LITERATURE 10 Preserve thy strength, and these striplings here thou art famed among folk both far and near, so wide as washeth the wave of Ocean be helpful in deed and uphold his joys! mild of mood, to the master loyal! liegemen are revelling: list and obey! Went then to her place. That was proudest of feasts; flowed wine for the warriors. Wyrd they knew not, destiny dire, and the doom to be seen by many an earl when eve should come, and Hrothgar homeward hasten away, 1 From the translation by Professor F. B. Gummere. Used by special permission of the translator and of the publishers. Copyright, 1904, The Macmillan Company. 25 30 royal, to rest. The room was guarded by an army of earls, as erst was done. They bared the bench-boards; abroad they spread beds and bolsters. - One beer-carouser in danger of doom lay down in the hall. the high battle-helmet, the haughty spear, the corselet of rings. "Twas their custom so at home, or harrying, which it were, 35 even as oft as evil threatened Б 10 15 their sovran king. They were clansmen good. The Fight with Grendel's Mother After these words the Weder-Geat lord boldly hastened, biding never answer at all: and ocean floods closed o'er the hero. Long while of the day fled ere he felt the floor of the sea. as she strove to shatter the sark of war, the linked harness, with loathsome hand. On the hall-guest she hurled herself, hent her short sword. - On his shoulder lay the sole-born son. braided breast-mail, barring death, withstanding entrance of edge or blade. 40 Bloody the blade: he was blithe of his deed. angry and eager. That edge was not useless his horrible prey. Well paid for that the wrathful prince! For now prone he saw Grendel stretched there, spent with war, spoiled of life, so scathed had left him CEDMON Most right it is that we praise with our words, He speeds the strong, and is the Head of all His high creation, the Almighty Lord. None formed Him, no first was nor last shall be Is everlasting over thrones in heaven. With powers on high, soothfast and steadfast, He The Son of glory. Hosts of angels shone, Glad with their Maker; bright their bliss and rich The fruitage of their lives; their glory sure, They served and praised their King, with joy gave praise They judged themselves most blessed. Sin unknown, They lived in peace, raising aloft in heaven Right and truth only, ere the Angel Chief Through Pride divided them and led astray. |