[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.
}
[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's defence would on no account
The bringer of woes let go alive,
Nor his life-days to any people
Did he count useful. There brandished many
An Earl of Bewoulf his good old sword;
His dear lord's life he would defend,
His noble chief's whereso they might;
They knew not indeed, when they risked the contest,
[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.
}
Seized then by the shoulder (cared she not for the contest)
The War-Geats' prince Grendel's mother,
Threw then battle-brave, for he was enraged,
The life-destroyer, that she on the floor fell.
She him again quickly the hand-grip repaid
With her fierce claws, and seized him fast:
Then stumbled the weary one, strongest of warriors,
The fighter-on-foot, so that he fell.
She sat on the hall-guest and drew her short sword,
Broad and brown-edged, he son would avenge,
Her only child. On his shoulder lay
The twisted breast-net: that his life saved,
Against the point and edge entrance withstood.
Then had he perished, Ecgtheow's son,
'Neath the broad bottom, the chief of the Geats,
Had not the war-burnie lent help to him,
The hard battle-net, and had not holy God
Directed the victory, the all-knowing Lord;
The Ruler of heaven adjudged it aright;
Easily afterwards he again rose.
'Mongst the armor he saw then a victory-blessed weapon.
Old sword of the eotons strong in its edges,
Honor of warriors: that was choicest of weapons,
But it was greater than any man else
To the war-play was able to bear,
Good and ornate, the hand-work of giants.
He seized the chained hilt, the Scyldings' champions,
Raging and battle-fierce, the ringéd sword brandished,
[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.
}
--- he paid him for that,
The warrior fierce, as he in rest saw
Weary of war Grendel there lying
Of life deprived, as him before injured
The combat at Heorot. His body sprang far,
When he after death suffered the blow,
The strong sword-stroke, that struck off his head.
[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.
}
--- With flame-billows burned
The shield to the rim: the burnie might not
To the young spear-warrior assistance afford.
But the young hero 'neath the shield of his kinsman
With courage went, when his own was
Destroyed by flames. Then still the war-king
Was mindful of fame, of his mighty strength,
Struck with his war-bill, that it stood in the head
Forcibly driven: broke in two Nægling,
Failed in battle Beowulf's sword,
Old and grey-etched. 'Twas not granted to him,
That him of the sword the edges were able
To help in the battle: that hand was too strong,
Which any of swords, by my hearsay,
With its stroke tested, when to battle he bore
The sharp-wounding weapon: 't was not for him better.
Then was the folk-foe for the third time,
The bold fire-dragon, mindful of feuds,
Rushed on the strong one, since space him allowed,
Hot and war-fierce, clasped around all the neck
With his sharp bones: he was all bloodied
With the life-blood: gore welled in waves.
Then I heard say in the folk-king's need
The earl displayed unceasing bravery,
Strength and valor, as was natural to him:
He cared not for his head, but the hand burned
Of the brave man, where he helped with his strength,
So that the fell demon he struck somewhat lower,
The hero in armor, that the sword sank in,
Shining and gold-plated, that the fire began
After to lessen. Then still the king
His senses possessed, struck with his war-knife.
Cutting and battle-sharp, which he bore on his burnie:
