WEBVTT

1
00:00:02.279 --> 00:00:06.480
<v Speaker 1>This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in

2
00:00:06.519 --> 00:00:12.039
<v Speaker 1>the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, visit

3
00:00:12.199 --> 00:00:24.280
<v Speaker 1>LibriVox dot org. Beowulf translated by Francis Barton gmir Section seven.

4
00:00:26.399 --> 00:00:29.839
<v Speaker 1>That way he went, with no will of his own,

5
00:00:30.120 --> 00:00:35.479
<v Speaker 1>in danger of life, to the dragon's hoard, But for

6
00:00:35.640 --> 00:00:41.039
<v Speaker 1>pressure of peril some prince's thane, he fled in fear

7
00:00:41.119 --> 00:00:48.600
<v Speaker 1>the fatal scourge, seeking shelter, a sinful man, and entered in.

8
00:00:49.000 --> 00:00:54.039
<v Speaker 1>At the awful sight tottered that guest, and terror seized him.

9
00:00:55.079 --> 00:00:59.840
<v Speaker 1>Yet the wretched fugitive rallied Anon from fright and fear.

10
00:01:00.399 --> 00:01:04.040
<v Speaker 1>Ere he fled away and took the cup from that

11
00:01:04.439 --> 00:01:11.640
<v Speaker 1>treasure hoard of such besides, there was story enough heirlooms

12
00:01:11.680 --> 00:01:17.799
<v Speaker 1>old the earth below which some earl forgotten in ancient years.

13
00:01:18.560 --> 00:01:23.159
<v Speaker 1>Left the last of his lofty race heedfully there had

14
00:01:23.239 --> 00:01:29.959
<v Speaker 1>hidden away dearest treasure, for death of yore had hurried

15
00:01:30.040 --> 00:01:34.560
<v Speaker 1>all hence, and he alone left to live the last

16
00:01:34.640 --> 00:01:39.719
<v Speaker 1>of the clan. Weeping his friends, yet wished to bide,

17
00:01:39.799 --> 00:01:45.760
<v Speaker 1>warding the treasure his one delight, though brief his respite.

18
00:01:46.280 --> 00:01:50.719
<v Speaker 1>The barrow new, ready to strand and sea waves stood

19
00:01:50.719 --> 00:01:56.680
<v Speaker 1>anear hard by the headland, hidden and closed. There laid

20
00:01:56.760 --> 00:02:02.159
<v Speaker 1>within it his lordly heirlooms, and heap'd hoard of heavy gold,

21
00:02:02.319 --> 00:02:09.159
<v Speaker 1>that warden of rings. Few words he spake, Now hold

22
00:02:09.240 --> 00:02:13.680
<v Speaker 1>thou earth, since heroes may not what earls have own'd

23
00:02:14.840 --> 00:02:19.840
<v Speaker 1>lo erst from thee brave men brought it. But battle,

24
00:02:19.919 --> 00:02:25.599
<v Speaker 1>death seiz'd and cruel killing my clansmen all robb'd them

25
00:02:25.680 --> 00:02:30.639
<v Speaker 1>of life and a liegeman's joys. None have I left

26
00:02:30.719 --> 00:02:34.919
<v Speaker 1>to lift the sword, or to cleanse the carven cup

27
00:02:34.960 --> 00:02:41.319
<v Speaker 1>of price beaker bright my brave are gone, and the

28
00:02:41.439 --> 00:02:47.080
<v Speaker 1>helmet hard, all haughty with gold shall part from its plating.

29
00:02:48.479 --> 00:02:52.840
<v Speaker 1>Polishers sleep, who could brighten and burnish the battle mask,

30
00:02:53.879 --> 00:02:57.719
<v Speaker 1>and those weeds of war that were wont to brave

31
00:02:57.919 --> 00:03:02.560
<v Speaker 1>over bicker of shields, the bite of steel rust with

32
00:03:02.759 --> 00:03:09.080
<v Speaker 1>their bearer. The ringed mail fares not far with famous

33
00:03:09.159 --> 00:03:15.240
<v Speaker 1>chieftain at side of hero. No heart's delight, no glee,

34
00:03:15.319 --> 00:03:20.800
<v Speaker 1>wood's gladness. No good hawk now flies through the hall,

35
00:03:22.159 --> 00:03:28.000
<v Speaker 1>nor horses fleet stamp in the bergstead. Battle and death,

36
00:03:28.520 --> 00:03:35.800
<v Speaker 1>the flower of my race have reft away, mournful of mood.

37
00:03:36.680 --> 00:03:41.080
<v Speaker 1>Thus he moan'd his woe alone for them all, and

38
00:03:42.000 --> 00:03:47.280
<v Speaker 1>unblithe wept by day and by night, till death's fell.

39
00:03:47.439 --> 00:03:53.840
<v Speaker 1>Wave o'erwhelm'd his heart, his horde of bliss, that old

40
00:03:54.120 --> 00:03:59.840
<v Speaker 1>ill doer open found who blazing at twilight the barrow's

41
00:04:00.039 --> 00:04:06.680
<v Speaker 1>haunteth naked Foe dragon flying by night, folded in fire.

42
00:04:07.800 --> 00:04:12.800
<v Speaker 1>The folk of Earth dread him, sore 'tis his doom

43
00:04:13.080 --> 00:04:16.959
<v Speaker 1>to seek hoard in the graves and heathen gold, to

44
00:04:17.040 --> 00:04:25.240
<v Speaker 1>watch many wintered nor wins. He thereby powerful this plague

45
00:04:25.279 --> 00:04:28.639
<v Speaker 1>of the people. Thus held the House of the Horde

46
00:04:28.720 --> 00:04:35.079
<v Speaker 1>in Earth three hundred winters till one aroused wrath in

47
00:04:35.160 --> 00:04:40.199
<v Speaker 1>his breast to the ruler, bearing that costly cup, and

48
00:04:40.319 --> 00:04:46.040
<v Speaker 1>the king implored for bond of peace. So the barrel

49
00:04:46.199 --> 00:04:52.160
<v Speaker 1>was plundered, borne off was booty, his boon was granted.

50
00:04:52.360 --> 00:04:57.560
<v Speaker 1>That wretched man and his ruler saw first time what

51
00:04:57.759 --> 00:05:02.160
<v Speaker 1>was fashioned in far off days. When the dragon awoke,

52
00:05:02.399 --> 00:05:09.120
<v Speaker 1>knew woe was kindled or the stone he snuffed, the

53
00:05:09.240 --> 00:05:13.920
<v Speaker 1>stark heart found footprint of Foe, who so far had

54
00:05:13.959 --> 00:05:19.279
<v Speaker 1>gone in his hidden craft by the creature's head. So

55
00:05:19.560 --> 00:05:24.879
<v Speaker 1>may the undoomed easily flee evils and exile, if only

56
00:05:24.959 --> 00:05:30.759
<v Speaker 1>he gained the grace of the wielder, that warden of

57
00:05:30.800 --> 00:05:35.959
<v Speaker 1>gold o'er the ground went seeking, greedy to find the

58
00:05:36.040 --> 00:05:41.040
<v Speaker 1>man who wrought him such wrong. In sleep, savage and burning.

59
00:05:41.959 --> 00:05:46.360
<v Speaker 1>The barrow he circled all without nor was any there

60
00:05:47.439 --> 00:05:53.480
<v Speaker 1>none in the waste. Yet war he desired, was eager

61
00:05:53.519 --> 00:05:58.279
<v Speaker 1>for battle. The barrow he entered, sought the cup, and

62
00:05:58.399 --> 00:06:02.680
<v Speaker 1>discovered soon that some one of the mortals had searched

63
00:06:02.759 --> 00:06:09.319
<v Speaker 1>his treasure, His lordly Gold. The guardian waited ill, enduring

64
00:06:09.519 --> 00:06:14.399
<v Speaker 1>till evening came. Boiling with wrath was the barrel's keeper,

65
00:06:15.120 --> 00:06:18.759
<v Speaker 1>and fame with flame the foe to pay for the

66
00:06:18.800 --> 00:06:24.800
<v Speaker 1>dear cup's loss. Now day was fled as the worm

67
00:06:24.920 --> 00:06:29.680
<v Speaker 1>had wished by its wall. No more was it glad

68
00:06:29.759 --> 00:06:35.920
<v Speaker 1>to bide, but burning flu folded in flame, a fearful

69
00:06:35.959 --> 00:06:40.040
<v Speaker 1>beginning for suns of the soil, And soon it came

70
00:06:41.120 --> 00:06:45.720
<v Speaker 1>in the doom of their lord, to a dreadful end.

71
00:06:48.199 --> 00:06:53.399
<v Speaker 1>Then the baleful fiend, its fire belched out, and bright

72
00:06:53.560 --> 00:07:00.240
<v Speaker 1>homes burned. The blaze stood high all landsfolk, frighting. No

73
00:07:00.360 --> 00:07:05.000
<v Speaker 1>living thing would that loathly one leave as aloft it

74
00:07:05.120 --> 00:07:11.439
<v Speaker 1>flew wide was the dragon's warring scene, its fiendish fury,

75
00:07:11.879 --> 00:07:18.079
<v Speaker 1>far and near as the grim destroyer those Gaettish people

76
00:07:18.639 --> 00:07:24.319
<v Speaker 1>hated and hounded to hidden lair, to its hoard. It

77
00:07:24.399 --> 00:07:28.600
<v Speaker 1>hastened at hint of dawn, folk of the land. It

78
00:07:28.680 --> 00:07:34.199
<v Speaker 1>had lapped in flame, with bale and brand in its barrow.

79
00:07:34.480 --> 00:07:40.560
<v Speaker 1>It trusted its battling and bulwarks. That boast was vain

80
00:07:42.920 --> 00:07:47.319
<v Speaker 1>to Beowulf. Then the bale was told quickly and truly

81
00:07:48.360 --> 00:07:52.680
<v Speaker 1>the king's own home of buildings, the best in brand.

82
00:07:52.800 --> 00:07:58.240
<v Speaker 1>Waves melted the gift throne of gates to the good

83
00:07:58.279 --> 00:08:03.959
<v Speaker 1>old man, sad in heart twas heaviest sorrow. The sage

84
00:08:04.480 --> 00:08:09.720
<v Speaker 1>assumed that his sovereign god he had angered, breaking ancient law,

85
00:08:10.360 --> 00:08:16.120
<v Speaker 1>and embittered the lord. His breast within with black thoughts

86
00:08:16.160 --> 00:08:22.439
<v Speaker 1>welled as his wont was never the folk's own fastness.

87
00:08:22.480 --> 00:08:27.639
<v Speaker 1>That fiery dragon with flame had destroy'd, and the stronghold

88
00:08:28.160 --> 00:08:33.840
<v Speaker 1>all wash'd by waves. But the warlike king, Prince of

89
00:08:33.919 --> 00:08:40.879
<v Speaker 1>the Waiter's plotted vengeance warriors bulwark, he bade them work

90
00:08:41.039 --> 00:08:47.799
<v Speaker 1>all of iron, the Earl's commander a war shield wondrous

91
00:08:47.840 --> 00:08:52.399
<v Speaker 1>well he knew that forest would against fire were worthless.

92
00:08:53.679 --> 00:09:00.159
<v Speaker 1>Lyndon could aid not atheling brave. He was faded to

93
00:09:00.240 --> 00:09:04.120
<v Speaker 1>finish this fleeting life, his days on earth, and the

94
00:09:04.200 --> 00:09:08.000
<v Speaker 1>dragon with him, Though long it had watched o'er the

95
00:09:08.039 --> 00:09:13.759
<v Speaker 1>wealth of the Horde. Shame he reckoned sharer of rings

96
00:09:14.399 --> 00:09:18.759
<v Speaker 1>to follow the flier Afar with a host a broad

97
00:09:18.919 --> 00:09:25.360
<v Speaker 1>flung band. Nor the battle feared he, nor deemed he dreadful,

98
00:09:25.480 --> 00:09:31.879
<v Speaker 1>the dragon's warring, its vigor and valor ventures desperate, he

99
00:09:31.960 --> 00:09:37.759
<v Speaker 1>had passed a plenty and perils of war, contest crash.

100
00:09:38.320 --> 00:09:44.919
<v Speaker 1>Since conqueror proud Rothgar's Hall, he had wholly purged, and

101
00:09:45.039 --> 00:09:50.679
<v Speaker 1>in grapple had killed the Ken of Grendel. Loathsome breed,

102
00:09:52.240 --> 00:09:55.559
<v Speaker 1>not least was that of hand to hand fights with

103
00:09:55.799 --> 00:10:00.440
<v Speaker 1>Hegelach fell when the ruler of Gates, in rush of battle,

104
00:10:00.840 --> 00:10:04.600
<v Speaker 1>lord of his folk in the Frisian Land, son of

105
00:10:04.759 --> 00:10:12.639
<v Speaker 1>Rethel by sword drafts, died by brands down beaten. Thence

106
00:10:12.720 --> 00:10:17.080
<v Speaker 1>Belwulf fled through strength of himself and his swimming power,

107
00:10:17.840 --> 00:10:22.120
<v Speaker 1>though alone, and his arms were laden with thirty coats

108
00:10:22.159 --> 00:10:26.919
<v Speaker 1>of mail when he came to the sea. Nor yet

109
00:10:27.039 --> 00:10:33.159
<v Speaker 1>might hetwaras haughtily boast their craft of contest, who carried

110
00:10:33.200 --> 00:10:38.080
<v Speaker 1>against him shields to the fight, but few escaped from

111
00:10:38.200 --> 00:10:43.919
<v Speaker 1>strife with the hero to their homes. Then swam over

112
00:10:44.120 --> 00:10:51.240
<v Speaker 1>ocean Echthiao's sun, lonely and sorrowful, seeking his land, where

113
00:10:51.360 --> 00:10:55.759
<v Speaker 1>hygd made him offer of hoard and realm rings and

114
00:10:56.080 --> 00:11:00.039
<v Speaker 1>royal seat, reckoning not the strength of her son, and

115
00:11:00.919 --> 00:11:06.120
<v Speaker 1>to save their kingdom from hostile hordes after Hegelach's death.

116
00:11:07.559 --> 00:11:11.480
<v Speaker 1>No sooner for this could the stricken ones in any

117
00:11:11.600 --> 00:11:17.879
<v Speaker 1>wise move that Atheling's mind over young Herdrid's head as

118
00:11:18.039 --> 00:11:23.039
<v Speaker 1>lord and ruler of all the realm to be. Yet

119
00:11:23.480 --> 00:11:28.039
<v Speaker 1>the hero upheld him with helpful words, aided in honor

120
00:11:28.480 --> 00:11:36.360
<v Speaker 1>till older grown. He wielded the wetter gheats wandering exile

121
00:11:36.480 --> 00:11:41.519
<v Speaker 1>sought him oward the seas. The sons of Outre, who

122
00:11:41.639 --> 00:11:45.799
<v Speaker 1>had spurned the sway of the Skilfing's helmet, the bravest

123
00:11:45.840 --> 00:11:50.120
<v Speaker 1>and best that broke the rings in Swedish land of

124
00:11:50.240 --> 00:11:58.600
<v Speaker 1>the sea King's line. Haughty hero, hence Herdrid's end for shelter,

125
00:11:58.720 --> 00:12:03.720
<v Speaker 1>he gave them sword. Death came the blades fell blow

126
00:12:04.559 --> 00:12:09.440
<v Speaker 1>to bairn of Hygalecht, but the son of Augenthial sought

127
00:12:09.480 --> 00:12:15.480
<v Speaker 1>again house and home when Herdred fell, leaving Beowulf, Lord

128
00:12:15.639 --> 00:12:21.240
<v Speaker 1>of Gates and gift Seats master a good king. He

129
00:12:24.240 --> 00:12:27.080
<v Speaker 1>the fall of his lord, he was fain to requite

130
00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:31.919
<v Speaker 1>in after days and to Edgul's he proved friend to

131
00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:35.960
<v Speaker 1>the friendless, and forces sent over the sea to the

132
00:12:36.000 --> 00:12:43.559
<v Speaker 1>son of Oterre, weapons and warriors well repaid. He those

133
00:12:43.679 --> 00:12:49.799
<v Speaker 1>care paths cold when the king he slew thus safe

134
00:12:49.879 --> 00:12:54.679
<v Speaker 1>through struggles. The son of Ecthial had passed a plenty

135
00:12:55.360 --> 00:13:02.039
<v Speaker 1>through peril's dire with daring deeds, till this day was

136
00:13:02.159 --> 00:13:06.000
<v Speaker 1>come that doomed him. Now with the dragons to strive

137
00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:13.000
<v Speaker 1>with Comrade's eleven, the Lord of Gates, swollen in rage,

138
00:13:13.080 --> 00:13:17.240
<v Speaker 1>went seeking the dragon he had heard. Whence all the

139
00:13:17.279 --> 00:13:21.720
<v Speaker 1>harm arose, and the killing of clansmen, that cup of

140
00:13:21.919 --> 00:13:24.759
<v Speaker 1>price on the lap of the lord had been laid

141
00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:30.679
<v Speaker 1>by the finder in the throng. Was this one thirteenth man,

142
00:13:31.679 --> 00:13:38.519
<v Speaker 1>starter of all the strife and ill, care laden, captive, cringing,

143
00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:43.039
<v Speaker 1>thence forced and reluctant, he led them on till he

144
00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:49.399
<v Speaker 1>came in ken of that cavern hall. The barrow delved

145
00:13:49.799 --> 00:13:56.480
<v Speaker 1>near Billowy, Surge's flood of ocean within twas full of wire,

146
00:13:56.559 --> 00:14:03.000
<v Speaker 1>gold and jewels, A jealous warden warrior, trusty the treasures

147
00:14:03.080 --> 00:14:08.440
<v Speaker 1>held lurked in his lair, nor light the task of

148
00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:12.320
<v Speaker 1>entrance for any of the earth born men. Sat on

149
00:14:12.440 --> 00:14:17.679
<v Speaker 1>the headland. The hero king spake words of hail to

150
00:14:17.840 --> 00:14:24.440
<v Speaker 1>his hearth companions, gold, friend of Gates, all gloomy, his

151
00:14:24.600 --> 00:14:34.240
<v Speaker 1>soul wavering, death bound, weird, full nigh ready stood to

152
00:14:34.480 --> 00:14:38.679
<v Speaker 1>greet the gray haired man, to seize his soul, Horde,

153
00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:43.480
<v Speaker 1>sunder apart, life and body not long would be the

154
00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:50.879
<v Speaker 1>warrior's spirit in wound with flesh. Beowulf spake the barn

155
00:14:51.080 --> 00:14:58.279
<v Speaker 1>of Echthial, through store of struggles I strove in youth

156
00:14:59.279 --> 00:15:04.240
<v Speaker 1>mighty few UDEs I mind them all. I was seven

157
00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:07.600
<v Speaker 1>years old when the Sovereign of Ring's, friend of his

158
00:15:07.720 --> 00:15:12.039
<v Speaker 1>folk from my father, took me, had me and held

159
00:15:12.120 --> 00:15:18.159
<v Speaker 1>me rethel the king with food and fee, faithful in

160
00:15:18.320 --> 00:15:23.960
<v Speaker 1>kinship ne'er while I lived there, he loathlier found me

161
00:15:24.799 --> 00:15:30.240
<v Speaker 1>barn in the burg. Then his birthright sons Hairbelled and

162
00:15:30.399 --> 00:15:35.919
<v Speaker 1>Hasteth and Higelac mine for the eldest of these, by

163
00:15:36.080 --> 00:15:41.519
<v Speaker 1>unmeet chance, by kinsman's deed, was the death bed strewn

164
00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:46.919
<v Speaker 1>when Hyacinth killed him with horny bow. His own dear

165
00:15:47.120 --> 00:15:51.559
<v Speaker 1>liege laid low with an arrow, missed the mark, and

166
00:15:51.679 --> 00:15:58.519
<v Speaker 1>his mate shot down, one brother the other with bloody shaft.

167
00:15:59.120 --> 00:16:04.159
<v Speaker 1>A felis fight, and of fearful sin, horror to rethel.

168
00:16:05.440 --> 00:16:11.240
<v Speaker 1>Yet hard as it was unavenged. Must the athelen die

169
00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:16.320
<v Speaker 1>too awful? It is for an aged man to bide

170
00:16:16.480 --> 00:16:21.279
<v Speaker 1>and bear that his barn so young, rides on the

171
00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:26.639
<v Speaker 1>gallows a rhyme, he makes sorrow song for his son,

172
00:16:26.759 --> 00:16:32.559
<v Speaker 1>there hanging as rapture of ravens. No rescue now can

173
00:16:32.679 --> 00:16:39.000
<v Speaker 1>come from the old disabled man. Still is he minded?

174
00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:45.399
<v Speaker 1>As his morning breaks of the air gone elsewhere? Another

175
00:16:45.480 --> 00:16:48.759
<v Speaker 1>he hopes not. He will bide to see his burg

176
00:16:48.879 --> 00:16:53.399
<v Speaker 1>within as ward for his wealth. Now the one has

177
00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:59.440
<v Speaker 1>found doom of death that the deed incurred. Forlorn, he

178
00:16:59.559 --> 00:17:04.400
<v Speaker 1>looks on the lodge of his son, wine haul, waste,

179
00:17:04.720 --> 00:17:11.680
<v Speaker 1>and wind swept chambers reft of revel. The rider sleepeth,

180
00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:19.160
<v Speaker 1>the hero far hidden. No harp resounds in the courts,

181
00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:26.519
<v Speaker 1>no wastle as once was heard. Then he goes to

182
00:17:26.640 --> 00:17:31.559
<v Speaker 1>his chamber, A grief song chants alone for his lost

183
00:17:32.079 --> 00:17:38.359
<v Speaker 1>two large all seems, homestead and house. So the helmet

184
00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:44.880
<v Speaker 1>of wedders hid in his heart for harrabuild waves of woe.

185
00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:48.799
<v Speaker 1>No way could he take to avenge on the slayer

186
00:17:49.279 --> 00:17:54.319
<v Speaker 1>slaughter so foul nor e'en could he harass that hero

187
00:17:54.480 --> 00:17:58.559
<v Speaker 1>at all with loathing deed, though he lov'd him not.

188
00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:05.279
<v Speaker 1>And so for the sorrow his soul endur'd men's gladness

189
00:18:05.319 --> 00:18:11.440
<v Speaker 1>he gave up, and God's light chose lands and cities.

190
00:18:11.519 --> 00:18:15.319
<v Speaker 1>He left his sons as the wealthy do. When he

191
00:18:15.440 --> 00:18:20.720
<v Speaker 1>went from earth, there was strife and struggle TwixT Swede

192
00:18:20.799 --> 00:18:28.039
<v Speaker 1>and Gait o'er the width of waters. War arose, hard,

193
00:18:28.160 --> 00:18:34.640
<v Speaker 1>battle horror. When Rethel died and Ongenthal's offspring grew strife

194
00:18:34.759 --> 00:18:40.240
<v Speaker 1>keen bold nor brook'd o'er the seas pack'd of peace,

195
00:18:41.160 --> 00:18:47.279
<v Speaker 1>but push'd their boats to harass and hatred rosnabord. Men

196
00:18:47.400 --> 00:18:52.559
<v Speaker 1>of my folk, for that feud had vengeance for woeful

197
00:18:52.799 --> 00:18:57.920
<v Speaker 1>war tis widely known, though one of them bought it

198
00:18:58.000 --> 00:19:02.880
<v Speaker 1>with blood of his own heart, a bargain hard for

199
00:19:03.480 --> 00:19:08.359
<v Speaker 1>Hetzen proved fatal. That fray for the first of gates

200
00:19:09.160 --> 00:19:13.519
<v Speaker 1>at Morn I heard was the murderer killed by kinsmen

201
00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:20.799
<v Speaker 1>for kinsman with clash of sword. When Ongenthao met eofor

202
00:19:20.920 --> 00:19:27.160
<v Speaker 1>there wide split the war helm wan, he fell hoary skilfing.

203
00:19:28.279 --> 00:19:32.200
<v Speaker 1>The hand that smote him of feud was mindful, nor

204
00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:38.559
<v Speaker 1>flinch'd from the death blow. For all that he gave me,

205
00:19:39.359 --> 00:19:44.920
<v Speaker 1>my gleaming sword repaid him at war such power I

206
00:19:45.039 --> 00:19:51.400
<v Speaker 1>wielded for lordly treasure with land he entrusted me homestead

207
00:19:51.640 --> 00:19:56.920
<v Speaker 1>and house. He had no need from Swedish realm, or

208
00:19:57.039 --> 00:20:01.400
<v Speaker 1>from spear Dane folk, or from the men of gifts

209
00:20:02.920 --> 00:20:10.279
<v Speaker 1>to get him help some warrior worse for wage to buy. Ever,

210
00:20:10.400 --> 00:20:14.160
<v Speaker 1>I fought in the front of all soul to the fore,

211
00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:17.839
<v Speaker 1>and so shall I fight while I bide in life.

212
00:20:18.440 --> 00:20:22.839
<v Speaker 1>And this blade shall last. That early and late hath

213
00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:30.079
<v Speaker 1>loyal proved, Since for my daughtiness Dachfrin fell slain by

214
00:20:30.119 --> 00:20:35.599
<v Speaker 1>my hand. The Hugos champion nor fared. He thence to

215
00:20:35.720 --> 00:20:41.039
<v Speaker 1>the Frisian king with the booty back and breast adornments,

216
00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:47.880
<v Speaker 1>but slain in struggle. That standard bearer fell Athleen brave.

217
00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:53.279
<v Speaker 1>Not with blade was he slain, but his bones were

218
00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:59.759
<v Speaker 1>broken by Brownie gripe. His heart waves stifled the So

219
00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:05.440
<v Speaker 1>Lord Edge, now hard blade and my hand for the

220
00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:12.480
<v Speaker 1>hoard shall strive. Beowulf spake, and a battle vow made

221
00:21:12.519 --> 00:21:17.680
<v Speaker 1>his last of all. I have lived through many wars

222
00:21:17.720 --> 00:21:24.799
<v Speaker 1>in my youth. Now once again, old folk defender feud

223
00:21:24.880 --> 00:21:30.000
<v Speaker 1>will I seek do doughty deeds. If the dark destroyer

224
00:21:30.200 --> 00:21:36.799
<v Speaker 1>forth from his cavern come to fight me, Then hailed

225
00:21:36.880 --> 00:21:41.079
<v Speaker 1>he the helmeted heroes, all for the last time, greeting

226
00:21:41.240 --> 00:21:47.559
<v Speaker 1>his leechmen, dear comrades of war. I should carry no

227
00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:52.680
<v Speaker 1>weapon nor sword to the serpent, if sure I knew

228
00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:57.440
<v Speaker 1>how with such enemy. Else my vows I could gain

229
00:21:57.519 --> 00:22:01.599
<v Speaker 1>as I did in Grendel's day. But fire in this

230
00:22:01.839 --> 00:22:07.319
<v Speaker 1>fight I must fear me now and poisonous breath. So

231
00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:12.759
<v Speaker 1>I bring with me breastplate and board from the barrow's keeper,

232
00:22:13.359 --> 00:22:18.640
<v Speaker 1>no foot breadth flee ie. One fight shall end our

233
00:22:18.759 --> 00:22:25.119
<v Speaker 1>war by the wall, as weird allots all mankind's master.

234
00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:32.240
<v Speaker 1>My mood is bold, but forbears to boast o'er this

235
00:22:32.599 --> 00:22:38.319
<v Speaker 1>battling flier. Now abide by the barrow, ye breast plate,

236
00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:43.519
<v Speaker 1>mail'd ye heroes in harness, which of us twain better

237
00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:48.759
<v Speaker 1>from the battle rush bare his wounds? Wait? Ye the finish.

238
00:22:49.319 --> 00:22:53.680
<v Speaker 1>The fight is not yours, nor meet for any but

239
00:22:53.920 --> 00:22:58.480
<v Speaker 1>me alone. To measure might with this monster. Here and

240
00:22:58.720 --> 00:23:04.359
<v Speaker 1>play the hero heartily, I shall win that wealth or

241
00:23:04.519 --> 00:23:12.519
<v Speaker 1>war shall seize cruel, killing your king and lord up stood.

242
00:23:12.680 --> 00:23:17.759
<v Speaker 1>Then with shield, the sturdy champion stayed by the strength

243
00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:22.599
<v Speaker 1>of his single manhood and hardy neath helmet. His harness

244
00:23:22.720 --> 00:23:29.759
<v Speaker 1>bore under cleft of the cliffs. No cowards path soon

245
00:23:29.880 --> 00:23:34.480
<v Speaker 1>spied by the wall, that warrior, chief survivor of many

246
00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:40.039
<v Speaker 1>a victory field where foemen fought with furious clashings in

247
00:23:40.319 --> 00:23:45.799
<v Speaker 1>arch of stone, and within a stream that broke from

248
00:23:45.839 --> 00:23:51.799
<v Speaker 1>the barrel. The brooklet's wave was hot with fire the

249
00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:55.559
<v Speaker 1>horde that way. He never could hope, unharmed, to near

250
00:23:56.279 --> 00:24:04.240
<v Speaker 1>or endure those deeps. For the dragon's flame then let

251
00:24:04.359 --> 00:24:09.599
<v Speaker 1>from his breast, for he burst with rage the waiter

252
00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:16.039
<v Speaker 1>gate prince a word outgo stormed. The stark heart stern

253
00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:20.400
<v Speaker 1>went ringing and clear his cry neath the cliff rocks gray.

254
00:24:21.920 --> 00:24:27.240
<v Speaker 1>The hoard guard heard a human voice. His rage was enkindled.

255
00:24:28.319 --> 00:24:33.400
<v Speaker 1>No respite now for pact of peace. The poisoned breath

256
00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:37.440
<v Speaker 1>of that foul worm first came forth from the cave

257
00:24:38.119 --> 00:24:44.799
<v Speaker 1>hot reek of fight. The rocks resounded. Stout by the

258
00:24:44.839 --> 00:24:48.839
<v Speaker 1>stone way his shield he raised Lord of the Gates

259
00:24:50.119 --> 00:24:56.079
<v Speaker 1>against the loathed one, while with courage keen that coil'd

260
00:24:56.240 --> 00:25:02.720
<v Speaker 1>foe came seeking strife. The sturdy king had drawn his sword,

261
00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:08.880
<v Speaker 1>not dulovitch heirloom old, and each of the two felt

262
00:25:09.039 --> 00:25:15.000
<v Speaker 1>fear of his foe, though fierce their mood. Stoutly stood

263
00:25:15.119 --> 00:25:19.920
<v Speaker 1>with his shield high, raised the warrior king as the

264
00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:25.920
<v Speaker 1>worm now coil'd together a main. The mailed one waited,

265
00:25:27.319 --> 00:25:34.079
<v Speaker 1>now spire by spire, fast sped and glided that blazing serpent.

266
00:25:35.400 --> 00:25:40.440
<v Speaker 1>The shield protected soul and body a shorter while for

267
00:25:40.559 --> 00:25:45.119
<v Speaker 1>the hero king, then his heart desired, could his will

268
00:25:45.319 --> 00:25:50.839
<v Speaker 1>have wielded the welcome respite but once in his life,

269
00:25:51.680 --> 00:25:57.839
<v Speaker 1>But Weird denied it, and victory's honors his arm he

270
00:25:58.000 --> 00:26:02.920
<v Speaker 1>lifted Lord of the Gates. The grim foes smote with

271
00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:08.960
<v Speaker 1>Athleen's heirloom. Its edge was turned brown, blade on the bone,

272
00:26:09.519 --> 00:26:12.920
<v Speaker 1>and bit more feebly than its noble master had need of.

273
00:26:13.039 --> 00:26:19.400
<v Speaker 1>Then in his baleful stress, then the barrow's keeper waxed

274
00:26:19.480 --> 00:26:26.160
<v Speaker 1>full wild. For that weighty blow cast deadly flames wide,

275
00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:31.720
<v Speaker 1>drove in far those vicious fires, no victor's glory. The

276
00:26:31.799 --> 00:26:37.440
<v Speaker 1>Gates lord boasted his brand had failed, naked in battle,

277
00:26:37.799 --> 00:26:43.400
<v Speaker 1>as never it should excellent iron. Twas no easy path

278
00:26:43.480 --> 00:26:47.359
<v Speaker 1>that Echthiau's honored air must tread o'er the plane to

279
00:26:47.480 --> 00:26:51.200
<v Speaker 1>the place of the foe. For against his will he

280
00:26:51.400 --> 00:26:55.799
<v Speaker 1>must win a home elsewhere, far as must all men,

281
00:26:56.559 --> 00:27:01.759
<v Speaker 1>leaving this lapsing life. Not long it was ere those

282
00:27:01.920 --> 00:27:09.039
<v Speaker 1>champions grimly closed again. The hoard guard was heartened high

283
00:27:09.119 --> 00:27:14.559
<v Speaker 1>heaved his breast once more, and by peril was pressed again,

284
00:27:15.559 --> 00:27:21.319
<v Speaker 1>enfolded in flames, the folk commander nor yet about him.

285
00:27:21.359 --> 00:27:27.519
<v Speaker 1>His bands of comrades, son of Ethlings, armed, stood with

286
00:27:27.799 --> 00:27:32.799
<v Speaker 1>warlike front to the woods. They bent them their lives

287
00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:37.400
<v Speaker 1>to save. But the soul of one with care was cumbered.

288
00:27:38.279 --> 00:27:46.920
<v Speaker 1>Kinship true can never be marred in a noble mind. Wigliffe,

289
00:27:46.920 --> 00:27:52.440
<v Speaker 1>his name was Welston's son, lynden Thane, loved the lord

290
00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:58.759
<v Speaker 1>of Skilphings Alpher's kinsmen his king. He now saw with

291
00:27:58.920 --> 00:28:04.920
<v Speaker 1>heat under helmet, hard oppressed, he minded the prizes his

292
00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:10.359
<v Speaker 1>prince had given him, wealthy seat of Wignemen's line, and

293
00:28:10.640 --> 00:28:15.039
<v Speaker 1>folk writes that his father owned not long he lingered

294
00:28:16.440 --> 00:28:21.759
<v Speaker 1>the linden yellow his shield. He seized the old sword

295
00:28:21.920 --> 00:28:26.079
<v Speaker 1>he drew as heirloom of einmund Earth dwellers knew it

296
00:28:26.720 --> 00:28:32.240
<v Speaker 1>who was slain by the sword Edge son of Otaire Friendless,

297
00:28:32.279 --> 00:28:37.640
<v Speaker 1>exiled erst in Fray, killed by Wolston, who won for

298
00:28:37.839 --> 00:28:44.640
<v Speaker 1>his ken brown, bright helmet, breastplate, ringed old sword of

299
00:28:44.839 --> 00:28:50.319
<v Speaker 1>Yotun's Onola's gift, weeds of war, of the warrior's thane,

300
00:28:51.680 --> 00:28:56.480
<v Speaker 1>battle gear brave. Though a brother's child had been felled,

301
00:28:57.079 --> 00:29:03.240
<v Speaker 1>the feud was unfelt by Onelah For winters this war gear,

302
00:29:03.559 --> 00:29:09.400
<v Speaker 1>Wailston kept breastplate and board till his barn had groaned

303
00:29:09.559 --> 00:29:14.200
<v Speaker 1>earlship to earn as the old Sire did. Then he

304
00:29:14.279 --> 00:29:20.359
<v Speaker 1>gave him mid gates the gear of battle portion huge.

305
00:29:21.119 --> 00:29:26.759
<v Speaker 1>When he passed from life, fared aged forth for the

306
00:29:26.799 --> 00:29:31.839
<v Speaker 1>first time, now with his leader Lord the Liegeman Young

307
00:29:32.119 --> 00:29:36.839
<v Speaker 1>was bidden to share. The shock of battle neither softened

308
00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:43.640
<v Speaker 1>his soul nor the Sire's bequest weakened in war. So

309
00:29:44.559 --> 00:29:49.400
<v Speaker 1>the worm found out when once in fight the foes

310
00:29:49.480 --> 00:29:55.440
<v Speaker 1>had met, Wiglift spake and his words were sage, sad

311
00:29:55.640 --> 00:30:00.319
<v Speaker 1>in spirit. He said to his comrades, I rem remember

312
00:30:00.400 --> 00:30:05.119
<v Speaker 1>the time when need we took, what promise we made

313
00:30:05.440 --> 00:30:09.000
<v Speaker 1>to this Prince of ours in the banquet hall, to

314
00:30:09.160 --> 00:30:14.799
<v Speaker 1>our breaker of rings for gear of combat, to him

315
00:30:15.160 --> 00:30:20.640
<v Speaker 1>give requital for hard sword and helmet, if hap should

316
00:30:20.640 --> 00:30:25.200
<v Speaker 1>bring stress of this sort. Himself, who chose us from

317
00:30:25.240 --> 00:30:29.359
<v Speaker 1>all his army to aid him, now urged us to glory,

318
00:30:30.000 --> 00:30:35.240
<v Speaker 1>and gave these treasures because he counted us keen with

319
00:30:35.279 --> 00:30:39.960
<v Speaker 1>the spear and hearty neath helm. Though this hero work

320
00:30:40.279 --> 00:30:45.599
<v Speaker 1>our leader hoped unhelped and alone to finish for us

321
00:30:46.960 --> 00:30:51.359
<v Speaker 1>folk defender, who hath got him glory greater than all

322
00:30:51.559 --> 00:30:57.119
<v Speaker 1>men for daring deeds. Now the day is come that

323
00:30:57.200 --> 00:31:02.359
<v Speaker 1>our noble master has need of the might of warriors. Stout.

324
00:31:03.279 --> 00:31:07.319
<v Speaker 1>Let us stride along the hero to help, while the

325
00:31:07.359 --> 00:31:11.880
<v Speaker 1>heat is about him, glowing and grim. For God is

326
00:31:12.000 --> 00:31:16.000
<v Speaker 1>my witness, I am far more famed. The fire should

327
00:31:16.079 --> 00:31:23.039
<v Speaker 1>seize along with my lord these limbs of mine unsuiting,

328
00:31:23.119 --> 00:31:27.599
<v Speaker 1>it seems our shields to bear homeward. Hence save here

329
00:31:27.720 --> 00:31:31.960
<v Speaker 1>we essay to fell the foe and defend the life

330
00:31:32.519 --> 00:31:38.079
<v Speaker 1>of the Wedder's lord. I WoT twere shame on the

331
00:31:38.200 --> 00:31:41.519
<v Speaker 1>law of our land. If alone the king out of

332
00:31:41.640 --> 00:31:48.319
<v Speaker 1>Gaetish warriors. Woe endur'd and sank in the struggle. My

333
00:31:48.599 --> 00:31:53.960
<v Speaker 1>sword and helmet, breast plate and board for us both

334
00:31:54.359 --> 00:32:01.079
<v Speaker 1>shall serve through slaughter. Reek strode he to succor his chieftain,

335
00:32:02.000 --> 00:32:09.319
<v Speaker 1>his battle helm bore and brief words spake balwolf, dearest,

336
00:32:10.119 --> 00:32:15.079
<v Speaker 1>do all bravely as in youthful days of your thou

337
00:32:15.319 --> 00:32:20.240
<v Speaker 1>vouchst that while life should last, thou wouldst let know

338
00:32:20.559 --> 00:32:28.920
<v Speaker 1>wise thy glory droop. Now great indeeds athelen steadfast with

339
00:32:29.079 --> 00:32:34.920
<v Speaker 1>all thy strength, shield thy life, I will stand to

340
00:32:35.119 --> 00:32:40.839
<v Speaker 1>help thee. At the words, the worm came once again,

341
00:32:42.039 --> 00:32:47.799
<v Speaker 1>murderous monster, mad with rage, with fire billows flaming its

342
00:32:47.960 --> 00:32:53.119
<v Speaker 1>foes to seek the hated men in heat waves burned

343
00:32:53.200 --> 00:32:57.160
<v Speaker 1>that board to the boss, and the breastplate failed to

344
00:32:57.359 --> 00:33:03.119
<v Speaker 1>shelter at all. The spear thing young, yet quickly under

345
00:33:03.160 --> 00:33:07.720
<v Speaker 1>his kinsman shield went eager the earl, since his own

346
00:33:07.920 --> 00:33:11.960
<v Speaker 1>was now all burned by the blaze. The bold king

347
00:33:12.440 --> 00:33:17.039
<v Speaker 1>again had mind of his glory with might, his glave

348
00:33:17.279 --> 00:33:24.400
<v Speaker 1>was driven into the dragon's head, blow nerved by hate,

349
00:33:25.079 --> 00:33:30.559
<v Speaker 1>but nagling was shivered broken in battle was Baleo's sword,

350
00:33:31.000 --> 00:33:35.759
<v Speaker 1>old and gray twas granted him, Not that ever the

351
00:33:35.960 --> 00:33:40.240
<v Speaker 1>edge of iron at all could help him at strife.

352
00:33:40.599 --> 00:33:44.119
<v Speaker 1>Too strong was his hand, so the tale was told,

353
00:33:44.920 --> 00:33:49.000
<v Speaker 1>and he tried too far with strength of stroke, all

354
00:33:49.160 --> 00:33:54.839
<v Speaker 1>swords he wielded, though sturdy their steel, they steadied him.

355
00:33:54.920 --> 00:33:58.960
<v Speaker 1>Not then for the third time thought on its feud,

356
00:33:59.039 --> 00:34:04.119
<v Speaker 1>that folk to destroyer fire, dread dragon, and rushed on

357
00:34:04.279 --> 00:34:11.760
<v Speaker 1>the hero where room aloud battle, grim burning, its bitter

358
00:34:11.880 --> 00:34:16.840
<v Speaker 1>teeth closed on his neck and covered him with waves

359
00:34:16.880 --> 00:34:26.800
<v Speaker 1>of blood from his breast that welled. End of section seven,

360
00:34:28.239 --> 00:34:32.840
<v Speaker 1>read by Dennis Sayers and Modesto California for LibriVox Fall,

361
00:34:33.440 --> 00:34:34.639
<v Speaker 1>two thousand and six