Beowulf on Everything:
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Beowulf XV
THERE was
hurry and
hest in
Heorot now
for hands to
bedeck it, and dense was the throng
of men and women the wine-hall to cleanse,
the guest-room to garnish.
Gold-
gay shone the hangings
that were wove on the wall, and wonders many
to delight each mortal that looks upon them.
Though braced within by iron bands,
that building bright was broken sorely; (1)
rent were its hinges; the roof alone
held safe and sound, when, seared with crime,
the fiendish foe his flight essayed,
of life despairing. -- No light thing that,
the flight for safety, -- essay it who will!
Forced of fate, he shall find his way
to the refuge ready for race of man,
for soul-possessors, and sons of earth;
and there his body on bed of death
shall rest after revel.
Arrived was the hour
when to hall proceeded
Healfdene's son:
the king himself would sit to banquet.
Ne'er heard I of host in
haughtier throng
more
graciously gathered round
giver-of-
rings!
Bowed then to bench those bearers-of-glory,
fain of the feasting. Featly received
many a
mead-
cup the mighty-in-spirit,
kinsmen who sat in the sumptuous hall,
Hrothgar and
Hrothulf.
Heorot now
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was filled with friends; the folk of
Scyldings
ne'er yet had tried the traitor's deed.
To
Beowulf gave the
bairn of
Healfdene
a
gold-
wove banner, guerdon of triumph,
broidered battle-flag, breastplate and helmet;
and a splendid sword was seen of many
borne to the brave one.
Beowulf took
cup in hall: (2) for such costly gifts
he suffered no
shame in that
soldier throng.
For I heard of few heroes, in heartier mood,
with four such gifts, so fashioned with gold,
on the ale-bench
honoring others thus!
O'er the roof of the helmet high, a ridge,
wound with wires, kept ward o'er the head,
lest the
relict-of-
files (3) should
fierce invade,
sharp in the strife, when that shielded hero
should go to grapple against his foes.
Then the earls'-defence (4) on the floor (5) bade lead
coursers eight, with carven head-gear,
adown the hall: one horse was decked
with a saddle all shining and set in jewels;
'twas the battle-seat of the best of kings,
when to play of swords the son of Healfdene
was fain to fare. Ne'er failed his valor
in the crush of combat when corpses fell.
To Beowulf over them both then gave
the refuge-of-
Ingwines right and power,
o'er war-steeds and weapons: wished him joy of them.
Manfully thus the mighty prince,
hoard-guard for heroes, that hard fight repaid
with steeds and treasures contemned by none
who is willing to say the sooth aright.
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(1) There is no horrible inconsistency here such as the critics strive and cry about. In spite of the ruin that
Grendel and
Beowulf had made within the hall, the framework and roof held firm, and swift repairs made the interior habitable.
Tapestries were hung on the walls, and willing hands prepared the
banquet.
(2) From its formal use in other places, this phrase, to take cup in hall, or "on the floor," would seem to mean that
Beowulf stood up to receive his gifts, drink to the donor, and say thanks.
(3)
Kenning for
sword.
(4)
Hrothgar. He is also the "refuge of the friends of Ing," below. Ing belongs to
myth.
(5)
Horses are frequently led or ridden into the hall where folk sit at banquet: so in Chaucer's Squire's tale, in the ballad of
King Estmere, and in the
romances.