HROTHGAR answered, helmet of Scyldings
I knew him of yore in his youthful days
his aged father was Ecgtheow named
to whom, at home, gave Hrethel the Geat
his only daughter. Their offspring bold
fares hither to seek the steadfast friend.
And seamen, too, have said me this
who carried my gifts to the Geatish court
thither for thanks, — he has thirty men’s
heft of grasp in the gripe of his hand
the bold-in-battle. Blessed God
out of his mercy this man hath sent
to Danes of the West, as I ween indeed
against horror of Grendel. I hope to give
the good youth gold for his gallant thought.
Be thou in haste, and bid them hither
clan of kinsmen, to come before me
and add this word, — they are welcome guests
to folk of the Danes.
To the door of the hall
Wulfgar went] and the word declared
To you this message my master sends
East-Danes’ king, that your kin he knows
hardy heroes, and hails you all
welcome hither o’er waves of the sea
Ye may wend your way in war-attire
and under helmets Hrothgar greet
but let here the battle-shields bide your parley
and wooden war-shafts wait its end.
Uprose the mighty one, ringed with his men
brave band of thanes: some bode without
battle-gear guarding, as bade the chief.
Then hied that troop where the herald led them
under Heorot’s roof: [the hero strode
hardy ’neath helm, till the hearth he neared.
Beowulf spake, — his breastplate gleamed
war-net woven by wit of the smith
Thou Hrothgar, hail! Hygelac’s I
kinsman and follower. Fame a plenty
have I gained in youth! These Grendel-deeds
I heard in my home-land heralded clear.
Seafarers say how stands this hall
of buildings best, for your band of thanes
empty and idle, when evening sun
in the harbor of heaven is hidden away.
So my vassals advised me well
brave and wise, the best of men
O sovran Hrothgar, to seek thee here
for my nerve and my might they knew full well.
Themselves had seen me from slaughter come
blood-flecked from foes, where five I bound
and that wild brood worsted. I’ the waves I slew
nicors 22 by night, in need and peril
avenging the Weders, 23 whose woe they sought
crushing the grim ones. Grendel now
monster cruel, be mine to quell
in single battle! So, from thee
thou sovran of the Shining-Danes
Scyldings’-bulwark, a boon I seek
and, Friend-of-the-folk, refuse it not
O Warriors’-shield, now I’ve wandered far
that I alone with my liegemen here
this hardy band, may Heorot purge
More I hear, that the monster dire
in his wanton mood, of weapons recks not
hence shall I scorn — so Hygelac stay
king of my kindred, kind to me
brand or buckler to bear in the fight
gold-colored targe: but with gripe alone
must I front the fiend and fight for life
foe against foe. Then faith be his
in the doom of the Lord whom death shall take.
Fain, I ween, if the fight he win
in this hall of gold my Geatish band
will he fearless eat, — as oft before
my noblest thanes. Nor need’st thou then
to hide my head; 24 for his shall I be
dyed in gore, if death must take me
and my blood-covered body he’ll bear as prey
ruthless devour it, the roamer-lonely
with my life-blood redden his lair in the fen
no further for me need’st food prepare
To Hygelac send, if Hild 25 should take me
best of war-weeds, warding my breast
armor excellent, heirloom of Hrethel
and work of Wayland. 26 Fares Wyrd 27 as she must.