Chapter 1  第 1 章

After the fall of the Roman Empire and the withdrawal of Roman troops from Britain, the aboriginal Celtic population in the larger part of the island was soon conquered and almost totally exterminated by the Teutonic tribes of Angles, Saxons and Jutes who came from the Continent and settled in the island, naming its central part Anglia, or England.
罗马帝国灭亡、罗马军队从不列颠撤出后，岛上大部分地区的凯尔特原住民很快被来自欧洲大陆的条顿人部落（盎格鲁人、撒克逊人和朱特人）征服，几乎被完全灭绝。

For nearly four hundred years prior to the coming of the English, Britain had been a Roman province. In 410 AD , the Romans withdrew their legions from Britain to protect Rome against swarms of Teutonic invaders. About 449 AD, a band of Teutons, called Jutes, left Denmark, landed on the Isle of Thanet. Warriors from the tribes of the Angles and the Saxons soon followed, and drove westward the original inhabitants.
在英国人到来之前的近四百年里，不列颠一直是罗马的一个省。公元 410 年，罗马人从不列颠撤走了他们的军团，以保护罗马不受条顿人入侵者的侵扰。大约在公元 449 年，一队被称为朱特人的条顿人离开丹麦，在塔奈特岛登陆。盎格鲁人和撒克逊人部落的战士很快跟了上来，并将原住民向西驱赶。

Before the invasion of Britain, the Teutons inhabited the central part of Europe as far south as the Rhine, a tract which in a large measure coincided with modern Germany. The Jutes, Angles, and Saxons were different tribes of Teutons. These ancestors of the English dwelt in Denmark and in the lands extending southward along the North Sea.
在不列颠被入侵之前，条顿人居住在欧洲中部，最南到莱茵河，该地区在很大程度上与现代德国重合。朱特人、盎格鲁人和撒克逊人是条顿人的不同部落。英国人的祖先居住在丹麦和沿北海向南延伸的地区。

The Angles, an important Teutonic tribe, furnished the name for the new home, which was called Angle-land, and afterward shortened into England. The language spoken by these tribes was generally called Anglo-Saxon or Saxon.
盎格鲁人是一个重要的日耳曼部落，他们为这个新家园起了一个名字，叫做 "盎格鲁地"（Angle-land），后来简称为 "英格兰"（England）。这些部落使用的语言一般被称为盎格鲁-撒克逊语或撒克逊语。

The literature of this period fell naturally into two divisions-pagan and Christian. The former represented the poetry which the Anglo-Saxons probably brought with them in the form of oral sagas, the crude material out of which literature was slowly developed on English soil; the latter represented
这一时期的文学自然分为两类--异教文学和基督教文学。前者代表了盎格鲁-撒克逊人可能以口头传奇的形式带来的诗歌，是英国本土文学缓慢发展的原始素材；后者代表了盎格鲁-撒克逊人可能以口头传奇的形式带来的诗歌，是英国本土文学缓慢发展的原始素材。
the writings developed under teaching of the monks. After the old pagan religion had vanished, it still retained its hold on the life and language of the people. In reading the earliest poetry of England it is well to remember that all of it was copied by the monks, and seems to have been more or less altered to give it a religious colouring.
在僧侣的教导下形成的著作。在古老的异教消失后，它仍然保留着对人们生活和语言的影响。在阅读英格兰最早的诗歌时，最好记住所有诗歌都是由僧侣抄写的，而且似乎或多或少都经过了改动，以赋予其宗教色彩。

The coming of Christianity meant not simply a new life for England, but also the wealth of a new language. The scop was replaced by the literary monks, and the monks, though living among common people and speaking with the English tongue, had behind them all the culture and literary resources of the Latin language. The effect was seen instantly in early English prose and poetry.
基督教的到来不仅为英格兰带来了新的生活，还带来了新语言的财富。僧侣们虽然生活在普通人中间并用英语交谈，但他们拥有拉丁语的所有文化和文学资源。其效果在早期的英语散文和诗歌中立竿见影。

More voluminous are the survivals of the Christian poetry preserved in the monasteries. Among the early Anglo-Saxon poets we may mention Caedmon who lived in the latter half of the 7th century and wrote a poetic paraphrase of the Bible, and Cynewulf, the author of poems on religious subjects.
保存在修道院中的基督教诗歌则更为丰富。在早期的盎格鲁-撒克逊诗人中，我们可以提到生活在 7 世纪后半叶的凯德蒙（Caedmon），他写了一首诗歌对《圣经》进行了诠释，他还写了一些宗教题材的诗歌。

But the names of those who preserved and put down in written form the surviving pieces of old Anglo-Saxon poetry, have sunk into oblivion. And yet these unknown scribes probably deserve to occupy a higher place in the history of English literature than the two above-mentioned ecclesiastic poets. It was these unknown scribes that passed down to later generations the great epic Beowulf and such poems as Widsith or The Traveller's Song, and The Seafarer.
但是，那些将盎格鲁-撒克逊古老诗歌的残篇保存下来并写成文字的人的名字却被人们遗忘了。然而，与上述两位教会诗人相比，这些无名文士在英国文学史上的地位可能更高。正是这些不知名的文士将伟大的史诗《贝奥武夫》以及《旅行者之歌》和《海员》等诗歌流传给了后世。

Beowulf can be justly termed England's national epic and its hero Beowulf, one of the national heroes of the English people.
《贝奥武夫》堪称英国的民族史诗，其主人公贝奥武夫也是英国人民的民族英雄之一。

The only existing manuscript of Beowulf was written by an unknown scribe at the beginning of the 10th century. This epic was composed much earlier, and reflected events which took place on the Continent approximately at the beginning of the 6th century, when the forefathers of the Jutes lived in the southern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula and maintained close
《贝奥武夫》现存的唯一手稿是 10 世纪初一位不知名的抄写员所写。这部史诗的创作时间要早得多，反映的是大约 6 世纪初在欧洲大陆发生的事件，当时朱特人的祖先居住在斯堪的纳维亚半岛南部，并与斯堪的纳维亚人保持着密切的联系。
relations with kindred tribes, eg with the Danes who lived on the other side of the straits.
与同类部落的关系，例如与居住在海峡对岸的丹麦人的关系。

The whole epic consists of 3,182 lines and is divided into two parts with an interpolation between the two. The whole song is essentially pagan in spirit and matter, while the interpolation is obviously an addition made by the Christian who copied Beowulf.
整部史诗共有 3,182 行，分为两部分，两部分之间有一段插叙。整首歌的精神和内容本质上都是异教的，而插叙部分显然是抄袭《贝奥武夫》的基督徒添加的。

This poem describes the deeds of the Teutonic hero Beowulf. Hrothgar, the King of the Danes, built a magnificent mead hall to which he gave the name of Heorot. While the Danes were eating and drinking their fill in this famous hall, Grendel, a monster, came from the moor, burst in upon them, mangled thirty warriors, and then rushed off into the darkness. For twelve years this monster harried the warriors whenever they feasted in the hall, and even the bravest were afraid to enter it.
这首诗描述了日耳曼英雄贝奥武夫的事迹。丹麦国王赫罗斯加建造了一座宏伟的酒馆，并将其命名为希奥罗特。当丹麦人在这个著名的大厅里大吃大喝的时候，一只怪物格伦德尔从荒野里冲了出来，撞倒了他们，砍伤了 30 名战士，然后冲进了黑暗之中。十二年来，每当战士们在大厅里大快朵颐时，这个怪物就会骚扰他们，就连最勇敢的人也不敢进入大厅。

When Beowulf heard of this, he sailed with his warriors to Heorot, and persuaded the Danes to feast with him in the hall. After they had fallen asleep there, Grendel burst in the door, seized a warrior, and devoured him in a few mouthfuls. Then he grasped Beowulf. The hero, disdaining to use a sword against the dire monster, grappled with him, and together they wrestled up and down the hall. In their mad contest they overturned the tables and made the vast hall tremble as if it were in the throes of an earthquake.
贝奥武夫听说后，带着他的勇士们乘船来到希奥罗特，说服丹麦人在大厅里与他共进晚餐。他们在那里睡着后，格伦德尔冲进门来，抓住一个战士，几口就把他吞了下去。然后他抓住了贝奥武夫。英雄不愿用剑对付这个可怕的怪物，便与他搏斗起来，他们一起在大厅里摔来摔去。在疯狂的较量中，他们掀翻了桌子，使宽阔的大厅颤抖不已，仿佛发生了地震。

Finally Beowulf, with a grip like that of thirty men, tore away the arm and shoulder of the monster, who rushed out to the marshes to die. The next night a banquet was given in Heorot in honour of the hero. After the feast, the warriors slept in the hall, but Beowulf went to the palace. He had been gone for a short time, when Grendel's mother rushed in to avenge the death of her son. She seized a warrior, the king's dearest friend, and carried him away.
最后，贝奥武夫像三十个人一样用力，撕开了怪物的胳膊和肩膀，怪物冲到沼泽地上死去。第二天晚上，希奥罗特为英雄举行了宴会。宴会结束后，战士们都睡在大厅里，贝奥武夫却去了王宫。他刚离开没多久，格伦德尔的母亲就冲了进来，要为死去的儿子报仇。她抓住了国王最亲密的朋友--一名战士，并把他带走了。

Beowulf followed the bloody trail of Grendel's mother to the terrible flood. Undaunted by the dragons and serpents that made their home within the depths in the flood, he grasped a sword and plunged beneath the waves. He saw Grendel's mother, who came forward to meet him. She dragged him into her dwelling, where there was no water, and the fight began. The issue
贝奥武夫追随格伦德尔母亲的血迹来到可怕的洪水中。他不畏以洪水深处为家的巨龙和毒蛇，手持宝剑，一头扎进了波涛汹涌的洪水之中。他看到了格伦德尔的母亲，格伦德尔的母亲前来迎接他。她把格伦德尔拖进了她的住所，那里没有水，于是战斗开始了。结果
was for a time doubtful, but at last Beowulf ran her through with a gigantic sword, and she fell dead upon the floor of her dwelling. A little distance away, he saw the dead body of Grendel. The hero cut off the heads of the monster and his mother and hastened away to Hrothgar's court. After receiving much praise and many presents, Beowulf sailed homeward with his warriors, where he ruled as the king for fifty years.
但贝奥武夫最后还是用一把巨剑刺穿了她的身体，她倒在住所的地板上死去了。在不远处，他看到了格伦德尔的尸体。英雄砍下了格伦德尔和他母亲的头颅，匆匆赶往赫鲁斯加的宫廷。贝奥武夫得到了许多赞美和礼物，他带着勇士们乘船回家，在那里当了五十年的国王。

The closing part of the poem tells how one of Beowulf's subjects stole some of the treasure which a firedrake had been guarding in a cavern for three hundred years. The enraged monster with his fiery breath laid waste the land. Beowulf sought the dragon in his cavern and slew the monster after a terrible fight, but he was mortally wounded, and died after seeing in the cavern the heaps of treasure which he had won for his people. The dying hero was glad to learn that by his death he had gained more wealth for his people. He instructed Wiglaf, who was to succeed him, how to bury his body and how to rule the country after his death. His last words were full of care for the future of his land.
这首诗的结尾部分讲述了贝奥武夫的一个臣民如何偷走了一只火耙在洞穴中守护了三百年的一些财宝。被激怒的怪兽用它炽热的气息毁灭了这片土地。贝奥武夫在火龙的洞穴里找到了它，经过一场恶战，他杀死了火龙，但也受了致命伤，在洞穴里看到了他为人民赢得的一堆堆财宝后，他死了。临死前，英雄很高兴地得知，他的死为他的人民赢得了更多的财富。他嘱咐接替他的威格拉夫如何安葬他的遗体，如何在他死后统治国家。他的遗言充满了对祖国未来的关怀。

According to Beowulf's last will, the people of Jutland built a large bonfire on a headland which stretched far into the sea and cremated the hero's body. Then they laid all the treasures from the dragon's cave with Beowulf's ashes to show that the gold could in no way compensate for their great loss, and buried them under a tremendous mound. They piled the earth and stones so high that, in accordance with Beowulf's will, the mound thereafter became a beacon for the seafarers who sailed along the coast. Thus, even after his death, Beowulf continued to serve the people.
根据贝奥武夫的遗愿，日德兰人民在延伸入海的岬角上燃起了一堆大篝火，火化了英雄的遗体。然后，他们将龙洞中的所有财宝与贝奥武夫的骨灰放在一起，以示黄金无法弥补他们的巨大损失，并将它们埋在一个巨大的土堆下。他们把泥土和石头堆得很高，按照贝奥武夫的遗愿，这个土堆后来成了沿岸航海者的灯塔。因此，贝奥武夫即使在死后也继续为人民服务。

Mourning their dead champion, the people of Jutland composed a dirge praising the great deeds of Beowulf who
日德兰人民悼念死去的冠军，谱写了一曲赞颂贝奥武夫伟大事迹的悲歌。
of men was the mildest and most beloved,
他是最温和、最受人爱戴的人、
to his kin the kindest, keenest for praise.
对他的亲人最亲切，最热衷于赞美。
Then the Goth's people reared a mighty pile
然后，哥特人堆起了一座巨大的城堡
With shields and armour hung, as he had asked,
按照他的要求，挂上了盾牌和盔甲、
And in the midst the warriors laid their lord,
战士们在中间安放了他们的主人、
Lamenting. Then the warriors on the mound
哀叹。然后，土丘上的勇士们
Kindled a mighty bale fire; the smoke rose
燃起熊熊大火，浓烟滚滚

Black from the Swedish pine, the sound of flame. Mingled with sound of weeping;...while smoke Spreads over heaven. Then upon the hill High, broad, and to be seen far out at sea. In ten days they had built and walled in it As the wise thought most worthy, placed in it Rings, jewels, other treasures from the hoard. They left the riches, golden joy of earls, In dust, for earth to hold, where yet it lies, Useless as ever. Then about the mound The warriors rode, and raised a mournful song For their dead king, exalted his brave deeds, Holding it fit men honour their liege lord, Praise him and love him when his soul is fled. Thus the (Geats) people, sharers of his hearth, Mourned their chief's fall, praised him of kings, of men The mildest and the kindest, and to all His people gentlest, yearning for their praise.
瑞典松树发出黑色的火焰声。夹杂着哭泣声，......烟雾弥漫天际。然后，在高高的山丘上，宽阔的海面上，可以看到很远的地方。十天之内，他们建起了这座智者认为最有价值的城堡，并在其中筑起了围墙，放置了戒指、珠宝和囤积的其他珍宝。他们把财富和伯爵们的金色喜悦留在尘土中，让大地来保管，而这些财富却躺在那里，一如既往地毫无用处。战士们围着土丘，为他们死去的国王唱起悲歌，歌颂他的英勇事迹，认为人们应该纪念他们的主人，在他的灵魂消逝时赞美他，爱戴他。就这样，与他同甘共苦的（吉阿特斯）人哀悼着他们首领的逝去，赞美他是国王中最温和、最善良的人，对他的子民最温柔，渴望得到他们的赞美。
(Morley's version) (莫利版本）

Yes, we have heard of the glory of the Spear-Danes, kings in the old days-how the princes of that people did brave deeds.
是的，我们听说过矛丹人的荣耀，听说过他们昔日的国王，听说过他们的王子是如何勇敢行事的。

Often Scyld Scefing took mead-benches away from enemy bands, from many tribes, terrified their nobles-after the time that he was first found helpless . He lived to find comfort for that, became great under the skies, prospered in honours until every one of those who lived about him, across the whale-road, had to obey him, pay him tribute. That was a good king.
在他第一次被发现无助 之后，西尔德-斯塞芬 经常从敌人的队伍、许多部落那里夺走蜂蜜酒，吓坏了他们的贵族。他因此得到了安慰，在天空下变得伟大，荣华富贵，直到住在他周围、鲸鱼路对面的每一个人都不得不服从他，向他进贡。这才是一个好国王。

Afterwards a son was born to him, a young boy in his house, whom God sent to comfort the people: He had seen the sore need they had suffered during the long time they lacked a king. Therefore the Lord of Life, the Ruler of Heaven, gave him honour in the world, Beow was famous, the glory of the son of Scyld spread widely in the Northlands. In this way a young man ought
后来，他生了一个儿子，是他家里的一个小男孩，上帝派他来安慰人们：他看到了人们在长期缺乏国王期间所遭受的痛苦。因此，生命之主、天国的主宰给了他世间的荣耀，比奥 名声大噪，西尔德之子的荣耀在北地广为流传。这样，一个年轻人应该
by his good deeds, by giving splendid gifts while still in his father's house, to make sure that later in life beloved companions will stand by him, that people will serve him when war comes. Through deeds that bring praise, a man shall prosper in every country.
通过他的善行，通过在他父亲家时赠送华丽的礼物，确保日后他所爱的同伴会支持他，确保战争来临时人们会为他效劳。一个人若能通过自己的行为赢得赞誉，那么他在任何国家都会蒸蒸日上。

Then at the fated time Scyld the courageous went away into the protection of the Lord. His dear companions carried him down to the seacurrents, just as he himself had bidden them do when, as protector of the Scyldings , he had ruled them with his words-long had the beloved prince governed the land. There in the harbour stood the ring-prowed ship, icecovered and ready to sail, a prince's vessel. Then they laid down the ruler they had loved, the ring-giver, in the hollow of the ship, the glorious man beside the mast. There was bought great store of treasure, wealth from lands far away. I have not heard of a ship more splendidly furnished with war-weapons and battle-dress, swords and mail-shirts. On his breast lay a great many treasures that should voyage with him far out into the sea's possession. They provided him with no lesser gifts, treasure of the people, than those had done who at his beginning first sent him forth on the waves, a child alone. Then also they set a golden standard high over his head, let the water take him, gave him to the sea. Sad was their spirit, mournful their mind. Men cannot truthfully say who received that cargo, neither counsellors in the hall nor warriors under the skies.
然后，在命中注定的时刻，勇敢的西尔德进入了主的保护之中。他亲爱的同伴们把他抬到了海流中，就像他自己嘱咐他们的那样，当时，作为西尔德人的保护者 ，他用自己的言语统治着他们--这位受人爱戴的王子统治这片土地已经很久了。港口里矗立着一艘环形船，冰雪覆盖，蓄势待发，这是一艘王子的船。然后，他们把他们所爱的统治者，戒指的赠送者，安放在船的中空处，把光荣的人安放在桅杆旁。船上有大量的财宝，来自遥远国度的财富。我没听说过有哪艘船比这艘船更富丽堂皇的，船上摆满了战争武器和战衣、宝剑和邮衫。他的胸前挂着许多珍宝，这些珍宝将和他一起远航到大海的彼岸。他们为他准备的礼物，人民的珍宝，一点也不比当初送他独自踏浪而行的那些人少。他们还在他的头上高高地竖起了金色的标杆，让海水带走他，把他交给大海。他们的精神是悲伤的，他们的思想是悲哀的。无论是厅堂上的谋士，还是天空下的勇士，都无法如实说出是谁接收了这批货物。
(I) Then in the cities was Beow of the Scyldings beloved king of the people, long famous among nations (his father had gone elsewhere, the king from his land), until later great Healfdene was born to him. As long as he lived, old and fierce in battle, he upheld the glorious Scyldings. To him all told were four children born into the world, to the leader of the armies: Heorogar and Hrothgar and the good Halga. I have heard tell that (...) was Onela's queen, beloved bed-companion of the Battle-Scylfing.
(一）后来，在城市里，斯基尔丁人比奥是受人爱戴的人民之王，在各国中久负盛名（他的父亲去了别的地方，国王从他的土地上离开），直到后来伟大的海夫丁为他而生。只要他还活着，他就会年老力衰，勇猛善战，捍卫着光荣的斯基尔丁。他的四个孩子出生在这个世界上，他们都是军队的首领：希奥罗加、赫洛斯加和善良的哈尔加。我听说（......）是奥尼拉的王后， 是战斗镰刀手心爱的床伴。

Then Hrothgar was given success in warfare, glory in battle, so that his retainers gladly obeyed him and their company grew into a great band of
于是，赫洛斯加在战争中获得了成功，在战斗中获得了荣耀，他的家臣们都乐意服从他，他们的队伍逐渐壮大，成为一支伟大的队伍。
warriors. It came to his mind that he would command men to construct a hall, a great mead-building that the children of men should hear of forever, and therein he would give to young and old all that God had given him, except for common land and men's bodies . Then I have heard that the work was laid upon many nations, wide through this middle-earth, that they should adorn the folk-hall. In time it came to pass-quickly, as men count it-that it was finished, the largest of hall-dwellings. He gave it the name of Heorot , he who ruled wide with his words. He did not forget his promise; at the feast he gave out rings, treasure. The hall stood tall, high and wide-gabled, it would wait for the fierce flames of vengeful fire'; the time was not yet at hand for sword-hate between son-in-law and father-in-law to awaken after murderous rage.
勇士们他萌生了一个念头：他要命令人们建造一座殿堂，一座让人类子孙永世流传的伟大的酒馆，在那里，他要把神赐予他的一切，除了普通的土地和人的身体 ，都分给年轻人和老年人。我听说中土世界有许多国家都在进行这项工作，让他们装饰民居。很快，这座最大的大厅就完工了。他给它取名希奥罗特 ，他用自己的语言统治着大地。他没有忘记自己的诺言；在宴会上，他送出了戒指和财宝。大厅高耸入云，又高又宽，它将等待复仇之火的猛烈燃烧；女婿和岳父之间的剑恨还没有到在杀气之后苏醒的时候。

Then the fierce spirit painfully endured hardship for a time, he who dwelt in the darkness, for every day he heard loud mirth in the hall; there was the sound of the harp, the clear song of the scop . There he spoke who could relate the beginning of men far back in time, said that the Almighty made earth, a bright field fair in the water that surrounds it, set up in triumph the lights of the sun and the moon to lighten land-dwellers, and adorned the surfaces of the earth with branches and leaves, created also life for each of the kinds that move and breathe.-Thus these warriors lived in joy, blessed, until one began to do evil deeds, a hellish enemy. The grim spirit was called Grendel, known as a rover of the borders, one who held the moors, fen and fastness. Unhappy creature, he lived for a time in the home of the monsters' race, after God had condemned them as kin of Cain. The Eternal Lord avenged the murder in which he slew Abel. Cain had no pleasure in that feud, but He banished him far from mankind, the Ruler, for that misdeed. From him sprang all bad breeds, trolls and elves and monsters-likewise the giants who for a long time strove with God; He paid them their reward for that.
住在黑暗中的厉鬼 痛苦地忍受了一段时间的磨难，因为他每天都能听到大厅里喧闹的欢笑声；竖琴的声音，鸱 的清脆歌声。在那里，他讲述了人类的起源，他说，全能的神创造了大地，在环绕大地的水中，大地是一片明亮的田野；他胜利地点亮了太阳和月亮的光芒，照亮了陆地上的居民；他用树枝和树叶装饰了大地的表面；他还为每一种活动和呼吸的生物创造了生命。这个可怕的精灵名叫格伦德尔，是边境上的游荡者，占据着荒野、沼泽和沼泽地。他是个不快乐的生物，在上帝判定他们是该隐的亲戚之后，他曾在怪物的家乡生活过一段时间。永恒之主报了杀死亚伯的仇。该隐并不喜欢那场仇杀，但上帝却因为他的恶行将他从人类的统治者那里驱逐出去。从该隐身上产生了所有的劣种，巨怪、精灵和怪物，就像长期与上帝作对的巨人一样；上帝为此给了他们报应。
(II) Then, after night came, Grendel went to survey the tall house-how, after their beer-drinking, the Ring-Danes had disposed themselves in it. Then he found therein a band of nobles asleep after the feast; they felt no sorrow, no misery of men. The creature of evil, grim and fierce, was quickly ready, savage and cruel, and seized from their rest thirty thanes. From there he turned to go back to his home, proud of his plunder, sought his dwelling with that store
(二) 夜幕降临后，格伦德尔来到那座高大的房子前--看看环丹人在喝完啤酒后，是如何安置自己的。他发现里面有一群贵族，他们在酒宴之后沉沉睡去；他们没有悲伤，没有人类的苦难。狰狞凶恶的邪恶生物很快就准备好了，野蛮而残忍，从他们休息的地方抓走了三十个贵族。他从那里转身回家，为他的掠夺感到自豪，带着他的储藏寻找他的居所。
of slaughter. 屠杀。
Then in the first light of dawning day Grendel's war-strength was revealed to men; then after the feast weeping arose, great cry in the morning. The famous king, hero of old days, sat joyless; the mighty one suffered, felt sorrow for his thanes, when they saw the track of the foe, of the cursed spirit; that hardship was too strong, too loathsome and long-lasting. Nor was there a longer interval, but after one night Grendel again did greater slaughter-and had no remorse for it-vengeful acts and wicked he was too intent on them. Thereafter it was easy to find the man who sought rest for himself elsewhere, farther away, a bed among the outlying buildings-after it was made clear to him , told by clear proof the hatred of him who now controlled the hall. Whoever escaped the foe held himself afterwards farther off and more safely. Thus Grendel held sway and fought against right, one against all, until the best of houses stood empty. It was a long time, the length of twelve winters, that the lord of the Scyldings suffered grief, all woes, great sorrows. Therefore, sadly in songs, it became well-known to the children of men that Grendel had fought a long time with Hrothgar, for many half-years maintained mortal spite, feud, and enmity-constant war. He wanted no peace with any of the men of the Danish host, would not withdraw his deadly rancour, or pay compensation; no counsellor there had any reason to expect splendid repayment at the hands of the slayer . For the monster was relentless, the dark death-shadow, against warriors old and young, lay in wait and ambushed them. In the perpetual darkness he held to the misty moors, men do not know where hell-demons direct their footsteps.
在黎明的第一缕曙光中，格伦德尔的战力展现在人们面前；宴会之后，哭泣声响彻云霄，清晨的哭声震天动地。昔日的英雄、赫赫有名的国王坐在那里，毫无喜悦之情；当他的子民们看到敌人和被诅咒的灵魂的踪迹时，这位大能者痛苦不已，为他们感到悲哀；那种艰难困苦太强烈、太令人厌恶、太持久了。没有更长的时间间隔，一夜之后，格伦德尔再次大开杀戒，而且毫无悔意--他一心想要复仇，而且是邪恶的复仇。此后，人们很容易就找到了那个在别处、更远的地方寻求安息的人，在外围的建筑中找到了一张床--在向他说清楚 之后，通过明确的证据告诉他现在控制着大厅的那个人的仇恨。谁能逃脱敌人的追捕，谁就能在更远更安全的地方躲藏起来。就这样，格伦德尔控制着局面，以一敌百，直到最好的房子空无一人。过了很长时间，长达十二个冬天，斯基尔丁家族的领主悲痛欲绝，万念俱灰。因此，人类的孩子们在歌谣中悲哀地得知，格伦德尔与赫洛斯加战斗了很长时间，保持了长达半年的怨恨、仇视和敌意--持续的战争。他不愿意与丹麦人和平相处，不愿意收回他致命的怨恨，也不愿意支付赔偿；没有任何一个参谋有理由期望从杀戮者 的手中得到丰厚的回报。因为怪物是无情的，黑暗的死亡阴影对付着年轻和年老的战士，埋伏着他们。在永恒的黑暗中，他坚守着迷雾沼泽，人们不知道地狱恶魔的脚步指向何方。

Thus many crimes the enemy of mankind committed, the terrible walker-alone, cruel injuries one after another. In the dark nights he dwelt in Heorot, the richly adorned hall. He might not approach the throne, (receive) treasure, because of the Lord; He had no love for him.
人类的敌人--可怕的行者--犯下了如此多的罪行，残酷的伤害接踵而至。黑夜里，他住在希奥罗特，装饰华丽的大厅。因为主的缘故，他不能接近宝座，（接受）财宝；主对他没有爱。

This was great misery to the lord of the Scyldings, a breaking of spirit. Many a noble sat often in council, sought a plan, what would be best for strong-hearted men to do against the awful attacks. At times they vowed sacrifices at heathen temples, with their words prayed that the soul-slayer would give help for the distress of the people. Such was their custom, the hope
这让斯基尔丁领主苦不堪言，精神崩溃。许多贵族经常坐在一起商议，寻求对策，让心智健全的人知道如何才能更好地抵御可怕的攻击。有时，他们会在异教徒的神庙里发誓献祭，祈求弑魂者 能帮助人们度过难关。这是他们的习俗，希望
of heathens; in their spirits they thought of Hell, they knew not the Ruler, the Judge of Deeds, they recognised not the Lord God, nor indeed did they know how to praise the Protector of Heaven, the glorious King. Woe is him who in terrible trouble must thrust his soul into the fire's embrace, hope for no comfort, not expect change. Well is the man who after his death-day may seek the Lord and find peace in the embrace of the Father.
在他们的精神中，他们想到的是地狱，他们不知道统治者、行为的审判者，他们不认识上帝，他们也不知道如何赞美天堂的保护者、荣耀的国王。在可怕的困境中必须把灵魂投入烈火的怀抱，不求安慰，不期望改变的人有祸了。如果一个人在死后能够寻求主，在天父的怀抱中找到安宁，那他就好了。

(X) Then Hrothgar went out of the hall with his company of warriors, the protector of the Scyldings. The war chief would seek the bed of Wealhtheow the queen. The King of Glory-as men had learned-had appointed a hallguard against Grendel; he had a special mission to the prince of the Danes: he kept watch against monsters.
(十）然后，赫洛斯加带着他的勇士连队走出大厅，他是镰刀手的保护者。战争首领要去找王后韦尔希奥睡觉。人们都知道，光荣之王任命了一名大厅卫士来对付格伦德尔；他对丹麦王子有一项特殊使命：他负责监视怪物。

And the man of the Geats had sure trust in his great might, the favour of the Ruler. Then he took off his shirt of armour, the helmet from his head, handed his embellished sword, best of irons, to an attendant, bade him keep guard over his war-gear. Then the good warrior spoke some boast-words before he went to his bed, Beowulf of the Geats: "I claim myself no poorer in war-strength, war works, than Grendel claims himself. Therefore I will not put him to sleep with a sword, so take away his life, though surely I might. He knows no good tools with which he might strike against me, cut my shield in pieces, though he is strong in fight. But we shall forgo the sword in the night-if he dare seek war without weapon-and then may wise God, Holy Lord, assign glory on whichever hand seems good to Him."
吉阿特人相信自己的强大力量，相信统治者的眷顾。然后，他脱下铠甲，摘下头盔，把他的佩剑和最好的铁器交给一个随从，嘱咐他看管好自己的战具。然后，这位优秀的战士在就寝前说了几句自夸的话，他就是吉特家族的贝奥武夫："我自认在战力和战功上并不比格伦德尔自认的差。因此，我不会用剑让他入睡，也不会夺走他的生命，尽管我肯定可以。他不知道用什么好工具来对付我，把我的盾牌砍成碎片，尽管他战斗力很强。但我们要在夜里放弃刀剑--如果他胆敢无武器而战的话，那么智慧的上帝，神圣的主，会把荣耀分给他认为好的那只手。

The battle brave one laid himself down, the pillow received the earl's head, and about him many a brave seaman lay down to hall—rest. None of them thought that he would ever again seek from there his dear home, people or town where he had been brought up; for they knew that bloody death had carried off far too many men in the wine-hall, folk of the Danes. But the Lord granted to weave for them good fortune in war, for the folk of the WeatherGeats, comfort and help that they should quite overcome their foe through the might of one man, through his sole strength: the truth has been made known that mighty God has always ruled mankind.
勇敢的战士躺下了，枕头上枕着伯爵的头，在他身边还有许多勇敢的海员躺在大厅里休息。他们都不认为伯爵会再去寻找他亲爱的故乡，寻找他成长的人民或城镇；因为他们知道，血腥的死亡已经带走了酒馆里太多的丹麦人。但是，上帝为他们编织了战争中的好运，为 WeatherGeats 的人们提供了安慰和帮助，使他们能够通过一个人的力量，通过他唯一的力量战胜敌人：人们已经知道，强大的上帝一直在统治着人类。

There came gliding in the black night the walker in darkness. The warriors slept who should hold the horned house-all but one. It was known to men that when the Ruler did not wish it the hostile creature might not drag them away beneath the shadows. But he, lying awake for the fierce foe, with heart swollen in anger awaited the outcome of the fight.
黑夜中，黑暗中的行者滑行而来。守卫角楼的勇士们都在沉睡，只有一个人没有醒来。人们都知道，只要统治者不愿意，敌对的生物就不会把他们拖入阴影之下。但他还醒着，为凶猛的敌人而躺着，带着愤怒的心等待着战斗的结果。
(XI) Then from the moor under the mist-hills Grendel came walking, wearing God's anger. The foul ravager thought to catch some one of mankind there in the high hall. Under the clouds he moved until he could see most clearly the wine-hall, treasure-house of men, shining with gold. That was not the first time that he had sought Hrothgar's home. Never before or since in his life-days did he find harder luck, hardier hall-thanes. The creature deprived of joy came walking to the hall. Quickly the door gave way, fastened with fire-forged bands, when he touched it with his hands. Driven by evil desire, swollen with rage, he tore it open, the hall's mouth. After that the foe at once stepped onto the shining floor, advanced angrily. From his eyes came a light not fair, most like a flame. He saw many men in the hall, a band of kinsmen all asleep together, a company of warmen. Then his heart laughed: dreadful monster, he thought that before the day came he would divide the life from the body of every one of them, for there had come to him a hope of fullfeasting. It was not his fate that when that night was over he should feast on more of mankind.
(十一) 然后，格伦德尔带着上帝的愤怒，从雾山下的荒野走来。这个凶恶的蹂躏者想在大殿里抓住人类中的某个人。他在云层下走来走去，直到能最清楚地看到闪着金光的酒厅，人类的宝库。这不是他第一次寻找赫洛斯加的家。在他的一生中，从来没有人比他更幸运，也从来没有人比他更坚强。这个被剥夺了快乐的人走到了大厅。当他用手触摸时，用火锻造的门箍紧紧锁住的门很快就开了。在邪恶欲望的驱使下，他怒火中烧，撕开了门，打开了大厅的大门。之后，敌人立刻踏上了光亮的地板，愤怒地向前走去。从他的眼睛里射出一道不公平的光，最像火焰。他看到大厅里有许多人，一帮亲戚都睡在一起，一队暖男。他的心笑了：可怕的怪物，他想，在这一天到来之前，他将把他们每个人的生命从身体上分割开来，因为他有了饱餐一顿的希望。这不是他的命运，当那一夜结束时，他应该享用更多的人类。

The Kinsman of Hygelac, mighty man, watched how the evil-doer would make his quick onslaught. Nor did the monster mean to delay it, but, starting his work, he suddenly seized a sleeping man, tore at him ravenously, bit into his bone locks, drank the blood from his veins, swallowed huge morsels; quickly he had eaten all of the lifeless one, feet and hands. He stepped closer, then felt with his arm for the brave-hearted man on the bed, reached out towards him, the foe with his hand; at once in fierce response Beowulf seized it and sat up, leaning on his own arm. Straightway the fosterer of crimes knew that he had not encountered on middle-earth, anywhere in this world, a harder hand-grip from another man. In mind he became frightened, in his spirit: not for that might he escape the sooner. His heart was eager to get away, he would flee to his hiding-place, seek his rabble of devils. What he met
赫格拉克的亲戚，一个强壮的男人，注视着这个邪恶的家伙如何迅速发起攻击。怪物也不是故意拖延时间，而是突然抓住一个熟睡的人，狂暴地撕咬着他，咬断他的骨锁，吸干他血管里的血，吞下大块大块的肉块；很快，他就吃光了这个没有生命的人，连脚和手都吃光了。他走得更近了，然后用胳膊摸了摸床上那个勇敢的人，向他伸出了手，那是他的敌人；贝奥武夫立刻激烈地回应着，抓住了他的手，靠着自己的胳膊坐了起来。贝奥武夫立刻意识到，在中土世界，在这个世界上的任何地方，他都没有遇到过别人比他更用力的握手。他心里害怕起来，精神上也害怕起来：要不是这样，他可能越早逃走。他的心急切地想逃走，他要逃回他的藏身之处，寻找他的那群魔鬼。他所遇到的
there was not such as he had ever before met in the days of his life. Then the Kinsman of Hygelac, the good man, thought of his evening's speech, stood upright and laid firm hold on him: his fingers cracked. The giant was pulling away, the earl stepped foward. The notorious one thought to move farther away, wherever he could, and flee his way from here to his fen-retreat: he knew his fingers' power to be in a hateful grip. That was a painful journey that the loathsome despoiler had made to Heorot. The retainers' hall rang with the noise-terrible drink for all the Danes, the housedwellers, every brave man, the earls. Both were enraged, fury filled, the two who meant to control the hall. The building resounded. Then was it much wonder that the wine-hall withstood them joined in fierce fight, that it did not fall to the ground, the fair earth-dwelling; but it was so firmly made fast with iron bands, both inside and outside, joined by skillful smith-craft. There started from the floor-as I have heard say-many a mead bench, gold-adorned, when the furious ones fought. No wise men of the Scyldings ever before thought that any men in any manner might break it down, splendid with bright horns, have skill to destroy it, unless flame should embrace it, swallow it in fire. Noise rose up, sound strange enough. Horrible fear came upon the North-Danes, upon every one of those who heard the weeping from the wall, God's enemy sing his terrible song, song without triumph-the hell-slave bewail his pain. There held him fast he who of men was strongest of might in the days of this life.
这是他一生中从未见过的。这时，善良的希格拉克亲王想到了他晚上的演讲，站直了身子，紧紧地抓住了他的手：他的手指都裂开了。巨人被拉开了，伯爵向前走去。那个臭名昭著的人想得更远一些，能逃到哪里就逃到哪里，从这里逃到他的沼泽地去：他知道他的手指的力量被人恨恨地握住了。这个令人厌恶的掠夺者来到希奥罗特的旅途是痛苦的。家臣们的大厅里响起了喧闹声--所有丹麦人、房客、每一位勇士和伯爵们都在喝着可怕的酒 。两个人都被激怒了，怒火中烧，他们本想控制大厅。整个建筑响彻云霄。酒馆经受住了他们的激烈厮杀，没有倒在地上，这座美丽的土楼也没有倒塌，这实在是个奇迹；酒馆内外都用铁箍牢牢地固定住了，铁箍是用高超的铁匠手艺连接起来的。我听人说过，在愤怒的人们战斗的时候，地上会出现许多装饰着金子的酒凳。以前，斯基尔丁的智者们从未想过，有人能以任何方式将它击碎，除非火焰拥抱它，将它吞没在火海中，否则，他们不可能拥有摧毁它的技能。喧闹声响起，声音怪异无比。可怕的恐惧笼罩着北丹麦人，笼罩着每一个听到城墙上哭泣声的人，上帝的敌人在唱着他可怕的歌，没有胜利的歌--地狱的奴隶在哀叹他的痛苦。在那里，他紧紧抓住了那个人中最强的人。
(XII) Not for anything would the protector of warriors let the murderous guest go off alive. He did not consider his lifedays of use to any of the nations. There more than enough of Beowulf's earls drew swords, old heirlooms, wished to protect the life of their dear lord, famous prince, however they might. They did not know when they entered the fight, hardy-spirited warriors, and when they thought to hew him on every side, to seek his soul, that not any of the best of irons on earth, no war sword, would touch the evildoer; for with a charm he had made victory-weapons useless, every swordedge. His departure to death from the time of this life was to be wretched; and the alien spirit was to travel far off into the power of fiends. Then he who before had brought trouble of heart to mankind, committed many crimes-he was at war with God-found that his body would do him no
(十二）战士的保护神不会让这位凶残的客人活着离开。他不认为自己的生命对任何一个国家有用。贝奥武夫的伯爵们拔出了传家之宝--宝剑，他们希望无论如何都能保护他们亲爱的主人、著名的王子的生命。他们不知道，当他们投入战斗时，当他们想从四面八方砍杀他，寻找他的灵魂时，世上任何最好的铁器，任何战剑，都无法触及这个邪恶的家伙；因为他的魅力让胜利的武器和每一把剑刃都失去了作用。他离开人世，走向死亡，将是悲惨的；异魂将远走他乡，落入恶魔的魔掌。他曾给人类带来心灵的烦恼，犯下了许多罪行，他曾与上帝交战，却发现自己的身体对他毫无用处。
good, for the great-hearted kinsman of Hygelac had him by the hand. Each was hateful to the other alive. The awful monster had lived to feel pain in his body, a huge wound in his shoulder was exposed, his sinews sprang apart, his bonelocks broke. Glory in battle was given to Beowulf. Grendel must flee from there, mortally sick, seek his joyless home in the fen-slopes. He knew the more surely that his life's end had come, the full number of his days. For all the Danes was their wish fulfilled after the bloody fight. Thus he who had lately come from far off, wish and stout-hearted, had purged Heorot, saved Hrothgar's house from affliction. He rejoiced in his night's work, a deed to make famous his courage. The man of the Geats had fulfilled his boast to the East-Danes; so too he had remedied all the grief, the malice-caused sorrow that they had endured before, and had to suffer from harsh necessity, no small distress. That was clearly proved when the battle brave man set the hand up under the curved roof-the arm and the shoulder: There all together was Grendel's grasp.
很好，因为赫格拉克的好心人抓住了他的手。每一个人都对另一个活着的人恨之入骨。可怕的怪物活生生地感受到了身体的疼痛，他肩膀上的巨大伤口暴露了出来，他的筋腱断裂了，他的骨锁断裂了。战斗的荣耀属于贝奥武夫。格伦德尔必须逃离那里，病入膏肓，在沼泽地寻找他那没有快乐的家。他更加清楚地知道，他的生命已经走到尽头，他的时日已经不多了。血战之后，所有丹麦人的愿望都实现了。他从遥远的地方赶来，以他的愿望和坚毅的心肠，净化了希奥罗特，使赫鲁斯加的家免遭苦难。他为自己一夜的功劳而欢欣鼓舞，这是他勇气可嘉的事迹。这位吉阿特人实现了他对东丹人的诺言；他也弥补了他们之前所承受的所有悲痛、恶意造成的忧伤，他们不得不忍受严酷的迫不得已，承受着不小的苦难。当战斗的勇士将手放在弯曲的屋顶下--手臂和肩膀--时，这一点得到了清楚的证明：那就是格伦德尔的魔爪。

In the year 1066, at the battle of Hastings, the Normans headed by William, Duke of Normandy, defeated the Anglo-Saxons.
1066 年，在黑斯廷斯战役中，以诺曼底公爵威廉为首的诺曼人击败了盎格鲁-撒克逊人。

The Normans were originally a hardy race of sea rovers inhabiting Scandinavia. In the 10th century they conquered a part of northern France, which is still called Normandy, and rapidly adopted French civilisation and the French language. Their conquest of Anglo-Saxon England under William, Duke of Normandy, began with the battle of Hastings in 1066. The three chief effects of the conquest were: the bringing of Roman civilisation to England; the growth of nationality, i.e. a strong centralised government, instead of the loose union of Saxon tribes; the new language and literature, which were proclaimed in Chaucer.
诺曼人最初是居住在斯堪的纳维亚半岛上的一个勤劳的海上漂泊者种族。10 世纪时，他们征服了法国北部的一部分地区，那里现在仍被称为诺曼底，并迅速接受了法国文明和法语。他们在诺曼底公爵威廉（William）的领导下征服了盎格鲁-撒克逊英格兰，始于 1066 年的黑斯廷斯战役。这次征服的三个主要影响是：罗马文明传入英格兰；民族性的发展，即强大的中央集权政府取代了松散的撒克逊部落联盟；新的语言和文学，这在乔叟那里得到了宣扬。

The literature which they brought to England was remarkable for its bright, romantic tales of love and adventure, in marked contrast with the strength and somberness of Anglo-Saxon poetry. During the following three centuries Anglo-Saxon speech simplified itself by dropping off its Teutonic inflections, absorbed eventually a large part of the French vocabulary, and became the English language. English literature is also a combination of French and Anglo-Saxon elements.
他们带到英格兰的文学作品以明快、浪漫的爱情和冒险故事而著称，与盎格鲁-撒克逊诗歌的雄浑和沉郁形成了鲜明对比。在随后的三个世纪中，盎格鲁-撒克逊语言通过去掉日耳曼语中的语气词进行了自我简化，最终吸收了大部分法语词汇，成为了英语。英国文学也是法语和盎格鲁-撒克逊语元素的结合。

The literature of this period includes: Geoffrey's The History of the Kings of Britain, which is valuable as a source book of literature, since it contains the native Celtic legends of Arthur; the work of the French writers, who made the Arthurian legends popular; rhyming chronicles, i.e. history in doggerel verse, like Layamon's Brut; metrical romances, or tales in verse. In terms of matters there are mainly three classes: the matter of France, tales about Charlemagne
这一时期的文学作品包括杰弗里的《不列颠国王史》是一部珍贵的文学原著，因为其中包含了凯尔特人关于亚瑟的传说；法国作家的作品使亚瑟王的传说广为流传；押韵编年史，即用格律诗写成的历史，如莱亚蒙的《布鲁特》；格律浪漫曲或诗歌故事。就内容而言，主要分为三类：关于法国的故事、关于查理曼的故事、关于亚瑟王的故事。
and his peers, among which The Song of Roland is the most distiguished work; the matter of Greece and Rome, an endless series of fabulous tales about Alexander, and about the fall of Troy; the matter of Britain, tales about King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.
其中，《罗兰之歌》是最杰出的作品；关于希腊和罗马，有一连串关于亚历山大和特洛伊陷落的神话故事；关于英国，有亚瑟王和他的圆桌骑士的故事。

There are many cycles of Arthurian romances, chief of which are those of Gawain, Launcelot, Merlin, the Quest of the Holy Grail, and the Death of Arthur.
有许多亚瑟王的浪漫故事，其中主要有《高文》、《朗斯洛特》、《梅林》、《圣杯探险》和《亚瑟之死》。

On New Year's Day, while Arthur and his knights are keeping the Yuletide feast at Camelot, a gigantic knight in green enters the banquet hall on horseback and challenges the bravest knight to present an exchange of blows; that is, he will expose his neck to a blow of his own big battle-axe, if any knight will agree to abide a blow in return. After some natural consternation and a fine speech by Arthur, Gawain accepts the challenge, takes the battleaxe, and with one blow sends the giant's head rolling through the hall. The Green Knight, who is evidently a terrible magician, picks up his head and mounts his horse. He holds out his head and the ghastly lips speak, warning Gawain to be faithful to his promise and to seek through the world till he finds the Green Chapel. There, on next New Year's Day, the Green Knight will meet him and return the blow.
元旦那天，亚瑟和他的骑士们正在卡美洛举行元宵节盛宴，一个巨大的绿衣骑士骑着马闯入宴会厅，向最勇敢的骑士发起挑战，要求交换一击。经过一番自然的惊愕和亚瑟的精彩演说之后，高文接受了挑战，拿起战斧，一斧头就把巨人的头打得在大厅里滚来滚去。绿骑士显然是个可怕的魔术师，他捡起巨人的头颅，骑上马。他伸出自己的头颅，可怕的嘴唇说着话，警告高文要信守诺言，在世界各地寻找，直到找到绿色教堂。明年元旦，绿骑士将在那里与他相会，并还以一击。

The second canto of the poem describes Gawain's long journey through the wilderness on his steed Gringolet, and his adventures with storm and cold, with wild beasts and monsters, as he seeks in vain for the Green Chapel. On Christmas Eve, in the midst of a vast forest, he prays, "Mary, mildest mother so dear..." and is rewarded by sight of a great castle. He enters and is royally entertained by the host, an aged hero, and by his wife, who is the most beautiful woman the knight has ever beheld. Gawain learns that he is at last near the Green Chapel, and settles down for a little comfort after his long quest.
这首诗的第二段描写了高文骑着骏马格林古莱在荒野中长途跋涉，与暴风雨和严寒、野兽和怪兽为伴，徒劳地寻找绿色教堂的冒险经历。圣诞夜，在一片广袤的森林中，他祈祷着："玛利亚，最慈祥的母亲...... "他看到了一座巨大的城堡。他走进城堡，受到主人--一位年迈的英雄和他妻子的盛情款待，他的妻子是骑士见过的最美丽的女人。高文得知他终于来到了绿教堂附近，在漫长的探险之后，他安顿下来，稍事休息。

The next canto shows the life in the castle, and describes a curious
下一章节展现了城堡中的生活，并描述了一个奇特的故事。
compact between the host, who goes hunting daily, and the knight, who remains in the castle to entertain the young wife. The compact is that at night each man shall give the other whatever good thing attained during the day. On the first two days, while the host is hunting, the young woman tries in vain to induce Gawain to make love to her, and ends by giving him a kiss. When the host returns and gives his guest the game he has killed, Gawain returns the kiss. On the third day, her temptations having twice failed, the lady offers Gawain a ring, which he refuses, but when she offers a magic green girdle that will preserve the wearer from death, Gawain, who remembers the giant's axe so soon to fall on his neck, accepts the girdle as a jewel for the jeopardy and promises the lady to keep the gift secret. When the host returns and offers his game, Gawain returns the kiss but says nothing of the green girdle.
主人每天去打猎，而骑士则留在城堡里招待年轻的妻子。双方约定，晚上各自把白天得到的好处送给对方。头两天，当主人去打猎时，年轻的妻子试图引诱高文和她做爱，但徒劳无功，最后只给了他一个吻。当主人回来把猎物交给客人时，高文回敬了他一个吻。第三天，在两次引诱都失败后，女主人给了高文一枚戒指，高文拒绝了，但当她给了高文一条神奇的绿色腰带，能让佩戴者免于一死时，高文想起了巨人的斧头很快就会砍在他的脖子上，于是他接受了腰带，把它当作危险中的宝石，并答应女主人保守礼物的秘密。当主人回来献上他的游戏时，高文回赠了一个吻，但对绿色腰带只字未提。

The last canto brings our knight to the Green Chapel, after he is repeatedly warned to turn back in the face of certain death. The Chapel is a terrible place in the midst of desolation; and as Gawain approaches he hears a terrifying sound, the grating of steel on stone, where the giant is sharpening a new battle-axe. The Green Knight appears and Gawain, true to his compact, offers his neck for the blow. Twice the axe swings harmlessly, the third time it falls on his shoulder and wounds him. Whereupon Gawain jumps for his armour, draws his sword, and warns the giant that the compact calls for only one blow, and that, if another is offered, he will defend himself.
最后一个章节将我们的骑士带到了绿教堂，在此之前，他曾多次被警告，面对必死的结局，他必须回头。小礼拜堂是荒凉中的一个可怕的地方；当高文走近时，他听到了一个可怕的声音--钢铁与石头的摩擦声，巨人正在那里磨一把新的战斧。绿骑士出现了，高文信守约定，挺起脖子迎击。斧头两次挥舞都没有造成伤害，第三次斧头落在了他的肩膀上，打伤了他。这时，高文跳起来穿上盔甲，拔出宝剑，警告巨人说，契约只要求一击，如果再给他一击，他将自卫。

Then the Green Knight explains things. He is the lord of the castle where Gawain has been entertained for days past. The first two swings of the axe were harmless because Gawain had been true to his compact and twice returned the kiss. The last blow wounded him because he concealed the gift of the green girdle, which belongs to the Green Knight and was woven by his wife. Moreover, the whole thing has been arranged by Morgan the fairy (an enemy of Queen Guinevere, she appears often in the Arthurian romances). Full of shame, Gawain throws back the gift and is ready to atone for his deception, but the Green Knight thinks he has already atoned, and presents the green girdle as a free gift. Gawain returns to Arthur's court, tells the whole story frankly, and ever after that the Knights of the Round Table wear a green girdle in his honour.
绿骑士解释了事情的原委。他是城堡的主人，高文已经在这里待了好几天了。前两斧头并无大碍，因为高文遵守了约定，两次回吻。最后一击伤了他，因为他隐瞒了绿腰带的礼物，那是绿骑士的，是他妻子织的。此外，整件事都是仙女摩根安排的（她是吉尼维尔王后的敌人，经常出现在亚瑟王的浪漫故事中）。高文羞愧难当，把礼物扔了回去，准备为自己的欺骗行为赎罪，但绿骑士认为他已经赎罪了，于是免费赠送了绿色腰带。高文回到亚瑟的宫廷，坦诚地讲述了整个故事，从此以后，圆桌骑士们都为他佩戴绿色腰带。

Since the siege and the assault was ceased at Troy,
自从特洛伊的围攻和进攻停止后
The walls breached and burnt down to brands and ashes, The knight that had knotted the nets of deceit Was impeached for his perfidy , proven most true, It was high-born Aeneas and his haughty race
城墙被攻破，烙印和灰烬被烧毁，结下骗网的骑士被弹劾背信弃义，事实证明，他就是高贵的埃涅阿斯和他傲慢的种族 。
That since prevailed over provinces, and proudly reigned
自那时起，它就战胜了各省，并骄傲地统治着
Over well-nigh all the wealth of the West Isles .
西岛几乎所有的财富 。
Great Romulus to Rome repairs in haste,
伟大的罗穆卢斯 匆忙赶往罗马修理 、
With boast and with bravery builds he that city
他用自夸和勇敢建造了那座城市
And names it with his own name, that it now bears.
并用他自己的名字为它命名，现在它已经有了自己的名字。
Ticius to Tuscany, and towers raises,
Ticius 前往托斯卡纳， 并加高了塔楼、
Langobard in Lombardy lays out homes, And far over the French Sea , Felix Brutus
伦巴第的朗格巴德 建造了家园，远在法国海 的菲利克斯-布鲁图 也建造了家园。
On many broad hills and high Britain he sets , most fair.
在许多宽阔的山丘和高高的不列颠，他设置了最公平的 。
Where war and wrack and wonder By shifts have sojourned there, And bliss by turns with blunder In that land's lot had share.
战争、苦难和奇迹在那里轮番上演，幸福与失误也在那片土地上轮番上演。
And since this Britain was built by this baron great, ..... 20
由于不列颠是由这位伟大的男爵建造的，.....20
Bold boys bred there, in broils delighting,
那里养育了勇敢的男孩，他们以殴斗为乐、
That did in their day many a deed most dire.
在他们的时代，这确实是许多最可怕的行为。
More marvels have happened in this merry land
这片欢乐的土地上发生了更多奇迹
Than in any other I know, since that olden time,
比我所知道的自古以来的任何其他人都要多、
But of those that here built, of British kings, ..... 25
但在这里建造的英国国王中，.....25
King Arthur was counted most courteous of all,
亚瑟王被认为是最有礼貌的人、
Wherefore an adventure I aim to unfold,
因此，我打算展开一场冒险、
That a marvel of might some men think it,
有些人认为这是个奇迹、
And one unmatched among Arthur's wonders.
也是亚瑟的奇迹中无与伦比的一个。
If you will listen to my lay but a little while, ..... 30
如果你愿意听我说一小会儿，.....30
As I heard it in hall, I shall hasten to tell
既然我是在大厅里听到的，我就赶紧告诉大家
anew. 焕然一新。
As it was fashioned featly
因为它的造型很有特色
In tale of derring-do, 侠义故事
And linked in measures meetly
并与相关措施相衔接
By letters tried and true.
通过久经考验的信件。

This king lay at Camelot at Christmastide;
这位国王在圣诞节期间躺在卡美洛 ；
Many good knights and gay his guests were there,
许多优秀的骑士和他的客人都在那里、
Arrayed of the Round Table rightful brothers,
圆桌骑士 合法兄弟、
With feasting and fellowship and carefree mirth.
宴会、友谊和无忧无虑的欢笑。
There true men contended in tournaments many,
在那里，真正的男子汉在许多比赛中展开了角逐、
Joined there in jousting these gentle knights,
这些温文尔雅的骑士在那里比武、
Then came to the court for carol-dancing,
然后，他们来到宫廷，跳起了颂歌舞、
For the feast was in force full fifteen days,
因为节日整整持续了十五天、
With all the meat and the mirth that men could devise,
人们可以想出各种肉食和欢乐、
Such gaiety and glee, glorious to hear,
这样的欢快和喜悦，让人听了倍感光荣、
Brave din by day, dancing by night.
白天勇于喧嚣，夜晚翩翩起舞。
High were their hearts in halls and chambers,
他们的心高悬在大厅和房间里、
These lords and these ladies, for life was sweet.
这些老爷和夫人们，生活是甜蜜的。
In peerless pleasures passed they their days,
他们在无与伦比的欢乐中度日、
The most noble knights known under Christ,
基督之下最尊贵的骑士
And the loveliest ladies that lived on earth ever,
还有世上最可爱的女士们、
And he the comeliest king, that that court holds,
他是宫廷中最英俊的国王、
For all this fair folk in their first age
因为所有这些初生牛犊不怕虎的人们
were still. 是静止的。
Happiest of mortal kind, 最幸福的凡人
King noblest famed of will;
最高贵的国王
You would now go far to find
你现在可以去很远的地方寻找
So hardy a host on hill.
山上的主人如此顽强。

While the New Year was new, but yesternight come,
新年新气象，今夜又来临、
This fair folk at feast two-fold was served,
在宴席上，这些公平的人们享受着双重服务、
When the king and his company were come in together,
当国王和他的随从一起进来时、

The chanting in chapel achieved and ended.
教堂里的诵经声实现了，也结束了。
Clerics and all the court acclaimed the glad season,
教士们和所有宫廷人员都在欢庆这个季节、
Cried Noel anew, good news to men;
诺埃尔再次呐喊，这对人类来说是个好消息；
Then gallants gather gaily, hand-gifts to make,
然后，绅士们欢聚一堂，亲手制作礼物、
Called them out clearly, claimed them by hand,
清楚地呼唤他们，亲手认领他们、
Bickered long and busily about those gifts.
为了这些礼物，他们争吵了很久，忙得不可开交。
Ladies laughed aloud, though losers they were,
女士们放声大笑，尽管她们是失败者、
And he that won was not angered, as well you will know.
赢了的人没有被激怒，这一点你们应该很清楚。
All this mirth they made until meat was served;
他们一直欢笑着，直到肉被端上桌；
When they had washed them worthily, they went to their seats,
他们洗得干干净净后，就回到了自己的座位上、
The best seated above, as best it beseemed,
最好的坐在上面，因为它是最好的、
Guinevere the goodly queen gay in the midst
善良的王后吉娜薇儿在人群中翩翩起舞
On a dais well-decked and duly arrayed
在盛装打扮的台子上
With costly silk curtains, a canopy over,
昂贵的丝绸窗帘和顶篷、
Of Toulouse and Turkestan tapestries rich, All broidered and bordered with the best gems
图卢兹和突厥斯坦的挂毯琳琅满目，所有织锦都镶嵌着最好的宝石
Ever brought into Britain, with bright pennies to pay.
曾被带入英国，用明亮的便士支付。
Fair queen, without a flaw, She glanced with eyes of grey.
美丽的王后，没有一丝瑕疵，她用灰色的眼睛瞥了一眼。
A seemlier that once he saw, In truth, no man could say.
他一见倾心，无人能说真话。

But Arthur would not eat till all were served;
但亚瑟要等所有人都上桌了才肯吃；
So light was his lordly heart, and a little boyish;
他的心如此轻盈，有点孩子气；
His life he liked lively-the less he cared
他喜欢热闹的生活，却不太关心
To be lying for long, or long to sit,
久卧，或久坐、
So busy his young blood, his brain so wild.
他年轻的血液如此繁忙，他的大脑如此狂野。
And also a point of pride pricked him in heart,
还有一点骄傲刺痛了他的心、
For he nobly had willed, he would never eat
因为他曾高贵地立下遗嘱，绝不进食
On so high a holiday, till he had heard first
在如此盛大的节日里，直到他第一次听到
Of some fair feat or fray some far-borne tale,
讲述一些精彩的壮举，或一些遥远的故事、
Of some marvel of might, that he might trust,
一些奇迹的力量，让他可以信任、
By champions of chivalry achieved in arms, ..... 95
侠士们在武器方面的成就，.....95
Or some suppliant came seeking some single knight
或者是某个求助者来寻找某个骑士
To join with him in jousting, in jeopardy each
与他一起比武，共同面对危险
To lay life for life, and leave it to fortune
以命换命，听天由命
To afford him on field fair hap or other.
让他在赛场上获得公平的比赛 或其他。
Such is the king's custom, when his court he holds ..... 100
这是国王的惯例，当他在宫廷里举行 .....100
At each far-famed feast amid his fair host
在每次远近闻名的盛宴上，在他美丽的主人中间
so dear. 亲爱的
The stout king stands in state
魁梧的国王肃立
Till a wonder shall appear;
直到奇迹出现
He leads, with heart elate, ..... 105
他心花怒放地领唱，.....105
High mirth in the New Year.
新年里的欢声笑语
So he stands there in state, the stout young king,
他就这样站在那里，这位年轻而健壮的国王、
Talking before the high table of trifles fair.
在高桌前谈论公平的琐事。
There Gawain the good knight by Guinevere sits,
吉娜薇身边的好骑士高文坐在那里、
With Agravain à la dure main on her other side,
而她的另一侧则是阿格拉凡-à la dure main 、
110
Both knights of renown, and nephews of the king.
两人都是有名的骑士，也都是国王的侄子。
Bishop Baldwin above begins the table,
上面的鲍德温主教开始发言、
And Yvain, son of Urien, ate with him there.
乌里安的儿子伊万在那里和他一起吃饭。
These few with the fair queen were fittingly served;
与美丽的王后在一起的这几个人都得到了很好的招待；
At the side-tables sat many stalwart knights. ..... 115
桌边坐着许多坚毅的骑士。.....115
Then the first course comes, with clamour of trumpets
第一道菜开始了，号角声响彻云霄
That were bravely bedecked with bannerets bright,
他们勇敢地佩戴着鲜艳的旗帜、
With noise of new drums and the noble pipes.
伴随着新的鼓声和高贵的管乐。
Wild were the warbles that wakened that day
那一天，狂野的歌声唤醒了我
In strains that stirred many strong men's hearts. ..... 120
在激荡着无数强者心灵的乐曲中。.....120
There dainties were dealt out, dishes rare,
在那里，人们可以品尝到美味佳肴和稀有菜肴、
Choice fare to choose, on chargers so many
可供选择的票价，充电器如此之多
That scarce was there space to set before the people
几乎没有空间向人们展示
The service of silver, with sundry meats,
银器和各种肉类、
on cloth. 布上。
125
Each fair guest freely there
每个公平的客人自由地在那里