BEOWULF
diacritically-marked text and facing translation
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last updated on 12-June-2005
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| Ðá him Hróþgár gewát mid his hæleþa gedryht | � | Then Hrothgar went with his band of heroes, | ||
| eodur Scyldinga út of healle· | � | the protector of the Scyldings, out of the hall; | ||
| wolde wígfruma Wealhþéo sécan |
| he wished to seek Wealhtheow, | ||
| cwén tó gebeddan· hæfde kyningwuldor |
| the queen as companion in bed; the glory of kings had, | ||
| Grendle tógéanes· swá guman gefrungon· |
666 | against Grendel, --so men heard-- | ||
| seleweard áseted: sundornytte behéold |
| the hall-guard posted: special duty he held | ||
| ymb aldor Dena· eotonweard' ábéad. |
| for the chief of the Danes, ogre-watch he kept. | ||
| Húru Géata léod georne trúwode |
| Indeed the prince of the Geats keenly trusted | ||
| módgan mægnes, metodes hyldo |
| in his prodigious power, his Maker's favour, | ||
| ðá hé him of dyde ísernbyrnan |
671 | then he from himself took iron-byrnie, | ||
| helm of hafelan· sealde his hyrsted sweord |
| helm from head, gave his adorned sword, | ||
| írena cyst ombihtþegne |
| the choicest of irons, to his retainer, | ||
| ond gehealdan hét hildegeatwe· |
| and commanded him ward his battle-gear; | ||
| gespræc þá se góda gylpworda sum |
| the good man spoke then some promise-words, | ||
| Béowulf Géata aér hé on bed stige: |
676 | Beowulf of the Geats, before he stepped into bed: | ||
| 'Nó ic mé an herewæsmun hnágran talige |
| 'I myself in martial-stature do not tally poorer | ||
| gúþgeweorca þonne Grendel hine· |
| in works of war then Grendel himself; | ||
| forþan ic hine sweorde swebban nelle, |
| therefore him with my sword I shall not slay, | ||
| aldre benéotan þéah ic eal mæge· |
| deprive of life, though I fully am able; | ||
| nát hé þára góda þæt hé mé ongéan sléä· |
681 | he knows not the finer skills that he may strike me back, | ||
| rand gehéawe þéah ðe hé róf síe |
| hew my rimmed-shield, although he is renowned | ||
| níþgeweorca ac wit on niht sculon |
| for malicious works but we at night must | ||
| secge ofersittan gif hé gesécean dear |
| relinquish short sword if he dares to seek | ||
| wíg ofer waépen ond siþðan wítig god |
| war without weapons, and then wise God, | ||
| on swá hwæþere hond hálig dryhten |
686 | on whichever hand, the holy Lord | ||
| maérðo déme swá him gemet þince.' |
| will allot glory, as seems fitting to Him.' | ||
| Hylde hine þá heaþodéor --hléorbolster onféng |
| The war-bold one then bent himself down --the cheek-bolster received | ||
| eorles andwlitan-- ond hine ymb monig |
| the earl's face-- and round him many | ||
| snellíc saérinc selereste gebéah· |
| brave seaman sank down in hall-slumber; | ||
| naénig heora þóhte þæt hé þanon scolde |
691 | none of them thought that he thence would | ||
| eft eardlufan aéfre gesécean |
| his dear home again ever visit, | ||
| folc oþðe fréoburh þaér hé áféded wæs |
| his folk or his noble citadel, where he was nurtured | ||
| ac híe hæfdon gefrúnen þæt híe aér tó fela micles |
| for they had heard that far too many of them already | ||
| in þaém wínsele wældéað fornam |
| in that wine-hall slaughtering Death had carried off | ||
| Denigea léode. Ac him dryhten forgeaf |
696 | of the Danish people. But to them the Lord granted | ||
| wígspéda gewiofu� Wedera léodum |
| the woven-destiny of war-luck to the Wederas' men, | ||
| frófor ond fultum þæt híe féond heora |
| solace and support, that they their foe, | ||
| ðurh ánes cræft ealle ofercómon |
| through the strength of one, all overcame, | ||
| selfes mihtum· sóð is gecýþed, |
| by his own might; truth is known | ||
| þæt mihtig god manna cynnes |
701 | that mighty God mankind | ||
| weold wídeferhð. Cóm on wanre niht |
| has ruled forever. In the colourless night came | ||
| scríðan sceadugenga· scéotend swaéfon |
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| þá þæt hornreced healdan scoldon |
| they that the horned-house were obliged to guard, | ||
| ealle búton ánum --þæt wæs yldum cúþ |
| all but one --it was known to men | ||
| þæt híe ne móste· þá metod nolde· |
706 | that they could not, when the Maker did not wish it, | ||
| se synscaþa under sceadu bregdan-- |
| by the malefactor be drawn under the shadows-- | ||
| ac hé wæccende wráþum on andan |
| but he watching in angry indignation | ||
| bád bolgenmód beadwa geþinges. |
| bided in rising rage for the result of battle. |