Part 29 (1/2)

35 ”I survived in my youth-days many a conflict, Hours of onset: that all I remember.

I was seven-winters old when the jewel-prince took me, High-lord of heroes, at the hands of my father, Hrethel the hero-king had me in keeping,

{Hrethel took me when I was seven.}

40 Gave me treasure and feasting, our kins.h.i.+p remembered; Not ever was I _any_ less dear to him

{He treated me as a son.}

Knight in the boroughs, than the bairns of his household, Herebald and Haethcyn and Higelac mine.

To the eldest unjustly by acts of a kinsman 45 Was murder-bed strewn, since him Haethcyn from horn-bow

{One of the brothers accidentally kills another.}

His sheltering chieftain shot with an arrow, Erred in his aim and injured his kinsman, One brother the other, with blood-sprinkled spear:

{No fee could compound for such a calamity.}

'Twas a feeless fight, finished in malice, 50 Sad to his spirit; the folk-prince however Had to part from existence with vengeance untaken.

{[A parallel case is supposed.]}

So to h.o.a.r-headed hero 'tis heavily crus.h.i.+ng[1]

[83] To live to see his son as he rideth Young on the gallows: then measures he chanteth, 55 A song of sorrow, when his son is hanging For the raven's delight, and aged and h.o.a.ry He is unable to offer any a.s.sistance.

Every morning his offspring's departure Is constant recalled: he cares not to wait for 60 The birth of an heir in his borough-enclosures, Since that one through death-pain the deeds hath experienced.

He heart-grieved beholds in the house of his son the Wine-building wasted, the wind-lodging places Reaved of their roaring; the riders are sleeping, 65 The knights in the grave; there's no sound of the harp-wood, Joy in the yards, as of yore were familiar.

[1] 'Gomelum ceorle' (2445).--H. takes these words as referring to Hrethel; but the translator here departs from his editor by understanding the poet to refer to a hypothetical old man, introduced as an ill.u.s.tration of a father's sorrow.

Hrethrel had certainly never seen a son of his ride on the gallows to feed the crows.

The pa.s.sage beginning 'swa bi geomorlic' seems to be an effort to reach a full simile, 'as ... so.' 'As it is mournful for an old man, etc. ... so the defence of the Weders (2463) bore heart-sorrow, etc.'

The verses 2451 to 2463-1/2 would be parenthetical, the poet's feelings being so strong as to interrupt the simile. The punctuation of the fourth edition would be better--a comma after 'galgan' (2447). The translation may be indicated as follows: _(Just) as it is sad for an old man to see his son ride young on the gallows when he himself is uttering mournful measures, a sorrowful song, while his son hangs for a comfort to the raven, and he, old and infirm, cannot render him any kelp--(he is constantly reminded, etc., 2451-2463)--so the defence of the Weders, etc._

x.x.xV.

REMINISCENCES (_continued_).--BEOWULF'S LAST BATTLE.

”He seeks then his chamber, singeth a woe-song One for the other; all too extensive Seemed homesteads and plains. So the helm of the Weders

{Hrethel grieves for Herebald.}

Mindful of Herebald heart-sorrow carried, 5 Stirred with emotion, nowise was able To wreak his ruin on the ruthless destroyer: He was unable to follow the warrior with hatred, With deeds that were direful, though dear he not held him.

[84] Then pressed by the pang this pain occasioned him, 10 He gave up glee, G.o.d-light elected; He left to his sons, as the man that is rich does, His land and fortress, when from life he departed.

{Strife between Swedes and Geats.}

Then was crime and hostility 'twixt Swedes and Geatmen, O'er wide-stretching water warring was mutual, 15 Burdensome hatred, when Hrethel had perished, And Ongentheow's offspring were active and valiant, Wished not to hold to peace oversea, but Round Hreosna-beorh often accomplished Cruelest ma.s.sacre. This my kinsman avenged, 20 The feud and fury, as 'tis found on inquiry, Though one of them paid it with forfeit of life-joys,

{Haethcyn's fall at Ravenswood.}