So held this king to the customs old
that I wanted for nought in the wage I gained
the meed of my might; he made me gifts
Healfdene’s heir, for my own disposal.
Now to thee, my prince, I proffer them all
gladly give them. Thy grace alone
can find me favor. Few indeed
have I of kinsmen, save, Hygelac, thee
Then he bade them bear him the boar-head standard
the battle-helm high, and breastplate gray
the splendid sword; then spake in form
Me this war-gear the wise old prince
Hrothgar, gave, and his hest he added
that its story be straightway said to thee.
A while it was held by Heorogar king
for long time lord of the land of Scyldings
yet not to his son the sovran left it
to daring Heoroweard, — dear as he was to him
his harness of battle. — Well hold thou it all
And I heard that soon passed o’er the path of this treasure
all apple-fallow, four good steeds
each like the others, arms and horses
he gave to the king. So should kinsmen be
not weave one another the net of wiles
or with deep-hid treachery death contrive
for neighbor and comrade. His nephew was ever
by hardy Hygelac held full dear
and each kept watch o’er the other’s weal.
I heard, too, the necklace to Hygd he presented
wonder-wrought treasure, which Wealhtheow gave him
sovran’s daughter: three steeds he added
slender and saddle-gay. Since such gift
the gem gleamed bright on the breast of the queen.
Thus showed his strain the son of Ecgtheow
as a man remarked for mighty deeds
and acts of honor. At ale he slew not
comrade or kin; nor cruel his mood
though of sons of earth his strength was greatest
a glorious gift that God had sent
the splendid leader. Long was he spurned
and worthless by Geatish warriors held
him at mead the master-of-clans
failed full oft to favor at all.
Slack and shiftless the strong men deemed him
profitless prince; but payment came
to the warrior honored, for all his woes.
Then the bulwark-of-earls 83 bade bring within
hardy chieftain, Hrethel’s heirloom
garnished with gold: no Geat e’er knew
in shape of a sword a statelier prize.
The brand he laid in Beowulf’s lap
and of hides assigned him seven thousand
with house and high-seat. They held in common
land alike by their line of birth
inheritance, home: but higher the king
because of his rule o’er the realm itself.
Now further it fell with the flight of years
with harryings horrid, that Hygelac perished
and Heardred, too, by hewing of swords
under the shield-wall slaughtered lay
when him at the van of his victor-folk
sought hardy heroes, Heatho-Scilfings
in arms o’erwhelming Hereric’s nephew.
Then Beowulf came as king this broad
realm to wield; and he ruled it well
fifty winters, 86 a wise old prince
warding his land, until One began
in the dark of night, a Dragon, to rage.
In the grave on the hill a hoard it guarded
in the stone-barrow steep. A strait path reached it
unknown to mortals. Some man, however
came by chance that cave within
to the heathen hoard. 87 In hand he took
a golden goblet, nor gave he it back
stole with it away, while the watcher slept
by thievish wiles: for the warden’s wrath
prince and people must pay betimes