190 With the cares of that time, nor could the wise man
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00 ° Turn aside his trouble; the strife too severe,Too long, too malignant, that settled on that people,Fierce-forcing persecution, night-frightfulness unequalled. [194-1250] Beowulf and Grendel This Grendel feud became known at homeTo Hygelac’s warrior, brave among the Geats:Who at that hour of this earthly lifeWas master of manhood of all mankind,Great-framed, greatheart. He had himself preparedA sound sea-vessel, and said he would visitThe strong king beyond the swan’s-way,The illustrious prince desperate for men.From that expedition he was little dissuadedBy friends and advisers, though to them he was dear;They urged the hero on, they augured him well.The good man had picked out from the people of the GeatsSoldiers who were the eagerest among those he could find,And with a band of fourteen men collectedHe made for the boat, the warrior led the way,The sea-skilled man to the fringe of the beach.Not long after was the vessel on the waves,The boat beneath the cliff. The men, alert,Leapt onto the prow; surf was swirling,Sand was stirring; soldiers took upInto the ship-hold glittering trappings,Splendid battle-arms; and the men cast off,Eager voyagers, in their tight-timbered boat.Off over the choppy sea, wind-whipped, 6 The foam-throated thing went bobbing like a bird,Till after a space on the second dayThe winding prow of the ship had advanced 220To where the seafarers had glimpse of land,Could see cliffs gleaming, sheer fall of bluffs,Ample promontories: they had crossed the sea,Their voyage was ended. They quickly thenClimbed onto the shore, the men of the Weders,And moored the ship; mail-coats clashed,Trappings of battle. They gave thanks to GodFor the grace he had shown in their safe seagoing.But the Scyldings’ coastguard gazing from his rock,He whose duty was to watch the sea-cliffs, 230Saw shining shields borne across the gangplank,Saw bared battle-gear; and his thoughts were prickedWith desire to discover the strangers’ business.So he came to the shore, mounted on horseback,Hrothgar’s man, brandishing with forceA formidable spear, and uttered these words:‘What men would you be, here in your armour,Mail-coat-protected, in that tall shipBrought through the paths and acres of oceanHere, to our land? Long have I been 340A watcher on these coasts, my vigil the sea,Lest any enemy with warship-convoyShould come to plunder the country of the Danes.Never more openly have shield-armed menMade harbour here, yet where is your permission,Pass of any kind from our commanders,Consent from the court? I never looked onA finer man living than one of you seems,He there in his armour: no mere retainerTricked out with weapons, unless looks belie him, as0Looks without equal. Now I must knowWho you are, and from where, in case from this pointYou push forward into Denmark and are taken as spiesAs you move on inland. So now far-sailersFrom homes sea-hidden, bend your attentiveness 7 260 270 ago
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