"In the land of the Danes lives Hrothgar, a great and wise king; but
sadness clouds his brow and tears dim his eyes. Years ago all was joy
and glory. Hrothgar had conquered all his foes and made them friends.
Much wealth had he added to his country's treasures, and many warriors
gathered round him, glad to hail him leader and king.
"Hrothgar loved peace more than war and was glad when the earls were
his friends, and he said: 'I will build a great hall, a house of joy
for all my friends. This shall be larger than any hall earth has seen.
Here I will bring all my war treasures. The walls shall be hung with
banners of bright colours and decked with shields and swords. Tables
shall be spread and guests shall always be welcomed.'
"The great king spoke, and many workmen gathered to build the hall.
Large and strong it rose, a wonder for all the people. The king named
the hall Heorot, and here was every one made welcome. The mead-cup was
passed, the king gave presents of shining rings, and joy and laughter
filled the hall.
"Gleemen sang of the goodness of the king, the beauty and grace of the
queen, and the bravery of the Danes. One singer told of the beginning
of all things; how the All-Father wrought the earth, the beautiful
plain, which the water embraces. He sang of how God placed the sun and
moon in the heavens for light to dwellers on the land; how he adorned
the earth with grass and leaves and made all creatures that go quickly
to and fro.
"But alas! now all this joy is changed to sorrow. No longer does the
gleeman strike the harp and fill the hall with music. No merry laugh
is heard, but all is dark and still. King Hrothgar sits upon his
kingly seat, silent and sad.
"You marvel what can bring grief to the great king and his merry
thanes? In all the broad lands there is but one who does not wish long
life and joy to the king. This is Grendel. No man is he, but a
monster whose heart is filled with wickedness. Laughter and happiness
are strangers to him, and he hates all beauty and goodness.
"Far in a lake, dark, poisonous, and surrounded by a marsh, does
Grendel live. When he heard the songs and sounds of joy in the great
hall, he smiled grimly to think how he would turn their joy to gloom,
their songs to groans. So, in the darkness, from his horrid home the
monster crept up to the wondrous hall. There slept the warriors,
little dreaming of evil. A score and ten the monster slew, then strode
away, howling defiance to the king.
"When the sleeping thanes awoke and found their comrades slain, sad
were they all at heart. Night after night the monster came and slew,
and fear seized every heart. In all homes were cries of grief for the
dead, and men knew not where to go for safety.
"This is the woe of the Danes, for none can battle with a monster of
the deep. No one has ever seen this ugly shape, for he comes always in
the darkness and when no one looks for him. Everywhere has the great
king sought help, but none can be found. Hrothgar sits weeping for his
brave comrades in the hall he built for their comfort and joy."