wyrsan wîg-frecan wäl reáfedon

äfter gûð-sceare, Geáta leóde

hreâ-wîc heóldon. Heal swêge onfêng.

Wealhþeó maðelode, heó fore þäm werede spräc:

"Brûc þisses beáges, Beówulf, leófa

"hyse, mid hæle, and þisses hrägles neót

"þeód-gestreóna, and geþeóh tela,

"cen þec mid cräfte and þyssum cnyhtum wes

"lâra lîðe! ic þe þäs leán geman.

"Hafast þu gefêred, þät þe feor and neáh