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So many a proud young warrior came to the seaside. And they were carrying the ring-net, the interlaced coats of mail. And the ward of the shore noticed the going of the earls, as he did their coming.⁴⁵ Nor with evil intent did he hail the guests from the edge of the cliff, but rode up to them, and said that welcome and bright-coated warriors went to the ship to the people of the Geats. Then on the sand was the spacious craft laden with battle-weeds, the ringed prow with horses and treasures, and the mast towered high over Hrothgar’s gifts. And he gave to the captain a sword bound with gold, so that by the mead-bench he was by that the worthier because of the treasure and the heirloom. Then he went on board, the deep water to be troubling, and finally left the land of the Danes. And by the mast was one of the ocean-garments, a sail fast by a rope. The sea-wood thundered. Nor did the wind hinder the journey of that ship. The ocean-goer bounded forth, the foamy-necked one, over the waves, the bound prow over the ocean streams, till they could see the cliffs of the Geats’ land, the well-known headlands.

Many proud young warriors came to the shore, carrying interwoven coats of ring mail. The shore guard watched the nobles leave, just as he had watched them arrive.⁴⁵ He did not call out to the guests from the cliff with hostile intent. Instead, he rode up and welcomed the warriors in shining armor as they boarded their ship to return to the Geats. There on the sand, the spacious ship was loaded with battle gear. Horses and treasures filled the ship with its ringed prow, and the mast towered high above Hrothgar’s gifts. And he gave the captain a sword decorated with gold. This treasured heirloom would earn the captain greater honor at the mead-bench. Then he went aboard to sail the deep waters, and at last left the land of the Danes. Beside the mast hung the ship’s sail, secured by a rope. The ship’s timbers thundered. The wind did not hinder the ship’s journey. The seagoing vessel surged over the waves, foam at its bow. Its reinforced prow cut through the ocean currents until the warriors could see the familiar cliffs and headlands of the Geats’ land.

Then the keel thronged up the shore, driven by the wind, and stood fast in the sand. And the harbour-master was soon on the seashore, who of yore eagerly had seen from afar the going forth of the dear men. And he made fast the wide-bosomed ship, by the anchor chains, so that the less the force of the waves could tear away that winsome ship. He commanded the treasure of the nobles to be borne up the beach, the fretted armour and the plated gold. And not far thence it was for them to be seeking the giver of treasure, Hygelac, Hrethel’s son, for at home he dwelleth, he and his companions near to the sea-wall. And splendid was that building, and the Prince was a bold King, and the halls were high, and Hygd his wife was very young and wise and mature in her figure, though the daughter of Hæreth had bided in that city but a very few years. But she was not mean nor niggardly of gifts and of treasures to the people of the Geats.

Then the wind drove the ship up the shore, where it came to rest firmly in the sand. The harbour-master soon arrived on the beach. Earlier, he had eagerly watched from afar as the beloved men sailed away. He secured the broad ship with anchor chains so that the waves would have less power to tear it away. He ordered the nobles’ treasures carried up the beach, including the decorated armour and gold-plated objects. They did not have far to go to find the treasure-giver, Hygelac, Hrethel’s son. He was at home with his companions near the sea-wall. The building was splendid, the prince was a bold king, and the halls were high. His wife, Hygd, was very young, wise, and physically mature. Yet Hæreth’s daughter had lived in that city for only a few years. But she was neither ungenerous nor stingy with gifts and treasures for the people of the Geats.

But Thrytho⁴⁶ was fierce, for she had committed a terrible crime, that bold Queen of the folk. There was none that durst risk that dire thing of the dear companions, save only her lord, that he should stare on her with his eyes by day; but if he did he might expect that death-bands were destined for himself, for after the hand-grip a weapon was quickly prepared, that the sword that was curiously inlaid should bring to light and make known the death-bale. Nor is it a queenly custom for a woman to perform, though she might be peerless, that she should assail the life of a peace-wearer, of her dear lord, after a pretended insult. At least King Offa, the kinsman of Hemming, checked her in that. But otherwise said the ale-drinkers, namely that she did less of bale to her people and of hostile acts, since the time when she was first given all decked with gold to the young champion,⁴⁷ to her dear lord, since she sought the Hall of Offa over the fallow flood by the guidance of her father, where on the throne whilst she lived she well did enjoy her fate, that woman famous for good works. And she kept great love for the prince of heroes, and of all mankind he was, as I have learned by asking, the greatest by two seas. For Offa was a spear-keen man in gifts and in warfare, and widely was he honoured. And he ruled his people wisely. And to him and Thrytho Eomær was born to the help of heroes, he the kinsman of Hemming, the nephew of Garmund, was crafty in battle.

But Thrytho⁴⁶ was fierce, for that bold queen of the people had committed a terrible crime. None of her dear companions dared risk looking directly at her by day, except her lord alone. If anyone else did, he could expect to be bound for death. For after he was seized, a weapon was quickly prepared. The finely inlaid sword would reveal his deadly punishment. Nor is it fitting for a queen, however peerless, to threaten the life of a peace-weaver, her dear lord, over an imagined insult. At least King Offa, Hemming’s kinsman, stopped her from doing so. But the ale-drinkers told a different story about her later years. They said she caused her people less harm and committed fewer hostile acts after her marriage. She was first given, adorned with gold, to the young champion,⁴⁷ her dear lord. At her father’s direction, she crossed the dusky sea to seek the Hall of Offa. There she happily enjoyed her place on the throne throughout her life and became famous for good works. And she deeply loved the prince of heroes. Of all mankind, he was the greatest between the two seas, as I have learned by asking. For Offa was a bold warrior, outstanding in both generosity and warfare, and he was widely honored. And he ruled his people wisely. And to him and Thrytho, Eomær was born to aid heroes. Eomær, Hemming’s kinsman and Garmund’s nephew, was cunning in battle.