[1] For ‘lifigende’ (2063), a mere conjecture, ‘wigende’ has been
    suggested.  The line would then read:  Escapeth by fighting, knows the
    land thoroughly.

    [2] For ‘faeethmum,’ Gr.’s conjecture, B. proposes ‘faerunga.’  These three
    half-verses would then read:  She bore off the corpse of her foe
    suddenly under the mountain-torrent.

    [3] The phrase ‘þine lyfe’ (2132) was long rendered ’with thy
    (presupposed) permission.’  The verse would read:  The land-prince
    then sadly besought me, with thy (presupposed) permission, etc.

XXXI.

GIFT-GIVING IS MUTUAL.

          “So the beloved land-prince lived in decorum;
          I had missed no rewards, no meeds of my prowess,
          But he gave me jewels, regarding my wishes,
          Healfdene his bairn; I’ll bring them to thee, then,

{All my gifts I lay at thy feet.}

        5 Atheling of earlmen, offer them gladly. 
          And still unto thee is all my affection:[1]
          But few of my folk-kin find I surviving
          But thee, dear Higelac!” Bade he in then to carry[2]
          The boar-image, banner, battle-high helmet,
       10 Iron-gray armor, the excellent weapon,

{This armor I have belonged of yore to Heregar.}

          In song-measures said:  “This suit-for-the-battle
          Hrothgar presented me, bade me expressly,
          Wise-mooded atheling, thereafter to tell thee[3]
          The whole of its history, said King Heregar owned it,
       15 Dane-prince for long:  yet he wished not to give then
[74] The mail to his son, though dearly he loved him,
          Hereward the hardy.  Hold all in joyance!”
          I heard that there followed hard on the jewels
          Two braces of stallions of striking resemblance,
       20 Dappled and yellow; he granted him usance
          Of horses and treasures.  So a kinsman should bear him,
          No web of treachery weave for another,
          Nor by cunning craftiness cause the destruction

{Higelac loves his nephew Beowulf.}

          Of trusty companion.  Most precious to Higelac,
       25 The bold one in battle, was the bairn of his sister,
          And each unto other mindful of favors.

{Beowulf gives Hygd the necklace that Wealhtheow had given him.}

          I am told that to Hygd he proffered the necklace,
          Wonder-gem rare that Wealhtheow gave him,
          The troop-leader’s daughter, a trio of horses
       30 Slender and saddle-bright; soon did the jewel
          Embellish her bosom, when the beer-feast was over. 
          So Ecgtheow’s bairn brave did prove him,

{Beowulf is famous.}