A cup she gave him, with kindly greeting and
winsome words. Of wounden gold, she offered,
to honor him, arm-jewels twain, corselet and rings,
and of collars the noblest that ever I knew the earth
around. Ne’er heard I so mighty, ’neath
heaven’s dome, a hoard-gem of heroes, since
Hama bore to his bright-built burg the Brisings’
necklace, jewel and gem casket. — Jealousy
fled he, Eormenric’s hate: chose help
eternal. Hygelac Geat, grandson of Swerting,
on the last of his raids this ring bore with him,
under his banner the booty defending, the war-spoil
warding; but Wyrd o’erwhelmed him what time,
in his daring, dangers he sought, feud with Frisians.
Fairest of gems he bore with him over the beaker-of-waves,
sovran strong: under shield he died. Fell
the corpse of the king into keeping of Franks, gear
of the breast, and that gorgeous ring; weaker warriors
won the spoil, after gripe of battle, from Geatland’s
lord, and held the death-field. Din rose in
hall. Wealhtheow spake amid warriors, and said:
— “This jewel enjoy in thy jocund
youth, Beowulf lov’d, these battle-weeds wear,
a royal treasure, and richly thrive! Preserve
thy strength, and these striplings here counsel in
kindness: requital be mine. Hast done such
deeds, that for days to come thou art famed among
folk both far and near, so wide as washeth the wave
of Ocean his windy walls. Through the ways of
life prosper, O prince! I pray for thee rich
possessions. To son of mine be helpful in deed
and uphold his joys! Here every earl to the other
is true, mild of mood, to the master loyal!
Thanes are friendly, the throng obedient, liegemen
are revelling: list and obey!” Went then
to her place. — That was proudest of feasts;
flowed wine for the warriors. Wyrd they knew not,
destiny dire, and the doom to be seen by many an earl
when eve should come, and Hrothgar homeward hasten
away, royal, to rest. The room was guarded by
an army of earls, as erst was done. They bared
the bench-boards; abroad they spread beds and bolsters.
— One beer-carouser in danger of doom lay
down in the hall. —
At their heads they set their shields of war, bucklers
bright; on the bench were there over each atheling,
easy to see, the high battle-helmet, the haughty spear,
the corselet of rings. ’Twas their custom
so ever to be for battle prepared, at home, or harrying,
which it were, even as oft as evil threatened their
sovran king. — They were clansmen good.
XIX
Then sank they to sleep. With sorrow one
bought his rest of the evening, — as ofttime
had happened when Grendel guarded that golden hall,
evil wrought, till his end drew nigh, slaughter for
sins. ’Twas seen and told how an avenger
survived the fiend, as was learned afar. The
livelong time after that grim fight, Grendel’s
mother, monster of women, mourned her woe. She
was doomed to dwell in the dreary waters, cold sea-courses,
since Cain cut down with edge of the sword his only
