Wiglaf his name was, Weohstan’s son, linden-thane
loved, the lord of Scylfings, Aelfhere’s kinsman.
His king he now saw with heat under helmet hard oppressed.
He minded the prizes his prince had given him, wealthy
seat of the Waegmunding line, and folk-rights that
his father owned Not long he lingered. The linden
yellow, his shield, he seized; the old sword he drew:
— as heirloom of Eanmund earth-dwellers
knew it, who was slain by the sword-edge, son of Ohtere,
friendless exile, erst in fray killed by Weohstan,
who won for his kin brown-bright helmet, breastplate
ringed, old sword of Eotens, Onela’s gift,
weeds of war of the warrior-thane, battle-gear brave:
though a brother’s child had been felled, the
feud was unfelt by Onela.
{34a} For winters this war-gear
Weohstan kept, breastplate and board, till his bairn
had grown earlship to earn as the old sire did:
then he gave him, mid Geats, the gear of battle, portion
huge, when he passed from life, fared aged forth.
For the first time now with his leader-lord the liegeman
young was bidden to share the shock of battle.
Neither softened his soul, nor the sire’s bequest
weakened in war. {34b} So the worm found out when
once in fight the foes had met! Wiglaf spake,
— and his words were sage; sad in spirit,
he said to his comrades: — “I
remember the time, when mead we took, what promise
we made to this prince of ours in the banquet-hall,
to our breaker-of-rings, for gear of combat to give
him requital, for hard-sword and helmet, if hap should
bring stress of this sort! Himself who chose
us from all his army to aid him now, urged us to
glory, and gave these treasures, because he counted
us keen with the spear and hardy ’neath helm,
though this hero-work our leader hoped unhelped and
alone to finish for us, — folk-defender
who hath got him glory greater than all men for daring
deeds! Now the day is come that our noble master
has need of the might of warriors stout. Let
us stride along the hero to help while the heat is
about him glowing and grim! For God is my witness
I am far more fain the fire should seize along with
my lord these limbs of mine! {34c} Unsuiting it seems
our shields to bear homeward hence, save here we essay
to fell the foe and defend the life of the Weders’
lord. I wot ’twere shame on the law of
our land if alone the king out of Geatish warriors
woe endured and sank in the struggle! My sword
and helmet, breastplate and board, for us both shall
serve!” Through slaughter-reek strode he to
succor his chieftain, his battle-helm bore, and brief
words spake: — “Beowulf dearest,
do all bravely, as in youthful days of yore thou vowedst
that while life should last thou wouldst let no wise
thy glory droop! Now, great in deeds, atheling
steadfast, with all thy strength shield thy life!
I will stand to help thee.” At the words
the worm came once again, murderous monster mad with
rage, with fire-billows flaming, its foes to seek,
the hated men. In heat-waves burned that board
