Beowulf quotes

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. Oft Scyld the Scefing from scathers in numbers From many a people their mead-benches tore. Since first he found him friendless and wretched, The earl had had terror:

So the carle that is young, by kindnesses rendered The friends of his father, with fees in abundance Must be able to earn that when age approacheth Eager companions aid him requitingly, When war assaults him serve him as liegemen:

By praise-worthy actions must honor be got

’Mong all of the races. At the hour that was fated Scyld then departed to the All-Father’s keeping Warlike to wend him;

no more wilt thou need then Find me my food. If I fall in the battle, Send to Higelac the armor that serveth To shield my bosom, the best of equipments, Richest of ring-mails; ’tis the relic of Hrethla, The work of Wayland.

Goes Weird as she must go!

”

“I purposed in spirit when I mounted the ocean, When I boarded my boat with a band of my liegemen, I would work to the fullest the will of your people Or in foe’s-clutches fastened fall in the battle.

Deeds I shall do of daring and prowess, Or the last of my life-days live in this mead-hall.

” These words to the lady were welcome and pleasing, The boast of the Geatman; with gold trappings broidered Went the freeborn folk-queen her fond-lord to sit by.

The good one then uttered words of defiance, Beowulf Geatman, ere his bed he upmounted: “

I hold me no meaner in matters of prowess, In warlike achievements, than Grendel does himself;

Hence I seek not with sword-edge to sooth him to slumber, Of life to bereave him, though well I am able. No battle-skill has he, that blows he should strike me, To shatter my shield, though sure he is mighty In strife and destruction;

’Twas an ill-taken journey that the injury-bringing, Harrying harmer to Heorot wandered: The palace re-echoed; to all of the Danemen, Dwellers in castles, to each of the bold ones, Earlmen, was terror. Angry they both were, Archwarders raging. Rattled the building;

’Twas a marvellous wonder that the wine-hall withstood then

The bold-in-battle, bent not to earthward, Excellent earth-hall; but within and without it Was fastened so firmly in fetters of iron, By the art of the armorer.

the Father then governed All of the earth-dwellers, as He ever is doing;

Hence insight for all men is everywhere fittest,

Forethought of spirit! much he shall suffer Of lief and of loathsome who long in this present Useth the world in this woeful existence. There was music and merriment mingling together Touching Healfdene’s leader;

Beowulf answered, Ecgtheow’s son: “

Grieve not, O wise one! for each it is better, His friend to avenge than with vehemence wail him;

Each of us must the end-day abide of His earthly existence; who is able accomplish Glory ere death! To battle-thane noble Lifeless lying, ’tis at last most fitting. Arise, O king, quick let us hasten To look at the footprint of the kinsman of Grendel!