Clemoes Reading Prize 2008 - Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse ...
Clemoes Reading Prize 2008 - Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse ...
Clemoes Reading Prize 2008 - Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse ...
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
DEPARTMENT OF ANGLO-SAXON, NORSE AND CELTIC<br />
PETER CLEMOES<br />
READING PRIZE<br />
7 May <strong>2008</strong><br />
Faculty <strong>of</strong> English Building
Peter <strong>Clemoes</strong> was Elrington and Bosworth Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> <strong>Anglo</strong>-<strong>Saxon</strong> (1969-82). He was an<br />
enthusiastic reader and ‘performer’ <strong>of</strong> Old English poetry, and <strong>of</strong>ten participated in readings<br />
from ‘The Battle <strong>of</strong> Maldon’ on the site <strong>of</strong> the battle itself (the mainland opposite Northey<br />
Island in the Blackwater estuary, Essex). The <strong>Clemoes</strong> <strong>Reading</strong> <strong>Prize</strong> was established in his<br />
memory, and is open to all students <strong>of</strong> the University.<br />
Previous winners <strong>of</strong> the Peter <strong>Clemoes</strong> <strong>Reading</strong> <strong>Prize</strong>:<br />
1998 Dan Starkey (Medieval Irish)<br />
1999 Dan Starkey (Old <strong>Norse</strong>)<br />
2000 Rebecca Watkinson (Old <strong>Norse</strong>)<br />
2001 Peter Buchan (Old <strong>Norse</strong>)<br />
2002 James Tout (Medieval Irish)<br />
2003 Helen Forbes (Old English)<br />
2004 Bryn Jones (Medieval Welsh)<br />
2005 Edmund Hunt and Kate Sutcliffe (Medieval Cornish)<br />
2006 Bryn Jones (Middle Breton)<br />
2007 James Lloyd (Old English)<br />
Aidan Russell (Medieval Irish)<br />
Listen to some <strong>of</strong> these prize-winning entries<br />
on the <strong>Department</strong>’s website:<br />
http://www.asnc.cam.ac.uk/SpokenWord/<strong>Clemoes</strong>.html
Entries for the <strong>Clemoes</strong> <strong>Reading</strong> <strong>Prize</strong> <strong>2008</strong><br />
Jonathan Wolitz<br />
(Pembroke College, Prelim to Part I)<br />
Verba Scáthaige<br />
Medieval Irish<br />
Alexander Whiscombe<br />
(Pembroke College, Prelim to Part I)<br />
The Life <strong>of</strong> St Samson <strong>of</strong> Dol, (chs. 26–7)<br />
Latin<br />
Aaron Kachuck<br />
(Clare, Part II)<br />
Beowulf (Lines 1063–1165)<br />
Old English<br />
Philippa Cox<br />
(Corpus Christi, Part II)<br />
Dream <strong>of</strong> the Rood (Lines 28–77)<br />
Old English<br />
Edward Carlsson Browne<br />
(Corpus Christi College, Part I)<br />
Oh Sverre, king <strong>of</strong> Norwa<br />
Latin<br />
Hannah Dyson<br />
(Pembroke, Part I)<br />
Wulf and Eadwacer<br />
Old English<br />
Shem Jarold<br />
(Pembroke, Prelim to Part I)<br />
A Mór Maigne Moige Síuil<br />
Medieval Irish<br />
James Lloyd<br />
(Peterhouse, Part I)<br />
Beowulf (Lines 2631–2728)<br />
Old English
Jonathan Wolitz<br />
Verba Scáthaige<br />
Incipiunt verba Scáthaige fri Coin C(h)ulainn oc scarad doib isnaib rannaib thair ó ró-<br />
scáich do Choin Chulainn lánfoglaimm in mílti la Scáthaich. To-airchechain Scáthach dó<br />
iarum aní arid-mbiad, con-epert fris tri imbas for-ossndi dia foirciunn:<br />
A mbe[e] eirr óengaile, 1<br />
arut-ossa ollgábud,<br />
uathad fri h-éit n-imlebair.<br />
Cotut-chaurith –céillfetar,<br />
fortat- brágit -bibsatar, 5<br />
bied do chalcc cúlbéimmen<br />
cruach fri sruth Sétanti.<br />
Tithis fidach fáeburamnus<br />
fethul feulae, ferchlessaib.<br />
Ferba do breig braitfiter, 10<br />
brágit do- thuaith –tithsitir;<br />
triänchithach coicdigis,<br />
cichis do buar mbélatu.<br />
Ba h-oín fri slog sírdochrai.<br />
Sifis de fuil flanntenmen 15<br />
fernaib ilib ildlochtaib.<br />
Cuan dia lilies loscannaib<br />
lín di-fedat ildamaib.<br />
Ilar fuile firfiter<br />
fort Choin Chaulainn. 20<br />
Césfe álad n-ainchridi<br />
dál de dálaib debarbe.<br />
Dedirn bródirc brisfither,<br />
bruthaich fri toind tregtaigthi,<br />
frisin mbelend mbandernach, 25<br />
belend di chét clessamnach.<br />
Cichit, biet banchuriu.<br />
Báigthi Medb sceu Ailela.<br />
Arut-ossa otharlige.<br />
ucht fri h-écta airgairce. 30<br />
At-chíu fírféth Findbennach<br />
(Aí) fri Donn Cuailnge ardbúrach.<br />
2
Jonathan Wolitz<br />
Verba Scáthaige<br />
‘(Here) begin the words <strong>of</strong> Scáthach to Cú Chulainn as they were separating in the eastern parts when<br />
Cú Chulainn had completed the full course <strong>of</strong> military training with Scáthach. Then Scáthach foretold<br />
to him what was in store for him and told him <strong>of</strong> his end through Vision which illumines’:<br />
When thou art a peerless champion,<br />
great extremity awaits thee,<br />
alone against the vast herd.<br />
Warriors will be set aside against thee,<br />
necks will be broken by thee, 5<br />
thy sword will strike strokes to the rear<br />
against Sétante’s gory stream.<br />
Hard-bladed, he will cut/conjure the trees<br />
by the sign <strong>of</strong> slaughters, by manly feats.<br />
Cows will be carried <strong>of</strong>f from thy hill, 10<br />
captives will be forfeited by thy people;<br />
harried by the troop for a fortnight,<br />
thy cattle will walk the passes.<br />
Thou wilt be alone in great hardship against the host.<br />
Scarlet gushes <strong>of</strong> blood will strike 15<br />
upon many variously-cloven shields.<br />
A band <strong>of</strong> parasites that thou wilt adhere to<br />
will bring away many people and oxen.<br />
Many wounds will be inflicted<br />
upon thee, Cú Chulainn. 20<br />
You will suffer a wound <strong>of</strong> revenge (in)<br />
one <strong>of</strong> the encounters at the final breach.<br />
From you red-pronged weapon there will be defeat,<br />
(men) pierced against the furious wave,<br />
against the whale equipped for exploits, 25<br />
a whale performing feats with blows.<br />
Women will wail and beat (hands) in their troop,<br />
Medb and Ailill boast <strong>of</strong> it.<br />
A sick bed awaits thee<br />
in face <strong>of</strong> slaughters <strong>of</strong> a great ferocity. 30<br />
I see the very glossy Finnbennach<br />
(<strong>of</strong> Áe) in great rage against Donn Cuailnge.<br />
Passage from: Henry, P.L., ‘Verba Scáthaige’, Celtica 21 (1990), 191-207<br />
3
Alexander Whiscombe<br />
The Life <strong>of</strong> St Samson <strong>of</strong> Dol<br />
(chs. 26–7)<br />
26. Accepta itaque benedictione impositoque in equum vehiculo, iter pergere cœperunt: & factum est<br />
dum irent orantes per vastissimam silvam, dirissimam audierunt vocem a quodam horribili valde ad<br />
dexteram partem juxta illos terribiliter strepitantem, atque in huius vocis auditu diaconus supradictus<br />
depavescens, ac primo omnium pallens, equum quem in manu tenuerat, velociter dimittens, & pallium<br />
quo indutus erat iactans, in velocem fugam sese dedit, clamante post tergum sancto Samsone, &<br />
dicente: Confide, o frater, quæso, confide, ne timeas, neque obliviscaris euangelici præcepti quo<br />
nutritus es ab adolescentia tua. Sed eum non intendentem & semper fugitantem iam eminus sanctus<br />
Samson lacrymabilibus inspiciens oculis, solitaque spiritualia arma & scutum fidei firmiter tenens, &<br />
circumvallans se sancto semper signaculo Crucis, vidit theomachama hirsutam canutamque, iam<br />
vetulam anum suis vestimentis bribetham chrysulatamque, venalem in manu tenentem, ac silvas<br />
vastas veloci cursu volucritantem fugientemque, recta linea insequentem. Sanctus vero Samson<br />
stabilis in fide quasi eam non vidisset, mansit intrepidus, & veloci cursu equum in manu tenens,<br />
palliumque fugientis in equum imponens, fugientem & persequentem fiducialiter secutus est, ac non<br />
longe progrediens fratrem fugientem seminecem reperit, paululumque illum intuens vidit a longe<br />
theomacham anum currentem, & cernens eam in valle iam descendentem, exclamavit post eam<br />
dicens: Quid fugis mulier? Ecce ego homo sum sicut ille quem prostrasti par meus: si datus sum in tua<br />
potestate, ecce adsum: noli ergo fugere, sperans me venire ad te. Sed hæc illa non intendente &<br />
semper fugere nitente, clamavit post illam sanctus Samson dicens: Impero tibi in nomine Jesu Christi<br />
ab eo loco, ubi modo stas, ne ultra pedem moveas usquequo veniam & appellem te.<br />
27. Stante ergo illa in uno eodemque loco, ac tremente venalemque in terra laxante, sanctus Samson<br />
advenit, atque eam vix ægre affatur, Quæ, inquiens, es mala forma, vel qualis es? At ipsa cum tremore<br />
ingenti dixit: Theomacha sum, nam & gentes meæ huc usque prævaricatrices vobis extiterunt, & nunc<br />
nulla in hac silva remansit de meo genere, nisi ego sola. Habeo enim octo sorores, & mater mea adhuc<br />
vivit, & hæ non hic sunt, sed in ulteriori silva degunt, & ego marito in hac eremo tradita sum, & meus<br />
maritus mortuus est, & propter hoc secedere de hac silva non possum. Sanctus vero Samson dixit:<br />
Numquid potes tu fratrem quem percussisti, redivivum iterum reddere, vel saltem de animæ tuæ<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>ectu solicitare? At ipsa respondens dixit: Nolo, nec possum in melius reparari, bonum enim<br />
nullum facere queo. De mea infantia hucusque ad mala semper exercitata sum. Sanctus autem Samson<br />
ita competenter dixit: Deum omnipotentem imploro, ne amplius aliis iniuriam facias, sed dum<br />
irremediabilis es, hac hora moriaris. Atque oratione completa, malefica illa mulier saltum præcipitem<br />
in latere sinistro dans ad terram corruit, & mortua est.<br />
4
Alexander Whiscombe<br />
The Life <strong>of</strong> St Samson <strong>of</strong> Dol<br />
(chs. 26–7)<br />
XXVI. Having thereupon received a blessing and put the horse on the cart, they began to pursue their way.<br />
And it came to pass, while they traversed a vast forest, praying as they went, they heard a frightful<br />
shrieking cry evidently from some awful creature near them on their right, and on hearing this cry the<br />
above-mentioned deacon began to be alarmed, and first <strong>of</strong> all turning pale, he quickly let go the horse<br />
which he had been leading with his hand, and, flinging away the mantle he was wearing, betook himself to<br />
rapid flight, while St. Samson shouted after him and said “Be <strong>of</strong> good courage, brother, I beseech thee, be<br />
<strong>of</strong> good courage lest thou fear, and forget the instruction <strong>of</strong> the gospel on which thou hast been fed from<br />
thy youth.” But, as he heeded not and continued to flee, St. Samson, now beholding him from afar with<br />
tearful eyes, bravely bearing his wonted spiritual armour and the shield <strong>of</strong> faith, and investing himself with<br />
the ever holy sign <strong>of</strong> the Cross, saw a sorceress, in truth a very old woman with shaggy hair and that<br />
already grey, with her garments <strong>of</strong> red, holding in her hand a bloody trident, yea, and sweeping the<br />
spacious forest in swift career, and making a straight line in pursuit <strong>of</strong> the fleeing man. St. Samson,<br />
however, steadfast in faith, as if he had seen the same things before, continued unshaken in mind and, at<br />
high speed, keeping the horse in hand, and throwing the fugitive’s mantle on the horse, boldly followed<br />
after the fugitive and his pursuer; and not far <strong>of</strong>f, as he went on, found the fugitive brother half dead, and,<br />
gazing upon him for a moment, beheld a long way distant, the old sorceress running, and perceiving that<br />
she was now descending into the valley he shouted after her and said, “Woman why do you flee? behold, I<br />
am a man like my companion whom thou hast laid low: if I have been given into thy power, behold, I am<br />
here, do not flee; therefore trust me still to come to thee.” But, as she did not heed these words and still<br />
strove to escape, St. Samson shouted after her and said, “I command thee in the name <strong>of</strong> Jesus Christ not to<br />
stir a step further from that spot where thou now standest until I come and speak to thee.”<br />
XXVII. Thereupon, while she stood in that very same spot and trembled and allowed the bloody weapon to<br />
fall to the ground, St. Samson came up and very reluctantly flouted her, saying, “Who art thou, misshapen<br />
one and <strong>of</strong> what kind art thou?” And she, greatly trembling, said, “I am a sorceress, for indeed the women<br />
<strong>of</strong> my race and sex, as morally perverse, have to this day been transgressors in your sight and now no one<br />
<strong>of</strong> my race is left in this wood save me only. For I have eight sisters and my mother is still living, and these<br />
are not here, but dwell in a wood more remote, and I was made over to this wilderness by my husband, and<br />
my husband is dead, and on this account I am unable to withdraw from this wood.” However, the saint<br />
said, “Art thou prepared to restore again to life the brother thou hast stabbed, or at any rate to bestir thyself<br />
concerning the pr<strong>of</strong>it <strong>of</strong> thy soul?” But in reply, she said, “I neither will nor can be made better, for I seek<br />
to do no good thing; from my childhood up to the present I have always been given to wickedness.”<br />
Thereupon St. Samson properly said, “I implore Almighty God that thou do harm no longer; but so soon as<br />
thou art utterly abandoned, in that hour thou must die.” And at the conclusion <strong>of</strong> the prayer that malignant<br />
woman, suddenly giving a violent throb in her left side, fell to the ground and was dead.<br />
This passage is from Texts: http://acta.chadwyck.co.uk. English translation from T. Taylor trans. The Life<br />
<strong>of</strong> St Samson <strong>of</strong> Dol (Dyfed 1991) pp. 30–32<br />
5
Aaron Kachuck<br />
Beowulf<br />
(Lines 1063–1165)<br />
Þær wæs sang ond sweg samod ætgædere<br />
fore Healfdenes hildewisan,<br />
gomenwudu greted, gid <strong>of</strong>t wrecen,<br />
ðonne healgamen Hroþgares scop<br />
æfter medobence mænan scolde,<br />
be Finnes eaferum, ða hie se fær begeat,<br />
hæleð Healf-Dena, Hnæf Scyldinga<br />
in Freswæle feallan scolde.<br />
Ne huru Hildeburh herian þorfte<br />
Eotena treowe; unsynnum wearð<br />
beloren le<strong>of</strong>um æt þam lindplegan<br />
bearnum ond broðrum; hie on gebyrd hruron<br />
1063<br />
gare wunde; þæt wæs geomuru ides!<br />
Nalles holinga Hoces dohtor<br />
1075<br />
meotodsceaft bemearn, syþðan morgen com,<br />
ða heo under swegle geseon meahte<br />
morþorbealo maga, þær heo ær mæste heold<br />
worolde wynne. Wig ealle fornam<br />
Finnes þegnas nemne feaum anum,<br />
þæt he ne mehte on þæm meðelstede<br />
wig Hengeste wiht gefeohtan,<br />
ne þa wealafe wige forþringan<br />
þeodnes ðegna; ac hig him geþingo budon,<br />
þæt hie him oðer flet eal gerymdon,<br />
healle ond heahsetl, þæt hie healfre geweald<br />
wið Eotena bearn agan moston,<br />
ond æt feohgyftum Folcwaldan sunu<br />
dogra gehwylce Dene weorþode,<br />
Hengestes heap hringum wenede<br />
efne swa swiðe sincgestreonum<br />
fættan goldes, swa he Fresena cyn<br />
on beorsele byldan wolde.<br />
Ða hie getruwedon on twa healfa<br />
fæste frioðuwære. Fin Hengeste<br />
elne unflitme aðum benemde,<br />
6
Aaron Kachuck<br />
Beowulf<br />
(Lines 1063–1165)<br />
Then song and music mingled sounds<br />
in the presence <strong>of</strong> Healfdene's head-<strong>of</strong>-armies<br />
and harping was heard with the hero-lay<br />
as Hrothgar's singer the hall-joy woke<br />
along the mead-seats, making his song<br />
<strong>of</strong> that sudden raid on the sons <strong>of</strong> Finn.<br />
Healfdene's hero, Hnaef the Scylding,<br />
was fated to fall in the Frisian slaughter.<br />
Hildeburh needed not hold in value<br />
her enemies' honor! Innocent both<br />
were the loved ones she lost at the linden-play,<br />
bairn and brother, they bowed to fate,<br />
stricken by spears; 'twas a sorrowful woman!<br />
None doubted why the daughter <strong>of</strong> Hoc<br />
bewailed her doom when dawning came,<br />
and under the sky she saw them lying,<br />
kinsmen murdered, where most she had kenned<br />
<strong>of</strong> the sweets <strong>of</strong> the world! By war were swept, too,<br />
Finn's own liegemen, and few were left;<br />
in the parleying-place he could ply no longer<br />
weapon, nor war could he wage on Hengest,<br />
and rescue his remnant by right <strong>of</strong> arms<br />
from the prince's thane. A pact he <strong>of</strong>fered:<br />
another dwelling the Danes should have,<br />
hall and high-seat, and half the power<br />
should fall to them in Frisian land;<br />
and at the fee-gifts, Folcwald's son<br />
day by day the Danes should honor,<br />
the folk <strong>of</strong> Hengest favor with rings,<br />
even as truly, with treasure and jewels,<br />
with fretted gold, as his Frisian kin<br />
he meant to honor in ale-hall there.<br />
Pact <strong>of</strong> peace they plighted further<br />
on both sides firmly. Finn to Hengest<br />
with oath, upon honor, openly promised<br />
that w<strong>of</strong>ul remnant,<br />
7
Aaron Kachuck<br />
Beowulf - continued<br />
þæt he þa wealafe weotena dome<br />
arum heolde, þæt ðær ænig mon<br />
wordum ne worcum wære ne bræce,<br />
ne þurh inwitsearo æfre gemænden,<br />
ðeah hie hira beaggyfan banan folgedon<br />
ðeodenlease, þa him swa geþearfod wæs;<br />
gyf þonne Frysna hwylc frecnan spræce<br />
ðæs morþorhetes myndgiend wære,<br />
þonne hit sweordes ecg seðan scolde. ---<br />
Ad wæs geæfned, ond icge gold<br />
ahæfen <strong>of</strong> horde. Here-Scyldinga<br />
betst beadorinca wæs on bæl gearu.<br />
Æt þæm ade wæs eþgesyne<br />
swatfah syrce, swyn ealgylden,<br />
e<strong>of</strong>er irenheard, æþeling manig<br />
1098<br />
wundum awyrded; sume on wæle crungon!<br />
Het ða Hildeburh æt Hnæfes ade<br />
hire selfre sunu sweoloðe befæstan,<br />
banfatu bærnan, ond on bæl don<br />
eame on eaxle. Ides gnornode,<br />
geomrode giddum. Guðrinc astah.<br />
Wand to wolcnum wælfyra mæst,<br />
hlynode for hlawe; hafelan multon,<br />
bengeato burston, ðonne blod ætspranc,<br />
laðbite lices. Lig ealle forswealg,<br />
gæsta gifrost, þara ðe þær guð fornam<br />
bega folces; wæs hira blæd scacen.<br />
1119<br />
XVII Gewiton him ða wigend wica neosian<br />
freondum befeallen, Frysland geseon,<br />
hamas ond heaburh. Hengest ða gyt<br />
wælfagne winter wunode mid Finne<br />
eal unhlitme; eard gemunde,<br />
þeah þe ne meahte on mere drifan<br />
hringedstefnan,--- holm storme weol,<br />
won wið winde, winter yþe beleac<br />
isgebinde, oþðæt oþer com<br />
gear in geardas,--- swa nu gyt deð,<br />
þa ðe syngales sele bewitiað, wuldortorhtan weder.<br />
8
Aaron Kachuck<br />
Beowulf - continued<br />
with wise-men's aid,<br />
nobly to govern, so none <strong>of</strong> the guests<br />
by word or work should warp the treaty,<br />
or with malice <strong>of</strong> mind bemoan themselves<br />
as forced to follow their fee-giver's slayer,<br />
lordless men, as their lot ordained.<br />
Should Frisian, moreover, with foeman's taunt,<br />
that murderous hatred to mind recall,<br />
then edge <strong>of</strong> the sword must seal his doom.<br />
Oaths were given, and ancient gold<br />
heaped from hoard. -- The hardy Scylding,<br />
battle-thane best, on his balefire lay.<br />
All on the pyre were plain to see<br />
the gory sark, the gilded swine-crest,<br />
boar <strong>of</strong> hard iron, and athelings many<br />
slain by the sword: at the slaughter they fell.<br />
It was Hildeburh's hest, at Hnaef's own pyre<br />
the bairn <strong>of</strong> her body on brands to lay,<br />
his bones to burn, on the balefire placed,<br />
at his uncle's side. In sorrowful dirges<br />
bewept them the woman: great wailing ascended.<br />
Then wound up to welkin the wildest <strong>of</strong> death-fires,<br />
roared o'er the hillock: heads all were melted,<br />
gashes burst, and blood gushed out<br />
from bites <strong>of</strong> the body. Balefire devoured,<br />
greediest spirit, those spared not by war<br />
out <strong>of</strong> either folk: their flower was gone.<br />
Then hastened those heroes their home to see,<br />
friendless, to find the Frisian land,<br />
houses and high burg. Hengest still<br />
through the death-dyed winter dwelt with Finn,<br />
holding pact, yet <strong>of</strong> home he minded,<br />
though powerless his ring-decked prow to drive<br />
over the waters, now waves rolled fierce<br />
lashed by the winds, or winter locked them<br />
in icy fetters. Then fared another<br />
year to men's dwellings, as yet they do,<br />
the sunbright skies, that their season ever duly await.<br />
9
Aaron Kachuck<br />
Beowulf - continued<br />
Ða wæs winter scacen,<br />
fæger foldan bearm; fundode wrecca,<br />
gist <strong>of</strong> geardum; he to gyrnwræce<br />
swiðor þohte þonne to sælade, 1139<br />
gif he torngemot þurhteon mihte,<br />
þæt he Eotena bearn inne gemunde.<br />
Swa he ne forwyrnde weorodrædende,<br />
þonne him Hunlafing hildeleoman,<br />
billa selest on bearm dyde;<br />
þæs wæron mid Eotenum ecge cuðe.<br />
Swylce ferðfrecan Fin eft begeat<br />
sweordbealo sliðen æt his selfes ham,<br />
siþðan grimne gripe Guðlaf ond Oslaf<br />
æfter sæsiðe, sorge mændon,<br />
ætwiton weana dæl; ne meahte wæfre mod<br />
forhabban in hreþre. Ða wæs heal roden<br />
feonda feorum, swilce Fin slægen,<br />
cyning on corþre, ond seo cwen numen.<br />
Sceotend Scyldinga to scypon feredon<br />
eal ingesteald eorðcyninges,<br />
swylce hie æt Finnes ham findan meahton<br />
sigla searogimma. Hie on sælade<br />
drihtlice wif to Denum feredon,<br />
læddon to leodum. 1159<br />
Leoð wæs asungen,<br />
gleomannes gyd. Gamen eft astah,<br />
beorhtode bencsweg, byrelas sealdon<br />
win <strong>of</strong> wunderfatum. Þa cwom Wealhþeo forð<br />
gan under gyldnum beage þær þa godan twegen<br />
sæton suhtergefæderan; þa gyt wæs hiera sib ætgædere,<br />
æghwylc oðrum trywe.<br />
10
Aaron Kachuck<br />
Beowulf - continued<br />
Far <strong>of</strong>f winter was driven;<br />
fair lay earth's breast; and fain was the rover,<br />
the guest, to depart, though more gladly he pondered<br />
on wreaking his vengeance than roaming the deep,<br />
and how to hasten the hot encounter<br />
where sons <strong>of</strong> the Frisians were sure to be.<br />
So he escaped not the common doom,<br />
when Hun with "Lafing," the light-<strong>of</strong>-battle,<br />
best <strong>of</strong> blades, his bosom pierced:<br />
its edge was famed with the Frisian earls.<br />
On fierce-heart Finn there fell likewise,<br />
on himself at home, the horrid sword-death;<br />
for Guthlaf and Oslaf <strong>of</strong> grim attack<br />
had sorrowing told, from sea-ways landed,<br />
mourning their woes. Finn's wavering spirit<br />
bode not in breast. The burg was reddened<br />
with blood <strong>of</strong> foemen, and Finn was slain,<br />
king amid clansmen; the queen was taken.<br />
To their ship the Scylding warriors bore<br />
all the chattels the chieftain owned,<br />
whatever they found in Finn's domain<br />
<strong>of</strong> gems and jewels. The gentle wife<br />
o'er paths <strong>of</strong> the deep to the Danes they bore,<br />
led to her land.<br />
The lay was finished,<br />
the gleeman's song. Then glad rose the revel;<br />
bench-joy brightened. Bearers draw<br />
from their "wonder-vats" wine. Comes Wealhtheow forth,<br />
under gold-crown goes where the good pair sit,<br />
uncle and nephew, true each to the other one,<br />
kindred in amity.<br />
Passage from: Trans. Francis Gummere, The Harvard Classics, Volume 49. (P.F. Collier &<br />
Son., 1910) http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/beowulf.html<br />
11
Philippa Cox<br />
The Dream <strong>of</strong> Rood<br />
(Lines 28–77)<br />
Þæt wæs geara iu, – ic þæt gyta geman –<br />
þæt ic wæs aheawen holtes on ende,<br />
astyred <strong>of</strong> stefne minum. Genaman me ðær strange feondas,<br />
geworhton him þær to wæfersyne, heton me heora wergas hebban;<br />
bæron me ðær beornas on eaxlum, oð ðæt hie me on beorg asetton,<br />
gefæstnodon me þær feondas genoge. Geseah ic þa Frean mancynnes<br />
efstan elne mycle þæt he me wolde on gestigan.<br />
þær ic þa ne dorste <strong>of</strong>er Dryhtnes word<br />
bugan oððe berstan, þa ic bifian geseah<br />
eorðan sceatas. Ealle ic mihte<br />
feondas gefyllan, hwæðre ic fæste stod.<br />
Ongyrede hine þa geong hæleð, – þæt wæs God ælmihtig! –<br />
strang and stiðmod; gestah he on gealgan heanne,<br />
modig on manigra gesyhðe, þa he wolde mancyn lysan.<br />
Bifode ic þa me se beorn ymbclypte. Ne dorste ic hwæðre bugan to eorðan,<br />
feallan to foldan sceatum, ac ic sceolde fæste standan.<br />
Rod wæs ic aræred. Ah<strong>of</strong> ic ricne cyning,<br />
he<strong>of</strong>ona hlaford, hyldan me ne dorste.<br />
þurhdrifan hi me mid deorcan næglum; on me syndon þa dolg gesiene,<br />
opene inwidhlemmas; ne dorste ic hira nænigum sceððan.<br />
Bysmeredon hie unc butu ætgædere; eall ic wæs mid blode bestemed,<br />
begoten <strong>of</strong> þæs guman sidan, siððan he hæfde his gast onsended.<br />
Feala ic on þam beorge gebiden hæbbe<br />
wraðra wyrda: geseah ic weruda God<br />
þearle þenian. þystro hæfdon<br />
bewrigen mid wolcnum Wealdendes hræw,<br />
scirne sciman; sceadu forðeode,<br />
wann under wolcnum. Weop eal gesceaft,<br />
cwiðdon Cyninges fyll: Crist wæs on rode.<br />
Hwæðere þær fuse feorran cwoman<br />
to þam Æðelinge; ic þæt eall beheold.<br />
Sare ic wæs mid sorgum gedrefed, hnag ic hwæðre þam secgum to handa,<br />
eaðmod elne mycle. Genamon hie þær ælmihtigne God,<br />
ah<strong>of</strong>on hine <strong>of</strong> ðam hefian wite; forleton me þa hilderincas<br />
standan steame bedrifenne; eall ic wæs mid strælum forwundod.<br />
12
Philippa Cox<br />
The Dream <strong>of</strong> Rood<br />
(Lines 28–77)<br />
That was very long ago, I remember it still,<br />
that I was cut down from the edge <strong>of</strong> the wood,<br />
ripped up by my roots. They seized me there, strong enemies,<br />
made me a spectacle for themselves there, commanded me to raise up their criminals.<br />
Men carried me there on their shoulders, until they set me on a hill,<br />
enemies enough fastened me there. I saw then the Saviour <strong>of</strong> mankind<br />
hasten with great zeal, as if he wanted to climb up on me.<br />
There I did not dare, against the word <strong>of</strong> the Lord,<br />
bow or break, when I saw the<br />
corners <strong>of</strong> the earth tremble. I might have<br />
felled all the enemies; even so, I stood fast.<br />
He stripped himself then, young hero - that was God almighty -<br />
strong and resolute; he ascended on the high gallows,<br />
brave in the sight <strong>of</strong> many, when he wanted to ransom mankind.<br />
I trembled when the warrior embraced me; even then I did not dare to bow to earth,<br />
fall to the corners <strong>of</strong> the earth, but I had to stand fast.<br />
I was reared a cross. I raised up the powerful King,<br />
the Lord <strong>of</strong> heaven; I did not dare to bend.<br />
They pierced me with dark nails; on me are the wounds visible,<br />
the open wounds <strong>of</strong> malice; I did not dare to injure any <strong>of</strong> them.<br />
They mocked us both together. I was all drenched with blood<br />
poured out from that man's side after he had sent forth his spirit.<br />
I have experienced on that hillside many<br />
violently stretched out. Darkness had<br />
covered with clouds the Ruler's corpse,<br />
the gleaming light. Shadows went forth<br />
dark under the clouds. All creation wept,<br />
lamented the King's fall. Christ was on the cross.<br />
Yet there eager ones came from afar<br />
to that noble one; I beheld all that.<br />
I was all drenched with sorrow; nevertheless I bowed down to the hands <strong>of</strong> the men,<br />
humble, with great eagerness. There they took almighty God,<br />
lifted him from that oppressive torment. The warriors forsook me then<br />
standing covered with moisture; I was all wounded with arrows.<br />
13
Philippa Cox<br />
The Dream <strong>of</strong> Rood - continued<br />
Aledon hie ðær limwerigne; gestodon him æt his lices heafdum,<br />
beheoldon hie ðær he<strong>of</strong>enes Dryhten, and he hine ðær hwile reste,<br />
meðe æfter ðam miclan gewinne. Ongunnon him þa moldern wyrcan<br />
beornas on banan gesyhðe; curfon hie ðæt <strong>of</strong> beorhtan stane;<br />
gesetton hie ðæron sigora Wealdend. Ongunnon him þa sorhleoð galan<br />
earme on þa æfentide, þa hie woldon eft siðian,<br />
meðe fram þam mæran þeodne; reste he ðær mæte weorode.<br />
Hwæðere we ðær greotende gode hwile<br />
stodon on staðole; stefn up gewat<br />
hilderinca; hræw colode,<br />
fæger feorgbold. þa us man fyllan ongan<br />
ealle to eorðan. þæt wæs egeslic wyrd!<br />
Bedealf us man on deopan seaþe;<br />
freondas gefrunon,<br />
hwæðre me þær dryhtnes þegnas,<br />
gyredon me golde and seolfre.<br />
14
Philippa Cox<br />
The Dream <strong>of</strong> Rood - continued<br />
They laid the weary-limbed one down there, they stood at the head <strong>of</strong> his body,<br />
they beheld the Lord <strong>of</strong> heaven there, and he himself rested there a while,<br />
weary after the great battle. They began to fashion a tomb for him,<br />
warriors in the sight <strong>of</strong> the slayer; they carved that from bright stone,<br />
they set the Lord <strong>of</strong> victories in there. They began to sing the sorrow-song for him,<br />
wretched in the evening-time; then they wanted to travel again,<br />
weary from the glorious Lord. He rested there with little company.<br />
Nevertheless, weeping, we stood there a good while<br />
in a fixed position, after the voice departed up<br />
<strong>of</strong> the warriors. The corpse grew cold,<br />
the fair live-dwelling. Then men began to fell us<br />
all to the ground: that was a terrible fate.<br />
Men buried us in a deep pit; nevertheless the Lord's thanes,<br />
friends, discovered me there,<br />
adorned me with gold and silver.<br />
This passage is from Elaine Treharne, Old and Middle English Anthology<br />
(http://www.apocalyptic-theories.com/literature/dor/medora1.html)<br />
15
Edward Carlsson Browne<br />
Oh Sverre, king <strong>of</strong> Norway<br />
Eisdem temporibus famosissimus ille presbyter Swerus qui cognominatur Birkebain, in ea parte<br />
Germaniæ quæ Norwegia dicitur tyrannidem arripuit; et tempore non modico sub tyranni nomine<br />
debacchatus, tandem rege terræ illius exstincto, tanquam legitime regnum obtinuit; aliis forte ejusdem<br />
terræ regibus non dissimilem exitum judicio Dei habiturus. Quippe, ut dicitur, a centum retro annis, et<br />
eo amplius, cum regum ibidem numerosa successio fuerit, nullus eorum senio aut morbo vitam finivit,<br />
sed omnes ferro interiere, suis interfectoribus tamquam legitimis successoribus, regni fastigium<br />
relinquentes: ut scilicet omnes, qui tanto tempore ibidem imperasse noscuntur, illud quod scriptum est<br />
respicere videatur, “Occidisti, insuper, et possedisti.” Huic infami malo, per longam consuetudinum<br />
tanquam legis jam obtinenti vigorem, optimates terræ illius, paulo ante tyrannidem prænominati<br />
presbyteri, pio studio mederi volentes, regem novitium solemniter unctione mystica consecrari et<br />
coronari decreverunt, scilicet, ut nemo de cetero auderet manum mittere in christum Domini. Quippe<br />
eatenus nullus unquam in gente illa ritu fuerat ecclesiastico consecratus in principem, sed quicunque<br />
tyrannice regem occiderat, eo ipso personam et potestatem regiam induebat; suo quoque occisori<br />
eandem, post modicum, fortunam, inveteratæ consuetudinis lege, relicturus. Quod nimirum,<br />
Christiana quadam simplicitate, a multis putatum est ideo factitari, quia nullus regum priorum regiæ<br />
meruerat unctionis sollemnibus initiari. Itaque interfecto Hacone, qui rege Inge a se perempto<br />
successerat, cum cuidam puero nomine Magno, ejusdem Inge nepoti, regni successio competere<br />
videretur, prudents et nobiles regni decreto communi eundem puerum sollemniter in christum Domini<br />
consecrari, et diademate insigniri fecerunt. Quo facto sancitum sibi principem, et priscæ consuetudinis<br />
dedecus abolitum, crediderunt. Verum cum idem Magnus, jam pubes factus in multa strenuitate simul<br />
et felicitate per aliquot annos regnasset, cunctis jam æstimantibus contra tyrannicos turbines satis<br />
consultum, invidia diaboli, at perturbandam Christianæ plebis quietem, memoratum presbyterum,<br />
tanquam vas proprium, incitavit.<br />
16
Edward Carlsson Browne<br />
Oh Sverre, king <strong>of</strong> Norway<br />
In these times that very notorious priest, Sverrir, surnamed Birkibeinn, seized the government in that<br />
part <strong>of</strong> Germany which is called Norway; and raging under the title <strong>of</strong> king for a considerable time, at<br />
length, on the decease <strong>of</strong> the sovereign <strong>of</strong> that country, obtained the government, as if legitimately;<br />
happily, perchance by the appointment <strong>of</strong> God, hereafter to experience an exit similar to other kings<br />
<strong>of</strong> that land. For, as it is said, for more than a century back, although the succession <strong>of</strong> kings there had<br />
been rapid, yet none <strong>of</strong> them had ended his days by age or sickness, but all had perished by the sword,<br />
leaving the dignity <strong>of</strong> empire to their assassins as their lawful successors; so that, indeed, the<br />
expression, "Hast thou killed, and also taken possession?" may seem to apply to all who reigned there<br />
for so long a space <strong>of</strong> time. The nobility <strong>of</strong> that country, a little before the usurpation <strong>of</strong> this priest,<br />
being actuated by pious zeal to apply a remedy to this disgraceful evil -- which had obtained, as it<br />
were, by long custom, the sanction <strong>of</strong> law -- decreed that the new king should be solemnly<br />
consecrated with holy unction, and crowned, so that in future none might dare to lift his hand against<br />
the Lord's anointed. For until that time no one in that country had ever been consecrated king by an<br />
ecclesiastical ceremony; but whoever had cruelly killed the king, from that moment he assumed the<br />
regal character and power, shortly after about to leave the same fortune to his murderer by the law <strong>of</strong><br />
inveterate custom. This, was truly supposed, by a certain sort <strong>of</strong> Christian simplicity, by many persons<br />
to have taken place because none <strong>of</strong> the former kings had been careful to have himself initiated with<br />
the solemnities <strong>of</strong> royal unction. Wherefore, on the death <strong>of</strong> Hákon, who had succeeded king Ingi<br />
(whom he had murdered when the succession appeared to pertain to a certain youth called Magnús,<br />
nephew <strong>of</strong> the same Ingi), the wiser and more noble part <strong>of</strong> the kingdom, by common assent, caused<br />
this same youth to be solemnly consecrated as the Lord's anointed, and to be dignified with the<br />
diadem. This being done, they thought that the prince was made sacred to them and the disgrace <strong>of</strong> the<br />
former usage was removed. But when the same Magnús, who now arrived at man's estate, had reigned<br />
for several years with equal energy and success, and all supposed that they had made sufficient<br />
provision against the storms <strong>of</strong> usurpation, the malice <strong>of</strong> the devil stirred up the priest aforesaid, as his<br />
proper engine, to disquiet the peace <strong>of</strong> this Christian people.<br />
This passage is taken from William <strong>of</strong> Newburgh's Historia Rerum Anglicarum, Book III Chapter VI.<br />
It's post-conquest Latin. Text and from "Historia", ed. C. Johnson (1920), translation is based on<br />
www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/william<strong>of</strong>newburgh-three.html#6.<br />
17
Hannah Dyson<br />
Wulf and Eadwacer<br />
Leodum is minum swylce him mon lac gife.<br />
Willað hy hine aþecgan gif he on þreat cymeð.<br />
Ungelic is us.<br />
Wulf is on iege, Ic on oþerre.<br />
Fæst is þæt eglond, fenne biworpen.<br />
Sindon wælreowe weras þær on ige.<br />
Willað hy hine aþecgan, gif he on þreat cymeð.<br />
Ungelice is us.<br />
Wulfes ic mines wudlastum wenum dogode,<br />
þonne hit wæs renig weder ond Ic reotugu sæt,<br />
þonne mec se beaducafa bogum bilegde:<br />
wæs me wyn to þon; wæs me hwæþre eac lað.<br />
Wulf, min Wulf, wena me þine<br />
seoce gedydon, þine seldcymas,<br />
murnende mod, nales meteliste.<br />
Gehyrest þu, Eadwacer? Uncerne earmne hwelp<br />
bireð wulf to wuda.<br />
Þæt mon eaþe tosliteð þætte næfre gesomnad wæs,<br />
uncer giedd geador.<br />
18
Hannah Dyson<br />
Wulf and Eadwacer<br />
It is to my people as if someone would give him a gift.<br />
They will consume him if he comes into their troop.<br />
It is different with us.<br />
Wulf is on an island, I on another.<br />
That island is secure, surrounded by fen.<br />
There are bloodthirsty men on the island.<br />
They will consume him if he comes into their troop.<br />
It is different with us.<br />
I pursued in my hopes that far journeys <strong>of</strong> Wulf,<br />
when it was rainy weather, and I sat, sorrowful.<br />
Then the battle-bold one laid his arms around me:<br />
there was joy to me in that; yet it was also hateful to me.<br />
Wulf, my Wulf, my hopes <strong>of</strong> you<br />
have made me sick, your rare visits,<br />
a mourning mind, and this is not at all from lack <strong>of</strong> food.<br />
Do you hear me, Eadwacer? The wolf bears our wretched whelp to the woods.<br />
That may be easily separated which was never bound,<br />
the riddle <strong>of</strong> us two together.<br />
Passage from Treharne, ed., Old and Middle English c. 890 - c. 1400: An Anthology,<br />
pp. 64–65<br />
19
A Mór Maigne Moige Síuil,<br />
bec a dainme esbaid n-éoin;<br />
má saíle éc duit fo-déin,<br />
nách bét dot chéill caíne géoid?<br />
A ingen Donnchada druin,<br />
ara fuil borrfada ban,<br />
nách cúala scél (solma sein),<br />
inn úair fot-geir do géd glan?<br />
Nách cúala (garc nat don gléo)<br />
is marb Conn Cétchathach Cúa,<br />
ocus Corbmac, ocus Art?<br />
esbach in mac is in t-úa.<br />
Nách cúala díl Crimthainn chóir,<br />
meic Fidaig, do finnchloinn áin,<br />
ocus Éogain Taídlig tess<br />
fo-cheird cess for Clíu Máil?<br />
Nách cúala in n-gním n-geimlech n-garc,<br />
marb Eochaid Feidlech na ferg,<br />
ocus Crimthann, cride Níad,<br />
ocus Lugaid Dá Ríab n-Derc?<br />
Shem Jarold<br />
A Mór Maigne Moige Síuil<br />
Nách cúala (in íuboile n-airc)<br />
dá b-fuair Íugaine núall n-uilc? Nách cúala in foraire, fecht,<br />
dá ro melt Conaire Cuilt?<br />
Nách cúala Mongán, maith láech,<br />
do thuitim hi condáil chrích,<br />
ocus Cermait Milbél mín<br />
mac in Dagda déin do díth?<br />
Nách cúala in lámdaith do lot,<br />
Cú Chulainn rop ánrath ait? ---<br />
Ocus (ní ra-fannaig) fer<br />
do neoch ro gab gaí 'na glaic.<br />
Nách cúala in n-gním n-galann n-gann,<br />
Fothad Canann (clú nád binn),<br />
ocus in rígféinnid ríam<br />
dárb ainm toísech na Fían Finn?<br />
Nách cúala Fergus, cíarb án,<br />
dárba lán cech lergus lór,<br />
ocus Manannán mac Lir<br />
a m' anamán min, a Mór?<br />
Géoid i n-Éirinn re linn m-Bríain,<br />
Brían ro gab Éiblinn co n-ór;<br />
maith cara fil ocut Brían:<br />
fíal flaith Chinn Mara, a Mór.<br />
20
Shem Jarold<br />
On the loss <strong>of</strong> a pet goose<br />
O Mor <strong>of</strong> Moyne in Mag Suil,<br />
loss <strong>of</strong> a bird is no great occasion for grief.<br />
If you consider that you yourself must die,<br />
is it not an <strong>of</strong>fence against your reason to lament a goose?<br />
Daughter <strong>of</strong> stalwart Donnchad, who, like all women,<br />
carry things to excess, are you unacquainted with storytelling,<br />
as your hastiness would suggest,<br />
when your lovely goose so inflames your heart?<br />
Have you not heard that Conn <strong>of</strong> the Hundred Battles,<br />
hero <strong>of</strong> Cua, is dead,<br />
and Cormac too, and Art?<br />
Neither the son nor the grandson can effect anything.<br />
Have you not heard <strong>of</strong> the fate <strong>of</strong> good Crimthann mac Fidach,<br />
who belonged to a glorious and noble family,<br />
and, in the south, <strong>of</strong> Leogan Tafdlech<br />
who brought trouble to Cifu Min?<br />
Have you not heard <strong>of</strong> the harsh fettering fact,<br />
that wrathful Eochaid Feidlech is dead,<br />
and Crimthann <strong>of</strong> the Champion's heart,<br />
and Lugaid <strong>of</strong> the two Red Stripes?<br />
Have you not heard <strong>of</strong> the...<br />
whence fugaine came by a cry <strong>of</strong> woe?<br />
Have you not heard <strong>of</strong> that night-watch<br />
in the past whereby Conaire <strong>of</strong> Colt was crushed?<br />
Have you not heard that the good warrior Mongan<br />
fell in a conflict on the borders,<br />
and that gentle Cermait Milbol,<br />
son <strong>of</strong> the swift Dagda, has perished?<br />
Have you not heard that he <strong>of</strong> the nimble hand has perished,<br />
Cuchulain who was a delightful champion?<br />
And no man had ever subdued him<br />
<strong>of</strong> all that ever gripped a spear.<br />
Have you not heard <strong>of</strong> the ill-famed<br />
strange act <strong>of</strong> violence concerning Fothad Canann,<br />
nor <strong>of</strong> the royal warrior in the past<br />
whose name was Finn, leader <strong>of</strong> the Fiana?<br />
Have you not heard <strong>of</strong> Fergus, though he was glorious,<br />
<strong>of</strong> whose fame every mighty sea-way was full,<br />
and <strong>of</strong> Manannan mac Lir,<br />
O Mor, dear as a child to me?<br />
There are geese in Ireland in Brian's time,<br />
Brian Boru who has won rule over golden Leibliu;<br />
good is the friend you and I have in Brian:<br />
the lord <strong>of</strong> Cenn Mara is generous, O Mor.<br />
Passage from Early Irish lyrics, eighth to twelfth century, Gerard Murphy (ed), Clarendon Press, (1956) p. 166<br />
21
James Lloyd<br />
Beowulf (Lines 2631–2728)<br />
Wiglaf maðelode, wordrihta fela<br />
sægde gesiðum (him wæs sefa geomor):<br />
“Ic ðæt mæl geman, þæ r we medu þegun,<br />
ðonne we geheton ussum hlaforde<br />
in beorsele, ðe us ðas beagas geaf,<br />
ðæt we him ða guðgetawa gyldan woldon<br />
gif him ðyslicu ðearf gelumpe,<br />
helmas ond heard sweord. Đe he usic on herge geceas<br />
to ðyssum siðfate sylfes willum,<br />
onmunde usic mærða, ond me ðas maðmas geaf,<br />
ðe he usic garwigend gode tealde,<br />
hwate helmberend -ðeah ðe hlaford us<br />
ðis ellenweorc ana aðohte<br />
to gefremmanne, folces hyrde,<br />
forðam he manna mæst mærða gefremede,<br />
dæda dollicra. Nu is se dæg cumen<br />
ðæt ure mandryhten mægenes beh<strong>of</strong>að<br />
godra guðrinc. Wutun gongan to,<br />
helpan hildfruman ðenden hyt sy,<br />
gledegesa grim. God wat mec<br />
ðæt me is micle le<strong>of</strong>re ðæt minne lichaman<br />
mid minne goldgyfan gled fæðmie.<br />
Ne ðynceð me gerysne ðæt we rondas beren<br />
eft to earde nemne we æror mægen<br />
fane gefyllan, feorh ealgian<br />
Wedra ðeodnes. Ic wat geare<br />
ðæt næron ealdgewyrht ðæt he ana scyle<br />
Geata duguðe gnorn ðrowian,<br />
gesigan æt sæcce; urum sceal sweord ond helm,<br />
byrne ond beaduscrud bam gemæne.”<br />
Wod ða ðurh ðone wælrec, wigheafolan bær<br />
frean on fultum, fea worda cwæð:<br />
“Le<strong>of</strong>a Biowulf, læst eall tela,<br />
swa ðu on geoguðfeore geara gecwæde<br />
ðæt ðu ne alæte be ðe lifigendum<br />
dom gedreosan; scealt nu dædum r<strong>of</strong>,<br />
æðeling anhydig, ealle mægene<br />
feorh ealgian ; ic ðe fullæstu.”<br />
Æfter ðæm wordum wyrm yrre cwom,<br />
atol inwitgæst oðre siðe<br />
fyrwylmum fah fionda niosian,<br />
laðra manna. Lig yðum for,<br />
born bord wið rond; byrne ne meahte<br />
geongum garwigan geoce gefremman,<br />
ac se maga geonga under his mæges scyld<br />
elne geeode, ða his agen wæs<br />
gledum forgrunden.<br />
22
James Lloyd<br />
Beowulf (Lines 2631–2728)<br />
Wiglaf spoke out and voiced many truthful remarks to his companions; his spirit was melancholy:<br />
“I remember the time when, as we drank mead there in the beer-hall, we would promise our<br />
lord, who gave us these treasures, that we would repay him for these battle-accoutrements, the<br />
helmets and the tough swords, if a need such as this should befall him. For this reason, from among<br />
the army he chose us, <strong>of</strong> his own free will, for this expedition, esteemed us worthy <strong>of</strong> its glories and<br />
gave me these treasures, because he counted us good spear-wielding warriors, bold helmeted soldiers<br />
– even though the lord and protector <strong>of</strong> the people meant to perform alone this courageous task for us,<br />
because he <strong>of</strong> all men has performed the most feats <strong>of</strong> glory and daring deeds. Now the day has come<br />
when our lord is in need <strong>of</strong> the strength <strong>of</strong> good battle-warriors. Let us go to him and help our warleader<br />
as long as the heat continues, the grim terror <strong>of</strong> smouldering fire. As for me, God knows that it<br />
is much more agreeable to me that smouldering fire should engulf my body alongside my gold-giving<br />
lord. To me it does not seem fitting that we should go carrying our shields back home unless we can<br />
first bring down the foe and defend the life <strong>of</strong> the prince <strong>of</strong> the Weder-Geats. This I know full well:<br />
his past achievements have not been such that among the multitude <strong>of</strong> the Geats he ought to be<br />
suffering torment alone and going under in the struggle. Sword and helmet, mail-coat and armour<br />
shall be shared between us both.”<br />
Then he strode through the deadly reek and went wearing his helmet to the help <strong>of</strong> his lord. He spoke<br />
a few words:<br />
“Dear Beowulf, see the whole thing through properly, in keeping with what you declared long<br />
ago in the days <strong>of</strong> your youth, that while you lived you would not let your reputation fail. Now,<br />
resolute prince, renowned for your deeds, you must defend your life with all your strength. I shall<br />
support you.”<br />
After these words, the reptile, hideous malevolent being, came angrily on a second time, aglow with<br />
flaring flames, to attack his enemies, loathed mortals. The fire advanced in waves and burned<br />
Wiglaf’s shield to the boss. His mail-coat could not afford the young armed warrior safety but the<br />
young man bravely carried on under cover <strong>of</strong> his kinsman’s shield when his own had been destroyed<br />
by the fiery gobbets.<br />
23
James Lloyd<br />
Beowulf - continued<br />
Þa gen guðcyning<br />
mærða gemunde, mægenstrengo sloh<br />
niðe genyded; Nægling forbærst,<br />
geswac æt sæcce sweord Biowulfes,<br />
gomol ond grægmæl. Him ðæt gifeðe ne wæs<br />
ðæt him irenna ecga mihton<br />
helpan æt hilde; wæs sio hond to strong,<br />
se ðe meca gehwana, mine gefræge,<br />
swenge <strong>of</strong>ersohte, ðonne he to sæcce bær<br />
wæpen wundrum heard; næs him wihte ðe sel.<br />
Þa wæs ðeodsceaða ðriddan siðe,<br />
frecne fyrdraca fæhða gemyndig,<br />
ræsde on ðone r<strong>of</strong>an ða him rum ageald,<br />
hat ond heaðogrim. Heals ealne ymbefeng<br />
biteran banum; he geblodegod wearð<br />
sawuldriore, swat yðum weoll.<br />
Đa ic æt ðearfe gefrægn ðeodcyninges<br />
andlongne eorl ellen cyðan,<br />
cræft ond cenðu, swa him gecynde wæs.<br />
Ne hedde he ðæs heafolan, ac sio hand gebarn<br />
modiges mannes ðær he his mæges healp,<br />
ðæt he ðone niðgæst nioðor hwene sloh,<br />
secg on searwum, ðæt þæt sweord gedeaf<br />
fah ond fæted, þæt ðæt fyr ongon<br />
sweðrian syððan. Þa gen sylf cyning<br />
geweold his gewitte, wællseaxe gebræd<br />
biter ond beaduscearp ðæt he on byrnan wæg;<br />
forwrat Wedra helm wyrm on middan.<br />
Feond gefyldan -ferh ellen wræc-<br />
ond hi hyne ða begen abroten hæfdon,<br />
sibæðelingas. Swylc sceolde secg wesan,<br />
ðegn æt ðearfe. Đæt ðam ðeodne wæs<br />
siðast sigehwile sylfes dædum,<br />
worlde geweorces. Đa sio wund ongon<br />
ðe him se eorðdraca ær geworhte<br />
swelan ond swellan; he ðæt sona onfand,<br />
ðæt him on breostum bealoniðe weoll<br />
attor on innan. Đa se æðeling giong<br />
ðæt he be wealle wishycgende<br />
gesæt on sesse; seah on enta geweorc,<br />
hu ða stonbogan stapulum fæste<br />
ece eorðreced innan healde.<br />
Hyne ða mid handa heorodreorigne,<br />
ðeoden mærne ðegn ungemete till,<br />
winedryhten his wætere gelafede,<br />
hilde sædne, ond his helm onspeon.<br />
Biowulf maðelode -he <strong>of</strong>er benne spræc,<br />
wunde wælbleate; wissa he gearwe<br />
ðæt he dæghwila gedrogen hæfde,<br />
eorðan wynne; ða wæs eall sceacen<br />
dogorgerimes, deað ungemete neah:<br />
24
James Lloyd<br />
Beowulf – continued<br />
Still the warrior-king kept his mind on matters <strong>of</strong> glory: in the might <strong>of</strong> his strength he struck with his<br />
battle-blade so that, given impetus by his hatred, it struck fast in the head. Naegling broke; Beowulf’s<br />
old and grey-coloured sword failed him in the struggle. It was not allotted to him that the edges <strong>of</strong><br />
iron weapons could assist him in the fight; that hand <strong>of</strong> his which, as I have heard, asked over much <strong>of</strong><br />
every blade in the wielding, was too strong when he carried the weapon toughened by bleeding<br />
wounds into the struggle and he was none the better <strong>of</strong>f. Then for a third time the ravager <strong>of</strong> the<br />
nation, the ferocious and fiery dragon, determined upon aggressive moves and when the opportunity<br />
<strong>of</strong>fered itself to him he rushed, hot and fierce in the assault, upon the renowned man and grabbed him<br />
right round his neck with his cruel tusks. Beowulf was smothered with blood, his life-blood; the gore<br />
welled out in pulsing streams.<br />
I have heard that then, in the people’s king’s time <strong>of</strong> need, the earl at his side displayed courage, skill<br />
and daring, as was instinctive in him. He did not bother about the head but the brave man’s hand was<br />
burnt as he helped his kinsman in that he, this man in his armour, struck the spiteful creature<br />
somewhat lower down, so that the sword, gleaming and gold-plated, plunged in; and forthwith the fire<br />
began to abate. Still the king himself was in command <strong>of</strong> his senses; he unsheathed a deadly knife,<br />
cruel and sharp in conflict which he was carrying in his mail-coat. The protective lord <strong>of</strong> the Weder-<br />
Geats slashed the reptile apart in the middle. They had felled the foe – their courage had ousted his<br />
life – and the two <strong>of</strong> them together, noble kinsmen, had destroyed him. A man, a thane, ought to be<br />
like this in time <strong>of</strong> need. For the prince this was his last occasion <strong>of</strong> victory by his own deeds and his<br />
last achievement in the world.<br />
Then the wound which the dragon from under the ground had earlier inflicted on him began to grow<br />
inflamed and swollen. Soon he found that the poison inside him was welling up with deadly<br />
malignancy into his breast. The sagely reflecting prince then went and sat down on a plinth beside the<br />
earthwork. He was looking at the work <strong>of</strong> giants, how the ages-old earth-dwelling held within it the<br />
stone arches secure upon columns. Then with his own hands the thane, good beyond measure, bathed<br />
with water his famous prince, bloody from the fight, his lord and friend worn out by warfare and<br />
loosed his helmet. Beowulf held forth; despite his injury, the grievous mortal wound, he spoke. He<br />
was well aware that he had outlived the span <strong>of</strong>f his days and this world’s happiness; now the whole<br />
tally <strong>of</strong> his days had slipped away and death was close beyond measure:<br />
Passage taken from the edition by George Jack, pp. 180-5. Translation taken from the edition by S. A.<br />
J. Bradley, pp. 481-3.<br />
25