| |
| THERE was hurry and hest in Heorot now | |
| for hands to bedeck it, and dense was the throng | |
| of men and women the wine-hall to cleanse, | |
| the guest-room to garnish. Gold-gay shone the hangings | |
| that were wove on the wall, and wonders many | 5 |
| to delight each mortal that looks upon them. | |
| Though braced within by iron bands, | |
| that building bright was broken sorely, 1 | |
| rent were its hinges; the roof alone | |
| held safe and sound, when, seared with crime, | 10 |
| the fiendish foe his flight essayed, | |
| of life despairing.—No light thing that, | |
| the flight for safety,—essay it who will! | |
| Forced of fate, he shall find his way | |
| to the refuge ready for race of man, | 15 |
| for soul-possessors, and sons of earth; | |
| and there his body on bed of death | |
| shall rest after revel. | |
| Arrived was the hour | |
| when to hall proceeded Healfdene’s son: | 20 |
| the king himself would sit to banquet. | |
| Ne’er heard I of host in haughtier throng | |
| more graciously gathered round giver-of-rings! | |
| Bowed then to bench those bearers-of-glory, | |
| fain of the feasting. Featly received | 25 |
| many a mead-cup the mighty-in-spirit, | |
| kinsmen who sat in the sumptuous hall, | |
| Hrothgar and Hrothulf. Heorot now | |
| was filled with friends; the folk of Scyldings | |
| ne’er yet had tried the traitor’s deed. | 30 |
| To Beowulf gave the bairn of Healfdene | |
| a gold-wove banner, guerdon of triumph, | |
| broidered battle-flag, breastplate and helmet; | |
| and a splendid sword was seen of many | |
| borne to the brave one. Beowulf took | 35 |
| cup in hall. 2 for such costly gifts | |
| he suffered no shame in that soldier throng. | |
| For I heard of few heroes, in heartier mood, | |
| with four such gifts, so fashioned with gold, | |
| on the ale-bench honoring others thus! | 40 |
| O’er the roof of the helmet high, a ridge, | |
| wound with wires, kept ward o’er the head, | |
| lest the relict-of-files 3 should fierce invade, | |
| sharp in the strife, when that shielded hero | |
| should go to grapple against his foes. | 45 |
| Then the earls’-defence 4 on the floor 5 bade lead | |
| coursers eight, with carven head-gear, | |
| adown the hall: one horse was decked | |
| with a saddle all shining and set in jewels; | |
| ’twas the battle-seat of the best of kings, | 50 |
| when to play of swords the son of Healfdene | |
| was fain to fare. Ne’er failed his valor | |
| in the crush of combat when corpses fell. | |
| To Beowulf over them both then gave | |
| the refuge-of-Ingwines right and power, | 55 |
| o’er war-steeds and weapons: wished him joy of them. | |
| Manfully thus the mighty prince, | |
| hoard-guard for heroes, that hard fight repaid | |
| with steeds and treasures contemned by none | |
| who is willing to say the sooth aright. | 60 |
