Part 25 (1/2)

Thrytho nursed anger, excellent[5] folk-queen, Hot-burning hatred: no hero whatever 'Mong household companions, her husband excepted

{She is a terror to all save her husband.}

45 Dared to adventure to look at the woman With eyes in the daytime;[6] but he knew that death-chains Hand-wreathed were wrought him: early thereafter, When the hand-strife was over, edges were ready, That fierce-raging sword-point had to force a decision, 50 Murder-bale show. Such no womanly custom For a lady to practise, though lovely her person, That a weaver-of-peace, on pretence of anger A beloved liegeman of life should deprive.

Soothly this hindered Heming's kinsman; 55 Other ale-drinking earlmen a.s.serted That fearful folk-sorrows fewer she wrought them, Treacherous doings, since first she was given Adorned with gold to the war-hero youthful, For her origin honored, when Offa's great palace 60 O'er the fallow flood by her father's instructions She sought on her journey, where she afterwards fully, Famed for her virtue, her fate on the king's-seat [67] Enjoyed in her lifetime, love did she hold with The ruler of heroes, the best, it is told me, 65 Of all of the earthmen that oceans encompa.s.s, Of earl-kindreds endless; hence Offa was famous Far and widely, by gifts and by battles, Spear-valiant hero; the home of his fathers He governed with wisdom, whence Eomaer did issue 70 For help unto heroes, Heming's kinsman, Grandson of Garmund, great in encounters.

[1] For 'scawan' (1896), 'scaan' has been proposed. Accepting this, we may render: _He said the bright-armored warriors were going to their vessel, welcome, etc_. (Cf. 1804.)

[2] R. suggests, 'Gewat him on naca,' and renders: _The vessel set out, to drive on the sea, the Dane-country left_. 'On' bears the alliteration; cf. 'on hafu' (2524). This has some advantages over the H.-So. reading; viz. (1) It adds nothing to the text; (2) it makes 'naca' the subject, and thus brings the pa.s.sage into keeping with the context, where the poet has exhausted his vocabulary in detailing the actions of the vessel.--B.'s emendation (cf. P. and B. XII. 97) is violent.

[3] B. translates: _Who for a long time, ready at the coast, had looked out into the distance eagerly for the dear men_. This changes the syntax of 'leofra manna.'

[4] For 'wuna' (v. 1924) several eminent critics suggest 'wunade'

(=remained). This makes the pa.s.sage much clearer.

[5] Why should such a woman be described as an 'excellent' queen? C.

suggests 'frecnu' = dangerous, bold.

[6] For 'an daeges' various readings have been offered. If 'and-eges'

be accepted, the sentence will read: _No hero ... dared look upon her, eye to eye_. If 'an-daeges' be adopted, translate: _Dared look upon her the whole day_.

XXIX.

BEOWULF AND HIGELAC.

Then the brave one departed, his band along with him,

{Beowulf and his party seek Higelac.}

Seeking the sea-sh.o.r.e, the sea-marches treading, The wide-stretching sh.o.r.es. The world-candle glimmered, The sun from the southward; they proceeded then onward, 5 Early arriving where they heard that the troop-lord, Ongentheow's slayer, excellent, youthful Folk-prince and warrior was distributing jewels, Close in his castle. The coming of Beowulf Was announced in a message quickly to Higelac, 10 That the folk-troop's defender forth to the palace The linden-companion alive was advancing, Secure from the combat courtward a-going.

The building was early inward made ready For the foot-going guests as the good one had ordered.

{Beowulf sits by his liegelord.}

15 He sat by the man then who had lived through the struggle, Kinsman by kinsman, when the king of the people Had in lordly language saluted the dear one,

{Queen Hygd receives the heroes.}

In words that were formal. The daughter of Haereth Coursed through the building, carrying mead-cups:[1]

[68] 20 She loved the retainers, tendered the beakers To the high-minded Geatmen. Higelac 'gan then

{Higelac is greatly interested in Beowulf's adventures.}

Pleasantly plying his companion with questions In the high-towering palace. A curious interest Tormented his spirit, what meaning to see in 25 The Sea-Geats' adventures: ”Beowulf worthy,

{Give an account of thy adventures, Beowulf dear.}

How throve your journeying, when thou thoughtest suddenly Far o'er the salt-streams to seek an encounter, A battle at Heorot? Hast bettered for Hrothgar, The famous folk-leader, his far-published sorrows 30 Any at all? In agony-billows