_Unferth, a thane of Hrothgar, grows jealous of Beowulf and taunts
him, raking up old tales of a swimming-match with Breca. Beowulf
is angered and boastfully tells the truth touching that adventure,
and puts Unferth to silence. Queen Wealhtheow passes the cup.
Hrothgar commends Heorot to the care of Beowulf._
Unferth, the son of Ecglaf, who sat at the feet of the lord of the
Scyldings, spoke, and stirred up a quarrel; the coming of Beowulf,
the brave seafarer, vexed him sore, for he would not that any
other man under heaven should ever win more glories in this world
than he himself. ‘Art thou that Beowulf who didst strive with
Breca on the broad sea and didst contend with him in swimming,
when ye two, foolhardy, made trial of the waves and for a mad
boast risked your lives in the deep water? None, friend or foe,
could turn you from the sorry venture when ye two swam out upon
the sea. But ye enfolded the ocean-streams with your arms,
measured the sea-streets, buffeted the water with your hands,
gliding over the deep. The ocean was tossing with waves,
a winter’s sea. Seven nights ye toiled in the power of the waters;
and he overcame thee in the match, for he had the greater
strength. Then at morning-tide the sea cast him up on the coast of
the Heathoræmas, whence he, beloved of his people, went to his
dear fatherland, the country of the Brondings, and his own fair
city where he was lord of a stronghold, and of subjects and
treasure. Verily, the son of Beanstan made good all his boast
against thee. Wherefore, though thou hast ever been valiant in the
rush of battle, I look to a grim fight, yea, and a worse issue,
for thee, if thou darest for the space of one night abide near
Grendel.’