Beowulf 9We, kindly of spirit, the lord of thy people
18
Literature · Religion
Beowulf 9
We, kindly of spirit, the lord of thy people
HallEnglish
The son of King Healfdene, have come here to visit,
Folk-troop's defender: be free in thy counsels!
To the noble one bear we a weighty commission,
The helm of the Danemen; we shall hide, I ween,
{Is it true that a monster is slaying Danish heroes?}
15 Naught of our message. Thou know'st if it happen,
As we soothly heard say, that some savage despoiler,
Some hidden pursuer, on nights that are murky
By deeds very direful 'mid the Danemen exhibits
Hatred unheard of, horrid destruction
20 And the falling of dead. From feelings least selfish
{I can help your king to free himself from this horrible creature.}
I am able to render counsel to Hrothgar,
How he, wise and worthy, may worst the destroyer,
If the anguish of sorrow should ever be lessened,
Comfort come to him, and care-waves grow cooler,
25 Or ever hereafter he agony suffer
And troublous distress, while towereth upward
The handsomest of houses high on the summit."
{The coast-guard reminds Beowulf that it is easier to say than to do.}
Bestriding his stallion, the strand-watchman answered,
The doughty retainer: "The difference surely
30 'Twixt words and works, the warlike shield-bearer
Who judgeth wisely well shall determine.
This band, I hear, beareth no malice
{I am satisfied of your good intentions, and shall lead you to the
palace.}
To the prince of the Scyldings. Pass ye then onward
With weapons and armor. I shall lead you in person;
35 To my war-trusty vassals command I shall issue
To keep from all injury your excellent vessel,
{Your boat shall be well cared for during your stay here.}
Your fresh-tarred craft, 'gainst every opposer
Close by the sea-shore, till the curved-neckèd bark shall
Waft back again the well-beloved hero
40 O'er the way of the water to Weder dominions.
{He again compliments Beowulf.}
To warrior so great 'twill be granted sure
In the storm of strife to stand secure."
Onward they fared then (the vessel lay quiet,
The broad-bosomed bark was bound by its cable,
45 Firmly at anchor); the boar-signs glistened
Bright on the visors vivid with gilding,
Blaze-hardened, brilliant; the boar acted warden.
The heroes hastened, hurried the liegemen,
{The land is perhaps rolling.}
Descended together, till they saw the great palace,
50 The well-fashioned wassail-hall wondrous and gleaming:
{Heorot flashes on their view.}
'Mid world-folk and kindreds that was widest reputed
Of halls under heaven which the hero abode in;
Its lustre enlightened lands without number.
Then the battle-brave hero showed them the glittering
55 Court of the bold ones, that they easily thither
Might fare on their journey; the aforementioned warrior
Turning his courser, quoth as he left them:
{The coast-guard, having discharged his duty, bids them God-speed.}
"'Tis time I were faring; Father Almighty
Grant you His grace, and give you to journey
60 Safe on your mission! To the sea I will get me
'Gainst hostile warriors as warden to stand."
'Edwendan' (280) B. takes to be the subs. 'edwenden' (cf. 1775);
and 'bisigu' he takes as gen. sing., limiting 'edwenden': _If
reparation for sorrows is ever to come_. This is supported by t.B.
Combining the emendations of B. and t.B., we may read: _The
boar-images glistened ... brilliant, protected the life of the
war-mooded man_. They read 'ferh-wearde' (305) and 'gúðmódgum men'
(306).
VI.
BEOWULF INTRODUCES HIMSELF AT THE PALACE.
The highway glistened with many-hued pebble,
A by-path led the liegemen together.
Firm and hand-locked the war-burnie glistened,
The ring-sword radiant rang 'mid the armor
5 As the party was approaching the palace together
{They set their arms and armor against the wall.}
In warlike equipments. 'Gainst the wall of the building
Their wide-fashioned war-shields they weary did set then,
Battle-shields sturdy; benchward they turned then;
Their battle-sarks rattled, the gear of the heroes;
10 The lances stood up then, all in a cluster,
The arms of the seamen, ashen-shafts mounted
With edges of iron: the armor-clad troopers
{A Danish hero asks them whence and why they are come.}
Were decked with weapons. Then a proud-mooded hero
Asked of the champions questions of lineage:
15 "From what borders bear ye your battle-shields plated,
Gilded and gleaming, your gray-colored burnies,
Helmets with visors and heap of war-lances?--
To Hrothgar the king I am servant and liegeman.
'Mong folk from far-lands found I have never
{He expresses no little admiration for the strangers.}
20 Men so many of mien more courageous.
I ween that from valor, nowise as outlaws,
But from greatness of soul ye sought for King Hrothgar."
{Beowulf replies.}
Then the strength-famous earlman answer rendered,
The proud-mooded Wederchief replied to his question,
{We are Higelac's table-companions, and bear an important commission to
your prince.}
