List of Words and Phrases not in General Use xviii
The Life and Death of Scyld (I.) 1
Scyld's Successors
} (II.) 3
Hrothgar's Great Mead-Hall
Grendel, the Murderer (III.) 5
Beowulf Goes to Hrothgar's Assistance (IV.) 8
The Geats Reach Heorot (V.) 10
Beowulf Introduces Himself at the Palace (VI.) 12
Hrothgar and Beowulf (VII.) 14
Hrothgar and Beowulf (continued) (VIII.) 17
Unferth Taunts Beowulf (IX.) 19
Beowulf Silences Unferth
} (X.) 21
Glee is High
All Sleep save One (XI.) 24
Grendel and Beowulf (XII.) 26
Grendel is Vanquished (XIII.) 28
Rejoicing of the Danes (XIV.) 30
Hrothgar's Gratitude (XV.) 33
Hrothgar Lavishes Gifts upon his Deliverer (XVI.) 35
Banquet (continued)
} (XVII.) 37
The Scop's Song of Finn and Hnæf
The Finn Episode (continued)
} (XVIII.) 39
The Banquet Continues
Beowulf Receives Further Honor (XIX.) 41
The Mother of Grendel (XX.) 44
Hrothgar's Account of the Monsters (XXI.) 46
Beowulf Seeks Grendel's Mother (XXII.) 48
Beowulf's Fight with Grendel's Mother (XXIII.) 51
Beowulf is Double-Conqueror (XXIV.) 53
[vi] Beowulf Brings his Trophies
} (XXV.) 57
Hrothgar's Gratitude
Hrothgar Moralizes
} (XXVI.) 60
Rest after Labor
Sorrow at Parting (XXVII.) 62
The Homeward Journey
} (XXVIII.) 64
The Two Queens
Beowulf and Higelac (XXIX.) 67
Beowulf Narrates his Adventures to Higelac (XXX.) 69
Gift-Giving is Mutual (XXXI.) 73
The Hoard and the Dragon (XXXII.) 75
Brave Though Aged
} (XXXIII.) 78
Reminiscences
Beowulf Seeks the Dragon
} (XXXIV.) 81
Beowulf's Reminiscences
Reminiscences (continued)
} (XXXV.) 83
Beowulf's Last Battle
Wiglaf the Trusty
} (XXXVI.) 88
Beowulf is Deserted by Friends and by Sword
The Fatal Struggle
} (XXXVII.) 91
Beowulf's Last Moments
Wiglaf Plunders the Dragon's Den
} (XXXVIII.) 93
Beowulf's Death
The Dead Foes
} (XXXIX.) 95
Wiglaf's Bitter Taunts
The Messenger of Death (XL.) 97
The Messenger's Retrospect (XLI.) 99
Wiglaf's Sad Story
} (XLII.) 103
The Hoard Carried Off
The Burning of Beowulf (XLIII.) 106
Addenda 109
[vii]
PREFACE.
The present work is a modest effort to reproduce approximately, in modern
measures, the venerable epic, Beowulf. Approximately, I repeat; for a
very close reproduction of Anglo-Saxon verse would, to a large extent, be
prose to a modern ear.
The Heyne-Socin text and glossary have been closely followed. Occasionally
a deviation has been made, but always for what seemed good and sufficient
reason. The translator does not aim to be an editor. Once in a while,
however, he has added a conjecture of his own to the emendations quoted
from the criticisms of other students of the poem.
This work is addressed to two classes of readers. From both of these alike
the translator begs sympathy and co-operation. The Anglo-Saxon scholar he
hopes to please by adhering faithfully to the original. The student of
English literature he aims to interest by giving him, in modern garb, the
most ancient epic of our race. This is a bold and venturesome undertaking;
and yet there must be some students of the Teutonic past willing to follow
even a daring guide, if they may read in modern phrases of the sorrows of
Hrothgar, of the prowess of Beowulf, and of the feelings that stirred the
hearts of our forefathers in their primeval homes.
In order to please the larger class of readers, a regular cadence has been
used, a measure which, while retaining the essential characteristics of
the original, permits the reader to see ahead of him in reading.
Perhaps every Anglo-Saxon scholar has his own theory as to how Beowulf
should be translated. Some have given us prose versions of what we believe
to be a great poem. Is it any reflection on our honored Kemble and Arnold
to say that their translations fail to show a layman that Beowulf is
justly called our first epic? Of those translators who have used verse,
several have written from what would seem a mistaken point of view. Is it
proper, for instance, that the grave and solemn speeches of Beowulf and
Hrothgar be put in ballad measures, tripping lightly and airily along? Or,
again, is it fitting that the rough martial music of Anglo-Saxon verse be
interpreted to us in the smooth measures of modern blank verse? Do we hear
what has been beautifully called "the clanging tread of a warrior in
mail"?
[viii]
Of all English translations of Beowulf, that of Professor Garnett alone
gives any adequate idea of the chief characteristics of this great
Teutonic epic.
The measure used in the present translation is believed to be as near a
reproduction of the original as modern English affords. The cadences
closely resemble those used by Browning in some of his most striking
poems. The four stresses of the Anglo-Saxon verse are retained, and as
much thesis and anacrusis is allowed as is consistent with a regular
cadence. Alliteration has been used to a large extent; but it was thought
that modern ears would hardly tolerate it on every line. End-rhyme has
been used occasionally; internal rhyme, sporadically. Both have some
warrant in Anglo-Saxon poetry. (For end-rhyme, see 153, 154; for
internal rhyme, 221, 640.)
What Gummere calls the "rime-giver" has been studiously kept; viz.,
the first accented syllable in the second half-verse always carries the
alliteration; and the last accented syllable alliterates only
sporadically. Alternate alliteration is occasionally used as in the
original. (See 761, 85.)
No two accented syllables have been brought together, except occasionally
after a cæsural pause. (See 219 and 121.) Or, scientifically speaking,
Sievers's C type has been avoided as not consonant with the plan of
translation. Several of his types, however, constantly occur; e.g. A and
a variant (/ x | / x) (/ x x | / x); B and a variant (x / | x / ) (x x / |
x / ); a variant of D (/ x | / x x); E (/ x x | / ). Anacrusis gives
further variety to the types used in the translation.
The parallelisms of the original have been faithfully preserved. (E.g.,
116 and 117: "Lord" and "Wielder of Glory"; 130, 131, 132; 212 and
213; 227 and 228; 35 and 3_6.) Occasionally, some loss has been
sustained; but, on the other hand, a gain has here and there been made.
The effort has been made to give a decided flavor of archaism to the
translation. All words not in keeping with the spirit of the poem have
been avoided. Again, though many archaic words have been used, there are
none, it is believed, which are not found in standard modern poetry.
[ix]
With these preliminary remarks, it will not be amiss to give an outline of
the story of the poem.
THE STORY.
_Hrothgar, king of the Danes, or Scyldings, builds a great mead-hall, or
palace, in which he hopes to feast his liegemen and to give them presents.
The joy of king and retainers is, however, of short duration. Grendel, the
monster, is seized with hateful jealousy. He cannot brook the sounds of
joyance that reach him down in his fen-dwelling near the hall. Oft and
anon he goes to the joyous building, bent on direful mischief. Thane after
thane is ruthlessly carried off and devoured, while no one is found strong
enough and bold enough to cope with the monster. For twelve years he
persecutes Hrothgar and his vassals._
_Over sea, a day's voyage off, Beowulf, of the Geats, nephew of Higelac,
king of the Geats, hears of Grendel's doings and of Hrothgar's misery. He
resolves to crush the fell monster and relieve the aged king. With
fourteen chosen companions, he sets sail for Dane-land. Reaching that
country, he soon persuades Hrothgar of his ability to help him. The hours
that elapse before night are spent in beer-drinking and conversation. When
Hrothgar's bedtime comes he leaves the hall in charge of Beowulf, telling
him that never before has he given to another the absolute wardship of his
palace. All retire to rest, Beowulf, as it were, sleeping upon his arms._
_Grendel comes, the great march-stepper, bearing God's anger. He seizes
and kills one of the sleeping warriors. Then he advances towards Beowulf.
A fierce and desperate hand-to-hand struggle ensues. No arms are used,
both combatants trusting to strength and hand-grip. Beowulf tears
Grendel's shoulder from its socket, and the monster retreats to his den,
howling and yelling with agony and fury. The wound is fatal._
_The next morning, at early dawn, warriors in numbers flock to the hall
Heorot, to hear the news. Joy is boundless. Glee runs high. Hrothgar and
his retainers are lavish of gratitude and of gifts._
_Grendel's mother, however, comes the next night to avenge his death. She
is furious and raging. While Beowulf is sleeping in a room somewhat apart
[x] from the quarters of the other warriors, she seizes one of Hrothgar's
favorite counsellors, and carries him off and devours him. Beowulf is
called. Determined to leave Heorot entirely purified, he arms himself, and
goes down to look for the female monster. After traveling through the
waters many hours, he meets her near the sea-bottom. She drags him to her
den. There he sees Grendel lying dead. After a desperate and almost fatal
struggle with the woman, he slays her, and swims upward in triumph, taking
with him Grendel's head._
_Joy is renewed at Heorot. Congratulations crowd upon the victor. Hrothgar
literally pours treasures into the lap of Beowulf; and it is agreed among
the vassals of the king that Beowulf will be their next liegelord._
Beowulf leaves Dane-land. Hrothgar weeps and laments at his departure.
_When the hero arrives in his own land, Higelac treats him as a
distinguished guest. He is the hero of the hour._
_Beowulf subsequently becomes king of his own people, the Geats. After he
has been ruling for fifty years, his own neighborhood is wofully harried
by a fire-spewing dragon. Beowulf determines to kill him. In the ensuing
struggle both Beowulf and the dragon are slain. The grief of the Geats is
inexpressible. They determine, however, to leave nothing undone to honor
the memory of their lord. A great funeral-pyre is built, and his body is
burnt. Then a memorial-barrow is made, visible from a great distance, that
sailors afar may be constantly reminded of the prowess of the national
hero of Geatland._
_The poem closes with a glowing tribute to his bravery, his gentleness,
his goodness of heart, and his generosity._
It is the devout desire of this translator to hasten the day when the
story of Beowulf shall be as familiar to English-speaking peoples as that
of the Iliad. Beowulf is our first great epic. It is an epitomized history
of the life of the Teutonic races. It brings vividly before us our
forefathers of pre-Alfredian eras, in their love of war, of sea, and of
adventure.
My special thanks are due to Professors Francis A. March and James A.
Harrison, for advice, sympathy, and assistance.
J.L. HALL.
[xi]
ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THE NOTES.
B. = Bugge. C. = Cosijn. Gr. = Grein. Grdvtg. = Grundtvig. H. = Heyne. H.
and S. = Harrison and Sharp. H.-So. = Heyne-Socin. K.= Kemble. Kl. =
Kluge. M.= Müllenhoff. R. = Rieger. S. = Sievers. Sw. = Sweet. t.B. = ten
Brink. Th. = Thorpe. W. = Wülcker.
BIBLIOGRAPHY OF TRANSLATIONS.
~Arnold, Thomas.~--Beowulf. A heroic poem of the eighth century. London,
1876. With English translation. Prose.
~Botkine, L.~--Beowulf. Epopée Anglo-Saxonne. Havre, 1877. First French
translation. Passages occasionally omitted.
~Conybeare, J.J.~--Illustrations of Anglo-Saxon Poetry. London, 1826. Full
Latin translation, and some passages translated into English blank-verse.
~Garnett, J.M.~--Beowulf: an Anglo-Saxon Poem, and the Fight at Finnsburg.
Boston, 1882. An accurate line-for-line translation, using alliteration
occasionally, and sometimes assuming a metrical cadence.
~Grein, C.W.M.~--Dichtungen der Angelsachsen, stabreimend übersetzt. 2
Bde. Göttingen, 1857-59.
~Grion, Giusto.~--Beovulf, poema epico anglo-sassone del VII. secolo,
tradotto e illustrato. Lucca, 1883. First Italian translation.
~Heyne, M.~--A translation in iambic measures. Paderborn, 1863.
~Kemble, J.M.~--The Anglo-Saxon Poems of Beowulf, the Traveller's Song,
and the Battle of Finnsburg. London, 1833. The second edition contains a
prose translation of Beowulf.
~Leo, H.~--Ueber Beowulf. Halle, 1839. Translations of extracts.
[xii]
~Lumsden, H.W.~--Beowulf, translated into modern rhymes. London, 1881.
Ballad measures. Passages occasionally omitted.
~Sandras, G.S.~--De carminibus Cædmoni adjudicatis. Paris, 1859. An
extract from Beowulf, with Latin translation.
~Schaldmose, F.~--Beowulf og Scopes Widsith, to Angelsaxiske Digte.
Copenhagen, 1847.
~Simrock, K.~--Beowulf. Uebersetzt und erläutert. Stuttgart und Augsburg,
1859. Alliterative measures.
~Thorkelin, G.J.~--De Danorum rebus gestis secul. III. et IV. poema
Danicum dialecto Anglosaxonica. Havniæ, 1815. Latin translation.
~Thorpe, B.~--The Anglo-Saxon Poems of Beowulf, the Scôp or Gleeman's
Tale, and the Fight at Finnsburg. Oxford, 1855. English translation in
short lines, generally containing two stresses.
~Wackerbarth, A.D.~--Beowulf, translated into English verse. London, 1849.
~Wickberg, R.~--Beowulf, en fornengelsk hjeltedikt, öfersatt. Westervik.
First Swedish translation.
~von Wolzogen, H.~--Beowulf, in alliterative measures. Leipzig.
~Zinsser, G.~--Der Kampf Beowulfs mit Grendel. Jahresbericht of the
Realschule at Forbach, 1881.
[xiii]
GLOSSARY OF PROPER NAMES.
[The figures refer to the divisions of the poem in which the respective
names occur. The large figures refer to fitts, the small, to lines in the
fitts.]
~Ælfhere~.--A kinsman of Wiglaf.--36_3.
~Æschere~.--Confidential friend of King Hrothgar. Elder brother of
Yrmenlaf. Killed by Grendel.--213; 3089.
~Beanstan~.--Father of Breca.--9_26.
~Beowulf~.--Son of Scyld, the founder of the dynasty of Scyldings. Father
of Healfdene, and grandfather of Hrothgar.--118; 21.
~Beowulf~.--The hero of the poem. Sprung from the stock of Geats, son of
Ecgtheow. Brought up by his maternal grandfather Hrethel, and figuring in
manhood as a devoted liegeman of his uncle Higelac. A hero from his youth.
Has the strength of thirty men. Engages in a swimming-match with Breca.
Goes to the help of Hrothgar against the monster Grendel. Vanquishes
Grendel and his mother. Afterwards becomes king of the Geats. Late in life
attempts to kill a fire-spewing dragon, and is slain. Is buried with great
honors. His memorial mound.--626; 72; 79; 93; 98; 1228; 1243; 231,
etc.
~Breca~.--Beowulf's opponent in the famous swimming-match.--98; 919;
921; 922.
~Brondings~.--A people ruled by Breca.--9_23.
~Brosinga mene~.--A famous collar once owned by the Brosings.--19_7.
~Cain~.--Progenitor of Grendel and other monsters.--256; 2011.
~Dæghrefn~.--A warrior of the Hugs, killed by Beowulf.--35_40.
~Danes~.--Subjects of Scyld and his descendants, and hence often called
Scyldings. Other names for them are Victory-Scyldings, Honor-Scyldings,
Armor-Danes, Bright-Danes, East-Danes, West-Danes, North-Danes,
South-Danes, Ingwins, Hrethmen.--11; 21; 32; 514; 7_1, etc.
~Ecglaf~.--Father of Unferth, who taunts Beowulf.--9_1.
~Ecgtheow~.--Father of Beowulf, the hero of the poem. A widely-known
Wægmunding warrior. Marries Hrethel's daughter. After slaying Heatholaf, a
Wylfing, he flees his country.--73; 56; 8_4.
~Ecgwela~.--A king of the Danes before Scyld.--25_60.
[xiv]
~Elan~.--Sister of Hrothgar, and probably wife of Ongentheow, king of the
Swedes.--2_10.
~Eagle Cape~.--A promontory in Geat-land, under which took place Beowulf's
last encounter.--41_87.
~Eadgils~.--Son of Ohthere and brother of Eanmund.--34_2.
~Eanmund~.--Son of Ohthere and brother of Eadgils. The reference to these
brothers is vague, and variously understood. Heyne supposes as follows:
Raising a revolt against their father, they are obliged to leave Sweden.
They go to the land of the Geats; with what intention, is not known, but
probably to conquer and plunder. The Geatish king, Heardred, is slain by
one of the brothers, probably Eanmund.--3610; 3154 to 3160; 3366 to
34_6.
~Eofor~.--A Geatish hero who slays Ongentheow in war, and is rewarded by
Hygelac with the hand of his only daughter.--4118; 4148.
~Eormenric~.--A Gothic king, from whom Hama took away the famous Brosinga
mene.--19_9.
~Eomær~.--Son of Offa and Thrytho, king and queen of the Angles.--28_69.
~Finn~.--King of the North-Frisians and the Jutes. Marries Hildeburg. At
his court takes place the horrible slaughter in which the Danish general,
Hnæf, fell. Later on, Finn himself is slain by Danish warriors.--17_18;
1730; 1744; 184; 1823.
~Fin-land~.--The country to which Beowulf was driven by the currents in
his swimming-match.--10_22.
~Fitela~.--Son and nephew of King Sigemund, whose praises are sung in
XIV.--1442; 1453.
~Folcwalda~.--Father of Finn.--17_38.
~Franks~.--Introduced occasionally in referring to the death of
Higelac.--1919; 4021; 40_24.
~Frisians~.--A part of them are ruled by Finn. Some of them were engaged
in the struggle in which Higelac was slain.--1720; 1742; 1752; 4021.
~Freaware~.--Daughter of King Hrothgar. Married to Ingeld, a Heathobard
prince.--2960; 3032.
~Froda~.--King of the Heathobards, and father of Ingeld.--29_62.
~Garmund~.--Father of Offa.--28_71.
~Geats, Geatmen~.--The race to which the hero of the poem belongs. Also
called Weder-Geats, or Weders, War-Geats, Sea-Geats. They are ruled by
Hrethel, Hæthcyn, Higelac, and Beowulf.--47; 74; 1045; 118; 27_14;
28_8.
~Gepids~.--Named in connection with the Danes and Swedes.--35_34.
~Grendel~.--A monster of the race of Cain. Dwells in the fens and moors.
Is furiously envious when he hears sounds of joy in Hrothgar's palace.
Causes the king untold agony for years. Is finally conquered by Beowulf,
and dies of his wound. His hand and arm are hung up in Hrothgar's hall
Heorot. His head is cut off by Beowulf when he goes down to fight with
Grendel's mother.--250; 31; 313; 819; 1117; 122; 1327; 153.
~Guthlaf~.--A Dane of Hnæf's party.--18_24.
~Half-Danes~.--Branch of the Danes to which Hnæf belonged.--17_19.
[xv]
~Halga~.--Surnamed the Good. Younger brother of Hrothgar.--2_9.
~Hama~.--Takes the Brosinga mene from Eormenric.--19_7.
~Hæreth~.--Father of Higelac's queen, Hygd.--2839; 2918.
~Hæthcyn~.--Son of Hrethel and brother of Higelac. Kills his brother
Herebeald accidentally. Is slain at Ravenswood, fighting against
Ongentheow.--3443; 3523; 40_32.
~Helmings~.--The race to which Queen Wealhtheow belonged.--10_63.
~Heming~.--A kinsman of Garmund, perhaps nephew.--2854; 2870.
~Hengest~.--A Danish leader. Takes command on the fall of Hnæf.--17_33;
17_41.
~Herebeald~.--Eldest son of Hrethel, the Geatish king, and brother of
Higelac. Killed by his younger brother Hæthcyn.--3443; 3447.
~Heremod~.--A Danish king of a dynasty before the Scylding line. Was a
source of great sorrow to his people.--1464; 2559.
~Hereric~.--Referred to as uncle of Heardred, but otherwise
unknown.--31_60.
~Hetwars~.--Another name for the Franks.--33_51.
~Healfdene~.--Grandson of Scyld and father of Hrothgar. Ruled the Danes
long and well.--25; 41; 8_14.
~Heardred~.--Son of Higelac and Hygd, king and queen of the Geats.
Succeeds his father, with Beowulf as regent. Is slain by the sons of
Ohthere.--3156; 3363; 33_75.
~Heathobards~.--Race of Lombards, of which Froda is king. After Froda
falls in battle with the Danes, Ingeld, his son, marries Hrothgar's
daughter, Freaware, in order to heal the feud.--301; 306.
~Heatholaf~.--A Wylfing warrior slain by Beowulf's father.--8_5.
~Heathoremes~.--The people on whose shores Breca is cast by the waves
during his contest with Beowulf.--9_21.
~Heorogar~.--Elder brother of Hrothgar, and surnamed 'Weoroda Ræswa,'
Prince of the Troopers.--29; 812.
~Hereward~.--Son of the above.--31_17.
~Heort~, ~Heorot~.--The great mead-hall which King Hrothgar builds. It is
invaded by Grendel for twelve years. Finally cleansed by Beowulf, the
Geat. It is called Heort on account of the hart-antlers which decorate
it.--225; 332; 3_52.
~Hildeburg~.--Wife of Finn, daughter of Hoce, and related to
Hnæf,--probably his sister.--1721; 1834.
~Hnæf~.--Leader of a branch of the Danes called Half-Danes. Killed in the
struggle at Finn's castle.--1719; 1761.
~Hondscio~.--One of Beowulf's companions. Killed by Grendel just before
Beowulf grappled with that monster.--30_43.
~Hoce~.--Father of Hildeburg and probably of Hnæf.--17_26.
~Hrethel~.--King of the Geats, father of Higelac, and grandfather of
Beowulf.--74; 3439.
~Hrethla~.--Once used for Hrethel.--7_82.
~Hrethmen~.--Another name for the Danes.--7_73.
~Hrethric~.--Son of Hrothgar.--1865; 2719.
[xvi]
~Hreosna-beorh~.--A promontory in Geat-land, near which Ohthere's sons
made plundering raids.--35_18.
~Hrothgar~.--The Danish king who built the hall Heort, but was long unable
to enjoy it on account of Grendel's persecutions. Marries Wealhtheow, a
Helming lady. Has two sons and a daughter. Is a typical Teutonic king,
lavish of gifts. A devoted liegelord, as his lamentations over slain
liegemen prove. Also very appreciative of kindness, as is shown by his
loving gratitude to Beowulf.--29; 212; 41; 810; 15_1; etc., etc.
~Hrothmund~.--Son of Hrothgar.--18_65.
~Hrothulf~.--Probably a son of Halga, younger brother of Hrothgar.
Certainly on terms of close intimacy in Hrothgar's palace.--1626; 1857.
~Hrunting~.--Unferth's sword, lent to Beowulf.--2271; 259.
~Hugs~.--A race in alliance with the Franks and Frisians at the time of
Higelac's fall.--35_41.
~Hun~.--A Frisian warrior, probably general of the Hetwars. Gives Hengest
a beautiful sword.--18_19.
~Hunferth~.--Sometimes used for Unferth.
~Hygelac~, ~Higelac~.--King of the Geats, uncle and liegelord of Beowulf,
the hero of the poem.--His second wife is the lovely Hygd, daughter of
Hæreth. The son of their union is Heardred. Is slain in a war with the
Hugs, Franks, and Frisians combined. Beowulf is regent, and afterwards
king of the Geats.--46; 54; 2834; 299; 2921; 3156.
~Hygd~.--Wife of Higelac, and daughter of Hæreth. There are some
indications that she married Beowulf after she became a widow.--28_37.
~Ingeld~.--Son of the Heathobard king, Froda. Marries Hrothgar's daughter,
Freaware, in order to reconcile the two peoples.--2962; 3032.
~Ingwins~.--Another name for the Danes.--1652; 2069.
~Jutes~.--Name sometimes applied to Finn's people.--1722; 1738; 18_17.
~Lafing~.--Name of a famous sword presented to Hengest by Hun.--18_19.
~Merewing~.--A Frankish king, probably engaged in the war in which Higelac
was slain.--40_29.
~Nægling~.--Beowulf's sword.--36_76.
~Offa~.--King of the Angles, and son of Garmund. Marries the terrible
Thrytho who is so strongly contrasted with Hygd.--2859; 2866.
~Ohthere~.--Son of Ongentheow, king of the Swedes. He is father of Eanmund
and Eadgils.--4035; 4039.
~Onela~.--Brother of Ohthere.--3615; 4039.
~Ongentheow~.--King of Sweden, of the Scylfing dynasty. Married, perhaps,
Elan, daughter of Healfdene.--3526; 4116.
~Oslaf~.--A Dane of Hnæf's party.--18_24.
~Ravenswood~.--The forest near which Hæthcyn was slain.--4031; 4041.
~Scefing~.--Applied (1_4) to Scyld, and meaning 'son of Scef.'
[xvii]
~Scyld~.--Founder of the dynasty to which Hrothgar, his father, and
grandfather belonged. He dies, and his body is put on a vessel, and set
adrift. He goes from Daneland just as he had come to it--in a bark.--1_4;
119; 127.
~Scyldings~.--The descendants of Scyld. They are also called
Honor-Scyldings, Victory-Scyldings, War-Scyldings, etc. (See 'Danes,'
above.)--21; 71; 8_1.
~Scylfings~.--A Swedish royal line to which Wiglaf belonged.--36_2.
~Sigemund~.--Son of Wæls, and uncle and father of Fitela. His struggle
with a dragon is related in connection with Beowulf's deeds of
prowess.--1438; 1447.
~Swerting~.--Grandfather of Higelac, and father of Hrethel.--19_11.
~Swedes~.--People of Sweden, ruled by the Scylfings.--35_13.
~Thrytho~.--Wife of Offa, king of the Angles. Known for her fierce and
unwomanly disposition. She is introduced as a contrast to the gentle Hygd,
queen of Higelac.--2842; 2856.
~Unferth~.--Son of Ecglaf, and seemingly a confidential courtier of
Hrothgar. Taunts Beowulf for having taken part in the swimming-match.
Lends Beowulf his sword when he goes to look for Grendel's mother. In the
MS. sometimes written Hunferth. 91; 1841.
~Wæls~.--Father of Sigemund.--14_60.
~Wægmunding~.--A name occasionally applied to Wiglaf and Beowulf, and
perhaps derived from a common ancestor, Wægmund.--366; 3861.
~Weders~.--Another name for Geats or Wedergeats.
~Wayland~.--A fabulous smith mentioned in this poem and in other old
Teutonic literature.--7_83.
~Wendels~.--The people of Wulfgar, Hrothgar's messenger and retainer.
(Perhaps = Vandals.)--6_30.
~Wealhtheow~.--Wife of Hrothgar. Her queenly courtesy is well shown in the
poem.--10_55.
~Weohstan~, or ~Wihstan~.--A Wægmunding, and father of Wiglaf.--36_1.
~Whale's Ness~.--A prominent promontory, on which Beowulf's mound was
built.--3852; 4276.
~Wiglaf~.--Son of Wihstan, and related to Beowulf. He remains faithful to
Beowulf in the fatal struggle with the fire-drake. Would rather die than
leave his lord in his dire emergency.--361; 363; 36_28.
~Wonred~.--Father of Wulf and Eofor.--4120; 4126.
~Wulf~.--Son of Wonred. Engaged in the battle between Higelac's and
Ongentheow's forces, and had a hand-to-hand fight with Ongentheow himself.
Ongentheow disables him, and is thereupon slain by Eofor.--4119; 4129.
~Wulfgar~.--Lord of the Wendels, and retainer of Hrothgar.--618; 630.
~Wylfings~.--A people to whom belonged Heatholaf, who was slain by
Ecgtheow.--86; 816.
~Yrmenlaf~.--Younger brother of Æschere, the hero whose death grieved
Hrothgar so deeply.--21_4.
[xviii]
LIST OF WORDS AND PHRASES NOT IN GENERAL USE.
ATHELING.--Prince, nobleman.
BAIRN.--Son, child.
BARROW.--Mound, rounded hill, funeral-mound.
BATTLE-SARK.--Armor.
BEAKER.--Cup, drinking-vessel.
BEGEAR.--Prepare.
BIGHT.--Bay, sea.
BILL.--Sword.
BOSS.--Ornamental projection.
BRACTEATE.--A round ornament on a necklace.
BRAND.--Sword.
BURN.--Stream.
BURNIE.--Armor.
CARLE.--Man, hero.
EARL.--Nobleman, any brave man.
EKE.--Also.
EMPRISE.--Enterprise, undertaking.
ERST.--Formerly.
ERST-WORTHY.--Worthy for a long time past.
FAIN.--Glad.
FERRY.--Bear, carry.
FEY.--Fated, doomed.
FLOAT.--Vessel, ship.
FOIN.--To lunge (Shaks.).
GLORY OF KINGS.--God.
GREWSOME.--Cruel, fierce.
HEFT.--Handle, hilt; used by synecdoche for 'sword.'
HELM.--Helmet, protector.
HENCHMAN.--Retainer, vassal.
HIGHT.--Am (was) named.
HOLM.--Ocean, curved surface of the sea.
HIMSEEMED.--(It) seemed to him.
LIEF.--Dear, valued.
MERE.--Sea; in compounds, 'mere-ways,' 'mere-currents,' etc.
MICKLE.--Much.
NATHLESS.--Nevertheless.
NAZE.--Edge (nose).
NESS.--Edge.
NICKER.--Sea-beast.
QUIT, QUITE.--Requite.
RATHE.--Quickly.
REAVE.--Bereave, deprive.
SAIL-ROAD.--Sea.
SETTLE.--Seat, bench.
SKINKER.--One who pours.
SOOTHLY.--Truly.
SWINGE.--Stroke, blow.
TARGE, TARGET.--Shield.
THROUGHLY.--Thoroughly.
TOLD.--Counted.
UNCANNY.--Ill-featured, grizzly.
UNNETHE.--Difficult.
WAR-SPEED.--Success in war.
WEB.--Tapestry (that which is 'woven').
WEEDED.--Clad (cf. widow's weeds).
WEEN.--Suppose, imagine.
WEIRD.--Fate, Providence.
WHILOM.--At times, formerly, often.
WIELDER.--Ruler. Often used of God; also in compounds, as 'Wielder of
Glory,' 'Wielder of Worship.'
WIGHT.--Creature.
WOLD.--Plane, extended surface.
WOT.--Knows.
YOUNKER.--Youth.
BEOWULF.
I.
THE LIFE AND DEATH OF SCYLD.
{The famous race of Spear-Danes.}
Lo! the Spear-Danes' glory through splendid achievements
The folk-kings' former fame we have heard of,
How princes displayed then their prowess-in-battle.
{Scyld, their mighty king, in honor of whom they are often called
Scyldings. He is the great-grandfather of Hrothgar, so prominent in the
poem.}
Oft Scyld the Scefing from scathers in numbers
5 From many a people their mead-benches tore.
Since first he found him friendless and wretched,
The earl had had terror: comfort he got for it,
Waxed 'neath the welkin, world-honor gained,
Till all his neighbors o'er sea were compelled to
10 Bow to his bidding and bring him their tribute:
An excellent atheling! After was borne him
{A son is born to him, who receives the name of Beowulf--a name afterwards
made so famous by the hero of the poem.}
A son and heir, young in his dwelling,
Whom God-Father sent to solace the people.
He had marked the misery malice had caused them,
15 That reaved of their rulers they wretched had erstwhile
Long been afflicted. The Lord, in requital,
Wielder of Glory, with world-honor blessed him.
Famed was Beowulf, far spread the glory
Of Scyld's great son in the lands of the Danemen.
{The ideal Teutonic king lavishes gifts on his vassals.}
