Legends of the Middle Ages | Page 3

he
venture to reappear.
But in spite of the valor of these experienced warriors, and of the
efficacy of their oft-tried weapons, they too succumbed. A minstrel,
hiding in a dark corner of the hall, was the only one who escaped
Grendel's fury, and after shudderingly describing the massacre he had
witnessed, he fled in terror to the kingdom of the Geates (Jutes or
Goths). There he sang his lays in the presence of Hygelac, the king, and
of his nephew Beowulf (the Bee Hunter), and roused their deepest
interest by describing the visit of Grendel and the vain but heroic
defense of the brave knights. Beowulf, having listened intently, eagerly
questioned the scald, and, learning from him that the monster still
haunted those regions, impetuously declared his intention to visit
Hrothgar's kingdom, and show his valor by fighting and, if possible,
slaying Grendel.
"He was of mankind In might the strongest, At that day Of this life,
Noble and stalwart. He bade him a sea ship, A goodly one, prepare.
Quoth he, the war king, Over the swan's road, Seek he would The

mighty monarch, Since he wanted men." Beowulf (Longfellow's tr.).
[Sidenote: Beowulf and Breka.] Although very young, Beowulf was
quite distinguished, and had already won great honors in a battle
against the Swedes. He had also proved his endurance by entering into
a swimming match with Breka, one of the lords at his uncle's court. The
two champions had started out, sword in hand and fully armed, and,
after swimming in concert for five whole days, they were parted by a
great tempest.
"Then were we twain there on the sea Space of five nights, till the
floods severed us, The welling waves. Coldest of weathers, Shadowy
night, and the north wind Battelous shocked on us; wild were the
waters, And were the mere-fishes stirred up in mind." Beowulf.
Breka was driven ashore, but the current bore Beowulf toward some
jagged cliffs, where he desperately clung, trying to resist the fury of the
waves, and using his sword to ward off the attacks of hostile mermaids,
nicors (nixies), and other sea monsters. The gashed bodies of these
slain foes soon drifted ashore, to Hygelac's amazement; but when
Beowulf suddenly reappeared and explained that they had fallen by his
hand, his joy knew no bounds. As Breka had returned first, he received
the prize for swimming; but the king gave Beowulf his treasured sword,
Nägeling, and praised him publicly for his valor.
Beowulf had successfully encountered these monsters of the deep in the
roaring tide, so he now expressed a hope that he might prevail against
Grendel also; and embarking with fourteen chosen men, he sailed to
Denmark, where he was challenged by the coast guard and warmly
welcomed as soon as he had made his purpose known.
"'What men are ye, War gear wearing, Host in harness, Who thus the
brown keel Over the water street Leading, come Hither over the sea?'"
Beowulf (Longfellow's tr.).
Hrothgar received Beowulf most hospitably, but vainly tried to
dissuade him from his perilous undertaking. Then, after a sumptuous
banquet, where the mead flowed with true northern lavishness,
Hrothgar and his suite sadly left the hall Heorot in charge of the brave
band of strangers, whom they never expected to see again.
[Sidenote: Beowulf and Grendel.] As soon as the king had departed,
Beowulf bade his companions lie down and sleep in peace, promising
to watch over them, yet laying aside both armor and sword; for he

knew that weapons were of no avail against the monster, whom he
intended to grapple with hand to hand should it really appear.
"'I have heard That that foul miscreant's dark and stubborn flesh Recks
not the force of arms:--such I forswear, Nor sword nor burnish'd shield
of ample round Ask for the war; all weaponless, hand to hand (So may
great Higelac's smile repay my toil) Beowulf will grapple with the
mighty foe.'" Beowulf (Conybeare's tr.).
The warriors had no sooner stretched themselves out upon the benches
in the hall than, overcome by the oppressive air as well as by mead,
they sank into a profound sleep. Beowulf alone remained awake,
watching for Grendel's coming. In the early morning, when all was
very still, the giant appeared, tore asunder the iron bolts and bars which
secured the door, and striding into the hall, enveloped in a long, damp
mantle of clammy mist, he pounced upon one of the sleepers. He tore
him limb from limb, greedily drank his blood, and devoured his flesh,
leaving naught but the head, hands, and feet of his unhappy victim.
This ghastly repast only whetted the fiend's ravenous appetite, however,
so he eagerly stretched out his hands in the darkness to seize and
devour another warrior. Imagine his surprise and dismay