8. He was not that lyght: but to beare witnes of the lyght.

9. That was a true lyght, which lyghteth all men that come into the worlde.

10. He was in the worlde, and the worlde was made by him: and yet the worlde knewe him not. 11. He cam amonge his (awne) and his awne receaved him not.

12. But as meny as reccaved him, to them he gave power to be the sonnes of God in that they beleved on his name:

13. which were borne, not of bloude nor of the will of the flesshe, nor yet of the will of man: but of God.

14. And the worde was made flesshe and dwelt amonge us, and we sawe the glory of it, as the glory of the only begotten sonne of the father, which worde was full of grace and verite.

8. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

9. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man, that cometh into the world.

10. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11. He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to ther.. that believe on his name:

13. Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

on the breast of the boat, the breaker-of-rings,' 35 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 40

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.

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1 King or chieftain of a comitatus: he breaks off gold from the spiral rings-often worn on the arm-and so rewards his followers.

2 The poet's favorite figure of litotes or understatement. He means that the treasure which they sent out with the dead king far exceeded what came with him in the boat that brought him, a helpless child to their shores.

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

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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,

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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

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,

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clear song of the singer. He sang who knew 3 90 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 fiend of hell.
Grendel this monster grim was called,
march-riever 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, and far was he driven,
for the slaughter's sake, from sight of men.
Of Cain awoke all that woful breed,
Etins and elves and evil-spirits,
as well as the giants that warred with God
weary while: but their wage was paid them!

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,

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ΙΙΟ

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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, and lurked in the livelong night of misty moorlands: men may say not where the haunts of these Hell-Runes 8 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 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

9

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 10

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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, 180 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!

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

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The smaller buildings within the main enclosure but separate from the hall.

8 Sorcerers-of-hell."

Hrothgar.

10 That is, in formal or prescribed phrase.

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 he sought, and, sailor proved, led them on to the land's confines.

Time had now flown; afloat was the ship, boat under bluff. On board they climbed, warriors ready; waves were churning sea with sand; the sailors bore

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on the breast of the bark their bright array, their mail and weapons: the men pushed off, 215 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 curvéd prow such course had run that sailors now could see the land, sea-cliffs shining, steep high hills,

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else ever afterward anguish-days

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headlands broad. Their haven was found, their journey ended. Up then quickly the Weders' clansmen climbed ashore, anchored their sea-wood, with armor clashing and gear of battle: God they thanked for 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 arméd men, mailéd 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

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broad of gable and bright with gold: that was the fairest, 'mid folk of earth,

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of houses 'neath heaven, where Hrothgar lived, 310 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:

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"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."

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'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,

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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,

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his courage and counsel: "The king of Danes, 350 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." 355
Hied then in haste to where Hrothgar sat
white-haired and old, his earls about him,

I 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,

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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, 4 20 and that wild brood worsted. I' the waves I slew nicors by night, in need and peril

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to hide my head; 2 for his shall I be,

the bold-in-battle. Blesséd 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. 385 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

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: 450 no further for me need'st food prepare! To Hygelac send, if Hild 3 should take me, best of war-weeds, warding my breast,

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, arméd 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.

"Sore is my soul to say to any

of the race of man what ruth for me

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"What a deal hast uttered, dear my Unferth, drunken with beer, of Breca now,

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told of his triumph! Truth I claim it,

that I had more of might in the sea

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-But sit to the banquet, unbind thy words, hardy hero, as heart shall prompt thee."

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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.

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when for pride the pair of you proved the floods, and wantonly dared in waters deep

put to sleep by the sword. And since, by them on the fathomless sea-ways sailor-folk

are never molested.-Light from east,

to risk your lives? No living man,

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or lief or loath, from your labor dire

came bright God's beacon; the billows sank, so that I saw the sea-cliffs high,

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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

windy walls. For Wyrd oft saveth earl undoomed if he doughty be!

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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,

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the welling waters. No wise of thee have I heard men tell such terror of falchions, bitter battle. Breca ne'er yet,

This mighty power. whom the Christian poet can still revere, has here the general force of "Destiny."

Began the battle. This argument between Beowulf and Unferth is an example of the "yting." or word-combat, popular among primitive peoples.J 3 Breca.