Page:Gummere (1909) The Oldest English Epic.djvu/110

so poisoned the hell-sprite who perished within there.
Soon he was swimming who safe saw in combat
downfall of demons; up-dove through the flood.
1620The clashing waters were cleanséd now,
waste of waves, where the wandering fiend
her life-days left and this lapsing world.
Swam then to strand the sailors’-refuge,
sturdy-in-spirit, of sea-booty glad,
1625of burden brave he bore with him.
Went then to greet him, and God they thanked,
the thane-band choice of their chieftain blithe,
that safe and sound they could see him again.
Soon from the hardy one helmet and armor
1630deftly they doffed: now drowsed the mere,
water ’neath welkin, with war-blood stained.
⁠Forth they fared by the footpaths thence,
merry at heart the highways measured,
well-known roads. Courageous men
1635carried the head from the cliff by the sea,
an arduous task for all the band,
the firm in fight, since four were needed
on the shaft-of-slaughter^[1] strenuously
to bear to the gold-hall Grendel’s head.
1640So presently to the palace there
foemen fearless, fourteen Geats,
marching came. Their master-of-clan
mighty amid them the meadow-ways trod.
Strode^[2] then within the sovran thane
1645fearless in fight, of fame renowned,
hardy hero, Hrothgar to greet.

And next by the hair into hall was borne

1. Spear.
2. See note to v. 720.