Beowulf
Chapter 7
Original Text | Modern Text |
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HROTHGAR spake, the Scyldings’-helmet:—
“For fight defensive, Friend my Beowulf,
to succor and save, thou hast sought us here.
Thy father’s combat a feud enkindled
when Heatholaf with hand he slew
among the Wylfings; his Weder kin
for horror of fighting feared to hold him.
Fleeing, he sought our South-Dane folk,
over surge of ocean the Honor-Scyldings,
when first I was ruling the folk of Danes,
wielded, youthful, this widespread realm,
this hoard-hold of heroes. Heorogar was dead,
my elder brother, had breathed his last,
Healfdene’s bairn: he was better than I!
Straightway the feud with fee I settled,
to the Wylfings sent, o’er watery ridges,
treasures olden: oaths he swore me.
Sore is my soul to say to any
of the race of man what ruth for me
in Heorot Grendel with hate hath wrought,
what sudden harryings. Hall-folk fail me,
my warriors wane; for Wyrd hath swept them
into Grendel’s grasp. But God is able
this deadly foe from his deeds to turn!
Boasted full oft, as my beer they drank,
earls o’er the ale-cup, armed men,
that they would bide in the beer-hall here,
Grendel’s attack with terror of blades.
Then was this mead-house at morning tide
dyed with gore, when the daylight broke,
all the boards of the benches blood-besprinkled,
gory the hall: I had heroes the less,
doughty dear-ones that death had reft.
—But sit to the banquet, unbind thy words,
hardy hero, as heart shall prompt thee.”
| “You have come here to defend us,” Hrothgar replied. “Long ago your father started a feud when he killed Heatholaf of the Wylfings. Your father’s people were afraid he would be killed in retaliation, so they sent him away. He sailed here. I had only recently become ruler of the Danes. My older brother Heorogar, a better man than I, had just died. I settled the feud by sending treasure to the Wylfings, and your father swore to be loyal to me. It is painful to me to trouble other people with the sufferings that Grendel has caused here in Heorot. But fate sweeps my men into Grendel’s grasp, and only God can stop these evil deeds. Many times men have come here, sat at my banquet table, drank my ale, and claimed that they would stop Grendel, and every time my hall has wound up covered in their blood. Now it is your turn to sit at my table.” |
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Gathered together, the Geatish men
in the banquet-hall on bench assigned,
sturdy-spirited, sat them down,
hardy-hearted. A henchman attended,
carried the carven cup in hand,
served the clear mead. Oft minstrels sang
blithe in Heorot. Heroes revelled,
no dearth of warriors, Weder and Dane.
| Beowulf and his strong-hearted men sat down in the banquet hall. A servant brought them beer. A minstrel sang and raised everyone’s spirits. |
