A foe in the hall-building: this horrible stranger2 50 Was Grendel entitled, the march-stepper famous Who3 dwelt in the moor-fens, the marsh and the fastness; The wan-mooded being abode for a season [5] In the land of the giants, when the Lord and Creator Had banned him and branded. For that bitter murder, 55 The killing of Abel, all-ruling Father Cain is referred to as a progenitor of Grendel, and of monsters in general. The kindred of Cain crushed with His vengeance;

Since first he found him friendless and wretched, The earl had had terror: comfort he got for it, Waxed ’neath the welkin, world-honor gained, Till all his neighbors o’er sea were compelled to 10 Bow to his bidding and bring him their tribute: An excellent atheling! After was borne him A son is born to him, who receives the name of Beowulf—a name afterwards made so famous by the hero of the poem. A son and heir, young in his dwelling, Whom God-Father sent to solace the people. He had marked the misery malice had caused them,