Beowulf | Page 3

high hills,?headlands broad. Their haven was found,?their journey ended. Up then quickly?the Weders' {3c} clansmen climbed ashore,?anchored their sea-wood, with armor clashing?and gear of battle: God they thanked?or passing in peace o'er the paths of the sea.?Now saw from the cliff a Scylding clansman,?a warden that watched the water-side,?how they bore o'er the gangway glittering shields,?war-gear in readiness; wonder seized him?to know what manner of men they were.?Straight to the strand his steed he rode,?Hrothgar's henchman; with hand of might?he shook his spear, and spake in parley.?"Who are ye, then, ye armed men,?mailed folk, that yon mighty vessel?have urged thus over the ocean ways,?here o'er the waters? A warden I,?sentinel set o'er the sea-march here,?lest any foe to the folk of Danes?with harrying fleet should harm the land.?No aliens ever at ease thus bore them,?linden-wielders: {3d} yet word-of-leave?clearly ye lack from clansmen here,?my folk's agreement. -- A greater ne'er saw I?of warriors in world than is one of you, --?yon hero in harness! No henchman he?worthied by weapons, if witness his features,?his peerless presence! I pray you, though, tell?your folk and home, lest hence ye fare?suspect to wander your way as spies?in Danish land. Now, dwellers afar,?ocean-travellers, take from me?simple advice: the sooner the better?I hear of the country whence ye came."
IV
To him the stateliest spake in answer;?the warriors' leader his word-hoard unlocked: --?"We are by kin of the clan of Geats,?and Hygelac's own hearth-fellows we.?To folk afar was my father known,?noble atheling, Ecgtheow named.?Full of winters, he fared away?aged from earth; he is honored still?through width of the world by wise men all.?To thy lord and liege in loyal mood?we hasten hither, to Healfdene's son,?people-protector: be pleased to advise us!?To that mighty-one come we on mickle errand,?to the lord of the Danes; nor deem I right?that aught be hidden. We hear -- thou knowest?if sooth it is -- the saying of men,?that amid the Scyldings a scathing monster,?dark ill-doer, in dusky nights?shows terrific his rage unmatched,?hatred and murder. To Hrothgar I?in greatness of soul would succor bring,?so the Wise-and-Brave {4a} may worst his foes, --?if ever the end of ills is fated,?of cruel contest, if cure shall follow,?and the boiling care-waves cooler grow;?else ever afterward anguish-days?he shall suffer in sorrow while stands in place?high on its hill that house unpeered!"?Astride his steed, the strand-ward answered,?clansman unquailing: "The keen-souled thane?must be skilled to sever and sunder duly?words and works, if he well intends.?I gather, this band is graciously bent?to the Scyldings' master. March, then, bearing?weapons and weeds the way I show you.?I will bid my men your boat meanwhile?to guard for fear lest foemen come, --?your new-tarred ship by shore of ocean?faithfully watching till once again?it waft o'er the waters those well-loved thanes,?-- winding-neck'd wood, -- to Weders' bounds,?heroes such as the hest of fate?shall succor and save from the shock of war."?They bent them to march, -- the boat lay still,?fettered by cable and fast at anchor,?broad-bosomed ship. -- Then shone the boars {4b}?over the cheek-guard; chased with gold,?keen and gleaming, guard it kept?o'er the man of war, as marched along?heroes in haste, till the hall they saw,?broad of gable and bright with gold:?that was the fairest, 'mid folk of earth,?of houses 'neath heaven, where Hrothgar lived,?and the gleam of it lightened o'er lands afar.?The sturdy shieldsman showed that bright?burg-of-the-boldest; bade them go?straightway thither; his steed then turned,?hardy hero, and hailed them thus: --?"'Tis time that I fare from you. Father Almighty?in grace and mercy guard you well,?safe in your seekings. Seaward I go,?'gainst hostile warriors hold my watch."
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STONE-BRIGHT the street: {5a} it showed the way?to the crowd of clansmen. Corselets glistened?hand-forged, hard; on their harness bright?the steel ring sang, as they strode along?in mail of battle, and marched to the hall.?There, weary of ocean, the wall along?they set their bucklers, their broad shields, down,?and bowed them to bench: the breastplates clanged,?war-gear of men; their weapons stacked,?spears of the seafarers stood together,?gray-tipped ash: that iron band?was worthily weaponed! -- A warrior proud?asked of the heroes their home and kin.?"Whence, now, bear ye burnished shields,?harness gray and helmets grim,?spears in multitude? Messenger, I,?Hrothgar's herald! Heroes so many?ne'er met I as strangers of mood so strong.?'Tis plain that for prowess, not plunged into exile,?for high-hearted valor, Hrothgar ye seek!"?Him the sturdy-in-war bespake with words,?proud earl of the Weders answer made,?hardy 'neath helmet: -- "Hygelac's, we,?fellows at board; I am Beowulf named.?I am seeking to say to the son of Healfdene?this 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,?his 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