{"id":1642,"date":"2019-07-10T02:24:09","date_gmt":"2019-07-10T02:24:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/epcc-britlit1\/?post_type=chapter&p=1642"},"modified":"2019-07-17T13:47:36","modified_gmt":"2019-07-17T13:47:36","slug":"beowulf-3","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/epcc-britlit1\/chapter\/beowulf-3\/","title":{"raw":"Beowulf 3: Beowulf and Grendel engage in mortal combat.","rendered":"Beowulf 3: Beowulf and Grendel engage in mortal combat."},"content":{"raw":"
\r\n

ALL SLEEP SAVE ONE.<\/h2>\r\n[Hrothgar retires.]<\/span>\r\n
Then Hrothgar departed, his earl-throng attending him,<\/div>\r\n
Folk-lord of Scyldings, forth from the building;<\/div>\r\n
The war-chieftain wished then Wealhtheow to look for,<\/div>\r\n
The queen for a bedmate. To keep away Grendel<\/div>\r\nGod has provided a watch for the hall.<\/span>\r\n\r\n5<\/span>\r\n
The Glory of Kings had given a hall-watch,<\/div>\r\n
As men heard recounted: for the king of the Danemen<\/div>\r\n
He did special service, gave the giant a watcher:<\/div>\r\n
And the prince of the Geatmen implicitly trusted<\/div>\r\n[Beowulf is self-confident]<\/span>\r\n
His warlike strength and the Wielder\u2019s protection.<\/div>\r\n[He prepares for rest.]<\/span>\r\n\r\n1<\/span>0<\/span>\r\n
His armor of iron off him he did then,<\/div>\r\n
His helmet from his head, to his henchman<\/span> committed<\/div>\r\n
His chased-handled chain-sword, choicest of weapons,<\/div>\r\n
And bade him bide with his battle-equipments.<\/div>\r\n
The good one then uttered words of defiance,<\/div>\r\n15<\/span>\r\n
Beowulf Geatman, ere<\/span> his bed he upmounted:<\/div>\r\n[Beowulf boasts of his ability to cope with Grendel.]<\/span>\r\n
\u201cI hold me no meaner in matters of prowess,<\/div>\r\n
In warlike achievements, than Grendel does himself;<\/div>\r\n
Hence I seek not with sword-edge to sooth him to slumber,<\/div>\r\n
Of life to bereave him, though well I am able.<\/div>\r\nWe will fight with nature\u2019s weapons only.<\/span>20<\/span>\r\n
No battle-skill has he, that blows he should strike me,<\/div>\r\n
To shatter my shield, though sure he is mighty<\/div>\r\n
In strife and destruction; but struggling by night we<\/div>\r\n
Shall do without edges, dare he to look for<\/div>\r\n
Weaponless warfare, and wise-mooded Father<\/div>\r\n25<\/span>\r\n
The glory apportion, God ever-holy,<\/div>\r\nGod may decide who shall conquer<\/span>\r\n
On which hand soever to him seemeth proper.\u201d<\/div>\r\n
Then the brave-mooded hero bent to his slumber,<\/div>\r\n
The pillow received the cheek of the noble;<\/div>\r\n[The Geatish warriors lie down.]<\/span>\r\n
And many a martial mere<\/span>-thane attending<\/div>\r\n30<\/span>\r\n
Sank to his slumber. Seemed it unlikely<\/div>\r\n[They thought it very unlikely that they should ever see their homes again.]<\/span>\r\n
That ever thereafter any should hope to<\/div>\r\n
Be happy at home, hero-friends visit<\/div>\r\n
Or the lordly troop-castle where he lived from his childhood;<\/div>\r\n
They had heard how slaughter had snatched from the wine-hall,<\/div>\r\n35<\/span>\r\n
Had recently ravished, of the race of the Scyldings<\/div>\r\nBut God raised up a deliverer.<\/span>\r\n
Too many by far. But the Lord to them granted<\/div>\r\n
The weaving of war-speed, to Wederish heroes<\/div>\r\n
Aid and comfort, that every opponent<\/div>\r\n
By one man\u2019s war-might they worsted and vanquished,<\/div>\r\n[God rules the world.]<\/span>\r\n\r\n40<\/span>\r\n
By the might of himself; the truth is established<\/div>\r\n
That God Almighty hath governed for ages<\/div>\r\n
Kindreds and nations. A night very lurid<\/div>\r\n[Grendel comes to Heorot.]<\/span>\r\n
The trav\u2019ler-at-twilight came tramping and striding.<\/div>\r\n
The warriors were sleeping who should watch the horned-building,<\/div>\r\n[Only one warrior is awake.]<\/span>\r\n\r\n45<\/span>\r\n
One only excepted. \u2019Mid earthmen \u2019twas \u2019stablished,<\/div>\r\n
Th\u2019 implacable foeman was powerless to hurl them<\/div>\r\n
To the land of shadows, if the Lord were unwilling;<\/div>\r\n
But serving as warder, in terror to foemen,<\/div>\r\n
He angrily bided the issue of battle.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n

XII.<\/a><\/h2>\r\n

GRENDEL AND BEOWULF.<\/h2>\r\n[Grendel comes from the fens.]<\/span>\r\n
\u2019Neath the cloudy cliffs came from the moor then<\/div>\r\n
Grendel going, God\u2019s anger bare he.<\/div>\r\n
The monster intended some one of earthmen<\/div>\r\n
In the hall-building grand to entrap and make way with:<\/div>\r\n[He goes towards the joyous building.]<\/span>\r\n
He went under welkin where well he knew of<\/div>\r\n
The wine-joyous building, brilliant with plating,<\/div>\r\n
Gold-hall of earthmen. Not the earliest occasion<\/div>\r\n[This was not his first visit there.]<\/span>\r\n
He the home and manor of Hrothgar had sought:<\/div>\r\n
Ne\u2019er found he in life-days later nor earlier<\/div>\r\n10<\/span>\r\n
Hardier hero, hall-thanes more sturdy!<\/div>\r\n
Then came to the building the warrior marching,<\/div>\r\n[His horrid fingers tear the door open.]<\/span>\r\n
Bereft of his joyance. The door quickly opened<\/div>\r\n
On fire-hinges fastened, when his fingers had touched it;<\/div>\r\n
The fell<\/span> one had flung then\u2014his fury so bitter\u2014<\/div>\r\n15<\/span>\r\n
Open the entrance. Early thereafter<\/div>\r\n
The foeman trod the shining hall-pavement,<\/div>\r\n[He strides furiously into the hall.]<\/span>\r\n
Strode he angrily; from the eyes of him glimmered<\/div>\r\n
A lustre unlovely likest to fire.<\/div>\r\n
He beheld in the hall the heroes in numbers,<\/div>\r\n20<\/span>\r\n
A circle of kinsmen sleeping together,<\/div>\r\n[He exults over his supposed prey.]<\/span>\r\n
A throng of thanemen: then his thoughts were exultant,<\/div>\r\n
He minded to sunder from each of the thanemen<\/div>\r\n
The life from his body, horrible demon,<\/div>\r\n
Ere morning came, since fate had allowed him<\/div>\r\n[Fate has decreed that he shall devour no more heroes.\u00a0<\/span>Beowulf suffers from suspense.]<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\n25<\/span>\r\n
The prospect of plenty. Providence willed not<\/div>\r\n
To permit him any more of men under heaven<\/div>\r\n
To eat in the night-time. Higelac\u2019s kinsman<\/div>\r\n
Great sorrow endured how the dire-mooded creature<\/div>\r\n
In unlooked-for assaults were likely to bear him.<\/div>\r\n30<\/span>\r\n
No thought had the monster of deferring the matter,<\/div>\r\n[Grendel immediately seizes a sleeping warrior, and devours him.]<\/span>\r\n
But on earliest occasion he quickly laid hold of<\/div>\r\n
A soldier asleep, suddenly tore him,<\/div>\r\n
Bit his bone-prison, the blood drank in currents,<\/div>\r\n
Swallowed in mouthfuls: he soon had the dead man\u2019s<\/div>\r\n35<\/span>\r\n
Feet and hands, too, eaten entirely.<\/div>\r\n
Nearer he strode then, the stout-hearted warrior<\/div>\r\n[Beowulf and Grendel grapple.]<\/span>\r\n
Snatched as he slumbered, seizing with hand-grip,<\/div>\r\n
Forward the foeman foined with his hand;<\/div>\r\n
Caught he quickly the cunning deviser,<\/div>\r\n40<\/span>\r\n
On his elbow he rested. This early discovered<\/div>\r\n
The master of malice, that in middle-earth\u2019s regions,<\/div>\r\n
\u2019Neath the whole of the heavens, no hand-grapple greater<\/div>\r\n[The monster is amazed at Beowulf\u2019s strength.]<\/span>\r\n
In any man else had he ever encountered:<\/div>\r\n
Fearful in spirit, faint-mooded waxed he,<\/div>\r\n45<\/span>\r\n
Not off could betake him; death he was pondering,<\/div>\r\n[He is anxious to flee.]<\/span>\r\n
Would fly to his covert, seek the devil's assembly:<\/div>\r\n
His calling no more was the same he had followed<\/div>\r\n
Long in his lifetime. The liege-kinsman worthy<\/div>\r\n[Beowulf recalls his boast of the evening, and determines to fulfil it.]<\/span>\r\n
Of Higelac minded his speech of the evening,<\/div>\r\n50<\/span>\r\n
Stood he up straight and stoutly did seize him.<\/div>\r\n
His fingers crackled; the giant was outward,<\/div>\r\n
The earl stepped farther. The famous one minded<\/div>\r\n
To flee away farther, if he found an occasion,<\/div>\r\n
And off and away, avoiding delay,<\/div>\r\n55<\/span>\r\n
To fly to the fen-moors; he fully was ware of<\/div>\r\n
The strength of his grapple in the grip of the foeman.<\/div>\r\n\u2019Twas a luckless day for Grendel.<\/span>\r\n
\u2019Twas an ill-taken journey that the injury-bringing,<\/div>\r\n
Harrying harmer to Heorot wandered:<\/div>\r\n[The\u00a0<\/span>hall groans.]<\/span><\/span>\r\n
The palace re-echoed; to all of the Danemen,<\/div>\r\n60<\/span>\r\n
Dwellers in castles, to each of the bold ones,<\/div>\r\n
Earlmen, was terror. Angry they both were,<\/div>\r\n
Archwarders raging. \u00a0Rattled the building;<\/div>\r\n
\u2019Twas a marvellous wonder that the wine-hall withstood then<\/div>\r\n
The bold-in-battle, bent not to earthward,<\/div>\r\n65<\/span>\r\n
Excellent earth-hall; but within and without it<\/div>\r\n
Was fastened so firmly in fetters of iron,<\/div>\r\n
By the art of the armorer. Off from the sill there<\/div>\r\n
Bent mead-benches many, as men have informed me,<\/div>\r\n
Adorned with gold-work, where the grim ones did struggle.<\/div>\r\n70<\/span>\r\n
The Scylding wise men weened ne\u2019er before<\/div>\r\n
That by might and main-strength a man under heaven<\/div>\r\n
Might break it in pieces, bone-decked, resplendent,<\/div>\r\n
Crush it by cunning, unless clutch of the fire<\/div>\r\n
In smoke should consume it. The sound mounted upward<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
[<\/span>Grendel\u2019s cries terrify the Danes.]<\/span><\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
Novel enough; on the North Danes fastened<\/div>\r\n
A terror of anguish, on all of the men there<\/div>\r\n
Who heard from the wall the weeping and plaining,<\/div>\r\n
The song of defeat from the foeman of heaven,<\/div>\r\n
Heard him hymns of horror howl, and his sorrow<\/div>\r\n80<\/span>\r\n
Hell-bound bewailing. He held him too firmly<\/div>\r\n
Who was strongest of main-strength of men of that era.<\/div>\r\n
\r\n
<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n

XIII.<\/a><\/h2>\r\n

GRENDEL IS VANQUISHED.<\/h2>\r\n[Beowulf has no idea of letting Grendel live.]<\/span>\r\n
For no cause whatever would the earlmen\u2019s defender<\/div>\r\n
Leave in life-joys the loathsome newcomer,<\/div>\r\n
He deemed his existence utterly useless<\/div>\r\n
To men under heaven. Many a noble<\/div>\r\n5<\/span>\r\n
Of Beowulf brandished his battle-sword old,<\/div>\r\n
Would guard the life of his lord and protector,<\/div>\r\n
The far-famous chieftain, if able to do so;<\/div>\r\n
While waging the warfare, this wist they but little,<\/div>\r\n
Brave battle-thanes, while his body intending<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
[<\/span>No weapon would harm Grendel; he bore a charmed life.]<\/span><\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\n10<\/span>\r\n
To slit into slivers, and seeking his spirit:<\/div>\r\n
That the relentless foeman nor finest of weapons<\/div>\r\n
Of all on the earth, nor any of war-bills<\/div>\r\n
Was willing to injure; but weapons of victory<\/div>\r\n
Swords and suchlike he had sworn to dispense with.<\/div>\r\n15<\/span>\r\n
His death at that time must prove to be wretched,<\/div>\r\n
And the far-away spirit widely should journey<\/div>\r\n
Into enemies\u2019 power. This plainly he saw then<\/div>\r\n
Who with mirth of mood malice no little<\/div>\r\n
Had wrought in the past on the race of the earthmen<\/div>\r\n20<\/span>\r\n
(To God he was hostile), that his body would fail him,<\/div>\r\n
But Higelac\u2019s hardy henchman and kinsman<\/div>\r\n
Held him by the hand; hateful to other<\/div>\r\n[Grendel is sorely wounded.]<\/span>\r\n
Was each one if living. A body-wound suffered<\/div>\r\n
The direful demon, damage incurable<\/div>\r\n[His body bursts.]<\/span>\r\n\r\n25<\/span>\r\n
Was seen on his shoulder, his sinews were shivered,<\/div>\r\n
His body did burst. To Beowulf was given<\/div>\r\n
Glory in battle; Grendel from thenceward<\/div>\r\n
Must flee and hide him in the fen-cliffs and marshes,<\/div>\r\n
Sick unto death, his dwelling must look for<\/div>\r\n30<\/span>\r\n
Unwinsome and woeful; he wist the more fully<\/div>\r\n[T<\/span>he monster flees away to hide in the moors.]<\/span>\r\n
The end of his earthly existence was nearing,<\/div>\r\n
His life-days\u2019 limits. At last for the Danemen,<\/div>\r\n
When the slaughter was over, their wish was accomplished.<\/div>\r\n
The comer-from-far-land had cleansed then of evil,<\/div>\r\n35<\/span>\r\n
Wise and valiant, the war-hall of Hrothgar,<\/div>\r\n
Saved it from violence. He joyed in the night-work,<\/div>\r\n
In repute for prowess; the prince of the Geatmen<\/div>\r\n
For the East-Danish people his boast had accomplished,<\/div>\r\n
Bettered their burdensome bale-sorrows fully,<\/div>\r\n40<\/span>\r\n
The craft-begot evil they erstwhile had suffered<\/div>\r\n
And were forced to endure from crushing oppression,<\/div>\r\n
Their manifold misery. \u2019Twas a manifest token,<\/div>\r\n[Beowulf suspends Grendel\u2019s hand and arm in Heorot.]<\/span>\r\n
When the hero-in-battle the hand suspended,<\/div>\r\n
The arm and the shoulder (there was all of the claw<\/div>\r\n45<\/span>\r\n
Of Grendel together) \u2019neath great-stretching hall-roof.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"
\n

ALL SLEEP SAVE ONE.<\/h2>\n

[Hrothgar retires.]<\/span><\/p>\n

Then Hrothgar departed, his earl-throng attending him,<\/div>\n
Folk-lord of Scyldings, forth from the building;<\/div>\n
The war-chieftain wished then Wealhtheow to look for,<\/div>\n
The queen for a bedmate. To keep away Grendel<\/div>\n

God has provided a watch for the hall.<\/span><\/p>\n

5<\/span><\/p>\n

The Glory of Kings had given a hall-watch,<\/div>\n
As men heard recounted: for the king of the Danemen<\/div>\n
He did special service, gave the giant a watcher:<\/div>\n
And the prince of the Geatmen implicitly trusted<\/div>\n

[Beowulf is self-confident]<\/span><\/p>\n

His warlike strength and the Wielder\u2019s protection.<\/div>\n

[He prepares for rest.]<\/span><\/p>\n

1<\/span>0<\/span><\/p>\n

His armor of iron off him he did then,<\/div>\n
His helmet from his head, to his henchman<\/span> committed<\/div>\n
His chased-handled chain-sword, choicest of weapons,<\/div>\n
And bade him bide with his battle-equipments.<\/div>\n
The good one then uttered words of defiance,<\/div>\n

15<\/span><\/p>\n

Beowulf Geatman, ere<\/span> his bed he upmounted:<\/div>\n

[Beowulf boasts of his ability to cope with Grendel.]<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hold me no meaner in matters of prowess,<\/div>\n
In warlike achievements, than Grendel does himself;<\/div>\n
Hence I seek not with sword-edge to sooth him to slumber,<\/div>\n
Of life to bereave him, though well I am able.<\/div>\n

We will fight with nature\u2019s weapons only.<\/span>20<\/span><\/p>\n

No battle-skill has he, that blows he should strike me,<\/div>\n
To shatter my shield, though sure he is mighty<\/div>\n
In strife and destruction; but struggling by night we<\/div>\n
Shall do without edges, dare he to look for<\/div>\n
Weaponless warfare, and wise-mooded Father<\/div>\n

25<\/span><\/p>\n

The glory apportion, God ever-holy,<\/div>\n

God may decide who shall conquer<\/span><\/p>\n

On which hand soever to him seemeth proper.\u201d<\/div>\n
Then the brave-mooded hero bent to his slumber,<\/div>\n
The pillow received the cheek of the noble;<\/div>\n

[The Geatish warriors lie down.]<\/span><\/p>\n

And many a martial mere<\/span>-thane attending<\/div>\n

30<\/span><\/p>\n

Sank to his slumber. Seemed it unlikely<\/div>\n

[They thought it very unlikely that they should ever see their homes again.]<\/span><\/p>\n

That ever thereafter any should hope to<\/div>\n
Be happy at home, hero-friends visit<\/div>\n
Or the lordly troop-castle where he lived from his childhood;<\/div>\n
They had heard how slaughter had snatched from the wine-hall,<\/div>\n

35<\/span><\/p>\n

Had recently ravished, of the race of the Scyldings<\/div>\n

But God raised up a deliverer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Too many by far. But the Lord to them granted<\/div>\n
The weaving of war-speed, to Wederish heroes<\/div>\n
Aid and comfort, that every opponent<\/div>\n
By one man\u2019s war-might they worsted and vanquished,<\/div>\n

[God rules the world.]<\/span><\/p>\n

40<\/span><\/p>\n

By the might of himself; the truth is established<\/div>\n
That God Almighty hath governed for ages<\/div>\n
Kindreds and nations. A night very lurid<\/div>\n

[Grendel comes to Heorot.]<\/span><\/p>\n

The trav\u2019ler-at-twilight came tramping and striding.<\/div>\n
The warriors were sleeping who should watch the horned-building,<\/div>\n

[Only one warrior is awake.]<\/span><\/p>\n

45<\/span><\/p>\n

One only excepted. \u2019Mid earthmen \u2019twas \u2019stablished,<\/div>\n
Th\u2019 implacable foeman was powerless to hurl them<\/div>\n
To the land of shadows, if the Lord were unwilling;<\/div>\n
But serving as warder, in terror to foemen,<\/div>\n
He angrily bided the issue of battle.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

XII.<\/a><\/h2>\n

GRENDEL AND BEOWULF.<\/h2>\n

[Grendel comes from the fens.]<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2019Neath the cloudy cliffs came from the moor then<\/div>\n
Grendel going, God\u2019s anger bare he.<\/div>\n
The monster intended some one of earthmen<\/div>\n
In the hall-building grand to entrap and make way with:<\/div>\n

[He goes towards the joyous building.]<\/span><\/p>\n

He went under welkin where well he knew of<\/div>\n
The wine-joyous building, brilliant with plating,<\/div>\n
Gold-hall of earthmen. Not the earliest occasion<\/div>\n

[This was not his first visit there.]<\/span><\/p>\n

He the home and manor of Hrothgar had sought:<\/div>\n
Ne\u2019er found he in life-days later nor earlier<\/div>\n

10<\/span><\/p>\n

Hardier hero, hall-thanes more sturdy!<\/div>\n
Then came to the building the warrior marching,<\/div>\n

[His horrid fingers tear the door open.]<\/span><\/p>\n

Bereft of his joyance. The door quickly opened<\/div>\n
On fire-hinges fastened, when his fingers had touched it;<\/div>\n
The fell<\/span> one had flung then\u2014his fury so bitter\u2014<\/div>\n

15<\/span><\/p>\n

Open the entrance. Early thereafter<\/div>\n
The foeman trod the shining hall-pavement,<\/div>\n

[He strides furiously into the hall.]<\/span><\/p>\n

Strode he angrily; from the eyes of him glimmered<\/div>\n
A lustre unlovely likest to fire.<\/div>\n
He beheld in the hall the heroes in numbers,<\/div>\n

20<\/span><\/p>\n

A circle of kinsmen sleeping together,<\/div>\n

[He exults over his supposed prey.]<\/span><\/p>\n

A throng of thanemen: then his thoughts were exultant,<\/div>\n
He minded to sunder from each of the thanemen<\/div>\n
The life from his body, horrible demon,<\/div>\n
Ere morning came, since fate had allowed him<\/div>\n

[Fate has decreed that he shall devour no more heroes.\u00a0<\/span>Beowulf suffers from suspense.]<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

25<\/span><\/p>\n

The prospect of plenty. Providence willed not<\/div>\n
To permit him any more of men under heaven<\/div>\n
To eat in the night-time. Higelac\u2019s kinsman<\/div>\n
Great sorrow endured how the dire-mooded creature<\/div>\n
In unlooked-for assaults were likely to bear him.<\/div>\n

30<\/span><\/p>\n

No thought had the monster of deferring the matter,<\/div>\n

[Grendel immediately seizes a sleeping warrior, and devours him.]<\/span><\/p>\n

But on earliest occasion he quickly laid hold of<\/div>\n
A soldier asleep, suddenly tore him,<\/div>\n
Bit his bone-prison, the blood drank in currents,<\/div>\n
Swallowed in mouthfuls: he soon had the dead man\u2019s<\/div>\n

35<\/span><\/p>\n

Feet and hands, too, eaten entirely.<\/div>\n
Nearer he strode then, the stout-hearted warrior<\/div>\n

[Beowulf and Grendel grapple.]<\/span><\/p>\n

Snatched as he slumbered, seizing with hand-grip,<\/div>\n
Forward the foeman foined with his hand;<\/div>\n
Caught he quickly the cunning deviser,<\/div>\n

40<\/span><\/p>\n

On his elbow he rested. This early discovered<\/div>\n
The master of malice, that in middle-earth\u2019s regions,<\/div>\n
\u2019Neath the whole of the heavens, no hand-grapple greater<\/div>\n

[The monster is amazed at Beowulf\u2019s strength.]<\/span><\/p>\n

In any man else had he ever encountered:<\/div>\n
Fearful in spirit, faint-mooded waxed he,<\/div>\n

45<\/span><\/p>\n

Not off could betake him; death he was pondering,<\/div>\n

[He is anxious to flee.]<\/span><\/p>\n

Would fly to his covert, seek the devil’s assembly:<\/div>\n
His calling no more was the same he had followed<\/div>\n
Long in his lifetime. The liege-kinsman worthy<\/div>\n

[Beowulf recalls his boast of the evening, and determines to fulfil it.]<\/span><\/p>\n

Of Higelac minded his speech of the evening,<\/div>\n

50<\/span><\/p>\n

Stood he up straight and stoutly did seize him.<\/div>\n
His fingers crackled; the giant was outward,<\/div>\n
The earl stepped farther. The famous one minded<\/div>\n
To flee away farther, if he found an occasion,<\/div>\n
And off and away, avoiding delay,<\/div>\n

55<\/span><\/p>\n

To fly to the fen-moors; he fully was ware of<\/div>\n
The strength of his grapple in the grip of the foeman.<\/div>\n

\u2019Twas a luckless day for Grendel.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2019Twas an ill-taken journey that the injury-bringing,<\/div>\n
Harrying harmer to Heorot wandered:<\/div>\n

[The\u00a0<\/span>hall groans.]<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The palace re-echoed; to all of the Danemen,<\/div>\n

60<\/span><\/p>\n

Dwellers in castles, to each of the bold ones,<\/div>\n
Earlmen, was terror. Angry they both were,<\/div>\n
Archwarders raging. \u00a0Rattled the building;<\/div>\n
\u2019Twas a marvellous wonder that the wine-hall withstood then<\/div>\n
The bold-in-battle, bent not to earthward,<\/div>\n

65<\/span><\/p>\n

Excellent earth-hall; but within and without it<\/div>\n
Was fastened so firmly in fetters of iron,<\/div>\n
By the art of the armorer. Off from the sill there<\/div>\n
Bent mead-benches many, as men have informed me,<\/div>\n
Adorned with gold-work, where the grim ones did struggle.<\/div>\n

70<\/span><\/p>\n

The Scylding wise men weened ne\u2019er before<\/div>\n
That by might and main-strength a man under heaven<\/div>\n
Might break it in pieces, bone-decked, resplendent,<\/div>\n
Crush it by cunning, unless clutch of the fire<\/div>\n
In smoke should consume it. The sound mounted upward<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
[<\/span>Grendel\u2019s cries terrify the Danes.]<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Novel enough; on the North Danes fastened<\/div>\n
A terror of anguish, on all of the men there<\/div>\n
Who heard from the wall the weeping and plaining,<\/div>\n
The song of defeat from the foeman of heaven,<\/div>\n
Heard him hymns of horror howl, and his sorrow<\/div>\n

80<\/span><\/p>\n

Hell-bound bewailing. He held him too firmly<\/div>\n
Who was strongest of main-strength of men of that era.<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

XIII.<\/a><\/h2>\n

GRENDEL IS VANQUISHED.<\/h2>\n

[Beowulf has no idea of letting Grendel live.]<\/span><\/p>\n

For no cause whatever would the earlmen\u2019s defender<\/div>\n
Leave in life-joys the loathsome newcomer,<\/div>\n
He deemed his existence utterly useless<\/div>\n
To men under heaven. Many a noble<\/div>\n

5<\/span><\/p>\n

Of Beowulf brandished his battle-sword old,<\/div>\n
Would guard the life of his lord and protector,<\/div>\n
The far-famous chieftain, if able to do so;<\/div>\n
While waging the warfare, this wist they but little,<\/div>\n
Brave battle-thanes, while his body intending<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
[<\/span>No weapon would harm Grendel; he bore a charmed life.]<\/span><\/div>\n
\n

10<\/span><\/p>\n

To slit into slivers, and seeking his spirit:<\/div>\n
That the relentless foeman nor finest of weapons<\/div>\n
Of all on the earth, nor any of war-bills<\/div>\n
Was willing to injure; but weapons of victory<\/div>\n
Swords and suchlike he had sworn to dispense with.<\/div>\n

15<\/span><\/p>\n

His death at that time must prove to be wretched,<\/div>\n
And the far-away spirit widely should journey<\/div>\n
Into enemies\u2019 power. This plainly he saw then<\/div>\n
Who with mirth of mood malice no little<\/div>\n
Had wrought in the past on the race of the earthmen<\/div>\n

20<\/span><\/p>\n

(To God he was hostile), that his body would fail him,<\/div>\n
But Higelac\u2019s hardy henchman and kinsman<\/div>\n
Held him by the hand; hateful to other<\/div>\n

[Grendel is sorely wounded.]<\/span><\/p>\n

Was each one if living. A body-wound suffered<\/div>\n
The direful demon, damage incurable<\/div>\n

[His body bursts.]<\/span><\/p>\n

25<\/span><\/p>\n

Was seen on his shoulder, his sinews were shivered,<\/div>\n
His body did burst. To Beowulf was given<\/div>\n
Glory in battle; Grendel from thenceward<\/div>\n
Must flee and hide him in the fen-cliffs and marshes,<\/div>\n
Sick unto death, his dwelling must look for<\/div>\n

30<\/span><\/p>\n

Unwinsome and woeful; he wist the more fully<\/div>\n

[T<\/span>he monster flees away to hide in the moors.]<\/span><\/p>\n

The end of his earthly existence was nearing,<\/div>\n
His life-days\u2019 limits. At last for the Danemen,<\/div>\n
When the slaughter was over, their wish was accomplished.<\/div>\n
The comer-from-far-land had cleansed then of evil,<\/div>\n

35<\/span><\/p>\n

Wise and valiant, the war-hall of Hrothgar,<\/div>\n
Saved it from violence. He joyed in the night-work,<\/div>\n
In repute for prowess; the prince of the Geatmen<\/div>\n
For the East-Danish people his boast had accomplished,<\/div>\n
Bettered their burdensome bale-sorrows fully,<\/div>\n

40<\/span><\/p>\n

The craft-begot evil they erstwhile had suffered<\/div>\n
And were forced to endure from crushing oppression,<\/div>\n
Their manifold misery. \u2019Twas a manifest token,<\/div>\n

[Beowulf suspends Grendel\u2019s hand and arm in Heorot.]<\/span><\/p>\n

When the hero-in-battle the hand suspended,<\/div>\n
The arm and the shoulder (there was all of the claw<\/div>\n

45<\/span><\/p>\n

Of Grendel together) \u2019neath great-stretching hall-roof.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
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Public domain content<\/div>