UNDER harness his heart then is hit indeed
by sharpest shafts; and no shelter avails
from foul behest of the hellish fiend.
Him seems too little what long he possessed.
Greedy and grim, no golden rings
he gives for his pride; the promised future
forgets he and spurns, with all God has sent him
Wonder-Wielder, of wealth and fame.
Yet in the end it ever comes
that the frame of the body fragile yields
fated falls; and there follows another
who joyously the jewels divides
the royal riches, nor recks of his forebear.
Ban, then, such baleful thoughts, Beowulf dearest
best of men, and the better part choose
profit eternal; and temper thy pride
warrior famous! The flower of thy might
lasts now a while: but erelong it shall be
that sickness or sword thy strength shall minish
or fang of fire, or flooding billow
or bite of blade, or brandished spear
or odious age; or the eyes’ clear beam
wax dull and darken: Death even thee
in haste shall o’erwhelm, thou hero of war
So the Ring-Danes these half-years a hundred I ruled
wielded ’neath welkin, and warded them bravely
from mighty-ones many o’er middle-earth
from spear and sword, till it seemed for me
no foe could be found under fold of the sky.
Lo, sudden the shift! To me seated secure
came grief for joy when Grendel began
to harry my home, the hellish foe
for those ruthless raids, unresting I suffered
heart-sorrow heavy. Heaven be thanked
Lord Eternal, for life extended
that I on this head all hewn and bloody
after long evil, with eyes may gaze
Go to the bench now! Be glad at banquet
warrior worthy! A wealth of treasure
at dawn of day, be dealt between us
Glad was the Geats’ lord, going betimes
to seek his seat, as the Sage commanded.
Afresh, as before, for the famed-in-battle
for the band of the hall, was a banquet dight
nobly anew. The Night-Helm darkened
dusk o’er the drinkers.
The doughty ones rose
for the hoary-headed would hasten to rest
aged Scylding; and eager the Geat
shield-fighter sturdy, for sleeping yearned.
Him wander-weary, warrior-guest
from far, a hall-thane heralded forth
who by custom courtly cared for all
needs of a thane as in those old days
warrior-wanderers wont to have.
So slumbered the stout-heart. Stately the hall
rose gabled and gilt where the guest slept on
till a raven black the rapture-of-heaven
blithe-heart boded. Bright came flying
shine after shadow. The swordsmen hastened
athelings all were eager homeward
forth to fare; and far from thence
the great-hearted guest would guide his keel.
Bade then the hardy-one Hrunting be brought
to the son of Ecglaf, the sword bade him take
excellent iron, and uttered his thanks for it
quoth that he counted it keen in battle
war-friend” winsome: with words he slandered not
edge of the blade: ’twas a big-hearted man
Now eager for parting and armed at point
warriors waited, while went to his host
that Darling of Danes. The doughty atheling
to high-seat hastened and Hrothgar greeted.