Beowulf

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Beowulf

• Text and Contexts

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Beowulf, Lines 710-1007
Sigmund a story within the story (768-807)
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Beowulf, Lines 710-1007
Sigmund a story within the story (768-807) Hrothgars gratitude (819-ff)
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Beowulf, Lines 710-1007
Sigmund a story within the story (768-807) Hrothgars gratitude (819-ff) Grendels mother described (1108-ff)
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Beowulf, Lines 710-1007
Sigmund a story within the story (768-807) Hrothgars gratitude (819-ff) Grendels mother described (1108-ff) Grendels mothers revenge (1124-ff)
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Beowulf, Lines 710-1007
Sigmund a story within the story (768-807) Hrothgars gratitude (819-ff) Grendels mother described (1108-ff) Grendels mothers revenge (1124-ff) Beowulf kills Grendels mother (1270-ff)
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Beowulf, Lines 710-2000
Sigmund a story within the story (768-807) Hrothgars gratitude (819-ff) Grendels mother described (1108-ff) Grendels mothers revenge (1124-ff) Beowulf kills Grendels mother (1270-ff) Beowulf returns home, tells his story (1730-ff)
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Beowulf is Rewarded
895 900 910 Crowning his conquest, bestowed on the Stalwart embroidered with gold, and an unblemished blade of warriors watched. a flagon before them facing bold spearsmen Not many men have given another in friendlier fashion. . . . The sovereign ordered brought to the court One bore a saddle and glinting gold-work the king of the Danes a battle-standard a helmet, a byrnie, borne out while ranks Then Beowulf drank he would feel no shame with boons such as these. on mead benches four golden gifts eight swift steeds on braided bridles. studded with gems there the great king
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Beowulf is Rewarded
915 920 son of Healfdene, never faltering working his will Then Hrothgar awarded both to Beowulf and wield them well. he paid the hero of heirlooms and arms no man could fairly would sit during sword-strife fierce at the front while the wounded fell. horses and weapons bade that he keep them So from his hoard a princely reward for braving the battle or truthfully fault them.
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Grendels Mother
1110 1115 1120 It would soon be perceived that one ill-wisher maddened by grief a fearsome female alone in her lair and cold currents the only brother Marked by murder, and went to the wastes. issued from him. but the hateful Hell-walker wakefully watching The monster met there strength would serve him, faith in the All-Wielders plainly by all still was alive, Grendels mother, bitterly brooding deep in dread waters since Cain had killed born of his father. he fled from mankind Doomed evil-doers Grendel was one, found a warrior for combat in Heorot. A man who remembered The great gift of God, favor and aid.
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Grendels Mother Attacks
1125 1130 By that he mastered routed, wretched, forlornly drew near Enraged and ravenous, swiftly set out to settle the score She slipped into Heorot where sleeping earls an awful reversal. by as much as a maidens is less than a mans the banded blade a blood-stained sword slashes a boar-helm the ghastly ghoul the hell-fiend fled, his dreary death-place. Grendels mother on a sorrowful journey for her sons demise. hall of the Ring-Danes, soon would suffer Her onslaught was less mettle in war wielding his weapon hammered to hardness whose bitter stroke borne into battle.
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Grendels Mother Attacks
1140 1145 In the hall, sword-edge broadshield was swung held firmly in hand. or sturdy mail-shirt Out she hastened, keen to keep living she fastened on one, He was Hrothgars boon companion slain in his bed. elsewhere that evening, the greatest of Geats sprang from scabbard swiftly off bench, None thought of helmet when terror assailed him. out and away, when caught in the act. then fled to her fen. highest counselor, and brave shield-bearer Beowulf slept for after the feast was given lodging.
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Hrothgars Grief for Aeschere
1155 1160 1165 It was grim for the sovereign to learn his old thane to know such a dear one Swiftly he sent battle-blessed Beowulf Together with all He marched in the midst was wondering whether ever would alter That much-honored man and timbers dinned He spoke soberly asking how soundly Hrothgar answered, Ask not about ease! again for the Danes the grizzled soldier, was no longer living, was suddenly dead. servants to fetch early from bed. the great-hearted Geats. went where the wise one the All-Wielder this spell of ill-fortune. marched up the floor, with the tread of his troop. after the summons, the sovereign had slept. head of his house Anguish has wakened Aeschere is dead.
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Beowulf Kills Grendels Mother
1225 1230 Beowulf spoke, Grieve not, good man. and avenge your friend We all must abide but a warriors works As long as he lives Rise now, ruler and look on the spoor I swear to you this in chasm or cave, or bogs bottom, son of Ecgtheow It is better to go than mourn overmuch. an end on this earth, may win him renown and after life leaves him. let us ride together of Grendels mother. she shall not escape in cliff-climbing thicket wherever she bolts.
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Beowulf Kills Grendels Mother
1340 1345 1350 1355 The lordly one looked The mighty mere-wife. For a swift stroke, And the whorled blade But the battle-flame Its edge was unable Though Hrunting had often And slashed mail-shirts For the first time Resolve unshaken, Hygelacs kinsman In a fit of fury Steely and strong, rang on the stones. of his mighty hand-grip. unmindful of life, on the hellish hag, He swung his sword not staying his hand whistled its war-song. failed to bite her to end her life hacked through helmets, in hand-to-hand strife. the famous blade faltered. courage rekindled, was keen for conquest he flung down the sword. the ring-banded brand He would trust in the strength Thus should a man win lasting renown.
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Beowulf Kills Grendels Mother
1360 1365 1370 Grabbing the tresses the Geats battle-chief, wrestled her down but a favor repaid With her grim grasp weary, the warrior the strongest foot-soldier Astraddle the hall-guest, broad and bright-bladed, her only offspring. shoulder and breast, of edge or point, saved him from harm. the leader of Geats, under Earths arch of Grendels mother, bursthing with wrath, no deed to regret as fast as she fell. she grappled him still. stumbled and slipped fell to the foe. she drew her dagger, bent on avenging His mail-shirt shielded barring the entry the woven war-shirt Ecgtheows son, would have lost his life But for his armor
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Beowulf Kills Grendels Mother
1375 1380 and Heavens favor the Ruler of All the righteous man He beheld in a hoard a battle-blessed sword a marvelous weapon Thought over-heavy when finely forged the scyldings shielder and swung up the sword, he struck savagely, and broke the bone-rings, her fated flesh. the sword sweated furnishing help. readily aided when he rose once more. of ancient arms with strong-edged blade, men might admire for any to heft by giants of old. took hold of the hilt though despairing of life hit her hard neck cleaving clean through She fell to the floor the soldier rejoiced.