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Stories of Beowulf Told to the Children by Henrietta Elizabeth Marshall, CHAPTER IV. HOW BEOWULF OVERCAME GRENDEL THE OGRE

CHAPTER IV. HOW BEOWULF OVERCAME GRENDEL THE OGRE

And now all slept save Beowulf alone. Then out of the creeping mists that covered the moorland forth the Evil Thing strode.

Right onward to the Hall he came, goaded with fearful wrath. The bolts and bars he burst asunder with but a touch, and stood within the Hall.

Out of the dark Grendel's eyes blazed like fire. Loud he laughed, wild-demon laughter, as he gazed around upon the sleeping warriors.

Here truly was a giant feast spread out before him. And ere morning light should come he meant to leave no man of them alive. So loud he laughed.

Beowulf, watchful and angry, yet curbed his wrath. He waited to see how the monster should attack. Nor had he long to wait.

Quickly stretching forth a fang, Grendel seized a sleeping warrior. Ere the unhappy one could wake he was torn asunder. Greedily Grendel drank his blood, crushed his bones, and swallowed his horrid feast.

Again the goblin stretched forth his claws hungry for his feast. But Beowulf raising himself upon his elbow reached out his hand, and caught the monster.

Then had the fell giant fierce wrath and pain. Never before had he made trial of such a hand-grip. In it he writhed and struggled vainly. Hotter and hotter grew his anger, deeper and deeper his fear. He longed to flee, to seek his demon lair and there make merry with his fellows. But though his strength was great he could not win free from that mighty grasp.

Then Beowulf, remembering his boast that he would conquer this ruthless beast, stood upright, gripping the Ogre yet more firmly.

Awful was the fight in the darkness. This way and that the Ogre swayed, but he could not free himself from the clutch of those mighty fingers.

The noise of the contest was as of thunder. The fair Hall echoed and shook with demon cries of rage, until it seemed that the walls must fall.

The wine in the cups was spilled upon the floor. The benches, overlaid with gold, were torn from their places. Fear and wonder fell upon the Dane folk. For far and wide the din was heard, until the king trembled in his castle, the slave in his hut.

The knights of Beowulf awoke, arose, drew their sharp swords, and plunged into the battle. They fought right manfully for their master, their great leader. But though they dealt swift and mighty blows, it was in vain. Grendel's hide was such that not the keenest blade ever wrought of steel could pierce it through. No war-axe could wound him, for by enchantments he had made him safe. Nay, by no such honourable means might death come to the foul Ogre.

Louder and louder grew the din, fiercer and wilder the strife, hotter the wrath of those who strove.

But at length the fight came to an end. The sinews in Grendel's shoulder burst, the bones cracked. Then the Ogre tore himself free, and fled, wounded to death, leaving his arm in Beowulf's mighty grip. Sobbing forth his death-song, Grendel fled over the misty moorland, until he reached his dwelling in the lake of the Water Dragons, and there plunged in. The dark waves closed over him, and he sank to his home.

Loud were the songs of triumph in Hart Hall, great the rejoicing. For Beowulf had made good his boast. He had cleansed the Hall from the Ogre. Henceforth might the Dane folk sleep peacefully therein. And so the Goths rejoiced. And over the doorway of the Hall, in token of his triumph, Beowulf nailed the hand, and arm, and shoulder of Grendel.

Then when morning came, and the news was spread over all the land, there was much joy among the Dane folk. From far and near many a warrior came riding to the Hall to see the marvel. Over the moor they rode, too, tracking Grendel's gory footsteps, until they came to the lake of the Water Dragons. There they gazed upon the water as it boiled and seethed, coloured dark with the poison blood of the Ogre.

Then back with light hearts they sped, praising the hero. 'From north to south,' they cried, 'between the seas all the world over, there is none so valiant as he, none so worthy of honour.' With loosened rein they galloped in the gay sunshine. And by the way minstrels made songs, and sang of the mighty deeds of the Goth hero, praising him above the heroes of old. In all the land there was song and gladness.

Then from his bower came the aged king, clad in gorgeous robes. Behind him was his treasurer, the keeper of his gold, and a great troop of warriors. With him walked the queen, splendid too, in robes of purple and gold, while many fair ladies followed in her train.

Over the flower-starred meadow they passed, stately and beautiful, until they stood before the Hall.

As Hrothgar mounted the steps, he gazed upon the roof shining with gold in the sun. He gazed too upon the hand and arm of Grendel. Great was his joy and gladness.

Then the king turned to the people gathered there. 'For this sight be thanks at once given to the All Wise,' he cried. 'What sorrow and trouble hath Grendel caused me! When I saw my Hall stained with blood, when I saw my wise men bowed with grief, broken in spirit, I hoped no more. I thought never in this life to be repaid for all the brave men that I have lost.

'Then lo! when my sorrow was dark, there cometh a young warrior, a youth mighty in battle. And he hath done the deed that all our wisdom was not able to perform.' Then turning to Beowulf, the king stretched out his hands and cried, 'Now, O Beowulf, greatest of fighters, henceforth will I love thee as a son. No wish of thine but I will grant it to thee, if it be in my power.

'Full oft of yore have I for lesser deeds given great rewards. Treasure and honour have I heaped upon knights less brave than thou, less mighty in war. But thou by thy deeds hast made for thyself a glorious name which shall never be forgotten.' Then Beowulf, proudly humble, answered, 'It was joy to do the daring deed. Blithe at heart we fought the Unknown One. But I would that thou thyself hadst seen the Ogre among the treasures of the Hall. I thought to bind him on a bed of death. But in my hand he might not lie. He was too strong for me. His body slipped from my grasp. Nevertheless he left with me his hand and arm and shoulder. It is certain that now he lieth dead and will never more trouble the land.' There was joy among the heroes as Beowulf spoke. But Hunferth hung his head, and bit his lip in silence. He no longer had desire to taunt the hero, or make boast of his own war-craft. Shame held him speechless.

And so through all that day the crowd came and went before the door of Hart Hall. Greatly did all men marvel at the fearful sight, at the war-hand of the Ogre. The nails were like steel, the fingers like daggers, and the whole hide so hard that no sword, however finely welded, might pierce it through.

It was indeed a great marvel.

CHAPTER IV. HOW BEOWULF OVERCAME GRENDEL THE OGRE KAPITEL IV. WIE BEOWULF GRENDEL, DEN OGER, BESIEGTE 第四章。ベオウルフがグレンデル・ザ・オーガを克服した方法 CAPÍTULO IV. COMO BEOWULF VENCEU O OGRE GRENDEL

And now all slept save Beowulf alone. そして今、ベオウルフだけを除いて全員が眠りました。 Then out of the creeping mists that covered the moorland forth the Evil Thing strode. そして荒れ地を覆っていた忍び寄る霧の中から邪悪なものが大股で進んだ。

Right onward to the Hall he came, goaded with fearful wrath. 恐ろしい怒りに突き動かされて、彼はホールに向かった。 The bolts and bars he burst asunder with but a touch, and stood within the Hall. 彼はボルトとバーをわずかな接触で破裂させ、ホール内に立った。

Out of the dark Grendel's eyes blazed like fire. 暗闇の中、グレンデルの目は火のように輝いていました。 Loud he laughed, wild-demon laughter, as he gazed around upon the sleeping warriors. 眠っている戦士たちを見回しながら、彼は大声で、野生の悪魔の笑い声で笑った.

Here truly was a giant feast spread out before him. ここで、まさに彼の前に広がる巨大な饗宴が開かれた。 And ere morning light should come he meant to leave no man of them alive. そして、朝の光が来る前に、彼は彼らの誰も生き残らないつもりでした. So loud he laughed. とても大声で彼は笑った。

Beowulf, watchful and angry, yet curbed his wrath. Beowulf は用心深く怒っていましたが、怒りを抑えていました。 He waited to see how the monster should attack. 彼はモンスターがどのように攻撃するかを待ちました。 Nor had he long to wait. 彼は長く待つ必要もありませんでした。

Quickly stretching forth a fang, Grendel seized a sleeping warrior. グレンデルは素早く牙を伸ばし、眠っている戦士を捕まえた。 Ere the unhappy one could wake he was torn asunder. 不幸な人が目覚める前に、バラバラに引き裂かれました。 Greedily Grendel drank his blood, crushed his bones, and swallowed his horrid feast. 貪欲にグレンデルは血を飲み、骨を砕き、恐ろしい饗宴を飲み込んだ。

Again the goblin stretched forth his claws hungry for his feast. 再びゴブリンは、ごちそうに飢えた爪を伸ばしました。 But Beowulf raising himself upon his elbow reached out his hand, and caught the monster. しかし、ひじを立てたベオウルフは手を伸ばし、怪物を捕まえました。

Then had the fell giant fierce wrath and pain. それから倒れた巨人は激しい怒りと痛みを感じました。 Never before had he made trial of such a hand-grip. 彼はこれまで、そのような握り方を試したことはありませんでした。 In it he writhed and struggled vainly. その中で彼は身もだえし、むなしくもがいた。 Hotter and hotter grew his anger, deeper and deeper his fear. 彼の怒りはますます熱くなり、恐怖はますます深まりました。 He longed to flee, to seek his demon lair and there make merry with his fellows. 彼は逃げ出し、悪魔の隠れ家を探し、そこで仲間と楽しく過ごしたいと切望していました。 But though his strength was great he could not win free from that mighty grasp. しかし、彼の強さは素晴らしかったが、その強力な握りから逃れることはできなかった.

Then Beowulf, remembering his boast that he would conquer this ruthless beast, stood upright, gripping the Ogre yet more firmly. それからベオウルフは、この無慈悲な獣を征服するという彼の自慢を思い出し、直立してオーガをさらにしっかりと掴みました.

Awful was the fight in the darkness. 暗闇での戦いはひどかった。 This way and that the Ogre swayed, but he could not free himself from the clutch of those mighty fingers. オーガはあちらこちらに揺れたが、その強力な指の握りから逃れることはできなかった。

The noise of the contest was as of thunder. コンテストの騒音は雷のようでした。 The fair Hall echoed and shook with demon cries of rage, until it seemed that the walls must fall. 美しいホールは、壁が崩壊しなければならないと思われるまで、怒りの悪魔の叫び声が響き渡り、震えました。

The wine in the cups was spilled upon the floor. カップに入っていたワインが床にこぼれた。 The benches, overlaid with gold, were torn from their places. 金で覆われたベンチは、その場所から引き裂かれました。 Fear and wonder fell upon the Dane folk. 恐怖と驚きがデンマークの人々に降りかかりました。 For far and wide the din was heard, until the king trembled in his castle, the slave in his hut. 遠くから喧噪が聞こえ、王様は城で震え、奴隷は小屋で震えました。

The knights of Beowulf awoke, arose, drew their sharp swords, and plunged into the battle. ベオウルフの騎士たちは目覚め、立ち上がり、鋭い剣を抜き、戦いに突入した。 They fought right manfully for their master, their great leader. 彼らは、彼らの偉大な指導者である主人のために、正しく勇敢に戦いました。 But though they dealt swift and mighty blows, it was in vain. しかし、彼らは素早く強力な打撃を与えましたが、無駄でした。 Grendel's hide was such that not the keenest blade ever wrought of steel could pierce it through. グレンデルの皮は、これまで鍛造された鋼の最も鋭い刃がそれを突き刺すことができないようなものでした. No war-axe could wound him, for by enchantments he had made him safe. エンチャントによって彼を安全にしたので、どんな戦斧でも彼を傷つけることはできませんでした。 Nay, by no such honourable means might death come to the foul Ogre. いや、そのような立派な手段によって、汚れたオーガに死が訪れることはありません。

Louder and louder grew the din, fiercer and wilder the strife, hotter the wrath of those who strove. 喧噪はますます騒々しくなり、争いはますます激しさを増し、奮闘する者たちの怒りはますます熱くなった。

But at length the fight came to an end. しかし、ついに戦いは終焉を迎えた。 The sinews in Grendel's shoulder burst, the bones cracked. グレンデルの肩の腱が破裂し、骨が砕けた。 Then the Ogre tore himself free, and fled, wounded to death, leaving his arm in Beowulf's mighty grip. その後、オーガは自分自身を引き裂き、逃げて、負傷して死に、腕をベオウルフの強力なグリップに残しました。 Sobbing forth his death-song, Grendel fled over the misty moorland, until he reached his dwelling in the lake of the Water Dragons, and there plunged in. 死の歌を叫びながら、グレンデルは霧深い荒地を逃げ、ウォータードラゴンの湖にある彼の住居にたどり着き、そこに飛び込んだ。 The dark waves closed over him, and he sank to his home. 暗い波が彼を覆い隠し、彼は家に沈みました。

Loud were the songs of triumph in Hart Hall, great the rejoicing. ハート・ホールでは勝利の歌声が響き渡り、歓喜の声が大きかった。 For Beowulf had made good his boast. ベオウルフは自慢をよくしたからです。 He had cleansed the Hall from the Ogre. 彼はオーガからホールを一掃した。 Henceforth might the Dane folk sleep peacefully therein. 今後、デンマークの人々はそこで安らかに眠ることができます。 And so the Goths rejoiced. そしてゴート族は喜んだ。 And over the doorway of the Hall, in token of his triumph, Beowulf nailed the hand, and arm, and shoulder of Grendel. そしてホールの戸口の上で、彼の勝利のしるしとして、ベオウルフはグレンデルの手、腕、肩をくぎで打ちました。

Then when morning came, and the news was spread over all the land, there was much joy among the Dane folk. それから朝が来て、ニュースが全土に広まったとき、デーンの人々の間で大きな喜びがありました. From far and near many a warrior came riding to the Hall to see the marvel. 遠くからも近くからも、多くの戦士が馬に乗ってホールにやって来て、驚異を見ました。 Over the moor they rode, too, tracking Grendel's gory footsteps, until they came to the lake of the Water Dragons. 彼らも荒地を越え、ウォータードラゴンの湖にたどり着くまで、グレンデルの残忍な足跡をたどりました。 There they gazed upon the water as it boiled and seethed, coloured dark with the poison blood of the Ogre. そこで彼らは、オーガの毒血で黒ずんだ、沸騰して沸騰する水をじっと見つめた。

Then back with light hearts they sped, praising the hero. それから彼らは、主人公を称賛しながら、軽い心で急いで戻ってきました. 'From north to south,' they cried, 'between the seas all the world over, there is none so valiant as he, none so worthy of honour.' 「北から南まで」と彼らは叫びました。 With loosened rein they galloped in the gay sunshine. 手綱を緩めて、彼らは陽気な日差しの中で疾走した。 And by the way minstrels made songs, and sang of the mighty deeds of the Goth hero, praising him above the heroes of old. ところで、吟遊詩人たちは歌を作り、ゴート族の英雄の偉業を歌い、昔の英雄よりも彼を称賛した。 In all the land there was song and gladness. すべての土地に歌と喜びがありました。

Then from his bower came the aged king, clad in gorgeous robes. それから彼の庭から、ゴージャスなローブに身を包んだ年老いた王が出てきました. Behind him was his treasurer, the keeper of his gold, and a great troop of warriors. 彼の後ろには、彼の会計係、彼の金の番人、そして偉大な戦士の軍隊がいました. With him walked the queen, splendid too, in robes of purple and gold, while many fair ladies followed in her train. 彼と一緒に、紫と金のローブを着た素晴らしい女王が歩き、多くの美しい女性が彼女の列車に続きました。

Over the flower-starred meadow they passed, stately and beautiful, until they stood before the Hall. 花の星が輝く牧草地の上を、荘厳で美しい二人が通り過ぎると、ホールの前に立った。

As Hrothgar mounted the steps, he gazed upon the roof shining with gold in the sun. フロスガルが階段を上ると、彼は太陽の下で金色に輝く屋根を見つめた。 He gazed too upon the hand and arm of Grendel. 彼はグレンデルの手と腕も見つめた。 Great was his joy and gladness. 彼の喜びと喜びは大きかった。

Then the king turned to the people gathered there. それから王はそこに集まった人々の方を向いた。 'For this sight be thanks at once given to the All Wise,' he cried. 「この光景は、すべての賢者にすぐに与えられたことに感謝します」と彼は叫びました. 'What sorrow and trouble hath Grendel caused me! 「グレンデルが私にどんな悲しみとトラブルを引き起こしたのでしょう! When I saw my Hall stained with blood, when I saw my wise men bowed with grief, broken in spirit, I hoped no more. 私のホールが血に染まるのを見たとき、私の賢者たちが悲しみに打ちひしがれ、精神的に壊れたのを見たとき、私はもう望みはありませんでした。 I thought never in this life to be repaid for all the brave men that I have lost. 私が失ったすべての勇敢な男性のために、この人生で決して報われるとは思っていませんでした。

'Then lo! 「じゃあ見ろ! when my sorrow was dark, there cometh a young warrior, a youth mighty in battle. 私の悲しみが暗くなったとき、戦いに強い若者、若い戦士が現れました。 And he hath done the deed that all our wisdom was not able to perform.' そして彼は、私たちのすべての知恵が実行できなかった行為を行いました。 Then turning to Beowulf, the king stretched out his hands and cried, 'Now, O Beowulf, greatest of fighters, henceforth will I love thee as a son. それからベオウルフの方を向いて、王は手を伸ばして叫びました。 No wish of thine but I will grant it to thee, if it be in my power. あなたの願いはありませんが、私の力があれば、あなたにそれを与えます.

'Full oft of yore have I for lesser deeds given great rewards. 「私は昔から、ささいなことをして大きな報酬を与えられてきました。 Treasure and honour have I heaped upon knights less brave than thou, less mighty in war. あなたよりも勇敢ではなく、戦争で力の弱い騎士たちに、宝物と名誉を積み上げました。 But thou by thy deeds hast made for thyself a glorious name which shall never be forgotten.' しかし、あなたはあなたの行為によって、決して忘れられない輝かしい名前を自分のために作りました。 Then Beowulf, proudly humble, answered, 'It was joy to do the daring deed. すると、誇らしげに謙虚なベオウルフは、「大胆な行為をするのは喜びでした。 Blithe at heart we fought the Unknown One. 私たちは未知なるものと戦いました。 But I would that thou thyself hadst seen the Ogre among the treasures of the Hall. しかし、私はあなた自身がホールの宝の中にいるオーガを見たことを願っています. I thought to bind him on a bed of death. 私は彼を死の床に縛り付けようと思いました。 But in my hand he might not lie. しかし、私の手にあれば、彼は嘘をつかないかもしれません。 He was too strong for me. 彼は私には強すぎました。 His body slipped from my grasp. 彼の体が私の手から滑り落ちた。 Nevertheless he left with me his hand and arm and shoulder. それにもかかわらず、彼は手と腕と肩を私に残しました。 It is certain that now he lieth dead and will never more trouble the land.' 今彼が死んで横たわっており、これ以上この国を悩ませることは決してないだろう.」 There was joy among the heroes as Beowulf spoke. ベオウルフが話したとき、英雄たちの間で喜びがありました。 But Hunferth hung his head, and bit his lip in silence. しかしハンファースは頭を垂れ、黙って唇を噛んだ。 He no longer had desire to taunt the hero, or make boast of his own war-craft. 彼はもはや英雄をからかうことも、自分の軍艦を自慢することも望んでいませんでした。 Shame held him speechless. 恥ずかしさで彼は言葉を失いました。

And so through all that day the crowd came and went before the door of Hart Hall. そしてその日一日中、群衆はハート・ホールのドアの前を行き来した。 Greatly did all men marvel at the fearful sight, at the war-hand of the Ogre. オーガの軍の手による恐ろしい光景に、すべての人は大いに驚嘆した。 The nails were like steel, the fingers like daggers, and the whole hide so hard that no sword, however finely welded, might pierce it through. 釘は鋼鉄のようで、指は短剣のようで、全体の皮は非常に硬く、どんなに細かく溶接された剣でも突き刺すことはできませんでした。

It was indeed a great marvel. それは実に大きな驚きでした。