In this life's day was like to him.

bade

A goodly ship he

Make ready the swan's path to sail, that he might

carry aid

To that great lord, the warrior king, now in his time of need.

And, though they loved him well, wise churls but lightly blamed the deed,

They looked for happy end to come, and whetted his bold mind.

Now had he chosen fighting men, the keenest he

could find

Of Gothic race; fifteen in all down to the ship they

went.

A seaman skilled the landmarks told; and now the

time was spent ;

Below the cliff the vessel lay afloat upon the tide,

And while the waves broke on the sand the heroes

climbed her side.

Into her lap a gleaming freight of goodly arms they

bore,

And then they pushed with willing hearts the closeribbed bark from shore.

Now foamy-throated o'er the seas the ship before

the gale

Flew like a bird; and far and fast the wreathed stem*

did sail

Till with the morn's first hour the land broke on the

sailor's sight,

*See Note C.

The headlands great and mountains steep and sea-cliffs

shining bright.

The voyage ended straightway sprang the Weder

folk ashore ;

Made fast the ship, and shook abroad their corslets

and war-store,

Thankful to God that He had made so smooth their

watery way.

Then from the cliff the Scyldings' guard, the watcher

of the bay,

Saw bright shields o'er the bulwarks borne and wargear shaken free,

And much he wondered in his thought to know who these might be.

Borne on his horse did Hrothgar's thane draw nigh unto the beach,

His strong spear quiv'ring in his hands, and thus with measured speech

He said: "What men be ye who thus, full-armed and clad in mail,

Across the sea-ways and the waves in tall ship hither

sail?

Here by the shore my watch I keep, that never foe may shame

Nor with their shipmen scathe the land of Danes. But

never came

More openly shield-bearing men! No leave of kin

have ye,

Nor warrior's password do ye know! Yet never did

I see

A greater earl upon the earth than yonder armèd lord; No common man is he, but one made glorious by his

sword

Unless his face and noble presence lie! Now must I

know

Both who ye are and whence ye come ere ye may farther go,

Unhindered guests in Danish land. Sea-wanderers from afar

Hear my plain words; and, haste is best, say who and whence ye are."

Thus did the eldest answer him-the leader of the

band

Unlocked his word-hoard: "We are folk of Gothic kin and land,

And hearthmates true of Higelac. Far was my father's

fame

Spread through the world, a highborn chief, and Ecgtheow was his name.

Ere, full of days, he passed from hall, he many a year

did bide,

And him wise men remember well in all the world so

wide.

Now Halfdene's son, the people's guard, thy lord, we

come to see

With friendly mind. O be to us a kindly guide!

For we

Before the mighty lord of Danes a mickle errand bring. Nor shall my inmost thought be hid; thou know'st if true the thing

lin der RA

ships
chtshan/pagan

LINE 273-298.]

GRENDEL.

15

We've heard for sooth, that in dark night some bitter

secret foe,

I wot not what ill-doer, bringeth dread and unknown

woe

And shame and death on Scylding folk; and I with counsel free

May teach to Hrothgar, wise and good, to win the

victory;

That so from him this baleful grief for ever may be

rolled,

And happiness come back when these heart-burning waves are cold;

Else must he thole sore straits for aye, and trouble while on high

He sits in stately hall!"

Then did the fearless thane reply, The warder as on steed he sat: "He who can rightly

rede,

The wise shield-warrior, must judge of every word and

deed.

Doubtless ye come, a friendly band, to see the Scyldings' lord

Pass on, with me your guide, and bear the battleweed and sword!

And I will bid my kinsmen thanes to guard from every foe

Your new-tarred ship here on the sand, till she again

shall go

With wreathed neck o'er seas and bear your chief to

Wederland.

Safe may he be in battle stress who manfully shall

stand!"

The ship, wide-bosomed, on the waves there fast at anchor rode,

And forth they went. The boar above their plated helmets glowed

The guarding boar, bedecked with gold, fire-hardened, many-hued.*

Together moving on they strode, right fierce their warlike mood,

Until the hall, all glorious wrought with gold, they could espy

Where Hrothgar dwelt. The goodliest hall it was beneath the sky

'Mong dwellers on the earth; and light wide o'er the land it gave.

And then the warrior showed them clear that palace of the brave

That thither they might take their way; then turned his horse and spake :

"Tis time for me to leave you here.

undertake

In all ye

The Almighty Father keep you safe and give you honour due!

Down to the shore must I, to guard 'gainst any

foeman's crew."

The stone-paved street, of many hues, together led

them on;

Clashed bright steel rings in shirt of mail, and hand

locked corselet shone,

*See Note D.