5

The way was paved with many coloured stones, and by it they knew the path they should take. The coat of mail shone brightly, which was firmly hand-locked. The bright iron ring sang in the armour as they came on their way in their warlike trappings at the first to the great hall. Then the sea-weary men set down their broad shields, their shields that were wondrous hard ’gainst the wall of the great house, and bowed towards the bench. And byrnies were rattling, the war-weapons of men. And the spears were standing in a row together, the weapons of the sea-men and the spear grey above. And the troop of armed men was made glorious with weapons. Then the proud chieftain asked the warriors of their kindred: ‘From whence are ye bringing such gold-plated shields, grey sarks and helmets with visors, and such a heap of spears? I am the servant and messenger of Hrothgar. Never saw I so many men prouder. I trow it was for pride and not at all for banishment, but for greatness of mind that Hrothgar ye are seeking.’

The road was paved with stones of many colors, showing the men which path to take. Their coats of mail shone brightly, the links firmly locked together by hand. The bright iron rings sang as the men approached the great hall in their battle gear. Then the men, weary from the sea, set their broad, remarkably strong shields against the wall of the great house. They bent down toward the bench. Their mail shirts rattled, along with their weapons of war. The seafarers’ spears stood together in a row, their gray tips pointing upward. The armed troop looked splendid with their weapons. Then the proud chieftain asked the warriors about their people: ‘Where have you come from with such gold-plated shields, gray mail shirts, helmets with visors, and so many spears? I am Hrothgar’s servant and messenger. I have never seen so many prouder men. I believe you are seeking Hrothgar out of pride and greatness of spirit, not at all because of exile.’

Then answered the brave man, the chief of the Geats, and spake these words, hard under helmet: ‘We are the comrades at table of Hygelac. Beowulf is my name. I will say fully this my errand to the son of Healfdene the famous chieftain, unto thy lord and master, if he will grant us that we may salute him who is so good.’

Then the brave leader of the Geats answered, his voice firm beneath his helmet: ‘We are Hygelac’s companions at his table. My name is Beowulf. I will explain my mission fully to the son of Healfdene, the famous chief, your lord and master. I will do so if he allows us to greet him, a man of such goodness.’

Then spake Wulfgar (he was Prince of the Wendels⁹). His courage was known to all, his valour and wisdom. ‘I will make known to the Prince of the Danes, the Lord of the Scyldings¹⁰ the giver of rings the famous chieftain as thou art pleading, about thy journey, and will make known to thee quickly the answer which he the good man thinks fit to give me.’ Quickly he turned then to where Hrothgar was sitting, old and very grey with his troop of earls. The brave man then went and stood before the shoulders of the Lord of the Danes. Well he knew the custom of the doughty ones. Wulfgar then spoke to his lord and friend: ‘Here are come faring from a far country over the wide sea, a people of the Geats, and the eldest the warriors call Beowulf. And they are asking that they may exchange words with thee, my lord. O gladman Hrothgar, do not refuse to be talking with them. For worthy they seem all in their war-weeds, in the judgement of earls. At least he is a daring Prince who hither hath led this band of warriors.’

Then Wulfgar spoke (he was Prince of the Wendels⁹). His courage, bravery, and wisdom were known to all. ‘I will tell the Prince of the Danes, the Lord of the Scyldings¹⁰, about your journey, as you ask. He is the giver of rings, the famous chieftain. I will quickly bring you whatever answer that good man sees fit to give me.’ He quickly turned toward Hrothgar, who sat with his band of earls, old and very grey. The brave Wulfgar approached and stood at the shoulder of the Lord of the Danes. He knew the customs of brave warriors well. Wulfgar then spoke to his lord and friend: ‘People of the Geats have come here from a distant country across the wide sea. The warriors call their eldest Beowulf. They ask to speak with you, my lord. Hrothgar, generous lord, do not refuse to speak with them. For in the eyes of earls, they all look worthy in their battle gear. At least the prince who led this band of warriors here is daring.’