Part XVI

AND the lord of earls, to each that camewith Beowulf over the briny ways,an heirloom there at the ale-bench gave,precious gift; and the price bade payin gold for him whom Grendel erstmurdered, -- and fain of them more had killed,had not wisest God their Wyrd averted,and the man's brave mood. The Maker thenruled human kind, as here and now.Therefore is insight always best,and forethought of mind. How much awaits himof lief and of loath, who long time here,through days of warfare this world endures!

Then song and music mingled soundsin the presence of Healfdene's head-of-armiesand harping was heard with the hero-layas Hrothgar's singer the hall-joy wokealong the mead-seats, making his songof that sudden raid on the sons of Finn.Healfdene's hero, Hnaef the Scylding,was fated to fall in the Frisian slaughter.Hildeburh needed not hold in valueher enemies' honor! Innocent bothwere the loved ones she lost at the linden-play,bairn and brother, they bowed to fate,stricken by spears; 'twas a sorrowful woman!None doubted why the daughter of Hocbewailed her doom when dawning came,and under the sky she saw them lying,kinsmen murdered, where most she had kennedof the sweets of the world! By war were swept, too,Finn's own liegemen, and few were left;in the parleying-place he could ply no longerweapon, nor war could he wage on Hengest,and rescue his remnant by right of armsfrom the prince's thane. A pact he offered:another dwelling the Danes should have,hall and high-seat, and half the powershould fall to them in Frisian land;and at the fee-gifts, Folcwald's sonday by day the Danes should honor,the folk of Hengest favor with rings,even as truly, with treasure and jewels,with fretted gold, as his Frisian kinhe meant to honor in ale-hall there.Pact of peace they plighted furtheron both sides firmly. Finn to Hengestwith oath, upon honor, openly promisedthat woful remnant, with wise-men's aid,nobly to govern, so none of the guestsby word or work should warp the treaty,or with malice of mind bemoan themselvesas forced to follow their fee-giver's slayer,lordless men, as their lot ordained.Should Frisian, moreover, with foeman's taunt,that murderous hatred to mind recall,then edge of the sword must seal his doom.

Oaths were given, and ancient goldheaped from hoard. -- The hardy Scylding,battle-thane best, on his balefire lay.All on the pyre were plain to seethe gory sark, the gilded swine-crest,boar of hard iron, and athelings manyslain by the sword: at the slaughter they fell.It was Hildeburh's hest, at Hnaef's own pyrethe bairn of her body on brands to lay,his bones to burn, on the balefire placed,at his uncle's side. In sorrowful dirgesbewept them the woman: great wailing ascended.Then wound up to welkin the wildest of death-fires,roared o'er the hillock: heads all were melted,gashes burst, and blood gushed outfrom bites of the body. Balefire devoured,greediest spirit, those spared not by warout of either folk: their flower was gone.