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

  dragon-hides. Therein did he, doer of deadly deeds, desire to

  thrust me all unoffending, adding one more to many. That

  might not be done, when I in ire stood upright upon my feet.

  Too long it is to tell how I to that destroyer of men gave due

  1760 reward for each of his foul deeds. There I, my lord, brought

  honour on thy people by my works. To hiding he escaped, a

  little while possessed the joys of life. And yet his right hand

  remained to mark his trail behind in Heorot, and he hum-

  bled, misery in his heart, far thence did cast him to the mere’s

  1765 abyss. For that deadly combat the Scyldings’ lord granted me

  a manifold reward of plated gold and many precious things,

  when morn was come and we had sat us at the feasting. There

  was mirth and minstrelsy: the aged Scylding, full of ancient

  lore, told tales of long ago; now did he, once bold in battle,

  1770 touch the harp to mirth, the instrument of music; now a lay

  recited true and bitter; or again, greathearted king, some

  wondrous tale rehearsed in order due; or yet again, warrior

  of old wars, in age’s fetters did lament his youth and strength

  in arms. His heart heaved within him, when he wise with

  1775 many years recalled a host of memories.

  ‘Thus did we within that hall all the long day take our

  delight until another night came upon this world. Then

  was Grendel’s mother swiftly ready to revenge her woe

  once more. Full of anguish she took the road. Death had

  1780 taken her son, the wrathful valour of the windloving Geats.

  Inhuman troll-wife she avenged her child, and daringly a

  man she slew. There was from Æschere the life sped forth,

  a sage wise in old lore. Nor could they, the Danish lords,

  when morn was come, burn him sleeping in death upon the

  1785 blazing wood, nor lift upon the pyre that man beloved. She

  had borne away that corse in her fiend’s clutches beneath

  the mountain-stream. That was for Hrothgar the most

  grievous of those his sorrows that he, lord of his folk, long

  while had known.

  1790 ‘Then the king gloomy-hearted implored me by thy life

  that I would in the tumult of the deeps accomplish deeds

  of prowess, adventure my life achieving glory. Reward he

  vowed me. Then, as is noised abroad, I sought out the grim

  and dreadful guardian of the whirling gulf. There awhile were

  1795 our hands in duel joined. The deep swirled with blood, and

  in that abysmal hall I hewed the head of Grendel’s mother

  with the edges of a mighty sword. Thence hardly did I

  retrieve my life; but not yet was I doomed to die. Nay, the

  son of Healfdene, protector of good men, gave me thereafter

  1800 a multitude of precious things. Thus did the king of that

  people live according to kingly virtue – no whit did I fail to

  find those rewards , my valour’s meed; nay, to me the son of

  Healfdene gave costly things at mine own choice. These, O

  warrior king, I will bring to thee, offering them in all good

  1805 heart. To thee belongeth still all that share of joys. Few have

  I of kinsmen near and dear, O Hygelac, save thee!’

  He bade now the men bring in the banner charged with a

  boar’s head, the helm towering in war, the grey corslet, the

  sword of battle cunning-wrought; and thereupon uttered

  1810 these appointed words: ‘To me did the wise prince Hrothgar

  give this raiment of war, and spake bidding me that I should

  first describe to thee his gracious gift. He said that King

  Heorogar, lord of the Scyldings, long while possessed it; and

  yet he would not for that the rather bestow it upon his son,

  1815 the gallant Heoroweard, for the clothing of his breast, loyal

  to him though he was. Use all the gifts with honour (said he).’

  I have heard that to those fair things four steeds dapple-

  grey swift and well-matched were added. Beowulf to Hygelac

  granted the sweet possession of horses and of precious things.

  1820 Even so shall a kinsman do, nor in any wise shall spread with

  secret craft a net of malice for another, death devising for

  the comrade at his side. To Hygelac, dauntless in fell deeds,

  his nephew was exceeding true, and each was mindful of the

  other’s honour. I have heard too that to Hygd he gave that

  1825 necklace, a costly thing of intricate and marvellous fashion,

  which Wealhtheow, king’s daughter, had bestowed on him,

  and therewith three horses, lithe limbed with gleaming saddles.

  Nobly arrayed was her breast thereafter by that necklet

  she received.

  1830 Thus did the son of Ecgtheow, renowned in battle, show

  his manhood in fair deeds, bearing himself honourably. Never

  did he at the drinking strike down the comrades of his hearth;

  no grim heart was his – nay, with greatest might among man-

  kind he maintained those lavish gifts which God had granted

  1835 him, a warrior bold. Long was he contemned, for the sons of

  the Geats did not account him worthy, nor would the king

  of the windloving folk accord him a place of much honour

  upon the seats where men drank mead. They much misdoubted

  that he was of sluggish mood, without eager spirit

  1840 though of noble birth. A change and end of all his heart’s

  griefs had come for him, a man now blessed with glory.

  Then the king, in battle valiant, protector of good men,

  commanded that a fair thing bequeathed by Hrethel, adorned

  with gold, should be brought into the hall. In that time

  1845 there was not among the Geats a treasure or rich gift more

  excellent in form of sword. This now on Beowulf’s lap he

  laid, and granted unto him seven thousand (hides of land), a

  hall and princely throne. To both of them alike had land by

  blood descended in that realm, estates and rightful heritage,

  1850 but in greater measure to the one that was higher in the land,

  a kingdom wide.

  *

  This after came to pass in later days in the clash of wars,

  when Hygelac was fallen, and swords of battle had been

  Heardred’s bane amid the shielded ranks, what time the

  1855 warlike Scyldings, dauntless men of arms, sought him out

  amid his glorious people, and came upon him, nephew of

  Hereric, with fell assault, then into Beowulf’s hands came

  that broad realm. Well he ruled it for fifty winters – now

  was he a king of many years, aged guardian of his rightful

  1860 land – until a certain one in the dark nights began to hold

  sway, a dragon, even he who on the high heath watched his

  hoard, his steep stone-barrow: below lay a path little known

  to men. Therein went some nameless man, creeping in nigh

  to the pagan treasure; his hand seized a goblet deep, bright

  1865 with gems. This the dragon did not after in silence bear, albeit

  he had been cheated in his sleep by thief’s cunning. This the

  people learned, men of the neighbouring folk, that he was

  wroth indeed.

  By no means of intent had that man broken the dragon’s

  1870 hoard of his own will, he who thus wronged him grievously;

  but in di
re need, being the thrall of some one among

  the sons of mighty men, he had fled from the lashes of

  wrath, and having no house he crept therein, a man burdened

  with guilt.

  1875 Soon did the dragon bestir himself . . . that (swiftly) upon

  the trespasser dire terror fell; yet nonetheless illfated one . . .

  when the sudden danger came on him, (he saw) a treasure

  chest. . .

  There was in that house of earth many of such olden

  1880 treasures, as someone, I know not who, among men in days

  of yore had there prudently concealed, jewels of price and

  mighty heirlooms of a noble race. All of them death had

  taken in times before, and now he too alone of the proven

  warriors of his people, who longest walked the earth, watching,

  1885 grieving for his friends, hoped but for the same fate, that

  he might only a little space enjoy those longhoarded things.

  A barrow all ready waited upon the earth nigh to the

  watery waves, new-made upon a headland, secured by binding

  spells. Therein did the keeper of the rings lade a portion

  1890 right worthy to be treasured of the wealth of noble men, of

  plated gold; and a few words he spake:

  ‘Keep thou now, Earth, since mighty men could not, the

  wealth of warriors. Lo! aforetime in thee it was that good

  men found it! Death in battle, cruel and deadly evil, hath

  1895 taken each mortal man of my people, who have forsaken

  this life, the mirth of warriors in the hall. I have none that

  may bear sword, or burnish plated cup and precious drinking

  vessel. The proud host hath vanished away. Now shall

  the hard helm, gold-adorned, be stripped of its plates; those

  1900 who should burnish it, who should polish its vizor for battle

  are asleep, and the armour too that stood well the bite of

  iron swords in war amid bursting shields now followeth its

  wearer to decay. The ringéd corslet no more may widely

  fare in company of a prince of war, upon the side of mighty

  1905 men. There is no glad sound of harp, no mirth of instrument

  of music, nor doth good hawk sweep through the hall, nor

  the swift horse tramp the castle-court. Ruinous death hath

  banished hence many a one of living men.’

  Even thus in woe of heart he mourned his sorrow, alone

  1910 when all had gone; joyless he cried aloud by day and night,

  until the tide of death touched at his heart.

  This hoarded loveliness did the old despoiler wandering

  in the gloom find standing unprotected, even he who filled

  with fire seeks out mounds (of burial), the naked dragon of

  1915 fell heart that flies wrapped about in flame: him do earth’s

  dwellers greatly dread. Treasure in the ground it is ever his

  wont to seize, and there wise with many years he guards the

  heathen gold – no whit doth it profit him.

  Even thus had that despoiler of men for three hundred

  1920 winters kept beneath the earth that house of treasure, waxing

  strong; until one filled his heart with rage, a man, who bore

  to his liege-lord a goldplated goblet, beseeching truce and

  pardon of his master. Then was the hoard laid bare, the

  hoard of rings minished, and his boon granted to the man

  1925 forlorn. The lord for the first time gazed now on the olden

  work of men. Then the serpent woke! New strife arose. He

  smelt now along the rock, and grimhearted he perceived the

  footprint of his foe, who in his stealth had stepped right nigh,

  yea, close to the dragon’s head. Thus may indeed one whose

  1930 fate is not to die with ease escape woe and evil lot, if he have

  the favour of the Lord! The Guardian of the Hoard searched

  eagerly about the ground, desiring to discover the man who

  had thus wrought him injury as he lay in sleep. Burning,

  woeful at heart, ofttimes he compassed all the circuit of the

  1935 mound, but no man was there in the waste. Nonetheless he

  thought with joy of battle, of making war. Ever and anon he

  turned him back into the barrow, seeking the jewelled vessel.

  Quickly had he discovered this, that some one among men

  had explored the gold and mighty treasures. In torment the

  1940 Guardian of the Hoard abode until evening came. Then was

  the keeper of the barrow swollen with wrath, purposing, fell

  beast, with fire to avenge his precious drinking-vessel. Now

  was the day faded to the serpent’s joy. No longer would he

  tarry on the mountain-side, but went blazing forth, sped with

  1945 fire. Terrible for the people in that land was the beginning (of

  that war), even as swift and bitter came its end upon their

  lord and patron. Now the invader did begin to spew forth

  glowing fires and set ablaze the shining halls – the light of the

  burning leapt forth to the woe of men. No creature there did

  1950 that fell winger of the air purpose to leave alive. Wide might

  it be seen how the serpent went to war, the malice of that fell

  oppressor, from near and far be seen how that destroyer in

  battle pursued and humbled the people of the Geats. Back to

  his Hoard he sped to his dark hall ere the time of day. He had

  1955 wrapped the dwellers in the land in flame, in fire and burning;

  he trusted in his barrow, in its wall and his own warlike

  might, and his trust cheated him.

  Now to Beowulf were the dread tidings told, swift and

  true, that his own homestead, best of houses, was crumbling

  1960 in the whirling blaze, even the royal seat of the Geats. Grief

  was that to the good man’s heart, the greatest of sorrows in

  his breast. Wise though he was he thought that he had bitterly

  angered the eternal Lord, Ruler of all, against the ancient law.

  His breast within was whelmed in dark boding thought, as

  1965 was unwonted for him. The flaming dragon from without

  that seabordered land with glowing fires had crushed to ruin

  the stronghold of the folk, the guarded realm. For him did the

  king of war, lord of the windloving Geats, ponder vengeance

  therefore. He then, protector of warriors, lord of good men,

  1970 bade fashion for him a shield for battle curiously wrought, all

  made of iron: full well he knew that no wood of the forest, no

  linden shield, would avail him against the flame. Appointed

  was it that the prince proven of old should find now the end

  of his fleeting days, of life in this world, and the serpent with

  1975 him, albeit he had long possessed his hoarded wealth.

  Lo! the lord of gold disdained with a host and mighty

  army to go against that creature flying far abroad. For

  himself he did not fear the contest, nor account as anything

  the valour of the serpent, nor his might and courage. For

  1980 he, daring many a grievous strait, had aforetime come safe

  through many a deadly deed and clash of war, since the time

  when, champion victory-crowned, he had purged Hrothgar’s

  hall and in battle crushed the kin of Grendel of hated race.

  Not the least of these encounters was that wherein

  1985 Hygelac was slain, when in the onslaughts of war blades

  drank the blood of the King of the Geats, the graciou
s prince

  of peoples, Hrethel’s son, in the Frisian lands by the broad-

  sword beaten down. Thence Beowulf got him by his own

  prowess, using his craft of swimming; he alone upon his arm

  1990 had thirty coats of mail as he strode into the deep. Little cause

  in sooth had the Hetware who bore forth their shields against

  him to exult in that fight on foot – few came back from that

  fierce warrior to see their home! Then the son of Ecgtheow

  over the expanse of the salt sea, unhappy and alone, swam

  1995 back unto his people. There Hygd offered to him treasury

  and realm, rings and kingly throne. She trusted not in her son

  that he was yet wise enow to defend the seats of his fathers

  against alien hosts, since Hygelac was dead. Yet never the

  more could the bereaved people obtain in any wise from the

  2000 prince that he would be lord over Heardred, or accept the

  kingship. Rather he upheld him among his folk with friendly

  counsel in love and honour, until he grew older and ruled

  the windloving Geats. To Heardred came banished men over

  the sea, the sons of Ohthere; they had set at nought the lord

  2005 of the Scylfings, that best of sea-kings that ever in Sweden

  dealt out precious gifts, a king renowned. That marked his

  end – there to the son of Hygelac for his harbouring was

  allotted a deadly wound by stroke of sword. But the son of

  Ongentheow, when Heardred was slain, returned to seek his

  2010 home, suffering Beowulf to hold the kingly throne and rule

  the Geats – a good king was he!

  He did not forget the requital of his prince’s fall in later

  days: to Eadgils in his need he was found a friend, with a

  host he supported Ohthere’s son, with warriors and weapons

  2015 beyond the broad lake, and later in cold and grievous

  marches achieved revenge, the king he reft of life.

  Even thus had he, the son of Ecgtheow, been preserved in

  every deadly strait and cruel slaying and desperate deed, until

  that one day when he must fight the serpent.

  2020 Then filled with grief and rage the lord of the Geats with

  eleven companions went to look upon the dragon: already he

  had learned whence those deeds of enmity and dire hatred of

  men had sprung – into his possession had come the splendid

  and precious vessel by the hand of the spy: he was in that