of life despairing.—No light thing that,[1]
the flight for safety,—essay it who will!
Forced of fate, he shall find his way
1005to the refuge ready for race of man,
for soul-possessors, and sons of earth;
and there his body on bed of death
shall rest after revel.
Arrived was the hour
when to hall proceeded Healfdene’s son:
1010the king himself would sit to banquet.
Ne’er heard I of host in haughtier throng
more graciously gathered round giver-of-rings!
Bowed then to bench those bearers-of-glory,
fain of the feasting. Featly received
1015many a mead-cup the mighty-in-spirit,
kinsmen who sat in the sumptuous hall,
Hrothgar and Hrothulf.[2] Heorot now
was filled with friends; the folk of Scyldings
ne’er yet had tried the traitor’s deed.
1020To Beowulf gave the bairn of Healfdene
a gold-wove banner, guerdon of triumph,
broidered battle-flag, breastplate and helmet;
and a splendid sword was seen of many
borne to the brave one. Beowulf took
- ↑ The usual litotes for “impossible.” So, v. 1027, below, “few” means “none at all.”—As for the matter, a moral commonplace is not very happily forced into the narrative.
- ↑ Uncle and nephew. It would seem that after a long period of amity (cf. Widsith, 45) they quarrelled and fought. See also below, v. 1164.
- ↑ From its formal use in other places, this phrase, to take cup in hall, or “on the floor,” would seem to mean that Beowulf stood up to receive his gifts, drink to the donor, and say thanks.
