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

  bitterness. Of this a clear token it was when that warrior bold

  had set the hand, the arm and shoulder, beneath the wide-

  680 spread roof – there was all Grendel’s clutching limb entire.

  Then have I heard that in the morning many a warlike

  knight was gathered about his patron’s hall; the chieftains of

  the people had come from far and near over the distant ways

  that marvel to behold, and the footprints of that hated one.

  685 No grief for his departure from life felt any of those men

  who looked upon the trail of his inglorious flight, marking

  how sick at heart he had dragged his footsteps, bleeding out

  his life, from thence away defeated and death-doomed to the

  water-demons’ mere. There the waters boiled with blood,

  690 and the dread turmoil of the waves was all blended with hot

  gore, and seethed with battle’s crimson. Therein doomed to

  die he plunged, and bereft of joys in his retreat amid the fens

  yielded up his life and heathen soul; there Hell received him.

  Thence the ancient men of the court, and many a young man

  695 too, fared back from their joyous journey riding from the

  mere upon their steeds in pride, knights upon horses white.

  There was the renown of Beowulf recalled; many a man and

  oft declared that South or North the Two Seas between was

  there no other beneath the encircling sky more excellent

  700 among bearers of the shield, more worthy of kingly rule. Yet

  verily they did not in any thing belittle their lord and patron,

  gracious Hrothgar; nay, a good king was he.

  At whiles those warriors bold set their bay horses of

  renownéd excellence to gallop and run in rivalry, where the

  705 paths over earth seemed good to them. At whiles a servant of

  the king, a man laden with proud memories who had lays in

  mind and recalled a host and multitude of tales of old – word

  followed word, each truly linked to each – this man in his

  turn began with skill to treat the quest of Beowulf and in

  710 flowing verse to utter his ready tale, interweaving words. He

  recounted all that he had heard tell concerning Sigemund’s

  works of prowess, many a strange tale, the arduous deeds

  of the Wædsing and his adventures far and wide, deeds of

  vengeance and of enmity, things that the children of men

  715 knew not fully, save only Fitela who was with him. In those

  days he was wont to tell something of such matters, brother

  to his sister’s son, even as they were ever comrades in need

  in every desperate strait – many and many of the giant race

  had they laid low with swords. For Sigemund was noised afar

  720 after his dying day no little fame, since he, staunch in battle,

  had slain the serpent, the guardian of the Hoard. Yea, he, the

  son of noble house, beneath the hoar rock alone had dared a

  perilous deed. Fitela was not with him; nonetheless it was his

  fortune that the sword pierced through the serpent of strange

  725 shape and stood fixed in the wall, goodly blade of iron; the

  dragon died a cruel death. The fierce slayer had achieved by

  his valour that he might at his own will enjoy that hoard of

  rings; the boat upon the sea he laded and bore to the bosom

  of his ship the bright treasures, the offspring of Wæds was he.

  730 The dragon melted in its heat.

  He was far and wide of adventurers the most renowned

  throughout the people of mankind for his works of prowess,

  that prince of warriors – thereby did he aforetime grow

  great – after the valour of Heremod, his might and prowess,

  735 had failed, and he, in the land of the Jutes, was betrayed into

  the power of his enemies and swiftly sent to death. Too long

  did the surges of sorrow beat upon him; a mortal affliction

  he became unto his people and to all his nobles; yet in time

  gone by many a wise man had oft lamented the exile of that

  740 stouthearted one, to whom they looked for the cure of their

  ills, believing that this son of their king was like to advance

  in virtue and inherit the qualities of his father, to keep well

  the people, the treasures and the fencéd stronghold and the

  realm of his vassals, the land of the Scyldings. But he there

  745 now among them, the kinsman of Hygelac, had proved more

  pleasing in the eyes of all men and of his friends; on that

  other’s heart wickedness had seized.

  Again at whiles in rivalry upon their steeds they measured

  the dusty roads. Now the light of morning was advanced in

  750 haste far upon its course. Many a knight of stout heart went

  unto that lofty hall to see that marvel strange; so too the king

  himself from his bedchamber, guardian of hoards of rings

  renowned for his largesse, strode in majesty amid a great

  company, and with him the queen with her train of maidens

  755 paced the path unto the mead-hall. Hrothgar spake – he was

  come to the hall and stood upon the steps and looked upon

  the steep roof bright with gold and upon Grendel’s hand:

  ‘For this sight be thanks swiftly given to Almighty God.

  Much evil and many woes have I endured from Grendel.

  760 Ever may God perform marvel upon marvel, Lord of glory!

  It was but little while ago that I hoped never in all my life

  to find healing of any of my woes, when this best of houses

  stood stained with blood and dripping with fresh gore: that

  was a grief far-reaching to every one of my counsellors,

  765 who hoped not that they ever in the world should defend

  this stronghold of the people of the land from the malice of

  demons and of devils. Now hath one young man through the

  might of the Lord wrought a deed that we none of us with

  our wisdom were able to compass. Lo! this may she say, if

  770 yet she lives, whosoever among women did bring forth this

  son among the peoples of earth, that the eternal God was gracious

  to her in her childbearing! Now, Beowulf, best of men,

  I will cherish thee in my heart even as a son; hereafter keep

  thou well this new kinship. Lack shalt thou have of none of

  775 thy desires in the world, of such as lie in my power. Full oft

  for less have I granted a reward and honourable gifts from

  my treasure to a humbler man and to one less eager in battle.

  Thou hast achieved for thyself with thine own deeds that thy

  glory shall live for ever to all ages. The Almighty reward thee

  780 with good, even as He hitherto hath done!’

  Beowulf spake, the son of Ecgtheow: ‘We with all good

  will achieved that deed of prowess in battle and the perilous

  strength of the unknown thing we dared. Yet rather had I

  wished that thou might see him here, Grendel himself, thy

  785 foe in his array sick unto death! I purposed in hard bonds

  swiftly to bind him upon his deathbed, that by the grasp of

  my hands he should be forced to lie struggling for life, had

  not his body escaped me. I might not, since it was not the will

  of God, restrain his flight; I did not cleave fast enough for

  790 that unto my mortal foe; too overwhelming was the might

  of that fiend in body’s movement. No
netheless he hath left

  behind upon his trail his hand and arm and shoulder. Yet in

  no wise thus hath that unhappy one purchased him relief;

  none the longer thereby will he live, that doer of evil wrong,

  795 burdened by his sins; nay, pain hath him closely gripped in

  a grasp he cannot flee, in bonds of anguish – there must he,

  stained with sin, await the great Day of Doom and the sentence

  that the bright Judge will pronounce on him.’

  Then was the son of Ecglaf a man more sparing of his

  800 words and vaunting speech concerning his deeds in war,

  now that the royal company through the valour of Beowulf

  looked up to the lofty roof at the hand and fingers of their

  foe. At the tip was each one of the stout nails most like unto

  steel, grievous and cruel were the spurs upon the hand of that

  805 savage thing. All agreed that there was naught so hard, no

  iron proven of old, that would touch him in such wise as to

  hurt that demon’s bloodstained murdering hand.

  Then was it ordered that Heorot should swiftly be

  adorned within by the hands of men; many were there, men

  810 and women, who arrayed that hall of revelry and welcome.

  Glittering with gold tapestries shone along the walls, many

  a marvellous thing to see for every one of those that on such

  things love to look. Sorely shattered was all that shining

  house within, from their iron bars the hinges of the doors

  815 were wrenched away; the roof alone was preserved free from

  all injury, when that fierce slayer stained with deeds of wrong

  had turned to flee despairing of his life. No easy thing is it to

  escape – let him strive who will; nay, he shall come at last to

  a place appointed by inevitable fate, made ready for all those

  820 who have life, the sons of men dwelling upon earth, where

  his body still upon its bed of rest shall sleep after the feast.

  Now was it the time and hour and the son of Healfdene

  went to the hall; the king himself would partake of the feast.

  Never have I heard tell that a people was thronged more

  825 numerous or bore itself more gallantly than they did then

  about their lord and friend. They went then in splendour to

  their seats, rejoicing in plenty, meetly they partook of many

  a cup of mead. High of heart were the kinsmen in that lofty

  hall, Hrothgar and Hrothulf. Heorot was filled with friends;

  830 in no wise did the Scyldings work treachery as yet. Then

  did the son of Healfdene give to Beowulf a golden ensign as

  reward of his victory, an embroidered banner upon a staff,

  and a helm and corslet; a renowned and treasured sword

  there many saw laid before that warrior. The cup Beowulf

  835 received there in the hall; no need had he to feel shamed by

  the riches given unto him before the assembled bowmen.

  Few men, have I heard tell, gave ever to another seated at

  the drinking in more loving wise four such precious gifts.

  Round the helmet’s crown the wale wound about with wire

  840 kept guard without over the head, that no sword that leaves

  the file of smith, hardened in the rain of blows, might cruelly

  injure it, when the eager warrior beneath his shield should

  go against his foes. Then the lord of men commanded that

  eight horses with gold-plated bit and bridle be led into the

  845 hall, in amid the courts. Upon one of these there lay a saddle

  adorned with cunning colours and rich with gems – the seat

  in battle had it been of the high-king, in days when the son

  of Healfdene would play the play of swords; never had the

  valour of that far-famed lord failed in the front of war, when

  850 slain men fell. And thereupon the warden of the Servants of

  Ing (Danes) granted unto Beowulf possession of both, of

  weapons and of steeds; he bade him use them well. Thus right

  manfully did the renownéd king, rich lord of men, reward

  the impetuous deeds of battle with treasures and with horses,

  855 in such wise that no man finds fault in him who will justly

  speak the truth. Moreover the lord of men to each of those

  that with Beowulf had made the passage of the sea gave as

  they sat at their mead a rich gift and heirloom, and commanded

  that atonement should be paid with gold for that one

  860 whom Grendel wickedly had slain – even as he would have

  more, had not the foreseeing God and the courage of that

  man fended fate from them. God was lord then of all the race

  of men, even as He yet is. Wherefore is understanding and

  the heart that taketh thought in every time and place the best.

  865 Much must he endure of sweet and bitter, who long time here

  in these days of trouble enjoyeth life in the world!

  There was song, and the voices of men gathered together

  before the leader of the host of Healfdene, there the harp

  was touched to mirth, and many a lay recalled. Then according

  870 to his office Hrothgar’s minstrel touched upon a tale to

  the liking of those upon the benches drinking their mead

  within the hall. He told of the sons of Finn. When the sudden

  onslaught came upon them the hero of the Half-Danes,

  Hnæf of the Scyldings, fell by fate in the Frisian slaughter.

  875 Of a truth Hildeburg had little cause to praise the loyalty

  of the Jutes; by no fault of hers she was robbed of her loved

  ones in the clash of shields, of brothers and of sons. They fell

  according to their doom slain by the spear. A woeful lady

  she! Not without cause did that daughter of Hoc lament the

  880 decree of fate, when that morning came, whereon she might

  behold beneath the light of day the cruel slaying of her kin.

  Where he aforetime had possessed the greatest earthly joy,

  there had war taken all Finn’s champions, save few alone;

  so that he might by no means on that field of meeting wage

  885 to an end the fight with Hengest, nor in battle wrest the sad

  remnant from the captain of the prince. Nay, they offered

  terms to him, that he would make all free for them another

  court, both hall and throne; that they should have possession

  of the half thereof, sharing with the sons of the Jutes, and at

  890 the giving of treasure the son of Folcwalda should each day

  honour the Danes, should with the rings and hoarded jewels

  of plated gold rejoice the company of Hengest no whit less

  than he was wont in the drinking-hall to enhearten the men

  of Frisian race.

  895 Thus on both sides they confirmed a binding treaty of

  peace. To Hengest Finn in full and without reserve declared

  with solemn oaths that he would with the advice of his counsellors

  honourably entreat the sad remnant (of the fight); and

  that there should no man ever recall it to mind, not though

  900 they served the slayer of him who before had given them

  rings, being now without a lord; for such was their necessity.

  If moreover any of the men of Frisia should with grievous

  words recall to memory that deadly feud, then should it be

  expiated by the edge of sword.

  905 A pyre was made ready, and the gleaming gold brought

  forth from
the treasury. That best of the heroes in battle of

  the warrior Scyldings was arrayed upon the funeral pile.

  Upon that pyre was plain to see blood-drenched corslet,

  swine-crest all made of gold, boar hard as iron, many a lord

  910 by wounds destroyed – one and all they had fallen in that

  slaughter! Then Hildeburg bade that her own son be com-

  mitted to the flames upon the pyre of Hnæf, there to burn

  their bones, setting him upon the funeral pile at his uncle’s

  side. The lady mourned bewailing them in song. The warrior

  915 was mounted upon high. Up to the clouds swirled

  that mightiest of destroying fires, roaring before the burial

  mound. Consumed were their heads, their gaping wounds

  burst open, the cruel hurts of the body, and the blood sprang

  forth. Flame devoured them all, hungriest of spirits, all that

  920 in that place war had taken of either people: their glory had

  passed away.

  Then the warriors bereft of their friends departed to look

  upon their dwellings, to see the Frisian land, their homes

  and mighty town. Still Hengest abode with Finn that blood-

  925 stained winter, keeping fully to his word. He thought of his

  own land, even though he could not speed upon the sea his

  ship with curving beak. The deep was tossed in storm and

  battled with the wind; winter locked the waves in icy bond,

  until another year came to the dwellings of men, even as it

  930 doth yet, those weathers gloriously fair that unchangingly

  observe the seasons. Now past was winter, and fair the

  bosom of the earth. The exile, the guest of Finn, was eager

  to be gone from those courts. Therein more thought did he

  give to vengeance for his sorrow than to the passage of the

  935 sea, pondering if he might again achieve a clash of wrath,

  wherein he would in his heart remember the children of the

  Jutes. Wherefore he did not refuse the homage (that binds all

  men), when Hunlaf’s son laid the Light of Battle, that best of

  swords, upon his lap. The edges thereof the Jutes knew full

  940 well! And so too in turn cruel destruction by the sword came

  upon Finn in his very hall, when Guthlaf and Oslaf after

  their journey over the sea had recounted their sorrow and

  that deadly onslaught, and complained their woeful lot; the

  restless spirit within the breast might not be restrained. Then

  945 was that hall reddened with the life-blood of their foes, and