Beowulf: A Translation and Commentary, together with Sellic Spell
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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