Beowulf: The New Translation by Gerald Davis

Author:Gerald Davis [Davis, Gerald]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Insignia Publishing
Published: 2013-08-11T23:00:00+00:00

XXIX

“It will please him not, Ingeld, Prince of the Heathobards, and his band of thanes when he enters into the hall with his bride, Freawaru, daughter of Hrothgar, and perceives that the noble sons of Danes are therein splendidly feasting. The Danes will be wearing their spoils of battle, the gleaming armor of the Heathobards’ ancestors, and bearing hard-edged and ring-adorned swords, weapons that once Ingeld’s forebears wielded in the clash of shields, until their lives and those of their dear comrades they lost in combat against the Danes.

“Then, over his ale-cup, an aged Heathobard spear-warrior, who espies these ancient heirlooms in the hands of his enemies and who recalls the slaughter of his men by thrust of sword—grim is his heart—will speak aloud. He, sad in spirit, will begin to turn the temper of his young leader toward thoughts of war-hatred.

“These words will the old warrior utter:

“ ‘Are you not able, my friend, to recognize the sword, that precious steel, which, into the fray, your father carried in his final fight. Beneath his war-mask, your father fought valiantly till the bold Danes gained mastery of the battle-field and, after the down-fall of heroes, slew him. Now, here, some son of these murderers strides in this hall, exulting in the treasure, boasting of the blood-shedding and wearing the armor which you should rightfully hold in possession.’

“And so, upon every occasion, does the old warrior admonish and provoke with bitter words till, at last, the season comes that a thane of Freawaru will slumber forever, blood-bestained, after the bite of the blade, his life forfeit on account of the deeds of her father. Thence does the slayer escape with his life. He knows the land well. And, thus, is broken on both sides, the solemn oaths of nobles. After, deadly rancor will well up in the heart of Ingeld. His wife-love will cool from his anguish of mind. Wherefore, I count not upon the good feelings of the Heathobards, that their pact of peace with the Danes will be without treachery, or their friendship fast.

“But, now, will I continue to speak of Grendel, so that you, bestower of treasure, may well know the issue of that hand-to-hand combat of heroes. After the Jewel of Heaven had fled over the far fields, the demon came raging, the dreaded night-foe, to seek us out where, steadfast in spirit, we stood sentry over the hall. There was the battle mortal for our companion Hondscio. His fall was fated. He was the first to perish, that war-girded champion. Grendel devoured my noble kindred thane. He swallowed up the whole body of that beloved man. Yet the bloody-toothed beast, bent on malice, did not wish to go forth from that gold-hall with empty hands. Renowned for his might, he pitted himself against me, and laid hold of me with fervent grip. A huge pouch hung by his side, wide and wondrous, strongly worked with artfully-wrought bands. It was made, with the Devil’s devices, from the skin of dragons.

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