Beowulf

by Beowulf Poet

Then they bore him over to ocean’s billow, loving clansmen, as late he charged them, 30 while wielded words the winsome Scyld, the leader beloved who long had ruled. . . .

Now Beowulf bode in the burg of the Scyldings, leader beloved, and long he ruled

and within it, then, to old and young he would all allot that the Lord had sent him, save only the land and the lives of his men.

braided bright the breast of earth with limbs and leaves, made life for all of mortal beings that breathe and move. So lived the clansmen in cheer and revel

a winsome life, till one began to fashion evils, that field of hell.

the hapless wight a while had kept since the Creator his exile doomed. On kin of Cain was the killing avenged by sovran God for slaughtered Abel.

Woe for that man who in harm and hatred hales his soul 185 to fiery embraces;—nor favor nor change awaits he ever. But well for him that after death-day may draw to his Lord, and friendship find in the Father’s arms!

Grendel now, monster cruel, be mine to quell in single battle!

Boasted full oft, as my beer they drank, earls o’er the ale-cup, armed men, that they would bide in the beer-hall here, Grendel’s attack with terror of blades.

“This was my thought, when my thanes and I bent to the ocean and entered our boat, 635 that I would work the will of your people fully, or fighting fall in death, in fiend’s gripe fast. I am firm to do an earl’s brave deed, or end the days of this life of mine in the mead-hall here.”

THEN from the moorland, by misty crags, with God’s wrath laden, Grendel came.

Yea, death is better for liegemen all than a life of shame!”