HAL Id: hprints-00364943
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English Language, Linguistics and Literature.
Fee Haase
To cite this version:
Fee Haase. English Language, Linguistics and Literature.: Selected Readings of Classical Writings for Linguistic Theory, Literature History, and Applications of the English Language.. 2009. �hprints- 00364943�
English Language, Linguistics and Literature.
Selected Readings of Classical Writings for Linguistic Theory, Literature History, and
Applications of the English Language.
Ed. and Compiled by Fee-Alexandra Haase
Chapter 1. The Beginnings
1. 8th Century: Beowulf 3
2. 9th Century: The Seafarer 22
3. 10th Century: The Battle of Maldon 23
4. 11th Century: Wulfstan 28
5. 12th Century: Poema Morale 30
Chapter 2. High Middle Ages and Modernity 1. 13th Century: The Owl and the Nightingale 35
2. 14th Century: Sir Orfeo 60
3. 15th Century: The Wakefield Master 69
4. 16th Century: William Tyndale. The Gospell of S. Mathew 87
5. 16th Century: George Puttenham. The Arte of English Poesie 88
6. 17th Century: John Donne. Songs and Sonnets 204
Chapter 3. Late Modernity 1. 18th Century: Samuel Johnson: Preface to a Dictionary of the English Languages 218
2. 18th Century: Jonathan Swift. A Modest Proposal 228
3. 19th Century: Thomas Robert Malthus. An Essay on the Principle of Population 232
4. 19th Century: Walter Bagehot. The English Constitution 234
5. 19th Century: John Henry Newman. The Idea of a University 264
6. 19th Century: Edward Everett Hale. The South American Editor 276
7. 20th Century: Susan Glaspell. One of Those Impossible Americans 284
8. 20th Century: Bertrand Russell. On Denoting 290
9. Arnold Bennett. Literary Taste: How to Form It 299
Chapter 4. The History of English Literature 1. 19th Century: Henry A. Beers. Brief History of English and American Literature 239
2. 19th Century: Anne C. Lynch Botta. Handbook of Universal Literature From the Best and Latest Authorities 540
3. 19th Century: Gilbert Keith Chesterton. The Victorian Age in Literature 789
4. 20th Century: Reuben Post Halleck. History of American Literature 829
5. 20th Century: William Dean Howells. American Literary Centers and American Literature in Exile 852
6. 20th Century: Murry, J. Middleton. Aspects of Literature 859
7. 20th Century: Louis Untermeyer. Modern British Poetry 927
8. 20th Century: Henry R. Plomer. A Short History of English Printing 932
Sources 1029
Chapter 1. The Beginnings 1. 8th Century: Beowulf
Beowulf The Scyldings
Hwæt! We Gardena | in geardagum, theodcyninga, | thrym gefrunon, hu dha æthelingas | ellen fremedon.
Oft Scyld Scefing | sceathena threatum, 5
monegum mægthum, | meodosetla ofteah, egsode eorlas. | Sydhdhan ærest weardh feasceaft funden, | he thæs frofre gebad, weox under wolcnum, | weordhmyndum thah, odhthæt him æghwylc | thara ymbsittendra 10
ofer hronrade | hyran scolde,
gomban gyldan. | Thæt wæs god cyning!
Dhæm eafera wæs | æfter cenned, geong in geardum, | thone god sende folce to frofre; | fyrendhearfe ongeat 15
the hie ær drugon | aldorlease lange hwile. | Him thæs liffrea, wuldres wealdend, | woroldare forgeaf;
Beowulf wæs breme | (blæd wide sprang), Scyldes eafera | Scedelandum in.
20
Swa sceal geong guma | gode gewyrcean, fromum feohgiftum | on fæder bearme, thæt hine on ylde | eft gewunigen wilgesithas, | thonne wig cume, leode gelæsten; | lofdædum sceal 25
in mægtha gehwære | man getheon.
Him dha Scyld gewat | to gescæphwile felahror feran | on frean wære.
Hi hyne tha ætbæron | to brimes farodhe, swæse gesithas, | swa he selfa bæd, 30
thenden wordum weold | wine Scyldinga;
leof landfruma | lange ahte.
Thær æt hydhe stod | hringedstefna, isig ond utfus, | æthelinges fær.
Aledon tha | leofne theoden, 35
beaga bryttan, | on bearm scipes,
mærne be mæste. | Thær wæs madma fela of feorwegum, | frætwa, gelæded;
ne hyrde ic cymlicor | ceol gegyrwan hildewæpnum | ond headhowædum, 40
billum ond byrnum; | him on bearme læg madma mænigo, | tha him mid scoldon on flodes æht | feor gewitan.
Nalæs hi hine læssan | lacum teodan, theodgestreonum, | thon tha dydon 45
the hine æt frumsceafte | fordh onsendon ænne ofer ydhe | umborwesende.
Tha gyt hie him asetton | segen geldenne heah ofer heafod, | leton holm beran, geafon on garsecg; | him wæs geomor sefa, 50
murnende mod. | Men ne cunnon secgan to sodhe, | selerædende,
hæledh under heofenum, | hwa thæm hlæste onfeng.
Dha wæs on burgum | Beowulf Scyldinga, leof leodcyning, | longe thrage
55
folcum gefræge | (fæder ellor hwearf, aldor of earde), | oththæt him eft onwoc heah Healfdene; | heold thenden lifde, gamol ond gudhreouw, | glæde Scyldingas.
Dhæm feower bearn | fordh gerimed 60
in worold wocun, | weoroda ræswan, Heorogar ond Hrodhgar | ond Halga til;
hyrde ic thæt | wæs Onelan cwen, Headhoscilfingas | healsgebedda.
Tha wæs Hrodhgare | heresped gyfen, 65
wiges weordhmynd, | thæt him his winemagas georne hyrdon, | odhdh thæt seo geogodh geweox, magodriht micel. | Him on mod bearn
thæt healreced | hatan wolde, medoærn micel, | men gewyrcean 70
thonne yldo bearn | æfre gefrunon, ond thær on innan | eall gedælan
geongum ond ealdum, | swylc him god sealde, buton folcscare | ond feorum gumena.
Dha ic wide gefrægn | weorc gebannan 75
manigre mægthe | geond thisne middangeard, folcstede frætwan. | Him on fyrste gelomp, ædre mid yldum, | thæt hit weardh ealgearo, healærna mæst; | scop him Heort naman se the his wordes geweald | wide hæfde.
80
He beot ne aleh, | beagas dælde, sinc æt symle. | Sele hlifade,
heah ond horngeap, | headhowylma bad, ladhan liges; | ne wæs hit lenge tha gen thæt se ecghete | athumsweorum 85
æfter wælnidhe | wæcnan scolde.
The Monster Grendel Dha se ellengæst | earfodhlice
thrage getholode, | se the in thystrum bad, thæt he dogora gehwam | dream gehyrde hludne in healle; | thær wæs hearpan sweg, 90
swutol sang scopes. | Sægde se the cuthe frumsceaft fira | feorran reccan,
cwædh thæt se ælmihtiga | eordhan worhte, wlitebeorhtne wang, | swa wæter bebugedh, gesette sigehrethig | sunnan ond monan 95
leoman to leohte | landbuendum ond gefrætwade | foldan sceatas leomum ond leafum, | lif eac gesceop
cynna gehwylcum | thara dhe cwice hwyrfath.
Swa dha drihtguman | dreamum lifdon 100
eadiglice, | odhdhæt an ongan fyrene fremman | feond on helle.
Wæs se grimma gæst | Grendel haten, mære mearcstapa, | se the moras heold, fen ond fæsten; | fifelcynnes eard 105
wonsæli wer | weardode hwile,
sithdhan him scyppend | forscrifen hæfde in Caines cynne. | Thone cwealm gewræc ece drihten, | thæs the he Abel slog;
ne gefeah he thære fæhdhe, | ac he hine feor forwræc, 110
metod for thy mane, | mancynne fram.
Thanon untydras | ealle onwocon, eotenas ond ylfe | ond orcneas,
swylce gigantas, | tha widh gode wunnon lange thrage; | he him dhæs lean forgeald.
115
Gewat dha neosian, | sythdhan niht becom, hean huses, | hu hit Hringdene
æfter beorthege | gebun hæfdon.
Fand tha dhær inne | æthelinga gedriht swefan æfter symble; | sorge ne cudhon, 120
wonsceaft wera. | Wiht unhælo, grim ond grædig, | gearo sona wæs, reoc ond rethe, | ond on ræste genam thritig thegna, | thanon eft gewat hudhe hremig | to ham faran, 125
mid thære wælfylle | wica neosan.
Dha wæs on uhtan | mid ærdæge Grendles gudhcræft | gumum undyrne;
tha wæs æfter wiste | wop up ahafen, micel morgensweg. | Mære theoden, 130
ætheling ærgod, | unblidhe sæt,
tholode dhrydhswydh, | thegnsorge dreah, sydhthan hie thæs ladhan | last sceawedon, wergan gastes; | wæs thæt gewin to strang, ladh ond longsum. | Næs hit lengra fyrst, 135
ac ymb ane niht | eft gefremede mordhbeala mare | ond no mearn fore, fæhdhe ond fyrene; | wæs to fæst on tham.
Tha wæs eadhfynde | the him elles hwær gerumlicor | ræste sohte,
140
bed æfter burum, | dha him gebeacnod wæs, gesægd sodhlice | sweotolan tacne
healdhegnes hete; | heold hyne sydhthan fyr ond fæstor | se thæm feonde ætwand.
Swa rixode | ond widh rihte wan, 145
ana widh eallum, | odhthæt idel stod husa selest. | Wæs seo hwil micel;
XII wintra tid | torn getholode wine Scyldinga, | weana gehwelcne, sidra sorga. | Fordham secgum weardh, 150
ylda bearnum, | undyrne cudh,
gyddum geomore, | thætte Grendel wan hwile widh Hrothgar, | hetenidhas wæg, fyrene ond fæhdhe | fela missera, singale sæce, | sibbe ne wolde
155
widh manna hwone | mægenes Deniga, feorhbealo feorran, | fea thingian, ne thær nænig witena | wenan thorfte beorhtre bote | to banan folmum, ac se æglæca | ehtende wæs, 160
deorc deathscua, | duguthe ond geogothe, seomade ond syrede, | sinnihte heold mistige moras; | men ne cunnon hwyder helrunan | hwyrftum scrithadh.
Swa fela fyrena | feond mancynnes, 165
atol angengea, | oft gefremede, heardra hyndha. | Heorot eardode, sincfage sel | sweartum nihtum;
no he thone gifstol | gretan moste,
mathdhum for metode, | ne his myne wisse.
170
Thæt wæs wræc micel | wine Scyldinga, modes brecdha. | Monig oft gesæt rice to rune; | ræd eahtedon hwæt swidhferhdhum | selest wære widh færgryrum | to gefremmanne.
175
Hwilum hie geheton | æt hærgtrafum wigweorthunga, | wordum bædon thæt him gastbona | geoce gefremede widh theodthreaum. | Swylc wæs theaw hyra, hæthenra hyht; | helle gemundon
180
in modsefan, | metod hie ne cuthon, dæda demend, | ne wiston hie drihten god, ne hie huru heofena helm | herian ne cuthon, wuldres waldend. | Wa bidh thæm dhe sceal thurh slidhne nidh | sawle bescufan
185
in fyres fæthm, | frofre ne wenan,
wihte gewendan; | wel bidh thæm the mot æfter deadhdæge | drihten secean
ond to fæder fæthmum | freodho wilnian.
Swa dha mælceare | maga Healfdenes
190
singala seadh, | ne mihte snotor hæledh wean onwendan; | wæs thæt gewin to swydh, lath ond longsum, | the on dha leode becom, nydwracu nithgrim, | nihtbealwa mæst.
thæt fram ham gefrægn | Higelaces thegn, 195
god mid Geatum, | Grendles dæda;
se wæs moncynnes | mægenes strengest on thæm dæge | thysses lifes,
æthele ond eacen. | Het him ydhlidan godne gegyrwan, | cwædh, he gudhcyning 200
ofer swanrade | secean wolde,
mærne theoden, | tha him wæs manna thearf.
dhone sidhfæt him | snotere ceorlas lythwon logon, | theah he him leof wære;
hwetton higerofne, | hæl sceawedon.
205
Hæfde se goda | Geata leoda
cempan gecorone | thara the he cenoste findan mihte; | XVna sum
sundwudu sohte; | secg wisade, lagucræftig mon, | landgemyrcu.
210
Fyrst fordh gewat. | Flota wæs on ydhum, bat under beorge. | Beornas gearwe on stefn stigon; | streamas wundon, sund widh sande; | secgas bæron on bearm nacan | beorhte frætwe, 215
gudhsearo geatolic; | guman ut scufon, weras on wilsidh, | wudu bundenne.
Gewat tha ofer wægholm, | winde gefysed, flota famiheals | fugle gelicost,
odhthæt ymb antid | othres dogores 220
wundenstefna | gewaden hæfde thæt dha lidhende | land gesawon, brimclifu blican, | beorgas steape, side sænæssas; | tha wæs sund liden, eoletes æt ende. | Thanon up hradhe 225
Wedera leode | on wang stigon, sæwudu sældon | (syrcan hrysedon, gudhgewædo), | gode thancedon thæs the him ythlade | eadhe wurdon.
Tha of wealle geseah | weard Scildinga, 230
se the holmclifu | healdan scolde, beran ofer bolcan | beorhte randas, fyrdsearu fuslicu; | hine fyrwyt bræc modgehygdum, | hwæt tha men wæron.
Gewat him tha to warodhe | wicge ridan 235
thegn Hrodhgares, | thrymmum cwehte mægenwudu mundum, | methelwordum frægn:
"Hwæt syndon ge | searohæbbendra, byrnum werede, | the thus brontne ceol ofer lagustræte | lædan cwomon, 240
hider ofer holmas? | . . . le wæs endesæta, | ægwearde heold, the on land Dena | ladhra nænig mid scipherge | scedhthan ne meahte.
No her cudhlicor | cuman ongunnon 245
lindhæbbende; | ne ge leafnesword gudhfremmendra | gearwe ne wisson, maga gemedu. | Næfre ic maran geseah eorla ofer eorthan | dhonne is eower sum, secg on searwum; | nis thæt seldguma, 250
wæpnum geweordhad, | næfne him his wlite leoge, ænlic ansyn. | Nu ic eower sceal
frumcyn witan, | ær ge fyr heonan, leassceaweras, | on land Dena furthur feran. | Nu ge feorbuend, 255
merelidhende, | minne gehyradh anfealdne gethoht: | Ofost is selest
to gecydhanne | hwanan eowre cyme syndon."
Him se yldesta | ondswarode, werodes wisa, | wordhord onleac:
260
"We synt gumcynnes | Geata leode ond Higelaces | heordhgeneatas.
Wæs min fæder | folcum gecythed,
æthele ordfruma, | Ecgtheow haten.
Gebad wintra worn, | ær he on weg hwurfe, 265
gamol of geardum; | hine gearwe geman witena welhwylc | wide geond eorthan.
We thurh holdne hige | hlaford thinne, sunu Healfdenes, | secean cwomon, leodgebyrgean; | wes thu us larena god.
270
Habbadh we to thæm mæran | micel ærende, Deniga frean, | ne sceal thær dyrne sum wesan, thæs ic wene. | Thu wast (gif hit is swa we sothlice | secgan hyrdon)
thæt mid Scyldingum | sceadhona ic nat hwylc, 275
deogol dædhata, | deorcum nihtum eawedh thurh egsan | uncudhne nidh, hyndhu ond hrafyl. | Ic thæs Hrodhgar mæg thurh rumne sefan | ræd gelæran,
hu he frod ond god | feond oferswydheth, 280
gyf him edwendan | æfre scolde bealuwa bisigu, | bot eft cuman, ond tha cearwylmas | colran wurdhath;
odhdhe a sythdhan | earfodhthrage, threanyd tholadh, | thenden thær wunadh 285
on heahstede | husa selest."
Weard mathelode, | dhær on wicge sæt, ombeht unforht: | "Æghwæthres sceal scearp scyldwiga | gescad witan, worda ond worca, | se the wel thencedh.
290
Ic thæt gehyre, | thæt this is hold weorod frean Scyldinga. | Gewitath fordh beran wæpen ond gewædu; | ic eow wisige.
Swylce ic maguthegnas | mine hate widh feonda gehwone | flotan eowerne, 295
niwtyrwydne | nacan on sande arum healdan, | othdhæt eft byredh ofer lagustreamas | leofne mannan wudu wundenhals | to Wedermearce, godfremmendra | swylcum gifethe bidh 300
thæt thone hilderæs | hal gedigedh."
Gewiton him tha feran. | Flota stille bad, seomode on sale | sidfæthmed scip, on ancre fæst. | Eoforlic scionon ofer hleorberan | gehroden golde, 305
fah ond fyrheard; | ferhwearde heold guthmod grimmon. | Guman onetton, sigon ætsomne, | oththæt hy sæl timbred, geatolic ond goldfah, | ongyton mihton;
thæt wæs foremærost | foldbuendum 310
receda under roderum, | on thæm se rica bad;
lixte se leoma | ofer landa fela.
Him tha hildedeor | hof modigra torht getæhte, | thæt hie him to mihton gegnum gangan; | gudhbeorna sum 315
wicg gewende, | word æfter cwædh:
"Mæl is me to feran; | fæder alwalda mid arstafum | eowic gehealde sidha gesunde. | Ic to sæ wille widh wradh werod | wearde healdan."
320
Stræt wæs stanfah, | stig wisode gumum ætgædere. | Gudhbyrne scan heard hondlocen, | hringiren scir
song in searwum, | tha hie to sele furdhum in hyra gryregeatwum | gangan cwomon.
325
Setton sæmethe | side scyldas,
rondas regnhearde, | widh thæs recedes weal, bugon tha to bence. | Byrnan hringdon, gudhsearo gumena; | garas stodon, sæmanna searo, | samod ætgædere, 330
æscholt ufan græg; | wæs se irenthreat
wæpnum gewurthad. | Tha dhær wlonc hæledh oretmecgas | æfter æthelum frægn:
"Hwanon ferigeadh ge | fætte scyldas, græge syrcan | ond grimhelmas, 335
heresceafta heap? | Ic eom Hrodhgares
ar ond ombiht. | Ne seah ic eltheodige thus manige men | modiglicran.
Wen ic thæt ge for wlenco, | nalles for wræcsidhum, ac for higethrymmum | Hrodhgar sohton."
340
Him tha ellenrof | andswarode,
wlanc Wedera leod, | word æfter spræc, heard under helme: | "We synt Higelaces beodgeneatas; | Beowulf is min nama.
Wille ic asecgan | sunu Healfdenes, 345
mærum theodne, | min ærende, aldre thinum, | gif he us geunnan wile thæt we hine swa godne | gretan moton."
Wulfgar mathelode | (thæt wæs Wendla leod;
wæs his modsefa | manegum gecydhed, 350
wig ond wisdom): | "Ic thæs wine Deniga, frean Scildinga, | frinan wille,
beaga bryttan, | swa thu bena eart, theoden mærne, | ymb thinne sidh, ond the tha ondsware | ædre gecydhan 355
dhe me se goda | agifan thencedh."
Hwearf tha hrædlice | thær Hrodhgar sæt eald ond anhar | mid his eorla gedriht;
eode ellenrof, | thæt he for eaxlum gestod Deniga frean; | cuthe he dugudhe theaw.
360
Wulfgar madhelode | to his winedrihtne:
"Her syndon geferede, | feorran cumene ofer geofenes begang | Geata leode;
thone yldestan | oretmecgas Beowulf nemnadh. | Hy benan synt 365
thæt hie, theoden min, | widh the moton wordum wrixlan. | No dhu him wearne geteoh dhinra gegncwida, | glædman Hrodhgar.
Hy on wiggetawum | wyrdhe thinceadh eorla geæhtlan; | huru se aldor deah, 370
se thæm headhorincum | hider wisade."
Hrodhgar mathelode, | helm Scyldinga:
"Ic hine cudhe | cnihtwesende.
Wæs his ealdfæder | Ecgtheo haten, dhæm to ham forgeaf | Hrethel Geata 375
angan dohtor; | is his eafora nu heard her cumen, | sohte holdne wine.
Dhonne sægdon thæt | sælithende, tha dhe gifsceattas | Geata fyredon thyder to thance, | thæt he XXXtiges 380
manna mægencræft | on his mundgripe heathorof hæbbe. | Hine halig god for arstafum | us onsende,
to Westdenum, | thæs ic wen hæbbe, widh Grendles gryre. | Ic thæm godan sceal 385
for his modthræce | madmas beodan.
Beo dhu on ofeste, | hat in gan seon sibbegedriht | samod ætgædere;
gesaga him eac wordum | thæt hie sint wilcuman Deniga leodum." . . .
390
. . . | word inne abead:
"Eow het secgan | sigedrihten min,
aldor Eastdena, | thæt he eower æthelu can, ond ge him syndon | ofer sæwylmas heardhicgende | hider wilcuman.
395
Nu ge moton gangan | in eowrum gudhgeatawum under heregriman | Hrodhgar geseon;
lætadh hildebord | her onbidan, wudu, wælsceaftas, | worda gethinges."
Aras tha se rica, | ymb hine rinc manig, 400
thrydhlic thegna heap; | sume thær bidon, headhoreaf heoldon, | swa him se hearda bebead.
Snyredon ætsomne, | tha secg wisode, under Heorotes hrof . . . heard under helme, | thæt he on heodhe gestod.
405
Beowulf madhelode | (on him byrne scan, searonet seowed | smithes orthancum):
"Wæs thu, Hrodhgar, hal! | Ic eom Higelaces mæg ond magodhegn; | hæbbe ic mærdha fela ongunnen on geogothe. | Me weardh Grendles thing
410
on minre etheltyrf | undyrne cudh;
secgadh sælidhend | thæt thæs sele stande, reced selesta, | rinca gehwylcum
idel ond unnyt, | sidhdhan æfenleoht under heofenes hador | beholen weorthedh.
415
Tha me thæt gelærdon | leode mine tha selestan, | snotere ceorlas, theoden Hrodhgar, | thæt ic the sohte, forthan hie mægenes cræft | minne cuthon, selfe ofersawon, | dha ic of searwum cwom, 420
fah from feondum, | thær ic fife geband, ydhde eotena cyn | ond on ydhum slog niceras nihtes, | nearothearfe dreah, wræc Wedera nidh | (wean ahsodon),
forgrand gramum, | ond nu widh Grendel sceal, 425
widh tham aglæcan, | ana gehegan dhing widh thyrse. | Ic the nu dha, brego Beorhtdena, | biddan wille, eodor Scyldinga, | anre bene,
thæt dhu me ne forwyrne, | wigendra hleo, 430
freowine folca, | nu ic thus feorran com, thæt ic mote ana | ond minra eorla gedryht, thes hearda heap, | Heorot fælsian.
Hæbbe ic eac geahsod | thæt se æglæca for his wonhydum | wæpna ne reccedh.
435
Ic thæt thonne forhicge | (swa me Higelac sie, min mondrihten, | modes blidhe),
thæt ic sweord bere | othdhe sidne scyld, geolorand to guthe, | ac ic mid grape sceal fon widh feonde | ond ymb feorh sacan, 440
ladh widh lathum; | dhær gelyfan sceal dryhtnes dome | se the hine deadh nimedh.
Wen ic thæt he wille, | gif he wealdan mot, in thæm gudhsele | Geotena leode
etan unforhte, | swa he oft dyde, 445
mægen Hredhmanna. | Na thu minne thearft hafalan hydan, | ac he me habban wile dreore fahne, | gif mec deadh nimedh.
Byredh blodig wæl, | byrgean thencedh, etedh angenga | unmurnlice,
450
mearcadh morhopu; | no dhu ymb mines ne thearft lices feorme | leng sorgian.
Onsend Higelace, | gif mec hild nime, beaduscruda betst, | thæt mine breost weredh, hrægla selest; | thæt is Hrædlan laf,
455
Welandes geweorc. | Gædh a wyrd swa hio scel."
Hrodhgar mathelode, | helm Scyldinga:
"For gewyrhtum thu, | wine min Beowulf, ond for arstafum | usic sohtest.
Gesloh thin fæder | fæhdhe mæste;
460
wearth he Heatholafe | to handbonan mid Wilfingum; | dha hine Wedera cyn for herebrogan | habban ne mihte.
Thanon he gesohte | Sudhdena folc ofer ydha gewealc, | Arscyldinga.
465
Dha ic furthum weold | folce Deniga ond on geogodhe heold | ginne rice, hordburh hæletha; | dha wæs Heregar dead, min yldra mæg | unlifigende,
bearn Healfdenes; | se wæs betera dhonne ic.
470
Sidhdhan tha fæhdhe | feo thingode;
sende ic Wylfingum | ofer wæteres hrycg ealde madmas; | he me athas swor.
Sorh is me to secganne | on sefan minum gumena ængum | hwæt me Grendel hafadh 475
hyndho on Heorote | mid his hetethancum, færnidha gefremed. | Is min fletwerod, wigheap gewanod; | hie wyrd forsweop on Grendles gryre. | God eathe mæg thone dolsceadhan | dæda getwæfan.
480
Ful oft gebeotedon | beore druncne ofer ealowæge | oretmecgas thæt hie in beorsele | bidan woldon Grendles guthe | mid gryrum ecga.
Dhonne wæs theos medoheal | on morgentid,
485
drihtsele dreorfah, | thonne dæg lixte, eal bencthelu | blode bestymed,
heall heorudreore; | ahte ic holdra thy læs, deorre dugudhe, | the tha deadh fornam.
Site nu to symle | ond onsæl meoto, 490
sigehredh secgum, | swa thin sefa hwette."
Tha wæs Geatmæcgum | geador ætsomne on beorsele | benc gerymed;
thær swidhferhthe | sittan eodon, thrydhum dealle. | Thegn nytte beheold, 495
se the on handa bær | hroden ealowæge, scencte scir wered. | Scop hwilum sang hador on Heorote. | Thær wæs hæledha dream, dugudh unlytel | Dena ond Wedera.
Unferdh mathelode, | Ecglafes bearn, 500
the æt fotum sæt | frean Scyldinga,
onband beadurune | (wæs him Beowulfes sidh, modges merefaran, | micel æfthunca,
forthon the he ne uthe | thæt ænig odher man æfre mærdha thon ma | middangeardes 505
gehedde under heofenum | thonne he sylfa):
"Eart thu se Beowulf, | se the widh Brecan wunne, on sidne sæ | ymb sund flite,
dhær git for wlence | wada cunnedon ond for dolgilpe | on deop wæter 510
aldrum nethdon? | Ne inc ænig mon, ne leof ne ladh, | belean mihte sorhfullne sidh, | tha git on sund reon.
Thær git eagorstream | earmum thehton, mæton merestræta, | mundum brugdon, 515
glidon ofer garsecg; | geofon ythum weol, wintrys wylmum. | Git on wæteres æht seofon niht swuncon; | he the æt sunde oferflat, hæfde mare mægen. | Tha hine on morgentid on Heathoræmas | holm up ætbær;
520
dhonon he gesohte | swæsne [edhel],
leof his leodum, | lond Brondinga, freodhoburh fægere, | thær he folc ahte, burh ond beagas. | Beot eal widh the sunu Beanstanes | sodhe gelæste.
525
Dhonne wene ic to the | wyrsan gethingea, dheah thu headhoræsa | gehwær dohte, grimre gudhe, | gif thu Grendles dearst nihtlongne fyrst | nean bidan."
Beowulf mathelode, | bearn Ecgtheowes:
530
"Hwæt! thu worn fela, | wine min Unferdh, beore druncen | ymb Brecan spræce, sægdest from his sidhe. | Sodh ic talige, thæt ic merestrengo | maran ahte,
earfetho on ythum, | dhonne ænig other man.
535
Wit thæt gecwædon | cnihtwesende ond gebeotedon | (wæron begen tha git on geogodhfeore) | thæt wit on garsecg ut aldrum nedhdon, | ond thæt geæfndon swa.
Hæfdon swurd nacod, | tha wit on sund reon, 540
heard on handa; | wit unc widh hronfixas werian thohton. | No he wiht fram me flodythum feor | fleotan meahte,
hrathor on holme; | no ic fram him wolde.
Dha wit ætsomne | on sæ wæron 545
fif nihta fyrst, | oththæt unc flod todraf, wado weallende, | wedera cealdost, nipende niht, | ond northanwind
headhogrim ondhwearf; | hreo wæron ytha.
Wæs merefixa | mod onhrered;
550
thær me widh ladhum | licsyrce min, heard, hondlocen, | helpe gefremede, beadohrægl broden | on breostum læg golde gegyrwed. | Me to grunde teah fah feondscadha, | fæste hæfde 555
grim on grape; | hwæthre me gyfethe weardh thæt ic aglæcan | orde geræhte,
hildebille; | heathoræs fornam mihtig meredeor | thurh mine hand.
Swa mec gelome | ladhgeteonan 560
threatedon thearle. | Ic him thenode deoran sweorde, | swa hit gedefe wæs.
Næs hie dhære fylle | gefean hæfdon, manfordædlan, | thæt hie me thegon, symbel ymbsæton | sægrunde neah;
565
ac on mergenne | mecum wunde be ydhlafe | uppe lægon,
sweordum aswefede, | thæt sydhthan na ymb brontne ford | brimlidhende lade ne letton. | Leoht eastan com, 570
beorht beacen godes; | brimu swathredon, thæt ic sænæssas | geseon mihte,
windige weallas. | Wyrd oft neredh unfægne eorl, | thonne his ellen deah.
Hwæthere me gesælde | thæt ic mid sweorde ofsloh 575
niceras nigene. | No ic on niht gefrægn under heofones hwealf | heardran feohtan, ne on egstreamum | earmran mannon;
hwathere ic fara feng | feore gedigde, sithes werig. | Dha mec sæ othbær, 580
flod æfter farodhe | on Finna land, wadu weallendu. | No ic wiht fram the swylcra searonidha | secgan hyrde, billa brogan. | Breca næfre git æt headholace, | ne gehwæther incer, 585
swa deorlice | dæd gefremede
fagum sweordum | (no ic thæs fela gylpe), theah dhu thinum brodhrum | to banan wurde, heafodmægum; | thæs thu in helle scealt werhdho dreogan, | theah thin wit duge.
590
Secge ic the to sodhe, | sunu Ecglafes,
thæt næfre Grendel swa fela | gryra gefremede, atol æglæca, | ealdre thinum,
hyndho on Heorote, | gif thin hige wære, sefa swa searogrim, | swa thu self talast.
595
Ac he hafadh onfunden | thæt he tha fæhdhe ne thearf,
atole ecgthræce | eower leode swidhe onsittan, | Sigescyldinga;
nymedh nydbade, | nænegum aradh leode Deniga, | ac he lust wigedh, 600
swefedh ond sendeth, | secce ne weneth to Gardenum. | Ac ic him Geata sceal eafodh ond ellen | ungeara nu, guthe gebeodan. | Gæth eft se the mot to medo modig, | siththan morgenleoht 605
ofer ylda bearn | othres dogores, sunne sweglwered | suthan scinedh."
Tha wæs on salum | sinces brytta, gamolfeax ond gudhrof; | geoce gelyfde brego Beorhtdena, | gehyrde on Beowulfe 610
folces hyrde | fæstrædne gethoht.
Dhær wæs hæletha hleahtor, | hlyn swynsode, word wæron wynsume. | Eode Wealhtheow fordh, cwen Hrodhgares, | cynna gemyndig,
grette goldhroden | guman on healle, 615
ond tha freolic wif | ful gesealde ærest Eastdena | ethelwearde,
bæd hine blidhne | æt thære beorthege, leodum leofne. | He on lust getheah symbel ond seleful, | sigerof kyning.
620
Ymbeode tha | ides Helminga
duguthe ond geogothe | dæl æghwylcne, sincfato sealde, | oththæt sæl alamp thæt hio Beowulfe, | beaghroden cwen mode gethungen, | medoful ætbær;
625
grette Geata leod, | gode thancode
wisfæst wordum | thæs dhe hire se willa gelamp thæt heo on ænigne | eorl gelyfde
fyrena frofre. | He thæt ful getheah, wælreow wiga, | æt Wealhtheon, 630
ond tha gyddode | guthe gefysed;
Beowulf mathelode, | bearn Ecgtheowes:
"Ic thæt hogode, | tha ic on holm gestah, sæbat gesæt | mid minra secga gedriht, thæt ic anunga | eowra leoda
635
willan geworhte | othdhe on wæl crunge, feondgrapum fæst. | Ic gefremman sceal eorlic ellen, | othdhe endedæg
on thisse meoduhealle | minne gebidan."
Dham wife tha word | wel licodon, 640
gilpcwide Geates; | eode goldhroden freolicu folccwen | to hire frean sittan.
Tha wæs eft swa ær | inne on healle thrydhword sprecen, | dheod on sælum, sigefolca sweg, | oththæt semninga 645
sunu Healfdenes | secean wolde æfenræste; | wiste thæm ahlæcan to thæm heahsele | hilde gethinged,
sidhdhan hie sunnan leoht | geseon ne meahton, othdhe nipende | niht ofer ealle,
650
scaduhelma gesceapu | scridhan cwoman, wan under wolcnum. | Werod eall aras.
Gegrette tha | guma otherne,
Hrodhgar Beowulf, | ond him hæl abead, winærnes geweald, | ond thæt word acwædh:
655
"Næfre ic ænegum men | ær alyfde, sithdhan ic hond ond rond | hebban mihte, dhrythærn Dena | buton the nu dha.
Hafa nu ond geheald | husa selest, gemyne mærtho, | mægenellen cydh, 660
waca widh wrathum. | Ne bidh the wilna gad, gif thu thæt ellenweorc | aldre gedigest."
Dha him Hrothgar gewat | mid his hæletha gedryht, eodur Scyldinga, | ut of healle;
wolde wigfruma | Wealhtheo secan, 665
cwen to gebeddan. | Hæfde kyningwuldor Grendle togeanes, | swa guman gefrungon, seleweard aseted; | sundornytte beheold ymb aldor Dena, | eotonweard abead.
Huru Geata leod | georne truwode 670
modgan mægnes, | metodes hyldo.
dha he him of dyde | isernbyrnan,
helm of hafelan, | sealde his hyrsted sweord, irena cyst, | ombihtthegne,
ond gehealdan het | hildegeatwe.
675
Gespræc tha se goda | gylpworda sum, Beowulf Geata, | ær he on bed stige:
"No ic me an herewæsmun | hnagran talige, guthgeweorca, | thonne Grendel hine;
forthan ic hine sweorde | swebban nelle, 680
aldre beneotan, | theah ic eal mæge.
Nat he thara goda | thæt he me ongean slea, rand geheawe, | theah dhe he rof sie nithgeweorca; | ac wit on niht sculon secge ofersittan, | gif he gesecean dear 685
wig ofer wæpen, | ond sithdhan witig god on swa hwæthere hond, | halig dryhten, mærdho deme, | swa him gemet thince."
Hylde hine tha heathodeor, | hleorbolster onfeng eorles andwlitan, | ond hine ymb monig
690
snellic særinc | selereste gebeah.
Nænig heora thohte | thæt he thanon scolde eft eardlufan | æfre gesecean,
folc othdhe freoburh, | thær he afeded wæs;
ac hie hæfdon gefrunen | thæt hie ær to fela micles 695
in thæm winsele | wældeadh fornam, Denigea leode. | Ac him dryhten forgeaf wigspeda gewiofu, | Wedera leodum, frofor ond fultum, | thæt hie feond heora dhurh anes cræft | ealle ofercomon, 700
selfes mihtum. | Sodh is gecythed thæt mihtig god | manna cynnes weold wideferhdh. | Com on wanre niht scridhan sceadugenga. | Sceotend swæfon, tha thæt hornreced | healdan scoldon, 705
ealle buton anum. | Thæt wæs yldum cuth thæt hie ne moste, | tha metod nolde, se scynscatha | under sceadu bregdan;
ac he wæccende | wrathum on andan bad bolgenmod | beadwa gethinges.
710
Dha com of more | under misthleothum Grendel gongan, | godes yrre bær;
mynte se manscadha | manna cynnes sumne besyrwan | in sele tham hean.
Wod under wolcnum | to thæs the he winreced, 715
goldsele gumena, | gearwost wisse, fættum fahne. | Ne wæs thæt forma sidh thæt he Hrothgares | ham gesohte;
næfre he on aldordagum | ær ne sithdhan heardran hæle, | healdhegnas fand.
720
Com tha to recede | rinc sidhian, dreamum bedæled. | Duru sona onarn,
fyrbendum fæst, | sythdhan he hire folmum æthran;
onbræd tha bealohydig, | dha he gebolgen wæs, recedes muthan. | Rathe æfter thon
725
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, 730
magorinca heap. | Tha his mod ahlog;
mynte thæt he gedælde, | ærthon dæg cwome, atol aglæca, | anra gehwylces
lif widh lice, | tha him alumpen wæs wistfylle wen. | Ne wæs thæt wyrd tha gen 735
thæt he ma moste | manna cynnes
dhicgean ofer tha niht. | Thrydhswydh beheold mæg Higelaces, | hu se manscadha
under færgripum | gefaran wolde.
Ne thæt se aglæca | yldan thohte, 740
ac he gefeng hradhe | forman sidhe slæpendne rinc, | slat unwearnum, bat banlocan, | blod edrum dranc,
synsnædum swealh; | sona hæfde unlyfigendes | eal gefeormod, 745
fet ond folma. | Fordh near ætstop, nam tha mid handa | higethihtigne rinc on ræste, | ræhte ongean feond mid folme; | he onfeng hrathe inwitthancum | ond widh earm gesæt.
750
Sona thæt onfunde | fyrena hyrde thæt he ne mette | middangeardes, eorthan sceata, | on elran men
mundgripe maran. | He on mode weardh forht on ferhdhe; | no thy ær fram meahte.
755
Hyge wæs him hinfus, | wolde on heolster fleon, secan deofla gedræg; | ne wæs his drohtodh thær swylce he on ealderdagum | ær gemette.
Gemunde tha se goda, | mæg Higelaces, æfenspræce, | uplang astod
760
ond him fæste widhfeng; | fingras burston.
Eoten wæs utweard; | eorl furthur stop.
Mynte se mæra, | thær he meahte swa, widre gewindan | ond on weg thanon fleon on fenhopu; | wiste his fingra geweald 765
on grames grapum. | Thæt wæs geocor sidh thæt se hearmscatha | to Heorute ateah.
Dryhtsele dynede; | Denum eallum weardh, ceasterbuendum, | cenra gehwylcum, eorlum ealuscerwen. | Yrre wæron begen, 770
rethe renweardas. | Reced hlynsode.
Tha wæs wundor micel | thæt se winsele
widhhæfde heathodeorum, | thæt he on hrusan ne feol,
fæger foldbold; | ac he thæs fæste wæs innan ond utan | irenbendum
775
searothoncum besmithod. | Thær fram sylle abeag medubenc monig, | mine gefræge,
golde geregnad, | thær tha graman wunnon.
Thæs ne wendon ær | witan Scyldinga thæt hit a mid gemete | manna ænig,
780
betlic ond banfag, | tobrecan meahte, listum tolucan, | nymthe liges fæthm swulge on swathule. | Sweg up astag niwe geneahhe; | Nordhdenum stod atelic egesa, | anra gehwylcum 785
thara the of wealle | wop gehyrdon, gryreleodh galan | godes ondsacan, sigeleasne sang, | sar wanigean helle hæfton. | Heold hine fæste se the manna wæs | mægene strengest 790
on thæm dæge | thysses lifes.
Nolde eorla hleo | ænige thinga thone cwealmcuman | cwicne forlætan, ne his lifdagas | leoda ænigum
nytte tealde. | Thær genehost brægd 795
eorl Beowulfes | ealde lafe, wolde freadrihtnes | feorh ealgian, mæres theodnes, | dhær hie meahton swa.
Hie thæt ne wiston, | tha hie gewin drugon, heardhicgende | hildemecgas,
800
ond on healfa gehwone | heawan thohton, sawle secan, | thone synscadhan
ænig ofer eorthan | irenna cyst, gudhbilla nan, | gretan nolde,
ac he sigewæpnum | forsworen hæfde, 805
ecga gehwylcre. | Scolde his aldorgedal on dhæm dæge | thysses lifes
earmlic wurdhan, | ond se ellorgast on feonda geweald | feor sidhian.
Dha thæt onfunde | se the fela æror 810
modes myrdhe | manna cynne,
fyrene gefremede | (he wæs fag widh god), thæt him se lichoma | læstan nolde, ac hine se modega | mæg Hygelaces hæfde be honda; | wæs gehwæther odhrum 815
lifigende ladh. | Licsar gebad atol æglæca; | him on eaxle weardh
syndolh sweotol, | seonowe onsprungon, burston banlocan. | Beowulfe weardh gudhhredh gyfethe; | scolde Grendel thonan 820
feorhseoc fleon | under fenhleodhu, secean wynleas wic; | wiste the geornor thæt his aldres wæs | ende gegongen, dogera dægrim. | Denum eallum weardh æfter tham wælræse | willa gelumpen.
825
Hæfde tha gefælsod | se the ær feorran com, snotor ond swydhferhdh, | sele Hrodhgares, genered widh nidhe; | nihtweorce gefeh, ellenmærthum. | Hæfde Eastdenum Geatmecga leod | gilp gelæsted, 830
swylce oncythdhe | ealle gebette, inwidsorge, | the hie ær drugon ond for threanydum | tholian scoldon, torn unlytel. | Thæt wæs tacen sweotol, sythdhan hildedeor | hond alegde, 835
earm ond eaxle | (thær wæs eal geador Grendles grape) | under geapne hrof.
Dha wæs on morgen | mine gefræge ymb tha gifhealle | gudhrinc monig;
ferdon folctogan | feorran ond nean 840
geond widwegas | wundor sceawian, lathes lastas. | No his lifgedal sarlic thuhte | secga ænegum thara the tirleases | trode sceawode, hu he werigmod | on weg thanon, 845
nidha ofercumen, | on nicera mere fæge ond geflymed | feorhlastas bær.
Dhær wæs on blode | brim weallende, atol ydha geswing | eal gemenged haton heolfre, | heorodreore weol.
850
Deadhfæge deog, | sidhdhan dreama leas in fenfreodho | feorh alegde,
hæthene sawle; | thær him hel onfeng.
Thanon eft gewiton | ealdgesidhas,
swylce geong manig | of gomenwathe 855
fram mere modge | mearum ridan,
beornas on blancum. | Dhær wæs Beowulfes mærdho mæned; | monig oft gecwædh thætte sudh ne nordh | be sæm tweonum ofer eormengrund | other nænig
860
under swegles begong | selra nære rondhæbbendra, | rices wyrdhra.
Ne hie huru winedrihten | wiht ne logon, glædne Hrodhgar, | ac thæt wæs god cyning.
Hwilum heathorofe | hleapan leton, 865
on geflit faran | fealwe mearas dhær him foldwegas | fægere thuhton, cystum cudhe. | Hwilum cyninges thegn, guma gilphlæden, | gidda gemyndig, se dhe ealfela | ealdgesegena 870
worn gemunde, | word other fand sodhe gebunden; | secg eft ongan sidh Beowulfes | snyttrum styrian ond on sped wrecan | spel gerade, wordum wrixlan. | Welhwylc gecwædh 875
thæt he fram Sigemundes | secgan hyrde ellendædum, | uncuthes fela,
Wælsinges gewin, | wide sidhas,
thara the gumena bearn | gearwe ne wiston, fæhdhe ond fyrena, | buton Fitela mid hine, 880
thonne he swulces hwæt | secgan wolde, eam his nefan, | swa hie a wæron æt nidha gehwam | nydgesteallan;
hæfdon ealfela | eotena cynnes
sweordum gesæged. | Sigemunde gesprong 885
æfter deadhdæge | dom unlytel,
sythdhan wiges heard | wyrm acwealde, hordes hyrde. | He under harne stan, æthelinges bearn, | ana genedhde frecne dæde, | ne wæs him Fitela mid.
890
Hwæthre him gesælde | dhæt thæt swurd thurhwod wrætlicne wyrm, | thæt hit on wealle ætstod, dryhtlic iren; | draca mordhre swealt.
Hæfde aglæca | elne gegongen thæt he beahhordes | brucan moste 895
selfes dome; | sæbat gehleod,
bær on bearm scipes | beorhte frætwa, Wælses eafera. | Wyrm hat gemealt.
Se wæs wreccena | wide mærost ofer wertheode, | wigendra hleo, 900
ellendædum | (he thæs ær ondhah), sidhdhan Heremodes | hild swedhrode, eafodh ond ellen. | He mid Eotenum weardh on feonda geweald | fordh forlacen,
snude forsended. | Hine sorhwylmas 905
lemede to lange; | he his leodum weardh, eallum æthellingum | to aldorceare;
swylce oft bemearn | ærran mælum swidhferhthes sidh | snotor ceorl monig, se the him bealwa to | bote gelyfde, 910
thæt thæt dheodnes bearn | getheon scolde, fæderæthelum onfon, | folc gehealdan, hord ond hleoburh, | hæletha rice,
[edhel] Scyldinga. | He thær eallum weardh, mæg Higelaces, | manna cynne,
915
freondum gefægra; | hine fyren onwod.
Hwilum flitende | fealwe stræte
mearum mæton. | Dha wæs morgenleoht scofen ond scynded. | Eode scealc monig swidhhicgende | to sele tham hean 920
searowundor seon; | swylce self cyning of brydbure, | beahhorda weard, tryddode tirfæst | getrume micle,
cystum gecythed, | ond his cwen mid him medostigge mæt | mægtha hose.
925
Hrodhgar mathelode | (he to healle geong, stod on stapole, | geseah steapne hrof, golde fahne, | ond Grendles hond):
"Dhisse ansyne | alwealdan thanc lungre gelimpe! | Fela ic lathes gebad, 930
grynna æt Grendle; | a mæg god wyrcan wunder æfter wundre, | wuldres hyrde.
Dhæt wæs ungeara | thæt ic ænigra me weana ne wende | to widan feore bote gebidan, | thonne blode fah 935
husa selest | heorodreorig stod, wea widscofen | witena gehwylcum dhara the ne wendon | thæt hie wideferhdh leoda landgeweorc | lathum beweredon scuccum ond scinnum. | Nu scealc hafadh 940
thurh drihtnes miht | dæd gefremede dhe we ealle | ær ne meahton
snyttrum besyrwan. | Hwæt, thæt secgan mæg efne swa hwylc mægtha | swa dhone magan cende æfter gumcynnum, | gyf heo gyt lyfadh,
945
thæt hyre ealdmetod | este wære bearngebyrdo. | Nu ic, Beowulf, thec, secg betsta, | me for sunu wylle freogan on ferhthe; | heald fordh tela niwe sibbe. | Ne bidh the nænigra gad 950
worolde wilna, | the ic geweald hæbbe.
Ful oft ic for læssan | lean teohhode, hordweorthunge | hnahran rince, sæmran æt sæcce. | Thu the self hafast dædum gefremed | thæt thin dom lyfadh 955
awa to aldre. | Alwalda thec
gode forgylde, | swa he nu gyt dyde!"
Beowulf mathelode, | bearn Ectheowes:
"We thæt ellenweorc | estum miclum, feohtan fremedon, | frecne genedhdon 960
eafodh uncuthes. | Uthe ic swithor thæt dhu hine selfne | geseon moste, feond on frætewum | fylwerigne.
Ic hine hrædlice | heardan clammum on wælbedde | writhan thohte, 965
thæt he for mundgripe | minum scolde licgean lifbysig, | butan his lic swice.
Ic hine ne mihte, | tha metod nolde,
ganges getwæman, | no ic him thæs georne ætfealh, feorhgenidhlan; | wæs to foremihtig
970
feond on fethe. | Hwæthere he his folme forlet to lifwrathe | last weardian,
earm ond eaxle. | No thær ænige swa theah feasceaft guma | frofre gebohte;
no thy leng leofadh | ladhgeteona, 975
synnum geswenced, | ac hyne sar hafadh mid nydgripe | nearwe befongen, balwon bendum. | Dhær abidan sceal maga mane fah | miclan domes, hu him scir metod | scrifan wille."
980
Dha wæs swigra secg, | sunu Eclafes, on gylpspræce | gudhgeweorca, sithdhan æthelingas | eorles cræfte ofer heanne hrof | hand sceawedon, feondes fingras. | Foran æghwylc wæs, 985
stidhra nægla gehwylc, | style gelicost, hæthenes handsporu | hilderinces, egl, unheoru. | Æghwylc gecwædh thæt him heardra nan | hrinan wolde iren ærgod, | thæt dhæs ahlæcan 990
blodge beadufolme | onberan wolde.
Dha wæs haten hrethe | Heort innanweard folmum gefrætwod. | Fela thæra wæs, wera ond wifa, | the thæt winreced, gestsele gyredon. | Goldfag scinon 995
web æfter wagum, | wundorsiona fela
secga gehwylcum | thara the on swylc staradh.
Wæs thæt beorhte bold | tobrocen swidhe, eal inneweard | irenbendum fæst,
heorras tohlidene. | Hrof ana genæs, 1000
ealles ansund, | the se aglæca, fyrendædum fag, | on fleam gewand,
aldres orwena. | No thæt ydhe bydh to befleonne, | fremme se the wille, ac gesecan sceal | sawlberendra, 1005
nyde genydde, | nithdha bearna, grundbuendra | gearwe stowe, thær his lichoma | legerbedde fæst
swefeth æfter symle. | Tha wæs sæl ond mæl thæt to healle gang | Healfdenes sunu;
1010
wolde self cyning | symbel thicgan.
Ne gefrægen ic tha mægthe | maran weorode ymb hyra sincgyfan | sel gebæran.
Bugon tha to bence | blædagande, fylle gefægon; | fægere gethægon 1015
medoful manig | magas thara swidhhicgende | on sele tham hean,
Hrodhgar ond Hrothulf. | Heorot innan wæs freondum afylled; | nalles facenstafas theodscyldingas | thenden fremedon.
1020
Forgeaf tha Beowulfe | bearn Healfdenes segen gyldenne | sigores to leane;
hroden hildecumbor, | helm ond byrnan, mære madhthumsweord | manige gesawon beforan beorn beran. | Beowulf gethah 1025
ful on flette; | no he thære feohgyfte for sceotendum | scamigan dhorfte.
Ne gefrægn ic freondlicor | feower madmas golde gegyrede | gummanna fela
in ealobence | odhrum gesellan.
1030
Ymb thæs helmes hrof | heafodbeorge wirum bewunden | walu utan heold, thæt him fela laf | frecne ne meahton scurheard scethdhan, | thonne scyldfreca ongean gramum | gangan scolde.
1035
Heht dha eorla hleo | eahta mearas fætedhleore | on flet teon,
in under eoderas. | Thara anum stod sadol searwum fah, | since gewurthad;
thæt wæs hildesetl | heahcyninges,
1040
dhonne sweorda gelac | sunu Healfdenes efnan wolde. | Næfre on ore læg widcuthes wig, | dhonne walu feollon.
Ond dha Beowulfe | bega gehwæthres eodor Ingwina | onweald geteah, 1045
wicga ond wæpna, | het hine wel brucan.
Swa manlice | mære theoden,
hordweard hæletha, | heathoræsas geald
mearum ond madmum, | swa hy næfre man lyhdh, se the secgan wile | sodh æfter rihte.
1050
Dha gyt æghwylcum | eorla drihten thara the mid Beowulfe | brimlade teah on thære medubence | mathdhum gesealde, yrfelafe, | ond thone ænne heht
golde forgyldan, | thone dhe Grendel ær 1055
mane acwealde, | swa he hyra ma wolde, nefne him witig god | wyrd forstode
ond dhæs mannes mod. | Metod eallum weold gumena cynnes, | swa he nu git dedh.
Forthan bidh andgit | æghwær selest, 1060
ferhdhes forethanc. | Fela sceal gebidan leofes ond lathes | se the longe her on dhyssum windagum | worolde brucedh.
Thær wæs sang ond sweg | samod ætgædere fore Healfdenes | hildewisan,
1065
gomenwudu greted, | gid oft wrecen, dhonne healgamen | Hrothgares scop æfter medobence | mænan scolde
be Finnes eaferum, | dha hie se fær begeat, hæledh Healfdena, | Hnæf Scyldinga, 1070
in Freswæle | feallan scolde.
Ne huru Hildeburh | herian thorfte Eotena treowe; | unsynnum weardh beloren leofum | æt tham lindplegan,
bearnum ond brodhrum; | hie on gebyrd hruron, 1075
gare wunde. | Thæt wæs geomuru ides!
Nalles holinga | Hoces dohtor
meotodsceaft bemearn, | sythdhan morgen com, dha heo under swegle | geseon meahte
morthorbealo maga, | thær heo ær mæste heold 1080
worolde wynne. | Wig ealle fornam Finnes thegnas | nemne feaum anum, thæt he ne mehte | on thæm medhelstede wig Hengeste | wiht gefeohtan,
ne tha wealafe | wige forthringan 1085
theodnes dhegna; | ac hig him gethingo budon, thæt hie him odher flet | eal gerymdon, healle ond heahsetl, | thæt hie healfre geweald widh Eotena bearn | agan moston,
ond æt feohgyftum | Folcwaldan sunu 1090
dogra gehwylce | Dene weorthode, Hengestes heap | hringum wenede efne swa swidhe | sincgestreonum fættan goldes, | swa he Fresena cyn on beorsele | byldan wolde.
1095
Dha hie getruwedon | on twa healfa fæste friodhuwære. | Fin Hengeste elne, unflitme | adhum benemde thæt he tha wealafe | weotena dome arum heolde, | thæt dhær ænig mon 1100
wordum ne worcum | wære ne bræce, ne thurh inwitsearo | æfre gemænden dheah hie hira beaggyfan | banan folgedon dheodenlease, | tha him swa gethearfod wæs;
gyf thonne Frysna hwylc | frecnan spræce 1105
dhæs morthorhetes | myndgiend wære, thonne hit sweordes ecg | sedhan scolde.
Ad wæs geæfned | ond icge gold ahæfen of horde. | Herescyldinga betst beadorinca | wæs on bæl gearu.
1110
Æt thæm ade wæs | ethgesyne swatfah syrce, | swyn ealgylden, eofer irenheard, | ætheling manig
wundum awyrded; | sume on wæle crungon.
Het dha Hildeburh | æt Hnæfes ade 1115
hire selfre sunu | sweolodhe befæstan, banfatu bærnan | ond on bæl don eame on eaxle. | Ides gnornode, geomrode giddum. | Gudhrinc astah.
Wand to wolcnum | wælfyra mæst, 1120
hlynode for hlawe; | hafelan multon, bengeato burston, | dhonne blod ætspranc, ladhbite lices. | Lig ealle forswealg, gæsta gifrost, | thara dhe thær gudh fornam bega folces; | wæs hira blæd scacen.
1125
Gewiton him dha wigend | wica neosian, freondum befeallen, | Frysland geseon, hamas ond heaburh. | Hengest dha gyt wælfagne winter | wunode mid Finne eal unhlitme. | Eard gemunde, 1130
theah the he ne meahte | on mere drifan hringedstefnan; | holm storme weol, won widh winde, | winter ythe beleac isgebinde, | othdhæt other com gear in geardas, | swa nu gyt dedh, 1135
tha dhe syngales | sele bewitiadh,
wuldortorhtan weder. | Dha wæs winter scacen, fæger foldan bearm. | Fundode wrecca, gist of geardum; | he to gyrnwræce swidhor thohte | thonne to sælade, 1140
gif he torngemot | thurhteon mihte thæt he Eotena bearn | inne gemunde.
Swa he ne forwyrnde | woroldrædenne, thonne him Hunlafing | hildeleoman, billa selest, | on bearm dyde, 1145
thæs wæron mid Eotenum | ecge cudhe.
Swylce ferhdhfrecan | Fin eft begeat sweordbealo slidhen | æt his selfes ham, sithdhan grimne gripe | Gudhlaf ond Oslaf æfter sæsidhe, | sorge, mændon,
1150
ætwiton weana dæl; | ne meahte wæfre mod forhabban in hrethre. | Dha wæs heal roden feonda feorum, | swilce Fin slægen, cyning on corthre, | ond seo cwen numen.
Sceotend Scyldinga | to scypon feredon 1155
eal ingesteald | eordhcyninges,
swylce hie æt Finnes ham | findan meahton sigla, searogimma. | Hie on sælade
drihtlice wif | to Denum feredon,
læddon to leodum. | Leodh wæs asungen, 1160
gleomannes gyd. | Gamen eft astah, beorhtode bencsweg; | byrelas sealdon
win of wunderfatum. | Tha cwom Wealhtheo fordh gan under gyldnum beage, | thær tha godan twegen sæton suhtergefæderan; | tha gyt wæs hiera sib ætgædere,
1165
æghwylc odhrum trywe. | Swylce thær Unferth thyle æt fotum sæt frean Scyldinga; | gehwylc hiora his ferhthe treowde.
Thæt he hæfde mod micel, | theah the he his magum nære
arfæst æt ecga gelacum. | Spræc dha ides Scyldinga:
"Onfoh thissum fulle, | freodrihten min, 1170
sinces brytta! | Thu on sælum wes, goldwine gumena, | ond to Geatum spræc mildum wordum, | swa sceal man don.
Beo widh Geatas glæd, | geofena gemyndig, nean ond feorran | thu nu hafast.
1175
Me man sægde | thæt thu dhe for sunu wolde hererinc habban. | Heorot is gefælsod, beahsele beorhta; | bruc thenden thu mote manigra medo, | ond thinum magum læf folc ond rice, | thonne dhu fordh scyle 1180
metodsceaft seon. | Ic minne can
glædne Hrothulf, | thæt he tha geogodhe wile arum healdan, | gyf thu ær thonne he, wine Scildinga, | worold oflætest;
wene ic thæt he mid gode | gyldan wille
1185
uncran eaferan, | gif he thæt eal gemon, hwæt wit to willan | ond to wordhmyndum umborwesendum ær | arna gefremedon."
Hwearf tha bi bence | thær hyre byre wæron, Hredhric ond Hrodhmund, | ond hæletha bearn, 1190
giogodh ætgædere; | thær se goda sæt, Beowulf Geata, | be thæm gebrodhrum twæm.
Him wæs ful boren | ond freondlathu wordum bewægned, | ond wunden gold estum geeawed, | earmreade twa, 1195
hrægl ond hringas, | healsbeaga mæst thara the ic on foldan | gefrægen hæbbe.
Nænigne ic under swegle | selran hyrde
hordmadhdhum hæletha, | sythdhan Hama ætwæg to thære byrhtan byrig | Brosinga mene,
1200
sigle ond sincfæt; | searonidhas fleah Eormenrices, | geceas ecne ræd.
Thone hring hæfde | Higelac Geata, nefa Swertinges, | nyhstan sidhe, sidhthan he under segne | sinc ealgode, 1205
wælreaf werede; | hyne wyrd fornam, sythdhan he for wlenco | wean ahsode, fæhdhe to Frysum. | He tha frætwe wæg, eorclanstanas | ofer ydha ful,
rice theoden; | he under rande gecranc.
1210
Gehwearf tha in Francna fæthm | feorh cyninges, breostgewædu | ond se beah somod;
wyrsan wigfrecan | wæl reafedon æfter gudhsceare, | Geata leode, hreawic heoldon. | Heal swege onfeng.
1215
Wealhdheo mathelode, | heo fore thæm werede spræc:
"Bruc dhisses beages, | Beowulf leofa, hyse, mid hæle, | ond thisses hrægles neot, theodgestreona, | ond getheoh tela,
cen thec mid cræfte | ond thyssum cnyhtum wes 1220
lara lidhe; | ic the thæs lean geman.
Hafast thu gefered | thæt dhe feor ond neah
ealne wideferhth | weras ehtigadh, efne swa side | swa sæ bebugedh,
windgeard, weallas. | Wes thenden thu lifige, 1225
ætheling, eadig. | Ic the an tela sincgestreona. | Beo thu suna minum dædum gedefe, | dreamhealdende.
Her is æghwylc eorl | othrum getrywe, modes milde, | mandrihtne hold;
1230
thegnas syndon gethwære, | theod ealgearo, druncne dryhtguman | dodh swa ic bidde."
Eode tha to setle. | Thær wæs symbla cyst;
druncon win weras. | Wyrd ne cuthon, geosceaft grimme, | swa hit agangen weardh 1235
eorla manegum, | sythdhan æfen cwom ond him Hrothgar gewat | to hofe sinum, rice to ræste. | Reced weardode
unrim eorla, | swa hie oft ær dydon.
Bencthelu beredon; | hit geondbræded weardh 1240
beddum ond bolstrum. | Beorscealca sum fus ond fæge | fletræste gebeag.
Setton him to heafdon | hilderandas, bordwudu beorhtan; | thær on bence wæs ofer æthelinge | ythgesene
1245
heathosteapa helm, | hringed byrne, threcwudu thrymlic. | Wæs theaw hyra thæt hie oft wæron | an wig gearwe,
ge æt ham ge on herge, | ge gehwæther thara, efne swylce mæla | swylce hira mandryhtne 1250
thearf gesælde; | wæs seo theod tilu.
Http://www.augsburg.de/~harsch/anglica/Chronology /08thC/Beowulf/beo_bat2.html
2. 9th Century: The Seafarers
Mæg ic be me sylfum sodhgied wrecan, sithas secgan, hu ic geswincdagum earfodhhwile oft throwade, bitre breostceare gebiden hæbbe, 5
gecunnad in ceole cearselda fela, atol ytha gewealc, thær mec oft bigeat nearo nihtwaco æt nacan stefnan,
thonne he be clifum cnossadh. Calde gethrungen wæron mine fet, forste gebunden,
10
caldum clommum, thær tha ceare seofedun hat ymb heortan; hungor innan slat merewerges mod. Thæt se mon ne wat the him on foldan fægrost limpedh, hu ic earmcearig iscealdne sæ 15
winter wunade wræccan lastum, winemægum bidroren,
bihongen hrimgicelum; hægl scurum fleag.
Thær ic ne gehyrde butan hlimman sæ, iscaldne wæg. Hwilum ylfete song 20
dyde ic me to gomene, ganetes hleothor ond huilpan sweg fore hleahtor wera, mæw singende fore medodrince.
Stormas thær stanclifu beotan, thær him stearn oncwædh
isigfethera; ful oft thæt earn bigeal, 25
urigfethra; ne ænig hleomæga feasceaftig ferdh frefran meahte.
Forthon him gelyfedh lyt, se the ah lifes wyn gebiden in burgum, bealositha hwon, wlonc ond wingal, hu ic werig oft 30
in brimlade bidan sceolde.
Nap nihtscua, northan sniwde,
hrim hrusan bond, hægl feol on eorthan,
corna caldast. Forthon cnyssadh nu heortan gethohtas, thæt ic hean streamas, 35
sealtytha gelac sylf cunnige;
monadh modes lust mæla gehwylce ferdh to feran, thæt ic feor heonan eltheodigra eard gesece.
Forthon nis thæs modwlonc mon ofer eorthan, 40
ne his gifena thæs god, ne in geoguthe to thæs hwæt,
ne in his dædum to thæs deor, ne him his dryhten to thæs hold,
thæt he a his sæfore sorge næbbe, to hwon hine dryhten gedon wille.
Ne bith him to hearpan hyge ne to hringthege, 45
ne to wife wyn ne to worulde hyht,
ne ymbe owiht elles, nefne ymb ydha gewealc, ac a hafadh longunge se the on lagu fundadh.
Bearwas blostmum nimadh, byrig fægriadh, wongas wlitigadh, woruld onettedh;
50
ealle tha gemoniadh modes fusne sefan to sithe, tham the swa thencedh on flodwegas feor gewitan.
Swylce geac monadh geomran reorde, singedh sumeres weard, sorge beodedh 55
bitter in breosthord. Thæt se beorn ne wat, esteadig secg, hwæt tha sume dreogadh the tha wræclastas widost lecgadh.
Forthon nu min hyge hweorfedh ofer hretherlocan, min modsefa mid mereflode
60
ofer hwæles ethel hweorfedh wide, eorthan sceatas, cymedh eft to me gifre ond grædig, gielledh anfloga, hwetedh on hwælweg hrether unwearnum ofer holma gelagu. Forthon me hatran sind
65
dryhtnes dreamas thonne this deade lif, læne on londe. Ic gelyfe no
thæt him eordhwelan ece stondadh.
Simle threora sum thinga gehwylce, ær his tid aga, to tweon weorthedh;
70
adl oththe yldo oththe ecghete
fægum fromweardum feorh odhthringedh.
Forthon thæt bidh eorla gehwam æftercwethendra lof lifgendra lastworda betst,
thæt he gewyrce, ær he on weg scyle, 75
fremum on foldan widh feonda nith, deorum dædum deofle togeanes, thæt hine ælda bearn æfter hergen, ond his lof siththan lifge mid englum awa to ealdre, ecan lifes blæd, 80
dream mid dugethum. Dagas sind gewitene, ealle onmedlan eorthan rices;
næron nu cyningas ne caseras ne goldgiefan swylce iu wæron,
thonne hi mæst mid him mærtha gefremedon 85
ond on dryhtlicestum dome lifdon.
Gedroren is theos dugudh eal, dreamas sind gewitene,
wuniadh tha wacran ond thas woruld healdath, brucadh thurh bisgo. Blæd is gehnæged, eorthan indryhto ealdadh ond searadh, 90
swa nu monna gehwylc geond middangeard.
Yldo him on faredh, onsyn blacadh, gomelfeax gnornadh, wat his iuwine, æthelinga bearn, eorthan forgiefene.
Ne mæg him thonne se flæschoma, thonne him thæt feorg losadh,
95
ne swete forswelgan ne sar gefelan, ne hond onhreran ne mid hyge thencan.
Theah the græf wille golde stregan brothor his geborenum, byrgan be deadum, mathmum mislicum thæt hine mid wille, 100
ne mæg thære sawle the bith synna ful gold to geoce for godes egsan,
thonne he hit ær hydedh thenden he her leofadh.
Micel bith se meotudes egsa, forthon hi seo molde oncyrredh;
se gestathelade stithe grundas, 105
eorthan sceatas ond uprodor.
Dol bith se the him his dryhten ne ondrædeth;
cymedh him se deadh unthinged.
Eadig bidh se the eathmod leofath; cymedh him seo ar of heofonum,
meotod him thæt mod gestatheladh, forthon he in his meahte gelyfedh.
Stieran mon sceal strongum mode, ond thæt on stathelum healdan,
110
ond gewis werum, wisum clæne,
scyle monna gehwylc mid gemete healdan with leofne ond widh lathne [. . . . .] bealo, theah the he hine wille fyres fulne [. . . . .]
oththe on bæle forbærnedne 115
his geworhtne wine. Wyrd bith swithre,
meotud meahtigra thonne ænges monnes gehygd.
Uton we hycgan hwær we ham agen, ond thonne gethencan hu we thider cumen, ond we thonne eac tilien, thæt we to moten 120
in tha ecan eadignesse,
thær is lif gelong in lufan dryhtnes,
hyht in heofonum. Thæs sy tham halgan thonc, thæt he usic geweorthade, wuldres ealdor, ece dryhten, in ealle tid. Amen.
3. The Battle of Maldon
The Battle of Maldon . . . brocen wurde.
Het tha hyssa hwæne | hors forlætan, feor afysan, | and fordh gangan,
hicgan to handum | and t[o] hige godum.
5
Th[a] thæt Offan mæg | ærest onfunde, thæt se eorl nolde | yrhdho getholian, he let him tha of handon | leofne fleogan hafoc widh thæs holtes, | and to thære hilde stop;
be tham man mihte oncnawan | thæt se cniht nolde 10
wacian æt tham w[i]ge, | tha he to wæpnum feng.
Eac him wolde Eadric | his ealdre gelæstan, frean to gefeohte, | ongan tha fordh beran gar to guthe. | He hæfde god gethanc tha hwile the he mid handum | healdan mihte 15
bord and bradswurd; | beot he gelæste tha he ætforan his frean | feohtan sceolde.
Dha thær Byrhtnodh ongan | beornas trymian, rad and rædde, | rincum tæhte
hu hi sceoldon standan | and thone stede healdan, 20
and bæd thæt hyra randa[s] | rihte heoldon fæste mid folman, | and ne forhtedon na.
Tha he hæfde thæt folc | fægere getrymmed, he lihte tha mid leodon | thær him leofost wæs, thær he his heordhwerod | holdost wiste.
25
tha stod on stædhe, | stidhlice clypode wicinga ar, | wordum mælde,
se on beot abead | brimlithendra
ærænde to tham eorle, | thær he on ofre stod:
«Me sendon to the | sæmen snelle, 30
heton dhe secgan | thæt thu most sendan radhe beagas widh gebeorge; | and eow betere is thæt ge thisne garræs | mid gafole forgyldon, thon we swa hearde [hi]lde dælon.
Ne thurfe we us spillan, | gif ge spedath to tham;
35
we willadh widh tham golde | gridh fæstnian.
Gyf thu that gerædest, | the her ricost eart, thæt thu thine leoda | lysan wille,
syllan sæmannum | on hyra sylfra dom feoh widh freode, | and niman fridh æt us, 40
we willath mid tham sceattum | us to scype gangan, on flot feran, | and eow frithes healdan.»
Byrhtnodh mathelode, | bord hafenode, wand wacne æsc, | wordum mælde, yrre and anræd | ageaf him andsware:
45
«Gehyrst thu, sælida, | hwæt this folc segedh?
Hi willadh eow to gafole | garas syllan, ættrynne ord | and ealde swurd,
tha heregeatu | the eow æt hilde ne deah.
Brimmanna boda, | abeod eft ongean, 50
sege thinum leodum | miccle lathre spell, thæt her stynt unforcudh | eorl mid his werode, the wile gealgean | ethel thysne,
æthelredes eard, | ealdres mines, folc and foldan. | Feallan sceolon 55
hæthene æt hilde. | To heanlic me thincedh thæt ge mid urum sceattum | to scype gangon unbefohtene, | nu ge thus feor hider
on urne eard | in becomon.
Ne sceole ge swa softe | sinc gegangan;
60
us sceal ord and ecg | ær geseman, grim gudhplega, | ær [w]e gofol syllon.»
Het tha bord beran, | beornas gangan, thæt hi on tham eastedhe | ealle stodon.
Ne mihte thær for wætere | werod to tham odhrum;
65
thær com flowende | flod æfter ebban, lucon lagustreamas. | To lang hit him thuhte, hwænne hi togædere | garas beron.
Hi thær Pantan stream | mid prasse bestodon, Eastseaxena ord | and se æschere.
70
Ne mihte hyra ænig | othrum derian, buton hwa thurh flanes flyht | fyl gename.
Se flod ut gewat; | tha flotan stodon gearowe, wicinga fela, | wiges georne.
Het tha hæledha hleo | healdan tha bricge 75
wigan wigheardne, | se wæs haten Wulfstan, cafne mid his cynne, | thæt wæs Ceolan sunu, the dhone forman man | mid his francan ofsceat the thær baldlicost | on tha bricge stop.
Thær stodon mid Wulfstane | wigan unforhte, 80
ælfere and Maccus, | modige twegen, tha noldon æt tham forda | fleam gewyrcan, ac hi fæstlice | widh dha fynd weredon, tha hwile the hi wæpna | wealdan moston.
Tha hi thæt ongeaton | and georne gesawon 85
thæt hi thær bricgweardas | bitere fundon, ongunnon lytegian tha | ladhe gystas, bædon thæt hi upgangan | agan moston, ofer thone ford faran, | fethan lædan.
Dha se eorl ongan | for his ofermode 90
alyfan landes to fela | lathere dheode.
Ongan ceallian tha | ofer cald wæter Byrhtelmes bearn | (beornas gehlyston):
«Nu eow is gerymed, | gadh ricene to us, guman to guthe; | god ana wat
95
hwa thære wælstowe | wealdan mote.»
Wodon tha wælwulfas | (for wætere ne murnon), wicinga werod, | west ofer Pantan,
ofer scir wæter | scyldas wegon, lidmen to lande | linde bæron.
100
Thær ongean gramum | gearowe stodon Byrhtnodh mid beornum; | he mid bordum het wyrcan thone wihagan, | and thæt werod healdan fæste widh feondum. | tha wæs f[e]ohte neh, tir æt getohte. | Wæs seo tid cumen
105
thæt thær fæge men | feallan sceoldon.
Thær weardh hream ahafen, | hremmas wundon, earn æses georn; | wæs on eorthan cyrm.
Hi leton tha of folman | feolhearde speru, [grimme] gegrundene | garas fleogan;
110
bogan wæron bysige, | bord ord onfeng.
Biter wæs se beaduræs, | beornas feollon on gehwædhere hand, | hyssas lagon.
Wund wear[dh] Wulfmær, | wælræste geceas, Byrhtnodhes mæg; | he mid billum weardh, 115
his swuster sunu, | swidhe forheawen.
Thær wear[dh] wicingum | witherlean agyfen.
Gehyrde ic thæt Eadweard | anne sloge swidhe mid his swurde, | swenges ne wyrnde, thæt him æt fotum | feoll fæge cempa;
120
thæs him his dheoden | thanc gesæde, tham burthene, | tha he byre hæfde.
Swa stemnetton | stidhhicgende hysas æt hilde, | hogodon georne hwa thær mid orde | ærost mihte 125
on fægean men | feorh gewinnan,
wigan mid wæpnum; | wæl feol on eordhan.
Stodon stædefæste; | stihte hi Byrhtnodh, bæd thæt hyssa gehwylc | hogode to wige the on Denon wolde | dom gefeohtan.
130
Wod tha wiges heard, | wæpen up ahof, bord to gebeorge, | and widh thæs beornes stop.
Eode swa anræd | eorl to tham ceorle, ægther hyra odhrum | yfeles hogode.
Sende dha se særinc | sutherne gar, 135
thæt gewundod weardh | wigena hlaford;
he sceaf tha mid dham scylde, | thæt se sceaft tobærst,
and thæt spere sprengde, | thæt hit sprang ongean.
Gegremod weardh se gudhrinc; | he mid gare stang wlancne wicing, | the him tha wunde forgeaf.
140
Frod wæs se fyrdrinc; | he let his francan wadan
thurh dhæs hysses hals, | hand wisode thæt he on tham færsceadhan | feorh geræhte.
Dha he otherne | ofstlice sceat,
thæt seo byrne tobærst; | he wæs on breostum wund 145
thurh dha hringlocan, | him æt heortan stod ætterne ord. | Se eorl wæs the blithra, hloh tha, modi man, | sæde metode thanc dhæs dægweorces | the him drihten forgeaf.
Forlet tha drenga sum | darodh of handa, 150
fleogan of folman, | thæt se to fordh gewat thurh dhone æthelan | æthelredes thegen.
Him be healfe stod | hyse unweaxen, cniht on gecampe, | se full caflice bræd of tham beorne | blodigne gar, 155
Wulfstanes bearn, | Wulfmær se geonga, forlet forheardne | faran eft ongean;
ord in gewod, | thæt se on eorthan læg the his theoden ær | thearle geræhte.
Eode tha gesyrwed | secg to tham eorle;
160
he wolde thæs beornes | beagas gefecgan, reaf and hringas | and gerenod swurd.
Tha Byrhtnodh bræd | bill of scedhe, brad and bruneccg, | and on tha byrnan sloh.
To rathe hine gelette | lidmanna sum, 165
tha he thæs eorles | earm amyrde.
Feoll tha to foldan | fealohilte swurd;
ne mihte he gehealdan | heardne mece,
wæpnes wealdan. | tha gyt thæt word gecwædh har hilderinc, | hyssas bylde,
170
bæd gangan fordh | gode geferan;
ne mihte tha on fotum leng | fæste gest[a]ndan.
He to heofenum wlat:
«Gethanc[i]e the, | dheoda waldend,
ealra thæra wynna | the ic on worulde gebad.
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Nu ic ah, milde metod, | mæste thearfe thæt thu minum gaste | godes geunne, thæt min sawul to dhe | sidhian mote on thin geweald, | theoden engla,
mid frithe ferian. | Ic eom frymdi to the 180
thæt hi helsceadhan | hynan ne moton.»
Dha hine heowon | hædhene scealcas and begen tha beornas | the him big stodon, ælfnodh and Wulmær | begen lagon, dha onemn hyra frean | feorh gesealdon.
185
Hi bugon tha fram beaduwe | the thær beon noldon.
Thær w[eardh] Oddan bearn | ærest on fleame, Godric fram guthe, | and thone godan forlet the him mænigne oft | mear gesealde;
he gehleop thone eoh | the ahte his hlaford, 190
on tham gerædum | the hit riht ne wæs, and his brodhru mid him | begen ær[n]don, God[w]ine and Godwig, | guthe ne gymdon,
ac wendon fram tham wige | and thone wudu sohton,
flugon on thæt fæsten | and hyra feore burgon, 195
and manna ma | thonne hit ænig mædh wære, gyf hi tha geearnunga | ealle gemundon the he him to duguthe | gedon hæfde.
Swa him Offa on dæg | ær asæde
on tham methelstede, | tha he gemot hæfde, 200
thæt thær mod[e]lice | manega spræcon the eft æt th[ea]r[f]e | tholian noldon.
Tha weardh afeallen | thæs folces ealdor, æthelredes eorl; | ealle gesawon
heordhgeneatas | thæt hyra heorra læg.
205
Tha dhær wendon fordh | wlance thegenas, unearge men | efston georne;
hi woldon tha ealle | odher twega, lif forlæt[a]n | odhdhe leofne gewrecan.
Swa hi bylde fordh | bearn ælfrices, 210
wiga wintrum geong, | wordum mælde, ælfwine tha cwædh, | he on ellen spræc:
«Gemunu tha mæla | the we oft æt meodo spræcon, thonne we on bence | beot ahofon,
hæledh on healle, | ymbe heard gewinn;
