| |
| A CUP she gave him, with kindly greeting | |
| and winsome words. Of wounden gold, | |
| she offered, to honor him, arm-jewels twain, | |
| corselet and rings, and of collars the noblest | |
| that ever I knew the earth around. | 5 |
| Ne’er heard I so mighty, ’neath heaven’s dome, | |
| a hoard-gem of heroes, since Hama bore | |
| to his bright-built burg the Brisings’ necklace, | |
| jewel and gem casket.—Jealousy fled he, | |
| Eormenric’s hate: chose help eternal. | 10 |
| Hygelac Geat, grandson of Swerting, | |
| on the last of his raids this ring bore with him, | |
| under his banner the booty defending, | |
| the war-spoil warding; but Wyrd o’erwhelmed him | |
| what time, in his daring, dangers he sought, | 15 |
| feud with Frisians. Fairest of gems | |
| he bore with him over the beaker-of-waves, | |
| sovran strong: under shield he died. | |
| Fell the corpse of the king into keeping of Franks, | |
| gear of the breast, and that gorgeous ring; | 20 |
| weaker warriors won the spoil, | |
| after gripe of battle, from Geatland’s lord, | |
| and held the death-field. | |
| Din rose in hall. | |
| Wealhtheow spake amid warriors, and said:— | 25 |
| “This jewel enjoy in thy jocund youth, | |
| Beowulf lov’d, these battle-weeds wear, | |
| a royal treasure, and richly thrive! | |
| Preserve thy strength, and these striplings here | |
| counsel in kindness: requital be mine. | 30 |
| Hast done such deeds, that for days to come | |
| thou art famed among folk both far and near, | |
| so wide as washeth the wave of Ocean | |
| his windy walls. Through the ways of life | |
| prosper, O prince! I pray for thee | 35 |
| rich possessions. To son of mine | |
| be helpful in deed and uphold his joys! | |
| Here every earl to the other is true, | |
| mild of mood, to the master loyal! | |
| Thanes are friendly, the throng obedient, | 40 |
| liegemen are revelling: list and obey!” | |
| Went then to her place.—That was proudest of feasts; | |
| flowed wine for the warriors. Wyrd they knew not | |
| destiny dire, and the doom to be seen | |
| by many an earl when eve should come, | 45 |
| and Hrothgar homeward hasten away, | |
| royal, to rest. The room was guarded | |
| by an army of earls, as erst was done. | |
| They bared the bench-boards; abroad they spread | |
| beds and bolsters.—One beer-carouser | 50 |
| in danger of doom lay down in the hall.— | |
| At their heads they set their shields of war, | |
| bucklers bright; on the bench were there | |
| over each atheling, easy to see, | |
| the high battle-helmet, the haughty spear, | 55 |
| the corselet of rings. ’Twas their custom so | |
| ever to be for battle prepared, | |
| at home, or harrying, which it were, | |
| even as oft as evil threatened | |
| their sovran king.—They were clansmen good. | 60 |
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