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Table-companions; my name, Beowulf. Let me declare to the son of Healfdene, To the illustrious prince what my mission is, Tell it to your king, if he will permit us To stand before him worthiest of men.’ Wulfgar spoke, a man of the Wendels, Well-known to many in mind and character For wisdom and valour: ‘That I shall ask 350 The lord of the Danes, protector of the Scyldings, Giver of rings, as you make petition, Ask the great prince concerning your visit, And quickly report to you what reply The king in his goodness thinks fit to give me.’ He turned then at once to where Hrothgar sat Aged and grey in the midst of his retinue; The warrior went and stood facing The ruler of the Danes in rite of decorum; Wulfgar spoke to his protector and lord: 360 ‘Here have arrived, come from far off Over miles of the sea-flood people of the Geats; Beowulf is the name these soldiers give To the man who leads them. They come to ask That they might, my lord, exchange at this time Speech with yourself; you should not refuse them A reply in this, gracious Hrothgar – For they seem in their armour to be very candidates For the esteem of kings, and certainly their commander Who led the men here commands by right!’ 370 Hrothgar spoke, defender of the Scyldings: ‘Him I knew when he was but a boy; His father was old, Ecgtheow he was called, And Hrethel of the Geats gave him in marriage His only daughter; his son now has come Here in his strength to a tested friend. What did seafarers, taking gifts to the Geats For their pleasure yonder, say of the man – That he holds in the grip of his hands the strength Of thirty others, a hero blazoned 380 In valour’s report? It is in the favour 10
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Of holy God that he comes to visit us, Comes to the Danes, comes (as I believe) For the horror of Grendel. To him in his excellence, For his fiery purpose, I shall tender treasures. Now no delay, but invite him in To the company of my retinue gathered together; And tell him also that his men are welcome To this Danish folk.’ *[Wulfgar went then To the door of the hall] and called from within: 390 ‘My master, the victorious king of the Danes, Has ordered me to tell you that he knows your kinsmen, And that you who have come in your determination Here over the sea-swell are welcome to him. Now you may go in your battle-trappings, War-mask-helmeted, to see Hrothgar. Let these fighting-spears of yours stay here, Death-wood, death-shafts, till you have spoken together.’ Then the ruler rose surrounded by his soldiers, Thick-thronging retinue; some remained there 400 To guard the battle-gear as the brave man required them. They hastened in a group, the warrior leading, Under Heorot’s roof; the hero went in, Helmeted, grave, till he stood at the hearth; Beowulf spoke (his war-net shone on him, Magically chained by skills of smithcraft): ‘Your life and health, Hrothgar! I am Hygelac’s Kinsman and retainer; many a hard venture Has my youth endeavoured. Word about Grendel Came to me clearly on my native soil: 410 Sea-travellers tell that this hall stands (Building of buildings for every warrior) Void and unused when the light of evening Has been hidden under the hood of heaven. And then my people, the best of men, Deliberating well, began to advise me, My lord Hrothgar, to seek you out, For they were aware of the force of my strength: Themselves looked on as I came from battle, Bloodied from my enemies, where I took five captive, 420 11

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Table-companions; my name, Beowulf. Let me declare to the son of Healfdene, To the illustrious prince what my mission is, Tell it to your king, if he will permit us To stand before him worthiest of men.’ Wulfgar spoke, a man of the Wendels, Well-known to many in mind and character For wisdom and valour: ‘That I shall ask

350

The lord of the Danes, protector of the Scyldings, Giver of rings, as you make petition, Ask the great prince concerning your visit, And quickly report to you what reply The king in his goodness thinks fit to give me.’ He turned then at once to where Hrothgar sat Aged and grey in the midst of his retinue; The warrior went and stood facing The ruler of the Danes in rite of decorum; Wulfgar spoke to his protector and lord:

360

‘Here have arrived, come from far off Over miles of the sea-flood people of the Geats; Beowulf is the name these soldiers give To the man who leads them. They come to ask That they might, my lord, exchange at this time Speech with yourself; you should not refuse them A reply in this, gracious Hrothgar – For they seem in their armour to be very candidates For the esteem of kings, and certainly their commander Who led the men here commands by right!’ 370 Hrothgar spoke, defender of the Scyldings: ‘Him I knew when he was but a boy; His father was old, Ecgtheow he was called, And Hrethel of the Geats gave him in marriage His only daughter; his son now has come Here in his strength to a tested friend. What did seafarers, taking gifts to the Geats For their pleasure yonder, say of the man – That he holds in the grip of his hands the strength Of thirty others, a hero blazoned 380 In valour’s report? It is in the favour

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