[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.
}
Beowulf was attending his lord, King Hygelac, when he heard a horrifying tale from across the sea. A savage monster named Grendel was ravaging the land of the Spear-Danes. Hrothgar, their king, could do nothing to stop him.
The creature lurked in swamps and fens. He came out at night to attack Heorot, Hrothgar's beautiful hall. Grendel would seize Hrothgar's bravest fighters and devour them. Not a single man of Hrothgar's mighty host dared challenge the fiend, for the warrior who tried would be carried off into the shadows and never seen again.
"I will defend King Hrothgar," Beowulf said. "I will drive this foul creature Grendel from Heorot Hall or die in the attempt."
Beowulf pulled on his shirt of chain mail. He placed his helmet on his head and buckled his sword around his waist. Together with fourteen of his bravest companions, he set sail.
The ship flew across the ocean like a seabird. The wind caressed her back. Seafoam covered her bow.
Soon the high cliffs of the Danish land came into view. Beowulf and his companions pulled their ship onto the beach.
[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.
}
Beowulf clutched the monster's wrist. "If you want this dinner, you'll have to fight for it."
Grendel writhed and twisted, trying to free himself. "Who are you? You cannot be mortal. Never have I encountered such strength in a human being. Tell me your name!"
"I am Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow," Beowulf answered, tightening his grip.
"Release my arm!"
"I will let go when you are dead."
Beowulf's companions joined the fight. They struck at Grendel with sword and ax, spear and dagger. But they made no wound, not even a scratch, for the scales covering Grendel's body were enchanted by witchcraft. No iron blade forged by human hands could pierce them.
"Leave him to me!" Beowulf cried. "We will share the fruits of victory, but the battle is mine."
Grendel felt himself weakening. "Let me go," he snarled. "I have treasures beyond imagining hidden in the marsh. They are yours, if you release me."
"I care nothing for your treasures," said Beowulf, feeling his strength increase. He tightened his hold.
"If you let me go, I will leave Heorot Hall tonight and never return."
"You will never return because you will be dead," Beowulf replied. "Fight if you wish to live, cowardly monster. But only one of us will see the sun rise."
"Then I will fight!" roared Grendel. He and Beowulf wrestled the length of Heorot Hall, overturning benches, ripping down tapestries, splintering the gilded furniture that was Hrothgar's pride. Making one last effort to break that mighty grip, Grendel threw himself against Beowulf with all his strength.
Beowulf held firm. Grendel's shoulder burst. The monster shrieked as his whole arm came away from his body. ---
[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.
}
