STONE-BRIGHT the street: 21 it showed the way
to the crowd of clansmen. Corselets glistened
hand-forged, hard; on their harness bright
the steel ring sang, as they strode along
in mail of battle, and marched to the hall.
There, weary of ocean, the wall along
they set their bucklers, their broad shields, down
and bowed them to bench: the breastplates clanged
war-gear of men; their weapons stacked
spears of the seafarers stood together
gray-tipped ash: that iron band
was worthily weaponed! — A warrior proud
asked of the heroes their home and kin.
Whence, now, bear ye burnished shields
harness gray and helmets grim
spears in multitude? Messenger, I
Hrothgar’s herald! Heroes so many
ne’er met I as strangers of mood so strong.
Tis plain that for prowess, not plunged into exile
for high-hearted valor, Hrothgar ye seek
Him the sturdy-in-war bespake with words
proud earl of the Weders answer made
hardy ’neath helmet:— “Hygelac’s, we
fellows at board; I am Beowulf named.
I am seeking to say to the son of Healfdene
this mission of mine, to thy master-lord
the doughty prince, if he deign at all
grace that we greet him, the good one, now.
Wulfgar spake, the Wendles’ chieftain
whose might of mind to many was known
his courage and counsel: “The king of Danes
the Scyldings’ friend, I fain will tell
the Breaker-of-Rings, as the boon thou askest
the famed prince, of thy faring hither
and, swiftly after, such answer bring
as the doughty monarch may deign to give.
Hied then in haste to where Hrothgar sat
white-haired and old, his earls about him
till the stout thane stood at the shoulder there
of the Danish king: good courtier he
Wulfgar spake to his winsome lord
Hither have fared to thee far-come men
o’er the paths of ocean, people of Geatland
and the stateliest there by his sturdy band
is Beowulf named. This boon they seek
that they, my master, may with thee
have speech at will: nor spurn their prayer
to give them hearing, gracious Hrothgar
In weeds of the warrior worthy they
methinks, of our liking; their leader most surely
a hero that hither his henchmen has led.