When the harper had ceased, the hall was still. All voices were hushed
for they grieved at the sorrow of the good Hrothgar. Then the brave
Beowulf cried out: "Give me leave, O king! Let me go to Hrothgar and
free his land from this monster so wicked and fearsome." The other
thanes applauded his words and cried: "Take us with you!"
But Hygelac, the great king, said wisely: "Brave men go to war with
care and after deep thought. Not easy is the way over the sea; not
easy is the contest with the evil Grendel. But to fight for a good
cause and to nobly win or nobly die is the best a man can do. Proud is
my heart when I see so many brave men ready to overcome the evil
monster or to die fighting, but all may not venture. Go, my cousin and
my thane," he said to Beowulf, "and make thy name famous in all places
where honour is loved."
[Illustration: THE DEPARTURE OF BEOWULF]
Beowulf thanked his king and chose fourteen of his bravest warriors to
go with him. They prepared the strong ship and found a pilot who knew
the road the swans take, and who could safely guide the boat. The
warriors made their weapons bright and carried them to the ship. The
men shoved the boat from the shore. The sails were raised, and, driven
by the wind, the boat flew over the foamy waves.
On the second day the voyagers saw the shining ocean-shore. The
sea-farer was at the end of the watery way. Quickly the men stepped
out upon the plain. They tied the sea-wood, shook their shirts of
mail, and thanked God that to them the wave paths had been easy.