The swelling billows, coldest of storms,
Darkening night, and the north wind
Boisterous and fierce; rough were the waves.
The sea-fishes' spirit was then aroused:
There 'gainst the foes my body-sark,
Hard and hand-locked, to me help afforded;
The braided war-burnie on my breast lay,
With gold adorned. To the bottom me drew
The hostile foe; he held me fast,
Grim in his grip; yet was it granted me,
That I the monster with sword-point
reached,
With battle-brand: the struggle took off
The mighty mere-beast by my own hand.
So often upon me the hateful foes
Powerfully pressed: I punished them
With my dear sword, as it behooved me.
Not at all did they have joy of their meal,
The evil-doers, that they me might devour,
'Round their banquet might sit nigh the sea-
bottom,
But in the morning wounded with swords 565
Around the sea-strand and upon it they lay,
With swords put to sleep, that never there-
after
Upon the high ocean the farers-by-sea Might they let on their journey. Light from the east came,
Bright beacon of God: still were the
There was laughter of heroes, the harp merry sounded,
Winsome were words. Went Wealhtheow forth,
The queen of Hrothgar, mindful of courtesies,
Gold-adorned greeted the men in the hall,
And the high-born woman then gave the
cup
First to the East-Danes' home-protector,
Bade him be blithe at the beer-drinking,
Him dear to his people. In joy he received
Wise in her words, that the wish to her fell, That on any earl she might rely
For comfort in evils. Received he the cup,
The warrior fierce, at Wealhtheow's hands.
And then he spoke, ready for battle;
Beowulf spoke, Ecgtheow's son:
'This thought I then, when I on the sea stied,
Boarded my sea-boat with my warrior-band,
That I throughout of your own people
The will would work, or in battle fall,
Fast in fiend's grip. I shall perform
Deeds of valor, or end-day mine
In this mead-hall I shall await.'
To the woman these words well-pleasing were,
Boasts of the Geat: gold-adorned went 640
The high-born queen to sit by her lord.
Then was as before again in the hall
Mighty word spoken, in joy were the people,
The victor-folk's shout, until all at once
The son of Healfdene wished to seek out 645
His evening-rest; he knew for the monster
In the high hall was battle prepared,
[Because in this hall the Ring-Danes never
Dared to abide unless by day-time],
From the time that they the sun-light might
see,
Till night spreading darkness over all things,
Night-wandering spirits, came advancing 650
Dark under the clouds. The crowd all arose:
Greeted then glad-minded one man another,
Hrothgar Beowulf, and offered him hail,
Power o'er the mead-hall, and this word
spoke:
'Never to any man ere did I trust,
Since I could lift my hand and my shield,
Royal hall of the Danes except to thee now.
Have now and hold the noblest of houses,
Of glory be mindful, a hero's might show,
Watch 'gainst the foe. No wish shalt thou
want,
If thou the great struggle escapest with life.'
Then he laid him aside his iron burnie,
Helmet from head, his jewelled sword gave,
Choicest of weapons, to his servant-thane,
And bade him keep his armor of war.
Then spoke the hero some boastful words, 675
Beowulf the Geat, ere he on bed stied:
'I count not myself less good in war-might
For deeds of battle than Grendel himself:
Therefore with my sword I him will not kill,
Of life deprive, though I it all may.
He knows not these goods, so that he me
may slay,
Hew down my shield, although he be fierce
In hostile deeds: but we at night shall
From swords refrain, if he dare to seek
War without weapons; and then the wise
God,
The holy Lord, on whatever hand
May the glory adjudge, as seems to Him fit.'
Then lay down the warlike: the pillow re-
ceived
The cheek of the earl, and him around many
A valiant sea-warrior sought his hall-rest. 690
No one of these thought that thence he
should
Again his dear home ever seek out,
Folk or free-city where he was reared;
But they had heard that too many before
In this wine-hall bloody death carried off 695
Of the folk of the Danes. But to them the
Lord gave
The web of war-speed, to the folk of the
Weders
Comfort and help, so that they their foes
Through the craft of one all overcame,
By the might of one self: the truth is made known
That the mighty God the race of man
Has always ruled. Came in wan night
The shadow-goer stepping. The warriors
Who the horned hall then were to hold,
All except one. That was to men known, 705 That them he might not, whom the Creator
The hostile demon drag into darkness; But he keeping watch for his foe in anger Awaited enraged the result of the battle.
Bore on the ship's bosom the ornaments bright,
The son of Wals; the worm's heat melted him.
He was of exiles the greatest by far
Among the nations, the warriors' defence
In noble deeds; for that ere had he glory. 900
After of Heremod the battle-might failed,
His strength and prowess, he was 'mong the
Jutes
Into his foe's power forthwith betrayed,
Sent away quickly: him waves of sorrow
Too long oppressed; he was to his people, 905
To all of his princes, a life-long distress:
Likewise oft lamented in former times
The brave one's journey many a wise churl,
Who trusted in him for help in misfortunes,
That the son of their prince was to grow
up,
Take the place of his father, his people pos
Very often for less have I fixed the reward, The share of the treasure, to warrior less brave,
One worse in the fight. Thou hast for thyself Effected by deeds that thy fame shall live For ever and ever. May thee the Almighty
With good repay, as He heretofore did!' Beowulf then spoke, Ecgtheow's son: "That deed of might we, with great good-will, That fight have fought, boldly encountered The strength of the unknown: I rather would wish
That thou himself now mightest see,
The foe in his battle-dress wearied to death.
I quickly him with hardest grips
Thought then to bind on the death-bed,
That he by hand-grip of mine should lie 965
Striving for life, if his body escaped not:
I might not him, since the Creator willed not,
Cut off from escape: not so firm held I him,
The life-destroyer: too powerful was he,
The foe in his speed. Yet his hand did he
let
For life-protection remain behind,
His arm and shoulder: not there, however,
Did the helpless man gain any comfort.
Not longer shall live the evil-doer
Burdened with sins, but him sore pain
In his strong grip sternly has seized,
In his bonds of bale: there shall abide
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