AND the lord of earls, to each that came
with Beowulf over the briny ways
an heirloom there at the ale-bench gave
precious gift; and the price 46 bade pay
in gold for him whom Grendel erst
murdered, — and fain of them more had killed
had not wisest God their Wyrd averted
and the man’s 47 brave mood. The Maker then
ruled human kind, as here and now.
Therefore is insight always best
and forethought of mind. How much awaits him
of lief and of loath, who long time here
through days of warfare this world endures
Then song and music mingled sounds
in the presence of Healfdene’s head-of-armies
and harping was heard with the hero-lay
as Hrothgar’s singer the hall-joy woke
along the mead-seats, making his song
of that sudden raid on the sons of Finn.
Healfdene’s hero, Hnaef the Scylding
was fated to fall in the Frisian slaughter.
Hildeburh needed not hold in value
her enemies’ honor! 51 Innocent both
were the loved ones she lost at the linden-play
bairn and brother, they bowed to fate
stricken by spears; ’twas a sorrowful woman
None doubted why the daughter of Hoc
bewailed her doom when dawning came
and under the sky she saw them lying
kinsmen murdered, where most she had kenned
of the sweets of the world! By war were swept, too
Finn’s own liegemen, and few were left
in the parleying-place 52 he could ply no longer
weapon, nor war could he wage on Hengest
and rescue his remnant by right of arms
from the prince’s thane. A pact he offered
another dwelling the Danes should have
hall and high-seat, and half the power
should fall to them in Frisian land
and at the fee-gifts, Folcwald’s son
day by day the Danes should honor
the folk of Hengest favor with rings
even as truly, with treasure and jewels
with fretted gold, as his Frisian kin
he meant to honor in ale-hall there.
Pact of peace they plighted further
on both sides firmly. Finn to Hengest
with oath, upon honor, openly promised
that woful remnant, with wise-men’s aid
nobly to govern, so none of the guests
by word or work should warp the treaty
or with malice of mind bemoan themselves
as forced to follow their fee-giver’s slayer
lordless men, as their lot ordained.
Should Frisian, moreover, with foeman’s taunt
that murderous hatred to mind recall
then edge of the sword must seal his doom.
Oaths were given, and ancient gold
heaped from hoard. — The hardy Scylding
battle-thane best, 54 on his balefire lay.
All on the pyre were plain to see
the gory sark, the gilded swine-crest
boar of hard iron, and athelings many
slain by the sword: at the slaughter they fell.
It was Hildeburh’s hest, at Hnaef’s own pyre
the bairn of her body on brands to lay
his bones to burn, on the balefire placed
at his uncle’s side. In sorrowful dirges
bewept them the woman: great wailing ascended.
Then wound up to welkin the wildest of death-fires
roared o’er the hillock: 55 heads all were melted
gashes burst, and blood gushed out
from bites 56 of the body. Balefire devoured
greediest spirit, those spared not by war
out of either folk: their flower was gone.