fairly wrought standard, a helmet and at byrnie. Many saw a priceless treasuresword borne before the warrior. Beowulf drank a beaker in the hall. No need had he to be ashamed of the presents before the warriors-nor have I heard of many men who gave four precious things adorned with gold to others on the alebench. Around the crest of the helmet, on the outside, a ridge bound with wires protected the headpiece, that the tempered product of files might not harm him when the warrior bold in battle should go against his enemies. Then the protector of earls had eight horses, gold-bridled, led on the floor of the hall within the enclosure. On one of them rested a saddle cunningly fashioned, adorned with jewels. That was the battle-seat of the king when the son of Healfdene would engage in the play of swords. Never did the far-famed ruler's courage fail at the front when the slain were falling. And then to Beowulf the Lord of the Danes gave power over both, horses and weapons. He bade him enjoy them well. Thus nobly the illustrious prince, the heroes' treasure keeper, rewarded the storms of battle, with horses and rich things, such as man never finds fault with if he will speak truly according to the right.

XVI

THE GIFTS TO BEOWULF'S MEN. THE

SCOP'S SONG OF FINN

Then, in addition, to each of those that went on the sea journey with Beowulf the lord of earls gave treasures at their meadbench, heirlooms, and ordered recompense. with gold for that one whom Grendel had violently killed, as he would have killed more of them, had not the wise God and

1 Kenning for "sword."

the hero's valor prevented such a fate. The Creator ruled all the race of men as He yet doth. Therefore is understanding always best, counsel of mind. Much happiness and pain shall he abide who long enjoys the world in these days of strife!

There song and music were mingled together before Healfdene's leader in war; 2 the harp was touched, the tale oft recited, when Hrothgar's scop must produce hall entertainment among the meadbenches.

"When sudden attack was made on them by the followers of Finn, Hnaef Scylding, the hero of the Healf-Danes, was fated to fall in the Frisian slaughter." No cause, indeed, had Hildeburh to praise the faith of the Jutes. She was bereft of her guiltless loved ones in the shield-play, son and brother. They fell by destiny, wounded with spear. She was a sad woman! Not in vain did Hoc's daughter bewail the decree of fate when, after morning came, she might see under heaven the murder of kinsmen where she erst held greatest of earth's joy. War took all but a few of Finn's men, so that he might in no wise strive with Hengest on the battlefield nor crush in battle those left to the prince's thane. But they offered him terms: that they would grant him another dwelling complete, hall and high-seat; that the Danes might share control with the sons of the Jutes; and that at the gift-givings the son of Folcwalda each day would honor the Danes, would present Hengest's troops with rings, with treasures of beaten gold, even as freely as he would cheer his Frisian kinsmen in the beer-hall. Then they pledged firm compacts of peace on both sides. Finn affirmed by oaths his friendly zeal to govern honorably, with the advice of his wise men, the surviving remnant, on condition that no man should 2 Hrothgar

G

The tale sung by the scop may here be outlined as follows: Finn, chief of the Frisians, has married a Danish princess Hildeburh. Years later when her brother Hnaef and some of his followers are visiting her they are treacherously attacked in the hall before daybreak by some of her husband's men. After defending themselves for five days, Hnaef and many of his men are slain. So, too, is a son of Hildeburh. After Hnaef's death Hengest commands the remaining Danes. A treaty is arranged with Finn and the slain on both sides are burnt together, with appropriate ceremonies. Hengest and his men stay in Friesland during the winter, but in the spring they are joined by fresh bands of Danes. Still meditating vengeance, they fall upon Finn, kill him, and carry Hildeburh back to her own land.

4 Finn's people

5 Hildeburh

• Finn

break the treaty by word or deed, or through malice ever complain, though they followed the slayer of their ring-giver, lordless, since they needs must do so. If, on the other hand, any one of the Frisians by daring speech should call to mind the deadly hate, then the sword's edge should settle it.

The funeral fire was prepared and gold drawn from the hoard. The finest of the Here-Scylding warriors was ready on his pyre. At the burning were easily seen blood-stained sark,1 golden swine, iron-hard boar, and many an atheling dead from his wounds. Truly some fell on the battlefield! Then Hildeburh bade them commit to the flames her own son on Hnaef's pyre, to burn the bodies, and place him on the pyre beside his uncle. The woman grieved, mourned with dirges. The warrior was placed on the mound. The greatest of funeral fires rolled towards the clouds, roared before the burial mound. Heads melted, wound gashes burst, blood spurted, the body's deathbites. The flame, greediest of spirits, swallowed up all those of both folk whom battle carried off. Their glory was past.

XVII

THE END OF THE SCOP'S SONG. THE

QUEEN'S SPEECH TO HROTHGAR

Then the warriors went to visit their homes, bereft of friends, to see Friesland, their dwellings and high town. Hengest still dwelt through the slaughter-stained winter with Finn, peaceably. He was mindful of his home, though he might [not] drive his ringed prow on the water. The sea boiled with storm, strove with the wind. Winter locked the waves in icy fetters, until another year came to men's dwellings as still it does the wondrously bright weather which always keeps the proper time. Then was winter departed; fair was earth's bosom. The exile yearned to go, the guest from the dwelling. He thought more of vengeance than of the sea voyage, if he might bring about an encounter, for he kept in mind inwardly the sons of the Jutes. So he did not refuse what the world appointed when Hunlafing placed in his arms a battle-brand, fairest of swords. Its edges were well known among the Jutes! Likewise, in his turn, dire death by sword fell upon Finn, the bold-hearted, in his home, when Guthlaf and Oslaf after a sea journey had bemoaned their sorrow, charged many wrongs. They might not keep their restless spirit in their breast. Then was the hall reddened with bodies of the enemy, Finn slain, king among

1 shirt of mail

2 i.e., on the helmets

his men, and his queen taken. The warriors of the Scyldings carried to the ship all the goods in his house,-jewels and precious gems such as they could find in the home of Finn, the king of the land. They carried on the sea voyage his queenly wife to the Danes, led her to her people."

The song was sung, the gleeman's tale. The sound of rejoicing again rose, the bench-noise grew louder. Cup-bearers gave wine from wondrous vessels. Then came forth Wealtheow, under her golden crown, to where the good pair sat, nephew and uncle; friendship was still between them, each true to other. There likewise Unferth, the King's spokesman, sat at the feet of the Lord of the Scyldings. Each of them trusted his spirit, that he had much courage, though he was not merciful to his kinsmen at the swordplay. Then the Queen of the Scyldings spoke: "Receive this cup, my dear lord, giver of treasures! Be thou joyful, goldfriend of men, and speak to the Geats with mild words, as one should do! Be gracious to the Geats, mindful of the gifts which near and far thou now hast. One told me that thou wouldst have this warrior for thy son. Heorot is cleansed, the bright ring-hall; indulge in many gifts while thou mayst, and to thy kindred leave folk and kingdom when thou must behold thy doom. I know my good Hrothulf will loyally guard the youths if thou, friend of the Scyldings, leavest the world before he does; I think that he will repay with good our offspring if he has in mind all the kindness we two did in the past for his joy and honor when he was a child." Then she turned to the bench where her sons were, Hrethric and Hrothmund, and the children of heroes, young men together. There, too, the good Beowulf the Geat sat by the two brothers.

Hrothulf is Hrothgar's nephew, with whom he later quarrels. The youths are his younger cousins, sons of Hrothgar and Wealtheow.

To him was the cup borne and kindness in words offered; likewise twisted gold graciously bestowed, two armbands, corselet and rings, the greatest of collars that ever I knew of on earth. Of none finer under heaven heard I, treasurehoard of heroes, since Hama carried off to the bright town the Brosings' necklace, jewel and setting, he fled Eormenric's treachery, chose eternal counsel. Hygelac the Geat had the ring,1 Swerting's nephew, the last time when he defended the treasure beneath his banner, guarded the battle-spoil; Fate carried him off when out of pride he sought trouble, battle with the Frisians. The mighty prince carried the richly wrought things, the precious stones, over the sea; he died under shield. The body of the king fell then into the hands of the Franks, his breast-weeds and the ring along with them. Less worthy warriors plundered the slain after the slaughter. The Geatfolk possessed the field of dead.2

I

The hall received the din. Wealtheow spoke; before the company she said: "With fair fortune enjoy this circlet, beloved Beowulf, O youth, and make use of this corselet, folk treasures both, and prosper well. Prove thyself by thy might, and be to these boys kind in counsel. will remember thee with gifts. Thou hast accomplished that for which far and near men shall honor thee for ever more, even as widely as the sea encircles the windy cliffs. While thou livest, be prosperous! Heartily I wish thee treasures. Be thou to my son gentle in deeds, guarding his happiness. Here each earl is true to the other, mild of mood, loyal to his

The poet tells of the necklace's subsequent history. Beowulf gave it to his lord, Hygelac.

* They covered the ground.

liege lord. The thanes are united, the people ready, the retainers who have here drunk. Do thou as I entreat!" She went then to her seat. There was choicest of feasts; the men drank wine. Fate they knew not, grim Destiny, as it befell many earls, when evening came and Hrothgar went to his dwelling, the noble prince to his rest. Countless earls kept watch in the hall as they often had done before. Bench space they cleared; it was overspread with beds and pillows. Some of the beer-drinkers, ready for death and doomed to die, bowed themselves to their ball couches. They set their shields at their heads, the bright bucklers. There on a bench over the atheling was visible the helmet towering in battle, the ringed byrnie, mighty spear. It was their custom always to be ready for war, both at home and in the army; and in either case, even at such times as need befell their liege lord, the people were prepared.

XIX

THE COMING OF GRENDEL'S DAM

3

Then they fell asleep. One sorely paid for his evening rest, as full often happened when Grendel kept the golden hall, wrought evil until his end came, death after sins. It became evident, widely known among men, that as yet an avenger survived the loathed one, a long time after the battle-sorrow. Grendel's mother, a she-monster, brooded over her misery-she who must dwell in the dread water, cold streams, since Cain became the slayer of his only brother, kin by the same father. Outlawed and marked for murder, he went, fleeing man's joys, dwelt in waste places. Thence awoke many a fated spirit: Grendel was one of them, the hateful outcast, who It was only twenty-four hours.

found at Heorot a watching man biding the fight. There the wretched one laid hold of him; but he remembered the strength of his might, the generous gift that God had given him, and trusted himself to the Lord for help, for solace and support. Therefore he overcame the fiend, laid low the spirit from Hell. Then wretchedly Grendel departed, mankind's foe, cut off from joy, to see the house of death. And his mother, greedy and gloomy, even then would go on a sorrowful journey to avenge the death of her son.

She came to Heorot, where the RingDanes slept all around the hall. Soon a reverse befell the earls when Grendel's mother got within. The terror was less, even as much as is the strength of maidens, the war fierceness of women compared with armed men, when the fretted sword, forged with the hammer, the blood-stained blade, mighty of edge, cleaves the opposing boar on top of the helmet. There in the hall was hard edge drawn, the sword from above the seats, and many a shield was raised firm in hand. One minded not helmet or broad byrnie when the horror seized him. She was in haste, would hence away to save her life. when she was found out. Quickly she had laid firm hold on one of the athelings when she started for the fen. He was a companion to Hrothgar, his dearest of warriors from sea to sea, a mighty shield warrior, whom she killed in his rest, a glorious man. Beowulf was not there; for after the treasure-giving another dwelling had been assigned to the illustrious Geat. An outcry arose in Heorot. She took the much talked-of hand in all its gore. Sorrow was renewed in the dwellings. It was not a good exchange that on both sides they should make payment with their friends' lives!

Then was the wise king, the hoary warrior, in troubled mood when he knew

his best thane to be lifeless, his dearest friend dead. Quickly was Beowulf, the victorious hero, fetched to the bower. At daybreak the noble warrior, the earl with his companions, went together where the wise king waited for the sad news, wondering whether the Almighty would ever amend his state. Across the floor strode the war-famous man with his companythe hall boards resounded-that he might greet the wise lord of the Danes. He asked if the night had been agreeable to his desires.

XX

HROTHGAR'S SPEECH TO BEOWULF

Hrothgar spoke, the Scyldings' ward: "Ask not after happiness! Sorrow is come anew to the Danefolk. Dead is Eschere, Yrmenlaf's elder brother. He was my confidant and my counselor, shoulder companion when we guarded our heads in battle, when war-bands clashed and smote the boars. Such should an earl be, time-proven atheling, as was Æschere! A wandering death-demon was his slayer in Heorot. I know not whither he vile wretch has returned, glorying in carrion, exulting in her feast. She avenged the feud in which last night you killed Grendel in violent fashion with hard grasp; for too long he wasted and destroyed my people. He fell in the conflict, forfeiting his life, and now another came, a mighty ravager who would avenge her son, and has carried far the feud, as it may seem to many a thane who weeps in his heart for his lord, for his soul's hard bale. Now the hand lies low that availed you of every wish.

I have heard dwellers in the land, my people, hall-counselors, say that they saw two such great stalkers of the wastelands holding the moors, alien spirits.

i.e., on helmets

One of them was, as they might know most surely, the likeness of a woman; the other wretched one trod the exile's path in man's form, except that he was larger than any other man. The people in former days named him Grendel. They knew no father, nor whether before them any evil spirit had in the past been born. They dwell in a secret place, the haunts of wolves, on windy bluffs, the fearful fen-path where the mountain stream pours down under the darkness of the cliffs, a flood under the earth. It is not far hence, measured in miles, that the mere1 stands. Over it hang frost covered groves; a wood firmly rooted overshadows the water. There every night may be seen a fearful wonder, fire on the water. No one so wise lives among the children of men that knows the bottom. Though the stag, the hart strong of horns, having fled from afar and hard pressed by the dogs, may seek this wood, sooner will he give up his life and soul on the bank, ere he will hide his head in it. The place is not good! Thence the surging waves mount up, dark toward the clouds, when the wind stirs up grievous storms, until the sky becomes gloomy and the heavens weep. Now does help depend upon thee alone. Thou dost not yet know the abode, the fearful place where thou mayest find this creature of sin. Seek if thou dare! I will reward thee with riches for this fight, with timehallowed treasures as I did before, with twisted gold, if thou comest away alive."

for every man that he avenge his friend than that he mourn greatly. Each of us must abide the end of this world's life; let him who may work mighty deeds ere he die, for afterwards when he lies lifeless that is best for the warrior. Arise, ruler of the realm, let us go quickly and see the track of Grendel's kinswoman. I promise thee this: she shall not escape under cover, nor in the bosom of the earth, nor in mountain grove, nor on the bed of the ocean,-go where she will! This day have thou patience in all thy woes, as I expect of thee." Then the aged man leaped up, thanked God, the mighty Prince, for what the warrior had said.

Then a horse was bridled for Hrothgar, a mount with braided mane. The wise king rode with stately bearing; a band of shield-bearers walked on foot. The footprints were widely visible, going along the forest tracks, as onwards she had gone over the murky moor. She carried away one bereft of his soul, the best of thanes, of those that with Hrothgar watched over the home. The athelings' son went then over steep rocky slopes, narrow paths, lonely trails, high bluffs, past many a demon's shelter. Foremost he went with a few wise ones to explore the land, until suddenly he found mountain trees leaning over the rime-covered rock, a joyless wood. Water stood below, bloodstained and turbid. It was a grief hard to endure for all the Danes, to the Scylding folk, to many a thane, sorrow to each earl, when they came upon Eschere's head on the cliff above the water. The flood seethed with bloodthe people saw it—with hot gore.

The horn at times sang a rousing warsong. The band all sat down. Along the water they saw many of the serpent kind, strange sea-dragons making trial of the waves, and water-monsters lying on the headlands, serpents and wild beasts that often in the morning perform a perilous