Beowulf (Hall translation) — Chapters XXXIV - XXXVI

BEOWULF SEEKS THE DRAGON.

--BEOWULF'S REMINISCENCES.

He planned requital for the folk-leader's ruin In days thereafter, to Eadgils the wretched Becoming an enemy.

Ohthere's son then Went with a war-troop o'er the wide-stretching currents 5 With warriors and weapons: with woe-journeys cold he After avenged him, the king's life he took.

{Beowulf has been preserved through many perils.

} So he came off uninjured from all of his battles, Perilous fights, offspring of Ecgtheow, From his deeds of daring, till that day most momentous 10 When he fate-driven fared to fight with the dragon.

{With eleven comrades, he seeks the dragon.

} With eleven companions the prince of the Geatmen Went lowering with fury to look at the fire-drake: Inquiring he'd found how the feud had arisen, Hate to his heroes; the highly-famed gem-vessel 15 Was brought to his keeping through the hand of th' informer.

{A guide leads the way, but} That in the throng was thirteenth of heroes, That caused the beginning of conflict so bitter, Captive and wretched, must sad-mooded thenceward {very reluctantly.

} Point out the place: he passed then unwillingly 20 To the spot where he knew of the notable cavern, The cave under earth, not far from the ocean, The anger of eddies, which inward was full of Jewels and wires: a warden uncanny, [82] Warrior weaponed, wardered the treasure, 25 Old under earth; no easy possession For any of earth-folk access to get to.

Then the battle-brave atheling sat on the naze-edge, While the gold-friend of Geatmen gracious saluted His fireside-companions: woe was his spirit, 30 Death-boding, wav'ring; Weird very near him, Who must seize the old hero, his soul-treasure look for, Dragging aloof his life from his body: Not flesh-hidden long was the folk-leader's spirit.

Beowulf spake, Ecgtheow's son: {Beowulf's retrospect.

} 35 "I survived in my youth-days many a conflict, Hours of onset: that all I remember.

I was seven-winters old when the jewel-prince took me, High-lord of heroes, at the hands of my father, Hrethel the hero-king had me in keeping, {Hrethel took me when I was seven.

} 40 Gave me treasure and feasting, our kinship remembered;

Not ever was I _any_ less dear to him {He treated me as a son.

} Knight in the boroughs, than the bairns of his household, Herebald and Hæthcyn and Higelac mine.

To the eldest unjustly by acts of a kinsman 45 Was murder-bed strewn, since him Hæthcyn from horn-bow {One of the brothers accidentally kills another.

} His sheltering chieftain shot with an arrow, Erred in his aim and injured his kinsman, One brother the other, with blood-sprinkled spear: {No fee could compound for such a calamity.

} 'Twas a feeless fight, finished in malice, 50 Sad to his spirit; the folk-prince however Had to part from existence with vengeance untaken.

{[A parallel case is supposed.

]} So to hoar-headed hero 'tis heavily crushing[1] [83] To live to see his son as he rideth Young on the gallows: then measures he chanteth, 55 A song of sorrow, when his son is hanging For the raven's delight, and aged and hoary He is unable to offer any assistance.

Every morning his offspring's departure Is constant recalled: he cares not to wait for 60 The birth of an heir in his borough-enclosures, Since that one through death-pain the deeds hath experienced.

He heart-grieved beholds in the house of his son the Wine-building wasted, the wind-lodging places Reaved of their roaring; the riders are sleeping, 65 The knights in the grave; there's no sound of the harp-wood, Joy in the yards, as of yore were familiar.

[1] 'Gomelum ceorle' (2445).

--H.

takes these words as referring to Hrethel; but the translator here departs from his editor by understanding the poet to refer to a hypothetical old man, introduced as an illustration of a father's sorrow.

Hrethrel had certainly never seen a son of his ride on the gallows to feed the crows.

The passage beginning 'swá bið géomorlic' seems to be an effort to reach a full simile, 'as ...

so.'

'As it is mournful for an old man, etc. ...

so the defence of the Weders (2463) bore heart-sorrow, etc.' The verses 2451 to 2463-1/2 would be parenthetical, the poet's feelings being so strong as to interrupt the simile.

The punctuation of the fourth edition would be better--a comma after 'galgan' (2447).

The translation may be indicated as follows: _(Just) as it is sad for an old man to see his son ride young on the gallows when he himself is uttering mournful measures, a sorrowful song, while his son hangs for a comfort to the raven, and he, old and infirm, cannot render him any kelp--(he is constantly reminded, etc. , 2451-2463)--so the defence of the Weders, etc. _ XXXV.

REMINISCENCES (_continued_).

--BEOWULF'S LAST BATTLE.

"He seeks then his chamber, singeth a woe-song One for the other; all too extensive Seemed homesteads and plains.

So the helm of the Weders {Hrethel grieves for Herebald.

} Mindful of Herebald heart-sorrow carried, 5 Stirred with emotion, nowise was able To wreak his ruin on the ruthless destroyer: He was unable to follow the warrior with hatred, With deeds that were direful, though dear he not held him.

[84] Then pressed by the pang this pain occasioned him, 10 He gave up glee, God-light elected;

He left to his sons, as the man that is rich does, His land and fortress, when from life he departed.

{Strife between Swedes and Geats.

} Then was crime and hostility 'twixt Swedes and Geatmen, O'er wide-stretching water warring was mutual, 15 Burdensome hatred, when Hrethel had perished, And Ongentheow's offspring were active and valiant, Wished not to hold to peace oversea, but Round Hreosna-beorh often accomplished Cruelest massacre.

This my kinsman avengèd, 20 The feud and fury, as 'tis found on inquiry, Though one of them paid it with forfeit of life-joys, {Hæthcyn's fall at Ravenswood.

} With price that was hard: the struggle became then Fatal to Hæthcyn, lord of the Geatmen.

Then I heard that at morning one brother the other 25 With edges of irons egged on to murder, Where Ongentheow maketh onset on Eofor: The helmet crashed, the hoary-haired Scylfing Sword-smitten fell, his hand then remembered Feud-hate sufficient, refused not the death-blow.

{I requited him for the jewels he gave me.

} 30 The gems that he gave me, with jewel-bright sword I 'Quited in contest, as occasion was offered: Land he allowed me, life-joy at homestead, Manor to live on.

Little he needed From Gepids or Danes or in Sweden to look for 35 Trooper less true, with treasure to buy him;

'Mong foot-soldiers ever in front I would hie me, Alone in the vanguard, and evermore gladly Warfare shall wage, while this weapon endureth That late and early often did serve me {Beowulf refers to his having slain Dæghrefn.

} 40 When I proved before heroes the slayer of Dæghrefn, Knight of the Hugmen: he by no means was suffered To the king of the Frisians to carry the jewels, The breast-decoration; but the banner-possessor Bowed in the battle, brave-mooded atheling.

[85] 45 No weapon was slayer, but war-grapple broke then The surge of his spirit, his body destroying.

Now shall weapon's edge make war for the treasure, And hand and firm-sword."

Beowulf spake then, Boast-words uttered--the latest occasion: {He boasts of his youthful prowess, and declares himself still fearless.

} 50 "I braved in my youth-days battles unnumbered;

Still am I willing the struggle to look for, Fame-deeds perform, folk-warden prudent, If the hateful despoiler forth from his cavern Seeketh me out!"

Each of the heroes, 55 Helm-bearers sturdy, he thereupon greeted {His last salutations.

} Belovèd co-liegemen--his last salutation: "No brand would I bear, no blade for the dragon, Wist I a way my word-boast to 'complish[1] Else with the monster, as with Grendel I did it;

60 But fire in the battle hot I expect there, Furious flame-burning: so I fixed on my body Target and war-mail.

The ward of the barrow[2] I'll not flee from a foot-length, the foeman uncanny.

At the wall 'twill befall us as Fate decreeth, {Let Fate decide between us.

} 65 Each one's Creator.

I am eager in spirit, With the wingèd war-hero to away with all boasting.

Bide on the barrow with burnies protected, {Wait ye here till the battle is over.

} Earls in armor, which of _us_ two may better Bear his disaster, when the battle is over.

70 'Tis no matter of yours, and man cannot do it, But me and me only, to measure his strength with The monster of malice, might-deeds to 'complish.

I with prowess shall gain the gold, or the battle, [86] Direful death-woe will drag off your ruler!"

75 The mighty champion rose by his shield then, Brave under helmet, in battle-mail went he 'Neath steep-rising stone-cliffs, the strength he relied on Of one man alone: no work for a coward.

Then he saw by the wall who a great many battles 80 Had lived through, most worthy, when foot-troops collided, {The place of strife is described.

} Stone-arches standing, stout-hearted champion, Saw a brook from the barrow bubbling out thenceward: The flood of the fountain was fuming with war-flame: Not nigh to the hoard, for season the briefest 85 Could he brave, without burning, the abyss that was yawning, The drake was so fiery.

The prince of the Weders Caused then that words came from his bosom, So fierce was his fury; the firm-hearted shouted: His battle-clear voice came in resounding 90 'Neath the gray-colored stone.

Stirred was his hatred, {Beowulf calls out under the stone arches.

} The hoard-ward distinguished the speech of a man;

Time was no longer to look out for friendship.

The breath of the monster issued forth first, Vapory war-sweat, out of the stone-cave: {The terrible encounter.

} 95 The earth re-echoed.

The earl 'neath the barrow Lifted his shield, lord of the Geatmen, Tow'rd the terrible stranger: the ring-twisted creature's Heart was then ready to seek for a struggle.

{Beowulf brandishes his sword,} The excellent battle-king first brandished his weapon, 100 The ancient heirloom, of edges unblunted,[3] To the death-planners twain was terror from other.

{and stands against his shield.

} The lord of the troopers intrepidly stood then 'Gainst his high-rising shield, when the dragon coiled him {The dragon coils himself.

} Quickly together: in corslet he bided.

[87] 105 He went then in blazes, bended and striding, Hasting him forward.

His life and body The targe well protected, for time-period shorter Than wish demanded for the well-renowned leader, Where he then for the first day was forced to be victor, 110 Famous in battle, as Fate had not willed it.

The lord of the Geatmen uplifted his hand then, Smiting the fire-drake with sword that was precious, That bright on the bone the blade-edge did weaken, Bit more feebly than his folk-leader needed, 115 Burdened with bale-griefs.

Then the barrow-protector, {The dragon rages} When the sword-blow had fallen, was fierce in his spirit, Flinging his fires, flamings of battle Gleamed then afar: the gold-friend of Weders {Beowulf's sword fails him.

} Boasted no conquests, his battle-sword failed him 120 Naked in conflict, as by no means it ought to, Long-trusty weapon.

'Twas no slight undertaking That Ecgtheow's famous offspring would leave The drake-cavern's bottom; he must live in some region Other than this, by the will of the dragon, 125 As each one of earthmen existence must forfeit.

'Twas early thereafter the excellent warriors {The combat is renewed.

} Met with each other.

Anew and afresh The hoard-ward took heart (gasps heaved then his bosom): {The great hero is reduced to extremities.

} Sorrow he suffered encircled with fire 130 Who the people erst governed.

His companions by no means Were banded about him, bairns of the princes, {His comrades flee!

} With valorous spirit, but they sped to the forest, Seeking for safety.

The soul-deeps of one were {Blood is thicker than water.

} Ruffled by care: kin-love can never 135 Aught in him waver who well doth consider.

[88] [1] The clause 2520(2)-2522(1), rendered by 'Wist I ...

monster,' Gr.

, followed by S. , translates substantially as follows: _If I knew how else I might combat the boastful defiance of the monster_.

--The translation turns upon 'wiðgrípan,' a word not understood.

[2] B.

emends and translates: _I will not flee the space of a foot from the guard of the barrow, but there shall be to us a fight at the wall, as fate decrees, each one's Creator.

_ [3] The translation of this passage is based on 'unsláw' (2565), accepted by H. -So.

, in lieu of the long-standing 'ungléaw.'

The former is taken as an adj.

limiting 'sweord'; the latter as an adj.

c.

'gúð-cyning': _The good war-king, rash with edges, brandished his sword, his old relic.

_ The latter gives a more rhetorical Anglo-Saxon (poetical) sentence.

XXXVI. WIGLAF THE TRUSTY.

--BEOWULF IS DESERTED BY FRIENDS AND BY SWORD.

{Wiglaf remains true--the ideal Teutonic liegeman.

} The son of Weohstan was Wiglaf entitled, Shield-warrior precious, prince of the Scylfings, Ælfhere's kinsman: he saw his dear liegelord Enduring the heat 'neath helmet and visor.

5 Then he minded the holding that erst he had given him, {Wiglaf recalls Beowulf's generosity.

} The Wægmunding warriors' wealth-blessèd homestead, Each of the folk-rights his father had wielded;

He was hot for the battle, his hand seized the target, The yellow-bark shield, he unsheathed his old weapon, 10 Which was known among earthmen as the relic of Eanmund, Ohthere's offspring, whom, exiled and friendless, Weohstan did slay with sword-edge in battle, And carried his kinsman the clear-shining helmet, The ring-made burnie, the old giant-weapon 15 That Onela gave him, his boon-fellow's armor, Ready war-trappings: he the feud did not mention, Though he'd fatally smitten the son of his brother.

Many a half-year held he the treasures, The bill and the burnie, till his bairn became able, 20 Like his father before him, fame-deeds to 'complish;

Then he gave him 'mong Geatmen a goodly array of Weeds for his warfare; he went from life then Old on his journey.

'Twas the earliest time then {This is Wiglaf's first battle as liegeman of Beowulf.

} That the youthful champion might charge in the battle 25 Aiding his liegelord; his spirit was dauntless.

Nor did kinsman's bequest quail at the battle: This the dragon discovered on their coming together.

Wiglaf uttered many a right-saying, Said to his fellows, sad was his spirit: {Wiglaf appeals to the pride of the cowards.

} 30 "I remember the time when, tasting the mead-cup, We promised in the hall the lord of us all [89] Who gave us these ring-treasures, that this battle-equipment, Swords and helmets, we'd certainly quite him, Should need of such aid ever befall him: {How we have forfeited our liegelord's confidence!

} 35 In the war-band he chose us for this journey spontaneously, Stirred us to glory and gave me these jewels, Since he held and esteemed us trust-worthy spearmen, Hardy helm-bearers, though this hero-achievement Our lord intended alone to accomplish, 40 Ward of his people, for most of achievements, Doings audacious, he did among earth-folk.

{Our lord is in sore need of us.

} The day is now come when the ruler of earthmen Needeth the vigor of valiant heroes: Let us wend us towards him, the war-prince to succor, 45 While the heat yet rageth, horrible fire-fight.

{I would rather die than go home with out my suzerain.

} God wot in me, 'tis mickle the liefer The blaze should embrace my body and eat it With my treasure-bestower.

Meseemeth not proper To bear our battle-shields back to our country, 50 'Less first we are able to fell and destroy the Long-hating foeman, to defend the life of {Surely he does not deserve to die alone.

} The prince of the Weders.

Well do I know 'tisn't Earned by his exploits, he only of Geatmen Sorrow should suffer, sink in the battle: 55 Brand and helmet to us both shall be common, [1]Shield-cover, burnie."

Through the bale-smoke he stalked then, Went under helmet to the help of his chieftain, {Wiglaf reminds Beowulf of his youthful boasts.

} Briefly discoursing: "Beowulf dear, Perform thou all fully, as thou formerly saidst, 60 In thy youthful years, that while yet thou livedst [90] Thou wouldst let thine honor not ever be lessened.

Thy life thou shalt save, mighty in actions, Atheling undaunted, with all of thy vigor;

{The monster advances on them.

} I'll give thee assistance."

The dragon came raging, 65 Wild-mooded stranger, when these words had been uttered ('Twas the second occasion), seeking his enemies, Men that were hated, with hot-gleaming fire-waves;

With blaze-billows burned the board to its edges: The fight-armor failed then to furnish assistance 70 To the youthful spear-hero: but the young-agèd stripling Quickly advanced 'neath his kinsman's war-target, Since his own had been ground in the grip of the fire.

{Beowulf strikes at the dragon.

} Then the warrior-king was careful of glory, He soundly smote with sword-for-the-battle, 75 That it stood in the head by hatred driven;

Nægling was shivered, the old and iron-made {His sword fails him.

} Brand of Beowulf in battle deceived him.

'Twas denied him that edges of irons were able To help in the battle; the hand was too mighty 80 [2]Which every weapon, as I heard on inquiry, Outstruck in its stroke, when to struggle he carried The wonderful war-sword: it waxed him no better.

{The dragon advances on Beowulf again.

} Then the people-despoiler--third of his onsets-- Fierce-raging fire-drake, of feud-hate was mindful, 85 Charged on the strong one, when chance was afforded, Heated and war-grim, seized on his neck With teeth that were bitter; he bloody did wax with Soul-gore seething; sword-blood in waves boiled.

[1] The passage '_Brand ...

burnie_,' is much disputed.

In the first place, some eminent critics assume a gap of at least two half-verses.

--'Úrum' (2660), being a peculiar form, has been much discussed.

'Byrdu-scrúd' is also a crux.

B.

suggests 'býwdu-scrúd' = _splendid vestments_.

Nor is 'bám' accepted by all, 'béon' being suggested.

Whatever the individual words, the passage must mean, "_I intend to share with him my equipments of defence_."

[2] B.

would render: _Which, as I heard, excelled in stroke every sword that he carried to the strife, even the strongest (sword).

_ For 'Þonne' he reads 'Þone,' rel.

pr.

[91] XXXVII. THE FATAL STRUGGLE.

--BEOWULF'S LAST MOMENTS.