VIII
Unferth spoke, Edgelaf's son,
from the feet of the Scylding king.
Irked by Beowulf's brave adventure,
he unleashed his hidden thoughts,
angered that any stood before him
to be praised in middle earth.
"Are you the Beowulf who took on Breca
daring to swim the open seas,
risking your lives for a foolish boast?
No man, friend or foe, could stop you
from that sorry venture. You both rowed out
into the strait and embraced the currents,
weaving the water with your hands,
gliding over the winter swells.
For seven nights you fought the sea
but he was stronger and he got
the better of you. In the morning
he was cast up on Heatho-Ream's shore
and from there sought his own homeland,
dear to his people, the Bronding's land,
where he was rich in land and rings.
The son of Beanstan fulfilled his boast.
But I expect the worst for you,
however you prevail in war,
if you wait at night for Grendel."
Beowulf answered him, son of Ecgetheow:
"Listen well, my friend Unferth.
In your cups you boast of Breca,
but the truth is, I am stronger.
I had it harder than he did
out in the ocean. Reckless and young,
we agreed to risk our lives.
We rowed out into the sound
with naked swords hard in our hands
to keep the whales off.
He could go no faster than I,
not a hand's breadth came between us.
Neck and neck we swam together
for five nights, until the waves
drove us apart. The water surged
in the bitter weather, and night came dark
as the north wind whipped the wild waves.
Then a fish of the deep ocean
wrathfully struck me. My hand-linked mailshirt
helped me then, my braided armour
covered my breast. The monster pulled me
down to the sea-bed, it held me fast
in its cruel jaws, but I stabbed hard
with my edged sword. I destroyed
that mighty sea-beast."
--
Editor, Masthead: http://www.masthead.net.au
Blog: http://theatrenotes.blogspot.com
Home page: http://www.alisoncroggon.com
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