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hoping to see his young friend again 〃and exchange brave words in
the hall。〃
XXVII
CAME now to ocean the ever…courageous
hardy henchmen； their harness bearing；
woven war…sarks。 The warden marked；
trusty as ever； the earl's return。
From the height of the hill no hostile words
reached the guests as he rode to greet them；
but 〃Welcome！〃 he called to that Weder clan
as the sheen…mailed spoilers to ship marched on。
Then on the strand； with steeds and treasure
and armor their roomy and ring…dight ship
was heavily laden： high its mast
rose over Hrothgar's hoarded gems。
A sword to the boat…guard Beowulf gave；
mounted with gold； on the mead…bench since
he was better esteemed； that blade possessing；
heirloom old。 Their ocean…keel boarding；
they drove through the deep； and Daneland left。
A sea…cloth was set； a sail with ropes；
firm to the mast； the flood…timbers moaned；＇1＇
nor did wind over billows that wave…swimmer blow
across from her course。 The craft sped on；
foam…necked it floated forth o'er the waves；
keel firm…bound over briny currents；
till they got them sight of the Geatish cliffs；
home…known headlands。 High the boat；
stirred by winds； on the strand updrove。
Helpful at haven the harbor…guard stood；
who long already for loved companions
by the water had waited and watched afar。
He bound to the beach the broad…bosomed ship
with anchor…bands； lest ocean…billows
that trusty timber should tear away。
Then Beowulf bade them bear the treasure；
gold and jewels； no journey far
was it thence to go to the giver of rings；
Hygelac Hrethling： at home he dwelt
by the sea…wall close； himself and clan。
Haughty that house； a hero the king；
high the hall； and Hygd＇2＇ right young；
wise and wary； though winters few
in those fortress walls she had found a home；
Haereth's daughter。 Nor humble her ways；
nor grudged she gifts to the Geatish men；
of precious treasure。 Not Thryth's pride showed she；
folk…queen famed； or that fell deceit。
Was none so daring that durst make bold
（save her lord alone） of the liegemen dear
that lady full in the face to look；
but forged fetters he found his lot；
bonds of death！ And brief the respite；
soon as they seized him； his sword…doom was spoken；
and the burnished blade a baleful murder
proclaimed and closed。 No queenly way
for woman to practise； though peerless she；
that the weaver…of…peace＇3＇ from warrior dear
by wrath and lying his life should reave！
But Hemming's kinsman hindered this。
For over their ale men also told
that of these folk…horrors fewer she wrought；
onslaughts of evil； after she went；
gold…decked bride； to the brave young prince；
atheling haughty； and Offa's hall
o'er the fallow flood at her father's bidding
safely sought； where since she prospered；
royal； throned； rich in goods；
fain of the fair life fate had sent her；
and leal in love to the lord of warriors。
He； of all heroes I heard of ever
from sea to sea； of the sons of earth；
most excellent seemed。 Hence Offa was praised
for his fighting and feeing by far…off men；
the spear…bold warrior； wisely he ruled
over his empire。 Eomer woke to him；
help of heroes； Hemming's kinsman；
Grandson of Garmund； grim in war。
＇1＇ With the speed of the boat。 ＇2＇ Queen to Hygelac。 She is
praised by contrast with the antitype； Thryth； just as Beowulf
was praised by contrast with Heremod。 ＇3＇ Kenning for 〃wife。〃
XXVIII
HASTENED the hardy one； henchmen with him；
sandy strand of the sea to tread
and widespread ways。 The world's great candle；
sun shone from south。 They strode along
with sturdy steps to the spot they knew
where the battle…king young； his burg within；
slayer of Ongentheow； shared the rings；
shelter…of…heroes。 To Hygelac
Beowulf's coming was quickly told；
that there in the court the clansmen's refuge；
the shield…companion sound and alive；
hale from the hero…play homeward strode。
With haste in the hall； by highest order；
room for the rovers was readily made。
By his sovran he sat； come safe from battle；
kinsman by kinsman。 His kindly lord
he first had greeted in gracious form；
with manly words。 The mead dispensing；
came through the high hall Haereth's daughter；
winsome to warriors； wine…cup bore
to the hands of the heroes。 Hygelac then
his comrade fairly with question plied
in the lofty hall； sore longing to know
what manner of sojourn the Sea…Geats made。
〃What came of thy quest； my kinsman Beowulf；
when thy yearnings suddenly swept thee yonder
battle to seek o'er the briny sea；
combat in Heorot？ Hrothgar couldst thou
aid at all； the honored chief；
in his wide…known woes？ With waves of care
my sad heart seethed； I sore mistrusted
my loved one's venture： long I begged thee
by no means to seek that slaughtering monster；
but suffer the South…Danes to settle their feud
themselves with Grendel。 Now God be thanked
that safe and sound I can see thee now！〃
Beowulf spake； the bairn of Ecgtheow：
〃'Tis known and unhidden； Hygelac Lord；
to many men； that meeting of ours；
struggle grim between Grendel and me；
which we fought on the field where full too many
sorrows he wrought for the Scylding…Victors；
evils unending。 These all I avenged。
No boast can be from breed of Grendel；
any on earth； for that uproar at dawn；
from the longest…lived of the loathsome race
in fleshly fold！ But first I went
Hrothgar to greet in the hall of gifts；
where Healfdene's kinsman high…renowned；
soon as my purpose was plain to him；
assigned me a seat by his son and heir。
The liegemen were lusty； my life…days never
such merry men over mead in hall
have I heard under heaven！ The high…born queen；
people's peace…bringer； passed through the hall；
cheered the young clansmen； clasps of gold；
ere she sought her seat； to sundry gave。
Oft to the heroes Hrothgar's daughter；
to earls in turn； the ale…cup tendered；
she whom I heard these hall…companions
Freawaru name； when fretted gold
she proffered the warriors。 Promised is she；
gold…decked maid； to the glad son of Froda。
Sage this seems to the Scylding's…friend；
kingdom's…keeper： he counts it wise
the woman to wed so and ward off feud；
store of slaughter。 But seldom ever
when men are slain； does the murder…spear sink
but briefest while； though the bride be fair！＇1＇
〃Nor haply will like it the Heathobard lord；
and as little each of his liegemen all；
when a thane of the Danes； in that doughty throng；
goes with the lady along their hall；
and on him the old…time heirlooms glisten
hard and ring…decked； Heathobard's treasure；
weapons that once they wielded fair
until they lost at the linden…play＇2＇
liegeman leal and their lives as well。
Then； over the ale； on this heirloom gazing；
some ash…wielder old who has all in mind
that spear…death of men；＇3＇ he is stern of mood；
heavy at heart； in the hero young
tests the temper and tries the soul
an