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Christian Englishmen might read about him。 〃Grendel〃 may mean one
who grinds and crushes。 ＇6＇ Cain's。 ＇7＇ Giants。
II
WENT he forth to find at fall of night
that haughty house； and heed wherever
the Ring…Danes； outrevelled； to rest had gone。
Found within it the atheling band
asleep after feasting and fearless of sorrow；
of human hardship。 Unhallowed wight；
grim and greedy； he grasped betimes；
wrathful； reckless； from resting…places；
thirty of the thanes； and thence he rushed
fain of his fell spoil； faring homeward；
laden with slaughter； his lair to seek。
Then at the dawning； as day was breaking；
the might of Grendel to men was known；
then after wassail was wail uplifted；
loud moan in the morn。 The mighty chief；
atheling excellent； unblithe sat；
labored in woe for the loss of his thanes；
when once had been traced the trail of the fiend；
spirit accurst： too cruel that sorrow；
too long； too loathsome。 Not late the respite；
with night returning； anew began
ruthless murder； he recked no whit；
firm in his guilt； of the feud and crime。
They were easy to find who elsewhere sought
in room remote their rest at night；
bed in the bowers；＇1＇ when that bale was shown；
was seen in sooth； with surest token；
the hall…thane's＇2＇ hate。 Such held themselves
far and fast who the fiend outran！
Thus ruled unrighteous and raged his fill
one against all； until empty stood
that lordly building； and long it bode so。
Twelve years' tide the trouble he bore；
sovran of Scyldings； sorrows in plenty；
boundless cares。 There came unhidden
tidings true to the tribes of men；
in sorrowful songs； how ceaselessly Grendel
harassed Hrothgar； what hate he bore him；
what murder and massacre； many a year；
feud unfading； refused consent
to deal with any of Daneland's earls；
make pact of peace； or compound for gold：
still less did the wise men ween to get
great fee for the feud from his fiendish hands。
But the evil one ambushed old and young
death…shadow dark； and dogged them still；
lured； or lurked in the livelong night
of misty moorlands： men may say not
where the haunts of these Hell…Runes＇3＇ be。
Such heaping of horrors the hater of men；
lonely roamer； wrought unceasing；
harassings heavy。 O'er Heorot he lorded；
gold…bright hall； in gloomy nights；
and ne'er could the prince＇4＇ approach his throne；
'twas judgment of God； or have joy in his hall。
Sore was the sorrow to Scyldings'…friend；
heart…rending misery。 Many nobles
sat assembled； and searched out counsel
how it were best for bold…hearted men
against harassing terror to try their hand。
Whiles they vowed in their heathen fanes
altar…offerings； asked with words＇5＇
that the slayer…of…souls would succor give them
for the pain of their people。 Their practice this；
their heathen hope； 'twas Hell they thought of
in mood of their mind。 Almighty they knew not；
Doomsman of Deeds and dreadful Lord；
nor Heaven's…Helmet heeded they ever；
Wielder…of…Wonder。 Woe for that man
who in harm and hatred hales his soul
to fiery embraces； nor favor nor change
awaits he ever。 But well for him
that after death…day may draw to his Lord；
and friendship find in the Father's arms！
＇1＇ The smaller buildings within the main enclosure but separate
from the hall。 ＇2＇ Grendel。 ＇3＇ 〃Sorcerers…of…hell。〃 ＇4＇
Hrothgar； who is the 〃Scyldings'…friend〃 of 170。 ＇5＇ That is； in
formal or prescribed phrase。
III
THUS seethed unceasing the son of Healfdene
with the woe of these days； not wisest men
assuaged his sorrow； too sore the anguish；
loathly and long； that lay on his folk；
most baneful of burdens and bales of the night。
This heard in his home Hygelac's thane；
great among Geats； of Grendel's doings。
He was the mightiest man of valor
in that same day of this our life；
stalwart and stately。 A stout wave…walker
he bade make ready。 Yon battle…king； said he；
far o'er the swan…road he fain would seek；
the noble monarch who needed men！
The prince's journey by prudent folk
was little blamed； though they loved him dear；
they whetted the hero； and hailed good omens。
And now the bold one from bands of Geats
comrades chose； the keenest of warriors
e'er he could find； with fourteen men
the sea…wood＇1＇ he sought； and； sailor proved；
led them on to the land's confines。
Time had now flown；＇2＇ afloat was the ship；
boat under bluff。 On board they climbed；
warriors ready； waves were churning
sea with sand； the sailors bore
on the breast of the bark their bright array；
their mail and weapons： the men pushed off；
on its willing way； the well…braced craft。
Then moved o'er the waters by might of the wind
that bark like a bird with breast of foam；
till in season due； on the second day；
the curved prow such course had run
that sailors now could see the land；
sea…cliffs shining； steep high hills；
headlands broad。 Their haven was found；
their journey ended。 Up then quickly
the Weders'＇3＇ clansmen climbed ashore；
anchored their sea…wood； with armor clashing
and gear of battle： God they thanked
or passing in peace o'er the paths of the sea。
Now saw from the cliff a Scylding clansman；
a warden that watched the water…side；
how they bore o'er the gangway glittering shields；
war…gear in readiness； wonder seized him
to know what manner of men they were。
Straight to the strand his steed he rode；
Hrothgar's henchman； with hand of might
he shook his spear； and spake in parley。
〃Who are ye； then； ye armed men；
mailed folk； that yon mighty vessel
have urged thus over the ocean ways；
here o'er the waters？ A warden I；
sentinel set o'er the sea…march here；
lest any foe to the folk of Danes
with harrying fleet should harm the land。
No aliens ever at ease thus bore them；
linden…wielders：＇4＇ yet word…of…leave
clearly ye lack from clansmen here；
my folk's agreement。 A greater ne'er saw I
of warriors in world than is one of you；
yon hero in harness！ No henchman he
worthied by weapons； if witness his features；
his peerless presence！ I pray you； though； tell
your folk and home； lest hence ye fare
suspect to wander your way as spies
in Danish land。 Now； dwellers afar；
ocean…travellers； take from me
simple advice： the sooner the better
I hear of the country whence ye came。〃
＇1＇ Ship。 ＇2＇ That is； since Beowulf selected his ship and led
his men to the harbor。 ＇3＇ One of the auxiliary names of the
Geats。 ＇4＇ Or： Not thus openly ever came warriors hither； yet。。。
IV
To him the stateliest spake in answer；
the warriors' leader his word…hoard unlocked：
〃We are by kin of the clan of Geats；
and Hygelac's own hearth…fellows we。
To folk afar was my father known；
noble atheling； Ecgtheow named。
Full of winters； he fared away
aged from earth； he is honored still
through width of the world by wise men all。
To thy lord and liege in loyal mood
we hasten hither； to Healfden