VIIII

"Again and again savage assailants
pressed me sorely, but I served them
proper justice. Those wicked monsters
held no feast on my dead flesh.
In the morning their slashed corpses
littered the shore, and never since
have they hindered unwary travellers
on that sea-road.
                       God's bright beacon
rose in the east, the wild sea stilled
and at last I saw the headlands.
If courage endures, fate will spare
a hero from death. It was my good fortune
to kill nine monsters with my sword.
I have not heard of more grievous battle
waged at night under heaven's vault,
nor of a man more wretched than I was
adrift on the sea. Yet I survived.
Weary from battle, the sea-flood bore me
off to Finn land.
                      I have not heard
such stories of you, nor of Breca,
that either of you made such bright terror
in your swordplay.  I do not boast of it.
But you have only killed your brother,
saving your sword for your own kinsman,
and you are damned for it. Sharp as you are,
I say to you truly, son of Edgelaf,
that if your heart were as battle-fierce
as your talk is, Grendel would never
have humbled Heorot. There's no fight,
no storm of blades from the Victory-Scyldings
to spoil his pleasures.
He takes his toll, sparing no one.
I'll show Grendel the might of the Geats,
I'll bring him war now, and when the sun
brings the new day clad in radiance,
men will be able to drink in peace."

The grey-haired lord of the Bright-Danes,
famous in battle, giver of rings,
gladly heard the resolve in Beowulf.
The laughter of heroes made loud music,
and words were joyful.
		Wealhtheow entered,
Hrothgar's queen, and greeted the men,
graceful and courteous, gleaming with gold.
First she took to the East-Danes' guardian
a brimming goblet, wishing him joy
at eating and drinking. He took it with pleasure
and bent to the feast, beloved of his people.
The lady then brought an opulent cup
to young men and veterans, each his portion,
until she reached Beowulf. Her arm-rings shining,
the high-hearted queen greeted him gladly,
thanking God such a man should come
to save them from slaughter. That merciless fighter
took the mead-cup from Wealhtheow,
and sprang to his feet, made eager for battle:

"When I put to sea, I sat down
in my ship with my band of men,
and I vowed then to answer your need
or meet my end in my enemy's grasp.
I will perform this manly deed
or die this day in the mead-hall."

His vaunting speech well pleased the woman.
She returned glittering to her lord.
Then, as before, the hall filled with clamour,
bold words were spoken, until at last
the son of Half-Dane sought his rest.
He knew that Grendel planned to attack
as soon as the darkening night would hide him,
gliding black under the clouds. The men rose,
and Hrothgar made Beowulf the hall's warden,
and wished him luck.
"Since I could raise a shield in my hand,
I have never before entrusted
this home of the Danes to any man.
You are the first. Have now and hold
this best of houses. Think of glory now,
show great valour as you keep watch.
Nothing you want will not be yours
if you survive this work of courage."


-- 
Editor, Masthead:  http://www.masthead.net.au
Blog: http://theatrenotes.blogspot.com
Home page: http://www.alisoncroggon.com