þæt fram ham gefrægn         Higelaces þegn, 

god mid Geatum,         Grendles dæda; 
se wæs moncynnes         mægenes strengest 
on þæm dæge         þysses lifes, 
æþele ond eacen.         Het him yðlidan 
godne gegyrwan,         cwæð, he guðcyning 

ofer swanrade         secean wolde, 
mærne þeoden,         þa him wæs manna þearf. 
ðone siðfæt him         snotere ceorlas 
lythwon logon,         þeah he him leof wære; 
hwetton higerofne,         hæl sceawedon. 

Hæfde se goda         Geata leoda 
cempan gecorone         þara þe he cenoste 
findan mihte;         XVna sum 
sundwudu sohte;         secg wisade, 
lagucræftig mon,         landgemyrcu. 

Fyrst forð gewat.         Flota wæs on yðum, 
bat under beorge.         Beornas gearwe 
on stefn stigon;         streamas wundon, 
sund wið sande;         secgas bæron 
on bearm nacan         beorhte frætwe, 

guðsearo geatolic;         guman ut scufon, 
weras on wilsið,         wudu bundenne. 
Gewat þa ofer wægholm,         winde gefysed, 
flota famiheals         fugle gelicost, 
oðþæt ymb antid         oþres dogores 

wundenstefna         gewaden hæfde 
þæt ða liðende         land gesawon, 
brimclifu blican,         beorgas steape, 
side sænæssas;         þa wæs sund liden, 
eoletes æt ende.