Beowulf (opening)
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.
Lo! We have heard of the glory of the Spear-Danes’ people-kings in days of yore — how those princes performed deeds of courage.
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,
Often Scyld Scefing seized the mead-benches from bands of enemies, from many tribes, and terrified their warriors — since he was first found destitute. He lived to see consolation for that.
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!
He grew under the skies and throve in honors, until each of the neighboring peoples over the whale-road had to obey him and pay tribute. That was a good king!
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