'So then evil-doers did often oppress me. And I served them with my
dear sword as was most fitting. Not at all of the feasting had they any
joy. Evil destroyers sat round the banquet at the bottom of the sea,
that they might seize me. But in the morning, wounded by my sword,
they lay up on the foreshore, put to sleep by my weapon so that they
hindered no more the faring of the sea-goers. Light came from the
eastward, the bright beacon of God. The waves grew less that I could
catch sight of the sea-nesses, the windy walls. Weird often saveth
the earl that is undoomed when his courage is doughty. Nevertheless
it happened that I slew with my sword nine of the sea-monsters. Nor
have I heard under vault of heaven of a harder night-struggle,
nor of a more wretched man on the sea-streams. Still I escaped from
the grasp of the foes, with my life, and weary of the journey. When
the sea bore me up, on the flood tide, on the welling of waves, to
the land of the Finns. Nor have I heard concerning thee of any such
striving or terror of swords. Breca never yet, nor either of you two,
did such a deed with shining sword in any battle-gaming (not that I
will boast of this too much), yet wast thou the slayer of thy brother,
thy chief kinsman. And for this in hell shalt thou suffer a curse,
though thy wit be doughty. And soothly I tell thee, O son of Eglaf,
that Grendel that hateful monster never had done such terrors to
thy life and humiliation in Hart if thy mind and thy soul were as
battle-fierce as thou thyself dost say. But he has found that he needed
not to fear the feud the terrible sword-thrust of your people the
Danes. He taketh forced toll, and spareth none of the Danish people,
but joyfully wageth war, putteth them to sleep and feedeth on them,
and expecteth no fight from the Danes. But I shall ere long offer him
in war the strength and the courage of the Geats. Let him go who can
to the mead all proudly when morning light shall shine from the south,
another day over the children of men.'
Then in the hall the giver of rings was grey-haired and
battle-brave. The Prince of the Danes was hopeful of help. The guardian
of the folk fixed on Beowulf his firm-purposed thought. There was
laughter 'mong heroes, din resounded, and words were winsome. Wealtheow
went forth, the Queen of Hrothgar, mindful of kinship and decked out in
gold, she greeted Beowulf in the hall. And then the lovely wife first
proffered the goblet to the Lord of the East Danes, and bade him be
blithe at the beer-drinking, he who was dear to all his people. And
gladly he took the banquet and hall-cup, he the victorious King. The
lady of the Helmings [19] went round about every one of the youthful
warriors, and proffered the costly cup, until the time came that the
ring-adorned Queen, most excellent in spirit, bore the mead-cup then
to Beowulf. She, the wise in words, greeted the Geats and gave thanks
to God that she had her desire that she might trust in any earl for
help against such crimes. He gladly received it, he the battle-fierce
warrior, from the hand of Wealtheow, and then began singing, inspired
by a warlike spirit.
Beowulf spake, the son of Ecgtheow: 'I had intended at once to work
out the will of this your people when I set forth over the sea and
sat in my sea-boat with the troop of my people, or that I would fall
in the slaughter fast in the fiend's grip. I shall yet acquit myself
as befitteth an earl, or in the mead-hall await my last day.' And
well the lady liked the words, the boasting of the Geat. And that
lovely queen went all decked out in gold to sit by her lord. Then
mighty words were spoken in the hall as before, by the people in
joyance and the noise of the victors, until the son of Healfdene
[20] straightway would be seeking his evening rest. And he knew that
a battle was doomed in the high hall to the monster when no longer
they could see the light of the sun, or darkening night came stalking
over all the shapes of shadows. The troop of warriors rose up, the
Lord greeted the other, Hrothgar greeted Beowulf, and wished him
good health and the warding of that wine-hall, and he spake the word:
'Since the time that I could lift my hand or my shield, never have I
given the mighty hall of the Danes into the care of any, except now
to thee. Have now and hold thou this best of houses, be thou mindful
of honour, and show thyself courageous, and wakeful 'gainst foes. Nor
shalt thou lack joy if thou escapest from that brave work with life.'
X
Then Hrothgar departed with his troop of heroes, he the Prince
of the Scyldings; out of Hall went he, for the battle-chieftain
would be seeking out Wealtheow his Queen, that they might go to
rest. The glory of kings had appointed a hall-ward, as men say,
against Grendel. A thane was in waiting on the Prince of the Danes,
and his watch was keeping against the giant. The Lord of the Geats
readily trusted the proud strength, the favour of God. Then doffed
he the iron coat of mail and his helmet from his head, and gave his
sword bedecked, the choicest of weapons, to a thane that was serving,
and bade him to hold ready his armour. Then the good man spoke some
words of boasting: 'I reck not myself meaner in war-powers and works
of battle than Grendel doth himself. For I will not with sword put him
to sleep and be taking his life away, though well I might do it. He
knows not of good things, that he may strike me, or hew my shield,
though brave he may be in hostile working--but we two by right will
forbear the sword if he dare be seeking warfare without weapon,
and then God all-knowing, the holy Lord, shall adjudge the glory on
whichever side He may think meet.' Then the bold in fight got him
to rest, and the pillow received the head of the earl, and many a
keen sea-warrior lay down on his bed in the hall about him. None
of them thought that he thence would ever seek another dear home,
folk or free city where he was a child; for they had heard that fell
death had taken, ere this too many, in that wine-hall, of the people
of the Danes. But the Lord gave weavings of war-speed to the people
of the Geats, both comfort and help. So that they all overcame their
enemies through the craft of one man and by his might only. And truly
it is said that God Almighty doth wield for ever the race of men. Then
came in the wan night the shadow-goer gliding. Warriors were sleeping
when they should have been keeping guard over that palace; all save
one only. It was well known to men that their constant foe could not
draw them into shadowy places when the Creator was unwilling. But he,
ever wakeful, in angry mood, and fiercely indignant against the foe,
was waiting the issue.