any kind of war-deeds on earth I can earn more completely thy love than I have yet done, O prince of men, I am straightway ready. If I hear over the sea's expanse that neighboring peoples oppress thee greatly, as enemies in the past have done, I will bring thee thousands of thanes, warriors for help. I know, as for Hygelac, Lord of the Geats, though he be young for the people's ruler, that he will further me by word and work that I may rightly honor thee and bear spear-shaft for thy help, the support of might, whenever thou hast need for men. If, moreover, Hrethric, the king's son, purposes to go to the court of the Geats, he shall find many friends there. Far countries, when visited, are better for him who is strong himself."

Hrothgar spoke, in answer to him: "The wise God sent those words into thy mind. Never heard I a man in such early life speak more wisely. Thou art strong of might and old in thought, sound in speech! I deem it likely, if it comes to pass that the spear, grim battle, sickness, or the sword takes away Hrethel's son,— thy lord, the people's protector, and thou hast thy life, that the Sea-Geats will have no better man to choose for king, for treasure-warden of heroes, if thou wilt rule the realm of thy kinsmen. Thy spirit pleases me more and more, Thou hast brought it good Beowulf. about that mutual peace shall be between the nations, the Geats-folk and the SpearDanes; that strife shall cease, the enmities that in the past they engaged in; that whilst I rule this wide realm treasure shall be in common and many a one shall greet the other fairly over the gannet's bath. The ring-prowed ship shall bring over the sea gifts and love-tokens. know my people are firm in their resolve to both friend and foe, blameless in every respect according to the old fashion."

I

Then still the protector of earls, Healfdene's son, gave him twelve treasures, bade him with the gifts seek his own people in safety, and to come quickly again. The good king kissed the atheling

the Lord of the Scyldings kissed the best. of thanes and clasped him around the neck. Tears fell on his white beard. Old and wise, he reckoned with both chances, but with one of them more especially, that they might [not] see each other again, the high-hearted together. The man was so dear to him that he could not prevent the heavings of his breast; but fast locked in his bosom by his heart strings, a secret longing for the beloved warrior burned in his blood. Then Beowulf, a hero splendid with gold, strode over the green earth, proud of his treasure. The ship, riding at anchor, awaited its master. On the journey the gift of Hrothgar was often praised. That was a king in all things blameless, until age which has often harmed many a man took him off from the enjoyment of his might.

XXVII

THE RETURN OF THE GEATS TO THEIR OWN LAND

2

Many a hardy youth came then to the ocean; ring-nets " they bore, their coats of linked mail. The land-guard perceived the return of the earls, as he did before. With no words of insult from the top of the cliff did he greet the guests, but rode towards them, said that the brightly armed warriors went to their ship a welcome band to the Wederfolk. There on the sand was the curved bark, the ringed prow laden with war-weeds, horses, and treasures; the mast towered over Hrothgar's treasure-hoard. To the ship-guard Beowulf gave a sword bound with gold,

2 coats of mail

so that afterwards on the mead-bench he was the worthier for the prize, a timehallowed weapon. The boat went forward, stirring the deep water, left the land of the Danes. To the mast was a sea-garment, a sail fastened by a rope. The sea-wood creaked. The wind over the waves did not drive the ship from its course. The sea-traveler went, floated foamy-necked forth over the waves, the bound prow over the ocean streams, until they might see the cliffs of the Geats, the well-known bluffs. Driven by the wind the keel pressed on, stood upon land. The guard of the harbor was quickly at the water, ready; for a long time he had gazed far at sea, longing for the dear men. He fastened the broad-bosomed ship firmly to the sand with anchor-ropes, lest the force of the waves might drive it away, the winsome wood. Then Beowulf bade them carry up the athelings' treasure, their trappings and plated gold. He had not far thence to seek the giver of rich gifts, Hygelac, son of Hrethel, where he welt at home with his companions near the sea-wall.

Excellent was the building, valiant the king, high the hall, Hygd very young, wise and accomplished, though few winters had Haereth's daughter lived in the walled town. Nevertheless she was not ungenerous, nor too sparing of gifts of treasure to the Geatsfolk. Good queen of the people, she had not Thrith's pride, nor her terrible wickedness.

Not one of the dear retainers save her own great lord durst venture to look at her [Thrith] openly with his eyes; but [if he did,] considered the fatal hand-twisted rope to have been prepared for him. Soon after being seized he was forthwith marked for the sword, that with its dazzling blade it might make clear and manifest his death. Nor is such a custom queenly for a woman to practise, even though she be beautiful, that a peacemaker should exact the life of a dear man for a pretended injury. Albeit, the son of Hemming stopped that. Some over their ale said, too, that she did fewer harms to the people, fewer acts of

violence, when once she had been given, goldadorned, noted for excellence, to the young warrior, after she had sought at her father's behest, by a journey over the fallow flood, the hall of Offa. There living afterwards, famed for goodness, she enjoyed greatly her life on the throne, cherished high love for the lord of warriors, as I have heard, the best of all mankind, of the race of men from sea to sea. For Offa was, in gifts and battles, a brave man, widely renowned, and ruled with prudence his native land. From him sprang Eomer for help to heroes, Hemming's kinsman, grandson of Garmund, strong in battle.

XXVIII

BEOWULF'S RECEPTION BY HYGELAC AND THE ACCOUNT OF HIS EXPLOIT, WITH A DIGRESSION ON HROTHGAR'S DAUGHTER

Then the valiant one went along the sand with his company, himself treading the wide shores. The earth's candle shone, the sun hastening from the south. They journeyed on, went quickly to where they heard the protector of men, Ongentheow's slayer, the young war-king good, was distributing rings within the town. To Hygelac was Beowulf's journey quickly made known, that there to his homestead the shelter of warriors, of shield companions, was coming alive, sound from the battle-play, walking to the court. Quickly was the hall within cleared for the warriors, as the king bade.

With the king himself sat he who had come safely from the conflict, kinsman with kinsman, after he had greeted his lord in friendly speech, with earnest words. Around the hall Hareth's daughter passed with the mead-cups-she loved the people to the hands of the warriors. Hygelac began fairly to question his companion in the high hall: desire tormented him to know what adventures the SeaGeats had had. "How did it befall you on the journey, dear Beowulf, when suddenly thou didst resolve to seek conflict far over the salt water, battle in Heorot?

But didst thou at all lessen the far-famed woe for Hrothgar, that illustrious prince? I was troubled about it with grief of heart, surging sorrows, nor trusted my dear man's undertaking. I entreated thee long that thou wouldst not meet the murderous fiend at all, but let the SouthDanes themselves settle the strife with Grendel. I thank God that I can see thee sound."

Beowulf spoke, Ecgtheow's son: "It is known to many men, King Hygelac,-the mighty encounter, what contest there was between Grendel and me in the land where a long time he had done many deeds of sorrow and misery to the Victory-Scyldings. I avenged all that, so that none of Grendel's kinsmen on earth need ever boast of that turmoil in the night, who lives longest of that hateful race steeped in crime.

"I came first to the ring-hall to greet Hrothgar. So soon as he knew my mind, the mighty son of Healfdene appointed a seat for me beside his son. The company was joyful; never in all my life under heaven's vault have I seen greater revelry among those sitting in hall. At times the glorious queen, the bond of peace between nations, passed through the hall, encouraged the youths. Often she gave some man a ring before she went to her seat. At times in the midst of the company Hrothgar's daughter bore the ale-cup to the men in turn. I heard those sitting around the hall call her Freawaru when she gave studded treasures to the warriors. Young and adorned with gold, she is betrothed to the gracious son of Froda. The friend of the Scyldings, the kingdom's protector has resolved upon it and counts it a wise plan that through the maid he settle strifes, many deadly feuds. Seldom anywhere, as a rule, after a prince's death does the spear rest, and but a little while, though the bride be good.

"Therefore it may be displeasing to the Lord of the Heathobards and to every thane among the people when he walks down the hall with the woman and the noble sons of the Danes are courteously entertained; on these strangers gleams the heritage of their own ancestors, the hard and ring-marked treasure of the Heathobards, as long as they might wield the weapons -until they led their dear comrades and their own lives to destruction in the shield play. Then at the beer-drinking speaks one who sees the ring-fitted sword, an old spearman who remembers all, the spear-death of men-the soul in him is angry-begins sad at heart to try the spirit of the young man through the thoughts of his breast, to awaken war-hate, and this word says: 'Mayst thou, my friend, know the sword which thy father beneath his war-helmet bore for the last time to the fight, the beloved blade, when the Danes slew him, the hardy Scyldings ruled over the battlefield, once Withergyld lay dead after the falling of heroes? Now here the son of I know not which of these slayers walks into the hall exulting in the trappings, beareth the precious thing which thou by right shouldst possess, and boasts of the slaughter.' So on every occasion he urges and reminds him with bitter words until the time comes that the woman's thane,1 for the deeds of his father, sleeps after the sword's bite, stained with blood, having forfeited his life. The other escapes thence alive, since he knows the land well. Then are broken on both sides the oaths of men. Afterwards deadly hates boil within Ingeld and, what with the after surgings of sorrow, the love for his wife grows colder. Therefore I do not count the favor of the Heathobards, their alliance with the Danes, to be sincere, their friendship strong.

"I shall speak further about Grendel that thou, giver of gifts, mayst well know how afterwards the strife of warriors fared. After Heaven's gem had glided over the fields, the angry demon came, dire night-scourge, to visit us where hale and hearty we guarded the hall. There his onslaught was upon Hondscio, death for the doomed man; he was the first to die, a girded warrior. For him, our honored thane, Grendel was a mouth

slayer, gulped down the whole body of the beloved man. Yet none the sooner would he go thence from the gold-hall emptyhanded, the bloody-toothed slayer, his

1 The young attendant who accompanies her. 2.c., the murderer

mind set on evil; but bold in his might he made trial of me, with ready hand gripped me. A pouch hung, wide and wondrous strange, made fast by cunningly wrought bands. It was all skilfully devised by a devil's craft from dragons' skins. Therein he would thrust me, a guiltless man, along with many others, the fierce doer of evil. It might not be so after I stood upright in anger. It is too long to tell how I repaid the folkscather his dues for every one of his evils. There, my lord, I honored thy people with deeds. He escaped away, possessed life's joys a little while. However, his right hand remained behind in Heorot, and he went thence wretched,fell sad at heart to the bottom of the mere. The friend of the Scyldings requited me liberally for the strife, with beaten gold, many a treasure, when morn ing came and we had sat down together. There was song and mirth. The aged Scylding with mind well stored told of things long ago. At times the brave one in battle called forth the joy of the harp, the wood noted for mirth; at times the great-hearted king told a tale true and moving, at times related in fitting wise a wondrous story. At times again the warrior, full of years and bound by age, began to mourn his youth, his strength in battle. His breast heaved within him when, with the wisdom of many winters, he called to mind many things. So there inside we took our pleasure the whole day long, until another night came to men. Soon then, indeed, was Grendel's mother eager for revenge; in sorrowful mood she journeyed. Death had taken away her son-war-hate of the Weders. The hideous wife avenged her offspring, in her fury killed a thane: there life departed from Æschere, a counsellor old and wise. Nor when morning came could the Danefolk consume him with fire, the deathwearied man, nor lay the one they loved

on the funeral pyre. She bore the body away in her fiendish embrace under the mountain stream. That was to Hrothgar the greatest sorrow that long befell the people's lord. Then the prince, sorely troubled in mind, implored me by thy life that I should do earlship in the press of waves, should venture my life, do a glorious deed. He promised me reward. Then, as is well known, I found the grim and terrible keeper of the flood. There to us two for a while was joining of hands. The wave seethed with blood, and I cut off the head of Grendel's mother with a mighty sword in the battle-chamber. Not easily thence did I escape with life. I was not yet doomed to die. Instead, the protector of earls, the son of Healfdene, again gave me many treasures.

XI 1

BEOWULF CONCLUDES HIS STORY, GIVES HYGELAC ALL OF HROTHGAR'S GIFTS, AND IN TURN IS REWARDED BY HYGELAC

"So the people's king lived virtuously. In no wise did I miss my reward, the meed of my might, but the son of Healf. dene gave me treasures at my own choice. I wish to bring them to thee, King Hygelac, to present them with right good will. Truly all my happiness is dependent on thee. Save thee, Hygelac, I have few close kinsmen."

He bade them bring in the boar-crested banner, the battle towering helmet, the gray byrnie, the splendid war-sword, after which he uttered this speech: "This armor Hrothgar, the wise king, gave me. In a word he bade that I should first tell thee its history. He said that King Heregar, Lord of the Scyldings, had had it a long while; yet none the sooner would he

1 There are no sections numbered XXIX and XXX in the manuscript, although nothing seems to be lost.

give the breast-garments to his son, bold Heoroweard, though he was dear to him. Enjoy it all well!”

I heard that four dappled horses alike in speed followed the trappings. He made him a present of horses and treasures. So shall a kinsman do and in no case weave a net of treachery for the other by secret wiles, or prepare death for his comrade. To Hygelac, strong in battle, his nephew was very dear; each was mindful of the other's good. I heard tell that he gave to Hygd the necklace splendid with wondrous jewels, which Wealtheow gave to him, the King's daughter, together with three horses, graceful and brightly saddled. Ever after, when she had received the ring, her breast was adorned with it.

So the son of Ecgtheow showed himself brave, a man known in war for his good deeds, and bore himself with honor. He did not slay his hearth-companions when they were flushed with drink; his mind was not cruel, though, stern in battle, he ruled with strength greatest among mankind, the generous gift that God had given him. He had been long despised, for the sons of the Geats did not count him good, nor would the Lord of the Weders honor him with much on the mead-bench. They felt sure he was slothful, an atheling without spirit. Change came to the well-honored man from each of his griefs.

Then the protector of earls, the warfamed king, bade them fetch in Hrethel's legacy, adorned with gold. As for treasures, there was nothing better in the way of a sword among the Geats. He laid it in Beowulf's lap and gave him seven thousand hides,' a house and a princely seat. By both jointly the land was inherited in the country, their ancestral estate, though the other more espe

A measure of land, sufficient to support a family.

cially had wide domain because he was of higher rank.

HOW BEOWULF BECAME KING. OF THE DRAGON THAT GUARDED THE HOARD

Afterwards it happened in later days through clashes of battle when Hygelac lay dead and battle-swords beneath shields became the death of Heardred,when the stern warriors, the HeathoScylfings, sought him among the victors and violently attacked the nephew of Hereric,-that then the broad kingdom came into the hands of Beowulf. He ruled well fifty winters-the king was then old, the aged defender of the landuntil on dark nights one began to hold sway, a dragon, that on the high heath watched over some treasure-hoard, a high stone barrow.2 A path lay beneath, unknown to men. Therein went some man, I know not who, made his way forward nigh to the heathen hoard, took in his hand a large cup, tawny with gold. Nor did he afterwards conceal it, though while sleeping he had been tricked by the thief's cunning. That the people, the neighboring nation of warriors, found out; they realized that he was angry.

3

XXXII

THE MOUND, THE HOARD, AND THE DRAGON'S WRATH

It was not of his own accord that he broke into the dragon's board, nor by his own wish, he who did the dragon wrong-but for sore distress the slave of I know not whom among the children of men fled from angry blows and, in want of shelter, got inside, a guilty man. Soon terror stood in the heart of the visitor. Yet when the danger overtook

2 mound The dragon.