that no enemies on the Danes' land with a ship-force might do injury. Never more openly hither to come 'gainst every foe, your new-tarred ship, have shield-men attempted; nay, and ye knew to the Weder-march the man beloved. 260 V. THE MISSION OF THE GEATS Him the chief of them answered then, the band's war-leader his word-hoard unlocked: "We are of race of the Geats' nation, and hearth-enjoyers of Hygelac. Well known to nations was my father, a noble chieftain, Ecgtheow named; abode many winters ere he departed old from his courts; nigh every sage thro' the wide earth remembers him well. We in kindness of feeling have come to seek thy lord, the son of Healfdene, the folk-defender. Be a kind informant. We have a great errand to the illustrious lord of the Danes. Naught shall be secret whereof my thought is. Thou knowest whether it be in sooth as we have heard say, that with the Scyldings I know not what wretch, 270 if relief from evil should ever come and that care-welling calmer grow. Else he ever after oppression will suffer, a time of trouble, while standeth there in its high place the noblest of houses.'' Then spake the warder, astride of his horse, the officer fearless: "Between these two should a sharp shield-warrior who thinketh well the difference know- 'tween words and works. This band, I hear, is a friendly one to the Scyldings' lord. Pass ye on with weapons and weeds, I will direct you. Likewise will I give to my fellowliegemen orders in honor to keep, 290 To such a warrior shall it surely be given the rush of war to escape from whole. 300 Then they set forth; the vessel still bode firm in her berth, the wide-bosomed ship, at anchor fast. A boar's likeness sheen 'bove their cheeks they bore, adorned with gold; stained and fire-hardened, it held life in ward.* In warlike mood the men hastened on, descended together, until the well-timbered hall they might see, adorned all with gold. Unto earth's dwellers that was the grandest of houses 'neath heav'n, where the ruler abode; 310 the light of it shone over many lands. To them then the warrior pointed out clearly the proud one's court, that they might thither take their way; then did the warrior turn his steed and speak these words: ""Tis time for me to go on my way. May the all-ruling Father with honor hold you safe in your fortunes. I will back to the sea, ward to keep against hostile bands."' VI. THE ARRIVAL AT HEOROT The street was stone-paved, u patir to the men in a body; the war-byrnie shone, 320 329 Then a proud chief asked these sons of conflict concerning their lineage: "Whence do ye bear your plated shields and grey sarks hither, your visor-helms and heap of war-shafts? I am H servant and messenger. Never saw 1 strangers so many and proud. I ween that ye out of pride, of grea' and not for exile, have sought Him then answered the famed for the Weders' proud lord, bold 'news neimet, spake words afterward: "We are Hygelac's table-enjoyers-my name, Beowulf. I my errand will relate Boar-images surmounted the helmets. to the great lord, son of Healfdene, thy prince, if he will grant us graciously to greet him here." Wulfgar spake (he was lord of the Wendels; known to many was his spirit, his valor and wisdom): "I will therefore He then went quickly where Hrothgar sat, old and gray, among his earls; the brave chief stood before the shoulders name their chief. They make petition her, has sought a kind friend. -they who bore gift-treasures Cats gratuitously are not to say of him, the war-famed, that he the might of thirty men has in his hand-grip. Holy God hath in his mercies sent him to us, to the West Danes, as I hope, gainst Grendel's horror. For his daring, to the good chief gifts I'll offer. Be speedy, bid these kinsmen, assembled together, come in to see me. ver they are welcome comfort 348 held the war-weeds, as the bold one bade them. under Heorot's roof; the valiant one went, "Hail to thee, Hrothgar; I am Hygelac's kinsman and war-fellow; many great deeds in my youth have I ventured. To me on my native turf 360 Grendel's doings became clearly known. 410 370 the jotun-race ravaged, and slew on the billows "Of thee now, therefore, lord of the bright Danes, Scyldings' protector, will I make this one petition: now that I come so far, deny not, 380 O patron of warriors, friend of people, sts to the Danes. [Then to the hall-door 3 went. He announced the words: 390 O prince of the East Danes, u he knows your nobleness; striving over the sea-billows, ye come to him hither welcome guests. Now ye may go in your war-accoutrements, 'neath martial helm, Hrothgar to see. Let your battle-boards, spears, and shafts, here await the council of words."' 1 the Danes 430 441 IX. HUNFERTH'S TAUNT. THE REPLY Hunferth spake, the son of Ecglaf, will bear off my bloody corse to feast on it; lonely, will eat it without compunction; will mark out my moor-mound. Thou wilt not who sat at the feet of the Scyldings' lord, need care to take for my body's disposal. VIII. HROTHGAR'S LAMENT Hrothgar spake, the Scyldings' shield: "For battles thou, my friend Beowulf, and for honor, us hast sought. Thy father fought in the greatest feud: he was of Heatholaf the slayer, 450 499 unloosed his malice. To him was the voyage 511 on the wide sea, in a swimming-strife, where ye from pride tempted the floods, and, for foolish vaunt, in the deep water ventured your lives? Nor might any man, either friend or foe, restrain you from 460 the perilous voyage, when seaward ye swam with arms outspread o'er the ocean-stream, measured the sea-ways, smote with your hands, o'er the main glided. With winter's fury the ocean-waves boiled; for a sennight ye toiled on the water's domain. He conquered thee swimming; with the Wylfings, when the Weder-Geats passed from the living; he was better than I. 470 I sent to the Wylfings: he swore to me oaths. "Sorry am I in my mind to say to any man what Grendel has wrought me in Heorot with his hostile designs, 520 he had more strength. At morningtide then a burgh and treasures. All his boast to thee what swift mischiefs done. My courtiers are though everywhere thou hast excelled in grim in martial exploits-if thou to Grendel darest near abide for a night-long space."' Beowulf spake, Ecgtheow's son: 480"Well, my friend Hunferth, drunken with to the horrors of Grendel. Yet God may easily 490 For the sons of the Geats then, all together, in the beer-hall a bench was cleared. There the strong-souled went to sit, proudly rejoicing; a thane did duty, who bare in his hand the ale-cup bedecked, poured the bright liquor. Clear rose the glee man's song in Heorot. There was joy of warriors, a noble band of Danes and Weders. against the whales. Far on the flood-waves away from me he could not float, in the sea more swiftly, and from him I would not. Then we together were in the sea a five night's space, till it drove us asunder. Weltering waves, coldest of tempests, 2 The divine smith, or Vulcan, of northern legend. cloudy night, and the fierce north wind grimly assaulted us; rough were the billows. The rage of the sea-fishes was aroused. Then my body-sark, hard and hand-locked, afforded me help against my foes; my braided war-shirt lay on my breast, with gold adorned. A speckled monster drew me to bottom, a grim one held me fast in his grasp. Yet was it granted that with the point I reached the creature, with my war-falchion. A deadly blow, dealt by my hand, destroyed the sea-beast. 551 600 He takes a forced pledge, has mercy on none of the Danish people, but wars at pleasure, slays and shends you, nor strife expects from the Spear-Danes. But now of the Geats the strength and valor shall I unexpectedly show him in battle. Thereafter may all go elate to the mead, after the light of the ether-robed sun on the second day shines from the south o'er the children of men. ''t Then was rejoiced the treasure-distributor; hoary-locked, war-famed, the bright Danes' lord trusted in succor; the people's shepherd 610 from Beowulf heard his steadfast resolve. 560 There was laughter of men, the din resounded, words were winsome. Wealhtheow came forth, Hrothgar's queen; mindful of courtesy, X. THE QUEEN'S GREETING. GLEE IN HEOROT "Thus frequently me my hated foes fiercely threatened; but I served them with my dear sword as it was fitting. Not of that gluttony had they joy, foul destroyers, to sit round the feast near the sea-bottom and eat my body; but in the morning, with falchions wounded, up they lay among the shore-drift, the gold-adorned greeted the men in the hall. First then the woman, high-born, handed the cup to the East-Danes' country's guardian, bade him be blithe at the beer-drinking, put to sleep by the sword; so that ne'er after dear to his people. He gladly partook of stopt they the way for ocean-sailers over the surge. Light came from the east, God's bright beacon, the seas grew calm, so that the sea-nesses I might see, windy walls. Fate often saves an undoomed man when his valor avails. "Yes, 'twas my lot with sword to slay nickers nine. I have heard of no harder struggle by night 'neath heaven's vault, nor of man more harried in ocean-streams. Yet with life I escaped from the grasp dangers, aweary of toil. Then the sea bore me, the flood with its current, the boiling fiords, to the Finns' land. "Now never of thee 570 the feast, and the hall-cup, battle-famed king. Round then went the dame of the Helmings1 on every side, among old and young, costly cups proffered, till came occasion that she, the high-minded, ring-adorned queen the mead-cup bore unto Beowulf. 620 She greeted the lord of the Geats, thanked God, sagacious in words, that her wish had befallen, of that she in any warrior might trust 581 have I heard tell such feats of daring, In sooth I say to thee, son of Ecglaf, 590 the fell sword-strength of the victor-Scyldings.* The epithet appears to be ironical. It is noteworthy that Hrothgar takes it all in good part. for comfort 'gainst crimes. He took the cup, the warrior fierce, from Wealhtheow's hand, and then made speech, eager for battle,Beowulf spake, the son of Ecgtheow: "I resolved, when I went on the main with my warrior-band and sat in the seaboat, that I would wholly accomplish the will of your people in this, or bow in death, fast in the foe's grasp. I shall perform deeds of valor, or look to find here in this mead-hall my last day." 631 when Healfdene's son was fain to go to his evening rest. He knew that conflict awaited the monster in the high hall so soon as they might no longer see the sun's light, and o'er all murk night, the shadow-helm of men, came creeping, dusk under heaven. The company rose. Hrothgar then paid Beowulf reverenceone hero the other-and bade him hail, gave him command of the wine-hall and said: "Never since hand and shield I could raise, have I before entrusted to any 650 gave woven victory,* to the Weders' people comfort and succor, so that they all the hall of the Danes, save now to thee. Have now and hold this best of houses; be mindful of glory, show mighty valor, keep watch for the foe. No wish shall be lacking 660 if thou from this venture escape with thy life." XI. BEOWULF'S VIGIL Then Hrothgar departed, the Scyldings' protector, Then came from the moor, under the misthills, Grendel stalking; he bare God's anger. The wicked spoiler thought to ensnare many a man in the lofty hall. out of the hall with his band of warriors; 710 He strode 'neath the clouds until the winehouse, richly adorned. Nor was that time the first that Hrothgar's home he had sought: but ne'er in his life, before nor since, found he a bolder man or hall-thanes. 720 730 So then to the mansion the man bereft of joys came journeying; soon with his hands undid the door, tho' with forged bands fast; the baleful-minded, angry, burst open the mansion's mouth. Soon thereafter the fiend was treading the glittering floor, paced wroth of mood; from his eyes started a horrid light, most like to flame. He in the mansion saw warriors many, a kindred band, together sleeping, fellow-warriors. His spirit exulted. The fell wretch expected that ere day came he would dissever the life from the body of each, for in him the hope had risen of a gluttonous feast. Yet 'twas not his fate that he might more of the race of men eat after that night. The mighty kinsman of Hygelac watched how the wicked spoiler would proceed with his sudden grasping. Nor did the monster mean to delay; for he at the first stroke quickly seized 740 This is a characteristic Northern figure, as well as Greek; but it is not Christian. An interesting expansion of it may be found in Gray's poem of The Fatal Sisters. |