Part XXVII

CAME now to ocean the ever-courageoushardy henchmen, their harness bearing,woven war-sarks. The warden marked,trusty as ever, the earl's return.From the height of the hill no hostile wordsreached the guests as he rode to greet them;but "Welcome!" he called to that Weder clanas the sheen-mailed spoilers to ship marched on.Then on the strand, with steeds and treasureand armor their roomy and ring-dight shipwas heavily laden: high its mastrose over Hrothgar's hoarded gems.A sword to the boat-guard Beowulf gave,mounted with gold; on the mead-bench sincehe was better esteemed, that blade possessing,heirloom old. -- Their ocean-keel boarding,they drove through the deep, and Daneland left.A sea-cloth was set, a sail with ropes,firm to the mast; the flood-timbers moaned;nor did wind over billows that wave-swimmer blowacross from her course. The craft sped on,foam-necked it floated forth o'er the waves,keel firm-bound over briny currents,till they got them sight of the Geatish cliffs,home-known headlands. High the boat,stirred by winds, on the strand updrove.Helpful at haven the harbor-guard stood,who long already for loved companionsby the water had waited and watched afar.He bound to the beach the broad-bosomed shipwith anchor-bands, lest ocean-billowsthat trusty timber should tear away.Then Beowulf bade them bear the treasure,gold and jewels; no journey farwas it thence to go to the giver of rings,Hygelac Hrethling: at home he dweltby the sea-wall close, himself and clan.Haughty that house, a hero the king,high the hall, and Hygd right young,wise and wary, though winters fewin those fortress walls she had found a home,Haereth's daughter. Nor humble her ways,nor grudged she gifts to the Geatish men,of precious treasure. Not Thryth's pride showed she,folk-queen famed, or that fell deceit.Was none so daring that durst make bold(save her lord alone) of the liegemen dearthat lady full in the face to look,but forged fetters he found his lot,bonds of death! And brief the respite;soon as they seized him, his sword-doom was spoken,and the burnished blade a baleful murderproclaimed and closed. No queenly wayfor woman to practise, though peerless she,that the weaver-of-peace from warrior dearby wrath and lying his life should reave!But Hemming's kinsman hindered this. --For over their ale men also toldthat of these folk-horrors fewer she wrought,onslaughts of evil, after she went,gold-decked bride, to the brave young prince,atheling haughty, and Offa's hallo'er the fallow flood at her father's biddingsafely sought, where since she prospered,royal, throned, rich in goods,fain of the fair life fate had sent her,and leal in love to the lord of warriors.He, of all heroes I heard of everfrom sea to sea, of the sons of earth,most excellent seemed. Hence Offa was praisedfor his fighting and feeing by far-off men,the spear-bold warrior; wisely he ruledover his empire. Eomer woke to him,help of heroes, Hemming's kinsman,Grandson of Garmund, grim in war.