Beowulf - Fight with Grendel Flashcards
Com on wanre niht
In the dark night came
scriðan sceadugenga. Sceotend swæfon,
stalking a walker in the shadows. The warriors slept
þa þæt hornreced healdan scoldon,
those who had to guard the horned hall
ealle buton anum. Þæt wæs yldum cuþ
all except one. It was known to men
þæt hie ne moste, þa metod nolde,
that he could not, if the Lord did not intend it,
se scynscaþa under sceadu bregdan,
the demonic ravager, drag them under the shadows
ac he wæccende, wraþum on andan
but he watching, hostile in anger
bad bolgenmod beadwa geþinges.
enraged awaited the outcome of battle.
Ða com of more under misthleoþum
Then from the moor under the misty slopes came
Grendel gongan, godes yrre bær.
Grendel advancing. He bore the wrath of God.
Mynte se manscaða manna cynnes
The evil ravager intended to ensnare mankind
sumne besyrwan in sele þam hean.
some of the race of men in that lofty hall
Wod under wolcnum to þæs þe he winreced,
He advanced under the clouds to that wine hall
goldsele gumena, gearwost wisse,
the gold-hall of men, respectfully finished
fættum fahne. Ne wæs þæt forma sið
gleaming with gold plating. Nor was that the first time
þæt he Hroþgares ham gesohte;
that he had come to Hrothgar’s home
næfre he on aldordagum ær ne siþðan
never in the days of his life, before or after,
heardran hæle, healðegnas fand.
miserable hero/man did he meet hall-thanes (with worse fortune.)
Com þa to recede rinc siðian,
He came then to the hall, a warrior making his way
dreamum bedæled. Duru sona onarn,
joy deprived. The doors sprang open
fyrbendum fæst, syþðan he hire folmum æthran;
the secure forged bars, when he touched it with his hands
onbræd þa bealohydig, ða he gebolgen wæs,
He was enraged them, intending destruction
recedes muþan. Raþe æfter þon
he pulled open the mouth of the hall. Quickly after that
on fagne flor feond treddode,
the enemy stepped on the decorated floor
eode yrremod. Him of eagum stod
he advanced angry at heart; from his eyes gleamed
ligge gelicost leoht unfæger.
an ugly light, most like a flame
Geseah he in recede rinca manige,
He saw many warriors in the hall
swefan sibbegedriht samod ætgædere,
a sleeping band of kinsman all together
magorinca heap. Þa his mod ahlog;
a troop of young warriors. Then his spirit laughed
mynte þæt he gedælde, ærþon dæg cwome,
he intended to sever, before the break of day,
atol aglæca, anra gehwylces
the terrible monster, each one
lifwið lice þahim alumpen wæs
life from body, and he had come to expect
wistfylle wen. Ne wæs þæt wyrd þa gen
a lavish feast. Not was it yet fated that
þæt he ma moste manna cynnes
he should be permitted to man kind
ðicgean ofer þa niht. Þryðswyð beheold
eat/recieve again after that night. The mighty and brave beheld
mæg Higelaces, hu se manscaða
the kinsman of Hygelac, how that demonic ravager
under færgripum gefaran wolde.
under the sudden grip of attack would proceed.
Ne þæt se aglæca yldan þohte,
Nor did that fierce assailant intend to delay
ac he gefeng hraðe forman siðe
and he seized immediately at the first opportunity
slæpendne rinc, slat unwearnum,
sleeping warrior, tore at him without restraint
bat banlocan, blod edrum dranc,
bit the muscles, blood from the stream of veins drank
synsnædum swealh; sona hæfde
swallowed the sinful morsels; soon had
unlyfigendes eal gefeormod,
the unliving all finished off.
fet ond folma. Forð near ætstop,
feet and hands. Forward nearer he stepped,
nam þa mid handa higeþihtigne
seized with his hands the strong-minded
rinc on ræste, ræhte ongean
warrior resting, he reached towards him,
feond mid folme; he onfeng hraþe
the fiend with his hands; (Beowulf) he quickly seized him
inwitþancum ond wið earm gesæt.
with crafty thought/hostile purpose, and with his arm sat up
Sona þæt onfunde fyrena hyrde
Soon that discovered, the master of evil deeds,
þæt he ne mette middangeardes,
that he had not encountered on middle-earth
eorþan sceata, on elran men
on the regions of the earth, another man
mundgripe maran. He on mode wearð
with greater handgrip. He in mind/heart became
forht on ferhðe; no þy ær fram meahte.
fearful in spirit; none the sooner could he escape.
Hyge wæs him hinfus, wolde on heolster fleon,
His mind was eager to escape, he wanted to flee into the darkness
secan deofla gedræg. Ne wæs his drohtoð þær
to seek the company of devils. Nor was his experience there
swylce he on ealderdagum ær gemette.
such as he had encountered before in the days of his life.
Gemunde þa se goda, mæg Higelaces,
Remembered then the God, Hygelac’s kinsman,
æfenspræce, uplang astod
the evening’s speech, he stood upright
ond him fæste wiðfeng; fingras burston.
and grasped him firmly; fingers burst.
Eoten wæs utweard; eorl furþur stop.
The giant was trying to escape; the warrior stepped further forward.
Mynte se mæra, þær he meahte swa,
Intended that infamous one, where he would be able,
widre gewindan ond on weg þanon
to escape further away, and on that path from thence
fleon on fenhopu; wiste his fingra geweald
flee to his fen-retreat; he knew the power of those fingers.
on grames grapum. Þæt wæs geocor sið
In the hostile grip. That was a bitter journey
þæt se hearmscaþa to Heorute ateah.
that the harmful attacker undertook to Heorot.
Dryhtsele dynede; Denum eallum wearð,
The noble hall resounded; all the Danes were,
ceasterbuendum, cenra gehwylcum,
the castle-dwellers, brave,
eorlum ealuscerwen. Yrre wæron begen,
the warriors, there were ale-showers. Furious were both
reþe renweardas. Reced hlynsode.
fierce guardians of the hall. The hall echoed:
Þa wæs wundor micel þæt se winsele
that was a great wonder that the wine hall
wiðhæfde heaþodeorum, þæt he on hrusan ne feol,
withstood those brave in battle, that to the ground did not fall
fæger foldbold; ac he þæs fæste wæs
the beautiful building; and it was securely
innan ond utan irenbendum
inside and outside iron bonded
searoþoncum besmiþod. Þær fram sylle abeag
cunningly crafted. There from the floor bowed
medubenc monig, mine gefræge,
mead benches may, as I have heard
golde geregnad, þær þa graman wunnon.
gold adorned, where the hostile ones fought.
Þæs ne wendon ær, witan Scyldinga
They did not previously expect, the wise Danes,
þæt hit a mid gemete manna ænig,
that they man had the ability
betlic ond banfag, tobrecan meahte,
excellent and decorated with bone, could break apart
listum tolucan, nymþe liges fæþm
skilfully pull apart, except by fires embrace
swulge on swaþule. Sweg up astag
swallowed it up in flames. Sound rose up
niwe geneahhe; Norðdenum stod
renewed often; North-Danes stood
atelic egesa, anra gehwylcum
in terrifying horror, each one of them
þara þe of wealle wop gehyrdon,
those who from the wall the wailing heard
gryreleoð galan godes ondsacan,
the song of terror chanted by God’s adversary
sigeleasne sang, sar wanigean
a song of defeat sung, painfully bewailed
helle hæfton. Heold hine fæste
hell’s captive. He held him firmly
se þe manna wæs mægene strengest
he of men who was the strongest in strength
on þæm dæge þysses lifes.
in those days of his this life.
Nolde eorla hleo ænige þinga
The warrior would not under any circumstances
þone cwealmcuman cwicne forlætan,
that murderous visitor living allow to escape,
ne his lifdagas leoda ænigum
nor his life-days did any man
nytte tealde. Þær genehost brægd
beneficial consider. There many brandished
eorl Beowulfes ealde lafe,
Beowulf’s warriors ancient heirlooms
wolde freadrihtnes feorh ealgian,
wished their lord’s life to protect
mæres þeodnes, ðær hie meahton swa.
the famous prince, where they were able to do so.
Hie þæt ne wiston, þa hie gewin drugon,
They that were not aware of, that in conflict would experience
heardhicgende hildemecgas,
tough-minded warriors
ond on healfa gehwone heawan þohton,
and to strike on one side each thought,
sawle secan: þone synscaðan
to seek its spirit, that sinful enemy,
ænig ofer eorþan irenna cyst,
with any over the earth’s iron swords the best
guðbilla nan, gretan nolde,
battle bill (Kenning for sword) none, injure could not,
ac he sigewæpnum forsworen hæfde,
and he the victory-weapon renounced the use of,
ecga gehwylcre. Scolde his aldorgedal
each blade. Should his death
on ðæm dæge þysses lifes
in those days of this life
earmlic wurðan, ond se ellorgast
miserable be, and that alien spirit,
on feonda geweald feor siðian.
the fiend would far travel (away).
Ða þæt onfunde se þe fela æror
Then he discovered, he much earlier
modes myrðe manna cynne,
who’s mind had afflicted man kind,
fyrene gefremede (he wæs fag wið god),
sins had carried out (he was outlawed by God),
þæt him se lichoma læstan nolde,
that his body would not endure
ac hine se modega mæg Hygelaces
and he the courageous kinsman of Hygelac
hæfde be honda; wæs gehwæþer oðrum
Had him in his hands; each with loathsome to the other
lifigende lað. Licsar gebad
While living. The body wound he experienced (live to enjoy ?)
atol æglæca. Him on eaxle wearð
The terrible fierce assailant: in his shoulder was
syndolh sweotol. Seonowe onsprungon;
a large wound evident. Sinews sprang apart
burston banlocan. Beowulfe wearð
muscles burst. Beowulf was
guðhreð gyfeþe— scolde Grendel þonan
victory in battle granted - Grendel from thence
feorhseoc fleon under fenhleoðu,
mortally wounded, fled under the fenland slopes
secean wynleas wic. Wiste þe geornor
seeking a joyless dwelling. He knew clearly
þæt his aldres wæs ende gegongen,
that his life was end approaching
dogera dægrim. Denum eallum wearð
his days numbered. All the Danes were
æfter þam wælræse willa gelumpen.
after that murderous attack, their desires fulfilled.
Hæfde þa gefælsod se þe ær feorran com,
Had that deadly onslaught, he who had from far away come
snotor ond swyðferhð, sele Hroðgares,
wise and resolute, Hrothgar’s hall
genered wið niðe; nihtweorce gefeh,
protected from affliction; he rejoiced in the night’s work
ellenmærþum. Hæfde Eastdenum
in his heroic deeds. Had the East Danes
Geatmecga leod gilp gelæsted,
Geatish man leader his boasts fulfilled
swylce oncyþðe ealle gebette,
likewise their grief entirely remedied
inwidsorge, þe hie ær drugon
sorrow they had previously endured
ond for þreanydum þolian scoldon,
and dire distressed forced to suffer
torn unlytel. Þæt wæs tacen sweotol,
not little misery. That was a clear sign
syþðan hildedeor hond alegde,
when the man brave in battle hand lay down
earm ond eaxle (þær wæs eal geador
arm and the shoulder (there was all together
Grendles grape) under geapne hrof.
Grendel’s grasp) under the broad roof.
Þa wæs on morgen mine gefræge
Then in the morning, as I have heard
ymb þa gifhealle guðrinc monig;
around that gift hall, many warriors
ferdon folctogan feorran ond nean
their leaders travelled from far and near
geond widwegas wundor sceawian,
through distant regions to look upon the wonder
laþes lastas. No his lifgedal
the tracks of the hateful one. Never did his severing from life
sarlic þuhte secga ænegum
sorrowful appear to any of of the men.
þara þe tirleases trode sceawode,
who looked upon the vanquished tracks
hu he werigmod on weg þanon,
how he, weary hearted on his way
niða ofercumen, on nicera mere
overcome in battle, the water monster on the mere
fæge ond geflymed feorhlastas bær.
doomed and cast out, bore his life tracks away.
Ðær wæs on blode brim weallende,
The water was brimming with blood
atol yða geswing eal gemenged
the terrible waves clashed all together
haton heolfre, heorodreore weol.
hot with blood, welled up with battle gore.
Deaðfæge deog, siððan dreama leas
He doomed to die concealed himself, deprived of joys
in fenfreoðo feorh alegde,
in his fen refuge, he laid down his life
hæþene sawle. Þær him hel onfeng.
heathen soul. Then hell received him.
Þanon eft gewiton ealdgesiðas,
The old retainers departed again from there
swylce geong manig of gomenwaþe
likewise many young on the joyous journey
fram mere modge mearum ridan,
rode on their horses form the lake, high-spirited
beornas on blancum. Ðær wæs Beowulfes
warriors on horses. There was Beowulf’s
mærðo mæned: monig oft gecwæð
glory recounted; many often said
þætte suð ne norð be sæm tweonum
that south or north between the seas
ofer eormengrund oþer nænig
over the spacious earth, over none other
under swegles begong selra nære
under the expanse of the sky/heavens was never a better
rondhæbbendra, rices wyrðra.
shield-bearer, more worthy of a kingdom;
Ne hie huru winedrihten wiht ne logon,
Nor indeed did the friends and lords anything not reward him
glædne Hroðgar, ac þæt wæs god cyning.
gracious Hrothgar, but that was a good king.
Hwilum heaþorofe hleapan leton,
At that time those brave in battle were allowed to gallop
on geflit faran fealwe mearas
to ride in competition of the bay mares
ðær him foldwegas fægere þuhton,
where to them the path attractive seemed
cystum cuðe. Hwilum cyninges þegn,
and were known for their excellence. While the king’s thane
guma gilphlæden, gidda gemyndig,
a man good at giving praise, mindful of songs
se ðe ealfela ealdgesegena
of which very many old stories
worn gemunde, word oþer fand
a large number he could remember, devised in words
soðe gebunden— secg eft ongan
righteously bound . The man began again
sið Beowulfes snyttrum styrian
to recite Beowulf’s actions skilfully
ond on sped wrecan spel gerade,
and able to speak about the story with success
wordum wrixlan. Welhwylc gecwæð
to substitute it into words. Each and every thing recounted
þæt he fram Sigemundes secgan hyrde
that he had heard of Sigemund’s brave deeds
ellendædum, uncuþes fela,
deeds of valour, many things unknown
Wælsinges gewin, wide siðas,
of Waelsing’s conflict, of far journeys
þara þe gumena bearn gearwe ne wiston,
of things the children of men did not know fully
fæhðe ond fyrena, buton Fitela mid hine,
except Fitela with him, of feuds and hostilities
þonne he swulces hwæt secgan wolde,
when he of such a matter wanted to say
eam his nefan, swa hie a wæron
as uncle to his nephew, so they were always
æt niða gehwam nydgesteallan;
at each battle comrades
hæfdon ealfela eotena cynnes
had very many of the giant race
sweordum gesæged. Sigemunde gesprong
with swords destroyed. Sigemund’s spread
æfter deaðdæge dom unlytel,
after his death day, the glory not a little
syþðan wiges heard wyrm acwealde,
since, hardened in war, he killed a dragon
hordes hyrde. He under harne stan,
a guardian of treasure. Under grey stone he,
æþelinges bearn, ana geneðde
the son of a prince, alone dared to enter
frecne dæde, ne wæs him Fitela mid.
the daring deed, nor was Fitela with him.
Hwæþre him gesælde ðæt þæt swurd þurhwod
Nevertheless it happened that the sword pierced through
wrætlicne wyrm, þæt hit on wealle ætstod,
the wondrous serpent so that it in the wall (skin) stood
dryhtlic iren. Draca morðre swealt.
the lordly sword; the dragon died by murder/sin.
Hæfde aglæca elne gegongen
Had the fierce assailant courage acquired
þæt he beahhordes brucan moste
that he the treasure-hoard was able to benefit from
selfes dome. Sæbat gehleod,
that he the treasure-hoard was able to benefit from
bær on bearm scipes beorhte frætwa,
bore in the ships hold bright treasures
Wælses eafera. Wyrm hat gemealt.
the son of Waeles. The serpent melted away in the heat.
