ΙΟ in buffets worsted, had, death-doomed and fugitive, fled in mortal terror to the nickers' mere. There was the face of the lake surging with blood, the gruesome 5 plash of waves all turbid with reeking gore, with sword-spilth; — the deathdoomed (Grendel) had discolored it; presently he, void of joyance, in fenny covert yielded up his life, his heathen soul; there did Hela receive him. war-bill would touch that destroyer, but he had by enchantment secured himself against victorious weapons, edges of all kinds. His life-parting [in the day of this life] was destined to be woeful, and the outcast spirit must travel far off into the realm of fiends. Then discovered he that, he who erst in wanton mood had wrought huge atrocity upon mankind he was out of God's peace—that his 10 body was not at his command, but the valiant kinsman of Hygelac had got hold of him by the hand; to either was the other's life loathsome. A deadly wound the foul warlock got; on his shoulder the 15 fatal crack appeared; the sinews sprang wide, the bone-coverings burst. To Beowulf was victory given; Grendel must flee life-sick there from to the coverts of the fen, must make for a cheerless habitation; 20 the firmament preferable were or worfull well he knew that the end of his life was reached, the number of his days. All the Danes had in the issue of that dire struggle the fulfilment of their de Thence back home went the old companions along with many a bachelor from the pleasure-trip; from the mere in high spirits riding on horses, barons on jennets. There was Beowulf's achievement rehearsed; many a one often said that south nor north between the seas all the wide world over, other none of shieldbearing warriors under the compass of thier of sovereignty. They did not, however, at all disparage their natural lord, gracious Hrothgar; but he was a good king! Now and then the gallant warriors loosened their russet nags for a gallop, to run a match, where the turfways looked fair, or were favorably known. Otherwhiles a thane of the king's, bombastic groom, his mind full of ballads, the man who remembered good store of old-world tales-word followed word by the bond of truth- began anon to rehearse, cunningly to compose, the adventure of Beowulf, and fluently to pursue the story in its order, with interlacing words. At large he detailed, what he had heard say of Sigemund's exploits, much that was strange, the battle-toil He had then purged, he who but now came from far, sagacious and resolute, Hrothgar's hall; he had rescued it from danger; had succeeded in his night-task with brilliant achievement. The leed of 30 the Gothic companions had made good his vaunt to the East-Danes; likewise he had entirely remedied the horror, the harrowing sorrow, which they were enduring before, and of dire necessity were 35 forced to suffer; - huge indignity. That was a token conspicuous, when the hero of battle had affixed the hand, arm, and shoulder - that was the whole affair of Grendel's fang-under the gabled roof. 40 of the Walsing, distant expeditions, things the sons of men quite knew not of, feud and atrocity; none but Fitela by his side, when he would say aught of such matter, uncle to nephew, as they 45 had ever stood by one another in every struggle: they had with swords laid low many of the monster brood. To Sigemund there sprang up after his deathday no little fame; forasmuch as he, hardy in fight, had quelled the dragon, the keeper of treasure; he, the son of a prince, in under the hoary rock, singlehanded enterprised the perilous deed; Fitela was not with him. Nathless he succeeded so well that the sword sped through the stupendous worm, till it stuck in the bank, noble iron! the dragon 50 Then was in the morning - so goes my story about the gift-hall many a warrior; the chiefs of the folk came from far and near, through divers ways, to survey the prodigy, the traces of the loathed one. His life-ending was no grief whatever to any of those who sur- 55 veyed the track of the vanquished, how he in doleful mood away from that place, died the death. The champion had by valor attained that he might enjoy the jewel-hoard at his own discretion; he laded the sea-boat, the son of Wæls bore to the bosom of the ship the bright ornaments; the worm dissolved with heat. He was by daring exploits the most famous of adventurers far and wide over the world, shelter of warriors; such eminence he won. 5 see a remedy for any of my woes, while the best of houses stood blood-stained, soaked in slaughter; the woe had. scattered all my senators, as men who weened not that they ever should rescue the national edifice of my leeds from the hateful ones, the demons and bogles. 'Now hath a lad, through might of God, achieved the deed which we all ere10 while were unable with our wisdom to compass. Lo! that may she say, what lady soever mothered that child by human generation, if yet she liveth, that to her was the Ancient Master favorable in her child-bearing! 15 When Heremod's warfare had slackened, his puissance and emprise, he among the Eotens was decoyed forth into the power of enemies, promptly sent out of the way. Him did billows of sorrow disable too long; he to his leeds, to all his princes, became a loyal anxiety. Moreover, in his earlier times, many a wise countryman had often deplored the adventurous life of the ardent soul, such 20 a one as had trusted to him for remedy of grievances, that the royal child might grow powerful, succeed to the state of his fathers, protect the people, the treasure and the castle, realm of heroes, patri- 25 mony of the Scyldings. There was he, Hygelac's kinsman, to all mankind, and to his friends, more acceptable; the other was seized with fury. At intervals racing they with their 30 horses measured the fallow streets. Then was the light of morning launched and advanced; there was many a varlet going eager-minded to the lofty hall to see the strange prodigy;-likewise the 35 king himself from his domestic lodge, keeper of jeweled hoards, trod with glorious mien, gorgeously distinguished in. the midst of a great retinue; - and his queen with him, measured the path to 40 the mead-hall with a bevy of ladies. XIV A PATRIARCHAL THANKSGIVING. BEO- 'Now I will heartily love thee, Beowulf, youth most excellent, as if thou wert my son; from this time_forth keep thou up the new relation. There shall be no lack to thee of any desires in the world, so far as I have power. Full oft have I for less service decreed recompense, honor from the treasury, to a less distinguished hero, less prompt to fight. 'Thou thyself hast by deeds achieved that thy fame will live ever and always. May the Almighty reward thee with good, as he hath just now done!' Beowulf uttered speech, Ecgtheow's son: 'We discharged that high task, fighting with right good heart; shrewdly we enterprised the terror of the unknown. I had liked it vastly better, that thou hadst seen his very self, the fiend in full gear, ready to drop. I thought quickly to fix him on a bloody bed with hard grapplings, that he for my hand-grip should lie death-struggling, unless his body vanished; I could not, as the Ancient would not, balk his passage; I did not stick close enough to him, the manqueller; the fiend was too over-mighty in his making off. However he left his fist - to save his life and mark his track 45 his arm and shoulder: not thereby however has the wretched being bought reprieve; none the longer will he live, the loathsome pest burdened with crimes; but the wound hath him, in deadly grip close pinioned, in baleful bands; in that condition must he, crime-stained wretch, abide the great doom, according as the Ancient One may will to assign his portion.' Hrothgar uttered speech - he was going to Hall; he stood on the staple; he beheld the steep roof gold-glittering and 50 the hand of Grendel. For this spectacle a thanksgiving to the Almighty be done without delay! Much despite I endured, capturings by Grendel; always can God work wonder 55 after wonder, the Lord of Glory! It was but now that I thought I should never A silenter man was then the son of Ecglaf in the brag of martial exploits; since it was by the hero's valor the 15 archers. I heard not many instances of men giving to other at ale-bench four treasures gold-bedight in friendlier wise. About the helmet's roof the crest was fastened with wire-bound fencing for the head, in order that file-wrought warscoured blades might not cruelly scathe it, when the shielded fighter had to go against angry foes. Then did the shelter of eorls command to bring eight horses gold-cheeked into the court within the palings; on one of them stood the saddle gaily caparisoned and decorated with silver, which was the war-seat of the high king, when the son of Healfdene was minded to exercise the play of swords; never failed in the front the charger of the famous (king) when the slain were falling. And then did the chief of the Ingwines deliver unto Beowulf possession of both at once, both horses and arms; - bade him enjoy them well. So manfully did the illustrious chieftain, the hoard-warden of heroes, 25 reward battle-risks with horses and treasures, so as never will any mispraise them who is minded to speak sooth according to right. Then was order promptly given that the interior of Heorot should be decorated; many they were, of men and of women, who garnished that genial palace, hospitable hall. Gold-glistering shone the brocaded tapestries along the walls, pic- 20 tures many for the wonder of all people who have an eye for such. That bright building was terribly wrecked in its whole interior, though it had been strengthened with iron fastenings; the hinges were wrenched away; the roof alone had escaped altogether unhurt, when the destroyer, stained with atrocities, took to flight in desperation of life. It is not easy to elude [death], try it 30 who will; but every living soul of the sons of men, of dwellers upon ground, must of necessity approach the destined spot, where his body, bedded in fast repose, shall sleep after supper. XVI GIFTS ΤΟ BEOWULF'S COMRADES. MUSIC AND SONG. Moreover, to each one of those who had made the voyage with Beowulf, did 35 the captain of warriors give a precious gift at the mead-bench, an old heirloom; and gave orders to compensate with gold for that (missing) one, that one whom Grendel had atrociously killed, as he would have killed more of them, had not the providence of God, had not Wyrd, stood in his way; - and, courage of that man. The Ancient One ruled then, as he now and always doth, over all persons of human race; therefore is prudence eachwhere best, forecast of soul. Much experience of pleasant and of painful must he make, who long here in these struggling days brooks the world. Then was the time and the moment, that Healfdene's son should go to hall; the king was minded himself to share the feast. Never that I heard of did that nation in stronger force about their 40 bounty-giver more bravely muster. They went to bench in merry guise - while their kinsmen enjoyed the copious feast, and with fair courtesy quaffed many a mead-bowl- mighty men in the lofty hall, 45 Hrothgar and Hrothulf. The interior of Heorot was wholly filled with friends; no treachery had imperial Scyldings at that early date attempted. Then did the son of Healfdene present 50 to Beowulf a golden ensign in reward of victory, decorated staff-banner, helmet and mail-coat; many beheld when they brought the grand treasure-sword before the hero. Beowulf tasted the beaker on 55 the hall-floor; no need had he to be ashamed of that bounty-giving before the the Then was song and instrumental music together blended, concerning Healfdene's war-chief,- the harp was struck, a ballad often recited, what time the hall-joy along the mead-bench was invoked by Hrothgar's minstrel. XVII A PICTURE OF SOCIAL PLEASURE. SPEECH * Enjoyment rose high as before, bright was the sound of revelry, the drawers served wine out of curious flagons. Then came Wealhtheow forward, moving under her golden diadem, to where 10 the two brave men sat, uncle and nephew; up to that time was their natural affection undisturbed, either to other true. Likewise there Unferth the speaker sat at the feet of the Scyldings' lord; every man of them trusted his spirit that he had great courage, though he had not been loyal to his kindred at sword-play. 15 among the treasures of men heard I ever of under heaven, since Hama bore away to the bright fortress the necklace of the Brisings jewel and casket; he fled the 5 toils of Eormanric; chose eternal counsel. That collar had Hygelac of the Goths, grandson (or nephew) of Swerting, on his latest expedition, when under his flag he defended his prize, guarded the spoil; him Fate took off, when he for wantonness challenged woe, feud with the Frisians; he carried that decoration, the costly stones over the wave-bowl, the mighty chieftain; he fell shield in hand; so then came into the power of the Franks the corpse of the king, the breast apparel, and the collar along with the rest: inferior combatants stripped the slain by the fortune of war; the people of the Goths tenanted the bed of death. The hall echoed with sound (of Spake then the lady of the Scyldings: - Receive this beaker, sovereign mine, 20 wealth-dispenser! be thou merry, a munificent friend of men, and speak to the Goths with comfortable words. So it behooves one to do! Near and far, thou now hast peace! To me it hath been 25 said, that thou wouldest have the hero for thy son. Heorot is purged, the bright ring-hall; dispense whilst thou mayest many bounties; and to thy children leave folk and realm, when thou must 30 away to see Eternity. I know my gracious Hrothulf that he will honorably govern the younger ones, if thou earlier than he, O friend of the Scyldings, quittest the world. I think that he will 35 repay our children with good, if he that fully remembers, what gracious attentions thou and I bestowed for his comfort and advantage in the time past when he was an infant.' She turned then towards 40 the bench where her boys were, Hrethric and Hrothmund, and the sons of mighty men, the youth all together; there the brave man sat, Beowulf of the Goths, by the two brothers. XVIII GIFTS OF THE QUEEN TO THE HERO AND music). She went then to her chair. There was high festivity; men drank wine, Wyrd they knew not, the cruel destiny, as it 45 had gone forth, for many a noble. By and by the evening came, and Hrothgar betook him to his lodge, the prince to his repose. Countless nobles guarded the hall, as HER SPEECH TO HIM. THE HALL IS AR-50 they had often done in earlier time: they RANGED AS A DORMITORY. To him the cup was borne; and friendly invitation (to drink) was offered with words; and twisted gold was graciously presented, armlets two, a mantle and 55 rings; the grandest of carcanets that I have heard of on earth. None superior cleared away the bench-boards; it was strewn throughout with beds and bolsters. One of the revelers, whose end was near, lay down to rest in hall a doomed man. At their heads they set the shields, the bright bucklers; there on the bench was over each etheling, plain to be seen, the towering war-helmet, the ringed mailcoat, the shaft of awful power. Their custom was that they were constantly ready for war, whether at home or in the field, in both cases alike, whatever the occasion on which their liege lord had need of their services; - it was a good people. THE SECOND PART XIX IN THE NIGHT THE OLD WATER-HAG COMES, the same proportion as female strength, woman's war-terror, is (of less account) with an armed man; when the wellhafted steel, hammer-toughened, the 5 bloodstained sword, with edge effective, sheareth resisting boar on helmet. Then was the hard-edged sword drawn throughout the benches, many a wide buckler raised firm in hand; many one 10 thought not of helmet, nor of spacious byrnie, when the alarm surprised him. The hag was in a hurry; it wanted to get out from there with life, because it was discovered; promptly it had seized AND 15 one of the ethelings tight, and then it went to fen. That man was to Hrothgar, in quality of comrade, dearest of warriors between the seas, mighty shieldcombatant; — him the hag crushed in his sleep, illustrious baron. Beowulf was not there; but another lodging had been assigned, after the gift-giving, to the distinguished Goth. A cry was heard in Heorot; the blood-sprent hag took away the well-known hand; anxiety was newed, was set up in the castle. That barter was not good, which they on both sides were compelled to pay for with lives of friends. 25 re So they sank down to sleep. One there was who sorely paid for that night's rest, 20 in the manner that had very often happened to them, since Grendel had occupied the gold-hall, had perpetrated violence, until his end arrived, death after crimes. That became manifest, widely known to men, that an avenger still lived after the (slain) foe; long to remember the disaster; Grendel's mother, beldam troll-wife, thought of her desolation, creature that had to dwell in the dreari- 30 ness of water, cold streams, ever since Cain was the knife-bane of his only brother, his father's son; he then went forth an outlaw, marked with murder, shunning human society; he kept the 35 wilderness. Thence grew a number of branded creatures; - one of those was Grendel, horrible ban-wolf; he at Heorot found a vigilant man waiting for battle. There did the monster grapple with him; 40 he, however, remembered the strength of his might, the marvelous gift which God had given to him, and he trusted to the Supreme for grace, courage, and support; therefore he overcame the fiend, subdued 45 lord of the Ingwines, and inquired if, Then was the venerable king, the hoary man of war, in embittered mood, when he knew that his chiefest thane no longer lived, that the man most dear to him was dead. Hastily to (the king's) bower was Beowulf fetched, the victorious stripling. At early dawn, he went with his warriors, the noble champion, he and his comrades, where the sapient king was waiting to be resolved, whether the Almighty will ever, after the spell of woe, bring about a change. He then marched along the flooring, the expedite man, with his little band,— hall-timbers echoed until he accosted with words the wise according to his sincere wish, he had had a restful night. XX HROTHGAR'S ANSWER TO BEOWULF'S MORN- Hrothgar, crown of Scyldings, uttered speech: Ask not thou after welfare! Grief is renewed for the Danish leeds. |