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no other in earth's domain； under vault of heaven； more valiant found； of
warriors none more worthy to rule！ （On their lord beloved they laid no
slight； gracious Hrothgar： a good king he！） From time to time； the tried…in…
battle their gray steeds set to gallop amain； and ran a race when the road
seemed fair。 From time to time； a thane of the king； who had made many
vaunts； and was mindful of verses； stored with sagas and songs of old；
bound word to word in well…knit rime； welded his lay； this warrior soon of
Beowulf's quest right cleverly sang； and artfully added an excellent tale； in
well…ranged words； of the warlike deeds he had heard in saga of Sigemund。
Strange the story： he said it all； the Waelsing's wanderings wide； his
struggles； which never were told to tribes of men； the feuds and the frauds；
save to Fitela only； when of these doings he deigned to speak； uncle to
nephew； as ever the twain stood side by side in stress of war； and
multitude of the monster kind they had felled with their swords。 Of
Sigemund grew； when he passed from life； no little praise； for the
doughty…in…combat a dragon killed that herded the hoard：＇1＇ under hoary
rock the atheling dared the deed alone 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
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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。
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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
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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。
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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…
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