XVIII. THE GLEEMAN'S TALE IS ENDED.
"Gewiton him Þâ wîgend wîca neósian,
"freóndum befeallen Frysland geseón,
"hâmas and heá-burh. Hengest Þâ gyt
"wäl-fâgne winter wunode mid Finne
"ealles unhlitme; eard gemunde,
"Þeáh Þe he ne meahte on mere drîfan
"hringed-stefnan; holm storme weól,
"won wiõ winde; winter ýõe beleác
"îs-gebinde ôõ Þät ôõer com
"geâr in geardas, swâ nu gyt dêõ,
"Þâ Þe syngales sêle bewitiaõ,
"wuldor-torhtan weder. Þâ wäs winter scacen,
"fäger foldan bearm; fundode wrecca,
"gist of geardum; he tô gyrn-wräce
"swîõor Þôhte, Þonne tô sæ-lâde,
"gif he torn-gemôt Þurhteón mihte,
"Þät he Eotena bearn inne gemunde.
"Swâ he ne forwyrnde worold-rædenne,
"Þonne him Hûnlâfing hilde-leóman,
"billa sêlest, on bearm dyde:
"Þäs wæron mid Eotenum ecge cûõe.
"Swylce ferhõ-frecan Fin eft begeat
"sweord-bealo slîõen ät his selfes hâm,
"siõõan grimne gripe Gûõlaf ond ôslâf
"äfter sæ-siõe sorge mændon,
"ätwiton weána dæl; ne meahte wäfre môd
"forhabban in hreõre. Þâ wäs heal hroden
"feónda feorum, swilce Fin slägen,
"cyning on corõre, and seó cwên numen.
"Sceótend Scyldinga tô scypum feredon
"eal in-gesteald eorõ-cyninges,
"swylce hie ät Finnes hâm findan meahton
"sigla searo-gimma. Hie on sæ-lâde
"drihtlîce wîf tô Denum feredon,
"læddon tô leódum." Leóõ wäs âsungen,
gleó-mannes gyd. Gamen eft âstâh,
beorhtode benc-swêg, byrelas sealdon
wîn of wunder-fatum. Þâ cwom WealhÞeó forõ
gân under gyldnum beáge, Þær Þâ gôdan twegen
sæton suhter-gefäderan; Þâ gyt wäs hiera sib ätgädere
æghwylc ôõrum trýwe. Swylce Þær ûnferõ Þyle
ät fôtum sät freán Scyldinga: gehwylc hiora his ferhõe treówde,
Þät he häfde môd micel, Þeáh Þe he his mâgum nære
ârfäst ät ecga gelâcum. Spräc Þâ ides Scyldinga:
"Onfôh Þissum fulle, freó-drihten mîn,
"sinces brytta; Þu on sælum wes,
"gold-wine gumena, and tô Geátum sprec
"mildum wordum! Swâ sceal man dôn.
"Beó wiõ Geátas gläd, geofena gemyndig;
"neán and feorran Þu nu friõu hafast.
"Me man sägde, Þät Þu Þe for sunu wolde
"here-rinc habban. Heorot is gefælsod,
"beáh-sele beorhta; brûc Þenden Þu môte
"manigra mêda and Þînum mâgum læf
"folc and rîce, Þonne Þu forõ scyle
"metod-sceaft seón. Ic mînne can
"glädne Hrôõulf, Þät he Þâ geogoõe wile
"ârum healdan, gyf Þu ær Þonne he,
"wine Scildinga, worold oflætest;
"wêne ic, Þät he mid gôde gyldan wille
"uncran eaferan, gif he Þät eal gemon,
"hwät wit tô willan and tô worõ-myndum
"umbor wesendum ær ârna gefremedon."
Hwearf Þâ bî bence, Þær hyre byre wæron,
Hrêõrîc and Hrôõmund, and häleõa bearn,
giogoõ ätgädere; Þær se gôda sät
Beówulf Geáta be Þæm gebrôõrum twæm.
XIX. BEóWULF'S JEWELLED COLLAR. THE HEROES REST.
Him wäs ful boren and freónd-laõu
wordum bewägned and wunden gold
êstum geeáwed, earm-hreáde twâ,
hrägl and hringas, heals-beága mæst
Þâra Þe ic on foldan gefrägen häbbe.
Nænigne ic under swegle sêlran hýrde
hord-mâõõum häleõa, syõõan Hâma ätwäg
tô Þære byrhtan byrig Brosinga mene,
sigle and sinc-fät, searo-nîõas fealh
Eormenrîces, geceás êcne ræd.
Þone hring häfde Higelâc Geáta,
nefa Swertinges, nýhstan sîõe,
siõõan he under segne sinc ealgode,
wäl-reáf werede; hyne Wyrd fornam,
syõõan he for wlenco weán âhsode,
fæhõe tô Frysum; he Þâ frätwe wäg,
eorclan-stânas ofer ýõa ful,
rîce Þeóden, he under rande gecranc;
gehwearf Þâ in Francna fäõm feorh cyninges,
breóst-gewædu and se beáh somod:
wyrsan wîg-frecan wäl reáfedon
äfter gûõ-sceare, Geáta leóde
hreâ-wîc heóldon. Heal swêge onfêng.
WealhÞeó maõelode, heó fore Þäm werede spräc:
"Brûc Þisses beáges, Beówulf, leófa
"hyse, mid hæle, and Þisses hrägles neót
"Þeód-gestreóna, and geÞeóh tela,
"cen Þec mid cräfte and Þyssum cnyhtum wes
"lâra lîõe! ic Þe Þäs leán geman.
"Hafast Þu gefêred, Þät Þe feor and neáh
"ealne wîde-ferhõ weras ehtigaõ,
"efne swâ sîde swâ sæ bebûgeõ
"windige weallas. Wes, Þenden Þu lifige,
"äõeling eádig! ic Þe an tela
"sinc-gestreóna. Beó Þu suna mînum
"dædum gedêfe dreám healdende!
"Her is æghwylc eorl ôõrum getrýwe,
"môdes milde, man-drihtne hold,
"Þegnas syndon geÞwære, Þeód eal gearo:
"druncne dryht-guman, dôõ swâ ic bidde!"
Eode Þâ tô setle. Þær wäs symbla cyst,
druncon wîn weras: wyrd ne cûõon,
geó-sceaft grimme, swâ hit âgangen wearõ
eorla manegum, syõõan æfen cwom
and him Hrôõgâr gewât tô hofe sînum,
rîce tô räste. Reced weardode
unrîm eorla, swâ hie oft ær dydon:
benc-Þelu beredon, hit geond-bræded wearõ
beddum and bolstrum. Beór-scealca sum
fûs and fæge flet-räste gebeág.
Setton him tô heáfdum hilde-randas,
bord-wudu beorhtan; Þær on bence wäs
ofer äõelinge ýõ-gesêne
heaõo-steápa helm, hringed byrne,
Þrec-wudu Þrymlîc. Wäs Þeáw hyra,
Þät hie oft wæron an wîg gearwe,
ge ät hâm ge on herge, ge gehwäõer Þâra
efne swylce mæla, swylce hira man-dryhtne
Þearf gesælde; wäs seó Þeód tilu.
XX. GRENDEL'S MOTHER ATTACKS THE RING-DANES.
Sigon Þâ tô slæpe. Sum sâre angeald
æfen-räste, swâ him ful-oft gelamp,
siõõan gold-sele Grendel warode,
unriht äfnde, ôõ Þät ende becwom,
swylt äfter synnum. Þät gesýne wearõ,
wîd-cûõ werum, Þätte wrecend Þâ gyt
lifde äfter lâõum, lange Þrage
äfter gûõ-ceare; Grendles môdor,
ides aglæc-wîf yrmõe gemunde,
se Þe wäter-egesan wunian scolde,
cealde streámas, siõõan Cain wearõ
tô ecg-banan ângan brêõer,
fäderen-mæge; he Þâ fâg gewât,
morõre gemearcod man-dreám fleón,
wêsten warode. Þanon wôc fela
geósceaft-gâsta; wäs Þæra Grendel sum,
heoro-wearh hetelîc, se ät Heorote fand
wäccendne wer wîges bîdan,
Þær him aglæca ät-græpe wearõ;
hwäõre he gemunde mägenes strenge,
gim-fäste gife, Þe him god sealde,
and him tô anwaldan âre gelýfde,
frôfre and fultum: Þý he Þone feónd ofercwom,
gehnægde helle gâst: Þâ he heán gewât,
dreáme bedæled deáõ-wîc seón,
man-cynnes feónd. And his môdor Þâ gyt
gîfre and galg-môd gegân wolde
sorh-fulne sîõ, suna deáõ wrecan.
Com Þâ tô Heorote, Þær Hring-Dene
geond Þät säld swæfun. Þâ Þær sôna wearõ
ed-hwyrft eorlum, siõõan inne fealh
Grendles môdor; wäs se gryre lässa
efne swâ micle, swâ biõ mägõa cräft,
wîg-gryre wîfes be wæpned-men,
Þonne heoru bunden, hamere geÞuren,
sweord swâte fâh swîn ofer helme,
ecgum dyhtig andweard scireõ.
Þâ wäs on healle heard-ecg togen,
sweord ofer setlum, sîd-rand manig
hafen handa fäst; helm ne gemunde,
byrnan sîde, Þe hine se brôga angeat.
Heó wäs on ôfste, wolde ût Þanon
feore beorgan, Þâ heó onfunden wäs;
hraõe heó äõelinga ânne häfde
fäste befangen, Þâ heó tô fenne gang;
se wäs Hrôõgâre häleõa leófost
on gesîões hâd be sæm tweonum,
rîce rand-wîga, Þone Þe heó on räste âbreát,
blæd-fästne beorn. Näs Beówulf Þær,
ac wäs ôõer in ær geteohhod
äfter mâõõum-gife mærum Geáte.
Hreám wearõ on Heorote. Heó under heolfre genam
cûõe folme; cearu wäs geniwod
geworden in wîcum: ne wäs Þät gewrixle til,
Þät hie on bâ healfa bicgan scoldon
freónda feorum. Þâ wäs frôd cyning,
hâr hilde-rinc, on hreón môde,
syõõan he aldor-Þegn unlyfigendne,
Þone deórestan deádne wisse.
Hraõe wäs tô bûre Beówulf fetod,
sigor-eádig secg. Samod ær-däge
eode eorla sum, äõele cempa
self mid gesîõum, Þær se snottra bâd,
hwäõre him al-walda æfre wille
äfter weá-spelle wyrpe gefremman.
Gang Þâ äfter flôre fyrd-wyrõe man
mid his hand-scale (heal-wudu dynede)
Þät he Þone wîsan wordum hnægde
freán Ingwina; frägn gif him wære
äfter neód-laõu niht getæse.
XXI. SORROW AT HEOROT: æSCHERE'S DEATH.
Hrôõgâr maõelode, helm Scildinga:
"Ne frin Þu äfter sælum! Sorh is geniwod
"Denigea leódum. Deád is äsc-here,
"Yrmenlâfes yldra brôõor,
"mîn rûn-wita and mîn ræd-bora,
"eaxl-gestealla, Þonne we on orlege
"hafelan weredon, Þonne hniton fêõan,
"eoferas cnysedan; swylc scolde eorl wesan
"äõeling ær-gôd, swylc äsc-here wäs.
"Wearõ him on Heorote tô hand-banan
"wäl-gæst wäfre; ic ne wât hwäder
"atol æse wlanc eft-sîõas teáh,
"fylle gefrægnod. Heó Þâ fæhõe wräc,
"Þe Þu gystran niht Grendel cwealdest
"Þurh hæstne hâd heardum clammum,
"forÞan he tô lange leóde mîne
"wanode and wyrde. He ät wîge gecrang
"ealdres scyldig, and nu ôõer cwom
"mihtig mân-scaõa, wolde hyre mæg wrecan,
"ge feor hafaõ fæhõe gestæled,
"Þäs Þe Þincean mäg Þegne monegum,
"se Þe äfter sinc-gyfan on sefan greóteõ,
"hreõer-bealo hearde; nu seó hand ligeõ,
"se Þe eów wel-hwylcra wilna dohte.
"Ic Þät lond-bûend leóde mîne
"sele-rædende secgan hýrde,
"Þät hie gesâwon swylce twegen
"micle mearc-stapan môras healdan,
"ellor-gæstas: Þæra ôõer wäs,
"Þäs Þe hie gewislîcost gewitan meahton,
"idese onlîcnes, ôõer earm-sceapen
"on weres wästmum wräc-lâstas träd,
"näfne he wäs mâra Þonne ænig man ôõer,
"Þone on geâr-dagum Grendel nemdon
"fold-bûende: nô hie fäder cunnon,
"hwäõer him ænig wäs ær âcenned
"dyrnra gâsta. Hie dýgel lond
"warigeaõ, wulf-hleoõu, windige nässas,
"frêcne fen-gelâd, Þær fyrgen-streám
"under nässa genipu niõer gewîteõ,
"flôd under foldan; nis Þät feor heonon
"mîl-gemearces, Þät se mere standeõ,
"ofer Þäm hongiaõ hrîmge bearwas,
"wudu wyrtum fäst, wäter oferhelmaõ.
"Þær mäg nihta gehwæm nîõ-wundor seón,
"fýr on flôde; nô Þäs frôd leofaõ
"gumena bearna, Þät Þone grund wite;
"Þeáh Þe hæõ-stapa hundum geswenced,
"heorot hornum trum holt-wudu sêce,
"feorran geflýmed, ær he feorh seleõ,
"aldor on ôfre, ær he in wille,
"hafelan hýdan. Nis Þät heóru stôw:
"Þonon ýõ-geblond up âstîgeõ
"won tô wolcnum, Þonne wind styreõ
"lâõ gewidru, ôõ Þät lyft drysmaõ,
"roderas reótaõ. Nu is ræd gelang
"eft ät Þe ânum! Eard git ne const,
"frêcne stôwe, Þær Þu findan miht
"sinnigne secg: sêc gif Þu dyrre!
"Ic Þe Þâ fæhõe feó leánige,
"eald-gestreónum, swâ ic ær dyde,
"wundnum golde, gyf Þu on weg cymest."
XXII. BEóWULF SEEKS THE MONSTER IN THE HAUNTS OF THE NIXIES.
Beówulf maõelode, bearn EcgÞeówes:
"Ne sorga, snotor guma! sêlre biõ æghwæm,
"Þät he his freónd wrece, Þonne he fela murne;
"ûre æghwylc sceal ende gebîdan
"worolde lîfes; wyrce se Þe môte
"dômes ær deáõe! Þät biõ driht-guman
"unlifgendum äfter sêlest.
"ârîs, rîces weard; uton hraõe fêran,
"Grendles mâgan gang sceáwigan!
"Ic hit Þe gehâte: nô he on helm losaõ,
"ne on foldan fäõm, ne on fyrgen-holt,
"ne on gyfenes grund, gâ Þær he wille.
"Þys dôgor Þu geÞyld hafa
"weána gehwylces, swâ ic Þe wêne tô!"
âhleóp Þâ se gomela, gode Þancode,
mihtigan drihtne, Þäs se man gespräc.
Þâ wäs Hrôõgâre hors gebæted,
wicg wunden-feax. Wîsa fengel
geatolîc gengde; gum-fêõa stôp
lind-häbbendra. Lâstas wæron
äfter wald-swaõum wîde gesýne,
gang ofer grundas; gegnum fôr Þâ
ofer myrcan môr, mago-Þegna bär
Þone sêlestan sâwol-leásne,
Þâra Þe mid Hrôõgâre hâm eahtode.
Ofer-eode Þâ äõelinga bearn
steáp stân-hliõo, stîge nearwe,
enge ân-paõas, un-cûõ gelâd,
neowle nässas, nicor-hûsa fela;
he feára sum beforan gengde
wîsra monna, wong sceáwian,
ôõ Þät he færinga fyrgen-beámas
ofer hârne stân hleonian funde,
wyn-leásne wudu; wäter under stôd
dreórig and gedrêfed. Denum eallum wäs,
winum Scyldinga, weorce on môde,
tô geÞolianne Þegne monegum,
oncýõ eorla gehwæm, syõõan äsc-heres
on Þam holm-clife hafelan mêtton.
Flôd blôde weól (folc tô sægon)
hâtan heolfre. Horn stundum song
fûslîc fyrd-leóõ. Fêõa eal gesät;
gesâwon Þâ äfter wätere wyrm-cynnes fela,
sellîce sæ-dracan sund cunnian,
swylce on näs-hleoõum nicras licgean,
Þâ on undern-mæl oft bewitigaõ
sorh-fulne sîõ on segl-râde,
wyrmas and wil-deór; hie on weg hruron
bitere and gebolgne, bearhtm ongeâton,
gûõ-horn galan. Sumne Geáta leód
of flân-bogan feores getwæfde,
ýõ-gewinnes, Þät him on aldre stôd
here-stræl hearda; he on holme wäs
sundes Þe sænra, Þe hyne swylt fornam.
Hräõe wearõ on ýõum mid eofer-spreótum
heoro-hôcyhtum hearde genearwod,
nîõa genæged and on näs togen
wundorlîc wæg-bora; weras sceáwedon
gryrelîcne gist. Gyrede hine Beówulf
eorl-gewædum, nalles for ealdre mearn:
scolde here-byrne hondum gebroden,
sîd and searo-fâh, sund cunnian,
seó Þe bân-côfan beorgan cûõe,
Þät him hilde-grâp hreõre ne mihte,
eorres inwit-feng, aldre gesceõõan;
ac se hwîta helm hafelan werede,
se Þe mere-grundas mengan scolde,
sêcan sund-gebland since geweorõad,
befongen freá-wrâsnum, swâ hine fyrn-dagum
worhte wæpna smiõ, wundrum teóde,
besette swîn-lîcum, Þät hine syõõan nô
brond ne beado-mêcas bîtan ne meahton.
Näs Þät Þonne mætost mägen-fultuma,
Þät him on Þearfe lâh Þyle Hrôõgâres;
wäs Þäm häft-mêce Hrunting nama,
Þät wäs ân foran eald-gestreóna;
ecg wäs îren âter-teárum fâh,
âhyrded heaõo-swâte; næfre hit ät hilde ne swâc
manna ængum Þâra Þe hit mid mundum bewand,
se Þe gryre-sîõas gegân dorste,
folc-stede fâra; näs Þät forma sîõ,
Þät hit ellen-weorc äfnan scolde.
Hûru ne gemunde mago Ecglâfes
eafoões cräftig, Þät he ær gespräc
wîne druncen, Þâ he Þäs wæpnes onlâh
sêlran sweord-frecan: selfa ne dorste
under ýõa gewin aldre genêõan,
driht-scype dreógan; Þær he dôme forleás,
ellen-mærõum. Ne wäs Þäm ôõrum swâ,
syõõan he hine tô gûõe gegyred häfde.
XXIII. THE BATTLE WITH THE WATER-DRAKE.
Beówulf maõelode, bearn EcgÞeówes:
"geÞenc nu, se mæra maga Healfdenes,
"snottra fengel, nu ic eom sîões fûs,
"gold-wine gumena, hwät wit geó spræcon,
"gif ic ät Þearfe Þînre scolde
"aldre linnan, Þät Þu me â wære
"forõ-gewitenum on fäder stäle;
"wes Þu mund-bora mînum mago-Þegnum,
"hond-gesellum, gif mec hild nime:
"swylce Þu Þâ mâdmas, Þe Þu me sealdest,
"Hrôõgâr leófa, Higelâce onsend.
"Mäg Þonne on Þäm golde ongitan Geáta dryhten,
"geseón sunu Hrêõles, Þonne he on Þät sinc staraõ,
"Þät ic gum-cystum gôdne funde
"beága bryttan, breác Þonne môste.
"And Þu ûnferõ læt ealde lâfe,
"wrätlîc wæg-sweord wîd-cûõne man
"heard-ecg habban; ic me mid Hruntinge
"dôm gewyrce, oõõe mec deáõ nimeõ."
äfter Þæm wordum Weder-Geáta leód
êfste mid elne, nalas andsware
bîdan wolde; brim-wylm onfêng
hilde-rince. Þâ wäs hwîl däges,
ær he Þone grund-wong ongytan mehte.
Sôna Þät onfunde, se Þe flôda begong
heoro-gîfre beheóld hund missera,
grim and grædig, Þät Þær gumena sum
äl-wihta eard ufan cunnode.
Grâp Þâ tôgeánes, gûõ-rinc gefêng
atolan clommum; nô Þý ær in gescôd
hâlan lîce: hring ûtan ymb-bearh,
Þät heó Þone fyrd-hom Þurh-fôn ne mihte,
locene leoõo-syrcan lâõan fingrum.
Bär Þâ seó brim-wylf, Þâ heó tô botme com,
hringa Þengel tô hofe sînum,
swâ he ne mihte nô (he Þäs môdig wäs)
wæpna gewealdan, ac hine wundra Þäs fela
swencte on sunde, sæ-deór monig
hilde-tuxum here-syrcan bräc,
êhton aglæcan. Þâ se eorl ongeat,
Þät he in niõ-sele nât-hwylcum wäs,
Þær him nænig wäter wihte ne sceõede,
ne him for hrôf-sele hrînan ne mehte
fær-gripe flôdes: fýr-leóht geseah,
blâcne leóman beorhte scînan.
Ongeat Þâ se gôda grund-wyrgenne,
mere-wîf mihtig; mägen-ræs forgeaf
hilde-bille, hond swenge ne ofteáh,
Þät hire on hafelan hring-mæl âgôl
grædig gûõ-leóõ. Þâ se gist onfand,
Þät se beado-leóma bîtan nolde,
aldre sceõõan, ac seó ecg geswâc
Þeódne ät Þearfe: Þolode ær fela
hond-gemôta, helm oft gescär,
fæges fyrd-hrägl: Þät wäs forma sîõ
deórum mâõme, Þät his dôm âläg.
Eft wäs ân-ræd, nalas elnes lät,
mærõa gemyndig mæg Hygelâces;
wearp Þâ wunden-mæl wrättum gebunden
yrre oretta, Þät hit on eorõan läg,
stîõ and stýl-ecg; strenge getrûwode,
mund-gripe mägenes. Swâ sceal man dôn,
Þonne he ät gûõe gegân Þenceõ
longsumne lof, nâ ymb his lîf cearaõ.
Gefêng Þâ be eaxle (nalas for fæhõe mearn)
Gûõ-Geáta leód Grendles môdor;
brägd Þâ beadwe heard, Þâ he gebolgen wäs,
feorh-genîõlan, Þät heó on flet gebeáh.
Heó him eft hraõe and-leán forgeald
grimman grâpum and him tôgeánes fêng;
oferwearp Þâ wêrig-môd wîgena strengest,
fêõe-cempa, Þät he on fylle wearõ.
Ofsät Þâ Þone sele-gyst and hyre seaxe geteáh,
brâd and brûn-ecg wolde hire bearn wrecan,
ângan eaferan. Him on eaxle läg
breóst-net broden; Þät gebearh feore,
wiõ ord and wiõ ecge ingang forstôd.
Häfde Þâ forsîõod sunu EcgÞeówes
under gynne grund, Geáta cempa,
nemne him heaõo-byrne helpe gefremede,
here-net hearde, and hâlig god
geweóld wîg-sigor, witig drihten;
rodera rædend hit on ryht gescêd,
ýõelîce syõõan he eft âstôd.
XXIV. BEóWULF SLAYS THE SPRITE.
Geseah Þâ on searwum sige-eádig bil,
eald sweord eotenisc ecgum Þyhtig,
wîgena weorõ-mynd: Þät wäs wæpna cyst,
bûton hit wäs mâre Þonne ænig mon ôõer
tô beadu-lâce ätberan meahte
gôd and geatolîc giganta geweorc.
He gefêng Þâ fetel-hilt, freca Scildinga,
hreóh and heoro-grim hring-mæl gebrägd,
aldres orwêna, yrringa slôh,
Þät hire wiõ halse heard grâpode,
bân-hringas bräc, bil eal Þurh-wôd
fægne flæsc-homan, heó on flet gecrong;
sweord wäs swâtig, secg weorce gefeh.
Lixte se leóma, leóht inne stôd,
efne swâ of hefene hâdre scîneõ
rodores candel. He äfter recede wlât,
hwearf Þâ be wealle, wæpen hafenade
heard be hiltum Higelâces Þegn,
yrre and ân-ræd. Näs seó ecg fracod
hilde-rince, ac he hraõe wolde
Grendle forgyldan gûõ-ræsa fela
Þâra Þe he geworhte tô West-Denum
oftor micle Þonne on ænne sîõ,
Þonne he Hrôõgâres heorõ-geneátas
slôh on sweofote, slæpende frät
folces Denigea fýf-tyne men
and ôõer swylc ût of-ferede,
lâõlîcu lâc. He him Þäs leán forgeald,
rêõe cempa, tô Þäs Þe he on räste geseah
gûõ-wêrigne Grendel licgan,
aldor-leásne, swâ him ær gescôd
hild ät Heorote; hrâ wîde sprong,
syõõan he äfter deáõe drepe Þrowade,
heoro-sweng heardne, and hine Þâ heáfde becearf,
Sôna Þät gesâwon snottre ceorlas,
Þâ Þe mid Hrôõgâre on holm wliton,
Þät wäs ýõ-geblond eal gemenged,
brim blôde fâh: blonden-feaxe
gomele ymb gôdne ongeador spræcon,
Þät hig Þäs äõelinges eft ne wêndon,
Þät he sige-hrêõig sêcean côme
mærne Þeóden; Þâ Þäs monige gewearõ,
Þät hine seó brim-wylf âbroten häfde.
Þâ com nôn däges. Näs ofgeâfon
hwate Scyldingas; gewât him hâm Þonon
gold-wine gumena. Gistas sêtan,
môdes seóce, and on mere staredon,
wiston and ne wêndon, Þät hie heora wine-drihten
selfne gesâwon. Þâ Þät sweord ongan
äfter heaõo-swâte hilde-gicelum
wîg-bil wanian; Þät wäs wundra sum,
Þät hit eal gemealt îse gelîcost,
Þonne forstes bend fäder onlæteõ,
onwindeõ wäl-râpas, se Þe geweald hafaõ
sæla and mæla; Þät is sôõ metod.
Ne nom he in Þæm wîcum, Weder-Geáta leód,
mâõm-æhta mâ, Þêh he Þær monige geseah,
bûton Þone hafelan and Þâ hilt somod,
since fâge; sweord ær gemealt,
forbarn broden mæl: wäs Þät blôd tô Þäs hât,
ættren ellor-gæst, se Þær inne swealt.
Sôna wäs on sunde, se Þe ær ät säcce gebâd
wîg-hryre wrâõra, wäter up Þurh-deáf;
wæron ýõ-gebland eal gefælsod,
eácne eardas, Þâ se ellor-gâst
oflêt lîf-dagas and Þâs lænan gesceaft.
Com Þâ tô lande lid-manna helm
swîõ-môd swymman, sæ-lâce gefeah,
mägen-byrõenne Þâra Þe he him mid häfde.
Eodon him Þâ tôgeánes, gode Þancodon,
Þryõlîc Þegna heáp, Þeódnes gefêgon,
Þäs Þe hi hyne gesundne geseón môston.
Þâ wäs of Þäm hrôran helm and byrne
lungre âlýsed: lagu drusade,
wäter under wolcnum, wäl-dreóre fâg.
Fêrdon forõ Þonon fêõe-lâstum
ferhõum fägne, fold-weg mæton,
cûõe stræte; cyning-balde men
from Þäm holm-clife hafelan bæron
earfoõlîce heora æghwäõrum
fela-môdigra: feówer scoldon
on õäm wäl-stenge weorcum geferian
tô Þäm gold-sele Grendles heáfod,
ôõ Þät semninga tô sele cômon
frome fyrd-hwate feówer-tyne
Geáta gongan; gum-dryhten mid
môdig on gemonge meodo-wongas träd.
Þâ com in gân ealdor Þegna,
dæd-cêne mon dôme gewurõad,
häle hilde-deór. Hrôõgâr grêtan:
Þâ wäs be feaxe on flet boren
Grendles heáfod, Þær guman druncon,
egeslîc for eorlum and Þære idese mid:
wlite-seón wrätlîc weras onsâwon.
