Beowulf: A Translation and Commentary, together with Sellic Spell Page 5
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