Saga Six Pack (Annotated)

XV. HROTHGAR’S GRATITUDE.

XV. HROTHGAR’S GRATITUDE.––––––––

Hrothgar discoursed (to the hall-building went he,

He stood by the pillar, saw the steep-rising hall-roof

Gleaming with gold-gems, and Grendel his hand there):

Hrothgar gives thanks for the overthrow of the monster.

“For the sight we behold now, thanks to the Wielder

Early be offered! Much evil I bided,

Snaring from Grendel: God can e’er ’complish

Wonder on wonder, Wielder of Glory!

I had given up all hope, when this brave liegeman came to our aid.

But lately I reckoned ne’er under heaven

Comfort to gain me for any of sorrows,

While the handsomest of houses horrid with bloodstain

Gory uptowered; grief had off frightened

Each of the wise ones who weened not that ever

The folk-troop’s defences ’gainst foes they should strengthen,

’Gainst sprites and monsters. Through the might of the Wielder

A doughty retainer hath a deed now accomplished

Which erstwhile we all with our excellent wisdom

If his mother yet liveth, well may she thank God for this son.

Failed to perform. May affirm very truly

What woman soever in all of the nations

Gave birth to the child, if yet she surviveth,

That the long-ruling Lord was lavish to herward

In the birth of the bairn. Now, Beowulf dear,

Hereafter, Beowulf, thou shalt be my son.

Most excellent hero, I’ll love thee in spirit

As bairn of my body; bear well henceforward

The relationship new. No lack shall befall thee

Of earth-joys any I ever can give thee.

Full often for lesser service I’ve given

Hero less hardy hoard-treasure precious,

Thou hast won immortal distinction.

To a weaker in war-strife. By works of distinction

Thou hast gained for thyself now that thy glory shall flourish

Forever and ever. The All-Ruler quite thee

With good from His hand as He hitherto did thee!”

Beowulf replies: I was most happy to render thee this service.

Beowulf answered, Ecgtheow’s offspring:

“That labor of glory most gladly achieved we,

The combat accomplished, unquailing we ventured

The enemy’s grapple; I would grant it much rather

Thou wert able to look at the creature in person,

Faint unto falling, the foe in his trappings!

On murder-bed quickly I minded to bind him,

With firm-holding fetters, that forced by my grapple

Low he should lie in life-and-death struggle

’Less his body escape; I was wholly unable,

I could not keep the monster from escaping, as God did not will that I should.

Since God did not will it, to keep him from going,

Not held him that firmly, hated opposer;

Too swift was the foeman. Yet safety regarding

He suffered his hand behind him to linger,

His arm and shoulder, to act as watcher;

He left his hand and arm behind.

No shadow of solace the woe-begone creature

Found him there nathless: the hated destroyer

Liveth no longer, lashed for his evils,

But sorrow hath seized him, in snare-meshes hath him

Close in its clutches, keepeth him writhing

In baleful bonds: there banished for evil

The man shall wait for the mighty tribunal,

God will give him his deserts.

How the God of glory shall give him his earnings.”

Then the soldier kept silent, son of old Ecglaf,

Unferth has nothing more to say, for Beowulf’s actions speak louder than words.

From boasting and bragging of battle-achievements,

Since the princes beheld there the hand that depended

’Neath the lofty hall-timbers by the might of the nobleman,

Each one before him, the enemy’s fingers;

Each finger-nail strong steel most resembled,

The heathen one’s hand-spur, the hero-in-battle’s

Claw most uncanny; quoth they agreeing,

No sword will harm the monster.

That not any excellent edges of brave ones

Was willing to touch him, the terrible creature’s

Battle-hand bloody to bear away from him.