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Beowulf
BEOWULF Translated by Gummere
BEOWULF PRELUDE OF THE FOUNDER OF THE DANISH HOUSE
LO, praise of the prowess of people-kings of spear-armed Danes, in
days long sped, we have heard, and what honor the athelings won! Oft
Scyld the Scefing from squadroned foes, from many a tribe, the
mead-bench tore, awing the earls. Since erst he lay friendless, a
foundling, fate repaid him: for he waxed under welkin, in wealth he
throve, till before him the folk, both far and near, who house by the
whale-path, heard his mandate, gave him gifts: a good king he! To him
an heir was afterward born, a son in his halls, whom heaven sent to
favor the folk, feeling their woe that erst they had lacked an earl
for leader so long a while; the Lord endowed him, the Wielder of
Wonder, with world's renown. Famed was this Beowulf: {0a} far flew
the boast of him, son of Scyld, in the Scandian lands. So becomes it a
youth to quit him well with his father's friends, by fee and gift,
that to aid him, aged, in after days, come warriors willing, should
war draw nigh, liegemen loyal: by lauded deeds shall an earl have
honor in every clan.
Forth he fared at the fated moment, sturdy Scyld to the shelter of
God. Then they bore him over to ocean's billow, loving clansmen, as
late he charged them, while wielded words the winsome Scyld, the
leader beloved who long had ruled.... In the roadstead rocked a
ring-dight vessel, ice-flecked, outbound, atheling's barge: there laid
they down their darling lord on the breast of the boat, the
breaker-of-rings, {0b} by the mast the mighty one. Many a treasure
fetched from far was freighted with him. No ship have I known so nobly
dight with weapons of war and weeds of battle, with breastplate and
blade: on his bosom lay a heaped hoard that hence should go far o'er
the flood with him floating away. No less these loaded the lordly
gifts, thanes' huge treasure, than those had done who in former time
forth had sent him sole on the seas, a suckling child. High o'er his
head they hoist the standard, a gold-wove banner; let billows take
him, gave him to ocean. Grave were their spirits, mournful their mood.
No man is able to say in sooth, no son of the halls, no hero 'neath
heaven, -- who harbored that freight!
I
Now Beowulf bode in the burg of the Scyldings, leader beloved, and
long he ruled in fame with all folk, since his father had gone away
from the world, till awoke an heir, haughty Healfdene, who held
through life, sage and sturdy, the Scyldings glad. Then, one after
one, there woke to him, to the chieftain of clansmen, children four:
Heorogar, then Hrothgar, then Halga brave; and I heard that -- was --
's queen, the Heathoscylfing's helpmate dear. To Hrothgar was given
such glory of war, such honor of combat, that all his kin obeyed him
gladly till great grew his band of youthful comrades. It came in his
mind to bid his henchmen a hall uprear, a master mead-house, mightier
far than ever was seen by the sons of earth, and within it, then, to
old and young he would all allot that the Lord had sent him, save only
the land and the lives of his men. Wide, I heard, was the work
commanded, for many a tribe this mid-earth round, to fashion the
folkstead. It fell, as he ordered, in rapid achievement that ready it
stood there, of halls the noblest: Heorot {1a} he named it whose
message had might in many a land. Not reckless of promise, the rings
he dealt, treasure at banquet: there towered the hall, high, gabled
wide, the hot surge waiting of furious flame. {1b} Nor far was that
day when father and son-in-law stood in feud for warfare and hatred
that woke again. {1c} With envy and anger an evil spirit endured the
dole in his dark abode, that he heard each day the din of revel high
in the hall: there harps rang out, clear song of the singer. He sang
who knew {1d} tales of the early time of man, how the Almighty made
the earth, fairest fields enfolded by water, set, triumphant, sun and
moon for a light to lighten the land-dwellers, and braided bright the
breast of earth with limbs and leaves, made life for all of mortal
beings that breathe and move. So lived the clansmen in cheer and revel
a winsome life, till one began to fashion evils, that field of hell.
Grendel this monster grim was called, march-riever {1e} mighty, in
moorland living, in fen and fastness; fief of the giants the hapless
wight a while had kept since the Creator his exile doomed. On kin of
Cain was the killing avenged by sovran God for slaughtered Abel. Ill
fared his feud, {1f} and far was he driven, for the slaughter's sake,
from sight of men. Of Cain awoke all that woful breed, Etins {1g} and
elves and evil-spirits, as well as the giants that warred with God
weary while: but their wage was paid them!
II
WENT he forth to find at fall of night that haughty house, and heed
wherever the Ring-Danes, outrevelled, to rest had gone. Found within
it the atheling band asleep after feasting and fearless of sorrow, of
human hardship. Unhallowed wight, grim and greedy, he grasped betimes,
wrathful, reckless, from resting-places, thirty of the thanes, and
thence he rushed fain of his fell spoil, faring homeward, laden with
slaughter, his lair to seek. Then at the dawning, as day was breaking,
the might of Grendel to men was known; then after wassail was wail
uplifted, loud moan in the morn. The mighty chief, atheling excellent,
unblithe sat, labored in woe for the loss of his thanes, when once had
been traced the trail of the fiend, spirit accurst: too cruel that
sorrow, too long, too loathsome. Not late the respite; with night
returning, anew began ruthless murder; he recked no whit, firm in his
guilt, of the feud and crime. They were easy to find who elsewhere
sought in room remote their rest at night, bed in the bowers, {2a}
when that bale was shown, was seen in sooth, with surest token, -- the
hall-thane's {2b} hate. Such held themselves far and fast who the
fiend outran! Thus ruled unrighteous and raged his fill one against
all; until empty stood that lordly building, and long it bode so.
Twelve years' tide the trouble he bore, sovran of Scyldings, sorrows
in plenty, boundless cares. There came unhidden tidings true to the
tribes of men, in sorrowful songs, how ceaselessly Grendel harassed
Hrothgar, what hate he bore him, what murder and massacre, many a
year, feud unfading, -- refused consent to deal with any of Daneland's
earls, make pact of peace, or compound for gold: still less did the
wise men ween to get great fee for the feud from his fiendish hands.
But the evil one ambushed old and young death-shadow dark, and dogged
them still, lured, or lurked in the livelong night of misty moorlands:
men may say not where the haunts of these Hell-Runes {2c} be. Such
heaping of horrors the hater of men, lonely roamer, wrought unceasing,
harassings heavy. O'er Heorot he lorded, gold-bright hall, in gloomy
nights; and ne'er could the prince {2d} approach his throne, -- 'twas
judgment of God, -- or have joy in his hall. Sore was the sorrow to
Scyldings'-friend, heart-rending misery. Many nobles sat assembled,
and searched out counsel how it were best for bold-hearted men against
harassing terror to try their hand. Whiles they vowed in their heathen
fanes altar-offerings, asked with words {2e} that the slayer-of-souls
would succor give them for the pain of their people. Their practice
this, their heathen hope; 'twas Hell they thought of in mood of their
mind. Almighty they knew not, Doomsman of Deeds and dreadful Lord, nor
Heaven's-Helmet heeded they ever, Wielder-of-Wonder. -- Woe for that
man who in harm and hatred hales his soul to fiery embraces; -- nor
favor nor change awaits he ever. But well for him that after death-day
may draw to his Lord, and friendship find in the Father's arms!
III
THUS seethed unceasing the son of Healfdene with the woe of these
days; not wisest men assuaged his sorrow; too sore the anguish,
loathly and long, that lay on his folk, most baneful of burdens and
bales of the night.
This heard in his home Hygelac's thane, great among Geats, of
Grendel's doings. He was the mightiest man of valor in that same day
of this our life, stalwart and stately. A stout wave-walker he bade
make ready. Yon battle-king, said he, far o'er the swan-road he fain
would seek, the noble monarch who needed men! The prince's journey by
prudent folk was little blamed, though they loved him dear; they
whetted the hero, and hailed good omens. And now the bold one from
bands of Geats comrades chose, the keenest of warriors e'er he could
find; with fourteen men the sea-wood {3a} he sought, and, sailor
proved, led them on to the land's confines. Time had now flown; {3b}
afloat was the ship, boat under bluff. On board they climbed, warriors
ready; waves were churning sea with sand; the sailors bore on the
breast of the bark their bright array, their mail and weapons: the
men pushed off, on its willing way, the well-braced craft. Then moved
o'er the waters by might of the wind that bark like a bird with breast
of foam, till in season due, on the second day, the curved prow such
course had run that sailors now could see the land, sea-cliffs
shining, steep high hills, headlands broad. Their haven was found,
their journey ended. Up then quickly the Weders' {3c} clansmen climbed
ashore, anchored their sea-wood, with armor clashing and gear of
battle: God they thanked or passing in peace o'er the paths of the
sea. Now saw from the cliff a Scylding clansman, a warden that watched
the water-side, how they bore o'er the gangway glittering shields,
war-gear in readiness; wonder seized him to know what manner of men
they were. Straight to the strand his steed he rode, Hrothgar's
henchman; with hand of might he shook his spear, and spake in parley.
"Who are ye, then, ye armed men, mailed folk, that yon mighty vessel
have urged thus over the ocean ways, here o'er the waters? A warden I,
sentinel set o'er the sea-march here, lest any foe to the folk of
Danes with harrying fleet should harm the land. No aliens ever at ease
thus bore them, linden-wielders: {3d} yet word-of-leave clearly ye
lack from clansmen here, my folk's agreement. -- A greater ne'er saw I
of warriors in world than is one of you, -- yon hero in harness! No
henchman he worthied by weapons, if witness his features, his peerless
presence! I pray you, though, tell your folk and home, lest hence ye
fare suspect to wander your way as spies in Danish land. Now, dwellers
afar, ocean-travellers, take from me simple advice: the sooner the
better I hear of the country whence ye came."
IV
To him the stateliest spake in answer; the warriors' leader his
word-hoard unlocked: -- "We are by kin of the clan of Geats, and
Hygelac's own hearth-fellows we. To folk afar was my father known,
noble atheling, Ecgtheow named. Full of winters, he fared away aged
from earth; he is honored still through width of the world by wise men
all. To thy lord and liege in loyal mood we hasten hither, to
Healfdene's son, people-protector: be pleased to advise us! To that
mighty-one come we on mickle errand, to the lord of the Danes; nor
deem I right that aught be hidden. We hear -- thou knowest if sooth it
is -- the saying of men, that amid the Scyldings a scathing monster,
dark ill-doer, in dusky nights shows terrific his rage unmatched,
hatred and murder. To Hrothgar I in greatness of soul would succor
bring, so the Wise-and-Brave {4a} may worst his foes, -- if ever the
end of ills is fated, of cruel contest, if cure shall follow, and the
boiling care-waves cooler grow; else ever afterward anguish-days he
shall suffer in sorrow while stands in place high on its hill that
house unpeered!" Astride his steed, the strand-ward answered, clansman
unquailing: "The keen-souled thane must be skilled to sever and
sunder duly words and works, if he well intends. I gather, this band
is graciously bent to the Scyldings' master. March, then, bearing
weapons and weeds the way I show you. I will bid my men your boat
meanwhile to guard for fear lest foemen come, -- your new-tarred ship
by shore of ocean faithfully watching till once again it waft o'er the
waters those well-loved thanes, -- winding-neck'd wood, -- to Weders'
bounds, heroes such as the hest of fate shall succor and save from the
shock of war." They bent them to march, -- the boat lay still,
fettered by cable and fast at anchor, broad-bosomed ship. -- Then
shone the boars {4b} over the cheek-guard; chased with gold, keen and
gleaming, guard it kept o'er the man of war, as marched along heroes
in haste, till the hall they saw, broad of gable and bright with gold:
that was the fairest, 'mid folk of earth, of houses 'neath heaven,
where Hrothgar lived, and the gleam of it lightened o'er lands afar.
The sturdy shieldsman showed that bright burg-of-the-boldest; bade
them go straightway thither; his steed then turned, hardy hero, and
hailed them thus: -- "'Tis time that I fare from you. Father Almighty
in grace and mercy guard you well, safe in your seekings. Seaward I
go, 'gainst hostile warriors hold my watch."
V
STONE-BRIGHT the street: {5a} it showed the way to the crowd of
clansmen. Corselets glistened hand-forged, hard; on their harness
bright the steel ring sang, as they strode along in mail of battle,
and marched to the hall. There, weary of ocean, the wall along they
set their bucklers, their broad shields, down, and bowed them to
bench: the breastplates clanged, war-gear of men; their weapons
stacked, spears of the seafarers stood together, gray-tipped ash:
that iron band was worthily weaponed! -- A warrior proud asked of the
heroes their home and kin. "Whence, now, bear ye burnished shields,
harness gray and helmets grim, spears in multitude? Messenger, I,
Hrothgar's herald! Heroes so many ne'er met I as strangers of mood so
strong. 'Tis plain that for prowess, not plunged into exile, for
high-hearted valor, Hrothgar ye seek!" Him the sturdy-in-war bespake
with words, proud earl of the Weders answer made, hardy 'neath helmet:
-- "Hygelac's, we, fellows at board; I am Beowulf named. I am seeking
to say to the son of Healfdene this mission of mine, to thy
master-lord, the doughty prince, if he deign at all grace that we
greet him, the good one, now." Wulfgar spake, the Wendles' chieftain,
whose might of mind to many was known, his courage and counsel: "The
king of Danes, the Scyldings' friend, I fain will tell, the
Breaker-of-Rings, as the boon thou askest, the famed prince, of thy
faring hither, and, swiftly after, such answer bring as the doughty
monarch may deign to give." Hied then in haste to where Hrothgar sat
white-haired and old, his earls about him, till the stout thane stood
at the shoulder there of the Danish king: good courtier he! Wulfgar
spake to his winsome lord: -- "Hither have fared to thee far-come men
o'er the paths of ocean, people of Geatland; and the stateliest there
by his sturdy band is Beowulf named. This boon they seek, that they,
my master, may with thee have speech at will: nor spurn their prayer
to give them hearing, gracious Hrothgar! In weeds of the warrior
worthy they, methinks, of our liking; their leader most surely, a hero
that hither his henchmen has led."
VI
HROTHGAR answered, helmet of Scyldings: -- "I knew him of yore in his
youthful days; his aged father was Ecgtheow named, to whom, at home,
gave Hrethel the Geat his only daughter. Their offspring bold fares
hither to seek the steadfast friend. And seamen, too, have said me
this, -- who carried my gifts to the Geatish court, thither for
thanks, -- he has thirty men's heft of grasp in the gripe of his hand,
the bold-in-battle. Blessed God out of his mercy this man hath sent to
Danes of the West, as I ween indeed, against horror of Grendel. I hope
to give the good youth gold for his gallant thought. Be thou in haste,
and bid them hither, clan of kinsmen, to come before me; and add this
word, -- they are welcome guests to folk of the Danes." [To the door
of the hall Wulfgar went] and the word declared: -- "To you this
message my master sends, East-Danes' king, that your kin he knows,
hardy heroes, and hails you all welcome hither o'er waves of the sea!
Ye may wend your way in war-attire, and under helmets Hrothgar greet;
but let here the battle-shields bide your parley, and wooden
war-shafts wait its end." Uprose the mighty one, ringed with his men,
brave band of thanes: some bode without, battle-gear guarding, as
bade the chief. Then hied that troop where the herald led them, under
Heorot's roof: [the hero strode,] hardy 'neath helm, till the hearth
he neared. Beowulf spake, -- his breastplate gleamed, war-net woven by
wit of the smith: -- "Thou Hrothgar, hail! Hygelac's I, kinsman and
follower. Fame a plenty have I gained in youth! These Grendel-deeds I
heard in my home-land heralded clear. Seafarers say how stands this
hall, of buildings best, for your band of thanes empty and idle, when
evening sun in the harbor of heaven is hidden away. So my vassals
advised me well, -- brave and wise, the best of men, -- O sovran
Hrothgar, to seek thee here, for my nerve and my might they knew full
well. Themselves had seen me from slaughter come blood-flecked from
foes, where five I bound, and that wild brood worsted. I' the waves I
slew nicors {6a} by night, in need and peril avenging the Weders, {6b}
whose woe they sought, -- crushing the grim ones. Grendel now, monster
cruel, be mine to quell in single battle! So, from thee, thou sovran
of the Shining-Danes, Scyldings'-bulwark, a boon I seek, -- and,
Friend-of-the-folk, refuse it not, O Warriors'-shield, now I've
wandered far, -- that I alone with my liegemen here, this hardy band,
may Heorot purge! More I hear, that the monster dire, in his wanton
mood, of weapons recks not; hence shall I scorn -- so Hygelac stay,
king of my kindred, kind to me! -- brand or buckler to bear in the
fight, gold-colored targe: but with gripe alone must I front the
fiend and fight for life, foe against foe. Then faith be his in the
doom of the Lord whom death shall take. Fain, I ween, if the fight he
win, in this hall of gold my Geatish band will he fearless eat, -- as
oft before, -- my noblest thanes. Nor need'st thou then to hide my
head; {6c} for his shall I be, dyed in gore, if death must take me;
and my blood-covered body he'll bear as prey, ruthless devour it, the
roamer-lonely, with my life-blood redden his lair in the fen: no
further for me need'st food prepare! To Hygelac send, if Hild {6d}
should take me, best of war-weeds, warding my breast, armor excellent,
heirloom of Hrethel and work of Wayland. {6e} Fares Wyrd {6f} as she
must."