Chapter 17

Then the warriors went forth to visit the dwellings which were bereft of friends, and to look upon the land of the Frisians, the homesteads and the high town. And Hengest was still dwelling with Finn, that slaughter-stained winter, all bravely without strife. And he thought on the homeland, though he could not be sailing his ringed ship over the waters. The sea boiled with storm and waged war with the wind. And winter locked up the ice-bound waves till yet another year came in the court, as still it doth, which ever guards the seasons, and the glory-bright weather. Then winter was scattered, and fair was the bosom of the earth.²⁵ And the wanderer strove to go, the guest from the court. And much more he thought of vengeance for the feud than of the sea-voyage, as to how he could bring about an angry encounter, for he bore in mind the children of the Jutes. And so he escaped not the lot of mortals when Hunlafing did on his arm the best of swords, the flashing light of the battle, whose edge was well known to the Jutes. And dire sword-bale after befel the fierce-minded Finn, even in his very own home, when Guthlaf and Oslaf lamented the grim grip of war and the sorrow after sea-journeys, and were charging him with his share in the woes. Nor could he hold back in his own breast his fluttering soul. Then again was the hall adorned with the bodies of foemen, and Finn was also slain, the King with his troop, and the Queen was taken. And the warriors of the Danes carried to the ships all the belongings of the earth-king, such as they could find in the homestead of Finn, of ornaments and jewels. They bore away also the noble wife Hildeburh down to the sea away to the Danes, and led her to her people.’

Then the warriors went out to visit the homes left without friends. They went to see the land of the Frisians, its homesteads and its high town. Hengest was still living with Finn through that bloodstained winter, bearing himself bravely and keeping the peace. He thought of his homeland, though he could not sail his ring-decorated ship across the waters. The sea churned with storms and fought against the wind. Winter locked the waves in ice until another year came to the court. So the year still comes, always keeping the seasons and bringing gloriously bright weather. Then winter was driven away, and the earth's surface was beautiful.²⁵ Then the wanderer, the guest at the court, struggled to leave. But he thought far more about revenge for the feud than about the sea voyage. He considered how he could bring about a bitter clash, for he remembered the children of the Jutes. And so he did not escape the fate of mortals when Hunlafing placed the finest sword in his arms. The sword flashed like a light in battle, and its edge was well known to the Jutes. Afterward, terrible slaughter by the sword fell upon fierce-minded Finn, even in his own home. Guthlaf and Oslaf mourned war's cruel grip and their suffering after their sea journeys. They accused Finn of his share in those sorrows. Nor could he restrain his restless spirit within his breast. Then once again the hall was decorated with enemies' bodies. Finn, the King, was also killed, along with his warriors, and the Queen was taken captive. The warriors of the Danes carried all the earth-king's possessions to the ships, whatever they could find in Finn's homestead. These included ornaments and jewels. They also took the noble wife Hildeburh down to the sea and away to the Danes, bringing her to her people.’

So a song was sung, a lay of the gleemen, and much mirth there was and great noise from the benches. And cup-bearers offered wine from wondrous vessels. Then came forth Queen Wealtheow in her golden circlet, where the two good men were sitting, the uncle and his nephew. And still were they in peace together, and each true to the other. Likewise Unferth the Spokesman sat there at the foot of the Lord of the Danes. And each of them trusted Unferth’s good heart and that he had a great soul, though he was not loyal to his kinsmen at the sword-play.

So the minstrels sang a song, and there was great joy and loud noise from the benches. Cup-bearers served wine from magnificent vessels. Then Queen Wealtheow, wearing her golden crown, approached the two good men, the uncle and his nephew. The two men were still at peace, each loyal to the other. Unferth the Spokesman also sat there, at the feet of the Lord of the Danes. Both men trusted Unferth’s good heart and noble spirit, though he had not been loyal to his relatives in battle.

Then spake the Queen of the Danes: ‘Take this cup, O my liege lord, thou giver of rings. Be thou right joyful, thou gold-friend to men; do thou speak mild words to the Geats, as a man should be doing. Be glad of thy Geats and mindful of gifts. Now thou hast peace both near and far. There is one who told me that thou wouldst have the battle-hero for thy son. Now Hart is all cleansed, the bright hall of rings. Enjoy whilst thou mayest many rewards, and leave to thy kinsmen both folk and a kingdom when thou shalt go forth to look on eternity. I know my glad Hrothulf²⁶ will hold in honour this youth if thou, O Hrothgar the friend of the Danes, dost leave the world earlier than he. I ween that he will yield good to our children if he remembers all that has passed—how we two worshipfully showed kindness to him in former days when he was but a child.’ Then she turned to the bench where were her sons Hrothric and Hrothmund and the children of heroes, the youths all together. There sat the good man Beowulf of the Geats, by the two brothers.

Then the Queen of the Danes spoke: ‘Take this cup, my lord, you giver of rings. Be truly joyful, generous friend to your people. Speak kindly to the Geats, as a man should. Be glad of your Geats and remember your gifts. Now you have peace both near and far. Someone told me you wished to make the battle-hero your son. Now Hart, the bright hall of rings, is completely cleansed. Enjoy your many rewards while you can. Leave your people and kingdom to your kinsmen when you go to face eternity. I know my dear Hrothulf²⁶ will honour this youth if you, Hrothgar, friend of the Danes, leave this world before him. I believe he will treat our children well if he remembers everything that has happened. We both treated him with honour and kindness in earlier days, when he was only a child.’ Then she turned toward the bench where her sons Hrothric and Hrothmund sat with the children of heroes. The young men were all together. Beowulf, the good man of the Geats, sat beside the two brothers.