Northland Heroes Part 8

Then Beowulf answered: "We are of the Goths; Hygelac is our king. My father was a n.o.ble chief. All wise men through the earth remember him.

We have come in kindness to your lord and to defend him. For we have heard that a foul fiend spreads terror through your land and in the darkness slays your thanes. We would overcome this foe to joy."

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE LANDING OF BEOWULF IN HROTHGAR'S REALM]

Then the warder spake: "A warrior wise should know the difference between words and works. But I perceive that you are a friendly band.

I will bid my fellows guard your ship against every foe, and then I will direct you." So with their guide the warlike men hastened until they saw the shining roof of the great hall. Their ringed armour rang as they walked.

At last the warriors came to the entrance of the hall. Here, on a bench, they sat until some one should bid them welcome.

Soon came the warder of the hall, a princely chief. "Whence bear you the stout spears and war-shields? Great men and proud you seem, and methinks you plan great deeds."

Then the proud lord, the leader, spoke: "Beowulf is my name. I will relate my errand to your prince if he will grant that we may greet him."

Replied the Dane: "I will seek the king and tell him of your coming."

Quickly he came to Hrothgar, sitting with his wise men, and told him of the strangers, praising the hardy warriors. Kindly spoke the king: "Glad am I that Beowulf and his brave Goths have come thus to our sh.o.r.es. For I have heard he has the strength of thirty in his hand-grip. Him G.o.d in his great mercy has sent to us. Hasten, bid them come in! Tell them that they are welcome guests to the Danes."

Beowulf received by Hrothgar

When the king's message had been told, Beowulf and all his men entered the hall. Proud and warlike he stood before the king. "Hrothgar, hail! Kinsman to Hygelac am I and daring deeds have I done. Now I have heard that this brave hall of yours stands empty and silent when night shuts out the day, because of Grendel's warfare. So I have come with my good friends to help you. Deny me not one prayer: that I alone with my brave thanes fight with Grendel. This monster fights not with weapons, I have heard. Then I also will bear neither sword nor shield, but with my strong hands will I seize him. If Grendel conquers me in the battle, he will carry me off; so no care need you take of my body, but send to Hygelac my armour."

At the brave, strong words of the young Beowulf the heart of the old king rejoiced. "I welcome you to my home. Come, now, let us sit at the feast and listen to the songs of brave deeds," said the king. Then the mead-cup was pa.s.sed, the gleeman sang, and there was joy in the hall.

One man in the hall did not rejoice; there was envy in his heart, for he did not wish any other man on earth to have more glory than himself.

So he said: "Are you the Beowulf who strove with Breca in the wide sea in swimming? For seven nights you strove, but he had more strength and overcame you in the race. Surely if you dare to fight with Grendel, worse things will befall you."

Then spoke Beowulf: "Much do you speak of Breca. Now I speak the truth. More strength on the sea have I than any other man. Five days were we together. Then the cold winds and waves drove us apart. Many a water monster tried to kill me, but sank to the bottom of the sea with a blow from my powerful hands. Nine of these water nixies I killed. I have never heard of a harder fight, yet from all these dangers I escaped. I have never been told that you have gone through such terrible fights. Although your wit be good, I must say in truth that never had so many princes of Hrothgar's court fallen under Grendel's stroke, if your courage were as fierce as your tongue.

Grendel fears not the Danes, but kills for pleasure. Now a Goth shall offer him toil and battle. Afterwards, all who wish may go to the mead-hall and rejoice."

All the Danes applauded Beowulf's bold words, for they did not like the jealous prince who had taunted him. The queen, lovely and gracious, bore the mead-cup to the king, and then to their guest. In kind words she greeted him: "Glad am I and grateful to G.o.d that I may trust in you for comfort against our sorrow."

Then replied Beowulf, for battle eager: "I alone shall work your people's safety or bow in death. I shall perform deeds of n.o.ble valour or my last day in this mead-hall await."

These words pleased both Goths and Danes, and applause filled the hall.

When darkness came on, the company arose and greeted one another.

Hrothgar to Beowulf said: "Never before, since I could raise hand to shield, have I given to any man the Dane's festive hall to guard save now to thee. Have now and hold the best of houses; keep watch against our foe. All things shall be yours if you escape with life from the battle of this night."

The Contest with Grendel

Hrothgar then departed with all his warriors. And Beowulf spoke to his men: "I do not think myself less in warlike strength than Grendel; so I will not use the sword or shield, but we two shall fight to-night without weapons, and G.o.d shall give the glory to whom glory belongs."

Around him lay the warriors, sadly thinking they would never see their homes across the sea again, for so many before that night had been slain by the cruel Grendel. At last they slept, all but one. The mighty Beowulf in angry mood awaited the battle.

Now truly it is shown that mighty G.o.d rules the race of men. Over the moor came the shadow-walker stalking. He strode under the clouds until he saw the golden hall of men. This was not the first time he had come to the hall of Hrothgar. On the door he rushed. He opened the wide mouth and trod on the floor. When he saw the men sleeping on the benches he laughed, thinking how he would take life from the body of every one there.

The shadowy form came nearer and nearer. At last he stretched out his great hand to take Beowulf, but with all his strength the brave warrior seized the arm of the monster. Then did the heart of Grendel fill with fear. Fearful was his mind, but not for that could he escape the sooner.

Then stood Beowulf upright and firmly grasped Grendel. Very angry were both. The wonder was that the great hall did not fall to the ground.

But it was made fast within and without with iron bands, and naught but fire could destroy it. Then the noise grew greater. The Danes who had heard it were terrified; never had such horrid noise filled the air, for Beowulf, the strongest of men, held Grendel fast. Not for anything would he let the dreadful one escape that day.

The warriors sought to help their leader, but he would not use any weapon. With his hands, with his bare hands, he held fast the fearful foe. On the shoulder of Grendel was a horrid wound, and Beowulf tore the arm from the body. Well knew the monster then that his life's end had come.

Glad was Beowulf that his strength had aided the Danes, had freed the great hall, and had healed the deep sorrow which had been theirs for so many years.

The Feast of Joy

There was in the morning many a warrior in the gift hall. From far and near over distant ways they came to behold the wonder, the arm of Grendel the joy-killer. Away to the dark water, his home, had he gone with his death-wound.

All the warriors rode in gladness to the great hall. There was told the bravery of Beowulf. No other was so great, so worthy of honour, as he. Hrothgar, also, they praised as a good king and famous in war.

All the Danes and the Goths were happy that the terror of the land had been destroyed. Care was removed from their hearts. They were filled with joy and turned to games and sports. Some let their beautiful horses run in contest over the fair roads. Some who knew the famous stories of heroes told them to eager listeners. Laughter, song, and merry voices were heard once more in the hall. Soon one of the singers began a song in honour of this new deed, the victory of Beowulf.

Then over the meadow came the great king with many knights famed for their brave deeds. With them also walked the fair queen and a company of maidens.

When Hrothgar entered the gold-crowned hall and saw the great hand and arm of Grendel, he said: "Now let us give to the All-Father thanks!

Wonder after wonder can G.o.d work. This one brave warrior has, through G.o.d's might, performed a deed which the Danes could not. Happy is the mother of such a son! Now, Beowulf, as a dear son will I hold you in my heart. Nothing shall you want which I have power to give you. You have done a deed which will make your glory live through every age."

Then replied Beowulf; "With great good-will we fought the fight. I seized the enemy quickly with hard hands and hoped to lay him on his death-bed. But I have his hand and arm, and he will surely die, for pain has him in its deadly grip."

Hrothgar now gave the order that the hall should be adorned for the feast of joy. Men and women worked to make all clean and whole.

Beautiful banners, a wonder to all who beheld them, decked the walls.

When all was ready, the king himself came to the feast in honour of Beowulf. Never had a larger or a n.o.bler company sat in the gift hall.

Merry at heart were they all, and they had a merry feast.

Then Hrothgar gave to Beowulf a golden banner in reward of victory; a sword, a cup, and a helmet he gave, four beautiful and wonderful gifts.

These were most precious gifts, of which Beowulf need not be ashamed.

Then Hrothgar, the shield of warriors, eight warlike steeds brought into the hall as gifts to Beowulf. On one of the horses was the war-seat the king himself used when going to battle. So with steeds and treasures did the king of the Danes reward the brave prince.

To every man with the hero did the king give a precious gift. Then the song of praise was heard. "The wise G.o.d rules all, therefore is understanding everywhere best; wise forethought is best."

When the song was ended, the queen took the mead-cup to the king, saying: "Accept this cup, my beloved lord; be thou happy, good friend of men, and to the Goths speak with kind words as one should do. Be cheerful to thy guests and mindful of gifts. The bright hall is made safe; be happy with thy sons and friends."

Then the gracious queen said to Beowulf: "Receive as a gift this collar, dear prince. Thou hast done that which men will praise throughout all time. Be n.o.ble and happy! Be brave and gentle in deeds. Here in this hall is every man to each other true and to his lord faithful. The thanes unite to praise thee!"

Then the queen went to her seat, and all the court united in praise of Beowulf, who had driven Grendel from the great hall.

After the merry feast, all left the hall except a few warriors who slept rejoicing, thinking all their warfare was over.