THAT battle-toil bade he at burg to announce
at the fort on the cliff, where, full of sorrow
all the morning earls had sat
daring shieldsmen, in doubt of twain
would they wail as dead, or welcome home
their lord beloved? Little 108 kept back
of the tidings new, but told them all
the herald that up the headland rode.
Now the willing-giver to Weder folk
in death-bed lies; the Lord of Geats
on the slaughter-bed sleeps by the serpent’s deed
And beside him is stretched that slayer-of-men
with knife-wounds sick: 109 no sword availed
on the awesome thing in any wise
to work a wound. There Wiglaf sitteth
Weohstan’s bairn, by Beowulf’s side
the living earl by the other dead
and heavy of heart a head-watch 110 keeps
o’er friend and foe. — Now our folk may look
for waging of war when once unhidden
to Frisian and Frank the fall of the king
is spread afar. — The strife began
when hot on the Hugas 111 Hygelac fell
and fared with his fleet to the Frisian land.
Him there the Hetwaras humbled in war
plied with such prowess their power o’erwhelming
that the bold-in-battle bowed beneath it
and fell in fight. To his friends no wise
could that earl give treasure! And ever since
the Merowings’ favor has failed us wholly.
Nor aught expect I of peace and faith
from Swedish folk. ’Twas spread afar
how Ongentheow reft at Ravenswood
Haethcyn Hrethling of hope and life
when the folk of Geats for the first time sought
in wanton pride the Warlike-Scylfings.
Soon the sage old sire 112 of Ohtere
ancient and awful, gave answering blow
the sea-king 113 he slew, and his spouse redeemed
his good wife rescued, though robbed of her gold
mother of Ohtere and Onela.
Then he followed his foes, who fled before him
sore beset and stole their way
bereft of a ruler, to Ravenswood.
With his host he besieged there what swords had left
the weary and wounded; woes he threatened
the whole night through to that hard-pressed throng
some with the morrow his sword should kill
some should go to the gallows-tree
for rapture of ravens. But rescue came
with dawn of day for those desperate men
when they heard the horn of Hygelac sound
tones of his trumpet; the trusty king
had followed their trail with faithful band.