They whetted the brave one, good omens they saw

205

The good one had of the Geats' people Warriors chosen, of those whom he bravest Was able to find: one of fifteen

The vessel he sought: a warrior made known, A sea-crafty man, the neighboring landmarks.

Thus time went on: on the waves was the ship, 210

Boat under the mountain. The heroes ready
On the prow stied: the billows rolled
The sea 'gainst the sand. The warriors bore
On the deck of the ship ornaments bright,
Equipments ornate: the men shoved out, 215
Men on willing journey, the well-fitted wood.

Went then o'er the waves, by the wind hastened,

The foamy-necked float to a fowl most like,
Till at the same hour of the following day
The curvèd prow had traversed the water, 220
So that the sailors then saw the land,
The sea-cliffs shine, the mountains steep,
The broad sea-nesses. Then was the sea-goer
At the end of its voyage. Thence quickly up
The Weders' people on the plain stied,
The sea-wood tied, their battle-sarks rattled,
Their weeds of war: thanked they then God
That for them the sea-paths easy were found.
Then saw from the wall the guard of the
Scyldings,

225

230

He who the sea-cliffs was set to hold,
Bear o'er the bulwarks bright-looking shields,
Weapons ready for war: wonder aroused

him

The strong wood in his hands, with formal words spoke:

'What now are ye of arms-bearing men
With burnies protected, who thus a high keel
Over the sea-path bringing have come
O'er the waves hither, clad in helmets? 240
I was the coast-guard, sea-watch I kept
That no one of foes on the Danes' land
With a ship-army injury might do.
Not here more openly ever have come
Bearers of shields! Ye the permission
Of warlike men did not well know,
Consent of kinsmen! Ne'er saw I a greater
Earl upon earth than is one of you,
A hero in armor: that is no home-stayer
With weapons adorned, unless looks belie

him,

245

250

With kindly mind counsel may give,

How he, old and good, shall the foe overcome, If yet for him ever should cease

280

285

The misery of woes, release again come,
And the care-waves cooler become;
Or ever hereafter a time of trouble,
Oppression he'll suffer, while there remains
In its high place the noblest of houses.'
The warden spoke, where on his horse sat
The fearless warrior: 'Of each of these shall
A wise shield-warrior the difference know,
Of words and works, he who well judgeth.
I that do hear, that this band is friendly 290
To the lord of the Scyldings; go then forth
bearing

Your weapons and war-weeds; I shall direct

To them then the warrior the court of the proud

Glittering showed, that they to it might Straightway proceed, one of war-heroes: Turned he his horse, his word then spoke: 315 'My time 't is to go. May the Father Almighty

With His gracious favor you now preserve Safe on your journey! I will at the sea 'Gainst hostile band keep guard of the coast.' The road was stone-laid, the path directed

320 The men together. The war-burnie shone, Hard and hand-locked, the bright ringèd-iron Sang in the armor, when they to the hall In their war-weeds at first approached. Sea-wearied they set their broad-shapen shields,

325

So many men, with prouder looks.

I think ye for valor, and not in exile, But for high-mindedness Hrothgar have sought.'

Him then the hero famed-for-strength answered,

340

The brave Weders' prince, his word then spoke,

Bold under his helmet: 'We are of Hygelac
Table-companions, Beowulf's my name.

I wish to tell to the son of Healfdene,
The illustrious prince, my errand to him, 345
Thy lord, and to know if he will us grant
That we him so good friendly may greet.'
Wulfgar then spoke (he was Vandals' chief,
His strength of mind was to many well-
known,

His prowess and wisdom): 'I the Danes' friend,

350

The lord of the Scyldings, therefore will ask, The giver of rings, as thou art a suppliant, The illustrious prince, concerning thy errand, And to thee the answer at once will an

nounce,

Of the lord of the Danes; he knew the court's custom.

Wulfgar then spoke to his own dear lord: 360 'Here are arrived, come from afar Over the sea-waves, men of the Geats; The one most distinguished the warriors brave

Beowulf name. They are thy suppliants That they, my prince, may with thee now 365 Greetings exchange: do not thou refuse them Thy converse in turn, friendly Hrothgar! They in their war-weeds seem very worthy Contenders with earls: the chief is renowned Who these war-heroes hither has led.' 370 Hrothgar then spoke, defence of the Scyldings:

375

'I knew him of old when he was a child:
His agèd father was Ecgtheow named;
To him at home gave Hrethel the Geat
His only daughter: his son has now
Boldly come here, a trusty friend sought.
Then this was said by the sea-farers,
Those who did tribute for the Geats carry
Thither for favor, that he thirty men's
Great strength of might in his hand-grip, 380
Brave in war, has. Him holy God
For gracious help to us has sent,
To the West-Danes, as I have hope,
Against Grendel's terror: I shall to the good

Then did my people give me advice,
The noblest of men, craftiest of churls,
Princely Hrothgar, that I thee should seek;
For that they knew my own strength of
might:

They themselves saw when I came from the battle,

Blood-stained from my foes, where sea-mon

My own people's-king, gracious in mind
That I a sword bear or a broad shield
Yellow-rimmed to the battle; but I with grip

shall

'Gainst my foe grapple and for life strive Foe against foe: there shall confide

440 In the doom of the Lord he whom death takes.

I ween that he will, if he may prevail,
In the war-hall the folk of the Geats,

Hrothgar then spoke, defence of the Scyldings:

'For fight of protection, Beowulf my friend,
And for assistance, hast thou us sought.
Thy father fought a mighty contest;
He was of Heatholaf the slayer by hand 460
Among the Wylfings, when the kin of the
Waras

'Gainst the terror of war him might not have.
After that sought he the South-Danes' folk
Over the sea-waves, the Honor-Scyldings,
When I first ruled the folk of the Danes. 465
And in youth held the jewelled-rich
Hoard-city of heroes, when Heregar was
dead,

My elder brother bereft of life,

The son of Healfdene; he was better than I. Afterwards the feud with money I settled;

470

'Art thou that Beowulf who strove with Breca

On the broad sea in swimming-match,
When ye two for pride the billows tried
And for vain boasting in the deep water
Riskèd your lives? You two no man,
Nor friend nor foe, might then dissuade
From sorrowful venture, when ye on the sea
swam,

510

When ye the sea-waves with your arms covered,

Measured the sea-ways, struck with your hands,

Glided o'er ocean; with its great billows 515 Welled up winter's flood. In the power of the water

Ye seven nights strove: he in swimming thee conquered,

He had greater might. Then him in the morning

On the Heathoremes' land the ocean bore up,
Whence he did seek his pleasant home, 520
Dear to his people, the land of the Brond-
ings,

His fair strong city, where he had people,
A city and rings. All his boast against thee
The son of Beanstan truly fulfilled.
Then ween I for thee a worse result,
Though thou in battle wert everywhere good,
A fiercer fight, if thou Grendel darest

525