Chapter 18

And the cup was borne to them, and a friendly invitation given to them in words, and twisted gold was graciously proffered him, two arm-ornaments, armour and rings, and the greatest of neck-rings of which I heard tell anywhere on earth. Ne’er heard I of better hoard jewels of heroes under the sky, since Hama carried away the Brosinga-men²⁷ to the bright city, ornaments and treasure vessel. It was he who fled from the cunning plots of Eormanric²⁸ and chose eternal gain. Hygelac of the Geats next had the ring, he who was the grandson of Swerting, when under the standard he protected the treasure and defended the plunder. And Weird carried him off when he, because of pride suffered woes, the feud with the Frisians. Then carried he the jewels, the precious stones over the sea, he who was the ruling prince, and he fell under shield; and the life of the king and the coat of mail and ring together came into possession of the Franks. And worse warriors plundered the slaughter after the war. And the corpses of the Geats held the field of death. The hall resounded with noise when Wealtheow spake these words in the midst of the court:

The cup was brought to them, and they were warmly invited to drink. Twisted gold was graciously offered to him, along with two armlets, armor, and rings. He also received the greatest neck-ring I have ever heard of anywhere on earth. I have never heard of finer jewels in any hero’s treasure under the sky since Hama carried away the Brosinga-men²⁷. Hama brought those ornaments and that treasure vessel to the bright city. He fled the cunning plots of Eormanric²⁸ and chose eternal reward. Hygelac of the Geats, the grandson of Swerting, later owned the ring. He wore it beneath his banner as he guarded the treasure and defended the plunder. And Weird took him when his pride brought him suffering in the feud with the Frisians. Then Hygelac, the ruling prince, carried the jewels and precious stones across the sea and fell beneath his shield. The king’s life, his coat of mail, and the ring all passed into the hands of the Franks. Lesser warriors plundered the dead after the battle. The bodies of the Geats lay across the field of death. The hall rang with noise when Wealtheow spoke these words before the court:

‘Enjoy this ring, dearest Beowulf, and use this coat of mail, these national treasures, and good luck befall thee! Declare thyself a good craftsman, and be to these boys gentle in teaching, and I will be mindful of thy guerdon for that thou hast so acted that men will esteem thee far and near for ever and ever, even as widely as the sea doth encompass the windy earth-walls. Be a noble Atheling as long as thou livest. I give thee many treasures. Be thou kindly in deed to my sons, joyful as thou art. For here is each earl true to his fellow, and mild of mood, and faithful to his liege-lord. Thanes are gentle, the people all ready. O ye warriors who have drunk deep, do as I tell you.’ She went to the seat where was a choice banquet, and the men drank wine. They knew not Weird, the Fate that was grim, as it had befallen many an earl.

‘Enjoy this ring, dearest Beowulf, and wear this coat of mail, both treasures of our people. May good luck come your way! Show yourself to be a skilled craftsman, and teach these boys gently. I will remember to reward you, because your deeds have earned you lasting honor among people near and far. Your fame will spread as widely as the sea surrounds the windswept shores of the earth. Be a noble prince as long as you live. I give you many treasures. Be kind in your deeds to my sons, joyful as you are. For here every earl is true to his companions, gentle in spirit, and faithful to his lord. The thanes are gentle, and all the people stand ready. Warriors who have drunk deeply, do as I tell you.’ She went to the seat where a fine banquet was laid out, and the men drank wine. They did not know Weird, the grim Fate that had befallen many an earl.

Then evening came on, and Hrothgar betook him to his own quarters, the Prince to his resting-place, and a great number of earls kept guard o’er the palace as often they had done in former days. They laid bare the bench-board and spread it over with beds and bolsters. And one of the beer-servants eager and fated went to his bed on the floor. And they set at his head war-shields, that were bright. And over the Atheling, there on the bench was easily seen the towering helmet and the ringed byrny, the glorious spear. It was their wont to be ready for war both at home and in battle, at whatever time their lord had need of them. The season was propitious.

Then evening came, and Hrothgar went to his own quarters, the prince to his resting place. Many earls guarded the palace, as they had often done in earlier days. They cleared the benches and covered them with bedding and pillows. And one of the beer servers, eager and doomed, went to his bed on the floor. Bright battle shields were set at his head. Above the nobleman, there on the bench, the tall helmet, mail armor, and splendid spear were easy to see. The warriors always kept themselves ready for war, both at home and in battle, whenever their lord needed them. The time was favorable.