Beowulf: chapters I-XIV

Hrothgar Needs Help

Of this and Grendel's deeds, the thane of Hygelac, of goodly fame among the Geats, heard tell when from home. Strongest in might of manhood was he in this life's day, noble and powerful...

Grendel Continued

In due course thereafter it became known openly to the children of men through songs sorrowfully, that Grendel had striven for a time against Hrothgar, waged for many half-years a ruthless war, ceaseless strife, evil, and violence, nor would in peaceful wise lift the deadly doom from any man of the might of the Danes, nor durst any even among the worshipful ones look for better fortune at the slayer's hands. The grisly monster, the dark death-shadow, rested not in pursuit of young and old, lay in wait and made ambush. Night after night he held the misty moors; men know not whither the creatures of hell will walk on their rounds.

Beowulf Lands on Shore

Beowulf is Victorious

To him the most worshipful one, the leader of the company, spake in answer: We are of the kin of the Geat-folk and Hygelac's hearth-companions. My father, Ecgtheow by name, the noble high-prince, was known to the peoples. He bided years a many ere he went hoary from his home. Every man of wise mind far and wide remembereth him well. We have come with kind intent to seek thy lord, the son of Healfdene, the people's protector. Be thou good in advising us. We have a weighty errand to the famed lord of the Danes, nor shall any part of it, as I ween, be kept hid.

The grisly monster suffered hurt of body. In his shoulder a fearful wound began to show; the sinews sprang apart, the bone-frame cracked asunder. Fame of the battle was given to Beowulf. Grendel must flee away beneath the fen-fells, sick unto death, go seek out his dwelling,

reft of his comfort.

Beowulf's Boasting

Hail to thee, Hrothgar! I am Hygelac's kinsman and war-thane. I have already in my youth essayed many deeds of prowess. To me openly were Grendel's doings made known in the land of my people. Sea-faring men say that this hall, the fairest of dwellings, stands idle and useless to all, so soon as the evening's light becometh hid 'neath the bright heaven. Then did wise men, Lord Hrothgar, the worthiest of my people, counsel that I seek thee, for they knew the strength of my might, saw it for themselves when I came from battle, blood-stained from the foe, where I bound five of them, overthrew the race of eotens, and slew the nickers by night in the waves...

Grendel

Then went Grendel, when night had come, to spy about the high house and see how the Ring-Danes had left it after the beer-drinking. There he found the company of athelings sleeping after the feast; sorrow

they knew not, or the evil haps of men. The baneful wight, grim and greedy, fierce and pitiless, was soon alert, and took, where they rested, thirty thanes. Thence fared he back homeward, boastfully exultant over his spoil, and sought his abiding-places with that glut of slaughter...A great while it was, twelve winters season, that the friend of the Scyldings endured this...

Boasting Continued

Hrothgar

It came to his mind to bid men build him a hall-dwelling, a mead-house, greater than children of men had ever heard of, and that there within it he would part to young and old what God had given him, save the people's land and the lives of men. Then, as I heard, on many a kindred far and wide through the mid-earth6 was the task laid of making fair the folk-hall. Speedily it befell him in time among men that it was in every wise ready, the greatest of hall-houses, and he made for it, who far and wide held sway by his word, the name of Heorot. He belied not his pledge and dealt out rings and treasure at the feast. The hall rose lofty and broad-gabled. Warring surges it awaited of loathly flame, nor was it long before deadly hate must awaken through the murderous strife of son and father-in-law.

And now I, by my single hand, shall bring Grendel, the demon, the giant one, to judgment. I desire now therefore, prince of the Bright-Danes, to ask thee one boon. Refuse me not, guardian of warriors, loved friend of the people, now I am come from so far, that I alone with my band of earls, my body of brave men, may cleanse Heorot. I have also learned that the monster in his recklessness takes no thought to use weapons: I then, so may my liege-lord, Hygelac, find pleasure in me, shall think scorn to bear sword or the broad shield, yellow-rimmed, to the battle, but with my hand-grip shall I join with the fiend and fight to the death, foe against foe. He must there, whom death taketh, believe it the Lord's award...

Grendel Enters

Beowulf fights Grendel

Then from the moor, from under the misty fells, came Grendel striding; God's wrath he bare. The fell spoiler planned to trap one of the race of men in the high hall. Under the clouds he went till he might see without trouble the wine-hall, the treasure-house of men, brave with gold. It was not the first time he had sought the home of Hrothgar; never, though, before or since in the days of his life found he hall-thanes more doughty. Came then making his way to the hall the warring one severed from joy. The door, fastened with bands forged in the fire, soon gave way when he laid hold of it with his hands; bent on evil, puffed up with wrath as he was, he brake open the mouth of the hall...seized quickly on a sleeping thane, tore him taken unawares, bit into his bone-frame, drank the blood from the veins, and swallowed him down piece by piece.

He stepped forward nearer, took next in his hands the hero, bold of heart, on his bed. The fiend reached for him with his claw, but he grasped it with set purpose, and threw his weight on Grendel's arm. Soon found that herder of evils that never in any other man, in any corner of the earth, had he met with mightier hand grip. He was affrighted mind and heart, yet might he make off none the sooner. His onethought was to get him gone; he was minded to flee into the darkness, to seek the drove of devils. There was then for him no such doings as he before that, in earlier days, had fallen in with.

Beowulf

Chapters I-XIV