Then he bade them announce that battle-work at the entrenchment up over
the sea-cliff where that troop of earls sat sorrowful in soul through
the morning-long day, holding their shields and in expectation of the
end of the day and the return of the dear man. And he who rode to and
fro o'er the headland was little sparing of fresh tidings, but said
to all who were sitting there, 'Now is the joy-giver of the people
of the Geats fast on his death-bed, and by the deed of the dragon
he inhabits the place of rest gained by a violent death. And by his
side lieth the enemy of his life, sick of his dagger-wounds. Nor
could he inflict with the sword any wound on that monster. Wiglaf
sits over Beowulf, he the son of Weohstan, the earl over the other
one who is dead, and reverently keeps ward over the loathèd and the
belovèd. But there is an expectation of a time of war to the people,
since to Franks and Frisians the fall of the King has become widely
known. The hard strife was shapen against the Hugs, when Hygelac came
with a fleet into the Frisian lands [81] where the Hetware overcame
him in battle, and by their great strength and courage brought it to
pass that the shield-warrior should stoop. He fell in the troop. Nor
did the Prince give jewelled armour to the doughty ones. The mercy of
the Merewing [82] was not always shown to us. Nor do I expect aught
of peace or good faith from the Swedish People. But it was well known
that Ongentheow [83] bereft Hæthcyn the son of Hrethel [84] of life
over against Ravenswood, when because of pride the warlike Swedes first
sought out the people of the Geats. Soon Ongentheow the wise father of
Ohthere, the ancient and terrible, gave him (Hæthcyn) a return blow,
destroyed the sea-kings, and rescued his bride (Queen Elan) he the
old man rescued his wife bereft of gold, the mother of Onela and of
Ohthere, and then followed up the deadly foe until with difficulty they
retreated all lord-less to Ravenswood. And he attacked the remnant
[85] with a great army, weary though he was with his wounds. And
the live-long night he vowed woe upon the wretched troop, and said
that on the morrow he would by the edge of the sword slay some and
hang them up on the gallows-tree for a sport of the birds. But help
came to the sorrowful in soul at the dawn of day, when they heard
the horn of Hygelac and the blast of his trumpet when the good man
came on the track faring with the doughty warriors of the people.