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passage。
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Beowulf Anonymous
XXXVI
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。＇1＇ 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。＇2＇ 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！＇3＇ 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
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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＇4＇
to the boss； and the breastplate failed to shelter at all the spear…thane
young。 Yet quickly under his kinsman's shield went eager the earl； since
his own was now all burned by the blaze。 The bold king again had mind of
his glory： with might his glaive was driven into the dragon's head； blow
nerved by hate。 But Naegling＇5＇ was shivered； broken in battle was
Beowulf's sword； old and gray。 'Twas granted him not that ever the edge of
iron at all could help him at strife： too strong was his hand； so the tale is
told； and he tried too far with strength of stroke all swords he wielded；
though sturdy their steel： they steaded him nought。 Then for the third time
thought on its feud that folk…destroyer； fire…dread dragon； and rushed on
the hero； where room allowed； battle…grim； burning； its bitter teeth closed
on his neck； and covered him with waves of blood from his breast that
welled。
＇1＇ That is； although Eanmund was brother's son to Onela； the slaying
of the former by Weohstan is not felt as cause of feud； and is rewarded by
gift of the slain man's weapons。 ＇2＇ Both Wiglaf and the sword did their
duty。 The following is one of the classic passages for illustrating the
comitatus as the most conspicuous Germanic institution； and its
underlying sense of duty； based partly on the idea of loyalty and partly on
the practical basis of benefits received and repaid。 ＇3＇ Sc。 〃than to bide
safely here；〃 a common figure of incomplete comparison。 ＇4＇ Wiglaf's
wooden shield。 ＇5＇ Gering would translate 〃kinsman of the nail；〃 as both
are made of iron。
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Beowulf Anonymous
XXXVII
'TWAS now； men say； in his sovran's need that the earl made known
his noble strain； craft and keenness and courage enduring。 Heedless of
harm； though his hand was burned； hardy…hearted； he helped his kinsman。
A little lower the loathsome beast he smote with sword； his steel drove in
bright and burnished； that blaze began to lose and lessen。 At last the king
wielded his wits again； war…knife drew； a biting blade by his breastplate
hanging； and the Weders'…helm smote that worm asunder； felled the foe；
flung forth its life。 So had they killed it； kinsmen both； athelings twain：
thus an earl should be in danger's day！ Of deeds of valor this
conqueror's…hour of the king was last； of his work in the world。 The wound
began； which that dragon…of…earth had erst inflicted； to swell and smart；
and soon he found in his breast was boiling； baleful and deep； pain of
poison。 The prince walked on； wise in his thought； to the wall of rock；
then sat； and stared at the structure of giants； where arch of stone and
steadfast column upheld forever that hall in earth。 Yet here must the hand
of the henchman peerless lave with water his winsome lord； the king and
conqueror covered with blood； with struggle spent； and unspan his helmet。
Beowulf spake in spite of his hurt； his mortal wound； full well he knew his
portion now was past and gone of earthly bliss； and all had fled of his file
of days； and death was near： 〃I would fain bestow on son of mine this gear
of war； were given me now that any heir should after me come of my
proper blood。 This people I ruled fifty winters。 No folk…king was there；
none at all； of the neighboring clans who war would wage me with
'warriors'…friends'＇1＇ and threat me with horrors。 At home I bided what fate
might come； and I cared for mine own； feuds I sought not； nor falsely
swore ever on oath。 For all these things； though fatally wounded； fain am I！
From the Ruler…of…Man no wrath shall seize me； when life from my frame
must flee away； for killing of kinsmen！ Now quickly go and gaze on that
hoard 'neath the hoary rock； Wiglaf loved； now the worm lies low； sleeps；
heart…sore； of his spoil bereaved。 And fare in haste。 I would fain behold the
gorgeous heirlooms； golden store； have joy in the jewels and gems； lay
down softlier for sight of this splendid hoard my life and the lordship I
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long have held。〃
＇1＇ That is； swords。
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XXXVIII
I HAVE heard that swiftly the son of Weohstan at wish and word of his
wounded king； war…sick warrior； woven mail…coat； battle…sark； bore
'neath the barrow's roof。 Then