Beowulf: Translations by Howell D. Chickering Jr. (1977)
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Click for a larger version (900 pixels high) Beowulf: A Dual-Language Edition - Translated With An Introduction And Commentary By Howell D. Chickering Jr. Anchor Books (Doubleday), New York, 1977. ISBN: 0-385-06213-3 .
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[lines 194-224a in section III and 8th line from the bottom of folio 134r to 4th line from the bottom of folio 134v on Kevin S. Kiernan's Electronic Beowulf CD] Images of the original manuscript text of this section, and an mp3 file of Ben Slade reading it in Old English, are here.

    {Beowulf hears about Grendel and decides to travel from his home in Geatland (southern Sweden) to Heorot (in northeast Denmark) to see if he can help out. }
Far off in his homeland Hygalac's thane,   Þæt fram hám gefrægn Higeláces þegn,
good man of the Geats, heard about Grendel; 195 gód mid Géatum, Grendles dæda;
he was the strongest of all living men   sé wæs mon-cynnes mægenes strengest
at that time in this world,   on þæm dæge þysses lífes,
noble and huge. He ordered made ready   æþele ond éacen. Hét him ýð-lidan
a good wave-rider, announced he would seek   gódne gegyrwan; cwæð,hé gúð-cyning
the warrior king, famous ruler, 200 ofer swan-ráde sécean wolde,
across the swan's riding, since he needed men.   mærne þéoden, þá him wæs manna þearf.
Against that journey all sensible men   Ðone síð-fæt him snotere ceorlas
said not a word, though he was dear to them,   lýt-hwón lógon þéah hé him léof wære;
but encouraged such heart, observed the omens.   hwetton hige-rófne, hæl scéawedon.
The mighty man had carefully chosen 205 Hæfde se góda Géata léoda
from tribes of the Geats champions, battlers,   cempan gecorone þára þe hé cénoste
the best he could find, the acknowledged brave.   findan mihte; fíf-týna sum
A group of fifteen he led to his ship;   sund-wudu sóhte secg wísade
the sea-skilled man marched down to the shore.   lagu-cræftig mon land-gemyrcu.
Time passed quickly. They made all secure. 210 Fyrst forð gewát; flota wæs on ýðum,
Then the ship was floating beneath the cliffs.   bát under beorge. Beornas gearwe
Armored warriors climbed the prow;   on stefn stigon; stréamas wundon
the sea-currents eddied; they carried up weapons,   sund wiðsande; secgas bæron
stored them amidships, all the bright ornaments,   on bearm nacan beorhte frætwe
stately battle-dress. Then the men shoved off, 215 gúð-searo geatolíc; guman út scufon
on a willing journey in their well-braced ship.   weras on wil-síð wudu bundenne.
Across open seas, blown by the wind,   Gewát þá ofer wæg-holm winde gefýsed
the foamy-necked ship went like a bird,   flota fámí-heals, fugle gelícost,
till in good time, the second day out,   oðþæt ymb án-tíd, óþres dógores,
the curved prow-carving had gone so far 220 wunden-stefna gewaden hæfde,
that the seafaring men sighted land   þæt ðá líðende land geséwon,
silvery sea-cliffs, high rocky shores,   brim-clifu blícan, beorgas stéape,
broad headlands. The deep sea was crossed,   síde sæ-næssas; þá wæs sund liden,
their journey at an end.     éoletes æt ende.  


[lines 791-819a in section XII and 8th line from the top of folio 147r to 13th line from the top of folio 147v on Kevin S. Kiernan's Electronic Beowulf CD] Images of the original manuscript text of this section, and an mp3 file of Ben Slade reading it in Old English, are here.

    {At this moment Beowulf and Grendel are fighting and Grendel is howling and screaming and wishing to escape but Beowulf has grabbed Grendel's arm and is using his incredible hand-strength to hold on to him. }
The protector of nobles had no desire   Nolde eorla hléo ænige þinga
to let the killer-guest walk away free,   þone cwealm-cuman cwicne forlætan,
nor thought his life could do the least service   né his líf-dagas léoda ænigum
to any nation. Beowulf's warriors   nytte tealde. Þær genehost brægd
all drew their swords, time-tested heirlooms, 795 eorl Béowulfes ealde láfe,
wanted to defend the life of their comrade,   wolde fréa-drihtnes feorh ealgian,
their famous chief, however they could.   mæres þéodnes, ðær híe meahton swá.
But they did not know, as they entered the fight,   Híe þæt ne wiston, þá híe gewin drugon,
hard-minded men, battle-warriors,   heard-hicgende hilde-mecgas
meaning to swing from every side, 800 ond on healfa gehwone héawan þóhton,
to cut out his soul, that keen battle-edges,   sáwle sécan: þone syn-scaðan
best iron in the world, sharpest blade,   ænig ofer oerþan írenna cyst,
could not harm him, the evil demon,   gúð-billa nán grétan nolde,
not touch him at all - he had bespelled   ac hé sige-wæpnum forsworen hæfde,
all weapons of battle. His leave-taking, 805 ecga gehwylcre. Scolde his aldor-gedál
his life's parting from the days of this world   on ðæm dæge þysses lífes
was to be painful; the alien spirit   earmlíc wurðan ond se ellor-gást
was to journey far in the power of fiends.   on féonda geweald feor síðian.
Then he discovered, who earlier had brought   Ðá þæt onfunde sé þe fela æror
trouble of heart to the race of men 810 módes myrðe manna cynne,
by his many crimes - at feud with God -   fyrene gefremede - he fág wið God -
that his body casing would not keep life:   þæt him se líc-homa læstan nolde
that Hygelac's kinsman, the bold-hearted man,   ac hine se módega mæg Hygeláces
had him in hand. It was hateful to each   hæfde be honda; wæs gehwæþer óðrum
that the other lived. The terrible creature 815 lifigende láð, Líc-sár gebád
took a body wound there; a gaping tear   atol æglæca; him on eaxle wearð
opened at his shoulder; tendons popped,   syn-dolh sweotol; seonowe onsprungon,
muscle slipped the bone.
  burston bán-locan.


[lines 1537-1569 in sections XXII and XXIII and 5th line from the bottom of folio 163v, through folio 164r to 4th line from the top of folio 164v on Kevin S. Kiernan's Electronic Beowulf CD] Images of the original manuscript text of this section, and an mp3 file of Ben Slade reading it in Old English, are here. Note: there is a discussion of the word eaxle in line 1537a on my page on Shoulder Grabbing vs. Hair Pulling

    {At this moment Beowulf has just failed to hurt Grendel's mother with the sword Hrunting and he tries to wrestle her as he had done with Grendel. }
Then he seized her shoulder - welcomed that feud -   Geféng þá be eaxle - nalas for fæhðe mearn -
the man of the War-Geats against Grendel's mother,   Gúð-Géata léod Grendles módor;
combat-hardened, now that he was battle furious,   brægd þá beadwe heard, þá hé gebolgen wæs,
threw his opponent so she fell to the ground. 1540 feorh-geníðlan, þæt héo on flet gebéah.
Up again quickly, she gave him hand-payment   Héo him eft hraþe hand-léan forgeald
with a terrible crush, again grabbed him tight.   grimman grápum, ond him togéanes féng;
Then that strongest man of champions afoot   oferwearp þá wérig-mód wigena strengest,
stumbled wearily so he fell to the ground.   féþe-cempa, þæt hé on fylle wearð.
She sat on her hall-guest and drew her broad knife, 1545 Ofsæt þá þone sele-gyst ond hyre seax getéah,
a sharp weapon, to buy back her son,   brád, brún-ecg; wolde hire bearn wrecan,
her only kinsman. Across his chest   ángan eaferan. Him on eaxle læg
lay the iron net; it saved his life   bréost-net bróden; þæt gebearh féore,
as she hacked and stabbed, would give her no entry.   wið ord ond wið ecge ingang forstód.
The warrior Geat might have perished then, 1550 Hæfde ðá forsíðod sunu Ecgþéowes
Ecgtheow's son, somewhere under the earth,   under gynne grund, Géata cempa,
had not his war-shirt given good help,   nemne him heaðo-byrne helpe gefremede,
hard ring-netting, and holy God   here-net hearde, ond hálig God
controlled the fight, the mighty Lord,   gewéold wíg-sigor; wítig Drihten,
Ruler of skies, decided it rightly, 1555 rodera Rædend, hit on ryht gescéd
easily, once he stood up again.   yðelíce, syþðan hé eft ástód.





Then he saw among the armor a victory-bright blade   Geseah ðá on searwum sige-éadig bil,
made by the giants, an uncracking edge,   eald sweord eotenisc ecgum þýhtig,
an honor for its bearer, the best of weapons,   wigena weorð-mynd; þæt [wæs] wæpna cyst,
but longer and heavier than any other man 1560 búton hit wæs máre ðonne ænig mon óðer
could ever have carried in the play of war-strokes,   tó beadu-láce ætberan meahte,
ornamented, burnished, from Weland's smithy.   gód ond geatolíc, gíganta geweorc.
The bold Scylding drew it from its magic scabbard,   Hé geféng þá fetel-hilt, freca Scyldinga,
savage in battle-lust, despairing of life,   hréoh ond heoro-grim, hring-mæl gebrægd
angrily raised the shearer of life-threads, 1565 aldres orwéna, yrringa slóh
swung hard on her throat, broke through the spine,   þæt hire wið halse heard grápode
halved the doomed body; she toppled to the ground;   bán-hringas bræc; bil eal ðurhwód
the sword was blood-wet, the man rejoiced.   fægne flæsc-homan; héo on flet gecrong,
      sweord wæs swátig, secg seorce gefeh.


[lines 1584b-1590 in section XXIII and 7th line from the bottom of folio 164v to first half of the last line of folio 164v on Kevin S. Kiernan's Electronic Beowulf CD] Images of the original manuscript text of this section, and an mp3 file of Ben Slade reading it in Old English, are here.

    {At this moment Beowulf has just discovered Grendel's lifeless body lying in the cave. }
  A full reward    
for such sinful crimes the fierce champion     He him þæs lean forgeald,
paid him back, for there he saw 1585 reþe cempa, to ðæs þe he on ræste geseah
Grendel lying battle-weary,   guð-werigne Grendel licgan,
armless, lifeless from the hurt he'd received   aldor-leasne, swa him ær gescod
in the fight at Heorot. The corpse sprang open   hild æt Heorote. Hra wide sprong,
as he cut deep into it after death,   syþðan he æfter deaðe drepe þrowade,
a firm-handed battle-stroke and chopped off his head. 1590 heoro-sweng heardne, ond hine þa heafde becearf.


[lines 2672b-2708a in sections XXXVI and XXXVII and 8th line from the bottom of folio 189A197r, through folio 189A197v to 3rd line from the top of folio 189r on Kevin S. Kiernan's Electronic Beowulf CD] Images of the original manuscript text of this section, and an mp3 file of Ben Slade reading it in Old English, are here.

    {At this moment, Wiglaf has just run into the flames to be by Beowulf's side and the dragon has charged at them both, incinerating Wiglaf's shield. }
  The fire came in waves,     Lïg ÿðum för,
the shield burned to the boss. Mail-shirt offered   born bord wiö rond; byrne ne meahte
the untried warrior no protection   geongum gär-wigan gëoce gefremman;
but the young man bravely went in 2675 ac se maga geonga under his mæges scyld
to his kinsman's shield, showed quick courage   elne geëode, þä his ägen [wæs]
when his own [was] destroyed by the fiery breath.   glëdum forgrunden. Þä gën güð-cyning
Then the war-king recalled [his past glories]   m[ærða] gemunde, mægen-strengo slöh
with huge strength swung his blade so hard   hilde-bille, þæt hyt on heafolan stöd
that it caught in the head; Nægling snapped, 2680 nïþe genÿded; Nægling forbærst,
Beowulf's sword shattered in battle,   geswäc æt sæcce sweord Bïowulfes,
old and gleaming. It was not his fate   gomol ond græg-mæl. Him þæt gifeðe ne wæs,
that edges of iron might help him in combat.   þæt him ïrenna ecge mihton
That hand was too strong, as I have heard   helpan æt hilde; wæs sïo hond tö strong
that broke in its swing every weapon, 2685 së ðe mëca gehwane, mïne gefræge,
wound-hardened sword, that he carried to battle;   swenge ofersöhte, þonne hë tö sæcce bær
he was no better off for all his strength.   wæpen wundum heard; næs him wihte ðë sël.
Then the land-burner, vicious fire-dragon,   Þä wæs þëod-sceaða þriddan sïðe,
made a third rush at those brave men,   frëcne fÿr-draca fæhða gemyndig,
found his chance, pouring hot flames, 2690 ræsde on ðone röfan, þä him rüm ägeald;
caught and pierced him right through the neck   hät ond heaðo-grim, heals ealne ymbefëng
with his sharp fangs; all bloodied he was,   biteran bänum; hë geblödegod wearð
dark life-blood; it flowed out in waves.   säwul-drïore; swät ÿðum wëoll.





Then as I [have heard], at the great king's need  

Ðä ic æt þearfe [gefrægn]

 þëod-cyninges
the upright prince showed courage beside him, 2695 andlongne eorl ellen cÿðan,
strength and daring, as was his nature.   cræft ond cënðu, swä him gecynde wæs.
He did not mind the head: the brave man's hand   Ne hëdde hë þæs heafolan, ac sïo hand gebarn
was burned to a crisp when he helped his kinsman -   mödiges mannes, þær hë his mæges healp
a warrior in armor, Wiglaf struck   þæt hë þone nïð-gæst nïoðor hwëne slöh,
that strange opponent a little lower down, 2700 secg on searwum, þæt ðæt sweord gedëaf
so that the sword plunged in, bright with ornaments,   fäh ond fæted, þæt ðæt fÿr ongon
and afterward the fire began to die out.   sweðrian syððan. Þä gën sylf cyning
The king could still manage, was not yet faint;   gewëold his gewitte, wæll-seaxe gebræd,
and drew his belt-knife, sharpened by battle   biter ond beadu-scearp, þæt hë on byrnan wæg;
which he word on his mail-shirt; the protector of the Weders      
finished the dragon with a stroke down the belly. 2705 forwrät Wedra helm wyrm on middan.
They had killed their foe - courage took his life -   Fëond gefyldan - ferh ellen wræc -
both of the nobles, kinsmen together,   ond hï hyne þä bëgen äbroten hæfdon,
had destroyed the dragon.     sib-æðelingas.  
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