Beowulf (episode 31) Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABCDEFGHIJKLMHNLOPEQ LLHLRQSEMPMTUHLVWXYZ A2LEPB2LC2D2E2LF2G2H 2HNI2LJ2LEK2LE2L2ELM 2N2MOQC2O2P2Q2HL| So held this king to the customs old | A |
| that I wanted for nought in the wage I gained | B |
| the meed of my might he made me gifts | C |
| Healfdene's heir for my own disposal | D |
| Now to thee my prince I proffer them all | E |
| gladly give them Thy grace alone | F |
| can find me favor Few indeed | G |
| have I of kinsmen save Hygelac thee | H |
| Then he bade them bear him the boar head standard | I |
| the battle helm high and breastplate gray | J |
| the splendid sword then spake in form | K |
| Me this war gear the wise old prince | L |
| Hrothgar gave and his hest he added | M |
| that its story be straightway said to thee | H |
| A while it was held by Heorogar king | N |
| for long time lord of the land of Scyldings | L |
| yet not to his son the sovran left it | O |
| to daring Heoroweard dear as he was to him | P |
| his harness of battle Well hold thou it all | E |
| And I heard that soon passed o'er the path of this treasure | Q |
| all apple fallow four good steeds | L |
| each like the others arms and horses | L |
| he gave to the king So should kinsmen be | H |
| not weave one another the net of wiles | L |
| or with deep hid treachery death contrive | R |
| for neighbor and comrade His nephew was ever | Q |
| by hardy Hygelac held full dear | S |
| and each kept watch o'er the other's weal | E |
| I heard too the necklace to Hygd he presented | M |
| wonder wrought treasure which Wealhtheow gave him | P |
| sovran's daughter three steeds he added | M |
| slender and saddle gay Since such gift | T |
| the gem gleamed bright on the breast of the queen | U |
| Thus showed his strain the son of Ecgtheow | H |
| as a man remarked for mighty deeds | L |
| and acts of honor At ale he slew not | V |
| comrade or kin nor cruel his mood | W |
| though of sons of earth his strength was greatest | X |
| a glorious gift that God had sent | Y |
| the splendid leader Long was he spurned | Z |
| and worthless by Geatish warriors held | A2 |
| him at mead the master of clans | L |
| failed full oft to favor at all | E |
| Slack and shiftless the strong men deemed him | P |
| profitless prince but payment came | B2 |
| to the warrior honored for all his woes | L |
| Then the bulwark of earls bade bring within | C2 |
| hardy chieftain Hrethel's heirloom | D2 |
| garnished with gold no Geat e'er knew | E2 |
| in shape of a sword a statelier prize | L |
| The brand he laid in Beowulf's lap | F2 |
| and of hides assigned him seven thousand | G2 |
| with house and high seat They held in common | H2 |
| land alike by their line of birth | H |
| inheritance home but higher the king | N |
| because of his rule o'er the realm itself | I2 |
| Now further it fell with the flight of years | L |
| with harryings horrid that Hygelac perished | J2 |
| and Heardred too by hewing of swords | L |
| under the shield wall slaughtered lay | E |
| when him at the van of his victor folk | K2 |
| sought hardy heroes Heatho Scilfings | L |
| in arms o'erwhelming Hereric's nephew | E2 |
| Then Beowulf came as king this broad | L2 |
| realm to wield and he ruled it well | E |
| fifty winters a wise old prince | L |
| warding his land until One began | M2 |
| in the dark of night a Dragon to rage | N2 |
| In the grave on the hill a hoard it guarded | M |
| in the stone barrow steep A strait path reached it | O |
| unknown to mortals Some man however | Q |
| came by chance that cave within | C2 |
| to the heathen hoard In hand he took | O2 |
| a golden goblet nor gave he it back | P2 |
| stole with it away while the watcher slept | Q2 |
| by thievish wiles for the warden's wrath | H |
| prince and people must pay betimes | L |
Anonymous Olde English
(1)
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