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| CAME now to ocean the ever-courageous |
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| hardy henchmen, their harness bearing, |
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| woven war-sarks. The warden marked, |
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| trusty as ever, the earl's return. |
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| From the height of the hill no hostile words |
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| reached the guests as he rode to greet them; |
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| but "Welcome!" he called to that Weder clan |
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| as the sheen-mailed spoilers to ship marched on. |
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| Then on the strand, with steeds and treasure |
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| and armor their roomy and ring-dight ship |
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| was heavily laden: high its mast |
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| rose over Hrothgar's hoarded gems. |
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| A sword to the boat-guard Beowulf gave, |
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| mounted with gold; on the mead-bench since |
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| he was better esteemed, that blade possessing, |
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| heirloom old.—Their ocean-keel boarding, |
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| they drove through the deep, and Daneland left. |
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| A sea-cloth was set, a sail with ropes, |
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| firm to the mast; the flood-timbers moaned;[1] |
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| nor did wind over billows that wave-swimmer blow |
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| across from her course. The craft sped on, |
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| foam-necked it floated forth o'er the waves, |
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| keel firm-bound over briny currents, |
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| till they got them sight of the Geatish cliffs, |
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| home-known headlands. High the boat, |
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| stirred by winds, on the strand updrove. |
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| Helpful at haven the harbor-guard stood, |
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| who long already for loved companions |
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| by the water had waited and watched afar. |
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| He bound to the beach the broad-bosomed ship |
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| with anchor-bands, lest ocean-billows |
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| that trusty timber should tear away. |
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| Then Beowulf bade them bear the treasure, |
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| gold and jewels; no journey far |
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| was it thence to go to the giver of rings, |
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| Hygelac Hrethling: at home he dwelt |
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| by the sea-wall close, himself and clan. |
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| Haughty that house, a hero the king, |
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| high the hall, and Hygd[2] right young, |
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| wise and wary, though winters few |
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| in those fortress walls she had found a home, |
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| Haereth's daughter. Nor humble her ways, |
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| nor grudged she gifts to the Geatish men, |
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| of precious treasure. Not Thryth's pride showed she, |
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| folk-queen famed, or that fell deceit. |
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| Was none so daring that durst make bold |
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| (save her lord alone) of the liegemen dear |
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| that lady full in the face to look, |
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| but forged fetters he found his lot, |
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| bonds of death! And brief the respite; |
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| soon as they seized him, his sword-doom was spoken, |
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| and the burnished blade a baleful murder |
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|
| proclaimed and closed. No queenly way |
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| for woman to practise, though peerless she, |
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| that the weaver-of-peace[3] from warrior dear |
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| by wrath and lying his life should reave! |
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| But Hemming's kinsman hindered this.— |
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| For over their ale men also told |
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| that of these folk-horrors fewer she wrought, |
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| onslaughts of evil, after she went, |
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| gold-decked bride, to the brave young prince, |
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| atheling haughty, and Offa's hall |
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| o'er the fallow flood at her father's bidding |
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| safely sought, where since she prospered, |
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| royal, throned, rich in goods, |
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| fain of the fair life fate had sent her, |
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| and leal in love to the lord of warriors. |
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| He, of all heroes I heard of ever |
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| from sea to sea, of the sons of earth, |
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| most excellent seemed. Hence Offa was praised |
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| for his fighting and feeing by far-off men, |
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| the spear-bold warrior; wisely he ruled |
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| over his empire. Eomer woke to him, |
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| help of heroes, Hemming's kinsman, |
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| Grandson of Garmund, grim in war. |
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|
