Beowulf (Illustrated) E-Book

John Lesslie Hall

• Herausgeber: BookRix
• Kategorie: Fantasy und Science-Fiction
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2014

Beschreibung

In the poem, Beowulf, a hero of the Geats in Scandinavia, comes to the aid of Hroðgar, the king of the Danes, whose mead hall (in Heorot) has been under attack by a monster known as Grendel. After Beowulf slays him, Grendel's mother attacks the hall and is then also defeated. Victorious, Beowulf goes home to Geatland in Sweden and later becomes king of the Geats. After a period of fifty years has passed, Beowulf defeats a dragon, but is fatally wounded in the battle. After his death, his attendants bury him in a tumulus, a burial mound, in Geatland. John Lesslie Hall translated Beowulf in 1897 though the original author of the great work is unknown

Leseprobe

John Lesslie Hall

Beowulf (Illustrated)

BookRix GmbH & Co. KG80331 Munich

THE STORY.

Hrothgar, king of the Danes, or Scyldings, builds a great mead hall, or

palace, in which he hopes to feast his liegemen and to give them presents.

The joy of king and retainers is, however, of short duration. Grendel, the

monster, is seized with hateful jealousy. He cannot brook the sounds of

joyance that reach him down in his fen dwelling near the hall. Oft and

anon he goes to the joyous building, bent on direful mischief. Thane after

thane is ruthlessly carried off and devoured, while no one is found strong

enough and bold enough to cope with the monster. For twelve years he

persecutes Hrothgar and his vassals.

Over sea, a day's voyage off, Beowulf, of the Geats, nephew of Higelac,

king of the Geats, hears of Grendel's doings and of Hrothgar's misery. He

resolves to crush the fell monster and relieve the aged king. With

fourteen chosen companions, he sets sail for Dane land. Reaching that

country, he soon persuades Hrothgar of his ability to help him. The hours

that elapse before night are spent in beer drinking and conversation. When

Hrothgar's bedtime comes he leaves the hall in charge of Beowulf, telling

him that never before has he given to another the absolute wardship of his

palace. All retire to rest, Beowulf, as it were, sleeping upon his arms.

Grendel comes, the great march stepper, bearing God's anger. He seizes

and kills one of the sleeping warriors. Then he advances towards Beowulf.

A fierce and desperate hand to hand struggle ensues. No arms are used,

both combatants trusting to strength and hand grip. Beowulf tears

Grendel's shoulder from its socket, and the monster retreats to his den,

howling and yelling with agony and fury. The wound is fatal.

The next morning, at early dawn, warriors in numbers flock to the hall

Heorot, to hear the news. Joy is boundless. Glee runs high. Hrothgar and

his retainers are lavish of gratitude and of gifts.

Grendel's mother, however, comes the next night to avenge his death. She

is furious and raging. While Beowulf is sleeping in a room somewhat apart

from the quarters of the other warriors, she seizes one of Hrothgar's

favorite counsellors, and carries him off and devours him. Beowulf is

called. Determined to leave Heorot entirely purified, he arms himself, and

goes down to look for the female monster. After traveling through the

waters many hours, he meets her near the sea bottom. She drags him to her

den. There he sees Grendel lying dead. After a desperate and almost fatal

struggle with the woman, he slays her, and swims upward in triumph, taking

with him Grendel's head.

Joy is renewed at Heorot. Congratulations crowd upon the victor. Hrothgar

literally pours treasures into the lap of Beowulf; and it is agreed among

the vassals of the king that Beowulf will be their next liegelord.

Beowulf leaves Dane land. Hrothgar weeps and laments at his departure.

When the hero arrives in his own land, Higelac treats him as a

distinguished guest. He is the hero of the hour.

Beowulf subsequently becomes king of his own people, the Geats. After he

has been ruling for fifty years, his own neighborhood is wofully harried

by a fire spewing dragon. Beowulf determines to kill him. In the ensuing

struggle both Beowulf and the dragon are slain. The grief of the Geats is

inexpressible. They determine, however, to leave nothing undone to honor

the memory of their lord. A great funeral pyre is built, and his body is

burnt. Then a memorial barrow is made, visible from a great distance, that

sailors afar may be constantly reminded of the prowess of the national

hero of Geatland.

The poem closes with a glowing tribute to his bravery, his gentleness,

his goodness of heart, and his generosity.

* * * * *

It is the devout desire of this translator to hasten the day when the

story of Beowulf shall be as familiar to English speaking peoples as that

of the Iliad. Beowulf is our first great epic. It is an epitomized history

of the life of the Teutonic races. It brings vividly before us our

forefathers of pre Alfredian eras, in their love of war, of sea, and of

adventure.

My special thanks are due to Professors Francis A. March and James A.

Harrison, for advice, sympathy, and assistance.

J.L. HALL.

BIBLIOGRAPHY OF TRANSLATIONS.

Arnold, Thomas. Beowulf. A heroic poem of the eighth century. London, 1876. With English translation. Prose.

Botkine, L. Beowulf. Epopée Anglo Saxonne. Havre, 1877. First French translation. Passages occasionally omitted.

Conybeare, J.J. Illustrations of Anglo Saxon Poetry. London, 1826. Full Latin translation, and some passages translated into English blank verse.

Ettmuller, L. Beowulf, stabreimend übersetzt. Zürich, 1840.

Garnett, J.M. Beowulf: an Anglo Saxon Poem, and the Fight at Finnsburg.

Boston, 1882. An accurate line for line translation, using alliteration occasionally, and sometimes assuming a metrical cadence.

Grein, C.W.M. Dichtungen der Angelsachsen, stabreimend übersetzt. 2 Bde. Göttingen, 1857 59.

Grion, Giusto. Beovulf, poema epico anglo sassone del VII. secolo, tradotto e illustrato. Lucca, 1883. First Italian translation.

Grundtvig, N.F.S. Bjowulfs Drape. Copenhagen, 1820.

Heyne, M. A translation in iambic measures. Paderborn, 1863.

Kemble, J.M. The Anglo Saxon Poems of Beowulf, the Traveller's Song, and the Battle of Finnsburg. London, 1833. The second edition contains a prose translation of Beowulf.

Leo, H. Ueber Beowulf. Halle, 1839. Translations of extracts.

Lumsden, H.W. Beowulf, translated into modern rhymes. London, 1881.

Ballad measures. Passages occasionally omitted.

Sandras, G.S. De carminibus Cædmoni adjudicatis. Paris, 1859. An extract from Beowulf, with Latin translation.

Schaldmose, F. Beowulf og Scopes Widsith, to Angelsaxiske Digte.

Copenhagen, 1847.

Simrock, K. Beowulf. Uebersetzt und erläutert. Stuttgart und Augsburg, 1859. Alliterative measures.

Thorkelin, G.J. De Danorum rebus gestis secul. III. et IV. poema Danicum dialecto Anglosaxonica. Havniæ, 1815. Latin translation.

Thorpe, B. The Anglo Saxon Poems of Beowulf, the Scôp or Gleeman's Tale, and the Fight at Finnsburg. Oxford, 1855. English translation in short lines, generally containing two stresses.

Wackerbarth, A.D. Beowulf, translated into English verse. London, 1849.

Wickberg, R. Beowulf, en fornengelsk hjeltedikt, öfersatt. Westervik.

First Swedish translation.

von Wolzogen, H. Beowulf, in alliterative measures. Leipzig.

Zinsser, G. Der Kampf Beowulfs mit Grendel. Jahresbericht of the Realschule at Forbach, 1881.

GLOSSARY OF PROPER NAMES.

* * * * *

[The figures refer to the divisions of the poem in which the respective names occur. The large figures refer to fitts, the small, to lines in the fitts.]

* * * * *

Ælfhere . A kinsman of Wiglaf.

Æschere . Confidential friend of King Hrothgar. Elder brother of Yrmenlaf. Killed by Grendel.

Beanstan . Father of Breca.

Beowulf . Son of Scyld, the founder of the dynasty of Scyldings. Father of Healfdene, and grandfather of Hrothgar.

Beowulf . The hero of the poem. Sprung from the stock of Geats, son of Ecgtheow. Brought up by his maternal grandfather Hrethel, and figuring in manhood as a devoted liegeman of his uncle Higelac. A hero from his youth. Has the strength of thirty men. Engages in a swimming match with Breca. Goes to the help of Hrothgar against the monster Grendel. Vanquishes Grendel and his mother. Afterwards becomes king of the Geats. Late in life attempts to kill a fire spewing dragon, and is slain. Is buried with great honors. His memorial mound.

Breca . Beowulf's opponent in the famous swimming match.

Brondings . A people ruled by Breca.

Brosinga mene . A famous collar once owned by the Brosings.

Cain . Progenitor of Grendel and other monsters.

Dæghrefn . A warrior of the Hugs, killed by Beowulf.

Danes . Subjects of Scyld and his descendants, and hence often called Scyldings. Other names for them are Victory Scyldings, Honor Scyldings, Armor Danes, Bright Danes, East Danes, West Danes, North Danes, South Danes, Ingwins, Hrethmen.

Ecglaf . Father of Unferth, who taunts Beowulf.

Ecgtheow . Father of Beowulf, the hero of the poem. A widely known Wægmunding warrior. Marries Hrethel's daughter. After slaying Heatholaf, a Wylfing, he flees his country.

Ecgwela . A king of the Danes before Scyld.

Elan . Sister of Hrothgar, and probably wife of Ongentheow, king of the Swedes.

Eagle Cape . A promontory in Geat land, under which took place Beowulf's last encounter.

Eadgils . Son of Ohthere and brother of Eanmund.

Eanmund . Son of Ohthere and brother of Eadgils. The reference to these brothers is vague, and variously understood. Heyne supposes as follows: Raising a revolt against their father, they are obliged to leave Sweden. They go to the land of the Geats; with what intention, is not known, but probably to conquer and plunder. The Geatish king, Heardred, is slain by one of the brothers, probably Eanmund.

Eofor . A Geatish hero who slays Ongentheow in war, and is rewarded by Hygelac with the hand of his only daughter.

Eormenric . A Gothic king, from whom Hama took away the famous Brosinga mene.

Eomær . Son of Offa and Thrytho, king and queen of the Angles.

Finn . King of the North Frisians and the Jutes. Marries Hildeburg. At his court takes place the horrible slaughter in which the Danish general, Hnæf, fell. Later on, Finn himself is slain by Danish warriors.

Fin land . The country to which Beowulf was driven by the currents in his swimming match.

Fitela . Son and nephew of King Sigemund, whose praises are sung in XIV.

Folcwalda . Father of Finn.

Franks . Introduced occasionally in referring to the death of Higelac.

Frisians . A part of them are ruled by Finn. Some of them were engaged in the struggle in which Higelac was slain.

Freaware . Daughter of King Hrothgar. Married to Ingeld, a Heathobard prince.

Froda . King of the Heathobards, and father of Ingeld.

Garmund . Father of Offa.

Geats, Geatmen . The race to which the hero of the poem belongs. Also called Weder Geats, or Weders, War Geats, Sea Geats. They are ruled by Hrethel, Hæthcyn, Higelac, and Beowulf.

Gepids . Named in connection with the Danes and Swedes.

Grendel . A monster of the race of Cain. Dwells in the fens and moors. Is furiously envious when he hears sounds of joy in Hrothgar's palace. Causes the king untold agony for years. Is finally conquered by Beowulf, and dies of his wound. His hand and arm are hung up in Hrothgar's hall Heorot. His head is cut off by Beowulf when he goes down to fight with Grendel's mother.

Guthlaf . A Dane of Hnæf's party.

Half Danes . Branch of the Danes to which Hnæf belonged.

Halga . Surnamed the Good. Younger brother of Hrothgar.

Hama . Takes the Brosinga mene from Eormenric.

Hæreth . Father of Higelac's queen, Hygd.

Hæthcyn . Son of Hrethel and brother of Higelac. Kills his brother Herebeald accidentally. Is slain at Ravenswood, fighting against Ongentheow

Helmings . The race to which Queen Wealhtheow belonged.

Heming . A kinsman of Garmund, perhaps nephew.

Hengest . A Danish leader. Takes command on the fall of Hnæf.

Herebeald . Eldest son of Hrethel, the Geatish king, and brother of Higelac. Killed by his younger brother Hæthcyn.

Heremod . A Danish king of a dynasty before the Scylding line. Was a source of great sorrow to his people.

Hereric . Referred to as uncle of Heardred, but otherwise unknown.

Hetwars . Another name for the Franks.

Healfdene . Grandson of Scyld and father of Hrothgar. Ruled the Danes long and well.

Heardred . Son of Higelac and Hygd, king and queen of the Geats. Succeeds his father, with Beowulf as regent. Is slain by the sons of Ohthere.

Heathobards . Race of Lombards, of which Froda is king. After Froda falls in battle with the Danes, Ingeld, his son, marries Hrothgar's daughter, Freaware, in order to heal the feud.

Heatholaf . A Wylfing warrior slain by Beowulf's father.

Heathoremes . The people on whose shores Breca is cast by the waves during his contest with Beowulf.

Heorogar . Elder brother of Hrothgar, and surnamed 'Weoroda Ræswa,' Prince of the Troopers.

Hereward . Son of the above.

Heort , Heorot . The great mead hall which King Hrothgar builds. It is invaded by Grendel for twelve years. Finally cleansed by Beowulf, the Geat. It is called Heort on account of the hart antlers which decorate it.

Hildeburg . Wife of Finn, daughter of Hoce, and related to Hnæf, probably his sister.

Hnæf . Leader of a branch of the Danes called Half Danes. Killed in the struggle at Finn's castle.

Hondscio . One of Beowulf's companions. Killed by Grendel just before Beowulf grappled with that monster.

Hoce . Father of Hildeburg and probably of Hnæf.

Hrethel . King of the Geats, father of Higelac, and grandfather of Beowulf.

Hrethla . Once used for Hrethel.

Hrethmen . Another name for the Danes.

Hrethric . Son of Hrothgar.

Hreosna beorh . A promontory in Geat land, near which Ohthere's sons made plundering raids.

Hrothgar . The Danish king who built the hall Heort, but was long unable to enjoy it on account of Grendel's persecutions. Marries Wealhtheow, a Helming lady. Has two sons and a daughter. Is a typical Teutonic king, lavish of gifts. A devoted liegelord, as his lamentations over slain liegemen prove. Also very appreciative of kindness, as is shown by his loving gratitude to Beowulf.

Hrothmund . Son of Hrothgar.

Hrothulf . Probably a son of Halga, younger brother of Hrothgar. Certainly on terms of close intimacy in Hrothgar's palace.

Hrunting . Unferth's sword, lent to Beowulf.

Hugs . A race in alliance with the Franks and Frisians at the time of Higelac's fall.

Hun . A Frisian warrior, probably general of the Hetwars. Gives Hengest a beautiful sword.

Hunferth . Sometimes used for Unferth.

Hygelac , Higelac . King of the Geats, uncle and liegelord of Beowulf, the hero of the poem. His second wife is the lovely Hygd, daughter of Hæreth. The son of their union is Heardred. Is slain in a war with the Hugs, Franks, and Frisians combined. Beowulf is regent, and afterwards king of the Geats.

Hygd . Wife of Higelac, and daughter of Hæreth. There are some indications that she married Beowulf after she became a widow.

Ingeld . Son of the Heathobard king, Froda. Marries Hrothgar's daughter, Freaware, in order to reconcile the two peoples.

Ingwins . Another name for the Danes.

Jutes . Name sometimes applied to Finn's people.

Lafing . Name of a famous sword presented to Hengest by Hun.

Merewing . A Frankish king, probably engaged in the war in which Higelac was slain.

Nægling . Beowulf's sword.

Offa . King of the Angles, and son of Garmund. Marries the terrible Thrytho who is so strongly contrasted with Hygd.

Ohthere . Son of Ongentheow, king of the Swedes. He is father of Eanmund and Eadgils.

Onela . Brother of Ohthere.

Ongentheow . King of Sweden, of the Scylfing dynasty. Married, perhaps, Elan, daughter of Healfdene.

Oslaf . A Dane of Hnæf's party.

Ravenswood . The forest near which Hæthcyn was slain.

Scefing . Applied (14) to Scyld, and meaning 'son of Scef.’

[xvii] Scyld . Founder of the dynasty to which Hrothgar, his father, and grandfather belonged. He dies, and his body is put on a vessel, and set adrift. He goes from Daneland just as he had come to it in a bark.

Scyldings . The descendants of Scyld. They are also called Honor Scyldings, Victory Scyldings, War Scyldings, etc. (See 'Danes,’

above.)

Scylfings . A Swedish royal line to which Wiglaf belonged.

Sigemund . Son of Wæls, and uncle and father of Fitela. His struggle with a dragon is related in connection with Beowulf's deeds of prowess.

Swerting . Grandfather of Higelac, and father of Hrethel.

Swedes . People of Sweden, ruled by the Scylfings.

Thrytho . Wife of Offa, king of the Angles. Known for her fierce and unwomanly disposition. She is introduced as a contrast to the gentle Hygd, queen of Higelac.

Unferth . Son of Ecglaf, and seemingly a confidential courtier of Hrothgar. Taunts Beowulf for having taken part in the swimming match.

Lends Beowulf his sword when he goes to look for Grendel's mother. In the MS. sometimes written Hunferth.

Wæls . Father of Sigemund.

Wægmunding . A name occasionally applied to Wiglaf and Beowulf, and perhaps derived from a common ancestor, Wægmund.

Weders . Another name for Geats or Wedergeats.

Wayland . A fabulous smith mentioned in this poem and in other old Teutonic literature.

Wendels . The people of Wulfgar, Hrothgar's messenger and retainer. (Perhaps = Vandals.)

Wealhtheow . Wife of Hrothgar. Her queenly courtesy is well shown in the poem.

Weohstan , or Wihstan . A Wægmunding, and father of Wiglaf.

Whale's Ness . A prominent promontory, on which Beowulf's mound was built.

Wiglaf . Son of Wihstan, and related to Beowulf. He remains faithful to Beowulf in the fatal struggle with the fire drake. Would rather die than leave his lord in his dire emergency.

Wonred . Father of Wulf and Eofor.

Wulf . Son of Wonred. Engaged in the battle between Higelac's and Ongentheow's forces, and had a hand to hand fight with Ongentheow himself.

LIST OF WORDS AND PHRASES NOT IN GENERAL USE.

ATHELING. Prince, nobleman.

BAIRN. Son, child.

BARROW. Mound, rounded hill, funeral mound.

BATTLE SARK. Armor.

BEAKER. Cup, drinking vessel.

BEGEAR. Prepare.

BIGHT. Bay, sea.

BILL. Sword.

BOSS. Ornamental projection.

BRACTEATE. A round ornament on a necklace.

BRAND. Sword.

BURN. Stream.

BURNIE. Armor.

CARLE. Man, hero.

EARL. Nobleman, any brave man.

EKE. Also.

EMPRISE. Enterprise, undertaking.

ERST. Formerly.

ERST WORTHY. Worthy for a long time past.

FAIN. Glad.

FERRY. Bear, carry.

FEY. Fated, doomed.

FLOAT. Vessel, ship.

FOIN. To lunge (Shaks.).

GLORY OF KINGS. God.

GREWSOME. Cruel, fierce.

HEFT. Handle, hilt; used by synecdoche for 'sword.’

HELM. Helmet, protector.

HENCHMAN. Retainer, vassal.

HIGHT. Am (was) named.

HOLM. Ocean, curved surface of the sea.

HIMSEEMED. (It) seemed to him.

LIEF. Dear, valued.

MERE. Sea; in compounds, 'mere ways,' 'mere currents,' etc.

MICKLE. Much.

NATHLESS. Nevertheless.

NAZE. Edge (nose).

NESS. Edge.

NICKER. Sea beast.

QUIT, QUITE. Requite.

RATHE. Quickly.

REAVE. Bereave, deprive.

SAIL ROAD. Sea.

SETTLE. Seat, bench.

SKINKER. One who pours.

SOOTHLY. Truly.

SWINGE. Stroke, blow.

TARGE, TARGET. Shield.

THROUGHLY. Thoroughly.

TOLD. Counted.

UNCANNY. Ill featured, grizzly.

UNNETHE. Difficult.

WAR SPEED. Success in war.

WEB. Tapestry (that which is 'woven').

WEEDED. Clad (cf. widow's weeds).

WEEN. Suppose, imagine.

WEIRD. Fate, Providence.

WHILOM. At times, formerly, often.

WIELDER. Ruler. Often used of God; also in compounds, as 'Wielder of Glory,' 'Wielder of Worship.’

WIGHT. Creature.

WOLD. Plane, extended surface.

WOT. Knows.

YOUNKER. Youth.

BEOWULF.

THE LIFE AND DEATH OF SCYLD.

{The famous race of Spear Danes.}

Lo! the Spear Danes' glory through splendid achievements

The folk kings' former fame we have heard of,

How princes displayed then their prowess in battle.

{Scyld, their mighty king, in honor of whom they are often called

Scyldings. He is the great grandfather of Hrothgar, so prominent in the

poem.}

Oft Scyld the Scefing from scathers in numbers

5 From many a people their mead benches tore.

Since first he found him friendless and wretched,

The earl had had terror: comfort he got for it,

Waxed 'neath the welkin, world honor gained,

Till all his neighbors o'er sea were compelled to

10 Bow to his bidding and bring him their tribute:

An excellent atheling! After was borne him

{A son is born to him, who receives the name of Beowulf a name afterwards

made so famous by the hero of the poem.}

A son and heir, young in his dwelling,

Whom God Father sent to solace the people.

He had marked the misery malice had caused them,

15 [1]That reaved of their rulers they wretched had erstwhile[2]

Long been afflicted. The Lord, in requital,

Wielder of Glory, with world honor blessed him.

Famed was Beowulf, far spread the glory

Of Scyld's great son in the lands of the Danemen.

[2]

{The ideal Teutonic king lavishes gifts on his vassals.}

20 So the carle that is young, by kindnesses rendered

The friends of his father, with fees in abundance

Must be able to earn that when age approacheth

Eager companions aid him requitingly,

When war assaults him serve him as liegemen:

25 By praise worthy actions must honor be got

'Mong all of the races. At the hour that was fated

{Scyld dies at the hour appointed by Fate.}

Scyld then departed to the All Father's keeping

Warlike to wend him; away then they bare him

To the flood of the current, his fond loving comrades,

30 As himself he had bidden, while the friend of the Scyldings

Word sway wielded, and the well lovèd land prince

Long did rule them.[3] The ring stemmèd vessel,

Bark of the atheling, lay there at anchor,

Icy in glimmer and eager for sailing;

{By his own request, his body is laid on a vessel and wafted seaward.}

35 The belovèd leader laid they down there,

Giver of rings, on the breast of the vessel,

The famed by the mainmast. A many of jewels,

Of fretted embossings, from far lands brought over,

Was placed near at hand then; and heard I not ever

40 That a folk ever furnished a float more superbly

With weapons of warfare, weeds for the battle,

Bills and burnies; on his bosom sparkled

Many a jewel that with him must travel

On the flush of the flood afar on the current.

45 And favors no fewer they furnished him soothly,

Excellent folk gems, than others had given him

{He leaves Daneland on the breast of a bark.}

Who when first he was born outward did send him

Lone on the main, the merest of infants:

And a gold fashioned standard they stretched under heaven

[3] 50 High o'er his head, let the holm currents bear him,

Seaward consigned him: sad was their spirit,

Their mood very mournful. Men are not able

{No one knows whither the boat drifted.}

Soothly to tell us, they in halls who reside,[4]

Heroes under heaven, to what haven he hied.

[1] For the 'Þæt' of verse 15, Sievers suggests 'Þá' (= which). If

this be accepted, the sentence 'He had ... afflicted' will read: He

(i.e. God) had perceived the malice caused sorrow which they,

lordless, had formerly long endured.

[2] For 'aldor léase' (15) Gr. suggested 'aldor ceare': He perceived

their distress, that they formerly had suffered life sorrow a long

while.

[3] A very difficult passage. 'Áhte' (31) has no object. H. supplies

'geweald' from the context; and our translation is based upon this

assumption, though it is far from satisfactory. Kl. suggests

'lændagas' for 'lange': And the beloved land prince enjoyed (had) his

transitory days (i.e. lived). B. suggests a dislocation; but this is

a dangerous doctrine, pushed rather far by that eminent scholar.

[4] The reading of the H. So. text has been quite closely followed;

but some eminent scholars read 'séle rædenne' for 'sele rædende.' If

that be adopted, the passage will read: Men cannot tell us, indeed,

the order of Fate, etc. 'Sele rædende' has two things to support it:

(1) v. 1347; (2) it affords a parallel to 'men' in v. 50.

II. SCYLD'S SUCCESSORS. HROTHGAR'S GREAT MEAD HALL.

{Beowulf succeeds his father Scyld}

In the boroughs then Beowulf, bairn of the Scyldings,

Belovèd land prince, for long lasting season

Was famed mid the folk (his father departed,

The prince from his dwelling), till afterward sprang

5 Great minded Healfdene; the Danes in his lifetime

He graciously governed, grim mooded, agèd.

{Healfdene's birth.}

Four bairns of his body born in succession

Woke in the world, war troopers' leader

Heorogar, Hrothgar, and Halga the good;

10 Heard I that Elan was Ongentheow's consort,

{He has three sons one of them, Hrothgar and a daughter named Elan.

Hrothgar becomes a mighty king.}

The well beloved bedmate of the War Scylfing leader.

Then glory in battle to Hrothgar was given,

Waxing of war fame, that willingly kinsmen

Obeyed his bidding, till the boys grew to manhood,

15 A numerous band. It burned in his spirit

To urge his folk to found a great building,

A mead hall grander than men of the era

{He is eager to build a great hall in which he may feast his retainers}

Ever had heard of, and in it to share

With young and old all of the blessings

20 The Lord had allowed him, save life and retainers.

Then the work I find afar was assigned

[4] To many races in middle earth's regions,

To adorn the great folk hall. In due time it happened

Early 'mong men, that 'twas finished entirely,

25 The greatest of hall buildings; Heorot he named it

{The hall is completed, and is called Heort, or Heorot.}

Who wide reaching word sway wielded 'mong earlmen.

His promise he brake not, rings he lavished,

Treasure at banquet. Towered the hall up

High and horn crested, huge between antlers:

30 It battle waves bided, the blasting fire demon;

Ere long then from hottest hatred must sword wrath

Arise for a woman's husband and father.

Then the mighty war spirit[1] endured for a season,

{The Monster Grendel is madly envious of the Danemen's joy.}

Bore it bitterly, he who bided in darkness,

35 That light hearted laughter loud in the building

Greeted him daily; there was dulcet harp music,

Clear song of the singer. He said that was able