[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.
}
From his home a thane of Hygelac
Learned of Grendel's deeds.
Powerful among the Geats,
Strongest all the days he lived,
Princely and great. He had a ship
Well fitted out, quoth he would seek
The famous prince, the warrior king
Across the sea, and needed men.
Small blame to him from prudent friends
Though him they loved;
Encouraged, Valour looked for Luck.
This leader from the Geatish land
Picked the keenest he could find--
Some fifteen men the vessel sought,
The sea-skilled swordsman knew the coast.
First forth they went. Afloat on waves
The boat lay under cliffs. Eager braves
Stepped on the prow, currents churned
With sand the Sound. On the ship's beam brightly shone
[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 earl would not by any means
Allow the fiend escape alive.
Nor count his life of use in any land.
All Beowulf's warriors drew their swords
And would defend their brave lord's life
As best they might. They did not know
When they joined battle, loyal followers,
And thought to hew in half the murderer,
The choicest iron on earth
Could not affect the evil-doer.
But victory's weapon-- every sword--
Beowulf had foresworn, should his rich share
Of this life's days run low,
And he an outcast spirit far
In the realms of demons go.
Then found the savage, who had once
Rejoiced his mind in cruelty to men
And fought with God, he could not win.
But Hygelac's valiant kinsman had him by the hand,
[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.
}
[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.
}
[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.
}
On hated men, fire blazed--
Flame burnt the shield round;
No cover the young spearman's armour gave,
But brave he dodged beneath his kinsman's shield
When fire destroyed his own.
Then mindful of glory yet, the famous king
Struck with battle-sword a blow so strong
That forced into the head it stood--
Naegling broke.
Beowulf's sword failed in the fight.
Grey and old, no iron might him in combat aid,
His hand so strong that every sword
His swing did overtax I heard,
When he took the wound-hard blade to war
No whit better, he.
Then a third time was the enemy
The fierce fire-dragon. minded for the fray.
Rushed on the brave when he gave room,
Close seized his throat with piercing bane
The fearful stream, the life blood, ran.
Then I make known throughout the folk-king's need
The skill and courage of a noble earl
(As by inheritance he was)
Thus he heeded not the head but burnt his hand,
Courageous man, where he helped his comrade;
In nether parts he struck the evil thing--
Knight in armour-- that that sword sank in--
Shining and plated-- that that fire began
Thenceforth to wane. Then the king, himself again,
