as the grim destroyer those Geatish people. Too few the heroes. how they bore oer the gangway glittering shields. On the hall-guest she hurled herself, hent her short sword. fair lay earths breast; and fain was the rover, the guest, to depart, though more gladly he pondered. by kinsmans deed, was the death-bed strewn. for my nerve and my might they knew full well. Then on the strand, with steeds and treasure, and armor their roomy and ring-dight ship, mounted with gold; on the mead-bench since. that of these folk-horrors fewer she wrought. because of his rule oer the realm itself. Such heaping of horrors the hater of men. him who with Hrothgar the homestead ruled. docx, 25.38 KB. The fight is not yours. Long while of the day, Soon found the fiend who the flood-domain. and pact of peace. on its willing way, the well-braced craft. roared oer the hillock:heads all were melted. to his lair in the fens. With waves of care, my loved ones venture: long I begged thee. himself to pleasure; a sea-boat he loaded. oer stone-cliffs steep and strait defiles. in wisdoms words, that her will was granted, that at last on a hero her hope could lean, This was my thought, when my thanes and I, that I would work the will of your people, of this life of mine in the mead-hall here., Beowulfs battle-boast. A strait path reached it. with a curse to doomsday covered it deep. For the eldest of these, by unmeet chance. Thro wan night striding, came the walker-in-shadow. nor grew for their grace, but for grisly slaughter. who sat at the feet of the Scyldings lord. my strength had been lost had the Lord not shielded me. all the boards of the benches blood-besprinkled. a gold-wove banner; let billows take him. So slumbered the stout-heart. on the breast of the bark their bright array. by no means to seek that slaughtering monster, but suffer the South-Danes to settle their feud, themselves with Grendel. iron was its edge, all etched with poison, with battle-blood hardened, nor blenched it at fight, to folksteadof foes. How the Fire Dragon warred with the Goth folk 50 IX. robbed them of life and a liegemans joys. Then was song and glee. and lending thee might when thou lackest men. We have 6 different worksheets to choose from in this activity. Download this FREE Beowulf Story KS2 sheet to introduce your class to one of the oldest stories in English literature. they had felled with their swords. waxes and wakes while the warden slumbers. A glove hung by him, Twere long to relate how that land-destroyer, yet there, my prince, this people of thine, but there staid behind him his stronger hand. though with forged bolts fast, when his fists had struck it. the two contenders crashed through the building. sword gore-stained, through swine of the helm, the swords on the settles,and shields a-many. with strenuous hands the sea-streets measured. in the banquet-hall, to our breaker-of-rings, for hard-sword and helmet, if hap should bring, stress of this sort! though not without danger. A poet with an acute ear for the music of the everyday, Heaney saw poetry as a skilled craft and repeatedly linked his writing to the graft of agricultural work. een feet and hands. murdered, and fain of them more had killed, and the mansbrave mood. Hall-folk fail me, my warriors wane; for Wyrd hath swept them. By its wall no more. was fated to fall in the Frisian slaughter. sword-stroke savage, that severed its head. The worlds great candle. stalwart and stately. for the slaughters sake, from sight of men. Not with the sword, then, to sleep of death. docx, 209.19 KB. HASTENED the hardy one, henchmen with him. was destined to dare the deeps of the flood. Spent with struggle, stumbled the warrior. his courage and counsel: The king of Danes. from bitesof the body. Thy keen mind pleases me. Yet his end and parting. to brave, and to rush on the ring-board hall. had purged it anew. hoard-guard for heroes, that hard fight repaid, with steeds and treasures contemned by none. competition and we will not give it to anyone else without your express permission. It is very long and tells the story Less grim, though, that terror. with strength of stroke all swords he wielded. the Ring-Danes, outrevelled, to rest had gone. in the courts no wassail, as once was heard. that the frame of his body failed him now. what time, in his daring, dangers he sought. in his breast was boiling, baleful and deep. death-fall of Danes, as was due and right. His hoard-of-bliss. Stout by the stone-way his shield he raised. THEN sank they to sleep. His breastplate broad and bright of hues, that battle should break on his breast in vain, And the helmet white that his head protected. from mountains gliding to gloom of the rocks. had passed in peace to the princes mind. those care-paths cold when the king he slew. what fate might come, and I cared for mine own; From the Ruler-of-Man no wrath shall seize me. One fight shall end. blood-flecked, she bore with her; bale was returned, dole in the dwellings: twas dire exchange. in mead-hall may live with loving friends. till Hrethelings fought in the fenced town. to watch, many-wintered: nor wins he thereby! with waves of blood from his breast that welled. Let us set out in haste now, the second time. who, blazing at twilight the barrows haunteth. a hall-session that harrowed every Dane Then bethought him the hardy Hygelac-thane. engulf it in flame. that Freawarus thane, for his fathers deed. wealth of the world that I wield as mine! what manner of sojourn the Sea-Geats made. Beginning withDeath of a Naturalistin 1966, Heaneys early work excavated his own past, exploring themes of childhood and growing up. hath wielded ever! for a light to lighten the land-dwellers. Beowulf is a poem that was written in old English around 1,000 years ago by an anonymous poet and is believed to be one of the most important pieces of English literature there is. though spent with swimming. on the last of his raids this ring bore with him, the war-spoil warding; but Wyrd oerwhelmed him. Soon he was swimming who safe saw in combat. THEN he goes to his chamber, a grief-song chants, homestead and house. He, swiftly banished. what sudden harryings. Through the hall then went the Helmings Lady. it was handsomely structured, a sturdy frame brilliantly broidered; so bright its gleam, and viewed all these vessels. Himself, though, durst not. such as once they waged, from war refrain. Their practice this, their heathen hope; twas Hell they thought of. . The craft sped on. No wish shall fail thee, if thou bidest the battle with bold-won life.. By his sovran he sat, come safe from battle. Nor was Beowulf there; after giving of gold, for the Geat renowned. would that loathly one leave as aloft it flew. Din rose in hall. and save her life when the liegemen saw her. because it tells us a lot about Anglo-Saxon life. A greater neer saw I, of warriors in world than is one of you, . in his earth-hall waiting the end of the world, the chambered treasure, when chance allowed me, (and my path was made in no pleasant wise), such heap from the hoard as hands could bear. Have mind, thou honored offspring of Healfdene. far oer the flood with him floating away. Wealhtheow spake amid warriors, and said:, Preserve thy strength, and these striplings here, Hast done such deeds, that for days to come. to the high-built hall, those hardy-minded. plied with such prowess their power oerwhelming, and fell in fight. to mingle with monsters at mercy of foes, to death was betrayed; for torrents of sorrow. Straightway the feud with feeI settled. nor deemed he dreadful the dragons warring. yet neer in his life-day, late or early. Who is Beowulf? for passing in peace oer the paths of the sea. for this fall of their friends, the fighting-Scylfings, when once they learn that our warrior leader, furthered his folks weal, finished his course. of his work in the world. sea-dragons strange that sounded the deep, and nicors that lay on the ledge of the ness , on the road-of-sails their ruthless quest, . kinsmen murdered, where most she had kenned. his own dear liege laid low with an arrow. make pact of peace, or compound for gold: great fee for the feud from his fiendish hands. was it thence to go to the giver of rings. since athelings all, through the earls great prowess. the accursed to kill, no keenest blade. Savage and burning, the barrow he circled. from strife with the hero to seek their homes! to the Wielder-of-Wonders, with words I say, for the grace that I give such gifts to my folk, Now Ive bartered here for booty of treasure. Gruesome march. mens gladness he gave up and Gods light chose. bold and battle-grim, brandished the sword, reckless of life, and so wrathfully smote. which some earl forgotten, in ancient years. from the youth for those that had yielded to fear! in mail of battle, and marched to the hall. where sons of the Frisians were sure to be. These started away. (as the wealthy do) when he went from earth. the gleemans song. So becomes it a youth to quit him well with his fathers friends, by fee and gift, that to aid him, aged, in after days, come warriors willing, should war draw nigh, liegemen loyal: by lauded deeds shall an earl have honor in every clan. then he gave him, mid Geats, the gear of battle, Neither softened his soul, nor the sires bequest, what promise we made to this prince of ours. For all that hegave me, my gleaming sword, repaid him at war, such power I wielded, . of that far-off fight when the floods oerwhelmed. need to register. of feud was mindful, nor flinched from the death-blow. all burned, bright blade, when the blood gushed oer it, battle-sweat hot; but the hilt I brought back, from my foes. She was doomed to dwell in the dreary waters. Beowulf By Unknown Hwt. Neer, while I lived there, he loathlier found me. She grasped out for him with grisly claws, and the warrior seized; yet scathed she not. The action takes place in the great mead hall, where warriors would go to drink and to celebrate victories in stories and songs. docx, 1.14 MB. and gaze on that hoard neath the hoary rock. with struggle spent, and unspan his helmet. With sorrow one bought, his rest of the evening, as ofttime had happened. though sturdy their steel: they steaded him nought. Then Beowulf strode. From the barrows keeper, no footbreadth flee I. bade him fare with the gifts to his folk beloved. and wielded the war-place on Withergilds fall. None the longer liveth he, loathsome fiend. For Hrothgar that was the heaviest sorrow. bestowed on hall-folk helm and breastplate, which near of far he could find to give, . the thane-band choice of their chieftain blithe. with loathing deed, though he loved him not. could you dissuade, from swimming the main. hand and foot. for long time lord of the land of Scyldings; to daring Heoroweard, dear as he was to him, his harness of battle. to succor and save, thou hast sought us here. his heart-waves stilled. brandished in battle, could bite that helm. illustration John Howe, Templar Publishing. Thou hast brought it about that both our peoples. through days of warfare this world endures! The dread of the land was desperate to escape, that forest-wood against fire were worthless. with thee alone! of wandering death-sprite. And let Unferth wield this wondrous sword. when they heard the horn of Hygelac sound. Introduce your KS2 classes to the classic Anglo-Saxon story of Beowulf with Twinkl's handy collection of Beowulf resources. march-stalkers mighty the moorland haunting. Fire shall devour, and wan flames feed on the fearless warrior, when, sped from the string, a storm of arrows. with my life-blood redden his lair in the fen: To Hygelac send, if Hildshould take me, and work of Wayland. Afresh, as before, for the famed-in-battle, for the band of the hall, was a banquet dight. Then for the third time thought on its feud. Beowulfs quest. II. with his fathers friends, by fee and gift. when his brother fell, with broad brand smote, giants sword crashing through giants-helm, There were many to bind the brothers wounds. One of the most famous Anglo-Saxon short stories is "Beowulf," a epic poem that tells the story of a hero named Beowulf who fights and defeats a monster named Grendel and his mother. and surges swallowed that shepherd of gems. rich fee mid folk, and fulfilled it so. For shelter he gave them, sword-death came. Registration takes a minute or two. assuaged his sorrow; too sore the anguish. Flung then the fierce one, filled with wrath. where he lay on the bed, he was bearing in long feud with his folk. sovrans daughter: three steeds he added. suffer that slaughterous stranger to live. Forprinces potent, who placed the gold. and the king was borne, and hung it with helmets and harness of war. where safe and sound we sentried the hall. and ran a race when the road seemed fair. No harbor shall hide her heed my promise! flashing with fretwork. His strength he trusted. in those fortress walls she had found a home. His nephew was ever. unsure at the sword-play. In truth, the Geats prince gladly trusted, helmet from head; to his henchman gave, . Swift on the billows, with boar-spears well. no foe could be found under fold of the sky. edge of the blade: twas a big-hearted man! Beowulf portrays identical similarities of an Anglo-Saxon hero. Beowulf is the first epic poem that has ever been written. It is said that Anglo-Saxon heroes fit the characteristics of courage, generosity and faithfulness. Written by an anonymous author, the character Beowulf is the first hero in literature. This changed literature in many ways. They bent them to march, the boat lay still, broad-bosomed ship. bairn in the burg, than his birthright sons. steel-edged and stiff. THAT battle-toil bade he at burg to announce. in rapid achievement that ready it stood there, of halls the noblest: Heorothe named it. in grim war-deeds, than Grendel deems him. across Scandinavia: The poem is important They were easy to find who elsewhere sought. Lord of Scyldings, weve lustily brought thee. for woman to practise, though peerless she, that the weaver-of-peacefrom warrior dear. This Beowulf reading comprehension activity has been created by teachers following the 2014 National Curriculum guidelines. the hero, far-hidden;no harp resounds. went, welling with tears, the wonder to view. the howl of the loser, the lament of the hell-serf above all men, yet blood-fierce his mind, his breast-hoard, grew, no bracelets gave he, to Danes as was due; he endured all joyless. for comfort and help: so he conquered the foe. stealthily shooting the shafts from his bow! blow nerved by hate. Nor haply will like it the Heathobard lord. . They praised his earlship, his acts of prowess. hard and ring-decked, Heathobards treasure. So owned and enjoyed it. Fast flowed the tears, he had chances twain, but he clung to this,. one brother the other, with bloody shaft. had fled oer far fields, that fierce sprite came. of that foul worm first came forth from the cave. that it gripped her neck and grasped her hard, her bone-rings breaking: the blade pierced through. Not reckless of promise, the rings he dealt. with a saddle all shining and set in jewels; twas the battle-seat of the best of kings, when to play of swords the son of Healfdene. that they would bide in the beer-hall here. that I got me a friend for goodness famed. to my liege and lord. against harassing terror to try their hand. And beside him is stretched that slayer-of-men, with knife-wounds sick:no sword availed, oer friend and foe. where the haunts of these Hell-Runesbe. so that marked with sin the man should be. of lief and of loath, who long time here. with black thoughts welled, as his wont was never. his days on earth, and the dragon with him, though long it had watched oer the wealth of the hoard! The poem is more than three thousand lines long;the roots of the story are pagan but are interpreted here by a Christian poet. The gray-haired Scylding. His death in 2013 prompted tributes from across the world. where to send your competition resource pack if you are eligible to take part in the competition. And ever since. for strength of old struggles, now stricken with age. Uproar filled Heorot; the hand all had viewed. Now Beowulf bode in the burg of the Scyldings, in fame with all folk, since his father had gone. These great character description posters give adjectives to describe the character Beowulf with dialogue from this well-known text as supporting evidence. most excellent seemed. What a deal hast uttered, dear my Unferth. friends to avenge than fruitlessly mourn them. to delight each mortal that looks upon them. gear of the breast, and that gorgeous ring; after gripe of battle, from Geatlands lord. most baneful of burdens and bales of the night. shall I prove him the prowess and pride of the Geats, ether-robed sun from the south shall beam!. the flight for safety, essay it who will! I pray you, though, tell, the warriors leader his word-hoard unlocked:. the feuds and the frauds, save to Fitela only. Thou art end and remnant of all our race. docx, 218.68 KB. These Grendel-deeds, of buildings best, for your band of thanes. a path oer the plain, where she passed, and trod. Now gift of treasure and girding of sword, shall lose and leave, when lords highborn. when the hardy-in-fight a hand laid down, of Grendels gripe, neath the gabled roof. to avenge on the slayer slaughter so foul; nor een could he harass that hero at all. Everyone felt it deftly they doffed: now drowsed the mere. urged us to glory, and gave these treasures, because he counted us keen with the spear, and hardy neath helm, though this hero-work, who hath got him glory greater than all men, that our noble master has need of the might, the hero to help while the heat is about him. Beowulf Warden of treasure. in work of war, though the weapon is good; yet a sword the Sovran of Men vouchsafed me. 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