Beowulf Part 23

{G.o.d was fighting with me.}

Gave me willingly to see on the wall a Heavy old hand-sword hanging in splendor (He guided most often the lorn and the friendless), That I swung as a weapon. The wards of the house then 15 I killed in the conflict (when occasion was given me).

Then the battle-sword burned, the brand that was lifted,[1]

As the blood-current sprang, hottest of war-sweats; Seizing the hilt, from my foes I offbore it; I avenged as I ought to their acts of malignity, 20 The murder of Danemen. I then make thee this promise,

{Heorot is freed from monsters.}

Thou'lt be able in Heorot careless to slumber With thy throng of heroes and the thanes of thy people Every and each, of greater and lesser, And thou needest not fear for them from the selfsame direction 25 As thou formerly fearedst, oh, folk-lord of Scyldings, [58] End-day for earlmen." To the age-h.o.a.ry man then,

{The famous sword is presented to Hrothgar.}

The gray-haired chieftain, the gold-fas.h.i.+oned sword-hilt, Old-work of giants, was thereupon given; Since the fall of the fiends, it fell to the keeping 30 Of the wielder of Danemen, the wonder-smith's labor, And the bad-mooded being abandoned this world then, Opponent of G.o.d, victim of murder, And also his mother; it went to the keeping Of the best of the world-kings, where waters encircle, 35 Who the scot divided in Scylding dominion.

{Hrothgar looks closely at the old sword.}

Hrothgar discoursed, the hilt he regarded, The ancient heirloom where an old-time contention's Beginning was graven: the gurgling currents, The flood slew thereafter the race of the giants, 40 They had proved themselves daring: that people was loth to

{It had belonged to a race hateful to G.o.d.}

The Lord everlasting, through lash of the billows The Father gave them final requital.

So in letters of rune on the clasp of the handle Gleaming and golden, 'twas graven exactly, 45 Set forth and said, whom that sword had been made for, Finest of irons, who first it was wrought for, Wreathed at its handle and gleaming with serpents.

The wise one then said (silent they all were)

{Hrothgar praises Beowulf.}

Son of old Healfdene: "He may say unrefuted 50 Who performs 'mid the folk-men fairness and truth (The h.o.a.ry old ruler remembers the past), That better by birth is this bairn of the n.o.bles!

Thy fame is extended through far-away countries, Good friend Beowulf, o'er all of the races, 55 Thou holdest all firmly, hero-like strength with Prudence of spirit. I'll prove myself grateful As before we agreed on; thou granted for long shalt Become a great comfort to kinsmen and comrades,

{Heremod's career is again contrasted with Beowulf's.}

A help unto heroes. Heremod became not 60 Such to the Scyldings, successors of Ecgwela; He grew not to please them, but grievous destruction, [59] And diresome death-woes to Danemen attracted; He slew in anger his table-companions, Trustworthy counsellors, till he turned off lonely 65 From world-joys away, wide-famous ruler: Though high-ruling heaven in hero-strength raised him, In might exalted him, o'er men of all nations Made him supreme, yet a murderous spirit Grew in his bosom: he gave then no ring-gems

{A wretched failure of a king, to give no jewels to his retainers.}

70 To the Danes after custom; endured he unjoyful Standing the straits from strife that was raging, Longsome folk-sorrow. Learn then from this, Lay hold of virtue! Though laden with winters, I have sung thee these measures. 'Tis a marvel to tell it,

{Hrothgar moralizes.}

75 How all-ruling G.o.d from greatness of spirit Giveth wisdom to children of men, Manor and earls.h.i.+p: all things He ruleth.

He often permitteth the mood-thought of man of The ill.u.s.trious lineage to lean to possessions, 80 Allows him earthly delights at his manor, A high-burg of heroes to hold in his keeping, Maketh portions of earth-folk hear him, And a wide-reaching kingdom so that, wisdom failing him, He himself is unable to reckon its boundaries; 85 He liveth in luxury, little debars him, Nor sickness nor age, no treachery-sorrow Becloudeth his spirit, conflict nowhere, No sword-hate, appeareth, but all of the world doth Wend as he wisheth; the worse he knoweth not, 90 Till arrant arrogance inward pervading, Waxeth and springeth, when the warder is sleeping, The guard of the soul: with sorrows encompa.s.sed, Too sound is his slumber, the slayer is near him, Who with bow and arrow aimeth in malice.

[60]

[1] Or rather, perhaps, '_the inlaid, or damaskeened weapon_.' Cf.

24_57 and note.

XXVI.

HROTHGAR MORALIZES.--REST AFTER LABOR.

{A wounded spirit.}

"Then bruised in his bosom he with bitter-toothed missile Is hurt 'neath his helmet: from harmful pollution He is powerless to s.h.i.+eld him by the wonderful mandates Of the loath-cursed spirit; what too long he hath holden 5 Him seemeth too small, savage he h.o.a.rdeth, Nor boastfully giveth gold-plated rings,[1]

The fate of the future flouts and forgetteth Since G.o.d had erst given him greatness no little, Wielder of Glory. His end-day anear, 10 It afterward happens that the bodily-dwelling Fleetingly fadeth, falls into ruins; Another lays hold who doleth the ornaments, The n.o.bleman's jewels, nothing lamenting, Heedeth no terror. Oh, Beowulf dear, 15 Best of the heroes, from bale-strife defend thee, And choose thee the better, counsels eternal;

{Be not over proud: life is fleeting, and its strength soon wasteth away.}

Beware of arrogance, world-famous champion!

But a little-while lasts thy life-vigor's fulness; 'Twill after hap early, that illness or sword-edge 20 Shall part thee from strength, or the grasp of the fire, Or the wave of the current, or clutch of the edges, Or flight of the war-spear, or age with its horrors, Or thine eyes' bright flas.h.i.+ng shall fade into darkness: 'Twill happen full early, excellent hero,

{Hrothgar gives an account of his reign.}

25 That death shall subdue thee. So the Danes a half-century I held under heaven, helped them in struggles 'Gainst many a race in middle-earth's regions, With ash-wood and edges, that enemies none On earth molested me. Lo! offsetting change, now,

[61]

{Sorrow after joy.}

30 Came to my manor, grief after joyance, When Grendel became my constant visitor, Inveterate hater: I from that malice Continually travailed with trouble no little.

Thanks be to G.o.d that I gained in my lifetime, 35 To the Lord everlasting, to look on the gory Head with mine eyes, after long-lasting sorrow!

Go to the bench now, battle-adorned Joy in the feasting: of jewels in common We'll meet with many when morning appeareth."

40 The Geatman was gladsome, ganged he immediately To go to the bench, as the clever one bade him.

Then again as before were the famous-for-prowess, Hall-inhabiters, handsomely banqueted, Feasted anew. The night-veil fell then 45 Dark o'er the warriors. The courtiers rose then; The gray-haired was anxious to go to his slumbers, The h.o.a.ry old Scylding. Hankered the Geatman,

{Beowulf is f.a.gged, and seeks rest.}

The champion doughty, greatly, to rest him: An earlman early outward did lead him, 50 f.a.gged from his faring, from far-country springing, Who for etiquette's sake all of a liegeman's Needs regarded, such as seamen at that time Were bounden to feel. The big-hearted rested; The building uptowered, s.p.a.cious and gilded, 55 The guest within slumbered, till the sable-clad raven Blithely foreboded the beacon of heaven.

Then the bright-s.h.i.+ning sun o'er the bottoms came going;[2]

The warriors hastened, the heads of the peoples Were ready to go again to their peoples,

{The Geats prepare to leave Dane-land.}

60 The high-mooded farer would faraway thenceward Look for his vessel. The valiant one bade then,[3]

[62]

{Unferth asks Beowulf to accept his sword as a gift. Beowulf thanks him.}

Offspring of Ecglaf, off to bear Hrunting, To take his weapon, his well-beloved iron; He him thanked for the gift, saying good he accounted 65 The war-friend and mighty, nor chid he with words then The blade of the brand: 'twas a brave-mooded hero.

When the warriors were ready, arrayed in their trappings, The atheling dear to the Danemen advanced then On to the dais, where the other was sitting, 70 Grim-mooded hero, greeted King Hrothgar.

[1] K. says '_proudly giveth_.'--Gr. says, '_And gives no gold-plated rings, in order to incite the recipient to boastfulness_.'--B.

suggests 'gyld' for 'gylp,' and renders: _And gives no beaten rings for reward_.

[2] If S.'s emendation be accepted, v. 57 will read: _Then came the light, going bright after darkness: the warriors, etc_.