IV
Their leader answered,
that crew's captain loosened his wordhoard.
"We are men of the Geat people,
hearth companions to Hygelac.
My father was well known among you,
a leader in battle, named Ecgetheow,
who saw many winters before he passed
away in our courts. He is remembered
by wise men through the wider world.
We seek your lord, the Half-Dane's son,
so guide us well: we have a great errand.
I think that it should be no secret.
You can tell us if it's true
that some malice stalks the Scyldings,
and deals them out sickening slaughter.
From an open heart, I'll offer
Hrothgar counsel, and show him how
to worst his enemy, and find some ease
to slacken these besetting sorrows
and cool his cares. Or else he'll live
in lamentation, so long as Heorot,
best of houses, reaches skyward."
The guard then spoke, fearless defender,
easy on horseback: "Any sharp shieldman
reasoning rightly knows the difference
between words and deeds. I think you're loyal
to the Scylding lord. You may go forward
bearing weapons and armour.
I shall guide you. And more, my kinsman
will guard your ship, as it lies here
newly tarred on the foamy sand,
until it bears its loved lord back
on swoop-necked wood to Wedermark,
for a man like you will surely pass
through battle's brutal rush unharmed."
Then they pressed on, leaving behind
their broad-beamed ship at rest on the sand.
The boar-shapes on their cheekpieces shone,
hammered with gold, hardened with fire,
guarding their lives, lifting their war-hearts.
They marched on fast, until they glimpsed
the golden eaves of the timbered hall,
the home of the king, first among earth-dwellers,
whose radiance gleamed on many lands.
The fierce sea-guard led them close
and turned his horse to speak to them.
"I leave you here. May the mighty father
hold you with grace on all your sojourns!
I must keep watch now against sea-raiders."
--
Editor, Masthead: http://www.masthead.net.au
Blog: http://theatrenotes.blogspot.com
Home page: http://www.alisoncroggon.com
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