17. PICTURES OF NORSE LIFE

SOURCE: The Deeds of Beowulf (Earle).

(a) The Arrival at the Hall

The street was stone paven; the path guided the bonded men. The war corslet shone hard; the polished ring-iron sang in its meshes, when they in grim harness now came marching to the Hall. The sea-weary men set down their broad shields, bucklers mortal hard against the terrace of that mansion. They then seated themselves on the bench; their mail-coats rang, harness of warriors :-the spears stood, sea-men's artillery, stacked together, ash-timber with tip of grey; the iron-troop was accoutred worthily. . . .

(b) The Banquet

Then was there for the Goth-men all together, in the beer hall, a table cleared; there the resolute men went to sit in the pride of their strength. A thane attended to the service; one who bore in his hand a decorated ale-can. He poured forth the sheer nectar. At times a ministrel sang, clearvoiced in Heorot; there was social merriment, a brave company of Danes. There was laughter of mighty men; music sounded; the words [of song] were jovial. . . . Wealhtheow moved forward, Heothgar's Queen, mindful of ceremonies; she greeted in her gold array the men in Hall; and then the noble lady presented the beaker first to the sovereign of the East Danes, wished him blithe at the banquet and dear to his friends-he merrily enjoyed the feast, and the Hall-cup, valiant king. Then the Helming princess went the round, to elder and to younger, every part; handed the jewelled cup; till the moment came, that she, the diademed queen, with dignity befitting, brought the mead-cup right to Beowulf; she greeted the Leed of the Goths. ... He, the death-doing warrior, accepted the beaker at Wealhtheow's hand [and suitably replied]. To

the lady the words were well liking, the valiant speech of the Goth; she walked gold-arrayed, high-born queen of the nation, to sit by her lord.

(c) And so to Bed

Then was again . . . the lofty word outspoken, the company was happy, the sound was that of a mighty people; until suddenly the king was minded to retire to his nightly rest. All the company arose. Then did man greet man. Heothgar greeted Beowulf, bespoke him luck, mastery in the house of hospitality and delivered this speech. . . . So Heothgar, chief of Scyldings, took his departure with retinue of men out of Hall . . . Then put he off from him his iron byrnie,1 helmet from head; delivered to his esquire the richly decorated sword, choicest steel; and charged him with the care of his war-harness. Then did the valiant man Beowulf the Goth utter some vaunting words 'ere he mounted on bed. . . . Then the daring warrior laid him down; the pillow received the countenance of the lord; and round about him many a smart sea-warrior crouched to his hallrest.

(d) Riding, Racing, Tale-telling

Now and then the gallant warriors loosened their russethorses for a gallop, to run a match, where the turfways looked fair or were favourably known. Other whiles, a thane of the king's, bombastic groom, his mind full of ballads, the man who remembered good store of old-world talesword 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 interesting words. . . . At intervals racing, they with their horses measured the fallow streets.

1 Coat of mail.

(e) Rejoicings and Giving of Gifts

Then was the order promptly given that the interior of Heorot should be decorated; many there were, of men and of women, who garnished that genial palace, hospitable hall. Gold-glistening shone the brocaded tapestries along the walls, pictures many for the wonder of all people who have an eye for such. . . . They went to bench in merry guise-while their kinsmen enjoyed the copious feast, and with fair courtesy quaffed many a mead-bowl. . . . Then did the son of Healfdene present to Beowulf a golden ensign in reward of victory, decorated staff banner, helmet and mailcoat, many beheld when they brought the grand treasure sword before the hero. Beowulf tasted the beaker on the hall-floor; no need had he to be ashamed of that bounty giving before the archers. There are not many instances of men giving to others at ale-bench four treasures gold bedight 1 in friendlier wise.2

Then did the... [chieftain]. . . 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 he was minded to exercise the play of swords. And then did the chief deliver unto Beowulf possession of both at once, both horses and arms;-bade him enjoy them well.

Moreover, to each of those who had made the voyage with Beowulf, did the Captain of warriors give a precious gift at the mead-bench; an old heirloom. . . . 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 provoked by Heothgar's minstrel. . . . Enjoyment rose high as before, bright was the sound of revelry, the drawers served wine out of curious flagons. Then came Wealhtheow forward, 1 Decorated with.

2 Manner.

moving under her golden diadem [and presented gifts to Beowulf]. She went then to her chair. There was high festivity; men drank wine. . . . By and by the evening came, and Heothgar betook him to his lodge, the prince to his repose.

Courteous nobles guarded the Hall, as they had often done in earlier times; they cleared away the bench-boards; it was strewn throughout with beds and bolsters. . . . 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 mail-coat, the shaft of awful power. Their custom was that they were constantly 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.

18. THE PASSING OF A VIKING

SOURCE: The Deeds of Beowulf, Prologue (Earle).

As for Scyld,1 he departed, at the destined hour, full of exploit, to go into the Master's keeping. They then carried him forth to the shore of the sea, his faithful comrades, as he himself had requested, while he with his words held sway as lord of the Scyldings; dear chief of the land, he had long tenure of power.

There at the landing-place stood the ship with ringed prow, glistening afresh, and outward bound; convoy for a prince. Down laid they there the beloved chief, dispenser of jewels, on the lap of the ship, the illustrious (dead) by

the mast.

There was store of precious things, ornaments from remote ports, brought together; never heard I of craft comelier fitted with slaughter weapons and campaigning harness, with swords and breast-mail ;—in his keeping lay a multitude

1 The Danish Chieftain.