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Went old from our courts; him every counsellor Happily remembers far and wide. With friendly purpose we have come to seek Your own overlord, the son of Healfdene, Protector of his people; give us fair forwarding! To that renowned man, ruler of the Danes, 270 We have a great mission; and this not, I may say, Secret in any way. You know (if indeed Things have run as rumour has reached us) How among the Scyldings a certain persecutor, A mysterious destroying-force in the deep of night, Unveils to dread a malignity unfathomable, Murderousness, humiliation. I might in magnanimity Give Hrothgar advising for the remedy of that, How he, old and trusted, could overcome this fiend (If ever again he is to find a reversal, 280 A cure for the care of slaughter and evil), And affliction’s flames become assuaged – Or else he may suffer ever after Distress and oppression as long as there stands On that thronelike site his hall of halls.’ The officer spoke, seated on his horse, The guard unfearing: ‘Keen shield-fighter Of any circumspection must know how to judge And distinguish the worth of both words and deeds. You are, as I have heard, a troop loyal 290 To the lord of the Danes; go forward now With your arms and armour, and I shall be your guide. Also I shall have my men hold fast In safe keeping against any enemy Your buoyant boat, your ship on the sand Fresh from its tarring, till it carries again Its beloved man through the winding tides, The winding prow to the land of the Weders, With such of the generous and brave as it is given To survive in safety the storm of battle.’ 300 Then they set off: the boat lay at rest, The broadbreasted ship rode on its mooring, Its anchor was fixed. Each helmet sparkled 8
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With its glancing boar-emblems: brilliant with gold, Patterned and fire-tempered, it guarded the life Of its brave battle-wearer. The men hastened, They marched together until they could see A timbered building resplendent with gold: The most illustrious hall under heaven For men to move in, and home of a king: 310 Like a lantern illuminating many lands. Here the soldier showed them the dazzling Hall of the heroes, pointed the approach Their steps were to take; and with this the warrior Wheeled round his horse, and sent back speech: ‘Now I must leave you; may the omnipotent Father hold you in the favour of his keeping, Your ventures be blessed! I shall be at the shore To hold watch and ward for war-bent host.’ The street was paved with stone, the men 320 Followed on together. War-chains shone, Strong-linked, hand-locked, glittering ring-mail Gave iron song-of-arms as they first approached Marching on to the hall terrible in their battle-trappings. Their broad shields they laid, the weary seafarers, Hardest of bucklers at the wall of the building, And sat at the bench. – The armour rang, The war-gear of those men; the spears were stacked Standing all together, weapons of the voyagers, Ash-cut, grey-tipped; appointed for all fighting 330 That mail-clad band! A nobleman there Inquired of the warriors their house and kindred: ‘Where is it you come from with your gold-laden shields, Your grey mail-coats and your masked helmets, Your store of spears? I am Hrothgar’s Personal messenger. Never did I see Strangers of your number finer than you seem. The love of arms, I should say, not exile, Mind’s magnanimity brought you to Hrothgar?’ Duly he answered him then dauntless, 340 Hero of the Weders, spoke up in answer Strong in his armour: ‘We are Hygelac’s 9

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Went old from our courts; him every counsellor Happily remembers far and wide. With friendly purpose we have come to seek Your own overlord, the son of Healfdene, Protector of his people; give us fair forwarding! To that renowned man, ruler of the Danes,

270

We have a great mission; and this not, I may say, Secret in any way. You know (if indeed Things have run as rumour has reached us) How among the Scyldings a certain persecutor, A mysterious destroying-force in the deep of night, Unveils to dread a malignity unfathomable, Murderousness, humiliation. I might in magnanimity Give Hrothgar advising for the remedy of that, How he, old and trusted, could overcome this fiend (If ever again he is to find a reversal,

280

A cure for the care of slaughter and evil), And affliction’s flames become assuaged – Or else he may suffer ever after Distress and oppression as long as there stands On that thronelike site his hall of halls.’

The officer spoke, seated on his horse, The guard unfearing: ‘Keen shield-fighter Of any circumspection must know how to judge And distinguish the worth of both words and deeds. You are, as I have heard, a troop loyal

290

To the lord of the Danes; go forward now With your arms and armour, and I shall be your guide. Also I shall have my men hold fast In safe keeping against any enemy Your buoyant boat, your ship on the sand Fresh from its tarring, till it carries again Its beloved man through the winding tides, The winding prow to the land of the Weders, With such of the generous and brave as it is given To survive in safety the storm of battle.’ 300

Then they set off: the boat lay at rest, The broadbreasted ship rode on its mooring, Its anchor was fixed. Each helmet sparkled

8

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