The Epitaph of Beowulf
Translated into
Quenya by Julian 'Flammifer' Jarosch
Thes are the last lines (3180 to 3182) of the great Old English poem 'Beowulf'. It is the final judgement over the hero.
The lines are rearranged, so that they even alliterate slightly.
equet néro
endoraranion
ammára lié, annilda vëois,
amméla nër, ammerëla alcarës.
'they said he was of
the kings in this world
the best to his people, kindest to his men,
the most courteous man, most eager for fame.'
Literal translation:
said-they was-he world-kings-of
best people-to, friendliest men-to,
most-loving man, most-desiring fame-for.
Old English
they said he was, of the kings in
this world,
the kindest to his men, the most courteous man,
the best to his people, and most eager for fame.
This text and translation is from Howell D. Chickering, Jr.: Beowulf
Notes (selected comments)
lié, vëois, alcarës this is three times the respective case. I rely upon the proposition of Helmut W. Pesch in Elbisch - Grammatik, Schrift und Wörterbuch der Elben-Sprache von J.R.R. Tolkien that this case might mean 'concerning': 'concerning the people', or less literally 'to the people', 'to the men' and 'for fame'
*ammerëla mer- 'desire' as an active participle, again according to Helmut W. Pesch, with an-, the superlative prefix.