[2] For ‘eafor’ (2153), Kl. suggests ‘ealdor.’  Translate then:  Bade the prince then to bear in the banner, battle-high helmet, etc.  On the other hand, W. takes ‘eaforheafodsegn’ as a compound, meaning ‘helmet’:  He bade them bear in the helmet, battle-high helm, gray armor, etc.

[3] The H.-So. rendering (aerest = history, origin; ‘eft’ for ’est’), though liable to objection, is perhaps the best offered.  ’That I should very early tell thee of his favor, kindness’ sounds well; but ‘his’ is badly placed to limit ’est.’—­Perhaps, ‘eft’ with verbs of saying may have the force of Lat. prefix ‘re,’ and the H.-So. reading mean, ‘that I should its origin rehearse to thee.’

XXXII.

THE HOARD AND THE DRAGON.

          * * * * * * *
          He sought of himself who sorely did harm him,
          But, for need very pressing, the servant of one of
          The sons of the heroes hate-blows evaded,
        5 Seeking for shelter and the sin-driven warrior
          Took refuge within there.  He early looked in it,
          * * * * * * *
          * * * * * * *
[76] * * * * * * when the onset surprised him,

{The hoard.}

       10 He a gem-vessel saw there:  many of suchlike
          Ancient ornaments in the earth-cave were lying,
          As in days of yore some one of men of
          Illustrious lineage, as a legacy monstrous,
          There had secreted them, careful and thoughtful,
       15 Dear-valued jewels.  Death had offsnatched them,
          In the days of the past, and the one man moreover
          Of the flower of the folk who fared there the longest,
          Was fain to defer it, friend-mourning warder,
          A little longer to be left in enjoyment
       20 Of long-lasting treasure.[1] A barrow all-ready
          Stood on the plain the stream-currents nigh to,
          New by the ness-edge, unnethe of approaching: 
          The keeper of rings carried within a
          [2]Ponderous deal of the treasure of nobles,
       25 Of gold that was beaten, briefly he spake then:[3]

{The ring-giver bewails the loss of retainers.}

          “Hold thou, O Earth, now heroes no more may,
          The earnings of earlmen.  Lo! erst in thy bosom
          Worthy men won them; war-death hath ravished,
          Perilous life-bale, all my warriors,
       30 Liegemen beloved, who this life have forsaken,
          Who hall-pleasures saw.  No sword-bearer have I,
          And no one to burnish the gold-plated vessel,
          The high-valued beaker:  my heroes are vanished. 
          The hardy helmet behung with gilding