Beowulf Part 19

A beaker was borne him, and bidding to quaff it Graciously given, and gold that was twisted Pleasantly proffered, a pair of arm-jewels, [42] Rings and corslet, of collars the greatest 5 I've heard of 'neath heaven. Of heroes not any More splendid from jewels have I heard 'neath the welkin,

{A famous necklace is referred to, in comparison with the gems presented to Beowulf.}

Since Hama off bore the Brosingmen's necklace, The bracteates and jewels, from the bright-shining city,[1]

Eormenric's cunning craftiness fled from, 10 Chose gain everlasting. Geatish Higelac, Grandson of Swerting, last had this jewel When tramping 'neath banner the treasure he guarded, The field-spoil defended; Fate offcarried him When for deeds of daring he endured tribulation, 15 Hate from the Frisians; the ornaments bare he O'er the cup of the currents, costly gem-treasures, Mighty folk-leader, he fell 'neath his target; The[2] corpse of the king then came into charge of The race of the Frankmen, the mail-shirt and collar: 20 Warmen less n.o.ble plundered the fallen, When the fight was finished; the folk of the Geatmen The field of the dead held in possession.

The choicest of mead-halls with cheering resounded.

Wealhtheo discoursed, the war-troop addressed she:

{Queen Wealhtheow magnifies Beowulf's achievements.}

25 "This collar enjoy thou, Beowulf worthy, Young man, in safety, and use thou this armor, Gems of the people, and prosper thou fully, Show thyself st.u.r.dy and be to these liegemen Mild with instruction! I'll mind thy requital.

30 Thou hast brought it to pa.s.s that far and near Forever and ever earthmen shall honor thee, Even so widely as ocean surroundeth The bl.u.s.tering bluffs. Be, while thou livest, [43] A wealth-blessed atheling. I wish thee most truly

{May gifts never fail thee.}

35 Jewels and treasure. Be kind to my son, thou Living in joyance! Here each of the n.o.bles Is true unto other, gentle in spirit, Loyal to leader. The liegemen are peaceful, The war-troops ready: well-drunken heroes,[3]

40 Do as I bid ye." Then she went to the settle.

There was choicest of banquets, wine drank the heroes:

{They little know of the sorrow in store for them.}

Weird they knew not, destiny cruel, As to many an earlman early it happened, When evening had come and Hrothgar had parted 45 Off to his manor, the mighty to slumber.

Warriors unnumbered warded the building As erst they did often: the ale-settle bared they, 'Twas covered all over with beds and pillows.

{A doomed thane is there with them.}

Doomed unto death, down to his slumber 50 Bowed then a beer-thane. Their battle-shields placed they, Bright-shining targets, up by their heads then; O'er the atheling on ale-bench 'twas easy to see there Battle-high helmet, burnie of ring-mail,

{They were always ready for battle.}

And mighty war-spear. 'Twas the wont of that people 55 To constantly keep them equipped for the battle,[4]

At home or marching--in either condition-- At seasons just such as necessity ordered As best for their ruler; that people was worthy.

[1] C. suggests a semicolon after 'city,' with 'he' as supplied subject of 'fled' and 'chose.'

[2] For 'feorh' S. suggests 'feoh': 'corpse' in the translation would then be changed to '_possessions_,' '_belongings_.' This is a better reading than one joining, in such intimate syntactical relations, things so unlike as 'corpse' and 'jewels.'

[3] S. suggests '_wine-joyous heroes_,' '_warriors elated with wine_.'

[4] I believe this translation brings out the meaning of the poet, without departing seriously from the H.-So. text. 'Oft' frequently means 'constantly,' 'continually,' not always 'often.'--Why 'an (on) wig gearwe' should be written 'anwig-gearwe' (= ready for single combat), I cannot see. 'Gearwe' occurs quite frequently with 'on'; cf.

B. 1110 (_ready for the pyre_), El. 222 (_ready for the glad journey_). Moreover, what has the idea of single combat to do with B.

1247 ff.? The poet is giving an inventory of the arms and armor which they lay aside on retiring, and he closes his narration by saying that they were _always prepared for battle both at home and on the march_.

[44]

XX.

THE MOTHER OF GRENDEL.

They sank then to slumber. With sorrow one paid for His evening repose, as often betid them While Grendel was holding[1] the gold-bedecked palace, Ill-deeds performing, till his end overtook him, 5 Death for his sins. 'Twas seen very clearly,

{Grendel's mother is known to be thirsting for revenge.}

Known unto earth-folk, that still an avenger Outlived the loathed one, long since the sorrow Caused by the struggle; the mother of Grendel, Devil-shaped woman, her woe ever minded, 10 Who was held to inhabit the horrible waters,

{[Grendel's progenitor, Cain, is again referred to.]}

The cold-flowing currents, after Cain had become a Slayer-with-edges to his one only brother, The son of his sire; he set out then banished, Marked as a murderer, man-joys avoiding, 15 Lived in the desert. Thence demons unnumbered

{The poet again magnifies Beowulf's valor.}

Fate-sent awoke; one of them Grendel, Sword-cursed, hateful, who at Heorot met with A man that was watching, waiting the struggle, Where a horrid one held him with hand-grapple st.u.r.dy; 20 Nathless he minded the might of his body, The glorious gift G.o.d had allowed him, And folk-ruling Father's favor relied on, His help and His comfort: so he conquered the foeman, The h.e.l.l-spirit humbled: he unhappy departed then, 25 Reaved of his joyance, journeying to death-haunts, Foeman of man. His mother moreover

{Grendel's mother comes to avenge her son.}

Eager and gloomy was anxious to go on Her mournful mission, mindful of vengeance For the death of her son. She came then to Heorot [45] 30 Where the Armor-Dane earlmen all through the building Were lying in slumber. Soon there became then Return[2] to the n.o.bles, when the mother of Grendel Entered the folk-hall; the fear was less grievous By even so much as the vigor of maidens, 35 War-strength of women, by warrior is reckoned, When well-carved weapon, worked with the hammer, Blade very b.l.o.o.d.y, brave with its edges, Strikes down the boar-sign that stands on the helmet.

Then the hard-edged weapon was heaved in the building,[3]

40 The brand o'er the benches, broad-lindens many Hand-fast were lifted; for helmet he recked not, For armor-net broad, whom terror laid hold of.

She went then hastily, outward would get her Her life for to save, when some one did spy her;

{She seizes a favorite liegemen of Hrothgar's.}

45 Soon she had grappled one of the athelings Fast and firmly, when fenward she hied her; That one to Hrothgar was liefest of heroes In rank of retainer where waters encircle, A mighty shield-warrior, whom she murdered at slumber, 50 A broadly-famed battle-knight. Beowulf was absent,

{Beowulf was asleep in another part of the palace.}

But another apartment was erstwhile devoted To the glory-decked Geatman when gold was distributed.

There was hubbub in Heorot. The hand that was famous She grasped in its gore;[4] grief was renewed then [46] 55 In homes and houses: 'twas no happy arrangement In both of the quarters to barter and purchase With lives of their friends. Then the well-aged ruler, The gray-headed war-thane, was woful in spirit, When his long-trusted liegeman lifeless he knew of,

{Beowulf is sent for.}

60 His dearest one gone. Quick from a room was Beowulf brought, brave and triumphant.

As day was dawning in the dusk of the morning,

{He comes at Hrothgar's summons.}

Went then that earlman, champion n.o.ble, Came with comrades, where the clever one bided 65 Whether G.o.d all gracious would grant him a respite After the woe he had suffered. The war-worthy hero With a troop of retainers trod then the pavement (The hall-building groaned), till he greeted the wise one,

{Beowulf inquires how Hrothgar had enjoyed his night's rest.}

The earl of the Ingwins;[5] asked if the night had 70 Fully refreshed him, as fain he would have it.

[1] Several eminent authorities either read or emend the MS. so as to make this verse read, _While Grendel was wasting the gold-bedecked palace_. So 20_15 below: _ravaged the desert_.