Northland Heroes Part 7

All at once with horrid crash the rotten pillars gave way, and a great image standing on the doorposts fell upon him, and crushed him to earth. Thus he died.

"Now Halfdan sits alone upon the throne of his father. To him offer thy hand. The G.o.d Balder demands this offering. If thou refuse, in vain has this temple been built, and vain are thy prayers for forgiveness."

[Ill.u.s.tration: INGEBORG GIVEN TO FRITHIOF]

As the n.o.ble priest thus advised, King Halfdan entered the temple, but stood apart in silence. Frithiof at once loosed his breast-plate and placed the bright shield against the altar. To Halfdan he offered his hand, saying, "In such a strife the n.o.blest first offers his hand for peace." King Halfdan met his friend half-way, and their hands, long separated, met in a strong clasp.

Then the priest in solemn voice proclaimed Frithiof forgiven for his crime against Balder, the loving G.o.d, and purified from his guilt.

Scarce had the words been spoken when Ingeborg entered, attired in bridal robes and mantle of ermine. She walked among her maids as the moon glides in the heavenly azure attended by the radiant stars. With tears in her lovely eyes she turned to her brother; but Halfdan clasped her hand in Frithiof's, and thus gave his sister, the fair Ingeborg, to the friend of their childhood, her best beloved, the n.o.ble Frithiof.

THE STORY OF BEOWULF

The Coming of Sheaf

Once upon a time, many, many years ago, a boat came sailing over the sea to Denmark. In it were shields and rings of gold, banners of bright colours, bracelets, drinking-cups, and helmets. With sails gaily spread the breezes bore the boat gently over the deep blue sea.

No sailor was seen at the oars.

"What can it be?" cried the people as they came to the sh.o.r.e, wondering; "is it a ship of earth, or have the G.o.ds sent it?" They asked one another many questions, but knew not what to think.

Nearer and nearer came the beautiful boat; bright shone the coloured sails and golden armour. Many were the treasures borne therein, but loveliest and most precious was--a little baby boy! He smiled at the man who found him, and lifted up his tiny hands as if asking to be taken.

"A prince!" cried the people; "we have found our prince! The G.o.ds have sent us a king to rule over us and to conquer our enemies." For at that time the Danes had no king, and were glad to see the beautiful child who so strangely came to their sh.o.r.es.

The ship with all its treasures was carefully guarded, and the boy, who was called Sheaf, was brought up as a prince. In due time he became king and fought many battles and won many victories over the robbers on land and sea. Over many n.o.ble thanes did Sheaf, the king, rule; all obeyed him and paid tribute to him.

Nor did G.o.d withhold from him a son to comfort the people. The boy was strong and handsome and gave great joy to the heart of his father.

Over many lands shone the glory of the young prince. So shall a young hero act that when he is old all his friends shall praise him. He shall fight for his people and by praiseworthy deeds shall he flourish.

Now when the time came for Sheaf to die, he asked his companions to bear him to the sh.o.r.e. There stood the brave ship with gleaming prow and widespread sails, eager to go. Sad and yet glad at heart were the heroes who bore the king to the death-boat--glad to honour a brave king, and sad that he must leave them.

On the king's bosom they placed treasures of gold and silver; rings, shining stones, cloth of gold, shields, and drinking-cups. Indeed, he took away treasures as many as he brought with him when, years before, he had come, a tiny child, to the country of the Danes. Out into the mist sailed the proud ship with its precious load never to return. No man saw it again, and whither it went none can tell.

The Young Beowulf

The sons and grandsons of the great Sheaf ruled the country of the Danes until the time of Hrothgar. Hrothgar was king of the Danes when Beowulf, the hero of our story, was a prince in the country of the Goths.

The young Beowulf grew up in the court of his uncle, Hygelac, king of the Goths. Fond of all games and manly sports was he, and he learned to throw the heavy hammer, to shoot, to row, to swim, and to ride.

Running, wrestling, and hunting were daily exercises of the young men, and Beowulf could excel them all in every trial of skill. Soon the men at court called Beowulf their leader, and they loved and honoured him.

Although Beowulf had won many victories at home, and his people knew him to be brave and strong, yet he longed to do some great deed which should make his name known over other lands. The time came when he had his wish and when all his strength and courage were tested. For a harper from the land of the Danes came to the court of Hygelac and told a sad story.

The Harper's Story

"In the land of the Danes lives Hrothgar, a great and wise king; but sadness clouds his brow and tears dim his eyes. Years ago all was joy and glory. Hrothgar had conquered all his foes and made them friends.

Much wealth had he added to his country's treasures, and many warriors gathered round him, glad to hail him leader and king.

"Hrothgar loved peace more than war and was glad when the earls were his friends, and he said: 'I will build a great hall, a house of joy for all my friends. This shall be larger than any hall earth has seen.

Here I will bring all my war treasures. The walls shall be hung with banners of bright colours and decked with shields and swords. Tables shall be spread and guests shall always be welcomed.'

"The great king spoke, and many workmen gathered to build the hall.

Large and strong it rose, a wonder for all the people. The king named the hall Heorot, and here was every one made welcome. The mead-cup was pa.s.sed, the king gave presents of shining rings, and joy and laughter filled the hall.

"Gleemen sang of the goodness of the king, the beauty and grace of the queen, and the bravery of the Danes. One singer told of the beginning of all things; how the All-Father wrought the earth, the beautiful plain, which the water embraces. He sang of how G.o.d placed the sun and moon in the heavens for light to dwellers on the land; how he adorned the earth with gra.s.s and leaves and made all creatures that go quickly to and fro.

"But alas! now all this joy is changed to sorrow. No longer does the gleeman strike the harp and fill the hall with music. No merry laugh is heard, but all is dark and still. King Hrothgar sits upon his kingly seat, silent and sad.

"You marvel what can bring grief to the great king and his merry thanes? In all the broad lands there is but one who does not wish long life and joy to the king. This is Grendel. No man is he, but a monster whose heart is filled with wickedness. Laughter and happiness are strangers to him, and he hates all beauty and goodness.

"Far in a lake, dark, poisonous, and surrounded by a marsh, does Grendel live. When he heard the songs and sounds of joy in the great hall, he smiled grimly to think how he would turn their joy to gloom, their songs to groans. So, in the darkness, from his horrid home the monster crept up to the wondrous hall. There slept the warriors, little dreaming of evil. A score and ten the monster slew, then strode away, howling defiance to the king.

"When the sleeping thanes awoke and found their comrades slain, sad were they all at heart. Night after night the monster came and slew, and fear seized every heart. In all homes were cries of grief for the dead, and men knew not where to go for safety.

"This is the woe of the Danes, for none can battle with a monster of the deep. No one has ever seen this ugly shape, for he comes always in the darkness and when no one looks for him. Everywhere has the great king sought help, but none can be found. Hrothgar sits weeping for his brave comrades in the hall he built for their comfort and joy."

Beowulf and his Men

When the harper had ceased, the hall was still. All voices were hushed for they grieved at the sorrow of the good Hrothgar. Then the brave Beowulf cried out: "Give me leave, O king! Let me go to Hrothgar and free his land from this monster so wicked and fearsome." The other thanes applauded his words and cried: "Take us with you!"

But Hygelac, the great king, said wisely: "Brave men go to war with care and after deep thought. Not easy is the way over the sea; not easy is the contest with the evil Grendel. But to fight for a good cause and to n.o.bly win or n.o.bly die is the best a man can do. Proud is my heart when I see so many brave men ready to overcome the evil monster or to die fighting, but all may not venture. Go, my cousin and my thane," he said to Beowulf, "and make thy name famous in all places where honour is loved."

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE DEPARTURE OF BEOWULF]

Beowulf thanked his king and chose fourteen of his bravest warriors to go with him. They prepared the strong ship and found a pilot who knew the road the swans take, and who could safely guide the boat. The warriors made their weapons bright and carried them to the ship. The men shoved the boat from the sh.o.r.e. The sails were raised, and, driven by the wind, the boat flew over the foamy waves.

On the second day the voyagers saw the shining ocean-sh.o.r.e. The sea-farer was at the end of the watery way. Quickly the men stepped out upon the plain. They tied the sea-wood, shook their shirts of mail, and thanked G.o.d that to them the wave paths had been easy.

The Warder of the Sh.o.r.e

A warder of Hrothgar, guarding the seash.o.r.e, saw these warlike men and wondered why they came. Shaking his spear, he cried: "Who are you?

Why come you over the seas in a giant ship, bearing arms into our land?

Haste to make known whence is your coming!"