BEOWULF

HROTHGAR spake, the Scyldings-helmet: —

”For fight defensive, Friend my Beowulf,

to succor and save, thou hast sought us here.

Thy fathers combat {7a} a feud enkindled

when Heatholaf with hand he slew

among the Wylfings; his Weder kin

for horror of fighting feared to hold him.

Fleeing, he sought our South-Dane folk,

over surge of ocean the Honor-Scyldings,

when first I was ruling the folk of Danes,

wielded, youthful, this widespread realm,

this hoard-hold of heroes. Heorogar was dead,

my elder brother, had breathed his last,

Healfdenes bairn: he was better than I!

Straightway the feud with fee {7b} I settled,

to the Wylfings sent, oer watery ridges,

treasures olden: oaths he {7c} swore me.

Sore is my soul to say to any

of the race of man what ruth for me

in Heorot Grendel with hate hath wrought,

what sudden harryings. Hall-folk fail me,

my warriors wane; for Wyrd hath swept them

into Grendels grasp. But God is able

this deadly foe from his deeds to turn!

Boasted full oft, as my beer they drank,

earls oer the ale-cup, armed men,

that they would bide in the beer-hall here,

Grendels attack with terror of blades.

Then was this mead-house at morning tide

dyed with gore, when the daylight broke,

all the boards of the benches blood-besprinkled,

gory the hall: I had heroes the less,

doughty dear-ones that death had reft.

— But sit to the banquet, unbind thy words,

hardy hero, as heart shall prompt thee. ”

Gathered together, the Geatish men

in the banquet-hall on bench assigned,

sturdy-spirited, sat them down,

hardy-hearted. A henchman attended,

carried the carven cup in hand,

served the clear mead. Oft minstrels sang

blithe in Heorot. Heroes revelled,

no dearth of warriors, Weder and Dane.