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S&b+i""ed i$ ,ar"ial F&l!ill+e$" ! "he Re-&ire+e$"# F r "he De.ree ! Ma#"er ! Ar"# i$ E$.li#h C lle.e ! Ar"# a$d Scie$ce# U$i%er#i"y ! S &"h Car li$a ()//
Acce0"ed by: Dr1 Sc "" Gwara' Direc" r ! The#i# Dr1 H lly Cr c2er' Reader Dr1 Ti+ M &##ea&' Dea$ ! "he Grad&a"e Sch l
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ABSTRACT
I$ Beowulf' "he warri r a$d "he 2i$. !&l!ill #0eci!ic r le# ! "he c ++&$i"y1 The a&"h ri"a"i%e ce$"er ! "he Da$i#h 0e 0le' Hr "h.ar 0re#ide# %er "he .i!"3.i%i$. cere+ $y a$d rec &$"# "he !a+ &# 4#er+ $14 5e" "he 2i$. d e# $ " ha%e "he re# &rce# " de!ea" Gre$del1 Be w&l! i# a warri r wi"h "he $ece##ary #"re$."h " %erc +e "he
+ $#"er' b&" hi# beha%i r i# 0 "e$"ially rec2le## r e%e$ de#"r&c"i%e1 F&r"her+ re' "he a&die$ce i# c +0elled " e%al&a"e Be w&l!6# le.acy ba#ed $ hi# "ra$#i"i $ !r + warri r " 2i$.1 T +a2e "hi# e%al&a"i $' b#er%er# i$ "he 0 e+6# a&die$ce +&#" e#"abli#h #0eci!ic #"a$dard# re.ardi$. "he#e c ++&$al7a$d c +0e"i$.7r le#1 I$ "her w rd#' "he a&die$ce ha# " de!i$e wha" i" +ea$# " be a warri r %er#&# wha" i" +ea$# " be a 2i$.1 The a&die$ce i# e80ec"ed " d "he #a+e wi"h a "hird c ++&$al .r &0' "he witan1 A# a .r &0 ! di0l +a"#' "hey #ee2 0eace!&l re# l&"i $# a$d e8hibi" "he %al&e# ! di0l +acy a$d $e. "ia"i $1 They li2ewi#e 0er#i#"e$"ly !ail1 B&" "he $arra" r he#i"a"e# " c $de+$ "hi# .r &0 c +0le"ely1 Thr &.h a le8ic $ ! wi#d + w rd#' "he %al&e# ! "he warri r a$d "he %al&e# ! "he witan are 0laced i$ ir $ic 9&8"a0 #i"i $1 The %al&e# ! "he witan are re0re#e$"ed "hr &.h &" "he 0 e+ a# "he %al&e# ! 2$ wled.e' a$d "hey c $#"i"&"e a 0 e"ic #0here ! beha%i r' + rali"y' a$d # cie"y "ha" ca$ rea# $ably be called "he c&l"&re ! wi#d +1
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS ,ART I: INTRODUCTION: THE ROLE OF THE WARRIOR11111111111111111111111111111111111111111/ ,ART II: THE FORMAL AUTHORIT5 OF THE WITAN111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111: ,ART III: THE CULTURE OF WISDOM IN BEOWULF1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111/) ,ART I;: CONCLUSION: THE TERMINOLOG5 OF WISDOM IN BEOWULF1111111111111111(< ,ART ;: BIBLIOGRA,H511111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111</
The c ++&$al !&$c"i $ ! "he warri r i$ Beowulf ha# bee$ well3d c&+e$"ed' "h r &.hly e80l red a$d c $"e$"i &#ly deba"ed1 Sch lar# .e$erally a.ree "ha" Be w&l! c +e# " De$+ar2 " !ill a #0eci!ic # cial r le "ha" i# $ece##ary ! r He r " " !&$c"i $ 0r 0erly1/ Thi# r le d e# $ " $e.a"e Be w&l!6# e##e$"ial i$di%id&ali#+1 Be w&l! ha# 0he$ +e$al #"re$."h a$d a" lea#" a l cal re0&"a"i $' a$d "he#e -&ali"ie# a&.+e$" "he 0 e+6# dra+a"ic i$"e$#i"y1 A#ide !r + bei$. a re+ar2able i$di%id&al' Be w&l! al# #a"i#!ie# a$ e##e$"ial !&$c"i $ ! "he c ++&$i"y1 The 0 e" e80l i"# "he e8e+0lary a$d 0ree+i$e$" + del ! "he warri r " i$"err .a"e a$ ideali=ed # cial r le "ha" Be w&l! 0er# $i!ie#1 Thi# # cial r le i$% l%e# hi#" rical a$d li"erary c $%e$"i $# "ha" e$"ail #0eci!ic bli.a"i $# a$d a h #" ! di!!ere$" -&ali!ier#1 M der$ i$"er0re"a"i $ ! "he w r2 i# i$e%i"ably di!!ic&l" beca&#e we are # !ar de"ached !r + "he $&a$ce# "ha" "he a&die$ce ! Beowulf w &ld ha%e i$#"i$c"i%ely #e$#ed1 Thi# 0r ble+ $ce led #ch lar# " a##&+e "ha" Beowulf re!lec"# li""le + re "ha$ 0 e"ic barbari#+' lac2i$. # 0hi#"ica"i $ a$d $arra"i%e &$i"y1 Sch lar#hi0 "ha" hel0# " e80lica"e "he # cial c $%e$"i $# ! Beowulf's i$i"ial
/ > h$ Hal%er# $6# ?The W rld ! Be w&l!@ ABCD3BC:E de#cribe# h w Be w&l! !&l!ill# "he r le ! "he warri r a$d di#0lace# Hr "h.ar a# "he ce$"ral ! c&# whe$ he e$"er# "he hall1
a&die$ce i# $eeded i$ rder " re!&"e "he 0ri+i"i%i#+ "ha" "he#e i$"er0re"er# ha%e alle.ed1 S"ill' Be w&l! re#e+ble# charac"er# li2e Achille# r 5ahweh' wh #e ra$.e ! e80re##i $ #i+0ly %erwhel+# "he hi#" rical c $%e$"i $# "ha" #&rr &$d a li"erary .e$re1 The way hi# # cial !&$c"i $ i# re0re#e$"ed' !ir#" a# a warri r A0 ##ibly e%e$ a wreccaE a$d la"er a# a 2i$.' e#"abli#he# a 0ec&liar rela"i $#hi0 be"wee$ "he i$di%id&al a$d "he c ++&$i"y1 Tha" i# " #ay' "he 0 e" &#e# "he # cial r le ! "he warri r " de!i$e Be w&l!' b&" al# &#e# Be w&l! " de!i$e "he warri r6# # cial r le1 Shari$. +a$y ele+e$"# wi"h Beowulf' Judith ill&#"ra"e# a$ "her' a$d #li.h"ly di!!ere$"' ideali=ed %i#i $ ! "he warri r1 T acc ++ da"e #&ch a !i.&re' "he #" ry ad 0"# a Chri#"ia$ 0er#0ec"i%e where "he .l ri!ica"i $ ! %i le$ce i# rec $ciled wi"h h&+ili"y1 >&di"h deca0i"a"e# "he + $#"er3li2e H l !er$e# a$d +a2e# a #&00lica"i $ " G d1 I$ "he biblical "e8"' "he Be"h&lia$# reward her wi"h a$ a## r"+e$" ! d +e#"ic i"e+#1 By c $"ra#"' "he Old E$.li#h 0 e" i$"r d&ce# a reward ! ar+ r a$d wea0 $#' a clear a##er"i $ ! "radi"i $al #ec&lar %al&e#' "h &.h #&ch her ic reward# d $ " c $"ra%e$e "he !&$da+e$"ally Chri#"ia$ 0er#0ec"i%e ! "he #" ry1 I! "he ri.i$al reward ! "he d +e#"ic i"e+# #i.$i!ie# a re"&r$ " $ r+alcy A r a" lea#" a reli$-&i#hi$. ! %i le$ceE' "he$ "he i$"er0 la"ed .i!"3.i%i$. i$dica"e# a$ &$willi$.$e## " lea%e "he #w rd a$d ar+ r behi$d1 I$ Beowulf' "he 0 e" re0re#e$"# "he warri r6# r le wi"h .rea"er de0"h a$d a+bi%ale$ce "ha$ ! &$d i$ Judith1 The 0er#0ec"i%e al"er$a"e# be"wee$ a!!ir+i$.' ir $i=i$.' r #"e$#ibly c $de+$i$. Be w&l!6# # cial a$d !"e$ #ec&lar bli.a"i $#1 The warri r #er%e#' i$ # +e + +e$"#' a# a #"abili=i$. r le i$ "hi# # cie"y a$d' ! r Be w&l! #0eci!ically' ?I" i# hi# $a"&ral !&$c"i $' a# i" were' " re#" re rder where i" ha# bee$
&0#e"1@( The ab#e$ce ! "he warri r lead# " "he i$e%i"able di## l&"i $ ! c ++&$i"y1 ?Wha" i# wr $. i$ De$+ar2'4 Hal%er# $ re+ar2#' 4i# $ " # +&ch "ha" Gre$del "erri!ie# "he 0e 0le b&" "ha" "he .rea" hall #"a$d# 6idel a$d &$$y"16@ D The hall i# ?e+0"y a$d &#ele##'@ $ " beca&#e i" lac2# 0e 0le b&" beca&#e $ warri r de!e$d# i"1 Whe$ Be w&l! 0&blicly #ha+e# H&$!er"h' "he a&die$ce i# c +0elled " c $#ider whe"her H&$!er"h hi+#el! !ailed " !&l!ill "he warri r6# r le: F GH" $H!re Gre$del #wa !ela .ryra .e!re+ede' a" l H.lHca' ealdre Gi$&+' hy$I $ He r "e' .i! Gi$ hi.e wHre' #e!a #wa #ear .ri+ #wa G& #el! "ala#"J ac he ha!aI $!&$de$ GH" he Ga !HhIe $e Gear!' a" le ec.GrHce e wer le de #wiIe $#i""a$' Si.e3Scyldi$.aJ $y+eI $ydbade' $H$e.&+ araI le de De$i.a' ac he l&#" wi.eI' #we!eI' $d#e$deG' #ecce $e we$eG " Gar3De$&+1 Ac ic hi+ Gea"a #ceal ea! I $d elle$ &$.eara $&' .&Ge .ebe da$1 ABC/a3K)DaE F "ha" Gre$del' "he "errible a##aila$"' w &ld $e%er ha%e 0er0e"ra"ed # +a$y h rr r# &0 $ y &r leader' h&+ilia"i $ i$ He r "' i! y &r +i$d a$d hear" were a# c&$$i$.ly !ierce a# y & c $#ider y &r#el!1 B&" he ha# di#c %ered "ha" he d e#$6" $eed " dread ha"e!&l #w rd3a##a&l" !r + y &r 0e 0le' "he Victory3Da$e#1 B&" I " hi+ #hall bri$. "he #"re$."h a$d c &ra.e ! "he Gea"#' # $ $ w' a$ !!er i$ war1 Fir#"' Be w&l! h ld# H&$!er"h re#0 $#ible ! r Hr "h.ar6# h&+ilia"i $ a$d i+0lie# "ha" H&$!er"h ha# 0er# $ally all wed "he $ear3de#"r&c"i $ ! hi# leode1 U$li2e "he Breca di.re##i $' which de+a$d# a c +0ari# $ ! #"re$."h' r "he char.e ! !ra"ricide' which de+a$d# a c +0ari# $ ! + rali"y' "hi# cri"ici#+ de+a$d# a c +0ari# $ be"wee$ "he %al&e #y#"e+# ! "w $a"i $#' "he Gar-Dene a$d "he Geatas. Th&#' Be w&l! -&ali!ie# hi#
?#"re$."h@ a$d ?c &ra.e@ a# c ++&$al' r #hared' a""rib&"e#1 He &#e# "he#e %al&e# i$ 9&8"a0 #i"i $ " cri"ici=e "he Da$i#h $a"i $ a$d " ! rce a c +0ari# $ ! # cial bli.a"i $#1 I$ "her w rd#' "he Gar-Dene are %&l$erable beca&#e "hey lac2 a warri r' while "he Geatas are 0 wer!&l beca&#e "hey ca$ a!! rd " e80 r" $e1 Be w&l! c $cl&de# "hi# #e-&e$ce wi"h a$ ? !!er i$ war@ which i#' $ "he #&r!ace' direc"ed " ward Gre$del' b&" ha$.# +i$ &#ly %er "he i++edia"ely 0recedi$. c +0ari# $ where Be w&l! 0r clai+# "he #&0eri r #"re$."h ! Gea"# %er Da$e#1 The !a+ &# di#0&"a"i $ be"wee$ Be w&l! a$d H&$!er"h ill&#"ra"e# Be w&l!6# belie! i$ "he $ece##i"y ! a warri r ! r a c ++&$i"y6# #&r%i%al1 Thi# $ece##i"y e#"abli#he# "he 0 e+6# + #" #i.$i!ica$" 0arad 8' ! r "he warri r i# e##e$"ially de#"r&c"i%e a# well1 Wi"h a warri r' a c ++&$i"y ca$ e80ec" "he i$e%i"able cycle# ! bl d %e$.ea$ce' ?a + ral i+0era"i%e "ha" +&#" be heeded' acc rdi$. " "he # cial c de# ! "he "i+e1@ < The e#cala"i$. $a"&re ! %e$.ea$ce i# de#"r&c"i%e a$d "he warri r ca$$ " be e%e$3ha$ded1 Ra"her' he #h &ld . bey $d "he ac" " which he re#0 $d#: i! "w ! hi# c &#i$# are 2illed'
he #h &ld 2ill "hree ! hi# e$e+y6#1 Ob%i &#ly' "hi# bli.a"i $ will deci+a"e b "h c ++&$i"ie# i$ a #h r" "i+e1 B C $#ideri$. "ha" a$y .i%e$ hall i# "ied " a $&+ber ! "he#e cycle# ! %e$.ea$ce' "he "ribal 2i$. 9&#"i!iably e80re##e# a$8ie"y %er "he r le ! "he warri r i$ hi# hall1 I$ Be w&l!' h we%er' "he warri r al# ha# bli.a"i $# "ha" e8"e$d bey $d #ec&ri"y a$d re%e$.e1 Gi%e$ "he de+ $ic $a"&re ! Gre$del' Be w&l! carrie# a cer"ai$ a+ &$" !
< F&l2' B9 r2 a$d Nile#' Beowulf l88ii1 B Hal%er# $' ?The W rld O! Be w&l!'@ BC:1
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di%i$e a&"h ri"y: I$ "he li!e "e+0 ral Gre$del i# b&" a ca$$ibali#"ic + $#"er F 5e" i$ "he +i$d ! "he 0 e"' hi# ! l2l re .ia$"#' li2e "h #e i$ Genesis' #ee+ " ha%e bec +e a## cia"ed wi"h 6"he wh le c +0a$y ! "he da+$ed'6 "he B dy ! Sa"a$1 O$e i# "e+0"ed " #&r+i#e "ha" "he a&"h r ! Beowulf ! e$%i#i $ed "he race ! Cai$ i$ i"# "i+ele## a# well a# "ra$#i" ry #"a"e' a$d "h&#' a# by a b ld +e"a0h r' c $cei%ed ! Gre$del a$d hi# da+ a# already de$i=e$# ! hell1 K Ne%er"hele##' Be w&l! re+ai$# &$aware ! a$y Chri#"ia$ ri.h"e &#$e## he +ay bear1 O$e !eel# "ha"' ! r Be w&l!' d i$. G d6# w r2 i# a$ &$wi""i$. c i$cide$"al ac"1 I$ "he ca#e ! Gre$del' Be w&l!6# #ec&lar de#ire ! r .l ry c i$cide# wi"h "he Chri#"ia$ de+a$d " 00 #e "he 2i$ ! Cai$1 Wha" "he reader #h &ld +a2e ! "hi# + ral a+bi.&i"y i#
di!!ic&l" " #ay' b&" i" +ay e$c &ra.e "he a&die$ce " wre#"le wi"h "he ri.h"e &#$e## ! 0a.a$ her e#1 I$ "he e$d' Be w&l!6# de#ire ! r "he "rea#&re h ard' a$"i"he"ical " "he Chri#"ia$ + rali"y ! "he "i+e' i# re+ar2able1 A" "he + +e$" be! re he die#' he bec +e# b#e##ed wi"h "he +a"erial #i.$i!ica"i $ ! hi# li!e1 ,erha0# "he 0 e" cri"i-&e# Be w&l!6# i$abili"y " di#"i$.&i#h be"wee$ ri.h"e &# a$d #ha+e!&l beha%i r1 B&" are a$y al"er$a"i%e# !!eredL Hr "h.ar6# !a+ &# #er+ $' a #0eech c $#0ic& &#ly all&#i%e " Chri#"ia$ # &rce#' #ee+# " le.acy: F "he #er+ $ .a%e Hr "h.ar6# e80la$a"i $ ! "he ca&#e ! hi# +i#ery' a$d by recalli$. $ w "ha" "her + $#"r &# a!!lic"i $' "he 0 e" al# c $"ri%e# " recall "ha" e80la$a"i $ a$d Hr "h.ar6# war$i$. " Be w&l!1 We re+e+ber h w he &r.ed Be w&l! " l 2 " hi# #0iri"&al ar+ r' " #h&$ 0ride' " #ee2 e"er$al .ai$ $ " ear"hly "rea#&re' 2$ wi$. "ha" dea"h +&#" %erc +e hi+ a" la#" a$d a$ "her di#0 #e ! hi# weal"h1: G ld#+i"h i$!er# "ha" ! r Be w&l! " bec +e a .
K Ha+il" $' ?The Reli.i &# ,ri$ci0le i$ Be w&l!'@ D((1
wi#d + e#0 &#ed by Hr "h.ar1 Hr "h.ar +ay be a 0a.a$' b&" hi# #er+ $ a$"ici0a"e# a $ew e"h #1 R "ed i$ a Chri#"ia$ 0er#0ec"i%e' "hi# e"h # !!er# "he 0 ##ibili"y ! r a
warri r6# #&cce##!&l ad 0"i $ ! c ++&$al %al&e#' which I call "he %al&e# ! wi#d +1
>1 D1 A1 O.il%y $ce +ade a rare ac2$ wled.e+e$" ! "he witan's a&"h ri"y i$ Beowulf ?Wealh"he w' "he a$8i &# + "her' +&#" ha%e bee$ aware "ha" her y &$. # $# were li2ely " be #e" a#ide by "he witan i$ !a% r ! Hr "h&l!' a# "he # $# ! E"helred ! We##e8 were 0a##ed %er i$ !a% r ! Al!red "he Grea"1@* Here' "he witan were e80ec"ed " 0eace!&lly !acili"a"e "he "ra$#!er ! 0 wer " Hr "h&l!' wh w &ld ha%e re"ai$ed "ha" a&"h ri"y a# A"he re"icallyE a re.e$"1 Wealh"he w #ay# ! Hr "h&l!: F GH" he Ga .e . Ie wile ar&+ healda$ .y! G& Hr G $$e he' wi$e Scildi$.a' w r ld !lH"e#"J we$e ic GH" he +id . de .ylda$ wille &$cra$ ea!era$ F A//*/b3//*BaE F "ha" he will h ld "he y &"h# i$ h $ r' i! y &' !rie$d ! "he Scyldi$.# #h &ld de0ar" "he w rld be! re he d e#1 I e80ec" "ha" wi"h . d he will re0ay &r childre$1 The witan a00are$"ly 0re#er%ed "he dy$a#"ic li$e &$"il $e ! "he childre$ wa# ld e$ &.h " r&le1 Whe$ Hr "h.ar "hr&#"# Be w&l! i$" "he li$e ! #&cce##i $' he "here! re &#&r0# "he "radi"i $al a&"h ri"y ! "he witan1 Wealh"he w6# c +0lai$" i# $ " $ly ba#ed $ her de#ire a# a + "her " e$#&re "he #ec&ri"y ! her # $# b&" al# $ a$ i+0 r"a$" i$#"i"&"i $
di#0laced by "he i$"ere#"# ! a ! rei.$er1 I a.ree wi"h O.il%y6# ar.&+e$" a$d i"# br ader
* O.il%y' ?U$!er"h: F il " Be w&l!L@ D:D1
i+0lica"i $# " "he 0 e+' a$d !&r"her a$aly#i# will c $%ey "he ce$"rali"y ! "he witan i$ "he 0 e+1 A #i.$i!ica$" #e+a$"ic c +0lica"i $ ha# i+0eded &r &$der#"a$di$. ! "he witan1 Mlaeber6# de!i$i"i $# A#1%1 witaE ha%e bee$ i$"er0re"ed +&ch " br adly1 The "ra$#la"i $
?wi#e +e$@ c $%ey# $ i$#"i"&"i $al r a&"h ri"a"i%e #i.$i!ica$ce1 ,erha0# i" d e# de#cribe a cer"ai$ e#"ee+ !r + "he c ++&$i"y' b&" e%e$ "ha" 0erce0"i $ i# i$!ere$"ial1 While "he w rd ?c &$cil r#@ c $$ "e# + re ! r+ali"y' i" !ail# " deli$ea"e "he ac"&al i$#"i"&"i $1 ?Di0l +a"#@ r ?+i$i#"er#@ + re a00r 0ria"ely de#i.$a"e a #0eci!ic 0 #i"i $ ! a&"h ri"a"i%e re#0 $#ibili"y wi"hi$ "he hierarchy ! "he cla$1 The witan #h &ld be c $#idered a$ i$#"i"&"i $ ! . %er$a$ce1 By "hi$2i$. ! "he .r &0 a# a ! r+al i$#"i"&"i $' a c ++i""ee ! di0l +a"# r +i$i#"er# "ha" carry 0 li"ical a&"h ri"y' we crea"e "he a00r 0ria"e 0er#0ec"i%e# "ha" "he $arra" r i$"e$ded ! r "he a&die$ce " &$der#"a$d Be w&l!6# r le a# a warri r1 While "he hi#" rical e%ide$ce ! "he witan i# #ca$" a$d &$reliable' >1 R1 Maddic ""6# "he Ori#ins of the En#lish $arlia%ent &'(-)*'+ 0r %ide# $ew a$d %al&able i$#i.h"#: F "he early Ger+a$ic "radi"i $ ! lar.e a##e+blie# i$ which $ $3$ ble !ree+e$ had # +e 0ar" " 0lay $ " $ly #&r%i%ed b&" !l &ri#hed' while el#ewhere i$ E&r 0e d&ri$. "he la"e "e$"h a$d ele%e$"h ce$"&rie# "ha" "radi"i $ !ailed F Fr + "he #"ar" ! "he 0eri d "he re.&lari"y a$d !re-&e$cy ! "he +ee"i$.# ! ce$"ral a##e+blie#' a$d "he br ad b&" c $#i#"e$" ra$.e ! "heir b&#i$e##' .a%e "he+ "he charac"er ! a$ i$#"i"&"i $1 The#e !ea"&re# #h &ld i$ "he+#el%e# i$hibi" &# !r + re.ardi$. a##e+blie# a# $ + re "ha$ .a"heri$.# ! "he 2i$.6# 6wi#e +e$6: "he li"eral "ra$#la"i $ ! "he w rd 6wi"a$6 al+ #" alway# &#ed i$ law#' char"er#' a$d "he $arra"i%e# ! "he Chr $icle' a$d !"e$ " i$ 0 e"ry a$d h +ile"ic 0r #e' " de#cribe "hi# b dy1 I"# +e+ber# were $ " +erely 6wi"a$6J "hey c +0ri#ed 6"he wi"a$61C
C Maddic ""' "he Ori#ins of the En#lish $arlia%ent' <C3B)1
Maddic "" #h w# "hr &.h "he law#' char"er#' 0 e"ry' a$d 0r #e "ha" "he w rd 6wi"a$6 ha# a "e8"&al hi#" ry wi"h i$#"i"&"i $al a## cia"i $#1 M re %er' he c $cl&de# "ha"' be! re "he N r+a$ i$%a#i $' "he 0hra#e 6wi"e$a .e+ "6 wa#' ?e+0l yed i$ a #&!!icie$"ly &$i! r+ way a$d i$ #&!!icie$"ly #i+ilar c $"e8"#' " #&..e#" "ha" c $"e+0 rarie# had a clear #e$#e ! "he 6wi"e$a .e+ "6 a# a b dy wi"h a de!i$ed ide$"i"y a$d r le1@ /) Wha"e%er "he hi#" rical rec rd +i.h" be' Maddic ""6# re#earch 0r %e# "ha" "he w rd witan ha# c $#i#"e$" "e8"&al a## cia"i $#' "hr &.h a %arie"y ! d c&+e$"#' "ha" #&00 r" i"# di#"i$c" ide$"i"y a$d i$#"i"&"i $al a&"h ri"y1 A "e8"&al hi#" ry ! #&ch c $#i#"e$cy de+a$d# a ree8a+i$a"i $ ! "he a""e#"a"i $# ! witan i$ Beowulf a$d "he .r &06# br ader #i.$i!ica$ce i$ "he 0 e+1
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c ++&$i"y' Be w&l! #&..e#"# "ha" "he c a#".&ard $eed $ " w rry ab &" a ra+0a.i$. #eo#u,e1 I$deed' Be w&l! i+0lie# "ha" hi# !a"her' a# a $ ble leader' +ay ha%e bee$ a di0l +a" r a" lea#" a !i.&re wi"h c ++&$al a&"h ri"y' a #"a"&# "ha" w &ld rede!i$e "he $a"&re ! Gea"#6 0re#e$ce1 We lear$ $e8" "ha" Be w&l!6# !a"her re+ai$ed ! r +a$y wi$"er# be! re he "&r$ed " "he we# Adea"h' e&0he+i#"icallyE' ld i$ year#1 Her ic warri r# were b%i &#ly $ " 2$ w$ ! r a$ e8"e$ded li!e e80ec"a$cy1 Be w&l! d e# $ " i+0ly hi# !a"her6# c wardice b&" #ee+# " c $%ey "ha" hi# !a"her wa# $ " a warri r1 Gi%e$ wha" we !i$d &" ab &" Be w&l!6# !a"her' "hi# +i#direc"i $ i# a$ b%i &# e%a#i $1 F r Be w&l!' "he #0eech i# a 0er! r+a$ce wi"h a #0eci!ic b9ec"i%e' a$d "he bald "r&"h i# irrele%a$"1 We lear$ !r + Hr "h.ar "ha" Be w&l!6# !a"her !e&ded wi"h "he Wyl!i$.# a$d # &.h" re!&.e a+ $. "he Da$e#1 A00are$"ly a %ici &# warri r' Ec.Ge w re-&ired a wer#ild " be 0aid $ hi# behal! ! r a dead Wyl!i$.1 I! Be w&l!6# ra"i $ were i$"e$ded a# a b a#"' he c &ld ha%e re.aled "he c a#".&ard wi"h a li#" ! hi# !a"her6# deed#1 S&ch 0rai#e w &ld ha%e de+ $#"ra"ed a "hrea"e$i$. 0a"er$i"y' #i$ce "he c a#".&ard6# w$ 2i$. had $ce !!ered " 0ay ! r rec $cilia"i $ !r + a "r &ble# +e ! rei.$er1 Be w&l! d e# $ " wa$" "he c a#".&ard " ha%e "hi# i$! r+a"i $1 He a% id# i+0lici"ly 0r &d r "hrea"e$i$. declara"i $# a$d c $"i$&e# " re0re#e$"' !al#ely' "he i+a.e ! a 0eace!&l le.acy: wi"e$a welhwylc F hi$e .earwe .e+a$ wide .e $d e rGa$1 A(KBb3(KKbE
Each di0l +a" ! "he witan all %er "he ear"h readily recall# hi+1 The witan c +0ri#e a #0eci!ic .r &0 wi"hi$ "he c ++&$i"y "ha" re0re#e$"# "he %al&e# ! /<
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#0eci!ically' a re# l&"i $ +edia"ed by a bribe' i+0lici" i$ "he 0hra#e fea 1in#ian1 T re+ %e Gre$del6# ?li!e3#la&.h"er'@ "he ad%i# r# are dedica"ed " ec $ +ic c $cilia"i $1 I! "he#e c &$cil r# 2$ew Gre$del6# li$ea.e' "hey +i.h" $ " ha%e c $#idered a 0ay !!' wi"h a""e$da$" $ "i $# ! ci%ili"y' 0led.e#' a$d !&"&re a+i"y1 They are 0a.a$#' ad+i""edly' b&" "ha" "he witan e%e$ c $#ider# bar"eri$. wi"h Gre$del #h w# "ha" "heir c ++&$al r le d e# $ " c $cer$ "he warri r6# her ic ac"i $ b&" "he di0l +a"6# + dera"i$. c $cilia"i $1 The e%ide$ce c $cer$i$. "he hi#" rical witan c rr b ra"e# "hi# ! c Beca&#e ! "he Da$i#h !ail&re wi"h Gre$del' Hr "h.ar .i%e# a bl&$" a##e##+e$" ! "he witan6# e!! r"#1 Whe$ "he 2i$. c ++e$d# Be w&l! ! r de!ea"i$. Gre$del' he ac2$ wled.e# "he b%i &#: F h&#a #ele#" he r dre ri. #" d' wea wid#c !e$ wi"e$a .ehwylc&+' Iara Ge $e we$d $ GH" hie wide!erhI le da la$d.ewe rc laG&+ bewered $ #c&cc&+ $d #ci$$&+1 N& #cealc ha!aI G&rh drih"$e# +ih" dHd .e!re+ede Ie we ealle Hr $e +eah" $ #$y""r&+ be#yrwa$1 ACDBa3C<(aE F "he .rea"e#" h &#e #" d ba""le3#"ai$ed' w e wide#0read ! r each ! "he di0l +a"#' wh did $ " e80ec" "ha" "hey +i.h" 0r "ec" "he 0e 0le6# ba#"i $ !r + ! e#' de+ $#' a$d .h &l#1 N w "hr &.h "he +i.h" ! . d' a warri r ha# 0er! r+ed a deed "ha" we all had bee$ &$able " de%i#e i$ &r wi#d +1 Here' "he witan ear$# Hr "h.ar6# cri"ici#+ beca&#e i" wa# clearly "heir re#0 $#ibili"y " re# l%e "he Gre$del 0r ble+1 Whe$ "he witan wi"$e## "he !i.h" be"wee$ Be w&l! a$d Gre$del' "hey ca$$ " belie%e "ha" a$y +a$ c &ld #ha""er hi+ A?" breca$ +eah"e'@ :*)bE1 Their i$abili"y " c +0rehe$d Be w&l!6# #"re$."h rei$! rce# "heir w$ 0a##i%i"y1 Beca&#e "hey d $ " e$%i#i $ c $!r $"a"i $ a# a$ 0"i $' "he "h &.h" ! i" #ee+# &$belie%able1
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Hr "h.ar' i$ li$e CDKb' rei"era"e# "he witan6# di#belie! "ha" a$y +a$' &#i$. %i le$" ! rce' c &ld de!ea" Gre$del1 The la#" +e$"i $ ! "he witan c +e# i$ "he Fi$$ di.re##i $ where "he di0l +a"# e#"abli#h a$d #a$c"i!y "he 0eace "rea"y by "heir do% A/)C*bE' r 9&d.e+e$"1 While "he witan c $#i#"e$"ly l bby ! r 0eace' "heir deci#i $# are re0re#e$"ed a# i$e!!ec"i%e1 I$ "he w rld ! Be w&l!' $ "hi$. 4"he wi#e4 i$"e$d r e80ec" c +e# " 0a##1
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While "he witan ! r+ally re0re#e$"# "he c&l"&re ! wi#d +' "he #0here ! wi#d + e8"e$d# bey $d "hi# i$#"i"&"i $1 The 0 e" #"ra"e.ically e+0l y# a le8ic $ ! 4wi#d + w rd#4 " el&cida"e "he %al&e# ! wi#d +1 ,ar" ! "hi# e$&+era"i $ i$% l%e# "he charac"er#6 rela"i $#hi0 " each "her' h w "hey addre## $e a$ "her a$d h w "he 0 e" de#cribe# 0ar"ic&lar e%e$"#1 E+b dyi$. "he %al&e# ! "he witan' "he#e wi#d + w rd# rei$! rce a$d hel0 de!i$e "he b &$dary be"wee$ "he c&l"&re ! "he warri r a$d "he c&l"&re ! "he wi#e1 O! "he w rd# "ha" rela"e " wi#d +' snotor wis a$d frod are "he + #" hea%ily a""e#"ed by !ar1 Wi"h #&ch a$ ab&$da$ce A"hir"y3! &r a""e#"a"i $#E' $e +i.h" e80ec" a %arie"y ! &#a.e i$ a ra$.e ! c $"e8"#' e#0ecially !r + "he eclec"ic' # +e"i+e# e8 "ic' Beowulf 0 e"1 A rare c $#i#"e$cy a$d #e+a$"ic &$i! r+i"y ! r "he#e "hree wi#d + "er+# hel0# de!i$e "he #0here ! wi#d +1 Si8 ! "wel%e a""e#"a"i $# ! snotor re!er " Hr "h.ar' a c $ce$"ra"i $ #&00 r"i$. "he idea ! 2i$.ly wi#d +1 The c $"e8"# ! Hr "h.ar6# i+0lici" snyttru rei$! rce "he re0re#e$"a"i $# ! "he witan a$d "heir r-d1 Fir#"' 9&#" a# e%ery cc&rre$ce ! "he witan() i$ Beowulf rei$! rce# "he di0l +a"#6 i$e!!ec"i%e$e##' "w a00lica"i $# ! snotor "
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Hr "h.ar a00ear " -&e#"i $ "he %al&e# ! wi#d +1 I$ "he !ir#" cc&rre$ce' Hr "h.ar ?$e +ih"e #$ " r hHleI OO wea$ $we$da$J O wH# GH" .ewi$ " #wyI@ A?"he wi#e her wa# &$able " "&r$ a#ide w eJ "ha" #"ri!e wa# " har#h'@ /C)b3/C/bE1 Al"h &.h a .e$&i$e
c +0li+e$"' snotor li2ewi#e hi$"# a" "he i+0lici" ir $y i$ "he 9&8"a0 #i"i $ ! a 4wi#e4 2i$. wh ca$$ " %erc +e "he wea 0la.&i$. hi# "ribe1 Thi# li$e will be +irr red la"er whe$ Hr "h.ar e80lici"ly c +0are# "he e!!ec"i%e$e## ! Be w&l! wi"h "he i$abili"y ! "he witan: F h&#a #ele#" he r dre ri. #" d' wea wid#c !e$ wi"e$a .ehwylc&+' Iara Ge $e we$d $ GH" hie wide!erhI le da la$d.ewe rc laG&+ bewered $ #c&cc&+ $d #ci$$&+1 N& #cealc ha!aI G&rh drih"$e# +ih" dHd .e!re+ede Ie we ealle Hr $e +eah" $ #$y""r&+ be#yrwa$1 ACDBa3C<(aE F "he .rea"e#" h &#e #" d ba""le3#"ai$ed' w e wide#0read ! r each ! "he di0l +a"#' wh did $ " e80ec" "ha" "hey +i.h" 0r "ec" "he 0e 0le6# ba#"i $ !r + ! e#' de+ $#' a$d .h &l#1 N w "hr &.h "he +i.h" ! . d' a warri r ha# 0er! r+ed a deed "ha" we all had bee$ &$able " de%i#e i$ &r wi#d +1 I$ b "h #ce$e#' w e a$d .rie! c $!r $" "he wi#e a$d "heir wi#d +1 F&r"her+ re' "he w rd ! r 4wi#d +4 i$ li$e C<D i# snyttru% Aderi%a"i%e ! snotorE a$d +ai$"ai$# "he c $!lic"ed' b&" $ " ab# l&"ely $e.a"i%e' di#0 #i"i $ "ha" "he a&die$ce ha# " ward "he le8ic $ ! wi#d + w rd#1 Si+ilarly' whe$ Be w&l! re#0 $d# " Hr "h.ar6# la+e$"a"i $ ! ?re$ewed # rr w@ %er N#chere6# dea"h' he li$.&i#"ically 0air# wi#d + wi"h re+ r#e: ?Ne # r.a' #$ " r .&+a@ A?S rr w $ "' wi#e +a$'@ /D*DaE1 A.ai$' "hi# 0airi$. d e# $ " $ece##arily di#0ara.e wi#d +' b&" a$ e+0ha"ic snotor carrie# # +e +ild c $de#ce$#i $' be"rayi$. (B
Be w&l!6# !eeli$.# ab &" "he e!!ec"i%e$e## ! wi#d + whe$ c $!r $"i$. e%il1 Be w&l! i+0lie#' ?Fear $ "' wise %an' a warri r ha# c +e " #a%e y & beca&#e y &r wi#d + ha# !ailed1@ Ne%er"hele##' "he 0 e" e80ec"# hi# a&die$ce " a""e$d "he #&r!ace +ea$i$. a$d bala$ce# i"# e80ec"a"i $# ! Be w&l!6# +ea$i$. a.ai$#" hi# rela"i $#hi0 " "he c&l"&re ! wi#d +1 The &#e ! #e+a$"ic 0aralleli#+' wi"h witan a$d r-d' snotor a$d w eO# rr w' wis a$d wean a$d wea a$d snyttru% de+ $#"ra"e# a c $#ci &# #"ra"e.y by "he 0 e" " +ai$"ai$ a $&a$ced' i! $ " 00 #i"i $al' 0erce0"i $ ! "he c&l"&re ! wi#d +1 O$e +&#" e80ec" ir $y where wi#d + w rd# are &#ed i$ c $"e8"# "ha" a00ear +erely de#cri0"i%e1 F&r"her+ re' "he i+0 r"a$ce ! wi#d + w rd# i$ rela"i $ " N#chere i# #i.$i!ica$" beca&#e' a# I will ar.&e bel w' he i# a leadi$. +e+ber' i! $ " "he leader' ! "he witan1 A!"er "he i$i"ial .i!"3.i%i$. cere+ $y' Be w&l! re!er# " Hr "h.ar a# ?wi#e@ i$ a way "ha"' a" !ir#"' #ee+# + re .e$&i$e' ?#$ ""ra !e$.el' O $& ic e + #iIe# !&#' OO . ldwi$e .&+e$a@ A?wi#e 2i$.' $ w I a+ ea.er " e+bar2' . ld3!rie$d ! +e$'@ /<:Ba3/<:KaE1 Be w&l! re!er# " Hr "h.ar a# a #oldwine #u%ena a$d will' i$ "he #a+e #0eech' 0rai#e "he 2i$. ! r hi# .i!"3.i%i$. a# a .ea#a .ryttan A?a .i%er ! ri$.#'@ /<*:aE1 I$i"ially h #"ile " # +e ! r+# ! wi#d + #&ch a# di0l +acy r rec $cilia"i $' Be w&l! clearly e+brace# "he 0ar" where he i# rewarded1 Hr "h.ar rec .$i=e# "hi# a$"ici0a"i $ a$d &#e# "he #er+ $ " e80lai$ " Be w&l! "ha" "he .i!"3.i%i$. cere+ $y #er%e# a hi.her !&$c"i $ "ha$ +erely rewardi$. her ic ac"#1 Whe"her r $ " Be w&l! lear$# "he a00r 0ria"e le## $ re+ai$# &$clear1 A# "he #er+ $ $ear# i"# e$d' "he $arra" r #ay#' ?Gea" wH# .lHd+ d O .e $. # $a " ' OO #e"le# $e #a$' O #wa #e #$ ""ra heh"@ A?The Gea" wa# .raci &# i$ #0iri"' a$d
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i++edia"ely we$" " #ee2 "he be$ch' 9&#" a# "he wi#e +a$ had c ++a$ded@ /:*Ba3 /:*KbE1 The $arra" r6# e$d r#e+e$" i# cer"ai$ly + re .e$&i$e "ha$ Be w&l!6#1 B&" "hi# c &ld be "he + +e$" where Be w&l! cha$.e#' de0e$di$. $ h w $e i$"er0re"# #l-d%od 4a00recia"i%e14 He i#' a!"er all' ! ll wi$. "he #0eech wi"h a c ++&$al !ea#"' ! r+ally re!erred " a# a wist' "he w rd i"#el! bei$. a 0&$ $ wis' ?wi#e'@ +a2i$. "he !ea#" a "y0e ! c ++&$i $ ! r "he c $#&+0"i $ ! 2$ wled.e1 B&" i! "hi# .raci &#$e## i# $ "hi$. + re "ha$ a + +e$"ary reac"i $' r a # cial 0er! r+a$ce' "he$ "he e!!ec" ! "he #er+ $ re+ai$# i$de"er+i$a"e1 Fi$ally' Be w&l! re!er# " Hr "h.ar a# snotor whe$ rela"i$. "he #" ry ! hi# Da$i#h e80l i"# " Hy.elac1 Be w&l! delibera"ely 0rai#e# 4wi#e4 Hr "h.ar ! r "he .i!"# "ha" "he 2i$. be#" wed $ hi+ A4#$ "ra !e$.el'4 (/BKaE1 The warri r c $#i#"e$"ly %al&e# "he 2i$. wh .i%e# hi+ "rea#&re' ! r "he .i!"3.i%i$. cere+ $y re+ai$# i+0 r"a$" " "he c&l"&re ! wi#d +1 Gi!"# ! e8ceedi$.ly hi.h %al&e are .i%e$' a# a 0ar" ! a cere+ $y' i$ rder " !acili"a"e $e. "ia"i $' 0rai#e' # cial a""ach+e$" a$d c ++&$al a&"h ri"y' all %al&e# ! wi#d +1 Gi!"3.i%i$. i# w r"hle## i! &$c &0led !r + #"ra"e.ic rhe" ric "ha" ! rce# "he warri r " e+brace a lar.er #e" ! %al&e#1 Beca&#e Be w&l!ia$ wi#d + are ei"her 0ar"ially ir $ic r rela"e " "he +a"erial e8cha$.e ! .i!"3.i%i$.' "he a&die$ce +&#" c $#ider "ha" Be w&l! +ay be ac"i$. &" ! #el!3i$"ere#" i$ hi# a00recia"i $ ! r 4wi#e4 Hr "h.ar6# .i!"#1 I! # ' "he a&die$ce +ay c $de+$ hi+ ! r !aili$. " e+brace "he %al&e# ! wi#d +1 Or' i! Be w&l!6# 0rai#e ! .i!"3.i%i$. c $cede# "he rele%a$ce ! wi#d +' a$d "ha" he wa# "r&ly +ade ?.raci &# i$ #0iri"'@ "he$ a de"er+i$a"i $ ! Be w&l!6# a""i"&de re+ai$# a+bi%ale$"1 O! "he #i8 a""e#"a"i $# "ha" d $ " re!er direc"ly " Hr "h.ar' snotor i# &#ed ! &r
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"i+e# " de#cribe a c &$cil r .r &0 ! di0l +a"# delibera"i$. $ i+0 r"a$" +a""er#1 Clearly' snotor a## cia"e# wi#d + a$d "he c ++&$al i$#"i"&"i $# ! a&"h ri"y' e%e$ "h &.h "he#e i$#"i"&"i $# +i.h" $ " "ech$ically -&ali!y a# "he witan1 Be w&l!6# i$i"ial de0ar"&re !r + Gea"la$d' ! r e8a+0le' i# +edia"ed by $e ! "he#e c &$cil#: S $e #iI!H" hi+ ly"hw $ l . $' hwe"" $ hi.er !$e' #$ "ere ce rla# Geah he hi+ le ! wHreJ hHl #ceawed $1
Wi#e +e$ li""le bla+ed hi+ ! r "he 9 &r$eyJ "h &.h he wa# dear " "he+' "hey &r.ed ! r"h "he %alia$"3+i$ded +a$1 They b#er%ed a$ +e$1@ A()(/3()<bE1 Whe"her r $ " "hi# .r &0 .i%e# Be w&l! a$ !!icial cleara$ce' r whe"her Be w&l! e%e$ re-&ire# 0er+i##i $' i# di!!ic&l" " #ay1 Al"h &.h "he di0l +a"# +ay #i+0ly wi#h Be w&l! a #a!e 9 &r$ey' e%ide$ce ! r a + re c $!lic"ed readi$. ca$ be ded&ced1 Fir#"' "he b#er%a$ce ! "he +e$ i+0lie# a ! r+al cere+ $y' +a2i$. "he i$% l%e+e$" ! "he snotere ceorlas #i.$i!ica$"1 Addi"i $ally' OE h-l i# li$.&i#"ically rela"ed " hal ?wh le@ a$d hali# ?h ly1@ A # le+$ e%e$" i# de#cribed1 Sec $d' snotor i# c ll ca"ed wi"h "er+# ! r w e1 O$ly "wel%e li$e# earlier OE snotor de#cribed Hr "h.ar: ?"he wi#e PsnotorQ her c &ld $ " e$d "he w e@ A/C)b3/C/aE1 I ha%e rea# $ed "ha" "hi# a""e#"a"i $ de+a$d# a 9&8"a0 #i"i $ ! wi#d + a$d w e "ha" 0er#i#"# "hr &.h &" "he 0 e+' a$d "he re0e"i"i $ ! snottor wi"hi$ "wel%e li$e# bel $.# " "ha" a## cia"i $1 Th &.h i$direc"' "he c +0ari# $ wi"h w e $ li$e /C/a ha$.# %er "he snotere ceorlas i$ li$e ()(b' +a2i$. "heir i$% l%e+e$" i$ Be w&l!6# de0ar"&re +&ch + re c +0lica"ed1 E$ha$ci$. "hi# c +0lica"i $' "he "er+ snotor ceorl i# &#ed " de#cribe "he di#0ara.ed c &$cil i$ "he Here+ d di.re##i $' ?#$ " r ce rl + $i.' OO #e Ge hi+ bealwa " O b "e .ely!de4 F 4hi$e !yre$ $w d@ A?+a$y a wi#e +a$' "r&#"ed i$ hi+ ! r relie! (*
!r + a!!lic"i $4 F 4wic2ed$e## 0 ##e##ed hi+'@ C)*b3C)CbJ C/BbE1 The +i#0laced "r&#" ! "he#e di0l +a"# hi.hli.h"# "heir i$#&!!icie$cy' a$d snotor i# a.ai$ li$.&i#"ically 9&8"a0 #ed wi"h i$e!!ec"i%e$e## a$d a #"a"e ! a!!lic"i $1 B&" a$ "her layer ! ir $y a00ear# i$ "he 0a##a.e a# well1 The &#e ! snotor ceorl " re!er e8cl&#i%ely " "w c &$cil# i$ #i+ilar #i"&a"i $# de+a$d# a c +0ari# $1 Were "he Gea"# wi#e " all w a y &$. warri r' wi"h dy$a#"ic re#0 $#ibili"ie#' " "a2e a .r &0 ! y &$. +e$ acr ## "he #ea " !i.h" a + $#"erL W &ld "he c &$cil ! "he Gea"# bee$ held re#0 $#ible i! Be w&l! diedL H w did "he Gea"#6 deci#i $ " "r&#" Be w&l! di!!er !r + "he "r&#" ! Here+ d6# di0l +a"#L The !ac" "ha" Be w&l! #&cce##!&lly de!ea"# Gre$del a$d hi# + "her c &ld be e%ide$ce "ha" "he Gea"i#h c &$cil wa# ri.h" i$ i"# deci#i $1 The#e 0er#0ec"i%e# are # +ewha" c $!lic"i$.' b&" "ha" i# beca&#e "hey e8i#" i$ a dialec"ic ! r "he a&die$ce " +edi"a"e $1 Whe$ OE #notor re!er# " Hr "h.ar6# di0l +a"#' "heir 0a##i%e i$e!!ec"i%e$e## i# a$ "her e8a+0le ! ir $ic 0aralleli#+ wi"h a wi#d + "er+1 The di0l +a"# #"a$d a" "he +ere' #"ari$. a" "he #&r!ace ! "he la2e a$d wai" ! r Be w&l! " re# l%e "heir 0r ble+: ?S $a GH" .e#aw $O #$ ""re ce rla#OO Ga Ie +id Hr I.areO $ h l+ wli" $OO GH" wH# yI.ebl $dO eal .e+e$.edOO bri+ bl de !ah'@ A?S&dde$ly' "he wi#e earl# #aw' "here wi"h Hr "h.ar' $ "he #&r!ace ! "he la2e' "ha" "he wa%e# all di#"&rbed' "he wa"er #"ai$ed wi"h bl d@ /BC)a3/BCDaE1 A.ai$' a hi$" ! di#0ara.e+e$" e+er.e# !r + "hi# snottre1 A# "he#e ?wi#e@ +e$ #"a$d "here' "hey c $"e+0la"e "heir w$ hel0le##$e##1 The la#" "w a""e#"a"i $# ! snotor I wa$" " e8a+i$e are "he + #" 0ec&liar1 The !ir#" re!er# " Be w&l! a!"er de!ea"i$. Gre$del' ?hH!de Ga .e!Hl# dO #e Ge Hr !e rra$
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