| |
| THUS seethed unceasing the son of Healfdene | |
| with the woe of these days; not wisest men | |
| assuaged his sorrow; too sore the anguish, | |
| loathly and long, that lay on his folk, | |
| most baneful of burdens and bales of the night. | 5 |
| |
| This heard in his home Hygelac’s thane, | |
| great among Geats, of Grendel’s doings. | |
| He was the mightiest man of valor | |
| in that same day of this our life, | |
| stalwart and stately. A stout wave-walker | 10 |
| he bade make ready. Yon battle-king, said he, | |
| far o’er the swan-road he fain would seek, | |
| the noble monarch who needed men! | |
| The prince’s journey by prudent folk | |
| was little blamed, though they loved him dear; | 15 |
| they whetted the hero, and hailed good omens. | |
| And now the bold one from bands of Geats | |
| comrades chose, the keenest of warriors | |
| e’er he could find; with fourteen men | |
| the sea-wood 1 he sought, and, sailor proved, | 20 |
| led them on to the land’s confines. | |
| Time had now flown; 2 afloat was the ship, | |
| boat under bluff. On board they climbed, | |
| warriors ready; waves were churning | |
| sea with sand; the sailors bore | 25 |
| on the breast of the bark their bright array, | |
| their mail and weapons: the men pushed off, | |
| on its willing way, the well-braced craft. | |
| Then moved o’er the waters by might of the wind | |
| that bark like a bird with breast of foam, | 30 |
| till in season due, on the second day, | |
| the curvéd prow such course had run | |
| that sailors now could see the land, | |
| sea-cliffs shining, steep high hills, | |
| headlands broad. Their haven was found, | 35 |
| their journey ended. Up then quickly | |
| the Weders’ 3 clansmen climbed ashore, | |
| anchored their sea-wood, with armor clashing | |
| and gear of battle: God they thanked | |
| for passing in peace o’er the paths of the sea. | 40 |
| Now saw from the cliff a Scylding clansman, | |
| a warden that watched the water-side, | |
| how they bore o’er the gangway glittering shields, | |
| war-gear in readiness; wonder seized him | |
| to know what manner of men they were. | 45 |
| Straight to the strand his steed he rode, | |
| Hrothgar’s henchman; with hand of might | |
| he shook his spear, and spake in parley. | |
| “Who are ye, then, ye arméd men, | |
| mailéd folk, that yon mighty vessel | 50 |
| have urged thus over the ocean ways, | |
| here o’er the waters? A warden I, | |
| sentinel set o’er the sea-march here, | |
| lest any foe to the folk of Danes | |
| with harrying fleet should harm the land. | 55 |
| No aliens ever at ease thus bore them, | |
| linden-wielders: 4 yet word-of-leave | |
| clearly ye lack from clansmen here, | |
| my folk’s agreement.—A greater ne’er saw I | |
| of warriors in world than is one of you,— | 60 |
| yon hero in harness! No henchman he | |
| worthied by weapons, if witness his features, | |
| his peerless presence! I pray you, though, tell | |
| your folk and home, lest hence ye fare | |
| suspect to wander your way as spies | 65 |
| in Danish land. Now, dwellers afar, | |
| ocean-travellers, take from me | |
| simple advice: the sooner the better | |
| I hear of the country whence ye came.” | |
