THE ARGUMENT. Hrothgar the Scylding, the son of Healfdene, King of the Danes, builds a great mead-hall and calls it Heorot. There he dwells at peace dealing gifts to his people, and every day at the feast is joyous noise of song. But the fiend Grendel, vexed at the happiness of the Danes, comes down from the misty moors, and nightly kills and devours the sleepers in the hall. Twelve years this trouble lasts, and Hrothgar and his thanes are helpless and full of grief. Beowulf the Scylfing, the son of Ecgtheow, and nephew of Higelac King of the Weder-Goths, makes ready a ship and sails to carry aid to Hrothgar in his need. The King bids him welcome, and gladly gives him leave to do battle with Grendel. At the feast Hunferd taunts Beowulf with having been beaten in a swimming match, and Beowulf tells the true story. Hrothgar and the Queen Waltheow are well pleased, and after the banquet the King gives the hall in charge to Beowulf and his comrades. Grendel comes, and kills one of the men, but is seized by Beowulf, and hardly escapes, wounded to death, and leaving his arm behind him in Beowulf's grasp. There is great joy in Heorot, and at night Hrothgar's thanes sleep in the hall as they did long ago. BEOWULF. I. THE SCYLDING KINGS. Lo! we have heard of glory won by Gar-Dane Kings of old, To him was born an heir in after day, All worldly praise on him, the famed Beowulf; and the power Within his father's hall; thereby, in age and time of fight, That comrades true may stand by him and help the folk aright. In every people men shall thrive by worthy deeds alone! Then to God's hands went mighty Scyld, his fated hour made known, And to the shore his comrades dear him carried as he bade While yet as Scylding's chief beloved he long the people swayed. With weapons decked, and battle-weed, and bills, and coats of mail. Much treasure lay upon his breast, with him afar to go Into the might of waves. No lesser gifts did they bestow- Then, when his father passed from earth Beowulf long while reigned, *See Note A. Heor'gar, Hrothgar, and Halga good, and one,* so say the folk To Hrothgar fame in war was given, and well in fight he sped, And all the youths grew up to be a band of fighters brave. II. HROTHGAR AND GRENDEL. To Hrothgar's mind it came to bid a lordly hall be framed, So speedily it came to pass that high hall stateliest there Well ordered stood; and he whose word was mighty far and wide With many a point and spire High rose the hall—to bide the raging glow of dreadful fire! * There is a gap in the original at this place where probably the name of this daughter stood. See Note B. †Three lines, the meaning of which is exceedingly obscure, are omitted. |