History remembers with a deep shame
A child of Cain, the son of the first villain
Given name of Grendel forsaken at birth
Tainted with anger, deeply burning hate
Being composed of an original sin within
Wandering about, a scourge upon the Earth
He remembered every wrong done to him
His mother somehow loved him, anyway
...
Beowulf heard the call from a distant land
The call had struck a note in his heart, deeply
He answered swiftly, for a people suffered
Beowulf a Prince, son of a king, still a man
His father, a sitting king, ruled completely
This son had a destiny yet to be discovered
The call for help came from kindred tribe
Stirring inside him fire, inextinguishable
...
One was born of future fame and destiny
The other was born of great scorn and hate
One was prepared to die for other men
The other wanted to be the cause of dying
As the sentries and guards told the tales
Of battle, slaughter, and defense of brothers
Onslaught by one who'd crush and flail
...
Grendel and Beowulf were not alike
But they'd be remembered together
Their fates entwined in legend
The tales told will last forever
A child of Cain, the son of the first villain
Given name of Grendel forsaken at birth
Tainted with anger, deeply burning hate
Being composed of an original sin within
Wandering about, a scourge upon the Earth
He remembered every wrong done to him
His mother somehow loved him, anyway
...
Beowulf heard the call from a distant land
The call had struck a note in his heart, deeply
He answered swiftly, for a people suffered
Beowulf a Prince, son of a king, still a man
His father, a sitting king, ruled completely
This son had a destiny yet to be discovered
The call for help came from kindred tribe
Stirring inside him fire, inextinguishable
...
One was born of future fame and destiny
The other was born of great scorn and hate
One was prepared to die for other men
The other wanted to be the cause of dying
As the sentries and guards told the tales
Of battle, slaughter, and defense of brothers
Onslaught by one who'd crush and flail
...
Grendel and Beowulf were not alike
But they'd be remembered together
Their fates entwined in legend
The tales told will last forever
(Art by Rockwell Kent, used to illustrate the translation by Barry Tharaud)
“I’ve never known fear; as a youth I fought
In endless battles. I am old, now,
But I will fight again, seek fame still,
If the dragon hiding in his tower dares
To face me”
In endless battles. I am old, now,
But I will fight again, seek fame still,
If the dragon hiding in his tower dares
To face me”
Burton Raffel translation Beowulf
