eafoðes cräftig, þät he ær gespräc

wîne druncen, þâ he þäs wæpnes onlâh

sêlran sweord-frecan: selfa ne dorste

under ýða gewin aldre genêðan,

driht-scype dreógan; þær he dôme forleás,

ellen-mærðum. Ne wäs þäm ôðrum swâ,

syððan he hine tô gûðe gegyred häfde.

XXIII. THE BATTLE WITH THE WATER-DRAKE.

Beówulf maðelode, bearn Ecgþeówes: