Then spake Hrothgar the protector of the Danes: 'Well I knew him
when he was a child, and his old father was called Ecgtheow. And to
him did Hrethel of the Geats give his only daughter, and his son is
bravely come here and hath sought out a gracious friend.' Then said
the sea-farers who had brought the goodly gifts of the Geats there
for thanks, that he the battle-brave had in his hand-grip the main
craft of thirty men. 'And the holy God hath sent him for favour to us
West Danes, and of this I have hope, 'gainst the terror of Grendel. I
shall offer the goodman gifts for his daring. Now make thou haste and
command the band of warrior kinsmen into the presence. Bid them welcome
to the people of the Danes.' Then went Wulfgar even to the hall-door,
and spake these words: 'My liege lord, the Prince of the East Danes,
commands me to say that he knows your lineage. And ye who are bold
of purpose are welcome hither over the sea-waves. Now may ye go in
your war-weeds, under your visored helmets to see Hrothgar. Let your
swords stay behind here, the wood and the slaughter-shafts and the
issue of words.' Then the Prince rose up, and about him was many a
warrior, a glorious band of thanes. And some bided there and held the
battle-garments as the brave man commanded. And they hastened together
under the roof of Hrothgar as the man directed them. The stout-hearted
man went forward, hard under helmet till he stood by the dais.
Then Beowulf spake (and the byrny shone on him, the coat of mail,
sewn by the cunning of the smith): 'O Hrothgar, all hail! I am the
kinsman and comrade of Hygelac. [16] Many marvels I have set on foot
in the days of my youth. The affair of Grendel was made known to me
in my native land. Sea-farers told how this best of all palaces stood
idle and useless to warriors, after evening light came down under the
brightness of heaven. Then my people persuaded me, the best and the
proudest of all my earls, O my lord Hrothgar, that I should seek thee,
for they well knew my main strength. For they themselves saw how I
came forth bloodstained from the power of the fiend, when I bound
the five, and destroyed the giant's kin, and slew 'mongst the waves,
sea-monsters by night, and suffered such dire distress, and wreaked
vengeance for the strife of the Geats (for woe they were suffering),
and I destroyed the fierce one. And now all alone I shall settle
the affair of Grendel the deadly monster, the cruel giant. And one
boon will I be asking, O Prince of the Bright Danes, thou lord of
the Scyldings, Protector of warriors and friend of the folk, that
thou wilt not refuse, since so far I am come, that I and my troop of
earls, this crowd of brave men, may alone cleanse out Hart. I have
heard say also that the monster because of his rashness recks not of
weapons. And, if Hygelac the blithe-minded will be my liege lord, I
will forgo to carry to the battle a sword, or broad shield all yellow;
but I will engage by my hand-grip with the enemy, and strive for life,
foe with foe. And he whom Death taketh shall believe in the doom of
the Lord. And I doubt not he will fearlessly consume the people of
the Geats, if he may prevail in the war-hall as he has often done
with the strong men of the Danes. And thou shalt not need to hide
my head if Death take me, for he will seize me all bloodstained,
and will bury the slaughter all bloody, and will think to taste and
devour me alone and without any sorrow, and will stain the glens in
the moorland. And thou needest not to sorrow longer over the food of
my body. And if battle take me, send to Hygelac this best of coats
of mail, the noblest of garments. It is the heirloom of Hrethel the
work of Weland [17]; and let Weird go as it will.'