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

  round from many a neighbour over all this earth below, with

  swords and spears, so that I counted no man beneath the

  compass of the sky my likely foe. Lo! a change of this for-

  1490 tune in my very home befell me, grief after gladness, when

  Grendel, ancient enemy, became the invader of my house,

  and I for that trespass unceasingly endured deep sorrow in

  my heart. For this be to the Creator thanks, to the everlasting

  Lord, that I have lived in my life, that long strife over, to gaze

  1495 on this head dyed with cruel gore! Go now to thy seat, use

  the gladness of the feast, war’s honour with thee! Between us

  shall many a host of treasures pass when morn shall come.’

  Glad was the heart of the Geat; swift went he to his place,

  seeking his seat as the wise king bade. Then was again once

  1500 more for the bold and valiant sitting in that hall fair feasting

  made anew. The hood of night fell darkling black upon the

  proud men there. All the fair host arose. The aged Scylding

  with grey-sprinkled hair desired to seek his bed. Longing

  immeasurably sweet for rest there took the Geatish knight,

  1505 bold bearer of the shield. Straightway there led him forth,

  that man of distant folk now weary of his quest, a chamber-

  lain who in courtesy to the knight’s need ministered, in such

  things as in that day were due for men on warlike errantry

  to have.

  1510 Now rested that mighty heart. The hall loomed high,

  wide-vaulted, gold-adorned. The stranger slept within, until

  the raven black announced with merry heart the heaven’s

  gladness. Then came speeding bright a radiance above the

  gloom. The warriors were in haste; eager were those noble

  1515 men to journey back unto their people; far from thence that

  guest proud-hearted now wished to seek his ship.

  Then the bold son of Ecglaf bade men Hrunting bring,

  bade him take the sword, dear thing of iron. For that offered

  gift he spake his thanks, saying that a good friend in war he

  1520 deemed it, a power in battle, nor uttered any words belittling

  the edges of that sword – a gallant knight was he! And now

  those warriors were in their armour dight for journey longing.

  Honoured among the Danes their prince to the high seat

  went where the other sat, a mighty man of valour Hrothgar

  1525 greeted. Beowulf spake, the son of Ecgtheow: ‘Now we who

  came from far away voyaging over the sea desire to say that

  we are eager to be gone to seek King Hygelac. Here have we

  right well been cherished in delight; good hast thou been to

  us. Wherefore if I may in any matter upon this earth deserve

  1530 thy greater love beyond what I yet have done in way of

  valiant works, swift will I be at hand. If news be brought to

  me over the encompassing seas that thy neighbours threaten

  thee with war’s alarm, as on a time those did that hated thee,

  a thousand knights will I bring to thee, mighty men unto thy

  1535 aid. This do I know of Hygelac, lord of Geats, though young

  he be, the shepherd of his folk, that in word and deed he will

  further me, that I may meetly honour thee, and to thy sup-

  port lead throng of spears, the succour of thy might, when

  thou hast need of men. If Hrethric, king’s son, moreover, do

  1540 purpose to seek the Geatish courts, there may he find many

  friends. To profit are far countries visited by him that in

  himself hath worth.’

  Hrothgar then spake thus answering him: ‘These words

  that thou hast spoken the all-knowing Lord hath set within

  1545 thy heart. Never heard I of years so young a man discourse

  more wise. Thou art in valour strong and in thy mind prudent,

  knowledge is in thy uttered words. Likely it is, methinks, if it

  should come to pass that the spear in battle grim and deadly

  take Hrethel’s son, thy prince, the shepherd of his folk, sick-

  1550 ness or the sword, and thou dost keep thy life, that then the

  sea-loving Geats would have no better one to choose for king

  and keeper of the wealth of mighty men, if thou wilt rule the

  kingdom of thy kin. The temper of thy mind pleaseth me

  the better the longer known, Beowulf beloved! Thou hast

  1555 accomplished that between these peoples, the Geatish folk

  and spearmen of the Danes, a mutual peace shall be, and

  strife and hateful enmities shall sleep which erewhile they

  used, and long as I my wide realm rule, shall precious things

  between us pass, and many a man shall send over the water

  1560 where the gannet dives greeting to another with goodly gifts,

  and vessels ring-adorned over the high seas shall bring offerings

  and tokens of our love. That people do I know to be

  formed in steadfast mould, be it toward foe or friend, in all

  things without reproach after the good ways of old.’

  1565 Then the son of Healfdene, protector of good men, in

  that hall again twelve costly things gave unto him, bade him

  with those gifts in safety seek now his own dear people, and

  swiftly again return. Then the prince of the Scyldings, that

  king of noble line, kissed there the best of knights, clasping

  1570 him about the neck. Tears ran down his face beneath his

  grey-strewn hair. Two thoughts were in his heart old with

  the wisdom of years, but this thought more, that never might

  they meet again proudly in high discourse. To him the other

  was so dear that he might not restrain that upwelling of the

  1575 heart, but twined in the heartstrings in his breast longing

  profound for that beloved one now burned within his blood.

  Thence Beowulf went, a warrior bold in golden splendour,

  treading the grassy sward, his heart uplifted with rich gifts.

  The traverser of the sea awaited its lord and master there on

  1580 the anchor riding; and as they went oft was the bounty of

  Hrothgar praised: unrivalled king was he in all things with-

  out reproach, until age robbed him of his joyous strength -

  oft hath it stricken many a man.

  Now to the flowing sea came that band of young men

  1585 most proud wearing their netlike mail, their supple-linkéd

  shirts. The watchman of the shore descried the warriors’

  return, as he had before. Not with unfriendly words from

  the cliff’s brow did he hail the guests, but rode to meet them,

  and said to the men of the windloving Geats that welcome

  1590 they came, warlike men in gleaming raiment, to their ship.

  Then upon the beach was their deep-draughted vessel of the

  sea with curving beak laden with gear of war, with horses and

  with precious things. The mast stood tall above Hrothgar’s

  hoarded wealth. To the keeper of his ship Beowulf gave a

  1595 sword, bound with golden wire, so that thereafter sitting at

  the mead he was the more honoured by reason of that rich

  gift and heirloom old.

  Forth sped the bark troubling the deep waters and forsook

  the land of the Danes. Then upon the mast was the

  1600 raiment of the sea, the sail, with rope made fast. The watery

  timbers groaned. Nought did the wind upon the waves keep
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  her from her course as she rode the billows. A traveller upon

  the sea she fared, fleeting on with foam about her throat over

  the waves, over the ocean-streams with wreathéd prow, until

  1605 they might espy the Geatish cliffs and headlands that they

  knew. Urged by the airs up drove the bark. It rested upon

  the land.

  Swiftly was the portreeve ready beside the sea, who long

  while now had anxious upon the shore looked out afar for

  1610 those men beloved. The deep-bosomed ship he moored unto

  the beach, made fast with anchor-ropes, lest the might of the

  waves should wrest from them their fair-builded craft. Then

  he bade men bear to land the wealth of princes, the jewelled

  work and plated gold. Not far thence must they go to find

  1615 Hygelac Hrethel’s son giver of rich gifts, where he dwelleth

  in his own house, chief amid his champions, nigh to the walls

  of the sea.

  Good was that mansion, a brave king was its lord, lofty

  were his halls; very young was Hygd, wise and of virtue

  1620 seemly, though winters few she had known within the castle

  courts; Hæreth was her sire. Yet no niggard was she, nor too

  sparing of gifts and precious treasures to the Geatish men.

  The fierce mood of Thryth she did not show, good queen of

  men, nor her dire wickedness. None was there of the dear

  1625 companions of the court, save her lord alone, who dared in

  his hardihood to gaze openly with eyes upon her. Nay, then

  he might count on deadly bonds woven by hands in store for

  him; then swift when he was seized and held the sword was

  called upon that with its figured blade it might make an end

  1630 and deal the agony of death. No course is this for queens,

  for woman to pursue, peerless though she be, that she who

  should weave men’s peace should compass the life of man

  beloved with lying tales of wrong. Verily he of Hemming’s

  race made light of that; yea, men at their ale-drinking have

  1635 further told that less injuries to men, less cruel wickedness

  she wrought, since first she was given a bride of noble line

  adorned with gold to that young champion, since first at her

  father’s bidding she had come unto Offa’s hall over the wan

  waters journeying. There did she afterward use well her life’s

  1640 estate upon the royal throne, renowned for goodness while

  she lived; her loving duty she observed toward that prince

  of mighty men, of all mankind, as I have learned, the one

  most excellent the Two Seas between of wide earth’s race.

  For Offa in his bounty and his wars was honoured far and

  1645 wide, a man bold amid the spears who with wisdom ruled his

  rightful land. Of him was begotten Eomer for the comfort of

  men of might, valiant in fell deeds, of the race of Hemming,

  Garmund’s grandson.

  Now that valiant one, Beowulf himself, his retinue about

  1650 him, went forth along the sand, treading the level beach and

  the wide shores. The lamp of the world shone down, the sun

  hasting from the south. Their journey to its end they brought

  bravely marching to where, as they had learned, the protector

  of good men, the young warrior-king, slayer of Ongentheow,

  1655 within his fast dwelling dealt out the rings, a worthy lord.

  To Hygelac was word of Beowulf’s coming told in haste,

  how there to the outer courts that lord of warriors, stout

  beneath the shield, was come striding to the court alive and

  whole from the play of war. Swift, as the mighty king them

  1660 bade, was room in the hall within made for the new-come

  warriors. He who that strife had safely passed now sat him

  beside the very king, kinsman at kinsman’s side, when he

  with solemn words and gracious utterance had greeted his

  good liege-lord. Now Hæreth’s daughter down that high hall

  1665 passed for the pouring of the mead, cherished the good men

  there, bearing the cup of strong sweet drink to the hands of

  mighty men. Then Hygelac began in that lofty house with

  fair words to question the companion at his side; eagerness

  pierced his heart to know of what sort the adventures of the

  1670 sealoving Geats had been: ‘What fortune befell you on your

  voyage, Beowulf beloved, since thou didst on a sudden take

  the mind to seek strife far away over the salt waters, deeds of

  arms in Heorot? And, come! didst thou for Hrothgar king

  renowned in any wise amend his grief so widely noised? On

  1675 this account did care about my heart well ever up in surging

  sorrow; I feared the hazard of my man beloved. Thee long I

  prayed that thou shouldst in no wise approach that deadly

  creature, but shouldst suffer the South-Danes look them-

  selves to their war with Grendel. To God I render thanks that

  1680 I can now see thee safe returned.’

  Beowulf made answer, the son of Ecgtheow: ‘Lord

  Hygelac, no secret is it to many among mortal men in what

  sort our warlike bout, the mighty duel of Grendel and of me,

  fell out upon that field, where many a host of wrongs and

  1685 agelong misery he wrought against the victorious Scyldings.

  These did I all avenge, so that none upon earth of Grendel’s

  kin hath cause to boast of that encounter at grey dawn,

  who-so of that fell brood yet longest liveth in the encircling

  fens. First then I came there to the hall of rings greeting

  1690 Hrothgar. Straightway did the renownéd son of Healfdene,

  as soon as he learned the temper of my mind, beside his own

  son appoint my seat. The company was in mirth, nor saw I

  ever in life beneath the vault of heaven greater revelry of men

  that sit at mead within the hall. At whiles the glorious queen,

  1695 peace and goodwill of peoples, did traverse all that floor

  about, enheartening the young esquires; oft to some knight

  she gave a twisted ring ere she went unto her seat. At whiles

  before the host Hrothgar’s daughter bore the goblet of ale to

  all goodmen in turn. Her did I hear men sitting in that hall

  1700 name Freawaru, as the gem-studded vessel to mighty men

  she gave. Betrothed is she, that young maid gold-adorned to

  Froda’s gallant son. This hath the Scyldings’ lord, the shepherd

  of his realm, determined, and accounts it policy that

  through that woman he may set to rest long tale of deadly

  1705 deeds of enmity and strife. Oft do we see that seldom in

  any place, even for the briefest time, when a prince falleth,

  doth the murderous spear relent, good though the bride

  may be! This, maybe, will in that purposed time displease

  the Heathobardish king and each knight of that folk, when

  1710 one walks down their hall beside the lady, a noble scion of

  the Danes amid their host. On him will gaily gleam things

  prized by their sires of old, a stout sword ring-adorned once

  treasure of the Heathobards, while yet their weapons they

  could yield, until they led their comrades dear and their own

  1715 lives to ruin in the clash of shields. Then will one speak at the

  ale, seeing that costly thing, a soldier old who remembers all,
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  recalling the slaying of men with spears – grim is the heart

  of him, with gloomy thought he will begin to try the young

  warrior’s temper searching the secrets of his breast, to wake

  1720 again cruel war, and these words will he say: “Canst thou not,

  my lord, the sword recall which thy father bore, his prizéd

  blade, unto the fray wearing his vizored helm upon that latest

  day whereon the Danes slew him, the eager Scyldings, and

  were masters of the stricken field, after Withergyld was slain

  1725 and the downfall of mighty men? Now here the son of one,

  I know not who, among those slayers walks in this hall, his

  heart uplifted with fair things, boasteth of the slaying and

  weareth that treasure which thou shouldst by right possess.”

  ‘Thus at each occasion will he stir remembrance, prompting

  1730 with wounding words, until the hour cometh when that

  lady’s knight shall sleep, red with his blood from the bite

  of sword, forfeiting his life for his father’s deeds. The other

  fleeing thence will with his life escape, knowing the land

  full well. Then will on either hand the sworn oaths of men

  1735 be broken; thereafter will cruel thoughts of hate surge up

  in Ingeld’s heart, and for this tide of woe cooler will wax

  his love of wife. For this cause I count the good will of the

  Heathobards, their part in this royal truce, filled with menace

  for the Danes, their friendship insecure.

  1740 T shall speak on once more concerning Grendel, that

  thou mayst fully know, O giver of rich gifts, to what end

  it came when we mighty ones did rush to grips. So soon as

  the jewel of the sky had glided over the world, that creature

  came in ire, bringing fierce horror in the dusk, to seek us

  1745 out where yet unharmed that hall we guarded. There did

  slaughter upon Handscioh fall, a cruel ending to his dooméd

  life; sword-girt warrior he was the first to fall. Death came

  to that young knight renowned by Grendel’s jaws, who all

  the flesh devoured of him we loved. And yet none the more

  1750 did he desire to go forth from that golden hall with empty

  hand, that murderer with bloody tooth bethinking him of

  evil deeds. Nay, he in his strength glorying of me made trial,

  seized upon me with eager clutch. His pouch hung down;

  deep was it and strange, made fast with curious thongs; with

  1755 subtle skill it was all contrived by fiends’ craft wrought of