Grendel Attacks the Danes 1 and 2

1 A powerful monster, living down 2 In the darkness, growled in pain, impatient 3 As day after day the music rang 4 Loud in that hall, the harp’s rejoicing 5 Call and the poet’s clear songs, sung 6 Of the ancient beginnings of us all, recalling 7 The Almighty making the earth, shaping 8 These beautiful plains marked off by oceans, 9 Then proudly setting the sun and moon 10 To glow across the land and light it; 11 The corners of the earth were made lovely with trees 12 And leaves, made quick with life, with each 13 Of the nations who now move on its face. And then 14 As now warriors sang of their pleasure: 15 So Hrothgar’s men lived happily in his hall 16 Till the monster stirred, that demon, that fiend, 17 Grendel, who haunted the moors, the wild 18 Marshes, and made his home in a hell 19 Not hell but earth. He was spawned in that slime, 20 Conceived by a pair of those monsters born 21 Of Cain, murderous creatures banished 22 By God, punished forever for the crime 23 Of Abel’s death. The Almighty drove 24 Those demons out, and their exile was bitter, 25 Shut away from men; they split 26 Into a thousand forms of evil-spirits 27 And fiends, goblins, monsters, giants, 28 A brood forever opposing the Lord’s 29 Will, and again and again defeated. 30 Then, when darkness had dropped, Grendel 30 Went up to Herot, wondering what the warriors 31 Would do in that hall when their drinking was done 32 He found them sprawled in sleep, suspecting 33 Nothing, their dreams undisturbed. The monster’s 34 Thoughts were as quick as his greed or his claws: 35 He slipped through the door and there in the silence

36 Snatched up thirty men, smashed them 37 Unknowing in their beds and ran out with their bodies, 38 The blood dripping behind him, back 39 To his lair, delighted with his night’s slaughter. 40 At daybreak, with the sun’s first light, they saw 41 How well he had worked, and in that gray morning 42 Broke their long feast with tears and laments 43 For the dead. Hrothgar, their lord, sat joyless 44 In Herot, a mighty prince mourning 45 The fate of his lost friends and companions, 46 Knowing by its tracks that some demon had torn 47 His followers apart. He wept, fearing 48 The beginning might not be the end. And that night 49 Grendel came again, so set 50 On murder that no crime could ever be enough, 51 No savage assault quench his lust 52 For evil. Then each warrior tried 53 To escape him, searched for rest in different 54 Beds, as far from Herot as they could find, 55 Seeing how Grendel hunted when they slept. 56 Distance was safety; the only survivors 57 Were those who fled him. Hate had triumphed. 58 So Grendel ruled, fought with the righteous, 59 One against many, and won; so Herot 60 Stood empty, and stayed deserted for years, 61 Twelve winters of grief for Hrothgar, king 62 Of the Danes, sorrow heaped at his door 63 By hell-forged hands. His misery leaped 64 The seas, was told and sung in all 65 Men’s ears: how Grendel’s hatred began, 66 How the monster relished his savage war 67 On the Danes, keeping the bloody feud 68 Alive, seeking no peace, offering 69 No truce, accepting no settlement, no price 70 In gold or land, and paying the living 71 For one crime only with another. No one 72 Waited for reparation from his plundering claws: 73 That shadow of death hunted in the darkness, 74 Stalked Hrothgar’s warriors, old 75 And young, lying in waiting, hidden

76 In mist, invisibly following them from the edge 77 Of the marsh, always there, unseen. 78 So mankind’s enemy continued his crimes, 79 Killing as often as he could, coming 80 Alone, bloodthirsty and horrible. Though he lived 81 In Herot, when the night hid him, he never 82 Dared to touch King Hrothgar’s glorious 83 Throne, protected by God.

The Arrival of the Hero

3 1 So the living sorrow of Healfdane’s son 2 Simmered, bitter and fresh, and no wisdom 3 Or strength could break it: that agony hung 4 On king and people alike, harsh 5 And unending, violent and cruel, and evil.

6 In his far-off home Beowulf, Higlac’s 7 Follower and the strongest of the Geats— 8 greater 9 And stronger than anyone anywhere in this world— 10 Heard how Grendel filled nights with horror 11 And quickly commanded a boat fitted out, 12 Proclaiming that he’d go to that famous king, 13 Would sail across the sea to Hrothgar, 14 Now when help was needed. None 15 Of the wise ones regretted his going, much 16 As he was loved by the Geats: the omens were good, 17 And they urged the adventure on. So Beowulf 18 Chose the mightiest men he could find, 19 The bravest and best of the Geats, fourteen 20 In all, and led them down to their boat; 21 He knew the sea, would point the prow 22 Straight to that distant Danish shore.

Beowulf arrives in Denmark and is directed to Herot. The king sends his thane, Wulfgar, to greet the visitors.

23 Then Wulfgar, went to the door and addressed

24 The waiting seafarers with soldiers’ words 25 “My lord, the great king of the Danes 26 Commands me to tell you that having come to him from over the 27 Open sea, you have come bravely and are welcome. 28 Now go to him as you are, in your armor and helmets, 29 But leave your battle shields here and your spears. 30 Let them lie waiting for the promises your words may make.”

31 Beowulf arose, with his men 32 Around him, ordering a few to remain 33 With their weapons, leading the others quickly 34 Along under Herot’s steep roof into Hrothgar’s 35 Presence. Standing on that prince’s own hearth, 36 Helmeted, the silvery metal of his mail shirt 37 Gleaming with a smith’s high art, he greeted 38 The Danes’ great lord: 39 “Hail Hrothgar! 40 Higlac is my cousin and my king; the days 41 Of my youth have been filled with glory. Now Grendel’s 42 Name has echoed in our land: sailors 43 Have brought us stories of Herot, the best 44 Of all mead halls, deserted and useless when the moon 45 Hangs in skies the sun had lit, 46 Light and life fleeting together. 47 My people have said, the wisest, most knowing 48 And best of them, that my duty was to go to the Danes’ 49 Great king. They have seen my strength for themselves, 50 Have watched me rise from the darkness of war, 51 Dripping with my enemies’ blood. I drove 52 Five great giants into chains, chased 53 All of that race from the earth. I swam 54 In the blackness of night, hunting monsters 55 Out of the ocean, and killing them one 56 By one; death was my errand and the fate 57 They had earned. Now Grendel and I are called 58 Together, and I’ve come. Grant me, then, 59 Lord and protector of this noble place, 60 A single request! I have come so far, 61 Oh shelterer of warriors and your people’s loved friend, 62 That this one favor you should not refuse me –

63 That I, alone and with the help of my men, 64 May purge all evil from this hall. I have heard, 65 Too, that the monster’s scorn of men 66 Is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none. 67 Nor will I. My lord Higlac 68 Might think less of me if I let my sword 69 Go where my feet were afraid to, if I hid 70 Behind some broad linden shield: my hands 71 Alone shall fight for me, struggle for life 72 Against the monster. God must decide 73 Who will be given to death’s cold grip. 74 Grendel’s plan, I think, will be 75 What it has been before, to invade this hall 76 And gorge his belly with our bodies. If he can, 77 If he can. And I think, if my time will have come, 78 There’ll be nothing to mourn over, no corpse to prepare 79 For its grave: Grendel will carry our bloody 80 Flesh to the moors, crunch on our bones 81 And smear torn scraps of our skin on the walls 82 Of his den. No I expect no Danes 83 Will fret about sewing our shrouds, if he wins, 84 And if death does take me, send the hammered 85 Mail of my armor to Higlac, return 86 The inheritance I had from Hrethel, and he 87 From Wayland. Fate will unwind as it must!”

Unferth’s Challenge

4

1 Unferth spoke, Ecglaf’s son, 2 Who sat at Hrothgar’s feet, spoke harshly. 3 And sharp (vexed) by Beowulf’s adventure, 4 By their visitor’s courage, and angry that anyone 5 In Denmark or anywhere on earth had ever 6 Acquired glory and fame greater than his own. 7 “You’re Beowulf, are you the same 8 Boastful fool who fought a swimming 9 Match with Brecca, both of you daring 10 And young and proud, exploring the deepest

11 Seas risking your lives for no reason 12 But the danger? All older and wiser heads warned 13 You not to, but no one could check your pride. 14 With Brecca at your side you swam along 15 The sea paths, your swift moving hands pulling you 16 Over the ocean’s face. Then winter 17 Churned through the water, the waves ran you 18 As they willed and you struggled seven long nights 19 To survive. And at the end victory was his, 20 Not yours. 21 Your luck may change if you challenge Grendel, 22 Staying a whole night through in this hall, 23 Waiting where that fiercest of demons can find you.” 24 Beowulf answered Edgetho’s great son: 25 “Ah! Unferth, my friend, your face 26 Is hot with ale, and your tongue has tried 27 To tell us about Brecca’s doings, but the truth 28 Is simple: no man swims in the sea 29 As I can, no strength is a match for mine. 30 As boys, Brecca and I had boasted— 31 We were both too young to know better—that we’d risk 32 Our lives far out at sea, and so 33 We did. Each of us carried a naked 34 Sword, prepared for whales or the swift 35 Sharp teeth and beaks of needlefish. 36 He could never leave me behind, swim faster 37 Across the wave than I could, and I 38 Had chosen to remain close to his side. 39 I remained near him for five long nights, 40 Until a flood swept us apart: 41 The frozen sea surged around me, 42 It grew dark, the wind turned bitter, blowing 43 From the north, and the waves were savage. 44 Creatures who sleep deep in the sea were stirred 45 Into life—and the iron hammered links 46 Of my mail shirt, these shining bits of metal 47 Woven across my breast, saved me 48 From death. A monster seized me, drew me 49 Swiftly toward the bottom, swimming with its claws 50 Tight in my flesh. But fate let me

51 Find its heart with my sword, hack myself 52 Free I fought that beast’s last battle, 53 Left it floating lifeless in the sea. 54 Other monsters crowded around me 55 Continually attacking. I treated them politely 56 Offering the edge of my razor-sharp sword. 57 But the feast, I think, did not please them, filled 58 Their evil bellies with no banquet-rich food. 59 Thrashing there at the bottom of the sea 60 By morning they’d decided to sleep on the shore 61 Lying on their backs, their blood spilled out 62 On the sand. Afterwards, sailors could cross 63 That sea road and feel no fear; nothing 64 Would stop their passing. The God’s bright beacon 65 Appeared in the east, the water lay still, 66 And at least I could see the land, wind-swept 67 Cliff walls at the edge of the coast. Fate saves 68 The living when they drive away death by themselves. 69 Lucky or not, nine was the number 70 Of sea-huge monsters I killed. What man, 71 Anywhere under Heaven’s high arch has fought 72 In such darkness endured more misery or been 73 Harder pressed. Yet I survived, the sea smashed 74 The monster’s hot jaws, swam home from my journey. 75 The swift-flowing waters swept me along 76 And I landed on Finnish soil. I’ve heard 77 No tales of you, Unferth telling 78 Of such clashing terror, such contests in the night. 79 Brecca’s battles were never so bold. 80 Neither he nor you can match me and I mean 81 No boast, have announced no more than I know 82 To be true. And there’s more: you murdered your brothers. 83 Your own close kin. Words and bright wit 84 Won’t help your soul; you’ll suffer hell’s fires 85 Unferth, forever tormented. Ecglaf’s 86 Proud son, if your hands were as hard, your heart 87 As fierce as you think it, no fool would dare 88 To raid your hall, ruin Herot 89 And oppress its prince, as Grendel has done. 90 But he’s learned that terror is his alone

91 Discovered he can come for your people with no fear 92 Of reprisal: he’s found no fighting here. 93 But only food, only delight. 94 He murders as he like, with no mercy, gorges 95 And feasts on your flesh and expects no trouble. 96 No quarrel from the quiet Danes. Now 97 The Geats will show him courage, soon 98 He can test his strength in battle. And when the sun 99 Comes up again opening another 100 Bright day from the south, anyone in Denmark 101 May enter this hall: that evil will be gone!”

The Battle with Grendel

5 1 Out from the marsh, from the foot of misty 2 Hills and bogs, bearing God’s hatred, 3 Grendel came, hoping to kill 4 Anyone he could trap on this trip to high Herot. 5 He moved quickly through the cloudy night, 6 Up from his swampland, sliding silently 7 Toward that gold-shining hall. He had visited Hrothgar’s 8 Home before, knew the way— 9 But never, before nor after that night, 10 Found Herot defended so firmly, his reception 11 So harsh. He journeyed, forever joyless, 12 Straight to the door, then snapped it open, 13 Tore its iron fasteners with a touch 14 And rushed angrily over the threshold, 15 He strode quickly across the inlaid 16 Floor, snarling and fierce: his eyes 17 Gleamed in the darkness, burned with a gruesome 18 Light. Then he stopped, seeing the hall 19 Crowded with sleeping warriors, stuffed 20 With rows of young soldiers resting together, 21 And his heart laughed; he relished the sight, 22 Intended to tear the life from those bodies 23 By morning; the monster’s mind was hot 24 With the thought of food and the feasting his belly

25 Would soon know. But fate, that night, intended 26 Grendel to gnaw the broken bones 27 Of his last human supper. Human 28 Eyes were watching his evil steps, 29 Waiting to see his swift hard claws. 30 Grendel snatched at the first Geat 31 He came to, ripped him apart, cut 32 His body to bits with powerful jaws.

33 Drank the blood from his veins and bolted 34 Him down, hands and feet; death 35 And Grendel’s great teeth came together, 36 Snapping life shut. Then he stepped to another 37 Still body, clutched at Beowulf with his claws, 38 Grasped at a strong-hearted wakeful sleeper 39 And was instantly seized himself, claws 40 Bend back as Beowulf leaned up on one arm. 41 That shepherd of evil, guardian of crime, 42 Knew at once that nowhere on earth 43 Had he met a man whose hands were harder; 44 His mind was flooded with fear— but nothing 45 Could take his talons and himself from that tight 46 Hard grip. Grendel’s one thought was to run 47 From Beowulf, flee back to his marsh and hide there: 48 This was a different Herot than the hall he had emptied 49 But Higlac’s follower remembered his final 50 Boast and, standing erect, stopped 51 The monster’s flight, fastened those claws 52 In his fists till they cracked, clutched Grendel 53 Closer. The infamous killer fought 54 For his freedom, wanting no flesh but retreat, 55 Desiring nothing but escape; his claws 56 Had been caught, he was trapped. That trip to Herot 57 Was a miserable journey for the writhing monster! 58 The high hall rang, its roof boards swayed, 59 And Danes shook with terror. Down 60 The aisles the battle swept, angry 61 And wild. Herot trembled, wonderfully 62 Built to withstand the blows, the struggling 63 Great bodies beating at its beautiful walls;

64 Shaped and fastened with iron, inside 65 And out, artfully worked, the building 66 Stood firm. Its benches rattled, fell 67 To the floor, gold-covered boards grating 68 As Grendel and Beowulf battled across them. 69 Hrothgar’s wise men had fashioned Herot 70 To stand forever; only fire, 71 They had planned, could shatter what such skill had put 72 Together, swallow in hot flames such splendor 73 Of ivory and iron and wood. Suddenly 74 The sounds changed, the Danes started 75 In new terror, cowering in their beds as the terrible 76 Screams of the Almighty’s enemy sang 77 In the darkness, the horrible shrieks of pain 78 And defeat, the tears torn out of Grendel’s 79 Taut throat, hell’s captive caught in the arms of him who of all the

men on earth 80 Was the strongest. 81 That mighty protector of men 82 Meant to hold the monster till its life 83 Leaped out, knowing the fiend was no use 84 To anyone in Denmark. All of Beowulf’s 85 Band had jumped from their beds, ancestral 86 Swords raised and ready, determined 87 To protect their prince if they could. Their courage 88 Was great but all wasted: they could hack at Grendel 89 From every side, trying to open 90 A path for his evil soul, but their points 91 Could not scratch at his skin, for that sin-stained demon 92 Had bewitched all men’s weapons, laid spells 93 That blunted every mortal man’s blade. 94 And yet his time had come, his days 95 Were over, his death near; down 96 To hell he would go, swept groaning and helpless 97 To the waiting hands of still worse fiends. 98 Now he discovered—once the afflicter 99 Of men, tormentor of their days—what it meant 100 To feud with Almighty God: Grendel 101 Saw that his strength was deserting him, his claws 102 Bound fast, Higlac’s brave follower tearing at

103 His hands. The monster’s hatred rose higher, 104 But his power had gone. He twisted in pain, 105 And the bleeding sinews deep in his shoulder 106 Snapped, muscle and bone split 107 And broke. The battle was over, Beowulf 108 Had been granted new glory: Grendel escaped, 109 But wounded as he was could flee to his den, 110 His miserable hole at the bottom of the marsh, 111 Only to die, to wait for the end 112 Of all his days. And after that bloody 113 Combat the Danes laughed with delight. 114 He who had come to them from across the sea, 115 Bold and strong-minded, had driven affliction 116 Off, purged Herot clean. He was happy, 117 Now, with that night’s fierce work; the Danes 118 Had been served as he’d boasted he’d serve them; Beowulf, 119 A prince of the Geats, had killed Grendel, 120 Ended the grief, the sorrow, the suffering 121 Forced on Hrothgar’s helpless people 122 By a bloodthirsty fiend. No Dane doubted 123 The victory, for the proof, hanging high 124 From the rafters where Beowulf had hung it, was the monster’s 125 Arm, claw and shoulder and all. 126 And then, in the morning, crowds surrounded 127 Herot, warriors coming to that hall 128 From faraway lands, princes and leaders 129 Of men hurrying to behold the monster’s 130 Great staggering tracks. They gaped with no sense 131 Of sorrow, felt no regret for his suffering, 132 Went tracing his bloody footprints, his beaten 133 And lonely flight, to the edge of the lake 134 Where he’d dragged his corpselike way, doomed 135 And already weary of his vanishing life. 136 The water was bloody, steaming and boiling 137 In horrible pounding waves, heat 138 Sucked from his magic veins; but the swirling 139 Surf had covered his death, hidden 140 Deep in murky darkness his miserable 141 End, as hell opened to receive him. 142 Then old and young rejoiced, turned back

143 From that happy pilgrimage, mounted their hard-hooved 144 Horses, high-spirited stallions, and rode them 145 Slowly toward Herot again, retelling 146 Beowulf’s bravery as they jogged along. 147 And over and over they swore that nowhere 148 On earth or under the spreading sky 149 Or between the seas, neither south nor north, 150 Was there a warrior worthier to rule over men.

The Battle with Grendel’s Mother

6 1 They sank into sleep. The price of that evening’s 2 Rest was too high for the Dane who bought it 3 With his life, paying as others had paid 4 When Grendel inhabited Herot, the hall, 5 His till his crimes pulled him into hell. 6 And now it was known that a monster had died 7 But a monster still lived, and meant revenge. 8 She’d brooded on her loss, misery had brewed 9 In her heart, that female horror, Grendel’s 10 Mother, living in the murky cold lake 11 Assigned her since Cain had killed his only 12 Brother, slain his father’s son 13 With an angry sword. God drove him off, 14 Outlawed him to the dry and barren desert, 15 And branded him with a murderer’s mark. And he 16 bore a race of fiends accursed like their father; 17 So Grendel was drawn to Herot, an outcast 18 Come to meet the man who awaited him. 19 He’d snatched at Beowulf’s arm, but that prince 20 Remembered God’s grace and the strength He’d given him 21 And relied on the Lord for all the help, 22 The comfort and support he would need. He killed 23 The monster, as God had meant him to do, 24 Tore the fiend apart and forced him 25 To run as rapidly as he could toward death’s 26 Cold waiting hands. His mother’s sad heart, 27 And her greed, drove her from her den on the 28 Dangerous pathway of revenge.

29 So she reached Herot, 30 Where the Danes slept as though already dead; 31 Her visit ended their good fortune, reversed 32 The bright vane of their luck. No female, no matter 33 How fierce, could have come with a man’s strength, 34 Fought with the power and courage men fight with. . . 35 To save her life she moved still faster, 36 Took a single victim and fled from the hall, 37 Running to the moors, discovered, but her supper 38 Assured, sheltered in her dripping claws. 39 She’d taken Hrothgar’s closest friend, 40 The man he most loved of all men on earth; 41 She’d killed a glorious soldier, cut 42 A noble life short. No Geat could have stopped her: 43 Beowulf and his band had been given better 44 Beds; sleep had come to them in a different 45 Hall. Then all Herot burst into shouts: 46 She had carried off Grendel’s claw. Sorrow 47 Had returned to Denmark. They’d traded deaths, 48 Danes and monsters, and no one had won, both had lost! 49 Beowulf was sent for at once. 50 He’d ask the Danes’ great lord if all 51 Were at peace, if the night had passed quietly. 52 Hrothgar answered him, protector of his people: 53 “There’s no happiness to ask about! Anguish 54 has descended 55 On the Danes. Esher is dead, Ermlaf’s 56 Older brother and my own most trusted 57 Counselor and friend, my comrade, when we went 58 Into battle, who’d beaten back enemy swords, 59 Standing at my side. All my soldiers 60 Should be as he was, their hearts as brave 61 And as wise! Another wandering fiend 62 Has found him in Herot, murdered him, fled 63 With his corpse: he’ll be eaten, his flesh become 64 A horrible feast—and who knows where 65 The beast may be hiding, its belly stuffed full? 66 She’s taking revenge for your victory over Grendel, 67 For your strength, your mighty grip, and that monster’s 68 Death. For years he’d been preying on my people;

69 You came, he was dead in a single day, 70 And now there’s another one, a second hungry 71 Fiend, determined to avenge the first, 72 A monster willing and more than able 73 To bring us more sorrow—or so it must seem 74 To the many men mourning that noble 75 Treasure-giver, for all men were treated 76 Nobly by those hands now forever closed. 77 Our only help, 78 Again lies with you. Grendel’s mother 79 Is hidden in her terrible home, in a place 80 You’ve not seen. Seek it, if you dare! Save us, 81 Once more, and again twisted gold, 82 Heaped-up ancient treasure, will reward you 83 For the battle you win!” 84 Only Beowulf would risk 85 His life in that lake; Unferth was afraid, 86 Gave up that chance to work wonders, win glory 87 And a hero’s fame. But Beowulf and fear 88 Were strangers; he stood ready to dive into battle.

He pursues Grendel’s mother, carrying the sword, Hrunting, Unferth’s sword. Unferth offers it to Beowulf as a gesture of forgiveness for his insulting Beowulf. The king, his men, and the Geats follow the hero to the dreadful lair of Grendel’s mother. Beowulf dives in the lake wearing full armor.

89 He leaped into the lake, would not wait for anyone’s 90 Answer; the heaving water covered him 91 Over. For hours he sank through the waves; 92 At last he saw the mud of the bottom. 93 And all at once the greedy she-wolf 94 Who’d ruled those waters for half a hundred 95 Years discovered him, saw that a creature 96 From above had come to explore the bottom 97 Of her wet world. She welcomed him in her claws, 98 Clutched at him savagely but could not harm him, 99 Tried to work her fingers through the tight 100 Ring-woven mail on his breast, but tore 101 And scratched in vain. Then she carried him, armor 102 And sword in all, to her home; he struggled

103 To free his weapon, and failed. The fight 104 Brought other monsters swimming to see 105 Her catch, a host of sea beasts who beat at 106 His mail shirt, stabbing with tusks and teeth 107 As they followed along. Then he realized, suddenly, 108 That she’d brought him into someone’s battle-hall, 109 And there the water’s heat could not hurt him, 110 Nor anything in the lake attack him through 111 The building’s high-arching roof. A brilliant 112 Light burned all around him, the lake 113 Itself like a fiery flame. 114 Then he saw 115 The mighty water witch, and swung his sword, 116 His ring-marked blade, straight at her head; 117 The iron sang its fierce song, 118 Sang Beowulf’s strength. But her guest 119 Discovered that no sword could slice her evil 120 Skin, that Hrunting could not hurt her, was useless 121 Now when he needed it. They wrestled, she ripped 122 And tore and clawed at him, bit holes in his helmet, 123 And that too failed him; for the first time in years 124 Of being worn to war it would earn no glory; 125 It was the last time anyone would wear it. But Beowulf 126 Longed only for fame, leaped back 127 Into battle. He tossed his sword aside, 128 Angry; the steel-edged blade lay where 129 He’d dropped it. If weapons were useless he’d use 130 His hands, the strength in his fingers. So fame 131 Comes to the men whom mean to win it 132 And care about nothing else! He raised 133 His arms and seized her by the shoulder; anger 134 Doubled his strength, he threw her to the floor. 135 She fell, Grendel’s fierce mother, and the Geats’ 136 Proud prince was ready to leap on her. But she rose 137 At once and repaid him with her clutching claws, 138 Wildly tearing at him. He was weary, that best 139 And strongest of soldiers; his feet stumbled 140 And in an instant she had him down, held helpless. 141 Squatting with her weight on his stomach, she drew 142 A dagger, brown with dried blood, and prepared

143 To avenge her only son. But he was stretched 144 On his back, and her stabbing blade was blunted 145 By the woven mail shirt he wore on his chest. 146 The hammered links held; the point 147 Could not touch him. He’d have traveled to the bottom of 148 The earth, 149 Edgetho’s son, and died there, if that shining 150 Woven metal had not helped—and Holy 151 God, who sent him victory, gave judgment 152 For truth and right, Ruler of the Heavens, 153 Once Beowulf was back on his feet and fighting. 154 Then he saw, hanging on the wall, a heavy 155 Sword, hammered by giants, strong 156 And blessed with their magic, the best of all weapons 157 But so massive that no ordinary man could lift 158 Its carved and decorated length. He drew it 159 From its scabbard, broke the chain on its hilt, 160 And then, savage, now, angry 161 And desperate, lifted it high over his head 162 And struck with all the strength he had left, 163 Caught her in the neck and cut it through, 164 Broke bones and all. Her body fell 165 To the floor, lifeless, the sword was wet 166 With her blood, and Beowulf rejoiced at the sight. 167 The brilliant light shone, suddenly, 168 As though burning in that hall, and as bright as Heaven’s 169 Own candle, lit in the sky. He looked 170 At her home, then following along the wall 171 Went walking, his hands tight on the sword, 172 His heart still angry. He was hunting another 173 Dead monster, and took his weapon with him 174 For final revenge against Grendel’s vicious 175 Attacks, his nighttime raids, over 176 And over, coming to Herot when Hrothgar’s 177 Men slept, killing them in their beds, 178 Eating some on the spot, fifteen 179 Or more, and running to his loathsome moor 180 With another such sickening meal waiting 181 In his pouch. But Beowulf repaid him for those visits, 182 Found him lying dead in his corner,

183 Armless, exactly as that fierce fighter 184 Had sent him out from Herot, then struck off 185 His head with a single swift blow. The body 186 Jerked for the last time, then lay still. 187 The wise old warriors who surrounded Hrothgar, 188 Like him staring into the monster’s lake, 189 Saw the waves surging and blood 190 Spurting through. They spoke about Beowulf, 191 All the graybeards, whispered together 192 And said that hope was gone, that the hero 193 Had lost fame and his life at once, and would never 194 Return to the living, come back as triumphant 195 As he had left; almost all agreed that Grendel’s 196 Mighty mother, the she-wolf, had killed him. 197 The sun slid over past noon, went further 198 Down. The Danes gave up, left 199 The lake and went home, Hrothgar with them. 200 The Geats stayed, sat sadly, watching, 201 Imagining they saw their lord but not believing 202 They would ever see him again. 203 Then the sword 204 Melted, blood-soaked, dripping down 205 Like water, disappearing like ice when the world’s 206 Eternal Lord loosens invisible 207 Fetters and unwinds icicles and frost 208 As only He can, He who rules 209 Time and seasons, He who is truly 210 God. The monsters’ hall was full of 211 Rich treasures, but all that Beowulf took 212 Was Grendel’s head and the hilt of the giants’ 213 Jeweled sword; the rest of that ring-marked 214 Blade had dissolved in Grendel’s steaming 215 Blood, boiling even after his death. 216 And then the battle’s only survivor 217 Swam up and away from those silent corpses; 218 The water was calm and clean, the whole 219 Huge lake peaceful once the demons who’d lived in it 220 Were dead. 221 Then that noble protector of all seamen 222 Swam to land, rejoicing in the heavy

223 Burdens he was bringing with him. He 224 And all his glorious band of Geats 225 Thanked God that their leader had come back unharmed, 226 They left the lake together. The Geats 227 Carried Beowulf’s helmet, and his mail shirt. 228 Behind them the water slowly thickened 229 As the monsters’ blood came seeping up. 230 They walked quickly, happily, across 231 Roads all of them remembered, left 232 The lake and the cliffs alongside it, brave men 233 Staggering under the weight of Grendel’s skull, 234 Too heavy for fewer than four of them to handle— 235 Two on each side of the spear jammed through it— 236 Yet proud of their ugly load and determined 237 That the Danes, seated in Herot, should see it. 238 Soon, fourteen Geats arrived 239 At the hall, bold and warlike, and with Beowulf, 240 Their lord and leader, they walked on the mead hall 241 Green. Then the Geats’ brave prince entered 242 Herot, covered with glory for the daring 243 Battles he had fought; he sought Hrothgar 244 To salute him and show Grendel’s head. 245 He carried that terrible trophy by the hair, 246 Brought it straight to where the Danes sat, 247 Drinking, the queen among them. It was a weird 248 And wonderful sight, and the warriors stared.

The Battle with the Dragon 7

With Grendel’s mother destroyed, peace is restored to the Land of the Danes, and Beowulf, laden with Hrothgar’s gifts, returns to the land of his own people, the Geats. After his uncle dies, Beowulf becomes king of the Geats and rules in peace and prosperity for 50 years. One day, however, a fire-breathing dragon that has been guarding a treasure for hundreds of years is disturbed by a thief, who enters the treasure tower and steals a cup. The dragon begins terrorizing the Geats, and Beowulf, now an old man, takes on the challenge of fighting it. And Beowulf uttered his final boast: “I’ve never known fear, as a youth I fought

In endless battles. I am old, now, But I will fight again, seek fame still,

5 If the dragon hiding in his tower dares To face me. . . No one else could do What I mean to do, here, no man but me Could hope to defeat this monster. No one Could try. And this dragon’s treasure, his gold

10 And everything hidden in that tower, will be mine Or war will sweep me to a bitter death!” Then Beowulf rose, still brave, still strong, And with his shield at his side, and a mail shirt on his breast, Strode calmly, confidently, toward the tower, under

15 The rocky cliffs: no coward could have walked there! And then he who’d endured dozens of desperate Battles, who’d stood boldly while swords and shields Clashed, the best of kings, saw Huge stone arches and felt the heat

20 Of the dragon’s breath, flooding down Through the hidden entrance, too hot for anyone To stand, a streaming current of fire And smoke that blocked all passage. And the Geats’ Lord and leader, angry, lowered

25 His sword and roared out a battle cry, A call so loud and clear that it reached through The hoary rock, hung in the dragon’s Ear. The beast rose, angry, Knowing a man had come— and then nothing

30 But war could have followed. Its breath came first, A steaming cloud pouring from the stone, Then the earth itself shook. Beowulf Swung his shield into place, held it In front of him, facing the entrance. The dragon

35 Coiled and uncoiled, its heart urging it Into battle. Beowulf’s ancient sword Was waiting, unsheathed, his sharp and gleaming

Blade. The beast came closer; both of them Were ready, each set on slaughter. The Geats’

40 Great prince stood firm, unmoving, prepared Behind his high shield, waiting in his shining Armor. The monster came quickly toward him, Pouring out fire and smoke, hurrying To its fate. Flames beat at the iron

45 Shield, and for a time it held, protected Beowulf as he’d planned; then it began to melt, And for the first time in his life that famous prince Fought with fate against him, with glory Denied him. He knew it, but he raised his sword

50 And struck at the dragon’s scaly hide. The ancient blade broke, bit into The monster’s skin, drew blood, but cracked And failed him before it went deep enough, helped him Less than he needed. The dragon leaped

55 With pain, thrashed and beat at him, spouting Murderous flames, spreading them everywhere. And the Geats’ ring-giver did not boast of glorious Victories in other wars: his weapon Had failed him, deserted him, now when he needed it

60 Most, that excellent sword. Edgetho’s Famous son stared at death, Unwilling to leave this world, to exchange it For a dwelling in some distant place— a journey Into darkness that all men must make, as death

65 Ends their few brief hours on earth. Quickly, the dragon came at him, encouraged As Beowulf fell back; its breath flared, And he suffered, wrapped around in swirling Flames— a king, before, but now

70 A beaten warrior. None of his comrades Came to him, helped him, his brave and noble Followers; they ran for their lives, fled Deep in a wood. And only one of them Remained, stood there, miserable, remembering,

75 As a good man must, what kinship should mean. His name was Wiglaf, he was Wexstan’s son

And a good soldier; his family had been Swedish, Once. Watching Beowulf, he could see How his king was suffering, burning. Remembering

80 Everything his lord and cousin had given him, Armor and gold and the great estates Wexstan’s family enjoyed, Wiglaf’s Mind was made up, he raised his yellow Shield and drew his sword. . . .

85 And Wiglaf, his heart heavy, uttered The kind of words his comrades deserved: “I remember how we sat in the mead-hall, drinking And boasting of how brave we’d be when Beowulf Needed us, he who gave us these swords

90 And armor: all of us swore to repay him, When the time came, kindness for kindness With our lives, if he needed them. He allowed us to join him, Chose us from all his great army, thinking Our boasting words had some weight, believing

95 Our promises, trusting our swords. He took us For soldiers, for men. He meant to kill This monster himself, our mighty king, Fight this battle alone and unaided, As in the days when his strength and daring dazzled

100 Men’s eyes. But those days are over and gone And now our lord must lean on younger Arms. And we must go to him, while angry Flames burn at his flesh, help Our glorious king!

105 I swear that nothing He ever did deserved an end Like this, dying miserably and alone, Butchered by this savage beast: we swore That these swords and armor were each for us all!”

The Death of Beowulf

8

110 His mail shirt Could not help him, but before his hands dropped The blazing wood Wiglaf jumped Behind Beowulf’s shield; his own was burned To ashes. Then the famous old hero, remembering

115 Days of glory, lifted what was left Of Nagling, his ancient sword, and swung it With all his strength, smashed the gray Blade into the beast’s head. But then Nagling Broke to pieces, as iron always

120 Had in Beowulf’s hands. His arms Were too strong, the hardest blade could not help him, The most wonderfully worked. He carried them to war But fate had decreed that the Geats’ great king Would be no better for any weapon.

125 Then the monster charged again, vomiting Fire, wild with pain, rushed out Fierce and dreadful, its fear forgotten. Watching for its chance it drove its tusks Into Beowulf’s neck; he staggered, the blood

130 Came flooding forth, fell like rain. And then when Beowulf needed him most Wiglaf showed his courage, his strength And skill, and the boldness he was born with. Ignoring The dragon’s head, he helped his lord

135 By striking lower down. The sword Sank in; his hand was burned, but the shining Blade had done its work, the dragon’s Belching flames began to flicker And die away. And Beowulf drew

140 His battle-sharp dagger: the blood-stained old king Still knew what he was doing. Quickly, he cut The beast in half, slit it apart. It fell, their courage had killed it, two noble Cousins had joined in the dragon’s death.

145 But the triumph was the last Beowulf would ever earn, the end Of greatness and life together. . . His soul left his flesh, flew to glory.

Beowulf’s Funeral A huge heap of wood was ready,

150 Hung around with helmets, and battle Shields, and shining mail shirts, all As Beowulf had asked. The bearers brought Their beloved lord, their glorious king, And weeping laid him high on the wood.

155 Then the warriors began to kindle that greatest Of funeral fires; smoke rose Above the flames, black and thick, And while the wind blew and the fire Roared they wept, and Beowulf’s body

160 Crumbled and was gone. And twelve of the bravest Geats

Rode their horses around the tower, Telling their sorrow, telling stories Of their dead king and his greatness, his glory,

165 Praising him for heroic deeds, for a life As noble as his name. So should all men Raise up words for their lords, warm With love, when their shield and protector leaves His body behind, sends his soul

170 On high. And so Beowulf’s followers Rode, mourning their beloved leader, Crying that no better king had ever Lived, no prince so mild, no man So open to his people, so deserving of praise.