Beowulf Edition
HWÆT: WE GAR-DENA
IN GEARDAGUM
þeodcyninga
þrym gefrunon.
Hu ða æþelingas
elle(n) fremedon!
Oft Scyld Scefing
sceaþena þreatum
monegum mægþum
meodosetla ofteah,
egsode eorl,
syððan ærest wear(ð)
feasceaft funden.
He þæs frofre geba(d),
weox under wolcnum,
weorðmyndum þah,
oð þæt him æghwylc
þara ymbsittendra
ofer hronrade
hyran scolde,
gomban gyldan.
Þæt wæs god cyning.
Ðæm eafera wæs
æfter cenned,
geong in geardum,
þone God sende
folce to frofre.
Fyrenðearfe ongeat.
Þæt hie ær drugon
aldor[le]ase
lange hwile.
Him þæs Liffrea,
wuldres wealdend,
woroldare forgeaf.
Beowulf wæs breme,
blæd wide sprang,
Scyldes eafera
Scedelandum in.
Swa sceal ge[ong] [g]uma
gode gewyrcean,
fromum feohgiftum
on fæder [bea](r)me,
þæt hine on ylde
eft gewunigen
wi(l)gesiþas,
þonne wig cume,
leode gelæsten.
Lofdædum sceal
in mægþa gehwære
man geþeon.
Him ða Scyld gewat
to gescæphwile
felahror feran
on Frean wære.
Hi hyne þa ætbæron
to brimes faroðe,
swæse gesiþas.
Swa he selfa bæd
þenden wordum weold
wine Scyldinga.
Leof landfruma
lange ahte.
Þær æt hyðe stod
hringedstefna,
isig 7 utfus,
æþelinges fær.
Aledon þa
leofne þeoden,
beaga bryttan
on bearm scipes,
mærne be mæste.
Þær wæs madma fela
of feorwegum
frætwa gelæded.
Ne hyrde ic cymlicor
ceol gegyrwan
hildewæpnum
7 heaðowædum,
billum 7 byrnum.
Him on bearme læg
madma mænigo;
þa him mid scoldon
on flodes æht
feor gewitan.
Nalæs hi hine læssan
lacum teodan,
þeodgestreonum,
þon[ne] (þ)a d(y)don,
þe hine æt frumsceafte
forð onsendon
ænne ofer yðe
umborwesende.
Þa gyt hie him asetton
segen g[y][l]denne
heah ofer heafod,
leton holm ber(an)
geafon on garsecg.
Him wæs geomor sefa,
murnende mod.
Men ne cunnon
secgan t(o) soðe
selerædenne,
hæleð under heofenum,
hwa þæm hlæste onfeng.
ÐA wæs on burgum
Beowulf Scyldinga
leo(f) leodcyning
longe þrage,
folcum gefræge.
Fæder ellor hwearf,
aldor of earde.
Oþ þæt him eft onwoc
heah Healfdene,
heold þenden lifde,
gamol 7 guðreouw,
glæde Scyldingas.
Ðæm feower bearn
forðgerimed
in worold wocun:
weoroda ræswa,
Heorogar, 7 Hroðgar,
7 Halga til.
Hyrde ic þæt [ides]
[wæs] [æþ]elan cwen,
Heaðo-Scilfingas
healsgebedda.
Þa wæs Hroðgare
heresped gyfen,
wiges weorðmynd,
þæt him his winemagas
georne hyrdon,
oðð þæt seo geogoð geweox
magodriht micel.
Him on mod bearn
þæt healreced
hatan wolde,
medoærn micel
men gewyrcean,
þone yldo (b)earn
æfre gefrunon,
7 þær on innan
eall (g)edælan
geongum 7 ealdum,
swylc him God sealde,
buton folcscare
7 feorum gumena.
(Ð)a ic wide gefrægn
weorc gebannan
manigre mægþe
geond þisne middangeard,
folcstede frætwan.
Him on fyrste gelomp,
ædre mid yldum,
þæt hit wearð ealgearo,
healærna mæst.
Scop him Heort naman,
se þe his wordes geweald
wide hæfde.
He beot ne aleh,
beagas dælde,
sinc æt symle.
Sele hlifade,
heah 7 horngeap.
Heaðowylma bad,
laðan liges.
Ne wæs hit lenge þa gen
þæt se secghete
aþum swerian,
æfter wælniðe
wæcnan scolde.
Ða se ellengæst
earfoðlice
þrage geþolode,
se þe in þystrum bad,
þæt he dogora gehwam
dream gehyrde
hludne in healle.
Þær wæs hearpan sweg,
swutol sang scopes.
Sægde, se þe cuþe,
frumsceaft fira
feorran reccan,
cwæ(ð) þæt se Ælmihtiga
eorðan w(orh)[te],
wlitebeorhtne wang,
swa wæter b(e)bugeð,
gesette sigehreþig
sunn(an) 7 monan,
leoman to leohte
landb(uen)dum.
7 gefrætwade
foldan sceatas,
leomum 7 leafum,
lif eac gesceop
cy(n)na gehwylcum
þara ðe cwice hwyrfa(þ.)
Swa ða drihtguman
dreamum lifd(on)
eadiglice,
oð ðæt an ongan
fyrene fre[m]man,
feond on helle.
Wæs se grimma gæst
Grendel haten,
mære mearcstapa,
se þe moras heold,
fen 7 fæsten.
Fifelcynnes eard
wonsæli wer
weardode hwile,
siþðan him Scyppend
forscrifen hæfde
in Caines cynne.
Þone cwealm gewræc,
ece Drihten,
þæs þe he Abel slog.
Ne gefeah he þære fæhðe,
ac He hine feor forwræc,
Metod for þy mane
mancynne fram.
Þanon untydras
ealle onwocon,
eotenas 7 ylfe
7 orcneas,
swylce gi[ga](ntas),
þa wið Gode wunnon
lange þrag(e).
(He) him ðæs lean forgeald!
(Ge)wat ða neosian,
syþðan niht becom,
hean huses,
hu hit Hring-Dene
æfter (b)eorþege
gebun hæfdon.
Fand þa ðær inne
æþelinga gedriht
swefan æfter (sy)mble.
Sorge ne cuðon,
wonsceaft wera.
Wiht unhælo,
grim 7 grædig,
gearo sona wæs,
reoc 7 reþe,
7 on ræste genam
þritig þegna.
Þanon eft gewat
huðe hremig
to ham faran,
mid þære wælfylle
wica neosan.
Ða wæs on uhtan
mid ærdæge
Grendles guðcræft
gumum undyrne.
Þa wæs æfter wiste
wop up ahafen,
micel morgensweg.
Mære þeoden
æþeling ærgod,
unbliðe sæt,
þolode ðryðswyð,
þegnsorge dreah,
syðþan hie þæs laðan
last sceawedon,
wergan gastes.
Wæs þæt gewin to strang,
lað 7 longsum.
Næs hit lengra [(f)]yrst,
ac ym(b) ane niht
ef(t) (gefremede)
morðbeala mare,
7 no mearn fore
fæhðe 7 fyrene.
Wæs to fæst on þam.
Þ(a) wæs eaðfynde
þe him elles hwær
geru(m)licor
ræste [sohte],
bed æfter burum,
ða hi(m) gebeacnod wæs,
gesægd soðlice
sweo(to)lan tacne
healðegnes hete.
Heold h(y)ne syðþan
fyr 7 fæstor,
se þæm feonde ætwand.
Swa rixode
7 wið rihte wan,
ana wið eallum,
oð þæt idel stod
husa selest.
Wæs seo hwil micel,
twelf wintra tid,
torn geþolode,
wine, scyldenda,
weana gehwelcne,
sidra sorga.
Forðam [sona] wearð
ylda bearnum
undyrne, cuð,
gyddum geomore,
þætte Grendel wan
hwile wið Hroþgar,
heteniðas wæg,
fyrene 7 fæhðe
fela missera,
singale sæce.
Sibbe ne wolde
wið manna hwone
mægenes Deniga
feorhbealo feorran,
fea þingian.
Ne þær nænig witena
wenan þorfte
beorhtre bote
to ban[an] folmum.
[Atol] (æglæca)
(eh)tende wæs,
deorc deaþsc(ua),
(du)guþe 7 geogoþe,
seomade 7 syrede,
(s)innihte heold
mistige moras.
Men ne (c)unnon
hwyder helrunan
hwyrftum scriþað.
Swa fela fyrena
feond mancyn(n)es,
atol angengea,
oft gefremede,
(h)eardra hynða.
Heorot eardode,
sinc(fa)ge sel
sweartum nihtum.
No he þone gifstol
gretan moste
maþðum for Metode,
ne his myne wisse.
Þæt wæs wræc micel
wine Scyldinga,
modes brecða.
Monig oft gesæt
rice to rune;
ræd eahtedon,
hwæt swiðferhðum
selest wære
wið færgryrum
to gefremmanne.
Hwilum hie geheton
æt hrærgtrafum
wigweorþunga,
wordum bædon
þæt him gastbona
geoce gefremede
wið þeodþreaum.
Swylc wæs þeaw hyra,
hæþenra hyht.
Helle gemundon
in modsefan,
Metod hie ne cuþon,
dæda Demend,
ne wiston hie Drihten God.
(Ne) (hie) huru heofena Helm
herian (ne) cuþon,
wuldres Waldend.
Wa bið þæm ðe sceal
þurh sliðne nið
sawle bescufa(n)
in fyres fæþm,
frofre ne wenan,
wihte gewendan.
Wel bið þæm þe mot
æfter deaðdæge
Drihten secean
7 to fæder fæþmum
freoðo wilnian.
Swa ða mælceare
maga Healfdenes
singala seað.
Ne mihte snotor hæleð
wean onwendan.
Wæs þæt gewin to swyð,
laþ 7 longsum,
þe on ða leode becom,
nydwracu niþgrim,
nihtbealwa mæst.
Þæt fram ham gefrægn
Higelaces þegn,
god mid Geatum,
Grendles dæda.
Se wæs moncynnes
mægenes strengest
on þæm dæge
þysses lifes,
æþele 7 eacen.
Het him yðlidan
godne gegyrwan.
Cwæð, he guðcyning
ofer swanrade
secean wolde,
mærne þeoden,
þa him wæs manna þearf.
Ðone siðfæt him
snotere ceorlas
lythwon logon.
(Þeah) he him leof wære,
hwetton hige([r]ofne).
(Hæ)l sceawedon.
Hæfde, se goda
Geata leoda,
(c)empan gecorone,
þara þe he cenoste
findan mihte.
Fiftyna sum
sundwudu sohte,
secg wisade,
lagucræftig mon
landgemyrcu.
Fyrst forð gewat.
Flota wæs on yðum,
bat under beorge.
Beornas gearwe
on stefn stigon.
Streamas wundon,
sund wið sande.
Secgas bæron
on bearm nacan
beorhte frætwe,
guðsearo geatolic.
Guman ut scufon,
weras on wilsið
wudu bundenne.
Gewat þa ofer wægholm,
winde gefysed,
flota famiheals
fugle gelicost,
oð þæt ymb antid
oþres dogores
wundenstefna
gewaden hæfde,
þæt ða liðende
land gesawon,
brimclifu blican,
beorgas steape,
side sænæssas.
Þa wæs sund liden,
eoletes æt ende.
Þanon up hraðe
Wedera leode
on wang stigon,
sæwudu sældon.
Syrcan hrysedon,
guðgewædo.
Gode þancedon
þæs þe him yþlade
eaðe wurdon.
(Þa) of wealle geseah
weard Scildinga,
se þe (holm)clifu
healdan scolde,
beran ofer bolcan
beorhte randas,
fyrdsearu fuslicu.
Hine fyrwyt bræc
modgehygdum
hwæt þa men wæron.
Gewat him þa to waroðe
wicge rid(an),
þegn Hroðgares,
þrymmum cwehte
mægenwudu mundum,
meþelwordum frægn.
"Hwæt syndon ge
searohæbbendra,
byrnum wer(e)de,
þe þus brontne ceol
ofer lagustræte
lædan cwomon,
hider ofer holmas?"
[He] [on] [handsco]le wæs
endesæta,
ægwearde heold;
þe on land Dena
laðra nænig
mid scipherge
sceðþan ne meahte.
"No her cuðlicor
cuman ongunnon
lindhæbbende,
ne ge leafnesword
guðfremmendra
gearwe ne wisson,
maga gemedu.
Næfre ic maran geseah
eorla ofer eorþan
ðonne is eower sum,
secg on searwum.
Nis þæt seldguma,
wæpnum geweorðad.
Næfre him his wlite leoge,
ænlic ansyn.
Nu ic eower sceal
frumcyn witan,
ær ge fyr (heon)an
leassceaweras
on land Den(a)
furþur feran.
Nu ge feorbuend,
mereliðende
mine gehyrað
anfealdne geþoht:
ofost is selest
to gecyðanne.
(H)wanan eowre cyme syndon?"
Him se yldesta
andswarode,
werodes wisa,
wordhord onleac:
"We synt gumcynnes
Geata leode
7 Higelaces
heorðgeneatas.
Wæs min fæder
folcum gecyþed,
æþele ordfruma,
Ecgþeow haten.
Gebad wintra worn,
ær he on weg hwurfe,
gamol of geardum.
Hine gearwe geman,
witena welhwylc,
wide geond eorþan.
We þurh holdne hige
hlaford þinne,
sunu Healfdenes,
secean cwomon,
leodgebyrgean.
Wes þu us larena god.
Habbað we to þæm mæran
micel ærende,
Deniga frean.
Ne sceal þær dyrne sum
wesan þæs, ic wene.
Þu wast, gif hit is
swa we soþlice
secgan hyrdon,
þæt mid Scyldingum
scea(ðona) ic nat hwylc,
deogol dædhata,
deorcu(m) nihtum,
eaweð þurh egsan
uncuðne ni(ð),
hynðu 7 hrafyl.
Ic þæs Hroðgar mæg,
þur(h) rumne sefan,
ræd gelæran,
hu he, fro(d) (7) god,
feond oferswyðeþ -
gyf him edwend(an)
æfre scolde,
bealuwa bisigu,
bot eft cuman.
7 þa cearwylmas
colran wurðaþ,
oððe a syþðan
earfoðþrage,
þreanyd þolað,
þenden þær wunað
on heahstede
husa selest."
Weard maþelode,
ðær on wicge sæt,
ombeht unforht:
"Æghwæþres sceal
scearp scyldwiga
gescad witan
worda 7 worca,
se þe wel þenceð.
Ic þæt gehyre,
þæt þis is hold weorod
frean Scyldinga.
Gewitaþ forð beran
wæpen 7 gewædu.
Ic eow wisige.
Swylce ic maguþegnas
mine hate
wið feonda gehwone
flotan eowerne,
niwtyrwydne
nacan on sande,
arum healdan,
oþ ðæt eft byreð
ofer lagustrea(mas)
leofne mannan,
wudu wundenhals
(t)o Wedermearce.
Godfremmendra
swylcum gifeþe bið
þæt þone hilderæs
hal gedigeð."
Gewiton him þa feran.
Flota (s)tille bad,
seomode on sole,
sidfæþmed (sc)ip,
on ancre fæst.
Eoforlic scionon
(o)fer hleorberan,
gehroden golde;
fah 7 fyrheard
ferhwearde heold.
Guþmod grummon,
guman onetton,
sigon ætsomne,
oþ þæt hy æltimbred,
geatolic 7 goldfah,
ongyton mihton.
Þæt wæs foremærost
foldbuendum
receda under roderum.
On þæm se rica bad.
Lixte se leoma
ofer landa fela.
Him þa hildedeor
of modigra
torht getæhte,
þæt hie him to mihton
gegnum gangan.
Guðbeorna sum
wicg gewende,
word æfter cwæð.
"Mæl is me to feran.
Fæder alwalda
mid arstafum
eowic gehealde,
siða gesunde.
Ic to sæ wille,
wið (w)ra(ð) werod
wearde healdan."
Stræt wæs stanfah,
stig wisode
gumum ætgædere.
Guðbyrne scan
heard, hondlocen,
hringiren scir
song in searwum,
þa hie to sele furðum
in hyra gryregeatwum
gangan cwomon.
Setton sæmeþe
side scyldas,
rondas regnhearde
wið þæs recedes weal,
bugon þa to bence.
Byrnan hringdon,
guðsearo gumena.
Garas stodon
sæmanna searo,
samod ætgædere,
æscholt ufan græg.
Wæs se irenþreat
wæpnum gewurþad.
Þa ðær wlonc hæleð
oretmecgas
æfter hæleþum frægn:
"Hwanon ferigeað ge
fætte scyldas
græge syrcan
7 grimhelmas,
heresceafta heap?
Ic eom Hroðgares
ar 7 ombiht.
Ne seah ic elþeodige
þus manige men
modiglicran.
Wen' ic þæt ge for wlenco,
nalles for wræcsiðum,
ac for hige(þry)mmum
Hroðgar sohton."
Him þa elle(n)rof
andswarode,
wlanc Wedera leod,
word æfter spræc,
heard under helme.
"We synt Higelaces
beodgeneatas.
Beowulf is min nama.
Wille ic asecgan
sunu Healfdenes,
mærum þeodne,
min ærende,
aldre þinum,
gif he us geunnan wile
þæt we hine swa godne
gretan moton."
Wulfgar maþelode.
Þæt wæs Wendla leod,
wæs his modsefa
manegum gecyðed,
wig 7 wisdom:
"Ic þæs wine Deniga,
frean Scildinga,
frinan wille,
beaga bryttan,
swa þu bena eart,
þeoden mærne
ymb þinne sið,
7 þe þa andsware
ædre gecyðan
ðe me se goda
agifan þenceð."
Hwearf þa hrædlice
þær Hroðgar sæt,
eald 7 unhar,
mid his eorla gedriht.
Eode ellenrof
þæt he for eaxlum gestod
Deniga frean.
Cuþe he duguðe þeaw.
Wulfgar maðelode
to hi(s) winedrihtne:
"Her syndon ge(fere)de,
feorran cumene,
ofer geofenes (be)gang
Geata leode.
Þone yldestan
ore(t)mecgas
Beowulf nemnað.
Hy benan synt,
þæt hie, þeoden min,
wið þe moton
wordum wrixlan.
No ðu him wearne geteoh
ðinra gegncwida,
glædman Hroðgar.
Hy on wiggetawum
wyrðe þinceað
eorla geæhtlan.
Huru se aldor deah,
se þæm heaðorincum
hider wisade."
Hroðgar maþelode,
helm Scyldinga:
"Ic hine cuðe
cnihtwesende.
Wæs his ealdfæder
Ecgþeo haten.
Ðæm to ham forgeaf
Hreþel Geata,
angan dohto(r).
Is his eaforan nu
heard her cumen,
sohte holdne wine.
Ðonne sægdon þæt,
sæliþende,
þa ðe gifsceattas
Geata fyredon
þyder to þance,
þæt he þri(tig)es
manna mægencræft
on his (mund)gripe
heaþorof hæbbe.
Hine halig God
for arstafum
us onsende,
to West-Denum,
(þ)æs ic wen hæbbe,
wið Grendles gryre.
(Ic) þæm godan sceal
for his modþræce
(m)admas beodan.
Beo ðu on ofeste,
hat in gan
seon sibbegedriht
samod ætgædere.
Gesaga him eac wordum
þæt hie sint wilcuman
Deniga leodum."
Word inne abead:
"Eow het secgan,
sigedrihten min,
aldor East-Dena,
þæt he eower æþelu can,
7 ge him syndon
ofer sæwylmas
heardhicgende
hider wilcuman.
Nu ge moton gangan
in eowrum guðgeatawum,
under heregriman,
Hroðgar geseon.
Lætað hildebord
her onbidan,
wuduwælsceaftas,
worda geþinges."
Aras þa se rica,
ymb hine rinc manig,
þryðlic þegna heap.
Sume þær bidon,
heaðoreaf heoldon,
swa him se (hea)rda bebead.
Snyredon ætsomn(e),
(þa) secg wisode
under Heorotes hrof,
heard under helme,
þæt he on heoðe gestod.
Beowulf maðelode.
On him byrne scan,
searonet seowed
smiþes orþancum:
"Wæs þu, Hr(oð)gar, hal.
Ic eom Higelaces
mæg 7 magoðegn.
Hæbbe ic mærða fela
ongunnen on geogoþe.
Me wearð Grendles þing
on minre eþeltyrf
undyrne cuð.
Secgað sæliðend
þæt þæs sele stande,
reced selesta
rinca gehwylcum,
idel 7 unnyt,
siððan æfenleoht
under heofenes hador
beholen weorþeð.
Þa me þæt gelærdon,
leode mine,
þa selestan,
snotere ceorlas,
þeoden Hroðgar,
þæt ic þe sohte,
for þan hie mægenes cræft
mine cuþon;
selfe ofersawon,
ða ic of searwum cwom,
fah from feondum,
þær ic fife geband,
yðde eotena cyn,
7 on yðum slog
niceras nihtes,
nearoþearfe dreah,
wræc (Wed)era nið.
Wean ahsodon,
forgrand g(ra)mum.
7 nu wið Grendel sceal,
wið þam aglæcan
ana gehegan
ðing wið þyrse.
(Ic) þe nu ða,
brego Beorht-Dena
biddan wille,
eodor Scyldinga,
anre bene,
þæt ðu me ne forwyrne,
wigendra hleo,
freowine (f)olca,
nu ic þus feorran com:
þæt ic mote ana,
[na] minra eorla gedryht
7 þes hearda heap,
Heorot fælsian.
Hæbbe ic eac geahsod
þæt se æglæca
for his wonhydum
wæpna ne recceð.
Ic þæt þonne forhicge,
swa me Higelac sie,
min mondrihten,
modes bliðe,
þæt ic sweord bere
oþðe sidne scyld,
geolorand to guþe.
Ac ic mid grape sceal
fon wið feonde
7 ymb feorh sacan,
lað wið laþum.
Ðær gelyfan sceal
Dryhtnes dome,
se þe hine deað nimeð.
Wen' ic þæt he wille,
gif he wealdan mot
in þæm guðsele,
Geotena leode
etan unforhte,
swa he oft dyde
mægenhreð manna.
Na (þu) minne þearft
hafalan hydan,
ac he me habban wile
deore fahne,
gif mec deað nimeð.
Byreð blodig wæl,
byrgea(n) þenceð,
eteð angenga
unmurnlice,
mearcað morhopu.
No ðu ymb mines ne þearft
lices feorme
leng sorgian.
Onsend Higelace,
gif mec hild nime,
beaduscruda betst
þæt mine breost wereð,
hrægla selest.
Þæt is Hrædlan laf
Welandes geweorc.
Gæð a wyrd swa hio scel.
Hroðgar maþelode,
helm Scyldinga:
"Fere fyhtum, þu,
wine min Beowulf,
7 for arstafum,
usic sohtest.
Gesloh þin fæder
fæhðe mæste.
Wearþ he Heaþolafe
to handbonan
mid Wilfingum.
Ða hine [wi]gara cyn
for herebrogan
habban ne mihte.
Þanon he gesohte
Suð-Dena folc
ofer yða gewealc
Ar-(Scyl)dinga.
Ða ic furþum weold
folce Deninga
7 on geogoðe heold
gimmerice,
hordburh hæleþa.
Ða wæs Heregar dead,
min yldra mæg
unlifigende,
bearn (H)ealfdenes.
Se wæs betera ðonne ic.
Siððan (þ)a fæhðe
feo þingode.
Sende ic Wylfingum
ofer wæteres hrycg
ealde madmas.
He me aþas swor.
Sorh is me to secganne
on sefan minum,
gumena ængum,
hwæt me Grendel hafað
hynðo on Heorote
mid his heteþancum,
færniða gefremed.
Is min fletwerod,
wigheap gewanod.
Hie wyrd forsweop
on Grendles gryre.
God eaþe mæg
þone dolsceaðan
dæda getwæfan.
Ful oft gebeotedon,
beore druncne,
ofer ealowæge
oretmecgas,
þæt hie in beorsele
bidan woldon
Grendles guþe
mid gryrum ecga.
Ðonne wæs þeos medoheal
on morgentid
drihtsele dreorfah,
þonne dæg lixte,
eal bencþelu
blode bestymed,
heall heor(u)dreore.
Ahte ic holdra þy læs,
deorre duguðe,
þe þa deað fornam.
Site nu t(o) symle
7 onsæl meoto,
sigehreð secgum,
swa þin sefa hwette."
Þa wæs Geatmæcgum
geador ætsomne
on beorsele
benc gerymed.
Þær swiðferhþe
sittan eodon,
þryðum dealle.
Þegn nytte beheold,
se þe on handa bær
hroden ealowæge,
scencte scir wered.
Scop hwilum sang
hador on Heorote.
Þær wæs hæleða dream,
duguð unlytel
Dena 7 Wedera.
HVNferð maþelode,
Ecglafes bearn,
þe æt fotum sæt
frean Scyldinga.
Onband beadurune.
Wæs him Beowulfes sið,
modges merefaran,
micel æfþunca,
forþon þe he ne uþe
þæt ænig oðer man
æfre mærða þon ma
middangeardes
gehedde under heofenum
þonne he sylfa:
"Eart þu se Beowulf,
se þe wið Brecan wunne
on sidne sæ,
ymb sund flite,
ðær git for wlence
wada cunnedon
7 for dolgilpe
on deop wæter
aldrum neþdon?
Ne inc ænig mon,
ne leof ne lað,
belean mihte
sorhfullne sið,
þa git on sund reon.
Þær git eagorstream
earmum þehton,
mæton merestræta,
mundum brugdon,
glidon ofer garsecg.
Geofon yþum weol
in wintrys wylm.
Git on wæteres æht
seofon niht swuncon.
He þe æt sunde oferflat,
hæfde mare mægen.
Þa hine on morgentid
on Heaþo-Ræmes.
holm up ætbær,
Ðonon he gesohte
swæsne .eðel.,
leof his leodum,
lond Brondinga,
freoðoburh fægere,
þær he folc ahte,
burh 7 beagas.
Beot eal wið þe
sunu Beanstanes
soðe gelæste.
Ðonne wene ic to þe
wyrsan (ge)þingea,
ðeah þu heaðoræsa
gehwær dohte,
grimre guðe,
gif þu Grendl(es) dearst
nihtlongne fyrst
nean bi(dan)."
Beowulf maþelode,
bearn Ecgþeowes:
"Hwæt, þu worn fela,
wine min Hunfer(ð),
beore druncen,
ymb Brecan spræce,
sægdest from his siðe.
Soð ic talige
þæt ic merestrengo
maran ahte,
earfeþo on yþum,
ðonne ænig oþer man.
Wit þæt gecwædon,
cnihtwesende
7 gebeotedon,
wæron begen þa git
on geogoðfeore,
þæt wit on garsecg ut
aldrum neðdon,
7 þæt geæfndon swa.
Hæfdon swurd nacod,
þa wit on sund reon,
heard on handa.
Wit unc wið hronfixas
werian þohton.
No he wiht fram me
flodyþum feor
fleotan meahte,
hraþor on holme,
no ic fram him wolde.
Ða wit æt(s)omne
on sæ wæron
fif nihta fyrst,
(o)þ þæt unc flod todraf,
wado weallende,
wedera cealdost,
nipende niht,
7 norþan(w)ind,
heaðogrim ondhwearf.
Hreo wæron (y)þa!
Wæs merefixa
mod onhrered:
þær me wið laðum
licsyrce min
heard hondlocen,
helpe gefremede,
beadohrægl broden
on breostum læg,
golde gegyrwed.
Me to grunde teah,
fah feondscaða,
fæste hæfde,
grim on grape.
Hwæþre me gyfeþe wearð
þæt ic aglæcan
orde geræhte,
hildebille.
Heaþoræs fornam
mihtig meredeor
þurh mine hand."
"Swa mec gelome
laðgeteonan
þreatedon þearle.
Ic him þenode
deoran sweorde,
swa hit gedefe wæs.
Næs hie ðære fylle
gefean hæfdon,
manfordædlan,
þæt hie me þegon,
symbel ymbsæton
sægrunde neah.
Ac on mergenne,
mecum wunde,
be yðlafe
uppe lægon,
swe(o[r]dum) aswefede,
þæt syðþan na
ymb bront(ne) ford
brimliðende
lade ne letton.
(Leoht) eastan com,
beorht beacen Godes,
brimu swaþredon,
þæt ic sænæssas
geseon mihte,
windige weallas.
Wyrd oft nereð
unfægne eorl,
þonne his ellen deah.
Hwæþere me gesælde
þæt ic mid sweorde ofsloh
niceras nigene.
No ic on niht gefrægn
under heofones hwealf
heardran feohtan,
ne on egstreamum
earmran mannon.
Hwaþere ic fara feng
feore gedigde,
siþes werig.
Ða mec sæ oþbær,
flod æfter faroðe,
on Finna land,
w[a]du weallendu.
No ic wiht fram þe
swylcra searoniða
secgan hyrde,
billa brogan.
Breca næfre git
æt heaðolace,
ne gehwæþer incer,
swa deorlice
dæd gefremede
fagum sweordum.
No ic þæs gylpe,
þeah ðu þinum broðrum
to banan wurde,
heafodmægum.
Þæs þu in (hell)e scealt
werhðo dreogan,
þeah þin (wit) duge.
Secge ic þe to soðe,
sunu Ecg(laf)es,
þæt næfre Gredel swa fela
gryra gefremede,
atol æglæca
ealdre þinum,
hynðo on Heorote,
gif þin hige wære,
sefa swa searogrim
swa þu self talast.
Ac he hafað onfunden
þæt he þa fæhðe ne þearf,
atole ecgþræce
eower leode
swiðe onsittan
Sige-Scyldinga.
Nymeð nydbade,
nænegum arað
leode Deniga,
ac he lust wigeð,
swefeð ond sendeþ,
secce ne weneþ
to Gar-Denum.
Ac ic him Geata sceal
eafoð 7 ellen
ungeara nu
guþe gebeodan.
Gæþ eft, se þe mot,
to medo modig,
siþþan morgenleoht
ofer ylda bearn
oþres dogores,
sunne sweglwered
suþan scineð."
Þa wæs on salum
sinces brytta,
gamolfeax 7 guðrof.
Geoce gelyfde,
brego Beorht-Dena,
gehyrde on (Beo)wulfe,
folces hyrde,
fæstrædne geþoht.
Ðær wæs hæleþa hleahtor,
hlyn swynsode,
word wæron wynsume.
Eode Wealhþeow forð,
cwen Hroðgares,
cynna gemyndig,
grette goldhroden
guman on healle.
7 þa freolic wif
ful gesealde
ærest East-Dena
eþelwearde,
bæd hine bliðne
æt þær(e) beorþege,
leodum leofne.
He on lust geþeah
symbel 7 seleful,
sigerof kyning.
Ymbeode þa,
ides Helminga,
duguþe 7 geogoþe
dæl æghwylcne,
sincfato sealde,
oþ þæt sæl alamp
þæt hio Beowulfe,
beaghroden cwen,
mode geþungen,
medoful ætbær.
Grette Geata leod,
Gode þancode
wisfæst wordum,
þæs ðe hire se willa gelamp,
þæt heo on ænigne
eorl gelyfde
fyrena frofre.
He þæt ful geþeah,
wælreow wiga
æt Wealhþeon
7 þa gyddode,
guþe gefysed.
Beowulf maþelode,
bearn Ecgþeowes:
"Ic þæt hogode,
þa ic on holm gestah,
sæbat gesæt
mid minra secga gedriht,
þæt ic anunga
eowra leoda
willan geworhte,
oþðe on wæl crunge,
feondgrapum fæst.
Ic gefremman sceal
eorlic ellen,
oþðe endedæg
on þisse meoduhealle
minne gebidan."
Ðam wife þa word
wel licodon,
gilpcwide Geates.
Eode goldhroden,
freolicu folccwen,
to hire frean sittan.
Þa wæs eft, swa ær
inne on healle,
þryðword sprecen,
ðeod on sælum,
sigefolca sweg,
oþ þæt semninga
sunu Healfdenes
secean wolde
æfenræste.
Wiste þæm ahlæcan
to þæm heahsele
hilde geþinged,
siððan hie sunnan leoht
geseon meahton,
oþ ðe nipende
niht ofer ealle,
scaduhelma gesceapu
scriðan cwoman,
wan under wolcnum.
Werod eall aras.
Grette þa guma
[guman] oþerne,
Hroðgar Beowulf,
7 him hæl abead,
winærnes geweald,
7 þæt word acwæð:
"Næfre ic ænegum men
ær alyfde,
siþðan ic hond 7 rond
hebban mihte,
ðryþærn Dena,
buton þe nu ða.
Hafa nu 7 geheald
husa selest,
gemyne mærþo,
mægenellen cyð,
waca wið wraþum.
Ne bið þe wilna gad
gif þu þæt ellenweorc
aldre gedigest."
ÐA him Hroþgar gewat
mid his hæleþa gedryht,
eodur Scyldinga
ut of healle.
Wolde wigfruma
Wealhþeo secan,
cwen to gebeddan.
Hæfde Kyningwuldor
Grendle togeanes,
swa guman gefrungon,
seleweard aseted.
Sundornytte beheold
ymb aldor Dena,
eotonweard abead.
Huru Geata leod
georne truwode
modgan mægnes,
Metodes hyldo.
Ða he him of dyde
isernbyrnan,
helm of hafelan,
sealde his hyrsted sweord,
irena cyst,
ombihtþegne,
7 gehealdan het
hildegeatwe.
Gespræc þa se goda
gylpworda sum,
Beowulf Geata,
ær he on bed stige:
"No ic me an herewæsmun
hnagran talige,
guþgeweorca,
þonne Grendel hine.
Forþan ic hine sweorde
swebban nelle,
aldre beneotan,
þeah ic eal mæge.
Nat he þara goda,
þæt he me ongean slea,
rand geheawe,
þeah ðe he rof sie
niþgeweorca.
Ac wit on niht sculon
secge ofersittan,
gif h[e] gesecean dear
wig ofer wæpen.
7 siþðan witig God,
on swa hwæþere hond,
halig Dryhten,
mærðo deme,
swa him gemet þince."
Hylde hine þa, heaþodeor,
hleorbolster onfeng
eorles andwlitan,
7 hine ymb monig
snellic særinc
selereste gebeah.
Nænig heora þohte,
þæt he þanon scolde
eft eardlufan
æfre gesecean,
folc oþðe freoburh,
þær he afeded wæs.
Ac hie hæfdon gefrunen
þæt hie ær, to fela micles,
in þæm winsele
wældeað fornam
Denigea leode.
Ac him Dryhten forgeaf
wigspeda gewiofu
Wedera leodum,
frofor 7 fult(um),
þæt hie feond heora
ðurh anes cræft
ealle ofercomon,
selfes mihtum.
Soð is gecyþed,
þæt mihtig God
manna cynnes
weold ([w]ide)ferhð.
Com on wanre niht
scriðan s(cea)dugenga.
Sceotend swæfon,
þa þæt hornreced
healdan scoldon,
ealle buton an(um).
Þæt wæs yldum cuþ,
þæt hie ne moste,
þa Meto(d) nolde,
se synscaþa
under sceadu bregdan.
Ac he wæccende
wraþum on andan
bad bolgenmod
beadwa geþinges.
Ða com of more
under misthleoþum
Grendel gongan,
Godes yrre bær.
Mynte, se manscaða
manna cynnes,
sumne b(e)syrwan
in sele þam hean.
Wod under (wolc)num
to þæs þe he winreced,
goldsele gum(e)na
gearwost wisse,
fættum fahne.
Ne wæs þæt forma sið
þæt he Hroþgares
ham gesohte.
Næfre he on aldordagum,
ær (ne) siþðan,
heardran hæle
healðegnas fand.
Com þa to recede,
rinc siðian,
dreamum bedæled.
Duru sona onarn,
fyr(ben)dum fæst,
syþðan he hire folmum [æt]hran.
Onbræd þa, bealohydig,
ða [h]e gebolgen wæs,
recedes muþan.
Raþe æfter þon
on fagne flor
feond treddode,
eode yrremod.
Him of eagum stod
ligge gelicost
leoht unfæger.
Geseah he in recede
rinca manige,
swefan sibbegedriht
samod ætgædere
magorinca heap.
Þa his mod ahlog,
mynte þæt he gedælde,
ær þon dæg cwome,
atol aglæca
anra gehwylces
lif wið lic.
Þa him alumpen wæs
wistfylle wen.
Ne wæs (þæt)
(w)yrd þa gen
þæt he ma moste
manna cynnes
ðicgean ofer þa niht.
Þryðswyð beheold,
mæg Higelaces,
hu se manscaða
under færgripum
gefaran wolde.
Ne þæt se aglæca
yldan þohte,
ac he gefeng hraðe
forman siðe
slæpendn(e) rinc,
slat unwearnum,
bat banlocan,
bl(od) edrum dranc,
synsnædum swealh.
Sona hæfde
unlyfigendes
eal gefeormod
fe(t) 7 folma.
Forð near ætstop,
nam þa mid h(an)da
higeþihtigne
rinc on ræste,
ræhte ongean,
feond mid folme.
He onfeng hraþe
inwitþancum
7 wið earm gesæt.
Sona þæt onfunde,
fyrena hyrde,
þæt he ne mette
middangeardes,
eorþan sceatta,
on elran men
mundgripe maran.
He on mode wearð
forht on ferhðe.
No þy ær fram meahte.
Hyge wæs him hinfus,
wolde on heolster fleon,
secan deofla gedræg.
Ne wæs his drohtoð þær
swylce he on ealderdagum
ær gemette.
Gemunde þa, se goda
mæg Higelaces,
æfenspræce.
Uplang astod
7 him fæste wiðfeng.
Fingras burston.
Eoten wæs utweard,
eorl furþur stop.
Mynte se mæra,
hw(ær) he meahte swa,
widre gewindan,
7 (o)n weg þanon
fleon on fenhopu.
Wiste his fingra geweald
on grames grapum,
(þæt) he wæs geocor sið
þæt se hearmsca(þa)
to Heorute ateah.
Dryhtsele (dy)nede.
Denum eallum wearð,
ceasterbuendum,
cenra gehwylcum,
eorlum ealuscerwen.
Yrre wæron begen,
reþe renweardas.
Reced hlynsode.
Þa wæs wundor micel
þæt se winsele
wiðhæfde heaþodeorum,
þæt he on hrusan ne feol,
fæger foldbold.
Ac he þæs fæste wæs,
innan 7 utan
irenbendum,
searoþoncum besmiþod.
Þær fram sylle abeag
medubenc monig,
mine gefræge,
golde geregnad,
þær þa graman wunnon.
Þæs ne wendon ær,
witan Scyldinga,
þæt hit a mid gemete
manna ænig,
[b]etlic 7 banfag
tobrecan meahte,
listum tolucan,
nymþe liges fæþm
swulge on swaþule.
Sweg up astag,
niwe geneahhe:
Norð-Denum st(od)
atelic egesa,
anra gehwylcum
þara (þe) of wealle
wop gehyrdon,
gryreleoð (ga)lan
Godes andsacan,
sigeleasne sang,
(sar) wanigean,
helle hæfton.
Heold hine fæste,
se þe manna wæs
mægene str(en)gest
on þæm dæge
þysses lifes.
Nolde, eorla hleo,
ænige þinga
þone cwealmcuman
cwicne forlætan,
ne his lifdagas
leoda ænigum
nytte tealde.
Þær genehost brægd
eorl Beowulfes,
ealde lafe,
wolde freadrihtnes
feorh ealgian,
mæres þeodnes,
ðær hie meahton swa.
Hie þæt ne wiston,
þa hie gewin drugon,
heardhicgende
hildemecgas,
7 on healfa gehwone
heawan þohton,
sawle secan:
þone synscaðan
ænig ofer eorþan,
irenna cyst,
guðbilla nan
gretan nolde.
Ac he sigewæpnum
(fo)rsworen hæfde,
ecga gehwylcre.
Scolde (h)is aldorgedal,
on ðæm dæge
þysses (lif)es,
earmlic wurðan,
7 se ellorgast
(on) feonda geweald
feor siðian.
Ða þæt (o)nfunde
se þe fela æror
modes myrðe
(m)anna cynne,
fyrene gefremede,
he (f)ag wið God,
þæt him se lichoma
læstan (n)olde;
ac hine se modega
mæg Hygela(c)es
hæfde be honda.
Wæs gehwæþer oðrum
lifigende lað.
Licsar gebad,
atol æglæca.
Him on eaxle wearð
syndolh sweotol,
seonowe onsprungon,
burston banlocan.
Beowulfe wearð
guðhreð gyfeþe.
Scolde Grendel þonan
feorhseoc fleon
under fenhleoðu,
secean wynleas wic.
Wiste þe geornor
þæt his aldres wæs
ende gegongen,
dogera dægrim.
Denum eallum wearð
æfter þam wælræse
willa gelumpen.
Hæfde þa gefælsod,
se þe ær feorran com,
snotor 7 swyðferhð,
sele Hroðgares,
genered wið niðe.
Nihtweorce gefeh,
ellenmær(þum).
Hæfde East-Denum,
Geatmecga leod,
gilp gelæsted.
Swylce oncyþðe
ealle ge(bette),
inwidsorge,
þe hie ær drugon,
7 for (þrea)nydum
þolian scoldon
torn unlyt(el).
Þæt wæs tacen sweotol,
syþðan hildedeor
hond alegde,
earm 7 eaxle.
Þær wæs eal geador
Grendles grape
under geapne hrof.
ÐA wæs on morgen
mine gefræge
ymb þa gifhealle
guðrinc monig.
Ferdon folctogan
feorran 7 nean
geond widwegas
wundor sceawian,
laþes lastas.
No his lifgedal
sarlic þuhte
secga ænegum
þara þe tirleases
trode sceawode,
hu he werigmod
on weg þanon,
niða ofercumen,
on nicera mere,
fæge 7 geflymed,
feorhlastas bær.
Ðær wæs on blode
brim weallende,
atol yða geswing
eal gemenged
haton heolfre;
(heo)rodreore weol,
deaðfæge deog.
Siððan, dreama leas,
in fenfreoðo
feorh alegde,
(hæþ)ene sawle.
Þær him hel onfeng.
Þanon (eft) gewiton
ealdgesiðas,
swylce geong (ma)nig,
of gomenwaþe
fram mere, modge
(m)earum ridan,
beornas on blancum.
Ðær (w)æs Beowulfes
mærðo mæned.
Monig oft gecwæð
þætte suð ne norð
be sæm tweonum,
ofer eormengrund,
oþer nænig
under swegles begong
selra nære
rondhæbbendra,
rices wyrðra.
Ne hie huru winedrihten
wiht ne logon,
glædne Hroðgar,
ac þæt wæs god cyning.
Hwilum heaþorofe
hleapan leton,
on geflit faran
fealwe mearas,
ðær him foldwegas
fægere þuhton,
cystum cuðe.
Hwilum cyninges þegn
guma gilphlæden,
gidda gemyndig,
se ðe ealfela
ealdgesegena
worn gemunde;
word oþer fand
soðe gebunden.
Secg eft ongan
sið Beowulfes
snyttrum styrian,
7 on sped wrecan
spel gerade,
wordum wrixlan.
Welhwylc gecwæð
þæt he fram Sigemunde
secgan hyrde,
elle(ndæ)dum,
uncuþes fela
Wælsinges gewin,
wide siðas,
þara þe gumena bearn
gearwe ne wiston,
fæhðe 7 fyrena,
buton Fitela (mid) hine,
þonne he swulces hwæt
secgan wol(de),
eam his nefan,
swa hie a wæron
æt niða gehwam
nydgesteallan.
Hæfdon ealfela
eotena cynnes
sweordum gesæged.
Sigemunde gesprong
æfter deaðdæge
dom unlytel.
Syþðan wiges heard
wyrm acwealde,
hordes hyrde,
he under harne stan
æþelinges bearn
ana geneðde
frecne dæde,
ne wæs him Fitela mid.
Hwæþre him gesælde
ðæt þæt swurd þurhwod
wrætlicne wyrm,
þæt hit on wealle ætstod,
dryhtlic iren.
Draca morðre swealt.
Hæfde aglæca
elne gegongen,
þæt he beahhordes
brucan moste
selfes dome.
Sæbat gehleod,
bær on bearm scipes
beorhte frætwa,
Wælses eafera.
Wyrm hat (ge)mealt.
Se wæs wreccena
wide mærost
(o)fer werþeode,
wigendra hleo,
ellendædum.
(H)e þæs ær onðah.
Siððan Heremodes
hild (s)weðrode,
earfoð' 7 ellen.
He mid eotenum (w)earð
on feonda geweald
forð forlacen,
(s)nude forsended.
Hine sorhwylmas
lemede to lange.
He his leodum wearð,
eallum æþellingum,
to aldorceare.
Swylce oft bemearn
ærran mælum
swiðferhþes sið,
snotor ceorl monig,
se þe him bealwa
to bote gelyfde,
þæt þæt ðeodnes bearn
geþeon scolde,
fæderæþelum onfon,
folc gehealdan,
hord 7 hleoburh,
hæleþa rice,
.eðel. Scyldinga.
He þær eallum wearð,
mæg Higelaces,
manna cynne,
freondum gefægra.
Hine fyren onwod.
Hwilum flitende
fealwe stræte
mearum mæton.
Ða wæs morgenleoht
scofen 7 scynded.
Eode scealc monig
swiðhicgende
to sele þam hean
searowundor seon.
Swylce se(lf) cyning
of brydbure,
beahhorda wear(d),
tryddode tirfæst
getrume micle,
cystum gecyþed;
7 his cwen mid him
med(o)stigge mæt
mægþa hose.
Hroðgar maþelode.
He to healle geon(g),
stod on stapole,
geseah steapne hrof
golde fahne
7 Grendles hond.
"Ðisse ansyne
Alwealdan þanc
lungre gelimpe.
Fela ic laþes gebad,
grynna æt Grendle.
A mæg God wyrcan
wunder æfter wundre,
wuldres Hyrde.
Ðæt wæs ungeara
þæt ic ænigra me
weana ne wende
to widan feore,
bote gebidan,
þonne blode fah
husa selest
heorodreorig stod,
wea widscofen;
witena gehwylcne
ðara þe ne wendon
þæt hie wideferhð
leoda landgeweorc
laþum beweredon,
scuccum 7 scinnum.
Nu scealc hafað
þurh Drihtnes miht
dæd gefremede,
ðe we ealle
(ær) ne meahton
snyttrum besyrwan.
Hwæt! (þæt) (s)ecgan mæg,
efne swa hwylc mægþa
swa ðone magan cende,
æfter gumcynnum,
gyf heo gyt lyfað,
þæt hyre Ealdmetod
este wære
bearngebyrdo.
Nu ic Beowulf, þec,
secg betsta,
me for sunu wylle
freogan on ferhþe.
Heald forð tela
niwe sibbe.
Ne bið þe ænigre gad
worolde wilna,
þe ic geweald hæbbe.
Ful oft ic for læssan
lean teohhode,
hordweorþunge
hnahran rince,
sæmran æt sæcce.
Þu þe self hafast
dædum gefremed,
þæt þin [dæd] lyfað
awa to aldre.
Alwalda þec
gode forgylde,
swa he nu gyt dyde."
Beowulf maþelode,
bearn Ecþeowes:
"We þæt ellenweorc
estum miclum,
feohtan fremedon,
frecne geneðdon
eafoð uncuþes.
Uþe ic swiþor
þæt ðu hine selfne
geseon moste,
feond on frætewum
fylwerigne.
Ic him hrædlice
heardan clammum
on wælbedde
wriþan þohte,
þæt he for handgripe
minum scolde
licgean lifbysig,
butan his lic swice.
Ic hine ne mihte,
þa Metod nolde,
gange(s) getwæman:
no ic him þæs georne ætfealh,
feorhgeniðlan.
Wæs to foremi(htig),
feond on feþe.
Hwæþere, he his folme f(or)let
to lifwraþe
last weardian,
earm 7 (eax)le.
No þær ænige swa þeah
feasceaft (gu)ma,
frofre gebohte.
No þy leng leof(að)
laðgeteona
synnum geswenced,
ac hyne sar hafað
in [nið]gripe,
nearwe befongen
balwon bendum.
Ðær abidan sceal,
maga mane fah,
miclan domes,
hu him scir Metod
scrifan wille."
Ða wæs swigra secg,
sunu Eclafes,
on gylpspræce
guðgeweorca,
siþðan æþelingas
eorles cræfte
ofer heanne hrof
hand sceawedon,
feondes fingras.
Foran æghwylc wæs
steda nægla gehwylc,
style gelicost,
hæþenes handsporu,
hilderinces
egl unheoru.
Æghwylc gecwæð
þæt him heardra nan
hrinan wolde,
iren ærgod,
þæt ðæs ahlæcan
blodge beadufolme
(o)nberan wolde.
ÐA wæs haten hreþe
Heort innanweard
folmum gefrætwod.
Fela þæra wæs
wera 7 wifa,
þe þæt winreced,
gestsele gyredon.
Goldfag scinon,
web æfter wagum,
wundorsiona fela
secga gehwylcum,
þara þe on swylc starað.
Wæs þæt beorhte bold
tobrocen swiðe
eal inneweard
irenbendum fæst,
heorras tohlidene.
Hrof ana genæs
ealles ansund,
þe se aglæca
fyrendædum fag
on fleam gewand,
aldres orwena.
No þæt yðe byð
to befleonne,
fremme se þe wille;
ac gesacan sceal,
sawlberendra,
nyde genydde,
niþða bearna,
grundbuendra
gearwe stowe,
þær his lichoma,
legerbedde fæst,
swefeþ æfter symle.
Þa wæs sæl 7 mæl
þæt to healle gang
Healfdenes sunu.
Wolde self cyni(ng)
symbel þicgan.
Ne gefrægen ic þa mægþ(e)
maran weorode
ymb hyra sincgyfan
s(el) gebæran.
Bugon þa to bence
blæd(agan)de,
fylle gefægon.
Fægere geþægon
(me)doful manig,
magas þara
swiðhicgend(e)
on sele þam hean,
Hroðgar 7 Hroþulf.
(Heo)rot innan wæs
freondum afylled.
Nalles f(acen)stafas
Þeod-Scyldingas
þenden fremed(on).
Forgeaf þa Beowulfe
brand Healfde(nes);
segen gyldenne
sigores to leane,
hro(den) hiltecumbor,
helm, 7 byrnan.
Mære m(að)þumsweord
manige gesawon
beforan be(orn) beran.
Beowulf geþah
ful on flette.
No (he) þære feohgyfte
for scotenum
scami(gan) ðorfte.
Ne gefrægn ic freondlicor
feow(er) madmas
golde gegyrede
gummanna fela
in ealobence
oðrum gesellan.
Ym(b) þæs helmes hrof,
heafodbeorge,
wirum bewunden,
walan utan heold,
þæt him fela
(la)f
frecne ne meahton,
scurheard, sceþ(ða)n,
þonne scyldfreca
ongean gramum
(g)angan scolde.
Heht ða eorla hleo
eah(ta) mearas,
fætedhleore,
on flet teon
(in) (u)nder eoderas.
Þara anum stod
sadol searwum fah,
since gewurþad.
Þæt wæs hildesetl
heahcyninges,
ðonne sweorda gelac
sunu Healfdenes
efnan wolde.
Næfre on ore læg
widcuþes wig,
ðonne walu feollon.
7 ða Beowulfe
bega gehwæþres
eodor Ingwina
onweald geteah,
wicga 7 wæpna.
Het hine wel brucan.
Swa manlice
mære þeoden
hordweard hæleþa,
heaþoræsas geald
mearum 7 madmum.
Swa hy næfre man lyhð,
se þe secgan wile
soð æfter rihte.
ÐA gyt æghwylcum
eorla drihten
þara þe mid Beowulfe
brimleade teah,
on þære medubence
maþðum gesealde,
yrfelafe,
7 þone ænne heht
golde forgy(l)dan,
þone ðe Grendel ær
mane acwealde.
Swa he hyra ma wolde,
nefne him witi(g) God
wyrd forstode,
7 ðæs mannes mod.
(Me)tod eallum weold
gumena cynnes,
swa h(e) nu git deð.
Forþan bið andgit
æghwær selest,
ferhðes foreþanc.
Fela sceal g(e)bidan
leofes 7 laþes
se þe longe her
on ðyssum windagum
worolde bruceð.
Þær wæs sang 7 sweg
samod ætgædere
fore Healfdenes
hildewisan;
gomenwudu greted,
gid oft wrecen.
Ðonne healgamen
Hroþgares scop
æfter medobence
mænan scolde,
Finnes eaferum,
ða hie se fær begeat:
Hæleð Healfdena,
Hnæf Scyldinga,
in Freswæle
feallan scolde.
Ne huru Hildeburh
herian þorfte
eotena treowe.
Unsynnum wearð
beloren leofum
æt þam hildplegan,
bearnum 7 broðrum.
Hie on gebyrd hruron,
gare
(w)unde.
Þæt wæs geomuru ides.
Nalles holinga
(H)oces dohtor
meotodsceaft bemearn,
(sy)þðan morgen com.
Ða heo under swegle
(ge)seon meahte
morþorbealo maga.
(Þ)ær he ær mæste heold
worolde wynne,
wig ealle fornam
Finnes þegnas,
nemne feaum anum,
þæt he ne mehte
on þæm meðelstede
wig Hengeste
wiht gefeohtan,
ne þa wealafe
wige forþringan
þeodnes ðegne.
Ac hig him geþingo budon,
þæt hie him oðer flet
eal gerymdon,
healle 7 heahsetl,
þæt hie healfre geweald
wið eotena bearn
agan moston.
7 æt feohgyftum
Folcwaldan sunu
dogra gehwylce
Dene weorþode,
Hengestes heap
hringum wenede,
efne swa swiðe
sincgestreonum
fættan goldes
swa he Fresena cyn
on beorsele
byldan wolde.
Ða hie getruwedon
on twa healfa
fæste frioðuwære.
Fin Hengeste
elne unflitme
aðum benemde
þæt he þa wealafe
weotena dome
arum heolde,
þæt ðær ænig mon
wordum ne worcum
wære ne bræce,
(ne) þurh inwitsearo
æfre gemænden,
ðeah hie hira beaggyfan
banan folgedon,
ðeodenlease,
þa him swa geþearfod wæs.
Gyf þonne Frysna hwylc
frecnen spræ(ce)
ðæs morþorhetes
myndgiend wære,
þonne hit sweordes ecg
syððan scolde.
Að wæs geæfned,
7 icge, gold,
ahæfen of horde.
Here-Scyldinga
betst beadorinca
wæs on bæl gearu.
Æt þæm ade wæs
eþgesyne
swatfah syrce,
swyn ealgylden,
eofer irenheard,
æþeling manig
wundum awyrded.
Sume on wæle crungon.
Het ða Hildeburh
æt Hnæfes ade
hire selfre sunu
sweoloðe befæstan,
banfatu bærnan,
7 on bæl don.
Earme on eaxle,
ides gnornode,
geomrode giddum.
Guðrinc astah,
wand
(to) wolcnum.
Wælfyra mæst
hlynode (fo)r hlawe.
Hafelan multon,
bengeato (bu)rston,
ðonne blod ætspranc,
laðbite lices.
Lig ealle forswealg,
gæsta (g)ifrost,
þara ðe þær guð fornam
bega folces.
Wæs hira blæd scacen.
(G)Ewiton him ða wigend
wica neosian,
freondum befeallen,
Frysland geseon,
hamas 7 heaburh.
Hengest ða gyt
wælfagne winter
wunode mid Finne
[ea]l unhlitine.
Eard gemunde,
þeah þe he meahte
on mere drifan
hringedstefnan.
Holm storme weol,
won wið winde;
winter yþe beleac
isgebinde,
oþ ðæt oþer com,
gear in geardas,
swa nu gyt deð,
þa ðe syngales
sele bewitiað,
wuldortorhtan weder.
Ða wæs winter scacen,
fæger foldan bearm.
Fundode wrecca,
gist of geardum.
He to gyrnwræce
swiðor þohte
þonne to sælade,
gif he tor(nge)mot
þurhteon mihte,
þæt he eote(na) bearn
inne gemunde.
Swa he ne fo(r)wyrnde
woroldrædenne,
þonne him Hunlafing,
hildeleoman,
billa sele(st)
on bearm dyde.
Þæs wæron mid eoten(um)
ecge cuðe.
Swylce ferhðfrecan
Fin eft begeat
sweordbealo sliðen
æt hi(s) selfes ham.
Siþðan grimne gripe
Guðlaf ond Oslaf,
æfter sæsiðe,
sorge mændon,
ætwiton weana dæl.
Ne meahte wæfre mod
forhabban in hreþre.
Ða wæs heal hroden
feonda feorum,
swilce Fin slægen,
cyning on corþre,
7 seo cwen numen.
Sceotend Scyldinga
to scypon feredon
eal ingesteald
eorðcyninges,
swylce hie æt Finnes ham
findan meahton
sigla searogimma.
Hie on sælade
drihtlice wif
to Denum feredon,
læddon (to) (l)eodum.
Leoð wæs asungen,
gleoman(nes) gyd.
Gamen eft astah,
beorhtode (b)encsweg;
byrelas sealdon
win of (w)underfatum.
Þa cwom Wealhþeo forð,
(g)an under gyldnum
beage þær þa godan,
twegen sæton,
suhtergefæde(r)an.
Þa gyt wæs hiera sib
ætgædere, æghwylc
oðrum trywe.
Swylce þær Hunferþ þyle
æt fotum sæt
frean Scyldinga.
Gehwylc hiora
his ferhþe treowde,
þæt he hæfde mod micel,
þeah þe he his magum
nære arfæst
æt ecga gelacum.
Spræc ða ides Scyldinga:
"Onfoh þissum fulle,
freodrihten min,
sinces brytta.
Þu on sælum wes,
goldwine gumena,
7 to Geatum spræc
mildum wordum,
swa sceal man don.
Beo wið Geatas glæd,
geofena gemyndig;
nean 7 feorran
þu nu hafast.
Me man sægde
þæt (þ)u (ð)e for sunu wolde
hererican hab(ban).
Heorot is gefælsod,
beahsele beor(hta).
Bruc, þenden þu mote,
manigra me(do),
7 þinum magum læf
folc 7 rice,
þonne ðu forð scyle
metodsceaft seon.
(Ic) minne can
glædne Hroþulf,
þæt he þa g(eo)goðe wile
arum healdan,
gyf þu ær þonne he,
wine Scildinga,
worold oflætest.
Wene ic þæt he mid gode
gyldan wille
uncran eaferan,
gif he þæt eal gemon,
hwæt wit to willan
7 to worðmyndum
umborwesendum ær
arna gefremedon."
Hwearf þa bi bence,
þær hyre byre wæron,
Hreðric 7 Hroðmund,
7 hæleþa bearn
giogoð ætgædere.
Þær se goda sæt
Beowulf Geata
be þæm gebroðrum twæm(.)
HIm wæs ful boren,
7 freondlaþu
wordum bewægned
7 wundengold
estum geeawed,
earmreade twa,
hrægl 7 hrin(ga)s,
healsbeaga mæst
þara þe ic on fol(dan)
(ge)frægen hæbbe.
Nænigne ic under sweg(l)e
selran hyrde
hordmadmum hæleþa,
syþðan Hama ætwæg
to herebyrhtan (byri)g
Brosinga mene,
sigle 7 sincfæt.
(Se)aroniðas fealh
Eormenrices,
geceas ecne ræd.
Þone hring hæfde,
Higelac Geata,
nefa Swertinges,
nyhstan siðe,
siðþan he under segne
sinc ealgode,
wælreaf werede.
Hyne wyrd fornam,
syþðan he for wlenco
wean ahsode,
fæhðe to Frysum.
He þa frætwe wæg,
eorclanstanas
ofer yða ful,
rice þeoden.
He under rande gecranc.
Gehwearf þa in Francna fæþm
feorh cyninges
breostgewædu
7 se beah somod.
Wyrsan wigfrecan
wæl reafeden
æfter guðsceare.
Geata leode
hreawic heoldon.
Heal swege onfeng.
Wealhðeo maþelode.
Heo fore þæm werede spræc:
"Bruc ðisses beages,
Beowulf leofa,
hyse mid hæle,
(7) (þ)isses
hrægles neot;
þeo gestreona,
(7) (geþeoh) tela,
cen þec mid cræfte,
7 þyssum cnyht(um) wes
lara liðe.
Ic þe þæs lean geman.
Ha(fast) þu gefered
þæt ðe feor 7 neah
ealne widefe(rhþ)
weras ehtigað,
efne swa side
swa sæ beb(ugeð)
windgeard, weallas.
Wes þenden þu lifige,
æþ(eling), eadig.
Ic þe an tela
sincgestreona.
Beo þu suna minum
dædum gedefe,
dreamhealde(n)de!
Her is æghwylc eorl
oþrum getrywe,
modes milde,
mandrihtne h[leo];
þegnas sy(n)don geþwære,
þeod ealgearo,
druncne dry(ht)guman.
Doð swa ic bidde."
Eode þa to setle.
Þær wæs symbla cyst,
druncon win weras.
Wyrd ne cuþon,
geosceaft grimne,
swa hit agangen wearð
eorla manegum,
syþðan æfen cwom.
7 him Hroþgar gewat
to hofe sinum,
rice to ræste.
Reced weardode
unrim eorla,
swa hie oft ær dydon.
Bencþelu beredon.
Hit geondbræded wearð
beddum 7 bolstrum.
Beorscealca sum
fus 7 fæge
fletræste ge(beag).
Setton him to heafdon
hilderandas,
(b)ordwudu beorhtan.
Þær on bence wæs
ofer æþelinge
yþgesene
heaþosteapa helm,
hringed byrne,
þrecwudu þrymlic.
Wæs (þ)eaw hyra
þæt hie oft wæron
an wig gearwe
ge æt ham ge on herge,
ge gehwæþer þara,
efne swylce mæla
swylce hira mandryhtne
þearf gesælde.
Wæs seo þeod tilu.
Sigon þa to slæpe.
Sum sare angeald
æfenræste,
swa him ful oft gelamp,
siþðan goldsele
Grendel (w)arode,
unriht æfnde
oþ þæt ende becwom,
swylt æfter synnum.
Þæt gesyne wearþ,
widcuþ werum,
þætte wrecend þa gyt
lifde æfter laþum
lange þrage
æfter guðceare.
Grendles modor,
ides aglæcwif
yrmþe gemunde,
se þe wæteregesan
wunian scolde,
cealde streamas,
siþðan camp wearð
to ecgbanan
angan breþer,
fæderenmæge.
He þa fag gewat,
morþre gemearcod,
(ma)n(d)ream fleon,
westen warode.
Þ(anon) (woc) fela
geosceaftgasta.
Wæs þæra Grend(el) sum,
heorowearh hetelic,
se æt Heorote fand
wæccendne wer
wiges bidan.
Þær him aglæca
ætgræpe wearð.
Hwæþre he gemunde
mægenes strenge,
gimfæste gife,
ðe him God sealde,
7 him to Anwaldan
are gelyfde,
frofre 7 fultum.
Ðy he þone feon(d) ofercwom,
gehnægde helle gast.
Þa he hean gewat,
dreame bedæled,
deaþwic seon,
mancynnes feond.
7 his modor þa gyt,
gifre 7 galgmod
gegan wolde
sorhfulne sið
sunu þeod wrecan.
Com þa to Heorote,
ðær Hring-Dene
geond þæt sæld swæfun.
Þa ðær sona wearð
edhwyrft eorlum,
siþðan inne fealh
Grendles modor.
Wæs se gryre læssa
efne swa micle,
swa bið mægþa cræft
wiggryre wifes,
bewæpned men,
þonne heoru bunden,
hamere geþuren,
sweord swate fah
swin ofer helme
ecgum
(dyhttig)
andweard scireð.
Þa wæs on hea(lle)
(he)ardecg togen
sweord ofer setlum,
sidrand manig
hafen handa fæst.
Helm ne gemunde,
byrnan side,
þa hine se (br)oga angeat.
Heo wæs on ofste,
wolde ut þanon,
feore beorgan,
þa heo onfunden wæs.
Hraðe heo æþelinga
anne hæfde
fæste befangen,
þa heo to fenne gang.
Se wæs Hroþgare
hæleþa (l)eofost
on gesiðes had
be sæm tweonum,
rice randwiga,
þone ðe heo on ræste abreat,
blædfæstne beorn.
Næs Beowulf ðær,
ac wæs oþer in
ær geteohhod
æfter maþðumgife
mærum Geate.
Hream wearð in Heorote.
Heo under heolfre genam
cuþe folme.
Cearu wæs geniwod,
geworden in wicun.
Ne wæs þæt gewrixle til
þæt hie on ba healfa
bicgan scoldon
freonda feorum.
Þa wæs frod cyning,
har hilderinc,
on hreon (mo)de,
syðþan he aldorþegn
unly(figendne),
þone deorestan,
deadne wisse.
Hra(þe) (wæs) to bure
Beowulf fetod
sigoreadig secg.
Samod ærdæge
eode eorla sum,
æþele cempa
self mid gesiðum
þær se snot(e)ra bad.
Hwæþre him A[l]walda
æf(re) wille
æfter weaspelle
wyrpe gefremman.
Gang ða æfter flore
fyrdwyrðe man
mid his handscale,
healwudu dynede,
þæt he þone wisan
wordum hnæg(de)
frean Ingwina;
frægn gif him wære
æfter neodlaðu
niht getæse.
Hroðgar maþelode,
helm Scyldinga:
"Ne frin þu æfter sælum.
Sorh is geniwod
Denigea leodum.
Dead is Æschere,
Yrmenlafes
yldra broþor,
min runwita
7 min rædbora,
eaxlgestealla,
ðonne we on orlege
hafelan weredon,
þonne hniton feþan,
eoferas cnysedan.
((S)wy)[lc] [eorl] (s)colde
wesan ærgod,
swylc Æsc(here)
(wæs)!
Wearð him on Heorote
to handbanan
wælgæst wæfre.
Ic ne wat hwæþer
atol æse wlanc
eftsiðas teah,
fylle gefrægnod.
Heo þa fæhðe wræc
þe þu gystran niht
Gren(d)el cwealdest
þurh hæstne had
heardum clammum,
forþan he to lange
leode mine
wanode 7 wyrde.
He æt wige gecrang,
ealdres scyldig.
7 nu oþer cwom,
mihtig manscaða,
wolde hyre mæg wrecan,
ge feor hafað
fæhðe gestæled,
þæs þe þincean mæg
þegne monegum,
se þe æfter sincgyfan
on sefan greoteþ.
Hreþerbealo hearde!
Nu seo hand ligeð,
se þe eow welhwylcra
wilna dohte.
Ic þæt londbuend,
leode mine,
selerædende
secgan hyrde
þæt hie gesawon
swylce twegen
micle mearcstapan
moras healdan,
ellorgæstas.
Ðæra oðer wæs,
þæs þe hie gewislicost
gewitan meahton,
idese onlicnæs.
Oðer earmsceapen
on weres wæstmum
wræclastas træd,
næfne he wæs mara
þonne ænig m(an) oðer.
Þone on geardagum
Grendel nem(do[n]).
Foldbuende
no hie fæder cunnon,
hwæ(þer) him ænig wæs
ær acenned
dyrnra gasta.
Hie dygel lond
warigeað, wulfhleoþu,
windi(ge) næssas,
frecne fengelad,
ðær fyrgenstream
under næssa genipu
niþer gewiteð,
flod under foldan.
Nis þæt feor heonon
milgemearces,
þæt se mere stan[d]eð.
Ofer þæm hongiað
hrinde bearwas,
wudu wyrtum fæst
wæter oferhelmað.
Þær mæg nihta gehwæm
niðwundor seon,
fyr on flode.
No þæs frod leofað
gumena bearna,
þæt þone grund wite.
Ðeah þe hæðstapa
hundum geswenced,
heorot hornum trum,
holtwudu sece,
feorran geflymed,
ær he feorh seleð,
aldor on ofre,
ær he in wille
hafelan [hafenian].
Nis þæt heoru stow.
Þonon yðgeblond
up astigeð,
won to wolcnum,
þonne wind styreþ
lað gewidru,
oð þæt lyft drysmaþ,
roderas reotað.
Nu is se ræd gelang
eft æt
(þ)e anum.
Eard git ne const,
frecne stowe
(ðær) þu findan miht
felasinnigne secg.
(S)ec gif þu dyrre.
Ic þe þa fæhðe
feo leanige,
ealdgestreonum,
swa ic ær dyde
wund[un]golde,
gyf þu on weg cymest."
(B)EOWVLF maþelode,
bearn Ecgþeowes.
"Ne sorga, snotor guma.
Selre bið æghwæm
þæt he his freond wrece
þonne he fela murne.
Ure æghwylc sceal
ende gebidan
worolde lifes.
Wyrce se þe mote
domes ær deaþe.
Þæt bið drihtguman,
unlifgendum,
æfter selest.
Aris, rices weard,
uton hraþe feran,
Grendles magan
gang sceawigan.
Ic hit þe gehate:
no he on helm losaþ,
ne on foldan fæþm,
ne on fyrgenholt,
ne on gyfenes grund,
ga þær he wille.
Ðys dogor þu
geþyld hafa
weana gehwylces,
swa ic þe wene to."
Ahleop ða, se gomela,
Gode þancode,
mihtigan Drihtne,
þæs se man ge(spræc).
Þa wæs Hroðgare
hors ge(bæted),
wicg wundenfeax.
Wisa fengel
geato(lic) gende.
Gumfeþa stop
lindhæbbendra.
L(astas) wæron
æfter waldswaþum
wide gesyne.
Gang ofer grundas,
gegnum for
ofer (myr)can mor,
magoþegna bær
þone selestan
sawolleasne
þara þe mid Hroðgare
ham eahtode.
Ofereode þa,
æþelinga bearn,
steap stanhliðo,
stige nearwe,
enge anpaðas,
uncuð gelad,
neowle næssas,
nicorhusa fela.
He feara sum
beforan gengde
wisra monna
wong sceawian,
oþ þæt he færinga
fyrgenbeamas
ofer harne stan
hleonian funde,
wynleasne wudu.
Wæter under stod,
dreorig 7 gedrefed.
Denum eallum wæs,
winum Scyldinga,
weorce on mode
to geþolianne,
ðegne monegum,
oncyð eorla gehwæm,
syðþan Æscheres
on þam holmclife
hafelan metton.
Flod blode weol
- folc to sægon -
(hatan) heolfre.
Horn stundum song
fu(slic) f[orð]leoð.
Feþa eal gesæt.
Gesawon ða æfter (wæt)ere
wyrmcynnes fela,
sellice sædracan
(sun)d cunnian,
swylce on næshleoðum
nicras (li)cgean.
Ða on undernmæl
oft bewitigað
sorhfulne sið
on seglrade,
wyrmas 7 wildeor.
Hie on weg hruron
bitere 7 gebolgne.
Bearhtm ongeaton,
guðhorn galan.
Sumne Geata leod
of flanbogan
feores getwæfde,
yðgewinnes.
Þæt him on aldre stod,
herestræl hearda.
He on holme wæs
sundes þe sænra,
ðe hyne swylt fornam.
Hræþe wearð on yðum
mid eoferspreotum,
heorohocyhtum
hearde genearwod,
niða genæged,
7 on næs togen,
wundorlic wægbora.
Weras sceawedon
gryrelicne gist.
Gyrede hine Beowulf
eorlgewædum,
nalles for ealdre mearn;
scolde herebyrne
hondum gebroden
sid 7 searofah
sund cunnian,
seo ðe bancofan
beorgan cuþe,
þæt him hildegrap
hreþre ne mihte
eorres inwitfeng
aldre gesceþðan.
Ac se hwita helm
(h)afelan werede,
se þe meregrundas
men(gan) scolde,
secan sundgebland
since geweo(rðad),
befongen freawrasnum
swa hine fyrndagum
worhte wæpna smið,
wundrum teode,
besette swinlicum,
þæt hine syðþan no
brond ne beadomecas
bitan ne meahton.
Næs þæt þonne mætost
mægenfultuma
þæt him on ðearfe lah
ðyle Hroðgares.
Wæs þæm hæftmece
Hrunting nama.
Þæt wæs an foran
ealdgestreona.
Ecg wæs iren,
atertanum fah,
ahyrded heaþoswate.
Næfre hit æt hilde ne swac
manna ængum,
þara þe hit mid mundum bewand,
se ðe gryresiðas
gegan dorste,
folcstede fara.
Næs þæt forma sið
þæt hit ellenweorc
æfnan scolde.
Huru ne gemunde
mago Ecglafes,
eafoþes cræftig,
þæt he ær gespræc,
wine druncen,
þa he þæs wæpnes onlah
selran sweordfrecan.
Selfa ne dorste
under yða gewin
aldre geneþan,
drihtscype dreogan.
Þær he dome forleas,
ellen(mæ)rðum.
Ne wæs þæm oðrum swa,
syðþan (he) hine to guðe
gegyred hæfde.
BEOWVLF maðelode,
bearn Ecgþeowes:
"Geþenc nu, se mæra
maga Healfdenes,
snottra fengel,
nu ic eom siðes fus,
goldwine gumena,
hwæt wit geo spræcon:
gif ic æt þearfe
þinre scolde
aldre linnan,
þæt ðu me a wære,
forðgewitenum,
on fæder stæle.
Wes þu mundbora
minum magoþegnum,
hondgesellum,
gif mec hild nime.
Swylce þu ða madmas,
þe þu me sealdest,
Hroðgar leofa,
Higelace onsend.
Mæg þonne on þæm golde ongitan
Geata dryhten,
geseon sunu Hrædles,
þonne he on þæt sinc starað,
þæt ic gumcystum
godne funde
beaga bryttan,
breac þonne moste.
7 þu Hunferð læt
ealde lafe,
wrætlic wægsweord;
widcuðne man
heardecg habban.
Ic me mid Hruntinge
dom gewyrce
oþðe mec deað nimeð."
Æfter þæ(m) (wordum)
Weder-Geata leod
efste mid elne.
Na(las) (7)sware
bidan wolde.
Brimwylm onfen(g)
hilderince.
Ða wæs hwil dæges
ær he þone grundwong
ongytan mehte.
Sona þæt (on)funde,
se ðe floda begong,
heorogifre, beheold
hund missera,
grim 7 grædig,
þæt þ(ær) gumena sum
ælwihta eard
ufan cunno(de).
Grap þa togeanes,
guðrinc gefeng
at(olan) clommum.
No þy ær in gescod
halan lice.
Hring utan ymbbearh,
þæt heo þone fyrdhom
ðurhfon ne mihte,
locene leoð(o)syrcan,
laþan fingrum.
Bær þa seo brimwyl[f],
þa heo to botme com,
hringa þengel
to hofe sinum,
swa he ne mihte
- no he þæm modig wæs! -
wæpna gewealdan,
ac hine wundra þæs fela
swecte on sunde,
sædeor monig
hildetuxum
heresyrcan bræc,
ehton aglæcan.
Ða se eorl ongeat
þæt he niðsele
nathwylcum wæs,
þær him nænig wæter
wihte ne sceþede,
ne him for hrofsele
hrinan ne mehte,
færgripe flodes.
(Fyrleoh)t geseah,
blacne leoman
beorht(e)
scinan.
Ongeat þa se goda
grundwyrgenne,
(mer)ewif mihtig.
Mægenræs forgeaf
hildebille,
ho[n]dswenge, ne ofteah,
þæt hire on ha(fe)lan
hringmæl agol
grædig guðleoð.
Ða se gist onfand
þæt se beadoleoma
bitan (no)lde,
aldre sceþðan.
Ac seo ecg geswac
(ð)eodne æt þearfe.
Ðolode ær fela
hond(ge)mota,
helm oft gescær,
fæges fyrd(hr)ægl.
Ða wæs forma sið
deorum madme
þæt his dom alæg.
Eft wæs anræd,
nalas elnes (l)æt,
mærða gemyndig
mæg Hylaces:
wearp ða wundelmæl,
wrættum gebunden,
yrre oretta,
þæt hit on eorðan læg,
stið 7 stylecg.
Strenge getruwode,
mundgripe mægenes.
Swa sceal man don,
þonne he æt guðe
gegan þenceð
longsumne lof.
Na ymb his lif cearað.
Gefeng þa be eaxle,
nalas for fæhðe mearn,
Guð-Geata leod,
Grendles modor.
Brægd þa beadwe heard,
þa he gebolgen wæs,
feorhgeniðlan,
þæt heo on flet gebeah.
Heo him eft hraþe
handlean forgeald
grimman grapum
7 him togeanes feng.
Oferwearp þa werigmod,
wigena strengest,
feþecempa,
þæt he on fylle wearð.
Ofsæt þa þone selegy(st),
7 hyre sea[x] geteah,
brad, brunecg.
Wolde hire bearn wrecan,
angan eaferan.
Him on eaxle læg
breostnet broden;
þæt gebearh feore,
wið ord 7 wið ecge
ingang forstod.
Hæfde ða forsiðod
sunu Ecgþeowes,
und(er) gynne grund,
Geata cempa,
nemne him heaðobyrne
helpe gefremede,
herenet hearde.
7 halig God
geweold wigsigor.
Witig Drihten,
rodera Rædend,
hit on ryht gesced
yðelice.
Syþðan he eft asto(d).
GEseah ða on searwum
sigeeadig bil,
ealdsweord eotenisc
ecgum þyhtig,
wigena weorðmynd,
þæt wæpna cyst,
buton hit wæs mare
ðonne ænig mon oðer
to beadulace
ætberan meahte,
god 7 geatolic,
giganta geweorc.
He gefeng þa fetelhilt,
freca Scyldinga
hreoh 7 heorogrim,
hringmæl gebrægd
aldres orwena,
yrringa
(s)loh,
þæt hire wið halse
heard grapode,
banhringas bræc.
Bil eal ðurhwod
fægne flæschoman.
Heo on flet gecrong.
Sweord wæs swatig,
secg weorce gefeh.
Lixte se leoma,
leoht inne stod,
efne swa of hefene
hadre scineð
rodores candel.
He æfter recede wlat.
Hwearf þa be wealle,
wæpen hafena(de)
heard be hiltum,
Higelaces ðegn,
yrre (7) (a)nræd.
Næs seo ecg fracod
hilderince,
ac he hraþe wolde
Grendle forgyldan
guðræsa (f)ela
ðara þe he geworhte
to West-Denum
(o)ftor micle
ðonne on ænne sið,
þonne he (H)roðgares
heorðgeneatas
sloh on sweofote,
slæpende fræt,
folces Denigea
fyftyne men,
7 oðer swylc
ut offerede
laðlicu lac.
He him þæs lean forgeald,
reþe cempa,
to ðæs þe he on ræste geseah
guðwerigne
Grendel licgan,
aldorleasne,
swa him ær gescod
hild æt Heorote.
Hra wide sprong,
syþðan he æfter deaðe
drepe þrowade,
heorosweng heardne,
7 hine þa heafde becearf.
Sona þæt gesawon,
snottre ceorlas,
þa ðe mid Hroðgare
on holm (wliton),
þæt wæs yðgeblond
eal gemenged
brim b(lode) fah.
Blondenfeaxe,
gomele ymb godne,
ongeador spræcon
þæt hig þæs æðelinges
eft ne wendon,
þæt he sigehreðig
secean come
mærne þeoden.
Þa ðæs monige gewearð
þæt hine seo brimwylf
abreoten hæ(f)de.
Ða com non dæges.
Næs ofgeafon
hw(ate) Scyldingas.
Gewat him ham þonon,
gold(wine) gumena.
Gistas secan
modes seoce,
7 o(n) mere staredon;
wiston, 7 ne wendon,
þæt hie heora winedrihten
selfne gesawon.
Þa þæt sweord ongan
æfter heaþoswate
hildegicelum,
wigbil wanian.
Þæt wæs wundra sum,
þæt hit eal gemealt,
ise gelicost,
ðonne forstes bend
Fæder onlæteð,
onwindeð wæ(l)rapas,
se geweald hafað
sæla 7 mæla.
Þæt is soð Metod.
Ne nom he in þæm wicum,
Weder-Geata leod,
maðmæhta ma,
þeh he þær monige geseah,
buton þone hafelan
7 þa hilt somod
since fage.
Sweord ær gemealt,
forbarn brodenmæl.
Wæs þæt blod
(to) (þæ)s hat,
ættren ellorgæst
se þær (in)ne swealt.
Sona wæs on sunde,
se þe (æ)r æt sæcce gebad,
wighryre wraðra.
Wæter up þurhdeaf,
wæron yðgebland
eal gefælsod,
eacne eardas,
þa se ellorgast
oflet lifdagas
7 þas lænan gesceaft.
Com þa to lande,
lidmanna helm,
swiðmod swymman.
Sælace gefeah,
mægen(by)rþenne,
þara þe he him mid hæfde.
(E)odon him þa togeanes,
Gode þancodon,
ðryðlic þegna heap
þeodnes gefegon,
þæs þe hi hyne gesundne
geseon moston.
Ða wæs of þæm hroran
helm 7 byrne
lungre alysed.
Lagu drusade,
wæter under wolcnum,
wældreore fag.
Ferdon forð þonon
feþelastum
ferhþum fægne
foldweg mæton,
cuþe stræte.
Cyningbalde men
from þæm holmclife
hafelan bæron
earfoðlice
heora æghwæþrum
felamodigra.
Feower scoldon
on þæm wælstenge
weorcum geferian
to þæm goldsele
Grendles heafod.
Oþ ðæt semninga
to sele comon,
frome fyrdhwate
feowertyne
Geata gongan,
gu(m)dryhten mid,
modig on gemonge,
meod(o)wongas træd.
Ða com in gan
ealdor ðegna,
dædcene mon
dome gewurþ(ad),
hæle hildedeor,
Hroðgar gretan.
Þ(a) wæs be feaxe
on flet boren
Grendles heafod,
þær guman druncon,
egeslic f(or) eorlum,
7 þære idese mid,
wliteseon wr(æt)lic.
Weras onsawon.
BEOwulf maþelode,
bearn Ecgþeowe(s):
"Hwæt, we þe þas sælac,
sunu Healfdene(s),
leod Scyldinga,
lustum brohton
tires to tacne,
þe þu her to locast.
Ic þæt unsofte
ealdre gedigde,
wigge under wætere,
weorc geneþde
earfoðlice.
Ætrihte wæs
guð getwæfed,
nymðe mec God scylde.
Ne meahte ic æt hilde
mid Hruntinge
wiht gewyrcan,
þeah þæt wæpen duge.
Ac me geuðe
ylda Waldend
þæt ic on wage geseah
wlitig
(ha)ngian
ealdsweord eacen.
Oftost wisode
(wi)nigea leasum;
þæt ic ðy wæpne gebræd,
(of)sloh ða æt þære sæcce,
þa me sæl (a)geald,
huses hyrdas.
Þa þæt hildebil
for(ba)rn, brogdenmæl,
swa þæt blod gesprang,
(ha)tost heaþoswata.
Ic þæt hilt þanan
feon(d)um ætferede,
fyrendæda wræc,
deað(c)wealm Denigea,
swa hit gedefe wæs.
Ic (h)it þe þonne gehate,
þæt þu on Heorote most
(so)rhleas swefan
mid þinra secga gedryht,
(7) þegna gehwylc
þinra leoda,
duguðe 7 iogoþe,
þæt þu him ondrædan ne þearft,
þeoden Scyldinga,
on þa healfe,
aldorbealu eorlum,
swa þu ær dydest."
Ða wæs gyldenhilt
gamelum rince,
harum hildfruman,
on hand gyfen
enta ærgeweorc.
Hit on æht gehwearf
æfter deofla hryre
Denigea frean,
wundorsmiþa geweorc.
7 þa þas worold ofgeaf,
gromheort guma,
Godes andsaca
morðres scyldig,
7 his modor eac.
On geweald gehwearf
woroldcyninga
ðæm selestan
be sæm tweonum,
ðara þe on Scedenigge
(sceat)tas dælde.
Hroðgar maðelode.
Hylt sceawode,
ealde lafe;
on ðæm wæs or (wri)ten
fyrngewinnes,
syðþan flod ofs(loh),
gifen geotende,
giganta cyn.
Frecne (ge)ferdon;
þæt wæs fremde þeod
ecean Dryh(tne).
Him þæs endelean
þurh wæteres wylm
Waldend sealde.
Swa wæs on ðæm scen(num)
sciran goldes,
þurh runstafas
rihte (ge)mearcod,
geseted 7 gesæd,
hwam þæt sweo(rd) geworht,
irena cyst
ærest wære,
w(reo)þenhilt 7 wyrmfah.
Ða se wisa spræc,
s(u)nu Healfdenes.
Swigedon ealle:
"Þæt, la, mæg secgan,
se þe soð 7 riht
fremeð on folce,
feor eal gemon,
eald eðelwea(rd),
þæt ðes eorl wære
geboren betera.
Blæd (is) aræred
geond widwegas,
wine min Beowulf,
ðin ofer þeoda gehwylce.
Eal þu hit geþyldum
healdest, mægen
mid modes snyttrum.
Ic þe sceal mine
gelæstan freoðe,
swa wit furðum spræcon.
Ðu scealt to frofre weorþan
eal langtwidig
leodum þinum,
(hæl)eðum to helpe.
Ne wearð Heremod (swa)
eaforum Ecgwelan,
Ar-Scyldingum.
(Ne) geweox he him to willan,
ac to wælfeal(le)
7 to deaðcwalum
Deniga leodum.
Breat (bo)lgenmod
beodgeneatas,
eaxlge(ste)allan,
oþ þæt he ana hwearf,
mære þeo(d)en,
mondreamum from
ðeah þe hine (mi)htig God
mægenes wynnum
eafeþum (ste)pte
ofer ealle men,
forð gefreme(d)e.
Hwæþere him on ferhþe greow
breost(h)ord blodreow.
Nallas beagas geaf
Denum æfter dome.
Dreamleas gebad,
þæt he þæs gewinnes
weorc þrowade,
leodbea(l)o longsum.
Ðu þe lær be þon,
gumcyste ongit.
Ic þis gid be þe
awræc wintrum frod.
Wundor is to secganne
hu mihtig God
manna cynne
þurh sidne sefan
snyttru bryttað,
eard 7 eorlscipe.
He ah ealra geweald.
Hwilum he on lufan
læteð hworfan
monnes modgeþonc
mæran cynnes,
seleð him on eþle
eorþan wynne
to healdanne
hleoburh wera,
gedeð him swa gewealdene
worolde (dæ)las,
side rice,
þæt he his selfa ne m(æg)
(for) his unsnyttrum
ende geþencean.
W(unað) he on wiste.
No hine wiht dweleð,
ad(l) ne yldo,
ne him inwitsorh
on sefa([n]) sweorceð,
ne gesacu ohwær
ecghe(te) eoweð,
ac him eal worold
wendeð on w(il)lan.
He þæt wyrse ne con."
"Oð þæt him on innan
oferhygda dæl
wea(xe[ð) 7 wridað.
Þonne se weard swefeð,
sawele hy(rde).
Bið se slæp to fæst,
bisgum gebunde(n),
bona swiðe neah,
se þe of flanbogan
fyrenum sceoteð.
Þonne bið on hreþre
under helm drepen
biteran stræle,
him bebeorgan ne con,
wom wundorbebodum
wergan gastes.
Þinceð him to lytel
þæt he to lange heold;
gytsað gromhydig,
nallas on gylp seleð
fædde beagas,
7 he þa forðgesceaft
forgyteð 7 forgymeð,
þæs þe him ær God sealde,
wuldres
(Wal)dend,
weorðmynda dæl.
Hit on endestæf
eft gelimpeð
þæt se lichoma
læne gedreoseð,
fæge gefealleð.
Fehð oþer (to),
se þe unmurnlice
madmas dæleþ,
(eor)les ærgestreon,
egesan ne gymeð.
(Be)beorh þe ðone bealonið,
Beowulf leofa,
(s)ecg betsta,
7 þe þæt selre geceos,
ece rædas.
(Of)erhyda ne gym,
mære cempa.
Nu is þines (m)ægnes blæd
ane hwile.
Eft sona bið
þæt (þe)c adl oððe ecg
eafoþes getwæfeð,
oððe (fy)res feng,
oððe flodes wylm,
oððe gripe (m)eces,
oððe gares fliht,
oððe atol yldo.
(O)ððe eagena bearhtm
forsiteð 7 forswor(c)eð.
Semninga bið
þæt ðec, dryhtguma,
deað (o)ferswyðeð.
Swa ic Hring-Dena
hund missera
weold under wolcnum
7 hig wigge beleac,
manigum mægþa
geond þysne middangeard,
æscum 7 ecgum,
þæt ic me ænigne
under swegles begong
gesacan ne tealde.
Hwæt, me þæs on eþle
edwendan cwom,
gyrn æfter gomene,
seoþðan Grendel wearð
ealdgewinna,
ingenga min.
Ic þære socne
singales wæg
modcear(e) micle.
Þæs sig Metode þanc,
ecean (Dryht)ne,
þæs ðe ic on aldre gebad,
þæt ic on þo(ne) hafelan
heorodreorigne
ofer eal(d) (ge)win
eagum starige.
Ga nu to setle,
(sym)belwynne dreoh
wiggeweorþad.
Unc (sceal) worn fela
maþma gemænra
siþðan (mor)gen bið."
Geat wæs glædmod,
geong son(a) (to)
setles neosan,
swa se snottra heht.
Þ(a) (wæs) eft swa ær
ellenrofum,
fletsittendum
fægere gereorded
niowan stefne.
Ni(ht)helm geswearc,
deorc ofer dryhtgu(mum).
Duguð eal aras.
Wolde blondenfeax
beddes neosan,
gamela Scylding.
Geat unigmetes wel,
rofne randwigan,
restan lys(te).
Sona him seleþegn,
siðes wergum
feorrancundum
forð wisade;
se for andrysnum
ealle beweote[d]e
þegnes þearfe,
swylce þy dogore
heaþoliðende
habban scoldon.
Reste hine þa rumheort.
Reced hliuade,
geap 7 goldfah.
Gæst inne swæf,
oþ þæt hrefn blaca,
heofones wynne
bliðheort bodode.
Ða com beorht scacan;
scaþan onetton.
(Wæro)n æþelingas
eft to leodum
fuse to f(ar)en[n]e.
Wolde feor þanon,
cuma coll(enf)erhð,
ceoles neosan.
Heht þa, se hear(da),
(H)runting beran
sunu Ecglafes,
heht (his) (s)weord niman,
leoflic iren.
Sægde him (þæ)s leanes þanc,
cwæð, he þone guðwine
(go)dne tealde.
wigcræftigne.
Nales (wor)dum log
meces ecge.
Þæt wæs modig secg.
(7) (þ)a, siðfrome,
searwum gearwe,
wigend wæron.
(Eo)de weorð Denum,
æþeling to yppan,
(þæ)r se oþer wæs.
Helle hildedeor
Hroð(g)ar grette.
(Be)owulf maþelode,
bearn Ecgþeowes:
"Nu (w)e sæliðend
secgan wyllað
feorran cumene,
þæt we fundiaþ
Higelac secan.
Wæron her tela
willum bewenede.
Þu us wel dohtest.
Gif ic þonne on eorþan
owihte mæg
þinre modlufan
maran tilian,
gumena dryhten,
ðonne ic gyt dyde
guðgeweorca,
ic beo gearo sona.
Gif ic þæt gefricge
ofer floda begang,
þæt þec ymbsittend
egesan þywað,
swa þec hete(nde)
hwilum dydon,
ic ðe þusenda
þegna br(in)ge,
hæleþa to helpe.
Ic on Higelace wat
Geata dryhten,
þeah ðe he geong sy
folces hyrde,
þæt he mec fremman wile
weordum 7 worcum,
þæt ic þe wel heri(ge)
7 þe to geoce
garholt bere,
mægenes fultum,
þær ðe bið manna þearf.
G(if) him þonne Hreþric
to hofum Geata
geþinge[ð] þeodnes bearn,
he mæg þær fela
freonda findan.
Feorcyþðe beoð
selran gesohte
þæm þe him selfa dea(h.)"
Hroðgar maþelode
him on andsware:
"Þe þa wordcwydas
wigtig Drihten
on sefan sende.
Ne hyrde ic snotorlicor
on swa geongum feore
guman þingian.
Þu eart mægenes strang
7 on mode frod,
wis wordcwida.
Wen ic talige:
gif þæt gegangeð
þæt ðe gar nymeð,
hild heorugrimme
Hreþles eaferan,
adl oþðe iren
ealdor ðinne,
folces hyrde,
7 þu þin feorh hafast,
þæt þe (S)æ-Geatas
selran næbban
to geceosen(ne)
cyning ænigne
hordweard hæleþa,
(g)yf þu healdan wylt
maga rice.
Me þin modsefa
licað leng swa wel,
leofa Beo(w)ulf.
Hafast þu gefered
þæt þam folcum (s)ceal,
Geata leodum
7 Gar-Denum,
sib (g)emænum,
7 sacu restan,
inwitniþas,
(þe) hie ær drugon;
wesan, þenden ic weal(d)e
widan rices,
maþmas gemæne,
manig oþerne
godum gegrettan
ofer ganotes bæð.
Sceal hringnaca
ofer (h)eaþu bringan
lac 7 luftacen.
Ic þa (l)eode wat
ge wið feond ge wið freond
fæste geworhte,
æghwæs untæle
ealde wisan."
Ða git him eorla hleo
inne gesealde,
mago Healfdenes,
maþmas twelfe.
Het inne mid þæm lacum
leode swæse
secean on gesyntum,
snude eft cuman.
Gecyste þa,
cyning æþelum god,
þeoden Scyldinga,
ðegn betstan
7 be healse genam.
Hruron him tearas
blondenfeaxum.
Him wæs bega wen,
ealdum infrodum
oþres swiðor,
þæt h[i]e seoðða[n] [na]
geseon moston,
modige on meþle.
(Wæs) him se man to þon leof
þæt he þone (breost)wylm
forberan ne mehte.
Ac him (on) hreþre
hygebendum fæst
æfter d(eo)rum men
dyrne langað
beorn wið bl(o)de.
Him Beowulf þanan,
guðrinc goldwlanc,
græsmoldan træd,
since h(re)mig.
Sægenga bad
agedfrean,
se (þe) on ancre rad.
Þa wæs on gange
gi(fu) Hroðgares
oft geæhted.
Þæt wæs an cyning,
æghwæs orleahtre,
oþ þæt hin(e) yldo benam
mægenes wynnum,
se þe oft manegum scod.
CWOM þa to flode
fela modigra
hægstealdra.
Hringnet bæron
locene leoðosyrcan.
Landweard onfand
eftsið eorla,
swa he ær dyde.
No he mid hearme
of hliðes nosan
(g[ie]s)[tas] grette,
ac him togeanes rad,
(cwæ)ð þæt wilcuman
Wedera leodum
sca(þan) scirhame
to scipe foron.
Þa wæs (on) sande
sægeap naca
hladen here(wæ)dum,
hringedstefna,
mearum 7 mað(m)um.
Mæst hlifade
ofer Hroðgares
(h)ordgestreonum.
He þæm batwearde
(bun)den golde
swurd gesealde,
þæt he syð(þan) wæs
on meodubence
maþma þy weo(rþ)re,
yrfelafe.
Gewat him on nacan
(d)refan deop wæter.
Dena land ofgeaf.
Þa wæs be mæste
merehrægla sum,
segl sale fæst.
Sundwudu þunede.
No þær wegflotan
wind ofer yðum
siðes getwæfde.
Sægenga for,
fleat famigheals
forð ofer yðe,
bundenstefna
ofer brimstreamas,
þæt hie Geata clifu
ongitan meahton,
cuþe næssas.
Ceol up geþrang
lyftgeswenced.
On lande stod.
Hraþe wæs æt holme
hyðweard geara,
se þe ær lange tid
leofra manna
fus æt faroðe
(feor) wlatode.
Sælde to sande
sidfæþme sci(p)
oncearbendum fæst,
þy læs hym yþ(a) ðrym
wudu wynsuman
forwrecan (meah)te.
Het þa up beran
æþelinga gestr(eon),
frætwe 7 fætgold.
Næs him feor þan(on)
to gesecanne
sinces bryttan,
Higelac Hreþling,
þær æt ham wunað
s(elfa) mid gesiðum
sæwealle neah.
Bold w(æs) betlic,
bregorof cyning,
heahealle [in].
Hygd swiðe geong,
wis welþungen,
þeah ðe wintra lyt
under burhlocan
gebide(n) hæbbe,
Hæreþes dohtor.
Næs hio hnah swa þeah,
ne to gneað gifa
Geata leodum,
maþmgestreona.
Mod Þryðo wæg,
fremu folces cwen,
firen ondrysne.
Nænig þæt dorste
deor geneþan,
swæsra gesiða,
nefne sinfrea,
þæt hire an dæges
eagum starede.
Ac him wælbende
(w)eotode tealde
handgewriþene;
hraþe (seo)þðan wæs,
æfter mundgripe
mece (g)eþinged,
þæt hit sceadenmæl
scyran
(m)oste,
cwealmbealu cyðan.
Ne bið swylc (cwen)lic þeaw
idese to efnanne,
þeah ðe (h)io ænlicu sy,
þætte freoðuwebbe
feores (on)sæce
æfter ligetorne
leofne mannan.
(H)uru þæt on hoh snod
Hemninges mæg.
(Eal)odrincende
oðer sædan,
þæt hio leod(b)ealewa
læs gefremede,
inwitniða,
syððan ærest wearð
gyfen goldhro(d)en
geongum cempan,
æðelum diore,
syððan hio Offan flet
ofer fealone flod
be fæder lare
siðe gesohte.
Ðær hio syððan well
in gumstole,
gode mære,
lifgesceafta
lifigende breac,
hiold heahlufan
wið hæleþa brego,
ealles moncynnes
mine gefræge
þæs selestan
bi sæm tweonum,
eormencynnes.
Forðam Offa wæs
geofum 7 guðum,
garcene man,
wid(e) (ge)weorðod.
Wisdome heold
eðel sinne.
Þonon geomor woc
hæleðum to helpe,
Heminges mæg,
nefa Garmundes,
niða cræftig.
GEwat him ða se hearda
mid his hondscole
sylf æfter sande
sæwong tredan,
wide waroðas.
Woruldcandel scan,
sigel suðan fus.
Hi sið drugon,
elne geeodon,
to ðæ(s) (ðe) eorla hleo,
bonan Ongenþeoes
burg(um) in innan,
geongne guðcyning
godne gefrunon
hringas dælan.
Higelace wæs
sið Beowulfes
snude gecyðed,
þæt ðær on worðig
wigendra hleo,
lindgestealla,
lifigende cwom,
heaðolaces hal
to hofe gongan.
Hraðe wæs gerymed,
swa se rica bebead,
feðegestum
flet innanweard.
Gesæt þa wið sylfne,
se ða sæcce genæs,
mæg wið mæge,
syððan mandryhten
þurh hleoðorcwyde
holdne gegrette,
meaglum wordum.
Meoduscencum hwearf
geond þæt [here]reced
Hæreðes dohtor,
lufode ða leode,
liðwæge bær
hænum to handa.
Higelac ongan
sinne geseldan
in sele þam hean
fægre fricgcean,
hyne fyrwet bræc,
hwylce Sæ-Geata
siðas wæron.
"Hu lomp eow on lade,
leofa Biowulf,
þa ðu færinga
feorr gehogodest
sæcce secean
ofer sealt wæter,
hilde to Hiorote?
Ac ðu Hroðgare
wi[d]cuðne wean
wihte gebettest,
mærum ðeodne?
Ic ðæs modceare
sorhwylmum seað,
siðe ne truwode
leofes mannes.
Ic ðe lange bæd,
þæt ðu þone wælgæst
wihte ne grette,
lete Suð-Dene
sylfe geweorðan
guðe wið Grendel.
Gode ic þanc secge,
þæs ðe ic ðe gesundne
geseon moste.
Biowulf maðelode,
bearn Ecgðioes:
"Þæt is undyrne,
dryhten Higelac,
[micel] gemeting
monegum fira,
hwylc e[arfoð]hwil
uncer Grendles
wearð on (ðam) wange
þær he worna fela
Sige-(Scyl)dingum
sorge gefremede,
yrmð(e) to aldre.
Ic ðæt eall gewræc,
swa ([læs]) gylpan þearf
Grendeles maga
[yfel] ofer eorðan
uhthlem þone,
se (ðe) lengest leofað
laðan cynnes,
(f[y]r)[ene] bifongen.
Ic ðær furðum cwom
to ðam hringsele
Hroðgar gretan.
Sona me se mæra
mago Healfd(e)nes,
syððan he modsefan
minne cuðe,
wið his sylfes sunu
setl getæht(e.)
Weorod wæs on wynne.
Ne seah ic widan feorh
under heofones hwealf
healsittendra
medudream mar(an).
Hwilum mæru cwen,
friðusibb folca,
flet eall geondhwearf,
bædde byre geonge.
Oft hio beahwriðan
secge (sealde),
ær hie to setle geong.
Hwilum fo(r) [d]uguðe
dohtor Hroðgares
eorlum on ende
ealuwæge bær.
Þa ic Freaware
(flet)sittende
nemnan hyrde,
þær hio [næ](g)led sinc
hæleðum sealde.
Sio gehaten is,
geong goldhroden,
gladum suna Frodan.
[H](a)fað þæs geworden
wine Scyldinga,
ri(ce)s hyrde,
7 þæt ræd talað,
þæt he mid ðy (wi)fe
wælfæhða dæl
sæcca gesette.
Oft (s)eldan hwær
æfter leodhryre
lytle (hw)ile
bongar bugeð,
þeah seo bryd duge.
(M)æg þæs þonne ofþyncan
ðeodne Heaðo-(B)eardna
7 þegna gehwam
þara leoda,
(þ)onne he mid fæmnan
on flett gæð:
dryhtbearn Dena
duguða, biwenede,
on him gladiað
gomelra lafe,
heard 7 hringmæl
Heaða-Bearna gestreon,
þenden hie ðam wæpnum
wealdan moston.
Oð ðæt hie forlæddan
to ðam lindplegan
swæse gesiðas
ond hyra sylfra feorh.
Þonne cwið æt beore,
se ðe beah gesyhð,
eald æscwiga,
se ðe eall g(e)[man]
garcwealm gumena.
Him bið gri(m) [se]fa,
onginneð geomormod
geon(g)[an] cempan
þurh hreðra gehygd
(higes) cunnian,
wigbealu weccean,
7 þæt wo(rd) acwyð:
"Meaht ðu, min wine,
mec(e) gecnawan,
þone þin fæder
to gef(eohte) bær,
under heregriman
hinde(man) siðe,
dyre iren.
Þær hyne Dene slogon,
weoldon wælstowe,
syððan wiðergyld læg,
æfter hæleþa hry(re),
hwate Scyldungas.
Nu her þara b(a)nena
byre nathwylces,
frætwum hremig,
on flet gæð,
morðres gylpeð,
7 þone maðþum byreð
þone þe ðu m(id) rihte
rædan sceoldest."
Manað sw(a) 7 myndgað
mæla gehwylce
sarum wordum,
oð ðæt sæl cymeð
þæt se fæmnan þegn
fore fæder dædum
æfter billes bite
blodfag swefeð,
ealdres scyldig.
Him se oðer þonan
losað [li](figen)de,
con him land geare.
Þon(ne) bio(ð) ([b])rocene
on ba healfe
aðsweord eorla.
[Syð]ðan Ingelde
weallað wælniðas
7 him (wif)lufan
æfter cearwælmum
colran (we)orðað.
Þy ic Heaðo-Bearna
hyldo ne (tel)ge,
dryhtsibbe dæl
Denum unfæcne,
(f)reondscipe fæstne.
Ic sceal forð (sp)recan
gen ymbe Grendel,
þæt ðu geare (cun)ne,
sinces brytta,
to hwan syððan (w)earð
hondræs hæleða.
Syððan heofones (g)im
glad ofer grundas,
gæst yrre cwom,
(ea)tol æfengrom
user neosan,
ðær we (g)esunde
sæl weardodon.
Þær wæs Hond(s)cio
hilde onsæge
feorhbealu fægum.
(H)e fyrmest læg,
gyrded cempa.
Him Grendel wearð,
mærum mag[u]þegne,
to muðbonan;
leofes mannes
lic eall forswealg.
No ðy ær ut ða gen
idelhende
bona blodigtoð,
bealewa gemyndig,
of ðam goldsele
gongan wolde.
Ac he mægnes rof
min costode,
grapode geareofolm.
Glof (hangode)
sid 7 syllic,
searobendum fæst.
(Sio) wæs orðoncum
eall gegyrwed
de(ofles) cræftum
7 dracan fellum.
He mec (þær) on innan
unsynnigne,
dior dæ(d)fruma
gedon wolde
manigra sumne.
Hyt ne miht(e) swa,
syððan ic on yrre
upprih(te) astod.
To lang ys to reccenne
hu ic ðam leodsceaðan
yfla gehwylces
hon(dlean) forgeald.
Þær ic, þeoden min,
þine leode
weorðode weorcum.
He on (weg) losade
lytle hwile,
lifwynna br(eac).
Hwæþre him sio swiðre
swaðe w(ear)dade
hand on Hiorte,
7 he hea(n) ðonan,
modes geomor,
mereg(rund) gefeoll.
Me þone wælræs
wine Scildunga
fættan golde
fela lea(no)de,
manegum maðmum,
syððan me(r)gen com,
7 we to symble
geseten hæfdon.
Þær wæs gidd 7 gleo.
Gome(la) (Scilding)
felafricgende,
feorran reh(te).
(Hwilum) hildedeor
hearpan wynne
go(mel)wudu grette;
hwilum gyd awræc,
soð (7) (sa)rlic;
hwilum syllic spell.
Rehte æfter (r)ihte
rumheort cyning.
Hwilum eft (onga)n,
eldo gebunden,
gomel guðwiga,
(gio)guðe cwiðan,
hildestrengo.
Hreðer (inn)e weoll,
þonne he, wintrum frod,
worn (gem)unde.
Swa we þær inne
andlangne dæg
niode naman,
oð ðæt niht becwom,
(oð)er to yldum.
Þa wæs eft hraðe
gearo (gyr)nwræce
Grendeles modor.
Siðode (sor)hfull;
sunu deað fornam,
wighete (Wed)ra.
Wif unhyre
hyre bearn gewræc,
(beo)rn acwealde
ellenlice.
Þær wæs Æsc(he)re,
frodan fyrnwitan
feorh uð(ge)nge.
Noðer hy hine ne moston,
syððan (m)ergen cwom,
deaðwerigne
Denia (le)ode
bronde forbærnan,
(n)e on bel hladan
leofne mannan.
(H)io þæt lic ætbær
feondes fæð[me]
[un]der firgenstream.
þæt wæs Hroðgare
hreowa tornost
þara þe leodfruman
lange begeate.
Þa se ðeoden (mec)
ðine life
healsode hreohmod,
(þæt) (ic) on holma geþring
eorlscipe efnd(e),
ealdre geneðde,
mærðo fremed(e).
He me mede gehet.
Ic ða ðæs wælm(es),
þe is wide cuð,
grimme gryrelic(ne)
grundhyrde fond.
Þær unc hwil(e) wæs
hand gemæne.
Holm heolfre weoll,
7 ic heafde becearf
in ðam [grund](s)ele
Grendeles modor
eacnum ecgu(m).
Unsofte þonan
feorh oðferede.
Næs ic fæge þa gyt.
Ac me eorla hl(eo)
eft gesealde
maðma menigeo,
mag(a) Healfdenes."
"Swa se ðeodkyning
þeawum lyfde.
Nealles ic ðam leanum
forloren hæfde,
mægnes mede,
ac he me [maðma](s) geaf,
sunu Healfdenes,
on [min]ne sylfes dom.
Ða ic ðe, beorn(c)yning,
bringan wylle,
estum ge(yw)an.
Gen is eall æt ðe
lissa gelong.
(Ic) lyt hafo
heafodmaga
nefne, (Hy)gelac, ðec."
Het ða in beran
eafor (hea)fodsegn,
heaðosteapne helm,
(ha)re byrnan,
guðsweord geatolic.
(Gy)d æfter wræc.
"Me ðis hildesceorp
(H)roðgar sealde,
snotra fengel.
Sume (w)orde het,
þæt ic his ærest ðe
est gesægde;
(c)wæð þæt hyt hæfde
Hiorogar cyning,
(l)eod Scyldunga
lange hwile.
No ðy (æ)r suna sinum
syllan wolde,
hwatum (H)eorowearde,
þeah he him hold wære,
breostgewædu.
Bruc ealles well."
Hyrde ic þæt þam frætwum
feower mearas
lungre gelice
last weardode,
æppelfealuwe.
He him est geteah
meara 7 maðma.
Swa sceal mæg don,
nealles inwitnet
oðr(um) bregdon,
dyrnum cræfte
deað re[n][ian]
hondgesteallan.
Hygelace wæs
(niða) heardum
nefa swyðe hold,
7 geh(wæðer) oðrum
hroþra gemyndig.
Hyrd(e) ic þæt he ðone healsbeah
Hygde (ge)sealde,
wrætlicne wundur(maððum),
ðone þe him Wealhðeo geaf,
ðeo(d)[nes] dohtor,
þrio wicg somod
swanco(r) 7 sadolbeorht.
Hyre syððan wæs
(æfter) beahðege
brost geweorðod.
Swa (b)ealdode,
bearn Ecgðeowes,
guma gu(ðum) cuð,
godum dædum.
Dreah æfter dom(e),
nealles druncne slog
heorðgen(ea)tas.
Næs him hreoh sefa,
ac he ma(n)cynnes,
mæste cræfte,
ginfæsta(n) gife,
þe him God sealde,
heold hildedeor.
Hean wæs lange
swa hyne Geat(a) bearn
godne ne tealdon,
ne hyne on medobence
micles wyrðne
drihten wereda
gedon wolde.
Swyðe [sæg]don,
þæt he sleac wære,
æðeling un(fro)m.
Edwenden cwom
tireadigum (me)nn
torna gehwylces.
Het ða eorla (hl)eo
in gefetian,
heaðorof cyning,
(Hr)eðles lafe,
golde gegyrede.
Næs (mid) Geatum ða
sincmaðþum selra
o(n) sweordes had.
Þæt he on Biowulfes
(be)arm alegde,
7 him gesealde
seofan (þ)usendo,
bold 7 bregostol.
Him wæs [b](a)m samod
on ðam leodscipe
lond gecynde,
eard eðelriht,
oðrum (s)wiðor
side rice,
þam ðær selra wæs.
(E)ft þæt geiode
ufaran dogrum
hilde(h)læmmum,
syððan Hygelac læg,
7 Hearede
hildemeceas
under bordhreoðan
to bonan wurdon,
ða hyne gesohtan
on sigeþeode,
hearde hildefrecan,
Heaðo-Scilfingas,
niða genægdan
nefan Hererices,
[þæt] syððan Beowulfe
brade rice
on hand ge[hwearf].
He geheold tela
fiftig wintra,
(wæs) (ða) frod cyning,
eald eþelweard,
oð ð(æt) on ongan
deorcum nihtum
draca (rics[i]an),
se ðe on hea[ðoh]l[æw]e
hord beweot(ode),
stanbeorh stear[c]ne.
Stig under l(æg)
eldum uncuð.
Þær on innan giong
nið(a) nathwyl[c],
[nydd]æl gefeng
hæðnum ho(rde),
hond[gewriþen] [dæl],
since fahne.
(He) (þæt) syððan [beget]
þ[eah] ð[e] [he] slæpende
(be)syre[d] [hæf]de
þeo[f]es cræfte,
þæt si(e) ðiod [onfand],
b[u]folc beorn[es],
þæt he gebolge[n] wæs.
Nealles [wæs] geweoldum
wyrmhorda cræft,
sylfes willum,
se ðe him sare (ge)sceod,
ac for þreanedlan
þeo[f] nathwylces
hæleða bearna
hetesweng(eas) fleoh;
[ðær] [wæs] þea[rfa],
7 ðær inne weal(l),
secg syn[by]sig,
sona [o]nwa[c]ede,
þæt [gean] ðam gyst[e]
[gry]rebr[o]g[a] stod.
Hwæðre [fyren]sceapen
[...] se fær begeat.
Sincfæt [sohte]
þær wæs swylcra fela
in ðam eorð[sele]
ærgestreona,
swa hy on gearda(gum)
gumena nathwylc,
eormenlafe
(æþ)elan cynnes,
þanchycgende
þær ge(hy)dde,
deore maðmas.
Ealle hie deað (fo)rnam
ærran mælum,
7 si an ða gen
(leo)da duguðe,
se ðær lengest hwearf,
(we)ard winegeomor,
[w]ende þæs yldan,
(þæt) (h)e lytel fæc
longgestreona
brucan (m)oste.
Beorh eallgearo
wunode on wonge
wæteryðum neah,
niwe be næsse,
nearo(c)ræftum fæst.
Þær on innan bær
eorl(g)estreona
hringa hyrde
ha[n]dwyrðne (d)æl,
fættan goldes.
Fea worda cwæð:
"Heald þu nu, hruse,
nu hæleð ne mostan,
eorla æhta.
Hwæt, hyt ær on ðe
gode begeaton.
Guðdeað fornam,
[f]eorhbeal[e] frecne,
fyrena gehwylcne,
leoda minra,
þa [me]ðe þis ofgeaf.
Gesawon seledream[as].
Nah, hwa sweord wege
oððe f[o]r[ð] [sele]
fæted wæge,
dryncfæt deore.
Dug[uð] ellor seoc.
Sceal se hearda helm
[hyr]stedgolde
fætum befeallen.
Feormy(nd) swefað,
þa ðe beadogriman
bywan sceoldon.
Ge swylce seo herepad,
s(io) æt hilde gebad
ofer borda gebræc
bite irena,
brosnað æfter beorne.
Ne mæg byrnan hring
æfter wig(fru)man
wide feran,
hæleðum be healfe.
Næs hearpan wyn,
gomen gleobeames,
ne god hafoc
geond sæl swingeð,
ne se swifta mearh
burhstede beateð.
Bea(lo)cwealm hafað
fela feorhcynna
fo(rð) onsended."
Swa giomormod
giohðo mænde
an æfter eallum,
unbliðe hwe[arf]
dæges 7 nihtes,
oð ðæt deaðes wylm
hr(an) æt heortan.
Hordwynne fond,
eald uh(t)sceaða,
opene standan,
se ðe, byrnende,
biorgas seceð.
Nacod niðdraca
niht(es) fleogeð,
fyre befangen.
Hyne foldbuen(d),
[swiðe] [dræ]dað.
He gesecean sceall
[hearm] [on] [h]rusan,
þær he hæðen gold
warað wintrum frod.
Ne byð him wihte ðy sel.
(Sw)a se ðeodsceaða
þreo hund wintra
(h)eold on hrusa[n]
hordærna sum,
eacen(cr)æftig,
oð ðæt hyne an abealch,
mon on mode.
Mandryhtne bær
fæted wæge,
frioðowære bæd
hlaford sinne.
(Ða) (w)æs hord rasod,
onboren beaga (h)ord.
Bene getiðad
feasceaftum men.
Frea sceawode
fira fyrngeweorc
(f)orman siðe.
Þa se wyrm onwoc,
wroht wæs geniwad.
Stonc ða æfter stane,
stearcheort onfand
feondes fot(l)ast.
He to forð gestop
dyrnan cræfte
dracan heafde neah.
Swa mæg unfæge
eaðe gedigan
wean 7 wræcsið
se ðe Waldendes
hyldo gehealdeþ.
Hordweard sohte
georne æfter grunde,
wolde guman findan,
þone þe him on sweofote
sare geteode.
Hat 7 hreohmod,
hl(æ)w oft ymbehwearf
ealne utanweardne.
Ne ðær ænig mon
on þ[am] westenne,
hwæðre hilde gefeh,
bea[du]weorces.
Hwilum on beorh æthwe(arf),
sincfæt sohte.
He þæt sona onf(and),
ðæt hæfde gumena sum
goldes gefandod,
heahgestreona.
Hordwea(rd) onbad
earfoðlice,
oð ðæt æfen c(wom).
Wæs ða gebolgen
beorges hyrde,
wolde [s]e laða
lige forgyldan
drin(c)fæt dyre.
Þa wæs dæg sceacen
w(yr)me on willan.
No on wealle læg,
(bi)dan wolde,
ac mid bæle for,
fyre gefysed.
Wæs se fruma egeslic
leodum on lande,
swa hyt lungre wearð
on hyra sincgifan
sare geendod.
ÐA se gæst ongan
gledum spiwan,
beorht hofu bærnan.
Bry(ne)leoma stod
eldum on andan.
No ðæ(r) aht cwices
lað lyftfloga
læfan (wolde).
Wæs þæs wyrmes wig
wide gesy(ne),
(ne)arofages nið
nean 7 feorran,
hu (s)e guðsceaða
Geata leode
hatode 7 hyn(de).
Hord eft gesceat,
dryhtsele dyrn(ne)
ær dæges hwile.
Hæfde landwara
(li)ge befangen,
bæle 7 bronde.
Beorges getruwode,
wiges 7 wealles.
Him seo wen (g)eleah.
Þa wæs Biowulfe
broga gecy(ð)ed
snude to soðe,
þæt his sylfes h[a]m,
bolda selest,
brynewylmum mealt,
(g)ifstol Geata.
Þæt ðam godan wæs
hreow (o)n hreðre,
hygesorga mæst.
Wende (s)e wisa
þæt he Wealdende
ofer ealde riht
ecean Dryhtne
bitre gebulge.
(B)reost innan weoll
þeostrum geþoncum,
swa him geþywe ne wæs.
Hæfde ligdraca
leoda fæsten,
ealond utan,
eorðweard ðone
gledum forgrunden.
Him ðæs guðkyning,
Wedera þioden,
wræce leornode.
Heht him þa gewyrcean,
wigendra hleo,
eallirenne,
eorla dryhten,
wigbord wrætlic.
Wisse he gearwe
þæt him holtwudu
he[lpan] ne meahte,
lind wið lige.
Sceolde [li]þenddaga,
æþeling ærgod,
ende g(e)bidan
worulde lifes,
7 se wyrm somod,
þeah ðe hordwelan
heolde lan(ge).
Oferhogode ða
hringa fengel
þæt he þone widflogan
weorode gesohte
sidan herge.
No he him þam sæcce ondred,
ne him þæs wyrmes wig
for wiht dyde,
eafoð 7 ellen,
forðon he ær fela
nearo neðende
niða gedig(de),
hildehlemma,
syððan he Hroðga(res)
sigoreadig secg,
sele fælsode,
7 æt g(uðe) forgrap
Grendeles mægum,
laðan cynnes.
No þæt læsest wæs
hondge(mot)[a],
þær mon Hygelac sloh,
syððan Geata cyning,
guðe ræsum,
freawine folc(a),
Freslondum on,
Hreðles eafora,
hiorodryncum swealt,
bille gebeate(n).
Þonan Biowulf com
sylfes cræfte,
sundnytte dreah.
Hæfde him on earm(e)
[ealra] þritig
hildegeatwa,
þa he to holm(e) [gion]g.
Nealles Hetware
hremge þorfton
feðewiges,
þe him foran ongean
linde bæron.
Lyt eft becwom
fram þam hildfrecan
hames niosan.
Ofer(s)wam ða sioleða bigong
sunu Ecgðeowes,
(ea)rm anhaga
eft to leodum.
Þær him Hygd gebead
hord 7 rice,
beagas 7 brego(s)tol.
Bearne ne truwode,
þæt he wið ælfylcum
eþelstolas
healdan cuðe.
Ða wæs Hygelac dead.
No ðy ær feasceafte
(f)indan meahton
æt ðam æðelinge
(æ)nige ðinga,
þæt he Heardrede
hlaford (w)ære,
oððe þone cynedom
ciosan wol(d)e.
Hwæðre he him on folce
freondlarum heold,
estum mid are,
oð ðæt he yldra wearð,
Weder-Geatum weold.
Hyne wræcmæcgas
ofer sæ sohtan,
suna Ohteres.
Hæfdon hy forhealden
helm Scylfinga,
þone selestan
sæcyninga
þara ðe ðe in Swiorice
sinc brytnade,
mærne (þ)eoden.
Him þæt to mearce wearð.
He (þær) orfeorme
feorhwunde hleat,
sw(eor)des swengum,
sunu Hygelaces.
7 him eft gewat
Ongenðioes bearn
ha(mes) niosan,
syððan Heardred læg.
Let ðone bregostol
Biowulf healdan,
Geatum wealdan.
Þæt wæs god cyning.
SE ðæs leodhryres
lean gemunde.
Uferan dogrum
Eadgilse wearð
feasceaftum freond.
Folce gestepte
ofe(r) sæ side
sunu Ohteres,
wigum 7 wæpnum.
[Þæt] he gewræc syððan
cealdum cearsiðum,
cyning ealdre bineat.
Swa he niða gehwane
genesen hæfde,
sliðra geslyht(a),
sunu Ecgðiowes,
ellenweorca,
oð ðone anne dæg,
þe he wið þam wyrme
gewegan sceolde.
Gewat þa, twelfa sum,
torne gebolgen,
dryhten Geata,
dracan sceawia(n).
Hæfde þa gefrunen
hwanan sio fæhð aras,
bealonið biorna.
Him to bearme (cwom)
ma(ð)þumfæt mære,
þurh ðæs me(l)(da)n hond.
Se wæs on ðam ðreate
þreotteo(ða) secg,
se ðæs orleges
or onstealde,
hæft (hy)gegiomor.
Sceolde hean ðonon
wong (w)isian.
He ofer willan giong
to ðæs ðe he eorðsele
anne wisse,
hlæw under (hr)usan
holmwylme neh,
yðgewinne.
Se wæs innan full
wrætta 7 wira.
Weard unhiore,
gearo guðfreca
goldmaðmas heold,
eald under eorðan.
Næs þæt yðe ceap,
to gegangenne
gumena ænigum.
Gesæt ða on næsse
niðheard cyning,
þenden hælo abead
heorðgeneatum,
gold(w)ine Geata.
Him wæs geomor sefa,
wæfre 7 wælfus.
Wyrd ungemete neah
se ðone gomelan
gretan sceolde,
secean sawle hord,
sundur gedælan
lif wið lice.
No þon lange wæs
feorh æþelinges
flæsce bewunden.
Biowulf maþelade,
bearn Ecgðeowes:
"Fela ic on gioguðe
guðræsa genæs,
orleghwila.
Ic þæt eall gemon.
Ic wæs syfanwintre
þa mec sin(ca) (bal)dor,
freawine folca,
æt minum fæ(der) genam.
Heold mec 7 hæfde
Hreðel cyn(ing),
geaf me sinc 7 symbel,
sibbe gemund(e);
næs ic him to life
laðra owihte
beorn (in) burgum,
þonne his bearna hwylc,
Herebe(ald) 7 Hæðcyn
oððe Hygelac min.
Wæs þam yldestan
ungedefelice
mæges dædum
morþorbed stred,
syððan hyne Hæðcyn
of hornbogan,
his freawine
flane geswencte,
miste mercelses
7 his mæg o(f)scet,
broðor oðerne
blodigan gare.
Þæt w(æs) feohleas gefeoht,
fyrenum gesyngad,
hreð(re) hygemeðe.
Sceolde hwæðre swa þeah
æð(e)ling unwrecen
ealdres linnan.
Swa bið geomorlic
gomelum ceorle
to gebidanne
þæt his byre ride
giong on galgan.
Þonne h(e) gyd wrece,
sarigne sang,
þonne his sunu hangað
hrefne to hroðre,
7 he him helpa(n) ne mæg,
eald 7 infrod
ænige gefremma(n).
Symble bið gemyndgad
morna gehwylce,
(eafo)ran ellorsið.
Oðres ne gymeð
(t)o gebidanne
burgum in innan
yrfeweardas,
þonne se an hafað
þurh deaðes nyd
dæda gefondad.
Gesyhð sorhcearig
on his suna bure
winsele westne,
windge reste
reote berofene.
Ridend swefað,
hæleð in hoðman.
Nis þær hearpan sweg,
gomen in geardum,
swylce ðær iu wæron."
"GEwiteð þonne on sealman,
sorhleoð gæleð,
an æfter anum.
Þuhte him eall to rum,
wongas 7 wicstede.
Swa Wedra helm
æfter Herebealde
heortan sorge,
weallinde, wæg.
Wihte ne meahte
on ðam feorhbonan
fæghðe gebetan.
No ðy ær he þone heaðorinc
hatian ne meahte
laðum dædum,
þeah him leof ne wæs.
He ða mid þære sorhge,
þe him sio sar belamp,
gumdream ofgeaf,
Godes leoht geceas.
Eaferum læfde,
swa deð eadig mon,
lond 7 leodbyrig,
þa he of life gewat.
Þa
(wæs) synn 7 sacu
Sweona 7 Geata
of(er) [w](id) wæter
wroht gemæne,
herenið hea(rda),
syððan Hreðel swealt,
oððe him Ongenðeowes
eaferan wæran
frome fyrdhwate.
Freode ne woldon
ofer heafo healdan,
ac ymb Hreosna-Beorh
eat(olne) inwitscear
oft [ge]fremedon.
Þæt m(æg)wine
mine gewræcan,
fæhðe 7 fyrene,
swa hyt gefræge wæs,
þeah ðe oðer his
ealdre gebohte
heardan ceape.
Hæðcynne wearð,
Geata dryhtne
guð onsæg(e).
Þa ic on morgne gefrægn
mæg oðerne
billes ecgum
on bonan stælan,
þær Onge(n)þeow
Eofores niosað.
Guðhelm toglad,
gomela Scylfing
hreas [heaþo]blac.
Hond gemunde
fæhðo genoge,
feorhsweng ne ofteah.
Ic him þa maðmas,
þe he me sealde,
geald æt guðe,
swa me gifeðe wæs,
leohtan sweorde.
He me lond forgeaf,
eard, eðelwy(n).
Næs him ænig þearf,
þæt he to Gifðum
oððe to Gar-Denum
oððe in Swiorice
secean þurfe
(wyrs)an wigfrecan,
weorðe gecypa(n).
(Symle) (ic) him on feðan
beforan wolde,
ana on orde,
7 swa to aldre sceall
sæcce fremman,
þenden þis sweord þolað.
Þæt mec ær 7 sið
oft gelæste,
syððan ic for dugeðum
(D)æghrefne wearð
to handbonan,
Huga (ce)mpan.
Nalles he ða frætwe
Frescyning[e],
breostweorðunge
bringan moste,
ac in cempan gecrong
cumbles hyrde,
æþeling on elne.
Ne wæs ecg bona,
ac him hildegrap
heortan wylmas,
banhus gebræc.
Nu sceall billes ecg,
hond 7 heard sweord
ymb hord wigan."
Beowulf maðelode,
beotwordum spræc
niehstan siðe:
"(I)c geneðde fela
guða on geogoðe;
gyt ic wylle,
frod folces weard
fæhðe secan,
mærðum fremman,
gif mec se mansceaða
of eorðsele
ut geseceð."
Gegrette ða
gumena gehwylcne,
hwate helmberend
hindeman siðe,
swæse gesiðas:
"Nolde ic sweord beran,
wæpen to wyrme,
gif ic wiste hu
wið ðam aglæcean
elle(s) meahte
gylpe wiðgripan,
swa ic gio wi(ð) Grendle dyde.
Ac ic ðær heaðufyres
hate(s) wene,
reðes 7 hattres;
forðon ic me on hafu
bord 7 byrnan.
Nelle ic beorges weard
oferfleon fotes trem,
ac unc sce(al)
weorðan æt wealle
swa unc wyrd geteoð,
Metod manna gehwæs.
Ic eom on mode from
þæt ic wið þone guðflogan
gylp ofe(r)sitte.
Gebide ge on beorge
byrnum werede,
secgas on searwum,
hwæðer sel mæge
æfter wælræse
wunde gedygan
uncer twega.
Nis þæt eower sið,
ne gemet mannes,
ne(fn)[e] min anes."
Wat he wið aglæcean
eofoðo dæle,
eorlscype efne.
"Ic mid elne sceall
gold gegangan,
oððe guð nimeð,
feorhbealu frecne
frean eowerne."
Aras ða bi ronde,
rof oretta,
heard under helm(e),
hiorosercean bær
under stancleofu,
strengo getruwode
anes mannes.
Ne bið swylc earges sið!
Geseah ða be wealle,
(se) (ð)e worna fela,
gumcystum god,
guða ge(d)igde,
hildehlemma,
þonne hnitan feðan
(stodan stanbogan),
stream ut þonan
brecan of beorge.
Wæs þære burnan wælm
heaðofyrum hat,
ne meahte horde neah,
unbyrnende,
ænige hwile
deop gedygan,
for dracan lege.
Let ða of breostum,
ða he gebolgen wæs,
Weder-Geata leod
word ut faran;
stearcheort styrmde.
Stefn in becom,
heaðotorht hlynnan
under harne stan.
Hete wæs onhrered,
hordweard oncniow
mannes reorde.
Næs ðær mara fyrst
freode to friclan.
From ærest cwom
oruð aglæcean
ut of stane,
hat hildeswat.
Hruse dynede.
Biorn under beorge
bordrand onswaf
wið ðam gryregieste
Geata dryhten.
Ða wæs hringbogan
heorte gefysed
sæcce to seceanne.
Sweord ær gebræd
god guðcyning,
gomele lafe,
ecgum ungleaw.
Æghwæðrum wæs
bealohycgendra
(bro)ga fram oðrum.
Stiðmod gestod
(wið) steapne rond,
winia bealdor,
ða se wyr(m) gebeah
snude tosomne.
He on searwum bad.
Gewat ða byrnende
gebogen scriða(n)
to gescipe scyndan.
Scyld wel gebearg
(life) 7 lice
læssan hwile
mærum þeodne
þon(ne) his myne sohte,
ðær he þy fyrste
fo(r)man dogore
wealdan moste,
swa him wyrd ne gescraf
hreð æt hilde.
Hond u(p) abræd
Geata dryhten,
gryrefahne slo(h)
Incgelafe,
þæt sio ecg gewac,
brun on bane,
bat unswiðor
þonne his ðiodcyning
þe(arfe) hæfde,
bysigum gebæded.
Þa wæs beorges weard
æfter heaðuswenge
on hreou(m) mode.
Wearp wælfyre;
wide sprungon
hildeleoman.
Hreðsigora ne gealp
goldwine Geata.
Guðbill geswac,
nacod æt niðe,
swa hyt no sceolde,
iren ærgod.
Ne wæs þæt eðe sið,
þæt se mæra
maga Ecgðeowes
grundwong þone
ofgyfan wolde.
Sceolde willan
wic eardian
elles hwergen,
swa
(sceal) æghwylc mon
alætan lændag(as).
Næs ða long to ðon,
þæt ða aglæcean
hy eft gemetton.
Hyrte hyne hordweard,
hreðer æðme weoll,
niwan stefne.
Nearo (ðr)owode,
fyre befongen,
se ðe ær folce weold.
Nealles him on heape
h[a]ndgesteallan,
(æ)ðelinga bearn,
ymbe gestodon
hildecystum,
ac hy on holt bugon,
ealdre burgan.
Hiora in anum weoll
sefa wið sorgum.
Sibb æfre ne mæg
wiht onwendan,
þam ðe wel þenceð.
(W)IGlaf wæs haten,
Weoxstanes sunu,
leof(l)ic lindwiga,
leod Scylfinga,
mæg Ælfheres.
Geseah his mondryhten
under heregriman
hat þrowian.
Gemunde ða ða are
þe he him ær forgeaf,
wicstede weligne
Wægmundinga,
folcrihta gehwylc,
swa his fæder ahte.
Ne mihte ða forhabban,
hond rond gefeng,
geolwe linde,
gomelswyrd geteah.
Þæt wæs mid eldum
Eanmundes laf.
(Su)na Ohtere
þam æt sæcce wearð
w(ræcca) wineleasum,
Weohstan se bana,
meces ecg(um),
7 his magum ætbær
brunfagne helm,
hringde byrnan,
ealdsweord etonisc.
Þæt him Onela forgeaf,
his gædelinges
guðgewædu,
fyrdsearo fuslic.
No ymbe ða fæhðe spræc,
þeah ðe he his broðor bearn
abredwade.
He frætwe geheold
fela missera,
bill 7 byrnan,
oð ðæt his byre mihte
eorlscipe efnan
swa his ærfæder.
Geaf him ða mid Geatum
guðgewæda,
æghwæs unrim,
þa he of ealdre gewat,
frod on forðweg.
Þa wæs forma sið
geongan cempan,
þ(æt) he guðe ræs
mid his freodryhtne
fremman sceolde.
Ne gemealt him, se modsefa,
ne his mægenes laf
gewac æt wige.
Þa se wyrm onfand,
syððan hie togædre
gegan hæfdon.
Wiglaf maðelode,
wordrihta fela
sægde gesiðum.
Him wæs sefa geomor.
"Ic ðæt (mæl) geman,
þær we medu þegun,
þon(ne)
(we) geheton
ussum hlaforde
in biorsele,
(ð)e us ðas beagas geaf,
þæt we him ða guðgetawa
gyldan woldon,
gif him þyslicu
þearf gelumpe,
helmas 7 heard sweord.
Ðe he usic on herge geceas
to ðyssum siðfate
sylfes willum.
Onmunde usic mærða,
7 me þas maðmas geaf,
þe he usic garwigend
gode tealde,
hwate helmberend,
þeah ðe hlaford us
þis ellenweorc
ana aðohte
to gefremmanne,
folces hyrde,
forðan he manna mæst
mærða gefremede,
dæda dollicra.
Nu is se dæg cumen
þæt ure mandryhten
mægenes behofað
godra guðrinca.
Wutun gongan to
helpan hildfruman,
þenden hyt sy,
gledegesa grim.
God wat on mec
þæt me is micle leofre,
þæt minne lichaman
mid minne goldgyfan
gled fæðmie.
Ne þynceð me gerysne,
þæt we rondas beren
eft to earde,
nemne we æror mægen
fane gefyllan,
(f)eorh ealgian
Wedra ðeodnes.
Ic wat gear(e),
þæt næron ealdgewyrht,
þæt he ana scyle
G(eata) duguðe
gnorn þrowian,
gesigan æt sæcce.
Urum sceal sweord 7 helm,
byrne 7 byrduscrud
(bam) gemæne."
Wod þa þurh þone wælrec,
wig(hea)folan bær
frean on fultum.
Fea worda (cwæð):
"Leofa Biowulf,
læst eall tela,
swa ðu on g(eo)guðfeore
geara gecwæde,
þæt ðu ne alæte
be ðe lifigendum
dom gedreosan.
Scealt nu dædum rof,
æðeling anhydig,
ealle mægene,
feorh ealgian.
Ic ðe fullæstu."
Æfter ðam wordum
wyrm yrre cwom,
atol inwitg(æst)
oðre siðe,
fyrwylmum fah
fionda nio(s[i]an)
laðra manna.
Ligyðum for,
born bord (wið) rond.
Byrne ne meahte
geongum garwigan
geoce gefremman,
ac se maga geonga
und(er) his mæges scyld
elne geeode,
þa his agen [wæs]
gledum forgrunden.
Þa gen guðcyning
m[iht] gemunde,
mægenstrengo sloh
hildebille,
(þæt) hyt on heafolan stod
niþe genyded.
Nægl(in)g forbærst,
geswac æt sæcce
sweord Biowulfes
gomol 7 grægmæl.
Him þæt gifeðe ne wæs,
(þæt) him irenna
ecge mihton
helpan æt hilde.
Wæs sio hond to strong,
se ðe meca gehwane
(m)ine gefræge
swenge ofersohte.
Þonne he to (s)æcce bær
wæpen wundum heard;
næs him (w)ihte ðe sel.
Þa wæs þeodsceaða
þriddan siðe,
frecne fyrdraca
fæhða gemyndig,
ræsde on ðone rofan,
þa him rum ageald,
hat 7 heaðogrim,
heals ealne ymbefeng
biteran banum.
He geblodegod wearð
sawuldriore.
Swat yðum weoll.
ÐA ic æt þearfe [gefrægn]
þeodcyninges
andlongne eorl
ellen cyðan,
cræft 7 cenðu,
swa him gecynde wæs.
Ne hedde he þæs heafolan,
ac sio hand gebarn
modiges mannes,
þær he his mægenes healp,
þæt he þone niðgæst
nioðor hwene sloh,
secg on searwum,
þæt ðæt sweord gedeaf,
fah 7 fæted;
þæt ðæt fyr ongon
sweðrian syððan.
Þa gen sylf cyning
geweold his gewitte,
wællseaxe gebræd
biter 7 beaduscearp,
þæt he on byrnan wæg.
Forwrat Wedra helm
wyrm on middan.
Feond gefyldan,
ferh ellen wræc,
7 hi hyne þa begen
abroten hæfdon,
sibæðelingas.
Swylc sceolde secg wesan,
þegn æt ðearfe.
Þæt ðam þeodne wæs
siðas sigehwile
sylfes dædum
wo(rlde) geweorces.
Ða sio wund ongon,
þe him se e(orð)draca
ær geworhte,
swelan 7 swella(n).
(He) þæt sona onfand
þæt him on breostum
beal(onið) weoll,
attor on innan.
Ða se æðeling gion(g),
þæt he bi wealle
wishycgende
gesæt on sesse.
Seah on enta geweorc
hu ða stanbogan
stapulum fæste
ece eorðreced
innan heald(e)[n].
Hyne þa mid handa
heorodreorigne,
(þeo)den mærne,
þegn ungemete till
winedry(hten) his
wætere gelafede,
hilde sædne,
7 his he(l)[m] onspeon.
Biowulf maþelode.
He ofer be(nne) spræc,
wunde wælbleate.
Wisse he gearwe
þæt he dæghwila
gedrogen hæfde,
eorðan wyn[ne].
Ða wæs eall sceacen
dogorgerimes,
deað ungemete neah:
"Nu ic suna minum
syllan wolde
guðgewædu,
þær me gifeðe swa
ænig yrfeweard
æfter wurde
lice gelenge.
Ic ðas leo(de) heold
fiftig wintra.
Næs se folccyning
ymbesittendra
ænig ðara
þe mec guðwinum
(gr)etan dorste,
egesan ðeon.
Ic on earde bad
(m)ælgesceafta,
heold min tela,
ne sohte (s)earoniðas,
ne me swor fela
aða on un(ri)ht.
Ic ðæs ealles mæg
feorhbennum seoc,
ge(fea)n habban,
forðam me witan ne ðearf
Waldend fira
morðorbealo maga,
þonne min sceaceð
lif of lice.
Nu ðu lungre geong
hord sceawian
under harne stan,
Wiglaf leofa.
Nu se wyrm ligeð,
swefeð sare wund,
(si)nce bereafod.
Bio nu on ofoste,
þæt ic ærwelan,
goldæht ongite,
gearo sceawige
swegle searogimmas,
þæt ic ðy seft mæge
æfter maððumwelan
(mi)n alætan
lif 7 leodscipe,
þone ic longe heold."
ÐA ic snude gefrægn
sunu Wihstanes,
æfter wordcwydum
wundum dryhtne,
hyran heaðosiocum,
hringnet beran,
brogdne beadusercean,
u[n]der beorges hrof.
Geseah ða sigehreðig,
þa he bi sesse geong,
magoþegn modig,
maððumsigla fealo,
gold glitinian
grunde getenge,
wundur on wealle,
7 þæs wyrmes denn,
ealdes uhtflogan,
orcas stondan,
fyrnmanna fatu
feormendlease,
hyrstum behrorene.
Þær wæs helm monig
eald 7 omig,
earmbeaga fela
searwum gesæled.
Sinc eaðe mæg,
gold on gr(und)[e],
gumcynnes gehwone
oferhigian,
hyde se ðe wylle.
Swylce he siomian geseah
segn eallgylden,
heah ofer horde,
hondwundra mæst,
gelocen leoðocræftum.
Of ðam leoman stod,
þæt he þone grundwong
ongitan mea(hte),
wræce giondwlitan:
næs ðæs wyrmes þ(ær)
onsyn ænig,
ac hyne ecg fornam.
Ða ic (on) hlæwe gefrægn
hord reafian,
eald ent(a) geweorc
anne mannan.
Him on bearm hlo(don)
bunan 7 discas.
Sylfes dome
segn eac geno(m),
beacna beorhtost.
Bill ær gescod -
ecg wæs iren
ealdhlafordes -
þam ðara maðma
mundbora wæs
longe hwile.
Ligegesan wæg
hatne for horde,
hioroweallende
middelnihtum,
oð þæt he morðre swealt.
Ar wæs on ofoste,
eftsiðes georn,
frætwum gefyrðred.
Hyne fyrwet bræc,
hwæðer collenferð
cwicne gemette
in ðam wongstede,
Wedra þeoden
ellensiocne,
þær he hine ær forlet.
He ða mid þam maðmum
mærne þioden,
dryhten sinne,
driorigne fand,
ealdres æt ende.
He hine eft ongon
wæteres weorpan,
oð þæt wordes ord
breosthord þurhbræc.
Gomel on giogoðe
gold sceawode.
"Ic ðara frætwa
Frean ealles ðanc,
Wuldurcyninge
wordum (sec)ge,
ecum Dryhtne,
þe ic her on starie,
þæs ðe (ic) moste
minum leodum
ær swyltdæge
swylc ge(str)ynan.
Nu ic on maðma hord
minne be(bo)hte
frode feorhlege.
Fremmað gena
(l)eoda þearfe.
Ne mæg ic her leng wesan.
Hatað (h)eaðomære
hlæw gewyrcean
beorhtne æfter bæle,
æt brimes nosan.
Se scel to gemyndum
minum leodum
heah hlifian
on hrones næsse,
þæt hit sæliðend
syððan hatan
Biowulfes Biorh,
ða ðe brentingas
ofer floda genipu
feorran drifað."
Dyde him of healse
hring gyldenne,
þioden þristhydig,
þegne gesealde,
geongum garwigan,
goldfahne helm,
beah 7 byrnan,
het hyne brucan well:
"Þu eart endelaf
usses cynnes,
Wægmundinga.
Ealle wyrd forspeof[t]
mine magas
to metodsceafte,
eorlas on elne.
Ic him æfter sceal."
Þæt wæs þam gomelan
gingæste word
breostgehygdum,
ær he bæl cure,
hate heaðowylmas.
Him of hwæðre gewat
sawol secean
soðfæstra dom.
Ða wæs gegongen
gum[an] unfrodum
earfoðlice,
þæt he on eorðan geseah
þone leofestan
lifes æt ende
bleate gebæran.
Bona swylce læg,
egeslic eorðdraca
ealdr(e) bereafod,
bealwe gebæded.
Beahhordum leng
wyrm wohbogen
wealdan ne moste,
ac him irenna
ecga fornamon,
hearde heaðoscearde
homera lafe,
þæt se widfloga,
wundum stille,
hreas on hrusan
hordærne neah.
Nalles æfter lyfte
lacende hwearf
middelnih(tum),
maðmæhta wlonc,
ansyn ywde,
ac he eorðan gefeoll
for ðæs hildfruman
hondgeweorce.
Huru þæt on lande
lyt manna ðah
mægenagendra,
mine gefræge,
þeah ðe he dæda gehwæs
dyrstig wære,
þæt he wið attorsceaðan
oreðe geræsde,
oððe hringsele
hondum styrede,
gif he wæccende
weard onfunde
buon on beorge.
Biowulfe wearð
dryhtmaðma dæl,
deaðe forgolden.
Hæfde æghwæðre
ende gefered
lænan lifes.
Næs ða lang to ðon,
þæt ða hildlatan
holt ofgefan,
tydre treowlogan,
tyne ætsomne,
ða ne dorston ær
dareðum lacan
on hyra mandryhtnes
miclan þearfe.
Ac hy scamiende
scyldas bæran,
guðgewædu,
þær se gomela læg.
Wlitan on Wilaf.
He gewergad sæt,
feðecempa
frean eaxlum neah.
Wehte hyne wætre -
him wiht ne speo[w].
Ne meahte he on eorðan,
ðeah he uðe wel,
on ðam frumgare
feorh gehealdan,
ne ðæs Wealdendes
wiht oncirran.
Wolde dom
(Go)des
dædum rædan
gumena gehwylcum,
sw(a) he nu gen deð.
Þa wæs æt ðam geongum
grim andswar(u)
eðbegete,
þam ðe ær his elne forleas.
Wiglaf maðelode,
Weohstanes sunu,
sec sarigferð.
Seah on unleofe:
"Þæt, la, mæg secgan
se ðe wyle soð specan,
þæt se mondryhten,
se eow ða maðmas geaf,
eoredgeatwe,
þe ge þær on standað,
þonne he on ealubence
oft gesealde
healsittendum,
helm 7 byrnan,
þeoden his þegnum
swylce he þrydlicost
ower feor oððe neah
findan meahte,
þæt he genunga
guðgewædu
wraðe forwurpe,
ða hyne wig beget.
Nealles folccyning
fyrdgeste(allum)
gylpan þorfte;
hwæðre him God uðe,
sigor(a) Waldend,
þæt he hyne sylfne gewræc,
ana mid ecge,
þa him wæs elnes þearf.
Ic him lifwraðe
lytle meahte
ætgifan æt guðe,
7 ongan swa þeah
ofer min gemet
mæges helpan.
Symle wæs þy sæmra
þonne ic sweorde drep,
ferhðgeniðlan,
fyr unswiðor
weoll of gewitte.
[w]ergendra to lyt
þrong ymbe þeoden,
þa hyne sio (þ)rag becwom.
Hu sceal sincþego
7 swyrd(gifu),
eall eðelwyn
eowrum cynne,
lufen alicgean.
Londrihtes mot
þære mægburge
monna æghwylc
idel hweorfan,
syððan æðelingas
feorran gefricgean
fleam eowerne,
domleasan dæd.
Deað bið sella
eorla gehwylcum
þonne edwitlif."
Heht ða þæt heaðoweorc
to hagan biodan,
up ofer ecgclif,
þær þæt eorlweorod
morgenlongne dæg
modgiomor sæt,
bordhæbbende,
bega on wenum,
endedogores
7 eftcymes
leofes monnes.
Lyt swigode
niwra spella,
se ðe næs gerad,
ac he soðlice
sægde ofer ealle:
"Nu is wilgeofa
Wedra leoda,
dryhten Geata,
deaðbedde fæst,
wunað wælreste
wyrmes dædum.
Him on efn ligeð
ealdorgewinna
siexbennum seoc.
Sweorde ne meahte
on ðam aglæcean
ænige þinga
wunde gewyrcean.
Wiglaf siteð
ofer Biowulfe,
byre Wihstanes,
eorl ofer oðrum
unlifigendum,
healdeð higemæðum
(heafod)wearde
leofes 7 la(ð)es.
Nu y(s) (leodum) wen
orleghwile
syððan under[ne]
Froncu(m) 7 Frysum,
fyll cyninges
wide weorðeð.
Wæs sio wroht scepen
heard wið Hugas,
syððan Higelac cwom
faran flotherge
on Fresn(a) land.
Þær hyne Hetware
hilde gehnægdon,
elne geeodon
mid ofermægene,
þæt se byrnwiga
bugan sceolde.
Feoll on feðan.
Nalles frætwe geaf,
ealdor dugoðe.
Us wæs a syððan
Merewioingas
milts ungyfeðe.
Ne ic te Swe(o)ðeode
sibbe oððe treowe
wihte ne wene,
ac wæs wide cuð
þætte Ongenðio
ealdre besnyðede
Hæðce(n) Hreþling
wið Hrefnawudu,
þa for on(med)lan
ærest gesohton
Geata leode
Guð-Sci(l)fingas.
Sona him se froda
fæder Ohthere(s),
eald 7 egesfull,
hondslyht ageaf,
abreot brimwisan,
bryd aheorde,
gomela iomeowl(a)n
golde berofene,
Onelan modor
7 Ohtheres.
7 ða folgode
feorhgeniðlan,
oð ðæt hi oðeodo(n)
earfoðlice,
in Hrefnesholt
hlafordlease.
Besæt ða sinherge
sweorda lafe,
wundum werge.
(Wean) (o)ft gehet
earmre teohhe
(ondlonge) niht,
cwæð, he on mergenne
meces ecgum
getan wolde
sum on galgtreowu[m]
[feðan] to gamene.
Frofor eft gelamp
sarigmodum
somod ærdæge,
syððan hie Hygelaces
horn 7 byman
gealdor ongeaton,
þa se goda com
leoda dugoðe
on last faran.
Wæs sio swatswaðu
Swona 7 Geata,
wælræs weora,
wide gesyne.
Hu ða folc mid him
fæhðe towehton!
Gewat him ða se goda
mid his gædelingum,
frod, felageomor,
fæsten secean.
Eorl Ongenþio
ufor oncirde,
hæfde Higelaces
hilde gefrunen,
wlonces wigcræft.
Wiðres (n)e truwode,
þæt he sæmannum
onsacan mihte,
heaðoliðendum
hord forstandan,
bearn 7 bryde.
Beah eft þonan
eald under eorðweall.
Þa wæs æht boden
Sweona leodum,
segn Higelace.
Freoðowong þone
ford ofereodon,
syððan Hreðlingas
to hagan þrungon.
Þær wearð Ongenðiow
ecgum, sweordum,
blondenfexa
on bid wrecen,
þæt se þeodcyning
ðafian sceolde
Eafores anne dom.
Hyne yrringa
Wulf Wonreðing
wæpne geræhte,
þæt him for swenge
swat ædrum sprong
forð under fexe.
Næs he forht swa ðeh,
gomela Scilfing,
ac forgeald hraðe
wyrsan wrixle
wælhlem þone,
syððan ðeodcyning
þyder oncirde.
Ne meahte se snella
sunu Wonredes
ealdum ceorle
hondslyht giofan,
ac he him on heafde
helm ær gescer,
þæt he blode fah
bugan sceolde.
Feoll on foldan.
Næs he fæge þa git,
ac he hyne gewyrpte,
þeah ðe him wund hrine.
Let se hearda
Higelaces þegn
-- brade mece
þa his broðor læg --
ealdsweord eotonisc
entiscne helm
brec(an) ofer bordweal.
Ða gebeah cyning,
folces hyrde
wæs in feorh dropen.
Ða wæron monige
þe his mæg wriðon,
ricone arærdon,
ða him gerymed wearð,
þæt hie wælstowe
wealdan moston.
Þenden reafode
rinc oðerne,
nam on Ongenðio
irenbyrnan,
heard swyrd hilted,
7 his helm somod.
Hares hyrste
Higelace bær.
He [ðam] frætwum feng
7 him fægre gehet
leana [mid] leodum,
7 gelæst[e] swa.
Geald þone guðræs,
Geata dryhten,
Hreðles eafora,
þa he to ham becom,
Iofore 7 Wulfe
mid ofermaðmum.
Sealde hiora gehwæðrum
hund þusenda
landes 7 locenra
beaga, ne ðorfte him
ða lean oðwitan
mon on middangearde,
syðða[n] hie ða [maran]
mærða geslogon.
7 ða Iofore forgeaf
angan dohtor,
hamweorðunge,
hyldo to wedde.
Þæt ys sio fæhðo
7 se feondscipe,
wælnið wera,
ðæs ðe ic [wen] hafo,
þe us seceað to
Sweona leoda,
syððan hie gefricgeað
frean userne
ealdorleasne,
þone ðe ær geheold
wið hettendum
hord (7) rice,
æfter hæleða hryre,
hwate Scildingas,
folcred fremede,
oððe furður gen
eorlscipe efnde.
Me is ofost betost,
þæt we þeodcyning
þær sceawian,
7 þone gebringan,
þe us beagas geaf,
on adfære.
Ne scel anes hwæt
meltan mid þam modigan,
ac þær is maðma hord,
gold unrime,
grimme gecea[po]d,
7 nu æt siðestan
sylfes feore
beagas [geboh]te.
Þa sceall brond fretan,
æled þeccean,
nalles eorl wegan
maððum to gemyndum,
ne mægð scyne
habban on healse
hringweorðunge,
ac sceal, geomormod,
golde bereafod,
oft, nalles æne,
elland tredan.
Nu se herewisa
hleahtor alegde
gamen 7 gleodream.
Forðon sceall gar wesan
monig morgenceald,
mundum bewunden,
hæfen on handa;
nalles hearpan sweg
wigend weccean,
ac se wonna hrefn,
fus ofer fægum,
fela reordian,
earne secgan
hu him æt æte speow,
þenden he wið wulf
wæl reafode."
Swa se secg hwata
secggende wæs
laðra spella.
He ne leag fela
wyrda ne worda.
Weorod eall aras.
Eodon unbliðe
under earna næs,
wollenteare,
wundur sceawian.
Fundon ða on sande
sawulleasne,
hlimbed healdan,
þone þe him hringas geaf
ærran mælum.
Þa wæs endedæg
godum gegongen,
þæt se guðcyning,
Wedra þeoden,
wundordeaðe swealt.
Ær hi þær gesegan
syllicran wiht,
wyrm on wonge
wiðerræhtes þær,
laðne licgean.
Wæs se legdraca
grimlic gry[regist]
gledum beswæled.
Se wæs fiftiges
fotgemearces
lang on legere.
Lyftwynne heold
nihtes hwilum,
nyðer eft gewat
dennes niosian.
Wæs ða deaðe fæst,
hæfde eorðscrafa
ende genyttod.
Him big stodan
bunan 7 orcas,
discas lagon
7 dyre swyrd,
omige, þurhetone,
swa hie wið eorðan fæðm
þusend wintra
þær eardodon.
Þonne wæs þæt yrfe,
eacencræftig,
iumonna gold,
galdre bewunden,
þæt ðam hringsele
hrinan ne moste,
gumena ænig,
nefne God sylfa,
sigora Soðcyning
sealde þam ðe he wolde
(He is manna gehyld)
hord openian,
efne swa hwylcum manna
swa him gemet ðuhte.
Þa wæs gesyne
þæt se sið ne ðah
þam ðe unrihte
inne gehydde
wræce under wealle.
Weard ær ofsloh
feara sumne.
Þa sio fæhð gewearð
gewrecen wraðlice.
Wundur hwar þonne
eorl ellenrof
ende gefere
lifgesceafta,
þonne leng ne mæg,
mon mid his [mæ]gum,
meduseld buan.
Swa wæs Biowulfe,
þa he biorges weard
sohte, searoniðas.
Seolfa ne cuðe
þurh hwæt his worulde gedal
weorðan sceolde.
Swa hit oð domes dæg
diope benemdon
þeodnas mære,
þa ðæt þær dydon,
þæt se secg wære
synnum scildig,
hergum geheaðerod,
hellbendum fæst,
wommum gewitnad,
se ðone wong strude.
Næs he goldhwæte,
gearwor hæfde
Agendes est
ær gesceawod.
Wiglaf maðelode,
Wihstanes sunu:
"Oft sceall eorl monig,
anes willan,
wræc adreog[an],
swa us geworden is.
Ne meahton we gelæran
leofne þeoden,
rices hyrde,
ræd ænigne,
þæt he ne grette
goldweard þone,
lete hyne licgean
þær he longe wæs,
wicum wunian
oð woruldende.
Heold on heahgesceap.
Hord ys gesceawod,
grimme gegongen.
Þæt gifeðe [wæs]
to swið þe ðone
þyder ontyhte.
Ic wæs þær inne
7 þæt eall geondseh,
recedes geatwa,
þa me gerymed wæs,
nealles swæslice
sið alyfed,
inn under eorðweall.
Ic on ofoste gefeng
micle mid mundum,
mægenbyrðenne
hordgestreona,
hider ut ætbær
cyninge minum.
Cwico wæs þa gena,
wis 7 gewittig.
Worn eall gespræc,
gomol on gehðo,
7 eowic gretan het,
bæd þæt ge geworhton
æfter wines dædum
in bælstede
beorh þone hean,
micelne 7 mærne,
swa he manna wæs
wigend weorðfullost
wide geond eorðan,
þenden he burhwelan
brucan moste.
Uton nu efstan
oðre [siðe]
seon 7 secean
[on] searogeþræc
wundur under wealle.
Ic eow wisige,
þæt ge genoge
neon sceawiað
beagas 7 brad gold.
Sie sio bær gearo,
ædre geæfned,
þonne we ut cymen,
7 þonne geferian
frean userne,
leofne mannan,
þær he longe sceal
on ðæs Waldendes
wære geþolian."
Het ða gebeodan,
byre Wihstanes,
hæle hildedior,
hæleða monegum
boldagendra,
þæt hie bælwudu
feorran feredon,
folcagende
godum togenes:
"Nu sceal gled fretan
weaxan wonna leg
wigena strengel,
þone ðe oft gebad
isernscure,
þonne stræla storm,
strengum gebæded,
scoc ofer scildweall.
Sceft nytte heold,
fæ[ð]ergearwum fus,
flane fulleode."
Huru se snotra
sunu Wihstanes
acigde of corðre
cyniges þegnas,
syfone [tosom]ne,
þa selestan.
Eode eahta sum
under inwithrof.
(H)ilderinc sum
on handa bær
æledleoman.
se ðe on orde geong.
Næs ða on hlytme,
hwa þæt hord strude,
syððan orwearde
ænigne dæl
secgas gesegon
on sele wunian,
læne licgan.
Lyt ænig mearn
þæt hi ofostli(c)[e]
ut geferedon
dyre maðmas.
Dracan ec scufun,
wyrm ofer weallclif,
leton weg niman,
flod fæðmian
frætwa hyrde.
Þæt wæs wundengold
on wæn hladen,
æghwæs unrim,
æþelinge boren,
har[um] hilde,
to hrones næsse.
Him ða gegiredan,
Geata leode,
ad on eorðan
unwaclicne,
helm[um] behongen,
hildebordum,
beorhtum byrnum,
swa he bena wæs.
Alegdon ða tomiddes
mærne þeoden,
hæleð hiofende,
hlaford leofne.
Ongunnon þa on beorge
bælfyra mæst,
wigend weccan.
W(ud[u]r)ec astah,
sweart ofer swi[o]ðole,
swogende l(et),
(wop)e bewunden.
Windblond gelæg,
oð þæt he ða banhus
gebrocen hæfd[e]
hat on hreðre.
Higum unrote
modceare mændon,
mondryhtnes (cw[e]a)lm.
Swylce giomorgyd
[Ge]at[isc] [an]meowle,
[næ]s [bliðheorte],
[b]undenheorde,
[sang] sorgcearig
sælðe geneah[he]
þæt hio hyre [here]g[æn]gas
hearde ond[r]ede,
wælfylla worn,
[w]erudes egesan,
hyðo [7] hæf[t]nyd.
Heofon rece swealg.
Geworhton ða
Wedra leode
[hlæo] on h[o]e,
se wæs heah 7 brad,
[wæ]gliðendum
wide gesyne,
7 beti[m]bredon
on tyn dagum,
beadurofes becn,
bronda lafe.
Wealle beworhton,
swa hyt weorðlicost
foresnotre men
findan mihton.
Hi on beorg dydon
beg 7 siglu,
eall swylce hyrsta,
swylce on horde ær
niðhedige men
genumen hæfdon.
Forleton eorla gestreon
eorðan healdan,
gold on greote,
þær hit nu gen lifað
eldum swa unnyt
swa hyt [æro]r wæs.
Þa ymbe hlæw riodan,
hildedeore
æþelinga bearn,
ealra twelfa,
woldon [ca]re cwiðan,
kyning mænan,
wordgyd wrecan,
7 ymb w[er] sprecan.
Eahtodan eorlscipe
7 his ellenweorc
duguðum demdon,
swa hit ged[efe] bið
þæt mon his winedryhten
wordum herge,
ferhðum freoge,
(þonne) he forð scile
of l[i]chaman
l[æded] weorðan.
Swa begnornodon
Geata leode
hlafordes [hry]re,
heorðgeneatas.
Cwædon þæt he wære
wyruldcyning,
manna mildust
7 mon[ðw]ærust,
leodum liðost,
7 lofgeornost.