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Beowulf: A Verse Translation with Treasures of the Ancient North. University of California Press and Pentangle Press, Los Angeles, 1983. ISBN: 0-520-04599-8 ...this is not the same as her 1990 book with Raymond Oliver and Randolph Swearer; the same translation is reprinted in Beowulf Chapter 3 in "Narrative Fiction: An Introduction and Anthology," edited by Kelley Griffith, and published by Harcourt Brace Publishers, New York, in 1994. [ISBN: 0-15-500155-8]
Buy this book at:
Amazon.comChapters/IndigoWHSmith(UK) There are also Beowulf books available at www.chegg.com/search/beowulf/
[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.
}
But Grendel's deeds were told to a Geat
in his far homeland, to Hygelac's thane.
He was the mightiest man in the world
in those long ago days of this fleeting life,
and noble of purpose. He ordered prepared
a goodly ship, and said he would go
over the swan's road to seek out Hrothgar,
knowing that prince had need of men.
His wise friends did not find fault
with him for that daring, though he was dear to them;
indeed, they encouraged him, casting lots
for his coming venture, and the valiant fighter
chose from among the Geatish champions
the bravest he could find. Then Beowulf went forth
as one of fifteen, a sea-crafty warrior
who showed them, by landmarks, the way to his ship.
The moments passed; the men waited.
When the vessel was well afloat the waves
they clambered aboard beside the cliff
where the currents whirled, carrying treasures
into that hold, handsome weapons
and splendid armor. Then they cast off
on a willing journey in their ship of wood.
Thrust by wind over billowing waves,
it flew through the foam as free as a bird,
and sailed so far by the following day
that sailors perched in that twisted prow
could make out the shining shapes of land:
bright seacliffs, broad headlands,
then sharp rocky crags. They had crossed the ocean;
[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.
}
For nothing in the world did Beowulf want
to let that killer escape alive,
nor did he consider that Grendel had served
any useful purpose! A daring youth
from the band of warriors came slashing about
with his ancient sword; he wanted to save
the life, if he could, of his noble leader.
And others joined him, just as brave,
but unaware when they drew their weapons --
intending to hew Grendel down between them,
to get at his life -- that none of the greatest
iron blades over all the earth,
not any sword at all, could ever touch him;
he had cast a spell on all cutting edges,
making them harmless. Yet his departure,
in those long ago days, from this fleeting life,
would be grippingly painful, and that grim spirit
would be forced to descend to the fires of the damned.
[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 by the shoulder Beowulf seized
Grendel's mother -- the Geat was now
furious, and had few qualms about fighting --
and swung her, hard, so she smashed to the floor!
Promptly she paid him back for that pass,
closing upon him with a clammy embrace,
and, weary, that strongest of warriors stumbled;
catching his foot, he went crashing down.
She straddled her hall-guest and drew her sax,
a gleaming knife; she wanted to get
vengeance for her child. But on his chest
lay the woven sark; that saved his life
with iron rings that blunted both point and blade.
Edgetheow's son would have ended his days
there under the pool, the prince would have perished,
[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.
}
