BEOWULF

Old English Edition


Notes:

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129r 	|HWÆT: WE GARDENA     IN GEARDAGUM 
     	þeodcyninga     þrym gefrunon. 
       	Hu ða æþelingas     elle(n) fremedon! 
       	Oft Scyld Scefing     sceaþen[a] þreatum 
5 	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 
10 	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. 
15 	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. 
20 	Swa sceal ge[ong] [g]uma     gode gewyrcean, 
129v 	fromum feohgiftum     on fæder |[bea](r)me, 
       	þæt hine on ylde     eft gewunigen 
       	wi(l)gesiþas,     þonne wig cume, 
       	leode gelæsten.     Lofdædum sceal 
25 	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 
30 	þenden wordum weold     wine Scyldinga. 
       	Leof landfruma     lange ahte. 
       	Þær æt hyðe stod     hringedstefna, 
       	isig 7 utfus,     æþelinges fær. 
       	Aledon þa     leofne þeoden, 
35 	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, 
40 	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, 
45 	þe hine æt frumsceafte     forð onsendon 
130r 	ænne ofer yðe     umborwe|sende. 
       	Þa gyt hie him asetton     segen g(y)[l]denne 
       	heah ofer heafod,     leton holm ber(an) 
       	geafon on garsecg.     Him wæs geomor sefa, 
50 	murnende mod.     Men ne cunnon 
       	secgan t(o) soðe     selerædenne, 
       	hæleð under heofenum,     hwa þæm hlæste onfeng. 

      		.I.   

       	ÐA wæs on burgum     Beowulf Scyldinga 
       	leo(f) leodcyning     longe þrage, 
55 	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 
60 	in worold wocun:     weoroda ræswa, 
       	Heorogar, 7 Hroðgar,     7 Halga til. 
       	Hyrde ic þæt [æþele] [an]     [wearð] Elan cwen, 
       	Heaðo-Scilfingas     healsgebedda. 
       	Þa wæs Hroðgare     heresped gyfen, 
65 	wiges weorðmynd,     þæt him his winemagas 
       	georne hyrdon,     oðð þæt seo geogoð geweox 
       	magodriht micel.     Him on mod bearn 
       	þæt healreced     hatan wolde, 
130v 	|[medo]ærn micel     men gewyrcean - 
70 	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 
75 	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. 
80 	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, 
85 	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, 
90 	swutol sang scopes.     Sægde, se þe cuþe, 
       	frumsceaft fira     feorran reccan, 
132r 	|cwæ(ð) þæt se Ælmihtiga     eorðan w(orh)[te], 
       	wlitebeorhtne wang,     swa wæter b(e)bugeð, 
       	gesette sigehreþig     sunn(an) 7 monan, 
95 	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) 
100 	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 
105 	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, 
110 	Metod for þy mane     mancynne fram. 
       	Þanon untydras     ealle onwocon, 
       	eotenas 7 ylfe     7 orcneas, 
132v 	swylce gi|[ga](ntas),     þa wið Gode wunnon 
       	lange þrag(e).     (He) him ðæs lean forgeald. 

      		.II.   

115 	(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, 
120 	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, 
125 	mid þære wælfylle     wica neosan. 
       	Ða wæs on uhtan     mid ærdæge 
       	Grendles guðcræft     gumum undyrne. 
       	Þa wæs æfter wiste     wop upahafen, 
       	micel morgensweg.     Mære þeoden 
130 	æþeling ærgod,     unbliðe sæt, 
      	þolode ðryðswyð,     þegnsorge dreah, 
       	syðþan hie þæs laðan     last sceawedon, 
       	wergan gastes.     Wæs þæt gewin to strang, 
133r 	lað 7 longsum.     Næs hit lengra |(f)yrst, 
135 	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 [wolde], 
140 	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, 
145 	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 
150 	ylda bearnum     undyrne, cuð, 
       	gyddum geomore,     þætte Grendel wan 
       	hwile wið Hroþgar,     heteniðas wæg, 
       	fyrene 7 fæhðe     fela missera, 
       	singale sæce.     Sibbe ne wolde 
155 	wið manna hwone     mægenes Deniga, 
       	feorhbealo feorran,     fea þingian. 
       	Ne þær nænig witena     wenan þorfte 
       	beorhtre bote     to ban[an] folmum. 
133v	|[Atol] (æglæca)     (eh)tende wæs 
160 	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, 
165 	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. 
170 	Þæt wæs wræc micel     wine Scyldinga, 
       	modes brecða.     Monig oft gesæt 
       	rice to rune;     ræd eahtedon, 
       	hwæt swiðferhðum     selest wære 
       	wið færgryrum     to gefremmanne. 
175 	Hwilum hie geheton     æt hrærgtrafum 
       	wigweorþunga,     wordum bædon 
       	þæt him gastbona     geoce gefremede 
       	wið þeodþreaum.     Swylc wæs þeaw hyra, 
       	hæþenra hyht.     Helle gemundon 
180 	in modsefan,     Metod hie ne cuþon, 
       	dæda Demend,     ne wiston hie Drihten God. 
134r 	|(Ne hie) huru heofena Helm     herian (ne) cuþon, 
       	wuldres Waldend.     Wa bið þæm ðe sceal 
       	þurh sliðne nið     sawle bescufa(n) 
185 	in fyres fæþm,     frofre ne wenan, 
       	wihte gewendan.     Wel bið þæm þe mot 
       	æfter deaðdæge     Drihten secean 
       	7 to fæder fæþmum     freoðo wilnian. 

       		.III.   

       	Swa ða mælceare     maga Healfdenes 
190 	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, 
195 	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 
200 	ofer swanrade     secean wolde, 
       	mærne þeoden,     þa him wæs manna þearf. 
       	Ðone siðfæt him     snotere ceorlas 
134v 	lyt hwon logon.     |(Þeah) he him leof wære, 
       	hwetton hige(rofne).     (Hæ)l sceawedon. 
205 	Hæfde se goda     Geata leoda 
       	(c)empan gecorone,     þara þe he cenoste 
       	findan mihte.     Fiftyna sum 
       	sundwudu sohte,     secg wisade, 
       	lagucræftig mon     landgemyrcu. 
210 	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, 
215 	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 
220 	wundenstefna     gewaden hæfde, 
       	þæt ða liðende     land gesawon, 
       	brimclifu blican,     beorgas steape, 
       	side sænæssas.     Þa wæs sund liden, 
       	eoletes æt ende.     Þanon up hraðe 
225 	Wedera leode     on wang stigon, 
       	sæwudu sældon.     Syrcan hrysedon, 
       	guðgewædo.     Gode þancedon 
       	þæs þe him yþlade     eaðe wurdon. 
135r	|(Þa) of wealle geseah     weard Scildinga, 
230 	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), 
235 	þegn Hroðgares,     þrymmum cwehte 
       	mægenwudu mundum,     meþelwordum frægn. 
       	"Hwæt, syndon ge     searohæbbendra, 
       	byrnum wer(e)de,     þe þus brontne ceol 
       	ofer lagustræte     lædan cwomon, 
240 	hider ofer holmas?" 
       	[H]e wæs endesæta,     ægwearde heold, 
       	þe on land Dena     laðra nænig 
       	mid scipherge     sceðþan ne meahte. 
       	"No her cuðlicor     cuman ongunnon 
245 	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, 
250 	wæpnum geweorðad.     Næfre him his wlite leoge, 
       	ænlic ansyn.     Nu ic eower sceal 
135v 	frumcyn witan,     ær ge fyr |(heon)an 
       	leassceaweras     on land Den(a) 
       	furþur feran.     Nu ge feorbuend, 
255 	mereliðende     mine gehyrað 
       	anfealdne geþoht:     ofost is selest 
       	to gecyðanne.     (H)wanan eowre cyme syndon?" 

       		.IIII.   

       	Him se yldesta     andswarode, 
       	werodes wisa,     wordhord onleac: 
260 	"We synt gumcynnes     Geata leode 
       	7 Higelaces     heorðgeneatas. 
       	Wæs min fæder     folcum gecyþed, 
       	æþele ordfruma,     Ecgþeow hatan. 
       	Gebad wintra worn,     ær he on weg hwurfe, 
265 	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. 
270 	Habbað we to þæm mæran     micel ærende, 
       	Deniga frean.     Ne sceal þær dyrne sum 
       	wesan þæs, ic wene.     Þu wast, gif hit is 
136r 	swa we soþlice     |secgan hyrdon, 
       	þæt mid Scyldingum     scea(ðona) ic nat hwylc, 
275 	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 - 
280 	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 
285 	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. 
290 	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, 
295 	niwtyrwydne     nacan on sande, 
       	arum healdan,     oþ ðæt eft byreð 
136v 	ofer lagustrea|(mas)     leofne mannan, 
       	wudu wundenhals     (t)o Wedermearce. 
       	Godfremmendra     swylcum gifeþe bið 
300 	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, 
305 	fah 7 fyrheard.     Ferhwearde heold, 
       	guþmod grummon.     Guman onetton, 
       	sigon ætsomne,     oþ þæt hy æltimbred, 
       	geatolic 7 goldfah,     ongyton mihton. 
       	Þæt wæs foremærost     foldbuendum 
310 	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 
315 	wicg gewende,     word æfter cwæð. 
       	"Mæl is me to feran.     Fæder alwalda 
       	mid arstafum     eowic gehealde, 
       	siða gesunde.     Ic to sæ wille, 
137r 	wið |(w)ra(ð) werod     wearde healdan." 
       
		.V.   

320 	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. 
325 	Setton sæmeþe     side scyldas, 
       	rondas regnhearde     wið þæs recedes weal, 
       	bugon þa to bence.     Byrnan hringdon, 
       	guðsearo gumena.     Garas stodon 
       	sæmanna searo,     samod ætgædere, 
330 	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, 
335 	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, 
137v 	ac for hige|(þry)mmum     Hroðgar sohton." 
340 	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, 
345 	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, 
350 	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 
355 	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. 
138r 	Wulfgar maðelode     |to [h]i(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, 
365 	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, 
370 	se þæm heaðorincum     hider wisade." 

       		.VI.   

       	Hroðgar maþelode,     helm Scyldinga: 
       	"Ic hine cuðe     cnihtwesende. 
       	Wæs his ealdfæder     Ecgþeo haten. 
       	Ðæm to ham forgeaf     Hreþel Geata, 
375 	angan dohto(r).     Is his eaforan nu 
       	heard her cumen,     sohte holdne wine. 
       	Ðonne sægdon þæt,     sæliþende, 
       	þa ðe gifsceattas     Geata fyredon 
138v 	þyder to þance,     þæt he þri|(tig)es 
380 	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 
385 	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. 
390 	"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, 
395 	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, 
139r 	heaðoreaf heoldon,     swa him se |(hea)rda bebead. 
       	Snyredon ætsomn(e).     (Þa) secg wisode 
       	under Heorotes hrof, 
       	hea[rd] under helme,     þæt he on heoðe gestod. 
       	Beowulf maðelode.     On him byrne scan, 
405 	sea[ro]net 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. 
410 	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, 
415 	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, 
420 	yðde eotena cyn,     7 on yðum slog 
       	niceras nihtes;     nearoþearfe dreah, 
139v 	wræc |(Wed)[e]ra nið.     Wean ahsodon, 
       	forgrand g(ra)mum.     7 nu wið Grendel sceal, 
       	wið þam aglæcan     ana gehegan 
425 	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: 
430 	þæt ic mote ana     - 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, 
435 	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 
440 	Dryhtnes dome,     se þe hine deað nimeð. 
       	Wen' ic þæt he wille,     gif he wealdan mot 
       	in þæm guðsele,     Geotena leode 
140r	etan unforhte,     swa he |oft dyde 
       	mægenhreð manna.     Na (þu) minne þearft 
445 	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 
450 	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. 

       		.VII.   

455 	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 
460 	mid Wilfingum.     Ða hine [wi]gara cyn 
       	for herebrogan     habban ne mihte. 
       	Þanon he gesohte     Suð-Dena folc 
140v 	ofer yða gewealc     Ar-|(Scyl)dinga. 
       	Ða ic furþum weold     folce Deninga 
465 	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. 
470 	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, 
475 	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, 
480 	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, 
141r 	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." 
490 	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, 
495 	scencte scir wered.     Scop hwilum sang 
	hador on Heorote.     Þær wæs hæleða dream, 
	duguð unlytel     Dena 7 Wedera. 

		.VIII.   

	HVNferð maþelode,     Ecglafes bearn, 
	þe æt fotum sæt     frean Scyldinga. 
500 	Onband beadurune.     Wæs him Beowulfes sið, 
	modges merefaran,     micel æfþunca, 
	forþon þe he ne uþe     þæt ænig oðer man 
141v 	æfre |mærða þon ma     middangeardes 
       	gehedde under heofenum     þonne he sylfa: 
505 	"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, 
510 	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 
515 	weol, 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., 
520 	leof his leodum,     lond Brondinga, 
       	freoðoburh fægere,     þær he folc ahte, 
142r 	burh 7 beagas.     |Beot eal wið þe 
       	sunu Beanstanes     so[ðe] gelæste. 
       	Ðonne wene ic to þe     wyrsan (ge)þingea, 
525	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), 
530 	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 
535 	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 
540 	werian þohton.     No he wiht fram me 
	flodyþum feor     fleotan meahte, 
	hraþor on holme,     no ic fram him wolde. 
142v 	Ða wit æt|(s)omne     on sæ wæron 
       	fif nihta fyrst,     (o)þ þæt unc flod todraf, 
545 	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 
550 	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 
555 	þæt ic aglæcan     orde geræhte, 
	hildebille.     Heaþoræs fornam 
	mihtig meredeor     þurh mine hand." 

		.VIIII.   

	"Swa mec gelome     laðgeteonan 
	þreatedon þearle.     Ic him þenode 
560 	deoran sweorde,     swa hit gedefe wæs. 
	Næs hie ðære fylle     gefean hæfdon, 
	manfordædlan,     þæt hie me þegon, 
	symbel ymbsæton     sægrunde neah. 
143r 	Ac on mergenne,     mecum |wunde, 
565 	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, 
570 	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 
575 	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, 
580 	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 
585 	fagum sweordum.     No ic þæs gylpe, 
       	þeah ðu þinum broðrum     to banan wurde, 
143v 	heafodmægum.     Þæs þu in | (hell)e scealt 
	werhðo dreogan,     þeah þin (wit) duge. 
	Secge ic þe to soðe,     sunu Ecg(laf)es, 
590 	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, 
595 	atole ecgþræce     eower leode 
	swiðe onsittan     Sige-Scyldinga. 
	Nymeð nydbade,     nænegum arað 
	leode Deniga,     ac he lust wigeð, 
	swefeð ond sendeþ,     secce ne weneþ 
600 	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, 
605 	sunne sweglwered     suþan scineð." 
	Þa wæs on salum     sinces brytta, 
	gamolfeax 7 guðrof.     Geoce gelyfde, 
144r 	|brego Beorht-Dena     - gehyrde on (Beo)wulfe, 
       	folces hyrde,     fæstrædne geþoht. 
610 	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 
615 	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, 
620 	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 
625 	wisfæst wordum,     þæs ðe hire se willa gelamp, 
	þæt heo on ænigne     eorl gelyfde 
	fyrena frofre.     He þæt ful geþeah, 
144v 	wælreow wiga     |(æt W)ealhþeon, 
       	7 þa gyddode,     guþe gefysed. 
630 	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, 
635 	feondgrapum fæst.     Ic gefremman sceal 
	eorlic ellen,     oþðe endedæg 
	on þisse meoduhealle     minne gebidan." 
	Ðam wife þa word     wel licodon, 
	gilpcwide Geates.     Eode goldhroden, 
640 	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 
645 	æfenræste.     Wiste þæm ahlæcan 
	to þæm heahsele     hilde geþinged, 
	siððan hie sunnan leoht     geseon meahton, 
	oþðe nipende     niht ofer ealle, 
	scaduhelma gesceapu     scriðan cwoman, 
650 	wan under wolcnum.     Werod eall aras. 
	Grette þa guma     [guman] oþerne, 
	Hroðgar Beowulf,     7 him hæl abead, 
145r 	winærnes |geweald,     7 þæt word acwæð: 
       	"Næfre ic ænegum men     ær alyfde, 
655 	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 
660 	gif þu þæt ellenweorc     aldre gedigest." 

       		.X.   

       	ÐA him Hroþgar gewat     mid his hæleþa gedryht, 
	eodur Scyldinga     ut of healle. 
	Wolde wigfruma     Wealhþeo secan, 
	cwen to gebeddan.     Hæfde Kyningwuldor 
665 	Grendle togeanes,     swa guman gefrungon, 
	seleweard aseted.     Sundornytte beheold 
	ymb aldor Dena,     eotonweard abead. 
	Huru Geata leod     georne truwode 
	modgan mægnes,     Metodes hyldo. 
670 	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, 
145v 	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. 
680 	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, 
685 	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. 
690 	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 
695 	Denigea leode.     Ac him Dryhten forgeaf 
146r 	wigspeda gewiofu     |Wedera leodum, 
	frofor 7 fult(um),     (þæt hie) feond heora 
	ðurh anes cræft     ealle ofercomon, 
	selfes mihtum.     Soð is gecyþed, 
700 	þæt mihtig God     manna cynnes 
	weold (wide)ferhð.     Com on wanre niht 
	scriðan s(cea)dugenga.     Sceotend swæfon, 
	þa þæt hornreced     healdan scoldon, 
	ealle buton an(um).     Þæt wæs yldum cuþ, 
705 	þæt hie ne moste,     þa Meto(d) nolde, 
	se synscaþa     under sceadu bregdan. 
	Ac he wæccende     wraþum on andan 
	bad bolgenmod     beadwa geþinges. 

		.XI.   

       	Ða com of more     under misthleoþum 
710 	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, 
715 	fættum fahne.     Ne wæs þæt forma sið 
       	þæt he Hroþgares     ham gesohte. 
146v 	Næfre he on aldordagum,     ær |(ne) siþðan, 
	heardran hæle,     healðegnas fand. 
	Com þa to recede     rinc siðian, 
720 	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, 
725 	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, 
730 	mynte þæt he gedælde,     ær þon dæg cwome, 
	atol aglæca     anra gehwylces 
	lif wið lice,     þa him alumpen wæs 
	wistfylle wen.     Ne wæs (þæt) (w)yrd þa gen 
	þæt he ma moste     manna cynnes 
735 	ðicgean ofer þa niht.     Þryðswyð beheold, 
	mæg Higelaces,     hu se manscaða 
	under færgripum     gefaran wolde. 
	Ne þæt se aglæca     yldan þohte, 
147A
(131)r 	ac he ge|feng hraðe     forman siðe 
740 	slæpendn(e) rinc,     slat unwearnum, 
	bat banlocan,     bl(od) edrum dranc, 
	synsnædum swealh.     Sona hæfde 
	unlyfigendes     ealgefeormod 
	fe(t) 7 folma.     Forð near ætstop, 
745 	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, 
750 	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, 
755 	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. 
760 	Eoten wæs utweard,     eorl furþur stop. 
147A
(131)v	Mynte se mæra,     |[hw](ær) he meahte swa, 
       	widre gewindan,     7 (o)n weg þanon 
	fleon on fenhopu.     Wiste [h]is fingra geweald 
	on grames grapum,     (þæt) he wæs geocorsið 
765 	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. 
770 	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 
775 	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, 
780 	listum tolucan,     nymþe liges fæþm 
147r 	swulge on swaþule.     Sweg |up astag, 
	niwe geneahhe:     Norð-Denum st(od) 
	atelic egesa,     anra gehwylcum 
	þara (þe) of wealle     wop gehyrdon, 
785 	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. 

		.XII.   

790 	Nolde eorla hleo     ænige þinga 
	þone cwealmcuman     cwicne forlætan, 
	ne his lifdagas     leoda ænigum 
	nytte tealde.     Þær genehost brægd 
	eorl Beowulfes,     ealde lafe, 
795 	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, 
800 	sawle secan:     þone synscaðan 
	ænig ofer eorþan,     irenna cyst, 
	guðbilla nan     gretan nolde. 
147v 	Ac he sigewæpnum     |(fo)rsworen hæfde, 
       	ecga gehwylcre.     Scolde (h)is aldorgedal 
805 	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 
810 	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, 
815 	atol æglæca.     Him on eaxle wearð 
	syndolh sweotol,     seonowe onsprungon, 
	burston banlocan.     Beowulfe wearð 
	guðhreð gyfeþe.     Scolde Grendel þonan 
	feorhseoc fleon     under fenhleoðu, 
820 	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, 
825 	snotor 7 swyðferhð,     sele Hroðgares, 
148r 	genered wið |niðe.     Nihtweorce gefeh, 
	ellenmær(þum).     Hæfde East-Denum, 
	Geatmecga leod,     gilp gelæsted. 
	Swylce oncyþðe     ealle ge(bette), 
830 	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 
835 	Grendles grape,     under geapne h[rof]. 

		.XIII.   

	ÐA wæs on morgen     mine gefræge 
	ymb þa gifhealle     guðrinc monig. 
	Ferdon folctogan     feorran 7 nean 
	geond widwegas     wundor sceawian, 
840 	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 
845 	fæge 7 geflymed     feorhlastas bær. 
	Ðær wæs on blode     brim weallende, 
	atol yða geswing     eal gemenged 
148v 	haton heolfre,     |(heo)rodreore weol, 
       	deaðfæge deog.     Siððan dreama leas, 
850 	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, 
855 	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 
860 	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, 
865 	ðær him foldwegas     fægere þuhton, 
	cystum cuðe.     Hwilum cyninges þegn 
	guma gilphlæden,     gidda gemyndig, 
	se ðe ealfela     ealdgesegena 
	worn gemunde,     word oþer fand 
870 	soðe gebunden.     Secg eft ongan 
149r 	sið Beowulfes     snyttrum |styrian, 
	7 on sped wrecan     spel gerade, 
	wordum wrixlan.     Welhwylc gecwæð 
	þæt he fram Sigemunde     secgan hyrde, 
875 	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), 
880 	eam his nefan,     swa hie a wæron 
	æt niða gehwam     nydgesteallan. 
	Hæfdon ealfela     eotena cynnes 
	sweordum gesæged.     Sigemunde gesprong 
	æfter deaðdæge     dom unlytel. 
885 	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 
890 	wrætlicne wyrm,     þæt hit on wealle ætstod, 
	dryhtlic iren.     Draca morðre swealt. 
	Hæfde aglæca     elne gegongen 
	þæt he beahhordes     brucan moste 
149v 	selfes dome.     | Sæbat gehleod, 
895 	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. 
900 	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, 
905 	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, 
910 	fæderæþelum onfon,     folc gehealdan, 
	hord 7 hleoburh,     hæleþa rice, 
	.eðel. Scyldinga.     He þær eallum wearð, 
	mæg Higelaces,     manna cynne, 
	freondum gefægra.     Hine fyren onwod. 
915 	Hwilum flitende     fealwe stræte 
       	mearum mæton.     Ða wæs morgenleoht 
150r 	scofen 7 scynded.     |Eode scealc monig 
	swiðhicgende     to sele þam hean 
	searowundor seon.     Swylce se(lf) cyning 
920 	of brydbure,     beahhorda wear(d), 
	tryddode tirfæst     getrume micle, 
	cystum gecyþed,     7 his cwen mid him 
	med(o)stigge mæt     mægþa hose. 

		.XIIII.   

       	Hroðgar maþelode.     He to healle geon(g), 
925 	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 
930 	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, 
935 	wea widscofen),     witena gehwylcne 
	ðara þe ne wendon     þæt hie wideferhð 
	leoda landgeweorc     laþum beweredon, 
150v 	|scuccum 7 scinnum.     Nu scealc hafað 
       	þurh Drihtnes miht     dæd gefremede, 
940 	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 
945 	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. 
950 	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 
955 	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 
960 	þæt ðu hine selfne     geseon moste, 
       	feond on frætewum     fylwerigne. 
151r 	Ic him hrædlice     |heardan clammum 
	on wælbedde     wriþan þohte, 
	þæt he for handgripe     minum scolde 
965 	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 
970 	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 
975 	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, 
980 	on gylpspræce     guðgeweorca, 
	siþðan æþelingas     eorles cræfte 
	ofer heanne hrof     hand sceawedon, 
	feondes fingras.     Foran æghwylc wæs 
	steda nægla gehwylc,     style gelicost; 
151v 	hæþenes handsporu     hilde|rinces 
	egl unheoru.     Æghwylc gecwæð 
	þæt him heardra nan     hrinan wolde, 
	iren ærgod,     þæt ðæs ahlæcan 
	blodge beadufolme     (o)nberan wolde. 

		.XV.   

990 	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 
995 	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 
1000 	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, 
1005 	grundbuendra     gearwe stowe, 
	þær his lichoma,     legerbedde fæst, 
	swefeþ æfter symle.     Þa wæs sæl 7 mæl 
152r 	þæt to healle |gang     Healfdenes sunu. 
       	Wolde self cyni(ng)     symbel þicgan. 
1010 	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 
1015 	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); 
1020 	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 
1025 	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, 
1030 	wirum bewunden,     walan utan heold, 
152v 	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, 
1035 	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 
1040 	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. 
1045 	Swa manlice     mære þeoden 
	hordweard hæleþa,     heaþoræsas geald 
	mearum 7 madmum.     Swa hy næfre man lyhð, 
	se þe secgan wile     soð æfter rihte. 

		.XVI.   

	ÐA gyt æghwylcum     eorla drihten 
1050 	þara þe mid Beowulfe     brimleade teah, 
       	on þære medubence     maþðum gesealde, 
153r 	yr|felafe,     7 þone ænne heht 
	golde forgy(l)dan,     þone ðe Grendel ær 
	mane acwealde.     Swa he hyra ma wolde, 
1055 	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 
1060 	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. 
1065 	Ðonne healgamen     Hroþgares scop 
	æfter medobence     mænan scolde, 
	Finnes eaferum,     ða hie se fær begeat: 
	Hæleð Healfdena,     Hnæf Scyldinga, 
	in Freswæle     feallan scolde. 
1070 	Ne huru Hildeburh     herian þorfte 
	eotena treowe.     Unsynnum wearð 
	beloren leofum     æt þam hildplegan, 
	bearnum 7 broðrum.     Hie on gebyrd hruron, 
153v 	gare | (w)unde.     Þæt wæs geomuru ides. 
1075 	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 
1080 	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, 
1085 	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, 
1090 	Hengestes heap     hringum wenede, 
	efne swa swiðe     sincgestreonum 
	fættan goldes     swa he Fresena cyn 
	on beorsele     byldan wolde. 
	Ða hie getruwedon     on twa healfa 
1095 	fæste frioðuwære.     Fin Hengeste 
154r 	elne unflitme     aðum |benemde 
	þæt he þa wealafe     weotena dome 
	arum heolde,     þæt ðær ænig mon 
	wordum ne worcum     wære ne bræce, 
1100 	(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, 
1105 	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 
1110 	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, 
1115 	banfatu bærnan,     7 on bæl don. 
	Earme on eaxle,     ides gnornode, 
	geomrode giddum.     Guðrinc astah, 
154v 	wand |(to) wolcnum.     Wælfyra mæst 
       	hlynode (fo)r hlawe.     Hafelan multon, 
1120 	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. 

		.XVII.   

       	(G)Ewiton him ða wigend     wica neosian, 
1125 	freondum befeallen,     Frysland geseon, 
	hamas 7 heaburh.     Hengest ða gyt 
	wælfagne winter     wunode mid Fin 
	[ea]l unhlitine.     Eard gemunde, 
	þeah þe he meahte     on mere drifan 
1130 	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, 
1135 	wuldortorhtan weder.     Ða wæs winter scacen, 
	fæger foldan bearm.     Fundode wrecca, 
	gist of geardum.     He to gyrnwræce 
155r 	swiðor |þohte     þonne to sælade, 
       	gif he tor(nge)mot     þurhteon mihte, 
1140 	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. 
1145 	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 
1150 	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, 
1155 	swylce hie æt Finnes ham     findan meahton 
	sigla searogimma.     Hie on sælade 
	drihtlice wif     to Denum feredon, 
155v 	læddon |(to l)eodum.     Leoð wæs asungen, 
       	gleoman(nes) gyd.     Gamen eft astah, 
1160 	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 
1165 	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. 
1170 	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. 
1175 	Beo wið Geatas glæd,     geofena gemyndig; 
       	nean 7 feorran     þu nu hafast. 
156r 	Me man sægde     þæt |(þ)u (ð)e for sunu wolde 
	hereric hab(ban).     Heorot is gefælsod, 
	beahsele beor(hta).     Bruc, þenden þu mote, 
1180 	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, 
1185 	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." 
1190 	Hwearf þa bi bence,     þær hyre byre wæron, 
	Hreðric 7 Hroðmund,     7 hæleþa bearn 
	giogoð æt gædere.     Þær se goda sæt 
	Beowulf Geata     be þæm gebroðrum twæm(.) 

		.XVIII.   

       	HIm wæs ful boren,     7 freondlaþu 
1195 	wordum bewægned     7 wundengold 
       	estum geeawed,     earmreade twa, 
156v 	hrægl 7 hrin|(ga)s,     healsbeaga mæst 
	þara þe ic on fol(dan)     (ge)frægen hæbbe. 
	Nænigne ic under sweg(l)e     selran hyrde 
1200 	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, 
1205 	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, 
1210 	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 
1215 	æfter guðsceare.     Geata leode 
	hreawic heoldon.     Heal swege onfeng. 
	Wealhðeo maþelode.     Heo fore þæm werede spræc: 
	"Bruc ðisses beages,     Beowulf leofa, 
157r 	hyse mid hæle,     |(7 þ)isses hrægles neot; 
1220 	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, 
1225 	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! 
1230 	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, 
1235 	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 
1240 	unrim eorla,     swa hie oft ær dydon. 
       	Bencþelu beredon.     Hit geondbræded wearð 
       	beddum 7 bolstrum.     Beorscealca sum 
157v 	fus 7 fæge     fletræste ge|(beag). 
       	Setton him to heafdon     hilderandas, 
1245 	(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 
1250 	ge æt ham ge on herge,     ge gehwæþer þara, 
	efne swylce mæla     swylce hira mandryhtne 
	þearf gesælde.     Wæs seo þeod tilu. 

		.XVIIII.   

	Sigon þa to slæpe.     Sum sare angeald 
	æfenræste,     swa him ful oft gelamp, 
1255 	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 
1260 	æfter guðceare.     Grendles modor, 
	ides aglæcwif     yrmþe gemunde, 
	se þe wæteregesan     wunian scolde, 
	cealde streamas,     siþðan camp wearð 
	to ecgbanan     angan breþer, 
1265 	fæderenmæge.     He þa fag gewat, 
158r 	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 
1270 	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, 
1275 	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 
1280 	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 
1285 	efne swa micle,     swa bið mægþa cræft 
	wiggryre wifes,     bewæpned men, 
	þonne heoru bunden,     hamere geþuren, 
	sweord swate fah     swin ofer helme 
158v 	ecgum |(dyhttig)     andweard scireð. 
1290 	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, 
1295 	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 
1300 	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 
1305 	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, 
159r 	har hilderinc     on hreon |(mo)de, 
1310 	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 
1315 	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, 
1320 	þæt he þone wisan     wordum hnæg(de) 
	frean Ingwina,     frægn gif him wære 
	æfter neodlaðu     niht getæse. 

		.XX.   

       	Hroðgar maþelode,     helm Scyldinga: 
       	"Ne frin þu æfter sælum.     Sorh is geniwod 
1325 	Denigea leodum.     Dead is Æschere, 
	Yrmenlafes     yldra broþor, 
	min runwita     7 min rædbora, 
	eaxlgestealla,     ðonne we on orlege 
	hafelan weredon,     þonne hniton feþan, 
159v 	eoferas cnysedan.     |(Swy)[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, 
1335 	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, 
1340 	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. 
1345 	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 
1350 	micle mearcstapan     moras healdan, 
	ellorgæstas.     Ðæra oðer wæs, 
	þæs þe hie gewislicost     gewitan meahton, 
	idese onlicnæs.     Oðer earmsceapen 
160r 	on weres wæstmum     wræclastas |træd, 
1355 	næfne he wæs mara     þonne ænig m(an) oðer. 
	Þone on geardagum     Grendel nem(don). 
	Foldbuende     no hie fæder cunnon, 
	hwæ(þer) him ænig wæs     ær acenned 
	dyrnra gasta.     Hie dygel lond 
1360 	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. 
1365 	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. 
1370 	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. 
1375 	Þonon yðgeblond     up astigeð, 
	won to wolcnum,     þonne wind styreþ, 
	lað gewidru,     oð þæt lyft drysmaþ, 
	roderas reotað.     Nu is se ræd gelang 
160v 	eft æt |(þ)e anum.     Eard git ne const, 
1380 	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." 

		.XXI.   

1385 	(B)EOWVLF maþelode,     bearn Ecgþeo[w]es. 
	"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 
1390 	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, 
1395 	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, 
161r 	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 
1405 	æfter waldswaþum     wide gesyne. 
	Gang ofer grundas,     gegnum for 
	ofer (myr)can mor,     magoþegna bær 
	þone selestan     sawolleasne 
	þara þe mid Hroðgare     ham eahtode. 
1410 	Ofereode þa     æþelinga bearn 
	steap stanhliðo,     stige nearwe, 
	enge anpaðas,     uncuð gelad, 
	neowle næssas,     nicorhusa fela. 
	He feara sum     beforan gengde 
1415 	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, 
1420 	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 - 
161v 	|(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. 
1430 	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 
1435 	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 
1440 	heorohocyhtum     hearde genearwod, 
	niða genæged,     7 on næs togen, 
	wundorlic wægbora.     Weras sceawedon 
	gryrelicne gist.     Gyrede hine Beowulf 
	eorlgewædum,     nalles for ealdre mearn; 
1445 	scolde herebyrne     hondum gebroden 
	sid 7 searofah     sund cunnian, 
	seo ðe bancofan     beorgan cuþe, 
	þæt him hildegrap     hreþre ne mihte 
	eorres inwitfeng     aldre gesceþðan. 
162r 	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, 
1455 	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. 
1460 	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, 
1465 	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 
1470 	selran sweordfrecan.     Selfa ne dorste 
	under yða gewin     aldre geneþan, 
	drihtscype dreogan.     Þær he dome forleas, 
162v 	ellen|(mæ)rðum.     Ne wæs þæm oðrum swa, 
       	syðþan (he) hine to guðe     gegyred hæfde. 

 		.XXII.   

1475 	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 
1480 	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, 
1485 	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. 
1490 	7 þu Hunferð læt     ealde lafe, 
	wrætlic wægsweord     widcuðne man 
	heardecg habban.     Ic me mid Hruntinge 
163r 	dom gewyrce,     |oþðe mec deað nimeð." 
       	Æfter þæ(m wordum)     Weder-Geata leod 
1495 	efste mid elne.     Na(las and)sware 
       	bidan wolde.     Brimwylm onfen(g) 
       	[hil]derince.     Ða wæs hwil dæges, 
       	ær he þone grundwong     ongytan mehte. 
       	Sona þæt (on)funde,     se ðe floda begong, 
1500 	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 
1505 	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, 
1510 	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 
1515 	þæt he niðsele     nathwylcum wæs, 
	þær him nænig wæter     wihte ne sceþede, 
	ne him for hrofsele     hrinan ne mehte, 
163v 	færgripe flodes.     |(Fyrleoh)t geseah, 
       	blacne leoman     beorht(e) [scinan]. 
1520 	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.     [Ð]a se gist onfand 
1525 	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 
1530 	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, 
1535 	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, 
1540 	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 
164r 	grim|man grapum     7 him togeanes feng. 
1545	Oferwear[p] 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 
1550 	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, 
1555 	herenet hearde.     7 halig God 
	geweold wigsigor.     Witig Drihten, 
	rodera Rædend,     hit on ryht gesced 
	yðelice.     Syþðan he eft asto(d). 

		.XXIII.   

	GEseah ða on searwum     sigeeadig bil, 
1560 	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. 
1565 	He gefeng þa fetelhilt,     freca Scyldinga 
       	hreoh 7 heorogrim,     hringmæl gebrægd 
164v 	aldres orwena,     yrringa | (s)loh, 
	þæt hire wið halse     heard grapode, 
	banhringas bræc.     Bil eal ðurhwod 
1570 	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. 
1575 	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 
1580 	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, 
1585 	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 
1590 	hild æt Heorote.     Hra wide sprong, 
	syþðan he æfter deaðe     drepe þrowade, 
	heorosweng heardne.     7 hine þa heafde becearf. 
165r 	Sona þæt gesawon     snottre |ceorlas, 
       	þa ðe mid Hroðgare     on holm (wliton), 
1595 	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 
1600 	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 
1605 	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, 
1610 	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, 
1615 	maðmæhta ma,     þeh he þær monige geseah, 
	buton þone hafelan     7 þa hilt somod 
	since fage.     Sweord ær gemealt, 
165v 	forbarn brodenmæl.     Wæs þæt blod | (to þæ)s hat, 
       	ættren ellorgæst     se þær (in)ne swealt. 
1620 	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. 
1625 	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, 
1630 	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 
1635 	ferhþum fægne,     foldweg mæton, 
	cuþe stræte.     Cyningbalde men 
	from þæm holmclife     hafelan bæron 
	earfoðlice,     heora æghwæþrum, 
	felamodigra.     Feower scoldon 
1640 	on þæm wælstenge     weorcum geferian 
       	to þæm goldsele     Grendles heafod. 
166r 	Oþ ðæt |semninga     to sele comon, 
	frome fyrdhwate     feowertyne 
	Geata gongan,     gu(m)dryhten mid, 
1645 	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 
1650 	Grendles heafod,     þær guman druncon, 
	egeslic f(or) eorlum,     7 þære idese mid, 
	wliteseon wr(æt)lic.     Weras onsawon. 

		.XXV.   

	BEOwulf maþelode,     bearn Ecgþeowe(s): 
	"Hwæt, we þe þas sælac,     sunu Healfdene(s), 
1655 	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 
1660 	guð getwæfed,     nymðe mec God scylde. 
	Ne meahte ic æt hilde     mid Hruntinge 
	wiht gewyrcan,     þeah þæt wæpen duge. 
	Ac me geuðe     ylda Waldend 
166v 	þæt ic on wage geseah     wlitig |(ha)ngian 
1665 	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, 
1670 	(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, 
1675 	(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, 
1680 	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 
1685 	morðres scyldig,     7 his modor eac. 
       	On geweald gehwearf     woroldcyninga 
167r 	ðæm selestan     be |sæm tweonum, 
	ðara þe on Scedenigge     (sceat)tas dælde. 
	Hroðgar maðelode.     Hylt sceawode, 
1690 	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 
1695 	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, 
1700 	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 .eðel.wea(rd),     þæt ðes eorl wære 
1705 	geboren betera.     Blæd (is) aræred 
	geond widwegas,     wine min Beo[wulf], 
	ðin ofer þeoda gehwylce.     Eal þu hit geþyldum 
	healdest, mægen     mid modes snyttrum. 
	Ic þe sceal mine     gelæstan freoðe, 
1710 	swa wit furðum spræcon.     Ðu scealt to frofre weorþan 
       	eal langtwidig     leodum þinum, 
167v 	|(hæl)eðum to helpe.     Ne wearð Heremod (swa) 
	eaforum Ecgwelan,     Ar-Scyldingum. 
	(Ne) geweox he him to willan,     ac to wælfeal(le) 
1715 	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 
1720 	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, 
1725 	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, 
1730 	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, 
168r 	|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 
1740 	on sefa(n) sweorceð,     ne gesacu ohwær 
	ecghe(te) eoweð,     ac him eal worold 
	wendeð on w(il)lan.     He þæt wyrse ne con. 

		.XXVI.   

	Oð þæt him on innan     oferhygda dæl 
	wea(xeð) 7 wridað.     Þonne se weard swefeð, 
1745 	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), 
1750 	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, 
168v 	wuldres |(Wal)dend,     weorðmynda dæl. 
	Hit on endestæf     eft gelimpeð 
	þæt se lichoma     [læn]e gedreoseð, 
	fæge gefealleð.     Fehð oþer (to), 
	se þe unmurnlice     madmas dæleþ, 
1760 	(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 
1765 	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 
1770 	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, 
1775 	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. 
169r 	|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. 
1785 	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. 
1790 	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, 
1795 	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 
1800 	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 
169v 	bliðheort bodode.     |[Ða c]om beorht scacan, 
	scaþan onetton. 
	(Wæro)n æþelingas     eft to leodum 
	fuse to [f](ar)en[n]e.     Wolde feor þanon, 
	cuma col[l](enf)erhð,     ceoles neosan. 
1810 	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 
1815 	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. 

		.XXVII.   

1820 	(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. 
1825 	Gif ic þonne on eorþan     owihte mæg 
	þinre modlufan     maran tilian, 
	gumena dryhten,     ðonne ic gyt dyde 
	guðgeweorca,     ic beo gearo sona. 
170r 	Gif ic þæt ge|fricge     ofer floda begang, 
1830 	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, 
1835 	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 Hreþrinc     to hofum Geata 
1840 	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 
1845 	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, 
1850 	hild heorugrimme     Hreþles eaferan, 
	adl oþðe iren     ealdor ðinne, 
	folces hyrde,     7 þu þin feorh hafast, 
170v 	þæt þe |(S)æ-Geatas     selran næbban 
       	to geceosen(ne)     cyning ænigne 
1855 	hordweard hæleþa,     (g)yf þu healdan wylt 
	maga rice.     Me þin [m]odsefa 
	licað leng swa wel,     leofa Beo(w)ulf. 
	Hafast þu gefered     þæt þam folcum (s)ceal, 
	Geata leodum     7 Gar-Denum, 
1860 	sib (g)emænum,     7 sacu restan, 
	inwitniþas,     (þe) hie ær drugon; 
	wesan, þenden ic weal(d)e     widan rices, 
	maþmas gemæne,     ma[n]ig oþerne 
	godum gegrettan     ofer ganotes bæð. 
1865 	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, 
1870 	mago Healfdenes     maþmas twelf. 
	Het inne mid þæm lacum     leode swæse 
	secean on gesyntum,     snude eft cuman. 
	Gecyste þa,     cyning æþelum god, 
	þeoden Scyldinga,     ðegn betstan 
1875 	7 be healse genam.     Hruron him tearas 
       	blondenfeaxum.     Him wæs bega wen 
171r 	ealdum in|frodum,     oþres swiðor, 
	þæt h[i]e seoðða[n]     geseon moston, 
	modige on meþle.     (Wæs) him se man to þon leof 
1880 	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, 
1885 	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 
1890 	mægenes wynnum,     se þe oft manegum scod. 

		.XXVIII.   

	CWOM þa to flode     fela modigra 
	hægstealdra.     Hringnet bæron 
	locene leoðosyrcan.     Landweard onfand 
	eftsið eorla,     swa he ær dyde. 
1895 	No he mid hearme     of hliðes nosan 
171v 	|(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 
1900 	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 
1905 	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. 
1910 	No þær wegflotan     wind ofer yðum 
	siðes getwæfde.     Sægenga for, 
	fleat famigheals     forð ofer yðe, 
	bundenstefna     ofer brimstreamas, 
	þæt hie Geata clifu     ongitan meahton, 
1915 	cuþe næssas.     Ceol up geþrang 
       	lyftgeswenced,     on lande stod. 
172r 	Hraþe wæs æt |holme     hyðweard geara, 
	se þe ær lange tid     leofra manna 
	fus æt faroðe     (feor) wlatode. 
1920 	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) 
1925 	to gesecanne     sinces bryttan, 
	Higelac Hreþling,     þær æt ham wunað 
	s(elfa) mid gesiðum     sæwealle neah. 
	Bold w(æs) betlic,     bregorof cyning, 
	heahealle.     Hygd swiðe geong, 
1930 	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, 
1935 	fremu folces cwen,     firen ondrysne. 
	Nænig þæt dorste     deor geneþan, 
	swæsra gesiða,     nefne sinfrea, 
	þæt hire an dæges     eagum starede. 
172v 	Ac him wælbende     |(w)eotode tealde 
1940 	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, 
1945 	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, 
1950 	inwitniða,     [s]yððan 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 
1955 	in gumstole,     gode mære, 
	lifgesceafta     lifigende breac, 
	hiold heahlufan     wið hæleþa brego, 
	ealles moncynnes     mine gefræge 
	þæs selestan     bi sæm tweonum, 
173r 	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, 
1965 	nefa Garmundes,     niða cræftig. 

		.XXVIIII.   

	GEwat him ða se hearda     mid his hondscole 
	sylf æfter sande     sæwong tredan, 
	wide waroðas.     Woruldcandel scan, 
	sigel suðan fus.     Hi sið drugon, 
1970 	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, 
1975 	þæt ðær on worðig     wigendra hleo, 
	lindgestealla,     lifigende cwom, 
	heaðolaces hal     to hofe gongan. 
	Hraðe wæs gerymed,     swa se rica bebead, 
	feðegestum     flet innanweard. 
1980 	Gesæt þa wið sylfne,     se ða sæcce genæs, 
173v 	mæg wið mæge,     |[s]yððan mandryhten 
	þurh hleoðorcwyde     holdne gegrette, 
	meaglum wordum.     Meoduscencum 
	hwearf geond þæt side reced     Hæreðes dohtor, 
1985 	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. 
1990 	"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, 
1995 	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 
2000 	guðe wið Grendel.     Gode ic þanc secge, 
	þæs ðe ic ðe gesundne     geseon moste. 
	Biowulf maðelode,     bearn Ecgðioes: 
174r 	|"Þæt is undyrne,     dryhten Hige[lac], 
       	[micel] gemeting     monegum fira, 
2005 	hwy[lc 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 (be)gylpan þearf     Grendeles maga 
2010 	[yfel] ofer eorðan     uhthlem þone, 
	se (ðe) lengest leofað     laðan cynnes, 
	(fyrene) bifongen.     Ic ðær furðum cwom 
	to ðam hringsele     Hroðgar gretan. 
	Sona me se mæra     mago Healfd(e)nes, 
2015 	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, 
2020 	friðusibb folca,     flet eall geondhwearf, 
       	bædde byre geonge.     Oft hio beahwriðan 
174v 	secge |(sealde),     ær hie to setle geong. 
	Hwilum fo(r) [d][ugu]ðe     dohtor Hroðgares 
	eorlum [on] ende     ealuwæge bær. 
2025 	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, 
2030 	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. 
2035 	(M)æg þæs þonne ofþyncan     ðeoden 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, 
2040 	heard 7 hringmæl     Heaða-Bearna gestreon, 
       	þenden hie ðam wæpnum     wealdan moston. 

		[.XXX.]   

	Oð ðæt hie forlæddan     to ðam lindplegan 
	swæse gesiðas     ond hyra sylfra feorh. 
175r 	Þonne cwið æt beore,     se ðe beah |gesyhð, 
2045 	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: 
2050 	"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, 
2055 	æfter hæleþa hry(re),     hwate Scyldungas? 
	Nu her þara b(a)nena     byre nathwylces, 
	frætwum hremig,     on flet gæð, 
	morðres gyl[peð],     7 þone maðþum byreð 
	þone þe ðu m(id) rihte     rædan sceoldest." 
2060 	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 
175v 	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. 
2070 	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 
2075 	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 
2080 	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 
2085 	bona blodigtoð,     bealewa gemyndig, 
	of ðam goldsele     gongan wolde. 
	Ac he mægnes rof     min costode, 
176r 	|grapode geareofolm.     Glof (hangode) 
       	sid 7 syllic,     searobendum fæst. 
2090 	(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, 
2095 	syððan ic on yrre     upprih(te) astod. 
	To lang ys to reccenne     hu i(c ðam) leodsceaðan 
	yfla gehwylces     hon(dlean) forgeald. 
	Þær ic, þeoden min,     þine leode 
	weorðode weorcum.     He on (weg) losade 
2100 	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 
2105 	fættan golde     fela lea(no)de, 
	manegum maðmum,     syððan me(r)gen com, 
	7 we to symble     geseten hæfdon. 
176v 	Þær wæs gidd 7 gleo.     Gome(la) |(Scilding) 
       	felafricgende,     feorran reh(te). 
2110 	(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, 
2115 	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, 
2120 	(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 
2125 	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, 
177r 	leofne mannan.     |(H)io þæt lic ætbær 
	feondes fæð[me]     [un]der firgenstream. 
	þæt wæs Hroðg[are]     hreowa tornost 
	þara þe leodfruman     lange begeate. 
	Þa se ðeoden (mec)     ðine life 
2135 	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. 
2140 	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. 
2145 	Ac me eorla hl(eo)     eft gesealde 
       	maðma menigeo,     mag(a) Healfdenes." 

		XXXI   

       	"Swa se ðeodkyning     þeawum lyfde. 
       	Nealles ic ðam leanum     forloren hæfde, 
177v 	mægnes mede,     ac he me |[maðma](s) geaf, 
2150 	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." 
2155 	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, 
2160 	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, 
2165 	breostgewædu.     Bruc ealles well." 
	Hyrde ic þæt þam frætwum     feower mearas 
	lungre gelice     last weardode, 
	æppelfealuwe.     He him est geteah 
178r 	meara 7 maðma.     Swa sceal |mæg don, 
2170 	nealles inwitnet     oðr(um) bregdon, 
	dyrnum cræfte     deað re[nian] 
	hondgesteallan.     Hygelace wæs 
	(niða) heardum     nefa swyðe hold, 
	7 geh(wæðer) oðrum     hroþra gemyndig. 
2175 	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. 
2180 	Swa (b)[eal]dode,     bearn Ecgðeowes, 
	guma gu(ð)[um]cuð,     godum dædum. 
	Dreah æfter dom(e),     nealles druncne slog 
	heorðgen(ea)tas.     Næs him hreoh sefa, 
	ac he ma(n)cynnes,     mæste cræfte, 
2185 	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 
178v 	|[dri]hten wereda     gedon wolde. 
2190 	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, 
2195 	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 
2200 	on ðam leodscipe     [lo]nd gecynde, 
       	eard eðelriht,     oðrum (s)wiðor 
	side rice     þam ðær selra wæs. 
	(E)ft þæt geiode     ufaran dogrum 
	hilde(h)læmmum,     syððan Hygelac læg, 
2205 	7 Hearede     hildemeceas 
	under bordhreoðan     to bonan wurdon, 
	ða hyne gesohtan     on sigeþeode. 
	Hearde hildefrecan,     Heaðo-Scilfingas, 
	niða genægdan     nefan Hererices. 
179r 	Syððan |Beowulfe     br[æ]de rice 
	on hand ge[hwearf].     He geheold tela 
	fiftig wintra.     W(æs ða) frod cyning, 
	eald eþelweard,     oð ð(æt) on ongan 
	deorcum nihtum     draca (rics[i]an), 
2215 	se ðe on hea[um] h[of]e     hord beweot(ode), 
	stanbeorh stear[c]ne.     Stig under l(æg) 
	eldum uncuð.     Þær on innan giong 
	nið(a) nathwyl[c],     [7] [neah] gefeng 
	hæðnum ho(rde),     hond[gewriþenne] 
2220 	since fahne.     (He þæt) syððan [bohte] 
	þ[eah] ð[e] [he] slæpende     (be)syre[d] [hæf]de 
	þeo[f]es cræfte.     Þæt si(e) ðiod [onfand], 
	b[u]folc beorn[a],     þæt he gebolge[n] wæs. 

		XXXII   

	Nealles [næs] geweoldum     wyrmhorda cræft, 
2225 	sylfes willum,     se ðe him sare (ge)sceod, 
	ac for þreanedlan     þe[of] nathwylces 
	hæleða bearna     hetesweng(eas) fleoh, 
	[ðeodnes] þea[rfe].     7 ðær inne weal(l), 
	secg syn[by]sig,     sona [o]nwa[ca]de, 
2230 	þæt [gean] ðam gyst[e]     [gry]rebr[o]g[a] stod. 
179v 	Hwæðre [fyren]sceapen|     [...] se fær begeat. 
	Sincfæt [sohte]     þær wæs swylcra fela 
	in ðam eorð[sele]     ærgestreona, 
	swa hy on gearda(gum)     gumena nathwylc, 
2235 	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, 
2240 	(we)ard winegeomor,     [w]ende þæs yldan, 
	(þæt h)e lytel fæc     longgestreona 
	brucan (m)oste.     Beorh eallgearo 
	wunode on wonge     [wæ]teryðum neah, 
	niwe be næsse,     nearo(c)ræftum fæst. 
2245 	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 m[o]stan, 
	eorla æhte.     Hwæt, hyt ær on ðe 
2250 	gode begeaton.     Guðdeað fornam, 
	[f]eorhbeal[e] frecne,     fyrena gehwylcne, 
	leoda minra.     Þa [me]ðe þis ofgeaf. 
180r 	Gesawon seledream.     [He]| nah, hwa sweord wege 
       	oððe f[æ]g[rie]     fæted wæge, 
2255 	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 
2260 	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 
2265 	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) 
2270 	dæges 7 nihtes,     oð ðæt deaðes wylm 
	hr(an) æt heortan.     Hordwynne fond, 
	eald uh(t)sceaða,     opene standan, 
	se ðe, byrnend[e],     biorgas seceð. 
	Nacod niðdraca     niht(es) fleogeð, 
2275 	fyre befangen.     Hyne foldbuen(d) 
180v 	|[: : : : : : : : : : : :]nan.     He gesecean sceall 
	[hearm] [on] [h]rusan,     þær he hæðen gold 
	warað [win]trum frod.     Ne byð him wihte ðy sel. 
	(Sw)a se ðeodsceaða     þreo hund wintra 
2280 	(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, 
2285 	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 
2290 	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 
2295 	georne æfter grunde,     wolde guman findan, 
       	þone þe him on sweofote     sare geteode. 
181r 	Hat 7 hreohmod,     |hl(æ)wum oft ymbehwearf 
	ealn[e utan]weardne.     Ne ðær ænig mon 
	on þ[am] westenne,     hwæðre hilde gefeh, 
2300 	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). 
2305 	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, 
2310 	fyre gefysed.     Wæs se fruma egeslic 
	leodum on lande,     swa hyt lungre wearð 
	on hyra sincgifan     sare geendod. 

		XXXIII   

	ÐA se gæst ongan     gledum spiwan, 
	beorht hofu bærnan.     Bry(ne)leoma stod 
2315 	eldum on andan.     No ðæ(r) aht cwices 
181v 	lað lyftfloga     læfan |(wolde). 
	Wæs þæs wyrmes wig     wide gesy(ne), 
	(ne)arofages nið     nean 7 feorran, 
	hu (s)e guðsceaða     Geata leode 
2320 	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. 
2325 	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. 
2330 	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, 
2335 	ealond utan,     eorðweard ðone 
	gledum forgrunden.     Him ðæs guðkyning, 
	Wedera þioden,     wræce leornode. 
	Heht him þa gewyrcean,     wigendra hleo, 
	eallirenne,     eorla dryhten, 
182r 	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, 
2345 	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, 
2350 	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, 
2355 	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, 
2360 	bille gebeate(n).     Þonan Biowulf com 
       	sylfes cræfte,     sundnytte dreah. 
182v 	Hæfde him on earm(e)     | [ealra] þritig 
	hildegeatwa,     þa he to holm(e) [gion]g. 
	Nealles Hetware     hremge þorf[ton] 
2365 	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. 
2370 	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 
2375 	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, 
2380 	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 
183r 	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. 
2390 	Let ðone bregostol     Biowulf healdan, 
       	Geatum wealdan.     Þæt wæs god cyning. 

		XXXIIII.   

	SE ðæs leodhryres     lean gemunde. 
	Uferan dogrum     Eadgilse wearð 
	feasceaftum freond.     Folce gestepte 
2395 	ofe(r) sæ side     sunu Ohteres, 
	wigum 7 wæpnum.     He gewræc syððan 
	cealdum cearsiðum,     cyning ealdre bineat. 
	Swa he niða gehwane     genesen hæfde, 
	sliðra geslyht(a),     sunu Ecgðiowes, 
2400 	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, 
183v 	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 
2410 	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, 
2415 	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, 
2420 	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 
2425 	feorh æþelinges     flæsce bewunden. 
	Biowulf maþelade,     bearn Ecgðeowes: 
	"Fela ic on gioguðe     guðræsa genæs, 
	orleghwila.     Ic þæt eall gemon. 
184r 	|Ic wæs syfanwintre     þa mec sin(ca bal)dor, 
2430 	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, 
2435 	Herebe(ald) 7 Hæðcyn     oððe Hygelac min. 
	Wæs þam yldestan     ungedefelice 
	mæges dædum     morþorbed stred, 
	syððan hyne Hæðcyn     of hornbogan, 
	his freawine     flane geswencte, 
2440 	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. 
2445 	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, 
2450 	eald 7 infrod     ænige gefremma(n). 
       	Symble bið gemyndgad     morna gehwylce, 
184v 	|(eafo)ran ellorsið.     Oðres ne gymeð 
	(t)o gebidanne     burgum in innan, 
	yrfeweardas,     þonne se an hafað 
2455 	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, 
2460 	gomen in geardum,     swylce ðær iu wæron. 

       		XXXV   

	GEwiteð þonne on sealman,     sorhleoð gæleð, 
	an æfter anum.     Þuhte him eall to rum, 
	wongas 7 wicstede.     Swa Wedra helm 
	æfter Herebealde     heortan sorge, 
2465 	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, 
2470 	gumdream ofgeaf,     Godes leoht geceas. 
	Eaferum læfde,     swa deð eadig mon, 
	lond 7 leodbyrig,     þa he of life gewat. 
185r 	Þa |(wæs) synn 7 sacu     Sweona 7 Geata 
       	of(er [w]id) wæter     wroht gemæne, 
2475 	herenið hea(rda),     syððan Hreðel swealt, 
	oððe him Ongenðeowes     eaferan wæran 
	frome fyrdhwate.     Freode ne woldon 
	ofer heafo healdan,     ac ymb Hreosnabeorh 
	eat(olne) inwitscear     oft [ge]fremedon. 
2480 	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). 
2485 	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 
2490 	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, 
2495 	þæt he to Gifðum     oððe to Gar-Denum 
       	oððe in Swiorice     secean þurfe 
185v 	|(wyrs)an     wigfrecan, weorðe gecypa(n). 
	(Symle) (ic) him on feðan     beforan wolde, 
	ana on orde.     7 swa to aldre sceall 
2500 	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], 
2505 	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, 
2510 	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, 
2515 	mærðum fremman,     gif mec se mansceaða 
	of eorðsele     ut geseceð." 
	Gegrette ða     gumena gehwylcne, 
	hwate helmberend     hindeman siðe, 
	swæse gesiðas:     "Nolde ic sweord beran, 
186r 	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 
2525 	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. 
2530 	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." 
2535 	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, 
2540 	heard under helm(e),     hiorosercean bær 
	under stancleofu,     strengo getruwode 
	anes mannes.     Ne bið swylc earges sið! 
186v 	Geseah ða be wealle,     |(se ð)e worna fela, 
       	gumcystum god,     guða ge(d)igde, 
2545 	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 
2550 	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. 
2555 	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. 
2560 	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, 
2565 	ecgum ungleaw.     Æghwæðrum wæs 
187r 	bealohycgendra     |(bro)ga fram oðrum. 
	Stiðmod gestod     (wið) steapne rond 
	winia bealdor,     ða se wyr(m) gebeah 
	snude tosomne.     He on searwum bad. 
2570 	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 
2575 	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 
2580 	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 
2585 	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. 
2590 	Sceolde willan     wic eardian 
187v 	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, 
2595 	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, 
2600 	ealdre burgan.     Hiora in anum weoll 
       	sefa wið sorgum.     Sibb æfre ne mæg 
       	wiht onwendan,     þam ðe wel þenceð. 

		XXXVI
   
	(W)IGlaf wæs haten,     Weoxstanes sunu, 
	leof(l)ic lindwiga,     leod Scylfinga, 
2605 	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. 
2610 	Ne mihte ða forhabban,     hond rond gefeng, 
	geolwe linde,     gomelswyrd geteah. 
	Þæt wæs mid eldum     Eanmundes laf, 
188r 	|(su)na Ohtere.     Þam æt sæcce wearð 
       	w(ræcca) wineleasum     Weohstanes bana 
2615 	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, 
2620 	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, 
2625 	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 
2630 	gewac æt wige.     Þa se wyrm onfand, 
	syððan hie togædre     gegan hæfdon. 
	Wiglaf maðelode,     wordrihta fela 
	sægde gesiðum.     Him wæs sefa geomor. 
188v 	"Ic ðæt |(mæl) geman,     þær we medu þegun, 
2635 	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 
2640 	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 
2645 	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 
2650 	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 
2655 	eft to earde,     nemne we æror mægen 
189A
(197)r 	fane gefyllan,     | (f)eorh ealgian 
	Wedra ðeodnes.     Ic wat gear(e), 
	þæt næron ealdgewyrht,     þæt he ana scyle 
	G(eata) duguðe     gnorn þrowian, 
2660 	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, 
2665 	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." 
2670 	Æfter ðam wordum     wyrm yrre cwom, 
	atol inwitg(æst)     oðre siðe, 
	fyrwylmum fah     fionda nio(s[i]an) 
	laðra manna.     Lig yðum for, 
	born bord (wið) rond.     Byrne ne meahte 
2675 	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 
2680 	hildebille,     (þæt) hyt on heafolan stod 
       	niþe genyded.     Nægl(in)g forbærst, 
       	geswac æt sæcce     sweord Biowulfes 
189A
(197)v	|gomol 7 grægmæl.     Him þæt gifeðe ne wæs, 
       	(þæt) him irenna     ecge mihton 
2685 	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, 
2690 	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. 

       		XXXVII   

2695 	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, 
2700 	þæt he þone niðgæst     nioðor hwene sloh, 
	secg on searwum,     þæt ðæt sweord gedeaf 
	fah 7 fæted;     þæt ðæt fyr ongan 
	sweðrian syððan.     Þa gen sylf cyning 
	geweold his gewitte,     wællseaxe gebræd 
2705 	biter 7 beaduscearp,     þæt he on byrnan wæg. 
189r 	Forwrat Wedra |helm     wyrm on middan. 
	Feond gefyldan,     ferh ellen wræc, 
	7 hi hyne þa begen     abroten hæfdon, 
	sibæðelingas.     Swylc sceolde secg wesan, 
2710 	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 
2715 	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 
2720 	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. 
2725 	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: 
2730 	"Nu ic suna minum     syllan wolde 
       	guðgewædu,     þær me gifeðe swa 
189v 	ænig yrfe|weard     æfter wurde 
	lice gelenge.     Ic ðas leo(de) heold 
	fiftig wintra.     Næs se folccyning 
2735 	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 
2740 	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 
2745 	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 
2750 	swegle searogimmas,     þæt ic ðy seft mæge 
	æfter maððumwelan     (mi)n alætan 
	lif 7 leodscipe,     þone ic longe heold." 

		XXXVIII   

	ÐA ic snude gefrægn     sunu Wihstanes, 
	æfter wordcwydum     wundum dryhtne, 
2755 	hyran heaðosiocum,     hringnet beran, 
	brogdne beadusercean     u[n]der beorges hrof. 
	Geseah ða sigehreðig,     þa he bi sesse geong, 
190r 	magoþegn |modig,     maððumsigla fealo, 
       	gold glitinian     grunde getenge, 
2760 	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 
2765 	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, 
2770 	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, 
2775 	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 - 
2780 	þam ðara maðma     mundbora wæs 
	longe hwile.     Ligegesan wæg 
	hatne for horde,     hioroweallende 
190v 	middelnihtum     |oð þæt he morðre swealt. 
       	Ar wæs on ofoste,     eftsiðes georn, 
2785 	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, 
2790 	dryhten sinne,     driorigne fand, 
	ealdres æt ende.     He hine eft ongon 
	wæteres weorpan,     oð þæt wordes ord 
	breosthord þurhbræc. 
	Gomel on giogoðe     gold sceawode. 
2795 	"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. 
2800 	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. 
2805 	Se scel to gemyndum     minum leodum 
	heah hlifian     on hrones næsse, 
	þæt hit sæliðend     syððan hatan 
	Biowulfes Biorh,     ða ðe brentingas 
191r 	ofer |floda genipu     feorran drifað." 
2810 	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, 
2815 	Wægmundinga.     Ealle wyrd forspeo[f] 
	mine magas     to metodsceafte, 
	eorlas on elne.     Ic him æfter sceal." 
	Þæt wæs þam gomelan     gingæste word 
	breostgehygdum,     ær he bæl cure, 
2820 	hate heaðowylmas.     Him of hwæðre gewat 
       	sawol secean     soðfæstra dom. 

		[XXXVIIII]   

	Ða wæs gegongen     gum[an] unfrodum 
	earfoðlice,     þæt he on eorðan geseah 
	þone leofestan     lifes æt ende 
2825 	bleate gebæran.     Bona swylce læg, 
	egeslic eorðdraca     ealdr(e) bereafod, 
	bealwe gebæded.     Beahhordum leng 
	wyrm wohbogen     wealdan ne moste, 
	ac him irenna     ecga fornamon, 
2830 	hearde heaðoscearde     homera lafe, 
	þæt se widfloga,     wundum stille, 
	hreas on hrusan     hordærne neah. 
191v 	Nalles |æfter lyfte     lacende hwearf 
       	middelnih(tum),     maðmæhta wlonc, 
2835 	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, 
2840 	þæt he wið attorsceaðan     oreðe geræsde, 
	oððe hringsele     hondum styrede, 
	gif he wæccende     weard onfunde 
	buon on beorge.     Biowulfe wearð 
	dryhtmaðma dæl,     deaðe forgolden. 
2845 	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 
2850 	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. 
2855 	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; 
192r 	wolde dom |(Go)des     dædum rædan 
2860 	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: 
2865 	"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, 
2870 	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) 
2875 	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 
2880 	ofer min gemet     mæges helpan. 
	Symle wæs þy sæmra     þonne ic sweorde drep, 
	ferhðgeniðlan,     fyr unswiðor 
	weoll of gewitte.     Fergendra to lyt 
192v 	þrong ymbe þeoden,     þa hyne sio |(þ)rag becwom. 
2885 	Hu sceal sincþego     7 swyrd(gifu), 
	eall eðelwyn     eowrum cynne, 
	lufen alicgean.     Londrihtes mot 
	þære mægburge     monna æghwylc 
	idel hweorfan,     syððan æðelingas 
2890 	feorran gefricgean     fleam eowerne, 
	domleasan dæd.     Deað bið sella 
	eorla gehwylcum     þonne edwitlif." 

		XL   

       	Heht ða þæt heaðoweorc     to hagan biodan, 
       	up ofer ecgclif,     þær þæt eorlweorod 
2895 	morgenlongne dæg     modgiomor sæt, 
	bordhæbbende,     bega on wenum, 
	endedogores     7 eftcymes 
	leofes monnes.     Lyt swigode 
	niwra spella,     se ðe næs gerad, 
2900 	ac he soðlice     sægde ofer ealle: 
	"Nu is wilgeofa     Wedra leoda, 
	dryhten Geata     deaðbedde fæst, 
	wunað wælreste     wyrmes dædum. 
	Him on efn ligeð     ealdorgewinna 
2905 	siexbennum seoc.     Sweorde ne meahte 
	on ðam aglæcean     ænige þinga 
	wunde gewyrcean.     Wiglaf siteð 
	ofer Biowulfe,     byre Wihstanes, 
	eorl ofer oðrum     unlifigendum, 
193r 	healdeð higemæðum     |(heafod)wearde 
	leofes 7 la(ð)es.     Nu y(s leodum) wen 
	orleghwile     syððan und[y]r[ne] 
	Froncu(m) 7 Frysum,     fyll cyninges 
	wide weorðeð.     Wæs sio wroht scepen 
2915 	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. 
2920 	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 
2925 	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), 
2930 	eald 7 egesfull,     hondslyht ageaf 
	abreot brimwisan,     bryda he[ro]de, 
	gomela iomeowl(a)[n]     golde berofene, 
	Onelan modor     7 Ohtheres. 
	7 ða folgode     feorhgeniðlan, 
2935 	oð ðæt hi oðeodo(n)     earfoðlice, 
	in Hrefnesholt     hlafordlease. 
	Besæt ða sinherge     sweorda lafe 
193v 	wundum werge.     |(Wean o)ft gehet 
       	earmre teohhe     on(d longe) niht, 
2940 	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, 
2945 	gealdor ongeaton,     þa se goda com, 
       	leoda dugoðe     on last faran. 

       		XLI.   

	Wæs sio swatswaðu     Swona 7 Geata, 
	wælræs weora,     wide gesyne. 
	Hu ða folc mid him     fæhðe towehton! 
2950 	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, 
2955 	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. 
2960 	Freoðowong þone     ford ofereodon, 
	syððan Hreðlingas     to hagan þrungon. 
	Þær wearð Ongenðiow     ecgum, sweordum, 
	blondenfexa     on bid wrecen, 
	þæt se þeodcyning     ðafian sceolde 
194r 	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 
2970 	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, 
2975 	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, 
2980 	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, 
2985 	þæt hie wælstowe     wealdan moston. 
	Þenden reafode     rinc oðerne, 
	nam on Ongenðio     irenbyrnan, 
	heard swyrd hilted,     7 his helm somod. 
	Hares hyrste     Higelace bær 
2990 	He [ðam] frætwum feng     7 him fægre gehet 
194v 	leana [mid] |leodum,     7 gelæst[e] swa. 
	Geald þone guðræs     Geata dryhten, 
	Hreðles eafora,     þa he to ham becom, 
	Iofore 7 Wulfe     mid ofermaðmum. 
2995 	Sealde hiora gehwæðrum     hund þusenda 
	landes 7 locenra beaga,     ne ðorfte him ða lean, 
	oðwitan mon     on middangearde, 
	syðða[n] hie [ma] ða     mærða geslogon. 
	7 ða Iofore forgeaf     angan dohtor, 
3000 	hamweorðunge,     hyldo to wedde. 
	Þæt ys sio fæhðo     7 se feondscipe, 
	wælnið wera,     ðæs ðe ic [wean] hafo, 
	þe us seceað to     Sweona leoda, 
	syððan hie gefricgeað     frean userne 
3005 	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, 
3010 	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), 
3015 	7 nu æt siðestan     sylfes feore 
       	beagas [geboh]te;     þa sceall brond fretan, 
195r 	æled þeccean;     |nalles eorl wegan 
	maððum to gemyndum,     ne mægð scyne 
	habban on healse     hringweorðunge, 
3020 	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, 
3025 	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." 
3030 	Swa se secg hwata     secggende wæs 
	laðra spella.     He ne leag fela 
	wyrda ne worda.     Weorod eall aras. 
	Eodon unbliðe     under earna næs, 
	wollenteare,     wundu[r] sceawian. 
3035 	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. 
3040 	Ær hi þær gesegan     syllicran wiht, 
	wyrm on wonge     wiðerræhtes þær, 
	laðne licgean.     Wæs se legdraca 
195v 	grimlic gry[regiest]     |gledum beswæled. 
       	Se wæs fiftiges     fotgemearces 
3045 	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, 
3050 	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, 
3055 	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. 

		XLII.   

3060 	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 
3065 	eorl ellenrof     ende gefere 
	lifgesceafta,     þonne leng ne mæg, 
	mon mid his [mæ]gum,     meduseld buan. 
196r 	Swa wæs Biowulfe,     |þa he biorges weard 
       	sohte searoniðas.     Seolfa ne cuðe 
3070 	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, 
3075 	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, 
3080 	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, 
3085 	wicum wunian     oð woruldende. 
	Heoldon heahgesceap.     Hord ys gesceawod, 
	grimme gegongen.     Þæt gifeðe [wæs] 
	to swið þe ðone     þyder ontyhte. 
	Ic wæs þær inne     7 þæt eall geondseh, 
3090 	recedes geatwa,     þa me gerymed wæs, 
	nealles swæslice     sið alyfed 
	inn under eorðweall.     Ic on ofoste gefeng 
	micle mid mundum     mægenbyrðenne 
196v 	hordgestreona,     hider |ut ætbær 
3095 	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, 
3100 	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, 
3105 	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, 
3110	leofne mannan,     þær he longe sceal 
	on ðæs Waldendes     wære geþolian." 
	Het ða gebeodan,     byre Wihstanes, 
	hæle hildedior,     hæleða monegum 
	boldagendra,     þæt hie bælwudu 
3115	feorran feredon,     folcagende 
	godum togenes:     "Nu sceal gled fretan 
	weaxan wonna leg     wigena strengel, 
	þone ðe oft gebad     isernscure, 
	þonne stræla storm,     strengum gebæded, 
3120 	scoc ofer scildweall.     Sceft nytte heold, 
	fæ[ð]ergearwum fus,     flane fulleode." 
	Huru se snotra     sunu Wihstanes 
198r 	acigde of corðre     |cyniges þegnas, 
       	s[yf]on[e] [tosom][n]e,     þa selestan. 
3125 	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 
3130 	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, 
3135 	flod fæðmian     frætwa hyrde. 
	Þæt wæs wundengold     on wæn hladen, 
	æghwæs unrim,     æþelinge boren, 
	har[um] hilde,     to hrones næsse. 

       		XLIII   

	Him ða gegiredan     Geata leode 
3140 	ad on eorðan     unwaclicne, 
	helm[um] behongen,     hildebordum, 
	beorhtum byrnum,     swa he bena wæs. 
	Alegdon ða tomiddes     mærne þeoden, 
	hæleð hiofende,     hlafor[d] leofne. 
3145 	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] 
3150 	hat on hreðre.     Higum unrote 
       	modceare mændon,     mondryhtnes (cw[e]a)lm. 
198v 	Swylce giomorgyd     |[Ge]at[isc] [an]meowle 
	[ : : : : ... : : : :]     [b]undenheorde 
	[sang] sorgcearig     sælðe geneah[he] 
3155 	þæt hio hyre [here]g[æn]gas     hearde ond[r]ede, 
	wælfylla wo[r]n,     [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, 
3160 	[wæ]gliðendum     wide gesyne, 
	7 beti[m]bredon     on tyn dagum 
	beadurofes becn,     bronda lafe. 
	Wealle beworhton,     swa hyt weorðlicost 
	foresnotre men     findan mihton. 
3165 	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 
3170 	eldum swa unnyt     swa hyt [ære]r wæs. 
	Þa ymbe hlæw riodan,     hildedeore 
	æþelinga bearn,     ealra twelfa, 
	woldon [cearge] cwiðan,     kyning mænan, 
	wordgyd wrecan,     7 ymb w[er] sprecan. 
3175 	Eahtodan eorlscipe     7 his ellenweorc 
	duguðum demdon,     swa hit ged[efe] [bi]ð, 
	þæt mon his winedryhten     wordum herge, 
	ferhðum freog[e],     (þonne) he forð scile 
	of l[i]chaman     [læded] weorðan. 
3180 	Swa begnornodon     Geata leode 
	hlafordes [hry]re,     heorðgeneatas. 
	Cwædon þæt he wære     wyruldcyning, 
	manna mildust     (mon[ðw]ær)ust 
	leodum liðost,     7 lofgeornost.