BEOWULF

Prologue

H ear me! We’ve heard o f D anish heroes,

Ancient kings and the glory they cut
For themselves, swinging m ighty swords!
How Shild made slaves o f soldiers from every
Land, crowds o f captives h e'd beaten 5
Into terror; he’d traveled to D enm ark alone,
An abandoned child, but changed his own fate,
Lived to be rich and m uch honored. H e ruled
Lands on all sides: wherever the sea
W ould take them his soldiers sailed, returned 10
W ith tribute and obedience. There was a brave
King! A nd he gave them m ore than his glory,
Conceived a son for the D anes, a new leader
Allowed them by the grace o f G od. They had lived,
Before his coming, kingless and m iserable; 15
Now the Lord o f all life, R uler
O f glory, blessed them w ith a prince, Beo,
W hose pow er and fam e soon spread through the
world.
Shild’s strong son was the glory of Denm ark;
His father’s warriors were wound round his heart 20
23
24 B eowulf B eow ulf 25

W ith golden rings, bound to their prince

By Ins father's treasure. So young m en build 1
The future, wisely open-handed in peace,
Protected in war; so w arriors earn Then Beo was king in th a t D anish castle,
Their fame, and w ealth is shaped w ith a sword. Shild’s $on ruling as long as his father
W hen his tim e was come the old king died, A nd as loved, a fam ous lord o f m en. &
Still strong b u t called to the Lord’s hands. A nd he in tu rn gave his people a son,
His comrades carried him down to the shore, The great H ealfdane, a fierce fighter
Bore him as their leader had asked, their lord W ho led the D anes to the end o f his long
A nd com panion, w hile w ords could m ove o n his Life and left them four children,
tongue. Three princes to guide them in battle, H ergar 60
Sbild’s reign had been long; he’d ruled them well. ■And H rothgar a n d H alga th e G ood, an d one
There in the harbor was a ring-prowed fighting daughter*
Ship, its timbers icy, waiting, Yrs, who was given to O nela, king
And there they brought the belovéd body O f die Swedes, and becam e his wife and their queen.
O f their ring-giving lord, and laid him near T hen H rothgar, taking the throne, led
The m ast. N ext to th a t noble corpse T he D anes to such glory th a t com rades and kins­
They heaped up treasures, jew eled helmets, m en . 65
Hooked swords and coats o f m ail, arm or Swore by his sword, and young m en swelled
Carried from the ends o f the earth: n o ship H is arm ies, an d he thought o f greatness and
H ad ever sailed so brightly fitted, resolved
N o king sent forth m ore deeply m ourned. T o build a hall th a t w ould hold his m ighty
Forced to set him adrift, floating B and and reach higher tow ard H eaven th an any­
As far as the tide m ight run, they refused thing
To give him less from their hoards o f gold T hat had ever been know n to th e sons o f men. 70
Than those who’d shipped him away, an orphan A nd in th a t hall he’d divide the spoils
A nd a beggar, to cross the waves alone. O f their victories, to old and young w hat they’d
H igh up over his head they flew earned
His shining banner, then sadly let In battle, b u t leaving th e com m on pastures
The w ater pull a t the ship, watched it U ntouched, and taking n o lives. The w ork
Slowly sliding to where neither rulers W as ordered, the tim bers tied and shaped
N or heroes nor anyone can say whose hands By the hosts th at H rothgar ruled. I t w as quickly
Opened to take th at motionless cargo. Beady, th a t m ost beautiful o f dwellings, built
A s he’d W anted, an d th e n h e w hose w ord was
obeyed
A ll over the earth nam ed it H erat.
H is boast come true he commanded a banquet, 80
Opened out his treasure-full hands.
T hat towering place, gabled and huge,
26 B eowulf Beowulf 27

Stood waiting for time to pass, for w ar

To begin, for flames to leap as high 2
A s the feud th at w ould light them , and for H erot
to bum . a} Then, when darkness had dropped, G rendel u;
A powerful m onster, living down W ent up to H erot, w ondering w hat the w arriors
In the darkness, growled in pain, im patient W ould do in th a t hall w hen their drinking was done.
As day after day the music rang H e found them spraw led in sleep, suspecting
Loud in that haul, the harp’s rqoicing N othing, their dream s undisturbed. The m onster’s
Call and the poet’s clear songs, sung 90 Thoughts were as quick as his greed or his daw s: 120
O f the ancient beginnings o f us all, recalling H e slipped through th e door a n a there in the silence
The Almighty making the earth, shaping Snatched up thirty m en, sm ashed them
These beautiful plains m arked off by oceans, U nknow ing in th eir beds an d ra n o u t w ith their
Then proudly setting the sun and moon bodies,
To glow across the land and light it; 95 The blood dripping behind him , back
The comers o f the earth were m ade lovely with trees T o his lair, delighted w ith his night’s slaughter. 125
And leaves, made quick w ith life, w ith each A t daybreak, w ith th e sun’s first light, they saw
O f the nations who now move on its face. A nd then H ow well he had worked, and in th a t gray m orning
A s now warriors sang o f their pleasure:
So Hrothgar’s m en lived happy in his hall 100
Broke their long feast w ith tears and lam ents
T ill the m onster stirred, th at demon, th at fiend,
F o r the dead. H rothgar, their lord, sat joyless
Grendel, who haunted the moors, the wild Tn H erot, a mighty prince m ourning iy>
Marshes, and made his hom e in a hell The fate o f his lost friends and com panions,
N ot hell but earth. H e was spawned in that slime, Knowing by its tracks th a t som e dem on had tom
Conceived by a pair o f those monsters bom H is followers a p a rt H e w e p t fearing
O f Cain, murderous creatures banished The beginning m ight n o t b e the end. A nd th at night
By God, punished forever for the crime G rendel cam e again, so set 135
O f Abel’s death. The Almighty drove O n m urder th at no crim e could ever be enough,
Those demons out, and their exile was bitter, N o savage assault quench his lust
Shut away from men; they split no F o r evil. Then each w arrior tried
Into a thousand forms o f evu—spirits T o escape him , searched fo r rest in different
And fiends, goblins, monsters, giants, Beds, as far from H erot as they could find, 140
A brood forever opposing the Lord’s Seeing how G rendel hunted w hen they slept.
Will, and again and again defeated. D istance was safety; th e only survivors
W ere those who fled him . H ate had trium phed.
So G rendel ruled, fought w ith the righteous,
One against m any, and won; so H erot 145
Stood empty, and stayed deserted for years,
Twelve w inters o f grief for H rothgar, king
O f tiie Danes, sorrow heaped a t Ins door
By hell-forged hands. H is misery leaped
28 Beowulf B eow ulf 29

The seas, was told and sung in all ty» In their hearts, cannot hope to be better! H ail
M en’s ears: how Grendel’s hatred began, To those who will rise to G od, drop off
How the monster relished his savage war Their dead bodies and seek our Father’s peace!
On the Danes, keeping the bloody feud
Alive, seeking no peace, offering
No truce, accepting no settlem ent, no price *55
In gold or land, and paying the living
For one crime only w ith another. N o one
W aited for reparation from his plundering daw s:
That shadow o f death hunted in the darkness,
Stalked Hrothgar’s warriors, old 266
And young, lying in waiting, hidden 3
In mist, invisibly following them from the edge
O f the marsh, always there, unseen. So the living sorrow o f H ealfdane’s son
So mankind’s enemy continued his crimes, Simmered, bitter and fresh, and no wisdom X9o
Killing as often as he could, coming *65 O r strength could break it: th a t agony hung
Alone, bloodthirsty and horrible. Though he lived On king and people alike, harsh
In Herot, when the night hid him , he never A nd unending, violent and cruel, and evil.
D ared to touch king H rothgar’s glorious In his far-off hom e Beowulf, Higlac’s
Throne, protected by G od—God, Follower and the strongest o f the G eats—greater i95
Whose love G rendel could not know. But H roth­ A nd stronger than anyone anywhere in this' w orld—
gar’s 170 H eard how G rendel filled nights w ith horror
H eart was bent. The best and m ost noble A nd quickly com m anded a b oat fitted out.
O f his council debated remedies, sat Proclaim ing th at he’d go to th at fam ous king,
In secret sessions, talking o f terror W ould sail across the sea to H fothgar, aoo
And wondering w hat the bravest o f warriors could Now when help was needed. N one
do. O f the wise ones regretted his going, much
And sometimes they sacrificed to the old stone gods, 17$
As he was loved by die G eats: the omens were good,
M ade heathen vows, hoping for Hell’s
Support, the Devil’s guidance in driving A nd they urged the adventure on. So Beowulf
Their affliction off. T hat was their way, Chose the m ightiest m en he could find, 205
And the heathen’s only hope, Hell The bravest and best o f the G eats, fourteen
Always in their hearts, knowing neither God an In all, and led them down to their boat;
N or His passing as H e walks through our world, H e knew the sea, w ould point the prow
the Lord Straight to th at distant D anish shore.
Of Heaven and earth; their ears could not hear T h a i they sailed, set their ship 210
His praise nor know His glory. Let them O ut on the waves, under the cliffs.
Beware, those who are thrust into danger, R eady for w hat cam e they w ound through the cur­
Clutched at by trouble, yet can carry no solace 185 rents,
The seas beating at the sand, and were borne
30 Beowulf B e o w u lf 31

In the lap o f their shining ship, lined Such weapons, unless his appearance, and his
W ith gleaming arm or, going safely 213 beauty, 2 jo
In th at oak-hard boat to where their hearts took Are both lies. You! T ell me your nam e,
them. A nd your father’s; no spies go further onto D anish
The wind hurried them over the waves, Soil than you’ve come already. Strangers,
The ship foamed through the sea like a bird From wherever it was you sailed, tell it,
Until, in the time they had known it would take, A nd tell it quickly, the quicker the better, a#
Standing in the round-curled prow they could see 220 I say, for us all. Speak, say
Sparkling hills, high and green, Exactly who you are, and from where, and why.”
Jutting up over the shore, and rejoicing
In those rock-steep cliffs they quietly ended
Their voyage. Jum ping to the ground, the Geats
Pushed their boat to the sand and tied it 225
In place, mail shirts and arm or rattling
As they swiftly m oored their ship. A nd then
They gave thanks to G od for their easy crossing.
High on a wall a D anish watcher 4
Patrolling along the cliffs saw 230
The travelers crossing to the shore, their shields Their leader answered him , Beowulf unlocking
Raised and shining; he came riding down, W ords from deep in his breast:
H rothgar’s lieutenant, spurring his horse, “We are G eats, 360
Needing to know why they’d landed, these men M en who follow Higlac. My father
In armor. Shaking his heavy spear 235 W as a famous soldier, known far and wide
In their faces he spoke: As a leader o f men. H is nam e was Edgetho.
“W hose soldiers are you, His life lasted m any w inters;
You who’ve been carried in your deep-keeled ship
Across the sea-road to this country o f mine? Wise m en all over the earth surely 26}

Listen! I’ve stood on these cliffs longer 240

Rem ember him still. A nd we have come seeking
Than you know, keeping our coast free Y our prince, H ealfdane's son, protector
O f pirates, raiders sneaking ashore O f this people, only in friendship: instruct us,
From their ships, seeking our lives and our gold. W atchman, help us w ith your words! O ur errand
None have ever come more openly— Is a great one, our business w ith the glorious king 270
And yet you’ve offered no password, no sign 243 O f the Danes no secret; there’s nothing dark
From my prince, no perm ission from my people for O r hidden in our com ing. You know (if we’ve heard
your landing The truth, and been told honestly) th at your country
Here. N or have I ever seen, Is cursed w ith some strange, vicious creature
Out of all the men on earth, one greater T hat hunts only a t night and th at no one 27)
Than has come with you; no commoner carries H as seen. It’s said, w atchm an, th a t he has slaugh­
tered
32 B e o w u lf B eo w u lf 33

Your people, brought terror to the darkness. Per­ To that hall, built by H rothgar for the best
haps And bravest o f his m en; the path was plain,
H rothgar can hunt, here in my heart, They could see their way. A nd th a t he spoke: 515
For some way to drive this devil out— “Now I m ust leave you: m ay the Lord our G od
If anything will ever end the evils 280 Protect your coming and going! The sea
Afflicting your wise and famous lord. Is my job, keeping these coasts free
Here he can cool his burning sorrow. O f invaders, bands o f pirates: I m ust go back.”
Or else he may see his suffering go on
Forever, for as long as H erot towers
High on your hills.” 285
The m ounted officer -
Answered him bluntly, the brave watchman:
“A soldier should know the difference between
words
And deeds, and keep that knowledge clear
In his brain. I believe your words, I trust in 290 5
Your friendship. Go forward, weapons and armor
And all, on into Denmark. I’ll guide you The path he'd shown them was paved, cobbled 320
Myself—and my men will guard your ship, Like a R om an road. They arrived w ith their m ail
Keep it safe here on our shores, shirts
Your fresh-tarred boat, watch it well, 293 G littering, silver-shining links
U ntil that curving prow carries Clanking an iron song as they came.
Across the sea to G eatland a chosen Sea-weaiy still, they set their broad,
W arrior who bravely does battle w ith the creature Battle-hardened shields in rows 323
H aunting our people, who survives th at horror Along the wall, then stretched themselves
U nhurt, and goes home bearing our love.” 300 On H erot’s benches. Their arm or rang;
Then they moved on. Their boat lay moored, Their ash-wood spears stood in a line,
Tied tight to its anchor. G littering at the top G ray-tipped and straight: the G eats’ war-gear
O f their golden helmets wild boar heads gleamed, W ere honored weapons. 330
Shining decorations, swinging as they marched, A D anish w arrior
Erect lake guards, like sentinels, as though ready 305 A sked who they w ere, their nam es and their
To fight. They marched, Beowulf and his men
And their guide, until they could see the gables fathers':
O f Herot, covered w ith hammered gold “W here have you carried these gold-carved
And glowing in the sun—that most famous of all shields from ,
dwellings, These silvery shirts and helmets, and those spears
Towering majestic, its glittering roofs 310 Set out in long lines? I am H rothgar’s 333
Visible far across the land. Herald and captain. Strangers have come here
Their guide reined in his horse, pointing Before, but never so freely, so bold.
A nd you come too proudly to be exiles: not poverty
34 B eo w u lf B eo w u lf 35
But your hearts’ high courage has brought you to
Hrothgar.” 6
H e was answered by a fam ous soldier, the G eats' 340
Proud prince: The Danes’ high prince and protector answered:
“We follow Higlac, break bread “I knew Beowulf as a boy. His father
A t his side. I am Beowulf. My errand Was Edgetho, who was given H rethel’s one daugh­
Is for H ealfdane’s great son to hear, your glorious ter
Lord; if he chooses to receive us we will greet him, 3# —H rethel, Higlac’s father. N ow Edgetho’s
Salute the chief o f the D anes and speak out Brave son is here, come visiting a friendly 375
O ur message.” King. A nd I’ve heard th at w hen seamen came,
W ulfgar replied—a prince Bringing their gifts and presents to the G eats,
Bom to the Swedes, famous for both strength They wrestled and ran together, and Higlac’s
A nd wisdom: 330 Young prince showed them a m ighty battle-grip,
“Our w arm hearted lord will be told H ands th at moved w ith thirty men’s strength, 380
O f your coming; I shall tell our king, our giver And courage to m atch. O ur H oly F ather
O f bright rings, and hurry back w ith his word, Has sent him as a sign o f H is grace, a m ark
And speak it here, however he answers O f His favor, to help us defeat G iendel
Your request.” 333 A nd end that terror. I shall greet him w ith treasures,
H e w ent quickly to where Hrothgar G ifts to rew ard his courage in com ing to us. 383
sat, Quickly, order them all to come to me
G ray and old, in the middle o f his men, Together, Beowulf and his band o f G eats.
A nd knowing the custom o f th at court walked A nd tell them , too, how welcome we will make
straight them !”
To the king’s great chair, stood waiting to be heard, Then W ulfgar w ent to the door and addressed
Then spoke: 360 The waiting seafarers w ith soldier’s words: 390
“There are G eats who have come sail­ “My lord, the great king o f the D anes, commands
ing the open me
Ocean to our land, come far over To tell you that he knows o f your noble birth
The high waves, led by a warrior And that having come to him from over the open
Called Beowulf. They w ait on your word, bring Sea you have come bravely and are welcome.
messages Now go to him as you are, in your arm or and hel­
For your ears alone. My lord, grant them 363 mets, 393
A gracious answer, see them and hear But leave your battle-shields here, and your spears,
W hat they’ve come fort Their weapons and arm or
are nobly Let them lie waiting for the prom ises your words
W orked—these men are no beggars. And Beowulf M ay make.”
Their prince, who showed them the way to our Beowulf arose, w ith his m en
shores, A round him, ordering a few to rem ain 400
Is a mighty warrior, powerful and wise.” 370
W ith their weapons, leading the others quickly
Along under H erat’s steep roof into H rothgar’s
36 B e o w u lf B eo w u lf 37

Presence. Standing on that prince’s own hearth, M ight think less o f me if I let my sword
Helmeted, the silvery m etal o f his mail shirt Go where my feet were afraid to, if I hid
Gleaming with a sm ith’s high art, he greeted 405 Behind some broad linden shield: my hands
The D anes' great lord: Alone shall fight for me, struggle for life
“H ail, Hrothgar! Against the m onster. G od must decide 440
Higlac is my cousin and my king; the days Who will be given to death’s cold grip.
O f my youth have been filled w ith glory. Now G rendel’s plan, I think, will be
Grendel’s W hat it has been before, to invade this hall
N am e has echoed in our land: sailors 410 And gorge his belly w ith our bodies. If he can,
Have brought us stories o f H erot, the best If he can. And I think, if my tim e will have come, 445
O f all m ead-halls, deserted and useless when the There’ll be nothing to m ourn over, no corpse to
moon prepare
Hangs in skies the sun had lit, For its grave: G rendel will carry our bloody
Light and life fleeing together. Flesh to the moors, crunch on our bones
My people have said, the wisest, most knowing 415 And smear torn scraps o f our skin on the walls
A nd best o f them , th a t m y duty was to go to the O f his den. No, I expect no D anes 4*0
D anes' W ill fret about sewing our shrouds, if he wins.
G reat king. They have seen my strength for them­ And if death does take me, send the hammered
selves, Mail of my arm or to Higlac, return
Have watched me rise from die darkness o f war, The inheritance I had from H rethel, and he
Dripping with my enemies' blood. I drove From W ayland. Fate will unwind as it m ust!” 455
Five great giants into chains, chased 42o
All o f that race from the earth. I swam
In the blackness o f night, hunting monsters
O ut o f the ocean, and killing them one
By one; death was my errand and the fate
They had earned. Now Grendel and I are called 425
Together, and I’ve come. G rant me, then,
Lord and protector o f this noble place, 1
A single request! I have come so far,
Oh shelterer o f warriors and your people’s loved
friend, H rothgar replied, protector of the Danes:
T hat this one favor you should not refuse me— 430 “ Beowulf, you’ve com e to us in friendship, and
That L alone and w ith the help o f my men, because
May purge all evil from this hall. I have heard, O f the reception your father found a t our court.
Too, that the monster’s scorn o f men Edgetho had begun a bitter feud,
Is so great that he needs no weapons and fears Killing H athlaf, a W ulfing w arrior: 460
none. Your father’s countrym en were afraid o f war,
N or will L My lord Higlac 435 I f he returned to his home, and they turned him
away.
38 B eow ulf B eo w u lf

Then he traveled across the curving waves

Tp the land of the Danes. I was new to the throne, 8
Then, a young m an ruling this wide 465
Kingdom and its golden city: Hergar, U nferth spoke, E cglaf’s son,
My older brother, a far better man Who sat at H rothgar’s feet, spoke harshly
Than I, had died and dying made me, And sharp (vexed by Beowulf’s adventure,
Second among H ealfdane’s sons, first By their visitor’s courage, and angry that anyone
In this nation. I bought the end of Edgetho’s 47° In D enm ark or anywhere on earth had ever
Quarrel, sent ancient treasures through the ocean’s Acquired glory and fame greater
Furrows to the Wulfings: your father swore Than his own):
He’d keep that peace. My tongue grows heavy, “You’re Beowulf, are you—the same
And my heart, when I try to tell you what Grendel Boastful fool who fought a swimming
Has brought us, the damage he’s done, here 475
M atch with Brecca, both o f you daring
In tills hall. You see for yourself how much A nd young and proud, exploring the deepest
smaller Seas, risking your lives for no reason
Our ranks have become, and can guess what we’ve B ut the danger? A ll older and w iser heads w arned
lost you
To his terror. Surely the Lord Almighty N ot to, but no one could check such pride.
Could stop his madness, smother his lust! W ith Brecca at your side you swam along
How many times have my men, glowing 480
The sea-paths, your swift-moving hands pulling you
W ith courage drawn from too many cups Over the ocean’s face. Then w inter
O f ale, sworn to stay after dark Churned through the water, the waves ran you
And stem th at horror w ith a sweep of their swords. As they willed, and you struggled seven long nights
And then, in the m orning, this m ead-hall glittering
W ith new light would be drenched w ith blood, the To survive. A nd a t the end victory was his,
benches 485
N ot yours. The sea carried him close
Stained red, the floors, all wet from that fiend’s To his home, to southern Norway, near
Savage assault—and my soldiers would be fewer The land o f the B randings, where he ruled and was
Still, death taking more and more. loved,
But to table, Beowulf, a banquet in your honor: W here his treasure w as piled and his strength pro­
Let us toast your victories, and talk of the future.” 490
tected
Then H rotbgar’s men gave places to the Geats, His tow ns and his people. H e’d prom ised to out-
Yielded benches to the brave visitors swim you:
And led them to the feast. The keeper of the mead B onstan’s son m ade th at boast ring true.
Came carrying out the carved flasks, Y ou’ve been lucky in your battles, Beowulf, but I
And poured that bright sweetness. A poet 495 think
Sang, from time to time, in a clear Y our luck m ay change if you challenge Grendel,
Pure voice. Danes and visiting Geats Staying a whole night through in this hall,
Celebrated as one, drank and rejoiced. W aiting where th a t fiercest o f dem ons can find
you.”
40 B eo w u lf B eo w u lf 41

Beowulf answered, Edgetho’s great son:

“Ah! U nferth, my friend, your face 53° 9
Is hot w ith ale, and your tongue has tried
To tell us about Brecca’s doings. But the tru th “O ther monsters crowded around me,
Is simple: no m an swims in the sea Continually attacking. I treated them politely, .560
As I can, no strength is a m atch for mine. Offering the edge o f m y razor-sharp sword.
As boys, Brecca and I had boasted— 535 But the feast, I think, aid not please them , filled
We were both too young to know better—th at we’d Their evil bellies w ith no banquet-rich food,
risk Thrashing there a t the bottom o f the sea;
Our lives far out a t sea, and so By m orning they’d decided to sleep on the shore, 56)
We did. Each o f us carried a naked Lying on their backs, their blood spilled out
Sword, prepared for whales or the swift O n the sand. A fterw ards, sailors could cross
Sharp teeth and beaks o f needlefish. 540
T hat sea-road and feel no fear; nothing
He could never leave me behind, swim faster W ould stop their passing. Then G od’s bright beacon
Across the waves than I could, and I A ppeared in the east, the w ater lay still, 570
H ad chosen to rem ain close to his side.
I rem ained near him for five long nights, A nd a t last I could see the land, wind-swept
U ntil a flood swept us apart; 545
Cliff-walls a t the edge o f the coast. F ate saves
The frozen sea surged around me, The living w hen they drive aw ay d eath by them ­
It grew dark, the w ind turned bitter, blowing selves!
From the north, and the waves were savage. Crea­ Lucky o r not, nine was the num ber
tures O f sea-huge m onsters I killed. W hat m an, 575
W ho sleep deep in the sea were stirred Anywhere under H eaven's high arch, has fought
Into life—and the iron hammered links 550 In such darkness, endured m ore m isery o r been
O f my m ail shirt, these shining bits o f m etal harder
W oven across my breast, saved me Pressed? Y et I survived the sea, sm ashed
From death. A m onster seized me, drew me The m onsters' h o t jaw s, sw am hom e from my
Swiftly tow ard the bottom , swimming with its claws journey.
Tight in my flesh. But fate let me 555 The swift-flowing w aters swept m e along 5so
Find its heart with my sword, hack myself A nd I landed on Finnish soiL I’ve heard
Free; I fought that beast’s last battle, N o tales o f you, U nferth, telling
Left it floating lifeless in the sea. O f such clashing terro r, such contests in the night!
Brecca's battles were never so bold;
N either he n or you can m atch me—and I m ean .585
N o boast, have announced no m ore than I know
To be tru e. A nd there’s m ore: you m urdered your
brothers,
Y our own dose kin. W ords and bright w it
W on’t help your soul; you’ll suffer hell’s fires,
U nferth, forever torm ented. Ecglaf’s &o
42 B eo w u lf B eo w u lf 43

Proud son, if your hands were as hard, your heart For allowing her hands the happy duty
As fierce as you think it, no fool would dare O f offering m ead to a hero who would help
To raid your hall, ruin H erot H er afflicted people. H e drank w hat she poured,
A nd oppress its prince, as G rendel has done. Edgetho’s brave son, then assured the D anish
But he's learned that terror is his alone, ^ Queen th at his heart was firm and his hands 630
D iscovered he can com e for your people w ith no Ready:
fear “W hen we crossed the sea, m y comrades
O f reprisal; he's found no fighting, here, A nd I, I already knew th at all
But only food, only delight. M y purpose was this: to w in.the good will
He m urders as he likes, w ith no mercy, gorges O f your people or die in battle, pressed 633
A nd feasts on your flesh, and expects no trouble, 600 In G rendel’s fierce grip. Let me live in greatness
N o quarrel from the quiet Danes. Now And courage, or here in this hall welcome
The Geats will show him courage, soon My death!”
He can test his strength in battle. A nd when the sun W elthow was pleased w ith his words,
Comes up again, opening another His bright-tongued boasts; she carried them back 640
Bright day from the south, anyone in Denm ark 605 To her lord, walked nobly across to his side.
M ay enter this hall: th at evil will be gone!” The feast went on, laughter and m usic
Hrothgar, gray-haired and brave, sat happily A nd the brave words o f w arriors celebrating
Listening, the famous ring-giver sure, Their delight. Then H rothgar rose, H ealfdane's
A t last, th at G rendel could be killed; he believed Son, heavy w ith sleep; as soon 643
In Beowulf’s bold strength and the firmness o f his As the sun had gone, he knew th at G rendel
sp irit 6to W ould come to H erot, w ould visit th at hall
There was the sound o f laughter, and the cheer­ W hen night had covered the earth w ith its net
ful clanking A nd the shapes o f darkness moved black and silent
O f cups, and pleasant words. Then W elthow, Through the w orld. H rothgar’s w arriors rose w ith
H rothgar’s gold-ringed queen, greeted him . 630
The warriors; a noble woman who knew H e w ent to Beowulf, em braced the G eats'
W hat was right, she raised a flowing cup 613 Brave prince, wished him well, and hoped
To H rothgar fu s t holding it high T hat H erot would be his to command. A nd then
F or the lord o f the D anes to drink, wishing him
Joy in that fe a st The famous king H e declared:
D rank with pleasure and blessed their banquet. “N o one strange to this land 633
Then W elthow w ent from w arrior to w arrior, Has ever been granted w hat I’ve given you,
Pouring a portion from the jeweled cup No one in all the years o f my rule.
For each, till the bracelet-wearing queen M ake this best o f all m ead-halls yours, and then
H ad carried the mead-cup among them and it was Keep it free o f evil, fight
Beowulf’s W ith glory in your heart! Purge H erot 660
Turn to be served. She saluted the G eats' A nd your ship will sail hom e w ith its treasure-holds
G reat prince, thanked G od fo r answering her fulL”
prayers, 6a.j
44 B e o w u lf B eo w u lf 45

10 To the home he loved, to the high-walled towns

And the friends he had left behind where both he
Then H rothgar left that hall, the Danes* A nd they had been raised. Each thought of the
G reat protector, followed by his court; the queen Danes
H ad preceded him and he went to lie a t her side, M urdered by G rendel in a hall where G eats fry
Seek sleep near his wife. It was said that G od 663
A nd not Danes now slept. But G od’s dread loom
Himself had set a sentinel in H erot, W as woven w ith defeat for the m onster, good for­
Brought Beowulf as a guard against GTendel and a tune
shield F or the G eats; help against G rendel was w ith them ,
Behind whom the king could safely rest. A nd through the m ight o f a single m an
A nd Beowulf was ready, firm w ith our Lord’s They w ould win. W ho doubts th at G od in His wis­
High favor and his own bold courage and strength. 670 dom 700

H e stripped off his m ail shirt, his helm et, his A nd strength holds the earth forever
sword In His hands? Out in the darkness the m onster
Hammered from the hardest iron, and handed Began to walk. The w arriors slept
All his weapons and arm or to a servant, In th at gabled hall where they hoped th at He
Ordered his war-gear guarded till morning. W ould keep them safe from evil, guard them 705
A nd then, standing beside his bed, 675 From death till the end o f their days was deter­
He exclaimed: m ined
“Grendel is no braver, no stronger A nd the thread should be broken. But Beowulf lay
T han I am! I could kill him w ith m y sw ord; I shall wakeful,
not, W atching, waiting, eager to m eet
Easy as it would be. This fiend is a bold His enemy, and angry at the thought o f his coming.
A nd famous fighter, but his daw s and teeth 6S0
Scratching a t my shield, his dum sy fists
Beating a t my sword blade, would be helpless. I
will meet him
W ith my hands empty—unless his heart
Fails him , seeing a soldier waiting
W eaponless, unafraid. Let G od in His wisdom 683
Extend His hand where H e wills, reward
W hom He chooses!” 11
Then the Geats* great chief
dropped Out from the marsh, from the foot o f m isty 710
His head to his pillow, and around him, as ready Hills and bogs, bearing G od’s hatred,
As they could be, lay the soldiers who had crossed G rendel came, hoping to kill
the sea 690 Anyone he could trap on this trip to high H e ro t
At his side, each o f them sure that he was lost He moved quickly through the cloudy night,
Up from his swampland, sliding silently 7 1}
46 B e o w u lf B eo w u lf 47

Toward that gold-shining hall. H e had visited Could take his talons and him self from th at tight
H rothgar’s H ard grip. G rendel’s one thought was to run 755
Home before, knew the way— From Beowulf, flee back to his m arsh and hide
But never, before nor after that night, there:
Found H erot defended so firmly, his reception This was a different H erot than the hall he had
So harsh. He journeyed, forever joyless, 720 em ptied.
Straight to the door, then snapped it open, But Higlac’s follower remembered his final
Tore its iron fasteners with a touch Boast and, standing erect, stopped
And rushed angrily over the threshold. The m onster’s flight, fastened those claws 760
He strode quickly across the inlaid In his fists till they cracked, clutched G rendel
Floor, snarling and fierce: his eyes 725 Closer. The infamous killer fought
Gleamed in the darkness, burned with a gruesome F or his freedom, w anting no flesh but retreat,
Light. Then he stopped, seeing the hall D esiring nothing but escape; his claws
Crowded with sleeping warriors, stuffed H ad been caught, he was trapped. T hat trip to
W ith rows of young soldiers resting together. H erot 765
And his heart laughed, he relished the sight, 73° W as a miserable journey for the w rithing m onsterl
Intended to tear the life from those bodies The high hall rang, its ro o f boards swayed,
By morning; the monster’s m ind was hot A nd D anes shook w ith terror. Down
W ith the thought of food and the feasting his belly The aisles the battle swept, angry
W ould soon know. But fate, that night, intended A nd wild. H erot trem bled, wonderfully 770
Grendel to gnaw the broken bones 73)
Built to w ithstand the blows, the struggling
O f his last hum an supper. H um an G reat bodies beating a t its beautiful walls;
Eyes were watching his evil steps, Shaped and fastened w ith iron, inside
W aiting to see his swift hard claws. A nd out, artfully worked, the building
Grendel snatched at the first G eat Stood firm. Its benches rattled, fell 77;
He came to, ripped him apart, cut 740
To the floor, gold-covered boards grating
His body to bits with powerful jaws,
D rank the blood from his veins and bolted As G rendel and Beowulf battled across them.
Him down, hands and feet; death H rothgar’s wise m en had fashioned H erot
And Grendel’s great teeth came together, To stand forever; only fire,
Snapping life shut. Then he stepped to another 74) They had planned, could shatter w hat such skill
Still body, clutched at Beowulf with his claws, had pu t 7so
G rasped at a strong-hearted wakeful sleeper Together, swallow in ho t flames such splendor
—And was instantly seized himself, claws O f ivory and iron and wood. Suddenly
Bent back as Beowulf leaned up on one arm. The sounds changed, the D anes started
That shepherd of evil, guardian o f crime, 73°
In new terror, cowering in their beds as the terrible
Knew at once that nowhere on earth Screams o f the Almighty’s enemy sang 7
Had he met a man whose hands were harder; In the darkness, the horrible shrieks o f pain
His mind was flooded with fear—-but nothing A nd defeat, the tears tom out o f G rendel’s
T aut throat, hell’s captive caught in the arms
48 B eo w u lf B eo w u lf 49

O f him who of all the men on earth Snapped, muscle and bone split
Was the strongest. A nd broke. The battle was over, Beowulf
H ad been granted new glory: G rendel escaped,
B ut wounded as he was could flee to his den, 820
His m iserable hole a t the bottom o f the m arsh,
Only to die, to w ait for the end
O f all his days. A nd after th a t bloody
C om bat the Danes laughed w ith d elig h t
H e who had come to them from across the sea, 823
12 Bold and strong-m inded, had driven affliction
Off, purged H erot dean. He was happy,
T hat mighty protector o f men Now, w ith th at night’s fierce work; the D anes
M eant to hold the monster till its life H ad been served as he’d boasted he’d serve them ;
Leaped out, knowing the fiend was no use Beowulf,
To anyone in Denmark. All o f Beowulf’s A prince o f the G eats, had killed G rendel, 830
Band had jum ped from their beds, ancestral 795 Ended the grief, the sorrow, the suffering
Swords raised and ready, determined Forced on H rothgar’s helpless people
To protect their prince if they could. Their courage By a bloodthirsty fiend, N o D ane doubted
Was great but all wasted: they could hack at Gren- The victory, for the proof, hanging high
del From the rafters w here Beow ulf had hung it, was
From every side, trying to open the m onster’s 833
A path for his evil soul, but their points 800 Arm, claw and shoulder and alL
Could not hurt him, the sharpest and hardest iron
Could not scratch a t his skin, for that sin-stained
demon
H ad bewitched all men’s weapons, laid spells
T hat blunted every m ortal m an’s blade.
And yet his time had come, his days 80}
Were over, his death near; down
To hell he would go, swept groaning and helpless
To the waiting hands of still worse fiends.
13
Now he discovered—once the afiSictor
O f men, torm entor of their days—what it meant 810 A nd then, in the m orning, crowds surrounded
To feud w ith Alm ighty God: G rendel H erot, w arriors coming to th at hall
Saw that his strength was deserting him, his claws From faraw ay lands, princes and leaders
Bound fast, Higlac’s brave follower tearing at O f m en hurrying to behold the m onster’s 840
His hands. The m onster’s hatred rose higher, G reat staggering tracks. They gaped w ith no sense
But his power had gone. He twisted in pain, 815 O f sorrow, felt no regret for his suffering,
And the bleeding sinews deep in his shoulder W ent tracing his bloody footprints, his beaten
A nd lonely flight, to the edge o f the lake
50 B eo w u lf B eo w u lf
W here he’d dragged his corpselike way, doomed 845 W hen Siegmund’s tongue unwound the wonders
A nd already weary o f his vanishing life. He had worked, confiding in his closest friend.
The w ater was bloody, steaming and boiling There were tales o f giants wiped from the earth
In horrible pounding waves, heat By Siegmund’s m ight—and forever rem em bered,
Sucked from his magic veins; but the swirling Fam e th at would last him beyond life and death,
Surf had covered his death, hidden 850 His daring battle w ith a treasure-rich dragon.
Deep in murky darkness his m iserable Heaving a hoary gray rock aside
End, as hell opened to receive him. Siegmund had gone down to the dragon alone,
Then old and young rejoiced, turned back Entered the hole where it hid and swung
From th a t happy pilgrimage, m ounted their hard- His sword so savagely th a t it slit the creature
hooved Through, pierced its flesh and pinned it
Horses, high-spirited stallions, and rode them 855 To a wall, hung it where his bright blade rested.
Slowly tow ard H erot again, retelling His courage and strength had earned him a king-
Beowulf’s bravery as they jogged along. like
A nd over and over they swore th at nowhere Treasure, brought gold and rich rings to his glori­
On earth or under the spreading sky ous
Or between the seas, neither south nor north, S60
H ands. He loaded th at precious hoard
W as there a w arrior w orthier to rule over men. O n his ship and sailed off w ith a shining cargo.
(Biit no one m eant Beowulf’s praise to belittle A nd the dragon dissolved in its own fierce blood.
H rothgar, their kind and gracious king!) N o prince, no protector o f his w arriors, knew
A nd sometimes, when the path ran straight and pow er
clear, A nd fam e and glory like Siegmund’s; his nam e
They would let their horses race, red 863
A nd brown and pale yellow backs streaming A nd his treasures grew great. H erm od could have
Down the road. A nd sometimes a proud old soldier hoped
W ho had heard songs o f the ancient heroes F or a t least as m uch; he was once the m ightiest
A nd could sing them all through, story after story, O f men. But pride and defeat and betrayal
W ould weave a net o f words for Beowulf's 870
Sent him into exile w ith the Jutes, and he ended
Victory, tying the knot o f his verses His life on their swords. T hat life had been misery
Smoothly, swiftly, into place w ith a poet’s A fter misery, and he spread sorrow as long
Quick skill, singing his new song aloud As he lived it, heaped troubles on his unhappy
W hile he shaped it, and the old songs as well— people’s
Siegmund’s H eads, ignored all wise men’s warnings,
Adventures, fam iliar battles fought 87.5 R uled only w ith courage. A king
By th at glorious son o f Vels. A nd struggles, Born, entrusted w ith ancient treasures
Too, against evil and treachery th at no one A nd cities full o f stronghearted soldiers,
H ad ever heard of, th at no one knew His vanity swelled him so vile and rank
Except Fitla, who had fought at his uncle’s side, T hat he could hear no voices b u t his own. H e de­
A brave young comrade carefully listening 880 served
To suffer and die. But Beowulf was a prince
52 B eo w u lf B eo w u lf 53
W ell-loved, followed in friendship, not fear; D id w hat none o f the Danes could do,
Hermod’s heart had been hollowed by sin. 913 O ur wisdom, our strength, worthless w ithout him .
The horses ran, when they could, on the gravel The woman who bore him , whoever, wherever,
Path. M orning slid past and was gone. Alive now, o r dead, knew the grace o f the G od
The whole brave company came riding to H erot, O f our fathers, was granted a son for her glory 945
Anxious to celebrate Beowulf’s success A nd H is. Beowulf, best o f soldiers,
A nd stare a t th at arm . A nd H rothgar rose 920 Let m e take you to m y heart, m ake you m y son too,
From beside his wife and came w ith his courtiers A nd love you: preserve this passionate peace
Crowded around him . A nd W elthow rose Between us. A nd take, in return, w hatever
A nd joined him , his wife and queen w ith her Y ou m ay w ant from w hatever I own. W arriors 950
women, Deserving far less have been granted as m uch,
All o f them walking to th at wonderful hall. G iven gifts and honored, though they fought
N o enemy like yours. G lory is now yours
Forever and ever, your courage has earned it,
A nd yo u r strength. M ay G od b e as good to you
forever 955
A s H e has been to you here!**
T hen B eow ulf an­
14 swered:
“W hat we did was w hat our hearts helped
O ur hands to perform ; we came to fight
H rothgar stood a t the top o f the stairw ay $25 W ith Gxendel, our strength against Ms. I wish 960
A nd stared at G rendel's great claw, swinging I could show you, here in H erot, his corpse
H igh from th at gold-shining roof. Then he cried: Stretched on this floor! I tw isted m y fingers
“Let G od be thanked! Grendel’s terrible A round his claw, ripped and tore a t it
Anger hung over our heads too long, As h ard as I could:'I m eant to kill him
D ropping dow n m isery; b u t the A lm ighty m akes R ight here, hold him so tightly th a t Ms heart 963
m irades 930 W ould stop, would break, his life spill
W hen H e pleases, w onder after w onder, and this O n this floor. But G od’s will was against me,
world As hard as I held Mm he still pulled free
Rests in His hands. I had given up hope, A nd ran, escaped from this hall w ith the strength
Exhausted prayer, expected nothing Fear had given Mm. B ut he offered m e Ms arm 9JO
But misfortune forever. H erot was empty, A nd his daw , saved his life yet left me
Bloody; the wisest and best o f our people 933 T hat prize. A nd paying even so willingly
D espaired as deeply, found hope no easier, F or Ms freedom h e stul fled w ith nothing
Knew nothing, no way to end this unequal B ut die end o f his evil days, ran
W ar o f m en and devils, warriors W ith death pressing a t his back, pain 975
And monstrous fiends. One m an found it, Splitting his panicked heart, pulling him
Came to Denmark and with the Lord’s help 940 Step by step into helL Let him bum
54 B eo w u lf B eo w u lf 55

In torm ent, lying and trem bling, waiting It is w ritten that we go, taking our bodies
F or the brightness o f G od to bring him his reward.” From death's cold bed to the unbroken sleep
U nferth grew quiet, gave up quarreling over $80 That follows life’s feast.
Beowulf’s old battles, stopped all his boasting Then H rothgar m ade his
Once everyone saw proof o f th at prince’s strength, way
Grendel’s huge claw swinging high To the hall; it was time, and his heart drew him 10 10
From Hrothgar*s m ead-hall roof, the fingers To the banquet. N o victory was celebrated better,
O f th at loathsom e hand ending in nails 98; By m ore or by better m en and their king.
As hard as bright steel—so hard, they all said, A m ighty host, and famous, they lined
T hat not even the sharpest o f swords could have cut The benches, rejoicing; the king and H rothulf,
It through, broken it off the m onster’s His nephew, toasted each other, raised mead-cups IOI5
A rm and ended its life, as Beowulf H igh under H erot’s great roof, their speech
H ad done arm ed w ith only his bare hands. 990 Courteous and warm. K ing and people
W ere one; none o f the D anes was plotting,
Then, no treachery hid in their smiles.
H ealfdane’s son gave Beowulf a golden 1020
Banner, a fitting flag to signal
His victory, and gave him , as well, a helm et,
A nd a coat o f m ad, and an ancient sword;
15 They were brought to him while the w arriors
watched. Beowulf
D rank to those presents, not asham ed to be praised, 1025
Then the king ordered H erot cleaned R ichly rew arded in fro n t o f them all.
A nd hung w ith decorations: hundreds o f hands, N o ring-giver has given four such gifts,
M en and women, hurried to make Passed such treasures through his hands, w ith the
The great ball ready. Golden tapestries grace
W ere lined along the walls, for a host 993 \n d w arm th that H rothgar showed. The helm et’s
O f visitors to see and take pleasure in. But th at
glorious Brim was wound w ith bands o f m etal, 1030
Building was bent and broken, its iron R ounded ridges to protect whoever
Hinges cracked and sprung from their comers W ore it from swords swung in the fiercest
A ll around the halL Only Battles, shining iron edges
Its ro o f was undam aged when the blood-stained In hostile hands. A nd then the protector
dem on xooo O f w arriors, lord o f the Danes, ordered 1033
Burst out o f H erot, desperately breaking Eight horses led to the hall, and into it,
Beowulf’s grip, running wildly Eight steeds w ith golden bridles. One stood
From w hat no one escapes, struggle and writhe W ith a jew eled saddle on its back, carved
As he will. W anting to stay we go, Like the king’s w ar-seat it was; it had carried
A ll brings here on G od’s earth, wherever 1005 H rothgar when th at great son o f H ealfdane rode x040
To w ar—and each tim e carried him wherever
56 B eo w u lf B eo w u lf 57

The fighting was m ost fierce, and his followers had T hat D anish tribe, and killing its king. 1070
fallen. Finn’s wife, H n af’s sister, learned w hat good faith
Then Beowulf had been honored by both the gifts W as w orth to her husband: his honeyed words
H rothgar could have given him , horses and A nd treachery cost her two belovéd fives,
weapons: H er son and her brother, both falling on spears
The king commanded him to use them w ell i045 G uided by fate's hand. How she wept! 1075
Thus th at guardian o f Denmark’s treasures A nd w hen m orning cam e she had reason to m ourn,
H ad repaid a battle fought for his people To weep for her dead, her slaughtered son
By giving noble gifts, had earned praise A nd the bloody corpse o f his uncle—both
For him self from those who try to know truth. The m en she m ost dearly loved, and whose love
She could tru st to pro tect her. B ut F in n 's troops,
too, 1080
H ad fallen to D anish spears: too few
W ere left to drive the D anes to their death,
To force H n a f's follow er, H engest, to flee
The hall where they’d fought and he’d stayed. F inn
16 offered them ,
Instead o f m ore w ar, words o f peace: 1085
There would be no victory, they’d divide the hall
A nd more: the lord o f H erot ordered 1050 A nd the throne, h alf to the D anes, h alf
Treasure-gifts for each o f the Geats To Finn’s followers. W hen gifts were given
W ho’d sailed w ith Beowulf and still sat beside him , F inn would give H engest and his soldiers half,
Ancient arm or and swords—and for the one Share shining rings, silver 1090
M urdered by G rendel gold was carefully A nd gold, w ith the D anes, b o th sides equal,
Paid. The m onster would have m urdered again 1055 A ll o f them richer, all o f their purses
A nd again had not G od, and the hero’s courage, Heavy, every m an’s heart warm
Turned fate aside. Then and now W ith the com fort o f gold.
M en m ust lie in their M aker’s holy B oth sides accepted 109.5
H ands, moved only as H e wills: Peace and agreed to keep it. F inn
O ur hearts m ust seek out that will. The world, 1060 Swore it w ith solem n oaths: w hat wise m en
A nd its long days full o f labor, brings good H ad w ritten was his word as well as theirs.
A nd evil; all who rem ain here m eet both.
H rothgar’s hall resounded w ith the harp’s H e and the brave H engest would live
H igh call, w ith songs and laughter and the telling Like brothers; neither leader n o r led w ould break zzoo
O f tales, stories sung by the court 1065 The truce, would not talk o f evil things,
Poet as the joyful D anes drank Rem ind the D anes th at the m an they served
A nd listened, seated along their m ead-benches. K illed H naf, their lord. They had no king,
He told them o f Finn’s people, attacking A nd no choice. A nd he swore th a t his sw ord w ould
H naf with no warning, half wiping out silence
W agging tongues if Frisian w arriors no?
58 B eo w u lf B eo w u lf 59

Stirred up hatred, brought back the p a s t F or spring to come following the sun, m elting 1x35
A funeral pyre was prepared, and gold The old year away and reopening the ocean.
W as brought; H naf’s dead body was dressed W inter was over, the earth grew lovely,
F or burning, and the others w ith him. Bloody A nd H engest dream ed o f his hom e—but revenge
M ail shirts could be seen, and golden helmets, X1IO Cam e first, settling his b itter feud
Some carved w ith boar-heads, all battle-hard W ith Finn, w hose bloody sw ord he could never 1x40
A nd as useless, now, as the corpses th a t still wore Forget. H e planned, he w aited, wove plans
them, A nd w aited. Then a D anish w arrior dropped
Soldier after soldier! Then H n af’s sister, A sw ord in his lap, a w eapon F inn
Finn’s sad wife, gave her son’s body A nd his m en rem em bered and feared, and the tim e
To be burned in th at fire; the flames charring in s H ad com e, and H engest rose, hearing 1x45
His uncle would consume both kinsmen at once. The D anes’ m urm ur, and drove his new sword
Then she w ept again, and weeping sang Into F inn’s belly, butchering th a t king
The dead’s last praise. The D anish king U nder his own roof. A nd the D anes rose,
W as lifted into place, smoke w ent curling T heir hearts full o f F inn’s treachery,
U p, logs roared, open 1120
A nd the m isery he’d brought them , th eir sword
W ounds split and burst, skulls arm s restless 1x30
M elted, blood came bubbling down, A nd eager. T he h all they’d shared w ith th eir
And the greedy fire-demons drank flesh and bones enemies
From the dead o f both sides, until nothing was left. R an red w ith enemy blood and bodies
R olled on the floor beside Finn. They took
The queen, looted everything they could find
T hat belonged to her dead husband, loaded 115 5
Their ship w ith lings, necklaces, shilling
Jewels wonderfully worked, and sailed
Bringing treasure and a willing captive to the land
17 She’d left and had longed for, alone no longer.
The singer finished his song; his listeners 1 x60
Finn released a few o f his soldiers, 112} Laughed and drank, their pleasure loud
Allowed them to return to their distant towns In th a t halL The cup-bearers hurried w ith their
And estates. Hengest lived the whole stormy sparkling
W inter through, there with Finn Vessels. A nd then the queen, W elthow, w earing
W hom he hated. But his heart lived in Denmark— her bright crown,
W hich he and the other survivors could not visit, II}0 A ppeared am ong them , cam e to H rothgar and
Could not sail to, as long as the wind-whipped sea H rothulf, his nephew,
Crashed and whirled, or while winter’s cold hands Seated peacefully together, their friendship and
Froze the w ater hard, tied it H ro th u lf’s good faith still unbroken. u6j
In icy knots. They would wait for the new year, A nd U nferth sat a t H rothgar’s feet; everyone
trusted him,
60 B eo w u lf B eo w u lf 61

Believed in his courage, although he’d spilled his

relatives’ blood. 18
Then W elthow spoke:
“A ccept this cup, They brought a foam ing cup and offered it
My lord and king! M ay happiness come 1170. To Beowulf; it was taken and given in friendship.
To th e D anes’ great ring-giver; m ay the G eats A nd he w as given a m ail sh irt, an d golden arm ­
receive bands,
M ild w ords from your m outh, w ords they have A nd the m ost beautiful necklace known to men: 119 5
earned! Nowhere in any treasure-hoard anywhere
Let gifts flow freely from your open hands, On earth was there anything like it, n o t since
Treasures your arm ies have brought you from all H am a carried the Brosings’ necklace
over Home to his glorious city, saved
The world. I have heard that the greatest o f the Its tight-carved jewels, and his skin, and his soul 1200
G eats XJ75 From Ermric’s treachery, and then came to G od.
Now rests in your heart like a son. H erot H iglac had it next, Swerting’s
Stands purged, restored by his strength: celebrate G randson; defending the golden hoard
H is courage, rejoice and be generous while a king­ H is battle-hard hands had w on for him, the G eats’
dom Proud king lost it, was carried away 120}
Sits in your palm, a people and power By fate when too m uch pride m ade him feud
T hat death will steal. But your sons will be safe, 1X80 W ith the Frisians. H e h ad asked for misery; it was
Sheltered in H rothulf’s gracious protection, granted him .
I f fate takes their father while H rothulf is alive; H e’d borne those precious stones on a ship’s
I know your nephew’s kindness, I know Broad back; he fell beneath his shield.
He’ll repay in kind the goodness you have shown H is body, and his shining coat o f mail, I2IO
him , A nd th a t necklace, all lay for Franks to pluck,
Support your two young sons as you 1183
F o r jack al w arriors to find w hen they w alked
A na I sustained him in his own early days, through
H is father dead and he but a boy.” The rows o f corpses; G eats, and their king,
T hen she w alked to the bench w here H rethric Lay slaughtered wherever the robbers looked.
and H rothm und, The w arriors shouted. A nd W elthow spoke: 121$
H er two sons, sat together; Beowulf, “ W ear these bright jewels, belovéd Beowulf;
Prince o f the Geats, was seated between them; XI90
Enjoy them , and the rings, and the gold, oh fortu­
Crossing the hall she sat quietly at their side.
nate young
W arrior; grow richer, le t your fam e and your
strength
Go hand in hand; and lend these two boys
Y our wise and gentle heart! I ’ll rem em ber your 2220
Kindness. Y our glory is too great to forget:
I t will last forever, wherever the earth
62 B eo w u lf B e o w u lf 63

Is surrounded by fhe sea, the winds' home, 19

And waves lap at its walls. Be happy
F or as long as you live! Y our good fortune warms 1225 They sank into sleep. The price o f th a t evening's
My souL Spread your blesséd protection R est was too high for the D ane who bought it
Across my son, and m y king’s son! W ith his life, paying as others h ad paid
A ll men speak softly, here, speak m ildly W hen Oxendel inhabited H erot, the hall.
A nd trust their neighbors, protect their lord, H is till his crim es pulled him into hell.
Are loyal followers who would fight as joyfiiUy 2230 A nd now it was know n th a t a m onster had died
A s they drink. M ay your h e art help you do as I
ask!” B ut a m onster still lived, and m eant revenge.
She returned to her seat. The soldiers ate She'd brooded on h er loss, m isery h ad brew ed
A nd drank like kings. The savage fate In h er heart, th a t fem ale h o n o r, G rendd’s
D ecreed for them hung dark and unknow n, w hat M other, living in the m urky cold lake »&>
w ould follow Assigned h er since C ain h ad killed his only
A fter nightfall, when H rothgar withdrew from the B rother, slain his father's son
hall, 2233 W ith a n angry sword. G od drove him Off,
Sought his bed and left his soldiers O utlaw ed him to th e dry and barren desert,
To theirs. H erot would house a host A nd branded him w ith a m urderer's m ark. A nd h e
O f m en, th at night, as it had been m eant to do. bore 1265
They stacked away the benches, spread out A race o f fiends accursed like their father;
B lankets and pillow s. B ut those beer-drinking So G rendel was draw n to H erot, an outcast
sleepers 2240 Come to m eet the m an who aw aited him .
Lay down w ith death beside their beds. H e’d m atched a t Beow ulf's arm , b u t th a t prince
They slept with their shining shields at the edge R em em bered G od's grace an d th e stren g th H e'd
O f their pillows; the hall was filled w ith helmets given him X270
Hanging near motionless heads; spears A nd relied on th e L ord fo r a ll th e help,
Stood by their hands, their hammered mail shirts 1243 T he com fort and support he w ould n e e d H e killed
Covered their chests. It was the Danes’ custom T he m onster, as G od h ad m eant him to do,
To be ready for war, wherever they rested, T ore th e fiend ap art an d forced him
A t home or in foreign lands, at their lord’s T o ru n as rapidly as he could tow ard death’s «7.5
Quick call if he needed them, if trouble came C old w aiting hands. H is m other's sad heart,
To their king. They knew how soldiers must live! 2230 A nd h er greed, drove h er fro m h er den on the
dangerous
Pathw ay o f revenge.
So she reached H erot,
W here th e D anes slept as though already dead; zsso
H er visit ended their good fortune, reversed
The bright vane o f their luck. N o fem ale, no m atter
H ow fierce, could have come w ith a m an's strength,
Fought w ith the pow er and courage m en fight w ith,
64 B e o w u lf B e o w u lf 65

Smashing their shining swords, their bloody, 20

Hammer-forged blades onto boar-headed helmets,
Slashing and stabbing w ith the sharpest o f points. H rothgar answered him , protector o f his people;
The soldiers raised their shields ana drew “There’s no happiness to ask about! Anguish,
Those gleaming swords, swung them above has. descended
The piled-up benches, leaving their m ail shirts xa$o On the D anes. Esher is dead, E rm laf’s
A nd their helm ets where they'd lain when the ter­ Older brother and m y own m ost trusted
ro r took hold o f them . Counselor and friend, m y com rade, when we w ent 1333
To save her life she m oved still faster, Into battle, who’d beaten back enemy swords,
Took a single victim and fled from the hall, Standing a t m y side. A ll m y soldiers
R unning to the m oors, discovered, b u t her supper Should be as he was, their hearts as brave
A ssured, sheltered in her dripping claws. 129} A nd as wise! A nother wandering fiend
She'd taken H rothgai's closest friend, Has found him in H erat, m urdered him , fled 1330
The m an he m ost loved o f all m en on earth; W ith his corpse: he’ll be eaten, his flesh become
She'd killed a glorious soldier, cut A horrible feast—and who knows where
A noble life short. N o G eat could have stopped The beast m ay be hiding, its belly stuffed full?
her: She’s taking revenge for your victoiy over G rendel,
Beowulf and his band had been given better 1300 F o r your strength, your m ighty grip, and th a t m on­
Beds; sleep had come to them in a different ster’s 1335
HalL Then all H erot burst into shouts: D eath. F or years he’d been preying on m y people;
She had carried off Gxendel’s daw . Sorrow You came, he was dead in a single day,
H ad returned-to Denm ark. They'd traded deaths, A nd now there’s another one, a second hungry
D anes and m onsters, and no one had won, X305 Fiend, determ ined to avenge the first,
B oth had lost! A m onster willing and m ore than able 1340
The wise old king To bring us m ore sorrow—or so it m ust seem
Trem bled in anger and grief, his dearest To the m any m en m ourning th a t noble
Friend and adviser dead. Beowulf Treasure-giver, for all m en were treated
W as sent fo r a t once: a messenger w ent swiftly 13x0 N obly by those hands now forever closed.
To his room s and brought him . H e came, his band “I’ve heard th at my people, peasants working 1343
A bout him , as dawn was breaking through, In the fields, have seen a pair o f such fiends
The best o f all warriors, walking to where H rothgar W andering in the moors and m arshes, giant
Sat waiting, the gray-haired king wondering M onsters living in those desert lands.
I f G od would ever end this misery. 1313 A nd they’ve said to m y wise m en th at, as well as
The G eats tram ped quickly through the hall; their they could see,
steps One o f the devils was a female creature. 1330
Beat and echoed in the silence. Beowulf The other, they say, walked through the wilderness
Rehearsed the words he would want w ith H rothgar; Like a m an—but m ightier than any man.
H e’d ask the Danes’ great lord if all They were frightened, and they fled, hoping to
W ere a t peace, if the night had passed quietly. 13 3 0
find help
66 B e o w u lf B e o w u lf 67

In H ero t They nam ed the hnge one G rendel: 21

I f he had a father no one knew him, 1333
O r whether there’d been others before these two, Beow olf spoke:
H idden evil before hidden evil. “L et your sorrow end! I t is better fo r us all
They live in secret places, windy To avenge our M ends, n o t m ourn them forever. 139?
Cliffs, wolf-dens where w ater pours Each o f us w ill come to the end o f this life
From the rocks, then runs underground, where m ist ijfio On earth; he who can earn it should fight
Steams like black clouds, and the groves o f trees F or the glory o f his nam e; fam e after death
Growing out over their lake are all covered Is the noblest o f goals. A rise, guardian
W ith frozen spray, and wind down snakelike
Roots th at reach as far as the w ater O f this kingdom , let us go, as quickly as we can, 7390
A nd help keep it dark. A t night th at lake X363 A nd have a look a t this lady m onster.
Bums like a torch. N o one knows its bottom , I prom ise you this: she’ll find no shelter,
N o wisdom reaches such depths. A deer, N o hole in the ground, no tow ering tree,
H unted through the woods by packs o f hounds, N o deep bottom o f a lake, where her sins can hide.
A stag w ith great horns, though driven through Be patient for one m ore day o f m isery; 1395
the forest I ask fo r no longer.**
From faraw ay places, prefers to die 1370 The old king leaped
On those shores, refuses to save its life To his feet, gave thanks to G od for such words.
In that water. It isn’t far, nor is it Then H rothgar’s horse was brought, saddled
A pleasant spot! W hen the wind stirs A nd bridled. The Danes* wise ruler rode, i4°o
A nd storms, waves splash tow ard the sky, Statelv and splendid; shield-bearing soldiers
As dark as the air, as black as the rain 1375 M arched a t his side. The m onster’s tracks
T hat the heavens weep. Our only help, Led them through the forest; they follow ed h er
Again, lies w ith you. Grendel’s m other heavy
Is hidden in her terrible home, in a place Feet, th a t had swept straight across
You’ve not seen. Seek it, if you dare! Save us, The shadowy waste land, her burden the lifeless i4°5
Once more, and again twisted gold, 1380 Body o f the best o f H rothgar’s m en.
Heaped-up ancient treasure, will rew ard you The trail took them up towering, rocky
For the battle you win!” H ills, and over narrow , winding
Paths they had never seen, dow n steep
A nd slippery cliffs where creatures from deep 74x0
In the earth hid in their holes. H rothgar
R ode in front, w ith a few o f his m ost knowing
M en, to find their way. Then suddenly,
W here clumps o f trees bent across
Cold gray stones, they came to a dism al Uv
W ood; below them was the lake, its w ater
Bloody and bubbling. A nd the D anes shivered,
M iserable, m ighty m en torm ented
68 B e o w u lf B e o w u lf 69

By grief, seeing, there on th at cliff W ater, deep tow ard the swirling sands.
Above the water, Esher’s bloody 24» A nd U nferth helped him, H rothgar’s courtier *455
H ead. They looked down a t the lake, felt Lent him a famous weapon, a fine,
How its heat rose up, watched the waves’ H ilted old sword nam ed H runting; it had
Blood-stained swirling. Their battle horns sounded, A n iron blade, etched and shining
Then sounded again. Then they set down their A nd hardened in blood. N o one who’d w orn it
weapons. Into battle, swung it in dangerous places, J4So
They could see the w ater crawling w ith snakes, 1433 D aring and brave, had ever been deserted—
Fantastic serpents swimming in the boiling N or was Beowulf’s journey the first tim e it was
Lake, and sea beasts lying on the rocks taken
—The kind th at infest the ocean, in the early To an enemy’s camp, o r asked to support
Dawn, often ending some ship’s Some hero’s courage and win him glory.
Journey w ith their wild jaw s. They rushed 1430 U nferth had tried to forget his greeting 1465
Angrily out o f sight, w hen the battle horns blew, To Beowulf, his drunken speech o f welcome;
Beowulf aimed an arrow a t one A m ighty w arrior, he lent his w eapon
O f the beasts, swimming sluggishly away. To a better one. Only Beowulf w ould risk
A nd the point pierced its hide, stabbed His life in th at lake; U nferth was afraid,
To its heart; its life leaked out, death 1433 G ave up th at chance to work wonders, win glory *47o
Swept it off. Quickly, before A nd a hero’s fame. But Beowulf and fear
The dying m onster could escape, they hooked W ere strangers; he stood ready to dive into battle.
Its thrashing body with their curved boar-spears,
Fought it to land, drew it up on the bluff,
T hen stood an d stared a t the incredible w ave-
roam er, 1440
Covered w ith strange scales an d horrible. Then
Beowulf
Began to fasten on his arm or,
N ot afraid for his life but knowing the woven
M ail, w ith its ham m ered links, could save 22
T hat life when he lowered him self into the lake, 1443
K eep slimy monsters’ daw s from snatching at T hen Edgetho’s brave son spoke:
H is heart, preserve him for the battle he was sent “Rem em ber,
To fight. H rothgar’s helm et would defend him ;
T hat ancient, shining treasure, encircled H rothgar, O h knowing king, now 1475
W ith hard-rolled m etal, set there by some sm ith's x&o W hen m y danger is near, th e w arm w ords we
Long dead hand, would block all battle uttered,
Swords, stop all blades from cutting a t him A nd if your enemy should end my life
W hen he’d swum tow ard the bottom , gone down Then be, oh generous prince, forever
in the surging The father and protector o f all whom I leave
Behind me, here in your hands, m y belovéd 1480
70 B e o w u lf B e o w u lf 71

Comrades left with no leader, their leader H ie m ighty w ater witch, and swung his sword,
Dead. A nd the precious gifts you gave me, His ring-m arked blade, straight a t her head; 1320
My friend, send them to Higlac. M ay he see The iron sang its fierce song,
In their golden brightness, the G eats’ great lord Sang B eow ulf's strength. B ut her guest
Gazing a t your treasure, th at here in D enm ark 1483 Discovered th at no sword could slice her evil
I found a noble protector, a giver Skin, th at H runting could not h u rt her, was useless
O f rings whose rewards I w on and briefly Now w hen he needed i t They wrestled, she ripped 152;
Relished. A nd you, U nferth, let A nd tore and clawed a t him , b it holes in his helm et,
M y famous old sword stay in your hands: A nd th a t too failed him ; for the first tim e in years
I shall shape glory w ith H runting, or death x#o O f being w orn to w ar it would earn no glo ry;
W ill hurry m e from this earth!" It was the last tim e anyone w ould w ear i t But
As his words ended Beow ulf
H e leaped in to th e lake, w ould no t w ait for any­ Longed only for fame, leaped back Z330
one’s Into battle. He tossed his sword aside,
Answer; the heaving w ater covered him A ngry; the steel-edged blade lay w here
Over. F or hours he sank through the waves; He’d dropped it. I f weapons were useless he’d use
A t last he saw the m ud o f the bottom . IBs hands, the strength in his fingers. So fam e
A nd all a t once the greedy she-wolf Comes to the m en who m ean to win it 1535
W ho’d ruled those w aters for h a lf a hundred A nd care about nothing else! H e raised
Y ears discovered him , saw th a t a creature His arm s and seized her by the shoulder; anger
From above had come to explore the bottom xyn D oubled his strength, he threw her to the floor.
O f her w et world. She welcomed him in her claws, She fell, G rendel’s fierce m other, and the G eats'
Clutched a t him savagely b u t could n o t harm him , Proud prince was ready to leap on her. But she
Tried to w ork her fingers through the tight rose 1340
Ring-woven m ail on his breast; b u t tore A t once and repaid him w ith her clutching claws,
A nd scratched in vain. Then she carried him , arm or xjoj W ildly tearing at him . H e was weary, th a t best
A nd sword and all, to her home; he struggled
To free his weapon, and failed. The fight A nd strongest o f soldiers; his feet stum bled
Brought other m onsters swimming to see A nd in an instant she had him down, held helpless.
H er catch, a host o f sea beasts who beat a t Squatting w ith her weight on his stom ach, she drew 1345
His m ail shirt, stabbing w ith tusks and teeth 1510 A dagger, brow n w ith dried blood, and prepared
As they followed along. Then he realized, suddenly, To avenge her only son. B ut he was stretched
T hat she’d brought him into someone’s battle-hall, On his back, and her stabbing blade was blunted
A nd there the w ater’s heat could not h urt him, By the woven m ail shirt he wore on his ch est
N or anything in the lake attack him through The ham m ered links held; the point 1330
The building’s high-arching roof. A brilliant xyxy Could not touch him. H e’d have traveled to the
Light burned all around him, the lake bottom o f the earth,
Itself like a fiery flame. Edgetho’s son, and died there, if th at shining
Then he saw W oven m etal had not helped—and H oly
G od, who sent Him victory, gave judgm ent
72 B e o w u lf B e o w u lf 73

For truth and right, Ruler of the Heavens, 1333 W ith another such sickening m eal w aiting
Once Beowulf was back on his feet and fighting. In his pouch. But Beowulf repaid him for those
visits,
Found him lying dead in his com er, xjbj
Armless, exactly as th at fierce fighter
H ad sent him out from H erat, m en struck off
H is head w ith a single swift blow. The body
Jerked fo r the last tune, then lay stilL
The wise old w arriors who surrounded H rothgar, 1390
23 Like him staring in to the m onsters' lake,
Saw the waves surging and blood
Then he saw, hanging on the wall, a heavy Spurting through. They spoke about B eow ulf
Sword, hammered by giants, strong A ll the graybeards, whispered together
And blessed with their magic, the best of all A nd said th at hope was gone, th a t the hero 1595
weapons H ad lost fam e and his life a t once, and w ould never
But so massive that no ordinary man could lift R eturn to the living, come back as trium phant
Its carved and decorated length. He drew it A s he h ad left; alm ost all agreed th at G rendel’s ,
From its scabbard, broke the chain on its hilt, M ighty m other, th e she-wolf, had killed him .
And then, savage, now, angry The sun slid over p ast noon, w ent further 1600
And desperate, lifted it high over his head Down. The D anes gave up, left
And struck with all the strength he had left, Xjtfj The lake and w ent hom e, H rothgar w ith them .
Caught her in the neck and cut it through, The G eats stayed, sat sadly, w atching,
Broke bones and alL Her body fell Imagining they saw their lord b u t n o t believing
To the floor, lifeless, the sword was wet They w ould ever see him again.
With her blood, and Beowulf rejoiced at the sight. —Then the sword 1605
The brilliant light shone, suddenly, *370 M elted, blood-soaked, dripping dow n
As though burning in that hall, and as bright as Like w ater, disappearing like ice w hen th e world’s
Heaven’s E ternal L ord loosens invisible
Own candle, lit in the sky. He looked Fetters and unwinds icicles and frost
At h a home, then following along the wall As only H e can, H e who rules 16 10
Went walking, his hands tight on the sword, Tim e and seasons, H e w ho is truly
His heart still angry. He was hunting another *373 G od. T he m onsters’ hall was full o f
Dead monster, and took his weapon with him
For final revenge against Grendel’s vicious R ich treasures, b u t all th at Beowulf took
Attacks, his nighttime raids, over W as G rendel’s head and the h ilt o f the giants'
And over, coming to Herot when Hrothgar’s Jeweled sword; the rest o f th at ring-m arked 1613
Men slept, killing them in their beds, *580 Blade had dissolved in G rendel’s steam ing
Eating some on die spot, fifteen Blood, boiling even after his death.
Or more, and running to his loathsome moor A nd then the battle’s only survivor
Swam up and away from those silent corpses;
74 B e o w u lf B e o w u lf 75
The w ater was calm and clean, die whole 1620
24
H uge lake peaceful once the dem ons who’d lived
in it Beow ulf spoke:
W ere dead. “H rothgar! Behold,
Then th at noble protector o f all seamen G reat H ealfdaue’s son, this glorious sign
Swam to land, rejoicing in the heavy O f victory, brought you by joyful G eats.
Burdens he was bringing w ith him. H e 1625 M y life was alm ost lost, fighting for it, z6&
A nd all his glorious band o f G eats Struggling underw ater: rd h a v e been dead at once,
Thanked G od th a t their leader h ad come back
unharm ed; A nd the fight finished, the she-devil victorious,
They left the hike together. The Geats I f o u r F a th e r in H eaven h a d n o t helped m e.
C arried Beowulf’s helmet, and his m ail shirt. H runting,
Behind them the w ater slowly thickened 1630 U nferth’s noble w eapon, could do nothing,
As the monsters’ blood came seeping up. N or could I, until the R uler o f the w orld 1660
They walked quickly, happily, across Showed m e, hanging shining and beautiful
R oads all o f them remembered, left O n a w all, a m ighty old sword—so G od
The lake and the cliffs alongside it, brave men Gives guidance to those who can find it from no one
Staggering under the weight o f Grendel’s skull, »$33 Else. I used the w eapon H e h ad offered me,
Too heavy for fewer than four o f them to handle— D rew it and, w hen 1 could, swung it, killed *665
Two on each side o f the spear jam m ed through it— The m onstrous hag in her own hom e.
Yet proud o f their ugly load and determ ined T hen the ring-m arked blade burned away,
T hat the Danes, seated in H erot, should see i t As th a t boiling blood spilled out. I carried
Soon, fourteen G eats arrived 1640 O ff all th a t w as left, this hilt.
A t the hall, bold and warlike, and w ith Beowulf, I ’ve avenged th eir crim es, a n d th e D anes they’ve
Their lord and leader, they walked on the mead-hall killed. 1670
Green. Then the Geats’ brave prince entered A nd I prom ise you th a t whoever sleeps in H erot
H erot, covered w ith glory for die daring —Y on, your brave soldiers, anyone
Battles he had fought; he sought H rothgar 164s O f all the people in D enm ark, old
To salute him and show G rendel's head. O r young—they, and you, m ay now sleep
He carried th at terrible trophy by the hair, W ithout fear o f either m onster, m other z675
Brought it straight to where the Danes sat. O r son.”
Drinking, the queen among them. It was a weird T hen he gave file golden sword h ilt
A nd wonderful sight, and me warriors stared. 2630 T o H rothgar, who held it in his w rinkled hands
A nd stared a t w hat giants h ad m ade, an d m onsters
Owned; it was his, an ancient w eapon 1680
Shaped by wondexful sm iths, now th a t G rendel
A nd his evil m other h ad been driven from the earth,
G od’s enemies scattered and dead. T hat best
O f swords belonged to the best o f D enm ark’s
76 B e o w u lf B e o w u lf 77

Rulers, the wisest ring-giver D anish 1685 A nd then th at affliction on his people's face
W arriors had ever known. The old king Suffered horribly for his sins. Be taught
Bent close to the handle o f the ancient relic, By his lesson, learn w hat a king m ust be:
A nd saw w ritten there the story o f ancient wars I tell his tale, old as I am ,
Between good and evil, the opening o f the w aters, Only for you. 172?
The Flood sweeping giants away, how they suffered 1690 “O ur eternal Lord
A nd died, th a t race who hated th e R uler G rants som e m en wisdom, som e w ealth, m akes
O f us all and received judgm ent from His hands, others
Surging waves th at found m em wherever G re a t The world is G od’s, H e allows
They fled. A nd H rothgar saw runic letters A m an to grow fam ous, and his fam ily rich,
G early carved in th at shining hilt, 1695 Gives him land and towns to rule 2730
Spelling its original owner’s nam e, A nd delight in, lets his kingdom reach
H e for whom it was made, w ith its tw isted As far as the w orld runs—and w ho
H andle and snakelike carvings. Then he spoke, In hum an unwisdom, in the m iddle o f such power.
H ealfdane’s son, and everyone was silent. Remembers th at it all will end, and too soon?
“W hat I say, speaking from a full memory 2700 Prosperity, prosperity, prosperity: nothing 1733
And after a life spent in seeking Troubles h in t no sickness, no t passing tim e,
W hat was right fo r m y people, is this: this prince N o sorrows, no sudden w ar breaking
O f the Geats, Beowulf, was bom a better O ut o f nowhere, b u t all the w orld turns
M an! Y our fame is everywhere, my friend, W hen he spins i t How can he know w hen he sins?
Reaches to the ends o f the earth, and you hold it
in your heart wisely, 1705
Patient w ith your strength and our weakness. W hat
I said 1 will do, I will do,
In the nam e o f the friendship we’ve sw orn. Y our
strength m ust solace your people^
Now, and mine no longer.
“Be n o t
As Hermod once was to my people, too proud *7*° 25
To care w hat their hearts hid, bringing them
Only destruction and slaughter. In his m ad
Rages he killed them himself, comrades "A nd then pride grows in his heart, planted 2740
A na followers who ate a t his table. At the end Q uietly bu t flourishing A nd while the keeper o f his
He was alone, knew none of the joys o f life soul
W ith other men, a famous ruler Sleeps on, while conscience rests and the world
G ranted greater strength than anyone T urns faster a m urderer creeps closer, com es carry­
Alive in his day but dark and bloodthirsty ing
In sp irit He shared out no treasure, showed A tight-strung bow w ith terrible arrow s.
His soldiers no road to riches and fame. A nd those sharp points strike home, are shot 1743
In his b re a st under his h elm et H e’s helpless.
78 B e o w u lf B e o w u lf 79

A nd so the Devil’s dark urgings w ound him , for he Go in, go in: feast, be as happy
can’t As your fam e deserves. W hen m orning shines
Remember how he clung to the rotting wealth We shall each have owned m ore o f my treasures.”
O f this w orld, how he claw ed to keep it, how he Beowulf obeyed him , entered H erot 175$
earned Cheerfully and took his place a t the table.
N o honor, no glory, in giving golden xjy> A nd once again D anes and G eats
Rings, how he forgot the future glory Feasted together, a host o f fam ous
G od gave him at his birth, and forgetting did not W arriors in a single halL—T hen the web
care. O f darkness fell and it was n ig h t They rose; 1790
A nd finally his body fails him, these bones H rothgar, the gray-haired old D ane, was heavy
A nd flesh quickened by G od fall W ith sleep. A nd Beowulf was glad th a t a bed
A nd die—and some other soul inherits m3 W as w aiting, the bravest o f w arriors exhausted
His place in Heaven, some open-handed W ith the work he’d done. A D anish servant
Giver o f old treasures, who takes no delight Showed him th e road to th a t far-off, quiet rj&
In mere gold. G uard against such wickedness, C ountry w here sleep w ould command take him
Belovéd Beowulf, best o f warriors, A nd his followers; H rothgar’s visitors were well
And choose, instead, eternal happiness; 1760 C ared for, w hatever they needed was theirs.
Push away pride! Your strength, your power, Then Beowulf rested; H erot rose high
A re yours for how m any years? Soon Above him , gleam ing in the darkness; the G eats *&x>
You’ll return them where they came from, sickness Slept till a black-feathered raven sang
or a sword's edge H is cheerful song and the shining sun
W ill end them, or a grasping fire, or the flight Burned aw ay shadows. A nd those seafarers hurried
O f a spear, or surging waves, or a knife’s 1765 From their beds, anxious to begin th e voyage
Bite, or the terror o f old age, or your eyes Home, ready to start, their hearts i8oj
D arkening over. It will come, death A lready saiung on a ship’s swift back.
Comes faster than you think, no one can flee i t Then U nferth came, w ith H runting, his famous
“So I have led the Danes for half Sword, and offered it to Beowulf, asked him
A hundred years, protected them from all peoples 1770 To accept a precious g ift The prince
On this earth, my sword and my spear so ready Took i t thanked him , and declared the w eapon 1810
That no one anywhere under God’s high sun One he was proud to own; his w ords
Was eager to wage war here in Denmark.
A nd here, here too the change has come, Blamed it for nothing, were spoken like the hero
A nd we wept for our dead when G rendel invaded 1775 H e wasl The w ar-gear was ready, the G eats
H erot, my enemy raided this hall; W ere arm ored and eager to be gone. Quickly,
Beowulf sought H rothgar’s throne, w here the king i Sij
My sorrow, my grief, was as great and lasting
As it was helpless. Then thanks be given to God, Sat w aiting for his fam ous visitor’s farew ell.
Eternal Lord of us all: you came
And that endless misery was over and I lived, rj8o
Now, to behold this bloody head!
80 B e o w u lf B e o w u lf 81

26 Suited to be king, keeper o f w arriors

A nd their treasure, than you—if you take the throne
They will surely offer you. Belovéd Beowulf,
Beowulf spoke: Y ou please me m ore die longer I can keep you
“We crossed the sea H ere in Denm ark. You’ve turned D anes
To come here; it is time to return, to go back A nd G eats into brothers, brought peace where once
To our belovéd lord, Higlac. Denm ark i8ao There was war, and sealed friendship w ith affection.
W as a gracious host; you welcomed us warmly. This will last as long as I live, and am king here:
Anything 1 can do, here on this earth, W e will share our treasures, greeting travelers
To earn your love, oh great king, anything From across the sea w ith outstretched hands; i860
M ore than I have done, battles I can fight Ring-prowed ships will carry our gifts
In your honor, summon me, I will come as I came i&y A nd die tokens o f our love. Y our people live
Once before. If I hear, from across the ocean, By the old ways, their hearts, like ours, are forever
T hat your neighbors have threatened you w ith O pen to their friends, b u t firmly closed
war, or oppressed you A gainst their enemies.” 186}
As enemies once oppressed you, here, I will bring Then he gave the Geats*
A thousand warriors, a thousand arm ed Geats Prince a dozen new gifts, prayed
To protect your throne. I trust Higlac: 1830 F o r his safety, commanded lum to seek his people,
Our king is young, but if I need his help
To better help you, to lend you our strength, Y et n o t to delay too long in visiting
Our battle-sharp spears, to shield you and honor H rothgar once more. The old king kissed him , 1870

you H eld .that best o f all warriors by the shoulder

As you deserve, I know his words and his deeds A nd wept, unable to hold back his tears.
Will support me. A nd someday, if your oldest son, 1833 G ray and wise, he knew how slim
Hrethric, comes visiting our court, he will find W ere his chances o f ever greeting Beowulf
A host o f good friends among the G eats: Again, bu t seeing his face he was forced 187$
No one who goes visiting far-off lands To hope. H is love was too warm to be hidden,
Is more welcome than a strong and noble warrior.** His tears came running too quickly to be checked;
H rothgar replied: 1840 His very blood burned w ith longing.
“All-knowing G od A nd then Beowulf left him, left H erot, walked
M ust have sent you such words; nothing so wise Across the green in his golden arm or, 1880
From a w arrior so young has ever reached Exulting in the treasures heaped high in his arms.
These ancient ears. Your hands are strong, His ship was at anchor; he had it ready to sail.
Y our heart and your lips are knowing! If your lord, 1845 A nd so H rothgar’s rich treasures would leave him,
Hrethel’s son, is slain by a spear, travel
Or falls sick and dies, or is killed by a sword, F ar from that perfect king, w ithout fault
A nd you have survived whatever battle O r blam e until winter had followed w inter 1885
Sweeps him off, I say that the Geats A nd age had stolen his strength, spirited it
Could do no better, find no m an better 1850 Off, as it steals from many men.
82 B e o w u lf B e o w u lf 83

2 7
Could not pull it loose and lead it away.
Then they carried up the golden arm or, 1920
The ancient swords, the jewels, brought them
Then the band o f G eats, young and brave, To Higlac’s home, their ring-giver’s hall
M arching in their ring-locked arm or, reached N ear the sea, where he lived surrounded
The shore. The coast-guard saw them coming z8po By his followers.
A nd about to go, as he’d seen them before; H e was a fam ous king, w ith a fitting 19 23
He hurried down the hillside, whipping H igh hall and a wife, Higd, young
His horse, b u t this tim e shouted no challenge, But wise and knowing beyond her years.
Told them only how the Geats would be watching She was H areth’s daughter, a noble queen
Too, and would welcome such warriors in shining zspj W ith none o f the niggardly ways o f women
M ail Their broad-beam ed ship lay bobbing Like Thrith. Higd gave the G eats gifts 1930
A t the edge o f the sand: they loaded it high W ith open hands. But Thrith was too proud,
W ith arm or and horses and all the rich treasure A n im perious princess w ith a vicious tongue
It could hold. The m ast stood high and straight
Over heaped-up wealth—H rothgar’s, a n a now A nd so fierce and wild th at her father’s followers
A verted their eyes as she passed, knowing
theirs. zpoo
Beowulf rew arded the boat’s watchman, T hat if anyone b u t th eir king w atched w here she
Who had stayed behind, with a sword th at had ham­ walked 1935
m ered H er hands would shape a noose to fit
G old wound on its handle: the weapon Their necks. She would lie, her father’s lieutenants
Brought him honor. Then the ship left shore, left W ould w rite out her w arrants, and he who had
Denm ark, stared
Traveled through deep water. D eck tim bers creaked, zpoj W ould end his life on the edge o f an ancient
A nd the wind billowing through the sail stretched Sword. A nd how great a sin for a woman, 1940
From the m ast, tied tig h t w ith ropes, did n o t hold W hether fair or black, to create fear
them A nd destruction, for a woman, who should walk in
Back, did not keep the ring-prowed ship the ways
From foaming swiftly through the waves, the sea O f peace, to kill with pretended insults.
Currents, across the wide ocean until Z910 B ut Hemming’s kinsm an tam ed her: his hall-guests
They could see fam iliar headlands, diffs Told a different story, spread the news 1943
T hat sprang out o f G eatish soil. D riven T hat Thrith had forgotten her gory tricks
By the wind the ship rammed high on the shore. Once her wise father had sent her to a wedding
H arbor guards came running to greet them , W ith Oflfa, m arried her to that brave young soldier,
M en who for days had waited and watched ipy Sent her across the yellow-green sea
F o r their belovéd com rades to com e crossing the To that gold-adorned champion, a fierce fighter 1930
waves; In war or peace. They praised her, now,
They anchored the high-bowed ship, m oored it F or her generous heart, and her goodness, and the
Close to the shore, where the booming sea high
A nd most noble paths she walked, filled
84 B e o w u lf B e o w u lf 85

W ith adoring love for th at leader o f w arriors, A nd H areth’s daughter took them through the hall,
H er husband; he was a m an as brave and strong C arried ale to her husband’s comrades.
A nd good, it is said, as anyone on this earth, Higlac, unable to stay silent, anxious
A spear-bold soldier who Knew no fear, To know how Beowulf’s adventure had gone,
Exalted w ith gifts, victorious in w ar, Began to question him , courteous b u t eager
A king who ruled his native land To be told everything.
Wisely and well. Em er was his son, *960 “Belovéd Beowulf,
Hemming's kinsman, G annund’s grandson, Tell us w hat your trip to far-off places
A powerful swordsman and his w arriors’ shield. Brought you, your sudden expedition o n the salty
W aves, your search for w ar in H erot? 1-990
D id you end H rothgar’s hopeless misery,
Could you help th at glorious king? G rendel’s
Savagery lay heavy on m y heart b u t I was afraid
To le t you go to him ; for a long tim e
1 held y o u here, kept you safe, xgg$
Forced you to m ake the D anes fight
28 Their own battles. G od be praised
T h at m y eyes have beheld you once m ore, un­
harm ed!”
Then Beowulf and his m en w ent walking along Beow ulf spoke, Edgetho’s brave son:
The shore, down the broad strip o f sand. “M y lo rd Higlac, m y m eeting w ith G rendel 2000
The w orld's bright candle shone, hurrying 1965 A nd the nighttim e battle we fought are known
U p from the south. It was a short journey T o everyone in D enm ark, w here th e m onster was
From their ship to Higlac’s hom e, to the hall once
W here their king, Ongentho’s killer, lived The uncrow ned ruler, m urdering and eating
W ith his w arriors and gave treasures away. They H rothgar’s people, forever bringing them
w alked M isery. I ended his reign, avenged aooy
Quickly. The youns king knew H is crim es so com pletely in the crashing darkness
They were back, Beowulf and his handful o f brave 570 T h at n o t even the oldest o f his evil kind
M en, come safely home; he sat, W ill ever bqast, lying in sin
Now, waiting to see them , to greet A nd deceit, th a t the m onster beat me. I sought out
His battle-com rades when they arrived at his co u rt H rothgar, first, cam e to him in his hall; 2010
They cam e. A nd w hen B eow ulf h ad bowed to W hen H ealfdane’s fam ous son heard
his lord, xS7. T h at F d come to challenge G rendel, he gave m e
A nd standing in front o f the throne had solemnly A seat o f honor alongside his son.
Spoken loyal words, Higlac His followers were drinking; I joined their feast,
Ordered him to sit at his side—he Sat w ith th a t band, as bright and loud-tongued aoiy
W ho had survived, sailed home victorious, next to As any I’ve ever seen. H is famous
His kinsman and king. M ead cups were filled *586 Queen w ent back and forth, hurrying
86 B e o w u lf B e o w u lf 87

The cup-bearing boys, giving bracelets O fhis soldiers, sitting w ith ale in his cap
A nd rings to her husband's warriors. 1 heard A nd bitterness heavy in his heart, will rem em ber
The oldest soldiers o f all calling aoao W ar and death, and while he sits and drinks
F or ale from H rothgar’s daughter's hands, His sharp old tongue will begin to tem pt
A nd Freaw was the way they greeted her when she Some younger w arrior, pushing and probing 2045
gave them F or a new war:
The golden cups. A nd H rothgar will give her “ ‘T h at sword, th a t precious o ld
To Ingeld, gracious Froda's son; blade
She and th at ripening soldier will be m arried, aoej O ver there, I think you know it, friend.
The D anes' great lorn and protector has declared, Y our fath er carried it, fought w ith it th e last tim e
H oping th a t his quarrel w ith the H athobards can H e could swing a sword; the D anes killed him * 9°
be settled —A nd m any m ore o f our m en—and stripped
By a woman. H e's wrong: how m any wars T he dead bodies: th e brave, bold D anes!
Have been put to rest in a prince's bed? One o f the princess* people, here,
Few. A bride can bring a little 2030 N ow, m ight be the m urderer’s son,
Peace, m ake spears silent for a tim e, Boasting about his treasures, his ancient *>*$
But not long. Ingeld and all his m en A rm or—w hich ought to be yours, by right.*
W ill be drinking in the hall, w hen the wedding is
done “B itter wbrds w ill w ork in a hot-tem pered
A nd Freaw is his wife; the D anes will be wearing Brain, pushing up thoughts o f the past,
Gleaming arm or and ring-marked old swords; »3} A nd then, when he can, calling his father's
A nd the prince and his people w ill rem em ber those N am e, the youngster will kill some innocent 2060
treasures, D ane, a servant—and bloody sword
W ill rem em ber th a t their fathers once w ore them , In hand will run from the hall, knowing
fell His way through the woods. But w ar m il begin
W ith those helm ets on their heads, those swords in As he runs, to the sound o f broken oaths,
their hands. A nd its heat will dry up Ingeld’s heart, 206)
Leave him indifferent to his D anish bride.
H rothgar m ay think the H athobards love him,
Loving Freaw, but the friendship can’t last,
The vows are worthless.
“But o f G rendel: you need to 2070
K now m ore to know everything; I ought to
G o on. It was early in the evening, Heaven’s
29 Jewel had slid to its rest, and the jealous
M onster, planning m urder, came seeking us
"A nd seeing their ancestral arm or and weapons O ut, stalking us as we guarded H rothgaPs 2075
Ingeld and his followers will be angry. A nd one *>4° H all. Hondshew, sleeping in his arm or,
W as the first G eat he reached: G rendel
88 B e o w u lf B e o w u lf 89
Seized him, tore him apart, swallowed him T here w ere songs, and the telling o f tales. One
Down, feet and all, as fate ancient axoj
Had decreed—a glorious young soldier, killed D ane told o f long-dead times,
In his prime. Yet Giendd had only begun A nd sometimes H rothgar himself, w ith the harp
His bloody work, meant to leave us In his lap, stroked its silvery strings
With his belly and his pouch both full, and Herot A nd told wonderful stories, a brave king
Half-empty. Then he tested his strength against R eciting unhappy truths about good ano
mine, A nd evil—and sometimes he wove his stories
Hand to hand. His pouch hung O n the m ournful thread o f old age, rem em bering
At his aide^ a huge bag sewn B uried strength and the battles it had w on.
From a dragon’s skin, worked with a devil’s H e would weep, the old king, wise w ith m any
Skill; it was dosed by a marvelous clasp. W inters, rem em bering w hat he’d done, once, ry
The monster intended to take me, put me W hat he’d seen, w hat he knew. A nd so we sat
Inside, save me for another meaL The day away, feasting. Then darkness
He was bold and strong, but once I stood Fell again, and O iendel’s m other
On my feet his strength was usdess, and it failed W as w aiting, ready for revenge, hating
him. The D anes fo r her son’s death. The m onstrous am
H ag succeeded, burst boldly into H erot
A nd killed Esher, one o f the king’s oldest
A nd wisest soldiers. But when th e sun shone
Once m ore the death-w eary D anes could n o t build
A pyre and bum his belovéd body, azaj
L ay him on flaming logs, return ashes
30 To dust: she'd earned away his corpse,
Brought it to h a den deep in th e w ater.
H rothgar h ad w ept fo r m any o f his m en,
’The whole tale of how I killed him, B ut this tim e his heart m elted, this 2 13 0
Repaid him in kind for all the evil W as th e w o rst H e begged m e, in your nam e, half­
He’d done, would take too long: your people, weeping
My prince, were honored in the doing. He escaped, A s he spoke, to seek still greater glory
Found a few minutes of life, hut his hand, D eep in the swirling waves, to w in
His whole right arm, stayed in Herot; Still higher flame, and the gifts he w ould give me.
The miserable creature crept away,
Dropped to the bottom ofhis lake, half dead D ow n in th a t surging lake I sought «35
As he fell When the sun had returned, the Danes’ A nd found her, the horrible hag, fierce
Great king poured out treasure, repaid me A nd wild; we fo u g h t clutching and grasping;
In hammered gold for the bloody battle The w ater ra n red w ith blood and a t la s t
I’d fought in lus name. He ordered a feast; W ith a m ighty sword th a t had hung on the w ait
I cut off her head. I had barely escaped ai4o
90 B e o w u lf B e o w u lf 91
W ith m y life, my death was n o t w ritten. A nd the Not weaving nets of malice for Bis comrades,
Danes* Preparing their death in the dark, with secret,
Protector, Healfdane’s great son, heaped up Cunning tricks. Higlac trusted
Treasures and precious jewels to rew ard me. His nephew, leaned on his strength, in war, 217 0
Each of them intent on the other’s joy.
And Beowulf gave Welthow*s gift, her wonderful
Necklace, to Higd, Higlac’s queen,
And gave her, also, three supple, graceful,
Saddle-bright horses; she received his presents, 2m
Then wore that wonderful jewel on her breast
31 So Edgetho’s son proved himself,
Did as a famous soldier must do
“He lived his life as a good king m ust: If glory is what he seeks: not killing his comrades
I lost nothing, none of the gifts au& In drunken rages, his heart not savage, 218 0
My strength could have earned me. H e opened his But guarding God’s gracious gift his strength,
store Using it only in war, and then using it
O f gems and armor, let me choose as 1 liked, Bravely. And yet as a boy he was scorned;
So I could bring his riches to you, my ruler, The Geats considered him worthless. When he sat
And prove his friendship, and my love. Your favor In their mead-hall, and their lord was making men
Still governs my life: I have almost no family, aiy> rich, 218$
Higlac, alm ost no one, now, but you.” He held no claim on the king’s good wilL
Then Beowulf ordered them to bring in the boar- They were sure he was lazy, noble but slow.
head The world spun round, 'he was a warrior more
Banner, the towering helmet, the ancient, famous
Silvery arm or, and the gold-carved sword: Than any, and all the insults were wiped out
“This war-gear was Hrothgar’s reward, my gift su55 Then Higlac, protector of his people, brought in 219 0
From his wise old hands. He wanted me to tell you, His father’s—Beowulf’s grandfather’s—great sword,
First, whose treasures these were. H ergar Worked in gold; none of the Geats
H ad owned them, his older brother, who was king Could boast of a better weapon. He laid it
O f Denm ark until death gave H rothgar the throne: In Beowulf's lap, then gave him seven
But H ergar kept them , would not give them to Thousand hides of land, houses 219 $
H erw ard, ax6o
And ground and all. Geatland was home
His brave young son, though the boy had proved For both king and prince; their fathers had left
His loyalty. These are yours: may they serve you them
well!” Buildings and fields—but Higlac’s inheritance
And after the gleaming armor four horses Stretched further, it was he who was king, and was
Were led in, four bays, swift and all followed.
Alike. Beowulf had brought his king ai6 j
Horses and treasure—as a m an must, Afterwards, in the time when Higlac was dead 2200
92 B e o w u lf B e o w u lf 93

And Herdred, his son, who’d ruled the Geats Yawned and stretched, no t w anting to wake it,
A fter his father, had followed him into darkness— Terror-struck; he turned and ran for his life;
Killed in battle with the Swedes, who smashed Taking the jew eled cup. aay>
His shield, cut through the soldiers surrounding T hat tow er
Their king—then, when Higd’s one son 230} W as heaped high w ith hidden treasure, stored
W as gone, Beowulf ruled in G eatland, there
Took the throne he'd refused, once, Y ears before by the last survivor
And held it long and welL He was old O f a noble race, ancient riches
W ith years and wisdom, fifty winters Left in the darkness as the end o f a dynasty
A king, when a dragon awoke from its darkness 3210 Came. D eath had taken them , one
A nd dream s and brought terror to his people. The By one, and the w arrior who w atched over all
beast T hat rem ained m ourned their fate, expecting,
H ad slept in a huge stone tower, w ith a hidden Soon, die sam e fo r him self know ing
Path beneath; a m an stumbled on The gold and jewels he had guarded so long axfo
The entrance, went in, discovered the ancient C ould n o t bring him pleasure m uch longer. H e
Treasure, the pagan jewels and gold 331}
brought
The dragon h ad been guarding, and dazzled and T he precious cups, die arm or and the ancient
greedy Swords, to a stone tow er built
Stole a gem-studded cup, and fled. N ear the sea, below a diff, a sealed
But now the dragon hid nothing, neither Fortress w ith no windows, no doors, waves »243
The theft nor itself; it swept through the darkness, In front o f it, rocks behind. T hen he spoke:
A nd all G eatland knew its anger. 3330
“Take these treasures, earth, now th at no one
liv in g can enjoy them . They w ere yours, in the
beginning;
A llow them to return. W ar and terro r
H ave swqpt away m y people, shut 2250
T heir eyes to deught and to living, closed
T he door to all gladness. N o one is left
32 To lift these swords, polish these jew eled
C ups: no one leads, n o one follow s. T hese ham*
But the thief had not come to steal; he stole, m ered
And roused the dragon, not from desire H elm ets, worked w ith gold, will tarnish 225}
But need. He was someone’s slave, had been beaten A nd crack; the hands th at should clean and polish
By his masters, had run from all men’s sight, them
But w ith no place to hide; then he found the hid­ A re still forever. A nd these m ail shirts, w orn
den 333} In battle, once, while swords crashed
Path, and used it. And once inside, A nd blades b it into shields and m en,
Seeing the sleeping beast, staring as it W ill rust away like the w arriors who owned them . 32ÓO
N one o f these treasures w ill travel to distan t
94 B e o w u lf B e o w u lf 95

Lands, following their lords. The harp's The beast w ent back to its treasure, planning
Bright song, the hawk crossing through the hall A bloody revenge, and found w hat was m issing, 8309
On its swift wings, the stallion tram ping Saw w hat thieving hands had stolen.
L i the courtyard—all gone, creatures o f every aafc Then it crouched on the stones, counting off
K ind, and their m asters, hurled to the gravel’* The hours till the Alm ighty's candle w ent out,
A nd so he spoke, sadly, o f those A nd evening cam e, and wild w ith anger
Long dead, and lived from day to day, It could fly burning across the land, killing 3303
Joyless, until, a t last, death touched A nd destroying w ith its breath. T hen th e sun w as
H is heart and took him too. A nd a stalker axjo gone,
In the night, a flaming dragon, found A nd its h eart was glad: glowing w ith rage
The treasure unguarded; he whom m en fear It left the tow er, im patient to repay
Came flying through the darkness, w rapped in fire, Its enemies. The people suffered, everyone
Seeking caves and stone-split ruins Lived in terror, bu t when Beowulf had learned 9310
But finding gold. T h a i it staved, buried O f th eir trouble his fate was w orse, and cam e
Itself w ith heathen silver and jewels quickly.
It could neither use n or ever abandon.
So m ankind’s enemy, the mighty beast,
Slept in those stone walls for hundreds
O f years; a runaw ay slave roused it, 3280
Stole a jew eled cup and bought
His m aster’s forgiveness, begged for mercy
A nd was pardoned w hen his delighted lord took 33
the present
H e bore, turned it in his hands and stared V om iting fire and smoke, the dragon
A t the ancient carvings. The cup brought peace assj Burned down their homes. They w atched in horror
To a slave, pleased his m aster, b u t stirred A s the flames rose up: the angry m onster
A dragon’s anger. I t turned, hunting M eant to leave nothing alive. A nd the signs 9313
The th ief’s tracks, and found them , saw O f its anger flickered and glowed in the darkness,
W here its visitor had come and gone. H e'd sur­ Visible for miles, tokens o f its hate
vived,
H ad come close enough to touch its scaly xyo A nd its cruelty, spread like a w arning to the G eats
H ead and yet lived, as it lifted its cavernous W ho had broken its rest. Then it hurried back
Jaws, through the grace o f almighty G od To its tow er, to its hidden treasure, before dawn 8320
A nd a pair o f quiet, quick-moving feet. Could come. It had w rapped its flames around
The dragon followed his steps, anxious The G eats; now it trusted in stone
To find the m an who had robbed it o f silver &95 W alls, and its strength, to protect it. B ut they
A nd sleep; it circled around and around w ould not.
The tower, determined to catch him, but could not, T hen they cam e to Beowulf, their king, and an­
H e had run too fast, the wilderness was empty. nounced
T hat his hall, his throne, the best o f buildings, 9325
96 B e o w u lf B e o w u lf 97
H ad m elted away In the dragon’s burning Offered them only his sword, ended
Breath. Their words brought misery, Beow ulf's So m any jackal lives th at the few a36.
Sorrow beat a t his heart: he accused W ho were able skulked silently hom e, glad
H im self o f breaking .God’s law, o f bringing T o leave him. So Beowulf swam sadly back
The Almighty’s anger down on his people. »330 To G eatland, alm ost the only survivor
Reproach pounded in his breast, gloomy O f a foolish war. Higlac’s widow
A nd dark, and the world seemed a different place. Brought him the crown, offered him the kingdom , a37o
But the hall was gone, the dragon’s m olten N ot trusting H erdred, her son and Higlac’s,
B reath had licked across it, burned it To beat off foreign invaders. B ut Beowulf
To ashes, near the shore it had guarded. The G eats »335 Refused to rule when his lord’s own son
Deserved revenge; Beowulf, their leader W as alive, and the leaderless G eats could choose
A nd lord, began to plan it, ordered A rightful king. H e gave H erdred 337s
A battle-shield shaped o f iron, knowing th at A ll m s support, offering an open
W ood would be useless, th at no linden shield H eart where Higlac’s young son could see
Could help him, protect him, in the flaming heat »34o W isdom he still lacked himself: w arm th
O f the beast’s breath. T hat noble prince A nd good will were w hat Beowulf brought his new
W ould end his days on earth, soon, king.
W ould leave this brief life, bu t would take the B ut Swedish exiles came, seeking ajso
dragon Protection; they were rebels against O nela,
W ith him , tear it from the heaped-up treasure H ealfdane’s son-in-law and the best ring-giver
It had guarded so long. And he’d go to it alone, »345
Scorning to lead soldiers against such H is people had ever known. A nd O nela
A n enemy: he saw nothing to fear, thought nothing Cam e too, a m ighty king, m arched
O f the beast’s claws, or wings, or flaming O n G eatland w ith a huge army; H erdred 2383
Jaws—he had fought, before, against worse H ad given his w ord and now he gave
Odds, had survived, been victorious, in harsher H is life, shielding the Swedish strangers.
»350 O nela w anted nothing m ore:
Battles, beginning in H erot, H rothgar’s
Unlucky halL He’d killed Grendel W hen H erdred had fallen th at famous w arrior
A nd his m other, swept th at murdering tribe W ent back to Sweden, let Beowulf raid! 3590
Away. A nd he’d fought in Higlac’s w ar
W ith the Frisians, fought at Ins lord’s side »355
Till a sword reached out and drank H iglac's
Blood, till a blade swung in the rush
O f battle killed the Geats* great king.
Then Beowulf escaped, broke through Frisian
Shields and swam to freedom, saving
34
»3^0
Thirty sets o f arm or from the scavenging
Franks, river people who robbed B ut Beowulf rem em bered how his king had been
The dead as they floated by. Beowulf killed.
As soon as he could he lent the last
98 B e o w u lf B e o w u lf 99

O f the Swedish rebels soldiers and gold, Took me from my father and kept me, taught me, 3430
H elped him to a b itter battle across . Gave me gold and pleasure, glad th at I sat
The wide sea, where victory, and revenge, and the A t his knee. A nd he never loved me less
Swedish 2393 T han any o f his sons—H erbald, the oldest
Throne were won, and Onela was slain. O f all, or H athcyn, or Higlac, my lord.
So Edgetho's son survived, no m atter H erbald died a horrible death, *435
W hat dangers he m et, w hat battles he fought, K illed while hunting: Hathcyn, his brother,
Brave and forever trium phant, till the day Stretched his horn-tipped bow, sent
F ate sent him to the dragon and sent him death. 3400 A n arrow flying, but missed his m ark
A dozen w arriors walked w ith their angry A nd hit H erbald instead, found him
King, when he was brought to the beast; Beowulf W ith a bloody point and pierced him through. 3440
Knew, by then, w hat had woken the m onster, The crime was great, the guilt was plain,
A nd enraged i t The cup had come to him , traveled B ut nothing could be done, no vengeance, no
From dragon to slave, to m aster, to king, 2403 death
A nd the slave was their guide, had begun the Geats* To repay th at death, no punishm ent, nothing.
Affliction, and now, afraid o f both beast “So w ith the graybeard whose son sins
A nd men, was forced to lead them to the monster’s A gainst the k in g and is hanged: he stands *445
H idden home. H e showed them the huge W atching his child swing on the gallows,
Stones, set deep in the ground, w ith the sea 0410
Beating on the rocks dose by. Beowulf Lam enting, helpless, while his flesh and blood
Stared, listening to stories o f the gold H angs fo r the raven to pluck. H e can raise
A nd riches heaped inside. H idden, H is voice in sorrow, b u t revenge is im possible.
B ut wakeful, now, die dragon w aited, A nd every m orning he rem em bers how his son *45°
R eady to greet him . G old and ham m ered 2413 D ied, and despairs; no son to com e
A rm or have been buried in pleasanter places! M atters, no future heir, to a father
The battle-brave king rested on the shore. F orced to live through such m isery. The place
W hile his soldiers wished him well, urged him W here his son once dwelled, before death compelled
On. But Beowulf’s heart was heavy: him
H is soul sensed how close fate 2420 To journey away, is a windy w asteland, 2453
H ad come, felt something, not fear b u t knowledge Em pty, cheerless; the childless father
O f old age. His arm or was strong, b u t his arm Shudders, seeing it. So riders and ridden
H ung like his h e a rt Body and soul Sleep in the ground; pleasure is gone,
M ight part, here; his blood m ight be spilled, The harp is silent, and hope is forgotten.
His spirit tom from his flesh. Then he spoke. 2423
“My early days were full o f war,
A nd I survived it all; I can remember everything.
I was seven years old when H rethel opened
His hom e and his heart for m e, when my king and
lord
100 B e o w u lf 44 '
B e o w u lf 101

35 Bought w ith gold, bribed to his side. 2495

My sword was better, and always his.
In every battle m y place was in front,*
“A nd then, crying bis sorrow, he crawls 3460 Alone, and so it shall be forever,
T o his bed: the world, and his home, hurt him As long as this sword lasts, serves me
W ith their emptiness. A nd so it seemed to H rethel, In the future as it has served m e before. So 4500
W hen H erbald was dead, and his heart swelled I killed Dagref, the Frank, who brought death
W ith grief. The m urderer lived; he felt To Higlac, and who looted his corpse: H igd’s
N o love for him, now, bu t nothing could help, 2465 Necklace, Welthow*s treasure, never
W ord nor hand nor sharp-honed blade, Came to D agref *s king. The th ief
W ar nor hate, battle or blood Fell in battle, but not on my blade. 2505
O r law. The pain could find no relief, H e was brave and strong, b u t I sw ept him in m y
H e could only live w ith it, or leave grief and life arm s,
Together. W hen he'd gone to his grave H athcyn 2470 G round him against me till his bones broke,
A nd Higlac, his sons, inherited everything. T ill his blood burst out. A nd now I shall fight
“A nd then there was w ar betw een G eats and F or this treasure, fight w ith both hand and sword.**
Swedes, A nd Beowulf uttered his final boast: 2510
B itter battles carried across *Tve never know n fear; as a youth I fought
The broad sea, when the mighty H rethel slept In endless battles. I am old, now,
A nd O ngentho's sons thought Sweden could safely 247} But I w ill fight again, seek fame still,
A ttack, saw no use to pretending friendship If the dragon hiding in his tow er dares
B ut raided and burned, and near old Rennsburg To face m e.” 2515
Slaughtered G eats w ith their thieving swords. Then he said farewell to his followers,
My people repaid th a n , death fo r death, Each in his turn, for the last tim e:
B attle for battle, though one o f the brothers 3480 “I ’d use no sword, no weapon, if this beast
Bought th at revenge w ith his life—H athcyn, Could be killed w ithout it, crushed to death
K ing o f the G eats, killed by a Swedish lik e G rendel, gripped in my hands and tom 2520
Sword. But when daw n came the slayer Lim b from lim b. But his breath will be burning
W as slain, and Higlac’s soldiers avenged
H ot, poison will pour from his tongue.
Everything with the edge o f their blades. Efor 3485 I feel no shame, w ith shield and sword
Caught the Swedish king, cracked
H is helm et, split his skuu, dropped him, A nd arm or, against this m onster: w hen he comes
Pale and bleeding, to the ground, then put him to me
To death with a swift stroke, shouting I m ean to stand, no t run from his shooting 2525
His joy. 3490 Flam es, stand till fate decides
“The gifts th at Higlac gave me, W hich o f us wins. M y heart is firm,
A nd the land, 1 earned with my sword, as fate M y hands ca lm : I need no hot
Allowed: he never needed Danes W ords. W ait for me close by, m y friends.
O r G oths or Swedes, soldiers and allies We shall see, soon, who will survive 2330
This bloody battle, stand when the fighting
102 B e o w u lf B e o w u lf 103

Is done. No one else could do Armor. The monster came quickly toward him,
W hat I m ean to, here, no m an b u t me Pouring out fire and smoke, hurrying
Could hope to defeat this m onster. N o one To its fate. Flames beat at the iron 3570
Could try. A nd this dragon’s treasure, his gold 2333 Shield, and for a time it held, protected
A nd everything hidden in th at tower, will be mine Beowulf as he'd planned; then it began to melt.
O r w ar w ill sweep m e to a b itter death!” And for the first time in hi§ life that famous prince
Then Beowulf rose, still brave, still strong, Fought with fate against him, with glory
A nd w ith his shield a t his side, and a m ail shirt on Denied him. He knew it, but he raised his sword *575
his breast, And struck at the dragon’s scaly hide.
Strode calmly, confidently, tow ard the tower, under 2340 The ancient blade broke, bit into
The rocky cliffs: no coward could have walked The monster’s skin, drew blood, but cracked
there! And failed him before it went deep enough, helped
And then he who’d endured dozens of desperate him
Battles* “Who’d stood boldly while swords and Less than he needed. The dragon leaped 2580
shields With pain, thrashed and beat at him, spouting
Clashed, the best o f kings, saw Murderous flames, spreading them everywhere.
Huge stone arches and felt the heat 2545 And the Geats’ ring-giver did not boast of glorious
O f the dragon’s breath, flooding down Victories in other wars: his weapon
Through the hidden entrance, too hot for anyone. Had failed him, deserted him, now when he needed it *585
To stand, a streaming current o f fire Most, that excellent sword. Edgetho’s
A nd smoke th at blocked all passage. A nd the Geats* Famous son stared at death,
Lord and leader, angry, lowered 2330 Unwilling to leave this world, to exchange it
H is sword and roared out a battle cry, For a dwelling in some distant place—a journey
A call so loud and d e a r th at it reached through Into darkness that all men must make, as death ^90
The hoary rock, hung in the dragon’s Ends their few brief hours on earth.
Ear. The beast rose, angry,
Knowing a m an had come—and then nothing 2333 Quickly, the dragon came at him, encouraged
B ut w ar could have followed. Its breath came first, As Beowulf fell back; its breath flared,
A steam ing dou d pouring from the stone, And he suffered, wrapped around in swirling
Then the earth itself shook. Beowulf Flames—a king, before, but now 2595
Swung his shield into place, h d d it A beaten warrior. None of his comrades
In front o f him , facing the entrance. The dragon 2360 Came to him, helped him, his brave and noble
Coiled and uncoiled, its heart urging it Followers; they ran for their lives, fled
Into battle. Beowulf's ancient sword Deep in a wood. And only one of them
W as waiting, unsheathed, his sharp and gleaming Remained, stood there, miserable, remembering, 2600
Blade. The beast came closer; both o f them As a good man must, what kinship should mean.
Were ready, each set on slaughter. The Geats' 236 3
G reat prince stood, firm, unmoving, prepared
Behind his high shield, waiting in his sinning
104 B e o w u lf B e o w u lf 105

36 N eeded us, lie who gave us these swords

A nd arm or: all o f us swore to repay him ,
3633

W hen th e tim e cam e, kindness for kindness

H is nam e was Wiglaf, lie was W exstan’s son —W ith our lives, if he needed them . H e allowed us
A nd a good soldier; his fam ily had been Swedish, to jo in him ,
Once. W atching Beow ulf he could see Chose us from all his great arm y, thinking
How his king was suffering, burning. Remembering 2605 O ur boasting words had some w eight, believing 2640
Everything his lord and cousin had given him, O ur prom ises, trusting our swords. H e took us
A rm or an a gold and the great estates F o r soldiers, fo r m en. H e m eant to kill
W exstan’s fam ily enjoyed, W iglaf’s This m onster himself, our m ighty king,
M ind was m ade up; he raised his yellow Fight this battle alone and unaided,
Shield and drew his sword—an ancient 2610 As in th e days w hen his strength an d daring daz­
W eapon th at had once belonged to Onela’s zled 3643
Nephew, and th at W exstan had won, killing M en's eyes. B ut those days are over and gone
T he prince w hen he fled from Sweden, sought A nd now our lord m ust lean on younger
safety Arms. A nd we m ust go to him , w hile angry
W ith H erdred, and found death. A nd W iglaf’s Flam es b um a t his flesh, help
father O ur glorious king! By alm ighty G od, 3630
H ad carried the dead man’s arm or, and his sword, 2615 I'd rather bum m yself than see
To Onela, and the king had said nothing, only Flam es swirling around m y lord.
G iven him arm or and sword and all, A nd who are we to can y hom e
Everything his rebel nephew had owned
A nd lost when he left this life. A nd W exstan O ur shields before we've slain his enem y
H ad kept those shining gifts, held them 2620 A nd ours, to ru n back to our homes w ith Beowulf 3633
F or years, waiting for his son to use them , So hard-pressed here? I swear th a t nothing
W ear them as honorably and well as once H e ever did deserved an end
H is father had done; then W exstan died Like this, dying m iserably and alone,
A nd W iglaf was his heir, inherited treasures Butchered by this savage beast: we swore
A nd weapons and land. He’d never w orn 262$ T hat these swords and arm or were each for us afl!" 3660
T hat arm or, fought w ith th at sword, until Beowulf Then he ra n to his king, crying encouragem ent
Called him to his side, led him into w ar. A s he dove through the dragon’s deadly fumes:
But his soul did not m elt, his sword was strong; “Belovéd Beowulf, rem em ber how you boasted,
The dragon discovered his courage, and his weapon, Once, th at nothing in the w orld would ever
W hen the rush o f battle brought them together. 2630 D estroy your fam e: fight to keep it, 3663
A nd W iglaf, his heart heavy, utttered Now, be strong and brave, m y noble
The kind o f words his comrades deserved: K ing, protecting life and fame
“I rem em ber how we sat in the mead-hall, Together. M y sword w ill fight a t your side!"
drinking The dragon heard him , the m an-hating m onster,
A nd boasting o f how brave w e'd be when Beowulf A nd was angty; shining with surging flames a$7<>
I t cam e for him , anxious to return lus visit.
106 B e o w u lf B e o w u lf 107

Waves o f fire swept at his shield Sank In; his hand was burned, b u t the sh in in g
A nd the edge began to burn. His m ail shirt Blade had done its work, the dragon’s 2700
Could not help him , but before his hands dropped Belching flames began to flicker
The blazing wood W iglaf jum ped 2673 A nd die away. A nd Beowulf drew
Behind Beowulf’s shield; his own was burned H is battle-sharp dagger: the blood-stained old king
To ashes. Then the famous old hero, remembering Still knew w hat h e was doing. Quickly, he cut
Days o f glory, lifted w hat was left T he beast in half, slit it a p a rt 270;
O f Nagling, Ids ancient sword, and swung it I t fell, their courage had killed it, two noble
W ith all his strength, smashed the gray 2680 Cousins h ad joined in the dragon's death.
Blade into the beasfs head. But then Nagling Y et w hat they did all m en m ust do
Broke to pieces, as iron always W hen th e tim e comesl B ut the trium ph was the last
H ad in Beowulf’s hands. His arms Beowulf w ould ever earn, the end 2710
W ere too strong, the hardest blade could not help O f greatness and life together. The w ound
him , In m s neck began to swell and grow;
The m ost wonderfully worked. H e carried them to H e could feel something stirring, burning
w ar 2683 In his veins, a stinging venom, and knew
But fate had decreed th a t the G eats’ great king The beast’s fangs had left i t H e fum bled 3715
W ould be no b etter for any weapon. A long the wall, found a slab
Then the m onster charged again, vom iting O f stone, and dropped down; above him he saw
Fire, wild w ith pain, rushed out Huge stone arches and heavy posts,
Fierce and dreadful, its fear forgotten. 2690 H olding up the ro o f o f th at giant h a lt
W atching for its chance it drove its tusks Then W igjaf’s gentle hands bathed 2720
Into Beowulf’s neck; he staggered, the blood T he blood-stained prince, his glorious lord,
Came flooding forth, fell like rain. W eary o f w ar, and loosened his helm et.
Beowulf spoke, in spite o f the swollen,
Livid wound, knowing he’d unw ound
H is string o f days on earth, seen 2725
A s'm uch as C od would grant him ; all worldly
Pleasure was gone, as life w ould go,
Soon:
37 “I’d leave m y arm or to m y son,
Now, if G od had given me an heir, 2730
And then when Beowulf needed him most A child bom o f m y body, his life
W iglaf showed his courage, his strength 2693 C reated from m ine. I ’ve w orn this crow n
A nd skill, and the boldness he was bom with. F o r fifty w inters: no neighboring people
Ignoring H ave tried to threaten the G eats, sent soldiers
The dragon’s head, he helped his lord A gainst us or talked o f terror. M y days 2733
By striking lower down. The sword Have gone by as fate willed, w aiting
F or its word to be spoken, ruling as well
108 B e o w u lf B e o w u lf 109

As I knew how, swearing no unholy oaths, Triumph, defeat the strongest of men, 3765
Seeking no lying wars. I can leave No matter how deep it is hidden!) And he saw,
This life happy; I can die, here, *74° Hanging high above, a golden
Knowing the Lord o f all life has never Banna:, woven by the best of weavers
W atched m e wash m y sword in blood And beautiful. And over everything he saw
Born o f m y own family. Belovdd A strange light, shining everywhere, 3770
W iglaf, go, quickly, find On walls and floor and treasure. Nothing
The dragon’s treasure: we’ve taken its life, *745 Moved, no other monsters appeared;
But its gold is ours, too. H urry, He took what he wanted, all the treasures
Bring m e ancient silver, precious That pleased his eye, heavy plates
Jewels, shining arm or and gems, And golden cups and the glorious banner, 3775
Before I die. D eath will be softer, Loaded his arms with all they could hold.
Leaving life and this people I’ve ruled *7jo Beowulf's dagger, his iron blade,
So long, if I look a t this last o f all prizes.’* Had finished the fire-spitting terror
That once protected tower and treasures
Alike; the gray-bearded lord of the Geats 2780
Had ended those flying, burning raids
Forever.
Then Wiglaf went bacl^ anxious
To return while Beowulf was alive, to bring him
Treasure they'd won together. He ran, 2785
38 Hoping his wounded king, weak
And dying, had not left the world too soon.
Then ne brought their treasure to Beowulf, and
Then W exstan’s son went in, as quickly found
As he could, did as the dying Beowulf His famous king bloody, gasping
Asked, entered the inner darkness For breath. But Wiglaf sprinkled water 3790
O f the tower, w ent with his m ail shirt and his Over his lord, until the words
sword. *7« Deep in his breast broke through and were heard.
Flushed w ith victory he groped his way, Beholding the treasure he spoke, haltingly:
A brave young w arrior, and suddenly saw “For this, this gold, these jewels, I thank
Piles o f gleaming gold, precious Our Father in Heaven, Ruler of the Earth— 3795
Gems, scattered on the floor, cups For all of this, that His grace has given me,
A nd bracelets, rusty old helmets, beautifully *760 Allowed me to bring to my people while breath
M ade but rotting with no hands to riib Still came to my lips. I sold my life
A nd polish them . They lay where the dragon left For this treasure, and I sold it well. Take
them ; W hat I leave, Wiglaf, lead m y people, 3800
It had flown in the darkness, once, before fighting
Its final battle. (So gold can easily Help them; my time is gone. Have
The brave Geats build me a tomb,
110 B e o w u lf B e o w u lf 111

W hen th e funeral flames have burned me, and Its tow er, won its treasure w hen it fell
build it Crashing to the ground, cut it apart 2830
H ere, a t the water’s edge, high W ith their ham m ered blades, driven them deep in
On this spit o f land, so sailors can see a8oy Its belly. I t w ould never fly through the night.
This tow er, and rem em ber m y nam e, and call it Glowing in the dark sky, glorying
Beow ulf's tower, and boats in the darkness In its riches, burning and raiding: tw o w arriors
A nd m ist, crossing the sea, will know i t " H ad show n it their strength, slain it w ith their
Then th at brave king gave the golden sw ords. 283;
Necklace from around lus throat to W iglaf, tin N ot m any m en, n o m atter how strong,
Gave him his gold-covered helmet, and his rings, N o m atter how daring, how bold, had done
A nd his m ail shirt, and ordered him to use them As well, rushing a t its venomous fangs,
well: O r even quietly entering its tower,
"Y ou’re the last o f all our far-flung family. Intending to steal b u t finding the treasure's mo
F ate has swept our race away, G uardian awake, w atching and ready
Taken warriors in their strength and led them tiiy To greet them . Beowulf h ad gotten its gold,
T o th e death th a t was w aiting. A nd now 1 follow Bought it w ith blood; dragon and king
them .” H ad ended each other's days on- earth.
The old m an's m outh was silent, spoke A nd w hen the battle was over B eow ulf’s fol­
N o more, had said as much as it could; low ers m>
He would sleep in the fire, soon. His soul Cam e o u t o f th e w ood, cow ards and traitors,
Left his flesh, flew to glory. tin Knowing the dragon was dead. A fraid,
W hile it spit its fires, to fight in their lord’s
D efense, to throw th eir javelins an d spears.
They cam e like sham efaced jackals, their shields 3830
In th eir hands, to the place w here th e prince lay
dead,
A nd w aited for Wigilaf to speak. H e was sitting
N ear B eow ulf's body, wearily sprinkling
39 W ater in the dead m an’s face, toying
T o stir him . H e could n o t N o one could have kept 3855
Life in their lord's body, or turned
A nd then W iglaf was left, a young w arrior A side the Lord’s will: w orld
Sadly watching his belovéd king, A nd m en and all move as H e orders,
Seeing him stretched on the ground, left guarding A nd always have, and always w ill.
A tom and bloody corpse. But Beowulf’s T hen W iglaf turned and angrily told them 3860
Killer was dead, too, the coiled tiay
Dragon, cut in half, cold W hat m en w ithout courage m ust hear.
And motionless: men, and their swords, had swept it W exstan's brave son stared a t the traitors,
From the earth, left it lying in front o f H is heart sorrowful, and said w hat he had to:
“I say w hat anyone who speaks the tru th
112 B e o w u lf B e o w u lf 113

Must say. Your lord gave you gifts, 2863 The morning away, sadly wondering
Swords and the armor you stand in now; If their beloved king would return, or be killed, 289}
You sat on the mead-hall benches, prince A troop of soldiers sitting in silence
And followers, and he gave you, with open hands, And hoping for the best. Whipping his horse
Helmets and mail shirts, hunted across The herald came to them; they crowded around,
The world for the best of weapons. War 2870 And he told them everything, present and past:
Came and you ran like cowards, dropped “Our lord is dead, leader of this people. 2()00
Your swords as soon as the danger was real. The dragon killed him, but the beast is dead,
Should Beowulf have boasted of your help, rejoiced Too, cut in half by a dagger;
In your loyal strength? With God’s good grace Beowulf’s enemy sleeps in its blood.
He helped himself, swung his sword 2873 N o sword could pierce its skin, wound
Alone, won his own revenge. T hat monster. Wiglaf is sitting in mourning, 2905
The help I gave him was nothing, but all Close to Beowulf’s body, Wexstan’s
I was able to give; I went to him, knowing W eary son, silent and sad,
That nothing but Beowulf’s strength could save us, Keeping watch for our king, there
And my sword was lucky, found some vital 2880 W here Beowulf an d the beast th a t killed him lie
Place and bled the burning flames dead.
Away. Too few of his warriors remembered “And this people can expect fighting, once 29IO
To come, when our lord faced death, alone. The Franks, and the Frisians, have heard that our
And now the giving of swords, of golden king
Rings and rich estates, is over, 2883 Lies dead. The news will spread quickly.
Ended for you and everyone who shares Higlac began our bitter quarrel
Your blood: when the brave Geats hear With the Franks, raiding along their river
How you bolted and ran none of your race Rhine with ships and soldiers, until 2913
Will have anything left but their lives. And death They attacked him with a huge army, and Higlac
Would be better for them all, and for you, than Was killed, the king and many of our men,
the kind 2890 Mailed warriors defeated in war,
Of life you can lead, branded with disgrace!” Beaten by numbers. He brought no treasure
To the mead-hall, after that battle. And ever 292O
After we knew no friendship with the Franks.
“Nor can we expect peace from the Swedes.
Everyone knows how their old king,
Ongentho, killed Hathcyn, caught him
Near a wood when our young lord went 2923
40 To war too soon, dared too much.
The wise old Swede, always terrible
Then Wiglaf ordered a messenger to ride In war, allowed the Geats to land
Across the cliff, to the Geats who’d waited And begin to loot, then broke them with a lightning
Attack, taking back treasure and his kidnaped 2930
114 B e o w u lf B e o w u lf 115

Queen, and taking our king’s life. Followed, sweeping across the field,
And then he followed his beaten enemies, Smashing through the walls, waving Higlac’s
Drove them in front of Swedish swords Banners as they came. Then the gray-haired old
Until darkness dropped, and weary, lordless, king 2960
They could hide in die wood. But he waited, Was brought to bay, bright sword-blades
Ongentho 2933 Forcing the lord of the Swedes to take
With his mass of soldiers, circled around Judgment at Efor’s hands. Efor’s
The Geats who’d survived, who’d escaped him, Brother, Wulf, raised his weapon
calling First, swung it angrily at the fierce 2965
Threats and boasts at that wretched band Old king, cracked his helmet; blood
The whole night through. In the morning he’d hang Seeped through his hair. But the brave old Swede
A few, he promised, to amuse the birds, 2940 Felt no fear: he quickly returned
Then slaughter the rest. But the sun rose A better blow than he’d gotten, faced
To the sound of Higlac’s horns and trumpets, Toward Wulf and struck him savagely. And Efor’s 2970
Light and that battle cry coming together Bold brother was staggered, half raised his sword
And turning sadhearted Geats into soldiers. But only dropped it to the ground. Ongentho’s
Higlac had followed his people, and found them. 2943 Blade had cut through his helmet, his head
Spouted blood, and slowly he fell.
The wound was deep, but death was not due 2975
So soon; fate let him recover, live
On. But Efor, his brave brother,
Seeing Wulf fall, came forward with his broad-
bladed
Sword, hammered by giants, and swung it
4 1 So hard that Ongentho’s shield shattered 2980
And he sank to the earth, his life ended.
“Then blood was everywhere, two bands of Geats Then, with the battlefield theirs, the Geats
Falling on the Swedes, men fighting* Rushed to Wulf’s side, raised him up
On all sides, butchering each other. And bound his wound. Wulf’s brother
Sadly, Ongentho ordered his soldiers Stripped the old Swede, took 2983

Back, to the high ground where he’d built 2930 His iron mail shirt, his hilted sword
A fortress; he’d heard of Higlac, knew And his helmet, and all his ancient war-gear,
His boldness and strength. Out in the open And brought them to Higlac, his new lord.
He could never resist such a soldier, defend The king welcomed him, warmly thanked him
Hard-won treasure, Swedish wives For his gifts and promised, there where everyone 2990
And children, against the Geats’ new king. 2933 Could hear, that as soon as he sat in his mead-hall
Brave but wise, he fled, sought safety Again Efor and Wulf would have treasure
Behind earthen walls. Eagerly, the Geats Heaped in their battle-hard hands; he’d repay them
Their bravery with wealth, give them gold
116 B e o w u lf B e o w u lf 117

And lands and silver rings, rich rewards for the W alked slowly down from the clif£ stared
glorious 2& } A t those w onderful sights, stood w eeping as they
Deeds they’d done with their swords. The Geats saw
agreed. And to prove Beowulf dead on the sand, then bold
Efor’s grace in his eyes, Higlac Ring-giver resting in his last bed;
Swore he’d give him his only daughter. H e’d reached the end o f his days, their mighty jq jj
“These are the quarrels, the hatreds, the feuds, W ar-king the great lord o f the G eats,
That will bring us battles, force us into war 3000 G one to a glorious death. B ut they saw
With the Swedes, as soon as they’ve learned how The dragon first, stretched in front
our lord O f its tow er, a strange, scaly beast
Is dead, know that the Geats are leaderless, G leam ing a dozen colors dulled and 3040
Have lost the best of kings, Beowulf— Scorched in its own h e a t From end
He who held our enemies away, To end fifty fe e t it had flown
Kept land and treasure intact, who saved 3003 In the rilent darkness, a swift traveler
Hrothgar and the Danes—he who lived Tasting the air, then gliding dow n
All his long life bravely. Then let us To its den. D eath held it in his hands; 3043
Go to him, hurry to our glorious lord, I t w ould guard no caves, no towers, keep
Behold him lifeless, and quickly carry him N o treasures like the cups, the precious plates
To the flames. The fire must melt more 3010 Spread where it lay, silver and brass
Than his bones, more than his share of treasure: Encrusted and rotting, eaten away
Give it all of this golden pile, A s though buried in the earth fo r a thousand
This terrible, uncounted heap of cups w inters. 3030
And rings, bought with his blood. Burn it A nd all this ancient hoard, huge
To ashes, to nothingness. No one living 3015
A nd golden, was w ound around w ith a spell:
Should enjoy these jewels; no beautiful women N o m an could enter the tower, open
Wear them, gleaming and golden, from their necks, H idden doors, unless the Lord
But walk, instead, sad and alone O f Victories, H e who watches over m en, 3033
In a hundred foreign lands, their laughter A lm ighty G od Himself, was moved
Gone forever, as Beowulf’s has gone, „ 3020
T o let mm enter, and him alone.
His pleasure and his joy. Spears shall be lifted,
Many cold mornings, lifted and thrown,
And warriors shall waken to no harp’s bright call
But the croak of the dark-black raven, ready
To welcome the dead, anxious to tell 3023
The eagle how he stuffed his craw with corpses,
Filled his belly even faster than the wolves.”
And so the messenger spoke, a brave
Man on an ugly errand, telling
Only the truth. Then the warriors rose, 3030
118 B e o w u lf B e o w u lf 119

42 A nd quickly carried them back to my king.

He lay right here, still alive,
H iding th at treasure deep in its tower, Still sure in m ind and tongue. H e spoke
As the dragon had done, broke G od’s law Sadly, said I should greet you, asked 3°9J
A nd brought it no good. G uarding its stolen 3060 T hat after you’d burned his body you bring
W ealth it killed W iglaf’s king, H is ashes here, m ake this the taflest
B ut w as punished w ith death. W ho know s w hen O f towers and his tom b—as great and lasting
princes As his fame, when Beowulf him self walked
A nd their soldiers, the bravest and strongest o f The earth and no m an living could m atch him. 3100
m en, Come, let us enter the tower, see
A re destined to die, their tim e ended, The dragon’s marvelous treasure one
Their homes, their halls em pty and still? 306} L ast tim e: I’ll lead the way, take you
So Beowulf sought out the dragon, dared it d o s e to th at heap o f curious jewels,
Into battle, but could never know w hat G od A nd rings, and gold. Let the pyre be ready 3x03
H ad decreed, or th at death w ould come to him , or A nd high: as soon as we*ve seen the dragon’s
why. H oard we will carry our belovéd king,
So the spell was solemnly laid, by m en O ur leader and lord, where he’ll lie forever
Long dead; it was m eant to last till the day 3070 In G od’s keeping.”
O f judgm ent. W hoever stole their jewels, Then W iglaf com m anded
Their gold* would b e a m e d w ith the flames o f hell, The w ealthiest G eats, brave w arriors
H eaped high w ith sin and guilt, if greed A nd owners of land, leaders o f his people,
W as w hat brought him: G od alone could break To bring wood for Beow ulf's funeral:
Their m ade, open H is grace to m an. 307s "N ow the fire m ust feed on his body,
Then W iglaf spoken W exstan’s son: Flam es grow heavy and black w ith him
“H ow often an entire country suffers 31*}
O n one m an’s account! T hat tim e has come to us: W ho endured arrow s falling in iron
W e tried to counsel our belovéd king, Showers, feathered shafts, barbed
O ur shield and protection, show him danger, 3080 A nd sharp, shot through linden shields,
U rge him to leave the dragon in the dark Storm s o f eager arrow heads dropping.”
Tower it had lain in so long, live there A nd W extan’s wise son took seven
Till the end o f the world. Fate, and his will, O f the noblest G eats, led them together
W ere too strong. Everyone knows the treasure Down the tunnel, deep into the dragon’s
H is life bought: b u t Beowulf was w orth 3085 Tower; the one in front had a torch,
M ore than this gold, and the gift is a harsh one. H eld it high in his hands. The best
I ’ve seen it all, been in the tow er O f B eow ulf’s follow ers entered behind 3125
W here the jew els and arm or were hidden, allowed T hat gleaming flame: seeing gold
To behold them once w ar and its terror were done. A nd silver rotting on the ground, w ith no one
I gathered them up, gold and silver, 3090 To guard it, the G eats w ere n o t troubled w ith
Filled my arms as h ill as I could scruples
O r fears, but quickly gathered up
120 B e o w u lf B e o w u lf 121

Treasure and carried it out o f the tower. 3130 Sealed his ashes in walls as straight 3x6o
A nd they rolled the dragon down to the cliff A nd high as wise and willing hands
A nd dropped it over, let the ocean take it, Could raise them. A nd the riches he and Wigjaf
The tide sweep it away. Then silver H ad won from the dragon, rings, necklaces,
And gold and precious jewels were put Ancient, hammered armor—all
O n a wagon, with Beowulf’s body, and brought 3133 The treasures they’d taken were left there, too, 3^5
Down the jutting sand, whore the pyre waited. Silver and jewels buried in the sandy
Ground, back in the earth, again
A nd forever hidden and useless to men.
A nd then twelve o f die bravest Geats
Rode their horses around the tower, 3x 70
T ellin g their sorrow, telling stories
O f their dead king and his greatness, his gloiy,
43 Praising him for heroic deeds, for a life
As noble as his name. So should all m en
A huge heap o f wood was ready, Raise up words for their lords, warm 3175
Hung around with helmets, and battle W ith love, when their shield and protector leaves
Shields, and shining mail shirts, all His body behind, sends his soul
As Beowulf had asked. The bearers brought 3140 On high. A nd so Beowulf’s followers
Their belovéd lord, their glorious king, Rode, mourning their belovéd leader,
A nd weeping laid him high on the wood. Crying that no better king had ever 318 0
Then the warriors began to kindle th at greatest Lived, no prince so mild, no m an
O f funeral fires; smoke rose So open to his people, so deserving o f praise.
Above the flames, black and thick, 314s
A nd while the wind blew and the fire
R oared they wept, and Beowulf’s body THE END
Crum bled and was gone. The G eats stayed,
M oaning their sorrow, lam enting their lord?
A gnarled old woman, hair wound 3130
Tight and gray on her head, groaned
A song o f misery, o f infinite sadness
A nd days o f mourning, o f fear and sorrow
To come, daughter and terror and captivity.
A nd Heaven swallowed the billowing smoke. 3133
Then the G eats built the tower, as Beowulf
H ad asked, strong and tall, so sailors
Could find it from far and wide; working
For ten long days they made his monument,