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fearful quest； nor was Fitela there。
Yet so it befell； his falchion pierced
that wondrous worm； on the wall it struck；
best blade； the dragon died in its blood。
Thus had the dread…one by daring achieved
over the ring…hoard to rule at will；
himself to pleasure； a sea…boat he loaded；
and bore on its bosom the beaming gold；
son of Waels； the worm was consumed。
He had of all heroes the highest renown
among races of men； this refuge…of…warriors；
for deeds of daring that decked his name
since the hand and heart of Heremod
grew slack in battle。 He； swiftly banished
to mingle with monsters at mercy of foes；
to death was betrayed； for torrents of sorrow
had lamed him too long； a load of care
to earls and athelings all he proved。
Oft indeed； in earlier days；
for the warrior's wayfaring wise men mourned；
who had hoped of him help from harm and bale；
and had thought their sovran's son would thrive；
follow his father； his folk protect；
the hoard and the stronghold； heroes' land；
home of Scyldings。 But here； thanes said；
the kinsman of Hygelac kinder seemed
to all： the other＇2＇ was urged to crime！
And afresh to the race；＇3＇ the fallow roads
by swift steeds measured！ The morning sun
was climbing higher。 Clansmen hastened
to the high…built hall； those hardy…minded；
the wonder to witness。 Warden of treasure；
crowned with glory； the king himself；
with stately band from the bride…bower strode；
and with him the queen and her crowd of maidens
measured the path to the mead…house fair。
＇1＇ 〃Guarded the treasure。〃 ＇2＇ Sc。 Heremod。 ＇3＇ The singer has
sung his lays； and the epic resumes its story。 The time…relations
are not altogether good in this long passage which describes the
rejoicings of 〃the day after〃； but the present shift from the
riders on the road to the folk at the hall is not very violent；
and is of a piece with the general style。
XIV
HROTHGAR spake； to the hall he went；
stood by the steps； the steep roof saw；
garnished with gold； and Grendel's hand：
〃For the sight I see to the Sovran Ruler
be speedy thanks！ A throng of sorrows
I have borne from Grendel； but God still works
wonder on wonder； the Warden…of…Glory。
It was but now that I never more
for woes that weighed on me waited help
long as I lived； when； laved in blood；
stood sword…gore…stained this stateliest house；
widespread woe for wise men all；
who had no hope to hinder ever
foes infernal and fiendish sprites
from havoc in hall。 This hero now；
by the Wielder's might； a work has done
that not all of us erst could ever do
by wile and wisdom。 Lo； well can she say
whoso of women this warrior bore
among sons of men； if still she liveth；
that the God of the ages was good to her
in the birth of her bairn。 Now； Beowulf； thee；
of heroes best； I shall heartily love
as mine own； my son； preserve thou ever
this kinship new： thou shalt never lack
wealth of the world that I wield as mine！
Full oft for less have I largess showered；
my precious hoard； on a punier man；
less stout in struggle。 Thyself hast now
fulfilled such deeds； that thy fame shall endure
through all the ages。 As ever he did；
well may the Wielder reward thee still！〃
Beowulf spake； bairn of Ecgtheow：
〃This work of war most willingly
we have fought； this fight； and fearlessly dared
force of the foe。 Fain； too； were I
hadst thou but seen himself； what time
the fiend in his trappings tottered to fall！
Swiftly； I thought； in strongest gripe
on his bed of death to bind him down；
that he in the hent of this hand of mine
should breathe his last： but he broke away。
Him I might not the Maker willed not
hinder from flight； and firm enough hold
the life…destroyer： too sturdy was he；
the ruthless； in running！ For rescue； however；
he left behind him his hand in pledge；
arm and shoulder； nor aught of help
could the cursed one thus procure at all。
None the longer liveth he； loathsome fiend；
sunk in his sins； but sorrow holds him
tightly grasped in gripe of anguish；
in baleful bonds； where bide he must；
evil outlaw； such awful doom
as the Mighty Maker shall mete him out。〃
More silent seemed the son of Ecglaf＇1＇
in boastful speech of his battle…deeds；
since athelings all； through the earl's great prowess；
beheld that hand； on the high roof gazing；
foeman's fingers； the forepart of each
of the sturdy nails to steel was likest；
heathen's 〃hand…spear；〃 hostile warrior's
claw uncanny。 'Twas clear； they said；
that him no blade of the brave could touch；
how keen soever； or cut away
that battle…hand bloody from baneful foe。
＇1＇ Unferth； Beowulf's sometime opponent in the flyting。
XV
THERE was hurry and hest in Heorot now
for hands to bedeck it； and dense was the throng
of men and women the wine…hall to cleanse；
the guest…room to garnish。 Gold…gay shone the hangings
that were wove on the wall； and wonders many
to delight each mortal that looks upon them。
Though braced within by iron bands；
that building bright was broken sorely；＇1＇
rent were its hinges； the roof alone
held safe and sound； when； seared with crime；
the fiendish foe his flight essayed；
of life despairing。 No light thing that；
the flight for safety； essay it who will！
Forced of fate； he shall find his way
to the refuge ready for race of man；
for soul…possessors； and sons of earth；
and there his body on bed of death
shall rest after revel。
Arrived was the hour
when to hall proceeded Healfdene's son：
the king himself would sit to banquet。
Ne'er heard I of host in haughtier throng
more graciously gathered round giver…of…rings！
Bowed then to bench those bearers…of…glory；
fain of the feasting。 Featly received
many a mead…cup the mighty…in…spirit；
kinsmen who sat in the sumptuous hall；
Hrothgar and Hrothulf。 Heorot now
was filled with friends； the folk of Scyldings
ne'er yet had tried the traitor's deed。
To Beowulf gave the bairn of Healfdene
a gold…wove banner； guerdon of triumph；
broidered battle…flag； breastplate and helmet；
and a splendid sword was seen of many
borne to the brave one。 Beowulf took
cup in hall：＇2＇ for such costly gifts
he suffered no shame in that soldier throng。
For I heard of few heroes； in heartier mood；
with four such gifts； so fashioned with gold；
on the ale…bench honoring others thus！
O'er the roof of the helmet high； a ridge；
wound with wires； kept ward o'er the head；
lest the relict…of…files＇3＇ should fierce invade；
sharp in the strife； when that shielded hero
should go to grapple against his foes。
Then the earls'…defence＇4＇ on the floor＇5＇ bade lead
coursers eight； with carven head…gear；
adown the hall： one horse was decked
with a saddle all shining and set in jewels；
'twas the battle…seat of the best of kings；
when to play of swords the son of Healfdene
was fain to fare。 Ne'er failed his valor
in the crush of combat when corpses fell。