomplish, 
40    Ward  of  his  people,  for  most  of  achievements, 

Doings  audacious,  he  did  among  earth-folk. 

The  day  is  now  come  when  the  ruler  of  earthmen 

Needeth  the  vigor  of  valiant  heroes  : 

Let  us  wend  us  towards  him,  the  war-prince  to  succor, 
45    While  the  heat  yet  rageth,  horrible  fire-fight. 

God  wot  in  me,  'tis  mickle  the  liefer 

The  blaze  should  embrace  my  body  and  eat  it 

With  my  treasure-bestower.     Meseemeth  not  proper 

To  bear  our  battle -shields  back  to  our  country, 
50    'Less  first  we  are  able  to  fell  and  destroy  the 

Long-hating  foeman,  to  defend  the  life  of 

The  prince  of  the  Weders.     Well  do  I  know  'tisn't 

Earned  by  his  exploits,  he  only  of  Geatmen 

Sorrow  should  suffer,  sink  in  the  battle  : 
55    Brand  and  helmet  to  us  both  shall  be  common, 

1  Shield-cover,  burnie."     Through  the  bale-smoke  he  stalked 
then, 

Went  under  helmet  to  the  help  of  his  chieftain, 

Briefly  discoursing :  "  Beowulf  dear, 

Perform  thou  all  fully,  as  thou  formerly  saidst, 
60    In  thy  youthful  years,  that  while  yet  thou  livedst 


How  we  have  for- 
feited our  liege- 
lord's  confidence! 


Our  lord  is  in  sore 
need  of  us. 


I  would  rather  die 
than  go  home  with 
out  my  suzerain. 


Surely  he  does 
not  deserve  to  die 
alone. 


Wiglaf  reminds 
Beowulf  of  his 
youthful  boasts. 


1  The  passage  '  Brand  .  .  .  burnie?  is  much  disputed.  In  the  first  place, 
some  eminent  critics  assume  a  gap  of  at  least  two  half-verses.  — '  Urum  '  (2660), 
being  a  peculiar  form,  has  been  much  discussed.  '  Byrdu-scrdd '  is  also  a  crux. 
B.  suggests  '  bywdu-scrtid '  =  splendid  vestments.  Nor  is  '  bam '  accepted  by  all, 
'  beon '  being  suggested.  Whatever  the  individual  words,  the  passage  must 
mean,  "  I  intend  to  share  with  him  my  equipments  of  defence." 


Beowulf. 


The  monster  ad- 
vances on  them. 


Beowulf  strikes  at 
the  dragon. 


His  sword  fails 
him. 


The  dragon  ad- 
vances on  Beowulf 
again. 


Thou  wouldst  let  thine  honor  not  ever  be  lessened. 
Thy  life  thou  shalt  save,  mighty  in  actions, 
Atheling  undaunted,  with  all  of  thy  vigor ; 
I'll  give  thee  assistance."     The  dragon  came  raging, 

65    Wild-mooded  stranger,  when  these  words  had  been  uttered 
('Twas  the  second  occasion),  seeking  his  enemies, 
Men  that  were  hated,  with  hot-gleaming  fire-waves ; 
With  blaze-billows  burned  the  board  to  its  edges : 
The  fight-armor  failed  then  to  furnish  assistance 

70    To  the  youthful  spear-hero  :  but  the  young-aged  stripling 
Quickly  advanced  'neath  his  kinsman's  war-target, 
Since  his  own  had  been  ground  in  the  grip  of  the  fire. 
Then  the  warrior- king  was  careful  of  glory, 
He  soundly  smote  with  sword-for-the-battle, 

75    That  it  stood  in  the  head  by  hatred  ydriven ; 
Naegling  was  shivered,  the  old  and  iron-made 
Brand  of  Beowulf  in  battle  deceived  him. 
'Twas  denied  him  that  edges  of  irons  were  able 
To  help  in  the  battle ;  the  hand  was  too  mighty 

80    *  Which  every  weapon,  as  I  heard  on  inquiry, 

Outstruck  in  its  stroke,  when  to  struggle  he  carried 
The  wonderful  war-sword  :  it  waxed  him  no  better. 
Then  the  people-despoiler  —  third  of  his  onsets  — 
Fierce-raging  fire-drake,  of  feud-hate  was  mindful, 

85    Charged  on  the  strong  one,  when  chance  was  afforded, 
Heated  and  war-grim,  seized  on  his  neck 
With  teeth  that  were  bitter ;  he  bloody  did  wax  with 
Soul-gore  seething ;  sword-blood  in  waves  boiled. 

1  B.  would  render :  Which,  as  I  heard,  excelled  in  stroke  every  sword  thai 
he  carried  to  the  strife,  even  the  strongest  (jsword}.  For  *)>onne'  he  reads 
*|>one,'  rel.  pr. 


Beowulf.  91 


XXXVII. 
THE  FATAL  STRUGGLE.  —  BEOWULFS  LAST  MOMENTS. 

Then  I  heard  that  at  need  of  the  king  of  the  people  wigiaf  defends 

The  upstanding  earlman  exhibited  prowess, 

Vigor  and  courage,  as  suited  his  nature  ; 

1  He  his  head  did  not  guard,  but  the  high-minded  liegeman's 

Hand  was  consumed,  when  he  succored  his  kinsman, 

So  he  struck  the  strife-bringing  strange-comer  lower, 

Earl-  thane  in  armor,  that  in  went  the  weapon 

Gleaming  and  plated,  that  'gan  then  the  fire  f 

Later  to  lessen.    The  liegelord  himself  then  Beowulf  draws 

Retained  his  consciousness,  brandished  his  war-knife, 

Battle-sharp,  bitter,  that  he  bare  on  his  armor  : 

The  Weder-lord  cut  the  worm  in  the  middle.  and  <=uts  *' 

They  had  felled  the  enemy  (life  drove  out  then8 

Puissant  prowess)  ,  the  pair  had  destroyed  him, 

Land-chiefs  related  :  so  a  liegeman  should  prove  him, 

A  thaneman  when  needed.    To  the  prince  'twas  the  last  of 

His  era  of  conquest  by  his  own  great  achievements, 


1  B.  renders  :   He  (  W^)   did  not  regard  his   (the  dragon's)  head  (since 
Beowulf  had  struck  it  without  effect),  but  struck  the  dragon  a  little  lower  down. 
—  One  crux  is  to  find  out  whose  head  is  meant;   another  is  to  bring  out  the 
antithesis  between  '  head  '  and  '  hand.' 

2  '  pat  )>0et  fyr  '  (2702),  S.  emends  to  '  J>a  fcet  fyr  '  =  when  the  fire  began  to 
grow  less  intense  afterward.    This   emendation   relieves   the   passage   of  a 
plethora  of  conjunctive  \>eefs. 

8  For  'gefyldan'  (2707),  S.  proposes  'gefylde.'  The  passage  would  read: 
He  felled  the  foe  (life  drove  out  strength},  and  they  then  both  had  destroyed  hint, 
chieftains  related.  This  gives  Beowulf  the  credit  of  having  felled  the  dragon; 
then  they  combine  to  annihilate  him.  —  For  'ellen*  (2707),  Kl.  suggests 
*e(a)llne.'  —  The  reading  '  life  drove  out  strength1  is  very  unsatisfactory  and 
very  peculiar.  I  would  suggest  as  follows  :  Adopt  S.'s  emendation,  remove 
H.'s  parenthesis,  read  '  ferh-ellen  wraec,'  and  translate  :  He  felled  the  foe, 
drove  out  his  life-strength  (that  is,  made  him  hors  de  combat}  ,  and  then  they 
both,  etc. 


Beowulf. 


Beowulf  s  wound 
swells  and  burns. 


He  sits  down  ex- 
hausted. 


Wiglaf  bathes  his 
lord's  head. 


3° 


35 


Beowulf  regrets 
that  he  has  no  son. 


I  can  rejoice  in  a 
well-spent  life. 


45 


Bring  me  the 
hoard,  Wiglaf,  that 
my  dying  eyes  may  5° 
be  refreshed  by  a 
sight  of  it. 


The  latest  of  world- deeds.    The  wound  then  began 

Which  the  earth-dwelling  dragon  erstwhile  had  wrought  hiro 

To  burn  and  to  swell.     He  soon  then  discovered 

That  bitterest  bale-woe  in  his  bosom  was  raging, 

Poison  within.     The  atheling  advanced  then, 

That  along  by  the  wall,  he  prudent  of  spirit 

Might  sit  on  a  settle ;  he  saw  the  giant-work, 

How  arches  of  stone  strengthened  with  pillars 

The  earth-hall  eternal  inward  supported. 

Then  the  long-worthy  liegeman  laved  with  his  hand  the 

Far-famous  chieftain,  gory  from  sword- edge, 

Refreshing  the  face  of  his  friend-lord  and  ruler, 

Sated  with  battle,  unbinding  his  helmet. 

Beowulf  answered,  of  his  injury  spake  he, 

His  wound  that  was  fatal  (he  was  fully  aware 

He  had  lived  his  allotted  life-days  enjoying 

The  pleasures  of  earth ;  then  past  was  entirely 

His  measure  of  days,  death  very  near)  : 

"  My  son  I  would  give  now  my  battle- equipments, 

Had  any  of  heirs  been  after  me  granted, 

Along  of  my  body.     This  people  I  governed 

Fifty  of  winters  :  no  king  'mong  my  neighbors 

Dared  to  encounter  me  with  comrades-in-battle, 

Try  me  with  terror.     The  time  to  me  ordered 

I  bided  at  home,  mine  own  kept  fitly, 

Sought  me  no  snares,  swore  me  not  many 

Oaths  in  injustice.    Joy  over  all  this 

I'm  able  to  have,  though  ill  with  my  death-wounds ; 

Hence  the  Ruler  of  Earthmen  need  not  charge  me 

With  the  killing  of  kinsmen,  when  cometh  my  life  out 

Forth  from  my  body.     Fare  thou  with  haste  now 

To  behold  the  hoard  'neath  the  hoar-grayish  stone, 

Well-loved  Wiglaf,  now  the  worm  is  a-lying, 

Sore-wounded  sleepeth,  disseized  of  his  treasure. 

Go  thou  in  haste  that  treasures  of  old  I, 

Gold-wealth  may  gaze  on,  together  see  lying 


s> 


Beowulf.  93 


The  ether-bright  jewels,  be  easier  able, 
55    Having  the  heap  of  hoard-gems,  to  yield  my 

Life  and  the  land-folk  whom  long  I  have  governed." 


XXXVIII. 

WIGLAF  PLUNDERS  THE  DRAGON'S  DEN.  —  BEOWULFS 
DEATH. 

Then  heard  I  that  Wihstan's  son  very  quickly,  wi^af  fulfils  his 

These  words  being  uttered,  heeded  his  liegelord  lord's  behcst' 

Wounded  and  war-sick,  went  in  his  armor, 

His  well-woven  ring-mail,  'neath  the  roof  of  the  barrow. 
5    Then  the  trusty  retainer  treasure-gems  many 

Victorious  saw,  when  the  seat  he  came  near  to,  The  dragon's  den. 

Gold-treasure  sparkling  spread  on  the  bottom, 

Wonder  on  the  wall,  and  the  worm-creature's  cavern, 

The  ancient  dawn-flier's,  vessels  a-standing, 
10    Cups  of  the  ancients  of  cleansers  bereaved, 

Robbed  of  their  ornaments  :  there  were  helmets  in  numbers, 

Old  and  rust-eaten,  arm-bracelets  many, 

Artfully  woven.     Wealth  can  easily, 

Gold  on  the  sea-bottom,  turn  into  vanity * 
15    Each  one  of  earthmen,  arm  him  who  pleaseth  ! 

And  he  saw  there  lying  an  all-golden  banner 

High  o'er  the  hoard,  of  hand-wonders  greatest, 

Linked  with  lacets :  a  light  from  it  sparkled, 

That  the  floor  of  the  cavern  he  was  able  to  look  on, 
20    To  examine  the  jewels.     Sight  of  the  dragon  TO*  d»P>n  u  no« 

there. 

1  The  word  '  oferhigian '  (2767)  being  vague  and  little  understood,  two 
quite  distinct  translations  of  this  passage  have  arisen.  One  takes  '  oferhigian  ' 
as  meaning  '  to  exceed,'  and,  inserting  '  hord  '  after  '  gehwone,'  renders :  The 
treasure  may  easily,  the  gold  in  the  ground,  exceed  in  value  every  hoard  of 
man,  hide  it  who  will.  The  other  takes  '  oferhigian '  as  meaning  '  to  render 
arrogant,'  and,  giving  the  sentence  a  moralizing  tone,  renders  substantially  aft 
in  the  body  of  this  work.  (Cf.  28lt  et  seq.) 


94 


Beowulf. 


Wiglaf  bears  the 
hoard  away. 


Beowulf  is  rejoiced 
to  see  the  jewels. 


He  desires  to  be 
held  in  memory  by 
his  people. 


Not  any  was  offered,  but  edge  offcarried  him. 

Then  I  heard  that  the  hero  the  hoard-treasure  plundered. 

The  giant-work  ancient  reaved  in  the  cavern, 

Bare  on  his  bosom  the  beakers  and  platters, 

25    As  himself  would  fain  have  it,  and  took  off  the  standard, 
The  brightest  of  beacons ; 1  the  bill  had  erst  injured 
(Its  edge  was  of  iron),  the  old-ruler's  weapon, 
Him  who  long  had  watched  as  ward  of  the  jewels, 
Who  fire-terror  carried  hot  for  the  treasure, 

30    Rolling  in  battle,  in  middlemost  darkness, 

Till  murdered  he  perished.     The  messenger  hastened, 
Not  loth  to  return,  hurried  by  jewels  : 
Curiosity  urged  him  if,  excellent-mooded, 
Alive  he  should  find  the  lord  of  the  Weders 

35    Mortally  wounded,  at  the  place  where  he  left  him. 
'Mid  the  jewels  he  found  then  the  famous  old  chieftain, 
His  liegelord  beloved,  at  his  life's-end  gory : 
He  thereupon  'gan  to  lave  him  with  water, 
Till  the  point  of  his  word  pierced  his  breast-hoard. 

40    Beowulf  spake  (the  gold-gems  he  noticed), 

The  old  one  in  sorrow  :  "  For  the  jewels  I  look  on 
Thanks  do  I  utter  for  all  to  the  Ruler, 
Wielder  of  Worship,  with  words  of  devotion, 
The  Lord  everlasting,  that  He  let  me  such  treasures 

45    Gain  for  my  people  ere  death  overtook  me. 
Since  I've  bartered  the  aged  life  to  me  granted 
For  treasure  of  jewels,  attend  ye  henceforward 
The  wants  of  the  war-thanes ;  I  can  wait  here  no  longer. 
The  battle-famed  bid  ye  to  build  them  a  grave-hill, 

50    Bright  when  I'm  burned,  at  the  brim-current's  limit ; 
As  a  memory-mark  to  the  men  I  have  governed, 


1  The  passage  beginning  here  is  very  much  disputed.  '  The  bill  of  the  old 
lord'  is  by  some  regarded  as  Beowulf s  sword;  by  others,  as  that  of  the 
ancient  possessor  of  the  hoard.  '  JEr  gesc6d '  (2778),  translated  in  this  work 
as  verb  and  adverb,  is  by  some  regarded  as  a  compound  participial  adj.  — 
sheathed  in  brass. 


Beowulf.  95 

Aloft  it  shall  tower  on  Whale's- Ness  uprising, 

That  earls  of  the  ocean  hereafter  may  call  it 

BeowulPs  barrow,  those  who  barks  ever-dashing 
55    From  a  distance  shall  drive  o'er  the  darkness  of  waters." 

The  bold-mooded  troop-lord  took  from  his  neck  then  The  hero's  last 

The  ring  that  was  golden,  gave  to  his  liegeman, 

The  youthful  war-hero,  his  gold-flashing  helmet, 

His  collar  and  war-mail,  bade  him  well  to  enjoy  them : 
60    "  Thou  art  latest  left  of  the  line  of  our  kindred,  **  k*'  word»- 

Of  Waegmunding  people  :  Weird  hath  offcarried 

All  of  my  kinsmen  to  the  Creator's  glory, 

Earls  in  their  vigor :  I  shall  after  them  fare." 

Twas  the  aged  liegelord's  last-spoken  word  in 
65    His  musings  of  spirit,  ere  he  mounted  the  fire, 

The  battle-waves  burning :  from  his  bosom  departed 

His  soul  to  seek  the  sainted  ones'  glory. 


XXXIX. 

THE  DEAD  FOES.  —  WIGLAF'S  BITTER  TAUNTS. 

It  had  wofully  chanced  then  the  youthful  retainer  wigiaf  is  sorely 

To  behold  on  earth  the  most  ardent-beloved  Sh*^1* 

At  his  life-days'  limit,  lying  there  helpless.  warlike. 

The  slayer  too  lay  there,  of  life  all  bereaved, 
Horrible  earth-drake,  harassed  with  sorrow : 

The  round-twisted  monster  was  permitted  no  longer  ?**  dragon  has 

To  govern  the  ring-hoards,  but  edges  of  war-swords  hoard*" 

Mightily  seized  him,  battle-sharp,  sturdy 
Leavings  of  hammers,  that  still  from  his  wounds 
The  flier-from-farland  fell  to  the  earth 
Hard  by  his  hoard-house,  hopped  he  at  midnight 
Not  e'er  through  the  air,  nor  exulting  in  jewels 
Suffered  them  to  see  him  :  but  he  sank  then  to  earthward 
Through  the  hero-chiefs  handwork.     I  heard  sure  it  throve 
then 


96 


Few  warriors 
dared  to  face  the 
monster. 


The  cowardly 
thanes  come  out 
of  the  thicket. 


They  are  ashamed 
of  their  desertion. 


Wiglaf  is  ready  to 
excoriate  them. 


He  begins  to  taunt 
them. 


Beowulf. 

15    But  few  in  the  land  of  liegemen  of  valor, 

Though  of  every  achievement  bold  he  had  proved  himp 
To  run  'gainst  the  breath  of  the  venomous  scather, 
Or  the  hall  of  the  treasure  to  trouble  with  hand-blows, 
If  he  watching  had  found  the  ward  of  the  hoard-hall 

ao   On  the  barrow  abiding.     Beowulf  s  part  of 
The  treasure  of  jewels  was  paid  for  with  death; 
Each  of  the  twain  had  attained  to  the  end  of 
Life  so  unlasting.     Not  long  was  the  time  till 
The  tardy-at-battle  returned  from  the  thicket, 

25    The  timid  truce- breakers  ten  all  together, 
Who  durst  not  before  play  with  the  lances 
In  the  prince  of  the  people's  pressing  emergency ; 
But  blushing  with  shame,  with  shields  they  betook  them, 
With  arms  and  armor  where  the  old  one  was  lying : 

30   They  gazed  upon  Wiglaf.     He  was  sitting  exhausted, 
Foot-going  fighter,  not  far  from  the  shoulders 
Of  the  lord  of  the  people,  would  rouse  him  with  water ; 
No  whit  did  it  help  him ;  though  he  hoped  for  it  keenly, 
He  was  able  on  earth  not  at  all  in  the  leader 

35    Life  to  retain,  and  nowise  to  alter 

The  will  of  the  Wielder;  the  World-Ruler's  power1 
Would  govern  the  actions  of  each  one  of  heroes, 
As  yet  He  is  doing.     From  the  young  one  forthwith  then 
Could  grim-worded  greeting  be  got  for  him  quickly 

40    Whose  courage  had  failed  him.    Wiglaf  discoursed  then, 
Weohstan  his  son,  sad-mooded  hero, 
Looked  on  the  hated  :  "  He  who  soothness  will  utter 
Can  say  that  the  liegelord  who  gave  you  the  jewels, 
The  ornament-armor  wherein  ye  are  standing, 

45    When  on  ale-bench  often  he  offered  to  hall-men 
Helmet  and  burnie,  the  prince  to  his  liegemen, 
As  best  upon  earth  he  was  able  to  find  him,  — 

1  For  '  daedum  rsedan '  (2859)  B.  suggests  '  deaft  araedan,'  and  renders :  Tht 
might  (or  judgment}  of  God  would  determine  death  for  every  man,  as  he  still 
does. 


Beowulf. 


97 


That  he  wildly  wasted  his  war-gear  undoubtedly 

When  battle  o'ertook  him.1    The  troop-king  no  need  had 

50    To  glory  in  comrades ;  yet  God  permitted  him, 
Victory-Wielder,  with  weapon  unaided 
Himself  to  avenge,  when  vigor  was  needed. 
I  life-protection  but  little  was  able 
To  give  him  in  battle,  and  I  'gan,  notwithstanding, 

55    Helping  my  kinsman  (my  strength  overtaxing)  : 
He  waxed  the  weaker  when  with  weapon  I  smote  on 
My  mortal  opponent,  the  fire  less  strongly 
Flamed  from  his  bosom.    Too  few  of  protectors 
Came  round  the  king  at  the  critical  moment. 

60    Now  must  ornament-taking  and  weapon-bestowing, 
Home-joyance  all,  cease  for  your  kindred, 
Food  for  the  people ;  each  of  your  warriors 
Must  needs  be  bereaved  of  rights  that  he  holdeth 
In  landed  possessions,  when  faraway  nobles 

65  Shall  learn  of  your  leaving  your  lord  so  basely, 
The  dastardly  deed.  Death  is  more  pleasant 
To  every  earlman  than  infamous  life  is  ! " 


Surely  our  lord 
wasted  his  armor 
on  poltroons. 

He,  however,  got 
along  without  you. 


With  some  aid,  I 
could  have  saved 
our  liegelord. 


Gift-giving  is  over 
with  your  people: 
the  ring-lord  is 
dead. 


What  is  life  with 
out  honor? 


XL. 
THE  MESSENGER  OF  DEATH. 

Then  he  charged  that  the  battle  be  announced  at  the  hedge 
Up  o'er  the  cliff-edge,  where  the  earl-troopers  bided 
The  whole  of  the  morning,  mood-wretched  sat  them, 
Bearers  of  battle-shields,  both  things  expecting, 
5    The  end  of  his  lifetime  and  the  coming  again  of 
The  liegelord  beloved.     Little  reserved  he 
Of  news  that  was  known,  who  the  ness-cliff  did  travel, 
But  he  truly  discoursed  to  all  that  could  hear  him  : 

1  Some  critics,  H.  himself  in  earlier  editions,  put  the  clause,  '  When  .  . . 
him  '  (A.-S.  'pa  ...  beget')  with  the  following  sentence;  that  is,  they  make  it 
dependent  upon  'porfte'  (2875)  instead  of  upon  'forwurpe'  (2873). 


Wiglaf  sends  die 
news  of  Beowulf's 
death  to  liegemen 
near  by. 


98 


The  messenger 
speaks. 


Wiglaf  sits  by  our    ,. 
dead  lord. 


Our  lord's  death 
will  lead  to 
attacks  from  our 
old  foes. 


Higelac's  death 
recalled. 


25 


Haethcyn's  fall 
referred  to. 


Beowulf. 

"  Now  the  free-giving  friend-lord  of  the  folk  of  the  Weders, 
10   The  folk-prince  of  Geatmen,  is  fast  in  his  death-bed, 
By  the  deeds  of  the  dragon  in  death-bed  abideth ; 
Along  with  him  lieth  his  life-taking  foeman 
Slain  with  knife-wounds  :  he  was  wholly  unable 
To  injure  at  all  the  ill-planning  monster 
With  bite  of  his  sword-edge.    Wiglaf  is  sitting, 
Offspring  of  Wihstan,  up  over  Beowulf, 
Earl  o'er  another  whose  end-day  hath  reached  him, 
Head-watch  holdeth  o'er  heroes  unliving,1 
For  friend  and  for  foeman.    The  folk  now  expecteth 
A  season  of  strife  when  the  death  of  the  folk-king 
To  Frankmen  and  Frisians  in  far-lands  is  published. 
The  war-hatred  waxed  warm  'gainst  the  Hugmen, 
When  Higelac  came  with  an  army  of  vessels 
Faring  to  Friesland,  where  the  Frankmen  in  battle 
Humbled  him  and  bravely  with  overmight  'complished 
That  the  mail-clad  warrior  must  sink  in  the  battle, 
Fell  'mid  his  folk-troop  :  no  fret-gems  presented 
The  atheling  to  earlmen ;  aye  was  denied  us 
Merewing's  mercy.    The  men  of  the  Swedelands 
30    For  truce  or  for  truth  trust  I  but  little ; 

But  widely  'twas  known  that  near  Ravenswood  Ongentheow 
Sundered  Haethcyn  the  Hrethling  from  life-joys, 
When  for  pride  overweening  the  War-Scylfings  first  did 
Seek  the  Geatmen  with  savage  intentions. 
35    Early  did  Ohthere's  age-laden  father, 
Old  and  terrible,  give  blow  in  requital, 
Killing  the  sea-king,  the  queen-mother  rescued, 
The  old  one  his  consort  deprived  of  her  gold, 
Onela's  mother  and  Ohthere's  also, 

1  '  Hige-m£$um '  (2910)  is  glossed  by  H.  as  dat.  plu.  (=  for  the  dead).  S. 
proposes  '  hige-mefte,'  nom.  sing,  limiting  Wiglaf;  i.e.  W.t  mood-weary,  holds 
head-watch  o'er  friend  and  foe.  —  B.  suggests  taking  the  word  as  dat.  inst. 
plu.  of  an  abstract  noun  in  -'  u.'  The  translation  would  be  substantially  the 
same  as  S.'s. 


Beowulf.  99 

40   And  then  followed  the  feud-nursing  foemen  till  hardly, 

Reared  of  their  ruler,  they  Ravenswood  entered. 

Then  with  vast-numbered  forces  he  assaulted  the  remnant, 

Weary  with  wounds,  woe  often  promised 

The  livelong  night  to  the  sad-hearted  war-troop  : 
45    Said  he  at  morning  would  kill  them  with  edges  of  weapons, 

Some  on  the  gallows  for  glee  to  the  fowls. 

Aid  came  after  to  the  anxious-in-spirit 

At  dawn  of  the  day,  after  Higelac's  bugle 

And  trumpet-sound  heard  they,  when  the  good  one  proceeded 
50   And  faring  followed  the  flower  of  the  troopers. 


XLI. 
THE  MESSENGER'S  RETROSPECT. 

"  The  blood-stained  trace  of  Swedes  and  Geatmen,  The  messenger 

The  death-rush  of  warmen,  widely  was  noticed,  continues  and 

refers  to  the  feuds 

How  the  folks  with  each  other  feud  did  awaken.  of  Swedes  and 

The  worthy  one  went  then1  with  well-beloved  comrades,  G*»U. 

5    Old  and  dejected  to  go  to  the  fastness, 
Ongentheo  earl  upward  then  turned  him ; 
Of  Higelac's  battle  he'd  heard  on  inquiry, 
The  exultant  one's  prowess,  despaired  of  resistance, 
With  earls  of  the  ocean  to  be  able  to  struggle, 
10    'Gainst  sea-going  sailors  to  save  the  hoard -treasure, 
His  wife  and  his  children ;  he  fled  after  thenceward 
Old  'neath  the  earth-wall.     Then  was  offered  pursuance 
To  the  braves  of  the  Swedemen,  the  banner2  to  Higelac. 

1  For  '  g6da,'  which  seems  a  surprising  epithet  for  a  Geat  to  apply  to  the 
"terrible"  Ongentheow,   B.   suggests  'gomela.'     The  passage   would   then 
stand  :  '  The  old  one  went  then?  etc. 

2  For  «segn  Higelace,'  K.,  Th.,  and  B.  propose  'segn  Higelaces,'  meaning: 
Higelac's  banner  followed  the  Swedes  (in  pursuit}.  —  S.  suggests  'ssecc  Hige- 
laces,' and  renders:  Higelac's  pursuit. — The  H.-So.  reading,  as  translated  in 
our  text,  means  that  the  banner  of  the  enemy  was  captured  and  brought  to 
Higelac  as  a  trophy. 


ioo  Beowulf. 


Wulf  wounds 
Oagentheow. 


Ongentheow  gives 
a  stout  blow  in 
return.  25 


Eofor  smites  On- 
gentheow fiercely. 


Ongentheow  is 
slain. 


Eofor  takes  the 
old  king's  war-gear 
to  Higelac. 


Higelac  rewards 
the  brothers. 


They  fared  then  forth  o'er  the  field-of-protection, 

15    When  the  Hrethling  heroes  hedgeward  had  thronged  them. 
Then  with  edges  of  irons  was  Ongentheow  driven, 
The  gray-haired  to  tarry,  that  the  troop-ruler  had  to 
Suffer  the  power  solely  of  Eofor  : 
Wulf  then  wildly  with  weapon  assaulted  him, 

20   Wonred  his  son,  that  for  swinge  of  the  edges 
The  blood  from  his  body  burst  out  in  currents, 
Forth  'neath  his  hair.     He  feared  not  however, 
Gray-headed  Scylfing,  but  speedily  quited 
The  wasting  wound-stroke  with  worse  exchange, 
When  the  king  of  the  thane-troop  thither  did  turn  him  : 
The  wise-mooded  son  of  Wonred  was  powerless 
To  give  a  return-blow  to  the  age-hoary  man, 
But  his  head-shielding  helmet  first  hewed  he  to  pieces, 
That  flecked  with  gore  perforce  he  did  totter, 

30    Fell  to  the  earth ;  not  fey  was  he  yet  then, 

But  up  did  he  spring  though  an  edge-wound  had  reached  him. 
Then  Higelac's  vassal,  valiant  and  dauntless, 
When  his  brother  lay  dead,  made  his  broad-bladed  weapon, 
Giant-sword  ancient,  defence  of  the  giants, 

35    Bound  o'er  the  shield-wall ;  the  folk-prince  succumbed  then, 
Shepherd  of  people,  was  pierced  to  the  vitals. 
There  were  many  attendants  who  bound  up  his  kinsman, 
Carried  him  quickly  when  occasion  was  granted 
That  the  place  of  the  slain  they  were  suffered  to  manage. 

40   This  pending,  one  hero  plundered  the  other, 
His  armor  of  iron  from  Ongentheow  ravished, 
His  hard-sword  hilted  and  helmet  together ; 
The  old  one's  equipments  he  carried  to  Higelac. 
He  the  jewels  received,  and  rewards  'mid  the  troopers 

45    Graciously  promised,  and  so  did  accomplish  : 
The  king  of  the  Weders  requited  the  war-rush, 
Hrethel's  descendant,  when  home  he  repaired  him, 
To  Eofor  and  Wulf  with  wide-lavished  treasures, 
To  each  of  them  granted  a  hundred  of  thousands 


Beowulf. 


101 


50    In  land  and  rings  wrought  out  of  wire  : 
None  upon  mid -earth  needed  to  twit  him * 
With  the  gifts  he  gave  them,  when  glory  they  conquered ; 
And  to  Eofor  then  gave  he  his  one  only  daughter, 
The  honor  of  home,  as  an  earnest  of  favor. 

55    That's  the  feud  and  hatred  —  as  ween  I  'twill  happen  — 
The  anger  of  earthmen,  that  earls  of  the  Swedemen 
Will  visit  on  us,  when  they  hear  that  our  leader 
Lifeless  is  lying,  he  who  longtime  protected 
His  hoard  and  kingdom  'gainst  hating  assailers, 

60   Who  on  the  fall  of  the  heroes  defended  of  yore 
The  deed-mighty  Scyldings,2  did  for  the  troopers 
What  best  did  avail  them,  and  further  moreover 
Hero-deeds  'complished.     Now  is  haste  most  fitting, 
That  the  lord  of  liegemen  we  look  upon  yonder, 

65    And  that  one  carry  on  journey  to  death-pyre 
Who  ring-presents  gave  us.     Not  aught  of  it  all 
Shall  melt  with  the  brave  one  —  there's  a  mass  of  bright  jewels, 
Gold  beyond  measure,  grewsomely  purchased 
And  ending  it  all  ornament- rings  too 

70    Bought  with  his  life ;  these  fire  shall  devour, 
Flame  shall  cover,  no  earlman  shall  wear 
A  jewel- memento,  nor  beautiful  virgin 
Have  on  her  neck  rings  to  adorn  her, 
But  wretched  in  spirit  bereaved  of  gold-gems 

75    She  shall  oft  with  others  be  exiled  and  banished, 
Since  the  leader  of  liegemen  hath  laughter  forsaken, 

1  The  rendering  given  in  this  translation  represents  the  king  as  being  gen- 
erous beyond  the  possibility  of  reproach ;  but  some  authorities  construe  '  him ' 
(2996)  as  plu.,  and  understand  the  passage  to  mean  that  no  one  reproached 
the  two  brothers  with  having  received  more  reward  than  they  were  entitled  to. 

8  The  name  '  Scyldingas '  here  (3006)  has  caused  much  discussion,  and  given 
rise  to  several  theories,  the  most  important  of  which  are  as  follows:  (i)  After 
the  downfall  of  Hrothgar's  family,  Beowulf  was  king  of  the  Danes,  or  Scyld- 
ings. (2)  For  'Scyldingas'  read  4  Scylfingas '  —  that  is,  after  killing  Eadgils, 
the  Scylfing  prince,  Beowulf  conquered  his  land,  and  held  it  in  subjection. 
(3)  M.  considers  3006  a  thoughtless  repetition  of  2053.  (Cf.  H.-So.) 


His  gifts  were  be- 
yond cavil. 

To  Eofor  he  also 
gives  his  only 
daughter  in  mar- 
riage. 


It  is  time  for  us  to 
pay  the  last  mark; 
of  respect  to  our 
lord. 


102 


Beowulf. 


The  warriors  go 
sadly  to  look  at 
Beowulf  s  lifeless 
body. 


They  also  see  the 
dragon. 


The  hoard  was 
under  a  magic 


Mirth  and  merriment.    Hence  many  a  war-spear 
Cold  from  the  morning  shall  be  clutched  in  the  fingers, 
Heaved  in  the  hand,  no  harp-music's  sound  shall 

80   Waken  the  warriors,  but  the  wan-coated  raven 
Fain  over  fey  ones  freely  shall  gabble, 
Shall  say  to  the  eagle  how  he  sped  in  the  eating, 
When,  the  wolf  his  companion,  he  plundered  the  slain." 
So  the  high-minded  hero  was  rehearsing  these  stories 

85    Loathsome  to  hear ;  he  lied  as  to  few  of 

Weirds  and  of  words.     All  the  war-troop  arose  then, 
'Neath  the  Eagle's  Cape  sadly  betook  them, 
Weeping  and  woful,  the  wonder  to  look  at. 
They  saw  on  the  sand  then  soulless  a-lying, 

90    His  slaughter-bed  holding,  him  who  rings  had  given  them 
In  days  that  were  done ;  then  the  death-bringing  moment 
1  Was  come  to  the  good  one,  that  the  king  very  warlike, 
\Wielder  of  Weders,  with  wonder-death  perished. 
First  they  beheld  there  a  creature  more  wondrous, 

95    The  worm  on  the  field,  in  front  of  them  lying, 
The  foeman  before  them  :  the  fire-spewing  dragon, 
Ghostly  and  grisly  guest  in  his  terrors, 
Was  scorched  in  the  fire ;  as  he  lay  there  he  measured 
Fifty  of  feet ;  came  forth  in  the  night-time * 

ioo  To  rejoice  in  the  air,  thereafter  departing 

To  visit  his  den ;  he  in  death  was  then  fastened, 
He  would  joy  in  no  other  earth-hollowed  caverns. 
There  stood  round  about  him  beakers  and  vessels, 
Dishes  were  lying  and  dear-valued  weapons, 

105  With  iron-rust  eaten,  as  in  earth's  mighty  bosom 
A  thousand  of  winters  there  they  had  rested : 
That  mighty  bequest  then  with  magic  was  guarded, 
Gold  of  the  ancients,  that  earlman  not  any 
The  ring-hall  could  touch,  save  Ruling-God  only, 

1  B.  takes  'nihtes'  and  'hwflum'  (3045)  as  separate  adverbial  cases,  and 
renders :  Joy  in  the  air  had  he  of  yore  by  night,  etc.  He  thinks  that  the  idea  of 
vanished  time  ought  to  be  expressed. 


Beowulf.  103 

no  Sooth-king  of  Vict'ries  gave  whom  He  wished  to 

1  (He  is  earth-folk's  protector)  to  open  the  treasure,  God  alone  could 

_,,  .  ,          ,  ,.  give  access  to  it. 

E  en  to  such  among  mortals  as  seemed  to  Him  proper. 


XLII. 
WIGLAFS  SAD   STORY.  — THE   HOARD  CARRIED  OFF. 

Then  'twas  seen  that  the  journey  prospered  him  little 
Who  wrongly  within  had  the  ornaments  hidden 2 
Down  'neath  the  wall.    The  warden  erst  slaughtered 
Some  few  of  the  folk-troop  :  the  feud  then  thereafter 

5    Was  hotly  avenged.     'Tis  a  wonder  where,8 

When  the  strength-famous  trooper  has  attained  to  the  end  of 
Life-days  allotted,  then  no  longer  the  man  may 
Remain  with  his  kinsmen  where  mead-cups  are  flowing. 
So  to  Beowulf  happened  when  the  ward  of  the  barrow, 

10    Assaults,  he  sought  for  :  himself  had  no  knowledge 
How  his  leaving  this  life  was  likely  to  happen. 
So  to  doomsday,  famous  folk-leaders  down  did 
Call  it  with  curses  —  who  'complished  it  there  — 

1  The  parenthesis  is  by  some  emended  so  as  to  read:  (l)  (He  (i.e.  God) 
is  the  hope  of  men);  (2)  (he  is  the  hope  of  heroes).  Gr.'s  reading  has  no 
parenthesis,  but  says :  .  .  .  could  touch,  unless  God  himself,  true  king  of  victo- 
ries, gave  to  whom  he  would  to  open  the  treasure,  the  secret  place  of  enchanters, 
etc.  The  last  is  rejected  on  many  grounds. 

a  For  '  gehydde,'  B.  suggests  '  gehyftde  ' :  the  passage  would  stand  as  above 
except  the  change  of  '  hidden '  (v.  2)  to  '  plundered.'  The  reference,  how- 
ever, would  be  to  the  thief,  not  to  the  dragon. 

*  The  passage  '  Wundur  .  .  .  bdan '  (3063-3066),  M.  took  to  be  a  question 
asking  whether  it  was  strange  that  a  man  should  die  when  his  appointed  time 
had  come.  —  B.  sees  a  corruption,  and  makes  emendations  introducing  the 
idea  that  a  brave  man  should  not  die  from  sickness  or  from  old  age,  but  should 
find  death  in  the  performance  of  some  deed  of  daring.  —  S.  sees  an  indirect 
question  introduced  by  '  hwar '  and  dependent  upon  '  wundur ' :  A  secret  is  it 
when  the  hero  is  to  die,  etc.  —  Why  may  the  two  clauses  not  be  parallel,  and 
the  whole  passage  an  Old  English  cry  of  '  How  wonderful  is  death  ! '  ? —  S.'s 
is  the  best  yet  offered,  if '  wundor '  means  '  mystery. ' 


104 


Wiglaf  addresses 
his  comrades. 


He  tells  them  of 
Beowulf  s  last 
moments. 


Beowulf  s  dying 
request. 


Beowulf. 

That  that  man  should  be  ever  of  ill-deeds  convicted, 

15    Confined  in  foul-places,  fastened  in  hell-bonds, 

Punished  with  plagues,  who  this  place  should  e'er  ravage.1 
He  cared  not  for  gold  :  rather  the  Wielder's 
Favor  preferred  he  first  to  get  sight  of.2 
Wiglaf  discoursed  then,  Wihstan  his  son  : 

20    "  Oft  many  an  earlman  on  one  man's  account  must 
Sorrow  endure,  as  to  us  it  hath  happened. 
The  liegelord  beloved  we  could  little  prevail  on, 
Kingdom's  keeper,  counsel  to  follow, 
Not  to  go  to  the  guardian  of  the  gold-hoard,  but  let  him 

25    Lie  where  he  long  was,  live  in  his  dwelling 
Till  the  end  of  the  world.     Met  we  a  destiny 
Hard  to  endure  :  the  hoard  has  been  looked  at, 
Been  gained  very  grimly ;  too  grievous  the  fate  that* 
The  prince  of  the  people  pricked  to  come  thither. 

30    /was  therein  and  all  of  it  looked  at, 

The  building's  equipments,  since  access  was  given  me, 
Not  kindly  at  all  entrance  permitted 
Within  under  earth-wall.     Hastily  seized  I 
And  held  in  my  hands  a  huge-weighing  burden 

35    Of  hoard-treasures  costly,  hither  out  bare  them 
To  my  liegelord  beloved  :  life  was  yet  in  him, 
And  consciousness  also ;  the  old  one  discoursed  then 
Much  and  mournfully,  commanded  to  greet  you, 
Bade  that  remembering  the  deeds  of  your  friend-lord 

40   Ye  build  on  the  fire-hill  of  corpses  a  lofty 
Burial-barrow,  broad  and  far-famous, 

As  'mid  world-dwelling  warriors  he  was  widely  most  honored 
While  he  reveled  in  riches.     Let  us  rouse  us  and  hasten 


1  For  'strude'  in  H.-So.,  S.  suggests  'stride.'    This  would  require  'ravage' 
(v.  1 6)  to  be  changed  to  « tread.' 

2  'He  cared  .  .  .  sight  of  (17,  18),  S.  emends  so  as  to  read  as  follows: 
He  (Beowulf)  had  not  before  seen  the  favor  of  the  avaricious  possessor. 

8  B.  renders :    That  which  drew  the  king  thither  (i.e.  the  treasure)  wat 
granted  us,  but  in  such  a  way  that  it  overcomes  us. 


Beowulf. 


105 


Again  to  see  and  seek  for  the  treasure, 

45    The  wonder  'neath  wall.    The  way  I  will  show  you, 
That  close  ye  may  look  at  ring-gems  sufficient 
And  gold  in  abundance.     Let  the  bier  with  promptness 
Fully  be  fashioned,  when  forth  we  shall  come, 
And  lift  we  our  lord,  then,  where  long  he  shall  tarry, 

50    Well-beloved  warrior,  'neath  the  Wielder's  protection." 
Then  the  son  of  Wihstan  bade  orders  be  given, 
Mood-valiant  man,  to  many  of  heroes, 
Holders  of  homesteads,  that  they  hither  from  far, 
1  Leaders  of  liegemen,  should  look  for  the  good  one 

55    With  wood  for  his  pyre  :  "  The  flame  shall  now  swallow 
(The  wan  fire  shall  wax  *)  the  warriors'  leader 
Who  the  rain  of  the  iron  often  abided, 
When,  sturdily  hurled,  the  storm  of  the  arrows 
Leapt  o'er  linden-wall,  the  lance  rendered  service, 

60    Furnished  with  feathers  followed  the  arrow." 

Now  the  wise-mooded  son  of  Wihstan  did  summon 
The  best  of  the  braves  from  the  band  of  the  ruler 
Seven  together;  'neath  the  enemy's  roof  he 
Went  with  the  seven ;  one  of  the  heroes 

65    Who  fared  at  the  front,  a  fire-blazing  torch-light 
Bare  in  his  hand.     No  lot  then  decided 
Who  that  hoard  should  havoc,  when  hero-earls  saw  it 
Lying  in  the  cavern  uncared-for  entirely, 
Rusting  to  ruin  :  they  rued  then  but  little 

70    That  they  hastily  hence  hauled  out  the  treasure, 
The  dear- valued  jewels  ;  the  dragon  eke  pushed  they, 
The  worm  o'er  the  wall,  let  the  wave-currents  take  him, 


Wiglaf  charge, 
them  to  build  a 
funeral-pyre. 


He  takes  seven 
thanes,  and  enters 
the  den. 


They  push  the 
dragon  over  the 
wall. 


1  •  Folc-agende '  (31 14)  B.  takes  as  dat.  sing,  with  '  g6dum,'  and  refers  it  to 
Beowulf;   that  is,  Should  bring  fi  re-wood  to  the  place  -where  the  good  folk-ruler 
by. 

2  C.  proposes  to  take  '  weaxan '  =  L.  '  vescor,1  and  translate  devour.    This 
gives  a  parallel  to  '  fretan '  above.     The  parenthesis  would  be  discarded  and 
the  passage  read :   Now  shall  the  fire  consume^  the  wan-flam*  devour,  the 
prince  of  warriors,  etc. 


io6 


The  hoard  is  laid 
on  a  wain. 


75 


Beowulf. 

The  waters  enwind  the  ward  of  the  treasures. 
There  wounden  gold  on  a  wain  was  uploaded, 
A  mass  unmeasured,  the  men-leader  off  then, 
The  hero  hoary,  to  Whale's-Ness  was  carried. 


XLIII. 
THE  BURNING  OF  BEOWULF. 

B«owuif s  pyre.  The  folk  of  the  Geatmen  got  him  then  ready 

A  pile  on  the  earth  strong  for  the  burning, 
Behung  with  helmets,  hero-knights'  targets, 
And  bright-shining  burnies,  as  he  begged  they  should  have  them; 
5    Then  wailing  war-heroes  their  world-famous  chieftain, 
Their  liegelord  beloved,  laid  in  the  middle. 

The  funeral-flame.        Soldiers  began  then  to  make  on  the  barrow 

The  largest  of  dead-fires  :  dark  o'er  the  vapor 
The  smoke-cloud  ascended,  the  sad-roaring  fire, 
10    Mingled  with  weeping  (the  wind-roar  subsided) 
Till  the  building  of  bone  it  had  broken  to  pieces, 
Hot  in  the  heart.     Heavy  in  spirit 
They  mood-sad  lamented  the  men-leader's  ruin ; 
And  mournful  measures  the  much-grieving  widow 

*  *  *  *  *  *  * 


The  Weders  carry 
out  their  lord's  last 
request. 


The  men  of  the  Weders  made  accordingly 

A  hill  on  the  height,  high  and  extensive, 

Of  sea-going  sailors  to  be  seen  from  a  distance, 

And  the  brave  one's  beacon  built  where  the  fire  was,. 

In  ten-days'  space,  with  a  wall  surrounded  it, 

As  wisest  of  world- folk  could  most  worthily  plan  it- 

They  placed  in  the  barrow  rings  and  jewels, 


Beowulf.  107 

All  such  ornaments  as  erst  in  the  treasure  Rings  and  gems 

War-rnooded  men  had  won  in  possession  :  banw  " 

30   The  earnings  of  earlmen  to  earth  they  entrusted, 

The  gold  to  the  dust,  where  yet  it  remaineth 

As  useless  to  mortals  as  in  foregoing  eras. 

'Round  the  dead-  mound  rode  then  the  doughty-in-battle, 

Bairns  of  all  twelve  of  the  chiefs  of  the  people, 
35    More  would  they  mourn,  lament  for  their  ruler,  Tb^y  m<"»m  for 

0         .     .  ......  their  lord,  and  sing 

Speak  in  measure,  mention  him  with  pleasure, 


Weighed  his  worth,  and  his  warlike  achievements 

Mightily  commended,  as  'tis  meet  one  praise  his 

Liegelord  in  words  and  love  him  in  spirit, 
40    When  forth  from  his  body  he  fares  to  destruction. 

So  lamented  mourning  the  men  of  the  Geats, 

Fond-loving  vassals,  the  fall  of  their  lord, 

Said  he  was  kindest  of  kings  under  heaven,  An  ideal  king. 

Gentlest  of  men,  most  winning  of  manner, 
45    Friendliest  to  folk-troops  and  fondest  of  honor. 


ADDENDA. 


SEVERAL  discrepancies  and  other  oversights  have  been  noticed  in  the  H.-So. 
glossary.  Of  these  a  good  part  were  avoided  by  Harrison  and  Sharp,  the 
American  editors  of  Beowulf,  in  their  last  edition,  1888.  The  rest  will,  I 
hope,  be  noticed  in  their  fourth  edition.  As,  however,  this  book  may  fall  into 
the  hands  of  some  who  have  no  copy  of  the  American  edition,  it  seems  best 
to  notice  all  the  principal  oversights  of  the  German  editors. 

From  ham  (194).  —  Notes  and  glossary  conflict ;  the  latter  not  having  been  altered 
to  suit  the  conclusions  accepted  in  the  former. 

>aer  gelyfan  sceal  dryhtnes  d<5me  (440).  —  Under  'd6m'  H.  says  'the  might  of 
the  Lord';  while  under  'gelyfan'  he  says  'the  judgment  of  the  Lord.' 

Eal  benc>elu  (486).  —  Under  'benc-^ehi'  H.  says  nom.plu.;  while  under  'eal'  he 
says  nom.  sing. 

Heatho-raemas  (519).  — Under 'aetberan'  H.  translates  '  to  the  Heathoremes ' ;  while 
under  « Heatho-raemas '  he  says  « Heathonemas  reaches  Breca  in  the  swimming-match  with 
Beowulf.'  Harrison  and  Sharp  (3d  edition,  1888)  avoid  the  discrepancy. 

Fah  ffeond-scaffa  (554).  — Under  ' feond-scafla '  H.  says  'a  gleaming  sea-monster'; 
under  '  fan '  he  says  '  hostile.' 

Onfeng  hraffe  inwit->ancum  (749).  — Under  'onf6V  H.  says  'he  received  the 
maliciously-disposed  one ';  under  '  inwit-)>anc  '  he  says  '  he  grasped?  etc. 

Niff-wundor  s6on  (1366).  —  Under ' nffi-wundor '  H.  calls  this  word  itself  nom.  sing.; 
under  '  seon  '  he  translates  it  as  accus.  sing.,  understanding  '  man '  as  subject  of '  se'on.'  H. 
and  S.  (3d  edition)  make  the  correction. 

Forgeaf  hilde-bille  (1521).— H.,  under  the  second  word,  calls  it  instr.  dat;  while 
under  '  forgifan '  he  makes  it  the  dat.  of  indir.  obj.  H.  and  S.  (3d  edition)  make  the  change. 

Brad  and  brtin-ecg  (1547).— Under  'brad'  H.  says  'das  breite  Huftmesser  mit 
bronzener  Klinge  ';  under  '  brdn-ecg '  he  says  '  ihr  breites  Hfiftmesser  mit  blitzender  Klinge.v 

109 


no  Addenda. 

Yffelfce  (1557).  —  Under  this  word  H.  makes  it  modify  « ast6d.'  If  this  be  right,  the 
punctuation  of  the  fifth  edition  is  wrong.  See  H.  and  S.,  appendix. 

Selran  ges6htc  (1840).  — Under  «seV  and  'gesecan'  H.  caUs  these  two  words  accus. 
plu. ;  but  this  is  clearly  an  error,  as  both  are  nom.  plu.,  pred.  nom.  H.  and  S.  correct  under 
•sel.' 

Wiff  sylftae  (1978). — Under  «wi3*  and  'gesittan'  H.  says  'wiftrmear,  by';  under 
'self  he  says  'opposite.' 

J»6ow  (2225)  is  omitted  from  the  glossary. 

For  dugutfum  (2502).  —  Under  'duguft'  H.  translates  this  phrase,  'in  Tiichtigkeit'; 
under  '  for,'  by  '  vor  der  edlen  Kriegerschaar.' 

J»aer  (2574). —Under  'wealdan'  H.  translates  \><zr  by 'wo';  under  'm6tan,'  by 'da.' 
H.  and  S.  suggest  'if  in  both  passages. 

Wunde  (2726). — Under  'wund'  H.  says  'dative,'  and  under  ' wael-bleate '  he  says 
'  accus.'  It  is  without  doubt  accus.,  parallel  with  '  benne.' 

Strengum  gebaeded  (3118).  —  Under  'strengo'  H.  says  '  Strengum '  =  mit  Macht; 
under  '  gebseded '  he  translates  '  von  den  Sehnen.'  H.  and  S.  correct  this  discrepancy  by 
rejecting  the  second  reading. 

Bronda  be  lafe  (3162).  — A  recent  emendation.  The  fourth  edition  had  'bronda 
betost.'  In  the  fifth  edition  the  editor  neglects  to  change  the  glossary  to  suit  the  new 
emendation.  See  '  bewyrcan.' 


BEOWULF  PR 

1583, 

Beowulf,    an  Anglo-Saxon      *H25 
epic  poem,    tr.