Beowulf: An Anglo-Saxon Wayang Kulit

6. Srepegan - ado-ado

(Beowulf bows to Hrodhgar and steps back. Unferth steps forward)

Luchd nan seol ard 's nan long luatha
's nam brataichean dearg is--------- uaine
's nan gunnachan gla-sa----- cruadhach o

Unferth: Ha! Beowulf, I know you. You say you can defeat Grendel, but you always have been a braggart. It was you, if I remember correctly, that challenged Brecca to a swimming contest. For seven days, a whole week, the two of you swam in the ocean, battling it out to see who would make it home first. But when all was said and done, it was Brecca that won bragging rights that day. He was home and in bed by the time you came up out of the water. Ha!

Beowulf: My friend, Unferth, you let the beer speak for you tonight. You remember right that Brecca and I strove with one another in a contest swimming in the open sea. And so, too, you remember that Brecca gained the shore before I did. But more to the story you may not know. Brecca and I boasted together, as boys will do, and took up the challenge to test each other in swimming. We took our swords with us into the water, thinking to protect ourselves from sharks and killer whales.

For five days, we swam together, Brecca and I, neither outpacing the other. But on the sixth day, I was attacked by a sea-monster that dragged me to the bottom. Brecca must have thought me dead, as he swam away and out of sight, while I was left alone to fight this hideous beast. I broke free of the clutches of this fearsome brute, and cleaved him in two with my sword, which I still held in my grasp. I made my way to the surface of the wind-swept waters, only to find a swarm of sinister sea-serpents awaiting me. I battled them for night and a day, until, all told, I had slain a total of nine of these vile vipers of the deep. And to this day, that stretch of water is clear passage for all sailors who venture there.

Forgive me saying so, friend Unferth, but I have heard no tales such as this about you.

7. Wealtheow's Theme

(Exit Unferth. Enter Wealtheow)

Narrator: Then into the midst of this gala feast of gallant knights and fearsome fighting men came Hrodhgar's queen: the beautiful and gracious Wealtheow, daughter of some conquered chieftain in some alien land, now the beloved queen of the Scyldings. She salutes first her noble lord and dear husband, then the Danish men-at-arms, and lastly the visitors to her hall, the Geat warriors who have come to help defend her adopted country. Lifting a goblet into his hands, she gives thanks to God for the arrival of Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow, the new champion of Heorot.

(Wealtheow salutes Beowulf. Exit Wealtheow)

(End music)

Beowulf: Ic þæt hogode | þá ic on holm gestáh
When I set out on this ocean voyage, it was my clear intention to accomplish this deed, or indeed perish in the attempt. And for the sake of the friendship between our peoples, and between my lord Hrodhgar and my father Ecgtheow, I say to you now, o most gracious Queen, that I will fulfill this vow or die within the stone walls of Heorot.

Petruk: Thus says my lord Hrodhgar: Never since I was of age to hold shield and sword have I entrusted the keeping of the great hall of the Danes to any other man, save now to you. Keep it well, this greatest of houses. And should you prevail, all that you could wish for will be yours.

Beowulf: No ic me an herewæsmun | hnagran talige,
guþgeweorca, | þonne Grendel hine.
I am no weaker nor less-skilled in the art of war than this goblin Grendel. I will put aside my armor and my weapons of war, and fight this villain hand-to-hand, and if there is a just God, he will deliver him into my empty hand.

Gapuran

8. Hrodhgar's Theme

Narrator: Then Hrodhgar took leave of his new champion and the other valiant fighting men feasting in his hall, and retired to the inner chambers of his palace. As he passed out of the mead-hall, he turned and looked back upon the stone walls and vaulted roof. He remembered the glory days when this house was new and bright and clean. The stone shone white in the sunlight, and the air was alway filled with aroma of fruit and flowers. And the golden-roofed mead-hall was always filled the harpers' songs and the laughter of his men-at-arms. This hall, famous throughout the world, was once a tribute to the victories of his youth. Now, as it lay in ill-repair, it served a constant reminder of the waning of the vigor of youth, and the waxing impotence of old-age. The old king sighed, slowly turned, and shuffled off to his chambers in the inner recesses of the palace.

(Exit Hrodhgar and Petruk)

(End Music)

9. Srepegan Prang Grendel

(Music starts softly. Enter Grendel. Grendel sneaks over to Beowulf, who springs up and begins to fight with Grendel. Music loud and fast. Beowulf grabs Grendel's arm, and after much back and forth, pulls the arm off. Grendel flees. Beowulf holds the arm above his head. Exit Beowulf)

10. Jineman Sigemunde

(Enter Minstrel. Sings)

(Exit Minstrel. Enter Beowulf, Hrodhgar and Petruk)

Petruk: These are the words of my Lord Hrodhgar: Now a man with the help of the Almighty, has fulfilled his vow and delivered us from this fiend that has plagued us. That fortunate woman that bore this hero in her womb can count herself blessed by God.

Hrodhgar: Nu ic, Beowulf, þec,
secg betsta, | me for sunu wylle
freogan on ferhþe; | heald forð tela
niwe sibbe. | Ne bið þe nænigra gad
worolde wilna, | þe ic geweald hæbbe.

Petruk: So Beowulf, I take you as the son of my heart. Stay true to me as I will you, and there shall be nothing that you shall ever want, no worldly treasure shall you lack.

Petruk: Full often I have honored lesser men for deeds less worthy than your own. But your name will be known throughout all lands, and your tale will be told down through the ages. May God bless you always.

Narrator: Hrodhgar then gave unto the heroic Beowulf from the treasure-stores of Heorot: a golden battle standard to go before him, a helmet and mailshirt that gleamed like silver in the sun, a sword of the hardest steel that would cleave the armor of any enemy, and horses - eight fiery stallions to bear his champions into battle - along with the finest leather saddles. And finally gifts of gold and silver were given to Beowulf and all the Geat warriors who had accompanied him on this errand. Gold coins and rings, silver arm-bands and medallions, goblets and daggers and pagan idols were bestowed upon Hygelac's men-at-arms.

11. Wealtheow's Theme (short)

(Enter Wealtheow)

Wealtheow: Enjoy these gifts my lord Beowulf, as they are your just rewards. Take a deserved pride in the great feat that has earned you a share of my people's treasure. Use them to protect and serve your own people when you return to your own land. And remember that to be a true leader of men, one must not only be mighty in arms, but faithful in the defence of their hearts. A noble heart does not ask others to bend to his will. He toils not for his own gain, his own glory, but rather for that of his people, indeed, all people. This is the way of a hero. This is the greatest quest, the grandest adventure. And now, dear friends, old and new, let us retire for the evening.

12. Wealtheow's Theme (attacca Pathetan Sanga Wantah)

(Wealtheow salutes Hrodhgar and Beowulf. Exit all. Kayon to center)