Beowulf

Chapter 25

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“UNDER harness his heart then is hit indeed

by sharpest shafts; and no shelter avails

from foul behest of the hellish fiend.

Him seems too little what long he possessed.

Greedy and grim, no golden rings

he gives for his pride; the promised future

forgets he and spurns, with all God has sent him,

Wonder-Wielder, of wealth and fame.

Yet in the end it ever comes

that the frame of the body fragile yields,

fated falls; and there follows another

who joyously the jewels divides,

the royal riches, nor recks of his forebear.

Ban, then, such baleful thoughts, Beowulf dearest,

best of men, and the better part choose,

profit eternal; and temper thy pride,

warrior famous! The flower of thy might

lasts now a while: but erelong it shall be

that sickness or sword thy strength shall minish,

or fang of fire, or flooding billow,

or bite of blade, or brandished spear,

or odious age; or the eyes’ clear beam

wax dull and darken: Death even thee

in haste shall o’erwhelm, thou hero of war!

So the Ring-Danes these half-years a hundred I ruled,

wielded ’neath welkin, and warded them bravely

from mighty-ones many o’er middle-earth,

from spear and sword, till it seemed for me

no foe could be found under fold of the sky.

Lo, sudden the shift! To me seated secure

came grief for joy when Grendel began

to harry my home, the hellish foe;

for those ruthless raids, unresting I suffered

heart-sorrow heavy. Heaven be thanked,

Lord Eternal, for life extended

that I on this head all hewn and bloody,

after long evil, with eyes may gaze!

—Go to the bench now! Be glad at banquet,

warrior worthy! A wealth of treasure

at dawn of day, be dealt between us!”

Glad was the Geats’ lord, going betimes

to seek his seat, as the Sage commanded.

Afresh, as before, for the famed-in-battle,

for the band of the hall, was a banquet dight

nobly anew. The Night-Helm darkened

dusk o’er the drinkers.

The doughty ones rose:

for the hoary-headed would hasten to rest,

aged Scylding; and eager the Geat,

shield-fighter sturdy, for sleeping yearned.

Him wander-weary, warrior-guest

from far, a hall-thane heralded forth,

who by custom courtly cared for all

needs of a thane as in those old days

warrior-wanderers wont to have.

So slumbered the stout-heart. Stately the hall

rose gabled and gilt where the guest slept on

till a raven black the rapture-of-heaven

blithe-heart boded. Bright came flying

shine after shadow. The swordsmen hastened,

athelings all were eager homeward

forth to fare; and far from thence

the great-hearted guest would guide his keel.

Bade then the hardy-one Hrunting be brought

to the son of Ecglaf, the sword bade him take,

excellent iron, and uttered his thanks for it,

quoth that he counted it keen in battle,

“war-friend” winsome: with words he slandered not

edge of the blade: ’twas a big-hearted man!

Now eager for parting and armed at point

warriors waited, while went to his host

that Darling of Danes. The doughty atheling

to high-seat hastened and Hrothgar greeted.

“Once his heart is struck by the demon’s arrow, he becomes greedy. He forgets the customs of his ancestors, and ignores warning signs about his coming doom. But eventually he dies and all of the wealth he had is spread out amongst other people. Avoid becoming a man like that, Beowulf. Keep your pride in check. Now you are strong, but sooner or later your strength will begin to fail you and time or the sword will make it clear that you are mortal. Death will come even for you. I’ve ruled the Danes for half a century and I protected them from every evil. It began to seem that there was nothing in the world that could get past me. But everything changed so fast. My sense of security disappeared when Grendel first entered this hall. Thank God that I can now look upon his severed head! Please, Beowulf-sit and feast! Tomorrow you will receive much treasure.” Beowulf happily sat down, and soon the feast resumed. Everyone was in a good mood as night descended upon the land. Eventually Hrothgar and Beowulf both rose to go to bed. One of the hall guards showed Beowulf to his sleeping quarters. The brave-hearted warrior slept. The hall stood peacefully in the darkness. Beowulf slept until the raven called in the morning. Men were up and about, eager to get home. Beowulf gave Hrunting back to Unferth, thanking him for it. Even though he had found a better sword, he didn’t say anything bad about Hrunting, because he was a good man. With his warriors waiting and eager to leave, Beowulf went to Hrothgar.