Old English Text (Based on EETS)\nHWÆT WE GARDEna in geardagum – þeodcyninga þrym gefrunon hu ða æþelingas ellen fremedon.\nOft scyld scefing sceaþena þreatum monegum mægþum meodosetla ofteah egsode eorlas syððan ærest wearð feasceaft funden he þæs frofre gebad weox under wolcnum weorðmyndum þah – oðþæt him æghwylc þara ymbsittendra ofer hronrade hyran scolde gomban gyldan þæt wæs god cyning – ðæm eafera wæs æfter cenned geong in geardum þone god sende folce to frofre fyrenðearfe ongeat þ[æt] hie ær drugon aldor[le]ase – lange hwile him þæs liffrea wuldres wealdend woroldare forgeaf – beowulf wæs breme blæd wide sprang scyldes eafera scedelandum in.\nSwa sceal [geong g]uma gode gewyrcean fromum feohgiftum – on fæder *==rme þæt hine on ylde eft gewunigen wilgesiþas þonne wig cume – leode gelæsten lofdædum sceal in mægþa gehwære man geþeon – him ða scyld gewat to gescæphwile felahror feran on frean wære hi hyne þa ætbæron to brimes faroðe swæse gesiþas swa he selfa bæd þenden wordum weold wine scyldinga leof landfruma lange ahte þær æt hyðe stod hringedstefna isig ond utfus æþelinges fær – aledon þa leofne þeoden beaga bryttan on bearm scipes mærne be mæste þær wæs madma fela of feorwegum frætwa gelæded.\nNe hyrde ic cymlicor ceol gegyrwan hildewæpnum ond heaðowædum billum ond byrnum him on bearme læg madma mænigo þa him mid scoldon on flodes æht feor gewitan.\nNalæs hi hine læssan lacum teodan þeodgestreonum þon þa dydon þe hine æt frumsceafte forð onsendon ænne ofer yðe umborwe-*sende þa gyt hie him asetton segen g[yl]denne heah ofer heafod leton holm beran geafon on garsecg him wæs geomor sefa murnende mod men ne cunnon – secgan to soðe selerædende hæleð under heofenum hwa þæm hlæste onfeng.\nÐA wæs on burgum beowulf scyldinga leof leodcyning longe þrage folcum gefræge fæder ellor hwearf aldor of earde oþþæt him eft onwoc heah healfdene heold þenden lifde gamol ond guðreouw glæde scyldingas ðæm feower bearn forðgerimed in worold wocun weoroda ræswan heorogar – ond hroðgar ond halga til hyrde ic þæt elan cwen – heaðoscilfingas healsgebedda þa wæs hroðgare heresped gyfen wiges weorðmynd – þæt him his winemagas georne hyrdon oðð þæt seo geogoð geweox magodriht micel him on mod bearn þæt healreced hatan wolde – *medoærn micel men gewyrcean þonne yldo bearn æfre gefrunon – ond þær on innan eall gedælan geongum ond ealdum swylc him god sealed buton folcscare ond feorum gumena – ða ic wide gefrægn weorc gebannan manigre mægþe geond þisne middangeard folcstede frætwan him on fyrste gelomp ædre mid yldum – þæt hit wearð ealgearo healærna mæst scop him heort naman se þe his wordes geweald wide hæfde.\nHe beot ne aleh beagas dælde sinc æt symle sele hlifade – heah ond horngeap heaðowylma bad laðan liges ne wæs hit lenge þa gen þæt se ecghete aþumsweorum æfter wælniðe wæcnan scolde – ða se ellorgæst earfoðlice þrage geþolode se þe in þystrum bad þæt he dogora gehwam dream gehyrde hludne in healle þær wæs hearpan sweg swutol sang scopes sægde se þe cuþe frumsceaft fira feorran reccan – –, *cwæð þæt se ælmihtiga eorðan worh[te] wlitebeorhtne wang swa wæter bebugeð gesette sigehreþig sunnan ond monan leoman to leohte landbuendum ond gefrætwade foldan sceatas leomum ond leafum lif eac gesceop cynna gehwylcum þara ðe cwice hwyrfaþ[.]\nSwa ða drihtguman dreamum lifdon eadiglice oððæt ân ongan fyrene fre[m]man feond on helle wæs se grimma gæst grendel haten mære mearcstapa se þe moras heold fen ond fæsten fifelcynnes eard wonsæli wer weardode hwile siþðan him scyppend forscrifen hæfde in caines cynne þone cwealm gewræc ece drihten þæs þe he abel slog.\nNe gefeah he þære fæhðe ac he hine feor forwræc metod for þy mane mancynne fram þanon untydras ealle onwocon eotenas ond ylfe ond orcneas swylce gi-*gantas þa wið gode wunnon lange þrage he him ðæs lean forgeald.\nGewat ða neosian syþðan niht becom hean huses hu hit hringdene æfter beorþege gebun hæfdon.\nFand þa ðær inne æþelinga gedriht swefan æfter symble sorge ne cuðon wonsceaft wera wiht unhælo grim ond grædig gearo sona wæs reoc ond reþe ond on ræste genam þritig þegna þanon eft gewât huðe hremig to ham faran mid þære wælfylle wica neosan – ða wæs on uhtan mid ærdæge grendles guðcræft gumum undyrne þa wæs æfter wiste wôp up ahafen micel morgensweg mære þeoden æþeling ærgod unbliðe sæt þolode ðryðswyð þegnsorge dreah syðþan hie þæs laðan last sceawedon wergan gastes wæs þæt gewin to strang lað ond longsum næs hit lengra *fyrst ac ymb ane niht eft gefremede morðbeala mare ond no mearn fore fæhðe ond fyrene wæs to fæst on þam þa wæs eaðfynde þe him elles hwær gerumlicor ræste sohte bed æfter burum ða him gebeacnod wæs gesægd soðlice sweotolan tacne healðegnes hete heold hyne syðþan fyr ond fæstor se þæm feonde ætwand.\nSwa rixode ond wið rihte wan ana wið eallum oðþæt idel stod husa selest wæs seo hwil micel .xii. wintra tid torn geþolode wine scyldinga weana gehwelcne sidra sorga forðam gesyne wearð ylda bearnum undyrne cuð gyddum geomore þætte grendel wan hwile wið hroþgar heteniðas wæg fyrene ond fæhðe fela missera singale sæce sibbe ne wolde wið manna hwone mægenes deniga feorhbealo feorran fea þingian ne þær nænig witena wenan þorfte beorhtre bote to banū folmum – *==== æglæca ehtende wæs deorc deaþscua duguþe ond geogoþe seomade ond syrede sinnihte heold mistige moras men ne cunnon hwyder helrunan hwyrftum scriþað swa fela fyrena feond mancynnes atol angengea oft gefremede – heardra hynða heorot eardode sincfage sel sweartum nihtum no he þone gifstol gretan moste maþðum for metode ne his myne wisse þæt wæs wræc micel wine scyldinga modes brecða monig oft gesæt rice to rune ræd eahtedon hwæt swiðferhðum selest wære wið færgryrum to gefremmanne.\nHwilum hie geheton æt hærgtrafum wigweorþunga wordum bædon þæt him gastbona geoce gefremede – wið þeodþreaum swylc wæs þeaw hyra – hæþenra hyht helle gemundon in modsefan metod hie ne cuþon dæda demend ne wiston hie drihten god – *ne hie huru heofena helm herian ne cuþon wuldres waldend wa bið þæm ðe sceal þurh sliðne nið sawle bescufan in fyres fæþm frofre ne wenan wihte gewendan wel bið þæm þe mot æfter deaðdæge drihten secean – ond to fæder fæþmum freoðo wilnian.\nSwa ða mælceare maga healfdenes singala seað ne mihte snotor hæleð wean onwendan wæs þæt gewin to swyð laþ ond longsum þe on ða leode becom nydwracu niþgrim nihtbealwa mæst þæt fram ham gefrægn higelaces þegn god mid geatum grendles dæda se wæs moncynnes mægenes strengest on þæm dæge þysses lifes æþele ond eacen het him yðlidan godne gegyrwan cwæð he guðcyning ofer swanrade secean wolde mærne þeoden þa him wæs manna þearf ðone siðfæt him snotere ceorlas lythwon logon – *þeah he him leof wære hwetton hige[r]ofne hæl sceawedon hæfde se goda geata leoda cempan gecorone þara þe he cenoste findan mihte – XVna – sum sundwudu sohte secg wisade lagucræftig mon landgemyrcu fyrst forð gewât flota wæs on yðum – bât under beorge beornas gearwe on stefn stigon streamas wundon sund wið sande secgas bæron on bearm nacan beorhte frætwe guðsearo geatolic guman ut scufon weras on wilsið wudu bundenne – gewat þa ofer wægholm winde gefysed flota famiheals fugle gelicost oðþæt ymb antid oþres dogores wundenstefna gewaden hæfde þæt ða liðende land gesawon brimclifu blican beorgas steape – side sænæssas þa wæs sund liden eoletes æt ende þanon up hraðe wedera leode on wang stigon – sæwudu sældon syrcan hrysedon – guðgewædo gode þancedon þæs þe him yþlade eaðe wurdon – *þa of wealle geseah weard scildinga se þe holmclifu healdan scolde beran ofer bolcan beorhte randas fyrdsearu fuslicu hine fyrwyt bræc modgehygdum hwæt þa men wæron.\nGewat him þa to waroðe wicge ridan þegn hroðgares þrymmum cwehte mægenwudu mundum meþelwordum frægn – hwæt syndon ge searohæbbendra byrnum werede þe þus brontne ceol ofer lagustræte lædan cwomon hider ofer holmas her ic hwile wæs endesæta ægwearde heold þe on land dena laðra nænig mid scipherge sceðþan ne meahte no her cuðlicor cuman ongunnon – lindhæbbende ne ge leafnesword guðfremmendra gearwe ne wisson maga gemedu næfre ic maran geseah eorla ofer eorþan ðonne is eower sum secg on searwum nis þæt seldguma wæpnum geweorðad næfne him his wlite leoge ænlic ansyn nu ic eower sceal frumcyn witan ær ge fyr *heonan leassceaweras on land dena furþur feran nu ge feorbuend mereliðende minne gehyrað anfealdne geþoht ofost is selest to gecyðanne hwanan eowre cyme syndon.\nHim se yldesta ondswarode werodes wisa wordhord onleac we synt gumcynnes geata leode ond higelaces heorðgeneatas – wæs min fæder folcum gecyþed æþele ordfruma ecgþeow haten – gebâd wintra worn ær he on weg hwurfe – gamol of geardum hine gearwe geman witena welhwylc wide geond eorþan – we þurh holdne hige hlaford þinne sunu healfdenes secean cwomon leodgebyrgean wes þu us larena god – habbað we to þæm mæran micel ærende deniga frean – ne sceal þær dyrne sum wesan þæs ic wene þu wast gif hit is swa we – soþlice *secgan hyrdon þæt mid scyldingum sceaðona ic nat hwylc – deogol dædhata deorcum nihtum eaweð þurh egsan uncuðne nið hynðu ond hrafyl ic þæs hroðgar mæg þurh rumne sefan ræd gelæran –hu he frod – ond god feond oferswyðeþ gyf him edwendan æfre scolde – bealuwa bisigu bot eft cuman ond þa cearwylmas colran wurðaþ oððe a syþðan earfoðþrage þreanyd þolað þenden þær wunað on heahstede husa selest – weard maþelode ðær on wicge sæt ombeht unforht æghwæþres sceal scearp scyldwiga gescad witan worda ond worca se þe wel þenceð ic þæt gehyre þæt þis is hold weorod frean scyldinga gewitaþ forð beran wæpen ond gewædu ic eow wisige swylce ic maguþegnas mine hate wið feonda gehwone flotan eowerne niwtyrwydne nacan on sande arum healdan oþðæt eft byreð ofer lagustrea-*mas leofne mannan wudu wundenhals to wedermearce godfremmendra swylcum gifeþe bið þæt þone hilderæs hâl gedigeð – gewiton him þa feran flota stille bâd seomode on sale sidfæþmed scip on ancre fæst eoforlic scionon ofer hleorbergan gehroden golde fah ond fyrheard ferhwearde heold guþmod grimmon guman onetton sigon ætsomne oþþæt hy sæl timbred – geatolic ond goldfah ongyton mihton – þæt wæs foremærost foldbuendum receda under roderum on þæm se rica bad – lixte se leoma ofer landa fela – him þa hildedeor hof modigra torht getæhte þæt hie him to mihton gegnum gangan guðbeorna sum wicg gewende word æfter cwæð – mæl is me to feran fæder alwalda mid arstafum eowic gehealde –siða gesunde ic to sæ wille wið *wrað werod wearde healdan.\nStræt wæs stanfah stig wisode gumum ætgædere guðbyrne scan heard hondlocen hringiren scir song in searwum þa hie to sele furðum in hyra gryregeatwum gangan cwomon setton sæmeþe side scyldas rondas regnhearde wið þæs recedes weal – bugon þa to bence byrnan hringdon guðsearo gumena garas stodon sæmanna searo samod ætgædere æscholt ufan græg wæs se irenþreat wæpnum gewurþad þa ðær wlonc hæleð oretmecgas æfter æþelum frægn – hwanon ferigeað ge fætte scyldas græge syrcan ond grimhelmas heresceafta heap ic eom hroðgares ar ond ombiht – ne seah ic elþeodige þus manige men modiglicran wen ic þæt ge for wlenco nalles for wræcsiðum – ac for hige-*þrymmum hroðgar sohton – him þa ellenrof andswarode wlanc wedera leod – word æfter spræc heard under helme we synt higelaces beodgeneatas beowulf is min nama wille ic asecgan sunu healfdenes mærum þeodne min ærende – aldre þinum gif he us geunnan wile þæt we hine swa godne gretan moton – wulfgar maþelode þæt wæs wendla leod wæs his modsefa manegum gecyðed – wig ond wisdom ic þæs wine deniga frean scildinga frinan wille beaga bryttan swa þu bena eart þeoden mærne ymb þinne sið – ond þe þa ondsware ædre gecyðan ðe me se goda agifan þenceð – wearf þa hrædlice þær hroðgar sæt eald ond anhar mid his eorla gedriht – eode ellenrof þæt he for eaxlum gestod deniga frean cuþe he duguðe þeaw – wulfgar maðelode *to his winedrihtne her syndon geferede feorran cumene ofer geofenes begang geata leode þone yldestan oretmecgas – beowulf nemnað hy benan synt þæt hie þeoden min wið þe moton wordum wrixlan no ðu him wearne geteoh ðinra gegncwida glædman hroðgar hy on wiggetawum wyrðe þinceað – eorla geæhtlan huru se aldor deah se þæm heaðorincum hider wisade.\nHroðgar maþelode helm scyldinga ic hine cuðe cnihtwesende wæs his ealdfæder ecgþeo haten ðæm to ham forgeaf hreþel geata angan dohtor is his eafora nu heard her cumen sohte holdne wine – ðonne sægdon þæt sæliþende þa ðe gifsceattas geata fyredon þyder to þance þæt he .XXX *tiges manna mægencræft on his mundgripe heaþorof hæbbe hine halig god for arstafum us onsende to westdenum þæs ic wen hæbbe – wið grendles gryre ic þæm godan sceal for his modþræce madmas beodan beo ðu on ofeste hât in gân seon sibbegedriht samod ætgædere – gesaga him eac wordum þæt hie sint wilcuman deniga leodum word inne abead – eow het secgan sigedrihten min aldor eastdena þæt he eower æþelu can ond ge him syndon ofer sæwylmas heardhicgende hider wilcuman nu ge moton gangan in eowrum guðgeatawum under heregriman hroðgar geseon lætað hildebord her onbidan wudu wælsceaftas worda geþinges – aras þa se rica ymb hine rinc manig þryðlic þegna heap sume þær bidon heaðoreaf heoldon swa him se *hearda bebead – snyredon ætsomne þa secg wisode under heorotes hrof heard under helme þæt he on heorðe gestod – beowulf maðelode on him byrne scan searonet seowed smiþes orþancum wæs þu hroðgar hal ic eom higelaces mæg ond magoðegn – hæbbe ic mærða fela ongunnen on geogoþe me wearð grendles þing – on minre eþeltyrf undyrne cuð secgað sæliðend þæt þæs sele stande reced selesta rinca gehwylcum idel ond unnyt siððan æfenleoht under heofenes hador beholen weorþeð – þa *me þæt gelærdon leode mine þa selestan snotere ceorlas – þeoden hroðgar þæt ic þe sohte forþan hie mægenes cræft mine cuþon – selfe ofersawon ða ic of searwum cwom – fah from feondum þær ic fife geband yðde eotena cyn ond on yðum slog – niceras nihtes nearoþearfe dreah wræc – wedera nið wean ahsodon forgrand gramum ond nu wið grendel sceal wið þam aglæcan ana gehegan – ðing wið þyrse ic þe nu ða brego beorhtdena biddan wille eodor scyldinga anre bene – þæt ðu me ne forwyrne wigendra hleo freowine folca nu ic þus feorran com – þæt ic mote ana ond minra eorla gedryht – þes hearda heap heorot fælsian hæbbe ic eac geahsod þæt se æglæca for his wonhydum wæpna ne recceð – ic þæt þonne forhicge swa me higelac sie min mondrihten modes bliðe – þæt ic sweord bere oþðe sidne scyld geolorand to guþe ac ic mid grape sceal fon wið feonde ond ymb feorh sacan lað wið laþum ðær gelyfan sceal dryhtnes dome se þe hine deað nimeð – wen ic þæt he wille gif he wealdan môt in þæm guðsele geotena leode etan unforhte swa he *oft dyde mægen hreðmanna na þu minne þearft hafalan hydan – ac he me habban wile dreore fahne gif mec deað nimeð – byreð blodig wæl byrgean þenceð eteð ângenga unmurnlice mearcað morhopu no ðu ymb mines ne þearft lices feorme leng sorgian.\nOnsend higelace gif mec hild nime beaduscruda betst þæt mine breost wereð hrægla selest þæt is hrædlan laf welandes geweorc gæð a wyrd swa hio scel.\nHroðgar maþelode helm scyldinga for gewyrhtum þu wine min beowulf – ond for arstafum usic sohtest gesloh þin fæder fæhðe mæste – wearþ he heaþolafe to handbonan mid wilfingum ða hine wedera cyn for herebrogan habban ne mihte – þanon he gesohte suðdena folc ofer yða gewealc ar*scyldinga ða ic furþum weold folce deniga ond on geogoðe heold ginne rice hordburh hæleþa – ða wæs heregar dead min yldra mæg unlifigende bearn healfdenes se wæs betera ðonne ic siððan þa fæhðe feo þingode – sende ic wylfingum ofer wæteres hrycg ealde madmas he me aþas swor.\nSorh is me to secganne on sefan minum gumena ængum hwæt me grendel hafað – hynðo on heorote mid his heteþancum færniða gefremed is min fletwerod wigheap gewanod hie wyrd forsweop on grendles gryre god eaþe mæg þone dolsceaðan dæda getwæfan.\nFul oft gebeotedon beore druncne ofer ealowæge oretmecgas þæt hie in beorsele bidan woldon grendles guþe mid gryrum ecga – ðonne wæs þeos medoheal on morgentid drihtsele dreorfah þonne dæg lixte – eal *bencþelu blode bestymed heall heorudreore ahte ic holdra þy læs deorre duguðe þe þa deað fornam site nu to symle ond onsæl meoto sigehreð secgum swa þin sefa hwette – þa wæs geatmæcgum geador ætsomne on beorsele benc gerymed þær swiðferhþe sittan eodon þryðum dealle þegn nytte beheold se þe on handa bær hroden ealowæge scencte scir wered scop hwilum sang hador on heorote þær wæs hæleða dream duguð unlytel dena ond wedera.\nHunferð maþelode ecglafes bearn þe æt fotum sæt frean scyldinga – onband beadurune wæs him beowulfes sið modges merefaran micel æfþunca – forþon þe he ne uþe þæt ænig oðer man æfre *mærða þon ma middangeardes – gehedde under heofenum þonne he sylfa eart þu se beowulf se þe wið brecan wunne on sidne sâe ymb sund flite ðær git for wlence wada cunnedon ond for dolgilpe on deop wæter aldrum neþdon ne inc ænig mon ne leof ne lað belean mihte sorhfullne sið þa git on sund reon – þær git eagorstream earmum þehton mæton merestræta mundum brugdon glidon ofer garsecg geofon yþum weol wintrys wylme git on wæteres æht seofon niht swuncon he þe æt sunde oferflat – hæfde mare mægen þa hine on morgentid on heaþoræmas holm up ætbær – ðonon he gesohte swæsne – eðel – leof his leodum lond brondinga freoðoburh fægere þær he folc ahte burh ond beagas – *beot eal wið þe sunu beanstanes soðe gelæste – ðonne wene ic to þe wyrsan geþingea ðeah þu heaðoræsa gehwær dohte grimre guðe gif þu grendles dearst nihtlongne fyrst nean bidan beowulf maþelode bearn ecgþeowes hwæt þu worn fela wine min hunferð beore druncen ymb brecan spræce sægdest from his siðe soð ic talige þæt ic merestrengo maran ahte earfeþo on yþum ðonne ænig oþer man – wit þæt gecwædon cnihtwesende ond gebeotedon wæron begen þa git on geogoðfeore þæt wit on gârsecg ut aldrum neðdon ond þæt geæfndon swa – hæfdon swurd nacod þa wit on sund reon heard on handa wit unc wið hronfixas werian þohton – no he wiht fram me flodyþum feor fleotan meahte hraþor on holme no ic fram him wolde – ða wit æt*somne on sâe wæron fif nihta fyrst oþþæt unc flod todraf wado weallende wedera cealdost nipende niht – ond norþanwind heaðogrim ondhwearf hreo wæron yþa wæs merefixa mod onhrered – þær me wið laðum licsyrce min heard hondlocen helpe gefremede beadohrægl broden on breostum læg golde gegyrwed me to grunde teah fah feondscaða fæste hæfde – grim on grape hwæþre me gyfeþe wearð þæt ic aglæcan orde geræhte hildebille heaþoræs fornam mihtig meredeor þurh mine hand[.]\nSwa mec gelome laðgeteonan þreatedon þearle ic him þenode deoran sweorde swa hit gedefe wæs næs hie ðære fylle gefean hæfdon manfordædlan þæt hie me þegon symbel ymbsæton sâegrunde neah – ac on mergenne mecum *wunde be yðlafe uppe lægon sweordum aswefede þæt syðþan na ymb brontne ford brimliðende lade ne letton leoht eastan com beorht beacen godes brimu swaþredon þæt ic sænæssas geseon mihte windige weallas wyrd oft nereð unfægne eorl þonne his ellen deah – hwæþere me gesælde þæt ic mid sweorde ofsloh niceras nigene no ic on niht gefrægn under heofones hwealf heardran feohtan ne on egstreamum earmran mannon – hwaþere ic fara feng feore gedigde siþes werig – ða mec sâe oþbær flod æfter faroðe on finnaland – wadu weallendu no ic wiht fram þe swylcra searoniða secgan hyrde billa brogan breca næfre git æt heaðolace ne gehwæþer incer swa deorlice dæd gefremede fagum sweordum no ic þæs swiðe gylpe þeah ðu þinum broðrum to banan wurde heafodmægum þæs þu in *helle scealt werhðo dreogan þeah þin wit duge – secge ic þe to soðe sunu ecglafes þæt næfre grendel swa fela gryra gefremede atol æglæca ealdre þinum – hynðo on heorote gif þin hige wære sefa swa searogrim swa þu self talast – ac he hafað onfunden þæt he þa fæhðe ne þearf atole ecgþræce eower leode swiðe onsittan sigescyldinga nymeð nydbade nænegum arað leode deniga ac he lust wigeð – swefeð ond snedeþ – secce ne weneþ to gardenum ac ic him geata sceal eafoð ond ellen ungeara nu guþe gebeodan gæþ eft se þe môt to medo modig siþþan morgenleoht ofer ylda bearn oþres dogores sunne sweglwered suþan scineð – þa wæs on salum sinces brytta gamolfeax ond guðrof geoce gelyfde *brego beorhtdena gehyrde on beowulfe folces hyrde fæstrædne geþoht ðær wæs hæleþa hleahtor hlyn swynsode word wæron wynsume eode wealhþeow forð cwen hroðgares cynna gemyndig grette goldhroden guman on healle – ond þa freolic wif ful gesealde ærest eastdena eþelwearde bæd hine bliðne æt þære beorþege leodum leofne he on lust geþeah symbel ond seleful sigerof keening ymbeode þa ides helminga duguþe ond geogoþe dæl æghwylcne sincfato sealde oþþæt sæl alamp þæt hio beowulfe beaghroden cwen mode geþungen medoful ætbær – grette geata leod gode þancode wisfæst wordum þæs ðe hire se willa gelamp þæt heo on ænigne eorl gelyfde fyrena frofre he þæt ful geþeah wælreow wiga *æt wealhþeon – ond þa gyddode guþe gefysed beowulf maþelode bearn ecgþeowes – ic þæt hogode þa ic on holm gestah – sæbat gesæt mid minra secga gedriht þæt ic anunga eowra leoda willan geworhte oþðe on wæl crunge – feondgrapum fæst ic gefremman sceal eorlic ellen oþðe endedæg on þisse meoduhealle minne gebidan – ðam wife þa word wel licodon gilpcwide geates eode goldhroden – freolicu folccwen to hire frean sittan.\nÞa wæs eft swa ær inne on healle þryðword sprecen ðeod on sælum sigefolca sweg oþþæt semninga sunu healfdenes secean wolde æfenræste – wiste þæm ahlæcan to þæm heahsele hilde geþinged siððan hie sunnan leoht geseon ne meahton oþðe nipende niht ofer ealle scaduhelma gesceapu scriðan cwoman wan under wolcnum werod eall aras – grette þa guma oþerne hroðgar beowulf ond him hæl abead – winærnes *geweald ond þæt word acwæð.\nNæfre ic ænegum men ær alyfde siþðan ic hond ond rond hebban mihte ðryþærn dena buton þe nu ða hafa nu ond geheald husa selest gemyne mærþo mægenellen cyð waca wið wraþum – ne bið þe wilna gâd gif þu þæt ellenweorc aldre gedigest.\nÐa him hroþgar gewat mid his hæleþa gedryht eodur scyldinga ut of healle wolde wigfruma wealhþeo secan cwen to gebeddan hæfde kyningwuldor grendle togeanes swa guman gefrungon seleweard aseted sundornytte beheold ymb aldor dena eotonweard abea huru geata leod georne truwode modgan mægnes metodes hyldo – ða he him of dyde isernbyrnan helm of hafelan sealde his hyrsted sweord irena cyst ombihtþegne ond gehealdan het hildegeatwe gespræc þa se goda gylpworda sum – beowulf *geata ær he on bed stige no ic me an herewæsmun hnagran talige guþgeweorca þonne grendel hine forþan ic hine sweorde swebban nelle aldre beneotan þeah ic eal mæge nât he þara goda þæt he me ongean slea rand geheawe þeah ðe he rof sie niþgeweorca ac wit on niht sculon – secge ofersittan gif he gesecean dear – wig ofer wæpen ond siþðan witig god on swa hwæþere hond halig dryhten mærðo deme swa him gemet þince – hylde hine þa heaþodeor hleorbolster onfeng eorles andwlitan ond hine ymb monig snellic sâerinc selereste gebeah – nænig heora þohte þæt he þanon scolde eft eardlufan æfre gesecean folc oþðe freoburh þær he afeded wæs – ac hie hæfdon gefrunen þæt hie ær to fela micles in þæm winsele wældeað fornam denigea leode ac him dryhten forgeaf wigspeda gewiofu – *wedera leodum frofor ond fultum þæt hie feond heora ðurh anes cræft ealle ofercomon selfes mihtum soð is gecyþed þæt mihtig god manna cynnes weold [w]ideferhð com on wanre niht scriðan sceadugenga sceotend swæfon þa þæt hornreced healdan scoldon – ealle buton anum þæt wæs yldum cuþ þæt hie ne moste þa metod nolde – se scynscaþa under sceadu bregdan – ac he wæccende wraþum on andan bad bolgenmod beadwa geþinges.\nÐa com of more under misthleoþum grendel gongan godes yrre bær mynte se manscaða manna cynnes sumne besyrwan in sele þam hean wod under wolcnum to þæs þe he winreced goldsele gumena gearwost wisse – fættum fahne ne wæs þæt forma sið þæt he hroþgares ham gesohte – næfre he on aldordagum ær *ne siþðan heardran hæle healðegnas fand com þa to recede rinc siðian dreamum bedæled duru sona onarn fyrbendum fæst syþðan he hire folmum [gehr]an.\nOnbræd þa bealohydig ða [he ge]bolgen wæs recedes muþan raþe æfter þon on fagne flor feond treddode eode yrremod him of eagum stod ligge gelicost leoht unfæger – geseah he in recede rinca manige swefan sibbegedriht samod ætgædere magorinca heap þa his mod ahlog – mynte þæt he gedælde ærþon dæg cwome – atol aglæca anra gehwylces lif wið lice þa him alumpen wæs wistfylle wen ne wæs þæt wyrd þa gen – þæt he ma moste manna cynnes ðicgean ofer þa niht þryðswyð beheold mæg higelaces hu se manscaða under færgripum gefaran wolde – ne þæt se aglæca yldan þohte ac he ge*feng hraðe forman siðe slæpendne rinc slat unwearnum bât banlocan blod edrum dranc synsnædum swealh sona hæfde unlyfigendes eal gefeormod – fet ond folma forð near ætstop nam þa mid handa higeþihtigne rinc on ræste ræhte ongean feond mid folme he onfeng hraþe inwitþancum ond wið earm gesæt sona þæt onfunde fyrena hyrde þæt he ne mette middangeardes eorþan sceata on elran men mundgripe maran he on mode wearð forht on ferhðe no þy ær fram meahte hyge wæs him hinfus wolde on heolster fleon secan deofla gedræg ne wæs his drohtoð þær swylce he on ealderdagum ær gemette – gemunde þa se goda mæg higelaces æfenspræce uplang astôd ond him fæste wiðfeng fingras burston eoten wæs utweard eorl furþur stop mynte se mæra – *hwær he meahte swa – widre gewindan ond on weg þanon fleon on fenhopu wiste his fingra geweald on grames grapum þæt wæs geocor sið þæt se hearmscaþa to heorute ateah – dryhtsele dynede denum eallum wearð ceasterbuendum cenra gehwylcum eorlum ealuscerwen yrre wæron begen – reþe renweardas reced hlynsode þa wæs wundor micel þæt se winsele – wiðhæfde heaþodeorum þæt he on hrusan ne feol fæger foldbold ac he þæs fæste wæs – innan ond utan irenbendum searoþoncum besmiþod þær fram sylle âbeag – medubenc monig mine gefræge golde geregnad þær þa graman wunnon þæs ne wendon ær witan scyldinga þæt hit a mid gemete manna ænig – hetlic ond bânfag tobrecan meahte listum tolucan nymþe liges fæþm swulge on swaþule sweg *up astag – niwe geneahhe norðdenum stod atelic egesa anra gehwylcum þara þe of wealle wop gehyrdon – gryreleoð galan godes ondsacan sigeleasne sang sar wanigean – helle hæfton heold hine fæste se þe manna wæs mægene strengest on þæm dæge þysses lifes.\nNolde eorla hleo ænige þinga þone cwealmcuman cwicne forlætan – ne his lifdagas leoda ænigum nytte tealde þær genehost brægd eorl beowulfes ealde lafe wolde freadrihtnes feorh ealgian mæres þeodnes ðær hie meahton swa – hie þæt ne wiston þa hie gewin drugon heardhicgende hildemecgas – ond on healfa gehwone heawan þohton sawle secan þone synscaðan – ænig ofer eorþan irenna cyst guðbilla nan gretan nolde – ac he sigewæpnum *forsworen hæfde ecga gehwylcre scolde his aldorgedal on ðæm dæge þysses lifes earmlic wurðan ond se ellorgast on feonda geweald feor siðian – ða þæt onfunde se þe fela æror modes myrðe manna cynne fyrene gefremede – he wæs fag wið god þæt him se lichoma læstan nolde ac hine se modega mæg hygelaces hæfde be honda wæs gehwæþer oðrum lifigende lað licsar gebad atol æglæca him on eaxle wearð syndolh sweotol seonowe onsprungon burston banlocan beowulfe wearð guðhreð gyfeþe scolde grendel þonan feorhseoc fleon under fenhleoðu secean wynleas wîc wiste þe geornor þæt his aldres wæs ende gegongen – dogera dægrim denum eallum wearð æfter þam wælræse willa gelumpen – hæfde þa gefælsod se þe ær feorran com snotor ond swyðferhð sele hroðgares genered wið *niðe nihtweorce gefeh ellenmærþum hæfde eastdenum geatmecga leod gilp gelæsted.\nSwylce oncyþðe ealle gebette inwidsorge þe hie ær drugon ond for þreanydum þolian scoldon torn unlytel þæt wæs tacen sweotol syþðan hildedeor hond alegde earm ond eaxle þær wæs eal geador grendles grape under geapne hr[of].\nĐa wæs on morgen mine gefræge ymb þa gifhealle guðrinc monig ferdon folctogan feorran ond nean geond widwegas wundor sceawian laþes lastas no his lifgedal sarlic þuhte secga ænegum þara þe tirleases trode sceawode hu he werigmod on weg þanon niða ofercumen on nicera mere fæge ond geflymed feorhlastas bær – ðær wæs on blode brim weallende atol yða geswing eal gemenged – haton heolfre *heorodreore weol deaðfæge deog – siððan dreama leas – in fenfreoðo feorh alegde – hæþene sawle þær him hel onfeng – þanon eft gewiton ealdgesiðas swylce geong manig of gomenwaþe fram mere modge mearum ridan beornas on blancum ðær wæs beowulfes mærðo mæned monig oft gecwæð þætte suð ne norð be sæm tweonum ofer eormengrund oþer nænig under swegles begong selra nære rondhæbbendra rices wyrðra – ne hie huru winedrihten wiht ne logon glædne hroðgar ac þæt wæs god cyning.\nHwilum heaþorofe hleapan leton on geflit faran fealwe mearas ðær him foldwegas fægere þuhton cystum cuðe hwilum cyninges þegn guma gilphlæden gidda gemyndig se ðe ealfela ealdgesegena worn gemunde word oþer fand soðe gebunden secg eft ongan sið beowulfes snyttrum *styrian ond on sped wrecan spel gerade wordum wrixlan welhwylc gecwæð þæt he fram sigemundes secgan hyrde ellendædum uncuþes fela wælsinges gewin wide siðas þara þe gumena bearn gearwe ne wiston – fæhðe ond fyrena buton fitela mid hine þonne he swulces hwæt secgan wolde eam his nefan swa hie a wæron æt niða gehwam nydgesteallan.\nHæfdon ealfela eotena cynnes sweordum gesæged sigemunde gesprong æfter deaðdæge dom unlytel.\nSyþðan wiges heard wyrm acwealde hordes hyrde he under harne stan æþelinges bearn ana geneðde frecne dæde ne wæs him fitela mid – hwæþre him gesælde ðæt þæt swurd þurhwod wrætlicne wyrm þæt hit on wealle ætstod dryhtlic iren draca morðre swealt – hæfde aglæca elne gegongen þæt he beahhordes brucan moste selfes dome *sâebat gehleod bær on bearm scipes beorhte frætwa wælses eafera wyrm hât gemealt.\nSe wæs wreccena wide mærost ofer werþeode wigendra hleo ellendædum he þæs ær onðah siððan heremodes hild sweðrode eafoð ond ellen he mid eotenum wearð on feonda geweald forð forlacen snude forsended hine sorhwylmas lemede to lange he his leodum wearð eallum æþellingum to aldorceare\nSwylce oft bemearn ærran mælum swiðferhþes sið snotor ceorl monig se þe him bealwa to bote gelyfde þæt þæt ðeodnes bearn geþeon scolde fæderæþelum onfôn folc gehealdan hord ond hleoburh hæleþa rice .eðel. scyldinga he þær eallum wearð mæg higelaces manna cynne freondum gefægra hine fyren onwod – hwilum flitende fealwe stræte mearum mæton ða wæs morgenleoht scofen ond scynded *eode scealc monig swiðhicgende to sele þam hean searowundor seon swylce self cyning of brydbure beahhorda weard tryddode tirfæst – getrume micle cystum gecyþed ond his cwen mid him medostigge mæt mægþa hose.\nHroðgar maþelode he to healle geong stod on stapole geseah steapne hrof golde fahne – ond grendles hond – ðisse ansyne alwealdan þanc lungre gelimpe fela ic laþes gebad grynna æt grendle – a mæg god wyrcan wunder æfter wundre wuldres hyrde – ðæt wæs ungeara þæt ic ænigra me weana ne wende to widan feore bote gebidan þonne blode fah husa selest heorodreorig stod wea widscofen witena gehwylcne – ðara þe ne wendon þæt hie wideferhð leoda landgeweorc laþum beweredon – *scuccum ond scinnum nu scealc hafað þurh drihtnes miht dæd gefremede – ðe we ealle ær ne meahton snyttrum besyrwan hwæt þæt secgan mæg efne swa hwylc mægþa swa ðone magan cende – æfter gumcynnum gyf heo gyt lyfað þæt hyre ealdmetod este wære – bearngebyrdo nu ic beowulf þec secg betsta me for sunu wylle freogan on ferhþe heald forð tela – niwe sibbe ne bið þe nænigra gad worolde wilna þe ic geweald hæbbe ful oft ic for læssan lean teohhode hordweorþunge hnahran rince sæmran æt sæcce þu þe self hafast – dædum gefremed þæt þin dom lyfað awa to alder alwalda þec gode forgylde swa he nu gyt dyde – beowulf maþelode bearn ecgþeowes we þæt ellenweorc estum miclum feohtan fremedon frecne geneðdon – eafoð uncuþes uþe ic swiþor þæt ðu hine selfne geseon moste feond on frætewum fylwerigne – ic hine hrædlice *heardan clammum on wælbedde wriþan þohte þæt he for mundgripe minum scolde licgean lifbysig butan his lic swice – ic hine ne mihte þa metod nolde ganges getwæman no ic him þæs georne ætfealh feorhgeniðlan wæs to foremihtig feond on feþe hwæþere he his folme forlet to lifwraþe last weardian earm ond eaxle no þær ænige swa þeah feasceaft guma frofre gebohte – no þy leng leofað laðgeteona synnum geswenced ac hyne sar hafað in nidgripe nearwe befongen – balwon bendum ðær abidan sceal maga mane fah miclan domes hu him scir metod scrifan wille – ða wæs swigra secg sunu eclafes on gylpspræce guðgeweorca siþðan æþelingas eorles cræfte ofer heanne hrof hand sceawedon feondes fingras foran æghwylc wæs stiðra nægla gehwylc style gelicost hæþenes handsporu hilde *hilderinces eglu unheoru æghwylc gecwæð þæt him heardra nan hrinan wolde iren ærgod þæt ðæs ahlæcan blodge beadufolme onberan wolde.\nÐa wæs haten hreþe heort innanweard folmum gefrætwod fela þæra wæs wera ond wifa þe þæt winreced gestsele gyredon goldfag scinon web æfter wagum wundorsiona fela secga gehwylcum þara þe on swylc starað – wæs þæt beorhte bold tobrocen swiðe eal inneweard irenbendum fæst heorras tohlidene hrof ana genæs ealles ansund þe se aglæca fyrendædum fag on fleam gewand aldres orwena no þæt yðe byð to befleonne fremme se þe wille.\nAc gesecan sceal sawlberendra nyde genydde niþða bearna grundbuendra gearwe stowe – þær his lichoma legerbedde fæst – swefeþ æfter symle þa wæs sæl ond mæl þæt to healle *gang healfdenes sunu wolde self cyning symbel þicgan ne gefrægen ic þa mægþe maran weorode ymb hyra sincgyfan sel gebæran – bugon þa to bence blædagande fylle gefægon fægere geþægon medoful manig magas þara swiðhicgende on sele þam hean hroðgar ond hroþulf heorot innan wæs freondum afylled nalles facenstafas þeodscyldingas þenden fremedon forgeaf þa beowulfe brand healfdenes segen gyldenne sigores to leane hroden hildecumbor helm ond byrnan mære maðþumsweord manige gesawon – beforan beorn beran beowulf geþah ful on flette – no he þære feohgyfte for scotendum scamigan ðorfte ne gefrægn ic freondlicor feower madmas golde gegyrede gummanna fela in ealobence oðrum gesellan – ymb þæs helmes hrof heafodbeorge wirum bewunden wala utan heold þæt him fela *laf frecne ne meahton scurheard sceþðan þonne scyldfreca ongean gramum gangan scolde.\nHeht ða eorla hleo eahta mearas fætedhleore on flet teon – in under eoderas þara anum stod sadol searwum fâh since gewurþad þæt wæs hilde – setl heahcyninges ðonne sweorda gelac sunu healfdenes efnan wolde næfre on ore læg widcuþes wig ðonne walu feollon ond ða Beowulfe bega gehwæþres eodor Ingwina onweald geteah – wicga ond wæpna het hine wel brucan – swa manlice mære þeoden hordweard hæleþa heaþoræsas geald mearum ond madmum.\nSwa hy næfre man lyhð se þe secgan wile soð æfter rihte.\nÐa gyt æghwylcum eorla drihten þara þe mid beowulfe brimlade teah on þære medubence maþðum gesealde yr*felafe ond þone ænne heht golde forgyldan þone ðe grendel ær mane acwealde swa he hyra ma wolde nefne him witig god wyrd forstode ond ðæs mannes mod metod eallum weold gumena cynnes swa he nu git deð forþan bið andgit æghwær selest ferhðes foreþanc fela sceal gebidan leofes ond laþes se þe longe her on ðyssum windagum worolde bruceð – þær wæs sang ond sweg samod ætgædere fore healfdenes hildewisan gomenwudu greted gid oft wrecen – ðonne healgamen hroþgares scop æfter medobence mænan scolde be finnes eaferum ða hie se fær begeat hæleð healfdena hnæf scyldinga in freswæle feallan scolde ne huru hildeburh herian þorfte – eotena treowe unsynnum wearð beloren leofum æt þam lindplegan bearnum ond broðrum hie on gebyrd hruron gare *wunde þæt wæs geomuru ides nalles holinga hoces dohtor meotodsceaft bemearn syþðan morgen com – ða heo under swegle geseon meahte morþorbealo maga þær heo ær mæste heold worolde wynne wig ealle fornam finnes þegnas nemne feaum anum þæt he ne mehte on þæm meðelstede – wig hengeste wiht gefeohtan – ne þa wealafe wige forþringan þeodnes ðegne – ac hig him geþingo budon þæt hie him oðer flet eal gerymdon healle ond heahsetl þæt hie healfre geweald wið eotena bearn agan moston ond æt feohgyftum folcwaldan sunu dogra gehwylce dene weorþode hengestes heap hringum wenede efne swa swiðe sincgestreonum fættan goldes swa he fresena cyn on beorsele byldan wolde – ða hie getruwedon on twa healfa fæste frioðuwærefin hengeste elne unflitme aðum *benemde – þæt he þa wealafe weotena dome arum heolde þæt ðær ænig mon wordum ne worcum wære ne bræce – ne þurh inwitsearo æfre gemænden ðeah hie hira beaggyfan banan folgedon ðeodenlease þa him swa geþearfod wæs gyf þonne frysna hwylc frecnan spræce ðæs morþorhetes myndgiend wære þonne hit sweordes ecg seðan scolde ad wæs geæfned ond icge gold – ahæfen of horde herescyldinga betst beadorinca – wæs on bæl gearu æt þæm ade wæs eþgesyne swatfah syrce swyn ealgylden – eofer irenheard æþeling manig wundum awyrded sume on wæle crungon – het ða hildeburh æt hnæfes ade hire selfre sunu sweoloðe befæstan bânfatu bærnan ond on bæl don eame on eaxle ides gnornode geomrode giddum guðrinc astah – wand *to wolcnum wælfyra mæst hlynode for hlawe hafelan multon – bengeato burston ðonne blôd ætspranc – laðbite lices lig ealle forswealg gæsta gifrost þara ðe þær guð fornam bega folces wæs hira blæd scacen.\nGewiton him ða wigend wica neosian freondum befeallen frysland geseon hamas ond heaburh hengest ða gyt wælfagne winter wunode mid finne eal unhlitme eard gemunde þeah þe he ne meahte on mere drifan hringedstefnan holm storme weol won wið winde winter yþe beleac isgebinde oþðæt oþer com gear in geardas swa nu gyt deð þa ðe syngales sele bewitiað wuldortorhtan weder ða wæs winter scacen fæger foldan bearm fundode wrecca gist of geardum he to gyrnwræce swiðor *þohte þonne to sælade gif he torngemot þurhteon mihte þæt he eotena bearn inne gemunde.\nSwa he ne forwyrnde woroldrædenne þonne him hunlafing hildeleoman billa selest on bearm dyde þæs wæron mid eotenum ecge cuðe swylce ferhðfrecan fin eft begeat sweordbealo sliðen æt his selfes ham siþðan grimne gripe guðlaf ond oslaf æfter sâesiðe sorge mændon ætwiton weana dæl ne meahte wæfre mod forhabban in hreþre ða wæs heal roden feonda feorum swilce fin slægen cyning on corþre ond seo cwen numen sceotend scyldinga to scypon feredon eal ingesteald eorðcyninges swylce hie æt finnes ham findan meahton sigla searogimma hie on sælade drihtlice wif to denum feredon læddon – *to leodum leoð wæs asungen gleomannes gyd gamen eft astah – beorhtode bencsweg byrelas sealdon wîn of wunderfatum – þa cwom wealhþeo forð gân under gyldnum beage þær þa godan twegen sæton suhtergefæderan þa gyt wæs hiera sib ætgædere æghwylc oðrum trywe swylce þær unferþ þyle æt fotum sæt frean scyldinga gehwylc hiora his ferhþe treowde – þæt he hæfde môd micel þeah þe he his magum nære ârfæst æt ecga gelacum.\nSpræc ða ides scyldinga – onfoh þissum fulle freodrihten min sinces brytta þu on sælum wes goldwine gumena ond to geatum spræc mildum wordum swa sceal man don – beo wið geatas glæd geofena gemyndig nean ond feorran þu nu hafast me man sægde þæt *þu ðe for sunu wolde hererinc habban heorot is gefælsod beahsele beorhta bruc þenden þu mote manigra medo ond þinum magum læf folc ond rice þonne ðu forð scyle metodsceaft seon ic minne can glædne hroþulf þæt he þa geogoðe wile arum healdan gyf þu ær þonne he wine scildinga worold oflætest wene ic þæt he mid gode gyldan wille uncran eaferan gif he þæt eal gemon hwæt wit to willan ond to worðmyndum umborwesendum âer arna gefremedon – hwearf þa bi bence þær hyre byre wæron hreðric ond hroðmund ond hæleþa bearn giogoð ætgædere þær se goda sæt beowulf geata be þæm gebroðrum twæm\nHIm wæs ful boren ond freondlaþu wordum bewægned ond wunden gold estum geeawed earmreade twa hrægl ond hrin *gas healsbeaga mæst þara þe ic on foldan gefrægen hæbbe nænigne ic under swegle selran hyrde hordmaððum hæleþa syþðan hama ætwæg to þære byrhtan byrig brosinga mene sigle ond sincfæt searoniðas fleah eormenrices geceas ecne râed þone hring hæfde higelac geata nefa swertinges nyhstan siðe siðþan he under segne sinc ealgode – wælreaf werede hyne wyrd fornam syþðan he for wlenco wean ahsode fæhðe to frysum he þa frætwe wæg eorclanstanas ofer yða ful – rice þeoden he under rande gecranc gehwearf þa in francna fæþm feorh cyninges breostgewædu ond se beah somod wyrsan wigfrecan wæl reafedon æfter guðsceare geata leode hreawic heoldon heal swege onfeng.\nWealhðeo maþelode heo fore þæm werede spræc bruc ðisses beages beowulf leofa hyse mid hæle *ond þisses hrægles neot þeodgestreona ond geþeoh tela cen þec mid cræfte ond þyssum cnyhtum wes lara liðe ic þe þæs lean geman hafast þu gefered þæt ðe feor ond neah ealne wideferhþ weras ehtigað efne swa side swa sâe bebugeð windgeard weallas wes þenden þu lifige æþeling eadig ic þe an tela sincgestreona beo þu suna minum dædum gedefe dreamhealdende – her is æghwylc eorl oþrum getrywe modes milde mandrihtne hold þegnas syndon geþwære þeod ealgearo druncne dryhtguman doð swa ic bidde.\nEode þa to setle þær wæs symbla cyst druncon win weras wyrd ne cuþon geosceaft grimme swa hit agangen wearð eorla manegum syþðan æfen cwom ond him hroþgar gewat to hofe sinum rice to ræste reced weardode unrim eorla swa hie oft ær dydon bencþelu beredon hit geondbræded wearð beddum ond bolstrum beorscealca sum fus ond fæge fletræste ge *beag setton him to heafdon hilderandas bordwudu beorhtan þær on bence wæs – ofer æþelinge yþgesene heaþosteapa helm hringed byrne þrecwudu þrymlic wæs þeaw hyra þæt hie oft wæron an wig gearwe ge æt ham ge on herge ge gehwæþer þara efne swylce mæla swylce hira mandryhtne þearf gesælde wæs seo þeod tilu.\nSIgon þa to slæpe sum sare angeald æfenræste swa him ful oft gelamp siþðan goldsele grendel warode unriht æfnde oþþæt ende becwom swylt æfter synnum þæt gesyne wearþ widcuþ werum þætte wrecend þa gyt lifde æfter laþum lange þrage æfter guðceare grendles modor ides aglæcwif yrmþe gemunde se þe wæteregesan wunian scolde cealde streamas siþðan cain wearð to ecgbanan angan breþer fæderenmæge he þa fag gewat morþre gemearcod *mandream fleon westen warode þanon woc fela geosceaftgasta wæs þæra grendel sum heorowearh hetelic se æt heorote fand wæccendne wer wiges bidan þær him aglæca ætgræpe wearð hwæþre he gemunde mægenes strenge gimfæste gife ðe him god sealde ond him to anwaldan are gelyfde frofre ond fultum ðy he þone feond ofercwom gehnægde helle gast þa he hean gewât dreame bedæled deaþwîc seon mancynnes feond ond his modor þa gyt gifre ond galgmod gegan wolde sorhfulne sið sunu deað wrecan com þa to heorote ðær hringdene geond þæt sæld swæfun þa ðær sona wearð edhwyrft eorlum siþðan inne fealh grendles modor wæs se gryre læssa efne swa micle swa bið mægþa cræft wiggryre wifes be wæpnedmen þonne heoru bunden hamere geþuren sweord swate fah swin ofer helme ecgum *dyhttig andweard scireð – þa wæs on healle heardecg togen sweord ofer setlum sidrand manig hafen handa fæst helm ne gemunde byrnan side þa hine se broga angeat heo wæs on ofste wolde ut þanon feore beorgan þa heo onfunden wæs hraðe heo æþelinga anne hæfde fæste befangen þa heo to fenne gang se wæs hroþgare hæleþa leofost on gesiðes had be sæm tweonum rice randwiga þone ðe heo on ræste abreat blædfæstne beorn næs beowulf ðær – ac wæs oþer in ær geteohhod æfter maþðumgife – mærum geate hream wearð in heorote heo under heolfre genam cuþe folme cearu wæs geniwod geworden in wicun ne wæs þæt gewrixle til þæt hie on ba healfa bicgan scoldon – freonda feorum þa wæs frod cyning – hâr hilderinc on hreon *mode syðþan he aldorþegn unlyfigendne þone deorestan deadne wisse – hraþe wæs to bure beowulf fetod sigoreadig secg samod ærdæge eode eorla sum æþele cempa self mid gesiðum þær se snotera bâd – hwæþer him alwalda æfre wille æfter weaspelle wyrpe gefremman gang ða æfter flore fyrdwyrðe man mid his handscale healwudu dynede þæt he þone wisan wordum nægde frean ingwina frægn gif him wære æfter neodlaðum niht getæse.\nHroðgar maþelode helm scyldinga ne frin þu æfter sælum sorh is geniwod denigea leodum dead is æschere yrmenlafes yldra broþor min rûnwita ond min rædbora eaxlgestealla ðonne we on orlege hafelan weredon þonne hniton feþan eoferas cnysedan *swy[l]c scolde eorl wesan æþeling ærgod swylc æschere wæs wearð him on heorote to handbanan wælgæst wæfre ic ne wât hwæder atol æse wlanc eftsiðas teah fylle gefægnod heo þa fæhðe wræc þe þu gystran niht grendel cwealdest þurh hæstne had heardum clammum forþan he to lange leode mine wanode ond wyrde he æt wige gecrang ealdres scyldig ond nu oþer cwom mihtig manscaða wolde hyre mæg wrecan – ge feor hafað fæhðe gestæled þæs þe þincean mæg þegne monegum se þe æfter sincgyfan on sefan greoteþ hreþerbealo hearde nu seo hand ligeð se þe eow welhwylcra wilna dohte –ic þæt londbuend leode mine selerædende secgan hyrde þæt hie gesawon swylce twegen micle mearcstapan moras healdan ellorgæstas ðæra oðer wæs þæs þe hie gewislicost gewitan meahton idese onlicnæs oðer earmsceapen on weres wæstmum wræclastas *træd næfne he wæs mara þonne ænig man oðer þone on geardagum grendel nemdo[n] foldbuende no hie fæder cunnon hwæþer him ænig wæs ær acenned dyrnra gasta hie dygel lond warigeað wulfhleoþu windige næssas frecne fengelad ðær fyrgenstream under næssa genipu niþer gewiteð flod under foldan nis þæt feor heonon milgemearces þæt se mere standeð ofer þæm hongiað hrinde bearwas wudu wyrtum fæst wæter oferhelmað þær mæg nihta gehwæm niðwundor seon fyr on flode no þæs frod leofað gumena bearna þæt þone grund wite ðeah þe hæðstapa hundum geswenced heorot hornum trum holtwudu sece feorran geflymed ær he feorh seleð aldor on ofre ær he in wille hafelan : hydan nis þæt heoru stow – þonon yðgeblond up astigeð won to wolcnum þonne wind styreþ lað gewidru oðþæt lyft drysmaþ roderas reotað nu is se ræd gelang eft æt *þe anum eard git ne const frecne stowe ðær þu findan miht felasinnigne secg sec gif þu dyrre ic þe þa fæhðe feo leanige ealdgestreonum swa ic ær dyde wundnum golde gyf þu on weg cymest.\nBeowulf maþelode bearn ecgþeowes ne sorga snotor guma selre bið æghwæm þæt he his freond wrece þonne he fela murne ure æghwylc sceal ende gebidan worolde lifes wyrce se þe mote domes âer deaþe þæt bið drihtguman unlifgendum æfter selest âris rices weard uton raþe feran grendles magan gang sceawigan.\nIc hit þe gehate no he on helm losaþ ne on foldan fæþm ne on fyrgenholt – ne on gyfenes grund gâ þær he wille ðys dogor þu geþyld hafa weana gehwylces swa ic þe wene to – ahleop ða se gomela gode þancode mihtigan drihtne þæs se man ge-*spræc þa wæs hroðgare hors gebæted wicg wundenfeax wisa fengel geatolic gende gumfeþa stop lindhæbbendra lastas wæron æfter waldswaþum wide gesyne gang ofer grundas þær heo gegnum for ofer myrcan mor magoþegna bær þone selestan sawolleasne þara þe mid hroðgare hâm eahtode ofereode þa æþelinga bearn steap stanhliðo stige nearwe enge anpaðas uncuð gelad neowle næssas nicorhusa fela – he feara sum beforan gengde wisra monna wong sceawian oþþæt he færinga fyrgenbeamas ofer harne stan hleonian funde wynleasne wudu wæter under stod dreorig ond gedrefed denum eallum wæs winum scyldinga weorce on mode to geþolianne ðegne monegum oncyð eorla gehwæm syðþan æscheres on þam holmclife hafelan metton flod blode weol folc to sægon *hatan heolfre horn stundum song fuslic f[yrd]leoð feþa eal gesæt – gesawon ða æfter wætere wyrmcynnes fela sellice sædracan sund cunnian swylce on næshleoðum nicras licgean – ða on undernmæl oft bewitigað sorhfulne sið on seglrade wyrmas ond wildeor hie on weg hruron bitere ond gebolgne bearhtm ongeaton guðhorn galan sumne geata leod of flanbogan feores getwæfde yðgewinnes þæt him on aldre stod herestræl hearda he on holme wæs sundes þe sænra ðe hyne swylt fornam – hræþe wearð on yðum mid eoferspreotum heorohocyhtum hearde genearwod niða genæged ond on næs togen wundorlic wægbora weras sceawedon gryrelicne gist gyrede hine beowulf eorlgewædum nalles for ealdre mearn scolde herebyrne hondum gebroden sid ond searofah sund cunnian seo ðe bâncofan beorgan cuþe þæt him hildegrap hreþre ne mihte eorres inwitfeng aldre gesceþðan – ac se hwita helm – *hafelan werede se þe meregrundas mengan scolde secan sundgebland since geweorðad befongen freawrasnum swa hine fyrndagum worhte wæpna smið wundrum teode besette swinlicum þæt hine syðþan no brond ne beadomecas bitan ne meahton.\nNæs þæt þonne mætost mægenfultuma þæt him on ðearfe lah ðyle hroðgares wæs þæm hæftmece hrunting nama þæt wæs an foran ealdgestreona ecg wæs iren atertanum fah ahyrded heaþoswate næfre hit æt hilde ne swac manna ængum þara þe hit mid mundum bewand se ðe gryresiðas gegan dorste folcstede fara næs þæt forma sið þæt hit ellenweorc æfnan scolde – huru ne gemunde mago ecglafes eafoþes cræftig þæt he ær gespræc wine druncen þa he þæs wæpnes onlah – selran sweordfrecan selfa ne dorste under yða gewin aldre geneþan drihtscype dreogan þær he dome forleas ellen-*mærðum ne wæs þæm oðrum swa syðþan he hine to guðe gegyred hæfde.\nBeowulf maðelode bearn ecgþeowes geþenc nu se mæra maga healfdenes snottra fengel nu ic eom siðes fus goldwine gumena hwæt wit geo spræcon gif ic æt þearfe þinre scolde aldre linnan þæt ðu me a wære forðgewitenum on fæder stæle wes þu mundbora minum magoþegnum hondgesellum gif mec hild nime.\nSwylce þu ða madmas þe þu me sealdest hroðgar leofa higelace onsend – mæg þonne on þæm golde ongitan geata dryhten geseon sunu hrædles þonne he on þæt sinc starað þæt ic gumcystum godne funde beaga bryttan breac þonne moste – ond þu unferð læt ealde lafe wrætlic wægsweord widcuðne man heardecg habban ic me mid hruntinge dôm gewyrce *oþðe mec deað nimeð – æfter þæm wordum wedergeata leod efste mid elne nalas ondsware bidan wolde brimwylm onfeng hilderince ða wæs hwil dæges ær he þone grundwong ongytan mehte.\nSona þæt onfunde se ðe floda begong heorogifre beheold hund missera grim ond grædig þæt þær gumena sum ælwihta eard ufan cunnode grap þa togeanes guðrinc gefeng atolan clommum no þy ær in gescod halan lice hring utan ymbbearh þæt heo þone fyrdhom ðurhfon ne mihte locene leoðosyrcan laþan fingrum bær þa seo brimwylf þa heo to botme com hringa þengel to hofe sinum swa he ne mihte no he þæs modig wæs wæpna gewealdan ac hine wundra þæs fela swencte on sunde sædeor monig hildetuxum heresyrcan bræc ehton aglæcan ða se eorl ongeat þæt he in niðsele nathwylcum wæs þær him nænig wæter wihte ne sceþede ne him for hrofsele hrinan ne mehte færgripe flodes *fyrleoht geseah blacne leoman beorhte scinan[.]\nOngeat þa se goda grundwyrgenne merewif mihtig mægenræs forgeaf hildebille hond sweng ne ofteah þæt hire on hafelan hringmæl agol grædig guðleoð ða se gist onfand þæt se beadoleoma bitan nolde aldre sceþðan – ac seo ecg geswac ðeodne æt þearfe ðolode ær fela hondgemota helm oft gescær fæges fyrdhrægl ða wæs forma sið deorum madme þæt his dôm alæg – eft wæs anræd nalas elnes læt mærða gemyndig mæg hylaces wearp ða wundenmæl wrættum gebunden yrre oretta þæt hit on eorðan læg stið ond stylecg strenge getruwode mundgripe mægenes swa sceal man don þonne he æt guðe gegan þenceð longsumne lof na ymb his lif cearað.\nGefeng þa be eaxle nalas for fæhðe mearn guðgeata leod grendles modor brægd þa beadwe heard þa he gebolgen wæs feorhgeniðlan þæt heo on flet gebeah heo him eft hraþe andlean forgeald grim-*man grapum ond him togeanes feng oferwearp þa werigmod wigena strengest feþecempa þæt he on fylle wearð.\nOfsæt þa þone selegyst ond hyre seax geteah brad ond brûnecg wolde hire bearn wrecan angan eaferan him on eaxle læg breostnet broden þæt gebearh feore wið ord ond wið ecge ingang forstod[.]\nHæfde ða forsiðod sunu ecgþeowes under gynne grund geata cempa nemne him heaðobyrne helpe gefremede herenet hearde ond halig god geweold wigsigor witig drihten rodera rædend hit on ryht gesced yðelice syþðan he eft astod[.]\nGeseah ða on searwum sigeeadig bil eald sweord eotenisc ecgum þyhtig wigena weorðmynd þæt wæs wæpna cyst buton hit wæs mare ðonne ænig mon oðer to beadulace ætberan meahte gôd ond geatolic giganta geweorc – he gefeng þa fetelhilt freca scyldinga hreoh ond heorogrim hringmæl gebrægd aldres orwena yrringa *sloh þæt hire wið halse heard grapode banhringas bræc bil eal ðurhwod fægne flæschoman heo on flet gecrong sweord wæs swatig secg weorce gefeh lixte se leoma leoht inne stod efne swa of hefene hadre scineð rodores candel he æfter recede wlat.\nHwearf þa be wealle wæpen hafenade heard be hiltum higelaces ðegn yrre ond anræd – næs seo ecg fracod hilderince ac he hraþe wolde grendle forgyldan guðræsa fela ðara þe he geworhte to westdenum oftor micle ðonne on ænne sið þonne he hroðgares heorðgeneatas sloh on sweofote slæpende fræt folces denigea fyftyne men ond oðer swylc ut offerede laðlicu lac he him þæs lean forgeald reþe cempa to ðæs – þe he on ræste geseah guðwerigne grendel licgan aldorleasne swa him âer gescod hild æt heorote hra wide sprong syþðan he æfter deaðe drepe þrowade heorosweng heardne ond hine þa heafde becearf.\nSona þæt gesawon snottre *ceorlas þa ðe mid hroðgare on holm wliton þæt wæs yðgeblond eal gemenged brim blode fah blondenfeaxe gomele ymb godne ongeador spræcon þæt hig þæs æðelinges eft ne wendon þæt he sigehreðig secean come mærne þeoden þa ðæs monige gewearð þæt hine seo brimwylf abroten hæfde – ða com non dæges næs ofgeafon hwate scyldingas gewat him ham þonon goldwine gumena gistas setan modes seoce ond on mere staredon wiston ond ne wendon þæt hie heora winedrihten selfne gesawon þa þæt sweord ongan æfter heaþoswate hildegicelum wigbil wanian þæt wæs wundra sum – þæt hit eal gemealt ise gelicost ðonne forstes bend fæder onlæteð onwindeð wælrapas se geweald hafað sæla ond mæla þæt is soð metod – ne nom he in þæm wicum wedergeata leod maðmæhta ma þeh he þær monige geseah buton þone hafelan ond þa hilt somod since fage sweord ær gemealt forbarn brodenmæl wæs þæt blod *to þæs hat ættren ellorgæst se þær inne swealt.\nSona wæs on sunde se þe ær æt sæcce gebad wighryre wraðra wæter up þurhdeaf wæron yðgebland eal gefælsod eacne eardas þa se ellorgast oflet lifdagas ond þas lænan gesceaft.\nCom þa to lande lidmanna helm swiðmod swymman sælace gefeah mægenbyrþenne þara þe he him mid hæfde.\nEodon him þa togeanes gode þancodon ðryðlic þegna heap þeodnes gefegon þæs þe hi hyne gesundne geseon moston – ða wæs of þæm hroran helm ond byrne lungre alysed lagu drusade wæter under wolcnum wældreore fag – ferdon forð þonon feþelastum ferhþum fægne foldweg mæton cuþe stræte cyningbalde men from þæm holmclife hafelan bæron earfoðlice heora æghwæþrum felamodigra feower scoldon on þæm wælstenge weorcum geferian to þæm goldsele grendles heafod oþðæt *semninga to sele comon frome fyrdhwate feowertyne geata gongan gumdryhten mid modig on gemonge meodowongas træd – ða com in gan ealdor ðegna dædcene mon dome gewurþad hæle hildedeor hroðgar gretan – þa wæs be feaxe on flet boren grendles heafod þær guman druncon egeslic for eorlum ond þære idese mid wliteseon wrætlic weras on sawon.\nBeowulf maþelode bearn ecgþeowes hwæt we þe þas sâelac sunu healfdenes leod scyldinga lustum brohton tires to tacne þe þu her to locast – ic þæt unsofte ealdre gedigde wigge under wætere weorc geneþde earfoðlice ætrihte wæs guð getwæfed nymðe mec god scylde.\nNe meahte ic æt hilde mid hruntinge wiht gewyrcan þeah þæt wæpen duge – ac me geuðe ylda waldend þæt ic on wage geseah wlitig *hangian eald sweord eacen oftost wisode winigea leasum þæt ic ðy wæpne gebræd – ofsloh ða æt þære sæcce þa me sæl ageald huses hyrdas þa þæt hildebil forbarn brogdenmæl – swa þæt blod gesprang hatost heaþoswata ic þæt hilt þanan feondum ætferede fyrendæda wræc deaðcwealm denigea swa hit gedefe wæs – ic hit þe þonne gehate þæt þu on heorote most sorhleas swefan mid þinra secga gedryht ond þegna gehwylc þinra leoda duguðe ond iogoþe þæt þu him ondrædan ne þearft þeoden scyldinga on þa healfe aldorbealu eorlum swa þu ær dydest – ða wæs gylden hilt gamelum rince harum hildfruman on hand gyfen enta ærgeweorc hit on æht gehwearf æfter deofla hryre denigea frean wundorsmiþa geweorc ond þa þas worold ofgeaf gromheort guma godes ondsaca morðres scyldig ond his modor eac on geweald gehwearf woroldcyninga ðæm selestan be *sæm tweonum ðara þe on scedenigge sceattas dælde – hroðgar maðelode hylt sceawode ealde lafe on ðæm wæs or writen fyrngewinnes – syðþan flod ofsloh gifen geotende giganta cyn frecne geferdon þæt wæs fremde þeod ecean dryhtne him þæs endelean þurh wæteres wylm waldend sealed.\nSwa wæs on ðæm scennum sciran goldes þurh runstafas rihte gemearcod geseted ond gesæd hwam þæt sweord geworht irena cyst ærest wære wreoþenhilt ond wyrmfah ða se wisa spræc sunu healfdenes swigedon ealle – þæt la mæg secgan se þe soð ond riht fremeð on folce feor eal gemon eald – eðel – weard þæt ðes eorl wære geboren betera blæd is aræred geond widwegas wine min beowulf ðin ofer þeoda gehwylce eal þu hit geþyldum healdest mægen mid modes snyttrum ic þe sceal mine gelæstan freode swa wit furðum spræcon ðu scealt to frofre weorþan eal langtwidig leodum þinum *hæleðum to helpe ne wearð heremod swa eaforum ecgwelan arscyldingum.\nNe geweox he him to willan ac to wælfealle ond to deaðcwalum deniga leodum breat bolgenmod beodgeneatas eaxlgesteallan oþþæt he ana hwearf mære þeoden – mondreamum from ðeah þe hine mihtig god mægenes wynnum eafeþum stepte ofer ealle men forð gefremede hwæþere him on ferhþe greow breosthord blodreow nallas beagas geaf – denum æfter dome dreamleas gebad þæt he þæs gewinnes weorc þrowade leodbealo longsum ðu þe lær be þon gumcyste ongit – ic þis gid be þe awræc wintrum frod wundor is to secganne hu mihtig god manna cynne þurh sidne sefan snyttru bryttað eard ond eorlscipe he ah ealra geweald – hwilum he on lufan læteð hworfan monnes modgeþonc mæran cynnes.\nSeleð him on eþle eorþan wynne to healdanne hleoburh wera *gedeð him swa gewealdene worolde dælas side rice þæt he his selfa ne mæg for his unsnyttrum ende geþencean – wunað he on wiste no hine wiht dweleð adl ne yldo ne him inwitsorh on sefa[n] sweorceð ne gesacu ohwær ecghete eoweð ac him eal worold wendeð on willan he þæt wyrse ne con.\nOðþæt him on innan oferhygda dæl weaxeð ond wridað þonne se weard swefeð sawele hyrde bið se slæp to fæst bisgum gebunden bona swiðe neah se þe of flanbogan fyrenum sceoteð þonne bið on hreþre under helm drepen biteran stræle him bebeorgan ne con wom wundorbebodum wergan gastes þinceð him to lytel þæt he lange heold gytsað gromhydig nallas on gylp seleð fædde beagas ond he þa forðgesceaft forgyteð ond forgymeð þæs þe him ær god sealde wuldres *waldend weorðmynda dæl – hit on endestæf eft gelimpeð þæt se lichoma læne gedreoseð fæge gefealleð fehð oþer to se þe unmurnlice madmas dæleþ eorles ærgestreon egesan ne gymeð – bebeorh þe ðone bealonið beowulf leofa secg betsta ond þe þæt selre geceos ece rædas oferhyda ne gym mære cempa nu is þines mægnes blæd ane hwile eft sona bið þæt þec adl oððe ecg eafoþes getwæfeð oððe fyres feng oððe flodes wylm oððe gripe meces oððe gares fliht oððe atol yldo oððe eagena bearhtm forsiteð ond forsworceð semninga bið – þæt ðec dryhtguma deað oferswyðeð swa ic hringdena hund missera weold under wolcnum ond hig wigge beleac manigum mægþa geond þysne middangeard æscum ond ecgum þæt ic me ænigne under swegles begong gesacan ne tealde hwæt me þæs on eþle edwenden cwom gyrn æfter gomene seoþðan grendel wearð ealdgewinna ingenga min.\nIc þære socne singales wæg modceare micle þæs sig metode þanc ecean dryhtne þæs ðe ic on aldre gebad þæt ic on þone hafelan heorodreorigne ofer ealdgewin eagum starige – ga nu to setle symbelwynne dreoh wigge weorþad unc sceal worn fela maþma gemænra siþðan morgen bið – geat wæs glædmod geong sona to setles neosan swa se snottra heht – þa wæs eft swa ær ellenrofum fletsittendum fægere gereorded niowan stefne nihthelm geswearc deorc ofer dryhtgumum duguð eal aras wolde blondenfeax beddes neosan gamela scylding geat unigmetes wel – rofne randwigan restan lyste sona him seleþegn siðes wergum feorrancundum forð wisade se for andrysnum ealle beweotede þegnes þearfe swylce þy dogore heaþoliðende habban scoldon – reste hine þa rumheort reced hliuade geap ond goldfah gæst inne swæf oþþæt hrefn blaca heofones wynne bliðheort bodode *ða com beorht scacan scaþan onetton wæron æþelingas eft to leodum fuse to farenne wolde feor þanon cuma collenferhð ceoles neosan.\nHeht þa se hearda hrunting beran sunu ecglafes heht his sweord niman leoflic iren sægde him þæs leanes þanc cwæð he þone guðwine godne tealde – wigcræftigne nales wordum log meces ecge þæt wæs modig secg ond þa siðfrome searwum gearwe wigend wæron.\nEode weorð denum æþeling to yppan þær se oþer wæs hæle hildedeor hroðgar grette.\nBeowulf maþelode bearn ecgþeowes nu we sæliðend secgan wyllað feorran cumene þæt we fundiaþ higelac secan wæron her tela willum bewenede þu us wel dohtest.\nGif ic þonne on eorþan owihte mæg þinre modlufan maran tilian – gumena dryhten ðonne ic gyt dyde guðgeweorca ic beo gearo sona – gif ic þæt ge-*fricge ofer floda begang þæt þec ymbsittend egesan þywað swa þec hetende hwilum dydon.\nIc ðe þusenda þegna bringe hæleþa to helpe ic on higelac wat geata dryhten þeah ðe he geong sy folces hyrde þæt he mec fremman wile wordum ond worcum þæt ic þe wel herige ond þe to geoce garholt bere mægenes fultum þær ðe bið manna þearf gif him þonne hreþric to hofum geata geþingeð þeodnes bearn he mæg þær fela – freonda findan feorcyþðe beoð selran gesohte þæm þe him selfa deah.\nHroðgar maþelode him on ondsware þe þa wordcwydas wigtig drihten on sefan sende ne hyrde ic snotorlicor on swa geongum feore guman þingian þu eart mægenes strang ond on mode frod wis wordcwida wen ic talige gif þæt gegangeð þæt ðe gar nymeð hild heorugrimme hreþles eaferan adl oþðe iren ealdor ðinne folces hyrde ond þu þin feorh hafast – þæt þe *sâegeatas selran næbben to geceosenne cyning ænigne hordweard hæleþa gyf þu healdan wylt maga rice me þin modsefa licað leng swa wel leofa beowulf hafast þu gefered þæt þam folcum sceal geata leodum ond gardenum sib gemæne ond sacu restan inwitniþas þe hie ær drugon wesan þenden ic wealde widan rices maþmas gemæne manig oþerne godum gegretan ofer ganotes bæð sceal hringnaca ofer heafu bringan lâc ond luftacen ic þa leode wât ge wið feond ge wið freond fæste geworhte æghwæs untæle ealde wisan – ða git him eorla hleo inne gesealde mago healfdenes maþmas .xii. het hine mid þæm lacum leode swæse secean on gesyntum snude eft cuman gecyste þa cyning æþelum gôd þeoden scyldinga ðegn betstan ond be healse genam hruron him tearas blondenfeaxum him wæs bega wen ealdum in-*frodum oþres swiðor þæt hie seoððan no geseon moston modige on meþle wæs him se man to þon leof þæt he þone breostwylm forberan ne mehte – ac him on hreþre hygebendum fæst æfter deorum men dyrne langað – beorn wið blode him beowulf þanan guðrinc goldwlanc græsmoldan træd since hremig sâegenga bad agendfrean se þe on ancre râd þa wæs on gange gifu hroðgares oft geæhted þæt wæs an cyning æghwæs orleahtre oþþæt hine yldo benam mægenes wynnum se þe oft manegum scod.\nCWOM þa to flode felamodigra hægstealdra heap hringnet bæron locene leoðosyrcan landweard onfand eftsið eorla swa he ær dyde no he mid hearme of hliðes nosan *gæs[tas] grette ac him togeanes rad cwæð þæt wilcuman wedera leodum scaþan scîrhame to scipe foron – þa wæs on sande sâegeap naca hladen herewædum hringedstefna mearum ond maðmum mæst hlifade ofer hroðgares hordgestreonum he þæm batwearde bunden golde swurd gesealde þæt he syðþan wæs on meodubence maþme þy weorþra yrfelafe gewat him on naca drefan deop wæter dena land ofgeaf – þa wæs be mæste merehrægla sum segl sale fæst sundwudu þunede no þær wegflotan wind ofer yðum siðes getwæfde sægenga for fleat famigheals forð ofer yðe bundenstefna ofer brimstreamas þæt hie geata clifu ongitan meahton cuþe næssas ceol up geþrang lyftgeswenced on lande stod – hraþe wæs æt *holme hyðweard geara se þe ær lange tid leofra manna fus æt faroðe feor wlatode sælde to sande sidfæþme scip oncerbendum fæst þy læs hym yþa ðrym wudu wynsuman forwrecan meahte het þa up beran æþelinga gestreon frætwe ond fætgold næs him feor þanon to gesecanne sinces bryttan – higelac hreþling þær æt ham wunað selfa mid gesiðum sâewealle neah bold wæs betlic bregorof cyning heah in healle hygd swiðe geong wis welþungen þeah ðe wintra lyt under burhlocan gebiden hæbbe hæreþes dohtor næs hio hnah swa þeah ne to gneað gifa geata leodum maþmgestreona mod þryðo wæg fremu folces cwen firen ondrysne nænig þæt dorste deor geneþan swæsra gesiða nefne sinfrea þæt hire an dæges eagum starede ac him wælbende – *weotode tealde handgewriþene hraþe seoþðan wæs æfter mundgripe mece geþinged þæt hit sceadenmæl scyran moste cwealmbealu cyðan ne bið swylc cwenlic þeaw idese to efnanne þeah ðe hio ænlicu sy þætte freoðuwebbe feores onsæce æfter ligetorne leofne mannan huru þæt onhohsnode hemminges mæg ealodrincende oðer sædan þæt hio leodbealewa læs gefremede inwitniða syððan ærest wearð gyfen goldhroden geongum cempan æðelum diore syððan hio offan flet ofer fealone flod be fæder lare siðe gesohte ðær hio syððan well in gumstole gode mære lifgesceafta lifigende breac – hiold heahlufan wið hæleþa brego ealles moncynnes mine gefræge þone selestan bi sæm tweonum eormencynnes forðam offa *wæs geofum ond guðum garcene man wide geweorðod wisdome heold eðel sinne þonon eomer wôc hæleðum to helpe hemminges mæg nefa gârmundes niða cræftig:—\nGEwat him ða se hearda mid his hondscole sylf æfter sande sæwong tredan wide waroðas woruldcandel scân sigel suðan fûs hi sið drugon elne geeodon to ðæs ðe eorla hleo bonan ongenþeoes – burgum in innan – geongne guðcyning godne gefrunon hringas dælan higelace wæs sið beowulfes snude gecyðed þæt ðær on worðig wigendra hleo lindgestealla lifigende cwom heaðolaces – hal to hofe gongan hraðe wæs gerymed swa se rica bebead feðegestum flet innanweard gesæt þa wið sylfne se ða sæcce genæs mæg wið mæge *syððan mandryhten þurh hleoðorcwyde holdne gegrette meaglum wordum meoduscencum hwearf – geond þæt healreced hæreðes dohtor lufode ða leode liðwæge bær hæleðum to handa higelac ongan sinne geseldan in sele þam hean fægre fricgcean hyne fyrwet bræc hwylce sægeata siðas wæron hu lomp eow on lade leofa biowulf þa ðu færinga feorr gehogodest – sæcce secean ofer sealt wæter hilde to hiorote ac ðu hroðgare widcuðne wean wihte gebettest mærum ðeodne ic ðæs modceare sorhwylmum seað siðe ne truwode leofes mannes ic ðe lange bæd þæt ðu þone wælgæst wihte ne grette lete suðdene sylfe geweorðan guðe wið grendel gode ic þanc secge þæs ðe ic ðe gesundne geseon moste.\nBiowulf maðelode bearn ecgðioes *þæt is undyrne dryhten higelac [micel] gemeting monegum fira – hwyl[c] [orleg]hwîl uncer grendles wearð on ðam wange þær he worna fela sigescyldingum sorge gefremede yrmðe to aldre ic ðæt eall gewræc swa [be]gylpan ne þearf grendeles maga [ænig] ofer eorðan uhthlem þone – se ðe lengest leofað laðan cynnes f[acne] bifongen ic ðær furðum cwom – to ðam hringsele hroðgar gretan sona me se mæra mago healfdenes syððan he modsefan minne cuðe wið his sylfes sunu setl getæhte – weorod wæs on wynne ne seah ic widan feorh under heofones hwealf healsittendra medudream maran hwilum mæru cwen friðusibb folca flet eall geondhwearf bædde byre geonge oft hio beahwriðan secge *[sealde ]ær hie to setle – geong hwilum for [d]uguðe dohtor hroðgares eorlum on ende ealuwæge bær þa ic freaware fletsittende – nemnan hyrde þær hio [næ]gled sinc hæleðum sealde sio gehaten [is] geong goldhroden gladum suna frodan – [h]afað þæs geworden wine scyldinga rices hyrde ond þæt ræd talað þæt he mid ðy wife wælfæhða dæl sæcca gesette oft seldan hwær – æfter leodhryre lytle hwile bongar bugeð þeah seo bryd duge mæg þæs þonne ofþyncan ðeodne heaðobeardna ond þegna gehwam þara leoda þonne he mid fæmnan on flett gæð – dryhtbearn dena duguða biwenede – on him gladiað gomelra lafe heard ond hringmæl heaðabeardna gestreon þenden hie ðam wæpnum wealdan moston.\nOððæt hie forlæddan to ðam lindplegan swæse gesiðas ond hyra sylfra feorh þonne cwið æt beore se ðe beah *gesyhð eald æscwiga se ðe eall gem[an] gârcwealm gumena him bið grim sefa onginneð geomormod geong[um] cempan þurh hreðra gehygd higes cunnian wigbealu weccean ond þæt word acwyð – meaht ðu min wine mece gecnawan þone þin fæder to gefeohte bær – under heregriman hindeman siðe – dyre iren þær hyne dene slogon weoldon wælstowe syððan wiðergyld læg – æfter hæleþa hryre hwate scyldungas nu her þara banena byre nathwylces – frætwum hremig on flet gæð morðres gylpe[ð] ond þone maðþum byreð þone þe ðu mid rihte rædan sceoldest manað swa ond myndgað mæla gehwylce – sarum wordum oððæt sæl cymeð þæt se fæmnan þegn fore fæder dædum – æfter billes bite blodfag swefeð – ealdres scyldig him se oðer þonan losað *[li]figende con him land geare þonne bioð [a]brocene on ba healfe aðsweord eorla [syð]ðan ingelde weallað wælniðas ond him wiflufan æfter cearwælmum colran weorðað þy ic heaðobeardna hyldo ne telge – dryhtsibbe dæl denum unfæcne freondscipe fæstne ic sceal forð sprecan – gen ymbe grendel þæt ðu geare cunne sinces brytta to hwan syððan wearð – hondræs hæleða syððan heofones gim – glad ofer grundas gæst yrre cwom eatol æfengrom user neosan – ðær we gesunde sæl weardodon þær wæs hondscio hild onsæge feorhbealu fægum he fyrmest læg gyrded cempa him grendel wearð mærum maguþegne to muðbonan – leofes mannes lîc eall forswealg – no ðy ær ut ða gen idelhende – bona blodigtoð bealewa gemyndig of ðam goldsele gongan wolde – ac he mægnes rof min costode *grapode gearofolm glof hangode sîd ond syllic searobendum fæst – sio wæs orðoncum eall gegyrwed deofles cræftum ond dracan fellum he mec þær on innan unsynnigne dior dædfruma gedôn [ ] wolde manigra sumne hyt ne mihte swa syððan ic on yrre uppriht astod.\nTo lang ys to reccenne hu i[c ð]am leodsceaðan yfla gehwylces ondlean forgeald þær ic þeoden min þine leode weorðode weorcum he on weg losade – lytle hwile lifwynna br[ea]c hwæþre him sio swiðre swaðe weardade – hand on hiorte ond he hean ðonan modes geomor meregrund gefeoll me þone wælræs wine scildunga – fættan golde fela leanode manegum maðmum syððan mergen côm – ond we to symble geseten hæfdon – þær wæs gidd ond gleo gomela *scilding felafricgende feorran rehte hwilum hildedeor hearpan wynne gomenwudu grette hwilum gyd awræc – soð ond sarlîc hwilum syllic spell – rehte æfter rihte rumheort cyning – hwilum eft ongan eldo gebunden gomel guðwiga gioguðe cwiðan hildestrengo hreðer inne weoll – þonne he wintrum frod worn gemunde swa we þær inne ondlangne dæg – niode naman oððæt niht becwom – oðer to yldum þa wæs eft hraðe gearo gyrnwræce – grendeles modor.\nSiðode sorhfull sunu deað fornam wighete wedra wif unhyre hyre bearn gewræc beorn acwealde ellenlice þær wæs æschere frodan fyrnwitan feorh uðgenge – noðer hy hine ne moston syððan mergen cwom deaðwerigne denia leode – bronde forbærnan ne on bel hladan – leofne mannan *hio þæt lic ætbær feondes fæðrunga [un]der firgenstream – þæt wæs hroðgare hreowa tornost þara þe leodfruman lange begeate – þa se ðeoden mec ðine life healsode hreohmod þæt ic on holma geþring eorlscipe efnde ealdre geneðde – mærðo fremede he me mede gehet ic ða ðæs wælmes þe is wide cuð grimne gryrelicne grundhyrde fond þær unc hwile wæs hand gemæne – holm heolfre weoll ond ic heafde becearf in ðam guðsele grendeles modor – eacnum ecgum unsofte þonan feorh oðferede – næs ic fæge þa gyt – ac me eorla hleo eft gesealde maðma menigeo maga healfdenes.\nSwa se ðeodkyning þeawum lyfde nealles ic ðam leanum forloren hæfde mægnes mede ac he me *[maðma]s geaf sunu healfdenes on [min]ne sylfes dôm – ða ic ðe beorncyning bringan wylle – estum geywan gen is eall æt ðe – lissa gelong ic lyt hafo – heafodmaga nefne hygelac ðec – het ða in beran eaforheafodsegn – heaðosteapne helm hare byrnan guðsweord geatolic gyd æfter wræc – me ðis hildesceorp hroðgâr sealde snotra fengel sume worde het þæt ic his ærest ðe est gesægde cwæð þæt hyt hæfde hiorogar cyning leod scyldunga lange hwile – no ðy ær suna sinum syllan wolde hwatum heorowearde þeah he him hold wære – breostgewædu bruc ealles well – hyrde ic þæt þam frætwum feower mearas – lungre gelice last weardode – æppelfealuwe he him est geteah meara ond maðma swa sceal *mæg don – nealles inwitnet oðrum bregdon dyrnum cræfte deað ren[ian] hondgesteallan hygelace wæs niða heardum – nefa swyðe hold ond gehwæðer oðrum hroþra gemyndig – hyrde ic þæt he ðone healsbeah hygde gesealde wrætlicne wundurmaððum ðone þe him wealhðeo geaf ðeod[nes] dohtor þrio wicg somod swancor ond sadolbeorht hyre syððan wæs æfter beahðege breost geweorðod – swa bealdode bearn ecgðeowes – guma guðum cuð godum dædum dreah æfter dome nealles druncne slog – heorðgeneatas næs him hreoh sefa – ac he mancynnes mæste cræfte – ginfæstan gife þe him god sealde heold hildedeor hean wæs lange swa hyne geata bearn godne ne tealdon – ne hyne on medobence micles wyrðne – *drihten wedera gedon wolde swyðe [wen]don þæt he sleac wære æðeling unfrom edwenden cwom tireadigum menn torna gehwylces – het ða eorla hleo in gefetian – heaðorof cyning hreðles lafe – golde gegyrede næs mid geatum ða sincmaðþum selra on sweordes had – þæt he on biowulfes bearm alegde – ond him gesealde seofan þusendo – bold ond bregostôl him wæs bam samod on ðam leodscipe lond gecynde eard eðelriht oðrum swiðor – side rice þam ðær selra wæs – eft þæt geiode ufaran dogrum – hildehlæmmum syððan hygelac læg – ond heardrede hildemeceas under bordhreoðan to bonan wurdon – ða hyne gesohtan on sigeþeode hearde hildefrecan heaðoscilfingas – niða genægdan – nefan hererices syððan *beowulfe brade rice on hand gehwearf he geheold tela fiftig wintra wæs ða frod cyning eald eþelweard oððæt ôn ongan deorcum nihtum draca rics[i]an se ðe on hea[ð]ohlawe hord beweotode stanbeorh steapne stig under læg eldum uncuð þær on innan giong – niða nathwylc ==== === gefeng hæðnum horde hond ======== since fahne he þæt syððan ===== þ===ð= == slæpende besyre ====de þeofes cræfte þæt sie ðiod ========= folc beorna þæt he gebolge[n] wæs\nNealles mid gewealdum wyrmhord abræc sylfes willum se ðe him sare gesceod ac for þreanedlan þ[egn] nathwylces hæleða bearna heteswengeas fleoh [–] ===== þearfa ond ðær inne fealh secg synbysig sona mwatide þæt ===== ðam gyst= ===== broga stod hwæðre ==== sceapen\nse fâes begeat sincfæt\nþær wæs swylcra fela in ðam eorð[hu]se ærgestreona swa hy on geardagum gumena nathwylc eormenlafe æþelan cynnes þanchycgende þær gehydde – deore maðmas ealle hie deað fornam ærran mælum – ond se an ða gen leoda duguðe se ðær lengest hwearf weard winegeomor wende þæs ylcan þæt he lytel fæc longgestreona brucan moste beorh eallgearo wunode on wonge wæteryðum neah niwe be næsse nearocræftum fæst þær on innan bær eorlgestreona hringa hyrde hordwyrðne dæl fættan goldes fea worda cwæð – heald þu nu hruse – nu hæleð ne moston eorla æhte hwæt hyt ær on ðe gode begeaton guðdeað fornam – feorhbealo frecne fyra gehwylcne – leoda minra þara ðe þis lif ofgeaf gesawon seledream == *nah hwa sweord wege oððe fe[o]r[mie] fæted wæge – dryncfæt deore dug[uð] ellor sceoc sceal se hearda helm [hyr]sted golde fætum befeallen feormynd swefað – þa ðe beadogriman bywan sceoldon – ge swylce seo herepâd sio æt hilde gebâd ofer borda gebræc bite irena brosnað æfter beorne ne mæg byrnan hring æfter wigfruman wide feran hæleðum be healfe næs hearpan wyn – gomen gleobeames ne gôd hafoc geond sæl swingeð ne se swifta mearh burhstede beateð bealocwealm hafað fela feorhcynna forð onsended.\nSwa giomormod giohðo mænde – an æfter eallum unbliðe hwe[op] dæges ond nihtes oððæt deaðes wylm hrân æt heortan hordwynne fond eald uhtsceaða opene standan se ðe byrnende biorgas seceð – nacod niðdraca nihtes fleogeð fyre befangen hyne foldbuend *[swiðe ondræ]da[ð] he gesecean sceall [ho]r[d] [on] hrusan þær he hæðen gold warað wintrum frod ne byð him wihte ðy sel – swa se ðeodsceaða þreo hund wintra – heold on hrusan hordærna sum eacencræftig oððæt hyne ân abealch mon on mode mandryhtne bær – fæted wæge frioðowære bæd hlaford sinne ða wæs hord rasod onboren beaga hord bene getiðad feasceaftum men frea sceawode – fira fyrngeweorc forman siðe – þa se wyrm onwôc wroht wæs geniwad – stonc ða æfter stane stearcheort onfand feondes fotlast he to forð gestop – dyrnan cræfte dracan heafde neah – swa mæg unfæge eaðe gedigan wean ond wræcsið se ðe waldendes hyldo gehealdeþ hordweard sohte georne æfter grunde wolde guman findan – þone þe him on sweofote sare geteode – hat ond hreohmod *hlæwum oft ymbehwearf ealne utanweardne ne ðær ænig mon on þære westenne hwæðre wiges gefeh bea[du] weorces hwilum on beorh æthwearf sincfæt sohte he þæt sona onfand ðæt hæfde gumena sum goldes gefandod heahgestreona hordweard onbâd earfoðlice oððæt æfen cwom wæs ða gebolgen beorges hyrde – wolde se laða lige forgyldan drincfæt dyre – þa wæs dæg sceacen wyrme on willan no on wealle læg bidan wolde ac mid bæle fôr fyre gefysed wæs se fruma egeslic leodum on lande swa hyt lungre wearð on hyra sincgifan sare geendod:—\nÐA se gæst ongan gledum spiwan beorht hofu bærnan bryneleoma stod eldum on andan no ðær aht cwices – lað lyftfloga læfan *wolde – wæs þæs wyrmes wig wide gesyne nearofages nið nean ond feorran hu se guðsceaða geata leode hatode ond hynde hord eft gesceat – dryhtsele dyrnne ær dæges hwile – hæfde landwara lige befangen bæle ond bronde beorges getruwode wiges ond wealles him seo wen geleah þa wæs biowulfe broga gecyðed snude to soðe þæt his sylfes ham bolda selest brynewylmum mealt – gifstol geata þæt ðam godan wæs – hreow on hreðre hygesorga mæst wende se wisa þæt he wealdende ofer ealde riht ecean dryhtne bitre gebulge breost innan weoll þeostrum geþoncum swa him geþywe ne wæs – hæfde ligdraca leoda fæsten – ealond utan eorðweard ðone gledum forgrunden him ðæs guðkyning wedera þioden wræce leornode heht him þa gewyrcean wigendra hleo eallirenne eorla dryhten wigbord wrætlic *wisse he gearwe þæt him holtwudu he[lpan] ne meahte lind wið lige sceolde lændaga æþeling ærgôd ende gebidan worulde lifes ond se wyrm somod þeah ðe hordwelan heolde lange oferhogode ða hringa fengel þæt he þone wîdflogan weorode gesohte sidan herge no he him þa sæcce ondred – ne him þæs wyrmes wig for wiht dyde – eafoð ond ellen forðon he ær fela nearo neðende niða gedigde hildehlemma syððan he hroðgares sigoreadig secg sele fælsode – ond æt guðe forgrap grendeles mægum laðan cynnes no þæt læsest wæs hondgemota þær mon hygelac sloh – syððan geata cyning guðe ræsum freawine folca freslondum on hreðles eafora hiorodryncum swealt bille gebeaten þonan biowulf com sylfes cræfte sundnytte dreah hæfde him on earme *=== xxx hildegeatwa þa he to holme [st]ag nealles hetware hremge þorf[t]on feðewiges þe him foran ongean – linde bæron lyt eft becwom fram þam hildfrecan hames niosan oferswam ða sioleða bigong sunu ecgðeowes earm anhaga eft to leodum þær him hygd gebead hord ond rice beagas ond bregostol bearne ne truwode þæt he wið ælfylcum eþelstolas healdan cuðe – ða wæs hygelac dead – no ðy ær feasceafte findan meahton æt ðam æðelinge ænige ðinga þæt he heardrede hlaford wære oððe þone cynedôm ciosan wolde – hwæðre he him on folce freondlarum heold – estum mid are oððæt he yldra wearð – wedergeatum weold hyne wræcmæcgas ofer sæ sohtan suna ohteres hæfdon hy forhealden helm scylfinga þone selestan sæcyninga þara ðe in swiorice sinc brytnade – mærne *þeoden him þæt to mearce wearð he þær for feorme feorhwunde hleat sweordes swengum sunu hygelaces – ond him eft gewat ongenðioes bearn hames niosan syððan heardred læg – let ðone bregostol biowulf healdan geatum wealdan þæt wæs god cyning.\nSE ðæs leodhryres lean gemunde uferan dogrum eadgilse wearð feasceaftum freond folce gestepte – ofer sæ side sunu ohteres wigum ond wæpnum he gewræc syððan cealdum cearsiðum cyning ealdre bineat – swa he niða gehwane genesen hæfde sliðra geslyhta sunu ecgðiowes – ellenweorca oð ðone anne dæg þe he wið þam wyrme gewegan sceolde – gewat þa .xii. sum torne gebolgen dryhten geata dracan sceawian hæfde þa gefrunen hwanan sio fæhð aras – bealonið biorna him to bearme *cwom maðþumfæt mære þurh ðæs meldan hond se wæs on ðam ðreate þreotteoða secg se ðæs orleges or onstealde hæft hygegiomor sceolde hean ðonon – wong wisian he ofer willan giong – to ðæs ðe he eorðsele anne wisse – hlæw under hrusan holmwylme neh – yðgewinne se wæs innan full wrætta ond wira weard unhiore gearo guðfreca goldmaðmas heold – eald under eorðan næs þæt yðe ceap to gegangenne gumena ænigum gesæt ða on næsse niðheard cyning – þenden hælo abead heorðgeneatum goldwine geata him wæs geomor sefa wæfre ond wælfus wyrd ungemete neah – se ðone gomelan gretan sceolde secean sawle hord sundur gedælan lif wið lice no þon lange wæs – feorh æþelinges flæsce bewunden – biowulf maþelade bearn ecgðeowes fela ic on giogoðe guðræsa genæs orleghwila ic þæt eall gemon – *ic wæs syfanwintre þa mec sinca baldor freawine folca æt minum fæder genam heold mec ond hæfde hreðel cyning geaf me sinc ond symbel sibbe gemunde næs ic him to life laðra owihte beorn in burgum þonne his bearna hwylc – herebeald ond hæðcyn – oððe hygelac min wæs þam yldestan ungedefelice mæges dædum morþorbed stred syððan hyne hæðcyn of hornbogan – his freawine flane geswencte miste mercelses ond his mæg ofscet broðor oðerne blodigan gare þæt wæs feohleas gefeoht fyrenum gesyngad – hreðre hygemeðe sceolde hwæðre swa þeah æðeling unwrecen ealdres linnan swa bið geomorlic gomelum ceorle to gebidanne þæt his byre ride giong on galgan þonne he gyd wrece sarigne sang þonne his sunu hangað hrefne to hroðre ond he him helpe ne mæg eald ond infrod ænige gefremman symble bið gemyndgad morna gehwylce *eaforan ellorsið oðres ne gymeð to gebidanne burgum in innan yrfeweardas þonne se an hafað þurh deaðes nyd dæda gefondad – gesyhð sorhcearig on his suna bure winsele westne windge reste – reote berofene ridend swefað hæleð in hoðman nis þær hearpan sweg gomen in geardum swylce ðær iu wæron.\nGEwiteð þonne on sealman sorhleoð gæleð an æfter anum þuhte him eall to rum wongas ond wicstede swa wedra helm æfter herebealde heortan sorge weallende wæg wihte ne meahte – on ðam feorhbonan fæghðe gebetan no ðy ær he þone heaðorinc hatian ne meahte laðum dædum þeah him leof ne wæs – he ða mid þære sorhge þe him swa sâr belamp gumdream ofgeaf godes leoht geceas eaferum læfde swa deð eadig mon lond ond leodbyrig þa he of life gewat þa *wæs synn ond sacu sweona ond geata ofer [w]id wæter wroht gemæne – herenið hearda syððan hreðel swealt oððe him ongenðeowes eaferan wæran frome fyrdhwate freode ne woldon ofer heafo healdan ac ymb hreosnabeorh eatolne inwitscear oft gefremedon – þæt mægwine mine gewræcan fæhðe ond fyrene swa hyt gefræge wæs þeah ðe oðer his ealdre gebohte heardan ceape hæðcynne wearð geata dryhtne guð onsæge þa ic on morgne gefrægn mæg oðerne billes ecgum on bonan stælan – þær ongenþeow eofores niosað – guðhelm toglad gomela scylfing hreas hildeblac hond gemunde : fæhðo genoge feorhsweng ne ofteah – ic him þa maðmas þe he me sealde geald æt guðe swa me gifeðe wæs – leohtan sweorde he me lond forgeaf eard eðelwyn næs him ænig þearf þæt he to gifðum oððe to gardenum oððe in swiorice secean þurfe *wyrsan wigfrecan weorðe gecypan symle ic him on feðan beforan wolde ana on orde ond swa to aldre sceall sæcce fremman þenden þis sweord þolað þæt mec ær ond sið oft gelæste syððan ic for dugeðum dæghrefne wearð to handbonan huga cempan nalles he ða frætwe frescyninge breostweorðunge bringan moste ac in compe gecrong cumbles hyrde æþeling on elne ne wæs ecg bona ac him hildegrap heortan wylmas banhus gebræc nu sceall billes ecg hond ond heard sweord ymb hord wigan – beowulf maðelode beotwordum spræc niehstan siðe ic geneðde fela guða on geogoðe gyt ic wylle frod folces weard fæhðe secan mærðu fremman gif mec se mânsceaða of eorðsele ut geseceð gegrette ða gumena gehwylcne hwate helmberend hindeman siðe swæse gesiðas nolde ic sweord beran wæpen to wyrme *gif ic wiste hu wið ðam aglæcean elles meahte – gylpe wiðgripan swa ic gio wið grendle dyde ac ic ðær heaðufyres hates wene oreðes ond attres forðon ic me on hafu bord ond byrnan nelle ic beorges weard forfleon fotes trem ac unc furður sceal weorðan æt wealle swa unc wyrd geteoð metod manna gehwæs ic eom on mode from – þæt ic wið þone guðflogan gylp ofersitte gebide ge on beorge byrnum werede secgas on searwum hwæðer sel mæge æfter wælræse wunde gedygan – uncer twega nis þæt eower sið ne gemet mannes nefn[e] min anes þæt he wið aglæcean eofoðo dæle eorlscype efne ic mid elne sceall gold gegangan oððe guð nimeð feorhbealu frecne frean eowerne – aras ða bi ronde rof oretta heard under helme hiorosercean bær under stancleofu strengo getruwode anes mannes ne bið swylc earges sið geseah – ða be wealle *se ðe worna fela gumcystum god guða gedigde hildehlemma þonne hnitan feðan – stondan stanbogan stream ut þonan – brecan of beorge wæs þære burnan wælm heaðofyrum hat – ne meahte horde neah unbyrnende ænige hwile deop gedygan for dracan lege – let ða of breostum ða he gebolgen wæs wedergeata leod word ut faran stearcheort styrmde stefn in becom heaðotorht hlynnan under hârne stân hete wæs onhrered hordweard oncniow mannes reorde næs ðær mara fyrst freode to friclan from ærest cwom oruð aglæcean ut of stane hat hildeswât hruse dynede biorn under beorge bordrand onswâf wið ðam gryregieste geata dryhten ða wæs hringbogan heorte gefysed sæcce to seceanne sweord ær gebræd god guðcyning gomele lafe – ecgum unslaw æghwæðrum wæs bealohycgendra *broga fram oðrum stiðmod gestod wið steapne rond winia bealdor ða se wyrm gebeah snude tosomne he on searwum bâd gewat ða byrnende gebogen scriðan to gescipe scyndan scyld wel gebearg life ond lice læssan hwile mærum þeodne þonne his myne sohte ðær he þy fyrste forman dogore wealdan moste swa him wyrd ne gescraf hreð æt hilde hond up abræd – geata dryhten gryrefahne sloh incgelafe þæt sio ecg gewâc brun on bane bat unswiðor – þonne his ðiodcyning þearfe hæfde bysigum gebæded þa wæs beorges weard æfter heaðuswenge on hreoum mode wearp wælfyre wide sprungon hildeleoman hreðsigora ne gealp goldwine geata guðbill geswâc nacod æt niðe swa hyt no sceolde iren ærgôd ne wæs þæt eðe sið – þæt se mæra maga ecgðeowes grundwong þone ofgyfan wolde sceolde ofer willan wic eardian – elles hwergen swa *sceal æghwylc mon – alætan lændagas næs ða long to ðon þæt ða aglæcean hy eft gemetton hyrte hyne hordweard hreðer æðme weoll niwan stefne nearo ðrowode fyre befongen se ðe ær folce weold – nealles him on heape handgesteallan æðelinga bearn ymbe gestodon hildecystum ac hy on holt bugon ealdre burgan hiora in anum weoll sefa wið sorgum sibb æfre ne mæg wiht onwendan þam ðe wel þenceð:~\nWIglaf wæs haten weoxstanes sunu leoflic lindwiga leod scylfinga – mæg ælfheres geseah his mondryhten under heregriman hat þrowian – gemunde ða ða are þe he him ær forgeaf – wîcstede weligne wægmundinga folcrihta gehwylc swa his fæder ahte ne mihte ða forhabban hond rond gefeng geolwe linde gomel swyrd geteah þæt wæs mid eldum eanmundes laf – *suna ohteres þam æt sæcce wearð wræcca[n] wineleasum weohstan bana meces ecgum ond his magum ætbær brunfagne helm hringde byrnan eald sweord etonisc þæt him onela forgeaf his gædelinges guðgewædu fyrdsearo fuslic no ymbe ða fæhðe spræc þeah ðe he his broðor bearn abredwade – he frætwe geheold fela missera bill ond byrnan oððæt his byre mihte eorlscipe efnan swa his ærfæder geaf him ða mid geatum guðgewæda æghwæs unrim þa he of ealdre gewat frod on forðweg þa wæs forma sið geongan cempan þæt he guðe ræs mid his freodryhtne fremman sceolde ne gemealt him se modsefa ne his mæges laf gewac æt wige þæt se wyrm onfand syððan hie togædre gegan hæfdon wiglâf maðelode wordrihta fela sægde gesiðum him wæs sefa geomor – ic ðæt *mæl geman þær we medu þegun þonne we geheton ussum hlaforde in biorsele ðe us ðas beagas geaf þæt we him ða guðgetawa gyldan woldon gif him þyslicu þearf gelumpe helmas ond heard sweord ðe he usic on herge geceas – to ðyssum siðfate sylfes willum onmunde usic mærða ond me þas maðmas geaf þe he usic gârwigend gode tealde hwate helmberend þeah ðe hlaford us þis ellenweorc ana aðohte to gefremmanne folces hyrde for ðam he manna mæst mærða gefremede dæda dollicra nu is se dæg cumen þæt ure mandryhten mægenes behofað godra guðrinca wutun gongan to helpan hildfruman þenden hyt sy gledegesa grim god wat on mec þæt me is micle leofre þæt minne lichaman mid minne goldgyfan gled fæðmie ne þynceð me gerysne þæt we rondas beren eft to earde nemne we æror mægen fâne gefyllan – *feorh ealgian wedra ðeodnes ic wat geare þæt næron ealdgewyrht þæt he ana scyle geata duguðe gnorn þrowian gesigan æt sæcce urum sceal sweord ond helm byrne ond beaduscrud bam gemæne – wod þa þurh þone wælrêc wigheafolan bær frean on fultum fea worda cwæð leofa biowulf læst eall tela swa ðu on geoguðfeore geara gecwæde þæt ðu ne alæte be ðe lifigendum – dôm gedreosan scealt nu dædum rof æðeling anhydig eall mægene feorh ealgian ic ðe fullæstu – æfter ðam wordum wyrm yrre cwom atol inwitgæst oðre siðe fyrwylmum fah fionda nios[i]an laðra manna ligyðum for born bord wið rond byrne – ne meahte geongum gârwigan geoce gefremman ac se maga geonga under his mæges scyld elne geeode þa his agen w[æs] gledum forgrunden þa gen guðcyning m[ærða] gemunde mægenstrengo sloh hildebille þæt hyt on heafolan stôd niþe genyded nægling forbærst geswâc æt sæcce sweord biowulfes *gomol ond grægmæl him þæt gifeðe ne wæs þæt him irenna ecge mihton helpan æt hilde wæs sio hond to strong se ðe meca gehwane mine gefræge swenge ofersohte þonne he to sæcce bær wæpen wundrum heard næs him wihte ðe sel – þa wæs þeodsceaða þriddan siðe frecne fŷrdraca fæhða gemyndig ræsde on ðone rofan þa him rum ageald hat ond heaðogrim heals ealne ymbefeng biteran banum he geblodegod wearð sawuldriore swat yðum weoll.\nÐA ic æt þearfe gefrægn þeodcyninges andlongne eorl ellen cyðan cræft ond cenðu swa him gecynde wæs ne hedde he þæs heafolan ac sio hand gebarn modiges mannes þær he his mæges healp þæt he þone niðgæst nioðor hwene sloh – secg on searwum þæt ðæt sweord gedeaf fah ond fæted þæt ðæt fŷr ongon sweðrian syððan þa gen sylf cyning – geweold his gewitte wællseaxe gebræd biter ond beaduscearp þæt he on byrnan wæg forwrat wedra *helm wyrm on middan feond gefyldan ferh ellen wræc ond hi hyne þa begen abroten hæfdon sibæðelingas swylc sceolde secg wesan – þegn æt ðearfe þæt ðam þeodne wæs siðast sigehwila sylfes dædum worlde geweorces – ða sio wund ongon þe him se eorðdraca ær geworhte swelan ond swellan he þæt sona onfand þæt him on breostum bealoniðe weoll attor on innan ða se æðeling giong þæt he bi wealle wîshycgende gesæt on sesse seah on enta geweorc hu ða stanbogan stapulum fæste ece eorðreced innan healde hyne þa mid handa heorodreorigne þeoden mærne þegn ungemete till winedryhten his wætere gelafede hilde sædne ond his hel[m] onspeon – biowulf maþelode he ofer benne spræc wunde wælbleate wisse he gearwe þæt he dæghwila gedrogen hæfde eorðan wynn[e] ða wæs eall sceacen dogorgerimes deað ungemete neah nu ic suna minum syllan wolde guðgewædu þær me gifeðe swa ænig yrfe-*weard æfter wurde lice gelenge ic ðas leode heold – fiftig wintra næs se folccyning ymbesittendra ænig ðara þe mec guðwinum gretan dorste egesan ðeon ic on earde bâd mælgesceafta heold min tela ne sohte searoniðas ne me swor fela aða on unriht ic ðæs ealles mæg feorhbennum seoc gefean habban for ðam me witan ne ðearf waldend fira morðorbealo maga þonne min sceaceð lîf of lice nu ðu lungre geong hord sceawian under harne stan – wiglaf leofa nu se wyrm ligeð swefeð sare wund since bereafod bio nu on ofoste þæt ic ærwelan goldæht ongite gearo sceawige swegle searogimmas þæt ic ðy seft mæge æfter maððumwelan min alætan lîf ond leodscipe þone ic longe heold:—\nÐA ic snude gefrægn sunu wihstanes æfter wordcwydum wundum dryhtne – hyran heaðosiocum hringnet beran brogdne beadusercean under beorges hrof – geseah ða sigehreðig þa he bi sesse geong – magoþegn *modig maððumsigla fealo gold glitinian grunde getenge wundur on wealle ond þæs wyrmes denn ealdes uhtflogan orcas stondan fyrnmanna fatu feormendlease hyrstum behrorene þær wæs helm monig eald ond omig earmbeaga fela searwum gesæled sinc eaðe mæg gold on grund[e] gumcynnes gehwone oferhigian hyde se ðe wylle swylce he siomian geseah segn eallgylden heah ofer horde hondwundra mæst gelocen leoðocræftum of ðam leoma stôd þæt he þone grundwong ongitan meahte wræte giondwlitan næs ðæs wyrmes þær onsyn ænig ac hyne ecg fornam ða ic on hlæwe gefrægn hord reafian eald enta geweorc anne mannan him on bearm hladon bunan ond discas sylfes dome segn eac genom beacna beorhtost bill ær gescod ecg wæs iren ealdhlafordes þam ðara maðma mundbora wæs longe hwile ligegesan wæg hatne for horde hioroweallende middelnihtum *oðþæt he morðre swealt ar wæs on ofoste eftsiðes georn frætwum gefyrðred hyne fyrwet bræc hwæðer collenferð cwicne gemette in ðam wongstede wedra þeoden ellensiocne þær he hine ær forlet – he ða mid þam maðmum mærne þioden dryhten sinne driorigne fand ealdres æt ende he hine eft ongon wæteres weorpan oðþæt wordes ord breosthord þurhbræc – gomel on giohðe gold sceawode.\nIc ðara frætwa frean ealles ðanc wuldurcyninge wordum secge – ecum dryhtne þe ic her on starie þæs ðe ic moste minum leodum ær swyltdæge swylc gestrynan nu ic on maðma hord mine bebohte frode feorhlege fremmað gena leoda þearfe ne mæg ic her leng wesan – hatað heaðomære hlæw gewyrcean – beorhtne æfter bæle æt brimes nosan – se scel to gemyndum minum leodum heah hlifian on hronesnæsse þæt hit sæliðend syððan hatan biowulfes biorh ða ðe brentingas ofer *floda genipu feorran drifað dyde him of healse hring gyldenne þioden þristhydig þegne gesealde geongum garwigan goldfahne helm beah ond byrnan het hyne brucan well – þu eart endelaf usses cynnes wægmundinga ealle wyrd forsweop mine magas to metodsceafte eorlas on elne ic him æfter sceal þæt wæs þam gomelan gingæste word – breostgehygdum ær he bæl cure hate heaðowylmas him of hreðre gewat sawol secean soðfæstra dôm.\nĐa wæs gegongen guman unfrodum earfoðlice þæt he on eorðan geseah þone leofestan lifes æt ende bleate gebæran bona swylce læg egeslic eorðdraca ealdre bereafod bealwe gebæded beahhordum leng wyrm wohbogen wealdan ne moste ac hine irenna ecga fornamon hearde heaðoscearde homera lafe þæt se widfloga wundum stille hreas on hrusan hordærne neah nalles *æfter lyfte lacende – hwearf middelnihtum maðmæhta wlonc ansyn ywde ac he eorðan gefeoll for ðæs hildfruman hondgeweorce huru þæt on lande lyt manna ðah mægenagendra mine gefræge þeah ðe he dæda gehwæs dyrstig wære þæt he wið attorsceaðan oreðe geræsde oððe hringsele hondum styrede gif he wæccende weard onfunde buon on beorge biowulfe wearð dryhtmaðma dæl deaðe forgolden hæfde æghwæðer ende gefered lænan lifes næs ða lang to ðon þæt ða hildlatan holt ofgefan tydre treowlogan tyne ætsomne ða ne dorston ær dareðum lacan on hyra mandryhtnes miclan þearfe ac hy scamiende scyldas bæran guðgewædu þær se gomela læg wlitan on wilaf he gewergad sæt feðecempa frean eaxlum neah wehte hyne wætre him wiht ne speow ne meahte he on eorðan ðeah he uðe wel on ðam frumgare feorh gehealdan ne ðæs wealdendes wiht oncirran wolde dôm *godes dædum rædan gumena gehwylcum swa he nu gen deð þa wæs æt ðam geongan grim ondswaru eðbegete þam ðe ær his elne forleas – wiglaf maðelode weohstanes sunu sec sarigferð seah on unleofe þæt la mæg secgan se ðe wyle soð specan þæt se mondryhten se eow ða maðmas geaf eoredgeatwe þe ge þær on standað – þonne he on ealubence oft gesealde healsittendum helm ond byrnan þeoden his þegnum swylce he þrydlicost ower feor oððe neah findan meahte þæt he genunga guðgewædu wraðe forwurpe – ða hyne wig beget nealles folccyning fyrdgesteallum gylpan þorfte hwæðre him god uðe sigora waldend þæt he hyne sylfne gewræc ana mid ecge þa him wæs elnes þearf.\nIc him lifwraðe lytle meahte ætgifan æt guðe ond ongan swa þeah ofer min gemet mæges helpan.\nSymle wæs þy sæmra þonne ic sweorde drep ferhðgeniðlan fyr unswiðor weoll of gewitte wergendra to lyt þrong ymbe þeoden þa hyne sio *þrag becwom – hu sceal sincþego ond swyrdgifu eall eðelwyn eowrum cynne – lufen alicgean londrihtes mot þære mægburge monna æghwylc idel hweorfan syððan æðelingas feorran gefricgean fleam eowerne domleasan dæd deað bið sella eorla gehwylcum þonne edwitlif.\nI'm a senior proposal lead in the government and industrial division of iRobot, a robotics company in Bedford, Mass.\nCurrently, I am preparing a dissertation in Old English literature and texts in the PhD program at West Virginia University.\nI teach English literature and composition at Middlesex Community College. I have also ghostwritten books on science, religion and ancient beliefs.\nMy blog is called "Gearwor." I can be contacted via email at jbmyerov[at]hotmail[dot]com.


'fela-ídelsprǽce' - Bosworth–Toller Anglo-Saxon Dictionary\nadj. Talking very idly Ðá felaídelsprǽcan (-sprǽcean, v. l.) multiloquio vacantes , Past. 175, 25.\nToller, T. Northcote, and Joseph Bosworth. "fela-ídelsprǽce." An Anglo-Saxon Dictionary: Based on the Manuscript Collections of the Late Joseph Bosworth : Supplement. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1921. 209.