BEOWULF
diacritically-marked text and facing translation
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XXXVII�� |
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| Ðá ic æt þearfe gefrægn þéodcyninges |
2694 | I heard that then at the need of the folk-king |
| andlongne eorl ellen cýðan |
| the nobleman alongside displayed courage, |
| cræft ond cénðu swá him gecynde wæs· |
| strength and boldness, as was natural to him; |
| ne hédde hé þæs heafolan ac sío hand gebarn |
| he did not heed (the dragon's) head, though the hand was burned |
| módiges mannes þaér hé his mægenes healp |
| of the spirited man, there he his strength helped, |
| þæt he þone níðgæst nioðor hwéne slóh, |
2699 | that he the hostile outsider struck somewhat lower, |
| secg on searwum þæt ðæt sweord gedéaf |
| the warrior in his war-gear, so that the sword sank in |
| fáh ond faéted þæt ðæt fýr ongon |
| gleaming and golden so that the fire began |
| sweðrian syððan. Þá gén sylf cyning |
| to weaken after that. Then again the king himself |
| gewéold his gewitte· wællseaxe gebraéd |
| gathered his wits, drew a slaughter-seax |
| biter ond beaduscearp þæt hé on byrnan wæg· |
2704 | bitter and battle-sharp, that he wore on his byrnie; |
| forwrát Wedra helm wyrm on middan. |
| The Helm of the Wederas cut through the wyrm in the middle. |
| Féond gefyldan --ferh ellen wræc-- |
| The foe they felled --their courage driving out life-- |
| ond hí hyne þá bégen ábroten hæfdon, |
| and then the both of them him had destroyed, |
| sibæðelingas· swylc sceolde secg wesan |
| the noble kinsmen; so ought a man to be, |
| þegn æt ðearfe. Þæt ðám þéodne wæs |
2709 | a thane in need. That was for the chieftain |
| síðas sigehwíle sylfes daédum, |
| the last time of victory by his own deeds, |
| worlde geweorces. Ðá sío wund ongon |
| in the world of action. Then the wound began, |
| þé him se eorðdraca aér geworhte |
| which him the earth-dragon had caused earlier, |
| swelan ond swellan· hé þæt sóna onfand· |
| to swelter and to swell; he soon discovered that, |
| þæt him on bréostum bealoníð wéoll |
2714 | it him in the breast welled with deadly evil, |
| attor on innan. Ðá se æðeling gíong |
| poison inside. Then the noble went, |
| þæt hé bí wealle wíshycgende |
| so that he by the wall wise in thought |
| gesæt on sesse· seah on enta geweorc· |
| sat on a seat; he looked on the giants' work |
| hú ðá stánbogan stapulum fæste |
| how the stone-arches on firm pillars |
| éce eorðreced innan healden. |
2719 | the eternal earth-hall supported within. |
| Hyne þá mid handa heorodréorigne |
| Then with his hands, sword-bloody, |
| þéoden maérne þegn ungemete till |
| the renowned chieftain, the immensely good thane |
| winedryhten his wætere gelafede |
| his friend and lord washed with water, |
| hilde sædne ond his helm onspéon· |
| weary of battle, and unfastened his helm; |
| Bíowulf maþelode· hé ofer benne spræc, |
2724 | Beowulf spoke; he spoke despite his injury, |
| wunde wælbléate --wisse hé gearwe |
| the slaughter-wretched wound --he readily knew |
| þæt hé dæghwíla gedrogen hæfde |
| that he the length of his days had fulfilled, |
| eorðan wynne· ðá wæs eall sceacen |
| joy of earth; then was all departed |
| dógorgerímes, déað ungemete néah--: |
| his number of days, death exceedingly near |
| 'Nú ic suna mínum syllan wolde |
2729 | 'Now I to my son I would have wished to give |
| gúðgewaédu þaér mé gifeðe swá |
| war-garments, if it had been granted to me such that |
| aénig yrfeweard æfter wurde |
| any guardian of inheritance would be after |
| líce gelenge· ic ðás léode héold |
| this body remaining; I ruled the people |
| fíftig wintra· næs sé folccyning |
| fifty winters; there was not a folk-king |
| ymbesittendra aénig ðára |
2734 | of my neighbours --of any of them-- |
| þé mec gúðwinum grétan dorste, |
| who me with war-friends dared to greet, |
| egesan ðéön· ic on earde bád |
| to threaten with terror; I on earth awaited |
| maélgesceafta· héold mín tela· |
| destiny, ruled my own well, |
| ne sóhte searoníðas né mé swór fela |
| did not seek cunning hostility, nor swore me many |
| áða on unriht· ic ðæs ealles mæg |
2739 | oaths unjustly; I all of it can, |
| feorhbennum séoc geféan habban |
| sick with mortal-injuries, have rejoicing, |
| forðám mé wítan ne ðearf Waldend fíra |
| because he will not need to reproach me, the Ruler of men, |
| morðorbealo mága þonne mín sceaceð |
| for dire murder of kin, when departs my |
| líf of líce. Nú ðú lungre geong |
| life from body. Now go you quickly |
| hord scéawian under hárne stán, |
2744 | to examine the hoard under the hoary grey stone, |
| Wígláf léofa, nú se wyrm ligeð, |
| dear Wiglaf, now the wyrm lies dead, |
| swefeð sáre wund since beréafod |
| sleeping sorely wounded, deprived of treasure |
| bío nú on ofoste þæt ic aérwelan |
| be now in haste, that I the ancient wealth, |
| goldaéht ongite· gearo scéawige |
| the possession of gold might perceive, readily behold |
| swegle searogimmas þæt ic ðý séft mæge |
2749 | sparkling cleverly-cut gems, so that I can the more pleasantly |
| æfter máððumwelan mín álaétan |
| for treasure-wealth leave my |
| líf ond léodscipe þone ic longe héold.' |
| life and nation, that long I ruled.' |