Part 29 (2/2)

With price that was hard: the struggle became then Fatal to Haethcyn, lord of the Geatmen.

Then I heard that at morning one brother the other 25 With edges of irons egged on to murder, Where Ongentheow maketh onset on Eofor: The helmet crashed, the h.o.a.ry-haired Scylfing Sword-smitten fell, his hand then remembered Feud-hate sufficient, refused not the death-blow.

{I requited him for the jewels he gave me.}

30 The gems that he gave me, with jewel-bright sword I 'Quited in contest, as occasion was offered: Land he allowed me, life-joy at homestead, Manor to live on. Little he needed From Gepids or Danes or in Sweden to look for 35 Trooper less true, with treasure to buy him; 'Mong foot-soldiers ever in front I would hie me, Alone in the vanguard, and evermore gladly Warfare shall wage, while this weapon endureth That late and early often did serve me

{Beowulf refers to his having slain Daeghrefn.}

40 When I proved before heroes the slayer of Daeghrefn, Knight of the Hugmen: he by no means was suffered To the king of the Frisians to carry the jewels, The breast-decoration; but the banner-possessor Bowed in the battle, brave-mooded atheling.

[85] 45 No weapon was slayer, but war-grapple broke then The surge of his spirit, his body destroying.

Now shall weapon's edge make war for the treasure, And hand and firm-sword.” Beowulf spake then, Boast-words uttered--the latest occasion:

{He boasts of his youthful prowess, and declares himself still fearless.}

50 ”I braved in my youth-days battles unnumbered; Still am I willing the struggle to look for, Fame-deeds perform, folk-warden prudent, If the hateful despoiler forth from his cavern Seeketh me out!” Each of the heroes, 55 Helm-bearers st.u.r.dy, he thereupon greeted

{His last salutations.}

Beloved co-liegemen--his last salutation: ”No brand would I bear, no blade for the dragon, Wist I a way my word-boast to 'complish[1]

Else with the monster, as with Grendel I did it; 60 But fire in the battle hot I expect there, Furious flame-burning: so I fixed on my body Target and war-mail. The ward of the barrow[2]

I'll not flee from a foot-length, the foeman uncanny.

At the wall 'twill befall us as Fate decreeth,

{Let Fate decide between us.}

65 Each one's Creator. I am eager in spirit, With the winged war-hero to away with all boasting.

Bide on the barrow with burnies protected,

{Wait ye here till the battle is over.}

Earls in armor, which of _us_ two may better Bear his disaster, when the battle is over.

70 'Tis no matter of yours, and man cannot do it, But me and me only, to measure his strength with The monster of malice, might-deeds to 'complish.

I with prowess shall gain the gold, or the battle, [86] Direful death-woe will drag off your ruler!”

75 The mighty champion rose by his s.h.i.+eld then, Brave under helmet, in battle-mail went he 'Neath steep-rising stone-cliffs, the strength he relied on Of one man alone: no work for a coward.

Then he saw by the wall who a great many battles 80 Had lived through, most worthy, when foot-troops collided,

{The place of strife is described.}

Stone-arches standing, stout-hearted champion, Saw a brook from the barrow bubbling out thenceward: The flood of the fountain was fuming with war-flame: Not nigh to the h.o.a.rd, for season the briefest 85 Could he brave, without burning, the abyss that was yawning, The drake was so fiery. The prince of the Weders Caused then that words came from his bosom, So fierce was his fury; the firm-hearted shouted: His battle-clear voice came in resounding 90 'Neath the gray-colored stone. Stirred was his hatred,

{Beowulf calls out under the stone arches.}

The h.o.a.rd-ward distinguished the speech of a man; Time was no longer to look out for friends.h.i.+p.

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