Beowulf

Anonymous

BEOWULF

PRELUDE OF THE FOUNDER OF THE DANISH HOUSE

LO, praise of the prowess of people-kings

of spear-armed Danes, in days long sped,

we have heard, and what honor the athelings won!

Oft Scyld the Scefing from squadroned foes,

from many a tribe, the mead-bench tore,

awing the earls. Since erst he lay

friendless, a foundling, fate repaid him:

for he waxed under welkin, in wealth he throve,

till before him the folk, both far and near,

who house by the whale-path, heard his mandate,

gave him gifts: a good king he!

To him an heir was afterward born,

a son in his halls, whom heaven sent

to favor the folk, feeling their woe

that erst they had lacked an earl for leader

so long a while; the Lord endowed him,

the Wielder of Wonder, with world's renown.

Famed was this Beowulf:[1] far flew the boast of him,

son of Scyld, in the Scandian lands.

So becomes it a youth to quit him well

with his father's friends, by fee and gift,

that to aid him, aged, in after days,

come warriors willing, should war draw nigh,

liegemen loyal: by lauded deeds

shall an earl have honor in every clan.

Forth he fared at the fated moment,

sturdy Scyld to the shelter of God.

Then they bore him over to ocean's billow,

loving clansmen, as late he charged them,

while wielded words the winsome Scyld,

the leader beloved who long had ruled....

In the roadstead rocked a ring-dight vessel,

ice-flecked, outbound, atheling's barge:

there laid they down their darling lord

on the breast of the boat, the breaker-of-rings,[2]

by the mast the mighty one. Many a treasure

fetched from far was freighted with him.

No ship have I known so nobly dight

with weapons of war and weeds of battle,

with breastplate and blade: on his bosom lay

a heaped hoard that hence should go

far o'er the flood with him floating away.

No less these loaded the lordly gifts,

thanes' huge treasure, than those had done

who in former time forth had sent him

sole on the seas, a suckling child.

High o'er his head they hoist the standard,

a gold-wove banner; let billows take him,

gave him to ocean. Grave were their spirits,

mournful their mood. No man is able

to say in sooth, no son of the halls,

no hero 'neath heaven, -- who harbored that freight!

[1] Not, of course, Beowulf the Great, hero of the epic. [2]

Kenning for king or chieftain of a comitatus: he breaks off gold

from the spiral rings -- often worn on the arm -- and so rewards

his followers.

I

Now Beowulf bode in the burg of the Scyldings,

leader beloved, and long he ruled

in fame with all folk, since his father had gone

away from the world, till awoke an heir,

haughty Healfdene, who held through life,

sage and sturdy, the Scyldings glad.

Then, one after one, there woke to him,

to the chieftain of clansmen, children four:

Heorogar, then Hrothgar, then Halga brave;

and I heard that -- was -- 's queen,

the Heathoscylfing's helpmate dear.

To Hrothgar was given such glory of war,

such honor of combat, that all his kin

obeyed him gladly till great grew his band

of youthful comrades. It came in his mind

to bid his henchmen a hall uprear,

ia master mead-house, mightier far

than ever was seen by the sons of earth,

and within it, then, to old and young

he would all allot that the Lord had sent him,

save only the land and the lives of his men.

Wide, I heard, was the work commanded,

for many a tribe this mid-earth round,

to fashion the folkstead. It fell, as he ordered,

in rapid achievement that ready it stood there,

of halls the noblest: Heorot[1] he named it

whose message had might in many a land.

Not reckless of promise, the rings he dealt,

treasure at banquet: there towered the hall,

high, gabled wide, the hot surge waiting

of furious flame.[2] Nor far was that day

when father and son-in-law stood in feud

for warfare and hatred that woke again.[3]

With envy and anger an evil spirit

endured the dole in his dark abode,

that he heard each day the din of revel

high in the hall: there harps rang out,

clear song of the singer. He sang who knew[4]

tales of the early time of man,

how the Almighty made the earth,

fairest fields enfolded by water,

set, triumphant, sun and moon

for a light to lighten the land-dwellers,

and braided bright the breast of earth

with limbs and leaves, made life for all

of mortal beings that breathe and move.

So lived the clansmen in cheer and revel

a winsome life, till one began

to fashion evils, that field of hell.

Grendel this monster grim was called,

march-riever[5] mighty, in moorland living,

in fen and fastness; fief of the giants

the hapless wight a while had kept

since the Creator his exile doomed.

On kin of Cain was the killing avenged

by sovran God for slaughtered Abel.

Ill fared his feud,[6] and far was he driven,

for the slaughter's sake, from sight of men.

Of Cain awoke all that woful breed,

Etins[7] and elves and evil-spirits,

as well as the giants that warred with God

weary while: but their wage was paid them!

[1] That is, "The Hart," or "Stag," so called from decorations in

the gables that resembled the antlers of a deer. This hall has

been carefully described in a pamphlet by Heyne. The building was

rectangular, with opposite doors -- mainly west and east -- and a

hearth in the middle of th single room. A row of pillars down

each side, at some distance from the walls, made a space which

was raised a little above the main floor, and was furnished with

two rows of seats. On one side, usually south, was the

high-seat midway between the doors. Opposite this, on the other

raised space, was another seat of honor. At the banquet soon to

be described, Hrothgar sat in the south or chief high-seat, and

Beowulf opposite to him. The scene for a flying (see below,

v.499) was thus very effectively set. Planks on trestles -- the

"board" of later English literature -- formed the tables just in

front of the long rows of seats, and were taken away after

banquets, when the retainers were ready to stretch them- selves

out for sleep on the benches. [2] Fire was the usual end of these

halls. See v. 781 below. One thinks of the splendid scene at the

end of the Nibelungen, of the Nialssaga, of Saxo's story of

Amlethus, and many a less famous instance. [3] It is to be

supposed that all hearers of this poem knew how Hrothgar's hall

was burnt, -- perhaps in the unsuccessful attack made on him by

his son-in-law Ingeld. [4] A skilled minstrel. The Danes are

heathens, as one is told presently; but this lay of beginnings is

taken from Genesis. [5] A disturber of the border, one who

sallies from his haunt in the fen and roams over the country near

by. This probably pagan nuisance is now furnished with biblical

credentials as a fiend or devil in good standing, so that all

Christian Englishmen might read about him. "Grendel" may mean one

who grinds and crushes. [6] Cain's. [7] Giants.

II

WENT he forth to find at fall of night

that haughty house, and heed wherever

the Ring-Danes, outrevelled, to rest had gone.

Found within it the atheling band

asleep after feasting and fearless of sorrow,

of human hardship. Unhallowed wight,

grim and greedy, he grasped betimes,

wrathful, reckless, from resting-places,

thirty of the thanes, and thence he rushed

fain of his fell spoil, faring homeward,

laden with slaughter, his lair to seek.

Then at the dawning, as day was breaking,

the might of Grendel to men was known;

then after wassail was wail uplifted,

loud moan in the morn. The mighty chief,

atheling excellent, unblithe sat,

labored in woe for the loss of his thanes,

when once had been traced the trail of the fiend,

spirit accurst: too cruel that sorrow,

too long, too loathsome. Not late the respite;

with night returning, anew began

ruthless murder; he recked no whit,

firm in his guilt, of the feud and crime.

They were easy to find who elsewhere sought

in room remote their rest at night,

bed in the bowers,[1] when that bale was shown,

was seen in sooth, with surest token, --

the hall-thane's[2] hate. Such held themselves

far and fast who the fiend outran!

Thus ruled unrighteous and raged his fill

one against all; until empty stood

that lordly building, and long it bode so.

Twelve years' tide the trouble he bore,

sovran of Scyldings, sorrows in plenty,

boundless cares. There came unhidden

tidings true to the tribes of men,

in sorrowful songs, how ceaselessly Grendel

harassed Hrothgar, what hate he bore him,

what murder and massacre, many a year,

feud unfading, -- refused consent

to deal with any of Daneland's earls,

make pact of peace, or compound for gold:

still less did the wise men ween to get

great fee for the feud from his fiendish hands.

But the evil one ambushed old and young

death-shadow dark, and dogged them still,

lured, or lurked in the livelong night

of misty moorlands: men may say not

where the haunts of these Hell-Runes[3] be.

Such heaping of horrors the hater of men,

lonely roamer, wrought unceasing,

harassings heavy. O'er Heorot he lorded,

gold-bright hall, in gloomy nights;

and ne'er could the prince[4] approach his throne,

-- 'twas judgment of God, -- or have joy in his hall.

Sore was the sorrow to Scyldings'-friend,

heart-rending misery. Many nobles

sat assembled, and searched out counsel

how it were best for bold-hearted men

against harassing terror to try their hand.

Whiles they vowed in their heathen fanes

altar-offerings, asked with words[5]

that the slayer-of-souls would succor give them

for the pain of their people. Their practice this,

their heathen hope; 'twas Hell they thought of

in mood of their mind. Almighty they knew not,

Doomsman of Deeds and dreadful Lord,

nor Heaven's-Helmet heeded they ever,

Wielder-of-Wonder. -- Woe for that man

who in harm and hatred hales his soul

to fiery embraces; -- nor favor nor change

awaits he ever. But well for him

that after death-day may draw to his Lord,

and friendship find in the Father's arms!

[1] The smaller buildings within the main enclosure but separate

from the hall. [2] Grendel. [3] "Sorcerers-of-hell." [4]

Hrothgar, who is the "Scyldings'-friend" of 170. [5] That is, in

formal or prescribed phrase.

III

THUS seethed unceasing the son of Healfdene

with the woe of these days; not wisest men

assuaged his sorrow; too sore the anguish,

loathly and long, that lay on his folk,

most baneful of burdens and bales of the night.

This heard in his home Hygelac's thane,

great among Geats, of Grendel's doings.

He was the mightiest man of valor

in that same day of this our life,

stalwart and stately. A stout wave-walker

he bade make ready. Yon battle-king, said he,

far o'er the swan-road he fain would seek,

the noble monarch who needed men!

The prince's journey by prudent folk

was little blamed, though they loved him dear;

they whetted the hero, and hailed good omens.

And now the bold one from bands of Geats

comrades chose, the keenest of warriors

e'er he could find; with fourteen men

the sea-wood[1] he sought, and, sailor proved,

led them on to the land's confines.

Time had now flown;[2] afloat was the ship,

boat under bluff. On board they climbed,

warriors ready; waves were churning

sea with sand; the sailors bore

on the breast of the bark their bright array,

their mail and weapons: the men pushed off,

on its willing way, the well-braced craft.

Then moved o'er the waters by might of the wind

that bark like a bird with breast of foam,

till in season due, on the second day,

the curved prow such course had run

that sailors now could see the land,

sea-cliffs shining, steep high hills,

headlands broad. Their haven was found,

their journey ended. Up then quickly

the Weders'[3] clansmen climbed ashore,

anchored their sea-wood, with armor clashing

and gear of battle: God they thanked

or passing in peace o'er the paths of the sea.

Now saw from the cliff a Scylding clansman,

a warden that watched the water-side,

how they bore o'er the gangway glittering shields,

war-gear in readiness; wonder seized him

to know what manner of men they were.

Straight to the strand his steed he rode,

Hrothgar's henchman; with hand of might

he shook his spear, and spake in parley.

"Who are ye, then, ye armed men,

mailed folk, that yon mighty vessel

have urged thus over the ocean ways,

here o'er the waters? A warden I,

sentinel set o'er the sea-march here,

lest any foe to the folk of Danes

with harrying fleet should harm the land.

No aliens ever at ease thus bore them,

linden-wielders:[4] yet word-of-leave

clearly ye lack from clansmen here,

my folk's agreement. -- A greater ne'er saw I

of warriors in world than is one of you, --

yon hero in harness! No henchman he

worthied by weapons, if witness his features,

his peerless presence! I pray you, though, tell

your folk and home, lest hence ye fare

suspect to wander your way as spies

in Danish land. Now, dwellers afar,

ocean-travellers, take from me

simple advice: the sooner the better

I hear of the country whence ye came."

[1] Ship. [2] That is, since Beowulf selected his ship and led

his men to the harbor. [3] One of the auxiliary names of the

Geats. [4] Or: Not thus openly ever came warriors hither; yet...

IV

To him the stateliest spake in answer;

the warriors' leader his word-hoard unlocked: --

"We are by kin of the clan of Geats,

and Hygelac's own hearth-fellows we.

To folk afar was my father known,

noble atheling, Ecgtheow named.

Full of winters, he fared away

aged from earth; he is honored still

through width of the world by wise men all.

To thy lord and liege in loyal mood

we hasten hither, to Healfdene's son,

people-protector: be pleased to advise us!

To that mighty-one come we on mickle errand,

to the lord of the Danes; nor deem I right

that aught be hidden. We hear -- thou knowest

if sooth it is -- the saying of men,

that amid the Scyldings a scathing monster,

dark ill-doer, in dusky nights

shows terrific his rage unmatched,

hatred and murder. To Hrothgar I

in greatness of soul would succor bring,

so the Wise-and-Brave[1] may worst his foes, --

if ever the end of ills is fated,

of cruel contest, if cure shall follow,

and the boiling care-waves cooler grow;

else ever afterward anguish-days

he shall suffer in sorrow while stands in place

high on its hill that house unpeered!"

Astride his steed, the strand-ward answered,

clansman unquailing: "The keen-souled thane

must be skilled to sever and sunder duly

words and works, if he well intends.

I gather, this band is graciously bent

to the Scyldings' master. March, then, bearing

weapons and weeds the way I show you.

I will bid my men your boat meanwhile

to guard for fear lest foemen come, --

your new-tarred ship by shore of ocean

faithfully watching till once again

it waft o'er the waters those well-loved thanes,

-- winding-neck'd wood, -- to Weders' bounds,

heroes such as the hest of fate

shall succor and save from the shock of war."

They bent them to march, -- the boat lay still,

fettered by cable and fast at anchor,

broad-bosomed ship. -- Then shone the boars[2]

over the cheek-guard; chased with gold,

keen and gleaming, guard it kept

o'er the man of war, as marched along

heroes in haste, till the hall they saw,

broad of gable and bright with gold:

that was the fairest, 'mid folk of earth,

of houses 'neath heaven, where Hrothgar lived,

and the gleam of it lightened o'er lands afar.

The sturdy shieldsman showed that bright

burg-of-the-boldest; bade them go

straightway thither; his steed then turned,

hardy hero, and hailed them thus: --

"Tis time that I fare from you. Father Almighty

in grace and mercy guard you well,

safe in your seekings. Seaward I go,

'gainst hostile warriors hold my watch."

[1] Hrothgar. [2] Beowulf's helmet has several boar-images on it;

he is the "man of war"; and the boar-helmet guards him as typical

representative of the marching party as a whole. The boar was

sacred to Freyr, who was the favorite god of the Germanic tribes

about the North Sea and the Baltic. Rude representations of

warriors show the boar on the helmet quite as large as the helmet

itself.

V

STONE-BRIGHT the street:[1] it showed the way

to the crowd of clansmen. Corselets glistened

hand-forged, hard; on their harness bright

the steel ring sang, as they strode along

in mail of battle, and marched to the hall.

There, weary of ocean, the wall along

they set their bucklers, their broad shields, down,

and bowed them to bench: the breastplates clanged,

war-gear of men; their weapons stacked,

spears of the seafarers stood together,

gray-tipped ash: that iron band

was worthily weaponed! -- A warrior proud

asked of the heroes their home and kin.

"Whence, now, bear ye burnished shields,

harness gray and helmets grim,

spears in multitude? Messenger, I,

Hrothgar's herald! Heroes so many

ne'er met I as strangers of mood so strong.

'Tis plain that for prowess, not plunged into exile,

for high-hearted valor, Hrothgar ye seek!"

Him the sturdy-in-war bespake with words,

proud earl of the Weders answer made,

hardy 'neath helmet: -- "Hygelac's, we,

fellows at board; I am Beowulf named.

I am seeking to say to the son of Healfdene

this mission of mine, to thy master-lord,

the doughty prince, if he deign at all

grace that we greet him, the good one, now."

Wulfgar spake, the Wendles' chieftain,

whose might of mind to many was known,

his courage and counsel: "The king of Danes,

the Scyldings' friend, I fain will tell,

the Breaker-of-Rings, as the boon thou askest,

the famed prince, of thy faring hither,

and, swiftly after, such answer bring

as the doughty monarch may deign to give."

Hied then in haste to where Hrothgar sat

white-haired and old, his earls about him,

till the stout thane stood at the shoulder there

of the Danish king: good courtier he!

Wulfgar spake to his winsome lord: --

"Hither have fared to thee far-come men

o'er the paths of ocean, people of Geatland;

and the stateliest there by his sturdy band

is Beowulf named. This boon they seek,

that they, my master, may with thee

have speech at will: nor spurn their prayer

to give them hearing, gracious Hrothgar!

In weeds of the warrior worthy they,

methinks, of our liking; their leader most surely,

a hero that hither his henchmen has led."

[1] Either merely paved, the strata via of the Romans, or else

thought of as a sort of mosaic, an extravagant touch like the

reckless waste of gold on the walls and roofs of a hall.

VI

HROTHGAR answered, helmet of Scyldings: --

"I knew him of yore in his youthful days;

his aged father was Ecgtheow named,

to whom, at home, gave Hrethel the Geat

his only daughter. Their offspring bold

fares hither to seek the steadfast friend.

And seamen, too, have said me this, --

who carried my gifts to the Geatish court,

thither for thanks, -- he has thirty men's

heft of grasp in the gripe of his hand,

the bold-in-battle. Blessed God

out of his mercy this man hath sent

to Danes of the West, as I ween indeed,

against horror of Grendel. I hope to give

the good youth gold for his gallant thought.

Be thou in haste, and bid them hither,

clan of kinsmen, to come before me;

and add this word, -- they are welcome guests

to folk of the Danes."

[To the door of the hall

Wulfgar went] and the word declared: --

"To you this message my master sends,

East-Danes' king, that your kin he knows,

hardy heroes, and hails you all

welcome hither o'er waves of the sea!

Ye may wend your way in war-attire,

and under helmets Hrothgar greet;

but let here the battle-shields bide your parley,

and wooden war-shafts wait its end."

Uprose the mighty one, ringed with his men,

brave band of thanes: some bode without,

battle-gear guarding, as bade the chief.

Then hied that troop where the herald led them,

under Heorot's roof: [the hero strode,]

hardy 'neath helm, till the hearth he neared.

Beowulf spake, -- his breastplate gleamed,

war-net woven by wit of the smith: --

"Thou Hrothgar, hail! Hygelac's I,

kinsman and follower. Fame a plenty

have I gained in youth! These Grendel-deeds

I heard in my home-land heralded clear.

Seafarers say how stands this hall,

of buildings best, for your band of thanes

empty and idle, when evening sun

in the harbor of heaven is hidden away.

So my vassals advised me well, --

brave and wise, the best of men, --

O sovran Hrothgar, to seek thee here,

for my nerve and my might they knew full well.

Themselves had seen me from slaughter come

blood-flecked from foes, where five I bound,

and that wild brood worsted. I' the waves I slew

nicors[1] by night, in need and peril

avenging the Weders,[2] whose woe they sought, --

crushing the grim ones. Grendel now,

monster cruel, be mine to quell

in single battle! So, from thee,

thou sovran of the Shining-Danes,

Scyldings'-bulwark, a boon I seek, --

and, Friend-of-the-folk, refuse it not,

O Warriors'-shield, now I've wandered far, --

that I alone with my liegemen here,

this hardy band, may Heorot purge!

More I hear, that the monster dire,

in his wanton mood, of weapons recks not;

hence shall I scorn -- so Hygelac stay,

king of my kindred, kind to me! --

brand or buckler to bear in the fight,

gold-colored targe: but with gripe alone

must I front the fiend and fight for life,

foe against foe. Then faith be his

in the doom of the Lord whom death shall take.

Fain, I ween, if the fight he win,

in this hall of gold my Geatish band

will he fearless eat, -- as oft before, --

my noblest thanes. Nor need'st thou then

to hide my head;[3] for his shall I be,

dyed in gore, if death must take me;

and my blood-covered body he'll bear as prey,

ruthless devour it, the roamer-lonely,

with my life-blood redden his lair in the fen:

no further for me need'st food prepare!

To Hygelac send, if Hild[4] should take me,

best of war-weeds, warding my breast,

armor excellent, heirloom of Hrethel

and work of Wayland.[5] Fares Wyrd[6] as she must."

[1] The nicor, says Bugge, is a hippopotamus; a walrus, says ten

Brink. But that water-goblin who covers the space from Old Nick

of jest to the Neckan and Nix of poetry and tale, is all one

needs, and Nicor is a good name for him. [2] His own people, the

Geats. [3] That is, cover it as with a face-cloth. "There will be

no need of funeral rites." [4] Personification of Battle. [5] The

Germanic Vulcan. [6] This mighty power, whom the Christian poet

can still revere, has here the general force of "Destiny."

VII

HROTHGAR spake, the Scyldings'-helmet: --

"For fight defensive, Friend my Beowulf,

to succor and save, thou hast sought us here.

Thy father's combat[1] a feud enkindled

when Heatholaf with hand he slew

among the Wylfings; his Weder kin

for horror of fighting feared to hold him.

Fleeing, he sought our South-Dane folk,

over surge of ocean the Honor-Scyldings,

when first I was ruling the folk of Danes,

wielded, youthful, this widespread realm,

this hoard-hold of heroes. Heorogar was dead,

my elder brother, had breathed his last,

Healfdene's bairn: he was better than I!

Straightway the feud with fee[2] I settled,

to the Wylfings sent, o'er watery ridges,

treasures olden: oaths he[3] swore me.

Sore is my soul to say to any

of the race of man what ruth for me

in Heorot Grendel with hate hath wrought,

what sudden harryings. Hall-folk fail me,

my warriors wane; for Wyrd hath swept them

into Grendel's grasp. But God is able

this deadly foe from his deeds to turn!

Boasted full oft, as my beer they drank,

earls o'er the ale-cup, armed men,

that they would bide in the beer-hall here,

Grendel's attack with terror of blades.

Then was this mead-house at morning tide

dyed with gore, when the daylight broke,

all the boards of the benches blood-besprinkled,

gory the hall: I had heroes the less,

doughty dear-ones that death had reft.

-- But sit to the banquet, unbind thy words,

hardy hero, as heart shall prompt thee."

Gathered together, the Geatish men

in the banquet-hall on bench assigned,

sturdy-spirited, sat them down,

hardy-hearted. A henchman attended,

carried the carven cup in hand,

served the clear mead. Oft minstrels sang

blithe in Heorot. Heroes revelled,

no dearth of warriors, Weder and Dane.

[1] There is no irrelevance here. Hrothgar sees in Beowulf's

mission a heritage of duty, a return of the good offices which

the Danish king rendered to Beowulf's father in time of dire

need. [2] Money, for wergild, or man-price. [3] Ecgtheow,

Beowulf's sire.

VIII

UNFERTH spake, the son of Ecglaf,

who sat at the feet of the Scyldings' lord,

unbound the battle-runes.[1] -- Beowulf's quest,

sturdy seafarer's, sorely galled him;

ever he envied that other men

should more achieve in middle-earth

of fame under heaven than he himself. --

"Art thou that Beowulf, Breca's rival,

who emulous swam on the open sea,

when for pride the pair of you proved the floods,

and wantonly dared in waters deep

to risk your lives? No living man,

or lief or loath, from your labor dire

could you dissuade, from swimming the main.

Ocean-tides with your arms ye covered,

with strenuous hands the sea-streets measured,

swam o'er the waters. Winter's storm

rolled the rough waves. In realm of sea

a sennight strove ye. In swimming he topped thee,

had more of main! Him at morning-tide

billows bore to the Battling Reamas,

whence he hied to his home so dear

beloved of his liegemen, to land of Brondings,

fastness fair, where his folk he ruled,

town and treasure. In triumph o'er thee

Beanstan's bairn[2] his boast achieved.

So ween I for thee a worse adventure

-- though in buffet of battle thou brave hast been,

in struggle grim, -- if Grendel's approach

thou darst await through the watch of night!"

Beowulf spake, bairn of Ecgtheow: --

"What a deal hast uttered, dear my Unferth,

drunken with beer, of Breca now,

told of his triumph! Truth I claim it,

that I had more of might in the sea

than any man else, more ocean-endurance.

We twain had talked, in time of youth,

and made our boast, -- we were merely boys,

striplings still, -- to stake our lives

far at sea: and so we performed it.

Naked swords, as we swam along,

we held in hand, with hope to guard us

against the whales. Not a whit from me

could he float afar o'er the flood of waves,

haste o'er the billows; nor him I abandoned.

Together we twain on the tides abode

five nights full till the flood divided us,

churning waves and chillest weather,

darkling night, and the northern wind

ruthless rushed on us: rough was the surge.

Now the wrath of the sea-fish rose apace;

yet me 'gainst the monsters my mailed coat,

hard and hand-linked, help afforded, --

battle-sark braided my breast to ward,

garnished with gold. There grasped me firm

and haled me to bottom the hated foe,

with grimmest gripe. 'Twas granted me, though,

to pierce the monster with point of sword,

with blade of battle: huge beast of the sea

was whelmed by the hurly through hand of mine.

[1] "Began the fight." [2] Breca.

IX

ME thus often the evil monsters

thronging threatened. With thrust of my sword,

the darling, I dealt them due return!

Nowise had they bliss from their booty then

to devour their victim, vengeful creatures,

seated to banquet at bottom of sea;

but at break of day, by my brand sore hurt,

on the edge of ocean up they lay,

put to sleep by the sword. And since, by them

on the fathomless sea-ways sailor-folk

are never molested. -- Light from east,

came bright God's beacon; the billows sank,

so that I saw the sea-cliffs high,

windy walls. For Wyrd oft saveth

earl undoomed if he doughty be!

And so it came that I killed with my sword

nine of the nicors. Of night-fought battles

ne'er heard I a harder 'neath heaven's dome,

nor adrift on the deep a more desolate man!

Yet I came unharmed from that hostile clutch,

though spent with swimming. The sea upbore me,

flood of the tide, on Finnish land,

the welling waters. No wise of thee

have I heard men tell such terror of falchions,

bitter battle. Breca ne'er yet,

not one of you pair, in the play of war

such daring deed has done at all

with bloody brand, -- I boast not of it! --

though thou wast the bane[1] of thy brethren dear,

thy closest kin, whence curse of hell

awaits thee, well as thy wit may serve!

For I say in sooth, thou son of Ecglaf,

never had Grendel these grim deeds wrought,

monster dire, on thy master dear,

in Heorot such havoc, if heart of thine

were as battle-bold as thy boast is loud!

But he has found no feud will happen;

from sword-clash dread of your Danish clan

he vaunts him safe, from the Victor-Scyldings.

He forces pledges, favors none

of the land of Danes, but lustily murders,

fights and feasts, nor feud he dreads

from Spear-Dane men. But speedily now

shall I prove him the prowess and pride of the Geats,

shall bid him battle. Blithe to mead

go he that listeth, when light of dawn

this morrow morning o'er men of earth,

ether-robed sun from the south shall beam!"

Joyous then was the Jewel-giver,

hoar-haired, war-brave; help awaited

the Bright-Danes' prince, from Beowulf hearing,

folk's good shepherd, such firm resolve.

Then was laughter of liegemen loud resounding

with winsome words. Came Wealhtheow forth,

queen of Hrothgar, heedful of courtesy,

gold-decked, greeting the guests in hall;

and the high-born lady handed the cup

first to the East-Danes' heir and warden,

bade him be blithe at the beer-carouse,

the land's beloved one. Lustily took he

banquet and beaker, battle-famed king.

Through the hall then went the Helmings' Lady,

to younger and older everywhere

carried the cup, till come the moment

when the ring-graced queen, the royal-hearted,

to Beowulf bore the beaker of mead.

She greeted the Geats' lord, God she thanked,

in wisdom's words, that her will was granted,

that at last on a hero her hope could lean

for comfort in terrors. The cup he took,

hardy-in-war, from Wealhtheow's hand,

and answer uttered the eager-for-combat.

Beowulf spake, bairn of Ecgtheow: --

"This was my thought, when my thanes and I

bent to the ocean and entered our boat,

that I would work the will of your people

fully, or fighting fall in death,

in fiend's gripe fast. I am firm to do

an earl's brave deed, or end the days

of this life of mine in the mead-hall here."

Well these words to the woman seemed,

Beowulf's battle-boast. -- Bright with gold

the stately dame by her spouse sat down.

Again, as erst, began in hall

warriors' wassail and words of power,

the proud-band's revel, till presently

the son of Healfdene hastened to seek

rest for the night; he knew there waited

fight for the fiend in that festal hall,

when the sheen of the sun they saw no more,

and dusk of night sank darkling nigh,

and shadowy shapes came striding on,

wan under welkin. The warriors rose.

Man to man, he made harangue,

Hrothgar to Beowulf, bade him hail,

let him wield the wine hall: a word he added: --

"Never to any man erst I trusted,

since I could heave up hand and shield,

this noble Dane-Hall, till now to thee.

Have now and hold this house unpeered;

remember thy glory; thy might declare;

watch for the foe! No wish shall fail thee

if thou bidest the battle with bold-won life."

[1] Murder.

X

THEN Hrothgar went with his hero-train,

defence-of-Scyldings, forth from hall;

fain would the war-lord Wealhtheow seek,

couch of his queen. The King-of-Glory

against this Grendel a guard had set,

so heroes heard, a hall-defender,

who warded the monarch and watched for the monster.

In truth, the Geats' prince gladly trusted

his mettle, his might, the mercy of God!

Cast off then his corselet of iron,

helmet from head; to his henchman gave, --

choicest of weapons, -- the well-chased sword,

bidding him guard the gear of battle.

Spake then his Vaunt the valiant man,

Beowulf Geat, ere the bed be sought: --

"Of force in fight no feebler I count me,

in grim war-deeds, than Grendel deems him.

Not with the sword, then, to sleep of death

his life will I give, though it lie in my power.

No skill is his to strike against me,

my shield to hew though he hardy be,

bold in battle; we both, this night,

shall spurn the sword, if he seek me here,

unweaponed, for war. Let wisest God,

sacred Lord, on which side soever

doom decree as he deemeth right."

Reclined then the chieftain, and cheek-pillows held

the head of the earl, while all about him

seamen hardy on hall-beds sank.

None of them thought that thence their steps

to the folk and fastness that fostered them,

to the land they loved, would lead them back!

Full well they wist that on warriors many

battle-death seized, in the banquet-hall,

of Danish clan. But comfort and help,

war-weal weaving, to Weder folk

the Master gave, that, by might of one,

over their enemy all prevailed,

by single strength. In sooth 'tis told

that highest God o'er human kind

hath wielded ever! -- Thro' wan night striding,

came the walker-in-shadow. Warriors slept

whose hest was to guard the gabled hall, --

all save one. 'Twas widely known

that against God's will the ghostly ravager

him[1] could not hurl to haunts of darkness;

wakeful, ready, with warrior's wrath,

bold he bided the battle's issue.

[1] Beowulf, -- the "one."

XI

THEN from the moorland, by misty crags,

with God's wrath laden, Grendel came.

The monster was minded of mankind now

sundry to seize in the stately house.

Under welkin he walked, till the wine-palace there,

gold-hall of men, he gladly discerned,

flashing with fretwork. Not first time, this,

that he the home of Hrothgar sought, --

yet ne'er in his life-day, late or early,

such hardy heroes, such hall-thanes, found!

To the house the warrior walked apace,

parted from peace;[1] the portal opended,

though with forged bolts fast, when his fists had

struck it,

and baleful he burst in his blatant rage,

the house's mouth. All hastily, then,

o'er fair-paved floor the fiend trod on,

ireful he strode; there streamed from his eyes

fearful flashes, like flame to see.

He spied in hall the hero-band,

kin and clansmen clustered asleep,

hardy liegemen. Then laughed his heart;

for the monster was minded, ere morn should dawn,

savage, to sever the soul of each,

life from body, since lusty banquet

waited his will! But Wyrd forbade him

to seize any more of men on earth

after that evening. Eagerly watched

Hygelac's kinsman his cursed foe,

how he would fare in fell attack.

Not that the monster was minded to pause!

Straightway he seized a sleeping warrior

for the first, and tore him fiercely asunder,

the bone-frame bit, drank blood in streams,

swallowed him piecemeal: swiftly thus

the lifeless corse was clear devoured,

e'en feet and hands. Then farther he hied;

for the hardy hero with hand he grasped,

felt for the foe with fiendish claw,

for the hero reclining, -- who clutched it boldly,

prompt to answer, propped on his arm.

Soon then saw that shepherd-of-evils

that never he met in this middle-world,

in the ways of earth, another wight

with heavier hand-gripe; at heart he feared,

sorrowed in soul, -- none the sooner escaped!

Fain would he flee, his fastness seek,

the den of devils: no doings now

such as oft he had done in days of old!

Then bethought him the hardy Hygelac-thane

of his boast at evening: up he bounded,

grasped firm his foe, whose fingers cracked.

The fiend made off, but the earl close followed.

The monster meant -- if he might at all --

to fling himself free, and far away

fly to the fens, -- knew his fingers' power

in the gripe of the grim one. Gruesome march

to Heorot this monster of harm had made!

Din filled the room; the Danes were bereft,

castle-dwellers and clansmen all,

earls, of their ale. Angry were both

those savage hall-guards: the house resounded.

Wonder it was the wine-hall firm

in the strain of their struggle stood, to earth

the fair house fell not; too fast it was

within and without by its iron bands

craftily clamped; though there crashed from sill

many a mead-bench -- men have told me --

gay with gold, where the grim foes wrestled.

So well had weened the wisest Scyldings

that not ever at all might any man

that bone-decked, brave house break asunder,

crush by craft, -- unless clasp of fire

in smoke engulfed it. -- Again uprose

din redoubled. Danes of the North

with fear and frenzy were filled, each one,

who from the wall that wailing heard,

God's foe sounding his grisly song,

cry of the conquered, clamorous pain

from captive of hell. Too closely held him

he who of men in might was strongest

in that same day of this our life.

[1] That is, he was a "lost soul," doomed to hell.

XII

NOT in any wise would the earls'-defence[1]

suffer that slaughterous stranger to live,

useless deeming his days and years

to men on earth. Now many an earl

of Beowulf brandished blade ancestral,

fain the life of their lord to shield,

their praised prince, if power were theirs;

never they knew, -- as they neared the foe,

hardy-hearted heroes of war,

aiming their swords on every side

the accursed to kill, -- no keenest blade,

no farest of falchions fashioned on earth,

could harm or hurt that hideous fiend!

He was safe, by his spells, from sword of battle,

from edge of iron. Yet his end and parting

on that same day of this our life

woful should be, and his wandering soul

far off flit to the fiends' domain.

Soon he found, who in former days,

harmful in heart and hated of God,

on many a man such murder wrought,

that the frame of his body failed him now.

For him the keen-souled kinsman of Hygelac

held in hand; hateful alive

was each to other. The outlaw dire

took mortal hurt; a mighty wound

showed on his shoulder, and sinews cracked,

and the bone-frame burst. To Beowulf now

the glory was given, and Grendel thence

death-sick his den in the dark moor sought,

noisome abode: he knew too well

that here was the last of life, an end

of his days on earth. -- To all the Danes

by that bloody battle the boon had come.

From ravage had rescued the roving stranger

Hrothgar's hall; the hardy and wise one

had purged it anew. His night-work pleased him,

his deed and its honor. To Eastern Danes

had the valiant Geat his vaunt made good,

all their sorrow and ills assuaged,

their bale of battle borne so long,

and all the dole they erst endured

pain a-plenty. -- 'Twas proof of this,

when the hardy-in-fight a hand laid down,

arm and shoulder, -- all, indeed,

of Grendel's gripe, -- 'neath the gabled roof.

[1] Kenning for Beowulf.

XIII

MANY at morning, as men have told me,

warriors gathered the gift-hall round,

folk-leaders faring from far and near,

o'er wide-stretched ways, the wonder to view,

trace of the traitor. Not troublous seemed

the enemy's end to any man

who saw by the gait of the graceless foe

how the weary-hearted, away from thence,

baffled in battle and banned, his steps

death-marked dragged to the devils' mere.

Bloody the billows were boiling there,

turbid the tide of tumbling waves

horribly seething, with sword-blood hot,

by that doomed one dyed, who in den of the moor

laid forlorn his life adown,

his heathen soul, and hell received it.

Home then rode the hoary clansmen

from that merry journey, and many a youth,

on horses white, the hardy warriors,

back from the mere. Then Beowulf's glory

eager they echoed, and all averred

that from sea to sea, or south or north,

there was no other in earth's domain,

under vault of heaven, more valiant found,

of warriors none more worthy to rule!

(On their lord beloved they laid no slight,

gracious Hrothgar: a good king he!)

From time to time, the tried-in-battle

their gray steeds set to gallop amain,

and ran a race when the road seemed fair.

From time to time, a thane of the king,

who had made many vaunts, and was mindful of verses,

stored with sagas and songs of old,

bound word to word in well-knit rime,

welded his lay; this warrior soon

of Beowulf's quest right cleverly sang,

and artfully added an excellent tale,

in well-ranged words, of the warlike deeds

he had heard in saga of Sigemund.

Strange the story: he said it all, --

the Waelsing's wanderings wide, his struggles,

which never were told to tribes of men,

the feuds and the frauds, save to Fitela only,

when of these doings he deigned to speak,

uncle to nephew; as ever the twain

stood side by side in stress of war,

and multitude of the monster kind

they had felled with their swords. Of Sigemund grew,

when he passed from life, no little praise;

for the doughty-in-combat a dragon killed

that herded the hoard:[1] under hoary rock

the atheling dared the deed alone

fearful quest, nor was Fitela there.

Yet so it befell, his falchion pierced

that wondrous worm, -- on the wall it struck,

best blade; the dragon died in its blood.

Thus had the dread-one by daring achieved

over the ring-hoard to rule at will,

himself to pleasure; a sea-boat he loaded,

and bore on its bosom the beaming gold,

son of Waels; the worm was consumed.

He had of all heroes the highest renown

among races of men, this refuge-of-warriors,

for deeds of daring that decked his name

since the hand and heart of Heremod

grew slack in battle. He, swiftly banished

to mingle with monsters at mercy of foes,

to death was betrayed; for torrents of sorrow

had lamed him too long; a load of care

to earls and athelings all he proved.

Oft indeed, in earlier days,

for the warrior's wayfaring wise men mourned,

who had hoped of him help from harm and bale,

and had thought their sovran's son would thrive,

follow his father, his folk protect,

the hoard and the stronghold, heroes' land,

home of Scyldings. -- But here, thanes said,

the kinsman of Hygelac kinder seemed

to all: the other[2] was urged to crime!

And afresh to the race,[3] the fallow roads

by swift steeds measured! The morning sun

was climbing higher. Clansmen hastened

to the high-built hall, those hardy-minded,

the wonder to witness. Warden of treasure,

crowned with glory, the king himself,

with stately band from the bride-bower strode;

and with him the queen and her crowd of maidens

measured the path to the mead-house fair.

[1] "Guarded the treasure." [2] Sc. Heremod. [3] The singer has

sung his lays, and the epic resumes its story. The time-relations

are not altogether good in this long passage which describes the

rejoicings of "the day after"; but the present shift from the

riders on the road to the folk at the hall is not very violent,

and is of a piece with the general style.

XIV

HROTHGAR spake, -- to the hall he went,

stood by the steps, the steep roof saw,

garnished with gold, and Grendel's hand: --

"For the sight I see to the Sovran Ruler

be speedy thanks! A throng of sorrows

I have borne from Grendel; but God still works

wonder on wonder, the Warden-of-Glory.

It was but now that I never more

for woes that weighed on me waited help

long as I lived, when, laved in blood,

stood sword-gore-stained this stateliest house, --

widespread woe for wise men all,

who had no hope to hinder ever

foes infernal and fiendish sprites

from havoc in hall. This hero now,

by the Wielder's might, a work has done

that not all of us erst could ever do

by wile and wisdom. Lo, well can she say

whoso of women this warrior bore

among sons of men, if still she liveth,

that the God of the ages was good to her

in the birth of her bairn. Now, Beowulf, thee,

of heroes best, I shall heartily love

as mine own, my son; preserve thou ever

this kinship new: thou shalt never lack

wealth of the world that I wield as mine!

Full oft for less have I largess showered,

my precious hoard, on a punier man,

less stout in struggle. Thyself hast now

fulfilled such deeds, that thy fame shall endure

through all the ages. As ever he did,

well may the Wielder reward thee still!"

Beowulf spake, bairn of Ecgtheow: --

"This work of war most willingly

we have fought, this fight, and fearlessly dared

force of the foe. Fain, too, were I

hadst thou but seen himself, what time

the fiend in his trappings tottered to fall!

Swiftly, I thought, in strongest gripe

on his bed of death to bind him down,

that he in the hent of this hand of mine

should breathe his last: but he broke away.

Him I might not -- the Maker willed not --

hinder from flight, and firm enough hold

the life-destroyer: too sturdy was he,

the ruthless, in running! For rescue, however,

he left behind him his hand in pledge,

arm and shoulder; nor aught of help

could the cursed one thus procure at all.

None the longer liveth he, loathsome fiend,

sunk in his sins, but sorrow holds him

tightly grasped in gripe of anguish,

in baleful bonds, where bide he must,

evil outlaw, such awful doom

as the Mighty Maker shall mete him out."

More silent seemed the son of Ecglaf[1]

in boastful speech of his battle-deeds,

since athelings all, through the earl's great prowess,

beheld that hand, on the high roof gazing,

foeman's fingers, -- the forepart of each

of the sturdy nails to steel was likest, --

heathen's "hand-spear," hostile warrior's

claw uncanny. 'Twas clear, they said,

that him no blade of the brave could touch,

how keen soever, or cut away

that battle-hand bloody from baneful foe.

[1] Unferth, Beowulf's sometime opponent in the flyting.

XV

THERE was hurry and hest in Heorot now

for hands to bedeck it, and dense was the throng

of men and women the wine-hall to cleanse,

the guest-room to garnish. Gold-gay shone the hangings

that were wove on the wall, and wonders many

to delight each mortal that looks upon them.

Though braced within by iron bands,

that building bright was broken sorely;[1]

rent were its hinges; the roof alone

held safe and sound, when, seared with crime,

the fiendish foe his flight essayed,

of life despairing. -- No light thing that,

the flight for safety, -- essay it who will!

Forced of fate, he shall find his way

to the refuge ready for race of man,

for soul-possessors, and sons of earth;

and there his body on bed of death

shall rest after revel.

Arrived was the hour

when to hall proceeded Healfdene's son:

the king himself would sit to banquet.

Ne'er heard I of host in haughtier throng

more graciously gathered round giver-of-rings!

Bowed then to bench those bearers-of-glory,

fain of the feasting. Featly received

many a mead-cup the mighty-in-spirit,

kinsmen who sat in the sumptuous hall,

Hrothgar and Hrothulf. Heorot now

was filled with friends; the folk of Scyldings

ne'er yet had tried the traitor's deed.

To Beowulf gave the bairn of Healfdene

a gold-wove banner, guerdon of triumph,

broidered battle-flag, breastplate and helmet;

and a splendid sword was seen of many

borne to the brave one. Beowulf took

cup in hall:[2] for such costly gifts

he suffered no shame in that soldier throng.

For I heard of few heroes, in heartier mood,

with four such gifts, so fashioned with gold,

on the ale-bench honoring others thus!

O'er the roof of the helmet high, a ridge,

wound with wires, kept ward o'er the head,

lest the relict-of-files[3] should fierce invade,

sharp in the strife, when that shielded hero

should go to grapple against his foes.

Then the earls'-defence[4] on the floor[5] bade lead

coursers eight, with carven head-gear,

adown the hall: one horse was decked

with a saddle all shining and set in jewels;

'twas the battle-seat of the best of kings,

when to play of swords the son of Healfdene

was fain to fare. Ne'er failed his valor

in the crush of combat when corpses fell.

To Beowulf over them both then gave

the refuge-of-Ingwines right and power,

o'er war-steeds and weapons: wished him joy of them.

Manfully thus the mighty prince,

hoard-guard for heroes, that hard fight repaid

with steeds and treasures contemned by none

who is willing to say the sooth aright.

[1] There is no horrible inconsistency here such as the critics

strive and cry about. In spite of the ruin that Grendel and

Beowulf had made within the hall, the framework and roof held

firm, and swift repairs made the interior habitable. Tapestries

were hung on the walls, and willing hands prepared the banquet.

[2] From its formal use in other places, this phrase, to take cup

in hall, or "on the floor," would seem to mean that Beowulf

stood up to receive his gifts, drink to the donor, and say

thanks. [3] Kenning for sword. [4] Hrothgar. He is also the

"refuge of the friends of Ing," below. Ing belongs to myth. [5]

Horses are frequently led or ridden into the hall where folk sit

at banquet: so in Chaucer's Squire's tale, in the ballad of King

Estmere, and in the romances.

XVI

AND the lord of earls, to each that came

with Beowulf over the briny ways,

an heirloom there at the ale-bench gave,

precious gift; and the price[1] bade pay

in gold for him whom Grendel erst

murdered, -- and fain of them more had killed,

had not wisest God their Wyrd averted,

and the man's[2] brave mood. The Maker then

ruled human kind, as here and now.

Therefore is insight always best,

and forethought of mind. How much awaits him

of lief and of loath, who long time here,

through days of warfare this world endures!