A PERILOUS path, it proved, he 119 trod
who heinously hid, that hall within
wealth under wall! Its watcher had killed
one of a few, 120 and the feud was avenged
in woful fashion. Wondrous seems it
what manner a man of might and valor
oft ends his life, when the earl no longer
in mead-hall may live with loving friends.
So Beowulf, when that barrow’s warden
he sought, and the struggle; himself knew not
in what wise he should wend from the world at last.
For 121 princes potent, who placed the gold
with a curse to doomsday covered it deep
so that marked with sin the man should be
hedged with horrors, in hell-bonds fast
racked with plagues, who should rob their hoard.
Yet no greed for gold, but the grace of heaven
ever the king had kept in view.
Wiglaf spake, the son of Weohstan
At the mandate of one, oft warriors many
sorrow must suffer; and so must we.
The people’s-shepherd showed not aught
of care for our counsel, king beloved
That guardian of gold he should grapple not, urged we
but let him lie where he long had been
in his earth-hall waiting the end of the world
the hest of heaven. — This hoard is ours
but grievously gotten; too grim the fate
which thither carried our king and lord.
I was within there, and all I viewed
the chambered treasure, when chance allowed me
and my path was made in no pleasant wise
under the earth-wall. Eager, I seized
such heap from the hoard as hands could bear
and hurriedly carried it hither back
to my liege and lord. Alive was he still
still wielding his wits. The wise old man
spake much in his sorrow, and sent you greetings
and bade that ye build, when he breathed no more
on the place of his balefire a barrow high
memorial mighty. Of men was he
worthiest warrior wide earth o’er
the while he had joy of his jewels and burg.
Let us set out in haste now, the second time
to see and search this store of treasure
these wall-hid wonders, — the way I show you
where, gathered near, ye may gaze your fill
at broad-gold and rings. Let the bier, soon made
be all in order when out we come
our king and captain to carry thither
man beloved — where long he shall bide
safe in the shelter of sovran God.
Then the bairn of Weohstan bade command
hardy chief, to heroes many
that owned their homesteads, hither to bring
firewood from far — o’er the folk they ruled
for the famed-one’s funeral. “ Fire shall devour
and wan flames feed on the fearless warrior
who oft stood stout in the iron-shower
when, sped from the string, a storm of arrows
shot o’er the shield-wall: the shaft held firm
featly feathered, followed the barb.
And now the sage young son of Weohstan
seven chose of the chieftain’s thanes
the best he found that band within
and went with these warriors, one of eight
under hostile roof. In hand one bore
a lighted torch and led the way.
No lots they cast for keeping the hoard
when once the warriors saw it in hall
altogether without a guardian
lying there lost. And little they mourned
when they had hastily haled it out
dear-bought treasure! The dragon they cast
the worm, o’er the wall for the wave to take
and surges swallowed that shepherd of gems.
Then the woven gold on a wain was laden
countless quite! — and the king was borne
hoary hero, to Hrones-Ness.