9

So then evil-doers did often oppress me. And I served them with my dear sword as was most fitting. Not at all of the feasting had they any joy. Evil destroyers sat round the banquet at the bottom of the sea, that they might seize me. But in the morning, wounded by my sword, they lay up on the foreshore, put to sleep by my weapon so that they hindered no more the faring of the sea-goers. Light came from the eastward, the bright beacon of God. The waves grew less that I could catch sight of the sea-nesses, the windy walls. Weird often saveth the earl that is undoomed when his courage is doughty. Nevertheless it happened that I slew with my sword nine of the sea-monsters. Nor have I heard under vault of heaven of a harder night-struggle, nor of a more wretched man on the sea-streams. Still I escaped from the grasp of the foes, with my life, and weary of the journey. When the sea bore me up, on the flood tide, on the welling of waves, to the land of the Finns. Nor have I heard concerning thee of any such striving or terror of swords. Breca never yet, nor either of you two, did such a deed with shining sword in any battle-gaming (not that I will boast of this too much), yet wast thou the slayer of thy brother, thy chief kinsman. And for this in hell shalt thou suffer a curse, though thy wit be doughty. And soothly I tell thee, O son of Eglaf, that Grendel that hateful monster never had done such terrors to thy life and humiliation in Hart if thy mind and thy soul were as battle-fierce as thou thyself dost say. But he has found that he needed not to fear the feud the terrible sword-thrust of your people the Danes. He taketh forced toll, and spareth none of the Danish people, but joyfully wageth war, putteth them to sleep and feedeth on them, and expecteth no fight from the Danes. But I shall ere long offer him in war the strength and the courage of the Geats. Let him go who can to the mead all proudly when morning light shall shine from the south, another day over the children of men.’

Those evil creatures often attacked me. And I served them with my treasured sword, just as they deserved. They took no joy at all in that feast. Those evil destroyers gathered around the banquet at the bottom of the sea to seize me. But by morning they lay on the shore, wounded by my sword and put to sleep by my weapon. They could no longer hinder sailors on their journeys. Light came from the east, the bright beacon of God. The waves calmed enough for me to see the headlands, those windswept cliffs. Fate often saves a warrior whose time has not come, if his courage holds firm. Still, I killed nine sea monsters with my sword. Beneath the vault of heaven, I have never heard of a harder night's struggle. Nor have I heard of a man more wretched on the sea. Yet I escaped my enemies' grasp alive, exhausted by the journey. Then the rising tide and swelling waves carried me ashore in the land of the Finns. I have never heard of you enduring such struggles or the terror of swords. Neither Breca nor either of you two has ever done such a deed with a shining sword in battle. Not that I mean to boast too much of this. Yet you killed your brother, your closest kinsman. And for that killing you will suffer a curse in hell, however sharp your wits. And I tell you truly, son of Eglaf, Grendel would never have brought such terror and humiliation upon you in Hart if your heart and soul were as fierce in battle as you claim. But that hateful monster has learned he need not fear vengeance or the terrible sword thrusts of your people, the Danes. He takes his tribute by force and spares none of the Danish people. He wages war joyfully, puts them to sleep, and feeds on them. He expects no resistance from the Danes. But before long, I will show him the strength and courage of the Geats in battle. Then let whoever can go proudly to the mead when morning light shines from the south. Another day will dawn over the children of men.’

Then in the hall the giver of rings was grey-haired and battle-brave. The Prince of the Danes was hopeful of help. The guardian of the folk fixed on Beowulf his firm-purposed thought. There was laughter ’mong heroes, din resounded, and words were winsome. Wealtheow went forth, the Queen of Hrothgar, mindful of kinship and decked out in gold, she greeted Beowulf in the hall. And then the lovely wife first proffered the goblet to the Lord of the East Danes, and bade him be blithe at the beer-drinking, he who was dear to all his people. And gladly he took the banquet and hall-cup, he the victorious King. The lady of the Helmings¹⁴ went round about every one of the youthful warriors, and proffered the costly cup, until the time came that the ring-adorned Queen, most excellent in spirit, bore the mead-cup then to Beowulf. She, the wise in words, greeted the Geats and gave thanks to God that she had her desire that she might trust in any earl for help against such crimes. He gladly received it, he the battle-fierce warrior, from the hand of Wealtheow, and then began singing, inspired by a warlike spirit.

Then the grey-haired king, generous with rings and brave in battle, sat in the hall. The Prince of the Danes hoped for help. As his people's guardian, he placed his firm hopes in Beowulf. The warriors laughed, noise filled the hall, and cheerful words were exchanged. Wealtheow, Hrothgar’s Queen, came forward, mindful of family ties and adorned with gold. She greeted Beowulf in the hall. Then the lovely Queen offered the goblet first to the Lord of the East Danes. She urged him to enjoy the beer-drinking, for he was dear to all his people. The victorious King gladly accepted the feast and the cup in the hall. The lady of the Helmings¹⁴ went around to every young warrior and offered the costly cup. Finally, the Queen, wearing rings and noble in spirit, brought the mead-cup to Beowulf. With wise words, she greeted the Geats and thanked God for granting her wish. Now she could trust a warrior to help against such crimes. Beowulf, fierce in battle, gladly accepted the cup from Wealtheow’s hand. Then, inspired by a warrior’s spirit, he began to sing.

Beowulf spake, the son of Ecgtheow: ‘I had intended at once to work out the will of this your people when I set forth over the sea and sat in my sea-boat with the troop of my people, or that I would fall in the slaughter fast in the fiend’s grip. I shall yet acquit myself as befitteth an earl, or in the mead-hall await my last day.’ And well the lady liked the words, the boasting of the Geat. And that lovely queen went all decked out in gold to sit by her lord. Then mighty words were spoken in the hall as before, by the people in joyance and the noise of the victors, until the son of Healfdene¹⁵ straightway would be seeking his evening rest. And he knew that a battle was doomed in the high hall to the monster when no longer they could see the light of the sun, or darkening night came stalking over all the shapes of shadows. The troop of warriors rose up, the Lord greeted the other, Hrothgar greeted Beowulf, and wished him good health and the warding of that wine-hall, and he spake the word: ‘Since the time that I could lift my hand or my shield, never have I given the mighty hall of the Danes into the care of any, except now to thee. Have now and hold thou this best of houses, be thou mindful of honour, and show thyself courageous, and wakeful ‘gainst foes. Nor shalt thou lack joy if thou escapest from that brave work with life.’

Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow, said: ‘When I set out across the sea, I meant to fulfill your people’s wishes at once. That was my purpose as I sat in my boat with my band of warriors. Otherwise, I would fall in battle, held tight in the fiend’s grip. I will still prove myself worthy of a nobleman, or meet my last day in the mead-hall.’ The lady was well pleased by the Geat’s words and his bold boast. Then the lovely queen, adorned with gold, went to sit beside her lord. Once again, bold words rang through the hall amid the people’s joy and the victors’ cheers. At last, the son of Healfdene¹⁵ wanted to seek his evening rest. He knew the monster was destined to face a battle in the great hall once sunlight could no longer be seen. That battle would come when darkening night crept over all the shadowy shapes. The band of warriors rose. Hrothgar greeted Beowulf, one lord greeting another, and wished him good health and success in guarding the wine-hall. He said: ‘Since I first could raise my hand or shield, I have never entrusted the Danes’ great hall to anyone. Now I entrust it to you alone. Take charge of this finest of houses and defend it. Remember your honor, show courage, and stay watchful for enemies. You will not lack joy if you survive this brave undertaking.’