If you thought my first book was a hard read, good luck as you attempt this one ancient book by the name of Beowulf. This is in original Old English which is quite obviously different from what is spoken today.
I. THE PASSING OF SCYLD.
Hwät! we Gâr-Dena in geâr-dagum
Þeód-cyninga Þrym gefrunon,
hû Þâ äõelingas ellen fremedon.
Oft Scyld Scêfing sceaõena Þreátum,
monegum mægõum meodo-setla ofteáh.
Egsode eorl, syõõan ærest wearõ
feá-sceaft funden: he Þäs frôfre gebâd,
weôx under wolcnum, weorõ-myndum õâh,
ôõ Þät him æghwylc Þâra ymb-sittendra
ofer hron-râde hýran scolde,
gomban gyldan: Þät wäs gôd cyning!
Þäm eafera wäs äfter cenned
geong in geardum, Þone god sende
folce tô frôfre; fyren-Þearfe ongeat,
Þät hie ær drugon aldor-leáse
lange hwîle. Him Þäs lîf-freá,
wuldres wealdend, worold-âre forgeaf;
Beówulf wäs breme (blæd wîde sprang),
Scyldes eafera Scede-landum in.
Swâ sceal geong guma, gôde gewyrcean,
fromum feoh-giftum on fäder wine,
Þät hine on ylde eft gewunigen
wil-gesîõas, Þonne wîg cume,
leóde gelæsten: lof-dædum sceal
in mægõa gehwære man geÞeón.
Him Þâ Scyld gewât tô gescäp-hwîle
fela-hrôr fêran on freán wære;
hi hyne Þâ ätbæron tô brimes faroõe.
swæse gesîõas, swâ he selfa bäd,
Þenden wordum weóld wine Scyldinga,
leóf land-fruma lange âhte.
Þær ät hýõe stôd hringed-stefna,
îsig and ûtfûs, äõelinges fär;
â-lêdon Þâ leófne Þeóden,
beága bryttan on bearm scipes,
mærne be mäste. Þær wäs mâdma fela,
of feor-wegum frätwa gelæded:
ne hýrde ic cymlîcor ceól gegyrwan
hilde-wæpnum and heaõo-wædum,
billum and byrnum; him on bearme läg
mâdma mänigo, Þâ him mid scoldon
on flôdes æht feor gewîtan.
Nalas hi hine lässan lâcum teódan,
Þeód-gestreónum, Þonne Þâ dydon,
Þe hine ät frumsceafte forõ onsendon
ænne ofer ýõe umbor wesende:
Þâ gyt hie him âsetton segen gyldenne
heáh ofer heáfod, lêton holm beran,
geâfon on gâr-secg: him wäs geômor sefa,
murnende môd. Men ne cunnon
secgan tô soõe sele-rædende,
häleõ under heofenum, hwâ Þäm hläste onfêng.
II. THE HALL HEOROT.
Þâ wäs on burgum Beówulf Scyldinga,
leóf leód-cyning, longe Þrage
folcum gefræge (fäder ellor hwearf,
aldor of earde), ôõ Þät him eft onwôc
heáh Healfdene; heóld Þenden lifde,
gamol and gûõ-reów, gläde Scyldingas.
Þäm feówer bearn forõ-gerîmed
in worold wôcun, weoroda ræswan,
Heorogâr and Hrôõgâr and Hâlga til;
hýrde ic, Þat Elan cwên OngenÞeówes wäs
Heaõoscilfinges heals-gebedde.
Þâ wäs Hrôõgâre here-spêd gyfen,
wîges weorõ-mynd, Þät him his wine-mâgas
georne hýrdon, ôõ Þät seó geogoõ geweôx,
mago-driht micel. Him on môd bearn,
Þät heal-reced hâtan wolde,
medo-ärn micel men gewyrcean,
Þone yldo bearn æfre gefrunon,
and Þær on innan eall gedælan
geongum and ealdum, swylc him god sealde,
bûton folc-scare and feorum gumena.
Þâ ic wîde gefrägn weorc gebannan
manigre mægõe geond Þisne middan-geard,
folc-stede frätwan. Him on fyrste gelomp
ädre mid yldum, Þät hit wearõ eal gearo,
heal-ärna mæst; scôp him Heort naman,
se Þe his wordes geweald wîde häfde.
He beót ne âlêh, beágas dælde,
sinc ät symle. Sele hlifade
heáh and horn-geáp: heaõo-wylma bâd,
lâõan lîges; ne wäs hit lenge Þâ gen
Þät se ecg-hete âõum-swerian
äfter wäl-nîõe wäcnan scolde.
Þâ se ellen-gæst earfoõlîce
Þrage geÞolode, se Þe in Þýstrum bâd,
Þät he dôgora gehwâm dreám gehýrde
hlûdne in healle; Þær wäs hearpan swêg,
swutol sang scôpes. Sägde se Þe cûõe
frum-sceaft fira feorran reccan,
cwäõ Þät se älmihtiga eorõan worhte,
wlite-beorhtne wang, swâ wäter bebûgeõ,
gesette sige-hrêõig sunnan and mônan
leóman tô leóhte land-bûendum,
and gefrätwade foldan sceátas
leomum and leáfum; lîf eác gesceôp
cynna gehwylcum, Þâra Þe cwice hwyrfaõ.
Swâ Þâ driht-guman dreámum lifdon
eádiglîce, ôõ Þät ân ongan
fyrene fremman, feónd on helle:
wäs se grimma gäst Grendel hâten,
mære mearc-stapa, se Þe môras heóld,
fen and fästen; fîfel-cynnes eard
won-sælig wer weardode hwîle,
siõõan him scyppend forscrifen häfde.
In Caines cynne Þone cwealm gewräc,
êce drihten, Þäs Þe he Abel slôg;
ne gefeah he Þære fæhõe, ac he hine feor forwräc,
metod for Þý mâne man-cynne fram.
Þanon untydras ealle onwôcon,
eotenas and ylfe and orcnêas,
swylce gigantas, Þâ wiõ gode wunnon
lange Þrage; he him Þäs leán forgeald.
III. GRENDEL'S VISITS.
Gewât Þâ neósian, syõõan niht becom,
heán hûses, hû hit Hring-Dene
äfter beór-Þege gebûn häfdon.
Fand Þâ Þær inne äõelinga gedriht
swefan äfter symble; sorge ne cûõon,
won-sceaft wera. Wiht unhælo
grim and grædig gearo sôna wäs,
reóc and rêõe, and on räste genam
Þritig Þegna: Þanon eft gewât
hûõe hrêmig tô hâm faran,
mid Þære wäl-fylle wîca neósan.
Þâ wäs on uhtan mid ær-däge
Grendles gûõ-cräft gumum undyrne:
Þâ wäs äfter wiste wôp up âhafen,
micel morgen-swêg. Mære Þeóden,
äõeling ær-gôd, unblîõe sät,
Þolode Þrýõ-swýõ, Þegn-sorge dreáh,
syõõan hie Þäs lâõan lâst sceáwedon,
wergan gâstes; wäs Þät gewin tô strang,
lâõ and longsum. Näs hit lengra fyrst,
ac ymb âne niht eft gefremede
morõ-beala mâre and nô mearn fore
fæhõe and fyrene; wäs tô fäst on Þâm.
Þâ wäs eáõ-fynde, Þe him elles hwær
gerûmlîcor räste sôhte,
bed äfter bûrum, Þâ him gebeácnod wäs,
gesägd sôõlîce sweotolan tâcne
heal-Þegnes hete; heóld hine syõõan
fyr and fästor, se Þäm feónde ätwand.
Swâ rîxode and wiõ rihte wan
âna wiõ eallum, ôõ Þät îdel stôd
hûsa sêlest. Wäs seó hwîl micel:
twelf wintra tîd torn geÞolode
wine Scyldinga, weána gehwelcne,
sîdra sorga; forÞam syõõan wearõ
ylda bearnum undyrne cûõ,
gyddum geômore, Þätte Grendel wan,
hwîle wiõ Hrôõgâr;-- hete-nîõas wäg,
fyrene and fæhõe fela missera,
singale säce, sibbe ne wolde
wiõ manna hwone mägenes Deniga
feorh-bealo feorran, feó Þingian,
ne Þær nænig witena wênan Þorfte
beorhtre bôte tô banan folmum;
atol äglæca êhtende wäs,
deorc deáõ-scûa duguõe and geogoõe
seomade and syrede. Sin-nihte heóld
mistige môras; men ne cunnon,
hwyder hel-rûnan hwyrftum scrîõaõ.
Swâ fela fyrena feónd man-cynnes,
atol ân-gengea, oft gefremede
heardra hýnõa; Heorot eardode,
sinc-fâge sel sweartum nihtum
(nô he Þone gif-stôl grêtan môste,
mâõõum for metode, ne his myne wisse);
Þät wäs wræc micel wine Scyldinga,
môdes brecõa. Monig-oft gesät
rîce tô rûne; ræd eahtedon,
hwät swîõ-ferhõum sêlest wære
wiõ fær-gryrum tô gefremmanne.
Hwîlum hie gehêton ät härg-trafum
wig-weorõunga, wordum bædon,
Þät him gâst-bona geóce gefremede
wiõ Þeód-Þreáum. Swylc wäs Þeáw hyra,
hæõenra hyht; helle gemundon
in môd-sefan, metod hie ne cûõon,
dæda dêmend, ne wiston hie drihten god,
ne hie hûru heofena helm hêrian ne cûõon,
wuldres waldend. Wâ biõ Þäm Þe sceal
Þurh slîõne nîõ sâwle bescûfan
in fýres fäõm, frôfre ne wênan,
wihte gewendan; wel biõ Þäm Þe môt
äfter deáõ-däge drihten sêcean
and tô fäder fäõmum freoõo wilnian.
IV. HYGELAC'S THANE.
Swâ Þâ mæl-ceare maga Healfdenes
singala seáõ; ne mihte snotor häleõ
weán onwendan: wäs Þät gewin tô swýõ,
lâõ and longsum, Þe on Þâ leóde becom,
nýd-wracu nîõ-grim, niht-bealwa mæst.
Þät fram hâm gefrägn Higelâces Þegn,
gôd mid Geátum, Grendles dæda:
se wäs mon-cynnes mägenes strengest
on Þäm däge Þysses lîfes,
äõele and eácen. Hêt him ýõ-lidan
gôdne gegyrwan; cwäõ he gûõ-cyning
ofer swan-râde sêcean wolde,
mærne Þeóden, Þâ him wäs manna Þearf.
Þone sîõ-fät him snotere ceorlas
lyt-hwôn lôgon, Þeáh he him leóf wære;
hwetton higerôfne, hæl sceáwedon.
Häfde se gôda Geáta leóda
cempan gecorone, Þâra Þe he cênoste
findan mihte; fîftena sum
sund-wudu sôhte; secg wîsade,
lagu-cräftig mon, land-gemyrcu.
Fyrst forõ gewât: flota wäs on ýõum,
bât under beorge. Beornas gearwe
on stefn stigon; streámas wundon
sund wiõ sande; secgas bæron
on bearm nacan beorhte frätwe,
gûõ-searo geatolîc; guman ût scufon,
weras on wil-sîõ wudu bundenne.
Gewât Þâ ofer wæg-holm winde gefýsed
flota fâmig-heals fugle gelîcost,
ôõ Þät ymb ân-tîd ôõres dôgores
wunden-stefna gewaden häfde,
Þät Þâ lîõende land gesâwon,
brim-clifu blîcan, beorgas steápe,
sîde sæ-nässas: Þâ wäs sund liden,
eoletes ät ende. Þanon up hraõe
Wedera leóde on wang stigon,
sæ-wudu sældon (syrcan hrysedon,
gûõ-gewædo); gode Þancedon,
Þäs Þe him ýõ-lâde eáõe wurdon.
Þâ of wealle geseah weard Scildinga,
se Þe holm-clifu healdan scolde,
beran ofer bolcan beorhte randas,
fyrd-searu fûslîcu; hine fyrwyt bräc
môd-gehygdum, hwät Þâ men wæron.
Gewât him Þâ tô waroõe wicge rîdan
Þegn Hrôõgâres, Þrymmum cwehte
mägen-wudu mundum, meõel-wordum frägn:
"Hwät syndon ge searo-häbbendra
"byrnum werede, Þe Þus brontne ceól
"ofer lagu-stræte lædan cwômon,
"hider ofer holmas helmas bæron?
"Ic wäs ende-sæta, æg-wearde heóld,
"Þät on land Dena lâõra nænig
"mid scip-herge sceõõan ne meahte.
"Nô her cûõlîcor cuman ongunnon
"lind-häbbende; ne ge leáfnes-word
"gûõ-fremmendra gearwe ne wisson,
"mâga gemêdu. Næfre ic mâran geseah
"eorla ofer eorõan, Þonne is eówer sum,
"secg on searwum; nis Þät seld-guma
"wæpnum geweorõad, näfne him his wlite leóge,
"ænlîc an-sýn. Nu ic eówer sceal
"frum-cyn witan, ær ge fyr heonan
"leáse sceáweras on land Dena
"furõur fêran. Nu ge feor-bûend,
"mere-lîõende, mînne gehýraõ
"ân-fealdne geÞôht: ôfost is sêlest
"tô gecýõanne, hwanan eówre cyme syndon."
V. THE ERRAND.
Him se yldesta andswarode,
werodes wîsa, word-hord onleác:
"We synt gum-cynnes Geáta leóde
"and Higelâces heorõ-geneátas.
"Wäs mîn fäder folcum gecýõed,
"äõele ord-fruma EcgÞeów hâten;
"gebâd wintra worn, ær he on weg hwurfe,
"gamol of geardum; hine gearwe geman
"witena wel-hwylc wîde geond eorõan.--
"We Þurh holdne hige hlâford Þinne,
"sunu Healfdenes, sêcean cwômon,
"leód-gebyrgean: wes Þu ûs lârena gôd!
"Habbaõ we tô Þäm mæran micel ærende
"Deniga freán; ne sceal Þær dyrne sum
"wesan, Þäs ic wêne. Þu wâst, gif hit is,
"swâ we sôõlice secgan hýrdon,
"Þät mid Scyldingum sceaõa ic nât hwylc,
"deógol dæd-hata, deorcum nihtum
"eáweõ Þurh egsan uncûõne nîõ,
"hýnõu and hrâ-fyl. Ic Þäs Hrôõgâr mäg
"Þurh rûmne sefan ræd gelæran,
"hû he frôd and gôd feónd oferswýõeõ,
"gyf him ed-wendan æfre scolde
"bealuwa bisigu, bôt eft cuman
"and Þâ cear-wylmas côlran wurõaõ;
"oõõe â syõõan earfoõ-Þrage,
"Þreá-nýd Þolaõ, Þenden Þær wunaõ
"on heáh-stede hûsa sêlest."
Weard maõelode, Þær on wicge sät
ombeht unforht: "æghwäõres sceal
"scearp scyld-wîga gescâd witan,
"worda and worca, se Þe wel Þenceõ.
"Ic Þät gehýre, Þät Þis is hold weorod
"freán Scyldinga. Gewîtaõ forõ beran
"wæpen and gewædu, ic eów wîsige:
"swylce ic magu-Þegnas mîne hâte
"wiõ feónda gehwone flotan eówerne,
"niw-tyrwedne nacan on sande
"ârum healdan, ôõ Þät eft byreõ
"ofer lagu-streámas leófne mannan
"wudu wunden-hals tô Weder-mearce.
"Gûõ-fremmendra swylcum gifeõe biõ,
"Þät Þone hilde-ræs hâl gedîgeõ."
Gewiton him Þâ fêran (flota stille bâd,
seomode on sâle sîd-fäõmed scyp,
on ancre fäst); eofor-lîc scionon
ofer hleór-beran gehroden golde
fâh and fýr-heard, ferh wearde heóld.
Gûõmôde grummon, guman onetton,
sigon ätsomne, ôõ Þät hy säl timbred
geatolîc and gold-fâh ongytan mihton;
Þät wäs fore-mærost fold-bûendum
receda under roderum, on Þäm se rîca bâd;
lixte se leóma ofer landa fela.
Him Þâ hilde-deór hof môdigra
torht getæhte, Þät hie him tô mihton
gegnum gangan; gûõ-beorna sum
wicg gewende, word äfter cwäõ:
"Mæl is me tô fêran; fäder alwalda
"mid âr-stafum eówic gehealde
"sîõa gesunde! ic tô sæ wille,
"wiõ wrâõ werod wearde healdan."
VI. BEóWULF'S SPEECH.
Stræt wäs stân-fâh, stîg wîsode
gumum ätgädere. Gûõ-byrne scân
heard hond-locen, hring-îren scîr
song in searwum, Þâ hie tô sele furõum
in hyra gryre-geatwum gangan cwômon.
Setton sæ-mêõe sîde scyldas,
rondas regn-hearde wiõ Þäs recedes weal,
bugon Þâ tô bence; byrnan hringdon,
gûõ-searo gumena; gâras stôdon,
sæ-manna searo, samod ätgädere,
äsc-holt ufan græg: wäs se îren-Þreát
wæpnum gewurõad. Þâ Þær wlonc häleõ
oret-mecgas äfter äõelum frägn:
"Hwanon ferigeaõ ge fätte scyldas,
"græge syrcan and grîm-helmas,
"here-sceafta heáp?-- Ic eom Hrôõgâres
"âr and ombiht. Ne seah ic el-Þeódige
"Þus manige men môdiglîcran.
"Wên' ic Þät ge for wlenco, nalles for wräc-sîõum,
"ac for hige-Þrymmum Hrôõgâr sôhton."
Him Þâ ellen-rôf andswarode,
wlanc Wedera leód word äfter spräc,
heard under helme: "We synt Higelâces
"beód-geneátas; Beówulf is mîn nama.
"Wille ic âsecgan suna Healfdenes,
"mærum Þeódne mîn ærende,
"aldre Þînum, gif he ûs geunnan wile,
"Þät we hine swâ gôdne grêtan môton."
Wulfgâr maõelode (Þät wäs Wendla leód,
wäs his môd-sefa manegum gecýõed,
wîg and wîs-dôm): "ic Þäs wine Deniga,
"freán Scildinga frinan wille,
"beága bryttan, swâ Þu bêna eart,
"Þeóden mærne ymb Þînne sîõ ;
"and Þe Þâ andsware ädre gecýõan,
"Þe me se gôda âgifan Þenceõ."
Hwearf Þâ hrädlîce, Þær Hrôõgâr sät,
eald and unhâr mid his eorla gedriht;
eode ellen-rôf, Þät he for eaxlum gestôd
Deniga freán, cûõe he duguõe Þeáw.
Wulfgâr maõelode tô his wine-drihtne:
"Her syndon geferede feorran cumene
"ofer geofenes begang Geáta leóde:
"Þone yldestan oret-mecgas
"Beówulf nemnaõ. Hy bênan synt,
"Þät hie, Þeóden mîn, wiõ Þe môton
"wordum wrixlan; nô Þu him wearne geteóh,
"Þînra gegn-cwida glädnian, Hrôõgâr!
"Hy on wîg-geatwum wyrõe Þinceaõ
"eorla geæhtlan; hûru se aldor deáh,
"se Þæm heaõo-rincum hider wîsade."
VII. HROTHGAR'S WELCOME.
Hrôõgâr maõelode, helm Scyldinga:
"Ic hine cûõe cniht-wesende.
"Wäs his eald-fäder EcgÞeó hâten,
"Þäm tô hâm forgeaf Hrêõel Geáta
"ângan dôhtor; is his eafora nu
"heard her cumen, sôhte holdne wine.
"Þonne sägdon Þät sæ-lîõende,
"Þâ Þe gif-sceattas Geáta fyredon
"Þyder tô Þance, Þät he Þrittiges
"manna mägen-cräft on his mund-grîpe
"heaõo-rôf häbbe. Hine hâlig god
"for âr-stafum us onsende,
"tô West-Denum, Þäs ic wên häbbe,
"wiõ Grendles gryre: ic Þäm gôdan sceal
"for his môd-Þräce mâdmas beódan.
"Beó Þu on ôfeste, hât hig in gân,
"seón sibbe-gedriht samod ätgädere;
"gesaga him eác wordum, Þät hie sint wil-cuman
"Deniga leódum." Þâ wiõ duru healle
Wulfgâr eode, word inne âbeád:
"Eów hêt secgan sige-drihten mîn,
"aldor Eást-Dena, Þät he eówer äõelu can
"and ge him syndon ofer sæ-wylmas,
"heard-hicgende, hider wil-cuman.
"Nu ge môton gangan in eówrum guõ-geatawum,
"under here-grîman, Hrôõgâr geseón;
"lætaõ hilde-bord her onbidian,
"wudu wäl-sceaftas, worda geÞinges."
ârâs Þâ se rîca, ymb hine rinc manig,
Þryõlîc Þegna heáp; sume Þær bidon,
heaõo-reáf heóldon, swâ him se hearda bebeád.
Snyredon ätsomne, Þâ secg wîsode
under Heorotes hrôf; hyge-rôf eode,
heard under helme, Þät he on heoõe gestôd.
Beówulf maõelode (on him byrne scân,
searo-net seówed smiões or-Þancum):
"Wes Þu Hrôõgâr hâl! ic eom Higelâces
"mæg and mago-Þegn; häbbe ic mærõa fela
"ongunnen on geogoõe. Me wearõ Grendles Þing
"on mînre êõel-tyrf undyrne cûõ:
"secgaõ sæ-lîõend, Þät Þes sele stande,
"reced sêlesta, rinca gehwylcum
"îdel and unnyt, siõõan æfen-leóht
"under heofenes hâdor beholen weorõeõ.
"Þâ me Þät gelærdon leóde mîne,
"Þâ sêlestan, snotere ceorlas,
"Þeóden Hrôõgâr, Þät ic Þe sôhte;
"forÞan hie mägenes cräft mînne cûõon:
"selfe ofersâwon, Þâ ic of searwum cwom,
"fâh from feóndum, Þær ic fîfe geband,
"ýõde eotena cyn, and on ýõum slôg
"niceras nihtes, nearo-Þearfe dreáh,
"wräc Wedera nîõ (weán âhsodon)
"forgrand gramum; and nu wiõ Grendel sceal,
"wiõ Þam aglæcan, âna gehegan
"Þing wiõ Þyrse. Ic Þe nu Þâ,
"brego Beorht-Dena, biddan wille,
"eodor Scyldinga, ânre bêne;
"Þät Þu me ne forwyrne, wîgendra hleó,
"freó-wine folca, nu ic Þus feorran com,
"Þät ic môte âna and mînra eorla gedryht,
"Þes hearda heáp, Heorot fælsian.
"Häbbe ic eác geâhsod, Þät se äglæca
"for his won-hýdum wæpna ne rêceõ;
"ic Þät Þonne forhicge, swâ me Higelâc sîe,
"mîn mon-drihten, môdes blîõe,
"Þät ic sweord bere oõõe sîdne scyld
"geolo-rand tô gûõe; ac ic mid grâpe sceal
"fôn wiõ feónde and ymb feorh sacan,
"lâõ wiõ lâõum; Þær gelýfan sceal
"dryhtnes dôme se Þe hine deáõ nimeõ.
"Wên' ic Þät he wille, gif he wealdan môt,
"in Þäm gûõ-sele Geátena leóde
"etan unforhte, swâ he oft dyde
"mägen Hrêõmanna. Nâ Þu mînne Þearft
"hafalan hýdan, ac he me habban wile
"dreóre fâhne, gif mec deáõ nimeõ;
"byreõ blôdig wäl, byrgean Þenceõ,
"eteõ ân-genga unmurnlîce,
"mearcaõ môr-hopu: nô Þu ymb mînes ne Þearft
"lîces feorme leng sorgian.
"Onsend Higelâce, gif mec hild nime,
"beadu-scrûda betst, Þät mîne breóst wereõ,
"hrägla sêlest; Þät is Hrêõlan lâf,
"Wêlandes geweorc. Gæõ â Wyrd swâ hió scel!"
VIII. HROTHGAR TELLS OF GRENDEL.
Hrôõgâr maõelode, helm Scyldinga:
"for were-fyhtum Þu, wine mîn Beówulf,
"and for âr-stafum ûsic sôhtest.
"Geslôh Þin fäder fæhõe mæste,
"wearõ he Heaõolâfe tô hand-bonan
"mid Wilfingum; Þâ hine Wedera cyn
"for here-brôgan habban ne mihte.
"Þanon he gesôhte Sûõ-Dena folc
"ofer ýõa gewealc, âr-Scyldinga;
"Þâ ic furõum weóld folce Deninga,
"and on geogoõe heóld gimme-rîce
"hord-burh häleõa: Þâ wäs Heregâr deád,
"mîn yldra mæg unlifigende,
"bearn Healfdenes. Se wäs betera Þonne ic!
"Siõõan Þâ fæhõe feó Þingode;
"sende ic Wylfingum ofer wäteres hrycg
"ealde mâdmas: he me âõas swôr.
"Sorh is me tô secganne on sefan mînum
"gumena ængum, hwät me Grendel hafaõ
"hýnõo on Heorote mid his hete-Þancum,
"fær-nîõa gefremed. Is mîn flet-werod,
"wîg-heáp gewanod; hie Wyrd forsweóp
"on Grendles gryre. God eáõe mäg
"Þone dol-scaõan dæda getwæfan!
"Ful oft gebeótedon beóre druncne
"ofer ealo-wæge oret-mecgas,
"Þät hie in beór-sele bîdan woldon
"Grendles gûõe mid gryrum ecga.
"Þonne wäs Þeós medo-heal on morgen-tîd,
"driht-sele dreór-fâh, Þonne däg lixte,
"eal benc-Þelu blôde bestýmed,
"heall heoru-dreóre: âhte ic holdra Þý läs,
"deórre duguõe, Þe Þâ deáõ fornam.
"Site nu tô symle and onsæl meoto,
"sige-hrêõ secgum, swâ Þîn sefa hwette!"
Þâ wäs Geát-mäcgum geador ätsomne
on beór-sele benc gerýmed;
Þær swîõ-ferhõe sittan eodon
Þryõum dealle. Þegn nytte beheóld,
se Þe on handa bär hroden ealo-wæge,
scencte scîr wered. Scôp hwîlum sang
hâdor on Heorote; Þær wäs häleõa dreám,
duguõ unlytel Dena and Wedera.
IX. HUNFERTH OBJECTS TO BEóWULF.
ûnferõ maõelode, Ecglâfes bearn,
Þe ät fôtum sät freán Scyldinga;
onband beadu-rûne (wäs him Beówulfes sîõ,
môdges mere-faran, micel äf-Þunca,
forÞon Þe he ne ûõe, Þät ænig ôõer man
æfre mærõa Þon mâ middan-geardes
gehêdde under heofenum Þonne he sylfa):
"Eart Þu se Beówulf, se Þe wiõ Brecan wunne,
"on sîdne sæ ymb sund flite,
"Þær git for wlence wada cunnedon
"and for dol-gilpe on deóp wäter
"aldrum nêõdon? Ne inc ænig mon,
"ne leóf ne lâõ, beleán mihte
"sorh-fullne sîõ; Þâ git on sund reón,
"Þær git eágor-streám earmum Þehton,
"mæton mere-stræta, mundum brugdon,
"glidon ofer gâr-secg; geofon ýõum weól,
"wintres wylme. Git on wäteres æht
"seofon niht swuncon; he Þe ät sunde oferflât,
"häfde mâre mägen. Þâ hine on morgen-tîd
"on Heaõo-ræmas holm up ätbär,
"Þonon he gesôhte swæsne êõel
"leóf his leódum lond Brondinga,
"freoõo-burh fägere, Þær he folc âhte,
"burg and beágas. Beót eal wiõ Þe
"sunu Beánstânes sôõe gelæste.
"Þonne wêne ic tô Þe wyrsan geÞinges,
"Þeáh Þu heaõo-ræsa gehwær dohte,
"grimre gûõe, gif Þu Grendles dearst
"niht-longne fyrst neán bîdan!"
Beówulf maõelode, bearn EcgÞeówes:
"Hwät Þu worn fela, wine mîn ûnferõ,
"beóre druncen ymb Brecan spræce,
"sägdest from his sîõe! Sôõ ic talige,
"Þät ic mere-strengo mâran âhte,
"earfeõo on ýõum, Þonne ænig ôõer man.
"Wit Þät gecwædon cniht-wesende
"and gebeótedon (wæron begen Þâ git
"on geogoõ-feore) Þät wit on gâr-secg ût
"aldrum nêõdon; and Þät geäfndon swâ.
"Häfdon swurd nacod, Þâ wit on sund reón,
"heard on handa, wit unc wiõ hron-fixas
"werian Þôhton. Nô he wiht fram me
"flôd-ýõum feor fleótan meahte,
"hraõor on holme, nô ic fram him wolde.
"Þâ wit ätsomne on sæ wæron
"fîf nihta fyrst, ôõ Þät unc flôd tôdrâf,
"wado weallende, wedera cealdost,
"nîpende niht and norõan wind
"heaõo-grim andhwearf; hreó wæron ýõa,
"Wäs mere-fixa môd onhrêred:
"Þær me wiõ lâõum lîc-syrce mîn,
"heard hond-locen, helpe gefremede;
"beado-hrägl broden on breóstum läg,
"golde gegyrwed. Me tô grunde teáh
"fâh feónd-scaõa, fäste häfde
"grim on grâpe: hwäõre me gyfeõe wearõ,
"Þät ic aglæcan orde geræhte,
"hilde-bille; heaõo-ræs fornam
"mihtig mere-deór Þurh mîne hand.
