I

Moreover the Danish Beowulf,¹ the dear King of his people, was a long time renowned amongst the folk in the cities (his father, the Prince, had gone a-faring elsewhere from this world). Then was there born to him a son, the high Healfdene; and while he lived he was ruling the happy Danish people, and war-fierce and ancient was he. Four children were born to him: Heorogar the leader of troops, and Hrothgar, and Halga the good. And I heard say that Queen Elan (wife of Ongentheow) was his daughter, and she became the beloved comrade of the Swede. Then to Hrothgar was granted good speed in warfare and honour in fighting, so that his loyal subjects eagerly obeyed him, until the youths grew doughty, a very great band of warriors. Then it burned in his mind that he would bid men be building a palace, a greater mead-hall than the children of men ever had heard of, and that he would therein distribute to young and to old, as God gave him power, all the wealth that he had save the share of the folk and the lives of men.

Moreover, the Danish Beowulf,¹ the beloved King of his people, was long famous among the people in the cities. (His father, the Prince, had left this world.) Then a son was born to Beowulf, the noble Healfdene. Throughout his life, Healfdene ruled the happy Danish people, and he was fierce in battle and advanced in age. Four children were born to him: Heorogar, the leader of troops, Hrothgar, Halga the good, and a daughter. I heard that his daughter was Queen Elan (wife of Ongentheow), who became the Swede's beloved companion. Then Hrothgar was granted success in war and honor in battle, so that his loyal subjects eagerly obeyed him. Their obedience continued until the young men became brave warriors, forming a very large band. Then Hrothgar felt a burning desire to order his men to build a palace. The palace would be a greater mead-hall than anyone had ever heard of. There he would distribute all his wealth to young and old, as God gave him the power. He would hold back only the people's share and the lives of men.

Then I heard far and wide how he gave commandment to many a people throughout all the world, this work to be doing, and to deck out the folkstead. In due time it happened that soon among men, this greatest of halls was now all ready. And Hart he called it, whose word had great wielding. He broke not his promise, but gave to them rings and treasures at the banquet. The hall towered on high, and the gables were wide between the horns,² and awaited the surging of the loathsome flames. Not long time should pass ere hatred was awakened after the battle-slaughter, twixt father-in-law and son-in-law.³

Then I heard far and wide how he ordered many peoples throughout the world to build and decorate the hall. In due time, the greatest of halls was soon ready. He called it Hart, and his word carried great power. He kept his promise and gave them rings and treasures at the banquet. The hall towered high, with broad gables between its horns,² and awaited the rush of hateful flames. Not long would pass before hatred arose between father-in-law and son-in-law after the slaughter in battle.³

Then it was that the powerful sprite who abode in darkness, scarce could brook for a while that daily he heard loud joy in the hall. There was sound of harping, and the clear song of the bard.

Then the powerful spirit who lived in darkness could barely bear the loud joy he heard daily in the hall. For a while, he endured the sound of harps and the bard’s clear song.

He who knew it was telling of the beginning of mankind, and he said that the Almighty created the world, and the bright fields surrounded by water. And, exulting, He set the sun and the moon as lamps to shine upon the earth-dwellers, and adorned the world with branches and leaves. And life He was giving to every kind of living creature. So noble men lived in joy, and were all blessed till one began to do evil, a devil from hell; and this grim spirit was called Grendel. And he was a march-stepper, who ruled on the moorlands, the fens, and the stronghold. For a while he kept guard, this unhappy creature, over the land of the race of monsters, since the Creator had proscribed him. On the race of Cain the Eternal Lord brought death as vengeance, when he slew Abel. Nor did he find joy in the feud, but God for the crime drove him far thence. Thus it was that evil things came to their birth, giants and elves and monsters of the deep, likewise those giants who for a long while were striving with God Himself. And well He requited them.

The man who knew the story told of the beginning of mankind. He said that the Almighty created the world and its bright fields surrounded by water. With joy, God set the sun and moon as lamps to shine on those who lived on earth. He decorated the world with branches and leaves. And he gave life to every kind of living creature. So noble men lived in joy, and all were blessed until one began to do evil, a devil from hell. This fierce spirit was called Grendel. He was a march-stepper who ruled over the moorlands, the marshes, and the stronghold. For a time, this miserable creature guarded the land of the monsters, because the Creator had outlawed him. The Eternal Lord brought death upon the race of Cain as punishment for Cain's killing of Abel. Nor did Cain find joy in the feud, but God drove him far away for his crime. So evil beings came into existence: giants, elves, and monsters of the deep. Among them were those giants who struggled against God himself for a long time. And God paid them back in full.