English Language, Linguistics and Literature. Selected Readings of Classical Writings for Linguistic Theory, Literature History, and Applications of the English Language

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English Language, Linguistics and Literature.

Fee Haase

To cite this version:

Fee Haase. English Language, Linguistics and Literature.: Selected Readings of Classical Writings

for Linguistic Theory, Literature History, and Applications of the English Language.. 2009. ffhprints￾00364943ff

English Language, Linguistics and Literature.

Selected Readings of Classical Writings for Linguistic Theory, Literature History, and

Applications of the English Language.

Ed. and Compiled by Fee-Alexandra Haase

1

Chapter 1. The Beginnings

1. 8th Century: Beowulf 3

2. 9th Century: The Seafarer 22

3. 10th Century: The Battle of Maldon 23

4. 11th Century: Wulfstan 28

5. 12th Century: Poema Morale 30

Chapter 2. High Middle Ages and Modernity

1. 13th Century: The Owl and the Nightingale 35

2. 14th Century: Sir Orfeo 60

3. 15th Century: The Wakefield Master 69

4. 16th Century: William Tyndale. The Gospell of S. Mathew 87

5. 16th Century: George Puttenham. The Arte of English Poesie 88

6. 17th Century: John Donne. Songs and Sonnets 204

Chapter 3. Late Modernity

1. 18th Century: Samuel Johnson: Preface to a Dictionary of the English Languages 218

2. 18th Century: Jonathan Swift. A Modest Proposal 228

3. 19th Century: Thomas Robert Malthus. An Essay on the Principle of Population 232

4. 19th Century: Walter Bagehot. The English Constitution 234

5. 19th Century: John Henry Newman. The Idea of a University 264

6. 19th Century: Edward Everett Hale. The South American Editor 276

7. 20th Century: Susan Glaspell. One of Those Impossible Americans 284

8. 20th Century: Bertrand Russell. On Denoting 290

9. Arnold Bennett. Literary Taste: How to Form It 299

Chapter 4. The History of English Literature

1. 19th Century: Henry A. Beers. Brief History of English and American Literature 239

2. 19th Century: Anne C. Lynch Botta. Handbook of Universal Literature

From the Best and Latest Authorities 540

3. 19th Century: Gilbert Keith Chesterton. The Victorian Age in Literature 789

4. 20th Century: Reuben Post Halleck. History of American Literature 829

5. 20th Century: William Dean Howells. American Literary Centers and American Literature in Exile 852

6. 20th Century: Murry, J. Middleton. Aspects of Literature 859

7. 20th Century: Louis Untermeyer. Modern British Poetry 927

8. 20th Century: Henry R. Plomer. A Short History of English Printing 932

Sources 1029

2

Chapter 1. The Beginnings

1. 8th Century: Beowulf

Beowulf

The Scyldings

Hwæt! We Gardena | in geardagum,

theodcyninga, | thrym gefrunon,

hu dha æthelingas | ellen fremedon.

Oft Scyld Scefing | sceathena threatum,

5

monegum mægthum, | meodosetla ofteah,

egsode eorlas. | Sydhdhan ærest weardh

feasceaft funden, | he thæs frofre gebad,

weox under wolcnum, | weordhmyndum thah,

odhthæt him æghwylc | thara ymbsittendra

10

ofer hronrade | hyran scolde,

gomban gyldan. | Thæt wæs god cyning!

Dhæm eafera wæs | æfter cenned,

geong in geardum, | thone god sende

folce to frofre; | fyrendhearfe ongeat

15

the hie ær drugon | aldorlease

lange hwile. | Him thæs liffrea,

wuldres wealdend, | woroldare forgeaf;

3

Beowulf wæs breme | (blæd wide sprang),

Scyldes eafera | Scedelandum in.

20

Swa sceal geong guma | gode gewyrcean,

fromum feohgiftum | on fæder bearme,

thæt hine on ylde | eft gewunigen

wilgesithas, | thonne wig cume,

leode gelæsten; | lofdædum sceal

25

in mægtha gehwære | man getheon.

Him dha Scyld gewat | to gescæphwile

felahror feran | on frean wære.

Hi hyne tha ætbæron | to brimes farodhe,

swæse gesithas, | swa he selfa bæd,

30

thenden wordum weold | wine Scyldinga;

leof landfruma | lange ahte.

Thær æt hydhe stod | hringedstefna,

isig ond utfus, | æthelinges fær.

Aledon tha | leofne theoden,

35

beaga bryttan, | on bearm scipes,

mærne be mæste. | Thær wæs madma fela

of feorwegum, | frætwa, gelæded;

ne hyrde ic cymlicor | ceol gegyrwan

hildewæpnum | ond headhowædum,

40

billum ond byrnum; | him on bearme læg

madma mænigo, | tha him mid scoldon

on flodes æht | feor gewitan.

Nalæs hi hine læssan | lacum teodan,

theodgestreonum, | thon tha dydon

45

the hine æt frumsceafte | fordh onsendon

ænne ofer ydhe | umborwesende.

Tha gyt hie him asetton | segen geldenne

heah ofer heafod, | leton holm beran,

geafon on garsecg; | him wæs geomor sefa,

50

murnende mod. | Men ne cunnon

secgan to sodhe, | selerædende,

hæledh under heofenum, | hwa thæm hlæste onfeng.

Dha wæs on burgum | Beowulf Scyldinga,

leof leodcyning, | longe thrage

55

folcum gefræge | (fæder ellor hwearf,

aldor of earde), | oththæt him eft onwoc

heah Healfdene; | heold thenden lifde,

gamol ond gudhreouw, | glæde Scyldingas.

Dhæm feower bearn | fordh gerimed

60

in worold wocun, | weoroda ræswan,

Heorogar ond Hrodhgar | ond Halga til;

hyrde ic thæt | wæs Onelan cwen,

Headhoscilfingas | healsgebedda.

Tha wæs Hrodhgare | heresped gyfen,

65

wiges weordhmynd, | thæt him his winemagas

georne hyrdon, | odhdh thæt seo geogodh geweox,

magodriht micel. | Him on mod bearn

thæt healreced | hatan wolde,

medoærn micel, | men gewyrcean

70

thonne yldo bearn | æfre gefrunon,

ond thær on innan | eall gedælan

geongum ond ealdum, | swylc him god sealde,

buton folcscare | ond feorum gumena.

Dha ic wide gefrægn | weorc gebannan

75

manigre mægthe | geond thisne middangeard,

folcstede frætwan. | Him on fyrste gelomp,

ædre mid yldum, | thæt hit weardh ealgearo,

healærna mæst; | scop him Heort naman

se the his wordes geweald | wide hæfde.

80

He beot ne aleh, | beagas dælde,

sinc æt symle. | Sele hlifade,

heah ond horngeap, | headhowylma bad,

ladhan liges; | ne wæs hit lenge tha gen

thæt se ecghete | athumsweorum

85

æfter wælnidhe | wæcnan scolde.

4

The Monster Grendel

Dha se ellengæst | earfodhlice

thrage getholode, | se the in thystrum bad,

thæt he dogora gehwam | dream gehyrde

hludne in healle; | thær wæs hearpan sweg,

90

swutol sang scopes. | Sægde se the cuthe

frumsceaft fira | feorran reccan,

cwædh thæt se ælmihtiga | eordhan worhte,

wlitebeorhtne wang, | swa wæter bebugedh,

gesette sigehrethig | sunnan ond monan

95

leoman to leohte | landbuendum

ond gefrætwade | foldan sceatas

leomum ond leafum, | lif eac gesceop

cynna gehwylcum | thara dhe cwice hwyrfath.

Swa dha drihtguman | dreamum lifdon

100

eadiglice, | odhdhæt an ongan

fyrene fremman | feond on helle.

Wæs se grimma gæst | Grendel haten,

mære mearcstapa, | se the moras heold,

fen ond fæsten; | fifelcynnes eard

105

wonsæli wer | weardode hwile,

sithdhan him scyppend | forscrifen hæfde

in Caines cynne. | Thone cwealm gewræc

ece drihten, | thæs the he Abel slog;

ne gefeah he thære fæhdhe, | ac he hine feor forwræc,

110

metod for thy mane, | mancynne fram.

Thanon untydras | ealle onwocon,

eotenas ond ylfe | ond orcneas,

swylce gigantas, | tha widh gode wunnon

lange thrage; | he him dhæs lean forgeald.

115

Gewat dha neosian, | sythdhan niht becom,

hean huses, | hu hit Hringdene

æfter beorthege | gebun hæfdon.

Fand tha dhær inne | æthelinga gedriht

swefan æfter symble; | sorge ne cudhon,

120

wonsceaft wera. | Wiht unhælo,

grim ond grædig, | gearo sona wæs,

reoc ond rethe, | ond on ræste genam

thritig thegna, | thanon eft gewat

hudhe hremig | to ham faran,

125

mid thære wælfylle | wica neosan.

Dha wæs on uhtan | mid ærdæge

Grendles gudhcræft | gumum undyrne;

tha wæs æfter wiste | wop up ahafen,

micel morgensweg. | Mære theoden,

130

ætheling ærgod, | unblidhe sæt,

tholode dhrydhswydh, | thegnsorge dreah,

sydhthan hie thæs ladhan | last sceawedon,

wergan gastes; | wæs thæt gewin to strang,

ladh ond longsum. | Næs hit lengra fyrst,

135

ac ymb ane niht | eft gefremede

mordhbeala mare | ond no mearn fore,

fæhdhe ond fyrene; | wæs to fæst on tham.

Tha wæs eadhfynde | the him elles hwær

gerumlicor | ræste sohte,

140

bed æfter burum, | dha him gebeacnod wæs,

gesægd sodhlice | sweotolan tacne

healdhegnes hete; | heold hyne sydhthan

fyr ond fæstor | se thæm feonde ætwand.

Swa rixode | ond widh rihte wan,

145

ana widh eallum, | odhthæt idel stod

husa selest. | Wæs seo hwil micel;

XII wintra tid | torn getholode

wine Scyldinga, | weana gehwelcne,

sidra sorga. | Fordham secgum weardh,

150

ylda bearnum, | undyrne cudh,

gyddum geomore, | thætte Grendel wan

hwile widh Hrothgar, | hetenidhas wæg,

fyrene ond fæhdhe | fela missera,

singale sæce, | sibbe ne wolde

5

155

widh manna hwone | mægenes Deniga,

feorhbealo feorran, | fea thingian,

ne thær nænig witena | wenan thorfte

beorhtre bote | to banan folmum,

ac se æglæca | ehtende wæs,

160

deorc deathscua, | duguthe ond geogothe,

seomade ond syrede, | sinnihte heold

mistige moras; | men ne cunnon

hwyder helrunan | hwyrftum scrithadh.

Swa fela fyrena | feond mancynnes,

165

atol angengea, | oft gefremede,

heardra hyndha. | Heorot eardode,

sincfage sel | sweartum nihtum;

no he thone gifstol | gretan moste,

mathdhum for metode, | ne his myne wisse.

170

Thæt wæs wræc micel | wine Scyldinga,

modes brecdha. | Monig oft gesæt

rice to rune; | ræd eahtedon

hwæt swidhferhdhum | selest wære

widh færgryrum | to gefremmanne.

175

Hwilum hie geheton | æt hærgtrafum

wigweorthunga, | wordum bædon

thæt him gastbona | geoce gefremede

widh theodthreaum. | Swylc wæs theaw hyra,

hæthenra hyht; | helle gemundon

180

in modsefan, | metod hie ne cuthon,

dæda demend, | ne wiston hie drihten god,

ne hie huru heofena helm | herian ne cuthon,

wuldres waldend. | Wa bidh thæm dhe sceal

thurh slidhne nidh | sawle bescufan

185

in fyres fæthm, | frofre ne wenan,

wihte gewendan; | wel bidh thæm the mot

æfter deadhdæge | drihten secean

ond to fæder fæthmum | freodho wilnian.

Swa dha mælceare | maga Healfdenes

190

singala seadh, | ne mihte snotor hæledh

wean onwendan; | wæs thæt gewin to swydh,

lath ond longsum, | the on dha leode becom,

nydwracu nithgrim, | nihtbealwa mæst.

thæt fram ham gefrægn | Higelaces thegn,

195

god mid Geatum, | Grendles dæda;

se wæs moncynnes | mægenes strengest

on thæm dæge | thysses lifes,

æthele ond eacen. | Het him ydhlidan

godne gegyrwan, | cwædh, he gudhcyning

200

ofer swanrade | secean wolde,

mærne theoden, | tha him wæs manna thearf.

dhone sidhfæt him | snotere ceorlas

lythwon logon, | theah he him leof wære;

hwetton higerofne, | hæl sceawedon.

205

Hæfde se goda | Geata leoda

cempan gecorone | thara the he cenoste

findan mihte; | XVna sum

sundwudu sohte; | secg wisade,

lagucræftig mon, | landgemyrcu.

210

Fyrst fordh gewat. | Flota wæs on ydhum,

bat under beorge. | Beornas gearwe

on stefn stigon; | streamas wundon,

sund widh sande; | secgas bæron

on bearm nacan | beorhte frætwe,

215

gudhsearo geatolic; | guman ut scufon,

weras on wilsidh, | wudu bundenne.

Gewat tha ofer wægholm, | winde gefysed,

flota famiheals | fugle gelicost,

odhthæt ymb antid | othres dogores

220

wundenstefna | gewaden hæfde

thæt dha lidhende | land gesawon,

brimclifu blican, | beorgas steape,

side sænæssas; | tha wæs sund liden,

eoletes æt ende. | Thanon up hradhe

225

6

Wedera leode | on wang stigon,

sæwudu sældon | (syrcan hrysedon,

gudhgewædo), | gode thancedon

thæs the him ythlade | eadhe wurdon.

Tha of wealle geseah | weard Scildinga,

230

se the holmclifu | healdan scolde,

beran ofer bolcan | beorhte randas,

fyrdsearu fuslicu; | hine fyrwyt bræc

modgehygdum, | hwæt tha men wæron.

Gewat him tha to warodhe | wicge ridan

235

thegn Hrodhgares, | thrymmum cwehte

mægenwudu mundum, | methelwordum frægn:

"Hwæt syndon ge | searohæbbendra,

byrnum werede, | the thus brontne ceol

ofer lagustræte | lædan cwomon,

240

hider ofer holmas? | . . . . . . . le wæs

endesæta, | ægwearde heold,

the on land Dena | ladhra nænig

mid scipherge | scedhthan ne meahte.

No her cudhlicor | cuman ongunnon

245

lindhæbbende; | ne ge leafnesword

gudhfremmendra | gearwe ne wisson,

maga gemedu. | Næfre ic maran geseah

eorla ofer eorthan | dhonne is eower sum,

secg on searwum; | nis thæt seldguma,

250

wæpnum geweordhad, | næfne him his wlite leoge,

ænlic ansyn. | Nu ic eower sceal

frumcyn witan, | ær ge fyr heonan,

leassceaweras, | on land Dena

furthur feran. | Nu ge feorbuend,

255

merelidhende, | minne gehyradh

anfealdne gethoht: | Ofost is selest

to gecydhanne | hwanan eowre cyme syndon."

Him se yldesta | ondswarode,

werodes wisa, | wordhord onleac:

260

"We synt gumcynnes | Geata leode

ond Higelaces | heordhgeneatas.

Wæs min fæder | folcum gecythed,

æthele ordfruma, | Ecgtheow haten.

Gebad wintra worn, | ær he on weg hwurfe,

265

gamol of geardum; | hine gearwe geman

witena welhwylc | wide geond eorthan.

We thurh holdne hige | hlaford thinne,

sunu Healfdenes, | secean cwomon,

leodgebyrgean; | wes thu us larena god.

270

Habbadh we to thæm mæran | micel ærende,

Deniga frean, | ne sceal thær dyrne sum

wesan, thæs ic wene. | Thu wast (gif hit is

swa we sothlice | secgan hyrdon)

thæt mid Scyldingum | sceadhona ic nat hwylc,

275

deogol dædhata, | deorcum nihtum

eawedh thurh egsan | uncudhne nidh,

hyndhu ond hrafyl. | Ic thæs Hrodhgar mæg

thurh rumne sefan | ræd gelæran,

hu he frod ond god | feond oferswydheth,

280

gyf him edwendan | æfre scolde

bealuwa bisigu, | bot eft cuman,

ond tha cearwylmas | colran wurdhath;

odhdhe a sythdhan | earfodhthrage,

threanyd tholadh, | thenden thær wunadh

285

on heahstede | husa selest."

Weard mathelode, | dhær on wicge sæt,

ombeht unforht: | "Æghwæthres sceal

scearp scyldwiga | gescad witan,

worda ond worca, | se the wel thencedh.

290

Ic thæt gehyre, | thæt this is hold weorod

frean Scyldinga. | Gewitath fordh beran

wæpen ond gewædu; | ic eow wisige.

Swylce ic maguthegnas | mine hate

widh feonda gehwone | flotan eowerne,

295

niwtyrwydne | nacan on sande

arum healdan, | othdhæt eft byredh

ofer lagustreamas | leofne mannan

wudu wundenhals | to Wedermearce,

godfremmendra | swylcum gifethe bidh

300

7

thæt thone hilderæs | hal gedigedh."

Gewiton him tha feran. | Flota stille bad,

seomode on sale | sidfæthmed scip,

on ancre fæst. | Eoforlic scionon

ofer hleorberan | gehroden golde,

305

fah ond fyrheard; | ferhwearde heold

guthmod grimmon. | Guman onetton,

sigon ætsomne, | oththæt hy sæl timbred,

geatolic ond goldfah, | ongyton mihton;

thæt wæs foremærost | foldbuendum

310

receda under roderum, | on thæm se rica bad;

lixte se leoma | ofer landa fela.

Him tha hildedeor | hof modigra

torht getæhte, | thæt hie him to mihton

gegnum gangan; | gudhbeorna sum

315

wicg gewende, | word æfter cwædh:

"Mæl is me to feran; | fæder alwalda

mid arstafum | eowic gehealde

sidha gesunde. | Ic to sæ wille

widh wradh werod | wearde healdan."

320

Stræt wæs stanfah, | stig wisode

gumum ætgædere. | Gudhbyrne scan

heard hondlocen, | hringiren scir

song in searwum, | tha hie to sele furdhum

in hyra gryregeatwum | gangan cwomon.

325

Setton sæmethe | side scyldas,

rondas regnhearde, | widh thæs recedes weal,

bugon tha to bence. | Byrnan hringdon,

gudhsearo gumena; | garas stodon,

sæmanna searo, | samod ætgædere,

330

æscholt ufan græg; | wæs se irenthreat

wæpnum gewurthad. | Tha dhær wlonc hæledh

oretmecgas | æfter æthelum frægn:

"Hwanon ferigeadh ge | fætte scyldas,

græge syrcan | ond grimhelmas,

335

heresceafta heap? | Ic eom Hrodhgares

ar ond ombiht. | Ne seah ic eltheodige

thus manige men | modiglicran.

Wen ic thæt ge for wlenco, | nalles for wræcsidhum,

ac for higethrymmum | Hrodhgar sohton."

340

Him tha ellenrof | andswarode,

wlanc Wedera leod, | word æfter spræc,

heard under helme: | "We synt Higelaces

beodgeneatas; | Beowulf is min nama.

Wille ic asecgan | sunu Healfdenes,

345

mærum theodne, | min ærende,

aldre thinum, | gif he us geunnan wile

thæt we hine swa godne | gretan moton."

Wulfgar mathelode | (thæt wæs Wendla leod;

wæs his modsefa | manegum gecydhed,

350

wig ond wisdom): | "Ic thæs wine Deniga,

frean Scildinga, | frinan wille,

beaga bryttan, | swa thu bena eart,

theoden mærne, | ymb thinne sidh,

ond the tha ondsware | ædre gecydhan

355

dhe me se goda | agifan thencedh."

Hwearf tha hrædlice | thær Hrodhgar sæt

eald ond anhar | mid his eorla gedriht;

eode ellenrof, | thæt he for eaxlum gestod

Deniga frean; | cuthe he dugudhe theaw.

360

Wulfgar madhelode | to his winedrihtne:

"Her syndon geferede, | feorran cumene

ofer geofenes begang | Geata leode;

thone yldestan | oretmecgas

Beowulf nemnadh. | Hy benan synt

365

thæt hie, theoden min, | widh the moton

wordum wrixlan. | No dhu him wearne geteoh

dhinra gegncwida, | glædman Hrodhgar.

Hy on wiggetawum | wyrdhe thinceadh

eorla geæhtlan; | huru se aldor deah,

370

se thæm headhorincum | hider wisade."

Hrodhgar mathelode, | helm Scyldinga:

"Ic hine cudhe | cnihtwesende.

8

Wæs his ealdfæder | Ecgtheo haten,

dhæm to ham forgeaf | Hrethel Geata

375

angan dohtor; | is his eafora nu

heard her cumen, | sohte holdne wine.

Dhonne sægdon thæt | sælithende,

tha dhe gifsceattas | Geata fyredon

thyder to thance, | thæt he XXXtiges

380

manna mægencræft | on his mundgripe

heathorof hæbbe. | Hine halig god

for arstafum | us onsende,

to Westdenum, | thæs ic wen hæbbe,

widh Grendles gryre. | Ic thæm godan sceal

385

for his modthræce | madmas beodan.

Beo dhu on ofeste, | hat in gan

seon sibbegedriht | samod ætgædere;

gesaga him eac wordum | thæt hie sint wilcuman

Deniga leodum." . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

390

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | word inne abead:

"Eow het secgan | sigedrihten min,

aldor Eastdena, | thæt he eower æthelu can,

ond ge him syndon | ofer sæwylmas

heardhicgende | hider wilcuman.

395

Nu ge moton gangan | in eowrum gudhgeatawum

under heregriman | Hrodhgar geseon;

lætadh hildebord | her onbidan,

wudu, wælsceaftas, | worda gethinges."

Aras tha se rica, | ymb hine rinc manig,

400

thrydhlic thegna heap; | sume thær bidon,

headhoreaf heoldon, | swa him se hearda bebead.

Snyredon ætsomne, | tha secg wisode,

under Heorotes hrof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

heard under helme, | thæt he on heodhe gestod.

405

Beowulf madhelode | (on him byrne scan,

searonet seowed | smithes orthancum):

"Wæs thu, Hrodhgar, hal! | Ic eom Higelaces

mæg ond magodhegn; | hæbbe ic mærdha fela

ongunnen on geogothe. | Me weardh Grendles thing

410

on minre etheltyrf | undyrne cudh;

secgadh sælidhend | thæt thæs sele stande,

reced selesta, | rinca gehwylcum

idel ond unnyt, | sidhdhan æfenleoht

under heofenes hador | beholen weorthedh.

415

Tha me thæt gelærdon | leode mine

tha selestan, | snotere ceorlas,

theoden Hrodhgar, | thæt ic the sohte,

forthan hie mægenes cræft | minne cuthon,

selfe ofersawon, | dha ic of searwum cwom,

420

fah from feondum, | thær ic fife geband,

ydhde eotena cyn | ond on ydhum slog

niceras nihtes, | nearothearfe dreah,

wræc Wedera nidh | (wean ahsodon),

forgrand gramum, | ond nu widh Grendel sceal,

425

widh tham aglæcan, | ana gehegan

dhing widh thyrse. | Ic the nu dha,

brego Beorhtdena, | biddan wille,

eodor Scyldinga, | anre bene,

thæt dhu me ne forwyrne, | wigendra hleo,

430

freowine folca, | nu ic thus feorran com,

thæt ic mote ana | ond minra eorla gedryht,

thes hearda heap, | Heorot fælsian.

Hæbbe ic eac geahsod | thæt se æglæca

for his wonhydum | wæpna ne reccedh.

435

Ic thæt thonne forhicge | (swa me Higelac sie,

min mondrihten, | modes blidhe),

thæt ic sweord bere | othdhe sidne scyld,

geolorand to guthe, | ac ic mid grape sceal

fon widh feonde | ond ymb feorh sacan,

440

ladh widh lathum; | dhær gelyfan sceal

dryhtnes dome | se the hine deadh nimedh.

Wen ic thæt he wille, | gif he wealdan mot,

in thæm gudhsele | Geotena leode

etan unforhte, | swa he oft dyde,

445

mægen Hredhmanna. | Na thu minne thearft

hafalan hydan, | ac he me habban wile

dreore fahne, | gif mec deadh nimedh.

9

Byredh blodig wæl, | byrgean thencedh,

etedh angenga | unmurnlice,

450

mearcadh morhopu; | no dhu ymb mines ne thearft

lices feorme | leng sorgian.

Onsend Higelace, | gif mec hild nime,

beaduscruda betst, | thæt mine breost weredh,

hrægla selest; | thæt is Hrædlan laf,

455

Welandes geweorc. | Gædh a wyrd swa hio scel."

Hrodhgar mathelode, | helm Scyldinga:

"For gewyrhtum thu, | wine min Beowulf,

ond for arstafum | usic sohtest.

Gesloh thin fæder | fæhdhe mæste;

460

wearth he Heatholafe | to handbonan

mid Wilfingum; | dha hine Wedera cyn

for herebrogan | habban ne mihte.

Thanon he gesohte | Sudhdena folc

ofer ydha gewealc, | Arscyldinga.

465

Dha ic furthum weold | folce Deniga

ond on geogodhe heold | ginne rice,

hordburh hæletha; | dha wæs Heregar dead,

min yldra mæg | unlifigende,

bearn Healfdenes; | se wæs betera dhonne ic.

470

Sidhdhan tha fæhdhe | feo thingode;

sende ic Wylfingum | ofer wæteres hrycg

ealde madmas; | he me athas swor.

Sorh is me to secganne | on sefan minum

gumena ængum | hwæt me Grendel hafadh

475

hyndho on Heorote | mid his hetethancum,

færnidha gefremed. | Is min fletwerod,

wigheap gewanod; | hie wyrd forsweop

on Grendles gryre. | God eathe mæg

thone dolsceadhan | dæda getwæfan.

480

Ful oft gebeotedon | beore druncne

ofer ealowæge | oretmecgas

thæt hie in beorsele | bidan woldon

Grendles guthe | mid gryrum ecga.

Dhonne wæs theos medoheal | on morgentid,

485

drihtsele dreorfah, | thonne dæg lixte,

eal bencthelu | blode bestymed,

heall heorudreore; | ahte ic holdra thy læs,

deorre dugudhe, | the tha deadh fornam.

Site nu to symle | ond onsæl meoto,

490

sigehredh secgum, | swa thin sefa hwette."

Tha wæs Geatmæcgum | geador ætsomne

on beorsele | benc gerymed;

thær swidhferhthe | sittan eodon,

thrydhum dealle. | Thegn nytte beheold,

495

se the on handa bær | hroden ealowæge,

scencte scir wered. | Scop hwilum sang

hador on Heorote. | Thær wæs hæledha dream,

dugudh unlytel | Dena ond Wedera.

Unferdh mathelode, | Ecglafes bearn,

500

the æt fotum sæt | frean Scyldinga,

onband beadurune | (wæs him Beowulfes sidh,

modges merefaran, | micel æfthunca,

forthon the he ne uthe | thæt ænig odher man

æfre mærdha thon ma | middangeardes

505

gehedde under heofenum | thonne he sylfa):

"Eart thu se Beowulf, | se the widh Brecan wunne,

on sidne sæ | ymb sund flite,

dhær git for wlence | wada cunnedon

ond for dolgilpe | on deop wæter

510

aldrum nethdon? | Ne inc ænig mon,

ne leof ne ladh, | belean mihte

sorhfullne sidh, | tha git on sund reon.

Thær git eagorstream | earmum thehton,

mæton merestræta, | mundum brugdon,

515

glidon ofer garsecg; | geofon ythum weol,

wintrys wylmum. | Git on wæteres æht

seofon niht swuncon; | he the æt sunde oferflat,

hæfde mare mægen. | Tha hine on morgentid

on Heathoræmas | holm up ætbær;

520

dhonon he gesohte | swæsne [edhel],

10

leof his leodum, | lond Brondinga,

freodhoburh fægere, | thær he folc ahte,

burh ond beagas. | Beot eal widh the

sunu Beanstanes | sodhe gelæste.

525

Dhonne wene ic to the | wyrsan gethingea,

dheah thu headhoræsa | gehwær dohte,

grimre gudhe, | gif thu Grendles dearst

nihtlongne fyrst | nean bidan."

Beowulf mathelode, | bearn Ecgtheowes:

530

"Hwæt! thu worn fela, | wine min Unferdh,

beore druncen | ymb Brecan spræce,

sægdest from his sidhe. | Sodh ic talige,

thæt ic merestrengo | maran ahte,

earfetho on ythum, | dhonne ænig other man.

535

Wit thæt gecwædon | cnihtwesende

ond gebeotedon | (wæron begen tha git

on geogodhfeore) | thæt wit on garsecg ut

aldrum nedhdon, | ond thæt geæfndon swa.

Hæfdon swurd nacod, | tha wit on sund reon,

540

heard on handa; | wit unc widh hronfixas

werian thohton. | No he wiht fram me

flodythum feor | fleotan meahte,

hrathor on holme; | no ic fram him wolde.

Dha wit ætsomne | on sæ wæron

545

fif nihta fyrst, | oththæt unc flod todraf,

wado weallende, | wedera cealdost,

nipende niht, | ond northanwind

headhogrim ondhwearf; | hreo wæron ytha.

Wæs merefixa | mod onhrered;

550

thær me widh ladhum | licsyrce min,

heard, hondlocen, | helpe gefremede,

beadohrægl broden | on breostum læg

golde gegyrwed. | Me to grunde teah

fah feondscadha, | fæste hæfde

555

grim on grape; | hwæthre me gyfethe weardh

thæt ic aglæcan | orde geræhte,

hildebille; | heathoræs fornam

mihtig meredeor | thurh mine hand.

Swa mec gelome | ladhgeteonan

560

threatedon thearle. | Ic him thenode

deoran sweorde, | swa hit gedefe wæs.

Næs hie dhære fylle | gefean hæfdon,

manfordædlan, | thæt hie me thegon,

symbel ymbsæton | sægrunde neah;

565

ac on mergenne | mecum wunde

be ydhlafe | uppe lægon,

sweordum aswefede, | thæt sydhthan na

ymb brontne ford | brimlidhende

lade ne letton. | Leoht eastan com,

570

beorht beacen godes; | brimu swathredon,

thæt ic sænæssas | geseon mihte,

windige weallas. | Wyrd oft neredh

unfægne eorl, | thonne his ellen deah.

Hwæthere me gesælde | thæt ic mid sweorde ofsloh

575

niceras nigene. | No ic on niht gefrægn

under heofones hwealf | heardran feohtan,

ne on egstreamum | earmran mannon;

hwathere ic fara feng | feore gedigde,

sithes werig. | Dha mec sæ othbær,

580

flod æfter farodhe | on Finna land,

wadu weallendu. | No ic wiht fram the

swylcra searonidha | secgan hyrde,

billa brogan. | Breca næfre git

æt headholace, | ne gehwæther incer,

585

swa deorlice | dæd gefremede

fagum sweordum | (no ic thæs fela gylpe),

theah dhu thinum brodhrum | to banan wurde,

heafodmægum; | thæs thu in helle scealt

werhdho dreogan, | theah thin wit duge.

590

Secge ic the to sodhe, | sunu Ecglafes,

thæt næfre Grendel swa fela | gryra gefremede,

atol æglæca, | ealdre thinum,

hyndho on Heorote, | gif thin hige wære,

sefa swa searogrim, | swa thu self talast.

595

11

Ac he hafadh onfunden | thæt he tha fæhdhe ne

thearf,

atole ecgthræce | eower leode

swidhe onsittan, | Sigescyldinga;

nymedh nydbade, | nænegum aradh

leode Deniga, | ac he lust wigedh,

600

swefedh ond sendeth, | secce ne weneth

to Gardenum. | Ac ic him Geata sceal

eafodh ond ellen | ungeara nu,

guthe gebeodan. | Gæth eft se the mot

to medo modig, | siththan morgenleoht

605

ofer ylda bearn | othres dogores,

sunne sweglwered | suthan scinedh."

Tha wæs on salum | sinces brytta,

gamolfeax ond gudhrof; | geoce gelyfde

brego Beorhtdena, | gehyrde on Beowulfe

610

folces hyrde | fæstrædne gethoht.

Dhær wæs hæletha hleahtor, | hlyn swynsode,

word wæron wynsume. | Eode Wealhtheow fordh,

cwen Hrodhgares, | cynna gemyndig,

grette goldhroden | guman on healle,

615

ond tha freolic wif | ful gesealde

ærest Eastdena | ethelwearde,

bæd hine blidhne | æt thære beorthege,

leodum leofne. | He on lust getheah

symbel ond seleful, | sigerof kyning.

620

Ymbeode tha | ides Helminga

duguthe ond geogothe | dæl æghwylcne,

sincfato sealde, | oththæt sæl alamp

thæt hio Beowulfe, | beaghroden cwen

mode gethungen, | medoful ætbær;

625

grette Geata leod, | gode thancode

wisfæst wordum | thæs dhe hire se willa gelamp

thæt heo on ænigne | eorl gelyfde

fyrena frofre. | He thæt ful getheah,

wælreow wiga, | æt Wealhtheon,

630

ond tha gyddode | guthe gefysed;

Beowulf mathelode, | bearn Ecgtheowes:

"Ic thæt hogode, | tha ic on holm gestah,

sæbat gesæt | mid minra secga gedriht,

thæt ic anunga | eowra leoda

635

willan geworhte | othdhe on wæl crunge,

feondgrapum fæst. | Ic gefremman sceal

eorlic ellen, | othdhe endedæg

on thisse meoduhealle | minne gebidan."

Dham wife tha word | wel licodon,

640

gilpcwide Geates; | eode goldhroden

freolicu folccwen | to hire frean sittan.

Tha wæs eft swa ær | inne on healle

thrydhword sprecen, | dheod on sælum,

sigefolca sweg, | oththæt semninga

645

sunu Healfdenes | secean wolde

æfenræste; | wiste thæm ahlæcan

to thæm heahsele | hilde gethinged,

sidhdhan hie sunnan leoht | geseon ne meahton,

othdhe nipende | niht ofer ealle,

650

scaduhelma gesceapu | scridhan cwoman,

wan under wolcnum. | Werod eall aras.

Gegrette tha | guma otherne,

Hrodhgar Beowulf, | ond him hæl abead,

winærnes geweald, | ond thæt word acwædh:

655

"Næfre ic ænegum men | ær alyfde,

sithdhan ic hond ond rond | hebban mihte,

dhrythærn Dena | buton the nu dha.

Hafa nu ond geheald | husa selest,

gemyne mærtho, | mægenellen cydh,

660

waca widh wrathum. | Ne bidh the wilna gad,

gif thu thæt ellenweorc | aldre gedigest."

Dha him Hrothgar gewat | mid his hæletha gedryht,

eodur Scyldinga, | ut of healle;

wolde wigfruma | Wealhtheo secan,

665

cwen to gebeddan. | Hæfde kyningwuldor

Grendle togeanes, | swa guman gefrungon,

seleweard aseted; | sundornytte beheold

ymb aldor Dena, | eotonweard abead.

12

Huru Geata leod | georne truwode

670

modgan mægnes, | metodes hyldo.

dha he him of dyde | isernbyrnan,

helm of hafelan, | sealde his hyrsted sweord,

irena cyst, | ombihtthegne,

ond gehealdan het | hildegeatwe.

675

Gespræc tha se goda | gylpworda sum,

Beowulf Geata, | ær he on bed stige:

"No ic me an herewæsmun | hnagran talige,

guthgeweorca, | thonne Grendel hine;

forthan ic hine sweorde | swebban nelle,

680

aldre beneotan, | theah ic eal mæge.

Nat he thara goda | thæt he me ongean slea,

rand geheawe, | theah dhe he rof sie

nithgeweorca; | ac wit on niht sculon

secge ofersittan, | gif he gesecean dear

685

wig ofer wæpen, | ond sithdhan witig god

on swa hwæthere hond, | halig dryhten,

mærdho deme, | swa him gemet thince."

Hylde hine tha heathodeor, | hleorbolster onfeng

eorles andwlitan, | ond hine ymb monig

690

snellic særinc | selereste gebeah.

Nænig heora thohte | thæt he thanon scolde

eft eardlufan | æfre gesecean,

folc othdhe freoburh, | thær he afeded wæs;

ac hie hæfdon gefrunen | thæt hie ær to fela micles

695

in thæm winsele | wældeadh fornam,

Denigea leode. | Ac him dryhten forgeaf

wigspeda gewiofu, | Wedera leodum,

frofor ond fultum, | thæt hie feond heora

dhurh anes cræft | ealle ofercomon,

700

selfes mihtum. | Sodh is gecythed

thæt mihtig god | manna cynnes

weold wideferhdh. | Com on wanre niht

scridhan sceadugenga. | Sceotend swæfon,

tha thæt hornreced | healdan scoldon,

705

ealle buton anum. | Thæt wæs yldum cuth

thæt hie ne moste, | tha metod nolde,

se scynscatha | under sceadu bregdan;

ac he wæccende | wrathum on andan

bad bolgenmod | beadwa gethinges.

710

Dha com of more | under misthleothum

Grendel gongan, | godes yrre bær;

mynte se manscadha | manna cynnes

sumne besyrwan | in sele tham hean.

Wod under wolcnum | to thæs the he winreced,

715

goldsele gumena, | gearwost wisse,

fættum fahne. | Ne wæs thæt forma sidh

thæt he Hrothgares | ham gesohte;

næfre he on aldordagum | ær ne sithdhan

heardran hæle, | healdhegnas fand.

720

Com tha to recede | rinc sidhian,

dreamum bedæled. | Duru sona onarn,

fyrbendum fæst, | sythdhan he hire folmum æthran;

onbræd tha bealohydig, | dha he gebolgen wæs,

recedes muthan. | Rathe æfter thon

725

on fagne flor | feond treddode,

eode yrremod; | him of eagum stod

ligge gelicost | leoht unfæger.

Geseah he in recede | rinca manige,

swefan sibbegedriht | samod ætgædere,

730

magorinca heap. | Tha his mod ahlog;

mynte thæt he gedælde, | ærthon dæg cwome,

atol aglæca, | anra gehwylces

lif widh lice, | tha him alumpen wæs

wistfylle wen. | Ne wæs thæt wyrd tha gen

735

thæt he ma moste | manna cynnes

dhicgean ofer tha niht. | Thrydhswydh beheold

mæg Higelaces, | hu se manscadha

under færgripum | gefaran wolde.

Ne thæt se aglæca | yldan thohte,

740

ac he gefeng hradhe | forman sidhe

slæpendne rinc, | slat unwearnum,

bat banlocan, | blod edrum dranc,

13

synsnædum swealh; | sona hæfde

unlyfigendes | eal gefeormod,

745

fet ond folma. | Fordh near ætstop,

nam tha mid handa | higethihtigne

rinc on ræste, | ræhte ongean

feond mid folme; | he onfeng hrathe

inwitthancum | ond widh earm gesæt.

750

Sona thæt onfunde | fyrena hyrde

thæt he ne mette | middangeardes,

eorthan sceata, | on elran men

mundgripe maran. | He on mode weardh

forht on ferhdhe; | no thy ær fram meahte.

755

Hyge wæs him hinfus, | wolde on heolster fleon,

secan deofla gedræg; | ne wæs his drohtodh thær

swylce he on ealderdagum | ær gemette.

Gemunde tha se goda, | mæg Higelaces,

æfenspræce, | uplang astod

760

ond him fæste widhfeng; | fingras burston.

Eoten wæs utweard; | eorl furthur stop.

Mynte se mæra, | thær he meahte swa,

widre gewindan | ond on weg thanon

fleon on fenhopu; | wiste his fingra geweald

765

on grames grapum. | Thæt wæs geocor sidh

thæt se hearmscatha | to Heorute ateah.

Dryhtsele dynede; | Denum eallum weardh,

ceasterbuendum, | cenra gehwylcum,

eorlum ealuscerwen. | Yrre wæron begen,

770

rethe renweardas. | Reced hlynsode.

Tha wæs wundor micel | thæt se winsele

widhhæfde heathodeorum, | thæt he on hrusan ne

feol,

fæger foldbold; | ac he thæs fæste wæs

innan ond utan | irenbendum

775

searothoncum besmithod. | Thær fram sylle abeag

medubenc monig, | mine gefræge,

golde geregnad, | thær tha graman wunnon.

Thæs ne wendon ær | witan Scyldinga

thæt hit a mid gemete | manna ænig,

780

betlic ond banfag, | tobrecan meahte,

listum tolucan, | nymthe liges fæthm

swulge on swathule. | Sweg up astag

niwe geneahhe; | Nordhdenum stod

atelic egesa, | anra gehwylcum

785

thara the of wealle | wop gehyrdon,

gryreleodh galan | godes ondsacan,

sigeleasne sang, | sar wanigean

helle hæfton. | Heold hine fæste

se the manna wæs | mægene strengest

790

on thæm dæge | thysses lifes.

Nolde eorla hleo | ænige thinga

thone cwealmcuman | cwicne forlætan,

ne his lifdagas | leoda ænigum

nytte tealde. | Thær genehost brægd

795

eorl Beowulfes | ealde lafe,

wolde freadrihtnes | feorh ealgian,

mæres theodnes, | dhær hie meahton swa.

Hie thæt ne wiston, | tha hie gewin drugon,

heardhicgende | hildemecgas,

800

ond on healfa gehwone | heawan thohton,

sawle secan, | thone synscadhan

ænig ofer eorthan | irenna cyst,

gudhbilla nan, | gretan nolde,

ac he sigewæpnum | forsworen hæfde,

805

ecga gehwylcre. | Scolde his aldorgedal

on dhæm dæge | thysses lifes

earmlic wurdhan, | ond se ellorgast

on feonda geweald | feor sidhian.

Dha thæt onfunde | se the fela æror

810

modes myrdhe | manna cynne,

fyrene gefremede | (he wæs fag widh god),

thæt him se lichoma | læstan nolde,

ac hine se modega | mæg Hygelaces

hæfde be honda; | wæs gehwæther odhrum

815

lifigende ladh. | Licsar gebad

atol æglæca; | him on eaxle weardh

14