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." 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 heardhicgende hider wilcuman. 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 by night, in need and peril avenging the Weders, 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, 436 min mondrihten, modes bliđe, 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; for his shall I be, dyed in gore, if death must take me; 448 Byređ blodig wl, byrgean enceđ, and my blood-covered body he'll bear as prey, 449 eteđ angenga unmurnlice, ruthless devour it, the roamer-lonely, 450 mearcađ morhopu; no đu ymb mines ne earft with my life-blood redden his lair in the fen: 451 lices feorme leng sorgian. no further for me need'st food prepare! 452 Onsend Higelace, gif mec hild nime, To Hygelac send, if Hild should take me, 453 beaduscruda betst, t mine breost weređ, best of war-weeds, warding my breast, 454 hrgla selest; t is Hrdlan laf, armor excellent, heirloom of Hrethel 455 Welandes geweorc. Gđ a wyrd swa hio scel. and work of Wayland. Fares Wyrd as she must." 456 Hrođgar maelode, helm Scyldinga: HROTHGAR spake, the Scyldings'-helmet:-- 457 For/ gewyrhtum/ u, wine min Beowulf, "For fight defensive, Friend my Beowulf, 458 ond for arstafum usic sohtest. *****ccor and save, thou hast sought us here. 459 Gesloh in fder fhđe mste; Thy father's combat a feud enkindled 460 wear he Heaolafe to handbonan when Heatholaf with hand he slew 461 mid Wilfingum; đa hine Wedera/ cyn among the Wylfings; his Weder kin 462 for herebrogan habban ne mihte. for horror of fighting feared to hold him. 463 anon he gesohte Suđdena folc Fleeing, he sought our South-Dane folk, 464 ofer yđa gewealc, Arscyldinga. over surge of ocean the Honor-Scyldings, 465 đa ic furum weold folce Deniga/ when first I was ruling the folk of Danes, 466 ond on geogođe heold ginne/ rice, wielded, youthful, this widespread realm, 467 hordburh hlea; đa ws Heregar dead, this hoard-hold of heroes. Heorogar was dead, 468 min yldra mg unlifigende, my elder brother, had breathed his last, 469 bearn Healfdenes; se ws betera đonne ic. Healfdene's bairn: he was better than I! 470 Siđđan a fhđe feo ingode; Straightway the feud with fee I settled, 471 sende ic Wylfingum ofer wteres hrycg to the Wylfings sent, o'er watery ridges, 472 ealde madmas; he me aas swor. treasures olden: oaths he swore me. 473 Sorh is me to secganne on sefan minum Sore is my soul to say to any 474 gumena ngum hwt me Grendel hafađ of the race of man what ruth for me 475 hynđo on Heorote mid his heteancum, in Heorot Grendel with hate hath wrought, what sudden harryings. Hall-folk fail me, my warriors wane; for Wyrd hath swept them into Grendel's grasp. But God is able this deadly foe from his deeds to turn! <font size=4 color=green> Angelique</font>
