CAME now to ocean the ever-courageous
hardy henchmen, their harness bearing
woven war-sarks. The warden marked
trusty as ever, the earl’s return.
From the height of the hill no hostile words
reached the guests as he rode to greet them
but “Welcome!” he called to that Weder clan
as the sheen-mailed spoilers to ship marched on.
Then on the strand, with steeds and treasure
and armor their roomy and ring-dight ship
was heavily laden: high its mast
rose over Hrothgar’s hoarded gems.
A sword to the boat-guard Beowulf gave
mounted with gold; on the mead-bench since
he was better esteemed, that blade possessing
heirloom old. — Their ocean-keel boarding
they drove through the deep, and Daneland left.
A sea-cloth was set, a sail with ropes
firm to the mast; the flood-timbers moaned
nor did wind over billows that wave-swimmer blow
across from her course. The craft sped on
foam-necked it floated forth o’er the waves
keel firm-bound over briny currents
till they got them sight of the Geatish cliffs
home-known headlands. High the boat
stirred by winds, on the strand updrove.
Helpful at haven the harbor-guard stood
who long already for loved companions
by the water had waited and watched afar.
He bound to the beach the broad-bosomed ship
with anchor-bands, lest ocean-billows
that trusty timber should tear away.
Then Beowulf bade them bear the treasure
gold and jewels; no journey far
was it thence to go to the giver of rings
Hygelac Hrethling: at home he dwelt
by the sea-wall close, himself and clan.
Haughty that house, a hero the king
high the hall, and Hygd 75 right young
wise and wary, though winters few
in those fortress walls she had found a home
Haereth’s daughter. Nor humble her ways
nor grudged she gifts to the Geatish men
of precious treasure. Not Thryth’s pride showed she
folk-queen famed, or that fell deceit.
Was none so daring that durst make bold
save her lord alone) of the liegemen dear
that lady full in the face to look
but forged fetters he found his lot
bonds of death! And brief the respite
soon as they seized him, his sword-doom was spoken
and the burnished blade a baleful murder
proclaimed and closed. No queenly way
for woman to practise, though peerless she
that the weaver-of-peace 76 from warrior dear
by wrath and lying his life should reave
But Hemming’s kinsman hindered this.
For over their ale men also told
that of these folk-horrors fewer she wrought
onslaughts of evil, after she went
gold-decked bride, to the brave young prince
atheling haughty, and Offa’s hall
o’er the fallow flood at her father’s bidding
safely sought, where since she prospered
royal, throned, rich in goods
fain of the fair life fate had sent her
and leal in love to the lord of warriors.
He, of all heroes I heard of ever
from sea to sea, of the sons of earth
most excellent seemed. Hence Offa was praised
for his fighting and feeing by far-off men
the spear-bold warrior; wisely he ruled
over his empire. Eomer woke to him
help of heroes, Hemming’s kinsman
Grandson of Garmund, grim in war.