Beowulf: A Translation and Commentary, together with Sellic Spell Read online

  he spake – verily he knew that he had accomplished his hours

  of life, his joys upon the earth; now was departed all the

  number of his days, and Death exceeding near.

  ‘Now to a son of mine I should have wished to give my

  2295 harness of battle, had it been granted unto me that any heir

  of my body should follow me. This people have I ruled for

  fifty winters – no king was there, not one among the peoples

  dwelling nigh, who dared with allied swords approach me,

  or threaten me with war’s alarm. In mine own land I faced

  2300 what time brought forth, held well mine own, nor pursued

  with treachery cruel ends, nor swore me many an oath

  unrighteously. In all this may I now, sick of mortal wounds,

  have joy, for that the Ruler of men hath not cause to charge

  me with cruel murder of my kin, when my life departeth

  2305 from my body. Now go thou swiftly and survey the Hoard

  beneath the hoary rock, Wiglaf beloved, now that the serpent

  lieth dead, sleepeth wounded sore, robbed of his treasure.

  Make now haste, that I may behold the wealth of long ago,

  the golden riches, may plain survey the clear jewels

  2310 cunning-wrought, and so may I, the wealth of precious things

  achieved, the softer leave my life and the lordship which long

  time I held.’

  Then I have heard that speedily the son of Wihstan, when

  these words were spoken, did hearken to his wounded lord

  2315 in combat stricken, striding in his netlike mail, his corslet

  for battle woven, under the barrow’s vault. Then, passing by

  the seat, that young knight proudhearted, filled with the joy

  of victory, beheld a host of hoarded jewels, gold glistening

  that lay upon the ground, marvellous things upon the wall,

  2320 the very lair of that old serpent in the dim light flying, and

  ewers standing there, vessels of men of bygone days, reft

  of those who cared for them, their fair adornment crumbling.

  There was many a helm old and rusted, a multitude

  of twisted armlets in strange devices twined. Treasure, gold

  2325 hidden in the earth, easily may overtake the heart of any of

  the race of men – let him beware who will! There too he saw

  a banner hanging all wrought of gold, high above the hoard,

  the chiefest of all marvellous things of handicraft, woven by

  skill of fingers. Therefrom a radiance issued, that he might

  2330 plain perceive that space beneath the earth, and all the precious

  things survey. Of the serpent there was nought to see;

  nay, the sword had taken him. Then, as I have heard, within

  that mound the Hoard and ancient work of giants did one

  man plunder, lading his bosom with dish and goblet at his

  2335 own sweet will; the banner, too, he seized, of standards the

  most shining-fair. The broad-sword of his aged lord – iron

  was its edge – had brought to ruin him that in his sway these

  precious things had kept long while, the terror of his flame

  wielding hot before the Hoard, swirling fiercely in the mid-

  2340 most night, until he died a bitter death.

  In haste was the messenger, eager to return, urged by the

  precious spoils. Anxiety pierced his uplifted heart to know

  whether he should yet living find the prince of the windloving

  people upon that level place where he had erewhile left

  2345 him, his valour ebbing. Now bearing these precious things

  he found that prince renowned, his lord, bleeding, nigh to

  his life’s end. Once more he began to sprinkle him with

  water, until speech like a sharp pang burst from the prison

  of his breast. Thus spake the aged warrior king in anguish,

  2350 looking upon the gold: ‘To the Master of all, the Glorious

  King and everlasting Lord, I speak now my words of thanks

  for these fair things, that I here gaze upon, for that I have

  been suffered ere my death’s hour such wealth to gather for

  my people. Now that I have for the hoard of precious things

  2355 bartered the span of mine old life, do ye henceforth furnish

  the people’s needs. No longer may I here remain. Bid ye men

  renowned in war to make a mound for me plain to see when

  the pyre is done upon a headland out to sea. It shall tower on

  high upon Hronesnæs, a memorial to my folk, that voyagers

  2360 upon the sea shall hereafter name it Beowulf’s Barrow, even

  they who speed from afar their steep ships over the shadows

  of the deeps.’ From his neck that prince of valiant heart undid

  a golden circlet and gave it to his knight, young wielder of

  the spear, and his helm, gleaming with gold, his corslet and a

  2365 ring, bidding him use them well. ‘Thou art the end and latest

  of our house of Wægmund’s line. All hath fate swept away of

  my kinsfolk to their appointed doom, good men of valour – I

  must follow them!’ That was the latest word that issued from

  that aged heart and breast, ere he betook him to the pyre and

  2370 the hot surge of warring flames. From his bosom did the soul

  depart to seek the judgement of the just.

  Then grievous was the lot of that man little tried in

  years, seeing upon the earth that most beloved of men at

  his life’s end suffering miserably. His slayer, too, lay dead,

  2375 the dire dragon of the cave bereft of life, whom torment had

  oppressed. Those hoarded rings no longer might he rule, that

  serpent crooked-coiling; nay, blades of iron had seized him,

  hard, forged by hammers, notched in war; that he who had

  winged afar by wounds was stilled, fallen upon the ground

  2380 beside his treasure-house. Never more in his disport did he

  wander through the air at midmost night, nor proud in the

  possession of fair things reveal his form to men, but was cast

  upon the earth by the hand and deed of that leader of the

  host. In sooth few among men that possessed great valour

  2385 in that land, as I have learned, had luck therein, when daring

  though he were in every deed, he hurled him against the

  blast of that envenomed foe, or troubled with his hands his

  hall of rings, if he therein had found the Guardian dwelling

  watchful in his mound. Even by Beowulf was his portion of

  2390 those kingly treasures paid for with his death. Both now had

  journeyed to the end of passing life.

  Now it was not long ere those laggards in battle, who

  before had not dared to wield their shafts in the great need

  of their sovereign lord, forsook the wood, ten faint hearts

  2395 together, breakers of their vows. But now in shame they

  came bearing their shields and harness of war to where the

  aged king lay dead. They looked upon Wiglaf. Wearied he

  sat, that champion of the host, close to the side of his lord,

  seeking with water to revive him – nought did it avail him.

  2400 He could not, dearly though he wished it, keep upon the

  earth his captain’s life, nor any whit avert the Almighty’s

  will. God’s Doom was ever the master then of every man in

  deeds fulfilled, even as yet now it is.

  Then did each man that had forgot his valour with little

  2405 seeking get a gri
m rebuke from Wiglaf the young, the son of

  Wihstan. He now spake, a man with pain at heart, looking on

  those men unloved: ‘Lo! this indeed may he say, who wishes

  the truth to tell, that this liege-lord (who gave you those

  costly gifts and soldier’s gear, arrayed wherein ye now stand

  2410 here, in that time when he oft did grant to you, sitting drinking

  ale upon the benches in his hall, both helm and corslet,

  even the most splendid of such things as he, a king for his

  knights, might get for you from far or near) that in the hour

  when war came upon him all that harness of war he utterly

  2415 had cast away, ruinously. Little cause indeed had the king of

  this people for pride in his comrades in arms. Nonetheless

  God who ruleth victories vouchsafed to him that he unaided

  avenged himself with his sword, when he had need of valour.

  Little succour of his life could I afford him in that combat,

  2420 and yet essayed beyond the measure of my power to help

  my kinsman. Thereafter ever was that deadly adversary in

  vigour less, when I had smitten him with sword, less violent

  then the fire surged from the gateways of his head. Too few

  the defenders that thronged about their prince, when that evil

  2425 hour was come upon him! Behold! receiving of rich gifts, the

  giving of swords, all joy in the homes of your fathers, and

  hope shall fail for all your kin. Stripped of lands and rights

  shall each man of that house and line depart, when good men

  learn from afar of your retreat and deed inglorious. Death

  2430 is more sweet for every man of worth than life with scorn!’

  Then he bade men up over the cliff by the sea to bring

  news of the deeds of war to the fencéd camp, wherein good

  men assembled, having their shields beside them, sat the long

  morning of the day, gloom in their hearts, pondering either

  2435 chance, the last day or the home-coming of the man they

  loved. Little of these tidings new did he in silence keep who

  rode that seaward slope, but faithfully he said for all to hear:

  ‘Now is he who to the windloving people furnished their

  delight, the lord of the Geats, bound upon the bed of death;

  2440 he abides upon a bloody couch through the serpent’s deed.

  Beside him his mortal adversary lies stricken with strokes of

  knife; sword could in no wise to that fierce slayer do grievous

  hurt. Wiglaf, Wihstan’s son, by Beowulf sits, the brave living

  watching the brave dead; in weariness of soul he holds wake

  2445 beside the body of both friend and foe.

  ‘Now must our people look for time of war, as soon as

  afar to Frisian and to Frank the king’s fall is revealed. Bitter

  was the feud decreed against the Húgas (Franks), when

  Hygelac came sailing with his raiding fleet to Frisian land.

  2450 There the Hetware in battle assailed him, and valiantly with

  overwhelming strength achieved that the mailéd warrior

  should lay him down: he fell amid the host, not one fair thing

  did that lord to his good men give. From us hath been ever

  since the favour of the Merovingian lord withheld. Nor do

  2455 I from the Swedish realm look for any peace or truce at all:

  rather has it been reported far and wide that Ongentheow

  reft of life Hæthcyn Hrethel’s son beside Hrefnawudu

  (Ravenswood), when the Geatish folk in arrogance had first

  attacked the warlike Scylfings. Quickly did the aged father

  2460 of Ohthere, old and dread, deliver him an answering stroke;

  the sea-chieftain he destroyed, and his wife aged as he was he

  rescued, his lady revered, of her gold bereaved, the mother

  of Onela and Ohthere; and then pursued his mortal foes

  until they escaped hard-pressed, leaderless, into Hrefnesholt

  2465 (Ravensholt). Then with all his great host he besieged the

  survivors of his swords, weary of their wounds; grievous

  things often did he vow to that unhappy band through the

  long night, saying that he at morn would spill their lives with

  edge of sword or some would do upon gallows-trees to be

  2470 the sport of crows. Relief thereafter came for those unhappy

  hearts with the first light of day, when they heard the horns

  and trumpets of Hygelac for battle ringing, as that good man

  came marching on their trail with the proven valour of his

  people. Plain to see was far and wide the bloody swath of

  2475 Geats and Swedes, the murderous assault of men, how those

  peoples between them stirred up deeds of enmity.

  ‘Then the good king (Ongentheow) - full of years was

  he and many sorrows – betook him with his bodyguard to a

  fast place; yea, the warrior Ongentheow gave back to higher

  2480 ground. He had heard of the valour of Hygelac and the might

  in war of that proud prince; he hoped not to withstand him,

  nor to strive against those men of the sea, to defend from

  those fierce rovers treasure, child, nor wife. Back he gave

  from that place, the old king, behind an earthen wall. There

  2485 attack was ordered upon the people of the Swedes; the banners

  of Hygelac marched forth over that defended space,

  when Hrethel’s people came crowding upon the fencéd

  camp. There was Ongentheow with grey-strewn hair driven

  to bay with edge of sword, and there must that king of (his)

  2490 people endure the single will of Eofor. Him in wrath had

  Wulf Wonreding with his weapon found, so that at the stroke

  from veins forth spouted blood beneath the hair. And yet

  daunted was he not, the aged Scylflng; nay, swiftly requited

  that deadly blow with exchange more fell, when he, the king

  2495 of his people, turned upon his foe. Now could the eager son

  of Wonred no answering blow return; nay, he had cloven the

  helm upon his head, so that dyed with blood he must sink

  down: he fell upon the earth. Not yet was he doomed to die;

  nay, he recovered, albeit the wound had touched him nigh.

  2500 Lo! Hygelac’s bold knight, since his brother was laid low, let

  now the broad blade of ancient giant-forgéd sword above the

  wall of shields shatter the helm gigantic. Now the king gave

  back, the shepherd of his people, he was stricken mortally.

  Many then were those that bound up Eofor’s brother and

  2505 swiftly lifted him, since it was granted them that they should

  be masters of the stricken field. Whereupon the knight

  despoiled his adversary, from Ongentheow he took the iron

  corslet, the hilted sword hard-tempered, and the helm too;

  the harness of the greyhaired lord he bore to Hygelac.

  2510 ‘These fair things he received, and graciously vowed to

  him rewards amid his people, and even so fulfilled his word.

  For their onslaught in that battle the lord of the Geats,

  Hrethel’s heir, when he came to his home Eofor and Wulf

  repaid with gifts beyond measure; to each of them he gave

  2515 one hundred thousand (silver pence) in land and linkéd

  rings – no cause had any man on earth to reproach him with

  those rewards, since they had with their swords achieved

  such glorious deeds. Moreover to Eofor he gave his only


  daughter, as a pledge of his favour, for the honouring of his

  2520 house.

  ‘Such is the feud and enmity, the cruel malice of men, for

  which I look, in which the Swedish people will come against

  us, when they learn that our lord is reft of life, who aforetime

  did guard against those that hated him his treasury and realm,

  2525 after the fall of mighty men did rule the sealoving Geats,

  accomplishing the profit of his people, yea, and before all did

  knightly deeds.

  ‘Now is all speed the best, that we should look upon the

  king of this people where he lies, and bring that one who gave

  2530 us rings upon his funeral way. Nor is it due that some solitary

  thing should be consumed beside that proud heart; nay,

  there is a hoard of precious things, gold beyond count grimly

  purchased, and rings now at this last paid for with his very life

  - these is it right that the blazing wood devour, the fire enfold.

  2535 Not for him shall good man wear a thing of price in memory,

  nor maiden fare about her neck have ring to deck her; rather

  woeful-hearted, stripped of gold, long time and again shall she

  tread the lands of exile, now that the captain of our host hath

  laid aside his laughter, his mirth and merriment. For this shall

  2540 many a spear cold at morn be grasped and seized, lifted in

  hand; nor shall the music of the harp awake the warriors, but

  the dusky raven gloating above the doomed shall speak many

  things, shall to the eagle tell how it sped him at the carrion-

  feast, when he vied with the wolf in picking bare the slain.’

  2545 Thus was that gallant man a teller of tidings bitter; little

  did he report amiss of what had chanced or had been said.

  All the host arose. Joyless they went with welling tears to the

  foot of Earnanæs (Eagles’ Head) that monstrous sight to see.

  So found they keeping his bed of ease, lifeless upon the earth,

  2550 him who in former times had given rings to them. Now was

  his last day passed for that good man, and the king of battles,

  the prince of the windloving people had died a monstrous

  death. Already had they seen a thing there yet more strange:

  the loathly serpent lying there stretched out before them on

  2555 the ground. Grim to see, dreadly-hued, the flaming dragon

  had been scorched with his own glowing fires; fifty measured

  feet in length he lay at rest. Joy in the air aforetime had he had