BEOWULF
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XXVIII |
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| Cwóm þá tó flóde fela módigra |
| They came than to the flood full of spirit |
| hægstealdra· hringnet baéron |
| of the young warriors; ring-mail they wore |
| locene leoðosyrcan· landweard onfand |
| interlocked limb-shirts; the land-guard perceived |
| eftsíð eorla, swá hé aér dyde· |
| the return of heroes, as he did before; |
| nó hé mid hearme of hliðes nósan |
1892 | he did not with insult from the cliff's promontory |
| gæstas grétte ac him tógéanes rád· |
| greet the guests, but rode towards them, |
| cwæð þæt wilcuman Wedera léodum |
| said that welcome to the people of the Wederas |
| scaþan scírhame tó scipe fóron· |
| the fighters with bright covering he went to the ship; |
| þá wæs on sande saégéap naca |
| then was on sand the sea-curved boat |
| hladen herewaédum hringedstefna |
1897 | laden with war-garments the ringed-prow |
| méarum ond máðmum· mæst hlífade |
| with horses and treasure; the mast towered |
| ofer Hróðgáres hordgestréonum· |
| over Hrothgar's hoard-wealth; |
| hé þaém bátwearde bunden golde |
| he to the boat-guard a bound gold |
| swurd gesealde þæt hé syðþan wæs |
| sword gave, so that he afterwards was |
| on meodubence máþma þý weorþre |
1902 | on the mead-bench by the treasure the worthier, |
| yrfeláfe. Gewát him on nacan |
| by the inherited relic. Departed him on the ship |
| dréfan déop wæter· Dena land ofgeaf· |
| to trouble deep water; he left the Danes' land; |
| þá wæs be mæste merehrægla sum |
| then was by the mast a mighty sea-garment, |
| segl sále fæst· sundwudu þunede· |
| sail fastened by rope; the sea-beam thundered; |
| nó þaér wégflotan wind ofer ýðum |
1907 | there the wave-floater was not (by) wind over the waves |
| síðes getwaéfde· saégenga fór· |
| hindered in its venture; the sea-goers went, |
| fléat fámigheals forð ofer ýðe |
| the foamy-necked floated forth over the waves, |
| bundenstefna ofer brimstréamas |
| bound prow over the ocean-streams, |
| þæt híe Géata clifu ongitan meahton |
| until they the Geatish cliffs could perceive, |
| cúþe næssas· céol úp geþrang |
1912 | the well-known headlands; the keel rushed up |
| lyftgeswenced· on lande stód. |
| weather-beaten, rested on the land. |
| Hraþe wæs æt holme hýðweard geara |
| Quickly was at the water the ready harbour-guard, |
| sé þe aér lange tíd léofra manna |
| he who already for a long time for the beloved men |
| fús æt faroðe feor wlátode· |
| eager at the current gazed far; |
| saélde tó sande sídfæþme scip |
1917 | moored in the sand the broad-bosomed ship |
| oncearbendum fæst þý laés hym ýþa ðrym |
| firm with anchor-bounds, lest the force of the waves |
| wudu wynsuman forwrecan meahte· |
| the winsome timbers might carry away; |
| hét þá úp beran æþelinga gestréon |
| he ordered then to carry up the nobles' treasure, |
| frætwe ond faétgold· næs him feor þanon |
| trappings and gold ornaments; it was not far thence for them |
| tó gesécanne sinces bryttan |
1922 | to seek the giver of treasures |
| Higelác Hréþling þaér æt hám wunað |
| Hygelac son of Hrethel, where he dwelt at home |
| selfa mid gesíðum saéwealle néah. |
| himself with his companions near the sea-wall. |
| Bold wæs betlíc, bregoróf cyning |
| The building was splendid, the king of princely valour, |
| héähealle, Hygd swíðe geong |
| the high hall, Hygd very young, |
| wís wélþungen þéah ðe wintra lýt |
1927 | wise, well-thriving, through few winters |
| under burhlocan gebiden hæbbe |
| in the walled town had lived, |
| Hæreþes dohtor næs hío hnáh swá þéah |
| Haereth's daughter was not mean though |
| né tó gnéað gifa Géata léodum |
| nor too grudging of gifts to the people of the Geats, |
| máþmgestréona. Mód þrýðo wæg |
| of treasure-wealth. She showed violent arrogance, |
| fremu folces cwén, firen' ondrysne· |
1932 | the lusty queen of the folk, terrible crimes; |
| naénig þæt dorste déor genéþan |
| dared not any of the bold to risk, |
| swaésra gesíða, nefne sinfréä· |
| of the dear companions, except her great lord, |
| þæt hire an dæges éagum starede |
| that on her by day stared with his eyes |
| ac him wælbende weotode tealde |
| but for him slaughter-bonds he might consider prescribed, |
| handgewriþene· hraþe seoþðan wæs |
1937 | woven by hands; quickly then was |
| æfter mundgripe méce geþinged |
| after seizure a maiche was appointed, |
| þæt hit sceádenmaél scýran� móste, |
| that it, shadow-marked, was obliged to settle, |
| cwealmbealu cýðan· ne bið swylc cwénlic þéaw |
| make known the evil of the death; such queenly manner is not |
| idese tó efnanne þéah ðe hío aénlicu sý· |
| for a lady to perform, though she be matchless, |
| þætte freoðuwebbe féores onsaéce |
1942 | that peace-weaver deprives life, |
| æfter ligetorne léofne mannan. |
| owing to a false injury, of beloved man. |
| Húru þæt on hóh snod Hemninges maég· |
| However, it was cut off at the heel by Hemming's kinsman; |
| ealodrincende óðer saédan· |
| the ale-drinkers further told |
| þæt hío léodbealewa laés gefremede |
| that evil for the people she practised less, |
| inwitníða syððan aérest wearð |
1947 | malice and enmity, since she first was |
| gyfen goldhroden geongum cempan |
| given, gold-adorned, to the young champion, |
| æðelum díore syððan hío Offan flet |
| of noble ancestry, when she to Offa's hall |
| ofer fealone flód be fæder láre |
| over the dusky flood by her father's wisdom |
| síðe gesóhte ðaér hío syððan well |
| sought in her journey where she afterwards fully |
| in gumstóle góde maére |
1952 | on the throne, for goodness famed, |
| lífgesceafta lifigende bréac· |
| the fated span of her life her living she used well, |
| híold héahlufan wið hæleþa brego, |
| held high-love for the heroes' lord, |
| ealles moncynnes míne gefraége |
| of all mankind, I have heard, |
| þæs sélestan bí saém twéonum |
| the finest between the seas, |
| eormencynnes· Forðám Offa wæs |
1957 | of the mighty race. Because Offa was |
| geofum ond gúðum gárcéne man |
| in gifts and in war, a spear-keen man; |
| wíde geweorðod· wísdóme héold |
| widely honoured, ruled in wisdom |
| éðel sínne· þonon ongéomor wóc |
| his homeland; then, exceedingly sad, he arose |
| hæleðum tó helpe Heminges maég |
| a help to heroes, the kinsman of Hemming, |
| nefa Gármundes níða cræftig. |
1962 | grandson of Garmund, powerful over strife. |