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Peter G. EppsBeowulf Translation ProjectOE Literature—Denton5/1/03
 Beowulf 
2152-89: Comparative TranslationsProblem Spots
2156: initially wanted “certain words,” but it’s singular“by a particular word”? seems awkwardWaterhouse: Gave me; and
in particular
he badeChickering: wise and generous; he
asked especially
 Lehmann: the keen commander then
requested
meGarnett: The crafty chief, bade
with some words
 Heaney: he
instructed
me, my lord, to give you some account2157: “that I tell you first about his gift”“est” = the gift? or the process by which it comes to be given? (cf. Jack)Waterhouse: That first I tell thee of 
its history
.Chickering: that I first tell you
the history of his gift
. (both ways)Kennedy: Bade tell the tale of his
friendly favor
.Lehmann: to tell you truly of his
treasured gifts
.Garnett: That I
of its origin
first should thee tell,Heaney: of why
it signifies his special favour
.2164: “occupied” or “followed” + “track, way, path” = ?“occupied the aisle” (i.e., the path down the center of hall?)“followed closely” (idiomatic—“kept in the tracks”)Waterhouse: I heard that four swift horses
followed close
 Chickering: exactly matching,
followed that treasure
,Kennedy: As I’ve heard the tale, he
followed the trappings
 Lehmann: matched dabbled bays
remained with the trappings
.Garnett: Exactly alike,
in their tracks followed
,2168: “cræfte” cognate craft, skill; but at 2181 seems clearly “strength”“secret craft” vs. “hidden strength”Waterhouse: “secret guile”Chickering: “of evil in secret” (merges with “inwit-net” from 2167)Kennedy: “weaving in secret the wiles of malice” (merges 2167)
 
2Lehmann: “secret skill”Garnett: “secret craft”Heaney: “planning in secret” (free association based on 2167-8)
Specific Points of Interest in Translation
2179: druncne—who’s drunken, and what’s the narratorial POV?Thus Ecgtheow's son showed himself brave,a man familiar with battle [and] with good deeds,[a man who] worked for glory,
not at all [a] drunken [one who] slew
 hearth-companions; his heart was not savage,
Waterhouse
:Thus did the son of Ecgtheow prove his worth,The man renowned for battles and high deedsStrove after fame; nor slew his hearth-companionsIn their cups; his spirit was not fierce
Lehmann
:Thus did Ecgtheow’s son exemplify honor,known for battles and for noble deeds.He behaved fairly, harmed no drinkers,killed no comrades. His was no cruel heart:
Kennedy
:So the son of Ecgtheow bore himself bravely,Known for his courage and courteous deeds,Strove after honor, slew not his comradesIn drunken brawling; nor brutal his mood.2174: Wealðeo or Hygd—who’s the prince’s daughter?I have heard that he gave Hygd that neck-ring,splendid wonder-jewel, that Wealhtheow gave him,the prince's daughter, along with three horsesCompare
Chickering
, who omits the detail altogether:I also have heard that he gave Queen Hygdthe golden necklace, that Wealhtheow gave him,wondrous treasure-ring, and three sleek horses
 
3or
Lehmann
, who attempts to maintain the OE verse ambiguity:I heard he tendered the torque, the treasured marvel,as a gift to Hygd, given to him by Wealhtheow,a prince’s daughter, with a present of steeds,2158: Hiorogar cyning—untangling syntaxcwæð þæt hyt hæfde Hiorogar cyning,leod Scyldunga, lange hwile.No ðy ær suna sinum syllan wolde,hwatum Heorowearde, þeah he him hold wære,breost-gewædu. Bruc ealles well![he] says that king Heorogar had it,chief of the Scyldings, a long time;yet to his son [he] would not give--to bold Heoroward, though he was loyal to him--the chest-piece. Use it all well!Compare
Garnett
, who reads “breost-gewædu” as an epithet:Said that it had Hiorogar king,Prince of the Scyldings, for a long while:Not to his son sooner would he it give,To the brave Heoroweard, though to him he were dear,The defence of his breast. Use thou it well!2183: Hean wæs lange—syntax(I can’t make good MnE syntax out of this without inverting 2185-6)2183 Hean wæs lange2184 swa hyne Geata bearn godne ne tealdon,2185 ne hyne on medo-bence micles wyrðne2186 drihten We[d]e[r]a gedon wolde;2183 the battle-brave one contained. Long was [he] lowly,2184 as the sons of the Geats deemed him no good;2186 (85) the lord of the Weders [had]
not 
wished to make2185
him a greatly esteemed one at the mead bench
;
of 00

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