Original

Translation

oretmecgas æfter æþelum frægn:

...asked the warriors of their lineage:

"Hwanon ferigeað ge fætte scyldas,

"Whence do you carry ornate shields,

græge syrcan ond grimhelmas,

Grey mail-shirts and masked helms,

heresceafta heap? Ic eom Hroðgares

A multitude of spears? I am Hrothgar's

ar ond ombiht. Ne seah ic elþeodige

herald and officer. I have never seen, of foreigners,

þus manige men modiglicran,

So many men, of braver bearing,

Wen ic þæt ge for wlenco, nalles for wræcsiðum,

I know that out of daring, by no means in exile,

ac for higeþrymmum Hroðgar sohton."

But for greatness of heart, you have sought Hrothgar."

Him þa ellenrof andswarode,

To him, thus, bravely, it was answered,

wlanc Wedera leod, word æfter spræc,

By the proud Geatish chief, who these words thereafter spoke,

heard under helme: "We synt Higelaces

Hard under helm: "We are Hygelac's

beodgeneatas; Beowulf is min nama.

Table-companions. Beowulf is my name.

Wille ic asecgan sunu Healfdenes,

I wish to declare to the son of Healfdene

mærum þeodne, min ærende,

To the renowned prince, my mission,

aldre þinum, gif he us geunnan wile

To your lord, if he will grant us

þæt we hine swa godne gretan moton."

that we might be allowed to address him, he who is so good."

Wulfgar maþelode (þæt wæs Wendla leod;

Wulfgar Spoke – that was a Vendel chief;

his modsefa manegum gecyðed,

His character was to many known

wig ond wisdom): "Ic þæs wine Deniga,

His war-prowess and wisdom – "I, of him, friend of Danes,

frean Scildinga, frinan wille,

the Scyldings' lord, will ask,

beaga bryttan, swa þu bena eart,

Of the ring bestower, as you request,

þeoden mærne, ymb þinne sið,

Of that renowned prince, concerning your venture,

ond þe þa ondsware ædre gecyðan

And will swiftly provide you the answer

ðe me se goda agifan þenceð."

That the great one sees fit to give me."