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Beowulf: A Translation and Commentary. Bucknell University Press, London, 1990. ISBN: 0-8387-5162-8.
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[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.
}
Rumors of Grendel's deeds reached Higelac's thane,
great among the Geats, in his homeland.
In his strength he dwarfed all other men
alive on the Earth in those days,
and was great-spirited. He commanded a ship
be rigged for travel, said he would seek
the war king over swan-tracked waves,
that great lord who had need of men.
Wise counselors did not dissuade him
from the expedition, though they held him dear:
they urged him on, studying the portents.
That great one of the Geat tribe
chose swordsmen of the keenest temper
he might obtain; one of fifteen,
he sought his ship, learned in sea-things,
he led the way to land's end.
Time hastened, the ship rode the waves,
the boat beneath sea-cliffs. Men in their eagerness
stepped over the gunnels; the surf was heavy,
thundered against the sand. They stowed
bright heirlooms, gold-adorned war-gear
in the ship's hold, then shoved out,
those men on the wished-for journey, their trim ship.
[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.
}
[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.
}
The man of the Geats seized Grendel's mother
by the shoulder -- he didn't regret the struggle --;
swollen with rage, the war-hardened one
threw his life-foe so she fell to the floor.
She wasted no time in repaying the favor
with hard hand-locks, clutching him to her.
Overcome by weariness, the strongest of warriors
stumbled on his feet and fell.
She straddled the hall-guest, and unsheathed her thick
and shimmering dagger; she would avenge her son,
her only offspring. On his breast lay
the braided mail; it guarded his life,
prevented the entry of edge or point.
The son of Ecgtheow, champion of the Geats,
would have journeyed to his doom under the wide earth
had not his battle armor protected him,
his hard war-mesh -- and holy God
saw to his victory; all-knowing Lord,
Heaven's Monarch, easily brought about
the just outcome, so he again stood.
He saw among the equipage, the victory-annointed blade,
[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 back in kind,
the merciless champion, when he saw Grendel
himself asleep, exhausted by slaughter,
lifeless from the wounds dealt him before
in combat at Heorot. The body jerked
under the sharp blow, the brutal war-stroke
it suffered after death, then he severed its 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.
}
...Surging fire consumed
the shield to its rim, the corselet could not
perform its office for the young warrior;
nonetheless, the youth in his courage took refuge
under his kinsman's shield, when his own
was swallowed in flame. A remembrance of glory
stirred the war-king, vast in his strength,
he struck with his blade, so it shivered against
the monster's skull: Naegling splintered,
Beowulf's ancient, grey-hued sword
failed in combat. It was not fated
the iron blade could assist him
in battle. That hand was too strong,
as I have heard, it shattered every blade
he bore into combat, overtaxing wound-
quenched metal; it profited him not.
For the third time, the cruel fire-drake,
the scourge of nations, was ready to strike --
billowing with flame, it rushed them
at the first chance; sharp fangs
dug at his neck, drew blood,
living substance welled from the wound.
Then, as I have heard, at his sovereign's need,
the warrior revealed his native courage,
the strength and spirit he held as birthright.
He did not aim at its head, yet fire singed off
the valiant's hand when he helped his kinsman,
and he struck the dragon lower down,
the man in his armor, burying the sword
hilt-deep so that afterwards the fire
began to sink. Then the king himself
acted quickly, drew forth the sleek dagger,
blood-quenched and bitter, he carried at his belt;
