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So Beowulf, son of Healfdene, ever was brooding over this time-care, nor could the brave hero avert woe. That conflict was too strong, loathsome and long, that terrible and dire distress, the greatest of night-bales which came to the people.

So Beowulf, son of Healfdene, constantly brooded over the troubles of those days. Nor could the brave hero prevent the suffering. The conflict was too powerful, hateful, and long-lasting. The distress was terrible and dreadful, the greatest of the nighttime horrors that came upon the people.

Then the thane of Hygelac,⁵ the good man of the Geats,⁶ heard from home of the deeds of Grendel. And on the day of this life he was the strongest of main of all men in the world; noble was he and powerful. He bade a fair ship be made, and said that he would be seeking the War-King, the famous prince, over the swan path, and that he needed men. And the proud churls little blamed him for that journey, though dear he was to them. They urged on the valiant man and marked the omen. The good man of the Geats had chosen champions of those who were keenest, and sought out the ship. And one, a sea-crafty man, pointed to the land-marks. Time passed by; the ship was on the waves, the boat under the cliff, and the warriors all readily went up to the stern. And the currents were swirling, with sea and sand. And men were carrying on to the naked deck bright ornaments and splendid war-armour. Then they shove forth the ship that was well bound together; and it set forth over the waves, driven by the wind, this foamy-necked ship, likest to a bird; until about the same time on the next day, the ship with its twisted stern had gone so far that the sailing men could see the land, the shining sea-cliffs, the steep mountains, and the wide sea-nesses. Then they crossed the remaining portion of the sea.⁷ The Geats went up quickly on to the shore, and anchored the ship. War-shirts and war-weeds were rattling. And they gave God thanks for their easy crossing of the waves. Then the ward of the Swedes, who kept guard over the sea-cliffs, saw them carry down the gangways the bright shields and armour, all ready. And full curious thought tortured him as to who these men were. He, the thane of Hrothgar, rode down to the beach on his charger, and powerfully brandished the spear in his hand and took counsel with them.

Then Hygelac’s thane,⁵ the good man of the Geats,⁶ heard in his homeland about Grendel’s deeds. In those days, he was the strongest of all men in the world. He was noble and powerful. He ordered a fine ship built. He said he would cross the sea to seek the War-King, the famous prince, and would need men. The proud men found little fault with his journey, though he was dear to them. They encouraged the brave man and studied the omen. The good man of the Geats chose champions from among the keenest warriors and went to the ship. One man, skilled in sailing, pointed out the landmarks. Time passed. The ship lay on the waves beneath the cliff, and all the warriors readily climbed aboard at the stern. The currents swirled through sea and sand. The men carried bright ornaments and splendid armor onto the bare deck. Then they pushed the firmly built ship out to sea. Driven by the wind, the ship sped over the waves, its prow foaming, much like a bird. By about the same time the next day, the ship with its curved stern had traveled far. The sailors could now see land, shining sea cliffs, steep mountains, and broad headlands. Then they crossed the remaining stretch of sea.⁷ The Geats quickly went ashore and anchored the ship. Their mail shirts and battle gear rattled. They thanked God for their easy crossing. Then the Swedes’ watchman, who guarded the sea cliffs, saw them carrying bright shields and armor down the gangways. The men were fully equipped. The watchman was tormented by intense curiosity about who these men were. This thane of Hrothgar rode down to the beach on his warhorse. He forcefully brandished the spear in his hand and spoke with them.

‘Who are ye armour-bearers, protected by byrnies, who come here thus bringing the high vessel over the sea, and the ringed ship over the ocean? I am he that sits at the end of the land and keep sea-guard, so that no one more loathsome may scathe with ship-army the land of the Danes. Never have shield-bearers begun to come here more openly, yet ye seem not to know the password of warriors, the compact of kinsmen. Nor ever have I seen a greater earl upon earth, than one of your band, a warrior in armour. And except his face belie him, he that is thus weapon-bedecked is no hall-man; but a peerless one to see. Now must I know your lineage before you go farther with your false spies in the land of the Danes. Now O ye far-dwellers and sea-farers, hear my onefold thought—haste is best in making known whence ye are come.’

‘Who are you armed men, protected by mail, who come here in a tall ship across the sea? Who are you who bring this ringed ship over the ocean? I stand at the edge of the land and keep watch over the sea. I guard against any hateful enemy who might attack the land of the Danes with a fleet. Never have warriors carrying shields come here more openly. Yet you seem not to know the warriors’ password or the agreement between kinsmen. Nor have I ever seen a greater nobleman on earth than one of your band, a warrior in armour. Unless his face deceives me, this heavily armed man is no ordinary household warrior. He is a man without equal to look upon. Now I must know your ancestry before you go farther into the land of the Danes with your deceitful spies. Now, you men from distant lands, you seafarers, hear my plain advice: tell me quickly where you have come from.’