But avia media is perhaps a surer path thaneither alternative: Beowulf is a harmoniousand consistent work of an imagination con-verted to a primitive form of Chris

rs. Long and intricatedocuments are virtually certain to containsimilarities and verbal parallels, and suchresemblances as do exist must be searchingbefore they can be named intentional ratherthan fortuitous: the closing lines of Beo-wulf answer to the close of the Phaedo, butthe epic hero cannot conceivably be aGermanic Socrates

Such divergence is what we see, for example, in Lokasenna

lookin dead at me.

Watcha bring us here for, Miss Moore?

Catholic church on adare.

I have never ever been shy about doing nothing or going nowher

That’s a paperweight made of semi-precious stones fused together under tremendous pressure,

Miss Moore say, presenting it to us in the voice she uses at the museum

White folks crazy

putting lipstick on each other cause Flyboy a faggot anyway, and making farts with oursweaty armpits.

e a five-dollar bill and tells me to calculate 10 percent tip for thedriver

this lady moved on our block with nappy hair and proper speech and no makeup

next the chain mail shirt woven of bright steel rings 580upon costly quilting, enclosed around him

Tharsia

And over the table they hung it on the tapestry behind them,where all men might remark at it, a marvel to see,and as a true token it could tell of that adventure.

but strongly he strode forth, still strong on his legs,

you must assure me, sir, on your honorthat you’ll seek me yourself, search where you think 395I may be found near or far, and fetch me for paymentjust as you deliver to me today before these noble people.

When none would talk to him, he hacked his throat loudly,stretched his arms out arrogantly and clearly exclaimed:“What! Is this Arthur’s house?” he hollered,“The renown of which runs through countless countries? 310Where now is your haughtiness, and your high conquests,your fierceness and your fine boasting?

Were I dressed in armor on a high horse,there is no man here to match me—their might is so feeble.And so I crave in this court only a Christmas gamesince it’s the holidays, and you here are young and merry.If any in this house here holds that he is brave, 285if so bold be his blood or his brain be so wildthat he sternly dares to trade one strike for one strike,then I will give him as my gift this costly weapon,this axe—it’s heavy enough to handle as he pleases;and I’ll bear the first strike, here baring my neck as I kneel. 290If any fellow be so fierce as to try it,let him hasten to me and take hold of this weapon—I hand it over and he can have it as his own—and I will take a hit from him, stone-still on this floor,provided you agree to this pact: that I may give a hit to him, 295so says I!Yet a rest I will allow,till a year and a day go by.Come quick, and let’s see nowif any dare reply!

green horse great and thick, 175a stallion stronger than you,that wore a bridle slickand matched his master too

the mightiest on earth in measure of height,from his throat to his stomach so great and so square,and his loins and his limbs so long and so huge,that a half-giant still on this earth I believe that he was, 140but the largest man alive at least I will call him;and yet the hugest for his size that could sit on a horse,for though in back and in chest his body was broad,both his stomach and his waist were properly slim,and all his facial features fit the same fashion

But Arthur would not eat until all were served

dominate the dark

cut him down

Then morning came and many a warrior The morning after:gathered, as I've heard, around the gift-hall, rdiefand reioicingsclan-chiefs flocking from far and neardown wide-ranging roads, wondering greatly840 at the monster's footprints.

God-cursed Grendei came greedily loping.

You killed your own kith and kin,so for all your cleverness and quick tongue,you will suffer damnation in the depths of hell

our lives on the sea. And so it turned out.Each of us swam h

But it was mostly beerthat was doing the talking.

o every elder and experienced councilmanamong my people supported my resolveto come here to you, King Hrothgar,because all knew of my awesome strength

he conquering king

I used to know him when he was a young boy. Beowulf's name andJ " J approves his arrivalHis father before him was called Ecgtheow.Hrethel the Geat gave Ecgtheowhis daughter in marriage. This man is their son,here to follow up an old friendship

From their arms and appointment, they appear well bornand worthy of respect, especially the one370 who has led them this far: he is formidable indeed

he knew the courtesies.360 Wulfgar addressed his dear lord

I will go and ask himabout your coming here, then hurry backwith whatever reply it pleases him to give

"We are retainersfrom Hygelac's band. Beowulf is my name

respite is to reach him, ever.I can calm the turmoil and terror in his mind.Otherwise, he must

Nor have I seena mightier man-at-arms on this earththan the one standing here

hose job it was to guard the sea-cliffs, suard chaUe"g^theoutsiderssaw shields glittering on the gangplankand battle-equipment being unloadedhe had to find out who and whatthe arrivals were. So he rode to the shore,this horseman of Hrothgar's, and

Oh, cursed is hewho in time of trouble has to thrust his soulin the fire's embrace, forfeiting help;he has nowhere to turn. But blessed is hewho after death can approach the Lordand find friendship in the Father's embrace

Sometimes at pagan shrines they vowedofferings to idols, swore oathsthat the killer of souls might come to their aidand save the people.

He was numb with grief

mourned under morning.

Their mighty prince,130 the storied leader, sat stricken and helpless,humiliated by the loss of his guard,bewildered and stunned

insensible to pain120 and human sorrow

Almight

Then a powerful demon, a prowler through the dark, Hemot is threatenednursed a hard grievance

d a daughter, I have heard, who was O

and a daughter, I have heard, who was Onela's queen,a balm in bed to the battle-scarred Swede.

Shield was still thriving when his time came sudd's futand he crossed over into the Lord's keeping

Behaviour that's admiredis the path to power among people everywhere

hield

The Spear-Danes in days gone by The Dmes have, . , 1 1 1 1 i legends about theirand the kings who ruled them had courage and greatness