Page:Gummere (1909) The Oldest English Epic.djvu/54

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38
THE OLDEST ENGLISH EPIC

fellows at board; I am Beowulf named.
I am seeking to say to the son of Healfdene
345this mission of mine, to thy master-lord,
the doughty prince, if he deign at all
grace that we greet him, the good one, now.”
Wulfgar spake, the Wendles’ chieftain,
whose might of mind to many was known,
350his courage and counsel: “The king of Danes,
the Scyldings’ friend, I fain will tell,
the Breaker-of-Rings, as the boon thou askest,
the famed prince, of thy faring hither,
and, swiftly after, such answer bring
355as the doughty monarch may deign to give.”
Hied then in haste to where Hrothgar sat
white-haired and old, his earls about him,
till the stout thane stood at the shoulder[1] there
of the Danish king: good courtier he!
360Wulfgar spake to his winsome lord:—
“Hither have fared to thee far-come men
o’er the paths of ocean, people of Geatland;
and the stateliest[2] there by his sturdy band
is Beowulf named. This boon they seek,
365that they, my master, may with thee
have speech at will: nor spurn their prayer
to give them hearing, gracious Hrothgar!
In weeds of the warrior worthy they,
methinks, of our liking; their leader most surely,
370a hero that hither his henchmen has led.”

  1. “Before the shoulders,” whatever position this was. Gering: “at the left shoulder of the lord of the land.”
  2. Literally, “oldest.” See above, v. 258.