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, put to sleep by the sword; so that ne'er after stopt they the way for ocean-sailors over the surge. Light came from the east, God's bright beacon, the seas grew calm, 570 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 of dangers, aweary of toil. Then the sea bore me, the flood with its current, the boiling fiords, to the Finns' land. 590 In sooth I say to thee, son of Ecglaf, that never had Grendel, the fiendish wretch, such horrors committed against thy prince, such harm in Heorot, were thy spirit, thy mind, as war-fierce as thou supposest. But he has found that he need not greatly care for the hatred of your people, the fell sword-strength of the victor-Scyldings. 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 1 600 of the ether-robed sun on the second day shines from the south o'er the children of men." 2 Then was rejoiced the treasure-distributor; The epithet appears to be ironical. 2 "In It is noteworthy that Hrothgar takes it all in good part. this speech," says Dr. J. R. C. Hall, "in less than fourscore passionate lines, we have rude and outspoken repartee, proud and un. blushing boast, a rapid narrative, Munchausen episodes, flashes of nature, a pagan proverb, a bitter taunt, a reckless insult to the Danish race, a picture of a peaceful time come.' hoary-locked, war-famed, the bright Danes' lord trusted in succor; the people's shepherd from Beowulf heard his steadfast resolve. 610 There was laughter of men, the din resounded, words were winsome. Wealhtheow came forth, Hrothgar's queen; mindful of courtesy, 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, dear to his people. He gladly partook of the feast, and the hall-cup, battle-famed king. Round then went the dame of the Helmings 3 620 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. She greeted the lord of the Geats, thanked ~ God, sagacious in words, that her wish had befallen, that she in any warrior might trust for comfort 'gainst crimes. He took the cup, the warrior fierce, from Wealhtheow's hand, and then made speech, eager for battleBeowulf spake, the son of Ecgtheow: 631 "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." The Geat's proud speech the woman liked well; 640 the high-born queen of the people went, adorned with gold to sit by her lord. Within the hall then again as before were bold words spoken-the people's joy, the victor folk's clamor-up to the moment 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 the hall of the Danes, save now to thee. Have now and hold this best of houses; be mindful of glory, show mighty valor, to €50 X. [BEOWULF'S VIGIL] Then Hrothgar departed, the Scyldings' protector, out of the hall with his band of warriors; the martial leader would seek his consort, Wealhtheow the queen. The glory of kings had set against Grendel, as men have heard tell, a hall-ward; he held a special office about the Dane-prince, kept guard 'gainst the giant. But the chief of the Geats well trusted in 669 his own proud might and the Creator's favor. He doffed from him then his iron byrnie, the helm from his head, and gave to a hench and hew my shield, renowned tho' he be for hostile works; but we two tonight shall do without sword, if he dare seek war without weapon. And afterward God, the wise, the holy, shall glory doom to whichever hand it meet to him seemeth." Then lay down the brave man—the bolster received the warrior's cheek; and around him many a seaman keen reclined on his hall-couch. 690 Not one of them thought that he should thence seek ever again the home he loved, the folk or free burg where he was nurtured: since erst they had heard how far too many folk of the Danes a bloody death o'ertook in that wine-hall. Lord But to them the Now in the murky night came stalking the shadow-walker. All the warriors who should defend that pinnacled mansion slept, save one. To men it was known that the sinful spoiler, when God willed not, might not drag them beneath the shade. Natheless, he, watching in hate for the foe, in angry mood waited the battle-meeting. XI. [GRENDEL'S ONSLAUGHT] 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. 710 He strode 'neath the clouds until the winehouse, the gold-hall of men, he readily saw, 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. So then to the mansion the man bereft 720 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. 780 Nor did the monster mean to delay; for he at the first stroke quickly seized 740 a sleeping warrior, tore him unawares, bit his bone-casings, drank his veins' blood, in great morsels swallowed him. Soon had he devoured all of the lifeless one, feet and hands. He stepped up nearer, took then with his hand the doughty-minded warrior at rest; with his hand the foe reached toward him. He instantly grappled with the evil-minded, and on his arm rested. Soon as the criminal realized that in no other man of middle-earth, of the world's regions, had he found a stronger hand-grip, his mind grew fearful. Yet not for that could he sooner escape. 750 759 He was bent on flight, would flee to his cavern, the devil-pack seek; such case had never in all his life-days befallen before. Then Hygelac's good kinsman remembered his evening speech; upright he stood, and firmly grasped him; his fingers yielded. The jotun was fleeing; the earl stept further. The famed one considered whether he might more widely wheel and thence away flee to his fen-mound; he knew his fingers' power 769 in the fierce one's grasp. 'Twas a dire journey the baleful spoiler made to Heorot. The princely hall thundered; terror was on all the Danes, the city-dwellers, each valiant one, while both the fierce strong warriors raged; the mansion resounded. Then was it wonder great that the wine-hall withstood the war-beasts, nor fell to the ground, the fair earthly dwelling; yet was it too fast, within and without, with iron bands, cunningly forged, though where the fierce ones fought, I have heard, many a mead-bench, with gold adorned, from its sill started. Before that, weened not the Scyldings' sages that any man ever, in any wise, in pieces could break it, goodly and bonedecked, or craftily rive-only the flame's clutch 780 of those who heard from the wall the whoop, the dread lay sung by God's denier, the triumphless song of the thrall of hell, his pain bewailing. He held him fasthe who of men was strongest of might, of them who in that day lived this life. XII. [THE MONSTER REPULSED] Not for aught would the refuge of earls leave alive the deadly guest; 790 800 the days of his life he counted not useful to any folk. There many a warrior of Beowulf's drew his ancient sword; they would defend the life of their lord, of the great prince, if so they might. They knew not, when they entered the strife, the bold and eager sons of battle, and thought to hew him on every side his life to seek, that not the choicest of irons on earth, no battle-falchion, could ever touch the wicked scather, since martial weapons he had forsworn, every edge whatever. Yet on that day of this life was his life-parting wretched to be, and the alien spirit 810 to travel far into power of fiends. Then he who before in mirth of mood (he was God's foe) had perpetrated many crimes 'gainst the race of men, found that his body would not avail him, for him the proud kinsman of Hygelac had in hand; each was to the other hateful alive. The fell wretch suffered bodily pain; a deadly wound appeared on his shoulder, his sinews started, his bone-casings burst. To Beowulf was the war-glory given; Grendel must thence, death-sick, under his fen-shelters flee, seek a joyless dwelling; well he knew that the end of his life was come, his appointed number of days. For all the Danes, 820 840 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, o'er distant ways, the wonder to see, the tracks of the foe. His taking from life seemed not grievous to any warrior who the inglorious one's trail beheld— how, weary in spirit, o'ercome in the conflict, death-doomed and fleeing, he bare death-traces thence away to the nickers' mere. There was the surge boiling with blood, the dire swing of waves all commingled; with clotted blood hot, with sword-gore it welled: 1 Then was morning light 919 sent forth and quickened. Many a retainer, strong in spirit, to the high hall went, to see the rare wonder. The king himself also from his nuptial bower, guardian of ringtreasures, with a large troop stept forth, rich in glory, for virtues famed; and his queen with him the meadow-path measured with train of maidens. XIV. [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): 930 "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 counselors, who did not ween that they evermore from foes could defend the people's landwork,1 from devils and phantoms. Now this warrior, thro' 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 of worldly desires, wherein I have power. Full often for less have I dealt a reward, an honor-gift, to a feebler warrior, weaker in conflict. Thou for thyself hast wrought so well, that thy glory shall live thro' every age. May the All-wielder with good reward thee, as now He has done." Beowulf spake, Ecgtheow's son: 952 961 "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, the foe in his trappings, full weary enough. Him I quickly, with hard and fast fetters, on his death-bed thought to have bound, 1 Heorot that thro' 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, 980 990 XV. [FEASTING AND SONG] 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. That splendid dwelling much shattered was, tho' bound within with bands of iron; the hinges asunder were rent, the roof alone was saved all sound, when the monster, stained with foul deeds, turned him to flight, hopeless of life. . 1002 [The feast is held, gifts are bestowed on the hero, and Hrothgar's minstrel sings a song of a hundred lines about Finn, the king of the Frisians.] XVII. [THE QUEEN'S SPEECH] 1159 the gleeman's song. Pastime was resumed, noise rose from the benches, the cup-boys served wine 2 Beowulf, says Dr. Klaeber, "had placed Gren. del'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. 1180 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, O 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, the youths all together; there sat the noble Beowulf the Geat, beside the two brothers. 1189 XVIII. [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, 4 the jewel and casket (he fled the guileful 1200 hate of Eormenric, chose gain eternal). 5 Hygelac the Geat wore this collar, 1 Hrothgar, and his nephew, Hrothulf, who must have been older than the king's children (cf. lines 1180 ff.), but who evidently did not remain "true" He was said to have killed his brothers. 'Hrothgar the famous necklace of Freyja, which Hama stole from Eormenric, the cruel king of the Goths G perhaps entered a monastery (S. Bugge) the grandson of Swerting, on his last raid, when he 'neath his banner the treasure defended, the slaughter-spoil guarded; fate took him off 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 went, and his breast-weeds, went, too, the collar; warriors inferior plundered the fallen 1212 after the war-lot; the Geat-folk held the abode of the slain. The hall resounded. Wealhtheow spake, before the warrior-band said: "Use this collar, Beowulf dear, 1220 O 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 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, 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 countless warriors, as oft they had done. They cleared the bench-floor; it soon was o'erspread 1241 with beds and bolsters. A certain beer-bearer, ready and fated, bent to his rest. They set at their heads their disks of war, their shield-wood bright; there on the bench, over each noble, easy to see, was his high martial helm, his ringed byrnie and war-wood stout. It was their custom that they were ever for war prepared, at home, in the field, in both alike, at whatever time to their liege lord the need befell. 'Twas a ready people. 1250 XIX. [GRENDEL'S MOTHER] They sank then to sleep. One sorely paid for his evening rest, as full oft had happened |