B E O 
 
 U LP 
 
 WA 
 
 TINKER 
 
 %:: 
 
 
 
Class I?RL5 IX 
 
 Boole Tu 
 
 GopightN" \'j05- 
 
 COPyRIGHT DEPOSIT. 
 
BEOWULF 
 
BEOWULF 
 
 Translated out of the Old English 
 
 BY 
 
 / 
 
 Chauncey Brewster Tinker M.A. 
 
 NEW YORK 
 NEWSON & COMPANY 
 
 1902 
 

 Ts- 
 
 THE LIBRARV OF 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 Two CoPli£P HtCfi^.Z' 
 
 im, 20 1302 
 
 COPVWQHT ENTpv 
 
 i PI.ASS ^^XXc Mo. 
 COPY Q. 
 
 Copyright, 1902, 
 Nbwson & Company. 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
 Introductory Note 7 
 
 Prologue 9 
 
 Part I, Beowulf and Grendel 12 
 
 Part II, Beowulf and Grendel's Mother 64 
 
 Part III, Beowulf and the Dragon 106 
 
 Notes 149 
 
 Index of Proper Names 151 
 
PREFACE 
 
 The present translation of Beowulf is an at- 
 tempt to make as simple and readable a version 
 of the poem as is consistent with the character 
 of the original. Archaic forms, which have 
 been much in favor with translators of Old 
 English, have been excluded, because it has 
 been thought that vigor and variety are not 
 incompatible with simple, idiomatic English. 
 The extreme difficulty of choosing an ade- 
 quate medium has prevented me from at- 
 tempting a verse-translation. To modern 
 readers, measures imitative of the Old English 
 verse seem quite devoid of rhythm and 
 beauty, while ballad measures and blank verse 
 suggest almost any other period than that of 
 Beowulf. 
 
 The principal ways in which the present 
 version differs from a merely literal translation 
 are the following: (i) in a rather broad inter- 
 pretation of pregnant words and phrases; (2) 
 in a conception of some of the Old English 
 compounds as conventional phrases in which 
 5 
 
PREFACE 
 
 the original metaphorical sense is dead ; (3) 
 in a free treatment of connecting words ; 
 (4) in frequent substitution of a proper name 
 for an ambiguous pronoun. 
 
 The translation is based on the text of A. J. 
 Wyatt (Cambridge, 1898); a few departures 
 from his readings are enumerated in the 
 Notes. The divisions of the translation are 
 in general those of the manuscript, although 
 in some cases I have combined two sections. 
 
 I wish to acknowledge my indebtedness to 
 preceding translations, from which I have at 
 times taken a word or phrase. This transla- 
 tion was made before the appearance of Dr. 
 Clark Hall's version in England; but I am in- 
 debted to his volume for the suggestion of 
 printing the episodes in small type. I wish to 
 thank those who have helped me from time to 
 time, especially Prof. Albert S. Cook, for many 
 timely suggestions and much encouragement. 
 
 Yale University, May i, 1902. 
 
INTRODUCTORY NOTE 
 
 The Old English poem Beowulf \% preserved 
 in a single manuscript* in the Cottonian li- 
 brary of the British Museum. Aside from the 
 internal evidence afforded by this manuscript, 
 nothing is known of the origin or authorship 
 of the poem. The handwriting of the manu- 
 script appears to be of the tenth century, but 
 the poem itself is certainly much older. This 
 is evident from the fact that one of the events 
 of the story (the expedition of King Hygelac 
 against the Hetwaras) is historical, and oc- 
 curred ca. 512. Allowing time for the later 
 events of the story, for the growth of tradi- 
 tion and myth, for the introduction of the 
 Christian coloring, it seems probable that the 
 poem as we now have it is the work of the late 
 seventh century. 
 
 All the events of the story take place in 
 Denmark and southern Sweden. England is 
 nowhere mentioned. It is therefore probable 
 that the materials from which the story sprang 
 
 * Cotton Vitellius, A, xv. 
 7 
 
INTRODUCTORY NOTE 
 
 had been brought together before the last 
 migrations of the Angles to England. How- 
 ever, the poem undoubtedly assumed its final 
 form on English soil. Regarding this gradual 
 growth of the story, there are a number of 
 discrepant views. According to some schol- 
 ars, the Beowulf is of strictly popular origin, 
 like the later English ballads. But the view 
 now generally current is that the poem is the 
 work of one man — an Englishman — who recast 
 the materials brought from the Continent. 
 His work, however, may have been no more 
 than the arrangement and editing of various 
 well-known lays and sagas, and the addition of 
 the Christian elements. 
 
 Apart from its literary interest as the oldest 
 of the Germanic epics, the Beowulf v^ invaluable 
 as almost the sole remaining trace of a civil- 
 ization that preceded the migrations to Eng- 
 land. 
 
[I-I9] 
 
 THE TALE OF BEOWULF 
 
 PROLOGUE 
 
 Of the Danish kings, they who were ancestors to Hrothgar, 
 and of the passing of Scyld. 
 
 Lo! we have learned of the glory of the 
 kings who ruled the Spear-Danes in the olden 
 time, how those princes wrought mighty 
 deeds. Oft did Scyld of the Sheaf wrest the 
 mead-benches from bands of warriors, from 
 many a tribe. The hero terrified them from 
 the time when first he was found helpless and 
 outcast; for this he met with comfort, waxed 
 great beneath the sky and throve in honors, 
 until all the neighboring tribes beyond the 
 ocean-paths were brought to serve him and 
 pay him tribute. That was a good king! 
 
 In after-time a young heir was born to him 
 in his hall, whom God sent for a comfort to 
 that people. He saw their great distress, how 
 in time past they had long suffered for lack of 
 a chief. Therefore, the Lord of life, the King 
 of glory, granted unto him honor in this world. 
 Beowulf, son of Scyld, was renowned in the 
 9 
 
BEOWULF [19-43] 
 
 Danish land ; his fame was spread abroad. So 
 ought a youth to win favor by giving gifts 
 unto his father's friends, that afterwards will- 
 ing companions may attend him in his age, 
 and the people serve him in time of war. It 
 is by noble deeds that a man shall prosper in 
 any land. 
 
 When at length the fated hour was come, 
 Scyld, the valiant, departed unto the keeping 
 of the Lord. Then his dear companions bore 
 him down to the ocean-flood, e'en as he him- 
 self had bidden them, while as yet the friend 
 of the Scyldings ruled them with his words 
 and long did reign o'er them, dear prince of 
 the land ! There at the harbor stood a ship 
 with curving prow, all icy, eager to depart, — 
 meet for a prince! And in the ship's bosom, 
 hard by the mast, they laid their dear lord, 
 the giver of treasure, that famous hero. Many 
 treasures were there, abundance of ornaments 
 brought from afar. Never have I heard men 
 tell of a ship more splendidly laden with 
 battle-weapons and war-harness, with swords 
 and coats of mail. Upon his breast lay many 
 precious things which were to go far out with 
 him into the realm of the waters. Verily no 
 
[43-52] BEOWULF 
 
 fewer of their gifts and tribal treasures did 
 this people bestow upon him than they who at 
 his birth sent him forth alone over the wave, 
 babe as he was. Moreover, they set up a 
 golden banner, high o'er his head, and let the 
 sea bear him away, giving him over to the 
 deep. Sad at heart were they, sorrowful in 
 spirit. No man can truly say — no lord of hall, 
 or hero under heaven— into whose hands that 
 burden fell. 
 
[53-63] 
 
 Part I 
 
 BEOWULF AND G REN DEL 
 
 I 
 
 Of Hrothgar, son of Healfdene and king of the Seyldings, 
 and how he built a fair mead-hall, which he named 
 Heorot. How the merriment in the hall angered 
 Grendel, an evil monster. 
 
 Then Beowulf of the Scyldings, dear king 
 of the nation, was long famous in the 
 cities and among the peoples — the prince, his 
 father, had departed from his home — till high 
 Healfdene was born to him in after-time. He, 
 while he lived, old and fierce in war, ruled 
 graciously over the Scyldings. Unto him 
 there were born into the world four children 
 after this order: Heorogar, leader of armies, 
 Hrothgar, and Halga the Good; I have heard 
 that Queen Elan was the dear wife of Ongen- 
 theow, the warlike Scylfing. 
 
[64-85] BEOWULF 
 
 Then unto Hrothgar was given success in 
 battle, glory in warfare, so that his loyal 
 kinsmen gladly obeyed him, until the young 
 warriors were grown, a mighty band. It came 
 into his mind that he would command his men 
 to build a hall, a mead-hall greater than any 
 that the children of men had ever heard of, 
 and that therein he would give gifts of all 
 kinds unto old and young, as God had pros- 
 pered him, save the people's land and the lives 
 of men. _ 
 
 And I heard men tell how the work of 
 adorning the people's hall was allotted unto 
 many a tribe, far and wide throughout this 
 earth. After a season — quickly, as man's work 
 prospereth, — it came to pass that it was com- 
 pleted for him, this greatest of halls. And he 
 fashioned for it the name of Heorot^ he whose 
 word had power far and near. He broke not 
 the promise he had made, but gave out rings 
 and treasure at the feast. High and pin- 
 nacled, the hall towered aloft. Yet it awaited 
 the surging blaze of hostile fire; nor was it 
 long thereafter that fatal hatred was destined 
 to arise between father-in-law and son-in-law, 
 after the deadly strife. 
 13 
 
BEOWULF [86-IIO] 
 
 Then that mighty spirit who dwelt in dark- 
 ness bore in his wrath for a season to hear 
 each day the merriment, loud in the hall. 
 There was the sound of the harp, the clear 
 song of the gleeman. He spoke, who could 
 recount from of old the creation of men, told 
 how the Almighty made the earth, the fair- 
 faced land, and the waters that compass it 
 about; how, exultant in victory. He set the sun 
 and moon as lights to lighten the dwellers in 
 the land. He adorned all the regions of the 
 earth with leaf and branch, and created life 
 in everything that lives and moves. 
 
 Thus the king's men lived, bUssful and 
 happy, until a certain one, a fiend of hell, 
 began to plot mischief. This wrathful spirit 
 was called Grendel, a mighty stalker of the 
 marches, who haunted the moors, the fens 
 and fastnesses. The wretched being had long 
 inhabited the abode of the monster kind, e'er 
 since the Creator had condemned him. The 
 Lord eternal wreaked vengeance upon the 
 kindred of Cain, because of the murder — the 
 slaying of Abel. He got no pleasure in the 
 feud, but the Lord banished him for that 
 wicked deed far from mankind. From him 
 14 
 
[III-I29] BEOWULF 
 
 there woke to life all the evil broods, monsters 
 and elves and sea-beasts, and giants too, who 
 long time strove with God. He gave them 
 their reward ! 
 
 II 
 
 Grendel falls upon Heorot and slays thirty heroes. 
 Hrothgar and his men are helpless before the mons- 
 ter, and the destruction is continued for twelve 
 winters. 
 
 As soon as night was come, he set out to 
 visit the high-built hall, to see how the Ring- 
 Danes were faring after the drinking of the 
 mead. And he found therein a band of war- 
 rior-nobles sleeping after the feast. They 
 knew naught of sorrow, that wretched lot of 
 all mankind. The creature of destruction, 
 fierce and greedy, wild and furious, was ready 
 straight. He seized thirty thanes upon their 
 bed. Then back he returned to his abode, 
 exulting in his booty, back to his lair with his 
 fill of slaughter. 
 
 Then at dawn, with break of day, Grendel's 
 deeds were made manifest to men, and the 
 voice of weeping was uplifted — a great cry in 
 ^5 
 
BEOWULF [129-152] 
 
 the morning, because of the slaughter. The 
 great lord, the prince exceeding good, sat 
 joyless, when they looked upon the track of 
 the monster, the accursed foe; the mighty 
 hero suffered, sorrowing for his thanes. Too 
 great was that strife, too loathsome and last- 
 ing. 
 
 It was no longer than a single night ere he 
 wrought more deeds of murder; he recked not 
 of the feud and the crime — he was too fixed in 
 them! Then, when the hatred of that thane 
 of hell was fully known to them, truly told by 
 tokens manifest, it was easy to find the man 
 who sought him out a resting-place elsewhere 
 more at large, a bed among the bowers of the 
 hall. He kept himself thereafter further aloof 
 and more secure, whosoever escaped the 
 fiend. 
 
 Thus he tyrannized over them, and alone 
 against them all fought accursedly, until that 
 best of houses stood empty. Long was the 
 time: for twelve winters the friend of the 
 Scyldings suffered distress, yea, every woe, 
 unbounded sorrow. And so it became known 
 unto the children of men — sadly told in song — 
 that Grendel had long been fighting against 
 16 
 
[152-176] BEOWULF 
 
 Ilrothgar, and for many a season had waged 
 a bitter war and wicked feud, an unending 
 strife. He would not stay the waste of life 
 out of compassion unto any of the Danish 
 race, nor would he compound with them for 
 tribute, and none of the wise men could look 
 for a fair ransom from the destroyer's hands. 
 The terrible monster, like a dark shadow of 
 death, kept pursuing warrior and youth; he 
 trapped and ensnared them. Night after night 
 he haunted the misty moors. Men know not 
 whither hell's sorcerers wander in their rounds. 
 
 Thus the enemy of man, the terrible lone 
 wanderer, oft wrought many a foul deed, much 
 grievous affliction. In the dark of the night- 
 tide he took up his abode in Heorot, the hall 
 brightly adorned. Yet he could not approach 
 the throne, precious in the sight of God, nor 
 did he know His love. 
 
 A great and heart-breaking sorrow was this 
 for the kind lord of the Scyldings to bear. 
 Many mighty men oft sat in council and de- 
 liberated together touching what it were best 
 for great-hearted men to do against these 
 fearful terrors. Sometimes they vowed sacri- 
 fices at their idol-fanes; the people prayed 
 17 
 
BEOWULF [177-192] 
 
 aloud that the Destroying Spirit would aid 
 them in the torment that had fallen upon 
 them. Such was their custom, such their 
 heathen faith ; the thoughts of their heart 
 were turned on hell ; they knew not the Cre- 
 ator, the Judge of deeds; they wist not of 
 the Lord God ; verily, they knew naught of the 
 worship of the Ruler of heaven, the King of 
 glory. 
 
 Woe unto him who through deadly hate is 
 doomed to thrust his soul into the fiery abyss, 
 to hope for no comfort, no change in any- 
 wise. But blessed is the man who at his death 
 may go unto the Lord and find protection in 
 his Father's bosom. 
 
 Ill 
 
 In the far country of the Geats one Beowulf hears of 
 GrendeVs deeds, and resolves to go to the help of 
 Hrothgar. He makes him ready a great ship and 
 sails with his men to the country of the Danes. 
 On landing he is accosted hy the shore-guard. 
 
 So the son of Healfdene kept ever brooding 
 over his sorrow. The wise hero could not 
 stay the suffering; too grievous, too long and 
 18 
 
[192-217] BEOWULF 
 
 heart-sickening, was the struggle which had 
 come upon that people, a cruel destruction, 
 greatest of evils that walk by night. 
 
 A thane of Hygelac, great among the Geats, 
 heard of these deeds of Grendel in his native 
 land. In his strength he was the best of men 
 in the day of this life, noble and mighty. He 
 bade make ready for him a goodly ship, he 
 said that he would go over the ocean-road 
 unto that war-king, the great prince, since he 
 had need of men. Little did his prudent 
 thanes blame him for that journey, though he 
 was dear to them ; they encouraged him in his 
 high purpose, and looked for good omens. 
 The hero had warriors, chosen from among 
 the Geats, the keenest he could find. Fifteen in 
 all went down unto the ship. A skilled mar- 
 iner pointed out the landmarks unto them. 
 
 Time wore on. The ship was upon the 
 waves, the boat under the cliff. The ready 
 warriors mounted the prow. The ocean- 
 streams dashed the waves upon the beach. 
 The men bore rich armor into the bosom of 
 the ship, splendid war-harness. The warriors 
 pushed off their tight-fitted craft on the 
 wished-for adventure. So, driven by the 
 19 
 
BEOWULF [217-244] 
 
 wind, the bark most like unto a bird sped, 
 foamy-necked, across the waves, until, about 
 the same hour the second day, the curving 
 prow had journeyed on so far that the sailors 
 saw land, saw gleaming cliffs and lofty hills, 
 broad ocean-headlands. Thus the sea was 
 crossed, and the voyage ended. Then the 
 Weder people went quickly up ashore, and 
 made fast their ship, while their sarks and 
 battle-armor clashed. Then they thanked 
 God that their sea-paths had been easy. 
 
 The guard of the Scyldings, he who had 
 been set to watch the headland, saw them 
 from the cliff, bearing over the gangway their 
 bright shields and ready weapons. His heart 
 was urged with longing to know who the men 
 were. And the thane of Hrothgar went down 
 unto the shore, riding upon his horse. He 
 shook his spear mightily with his hands, and 
 asked in formal words: ''What warriors are 
 ye, in coats of mail, who come hither, sailing 
 your great ship, the ring-stemmed bark, over 
 the sea, the ocean-paths? I have been war- 
 den of the coast and have kept watch by the 
 sea that no foe with a ship-army might do 
 harm in the Danish land. No shield-bearers 
 
[244-265] BEOWULF 
 
 have ever tried more openly to land here, nor 
 did ye know at all the password, the agree- 
 ment of the warriors who are our kinsmen. 
 Never have I seen a mightier hero upon 
 earth, a mightier man in armor, than is one of 
 you. He is no mere retainer decked out with 
 weapons, unless his face, his matchless coun- 
 tenance, belies him. But now I must know 
 your lineage from you, ye false spies, ere ye 
 go further in the land of the Danes. Now ye 
 seafarers, strangers from afar, give ear to 
 my plain counsel: it were best to make known 
 forthwith whence ye are come." 
 
 IV 
 
 Beowulf makes answer touching the purpose of his com- 
 ing, and is guided ly the coast-warden to Heorot. 
 
 The chieftain, leader of the band, answered 
 him again and unlocked the treasure of his 
 speech: **We ar£ men of the Geatish tribe, 
 and Hygelac's hearth-companions. My father 
 was well known among the people, a noble 
 prince named Ecgtheow, He lived many win- 
 ters ere, full of years, he went his way from 
 
 21 
 
B EOWULF [266-291] 
 
 home. Him, well nigh every wise man remem- 
 bers, the wide world over. With friendly pur- 
 pose we are come unto thy lord, the son of 
 Healfdene, guardian of the people. Give us thy 
 gracious counsel ; we have a great errand unto 
 the mighty lord of the Danes. Naught secret 
 shall there be in that which I intend. Thou 
 knowest if it be, as we have heard for a truth, 
 that some foe among the Scyldings, a secret 
 destroyer, causes on dark nights by the ter- 
 ror of his coming evils untold, shame and 
 slaughter. Now by my great mind I may 
 perchance give counsel unto Hrothgar, how 
 he, the wise and good, can overcome the foe; 
 if this anguish of sorrows be ever destined to 
 cease from him, release come once again, and 
 the waves of care grow cooler; or else, ever 
 after, he shall suffer a season of affliction, 
 wretched misery, long as the noblest of houses 
 stands there in its lofty place." 
 
 The warden spoke, the fearless servant, 
 there where he sat upon his horse: "A keen 
 shield-warrior, he who judges well, must know 
 the difference between words and deeds. I 
 learn that this is a band friendly to the lord 
 of the Scyldings. Go forth, then, with your 
 
[292-316] B EOWULF 
 
 weapons and your armor. I will guide you. 
 Likewise, I will command the thanes, my kins- 
 men, to guard your ship with honor against 
 every foe, the new-tarred boat there upon the 
 strand, until the bark with curving prow bear 
 the dear master back over the ocean-streams 
 to Wedermark. Unto so brave a man it shall 
 be granted to endure unharmed the rush of 
 battle." 
 
 Then they departed along their way; the 
 boat lay quiet, the broad-bosomed ship rested 
 on her moorings, fast at anchor. The boar- 
 images above their cheek-guards glistened, 
 gold-adorned, fair, and hardened in the fire, — 
 there the boar kept guard. The men hurried 
 on in warlike mood ; they hastened, marching 
 on together, till they caught sight of the well- 
 built hall, stately and bright with gold. That 
 was the greatest among the dwellings of men 
 beneath the skies; in it dwelt the king, and 
 its light shone over many lands. Then the 
 bold chief pointed out to them that radiant 
 dwelling of brave men that they might 
 straightway go unto it. The war-hero turned 
 his horse and spoke to them: *'It is time for 
 me to go. May the Almighty Father by his 
 23 
 
BEOWULF [316-336] 
 
 grace keep you safe in your adventures. I 
 will down unto the sea to keep watcn against 
 hostile bands." 
 
 V 
 
 Beowulf and his men come to Heorot. They are met by 
 the herald, who tells their coming to King Hrothgar. 
 
 The street was bright with many-colored 
 stones; and the path guided the band of men. 
 The byrnie gleamed, hard and hand-locked, 
 the bright iron rings sang in the armor, as 
 they approached the hall in their battle- 
 harness. Weary of the sea, they placed their 
 shields, bucklers wondrous hard, against the 
 wall of the house; they sat down upon the 
 benches. Their byrnies rang, harness of 
 heroes. Their ashen spears stood together, 
 the gray-tipped weapons of the seamen. This 
 armored band was well adorned with weapons. 
 
 Then a proud warrior asked the heroes con- 
 cerning their lineage: "Whence bring ye your 
 plated shields, your gray war-shirts, and your 
 visored helmets and this heap of spears? I 
 am Hrothgar's servant and herald. Never 
 
[336-359] BEOWULF 
 
 have I seen so great a band of strangers of 
 more courageous mood. I think that ye have 
 sought out Hrothgar nowise as exiles, but 
 from valor and out of the greatness of your 
 hearts." 
 
 And the proud lord of the Weder people, 
 famed for his strength, answered him again ; 
 he spoke a word to him, bold under his hel- 
 met: "We are table-companions of Hygelac. 
 Beowulf is my name. I will tell my errand 
 unto the son of Healfdene, the great king thy 
 lord, if he will grant us to approach him who 
 is so good." 
 
 Wulfgar spoke (he was a chief of the Wend- 
 las, his greatness was known unto many, his 
 wisdom and might) : " I will ask the friend of 
 the Danes, king of the Scyldings, giver of 
 rings, the mighty lord, touching thy journey, 
 as thou dost entreat, and will straightway 
 make known to thee what answer the good 
 king thinketh meet to give me." 
 
 And he turned quickly to where Hrothgar 
 was sitting, old and very white-haired, with 
 his company of thanes; the valiant man went 
 until he stood before the face of the lord of 
 the Danes, — he knew the custom of the court. 
 25 
 
BEOWULF [360-384] 
 
 Wulfgar spoke to his friendly lord: '* Hither 
 are come across the sea-waves travelers, 
 Geatish men from a far country. Warriors 
 call their chieftain Beowulf. They beg to 
 speak with thee, my lord. Refuse not to 
 converse with them, O gracious Hrothgar. 
 In their equipment they seem worthy of the 
 esteem of heroes, and verily the chief who led 
 the warriors hither is a man of valor." 
 
 VI 
 
 Beowulf is graciously welcomed hy the king, and there- 
 upon tells how he will fight with Grendel. 
 
 Then spoke Hrothgar, defence of the Scyld- 
 ings: "I knew him when he was a child; his 
 old father was called Ecgtheow, to whom at 
 his home Hrethel the Geat gave his only 
 daughter in marriage. His bold son is now 
 come hither unto a loyal friend. Moreover, 
 the seafarers, who carried thither rich gifts as 
 good-will offerings to the Geats, have said 
 that he, strong in battle, had in the grip of 
 his hand the strength of thirty men. Him 
 holy God hath sent unto us, as I hope, to be 
 a gracious help to the West-Danes against the 
 26 
 
[384-408] BEOWULF 
 
 terror of Grendel. I shall give the hero gifts 
 for his boldness. Make haste and bid all the 
 band of kinsmen come in together unto us. 
 Say to them moreover that they are welcome 
 among the Danish people." 
 
 Then Wulfgar came to the door of the hall 
 and announced the word from within: "My 
 victorious lord, prince of the East-Danes, bids 
 me say that he knows your noble lineage, and 
 that ye, as men of stout courage, are welcome 
 unto him hither over the billows of the sea. 
 Now ye may go in unto Hrothgar in your war- 
 array, under your helmets ; but let your spears, 
 shafts of slaughter, here await the issue of 
 your words." 
 
 Then the mighty one arose with many a 
 warrior round him, — it was a noble group of 
 thanes! Some remained and guarded the 
 armor as the chief bade them. The heroes 
 hastened on, as the guide led them under the 
 roof of Heorot. The great-hearted man, bold 
 under his helmet, went on until he stood 
 within the hall. Beowulf spoke, — on him 
 gleamed his byrnie, his coat of mail linked by 
 the smith's craft — : ''Hail to thee, Hrothgar! 
 I am Hygelac's kinsman and thane. Many 
 27 
 
BEOWULF [408-434] 
 
 an exploit have I undertaken in the days of 
 my youth. In my native land I learned of 
 Grendel's deeds; for seafarers say that this 
 hall, this best of houses, stands empty and 
 useless for all men, as soon as evening light 
 is hidden under the vault of heaven. And 
 my people, e'en the best and wisest men 
 among them, urged me, king Hrothgar, to 
 come unto thee, for they knew the strength 
 of my might. They had themselves looked 
 on when I came from the fight, stained with 
 the blood of my foes. There I bound five 
 of my enemies, destroyed a giant race, and 
 slew by night the sea-beasts on the Wave. I 
 endured great distress, avenged the affliction 
 of the Weder people, — they who had suffered 
 woes! I ground the angry foe in pieces. And 
 now I alone will decide the fight with Grendel, 
 the giant monster. One boon I beg of thee, 
 prince of the Bright Danes, defence of the 
 Scyldings: — Deny me not, thou shield of war- 
 riors, friend of the people, now I am come so 
 far, that I alone, I and my band of thanes, 
 this my brave company, may cleanse Heorot 
 of the evil that has come upon it. I have 
 learned, too, that the monster in his rashness 
 28 
 
[434-455] BEOWULF 
 
 recks not of weapons. Therefore, so that the 
 heart of Hygelac my lord may be gladdened 
 because of me, I scorn to carry sword or 
 broad shield, the yellow buckler, into the 
 fight. But with my hands I will grapple the 
 fiend and fight for life, foe against foe. He 
 whom death taketh must rely upon the judg- 
 ment of the Lord. I think that if he can 
 prevail in the hall of war he will fearlessly 
 devour the Geats e'en as he has often de- 
 voured the best of the Hrethmen. Thou shalt 
 have no need to bury my head if death take 
 me, for he will have me, all red with gore ; he 
 will bear away the corpse to feast upon it; 
 the lone wanderer will pitilessly eat it, stain- 
 ing his moor-haunts; thou needst not then 
 take more thought for the sustenance of my 
 body. But send thou to Hygelac, if the fight 
 take me, the matchless mail, best of armors, 
 that guards my breast; it is a relic of Hrethla, 
 and the work of Weland. Wyrd ever goeth 
 her destined course." 
 
BEOWULF [456-474] 
 
 VII 
 
 Erothgar makes answer touching the deeds of Grendel. 
 They feast in Heorot. 
 
 Then spoke Hrothgar, defence of the Scyld- 
 ings: ''With kindly help, my friend Beowulf, 
 thou hast come to fight in our defence. Thy 
 father fought the greatest of feuds, for he 
 slew with his hand Heatholaf among the Wyl- 
 fings; wherefore the Weder people, in dread 
 of war, could not harbor him. F. om there he 
 fled to the South-Danes, the honored Scyld- 
 ings, over the rolling of the waves; at the 
 time when I first ruled the Danish folk, and 
 in my youth held the wealthy city of heroes, 
 rich in treasure, for Heregar, Healfdene's son, 
 was dead, my elder brother lifeless; — he was a 
 better man than I. Afterwards I settled that 
 feud with money ; I sent olden treasures to 
 the Wylfings across the ocean's back ; and 
 Ecgtheow swore oaths to me. 
 
 Sorrowful am I in soul to tell unto any man 
 what shame and sudden mischief Grendel has 
 wrought for me in Heorot out of his hateful 
 30 
 
[474-498] BEOWULF 
 
 thoughts. My hall-troop, my warrior-band, is 
 melted away. Wyrd hath swept them away 
 into the horrid clutch of Grendel. God alone 
 can easily check the deeds of that mad foe. 
 Full oft my warriors, when the beer was 
 drunken, have boastfully vowed over their 
 ale-cups to await with their terrible swords the 
 onset of Grendel in the beer-hall. Then in 
 the morning, when shone the day, this mead- 
 hall, this lordly house, was all stained with 
 blood, the benches reeking with gore, — the hall 
 was drenched in blood. So, the fewer loyal 
 men, beloved warriors, had I then because of 
 those whom death did snatch away. Sit now 
 to the feast, and unseal to men as thy mind 
 moveth thee, the thoughts of thy heart, and all 
 thy confidence of victory." 
 
 Then in the beer-hall a bench was made 
 ready for the Geatmen, one and all. Thither 
 the stout-hearted men went to sit in the pride 
 of their strength. A thane did service, who 
 bore a chased ale-flagon in his hand, and 
 poured out the bright mead. At times a bard 
 sang, clear-voiced in Heorot. There was 
 merriment among the heroes, no little rejoic- 
 ing of Danes and Weders. 
 31 
 
BEOWULF [499-515] 
 
 VIII AND IX 
 
 Unferth, a thane of Hrothgar, grows jealous of Beowulf 
 and taunts him, raking up old tales of a swimming- 
 match with Breea. Beowulf is angered and boast- 
 fully tells the truth touching that adventure, and 
 puts Unferth to silence. Queen Wealhtheow passes 
 the cup. Hrothgar commends Heorot to the care of 
 Beowulf. 
 Unferth, the son of Ecglaf, who sat at the 
 feet of the lord of the Scyldings, spoke, 
 and stirred up a quarrel ; the coming of 
 Beowulf, the brave seafarer, vexed him sore, 
 for he would not that any other man under 
 heaven should ever win more glories in this 
 world than he himself. ''Art thou that Beo- 
 wulf who didst strive with Breca on the broad 
 sea and didst contend with him in swimming, 
 when ye two, foolhardy, made trial of the 
 waves and for a mad boast risked your lives 
 in the deep water ? None, friend or foe, could 
 turn you from the sorry venture when ye two 
 swam out upon the sea. But ye enfolded the 
 ocean-streams with your arms, measured the 
 sea-streets, buffeted the water with your 
 hands, gliding over the deep. The ocean 
 32 
 
[5I5-540] BEOWULF 
 
 was tossing with waves, a winter's sea.. Seven 
 nights ye toiled in the power of the waters ; 
 and he overcame thee in the match, for he had 
 the greater strength. Then at morning-tide 
 the sea cast him up on the coast of the Heatho- 
 rsemas, whence he, beloved of his people, 
 went to his dear fatherland, the country of 
 the Brondings, and his own fair city where he 
 was lord of a stronghold, and of subjects and 
 treasure. Verily, the son of Beanstan made 
 good all his boast against thee. Wherefore, 
 though thou hast ever been valiant in the 
 rush of battle, I look to a grim fight, yea, and 
 a worse issue, for thee, if thou darest for the 
 space of one night abide near Grendel." 
 
 Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow, spoke: ''Well! 
 thou hast said a deal about Breca in thy 
 drunkenness, Unferth my friend, and hast 
 talked much of his adventure. The truth now 
 I tell, that I had more sea strength, more bat- 
 tling with the waves, than any man else. We 
 talked of this when boys, and boasted, being 
 yet in the days of our youth, that we would 
 venture our lives out at sea ; and we per- 
 formed it even so. Naked in our hands, we 
 held our hard swords as we swam, purposing 
 33 
 
BEOWULF [540-569] 
 
 to defend us against the whale-fishes. He, 
 nowise swifter on the flood, could not float 
 far from me through the waves, nor would I 
 part from him. Thus we two were in the sea 
 for the space of five nights, till the flood, the 
 tossing waves, coldest of weathers, and dark- 
 ning night drove us apart, and a fierce north 
 wind beat down upon us, — rough were the 
 waves. The spirit of the sea-fishes was roused ; 
 then my corslet, hard and hand-wrought, was 
 of help to me against the foes; my woven 
 armor, gold-adorned, lay upon my breast. An 
 evil monster dragged me to the bottom; the 
 grim foe held me fast in its clutch; yet it was 
 granted unto me to strike the creature with 
 the point of my war-sword ; the fierce strug- 
 gle carried off the mighty sea-beast by my 
 hand. 
 
 "Thus did the evil creatures often press 
 me hard, but as was meet, I served them well 
 with my war-sword; they had no joyous fill, 
 by eating me, wicked destroyers, sitting round 
 their feast nigh the bottom of the sea; but in 
 the morning, wounded by the sword, slain by 
 the dagger, they lay up along the sea-strand 
 so that they could nevermore hinder seafarers 
 34 
 
[569-591] BEOWULF 
 
 on their course in the deep channel. 
 
 "Light came from the East, the bright 
 beacon of the Lord ; the waves were stilled, 
 and I could descry the sea-headlands, those 
 wind-swept walls. Wyrd often saveth the 
 warrior not doomed to die, if he be of good 
 courage. However, it was granted unto me 
 to slay nine sea-beasts with the sword. Never 
 yet have I heard of a more desperate nightly 
 struggle under the vault of heaven, nor of a 
 man more sore beset among the ocean-streams ; 
 yet I escaped with my life from the clutch of 
 my foes, though spent with my adventure. 
 The sea, the current of the flood, bore me on 
 unto the land of the Finns. 
 
 ** Naught have I heard of like exploits on 
 thy part, naught of the terror of thy sword. 
 Breca never yet, nay, nor either of you, hath 
 wrought so boldly in the play of battle with 
 blood-stained swords — I boast not much of 
 that — though thou wast the slayer of thine 
 own brethren, thy next of kin ; for that thou 
 shalt suffer damnation in hell, good though 
 thy wit may be. I say unto thee truly, thou 
 son of Ecglaf, that Grendel, the fell monster, 
 had never wrought so many awful deeds 
 
 35 
 
BEOWULF [592-616] 
 
 against thy lord, this shame in Heorot, were 
 thy mind and heart so fierce in battle as thou 
 thyself sayest. But he has found that he need 
 not greatly fear the enmity, the dread attack, 
 of thy people, the Victor-Scyldings. He takes 
 forced pledges from you, he spares none of 
 the Danish people, but he preys upon you for 
 his pleasure; he kills and feasts, and looks 
 not for resistance from the Spear-Danes. I, 
 however, shall show unto him ere long the 
 strength and courage of the Geats in the 
 fight. Thereafter let him who may, go proudly 
 to the mead-drinking when the morning-light 
 of another day, the sun in ether clad, shines 
 from the South over the children of men." 
 
 Then rejoiced the giver of treasure, the 
 gray-haired king, famous in battle; the prince ' 
 of the Bright-Danes trusted in him for help; 
 the shepherd of the people heard from Beowulf 
 his firm resolve. And the laughter of the 
 thanes arose; loud rang the din and joyous 
 were their words. 
 
 Wealhtheow, Hrothgar's queen, went forth, 
 
 mindful of courtesies; in her gold array she 
 
 greeted the men within the hall. The noble 
 
 lady first gave the cup unto him who guarded 
 
 36 
 
[616-641] BEOWULF 
 
 the land of the East-Danes; she bade him, be- 
 loved of his people, be blithe at the beer- 
 drinking. The victorious king partook in 
 gladness of the feast and the hall-cup. Then 
 the lady of the Helmings moved about unto 
 old and young in every part of the hall, 
 handing the costly cup, until the moment 
 came that the diademed queen, noble of mind, 
 bore the cup to Beowulf. She greeted the 
 lord of the Geats, and thanked God, discreet 
 in her words, that the desire of her heart was 
 brought to pass, that she might put her trust 
 in some hero for relief from all her affliction. 
 That warrior, fierce in strife, received the cup 
 from Wealhtheow ; and then, eager for the 
 fight, Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow, spoke and 
 said: '* I made this resolve when I put to sea 
 and embarked with my band of men; that I 
 would either wholly fulfil the desire of your 
 people, or fall in the struggle, fast in the grip 
 of the fiend. I shall bravely accomplish noble 
 deeds or abide mine end in this mead-hall." 
 These words, these boastings of the Geat, 
 were well-pleasing to the lady; the noble 
 queen, in her array of gold, went to sit by her 
 lord. 
 
BEOWULF [642-661] 
 
 Then again as of old the great word was 
 spoken in that hall; joyous was the com- 
 pany, — there was the sound of a mighty peo- 
 ple, — until of a sudden the son of Healfdene 
 was minded to go to his evening rest ; for 
 he knew that the monster intended war upon 
 the high hall, as soon as men could no more 
 see the light of the sun, and shadowy crea- 
 tures came gliding forth, wan 'neath the 
 clouds, night darkening over all. The whole 
 company arose. Hrothgar greeted Beowulf — 
 hero greeted hero — and wished him well, 
 wished him the mastery in the wine-hall, and 
 spoke this word: "Never, since I could lift 
 hand and shield, have I entrusted unto any 
 man this royal hall of the Danes, save now 
 unto thee. Have thou and hold this best of 
 houses; bethink thee of thy mighty deeds, 
 show forth thy valiant strength, be watchful 
 against the foe. Thy desires shall not be un- 
 satisfied, if thou escape with thy life from the 
 great adventure." 
 
 38 
 
[562-680] BEOWULF 
 
 X 
 
 They leave Beowulf and Us men alone in the hall. Grendel 
 draws nigh. 
 
 And Hrothgar, lord of the Scyldings, went 
 out of the hall with his company of men; for 
 the warrior-chief was minded to go unto 
 Wealhtheow, his queen and consort. The 
 glorious king, as men have learned, had set 
 a guardian in the hall to wait for Grendel; 
 Beowulf did special service for the lord of the 
 Danes, keeping watch against the coming of 
 the monster. Verily, the chief of the Geats 
 trusted surely in his mighty strength and in 
 the favor of the Lord. Then he put off from 
 him his iron byrnie and took the helmet from 
 his head; his jeweled sword, choicest of 
 weapons, he gave unto his thane, bidding him 
 take charge of his war-armor. Then, ere he 
 mounted upon his bed, Beowulf, the great 
 Geat, spoke a boastful word: " I deem myself 
 nowise lesser than Grendel in my deeds of 
 warfare; therefore, not with the sword will I 
 quell him and take his life, though I am fully 
 39 
 
BEOWULF [680-704] 
 
 able. He knows not the use of good weapons, 
 ■ — how to strike at me, or hew my shield, fierce 
 though he be in evil deeds; but we two this 
 night will use no sword, if he dare come to 
 the fight without a weapon. Therefore let 
 all-knowing God, the holy Lord, adjudge the 
 victory to whichsoever it be, as seemeth meet 
 to Him." 
 
 Then the brave warrior laid him down and 
 the pillow received the face of the hero, and 
 round about him many a bold seaman sank 
 down upon his bed. None of them thought 
 ever again to reach the home he loved, his 
 kinsfolk, or the town where he was bred ; for 
 they had heard that a bloody death had al- 
 ready carried off far too many of the Danish 
 men in that wine-hall. But the Lord wove 
 victory for them, granting unto the Weder 
 people comfort and help, inasmuch as they 
 should all overcome their enemy by one man's 
 might and by his single strength. And thus 
 the truth is manifest that Almighty God hath 
 ruled mankind throughout all time. 
 
 In the gloom of the night came stalking 
 that ranger of the dark. The watchmen slept, 
 they who had been set to guard the horn- 
 40 
 
[704-723] BEOWULF 
 
 gabled hall — all slept, save one, — for it was 
 well known to men that the ruthless foe could 
 not drag them beneath the shades when the 
 Creator willed it not. But Beowulf, wrath- 
 fully watching for the foe, awaited in anger 
 the issue of t-he fight. 
 
 XI 
 
 Grendel comes into Heorot and devours one of the men. 
 Beowulf grapples the monster. 
 
 Then from the moorland, 'neath the misty 
 hillsides, came Grendel drawing near; and 
 God's anger was on him. The deadly foe was 
 thinking to ensnare some man in that high 
 hall. On he strode beneath the clouds, until 
 he could see full well the wine-hall, the gilded 
 house of men, all bright with gold. This was 
 not the first time that he had sought out 
 Hrothgar's home, but never in all the days of 
 his life, before or since, did he encounter 
 among hall-thanes, warriors more sturdy. So 
 the creature, of all joys bereft, came roaming 
 on unto the hall. The door, though fast in 
 fire-hardened bands, sprang open straightway, 
 SQon as he touched it with his hands. Thus, 
 
BEOWULF [724-748] 
 
 plotting evil, he burst open the entrance to 
 the hall, for he was swollen with rage. 
 Quickly thereafter the fiend was treading 
 upon the bright-paved floor, moving on in 
 wrathful mood. Out of his eyes started a 
 loathsome light, most like to flame. He saw 
 in the hall many warriors, a kindred band 
 together, a group of clansmen all asleep. 
 And he laughed in his heart. The cursed 
 monster thought to take the life from each 
 body, ere the day broke; for the hope of a 
 plenteous feast was come to him. But it was 
 not fated that he should devour any more of 
 the race of men after that night. 
 
 The mighty kinsman of Hygelac was watch- 
 ing to see how the deadly foe would go about 
 his swift attacks. The monster thoaght not 
 of tarrying, but sudden, for his first move, he 
 seized upon a sleeping thane, rent him in 
 pieces unawares, bit into the flesh, drank the 
 blood from the veins, and swallowed him in 
 huge pieces. In a moment he had devoured 
 the whole corpse, even the hands and feet. 
 He stepped on nearer and seized with his 
 hands the great-hearted warrior on his bed. 
 The fiend clutched at him with his claw, but 
 42 
 
[748-772] BEOWULF 
 
 Beowulf quickly grasped it with deadly pur- 
 pose, fastening upon the arm. Straightway 
 that master of evils discovered that never in 
 this world in all the corners of the earth, had 
 he met in any man a mightier hand-grip. 
 But he could get away never the faster for 
 that. He was eager to be gone; he wished 
 to flee away into the darkness, to rejoin the 
 horde of devils. He was not faring there as 
 in the former days. Then the good kinsman 
 of Hygelac bethought him of his speech at 
 even; he stood upright and grappled him fast; 
 his fingers cracked. The giant was making 
 off. The hero followed him close. The 
 monster was minded to fling loose, if he 
 could, and flee away thence to the fen-hol- 
 lows; but he knew that the strength of his 
 arm was in the grasp of an angry foe. It was 
 a dire journey that the destroyer had made to 
 Heorot. 
 
 Loud rang the lordly hall. All the Danes 
 dwelling in that city, nobles and heroes every 
 one, were struck with terror. Furious were 
 both the maddened wrestlers. The house re- 
 echoed. It was a great wonder that the wine- 
 hall withstood these battling foemen, that the 
 43 
 
BEOWULF [773-794] 
 
 fair building fell not to the ground ; save that 
 all within and without it was so firmly 
 strengthened by iron bands, cunningly forged. 
 There, as I have heard men tell, many a mead- 
 bench, gold-adorned, started from its base, 
 where the fierce ones were struggling. The 
 wise councilors of the Scyldings had thought 
 that none among men would ever be able to 
 wreck by force this goodly house, bedecked 
 with bones, nor to destroy it by craft, unless 
 perchance the fire's embrace should swallow 
 it in smoke. 
 
 A noise arose, oft renewed; a ghastly ter- 
 ror fell on all the North-Danes who from the 
 wall heard the shrieking, heard God's enemy 
 yelling out his horrid song, his joyless chant, 
 — hell's captive howling o'er his wound. He 
 held him fast who in his strength was the 
 mightiest of men in the day of this life. 
 
 XII 
 
 Beowulf has the victory, and tears out GrendeVs arm. 
 The monster escapes to the fen with his death-wound. 
 
 The defence of heroes would by no means 
 let the murderer escape alive — he counted his 
 44 
 
[794-821] BEOWULF 
 
 life of no avail to any of the people. There 
 many a warrior of Beowulf's drew his old 
 sword; they thought to protect the life of 
 their lord, the great prince, if so they might. 
 They knew not, those brave warriors, when 
 they plunged into the fight, thinking to hack 
 the monster on every side and take his life, 
 that not the choicest blade on earth nor battle- 
 axe could graze that foul destroyer; for he 
 had bound by a spell weapons of war and 
 every edged sword. Yet he was doomed to die 
 a wretched death in the day of this life; the 
 outcast spirit must needs journey far away 
 into the power of fiends. There he found, 
 that foe to God, who many a time ere now in 
 mirthful mood had wrought mischief against 
 the children of men, that his wound-proof 
 body availed him not, for the valiant kinsman 
 of Hygelac had got him by the hand. Hate- 
 ful to each was the life of the other. The 
 evil beast endured sore pain of body. Upon 
 his shoulder a gaping wound appeared; the 
 sinews sprang asunder, the flesh was rent 
 apart. The glory of the fight was given unto 
 Beowulf. Grendel, sick to death, was doomed 
 to flee thence and find out his joyless abode 
 45 
 
BEOWULF [821-840] 
 
 'neath the fen-banks. Full well he knew that 
 the end of his life was come, the appointed 
 number of his days. By that deadly fight the 
 desire of all the Danes was satisfied. 
 
 Thus he who came from far, wise and 
 valiant in spirit, had cleansed Hrothgar's hall 
 and freed it from danger. He rejoiced in the 
 night's work, in his heroic deeds. The lord 
 of the Geats had made good his boast to the 
 East-Danes, for he had saved them out of all 
 their affliction, the harrowing torment, no 
 little sorrow, which they had suffered and 
 were doomed to bear in sad necessity. A 
 token of the fight was seen, when, 'neath the 
 spacious roof, the warrior flung down the 
 hand and arm and shoulder, — the whole limb 
 and claw of Grendel. 
 
 XIII 
 
 The Danes rejoice. They go and look upon the mere 
 whither Grendel escaped, and return to Heorot, racing 
 their horses and listening to the tale of the hard. 
 
 In the morning, as I have heard, many 
 warriors were about the gift-hall; chieftans 
 came from far and near to gaze upon the 
 46 
 
[840-866] BEOWULF 
 
 wonder, the tracks of the enemy. Grievous 
 seemed his death to none of those who beheld 
 the traces of the inglorious foe; how he, weary 
 at heart, vanquished in the strife, death- 
 doomed and put to flight, took his last steps 
 to the Nicors' mere. There the waters were 
 foaming with blood, the awful surge of the 
 waves welled up, all mingled with blood and 
 hot gore. Death-doomed he discolored all 
 the flood, when, joyless in his fen-lair, he laid 
 down his life, his heathen soul; there Hell 
 seized him. 
 
 Thence returned the thanes and many a 
 youth from their glad journey, proudly riding 
 from the mere upon their horses, heroes upon 
 white steeds. There was proclaimed the 
 greatness of Beowulf. Full oft 'twas said that 
 south nor north, between the seas, o'er all the 
 broad earth beneath the arch of heaven, none 
 among shield-bearing warriors was of higher 
 worth, none more worthy of a kingdom. 
 They did not in the least say aught against 
 their own kind lord, gracious Hrothgar, for 
 he was a good king! 
 
 At times the warriors made their yellow 
 steeds gallop or run a race, where the ways 
 47 
 
BEOWULF [866-891] 
 
 seemed good to them and known for their 
 excellence. 
 
 At times one of the king's thanes, laden 
 with boasts, mindful of song, who knew old 
 tales without number, invented a new story, 
 closely bound up with fact; the man deftly 
 narrated the adventure of Beowulf, and cun- 
 ningly composed other skilful lays with inter- 
 woven words. 
 
 THE LAY OF SIGEMUND 
 
 The bard sings how Sigemund, the Volsung, slew a mighty 
 dragon j and how Heremod, a Danish king, was a sore 
 burden to his people, much unlike Beowulf. 
 
 He told everything that he had heard of the mighty 
 exploits of Sigemund, much that had ne'er been told: — 
 the battle-toil of the Waelsing, distant journeyings, feuds 
 and crimes, of which the children of men knew nothing, 
 save Fitela, the nephew who was with his uncle when he 
 would repeat aught touching these things; for they were 
 comrades at need in every strife. They had slain with 
 their swords many of the monster broods. Sigemund, 
 after his death, attained no little glory, since, brave in 
 battle, he had slain the dragon who kept guard over the 
 treasure. Alone 'neath the gray rock, the prince ventured 
 the daring deed, nor was Fitela with him. Nevertheless, 
 it was granted unto him that his sword, the noble iron, 
 48 
 
[891-922] BEOWULF 
 
 pierced the wondrous serpent and stood fast in the wall. 
 The dragon died the death. The dread warrior had won 
 by his valor the enjoyment of the treasure, all at his own 
 will. The son of Wasls loaded his sea-boat and bore the 
 glittering treasures into the bosom of his ship. Heat 
 consumed the serpent. In his daring exploits he was by 
 far the most famed of adventurers among the nations, 
 this defence of warriors; wherefore he throve in days 
 gone by. 
 
 Thereafter, Heremod's war-strength waned, his power 
 and might. He, among the Eotens, was betrayed into 
 the hands of his enemies, and sent speedily away. Over- 
 whelming sorrows disabled him too long; he became 
 a lifelong care to his people, to all of his nobles. 
 Likewise the hero's adventure had oft been bewailed in 
 former days by many a prudent man, who had trusted his 
 lord for protection from harm — trusted that the prince 
 would prosper, attain his father's lordship, guard the 
 nation, the treasure and sheltering city, the realm of 
 heroes, fatherland of the Scyldings. Beowulf, the kins- 
 man of Hygelac, was more gracious to all the children of 
 men and to his friends. Sorrow befell Heremod. 
 
 At times, in races with their steeds, they 
 measured the yellow roads. And the morn- 
 ing-light was thrust forth and urged onwards. 
 Many a stout-hearted warrior went to the 
 high hall to see the great wonder. Likewise, 
 the king himself, guardian of the treasure, 
 famed for his virtues, walked forth in glory 
 49 
 
BEOW UL F [922-942] 
 
 from the bower with a great company; and 
 his queen with him, amidst a bevy of maidens, 
 passed up the path to the mead-hall. 
 
 XIV 
 
 Hrothgar and his men look upon Grendel's arm in Heorof. 
 The king and Beowulf speak touching the fight. 
 
 Hrothgar spoke: — he went to the hall, 
 stood in the entrance, gazed on the high roof 
 bright with gold, and on the arm of Grendel: 
 "For this sight be thanks straightway given 
 unto the Almighty ! Much evil, many hardships, 
 have I endured at the hands of Grendel; but 
 God, the King of glory, can evermore work 
 wonder upon wonder. It was but now that I 
 thought never to be delivered from any of my 
 woes, while this best of houses stood drenched 
 with blood and gore. The woe scattered all 
 my wise men, who thought that they could 
 nevermore defend this stronghold of the people 
 from hated foes, from demons and devils. 
 Now, through the might of the Lord, a man 
 hath wrought a deed which all of us erewhile 
 with our wisdom were unable to compass. 
 50 
 
[942-969] BEOWULF 
 
 Lo! the woman, whoe'er she be, that gave 
 birth to this son among the tribes of men may- 
 say, if she be yet alive, that our God of old 
 hath been gracious unto her in child-bearing. 
 
 **Now, O Beowulf, thou best of men, I 
 will love thee like a son within my heart. 
 Hold fast henceforth this our new-made kin- 
 ship. Thou shalt not lack any good thing of 
 earth over which I have power. Full oft for 
 lesser deeds have I given rich gifts of honor 
 unto a meaner warrior, a weaker in the fight. 
 By thy deeds thou hast attained that thy 
 glory liveth for ever and ever. May the Al- 
 mighty ever reward thee as now He hath." 
 
 Then spoke Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow: 
 *' Fighting with great good-will, we wrought 
 that mighty deed; boldly we met the power 
 of the unknown. But I would indeed that 
 thou couldst have seen the creature himself in 
 full gear, the fiend wearied nigh to fainting. 
 Grappling him there I thought to fix him fast 
 on his death-bed so that he should lie strug- 
 gling for life in the grip of my hand, unless 
 his body vanished utterly away. But I could 
 not stop his going, for the Lord willed it not. 
 I did not stick close enough to the mortal foe, 
 51 
 
BEOWULF [969-992] 
 
 for the fiend was too powerful upon his feet. 
 Yet, in saving his life, he left his claw behind, 
 his arm and shoulder, to mark his track. But 
 the wretched creature has not bought him any 
 solace thus; none the longer will the evil- 
 doer live, weighed down by sin. But pain has 
 close embraced him in its deadly clasp, within 
 its baleful bonds. There, all stained with sin, 
 shall he abide the Great Doom, — how the 
 glorious Judge shall assign him his portion." 
 Then, in his boastful speech, that son of 
 Ecglaf kept more silent touching warlike 
 deeds, after all the nobles had beheld the arm 
 before them, there upon the lofty roof, the 
 fiendish claw, won by the hero's might. Most 
 like to steel were all the nails, the hand-spurs, 
 horrible spikes of the heathen foe. All declared 
 that no excellent sword among warriors could 
 have grazed the monster so as to take off the 
 bloody talon. 
 
 XV 
 
 They adorn Heorotfor the feast. Hrothgar bestows gifts 
 upon Beowulf. 
 
 Straightway it was bidden that Heorot be 
 adorned within by the hand of man. Many 
 52 
 
[993-1019] BEOWULF 
 
 there were of men and women who prepared 
 that wine-hall, that guest-house. Along the 
 walls shone hangings wrought with gold, many 
 wondrous sights for all who gaze upon such 
 things. That bright house had been greatly 
 shattered, though all within was fast with iron 
 bands. The hinges had been torn away. The 
 roof alone was saved unhurt, when the mon- 
 ster, all stained with wicked deeds, despairing 
 of life, turned him to flight. 
 
 Death is not easily escaped, try it who will ; 
 but every living soul among the children of 
 men dwelling upon the earth goeth of neces- 
 sity unto his destined place, where the body, 
 fast in its narrow bed, sleepeth after the feast. 
 
 Now the time was come that the son of 
 Healfdene should go into the hall ; the king 
 himself was minded to partake of the feast. 
 Never have I heard that that people in greater 
 company gathered more bravely around their 
 king. Then those happy men sat them down 
 upon the benches; they rejoiced in the feast- 
 ing. Their great-hearted kinsmen, Hrothgar 
 and Hrothulf, with fair courtesy quaffed many 
 a bowl of mead in the high hall. Heorot was 
 filled with friends. In that day the Scylding 
 53 
 
B EOW UL F [1019-1044] 
 
 people had done no deeds of guile. 
 
 Then the son of Healfdene gave unto Beo- 
 wulf, in reward of victory, a golden ensign, a 
 broidered banner, a helmet, and a byrnie; 
 many men saw a mighty treasure-sword borne 
 before the hero. Beowulf quaffed the cup in 
 the hall. He needed not to be ashamed be- 
 fore warriors of those sumptuous gifts. Never 
 have I heard of many men at the ale-bench 
 who gave to others in more friendly wise four 
 treasures, gold-adorned. Around the crown 
 of the helmet there was a wreath all wrought 
 with wires, which protected the head, so that 
 the tempered battle-sword could not greatly 
 injure it, when the warrior went out against 
 his foe. 
 
 Moreover, the defence of heroes bade that 
 eight horses with golden bridles be led into 
 the hall under the barriers. Upon one of 
 them there was a saddle, cunningly wrought, 
 adorned with jewels, — that had been the 
 battle-seat of the high king, when the son of 
 Healfdene was minded to engage in the play 
 of swords; the might of the far-famed hero 
 failed never at the front, while the slain were 
 falling. And then the prince of the Ingwines 
 54 
 
[I044-I062] BEOWULF 
 
 gave over to Beowulf the possession of these, 
 both the horses and the armor; bade him en- 
 joy them well. Thus, like a true man, did the 
 great lord, the guardian of treasure and 
 heroes, repay the storm of the fight with 
 horses and treasure, so that none can dis- 
 praise them, none who wills to speak the 
 truth aright. 
 
 XVI AND XVII 
 
 Hrothgar bestows gifts upon Beowulf's men. The bard 
 sings the lay of King Finn. 
 
 And moreover, the lord of heroes, at the 
 mead-bench, bestowed some treasure, some 
 heirloom, upon each of those who crossed the 
 ocean-path with Beowulf. And he bade that 
 gold be paid for the man whom Grendel had 
 wickedly slain, as he would have slain more of 
 them, had not all-knowing God and the hero's 
 courage turned that fate from them ; for the 
 Lord ruled over all the children of men, e'en 
 as now He doth; wherefore is understanding 
 best in every place, and prudence of the heart. 
 He who long dwelleth in this world endureth 
 much of good and evil in these days of strife. 
 55 
 
BEOWULF [1063-1084] 
 
 There were singing and music blended to- 
 gether concerning Healfdene's battle-chief- 
 tain : the harp was struck, a lay recited oft, 
 when Hrothgar's bard was to awaken joy in 
 hall along the mead-bench. 
 
 THE LAY OF KING FINN 
 
 How Hncef of the Scyldings fell in an ancient feud with 
 Finn, king of the Eotens, he who had carried off his 
 sister^ Hildeburh; and how Hengest, brother to Hncef 
 and Hildeburh, made a treaty with Finn, and dwelt 
 with the Eotens for a season, until they feared him 
 and slew him. And of the last great fight when 
 Finn was slain; and how Queen Hildeburh was 
 restored to her people. 
 
 Hnsef of the Scyldings, the hero of the Half-Danes, 
 was doomed to fall upon the Frisian slaughter-field at the 
 hands of the sons of Finn, what time the peril got hold on 
 them. Nor in truth did Hildeburh need to praise the 
 good faith of the Eotens ; she, all blameless, was bereft 
 of her dear sons and brothers in the battle ; wounded by 
 the spear they fell according to their fate, — a sorrowful 
 woman she. Not without cause did the daughter of Hoc 
 bewail Fate's decree when morn was come, — whea she be- 
 held her murdered kinsmen 'neath the sky, there where 
 she had erstwhile had the greatest of earth's joys. War 
 swept away all the thanes of Finn, save but a few, so that 
 he could nowise give battle to Hengest upon the field, 
 nor save by fighting the wretched remnant from the 
 56 
 
[I084-II20] BEOWULF 
 
 prince's thane. But the Frisians offered Hengest terms : 
 that they would fully prepare for him another great build- 
 ing, a hall and high throne, so that he might have equal 
 power with the sons of the Eotens, and that Finn, son of 
 Folcwalda, would daily, at the giving of the gifts, do honor 
 to the Danes, would do honor to the troop of Hengest 
 with rings, with e'en as much costly treasure of plated 
 gold, as that wherewith he would rejoice the Frisians in 
 the beer-hall. Then on both sides they made a fast- 
 binding treaty of peace ; Finn swore an oath unto Hen- 
 gest, absolutely and unreservedly, that he would honorably 
 rule the sad remnant according to the decree of his 
 councilors ; so that no man there by word or deed should 
 break the compact, or ever do it violence by guileful 
 craft, although they, lordless men, followed the slayer of 
 their own prince, as they must do perforce ; and if any of 
 the Frisians should with taunting words recall that feud, 
 then the edge of the sword was to avenge it. The oath 
 was sworn and massive gold was brought up from the 
 hoard. 
 
 The best of the warriors among the Battle-Scyldings 
 was ready at the funeral pile ; upon the pyre were clearly 
 to be seen the blood-stained sark, the swine of gold, the 
 boar-helm iron-hard, and many a hero who had perished 
 of his wounds, — these had fallen in the struggle. And 
 Hildeburh bade them commit her own son to the flames 
 at Hnsef's pyre, burn the body, laying it on the pile. 
 The hapless woman wept upon his shoulder, lamented 
 him in song. Uprose the warrior in the flame ; the 
 greatest of funeral fires rolled upward to the clouds ; it 
 roared before the mound. The heads were melted, the 
 
 57 
 
BEOWULF [1121-1153] 
 
 gashes were burst open, the blood gushed forth from the 
 wounds upon the body. Flame, that greediest of spirits, 
 swallowed up all of both peoples whom war had snatched 
 away. 
 
 Bereft of their friends, the warriors departed to their 
 dwellings, to see Friesland, their homes, and high city. 
 And Hengest dwelt with Finn all that blood-stained 
 winter, wholly without strife ; but he was mindful of his 
 native land, although he could not drive o'er the mere his 
 ring-stemmed ship. The sea surged in the storm, fought 
 with the wind. Winter locked the waves in its icy bond, 
 till that a new year came unto the dwellings of earth, as 
 still it doth, and the days gloriously bright which ever 
 observe the season. Thus was the winter spent, and fair 
 was the bosom of earth. 
 
 Then the exile hastened away ; the guest departed 
 from the courts. But Hengest was thinking more of 
 vengeance than of the sea-voyage, if haply he might bring 
 to pass a deadly conflict and so commemor ite the sons of 
 the Eotens. Therefore he escaped not the lot of mortals 
 when the son of Hunlaf thrust into his breast the flashing 
 sword, best of blades ; wherefore its edges were well 
 known among the Eotens. Likewise, thereafter, dire 
 death by the sword befell the brave-hearted Finn in his 
 own home, when Guthlaf and Oslaf , after the sea-journey, 
 mournfully lamented the fierce struggle — blamed him for 
 their share of sorrow. He could not retain the wavering 
 spirit within his breast. 
 
 And the hall was covered with the bodies of foemen, 
 and King Finn, likewise, was slain in the midst of his 
 guardsmen, and the queen was taken. The Scylding 
 
 58 
 
[II54-II77] BEOWULF 
 
 warriors bore to their ships all the possessions of the 
 king of the land, — whatever they could find in Finn's 
 home of jewels and curious gems. They bore the noble 
 lady over the sea-path to the land of the Danes, led her to 
 their people. 
 
 The lay was sung, the gleeman's tale was 
 ended. Mirth rose high again, clear sounded 
 the noise of revelry. The cup-bearers poured 
 out wine from wondrous vessels. And 
 Wealhtheow came forth with a crown of gold 
 upon her head, and went to where were seated 
 uncle and nephew, those two good friends ; — 
 as yet there was peace between them, each to 
 the other true. There also sat Unferth, the 
 spokesman, at the feet of the lord of the 
 Scyldings; every man of them trusted his 
 spirit, yea, and that he had good courage, al- 
 though he dealt not uprightly with his kins- 
 men in the play of swords. 
 
 And the lady of the Scyldings spoke : * ' Take 
 this cup, my sovereign lord, giver of treasure. 
 Rejoice, thou prince of the people, and speak 
 kind words unto the Geats, as is well-fitting. 
 Be gracious toward the Geats and mindful of 
 gifts; for now thou hast peace both far and 
 near. It has been told me that thou wouldst 
 gladly have this warrior for a son. Heorot, 
 59 
 
BEOWULF [1177-1196] 
 
 the bright ring-hall, is cleansed. Give, then, 
 while thou mayst, many rewards, and be- 
 queath people and realm to thy kinsmen, 
 when thou must go hence unto the appointed 
 doom. I know that my gracious Hrothulf 
 will honorably rule the youth, if thou, lord of 
 the Scyldings, leave the world ere he. I think 
 that he will requite our offspring well, if he 
 bethink him of our benefits toward him in 
 time past, when he was a child, of all that we 
 did for his pleasure and honor." 
 
 Then she turned to where her sons were 
 sitting, Hrethric and Hrothmund, and the 
 offspring of heroes, all the youth together; 
 and there by the two brothers sat that brave 
 man, Beowulf the Geat. 
 
 XVIII 
 
 The queen giveth gifts to Beowulf, and a fair collar which 
 King Hygelac wore in aftertime. They feast, and the 
 heroes rest in Heorot. 
 
 A CUP was borne to him, and friendly greet- 
 ing offered, and twisted gold graciously pre- 
 sented him: two armlets, rings, and armor, 
 and the goodliest of collars I have ever heard 
 60 
 
[1196-1220] BEOWULF 
 
 of upon earth. Never heard I of a fairer 
 among the treasured jewels of heroes 'neath 
 the sky, ne'er since Hama bore away to the 
 bright city the collar of the Brisings, the fair 
 gem and its casket; he fled the cunning snares 
 of Eormanric, and chose everlasting gain. 
 This ring had Hygelac, grandson of Swerting, 
 on his last raid, when 'neath his banner, he 
 defended his treasure and guarded the plunder 
 of battle. Wyrd took him away, when he, 
 foolhardy, suffered woe in feud with the Fris- 
 ians; for that mighty chieftain bore the jewel 
 with its precious stones over the arching sea; 
 and he fell beneath his shield. Then the 
 body of the king came into the possession of 
 the Franks, his breast-mail, and the jewel, 
 too ; meaner warriors stripped the body after 
 the slaughter of battle; the corpses of the 
 Geats were strewed upon the field. 
 
 The hall resounded. There, before* the 
 host, Wealhtheow spoke and said: ''Receive 
 with joy this collar, dear Beowulf, beloved 
 youth, and use this armor, — treasures of our 
 people, — and prosper well; show thyself 
 strong; and be kind in thy counsel to these 
 youths. I will be mindful of thy reward. 
 61 
 
BEOWULF [1221-1246] 
 
 Thou hast brought it to pass that men shall 
 give thee honor evermore, in all the earth, far 
 as the sea encompasseth its wind-swept walls. 
 Be, while thou livest, a prosperous prince; 
 much treasure truly I wish thee. Be thou 
 friendly to my son, guarding his happy state. 
 Here is each hero true to the other, gentle of 
 spirit, and loyal to his lord ; the thanes are 
 obedient, the people ready at call. Ye war- 
 riors, cheered with wine, do as I bid ye." 
 
 Then she went to her seat. There was the 
 choicest of feasts; the men drank wine. 
 They knew not Wyrd, cruel destiny, as it had 
 gone forth of old unto many a hero. 
 
 When even was come, and Hrothgar, the 
 ruler, had departed to his lodge, unto his 
 evening rest, countless heroes guarded the 
 house as they had oft of yore. They made 
 bare the bench and spread upon it beds and 
 pillows. Doomed and nigh unto death, one 
 of the revelers laid him down to rest in the 
 hall. At their heads they placed their battle- 
 shields, bright bucklers. There upon the 
 bench above each hero were clearly to be 
 seen the towering helm, the ringed coat of 
 mail, the mighty spear. It was their wont to 
 62 
 
[1246-1250] BEOWULF 
 
 be ever ready for battle, whether at home or 
 in the field, ready for either, e'en at the mo- 
 ment when their chief had need of them. 
 That was a good people! 
 
 63 
 
[I25I-I264] 
 
 Part II 
 
 BEOWULF AND GRENDEVS 
 MOTHER 
 
 XIX 
 
 Grendel's mother eometh to avenge her son. She seizes 
 ^schere in Heorot. 
 
 Then they sank to sleep. But one paid 
 dearly for his evening rest, as had often hap- 
 pened when Grendel occupied that gold-hall 
 and wrought evil till his end came, death for 
 his sins. It now became evident to men that, 
 though the foe was dead, there yet lived for 
 a long time after the fierce combat, an aven- 
 ger — Grendel's mother. The witch, woman- 
 monster, brooded over her woes, she who was 
 doomed to dwell among the terrors of the 
 waters, in the cold streams, from the time when 
 Cain slew with the sword his only brother, 
 his own father's son, — then he departed, ban- 
 ished, marked with murder, fleeing from the 
 64 
 
[1264-1289] BEOWULF 
 
 joys of men and dwelt in the wilderness. 
 From him there woke to life many Fate-sent 
 demons. One of these was Grendel, a fierce 
 wolf, full of hatred. But he had found at 
 Heorot a man on the watch, waiting to give 
 him battle. Then the monster grappled with 
 him, but Beowulf bethought him of his mighty 
 strength, the gift of God, and in Him as the 
 Almighty he trusted for favor, for help and 
 succor; in this trust he overcame the fiend, 
 laid low that spirit of hell. Then Gren- 
 del, enemy to mankind, went forth joyless to 
 behold the abode of death. But his mother, 
 still wroth and ravenous, determined to go a 
 sad journey to avenge the death of her son; 
 and she came to Heorot, where the Ring- 
 Danes lay asleep about the hall. Straightway 
 terror fell upon the heroes once again when 
 Grendel's mother burst in upon them. But 
 the fear was less than in the time of Grendel, 
 even as the strength of maids, or a woman's 
 rage in war, is less than an armed man's, what 
 time the hilted sword, hammer-forged, stained 
 with blood, cleaves with its keen blade the 
 boar on the foeman's helmet. There above 
 the benches in the hall the hard-edged sword 
 65 
 
BEOWULF [1289-1314] 
 
 was drawn, and many a shield upreared, fast 
 in the hand; none thought of helm or broad 
 corslet when the terror got hold of him. She 
 was in haste, for she was discovered; she 
 wished to get thence with her life. Of a sud- 
 den she clutched one of the heroes, and was 
 off to the fen. The mighty warrior, the 
 famed hero whom the hag murdered in his 
 sleep, was the dearest to Hrothgar of all the 
 men in his band of comrades between the seas. 
 Beowulf was not there; for another lodging- 
 place had been assigned to the mighty Geat 
 after the giving of treasure. A cry arose in 
 Heorot. All in its gore she had taken the 
 well-known arm ; sorrow was renewed again 
 in the dwellings. No good exchange was 
 that which cost both peoples the lives of 
 friends. 
 
 Then the old king, the hoary warrior, was 
 sad at heart when he learned that his chief 
 thane had lost his life, that his dearest friend 
 was dead. Straightway Beowulf, the hero 
 blessed with victory, was brought to the 
 bower; the prince, the noble warrior, went at 
 daybreak with his comrades to where the pru- 
 dent king was waiting to know if perchance 
 66 
 
[I3I4-I334] BEOWULF 
 
 the Almighty would ever work a happy change 
 for him, after the tidings of woe. And the 
 hero, famed in war, went o'er the floor with 
 his band of thanes, — while loud the hall re- 
 sounded, — to greet the wise lord of the Ing- 
 wines; he asked if his night had been restful, 
 as he had wished. 
 
 XX 
 
 Hrothgar lamenteth for ^sehere. He tells Beowulf of 
 the monster and her haunt. 
 
 Hrothgar, defence of the Scyldings, spoke : 
 '*Ask not after bliss, — sorrow is renewed in 
 the hall for the Danish people, ^schere is 
 dead, Yrmenlaf's elder brother, my councilor 
 and my adviser, who stood by me, shoulder to 
 shoulder, when we warded our heads in battle, 
 while hosts rushed together and helmets 
 crashed. Like yEschere should every noble 
 be, — an excellent hero. He was slain in Heo- 
 rot by a restless destroyer. 
 
 *' I know not whither the awful monster, ex- 
 ulting over her prey, has turned her homeward 
 steps, rejoicing in her fill. She has avenged 
 the strife in which thou slewest Grendel yes- 
 67 
 
BEOWULF [1334-1362! 
 
 ternight, grappling fiercely with him, for that 
 he too long had wasted and destroyed my 
 people. He fell in battle, forfeiting his life, 
 and now another is come, a mighty and a deadly 
 foe, thinking to avenge her son. She has 
 carried the feud further; wherefore it may 
 well seem a heavy woe to many a thane who 
 grieveth in spirit for his treasure-giver. Low 
 lies the hand which did satisfy all your desires. 
 *' I have heard the people dwelling in my land, 
 hall-rulers, say that they had often seen two 
 such mighty stalkers of the marches, spirits of 
 otherwhere, haunting the moors. One of 
 them, as they could know full well, was like 
 unto a woman; the other miscreated being, in 
 the image of man wandered in exile (save 
 that he was larger than any man), whom in 
 the olden time the people named Grendel. 
 They know not if he ever had a father among 
 the spirits of darkness. They dwell in a hid- 
 den land amid wolf-haunted slopes and sav- 
 age fen-paths, nigh the wind-swept cliffs 
 where the mountain-stream falleth, shrouded 
 in the mists of the headlands, its flood flowing 
 underground. It is not far thence in measure- 
 ment of miles that the mere lieth. Over it 
 68 
 
[1363-1382] BEOWULF 
 
 hang groves in hoary whiteness; a forest with 
 fixed roots bendeth over the waters. There 
 in the night-tide is a dread wonder seen, — a 
 fire on the flood ! There is none of the child- 
 ren of men so wise that he knoweth the 
 depths thereof. Although hard pressed by 
 hounds, the heath-ranging stag, with mighty 
 horns, may seek out that forest, driven from 
 afar, yet sooner will he yield up life and breath 
 upon the bank than hide his head within its 
 waters. Cheerless is the place. Thence the 
 surge riseth, wan to the clouds, when the 
 winds stir up foul weather, till the air thicken 
 and the heavens weep. 
 
 **Now once again help rests with thee 
 alone. Thou knowest not yet the spot, the 
 savage place where thou mayst find the sinful 
 creature. Seek it out, if thou dare. I will 
 reward thee, as I did aforetime with olden 
 treasures and with twisted gold, if thou get 
 thence alive.'' 
 
 69 
 
BEOWULF [1383-1402] 
 
 XXI 
 
 T}iey track GrendeVs mother to the mere. Beowulf 
 slayeth a sea-monster. 
 
 Then spoke Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow: 
 "Sorrow not, thou wise man. It is better 
 for a man to avenge his friend than mourn 
 exceedingly. Each of us must abide the end 
 of the worldly life, wherefore let him who 
 may win glory ere he die; thus shall it be best 
 for a warrior when life is past. Arise, O 
 guardian of the kingdom, let us straightway 
 go and look upon the tracks of Grendel's 
 dam. I promise thee this : she shall not 
 escape to the covert, nor to the bosom of the 
 earth, nor to the bottom of the sea, go where 
 she will. This day do thou bear in patience 
 every woe of thine, as I expect of thee." 
 
 Then the old man sprang up and thanked 
 God, the mighty Lord, for what that man had 
 said. And they bridled Hrothgar's horse, a 
 steed with wavy mane. The wise prince rode 
 out in stately wise, and a troop of warriors 
 marched forth with their shields. Footprints 
 70 
 
[1402-1427] BEOWULF 
 
 were clearly to be seen along the forest-path, 
 her track across the lands. She had gone 
 forth, right over the murky moor, and borne 
 away lifeless that best of thanes, who with 
 Hrothgar ruled the hall. 
 
 And the offspring of princes went over 
 steep and rocky slopes and narrow ways; 
 straight lonely passes, an unknown course; 
 over sheer cliffs where were many haunts of 
 the sea-monsters. He, with a few prudent 
 men, went on before to view the spot, until 
 he suddenly came upon mountain-trees o'er- 
 hanging the gray rock, — a cheerless wood. 
 Beneath it lay a water, bloody and troubled. 
 All the Danes, all the friends of the Scyld- 
 ings, each hero and many a thane, were sad 
 at heart and had to suffer sore distress ; for 
 there upon the sea-cliff they found the head 
 of ^schere. The waters were seething with 
 blood and hot gore; — the people looked 
 upon it. 
 
 At times the horn sang out an eager battle- 
 lay. All the troop sat down. They saw in 
 the water many of the serpent kind, strange 
 dragons swimming the deep. Likewise they 
 saw sea-monsters lying along the headland- 
 71 
 
BEOWULF [1427-1450] 
 
 slopes, serpents and wild beasts, who oft at 
 morning-tide make a journey, fraught with 
 sorrow, over the sail-road. They sped away, 
 bitter and swollen with wrath, when they 
 heard the sound, the song of the battle-horn. 
 But the lord of the Geats with bow and arrow 
 took the life of one of them, as it buffeted 
 the waves, so that the hard shaft pierced the 
 vitals; he was then the slower in his swim- 
 ming on the sea, for death seized him. 
 Straightway he was hard pressed with the 
 sharp-barbs of the boar-spears, fiercely at- 
 tacked, and drawn up on the cliff, a wondrous 
 wave-tosser. The men looked on the strange 
 and grisly beast. 
 
 Then Beowulf girded him with noble armor; 
 he took no thought for his life. His byrnie, 
 hand-woven, broad, and of many colors, was 
 to search out the deeps. This armor could 
 well protect his body so that the grip of the 
 foe could not harm his breast, nor the clutch 
 of the angry beast do aught against his life. 
 Moreover, the white helmet guarded his head, 
 e'en that which was to plunge into the depths 
 of the mere, passing through the tumult of 
 the waters; it was all decked with gold, en- 
 72 
 
[I45I-I472] BEOWULF 
 
 circled with noble chains, as the weapon-smith 
 wrought it in the days of yore; wondrously he 
 made it, and set it about with boar-figures so 
 that no brand nor battle-sword could bite it. 
 
 Nor was that the least of his mighty aids 
 which Hrothgar's spokesman lent him in his 
 need; — the name of the hiked sword was 
 Hrunting, and it was one of the greatest 
 among the olden treasures ; its blade was of 
 iron, stained with poison-twigs, hardened with 
 the blood of battle; it had never failed any 
 man whose hand had wielded it in the fight, 
 any who durst go on perilous adventures to 
 the field of battle; — it was not the first time 
 that it had need to do high deeds. Surely 
 when the son of Ecglaf, strong in his might, 
 lent that weapon to a better swordsman, he 
 did not remember what he had said when 
 drunk with wine; for, himself he durst not 
 risk his life beneath the warring waves and 
 do a hero's deeds; there he lost the glory, 
 the fame of valor. It was not so with the 
 other when he had armed him for the fight. 
 
 73 
 
BEOWULF [1473-1492] 
 
 XXII 
 
 Beowulf bids farewell to Hrothgar and ^plunges into 
 the mere. The monster seizes upon him. They 
 fight. 
 
 Then spoke Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow: 
 ** Remember, thou great son of Healfdene, 
 wise chieftain, gracious friend of men, now 
 that I am ready for this exploit, what we two 
 spoke of aforetime ; that, if I must needs lose my 
 life for thee, thou wouldst ever be as a father 
 to me when I was gone hence. Guard thou 
 my thanes, my own comrades, if the fight take 
 me, and do thou also send unto Hygelac the 
 treasures that thou gavest me, beloved Hroth- 
 gar. Then, when the son of Hrethel, lord of 
 the Geats, shall look upon that treasure, he 
 may behold and see by the gold that I found a 
 bountiful benefactor, and enjoyed these gifts 
 while I might. And do thou let Unferth, that 
 far-famed man, have the old heirloom, the 
 wondrous wavy sword of tempered blade. I 
 will win glory with Hrunting, or death shall 
 take me." 
 
 After these words the lord of the Weder- 
 74 
 
[I492-I5I7] BEOWULF 
 
 Geats boldly made haste; he would await no 
 answer, but the surging waters swallowed up 
 the warrior. It was the space of a day ere he 
 got sight of the bottom. 
 
 Soon the blood-thirsty creature, she who 
 had lived for a hundred seasons, grim and 
 greedy, in the waters' flow, found that one 
 was there from above seeking out the abode 
 of monsters. She seized upon the warrior 
 and clutched him with her horrid claws; 
 nevertheless she did no harm to his sound 
 body, for the ringed armor girt him round 
 about, so that she could not pierce the byrnie, 
 the linked coat of mail, with her hateful 
 fingers. Then the mere-wolf, when she came 
 to the bottom, bore the ring-prince to' her 
 dwelling, so that he could nowise wield his 
 weapons, brave though he was; for many 
 monsters came at him, many a sea-beast with 
 awful tusks broke his battle-sark, — the evil 
 creatures pressed him hard. 
 
 Then the hero saw that he was in some 
 dreadful hall, where the water could not harm 
 him a whit; the swift clutch of the current 
 could not touch him, because of the roofed 
 hall. He saw a fire-light, a gleaming flame 
 75 
 
BEOWULF [1517-1540] 
 
 brightly shining. Then the hero got sight of 
 the mighty mere-woman — the she-wolf of the 
 deep. He made at her fiercely with his war- 
 sword. His hand did not refuse the blow, so 
 that the ringed blade sang out a greedy war- 
 song on her head. But the stranger found 
 that the gleaming sword would make no 
 wound, would do no harm to her life; so the 
 blade failed the prince in his need. It had 
 aforetime endured many a hard fight, had 
 often cleft the helmet and the byrnie of the 
 doomed; this was the first time that the pre- 
 cious treasure ever failed of its glory. Yet 
 the kinsman of Hygelac, heedful of great 
 deeds, was steadfast of purpose, not faltering 
 in courage. Then the angry warrior threw 
 from him the carved sword, strong and steel- 
 edged, studded with jewels, and it lay upon 
 the ground. He trusted to his strength, to 
 the mighty grip of his hand. So must a brave 
 man do when he thinketh to win lasting 
 praise ; — he taketh no thought for his life. 
 
 Then the lord of the War-Geats, shrinking 
 
 not from the fight, seized Grendel's mother 
 
 by the shoulder, and full of wrath, the valiant 
 
 in battle threw his deadly foe so that she fell 
 
 76 
 
[1540-1558] BEOWULF 
 
 to the floor. Speedily she paid him his reward 
 again with fierce grapplings and clutched at 
 him, and being exhausted, he stumbled and 
 fell, he, — the champion, strongest of war- 
 riors. Then she leaped and sat upon him, 
 and drew her dagger, broad and brown-edged, 
 to avenge her son, her only offspring. But 
 on his shoulder lay his woven coat of mail ; it 
 saved his life, barring the entrance against 
 point and blade. Thus the son of Ecgtheow, 
 the chief of the Geats, would have perished 
 'neath the sea-bottom, had not his battle- 
 byrnie, his hard war-corslet, been of aid to 
 him, and Holy God, the wise Lord, brought 
 victory to pass, the King of heaven easily 
 adjudging it aright. Thereafter he stood up 
 again. 
 
 XXIII 
 
 Beowulf lays hold upon a giant sword and slays the 
 evil least. He finds Grendel's dead body and cuts 
 off the head, and swims up to his thanes upon the 
 shore. They go hack to Heorot. 
 
 Then he saw among the armor a victorious 
 blade, an old sword of the giant-age, keen- 
 77 
 
BEOWULF [1558-1584] 
 
 edged, the glory of warriors ; it was the choic- 
 est of weapons, — save that it was larger than 
 any other man was able to carry into battle, — • 
 good, and splendidly wrought, for it was the 
 work of the giants. And the warrior of the 
 Scyldings seized the belted hilt; savage and 
 angry, he drew forth the ring-sword, and, 
 hopeless of life, smote so fiercely that the 
 hard sword caught her by the neck, breaking 
 the ring-bones ; the blade drove right through 
 her doomed body, and she sank upon the 
 floor. The sword was bloody; the hero ex- 
 ulted in his deed. 
 
 The flame burst forth; light filled the place, 
 even as when the candle of heaven is shining 
 brightly from the sky. He gazed about the 
 place and turned him to the wall ; the thane 
 of Hygelac, angry and resolute, lifted the 
 great weapon by the hilt. The blade was not 
 worthless to the warrior, for he wished to 
 repay Grendel straightway for the many at- 
 tacks which he had made upon the West- 
 Danes, — oftener far than once, — what time he 
 slew Hrothgar's hearth-companions in their 
 slumber and devoured fifteen of the sleeping 
 Danes and carried off as many more, a horrid 
 78 
 
[1584-1609] BEOWULF 
 
 prey. The fierce warrior had given him his re- 
 ward, insomuch that he now saw Grendel lying 
 lifeless in his resting-place, spent with his 
 fight, so deadly had the combat been for him 
 in Heorot. The body bounded far when it 
 suffered a blow after death, a mighty sword- 
 stroke. Thus he smote off the head. 
 
 Soon the prudent men who were watching 
 the mere with Hrothgar saw that the surging 
 waves were all troubled, and the water ming- 
 led with blood. The old men, white-haired, 
 talked together of the hero, how they thought 
 that the prince would never come again to 
 their great lord, exultant in victory ; for many 
 believed that the sea-wolf had rent him in 
 pieces. 
 
 Then came the ninth hour of the day. The 
 bold Scyldings left the cliff, the bounteous 
 friend of men departed to his home. But the 
 strangers sat there, sick at heart, and gazed 
 upon the mere; they longed but did not ever 
 think to see their own dear lord again. 
 
 Meanwhile the sword, that war-blade, being 
 
 drenched with blood, began to waste away in 
 
 icicles of steel; it melted wondrously away, 
 
 like ice when the Father looseneth the frost, 
 
 79 
 
BEOWULF [1610-1631] 
 
 unwindeth the ropes that bind the waves; 
 He who ruleth the times and seasons, He 
 is a God of righteousness. The lord of the 
 Weder-Geats took no treasure from that hall, 
 although he saw much there, none save the 
 head, and the hilt bright with gold; the 
 blade had melted, the graven sword had 
 burned away, so hot had been the blood, so 
 venomous the strange spirit that had perished 
 there. 
 
 Soon he was swimming off, he who had sur- 
 vived the onset of his foes ; he dived up 
 through the water. The surging waves were 
 cleansed, the wide expanse where that strange 
 spirit had laid down her life and the fleeting 
 days of this world. 
 
 And the defence of seamen came to land, 
 stoutly swimming; he rejoiced in his sea-spoil, 
 the great burden that he bore with him. And 
 his valiant band of thanes went unto him, 
 giving thanks to God; they rejoiced in their 
 chief, for that they could see him safe and 
 sound. Then they quickly loosed helm and 
 byrnie from the valiant man. The m-ere grew 
 calm, but the water 'neath the clouds was 
 discolored with the gore of battle. 
 30 
 
[1632-1653] BEOWULF 
 
 They set forth along the foot-path glad at 
 heart; the men, kingly bold, measured the 
 earth-ways, the well-known roads. They bore 
 away the head from the sea-cliff, — a hard 
 task for all those men, great-hearted as they 
 were; four of them must needs bear with toil 
 that head of Grendel upon a spear to the 
 gold-hall. And forthwith the fourteen Geats, 
 bold and warlike, came to the hall, and their 
 brave lord in their midst trod the meadows. 
 And the chief of the thanes, the valiant man 
 crowned with glory, the warrior brave in bat- 
 tle, went in to greet Hrothgar. And Gren- 
 del's head was borne by the hair into the hall 
 where the men were drinking, — an awful sight 
 for the heroes and the lady too. The people 
 gazed upon that wondrous spectacle. 
 
 XXIV AND XXV 
 
 Beowulf tells of his fight, and Hrothgar discourses. 
 They feast in Heorot. In the morning the Geats 
 make ready to depart. 
 
 Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow, spoke : * ' Behold, 
 O son of Healfdene, lord of the Scyldings, 
 we have joyfully brought thee this sea-spoil 
 
 81 
 
BEOWULF [1654-1679] 
 
 which here thou lookest on, a token of glory. 
 Hardly did I 'scape with my life; painfully 
 fighting under the waters, I ventured on the 
 work. The struggle would have well-nigh 
 failed me, had not God shielded me. Nor 
 could I do aught with Hrunting in the fight, 
 though that be a good weapon ; but the Ruler 
 of the people — full often hath He guided 
 friendless men ! — granted that I saw an old and 
 mighty sword hanging all beauteous on the wall ; 
 so I drew that weapon forth. And I slew in 
 fight the keepers of that house, for occasion 
 favored me. But the war-sword, the graven 
 blade, burned away when the blood gushed 
 forth, hottest of battle-gore. The hilt I bore 
 away from the enemy, avenging, as was meet, 
 their crimes, the slaughter of the Danes. I 
 promise thee that thou, with a troop of thy 
 men, mayest sleep in Heorot free from care, 
 thou and all the thanes of thy people, young 
 old ; thou needst not fear death for them from 
 that quarter, as formerly thou didst, O lord 
 of the Scyldings." 
 
 Then the golden hilt, the ancient work 
 of giants, was given into the hands of the 
 aged warrior, the hoary leader in battle. 
 82 
 
[1679-1703] BEOWULF 
 
 After the fall of the devils this work of cun- 
 ning smiths came into the possession of the 
 lord of the Danes; when the fierce-hearted 
 enemy of God, guilty of murder, quitted this 
 world, he and his mother too, it passed into 
 the keeping of the best of the world-kings 
 between the seas, the best of those who gave 
 out gifts of money in the Danish land. 
 
 Hrothgar spoke ; he looked upon the hilt, 
 the old heirloom on which was graven the 
 beginning of the ancient strife, what time the 
 flood, the rushing ocean, destroyed the giant 
 race ; they had behaved themselves defiantly. 
 That people was estranged from the eternal 
 Lord; wherefore the Ruler gave them their 
 final reward in the surge of the waters. And 
 on the guard of shining gold was rightly 
 graven, set forth and told in runic letters, for 
 whom the sword had first been made, that best 
 of blades, with its twisted hilt brightly adorned 
 with snakes. 
 
 Then the wise son of Healfdene spoke — 
 silent were they all: *'Lo! the aged ruler who 
 remembereth far-off days, he who doeth 
 righteousness and truth among the people, 
 may say that this hero was born of the nobler 
 83 
 
BEOWULF [1703-1725] 
 
 stock. The fame of thee, my friend Beowulf, 
 is spread abroad among every people far and 
 wide. Thou dost hold it all with patience, 
 yea, all thy might with prudence of mind. I 
 will make good my compact with thee, e'en 
 as we did agree aforetime. Thou shalt be a 
 lasting comfort to thy people, a help to war- 
 riors. 
 
 *'Not so was Heremod to the children of 
 Ecgwela, the Honor-Scyldings. He throve not 
 for their welfare, but became the destruction 
 and the deadly plague of the Danish people; 
 for in his rage he slew his table-companions, 
 the friends of his bosom, until he, the great 
 prince, went forth alone, far from the joys of 
 men. Although mighty God advanced him 
 and set him above all men in strength and in 
 the joys of power, yet there grew up a blood- 
 thirsty spirit within his heart ; he gave no 
 treasure to the Danes, as was meet, so that 
 he lived joyless, suffering punishment for his 
 hostility in the lasting wretchedness of his 
 people. Learn thou from this ; lay hold upon 
 manly virtue. With the wisdom of many win- 
 ters I have told this tale for thee. 
 
 "Wonderful it is to tell how mighty God, in 
 84 
 
[1725-1751] BEOWULF 
 
 His great spirit, giveth wisdom unto mankind 
 and land and noble rank. He ruleth over alL 
 But at times He letteth the thoughts of a 
 man's heart stray towards the satisfaction of 
 his own desires; He giveth him worldly joys 
 in his fatherland, a fenced city of men to 
 hold; He maketh whole regions of the earth 
 subject unto him, a wide domain, so that in 
 his blindness he considereth not his end. He 
 dwelleth in plenty; no whit doth sickness or 
 age beset him ; sorrow darkeneth not his 
 spirit; nowhere doth strife appear, nor deadly 
 hate; but all the world moveth to his will. 
 
 ''He knoweth no worse state, until at 
 length much pride grows and flourishes within 
 him, while the watchman is sleeping, the 
 keeper of the soul. Too deep is that slumber, 
 encompassed with sorrows; the Adversary is 
 at hand, who shooteth from his bow in evil- 
 wise; and the helmeted man is smitten in the 
 breast with a bitter arrow, being unable to 
 ward off the crooked counsels of the Accursed 
 Spirit. Too little seemeth that which he hath 
 long possessed. He is covetous in his fro- 
 ward heart; he doth not gloryingly bestow 
 the plated rings, and he forgetteth and des- 
 85 
 
BEOWULF [1751-1773I 
 
 piseth the future, by reason of the bounteous 
 honors which God, the King of glory, hath 
 accorded him. 
 
 **But in the end it is brought to pass that 
 the failing body wasteth away ; and falleth 
 doomed. Another succeedeth, one who giveth 
 out the treasure, nothing loath, the prince's 
 store of riches laid up of old ; — naught to fear 
 hath he. 
 
 *'Keep thee from deadly envy, then, be- 
 loved Beowulf, best of men, and choose thou 
 the better course, everlasting gain. Incline 
 thee not to pride, O mighty warrior. Now 
 the fulness of thy strength lasteth for a 
 season, but soon sickness or sword shall cut 
 thee off from thy strength, or the embrace of 
 fire, or the surge of the flood, or the stab of 
 the sword, or the flight of the spear, or 
 wretched age; or else the light of thine eyes 
 shall fail and grow dim, and forthwith death 
 shall overcome thee, O noble hero. 
 
 "Thus I ruled over the Ring-Danes fifty 
 years beneath the sky, and defended them in 
 battle with spear and sword from many a 
 tribe throughout the world ; insomuch that 1 
 thought I had no foe beneath the breadth of 
 86 
 
[I773-I798] BEOWULF 
 
 heaven. Lo ! all this was changed for me 
 within my land, joy changed to sorrow, when 
 Grendel, my foe of old, invaded my home. 
 Ever in my heart I suffered great sorrow be- 
 cause of this persecution. Wherefore thanks 
 be to God, our everlasting Lord, that I have 
 lived to see with mine eyes this gory head, 
 now the old strife is o'er. 
 
 '' Go now to thy seat, honored warrior, 
 partake in the joy of the feasting. Thou 
 and I will share full many treasures when 
 morning is come." 
 
 The Geat was glad at heart, and went 
 straightway to his seat, as the wise king bade 
 him. Then once again a fair feast was made 
 ready as before for those brave men in the 
 hall. 
 
 The helm of night loured, dark o'er the 
 warriors. All the company arose; the aged 
 man, the gray-haired Scylding, was minded to 
 go to his bed. And the Geat, the brave 
 shield-warrior, had an exceeding great desire 
 of rest. Forthwith the hall-thane, he who 
 duly supplied all the warrior's needs, such as 
 seafarers must have in that day, guided forth 
 that traveler from afar, wearied with his ad- 
 87 
 
BEOWULF [1799-1816] 
 
 venture. And the great-hearted hero rested 
 him : — the hall towered aloft, vast and gold- 
 adorned. 
 
 The guest slept within, until the black 
 raven, blithe at heart, announced the joy of 
 heaven, and the bright sun came gliding 
 over the earth. The warriors hastened, the 
 heroes longed to be returning to their people; 
 the great-hearted guest wished to take ship 
 and go far thence. 
 
 And the hero bade the son of Ecglaf bear 
 away Hrunting, bade him take the sword, be- 
 loved weapon; he thanked him for lending it, 
 said that he counted it a good war-friend, a 
 mighty in^battle; he uttered no word in blame 
 of that edged sword : — he was a great-hearted 
 man ! 
 
 And when the warriors, eager for the 
 voyage, were ready armed, the chief, dear in 
 the sight of the Danes, went to the throne 
 where the other was; the hero, bold in battle, 
 gave greeting to Hrothgar. 
 
L1817-1837] BEOWULF 
 
 XXVI 
 
 Beowulf bids farewell to Hrothgar and the aged king 
 weeps at his departure. He giveth him many treas- 
 ures. The Geats go down to the sea. 
 
 Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow, spoke: '*Now 
 we seafarers, travelers from afar, would say- 
 that we purpose to return unto Hygelac. We 
 have been well entertained here to our heart's 
 desire : thou hast been good to us. If then 
 O lord of men, I can win upon earth more of 
 thy heart's love than I have yet done, I shall 
 be ready at once for warlike deeds. If I learn 
 beyond the course of the waters that thy neigh- 
 bors beset thee sore, as did thine enemies in 
 days gone by, I will bring a thousand thanes 
 and warriors to help thee. I know that Hyge- 
 lac, lord of the Geats, shepherd of the people, 
 young though he be, will further me by word 
 and deed that I may do honor to thee and 
 bring to thine aid the shafted spear and the 
 succor of my strength, when thou hast need 
 of men. Moreover, if Hrethric, the king's 
 son, take service at the Geatish court, he 
 
BEOWULF [1837-1863] 
 
 will find there many friends ; far countries are 
 best sought out by him who is strong within 
 himself." 
 
 Hrothgar spoke and answered him again: 
 '* The all-knowing Lord hath sent these words 
 into thy mind; I never heard one so young in 
 life speak more wisely. Thou art strong in 
 thy might, and prudent of mind, wise in thy 
 discourse. I count it likely that, if ever the 
 spear or fierce warfare or sickness or weapon 
 take away thy lord, the heir of Hrethel, shep- 
 herd of the people, and if thou be yet alive, 
 the Sea-Geats will have none better to choose 
 as king, as guardian of treasure and heroes, 
 if haply thou be willing to govern the king- 
 dom of thy folk. Thy great heart pleaseth 
 me more and more, dear Beowulf. Thou 
 hast brought it to pass that there shall be 
 peace between our people, the Geat folk and 
 the Spear-Danes; and strife shall cease, the 
 evil feuds which they have endured in time 
 past. We shall have treasure in common 
 while I rule over this wide realm ; many friends 
 shall greet one another with good things across 
 the gannet's bath ; the ringed ship shall bring 
 gifts and love-tokens over the sea. I know 
 90 
 
[I863-I887] BEOWULF 
 
 that the peoples are firmly united toward 
 friend and toward foe, blameless in every 
 way, after the olden customs. " 
 
 And moreover the son of Healfdene, shelter 
 of warriors, gave unto him twelve treasures 
 within the hall ; he bade him go in safety with 
 these gifts unto his own dear people, and 
 quickly come again. And the king of noble 
 lineage, lord of the Scyldings, kissed that best 
 of thanes and clasped him round the neck; 
 tears fell from the gray-haired man. The 
 wise and aged king expected two things, but 
 rather the second, that they would never meet 
 again, brave in the council. The hero was so 
 dear to him that he could not contain his well- 
 ing grief, for in his breast secret longing after 
 the dear man, fast bound within his heart, 
 burned through his blood. 
 
 Then Beowulf, the warrior proud of his 
 gold, exulting in his treasure^ went thence 
 treading the grassy plain. The ship awaited 
 her lord, riding at anchor. And, as they 
 went, Hrothgar's gift was praised full oft; — 
 he was a king, blameless in every wise, until 
 old age, which has often wasted many a man, 
 took from him the joys of strength. 
 91 
 
BEOWULF [1888-1904] 
 
 XXVII 
 
 Beowulf presents to the coast-warden a golden sword. 
 The Geats return unto their land. They hear the 
 treasures to the hall where dwells King Hygelae with 
 his queen, Hygd. The tale of Thrytho told. 
 
 Then the band of brave retainers came to 
 the sea; they wore ringed armor, woven shirts 
 of mail. The land-warden beheld the heroes 
 when they came again, e'en as he had done 
 before. But not with insult did he greet the 
 guests from the peak of the cliff, but rode 
 towards them, as they came unto their ship, 
 saying that the Weder people, the bright- 
 coated warriors, were welcome. 
 
 Then the spacious bark, the ring-stemmed 
 ship, upon the beach was laden with the armor, 
 with the horses and the treasures; the mast 
 towered high over the wealth from Hrothgar's 
 hoard. Beowulf gave to the boat-warden a 
 sword all bound with gold, so that he was the 
 more honored thereafter at the mead-bench 
 because of that treasure and heirloom. 
 
 And he departed in his ship, driving the 
 92 
 
[1904-1928] BEOWULF 
 
 deep waters asunder; he left the Danish land. 
 Then a sail, one of the sea-cloths, was fastened 
 to the mast. The sea-craft groaned. The 
 wind blowing over the waters did not drive 
 the bark from her course ; the ship sailed on ; 
 she floated forth, foamy-necked, with wreathed 
 prow, over the waters of the sea, until the 
 men could descry the Geatish cliffs, the well 
 known headlands. The keel, driven by the 
 wind, bounded up, and stood ashore. Straight- 
 way the harbor-guard was ready at the water's 
 edge, he who upon the beach had long been 
 looking out afar, eager for the dear men. He 
 bound the broad-bosomed ship with anchor- 
 ropes fast to the shore, lest the force of the 
 waves should drive the fair boat away. 
 
 And Beowulf bade them bear up ashore the 
 princely treasure, the jewels and the beaten 
 gold. It was not far thence for them to go 
 unto the giver of treasure, Hygelac, son of 
 Hrethel; there at home he dwells with his 
 companions, nigh the sea-wall. 
 
 Fair was the house; its lord a brave king, 
 
 great in the hall. Hygd, daughter of Haereth, 
 
 was very young, was wise and well nurtured, 
 
 although she had lived but few winters within 
 
 93 
 
BEOWULF [1928-1958] 
 
 the castle walls; yet she was not mean- 
 spirited, and nowise sparing in gifts of 
 precious treasures to the Geats. 
 
 THE TALE OF THRYTHO 
 
 Much unlike Hygd was a queen named Thryiho, proud 
 and wrathful, until Offa subdued her. 
 
 Thrytho, the fierce queen of the people, showed forth 
 anger, awful hatred ; no brave man among the dear com- 
 rades durst venture by day to look upon her with his 
 eyes, none save her lord ; else he might count on deadly 
 bonds, hand-woven, being destined for him. Straight- 
 way after his seizure the sword was appointed for use, so 
 that the carved weapon might decide it, and tell forth the 
 baleful murder. Such is not a queenly custom for a 
 woman to practice, peerless though she be, — that a weaver 
 of peace should attempt the life of a dear retainer because 
 of pretended insult. 
 
 But the kinsman of Hemming checked this. The ale- 
 drinkers told another story, how that she wrought less 
 evil to the people, fewer deeds of hate after she was given, 
 all gold-adorned, to the young warrior of noble lineage, 
 when she at her father's bidding, journeyed over the dark 
 waters unto Offa's hall. There, while she lived, she en- 
 joyed her destiny upon the throne, famed for her good- 
 ness. She held high love toward the prince of heroes 
 who, as I have heard, was the best of all mankind be- 
 tween the seas, best of all the race of men upon the earth. 
 Therefore Offa, bold with the spear, was honored far and 
 
 94 
 
[I958-I978] BEOWULF 
 
 wide for his gifts and his warfare. Wisely he ruled his 
 
 native land. From him sprang Eomaer, kinsman of 
 
 Hemming, grandson of Garmund, skilful in warfare, for 
 the help of heroes. 
 
 XXVIII 
 
 Beowulf is received by Hygelac, and telleth of his meeting 
 with Grendel. Of Freawaru. 
 
 Then the brave chief went forth over the 
 sands with his companions, treading the sea- 
 beach, the wide-stretching shores. The candle 
 of the world was shining, the sun in its course 
 beaming from the south. They pursued their 
 journey, boldly went their ways to where, as 
 they had heard, the young and gracious war- 
 king, shelter of heroes, slayer of Ongentheow, 
 was giving out rings within his city. Speedily 
 Beowulf's coming was announced to Hygelac, 
 how that the shelter of warriors, his shield- 
 comrade, was come back alive to the hall, 
 come back to the court, safe from combat. 
 Straightway the hall within was made ready 
 for the travelers, e'en as the ruler bade. 
 
 Then he who had escaped from the strife 
 sat by the king himself, kinsman by kinsman, 
 95 
 
BEOWULF [1978-2003] 
 
 after his lord with courtly speech had greeted 
 the loyal hero with mighty words. And 
 Hsereth's daughter passed around the hall, 
 pouririfg out the mead; for she loved the 
 people ; she bore the mead-cups to the hands 
 of the heroes. 
 
 Then Hygelac began to question his com- 
 panions full fairly in the lofty hall, for he 
 was urged with desire to know touching the 
 adventures of the Sea-Geats: "How fared ye 
 in your journeying, dear Beowulf, when thou 
 on a sudden didst resolve to seek combat far 
 away over the salt waters, battle in Heorot ? 
 Didst thou in aught lessen the well-known woe 
 of Hrothgar, the mighty lord ? I have nour- 
 ished brooding care and sorrow in my heart, 
 for I put no trust in the journey of my be- 
 loved thane. Long did I entreat thee not to 
 attack the deadly beast, but to let the South- 
 Danes themselves put an end to their strife 
 with Grendel. I give thanks unto God that I 
 am suffered to see thee safe." 
 
 Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow, spoke: ''Well 
 
 known unto many a man, my lord Hygelac, is 
 
 the famous meeting 'twixt Grendel and me, 
 
 and our fighting there on the field where he 
 
 96 
 
[2003-2024] BEOWULF 
 
 had wrought much sorrow for the Victor- 
 Scyldings and misery evermore. All that I 
 avenged, so that none of Grendel's kin on 
 earth need boast of that fray at twilight, not 
 e'en he of the loathed race who shall live the 
 longest in the midst of the moorland. 
 
 **When I came into that country, I went 
 first into the ring-hall to greet Hrothgar. 
 Straightway the great kinsman of Healfdene, 
 when he knew my mind, gave me a seat with 
 his own son. It was a joyous host; I have 
 never seen greater joy at the mead among 
 any hall-guests 'neath the vault of heaven. 
 At times the great queen, the peace and bond 
 of peoples, passed all around the hall, and 
 cheered the hearts of the young retainers; 
 oft-times she gave a ring-jewel to some war- 
 rior ere she went to her seat. At times 
 Hrothgar's daughter bore the ale-cup before 
 the nobles, unto the warriors in order. I 
 heard those in the hall call her Freawaru as 
 she gave the studded treasure to the heroes." 
 
 97 
 
BEOWULF [2024-2046] 
 
 FREAWARU 
 
 How Freawaru, daughter to Hrothgar^ is betrothed to 
 Ingeld of the ffeathobards, they who were Hrothgar's 
 ancient enemies. And how Ingeld will be provoked to 
 the murder of a thane who attends on Freawaru; and 
 how Ingeld' s love for that lady will wane. 
 
 ' ' Young and gold-adorned, she is promised to the 
 glad son of Froda ; this has seemed good to the lord of 
 the Scyldings, defender of the kingdom, and he counts 
 this a gain, — by this marriage to allay many deadly feuds 
 and strifes. Yet, oft and not rarely, in any place after a 
 prince has fallen, it is but a little time that the deadly 
 spear lies at rest, fair though the bride may be. 
 
 ' ' Wherefore it may well displease the lord of the 
 Heathobards and all the thanes of that people when he 
 goes into the hall with his lady, that his warriors should 
 attend on a noble scion of the Danes, for on him gleam 
 the heirlooms of their fathers, hard and ring-adorned, 
 once the Heathobards' treasure, while they could still 
 wield their weapons, until in an evil day they led astray 
 into battle their dear companions and their own lives. 
 
 ' ' Then speaks one over the beer, an old warrior who 
 sees the jewel and who remembers all the slaughter of the 
 men ; and his soul is wrathful ; and, sad at heart, he be- 
 gins to try the spirit of the young warrior by the thoughts 
 of his breast, begins to waken war-fury, and speaks this 
 98 
 
[2046-2076] BEOWULF 
 
 word : ' Canst thou recognize the sword, my friend, the 
 precious blade that thy father bore into battle, when he 
 wore his helmet for the last time, in the hour when the 
 Danes, the bold Scyldings, slew him, and held the battle- 
 field, because Withergild was laid low after the fall of 
 heroes? Now some stripling, some offspring of those 
 murderers, walks our hall exulting in the spoil, boasts of 
 that slaughter, and wears the treasure which thou shouldst 
 rightly have.' 
 
 ' ' Thus he ever urges and provokes him with galling 
 words, until the time comes that the thane of the lady, 
 because of his father's deeds, sleeps all blood-stained 
 after the sword-stroke, forfeiting his life ; but the other 
 escapes thence alive, for he knows the land right well. 
 Then the warriors' oaths on both sides are broken, when 
 deadly hate wells up in Ingeld's heart, and the love of the 
 woman grows cooler within him, because of overwhelming 
 troubles. 
 
 " Therefore I count not sincere the faith of the Heatho- 
 bards nor their part in the peace with the Danes, nor do 
 I count their friendship true." 
 
 *'I must say on and tell again of Grendel, 
 that thou mayst fully know, O king, to what 
 issue the grappling came. After the jewel of 
 heaven had glided over the earth, the furious 
 monster, the terrible night-enemy, came to 
 find us out, where we all unharmed were 
 watching o'er the hall. There slaughter and 
 an awful death were hanging over Hondscio, 
 
 L.qFC. 99 
 
BEOWULF [2077-2100] 
 
 for he was a doomed man ; that girded war- 
 rior was the first to fall, for Grendel bit him 
 and slew him, our great kinsman-thane; he 
 devoured the whole body of the man we loved. 
 Yet none the sooner for that would the bloody- 
 toothed murderer, bent on destruction, get 
 him from the gold-hall with empty hands. 
 But he made trial of me and seized upon me 
 with his ready claw. His game-bag, won- 
 drous and large, was hanging, fast in cunning 
 bonds, it was all curiously wrought with dra- 
 gon-skins and strange devices of fiends. The 
 fierce monster thought to put me therein, me, 
 all sinless, and many another ; but he could 
 not so, when I in wrath arose and stood up- 
 right. It is too long to recount how I paid 
 that enemy a reward for his every crime. 
 Thus, O my lord, did I bring glory to thy 
 people by my deeds. He escaped and fled 
 away — a little while he enjoyed the delights 
 of life; but his right arm remained behind in 
 Heorot, marking his track, and he, humbled, 
 in woeful mood, fell thence to the bottom of 
 the mere. 
 
 "When morning was come and we had sat 
 down to the feast, the lord of the Scyldings 
 
[2IOI-2I28] BEOWULF 
 
 richly rewarded me for that great fight, with 
 beaten gold and many treasures. There was 
 song and glee. The aged Scylding, when he 
 had asked of many things, told of the days of 
 yore. At times a brave warrior touched the 
 joyous harp, the instrument of mirth; at 
 times he told a tale, truthful and sad; at 
 times the great-hearted king would relate 
 aright some strange legend; at times the 
 hoary warrior, stricken with age, would lament 
 his youth and battle-strength; his heart 
 swelled within him as, old in winters, he 
 thought on all the number of his days. 
 
 *' So all day long we took our pleasure there, 
 until another night came unto men. And 
 straightway thereafter, Grendel's mother was 
 ready for vengeance; sorrowful she journeyed 
 for death and the war-wrath of the Geats 
 had taken off her son. The woman-monster 
 avenged her child. Furiously she slew a 
 warrior. Life was departed from ^schere, 
 the aged counsellor. Nor could the Danes, 
 when morning was,come, burn the corpse with 
 fire, nor lay the beloved man upon the funeral 
 pile, for in her fiendish clutch she had borne 
 away the body 'neath the mountain stream. 
 
BEOWULF [2129-2148] 
 
 That was the bitterest of all the griefs that 
 had long befallen Hrothgar, prince of the 
 people. Then the king, heavy-hearted, be- 
 sought me by thy life to do a hero's deed, to 
 venture my life and win glory in the rush of 
 waters; he promised me reward. 
 
 "Then, as is well known, I found the grim 
 and awful guardian of the deep. And there 
 we fought for a time, hand to hand; the mere 
 was welling with gore. With a mighty sword 
 I smote off the head of Grendel's mother in 
 that sea-hall. Hardly did I get thence with 
 my life, but not yet was I doomed to die. 
 Thereafter the son of Healfdene, defence of 
 warriors, gave me many treasures. 
 
 XXXI 
 
 Beowulf makes an end of his story, and giveth Hygelac 
 all the gifts which he had of Hrothgar. Hygelac 
 rewardeth him again. 
 
 '* So the king of that people lived in seemly 
 wise. Nowise did I lose my reward, the meed 
 of valor, for the son of Healfdene gave me 
 treasures to enjoy at mine own will, which I 
 
[2148-2173] BEOWULF 
 
 will bring and gladly offer thee, O hero-king. 
 Every favor comes from thee, and I have few 
 blood-kinsmen saving thee, O Hygelac." 
 
 And he bade them bring in the boar head- 
 crest, the helm towering in battle, the gray 
 byrnie, and the splendid war-sword, and there- 
 upon he uttered these words: " Hrothgar, 
 the wise prince, gave unto me this battle- 
 armor, bidding me with express words to give 
 thee first his kindly greeting; and he said 
 that King Heorogar, lord of the Scyldings, 
 long possessed it, nevertheless he would not 
 give the breast-mail to his own son, the bold 
 Heoroward, gracious though he was towards 
 him. Do thou enjoy it well." 
 
 I have learned that four dappled horses, all 
 alike, followed upon the gift of the armor; 
 graciously he presented unto him the horses 
 and the treasures. So should a kinsman do, 
 and nowise weave a guileful snare for his 
 fellow, and plot the death of his comrade with 
 secret craft. Full loyal was that nephew to 
 Hygelac, the battle-strong; each took thought 
 for the other's joy. 
 
 I have heard that he gave unto Hygd the 
 necklace, the wondrous jewel curiously 
 103 
 
BEOWULF [2173-2195] 
 
 wrought, which Wealhtheow, the king's 
 daughter, had given him, and three horses 
 therewith, slender and brightly saddled. 
 Thereafter was her breast adorned, even from 
 the time when she received the circlet. 
 
 Thus the son of Ecgtheow behaved himself 
 in glorious wise, he who was famed for his 
 warfare and for his gracious deeds; full hon- 
 orably he lived, nor did he slay his hearth- 
 companions when they were drunken; his 
 heart was not cruel, but the brave warrior 
 with the greatest care of all mankind held fast 
 the bounteous gift which God had given him. 
 
 Long had he been despised, so that the 
 sons of the Geats had esteemed him not, nor 
 would the leader of the war-hosts do him 
 much honor at the mead-bench; often they 
 had deemed him slothful, an unwarlike prince. 
 That glorious man was rewarded for his every 
 sorrow. 
 
 Then the king, strong in battle, the de- 
 fence of heroes, bade them bring in the heir- 
 loom of Hrethel, all decked with gold, — 
 there was no dearer sword among the treas- 
 ures of the Geats. He laid it in Beowulf's 
 lap; and he gave to him seven thousand 
 104 
 
[2I95-2I99] BEOW UL F 
 
 pieces of money, and a castle and a princely 
 seat. Both of them possessed inherited land 
 in the nation, a home and its rights, but 
 Hygelac had the broad kingdom, and therein 
 he was the greater man. 
 
[2200-2213] 
 
 Part III 
 
 BEOWULF AND THE DRAGON 
 
 XXXI — Continued 
 
 How Beowulf hecame king and reigned for fifty years, 
 and how a great Dragon, who watched over a vast 
 treasure-hoard, wasted his land. 
 
 Thereafter in later days by reason of the 
 crash of battle it fell thus ; after Hygelac was 
 laid low, and Heardred had been slain by war- 
 swords piercing beneath the shield, at the time 
 when the War-Scyldings, fierce battle-wolves, 
 fell upon him among his victorious people and 
 overwhelmed the nephew of Hereric in war, — 
 after that, the broad kingdom came into the 
 hand of Beowulf. He ruled it well for fifty 
 winters,— and the king, aged guardian of the 
 land, was old, — until a certain dragon began 
 to hold sway on dark nights and work his will, 
 one who on a high mound kept watch over a 
 treasure-hoard in a steep and rocky cave. 
 106 
 
[2213-2232] BEOWULF 
 
 Beneath it lay a path, unknown to men. 
 But a certain slave entered there and eagerly 
 took from the heathen hoard ; he seized with 
 his hand a cup, bright with gold. Nor did he 
 give it back, albeit he had beguiled the keeper 
 of the hoard with thievish craft. The king, 
 best of heroes, learned of that deed, and he 
 was filled with wrath. 
 
 XXXII 
 
 Of the hoard in the mound and how the Dragon came 
 by it. The wrath of the Dragon. 
 
 Nowise of his own freewill and purpose did 
 the slave seek out the dragon's hoard, and 
 bring sore harm upon himself, but in dire need, 
 this thrall of one among the children of men 
 had fled from wrathful blows, a homeless 
 wretch, haunted by sin, and he had entered 
 there. But soon it had come to pass that 
 awful terror seized upon the invader ;. . . .just 
 as the terror got hold of him he saw the 
 precious cup. 
 
 Many olden treasures were lying in that 
 107 
 
BEOWULF [2232-2256] 
 
 cave of earth where a certain man in days of 
 yore had hidden away the dear possessions, 
 taking thought for the great bequest of his 
 noble kin. Death had snatched away those 
 men in times gone by, and, at the last, the 
 one who tarried longest there of all that 
 mighty line was mourning for his friends ; 
 yet he would fain live that he might enjoy for 
 a little time those olden treasures. 
 
 There was a new mound ready on the plain, 
 near to the cliff hard by the ocean-waves, 
 made fast by cunning craft. Thither the 
 keeper of rings bore that heavy store of 
 beaten gold, the princely treasures ; and he 
 spoke a few words : ''Now do thou hold, oh 
 Earth — since heroes could not hold—this 
 princely treasure, for, lo ! in thee at first the 
 good men found it. Every man of my people 
 who hath yielded up this life, dread slaughter, 
 death in war, hath swept away; — they had 
 known the pleasures of the hall! None have 
 I to wield the sword, none to burnish the 
 plated beaker, the precious drinking-cup ; — 
 the warrior-heroes are departed otherwhere. 
 The hard helmet, decked with gold, must be 
 bereft of its adornments; they sleep who 
 108 
 
[2256-2281] BEOWULF 
 
 once did brighten it, they who prepared the 
 masks of war. Likewise the coat of mail which, 
 amid the crash of shields, was proof against 
 the bite of swords in battle, moulders with 
 the hero; the byrnie may no longer make 
 far journeys with the war-leader, together 
 with heroes. There is no joy of harp, no 
 mirth of the gleewood, no good hawk swinging 
 through the hall, no swift horse beating with his 
 hoof the castle-yard. Baleful death hath sent 
 forth many mortals on their way." Thus, alone 
 and heavy-hearted, he sorrowfully lamented for 
 them all, mournfully weeping by day and night 
 until the surge of death touched at his heart. 
 
 Then the beauteous hoard, standing all 
 open, had been found by the old twilight foe, 
 the naked venomous dragon, he who, wrapped 
 in flames, haunteth the mounds, and flies by 
 night begirt with fire; of him the dwellers in 
 the land are sore afraid. It is his wont to find 
 out some hoard in the earth, where, old in win- 
 ters, he shall guard the heathen gold, — but 
 naught the better will he fare for that! 
 
 Thus for three hundred winters the scourge 
 of the people had held the vast treasure-cave 
 within the earth, until a certain man angered 
 109 
 
BEOWULF [2281-2303] 
 
 him in his heart, and bore away a plated 
 beaker to his lord, and prayed his master for 
 a covenant of peace. Thus the hoard was 
 plundered, and a part of the treasure taken 
 away. But his boon was granted to that 
 wretched man. His lord beheld for the first 
 time that handiwork of ancient men. 
 
 Soon as the dragon woke, strife was begun ; 
 fierce at heart he sniffed along the rock, and 
 found out the tracks of his foe, for with secret 
 craft he had gone on too far, hard by the 
 dragon's head. So the man not doomed to 
 die easily escapeth woe and banishment, e'en 
 he whom the grace of the Lord upholdeth. 
 The keeper of the hoard sought eagerly along 
 the ground, he wished to find the man who 
 had wrought him this mischief in his sleep. 
 Wroth and hot-hearted, he circled oft around 
 the mound without; — but there was none 
 upon the waste. Yet he rejoiced in the 
 thought of battle, in warfare to come. At 
 times he would turn back to the mound, and 
 seek his precious cup. Soon he discovered 
 that some one of menfolk had found out the 
 gold, his splendid treasure. 
 
 Impatiently the keeper of the hoard waited 
 
[2303-2318] BEOWULF 
 
 till even was come; the guardian of the mound 
 was mad with wrath; the foe wished to re- 
 pay them with fire and burning for the loss 
 of his dear cup. And the day departed, e'en 
 as the dragon wished. No longer, then, 
 would he abide at his den, but went forth 
 flaming, all girdled with fire. Fearful was 
 the beginning for the men of that land, even 
 as the end was bitter, which straight there- 
 after fell upon their gracious lord. 
 
 XXXIII 
 
 The Dragon hurneth Beowulf's hall, and the old king 
 maketh ready to go out against him. Of Beowulf's 
 early deeds in battle, and of the death of Heardred. 
 
 Then the monster began to spew forth coals 
 of fire and burn the bright dwellings; the 
 surging flame leaped forth, terrifying the 
 people ; the loathed flier of the air meant to 
 leave naught in that place alive. The war- 
 fare of the dragon, the vengeance of the 
 deadly foe, near and far was manifest, how 
 
BEOWULF [2318-2341] 
 
 the destroyer hated and humbled the Geatish 
 folk. Ere break of day he shot back to 
 his hoard again, to his dark and secret hall. 
 He had encompassed the men of that land 
 with flame, with fire and burning, trusting for 
 defence in his mound, his wall, and his might 
 in warfare ; — his trust betrayed him ! 
 
 And forthwith the terror was made known 
 unto Beowulf, how for a truth his own home, 
 best of halls, the gift-seat of the Geats, had 
 melted away in waves of fire. The good man 
 suffered pain at heart, most grievous sorrow; 
 the wise hero thought that, sinning against 
 the ancient laws, he had provoked to anger 
 the Almighty, the Lord eternal; his breast 
 within him surged with dark thoughts, as was 
 not his wont. 
 
 The fire-dragon with his burning coals had 
 utterly destroyed the fortress, stronghold of 
 the people, the water-washed fastness. There- 
 fore the war-king, chief of the Weders, de- 
 vised revenge upon him. Then the defence 
 of warriors, lord of heroes, bade them make 
 him a wondrous battle-shield, all of iron; for 
 he knew full well that a shield of linden wood 
 from the forest could avail him naught against 
 
[2341-2365] BEOWULF 
 
 the flame. But the valiant prince was doomed 
 to meet the end of his fleeting days, of this 
 worldly life, and the dragon too, though- he 
 had long held the hoarded treasure. 
 
 But the ring-prince scorned to seek out the 
 wide-flying pest with a host of men, a great 
 army; he had no fear of the combat for him- 
 self, nor did he esteem at all the dragon's 
 war-might, his strength and prowess; foras- 
 much as aforetime, though in narrow straits, 
 he had come safe through many a contest, 
 many a battle-crash, after the time that he, 
 crowned with victory, cleansed Hrothgar's 
 hall, and closed in fight with Grendel's kin of 
 loathed race. 
 
 Nor was that the least of contests in which 
 Hygelac, son of Hrethel, was slain in the 
 storm of battle, when the king of the Geats, 
 kind lord of the people, smitten by the sword, 
 died a bloody death in Friesland. Thence 
 Beowulf came off by his own strength, swim- 
 ming the waves; upon his arm he had thirty 
 suits of armor, when all alone he went down 
 to the sea. The Hetwaras, who had borne 
 out their shields against him, had no cause 
 to boast of their warfare, for few escaped 
 "3 
 
BEOWULF [2366-2390] 
 
 from that war-wolf unto their home. So the 
 son of Ecgtheow, wretched and alone, swam 
 over the expanse of the waters back to his 
 own people. There Hygd offered him the 
 kingdom and the treasure, wealth and royal 
 throne, for she put no trust in her child, that he 
 would be able to hold the native seats against 
 foreign tribes, now that Hygelac was dead. Yet 
 none the sooner could the bereaved people per- 
 suade the prince on any conditions to become 
 Heardred's lord and take the kingdom ; never- 
 theless he upheld Heardred among the people 
 with friendly counsel, with favor, and with honor, 
 until he grew older and ruled the Weder-Geats. 
 But banished men, the sons of Ohthere, 
 came to his land from overseas ; they had re- 
 belled against the lord of the Scylfings, the 
 great prince, best of the sea-kings that dealt 
 out treasure in the Swedish land. Thus 
 Heardred's death was brought about; Hyge- 
 lac's son, destitute, there received the allotted 
 death-wound by blows of the sword. And, 
 after the fall of Heardred, the son of Ongen- 
 theow returned unto his home, and suffered 
 Beowulf to have the royal throne, and rule 
 over the Geats, — he was a good king! 
 114 
 
[2391-2408] BEOWULF 
 
 XXXIV 
 
 Eovi Heardred was avenged. Beowulf goes forth. He 
 tells of his early years and of the death of Hereheald 
 and Hcetheyn, and how Hygelae was king. 
 
 In later days Beowulf bethought him of 
 retribution for the prince's fall ; he befriended 
 the wretched Eadgils. Sailing over the broad 
 sea, he supported the son of Ohthere with his 
 army, with his warriors and weapons. There- 
 after Eadgils avenged himself for his drear 
 and bitter exile, and took the life of the king. 
 
 Thus the son of Ecgtheow had come safe 
 through his every conflict, every perilous fight 
 and brave adventure, even unto that great day 
 in which he was to give battle to the dragon. 
 Then the lord of the Geats, being filled with 
 wrath, went forth with twelve companions to 
 look upon the serpent. He had learned how 
 the feud arose, the deadly [hatred toward his 
 men, for he had received the goodly treasure- 
 cup from the hand of him who found it. He 
 was the thirteenth in the band, e'en the man 
 who had caused the beginning of the feud, a 
 captive sad at heart. Him they compelled in 
 115 
 
BEOWULF [2408-2431] 
 
 downcast mood to guide them to the spot. 
 Unwillingly he went to where he knew that 
 earth-hall stood, a cavern under ground, hard 
 by the struggling waves and the surge of the 
 waters; within, it was full of jewels and fili- 
 gi'ees. The awful guardian, a ready fighter, 
 had long watched o'er his golden treasures 
 under the earth. No easy task was it for any 
 man to purchase entrance there. 
 
 Then the king, strong in battle, the boun- 
 teous lord of the Geats, sat him down upon 
 the headland, while he bade farewell to his 
 hearth-companions. His spirit was full of sor- 
 row, wavering, and ready to depart; Wyrd 
 was upon him, she who was to come unto 
 that aged man, to seek out the treasure of 
 his soul and put asunder the life from the 
 body ; no long time was it now that the prince's 
 soul was to be enwrapped in flesh. Beowulf, 
 son of Ecgtheow, spoke: "In my youth I 
 passed through many a battle-onset, many an 
 hour of strife ; I remember all. I was seven 
 winters old when the treasure-prince, dear lord 
 of the people, received me from the hand of 
 my father; King Hrethel had me and held me 
 as his own; he gave me of his treasure and 
 116 
 
[2431-2456] BEOWULF 
 
 his food, remembering our kinship. Never, 
 while a thane in his hall, was I a whit less dear 
 to him than any of his sons, Herebeald, 
 Haethcyn, or Hygelac my lord. For the 
 eldest born a kinsman's deed did strew the 
 bed of death, as was not meet, for Haeth- 
 cyn laid him low, him his dear lord, with 
 a bolt from his bow of horn; he missed 
 the mark, and shot his kinsman down, — with 
 the bloody dart brother did brother slay. It 
 was a deed sinfully committed, not to be 
 atoned, sickening to the heart, yet howe'er it 
 were, the prince must needs depart from life 
 unavenged. 
 
 **In like manner it is a piteous thing for_ 
 an aged man to live to see his young son 
 swinging upon the gallows; he utters his 
 lament, his song of woe, while his son hangeth 
 there for the raven's delight, and he, old and 
 full of years, can do naught to help him. Ever 
 at morn he will be minded of his son's de- 
 parture, nor will he care to await another heir 
 within his home, since this one, through the 
 pangs of death, hath received for his deeds. 
 Worn with sorrow, he seeth in his son's dwell- 
 ing, all bereft of revelry, a deserted wine-hall, 
 117 
 
BEOWULF [2456-2472] 
 
 where the winds linger; — riders and heroes 
 are sleeping in the grave; there is no sound 
 of harp, no joy within the courts, as formerly 
 there was." 
 
 XXXV 
 
 Beowulf ends Ms discourse, and bids farewell to his 
 thanes. He shouts aloud, and the Dragon comes 
 forth. The fight begins. It goes hard with Beowulf. 
 
 **Then he goes to his bed, chanting in his 
 loneliness a song of lamentation for the de- 
 parted one; fields and dwelling-place, all 
 seemed too empty for him. Even so suffered 
 the defence of the Weders, while his heart 
 within him surged with sorrow in memory of 
 Herebeald. In nowise could he avenge the 
 feud upon the murderer; none the sooner with 
 hostile deeds could he wreak his hatred on 
 the warrior, though he was not dear to him. 
 Then, because of the sorrow which that wound 
 cost him, he gave o'er the joys of men; he 
 chose the light of God. He left to his sons, 
 as a rich man is wont, his land and chief cities, 
 when he departed from life. 
 
 ''Then, after the death of Hrethel, there 
 was feud and strife, contest and fierce hostility 
 118 
 
[2472-2498] BEOWULF 
 
 between the Geats and the Swedes o'er the 
 wide water; and the sons of Ongentheow grew 
 bold and eager for warfare ; they would not 
 keep the peace beyond the seas, but made 
 many terrible inroads around Hreosnabeorh. 
 For that my kinsmen took revenge, for the 
 feud and the treachery, as was well known, 
 although one bought it with his life, — a heavy 
 price; Hsethcyn, lord of the Geats, fell in 
 that war. But I heard men say that in the 
 morning, when Ongentheow met with Eofor, 
 brother avenged brother upon the murderer, 
 with the edge of the sword ; the helmet was 
 split asunder, — Ongentheow, the aged Scyl- 
 fing, fell, pale in death ; the hand that smote 
 remembered feuds enough, it did not withhold 
 the death-blow. 
 
 "Then in my warfare it was granted me 
 to pay Hygelac with my flashing sword for 
 the treasures he had given me. He bestowed 
 upon me land, a dwelling-place and the joys 
 of a home. He did not need to seek out a 
 worse warrior among the Gifths or the Spear- 
 Danes or in the Swedish realm, and hire him 
 for pay. Ever was I wont to be before him 
 in his host, alone in the van. And even so all 
 119 
 
BEOWULF [2498-2523] 
 
 my life long will I wage warfare, while lasts 
 this sword which has often served me early 
 and late, e'er since in my valor I slew Dseg- 
 hrefn with my hand, him who was champion 
 of the Hugas. By no means was he suffered 
 to carry spoils, fair breast-adornments, unto 
 the Frisian king, for the standard-keeper fell 
 in battle, a prince in his might; he was not 
 slain with the sword, — the grapple of war 
 crushed his body and the beating of his heart. 
 But now the edge of the sword, hand and hard 
 blade, must do battle for the treasure." 
 
 Beowulf spoke; for the last time he uttered 
 boastful words: '' In the days of my youth I 
 ventured on many battles ; and even now will 
 I, the aged guardian of my people, go into 
 the fight and do memorable deeds, if the great 
 destroyer come forth to me out of his cavern." 
 Then for the last time he greeted each of the 
 men, bold helmet-wearers, his own dear com- 
 panions. *'I would not bear a sword or any 
 weapon against the Serpent, if I knew how 
 else I could maintain my boast against the 
 monster, as I did of old against Grendel. But 
 I look for hot battle-fire there, for the ven- 
 omous blast of his nostrils ; therefore I have 
 
[2523-2547] BEOWULF 
 
 upon me shield and byrnie. I will not flee 
 one foot's breadth from the keeper of that 
 mound, but it shall be with us twain at the 
 wall as Wyrd, lord of every man, allotteth. I 
 am eager in spirit, so that I forbear boasting 
 against the winged warrior. But do ye men 
 tarry upon the mound with your armor upon 
 you, clad in your byrnies, to see which of us 
 twain after the strife shall survive the deadly 
 woundings. It is no exploit for you, nor for 
 the might of any man, save mine alone to meas- 
 ure strength with the monster and do heroic 
 deeds. I will boldly win the gold, or else 
 battle, yea an evil death, shall take away your 
 lord." 
 
 Then the mighty warrior rose up with his 
 shield, stern under his helmet; he bore his 
 battle-mail beneath the stony cliffs ; he trusted 
 in his single strength. That is no coward's 
 way! And he beheld hard by the wall, — he of 
 noble worth, who had passed through many 
 wars and clashing battles when armed hosts 
 close in fight, — where stood an arch of stone 
 and a stream breaking out thence from the 
 mound ; the surge of the stream was hot with 
 battle-fire. The hero could not abide near 
 
BEOWULF [2547-2572] 
 
 the hoard anywhile unburned, because of the 
 dragon's flame. 
 
 Then the lord of the Geats, for he was 
 wroth, sent forth a word from his breast. The 
 stout-hearted warrior stormed ; his voice bat- 
 tle-clear, entered in and rang under the hoary 
 rock. The keeper of the hoard knew the 
 speech of men, and his hatred was stirred. 
 There was no more time to seek for peace. 
 First came forth out of the rock the breath of 
 the evil beast, the hot reek of battle. The 
 earth resounded. The hero 'neath the mound, 
 lord of the Geats, swung up his shield against 
 the awful foe, and the heart of the coiled 
 monster grew eager to go out to the strife. 
 Already the good warrior-king had drawn his 
 sword, that olden heirloom, undulled of edge. 
 Each of those destroyers was struck with 
 terror by the other. Stout-hearted stood 
 that prince of friends against his tall shield, 
 while the dragon coiled himself quickly to- 
 gether; Beowulf awaited him in his armor. 
 
 Then the flaming dragon, curving like a bow, 
 advanced upon him, hastening to his fate. A 
 shorter time did the shield protect well the 
 life and body of the mighty king than his 
 
[2572-2597] BEOWULF 
 
 hopes had looked for, if haply he were to get 
 victory in the combat at that time, early in the 
 day; but Wyrd did not thus appoint for him. 
 The lord of the Geats lifted his hand and 
 smote the hideous-gleaming foe with his 
 weighty sword, in such wise that the brown 
 blade weakened as it fell upon the bone, and 
 bit less deeply than its lord had need of, when 
 sore beset. Then, at the sword-stroke, the 
 keeper of the mound was furious in spirit. 
 He cast forth devouring fire. Far and wide 
 shot the deadly flame. The lord of the Geats 
 nowise boasted of victory, for his naked war- 
 sword, his excellent blade, weakened in the 
 fight, as was not meet. It was no easy course 
 for the mighty son of Ecgtheow to forsake 
 this earth forever; yet he was doomed against 
 his will to take up his abode in a dwelling 
 otherwhere. So every man must quit these 
 fleeting days. 
 
 It was not long ere the fighters closed again. 
 The keeper of the hoard plucked up his 
 courage; his breast heaved anew with his 
 venomous breathing. He who erewhile ruled 
 the people was hard put to it, being encom- 
 passed by fire. In nowise did his own com- 
 123 
 
BEOWULF [2597-2613] 
 
 panions, sons of heroes, surround him in a 
 band with warlike valor, but they took refuge 
 in the wood to save their lives. There was 
 but one among them whose heart surged with 
 sorrows. Naught can ever put aside the bond 
 of friendship in him who thinketh aright. 
 
 XXXVI 
 
 Wiglaf, a young thane of Beowulf's, upbraids his fellows 
 and goes to the help of the old king. Beowulf's 
 sword is shattered in the fight, and he gets a deadly 
 wound. 
 
 He was called Wiglaf, son of Weohstan, a be- 
 loved warrior, lord of the Scylfings, kinsman 
 of ^Ifhere. He saw his lord suffering the 
 heat under his helmet; and he remembered all 
 the benefits which Beowulf had given him in 
 time past, the rich dwelling-place of the 
 Waegmundings, and every folk-right which his 
 father possessed. And he could not forbear, 
 but seized the shield, the yellow linden, with 
 his hand, and drew forth his old sword. This 
 was known among men as an heirloom of 
 Eanmund, son of Ohthere, whom, when a 
 friendless exile, Weohstan slew in fight with 
 124 
 
[2614-2639] BEOWULF 
 
 the edge of the sword; he bore to his kins- 
 man the brown-hued helmet, the ringed byrnie, 
 the old giant-sword that Onela had given him ; 
 they were his comrade's war-harness, his ready 
 armor. He spoke not of the feud, though he 
 had killed his brother's son. He held the 
 spoils, the sword and byrnie, for many years 
 until his son could do a hero's deeds, like his 
 father before him. Then he gave to him, 
 among the Geats, war-harness of all kinds 
 without number, when, full of years, he 
 passed forth out of life along his last way. 
 
 This was the first time that the young war- 
 rior was to engage in the storm of war with 
 his high lord. But his heart melted not within 
 him, nor did his kinsman's heirloom weaken 
 in the fight. That the dragon learned after 
 they had come together. 
 
 Wiglaf spoke many fitting words, saying to 
 his companions, — for his soul was sad within 
 him: *'I remember the time when, as we 
 drank the mead in the beer-hall, we promised 
 our lord, him who gave us these rings, that we 
 would repay him for the war-harness, for hel- 
 mets and hard swords, if need like this befell 
 him. Of his own will he chose us from his 
 125 
 
BEOWULF [2639-2665] 
 
 host for this adventure, urged us to do glo- 
 riously, and gave me these treasures, since he 
 deemed us good spearmen, keen helm-bearers, 
 albeit our lord, defender of his people, had 
 thought to do this mighty work alone, for 
 that he of all men hath performed most of 
 famed exploits and daring deeds. Now the day 
 is come when our lord needs the might of good 
 warriors. Let us on to his help, whilst the heat 
 is upon him, and the grim terror of the fire. 
 
 '*God knows of me that I would much 
 rather that the flame should enwrap my body 
 with my king's. Methinks it unseemly that we 
 should bear our shields back to our home, un- 
 less we can first strike down the foe and de- 
 fend the life of the Weders' king. Full well 
 I know that it is not according to his old 
 deserts that he alone of all the Geatish force 
 should endure the pain and sink in the fight. 
 There shall be one sword and one helmet, one 
 shield and one byrnie in common unto us." 
 
 Then he sped through the noisome smoke, 
 bearing his war-helmet to the aid of his lord ; 
 he spoke a few words; ** Beloved Beowulf, 
 now do thou all things well, as thou of old 
 sworest in the days of thy youth that thou 
 126 
 
[2665-2689] BEOWULF 
 
 wouldstnot let thy glory fade while thou didst 
 live. Now, O resolute hero, famed for thy 
 deeds, thou must defend thy life with all thy 
 might. Lo, I will help thee." 
 
 After these words, the dragon, awful mon- 
 ster, flashing with blazing flames, came on all 
 wroth a second time to meet his hated foe- 
 men. Wiglaf's shield was burned away to the 
 boss in the waves of fire; the byrnie could 
 give no help to the young spear-warrior. But 
 the youth went quickly under his kinsman's 
 shield, since his own had been burned to ashes 
 in the fire. Then again the war-king took 
 thought for his glory ; mightily he smote with 
 his battle-sword so that it stood in the dragon's 
 head, driven by force. Naegling was shivered 
 in pieces; Beowulf's sword, old and gray- 
 marked, weakened in the fight; — it was not 
 granted that the iron blade should help him 
 in the strife. Too strong was the hand, as I 
 have heard, which by its blow overtaxed all 
 swords whatsoever; so that he fared none the 
 better for it, when he bore into the fight a 
 weapon wondrous hard. 
 
 Then the destroyer of people, the dread 
 fire-dragon, for the third time was mindful of 
 127 
 
BEOWULF [2689-2708] 
 
 the feud. He rushed on the brave hero, when 
 ground was yielded him. Hot and fierce, he 
 seized upon Beowulf's whole neck with his sharp 
 teeth. He was all bloodied over with his life- 
 blood ; the gore welled forth in streams. 
 
 XXXVII 
 
 They slay the Dragon. The king is nigh unto death. 
 
 Then I have heard men tell how, in the 
 king's great need, Wiglaf, the hero, showed 
 forth unceasing courage, skill and valor, as 
 was natural to him ; he heeded not the dragon's 
 head (though the brave hero's hand was burned 
 as he helped his kinsman), but the armed man 
 smote the evil beast a littler lower down, inso- 
 much that the bright and plated sword drove 
 into him, and the fire began to wane forth- 
 with. Then the king recovered himself once 
 more ; he drew the short-sword, keen and sharp 
 in battle, which he wore on his byrnie. The 
 defence of the Weders cut the Serpent asunder 
 in the middle. They struck down the foe; 
 their might drove forth his life, and thus 
 they twain, noble kinsmen, destroyed him. 
 128 
 
[2708-2733] BEOWULF 
 
 E'en such should a man be, a thane good at 
 need. That was the king's last hour of victory 
 by his own great deeds, the last of his worldly 
 work. 
 
 But the wound which the earth-dragon had 
 given him began to burn and swell ; presently 
 he found that poison, deadly venom, was 
 surging in his breast. Then the prince, still 
 wise in mind, moved along so that he might 
 seat him by the mound; he saw that work of 
 giants, saw how the rocky arches standing 
 firm on their pillars, upheld within the earth- 
 hall everlasting. Then the thane, surpassing 
 good, taking water, with his hands bathed 
 the great king, his own dear lord, all gory 
 and wearied with battle, and loosened his 
 helmet. 
 
 Beowulf spoke and uttered words, despite 
 his wound, his piteous battle-hurt; full well 
 he knew that his life of earthly joy was 
 spent, that the appointed number of his days 
 was run, and Death exceeding near: "Now 
 would I give my war-harness unto my son, 
 had I been granted any heir, born of my 
 body, to come after me. Fifty winters have 
 I ruled this people ; yet there was never a 
 129 
 
BEOWULF [2733-2754] 
 
 king of all the neighbor tribes who durst 
 attack me with the sword or oppress me with 
 terror. In my home I awaited what the times 
 held in store for me, kept well mine own, 
 sought out no wily quarrels, swore not many 
 a false oath. In all this I can rejoice, though 
 death-sick with my wounds, inasmuch as the 
 Ruler of men cannot reproach me with murder 
 of kinsmen, when my life parteth from my 
 body. Now do thou, dear Wiglaf, lightly go 
 and view the hoard 'neath the gray rock, now 
 the dragon lieth low, sleepeth sore wounded, 
 bereft of his treasure. Do thou make haste 
 that I may behold the olden treasures, that 
 store of gold, and look upon those bright and 
 curious gems ; and thus, having seen the treas- 
 ured wealth, I may the easier quit life and the 
 kingdom which long I have ruled." 
 
 XXXVIII 
 
 ^Beowulf heholdeth the treasure, andpasseth. 
 
 And I have heard how the son of Weohstan, 
 after these words, quickly obeyed his wounded 
 lord, sick from the battle ; he bore his ringed 
 130 
 
[2754-2778] BEOWULF 
 
 mail-shirt, the woven battle-sark, 'neath the 
 roof of the cave. And the brave thane, ex- 
 ultant victor, as he went by the seat, saw 
 many precious jewels, much glistering gold 
 lying upon the ground and wondrous treas- 
 ures on the wall, and the den of the dragon, 
 the old twilight-flier; bowls lay there, vessels 
 of bygone men, with none to brighten them, 
 their adornments fallen away. There was 
 many a helmet old and rusty, many an arm- 
 ring cunningly twisted. Treasure of gold 
 found in the earth can easily puff with pride 
 the heart of any man, hide it who will. Like- 
 wise he saw a banner all of gold standing 
 there, high above the hoard, greatest of won- 
 ders, woven by skill of hand; from it there 
 shone a ray of light, so that he could see the 
 cavern floor, and examine the fair jewels. 
 Naught was to be seen of the dragon there, 
 for the sword had undone him! 
 
 Thus I have heard how one man alone at 
 his own free will plundered the hoard within 
 the cave, the old work of the giants, how he 
 laid in his bosom beakers and dishes; he took 
 the banner, too, that brightest of beacons. 
 The old lord's blade, with its iron edge, had 
 131 
 
BEOWULF [2778-2803] 
 
 sorely injured him who long had been the 
 owner of these treasures, who at midnight had 
 borne about the fiery terror, dreadfully surg- 
 ing, hot before the hoard, until he died the 
 death. 
 
 The messenger was in haste, eager to re- 
 turn, enriched with spoils. The great-hearted 
 man was spurred with longing to know 
 whether he would find alive the lord of the 
 Weders, grievously sick, in the place where 
 he had left him. And bringing the treasures, 
 he found the great prince, his lord, bleeding, 
 at the point of death; he began to sprinkle 
 him again with water until the word's point 
 broke through the treasure of his heart, and 
 Beowulf spoke, aged and sorrowful, as he 
 gazed upon the gold: "I utter thanks unto 
 the Ruler of all. King of Glory, the everlast- 
 ing Lord, for these fair things, which here I 
 look upon, inasmuch as ere my death-day I 
 have been able to win them for my people. 
 I have sold and paid mine aged life for the 
 treasure-hoard. Fulfil ye now the needs of 
 the people. Here can I be no more. Bid 
 the brave warriors rear a splendid mound at 
 the sea-cape after my body is burned. 
 132 
 
[2804-2824] BEOWULF 
 
 Thereon Whale's Ness shall it tower high as a 
 memorial for my people, so that seafarers, 
 they who drive from far their great ships over 
 the misty floods, may in aftertime call it 
 * Beowulf's Mound.' " 
 
 The great-hearted king took from his neck 
 the ring of gold ; gave to his thane, the youth- 
 ful warrior, his helmet gold-adorned, his ring 
 and his byrnie, bade him enjoy them well. 
 
 *' Thou art the latest left of all our kin, the 
 Wsegmundings. Wyrd hath swept away all 
 my kinsmen, heroes in their might, to the 
 appointed doom. I must after them." 
 
 That was the old king's last word from the 
 thoughts of his heart, ere he yielded to the 
 bale-fire, the hotly surging flames. His soul 
 departed from out his bosom unto the reward of 
 the righteous. 
 
 XXXIX 
 
 Wiglaf bitterly upbraids those craven thanes. 
 
 Thus it went full hard with the young man 
 to see his best-beloved friend lying lifeless on 
 the ground, faring most wretchedly. His de- 
 133 
 
BEOWULF [2824-2851] 
 
 stroyer lay there too, the horrid earth-dragon, 
 bereft of life, crushed in ruin. No longer 
 could the coiled serpent rule over treasure- 
 hoards, for the edge of the sword, the hard, 
 battle-notched work of the hammer, had de- 
 stroyed him, and he had fallen to the ground 
 near his hoard-hall, stilled by the wounding. 
 No more in play did he whirl through the air 
 at midnight, and show himself forth, proud of 
 his treasure, for he sank to earth by the 
 mighty hand of the battle-chief. 
 
 Indeed, as I have heard, it hath prospered 
 few men in the world, e'en though mighty, 
 however daring in their every deed, to rush 
 on against the breath of a venomous foe, or 
 to disturb his treasure-hall, if they found the 
 keeper waking, abiding in his mound. Beo- 
 wulf paid with his death for his share in the 
 splendid riches. Both of them had reached 
 the end of this fleeting life. 
 
 It was not long thereafter that the cowards 
 left the wood, those faint-hearted traitors, the 
 ten of them together, e'en they who in their 
 lord's great need had not dared to brandish 
 the spear. But shamefully now they bore 
 their shields, their war-armor, to where the 
 134 
 
[2851-2877] BEOWULF 
 
 old man lay. They looked upon Wiglaf. 
 The wearied warrior was sitting by his lord's 
 shoulder; he was trying to revive him with 
 water, but it availed him naught. He could 
 not stay the chieftain's life on earth, though 
 dearly he wished it, nor change the will of 
 God in aught. The judgment of the Lord was 
 wont to rule the deeds of every man, e'en as 
 still it doth. 
 
 And straightway the youth had a fierce and 
 ready answer for those whose courage had 
 failed them. Wiglaf, son of Weohstan, spoke, 
 sad at heart, as he looked upon those hated 
 men: "Lo! he who is minded to speak the 
 truth may say that the liege lord, he who gave 
 you these treasures, e'en the battle-armor in 
 which ye are standing, — what time at the ale- 
 bench the king gave oft unto his thanes, 
 sitting in the hall, helms and byrnies, the 
 choicest far or near which he could find, — 
 that he utterly and wretchedly wasted that 
 war-harness. Nowise did the king need to 
 boast of his comrades in arms when strife 
 overtook him; yet God, the Lord of victory, 
 granted him unaided to avenge himself with 
 the sword, when he had need of valor. Little 
 135 
 
BEOWULF [2877-2897] 
 
 protection could I give him in the fight ; and 
 yet I tried what was beyond my power, — to 
 help my kinsman. It was ever the worse for 
 the deadly foe when I smote him with the 
 sword, the fire less fiercely flamed from his 
 head. Too few defenders thronged about 
 their lord when the dread moment fell. Now, 
 all sharing of treasure, all gifts of swords, all 
 hope, all rights of home, shall cease from 
 your kin. Every man of your house shall 
 roam, bereft of tribal rights, as soon as the 
 princes in far countries hear of your flight, 
 your inglorious deed. Death is better for 
 every man than a life of shame! " 
 
 XL AND XLI 
 
 Beowulf's death is announced to the host. The messenger 
 discourses. The people go to the place of the fight. 
 
 Then he bade announce the issue of the 
 fight to the stronghold up over the sea-cliff, 
 where the sad warrior-band had been sitting 
 by their shields the morning long, looking 
 either for the death or the return of their 
 dear lord. Little did he keep silence of the 
 136 
 
[2898-2921] BEOWULF 
 
 new tidings, he who rode up the headland, 
 but truthfully spoke before them all: **Now 
 the chief of the Weder people, lord of the 
 Geats, source of all our joy, is fast in the bed 
 of death ; he lieth low in slaughter because of 
 the Dragon's deeds. Beside him lieth his 
 deadly adversary, slain by the wounding of 
 the knife ; for with the sword he could nowise 
 wound the monster. Wiglaf, the son of 
 Weohstan, sitteth over Beowulf, the living 
 hero by the dead; over his head with weary 
 heart he keepeth watch for friend and foe. 
 
 ** Now the people may look for a season of 
 war as soon as the fall of the king is published 
 abroad among the Franks and the Frisians. 
 A fierce strife with the Hugas arose when 
 Hygelac came with a fleet upon the Frisian 
 land; there the Hetwaras vanquished him in 
 battle; by their valor, with an overwhelming 
 army, they forced the mailed warrior to sink 
 in the fight; he fell amid his host. The 
 prince gave no spoils to his warriors. Ne'er 
 since then has the favor of the Merovingian 
 been granted unto us. 
 
 137 
 
BEOWULF [2922-2948] 
 
 THE BATTLE OF RAVENSWOOD 
 
 The messenger telleth how Ongentheow, king of the Swedes, 
 besieged the Geats in Ravenswood until King Hygelac 
 came to them. How two Geaiish brothers, Eofor and 
 Wulf, killed King Ongentheow in the battle that fol- 
 lowed, and how they were rewarded by Hygelac. 
 
 ' ' Nor do I anywise look for peace or truth from the 
 ' Swedes, for 'twas widely known that Ongentheow took 
 the life of Hsethcyn, son of Hrethel, near Ravenswood, 
 what time the War-Scylfings in vainglory did first attack 
 the Geats. Straightway the aged father of Ohthere, old 
 and terrible, retaliated ; he slew Hsethcyn, the sea-king, 
 the old man rescued his wife, though robbed of her gold, 
 his spouse, the mother of Ohthere and Onela, and then he 
 followed after his deadly foes, until they escaped with 
 difficulty into Ravenswood, deprived of their lord. Then 
 with a great army he beset the remnant left by the sword, 
 weary with their wounds; oft during all that night did he 
 threaten woe to the hapless band ; said that on the mor- 
 row he would slay them with the edge of the sword, and 
 hang some of them on the gallows for a delight to the 
 birds. 
 
 "With daybreak comfort came to the heavy-hearted 
 men, when they heard Hygelac's horn and the blast of his 
 trumpet, as the good king came marching on in their track 
 with his mighty men. 
 
 ' ' Far and wide was to be seen the bloody track of 
 Swedes and Geats, the warriors* deadly strife,— how the 
 peoples, each with each, stirred up the feud. Then the 
 138 
 
[2949-2983] BEOWULF 
 
 good chief Ongentheow, aged and downcast, retreated 
 with his comrades to the stronghold, the warrior turned 
 back towards the upland ; he had learned of the proud 
 chief's warfare, of Hygelac's might in the battle. He 
 trusted not in resistance, trusted not that he could defy 
 the seamen, the ocean-farers, and defend his treasure, his 
 children and wife ; the old man drew back thence under 
 the earth-wall. 
 
 ' • Then chase was given to the Swedish folk and 
 Hygelac's standard reared. Forth they went over that 
 peace-plain, until the Hrethlings thronged up to the in- 
 closure. There Ongentheow, the white-haired, was 
 driven to bay with the edge of the sword, so that the 
 mighty king was forced to submit to the sole will of 
 Eofor. Wulf, son of Wonred, struck at him fiercely with 
 his weapon so that at the blow the blood burst forth in 
 streams from 'neath his hair. Yet the aged Scylfing was 
 not daunted ; but the king quickly repaid that deadly 
 stroke with worse exchange, when he turned upon him. 
 The swift son of Wonred could not return the blow to 
 that aged man, for Ongentheow had first cleft through 
 the helmet on his head, so that he was forced to bow ; 
 stained with blood, he fell to earth. But he was not yet 
 doomed, for he raised himself up, though the wound had 
 touched him nearly. Then, when his brother lay pros- 
 trate, Hygelac's brave thane let his broad blade, his old 
 giant-sword, break through the wall of shields down into 
 the giant-fashioned helm, and the king, defence of the 
 people, bowed him low, — he was mortally wounded. 
 
 ' ' There were many who bound up the wounds of the 
 brother ; upraised him quickly when the place was cleared 
 
 139 
 
BEOWULF [2984-3013] 
 
 for them, so that they could be masters of the battle-field ; 
 meanwhile the one warrior stripped the other, — Eofor 
 took from Ongentheow his iron byrnie, his hard and 
 hilted sword, with his helmet, too. 
 
 ' * They bore unto Hygelac the old man's war-harness. 
 He received the spoils, and graciously promised them re- 
 wards among his people ; and he performed it even so. 
 The lord of the Geats, the son of Hrethel, when he had 
 returned home, repaid Eofor and Wulf for their deadly 
 fight with treasure exceeding great ; he gave unto each 
 of them a hundred thousand in land and twisted rings ; 
 nor needed any man on earth reproach him with those 
 rewards, since they had won glory in the fight. And, 
 moreover, as a pledge of his favor, he gave unto Eofor 
 his only daughter in marriage, for an honor to his home. 
 
 **Such is the feud and the enmity, the 
 deadly strife of nations, for which, as I ween, 
 the Swedish people will attack us, soon as 
 they learn that our lord is dead, he who up- 
 held our treasure and our realm against the 
 foe, wrought good for his people, and further- 
 more did great and glorious deeds. 
 
 ** Now we had best hasten to go and look 
 upon our king, and then bring our ring-be- 
 stower along his way to the pyre. No mean 
 thing shall be burned with the hero, for the 
 hoard of treasure, of untold riches, has been 
 bitterly purchased ; and now at the last, he 
 140 
 
[3013-3037] BEO W UL F 
 
 has bought these jewels with his own life. 
 Fire shall devour them, flames shall enwrap 
 them. No warrior shall bear away any of the 
 treasure for a memorial, no fair maiden shall 
 wear upon her neck the jeweled adornment; 
 but rather, bereft of her gold and sad at 
 heart, she shall tread the land of the stranger 
 often and often, now that the chieftain has 
 quitted laughter, mirth and glee. Therefore 
 many a spear, cold in the morning, must 
 needs be clasped by the fingers, uplifted in 
 the hand; the sound of the harp shall not 
 waken the warrior, but the wan raven, eager 
 o'er the doomed, shall chatter freely, telling 
 the eagle how he sped at the feast, when with 
 the wolf he plundered the slain." 
 
 Thus the bold hero told his hated tidings: 
 he spoke not falsely as touching facts or 
 words. All the band arose; sadly they went, 
 with welling tears, beneath the Eagle's Cliff 
 to look upon the marvel. And they found 
 him who had given them treasure in days 
 gone by, found him in his resting-place, life- 
 less on the sand. Gone was the hero's final 
 day, for the warrior-king, lord of the Weders, 
 had died a wondrous death. 
 
BEOWULF [3038-3057] 
 
 But first they beheld there a stranger being, 
 the loathsome beast lying over against him on 
 the plain; the fiery dragon, awful monster, 
 was all scorched with flames. He was fifty 
 foot-measurements long where he lay. At 
 times he had been wont to rejoice in the air 
 at the night season ; thereafter down return- 
 ing unto his den. Now he was fast in the 
 clutch of death; he had enjoyed the last of 
 his caverns. By him stood bowls and flagons ; 
 dishes lay there, and precious swords, rusty 
 and eaten through, as if they had remained in 
 earth's bosom a thousand winters; for a spell 
 had been wound about that vast heritage, that 
 gold of bygone men, so that none could touch 
 the ring-hall, save as God himself, the King 
 of victory — He is man's Defence — should 
 grant unto whom He would, e'en unto whatso- 
 ever man should seem good to Him, to open 
 up the hoard. 
 
 142 
 
[3058-3077J BEOWULF 
 
 XLII 
 
 The Geats plunder the hoard and east the Dragon into 
 the sea. 
 
 Then it was evident that their way did not 
 prosper, who had unrighteously hidden the 
 riches beneath the mound. The guardian had 
 slain some few of the people and the feud 
 was dreadfully avenged. It is ever a wonder 
 when a strong hero reacheth the end of his 
 destined days, then when he may no longer 
 dwell among his kinsmen in the mead-hall. 
 This was the lot of Beowulf when he went out 
 unto the guardian of the mound and the 
 deadly strife ; himself he knew not what was 
 to part him from the world. Thus the mighty 
 princes, who put the treasure there, uttered a 
 deep curse upon it to hold it till doomsday, 
 saying that the men who plundered that place 
 should be guilty of sins, imprisoned in idol- 
 fanes, fast bound in the bonds of hell, and 
 visited with plagues. But Beowulf was not 
 greedy for gold ; he had rather looked for the 
 grace of the Almighty. 
 
 Wiglaf, son of Weohstan, spoke: ** Often, 
 for the sake of one man, must many heroes 
 143 
 
BEOWULF [3078-3103] 
 
 suffer, even as now it hath befallen us. We 
 could not teach our dear lord, keeper of the 
 realm, any counsel, — that he should not go 
 out against the guardian of the gold, but let 
 him lie where long he had been, let him dwell 
 in his haunts till the end of the world. He 
 held to his high fate. The hoard is dearly 
 bought and opened to our view ; too cruel was 
 the fate that enticed the king thither. I went 
 within and looked upon all the riches of that 
 cave, since a way had been opened, though 
 not in gentle wise, and a passage granted me 
 in under the earth-wall. Hurriedly I seized 
 with my hands a vast burden of treasure; I 
 bore it out hither to my king. And he was 
 yet alive, still conscious and wise of mind. 
 Many things did the aged man speak in his 
 sorrow; and he bade me greet you, prayed 
 that ye would build upon the place of burning 
 a high mound, great and glorious, in memory 
 of the deeds of your lord, inasmuch as he was 
 the worthiest warrior among men over the 
 broad earth, while he could still enjoy the 
 wealth of his cities. 
 
 *' Let us now hasten to go and see the heap 
 of treasures cunningly wrought, the wonder 
 144 
 
[3I03-3I27] BEOWULF 
 
 'neath the wall ; I will guide you that ye may 
 behold and see, near at hand, abundance of 
 rings and ample gold. When we come out 
 thence, let the bier be forthwith made ready, 
 and then let us bear our master, our beloved 
 lord, to where he shall tarry long, safe in the 
 keeping of the Almighty." 
 
 And the son of Weohstan, the hero bold in 
 battle, bade that they give command to many 
 warriors, owners of homes, rulers of men, to 
 bring from far wood for the pyre to where 
 the good king lay, saying: **Now shall fire 
 consume, while the wan flame is waxing high, 
 the chief among warriors, him who oft with- 
 stood the shower of darts, what time the 
 storm of arrows urged by the string flew over 
 the wall of shields, and the shaft fulfilled its 
 duty, as, with its feather-fittings, it eagerly 
 sped the barb." 
 
 Now the wise son of Weohstan summoned 
 together seven of the king's best thanes from 
 out the troop, and, himself the eighth, went 
 with them 'neath the hostile roof; one of the 
 warriors, who went at the head, bore in his 
 hand a flaming torch. And when the men 
 had seen some portion of the treasure in the 
 145 
 
BEOWULF [3127-3145] 
 
 cave, lying there unguarded, and wasting away, 
 in nowise did they choose by lot who should 
 despoil that hoard ; and little did it grieve any 
 man among them that the precious treasures 
 were straightway borne out thence. 
 
 Moreover, they shoved the Dragon, that ser- 
 pent, over the sea-cliff, let the wave take him 
 and the waters engulf the keeper of treasure. 
 
 There the twisted gold of every sort, past 
 counting, was laden upon a wain ; the prince, 
 the hoary warrior, was borne away unto 
 Whale s Ness. 
 
 XLIII 
 
 They hum Beowulf. 
 
 Then the Geatish people fashioned for him 
 a mighty pile upon the ground, all hung with 
 helms, and war-shields, and bright byrnies, 
 e'en as he had entreated them; and in the 
 midst of it the sorrowing men laid their great 
 king, their beloved lord. Then the warriors 
 began to kindle the greatest of funeral fires 
 upon the mound. Uprose the wood-smoke, 
 black above the flame; blazing fire roared 
 146 
 
[3146-3172] BEOWULF 
 
 (mingled with a sound of weeping when the 
 tumult of the wind was stilled), until, hot within 
 the breast, it had consumed the bony frame. 
 Sad at heart, with care-laden soul, they 
 mourned the fall of their lord. Likewise the 
 aged wife, with hair upbound, sorrowing in 
 heart, sang a dirge of lamentation for Beowulf; 
 oft said she dreaded sore that evil days would 
 come upon her, and much bloodshed, fear of 
 the warrior, and shame and bondage. Heaven 
 swallowed up the smoke. 
 
 Then the Weder people made a mound upon 
 the cliff, — it was high and broad, to be seen 
 afar of seafaring men ; and ten days they built 
 it, the war-hero's beacon. They made a wall 
 round about the ashes of the fire, e'en as the 
 wisest of men could most worthily devise it 
 there. Within the mound they put the rings 
 and the jewels, all the adornments which the 
 brave-hearted men had taken from the hoard ; 
 they let the earth hold the treasure of heroes, 
 put the gold in the ground, where it still re- 
 mains, as useless unto men as it was of yore. 
 
 Then warriors, sons of princes, twelve in 
 all, rode round about the mound; they would 
 bewail their sorrow, mourn their king, utter 
 147 
 
BEOWULF [3172-3182] 
 
 the dirge, and speak of their hero ; they praised 
 his courage and greatly commended his mighty 
 deeds. Thus it is fitting that a man should 
 praise his lord in words and cherish him in 
 heart when he must forth from the fleeting 
 body. 
 
 So the Geatish people, companions of his 
 hearth, mourned the fall of their lord ; said that 
 he was a mighty king, the mildest and kindest 
 of men, most gracious to his people, and most 
 desirous of praise. 
 
 148 
 
NOTES 
 
 (References are to the lines of the poem.) 
 
 lo. Ocean-paths, lit., whale-road; but the metaphor was 
 probably somewhat faded at this time. Cf. 200. 
 
 142. Thane of hell, reading hel-^egnes, with Ettmiiller 
 and Bugge. 
 
 226. Sarks, coats of mail. 
 
 321. Byrnie, a name for a coat of mail. 
 
 455. Wyrdy in Germanic mythology, goddess of fate. 
 Cf. Latin For tuna. 
 
 IG02-1005. I have followed the various emendations of 
 this passage presented in Holder's edition of the text. 
 
 1 125. At this point the MS. marks the beginning of Sec- 
 tion XVII. 
 
 1604. They longed, reading wise ton with Kemble. 
 
 1740. At this point the MS. marks the beginning of Sec- 
 tion XXV. 
 
 1 861. Gannefs bath, that is, the sea. Cf. 10 and 200. 
 
 1875. That they would never meet again, reading na 
 ges'eon mbston, with Bugge. 
 
 1942. A weaver of peace, that is, a queen. Cf. 2017, 
 the great queen, peace and bond of peoples. 
 
 2021. Unto the warriors, in order, lit., at the end, or 
 from end to end. 
 
 2144. This is the next number in the MS. after XXVIII. 
 149 
 
NOTES 
 
 2215. At this point the MS. is sadly mutilated. Six lines 
 are illegible. They have been reconstructed by 
 Bugge, and I have followed his version in the trans- 
 lation, save for the word king in line 2220, which is 
 from Morris-Wyatt. 
 
 2226. Three more illegible lines. 
 
 2263. Glee-wood^ that is, a harp. 
 
 2460. At this point the MS. marks the beginning of 
 XXXV. 
 
 2549. I'h^ ^^^^ could not, reading deor, with Grundtvig 
 and Bugge. 
 
 2946. At this point the MS. marks the beginning of 
 XLI. 
 
 2982. Of the brother, that is, Wulf. 
 
 3005. This line, which may be translated, after the fall 
 of heroes, the brave Scyldings, is quite unintelligible, 
 and is accordingly omitted in the translation. 
 
 31 51-31 5 5. Five badly mutilated lines. Bugge's recon- 
 struction is again used in the translation. 
 
INDEX OF PROPER NAMES 
 
 Mlfhere, see Wiglaf. 
 
 ^schere, 1294, 2122, Hrothgar's councilor, slain by 
 
 Grendel's mother. 
 Beanstan, 524, father of Breca. 
 Beowulf the Dane, 18, 53, not the hero of the poem, an 
 
 ancestor of Hrothgar. 
 Beowulf the Geat, hero of the poem, son of Ecgtheow, 
 
 and by his mother nephew to Hygelac. 
 Breca, 521, son of Beanstan, and a chief of the Brondings. 
 
 He contended with Beowulf in swimming. 
 
 Brising collar, mentioned in the Edda as worn by the 
 goddess Freyja ; it is said that one Hama carried off 
 this collar when he fled from Eormanric (q. v.), 1195. 
 The beautiful circlet given to Beowulf (1199) is 
 thought worthy to be compared with these famous 
 jewels. 
 
 Brondings, see Breca. 
 
 Dceghrefn, 2502, a warriorof the Hugs, slain by Beowulf. 
 
 Danes, variously called Scyldings, Ingwine, Hrethmen, 
 North-, South-, East-, West-Danes. They are the 
 people of Hrothgar, and their home is in Southern 
 Sweden. 
 
 151 
 
PROPER NAMES 
 
 Eadgils, son of Ohthere, who with his brother, Eanmund, 
 was banished from Sweden because of rebellion ; they 
 flee to the land of the Geats, where Heardred is king. 
 An invasion of the Geatish land follows, headed by 
 Onela, king of the Swedes. King Heardred is slain, 
 and Onela leaves Beowulf to succeed to the throne. 
 Beowulf later aids Eadgils in avenging himself. 2379- 
 2396. 
 
 Eanmund, 2612, son of Ohthere and brother to Eadgils, 
 slain by Weohstan. 
 
 Ecglaf, 499, 980, 1465, father of Unferth. 
 
 Ecgtheow, 495, etc., father of Beowulf and husband to 
 the only daughter of King Hrethel. He slew Heath- 
 olaf of the Wylfings, and afterwards fled to Hrothgar's 
 court where he was graciously received. 
 
 Ecgwela, 17 10, mentioned as an ancestor of the Danes. 
 
 Elan, daughter of Healfdene and sister of Hrothgar. The 
 
 reading at line 62, which makes her wife to Ongen- 
 
 theow, is not certain. 
 Eofor, a Geatish warrior, son of Wodred and brother to 
 
 Wulf. His fight with King Ongentheow of the 
 
 Swedes is told at line 2961. 
 Eomcer, son of Off a and Thrytho (q. v.). 
 Eormanric, king of the Ostrogoths, see Prising Collar. 
 
 Eotens, 1072, 1088, 1141, 1145, the people of Finn ; per- 
 haps the Jutes. 
 
 Finn, king of the Eotens. He carries off Hildeburh, 
 daughter of Hoc, a Danish princess. This is the 
 beginning of a feud (told of in the episode at line 
 1068), in which Hnsef and Hengest, brothers of 
 Hildeburh, attempt to avenge the loss of their sister 
 and the death of their father. In the course of the 
 feud both the brothers and King Finn lose their 
 lives. 
 
 152 
 
PROPER NAMES 
 
 Finns, 580 ; it is on their land that Beowulf is cast up, 
 after his swimming-match with Breca. 
 
 Fitela, 879, nephew to Sigemund (q. v.). 
 
 Folcwalda, 1089, father of Finn. 
 
 Franks, 1202, 2912 ; " Hygelac was defeated and slain in 
 his historical invasion of the Netherlands by a com- 
 bined army of Frisians, Franks and Hugs." 
 (Wyatt.) 
 
 Freawaru, daughter of Hrothgar, betrothed to Ingeld of 
 the Heathobards in order to make peace between 
 that people and the Danes. Beowulf prophesies (in 
 the episode at line 2022) that this will fail, because 
 the Heathobards cannot bear to see the thane who 
 attends Freawaru in their court, wearing armor taken 
 from their own fathers by the Danes. 
 
 Frisians, " There are (i) the North Frisians, the people 
 of Finn, 1068 ff. ; (2) the West Frisians, who com- 
 bined with the Franks and Hugs against Hygelac, 
 1202, 2912." (Wyatt.) 
 
 Froda, 2025, father of Ingeld. 
 
 Garmund, 1962, father of Offa, grandfather of Eomaer. 
 
 Geats, variously called Weder-, Sea- and War-Geats, 
 Weders, Hrethlings. The nation to which Beowulf 
 belongs ; their land is in Southern Sweden, north of 
 the Danes. 
 
 Gifths, 2494, the Gepidae (?). 
 
 Grendel, an evil monster, descended of the wicked brood 
 of Cain. 
 
 Guthlaf, 1 148, a Danish warrior, who, with Oslaf, 
 brought fresh troops against King Finn (q. v.). 
 
 Hoereth, 1929, 198 1, father of Hygd (q. v.). 
 
 153 
 
PROPER NAMES 
 Hosthcyn, 2434, 2475, 2925, second son of Hrethel, king of 
 the Geats. He kills his elder brother, Herebeald, 
 and at his brother's death succeeds to the throne, but 
 is slain by Ongentheow. 
 
 Half-Danes, 1069, the tribe to which Hnaef belongs. 
 
 Halga, 61, younger brother to Hrothgar. 
 
 Hama^ see Prising Collar. 
 
 Healfdene, 57, 189, etc., Hrothgar's father, son of King 
 
 Beowulf of the Danes ; he preceded Hrothgar as 
 
 king of the Danes. 
 
 Heardredy 2200, 2385, son of Hygelac, and for a time 
 King of the Geats. Beowulf acts as his adviser, until 
 he is slain by Onela of the Swedes. 
 
 Heatkobards, 2032, the tribe to which Ingeld belongs. 
 Heatholafy see Ecgtheow. 
 
 Heathoroemasy 519, after his swimming-match Breca is cast 
 up on their coasts, perhaps in Norway. 
 
 Helmings, 620, perhaps a tribe which later settled in East 
 Anglia. Wealhtheow is called "lady of the Hel- 
 mings." 
 
 Hemming. 1944, 1961, Offa and Eomaer are called " kins- 
 men of Hemming." 
 
 ffengest, see Finn. 
 
 Heorogar, 61, eldest son of Healfdene and brother of 
 
 Hrothgar. 
 Heorot, Hrothgar's hall. 
 ffeoroweard, 2161, son of Heorogar. 
 
 ffeorobeald, 2434, 2463, son of King Hrethel, killed by 
 his brother Haethcyn. 
 
 154 
 
PROPER NAMES 
 
 fferemod, a king of the Danes. Twice (901, 1719), men- 
 tioned as the type of the cruel and incompetent king. 
 Nothing certain is known of him, save what is told 
 in this poem, but Sievers identifies him with the 
 Lotherus of Saxo. According to one theory, it is 
 the reign of the wicked Heremod that accounts for 
 the misery of the Danish nation, mentioned at line 
 14 of the Prologue. 
 
 Her eric, 2206, Heardred is the "nephew of Hereric." 
 Hetwaras, 2363, 2916, one of the tribes which resisted 
 
 Hygelac in his historical invasion. 
 Hildeburh, see Finn. 
 Hncef^ see Finn. 
 Hoc, see Finn. 
 Hondscioy 2076, Beowulf's thane, slain by Grendel. 
 
 Hreosnabeorh, 2477, scene of the invasion of Geatland by 
 Onela and Ohthere. 
 
 HretheU 373. 454. 1203, 1485, 2435, a king of the Geats, 
 son of Swerting, father of Hygelac, Herebeald, and 
 Hathcyn, grandfather of Beowulf. 
 
 Hrethlings, 2960, i. e., people of Hrethel, — the Geats. 
 
 Hrethmen, 445, a name of the Danes. 
 
 Hrethric, 1189, 1836, Hrothgar's eldest son. 
 
 Hrothgar, king of the Danes, son of Healfdene, builder 
 of Heorot. 
 
 Hrothmund, 1189, Hrothgar's younger son. 
 
 Hroikulf, 107 1, 1 181, Hrothgar's nephew. 
 
 Hrunting, 1457, 1490, 1659, 1807, name of Unferth's 
 
 sword, which he lent to Beowulf. 
 HugSt see Franks. 
 
 155 
 
PROPER NAMES 
 
 Hunlaf^ 1 143. the "son of Hunlaf," an Eoten is men- 
 tioned as the slayer of Hengest. See Finn. 
 
 Hygd^ 1926, 2172, 2369, Hygelac's gracious queen, 
 daughter of Hsereth. 
 
 Hygelac, 194, etc., king of the Geats, son of Hrethel, 
 and uncle to Beowulf. 
 
 Ingeld, see Freawaru. 
 
 Ingwine, 1044, 1319, i. e., Ingsevones, a name of the 
 Danes. 
 
 Merovingian, 2921, i. e., the Merovingian king. 
 
 Ncegling, 2680, name of Beowulf's sword used in fighting 
 the Dragon. 
 
 Offa, see Thrytho. 
 
 Ohthere, son of Ongentheow, father of Eanmund and 
 Eadgils (q. v.). 
 
 Onela, brother to Ohthere, and a king of Sweden. See 
 Eadgils. 
 
 OngentheoWy 62, 2475, king of the Swedes. His ven- 
 geance upon the Geats, who invaded his land and 
 captured his wife, is told in the episode at line 2910; 
 also how he was slain by Hygelac's thane, Eofor. 
 
 Oslaf, see Guthlaf. 
 
 Ravenswood, 2925, 2935, scene of the battle in which 
 Hygelac met Ongentheow. Probably in Sweden. 
 
 Scyld, 4, 26, called Scefing, i. e., "of the Sheaf," or, 
 perhaps, son of Scef. He is the founder of the 
 Danish royal family, and is represented in the Pro- 
 logue as having been put to sea in a boat (with a 
 sheaf of wheat ?) when a helpless child, and as having 
 been found by the Danes. 
 
 Scyldings, a name for the Danes, descendants of Scyld 
 (q. v.). 
 
 156 
 
PROPER NAMES 
 Scyljings, a common name for the Swedes (q. v.). 
 Sigemund, the Volsung, or son of Waels, uncle to Fitela ; 
 
 hero of the episode at line 874. 
 Swedes, also called Scylfings ; they dwell in what is now 
 
 Northern Sweden. 
 Swerting, 1203, Hygelac is called "grandson of Swert- 
 
 ing." 
 
 Thryiho, a cruel queen, contrasted with Hygd in the 
 episode at line 1931. She was married to Offa, the 
 great king of the Angles, who subdued her, so that 
 she became renowned for her graces ; their son was 
 Eomaer. 
 
 Unferth, Hrothgar's spokesman, who quarrels with Beo- 
 wulf (499), but who afterwards lends him his sword 
 (1455). 
 
 Woegmundings , 2607, 2814, the family (possibly Swedish), 
 to which Beowulf and Wiglaf belong. 
 
 Wcels, see Sigemund. 
 
 Wealhtheow, 612, 629, 1162, etc., Hrothgar's queen. 
 
 Weders, see Geats. 
 
 Weland, 455, in Germanic mythology, the smith of the 
 gods ; he made Beowulf's coat of mail. 
 
 Wendlas, perhaps the Vandals ; see Wulfgar. 
 
 Weohstan, 2602, etc., father of Wiglaf (q. v.), and slayer 
 of Eanmund. 
 
 Wiglaf, 2602, son of Weohstan, and kinsman of Beowulf. 
 Beowulf's faithful thane. 
 
 Withergild, 2051, probably a warrior of the Heatho- 
 
 bards. 
 Wonred, 2965, 2971, father of Wulf and Eofor. 
 157 
 
PROPER NAMES 
 
 Wulf, 2965, 2993, son of Wonred and brother of Eofor. 
 Wounded by Ongentheow in the battle of Ravens- 
 wood, but rescued by his brother. 
 
 Wulf gar, 348, etc., a chief of the AVendlas, Hrothgar's 
 herald. 
 
 Wyljings, 461, the tribe to which Heatholaf belonged ; 
 located perhaps in southeastern Sweden. 
 
 Wyrd, in Germanic mythology, goddess of fate ; cf. Latin 
 Fortuna. 
 
 Yrmenlaf, younger brother of -^schere, (q. v.). 
 
 X58 
 
I i iKi on 1 qaO 
 
JUN ^0 1902 
 
 
 Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. 
 Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 
 Treatment Date: Feb. 2009 
 
 PreservationTechnologies 
 
 A WORLD LEADER IN COLLECTIONS PRESERVATION 
 
 111 Thomson Park Drive 
 Cranberry Township, PA 16066 
 (724) 779-2111 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 014 043 743 8 4