[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.
}
In his distant home a retainer of Higelac,
valued by the Geats, heard of Grendel's deeds;
he was deemed to be in the days of this life
the most mighty in manly strength
of all mankind; he commanded that a ship
be made ready to sail and said he would seek
across the sea the illustrious king
and warlike lord who had need of warriors;
though he was beloved by the lords of council
they were easily persuaded to consent to his venture
[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 shelter of nobles sought by any means
to prevent the escape of the deadly visitor;
he did not think that the days of his life
benefitted anyone. In loyalty to Beowulf
his men swiftly drew their ancestral swords,
wishing to defend so far as they might
the life of their prince and illustrious lord.
When his fearless men entered the fight
and slashed at the foe from every side,
fiercely seeking his soul's dwelling,
they were not aware that in this world
even the best of battle swords
were rendered harmless by the evil ravager
who by magic had made every edge
impotent against him. The appointed hour
of his last day here in this life
he would spend wretchedly, and the alien spirit
would journey far to the prison of the foe.
He had often done many lawless deeds,
afflicted in mind against mankind
- he was the Lord's enemy - but this time he learned
that his body cover gave no security,
against the heroic kinsman of Higelac
who held him in his grip. Each hated that the other
[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 prince of the Geats seized Grendel's mother
by the shoulder -he did not shrink from the feud-
and hardened in battle with bursting anger
he toppled the deadly doer of violence.
In turn promptly she paid him back
in her grim grasp gripping him fast;
wearily faltering the strongest of warriors
and fighting men was given a fall;
she sought to avenge her only son,
and bestriding her guest grasped her dagger
with sharpened edge. Upon his shoulder
the links of mail guarded his life
by withstanding the passage of point or edge;
if the battlemail of his byrnie
had not saved him the son of Ecgtheow,
the champion of the Geats would have gone in death
into the broad ground -but when he got up,
God of Wisdom, Guider of the firmament,
the Holy Ruler gave righteous sentence
and easily provided victory for him.
He saw a monstrous and mighty sword;
its ancient blade blessed with victory;
the honor of warriors excelled among weapons
except that this goodly work of giants
was too heavy for any other human
to carry with him into combat.
The bold and daring champion of the Danes
then seized the hilt and drew the sword;
in fury he struck with final desperation;
grimly the blade gashed her neck,
broke the wall of bone and bit right through
the doomed coat of flesh; she crumpled to the floor
- the weapon was bloody, the man pleased with his work.
[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.
}
