I
Moreover the Danish Beowulf, [6] the dear King of his people, was
a long time renowned amongst the folk in the cities (his father,
the Prince, had gone a-faring elsewhere from this world). Then was
there born to him a son, the high Healfdene; and while he lived he
was ruling the happy Danish people, and war-fierce and ancient was
he. Four children were born to him: Heorogar the leader of troops, and
Hrothgar, and Halga the good. And I heard say that Queen Elan (wife
of Ongentheow) was his daughter, and she became the beloved comrade
of the Swede. Then to Hrothgar was granted good speed in warfare and
honour in fighting, so that his loyal subjects eagerly obeyed him,
until the youths grew doughty, a very great band of warriors. Then
it burned in his mind that he would bid men be building a palace,
a greater mead-hall than the children of men ever had heard of, and
that he would therein distribute to young and to old, as God gave him
power, all the wealth that he had save the share of the folk and the
lives of men.
Then I heard far and wide how he gave commandment to many a people
throughout all the world, this work to be doing, and to deck out
the folkstead. In due time it happened that soon among men, this
greatest of halls was now all ready. And Hart he called it, whose
word had great wielding. He broke not his promise, but gave to them
rings and treasures at the banquet. The hall towered on high, and the
gables were wide between the horns, [7] and awaited the surging of the
loathsome flames. Not long time should pass ere hatred was awakened
after the battle-slaughter, twixt father-in-law and son-in-law. [8]
Then it was that the powerful sprite who abode in darkness, scarce
could brook for a while that daily he heard loud joy in the hall. There
was sound of harping, and the clear song of the bard.
He who knew it was telling of the beginning of mankind, and he
said that the Almighty created the world, and the bright fields
surrounded by water. And, exulting, He set the sun and the moon as
lamps to shine upon the earth-dwellers, and adorned the world with
branches and leaves. And life He was giving to every kind of living
creature. So noble men lived in joy, and were all blessed till one
began to do evil, a devil from hell; and this grim spirit was called
Grendel. And he was a march-stepper, who ruled on the moorlands, the
fens, and the stronghold. For a while he kept guard, this unhappy
creature, over the land of the race of monsters, since the Creator
had proscribed him. On the race of Cain the Eternal Lord brought
death as vengeance, when he slew Abel. Nor did he find joy in the
feud, but God for the crime drove him far thence. Thus it was that
evil things came to their birth, giants and elves and monsters of
the deep, likewise those giants who for a long while were striving
with God Himself. And well He requited them.