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| THEN Hrothgar went with his hero-train, |
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| defence-of-Scyldings, forth from hall; |
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| fain would the war-lord Wealhtheow seek, |
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| couch of his queen. The King-of-Glory |
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| against this Grendel a guard had set, |
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| so heroes heard, a hall-defender, |
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| who warded the monarch and watched for the monster. |
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| In truth, the Geats' prince gladly trusted |
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| his mettle, his might, the mercy of God! |
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| Cast off then his corselet of iron, |
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| helmet from head; to his henchman gave,— |
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| choicest of weapons,—the well-chased sword, |
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| bidding him guard the gear of battle. |
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| Spake then his Vaunt the valiant man, |
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| Beowulf Geat, ere the bed be sought:— |
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| "Of force in fight no feebler I count me, |
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| in grim war-deeds, than Grendel deems him. |
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| Not with the sword, then, to sleep of death |
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| his life will I give, though it lie in my power. |
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| No skill is his to strike against me, |
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| my shield to hew though he hardy be, |
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| bold in battle; we both, this night, |
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| shall spurn the sword, if he seek me here, |
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| unweaponed, for war. Let wisest God, |
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| sacred Lord, on which side soever |
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| doom decree as he deemeth right." |
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| Reclined then the chieftain, and cheek-pillows held |
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| the head of the earl, while all about him |
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| seamen hardy on hall-beds sank. |
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| None of them thought that thence their steps |
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| to the folk and fastness that fostered them, |
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| to the land they loved, would lead them back! |
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| Full well they wist that on warriors many |
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| battle-death seized, in the banquet-hall, |
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| of Danish clan. But comfort and help, |
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| war-weal weaving, to Weder folk |
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| the Master gave, that, by might of one, |
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| over their enemy all prevailed, |
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| by single strength. In sooth 'tis told |
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| that highest God o'er human kind |
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| hath wielded ever!—Thro' wan night striding, |
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| came the walker-in-shadow. Warriors slept |
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| whose hest was to guard the gabled hall,— |
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| all save one. 'Twas widely known |
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| that against God's will the ghostly ravager |
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| him[1] could not hurl to haunts of darkness; |
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| wakeful, ready, with warrior's wrath, |
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| bold he bided the battle's issue. |
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|
