was the blade stained with a device of branching venom,
made hard in the blood of battle. Never had it in warfare
betrayed any man of those that had wielded it with hands,
1220 who had dared to achieve adventures perilous upon battle-
fields against their foes. This was not the first time that it
was required to accomplish valorous deeds. Verily the son
of Ecglaf mighty of valour remembered not that which he
had before spoken being filled with wine, when he lent that
1225 weapon to a swordsman worthier than was he. He durst
not himself beneath the warring waves adventure his life
and deeds of prowess perform. There he forfeited glory for
heroic deeds. Not so that other, who now had arrayed him
for battle. Beowulf spake, the son of Ecgtheow: ‘Forget not,
1230 1230 O thou the son renowned of Healfdene, wise prince from
whom men get love and gifts of gold, now that I haste to
mine adventure, that which was aforetime spoken between
us: if I should at thy need lay down my life, that thou
wouldst ever be to me when I was gone in father’s stead. Be
1235 thou protector of the knights that follow me, the companions
at my side, if battle take me. And send thou, too, those
precious gifts that thou hast given me, beloved Hrothgar,
unto Hygelac. Then by that gold may the son of Hrethel,
Lord of the Geats, when he gazeth upon that treasure, perceive
1240 and understand that, finding a giver of rings, a lord
endowed with generous virtue, I earned his bounty while I
might. And let Unferth, that man of wide renown, receive
back his olden heirloom, his sword cunningly adorned with
flowing lines and hard of edge. For myself glory will I earn
1245 with Hrunting, or death shall take me!’
After these words the prince of the windloving Geats
hastened dauntless forth, for no answer would he wait. The
surging sea engulfed that warrior bold. Thereafter a long
hour of the day it was ere he could descry the level floor.
1250 Straightway that creature that with cruel lust, ravenous and
grim, had a hundred seasons held the watery realm, perceived
that there from on high some man was come to espy the
dwelling of inhuman things. She clutched then at him, seized
in her dire claws the warrior bold. No whit the sooner did
1255 she hurt his body unharmed within; the ring-mail fended
him about, that she might not pierce with cruel fingers the
supple-linked shirt that clad him in the fray. Then that she-
wolf of the waves to the sea-bottom coming bore the mail-
clad prince unto her own abode. Even so, in no wise could
1260 he wield his weapons – wroth was he thereat! - so many a
monster strange beset him sorely as they swam, and many
a beast of the sea with fell tusks at his hauberk tore; fierce
destroyers pressed upon him.
Now then the good man perceived that he was in some
1265 abysmal hall, he knew not what, wherein no water did him
any hurt, nor might the sudden onrush of the flood touch
him by reason of the vaulted chamber. A light as of fire he
saw with gleaming flames there shining bright. Then did that
gallant one perceive the monstrous woman of the sea, she-
1270 wolvish outlaw of the deep. To his warlike sword he lent a
mighty force, nor did his hand hold back the blow; and on
her head the weapon ring-adorned sang out its lusting song
of war. Soon did the invader learn that in battle shining it
would bite not there nor harm her life; nay, that blade failed
1275 the prince at need, which aforetime had endured many a
clash of blows, oft-times had cloven helm and harness of the
doomed. This was the first venture for that dearly-prizéd
thing wherein its glory fell.
Again he made on, no laggard in valour, remembering his
1280 renownéd deeds, that kinsman of Hygelac. As he fought in
ire he cast away that blade with twisted ornament and curiously
bound, and upon the earth it lay steeledged and strong.
He trusted in his strength and the grasp of his own mighty
hands. Such shall a man’s faith be, when he thinks to win
1285 enduring fame in war: no care for his life will trouble him.
Then seized the prince of Geatish warriors Grendel’s mother
by her locks, ruing not the cruel deed, and his mortal foe he
threw, for now he grim in war was filled with wrath, and she
was bowed unto the floor. Again she swiftly answered him
1290 with like, and grappling cruelly she clutched at him. Then
stumbled, desperate at heart, that warrior most strong, that
champion of the host, and he in turn was thrown. Then did
she bestride the invader of her hall, and drew her knife with
broad and burnished blade: she thought to avenge her son
1295 and only child. Upon his shoulders hung the woven net of
mail about his breast; this now his life defended, and with-
stood the entry of both point and edge. In that hour had the
son of Ecgtheow, champion of the Geats, come to ill end
beneath the widespread earth, had not his corslet, the stout
1300 net of rings, furnished him help in fight and fray – there Holy
God did rule the victory in battle. The allseeing Lord who
governeth the heavens on high with ease did give decision to
the right, when Beowulf again sprang up.
Lo! among the war-gear there he beheld a sword endowed
1305 with charms of victory, a blade gigantic, old, with edges
stern, the pride of men of arms: the choicest of weapons
that, albeit greater than any other man might have borne
unto the play of war, a good and costly thing, the work of
giants. Now he grasped its linkéd hilt, that champion of the
1310 Scyldings’ cause, in fierce mood and fell he flashed forth the
ring-adornéd blade; despairing of his life with ire he smote,
and on her neck it bitter seized, and shivered the bony joints.
Through and through the sword pierced her body doomed.
She sank upon the floor. The sword was wet. The knight
1315 rejoiced him in the deed.
The flame flashed forth, light there blazed within, even as
of heaven radiantly shines the candle of the sky. He gazed
about that house, then turning went along the wall, grasping
upraised that hard weapon by the hilt, in ire undaunted
1320 the knight of Hygelac. That blade the warrior bold did not
despise; nay, he thought now swiftly to requite Grendel for
those many dire assaults that he had made upon the Western
Danes, far oftener than that one last time, slaying in slumber
the companions of Hrothgar’s hearth, devouring as they
1325 slept fifteen of the people of the Danes, and others as many
bearing forth away, a plunder hideous. For that he had given
him his reward, that champion in his wrath, so that on his
couch he saw now Grendel lying weary of war, bereft of
life, such hurt had he erewhile in battle got at Heorot. Far
1330 asunder sprang the corpse, when Grendel in death endured
a stroke of hard sword fiercely swung; his head was cloven
from him.
Soo
n did the wise men, who about Hrothgar kept watch
upon the deep, this sight behold, that the sea’s confuséd
1335 waves were all mingled and were stained with blood. About
their good lord old men with greying hair then said with one
accord that never again they hoped to see that noble knight,
or that he would come in triumph and victory to see their
king renowned; of one mind in this were many then, that the
1340 she-wolf of the sea had broken him.
Now came the ninth hour of the day. The gallant Scyldings
forsook the headland; he from whom they had love and gifts
of gold departed thence. The strangers sat sick at heart and
gazed upon the mere. They wished, and hoped not, that they
1345 might see the dear form of their lord. In that hour the valiant
sword began, after the hot blood of battle touched it, to drip
away in fearful icicles. A thing of wonder that; for it melted
all, most like unto ice when the Father looseneth the bonds
of frost and unlocks the enchainéd pools, even He who hath
1350 the governance of seasons and of times, who is the stead-
fast designer of the world. In those abodes no more did the
prince of the windloving Geats take of the hoarded treasures,
though many such he looked upon, save that head alone, and
the hilt too, all bright with gems; the sword had melted now
1355 away, and all its woven ornament was consumed; so hot that
blood, so venomous was that alien creature that there had
perished in the hall. Soon was he swimming swift, who had
erewhile lived to see his enemies fall in war. Up dived he
through the water. The confuséd waves, those regions vast,
1360 all were purged, now that the alien creature had given up the
days of life and this swift-passing world.
Lo! to the land came swimming, dauntless of heart, the
chieftain of seafaring men, rejoicing in the plunder of the
sea and the huge burden of the things he bore. Then the
1365 proud company of his knights went forth to meet him,
giving thanks to God, welcoming their prince with joy, that
they might look upon him there unharmed. Swiftly then
were loosed the helm and corslet from that valiant one. The
waters of the lake lay dark and still beneath the clouds stained
1370 with deadly gore. Thence in heart rejoicing they measured
with their marching feet the way across the land, the road
well-known. Royalhearted men from that cliff beside the
deep they bore the head – a weary task for each of those
most brave: four must on a spear-shaft there with labour
1375 grievous carry to the golden hall the head of Grendel, until
anon they came striding thither, gallant, eager in arms, those
fourteen Geats. Their liege lord with them, proudly among
his company, trod the level ways about the hall of mead.
Now in came striding that prince of knights daring in deeds,
1380 honoured with men’s praise, a mighty man of valour greeting
Hrothgar. Now Grendel’s head by its locks was borne upon
the hall’s floor where men were drinking, hideous in the sight
of men and of the lady in their midst, a marvellous thing to
look upon with eyes. Men gazed thereon.
1385 Beowulf spake, the son of Ecgtheow: ‘Lo! this plunder of
the sea, O son of Healfdene, Scyldings’ prince, we gladly have
brought to thee, the token of my triumph which here thou
lookest on. Hardly did I save my life therein, in war beneath
the water, perilously did dare that deed. Well nigh were there
1390 my days of battle ended, were not God my shield. Nor might
I in that combat with Hrunting aught achieve, good though
that weapon be. Nay, the Lord of men vouchsafed to me that
on the wall I saw hanging fair a mighty sword and old – oft
and again hath He guided those bereft of friends – and that
1395 weapon now I drew, slew then in that strife, when space
was granted me, the guardians of the house. Thereupon that
blade of war with woven ornament was all consumed, even
as the blood sprang out, gore most hot in battle. The hilt
I bore thence from my foes, their evil deeds avenged, the
1400 death and torment of the Danes, even as was meet. This do
I promise thee henceforth, that thou mayest in Heorot sleep
untroubled amid the proud host of thy men, thou and each
one of thy knights and captains, the proven and the young
that thou wilt not from that quarter have need to fear for
1405 them, King of the Scyldings, the bane of good men’s lives, as
once thou didst.’
Then was the golden hilt given to the aged chieftain’s
hand, to the grey-haired leader of the host, the work of trolls
of old. After the demons’ fall it passed to the dominion of
1410 the Lord of Danes, that fabric of wondrous smiths; and since
that fellhearted foe, the enemy of God, had left this world
stained with murder’s guilt, yea and his mother too, it passed
into the keeping of that most excellent of earthly kings the
Two Seas between, who aforetime dealt out their wealth on
1415 Sceden-isle.
Hrothgar made answer, looking close upon the hilt,
the relic of old days, whereon was writ the beginning of
that ancient strife, whereafter the flood of pouring ocean
destroyed the Giants’ race; evilly did they fare. That was
1420 a people alien to the eternal Lord; for that a final payment
with surging water the Almighty made to them. There too
upon the plates of purest gold was it duly marked in lettered
runes, set forth and declared, for whom that sword was
fashioned first, that best of things of iron with wirewrapped
1425 hilt and snakelike ornament. Now spake the wise king, son
of Healfdene – all were silent: ‘Lo! this may he say who
furthereth truth and justice among men and, aged ruler of
his home, recalleth all things long ago, that this good knight
was born to mastery. Thy glory is uplifted to pass down the
1430 distant ways, Beowulf my friend, thy glory over every folk.
All which unmoved by pride thou dost possess, keeping thy
valour with discerning heart. I shall to thee my vow of love
accomplish, even as at first we spake together. Thou shalt
unto thy lieges prove a comfort destined to endure, the help
1435 of men of might. Not such did Heremod prove to Ecgwela’s
sons, the Scyldings proud; he grew not to their joy, but to
their bane and fall, to death and destruction of the chieftains
of the Danes. In the fury of his heart he destroyed the
companions of his board, the followers at his side, until he
1440 passed forth alone, renownéd king, the mirth of men forsaking.
Albeit the almighty God had advanced him beyond all
in the glad gifts of prowess and in might, nonetheless the
secret heart within his breast grew cruel and bloody. He
gave not things of gold unto the Danes to earn him praise;
1445 joyless he lived on to suffer misery for that strife, the torment
long-lasting of his folk. Learn thou from this, and
understand what generous virtue is! These considered words
on thy a
ccount have I here uttered to whom have the winters
wisdom brought.
1450 ‘Wondrous ’tis to tell how the mighty God doth apportion
in His purpose deep unto the race of men wisdom, lands, and
noble estate: of all things He is Lord. At whiles the heart’s
thought of man of famous house He suffereth in delight to
walk, granteth him in his realm earthly joy ruling over men
1455 within his walléd town, maketh the regions of the earth as
his to sway, a kingdom vast, so that the end thereof in his
unwisdom he cannot himself conceive. He dwells in plenty;
no whit do age or sickness thwart him, nor doth black care
grieve his soul, nor strife in any place bring murderous hatred
1460 forth; nay, all the world goeth to his desire. He knows nothing
of worse fate, until within him a measure of arrogance
doth grow and spread. Now sleeps the watchman, guardian
of his soul: too sound that sleep in troubles wrapped; the
slayer is very nigh who in malice shooteth arrows from his
1465 bow. Then beneath his guard he is smitten to the heart with
bitter shaft, the strange and crooked biddings of the accurséd
spirit; he cannot himself defend. Too little now him seems
what long he hath enjoyed, his grim heart fills with greed;
in no wise doth he deal gold-plated rings to earn him praise,
1470 and the doom that cometh he forgets and heeds not, because
God, the Lord of glory, hath before granted him a portion of
honour high. Thereafter in the final end it cometh to pass that
his fleshly garb being mortal faileth, falls in death ordained.
Another succeeds to all, who unrecking scattereth his precious
1475 things, the old-hoarded treasures of that man: his wrath
he fears not. Defend thee from that deadly malice, dear
Beowulf, best of knights, and choose for thyself the better
part, counsels of everlasting worth; countenance no pride, O
champion in thy renown! Now for a little while thy valour is
1480 in flower; but soon shall it be that sickness or the sword rob
thee of thy might, or fire’s embrace, or water’s wave, or bite
of blade, or flight of spear, or dreadful age; or the flashing of
thine eyes shall fail and fade; very soon ’twill come that thee,
proud knight, shall death lay low.
1485 ‘Even so did I for half a hundred years beneath heaven
rule the ring-proud Danes, and with my battle fenced them
Beowulf: A Translation and Commentary, together with Sellic Spell Page 7