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BEOWULF,

AN ANGLO-SAXON EPIC POEM,

TRANSLATED FROM THE HEYNE-SOCIN TEXT

BY

JNO: LESSLIE HALL,

Professor of English and History in The College of William and Mary.

{.Presented to the Board of University Studies of the Johns Hopkins University for the

Degree of Doctor of Philosophy.)

2 5 q i] \ t \ Wri « 1893

BOSTON, U.S.A.:

D. C. HEATH & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1892.

7^ *

£?3

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1892, by

JNO: LESSLIE HALL, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

Typography by J. S. Cushing & Co., Boston, U.S.A.

Presswork by Berwick & Smith, Boston, U.S.A.

TO

:p Mitt.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

Preface vii

Bibliography of Translations xi

Glossary of Proper Names xiii

List of Words and Phrases not in General Use ...... xviii

The Life and Death of Scyld (I.) i

Scyld's Successors . Hrothgar's Great Mead-Hall

} (II.)

3

Grendel, the Murderer (III.) 5

Beowulf Goes to Hrothgar's Assistance (IV.) 8

The Geats Reach Heorot (V.) 10

Beowulf Introduces Himself at the Palace (VI.) 12

Hrothgar and Beowulf (VII.) 14

Hrothgar and Beowulf {continued) (VIII.) 17

Unferth Taunts Beowulf (IX.) 19

Beowulf Silences Unferth 1 /v .

V (X.) 21

Glee is High . . . i

All Sleep save One (XI.) 24

Grendel and Beowulf (XII.) 26

Grendel is Vanquished (XIII.) 28

Rejoicing of the Danes (XIV.) 30

Hrothgar's Gratitude (XV.) t,Z

Hrothgar Lavishes Gifts upon his Deliverer (XVI.) 35

Banquet {continued') . . \ /yyyj n

The Scop's Song of Finn and Hn^ef /

The Finn Episode (continued) \ /XVjtt .

The Banquet Continues . /

Beowulf Receives Further Honor (XIX.) 41

The Mother of Grendel (XX.) 44

Hrothgar's Account of the Monsters (XXI.) ....... 46

Beowulf Seeks Grendel's Mother (XXII. ) . . . . . . . . 4S

Beowulf's Fight with Grendel's Mother (XXIII.) 51

Beowulf is Double-Conqueror (XXIV.) 53

vi Contents.

PAGE

Beowulf Brings his Trophies') (XXV ) 57

Hrothgar's Gratitude . /

Hrothgar Moralizes") (XXVI I 60

Rest after Labor J

Sorrow at Parting (XXVII.) 62

The Homeward Journey \ fXXVIII ) . . 64

The Two Queens . J

Beowulf and Higelac (XXIX.) 67

Beowulf Narrates his Adventures to Higelac (XXX.) 69

Gift-Giving is Mutual (XXXI.) 73

The Hoard and the Dragon (XXXII.) 75

Brave though Aged ) (-XXXIII ) 78

Reminiscences . i

Beowulf Seeks the Dragon } (XXXIV 1 81

Beowulf's Reminiscences >

Reminiscences {continued) "I ,,...,.,. . g,

Beowulf's Lasi Battle /

J (XXXVI.) .... 88

The Fatal Struggle 1 (XXXVTI.) 91

Beowulf's Last Moments)

Wiglaf Plunders the Dragon's Den) ,,„rv,rTTT .

V (XXXVIII.) 93

Beowulf's Death t

The Dead Foes

Wiglaf's Bitter Taunts

The Messenger of Death (XL.) 97

In 1 Messenger's Retrospect (XLI.) 99

Wiglaf's Sao Story . ) ,VTTT,

(ALII.) . . 103

The Hoard Carried Off J

The Burning of Beowulf (XLIII.) 106

Addenda 109

Wiglaf the Trusty

Beowulf is Deserted by Friends and by Sword

} (XXXIX.) 95

s i

PREFACE.

The present work is a modest effort to reproduce approximately, in modern measures, the venerable epic, Beowulf. Approximately, I repeat ; for a very- close reproduction of Anglo-Saxon verse would, to a large extent, be prose to a modern ear.

The Heyne-Socin text and glossary have been closely followed. Occasion- ally a deviation has been made, but always for what seemed good and sufficient reason. The translator does not aim to be an editor. Once in a while, how- ever, he has added a conjecture of his own to the emendations quoted from the criticisms of other students of the poem.

This work is addressed to two classes of readers. From both of these alike the translator begs sympathy and co-operation. The Anglo-Saxon scholar he hopes to please by adhering faithfully to the original. The student of English literature he aims to interest by giving him, in modern garb, the most ancient epic of our race. This is a bold and venturesome undertaking ; and yet there must be some students of the Teutonic past willing to follow even a daring guide, if they may read in modern phrases of the sorrows of Hrothgar, of the prowess of Beowulf, and of the feelings that stirred the hearts of our forefathers in their primeval homes.

In order to please the larger class of readers, a regular cadence has been used, a measure which, while retaining the essential characteristics of the origi- nal, permits the reader to see ahead of him in reading.

Perhaps every Anglo-Saxon scholar has his own theory as to how Beowulf should be translated. Some have given us prose versions of what we believe to be a great poem. Is it any reflection on our honored Kemble and Arnold to say that their translations fail to show a layman that Beowulf is justly called our first epic ? Of those translators who have used verse, several have written

viii Preface.

from what would seem a mistaken point of view. Is it proper, for instance, that the grave and solemn speeches of Beowulf and Hrothgar be put in ballad measures, tripping lightly and airily along? Or, again, is it fitting that the rough martial music of Anglo-Saxon verse be interpreted to us in the smooth measures of modern blank verse ? Do we hear what has been beautifully called " the clanging tread of a warrior in mail " ?

Of all English translations of Beowulf, that of Professor Garnett alone gives any adequate idea of the chief characteristics of this great Teutonic epic.

The measure used in the present translation is believed to be as near a reproduction of the original as modern English affords. The cadences closely resemble those used by Browning in some of his most striking poems. The four stresses of the Anglo-Saxon verse are retained, and as much thesis and anacrusis is allowed as is consistent with a regular cadence. Alliteration has been used to a large extent ; but it was thought that modern ears would hardly tolerate it on every line. End-rhyme has been used occasionally ; internal rhyme, sporadically. Both have some warrant in Anglo-Saxon poetry. (For end- rhyme, see 1 53, 1 54 ; for internal rhyme, 2 21, 6 40.)

What Gummere ' calls the " rime-giver " has been studiously kept ; viz., the first accented syllable in the second half-verse always carries the alliteration ; and the last accented syllable alliterates only sporadically. Alternate allitera- tion is occasionally used as in the original. (See 7 6i, 8 5.)

No two accented syllables have been brought together, except occasionally after a caesural pause. (See 2 19 and 12 1.) Or, scientifically speaking, Sievers's C type has been avoided as not consonant with the plan of translation. Several of his types, however, constantly occur ; e.g. A and a variant (^ x | 1 x) (1 x x | .: x) ; B and a variant (x 1 | x s) (x x 1 | x 1) ; a variant of D {1 x | 1 x x) ; E (-i x x I 1). Anacrusis gives further variety to the types used in the trans- lation.

The parallelisms of the original have been faithfully preserved. {E.g., 1 ir and 1 17 : " Lord " and " Wielder of Glory " ; 1 30, 1 31, 1 32 ; 2 12 and 2 13 ; 2 27 and 2 2s ; 3 5 and 3 6.) Occasionally, some loss has been sustained ; but, on the other hand, a gain has here and there been made.

The effort has been made to give a decided flavor of archaism to the trans- lation. All words not in keeping with the spirit of the poem have been

Handbook of Poetics, page 175, 1st edition.

Preface. ix

avoided. Again, though many archaic words have been used, there are none, it is believed, which are not found in standard modern poetry.

With these preliminary remarks, it will not be amiss to give an outline of the story of the poem.

THE STORY.

Hrothgar, king of the Danes, or Scyldings, builds a great mead-hall, or palace, in which he hopes to feast his liegemen and to give them presents. The joy of king and retainers is, however, of short duration. Grendel, the monster, is seized with hateful jealousy. He cannot brook the sounds of joyance that reach him down in his fen-dwelling near the hall. Oft and anon he goes to the joyous building, bent on direful mischief. Thane after thane is ruthlessly carried off and devoured, while no one is found strong enough and bold enough to cope with the monster. For tiuelve years he persecutes Hrothgar and his vassals.

Over sea, a day's voyage off, Beowulf, of the Geats, nephew of Higelac, king of the Geats, hears of Grendel's doings a?id of Hrothgar1 s misery. He resolves to crush the fell monster and relieve the aged king. With fourteen chosen companions, he sets sail for Dane-land. Reaching that country, he soon persuades Hrothgar of his ability to help him. The hours that elapse before night are spent in beer-drinking and conversation. When Hrothgar 's bedtime comes he leaves the hall in charge of Beowulf, telling him that never before has he given to another the absolute wardship of his palace. All retire to rest, Beowulf, as it were, sleeping upon his arms.

Gre?idel comes, the great march-stepper, bearing God's anger. He seizes and kills one of the sleeping warriors. Then he advances towards Beowulf. A fierce and desperate hand-to-hand struggle ensues. No arms are used, both combatants trusting to strength and hand-grip. Beowulf tears Grendel's shoulder from its socket, and the monster retreats to his den, howling and yelling 7vith agony and fury. The wound is fatal.

The next morning, at early dawn, warriors in numbers flock to the hall Heorot, to hear the news. Joy is boundless. Glee runs high. Hrothgar and his retainers are lavish of gratitude and of gifts.

Grendel's mother, however, comes the next night to avenge his death. She is furious and raging. While Beowulf is sleeping in a room somewhat apart

Preface.

from the quarters of the other warriors, she seizes one of Hrothgar' s favorite counsellors, and carries him off and devours him. Beowulf is called. Deter- mined to leave Heorot entirely purified, he arms himself and goes down to look for the female monster. After traveling through the waters many hours, he meets her near the sea-bottom. She drags him to her den. There he sees Grendel lying dead. After a desperate and almost fatal struggle with the woman, he slays her, and swims upward in triumph, taking with him Gren- deTs head.

Joy is renewed at Heorot. Congratulations C7vwd upon the victor. Hrothgar literally pours treasures into the lap of Beowulf ; and it is agreed among the vassals of the king thai Beowulf will be their next liegelonl.

Beowulf leaves Dane-land. Hrothgar weeps and laments at his departure.

When the hero arrives in his own land, Higelac treats him as a distin- guished guest. He is the hero of the hour.

Beowulf subsequently becomes king of his own people, the Geats. After he has been ruling for fifty years, his own neighborhood is wofully harried by a fire-spewing dragon. Beowulf determines to kill him. In the ensuing struggle both Beowulf and the dragon are slain. The grief of the Geats is inexpres- sible. They determine, however, to leave nothing undone to honor the memory of their lord. A great fimeral-pyre is built, and his body is burnt. Then a memorial- barrow is made, visible from a great distance, that sailors afar may be constantly reminded of the prowess of the national hero of Geatland.

The poem closes with a glowing tribute to his bravery, his gentleness, his goodness of heart, and his generosity.

It is the devout desire of this translator to hasten the day when the story of Beowulf shall be as familiar to English-speaking peoples as that of the Iliad. Beowulf is our first great epic. It is an epitomized history of the life of the Teutonic races. It brings vividly before us our forefathers of pre-Alfredian eras, in their love of war, of sea, and of adventure.

My special thanks are due to Professors Francis A. March and James A. Harrison, for advice, sympathy, and assistance.

J. L. HALL.

Williamsburg, Va., Nov. i, 1891.

ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THE NOTES.

B. = Bugge. C. = Cosijn. Gr. = Grein. Grdvtg. = Grundtvig. H. = Heyne. H. and S. = Harrison and Sharp. H.-So. = Heyne-Socin. K. = Kemble. Kl. = Kluge. M. = Miillenhoff. R. = Rieger. S. = Sievers. Sw. = Sweet, t. B. = ten Brink. Th. = Thorpe. W. = Wulcker.

BIBLIOGRAPHY OF TRANSLATIONS.

Arnold, Thomas. — Beowulf. A heroic poem of the eighth century. London, 1876. With English translation. Prose.

Botkine, L. — Beowulf. Epopee Anglo-Saxonne. Havre, 1877. First French transla- tion. Passages occasionally omitted.

Conybeare, J. J. — Illustrations of Anglo-Saxon Poetry. London, 1826. Full Latin translation, and some passages translated into English blank-verse.

Ettmiiller, L. — Beowulf, stabreimend iibersetzt. Zurich, 1840.

Garnett, J. M. — Beowulf: an Anglo-Saxon Poem, and the Fight atFinnsburg. Boston, 1882. An accurate line-for-line translation, using alliteration occasionally, and sometimes assuming a metrical cadence.

Grein, C. W. M. — Dichtungen der Angelsachsen, stabreimend iibersetzt. 2 Bde. Gottingen, 1857-59.

Grion, Giusto. — Beovulf, poema epico anglo-sassone del VII. secolo, tradotto e illus- trato. Lucca, 1883. First Italian translation.

Grundtvig, N. F. S. — Bjowulfs Drape. Copenhagen, 1820.

Heyne, M. — A translation in iambic measures. Paderborn, 1863.

Kemble, J. M. — The Anglo-Saxon Poems of Beowulf, the Traveller's Song, and the Battle of Finnsburg. London, 1833. The second edition contains a prose translation of Beowulf.

Leo, H. — Ueber Beowulf. Halle, 1839. Translations of extracts.

xii Bibliography of Translations.

Lumsden, H. W. — Beowulf, translated into modern rhymes. London, 1881. Ballad measures. Passages occasionally omitted.

Sandras, G. S. — De carminibus Csedmoni adjudicatis. Paris, 1859. An extract from Beowulf, with Latin translation.

Schaldmose, F. — Beowulf og Scopes Widsith, to Angelsaxiske Digte. Copenhagen, 1847-

Simrock, K. — Beowulf. Uebersetzt und erlautert. Stuttgart und Augsburg, 1859. Alliterative measures.

Thorkelin, G. J. — De Danorum rebus gestis secul. III. et IV. poema Danicum dia- lecto Anglosaxonica. Havnue, 181 5. Latin translation.

Thorpe, B. — The Anglo-Saxon Poems of Beowulf, the Scop or Gleeman's Tale, and the Fight at Finnsburg. Oxford, 1855. English translation in short lines, generally con- taining two stresses.

Wackerbarth, A. D. — Beowulf, translated into English verse. London, 1849.

Wickberg, R. — Beowulf, en fornengelek hjeltedikt, ofersatt. Westewik. First Swed- ish translation.

von Wolzogen, H. — Beowulf, in alliterative measures. Leipzig.

Zinsser, G. — Der Kampf Beowulfs mit Grendel. Jahresbericht of the Realschule at Forbach, 1881.

GLOSSARY OF PROPER NAMES.

[The figures refer to the divisions of the poem in which the respective names occur. The large figures refer to fitts; the small, to lines in the fitts.]

iElfhere. — A kinsman of Wiglaf. — 36 3.

.aSschere. — Confidential friend of King Hrothgar. Elder brother of Yrmenlaf. Killed by Grendel. — 21 3; 30 89.

Beanstan. — Father of Breca. — 9 26.

Beowulf. — Son of Scyld, the founder of the dynasty of Scyldings. Father of Healfdene, and grandfather of Hrothgar. — 1 18; 2 1.

Beowulf. — The 'hero of the poem. Sprung from the stock of Geats, son of Ecgtheow. Brought up by his maternal grandfather Hrethel, and figuring in manhood as a devoted liegeman of his uncle Higelac. A hero from his youth. Has the strength of thirty men. Engages in a swimming-match with Breca. Goes to the help of Hrothgar against the monster Grendel. Vanquishes Grendel and his mother. Afterwards becomes king of the Geats. Late in life attempts to kill a fire-spewing dragon, and is slain. Is buried with great honors. His memorial mound. — 6 26; 7 2; 7 9; 9 3; 9 8; 12 28; 12 43; 23 1, etc.

Breca. — Beowulf's opponent in the famous swimming-match. — 9 8; 9 19; 9 21; 9 22.

Brondings. — A people ruled by Breca. — 9 23.

Brosinga mene. — A famous collar once owned by the Brosings. — 19 7.

Cain. — Progenitor of Grendel and other monsters. — 2 56; 20 11.

Daeghrefn. — A warrior of the Hugs, killed by Beowulf. — 35 40.

Danes. — Subjects of Scyld and his descendants, and hence often called Scyldings. Other names for them are Victory-Scyldings, Honor-Scyldings, Armor-Danes, Bright-Danes, East-Danes, West-Danes, North-Danes, South-Danes, Ingwins, Hrethmen. — 1 1 ; 2 1; 3 2; 5 14; 7 1, etc.

Ecglaf . — Father of Unferth, who taunts Beowulf. — 9 l.

Ecgtheow. — Father of Beowulf, the hero of the poem. A widely-known Wsegmunding warrior. Marries Hrethel's daughter. After slaying Heatholaf, a Wylfing, he flees his country. — 7 3; 56; 84.

Ecgwela. — A king of the Danes before Scyld. — 25 60.

xiv Glossary of Proper Names.

Elan. — Sister of Hrothgar, and probably wife of Ongentheow, king of the Swedes. — 2 10.

Eagle Cape. — A promontory in Geat-land, under which took place Beowulf's last en- counter. — 41 87.

Eadgils. — Son of Ohthere and brother of Eanmund. — 34 2.

Eanmund. — Son of Ohthere and brother of Eadgils. The reference to these brothers is vague, and variously understood. Heyne supposes as follows : Raising a revolt against their father, they are obliged to leave Sweden. They go to the land of the Geats; with what intention, is not known, but probably to conquer and plunder. The Geatish king, Heardred, is slain by one of the brothers, probably Eanmund. — 36 10; 31 54 to 31 60; 33 66 to 34 6.

Eofor. — A Geatish hero who slays Ongentheow in war, and is rewarded by Hygelac with the hand of his only daughter. — 41 18; 41 48.

Eormenric. — A Gothic king, from whom Hama took away the famous Brosinga mene. — 19 9.

Eomaer. — Son of Offa and Thrytho, king and queen of the Angles. ■*- 28 69.

Finn. — King of the North-Frisians and the Jutes. Marrie6 Hildeburg. At his court takes place the horrible slaughter in which the Danish general, Hnaef, fell. Later on, Finn himself is slain by Danish warriors. — 17 18; 17 30; 17 44; 18 4; 18 23.

Fin-land. — The country to which Beowulf was driven by the currents in his swimming- match. — 10 22.

Fitela. — Son and nephew of King Sigemund, whose praises are sung in XIV. — 14 42; 14 53.

Folcwalda. — Father of Finn. — 17 38.

Franks. — Introduced occasionally in referring to the death of Higelac. — 19 19; 40 21; 40 24.

Frisians. — A part of them are ruled by Finn. Some of them were engaged in the struggle in which Higelac was slain. — 17 20; 17 42; 17 52; 40 21.

Freaware. — Daughter of King Hrothgar. Married to Ingeld, a Heathobard prince. — 29 60; 30 32.

Froda. — King of the Heathobards, and father of Ingeld. — 29 62.

Garmund. —Father of Offa. —28 71.

Geats, Geatmen. — The race to which the hero of the poem belongs. Also called Weder- Geats, or Weders, War-Geats, Sea-Geats. They are ruled by Hrethel, Haethcyn, Higelac, and Beowulf. — 4 7; 7 4; 10 45; 11 8; 27 14; 28 8.

Gepids. — Named in connection with the Danes and Swedes. — 35 34.

Grendel. — A monster of the race of Cain. Dwells in the fens and moors. Is furiously envious when he hears sounds of joy in Hrothgar's palace. Causes the king untold agony for years. Is finally conquered by Beowulf, and dies of his wound. His hand and arm are hung up in Hrothgar's hall Heorot. His head is cut off by Beowulf when he goes down to fight with Grendel's mother. — 2 50; 3 l; 3 13; 8 19; 11 17; 12 2; 13 27; 15 3.

Guthlaf . — A Dane of Hnaef s party. — 18 24.

Half-Danes. — Branch of the Danes to which Hnaef belonged. — 17 19.

Glossary of Proper Names. xv

Halga. — Surnamed the Good. Younger brother of Hrothgar. — 2 9.

Hama. — Takes the Brosinga mene from Eormenric. — 19 7.

Haereth. — Father of Higelac's queen, Hygd. — 28 39; 29 18.

Haethcyn. — Son of Hrethel and brother of Higelac. Kills his brother Herebeald acci- dentally. Is slain at Ravenswood, fighting against Ongentheow. — 34 43; 35 23; 40 32.

Helmings. — The race to which Queen Wealhtheow belonged. — 10 63.

Heming. — A kinsman of Garmund, perhaps nephew. — 28 54; 28 TO.

Hengest. — A Danish leader. Takes command on the fall of Hnsef. — 17 33 ; 17 41.

Herebeald. — Eldest son of Hrethel, the Geatish king, and brother of Higelac. Killed by his younger brother Hsethcyn. — 34 43; 34 47.

Heremod. — A Danish king of a dynasty before the Scylding line. Was a source of great sorrow to his people. — 14 64; 25 69.

Hereric. — Referred to as uncle of Heardred, but otherwise unknown. — 31 60.

Hetwars. — Another name for the Franks. — 33 51.

Healfdene. — Grandson of Scyld and father of Hrothgar. Ruled the Danes long and well.

— 2 5; 4 1; 8 14.

Heardred. — Son of Higelac and Hygd, king and queen of the Geats. Succeeds his father,

with Beowulf as regent. Is slain by the sons of Ohthere. — 31 56; 33 63; 33 75. Heathobards. — Race of Lombards, of which Froda is king. After Froda falls in battle

with the Danes, Ingeld, his son, marries Hrothgar's daughter, Freaware, in order to

heal the feud. — 30 1 ; 30 6. Heatholaf . — A Wylfing warrior slain by Beowulf's father. — 8 5. Heathoremes. —The people on whose shores Breca is cast by the waves during his contest

with Beowulf. — 9 21. Heorogar. — Elder brother of Hrothgar, and surnamed « Weoroda Rseswa,' Prince of the

Troopers. — 2 9; 8 12. Hereward. — Son of the above. — 31 17. Heort, Heorot. — The great mead-hall which King Hrothgar builds. It is invaded by

Grendel for twelve years. Finally cleansed by Beowulf, the Geat. It is called

Heort on account of the hart-antlers which decorate it. — 2 25; 3 32; 3 52. Hildeburg. — Wife of Finn, daughter of Hoce, and related to Hnsef, — probably his sister.

— 17 21; 18 34.

Hnaef . — Leader of a branch of the Danes called Half-Danes. Killed in the struggle at

Finn's castle. — 17 19; 17 61. Hondscio. — One of Beowulf's companions. Killed by Grendel just before Beowulf grappled

with that monster. — 30 43. Hoce. — Father of Hildeburg and probably of Hnsef. — 17 26.

Hrethel. — King of the Geats, father of Higelac, and grandfather of Beowulf. — 7 4; 34 39. Hrethla. — Once used for Hrethel. — 7 82. Hrethmen. — Another name for the Danes. — 7 73. Hrethric. — Son of Hrothgar. — 18 65; 27 19.

xvi Glossary of Proper Names.

Hreosna-beorh. — A promontory in Geat-land, near which Ohthere's sons made plundering

raids. — 35 18. Hrothgar. — The Danish king who built the hall Heort, but was long unable to enjoy it on

account of Grendel's persecutions. Marries Wealhtheow, a Helming lady. Has

two sons and a daughter. Is a typical Teutonic king, lavish of gifts. A devoted

liegelord, as his lamentations over slain liegemen prove. Also very appreciative of

kindness, as is shown by his loving gratitude to Beowulf. — 2 9; 2 12; 4 1; 8 10;

15 l ; etc., etc. Hrothmund. — Son of Hrothgar. — 18 65. Hrothulf . — Probably a son of Halga, younger brother of Hrothgar. Certainly on terms of

close intimacy in Hrothgar's palace. — 16 26; 18 57. Hrunting. — Unferth's sword, lent to Beowulf. — 22 71; 25 9. Hugs. — A race in alliance with the Franks and Frisians at the time of Higelac's fall. —

35 41. Hun. — A Frisian warrior, probably general of the Hetwars. Gives Hengest a beautiful

sword. — 18 19. Hunferth. — Sometimes used for Unferth. Hygelac, Higelac. — King of the Geats, uncle and liegelord of Beowulf, the hero of the

poem. — His second wife is the lovely Hygd, daughter of Hsereth. The son of their

union is Heardred. Is slain in a war with the Hugs, Franks, and Frisians combined.

Beowulf is regent, and afterwards king of the Geats. — 4 6; 5 4; 28 34; 29 9;

29 21; 31 50. Hygd. — Wife of Higelac, and daughter of Haereth. There are some indications that she

married Beowulf after she became a widow. — 28 37. Ingeld. — Son of the Heathobard king, Froda. Marries Hrothgar's daughter, Freaware,

in order to reconcile the two peoples. — 29 62; 30 32. Ingwins. — Another name for the Danes. — 16 52; 20 69. Jutes. — Name sometimes applied to Finn's people. — 17 22; 17 38; 18 17. Lafing. — Name of a famous sword presented to Hengest by Hun. — 18 19. Merewing. — A Frankish king, probably engaged in the war in which Higelac was slain.

— 40 29. Nasgling. — Beowulf's sword. — 36 76. Offa. — King of the Angles, and son of Garmund. Marries the terrible Thrytho who is so

strongly contrasted with Hygd. — 28 59; 28 66. Ohthere. — Son of Ongentheow, king of the Swedes. He is father of Fanmund and

Eadgils.— 40 35; 40 39. Onela. — Brother of Ohthere. — 36 15 ; 40 39. Ongentheow. — King of Sweden, of the Scylfing dynasty. Married, perhaps, Elan, daughter

of Healfdene. — 35 26; 41 16. Oslaf. — A Dane of Hnsef's party. — 18 24.

Ravenswood. — The forest near which Hsethcyn was slain. — 40 31; 40 41. Scefing. — Applied (1 4) to Scyld, and meaning 'son of Scef.'

Glossary of Proper Names. xvii

Scyld. — Founder of the dynasty to which Hrothgar, his father, and grandfather belonged. He dies, and his body is put on a vessel, and set adrift. He goes from Dane- land just as he had come to it — in a bark. — 1 4; 1 19; 1 27.

Scyldings. — The descendants of Scyld. They are also called Honor-Scyldings, Victory- Scyldings, War-Scyldings, etc. (See ' Danes,' above.) — 2 1; 7 1; Si.

Scylfings. — A Swedish royal line to which Wiglaf belonged. — 36 2.

Sigemund. — Son of Wsels, and uncle and father of Fitela. His struggle with a dragon is related in connection with Beowulf's deeds of prowess. — 14 38; 14 47.

Swerting. — Grandfather of Higelac, and father of Hrethel. — 19 11.

Swedes. — People of Sweden, ruled by the Scylfings. — 35 13.

Thrytho. — Wife of Offa, king of the Angles. Known for her fierce and unwomanly dispo- sition. She is introduced as a contrast to the gentle Hygd, queen of Higelac. — 28 42; 28 56.

Unferth. — Son of Ecglaf, and seemingly a confidential courtier of Hrothgar. Taunts Beowulf for having taken part in the swimming-match. Lends Beowulf his sword when he goes to look for Grendel's mother. In the MS. sometimes written Hun- ferth. — 9\; 18 41.

Wsels. — Father of Sigemund. — 14 60.

Wasgmunding. — A name occasionally applied to Wiglaf and Beowulf, and perhaps derived from a common ancestor, Waegmund. — 36 6; 38 61.

Weders. — Another name for Geats or Wedergeats.

Wayland. — A fabulous smith mentioned in this poem and in other old Teutonic literature.

— 7 83.

Wendels. — The people of Wulfgar, Hrothgar's messenger and retainer. (Perhaps = Van- dals.) — 6 30. Wealhtheow. — Wife of Hrothgar. Her queenly courtesy is well shown in the poem.

— 10 55.

Weohstan, or Wihstan. — A Waegmunding, and father of Wiglaf. — 36 l.

Whale's Ness. — A prominent promontory, on which Beowulf's mound was built. — 38 52; 42 76.

Wiglaf. — Son of Wihstan, and related to Beowulf. He remains faithful to Beowulf in the fatal struggle with the fire-drake. Would rather die than leave his lord in his dire emergency. — 36 1; 36 3; 36 28.

Wonred. — Father of Wulf and Eofor. — 41 20; 41 26.

Wulf. — Son of Wonred. Engaged in the battle between Higelac's and Ongentheow's forces, and had a hand-to-hand fight with Ongentheow himself. Ongentheow dis- ables him, and is thereupon slain by Eofor. — 41 19; 41 29.

Wulfgar. — Lord of the Wendels, and retainer of Hrothgar. — 6 18; 6 30.

Wylfings. — A people to whom belonged Heatholaf, who was slain by Ecgtheow. — 8 6; 8 16.

Yrmenlaf . — Younger brother of ^Eschere, the hero whose death grieved Hrothgar so deeply. — 21 4.

LIST OF WORDS AND PHRASES

NOT IN GENERAL USE.

Athkling. — Prince, nobleman.

Bairn. — Son, child.

Barrow. — Mound, rounded hill, funeral- mound.

Battle-sark. — Armor.

Beaker. — Cup, drinking-vessel.

Begear. — Prepare.

Bight. — Bay, sea.

Bill. — Sword.

Boss. — Ornamental projection.

Bracteate. — A round ornament on a neck- lace.

Brand. — Sword.

Burn. — Stream.

Burnie. — Armor.

Carle. — Man, hero.

Earl. — Nobleman, any brave man.

Eke. — Also.

Emprise. — Enterprise, undertaking.

Erst. — Formerly.

Erst-worthy. — Worthy for a long time past.

Fain. — Glad.

Ferry. — Bear, carry.

Fey. — Fated, doomed.

Float. — Vessel, ship.

FoiN. — To lunge (Shaks.).

Glory of Kings. — God.

GREWSOME. — Cruel, fierce.

Heft. — Handle, hilt; used by synecdoche for 'sword.'

Helm. — Helmet, protector.

Henchman. — Retainer, vassal.

Hight. — Am (was) named.

Holm. — Ocean, curved surface of the sea. xviii

Himseemed. — (It) seemed to him.

Lief. — Dear, valued.

Mere. — Sea; in compounds, 'mere-ways,'

' mere-currents,' etc. Mickle. — Much. Nathless. — Nevertheless. Naze. — Edge (nose). Ness. — Edge. Nicker. — Sea-beast. Quit, quite. — Requite. Rathe. — Quickly. Reave. — Bereave, deprive. Sail-road. — Sea. Settle. — Seat, bench. Skinker. — One who pours. Soothly. — Truly. Swinge. — Stroke, blow. Targe, target. — Shield. Throughly. — Thoroughly. Told. — Counted. Uncanny. — Ill-featured, grizzly. Unnethe. — Difficult. War-speed. — Success in war. Web. — Tapestry (that which is ' woven '). Weeded. — Clad (cf. widow's weeds). Ween. — Suppose, imagine. Weird. — Fate, Providence. Whilom. — At times, formerly, often. Wielder. — Ruler. Often used of God;

also in compounds, as • Wielder of Glory,'

' Wielder of Worship.' Wight. — Creature. Wold. — Plain, extended surface. Wot. — Knows. Y< )UNKER. — Youth.

BEOWULF.

THE LIFE AND DEATH OF SCYLD.

Lo ! the Spear-Danes' glory through splendid achievements The folk-kings' former fame we have heard of, How princes displayed then their prowess-in-battle. Oft Scyld the Scefing from scathers in numbers

5 From many a people their mead-benches tore. Since first he found him friendless and wretched, The earl had had terror : comfort he got for it, Waked 'neath the welkin, world-honor gained, Till all his neighbors o'er sea were compelled to

io Bow to his bidding and bring him their tribute : An excellent atheling ! After was borne him A son and heir, young in his dwelling, Whom God-Father sent to solace the people. He had marked the misery malice had caused them,

15 1 That reaved of their rulers they wretched had erstwhile " Long been afflicted. The Lord, in requital, Wielder of Glory, with world-honor blessed him. Famed was Beowulf, far spread the glory Of Scyld's great son in the lands of the Danemen.

1 For the 'bset' of verse 15, Sievers suggests 'pa' (= which). If this be accepted, the sentence 'He had . . . afflicted' will read: He {i.e. God) had perceived the ma/ice-caused sorrow which they, lordless, had formerly long endured.

2 For ' aldor-lease ' (15) Gr. suggested ' aldor-ceare ' : He perceived their distress, that they formerly had suffered life-sorrow a long while.

I

The famous race of Spear-Danes.

Scyld, their mighty king, in honor of whom they are often called Scyld- ings. He is the great-grandfather of Hrothgar, so prominent in the poem.

A son is born to him, who receives the name of Beowulf — a name afterwards made so famous by the hero of the poem.

Beowulf.

The ideal Teutonic king lavishes gifts on his vassals.

Scyld dies at the hour appointed by Fate.

By his own re- quest, his body is laid on a vessel and wafted sea- ward.

He leaves Dane- land on the breast of a bark.

So the carle that is young, by kindnesses rendered

The friends of his father, with fees in abundance

Must be able to earn that when age approacheth

Eager companions aid him requitingly,

When war assaults him serve him as liegemen :

By praise-worthy actions must honor be got

'Mong all of the races. At the hour that was fated

Scyld then departed to the All-Father's keeping

Warlike to wend him ; away then they bare him

To the flood of the current, his fond-loving comrades,

30 As himself he had bidden, while the friend of the Scyldings Word-sway wielded, and the well-loved land-prince Long did rule them.1 The ring-stemmed vessel, Bark of the atheling, lay there at anchor, Icy in glimmer and eager for sailing ;

35 The beloved leader laid they down there, Giver of rings, on the breast of the vessel, The famed by the mainmast. A many of jewels, Of fretted embossings, from far-lands brought over, Was placed near at hand then ; and heard I not ever

40 That a folk ever furnished a float more superbly With weapons of warfare, weeds for the battle, Bills and burnies ; on his bosom sparkled Many a jewel that with him must travel On the flush of the flood afar on the current.

45 x\nd favors no fewer they furnished him soothly, Excellent folk-gems, than others had given him Who when first he was born outward did send him Lone on the main, the merest of infants : And a gold- fashioned standard they stretched under heaven

1 A very difficult passage. 'Ahte' (31) has no object. H. supplies 'ge- weald' from the context; and our translation is based upon this assumption, though it is far from satisfactory. Kl. suggests ' laendagas ' for ' lange : : And the beloved land-prince enjoyed (had) his transitory days {i.e. lived). B. sug- gests a dislocation; but this is a dangerous doctrine, pushed rather far by that eminent scholar.

Beowulf.

50 High o'er his head, let the holm-currents bear him, Seaward consigned him : sad was their spirit, Their mood very mournful. Men are not able Soothly to tell us, they in halls who reside,1 Heroes under heaven, to what haven he hied.

No one knows whither the boat drifted.

II.

SCYLD'S SUCCESSORS. — HROTHGAR'S GREAT MEAD-HALL.

In the boroughs then Beowulf, bairn of the Scyldings,

Beloved land-prince, for long-lasting season

Was famed mid the folk (his father departed,

The prince from his dwelling), till afterward sprang 5 Great-minded Healfdene ; the Danes in his lifetime

He graciously governed, grim-mooded, aged.

Four bairns of his body born in succession

Woke in the world, war-troopers' leader

Heorogar, Hrothgar, and Halga the good ; 10 Heard I that Elan was Ongentheow's consort,

The well-beloved bedmate of the War-Scylfing leader.

Then glory in battle to Hrothgar was given,

Waxing of war-fame, that willingly kinsmen

Obeyed his bidding, till the boys grew to manhood, 15 A numerous band. It burned in his spirit

To urge his folk to found a great building,

A mead-hall grander than men of the era

Ever had heard of, and in it to share

With young and old all of the blessings 20 The Lord had allowed him, save life and retainers.

Then the work I find afar was assigned

1 The reading of the H.-So. text has been quite closely followed; but some eminent scholars read ' sele-rsedenne ' for ' sele-rsedende.' If that be adopted, the passage will read : Men cannot tell us, indeed, the order of Fate, etc. ' Sele-raedende ' has two things to support it: (1) v. 1347; (2) it affords a parallel to ' men ' in v. 50.

Beowulf succeeds his father Scyld.

Healfdene's birth.

He has three sons — one of them, Hrothgar — and a daughter named Elan. Hrothgar becomes a mighty king.

He is eager to build a great hall in which he may feast his retainers.

Beowtilf.

The hall is com- pleted, and is called Heort, or Heorot.

3°

The monster Gren- del is madly en- vious of the Dane- men's joy. 35

[The course of the story is interrupted by a short refer- ence to some old 40 account of the creation.]

45

The glee of the warriors is over- cast by a horrible dread.

50

To many races in middle-earth's regions,

To adorn the great folk-hall. In due time it happened

Early 'mong men, that 'twas finished entirely,

The greatest of hall-buildings ; Heorot he named it

Who wide-reaching word-sway wielded 'mong earlmen.

His promise he brake not, rings he lavished,

Treasure at banquet. Towered the hall up

High and horn-crested, huge between antlers :

It battle-waves bided, the blasting fire-demon \

Ere long then from hottest hatred must sword-wrath

Arise for a woman's husband and father.

Then the mighty war-spirit ' endured for a season,

Bore it bitterly, he who bided in darkness,

That light-hearted laughter loud in the building

Greeted him daily ; there was dulcet harp-music,

Clear song of the singer. He said that was able

To tell from of old earthmen's beginnings,

That Father Almighty earth had created,

The winsome wold that the water encircleth,

Set exultingly the sun's and the moon's beams

To lavish their lustre on land-folk and races,

And earth He embellished in all her regions

With limbs and leaves ; life He bestowed too

On all the kindreds that live under heaven.

So blessed with abundance, brimming with joyance,

The warriors abided, till a certain one gan to

Dog them with deeds of direfullest malice,

A foe in the hall-building : this horrible stranger -

Was Grendel entitled, the march-stepper famous

Who3 dwelt in the moor- fens, the marsh and the fastness ;

The wan-mooded being abode for a season

1 R. and t. B. prefer ' ellor-goest ' to ' ellen-gaest ' (86) : Then the stranger from afar endured, etc.

2 Some authorities would translate • demon ' instead of ' stranger.'

8 Some authorities arrange differently, and render : Who dzoelt in the moor- fens, the marsh and the fastness, the land of the giant-race.

Beowulf.

60

In the land of the giants, when the Lord and Creator

Had banned him and branded. For that bitter murder,

The killing of Abel, all-ruling Father

The kindred of Cain crushed with His vengeance ;

In the feud He rejoiced not, but far away drove him

From kindred and kind, that crime to atone for,

Meter of Justice. Thence ill-favored creatures,

Elves and giants, monsters of ocean,

Came into being, and the giants that longtime

Grappled with God ; He gave them requital.

Cain is referred to as a progenitor of Grendel, and of monsters in gen- eral.

III.

GRENDEL THE MURDERER.

When the sun was sunken, he set out to visit The lofty hall-building, how the Ring-Danes had used it For beds and benches when the banquet was over. Then he found there reposing many a noble 5 Asleep after supper ; sorrow the heroes,1 Misery knew not. The monster of evil Greedy and cruel tarried but little, Fell and frantic, and forced from their slumbers Thirty of thanemen ; thence he departed

10 Leaping and laughing, his lair to return to, With surfeit of slaughter sallying homeward. In the dusk of the dawning, as the day was just breaking, Was Grendel's prowess revealed to the warriors : Then, his meal-taking finished, a moan was uplifted,

15 Morning-cry mighty. The man-ruler famous, The long-worthy atheling, sat very woful, Suffered great sorrow, sighed for his liegemen,

1 The translation is based on 'weras,' adopted by H.-So. — K. and Th. read ' wera ' and, arranging differently, render H9(2)-I20: They kneiv not sorrow, the wretchedness of man, aught of misfortune. — For ' unhoelo ' (120) R. suggests ' unfselo.' : The uncanny creature, greedy and cruel, etc.

Grendel attacks the sleeping heroes.

He drags off thirty of them, and de- vours them.

A cry of agony goes up when Grendel's horrible deed is fully real- ized.

Beowulf.

The monster re- turns the next night.

King Hrothgar's agony and sus- pense last twelve years.

. When they had seen the track of the hateful pursuer, The spirit accursed : too crushing that sorrow,

20 Too loathsome and lasting. Not longer he tarried, But one night after continued his slaughter Shameless and shocking, shrinking but little From malice and murder ; they mastered him fully. He was easy to find then who otherwhere looked for

25 A pleasanter place of repose in the lodges,

A bed in the bowers. Then was brought to his notice Told him truly by token apparent The hall-thane's hatred : he held himself after Further and faster who the foeman did baffle.

30 J So ruled he and strongly strove against justice Lone against all men, till empty uptowered The choicest of houses. Long was the season : Twelve-winters' time torture suffered The friend of the Scyldings, every affliction,

35 Endless agony ; hence it after2 became Certainly known to the children of men Sadly in measures, that long against Hrothgar Grendel struggled : — his grudges he cherished, Murderous malice, many a winter,

40 Strife unremitting, and peacefully wished he 3 Life-woe to lift from no liegeman at all of The men of the Dane-folk, for money to settle, No counsellor needed count for a moment

1 S. rearranges and translates : So he ruled and struggled unjustly, one against all, till the noblest of buildings stood useless {it was a long while) twelve years' time : the friend of the Scyldings suffered distress, every woe, great sorrows, etc.

2 For ' sySftan,' B. suggests ' sarcwidum ' : Hence in mournful words it be- came -well known, etc. Various other words beginning with 's' have been conjectured.

3 The H.-So. glossary is very inconsistent in referring to this passage. — ' Sibbe ' (154), which H.-So. regards as an instr., B. takes as accus., obj. of 1 wolde.' Putting a comma after Deniga, he renders : He did not desire peace with any of the Danes, nor did he 'wish to remove their life-woe, nor to settle for money.

Beowulf. 7

On handsome amends at the hands of the murderer ; 45 The monster of evil fiercely did harass, Grendei is unre-

The ill-planning death-shade, both elder and younger, secut^on's" 'S P"

Trapping and tricking them. He trod every night then

The mist-covered moor-fens ; men do not know where

Witches and wizards wander and ramble. 50 So the foe of mankind many of evils

Grievous injuries, often accomplished,

Horrible hermit ; Heort he frequented,

Gem-bedecked palace, when night-shades had fallen

(Since God did oppose him, not the throne could he touch,1 God is aga«nst the 55 The light- flashing jewel, love of Him knew not).

'Twas a fearful affliction to the friend of the Scyldings

Soul-crushing sorrow. Not seldom in private The king and his

Sat the king in his council ; conference held they

in vain.

What the braves should determine 'gainst terrors unlooked for. 60 At the shrines of their idols often they promised Thev inv°ke the

Gifts and offerings, earnestly prayed they

The devil from hell would help them to lighten

Their people's oppression. Such practice they used then,

Hope of the heathen ; hell they remembered 65 In innermost spirit, God they knew not,

Judge of their actions, All- wielding Ruler, The true God they

No praise could they give the Guardian of Heaven,

The Wielder of Glory. Woe will be his who

Through furious hatred his spirit shall drive to 70 The clutch of the fire, no comfort shall look for,

Wax no wiser ; well for the man who,

Living his life-days, his Lord may face

And find defence in his Father's embrace !

1 Of this difficult passage the following interpretations among others are given: (1) Though Grendei has frequented Heorot as a demon, he could not become ruler of the Danes, on account of his hostility to God. (2) Hrothgar was much grieved that Grendei had not appeared before his throne to receive presents. (3) He was not permitted to devastate the hall, on account of the Creator; i.e. God wished to make his visit fatal to him. — Ne . . . wisse (169) W. renders : Nor had he any desire to do so ; ' his ' being obj. gen. = danach.

Beowulf.

IV.

Hrothgar sees no way of escape from the persecutions of Grendel.

Beowulf, the Geat, hero of the poem, hears of Hrothgar's sorrow, and re- solves to go to his assistance.

With fourteen care- fully chosen com- panions, he sets out for Dane-land.

BEOWULF GOES TO HROTHGAR'S ASSISTANCE.

So Healfdene's kinsman constantly mused on

His long-lasting sorrow ; the battle-thane clever

Was not anywise able evils to 'scape from :

Too crushing the sorrow that came to the people,

Loathsome and lasting the life-grinding torture,

Greatest of night-woes. So Higelac's liegeman,

Good amid Geatmen, of Grendel's achievements

Heard in his home : 1 of heroes then living

He was stoutest and strongest, sturdy and noble.

He bade them prepare him a bark that was trusty ;

He said he the war-king would seek o'er the ocean,

The folk-leader noble, since he needed retainers.

For the perilous project prudent companions

Chided him little, though loving him dearly ;

They egged the brave atheling, augured him glory.

The excellent knight from the folk of the Geatmen

Had liegemen selected, likest to prove them

Trustworthy warriors ; with fourteen companions

The vessel he looked for ; a liegeman then showed them,

20 A sea-crafty man, the bounds of the country. Fast the days fleeted ; the float was a-water, The craft by the cliff. Clomb to the prow then Well-equipped warriors : the wave-currents twisted The sea on the sand ; soldiers then carried

25 On the breast of the vessel bright-shining jewels, Handsome war-armor ; heroes outshoved then, Warmen the wood-ship, on its wished-for adventure.

1 'From ham' (194) is much disputed. One rendering is: Beowulf, being aiuay from home, heard of Hrothgar's troubles, etc. Another, that adopted by S. and endorsed in the H.-So. notes, is : B. heard from his neighborhood {neigh- bors), i.e. in his home, etc. A third is: B., being at home, heard this as occurring away from home. The H.-So. glossary and notes conflict.

Beowulf.

The foamy-necked floater fanned by the breeze, Likest a bird, glided the waters,

30 Till twenty and four hours thereafter

The twist-stemmed vessel had traveled such distance That the sailing-men saw the sloping embankments, The sea-cliffs gleaming, precipitous mountains, Nesses enormous : they were nearing the limits

35 At the end of the ocean.1 Up thence quickly The men of the Weders clomb to the mainland, Fastened their vessel (battle-weeds rattled, War-burnies clattered) ; the Wielder they thanked That the ways o'er the waters had waxen so gentle.

40 Then well from the cliff-edge the guard of the Scyldings Who the sea-cliffs should see to, saw o'er the gangway Brave ones bearing beauteous targets, Armor all ready ; anxiously thought he, Musing and wondering what men were approaching.

45 High on his horse then Hrothgar's retainer Turned him to coastward, mightily brandished His lance in his hands, questioned with boldness : " Who are ye men here, mail-covered warriors Clad in your corslets, come thus a-driving

50 A high-riding ship o'er the shoals of the waters,

2 And hither 'neath helmets have hied o'er the ocean ?

The vessel sails like a bird.

In twenty-four hours they reach the shores of Hrothgar's domin- ions.

They are hailed by the Danish coast- guard.

His challenge.

1 'Eoletes' (224) is marked with a (?) by H.-So. : our rendering simply follows his conjecture. — Other conjectures as to 'eolet' are: (1) voyage; (2) toil, labor ; (3) hasty journey.

2 The lacuna of the MS. at this point has been supplied by various conjec- tures. The reading adopted by H.So. has been rendered in the above translation. W., like H.-So. makes ' ic ' the beginning of a new sentence ; but, for ' helmas bseron,' he reads ' hringed-stefnan.' This has the advantage of giving a parallel to 'brontne ceol ' instead of a kenning for 'go.' — B. puts the (?) after ' holmas,' and begins a new sentence at the middle of the line. Trans- late : What warriors are ye, clad in armor, who have thus come bringing the foaming vessel over the water-way, hither over the seas ? For some time on the zvall I have been coast-guard, etc. S. endorses most of what B. says, but leaves out 'on the wall' in the last sentence. If W.'s 'hringed-stefnan' be accepted, change line 5 1 above to, A ring-stemmed vessel hither oversea ?

IO

He is struck by Beowulf's appear- ance.

Beowulf.

I have been strand-guard, standing as warden, Lest enemies ever anywise ravage Danish dominions with army of war-ships.

55 More boldly never have warriors ventured Hither to come ; of kinsmen's approval, Word-leave of warriors, I ween that ye surely Nothing have known. Never a greater one Of earls o'er the earth have I had a sight of

60 Than is one of your number, a hero in armor ; No low-ranking fellow 1 adorned with his weapons, But launching them little, unless looks are deceiving, And striking appearance. Ere ye pass on your journey As treacherous spies to the land of the Scyldings

65 And farther fare, I fully must know now

What race ye belong to. Ye far-away dwellers, Sea-faring sailors, my simple opinion Hear ye and hearken : haste is most fitting Plainly to tell me what place ye are come from."

Beowulf courte- ously replies.

We are Geats.

My father Ecg- theow was well- known in his day.

Our intentions towards King H rothgar are of the kindest.

THE GEATS REACH HEOROT.

The chief of the strangers rendered him answer,

War-troopers' leader, and word-treasure opened :

" We are sprung from the lineage of the people of Geatland,

And Higelac's hearth-friends. To heroes unnumbered

My father was known, a noble head-warrior

Ecgtheow titled ; many a winter

He lived with the people, ere he passed on his journey,

Old from his dwelling ; each of the counsellors

Widely mid world-folk well remembers him.

We, kindly of spirit, the lord of thy people,

The son of King Healfdene, have come here to visit,

1 ' Seld-guma ' (249) is variously rendered : ( 1 ) housecarle ; (2) home-stayer; (3) common man. Dr. H. Wood suggests a man-at-arms in another's house.

Beowulf.

ii

Folk-troop's defender : be free in thy counsels ! To the noble one bear we a weighty commission, The helm of the Danemen ; we shall hide, I ween,

15 Naught of our message. Thou know'st if it happen, As we soothly heard say, that some savage despoiler, Some hidden pursuer, on nights that are murky By deeds very direful 'mid the Danemen exhibits Hatred unheard of, horrid destruction

20 And the falling of dead. From feelings least selfish I am able to render counsel to Hrothgar, How he, wise and worthy, may worst the destroyer, If the anguish of sorrow should ever be lessened,1 Comfort come to him, and care-waves grow cooler,

25 Or ever hereafter he agony suffer

And troublous distress, while towereth upward The handsomest of houses high on the summit." Bestriding his stallion, the strand-watchman answered, The doughty retainer : " The difference surely

30 'Twixt words and works, the warlike shield-bearer Who judgeth wisely well shall determine. This band, I hear, beareth no malice To the prince of the Scyldings. Pass ye then onward With weapons and armor. I shall lead you in person ;

35 To my war-trusty vassals command I shall issue To keep from all injury your excellent vessel, Your fresh-tarred craft, 'gainst every opposer Close by the sea-shore, till the curved-necked bark shall Waft back again the well-beloved hero

40 O'er the way of the water to Weder dominions. To warrior so great 'twill be granted sure In the storm of strife to stand secure." Onward they fared then (the vessel lay quiet, The broad-bosomed bark was bound by its cable,

1 'Edwendan' (280) B. takes to be the subs, 'edwenden' (cf. 1775); and ' bisigu ' he takes as gen. sing., limiting ' edwenden ' : If reparation for sorrows is ever to come. This is supported by t. B.

Is it true that a monster is slaying Danish heroes?

I can help your king to free himself from this horrible creature.

The coast-guard reminds Beowulf that it is easier to say than to do.

I am satisfied of your good inten- tions, and shall lead you to the palace. Your boat shall be well cared for dur- ing your stay here.

He again compli- ments Beowulf.

12

Beowulf.

The land is per- haps rolling.

Heorot flashes on their view.

The coast-guard, having discharged his duty, bids them God-speed.

45 Firmly at anchor) ; the boar-signs glistened ' Bright on the visors vivid with gilding, Blaze-hardened, brilliant ; the boar acted warden. The heroes hastened, hurried the liegemen, Descended together, till they saw the great palace,

50 The well-fashioned wassail-hall wondrous and gleaming : 'Mid world-folk and kindreds that was widest reputed Of halls under heaven which the hero abode in ; Its lustre enlightened lands without number. Then the battle-brave hero showed them the glittering

55 Court of the bold ones, that they easily thither

Might fare on their journey ; the aforementioned warrior Turning his courser, quoth as he left them : " 'Tis time I were faring ; Father Almighty Grant you His grace, and give you to journey

60 Safe on your mission ! To the sea I will get me 'Gainst hostile warriors as warden to stand."

VI.

BEOWULF INTRODUCES HIMSELF AT THE PALACE.

They set their arms and armor against the wall.

The highway glistened with many-hued pebble,

A by-path led the liegemen together.

2 Firm and hand-locked the war-burnie glistened,

The ring-sword radiant rang 'mid the armor

As the party was approaching the palace together

In warlike equipments. 'Gainst the wall of the building

Their wide-fashioned war-shields they weary did set then,

1 Combining the emendations of B. and t. B., we may read : The boar- images glistened . . . brilliant, protected the life of the war-mooded man. They read ' ferh-wearde ' (305) and 'guftmodgum men' (306).

2 Instead of the punctuation given by H.-So., S. proposed to insert a comma after 'seir' (322), and to take 'hring-iren' as meaning 'ring-mail' and as parallel with ' gtiS-byrne.' The passage vyould then read : The firm and hand- locked war-burnie shone, bright ring-mail, rang 'mid the armor, etc.

Beowulf.

13

Battle-shields sturdy ; benchward they turned then ; Their battle-sarks rattled, the gear of the heroes ;

zo The lances stood up then, all in a cluster,

The arms of the seamen, ashen-shafts mounted

With edges of iron : the armor-clad troopers

Were decked with weapons. Then a proud-mooded hero

Asked of the champions questions of lineage :

15 " From what borders bear ye your battle-shields plated, Gilded and gleaming, your gray-colored burnies, Helmets with visors and heap of war-lances ? — To Hrothgar the king I am servant and liegeman. 'Mong folk from far-lands found I have never

20 Men so many of mien more courageous., I ween that from valor, nowise as outlaws, But from greatness of soul ye sought for King Hrothgar." Then the strength-famous earlman answer rendered, The proud-mooded Wederchief replied to his question,

25 Hardy 'neath helmet : " Higelac's mates are we ; Beowulf hight I. To the bairn of Healfdene, The famous folk-leader, I freely will tell To thy prince my commission, if pleasantly hearing He'll grant we may greet him so gracious to all men."

30 Wulfgar replied then (he was prince of the Wendels, His boldness of spirit was known unto many, His prowess and prudence) : " The prince of the Scyldings, The friend-lord of Danemen, I will ask of thy journey, The giver of rings, as thou urgest me do it,

35 The folk-chief famous, and inform thee early

What answer the good one mindeth to render me." He turned then hurriedly where Hrothgar was sitting, 1 Old and hoary, his earlmen attending him ; The strength-famous went till he stood at the shoulder

40 Of the lord of the Danemen, of courteous thanemen The custom he minded. Wulfgar addressed then His friendly liegelord : " Folk of the Geatmen

1 Gr. and others translate ' unhar ' by • bald ' : old and bald.

A Danish hero asks them whence and why they are come.

He expresses no little admiration for the strangers.

Beowulf replies.

We are Higelac's table-companions, and bear an impor- tant commission to your prince.

Wulfgar, the thane, says that he will go and ask Hrothgar whether he will see the strangers.

14

Beowulf.

He thereupon urges his liegelord to receive the visit- ors courteously.

Hrothgar, too, is struck with Beo- wulf s appearance.

O'er the way of the waters are wafted hither,

Faring from far-lands : the foremost in rank

The battle-champions Beowulf title.

They make this petition : with thee, O my chieftain,

To be granted a conference ; O gracious King Hrothgar,

Friendly answer refuse not to give, them !

In war-trappings weeded worthy they seem

Of earls to be honored ; sure the atheling is doughty

Who headed the heroes hitherward coming."

Hrothgar remem- bers Beowulf as a youth, and also remembers his father.

Beowulf is re- ported to have the strength of thirty men.

God hath sent him to our rescue.

VII.

HROTHGAR AND BEOWULF.

Hrothgar answered, helm of the Scyldings : " I remember this man as the merest of striplings. His father long dead now was Ecgtheow titled, Him Hrethel the Geatman granted at home his One only daughter ; his battle-brave son Is come but now, sought a trustworthy friend. Seafaring sailors asserted it then, Who valuable gift-gems of the Geatmen1 carried As peace-offering thither, that he thirty men's grapple Has in his hand, the hero-in-battle. The holy Creator usward sent him, To West- Dane warriors, I ween, for to render 'Gainst Grendel's grimness gracious assistance : I shall give to the good one gift-gems for courage. 15 Hasten to bid them hither to speed them,2 To see assembled this circle of kinsmen ; Tell them expressly they're welcome in sooth to The men of the Danes." To the door of the building

1 Some render ' gif-sceattas ' by ' tribute.' — ' Geata ' B. and Th. emended to 'Geatum.' If this be accepted, change 'of the Geatmen' to 'to the Geatmen.'

2 If t. B.'s emendation of w. 386, 387 be accepted, the two lines, ' Hasten . . . kinsmen ' will read : Hasten thou, bid the throng of kinsmen go into the hall together.

Beowulf. 1 5

Wulfgar went then, this word-message shouted : Wuifgar invites the

20 " My victorious liegelord bade me to tell you, strangers m.

The East-Danes' atheling, that your origin knows he,

And o'er wave-billows wafted ye welcome are hither,

Valiant of spirit. Ye straightway may enter

Clad in corslets, cased in your helmets, 25 To see King Hrothgar. Here let your battle-boards,

Wood-spears and war-shafts, await your conferring."

The mighty one rose then, with many a liegeman,

An excellent thane-group ; some there did await them,

And as bid of the brave one the battle-gear guarded. 30 Together they hied them, while the hero did guide them,

'Neath Heorot's roof; the high-minded went then

Sturdy 'neath helmet till he stood in the building.

Beowulf spake (his burnie did glisten,

His armor seamed over by the art of the craftsman) : 35 " Hail thou, Hrothgar ! I am Higelac's kinsman Beowulf salutes

j Hrothgar, and

And vassal forsooth ; many a wonder then proceeds to

I dared as a stripling. The doings of Grendel, boast °f his vouth-

In far-off fatherland I fully did know of :

Sea-farers tell us, this hall-building standeth, 40 Excellent edifice, empty and useless

To all the earlmen after evenlight's glimmer

'Neath heaven's bright hues hath hidden its glory.

This my earls then urged me, the most excellent of them,

Carles very clever, to come and assist thee, 45 Folk-leader Hrothgar ; fully they knew of

The strength of my body. Themselves they beheld me His fisht with the

J i-i nickers.

When I came from the contest, when covered with gore Foes I escaped from, where five l I had bound,

1 For 420 (£) and 421 (a), B. suggests: pser ic (on) fi'felgeban y'Sde eotena cyn = where I in the ocean destroyed the eoten-race. — t. B. accepts B.'s " brilliant " ' fifelgeban,' omits ' on,' emends ' cyn ' to ' ham,' arranging : paer ic fifelgeban y^de, eotena ham = where I desolated the ocean, the home of the eotens. — This would be better but for changing ' cyn ' to ' ham.' — I suggest : £>aer ic fifelgeband (cf. nhd. Bande) y 5de, eotena cyn = where I conquered the monster band, the race of the eotens. This makes no change except to read 'ftfeV for 'fife."

i6

Beowulf.

He intends to fight Grendel unaided.

Since the monster uses no weapons,

I, too, shall disdain to use any.

Should he crush me, he will eat my companions as he has eaten thy thanes.

The giant-race wasted, in the waters destroying

50 The nickers by night, bore numberless sorrows, The Weders avenged (woes had they suffered) Enemies ravaged ; alone now with Grendel I shall manage the matter, with the monster of evil, The giant, decide it. Thee I would therefore

55 Beg of thy bounty, Bright-Danish chieftain, Lord of the Scyldings, this single petition : Not to refuse me, defender of warriors, Friend-lord of folks, so far have I sought thee, That / may unaided, my earlmen assisting me,

60 This brave-mooded war-band, purify Heorot. I have heard on inquiry, the horrible creature From veriest rashness recks not for weapons ; I this do scorn then, so be Higelac gracious, My liegelord beloved, lenient of spirit,

65 To bear a blade or a broad-fashioned target, A shield to the onset ; only with hand-grip The foe I must grapple, fight for my life then, Foeman with foeman ; he fain must rely on The doom of the Lord whom death layeth hold of. i I ween he will wish, if he win in the struggle, To eat in the war-hall earls of the Geat-folk, Boldly to swallow1 them, as of yore he did often The best of the Hrethmen ! Thou needest not trouble A head-watch to give me ; 2 he will have me dripping

1 ' Unforhte ' (444) is much disputed. — H.-So. wavers between adj. and adv. Gr. and B. take it as an adv. modifying elan : Will eat the Geats fearlessly. — Kl. considers this reading absurd, and proposes ' anforhte ' = timid. — Under- standing ' unforhte ' as an adj. has this advantage, viz. that it gives a parallel to 'Geatena leode ' : but to take it as an adv. is more natural. Furthermore, to call the Geats ' brave ' might, at this point, seem like an implied thrust at the Danes, so long helpless; while to call his own men ' timid ' would be befouling his own nest.

2 For 'head-watch,' cf. H.-So. notes and cf. v. 2910. — Th. translates: Thou 7vilt not need my head to hide {i.e., thou wilt have no occasion to bury me, as Grendel will devour me whole). — Simrock imagines a kind of dead-watch. —

Beowulf.

17

80

And dreary with gore, if death overtake me,1

Will bear me off bleeding, biting and mouthing me,

The hermit will eat me, heedless of pity,

Marking the moor-fens ; no more wilt thou need then

Find me my food.2 If I fall in the battle,

Send to Higelac the armor that serveth

To shield my bosom, the best of equipments,

Richest of ring-mails ; 'tis the relic of Hrethla,

The work of Wayland. Goes Weird as she must go ! ,:

In case of my de- feat, thou wilt not have the trouble of burying me.

Should I fall, send my armor to my lord, King Higelac.

Weird is supreme.

VIII.

HROTHGAR AND BEOWULF. — Continued.

Hrothgar discoursed, helm of the Scyldings : " To defend our folk and to furnish assistance,3 Thou soughtest us hither, good friend Beowulf. The fiercest of feuds thy father engaged in, 5 Heatholaf killed he in hand-to-hand conflict

'Mid Wilfingish warriors ; then the Wederish people For fear of a feud were forced to disown him. Thence flying he fled to the folk of the South- Danes,

Dr. H. Wood suggests: Thou wilt not have to bury so much as my head (for Grendel will be a thorough undertaker), — grim humor.

1 S. proposes a colon after 'nimeS' (1. 447). This would make no essen- tial change in the translation.

2 Owing to the vagueness of ' feorme ' (451), this passage is variously trans- lated. In our translation, H.-So.'s glossary has been quite closely followed. This agrees substantially with B.'s translation (P. and B. XII. 87). R. trans- lates : Thou needst not take care longer as to the consumption of my dead body. ' Lie ' is also a crux here, as it may mean living body or dead body.

3 B. and S. reject the reading given in H.-So., and suggested by Grtvg. B. suggests for 457-458:

waere-ryhtum bu, wine min Beowulf, and for ar-stafum lisic s6htest.

This means: From the obligations of clientage, my friend Beowulf, and for assistance thou hast sought us. — This gives coherence to Hrothgar's opening remarks in VIII., and also introduces a new motive for Beowulf's coming to Hrothgar's aid.

Hrothgar re- sponds.

Reminiscences of Beowulf's father, Ecgtheow.

i8

Beowulf.

Hrothgar recounts to Beowulf the horrors of Grendel's persecutions.

My thanes have made many boasts, but have not exe- cuted them.

Sit down to the

feast, and give us

comfort.

A bench is made

ready for Beowulf

and his party.

The race of the Scyldings, o'er the roll of the waters ;

io I had lately begun then to govern the Danemen, The hoard-seat of heroes held in my youth, Rich in its jewels : dead was Heregar, My kinsman and elder had earth-joys forsaken, Healfdene his bairn. He was better than I am !

15 That feud thereafter for a fee I compounded ; O'er the weltering waters to the Wilfings I sent Ornaments old ; oaths did he swear me. It pains me in spirit to any to tell it, What grief in Heorot Grendel hath caused me, What horror unlooked-for, by hatred unceasing. Waned is my war-band, wasted my hall-troop ; Weird hath offcast them to the clutches of Grendel. God can easily hinder the scather From deeds so direful. Oft drunken with beer O'er the ale-vessel promised warriors in armor They would willingly wait on the wassailing-benches A grapple with Grendel, with grimmest of edges. Then this mead-hall at morning with murder was reeking, The building was bloody at breaking of daylight,

30 The bench-deals all flooded, dripping and bloodied, The folk-hall was gory : I had fewer retainers, Dear-beloved warriors, whom death had laid hold of. Sit at the feast now, thy intents unto heroes,1 Thy victor-fame show, as thy spirit doth urge thee ! "

35 For the men of the Geats then together assembled, In the beer-hall blithesome a bench was made ready ; There warlike in spirit they went to be seated, Proud and exultant. A liegeman did service,

1 Sit now at the feast, and disclose thy purposes to the victorious heroes, as thy spirit urges. — Kl. reaches the above translation by erasing the comma after • meoto ' and reading ' sige-hre'Ssecgum.' — There are other and bolder emendations and suggestions. Of these the boldest is to regard ' meoto ' as a verb (imperative), and read ' on sael ' : Think upongayety, etc. — All the render- ings are unsatisfactory, the one given in our translation involving a zeugma.

Beowulf.

l9

Who a beaker embellished bore with decorum,

And gleaming-drink poured. The gleeman sang whilom

Hearty in Heorot ; there was heroes' rejoicing,

A numerous war-band of Weders and Danemen.

The gleeman sings.

The heroes all re- joice together.

IX.

UNFERTH TAUNTS BEOWULF.

Unferth spoke up, Ecglaf his son, Who sat at the feet of the lord of the Scyldings, Opened the jousting (the journey1 of Beowulf, Sea-farer doughty, gave sorrow to Unferth 5 And greatest chagrin, too, for granted he never That any man else on earth should attain to, Gain under heaven, more glory than he) : " Art thou that Beowulf with Breca did struggle, On the wide sea-currents at swimming contended,

10 Where to humor your pride the ocean ye tried, From vainest vaunting adventured your bodies In care of the waters? And no one was able Nor lief nor loth one, in the least to dissuade you Your difficult voyage ; then ye ventured a-swimming,

15 Where your arms outstretching the streams ye did cover, The mere-ways measured, mixing and stirring them, Glided the ocean ; angry the waves were, With the weltering of winter. In the water's possession, Ye toiled for a seven-night ; he at swimming outdid thee,

20 In strength excelled thee. Then early at morning

On the Heathoremes' shore the holm-currents tossed him, Sought he thenceward the home of his fathers, Beloved of his liegemen, the land of the Brandings, The peace-castle pleasant, where a people he wielded,

1 It has been plausibly suggested that ' si'S ' (in 501 and in 353) means ' arrival.' If so, translate the bracket : (the arrival of Beowulf, the brave seafarer, was a source of great chagrin to Unferth, etc.}.

Unferth, a thane of Hrothgar, is jealous of Beowulf, and undertakes to twit him.

Did you take part in a swimming- match with Breca?

'Twas mere folly that actuated you both to risk your lives on the ocean.

20

Beowulf.

Breca outdid you

entirely.

Much more will Grendel outdo you, if you vie with him in prowess. ?0

Beowulf retaliates.

O friend Unferth, you are fuddled with beer, and can- not talk coherently. 35

We simply kept an

engagement made

in early life. 4°

He could not excel

me, and I would

not excel him. 45

After five days the currents separated

5°

A horrible sea- beast attacked me, but I slew him.

6o

Had borough and jewels. The pledge that he made thee

The son of Beanstan hath soothly accomplished.

Then I ween thou wilt find thee less fortunate issue,

Though ever triumphant in onset of battle,

A grim grappling, if Grendel thou darest

For the space of a night near-by to wait for ! "

Beowulf answered, offspring of Ecgtheow :

" My good friend Unferth, sure freely and wildly,

Thou fuddled with beer of Breca hast spoken,

Hast told of his journey ! A fact I allege it,

That greater strength in the waters I had then,

Ills in the ocean, than any man else had.

We made agreement as the merest of striplings

Promised each other (both of us then were

Younkers in years) that we yet would adventure

Out on the ocean ; it all we accomplished.

While swimming the sea-floods, sword-blade unscabbarded

Boldly we brandished, our bodies expected

To shield from the sharks. He sure was unable

To swim on the waters further than I could,

More swift on the waves, nor would I from him go.

Then we two companions stayed in the ocean

Five nights together, till the currents did part us,

The weltering waters, weathers the bleakest,

And nethermost night, and the north-wind whistled

Fierce in our faces ; fell were the billows.

The mere fishers' mood was mightily ruffled :

And there against foemen my firm-knotted corslet,

Hand-jointed, hardy, help did afford me ;

My battle-sark braided, brilliantly gilded,

Lay on my bosom. To the bottom then dragged me,

A hateful fiend-scather, seized me and held me,

Grim in his grapple : 'twas granted me, nathless,

To pierce the monster with the point of my weapon,

My obedient blade ; battle offcarried

The mighty mere-creature by means of my hand-blow.

Beowulf.

21

X.

BEOWULF SILENCES UNFERTH. — GLEE IS HIGH.

" So ill-meaning enemies often did cause me Sorrow the sorest, I served them, in quittance, With my dear-loved sword, as in sooth it was fitting ; They missed the pleasure of feasting abundantly,

5 Ill-doers evil, of eating my body,

Of surrounding the banquet deep in the ocean ; But wounded with edges early at morning They were stretched a-high on the strand of the ocean, Put to sleep with the sword, that sea-going travelers

io No longer thereafter were hindered from sailing

The foam-dashing currents. Came a light from the east, God's beautiful beacon ; the billows subsided, That well I could see the nesses projecting, The blustering crags. Weird often saveth

15 The undoomed hero if doughty his valor ! But me did it fortune x to fell with my weapon Nine of the nickers. Of night-struggle harder 'Neath dome of the heaven heard I but rarely, Nor of wight more woful in the waves of the ocean ;

20 Yet I 'scaped with my life the grip of the monsters, Weary from travel. Then the waters bare me To the land of the Finns, the flood with the current, The weltering waves. Not a word hath been told me Of deeds so daring done by thee, Unferth,

25 And of sword-terror none ; never hath Breca At the play of the battle, nor either of you two, Feat so fearless performed with weapons Glinting and gleaming

1 The repetition of ' hwae'Sere ' (574 and 578) is regarded by some scholars as a defect. B. suggests 'swa bser' for the first: So there it befell me, etc. Another suggestion is to change the second ' hwaeftere ' into ' swa baer ' : So there I escaped with my life, etc.

My dear sword always served me faithfully.

I put a stop to the outrages of the sea- monsters.

Fortune helps the brave earl.

After that escape I drifted to Finland.

I have never heard of your doing any such bold deeds.

22

Beowulf.

You are a slayer of ^0 brothers, and will suffer damnation, wise ns you may be.

Had your acts been

as brave as your

words, Grendel had

not ravaged your

land so long.

40

The monster is not afraid of the Danes,

but he will soon learn to dread the Geats. 45

On the second day, any warrior may go unmolested to the mead-banquet. 50

Hrothgar's spirits are revived.

The old king trusts

Beowulf.

The heroes are

joyful. -5

Queen Wealh- theow plays the hostess.

She offers the cup. to her husband first.

60

I utter no boasting ;

Though with cold-blooded cruelty thou killedst thy brothers,

Thy nearest of kin ; thou needs must in hell get

Direful damnation, though doughty thy wisdom.

I tell thee in earnest, offspring of Ecglaf,

Never had Grendel such numberless horrors,

The direful demon, done to thy liegelord,

Harrying in Heorot, if thy heart were as sturdy,

Thy mood as ferocious as thou dost describe them.

He hath found out fully that the fierce-burning hatred,

The edge-battle eager, of all of your kindred,

Of the Victory-Scyldings, need little dismay him :

Oaths he exacteth, not any he spares

Of the folk of the Danemen, but fighteth with pleasure,

Killeth and feasteth, no contest expecteth

From Spear-Danish people. But the prowess and valor

Of the earls of the Geatmen early shall venture

To give him a grapple. He shall go who is able

Bravely to banquet, when the bright-light of morning

Which the second day bringeth, the sun in its ether-robes,

O'er children of men shines from the southward ! "

Then the gray- haired, war- famed giver of treasure

Was blithesome and joyous, the Bright-Danish ruler

Expected assistance ; the people's protector

Heard from Beowulf his bold resolution.

There was laughter of heroes ; loud was the clatter,

The words were winsome. Wealhtheow advanced then,

Consort of Hrothgar, of courtesy mindful,

Gold-decked saluted the men in the building,

And the freeborn woman the beaker presented

To the lord of the kingdom, first of the East-Danes,

Bade him be blithesome when beer was a-fiowing,

Lief to his liegemen ; he lustily tasted

Of banquet and beaker, battle-famed ruler.

The Helmingish lady then graciously circled

'Mid all the liegemen lesser and greater :

Beowulf.

23

65 Treasure-cups tendered, till time was afforded That the decorous-mooded, diademed folk-queen Might bear to Beowulf the bumper o'errunning ; She greeted the Geat-prince, God she did thank, Most wise in her words, that her wish was accomplished,

70 That in any of earlmen she ever should look for Solace in sorrow. He accepted the beaker, Battle-bold warrior, at Wealhtheow's giving, Then equipped for combat quoth he in measures, Beowulf spake, offspring of Ecgtheow :

75 " I purposed in spirit when I mounted the ocean, When I boarded my boat with a band of my liegemen, I would work to the fullest the will of your people Or in foe's-clutches fastened fall in the battle. Deeds I shall do of daring and prowess,

80 Or the last of my life-days live in this mead-hall." These words to the lady were welcome and pleasing, The boast of the Geatman ; with gold trappings broidered Went the freeborn folk-queen her fond-lord to sit by. Then again as of yore was heard in the building

85 Courtly discussion, conquerors' shouting,

Heroes were happy, till Healfdene's son would

Go to his slumber to seek for refreshing ;

For the horrid hell-monster in the hall-building knew he

A fight was determined,1 since the light of the sun they

90 No longer could see, and lowering darkness O'er all had descended, and dark under heaven Shadowy shapes came shying around them. The liegemen all rose then. One saluted the other, Hrothgar Beowulf, in rhythmical measures,

95 Wishing him well, and, the wassail-hall giving To his care and keeping, quoth he departing :

She gives presents to the heroes.

Then she offers the cup to Beowulf, thanking God that aid has come.

Beowulf states to the queen the ob- ject of his visit.

I determined to do or die.

Glee is high.

Hrothgar retires, leaving Beowulf in charge of the hall.

1 Kl. suggests a period after 'determined.' This would give the passage as follows : Since they no longer could see the light of the sun, and lowering darkness was down over all, dire under the heavens shadowy beings came going around them.

24

Beowulf.

" Not to any one else have I ever entrusted, But thee and thee only, the hall of the Danemen, Since high I could heave my hand and my buckler, ioo Take thou in charge now the noblest of houses ; Be mindful of honor, exhibiting prowess, Watch 'gainst the foeman ! Thou shalt want no enjoyments, Survive thou safely adventure so glorious ! "

XI.

ALL SLEEP SAVE ONE.

Hrothgar retires.

God has provided a watch for the hall.

Beowulf is self- confident. He prepares for rest.

Beowulf boasts of his ability to cope with Grendel.

We will fight with nature's weapons

only.

Then Hrothgar departed, his earl-throng attending him, Folk-lord of Scyldings, forth from the building ; The war-chieftain wished then Wealhtheow to look for, The queen for a bedmate. To keep away Grendel 5 The Glory of Kings had given a hall-watch,

As men heard recounted : for the king of the Danemen He did special service, gave the giant a watcher : And the prince of the Geatmen implicitly trusted His warlike strength and the Wielder's protection.

io His armor of iron off him he did then,

His helmet from his head, to his henchman committed His chased-handled chain-sword, choicest of weapons, And bade him bide with his battle-equipments. The good one then uttered words of defiance,

15 Beowulf Geatman, ere his bed he upmounted : " I hold me no meaner in matters of prowess, In warlike achievements, than Grendel does himself ; Hence I seek not with sword-edge to sooth him to slumber. Of life to bereave him, though well I am able.

20 No battle-skill x has he, that blows he should strike me, To shatter my shield, though sure he is mighty

1 Gr. understood ' godra ' as meaning ' advantages in battle.' This render- ing H.-So. rejects. The latter takes the passage as meaning that Grendel, though mighty and formidable, has no skill in the art of war.

Beowulf.

25

In strife and destruction ; but struggling by night we

Shall do without edges, dare he to look for

Weaponless warfare, and wise-mooded Father 25 The glory apportion, God ever-holy,

On which hand soever to him seemeth proper."

Then the brave-mooded hero bent to his slumber,

The pillow received the cheek of the noble ;

And many a martial mere-thane attending 30 Sank to his slumber. Seemed it unlikely

That ever thereafter any should hope to

Be happy at home, hero-friends visit

Or the lordly troop-castle where he lived from his childhood ;

They had heard how slaughter had snatched from the wine-hall, 35 Had recently ravished, of the race of the Scyldings

Too many by far. ' But the Lord to them granted

The weaving of war-speed, to Wederish heroes

Aid and comfort, that every opponent

By one man's war-might they worsted and vanquished, 40 By the might of himself; the truth is established

That God Almighty hath governed for ages

Kindreds and nations.* A night very lurid

The trav'ler-at-twilight came tramping and striding.

The warriors were sleeping who should watch the horned-building, 45 One only excepted. 'Mid earthmen 'twas 'stablished,

Th' implacable foeman was powerless to hurl them

To the land of shadows, if the Lord were unwilling ;

But serving as warder, in terror to foemen,

He angrily bided the issue of battle.1

1 B. in his masterly articles on Beowulf (P. and B. XII.) rejects the division usually made at this point. ' pa' (711), usually rendered ' then,' he translates ' when,' and connects its clause with the foregoing sentence. These changes he makes to reduce the number of 'corn's' as principal verbs. (Cf. 703, 711, 721.) With all deference to this acute scholar, I must say that it seems to me that the poet is exhausting his resources to bring out clearly the supreme event on which the whole subsequent action turns. First, he (Grendel) came in the wan night ; second, he came from the moor ; third, he came to the hall. Time, place from which, place to which, are all given.

God may decide who shall conquer.

The Geatish war- riors lie down.

They thought it very unlikely that they should ever see their homes again.

But God raised up a deliverer.

God rules the

world.

Grendel comes to Heorot.

Only one warrior is awake.

26

Beowulf.

XII.

GRENDEL AND BEOWULF.

Grendel comes from the fens.

He goes towards the joyous build- ing.

This was not his first visit there.

His horrid fingers tear the door open.

He strides furi- ously into the hall.

He exults over his supposed prey.

Fate has decreed that he shall devour no more heroes. Heowulf suffers from suspense.

25

'Neath the cloudy cliffs came from the moor then

Grendel going, God's anger bare he.

The monster intended some one of earthmen

In the hall-building grand to entrap and make way with ;

He went under welkin where well he knew of

The wine-joyous building, brilliant with plating,

Gold-hall of earthmen. Not the earliest occasion

He the home and manor of Hrothgar had sought :

Ne'er found he in life-days later nor earlier

Hardier hero, hall-thanes l more sturdy !

Then came to the building the warrior marching,

Bereft of his joyance. The door quickly opened

On fire-hinges fastened, when his fingers had touched it ;

The fell one had flung then — his fury so bitter —

Open the entrance. Early thereafter

The foeman trod the shining hall-pavement,

Strode he angrily ; from the eyes of him glimmered

A lustre unlovely likest to fire.

He beheld in the hall the heroes in numbers,

A circle of kinsmen sleeping together,

A throng of thanemen : then his thoughts were exultant,

He minded to sunder from each of the thanemen

The life from his body, horrible demon,

Ere morning came, since fate had allowed him

The prospect of plenty. Providence willed not

To permit him any more of men under heaven

To eat in the night-time. Higelac's kinsman

Great sorrow endured how the dire-mooded creature

1 B. and t. B. emend so as to make lines 9 and 10 read : Never in his life, earlier or later, had he, the hell-thane, found a braver hero. — They argue that Beowulf's companions had done nothing to merit such encomiums as the usual readings allow them.

Beowulf.

27

In unlooked-for assaults were likely to bear him.

30 No thought had the monster of deferring the matter, But on earliest occasion he quickly laid hold of A soldier asleep, suddenly tore him, Bit his bone-prison, the blood drank in currents, Swallowed in mouthfuls : he soon had the dead man's

35 Feet and hands, too, eaten entirely.

Nearer he strode then, the stout-hearted warrior Snatched as he slumbered, seizing with hand-grip, Forward the foeman foined with his hand ; Caught he quickly the cunning deviser,

40 On his elbow he rested. This early discovered

The master of malice, that in middle-earth's regions, 'Neath the whole of the heavens, no hand-grapple greater In any man else had he ever encountered : Fearful in spirit, faint- mooded waxed he,

45 Not off could betake him ; death he was pondering, Would fly to his covert, seek the devils' assembly : His calling no more was the same he had followed Long in his lifetime. The liege-kinsman worthy Of Higelac minded his speech of the evening,

50 Stood he up straight and stoutly did seize him. His fingers crackled ; the giant was outward, The earl stepped farther. The famous one minded To flee away farther, if he found an occasion, And off and away, avoiding delay,

55 To fly to the fen-moors ; he fully was ware of

The strength of his grapple in the grip of the foeman. 'Twas an ill-taken journey that the injury-bringing, Harrying harmer to Heorot wandered : The palace re-echoed ; to all of the Danemen,

60 Dwellers in castles, to each of the bold ones, Earlmen, was terror. Angry they both were, Archwarders raging.1 Rattled the building ;

Grendel immedi- ately seizes a sleeping warrior, and devours him.

Beowulf and Gren- del grapple.

The monster is amazed at Beo- wulf's strength.

He is anxious to flee.

Beowulf recalls his boast of the even- ing, and deter- mines to fulfil it.

'Twas a luckless day for Grendel.

The hall groans.

1 For 'refte ren-weardas ' (771), t. B. suggests late : They were both angry, raging and mighty.

'refte, renhearde.' Trans-

28

Beowulf.

Grendel's cries ter- rify the Danes.

'Twas a marvellous wonder that the wine-hall withstood then The bold-in-battle, bent not to earthward,

65 Excellent earth-hall ; but within and without it Was fastened so firmly in fetters of iron, By the art of the armorer. Off from the sill there Bent mead-benches many, as men have informed me, Adorned with gold-work, where the grim ones did struggle.

70 The Scylding wise men weened ne'er before

That by might and main-strength a man under heaven

Might break it in pieces, bone-decked, resplendent,

Crush it by cunning, unless clutch of the fire

In smoke should consume it. The sound mounted upward

Novel enough ; on the North Danes fastened

A terror of anguish, on all of the men there

Who heard from the wall the weeping and plaining,

The song of defeat from the foeman of heaven,

Heard him hymns of horror howl, and his sorrow

80 Hell-bound bewailing. He held him too firmly

Who was strongest of main-strength of men of that era.

XIII.

Beowulf has no idea of letting Grendel live.

No weapon would harm Grendel; he bore a charmed life.

GRENDEL IS VANQUISHED.

For no cause whatever would the earlmen's defender

Leave in life-joys the loathsome newcomer,

He deemed his existence utterly useless

To men under heaven. Many a noble

Of Beowulf brandished his battle-sword old,

Would guard the life of his lord and protector,

The far-famous chieftain, if able to do so ;

While waging the warfare, this wist they but little,

Brave battle-thanes, while his body intending

To slit into slivers, and seeking his spirit :

That the relentless foeman nor finest of weapons

Of all on the earth, nor any of war-bills

Beowulf.

29

Was willing to injure ; but weapons of victory Swords and suchlike he had sworn to dispense with.

15 His death at that time must prove to be wretched, And the far-away spirit widely should journey Into enemies' power. This plainly he saw then Who with mirth 1 of mood malice no little Had wrought in the past on the race of the earthmen

20 (To God he was hostile), that his body would fail him, But Higelac's hardy henchman and kinsman Held him by the hand ; hateful to other Was each one if living. A body-wound suffered The direful demon, damage incurable

25 Was seen on his shoulder, his sinews were shivered, His body did burst. To Beowulf was given Glory in battle ; Grendel from thenceward Must flee and hide him in the fen-cliffs and marshes, Sick unto death, his dwelling must look for

30 Unwinsome and woful ; he wist the more fully The end of his earthly existence was nearing, His life-days' limits. At last for the Danemen, When the slaughter was over, their wish was accomplished. The comer-from-far-land had cleansed then of evil,

35 Wise and valiant, the war- hall of Hrothgar,

Saved it from violence. He joyed in the night-work, In repute for prowess ; the prince of the Geatmen For the East- Danish people his boast had accomplished, Bettered their burdensome bale-sorrows fully,

40 The craft-begot evil they erstwhile had suffered

And were forced to endure from crushing oppression, Their manifold misery. 'Twas a manifest token, When the hero-in-battle the hand suspended, The arm and the shoulder (there was all of the claw

45 Of Grendel together) 'neath great-stretching hall-roof.

1 It has been proposed to translate ' myr'Se ' by with, sorrow ; but there seems no authority for such a rendering. To the present translator, the phrase ' modes myr'Se ' seems a mere padding for gladly ; i.e., he who gladly harassed mankind.

Grendel is sorely wounded.

His body bursts.

The monster flees away to hide in the moors.

Beowulf suspends Grendel's hand and arm in Heorot.

3Q

Beotvulf.

XIV.

At early dawn, warriors from far and near come to- gether to hear of the night's adven- tures.

Few warriors la- mented Grendel's destruction.

Grendel's blood dyes the waters.

Beowulf is the hero of the hour.

He is regarded as a probable successor to Hrothgar.

But no word is uttered to derogate from the old king.

REJOICING OF THE DANES.

In the mist of the morning many a warrior

Stood round the gift-hall, as the story is told me :

Folk-princes fared then from far and from near

Through long-stretching journeys to look at the wonder,

The footprints of the foeman. Few of the warriors

Who gazed on the foot-tracks of the inglorious creature

His parting from life pained very deeply,

How, weary in spirit, off from those regions

In combats conquered he carried his traces,

Fated and flying, to the flood of the nickers.

There in bloody billows bubbled the currents,

The angry eddy was everywhere mingled

And seething with gore, welling with sword-blood ; ]

He death-doomed had hid him, when reaved of his joyance

He laid down his life in the lair he had fled to,

His heathenish spirit, where hell did receive him.

Thence the friends from of old backward turned them,

And many a younker from merry adventure,

Striding their stallions, stout from the seaward,

Heroes on horses. There were heard very often

Beowulf's praises ; many often asserted

That neither south nor north, in the circuit of waters,

O'er outstretching earth-plain, none other was better

'Mid bearers of war-shields, more worthy to govern,

'Neath the arch of the ether. Not any, however,

'Gainst the friend-lord muttered, mocking-words uttered

Of Hrothgar the gracious (a good king he).

Oft the famed ones permitted their fallow-skinned horses

1 S. emends, suggesting ' deop ' for ' deog,' and removing semicolon after 'weol.' The two half-lines 'welling . . . hid him' would then read: The bloody deep welled with s7vord-gore. B. accepts ' deop ' for ' deog,' but reads ' deafl-fseges ' : The deep boiled with the sword-gore of the death-doomed one.

Beowulf.

3i

To run in rivalry, racing and chasing, 30 Where the fieldways appeared to them fair and inviting,

Known for their excellence ; oft a thane of the folk-lord,1

2 A man of celebrity, mindful of rhythms,

Who ancient traditions treasured in memory,

New word-groups found properly bound : 35 The bard after 'gan then Beowulf's venture

Wisely to tell of, and words that were clever

To utter skilfully, earnestly speaking,

Everything told he that he heard as to Sigmund's

Mighty achievements, many things hidden, 40 The strife of the Wselsing, the wide-going ventures

The children of men knew of but little,

The feud and the fury, but Fitela with him,

When suchlike matters he minded to speak of,

Uncle to nephew, as in every contention 45 Each to other was ever devoted :

A numerous host of the race of the scathers

They had slain with the sword-edge. To Sigmund accrued then

No little of glory, when his life-days were over,

Since he sturdy in struggle had destroyed the great dragon, 50 The hoard-treasure's keeper ; 'neath the hoar-grayish stone he,

The son of the atheling, unaided adventured

The perilous project ; not present was Fitela,

Yet the fortune befell him of forcing his weapon

Through the marvellous dragon, that it stood in the wall, 55 Well-honored weapon ; the worm was yslaughtered.

The great one had gained then by his glorious achievement

To reap from the ring-hoard richest enjoyment,

The gleeman sings the deeds of heroes.

He sings in alliter- ative measures of Beowulf's prowess.

Also of Sigemund, who had slain a great fire-drake.

1 Another and quite different rendering of this passage is as follows : Oft a liegeman of the king, a fame-covered man mindful of songs, who very many ancient traditions remembered (he found other word-groups accurately bound together') began after-ward to tell of Beowulf s adventure, skilfully to narrate it, etc.

2 Might ' guma gilp-hladen ' mean ' a man laden with boasts of the deeds of others'?

32

Beowulf.

60

Sigemund was widely famed.

Heremod, an un- fortunate Danish kin;j, is introduced 3 by way of contrast.

Unlike Sigemund and Beowulf, Here- mod was a burden to his people. 70

Beowulf is an honor to his race.

The story is re- So sumed.

As best it did please him : his vessel he loaded,

Shining ornaments on the ship's bosom carried,

Kinsman of Waals : the drake in heat melted.

He was farthest famed of fugitive pilgrims,

Mid wide-scattered world-folk, for works of great prowess,

War-troopers' shelter : hence waxed he in honor.1

Afterward Heremod's hero-strength failed him,

His vigor and valor. 'Mid venomous haters

To the hands of foemen he was foully delivered,

Offdriven early. Agony-billows

Oppressed him too long, to his people he became then,

To all the athelings, an ever-great burden ;

And the daring one's journey in days of yore

Many wise men were wont to deplore,

Such as hoped he would bring them help in their sorrow,

That the son of their ruler should rise into power.

Holding the headship held by his fathers,

Should govern the people, the gold-hoard and borough,

The kingdom of heroes, the realm of the Scyldings.

He to all men became then far more beloved,

Higelac's kinsman, to kindreds and races,

To his friends much dearer ; him malice assaulted. —

Oft running and racing on roadsters they measured

The dun-colored highways. Then the light of the morning

Was hurried and hastened. Went henchmen in numbers

To the beautiful building, bold ones in spirit,

To look at the wonder ; the liegelord himself then

From his wife-bower wending, warden of treasures,

Glorious trod with troopers unnumbered,

Famed for his virtues, and with him the queen-wife

Measured the mead-ways, with maidens attending.

1 t. B. accepts B.'s 'he |ws aron bah ' as given by H.-So., but puts a comma after ' bah,' and takes 'si'S'6'an ' as introducing a dependent clause : He throve in honor since Heremod's strength . . . had decreased.

Beowulf.

33

xv.

HROTHGAR'S GRATITUDE.

Hrothgar discoursed (to the hall-building went he, He stood by the pillar,1 saw the steep-rising hall-roof Gleaming with gold-gems, and Grendel his hand there) : " For the sight we behold now, thanks to the Wielder 5 Early be offered ! Much evil I bided,

Snaring from Grendel : 2 God can e'er 'complish Wonder on wonder, Wielder of Glory ! But lately I reckoned ne'er under heaven Comfort to gain me for any of sorrows,

io While the handsomest of houses horrid with bloodstain Gory uptowered ; grief had offfrightened 3 Each of the wise ones who weened not that ever The folk-troop's defences 'gainst foes they should strengthen, 'Gainst sprites and monsters. Through the might of the Wielder

15 A doughty retainer hath a deed now accomplished Which erstwhile we all with our excellent wisdom Failed to perform. May affirm very truly What woman soever in all of the nations Gave birth to the child, if yet she surviveth,

20 That the long-ruling Lord was lavish to herward In the birth of the bairn. Now, Beowulf dear, Most excellent hero, I'll love thee in spirit As bairn of my body ; bear well henceforward The relationship new. No lack shall befall thee

25 Of earth-joys any I ever can give thee. Full often for lesser service I've given

1 B. and t. B. read ' stabole,' and translate stood on the floor.

2 For ' snaring from Grendel,' ' sorrows at Grendel's hands ' has been sug- gested. This gives a parallel to ' laSes.' ' Grynna ' may well be gen. pi. of ' gyrn,' by a scribal slip.

3 The H.-So. punctuation has been followed; but B. has been followed in understanding ' gehwylcne ' as object of 'wfd-scofen (haefde).' Gr. construes ' wea ' as nom. abs.

Hrothgar gives thanks for the overthrow of the monster.

I had given up all hope, when this brave liegeman came to our aid.

If his mother yet liveth, well may she thank God for this son.

Hereafter, Beo- wulf, thou shalt be my son.

34

Beowulf.

Thou hast won im- mortal distinction.

Beowulf replies: I was most happy to render thee this service.

I could not keep the monster from escaping, as God did not will that I should.

He left his hand and arm behind.

God will give him his deserts.

Unferth has noth- ing more to say, for Beowulf's ac- tions speak louder than words.

Hero less hardy hoard-treasure precious,

To a weaker in war-strife. By works of distinction

Thou hast gained for thyself now that thy glory shall flourish

30 Forever and ever. The All-Ruler quite thee

With good from His hand as He hitherto did thee ! " Beowulf answered, Ecgtheow's offspring : " That labor of glory most gladly achieved we, The combat accomplished, unquailing we ventured

35 The enemy's grapple ; I would grant it much rather Thou wert able to look at the creature in person, Faint unto falling, the foe in his trappings ! On murder-bed quickly I minded to bind him, With firm-holding fetters, that forced by my grapple

40 Low he should lie in life-and-death struggle 'Less his body escape ; I was wholly unable, Since God did not will it, to keep him from going, Not held him that firmly, hated opposer ; Too swift was the foeman. Yet safety regarding

45 He suffered his hand behind him to linger, His arm and shoulder, to act as watcher ; No shadow of solace the woe-begone creature Found him there nathless : the hated destroyer Liveth no longer, lashed for his evils,

50 But sorrow hath seized him, in snare-meshes hath him Close in its clutches, keepeth him writhing In baleful bonds : there banished for evil The man shall wait for the mighty tribunal, How the God of glory shall give him his earnings."

55 Then the soldier kept silent, son of old Ecglaf,

From boasting and bragging of battle-achievements, Since the princes beheld there the hand that depended 'Neath the lofty hall-timbers by the might of the nobleman, Each one before him, the enemy's fingers ;

60 Each finger-nail strong steel most resembled, The heathen one's hand-spur, the hero-in-battle's Claw most uncanny ; quoth they agreeing,

Beowulf.

35

That not any excellent edges of brave ones Was willing to touch him, the terrible creature's 65 Battle-hand bloody to bear away from him.

No sword will harm the monster.

XVI.

HROTHGAR LAVISHES GIFTS UPON HIS DELIVERER.

Then straight was ordered that Heorot inside 1 With hands be embellished : a host of them gathered, Of men and women, who the wassailing-building The guest-hall begeared. Gold-flashing sparkled 5 Webs on the walls then, of wonders a many To each of the heroes that look on such objects. The beautiful building was broken to pieces Which all within with irons was fastened, Its hinges torn off : only the roof was

10 Whole and uninjured when the horrible creature Outlawed for evil off had betaken him, Hopeless of living. 'Tis hard to avoid it (Whoever will do it !) ; but he doubtless must come to2 The place awaiting, as Wyrd hath appointed,

15 Soul-bearers, earth-dwellers, earls under heaven, Where bound on its bed his body shall slumber When feasting is finished. Full was the time then That the son of Healfdene went to the building ;

1 Kl. suggests ' hroden ' for ' haten,' and renders : Then quickly was Heorot adorned within, with hands bedecked. — B. suggests ' gefrjetwon ' in- stead of ' gefraetwod,' and renders : Then was it commanded to adorn Heorot within quickly with hands. — The former has the advantage of affording a parallel to ' gefraetwod ' : both have the disadvantage of altering the text.

2 The passage 1005-1009 seems to be hopeless. One difficult point is to find a subject for 'gesacan.' Some say 'he'; others supply 'each,' i.e., every soul-bearer . . . must gain the inevitable place. The genitives in this case are partitive. — If ' he' be subj., the genitives are dependent on ' gearwe ' (= pre- pared).— The 'he' itself is disputed, some referring it to Grendel; but B. takes it as involved in the parenthesis.

Heorot is adorned with hands.

The hall is defaced, however.

[A vague passage of five verses.]

Hrothgar goes to the banquet.

36

Beowulf.

Hrothgar's nephew, Hrothulf, is present.

Hrothgar lavishes gifts upon Beowulf.

Four handsomer gifts were never presented.

Hrothgar com- mands that eight finely caparisoned steeds be brought to Beowulf.

The excellent atheling would eat of the banquet.

20 Ne'er heard I that people with hero-band larger Bare them better tow'rds their bracelet-bestower. The laden-with-glory stooped to the bench then (Their kinsmen-companions in plenty were joyful, Many a cupful quaffing complaisantly),

25 Doughty of spirit in the high-tow'ring palace, Hrothgar and Hrothulf. Heorot then inside Was filled with friendly ones; falsehood and treachery The Folk-Scyldings now nowise did practise. Then the offspring of Healfdene offered to Beowulf

30 A golden standard, as reward for the victory, A banner embossed, burnie and helmet ; Many men saw then a song- famous weapon Borne 'fore the hero. Beowulf drank of The cup in the building ; that treasure-bestowing

35 He needed not blush for in battle-men's presence. Ne'er heard I that many men on the ale-bench In friendlier fashion to their fellows presented Four bright jewels with gold-work embellished. 'Round the roof of the helmet a head-guarder outside

40 Braided with wires, with bosses was furnished,

That swords-for-the-battle fight- hardened might fail Boldly to harm him, when the hero proceeded Forth against foemen. The defender of earls then Commanded that eight steeds with bridles

45 Gold-plated, gleaming, be guided to hallward, Inside the building ; on one of them stood then An art-broidered saddle embellished with jewels ; 'Twas the sovereign's seat, when the son of King Healfdene Was pleased to take part in the play of the edges ;

50 The famous one's valor ne'er failed at the front when Slain ones were bowing. And to Beowulf granted The prince of the Ingwins, power over both, O'er war-steeds and weapons; bade him well to enjoy them. In so manly a manner the mighty- famed chieftain,

Beowulf.

37

Hoard-ward of heroes, with horses and jewels War-storms requited, that none e'er condemneth Who willeth to tell truth with full justice.

XVII.

BANQUET (continued). — THE SCOP'S SONG OF FINN AND HN^EF.

And the atheling of earlmen to each of the heroes Who the ways of the waters went with Beowulf, A costly gift-token gave on the mead-bench, Offered an heirloom, and ordered that that man 5 With gold should be paid for, whom Grendel had erstwhile Wickedly slaughtered, as he more of them had done Had far-seeing God and the mood of the hero The fate not averted : the Father then governed All of the earth-dwellers, as He ever is doing ;

io Hence insight for all men is everywhere fittest, Forethought of spirit ! much he shall suffer Of lief and of loathsome who long in this present Useth the world in this woful existence. There was music and merriment mingling together

15 Touching Healfdene's leader ; the joy-wood was fingered, Measures recited, when the singer of Hrothgar On mead-bench should mention the merry hall-joyance Of the kinsmen of Finn, when onset surprised them : "The Half-Danish hero, Hnaef of the Scyldings,

20 On the field of the Frisians was fated to perish, Sure Hildeburg needed not mention approving The faith of the Jutemen : though blameless entirely, When shields were shivered she was shorn of her darlings, Of bairns and brothers : they bent to their fate

25 With war-spear wounded ; woe was that woman. Not causeless lamented the daughter of Hoce The decree of the Wielder when morning-light came and She was able 'neath heaven to behold the destruction

Each of Beowulf's companions re- ceives a costly gift.

The warrior killed by Grendel is to be paid for in gold.

Hrothgar's scop recalls events in the reign of his lord's father.

Hnsef, the Danish general, is treach- erously attacked while staying at Finn's castle.

Queen Hildeburg is not only wife of Finn, but a kins- woman of the mur- dered Hnaef.

38

Beowulf.

Finn's force is al- most exterminated.

Hengest succeeds Hnaef as Danish general.

Compact between the Frisians and the Danes.

Equality of gifts agreed on.

No one shall refer to old grudges.

Danish warriors are burned on a funeral-pyre.

Of brothers and bairns, where the brightest of earth-joys > She had hitherto had : all the henchmen of Finn War had offtaken, save a handful remaining, That he nowise was able to offer resistance 1 To the onset of Hengest in the parley of battle, Nor the wretched remnant to rescue in war from

35 The earl of the atheling ; but they offered conditions, Another great building to fully make ready, A hall and a high-seat, that half they might rule with The sons of the Jutemen, and that Folcwalda's son would Day after day the Danemen honor

40 When gifts were giving, and grant of his ring-store To Hengest's earl-troop ever so freely, Of his gold-plated jewels, as he encouraged the Frisians On the bench of the beer-hall. On both sides they swore then A fast-binding compact ; Finn unto Hengest

45 With no thought of revoking vowed then most solemnly The woe-begone remnant well to take charge of, His Witan advising ; the agreement should no one By words or works weaken and shatter, By artifice ever injure its value,

50 Though reaved of their ruler their ring-giver's slayer They followed as vassals, Fate so requiring : Then if one of the Frisians the quarrel should speak of In tones that were taunting, terrible edges Should cut in requital. Accomplished the oath was,

55 And treasure of gold from the hoard was unlifted. The best of the Scylding braves was then fully Prepared for the pile ; at the pyre was seen clearly The blood-gory burnie, the boar with his gilding, The iron-hard swine, athelings many

60 Fatally wounded ; no few had been slaughtered. Hildeburg bade then, at the burning of Hnaef,

1 For 1084, R. suggests ' wiht Hengeste wi'o" gefeohtan.' — K. suggests ' wi$ Hengeste wiht gefeohtan.' Neither emendation would make any essential change in the translation.

Beowulf. 39

The bairn of her bosom to bear to the fire, Queen Hiideburg

That his body be burned and borne to the pyre. atong^hhHnlrf.

The woe-stricken woman wept on his shoulder,1 65 In measures lamented ; upmounted the hero.2

The greatest of dead-fires curled to the welkin,

On the hill's-front crackled ; heads were a-melting,

Wound-doors bursting, while the blood was a-coursing

From body-bite fierce. The fire devoured them, 70 Greediest of spirits, whom war had offcarried

From both of the peoples ; their bravest were fallen.

XVIII.

THE FINN EPISODE (continued'). — THE BANQUET CONTINUES.

" Then the warriors departed to go to their dwellings, The survivors go

Reaved of their friends, Friesland to visit, home of Finn Their homes and high-city. Hengest continued

Biding with Finn the blood-tainted winter, Hengest remains

5 Wholly unsundered ;3 of fatherland thought he u^bift'oTeTaway. Though unable to drive the ring-stemmed vessel

1 The separation of adjective and noun by a phrase (cf. v. 11 18) being very unusual, some scholars have put ' earme on eaxle ' with the foregoing lines, inserting a semicolon after ' eaxle.' In this case ' on eaxe ' (i.e., on the ashes, cinders) is sometimes read, and this affords a parallel to ' on bael.' Let us hope that a satisfactory rendering will yet be reached without resorting to any tamper- ing with the text, such as Lichtenheld proposed : ' earme ides on eaxle gnornode.'

2 For ' guft-rinc,' ' gd'S-rec,' battle-smoke, has been suggested.

3 For 1 1 30 (1) R. and Gr. suggest ' elne unflitme' as 1098 (1) reads. The latter verse is undisputed; and, for the former, ' elne ' would be as possible as ' ealles,' and ' unflitme ' is well supported. Accepting ' elne unflitme ' for both, I would suggest 'very peaceably'' for both places: (1) Finn to Hengest very peaceably vowed with oaths, etc. (2) Hengest then still the slaughter-stained winter remained there with Finn very peaceably. The two passages become thus correlatives, the second a sequel of the first. ' Elne,' in the sense of very (swi'Se), needs no argument; and ' unflitme ' (from ' fli'tan ') can, it seems to me, be more plausibly rendered 'peaceful,' 'peaceable,' than 'contestable,' or ' conquerable.'

40

Beowulf.

He devises schemes of ven- geance.

Guthlaf and Oslaf revenge Hnaef s slaughter.

Finn is slain.

The jewels of Finn, and his queen are carried away by the Danes.

The lay is con- cluded, and the main story is re- sumed.

Skinkers carry round the beaker.

O'er the ways of the waters ; the wave-deeps were tossing,

Fought with the wind ; winter in ice-bonds

Closed up the currents, till there came to the dwelling

io A year in its course, as yet it revolveth, If season propitious one alway regardeth, World-cheering weathers. Then winter was gone, Earth's bosom was lovely ; the exile would get him, The guest from the palace ; on grewsomest vengeance

15 He brooded more eager than on oversea journeys, Whe'r onset-of-anger he were able to 'complish, The bairns of the Jutemen therein to remember. Nowise refused he the duties of liegeman When Hun of the Frisians the battle-sword Lafing,

20 Fairest of falchions, friendly did give him : Its edges were famous in folk-talk of Jutland. And savage sword-fury seized in its clutches Bold-mooded Finn where he bode in his palace, When the grewsome grapple Guthlaf and Oslaf

25 Had mournfully mentioned, the mere -journey over, For sorrows half-blamed him ; the flickering spirit Could not bide in his bosom. Then the building was covered ' With corpses of foemen, and Finn too was slaughtered, The king with his comrades, and the queen made a prisoner.

30 The troops of the Scyldings bore to their vessels All that the land-king had in his palace, Such trinkets and treasures they took as, on searching, At Finn's they could find. They ferried to Daneland The excellent woman on oversea journey,

35 Led her to their land-folk." The lay was concluded, The gleeman's recital. Shouts again rose then, Bench-glee resounded, bearers then offered Wine from wonder-vats. Wealhtheo advanced then Going 'neath gold-crown, where the good ones were seated

1 Some scholars have proposed 'roden'; the line would then read: Then the building was reddened, etc., instead of 'covered.' The 'h' may have been carried over from the three alliterating ' h's.'

Beowulf.

4i

40 Uncle and nephew ; their peace was yet mutual,

True each to the other. And Unferth the spokesman Sat at the feet of the lord of the Scyldings : Each trusted his spirit that his mood was courageous, Though at fight he had failed in faith to his kinsmen.

45 Said the queen of the Scyldings : " My lord and protector, Treasure-bestower, take thou this beaker ; Joyance attend thee, gold-friend of heroes, And greet thou the Geatmen with gracious responses ! So ought one to do. Be kind to the Geatmen,

50 In gifts not niggardly ; anear and afar now

Peace thou enjoyest. Report hath informed me Thou'lt have for a bairn the battle-brave hero. Now is Heorot cleansed, ring- palace gleaming ; Give while thou mayest many rewards,

55 And bequeath to thy kinsmen kingdom and people, On wending thy way to the Wielder's splendor. I know good Hrothulf, that the noble young troopers He'll care for and honor, lord of the Scyldings, If earth-joys thou endest earlier than he doth ;

60 I reckon that recompense he'll render with kindness Our offspring and issue, if that all he remember, What favors of yore, when he yet was an infant, We awarded to him for his worship and pleasure." Then she turned by the bench where her sons were carousing,

65 Hrethric and Hrothmund, and the heroes' offspring, The war-youth together ; there the good one was sitting 'Twixt the brothers twain, Beowulf Geatman.

Queen Wealh- theow greets Hrothgar, as he sits beside Hroth- ulf, his nephew.

Be generous to the Geats.

Have as much joy as possible in thy hall, once more purified.

I know that Hroth- ulf will prove faith- ful if he survive thee.

Beowulf is sitting by the two royal sons.

XIX.

BEOWULF RECEIVES FURTHER HONOR.

A beaker was borne him, and bidding to quaff it Graciously given, and gold that was twisted Pleasantly proffered, a pair of arm -jewels,

More gifts are of- fered Beowulf.

42

Beowulf.

A famous necklace is referred to, in comparison with the gems presented to Beowulf.

'5

Queen Wealh- theow magnifies Beowulf's achieve- ments.

Rings and corslet, of collars the greatest

I've heard of 'neath heaven. Of heroes not any

More splendid from jewels have I heard 'neath the welkin,

Since Hama off bore the Brosingmen's necklace,

The bracteates and jewels, from the bright-shining city,1

Eormenric's cunning craftiness fled from,

Chose gain everlasting. Geatish Higelac,

Grandson of Swerting, last had this jewel

When tramping 'neath banner the treasure he guarded,

The field-spoil defended ; Fate offcarried him

When for deeds of daring he endured tribulation,

Hate from the Frisians ; the ornaments bare he

O'er the cup of the currents, costly gem-treasures,

Mighty folk-leader, he fell 'neath his target ;

The 2 corpse of the king then came into charge of

The race of the Frankmen, the mail-shirt and collar :

20 Warmen less noble plundered the fallen,

When the fight was finished ; the folk of the Geatmen The field of the dead held in possession. The choicest of mead-halls with cheering resounded. Wealhtheo discoursed, the war-troop addressed she :

25 " This collar enjoy thou, Beowulf worthy,

Young man, in safety, and use thou this armor, Gems of the people, and prosper thou fully, Show thyself sturdy and be to these liegemen Mild with instruction ! I'll mind thy requital.

30 Thou hast brought it to pass that far and near Forever and ever earthmen shall honor thee, Even so widely as ocean surroundeth The blustering bluffs. Be, while thou livest,

1 C. suggests a semicolon after ' city,' with ' he ' as supplied subject of ' fled ' and ' chose.'

2 For ' feorh ' S. suggests ' feoh ' : ' corpse ' in the translation would then be changed to 'possessions,' ' belongings' This is a better reading than one joining, in such intimate syntactical relations, things so unlike as ' corpse ' and 'jewels.'

Beowulf. 43

A wealth-blessed atheling. I wish thee most truly 35 Jewels and treasure. Be kind to my son, thou May gifts never

Living in joyance ! Here each of the nobles

Is true unto other, gentle in spirit,

Loyal to leader. The liegemen are peaceful,

The war-troops ready : well-drunken heroes,1 40 Do as I bid ye." Then she went to the settle.

There was choicest of banquets, wine drank the heroes :

Weird they knew not, destiny cruel, Th<=y little know

A , 1 ■*_ 1 i of the sorrow in

As to many an earlman early it happened, store for them>

When evening had come and Hrothgar had parted 45 Off to his manor, the mighty to slumber.

Warriors unnumbered warded the building

As erst they did often : the ale- settle bared they,

'Twas covered all over with beds and pillows.

Doomed unto death, down to his slumber a doomed thane is

50 Bowed then a beer-thane. Their battle-shields placed they,

Bright-shining targets, up by their heads then ;

O'er the atheling on ale-bench 'twas easy to see there

Battle-high helmet, burnie of ring-mail,

And mighty war-spear. 'Twas the wont of that people They were always

55 To constantly keep them equipped for the battle,2

At home or marching — in either condition —

At seasons just such as necessity ordered

As best for their ruler ; that people was worthy.

1 S. suggests ' wine-joyous heroes,'' ' warriors elated zuith wine.'

2 I believe this translation brings out the meaning of the poet, without departing seriously from the H.-So. text. ' Oft ' frequently means ' constantly,' ' continually,' not always ' often.' — Why ' an (on) wig gearwe ' should be written ' anwig-gearwe ' (= ready for single combat), I cannot see. ' Gearwe' occurs quite frequently with 'on'; cf. B. I HO {ready for the pyre), El. 222 {ready for the glad journey). Moreover, what has the idea of single combat to do with B. 1247 ff.? The poet is giving an inventory of the arms and armor which they lay aside on retiring, and he closes his narration by saying that they were always prepared for battle both at home and on the march.

44

Beowulf.

XX.

THE MOTHER OF GRENDEL.

Grendel's mother is known to be thirsting for re- venge.

[Grendel's progen- itor, Cain, is again referred to.]

The poet again magnifies Beo- wulf s valor.

Grendel's mother comes to avenge her son.

They sank then to slumber. With sorrow one paid for

His evening repose, as often betid them

While Grendel was holding 1 the gold-bedecked palace,

Ill-deeds performing, till his end overtook him,

Death for his sins. 'Twas seen very clearly,

Known unto earth-folk, that still an avenger

Outlived the loathed one, long since the sorrow

Caused by the struggle ; the mother of Grendel,

Devil-shaped woman, her woe ever minded,

Who was held to inhabit the horrible waters,

The cold-flowing currents, after Cain had become a

Slayer-with-edges to his one only brother,

The son of his sire ; he set out then banished,

Marked as a murderer, man -joys avoiding,

15 Lived in the desert. Thence demons unnumbered Fate-sent awoke ; one of them Grendel, Sword-cursed, hateful, who at Heorot met with A man that was watching, waiting the struggle, Where a horrid one held him with hand-grapple sturdy ;

20 Nathless he minded the might of his body, The glorious gift God had allowed him, And folk-ruling Father's favor relied on, His help and His comfort : so he conquered the foeman, The hell-spirit humbled : he unhappy departed then,

25 Reaved of his joyance, journeying to death-haunts, Foeman of man. His mother moreover Eager and gloomy was anxious to go on Her mournful mission, mindful of vengeance For the death of her son. She came then to Heorot

1 Several eminent authorities either read or emend the MS. so as to make this verse read, While Grendel was wasting the gold-bedecked palace. So 2015 below : ravaged the desert.

Beowulf.

45

35

40

45

30 Where the Armor- Dane earlmen all through the building Were lying in slumber. Soon there became then Return x to the nobles, when the mother of Grendel Entered the folk-hall ; the fear was less grievous By even so much as the vigor of maidens, War-strength of women, by warrior is reckoned, When well-carved weapon, worked with the hammer, Blade very bloody, brave with its edges, Strikes down the boar-sign that stands on the helmet. Then the hard-edged weapon was heard in the building,2 The brand o'er the benches, broad-lindens many Hand-fast were lifted ; for helmet he recked not, For armor-net broad, whom terror laid hold of. She went then hastily, outward would get her Her life for to save, when some one did spy her ; Soon she had grappled one of the athelings Fast and firmly, when fenward she hied her ; That one to Hrothgar was liefest of heroes In rank of retainer where waters encircle, A mighty shield-warrior, whom she murdered at slumber, A broadly-famed battle-knight. Beowulf was absent, But another apartment was erstwhile devoted To the glory-decked Geatman when gold was distributed. There was hubbub in Heorot. The hand that was famous She grasped in its gore ; 3 grief was renewed then

1 For 'sona' (1281), t. B. suggests 'sara,' limiting ' edhwyrft.' Read then: Return of sorrows to the nobles, etc. This emendation supplies the syntactical gap after ' edhwyrft.'

2 Some authorities follow Grein's lexicon in treating 'heard-ecg' as an adj. limiting ' sweord ' : H.-So. renders it as a subst. (So v. 1491.) The sense of the translation would be the same.

3 B. suggests 'under hrof genam' (v. 1303). This emendation, as well as an emendation with ( ?) to v. 739, he offers, because ' under ' baffles him in both passages. All we need is to take ' under ' in its secondary meaning of • in,' which, though not given by Grein, occurs in the literature. Cf. Chron. 876 (March's A.-S. Gram. § 355) and Oro. Amaz. I. 10, where ' under ' = in the midst of. Cf. modern Eng. ' in such circumstances,' which interchanges in good usage with 'under such circumstances.'

5°

She seizes a favor- ite liegemen of Hrothgar's.

Beowulf was asleep in another part of the palace.

46

Beowulf.

55

Beowulf is sent for.

He comes at Hrothgar's sum- mons.

60

"5

Beowulf inquires how Hrothgar had enjoyed his night's 7C

In homes and houses : 'twas no happy arrangement

In both of the quarters to barter and purchase

With lives of their friends. Then the well-aged ruler,

The gray-headed war-thane, was woful in spirit,

When his long-trusted liegeman lifeless he knew of,

His dearest one gone. Quick from a room was

Beowulf brought, brave and triumphant.

As day was dawning in the dusk of the morning,

Went then that earlman, champion noble,

Came with comrades, where the clever one bided

Whether God all gracious would grant him a respite

After the woe he had suffered. The war-worthy hero

With a troop of retainers trod then the pavement

(The hall-building groaned), till he greeted the wise one,

The earl of the Ingwins ; 1 asked if the night had

Fully refreshed him, as fain he would have it.

XXI.

HROTHGAR'S ACCOUNT OF THE MONSTERS.

Hrothgar laments the death of JEs- chere, his shoulder- companion.

He was my ideal hero.

Hrothgar rejoined, helm of the Scyldings :

" Ask not of joyance ! Grief is renewed to

The folk of the Danemen. Dead is ^Eschere,

Yrmenlaf's brother, older than he,

My true-hearted counsellor, trusty adviser,

Shoulder-companion, when fighting in battle

Our heads we protected, when troopers were clashing,

And heroes were dashing ; such an earl should be ever,

An erst-worthy atheling, as ^ischere proved him.

The flickering death-spirit became in Heorot

His hand-to-hand murderer; I can not tell whither

The cruel one turned in the carcass exulting,

1 For ' neod-la'Su ' (1321) C. suggests ' nead-latfum,' and translates: as/:ed whether the night had been pleasant to him after crushing-hostility.

Beowulf.

47

By cramming discovered.1 The quarrel she wreaked then,

That last night igone Grendel thou killedst 15 In grevvsomest manner, with grim-holding clutches,

Since too long he had lessened my liege-troop and wasted

My folk-men so foully. He fell in the battle

With forfeit of life, and another has followed,

A mighty crime-worker, her kinsman avenging, 20 And henceforth hath 'stablished her hatred unyielding,2

As it well may appear to many a liegeman,

Who mourneth in spirit the treasure-bestower,

Her heavy heart-sorrow ; the hand is now lifeless

Which 3 availed you in every wish that you cherished. 25 Land-people heard I, liegemen, this saying,

Dwellers in halls, they had seen very often

A pair of such mighty march-striding creatures,

Far-dwelling spirits, holding the moorlands :

One of them wore, as well they might notice, 30 The image of woman, the other one wretched

In guise of a man wandered in exile,

Except he was huger than any of earthmen ;

Earth-dwelling people entitled him Grendel

In days of yore : they know not their father, 35 Whe'r ill-going spirits any were borne him

Ever before. They guard the wolf-coverts,

Lands inaccessible, wind-beaten nesses,

Fearfullest fen-deeps, where a flood from the mountains

'Neath mists of the nesses netherward rattles, 40 The stream under earth : not far is it henceward

Measured by mile-lengths that the mere-water standeth,

Which forests hang over, with frost-whiting covered,4

1 For ' gefnegnod ' (1334), K. and t. B. suggest ' gefegnod,' rendering ' rejoicing in her Jill.' This gives a parallel to ' aese wlanc ' (1333).

2 The line ' And . . . yielding,' B. renders : And she has performed a deed of blood-vengeance whose effect is far-reaching.

3'Sebe' (1345) is an instance of masc. rel. with fem. antecedent. So v. 1888, where ' se be ' refers to 'yldo.'

4 For 'hrfmge' in the H.-So. edition, Gr. and others read 'hrinde' (= hrfnende), and translate : which rustling forests overhang.

This horrible creature came to avenge Grendel's death.

I have heard my vassals speak of these two uncanny- monsters who lived in the moors.

They inhabit the most desolate and horrible places.

48

Beowulf.

45

Even the hounded deer will not seek refuge in these un- canny regions.

5°

To thee only can I . . look for assistance. '

60

A firm-rooted forest, the floods overshadow.

There ever at night one an ill-meaning portent

A fire-flood may see ; 'mong children of men

None liveth so wise that wot of the bottom ;

Though harassed by hounds the heath-stepper seek for,

Fly to the forest, firm-antlered he-deer,

Spurred from afar, his spirit he yieldeth,

His life on the shore, ere in he will venture

To cover his head. Uncanny the place is :

Thence upward ascendeth the surging of waters,

Wan to the welkin, when the wind is stirring

The weathers unpleasing, till the air groweth gloomy.

And the heavens lower. Now is help to be gotten

From thee and thee only ! The abode thou know'st not,

The dangerous place where thou'rt able to meet with

The sin-laden hero : seek if thou darest !

For the feud I will fully fee thee with money,

With old-time treasure, as erstwhile I did thee,

With well-twisted jewels, if away thou shalt get thee."

XXII.

BEOWULF SEEKS GRENDEL'S MOTHER.

Beowulf exhorts

the old king to arouse himself for action.

Beowulf answered, Ecgtheow's son :

" Grieve not, O wise one ! for each it is better,

His friend to avenge than with vehemence wail him ;

Each of us must the end-day abide of

His earthly existence ; who is able accomplish

Glory ere death ! To battle-thane noble

Lifeless lying, 'tis at last most fitting.

Arise, O king, quick let us hasten

To look at the footprint of the kinsman of Grendel !

I promise thee this now : to his place he'll escape not,

To embrace of the earth, nor to mountainous forest,

Nor to depths of the ocean, wherever he wanders.

Beowulf.

49

Practice thou now patient endurance

Of each of thy sorrows, as I hope for thee soothly ! " 15 Then up sprang the old one, the All-Wielder thanked he,

Ruler Almighty, that the man had outspoken.

Then for Hrothgar a war-horse was decked with a bridle,

Curly-maned courser. The clever folk-leader

Stately proceeded : stepped then an earl-troop zo Of linden-wood bearers. Her footprints were seen then

Widely in wood-paths, her way o'er the bottoms,

Where she faraway fared o'er fen-country murky,

Bore away breathless the best of retainers

Who pondered with Hrothgar the welfare of country. 25 The son of the athelings then went o'er the stony,

Declivitous cliffs, the close-covered passes,

Narrow passages, paths unfrequented,

Nesses abrupt, nicker-haunts many ;

One of a few of wise-mooded heroes, 30 He onward advanced to view the surroundings,

Till he found unawares woods of the mountain

O'er hoar-stones hanging, holt- wood unjoyful ;

The water stood under, welling and gory.

'Twas irksome in spirit to all of the Danemen, 35 Friends of the Scyldings, to many a liegeman

Sad to be suffered, a sorrow unlittle

To each of the earlmen, when to ^Eschere's head they

Came on the cliff. The current was seething

With blood and with gore (the troopers gazed on it). 40 The horn anon sang the battle-song ready.

The troop were all seated ; they saw 'long the water then

Many a serpent, mere-dragons wondrous

Trying the waters, nickers a-lying

On the cliffs of the nesses, which at noonday full often 45 Go on the sea-deeps their sorrowful journey,

Wild-beasts and wormkind ; away then they hastened

Hot-mooded, hateful, they heard the great clamor,

The war-trumpet winding. One did the Geat-prince

Hrothgar rouses himself. His horse is brought.

They start on the track of the female monster.

The sight of ^Eschere's head causes them great sorrow.

The water is filled with serpents and sea-dragons.

One of them is killed by Beowulf.

5o

Beowulf.

The dead beast is a poor swimmer.

Beowulf prepares for a struggle with the fire-drake.

He has Unferth's sword in his hand.

Unferth has little use for swords.

Sunder from earth-joys, with arrow from bowstring, 50 From his sea-struggle tore him, that the trusty war-missile

Pierced to his vitals ;' he proved in the currents

Less doughty at swimming whom death had offcarried.

Soon in the waters the wonderful swimmer

Was straitened most sorely with sword-pointed boar-spears, 55 Pressed in the battle and pulled to the cliff-edge ;

The liegemen then looked on the loath-fashioned stranger.

Beowulf donned then his battle-equipments,

Cared little for life ; inlaid and most ample,

The hand-woven corslet which could cover his body, 60 Must the wave-deeps explore, that war might be powerless

To harm the great hero, and the hating one's grasp might

Not peril his safety ; his head was protected

By the light-flashing helmet that should mix with the bot- toms,

Trying the eddies, treasure-emblazoned, 65 Encircled with jewels, as in seasons long past

The weapon-smith worked it, wondrously made it,

With swine-bodies fashioned it, that thenceforward no longer

Brand might bite it, and battle-sword hurt it.

And that was not least of helpers in prowess 70 That Hrothgar's spokesman had lent him when straitened ;

And the hilted hand-sword was Hrunting entitled,

Old and most excellent 'mong all of the treasures ;

Its blade was of iron, blotted with poison,

Hardened with gore ; it failed not in battle 75 Any hero under heaven in hand who it brandished,

Who ventured to take the terrible journeys,

The battle-field sought ; not the earliest occasion

That deeds of daring 'twas destined to 'complish.

Ecglaf s kinsman minded not soothly, 80 Exulting in strength, what erst he had spoken

Drunken with wine, when the weapon he lent to

A sword-hero bolder ; himself did not venture

'Neath the strife of the currents his life to endanger,

Beowulf.

5i

To fame-deeds perform ; there he forfeited glory, 85 Repute for his strength. Not so with the other

When he clad in his corslet had equipped him for battle.

XXIII.

BEOWULF'S FIGHT WITH GRENDEL'S MOTHER.

Beowulf spake, Ecgtheow's son : " Recall now, oh, famous kinsman of Healfdene, Prince very prudent, now to part I am ready, Gold-friend of earlmen, what erst we agreed on, 5 Should I lay down my life in lending thee assistance,

When my earth-joys were over, thou wouldst evermore serve me In stead of a father ; my faithful thanemen, My trusty retainers, protect thou and care for, Fall I in battle : and,Hrothgar beloved,

10 Send unto Higelac the high-valued jewels

Thou to me hast allotted. The lord of the Geatmen May perceive from the gold, the Hrethling may see it When he looks on the jewels, that a gem-giver found I Good over-measure, enjoyed him while able.

15 And the ancient heirloom Unferth permit thou, The famed one to have, the heavy-sword splendid 1 The hard-edged weapon ; with Hrunting to aid me, I shall gain me glory, or grim-death shall take me." The atheling of Geatmen uttered these words and

20 Heroic did hasten, not any rejoinder

Was willing to wait for ; the wave-current swallowed The doughty-in-battle. Then a day's-length elapsed ere He was able to see the sea at its bottom. Early she found then who fifty of winters

25 The course of the currents kept in her fury, Grisly and greedy, that the grim one's dominion

1 Kl. emends ' wasl-sweord.' The half-line would then read, ' the battle- sword splendid.'' — For 'heard-ecg' in next half-verse, see note to 2039 above.

Beowulf makes a parting speech to Hrothgar.

If I fall, act as a kind liegelord to my thanes,

and send Higelac the jewels thou hast given me.

I should like my king to know how generous a lord I found thee to be.

Beowulf is eager for the fray.

He is a whole day reaching the bot- tom of the sea.

52

Beowulf.

Grendel's mother knows that some one has reached her domains.

She grabs him, and bears him to her den.

Sea-monsters bite and strike him.

Beowulf attacks the mother of Grendel.

The sword will not bite.

The hero throws down all weapons, and again trusts to his hand-grip.

Some one of men from above was exploring. Forth did she grab them, grappled the warrior With horrible clutches ; yet no sooner she injured

30 His body unscathed : the burnie out-guarded,

That she proved but powerless to pierce through the armor, The limb-mail locked, with loath-grabbing fingers. The sea-wolf bare then, when bottomward came she, The ring-prince homeward, that he after was powerless

35 (He had daring to do it) to deal with his weapons, But many a mere-beast tormented him swimming, Flood-beasts no few with fierce-biting tusks did Break through his burnie, the brave one pursued they. The earl then discovered he was down in some cavern

40 Where no water whatever anywise harmed him,

And the clutch of the current could come not anear him, Since the roofed-hall prevented ; brightness a-gleaming Fire-light he saw, flashing resplendent. The good one saw then the sea-bottom's monster,

45 The mighty mere-woman ; he made a great onset With weapon-of-battle, his hand not desisted From striking, that war-blade struck on her head then A battle-song greedy. The stranger perceived then The sword would not bite, her life would not injure,

50 But the falchion failed the folk-prince when straitened : Erst had it often onsets encountered, Oft cloven the helmet, the fated one's armor : 'Twas the first time that ever the excellent jewel Had failed of its fame. Firm-mooded after,

55 Not heedless of valor, but mindful of glory, Was Higelac's kinsman ; the hero-chief angry Cast then his carved-sword covered with jewels That it lay on the earth, hard and steel-pointed ; He hoped in his strength, his hand-grapple sturdy.

60 So any must act whenever he thinketh To gain him in battle glory unending, And is reckless of living. The lord of the War-Geats

Beowulf.

(He shrank not from battle) seized by the shoulder '

The mother of Grendel ; then mighty in struggle 65 Swung he his enemy, since his anger was kindled,

That she fell to the floor. With furious grapple

She gave him requital 2 early thereafter,

And stretched out to grab him ; the strongest of warriors

Faint-mooded stumbled, till he fell in his traces, 70 Foot-going champion. Then she sat on the hall-guest

And wielded her war-knife wide-bladed, flashing,

For her son would take vengeance, her one only bairn.

His breast-armor woven bode on his shoulder ;

It guarded his life, the entrance defended 75 'Gainst sword-point and edges. Ecgtheow's son there

Had fatally journeyed, champion of Geatmen,

In the arms of the ocean, had the armor not given,

Close-woven corslet, comfort and succor,

And had God most holy not awarded the victory, So All-knowing Lord ; easily did heaven's

Ruler most righteous arrange it with justice ; 3

Uprose he erect ready for battle.

53

Beowulf falls.

The monster sits on him with drawn sword.

His armor saves his life.

God arranged for his escape.

XXIV.

BEOWULF IS DOUBLE-CONQUEROR.

Then he saw mid the war-gems a weapon of victory, An ancient giant-sword, of edges a-doughty, Glory of warriors : of weapons 'twas choicest, Only 'twas larger than any man else was

Beowulf grasps a giant-sword,

1 Sw., R., and t. B. suggest 'feaxe' for *eaxle' (1538) and render: Seized by the hair.

- If 'hand-lean' be accepted (as the MS. has it), the line will read: She hand-reward gave him early thereafter.

3 Sw. and S. change H.-So.'s semicolon (v. 1557) to a comma, and trans- late : The Ruler of Heaven arranged it in justice easily, after he arose again.

54

Beowulf.

and fells the female monster.

Beowulf sees the body of Grendel, and cuts off his head.

The waters are gory.

Beowulf is given up for dead.

Able to bear to the battle-encounter,

The good and splendid work of the giants.

He grasped then the sword-hilt, knight of the Scyldings,

Bold and battle-grim, brandished his ring-sword,

Hopeless of living, hotly he smote her,

That the fiend-woman's neck firmly it grappled,

Broke through her bone-joints, the bill fully pierced her

Fate-cursed body, she fell to the ground then :

The hand-sword was bloody, the hero exulted.

The brand was brilliant, brightly it glimmered,

15 Just as from heaven gemlike shineth

The torch of the firmament. He glanced 'long the building, And turned by the wall then, Higelac's vassal Raging and wrathful raised his battle- sword Strong by the handle. The edge was not useless

20 To the hero-in-battle, but he speedily wished to Give Grendel requital for the many assaults he Had worked on the West-Danes not once, but often, When he slew in slumber the subjects of Hrothgar, Swallowed down fifteen sleeping retainers

25 Of the folk of the Danemen, and fully as many Carried away, a horrible prey. He gave him requital, grim-raging champion, When he saw on his rest-place weary of conflict Grendel lying, of life-joys bereaved,

30 As the battle at Heorot erstwhile had scathed him ; His body far bounded, a blow when he suffered, Death having seized him, sword-smiting heavy, And he cut off his head then. Early this noticed The clever carles who as comrades of Hrothgar

35 Gazed on the sea-deeps, that the surging wave-currents Were mightily mingled, the mere-flood was gory : Of the good one the gray-haired together held converse, The hoary of head, that they hoped not to see again The atheling ever, that exulting in victory

40 He'd return there to visit the distinguished folk-ruler :

Beowulf. 5 5

Then many concluded the mere-wolf had killed him.1

The ninth hour came then. From the ness-edge departed

The bold-mooded Scyldings ; the gold-friend of heroes

Homeward betook him. The strangers sat down then 45 Soul-sick, sorrowful, the sea-waves regarding :

They wished and yet weened not their well-loved friend-lord

To see any more. The sword-blade began then, The giant-sword

The blood having touched it, contracting and shriveling

With battle-icicles ; 'twas a wonderful marvel 50 That it melted entirely, likest to ice when

The Father unbindeth the bond of the frost and

Unwindeth the wave-bands, He who wieldeth dominion

Of times and of tides : a truth-firm Creator.

Nor took he of jewels more in the dwelling, 55 Lord of the Weders, though they lay all around him,

Than the head and the handle handsome with jewels ;

1 • pses monige gewearft ' (1599) and ' hafa'S ^ses geworden ' (2027). — In a paper published some years ago in one of the Johns Hopkins University circulars, I tried to throw upon these two long-doubtful passages some light derived from a study of like passages in Alfred's prose. — The impersonal verb 'geweorftan,' with an accus. of the person, and a fret-clause is used several times with the meaning 'agree.' See Orosius (Sweet's ed.) 1787; 20434; 2o828; 2io15; 28o20. In the two Beowulf passages, the J>aet-clause is antici- pated by ' >3es,' which is clearly a gen. of the thing agreed on.

The first passage (v. 1599 (b)-i6oo) I translate literally : Then many agreed upon this (namely), that the sea-wolf had killed him.

The second passage (v. 2025 (b)-2027): She is promised . . . ; to this the friend of the Scyldings has agreed, etc. By emending ' is ' instead of ' wres ' (2025), the tenses will be brought into perfect harmony.

In v. 1997 ff. this same idiom occurs, and was noticed in B.'s great article on Beowulf, which appeared about the time I published my reading of 1599 and 2027. Translate 1997 then: Wouldst let the South-Danes them- selves decide about their struggle with Grendel. Here ' SuS-Dene ' is accus. of person, and ' gu'Se ' is gen. of thing agreed on.

With such collateral support as that afforded by B. (P. and B. XII. 97), I have no hesitation in departing from H.-So., my usual guide.

The idiom above treated runs through A.-S., Old Saxon, and other Teutonic languages, and should be noticed in the lexicons.

56

Beowulf.

The hero swims back to the realms of day.

It takes four men to carry Grendel's head on a spear.

The brand early melted, burnt was the weapon : ' So hot was the blood, the strange-spirit poisonous That in it did perish. He early swam off then

60 Who had bided in combat the carnage of haters,

Went up through the ocean ; the eddies were cleansed, The spacious expanses, when the spirit from farland His life put aside and this short-lived existence. The seamen's defender came swimming to land then

65 Doughty of spirit, rejoiced in his sea-gift,

The bulky burden which he bore in his keeping. The excellent vassals advanced then to meet him, To God they were grateful, were glad in their chieftain, That to see him safe and sound was granted them.

70 From the high-minded hero, then, helmet and burnie Were speedily loosened : the ocean was putrid, The water 'neath welkin weltered with gore. Forth did they fare, then, their footsteps retracing, Merry and mirthful, measured the earth-way,

75 The highway familiar : men very daring 2

Bare then the head from the sea-cliff, burdening

Each of the earlmen, excellent-valiant.

Four of them had to carry with labor

The head of Grendel to the high towering gold-hall

80 Upstuck on the spear, till fourteen most-valiant And battle-brave Geatmen came there going Straight to the palace : the prince of the people Measured the mead-ways, their mood-brave companion. The atheling of earlmen entered the building,

85 Deed-valiant man, adorned with distinction,

Doughty shield-warrior, to address King Hrothgar :

1 ' Broden-mreF is regarded by most scholars as meaning a damaskeened sword. Translate : The damaskeened sword burned up. Cf. 2516 and note.

2 ' Cyning-balde ' (1635) is the much-disputed reading of K. and Th. To render this, " nobly bold," " excellently bold" have been suggested. B. would read ' cyning-holde ' (cf. 290), and render: Men well-disposed towards the king carried the head, etc. ' Cynebealde,' says t. B., endorsing Gr.

Beowulf. 5 7

Then hung by the hair, the head of Grendel Was borne to the building, where beer-thanes were drinking, Loth before earlmen and eke 'fore the lady : 90 The warriors beheld then a wonderful sight.

XXV.

BEOWULF BRINGS HIS TROPHIES. — HROTHGAR'S GRATITUDE.

BeOWUlf Spake, Offspring Of EcgtheOW : Beowulf relates his

" Lo ! we blithely have brought thee, bairn of Healfdene, ast exp 01t'

Prince of the Scyldings, these presents from ocean

Which thine eye looketh on, for an emblem of glory. 5 I came off alive from this, narrowly 'scaping :

In war 'neath the water the work with great pains I

Performed, and the fight had been finished quite nearly,

Had God not defended me. I failed in the battle

Aught to accomplish, aided by Hrunting, 10 Though that weapon was worthy, but the Wielder of earth-folk

Gave me willingly to see on the wall a God was fishting

Heavy old hand-sword hanging in splendor

(He guided most often the lorn and the friendless),

That I swung as a weapon. The wards of the house then 15 I killed in the conflict (when occasion was given me).

Then the battle-sword burned, the brand that was lifted,1

As the blood-current sprang, hottest of war-sweats ;

Seizing the hilt, from my foes I offbore it ;

I avenged as I ought to their acts of malignity, 20 The murder of Danemen. I then make thee this promise,

Thou'lt be able in Heorot careless to slumber Heorot is freed

With thy throng of heroes and the thanes of thy people from monsters-

Every and each, of greater and lesser,

And thou needest not fear for them from the selfsame direction 25 As thou formerly fearedst, oh, folk-lord of Scyldings,

1 Or rather, perhaps, ' the inlaid, or damaskeened weapon? Cf. 2&,-3- and note.

58

Beowulf.

The famous sword is presented to Hrothgar.

Hrothgar looks closely at the old sword.

It had belonged to a race hateful to God.

Hrothgar praises Beowulf.

Heremod's career is again contrasted with Beowulf s.

End-day for earlmen." To the age-hoary man then, The gray-haired chieftain, the gold-fashioned sword-hilt, Old-work of giants, was thereupon given ; Since the fall of the fiends, it fell to the keeping

30 Of the wielder of Danemen, the wonder-smith's labor, And the bad-mooded being abandoned this world then, Opponent of God, victim of murder, And also his mother ; it went to the keeping Of the best of the world-kings, where waters encircle,

35 Who the scot divided in Scylding dominion. Hrothgar discoursed, the hilt he regarded, The ancient heirloom where an old-time contention's Beginning was graven : the gurgling currents, The flood slew thereafter the race of the giants,

40 They had proved themselves daring : that people was loth to The Lord everlasting, through lash of the billows The Father gave them final requital. So in letters of rune on the clasp of the handle Gleaming and golden, 'twas graven exactly,

45 Set forth and said, whom that sword had been made for, Finest of irons, who first it was wrought for, Wreathed at its handle and gleaming with serpents. The wise one then said (silent they all were) Son of old Healfdene : " He may say unrefuted

50 Who performs 'mid the folk-men fairness and truth (The hoary old ruler remembers the past), That better by birth is this bairn of the nobles ! Thy fame is extended through far-away countries, Good friend Beowulf, o'er all of the races,

55 Thou holdest all firmly, hero-like strength with Prudence of spirit. I'll prove myself grateful As before we agreed on ; thou granted for long shalt Become a great comfort to kinsmen and comrades, A help unto heroes. Heremod became not

60 Such to the Scyldings, successors of Ecgwela ;

He grew not to please them, but grievous destruction,

Beowulf. 59

And diresome death-woes to Danemen attracted ;

He slew in anger his table-companions,

Trustworthy counsellors, till he turned off lonely 65 From world-joys away, wide-famous ruler :

Though high-ruling heaven in hero-strength raised him,

In might exalted him, o'er men of all nations

Made him supreme, yet a murderous spirit

Grew in his bosom : he gave then no ring-gems 70 To the Danes after custom ; endured he unjoyful a wretched failure

Standing the straits from strife that was raging, no jetek to hTs™

Longsome folk-sorrow. Learn then from this, retainers.

Lay hold of virtue ! Though laden with winters,

I have sung thee these measures. 'Tis a marvel to tell it, 75 How all-ruling God from greatness of spirit Hrothgar morai-

Giveth wisdom to children of men,

Manor and earlship : all things He ruleth.

He often permitteth the mood-thought of man of

The illustriousTineage to lean to possessions, So Allows him earthly delights at his manor,

A high-burg of heroes to hold in his keeping,

Maketh portions of earth-folk hear him,

And a wide-reaching kingdom so that, wisdom failing him,

He himself is unable to reckon its boundaries ; 85 He liveth in luxury, little debars him,

Nor sickness nor age, no treachery-sorrow

Becloudeth his spirit, conflict nowhere,

No sword-hate, appeareth, but all of the world doth

Wend as he wisheth ; the worse he knoweth not, 90 Till arrant arrogance inward pervading,

Waxeth and springeth, when the warder is sleeping,

The guard of the soul : with sorrows encompassed,

Too sound is his slumber, the slayer is near him,

Who with bow and arrow aimeth in malice.

6o

Beozvulf.

XXVI.

HROTHGAR MORALIZES.— REST AFTER LABOR.

A wounded spirit.

Be not over proud : life is fleeting, and its strength soon wasteth away.

Hrothgar gives an account of his reign.

" Then bruised in his bosom he with bitter-toothed missile

Is hurt 'neath his helmet : from harmful pollution

He is powerless to shield him by the wonderful mandates

Of the loath-cursed spirit ; what too long he hath holden

Him seemeth too small, savage he hoardeth,

Nor boastfully giveth gold-plated rings,1

The fate of the future flouts and forgetteth

Since God had erst given him greatness no little,

Wielder of Glory. His end-day anear,

It afterward happens that the bodily-dwelling

Fleetingly fadeth, falls into ruins ;

Another lays hold who doleth the ornaments,

The nobleman's jewels, nothing lamenting,

Heedeth no terror. Oh, Beowulf dear,

Best of the heroes, from bale-strife defend thee,

And choose thee the better, counsels eternal ;

Beware of arrogance, world-famous champion !

But a little-while lasts thy life-vigor's fulness ;

'Twill after hap early, that illness or sword-edge

Shall part thee from strength, or the grasp of the fire,

Or the wave of the current, or clutch of the edges,

Or flight of the war-spear, or age with its horrors,

Or thine eyes' bright flashing shall fade into darkness :

'Twill happen full early, excellent hero,

That death shall subdue thee. So the Danes a half-century

I held under heaven, helped them in struggles

'Gainst many a race in middle-earth's regions,

With ash-wood and edges, that enemies none

On earth molested me. Lo ! offsetting change, now,

1 K. says 'proudly giveth? — Gr. says, ' And gives no gold-plated rings, in order to incite the recipient to doasl/ulness.' — B. suggests ' gyld ' for ' gylp,' and renders: And gives no beaten rings for reward.

2 5

Beowulf.

61

30 Came to my manor, grief after joyance,

When Grendel became my constant visitor,

Inveterate hater : I from that malice

Continually travailed with trouble no little.

Thanks be to God that I gained in my lifetime, 35 To the Lord everlasting, to look on the gory

Head with mine eyes, after long-lasting sorrow !

Go to the bench now, battle-adorned

Joy in the feasting : of jewels in common

We'll meet with many when morning appeareth." 40 The Geatman was gladsome, ganged he immediately

To go to the bench, as the clever one bade him.

Then again as before were the famous-for-prowess,

Hall-inhabiters, handsomely banqueted,

Feasted anew. The night-veil fell then 45 Dark o'er the warriors. The courtiers rose then ;

The gray-haired was anxious to go to his slumbers,

The hoary old Scylding. Hankered the Geatman,

The champion doughty, greatly, to rest him :

An earlman early outward did lead him, 50 Fagged from his faring, from far-country springing,

Who for etiquette's sake all of a liegeman's

Needs regarded, such as seamen at that time

Were bounden to feel. The big-hearted rested ;

The building uptowered, spacious and gilded, 55 The guest within slumbered, till the sable-clad raven

Blithely foreboded the beacon of heaven.

Then the bright-shining sun o'er the bottoms came going ; 1

The warriors hastened, the heads of the peoples

Were ready to go again to their peoples, 60 The high-mooded farer would faraway thenceward

Look for his vessel. The valiant one bade then,2

Sorrow after joy.

Beowulf is fagged, and seeks rest.

The Geats prepare to leave Dane-land.

1 If S.'» emendation be accepted, v. 57 will read: Then came the light, going bright after darkness : the warriors, etc.

2 As the passage stands in H.-So., Unferth presents Beowulf with the sword Hrunting, and B. thanks him for the gift. If, however, the suggestions of Grdtvg.

62

Beowulf.

Unferth asks Beo- wulf to accept his sword as a gift. Beowulf thanks him.

Offspring of Ecglaf, off to bear Hrunting, To take his weapon, his well-beloved iron ; He him thanked for the gift, saying good he accounted

65 The war-friend and mighty, nor chid he with words then The blade of the brand : 'twas a brave-mooded hero. When the warriors were ready, arrayed in their trappings, The atheling dear to the Danemen advanced then On to the dais, where the other was sitting,

70 Grim-mooded hero, greeted King Hrothgar.

XXVII.

Beowulfs farewell.

I shall be ever ready to aid thee.

My liegelord will encourage me in aiding thee.

SORROW AT PARTING.

Beowulf spake, Ecgtheow's offspring :

" We men of the water wish to declare now

Fared from far-lands, we're firmly determined

To seek King Higelac. Here have we fitly 5 Been welcomed and feasted, as heart would desire it ;

Good was the greeting. If greater affection

I am anywise able ever on earth to

Gain at thy hands, ruler of heroes,

Than yet I have done, I shall quickly be ready 10 For combat and conflict. O'er the course of the waters

Learn I that neighbors alarm thee with terror,

As haters did whilom, I hither will bring thee

For help unto heroes henchmen by thousands.

I know as to Higelac, the lord of the Geatmen, 15 Though young in years, he yet will permit me,

By words and by works, ward of the people,

Fully to furnish thee forces and bear thee

My lance to relieve thee, if liegemen shall fail thee,

And help of my hand-strength ; if Hrethric be treating,

and M. be accepted, the passage will read : Then the brave one (i.e. Be<nvulf) commanded that Hrunting be borne to the son of Ecglaf (UnfcrtJi), bade him take his sivord, his dear weapon ; he (j5.) thanked him ( U.) for the loan, etc.

Beowulf.

63

20 Bairn of the king, at the court of the Geatmen, He thereat may find him friends in abundance : Faraway countries he were better to seek for Who trusts in himself." Hrothgar discoursed then, Making rejoinder : " These words thou hast uttered

25 All-knowing God hath given thy spirit ! Ne'er heard I an earlman thus early in life More clever in speaking : thou'rt cautious of spirit, Mighty of muscle, in mouth-answers prudent. I count on the hope that, happen it ever

30 That missile shall rob thee of Hrethel's descendant, Edge-horrid battle, and illness or weapon Deprive thee of prince, of people's protector, And life thou yet holdest, the Sea-Geats will never Find a more fitting folk-lord to choose them,

35 Gem-ward of heroes, than thou mightest prove thee, If the kingdom of kinsmen thou carest to govern. Thy mood-spirit likes me the longer the better, Beowulf dear : thou hast brought it to pass that To both these peoples peace shall be common,

40 To Geat-folk and Danemen, the strife be suspended, The secret assailings they suffered in yore-days ; And also that jewels be shared while I govern The wide-stretching kingdom, and that many shall visit Others o'er the ocean with excellent gift-gems :

45 The ring-adorned bark shall bring o'er the currents Presents and love-gifts. This people I know Tow'rd foeman and friend firmly established,1 After ancient etiquette everywise blameless." Then the warden of earlmen gave him still farther,

50 Kinsman of Healfdene, a dozen of jewels, Bade him safely seek with the presents His well-beloved people, early returning.

1 For ' geworhte,' the crux of this passage, B. proposes ' gebohte,' rendering : / know this people with firm thought every way blameless towards foe and friends.

O Beowulf, thou art wise beyond thy years.

Should Higelac die, the Geats could find no better successor than thou wouldst make.

Thou hast healed the ancient breach between our races.

Parting gifts.

64

Beowulf.

Hrothgar kisses Beowulf, and weeps.

The old king is deeply grieved to part with his bene- factor.

Giving liberally is the true proof of kingship.

Then the noble-born king kissed the distinguished, Dear-loved liegeman, the Dane-prince saluted him,

55 And clasped his neck ; tears from him fell,

From the gray-headed man : he two things expected, Aged and reverend, but rather the second, 1 That bold in council they'd meet thereafter. The man was so dear that he failed to suppress the

6o Emotions that moved him, but in mood-fetters fastened The long- famous hero longeth in secret Deep in his spirit for the dear-beloved man Though not a blood-kinsman. Beowulf thenceward, Gold-splendid warrior, walked o'er the meadows

65 Exulting in treasure : the sea-going vessel Riding at anchor awaited its owner.

As they pressed on their way then, the present of Hrothgar Was frequently referred to : a folk-king indeed that Everyway blameless, till age did debar him

70 The joys of his might, which hath many oft-injured.

XXVIII.

The coast-guard again.

THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY.— THE TWO QUEENS.

Then the band of very valiant retainers Came to the current ; they were clad all in armor, In link-woven burnies. The land-warder noticed The return of the earlmen, as he erstwhile had seen them ; 5 Nowise with insult he greeted the strangers

From the naze of the cliff, but rode on to meet them ; Said the bright-armored visitors 2 vesselward traveled

1 S. and B. emend so as to negative the verb 'meet.' "Why should Hrothgar weep if he expects to meet Beowulf again?" both these scholars ask. But the weeping is mentioned before the ' expectations ' : the tears may have been due to many emotions, especially gratitude, struggling for expression.

2 For 'scavvan' (1S96), 'scaXan' has been proposed. Accepting this, we may render : He said the bright-armored warriors were going to their vessel, zvelcome, etc. (Cf. 1804.)

Beowulf.

65

3°

Welcome to Weders. The wide-bosomed craft then

Lay on the sand, laden with armor,

With horses and jewels, the ring-stemmed sailer :

The mast uptowered o'er the treasure of Hrothgar.

To the boat-ward a gold-bound brand he presented, Beowulf gives the

That he was afterwards honored on the ale-bench more highly f^ord.* a" S°me

As the heirloom's owner. x Set he out on his vessel,

To drive on the deep, Dane-country left he.

Along by the mast then a sea-garment fluttered,

A rope-fastened sail. The sea-boat resounded,

The wind o'er the waters the wave-floater nowise

Kept from its journey ; the sea-goer traveled,

The foamy-necked floated forth o'er the currents,

The well-fashioned vessel o'er the ways of the ocean,

Till they came within sight of the cliffs of the Geatmen,

The well-known headlands. The wave-goer hastened

Driven by breezes, stood on the shore.

Prompt at the ocean, the port-ward was ready,

Who long in the past outlooked in the distance,2

At water's-edge waiting well-loved heroes ;

He bound to the bank then the broad-bosomed vessel

Fast in its fetters, lest the force of the waters

Should be able to injure the ocean-wood winsome.

Bade he up then take the treasure of princes,

Plate-gold and fretwork ; not far was it thence

To go off in search of the giver of jewels :

The Geats see their own land again.

The port-warden is anxiously looking for them.

1 R. suggests, ' Gewat him on naca,' and renders : The vessel set out, to drive on the sea, the Dane-country left. 'On' bears the alliteration; cf. 'on hafu' (2524). This has some advantages over the H.-So. reading; viz. (1) It adds nothing to the text; (2) it makes 'naca' the subject, and thus brings the passage into keeping with the context, where the poet has ex- hausted his vocabulary in detailing the actions of the vessel. — B.'s emenda- tion (cf. P. and B. XII. 97) is violent.

2 B. translates : Who for a long time, ready at the coast, had looked out into the distance eagerly for the dear men. This changes the syntax of ' leofra manna.'

66

Beowulf.

Hygd, the noble queen of Higelac, lavish of gifts.

OfTa's consort, Thrytho, is con- trasted with Hygd.

She is a terror to all save her hus- band.

45

Hrethel's son Higelac at home there remaineth,1

35 Himself with his comrades close to the sea-coast. The building was splendid, the king heroic, Great in his hall, Hygd very young was, Fine-mooded, clever, though few were the winters That the daughter of Hasreth had dwelt in the borough ;

40 But she nowise was cringing nor niggard of presents, Of ornaments rare, to the race of the Geatmen. Thrytho nursed anger, excellent 2 folk-queen, Hot-burning hatred : no hero whatever 'Mong household companions, her husband excepted, Dared to adventure to look at the woman With eyes in the daytime ; 3 but he knew that death-chains Hand-wreathed were wrought him : early thereafter, When the hand-strife was over, edges were ready, That fierce-raging sword-point had to force a decision, Murder-bale show. Such no womanly custom For a lady to practise, though lovely her person, That a weaver-of-peace, on pretence of anger A beloved liegeman of life should deprive. Soothly this hindered Heming's kinsman ;

55 Other ale-drinking earlmen asserted

That fearful folk-sorrows fewer she wrought them, Treacherous doings, since first she was given Adorned with gold to the war-hero youthful, For her origin honored, when Offa's great palace

60 O'er the fallow flood by her father's instructions

She sought on her journey, where she afterwards fully, Famed for her virtue, her fate on the king's-seat

5°

1 For ' wunaft ' (v. 1924) several eminent critics suggest 'wunade' (= re- mained). This makes the passage much clearer.

2 Why should such a woman be described as an 'excellent' queen? C. suggests ' frecnu ' = dangerous, bold.

3 For 'an dseges' various readings have been offered. If 'and-eges' be accepted, the sentence will read : No hero . . . dared look upon her, eye to eye. If ' an-doeges ' be adopted, translate : Dared look upon her the whole day.

Beowulf. 67

Enjoyed in her lifetime, love did she hold with The ruler of heroes, the best, it is told me,

65 Of all of the earthmen that oceans encompass, Of earl-kindreds endless ; hence Offa was famous Far and widely, by gifts and by battles, Spear-valiant hero ; the home of his fathers He governed with wisdom, whence Eomser did issue

70 For help unto heroes, Heming's kinsman, Grandson of Garmund, great in encounters.

XXIX.

BEOWULF AND HIGELAC.

Then the brave one departed, his band along with him,

Seeking the sea-shore, the sea-marches treading, Beowulf and his

The wide-stretching shores. The world-candle glimmered,

The sun from the southward ; they proceeded then onward, 5 Early arriving where they heard that the troop-lord,

Ongentheow's slayer, excellent, youthful

Folk-prince and warrior was distributing jewels,

Close in his castle. The coming of Beowulf

Was announced in a message quickly to Higelac, 10 That the folk-troop's defender forth to the palace

The linden-companion alive was advancing,

Secure from the combat courtward a-going.

The building was early inward made ready

For the foot-going guests as the good one had ordered. 15 He sat by the man then who had lived through the struggle, Beowulf sits by his

Kinsman by kinsman, when the king of the people

Had in lordly language saluted the dear one,

In words that were formal. The daughter of Haereth Queen Hysd re-

ccivcs the heroes

Coursed through the building, carrying mead-cups :

1 ' Meodu-scencum ' ( 1 98 1 ) some would render ' with mead-flowers.' Trans- late then : The daughter of Hczreth went through the building accompanied by mead-flourers.

68

Beowulf.

Higelac is greatly interested in Beo- wulfs adventures.

Give an account of thy adventures, Beowulf dear.

My suspense has been great.

Beowulf narrates his adventures.

Grendel's kindred have no cause to boast.

Hrothgar received me very cordially.

She loved the retainers, tendered the beakers

To the high-minded Geatmen. Higelac 'gan then

Pleasantly plying his companion with questions

In the high-towering palace. A curious interest

Tormented his spirit, what meaning to see in

The Sea-Geats' adventures : " Beowulf worthy,

How throve your journeying, when thou thoughtest suddenly

Far o'er the salt-streams to seek an encounter,

A battle at Heorot ? Hast bettered for Hrothgar,

The famous folk-leader, his far-published sorrows

30 Any at all ? In agony-billows

I mused upon torture, distrusted the journey

Of the beloved liegeman ; I long time did pray thee

By no means to seek out the murderous spirit,

To suffer the South-Danes themselves to decide on '

35 Grappling with Grendel. To God I am thankful To be suffered to see thee safe from thy journey." Beowulf answered, bairn of old Ecgtheow : " 'Tis hidden by no means, Higelac chieftain, From many of men, the meeting so famous,

40 What mournful moments of me and of Grendel

Were passed in the place where he pressing affliction On the Victory-Scyldings scathefully brought, Anguish forever ; that all I avenged, So that any under heaven of the kinsmen of Grendel

45 Needeth not boast of that cry-in-the-morning, Who longest liveth of the loth-going kindred,2 Encompassed by moorlartd. I came in my journey To the royal ring-hall, Hrothgar to greet there : Soon did the famous scion of Healfdene,

50 When he understood fully the spirit that led me, Assign me a seat with the son of his bosom.

1 See my note to 1599, supra, and B. in P. and B. XII. 97.

2 For 'fenne,' supplied by Grdtvg., B. suggests ' facne ' (cf. Jul. 350). Accepting this, translate : Who longest lives of the hated race, steeped in treachery.

Beowulf.

69

The troop was in joyance; mead-glee greater

'Neath arch of the ether not ever beheld I

'Mid hall-building holders. The highly-famed queen,

55 Peace-tie of peoples, oft passed through the building, Cheered the young troopers ; she oft tendered a hero A beautiful ring-band, ere she went to her sitting. Oft the daughter of Hrothgar in view of the courtiers To the earls at the end the ale-vessel carried,

60 Whom Freaware I heard then hall-sitters title, When nail-adorned jewels she gave to the heroes : Gold-bedecked, youthful, to the glad son of Froda Her faith has been plighted ; the friend of the Scyldings, The guard of the kingdom, hath given his sanction,1

6-j And counts it a vantage, for a part of the quarrels, A portion of hatred, to pay with the woman. 2 Somewhere not rarely, when the ruler has fallen, The life-taking lance relaxeth its fury For a brief breathing-spell, though the bride be charming !

The queen also showed us no little honor.

Hrothgar's lovely daughter.

She is betrothed to Ingeld, in order to unite the Danes and Heathobards.

XXX.

BEOWULF NARRATES HIS ADVENTURES TO HIGELAC.

" It well may discomfit the prince of the Heathobards And each of the thanemen of earls that attend him,

1 See note to v. 1599 above.

2 This is perhaps the least understood sentence in the poem, almost every word being open to dispute. (1) The ' no ' of our text is an emendation, and is rejected by many scholars. (2) ' Seldan ' is by some taken as an adv. (= seldom), and by others as a noun (= page, companion). (3) 'Leod- hryre,' some render 'fall of the people '; others, 'fall of the prince.'' (4) ' Brlge^,' most scholars regard as the intrans. verb meaning ' bend? 'rest'; but one great scholar has translated it 'shall Mil.' (5) 'Hwser,' very recently, has been attacked, ' wsere ' being suggested. (6) As a corollary to the above, the same critic proposes to drop ' oft ' out of the text. — t. B. suggests : Oft seldan wsere after leodhryre : lytle hwi'le bongar buge"$, beah seo bryd duge = often has a treaty been {thus) struck, after a prince had fallen : {but only) a short time is the spear {then) wont to rest, however excellent the bride may be.

70 Beowulf.

When he goes to the building escorting the woman,

That a noble-born Daneman the knights should be feasting :

5 There gleam on his person the leavings of elders Hard and ring-bright, Heathobards* treasure, While they wielded their arms, till they misled to the battle Their own dear lives and beloved companions. He saith at the banquet who the collar beholdeth,

io An ancient ash-warrior who earlmen's destruction Clearly recalleth (cruel his spirit), Sadly beginneth sounding the youthful Thane-champion's spirit through the thoughts of his bosom, War-grief to waken, and this word-answer speaketh :

Ingeld is stirred up t Art thou ^fe^ my frien(J to know when thoU SeeSt it

to break the truce. .

The brand which thy father bare to the conflict

In his latest adventure, 'neath visor of helmet,

The dearly-loved iron, where Danemen did slay him,

And brave-mooded Scyldings, on the fall of the heroes,

20 (When vengeance was sleeping) the slaughter-place wielded? E'en now some man of the murderer's progeny Exulting in ornaments enters the building, Boasts of his blood-shedding, off beareth the jewel Which thou shouldst wholly hold in possession ! '

25 So he urgeth and mindeth on every occasion With woe-bringing words, till waxeth the season When the woman's thane for the works of his father, The bill having bitten, blood-gory sleepeth, Fated to perish ; the other one thenceward

30 'Scapeth alive, the land knoweth thoroughly.1

Then the oaths of the earlmen on each side are broken, When rancors unresting are raging in Ingeld And his wife-love waxeth less warm after sorrow. So the Heathobards' favor not faithful I reckon,

35 Their part in the treaty not true to the Danemen, Their friendship not fast. I further shall tell thee

1 For 'lifigende' (2063), a mere conjecture, 'wigende' has been suggested. The line would then read : Escapeth by fighting, knows the land thoroughly.

Beowulf.

71

More about Grendel, that thou fully mayst hear,

Ornament-giver, what afterward came from

The hand-rush of heroes. When the jewel of heaven

40 O'er earthfields had gilded, the stranger came raging, The horrible night- fiend, us for to visit, Where wholly unharmed the hall we were guarding. To Hondscio happened a hopeless contention, Death to the doomed one, dead he fell foremost,

45 Girded war-champion ; to him Grendel became then, To the vassal distinguished, a tooth-weaponed murderer, The well-beloved henchman's body all swallowed. Not the earlier off empty of hand did The bloody-toothed murderer, mindful of evils,

50 Wish to escape from the gold-giver's palace, But sturdy of strength he strove to outdo me, Hand-ready grappled. A glove was suspended Spacious and wondrous, in art-fetters fastened, Which was fashioned entirely by touch of the craftman

55 From the dragon's skin by the devil's devices : He down in its depths would do me unsadly One among many, deed-doer raging, Though sinless he saw me ; not so could it happen When I in my anger upright did stand.

60 'Tis too long to recount how requital I furnished For every evil to the earlmen's destroyer ; 'Twas there, my prince, that I proudly distinguished Thy land with my labors. He left and retreated, He lived his life a little while longer :

65 Yet his right-hand guarded his footstep in Heorot, And sad-mooded thence to the sea-bottom fell he, Mournful in mind. For the might-rush of battle The friend of the Scyldings, with gold that was plated, With ornaments many, much requited me,

70 When daylight had dawned, and down to the banquet We had sat us together. There was chanting and joyance The age-stricken Scylding asked many questions

Having made these preliminary state- ments, I will now tell thee of Gren- del, the monster.

Hondscio fell first.

I reflected honor upon my people.

King Hrothgar lavished gifts upon

72

Beowulf.

The old king is sad over the loss of his youthful vigor.

Grendel's mother.

i^Eschere falls a prey to her ven- geance.

She suffered not his body to be burned, but ate it.

I sought the crea- ture in her den,

So

85

And of old-times related ; oft light-ringing harp-strings, Joy-telling wood, were touched by the brave one ; Now he uttered measures, mourning and truthful, Then the large-hearted land-king a legend of wonder Truthfully told us. Now troubled with years The age-hoary warrior afterward began to Mourn for the might that marked him in youth-days ; His breast within boiled, when burdened with winters Much he remembered. From morning till night then We joyed us therein as etiquette suffered, Till the second night season came unto earth-folk. Then early thereafter, the mother of Grendel Was ready for vengeance, wretched she journeyed ; Her son had death ravished, the wrath of the Geatmen. The horrible woman avenged her offspring, And with mighty mainstrength murdered a hero. There the spirit of ./^Eschere, aged adviser, Was ready to vanish ; nor when morn had lightened Were they anywise suffered to consume him with fire, Folk of the Danemen, the death-weakened hero, Nor the beloved liegeman to lay on the pyre ; She the corpse had offcarried in the clutch of the foeman ' 'Neath mountain-brook's flood. To Hrothgar 'twas saddest Of pains that ever had preyed on the chieftain ; By the life of thee the land-prince then me 2 Besought very sadly, in sea-currents' eddies To display my prowess, to peril my safety, 100 Might-deeds accomplish ; much did he promise. I found then the famous flood-current's cruel, Horrible depth-warder. A while unto us two

90

95

1 For ' foe'Smum,' Gr.'s conjecture, B. proposes ' fberunga.' These three half-verses would then read : She bore off the corpse of her foe suddenly under the mottntain-torrent.

2 The phrase ' bine lyfe ' (2132) was long rendered 'with thy {presupposed) permission? The verse would read : The land-prince then sadly besought me, with thy (presupposed) permission, etc.

Beowulf.

73

Hand was in common ; the currents were seething With gore that was clotted, and Grendel's fierce mother's Head I offhacked in the hall at the bottom With huge-reaching sword- edge, hardly I wrested My life from her clutches ; not doomed was I then, But the warden of earlmen afterward gave me Jewels in quantity, kinsman of Healfdene.

and hewed her head off.

Jewels were freely bestowed upon me.

XXXI.

<5

GIFT-GIVING IS MUTUAL.

" So the beloved land-prince lived in decorum ;

I had missed no rewards, no meeds of my prowess,

But he gave me jewels, regarding my wishes,

Healfdene his bairn ; I'll bring them to thee, then,

Atheling of earlmen, offer them gladly.

And still unto thee is all my affection : 1

But few of my folk-kin find I surviving

But thee, dear Higelac ! " Bade he in then to carry 2

The boar-image, banner, battle-high helmet,

Iron-gray armor, the excellent weapon,

In song-measures said : " This suit-for-the-battle

Hrothgar presented me, bade me expressly,

Wise-mooded atheling, thereafter to tell thee3

The whole of its history, said King Heregar owned it,

Dane-prince for long : yet he wished not to give then

All my gifts I lay at thy feet.

This armor I have belonged of yore to Heregar.

1 This verse B. renders, ' Now serve I again thee alone as my gracious king?

2 For 'eafor' (2153), Kl. suggests ' ealdor.' Translate then: Bade the prince then to bear in the banner, battle-high helmet, etc. On the other hand, W. takes ' eaforheafodsegn ' as a compound, meaning ' helmet ' : He bade them bear in the helmet, battle-high helm, gray armor, etc.

3 The H.-So. rendering (serest = history, origin ; 'eft' for 'est'), though liable to objection, is perhaps the best offered. ' That I should very early tell thee of his favor, kindness ' sounds well ; but ' his ' is badly placed to limit ' est.' — Perhaps, ' eft ' with verbs of saying may have the force of Lat. prefix ' re,' and the H.-So. reading mean, ' that I should its origin rehearse to thee.'

74

Beowulf.

Higelac loves his nephew Beowulf.

Beowulf gives Hygd the necklace that Wealhtheow had given him.

Beowulf is famous.

He is requited for the slights suffered in earlier days.

Higelac over- whelms the con- queror with gifts.

The mail to his son, though dearly he loved him,

Hereward the hardy. Hold all in joyance ! "

I heard that there followed hard on the jewels

Two braces of stallions of striking resemblance,

Dappled and yellow ; he granted him usance

Of horses and treasures. So a kinsman should bear him,

No web of treachery weave for another,

Nor by cunning craftiness cause the destruction

Of trusty companion. Most precious to Higelac,

The bold one in battle, was the bairn of his sister,

And each unto other mindful of favors.

I am told that to Hygd he proffered the necklace,

Wonder-gem rare that Wealhtheow gave him,

The troop-leader's daughter, a trio of horses

30 Slender and saddle-bright ; soon did the jewel

Embellish her bosom, when the beer-feast was over. So Ecgtheow's bairn brave did prove him, War-famous man, by deeds that were valiant, He lived in honor, beloved companions

35 Slew not carousing ; his mood was not cruel,

But by hand-strength hugest of heroes then living The brave one retained the bountiful gift that The Lord had allowed him. Long was he wretched, So that sons of the Geatmen accounted him worthless,

40 And the lord of the liegemen loth was to do him Mickle of honor, when mead-cups were passing ; They fully believed him idle and sluggish, An indolent atheling : to the honor-blest man there Came requital for the cuts he had suffered.

45 The folk-troop's defender bade fetch to the building The heirloom of Hrethel, embellished with gold, So the brave one enjoined it ; there was jewel no richer In the form of a weapon 'mong Geats of that era ; In Beowulf s keeping he placed it and gave him

50 Seven of thousands, manor and lordship. Common to both was land 'mong the people,

55

00

6<i

Beowulf.

Estate and inherited rights and possessions,

To the second one specially spacious dominions,

To the one who was better. It afterward happened

In days that followed, befell the battle-thanes,

After Higelac's death, and when Heardred was murdered

With weapons of warfare 'neath well-covered targets,

When valiant battlemen in victor-band sought him,

War-Scylfing heroes harassed the nephew

Of Hereric in battle. To Beowulf's keeping

Turned there in time extensive dominions :

He fittingly ruled them a fifty of winters

(He a man-ruler wise was, manor- ward old) till

A certain one 'gan, on gloom-darkening nights, a

Dragon, to govern, who guarded a treasure,

A high-rising stone-cliff, on heath that was grayish :

A path 'neath it lay, unknown unto mortals.

Some one of earthmen entered the mountain,

The heathenish hoard laid hold of with ardor ;

75

After Heardred's death, Beowulf be- comes king.

He rules the Geats fifty years.

The fire-drake.

XXXII.

THE HOARD AND THE DRAGON.

He sought of himself who sorely did harm him, But, for need very pressing, the servant of one of The sons of the heroes hate-blows evaded, Seeking for shelter and the sin-driven warrior Took refuge within there. He early looked in it,

76

Beowulf.

The hoard.

The ring-giver be- wails the loss of retainers.

***** when the onset surprised him,

io He a gem-vessel saw there : many of suchlike Ancient ornaments in the earth-cave were lying, As in days of yore some one of men of Illustrious lineage, as a legacy monstrous, There had secreted them, careful and thoughtful,

15 Dear-valued jewels. Death had offsnatched them, In the days of the past, and the one man moreover Of the flower of the folk who fared there the longest, Was fain to defer it, friend-mourning warder, A little longer to be left in enjoyment

20 Of long- lasting treasure.1 A barrow all- ready Stood on the plain the stream-currents nigh to, New by the ness-edge, unnethe of approaching : The keeper of rings carried within a 2 Ponderous deal of the treasure of nobles,

25 Of gold that was beaten, briefly he spake then : 3 " Hold thou, O Earth, now heroes no more may, The earnings of earlmen. Lo ! erst in thy bosom Worthy men won them ; war-death hath ravished, Perilous life-bale, all my warriors,

30 Liegemen beloved, who this life have forsaken, Who hall-pleasures saw. No sword-bearer have I, And no one to burnish the gold-plated vessel, The high-valued beaker : my heroes are vanished. The hardy helmet behung with gilding

35 Shall be reaved of its riches : the ring-cleansers slumber Who were charged to have ready visors-for-battle, And the burnie that bided in battle-encounter

1 For 'long-gestreona,' B. suggests ' laengestreona,' and renders, Of fleeting treasures. S. accepts H.'s ' long-gestreona, but renders, The treasure long in accumulating.

2 For ' hard-fyrdne ' (2246), B. first suggested ' hard-fyndne,' rendering: A heap of treasures . . . so great that its equal would be hard to find. The same scholar suggests later ' hord-wynne dael ' = A deal of treasure-joy.

3 Some read 'fee-word' (2247), and render: Banning words uttered.

Beowulf.

77

O'er breaking of war-shields the bite of the edges Moulds with the hero. The ring-twisted armor,

40 Its lord being lifeless, no longer may journey Hanging by heroes ; harp-joy is vanished, The rapture of glee-wood, no excellent falcon Swoops through the building, no swift-footed charger Grindeth the gravel. A grievous destruction

45 No few of the world-folk widely hath scattered ! " So, woful of spirit one after all Lamented mournfully, moaning in sadness By day and by night, till death with its billows Dashed on his spirit. Then the ancient dusk-scather

50 Found the great treasure standing all open, He who flaming and fiery flies to the barrows, Naked war-dragon, nightly escapeth Encompassed with fire ; men under heaven Widely beheld him. 'Tis said that he looks for *

55 The hoard in the earth, where old he is guarding The heathenish treasure ; he'll be nowise the better. So three-hundred winters the waster of peoples Held upon earth that excellent hoard-hall, Till the forementioned earlman angered him bitterly :

60 The beat-plated beaker he bare to his chieftain And fullest remission for all his remissness Begged of his liegelord. Then the hoard 2 was discovered, The treasure was taken, his petition was granted The lorn-mooded liegeman. His lord regarded

65 The old-work of earth-folk — 'twas the earliest occasion. When the dragon awoke, the strife was renewed there ; He snuffed 'long the stone then, stout-hearted found he

The fire-dragon.

The dragon meets his match.

The hero plunders the dragon's den.

1 An earlier reading of H.'s gave the following meaning to this passage : He is said to inhabit a mound wider the earth, where he, etc. The translation in the text is more authentic.

2 The repetition of ' hord ' in this passage has led some scholars to suggest new readings to avoid the second ' hord.' This, however, is not under the main stress, and, it seems to me, might easily be accepted.

78

Beowulf.

The dragon per- ceives that some one has disturbed his treasure.

The dragon is in- furiated.

The footprint of foeman ; too far had he gone With cunning craftiness close to the head of

70 The fire-spewing dragon. So undoomed he may 'scape from Anguish and exile with ease who possesseth The favor of Heaven. The hoard-warden eagerly Searched o'er the ground then, would meet with the person That caused him sorrow while in slumber reclining :

75 Gleaming and wild he oft went round the cavern, All of it outward ; not any of earthmen Was seen in that desert.1 Yet he joyed in the battle, Rejoiced in the conflict : oft he turned to the barrow, Sought for the gem-cup ; 2 this he soon perceived then

So That some man or other had discovered the gold,

The famous folk-treasure. Not fain did the hoard-ward Wait until evening ; then the ward of the barrow Was angry in spirit, the loathed one wished to Pay for the dear-valued drink-cup with fire.

S5 Then the day was done as the dragon would have it, He no longer would wait on the wall, but departed Fire-impelled, flaming. Fearful the start was To earls in the land, as it early thereafter To their giver-of-gold was grievously ended.

XXXIII.

BRAVE THOUGH AGED. — REMINISCENCES.

The dragon spits fire.

The stranger began then to vomit forth fire,

To burn the great manor ; the blaze then glimmered

For anguish to earlmen, not anything living

1 The reading of H.-So. is well defended in the notes to that volume. B. emends and renders : Nor was there any man in that desert who rejoiced in conflict, in battle-work. That is, the hoard-ward could not find any one who had disturbed his slumbers, for no warrior was there. t. B.'s emendation would give substantially the same translation.

2 'Sine-fast' (2301): this word both here and in v. 2232, t. B. renders ' treasure.'

Beowulf.

79

Was the hateful air-goer willing to leave there. 5 The war of the worm widely was noticed, The feud of the foeman afar and anear, How the enemy injured the earls of the Geatmen, Harried with hatred : back he hied to the treasure, To the well-hidden cavern ere the coming of daylight.

io He had circled with fire the folk of those regions, With brand and burning ; in the barrow he trusted, In the wall and his war-might : the weening deceived him. Then straight was the horror to Beowulf published, Early forsooth, that his own native homestead,1

15 The best of buildings, was burning and melting, Gift-seat of Geatmen. 'Twas a grief to the spirit Of the good-mooded hero, the greatest of sorrows : The wise one weened then that wielding his kingdom 'Gainst the ancient commandments, he had bitterly angered

20 The Lord everlasting : with lorn meditations

His bosom welled inward, as was nowise his custom. The fire-spewing dragon fully had wasted The fastness of warriors, the water-land outward, The manor with fire. The folk-ruling hero,

25 Prince of the Weders, was planning to wreak him. The warmen's defender bade them to make him, Earlmen's atheling, an excellent war-shield Wholly of iron : fully he knew then That wood from the forest was helpless to aid him,

30 Shield against fire. The long-worthy ruler Must live the last of his limited earth-days, Of life in the world and the worm along with him, Though he long had been holding hoard-wealth in plenty. Then the ring-prince disdained to seek with a war-band,

35 With army extensive, the air-going ranger ; He felt no fear of the foeman's assaults and He counted for little the might of the dragon,

1 'Ham' (2326), the suggestion of B. is accepted by t. B. and other scholars.

Beowulf hears of

the havoc wrought by the dragon.

He fears that Heaven is punish- ing him for some crime.

He orders an iron shield to be made for him ; wood is useless.

He determines to fight alone.

8o

Beowulf.

Beowulf's early triumphs referred

Higelac's death recalled.

Heardred's lack of capacity to rule.

Beowulf s tact and delicacy recalled.

Reference is here made to a visit which Beowulf re- ceives from Ean- mund and Eadgils; why they come is not known.

His power and prowess : for previously dared he A heap of hostility, hazarded dangers,

40 War-thane, when Hrothgar's palace he cleansed, Conquering combatant, clutched in the battle The kinsmen of Grendel, of kindred detested.1 'Twas of hand-fights not least where Higelac was slaughtered, When the king of the Geatmen with clashings of battle,

45 Friend-lord of folks in Frisian dominions,

Offspring of Hrethrel perished through sword-drink, With battle-swords beaten ; thence Beowulf came then On self-help relying, swam through the waters ; He bare on his arm, lone-going, thirty

50 Outfits of armor, when the ocean he mounted. The Hetwars by no means had need to be boastful Of their fighting afoot, who forward to meet him Carried their war-shields : not many returned from The brave-mooded battle-knight back to their homesteads.

55 Ecgtheow's bairn o'er the bight-courses swam then, '

Lone-goer lorn to his land-folk returning, Where Hygd to him tendered treasure and kingdom, Rings and dominion : her son she not trusted, To be able to keep the kingdom devised him 'Gainst alien races, on the death of King Higelac. Yet the sad ones succeeded not in persuading the atheling In any way ever, to act as a suzerain To Heardred, or promise to govern the kingdom ; Yet with friendly counsel in the folk he sustained him,

65 Gracious, with honor, till he grew to be older, Wielded the Weders. Wide-fleeing outlaws, Ohthere's sons, sought him o'er the waters : They had stirred a revolt 'gainst the helm of the Scylfings, The best of the sea-kings, who in Swedish dominions

70 Distributed treasure, distinguished folk-leader.

1 For ' laSan cynnes

' msegum. ' From sy emendation.

nes' (2355), t. B. suggests ' latfan cynne,' apposition to ntactical and other considerations, this is a most excellent

Beowulf.

81

11

'Twas the end of his earth-days ; injury fatal ! By swing of the sword he received as a greeting, Offspring of Higelac ; Ongentheow's bairn Later departed to visit his homestead, When Heardred was dead ; let Beowulf rule them, Govern the Geatmen : good was that folk-king.

XXXIV.

BEOWULF SEEKS THE DRAGON. — BEOWULF'S REMINISCENCES.

He planned requital for the folk-leader's ruin In days thereafter, to Eadgils the wretched Becoming an enemy. Ohthere's son then Went with a war-troop o'er the wide-stretching currents 5 With warriors and weapons : with woe-journeys cold he After avenged him, the king's life he took. So he came off uninjured from all of his battles, Perilous fights, offspring of Ecgtheow, From his deeds of daring, till that day most momentous

io When he fate-driven fared to fight with the dragon. With eleven companions the prince of the Geatmen Went lowering with fury to look at the fire-drake : Inquiring he'd found how the feud had arisen, Hate to his heroes ; the highly-famed gem-vessel

15 Was brought to his keeping through the hand of th' informer. That in the throng was thirteenth of heroes, That caused the beginning of conflict so bitter, Captive and wretched, must sad-mooded thenceward Point out the place : he passed then unwillingly

20 To the spot where he knew of the notable cavern, The cave under earth, not far from the ocean, The anger of eddies, which inward was full of Jewels and wires : a warden uncanny,

1 Gr. read 'on feorme ; (2386), rendering: He there at the banquet a fatal wound received by blmus of the sword.

Beowulf has been preserved through many perils.

With eleven com- rades, he seeks the dragon.

A guide leads the way, but

very reluctantly.

82

Beowulf.

Beowulf s retro- spect.

Hrethel took me when I was seven.

He treated me as a son.

One of the brothers accidentally kills another.

No fee could com- pound for such a calamity. 5°

[A parallel case is supposed.]

Warrior weaponed, wardered the treasure, 25 Old under earth ; no easy possession

For any of earth-folk access to get to.

Then the battle-brave atheling sat on the naze-edge,

While the gold-friend of Geatmen gracious saluted

His fireside-companions : woe was his spirit, 30 Death-boding, wav'ring ; Weird very near him,

Who must seize the old hero, his soul-treasure look for,

Dragging aloof his life from his body :

Not flesh-hidden long was the folk-leader's spirit.

Beowulf spake, Ecgtheow's son : 35 " I survived in my youth-days many a conflict,

Hours of onset : that all I remember.

I was seven -winters old when the jewel-prince took me,

High-lord of heroes, at the hands of my father,

Hrethel the hero-king had me in keeping, 40 Gave me treasure and feasting, our kinship remembered ;

Not ever was I any less dear to him

Knight in the boroughs, than the bairns of his household,

Herebald and Hasthcyn and Higelac mine.

To the eldest unjustly by acts of a kinsman 45 Was murder-bed strewn, since him Hsethcyn from horn-bow

His sheltering chieftain shot with an arrow,

Erred in his aim and injured his kinsman,

One brother the other, with blood-sprinkled spear :

'Twas a feeless fight, finished in malice,

Sad to his spirit ; the folk-prince however

Had to part from existence with vengeance untaken.

So to hoar-headed hero 'tis heavily crushing 1

1 'Gomelum ceorle'(2445). — H. takes these words as referring to Hrethel; but the translator here departs from his editor by understanding the poet to refer to a hypothetical old man, introduced as an illustration of a father's sorrow.

Hrethrel had certainly never seen a son of his ride on the gallows to feed the crows.

The passage beginning ' swa bitf geomorlic ' seems to be an effort to reach

Beowulf. 83

To live to see his son as he rideth

Young on the gallows : then measures he chanteth, 55 A song of sorrow, when his son is hanging

For the raven's delight, and aged and hoary

He is unable to offer any assistance.

Every morning his offspring's departure

Is constant recalled : he cares not to wait for 60 The birth of an heir in his borough-enclosures,

Since that one through death-pain the deeds hath experienced.

He heart-grieved beholds in the house of his son the

Wine-building wasted, the wind-lodging places

Reaved of their roaring ; the riders are sleeping, 65 The knights in the grave ; there's no sound of the harp- wood,

Joy in the yards, as of yore were familiar.

XXXV.

REMINISCENCES {continued). —BEOWULF'S LAST BATTLE.

" He seeks then his chamber, singeth a woe-song

One for the other ; all too extensive

Seemed homesteads and plains. So the helm of the Weders

Mindful of Herebald heart-sorrow carried, Hrethd grieve*

_ . , . . . . , , for Herebald.

5 Stirred with emotion, nowise was able

To wreak his ruin on the ruthless destroyer :

He was unable to follow the warrior with hatred,

With deeds that were direful, though dear he not held him.

a full simile, ' as . . . so.' ' As it is mournful for an old man, etc. ... so the defence of the Weders (2463) bore heart-sorrow, etc' The verses 2451 to 2463 \ would be parenthetical, the poet's feelings being so strong as to inter- rupt the simile. The punctuation of the fourth edition would be better — a comma after ' galgan ' (2447). The translation may be indicated as follows: {Just) as it is sad for an old man to see his son ride young on the gallows when he himself is uttering mournful measures, a sorrowful song, while his son hangs for a comfort to the raven, and he, old and infirm, cannot render him any help — {he is constantly reminded, etc., 2451-2463) — jo the defence of the Weders, etc.

84

Beowulf.

Strife between Swedes and Geats.

Hsethcyn's fall at Ravenswood.

I requited him for ->0 the jewels he gave me.

35

Beowulf refers to his having slain Djeghrefn.

40

Then pressed by the pang this pain occasioned him,

He gave up glee, God-light elected ;

He left to his sons, as the man that is rich does,

His land and fortress, when from life he departed.

Then was crime and hostility 'twixt Swedes and Geatmen,

O'er wide-stretching water warring was mutual,

Burdensome hatred, when Hrethel had perished,

And Ongentheow's offspring were active and valiant,

Wished not to hold to peace oversea, but

Round Hreosna-beorh often accomplished

Crudest massacre. This my kinsman avenged,

The feud and fury, as 'tis found on inquiry,

Though one of them paid it with forfeit of life-joys,

With price that was hard : the struggle became then

Fatal to Hsethcyn, lord of the Geatmen.

Then I heard that at morning one brother the other

With edges of irons egged on to murder,

Where Ongentheow maketh onset on Eofor :

The helmet crashed, the hoary-haired Scylfing

Sword-smitten fell, his hand then remembered

Feud-hate sufficient, refused not the death-blow.

The gems that he gave me, with jewel-bright sword I

'Quited in contest, as occasion was offered :

Land he allowed me, life-joy at homestead,

Manor to live on. Little he needed

From Gepids or Danes or in Sweden to look for

Trooper less true, with treasure to buy him ;

'Mong foot-soldiers ever in front I would hie me,

Alone in the vanguard, and evermore gladly

Warfare shall wage, while this weapon endureth