4

Then the eldest gave answer, and unlocked his treasure of words, the wise one of the troop: ‘We are of the race of the Geats and hearth-comrades of Hygelac. My father was well known to the folk, a noble prince was he called Ecgtheow. And he bided many winters, ere as an old man he set out on his journeys away from the dwelling places. And wellnigh every councillor throughout all the world remembered him well. We through bold thinking have come to seek thy lord, the son of Healfdene, the protector of the people. Vouchsafe to us good guidance. We have a great business with the lord of the Danes, who is far famed. Nor of this shall aught be secret as I am hoping. Well thou knowest if ’tis true as we heard say, that among the Danes some secret evil-doer, I know not what scather, by terror doth work unheard-of hostility, humiliation, and death. I may give counsel through greatness of mind to Hrothgar as to how he, the wise and good, may overcome the fiend, if ever should cease for him the baleful business and bettering come after and his troubles wax cooler, or for ever he shall suffer time of stress and miserable throes, while the best of all houses shall remain on the high stead.’

Then the eldest answered, opening his store of words. He was the wise one of the troop: ‘We are Geats and companions of Hygelac in his hall. My father was well known among the people, a noble prince named Ecgtheow. He lived for many years before, as an old man, he left the homes of the living. Nearly every councillor throughout the world remembered him well. We have come with bold purpose to seek your lord, the son of Healfdene, the protector of the people. Please guide us well. We have important business with the famous lord of the Danes. I hope none of our business will need to be kept secret. ‘You know well whether the stories we have heard are true. Some secret evildoer among the Danes, some destroyer unknown to me, spreads terror, inflicting unheard-of harm, humiliation, and death. With a generous spirit, I may offer Hrothgar advice on how he, wise and good, may overcome the fiend. That is, if his dreadful ordeal can ever end, relief can follow, and his troubles can ease. Otherwise, he will suffer hardship and misery forever, as long as the finest of all halls stands on its heights.’

Then the watchman, the fearless warrior, as he sat on his horse, quickly made answer: ‘The shield-warrior who is wide awake, shall know how to tell the difference between words and works, if he well bethink him. I can see that this band of warriors will be very welcome to the Lord of the Danes. Go ye forth, therefore, bear weapons and armour, as I will direct you. And I will command my thanes to hold against every foe, your ship in honour, new tarred as it is, and dry on the sands, until it shall carry the dearly loved man, that ship with the twisted prow, to the land of the Geats. To each of the well-doers shall it be given to escape scot-free out of the battle rush.’ Then they went forth carrying their weapons. And there the ship rested, fastened by a rope, the wide-bosomed vessel secured by its anchor. The Boar⁸ held life ward, bright and battle-hard and adorned with gold, over the neck-guard of the handsome Beowulf. There was snorting of the war-like-minded, whilst men were hastening, as they marched on together till they caught sight of the splendid place decked out in gold. And it was the most famous of palaces, under the heavens, of the earth-dwellers, where the ruler was biding. Its glory shone over many lands. Then the dear one in battle showed them the bright house where were the brave ones, that they might straightway make their way towards it. Then one of the warriors turned his horse round, and spake this word: ‘Time it is for me to go. May the Almighty Father hold you in favour, and keep you in safety in all your journeyings. I will go to the sea-coast to keep my watch against the fierce troops.’

Then the watchman, a fearless warrior, quickly answered as he sat on his horse: ‘An alert shield-warrior can tell the difference between words and deeds, if he thinks carefully. I can see that this band of warriors will be very welcome to the Lord of the Danes. So go ahead, carrying your weapons and armour, and follow my directions. I will order my thanes to guard your ship with honour against every enemy. Freshly tarred, the ship rests dry on the sand. My men will guard the ship until its curved prow carries the dearly loved man to the land of the Geats. Each man who does good deeds will be allowed to escape unharmed from the rush of battle.’ Then they set off, carrying their weapons. Behind them, the broad ship rested, tied with a rope and held by its anchor. The Boar⁸, bright, hardened for battle, and decorated with gold, guarded handsome Beowulf’s life above his helmet’s neck guard. The warriors snorted as they hurried along together, until they saw the splendid hall adorned with gold. Of all the palaces built by people beneath the heavens, this was the most famous. The ruler lived there, and the hall’s glory shone across many lands. Then the warrior, valued in battle, showed them the shining hall where the brave men gathered. He pointed the way so they could head straight towards the hall. Then one of the warriors turned his horse around and said: ‘It is time for me to go. May the Almighty Father show you favour and keep you safe on all your journeys. I will return to the coast to keep watch against fierce troops.’