Part XXIX

"So held this king to the customs old,that I wanted for nought in the wage I gained,the meed of my might; he made me gifts,Healfdene's heir, for my own disposal.Now to thee, my prince, I proffer them all,gladly give them. Thy grace alonecan find me favor. Few indeedhave I of kinsmen, save, Hygelac, thee!"Then he bade them bear him the boar-head standard,the battle-helm high, and breastplate gray,the splendid sword; then spake in form: --"Me this war-gear the wise old prince,Hrothgar, gave, and his hest he added,that its story be straightway said to thee. --A while it was held by Heorogar king,for long time lord of the land of Scyldings;yet not to his son the sovran left it,to daring Heoroweard, -- dear as he was to him,his harness of battle. -- Well hold thou it all!"And I heard that soon passed o'er the path of this treasure,all apple-fallow, four good steeds,each like the others, arms and horseshe gave to the king. So should kinsmen be,not weave one another the net of wiles,or with deep-hid treachery death contrivefor neighbor and comrade. His nephew was everby hardy Hygelac held full dear,and each kept watch o'er the other's weal.I heard, too, the necklace to Hygd he presented,wonder-wrought treasure, which Wealhtheow gave himsovran's daughter: three steeds he added,slender and saddle-gay. Since such giftthe gem gleamed bright on the breast of the queen.Thus showed his strain the son of Ecgtheowas a man remarked for mighty deedsand acts of honor. At ale he slew notcomrade or kin; nor cruel his mood,though of sons of earth his strength was greatest,a glorious gift that God had sentthe splendid leader. Long was he spurned,and worthless by Geatish warriors held;him at mead the master-of-clansfailed full oft to favor at all.Slack and shiftless the strong men deemed him,profitless prince; but payment came,to the warrior honored, for all his woes. --Then the bulwark-of-earls bade bring within,hardy chieftain, Hrethel's heirloomgarnished with gold: no Geat e'er knewin shape of a sword a statelier prize.The brand he laid in Beowulf's lap;and of hides assigned him seven thousand,with house and high-seat. They held in commonland alike by their line of birth,inheritance, home: but higher the kingbecause of his rule o'er the realm itself.

Now further it fell with the flight of years,with harryings horrid, that Hygelac perished,and Heardred, too, by hewing of swordsunder the shield-wall slaughtered lay,when him at the van of his victor-folksought hardy heroes, Heatho-Scilfings,in arms o'erwhelming Hereric's nephew.Then Beowulf came as king this broadrealm to wield; and he ruled it wellfifty winters, a wise old prince,warding his land, until One beganin the dark of night, a Dragon, to rage.In the grave on the hill a hoard it guarded,in the stone-barrow steep. A strait path reached it,unknown to mortals. Some man, however,came by chance that cave withinto the heathen hoard. In hand he tooka golden goblet, nor gave he it back,stole with it away, while the watcher slept,by thievish wiles: for the warden's wrathprince and people must pay betimes!