ME thus often the evil monsters
thronging threatened. With thrust of my sword
the darling, I dealt them due return
Nowise had they bliss from their booty then
to devour their victim, vengeful creatures
seated to banquet at bottom of sea
but at break of day, by my brand sore hurt
on the edge of ocean up they lay
put to sleep by the sword. And since, by them
on the fathomless sea-ways sailor-folk
are never molested. — Light from east
came bright God’s beacon; the billows sank
so that I saw the sea-cliffs high
windy walls. For Wyrd oft saveth
earl undoomed if he doughty be
And so it came that I killed with my sword
nine of the nicors. Of night-fought battles
ne’er heard I a harder ’neath heaven’s dome
nor adrift on the deep a more desolate man
Yet I came unharmed from that hostile clutch
though spent with swimming. The sea upbore me
flood of the tide, on Finnish land
the welling waters. No wise of thee
have I heard men tell such terror of falchions
bitter battle. Breca ne’er yet
not one of you pair, in the play of war
such daring deed has done at all
with bloody brand, — I boast not of it
though thou wast the bane 33 of thy brethren dear
thy closest kin, whence curse of hell
awaits thee, well as thy wit may serve
For I say in sooth, thou son of Ecglaf
never had Grendel these grim deeds wrought
monster dire, on thy master dear
in Heorot such havoc, if heart of thine
were as battle-bold as thy boast is loud
But he has found no feud will happen
from sword-clash dread of your Danish clan
he vaunts him safe, from the Victor-Scyldings.
He forces pledges, favors none
of the land of Danes, but lustily murders
fights and feasts, nor feud he dreads
from Spear-Dane men. But speedily now
shall I prove him the prowess and pride of the Geats
shall bid him battle. Blithe to mead
go he that listeth, when light of dawn
this morrow morning o’er men of earth
ether-robed sun from the south shall beam
Joyous then was the Jewel-giver
hoar-haired, war-brave; help awaited
the Bright-Danes’ prince, from Beowulf hearing
folk’s good shepherd, such firm resolve.
Then was laughter of liegemen loud resounding
with winsome words. Came Wealhtheow forth
queen of Hrothgar, heedful of courtesy
gold-decked, greeting the guests in hall
and the high-born lady handed the cup
first to the East-Danes’ heir and warden
bade him be blithe at the beer-carouse
the land’s beloved one. Lustily took he
banquet and beaker, battle-famed king.
Through the hall then went the Helmings’ Lady
to younger and older everywhere
carried the cup, till come the moment
when the ring-graced queen, the royal-hearted
to Beowulf bore the beaker of mead.
She greeted the Geats’ lord, God she thanked
in wisdom’s words, that her will was granted
that at last on a hero her hope could lean
for comfort in terrors. The cup he took
hardy-in-war, from Wealhtheow’s hand
and answer uttered the eager-for-combat.
Beowulf spake, bairn of Ecgtheow
This was my thought, when my thanes and I
bent to the ocean and entered our boat
that I would work the will of your people
fully, or fighting fall in death
in fiend’s gripe fast. I am firm to do
an earl’s brave deed, or end the days
of this life of mine in the mead-hall here.
Well these words to the woman seemed
Beowulf’s battle-boast. — Bright with gold
the stately dame by her spouse sat down.
Again, as erst, began in hall
warriors’ wassail and words of power
the proud-band’s revel, till presently
the son of Healfdene hastened to seek
rest for the night; he knew there waited
fight for the fiend in that festal hall
when the sheen of the sun they saw no more
and dusk of night sank darkling nigh
and shadowy shapes came striding on
wan under welkin. The warriors rose.
Man to man, he made harangue
Hrothgar to Beowulf, bade him hail
let him wield the wine hall: a word he added
Never to any man erst I trusted
since I could heave up hand and shield
this noble Dane-Hall, till now to thee.
Have now and hold this house unpeered
remember thy glory; thy might declare
watch for the foe! No wish shall fail thee
if thou bidest the battle with bold-won life.