Beowulf: Translations by Ruth P. M. Lehmann (1988)
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Click for a larger version (900 pixels high) Beowulf: An Imitative Translation. University of Texas Press, Austin, Texas, 1988. ISBN: 0-292-70771-1 (pbk.).
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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. }
Hygelac's kinsman, high-ranked by Geats,
gleaned by asking Grendel's doings.
Beowulf the brave was best, strongest
of mighty warriors at that moment then
of an honored life. He ordered a vessel,
best on breakers, said he was bound elsewhere
seeking the war-king over the swan's pathway,
since the renowned ruler had need of warriors.
Men with insight muttered little
at that enterprise, though they all loved him,
heartened their hero and heeded omens.
The chief had chosen choice fighting men
of those he found finest of the foremost Geats,
bravest of men. He brought to the seashore
fifteen fellows to fare in that vessel;
a skilful seaman described the coastline.
Time traveled on, the transport on the seaway,
the ship under sheer cliffs, shore swept with waves,
with winding currents. Willingly fighters
mounted the gangway; men carried in
to the hollow hold handsome armor,
well-made war-gear. Warriors started,
launched the vessel on its longed-for course.
Off across the ocean, urged by breezes,
foamy fore-stem flew like a bird,
till by the set season of the second day
the craft with curved prow had covered the distance,
and those sailing men saw land ahead,
shorecliffs shining, sheer escarpments,
wide seaheadlands; waters were traversed,
travel ended.  


[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 warriors' protector wished not at all
to release alive that life-destroyer.
nor count useful to country or people
one breath of his lifetime

Thereupon Beowulf's men
most eagerly drew heirlooms of steel
for the life of their lord; their illustrious prince
they meant to cover when they might do so.
The did not reckon on reaching the struggle,
those brave-minded battle-fighters,
aiming to assail him from every side
seeking his soul: no sword of war,
not any on earth of iron most splendid
could mar or touch that miscreant.
For he had bewitched by spells weapons of conquest,
every edged weapon. The end of his lifespan
was to be in misery in those diminishing days
of his earthly course and that alien
must travel far controlled by fiends.
Then he who often before with evil relish
had wrought ravage toward the race of man
- he was foe to God - found that his body
would not serve him more, but the sister's child.
Hygelac's nephew, high in spirit,
had his arm gripped fast; each while he lived
hated the other. Hot pain anguished
the shape of terror; on his shoulder spread
a great gash bursting, gaping sinews,
breaking the bone-case.


[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. }
He grasped the shoulder of Grendel's mother;
the War-Geats' leader worried none for struggle.
Battle-hardened, bursting with anger,
he forced toward the floor his foe, that deadly one.
She requited him well: quickly rushing
with her grievous grip she grasped the fighter.
The hero, disheartened, though hardiest on foot,
stumbled, falling, striking the ground.
She sat down on the guest, drew out her sheath-knife,
broad, burnished edge, let the blade avenge
her only offspring. All Beowulf's chest
bore the breast-links, a bulwark to survival
against barb and blade that balked wounding.
The heir of Ecgtheow would have ended his life
below the ample earth, but armored corslet,
hard-linked hauberk, helped the chieftain,
and the blessed Lord brought victory.
The high King of heaven, holy Ruler,
set out to save him, deciding justly
after the good leader gained his footing.

Then he saw a sword, a siege-proved falchion
of ancient ettins with edges tempered,
a guardsman's glory. Though a greater sword
than any other could ably bear,
it was the best of blades for battleplay,
featly fashioned, forged by giants.
The champion of Scyldings drew the chain-held sword
furiously and fiercely, freeing it for action.
Of life despairing, he launched a blow
catching her neck with a cruel stroke,
so the bonejoints broke, the blade passed quite through
the fore-doomed body, and she fell dying;
the blade was bloody; the brave one rejoiced.


[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. }
  The bitter hero
settled the score when he saw Grendel
lying lifeless on his lonely couch,
weary of warfare since wounded before
struggling in Heorot. Struck after death,
the corpse sprang open at the cut sustained,
a savage swordblow that severed 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. }
After those words that wyrm in waves of flame
loathsome, malicious, lurched forth again;
it hunted the hated human attackers.
Burned to the boss, the broad shield crumbled,
nor could hauberk help the hardy spearman,
but the young cousin, yare and daring,
covered by his king's shield cast his off bravely
for embers had eaten his own away.
But the king recalled combats and glory,
and struck with such strength that his stout broadsword,
forced by his fury, fixed in the headplate.
Beowulf's Nægling broke asunder.
That falchion proved faulty, failed him in battle,
a gray graven sword. He was not granted help
from that old heirloom with its iron blade.
His hand struck too hard, as I have heard men say,
too much it demanded at each mighty blow
from the blades he bore; they were blood-hardened,
but overstrained by his strokes; his strength was useless.
Then for a third attempt, thinking of vengeance,
the frightful fire-drake, foe of the people,
charged the champion when the chance arose.
Searing and savage, it seized all his throat
in its tearing teeth. A torrent of life-blood
welled from the warrior; its waves bloodied him.

I have heard recounted how, at his king's trouble,
the shieldwarrior next him showed his vigor,
his courage and keenness, that came by nature.
He did not heed the head, his hand was blistered
as he assisted his lord and slashed the dragon
deeper down beneath. Dense scales parted;
the thane in armor thrust his sword in,
blood-stained, embellished, and the blaze began
to subside and sink. Yet still, his senses aware,
the dazed king drew out the deadly knife
carried on his corslet, and cut the serpent
swiftly at its center. They slew the dragon,
courage overcoming the creature's spirit,
kindred nobles killed it together.
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