| |
| THEN Hrothgar went with his hero-train, | |
| defence-of-Scyldings, forth from hall; | |
| fain would the war-lord Wealhtheow seek, | |
| couch of his queen. The King-of-Glory | |
| against this Grendel a guard had set, | 5 |
| so heroes heard, a hall-defender, | |
| who warded the monarch and watched for the monster. | |
| In truth, the Geats’ prince gladly trusted | |
| his mettle, his might, the mercy of God! | |
| Cast off then his corselet of iron, | 10 |
| helmet from head; to his henchman gave,— | |
| choicest of weapons,—the well-chased sword, | |
| bidding him guard the gear of battle. | |
| Spake then his Vaunt the valiant man, | |
| Beowulf Geat, ere the bed be sought:— | 15 |
| “Of force in fight no feebler I count me, | |
| in grim war-deeds, than Grendel deems him. | |
| Not with the sword, then, to sleep of death | |
| his life will I give, though it lie in my power. | |
| No skill is his to strike against me, | 20 |
| my shield to hew though he hardy be, | |
| bold in battle; we both, this night, | |
| shall spurn the sword, if he seek me here, | |
| unweaponed, for war. Let wisest God, | |
| sacred Lord, on which side soever | 25 |
| doom decree as he deemeth right.” | |
| Reclined then the chieftain, and cheek-pillows held | |
| the head of the earl, while all about him | |
| seamen hardy on hall-beds sank. | |
| None of them thought that thence their steps | 30 |
| to the folk and fastness that fostered them, | |
| to the land they loved, would lead them back! | |
| Full well they wist that on warriors many | |
| battle-death seized, in the banquet-hall, | |
| of Danish clan. But comfort and help, | 35 |
| war-weal weaving, to Weder folk | |
| the Master gave, that, by might of one, | |
| over their enemy all prevailed, | |
| by single strength. In sooth ’tis told | |
| that highest God o’er human kind | 40 |
| hath wielded ever!—Thro’ wan night striding, | |
| came the walker-in-shadow. Warriors slept | |
| whose hest was to guard the gabled hall,— | |
| all save one. ’Twas widely known | |
| that against God’s will the ghostly ravager | 45 |
| him 1 could not hurl to haunts of darkness; | |
| wakeful, ready, with warrior’s wrath, | |
| bold he bided the battle’s issue. | |
