The Tale of Beowulf/Chapter 16

by unknown author

XVI. HROTHGAR GIVETH GIFTS TO BEOWULF.

THEN was speedily bidden that Hart be withinward991By hand of man well adorn'd; was there a manyOf warriors and wives, who straightway that wine-house, The guest-house, bedight them: there gold-shotten shoneThe webs over the walls, many wonders to look onFor men every one who on such things will stare.Was that building the bright all broken aboutAll withinward, though fast in the bands of the iron;Asunder the hinges rent, only the roof thereWas saved all sound, when the monster of evil1000The guilty of crime-deeds had gat him to flightNever hoping for life. Nay, lightly now may notThat matter be fled from, frame it whoso may frame it.But by strife man shall win of the bearers of souls,Of the children of men, compelled by need,The abiders on earth, the place made all ready,The stead where his body laid fast on his death-bedShall sleep after feast. Now time and place was itWhen unto the hall went that Healfdene's son,And the King himself therein the feast should be sharing;1010Never heard I of men-folk in fellowship moreAbout their wealth-giver so well themselves bearing.Then bow'd unto bench there the abounders in richesAnd were fain of their fill. Full fairly there took A many of mead-cups the kin of those men,The sturdy of heart in the hall high aloft,Hrothgar and Hrothulf. Hart there withinwardOf friends was fulfilled; naught there that was guilesomeThe folk of the Scyldings for yet awhile framed.Gave then to Beowulf Healfdene's bairn1020A golden war-ensign, the victory's guerdon,A staff-banner fair-dight, a helm and a byrny:The great jewel-sword a many men saw themBear forth to the hero. Then Beowulf tookThe cup on the floor, and nowise of that fee-giftBefore the shaft-shooters the shame need he have.Never heard I how friendlier four of the treasures,All gear'd with the gold about, many men erewhileOn the ale-bench have given to others of men.Round the roof of the helm, the burg of the head,A wale wound with wires held ward from withoutward,1031So that the file-leavings might not over fiercely,Were they never so shower-hard, scathe the shield-bold,When he 'gainst the angry in anger should get him.Therewith bade the earls' burg that eight of the horsesWith cheek-plates adorned be led down the floorIn under the fences; on one thereof stood A saddle all craft-bedeck'd, seemly with treasure.That same was the war-seat of the high King full surely1039Whenas that the sword-play that Healfdene's sonWould work; never failed in front of the warThe wide-kenn'd one's war-might, whereas fell the slain.So to Beowulf thereon of either of bothThe Ingwines' high warder gave wielding to have,Both the war-steeds and weapons, and bade him well brook them.Thuswise and so manly the mighty of princes,Hoard-warden of heroes, the battle-race paidWith mares and with gems, so as no man shall blame them,E'en he who will say sooth aright as it is.