In memory of Ted Hughes

Seamus Heaney (1999)

For Brian and Blake

Burton Raffel (1963)

In memory of Joseph and Winifred Alexander

Michael Alexander (1973)

So. The Spear-Danes in days gone by

and the kings who ruled them had courage and greatness.

We have heard of those princes' heroic campaigns.

(translated by Seamus Heaney, 1999)

Hear me! We've heard of Danish heroes,

Ancient kings and the glory they cut

For themselves, swinging mighty swords!

(translated by Burton Raffel, 1963)

Attend!

We have heard of the thriving of the throne of Denmark,

how the folk-kings flourished in former days,

how those royal athelings earned that glory.

(translated by Michael Alexander, 1973)

How that glory remains in remembrance,
Of the Danes and their kings in days gone,
The acts and valour of princes of their blood!

(translated by Edwin Morgan, 1952)

Lo! we have heard the glory of the kings of the Spear-Danes in days gone by, how the chieftains wrought mighty deeds.

(translated by R. K. Gordon, 1926)

So the Geat-people, his hearth-companions,
sorrowed for the lord who had been laid low.
They said that of all the kings upon the earth
he was the man most gracious and fair-minded,
kindest to his people and keenest to win fame.

(trans. Seamus Heaney, 1999)

... And so Beowulf's followers
Rode, mourning their beloved leader,
Crying that no better king had ever
Lived, no prince so mild, no man
So open to his people, so deserving of praise.

(trans. Burton Raffel, 1963)

This was the manner of the mourning of the men of the Geats,
sharers in the feast, at the fall of their lord:
they said that he was of all the world's kings
the gentlest of men, and the most gracious,
the kindest to his people, the keenest for fame.

(trans. Michael Alexander, 1973)