Beowulf (2)

The Danes, hard-pressed, turn for help to heathen gods

These were hard times, heart-breaking

for the prince of the Shieldings; powerful counsellors,

the highest in the land, would lend advice,

plotting how best the bold defenders

might resist and beat off sudden attacks.

Sometimes at pagan shrines they vowed

offerings to idols, swore oaths

that the killer of souls might come to their aid

and save the people. That was their way,

their heathenish hope; deep in their hearts

they remembered hell. The Almighty Judge

of good deeds and bad, the Lord God,

Head of the Heavens and High King of the World,

was unknown to them. Oh, cursed is he

who in time of trouble has to thrust his soul

in the fire's embrace, forfeiting help;

he has nowhere to turn. But blessed is he

who after death can approach the Lord

and find friendship in the Father's embrace.

So that troubled time continued, woe

that never stopped, steady affliction

for Halfdane's son, too hard an ordeal.

There was panic after dark, people endured

raids in the night, riven by the terror.

At the court of King Hygelac, a Geat warrior prepares to help Hrothgar

When he heard about Grendel, Hygelac's thane

was on home ground, over in Geatland.

There was no one else like him alive.

In his day, he was the mightiest man on earth,

high-born and powerful. He ordered a boat

that would ply the waves. He announced his plan:

to sail the swan's road and search out that king,

the famous prince who needed defenders.

Nobody tried to keep him from going,

no elder denied him, dear as he was to them.

Instead, they inspected omens and spurred

his ambition to go, whilst he moved about

like the leader he was, enlisting men,

the best he could find; with fourteen others

the warrior boarded the boat as captain,

a canny pilot along coast and currents.

The hero and his troop sail from the land of the Geats

Time went by, the boat was on water,

in close under the cliffs.

Men climbed eagerly up the gangplank,

sand churned in surf, warriors loaded

a cargo of weapons, shining war-gear

in the vessel's hold, then heaved out,

away with a will in their wood-wreathed ship.

Over the waves, with the wind behind her

and foam at her neck, she flew like a bird

until her curved prow had covered the distance

and on the following day, at the due hour,

those seafarers sighted land,

sunlit cliffs, sheer crags

and looming headlands, the landfall they sought.

It was the end of their voyage and the Geats vaulted

over the side, out on to the sand,

and moored their ship. There was a clash of mail

and a thresh of gear. They thanked God

for that easy crossing on a calm sea.

The Danish coast-guard challenges the outsiders

When the watchman on the wall, the Shieldings' lookout

whose job it was to guard the sea-cliffs,

saw shields glittering on the gangplank

and battle-equipment being unloaded

he had to find out who and what

the arrivals were. So he rode to the shore,

this horseman of Hrothgar's, and challenged them

in formal terms, flourishing his spear:

“What kind of men are you who arrive

rigged out for combat in coats of mail,

sailing here over the sea-lanes

in your steep-hulled boat? I have been stationed

as lookout on this coast for a long time.

My job is to watch the waves for raiders,

any danger to the Danish shore.

Never before has a force under arms

disembarked so openly—not bothering to ask

if the sentries allowed them safe passage

or the clan had consented. Nor have I seen

a mightier man-at-arms on this earth

than the one standing here: unless I am mistaken,

he is truly noble. This is no mere

hanger-on in a hero's armour.

So now, before you fare inland

as interlopers, I have to be informed

about who you are and where you hail from.

Outsiders from across the water,

I say it again: the sooner you tell

where you come from and why, the better.”

The Geat hero announces himself and explains his mission

The leader of the troop unlocked his word-hoard;

the distinguished one delivered this answer:

“We belong by birth to the Geat people

and owe allegiance to Lord Hygelac.

In his day, my father was a famous man,

a noble warrior-lord named Ecgtheow.

He outlasted many a long winter

and went on his way. All over the world

men wise in counsel continue to remember him.

We come in good faith to find your lord

and nation's shield, the son of Halfdane.

Give us the right advice and direction.

We have arrived here on a great errand

to the lord of the Danes, and I believe therefore

there should be nothing hidden or withheld between us.

So tell us if what we have heard is true

about this threat, whatever it is,

this danger abroad in the dark nights,

this corpse-maker mongering death

in the Shieldings' country. I come to proffer

my wholehearted help and counsel.

I can show the wise Hrothgar a way

to defeat his enemy and find respite—

if any respite is to reach him, ever.

I can calm the turmoil and terror in his mind.

Otherwise, he must endure woes

and live with grief for as long as his hall

stands at the horizon, on its high ground.”

The coast-guard allows the Geats to pass

Undaunted, sitting astride his horse,

the coast-guard answered, “Anyone with gumption

and a sharp mind will take the measure

of two things: what's said and what's done.

I believe what you have told me: that you are a troop

loyal to our king. So come ahead

with your arms and your gear, and I will guide you.

What's more, I'll order my own comrades

on their word of honour to watch your boat

down there on the strand—keep her safe

in her fresh tar, until the time comes

for her curved prow to preen on the waves

and bear this hero back to Geatland.

May one so valiant and venturesome

come unharmed through the clash of battle.”

So they went on their way. The ship rode the water,

broad-beamed, bound by its hawser

and anchored fast. Boar-shapes flashed

above their cheek-guards, the brightly forged

work of goldsmiths, watching over

those stern-faced men. They marched in step,

hurrying on till the timbered hall

rose before them, radiant with gold.

Nobody on earth knew of another

building like it. Majesty lodged there,

its light shone over many lands.

So their gallant escort guided them

to that dazzling stronghold and indicated

the shortest way to it; then the noble warrior

wheeled on his horse and spoke these words:

“It is time for me to go. May the Almighty

Father keep you and in His kindness

watch over your exploits. I'm away to the sea,

back on alert against enemy raiders.”

They arrive at Heorot

It was a paved track, a path that kept them

in marching order. Their mail-shirts glinted,

hard and hand-linked; the high-gloss iron

of their armour rang. So they duly arrived

in their grim war-graith and gear at the hall,

and, weary from the sea, stacked wide shields

of the toughest hardwood against the wall,

then collapsed on the benches; battle-dress

and weapons clashed. They collected their spears

in a seafarers' stook, a stand of greyish

tapering ash. And the troops themselves

were as good as their weapons.

Then a proud warrior

questioned the men concerning their origins:

“Where do you come from, carrying these

decorated shields and shirts of mail,

these cheek-hinged helmets and javelins?

I am Hrothgar's herald and officer.

I have never seen so impressive or large

an assembly of strangers. Stoutness of heart,

bravery not banishment, must have brought you to Hrothgar.”

Beowulf announces his name

The man whose name was known for courage,

the Geat leader, resolute in his helmet,

answered in return: “We are retainers

from Hygelac's band. Beowulf is my name.

If your lord and master, the most renowned

son of Halfdane, will hear me out

and graciously allow me to greet him in person,

I am ready and willing to report my errand.”

Formalities are observed

Wulfgar replied, a Wendel chief

renowned as a warrior, well known for his wisdom

and the temper of his mind: “I will take this message,

in accordance with your wish, to

our noble king, our dear lord, friend of the Danes,

the giver of rings. I will go and ask him

about your coming here, then hurry back

with whatever reply it pleases him to give.”

With that he turned to where Hrothgar sat,

an old man among retainers;

the valiant follower stood four-square

in front of his king: he knew the courtesies.

Wulfgar addressed his dear lord:

“People from Geatland have put ashore.

They have sailed far over the wide sea.

They call the chief in charge of their band

by the name of Beowulf. They beg, my lord,

an audience with you, exchange of words

and formal greeting. Most gracious Hrothgar,

do not refuse them, but grant them a reply.

From their arms and appointment, they appear well born

and worthy of respect, especially the one

who has led them this far: he is formidable indeed.”

Hrothgar recognizes Beowulf's name and approves his arrival

Hrothgar, protector of Shieldings, replied:

“I used to know him when he was a young boy.

His father before him was called Ecgtheow.

Hrethel the Geat gave Ecgtheow

his daughter in marriage. This man is their son,

here to follow up an old friendship.

A crew of seamen who sailed for me once

with a gift-cargo across to Geatland

returned with marvellous tales about him:

a thane, they declared, with the strength of thirty

in the grip of each hand. Now Holy God

has, in His goodness, guided him here

to the West-Danes, to defend us from Grendel.

This is my hope; and for his heroism

I will recompense him with a rich treasure.

Go immediately, bid him and the Geats

he has in attendance to assemble and enter.

Say, moreover, when you speak to them,

they are welcome to Denmark.”

At the door of the hall,

Wulfgar duly delivered the message:

“My lord, the conquering king of the Danes,

bids me announce that he knows your ancestry;

also that he welcomes you here to Heorot

and salutes your arrival from across the sea.

You are free now to move forward

to meet Hrothgar, in helmets and armour,

but shields must stay here and spears be stacked

until the outcome of the audience is clear.”

Beowulf enters Heorot. He gives an account of his heroic exploits

The hero arose, surrounded closely

by his powerful thanes. A party remained

under orders to keep watch on the arms;

the rest proceeded, led by their prince

under Heorot's roof. And standing on the hearth

in webbed links that the smith had woven,

the fine-forged mesh of his gleaming mail-shirt,

resolute in his helmet, Beowulf spoke:

“Greetings to Hrothgar. I am Hygelac's kinsman,

one of his hall-troop. When I was younger,

I had great triumphs. Then news of Grendel,

hard to ignore, reached me at home:

sailors brought stories of the plight you suffer

in this legendary hall, how it lies deserted,

empty and useless once the evening light

hides itself under heaven's dome.

So every elder and experienced councilman

among my people supported my resolve

to come here to you, King Hrothgar,

because all knew of my awesome strength.