Beowulf - Delphi Poets Series
Page 29
of Hoc, probably with her consent. Her father, Hoc, seems to have
pursued the fugitives, and to have been slain in the fight which ensued
on his overtaking them. After the lapse of some twenty years Hoc’s sons,
Hnæf and Hengest, are old enough to undertake the duty of avenging their
father’s death. They make an inroad into Finn’s country, and a battle
takes place in which many warriors, among them Hnæf and a son of Finn,
are killed. Peace is then solemnly concluded, and the slain warriors are
burnt. As the year is too far advanced for Hengest to return home, he
and those of his men who survive remain for the winter in the Frisian
country with Finn. But Hengest’s thoughts dwell constantly on the death
of his brother Hnæf, and he would gladly welcome any excuse to break the
peace which had been sworn by both parties. His ill-concealed desire for
revenge is noticed by the Frisians, who anticipate it by themselves
attacking Hengest and his men whilst they are sleeping in the hall. This
is the night attack described in the Fight at Finnsburg. It would seem
that after a brave and desperate resistance Hengest himself falls in
this fight at the hands of the son of Hunlaf (66 [1143]), but two of his
retainers, Guthlaf and Oslaf, succeed in cutting their way through their
enemies and in escaping to their own land. They return with fresh
troops, attack and slay Finn, and carry his queen Hildeburh back to the
Daneland.
Folkwalda (62 [1089]), father of Finn.
Franks (70, 165 [1210, 2911]). Hygelac, king of the Geats, was defeated
and slain early in the sixth century, in his historical invasion of the
Netherlands, by a combined army of Frisians, Franks, and Hugs.
Freawaru (116 [2022]), daughter of Hrothgar and Wealhtheow. Beowulf
tells Hygelac that her father has betrothed her to Ingeld, prince of the
Heathobards, in the hope of settling the feud between the two peoples.
But he prophesies that the hope will prove vain: for an old Heathobard
warrior, seeing a Danish chieftain accompany Freawaru to their court
laden with Heathobard spoils, will incite the son of the former owner of
the plundered treasure to revenge, until blood is shed, and the feud is
renewed. That this was what afterwards befell, we learn from the Old
English poem Widsith. See also ll. 83-5.
Friesland (65 [1126]), the land of the North Frisians.
Frieslands (135 [2356]), Frisian land (165 [2914]), the home of the West
Frisians.
Frisians. Two tribes are to be distinguished: 1. The North Frisians (61,
63 [1070, 1093]), the people of Finn. 2. The West Frisians (143, 165
[2502, 2911]), who combined with the Franks and Hugs and defeated
Hygelac, between 512 and 520 A.D.
Froda (117 [2025]), father of Ingeld. See Freawaru.
GUTHLAF and Oslaf (66 [1148]). See Finn.
HÆRETH (112, 114 [1929, 1981]), father of Hygd, wife of Hygelac.
Hæthcyn (139, 142, 165 [2433, 2481, 2924]), second son of Hrethel, king
of the Geats, and thus elder brother of Hygelac. He accidentally killed
his elder brother Herebeald with a bow-shot, to the inconsolable grief
of Hrethel. He succeeded to the throne at his father’s death, but fell
in battle at Ravenwood (165 [2924]) by the hand of the Swedish King
Ongentheow.
Half-Danes (61 [1069]), the tribe to which Hnæf belongs. See Finn.
Hama (69 [1198]). See Brisings.
Healfdene (4 [57]), king of the Danes, son of Beowulf the Scylding, and
father of Hrothgar, “Healfdene’s son” (16 [268]).
Heardred (126, 136-7 [2202, 2374-2387]), son of Hygelac and Hygd. While
still under age he succeeds his father as king of the Geats, Beowulf,
who has refused the throne himself, being his counsellor and protector.
He is slain by “Ongentheow’s bairn” (137 [2386]), Onela, king of the
Swedes.
Heathobards, Lombards, the tribe of Ingeld, the betrothed of Freawaru,
Hrothgar’s daughter (117 [2032]).
Heatholaf (27 [460]). See Ecgtheow.
Helmings. “The Dame of the Helmings” (36 [620]) is Hrothgar’s queen,
Wealhtheow.
Hemming. “The Kinsman of Hemming” is a name for Offa (112 [1944]) and
for his son Eomær (113 [1961]).
Hengest (62-5 [1083-1127]). See Finn.
Heorogar (5 [61]), elder brother of Hrothgar (27 [467]), did not leave
his armour to his son Heoroward (124 [2158]); but Hrothgar gives it to
Beowulf, and Beowulf gives it to Hygelac.
Herebeald (139, 141 [2433, 2462]), eldest son of the Geat King Hrethel,
was accidentally shot dead with an arrow by his brother Hæthcyn.
Heremod (53, 99 [915, 1709]) is twice spoken of as a bad and cruel
Danish king. In the end he is betrayed into the hands of his foes.
Hereric may have been brother of Hygd, Hygelac’s queen, for their son
Heardred is spoken of as “the nephew of Hereric” (126 [2206]).
Here-Scyldings (64 [1108]), Army-Scyldings, a name of the Danes.
Hetware (135, 165 [2362, 2915]), the Hattuarii of the Historia
Francorum of Gregory of Tours and of the Gesta Regum Francorum, were
the tribe against which Hygelac was raiding when he was defeated and
slain by an army of Frisians, Franks, and Hugs.
Hildeburh (61, 64 [1071, 1114]). See Finn.
Hnæf (61, 64 [1069, 1114]). See Finn.
Hoc (62 [1076]). See Finn.
Hrethel, a former king of the Geats; son of Swerting (70 [1202]), father
of Hygelac and grandfather of Beowulf (22 [374]), to whom he left his
coat of mail (26 [454]). He died of grief at the loss of his eldest son
Herebeald (139-42) [2429-2473], who was accidentally slain by his brother
Hæthcyn.
[Transcriber’s Note:
Page 70 [l. 1202] text reads “Hygelac ... grandson of Swerting.”
Hrethel is not named.]
Hrethlings (167 [2959]), the people of Hrethel, the Geats.
Hrethmen (26 [445]), Triumph-men, the Danes.
Hrethric (69, 106 [1189, 1836]), elder son of Hrothgar and Wealhtheow.
Hrothgar. See the Argument.
Hrothulf (59, 68 [1017, 1181]), probably the son of Hrothgar’s younger
brother Halga (5 [61]). He lives at the Danish court. Wealhtheow hopes
that, if he survives Hrothgar, he will be good to their children in
return for their kindness to him. It would seem that this hope was not
to be fulfilled (“yet of kindred unsunder’d,” 67 [1164]).
Hygd, daughter of Hæreth, wife of Hygelac, the king of the Geats, and
mother of Heardred. She may well be “the wife of aforetime” ( 177
[3149]).
Hygelac, third son of Hrethel (139 [2433]) and uncle to Beowulf, is the
reigning king of the Geats during the greater part of the action of the
poem. When his brother Hæthcyn was defeated and slain by Ongentheow at
Ravenwood (165 [2923]), Hygelac quickly went in pursuit and put
Ongentheow to flight; but although, as leader of the attack, he is
called “the banesman of Ongentheow” (114 [1986]), the actual slayer was
Eofor (142, 167 [2485, 2963]), whom Hygelac rewarded with the hand of
his only daughter (169 [2996]). Hygelac came by his death between 512
and 520 A.D., in his historical invasion of the Nether
lands, which is
referred to in the poem four times (70, 135, 143, 165 [1207, 2356, 2502,
2911]).
ING (147 [2576]). See Ingwines.
Ingeld (119 [2064]). See Freawaru.
Ingwines (60, 77 [1044, 1319]), “friends of Ing,” the Danes. Ing,
according to the Old English Rune-Poem, “was first seen by men amid
the East Danes”; he has been identified with Frea.
MERWING, The (165 [2920]), the Merovingian king of the Franks.
OFFA (113 [1949]). See Thrytho.
Ohthere (136-7, 165 [2379-2393, 2927]), son of the Swedish King
Ongentheow, and father of Eanmund and Eadgils (q.v.).
Onela, “Ongentheow’s bairn” (137 [2386]) and elder brother of Ohthere,
is king of Sweden (“the helm of the Scylfings,” 136 [2380]) at the time
of the rebellion of Eanmund and Eadgils. He invades the land of the
Geats, which has harboured the rebels, slays Heardred, son of Hygelac,
and then retreats before Beowulf. At a later time Beowulf avenges the
death of Heardred by supporting Eadgils, “son of Ohthere” (137 [2393]),
in an invasion of Sweden, in which Onela is slain. See also Eadgils;
and compare the slaying of Ali by Athils on the ice of Lake Wener in the
Icelandic “Heimskringla.”
Ongentheow, father of Onela and Ohthere, was a former king of the
Swedes. The earlier strife between the Swedes and the Geats, in which he
is the chief figure, is fully related by the messenger (164 [2891]) who
brings the tidings of Beowulf’s death. In retaliation for the marauding
invasions of Onela and Ohthere (142 [2474]), Hæthcyn invaded Sweden, and
took Ongentheow’s queen prisoner. Ongentheow in return invaded the land
of her captor, whom he slew, and rescued his wife (165 [2923]); but in
his hour of triumph he was attacked in his turn by Hygelac near
Ravenwood, and fell by the hand of Eofor (168 [2960]).
SCANEY (97 [1686]), Scede-lands (2 [19]), the most southern portion of
the Scandinavian peninsula, belonging to the Danes; used in our poem for
the whole Danish kingdom.
Scyld (1 [4]), son of Sheaf, was the mythical founder of the royal
Danish dynasty of Scyldings.
Scyldings, descendants of Scyld, properly the name of the reigning
Danish dynasty, is commonly extended to include the Danish people ( 3
[30]).
Scylfing: “the Scylfing” (167 [2967]), “the aged of Scylfings” ( 142
[2486]), is Ongentheow.
Scylfings (136 [2380]), the name of the reigning Swedish dynasty, was
extended to the Swedish people in the same way as “Scyldings” to the
Danes. Beowulf’s kinsman Wiglaf is called “lord of Scylfings” ( 149
[2601]), and in another passage the name is apparently applied to the
Geats (170 [3004]); this seems to point to a common ancestry of Swedes
and Geats, or it may be that Beowulf’s father Ecgtheow was a “Scylfing.”
THRYTHO (112 [1931]), wife of the Angle King Offa and mother of Eomær,
is mentioned in contrast to Hygd, just as Heremod is a foil to Beowulf.
She is at first the type of a cruel, unwomanly queen. But by her
marriage with Offa, who seems to be her second husband, she is subdued
and changed until her fame even adds glory to his.
UNFERTH, son of Ecglaf, is the spokesman of Hrothgar, at whose feet he
sits. He is of a jealous disposition, and is twice spoken of as the
murderer of his own brothers (34, 67 [587, 1165]). Taunting Beowulf with
defeat in his swimming-match with Breca, he is silenced by the hero’s
reply, and more effectually still by the issue of the struggle with
Grendel (57 [980]). Afterwards, however, he lends his sword Hrunting for
Beowulf’s encounter with Grendel’s mother (85, 104 [1465, 1808]).
WÆGMUNDINGS (149, 160 [2605, 2803]), the family to which both Beowulf
and Wiglaf belong. Their fathers, Ecgtheow and Weohstan, may have been
sons of Wægmund.
Wedermark (17 [298]), the land of the Weder-Geats, i.e. the Geats.
Weders, Weder-Geats (13, 86, 122 [225, 1492, 2120]), Geats.
Weland (26 [455]), the Völund of the Edda, the famous smith of Teutonic
legend, was the maker of Beowulf’s coat of mail. See the figured casket
in the British Museum; and compare “Wayland Smith’s Cave” near the White
Horse, in Berkshire.
Weohstan was the father of Beowulf’s kinsman and faithful henchman
Wiglaf, and the slayer of Eanmund (149 [2601]).
Wonred, father of “Wulf the Wonreding” (167 [2964]), and of Eofor.
Wulf (167 [2964]). See Eofor.
Wulfgar, “a lord of the Wendels” (20 [348]), is an official of
Hrothgar’s court, where he is the first to greet Beowulf and his Geats,
and introduces them to Hrothgar.
Wythergyld (118 [2051]) is a warrior of the Heathobards.
THE MEANING OF SOME WORDS NOT COMMONLY USED NOW
A-banning, the work was a-banning, orders for the work were given.
Arede , possess.
Atheling, prince, noble, noble warrior.
Barm, lap, bosom.
Behalsed , embraced by the neck.
Berne, man, warrior, hero.
Bestead , served.
Beswealed, scorched, burnt.
Beswinked, sweated.
Birlers, cup-bearers.
Board, shield.
Bode, announce.
Bollen, swollen, angry.
Boot , compensation.
Boun , made ready.
Braided , drew, lifted.
Brim, sea.
Brook, use, enjoy.
Burg, fortified place, stronghold, mount, barrow; protection;
protector; family .
Byrny, coat of mail.
Devil-dray, nest of devils. Cf. squirrel’s-dray, common in Berks;
used by Cowper.
Dreary, bloody.
Dree, do, accomplish, suffer, enjoy, spend .
Ealdor, chief, lord.
Eme, uncle.
Eoten, giant, monster, enemy.
Fathom, embrace.
Feeless, not to be atoned for with money.
Ferry, bring, carry.
Fifel, monster.
Flyting, contending, scolding.
Fold, the earth.
Forheed, disregard.
Forwritten, proscribed.
Frist, space of time, delay.
Gar, spear.
Graithly, readily, well.
Halse, neck.
Hand-shoal, band of warriors.
Hery, praise.
Hild-play, battle.
Holm, ocean, sea.
Holm-throng, eddy of the sea.
Holt, wood.
Hote, call.
Howe, mound, burial-mound.
Hythe, ferry, haven.
Kemp, champion, fighter.
Lithe, slope.
Loom, heirloom.
Low , flame.
Lyke, body.
Moody, brave, proud.
Nicors, sea-monsters.
Nithing , spite, malice.
O’erthinking, overweening, arrogance.
Rail, railings, coat, armour.
Rimed, counted, reckoned.
Sea-lode, sea-voyage.
Sin, malice, hatred, hostility.
Skinked, poured out.
Slot, track.
Staple, threshold.
Stone-bow, arch of stone.
Sty, stride, ascend, descend.
Sweal, burn.
Through-witting, understanding.
>
Undern, from 9 o’clock till 12 o’clock; “at undren and at middai,”
O.E. Miscellany.
Warths, shores, still in use at Wick St. Lawrence, in Somerset.
Wick, dwelling.
Wick-stead, dwelling-place.
Wise, direct, show.
Wit-lust, curiosity.
Worth, shall be.
Wreak, utter.
Wyte, blame, charge with.
Yare, ready.
Yode, went.
The Old English Text
Gamla Uppsala (Old Uppsala) a parish and village outside of Uppsala in Sweden — finds from Eadgils’ mound, which was excavated in 1874, support historic events cited in ‘Beowulf’.
THE OLD ENGLISH TEXT
Edited by James A. Harrison and Robert Sharp
I. THE PASSING OF SCYLD.
II. THE HALL HEOROT.
III. GRENDEL’S VISITS.
IV. HYGELAC’S THANE.
V. THE ERRAND.
VI. BĒOWULF’S SPEECH.
VII. HROTHGAR’S WELCOME.
VIII. HROTHGAR TELLS OF GRENDEL.
IX. HUNFERTH OBJECTS TO BĒOWULF.
X. BĒOWULF’S CONTEST WITH BRECA. — THE FEAST.
XI. THE WATCH FOR GRENDEL.
XII. GRENDEL’S RAID.
XIII. BĒOWULF TEARS OFF GRENDEL’S ARM.
XIV. THE JOY AT HEOROT.
XV. HROTHGAR’S GRATULATION.
XVI. THE BANQUET AND THE GIFTS.
XVII. SONG OF HROTHGAR’S POET — THE LAY OF HNAEF AND HENGEST.
XVIII. THE GLEEMAN’S TALE IS ENDED.
XIX. BĒOWULF’S JEWELLED COLLAR. THE HEROES REST.
XX. GRENDEL’S MOTHER ATTACKS THE RING-DANES.
XXI. SORROW AT HEOROT: AESCHERE’S DEATH
XXII. BĒOWULF SEEKS THE MONSTER IN THE HAUNTS OF THE NIXIES.
XXIII. THE BATTLE WITH THE WATER-DRAKE.
XXIV. BĒOWULF SLAYS THE SPRITE.
XXV. HROTHGAR’S GRATITUDE: HE DISCOURSES.
XXVI. THE DISCOURSE IS ENDED. — BĒOWULF PREPARES TO LEAVE.
XXVII. THE PARTING WORDS.
XXVIII. BĒOWULF RETURNS TO GEATLAND. — THE QUEENS HYGD AND THRYTHO.
XXIX. HIS ARRIVAL. HYGELAC’S RECEPTION.
XXX. BĒOWULF’S STORY OF THE SLAYINGS.
XXXI. HE GIVES PRESENTS TO HYGELAC. HYGELAC REWARDS HIM. HYGELAC’S DEATH. BĒOWULF REIGNS.
XXXII. THE FIRE-DRAKE. THE HOARD.
XXXIII. BEOWULF RESOLVES TO KILL THE FIRE-DRAKE.
XXXIV. RETROSPECT OF BĒOWULF. — STRIFE BETWEEN SWEONAS AND GEATAS.
XXXV. MEMORIES OF PAST TIME. — THE FEUD WITH THE FIRE-DRAKE.
XXXVI. WIGLAF HELPS BĒOWULF IN THE FEUD