And moored the ship; mail-coats clashed, Trappings of battle. They gave thanks to God For the grace he had shown in their safe seagoing.

But the Scyldings’ coastguard gazing from his rock, He whose duty was to watch the sea-cliffs,

230

Saw shining shields borne across the gangplank, Saw bared battle-gear; and his thoughts were pricked With desire to discover the strangers’ business. So he came to the shore, mounted on horseback, Hrothgar’s man, brandishing with force A formidable spear, and uttered these words: ‘What men would you be, here in your armour, Mail-coat-protected, in that tall ship Brought through the paths and acres of ocean Here, to our land? Long have I been

240

A watcher on these coasts, my vigil the sea, Lest any enemy with warship-convoy Should come to plunder the country of the Danes. Never more openly have shield-armed men Made harbour here, yet where is your permission, Pass of any kind from our commanders, Consent from the court? I never looked on A finer man living than one of you seems, He there in his armour: no mere retainer Tricked out with weapons, unless looks belie him,

250

Looks without equal. Now I must know Who you are, and from where, in case from this point You push forward into Denmark and are taken as spies As you move on inland. So now far-sailers From homes sea-hidden, bend your attentiveness To my plain request: promptly to tell me Where you have come from, in courtesy is best.’

The leader it was who gave him reply, The commander of the company, from his word-treasury: ‘We are men belonging to the nation of the Geats, 260 We are hearth-companions of Hygelac. Well-known was my father among the peoples, A princely battle-chief, Ecgtheow his name; Many many years he lived before he left us,

7