Beowulf Part 30

The breath of the monster issued forth first, Vapory war-sweat, out of the stone-cave:

{The terrible encounter.}

95 The earth re-echoed. The earl 'neath the barrow Lifted his shield, lord of the Geatmen, Tow'rd the terrible stranger: the ring-twisted creature's Heart was then ready to seek for a struggle.

{Beowulf brandishes his sword,}

The excellent battle-king first brandished his weapon, 100 The ancient heirloom, of edges unblunted,[3]

To the death-planners twain was terror from other.

{and stands against his shield.}

The lord of the troopers intrepidly stood then 'Gainst his high-rising shield, when the dragon coiled him

{The dragon coils himself.}

Quickly together: in corslet he bided.

[87] 105 He went then in blazes, bended and striding, Hasting him forward. His life and body The targe well protected, for time-period shorter Than wish demanded for the well-renowned leader, Where he then for the first day was forced to be victor, 110 Famous in battle, as Fate had not willed it.

The lord of the Geatmen uplifted his hand then, Smiting the fire-drake with sword that was precious, That bright on the bone the blade-edge did weaken, Bit more feebly than his folk-leader needed, 115 Burdened with bale-griefs. Then the barrow-protector,

{The dragon rages}

When the sword-blow had fallen, was fierce in his spirit, Flinging his fires, flamings of battle Gleamed then afar: the gold-friend of Weders

{Beowulf's sword fails him.}

Boasted no conquests, his battle-sword failed him 120 Naked in conflict, as by no means it ought to, Long-trusty weapon. 'Twas no slight undertaking That Ecgtheow's famous offspring would leave The drake-cavern's bottom; he must live in some region Other than this, by the will of the dragon, 125 As each one of earthmen existence must forfeit.

'Twas early thereafter the excellent warriors

{The combat is renewed.}

Met with each other. Anew and afresh The h.o.a.rd-ward took heart (gasps heaved then his bosom):

{The great hero is reduced to extremities.}

Sorrow he suffered encircled with fire 130 Who the people erst governed. His companions by no means Were banded about him, bairns of the princes,

{His comrades flee!}

With valorous spirit, but they sped to the forest, Seeking for safety. The soul-deeps of one were

{Blood is thicker than water.}

Ruffled by care: kin-love can never 135 Aught in him waver who well doth consider.

[88]

[1] The clause 2520(2)-2522(1), rendered by 'Wist I ... monster,' Gr., followed by S., translates substantially as follows: _If I knew how else I might combat the boastful defiance of the monster_.--The translation turns upon 'wigripan,' a word not understood.

[2] B. emends and translates: _I will not flee the s.p.a.ce of a foot from the guard of the barrow, but there shall be to us a fight at the wall, as fate decrees, each one's Creator._

[3] The translation of this pa.s.sage is based on 'unslaw' (2565), accepted by H.-So., in lieu of the long-standing 'ungleaw.' The former is taken as an adj. limiting 'sweord'; the latter as an adj. c.

'gu-cyning': _The good war-king, rash with edges, brandished his sword, his old relic._ The latter gives a more rhetorical Anglo-Saxon (poetical) sentence.

x.x.xVI.

WIGLAF THE TRUSTY.--BEOWULF IS DESERTED BY FRIENDS AND BY SWORD.

{Wiglaf remains true--the ideal Teutonic liegeman.}

The son of Weohstan was Wiglaf ent.i.tled, Shield-warrior precious, prince of the Scylfings, aelfhere's kinsman: he saw his dear liegelord Enduring the heat 'neath helmet and visor.

5 Then he minded the holding that erst he had given him,

{Wiglaf recalls Beowulf's generosity.}

The Waegmunding warriors' wealth-blessed homestead, Each of the folk-rights his father had wielded; He was hot for the battle, his hand seized the target, The yellow-bark shield, he unsheathed his old weapon, 10 Which was known among earthmen as the relic of Eanmund, Ohthere's offspring, whom, exiled and friendless, Weohstan did slay with sword-edge in battle, And carried his kinsman the clear-shining helmet, The ring-made burnie, the old giant-weapon 15 That Onela gave him, his boon-fellow's armor, Ready war-trappings: he the feud did not mention, Though he'd fatally smitten the son of his brother.

Many a half-year held he the treasures, The bill and the burnie, till his bairn became able, 20 Like his father before him, fame-deeds to 'complish; Then he gave him 'mong Geatmen a goodly array of Weeds for his warfare; he went from life then Old on his journey. 'Twas the earliest time then

{This is Wiglaf's first battle as liegeman of Beowulf.}

That the youthful champion might charge in the battle 25 Aiding his liegelord; his spirit was dauntless.

Nor did kinsman's bequest quail at the battle: This the dragon discovered on their coming together.

Wiglaf uttered many a right-saying, Said to his fellows, sad was his spirit:

{Wiglaf appeals to the pride of the cowards.}

30 "I remember the time when, tasting the mead-cup, We promised in the hall the lord of us all [89] Who gave us these ring-treasures, that this battle-equipment, Swords and helmets, we'd certainly quite him, Should need of such aid ever befall him:

{How we have forfeited our liegelord's confidence!}

35 In the war-band he chose us for this journey spontaneously, Stirred us to glory and gave me these jewels, Since he held and esteemed us trust-worthy spearmen, Hardy helm-bearers, though this hero-achievement Our lord intended alone to accomplish, 40 Ward of his people, for most of achievements, Doings audacious, he did among earth-folk.

{Our lord is in sore need of us.}

The day is now come when the ruler of earthmen Needeth the vigor of valiant heroes: Let us wend us towards him, the war-prince to succor, 45 While the heat yet rageth, horrible fire-fight.

{I would rather die than go home with out my suzerain.}

G.o.d wot in me, 'tis mickle the liefer The blaze should embrace my body and eat it With my treasure-bestower. Meseemeth not proper To bear our battle-shields back to our country, 50 'Less first we are able to fell and destroy the Long-hating foeman, to defend the life of

{Surely he does not deserve to die alone.}

The prince of the Weders. Well do I know 'tisn't Earned by his exploits, he only of Geatmen Sorrow should suffer, sink in the battle: 55 Brand and helmet to us both shall be common, [1]Shield-cover, burnie." Through the bale-smoke he stalked then, Went under helmet to the help of his chieftain,

{Wiglaf reminds Beowulf of his youthful boasts.}