"ac for hige-þrymmum Hrôðgâr sôhton."

Him þâ ellen-rôf andswarode,

wlanc Wedera leód word äfter spräc,

heard under helme: "We synt Higelâces

"beód-geneátas; Beówulf is mîn nama.

"Wille ic âsecgan suna Healfdenes,

"mærum þeódne mîn ærende,

"aldre þînum, gif he ûs geunnan wile,

"þät we hine swâ gôdne grêtan môton."

Wulfgâr maðelode (þät wäs Wendla leód,