Page:Gummere (1909) The Oldest English Epic.djvu/147

slain by my hand, the Hugas’ champion.
Nor fared he thence to the Frisian king
with the booty back, and breast-adornments;
2505but, slain in struggle, that standard-bearer
fell, atheling brave. Not with blade was he slain,
but his bones were broken by brawny gripe,
his heart-waves stilled.—The sword-edge now,
hard blade and my hand, for the hoard shall strive.”
2510⁠Beowulf spake, and a battle-vow made,
his last of all: “I have lived through many
wars in my youth; now once again,
old folk-defender, feud will I seek,
do doughty deeds, if the dark destroyer
2515forth from his cavern come to fight me!”
Then hailed he the helmeted heroes all,
for the last time greeting his liegemen dear,
comrades of war: “I should carry no weapon,
no sword to the serpent, if sure I knew
2520how, with such enemy, else my vows
I could gain as I did in Grendel’s day.
But fire in this fight I must fear me now,
and poisonous breath; so I bring with me
breastplate and board.^[1] From the barrow’s keeper
2525no footbreadth flee I.^[2] One fight shall end
our war by the wall, as Wyrd allots,
all mankind’s master. My mood is bold
but forbears to boast o’er this battling-flyer.
—Now abide by the barrow, ye breastplate-mailed,
2530ye heroes in harness, which of us twain
better from battle-rush bear his wounds.

Wait ye the finish. The fight is not yours,

1. Shield.
2. The same phrase is used by Leofsunu at Maldon.