Now Beowulf bode in the burg of the Scyldings
leader beloved, and long he ruled
in fame with all folk, since his father had gone
away from the world, till awoke an heir
haughty Healfdene, who held through life
sage and sturdy, the Scyldings glad.
Then, one after one, there woke to him
to the chieftain of clansmen, children four
Heorogar, then Hrothgar, then Halga brave
and I heard that —— was ——’s queen
the Heathoscylfing’s helpmate dear.
To Hrothgar was given such glory of war
such honor of combat, that all his kin
obeyed him gladly till great grew his band
of youthful comrades. It came in his mind
to bid his henchmen a hall uprear
ia master mead-house, mightier far
than ever was seen by the sons of earth
and within it, then, to old and young
he would all allot that the Lord had sent him
save only the land and the lives of his men.
Wide, I heard, was the work commanded
for many a tribe this mid-earth round
to fashion the folkstead. It fell, as he ordered
in rapid achievement that ready it stood there
of halls the noblest: Heorot 3 he named it
whose message had might in many a land.
Not reckless of promise, the rings he dealt
treasure at banquet: there towered the hall
high, gabled wide, the hot surge waiting
of furious flame. 4 Nor far was that day
when father and son-in-law stood in feud
for warfare and hatred that woke again.
With envy and anger an evil spirit
endured the dole in his dark abode
that he heard each day the din of revel
high in the hall: there harps rang out
clear song of the singer. He sang who knew
tales of the early time of man
how the Almighty made the earth
fairest fields enfolded by water
set, triumphant, sun and moon
for a light to lighten the land-dwellers
and braided bright the breast of earth
with limbs and leaves, made life for all
of mortal beings that breathe and move.
So lived the clansmen in cheer and revel
a winsome life, till one began
to fashion evils, that field of hell.
Grendel this monster grim was called
march-riever 7 mighty, in moorland living
in fen and fastness; fief of the giants
the hapless wight a while had kept
since the Creator his exile doomed.
On kin of Cain was the killing avenged
by sovran God for slaughtered Abel.
Ill fared his feud, 8 and far was he driven
for the slaughter’s sake, from sight of men.
Of Cain awoke all that woful breed
Etins 9 and elves and evil-spirits
as well as the giants that warred with God
weary while: but their wage was paid them