fTtfc^jru * jcJdtJ

bUM^C- Vi-n «J-, "J-s. (

XXXI

2321.THEN the baleful fiend its fire belched out,

2322.and bright homes burned. The blaze stood high

2323.all landsfolk frighting. No living thing

2324.would that loathly one leave as aloft it flew.

2325.Wide was the dragon's warring seen,

2326.its fiendish fury far and near,

2327.as the grim destroyer those Geatish people

2328.hated and hounded. To hidden lair,

2329.to its hoard it hastened at hint of dawn.

2330.Folk of the land it had lapped in flame,

2331.with bale and brand. In its barrow it trusted,

2332.its battling and bulwarks: that boast was vain!

2333.To Beowulf then the bale was told

2334.quickly and truly: the king's own home,

2335.of buildings the best, in brand-waves melted,

2336.that gift-throne of Geats. To the good old man

2337.sad in heart, 'twas heaviest sorrow.

2338.The sage assumed that his sovran God

2339.he had angered, breaking ancient law,

2340.and embittered the Lord. His breast within

2341.with black thoughts welled, as his wont was never.

2342.The folk's own fastness that fiery dragon

2343.with flame had destroyed, and the stronghold all

2344.washed by waves; but the warlike king,

2345-prince of the Weders, plotted vengeance.

2346.Warriors'-bulwark, he bade them work

2347.all of iron — the earl's commander —

2348.a war-shield wondrous: well he knew

2349.that forest-wood against fire were worthless,

2350.linden could aid not. — Atheling brave,

2351.he was fated to finish this fleeting life, {31a}

2352.his days on earth, and the dragon with him,

2353.though long it had watched o'er the wealth of the hoard!

2354.Shame he reckoned it, sharer-of-rings,

2355.to follow the flyer-afar with a host,

Xj't-Sv-S— ( l"-;

V

Uva

'V|/ K, Wr-^

-H-f /

r-jLAA VAT-1"'Ai'•a

i ^ ' •' -

" ./J ic." \ l-

I'xs 11 '¦> -1 ,d'

UA

BEOWULF 79

2356.a broad-flung band; nor the battle feared he,

2357.nor deemed he dreadful the dragon's warring,

2358.its vigor and valor: ventures desperate

2359.he had passed a-plenty, and perils of war,

2360.contest-crash, since, conqueror proud,

2361.Hrothgar's hall he had wholly purged,

2362.and in grapple had killed the kin of Grendel,

2363.loathsome breed! Not least was that

2364.of hand-to-hand fights where Hygelac fell,

2365.when the ruler of Geats in rush of battle,

2366.lord of his folk, in the Frisian land,

2367.son of Hrethel, by sword-draughts died,

2368.by brands down-beaten. Thence Beowulf fled

2369.through strength of himself and his swimming power,

2370.though alone, and his arms were laden with thirty

2371.coats of mail, when he came to the sea!

2372.Nor yet might Hetwaras {31b} haughtily boast

2373.their craft of contest, who carried against him

2374.shields to the fight: but few escaped

2375.from strife with the hero to seek their homes!

2376.Then swam over ocean Ecgtheow's son

2377.lonely and sorrowful, seeking his land,

2378.. where Hygd made him offer of hoard and realm,

2379.rings and royal-seat, reckoning naught

2380.the strength of her son to save their kingdom

2381.from hostile hordes, after Hygelac's death.

2382.No sooner for this could the stricken ones

2383.in any wise move that atheling's mind

2384.over young Heardred's head as lord

2385.and ruler of all the realm to be:

2386.yet the hero upheld him with helpful words,

2387.aided in honor, till, older grown,

2388.he wielded the Weder-Geats. — Wandering exiles

2389.sought him o'er seas, the sons of Ohtere,

2390.who had spurned the sway of the Scylfings'-helmet,

2391.the bravest and best that broke the rings,

2392.in Swedish land, of the sea-kings' line,

2393.haughty hero. {31c} Hence Heardred's end.

2394.For shelter he gave them, sword-death came,

2395.the blade's fell blow, to bairn of Hygelac;

2396.but the son of Ongentheow sought again

2397.house and home when Heardred fell,

2398.leaving Beowulf lord of Geats

ipIfifllC' BEOWULF 80

2399' and gift-seat's master. — A good king he!

/• J/

2400.THE fall of his lord he was fain to requite

2401.in after days; and to Eadgils he proved

2402.friend to the friendless, and forces sent

2403.over the sea to the son of Ohtere,

2404.weapons and warriors: well repaid he

2405.those care-paths cold when the king he slew. {32a}

2406.Thus safe through struggles the son of Ecgtheow

2407.had passed a plenty, through perils dire,

2408.with daring deeds, till this day was come

2409.that doomed him now with the dragon to strive.

2410.With comrades eleven the lord of Geats

2411.swollen in rage went seeldng the dragon.

2412.He had heard whence all the harm arose

2413.and the killing of clansmen; that cup of price

2414.on the lap of the lord had been laid by the finder.

2415.In the throng was this one thirteenth man,

2416.starter of all the strife and ill,

2417.care-laden captive; cringing thence .

2418.forced and reluctant, he led them on

2419.till he came in ken of that cavern-hall,

2420.the barrow delved near billowy surges,

2421.flood of ocean. Within 'twas full

2422.of wire-gold andjewels; a jealous warden,

2423.warrior trusty, the treasures held,

2424.lurked in his lair. Not light the task

2425.of entrance for any of earth-born men!

2426.Sat on the headland the hero king,

2427.spake words of hail to his hearth-companions,

2428.gold-friend of Geats. All gloomy his soul,

2429.wavering, death-bound. Wyrd full nigh

2430.stood ready to greet the gray-haired man,

2431.to seize his soul-hoard, sunder apart

2432.life and body. Not long would be

2433.the warrior's spirit enwound with flesh.

2434.Beowulf spake, the bairn of Ecgtheow:—

BEOWULF 82

2435• "Through store of struggles I strove in youth,

2436.mighty feuds; I mind them all.

2437.I was seven years old when the sovran of rings,

243 8. friend-of-his-folk, from my father took me,

2439.had me, and held me, Hrethel the king,

2440.with food and fee, faithful in kinship.

2441.Ne'er, while I lived there, he loathlier found me,

2442.bairn in the burg, than his birthright sons,

2443.Herebeald and Haethcyn and Hygelac mine.

2444.For the eldest of these, by unmeet chance,

2445.by kinsman's deed, was the death-bed strewn,

2446.when Haethcyn killed him with horny bow,

2447.his own dear liege laid low with an arrow,

2448.missed the mark and his mate shot down,

2449.one brother the other, with bloody shaft.

2450.A feeless fight, {32b} and a fearful sin,

2451.horror to Hrethel; yet, hard as it was,

2452.unavenged must the atheling die!

2453' Too awful it is for an aged man

2454.to bide and bear, that his bairn so young

2455.rides on the gallows. A rime he makes,

2456.sorrow-song for his son there hanging

2457.as rapture of ravens; no rescue now

2458.can come from the old, disabled man!

2459.Still is he minded, as morning breaks,

2460.of the heir gone elsewhere; {32c} another he hopes not

2461.he will bide to see his burg within

2462.as ward for his wealth, now the one has found

2463.doom of death that the deed incurred.

2464.Forlorn he looks on the lodge of his son,

2465.wine-hall waste and wind-swept chambers

2466.reft of revel. The rider sleepeth,

2467.the hero, far-hidden; {32d} no harp resounds,

2468.in the courts no wassail, as once was heard.

BEOWULF 83

JLW /S^ ^^(^U4u» &UU^i"" vl s ifc? ^ f C 3jL^a tP/frzy &*—

p^iWOAHUrfy. s<^i Ats-^k- '&MJU/^vrilUL^-^-u <-«f<f diutR. d-±fh'c44 L'or^

/s I1 . f/ --' If' r( [ ' r1 "j'tfj? ^1 'SKrt-Q-S-tLM^^^ ^i v r- . • r ,, c J b K{{oojzhj^ ^-d~ Uv)3^^MU-^

^^yv(..-,K.! Vi--~. ^ e^^CW, Is-cJfC-

T) j. [, ^ j^lT Aro-q-^-u^ rv^, cU, L6od,.^¦^2)'

(j^-£Uv/ ^ uT I }£ /i wv"-'- " "7 xxxiii. . , „^ )(M, ^ cWn , V^r^!^' ^-"¦"-W'- .HJO kr-cJ^Q ^1

* s-J^ ^ 37^ , JN2469."THEN he goes to his chamber, a grief-song chants <pspcm--Tq ^oJ^i (jM tS$ S^ j / 6^

2470.alone for his lost. Too large all seems,IaJyps | ®-/ •"2471.homestead and house. So the helmet-of-Weders(j ~|j

2472.hid in his heart for Herebeald

2473.waves of woe. No way could he take

2474.to avenge on the slayer slaughter so foul;

2475.nor e'en could he harass that hero at all

2476.with loathing deed, though he loved him not.

2477.And so for the sorrow his soul endured,

2478.men's gladness he gave up and God's light chose.

2479.Lands and cities he left his sons

2480.(as the wealthy do) when he went from earth.

2481.There was strife and struggle 'twixt Swede and Geat,

2482.o'er the width of waters; war arose,( .

2483.hard battle-horror, when Hrethel died,

2484.and Ongentheow's offspring grew

2485.strife-keen, bold, nor brooked o'er the seas,

2486.pact of peace, but pushed their hosts

2487.to harass in hatred by Hreosnabeorh.

2488.Men of my folk for that feud had vengeance,

2489.for woful war ('tis widely known),' j

2490.though one of them bought it with blood of his he art,

2491.a bargain hard: for Haethcyn proved

2492.fatal that fray, for the first-of-Geats.

2493.At morn, I heard, was the murderer killed

2494.by kinsman for kinsman, {33a} with clash of sword,

2495.when Ongentheow met Eofor there.

2496.Wide split the war-helm: wan he fell,

2497.hoary Scylfing; the hand that smote him

2498.of feud was mindful, nor flinched from the death-blow.

2499.-"For all that he {33b} gave me, my gleaming sword

2500.repaid him at war, — such power I wielded, —

2501.for lordly treasure: with land he entrusted me,

2502.homestead and house. He had no need

2503.from Swedish realm, or from Spear-Dane folk,

BEOWULF 84

2504.or from men of the Gifths, to get him help, —

2505.some warrior worse for wage to buy!

2506.Ever I fought in the front of all,

2507.sole to the fore; and so shall I fight

2508.while I bide in life and this blade shall last2509.that early and late hath loyal proved

2510.since for my doughtiness Daeghrefn fell,

2511.slain by my hand, the Hugas' champion.

2512.Nor fared he thence to the Frisian king

2513.with the booty back, and breast-adornments;

2514.but, slain in struggle, that standard-bearer

2515.fell, atheling brave. Not with blade was he slain, /

2516.but his bones were broken by brawny gripe,

2517.his heart-waves stilled. — The sword-edge now,

2518.hard blade and my hand, for the hoard shall strive."

2519.Beowulf spake, and a battle-vow made

2520.his last of all: "I have lived through many

2521.wars in my youth; now once again,

2522.old folk-defender, feud will I seek,

2523.do doughty deeds, if the dark destroyer

2524.forth from his cavern come to fight me!"

2525.Then hailed he the helmeted heroes all,

2526.for the last time greeting his liegemen dear,

2527.comrades of war: "I should carry no weapon,

2528.no sword to the serpent, if sure I knew

2529.how, with such enemy, else my vows

2530.I could gain as I did in Grendel's day.

2531.But fire in this fight I must fear me now,

2532.and poisonous breath; so I bring with me

2533.breastplate and board. {33c} From the barrow's keeper

2534.no footbreadth flee I. One fight shall end

2535.our war by the wall, as Wyrd allots,

2536.all mankind's master. My mood is bold

2537.but forbears to boast o'er this battling-flyer.

2538.Now abide by the barrow, ye breastplate-mailed,

2539.ye heroes in harness, which of us twain

2540.better from battle-rush bear his wounds.

2541.Wait ye the finish. The fight is not yours,

2542.nor meet for any but me alone

2543.to measure might with this monster here

2544.and play the hero. Hardily I

2545.shall win that wealth, or war shall seize,

2546.cruel killing, your king and lord!"

BEOWULF 85

2547-Up stood then with shield the sturdy champion,

2548.stayed by the strength of his single manhood,

2549.and hardy 'neath helmet his harness bore

2550.under cleft of the cliffs: no coward's path!

2551.Soon spied by the wall that warrior chief,

2552.survivor of many a victory-field

2553.where foemen fought with furious clashings,

2554.an arch of stone; and within, a stream

2555.that broke from the barrow. The brooldet's wave

2556.was hot with fire. The hoard that way

2557.he never could hope unharmed to near,

2558.or endure those deeps, {33d} for the dragon's flame.

2559.Then let from his breast, for he burst with rage,

2560.the Weder-Geat prince a word outgo;

2561.stormed the stark-heart; stern went ringing

2562.and clear his ciy 'neath the cliff-rocks gray.

2563.The hoard-guard heard a human voice;

2564.his rage was enkindled. No respite now

2565.for pact of peace! The poison-breath

2566.of that foul worm first came forth from the cave,

2567.hot reek-of-fight: the rocks resounded.

2568.Stout by the stone-way his shield he raised,

2569.lord of the Geats, against the loathed-one;

2570.while with courage keen that coiled foe

2571.came seeking strife. The sturdy king

2572.had drawn his sword, not dull of edge,

2573.heirloom old; and each of the two

2574.felt fear of his foe, though fierce their mood.

2575.Stoutly stood with his shield high-raised

2576.the warrior king, as the worm now coiled

2577.together amain: the mailed-one waited.

2578.Now, spire by spire, fast sped and glided

2579.that blazing serpent. The shield protected,

2580.soul and body a shorter while

2581.for the hero-king than his heart desired,

2582.could his will have wielded the welcome respite

2583.but once in his life! But Wyrd denied it,

2584.and victory's honors. — His arm he lifted

2585.lord of the Geats, the grim foe smote

2586.with atheling's heirloom. Its edge was turned

2587.brown blade, on the bone, and bit more feebly

2588.than its noble master had need of then

2589.in his baleful stress. — Then the barrow's keeper

liilW. BEOWULF86

2590.waxed full wild for that weighty blow,

2591.cast deadly flames; wide drove and far

2592.those vicious fires. No victor's glory

2593.the Geats' lord boasted; his brand had failed,

2594.naked in battle, as never it should,

2595.excellent iron! — 'Twas no easy path

2596.that Ecgtheow's honored heir must tread

2597.over the plain to the place of the foe;

2598.for against his will he must win a home

2599.elsewhere far, as must all men, leaving

2600.this lapsing life! — Not long it was

2601.ere those champions grimly closed again.

2602.The hoard-guard was heartened; high heaved his breast

2603.once more; and by peril was pressed again,

2604.enfolded in flames, the folk-commander!

2605.Nor yet about him his band of comrades,

2606.sons of athelings, armed stood

2607.with warlike front: to the woods they bent them,

2608.their lives to save. But the soul of one

2609.with care was cumbered. Kinship true

2610.can never be marred in a noble mind!

pints' BEOWULF 87

—A^oJ-J Ui'-

WaiJ'r- -Wv-s

^khCOtJ,taJ's, ¦sk^J£#^

-•,?1

jV.6.

WJr2-4 w^'

J.rnJJ-x.C^S-r'^" d '

W,

— a^

-HWfixi ^--d 1

oW^s! — S->^r-a-<n!A"~r^'VC=/_<—/

ro a t-O ""v rvjL-fi.:j^

0V|iili>4 (J_{ ^ Dn-vhS^Ui SO-U-VIM XXX' V^KWA

ci^j-t- H£i£D 0^<xH-s-{A_

2611.WIGLAF his name was, Weohstan's son,

2612.linden-thane loved, the lord of Scylfings,

2613.Aelfhere's kinsman. His king he now saw

2614.with heat under helmet hard oppressed.

2615.He minded the prizes his prince had given him,

2616.wealthy seat of the Waegmunding line,

2617.and folk-rights that his father owned

2618.Not long he lingered. The linden yellow,

2619.his shield, he seized; the old sword he drew: —

2620.as heirloom of Eanmund earth-dwellers knew it,

2621.who was slain by the sword-edge, son of Ohtere,

2622.friendless exile, erst in fray

2623.killed by Weohstan, who won for his kin

2624.brown-bright helmet, breastplate ringed,

2625.old sword of Eotens, Onela's gift,

2626.weeds of war of the warrior-thane,

2627.battle-gear brave: though a brother's child

2628.had been felled, the feud was unfelt by Onela. {34a}

2629.For winters this war-gear Weohstan kept,

2630.breastplate and board, till his bairn had grown

2631.earlship to earn as the old sire did:

2632.then he gave him, mid Geats, the gear of battle,

2633.portion huge, when he passed from life,

2634.fared aged forth. For the first time now

2635.with his leader-lord the liegeman young

2636.was bidden to share the shock of battle.

2637.Neither softened his soul, nor the sire's bequest

2638.weakened in war. {34b} So the worm found out

2639.when once in fight the foes had met!

2640.Wiglaf spake, — and his words were sage;

2641.sad in spirit, he said to his comrades:—

2642."I remember the time, when mead we took,

2643.what promise we made to this prince of ours

2644.in the banquet-hall, to our breaker-of-rings,

2645.for gear of combat to give him requital,

Vaj

IAA^

5IWOO" BEOWULF 88

2 646. for hard-sword and helmet, if hap should bring

2647.stress of this sort! Himself who chose us

2648.from all his army to aid him now,

2649.urged us to glory, and gave these treasures,

2650.because he counted us keen with the spear

2651.and hardy 'neath helm, though this hero-work

2652.our leader hoped unhelped and alone

2653.to finish for us, — folk-defender

2654.who hath got him glory greater than all men

2655.for daring deeds! Now the day is come

2656.that our noble master has need of the might

2657.of warriors stout. Let us stride along

2658.the hero to help while the heat is about him

2659.glowing and grim! For God is my witness

2660.I am far more fain the fire should seize

2661.along with my lord these limbs of mine! {34c}

2662.Unsuiting it seems our shields to bear

2663.homeward hence, save here we essay

2664.to fell the foe and defend the life

2665.of the Weders' lord. I wot 'twere shame

2666.on the law of our land if alone the king

2667.out of Geatish warriors woe endured

2668.and sank in the struggle! My sword and helmet,

2669.breastplate and board, for us both shall serve!"

2670.Through slaughter-reek strode he to succor his chieftain,

2671.his battle-helm bore, and brief words spake:—

2672."Beowulf dearest, do all bravely,

2673.as in youthful days of yore thou vowedst

2674.that while life should last thou wouldst let no wise

2675.thy glory droop! Now, great in deeds,

2676.atheling steadfast, with all thy strength

2677.shield thy life! I will stand to help thee."

2678.At the words the worm came once again,

2679.murderous monster mad with rage,

2680.with fire-billows flaming, its foes to seek,

2681.the hated men. In heat-waves burned

2682.that board {34d} to the boss, and the breastplate failed

2683.to shelter at all the spear-thane young.

2684.Yet quicldy under his kinsman's shield

2685.went eager the earl, since his own was now

2686.all burned by the blaze. The bold Idng again

2687.had mind of his glory: with might his glaive

2688.was driven into the dragon's head, —

BEOWULF 89

2689.blow nerved by hate. But Naegling {34e} was shivered,

2690.broken in battle was Beowulf s sword,

2691.old and gray. 'Twas gi'anted him not

2692.that ever the edge of iron at all

2693.could help him at strife: too strong was his hand,

2694.so the tale is told, and he tried too far

2695.with strength of stroke all swords he wielded,

2696.though sturdy their steel: they steaded him nought.

2697.Then for the third time thought on its feud

2698.that folk-destroyer, fire-dread dragon,

2699.and rushed on the hero, where room allowed,

2700.battle-grim, burning; its bitter teeth

2701.closed on his neck, and covered him

2702.with waves of blood from his breast that welled.

beowulf•90

U-\ vsj b {-'(11 J' ¦ ^ I sWs^ ekro^"" ' inyn

- [Ll^T -J'-l pr:^-1^-'-^

XXXV€, u!L-<KJ~ -f v-jf i-••¦'<—

2703.'TWAS now, men say, in his sovran's need

2704.that the earl made known his noble strain,

2705.craft and keenness and courage enduring.

2706.Heedless of harm, though his hand was burned,

2707.hardy-hearted, he helped his kinsman.

2708.A little lower the loathsome beast

2709.he smote with sword; his steel drove in

2710.bright and burnished; that blaze began

2711.to lose and lessen. At last the king

2712.wielded his wits again, war-knife drew,

2713.a biting blade by his breastplate hanging,

2714.and the Weders'-hehn smote that worm asunder,

2715.felled the foe, flung forth its life.

2716.So had they killed it, kinsmen both,

2717.athelings twain: thus an earl should be

2718.in danger's day! — Of deeds of valor

2719.this conqueror's-hour of the king was last,

2720.of his work in the world. The wound began,

2721.which that dragon-of-earth had erst inflicted,

2722.to swell and smart; and soon he found

2723.in his breast was boiling, baleful and deep,

2724.pain of poison. The prince walked on,

2725.wise in his thought, to the wall of rock;

2726.then sat, and stared at the structure of giants,

2727.where arch of stone and steadfast column

2728.upheld forever that hall in earth.

2729.Yet here must the hand of the henchman peerless

2730.lave with water his winsome lord,

2731.the king and conqueror covered with blood,

2732.with struggle spent, and unspan his helmet.

2733 •Beowulf spake in spite of his hurt,

2734.his mortal wound; full well he knew

2735.his portion now was past and gone

273 6.of earthly bliss, and all had fled2737.of his file of days, and death was near:

sjsfydpip'ic'BEOWULF91

2738."I would fain bestow on son of mine

2739.this gear of war, were given me now

2740.that any heir should after me come

2741.of my proper blood. This people I ruled

2742.fifty winters. No folk-king was there,

2743.none at all, of the neighboring clans2744.who war would wage me with 'warriors'-friends' {35a}

2745.and threat me with horrors. At home I bided

2746.what fate might come, and I cared for mine own;

2747.feuds I sought not, nor falsely swore

2748.ever on oath. For all these things,

2749.though fatally wounded, fain am I!

2750.From the Ruler-of-Man no wrath shall seize me,

2751.when life from my frame must flee away,

2752.for killing of kinsmen! Now quicldy go

2753.and gaze on that hoard 'neath the hoary rock,

2754.Wiglaf loved, now the worm lies low,

2755.sleeps, heart-sore, of his spoil bereaved.

2756.And fare in haste. I would fain behold

2757.the gorgeous heirlooms, golden store,

2758.have joy in the jewels and gems, lay down

2759.softlier for sight of this splendid hoard

2760.my life and the lordship I long have held."

pyinc1 BEOWULF 92

^ tn. p _

^(S ofl W dJ-M

<& ^ ^• ^vy ^3 , , \frA U-AT ^•{s-*vs-^ (jft® W^-S CW^ J

s ^ W,^^ ®jK U-^j-^rv./vvrv^), ^ ^ l^wJJ- -K wM^vUv^ls^V Ixuy\' Seaw^lfk i)SMiv(

XXXVI

2761.I HAVE heard that swiftly the son of Weohstan

2762.at wish and word of his wounded king, —

2763.war-sick warrior, — woven mail-coat,

2764.battle-sark, bore 'neath the barrow's roof.

2765.Then the clansman keen, of conquest proud,

2766.passing the seat, {36a} saw store of jewels

2767.and glistening gold the ground along;

2768.by the wall were marvels, and many a vessel

2769.in the den of the dragon, the dawn-flier old:

2770.unburnished bowls of bygone men

2771.reft of richness; rusty helms

2772.of the olden age; and arm-rings many

2773.wondrously woven. — Such wealth of gold,

2774.booty from barrow, can burden with pride

2775.each human wight: let him hide it who will! —

2776.His glance too fell on a gold-wove banner

2777.high o'er the hoard, of handiwork noblest,

2778.brilliantly broidered; so bright its gleam,

2779.all the earth-floor he easily saw

2780.and viewed all these vessels. No vestige now

2781.was seen of the serpent: the sword had ta'en him.

2782.Then, I heard, the hill of its hoard was reft,

2783.old work of giants, by one alone;

2784.he burdened his bosom with beakers and plate

2785.at his own good will, and the ensign took,

2786.brightest of beacons. — The blade of his lord

2787.its edge was iron — had injured deep

2788.one that guarded the golden hoard

2789.many a year and its murder-fire

2790.spread hot round the barrow in horror-billows

2791.at midnight hour, till it met its doom.

2792.Hasted the herald, the hoard so spurred him

2793.his track to retrace; he was troubled by doubt,

2794.high-souled hero, if haply he'd find

2795.alive, where he left him, the lord of Weders,

jSEy;a|3WiC'BEOWULF93

2796.weakening fast by the wall of the cave.

2797.So he carried the load. His lord and Idng

2798.he found all bleeding, famous chief

2799.at the lapse of life. The liegeman again

2800.plashed him with water, till point of word

2801.broke through the breast-hoard. Beowulf spake,

2802.sage and sad, as he stared at the gold. —

2803."For the gold and treasure, to God my thanks,

2804.to the Wielder-of-Wonders, with words I say,

2805.for what I behold, to Heaven's Lord,

2806.for the grace that I give such gifts to my folk

2807.or ever the day of my death be run!

2808.Now I've bartered here for booty of treasure

2809.the last of my life, so look ye well

2810.to the needs of my land! No longer I tarry.

2811.A barrow bid ye the battle-fanned raise

2812.for my ashes. 'Twill shine by the shore of the flood,

2813.to folk of mine memorial fair

2814.on Hrones Headland high uplifted,

2815.that ocean-wanderers oft may hail

2816.Beowulf s Barrow, as back from far

2817.they drive their keels o'er the darlding wave."

2818.From his neck he unclasped the collar of gold,

2819.valorous king, to his vassal gave it

2820.with bright-gold helmet, breastplate, and ring,

2821.to the youthful thane: bade him use them in joy.

2822."Thou art end and remnant of all our race

2823.the Waegmunding name. For Wyrd hath swept them,

2824.all my line, to the land of doom,

2825.earls in their glory: I after them go."

2826.This word was the last which the wise old man

2827.harbored in heart ere hot death-waves

2828.of balefire he chose. From his bosom fled

2829.his soul to seek the saints' reward.

jfsrjf tillC BEOWULF 94

^ -j. [rvU -K^4- ^k >^lpl'

zU B MJ , A i-^4- j;™%*rrti 04 0^(?) \^j!Ufi, e^Aj-t <Zr-Jlrr^l l^e_ MrOv -f-o"--«Uf" ^J,1

\t ., ,1,/^ J-i ./LI.*. £> -w SlnoJ) I

¦\Au 9-^ ^ a/^ ,i-^r

©H^ ^WM^-S' -|A- ^,/U iM-zriSku<51 0-^-^ ^ T^-^---

U^\-l 4^^ T7, -T—uw

'<6 f). -V^tWJL./ I - l . |4wi 0;^

s^Y <jr-u xxxvn/ ^rr^vJojr^cr^" -V© ^.^jHrk'-^^ (Jlt* ^ "i ,

^ ^ 1- • ,"--—^2830.IT was heavy hap for that hero young

2831.on his lord beloved to look and find him

2832.lying on earth with life at end,

2833.sorrowful sight. But the slayer too,

2834.awful earth-dragon, empty of breath,

2835.lay felled in fight, nor, fain of its treasure,

2836.could the writhing monster rule it more.

2837.For edges of iron had ended its days,

2838.hard and battle-sharp, hammers' leaving; {37a}

2839.and that flier-afar had fallen to ground

2840.hushed by its hurt, its hoard all near,

2841.no longer lusty aloft to whirl

2842.at midnight, maldng its merriment seen,

2843.proud of its prizes: prone it sank

2844.by the handiwork of the hero-king.

2845.Forsooth among folk but few achieve,

2846.though sturdy and strong, as stories tell me,

2847.and never so daring in deed of valor, —

2848.the perilous breath of a poison-foe

2849.to brave, and to rush on the ring-board hall,

2850.whenever his watch the warden keeps

2851.bold in the barrow. Beowulf paid

2852.the price of death for that precious hoard;

2853.and each of the foes had found the end

2854.of this fleeting life. Befell erelong

2855.that the laggards in war the wood had left,

2856.trothbreakers, cowards, ten together,

2857.fearing before to flourish a spear

2858.in the sore distress of their sovran lord.

2859.Now in their shame their shields they carried,

2860.armor of fight, where the old man lay;

2861.and they gazed on Wiglaf. Wearied he sat

2862.at his sovran's shoulder, shieldsman good,

2863.to wake him with water. {37b} Nowise it availed.

2864.Though well he wished it, in world no more

BEOWULF 95

2865.could he barrier life for that leader-of-battles

2866.nor baffle the will of all-welding God.

2867.Doom of the Lord was law o'er the deeds

2868.of every man, as it is to-day.

2869.Grim was the answer, easy to get,

2870.from the youth for those that had yielded to fear!

2871.Wiglaf spake, the son of Weohstan, —

2872.mournful he looked on those men unloved:

2873."Who sooth will speak, can say indeed

2874.that the ruler who gave you golden rings

2875.and the harness of war in which ye stand

2876.for he at ale-bench often-times

2877.bestowed on hall-folk helm and breastplate,

2878.lord to liegemen, the likeliest gear

2879.which near of far he could find to give, —

2880.threw away and wasted these weeds of battle,

2881.on men who failed when the foemen came!

2882.Not at all could the king of his comrades-in-arms

2883.venture to vaunt, though the Victory-Wielder,

2884.God, gave him grace that he got revenge

2885.sole with his sword in stress and need.

2886.To rescue his life, 'twas little that I

2887.could serve him in struggle; yet shift I made

2888.(hopeless it seemed) to help my kinsman.

2889.Its strength ever waned, when with weapon I struck

2890.that fatal foe, and the fire less strongly

2891.flowed from its head. — Too few the heroes

2892.in throe of contest that thronged to our king!

2893.Now gift of treasure and girding of sword,

2894.joy of the house and home-delight

2895.shall fail your folk; his freehold-land

2896.every clansman within your kin

2897.shall lose and leave, when lords highborn

2898.hear afar of that flight of yours,

2899.a fameless deed. Yea, death is better

2900.for liegemen all than a life of shame!"

pfinicr BEOWULF 96

2901.THAT battle-toil bade he at burg to announce,

2902.at the fort on the cliff, where, full of sorrow,

2903.all the morning earls had sat,

2904.daring shieldsmen, in doubt of twain:

2905.would they wail as dead, or welcome home,

2906.their lord beloved? Little {38a} kept back2907.of the tidings new, but told them all,

2908.the herald that up the headland rode. —

2909."Now the willing-giver to Weder folk

2910.in death-bed lies; the Lord of Geats

2911.on the slaughter-bed sleeps by the serpent's deed!

2912.And beside him is stretched that slayer-of-men

2913.with knife-wounds sick: {38b} no sword availed

2914.on the awesome thing in any wise

2915.to work a wound. There Wiglaf sitteth,

2916.Weohstan's bairn, by Beowulf s side,

2917.the living earl by the other dead,

2918.and heavy of heart a head-watch {38c} keeps

2919.o'er friend and foe. — Now our folk may look

2920.for waging of war when once unhidden

2921.to Frisian and Frank the fall of the king

2922.is spread afar. — The strife began

2923.when hot on the Hugas {38d} Hygelac fell

2924.and fared with his fleet to the Frisian land.

2925.Him there the Hetwaras humbled in war,

2926.plied with such prowess their power o'erwhelming

2927.that the bold-in-battle bowed beneath it

2928.and fell in fight. To his friends no wise

2929.could that earl give treasure! And ever since

2930.the Merowings' favor has failed us wholly.

2931.Nor aught expect I of peace and faith

2932.from Swedish folk. 'Twas spread afar

2933.how Ongentheow reft at Ravenswood

2934.Haethcyn Hrethling of hope and life,

2935.when the folk of Geats for the first time sought

^oSfydpSWIC"BEOWULF97

29362937.

29382939.

2940

2941.

2942.

2943-

2944.

2945-

2946.

2947-

2948.

2949.

2950.

2951.

2952.

2953.

2954.

in wanton pride the Warlike-Scylfings.

Soon the sage old sire {38e} of Ohtere,

ancient and awful, gave answering blow;

the sea-king {38f} he slew, and his spouse redeemed,

his good wife rescued, though robbed of her gold,

mother of Ohtere and Onela.

Then he followed his foes, who fled before him

sore beset and stole their way,

bereft of a ruler, to Ravenswood.

With his host he besieged there what swords had left,

the weary and wounded; woes he threatened

the whole night through to that hard-pressed throng:

some with the morrow his sword should kill,

some should go to the gallows-tree

for rapture of ravens. But rescue came

with dawn of day for those desperate men

when they heard the horn of Hygelac sound,

tones of his trumpet; the trusty king

had followed their trail with faithful band.

•^-("t&oJc o'-^--^'^ €*0(^6^w-t<jlC4KtKSenH^®^^j.'^^-cg.-O-'v-Cv-ifiy,JXi ts J/'I B I't^Ati?!V\ f-v.r-fi

s o^v-e^-JLjk (j&i (i-r 4 ^ v t^) irOT^r3 o^\;c^-c^\vj^rar t ^ v vt- jv- £oA r daJL^j PUxd W\q/^ ~U "S\M-ee).(L.., J UMaxJU^

"^pt, ^ | /Ly, k(.(l/ sfi0«-<*javvA<Lla^-( J</A^r^" K W; r ^-v-c^ fe •€*-»' flxs-fh^-

' (31 ^ w^K^ ^^ fVJo^rU^s ^Wduj A6-to^^ (s-a -(Ur l^'-y)

\ J^0\-r^r^XXXIX

2955.THE bloody swath of Swedes and Geats

2956.and the storm of their strife, were seen afar,

2957.how folk against folk the fight had wakened.

2958.The ancient king with his atheling band

2959.sought his citadel, sorrowing much:

2960.Ongentheow earl went up to his burg.

2961.He had tested Hygelac's hardihood,

2962.the proud one's prowess, would prove it no longer,

2963.defied no more those fighting-wanderers

2964.nor hoped from the seamen to save his hoard,

2965.his bairn and his bride: so he bent him again,

2966.old, to his earth-walls. Yet after him came

2967.with slaughter for Swedes the standards of Hygelac

2968.o'er peaceful plains in pride advancing,

2969.till Hrethelings fought in the fenced town. {39a}

2970.Then Ongentheow with edge of sword,

2971.the hoary-bearded, was held at bay,

2972.and the folk-king there was forced to suffer

2973.Eofor's anger. In ire, at the king

2974.Wulf Wonreding with weapon struck;

2975.and the chieftain's blood, for that blow, in streams

2976.flowed 'neath his hair. No fear felt he,

2977.stout old Scylfing, but straightway repaid

2978.in better bargain that bitter stroke

2979.and faced his foe with fell intent.

2980.Nor swift enough was the son of Wonred

2981.answer to render the aged chief;

2982.too soon on his head the helm was cloven;

2983.blood-bedecked he bowed to earth,

2984.and fell adown; not doomed was he yet,

2985.and well he waxed, though the wound was sore.

2986.Then the hardy Hygelac-thane, {39b}

2987.when his brother fell, with broad brand smote,

2988.giants' sword crashing through giants'-helm

2989.across the shield-wall: sank the king,

BEOWULF 99

2990.his folk's old herdsman, fatally hurt.

2991.There were many to bind the brother's wounds

2992.and lift him, fast as fate allowed

2993.his people to wield the place-of-war.

2994.But Eofor took from Ongentheow,

2995.earl from other, the iron-breastplate,

2996.hard sword hilted, and helmet too,

2997.and the hoar-chiefs harness to Hygelac carried,

2998.who took the trappings, and truly promised

2999.rich fee 'mid folk, — and fulfilled it so.

3000.For that grim strife gave the Geatish lord,

3001.Hrethel's offspring, when home he came,

3002.to Eofor and Wulf a wealth of treasure,

3003.Each of them had a hundred thousand {39c}

3004.in land and linked rings; nor at less price reckoned

3005.mid-earth men such mighty deeds!

3006.And to Eofor he gave his only daughter

3007.in pledge of grace, the pride of his home.

3008."Such is the feud, the foeman's rage,

3009.death-hate of men: so I deem it sure

3010.that the Swedish folk will seek us home

3011.for this fall of their friends, the fighting-Scylfings,

3012.when once they learn that our warrior leader

3013.lifeless lies, who land and hoard

3014.ever defended from all his foes,

3015.furthered his folk's weal, finished his course

3016.a hardy hero. — Now haste is best,

3017.that we go to gaze on our Geatish lord,

3018.and bear the bountiful breaker-of-rings

3019.to the funeral pyre. No fragments merely

3020.shall burn with the warrior. Wealth of jewels,

3021.gold untold and gained in terror,

3022.treasure at last with his life obtained,

3023.all of that booty the brands shall take,

3024.fire shall eat it. No earl must carry

3025.memorial jewel. No maiden fair

3026.shall wreathe her neck with noble ring:

3027.nay, sad in spirit and shorn of her gold,

3028.oft shall she pass o'er paths of exile

3029.now our lord all laughter has laid aside,

3030.all mirth and revel. Many a spear

3031.morning-cold shall be clasped amain,

3032.lifted aloft; nor shall lilt of harp

3033.those warriors wake; but the wan-hued raven,

3034.fain o'er the fallen, his feast shall praise

3035.and boast to the eagle how bravely he ate

3036.when he and the wolf were wasting the slain."

3037.So he told his sorrowful tidings,

3038.and little {sgd} he lied, the loyal man

3039.of word or of work. The warriors rose;

3040.sad, they climbed to the Cliff-of-Eagles,

3041.went, welling with tears, the wonder to view.

3042.Found on the sand there, stretched at rest,

3043.their lifeless lord, who had lavished rings

3044.of old upon them. Ending-day

3045.had dawned on the doughty-one; death had seized

3046.in woful slaughter the Weders' king.

3047.There saw they, besides, the strangest being,

3048.loathsome, lying their leader near,

3049.prone on the field. The fiery dragon,

3050.fearful fiend, with flame was scorched.

3051.Reckoned by feet, it was fifty measures

3052.in length as it lay. Aloft erewhile

3053.it had revelled by night, and anon come back,

3054.seeking its den; now in death's sure clutch

3055.it had come to the end of its earth-hall joys.

3056.By it there stood the stoups and jars;

3057.dishes lay there, and dear-decked swords

3058.eaten with rust, as, on earth's lap resting,

3059.a thousand winters they waited there.

3060.For all that heritage huge, that gold

3061.of bygone men, was bound by a spell, {39e}

3062.so the treasure-hall could be touched by none

3063.of human kind, — save that Heaven's King,

3064.God himself, might give whom he would,

3065.Helper of Heroes, the hoard to open, —

3066.even such a man as seemed to him meet.

BEOWULF 101

L4 ^

J 0^\^r -

VXrJs.-

V-U^-A.

¦W^~""^ \r-<^r-

\\£S1VN. .^,x^

^ ^ " j

^,.1V- ^

n- ", - 1'

w-rnAJ-s. a,W^, .U. X,^,.-.--H Hf

t

> •' js KC„T .r-S.CL <&,.A y'TC^S

\ o x L ,(-^Cfv^O (XJ-^O, Y—'v_/\'N^£i fV^L,^

.'v-i f1 y

gJJv_

<J._!-<L!~O! Ia^MF^-(O

V ^^ ^Jl'T-U^'v.<—1^

Kjl-cvr^i?

«JUv4 ^ ^ ^30B7.tJ A PERILOUS path, it proved,/he {40a} trod

3068.who heinously hid, that hall within,

3069.wealth under wall! Its watcher had killed

3070.one of a few, {40b} and the feud was avenged

3071.in woful fashion. Wondrous seems it,

3072.what manner a man of might and valor

3073.oft ends his life, when the earl no longer-

3074.in mead-hall may live with loving friends

3075.So Beowulf, when that barrow's warden

3076.he sought, and the struggle; himself knew not

3077.in what wise he should wend from the world at last.

3078.For {40c} princes potent, who placed the gold,

3079.'with a curse to doomsday covered it deep,

3080.so that marked with sin the man should be,

3081.hedged with horrors, in hell-bonds fast,

3082.racked with plagues, who should rob their hoard.

3083.Yet no greed for gold, but the grace of heaven,

3084.ever the king had kept in view. {4od}

3085.Wiglaf spake, the son of Weohstan:—

3086."At the mandate of one, oft warriors many

3087.sorrow must suffer; and so must we.

3088.The people's-shepherd showed not aught

3089.of care for our counsel, Idng beloved!

3090.That guardian of gold he should grapple not, urged we,

3091.but let him lie where he long had been

3092.in his earth-hall waiting the end of the world,

3093.the hest of heaven. — This hoard is ours

3094.but grievously gotten; too grim the fate

3095.which thither carried our king and lord.

3096.I was within there, and all I viewed,

3097.the chambered treasure, when chance allowed me

3098.(and my path was made in no pleasant wise)

3099.under the earth-wall. Eager, I seized

3100.such heap from the hoard as hands could bear

3101.and hurriedly carried it hither back

_»jL

.erf1 9n_J-JL jf-Sr-O 4^-

C^- <4*.

(P

ITK BEOWULF 102

3102.to my liege and lord. Alive was he still,

3103.still wielding his wits. The wise old man

3104.spake much in his sorrow, and sent you greetings

3105.and bade that ye build, when he breathed no more,

3106.on the place of his balefire a barrow high,

3107.memorial mighty. Of men was he

3108.worthiest warrior wide earth o'er

3109.the while he had joy of his jewels and burg.

3110.Let us set out in haste now, the second time

3111.to see and search this store of treasure,

3112.these wall-hid wonders, — the way I show you, —

3113.where, gathered near, ye may gaze your fill

3114.at broad-gold and rings. Let the bier, soon made,

3115.be all in order when out we come,

3116.our king and captain to carry thither

3117.man beloved — where long he shall bide

3118.safe in the shelter of sovran God."

3119.Then the bairn of Weohstan bade command,

3120.hardy chief, to heroes many

3121.that owned their homesteads, hither to bring

3122.firewood from far — o'er the folk they ruled —

3123.for the famed-one's funeral. " Fire shall devour

3124.and wan flames feed on the fearless warrior

3125.who oft stood stout in the iron-shower,

3126.when, sped from the string, a storm of arrows

3127.shot o'er the shield-wall: the shaft held firm,

3128.featly feathered, followed the barb."

3129.And now the sage young son of Weohstan

3130.seven chose of the chieftain's thanes,

3x31. the best he found that band within,

3132.and went with these warriors, one of eight,

3133.under hostile roof. In hand one bore

3134.a lighted torch and led the way.

3135.No lots they cast for keeping the hoard

3136.when once the warriors saw it in hall,

3137.altogether without a guardian,

3138.lying there lost. And little they mourned

313 9. when they had hastily haled it out,

3140.dear-bought treasure! The dragon they cast,

3141.the worm, o'er the wall for the wave to take,

3142.and surges swallowed that shepherd of gems.

3143.Then the woven gold on a wain was laden —

3144.countless quite! — and the Idng was borne,

piyne- BEOWULF 103

3145' hoary hero, to Hrones-Ness.

?riiC" BEOWULF 104

I/

&~q(.

XLI

3146.THEN fashioned for him the folk of Geats

3147.firm on the earth a funeral-pile,

3148.and hung it with helmets and harness of war

3149.and breastplates bright, as the boon he asked;

3150.and they laid amid it the mighty chieftain,

3151.heroes mourning their master dear.

3152.Then on the hill that hugest of balefires

3153.the warriors wakened. Wood-smoke rose

3154.black over blaze, and blent was the roar

3155.of flame with weeping (the wind was still),

3156.till the fire had broken the frame of bones,

3157.hot at the heart. In heavy mood

3158.their misery moaned they, their master's death.

3159.Wailing her woe, the widow {41a} old,

3160.her hair upbound, for Beowulf s death

3161.sung in her sorrow, and said full oft

3162.she dreaded the doleful days to come,

3163.deaths enow, and doom of battle,

3164.and shame. — The smoke by the sky was devoured.

3165.The folk of the Weders fashioned there

3166.on the headland a barrow broad and high,

3167.by ocean-farers far descried:

3168.in ten days' time their toil had raised it,

3169.the battle-brave's beacon. Round brands of the pyre

3170.a wall they built, the worthiest ever

3171.that wit could prompt in their wisest men.

3172.They placed in the barrow that precious booty,

3173.the rounds and the rings they had reft erewhile,

3174.hardy heroes, from hoard in cave, —

3175.trusting the ground with treasure of earls,

3176.gold in the earth, where ever it lies

3177.useless to men as of yore it was.

3178.Then about that barrow the battle-keen rode,

3179.atheling-born, a band of twelve,

3180.lament to make, to mourn their king,

BEOWULF 105

3181.chant their dirge, and their chieftain honor.

3182.They praised his earlship, his acts of prowess

3183.worthily witnessed: and well it is

3184.that men their master-friend mightily laud,

3185.heartily love, when hence he goes

3186.from life in the body forlorn away.

3187.Thus made their mourning the men of Geatland,

3188.for their hero's passing his hearth-companions:

3189.quoth that of all the kings of earth,

3190.of men he was mildest and most beloved,

3191.to his kin the Idndest, keenest for praise.

BEOWULF 106