Beowulf 2: Horror

Then was Hrothgar given success in war,

praises in battle, so that his kinsfolk

eagerly obeyed him until the youth grew hardy,

a great company of warriors. It occurred to his mind

that he wished to command his men to construct

a great mead-house, the hall of all halls—

what the children of men had always asked for—

and there within, all would be given,

the young and the old, such as God had granted him,

everything except the common lands and the lives of men. (ll. 64-73)

Then I have learned it far and wide that the work was proclaimed

to the many tribes throughout this middle-earth,

that they must adorn that folk-stead. And so it happened in his time,

immediately among men, that it was completely finished,

the greatest of halls—he created for it the name Heorot,

he who had the widest authority of his words.

He left no promises unfulfilled and dealt out rings,

riches at his feastings.^[1] The hall towered there,

high and horn-wide, awaiting the whelming flames,

the hateful tongues. It was not so long yet

until the blade-hatred must awaken sworn in-laws

after their slaughtering malice.^[2] (ll. 74-85)

Then wretchedly a mighty monster

suffered for a space, he who dwelt in darkness,

every day hearing the joy loud in the hall.

The voice of harps was there and the ringing song

of the scop.^[3] One spoke who knew best,                                                              poet

of the creation of men, relating from long before.

He told that the Almighty made the earth,

a shining-bright plain, so surrounded by waters.

He established both sun and moon, victorious and triumphant,

the lamps of light for those living on land,

and ornamented all the corners of the earth

with limbs and leaves—he also shaped life itself

in all kinds of creatures which quickly scurry about. (ll. 86-98)

So these noble warriors lodged in their delights

blissfully — until their lonely opponent

made evil upon them, the fiend from hell.

That ferocious spirit was named Grendel,

the notorious border-strider, who held the moors,

the swampy stronghold, the lair of water-monsters,

an unhappy creature, keeping them a long while,

since the Shaper had condemned him

as the kin of Cain—that killing had the Eternal Lord

avenged, after the man had struck down Abel.^[4]

Cain rejoiced not in that felony, but he banished him far away,

the Measurer for those wicked deeds, from the kindred of men.

From there was conceived all sorts of monstrous things,

ogres and elves and revenants, likewise the giants

who struggled against God for many ages—

who gave them back their just deserts. (ll. 99-114)

II.^[5]

Then Grendel departed to seek out, after the night had fallen,

that high house, how the Ring-Danes had occupied it

after their beer-taking—he discovered therein

a company of noblemen slumbering after their feast—

they knew no sorrow, no misery of mankind.

That wicked creature, grim and greedy,

was instantly ready, savage and severe,

and he snatched up thirty thanes from their rest.

From there he soon departed, exulting in his spoils,

venturing back to his home, seeking out his lair

glutted by slaughter. (ll. 115-25)

It was in the dark before dawn, the earliest morn,

when Grendel’s savage strength was revealed to men.

Then a great cry was heaved up after the banquet,

a mighty clamor at morning. The famous prince,

a noble tested true, sat unblithe, suffering

powerfully, enduring the tearing away of his thanes.

Afterwards they looked upon the trace of that loathed one,

that accursed ghast. That struggle was too strong,                             ghost, guest(?)

hateful and long-lasting. And it was no longer a time

than the next night, when Grendel did it all again,

more violent killing, and mourned it not,

feud or felony. He was too imbrued in them. (ll. 126-37)

Then it was too easy to find those seeking

a roomier rest elsewhere, their bed in the outbuildings,

when it became signified, said soothly,

as a manifest token, the hatred of the hall-stalker.

Afterwards he who wished to escape from the fiend

held himself aloof, farther and faster from the hall.^[6] (ll. 138-43)

So ruled Grendel, and struggled against the right,

alone against all, until the best of halls stood idle.

The time was great, a season of twelve winters,

that the friend of the Scyldings suffered misery,

every woe, the broadest sorrows. Therefore it became

an open secret to men, to the sons of humanity,

through miserable songs, that Grendel struggled

a long while against Hrothgar, wearing malicious hatred,

felony and feud for many long years,

a perpetual strife—he wished for no accord

with any man among the host of the Danes,

to turn aside the soul-slaying or settle it with payment,

nor need any of the counselors expect

to receive bright gifts from the hands of a killer. (ll. 144-58)

Yet the monster was persecuting young and old,

the dark shadow of death, lurking and entrapping them.

In endless night he ruled the misty moors—

and men cannot know whither hellish demons

glide in their orbits. (ll. 159-63)

So many enormities the enemy of mankind,

loathsome lone-stalker, often perpetrated

a shaming more severe. He inhabited Heorot,

the dear-studded hall by the darkest night—

but he might never approach that gift-seat.                          i.e., Hrothgar’s throne

or its treasures because of the Measurer—

he did not know his love. (ll. 164-69)

That was a mighty wrack for the Scyldings’ friend,

a breaking of his heart. Often many sat,

the capable at council, stewing upon a course

what best to do by the much-spirited

against terror’s ferocity. (ll. 170-74)

Sometimes they offered at heathen fanes

honoring wooden gods, worshipping wordfully

so that the soul-slayer might give solace

in the people’s peril. Such was their custom,

their heathenish hope. They remembered hell                       .                          pagan

in their inner hearts. They knew not the Measurer,

the Deemer of Deeds, nor did they know Lord God—

indeed nor could they praise the Helmet of Heaven,

the Sovereign of Glory. Woe to those who must

through glowering malice shove down their souls

into the fathoming fire, who must not expect comfort

or one jot of change! It will be well for those

who are allowed after their death-day to seek the Lord

and beg for protection in the Father’s embrace! (ll. 175-88)

III.

And so Halfdane’s son perpetually boiled

over these troubled times, nor could the wise warrior

avert these woes. Too harsh was this affliction,

loathsome and long-lasting, that had come upon his people,

the malice-grim vengeance, the greatest of night-terrors. (ll. 189-93)

From his homeland Hygelac’s thane had heard,

good among the Geats, about the deeds of Grendel.

He was the strongest of power among

mankind in those days of this life,

noble and well-grown. He ordered an excellent wave-glider                             ship

readied for himself—he stated he wished to seek

the war-king across the swan-road,                                                                        sea

the famous prince who stood in need of men.

Wise retainers reproached him but little

about that mission, though he was loved by them,

whetting his mighty spirit and peering at the portents. (ll. 194-204)

This outstanding hero had chosen champions

from the Geatish tribe, from those he found

keenest for battle—one of some fifteen men

seeking the surge-wood, the warrior leading the way,

a sea-crafty man to the limit of the shore. (ll. 205-09)

The time went forth—the ship was upon the waves,

the boat under the sea-cliffs. The warriors made ready,

mounting the prow. The currents wound about,

stream against the sand. The soldiers carried

onto the lap of the ship bright treasures,

and magnificent war-fittings. Then men shoved out,

warriors on their wanted journey, the wood tightly bound.

Then it departed over the wavy sea, hurried by the wind,

a float foamy-necked, very much like a bird,

until about the same time on the second day,

the whorled prow had traversed the distance,

so that the sailors saw land, the shining sea-cliffs,

the steep hills and the broad promontories.

The sea-crossing was sailed, their voyage had ended.

Thence they went swiftly, heroes of the Weder-Geats,

descended onto dry land, restraining the sea-wood—

battle-sarks resounding, their war-weavings—

They thanked God that the wave-path was easy for them. (ll. 210-228)

Then from the wall the Scylding warden spotted them,

who must keep watch over the wave-cliffs,

saw bright bosses borne down the gangway,

gear for an army ready for deployment.

The desire broke him, in his mind-thoughts to know

what men these were. Then he turned himself toward the shore,

riding his horse, the thane of Hrothgar, shaking forcefully,

strong spear-wood in his hand,

inquiring with carefully-chosen words: (ll. 229-36)

“Who are you, armor-bearing men,

bolstered in your byrnies, who come                                             chain-mail tunics

leading this steep ship over the sea-streets,

hither over the waves? For a long while

I have been the border guardian, holding shore-watch,

that no one hated by the Danes could harm us

by land with a shipborne force. (ll. 237-43)

“Never more brazenly have shield-havers

landed here—you all know nothing

of the leave-words of our war-makers,

no covenant from my kinsmen.

Never have I seen a greater noble warrior

upon the earth, than that one of your number,

a man in his war-weaving—he is no back-bencher

worthied with weapons—may his singular aspect,

his mighty bearing never betray him! (ll. 244-51a)

“Now I must be advised of your origins,

before you proceed further, lying observers maybe

to the land of the Danes, going from here.

Now you far-dwellers, sea-sailors,

heed my fixed request: to hurry is best

revealing whence you have come.” (ll. 251b-57)

IIII.

The eldest among them gave him answer,

the leader of the troop unlocking his word-hoard:

“We are of the people of the Geats, their kin,

and hearth-brethren of Hygelac.

My father was well-known to many peoples,

a noble first at the front called Ecgtheow.

He endured a host of winters before he went his way,

aged in the yards—readily will every wise man

remember him widely throughout the world. (ll. 258-66)

“We come with loyal hearts seeking your lord,

the son of Halfdane, the bulwark of his people.

Be good to us in your instruction!

We have a mighty mission to the famous king of the Danes—

nor must anything be kept secret here, as I see it.

You know too well, if we hear it said truthfully,

that among the Scyldings is some sort of scather,

an obscure deed-hater who reveals in the dark of night

a purposeless malice through his terror,

both an infamy and a glutting of corpses.

Out of my capacious spirit, I can teach Hrothgar this,

good counsel, how he, wise and excellent,

can vanquish this fiend, if reversal should come to him,

a ready cure for his baleful cares—

and his sorrowful wellings become the cooler.

Or else, always afterwards, he must suffer

his wretched days his close calamity,

so long as the best of houses^[7] stands there on the tall hill.” (ll. 267-85)            

The warden spoke out, sitting there upon his horse,

a fearless servitor: “He who thinks well,

a sharp-witted shield-warrior, must ponder the distinction

between words and works. I hear that fact,

that this company is loyal to the lord of the Scyldings.

Go ahead, bearing your weapons and battle-tackle.

I shall guide you. Likewise I shall command

my junior watchmen to keep your ship on the sand

hold this fresh-tarred float against every enemy,

with honor, until it carries again whichever beloved man,

of your right-performing troop, across the deep currents

the wood winding-necked, unto Wederish marches,

as it is given to escape, unharmed, the battle-rush.” (ll.286-300)

So they turned themselves to go. Their float awaited them

in its mooring, swaying on the sea, fast at anchor,

the broad-bosomed boat. Helmets shone boar-fashioned

over cheek-guards, adorned with gold,

flecked and fire-hardened—the masked man,

war-minded held the life-warden. The men hurried

advancing in step, until they could perceive

the timbered hall, magnificent and gold-spangled—

it was the most famous house under the heavens

among all earth-dwellers—and inside waited the king.

Its rays of light blazed over a bevy of lands. (ll. 301-11)

Then the battle-brave soldier showed them

the bright house of heady men, so that they could

aim straight for it. That certain war-veteran

steered his horse away, speaking a word after them:

“It’s time for me to turn back—may the All-wielding Father

keep you all sound with gracious care on your mission.

I wish to resume my watch by the sea against wrathful hosts!” (ll. 312-19)

V.

The street was stone-fretted, guiding the way

for the men in rows. Their war-byrnies glittered,

hard and hand-linked, shining ringed iron

sang in their setting, when they came marching

even to the hall, in their terrible war-coats.

Wearied from the sea, they set down broad shields,

bosses shower-hardened, against the wall of the building,^[8]

then bent down to benches, sarks resounding,

the war-armor of men. Their spears stood,

sea-men’s tackle, leaning together,

ashen shafts grey at the tip. That metal-bound troop

was worthied in weapons. Then a proud noble

asked the chosen champions about their lineage: (ll. 320-32)

“From where have you all ferried those fretted shields,

grey hauberks and masked helmets, this forest of battle-shafts?

I am Hrothgar’s herald and servant. Never have I seen

many strange men thus, more haughty of bearing.

I reckon that you come in pride, hardly in exile,

but seeking Hrothgar out of majestic intentions.” (ll. 333-39)

The courage-bold one answered him then,

the chieftain of the Weders, speaking a word after,

hardy under his helmet: “We are the table-comrades

of Hygelac—Beowulf is my name.^[9]

I wish to speak to the son of Halfdane,

that famous prince, your lord, about my errand—

if he wishes to grant us the favor, that we may

approach him so excellent.” (ll. 340-47)

Wulfgar spoke in reply—he was a prince of the Wendels—

his mindful spirit was known by many,

his valor and his wisdom: “I gladly will inquire

with the friend of the Danes, the lord of the Scyldings,

the dispenser of rings and famous prince,

as you are petitioning about your mission,

and will presently make known the answer

that the good man thinks to return to me.” (ll. 348-55)

Hastily he turned away to where Hrothgar sat

old and hoary, among his company of nobles.

He went, courage-bold so that he stood by the shoulder

of the Danish lord, knowing the glorious custom.

Wulfgar presented his message unto his friendly lord:

“Here have come foreign travelers of the Geatish people

over the ocean’s coursing. These champions name

their oldest Beowulf. They are requesting that they,

my prince, be allowed to exchange words with you.

Do not ordain them a refusal, gracious Hrothgar

in your straightforward reply—

they seem worthy in their war-gear,

in the esteem of nobles. Indeed their chief is most competent

he who guided these battle-warriors hither.” (ll. 356-70)

VI.

Hrothgar gave reply, the helmet of the Scyldings:

“I knew him when he was still a boy.

His late father was called Ecgtheow,

to whom Hrethel the Geat gave a home

and his only daughter. Now his hardened heir

comes here, seeking a loyal ally!

The sea-venturers used to say then,

those who carried coined gifts to the Geats

thither as thanks, that he had the strength

of thirty men in his hand-grip^[10] and fame in war as well.

Holy God has sent him to us as a support,

to the West-Danes, as I have hope,

against the terror of Grendel. I must offer treasures

to that good chieftain for his mindful courage.

Be of haste, bid their allied band to enter and be seen,

gathered together. Say to them wordfully as well

that they are welcome among the Danish people.” (ll. 371-89a)

[Then Wulfgar went to the door of the hall,] announcing his word from within:

“My victorious lord, ruler of the East-Danes,

has ordered me to tell you that he knows of your heritage

and you are welcome by him here, hardy hearts

from over the sea’s whelming. Now you may come inside

in your battle-wear, under your war masks,

to see Hrothgar—but let battle-boards await here,                                       shields

and the wooden shafts of slaughter, the outcome of your words.”             spears

(ll. 389b-98) 

Then the powerful one arose, about him many warriors,

a band of mighty thanes, some of them waiting behind there

to keep watch over the war-weapons, as the hardened one ordered then.

They hastened together, that man guiding them

under Heorot’s roof. The battle-brave went forth,

hard under helmet, until he stood at the hearth. (ll. 399-404)

Beowulf made a speech, his byrnie shining on him

the intricate mail sewn by the clever thoughts of the smith:

“May you, Hrothgar, be well! I am Hygelac’s kinsman

and dear thane. I have performed many mighty deeds

in my youth. The notorious matter of Grendel

became known to me in my homeland:

sea-travelers are saying that this hall,

the best of houses, stands idle and unavailing

to every warrior after the evening’s light,

the brightness under heaven, becomes obscured. (ll. 405-14)

“Then my tribesmen instructed me, the best

of our wise men, that I should seek you,

Prince Hrothgar, because they knew my skillful power,

they observed it themselves when I came back

from sorties, splattered by my enemies,

where I bound up five warriors, and destroyed

a tribe of giants, and among the waves

struck down water-beasts by night,

enduring many close calls, avenging

malice against the Weders—they asked for their woes—

I ground down our oppressors and now, against Grendel,

I must pay him back alone,

that wretched monster, that demon. (ll, 415-26a)

“Just now I wish to ask you one thing,

lord of the Bright-Danes, Hedge of the Scyldings,

one single favor, that you do not refuse me this—

shelter of warriors, generous friend of your people,

now that I have come so far, that I be allowed

to cleanse Heorot, alone, with this band of my warriors,

this troop of hardened men. I have learned as well

that this monster, out of recklessness, reckons naught

of weaponry. So I shall disdain them, so that Hygelac

might be most pleased at heart, my lord of men,

not bearing any blade or broad shield with yellow boss

into the battle, but I must grapple with the fiend

with grip alone,^[11] contend life against life,

hate against hatred. There he must trust

in the judgment of the Lord, he whom death seizes. (ll. 426b-41)

I reckon that he will, if he is allowed to win

in the war-hall, fearlessly devour Geatish warriors,

just as he has often devoured your glorious troops.

There will be no need at that moment to cover

my head,^[12] but he will have covered enough,

blotted with blood, if death seizes me—

he will bear me to bloody slaughter, thinking to taste me—

the solitary stalker will eat without the slightest regret,

marking his swampy lair. There will be no need

to sorrow for long over cleaning my corpse!

Just send Hygelac, if the contest conquers me,

this best of battle-clothes that wards my breast,

finest of garments. It is an heirloom of Hrethel,

the work of Weland. The way of the world

always goes as it must!” (ll. 442-55)

VII.

Hrothgar spoke in reply, the helmet of the Scyldings:

“For our great deeds, my friend Beowulf,

and gracious assistance you have sought us.

Your father struck the greatest of feuds

becoming the hand-slayer of Heatholaf,

amid the Wylfings. Then his sheltering people

could not keep him because of their war-terror.

From there he searched out the South-Danish folk

over the whelming waves, the Honor-Scyldings.

Then I first controlled the Danish people

and in my youth I possessed the spacious kingdom,

the heroes’ many-treasured city. At that time

Heorogar was dead, unliving my elder brother,

the son of Halfdane—he was a better man than I!

After that I managed the feud with payment,

sending olden treasures to the Wylfings

over the spine of the sea. He swore oaths to me. (ll. 456-72)

“It is sorrowful to me to speak my own heart

to any man what Grendel has done to me,

a shame in Heorot through his hateful ideas

and a fearful malice. My hall-troop has waned,

the warrior’s company. Misfortune has swept them away

into the terror of Grendel. Only God can easily

put an end to this maddened scather of deeds! (ll. 473-79)

“All too often, drunk with beer, my loyal thanes

boasted over their ale-horns that they wished

to await the enmity of Grendel in the drinking-hall

with a flurry of blades. Always after, by morning-time,

this mead-hall, this home of warriors,

was besmirched with blood, when the day blazed,

all the bench-boards were bedewed with gore,

the hall dripping with death. I had fewer loyal men,

my brave company smaller, when that killing seized them.

Sit now at my feasting and unseal your moderate mind,

your joyful victories for men, just as your heart urges you.” (ll. 480-90)

Then were benches cleared for the Geatish kindred

gathered together in the beer-hall.

There the strong-spirited went to sit,

mindful of their might. A thane attended to his office,

who held in his hands a handwrought horn,

pouring out bright mead.^[13] Sometimes a scop sang for them,

bright-voiced in Heorot. There were many joys of heroes,

no small assembly of Danes and Geats. (ll. 491-98)

VIII.

Unferth made a speech, the son of Ecglaf,

who sat at the feet of the Scylding lord,

he unbound his battle-rhyme. Beowulf’s mission,

the proud sea-crosser, chagrined him greatly,

because he begrudged that any other man

ever could care for greater glory in this middle-earth,

under the heavens than he himself: (ll. 499-505)

“Are you that Beowulf who struggled against Brecca

upon the broad seas, challenging him to swim,

where you both tempted the waters out of pride

and your foolish boasting in the fathomless ocean,

risking your lives? Nor could any man,

hearty or hated, persuade either of you

from your dangerous daring, besides rowing with your hands.

There you two were covered in the currents desperately,

sizing up the sea-streets, hurrying with your hands,

gliding across the spear-waves. The ocean welled with roiling,

the whelming of winter. You two toiled

in the water’s possession for seven nights—

but he overcame you in swimming, having the greater strength.

Then the sea bore him up in the morning-time

onto the Heathoreams’ shore. From there he sought

his own homeland, dear among his people,

Brondings’ land, the fair city of your allies,

where he claimed kin, shelter, and rings.

The son of Beanstan truly made good

on his entire boast against you.

So then I expect from you a worse outcome,

although you have often availed in the rush of battle,

grim warfare, if you dare very near at hand

to await Grendel for the length of the entire night.” (ll. 506-28)

Beowulf made his reply, the son of Ecgtheow:

“What a whole lot of words, Unferth my friend,

you have spoken concerning Breca, drunk on beer,

telling of his trajectory. But I shall tell you all the truth:

that I possessed the greater strength at sea,

and waylaying in the waves, than any other man.

We chided each other, being still children,

and boasted as well—we were both still

in youthly spirits—that we would risk our lives

out on the spear-waves, and we did as we said.

We held onto naked swords, hard in our hands,

when we rowed in our swimming, thinking to protect

ourselves against the whale-fishes.

Breca never could swim a jot farther than me

in the flooding waves, no faster in the sea,

never did I wish to pull ahead of him. (ll. 529-43)

“Then we were in the sea together for five nights,

until the current drove us apart. The welling waters,

the coldest of weather, the glooming night,

and the north wind battle-grim turned against us.

The waves were cruel, and the spirits of sea-monsters

were stirred up. There my body-sark gave me

some help against their hatred, hardened and hand-linked,

the woven war-dress laying on my breast,

fretted with gold. A speckled harmer, hostile,

had me fast, tore me to the sea floor,

grim in his grip. However, it was granted me

to skewer the monster on the tip of my battle-sword.

The rush of warfare seized the mighty sea-beast

through my hand. (ll. 544-58)

VIIII.

“And so frequently these hating foes harassed me,

oppressing me heavily. I ministered to them

with the bitter blade, as it served them best.

They took no pleasure at all in their fullness,

those wicked things that set upon me,

sitting around the banquet-table near the sea floor—

but in the morning, wounded by the blade,

strewn up upon the sandy strand,

dreaming by the sword, so that never afterwards,

about the deep channel, would they hinder

the course of sea-farers. Light came from the east,

the bright beacon of God, and the ocean slackened

until I could see the headlands, those windy walls.

The course of events often spares the undoomed earl,

when his courage avails. (ll. 559-73)

“However, it happened to me that I slew

with my sword nine sea monsters.

Never have I learned under the vault of heaven

of a more difficult contest in the night,

nor in the sea-streams a man harder beset.

Yet I survived the clutch of foes, escaped with my life,

weary with swimming. Then the sea carried me,

the flood according to the tides onto Finnish territory,

the welling waves. I haven’t heard a peep

spoken about you, about such terrible battles,

the terror of blades. Neither Brecca nor you

ever performed much of note in the dance of battle,

with the splattered sword—not to boast much of it—

though you might have been a killer of your brothers,

your own close kin, and for that you ought to suffer

retribution in the hall, even though your wit might avail you.^[14] (ll. 574-89)

“I say something else that’s true, son of Ecglaf,

that Grendel never would have shown so many terrors,

that fearsome fighter, to your own prince,

such shame in Heorot, if your spirit, your heart,

was as cleverly pointed as you hold yourself—^[15]

but he has discovered that he need not fear much

the feuds of your people —Victory-Scyldings—

nor their fearsome onrush of their blades.^[16]

He extorts tribute, is merciful to none

of the Danish people, makes war on joy itself,

kills it and eats it, reckoning nothing of the attacks

of the Spear-Danes. But I must show him in battle

the might and courage of the Geats very soon.

He may go to mead, courageously at last, who is allowed,

after the morning light of another day,

the spangled sun shines from the south

over the children of men!” (590-606)

Then was the dispenser of treasures greatly contented

expecting relief, grey-haired and war-ready,

the lord of the Bright-Danes. He heard, the people’s ward,

in Beowulf a well-conceived plan. (ll. 607-10)

There was a laughter of heroes, a singing sound,

their words were winsome. Wealhtheow^[17] went forth,

Hrothgar’s queen, mindful of manners,

gold-fretted she greeted the men in the hall,

and the generous woman gave a cup first

to the home-warden of the East-Danes,

bidding him be blithe at the beer-taking,

cherished by the people. He accepted it gladly,

the feasting and the hall-flagon, a king victory-bold. (ll. 611-19)

Then the lady of the Helmings rounded throughout,

giving the jeweled cup to young and old,

on every side until that time arrived

when the ring-laden queen brought the mead-horn

to Beowulf, illustrious in spirit.

She greeted the Geat chieftain and gave thanks to God,

wordfully wisdom-fast, so that her wish should come true,

that she could anticipate assistance against the crimes

coming from some earl. Beowulf received the cup,

a slaughter-fell warrior, from Wealhtheow

and then, bucking to fight, spoke eloquently,

making a speech, the son of Ecgtheow: (ll. 620-30)

“I decided that, when I mounted the waves,

sitting in a sea-boat, among my cadre of warriors,

that I would work the will of your people

completely, or else I would succumb to the slaughter,

fixed in the fiend’s grip. I must perform

this deed of manly courage, or else I will await

my final day here in this mead-hall.” (ll. 631-38)

These words were most pleasing to the woman,

the boasting speech of the Geat—she went gold-laden,

the generous queen of her people to sit by her lord. (ll. 639-41)

Then there were again, as before, within the hall

glorious words spoken and a tribe in high spirits,

the voice of the victorious folk, until, almost immediately,

the son of Halfdane wished to seek his evening rest.

He knew a raid upon that high house

had been planned by the monster since the sun’s light

could be seen, until the night was darkening over all,

and that shape of shadowy night would come scurrying,

dark under a dark sky. The troops all rose. (ll. 642-51)

Then that man hailed the other, Hrothgar

to Beowulf, and bid him fair fortune,

ceding him care of the wine-hall, and speaking these words:

“Never have I before yielded up to any man,

ever since I could control hand and shield,

this majestic hall of the Danes, save to you right now.

Keep and hold it well, this best of houses.

Be mindful of fame. Reveal your mighty courage.

Keep watch for the wrathful! There will be no want of the desirable

for you if you surpass that daring deed with your life.” (ll. 652-61)

X.

Then Hrothgar departed with his retinue of warriors,

the hedge of the Scyldings, out of the hall.

The first in war wished to seek Wealhtheow,^[18]

his queen as his consort. The glorious king had appointed

such a hall-guardian against Grendel—as men would soon learn—

who kept this unique office for the prince of Danes,

pronouncing this giant-watch. (ll. 662-68)

Indeed the chief of the Geats trusted eagerly

in his proud power, and the protection of the Measurer.

Then he undid his iron byrnie, his helmet from his head,

giving his adorned sword, best of all iron blades,

to a serving-man, and ordered him to hold that battle-gear.

Then the good man spoke some boasting words,

Beowulf the Geat, before he climbed into bed: (ll. 669-76)

“I never tallied my lone war-prowess the poorer,

my deeds of war, than Grendel would himself.

Therefore I do not wish to kill him with a sword,

deprive him of life, though I might thoroughly.

He knows not of the excellent skills, which he may strike against me,

or hew my shield, although he may be ferocious

in his malicious deeds. Yet we two must in the night

eschew the sword if he dares to seek out

a war without a weapon—knowing God,

the Holy Lord, will afterwards adjudge the glory

to whichever hand seems the better.” (ll. 677-87)

The battle-brave lay bent down, the bolster receiving

the nobleman’s face, and about him there were many

daring sea-warriors bowed down to their hall-rest.

None of them thought that he would ever seek again

from there his beloved home, his kinsfolk,

or his cherished city, where he was raised,

but they had learned that a gory death

had before seized too many great men,

the Danish people, in that wine-flowing hall. (ll. 688-96a)

But the Lord had already given them

the weft of war-fortune, to the Wederish men,

aid and assistance, so that they would overcome

their enemy entirely through a singular strength,

by one’s own might. The truth is revealed,

that mighty God has ruled over mankind

for many wide years. (ll. 696b-702a)

                               The demon came in the dark night,

a shadow-slider gliding. (ll. 702b-703a)