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[lines 791-819a in section XII and 8th line from the top of folio 147r to 13th line from the top of folio 147v on Kevin S. Kiernan's Electronic Beowulf CD]
Images of the original manuscript text of this section, and an mp3 file of Ben Slade reading it in Old English, are here.
In this part of the story Beowulf is lying in wait in Heorot, waiting for Grendel to make another of his many nocturnal visits. Grendel crashes through the door of the hall and begins to attack and devour one of the sleeping men. Beowulf holds back and observes for a few moments in order to guage Grendel's strength and tactics. Grendel finishes eating his first victim and as he reaches for another person Beowulf grabs him and they begin to wrestle. Grendel is much larger than Beowulf but Beowulf is incredibly strong and brave. They struggle with each other and make an incredible amount noise as they crash around the hall. Beowulf eventually tears Grendel's arm off with his bare hands and Grendel runs away. Beowulf nails Grendel's arm onto the wall above the hall door to celebrate his victory.
The comic book by Gareth Hinds is especially interesting in the way it depicts the fight between Beowulf and Grendel. Gareth understood that if Beowulf was going to tear Grendel's arm off that he would have had to focus his efforts on weakening the arm during the fighting. Gareth's drawings are very dramatic in depicting the lead-up to tearing off the arm. He has taken a little bit of artistic license with the story in portraying Beowulf as focusing on tearing off Grendel's arm (in the story Beowulf says later that he wanted to kill Grendel in the hall and that Grendel foiled that plan by pulling away from Beowulf with such strength that he ran out of the hall leaving his own arm in Beowulf's grasp, whereas in Gareth's depiction Beowulf pins Grendel down and pulls off his arm intentionally) but this is more than acceptable in order to gain Gareth's insights into what Beowulf and Grendel might have looked like, and what sort of moves Beowulf might have made in order to win the match.
At this moment Beowulf and Grendel are fighting and Grendel is howling and screaming and wishing to escape but Beowulf has grabbed Grendel's arm and is using his incredible hand-strength to hold on to him.
T.A. Shippey, on page 48 of his 1978 book, points out something about this scene which I had never noticed (despite the fact that I have read it dozens of times) -- it is fifteen lines before we are told how Beowulf could have maintained his iron grip on Grendel's arm, and yet Grendel still escaped from his grasp:
So how does Grendel manage to flee to the fens? At the crucial moment the poet evades us, slipping from the physical bursting of bones in line 818 to the abstraction of guðhreð, success and glory in 819. The answer is held in suspense for fifteen lines. Then the poet says it was 'a clear sign' [tacen sweotol] when Beowulf laid down the hand and arm and shoulder 'beneath the vaulted roof'. The hero's grip has not weakened, we see; instead it was the monster's fear which proved stronger than his flesh.
Beowulf Fights Grendel -- Audio: beowulf-audio-0791a-0819a-benslade.mp3
98 seconds, 1.5Mb, Sampling Rate=22,050, 16bit -- lines 791-819a
Click to hear Ben Slade read about Beowulf's fight with Grendel in Old English (or right click and "Save-As" to save to your hard drive)
Ben Slade's Beowulf page is at http://www.heorot.dk.
The protector of noble warriors would not have let that murderous visitor off alive for any payment of amends; nor did he feel that the days of his life were of use to people of any kind. Then one noble warrior of Beowulf's after another drew old swords that had been handed down to them. Each was bent on defending the life of the prince their lord, their famous captain, at whatever point they could. They did not know when they were putting up that fight, those tough-minded veterans, and meaning to hack at him from every side, to flush out his soul, that not one single choice iron on earth, no war-sword at all, could ever touch him, for he had laid a spell on glorious weapons, on everything with an edge.
The running out of his time in that day of this life was fated to be wretched, and the dying demon fated to journey far, into that fiend's dominion. Then he who but a little before had in joy of heart done so much wickedness to the race of men, feuding with God, realized that his body would not stand by him, for the brave kinsmen of Hygelac had him by the hand. Each hated the other to the death. The cruel, terrible creature was suffering bodily agony: it was clear that the wound in his shoulder was mortal. The sinews had sprung apart; the joints had snapped. It was to Beowulf that the victory in this battle had been granted;---
The shelter of earls [Beowulf] would not for anything have let that murderous assailant go away alive, nor counted he his life-days serviceable to any people. Then many an earl of Beowulf's drew his old sword; he would save the life of his lord and master, that great prince, so far as they might do so. They knew not, these stout sons of battle, when they encountered the strife, and thought to hew down on every side, to seek [Grendel's] life, [that] no iron on earth, though of the best, no war battle-axe, would make a dint on that foul ravager. But he [Beowulf] had forsworn the weapons of war, every edged blade. His [Grendel's] passing away from existence, on the day of this life, was doomed to be miserable, and the mighty spirit was to journey far away into the power of the fiends. [For] then did he, who many a time ere now, in mirth of mood, had wrought crimes against human kind (he was at variance with God), find that his bodily frame would do him no service; but the valiant kinsman of Higelac held him by the hand. Each was to the other hateful while living. The fiendish monster endured sore pain of the body; on his shoulder a gaping wound was apparent, the sinews started, the flesh burst. To Beowulf the glory of the fight was given;
Nor was Beowulf minded for anything to let the murderous visitor come off with his life, which he counted but a thing of small use to any. Then, one and all, the earls of Beowulf came on with swords drawn, if haply they might bring their lord succor, but little they knew that all their valorous strokes could avail nothing against a demon who laid a spell upon every manner of sword. Nevertheless he was destined to be wretchedly sundered from his life and to take the long journey back to the fiends whence he came. And of this he was ware, that he could no longer have joy in his enmity against God and man, for his body would not follow him, so gripped him the thegn of Hygelac by the hand. Each hated the other while there was life in him. The deadly hurt the monster had got in his shoulder was plain; the sinews snapped, the bones broken where they locked together in their joints. The fame of that fight was Beowulf's,---
The protector of earls would not for anything let one who came to bring death go from him alive; nor did he consider his life days good to any man. There full eagerly did Beowulf's earls brandish age-hallowed swords; they would protect the life of their lord, their renowned prince, if they could. They did not know when they engaged in fight, strong-hearted warriors, and thought to strike on all sides and seek Grendel's soul, that no war-blade nor any choicest of irons on earth would harm the fell spoiler; for he had cast his spell upon victory-weapons, on every kind of sword. His death must needs be miserable on that day of this life, and his spirit, parted from his body, must journey far in the power of fiends. Then he who of old through his soul's affliction did many wrongs to the race of men-- he strove with God-- found out that his body would not avail him, for the valiant one, Hygelac's kinsman, had him by the hand. Each, living, was hateful to the other. The fell wretch suffered bodily hurt; full evident on his shoulder was a grievous wound. The sinews parted, joints cracked. To Beowulf was granted glory in battle. ---
Beowulf, shelterer of earls, was not willing on any account to release the murderous intruder alive for he did not reckon that the days of his life were to anyone's advantage. Repeatedly, one of Beowulf's earls would draw his ancient sword there, wanting to protect the life of their lord and famed prince wherever they could. There was something they did not know when they joined in the struggle, those sternly motivated fighting-men, and thought to chop at him from every side and seek his life: no battle-blade nor any iron sword, not the choicest on earth, would touch that evil spoiler, for he had made himself impervious by magic to weapons customarily victorious, to any sword whatever -- yet his severance from life at that time in this mortal existence was to be a wretched one and this alien was to journey far away into the power of devils.
Then he who hitherto perpetrated much heartfelt affliction and violence against humankind -- he being antagonistic towards God -- found that his body would not perform for him, for Hygelac's courageous kinsman was restraining him by means of his hands. Each was loathsome to the other as long as he remained alive. The terrible monster suffered a bodily wound -- in his shoulder a great lesion became conspicuous. The sinews were snapping apart, his joints were bursting. To Beowulf was granted the battle-triumph;
The stronghold of earls would not for anything let the death-dealing comer go alive, nor deemed he his life-days of any use to any folk. There many an earl of Beowulf's brandished an old heirloom-sword, wanted to guard the life of their lord and chief, mighty leader, wheresoever they might. They knew not when they went through the strife, hardy-hearted battle-men, and thought to hew him upon each side and seek his soul, that not even the pick of irons upon earth, no war-bill, could touch that unresting scather, but he had foresworn victory-weapons, every edge. His life-parting was to be wretched in the day of this life, and his ghost, gone elsewhere, must journey afar to the rule of fiends. Then he found out, he who before had wrought many a crime against mankind in mirthful mood, he, foe to God, that his body would not last him, but Hygelac's brave kinsman had him by the hand; each was hateful to the other, living. The dire monster endured a body-sore: a clear wound not to be eased was on his shoulder; his sinews sprang apart, his bone-lockers burst. To Beowulf war-glory was given:...
The protector of earls would not in any wise let him that came with the murder in his heart go from him alive; he counted not his life's day of price to any. Earls of his a plenty made play with their tried swords, handed down from their fathers, to save their lord's life, if in any wise they might; they knew not, those bold-hearted warsmen, when they went into the fight and thought to new Grendel on every side and find out his soul, that not any pick of blades on earth, none of battle-bills, could touch that fell spoiler, for he had laid his spell on weapons of victory, on every keen edge. Woeful was his last end to be in this life's day, and his outlawed ghost must fare far into the fiend's grip. Then found he, that before in mirth of mood had wrought mankind many evils (he was under God's ban), that his body would avail him not, seeing that the brave kinsman of Hygelac had him by the hand; hateful to each was the other live. The grisly monster suffered hurt of body. In his shoulder a fearful wound began to show; the sinews sprang apart, the bone-frame cracked asunder. Fame of the battle was given to Beowulf.
Nevertheless there was now come upon him a woeful end, fit recompense for one that had wrought such woe to men. He could not by any means free himself from the strong hand-grip of the Earl. And as he strove, there came in his shoulder a great crack, and the sinews sprang apart and the joints of the bones burst asunder. Then at last he fled to his hiding-place in the moors; but he had suffered a deadly loss, for his arm he left behind him in the champion's grip.
The defender of nobles would not by any means let the murderous visitant escape alive,-- he did not count the days of Grendel's life of use to any of the peoples. There many a noble of Beowulf's company brandished an ancient ancestral weapon-- they wished to protect the life of their lord, of their famous chief, if they could. They did not know, brave-minded warriors, when they took part in the contest, and thought to hew at him on every side, and to hunt out his life, that no war-bill on earth, not the best of iron swords, could touch the cursed foe, for that he used enchantment against conquering weapons, every sort of blade.
In this world his parting from life was to be wretched-- the alien spirit was to journey far into the power of fiends. Then he who for long before had been doing crimes, wicked in heart, against mankind, he, the rebel against God, discovered that his bodily frame was no help to him, but that the bold kinsman of Hygelac had him by the hand. While he lived, each was hateful to the other. The horrible monster suffered deadly hurt, on his shoulder gaped a mighty wound, the sinews sprang asunder-- the tendons burst. Glory in fight was granted to Beowulf; ---
The hero, resolutely bent on destroying his fiendish antagonist, "whose life (adds the poet with a remarkable simplicity of phrase) he though of no use to anyone," continued to press his advantage, and, although unarmed, (for he had not forgotten that the Grendel's flesh was invulnerable by earthly weapons) proved ere long that his bodily strength alone was sufficient for his purpose.
Soon the dark wanderer's ample shoulder bore
A gaping wound, each starting sinew crack'd
And from its socket loosed the strong-knit joint. --
The victory was with Beowulf, and the foe
Howling and sick at heart fled as he might,
To seek beneath the mountain shroud of mist
His joyless home; for well he knew the day
Of death was on him, and his doom was seal'd.
Thus were the injuries of Hrothgar avenged, and the arm and hand of the aggressor remained with the conqueror as evidence of his triumph.
Never before had Grendel met the gripe of hands so strong. He bent himself with all his might against Beówulf and dragged him from his bed, and toward the door; but Beówulf's fingers never slackened from their hold: he drew the Ogre back. Together they struggled upon the hall pavement till the palace rocked and thundered with their battle. Great wonder was it that the palace fell not, but it was made fast with well-forged iron bands within and without; yet many a mead-bench overlaid with twisted gold was torn from its place in the furious strife, and the ale spilled on the floor. But Grendel found the cluth of his enemy too strong; he could not loose it with all his wrestlings; and he knew that he must seek to flee away and hide himself in his marsh dwellings. But Beówulf griped him tight; and when the fiend would drag him down the hall he put forth all his strength into his clenched hands. Suddenly the Ogre's shoulder rift from neck to waist. The sinews burst asunder, the joints gave way, and Beówulf tare the shoulder and the shoulder-blade from out his body. So Grendel escaped from Beówulf's grasp and in his mortal sickness fled to the fens. There Death clutched him and he died.
Grendel tried to break free but Beowulf held him fast. The monster snorted and tugged, he could feel his fingers cracking in the Geat's grip.
Now the great room boomed. Clang and clatter shattered the night-silence Beowulf and Grendel lurched to and fro in their deathly tug-of-war. Tables and mead-benches were overturned, Grendel roared and snarled, and in the outbuildings Danes woke and listened in the darkness.
When the Geats saw that Grendel could not escape Beowulf's grip, they surrounded him and slashed at him with their swords.
Heorot flashed with battle-lights. Those warriors did not know that no kind of weapon, not even the finest iron on earth, could wound their enemy. His skin was like old rind, tough and almost hard; he had woven a secret spell against every kind of battle-blade.
Now Beowulf twisted Grendel's right arm behind his neck. He locked it and turned it, slowly he turned it, putting terrible pressure on Grendel's shoulder.
The monster bellowed and dropped to one knee. He jerked and his whole body shuddered and trembled. With superhuman strength he jerked again he tried to escape Beowulf's grip, he jerked and all at once, his right shoulder ripped. A ghastly tearing of muscle and sinew and flesh; a spurting of hot blood: the monster's arm came apart from his body. Grendel howled. He staggered away from Beowulf, and reeled out of the hall.
Not for anything would the protector of warriors let the murderous guest go off alive: he did not consider his life-days of use to any of the nations. There more than enough of Beowulf's earls drew swords, old heirlooms, wished to protect the life of their dear lord, famous prince, however they might. They did not know when they entered the fight, hardy-spirited warriors, and when they thought to hew him on every side, to seek his soul, that not any of the best of irons on earth, no war-sword, would touch the evil-doer: for with a charm he had made victory-weapons useless, every sword-edge. His departure to death from the time of this life was to be wretched; and the alien spirit was to travel far off into the power of fiends. Then he who before had brought trouble of heart to mankind, committed many crimes - he was at war with God - found that his body would do him no good, for the great-hearted kinsman of Hygelac had him by the hand. Each was hateful to the other alive. The awful monster had lived to feel pain in his body, a huge wound in his shoulder was exposed, his sinews sprang apart, his bone-locks broke.
The shelter of eorlas was not by any means minded to let the murderous visitant escape alive; he did not reckon his life-days useful to any one of the Leeds. There did many an eorl of Beowulf's unsheath his old heirloom; -- would rescue the life of their master, their great captain; if so be they might. They knew it not, -- when they plunged into the fight, the stouthearted companions, and thought to hack him on every side, reach his life, -- that no choicest blade upon earth, no war-bill would touch that destroyer, but he had by enchantment secured himself against victorious weapons, edges of all kinds. His life-parting [in the day of this life] was destined to be woeful, and the outcast spirit must travel far off into the realm of fiends. Then discovered he that, he who erst in wanton mood had wrought huge atrocity upon mankind -- he was out of God's peace -- that his body was not at his command, but the valiant kinsman of Hygelac had got hold of him by the hand; to either was the other's life loathsome. A deadly wound the foul warlock got; on his shoulder the fatal crack appeared; the sinews sprang wide, the bone-coverings burst. To Beowulf was victory given.
--- That was a dreadful struggle, as the combatants, in deadly conflict, swayed up and down the hall, overturning tables and benches, trampling underfoot dishes and goblets in the darkling wrestle for life. The men of the Geats felt for their weapons, but they could not see the combatants distinctly, though they heard the panting and the trampling movements, and occassionally caught a gleam from the fiend's eyes as his face was turned toward them. When they struck their weapons glanced harmlessly off Grendel's scaly hide. The struggle continued for some time, and the hall was an utter wreck within, when Grendel, worsted for once, tried to break away and rush out into the night; but Beowulf held him fast in the grip which no man on earth could equal or endure, and the monster writhed in anguish as he vainly strove to free himself-- vainly, for Beowulf would not loose his grip. Suddenly, with one great cry, Grendel wrenched himself free, and staggered to the door, leaving behind a terrible blood-trail, for his arm and shoulder were torn off and left in the victor's grasp. ---
Beowulf, shield of heroes, would on no account let that deadly visitant go alive, for he held that his life would bring no good to any man.
Many of Beowulf's followers brandished some weapon, some ancient heirloom, wishing to defend the life of their noble lord and renowned prince wherever they could. One thing they did not know, as these comrades in battle, filled with stern purpose, joined in the struggle, thinking they would hack him from every side and threaten his life-- this wicked ravager was one whom no sword on earth, not the choicest of steel blades, could touch; he had cast a spell to blunt the edges of all victorious weapons. Yet his death was to be a wretched one in that day and age, and the being from the overworld was to pass far awar into the power of fiends.
Then he who for so long had wrought many violent deeds against mankind out of a murderous heart, he who was at feud with God, found that his own body would not obey him, for Hygelac's valiant kinsman kept a hold on his hand. each would be foe to the other as long as he lived. The fearsome monster felt agony in his own body; on his shoulder a vast gash appeared, pain to see; the sinews were tearing apart, the muscles that bound the bones were splitting. To Beowulf was granted triumph in the fray; ---
Terrible was the struggle betwen Grendel and Beowulf. The hall shook with it, the ale was spilt, and all the benches fell. The Geatas awoke from their slumber; they drew their swords and hastened to the help of their Lord, but no steel, however sharp, could pierce the hide of Grendel. Presently there was heard a wild yell of pain throughout the hall, and Grendel fled away, having escaped the grasp of Beowulf; but when the heroes looked, behold, the arm and hand of Grendel were in Beowulf's hand. It was torn from his shoulder. Sore wounded and sick unto death, the evil monster hastened to the dark pool among the fens where he had his dwelling-place.
The protector of earls was minded in no wise to release the deadly visitant alive, nor did he count his life as useful to any man.
There most eagerly this one and that of Beowulf's men brandished old swords, wished to save their leader's life, the famous prince, if only they could. They did not know, when they were in the midst of the struggle, the stern warriors, and wished to strike on all sides, how to seek Grendel's life. No choicest of swords on the earth, no war-spear, would pierce the evil monster; but Beowulf had given up victorious weapons, all swords. His parting from life at that time was doomed to be wretched, and the alien spirit was to travel far into the power of the fiends.
Then he who before in the joy of his heart had wrought much malice on mankind -- he was hostile to God -- found that his body would not follow him, for the brave kinsman of Hygelac held him by the hand. Each was hateful to the other while he lived. The foul monster suffered pain in his body. A great wound was seen in his shoulder, the sinews sprang apart, the body burst open. Fame in was granted to Beowulf.
