{Wait ye here till the battle is over.}

          Earls in armor, which of us two may better
          Bear his disaster, when the battle is over.
       70 ’Tis no matter of yours, and man cannot do it,
          But me and me only, to measure his strength with
          The monster of malice, might-deeds to ’complish. 
          I with prowess shall gain the gold, or the battle,
[86] Direful death-woe will drag off your ruler!”
       75 The mighty champion rose by his shield then,
          Brave under helmet, in battle-mail went he
          ’Neath steep-rising stone-cliffs, the strength he relied on
          Of one man alone:  no work for a coward. 
          Then he saw by the wall who a great many battles
       80 Had lived through, most worthy, when foot-troops collided,

{The place of strife is described.}

          Stone-arches standing, stout-hearted champion,
          Saw a brook from the barrow bubbling out thenceward: 
          The flood of the fountain was fuming with war-flame: 
          Not nigh to the hoard, for season the briefest
       85 Could he brave, without burning, the abyss that was yawning,
          The drake was so fiery.  The prince of the Weders
          Caused then that words came from his bosom,
          So fierce was his fury; the firm-hearted shouted: 
          His battle-clear voice came in resounding
       90 ’Neath the gray-colored stone.  Stirred was his hatred,

{Beowulf calls out under the stone arches.}

          The hoard-ward distinguished the speech of a man;
          Time was no longer to look out for friendship. 
          The breath of the monster issued forth first,
          Vapory war-sweat, out of the stone-cave: 

{The terrible encounter.}

       95 The earth re-echoed.  The earl ’neath the barrow
          Lifted his shield, lord of the Geatmen,
          Tow’rd the terrible stranger:  the ring-twisted creature’s
          Heart was then ready to seek for a struggle.

{Beowulf brandishes his sword,}

          The excellent battle-king first brandished his weapon,
      100 The ancient heirloom, of edges unblunted,[3]
          To the death-planners twain was terror from other.

{and stands against his shield.}

          The lord of the troopers intrepidly stood then
          ’Gainst his high-rising shield, when the dragon coiled him

{The dragon coils himself.}

          Quickly together:  in corslet he bided.
[87] 105 He went then in blazes, bended and striding,
          Hasting him forward.  His life and body
          The targe well protected, for time-period shorter
          Than wish demanded for the well-renowned leader,
          Where he then for the first day was forced to be victor,