800 to any folk. There many a warrior Then he who before in mirth of mood flee to his fen-mound; he knew his fingers' appeared on his shoulder, his sinews started, power his bone-casings burst. To Beowulf was in the fierce one's grasp. "Twas a dire journey the war-glory given; Grendel must thence, the baleful spoiler made to Heorot. in pieces could break it, goodly and bone- or craftily rive-only the flame's clutch of those who heard from the wall the whoop, XIII. THE MONSTER REPULSED Not for aught would the refuge of earls leave alive the deadly guest; the days of his life he counted not useful 780 790 810 820 death-sick, under his fen-shelters flee, that fierce fight done, was their wish accom- So he then, the far-come, the wise and strong of soul, had purified Hrothgar's hall, saved it from malice; his night's work rejoiced him, 830 his valor-glories. The Geatish chieftain XIV. JOY AT HEOROT Then in the morning, as I have heard tell, there was many a warrior around the gift hall: folk-chiefs came, from far and near, 840 o'er distant ways, the wonder to see, There was the surge boiling with blood, welled; of worldly desires, wherein I have power. Full often for less have I dealt a reward, weaker in conflict. Thou for thyself hast wrought so well, that thy glory shall live 851 through every age. May the All-wielder the death-doomed dyed it, when he joyless laid down his life in his fen-asylum, his heathen soul. There hell received him. Thence again turned they, comrades old, from the joyous journey, and many a younger, proud from the mere, riding on horses, warriors on steeds. Then was Beowulf's glory celebrated. Many oft said that south or north, between the seas the wide world over, there was no other 'neath heaven's course who was a better shield-bearer, or one more worthy of power. Yet found they no fault with their lord beloved, the joyful Hrothgar: he was their good king. 860 930 XV. HROTHGAR'S GRATITUDE Hrothgar spake (he to the hall went, stood near the threshold, saw the steep roof shining with gold, and Grendel's hand): "Now for this sight, to the Almighty thanks! May it quickly be given! Much ill have I borne, Grendel's snares; ever can God work wonder on wonder, the King of Glory. Not long was it since, that I little weened for woes of mine through all my life, reparation to know, when, stained with blood, the best of houses all gory stood; woe was wide-spread for each of my counsellors, who did not ween that they evermore from foes could defend the people's landwork,1 from devils and phantoms. Now this warrior, through the might of the Lord, has done a deed which we all together before could not with cunning accomplish. Lo, this may say whatever woman brought forth this son among the nations, if yet she lives, 941 that the ancient Creator was gracious to her at the birth of her son. Now will I, O Beowulf, best of warriors, even as a son, love thee in my heart. Keep henceforth well our kinship new; no lack shalt thou have 1 Heorot 952 with good reward thee, as now He has done." Beowulf spake, Ecgtheow's son: "We with great good will, that arduous work, that fight, have achieved; we boldly ventured in war with the monster. The more do I wish that thou himself mightest have seen, 961 the foe in his trappings, full weary enough. Him I quickly, with hard and fast fetters, on his death-bed thought to have bound, that through my hand-grips low he should lie, struggling for life, but his body escaped. I was not able, the Lord did not will it, to keep him from going; I held him not firm enough, 970 the deadly foe: too strong on his feet in vaunting speech of words of war, a heathen's hand-spurs and a warrior's,- would be able to touch the demon's hand, XVI. FEASTING AND SONG 980 990 Then quickly 'twas ordered, that Heorot within by hand be adorned; many were they, of men and women, who the wine-house, the guest-hall, prepared; gold-shimmering shone the webs on the walls, wondrous sights many to each and all that gaze upon such. Beowulf, says Dr. Klaeber, "had placed Grendel's hand (on some projection perhaps) above the door (outside) as high as he could reach," where the nobles, looking from outside "in the direction of the high roof," behold it. Others think that it was hung up within the hall. XIX. BEOWULF REWARDED. EVENTIDE The cup was brought him, and friendly greeting in words was given and twisted gold kindly proffered-bracelets two, armor and rings, a collar the largest of those that on earth I have heard tell of. Never 'neath heaven have I heard of a better treasure-hoard of men, since Hama bore off to the glittering burg the Brosings' necklace,§ the jewel and casket (he fled the guileful 1200 hate of Eormenric, chose gain eternal1). Hygelac the Geat wore this collar, the grandson of Swerting, on his last raid, when he 'neath his banner the treasure defended, from wondrous vessels. Then Wealhtheow came the slaughter-spoil guarded; fate took him off forth 'neath a gold diadem, to where the two good cousinst sat; at peace were they still, each true to the other; there Hunferth too sat at the Scylding lord's feet,-all had faith in his spirit, his courage, altho' to his kinsmen he had not in sword-play been true. Then the Scyldings' queen spake: 1170 "Accept this beaker, my beloved lord,1 dispenser of treasure; may 'st be joyful, gold-friend of men! And speak to the Geats with gentle words! So man shall do. Be kind toward the Geats, mindful of gifts; near and far thou now hast safety. Men have said that thou this warrior wouldst have for a son. Heorot is purged, the bright hall of rings: enjoy while thou may est when he out of pride sought his own woe, war with the Frisians; he the jewels conveyed, the precious stones, over the wave-bowl, the powerful king; he fell 'neath his shield. Then into the power of the Franks the king's life "Use this collar, Beowulf dear, oh youth, with joy, and use this mantle, these lordly treasures, and thrive thou well; prove thyself mighty, and be to these boys gentle in counsels. I will reward thee. This hast thou achieved, that, far and near, throughout all time, men will esteem thee, even so widely as the sea encircles 1180 the windy land-walls. Be while thou livest a prosperous noble. I grant you well precious treasures; be thou to my sons gentle in deeds, thou who hast joy. Here is each earl to the other true, the rewards of the many, and to thy sons leave folk and realm, when thou shalt go forth to see thy Creator. Well I know that my gracious Hrothulf will the youth in honor maintain if thou sooner than he, oh friend of the Scyldings, leavest the world. I ween that he with good will repay our offspring dear, if he remembers all the favors that we for his pleasure and honor performed when he was a child.'' Then she turned to the seat where were her sons, Hrethric and Hrothmund, and the sons of the heroes, 1189 the youths all together; there sat the noble Beowulf the Geat, beside the two brothers. 1220 mild of mood, to his liege lord faithful; the thanes are united, the people all ready. 1230 Warriors who have drunken, do as I bid." To her seat then she went. There was choicest of feasts, the warriors drank wine; Wyrd they knew not, calamity grim, as it turned out for many a man after evening had come and Hrothgar had to his lodging departed, the ruler to rest. There guarded the hall 1 Perhaps entered a monastery (S. Bugge). § The famous necklace of Freyja, which Hama stole from Eormenric, the cruel king of the Goths. They sank then to sleep. One sorely paid wide-known among men, that still an avenger she that the watery horrors, the cold streams, had to inhabit, when Cain became slayer by sword of his only brother, 1261 when the hilt-bound sword, hammer-beaten, with grip fast seized, as she went to fen; a mighty shield-warrior, whom she killed, after giving of treasures, to the great Geat.) that those on both sides payment must make Then was the old king, the hoary war-hero, in stormy mood when his highest thane, no longer living, his dearest friend, he knew to be dead. his father's son. Then he went forth blood- the victor-rich warrior. Together ere day 1311 stained, by murder marked, fleeing man's joy, dwelt in the wilderness. Thence awoke many fated demons; Grendel was one, he went with his earls, the noble champion with his comrades went where the wise king awaited 1270 whether for him the All-wielder would the hated fell wolf who at Heorot found a watchful warrior awaiting the conflict; and there the monster laid hold of him. Yet was he mindful of his great strength, the generous gift that God had given him, and trusted for help in him the All-wielder, for comfort and aid; so slew he the fiend, struck down the hell-spirit. Then humble he XXI. SORROW FOR ESCHERE. THE MONSTER'S made off, the foe of mankind, to seek his death-home, of joy deprived. Natheless his mother, greedy and gloomy, was bent on going MERE Hrothgar spake, the Scyldings' protector: "Ask not after happiness! Grief is renewed the sorrowful journey, her son's death to to the folk of the Danes. Dead is Eschere, avenge. So came she to Heorot, to where the Ring- 1279 throughout the hall slept. Forthwith there came to the warriors a change, when in on them rushed Grendel's mother; the terror was less man of Yrmenlaf the elder brother, 1330 a ghost-like death-spirit; I know not whether 1 Grendel's (see 1. 834 ) 1350 "I have heard it said by the land-dwellers, by my own subjects, my hall-counsellors, that they have seen a pair of such mighty march-stalkers holding the moors, stranger-spirits, whereof the one, so far as they could certainly know, was in form of a woman; the other, accurst, trod an exile's steps in the figure of man (save that he huger than other men was), whom in days of yore the dwellers on earth Grendel named. They know not a father. whether any was afore-time born of the dark ghosts. That secret land they dwell in, wolf-dens, windy nesses, the perilous fen-path, where the mountain stream downward flows 'neath the mists of the nesses, the flood under earth. 'Tis not far thence, 1361 a mile in measure, that the mere stands, over which hang rustling groves; a wood fast rooted the water o'ershadows. "There every night may be seen a dire wonder, fire in the flood. None so wise lives of the children of men, who knows the bottom. Although the heath-stepper, wearied by hounds, the stag strong of horns, seek that holtwood, driven from far, he will give up his life, 1370 his breath, on the shore, ere he will venture his head upon it. That is no pleasant place. Thence surging of waters upwards ascends wan to the welkin, when the wind stirs up the hateful tempests, till air grows gloomy and skies shed tears. Again now is counsel in thee alone! The spot thou yet ken 'st not, the perilous place where thou may'st find this sinful being. Seek if thou dare. With riches will I for the strife reward thee, with ancient treasures, as I before did, with twisted gold, if thou comest off safe." 1381 XXII. THE PURSUIT Beowulf spake, Ecgtheow's son: "Sorrow not, sage man, 'tis better for each to avenge his friend than greatly to mourn. Each of us must an end await of this world's life; let him work who can high deeds ere death; that will be for the warrior, when he is lifeless, afterwards best. Rise, lord of the realm, let us quickly go to see the course of Grendel's parent. 1391 I promise thee, not to the sea shall she 'scape, nor to earth's embrace, nor to mountain-wood, nor to ocean's ground, go whither she will. This day do thou endurance have in every woe, as I expect of thee! |