Beowulf: Translations by Clara Linklater Thomson (1904)
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The Adventures of Beowulf: Translated From The Old English And Adapted To The Use Of Schools. Horace Marshall and Son, London, 1904. ISBN: none.
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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.
}
--- One of his thanes, named Beowulf, who was also his nephew, was a most famous man in that nation; renowned among all men for his might, noble and powerful. He in his home heard tell of the deeds of Grendel, and gave orders that a good ship should be prepared for him; saying, that since Hrothgar had need of strong men, he would sail across the water to visit him. And when his friends knew of his intention, they were far from dissuading him from it, although he was dear to them; but, on the contrary, they encouraged his enterprise and wished him well.
So he chose out fourteen of the boldest men that he could find, among the them a wise old mariner, learned in ocean craft, to go with him on the journey; and the time passed by till the boat lay ready at anchor beneath the cliff, where the streams dashed the foam against the sand. Then, carrying on board excellent armour and many a bright ornament, the eager men pushed off amidst the spray; and the boat, driven by a fair wind, sped like a bird across the waves.
The voyage was not a long one, and about the same time next day the seafarers saw land in the distance; steep cliffs and broad promontories gleaming in the sun. Then they knew that their journey was at an end; ---
[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.
}
--- In no wise would the hero allow him to escape unhurt, for he knew that his life was of no avail to any man.
Then Beowulf's men, thinking to protect their lord, drew out their ancient swords, for these brave comrades did not know that the best steel on earth was powerless to pierce the hide of the enemy. But the giant, who had formerly committed so many crimes with a mirthful mind, found that his covering would not avail him now that the valorous nephew of Hygelac had him fast in his hands; and as he struggled his sinews burst apart, and his arm was wrenched from its socket.
[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.
}
Then, reckless of danger, he seized Grendel's mother by the shoulder. Swelling with rage, he flung his deadly enemy to the ground. It was but a moment before she caught at him again, paying him for that onslaught with fierce grasp, and clutched wildly at him. Suddenly, wearied at heart, the warrior stumbled and fell. Swiftly did she sit upon her foe, drawing her dagger, broad and brown -edged, to avange her son. But on his bosom lay the woven corselet; it shielded well his life and withstood the entrance of point and edge. Then indeed would the champion of the Geats have gone under the sea floor had not his battle byrnie, his strong corselet, been his help, and mighty God, the all-wise Lord, directed the victory and decided it aright.
Afterwards he easily got up again, and saw among the armour that was heaped on the floor of the dwelling a victorious sword, made by huge men of old, of powerful edge, a glory of warriors. Most choice of weapons was it, but greater than any other man could bear to the battle play, good and glorious, the work of giants. He seized the sword hilt; rough and grim in battle, he drew the adorned blade; despairing of life, he struck out fiercely, till the hard weapon smote her neck, and broke the bone rings. The weapon's point advanced through her death-doomed body till she fell lifeless to the ground. The blade was gory, and the warrior rejoiced in his deed.
[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.
}
--- But he had already paid him the reward for this. Grendel was dead, and he now saw him lying lifeless, worn out with the strife and the fate that had met him at Heorot. So now nothing was left but to smite off his head with the giant's sword; the body rebounded from the hard blow of Beowulf's weapon.
[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.
}
No sooner were the words spoken than the furious dragon, flecked with smoke and flame, came out again against his foe. Swiftly was Wiglaf's wooden shield burned up in the glow, but the young warrior fought under the shield of his kinsman, and failed not in valorious deed, although his buckler was all consumed.
Then once more Beowulf summoned his strength; mindful of glory he struck out with his war bill, and drove it into the head of the foe; with that blow the sword broke, so that it was no further use to him. Mad with the wound, the dragon rushed at him for the third time, grasping his neck till he was almost choked and his life blood bubbled forth in streams.
But men say that in that hour of peril the good thane showed forth his might, his strength and cunning; and though his hand was scorched in the fire, he smote the monster lower down, so that his sword dived in its middle, and the flame and the smoke began to grow less. And as it abated the king made a desperate rally; he seized the short dagger that he war in his girdle and cut the worm in twain. Thus they had together felled the fiend and brought about his end.
