Beowulf prepared for the battle, taking off his armor and laying aside his sword and shield. 贝奥武夫准备战斗，他脱下盔甲，放下剑和盾。

Then he said to his men, "This night shall prove whether Beowulf or Grendel is the stronger. 然后对部下说：“今晚将证明是贝奥武夫还是格伦德尔更强大。”

With my two hands I shall fight the giant. 我将用我的双手与巨人战斗。

I have said that I will fight this battle alone, and I must keep my word, even though I die in this hall.” 我说过，即使我死在这个大殿里，我也将独自作战，我必须信守诺言。”

Then all the Goths except Beowulf lay down to sleep. 除贝奥武夫外，所有的哥特人都躺下睡觉。

But Beowulf kept guard, watching for the terrible giant. 但贝奥武夫一直在守望着这个可怕的巨人。

All at once the great doors burst open, and Grendel entered the hall. 突然，大门猛地开了，格伦德尔走进大殿。

He looked around at the sleeping warriors and then quickly stretched out his arm to seize one of them. 他看了看周围熟睡的战士，然后迅速伸出手臂抓住其中一个。

He did not see Beowulf, who was quietly watching him. 他没有看见贝奥武夫，贝奥武夫正静静地看着他。

Suddenly the giant’s arm was caught in a grasp so strong that he could not shake himself free. 突然巨人的手臂被牢牢地抓住了，无法挣脱。

Then a terrible battle began. 然后一场可怕的战斗开始了。

Backward and forward they struggled until the great hall shook. 他们前前后后地挣扎着，直到大殿摇晃起来。

Grendel had thought no man dared touch him, 格伦德尔以为没人敢碰他，

and his anger was fierce when he found he could not free himself from Beowulfs hand. 当他发现自己无法摆脱贝奥武夫时，他感到非常愤怒。

The noise of the battle was heard far away. 战斗的声音传到了很远。