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Beowulf, lines 1–11

Bēowulf

Beowulf (opening)

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Lo!Hwæt! weWē of the Spear-DanesGār-Dena inin days of yoregeārdagum,
of the people-kingsþēodcyninga the gloryþrym have heardgefrūnon,
howhū thoseðā princesæþelingas deeds of courageellen performedfremedon.

oftenOft ScyldScyld son of ScefScēfing of enemiessceaþena from the bandsþrēatum,
from manymonegum tribesmǣgþum mead-benchesmeodosetla seizedoftēah,
terrifiedegsode warriorseorlas, sincesyððan firstǣrest he waswearð
destitutefēasceaft foundfunden; hehē for thatþæs consolationfrōfre lived to seegebād,

he grewwēox underunder the skieswolcnum, in honorsweorðmyndum throveþāh,
untiloðþæt himhim eachǣghwylc of theþāra neighboring peoplesymbsittendra
overofer the whale-roadhronrāde obeyhȳran had toscolde,
tributegomban paygyldan. thatÞæt waswæs a goodgōd kingcyning!

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