Hrothgar could do nothing. The monster came now not only to the banquet hall, but to the houses of the people, and soon many houses were empty. And Grendel continued to kill.
The deeds of Grendel became known in all the countries of that time. Far and wide[39] spread the tidings of this terrible oppression, and many champions came from afar[40] to offer King Hrothgar their aid, but none was heroic enough to conquer the monster, and many mighty warriors lost their lives in a vain struggle against Grendel. At length[41] even these bold adventurers ceased to come; Grendel remained master of Heorot, he came often at night to the hall and slept there, and the Danes settled down in misery under the bondage of a perpetual nightly terror, while Hrothgar grew old in helpless longing for strength to rescue his people from their foe.
Twelve long years passed and there was great sorrow in the land. Hrothgar wanted to give Grendel much gold to end the war between them, but the monster refused. The banquet hall was empty now at night and there were no more feasts there. Those who had to cross the moors were in great danger, for Grendel watched for them, and caught and killed many. Many strong and brave men often sat in council[42] with Hrothgar to decide what to do.
Beowulf, a young warrior who lived in a land far from the Danes, heard of Hrothgars troubles and left his homeland to help Hrothgar.
When Beowulf with his men came to Hrothgar, he said: O great king! We have heard about the terrible monster that comes in the dark nights and destroys your people. Perhaps I can help you to overcome this demon.
I knew you when you were a child, said Hrothgar. Your father was a brave warrior. Now his son has come for a friendly purpose. Your fame has come hither before you; seafarers have told me that you have the might of thirty men in your hand-grip. Great joy it is to know of your coming. If you succeed in killing Grendel, great treasures will I bestow upon you.
Beowulf said, I know that this monster does not use any weapons, so I shall fight with him with my hands, without armour. If he kills me, he will take my body to his home. Then I ask you to send my armour back to my country.
The aged King Hrothgar, who had listened attentively while the hero spoke of his plans and of his possible fate, said, I shall do what you ask. Grendel has caused us much sorrow with his hatred. I know you will kill the monster. Now let us sit down and have a feast.
So a company of warriors sat down at the table and ate and drank, and the bards sang and it was merry again in the banquet hall. Thereupon room was made for the warriors on the long benches, and Beowulf sat in the place of honour opposite to the king: great respect was shown to him, and all men looked with wonder on this mighty hero. When evening came, Hrothgar rose to leave the hall with his men. Then the king said to Beowulf, I trust this great hall of the Danes to you and your men. Have courage, watch for the enemy[43]. Every wish that you have shall be granted[44] if you kill the monster Grendel.
Then Beowulf and his warriors were alone. Beowulf lay down on the floor and waited for Grendel. Then Grendel came from the moor, an awful light like fire came from his eyes. In the hall he saw a company of sleeping men and laughed loudly, as he expected to have a great meal before dawn. Grendel entered the hall and attacked, devouring one of Beowulfs men. He stepped further into the hall and seized Beowulf, lying on the floor. Beowulf was sleeping and leaped up to clench Grendels hand.
The monster felt the strength of thirty men in that grip of Beowulfs hands, and he was frightened. He wanted to escape and run away to the moor, but he could not free himself from Beowulfs grip, and his bones cracked. Beowulf held the monster fast, and Grendel knew that his death was near.
Beowulfs retainers drew their swords and rushed to his aid, but their blades could not pierce Grendels skin. The companions of Beowulf, with their swords, struck the monster on every side, but they did not know that no weapon could touch him, for he was a demon. But as much as he struggled[45], he could not free himself from Beowulfs grip. At last[46] Beowulf tore the arm out of Grendels body and a great wound appeared on the shoulder of the monster. Grendel ran to his home in the moor to die.
Everybody talked about the fame of Beowulf that in all the world there was not a braver warrior than he. Then a famous bard composed a song about the killing of Grendel. The king greeted Beowulf and embraced him, and said, We have suffered much from Grendel. Now you, Beowulf, the best of men, have done that which all of us could not do[47]. I wish to take you into my heart as a son. Your fame will live forever because of the deed which you have performed.
The king and queen gave many precious gifts to Beowulf, beautiful horses and weapons and armour with precious jewels. Hrothgar did not forget Beowulfs warriors, and gave to each a valuable reward for his loyalty and courage. He did not forget the warrior killed by Grendel and gave much gold to Beowulf for the mans wife and children. The feasting stopped for a few moments[48] to honour the memory of that warrior.
They did not leave the hall when it became dark, for now they had nothing to fear. So there was music and singing and feasting far into the night[49].
The next night, after celebrating Grendels defeat, Hrothgar and his men were sleeping in Heorot. Grendel had gone home to die, but his mother, a fiend scarcely less terrible than her son[50], yet lived to avenge his death. She arose from her dwelling in the gloomy lake. Angered by the punishment of her son, Grendels mother appeared and attacked the hall. There was a horrible panic when her presence became known, and men ran hither and thither[51] vainly seeking to attack her. Grendels mother killed Hrothgars most trusted warrior, Aeschere[52], in revenge for Grendels defeat. Then she ran away.
Hrothgar burst forth in uncontrollable emotion: O Beowulf, help us if you can! Help is only to be found in you[53]. But yet you know not the dangerous place you must explore it if you seek the fiend in her den. I will richly reward your valour if you return alive from this hazardous journey.
Beowulf was touched by the sorrow of the grey-haired king, and replied, Arise, my lord; let us scan the track left by the monster, for I promise you I will never lose it, wheresoever it may lead me. So Hrothgar, Beowulf and their men tracked Grendels mother to her lair under a lake[54]. Beowulf prepared himself for battle, and went into the lake. He was swiftly detected and attacked by Grendels mother. However, she was unable to harm Beowulf through his armour and dragged him to the bottom of the lake. In a cavern containing Grendels body and the remains of men that the two had killed, Grendels mother and Beowulf engaged in fierce combat.
At first, Grendels mother appeared to prevail. Beowulf, finding that his sword could not harm his foe, discarded it in fury. But Grendels mother had a magic sword which she kept in that cavern. Beowulf grabbed the magical sword, and with it won her. Travelling further into the lair, Beowulf discovered Grendels dying body and severed its head. The blade of the magic sword melted like ice when it touched Grendels toxic blood, until only the hilt was left. This hilt was the only treasure that Beowulf carried out of cavern, which he presented to Hrothgar upon his return[55] to Heorot. Hrothgar gave Beowulf many gifts, including the magic sword, his familys heirloom[56].
Beowulf returned home and eventually became king of his own people. He ruled the kingdom for many years. During that time he performed many great deeds.
One day, fifty years after Beowulfs battle with Grendels mother, a slave stole a golden cup from the lair of a dragon. When the dragon saw that the cup had been stolen, it left its cave in a rage, burning everything in sight. Beowulf and his warriors came to fight the dragon, but Beowulf told his men that he would fight the dragon alone and that they should wait on the barrow. Beowulf descended to do battle with the dragon but found himself outmatched. His men, upon seeing this display and fearing for their lives, crept back into the woods. One of his men, however, Wiglaf[57], who found great distress in seeing Beowulfs plight, came to Beowulfs aid. The two killed the dragon, but Beowulf was mortally wounded.
Beowulf was buried on a cliff. The dragons treasure was buried with him, in accordance withBeowulfs wishes[58], rather than distributed to his people, and there is a curse associated with the hoard to ensure that Beowulfs wish is kept.
Упражнения
1. Выберите правильный вариант:
1. Scyld Scefing had come to Denmark in a boat loaded with bottles of rum.
2. Scyld Scefing had come to England in a vessel loaded with treasures.
3. Scyld Scefing had come to Denmark in a vessel loaded with treasures.
4. Scyld Scefing had come to Denmark in a big ship.
2. What colour was the banner which Scylds men put over his head when he died?
1. red.
2. black.
3. white.
4. golden.
3. Who (or what) is Heorot?
1. a mighty warrior.
2. the great hall.
3. a conqueror.
4. a king.
4. A goblin is
1. a legendary evil or mischievous grotesque dwarf-like creature.
2. a legendary creature with magic powers and supernatural beauty.
3. a big and ugly creature that dwells in isolated rocks.
4. a small, humanoid creature that lives underground.
5. What did Cain do?
1. Cain created his brother from one of his ribs.
2. Cain ate fruit from the forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden.
3. Cain created the world.
4. Cain committed the first murder by killing his brother.
6. Выберите правильный вариант:
1. The feasting stopped for a few moments to honour the memory of the warrior.
2. The feasting stopped for few moments to honour the memory of the warrior.
3. The feasting stopped for a little moments to honour the memory of the warrior.
4. The feasting stopped for little moments to honour the memory of the warrior.
7. О ком здесь говорится:
Terrible was he, dangerous to men, of extraordinary strength, human in shape but gigantic of stature, covered with a green horny skin
1. Hrothgar
2. Wiglaf
3. Grendel
4. Aeschere
8. Выберите нужный глагол:
The monster ____________________ the strength of thirty men in the grip of Beowulfs hands, and he was frightened.
1. The monster will feel the strength of thirty men in the grip of Beowulfs hands, and he was frightened.
2. The monster feeling the strength of thirty men in the grip of Beowulfs hands, and he was frightened.
3. The monster felt the strength of thirty men in the grip of Beowulfs hands, and he was frightened.
4. The monster feet the strength of thirty men in the grip of Beowulfs hands, and he was frightened.
Примечания
1
The Princess of Canterbury Принцесса Кентербери
2
did their best старались изо всех сил
3
I know not how you should. Понятно, что ты их не видишь.
4
Ill try my worth, folly or luck. Попытаю-ка я свою судьбу.
5
as soon as как только
6
sweet ally милая
7
No matter that. И не надо.
8
Oh my! Надо же!
9
Let me see it. Дай-ка я посмотрю.
10
she gave him leave to go to sleep она отпустила его спать
11
excuse him to her father оправдать его перед отцом
12
Godiva Годива
13
Coventry Ковентри (город на востоке английского графства Уэст-Мидлендс)
14
the wife of Earl Leofric of Mercia жена Леофрика, эрла (графа) Мерсии
15
Canute Канут
16
on your return you shall have your request по возвращении твоя просьба будет исполнена
17
without being seen незамеченная
18
so that he might see Godiva pass чтобы он смог увидеть проезжающую Годиву
19
He was struck blind. Он ослеп.
20
Peeping Tom Подглядывающий Том
21
voyeur подглядывающий
22
has become synonymous with pervert стало синонимом извращённого человека
23
a pageant is held annually in Coventry ежегодно в Ковентри проходит процессия
24
Beowulf Беовульф (с древнеанглийского буквально переводится как «пчелиный волк», то есть «медведь»).
25
long ago давно
26
Scyld Scefing Скильд Скевинг
27
Scyldings Скильдинги
28
Hrothgar Хротгар
29
hold feasts устраивал пиры
30
thane тан (англо-саксонский воин, который в награду за свою военную службу получал землю)
31
Heorot Хеорот
32
day by day изо дня в день
33
Grendel Грендель
34
goblilns гоблины, человекоподобные создания, живущие в подземных пещерах и не переносящие солнечного света
35
Cain Каин, старший сын первых людей Адама и Евы, из зависти убивший своего брата Авеля.
36
bitter enemies злейшие враги
37
Danes даны, древнегерманское племя, населявшее нынешнюю Данию и Швецию
38
wage a conflict вступить в сражение
39
far and wide повсюду
40
from afar издалека
41
at length со временем
42
sat in council заседали в совете
43
watch for the enemy жди врага
44
Every wish that you have shall be granted. Будет исполнено любое твоё желание.
45
but as much as he struggled но сколько бы он ни боролся
46
at last наконец
47
have done that which all of us could not do совершил то, чего не смог сделать никто из нас
48
for a few moments на некоторое время
49
far into the night до глубокой ночи
50
scarcely less terrible than her son не менее ужасная, чем её сын
51
hither and thither туда-сюда
52
Aeschere Эшер
53
Help is only to be found in you. Только ты сможешь помочь.
54
under a lake на дне озера
55
upon his return по своему возвращению
56
familys heirloom фамильная реликвия
57
Wiglaf Виглаф
58
in accordance with wishes согласно воле