BEOWULF
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1-193] Introductory: history and praise of the Danes, andaccount of Grendel’s attacks on Heorot How that glory remains in remembrance,Of the Danes and their kings in days gone,The acts and valour of princes of their blood! Scyld Scefing: how often he thrust from their feast-hallsThe troops of his enemies, tribe after tribe,Terrifying their warriors: he who had been foundLong since as a waif and awaited his desertWhile he grew up and throve in honour among menTill all the nations neighbouring about himSent as his subjects over the whale-fields 10Their gifts of tribute: king worth the name!Then there was born a son to succeed him,A boy for that house, given by GodAs a comfort to the folk for all the wretchednessHe saw they had lived in, from year to yearLacking an overlord; and the overlord of Life,Of Glory, gave the man worldly excelling,Till his fame spread far, the fame of BeowulfThe son of Scyld, on Scandinavian soil.So should magnanimity be the young man’s care, 20Rich gifts and royal in his father’s household,That when he is old his ready companionsWill remain with him still, his people stand by himWhen war returns; a man shall flourishBy acts of merit in every land. Then Scyld departed in the ripeness of time,Old in deeds, to the Lord’s keeping.They carried him down to the restless sea,His beloved retainers, as he himself had askedWhile words served him, the lord of the Scyldings joAnd their dear king who had ruled them long.There at the harbour stood the ring-prowed boat, I 40 go The prince’s vessel, ice-cased, sea-keen; Deep in the ship they laid him down, Their beloved lord, the giver of rings, The hero by the mast. Great treasures there,
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