hyne þa ætbæron to brimes faroðe,
What! We have heard of the glory
Of the Spear-Danes’ kings in olden days—
How those princes performed deeds of valor.
Not a few times Scyld Scefing seized
The seats of banquet from many a tribe, 5
Mighty opponents, and terrified the earls.
Since the time when he was found a deserted infant,
He grew up in tender care, soared to the sky,*
And prospered with unparalleled honor, till
All neighboring nations over the sea came 10
To obey and pay tribute to him: a good king he was!
To him a son was born later—a toddler
In his large dwelling, whom God sent
To comfort the nation. He saw the dire distress
Of those who had long suffered without a lord 15
To rule them; in that cause, the Lord of life,
The Ruler of glory granted him worldly honor.
Beow* attained renown—his name spread wide—
The son of Scyld, all over the land of the Danes.
Such is what a young man, while in his father’s protection, 20
Must do, through manly acts and bounteous bestowing,
To secure the blessing in old age of having
Close kinsmen and loyal subjects to stay near
In times of war; of whatever clan, a man
Is bound to prosper through praiseworthy deeds. 25
Then at his destined hour Scyld the strongman departed,
Embarking on a journey to the bosom of the Lord.
Then his dear followers carried him to where
swæse gesiþas, swa he selfa bæd,
þenden wordum weold wine Scyldinga; 30
leof landfruma lange ahte.
Þær æt hyðe stod hringedstefna,
isig ond utfus, æþelinges fær;
aledon þa leofne þeoden,
beaga bryttan on bearm scipes, 35
mærne be mæste. Þær wæs madma fela
of feorwegum frætwa gelæded;
ne hyrde ic cymlicor ceol gegyrwan
hildewæpnum ond heaðowædum,
billum ond byrnum; him on bearme læg 40
madma mænigo, þa him mid scoldon
on flodes æht feor gewitan.
Nalæs hi hine læssan lacum teodan,
þeodgestreonum, þon þa dydon,
þe hine æt frumsceafte forð onsendon 45
ænne ofer yðe umborwesende.
Þa gyt hie him asetton segen g[yl]denne
heah ofer heafod, leton holm beran,
geafon on garsecg; him wæs geomor sefa,
murdnende mod. Men ne cunnon 50
secgan to soðe, selerædende,
hæleð under heofenum, hwa þæm hlæste onfeng.
(I) Đa wæs on burgum Beowulf Scyldinga,
leof leodcyning longe þrage
folcum gefræge —fæder ellor hwearf, 55
aldor of earde—, oþ þæt him eft onwoc
heah Healfdene; heold þenden lifde,
gamol ond guðreouw, glæde Scyldingas.
The waves surge, as he himself had bidden,
When the lord of the Danes ruled with his words. 30
He had kept them long as their dear lord.
There at the harbor stood the ring-prowed ship,
The prince’s vessel, covered with ice and ready to set out.
Then they laid down their dear lord,
Their renowned ring-giver, in the bosom of the ship, 35
Right by the mast. Many a treasure had been
Brought there, precious things from faraway places.
I have not heard of a ship more grandly adorned
With weapons and battle-gear,
With bills and coats of mail; on his breast lay 40
Many a treasure, which was bound to go
Far with him, drifting on the powerful waves.
They no less lavishly provided him with gifts,
People’s treasures, than those who did
At the outset let him float down alone 45
As a child, drifting on the turbulent waves.
To boot, they set up a golden banner for him,
High over his head, let the sea bear it,
Gave it to the ocean; for them sadness welled in hearts,
Grief overflowed the hearts’ brim. Men cannot 50
Tell truly—hall-thanes or field-warriors—
Who received the cargo beneath the sky.
(I) Then in the castle Beow of the Danes, dear
Prince of the people, long remained renowned
Among nations—his father and lord having gone elsewhere, 55
Away from his earthly dwelling—till for them again
Rose
