Part 27 (1/2)

{Higelac loves his nephew Beowulf.}

Of trusty companion. Most precious to Higelac, 25 The bold one in battle, was the bairn of his sister, And each unto other mindful of favors.

{Beowulf gives Hygd the necklace that Wealhtheow had given him.}

I am told that to Hygd he proffered the necklace, Wonder-gem rare that Wealhtheow gave him, The troop-leader's daughter, a trio of horses 30 Slender and saddle-bright; soon did the jewel Embellish her bosom, when the beer-feast was over.

So Ecgtheow's bairn brave did prove him,

{Beowulf is famous.}

War-famous man, by deeds that were valiant, He lived in honor, beloved companions 35 Slew not carousing; his mood was not cruel, But by hand-strength hugest of heroes then living The brave one retained the bountiful gift that The Lord had allowed him. Long was he wretched, So that sons of the Geatmen accounted him worthless, 40 And the lord of the liegemen loth was to do him Mickle of honor, when mead-cups were pa.s.sing; They fully believed him idle and sluggish,

{He is requited for the slights suffered in earlier days.}

An indolent atheling: to the honor-blest man there Came requital for the cuts he had suffered.

45 The folk-troop's defender bade fetch to the building The heirloom of Hrethel, embellished with gold,

{Higelac overwhelms the conqueror with gifts.}

So the brave one enjoined it; there was jewel no richer In the form of a weapon 'mong Geats of that era; In Beowulf's keeping he placed it and gave him 50 Seven of thousands, manor and lords.h.i.+p.

Common to both was land 'mong the people, [75] Estate and inherited rights and possessions, To the second one specially s.p.a.cious dominions, To the one who was better. It afterward happened 55 In days that followed, befell the battle-thanes,

{After Heardred's death, Beowulf becomes king.}

After Higelac's death, and when Heardred was murdered With weapons of warfare 'neath well-covered targets, When valiant battlemen in victor-band sought him, War-Scylfing heroes hara.s.sed the nephew 60 Of Hereric in battle. To Beowulf's keeping Turned there in time extensive dominions:

{He rules the Geats fifty years.}

He fittingly ruled them a fifty of winters (He a man-ruler wise was, manor-ward old) till A certain one 'gan, on gloom-darkening nights, a

{The fire-drake.}

65 Dragon, to govern, who guarded a treasure, A high-rising stone-cliff, on heath that was grayish: A path 'neath it lay, unknown unto mortals.

Some one of earthmen entered the mountain, The heathenish h.o.a.rd laid hold of with ardor; 70 * * * * * * *

[1] This verse B. renders, '_Now serve I again thee alone as my gracious king_.'

[2] For 'eafor' (2153), Kl. suggests 'ealdor.' Translate then: _Bade the prince then to bear in the banner, battle-high helmet, etc_. On the other hand, W. takes 'eaforheafodsegn' as a compound, meaning 'helmet': _He bade them bear in the helmet, battle-high helm, gray armor, etc_.

[3] The H.-So. rendering (aerest = _history, origin_; 'eft' for 'est'), though liable to objection, is perhaps the best offered. 'That I should very early tell thee of his favor, kindness' sounds well; but 'his' is badly placed to limit 'est.'--Perhaps, 'eft' with verbs of saying may have the force of Lat. prefix 're,' and the H.-So. reading mean, 'that I should its origin rehea.r.s.e to thee.'

x.x.xII.

THE h.o.a.rD AND THE DRAGON.

He sought of himself who sorely did harm him, But, for need very pressing, the servant of one of The sons of the heroes hate-blows evaded, 5 Seeking for shelter and the sin-driven warrior Took refuge within there. He early looked in it, * * * * * * *