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

410 any other man in this world below should ever accomplish

  more honour under heaven than he himself: ‘Art thou that

  Beowulf who strove with Breca in swimming upon the wide

  sea, that time when ye two in pride made trial of the waters

  and for a rash vaunt hazarded your lives upon the deep? No

  415 man, friend nor foe, could dissuade you two from that venture

  fraught with woe, when with limbs ye rowed the sea. There

  ye embraced with your arms the streaming tide, measuring

  out the streets of the sea with swift play of hands, gliding

  over the ocean. The abyss was in tumult with the waves and

  420 the surges of the winter. Seven nights ye two laboured in

  the waters’ realm. He overmatched thee in swimming, he

  had greater strength! Then on the morrow-tide the billows

  bore him up away to the Heathoreamas’ land; whence he,

  beloved of his people, sought his own dear soil, the land of

  425 the Brandings and his fair stronghold, where a folk he ruled,

  his strong town and his rings. All his vaunt truly did he, the

  son of Beanstan, accomplish against thee. Wherefore I expect

  for thee a yet worse encounter, though thou mayest in every

  place have proved valiant in the rush of battle and grim war,

  430 if thou darest all the nightlong hour nigh at hand to wait for

  Grendel.’

  Beowulf spake, the son of Ecgtheow: ‘Lo! my friend

  Unferth, flushed with drink thou hast spent much speech,

  telling of Breca and his feat! Truth I account it that greater

  435 prowess in the sea had I, more labour in the waves than any

  other man. We two agreed, being boys, and made our vaunt,

  being yet both in the youth of life, that we would hazard our

  lives out upon the ocean; and that we accomplished even so.

  Naked we held our swords, hard in our hands, when we two

  440 rowed the sea; we thought thus to defend us against monstrous

  fish. Never at all could he swim away from me afar

  upon the streaming waves, more swift than I upon the deep;

  from him I would not go. Then we two were together in the

  sea five nights’ space, until the tide drove us asunder, and

  445 the boiling waters. The coldest of storms, glooming night,

  a wind from the north came with cruel onslaught against

  us; rough were the waves. The hearts of the fishes of the sea

  were stirred, and there the corslet on my flesh, links stoutly

  wrought by hand, gave me aid against my foes; my woven

  450 raiment of battle lapped my breast adorned with gold. To the

  abyss drew me a destroying foe accurséd, fast the grim thing

  held me in its gripe. Nonetheless, it was granted to me to find

  that fell slayer with point of warlike sword; the battle’s onset

  destroyed that strong beast of the sea through this my hand.

  455 Thus many a time deadly assailants menaced me grievously.

  With my beloved sword I ministered to them, as it was meet.

  In no wise had they joy in that banqueting, foul doers of ill

  deeds, that they should devour me sitting round in feast nigh

  to the bottoms of the sea; nay, upon the morrow they lay

  460 upon the shore in the flotsam of the waves, wounded with

  sword-thrusts, by blades done to death, so that never there-

  after might they about the steep straits molest the passage

  of seafaring men. Light came from the East, God’s beacon

  bright; the waves were lulled, so that I could descry the

  465 headlands out to sea and windy cliffs. Fate oft saveth a man

  not doomed to die, when his valour fails not. Howbeit it was

  my lot with sword to slay nine sea-demons. Never have I

  heard beneath the vault of heaven of more bitter fighting by

  night, nor of a man more unhappy in the torrents of the sea,

  470 and nonetheless from the grappling of accurséd creatures my

  life I saved weary of my venture. Then the sea, the tide upon

  the flood, with boiling waters swept me away to the land of

  the Finns. Never have I heard men tell of thee any such cruel

  deeds of war and dreadful work of swords. Breca never yet

  475 in the play of battle, nay, neither of you twain, hath accomplished

  so daring a deed with blood-stained blades – yet little

  do I glory in it – not though thou wert the slayer of thine own

  brethren, thy nearest kin. For that thou shalt in Hell suffer

  damnation, though thy wit be good. I tell thee for a truth, son

  480 of Ecglaf, that never would Grendel have achieved so many

  a deed of horror, fierce slayer and dire, in thy lord’s despite,

  humbling him in Heorot, if they heart and soul were thus fell

  in war as thou thyself accountest. Nay, he hath found that

  he need not greatly dread avenging wrath nor dire pursuit

  485 of swords from your people of the conquering Scyldings!

  Forced toll he levies, none he spares of the folk of the Danes,

  but followeth his lust, slays and ravishes, for no vengeance

  looking from the Spear-Danes. But I shall now ere long in

  battle oppose to him the might and valour of the Geats. He

  490 will return who may, triumphant to the mead, when the light

  of the morning on the following day, the sun in skiey robes,

  shines from the south over the children of men!’

  Then in joyful hour was the giver of rich gifts, greyhaired,

  bold in battle; prince of the glorious Danes he believed that

  495 succour was at hand. Shepherd of his people he had discerned

  in Beowulf’s words the moveless purpose of his mind.

  There was laughter of mighty men, the din of singing;

  sweet were the words. Wealhtheow went forth, Hrothgar’s

  queen, mindful of courtesy; with gold adorned she greeted

  500 the men in the hall, and then the cup she offered, noble lady,

  first to the guardian of the East Danes’ realm, and wished

  him joy at the ale-quaffing and his lieges’ love. He, king victorious,

  in delight partook of feast and flowing bowl. Then

  the lady of the Helmings went to and fro to every part of

  505 that host, to tried men and young proffering the jewelled

  vessels, until in due time it chanced that she, ring-laden queen

  of courteous heart, to Beowulf bore the cup of mead, and

  hailed the Geatish knight, and gave thanks to God in words

  of wisdom that her desire was granted to her that she might

  510 trust in any man for comfort in their miseries. That cup

  he then received, grim warrior at Wealhtheow’s hand, and

  thereupon, his heart being kindled with desire of battle, fair

  words he said. Thus Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow, spake: ‘This

  did I purpose when I went up upon the sea and sat me in my

  515 sea-boat amid my company of knights, that I wholly would

  accomplish the desire of your people or would fall among

  the slain fast in the clutches of the foe. A deed of knightly

  valour I shall achieve, or else in this mead-hall await my latest

  day!’ These words well pleased that lady, the proud utterance

  520 of the Geat; with gold adorned she went, fair queen of the

  people, to her seat beside her lord.

  Then again as before were valiant words spoken within

  the hall, the host was in joyful hour, there was clamour of
r />   folk triumphant, until on a sudden the son of Healfdene

  525 desired to seek his nightly couch. He knew that onslaught

  against that lofty hall had been purposed in the demon’s

  heart from the hours when they could see the light of the sun

  until darkling night and the shapes of mantling shadow came

  gliding over the world, dark beneath the clouds. All the host

  530 arose. Then man saluted man, Hrothgar and Beowulf; all hail

  the king him wished, giving to him the keeping of his house

  of wine, and this word he spake: ‘Never have I ere this, since

  I could lift hand and shield, to any other man save thee here

  and now entrusted the mighty dwelling of the Danes. Have

  535 it now and hold it, fairest of houses! Remember thy renown,

  show forth thy might and valour, keep watch against our

  foes! No lack shall there be to thee of thy desires, if thou dost

  achieve this deed of valour and yet live.’

  Then Hrothgar departed, defender of the Scyldings, with

  540 his company of knights forth from the hall ; their warrior

  lord would follow Wealhtheow his queen as the companion

  of his couch. The King of Glory, as men now heard, had

  appointed one to guard the hall against Grendel; now a special

  office he held in the service of the Danes, having taken on

  545 himself a watch against monstrous things. Verily the Geatish

  knight trusted confidently in his valiant strength, God’s

  grace to him. Then his corslet of iron things he doffed, and

  the helm from his head, and gave his jewelled sword, best of

  iron-wrought things, to his esquire, and bade him have care

  550 of his gear of battle. Then the brave man spake, Beowulf of

  the Geats, a speech of proud words, ere he climbed upon his

  bed: ‘No whit do I account myself in my warlike stature a

  man more despicable in deeds of battle than Grendel doth

  himself. Therefore I will not with sword give him the sleep

  555 of death, although I well could. Nought doth he know of

  gentle arms that he should wield weapon against me or hew

  my shield, fierce though he be in savage deeds. Nay, we two

  shall this night reject the blade, if he dare have recourse to

  warfare without weapons, and then let the foreseeing God,

  560 the Holy Lord, adjudge the glory to whichever side him

  seemeth meet.’

  Then he laid him down, that valiant man, and his face was

  buried in the pillow at his cheek; and about him many a gallant

  rover was stretched upon his couch within the hall. None

  565 of them believed that he would ever return to the sweetness

  of his home, to the strong places of the free people where he

  was nurtured. Nay, they had learned that a bloody death had

  ere now in that hall of wine swept away all too many of the

  Danish folk. Yet God granted them a victorious fortune in

  570 battle, even to those Geatish warriors, yea succour and aid,

  that they, through the prowess of one and through his single

  might, overcame their enemy. Manifest is this truth, that

  mighty God hath ruled the race of men through all the ages.

  There came, in darkling night passing, a shadow walking.

  575 The spearmen slept whose duty was to guard the gabled

  hall. All except one. Well-known it was to men that, if God

  willed it not, the robber-fiend no power had to drag them to

  the shades; but he there wakeful in his foe’s despite abode

  grimhearted the debate of war.

  580 He came now from the moor under misty fells, Grendel

  walking. The wrath of God was on him. Foul thief, he purposed

  of the race of men someone to snare within that lofty

  hall. Under cloud he went to where he knew full well that

  house of wine was, hall of men with gold bright-plated.

  585 Not the first adventure that, that he had made, seeking for

  Hrothgar’s home. Never in days of life before nor later with

  harder fortune guards in hall he found.

  He came now to the house, a man-shape journeying of

  men’s mirth shorn. The door at once sprang back, barred

  590 with forgéd iron, when claws he laid on it. He wrenched then

  wide, baleful with raging heart, the gaping entrance of the

  house; then swift on the bright-patterned floor the demon

  paced. In angry mood he went, and from his eyes stood forth

  most like to flame unholy light. He in the house espied there

  595 many a man asleep, a throng of kinsmen side by side, a band

  of youthful knights. Then his heart laughed. He thought that

  he would sever, ere daylight came, dread slayer, for each

  one of these life from their flesh, since now such hope had

  chanced of feasting full. It was no longer doomed that he yet

  600 more might of the race of men devour beyond that night.

  There stern and strong the kinsman of Hygelac watched

  how that foul thief with his fell clutches would now play his

  part. And that the slayer was not minded to delay, not he,

  but swiftly at the first turn seized a sleeping man, rending

  605 him unopposed, biting the bone-joints, drinking blood from

  veins, great gobbets gorging down. Quickly he took all of

  that lifeless thing to be his food, even feet and hands.

  Onward and nearer he stepped, seized then with hand the

  valiant-hearted man upon his bed. Against him the demon

  610 stretched his claw; and swiftly he laid hold on it, and with hate

  in heart he propped him on his arm. Straightway that master of

  evil deeds perceived that never had he met within this world in

  earth’s four corners on any other man a mightier gripe of hand.

  In heart and soul he grew afraid, yet none the sooner could

  615 escape. His desire would haste away, he would to hiding flee,

  seeking the devils’ throng. Not now were his dealings there

  such as he ever before in the days of his life had found.

  Then the good knight, kinsman of Hygelac, remembered

  his words at evening. Upright he stood and grappled fast

  620 against him. Fingers cracked. Out would the ogre go. Forth

  strode the knight. The accurséd thing would fain, could he

  have done so, go free afar and thence flee away to hollows

  in the fens. He felt the power of his fingers in his fierce foe’s

  grasp. It was a woeful journey that the fell robber had to

  625 Heorot made!

  The royal hall rang. On all the Danes, dwellers in the town

  about, on each bold heart there fell a ghastly fear. Wroth were

  they both, fierce rivals in the keeping of the house. The hall

  was full of noise. Great wonder was it then that that house of

  630 wine endured their battling, so that it fell not to the ground,

  fair dwelling upon earth; but stout was it smithied within

  and without with bonds of iron cunningly contrived. There,

  where they fought in wrath, was many a bench adorned with

  gold for the drinking of mead cast from its place upon the

  635 floor, so the tale tells. Never aforetime had the Scyldings’

  counsellors foreseen that any among men could in any wise

  shatter it its goodliness adorned with ivory, nor dismember

  it with craft, unless the embrace of fire should engulf it in

  swath
ing smoke. Clamour new arose ever and anon. Dread

  640 fear came upon the northern Danes, upon each of those that

  from the wall heard the cries, the adversary of God singing

  his ghastly song, no chant of victory, the prisoner of hell

  bewailing his grievous hurt. Fast was he held by that most

  strong in body’s might in that day of men’s life here.

  645 In no wise would that captain of men permit that deadly

  guest to go forth alive, nor did he account the days of his life

  of use to any man. There many a knight of Beowulf drew

  swift his ancient blade, wishing to defend the life of his lord

  and master and renownéd prince, if so he might. They knew

  650 it not, young warriors brave-hearted, as they fought that

  fight, and on each side sought to hew the foe and pierce his

  vitals: that doer of evil none upon earth of swords of war

  would touch, not the most excellent of things of iron; not

  so, for he had laid a spell upon all victorious arms and upon

  655 every blade. On that day of this life on earth unhappy was

  fated to be the sending forth of his soul, and far was that

  alien spirit to fare into the realm of fiends. Now did he perceive

  who aforetime had wrought the race of men many a

  grief of heart and wrong – he had a feud with God – that his

  660 body’s might would not avail him, but the valiant kinsman

  of Hygelac had him by the arm – hateful to each was the

  other’s life. A grievous hurt of body that fierce slayer and

  dire now endured; a mighty wound was seen upon his shoulder;

  the sinews sprang apart, the joints of his bones burst. To

  665 Beowulf was vouchsafed triumph in battle; thence now must

  Grendel flee stricken to death to hide beneath the slopes of

  the fens, seeking his joyless haunts. Thereby the more surely

  did he know that the end of his life was come to pass and the

  hours of his days were numbered. That deadly contest was

  670 over and achieved was the desire of all the Danes; in that hour

  had one come from afar, wise and stout of heart, purged the

  hall of Hrothgar and redeemed it from the malice of Grendel.

  He rejoiced in his deeds that night and in the glory of his

  prowess. The chief of those Geatish men had accomplished

  675 all his proud vaunt before the East Danes, and had healed,

  moreover, all the woe and the tormenting sorrow that they

  had erewhile suffered and must of necessity endure, no little